Sorry that this took so long. I had trouble coming up with the words to write down. I had the idea but couldn't write it. This is a sad chapter and a long one so beware! I think it came out very nicely.

Chapter 7: Tragedy Unveiled

The sun was high in the sky when Sesshomaru caught the first scents of the ocean. As they got closer he could almost taste the salt in the air. When they reached the shore Rin immediately asked if she could go swimming. Explaining that there was probably demons in the water, Suriki lead them over to the fairy and they got on.

"Well this will take us back to the Island but I don't know if there will be anything left," said Suriki as she pushed the raft into the water.

"That may be, but we will be able to find some clues and get your weapon," said Sesshomaru.

"Still, I just don't want to go back there. I never got to see what damage the demon caused so I am able to hope that my father is alive. I just don't want to see my home destroyed," said Suriki as the raft floated further out.

Sesshomaru said nothing in return and merely looked into the distance. Suriki picked up the pole that was on the raft and pushed them further out. Rin played with the water and looked for fish. She did not say anything because she could tell that everyone was afraid of something. As the raft moved into a dense fog Suriki began to hum. The strange melody made a path into the mist. Through the clear path they could see the shore of the Island. When the raft bumped onto the shore everyone got out and Suriki tied it off. As they walked further into the Island the mist thickened.

"This isn't right," whispered Suriki, "the protective mist should have disappeared."

They continued walking until the mist dispersed and the outline of a house could be seen. Suriki ran towards it desperate to see her home.

'It has to still be there, it just has to,' she thought. As she got closer to the house her feet slowed as she saw the truth of it. It was an empty shell, completely destroyed. Her heart fell, but she kept hope that something was still there. Moving past the house, Suriki looked around through the fog, searching for anything left. Her heart fell a little more with each destroyed house and each body lying cold on the ground. Nothing was left; she had nothing to hope for anymore. It was all gone. Mechanically her feet took her to the great palace that was her home. She fell to her knees before the massive house that had been burned to the ground. Nothing was left. Nothing. No more hope, no more smiles, only tears. The tears would wash away her memories maybe. He would help, Sesshomaru would help. No, he has become colder now, he wouldn't help.

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When Suriki ran off, Sesshomaru told Rin and Jaken to stay where they were. Rin of course was happy to follow orders but Jaken whined as usual. Sesshomaru ignored them and walked slowly off in the same direction as Suriki. He walked coolly past the burnt out and destroyed buildings. He stepped over the bloody bodies on the ground and moved forward with a purpose. An onlooker would almost be able to call him a ghost except for the strangely sad look in his eye that seemed so out of place. When he reached the main building complex he found Suriki, lying on the herd ground, crying into her hands. He bent down and touched her shoulder. At the unexpected touch she jumped and backed away from him.

"Ohh.. It's just you. Sorry for running Sesshomaru," Suriki whispered.

Looking to the destroyed castle and ignoring Suriki's words, he started walking towards it.

"Hey what are you doing?" she asked.

"I am finding your sword so we can hunt down that demon," said Sesshomaru.

"What's wrong with you? Don't you care? I now know for sure that my entire family and all of my friends are dead! How can you be so cold," Suriki shouted, "What happened to the boy who cried in my arms when your mom's anniversary came around? You seemed familiar but now I can see that you just don't care."

"Are you finished?" Seeing the slight nod of Suriki's head, Sesshomaru turned around and continued walking towards the house. "Good, we will find your sword and provide a decent burial for the bodies we can find. Now are you going to sit there crying or do something?"

Numbly, Suriki stood up and followed him into the wreckage towards what had once been her room. The house was torn apart. It was like someone had searched through the wreckage after burning it. As Suriki followed Sesshomaru into her room she saw some of the family's heirlooms. They were in many states of ruin. She was saddened to see her ancestral home in such disarray. Even the servants hadn't had a proper barrier. She sighed and looked toward Sesshomaru to see why he had stopped. He had bent over to shift some ruble.

"What are you doing Sesshomaru?" she asked.

"I am retrieving you sword," he answered, "You won't be able to fight properly without it."

"Is that all you care about?" Suriki asked in a tired voice, "What about the servants? And my Father? We should at least find the bodies and give them a proper burial."

"We don't have time," was his curt response as he turned back to his searching.

"Fine, do what you want but I am at least finding my Father's body!" yelled Suriki.

She walked off to do her duty. After a while she came to what had been her Father's office. It was slightly less damaged then the rest of the house because of the wards placed on it. Under the ruble she found what she had been looking for. Her Father had been burned to the bone despite his power. Carefully picking up the bones Suriki walked clear of the wreckage and headed towards the base of the mountain. She would burry him in the tear soaked grounds of her ancestors, where he belonged. As she walked she could feel that Sesshomaru had found her and was following with her sword. She did not care. This was her duty.

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Sesshomaru had not expected Suriki to yell at him. In his opinion she was the one acting childish. She had known that the entire village had most likely been wiped out but had hoped that it wasn't then cried when she found it had been. She had set herself up for the pain. Even stranger was the fact that he had a strong urge to hold her and comfort her! A great demon like himself would never do such a thing! So, ignoring her and his feelings he searched for her sword and stayed as cold to her as he could. When he found where her swords energy was coming from he began to unbury it expecting Suriki to help him. Instead she asked what he was doing! When he told her she got even madder. Surprising him even further she left to bury the dead. After finding her sword he followed her to the base of the mountain where she buried her father's body.

When she had finished Sesshomaru came closer. It was much later than he had thought it would and wanted to stay on the island. The shoreline could be very dangerous at night. When he approached to ask where a camp could be set up he found that she had fallen asleep on the newly made grave. Deciding that this would be the safest place to sleep he laid her out a little bit away. Then he left to get Rin and Jaken. Finally they were all settled and asleep just as the sun set.

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While Sesshomaru and his group had been traveling to the island Inuyasha and the others had searched the forest for the castle ruins. At around noon they finally found it. There was hardly anything left. What hadn't been burned had been stolen or looted. They could find nothing to tell them about the demon. They decided that they would question Sesshomaru and Suriki when they saw each other again but were content to let the subject drop. The night was a calm and peaceful one for the two groups. No one knew that the next day would bring even more pain than today had.

Okay, so did you like it? I think that the Sesshomaru personality in this one is more like him and Suriki's reasons for not being as sad were explained. The next might be a little longer in being posted please understand that I don't have that much time with school and everything. Go review Rutoh-Chan's stories they are great and she really wants some more reviews. Thank you all and I hope to hear from you.