As I fell towards the ground my eyes grew wide. I know this place! I thought wildly, staring at the forest below. I sniffed the air and a grin spread across my face. I smell Sesshoumaru! I held Kurri tightly as I slowed and drifted towards the treetops. I smelled a fire and saw the faint glow so I aimed myself at it.

Landing lightly on a branch, I crouched and stared down. I saw the glow of his eyes as Sesshoumaru glared up suddenly and heard his cold voice mutter, "Who's there?"

The leaves rustled and parted as I dropped out of the tree and landed nimbly on the ground. With a teary smile I launched myself onto my oldest brother and buried my face into his chest, sobbing. "It's been so long!" I cried.

He stared at me for a moment before placing a hand around me. "What do you mean?"

"Lord Sesshoumaru, why are you letting her do that?" Shouted a voice from behind me. I slowly turned and lifted my head, staring at the little toad like man before me. He held a strange staff and glared angrily at me.

"Jaken, don't be rude." Sesshoumaru muttered. "What happened Kira?"

I wiped some tears away and looked up at him. "I've been gone for over a week, sent to another world."

"What are you talking about?" Sesshoumaru pressed.

"It was Naraku. He had Akumei send me away to an entirely different world so Inuyasha would suffer but they all surrounded him. Akumei managed to bring me back!" I finished happily, tears starting to flow again.

"So Inuyasha failed to protect you…" Sesshoumaru muttered.

"No! It wasn't his fault." I yelled. "It was my own for getting caught in the trap."

"Lord Sesshoumaru, what is going on?" Jaken asked, totally lost.

Sesshoumaru turned towards the fire, making me face that way as well. A little girl with long black hair looked up at me curiously and I wiped the tears completely away and smiled at her. "Rin, this is my little sister, Kira."

"Hello." I smiled and Rin smiled in return.

"What?" Jaken yelled. "Lord Sesshoumaru, I did not know you had a sister!"

Before anyone could reply a sudden wind sprang up and the fire blew out, leaving us in darkness. Rin screamed as everyone shielded their faces from the wind and Sesshoumaru crouched protectively beside her. I started to follow but something hit me in the back of the head. With a sudden grunt I reached towards Sesshoumaru before I passed out.

Sesshoumaru turned sharply as I clutched at his sleeve and turned in time to see me being carried away. "Kira!" He shouted but I had already been lifted high into the air and taken away. He clenched his fist as he glared after us. "Jaken, watch Rin." He ordered before leaping after us through the forest.


Back with the others, Akumei leapt to his feet. "She's back!" He cried.

"What?" Screamed Inuyasha, leaping up as well. "Where is she then?"

"She was talking to someone named Sesshoumaru and then she blacked out. I think something took her again!"

Inuyasha clenched his fist. "Naraku…" He looked up. "Where was she?"

"In a forest. I'll take you there." Akumei offered before running off. Inuyasha followed with the whole rest of the group hot on his heels.


I groaned and tried to lift a hand to my aching head only to find them tied behind my back. "W-what's going on?" I wondered aloud.

I jumped as someone answered. "Ah, so she awakens." It was a cold voice, one that sent shivers down my spine and made the hair on my tail stand on end.

"Naraku…" I growled.

"So you remember me." He said. He was no longer in his baboon costume and instead just wore robes. His hair was long and black and his face was in a constant smirk.

"Let me go!" I cried angrily as I struggled with the ropes around my wrists. I screamed as my entire body was shocked and slumped forward, head low.

Naraku laughed coldly. "No more escaping for you. You'll complete your punishment this time. I knew I couldn't depend on that fool to do this for me. This time you will die at my hands. It will be a private show for your brothers who are both on their way."

"You freak!" I screamed wincing as I was shocked again. "You'll pay for this!" I cried through the pain. "They'll come and kill you!"

Naraku just smirked at me and snapped his fingers. The shock intensified and I couldn't take the pain. I collapsed to the side and lay still as Naraku surveyed my body. "Such a waste." He muttered.


Akumei barged through the woods and into the camp where Rin and Jaken still sat. Jaken yelled in fright as Inuyasha grabbed him up. "Have you seen a girl around here?" He screamed. "She was with Sesshoumaru!" Jaken just glared fearfully at him so Inuyasha tossed him aside.

Akumei walked over to him with a frightened Kurri in his arms. "This is the kitten that Kira brought back with her." He said.

Inuyasha nodded, jumping as Rin pulled at his pants. "Do you know Lord Sesshoumaru?" She asked. "And that girl?" Inuyasha nodded and she continued. "Someone took the girl and Lord Sesshoumaru ran after her that way." She said pointing.

