Jackie; sorry guys, I know this is late, I had a family emergency. To show my apology is sincere, I will publish two chapters instead of one tonight. I hope you will forgive me, but after all the events of this weekend I am too exhausted to respond to the reviews. I promise I will in chapter 24. In addition, you will notice there are no author's notes in 23 because I'm posting it in this same night.

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Chapter 22;

Miyoiki ran through the open field. The wind whistled through her silver hair and the sun kissed her silvery-white skin. She laughed and ran. She ran to him.

Sesshomaru turned to her and warmth radiated from his golden eyes. His hands and arms lifted up and stretched out to her. His voice echoed up from his heart; the tone of it was heart-stopping.

"Miyoiki…"

His baritone voice shook through her. She flew into his arms, resting her head against his chest. His heart thumped steadily beneath her ear, and she whispered, "Sesshomaru…"

All at once the sky was dark. In horror she looked all around her. Everywhere that horrible menacing voice sounded to her. She tried to cling to Sesshomaru but he disappeared. Naraku's voice tore into her, along with his wicked, wicked laughter.

Over and over she heard him telling her to say good-bye to her loved ones. Over and over, she relived her attack on her beloved Sesshomaru. Over and over, she watched Sesshomaru die by her hands. No! stop! Please stop! She howled.

Then an awful searing sensation burnt into her chest. She recognized it too well; a binding stone.

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Miyoiki's eyes opened to see Sesshomaru leaning over her. He had a look of utter despair on his face. Her fingers went to her chest and she found it there. She found the smooth white stone that seemed alight with fire from within. She buried her face in her hands and wept.

"We'll get it out," Sesshomaru promised.

"Not likely, foul demon!" an old man's voice echoed from behind.

Kagura knew her job was done and flew up into the sky. When Rootousi tried to stop her, she blew him a kiss. In spite of the situation, Rootousi smiled.

A wrinkled old man in monk's clothes emerged from the darkness. He glared at Lord Sesshomaru and growled, "So you are the foul demon that abducted my child."

"M-Master?" Miyoiki stuttered.

"Dear Miyoiki," He said, "I see you have finally matured. You need not fear this lowly demon, child. Your power is vastly superior. Come back to me, my child."

Miyoiki was to her feet in an instant. She shook all over with pain. This binding had been horribly painful for some reason. She tried to steady herself as she said, "It is not what you think. This demon revived all our kin, and I left to be is servant by my own will in return. I gave my oath."

"If that is so, then return to us," He said, "You had no right to give such an oath of service as you are already pledged to us."

"I don't understand," Miyoiki said.

"I made you, Miyoiki," He growled, "I went to great lengths to create you, and took great care and expense to raise and train you. You belong to me, and you will return to me immediately so that I might begin my conquests."

"M-master," Miyoiki started to cry, "You… You were like a father to me, and all the while I was just a tool to you?"

"A tool that can be forced if it is not willing," He growled.

The stone in Miyoiki's chest glowed red and she doubled over in pain. Sesshomaru stepped between them, drawing Tokijin. He held out his demon sword toward the man and said, "I have heard enough. If you value your pathetic human life, you will release her, immediately."

The man opened his mouth to speak when Miyoiki pushed Sesshomaru aside. Rootousi blinked at the fact that she would be so bold with Sesshomaru, but Sesshomaru's face was unreadable. Sesshomaru watched and waited. Rootousi followed his example. Miyoiki trembled and said, "Master… father. Surely it could not all have been a lie. Do you not remember cradling me as a child in your arms? Stroking my hair to sooth me? Truly, all your love and care could not have been false. No one is that good at lying."

"Gullible child," The man said and looked away from her, "Don't fool yourself. You are just a means to an end."

Her blue eyes overflowed with tears as she pleaded, "No, I can't be wrong. Father please, I beg you to release me. I am in love with this demon lord. No, it's more than that. I cannot live in your captivity without him near me. My body may be forced to do your bidding, but if you took me from him my soul would surely die!"

A hush settled over the scene. Even Sesshomaru's eyes widened at the bold confession. She wasn't just spouting off that she loved him; she was talking about a complete binding of lives… Pure, true, devotion and love. She spoke bond so powerful that two become one. Most men would have been completely freaked out, but Sesshomaru felt deeply honored.

"Miyoiki," Sesshomaru said softly, but she pulled away.

She staggered over to the old man and fell at his feet, clutching his robes and sobbing, "Father… father… Please."

