I just wanted to respond a little but to your reviews, not for each one (to my extreme happiness there are too many), but as a whole. First of all, thank you very much, each and every one of you who reviewed, and my non-reviewing readers as well. I just hope you're enjoying the story. Anyway, I had someone ask why Naraku was having so much trouble with some wimpy "bird thing." Actually, in the regular dimension, he usually uses other youkai to fight his battles for him. More importantly, there's something about Isota you don't know. Well, actually, there's a lot about him you don't know. In time, this will all be explained. About everyone falling in love too fast, I can see where you're coming from, but I tend not to agree. The only time these three people have been together is when they're fighting each other, or when Naraku and Sesshou made temporary, but short-lived,alliances. But, now, the three of them are travelling with only each other's company for several days. Plus, no one's in love or anything yet. It's just that little fluttering in your heart. Anyway, about Inuyasha, I'm going to create another character for him to be with. I thought about making him get all jealous, but I think there are already too many demons in love with Kagome. Well, enjoy! Also, the definite pairings: Inuyasha/Hadori (to be introduced this chapter, and I think I stole that name from someone, sorry), Kouga/Kagura, Sango/Miroku, Shippo/Rin, Sess/Kag and Nar/Kag (although I've decided who she's going to end up with I'm not going to tell you!)

Disclaimer Oh, how I wish I was the great Takahashi. Alas I am but a poor copycat The story idea is mine, though, and so is Hadori! Someone else might have thought of the name, but this character is MINE! All MINE! Wah ha ha ha ha ha ha! Er, uh, just ignore me.

Meaning of Truth Chapter 5

"You foolish, foolish girl!" cried Jaken. "I cannot even get you out!"

"Rin is scared. Help Rin!" cried the little girl.

"I'll go find Sesshoumaru-sama. He'll get you out,although why he should waste his time I don't know." With that the small, toadlike demon took off at surprising speed.

***

Inuyasha was not really sure about whether or not he
should be trusting Kikyo, but he felt he had no choice. Sango and Miroku were in their own little world, and he didn't want to tell anyone anyway. They would be mad at him and acuse him of acting based on his relationship with Kikyo instead of his fears about Kagome. In any event, Kikyo had told him that they had to travel a bit, perhaps for two days or so. It had been about twelve hours, and it was getting dark, but neither of them felt much like resting.

They decided to stop to eat a little bit, and Kikyo made a small fire. It was strange, really, just the two of them sitting there, and Inuyasha felt the need to break the heavy silence that had settled over them. "Uh, Kikyo?"

She looked up to show she was listening.

"Where exactly are we going?"

"Do you trust me, Inuyasha?" she asked softly.

"I do," he responded firmly, "But, I would like to know where it is we're going."

"We're going to visit an old friend of mine, one who can help us to get safely into and out of the air rip."

Inuyasha was quite surprised. "How can she do that?"

Kikyo was quiet for a moment. "It is not important, but her family has special power over the air rip, and they know how to handle retrievals."

Inuyasha just stared into the fire. "Do you blaim me," he whispered. "For what happened so long ago?"

"Yes and no. I know now that it was not your fault that we killed each other. However, my soul still feels filled with hate. It is hard for me to fight it."

"I understand Kikyo, what do you plan to do?"

"I do not know. We shall see."

They stared in silence at the fire.
***

Sango and Miroku were sitting together outside Kaede's hut, talking quietly. Shippo was asleep on Sango's lap, his cheeks still wet with tears.

"Do you know where Inuyasha is?" Sango asked softly.

"No idea, but I should think he is off moping Sango, we have to get Kagome back. We've been sitting around too long. The only choice is for someone to follow her into the air rip."

"But what would that accomplish, if we don't even know how to get out?"

"I'm not sure, but to think that she's stuck in there with Sesshoumaru and Naraku I just hope she's okay."

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. "Help! Help!"

Miroku and Sango jumped to their feet, causing Shippo to fall to the ground.

"Ouch!" he cried. "What is-"

"Help!"

Sango and Miroku sprinted off towards the source of the sound, which was a short way off through the forest. Shippo jumped onto Miroku's shoulder and they ran towards the screams. Kiara appeared out of nowhere, transformed to her full size, and the two humans leaped onto her back.

After about twenty seconds, they reached the source of the screams. A gigantic snake youkai was slithering down into a large pit, and in the pit was a little black-haired girl.

Sango's boomarang sliced through the air and connected with the youkai's neck, killing it easily.

Kiara landed at the edge of the pit, and the small group looked down at the little girl.