"Thanks." Inuyasha grunted as he went the way she pointed. Quickly everyone else followed as well.


Sesshoumaru stopped for a moment to sniff the air. He walked slowly forward with his hand outstretched. It hit the barrier and was lightly shocked. "I know she's in there…" He muttered.

"Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha screamed as he burst from the woods. "Where is she?"

Sesshoumaru glared at him. "You didn't protect her and allowed her to be taken."

"That's not important now!" Inuyasha screamed as he drew the Tetsuseiga and pointed it at the barrier. "Wind scar!" He yelled as he swung the blade. The attack hit the barrier but nothing happened. Suddenly it disappeared and everyone stared at it warily.

"It's a trap…" Miroku muttered. "He wants us to enter."

"I don't care!" Screamed Inuyasha as he ran in after Sesshoumaru who had already entered. Akumei darted through as well but the others weren't as lucky. The shield closed up again just before they ran in.

Hiei pounded on the barrier in frustration as the others tried various attacks. Sango stared at the ground in frustrated defeat. "It's useless. We've tried everything before."

"But Inuyasha…" Kagome whimpered.

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru ran straight forward without stopping while Akumei lagged cautiously a great deal behind. The brothers ran right up to a castle and busted through the door. They froze at what greeted them. Naraku smirked as he held my neck in his hand while I was still unconscious. "Are you looking for someone?" He asked.

"Give her back!" Inuyasha screamed but Naraku just laughed. With a growl he leapt forward, bouncing back off Naraku's shield.

Slowly my eyes fluttered open and I looked around. "Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha?" I whispered weakly.

Naraku looked down at me. "Ah, now the fun can begin." He took my face roughly in his hand and looked towards my brothers. "Now what can I do that will cause the most pain to all three of you?" He asked evilly.

"Don't touch her!" Sesshoumaru snarled but Naraku ignored him.

"I know…" He decided and lifted my face towards his. My eyes widened as I saw what he was doing and my brothers charged forward with cries of rage. Just before our lips met, I made a neon green bolt leap from my cheek onto Naraku's. With a cry he released me, letting me crumple to the floor as he held his face.

While he was distracted I made the green shield around myself and wrestled with the ropes, which bound me. After a few seconds I got my hands free and moved to my feet. I clawed and bit at the ropes and soon I was totally free. "Kagura!" Naraku screamed and the woman emerged from the shadows, swinging her fan towards my back. Caught off guard I screamed as the wind blades pierced my back and turned to face her. When I did Naraku got a hold of me from behind again. He held his hand near my mouth and I flinched as purple mist rose from it.

"Don't breathe it in!" Inuyasha shouted. "It's his poison miasma!"

My eyes grew wide as I held my breath and made a shield around my body again. Wrenching one of my hands from his grasp, I fired an energy blast into his shield but nothing happened. Naraku took my arm in his hand and twisted it hard, causing me to focus more on the pain than my shield so it flickered into nothing. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha started relentless attacks against the shield once again but nothing was changing. Naraku took his time with causing me pain. His poison hand moved slowly closer to my face and I flinched back away from it. "After I finish you I'll kill off your brothers and next all your stupid friends." Naraku promised.

My eyes swirled red and I glared at him, ignoring my pain. "No you will not!" I shouted and twisted around, clawing him with my free hand. I leapt up and away to start pounding and striking the shield walls with my sword but nothing happened.

"You're getting on my nerves." Naraku said. "I think I'll finish you now!" He thrust his hand towards me but I leapt away, causing him to hit his shield. The wall flickered where he touched and I quickly hit the same spot. It seemed to weaken but I had to move again to avoid another attack.

With a snarl I swung my fist at him, causing him to stumble back to get out of the way. I ran over to the weakened section to find a hand sticking through. I looked up to find that it belonged to Akumei. I took it and he pulled me swiftly through, leading me quickly away. "Inuyasha! Sesshoumaru!" I called, showing them I was away. They started after us but we were already through the outside barrier. Instead of waiting, Akumei kept pulling me after him and deeper into the woods. "How will they get out?" I asked.

"Don't worry, I left a huge hole in his barrier." Akumei assured me. After several minutes we finally stopped again and plopped down against some trees. Akumei crossed over to me. "Are you ok? Your back is bleeding."

I looked up at him with tears falling again. "Why is he so against us?" I cried.

"Shh, it's ok." Akumei pulled me close into a comforting hug and I just cried into him.

Finally I pulled away and smiled up at him through my tears. "Thanks for getting me back."

