Chapter II - Koe –

A.N.: Sorry it took me so long to continue. I hope this chapter is better than the last one.


The sun had already set hours ago, as they finally stopped their search. He wasn't even sure if he was still looking for what he came to search for, or for that strange woman. With a barely audible sigh he sat down next to a little spring that broke the valley's silence. It was always fun to see how Rin and Jaken started quarreling after a few minutes and, surprisingly, Rin was always the first to remember her real duties.

But this night was different. She didn't even react to Jaken's mocking comments. She rather looked more like the child that had found him one. There was no expression on her face and - what was almost more frightening - silence. He had to admit that Rin's endless talking after he had brought her back to life had been kind of annoying, but without, he just felt like something was missing. He felt like there was something really wrong with her. It couldn't be his illusion or even his mistake. He never made mistakes... did he?

With another sigh he stood up again, then froze to the living statue of a demon. That smell...

"Rin!" He commanded. "You'll come with me. Jaken! Stay here and watch over the fire!" The green demon looked startled, than focused the girl next to him. It was the first time since they had found her that his master told HIM to stay... and not her. He tried to complain, but then let himself fall on the ground. There was no sense in arguing, especially if Rin was the subject to argue about.

"Where do we go, Sesshomaru-sama?" The black-haired girl asked, while walking beside her silent master. His face was as emotionless as ever, but as the stars were reflected in his eyes, a well-known feeling rose within her. There was something in his eyes, something normal people would never be able to see. It was like a strange kind of curiosity, hidden behind an aura of dignity and pride. He really was a superior, more royal than any king could ever be.

"Stand still!" He commanded, and she froze immediately. Deep in the darkness of what he looked right through, a silent voice seemed to echo through the woods, accompanied by a slight shadow. After all she had been through with her master by now, she could tell it was neither human nor a demon – a thought that somehow made her tremble from fear.

"Show yourself!" The white-haired demon commanded again. "Or do you want me to make you leave your hideout?"

"So that's the demon you follow that obediently? I've heard a lot of stories..." A low, but still female voice answered between some giggling. "Ah, I hope he doesn't treat you like that."

His eyes narrowed a bit, focusing the shadow that stepped out of the woods darkness, then turned to look at Rin again for a short moment. The time he spent looking at her was definitely NOT only a short moment, although he didn't really know what made him do so. Okay, she looked a bit shocked, but he had got used to this. He knew she would quiet down once she had realized he was there... which immediately meant that she was out of danger, so why worry so much?

By the time he turned away, the shadow in front of them had already become a figure of flesh and blood, the moon illuminating the left side of her body. The wounds from her fight with the demons this evening were still visible, although they had stopped bleeding. She didn't wear a normal warrior's armor, as a king or lord would never allow a woman to join his army. But therefore a lot of armor variations had been invented during the centuries of wars and demons. She was all dressed in black – the same color as her hair – which caused the impression that she was a shadow herself. But, still, he could smell her human blood.

"You look disappointed, Sesshomaru-sama." The women's voice rose again. "I don't know why you're looking for me. I can understand Rin, but you..."

'Because of Rin.' He found himself thinking, but than quickly shoved away the thought. "And now tell me: Who are you and how do you know about Rin?"

The grin on her face turned down to the earth, then faded away. "Koe." She answered in her low voice. But this time, it sounded like a sign of defeat – hopeless, small, cold. "my name is Koe."

"Koe?" Rin asked visibly shocked. "So you really are..." She rose her hand to her mouth. He could see them tremble... from fear? "Nee-san..." Koe still looked away. "I think so." Sesshomaur's eyes widened. 'Nee-san?'


Cold winds rushed through the leaves, as Rin finally fell asleep. Koe gently put the cape she had worn over her little sister, while Sesshomaru's eyes followed her silently. She giggled slightly. "Something wrong, Sesshomaru-sama? There's no reason to worry. I'm her older sister – how could I ever hurt her?"

"I've got a younger brother." He replied in his usual monotone manner. "And I wouldn't mind killing him."

"How sad for you..." Rin stirred a bit, drawing Koe's attention back to her. "But that's your brother and your problem. The only thing I worry about is Rin following you." She paused shortly, giving him a moment to go on wondering what to think about her. "But as long as she's safe and alright, I won't complain about it, either."

With a short glance at Rin and the campfire he thought of the night before. It had been the same situation... cold winds, the campfire, that strange feeling of thousands of questions running through his head, without even knowing the way to get an answer. Last night it had been his thoughts about Rin, this time it was both her and Koe. And that smell...

"But you know I don't trust you, don't you?" She smiled a bit at his sudden mention. "Of course I know. It's because of that smell, right? The strange mix of Rin's smell and the one of a grave, right?" With a short shriek Jaken finally moved. He had been sitting next to his master like a sculpture of stone, but now came back to life. "Now I remember what seemed so wrong about you!" The green demon mentioned timidly. "I once asked Rin why she didn't go back to her family." His master turned at him angrily. How could he even have dared asking her such questions? He knew Rin didn't want to talk about her past. Even the worst idiot would have realized that within a few hours. "She told me her family had been killed by some highwaymen." Jaken added. "Her entire family."

For a few seconds all was quiet again. Even the winds had stopped blowing, like all was listening for Koe's answer. She took a deep breath. "Death wasn't the worst of it." She replied glumly, her body trembling along with her voice. "Sounds odd, but I was quite happy to ... well... finally die. It was late in the evening – Rin was already sleeping. I had cut myself with one of our knives and went down to the river to wash my hands clean of the blood. But then I noticed those men heading towards our house. It was so obvious that they were highwaymen... I ran back home as quickly and quietly as possible and awoke everyone – our father, mother Rin and my three younger brothers. As she was the youngest, she was the first I told how to get into the woods without being caught. She had just left when they broke into our house. Well, and the rest of the story you already know." She paused for a moment.

"Of course I didn't realize it the time it happened, but later than I heard rumors telling that Rin actually hadn't run into the woods like I told her. She had to watch those bastards destroying everything she once called home. I can believe she didn't say a single word after that anymore... at least until she met you. Well, and after I had found those highwaymen and fulfilled the bargain, I came here to see if Rin is alright. Now that I know, I've no reason for staying with you any longer..."

"W... wait!" Jaken interrupted. "So you're leaving that valley? And not that it matters, but how did you come back to life?"

"None of your business." She snapped back, than gave Rin a kiss on the forehead. "Please tell her not to worry about me after I've gone." She stood up slowly and took a last look at her sister. It was one of those "farewell" and not "see you later" looks. One that couldn't be taken back again. With a slight sigh Koe took her first step back into the darkness, but then turned to the demons for a last time. A sad smile stretched across her face. "And tell her she can keep the cape... as long as she wants."

The campfire crackled faintly and emotionless.


A.N.: That's NOT the end! I've already been told it sounds like the story is finished with that last line, but it's definitely not! Please r&r.