"Are you alright?" cried Shippo.

"Rin is okay," said the little girl with a smile. "Thank you."

"Your name is Rin?" Sango asked kindly.

"Yeah," she smiled widely.

"Kiara," Sango said, her voice a command. They flew down into the pit, and Sango picked Rin up and set her on Kiara's back. Kiara jumped smoothly out of the pit, and everyone climbed off.

"Rin," Miroku said. "What are you doing out here by yourself in the middle of the woods? Do you live in the village?"

"No. Rin was with Jaken and Rin fell in a pit, and Jaken went off!"

Jaken, Miroku and Sango both thought. I know I've heard that name before.

"Who is Jaken? And where did he go?"

"Jaken is Rin's donkey! But he's really an silly toad," she said conspiratorially.

Shippo, Sango, and Miroku looked at the little girl, clueless. "Um, well, were did he go?" Sango asked.

"To get Sesshoumaru-sama, of course!"

"Sesshoumaru?!" cried Sango.

"Sesshoumaru. sama?!" Shippo cried.

"Why is he getting Sesshoumaru?" Sango asked.

"Jaken" Miroku mused aloud, the only one not to go completely ballistic at the mention of the youkai's name. "That's Sesshoumaru's little toad demon, isn't he?"

"Sesshoumaru-sama is going to rescue Rin!"

Everyone, except Rin of course, was very confused. Why the great demon would rescue a little human girl was perplexing, if her story was true at all.

"Are you travelling with Sesshoumaru?" Miroku asked.

"Yes. Sesshoumaru-sama saved Rin, so now Rin goes with Sesshoumaru."

"Well, Sesshoumaru won't be back for a while," Sango said, remembering the air rip incedent."

"She should come with us!" cried Shippo with a smile.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Miroku said. "We can't leave her here, after all."

So they got on Kiara's back and flew back to Kaede's hut.

***

The wind was blowing softly, and Kagura stood at the edge of a cliff, looking over. She had failed to find Naraku, but for some reason, she felt worried about him. He was NOT her father, but they shared a special connection.

She didn't understand. All her life she had wanted him dead and gone, but now she seemed free, and yet all she could do was worry about the man who, despite enslaving her and nearly killing her several times, somehow seemed like a parent. It made NO sense.

Tears started to roll down her cheeks. I don't understand... she whispered.

Kouga was sitting on the ground, tied up, staring at the female youkai. Kanna had gone back to Naraku's castle.

Why is she crying? Kouga wondered to himself. What doesn't she understand? And what the hell is she going to do with me?

Well, he was going to ask her what she was planning to do with him. What's wrong? Wait a minute! That wasn't what he meant to say.

Kagura turned to look at him sharply, and he was shocked by the difference in her appearance. She no longer looked like the haughty and cruel woman who murdered his tribe. She looked like a little girl-a lost little girl-a beautiful lost little girl...

What's it to you? she asked, trying to sound tough.

Kouga scoffed. Nothing, but I want to know why you're so sad. What he had meant to say was: Nothing, but I want to know where you're taking me.

Nothing makes sense. Nothing at all.

Finally Kouga was able to say it right. What are you planning to do with me?

Kagura could not find it in herself to lie. I don't know. I never really had a plan, but I can't let you go and I can't kill you.

The answer shocked Kouga to the core of his bones.

Anyway, we won't go any further tonight. I need to rest. I'll decide later.

***

The mist was thicker than usual, but Isota flew above it, moving through the sky with ease and strength than no hawk youkai should possess.

He wondered how long it had been... He wondered where his family was... Curse them. Curse them a hundred times. He hoped they were all dead! None of them deserved to live after what they had done to him... Especially his sister... That bitch... If he ever saw her, he would rip her heart out. But, he knew, she would never risk coming into the air rip...

So, he had rotted in bordom for so many years. Now, finally he had a chance to have some fun with that haughty Naraku... He was rather strong though... Stronger than a normal demon... And then there was that girl, Kagome. He would definitely be seeing her again. After Naraku was dead... Yes, this would certainly be fun.

***

Naraku frowned. The mist is heavier than usual, he thought to himself. I don't like it...

Sesshoumaru was walking in silence, wondering how long this bizzare little journey was going to last. It couldn't be too much longer, but he was not about to ask Naraku if they were almost there.

After all, Kagome was there to do it for him. Er, Naraku?

He did not respond but she could tell he was listening.

Naraku, how much longer until we get to- well, wherever it is we're going.

We have a few more days to go, but not that many. Anyway, things will change soon...



