Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha only my oc

Both Rin and Jaken were fast asleep in the middle of Shiori's meadow. Ah-Un was also asleep next to them. The 3 of them had been adamantly waiting on Sesshomaru's return. As usual, the demon lord was out looking for Naraku. He left them in the meadow and told them to wait there until either he, or Shiori returned. Finally, Sesshomaru approached his sleeping comrades. How defenseless they were without any protection. Sesshomaru casually walked over and kicked Jaken in the head.

"Eck!" he yelped as he sprang up. "Who's there? Who did that?"

He tilted his head up to find Sesshomaru towering over him.

"Oh, forgive me my lord!" he cried bowing at his feat. "I didn't know it was you."

"Has Shiori returned?" Sesshomaru asked.

Jaken shook his head, "no, I'm afraid she hasn't. She must've had much to discuss with the kodama."

"Where is this kodama located?"

"Uh, well it's in a forest far from here. Perhaps she's on her way back now," said Jaken. "Were you planning on fetching the girl?"

"She was here earlier…..her scent lingers in this area," thought Sesshomaru.

He turned away and looked to Rin. Something was disturbing her sleep. She began stirring around on the ground. Jaken peered over at the girl.

"Lord Sesshomaru, what do you suppose is wrong with her?" asked Jaken examining her.

Just as quickly as she started stirring around, she suddenly stopped moving. Rin became eerily still.

"I guess she was just having a bad dream, she's fine," said Jaken.

Sesshomaru glanced down at the young girl. She wasn't fine at all. There was something off about her stillness. Her breathing was somewhat slowed and she broke out into a cold sweat.

"Get away from her!" called Shiori.

She was running towards them as fast as she could. Sesshomaru and Jaken turned to face Shiori as she approached them. She angrily looked down at Rin.

"What do you mean?" asked Jaken. "We're just checking up on her and…."

"Jaken….she's not talking to us," said Sesshomaru, cutting him off.

"Huh?" he baffled. "She's talking to another spirit?"

"I said get away from her," Shiori snapped.

"Shiori…my people have been looking for you," said the spirit. "How wonderful it is to finally meet you. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Goro. I'm sure your father has told you about me and my brothers."

"You are one of the netherworld lords,"

A man with long black hair pressed his foot down on Rin's chest. Shiori could hear Rin's spirit screaming. The demon was doing something to paralyze it inside her body.

"Let her go," she demanded.

"Why should I?" he said. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't just drag her back to the underworld with me?"

Shiori held out her hand and blasted at Goro. He laughed as her attacks phased right through his body.

"You….bastard!" she screeched.

"What are you doing?" he mocked. "You know you can't harm me! You don't have the power to touch me."

She narrowed her eyes at the disgusting creature as he leaned close to Rin's body.

"I can steal this girl's soul and you wouldn't be able to do a thing about it," said the demon. "Isn't that right?"

Shiori rushed over to Rin and placed her on her chest. She instantly began purifying the girl to expel the demon from her chest. It cringed in pain as he released his grip on her. Immediately, Rin's breathing returned to normal and her eyes swung open.

"Lady Shiori!" she cried. "Lord Sesshomaru!"

"She's awake?" said Jaken. "So then, Shiori's slain the demon?"

"How clever you are," he said. "Using the girl's body as a medium to attack me."

Before she knew it, the demon was now directly in front of her. He grabbed her by the neck and forced her to the ground. She struggled to break free from him. Rin and Jaken watched helplessly as Shiori was pulled by the invisible force.

"The man that attacked me has Shiori now!" Rin screeched.

"It would be so easy for me to take you right now," said Goro looking into Shiori's eyes. "You can't purify me this way."

"I thought father told me I'd become stronger… I still can't attack spiritual beings….."

She tried to grab his wrist, but phased through it instead. He stroked her cheek with the back of his palm.

