~A/N: Sorry this took so long to get out. Life took a turn then killed my computer. So here's this. I sort of forgot what I had planned for this chapter so I winged it. My notes were destroyed when my comp bit it. So enjoy! Oh yeah Inuyasha and company are not mine. ~

Kagome smiled triumphantly as her sixth arrow landed neatly clustered with the other five she had shot before it. This wasn't the first time she had managed to succeed at this. "I think I have it."

"Not bad," Kaori conceded "You are a natural with a bow. Now we try something different." The demoness pulled a black silk cloth free that she had tucked in the sash around her waist. "Let's see how you do blind."

Kagome frowned. "Is that even possible?"

"The mind and body know what they need to do. The eyes are a distraction. Here, tie the blindfold on me and I will show you."

Kagome tied the silk sash across Kaori's eyes. "Can I spin you in a circle too?"

Kaori shrugged. "If you want to."

Kagome turned the other woman a few times and faced her away from the targets.

Kaori bowed her head and tilted it to the side slightly as she drew an arrow from the quiver. In a single fluid motion she drew the arrow back and turned in the direction of the targets letting the arrow fly. It hit the target just to the left of the bullseye. She fired three more in rapid succession forming a nice little cluster. She pulled off the blindfold and held it out to Kagome.

The miko sighed. "I'll try."

"You will or you won't, trying is not an option." Kaori tied the sash over Kagome's eyes.

"Yes, Master Yoda."

"What?"

Kagome smirked a bit. "Nothing, can I do this without the whole spinning thing?"

"The spinning thing was your idea, but I think it would be safer to not do it right now." Kaori guided Kagome's hand to her bow. "You know where the target is. Let your body guide you."

Kagome drew an arrow and nocked it. Focusing on her breathing she shot each arrow, noting the thunk of each arrow hitting the target and Kaori's silence. She took the blindfold off to see her how she had done.

"They all hit the target," Kaori commented. "You remembered your breathing, which is good, but you forgot your form."

Kagome frowned at the target, feeling slightly discouraged. "You make it look so easy."

"I have several centuries of practice under my belt, don't forget that."

Kagome pinched the bridge of her nose. "I know that, but…" She shrugged at the targets.

"You didn't miss the target. Try it again; remember your form this time."

Kagome pulled the sash down over her eyes and readied her bow. This was going to be a long afternoon.

Miroku spotted Inuyasha perched in a tree near the back door of the kitchens. He appeared to be asleep. He had spent the time since attempting to unblock Kagome trying to figure out what to say to his hanyo friend that wouldn't put him on the defensive. A defensive Inuyasha was a very tactless Inuyasha.

"What is it Monk?" Inuyasha demanded not even opening his eyes.

"I can't find my friend and enjoy his company without wanting something?" Miroku asked in mock defense.

Inuyasha jumped out of the tree and landed not far from him. "I could smell your nervousness a mile away. Let me guess, Kagome couldn't unblock herself and I'm somehow the reason behind that too."

Miroku frowned at the dejected tone in his friend's voice. "Inuyasha, what is bothering you?"

The hanyo crossed his arms inside the sleeves of his fire rat haori. "I screwed up Miroku. I took her for granted and now she's with my brother. My brother! Of all the demons in Japan, why him?

Miroku opened his mouth to say something sagely, but the words failed him. He was as much at a loss as Inuyasha was on that question. "I have no idea."

"So I'm not the only one who thinks it's strange? Good, thought I was being jealous or something." Inuyasha looked in the direction of the archery field. "I've been avoiding her."

Miroku picked his next words carefully. "Perhaps this is what is best. You never had a chance to properly mourn Kikyo."

Inuyasha looked at the ground, his ears drooping a bit. "I thought she was alive when I first woke up. I could have sworn Kagome was her. Then she was dead and then sort of alive again."

"And now?" Miroku asked.

"And now she's gone again." He looked up at his friend, amber eyes filled with pain. "At least I got to say goodbye this time. I loved her, how is that fair? I loved her and she's gone, for good this time." He kicked at a stone as if it was responsible for her fate.

Miroku sat silent, unsure how to comfort his friend. He had tasted the gut wrenching pain of loss when he thought his wind tunnel was about to swallow him. The thought of never seeing Sango, of her pain, had been a terrible experience. He could only imagine how Inuyasha felt having his love ripped from him not just once but twice and having her incarnation dangled in front of him the entire time. No wonder his relationship was toxic with Kagome. "Let the knowledge that she is at peace comfort you, but don't fight your grief."

Inuyasha's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Monk, you are making no sense."

Miroku shrugged slightly. "It's the best I had."

"Whatever. That's not what you wanted to talk about so spit it out."

"Kagome seems to be afraid of her powers. She thinks they will change her."

"That's crazy. She's Kagome, nothing could change that." Inuyasha shook his head. "She really thinks that?"

"And she's tired of being compared to Kikyo." Miroku added quickly.

"Thought you said this block had nothing to do with me," Inuyasha growled.

