CHAPTER TWO

Miroku nearly drooled on himself as he continued to stroke Kagome's substance into his hair. "Ah…this feels good!"

Shippo, on his part, bent over his head full of suds and looked at his bushy tail protruding from the water, also covered with bubbles. "Kagome! It tingles! Does that mean it's working, or burning?"

Kagome was preoccupied and didn't answer right away. She was glad that she had brought some shampoo from the store with her when she jumped in the well this time, forgetting to drop it off at home first. Now she and the others could get cleaner. She, Sango, and Kirara had already paid their visit to the hot spring, cleaning themselves off of the foul crud as best they could. Now, dressed temporarily in another one of those miko sets of clothes, ones she never felt good wearing, she struggled to coax a stubborn Inuyasha into the water as well. She held the shampoo bottle in one hand like a weapon and glared at Inuyasha in a battle stance from where she was. As for the dog demon, he crouched on the ground in his feral way and glared to one side.

"I told you, I don't want a bath! I don't need one!"

"Stop being such a baby and get in there!" Kagome yelled back. "I won't take you to so much as one more shard if you don't get that stink off you!"

"Stop treating me like a kid!"

"I wouldn't if you would cooperate!"

"You can't make me get in!"

"Inuyasha-"

"Ack!" Shippo suddenly screamed. He had scrubbed his hair so much that the suds had run down into his eyes, and he had stupidly kept them open. "It's blinding me! Help!"

Miroku quickly paddled over to him and wiped his eyes with his hands. But of course, he gulped as he realized too late his hands were also full of soap, and he had just made it worse. Shippo yelped again and dove underwater. As for Kagome, she suddenly lunged right for Inuyasha far outside of the hot spring. "Get in!"

"Try and make me!" Inuyasha answered, bounding over her head and quickly running away. Kagome crashed into the ground where he was as he landed and kept running. He dashed straight for the hot spring, but had his eyes on the cliff overlooking it. He meant to jump over it, far out of Kagome's reach, and to safety. He finally got close enough, and leapt over the edge of the hot spring and toward the sky…

But at that moment, Kagome managed to pull herself off the ground, turn around, and bellow out a command. "SIT!"

The hapless Inuyasha immediately was yanked out of the sky by an invisible force and straight for the hot spring. A moment later, he crashed straight into it in the deepest point. A huge wave of water rushed out and doused Miroku, submerging him for a moment. The hapless monk sprung out of the water a moment later, his hair now sprawled all over his face, and spat out.

Kagome pressed her advantage. She quickly got to her feet, and then charged right in after Inuyasha. Soon, she sprung off the edge of the hot spring herself and jumped in, nearly drowning poor Shippo as he sprung back out from the surface. Inuyasha sprung to the surface as well again, but was coughing and splorting from getting water up his nose and mouth. Also, he was soaked and in the deepest part of the spring, and being a bit dog could only flail about for a moment rather than swim out. Soon, Kagome was on him, and began to rip off his clothes while at the same time squiring shampoo in his hair and beginning to scrub.

"Now take a bath!"

"Ugh…hack!"

"Come on, get your kimono off!"

"Cough! Hey…kaff!"

"Ew! Your hair is so greasy!"

"Lay off!"

"Oh hush up!"

"Hey, what're you doing with my…"

"Now your shirt! Come on!"

"I don't want a bath!"

"You're getting one!"

"Ugh…that stuff's getting in my eyes!"

"Then hold still!"

"You're tearing my shirt!"

"I need more shampoo…"

"I told you, I don't want a bath!"

"Stop kicking!"

"Leave me alone! Cut it out!"

"Just be quiet and get your pants off! Stop hitting me!"

"I don't want a bath! Get off of me!"

"I said stop hitting! You're hurting me!"

"I don't want a bath!"

Then it happened. It was a random event, somewhere in the kicking and screaming and fighting. But somehow, Inuyasha curled one of his hands into a claw for a moment, and then ripped it viciously against Kagome's face. A tearing sound was heard, and as Shippo surfaced again and began to stare on, in utter surprise, with Miroku, they saw that a long gash was cut across Kagome's face by Inuyasha's talon, and blood began to quickly run forth from the wound.

Kagome's eyes froze in shock. She backed away from the dog-demon immediately, staring at him as if she didn't recognize him. Blood continued to rush from her wound. As for Inuyasha, splashing there, hair half-full of suds and half naked, his own yellow eyes filled with surprise for a brief moment as he stared at Kagome. He looked to his own nail, and saw that blood was now under his fingernails. For an instant, he looked shocked and horrified, almost as if he had gone too far. Kagome stared blankly at him back, mortified.

But then, Inuyasha frowned and crossed his arms. "…Stupid." He called her. "I told you to leave me alone. Now look what you made me do."