"Silly woman," he laughed. "Do you see the way I touch you? How I can feel you? You can't escape my advances. I can do whatever I want to you, yet you can do absolutely nothing at all. I could take you right now."

"What's stopping you?" she cringed.

"I'm not here to kill you, Shiori," he said. "I'm just simply sending a message. There are plans for you in the future. Killing you now would ruin those plans. I'm just wanted to see you first before returning back to the underworld."

"So I wasn't his main objective? Just what was he doing here?"

He slowly leaned closer to her face. Shiori reached for her sword, but he fought her.

"No!" she cried in her mind. "Get away from me!"

Her energy manifested all around her body. Goro stopped moving and stared at the girl.

"What? Her purification….it wasn't this strong a minute ago." He thought, while pinning her down.

"You think you can save yourself with those insufficient powers?" he darkly chuckled as he leaned toward her again.

Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain across his back. Someone slashed him with a sword.

He turned around to see Sesshomaru standing in front of him. His tenseiga was drawn. Suddenly, Goro's body materialized into the physical world. Shiori could definitely feel his weight on her body.

"Curse deflect!" she shouted, repelling him off.

Goro recoiled away from her. Rin rushed to her side and helped her sit up. Goro landed a few yards away from them.

"That sword?" he thought, eyeing Sesshomaru's tenseiga.

"Keep your disgusting hands off her, or I'll have your head," Sesshomaru threatened.

Goro smirked, "Oh I see now. She's your woman."

Sesshomaru didn't respond to the remark. He just continued to stare Goro down.

"You'll have to forgive me, demon lord. I don't know how to behave myself around the opposite sex. Though, I can't exactly guarantee it won't happen again."

Sesshomaru suddenly took on a disastrous expression. Shiori had never seen him so….menacing. Jaken ducked for cover, fearing he was about to transform. Instead, Sesshomaru raced forward and slashed at Goro with tenseiga again. This time, Goro evaded the pursuit.

"It would seem that I've over stayed my welcome in this realm," he said. "I must leave you all. Oh, and Shiori…remember my touch. Your lord won't be around forever…..I will have you eventually."

Goro disappeared and returned to the netherworld. Shiori was still sitting in the grass. She stared aimlessly into the open space where he stood. She had a vacant look in her eye. Rin tried to shake her in order to wake her up.

"Of course Lord Sesshomaru's sword was able to harm the demon that plagued her. It's capable of killing things not of this world." Thought Jaken. "The least that foul woman could do is thank the lord for saving her."

"I have to leave," she said.

"You're leaving again?"

She nodded, "yes, I am. I have a huge task ahead of me. And something like this will only happen again if I stay attached to you."

"But Lady Shiori,"

"It's true," commented Jaken. "She's a jinx. She'll just attract more spirits to us!"

"I'm leaving….but this time, I don't think I'll be coming back," she said

"What?" cried Jaken and Rin in unison.

"I have a lot to focus on right now. Naraku isn't exactly on the top of my list," she explained. "My father is being tortured in hell as we speak. And I have to stop those things—now."

"So you're going, huh?" Sesshomaru asked casually.

"I have to," she replied.

"Will you travel with us again after you fight them?" asked Rin with tears in her eyes.

"Maybe, but by then I might decide to travel on my own," she responded. "That is, if I'm still alive. I have no way of knowing if I'll survive this battle or not."

"No, don't go Lady Shiori!" said Rin letting her tears roll. "What if they come for you again? What if they kill you this time?"

She hugged Shiori tightly. Shiori wrapped an arm around the little girl.

"That's their plan," Shiori lightly joked. "But I won't let this happen again. Not to you….or me. I know what to do now."

"Please be careful," she said softly.

Rin released her, and Shiori turned to Jaken.

"Hmph, well good riddance," he spat. "Maybe now that you're leaving, I'll get some respect around here."

"Jaken ,you're 2 feet tall with green skin and bulging yellow eyes," she jeered. "That'll never happen."

