Alright, I'm back for yet another chappy! Hey everyone! Sorry for the long wait…I had a midterm…lots of tests…projects, practice, auditions, homework…lots of things to worry about! Anyways, those are my crappy excuses. Here are some A/Ns:

1) What a surprise, I don't own Inuyasha…

2) Later in this chapter, you will see several Japanese sayings. To see their translations, go to my homepage that's in my profile and click on the link to the dictionary. That should cover all of them…

3) Again, I apologize for being away. Sorry everyone, school really sucks…

That should be all. And now, onto what we've all been waiting for! Enjoy!:

"Hey! Sesshoumaru! I'm coming too!"

I growled in annoyance as Inuyasha's voice reached my ears. "Move away from here." I shouted to him once we were side by side. "I will handle this trivial matter on my own. You must stay in order to watch over our father while I'm gone." How quickly he had seemed to forget that Naraku had attacked the Emperor not a few hours prior to this moment! "Spend this time to learn the techniques of the Tetsusaiga."

"No way!!" He shouted back. "I'll figure it out on my own, Sesshoumaru! I don't need to learn its techniques from someone else—it's my sword and soon, I'll know everything that there is to know anyways!"

I stopped suddenly. Inuyasha glanced back at me with a look of confusion and ran back to me. "…What is it?"

I could take no more of such arrogance—he needed to learn now. "You fool. The Tetsusaiga is more powerful than you can ever imagine. If you take that power lightly…" In a blink of an eye, I gave one, swift thrust with my claws at his sword covered in the sheath to his side. An unhappy, metallic clanging sound could be heard. "…As I thought. The Tetsusaiga's true power has not been even partially tapped into yet, or else my fingers would be burnt off."

His eyes widened, and Inuyasha looked down at his sword in wonder.

"Let us see then," I continued, "How much you have learned so far. Attack me." This was a challenge that I knew he would not refuse.

"…Ha!" Inuyasha extended the blade to its true form once he took it out. "I'll prove to you that I'm strong enough—and I won't go easy!"

With that, he lunged at me eagerly. In a split instant I was gone from where I once stood and sprinted up into the trees. His sword cut down the branch that I was standing on, but while he was busy pushing back the momentum of his weapon towards where I was falling, I had already moved forward to another tree. I could have attacked him numerous times already, but Inuyasha was hardly worth the effort.

"You cannot keep this up for very long. Your blade will dull from chopping the branches." That fool knew nothing about handling a sword. Yet again my thoughts had been re-enforced that I was the Tetsusaiga's rightful owner. "Give up now. Save your strength."

"I'll never give up!" He shouted. "Just…hold still already!" Inuyasha slashed towards me, but I dodged this as well.

"Enough. I cannot afford to waste my time any longer. Go back to our father, Inuyasha. I must sort this matter out on my own accord." I turned to leave, but again he ran after me. That left me with no choice, so I raised my claws swiftly and left a gash in his shoulder. Inuyasha stumbled down and winced a little, but he gave no cry of pain. "I'll say this once again. Turn back." My voice had reached its dangerously quiet state, and he recognized it as such.

"…Fine." He growled at last. "But…just don't come crawling to me when you need help." I scoffed at this abruptly, but Inuyasha pretended not to hear. Instead, he disappeared swiftly back into the woods.

I had damaged his ego, I knew, but at least it was hopeful now that he had learned a lesson. Arrogance and eagerness are a deadly mixture, and together they carry a hefty price. After think about what had just happened for a few moments, I looked to the north and sprinted on.

It wasn't too long before I came upon the battle scene. Already the humans had made their way five miles into our land. Angry shouts and curses echoed through the hills. Blood-stained swords and scattered arrows could be seen all around the area, but this was not my biggest concern. Where was Kagome? Was she here, or safely back at the castle? If she was here, then her scent was masked by the blood, so it would be impossible for me to detect.

I moved within the trees and began blocked them from continuing on. The humans shot arrows at me, but they were easy enough to dodge. Finally, the man that appeared to be the commander for the rest of them lifted his arm up to signal the others to halt momentarily.

"Hold your fire!" The man's horse trotted closer to me so he could look at the Emperor's son in greater detail. "Is it…Sesshoumaru that stands there?"

