Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha Sesshomaru owns me or any of the gang Sesshomaru owns me

The massive dagger dropped on the table before Kagome with a dull thud. Her brown eyes grew wide in shock before looking to InuYasha who stood beside her chair, his arms folded over his chest as always. Rin stood at the opposite side of the table, her own eyes filled with pity and sadness for her friend. Sesshomaru looked at each of them in turn, saying not a word.

"Its useless, Kagome. The dagger is just a hoax. It was just as I said, nothing of such supposed power could exist and Lord Sesshomaru not know of its existance." Rin said quietly.

"And you are damn lucky he DID know of it or you'd be dead," InuYasha snapped, "Did it not even occur to you to ask about the damn thing before you went after it! Hell, between me, Sesshomaru and Myoga there isn't much we don't know about! And don't you even say any smartass remarks to that either, Sesshomaru!"

Kagome reached for the weapon but quickly snatched her hand back as she felt the evil rolling off of the blade. Of course. Another great fable from the library of Gramps! She hadn't believed in the damn sacred jewel or the demon sealed to a tree and those things had proven themselves to be real enough! Kagome's heart sank. As her elbows rested on the table she dropped her head in her hands. Why could nothing be straight forward! Why did it seem those things she wanted to believe in turned out to be half-truths and those things she wished to deny were facts!

"The only purpose the dagger serves is to amuse its master," Sesshomaru spoke up, "It kills both human and demon without prejudice. I became aware of its existance soon after Father died. Since Father had denied me the sword that would enable me to kill my enemies I would make the dagger my own and have a blade that was "befitting" of me. Soon, however, I discovered it was useless. It wasn't created by a master swordmaker but rather by a dimwitted demon and therefore it was hardly worth the time it took to gain it."

"Then why do you keep it, Sesshomaru? If the weapon isn't of any worth, why?" Kagome asked.

"It possesses the power to kill demons. Why would I allow such a weapon to fall into the hands of my enemy and risk it finding a place in my back? Much like the saying of keep your friends close but your enemies closer."

"Very well...if the weapon can't help me achieve my goal I will simply have to find another way. I'm not going to give up so easily. Since you brothers are supposed to be such all knowing oracles perhaps one of you can enlighten me as to how I can become immortal?"

"His area of expertise." InuYasha replied dryly, jerking a thumb in Sesshomaru's direction.

"Its trully a pity all of my knowledge will be wasted when my time comes to an end," Sesshomaru retorted sarcastically, "I would pass it on to you but I hardly think it could pentrate that thick skull of yours, little brother."

"To use a phrase from Kagome's era, Sesshomaru, Get bent!"

"Enough, you two!" Rin scolded, "We are here to help Kagome, not bicker!"

"Will someone please just tell me how I can go about becoming immortal already! Patience isn't a virtue I possess!" Kagome huffed, slumping back in her chair.

"Its an elixir, a very rare elixir. There is only one vial of it in existance and one dose of it can come at a very high price."

"Just how high of a price are we talking about here!" InuYasha demanded, his ears twitching.

"None thus far have been willing to pay it. It differs for everyone." Sesshomaru stated.

"This is something Kagome wants. I'll pay whatever I have to so she can be immortal." the hanyou replied.

Sesshomaru nodded once. Would his brother's resolve hold once he was told the price he might have to pay? Did his love for the mortal girl run deep enough that he would truly be willing to sacrifice anything to give her her wish? The inuyoukai lord's eyes went to Rin. Would there be any price too high for him to pay?

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As night fell InuYasha secluded himself in his and Kagome's room. After their many years together his transformation no longer shocked Kagome as it once did. Were it not for his robe of the fire rat, she would never have known him from another in a crowd. A perk to InuYasha's period without his demon powers was he was no longer so gruff. If anything he was almost...sweet. Tonight, however, he seemed almost edgy. Tetsusaiga rested in the corner, useless to him during this time. Kagome watched as his eyes, no longer their familiar amber, would constantly dart to the window.

"A watched pot never boils, you know?" she sighed.

"Huh? I'm not watching a pot. What are you talking about?"

"Its a saying from my era, InuYasha. Its a way of saying one must be patient. It will only seem longer if you continue to watch and wait."

"Yeah well I'll be throwing a pot at that brother of mine if he even thinks of coming through that door. If he knew of this damned elixir why didn't he say something about it sooner! And I don't like the idea of him having that dagger in his possession either! He has Tokijin, his poison claws and his true form. How many weapons does he need!"

Kagome shook her head and smiled, "You worry too much, InuYasha. We will go after this elixir, find out the price of it and go from there. Until we get to that point in the plan there is nothing more we can do."

"You'll have that elixir, Kagome. I promise you that. Whatever the price. Its the least I can do for you after all the times and years you've stayed by me." he replied, his voice carrying none of its usual hardness.

"You owe me nothing for doing that, InuYasha. It is my place, where I was destined to be. We are mates, for life." she said, her fingers running through the inky blackness of his hair.

"Kagome?"

"Hmmm?"

"What...what if its Tetsusaiga I have to pay with? What would you have me do then?"

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"My lord...you never said where this elixir was to be found." Rin said, watching as Sesshomaru carefully put the Demon's Dagger away.

"And I shall not make mention of its location. I know that brother of mine. He will foolishly attempt to go after it himself and possibly destroy the elixir. Thinking before acting is not exactly his strong suite."

"If Kagome gets a dose of the elixir and she drinks it...what exactly is going to happen to her? Will she feel any pain? Will she have to die a mortal death and then her immortal life begins?"

"The elixir is made from the tears of the first dragon in existance. When the girl drinks of the tears she will feel no pain, she will not have to die. Her rate of aging will slow, she will appear no different...but she will lose her powers as a priestess. So you see, Rin? Nothing comes without its price."

Rin's eyes widened, "InuYasha believes he is the one who will have to pay the price for Kagome's immortality! My lord, you must go and tell them about this! If Kagome loses her priestess powers how can she fight alongside InuYasha! Why must she give up her powers at all!"

"If she retains her powers as a priestess she will become a dark priestess, Rin. The women who choose such a holy life must never seek to prolong their natural given existance. Theirs is a pure and unaltered state. Even as the mere reincarnation of such a woman, Kagome must give up those powers or live the life of a priestess who uses her abilities for evil."

"So no matter what, the person seeking the immortality must give up something of themselves!"

"Yes. Now do you understand, Rin? Some were not willing to surrender something of themselves while others had their loved ones fail them at that most crucial moment. Its the truest test of the bond between people. This quest will be what either makes or breaks InuYasha and Kagome." Sesshomaru nodded, his voice heavy. "You must give up something in order to gain something. The balance must be maintained."

Rin's fingers clawed at the skin over her heart. She felt ill, lightheaded, the room seemed to spin.

"And what of me, my lord?" she croaked, "What would I have to give up if I were to want this elixir for myself? What would you have to surrender?"

"I do not know, Rin. As I said, it is different for everyone. All I know for certain is those of the holy orders are to give up their powers if they wish to live forever. It is the greatest sacrifice they can make. Only you and the one who demands the payment can read into your heart, Rin, and choose what your greatest sacrifice will be."