"You insolent little wretch!" he shrieked as he shook his fist angrily at her. "You are absolutely nauseating!"

She laughed, "This is coming from the creature that doesn't bathe."

"How can she be in such good spirits after what almost happened to her? This must be another incidence where she masks her true feelings," thought Sesshomaru watching her.

She didn't know what to say to Sesshomaru. For a moment, they just stared at each other. Neither really knowing what to say to the other.

Finally Shiori spoke, "farewell, my lord."

When he didn't respond back, Shiori turned to go. Just as she was about to walk away, Sesshomaru clamped onto her right wrist. Shiori froze automatically. She didn't even turn back around to face him.

"Do you remember what you said to me when we first met?" he asked her.

"You told me you don't remember our first meeting," she answered.

"No, I mean 50 years ago," he said.

Shiori was greatly confused. Why would bring up something she said 50 years ago?

"Think hard," he demanded.

Shiori thought back to that day when she formally met Sesshomaru. When he was fighting against the panther tribe. She rushed in to help him fight….but what did she say to him?

She finally came to a realization, "I remember now. I said I would forever be your ally…."

He released his grip on her, but she still refused to face him. Why did he make her remember such a thing? Did he think she was going back on her word by leaving him?

"Lord Sesshomaru," she said tenderly. "My absence from you doesn't change anything. I will always be your ally. I meant that." She paused. "But let's face it….you don't need me, do you?"

She looked over her shoulder to Sesshomaru. But he was looking away from her. He said nothing more to her.

"I'll take your silence as a yes," she gradually started floating in the sky, "Good-bye, my lord."

She floated away into the wind. Sesshomaru didn't even watch her leave this time. Rin sadly waved after Shiori.

"Where exactly is she going?" asked Jaken. "Is she on her way to the netherworld now?"

"No," said Sesshomaru walking away. "She's most likely going home first."

"Home?" asked Rin.

"Back to the sacred lands," Sesshomaru replied.

They silently followed after Sesshomaru. Both Jaken and Rin could tell that he was upset about something. But it couldn't be because of Shiori's decision….could it. As he walked, Sesshomaru thought back over the moment when he first met her. 50 years prior…

Flash Back ^_^

Sesshomaru stared out into a barren wasteland. His long silver hair blew in the wind as he waited for his opponents to arrive. The panther tribe of the east was reeking hacek all across the land, and Sesshomaru was stepping in to stop them. Many years ago, that same tribe attacked the lands of the west, but Sesshomaru's father, Lord of the Western lands, defeated them. He destroyed their leader, causing the other panthers to flee back to the east. Now, it seems they were coming to settle the score. With his father dead, Sesshomaru would have to fight alone.

"Lord Sesshomaru," said a voice from behind him.

Sesshomaru turned to find a small army of demons standing before him.

"My men and I have come to lend our assistance to you in battle," one of them said.

"Why do you wish to assist me?" he calmly asked.

"We are in debt to your father after the last war," said the demon. "This time we would like to assist you, my lord."

Sesshomaru examined the army of demons in front of them. They weren't a very strong bunch of creatures. He recognized the main one talking to him as, Rouyakan, the wolf demon of hell. Despite his monstrous appearance, he heard that the wolf demon was a tender and gentle spirit. Sesshomaru eyed many other demons in the bunch, but none seemed to powerful.

"What's that strange aura I'm feeling?" he thought as he peered through the group.

He located the source of the strange demonic aura. It was coming from a young woman standing in the very back. She was looking right at him, as were the others. But something about her was….different.

"Is that….a tennin?" he thought. "Why does she stare at me with such eyes? It's as if she's looking through me."

The young woman turned away and broke free of his gaze. She stared out into the sidelines.

"No, impossible. I've never seen a tennin with black hair. There's something awfully sinister about her. Tennin aren't supposed to emit demonic aura." he wondered staring at her profile. "Does this woman intend to fight with us?"

"Lord Sesshomaru!" cried Jaken from a distance.

