Disclaimer: when I say I own Inuyasha and co. I AM LIEING PEPOLE!!!

Last Time:

Inuyasha noticed and smiled down at the shrine maiden from the future as she slipped into slumber. That smile however, fell as a new thought arose to the forefront of the hanyou's mind like a moth to the flame. It wasn't a pleasant thought either, it made him shiver as he turned to Sesshomaru for his opinion on the matter.

Don't look back

"Who's gonna tell Genken?! He's gonna be as furious as Hellhound!!"

Cause deep within you know I'm lost and damned

This Time:

Chapter 39-Sayonara Unblessed

And when Genken found out, he was far from being happy. Luckily for Sachi, her irate father didn't find out till the morning, leaving the young onna to her healing rest. Now however, she sat in her bed in Inuyasha's room, sipping tea with family and friends around her. The inu daiyoukai Captain though, had long since abandoned his now cold tea to rave at his disobedient child.

"How could you be so stupid Sachi!!?" he roared as he paced the room. "It was obvious that Kikyou was planning something! Everything depends on you, and you had to be rash and fall into this mess!!" Genken sighed as he plopped himself back on the floor at the miko's side. "I think you've been spending too much time with Inuyasha."

"Heeey," snapped out said hanyou making the word sound more of whine. "Don't blame this on me!"

"Oh, I don't; I blame her," and the fire haired youkai pointed at his composed daughter.

Sachi put down her tea and turned to stare her otoo-san in the eye. "I knew I was taking a risk otoo-san, and it was a risk I had to take. Kikyou couldn't be left living for any longer. She was a dark miko; she could easily curse any of us! I wasn't about to let that happen!!"

The Captain fell silent at that. No one but the modern girl apparently had thought of that. That fact alone was cause to worry, especially Inuyasha and his pack. They all remembered clearly the Tsubaki incidence, and all the problems it caused. They had almost lost Kagome to that evil…vengeful onna. With Kikyou now as a miko excelling in curses, it was something deeply unsettling.

Seeing this Sachi nodded. "You're welcome."

Inuyasha growled at his koishii and her nonchalant manner. "Still, that doesn't make it any better wench!! We have only so long now before you go berserk on our asses!!"

Miroku scowled at his friend. "So subtle of you Inuyasha, but unfortunately true; we need to hurry to confront Sou'nga and Kyousou. There's no time to waste."

"The houshi is correct," spoke Sesshomaru from the door. "The undead army is advancing and this Sesshomaru has yet to fetch Toutousai and Saya."

Sachi nodded in agreement. "We must hurry then; time is precious," and the modern shrine maiden took to her feet. "Let's go."

"You're going nowhere Sachi," snapped Inuyasha as he stood to tower over the younger woman. "You're wounded and poisoned; you're staying here!"

"My wound is mostly healed, and I'll ride Kirara or Ahun, so I won't be doing anything."

The hanyou growled low in his throat. "I don't want you going anywhere till we leave for Hell! YOU'RE STRAYING HERE AND THAT'S FINAL!!"

Sachi blinked confused as she ignored Inuyasha's tirade. "Leave for Hell? The battle is here isn't it?"

Genken sighed as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "The battle will be here yes, but the outcome of the war will be played out in Hell. The King of Hell is beckoning us to the Neither World."

"How are we to get there though?"

"The last place the battle for Sou'nga was held," spoke up Sango. "The portal to Hell formed there, making the barrier between our two worlds thinner and weaker. Sesshomaru's Tensaiga can cut through what is left…and into Hell we go…"

Sachi looked at her close female friend and saw worry there; hesitation in the taijiya's coffee colored eyes. "You're worried about what we'll find there aren't you?" she asked then turned to everyone. "You all are…"

"We don't know what lurks in the pits of Hell," murmured Miroku new staff clutched in his hand. "Who really knows what's down there, but our worst nightmares are sure to be realized."

Sachi understood that perfectly. To replay one's worst memory or something they dreaded above all else would be very terrifying. "Understandable…but we still have to do it…"

"Hai," answered the Ice Prince in his flat frigid tone and threw a bundle of clothing at Sachi. "Put those on miko. We leave for the sword smith's; all of us." And he was gone as quickly as he had come.

"Do I get to come," piped up Shippo as his bright green eyes stared up at the adults surrounding him. "I could use my Foxfire to help too!"

Sachi looked down at her adopted kit and smiled the best she could; he seemed to buy it. "Yea…we need all the kitsune to use their Foxfire." With nothing more to say, the fire haired girl of the future vanished behind a screen to change.

