I didn't want to keep you waiting too long for a longer chapter, seems I've made you wait long enough :P


Ohara glided through the air, searching for the berries that had become her life source. Much like Sesshomaru's poison, they were toxic enough to burn away her curse. To her eternal shame, she had tried them, also like Sesshomaru's poison, to end her life before her demonic powers faded.

She had been accepted into a village easily enough. Since her discovery of the berries, Ohara had remained in dragon form, all knew who she was and no one questioned one who could not answer. She now acted as guardian of the nearby lake as well as the village. Her powers to control the weather was well appreciated by the people.

For their part, the people treated her well. They were respectful and generous every time she came to them. They had even repaired an old water spirit shrine for her to live in, and often left offerings of food and trinkets there for her. They gave her fruits and fish from their stands when she walked through the marketplace, and in the village counsel, when she chose to interfere or was sought after for advice, her choice was always taken. The people of the little town often came to her for help or advice, as she did her best to answer each request. The harmonious relationship worked well for them both.

It had been nearly a month ago when she had first dove into the water to escape the heat of a particularly warm day. She had quickly discovered her ability to breath below the surface, which, now that she had thought about it, should have been obvious, due to dragon's affiliation with water. When she had risen by the shore, she had face to face with an old man, one of the few who still prayed to the water spirit said to live in the lake. The village was in danger, as bandits had been attacking it every few weeks for months. It was to be the night of the attack that night, and he was worried they would be unsatisfied with what they had, and turn to attacking the people themselves.

It had taken only a few minutes wait and a lightning bolt to secure the village's safety for the foreseeable future.

Her paws landed soundlessly into the sand of the shore opposite the village. There was a grove of the poisonous trees that Ohara jealously guarded, though not many had reason to approach the area. Still, those who had, human and yokai alike, had quickly learned any attempt to clear away the trees would bring the dragoness's wrath upon them, which, for most, was a loud snarl and a few snaps at their heels.

Despite her best efforts to the contrary, Ohara could not help but think of Sesshomaru when she came to eat the berries. Not only because they released her demonic powers, but also for their color and blossoms. They so nearly matched that of his kimono, she had to wonder if their patter had been inspiration for the design, and the berries the fabric's dye. Even their feel reminded her of the silk she had once felt so often.

She was hiding, constantly on the look out for the inuyokai. As much as she told herself it was for the better she stayed away from those she may hurt, she still found herself occasionally looking into the sky, hoping to see a two headed dragon gliding through the clouds. Even as she nibbled the berries from the branches, she longed to hear her lord's voice call her attention, even if it was only for a breif moment.

The dragoness sighed. She had eaten her fill, now she was simply staying to dwell on the past. Though she refused to regret it, the past was in the past, and it was best she moved on.


Sesshomaru landed in the small clearing he had left his companions in. Their faces lit up briefly in the joy that he had returned, but then fell again, seeing he had been unsuccessful in his quest.

It was one of dozens of searches he had conducted over the past few weeks, and still not a footprint nor wisp of sent in the air even whispered of a hit of his lost female. He found himself all but abandoning his search for Naraku in order to devote more time to finding Ohara, yet he also found more clues to the haiyou's location than that of the inu-dragoness. How he had been unable to avoid him so far was remarkable, and also concerning. How she had simply seemed to disappear into the streams of time was strange to say the least. Thinking of Inuyasha's miko, Sesshomaru also had to wonder if that was indeed what had occurred. After all, both Ohara and the miko had supposedly come from the same era.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

the dog demon turned his attention to his human ward, who had spoken, "Hn?"

"Why doesn't Ohara come back to us?"

"Hn."he huffed, "This Sesshomaru does not know."


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