Sesshomaru saw his servant racing towards him as fast as he could. When Jaken finally approached him, he threw himself at Sesshomaru's feet.

"I bring terrible news, Lord Sesshomaru!" he said. "Forgive me my lord. But I acted on my own accord and went to fetch Inuyasha. He may be a half demon, but he's still your father's son."

"I see," said Sesshomaru nonchalantly. "And where is he? What, is he too cowardly to show himself? Or did he simply refuse to come to his brother's aid?"

"Neither," Jaken replied. "I'm afraid that he's been placed under a spell."

"A spell?"

He nodded, "Indeed. He lost his heart to a mortal priestess and fell prey to her sacred powers."

"How foolish of him," spat Sesshomaru.

"Yes," Jaken agreed. He turned his attention to the army of demons before them. "Who are those demons?"

Sesshomaru glanced over to them, "My father saved them in the last war. Now they wish to honor him by fighting alongside me."

He continued to eye the black haired tennin girl. She didn't seem to be paying attention to any of them. The girl just kept staring out to the side.

"We have allies?" asked Jaken. "That's wonderful. I was concerned, I'll admit, but now that we have allies we may fight with confidence."

Sesshomaru caught the scent of the panther demons in the wind. They were rapidly approaching them. He stepped on the kneeling Jaken and walked toward the barring wasteland.

"What are you waiting for?" he said over his shoulder. "They're coming…."

All, except the young woman, rushed to follow Sesshomaru onto the battle field. She slowly and quietly followed behind everyone. The ground began to rumble softly. Gradually, the rumblings increased louder and louder. Finally, the panther tribe appeared on the horizon. Hundreds of cat demons sauntered towards them. They were all being led by a woman with long blue hair and burgundy eyes. Her long kimono matched his hair. And evil smile was fixed on her face. They murderously stared down Sesshomaru and his crew.

"Well now," she said. "It's been ages since we last met, hasn't it?"

"Toran, I see you've taken over as active leader since the Panther King's death," he stated.

"Oh you've noticed, huh?" she laughed. "Yes, after your father killed our beloved king, I was given leadership. And now, we've come to extract our revenge by killing you."

"I'll kill you before that happens," he answered.

She smirked, "Well, will just have to see about that now won't we?"

Toran commissioned her panthers to attack the group. Sesshomaru's demons rushed toward them. Sesshomaru himself went straight after Toran. She dodged his advances.

"Coming after me?" she teased. "I feel so special…"

"Be silent," he ordered as he slashed at her.

She attacked him with an ice blast, but he repelled it with his energy whip. While fighting, Sesshomaru was taking note of what was happening around him. Toran's panther's were making quick work of the demons. Everywhere Sesshomaru turned, more and more of his allies fell dead.

"I should've known they'd fail me," he thought.

The remaining survivors gathered together.

"Retreat," shouted Rouyakan as he ran away. "Forgive us Lord Sesshomaru!"

All of them ran with him and dodged enemy pursuits along the way.

"They've left us!" exclaimed Jaken, watching them run. "How could they do such a thing?"

Suddenly, more of the panther demons sprang towards them. Jaken shrieked and recoiled back. Just as Sesshomaru was about to strike them, he heard a voice from behind him.

"My lord, on your left!"

He turned towards his left just as the tennin woman came leaping over his shoulder. Her wavy hair trailed behind her. She jumped with such grace, that even Sesshomaru had to stop for a moment. The woman had a sword drawn and ready to attack the incoming enemies. With one swing, she designated an entire group of panthers.

"Where did she come from?" Jaken wondered. "Has she been here the entire time?"

The girl landed on her feet, just in time to deal another blow to more enemies.

"You wench!" called Toran, attacking her.

The woman calmly glared at Toran with contempt.

"Curse deflect," she uttered.

A powerful force from her body sent Toran flying backwards. The tennin woman jumped back to Sesshomaru. He stared at the strange girl in front of him.