Naraku's smirk was nothing short of evil. We'll be crossing over Geramelyn Canyon... Into the land of Darkness.

What the hell is that?! Kagome cried.

Damn it, woman! Do you ever shut up?

Kagome yawned. Strangely, she no longer feared her two companions. She KNEW that that did not make sense, but they had protected her so many times the past few days, and she had come to depend on them much the same way she depended on Inuyasha. After all, she reasoned, Inuyasha had tried to kill her during their first meeting as well. If it weren't for the subduing spell and their mission... But this would be much more short-lived. Once they got out of the air rip, they would all be enemies once again, but then Inuyasha would be there to protect her. Well... It was completely different with Inuyasha, anyway.

Naraku stiffened suddenly. he whispered.

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow.

Isota's here?! Kagome cried in shock.

What... You want to get with him again? Naraku said, his voice slightly bitter.

I didn't get with him' you moron! That wasn't my fault at all!

Sesshoumaru was silent, but the wheels of his mind were churning... What WAS going on? What had he missed because of Naraku's stupidity? He had never liked the hanyou, but for some reason he disliked him even more now that they were travelling together.

Who is this Isota? he asked finally.

Just a stupid idiot who can't keep his hands to himself and likes to attack people for no reason, Kagome stated simply.

Oh, is that right? came a sneering voice. The black-haired hawk demon was perched on a branch above their heads. Now what have we here? Picked up another companion, have we?

Actually Sesshou's been here with us from the start, Kagome said.

I see. Well, unfortunately, my dear Kagome, I have no time to destroy these fools now... But I WILL be back for you. And with that Isota vanished.

Kagome shivered. That guy gives me the creeps.

Sesshoumaru wondered breifly whether or not HE gave her the creeps.

A few minutes later they were attacked by a pack of wolf demons, which Sesshoumaru and Naraku took care of easily.

That night they camped near a small stream. Sesshoumaru went off to explore, and Naraku and Kagome were left alone.

Naraku sat down and pulled out the Shikon shard, looking again into its depths, swirling black. he said sharply.

Kagome looked up, rather surprised.

Come over here. The tone made the command rather hard to refuse, but none the less...

Naraku gave her a very cold look and she stood up and walked over. She sat down beside him, and he took her hand in his. A jolt seemed to pass through her. It was... strangely pleasant. Kagome tried to stop the strange flow of feeling that seemed to pass from Naraku to her. It was very different from the evil aura that usually seemed to drip from him.

Taking her hand, he placed it on the tama, and a small burst of light eminated from her palm. The shard glowed a brilliant white, and then fell to the ground as both Naraku and Kagome pulled their hands away.

Naraku looked down at the fragment and quickly snatched it up, stuffing it into his clothing.

Kagome stood up and spun away, trying to walk across the camp, but her foot caught on a tree limb and she tumbled forward... But the impact never came.

Naraku had moved at lightning speed to catch the falling girl. She was quite flustered and tried to pull away swiftly, but only succeeded in tumbling to the ground and pulling Naraku along with her.

He landed on top of her with a slight grunt, and neither of them moved, for fear of causing more confusion.

Then, Kagome realized, Naraku was not moving... Why isn't he getting up? Uh, Naraku? Kagome squirmed slightly under the hanyou.

Naraku was looking down strangely at the girl beneath him. He was noticing for the first time that her eyes were a very different color than Kikyo's. They were a deep, bright blue. It was rather amazing that he had never noticed before. Yes, he admitted it to himself, this girl was very beautiful for a human. And yet, she was nothing like Kikyo. Where the dead miko was cold and closed, and always had been, Kagome was open, warm, her emotions on her sleeve. There were feelings here... Feelings that were not Onigumo's...

Naraku leaned over and, without thinking, pressed her lips against Kagome's.

Kagome eeped in shock. She could not move, could not think, could not do anything because she was so shocked. Her mind continued to tell her that this was not happening, that it was not possible, that it made no sense. And yet, it was happening. And before she realized it, she found herself reacting to his lips. She would have thought that they would be cold and hard, but they were instead soft and warm. She started to return his kiss.

Then, suddenly, a warning bell went off in her head, and she pushed Naraku away from her. He was still so surprised by both of their actions that he let her do so. She was sitting on the ground, and he was sitting beside her. He smirked, and Kagome felt a fearful chill and at the same time, something else... What the hell?

Naraku stood up and walked away. Kagome just sat there, in shock. Did that just happen? Then she blinked her eyes and looked up to see that Sesshoumaru had just walked into the clearing. Did he see that? Looking at him, she could tell that he had not seen anything. She was not sure why this releaved her so much.