Akumei smiled as well. "It was my pleasure. I hate myself for sending you away in the first place. Oh, and I have something of yours." He lifted Kurri from his shoulder and handed him to me.

I gratefully took him and stared innocently up at Akumei. He smiled back, staggering into a tree as my fist collided with his face. "What the hell?" He screamed at me but stopped suddenly when I threw myself on him and cried again.

"How could you make me go through all of that?" I sobbed and he didn't respond for a while.

After a moment he finally replied. "I'm sorry. I won't let it happen again." He placed an arm around me and leaned back, waiting for me to calm down and for the rest of the group to finally catch up.

A few minutes later the huge group stumbled into the woods and found us still sitting against the tree. I was sitting on my kneesin betweenAkumei's legs with my arms around his waist , slumped forward with my face in his chest.He sat unmoving and allowing it, arms limp at his sides. Inuyasha opened his mouth to scream at Akumei for having me so close but Akumei just pinched his fingers together and Inuyasha's mouth closed with a snap. "Quiet, she's asleep." He ordered.

Inuyasha glared hatefully at him until Akumei undid the spell so he could speak again. Inuyasha crouched beside us, moving my hair lightly aside. "She's been crying…"

Kagome crouched beside Inuyasha and stared at Akumei. "Why's your face all red?" She asked.

Akumei laughed nervously and touched his cheek. "She hit me."

"And I'm not sorry either." I muttered, smiling up from his chest. Their voices had woken me. I jumped up and launched myself onto Inuyasha. "I missed you so much!" I cried, fighting to keep the tears back again.

Inuyasha embraced me warmly back. "I missed you too." He paused and held me at arms length in front of him. "You smell like blood. Are you hurt?"

I backed slightly away and looked down. "I'm fine Inuyasha…"

"Don't lie." Everyone looked up to see Sesshoumaru emerge from the shadows. He had been watching from the edge of the trees and we had forgotten he was there.

With a joyful shriek I leapt on him, hugging him around the waist and grinning widely. He wrapped his arm around me and smiled softly before glaring around at everyone. "She's staying with me from now on."

"What?" Everyone screamed but I was the loudest.

Sesshoumaru stared down at me in surprise. "Don't tell me you want to stay with them even after all of this?"

"I can't just leave them…" I muttered. "I'm sorry… I'll spend today with you! Who was that little girl back from when I fell down?"

Without a word Sesshoumaru took my hand and led me through the woods away from the others. Inuyasha drew the Tetsusaiga and screamed at him but I motioned for him to stop. "I'll find you guys tomorrow, ok?" I called as I disappeared into the darkness of the woods.

Soon we approached the scent of a burning fire and entered the clearing where I had come back into this world. "Lord Sesshoumaru!" Rin cried gleefully before standing and bowing. I giggled at her actions and she stared at me uncertainly as did Jaken.

"It's alright." Sesshoumaru muttered before sitting by the fire. He motioned for me to come beside him so I obeyed. Kurri settled down in my lap and Sesshoumaru stared at him. "You're a wolf, why do you have that?"

I laughed. "I saved it. While in another world I came across some demons. They had killed a little girl and I killed them all. Then I found this kitten curled by the girl's body so I brought it with me."

"You're a wolf?" Jaken exclaimed. "Then how are you related?"

When Sesshoumaru didn't reply I did instead. "We have different mothers." I watched, highly amused, as Jaken almost fell over from shock. I felt something tugging at my sleeve and saw Rin beside me.

"What kind of clothes are these?" She asked curiously.

I laughed. "Well, I've been doing a lot of traveling lately and I brought these back with me." I explained simply.

"Oh…" Rin said with a smile.

I yawned suddenly and turned towards Sesshoumaru. "Yeah, I really have been doing a lot of traveling. I'm going to sleep now, ok?" He nodded so I hugged him lightly before walking a bit away and curling up at the base of a tree. Within seconds I was out cold and Sesshoumaru and the others watched me quietly.

"Are you sure it's ok to be that friendly with her Lord Sesshoumaru?" Jaken inquired but flinched at Sesshoumaru's glare. "I'm sorry Lord!" He cried in alarm. "It's ok, she seems very nice!" He cowered back until sure that Sesshoumaru wouldn't hit him before finally calming. Rin had already fallen asleep, resting against Sesshoumaru's side and he remained motionless to not disturb her.

I was woken up to the feel of teeth biting into my ear. "Ow!" I yelled, sitting up sharply and causing Kurri to slide from my head. "Why'd you bite me?" I stared curiously as Kurri slipped around behind me and stood hissing at Sesshoumaru who was trying to come to me. I laughed. "He doesn't like you Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru glared at the kitten before speaking to me. "Is your back still hurting?"

