Disclaimer: Hello all who are still reading after that nasty little cliffie I had. I just want you all to know that I am pleased with my cliffie. When you guys are all mad at me, I know I have done my job. ^_^

Sesshy: Though you may like it, you are sure to get flames for it. Not everyone rejoices in cliffies.

That's only because they are reading it and don't know what's gonna happen. Me, on the other hand...I know what is going to happen, so it's all good. I would like to thank Kawaii-Baka14 for the names of Sesshomaru's dragon.

~*~Chapter Twenty: Going to a New Place~*~

The sun rose over the trees. Birds were singing, awakening the animals of the forest. The beautiful sunlight beat down on the group around the dead fire. They all, save one, woke at the same time. Kagome stood and stretched, looking up at the hanyou. He seemed to be sleeping.

Shippo jumped from the sleeping bag and attacked Kagome's backpack, looking for breakfast. Sango sat up in her sleeping bag, watching the cat youkai wake up. Miroku felt refreshed and started a fire for the meal the kitsune was in the process of finding. With the flames burning, Shippo walked over to the houshi and handed the spices as well as left over fish from their catch the other day. Miroku opened the small cooler and pulled out the half frozen fish.

Kagome sat and watched as the two awake males cooked for them all. She couldn't help the feeling that something was wrong. In the pit of her stomach, she hurt. The pain, she could tell, had something to do with Inu Yasha. She looked up at him. He hadn't moved since she woke up. What was wrong with him? He was normally up way before them. She watched him, looking for any signs of problems. That's when she noticed it. A thin line of blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth, and he wasn't breathing.

~*~(I could have stopped here, but I promised a longer chapter.)

"Lord Sesshomaru," Jaken looked shyly up at the youkai. "Wouldn't it be faster if we rode Ah and Un?" Sesshomaru was instantly calling for his two- headed dragon. He appeared and Rin squeaked in both surprise and happiness.

"AH! UN! Oh it has been so long!" she got on its back and started running her hands on its scales. Jaken joined her and Sesshomaru was on his way also. They were in the western lands in less than twenty minutes (fast!) and Sesshomaru headed straight for his castle.

~*~

"Inu Yasha," Kagome called, now standing at the base of the tree. "Inu Yasha," she said, a little more demanding of a response. 'Inu Yasha, why are you not answering me? Please, don't be....you cant be....'

"Lady Kagome, what is wrong?" Miroku sat next to the fire, watching the schoolgirl. She looked distressed.

"Its...Its Inu Yasha," she said, not taking her eyes off the hanyou. Miroku was instantly on his feet and he and Sango made their way to her.

"What do you mean? He looks like he's sleeping," Sango said, sparing only a quick glance to him.

"No, Lady Sango. Look closer." Miroku's eyes were glued on the corner of Inu Yasha's mouth. More blood had begun dripping. Sango gasped loudly.

Kagome started up the tree. She kept her eyes on her love, causing her to stumble on a branch or two. Determination was evident on her features as she got to the limb Inu Yasha was on. Pulling herself so she was sitting in front of him, Kagome brushed stray hairs from his face. She wiped his blood away with her thumb. 'Good lord, Inu Yasha. What happened?' His skin was so cold. How long had he been like this? Tears silently streamed down her face.

Sango was crying softly, taking deep sharp breathes as Shippo climbed on her shoulder. Miroku put an arm around the taijiya and offered her comfort. She took it thankfully, and broke down crying into his robes. Kagome couldn't take it any longer. She looked at Inu Yasha's pale face and choked, "Inu Yasha" before collapsing into his limp lifeless arms. Her cries grew louder as it sank in. He wasn't sleeping; he wasn't holding her back; he wasn't breathing; his heart wasn't beating; Inu Yasha was dead.

~*~

"Lord Sesshomaru," a small youkai bowed before him, "It is great to have you home, m'Lord." Sesshomaru acknowledged the servant with a small nod and continued his way through the household.

Rin followed closely behind her mate as they went in and out of countless doors and hallways. 'This place is like a maze,' she thought to herself. 'How will I find my way out on my own?' After a few more moments of walking, Sesshomaru stopped before a large oak door with designs carved all over it. He grasped the handle and pushed it open. Rin stepped inside before him and he closed the door.

"Sherue," he called. His voice echoed through the dark room. Mist rolled on the floor; shelves on the walls were cluttered with different bottles. The clanging of glass from across the room gave the two notice that there was another in the room. In the middle of the large area was an enormous black pot filled with green, bubbling liquid that was providing the mist. It spilled over the top of the cauldron, crawling on the floor and partway up the walls. From the ceiling hung heads of humans and demons alike. They were suspended in groups of three by their hair. Each face had a horrified expression. Rin almost vomited at the smell of rotting flesh that dripped from each.

She emerged from the other side. A demon. Sherue walked to her bubbling pot and smiled at Sesshomaru. Her perfect pearl-white fangs glistened from the eerie glow emitting from the mist. Her solid dark red eyes out shone the rest of her pale face. Her long flowing violet hair fell to the floor and her black kimono hung loosely on her body. She lifted one hand to the face of a male that hung at her side.

"M'Lord," her voice rang like bells warning of danger: cold and mysterious. "It has been such a long time since your visit." Sherue bowed slightly. "What is it that brings you to me today?"

"I have a request, Sherue." Sesshomaru took a few steps toward her, motioning for Rin to stay at his side. Sherue nodded and urged him to continue. "My half brother, Inu Yasha, is in trouble and I need something to help him."

"What is the condition? What is it he needs help with?" Sherue walked to a large wooden table with varieties of different potions and ingredients scattered about it. The inu youkai walked to her again and began explaining.

"He needs something to seal his demon blood, since he is a hanyou. My late father had a sword made for him to do the job, but he had tasted the overwhelming power of his youkai blood and the sword no longer helps. Inu Yasha's demonic side attacks him when his mind is most vulnerable. If something is not made to seal it, he will die."

Sherue nodded and instantly went to work. She grabbed potions of all colors, strengths, and thicknesses, pouring them into a bowl and mixing them with the bone of a human. She went across the room and reached into one of the skulls hanging from the ceiling. After a few seconds, she retracted her clawed hand and sprinkled the contents into her mixture. It turned a ghostly blue and she poured it into the cauldron.

"You need to bring him to me. This mixture will be ready in one day and will only last two days after. If you show up any later, I can't help." She mixed the liquid as Sesshomaru nodded and lead Rin out.

Rin walked along side Sesshomaru down the corridors. She looked up at his face. "Who was that woman, m'Lord?" Sesshomaru stopped in his tacks and took Rin by the hand.

"Rin," he said, traces of kindness and love in his tone. "There is no need to be so formal. That youkai is a witch. She belonged to my mother and now she works for me, making remedies and potions when I need them." Rin's mouth made a perfect 'o' shape and they continued walking until they were on the castle grounds.

Jaken stood by Ah and Un with three other guards. Sesshomaru approached them and they grew silent, bowing to the Lord of the Western Lands.

"I am leaving to retrieve my brother. I shall return in a few days." He quickly turned and walked away, Ah and Un following him. Rin stood and watched him leave, sitting up on his youkai. She lowered her head and went in to tour the house, seeing if anyone would help her.

~*~END CHAPTER~*~

Alright, I know I said I was going to post this tomorrow, but I couldn't help myself. I was so excited about ch. 19 and 20 because the story is picking up again! Its getting exciting! But, sadly, it is also coming to a close. I don't know when, but it is. Give me a minimum of five chapters and a max of ten. Well, hope you enjoyed! And it was longer than last chapter, so I kept my promise!

Ja Ne!

Inu Face