Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I don't own any lines or scenes that are used in the show either.

Once again, I am profoundly apologetic to all my readers. I have good reasons why I haven't updated. My grandma died and that took away time for me to write, then I had Final thingies called UbDs (If anyone goes to CPHS they'll know what I'm talking about) and my family has been all 'let's spend time together!' twitch. I had most of this typed at school, but now I'm on Christmas Break and have a lot of free time being as I have no life. However I have extremely good news!! 1) MY COMPUTER WORKS!!! AND IT HAS INTERNET ACCESS!! The day it worked I was bouncing off the fricken walls and smiling all day. I swear I had at least 5 people come up to me and ask if everything was all right. 2) I finally have a picture of Kaia. I'm going to find a scanner and get it on the net ASAP. It will definitely be up by next chapter, so keep checking my homepage on Umm, I don't think I have anything else to say. My email is and my AIM sn is TheInfernosIce if you want to talk to me. Oh and thank you to Getto 820 for making me get focused and typing this and my answer is yes. Why?

Chapter 11

Shippo was listening intently trying to improve his demonic powers. 'Inuyasha has more control over his powers than I do, and I'm a full demon!' He thought bitterly to himself. Though, deep inside, Shippo knew he was just doing this to make Kagome proud of him. Nothing out of Shippo's ordinary hearing range was heard. He sighed as he sat down. "I really wish I could be as good as Inuyasha." The kitsune youkai took a deep breath and stood up to walk back, once more, in defeat. It was in that brief moment of unfocused concentration, Shippo heard Kaia scream. Significantly, her distressed cry mixed with her 'you've just pissed me off' scream. He ran back to Kagome and the others as fast as he could.

Inuyasha was a combination of smugness and enragement when Shippo told them. "I knew she was lying! Now Sesshomaru has her and she's hurt!" Inuyasha yelled while slamming his fist into a nearby tree-trunk. Kagome looked at Miroku, who was also worried, but remained rational. Miroku turned to Inuyasha, "Inuyasha, it can't be Sesshomaru. Why would he have her lie to us when he doesn't have the Tetsusaiga? He wouldn't break his own bargain. Think Inuyasha!" Then Miroku hit him on the head with his staff. Little Shippo put his head in his hands. "Uh! Guys! We have to go save her still!" "Shippo's right. It doesn't matter who's hurting her at the moment," Kagome said while grabbing her bow and arrows. She climbed on Inuyasha's back and Shippo held onto her. Miroku ran to the side, slightly lagging behind.

Kaia darted her eyes to the person looming over her. The demon, as she could sense, had thick brunette hair with tufts of a brownish red color in it. He had black soulless eyes with no life in them. His skin was tan and soft, with his cheeks a bit flushed. "It would ruin everything if you screamed my dear," he said maliciously.

Sesshomaru was walking around, unconsciously looking for Jaken, although he would never admit it to anyone including himself. In his mind, however, he was curious about Kaia's odd behavior. He took a deep breath and decided to try to trust her to tell him. Sesshomaru paused for a moment and sniffed the air again. The aristocrat smelled a demon, and it bore Kaia's blood. He quickly took off to find her.

It had seemed to Kaia that as her life dwindled so did her hope. The demon was now holding her up and feeding from her shoulder. None of her senses were accessible as it worked its demonic power over her. 'I can't go like this! This couldn't possibly be what she meant. Someone, anyone, help me.'

'Where was that idiotic brother of mine when this happened? For his sake she better be ok,' Sesshomaru thought on his way to Kaia. He suddenly stopped; the sight was worse than he had imagined. The low-life demon was killing her slowly as he absorbed her magic and shed her blood. Sesshomaru threw him off of her as soon as the shock passed. Kaia instantly sank to the forest floor while the enraged dog demon slammed the now spider-like, human-looking demon into a tree. He peered his golden eyes at his prey's black ones, and then looked at him. Disgusted with what he saw, Sesshomaru shoved his fist into the demon's chest, only to pull it out immediately and use his lightning whip to cut his body in half, spraying blood around the forest. (Please excuse my morbidity.) In a second he was at Kaia's side. He sat down and put her in his lap. She grasped his hand and held it to her heart. At the touch of her faint heartbeat and shallow breath, Sesshomaru put his other hand hesitantly on the hilt of his sword. Kaia pulled his hand off of it. "No, this is supposed to happen. The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways-I to die and you to live. (Who, other than Jade Calhoun, can tell me what famous person said this when he was going to die? Include the guess in the review and I'll post the answer in the next chapter.) You'll be ok; I know you will," she said weakly. She lifted her head up and kissed him on the lips. "However, you need to learn to accept humans; they aren't all bad. I'm your life lesson, so learn from me. Don't blame Inuyasha; none of this is to blame on either of you." As if on cue, Inuyasha with Kagome and Shippo on his back burst in with Miroku following. They all saw Sesshomaru holding their friends, but it wasn't that they were gaping at. Kaia's usual white outfit was stained with dried blood before, but now it was covered in recently spilt blood. Sesshomaru glared as they approached the slowly dying sorceress. Kagome took in a sharp breath, "Kaia, does this mean...." "Yes, I'm going to die. I knew that I was. It's why I was so happy to have seen Inuyasha and Sesshomaru again and of course to meet you all. Seven days ago, the day I healed Kagome, Lady Death came to me. I had hoped my death would have been more peaceful, but I'm glad you're all here instead. Please, could you cremate my body? I wouldn't want to break the tradition." Kaia smiled at everyone and squeezed Sesshomaru's hand. "I love you all." Slowly, they watched her draw her last breath of life. Sesshomaru picked her up hand handed her gently to Inuyasha. He then proceeded to leave instantaneously before his magical arm disappeared.