Sesshoumaru looked at the girl before him strangely, noting her flushed look and mussled hair. She smells of Naraku... This caused him to growl slightly.

Kagome looked up at the youkai lord's expression, and laughed out loud.

Something amusing, Ka-Go-Me? He said, emphasizing her name in a strange way.

Not really, it's just that everything here is so weird.

Here? Meaning the air rip?

No, what I mean is... Suddenly Kagome froze. She could not reveal where she was from. That was just inviting disaster. Er, uh, nothing.

Sesshoumaru looked down at the girl with hard eyes. She is hiding something from us... From me... Girl, what are you talking about? He had just realized something. Her accent, her voice patterns, they were very unusal for any human or youkai in all of the lands. He knew she must be foreign because of her clothes. Her attitude was also strange. He had previously thought she might be from an island he knew of, where the people were strange, but her clothes, he realized, were not really like theirs, and her voice patterns really were unique.

Suddenly, she gasped, and he saw that she was staring upward, a look of utter happiness on her face. Look! Look! The mists! They've cleared. You can see all the stars... How is that possible, when we're in the air rip?

Sesshoumaru did not know, and so he did not answer her question. Instead, he said, What fascinates you so about the stars?

They're just so beautiful. So spectacular. So mystical and magical, even though we know exactly what they are. And it makes you wonder, too, you know, if there are other planets going around those stars like around the sun, she gushed.

Whatever are you talking about?

Kagome looked up at him, remembering that he did not know what she knew about the stars. You'll find out someday, she said cryptically.

Where are you from?

Sesshoumaru watched with interest as she stiffened, her nervous and yet pleasing scent rolling off her in waves.

Er, um, far away from here, Kagome said nervously.

Sesshoumaru moved to stand in front of her still seated form. That's not going to cut it, he said.

Kagome noticed for the first time how tall he really was, and how spectacularly beautiful he looked in the starlight. Um, I'll just ignore that last thought...

Kagome stood up, and Sesshoumaru's breath hitched slightly. She looked so different than other humans. She scarcly looked human at all, with the starlight weaving patterns of light through her hair.

I will not ask again, Sesshoumaru said menacingly, more so than he had meant to be. After all, he had been trying to keep some other feeling from entering his voice.

Um, well, you wouldn't believe me anyway.

I did not ask for your opinion, I asked for the facts, his cool voice sliced through her resolve. But more than that, his amber eyes, which were, she realized, quite different from Inuyasha's.

Okay... I'm from the future.

If this was not the answer he had been expecting, it did not show on his face. Go on.

Well, that's really all there is to it.

Nice try, his eyes seemed to say as his lips turned upwards in a smirk. Go on, he said again.

Well, I, uh, I'm here collecting the shards with Inuyasha because I'm the one who shattered the tama, and I have the power to detect the shards, she said, thinking that maybe if she kept the conversation away from her time that she wouldn't have to tell him about the well.

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened slightly. This was a new bit of information. Not only could she see shards, but she was the one who shattered the jewel in the first place. Very interesting... So, are you stuck in this time?

she said firmly, knowing this question was coming.

Sesshoumaru's eye's narrowed, and anger welled up in insdie him. She is lying... I hate it when people lie... In an instant, Sesshoumaru had Kagome up against a tree, her two arms above her head, held by one of his strong hands. His other hand was on the tree beside her face.

She gasped and stared up at him in fright, as she should have from the beginning.

I am tired of your lies. Tell me the whole story now, or I will kill you, whether or not we can leave this place.

She looked rather afraid, suddenly remembering that this was Inuyasha's evil half-brother Sesshoumaru. I was looking for my cat by my well, and some centipede youkai grabbed me and I fell through the well and then it wanted the tama. She had said all of this without any space between the words, and it was very annoying.

Stop talking that way, he commanded.

She slowed down. You see, the tama was inside me. I didn't know that, but I think it was there since I was born. Inuyasha woke up and he wanted it also, and the centipede youkai ripped it from my body, and then I pulled out the arrow in Inuyasha's chest, and he killed it. I accidentally shattered the tama, and now I travel back and forth, living sometimes in my time, and sometimes here, searching for the shards.

Sesshoumaru's face remained blank, but he was shocked. The shikon no tama was INSIDE this little slip of a miko. And Inuyasha had woken up when she was near, and had been freed when she pulled out' the arrow. What she doesn't know, the youkai realized, is that Inuyasha must have woken up because she was near. And no ordinary human could pull out that cursed arrow... And top of all else, she was from the future. This was almost too much.

