In the previous chapter, Sesshomaru's ability to bring Rin's body back to life is hampered by the Mu Onna, and they must find her spirit before they can revive her. As he and Shippo go after Rin, Kagome and Inuyasha are confronted by Naraku's henchman.

For the record (ahem): I do not own, in whole or in part, any part of the Inuyasha franchise. Nor do I own any of the characters from said franchise that is used forthwith. The following story is solely based on the ramblings of a college student at a boring job and is not to be taken or believed as part of the true Inuyasha saga. That being said, please enjoy my first attempt at fan fiction. Feel free to critique ad nauseum. (Whew!)

Chapter Six – The Souls and the Void

Miroku froze where she stood as he watched Sango's body fall to the ground. "No!" he said as he ran to where she was, dropped to his knees, and gently laid her head on his lap. "Not again!"

Kanna smiled as her mirror returned to its normal silvery state. Inuyasha growled at her. This little girl is creeping me out. He raised his Tetsusaiga and aimed it at Kanna. "I am going to give you about 10 seconds to return her soul before I slice you in two."

Kanna gave a slight shake of her head. "You would not do that."

"Oh yeah? Try me."

Miroku looked up from Sango's body. "She is right. If you do that, Inuyasha, Sango may very well be trapped in there forever. Do you know how to get her out of there?"

"Feh!" He dropped his sword to the ground, but did not sheath it. "What do you want."

"As I have said, my master wants revenge for my sister's death."

"Right. He didn't even lift a finger to help her when he could have."

"He was not there…"

"What does he want?" The impatience in his voice made him almost yell this at her.

However, she did not flinch nor return his sentiment. "Naraku wants her share of the Shikon Jewel."

"What?" Inuyasha almost laughed. "If you think we are gonna just hand over our half of the sacred jewel, you have another think comin'."

"Maybe it is best that we give it to her," Kagome said. She had finally returned with her bow and arrow, but did not aim them at the mirror.

Miroku looked over at her. "What are you talking about? Do you honestly think that he would let Kanna release Sango's soul? If we give the jewel to him, it would be whole."

Kagome shook her head. "Not quite. By my calculations, even with our combined shards, we are still a couple of shards short. Plenty of time for us to get it back."

Inuyasha stared at her for a minute. Is she serious? Has she completely lost her mind since becoming his mate? She gave him a little wink before tossing the jar with the jewel shards at him. Instinctively, he caught it, but he still had no idea what she was doing.

Sesshomaru knew that the Mu Onna was close by. He could sense Rin's spirit. And there are flowers nearby. He shook his head at the sentiment as he heard a slight rustle behind him and gave a slight roll of his eyes. "Go back. It is too dangerous for you, and I am not one to protect you."

Shippo bristled at his statement, and his tail stood on end. I have had just about enough of this! No one treats me like one of the guys. "I can take care of myself."

Sesshomaru gave no sign of having heard him, except for a slight raising of one eyebrow before turning back to the hunt. And the moment he did, he noticed movement directly above them. The Mu Onna had taken shelter among the roots of a great tree. She and Rin were small enough to get lost among the large roots that tangled above the ground. Sesshomaru silently unsheathed his Tokijin, and had it pointed at the Mu Onna's back before she noticed him there.

The Mu Onna gave a slight turn of her head. She had no face, but Sesshomaru imagined she was looking at the strange pair behind her. "Shh. Don't wake my daughter."

"Right. If you want this, you gotta come through me." Inuyasha tucked the bottle into his shirt and raised his sword again.

In response, Kanna backed up just a little. Kohaku, who had been standing still as death, raised his weapon and readied for attack. Miroku quickly picked up Sango's body and jumped back to place her in a sheltered area. Then he joined Kagome. "What is it you are planning? Surely you do not plan to just hand over the shards. Even if he does have Sango's soul, I would not recommend it."

"I need to keep Kanna's attention diverted so I can attack the mirror. Remember how I broke it the last time?"

Miroku nodded. "Yes. But why don't you just do it again?"

"I don't want to give her a chance to avoid my arrow. Apparently, it was only one soul she wanted, or she would have tried to get ours by now."