"And just who might you be?" he calmly demanded.

"My identity is of no importance to you right now, my lord," she said flatly. "Just know that I am forever your ally."

"Ally?" he thought.

"They're preparing for retaliation," she said watching them gather themselves. "I must've given them quite a stir."

"Hmph," Sesshomaru scoffed. "Just don't get in my way."

She smirked, "I wouldn't dream of it."

"This girl…..who does she think she is?" he thought while examining her.

All of his other allies fled, yet this girl chose to stay. And to top it off, she proclaimed herself as his ally forever. He guessed that she wasn't a part of Rouyakan's group. She must've quietly tagged along with the army in order to come and fight. That still didn't explain who she was.

Sesshomaru and the woman rushed in and fought their way through the lines. Sesshomaru dodged fire balls coming his way as he clawed at the panthers. The girl quickly slipped in and out of enemy grips as she whirled around her sword. Eventually, the two of them met in the middle.

"Ha!" jeered Toran. "You're surrounded. There's no way you'll escape."

Sesshomaru and the girl stood back to back as the panthers approached them.

"I told you not to get in my way." he snapped.

""But my lord, I'm not in your way," she said with a smug. "I'm right behind you."

Both of them lashed out at the demons leaping before them. Sesshomaru used his energy whip and sliced them to pieces. The girl destroyed them with a purification ray. Toran could see that the outcome of the battle was now changing.

"Retreat my panthers," she yelled.

They obeyed her and went scampering off towards the west.

"Where do those pussyfoots think they're going?" the tennin snapped.

She started to run after him, but Sesshomaru pulled her back. She looked at him in confusion. Why did her stop her?

"Let them go," he said. "This battle is over."

"Very well," she said, walking back up the battle field. "Disgusting feline creatures!"

Sesshomaru followed after the mysterious girl. Where was she going now? He watched as she surveyed the casualties of the battle. She looked into the face of each body she came across. Finally, when she made it to the top of a hill, she knelt down to pray.

"She's praying over the souls of the fallen," Sesshomaru noted. "Allies and foe alike. Why is she doing that?"

When she was done, she looked up at Sesshomaru. He was silently standing beside her. Sesshomaru was absolutely marveled by her strange behavior. It was somewhat intriguing.

"Now then," he finally said. "Tell me who you are."

"You don't remember me?" she asked,

"I've never seen you in my life,"

"I suppose I did look different back then," she said nodding. "And we never met formally."

She stood up, "My name is Shiori. And I'm a tennin from the sacred lands. I heard you would be engaging in battle against the panther demons. So I rushed to join you."

"How can you be a tennin with that appearance?" he asked her.

"I'm not a full blooded tennin," she replied. "I'm only half, though I was raised tennin and lived for years in the sacred lands."

"A half tennin?" asked Jaken hopping over to them. "Then is your other half human?"

She frowned, "please, don't insult me in such a way. I'm simply two different types of demon. I happen to be half shinigami."

"A half tennin, half shinigami girl?" he marveled. "What an unusual mix."

She shrugged, "maybe, maybe not."

"How could the tennin queen, Reika, allow such a person to stay in the sacred lands?" questioned Sesshomaru.

"She didn't," said Shiori looking to the west. "She's only recently discovered my true identity. That's why I was exiled just a few months ago. Not that I mind or anything. I like the outside world better. I'm so much more powerful…"

"The scared lands must've put a seal on her true power," he thought.

"Well then girl, you best be on your way," said Jaken. "Go on now….shoo."

She stared at him, "Imp, you are aware which one of us is the dog….correct?"

"What?" he shrieked.

Had she just referred to Sesshomaru as a common dog?

"You insolent girl! How dare you disrespect my master in such a way?" he angrily waved his staff.

"You're incredibly loud for such a tiny, insignificant creature," she said casually.

His face dropped, "She's crueler than Lord Sesshomaru! How's that possible?"

