Hey ya'll, I haven't been saying much before chapters recently. I've actually been on vacation, and by the time I've had time to sit down, write, and post, I've been absolutely exhausted. I can't imagine any of you were complaining, though, since that meant you could get right to reading, so with out farther ado, let's get to it, shall we?

"Something is definitely going on here," Miroku decides. He's been sitting criss cross in the corner of the room as the rest of us sort out our stories, simply listening. Now his eyes are closed, the crook of his finger on his chin in thought.

"Yeah, why did Kagura lie to us?"

"I dunno, Shippo, maybe it's 'cause she's our enemy?"

"But he's right," Sango backs the fox. "I can't think of any reason she could have to save Ren, and then tell us she's dead. She even went as far as to give her a jewel shard.

Miroku nods, opening his eyes. "Yes, that is strange. We should definitely look into it when we get the chance, but that's not entirely what I meant."

"You're talking about that spirit, aren't you?" Kagome concludes.

"I am, but I am also talking about the power within Ren. It felt distinctly dormant the first time I noticed it, but it seems like now the power has risen to the surface. Perhaps it's the jewel shard that's strengthened it. Since we don't have access to the spirit hunting her down, I think we should address this mystery first. It's even possible it could somehow be tied to the spirit, and allow us to figure out why it's after Ren."

"Um, what does that mean, then?" I ask, a bit nervous. Powers, magic or whatever, none of it's really tangible. How are we supposed to learn about it when it's something dwelling inside of me? Don't tell me I have to meditate and reach enlightenment or something weird like that.

"I'm going to be honest: Whatever power is within you, Ren, I'm not familiar with it. It doesn't feel evil, but I can tell it isn't a power that comes from the strength of your soul like it is with priestesses. As Kaede also seems unfamiliar with it, I feel it would be best if we sought another opinion. If you would like, we could travel to see my master, Mushin. As old—" he coughs, "—I mean, as experienced as he is, he may be able to figure out its source."

"If you think he would know…" I would certainly like to know why I'm Harry Potter all of the sudden.

"It's settled, then. We shall leave in a few days, after we've had time to rest and prepare."

"We'll keep looking for jewel shards," Sango says, "and we'll keep an eye out for that spirit."

"Ah, wait!" Kagome interjects. "We can't just let Miroku and Ren travel alone!"

Sango's eyes narrow. "You're right. There's no way that pervert will keep his hands off of her if he spends that much time with her alone, especially during the night."

"I am heartbroken to see how little you all trust me."

"W-Wait!" They all glance to me. "I mean, I'd like to go, if he thinks his master has answers, but...I'd like to talk about it with Lord Sesshomaru first."

Inuyasha scoffs. "What's there to talk about? The guy isn't your keeper."

My jaw tightens irritably. "No, but that doesn't change the fact that I'd like to discuss this with him. We are traveling together, so I think it's his business, too, if I go off somewhere."

"Well!" Kagome claps her hands together in front of her chest, getting everyone's attention. "Now that we've got all of that sorted out, let's all relax a bit! Where do you want to stay while you're here, Ren? I would think you'd stay either with me, or here with Kaede, but since you pointed it out, you are travelling with Lord Sesshomaru."

When I realize what she's implying, a rush of heat suddenly rushes through my body as if every inch of me is blushing. I take a second to reply, not because I'm thinking about my answer, but because I'm shocked at my strange reaction. "If...if it works, yeah, I'd like to stay with Lord Sesshomaru."

"Then we'd better move your stuff to where you're staying! I'll help!" She darts to her feet and grabs my bag from behind me, my stuff having been brought to me when we first came in to talk.

"Hey, hold on! Are we seriously gonna let that bastard stay here? It already reeks of him, and he's hardly even been here for—"

"If you don't want to see him, Inuyasha, you can just avoid him."

"You didn't let me finish, Kagome!"

Kagome holds out my blackout parasol for me to take, grinning as if the complaining guy behind her doesn't exist. I accept it and stand, and with a quick goodbye the two of us start on our way to where Kaede told Sesshomaru he could stay. Most of the villagers appear to be out in the rice fields, too preoccupied to bother with us as we walk through the roads. The sight reminds me of the last village I stayed in. I wonder if, before we depart, I might be able to help out in these fields, too, just to stay in shape.

"So," Kagome eventually starts, her tone conversational. I turn away from the fields to look at her. "How do you like being out in the daylight?"

"I love it! Nights can be warm, but the heat of the sun is something else entirely! And dusk and dawn are absolutely beautiful! They're way beyond what I hoped!" I realize I'm rambling and cut myself off, embarrassed. This time only my ears grow hot. "So, um, yeah. I like it."

Kagome giggles. "It's cool that you appreciate it so much. I've always been able to be outside, so I never really thought of it as a blessing, but hearing you talk about it, it really feels like a treat!"

"I'd love to be able to paint it." I've painted sunsets many times before, but only from imagination, from feeling. Never sunrises, though. I always imagined them soft, gentle. When I thought of my inability to actually experience them, the emotions that wanted to pour out were frustration, regret, longing, things that I never really felt embodied a sunrise, so my canvases were either smeared with violent colors or brooding in shades of darkness. Now, though, if only I could get my hands on my easel and paints, I'd fill my canvas with caressing peaches and pinks. How lovely that would be.

"Speaking of what you paint," her voice interrupts my musings, "what's going on between you and Sesshomaru?"

I blink, meeting her amused eyes, then feel the heat in my ears return. "I-It's not like that."

"It's not? It definitely seems that way to me, and I would know. Us women are so obvious when we're in love. At least, it feels like we are, but the guys just don't seem to notice." She sighs. "And least Sesshomaru's mature. Inuyasha can be such a kid sometimes, especially when it comes to love."