I picked up Kurri and cuddled with him for a moment until he was calm again. Then I replied to Sesshoumaru. "It wasn't but now that you said something it is…" I laughed as I placed a hand on my shoulder. Soon green sparks leapt from my hand and Sesshoumaru stepped back. "Don't worry, I have control now." I assured him quietly as the wounds began to heal. "There, all done!" I smiled once all was sealed up again.

"What else can you do?" Sesshoumaru asked as Rin stirred and came slowly towards us.

"Good morning." I greeted her before holding out my hand. A small green ball appeared in it and Rin slowly took it. I laughed at her hesitation before making another and tossing it at Sesshoumaru.

He turned it over in his hands a few times. "What's the point of this?"

I laughed and made another. "Watch." I ordered. I tossed it into the sky and blinked. As soon as my eyes closed the ball exploded in a flash of green light and sparks showered down on us. "That's one of the things you can do with it." I said proudly. Suddenly I froze and clamped my hands over my ears. Are you there? A voice asked gruffly in my head. It was Hiei.

Yes… Why are you so mean? I just got back! I whimpered in reply.

Never mind that. The tournament is coming up and you've been skipping out on training!

No I haven't! Do you have any idea what I've been through? I need some time to recover!

You just got it last night. Now it's back to work. If you don't leave to find us right now, I'm going to come and get you.

Ok… I'll be there sometime today. I muttered and heard him no more. I looked up at Sesshoumaru grumpily. "They want me to come back now. They don't believe I've trained enough to be ready for this tournament."

"You can't, I won't allow it." He growled.

"It can't be helped. If I don't go on my own they'll come and get me themselves." I explained. "So I guess I'll see you later…" I whispered as I gave him another hug. "Bye Rin!" I said with a smile towards the young girl. She smiled back as I gathered Kurri into my arms and started walking.


After a couple hours of finding the scents on and off, I finally found a familiar one that stayed with me. Following it for a few more minutes, I found myself at the edge of a cliff. Looking around puzzled I sat on the edge with my legs hanging over and stared around. I jumped as someone plopped beside me and turned to see Kouga. "Don't do that!" I yelled at him.

He laughed. "Sorry. What are you doing out here alone?"

"Looking for Inuyasha." I replied. "But I found your scent first so I came this way.

"You came to me over him?" Kouga asked, wide eyed.

"That's not what I said! His scent kept disappearing but yours stayed strong…"

Kouga peered over me at what I was holding. "What's with the cat?"

"I saved it." I replied, stroking Kurri's ears fondly. I jumped as Kouga's arm wrapped around me. "What are you-"

"You smell nice…" Kouga interrupted, laying his head on my shoulder.

"Uh…" I blushed bright red and tensed under his touch. "Thanks but I have to go now before they come looking for me."

"Who?"

"Inuyasha and the others!" I cried, climbing to my feet. "I'm sorry. I'll see you again soon ok?" I asked with a smile. Kouga nodded as I disappeared into the woods. Pausing to sniff the air I finally caught Inuyasha's scent and was able to keep it long enough to find him. "Hey!" I called. "Did you miss me?"

Everyone turned at the sound of my voice and rushed over to me. Immediately I leapt on Inuyasha and then Kagome, Shippou, Sango and even Miroku who for once didn't try anything. Following that I hugged Yusuke, Kurama and Kuwabara though Hiei wouldn't let me go near him. I watched him sadly as he backed away so I'd know not to try anything. "I missed you guys so much!" I exclaimed happily, trying to ignore it.

"Hey…" Inuyasha walked over and sniffed me lightly. "You smell like Kouga!" He yelled, pointing an accusing finger.

"Well I saw him on the way here and said hi…" I muttered. "Is there anyway I can go visit my human family today?"

"I suppose that should be ok." Kurama said.

"Yay!" I exclaimed happily. "Can we go now?"

"What?" Inuyasha practically screamed. "You're not leaving now!"

"But I miss them…" I whimpered, eyes swirling blue.

"It's ok Inuyasha. I have to go visit my family a lot too and I always come back." Kagome assured him.

"See?" I laughed. "Thanks Kagome! Let's go." I said, pulling on Yusuke's arm. He was the one who wore the watch after all. Edged by my eagerness, Kurama, Kuwabara, Hiei and I all gathered around Yusuke, each holding his arm in a different place. In a flash we were gone, leaving the others to stare after us.