A/N: Yeah, I know, evil cliff hanger...but don't worry...it's going to be ok...I can't think of any Inuyasha characters whose name's start with 'D'...so if there is one (and I've somehow forgotten it) please let me know via review or email. As for 'E'...there's Eri, not very important...'F' nobody...'G'...we've got...hmm...Ginkotsu and Ginta...Since Bankotsu is the leader of the Shichinintai...or however the hell you spell the damn thing...no more people of the Shichinintai can read the disclaimer...so, Ginta, you are special and I'm in a good mood right now, since I had a bowl of ramen for brunch...so you can read the disclaimer.

Ginta: (nods and clears throat, seeing someone holding up a sign that he's supposed to read.) Aki doesn't own Inuyasha. (Squints at sign) If she did, Kouga would stop chasing after Kagome and calling her his mate and he would've been with Ayame a long time ago. That's not very nice!

Me: I don't pay you people for your opinions! Just read the damn sign!!!

Ginta: Fine... (sighs)

Ginta: And now to answer the reviewers...Sanosa, Aki thanks you very much for the pretty Sesshy cookie. She's splitting it in half for you in email, and if anyone wants Inuyasha/Sesshy cookies, Aki will gladly bake some and share. Dragon Man 180, don't worry about Kagome, she's going to be just fine-

Me: Shut up!!! You're going to kill the entire purpose of this chapter!!! You know what, I'll answer the reviewers. You guys are only paid to read the disclaimer...well, anyway, as Ginta just said, Dragon Man 180, yes, I kind of planned out Mei Lhi to be hanyou when Inuyasha's human...but that's not all the time...it's kind of rare...anyway, don't worry about Kagome. Everything's going to be ok! Wow, I'm a poet and I didn't know it! Ok, that was lame. Angie, I have now given you more of your life source...I shall write, and write, only so you don't die...however, that may happen sometime between the time I finish this story and write the sequel...I'll shut up and let Ginta finish the disclaimer...

Ginta: Finally! Well, please review and enjoy chapter 33!

Chapter Thirty-Three: It Begins

"Kagome! Kagome!" Inuyasha said out of desperation. "Please, please hold on..."

'Please hold on...for me...' He continued in his mind. 'I wish you could hear my thoughts sometimes...then things would be easier...so much easier...'

"Hana-chan, what're we going to do?" Mei Lhi asked.

Hana turned to Mei Lhi with fire in her eyes.

"Mei Lhi, Kyo, Inuyasha, all of you, take Kagome back to Kaede-bachan's village. I have something I must do." She replied.

"You're going alone? Where?!" All of them asked.

"Yes, I am going alone. It is something that only I can do alone. Where I am going, I do not know...but I am going to find Kikyo...and I'll be taking the shard you got from the kugutsu."

"If you're going to see Kikyo, then I have to go too!" Inuyasha said.

"No. I will go alone, and that's final. And if any of you dare follow me, I swear I will kill you without hesitation." Hana said firmly.

The miko picked up a bow and flung a full quiver of arrows over her shoulder. Kneeling down, she took the jewel from Kagome's neck. Loosening her kimono slightly, she pulled a sheathed katana from it, and fastened it to her waist, tightening her kimono.

All watched with interest.

"You aren't going to kill Kikyo-sama, are you?" Miroku asked.

"No...but if she decides to attack me, I will have to be ready to defend myself. I will make her tell me how to help Kagome-chan...even if it will cost me everything...Kyo, I will rely on you to listen to the wind and listen for me. The wind will carry my voice to you. If I don't make it, I will solely rely on you to tell the others my instructions. Now, I must be off. Make haste, and do not stop until you have reached Kaede's. Tell her everything we've learned, and explain to her about what's happened to Kagome..." Hana explained. "There is also another person I'd like to speak to besides Kikyo...he has information...more than he told us..."

"Sesshoumaru? You're going to look for Sesshoumaru?" Sango asked.

Hana nodded.

"I could sense that that kugutsu told him much more than what he told us. He doesn't really want to help us, but it seems he doesn't want us to die yet...so I will speak with him. I will most likely look for him before I seek out Kikyo's location."

"Be careful, Hana-chan." Kyo said.

"I will. And try not to run into any other youkai on your way...good luck to you all..."

Hana started off and began making her way through in another direction.

"Come on, let's go." Mei Lhi said in a somewhat suggestive manner.

Everyone nodded, and took off towards Kaede-bachan's village.

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Hana had been walking for quite some time, and smiled to herself.