"Hai, I am Sesshoumaru. And my father wishes to know why you are attacking our kingdom currently. We have done nothing for this. I can only assume that our alliance at this point is broken, but for what reason is puzzling to us."

The commander scoffed at this. "What a question! Have you really considered us to be so greatly ignorant all this time?"

My impatience level was rising. "I do not know what you mean, and you would do well to explain immediately, or your life will be the price." I help up my sharp claws to prove my point."

He held up his sword in return. "We will not give up fighting until we have what we seek. Now, out of the way, youkai. I don't have time for this. We know what you're plotting with your father, and I cannot allow it to happen. No, I won't allow it to happen. Stand down!"

"What is the meaning of all this! Tell me!" An arrow shot past my cheek, but I ignored this. I would not move until my questions would be answered.

"Don't take us to be such fools! We know that you sent over enemies into our castle so that you could find our half of the Shikon no Tama! Your father must have it now! Furthermore, you Sesshoumaru, yes you, were sighted yesterday by the castle's guards attempting to kidnap our Queen in the courtyard. You are no ally to us!" They unsheathed their swords fiercely and directed them at me.

So that's how it was, then. Youkai, who had pretended to be in association with my father, had raided the human's castle for their jewel half. Once they had found it, they left with it in their possession. My jaws tightened. There was no doubt in my mind that this was Naraku's doing. My mind was torn now—although I had wanted to return to Kagome's castle once against to see how she had been, this new pressing matter with Naraku was too urgent to ignore. I would not have time to visit her and be sure that she would be well protected now—I couldn't afford it. We would have to wait a little longer, then. Fortunately, I could sense somehow that she was out of harm's way. No, I would see it in my current opponents' faces if their Queen was dead.

"I see. Well then, you can do nothing here but turn back. My father was not the one that took the Shikon no Tama half. Furthermore, next time you would do well to collect and study all the evidence before jumping to conclusions. I was sighted with Kagome in the courtyard, yes, but the guards have the story wrong—she was with me voluntarily. I would never try to 'kidnap' her. Now, turn from here or be slain. I do not have time for mercy."

But, as I was expecting, they stood their ground, waiting for their command from the leader on the horse. Uneasy looks crossed their faces. Was it possible that they were wrong? Had they made a mistake now?

Finally, the warrior on the horse lifted his hand up, and they immediately scattered within the trees. It was true that it would have been easy enough to kill every last one of them with little effort, but they were Kagome's warriors after all, and I had to refrain myself from slaying the whole lot for their ignorance. I knew that they had only retreated temporarily, but I did not have time to dwell on this fact.

My immediate task at hand was to seek Naraku out. Once his death would come from my doing, the jewel half could be returned, and my father's name cleared. Inuyasha could handle the pesky humans—Naraku, now with half of the Shikon no Tama, would be a very formidable opponent. Therefore, not only would I have to plan things carefully, but Kagome also needed to be as far away from me as possible—Naraku might see otherwise that I value her highly, which could be used against both of us. This was something that I knew would weaken me in battle, since my mind could not worry about anything else during such situations.

The only question left, then, was where had my foe gone? The youkai kingdom was vast. "I will need help on this search." I decided quickly. "Other youkai, perhaps, would be able to lend a hand to seek Naraku out from hiding."

With no more time to waste, I sprinted away to make the journey back to our castle.

I had returned to a state of turmoil. Guards were running back and forth in a frantic panic. Gates were being closed all around me. Windows were being boarded up. It was preparation for war. I stepped around all of these actions and made my way gradually to the Emperor in order to request some of his best scout hunters to help me in my task with finding Naraku.

When I reached my father, he did not look exceptionally happy to see me. "Were you able to settle things to the north?"

I sensed that he had anticipated my answer. "I was not."

He grimaced. "But you were, at least, able to confirm why they are attacking us? Does it have anything to do with Lady Kagome?"

"Hai. Some youkai seem to have stolen their half of the Shikon no Tama. They believe that it was your doing, but I am sure that it could have been no one but Naraku. I am positive of this theory."

He looked up at me sharply. "Naraku?" He paced quickly over to the window. "Sesshoumaru, I am thoroughly sick of this Naraku that both you and your brother speak of. Take care of it now." Clearly, this whole business was strongly bothering him. "Was it a mistake to send you out, Sesshoumaru? Shall I seek out this nuisance myself and save some time with it all instead?"