That was the last straw. Kagome's eyes and mouth opened wider at that. She stayed in the water a moment, saying nothing. But then, tears began to fill her eyes, and abruptly she turned and charged out of the hot spring as fast as she got in. After exiting, she immediately broke into a run and ran away from Inuyasha as fast as she could.

Inuyasha, for a moment, almost looked hurt at that. But then, he scowled and resumed his normal rough stare. He twisted his lip into a sneer, and looked away from everyone. But then, he noticed out of the corner of his eye, Miroku and Shippo were staring at him in shock. After a moment, he sneered and snapped at them. "What are you two looking at!" He demanded.

On hearing that, Shippo recoiled a bit in sudden fear, giving a yelp. But not Miroku. His shock faded into stern anger. He glared darkly back at Inuyasha for a moment, his gaze doing much, much more than scolding him. Then, without saying a word, yet his actions saying "I don't care to be around you anymore", he turned and went out of the water himself. Shippo hesitated a moment, but then bravely stuck his tongue out at Inuyasha before turning and following Miroku out. Neither of them had anything to say to him, and after exiting and gathering their things, they both walked away.

Inuyasha continued to scowl. He grit his teeth in anger, frustrated at everything. Slowly, he watched Kagome's bottle of shampoo drift by him. Snarling, he seized it and threw it away as hard as he could over the cliff, and then sulked in anger.

"Lord Sesshomaru, I'm tired." Rin protested.

"You stop walking when Lord Sesshomaru tells you to!" Jaken angrily snapped back.

"We'll stop soon." The demon answered calmly, however, continuing to lead the way through the forest. Jaken immediately went mild again, and turned to his master in fear, no doubt again taken aback by Sesshomaru's act of kindness toward the human girl. "I just want to cover some ground first."

"Um, Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken meekly cowered at Sesshomaru's feet. "May I ask…where are we going?"

"That human gave me an idea yesterday." The master of the west answered. "I'm wanting to follow up on a legend. There's supposed to be a village hidden in the deep forest. I want to get as close to it as possible tonight. Actually…I wanted to get there and check it out tonight. But seeing as Rin is unwilling…I suppose you can go there and report to me by morning."

Jaken swallowed and whimpered, thinking of himself again as a mere pack mule. "Very well, sir…"

Sesshomaru continued to walk onward. Strange…that human was still on his mind. He couldn't drive him from it no matter what. It was that power…that strange power he sensed from him. It was still there, even after he had killed the human. What was it and what did it mean? Was that what happened every time a miko was killed? How come he hadn't detected it from the Hanyou's bitch, then? What did it mean…?

"Well…lovely night for a walk, Lord Sesshomaru."

The demon immediately flashed around at that, realizing he had been caught off guard. Strange…he could hear almost anything coming. He could smell it at least. Only the truly stealthy and powerful could sneak up on him. That meant something bad was here. He had to get in front of Rin immediately, for she was no doubt in mortal danger as long as she was there, facing whatever creature had come upon them…

But to the demon's surprise…the person who was behind them was the youth from yesterday.

Sesshomaru struggled to contain his shock, furious at himself for looking so unnerved for a mere human. Rin and Jaken readily turned as well, but the youth smiled just as calmly and businesslike as he had the day before. Yet at the same time, Sesshomaru was confused. He had sliced the boy in half yesterday. There was no mistake of that. He watched him die. And yet now…he was alive. Immediately, the monster feared the worst. Perhaps this was a trick of a much stronger demon, making a copy of itself or sending a doll at him. Yet he sensed nothing of the sort…just the same human…with the same unnatural power. Only now, he had snuck up to him much easier than last time.

"Confused?" The youth mused. "Surprised to see me?"

Jaken immediately bolstered at that. "How dare you address Lord Sesshomaru that way, little nothing!"

The youth frowned and snorted, turning to the goblin. "You've got a mouth on you." He remarked to Jaken. He then looked over to Rin afterward. Now, the youth really did change. The moment he saw her, his face flushed with anger, and beneath his closed lips he grit his teeth. He glared at the taller demon "Your own demon bitches not good enough for you, Sesshomaru?" He snapped. "Wanting to start your own human concubinage at early ages? Whose family did you kill to get their child?"

Sesshomaru, as always, showed not the slightest emotion in response. "Stop blathering about things you don't understand. The only thing that need concern you is why you escaped death once to look it in the eye again."

The youth snorted again…and then surprisingly changed. He turned to Rin and made a friendly expression. He tried to look kind, but at the same time was also urgent and reassuring. He extended a hand to the girl. "It's alright now." He addressed her in a soothing voice. "Come away from him. I'll destroy him."