'I'm close now...Sesshoumaru isn't far ahead...it certainly pays off to have studied a little bit of the taijiya methods when I was younger...I'm thankful I still remember how to track youkai...if it hadn't been for that skill, I'd be looking for Sesshoumaru for days on end...' She thought to herself silently.

She hadn't realized that she'd been walking while she was thinking, and she had walked right into a small camp.

As she walked in, a demon lord averted his eyes to where she stood. And for one of the first times in her life, Hanajima Shimabara felt nervous.

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"How much further, Kyo?" Shippou asked.

"We've still got a ways to go..." Kyo replied.

"Where's Hana-chan now?" Mei Lhi asked.

Kyo closed his eyes for a moment.

"She's already found him." He said.

"Nani?! She found Sesshoumaru already?!" Inuyasha asked.

"Well, he must've been looking for her at the same time she is." Sango said.

"No...you see, there's this story that she told the village children...she said that when she was younger, she wanted to be a taijiya because her older brother had been one. Her father was a daimyou, her mother, a noble woman...so in her youth, she studied the ways and techniques of the taijiya, and her brother taught her things too...that's how she knows how to use a sword, and that's why she even has one..." Kyo began.

"If she wanted to be a taijiya, why'd she become a miko?" Inuyasha inquired.

"Because...her brother died...and...Kikyo was her friend, and so Kikyo taught her pretty much everything she knew...but Hana was sent to be taught under a very powerful monk...Kikyo had learned all she could, so she didn't need a teacher anymore...but when Hana returned from her schooling, she had grown immensely powerful, but in some points, she couldn't compare with Kikyo..." Mei Lhi answered. "I've heard this story too..." She added, upon seeing everyone's confused expressions.

"Kikyo was and is a master of the bow. Hana's pretty skilled with the bow, her aim is flawless, and she hits her targets all the time, but it just takes her a few seconds longer to fit the arrow to the bow itself...but there were also things that Kikyo couldn't compare to...like Hana's ability to heal, to wield a sword, and use taijiya techniques. So that's why they were such good friends. They balanced one another out pretty much..." Kyo finished.

"Hana-chan used to talk about Kikyo all the time...now, she doesn't say much at all about her..."

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"Sesshoumaru-sama, I apologize for my intrusion." Hana said, bowing respectfully.

Sesshoumaru merely nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"I have come with questions. I sensed that back when you warned us about Naraku's plans, you weren't telling us everything...so I sought you out to see if you could possibly tell me everything you have learned...because, you see, your half-brother's other miko companion is ill. You had said that there is something in the shard, and that Inuyasha should keep up his guard around Kikyo...Whatever it was you spoke of, it's happening...all of us are very concerned about Kagome...I have come for answers, and I just hope that you will give them to me..." She explained.

"Miko...who are you?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"Hanajima Shimabara. I cared for Mei Lhi after Kiori-sama died." She answered, bowing again.

Sesshoumaru was silent for a few moments.

"Please, Sesshoumaru-sama, I don't have very much time. Will you tell me the truth?"

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"KAEDE-BABA!!!" Inuyasha yelled as the group made their way towards the village.

They had just come out into the clearing where the Bone Eater's Well was. All of them were tired and scratched up from passing through thick growths of trees and other plant life. Mei Lhi, Kyo, Sango, and Miroku had stopped to catch their breath, but Inuyasha kept going.

"Damn, he's still going..." Mei Lhi choked out.

"Well, let's hurry and get into the village..." Kyo said.

And so, they set off to catch up with the hanyou boy.

"KAEDE-BABA!!!!!!!!!!" Inuyasha yelled again.

The elderly miko stepped out of her hut.

"Inuyasha?" She said, squinting as she saw him tearing through the village roads and reaching her hut in seconds.

The half-demon skidded to a halt right in front of her.

"Took you long enough, Kaede-baba!" He said.

"Hello to ye too, Inuyasha..." Kaede replied.

Just then, the others arrived, panting and gasping for air.

"Kaede-bachan...Kagome...she's gotten sick somehow...Naraku's got a new plan...Kikyo is involved...and so is by brother, Hakaru..." Kyo said.

Kaede looked very shocked.

"Tell me everything..." She said, and then looked around at them all. "Where is Hana-sama?"

"She's gone to find Sesshoumaru and Kikyo..." Mei Lhi answered.

"Sesshoumaru?"

"Yeah...he's the one who told us about Naraku's plan..." Inuyasha said.

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Sesshoumaru's eyes bored into her own, and after a few seconds time, he gave a curt nod in reply.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, arigatou gozaimashita...you don't know how much it means to me..."

"What do you want to know?" Sesshoumaru asked, getting to the point.