Thankfully, a shrine was near and it held all necessary items for a cremation. (I don't know anything about cremation ceremonies, so I apologize if I am totally off!) The gang watched the solemn-faced Kaia be engulfed by flames. Kagome buried her face in Inuyasha's shoulder and he put a comforting arm around her. Miroku sent a silent prayer and then helped Shippo climb on his head. Secretly, Sesshomaru remained hidden as he watched the ceremony. Eventually, the mourning group left to let the ashes cool. After everyone else had left, Sesshomaru gathered the ashes and stored them in an ornate urn. He left behind a letter in Kaia's smooth handwriting directed to Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, and Shippo. His journey paused at a cliff over-looking a large body of water near his domain, the Western Lands. He looked out at the vast sparkling water. His mind recalled all the moments he had spent with Kaia, the few but everlasting good and the imprinting bad. With each memory he poured more ash into the soothing wind, which cradled them to the sapphire waters below. When the ashes had all left the urn, Sesshomaru let it too fall with its contents. Sitting down, he pulled out a piece of paper almost identical to the one he left back at the shrine. Ink was smudged from the spray of the sea mixed with tears. (Maybe Sesshomaru's, maybe Kaia's, I don't know.)

Sesshomaru,

I am assuming my time has passed if you're reading this. I am sorry that I didn't tell you, but you would have tried to stop me, which would have proved futile. Trying to stop death would have only lead to your death, and I could not do that to you, my love. Granted I had certain abilities that enabled me to live longer than the ordinary human, I was still mortal. You knew I was human, yet you loved me in spite of that. If I am thankful for one thing it was meeting Inuyasha, don't scowl, and you again. Remember Sesshomaru, not all humans are bad. Give them a chance; you gave me one. I love you.

Kaia

He stayed there, at the cliff, just to watch the sun set over the water. "M'Lord!" Jaken said, exasperated. "I've been searching everywhere for you. Where is the Lady Kaia?" Even though glaring was now pointless, Sesshomaru did it anyway. "The Lady Kaia will no longer be accompanying us. She has found a more peaceful place. Not that it's any of your business," Sesshomaru replied bitterly. Jaken didn't even bother to ask what he meant. Bowing deeply, he said, "Apologies master."

Continuing his journey, Sesshomaru traveled around the world, sometimes with Jaken, and other times without. He even visited the entrapped Ryokotsusei, his father's murderer. (This scene is from the end theme song Fukai Morai if you didn't figure it out already.) As he looked at the demon thoughts of loneliness, abandonment, and anger was awoken from deep inside himself. 'It's his fault she died. Inuyasha is so irresponsible, and now he's caused another death. He's worthless and needs to die before he kills again. At that moment, all reason was substituted for anger in Sesshomaru's mind. Killing was the only thing he could think of.

First, he went to Totousai, the famous sword smith. He had forged his Tenseiga and Inuyasha's Tetsusaiga. If anyone could make a sword to kill Inuyasha and beat the Tetsusaiga, it would be him. The old man was shaking and nervously promised to make a sword. Sesshomaru only used one death-threat to get him to agree. On the assured date, he sent Jaken ahead to announce him. However, the old smith wasn't there. Instead he found Jaken alone and talking to himself. "Damn that sneaky badger. Where'd he go? Where'd he go?" He then saw Sesshomaru standing behind him. "So, Totousai is gone." Jaken panicked, "Please forgive me master Sesshomaru, but that erican sword smith is known to be very temperamental and he only forges swords if he takes a personal liking to the customer who ordered it." "I see. He has no intention of forging a sword that suits my purpose, and so he escaped." "You can't blame him for not liking you. Your resume is one long death wish," Jaken mumbled under his breath. He gasped when he realized what he had said. Sesshomaru just smiled. "Aah! You're smiling!" He started to bow anxiously, "Oh don't smile at me master Sesshomaru! Please get angry. You're always much harder on me when you're being passive-aggressive. Please be straight with me, please!" His master walked away abandoning him. "Hmm? I think I've just shortened my life by 100 years." Unknown to Jaken, Sesshomaru already knew where Totousai had gone. 'Once again, fate has thrown you in my path, little brother, as an annoyance that must be dealt with.' Sesshomaru called back to Jaken, "Fetch Ah and Un; we're leaving."