The orange haired kit looked up at his friends. "Was that a yes or a no?"

No one answered the young youkai child, just left the room in a tension filled silence.

;__;

Sachi quickly got dressed in replacement clothes that looked identical to her assassin garb, only newer and less tattered with use. Meeting her companions on the steps of the front courtyard, the miko with her weapon at her waist gazed over there crowd. Everyone was gathered there; lord and soldier, youkai and ningen alike. Upon her entrance, all eyes were on Sachi in a grave manner that weighed on her shoulder.

"News travels," she whispered in English.

In a blur of red, Inuyasha was by the redhead's side. "You shouldn't be walking around," he stated flatly.

"I'm fine Inuyasha," she said shaking her head as she strode forward to face four ruling lords, stopping before Sesshomaru. "Are we readying to leave My Lord?"

The inu daiyoukai nodded and led the way to Ahun and Kirara. Miroku, Sango, and Shippo waited by the fire neko's fully transformed side; the kitsune sitting happily atop her head as always. The ugly imp Jaken stood by the two headed dragon as Rin pet it. Letting her eyes travel to the small children, Sachi felt her heart clenching at the fact of what she had to do.

"Shippo-chan," she whispered, yet the kitsune child heard none the less and he came running to leap upon his adoptive okaa-san.

"We're already to leave okaa-san," chirped the kit as he beamed up at Sachi; eyes sparkling. That sparkle subsided as Shippo saw the young woman's long face. "Sachi…?"

The miko held the young boy closer; fighting tears as she gave him a desperate embrace. "Gomen nasai Shippo-chan…" Looking up at the silver kitsune lord, begging him with her emerald eyes to agree with her favor, Sachi spoke. "Take care of him please; he needs to be with his own kind. He's a handful, but Shippo is a good boy."

"Sachi," gapped a devastated orange haired kit. "You're leaving me here?! You don't want me anymore?!" He cried, big tears raining down from his even larger eyes.

Her heart twisted in agony at the words; making her nauseous. Fighting her own tears Sachi handed the struggling child to Idzuna. The kitsune lord held Shippo firmly as Sachi let her arms fall limply to her side.

"Gomen nasai…my son," she whispered mournfully as she kissed his brow. "But it's too dangerous for you, and I don't want you there…" she said choking on her words; fighting tears as she handed the crystal that had once been the Shikon. "Hold onto this for me Shippo…sayonara…"

"Iie, iie!!" Shippo cried struggling; reaching for his adoptive mother. "Don't leave me here okaa-san; onegai!! I won't get in the way, promise! Just take me with you!!!"

Sachi droned out the child's words and turned to young Rin, who clung to Hotaru's kimono. She wouldn't cry; not here in front of all the lords and especially Sesshomaru, she shook though. All that pent up emotion made her small body tremble like bamboo sapling in the wind. Kneeling before her, Sachi laid a kiss upon her brow as well.

"Sayonara, Rin-chan," Sachi murmured. "Be brave…he'll come back for you…he always does, doesn't he?"

The young brunette child gave a stiff nod looking up at the miko brokenly.

Swiftly standing the modern teen strode toward the gate, the wind pulling her crimson mane and ebony clothing behind her; pushing her back to the children. Sachi ignored that fact and ignored the cries of okaa-san and onee-san; struggling all the while not to cry out herself. Struggling to hold herself together by the tiniest thread knowing she might not see them again. Just reaching the gates seemed like an exhausting challenge. But the sorrowful eyed girl took one final look back over her shoulder, just as the gates began to close. The image she had of the two young children, were of their sad desperate faces as they ran to her; their cries heart wrenching.

"Sayonara…." Sachi whispered just as the gates closed, locking the children in and her out. Placing a shaky hand on the heavy wood, the miko clawed at it as she fought her emotions. She could still hear their earsplitting cries of sorrow, even muffled by the gate and her ningen hearing, she still heard. Gritting her teeth, Sachi spun to face her companions. "Let's go."

Climbing atop Kirara and their other means of quick transportation, they made their way into the grey sky in silence. Even the sky seemed to share their pain.

;__;

It was just past midday when they reached the youkai sword smith's place. Sachi hadn't been expecting much, but what she did find blew her away. At the top of a rather active volcano, inside dragon bones was the forger's home. The miko could only stare at the dragon's mouth as they landed before the entrance.

"This is where he lives?!" exclaimed Sachi.

They all nodded.