"No." I answered quickly. "I simply came back to request for some able warriors that could aid me in my search for him." The sooner I would find Naraku, the sooner I could be with Kagome again, and we could leave this place.

"I see." The Emperor moved back to his desk and shuffled through a few papers. Finally, he held an envelope up. "Take this to the youkai village on the hill. Deliver this to the elder. He should be able to help you." He paused for a moment, then added, "…And hurry with this job, Sesshoumaru. I expect you to be back here within dusk." I looked outside automatically. From the way the sun was positioned, I would have four hours.

"Very well, I will travel there." As I was halfway through the door frame, I stopped suddenly. "…And make sure that Inuyasha does not follow me."

The specified place wasn't too far from the castle. It might have seemed longer, perhaps, because my mind was far from the task at hand. The emotion called love had its grip around my center tighter than ever before. It was almost as agonizing as when I was separated from Kagome for so long, know that her love for me was nonexistent. Now, at least, I had rightfully corrected her feelings, and we had even shared a moment together. I was still apart from Kagome, however, and so that moment from so long ago, seemingly, did little to aid my worries and concerns. And until she would be brought from this place again by me, they would never truly go away in my mind.

As I continued to travel to my destination, I recalled her final words to me before I had left—her promise that had left me absolutely determined to come again for her. And Kagome's sweet lips once again pressed with mine…responding to me…it was enough to ease my frustrations…temporarily, at the very least. On the other hand, it had also left me craving madly for more from her. She was the only person that could have that effect on me, I knew. Somehow, Kagome's torturing kisses and leaving afterwards hurt more than…losing an arm. But this was the curse of love.

I heard a loud crash in the trees suddenly from miles away. I leapt up onto a high branch to peer down to the earth in search of what was happening. I could not see much—but I was able to make out the arrows, shooting back and forth. Another battle had broken out—and the humans were the ones that had caused it. Deep, youkai cries rang through the area, and the smell of spilt blood began to travel slowly through the atmosphere.

"This cannot go on for much longer." I said aloud once witnessing this. "Eventually, the youkai will no longer refrain from fully attacking them, and the humans will be crushed." And that was exactly what Naraku wanted.

History was beginning to crumble. Events were happening out of place, and all of it was from my doing, indirectly. Such a war was not meant to have broken out, and now I needed to correct things as soon as possible.

The village on the hill was small but effective for the residents there. The youkai living there were green and unnoticeable, like big lizards. They did not look to be particularly strong as warriors, so I had automatically assumed that their strength was either in vast knowledge, or powerful magic. Either way, they were a peculiar, secluded village. I would have to trust my father's judgment on these youkai for now.

Once they began to notice me, some of them led me away to the biggest home from the rest, which I could've only assumed was where the eldest youkai was residing. My feelings were confirmed from this when my silent escorts left the room and another, more feeble presence was sitting directly across from me in the gray shadows of the room. I was quite certain at this point that these youkai had expected my arrival—everything seemed to be prepared.

The old leader spoke to me suddenly, in a thick, tired voice. "…So desu ne…taihen datta desho…"

"Tonde mo nai." I replied automatically. "Shikata ga arimasen."

He chuckled. "Hai, hai. Eto…natsukashii wa…hisashiburi desu ne."

"Nani? Doko?"

The elder ignored these questions and turned to his right. "Agari kudasai." Another presence entered the room. It was one that I had immediately recognized. So this was his village. I understood everything now.

"Jaken. So this is where we meet." The small youkai ran forth into the room, looking tiny and afraid as usual.

"H-How did you know my name!?" He squeaked in surprise.

"There are many things that I know." I replied cryptically.

The elder youkai waved a hand away, and Jaken led me once again outside. "The elder of the village has entrusted me with the duty to lend some aid towards the challenge your family now stands before." He explained quickly. "I am to follow you and help in whatever way I can."

I growled. "This is the assistance that they are giving me? Surely my father didn't intend for me to travel here…perhaps I went to the wrong village…"

While I pondered over this, Jaken was shouting squeaks of protest. "Hey! The elder sent me for a reason, you know! I can be strong! I can help! I know that I look small and weak, but…hey! Are you listening to me!?"

I looked at him briefly with the iciest of stares, and then went back to my thoughts. Jaken squeaked countless apologies.

"Fine." I interrupted him. "If you think yourself worthy to fight with me, then show me what you are capable of."