"What is really in that shard that Kagome got from the kugutsu?" Hana began.

"The kugutsu...told this Sesshoumaru...that the shard...is fake...however, there is just one shard in it...just enough for the miko to sense it..." Sesshoumaru replied.

"But what's it go to do with Kagome?"

"You do not see it, do you, Hanajima-san? The shard is tainted with evil...and something else lies within it...and it has a power of its own..."

"I see...but why, why is Kagome being affected?"

"Fool...it was the undead miko's original task to guard the Shikon no Tama. That task has now passed to the miko girl. The undead miko seeks her soul...the miko girl has it..."

"So the shard...?"

"The longer it stays with the miko girl, the more her soul is drawn into the shard and given to the undead miko..."

Realization flashed over Hana's eyes.

'"I feel...like something's missing..."' Words floated back to her.

'"...missing...missing...missing..."' It echoed.

'That explains it all...what she felt like she was missing was her soul! Kikyo...how dare you!' She thought angrily.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, this may seem like an awkward request, but I would like it if you could come with me...only to guide me in Kikyo's direction...nothing more. It would be much easier to track her down, since you should easily pick up her scent...Sesshoumaru-sama, would you accompany me on my journey?" Hana asked.

Sesshoumaru glanced at her for a moment, and then looked off in another direction...his eyes fell on the twilight sky. Hana also looked skyward and stared at the stars, twinkling above them millions of miles away.

"Hanajima-san..." Sesshoumaru's voice interrupted.

Hana averted her gaze to the demon lord.

"Hai?"

The demon lord said nothing, but walked over to a large reptilian-like demon rested its two heads where a small human girl and green frog-like demon holding a tall staff slept.

"Jaken..." Sesshoumaru said.

The frog-like demon sprang awake immediately.

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken asked.

"Take care of Rin..."

"Where are you going, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"He has his own business..." Hana answered.

"Sesshoumaru-sama! Who is that?!"

"Shut up, Jaken...she is merely a traveling companion..."

Jaken's mouth was wide with shock and he made several choking noises as he attempted to speak.

"I am Hanajima Shimabara...I have only come here to meet your lord out of concern for one of Inuyasha's companions..."

"Inuyasha?"

Jaken's jaw dropped.

"Sesshoumaru-sama? You're helping Inuyasha?"

Sesshoumaru ignored him and started walking. Hana picked up her bow, which she had set down earlier without realizing it, and followed the demon lord out of the camp. A soft breeze blew, and Hana smiled, shaking her head.

---------------------------------------------

Kyo stilled suddenly.

"Damn Hana-chan..." He thought aloud.

"What? What's up?" Mei Lhi asked.

"Uh...nothing...she's leaving...and she's not alone now..."

"Sesshoumaru's agreed to go with her?" Sango asked, bewildered.

Kaede, Miroku, Shippou, Mei Lhi, and Inuyasha all looked at him, waiting for an answer.

"Yeah...I don't know how though..."

"I...Inu...Inuyasha..." A small voice said.

All turned around, and saw Kagome was awake.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha said quietly.

'She's alright...' He thought, feeling relieved.

----------------------------------------------------

Sesshoumaru had walked on for some time, but then stopped.

"She was here earlier..." He said.

"Alright, so which way is her scent headed?" Hana asked.

Sesshoumaru's eyes glanced off to the side.

"So, should we be going now?"

"No...you are just a ningen woman...ningen tire easily...rest..."

Hana nodded, and then set her bow down, her quiver and sword resting next to it.

"Is there a stream or river nearby?" She asked.

Sesshoumaru nodded, turning his head slightly in its direction, his eyes now focused in that direction.

Hana walked over to the stream and pulled the white ribbon that held her hair back loose. She placed it on the grassy floor, cupped her hands, and put them into the cool water, splashing it on her face. Drying her face with her sleeve, she knelt and picked up her hair ribbon, storing it inside her kimono. She walked back to where she had left Sesshoumaru, finding him sitting on a large rock, deep in thought. Quietly, she sat in the dewy grass, a night breeze rustling her hair.

"Kyo..." She breathed, smiling to herself as she eased herself into a comfortable position in the grass, finally settling on lying on her side.

She glanced at Sesshoumaru who seemed to still be thinking or staring at the stars. She couldn't tell which.

'Most likely thinking...' She decided mentally as she closed her eyes.

Sesshoumaru glanced at the miko out of the corner of his eye.

'Why...why did I choose to help her? I have no business in her affairs...' Sesshoumaru thought.

'You did not choose to help her...' A voice in his head replied. 'Tenseiga...it awakened...'