The young onna frowned. "I was expecting something little more…I don't know…upper class…from such a famous sword smith."

Inuyasha huffed as he swept his protesting miko into his arms. "Toutousai is a master at what he does, but he doesn't make a sword for just anyone. That's why his home is run down and a pit a beggar wouldn't live in."

"You ungrateful mongrel," barked a raspy old voice from the dragon's mouth. "I fix Tetsusaiga and this is how you show your appreciation; unthankful son indeed."

The hanyou growled. "If I wasn't busy with my hands Toutousai, you'd have my fist in your face, you loud mouthed geezer!!"

From the shadows of the dragon's mouth came a rather old, bony, tattered and soot covered youkai. Large eyes stared as he stopped before them in a garb decorated with two shades of green stripes. In his bony clawed hand was a large and long handles hammer. To Sachi he was certainly the most peculiar youkai she had ever seen, and not what she pictured as a master smith; especially one to the Inu no Taishio.

"Toutousai-san," she said in a greeting with a small smile.

Those large eyes fell on her and widened more if that was possible. "Kagome-chan?"

Sachi flinched even though she was expecting it. "Iie, sword-smith; it's Takani Sachi."

"Takani?!" gapped Toutousai as his eyes looked to the proudly grinning male daiyoukai that looked nearly identical to Sachi, or vice/versa. "Captain Genken…this your pup?!"

"Indeed old friend."

Toutousai nodded as he took in the rather large gathering of people. He was quick to notice Shippo's absence and Sesshomaru's presence. Upon seeing the inu lord, panic filled the old youkai's buggy eyes.

"Sesshomaru-sama!?!" he gapped and quaked. "I don't wanna die!!" And into his home Toutousai fled.

Sachi couldn't help it, but smirked as well as felt pity for the elderly creature. It was apparent that all of Inu no Taishio's vessels were exceedingly cowardice, though miraculously loyal.

The onna sighed as she wiggled out of her koishii's protesting grip. "We should follow; we have no time to waste. And Sesshomaru," Sachi said with a hesitant grin as she turned to the lord. "Let me do the talking, him being afraid of you won't help our cause."

The lord was not happy at that fact that was obvious, but in fact remained silent as he strode into the building with his large strides. Sachi sighed again as she followed, her friends and father following after her. Upon their entry, the modern girl found Toutousai's home as she expected; dark and more of a forge then an actual home. And there, cowering in the corner was the forger with Sesshomaru standing ten feet from him.

"I'm…s-still not forging…a s-sword for you," stuttered the frightened youkai.

Sachi pushed her way around the growling daiyoukai. "Toutousai-san, we're not here for a sword, we're here for your help."

That seemed to calm him down, though he was still fearful. "Why do you need my help, and with what?"

Coming forward to kneel in the traditional style, Sachi bowed her crimson head. "The fight with Sou'nga is coming again, and the Lord of Hell is its wielder. We need your fire power sword-smith. Help us like you did Touga-sama all those centuries ago, and his sons not long ago."

"T-Touga-sama?! You can't know Inu no Taishio, you're too young!!"

Sachi gave a guilty grin. "Through his journals my otoo-san saved I learned about him. And in the first war with Sou'nga I fought with Inu no Taishio…or my incarnation anyway…"

That caught Toutousai's attention. "Incarnation? Like Kagome was Kikyou's reincarnation, but you can't be Kagome's; still too young."

"Iie…I am in fact Midoriko's reincarnation," she answered and swept aside her smoldering bangs to reveal the ebony mark upon her brow; the same as the miko of old. The mere sight of it made Toutousai's eyes bug out more; he was quite an expressive person. "We need your fire to kill the zombies Sou'nga creates."

The sword smith pondered the request. To Sachi he pondered it more extensively then she would have expected. She expected him to say flat out no, but Toutousai was actually weighing his options. Which meant this was far more serious then Sachi thought it was and was taking it, even if she was taking it seriously.

"Come now Toutousai," spoke up an elderly voice from nowhere. "The Master asked us to help in this war when the time came. We can't say no now."

The sword smith looked up and eyes a rusty sheath at Sachi's side. "Saya…you actually want to fight?"

"Of course not!!" cried the voice just as a ghostly figure came out of the seal on said sword sheath. "I don't want anything to do with this Toutousai; no more then you do! We promised the Master though, that when Midoriko showed up again that we'd help!! We can't say no!"

"Saya's right Toutousai," spoke up Myoga as he leapt to Sachi's shoulder to speak directly to his fellows. "If we promised the Master we have to; be thankful we're not the ones going to Hell."

