Sesshomaru bit his lip slightly. The demon he had hired was late, he could tell by the position of the moon that their meeting time had passed, and this particular demon was known for his promptness…in most situations. The thought for a moment that he might not show, but then the scent he had come to know as the assassin's reached his nose, foul with old blood, yet slightly sweetened with flower scented oils.

An odd being indeed…he thought, the slightest of scowls crossing his face as he saw the thin, almost impish young demon emerge from the tall grasses to his left.

"Well, Lord Sesshomaru, it seems that you've arrived…I thought I wouldn't hear from you at all…" the demon sighed. Sesshomaru stared at him, almost intolerant of his attitude. Of course, he knew if he insulted the demon greatly enough, he would have to put his plan on hold, for how long he was unsure. So he would put up with the…abnormal behavior of his hired help. But of course, he had to make some sort of reply…he would never be thought of as weak.

"And so you make remarks of my lateness, when you've only just arrived…?" he retorted. The other demon scoffed and rolled his ice blue eyes, his waif form shifting as he looked at his reflection in a small puddle, rearranging his bright red hair.

"I've been here for quite some time…I simply concealed my scent with a spell…now, what was it exactly that you wanted me to do again?" he asked. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. This youkai, the one that had been referred to him simply as Korosu, was more then what he had first expected.

----

When they had arrived back in the village, Kagome had settled Sango in one of the rooms of the sanctuary she and Inuyasha guarded, along the Shikon no Tama. Miroku had offered her a room in his own monastery, but they had all decided to give Sango and the rest of those they knew some time to take all that had happened in.

As Kagome stood in front of the large mirror she had brought from home brushing out her hair, Sango, moving nearly silently, walked in the door, stopping just as she was in the room with her long-time friend.

"Kagome…" she started, her voice weak. The young miko looked at her reflection in the mirror for a moment, running the comb through her black locks one last time, then set it down on a small table at her side, turning to look at her.

"Sango…is everything okay? Do you need something?" she asked. Sango shook her head a little.

"No…I was just wondering if I could talk to you…" the taji-ya replied shakily. Kagome could tell she was still unsure of all that was going on, and she had every right to. Kagome gave her a small smile.

"Sure, no problem," she said, sitting down on a pillow on the tatami covered floors, motioning for Sango to join her. "What's on your mind?"

Sango paused for a moment, then finally did sit down next to Kagome. The miko smiled appreciatively, waiting for Sango to speak her mind. The taji-ya bit her lip for a moment, and then began.

"Well…" Sango started, pausing with an unnatural sigh, "I'm sure you remember how devastated Sesshomaru seemed…" Kagome shut her eyes, frowning a little. She's still so worried about him…it's like she doesn't even see how terrible he really is…she thought. But Kagome forced a look of compassion toward the demon, and replied.

"Yes…I know you cared about him…and I know you're worried about how he was acting, but you shouldn't. Inuyasha was right, it was only an act…a last ditch effort to get you back. You can't take it to heart…" she said, setting a hand on the taji-ya's shoulder. Sango gave the slightest of smiles, nodding a little.

"Mmmhmm…I guess you're right…" she mumbled. But Kagome easily saw how troubled her friend still was. She was about to try and excavate more of the demon slayer's buried memories, but she decided against it.

It's best to let her rest…she thought. The miko smiled warmly at Sango.

"You should get some sleep. We can catch up more in the morning, ok?"

Sango smiled. "Yes…that sounds nice," she replied meekly. Kaogme kept smiling back, rolling her shoulders a little.

"Well…I should get some sleep. You remember where your room is, right?" she asked. Sango answered with a nod, and so Kagome exited, walking down the hall to the room she shared with Inuyasha. Sango sighed a little, then slowly stood. She walked to the door, then paused for a moment. She thought only of two things, Miroku and Sesshomaru. She kept telling herself that she could be, would be much happier with Miroku, but for some reason she couldn't shake the feeling that there was some sort of danger in her choice. Of course, Sesshomaru was a powerful demon, but if revenge was what he wanted, he would've already gotten it, or died trying. She hated the thought of his death…but she would have been at least pleased her to know that he had found solace in some way, though such a grisly manner was terrible to think about. She sighed again.

I should be thinking about Miroku…she thought desperately. Sango yawned a little, then thought it best to get some sleep, and so she headed off to her own bed.

----

Korosu had already departed from Sesshomaru's company, ready to carry out the demon's plans. They were fairly simple, all that he had to do was convince the lord of the castle that Sesshomaru was dead. Why, he had no idea…but it would certainly be the easiest money he had ever made. He had already received a heavy bag of coins, and that was only half of his payment…and with what he was given, a piece of Sesshomaru's own clothing with the inuyoukai's blood drying on part, he would have no problems with his duty.

Perhaps I can convince this lord that I was the one that brought Sesshomaru to his death…Korosu thought, nearly unable to imagine what sort of respect, not to mention lovely females, the tales of him killing one of the most prominent demons in the land. He smirked wickedly. He would be getting so much out of this…it easily could've been one of the best decisions that he had made to date. Uttering a few words under his breath, he faded from invisibility, and with another spell his scent disappeared once more. Completely undetectable, he slipped into the labyrinth of a castle, past the guards, and into the demon lord's quarters, all in a matter of moments.

As the aging demon that ruled the nearby lands began to pick up the scent of Sesshomaru's blood on the sullied cloth, Korosu once again took shape, shocking the lord.

"How…how did you get in here…?! What…who are you, beast?!" the lord demanded angrily. Korosu gave another sinister grin.

"Well, well, Lord Omu…it took you long enough to notice my prescence…" he hissed sarcastically. The lord snarled at him, quickly standing and taking a blade from the wall, his blazing eyes never leaving those of the arrogant youth.

"Why do you appear before me?!" he demanded. Korosu glared for a moment, cynically thinking of how weak-minded the demon before him was. His expression remaining the same, he took out the piece of cloth Sesshomaru had given him, and threw it on the floor before Lord Omu.

"The inutaiyoukai that overpowered you for decades, Sesshomaru, is dead. He fell at my hands earlier…and now I find myself one of the most powerful youkai in the isles…" Korosu stated coldly, his lips curving into a satisfied smile as he finished. There was no way to tell what he said was false.

Omu gaped openly at the assassin before him. It seemed almost impossible that such an upstart could have killed such a powerful lord, almost impossible that Sesshomaru was even dead. But it slowly began to sink in. This demon before him had entered his quarters without him even realizing it, and he could have just as easily slit his throat. So he replied.

"What are you getting at? Do you seek to take my lands as well?" he asked. Korosu smirked again.

"No…I come to do the opposite. You can keep your throne…as long as I receive…tribute…" he said. Omu glared at him for a moment, almost in disbelief. But then he answered.

"How much would this be?"

[Author's Notes] I am sooooooo sorry that this took so fucking long…I've just had a lot on my mind lately. Okay, so not a lot, but I've (and still am) trying to decide if I should dump my long-time boyfriend…gah…anyway…I did try my best to make it longer, and again, I'm sorry for taking so long. Thanks for the reviews I've gotten so far, and keep them coming!!!