Jaken smiled wildly. "Oh thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama! I promise that I won't let you down!" He ran over to a nearby river with excitement, dropping his prized staff at least twice. I followed from close behind out of curiosity.

Once he got to the river, he struck his staff down onto the ground and began to meditate. The water down below began to shift directions. Suddenly, everything stopped as soon as it began, and Jaken lifted the end of his staff from the ground.

A small, green light began to form. It floated in the air for a second or two, and then twisted into a beam. The light extended over the hills and across the water, stretching for miles.

Jaken smiled proudly—apparently he was happy and somewhat surprised that his trick had actually worked. "There! You see? The light that I have created has pointed us in the right direction for our travels!"

I scoffed. "What do you mean?"

"Look!" He pointed a tiny finger in the direction that the beam once faced (it was now broken apart, gone). "That will surely be the direction that we can find the Naraku our castle fears of!"

I peered over the valleys. "It points to the human kingdom." Fear surged through me in an instant, and then it was gone again. "You must be mistaken. Naraku fled from that area and is now hiding somewhere in this kingdom."

Jaken shrugged. "Perhaps he is somewhere close to the border that separates the two kingdoms, then."

I remembered the time that I had promised my father I would be back by. The sun at the edge of the hills told me that I would have just enough time to travel back to the castle. I considered my options, and decided that I couldn't risk turning back, especially if Naraku was by chance still inside the human kingdom, where Kagome would be at risk. "Very well. I will travel in that direction to look for him." I turned to Jaken and glared at him menacingly. "For your sake, that light trick of yours had better be right." He gulped, and nodded quickly.

With that, I sprinted forward to begin my journey. My heart told me that I would meet Kagome again soon, but under what circumstances of our meeting again was not for me to know.

Review Responses:

m1s7ress: Unfortunately, the guards didn't really get much of a punishment…threats, mainly. Ah well, probably next time…

sweets427: Arigato! Glad you like it!

yuki kesuma: Kagome didn't order the attack, the guards and warriors just sort of took their own initiative.

Supreme Neo slytherin Countess: Heh, that'd be weird though…well, I'm not sure if he would make a very good father. XD

Katgome: Glad to hear it! Hope you'll keep reading then…

Harmony8390: Sorry dear, but I'm afraid things are going to turn from bad to worse soon enough…

SugarCube: Thanks! I hope you like this chapter, too.

Wyntermajik: Yes, I think that all of my readers were starting to get impatient with Kagome, so I had thought it best if she remembered!

xypherscompany: Hehe! I'd hardly call this story magic—but thanks nonetheless!

Blue Rhapsody3: Huh? You're confused? Tell me how and I promise I'll try to answer!

KouseiJL: Haha, yeah that's true, they're not much for a plan B…lol. Hmm, I've never had 'almond crush'…

AngelMiko69: Really? Cool…well that's makes you so much different from my other reviewers! XD

Tsuki Yume: …For what? Hmm…

Tsuki Yume (again): See above, and I hope that you can read this chappy too…

Hell's Angel-Heaven's Demon: Well it's probably because she doesn't know about it…and Sesshoumaru will take care of Naraku, don't you worry!

Dragen Eyez: Who knows? I don't! XD Seriously though, I guess you'll just have to wait and see…

zeddy222: Hahaha. Yep, Vira made a sequel…hope you like!

angelprincess22: Yeah, I guess you could say that…lol.

fluffys-sidesick: Heh heh, is 2 weeks a long enough wait? Well I'm glad you like it though…

zeddy222 (again): Sorry, can't update fast 'cause I don't have enough time…but here's a little chapter for ya!

Youkai no Yume: Huh? Vira helped somehow? Well that's good, I…guess? Lol. Glad you like it so far…

inuckick14: His name is Pops (well that's what Blue calls him). It's so sad, especially how everyone just dies…and now, it's over…

inuchick14 (again): Nani? Your reviews are longer than that!? Well then, you must be tired from typing! Thank you for the review, though.

In True Meanings: Sure, I'd be happy to stop by and see your poems and everything whenever I have time!

Alright, that's all for this chapter! Sorry if things are sounding really slow—it'll speed up probably next chapter. I promise. I'll try to update as fast as I can, but that's the best I can do! Anyways, R&R! Arigato, ja ne!