"We're not?" spoke Saya and Toutousai in unison.

"Iie, we'll be here, on this plane. Sachi-sama and the others will be in the Neither World fighting Sou'nga. We're fighting zombies…again."

"Doesn't sound like we'll win though," stated Toutousai scratching his chin and staring at the ceiling.

"Speak for yourself," snarled Inuyasha, eyes blazing.

"The same here," scowled the miko as her eyes smoldered with ire. "I'm going slaughter Kyousou and destroy Sou'nga since I'm the one that has to." Then those emerald-indigo eyes fell on Saya and his sheath that once housed the sword from Hell. "I may need Saya though, he may prove useful."

"W-What!?" panicked the elderly spirit.

The young woman smiled warmly, using her wiles to sway the youkai. "Come now Saya-san. If you were able to help, you would be a hero!"

A red tinge showed in Saya's cheeks as he gazed up at the young and beautiful miko. "Well…if it helps…"

"Excellent!" chimed the miko as she beamed back at her companions and loved ones. "Toutousai and Myoga can go back to the Western Palace and work with the rest of the troops to fight the zombie army. Arigot-"

Sachi was abruptly halted in her thank you as she gasped and cringed while gripping her chest. Her breath was coming in labored shaky gulps as her body began to shake in excessive convulsions. Friends and family were instantly around her, holding her and crying out her name in concern and fear. The episode last only for a minute or so, but even that seemed like forever. Once done, it left Sachi in an exhausted and sweating heap from her agony and the effort not to scream.

"Sachi," called Inuyasha as he held her propped up against his chest, while Genken held her hands. "Talk to us Sachi; what's wrong!!"

Finally after catching her breath the exhausted miko answered. "The poison attacked my first seal. I was able to hold it off, but I won't be able to do it a second time; we need to hurry."

"What's this about poison," inquired Saya as he floated closer to the teen.

It was Miroku who answered. "Sachi was poisoned. Kikyou shot her with a poisoned arrow and that poison attacks and unlocks the seals holding a youkai's power in so they can retain their humanoid form. Sachi though, has multiple youkai within her making her more dangerous in her truest form. Once completely turned its unlikely that she would have the control to turn back, that's what Kyousou is hoping for."

Saya drifted toward the recovering girl. "This is interesting, but I know something that may help, and give us more time."

"You have something that will cure Sachi?!" cried both friends and family to the reincarnation miko.

The spirit scowled. "I said help, not cure. Only Kyousou can cure the miko and he won't do that."

"What are you thinking Saya?" question the flea youkai.

Saya pointed to a shelf on the far wall, covered in dust and soot. "Toutousai, can you get the vial on the top shelf; it's completely sealed and full of a thick green liquid."

Sachi grumbled as the forging youkai stood. "This sounds promising…"

Sesshomaru glared at the girl-child. "Do not complain if this concoction works onna."

The miko glared right back as she made it unsteadily to her feet. "I'm not complaining, just stating that a thick green liquid does not sound the least bit appealing."

"Here yea go Saya," spoke up Toutousai as he held up a hand sized vial.

The ghost nodded to Sachi. "Drink that and it should help keep your seals in place; for a while longer anyway."

Sachi took it and stared, brow cocked in question. "What is it?"

"It's a potion adult daiyoukai use on their pups," stated Myoga from Sachi's shoulder. "It's used to keep the pup from transforming into their humanoid form too soon. If they change to early and without good training the outcome would be painful to undo."

Sachi held it up, eyeing the pea-green goop in the vial as the inu lord came to look over her shoulder. "This Sesshomaru took this at Inu no Taishio's orders as a pup."

Myoga snorted. "It is yours Sesshomaru-sama; what's left of your dosage anyway."

Emerald-indigo eyes bugged out as Sachi turned to eyes the inu daiyoukai. "Um…just how old are you Sesshomaru…? Cause…if it's yours, then this thing is as old as dirt!"

"Sachi!" snarled out Genken, glaring at his disrespecting offspring. "Had you been a full daiyoukai, and born here you would have been given the same. The herbs used in that potion keep very well, so though old, it would taste as if it was brewed today."

"You mean taste revolting?"

Another glare as thrown at Sachi.

"Drink it Sachi-chan," encouraged Sango. "It can't do any more harm."

"Sango's right Sachi; can't hurt," spoke up Miroku while the rest of them nodded.