Sesshomaru had turned to walk away from the scene and Jaken ran after him. Shiori continued staring at the countless dead bodies on the field.

"Lord Sesshomaru," said Shiori. "Like those fleeing comrades, With your permission, I'd like to travel with you. I actually wanted to aid your father, but since he's passed you'll just have to do."

"Don't you disrespect my lord!" screeched Jaken.

Sesshomaru turned to walk away from them. He stopped and glanced over his shoulder.

"Well," said Sesshomaru to her. "Are you coming or not?"

"My lord! Are you really going to let her travel with you?" Jaken complained. "Don't you feel that evil aura coming from her? I tell you, she's an evil demon!"

"Aren't we all?" she said innocently.

"She may prove to be useful to have around," said Sesshomaru.

He looked back at his newest companion. Shiori, the mischievous black haired tennin.

End Flash Back

"Shiori," thought Sesshomaru, walking along a path. "What makes you think you can abandon me so easily."

"Master Jaken," said Rin.

"What is it now, girl?" he asked.

"Lord Sesshomaru's being quieter than usual. Do you think he's okay?" she wondered, staring after him.

"Of course he's okay," Jaken answered. "He's Lord Sesshomaru."

"I wonder if he's thinking about Lady Shiori. I'll bet he misses her,"

"That's preposterous!" Jaken dismissed. "He has no attachment to that silly woman. If anything, he's relieved to have that burden lifted."

Sesshomaru stopped and turned around to face Jaken. He gave him a deadly death glare before turning back around. Jaken froze in his step. He'd never seen Sesshomaru look so hostile before.

"I think he disagrees with you," said Rin.

"Curse that Shiori! Leaving us here to deal with Lord Sesshomaru in such a state!" Jaken angrily thought.

….

Shiori stood at the secret cave entrance to the sacred lands. It seemed like she had been standing outside for hours. It had been a long time since she went back. Truth be told, she was a little nervous about returning. What would everyone say to her? Would they receive her with open arms, or completely shun her? Now that Reika was dead, she didn't have to worry about tennin hostility. Even so, she was still cautious about what might happen. She was also worried about transitioning into a tennin. Though the air of the sacred lands wasn't as pure as that of Mount Hakurei.

"I have to do it now," she said to herself. "It's now or never."

She placed her palm on the cave wall and quietly said the password. Suddenly, her hand phased through the wall. The rest of her body followed after it. When she made it to the other side, she felt her body tingle with purification.

"I can't believe I'm here. This feels unreal,"

She couldn't help but wonder why the air didn't feel as pure to her. Shiori looked around at the meadows of the sacred lands. None of them felt like her special meadow on the outside, except for one Directly in front of the cave entrance.

"This place…this is where I saw Lord Sesshomaru for the first time." She thought staring into the sky. "I remember, though he doesn't it. I guess it was an insignificant moment. It was nearly 200 years ago….."

Another Flashback!

"Shiori!" called Emi, flying after her sister. "Stop! Come back!"

Shiori ran and jumped through bushes and trees. Emi tried with all her might to catch her, but she just couldn't.

"How is it that her running is faster than my flying?" wondered Emi. "I can't imagine how fast she'd be if she could actually fly…..or maybe I'm just slow…"

Shiori kept running through the forests of the sacred lands. Emi continued to trail after her.

"Shiori," Emi whined. "Please, slow down!"

"If I do, then we'll be late for sure!" called Shiori. "I don't want to miss him!"

"But they'll be here all day!" cried Emi.

"Hurry," said Shiori. "Or I'll leave you! We should have been at the palace already."

"You're right!" Emi said with worry. "What will Reika say? Oh, we'll be in so much trouble!"

"So what?" she answered. "We're always in trouble."

Emi panted, "yes, because of you."

They were finally approaching the main entrance to the sacred lands. Up head, there were tennin lined up all along the main entrance. Shiori's mother, Hikari, turned around when she heard them coming.

