The sky looked like a piece of pitch-black velvet covering the earth, with only small holes of light seeping through the darkness. A light breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the beautiful autumn leaves which danced in the wind. Many would not be able to notice the strange scent of sweet pine smell lingering in the night air or the sparkling dust trailing after the line of falling leaves, but if they were gazing out the window at that exact minute and exact spot, they would be able to witness the sight of a fairy emerging from the swirls of wind. Her wild red hair flowed in the air along with the skirt of her oddly glowing gown. No sandals embraced her feet and no trace of make-up was visible on her pale skin, but she was as beautiful as a goddess. A pair of pointy ears stood out on the sides of her head and her gorgeous emerald eyes opened up to the world after a deep long slumber. Her name was Sayuri and she was there on a mission.
Kikyou on the other hand was disgruntled at the disappointing news. She was so sure Inuyasha and Kagome had witnessed the scene, but unfortunately she was wrong. 'Who on earth was the one who sent Naraku to his death!' Kikyou pondered. Her head was aching from all the stress. Ironically enough, she had long forgotten how tiring it felt to be walking all day long. Right now she needed to rest, perhaps she would have more luck tomorrow.
Sayuri skipped along the streams and hillsides. Being awaken again felt wonderful! The icy night's air was like a refreshing midnight shower keeping the illuminate fairy completely awake despised the fact that she had been asleep for the past several months. Suddenly, she halted suddenly to a stop. A raven-haired miko was resting on the root of an oak tree. Her brows were fused in concentration, as if she was still thinking in her dreams. Sayuri also noticed how sorrowful the priestess looked. Her peaceful face was somehow beautiful in the most sad way, just like a fallen angel or a broken lily, so pretty, yet so tired.
The curious young fairy carefully approached the human girl. She had never seen a human before, especially not a miko like her. But as she drew closer and closer, the priestess's eyes snapped open and she stood up in a jolt. Her priestess instincts brought her hands to rise and immediately created a force field around her which sent Sayuri flying into the air.
"Oof!" the fairy said as she crash-landed onto the nearby patch of grass. Her magic allowed her to land in a safe spot for now.
Kikyou suddenly gasped at the sight of a live fairy. She had read much about them in the elder's books. It was believed that fairies were only allowed to be awakened when they were to carry a heavy duty. Also their powers would stop anyone whom wanted to get in their way. In this case, Kikyou.
"Err…" Kikyou got tongue-tied in shock.
"And not even a sorry?" Sayuri pouted, "You humans are very, very rude indeed!"
"I…I apologize for my mistake," Kikyou blurted out.
"That's more liked it," Sayuri said and dust off the dirt on her dress, "The name is Sayuri, and you?"
Kikyou's eyes widened in surprise, this fairy was not going to wipe her existence from the face of this earth? It seemed as if she wanted to befriend the priestess instead. What was her mission?
"I am Kikyou," Kikyou replied, still dumbfounded.
"Hello, Priestess Kikyou," Sayuri greeted with a brilliant smile, "How are you?"
"I…I'm fine," Kikyou said, "And you?"
"The same, sleeping very often really does get boring," Sayuri sighed.
"I am not trying to be nosy, but what exactly are you here for?" Kikyou questioned carefully, "I've heard that fairies were only awakened if they are on a mission of some sort."
"Your data is perfectly correct, priestess," the fairy said, "And I was always told that curiosity is not a sin, so here is your answer. I am a fairy from the depth of Mount Hakurai, when it collapsed, I was sent to search for the mystery of the incident. Unfortunately, a certain new evil emerged from it carrying thousands of demons at its tail. I was unable to stop him, so I went to an old friend for help…"
"Who is your old friend?" Kikyou interrupted, thinking that this friend may have something to do with Naraku's death and Onigumo's appearance.
"His name is Lord Sesshomaru," Sayuri said and noticed the miko's eyes widen in shock, "Many know him. He is a very powerful demon."
"Indeed," Kikyou whispered gravely, "Then what happened?"
"He agreed to help," Sayuri continued, "So I thought everything was well, so I went back to sleep since my duty was over. But now, I was again shaken awake, because the evil has not died out completely."
"Onigumo…" Kikyou mused out loud.
"I beg your pardon?" Sayuri raised on eyebrow.
"There is still a part of Naraku in Onigumo's body," Kikyou said more to herself than answering the curious fairy's question, "The darkness inside his heart."
"So you're saying that this Onigumo guy is like Naraku's incarnation or something?" Sayuri figured.
"Possibly," Kikyou said, "Since Onigumo's beating heart was cast out of Naraku's body, he could not have been destroyed with the demon, thus creating another way for Naraku to live if he had died. Also, Onigumo was in such despair because Naraku was trying to enter his body and since Naraku was a rotting demon, his miasma was enough to pain him to death. I was not able to purify Naraku, because he lived inside the darkness of Onigumo's heart."
"So… what is the problem?" Sayuri asked.
"We didn't witness Naraku's death," Kikyou said, "If he died without a corpse or skeleton, we would be sure that he had been transferred to Onigumo's body, eating him up alive. And according to what you have seen, Sesshomaru must have been the one to kill Naraku…"
"So, we have to go visit Sesshomaru-sama!" Sayuri said, "Come on! What are you waiting for? Let's go!"