The man froze, his hands trembled. He looked back and forth between Miyoiki and Sesshomaru. It was true he had raised her and trained her to be his tool, but thirty years of her laughter, and her bright smile had softened his aging heart. Was it even practical to fulfill his dreams of conquest at his age? He would be dead before he could truly enjoy it. His eyes hardened and he snorted at Sesshomaru, "Stirring words, my child, and does this demon return your love?"

Sesshomaru did not hesitate. Sesshomaru turned to the man and said, "With all my heart and soul."

Even Rootousi had to blink with surprise at the tone in Sesshomaru's voice. It was a deep, radiating sound that seemed to echo from the depths of his soul. It was so warm. Rootousi had not heard that kind of warmth in his voice since his mother died. Praise the gods… Rootousi thought.

Miyoiki looked back to him with tear soaked cheeks and smiled. Sesshomaru smiled back. Then his eyes turned cold and he stared into the old sorcerer. He tried to repress a growl as he said, "Name your price. I have a fortune beyond your mortal comprehension. Name your price and you shall have it. I can give you more than enough to build whatever army you might need."

The old man put his hands on Miyoiki's head and titled her head back to look at her wide trusting eyes. He sighed and said, "No… What would an old man like me do with a kingdom anyway? I'm too old to have any real children. I aaahhhhh!"

A brown tactical shot out from the shadows and pierced the heart of the old sorcerer in monk's robes. His life's blood shot out and spattered Miyoiki's upturned face. Sesshomaru watched placidly but his soul cried out in horror as all that was innocent in Miyoiki's eyes shattered. Her master's dead body fell limp in front of her. Naraku laughed as his tentacle began to absorb the dead body and said, "What a sweet sentiment. Too bad for him that we had a deal, and no one breaks a deal with Naraku and lives. Since he won't be giving over your binding willingly, I will simply absorb him, and his bond to you."

"Master?…" Miyoiki's voice shook.

Sesshomaru growled and leapt at Naraku attempting to sever the connection between the old sorcerer and Naraku, but human bodies were far quicker to absorb than demons. He was too late. Sesshomaru was about to start cutting on Naraku when he felt an awesome power surge behind him. Miyoki's eyes shined blue and she stood as she howled, "FATHER!"

Rootousi had seen this once before. Her spiritual energy and her demon aura swirled around her, clashing and threatening to consume everything around her. He ran over to Sesshomaru and grabbed his arm, tugging him as he said, "Run kid! She's gonna blow!"

"No!" Sesshomaru howled, "I wont leave her!"

"She'll be fine!" Rootousi lied, "You and I will not if we don't get some distance between us and her!"

Sesshomaru decided to trust his old family friend. Rootousi would not dare to mislead Sesshomaru. They ran. Sesshomaru led the way. He had a human ward to pick up. In mere seconds he bolted through the west wing, scooped Rin into his arms and jumped through the outer window. He and Rootousi ran, and ran.

They took up a position high on a distant hill overlooking the castle. The night sung with a high-pitched screaming noise. Sesshomaru groaned and covered his ears. Below Sesshomaru saw Naraku lift into the sky to escape and then a bright blue sphere engulfed the entire valley bellow. Rin shrieked as the shockwave blasted them back. Even from that distance Sesshomaru could feel the sheer force of the blow. He stood in front of Rin to shield her, and raised his arms up over his face. The hair was scorched off his forearms. His mind reeled back, he had felt a miniature version of it that included only spiritual power on the very first day he met Miyoiki. The day she died, and was resurrected by his hand.

His eyes flung to Rootousi who looked darkly at him. Rootousi growled, "I had to do it, kid. Look, the metamorph's abilities are amplified by intense emotion. If it is a good emotion she may miraculously heal someone, misery may bring back what has made her miserable in loosing, anger can prolong her injuries, just as joy can vaporize them. The amount of grief in her… Sesshomaru… There's probably nothing lef-"

Sesshomaru wasted no words. His right arm swung out and struck the old demon square between the eyes. He did not even glare at Rootousi, he simply said, "Watch Rin… If I cannot find something of Miyoiki to revive, Rootousi, I need not inform you of the consequences."

Sesshomaru took off toward the castle and came upon Cajun blacken Jaken. Jaken twitched in pain, crawling away from the rubble. Jaken looked up into Sesshomaru's golden eyes and said, "My lord! I knew you would come back for me!"

"Rin is at the top of the hill," Sesshomaru said coldly, "Meet her there."

Sesshomaru walked over Jaken, and Jaken squealed, "Wait master! Don't leave me like this."

But Sesshomaru was already gone.

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Jackie: on to 23