"Hurry up and get in line," she ordered. "Where have the two of you been?"

"Just practicing some purification," Shiori said, with an innocent tone.

Hikari rolled her eyes. She knew her daughter was lying, but she was just glad they finally came. None of the guards seemed to notice their absence. Shiori and Emi stood in line. All of the women stood on one side, and the men were on the other. Reika was in the center.

"Everyone listen up," she said as she paced up the aisle. "Our guests will be arriving shortly."

Reika stopped in front of Shiori and looked directly at her, "you are all to be on your best behavior."

Shiori glared at her, and Emi grabbed Shiori's shoulders.

"Of course we will," said Emi. "We'll be on our very best behavior. Isn't that right, Shiori."

"Most definitely," she answered slyly.

Reika eyed her as she walked away. She didn't trust her at all. It was obvious the girl had no intention of behaving.

"They are approaching my queen!" someone called from the entrance.

"Alright everyone," she said. "Places everyone."

"I don't understand this outlandish production," thought Shiori.

2 tennin emerged through the wall and lead the way for the Great Dog Demon and his family. All the tennin closed their eyes and bowed their heads in respects. Shiori bowed her head, but kept her eyes partially open.

"I just want to see him….." she thought. "That's all I want."

Finally, the Dog Demon and his family passed by where Shiori was standing. She peered up at him and stared in amazement. He was like nothing she'd ever seen. He was tall with light bronze skin. His silver hair was kept up in a long ponytail. His body armor made him seem larger than life. Beside him, was his wife. She didn't seem at all interested in this visit. Her face said it all…of course that could have just been her standard expression. Shiori was so fascinated by them that she hadn't realized she lifted her head up. Emi turned over and lightly nudged at Shiori. It was then, that Shiori noticed the Dog Demon's son, Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru was already staring at Shiori as he walked pass. She was, in fact, the only tennin without a bowed head. He shot an irritated glare at her. She was shocked by his hostility and angrily glared at him as well. Sesshomaru was also shocked. This girl had the nerve to give a demon lord, such as himself, a dirty look. He turned away from her and continued on with his parents. Once they were all out of sight and safely inside Reika's castle, everyone was allowed to disperse from the line. Shiori made sure to slip away before her mother noticed. Emi followed after her.

"Shiori, what were you thinking? Why were you staring at them like that?" asked Emi as they headed back towards the meadows.

"I had to see what they looked like," she answered. "It's not like I did anything to bother them, or anything."

"Well now that you've seen them, what do you think about the Dog General's son?" asked Emi excitedly.

"Sesshomaru?"

"Yes, what do you think? Isn't he handsome?" Emi chided swaying around. "He's simply beautiful!"

"How can you use the words handsome and beautiful to describe the same person?"

"Because, he's just that explicate," she sang.

"Eh, I suppose he is good looking….for a dog," said Shiori jumping up onto a tree branch. "But he's not my type."

"Why not?"

"Because he seems like an arrogant, self centered individual with no regards for himself," said Shiori.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think she was describing herself," Emi flew up to the branch,

Shiori leaned back her head, "it was written all over that pretty face."

"Oh," Emi Squealed. "You do think he's cute!"

"No I don't," said Shiori attempting to quiet the girl. "I was simply mocking you!"

"Be careful though," said Emi. "As cute as he is, I hear he's a vile creature. His father must keep him in check."

"I don't know why you're telling me this, it's not like I'm interested in courting him," said Shiori.

"Good," she said. "I wouldn't want you to get your hopes up…it's best to just admire him from afar."

End Flashback

"Maybe she was right, maybe I should've just admired him from afar," she thought as she walked through the sacred lands. "I suppose that moment was rather insignificant, but so was my introduction to him. I forgot all about what I said to him, yet he remembered. Why? He doesn't think of me as abandoning him does he? Or this simply another one of his efforts to control me? I'll never know what he's thinking…."

This chapter was extremely difficult for me to write for various reasons...lol