Sesshomaru stood behind the flames and watched them dance wickedly through the air. Like he had thought, Totousai had scurried to Inuyasha for protection. Unlike Sesshomaru, it was Inuyasha's first time meeting their father's sword smith. He peeled his eyes away from the inferno to look at the man who had created them. "So, you absolutely refuse." "Hmph! Be quiet you ungrateful mongrel! You know as well as I do I've already made you an excellent sword! The famous sword that you now wear; the Tenseiga. I also forged it from a fang given to me by your father. He clearly instructed that the eldest brother would have the Tenseiga and the youngest brother would have the Tetsusaiga. That was your father's last wish. It is a great sword of swords; no better and no worse than the Tetsusaiga. You should learn to respect and love it!" "Do you dare imply that this useless sword is worthy of me?" Sesshomaru asked haughtily. His long hair rose in anger. The old man laughed, "Ooh! I made you angry have I? Haha. Time to take our leave!" Then, he swung his hammer and made the ground erupt. Sesshomaru jumped up and landed on an unscathed piece of ground. "They've escaped," He stated emotionlessly.

Night came and the master and servant arrived at a swamp. Jaken wouldn't stop rambling about his inheritance. "What kind of power does it have? Ooh! It must be something remarkable!" "You want to know Jaken?" Yet, he didn't hear his master and continued to speak. Sesshomaru had finally had enough. "Jaken!" "Yes, sir?" The demon unsheathed his sword and cut Jaken in half. "Master Sesshomaru! Why?" However, Jaken remained whole. "Get up Jaken; you're fine." Inside Sesshomaru had other thoughts. 'Stupid worm. He should watch his insolent tongue and know his place. Although, it did feel good to use the Tenseiga. No! It was just the thought of cutting Jaken in half; not this blasted thing.' Jaken was staring in disbelief. "That's impossible! You just cut me in half! How could I be alive?" "You see now? This useless Tenseiga cannot kill." He then swung his sword the sword back in its scabbard. "What's it good for then?" Jaken asked. His question was ignored as a dragon demon (It's the same dragon demon that Kaia and Sesshomaru rode on before.) attacked out of the murky water. "Ahh! A dragon!" Jaken screeched. 'Why did my father bestow this useless Tenseiga on me and yet bless Inuyasha with the Tetsusaiga?' Sesshomaru thought calmly before dodging the dragon's attack. After killing the weak demon, Sesshomaru took its arm and used it as his own. "This dragon has given me a gift. Now I can go back and claim what is owed to me; Tetsusaiga."

Sesshomaru was lying in a forest, who-knows-where, thinking about the fight with Inuyasha. 'I mourn for that Tetsusaiga. Even the Tenseiga doesn't want me to break its brother.' He turned on his right side and buried his face in his fluffy boa thingy and took a deep breath. Kaia's scent was imbedded in it. (And a bit of Kagome's from the perfume, but Sesshomaru ignores it.) After letting the scent play around in his thoughts (bringing up memories and such), he exhaled and let it vacate his mind. Sesshomaru heard a small child sneak behind a tree and stare at his back. His eyes flashed red as he jerked his head up and scared the little girl. She was from the nearby village. Even though he as still glaring at her, the brave girl approached the hurt demon. He propped himself up on his arm (his dragon claw was disintegrated in the wind scar) and looked curiously at the child. She ran off when she saw his wounds. Sesshomaru raised one eyebrow in confusion. 'Stupid child. Yet, so familiar. Where have I seen that face' He just sat there (like he could do anything else in his condition) and thought about that small girl. Sesshomaru's eyes widened and he looked up with a pained look on his face. Memories, once again, took over his mind as he was forced to remember a particular scene from his childhood.

The girl stopped and looked at Sesshomaru before going to play with his younger brother. He deep brown eyes were large and filled with compassion. "Do you want to play with us?" She had asked kindly.

"Why must the past be such a nuisance?" He asked himself. Sesshomaru closed his eyes and leaned his head back. 'Why must all these human children look alike?! I just won't look at her; I'll ignore her. She won't come back anyway.' Night fell and Sesshomaru had barely moved. Eventually the girl returned with water and fish with mushrooms. Figuring that he was asleep, she started to walk back to her village. Without opening his eyes Sesshomaru spoke to her. "Mind your own business girl. Your generosity is wasted; I don't eat human food." She took a quick gasp before turning around to look at the injured demon. She left without saying anything again. Sesshomaru let out a large breath. 'The stupid child doesn't get it. Doesn't she fear me?' He smiled to himself. 'She's so much like Kaia. She's even too kind to the possible point of naivety.' He sighed and started to relax again. "Stupid girl," he mutters.