Scowling, but still nodding, the miko picked off the wax and pulled the cork out. The smell wafting out of the vial was rancid. Sachi felt her stomach do a nauseating flip-flop before covering her nose and mouth as she held it away.

"I'm so not drinking this crap!!"

"You will drink it onna, or this Sesshomaru will make you."

From his dead serious expression Sachi knew that Sesshomaru was very serious, course when was he ever not? Gulping, she plugged her nose further before throwing her head back to gulp down the continence of the vial. When the thick liquid touched her tongue the young redhead nearly gagged, but forced it down. Swallowing the rancid thing in quick gulps, the vial was empty after what seemed forever to Sachi.

She chucked it aside once down, hacking all the while. "That stuff tastes as bad as it smells! Like burnt grass, old decarbonized beer, and some kind of herb I don't know; don't wanna know!! Did it always taste that horrid?!!"

The daiyoukai Captain chuckled at his daughter. "Hai, it's always tasted that bad. Though, I would like to know how you know what beer tastes like." A crimson brow was raised accompanied with a cold glare.

Sachi fumbled for words at her otoo-san's questioning stare. "T-this is neither the time nor place for this otoo-san; we'll discuss this later! Right now we need to go our separate ways!"

A multitude of nods agreed.

"So where do we go?' inquired the forger.

Sachi eyed the three servants. "We could use Momo to get to the portal, but after that, Jaken, Myoga, Ahun, and you, Toutousai can go back to the Western Palace. The rest of us will go to Hell."

Then together in a grim fashion they left for the last place Sou'nga had been when on this plane. What Sachi found there was extensive in what once had been damage. The crater was enormous, even from the sky, but beautiful now covered in grass, and small saplings and bushes. The waterfall, lake, and river glistening with purity; it was ironic that such a gorgeous place was made by evil intentions.

The trip there had been surprisingly quick and awkwardly silent. Now the group stood before the stories tall waterfall and the lake. Its sounds rumbling in their ears as the mist dampened their clothing and hair.

"Arigotou Toutousai-san," grinned Sachi as she turned to the older youkai. "Take care of yourself."

"You too Sachi," he said handing off Saya and his sheath.

Myoga leapt upon Sachi's shoulder and gave a respectable bow. "Till we meet again Sachi-sama; be careful."

She smiled warmly. "Same here; keep yourself out of trouble." And the flea and youkai jumped to land atop Toutousai's cow's head as Sachi went to the two headed dragon. "Take care of Rin for me Ahun; keep my little onee-san safe." The miko spun on the imp. "That goes for you too Jaken, because if you don't I'll give you a punishment worthy of Sesshomaru!"

The imp said nothing as he clutched his staff with nervous sweat breaking out on his brow.

The goodbyes, farewells and wishes of good luck said, the group of loyal servants took to the open and now clear blue sky that burned with the colors of twilight.

Once gone, the young unblessed miko turned to the inu lord of the west. "If you would Sesshomaru-sama…"

Spinning on his heel, the stoic and deadly killing perfection strode to the lake's edge. Unsheathing Tensaiga gracefully, the sound echoed beautifully off the rocky cliff faces. The blade pulsated as it glowed a gorgeous shade of blue; shocking them all. With one swift and precise sweep of the life giving weapon, a rift appeared before them. It was like a black scar cutting across the picture perfect landscape. That jagged ebony scar widened slowly to become big enough for a person to easily walk through.

All were hesitant and silent, but the daiyoukai. There were no promises of anything pleasant beyond the portal to the Neither World. Sesshomaru of course led; unafraid and determined as Miroku and Sango followed with Kirara in her arms. Sachi followed the taijiya, while Inuyasha followed her and Genken followed up at the rear. All was silent except for the peaceful sounds of the jovial birds and the warm breeze rustling the leaves of the foliage; the constant roar of the waterfall in the background.

Sachi looked back one final time to make sure the image of the Sengoku Jidai was branded permanently to her memory, who knew if she would ever see it again. So turning back to the object at hand she hesitated no more.

And into darkness she strode.

A/N: sorry about the very late update. So much for hammering out a bunch of chapters over Christmas break; my bad. Anyway hope you all enjoyed the chapter. And just to be evil…cuz I love to be…there's a really big surprise in the next chapter; you meet someone you'd never had expect. If you want to guess you can, but I ain't tell'in u guys noth'in! (insert manic laughter) so keep watching for the update!

BLAZE

PUSH THE LITTLE BUTTON ON THE BOTTOM…IT WOULD MAKE MY DAY!! 8D