'Hai...Tenseiga did awaken...it seemed intent that this Sesshoumaru helped her...'

'But you do not know why it called to you, like that, do you?'

'Iie...'

'It is because of Chichiue...his spirit rests within the swords...the two fangs...he does not want you to hate Inuyasha...he hopes to make you, Sesshoumaru, less cold...'

'Hmph...Chichiue was a fool...'

'I wouldn't say that...'

Sesshoumaru was pulled from his thoughts by Hana's voice.

"Do you not sleep at all, Sesshoumaru-sama?" She asked.

Sesshoumaru chose not to answer. Hana sighed and attempted to go to sleep, finding rest at last.

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"They've stopped for the night..." Kyo said aloud.

Inuyasha looked up. He was probably the only one other than Kyo awake.

"How's Kagome?" Kyo wondered.

"She's sleeping...it seems that when Hana-baba took the shard, Kagome got better..." He replied.

"That's because I said that there's something in the shard, retard..." Mei Lhi said.

"You're awake too?" Kyo and Inuyasha asked.

"Just because my eyes are closed doesn't mean I'm sleeping...or deaf..."

"Well, anyway, I just hope that the shard doesn't affect Hana-chan..."

"Yeah...let's hope it won't..." Mei Lhi agreed.

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Sesshoumaru directed his gaze from the grass to the horizon, seeing that dawn was breaking. As quiet as a ghost, he walked over to where Hana slept.

"Hanajima-san..." He said.

Hana's eyes fluttered open and she sat up.

"We are leaving..."

She nodded, and then gathered her things, going to the river's deeper side in a place where the waters were calm. She loosened her kimono, letting it fall to the ground with a soft sound, and stepped into the water letting it wash over herself, then quickly stepped out and dressed, heading back to where Sesshoumaru waited.

Upon arriving, Sesshoumaru started walking, Hana following him.

When they stopped walking, the sun was high above their heads, and it was nearly midday.

Sesshoumaru glanced off to his left. His eyes seemed to say 'In there'. Hana nodded, and bowed with thanks. The demon lord walked off, disappearing in seconds.

Hana took a deep breath, then walked to where Sesshoumaru directed. One of Kikyo's Shinindama-chuu floated overhead.

'Well, this is definitely the place, then...' She thought.

She walked forward, the leaves rustling as an icy cold wind blew. Hana saw that where she was, happened to be a cliff and Kikyo stood silently on the edge of it. Hana saw that she looked livelier, and less pale.

"I've been expecting you..." She said.

"Kikyo, I haven't come to hurt you. I just want answers..." Hana began.

"Answers?"

"Yes...for instance, the shard that Kagome had...that gives you her soul..."

"It was my soul to begin with."

"You already died, Kikyo! You no longer have a soul. And I will not let you take Kagome's just out of your selfishness so you can live!"

Kikyo notched an arrow to her bow and fired. Hana barely dodged it; the shoulder on her kimono was singed.

Hana glared at Kikyo.

"There's no use reasoning with you, Kikyo...but I will make you tell me how to stop it...even if it costs me my own life..."

--------------------------------------------

"They're going to kill each other!" Kyo thought aloud.

All heads turned in his direction.

"Did I say that out loud? Oops..."

"Kyo, where are they?! Is Hana-chan alright?" Mei Lhi asked.

"They're at a cliff, Hana was real close to getting hurt, but she's fine..."

"And Sesshoumaru?"

"Left...he was gone once he led Hana to where Kikyo was..."

"Damn...she's alone...we have to go help her..."

"Not yet...she should be alright...as long as no one else shows up..."

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Kikyo and Hana's bows were straining as they prepared to fire at one another.

"This ends here!"
A/N: Oh yes, I know, I'm killing you...I hope the constant changes of POV didn't kill you...Anyway, yeah...I'm in a writing mood, so if I type fast enough Ch. 34 should be up today too. If not, later...and Sesshy acted very un-Sesshy-like in this chapter. Damn...as hot as he is, why...why is he so damn hard to write? In addition, here's another interesting fact! I've changed the name of this chapter like 3 times...at first it was called "A Miko's Anger", then "Tenseiga Awakens", then "Answers", and now I've settled on "It Begins". I want to change it, but I can't think of a good chapter title at the moment, so I'll just stick with what I've got and I'll shut up now. I hope you liked this chapter...it's pretty damn long too...anyway, I haven't eaten breakfast yet, and it's almost lunch time, so I'm going to wait an agonizing 40 minutes to eat...{sighs} Oh well...lol...Please review and tell me what you think! (And I apologize if I spelled any words wrong...my spelling sucks right now...)