While the pair were talking, Inuyasha had his eyes on his prey. He trusted Kagome instinctively, even though he wasn't very fond of her at that moment. I hope she knows what she is doing. "You threatening me, boy?"

Kohaku made no retort but threw his weapon straight for him. Inuyasha jumped to avoid it just seconds before it landed, hitting only air instead. The hanyou then landed behind Kohaku and raised his sword. This is too easy. He paused for a moment. He is making this too easy. Like he wants to…

Inuyasha stilled his movements, giving Kohaku enough time to turn around and face him. But he didn't raise his weapon. Inuyasha yelled over his shoulder at Kanna. "What is Naraku playing at? Why isn't Kohaku fighting?"

Miroku looked at the pair. "He is fighting."

The hanyou smirked. "No he isn't. He is throwing his weapon, but he isn't fighting. There is no aim. He is making this too easy. I don't like it."

Kanna took a tentative step forward. "You are running out of time, Inuyasha. I require the jewel shards to free your friend's soul."

While Miroku and Inuyasha were interacting with Kanna, Kagome took careful aim. If I remember correctly, I need to hit it dead center. I sure hope this works. She pulled back her bow, and laid the path for a sacred arrow. She had an overwhelming urge to close her eyes in prayer to Kami as her arm stretched the string. Her arms started to shake. Hurry up, Kagome, before it is too late. Kanna is not paying attention to you.

Kanna looked up from Inuyasha to see Kagome release the arrow, and gave the smallest smile. Inuyasha felt a chill run down his spine when he saw this. Miroku voiced that feeling. "Something doesn't seem right here, Inuyasha. If Kohaku is not fighting, then what is he doing?"

As if in response, Kohaku ran towards Inuyasha and grabbed the bottle from its hiding place. Before Inuyasha could snatch it back, Kohaku ran off. Probably to Naraku, dammit.

Inuyasha growled and jumped after Kohaku on instinct. "Inuyasha, wait!" cried the monk. He was sure that Kanna was up to something, but turned to stop his companion from running out of the fight, even if it was to reclaim the jewel shards. "I don't think that was a good idea," he mumbled.

The arrow flew past Inuyasha as he ran after Kohaku. It surged forward past Miroku. His head turned so his eyes could follow the progression of the arrow. This has to work. I don't think we will get another chance at this.

A light emanated from the mirror as the arrow gets closer. Just like last time, Miroku sensed as he instinctively held his breath. The arrow seemed to slow down as it caressed the very outer edge of the mirror. Just like last time… No, something seems different…

Kanna tilted the mirror ever so slightly as soon as the arrow touched the mirror's edge. As a result, the arrow slid across the glass surface and actually punctured the mirror off center. Kagome and Miroku could not see this, as the blue light was so bright from the puncture that the arrow made. However, the light did not stay blue, but changed to solid white. Kagome smiled in satisfaction as the bright light from the mirror signaled its breaking. However, her triumph was short lived as she noticed that the light was growing brighter. And brighter.

Sesshomaru looked down at the picture displayed before him. Rin was asleep, with her head lying on the spirit's lap. Rin seemed contented, even if she was in ghostly form.

The soft lyrics of a flute played in the background as Shippo edged closer to Sesshomaru. Even though he loathed doing it, he felt safer being nearer the taiyoukai, mainly because he also was a child and feared the Tatari Mokke. The music also perked up Sesshomaru's ears. A plan instantly formed in his head. He looked down at Shippo, who was cowering at his side. His instinct told him to cast the weaker demon aside, but he knew this kitsune to be braver than he appeared at the moment. And he knew he could never get close enough to get Rin back.

Shippo looked up, and realized that Sesshomaru was staring at him. He squinted, and noticed that he opened his mouth, as if to say something. Shippo strained to make out the words: we…must…lead…her…away.. And then the taiyoukai turned back to the Mu Onna.

She cowered over the sleeping spirit. "You shall not take her."

Shippo ducked under Sesshomaru's robes to sneak to the other side of the two spirits. He did the first thing he could think of. He grabbed some flowers. "She cannot leave me. I owe her these."