But that only mortified Rin, turning her face to shock. "No!" She burst out, immediately running behind the demon. She peeked out from behind him, but also seemed to extend her hands as if to semi-protect the larger man. "Don't you dare hurt Sesshomaru!"

This turned the friendly look into shock. "What are you talking about!" He exclaimed to the girl, his face full of surprise. He pointed a finger angrily at him. "He's a killer! He's a monster!"

"He's not a monster!" Rin insisted. "He's my friend!"

The youth immediately regained his rage, and glared at Sesshomaru. Hate flooded his eyes again. "You sick monster…deluding this child…"

"I grow tired of you." Sesshomaru answered calmly. "You've annoyed me once too often, and now you dare to come upon me now. It matters no more. Your death is now."

Jaken immediately chipped in. "That's right! You'll pay the price for daring to speak against Lord Sesshomaru in such a manner!"

The youth focused on him, but then changed back. He smiled and grew calm and carefree once more. His anger disappeared. "Sesshomaru, I returned for one reason and one reason alone. There are plenty other demons for me to hunt, but you interest me for one certain one. You can lead me to Lord Inuyasha. Do so now, or you shall regret it. Kikyo was following him but didn't know where he was, so I need you."

Sesshomaru merely lowered his hand to his blade again. "Obviously you didn't learn your lesson last time. I don't take orders from miserable humans. Farewell."

With that, Sesshomaru once again yanked his blade out in a flash, and returned it just as quickly. Again, a great cut of light appeared through the sky before him, as a massive arc was cut into it. The area in front of Sesshomaru was annihilated. The trees were sliced in half and began to fall down in front of him. Leaves and parts of bushes shot everywhere. It was a powerful, fast blow. But unlike before, to Sesshomaru's surprise…there was no body to be sliced in half this time. It disappeared immediately, right as the slice was made.

The demon stood still for a moment, glaring ahead of him in surprise. Jaken and Rin did as well. None of them reacted quickly enough to see the youth as he suddenly dropped down right behind Sesshomaru, having leapt into the sky. His look was wicked and his smile was wide now.

"Nice try…but this time, it is I who will say goodbye to you."

Sesshomaru, in a rare occurrence, had his own eyes widen in shock. Slowly, he looked down over his own body, and saw that protruding right from his chest was the tip of the youth's katana. Normally, he would merely laugh the blow off…but he felt different now. He felt his very life being sucked from his body. He felt his flesh turn cold, and he felt his spirit going into the blade. He gaped and opened his mouth to speak, but his breath was gone. His strength was seeped from his bones. His vision grew dim, and all vitality went out of him and sank into the blade now protruding from his chest. Within moments, his arms went limp at his side, and his lifeless body collapsed on the blade. The youth smiled, and calmly pulled the blade out, and then replaced it into his sheath. "Ninety-nine." He announced.

Jaken and Rin stared in shock for a moment, looking at the fallen body of Sesshomaru. For a moment, they couldn't comprehend what had happened. It was impossible. He couldn't be dead. Yet now, the demon lay lifeless at the youth's feet. No one said anything for a moment. But then, Rin, her eyes filling with tears, suddenly grew furious. She dashed forward and beat against the youth as much as she could with her tiny fists.

"You killed him! You killed him!" She screamed in anger. "I hate you! I hate you, I hate you!"

Abruptly, the boy's own face turned angry. He looked down and glared at her, and then slapped Rin across the face with the back of his hand, sending her flying to the ground. He hit hard, and blood began to trickle from her nose. She was unable to rise, stunned by the hit. "You unthinking brat!" He hissed. "He was a damn monster! You're better off without him! You think he saved you because he loved you, Rin! He did it so that he wouldn't have any obligations to a human!"

Rin sniffled against the ground, still crying and one of her cheeks turning hot with pain. She wiped blood and tears from her nose, and continued to sob against the ground. Jaken trembled in terror at what had happened, knowing he was helpless now. Neither of them bothered to question the fact as to why the youth suddenly knew Rin's name…or her past with Sesshomaru when few others did. Instead, the youth turned his look to Jaken next. His anger vanished, and he resumed his cool smile.

"Now then…Jaken…your duties to that girl are fulfilled. You have no purpose left. So…unless you would like to join Sesshomaru, I suggest that you start talking right now. Show me to Lord Inuyasha."

Jaken swallowed and trembled. "I…I don't know…"

The youth began to draw his blade again.

"B-b-but!" The goblin insisted. "I…I can't get near him…but I c-c-can take you to his friends!"

The youth returned his sword to his sheath, causing the goblin to relax again. "Then do it." He told her. He hesitated a moment, and looked down to Rin. She kept crying against the ground, and was actually crawling over to the fallen Sesshomaru. He wanted to kick her violently away from it, but he restrained himself.

