A/N: Ok, so here is where you really need to be up-to-date with the manga to really get what's going on. Otherwise you probably won't know who Byakuya is. If you're not caught up go visit Ear-Tweak. Or just remain blissfully ignorant! XD

Oh, and in case you don't know, a haori is a Japanese garnment. It's basically a light jacket worn on top of a kimono.

I'd also like to give a big thanks to those who sent feedbackfor the prologue:
Sioned: Don't wother and die! And you might be surprised when this doesn't turn into a reincarnation fic... Wait and see! Hope you're pleasantly surprised!
Anonymous: Glad you liked it. And as you can see by this chapter, I did include the events of 406-407. Sess/Kagu all the way!
Jyde: They're my fave couple too! And I hope to stay as true to the manga as possible!

I'd also like to dedicate this chapter to everyone who sent feedback for 'Compassion', 'I Am the Wind' and 'The Free Wind'. You inspired me to keep writing Sess/Kagu. You guys rock! XD!

Ok, that's enough from me... Enjoy, and don't forget to review!

Sesshoumaru was silent as he and his traveling companions wondered through the forest. True, this was nothing unusual. In fact, this was quite often the case. Sesshoumaru would lead, calm and stealthy, as Jaken and Rin spoke, never falling too far behind their lord. He rarely had any interest in their mindless conversation, and unless he had something important to say he preferred to remain mute.

However this was not his usual arrogant silence. His mind was flooded with thoughts and emotions he was unfamiliar with. He was visibly perturbed, confused by the events that had just transpired.

"Hand over Tenseiga… It's come time to reforge it… To be a weapon."

He admitted he had been skeptical of Toutousai at first. Sesshoumaru had, after all, attempted to kill the old man many times before. It would not be unlikely that the man held some form of resentment towards him. However, he could not deny that there was something different with the Tenseiga. Perhaps it really had called out to Toutousai. So against his better judgment he handed over the sword.

He was glad he had. The sword's new ability was quite remarkable, and Sesshoumaru had to admit that even he was impressed.

The Path of Darkness. An attack that could send an enemy into the realm of the dead. Who'd have thought a sword he had looked down on with such contempt could redeem itself in Sesshoumaru's eyes?

Toutousai's words once again flashed in Sesshoumaru's memory.

"Tenseiga reacted to your changed heart… For someone else's sake your heart was angered. And had sorrow."

Sesshoumaru knew it had been Kagura that had caused this change in his heart. And while his own compassion disgusted him, he was at the same time grateful to the wind user.

Without her, after all, his sword would not have this new ability.

He thought back on how easily his sword had defeated the ogre. And he was still learning. As Toutousai had informed, the fissure formed by the sword was still only a crescent shape. As he perfected the attack it would eventually form a circle. In time he could send his enemy's entire body into the realm of the dead with a single swing of his blade.

And he knew exactly who he would defeat with such an attack.

Sesshoumaru gripped the hilt of his sword, as he made a silent vow to himself.

He, the great Sesshoumaru, lord of the western lands, would defeat Moryoumaru. And Naraku's heart along with him.

Kagura's death would not be in vain.

He could not allow it.

Byakuya sat patiently atop a cliff, the soft breeze tangling his hair slightly. Unlike many of Naraku's previous detachments, Byakuya was blessed with the virtue of patience. It proved to be quite useful, especially in times such as these.

He waited to complete his task, entertaining himself with his own illusions. How delightful it was to fool the unsuspecting passer-bys.

Byakuya looked up to the sky, the moonlight shining into the gaping hole that adorned his face. While he was a handsome man, he imagined even he must look rather loathsome with only one eye.

On that thought he sensed the flying demon draw closer. He stood, and tilted his head, preparing for its entry. The eye-demon returned to the hole in his face, and Byakuya blinked a few times to regain his sight.

He stood still a moment, as his eye's last sights registered in his mind. He smiled slightly, before removing a paper crane from his haori. The crane multiplied in size, and Byakuya lifted himself onto it, before flying back to his lord.

"A Path of Darkness, hmm?" he said aloud to himself. Surely Naraku would be interested to learn of this.