The dawn came early, like it had been lately. Sesshomaru awoke to the soft patter and slight limp footfalls of the persistent girl. This time she brought wheat and grains. He stole a quick glance at her and saw that she was abused just that night. His temper started to rise but then he remembered that this child was not Kaia and meant nothing to him. "No thanks," he said coldly. Not giving up, she got on her knees and offered him the food. "I told you I don't need anything from you." She gazed at him, but then sighed and let her shoulders fall in disappointment. "Where did you get those bruises?" He asked, seemingly careless. She looked up at him with hope in her eyes. He tilted his head at a different angle. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." After a few seconds of silence, Sesshomaru finally gave in and looked at her. He saw her hurt eye, the marks on her skin, and her filthy light orange kimono. At his look, she smiled widely and revealed that she was missing a tooth. He was puzzled by her actions when he only looked at her. "What are you smiling about? I simply asked a question. I don't care; I'm just curious." He just stared at her while she continued to smile. Eventually she skipped off after Sesshomaru had started to ignore her again. He rested a little while more before getting up. Once he got out of the forest, Sesshomaru saw his dragon and Jaken in the sky. They finally landed and he stayed back to listen to Jaken mumble about how indifferent he felt about the treatment he was getting. Particularly when he used his Tenseiga at the swamp. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, 'Well he wanted to know what it did.' He saw Jaken suddenly stand on the sleeping dragon, with the single-petalled flower he was picking at, and scream out. "Lord Sesshomaru, would you have actually risked my life to test your sword? You ungrateful dog!" He shouted, not knowing that his master was a few feet behind him. 'I seem to be called that a lot lately,' he mused while hurling a rock at Jaken, knocking him off and waking Ah and Un. "Ahh! Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken exclaimed jumping on a dragon's head. "Before I continue in your service, were you actually testing your sword on me?" "I expected a relieved welcome from you Jaken, not an interrogation," he replied stoically. Jaken smiled, "Heheh right. I'm glad you're well; I thought you might be dead!" 'I knew I'd need this other rock,' he thought, throwing the second stone at the servant. A wind started to pick up and blow strongly. Sesshomaru looked up. 'Hmm, blood; blood and the smell of wolves.' "I recognize this blood." Sesshomaru began to walk back to the forest where the scent was coming from. Jaken eventually realized he was leaving and ran to catch up with Ah and Un in tow.

The forest was darker than he remembered. Smells of death loomed towards the middle of the forest. Right in the middle of the pathway, was the little girl. She was dead. 'This shouldn't have happened! She's so young and it wasn't her time,' he thought angrily. He couldn't hear Jaken complain as he thought back to her toothy smile. "Interesting," he commented after drawing the Tenseiga. It had started to flash blue. "I can see them; they are from the Underworld. I'll do another test. I'll use the Tenseiga." Jaken perked his small pointed ears up. "Another test! Wh-what are you doing sire? What are you doing?" He swung the Tenseiga at the Underworld creatures, making them vanish. Jaken stared in awe when he saw his master pick up the small girl and hold her in his arms. Sesshomaru was amazed as well when he felt and heard her heart beat once again. All wounds were healed, he saw, when she opened her big brown eyes. Jaken gasped with Sesshomaru in wonder of his sword's power. "She came back to life! Lord Sesshomaru, you resurrected that human girl with the power of the Tenseiga?" Jaken asked idiotically. She stood up and watched her savior's smile fade when he stood up. He started to walk away, ignoring his stupid servant. 'Hn, Tenseiga, you compelled me to save a life today. Or so I would like to think. That little girl is my promise to you.' He looked back at the miniature girl who reminded him so much of his lost love. "This is for you, Kaia." Sesshomaru flinched as he felt the touch of a human once again. He looked down and saw the girl holding his hand. The demon calmed himself and even smiled a little. "My name's Rin," she said smiling. She quickly added 'my lord' at the end of her statement. Rin looked back up at Sesshomaru. "Who's Kaia?"

-Lady Death is the wife of Death. She will play a significant role in my next Inuyasha fic. She tells good souls that they're going to die a week before. I made her up! Don't jump on me about Japanese mythology please!

Please don't kill me! I had to. There will be a chapter after this, I promise. If you don't mind would you please rate me on my fic? In your review (if you decide to) please grade me on creativity, spelling and grammar and all things English class related, and how well I stuck to the story. Please review. I would like to know how many people actually read it. I'm sorry that most of this were lines from the show, but it was necessary to the story. Wow, you guys have real power to reduce me to begging. See you in the next chapter! Nilkanowen

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