Inuyasha sat in his tree, staring into the night sky. He wondered what Sesshomaru could possibly want with Kikyou but before he could really think about it he found himself in a light and troubled sleep. He dreamed of his past, of troubles which had tormented his soul, his very existence.

When he awoke the sun was just beginning to rise and the birds sung merrily from their places in high branches. He remembered the events of the night before and decided he had to make his way back to see Kikyou and Kagome. He owed it to Kagome. He couldn't count all the times he had made her cry before. Inuyasha had never told her this, but those times made him feel extremely guilty. He picked himself up and jumped from the tree, taking off in the direction of camp. How he prayed they would still be there when he arrived.

Sesshomaru reached his manor without waking the sleeping girl, but he didn't know what to do now that he was here. Should he wake her? He felt nervous and insecure, so placed her in his bed and made his way to his grand kitchen. There he saw Rin dressed in a fine black kimono with a red dragon sewn intricately across the front. She stood eagerly at his arrival. "Lord Sesshomaru, I've waited eagerly for your return..." Sesshomaru noticed the way she looked at him, a look of compassion and adoration, and shuddered. That girl was getting a little too forward, and it was beginning to unnerve the demon lord who was famous for his steely composure.

"Rin, please make a human meal for the woman I have brought back with me."

Rin's eyes seemed to cloud with a slight sadness as she walked to the kitchen. That will show her. Sesshomaru thought to himself. He grinned wickedly, and turned back to check on Kikyou. When Sesshomaru entered the room he saw Kikyou laying across his bed, right where he had left her, only now she had her eyes open and was staring at him.

"Who... who are you? Where am I? What do you want from me?" She seemed confused, and there was something in her eyes that wasn't there before. Sesshomaru brought himself up to his full height and straightened his kimono. "I am the great Lord Sesshomaru, ruler of the western lands. I have had my eye on you for some time, Kikyou..." He trailed off, looking as ferocious as ever. "What? Why did you bring me here? Where is InuYasha?"

"Do not speak of my half brother!" Sesshomaru spat, angry that she would bring him up. Kikyou started to sit up, and then moaned in pain. "Bring me to Inuyasha. I have no interest in you, whoever you are." She said, carefully. This was not the Kikyou Sesshomaru had fallen in love with. Sesshomaru was rather put out at this discovery, but he would keep her around a bit longer.

He looked over to her, only to see she had successfully gotten up and was walking toward him with a defiant look. He didn't like his wenches rebellious, so maybe he would just turn her out today...

Lord Sesshomaru heard a quiet knocking on the chamber door and went to open it. There stood Rin, her beautiful black kimono shimmering in the morning sunrise. Her black hair was pulled perfectly back in a ribbon and she had a calm smile etched across her perfect features. Sesshomaru stood there staring for a few minutes before Rin brushed past him to set down a tray almost overflowing with fresh fruit and some other assorted human food. She blushed when she noticed her Lord's stare, and bowed.

"I had better be letting you back to your guest." She said meekly, her brown eyes gazing hesitantly up at Kikyou, who looked like she was about to kill. "No, no." Said Sesshomaru hastily, waving toward a padded bench. "She will be leaving shortly..." Rin smiled, eyes brightening, and for the first time in years a small smile played at Sesshomaru's lips.

Kikyou turned without saying a word and walked out of the Lord's great room. She was as confused as ever and rather lost to boot. He didn't try to stop her. His attention was on Rin. In fact, he couldn't care less what happened with Kikyou now. He wasn't sure what had made him want her, but whatever it was it was now stupid and meaningless.

Kikyou wandered through the marble halls, her footsteps echoing throughout the vast manor. She looked into the rooms and caught glimpses of rare splendors. In one room she saw silken kimonos being sewn by a young girl no older then 15. She had silky ebony hair that was tied in a braid at the back of her head with a red ribbon. She hadn't heard Kikyou enter, and still was hard at work on a lovely yellow kimono with butterflies, probably for Rin. Kikyou cleared her throat, and the girl jumped, stabbing her finger with the needle. "Oh, lady, you frightened me. Is there any way I can be of assistance to you?" She said, then standing and bowing politely. "Yes, there is. How do I get out of here?" Kikyou said calmly. "Oh, lady, did Lord Sesshomaru just leave you? You are the guest he was preparing for, am I right?"

Kikyou blinked, confused. What was this girl speaking of? The girl didn't seem to notice her confusion, and continued on.
"I haven't introduced myself yet have I? My name is Kei, I am one of the Lord's tailors. I would be glad to show you out, if your visit is finished already." Kikyou nodded.

"That would be very nice. I am the priestess Kikyou. I didn't have any business here to begin with, so yes, I am more then ready to leave." Kei started walking toward an exquisite tapestry of a hunting scene and took a left toward a large door. She muttered a quiet incantation and the door sprung open. Kikyou's eyes narrowed. She hadn't known this girl was an enchantress. Maybe she would have a purpose after all. She quickly grabbed her wrist before she could turn back and muttered

"I think you should come with me. If you choose to resist, you will find your life considerably shortened." Kei looked skeptically at her, brown eyes piercing through her. "I'm not sure I understand you. Are you threatening me?" She said with every bit of cheerfulness gone out of her voice. She no longer seemed like the incompetent fool she had when Kikyou had first laid eyes upon her, but she still possessed little threat to the priestess. Or at least that was what she assumed...

A/N: Okay, this part of the story is a bit shaky in my opinion, so I appologize if it confused anyone... Again, please review!