It takes me a moment to understand what she's saying. "...You and Inuyasha?"

"Yep! I don't know how it happened, but I fell for him at some point. I'm almost certain he feels the same, but he's such an oaf when it comes to feelings, and then there's Kikyo, which throws yet another wrench into things.

"Kikyo?"

"Oh, have I not told you about her, yet? She's Inuyasha's ex, to put it simply. She and him were a thing a long time ago. See, when I met Inuyasha, he was sealed to a tree, and he'd actually been there for fifty years! Ah, it's not like he's an old man or anything, he ages like us humans since he's half. Time kinda paused for him while he was sealed. But him and Kikyo were a thing before that. A lot of things happened though, and even though she died back then, an old witch ended up resurrecting her, so we run into her every now and again. Even though some bad stuff happened between the two of them, they still kind of have a thing, so it really sucks whenever she comes around. It doesn't help that I'm her reincarnation."

My eyes widen. "Reincarnation? That's real?"

"Well, I don't think it's too common. Kikyo was a really powerful priestess, and she was put to rest with the whole sacred jewel, and she had regrets about what happened with Inuyasha to boot. It was kind of inevitable that her soul would come back, if you think about it. I wouldn't be surprised if that's why I fell in love with Inuyasha. But I still think I've got the upper hand. Even if she's walking around, Kikyo's still dead. Her body's made of clay, so it's only a matter of time before she goes back to where she belongs."

"...Sounds complicated."

"It is! Oh, we're here." We stop in front of a house on the edge of town that looks much like the rest of the buildings in the village, only it lacks any signs of life. Before we go in, though, Kagome adds, "About what we've been talking about, Kikyo was actually Kaede's older sister, and obviously my feelings are private, so could you maybe keep everything to yourself?"

"Of course," I swear.

With that, she pushes aside the cloth draped over the doorway and we enter the house. The inside looks a lot like Kaede's house, if Kaede's was caked in dust, dirt, and cobwebs. Kagome plops down my bag. A giant puff of filth bursts out from under it, making us both begin to cough, and my eyes water. As I rub my eyes, I once again feel that full-bodied rush of heat. I frown. I'd thought it was just an over-embarrassed reaction, but maybe it's just hotter out than usual.

"You sure you want to stay here?" Kagome asks, clearing her throat.

"Yeah."

She smirks. "I guess that's the power of love."

Before I can object, the door drape is pulled back to reveal Rin, who soaks in the room with wide, eager eyes. Jaken, out of breath behind her, pants, "This place is disgusting!"

"If that's how you feel. Lord Sesshomaru's the one who picked it."

The imp gawks at me. "You! How dare you take that attitude with me! Of course Lord Sesshomaru would never choose a place with this! I'm sure you tricked him into choosing it! You probably tricked him into staying here to begin with!"

"Aw, shut up, Jaken," Rin giggles, padding into the room. She stops in front of me and Kagome, eyeing the other girl curiously. "Who are you?"

"I'm Kagome." Her gaze shifts to Jaken and back before she asks, "Who are you?"

"Ah, this is Rin," I introduce. I guess I forgot to mention her and the other two Sesshomaru and I travel with. "She also travels with Lord Sesshomaru. There's also Jaken, here, and a two-headed dragon named A-Un."

Jaken turns up his nose, still in the entryway. "Hmph. A companion of Lord Inuyasha hardly deserves an explanation of our mighty forces."

I try to contain my laughter, but when Rin bursts into a fit of giggles, I can't help myself. 'Our mighty forces'? What does that even mean?

"W-Why are you laughing?"

Rin and I are still giggling when Sesshomaru steps into the hut, nearly trampling the imp who scrambles to the side at the last second. He glances between the two of us, and I meet his eyes and smile. After a quick, and somewhat nervous greeting, Kagome ducks out. Rin bobs over to my bag and starts thoroughly examining it, evidently fascinated. Her eyes widen when I unzip it. I dig out the sketchbook I brought and hand it to her to flip through, then turn to Sesshomaru and explain what Miroku said. He takes it all in, in silence as usual.

By the time I finish, any hint of laughter has drained from my voice, fear creeping in. "I don't mean to leave you... I know this is a selfish request, but I want to return to your side when I'm done, so…"

"Impudent girl! You dare to ask Lord Sesshomaru to wait for you?" Jaken rebukes before I can ask, understanding my intent. "My Lord is a busy man! He has far more important things to do than to sit around and wait for someone as insignificant as you!"

"Jaken."

"Y-Yes, My Lord?"

"Be quiet, and make yourself useful. Clean this place."

"Of course, My Lord!" The imp scuttles to start brushing all of the dust and dirt into a pile.

Despite the fact that he never diverted his gaze from me, he still addresses me when he redirects his words my way.

"Ren."

"Yes?"

"I also desire to know what dwells inside of you. You will tell me what you've discovered when you return."

I'm unable to stop the smile that blooms on my face. "Yes! With pleasure, Lord Sesshomaru!"

It's kinda hard to write dialogue when a large group is present. There's a very delicate balance concerning using the right number of speaker tags so that you know who's speaking when, and not overusing them so it doesn't sound like "Kagome said," "Inuyasha said," "Sango then said," "Kagome said again." I think I managed this time around, but it's a struggle every time a scene like that comes up. I gotta say, it really helps that Inuyasha and Jaken can usually be identified by the way they speak. Anyway, rant done. I'd love to hear any and all thoughts on the chapter/story so far, and if any more of you have a specific way you imagine Ren to look, I'd love to hear about it! I will see you all next chapter. And for those of you that celebrate it, have a happy Fourth of July!