Because Shippo was a motherless child, the Mu Onna allowed him near. He waived the flowers near Rin. And, as expected, Rin's soul stirred as the scent wafted over her. She shot up like a dart, grabbing for the one true thing that brought her joy in life. Shippo reacted quickly and hopped one step back. Rin giggled and reached again for the flowers. But she could not get away. The Mu Onna held her tightly to her by the arm.

"We must go, Rin. It is not safe here."

Rin did not even look back. "I want to get some flowers for you, mother. They are very beautiful in this forest." She giggled and again reached for Shippo's bouquet. The cat and mouse game repeated itself for several more advances. Shippo would hop backwards, and Rin would reach forward, pulling the Mu Onna behind her. Sesshomaru stayed behind, but very near, now with his Tenseiga at the ready.

Shippo looked at the Mu Onna and realized that a better incentive was needed to separate her from Rin. "These are for the one who can beat me."

"Beat you how?" Cried Rin as she again reached for the flowers. Shippo could tell that she was getting upset that the Mu Onna would not let her get close enough.

Shippo looked around and saw his advantage. "The one that can beat me to that bunch of flowers there." He pointed behind him to the base of a tree, dotted with purple buds.

Rin gasped and tried to run, but again the Mu Onna held her fast. She turned on the spirit with growing frustration. "Let me get them for you, mother."

The Mu Onna was getting frantic. "No. It is not safe here. We must leave. We do not have time to pick flowers."

Rin stopped her motions and faced her mother full on. "You told me that when I see flowers, I must marvel at their beauty. I need to pick them, and make the things around me beautiful. You taught me that." She looked hard at the Mu Onna, who was losing her façade. She gave her wrist a quick turn and jerk, freeing herself. And ran straight for Shippo and his flowers.

The Mu Onna let out a shriek and dove after Rin. But she had failed to notice how close she had gotten to the Tatari Mokke. The Tatari Mokke instantly opened its eyes upon sensing the Mu Onna too close. With another shriek, the Mu Onna found herself standing upon a rip in the ground opening fast. It opened with such speed that she could not escape the downward pull it caused. She was being pulled down to Hell.

"Shippo! You must get her here!" Sesshomaru was for the moment depending on a scared little fox to bring Rin's spirit safely to her body, across a rift meant to take her to Hell. Shippo thrust the flowers into Rin's hands, momentarily taking her mind off of the horrid scene in front of her. Then he popped into his rounded pink form with her on his back. He quickly sailed around the rift, but was not out of the sight of the Tatari Mokke, who had decided to get rid of all the free-roaming spirits in the vicinity. Another shrill note on the flute and the rift opened larger, right under Shippo.

Crying out of fear, he realized that he will not be able to escort her safely across the rift. Without a thought otherwise, he popped back into his fox form and forcefully flung Rin across the rift into Sesshomaru's arms.

Sesshomaru in turn quickly sliced the Tenseiga across Rin's spirit and down into Rin's body, linking them back together. As the rift continued to open, a light from inside Rin sealed the spirit back into the body, putting her back to rights.

Suddenly, all was still. The rift was gone, and the Tatari Mokke had disappeared. Rin, coughing and completely confused, tried to sit up. As she had been gone from her body for a few hours, she found this quite hard to do. When she did, she was face to face with Sesshomaru, who had crouched down to make sure she was completely alive. She smiled from ear to ear, and he let loose the breath he had not known he held.

She reached out her hand to give Sesshomaru the flowers in her hand, and then realized something equally important. Rin looked around, rubbing her eyes to clear them. "Where is Shippo?"

A small pile of leaves coughed. He sat up and shook them out of his hair. "Here I am."

Rin giggled, ran over and hugged him. "Thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful."

Does she even know what happened to her? "No problem." He tried to puff up and look more heroic. But he was too tired.

Sesshomaru stood and listened. Something is not right. All the hairs on his arms and neck stood on end. Every blood cell in his body began to run cold. Something is terribly wrong. "We must get back." And without another glance, he left Shippo to bring Rin back home.

Coming Soon – Chapter Seven – The Mirror Cracked

Miroku and Inuyasha distract Kanna while Kagome puts her sacred arrows to work. Kanna takes her chance at revenge, and Kohaku is mortally wounded in the process. Another has a chance to return the favor, but takes the high road.