"I never said it did," Miroku replied nervously backing away from the irritated hanyo.

"I was the one who constantly compared her to Kikyo."

Miroku features remained neutral at his comment.

Inuyasha looked across the field to the archery range. "I guess I should talk to her, if that crazy teacher of hers will let me."

Miroku nodded and followed his friend across the field.

Kaori watched as Inuyasha and Miroku made their way through the tall grasses to the archery field. She really hoped Inuyasha wouldn't say any thing to make the situation worse. Kagome was in a delicate phase with her powers. She could go either way.

"Hey! You're not watching me," Kagome scolded her mentor half heartedly. She caught sight of Inuyasha and her stomach knotted. She hoped he wasn't there to confront her again.

"What's up with the blindfold?" Inuyasha asked.

Kagome glanced at Kaori for an answer.

Kaori looked between the two and shook her head. "Inuyasha, would you like to help me demonstrate? "

The hanyo grinned. "Gladly." He drew his sword.

Kaori raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think you can take me on hand to hand?"

Inuyasha smirked and put the sword back. "Easily."

Kaori bowed and took a step into the clearing. "When ever you are ready."

His smirk widened as he charged at her, claws ready to rend flesh. His momentum was stopped suddenly by the ground. She had tripped him. Inuyasha growled as he regained his footing. "Lucky shot."

Kaori motioned for him to come at her again.

Inuyasha ran at her again, this time watching her movements. She sidestepped and rolled, but his claws caught on her clothing, leaving tears on the outer robe. He took advantage of her semi prone position to attack again.

Kaori watched the hanyo headed her way and subtly shifted her weight freeing up the hand on the ground she was balancing on. When he was close enough she threw the hand full of dirt she had palmed into his face.

Inuyasha skidded to a halt. "What the hell?" He tried to blink the grains away but it only made his eyes water more.

Kaori moved in and swiftly pinned the blinded half demon to the ground.

"Hey! That's not fair!" He protested.

Kaori shook her head letting him up. "You and your brother need to learn not everyone fights fair." She turned to face Kagome. "That is why you need to learn not to rely on your eyes all the time. Eventually someone will use them against you."

"Will somebody help me here? I can't see and my eyes are killing me." Inuyasha rubbed his eyes.

Kagome took her friend by the arm and led him over to where the jug of water was sitting. "Tilt your head to the side so I can clean the dirt out," she cast a scolding look at Kaori. "You could have hurt his eyes."

Kaori frowned. "Any damage he would have regenerated."

Kagome poured some water over his eyes causing the hanyo to growl. "Still it wasn't nice. Inuyasha keep your eyes open or the water won't flush the sand out."

"Did I make my point?" Kaori asked.

"Yes, but-"

"Then the demonstration had merit." Sesshomaru commented, landing lightly just outside the training area. "Inuyasha, come with me." The demon lord's tone was colder than usual and held no room for argument.

Inuyasha dried his face off on his sleeve and followed after his half brother. He knew that tone and it was never good.

The girls glanced at each other as they watched the two walk off.

"Should we follow them?" Kagome asked.

Kaori shook her head. "No." She took off at a brisk pace in the same direction.

Kagome followed her mentor knowing what ever was about to happen wouldn't be good. That was the tone he used every time he tried to kill Inuyasha.

They arrived at the quary the tense silence front the walk still lingering. Inuyasha knew his brother was a man of few words but this had the hanyo on edge. His white ears laid back a bit in apprehension. He stopped on an outcropping of stone and watched as Sesshomaru bounded gracefully to another outcropping not too far away.

"Draw your weapon, " Sesshomaru ordered a split second before he sent a full meido at his younger sibling.

"What the hell?" Inuyasha yelled bairly getting out of the way of the blast. His ears laid flat as he growled at the abysmal opening next to him.

Sesshomaru suddenly appeared in front of the startled Inuyasha. He grabbed the front of the fire rat haori, yanked him up and tossed him into the void. He followed his half sibling into the meido, not even casting a look in the direction of those who had followed him.

Kagome felt the panic welling up in side. "He didn't do anything." She looked over at Kaori. "Inuyasha hasn't done anything to me. Why is Sesshomaru so mad at him?"

"This has nothing to do with your hanyou companion or you, arrogant little human. Sesshomaru's life does not revolve around a simpering human girl." Misaki's voice drifted from the other side of a dirt road that led into the quary.

Kagome took a deep breath to calm herself. "And I guess he tells you everything?'

"It looks like he is finally going to remove the stain on his father's honor by killing the half breed. I wasn't expecting him to do that seeing the path he was taking with you.

Kagome glared at the female demon, her temper flairing. "Sesshomaru has accepted us as pack. You need to accept this. And if you keep insulting me and my friends, I will purify you into the next century. I don't care if you are pregnant or not!" Pink sparks flared in her aura as she clenched her fists at her side. She was so angery at the condescending dog demon in front of her.

Masaki took a step back, the power radiating off the Miko was unnerving. She glanced at her sister for backup but Mari only shook her head.