Of course, it's not like I have these powers because I'm me, she said in a cold and bitter voice.

What do you mean? he asked.

Everyone believes that I am the reincarnation of Kikyo, the priestess who pinned Inuyasha to the tree in the first place. That's why all of this happened to me, I guess. She was not really sure why she was continuing to tell him all this.

She sounds so sad, Sesshoumaru thought, and she's so very wrong. He decided to enlighten her. Kagome, you obviously know nothing about reincarnation.

She looked into his eyes, surprised.

You see, you believe that you look like Kikyo, which is sort of true. I have seen the dead miko, and she really looks very little like you. Anyway, the slight resemblence is because of reincarnation, but your powers are your own. One does not pass along powers to their reincarnation. Your feelings, personality, and powers are all your own. Do not credit them to her.

Kagome was shocked, and wondered for a moment if Sesshoumaru was making all of this up. But really, what reason did he have to lie? Not for her sake. She looked up with deep thanks in her eyes.

Sesshoumaru was surprised by the gratitude shining in her eyes.

Thank you, Sesshoumaru, she said softly.

The way she says my name, it is... pleasing, as is her scent... This human... She is unique...

Sesshoumaru realized he was still holding her arms above her head, and he released her.

Um, Sesshou?



Could you not tell Naraku about the time-travelling thing?

He smiled rather conspiratorially. What reason would I have to tell him?

And, uh, one more question... Why do you hate Inuyasha?
***

Inuyasha and Kikyo were walking in silence. Up ahead, they saw a small clearing. In the center there was a small hut.

Kikyo stopped walking and motioned for Inuyasha to do the same. She spoke in a calm, soft voice.

The door to the hut opened, and Inuyasha saw before him a very beautiful youkai. Her shoulder-length black hair gleamed in the sunlight and her red eyes sparkled. Two large wings were curled in across her back. she said, almost in disbelief. Then a smiled spread across her face. It is you.

Yes. It has been a long time. I have come to ask a favor of you, my old friend...

___________________
Okay guys, so what do you think? And sorry if they're falling in love too fast. Sorry, really, very sorry. I just don't want to have to wait to write fluff, so, anyway, it IS my story. Sorry you guys didn't get to find out anything about Hadori, but well, that's how is goes. Next chappie is coming sometime, I promise.

Sessie: Oi, wench, how DARE you let that disgusting Naraku kiss my Kagome?

Naraku: Kukuku, you're just jealous. Oh, and I haven't been wearing my baboon pelt, a reviewer asked. I wasn't wearing it so I could smirk at the people I was taunting before I got pulled into the air rip. And by the way, that WAS your fault. *advances toward author menacingly*

ForestKarma: Yeah, well, then you wouldn't have gotten to kiss Kagome.

Naraku: Oh, that's true.

Sessie: I am STILL waiting for an answer.

ForestKarma: Well, in this story, you guys have to SHARE. Okay? Share.

Sessie: Why?

Forest: Cause it's a LOVE TRIANGLE, you moron! In Problems', you get her all to yourself.

Sessie: You forget that Naraku has already slept with my Kagome in that story.

Forest: Oh yeah... But she only LIKES you. You can kiss her next chapter.

Sessie: Promise?

Forest: Yup.

Kikyo: Hey, everyone's fighting over Kagome and they completely forgot about me.

Forest: What, you want a fic with you and Inu? Or Sessie?

Kikyo: No, I wanna be with Kagome.

*everyone facefaults*

Forest: Shhhhh. Mirror Image' doesn't come out for like, another two or three weeks. Be quiet.

Kikyo: Oh yeah. Well, I'll just have to take Sango for now.

Sango: Oh yeah? Just try it, zombie!

Kikyo: Who are you calling a zombie?

ForestKarma: Girls, girls, break it up.

Sango and Kikyo: All of this is YOUR fault anyway. *advance toward author*

Forest: Ahhhh! Help me! *runs behind Sesshou and Naraku*

Sessie and Naraku: Why should we help you?

Forest: Because, if you don't, neither of you get Kagome. Whoever protects me gets her.

Sessie and Naraku: Deal *both rush Kikyo and Sango, who run away screaming*

Kenshin: Why am I here? I'm not even in this fic.

Kaoru: Remember, you're here to make that lazy author write more of the Kenshin fics, and it wouldn't hurt to update the crossover.

Forest: I'm trying, I'm trying!