Chapter 20

Kagome slowly walked over to Mitsuhime, feeling guilty. She watched as Ayame gave her sympathy.

"I am sorry for what has happened to you," Ayame sympathized. "I hope whoever did it gets what they so rightly deserve."

"I am sorry for lying, to all of you," Mitsuhime apologized. "I didn't realize how attached I could become to a group of people." Mitsuhime ducked her head. "I have never had friends before," she finished quietly.

Kagome walked over, patting her on the shoulder. "Well, we are still your friends and it will remain that way." Kagome hugged her. "I only wish I could tell you who it was."

Mitsuhime looked up at her, giving her best at a smile. "Do not dwell on the past. Besides, I was trained to hunt. I would be too easy if I didn't have to seek the demon out."

Kagome smiled back at her, happy that she was forgiven. "I wish I could help, but my yokai oath forbids me from uttering a word. I do wish you good luck in your search, though." And with that, Kagome walked out of the room with Inuyasha.

Inuyasha began his grumbling to Kagome when he knew he was out of earshot of his older brother.

"Do you think she can be trusted?" Inuyasha growled. "She did try to kill Sesshomaru, who only wanted to find the demon that had done it in the first place."

"Oh, Inuyasha," Kagome sighed. "Imagine if your whole world came crashing down around you and you knew that someone had done it on purpose. Wouldn't you be a little quick to attempt to end the pain?"

Inuyasha only grumbled some more, not really having an answer. Kagome now knew that she would have to stay away from Koga, or else she would end up blurting out that someone here was looking for him. She only hoped Koga wouldn't be too badly punished.

Oh Kami, what am I to do?

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Mitsuhime walked out the door and was caught by Sango.

"May I talk to you?" Sango asked quietly. Mitsuhime nodded.

"I don't really know what to say, I guess," Sango said as the two walked down the hallway. "It is just nice to know that I was not alone forced to see the massacre. I realize it must have been much worse for you though, considering it was your village."

Mitsuhime shrugged. "It was a shock, I must admit. I couldn't help but fell like some of them had it coming."

Sango gave a small chuckle. "Tell me, something then. I am curious," Sango started. "I know for a fact that Taijiya hate any type of demon and humans that associate with them. I can guess that you were treated harshly by the villagers. Why do you want to avenge a group of people who shunned you based on your blood?"

Mitsuhime stared at her. Truthfully, she hadn't given it much thought. She had come up with the whole revenge idea after-Mitsuhime swallowed heavily.

"I have to admit I have not given that much thought, actually, as to why I came. I came to the decision not when I realized what had befallen to my village, but when I saw my little cousin dead. She was the only one in the entire village who loved me, despite who I was."

Sango looked at her. "Who was your cousin?"

Mitsuhime gave a sad smile. "I think you have seen her. I heard that she gave you nightmares. The little girl."

Sango gasped. "The little girl, the one in front of the house, with her chest all…?"

Mitsuhime nodded, to choked up to speak. Sango was beyond words at well, hugging Mitsuhime tightly. Sango could only imagine how that had made Mitsuhime feel. She could feel Mitsuhime's protectiveness for the girl under her words. Sango knew she would have done the same if it had been Kohaku who was so brutally killed. The girl had been so young too, probably no older than Rin.

"Her name was Morinoko," Mitsuhime whispered.

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Mitsuhime found herself back in the kitchen, pretending to work. She may have lost her cover, but for the purposes of finding the killer, she would have to resume old tasks. It wasn't much of a pain really. She enjoyed working in the kitchen.

As soon as she had walked in with Ayame, Shippo had immediately latched on to her. "Where were you this morning?" he wailed.

Mitsuhime chuckled. "I had an important engagement. I am back, though."

Shippo finally let go of her, but was still unsatisfied with her answer. "Why am I always the one outside of the loop?" Shippo scampered off and Ayame and her exchanged smiles.

It felt good now, to be her. She didn't have to hide as much. Ayame knew what she was and was fine with it. It was strange, really, being accepted as a half demon. A new experience, truly.

The day past quickly and she would always check in to see if they had any leads. From Sango to Sesshomaru himself, they all shook their heads. But progress would be made; Mitsuhime would make sure of it.

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The sun set below the horizon and Sesshomaru was once again in his office, Miroku with him.

"What exactly proved that the killer was from here?" Miroku asked.

"A small piece of cloth she showed me. It was decorated with my coat of arms. I do not have the scrap with me, for I returned it to Mitsuhime."

Miroku nodded. "I believe you, but what fails to match up is why she did it. The Taijiya weren't well-known for liking anyone who associated with yokai, much less someone who had yokai blood. Why would she want to avenge people who shunned her?"

Sesshomaru contemplated his words. "That is what is curious. I myself have wondered the same. Something, or someone, must have caused her to do it. I hardly doubt it was for her allegiance to the village."

Miroku paced back and forth in front of him. "Have you asked her?"

"I almost did, but she spoke of the event briefly with Sango and she seemed overwhelmed emotionally by that. I dare not ask. Instead, I will wait until she tells me herself, without force."

Miroku turned around, staring at Sesshomaru. "She only came here to exact her revenge, what will happen if she chooses to leave once it is done?"

"She does not have a home to return to," Sesshomaru argued, not wanting to admit he hadn't thought of that.

"A Taijiya in less prejudice villages would be deemed useful. She would be welcomed like a hero. Finding another place to live would be no challenge for her." Miroku sighed. "You need to give her reason to stay. I know you have one too."

Miroku walked out of the room, and Sesshomaru blinked. It was true, he did in fact. It was the whole reason the world had suddenly flipped on him only days ago. But it was also the reason he was more doubtful. Sesshomaru had always been so sure of his choices, but now he wasn't. Mitsuhime had changed drastically. She was a bit colder, somewhat more calculating. She wasn't the same girl Sesshomaru had fallen for. She was now what was to be expected of years training as a Taijiya, possessing the fluid motions and grace expected of someone like her. So, what concerned him now was if he loved this girl as well. The old Mitsuhime was more carefree, and seemed to always smile. The new Mitsuhime was burdened with pain and if she ever smiled, it was always laced with sadness.

So, he guessed, it seemed the question now was if he wanted her to stay. Did this Mitsuhime mean as much to him as the old one did? Debatably, she was the same person she had always had been; just now Sesshomaru knew more of her. So, he guessed, the real question was if he could handle someone with such a tortured past.

End of Chapter Twenty

A/N: So, there are only a few chapters left and I had been hoping I could have gotten this all out before school was back in session. Sadly, seeing at that didn't happen, updates are going to get irregular, even worse than they are now. I don't know when I'll be able to update again, with school and work, but it'll get done eventually. Maybe Sunday?

Xauroragoddessx: Thanks for understanding, you are awesome! You're not going to be too sad when this is done, are you?