Kagome felt Kaori's presence near by and calmed. The sparks stoped flickering.

Kaori placed her hand on Kagome's shoulder after deeming it save to touch the other woman. "That is why you have your powers. They will never change you because you will only ever use them to defend your loved ones and those who need defending."

Kagome held her hand up and watched the energy flow and flicker between her fingers." I never thought about it like that."

Kaori squeezed Kagom's arm reassuringly.

Rin ran up the hill, her face red from exertion. She hugged Kagome tightly, her expression worried. "Lord Sesshomaru rushed off so fast. I have never seen him that mad ever." Her expression became paniced when she saw the meido snap shut.

"Crap," Mari muttered.

''Open another one!"Kagome demanded.

Masaki shook her head. "I can't. The stone was drained when I brought the human girl back from dead." She tapped it with one claw. "The night of the full moon is still days away, there is nothing I can do."

Kagome looked over at where the two had could only pray that they both made it back alive.

Inuyasha glided down to a small floating chunk of rock. He drew Tessaiga and readied was very wrong with Sesshomaru. He watched as his brother landed on another rock not far away. He had Tenseiga out and was sprinkling some sort of dust over it. Naraku's scent hit him hard. "Oy, Sesshomaru, why do I smell Naraku's stench?"

Sesshomaru's calm actions contradicted the venom in his voice. "I procured a sliver of Kana's mirror."

Inuyasha had never heard such bitterness in his sibblings tone. "Yeah, well, why don't you open this thing and we get out of here?"

Sesshomaru's golden eyes narrowed. "Father intended for you to have the power of the meido. Prove to me you deserve it. Prove to me you are strong enough!"

Inuyasha held his sword in front of himself defensively. He was unsure what his brother had in mind. All he knew for sure was breathing was becoming difficult.

"Tessaiga can only protect you for a short time brother. Take your inheritance from me or die." Rage and vitriol laced every word he spoke.

Inuyasha knew Sesshomaru's sword would protect him indefinitely in this land of the dead. He had to do something. Focusing on his adamant attack he launched a volley of shards at Sesshomaru.

The inuyoki held up his mirror coated Tenseiga and reflected the barrage back at Inuyasha.

The hanyo dodged the attack. ''I don't want your stupid power. Just open away out you stubborn bastard!"

Sesshomaru growled and sent another barrage at his half-brother. "Would you dishonor our father's wishes?"

"Fine. You want a fight, I'll give you one." Inuyasha evadeded the second barrage and flung a wind scar at Sesshomaru.

Again he reflected the attack back at the hanyo. Inuyasha countered with another wind scar. The two cyclones danced around each other forcing the brothers to move further appart. As the winds twisted closer together, Inuyasha caught sight of a glint of light. Tessaiga pulsed twice, indicating he should strike at it. The years had proved the sword trustworthy. He struck at the glint. Both wind scars dissipated. A loud crack echoed in his sensitive ears as the two heirloom swords crossed. The mirror coating on Tenseiga fell off, leaving the blade looking sadly normal. Tenseiga pulsed in response to Tessaiga.

Sesshomaru's stoic mask fell into place, quickly hiding the building resentment he was feeling toward both the sword and his father. Tenseiga had responded to Tessaiga and his brother. The meido was no longer his. He watched his brother dispassionately to see if he could actually open a way home for them.

Inuyasha blinked away the darkness that was creeping in at the edges of his vision. He was quickly running out of air. His eyes closed; it would be so easy to just sleep right now.

Sesshomaru growled in annoyance as his half-brother passed out. Releasing his sword, he punched Inuyasha to wake him. He wouldn't let something like lack of air kill the half breed. That was his job.

The sharp pain caused Inuyasha to jerk awake. ''Hey!"

"Open a pathway before you die, fool," Sesshomaru snarled.

"I'm working on it; you don't have to hit me!" Inuyasha focused on his brother's sword which was now floating in front of him. It kept pulsing and his sword would respond in kind. He touched his sword to the other one. What looked like a piece of the night sky traveled along Tenseiga's blade to Tessaiga's blade. Inuyasha's sword pulsed one last time as the star light pattern spred along his blade. Not wanting to spend another second trapped with his homicidal brother, he used the new power to open a path back to the living.

Kagome released the breath she had been holding when the pathway opened and both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha came out. She frowned when Tenseiga fell to the ground and Sesshomaru walked off without so much as a glance at it.

Rin didn't hesitate to grab the discarded sword an follow after her gardian.

Kagame started to follow, but a hand on her shoulder caused her pause. She looked back at Kaori who shook her head. "But?"

Inuyasha was still looking at the night sky pattern on his sword. "He needs time to cool off. I think the kid is the only person he'd let near him right now."

Kagome nodded and tried to swallow around the lump she felt forming. Sesshomaru had come such a long way since the first time they had met. She hadn't seen that much cold anger on his face since the time she had freed Tessaiga. She would give him the time and space he needed. It was the only thing she could do right now. She followed the others back to the shiro. It was dusk. She couldn't wait for the sun to set on this day.