The fallen fairy set off that very day, finding the merchant who sold his daughter the chime, convincing him to take him back to where he brought them. Back tracking the trade lines, Naraku crossed lands, sailed an ocean and travelled across another land, coming to the source. He was surprised such a small village could be the cause of his search, somewhere so simple, was so close to the greatest source of power his kind had.

But this was the source of the crystals and the cave was close by.

As kindly as he could, he asked a merchant about the chimes, trying to find who was reasonable.

The man's eyes widened. "Oh… you mean little Rin." He turned and pointed at the town square. "She sets up her stand next to the fountain every market day. You'll have to wait three days if you want to see her."

Naraku blinked. Rin? She's here? He went to the inn and for the next three days, researched and waited. Finally market day arrived and he went to the fountain to meet the woman selling the chimes. His eyes scanned the market, observing as a woman lay out a large woollen blanket and began to place chimes on stands, showing off their beauty and letting them sing in the wind. Naraku was no longer interested in the crystals. His eyes were locked on the woman.

Yes, she looked older and tired. Yes, her skin was darker from the sun. Yes, her hands were worn and blistered from work. Yes, she wore clothes of another country.

But it was her. It was Princess Rin Moren of Granundia. The threat to his daughter and his power.

He glared at her then backed away from the square. Rin made things both complicated and easier for himself.

He could follow her, find the cave, take its powers and get rid of the princess all at the same time.

But he couldn't 'get rid' of her just yet. She was in the open, clear to everyone and very popular, judging from the people crowding around her. If she dropped down dead suddenly and so openly, people would be suspicious and ask questions. He'd spent three days in town asking about her. People would realise he was responsible and punish him.

No, he would wait. He would see where she was living and strike there, where no one would know. Positioning himself so he could always see her, he sat and waited and watched. If she saw him, she made no indication or showed fear towards him. He shrugged at the thought. Of course, she only saw me for a few seconds, in the night. She probably didn't see my face.

The day passed and she sold all of her chimes quickly, out of stock not long after noon so she packed up and walked out of the town. Naraku followed her carefully as she went into a forest, making him grin. This was just too easy! She lived in the forest; they would blame her death on a demon or monster.

She was just ahead of him.

He drew his dagger and ran forward to stab her in the back.

"Yo Rin!"

He staggered backwards quickly behind a tree, cursing in his mind, hoping whoever had called out to her hadn't seen him. Carefully he leant around the tree and looked over. Who the hell is he? He looked a little closer. He could be Sesshomaru's brother.

"Hey InuYasha. Good day at the mine?"

"Yeah. Good day at market?"

"Sold out by noon and got some orders. Are you sure we'll be able to…"

Naraku hissed to himself as they moved out of his hearing. He watched as they walked side by side down a path. Soon they were out of sight but he could see their tracks and moved to follow them.

Suddenly he bounced about three meters into a tree, knocking the breath out of him. The fallen frowned at the forest, standing up and holding out his hand as he went closer, tightly watching the trees, looking for what had attacked him. Slowly he reached out until his hand hit the solid surface, a dark glow covering the air around him, revealing a dome of light, reaching high into the sky and coating some of the trees.

He frowned deeper, pressing on the barrier. "Very clever. It can sense the darkness in me…" he mused allowed then turned away. Clearly the cave is inside this barrier. That will slow my plan a little… but will not stopping me dealing with the princess. He smiled and head back towards the town, staying in the inn.

He sat in his room, waiting for the next market day. He thought and planned.

How to deal with the princess? After all the trouble she had caused me, she deserves a special type of death.

Three days later he had a plan and put it into action.

He went to a shop and brought the cheapest outfit he could of the cheapest fabric. Then he brought some white paint and finally he brought some strawberries.

The next day he placed his new clothes in the inn stables.

The day after he combed his hair with the paint.

On the day of the market, he had the sweet strawberries for breakfast. It didn't take ten minutes before the allergic reaction took place, bringing out ghastly sores, horrid spots and a thick rash to appear on his face and skin. The reaction itched like nothing else but no one would recognise him for the disguise.

As the town buzzed around the market, he made his way to the church graveyard where a large barren apple tree stood behind a grave, dead, abandoned and neglected for years. The man grinned as he placed both hands on the trunk. "Seed of life, fruit of death. Take the poison to still the heart and break the soul. Gift me with a way to end my enemy's life."

The tree shook a little under his evil spell. Slowly a new branch began to sneak out from a splintered branch, taking its place. As it reached into the air, buds sprouted into life and became thick green leaves, time flying before the eye as around the green leaves, flower appeared in the middle. The flower popped in on itself and began to form the fruit, swelling and ripening from green to a red and yellow fruit.

Naraku smiled as it dropped into his open hand.

The plant died quickly, the leafs shivering up and drying out, dropping to the ground.

The man stared at the fruit then nodded. "One bite, dear princess… and you will never open your eyes again." He smiled. "Not even those flutter brain friends of your will be able to save you."

He put the fruit in his pocket and headed to the market, confident in his disguise and plans. He soon spotted Rin, talking to a customer, sat on the fountain like the week before. He waited until she was alone then walked over to her.

"Hello sweet lady." He wheezed.

The princess looked at him and his horrid scarred face and trying not to gag on the smell coming from his clothes. She smiled. "Hello sir."

"Tell me, are these the crystals I've heard about? The ones that I've been told will help a man heal?"

She nodded and reached out for a dark blood red crystal before her. "Don't be fooled by its appearance. Sleep with this under your head and it will help heal your wounds."

Naraku nodded as he took it from her hands. "Tell me, I don't have any money… but… would a beautiful young woman like yourself be willing to trade?"

Placing the gem back in her hand, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the poison apple. "I found this the other day, I was going to have it for my dinner but if this crystal will help cure me… I will happily go hungry."

"Oh no sir, I can't take your food. Please, you can have it for free."

He bit his lip. Of course she'd be charitable… "Please, pretty lady, I would feel wrong in taking it. I will find more food, I have a friend in this village, and he will feed me tonight. Take the apple my dear."

She smiled a little more and nodded once. "Very well sir, if that's your wish." She passed him the gem again and took the apple.

With a nod, he took the crystal and walked away, keeping a distance as he watched her. She didn't touch the food, keeping it by her side until she ran out of things to sell, packed up and took it away, beyond the barrier.

He really smiled at that.

No one would know what happened to her and even if they did, that silver haired bastard would probably get the blame! Now all he had to do was find the way past the barrier.