"Leave her, until she learns to see that trash for what he was." He sternly ordered. "Let's go."

Kagome sniffed again, and angrily wiped tears out of her eyes as she lay on her futon. She tried to mind the dressing made up against her cheek. In all honesty, it was just a scratch, which was a good thing, but it didn't change how angry she was. She didn't want to look sad. Not in front of Inuyasha, where he could just make fun of it again. If he didn't care about what he did, she didn't want to care either. She was tempted to leave and never come back, to let him find his own stupid shards from now on. And if he tried to come nagging after her, she'd get her mom to fill that well with cement.

Sometimes I think all he really cares about are those stupid shards! He always has to cause trouble! He can never just be pleasant! He doesn't even care about this! Ugh…I am so mad at him right now! No…I'm more than mad, I'm upset. If I was just mad I would have made him sit in that hot spring until he couldn't breathe. He's never attacked me before! Well…I guess it wasn't an attack…it could have just been an accident… But I wasn't expecting that! And would it have hurt him just to say that he was sorry? I wouldn't have cared if he had said that…

Kagome angrily turned and threw her face against the pillow, feeling tears returning and desperate to smother them. She stewed again over Inuyasha in her mind, and how insensitive and mean he could be. All he ever cared about was himself, it seemed. Even if he didn't, he wouldn't let anyone ever know he cared about anyone but himself. She was so angry at him…and felt tears still come.

…Sometimes I almost wish one of those monsters would get him…

"I rather would have addressed Inuyasha and Kagome together, but seeing as they're having another…episode…I'll just tell you three."

It was a bit later that night, after Inuyasha had gone off to be by himself and Kagome had turned in. With another Shikkon shard so close, she decided to just spend the time in the past rather than go back for just a few hours. Miroku, Sango, and Shippo were still thinking about all that had happened earlier. Inuyasha had definitely gone too far that time, but it was useless to expect him to apologize for it. Sango was regretting bringing up one of her fears earlier that day, as this only made it worse. At any rate, they were gathered before Lady Kaede now, and awaiting sounds of the news.

"So what's so important it couldn't wait until tomorrow?" Shippo asked, rubbing his eyes. "I'm tired."

"I wanted to get this out quickly." Kaede replied from her position on the floor. "I received word earlier today right before you came back about the offshoot of the miko clan."

Miroku raised an eyebrow to that. "Offshoot? I thought right here were the only miko descendents, other than Kagome, of course."

"Well, so did I." Kaede answered. "But there were always legends. This particular one involved a story that there were members of us that broke off centuries ago. The reason they broke off had to do with one item in particular, the Saphsaiga."

"Is that some sort of demon weapon, like Tetsusaiga or Toukijin?" Sango asked.

"That is where the legend gets into a bit of difficulty." Kaede answered. "This is why I never really believed it. You see, no one, not even the offshoot tribe, was supposed to know exactly what Saphsaiga did. All they did was make sure no one ever touched it or used it, regardless of what the purpose was that it held. It seemed sort of silly to me that an entire branch of our race would break off just to protect a sword that they knew nothing about. But evidently there is some truth to the myth. A month ago, a tribe was destroyed in the deep forest. And a shrine guarded by paper spells had been raided, and something taken. Based on how the bodies were found, it seems as if they were miko that guarded it."

Miroku frowned. "Perhaps I'm not supposed to throw out accusations…but I have a pretty good idea of who was responsible."

Sango likewise turned dark. "I'm sure once Naraku became aware of another miko tribe, he wouldn't want any of them fighting against him, just like my own tribe… While he was at it, he probably took the sword."

Kaede turned her head at that. "I do not think so. Little is known about the sword, but according to myth one of the things was that no demon could wield it."

Shippo scratched his head a bit. "So…what is it about this sword? Anyone know anything about it?"

"Only this." Kaede answered. "The blade was supposed to have been made by a very ancient demon smith. That causes more controversy, as why would a demon make a blade he could not use? The demon supposedly vanished after the sword was completed, indicating that he perhaps put his own spirit into the blade."

Miroku kept frowning. "This sounds like a lot of heresay and assumptions. What does any of it mean? Or is any of it really a threat to be considered?"

"I believe so, I'm afraid." Kaede answered grimly. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. "For two weeks now I have been focusing on the sounds and feelings of the forest around me. And slowly…things have been changing. The winds have been growing calm. The sounds have been dimming out. And the feeling of life has been vanishing bit by bit. I'm afraid that whoever or whatever wields the Saphsaiga now is near, or has passed through here before at least. Therefore, you must all be very careful."

"Another question." Sango pressed. "If no demon truly could wield the Saphsaiga…does that mean that whoever has it could actually be human?"

Kaede opened her eyes in response and stared darkly at Sango. "I'm afraid it is very possible."