Summary- Years have passed since the incident with Khan. Now Rin is happy, living with her young child, InuTaisho. InuYasha has taken over in Sesshoumaru's absence, and no one knows what has happened to him. Rin still wonders upon the missing youkai, and if she shall truly ever see him again...

Eternity

Chapter Six

"Most illusions are reality, but most reality are illusions...can you see past the illusion, Rin?"

Rin slowly opened her eyes, blinking. Where was she? She turned around, her eyes widening at the sight of Sesshoumaru's face. But...he was dead! Sesshoumaru couldn't be laying on the ground by her...naked...Rin's eyes widened even more so as she quickly scooted away from his body. This had to be some kind of dream. Sesshoumaru was dead, and he couldn't be there...he was gone...but...

Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped open, glaring slightly at Rin. Rin noticed this and moved away further. She didn't like his eyes...Sesshoumaru sat up slowly, his glare focused upon her. Rin definitely knew that something was wrong now...she went for her clothes, trying to pretend that she didn't know anything. Sesshoumaru watched her carefully. "Rin."

She visibly flinched. His voice was laced with ice and suspicion. Rin now knew that this was definitely not Sesshoumaru...he wouldn't have spoken to her so harshly with one word. He would have probably used a whole sentance, but not just her name. She turned around and smiled at him, so as to put off any suspicions. Sesshoumaru, seeming to buy the act, turned away from her as if to give her privacy. Rin finished putting her kimono together, taking out a dagger that she carried with her at all times. After Khan, she never left the castle unprotected. She never stayed in the castle unprotected either. InuYasha was always with her, as was her dagger. And she never allowed the thought of InuTaisho alone to pass through her mind either. Someone was always to be with him, and to keep him nearby or in sight.

Rin glared as Sesshoumaru stood up. Now that she new what he really was, she felt disgusted with herself that she had fallen for his trickery so easily. Sesshoumaru would not have bedded her that simply. Nor would he have been so soothing with his words beforehand. She slowly made her way to Sesshoumaru, stopping and hiding the dagger immediately when he turned around and looked her up and down. Another thing that allowed her to know it wasn't him...he would have known she was lying minutes earlier, and he wouldn't be staring at her as he was now.

"Rin, what are you doing?" Sesshoumaru asked. Rin grinned, then simply waved her hand.

"Nothing, just still shocked that you're back. I mean, after all, you were dead; am I right?" Rin asked. If he bought this, then he definitely wasn't Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru raised a brow and smirked, turning around to the castle.

"Indeed I was. We should get back. I wouldn't trust InuYasha with the lands for too long..." Sesshoumaru said.

There.

Absolute proof he wasn't the real Sesshoumaru.

He had said InuYasha's name, and his voice had not even the slightest hint of hatred within it.

That's when Rin struck.

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as he felt her dagger pierce through the back of his neck, straight through his throat. His mouth flooded with blood and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. His body began to transform into a kitsune youkai, before he fell dead to the ground. Rin's eyes widened. A kitsune? Shippo...he would have been so happy to hear that there were more kitsune's nearby, but...to hear that she had killed one...would he understand?

Rin sighed and turned away from the dead corpse, looking to the Toukijin. She had bedded another demon...she hissed in pain as her shoulder began to pulse and burn. She turned to look at it, her eyes widening as her nearly faded Marking began to look anew, as if it had just been made recently. She cried out and collapsed, feeling a surge of emotions flow through her, although the burning sensation outstood them. She opened her eyes, but what she saw was not the clearing she had been in. Instead, she was in a pure white area, overflowed by mist. It reminded her of the first time she had encountered Touga.

"W-what's going on...? Touga, did you summon me again?" Rin called out, hoping that he was the one who called her. She heard faint footsteps echo around her, making it impossible to pinpoint where it was coming from. She turned this way and that, searching for the source, but all she saw was pure white. She didn't pay any mind when the searing pain began to weaken, but she closed her eyes in order to concentrate to find the one who was walking.

"Rin."

Her eyes snapped open. Was this...another trick? Was her mind playing a game with her? She turned around to see Sesshoumaru standing behind her, glaring at her slightly, but not in an angry way. But...she could faintly see through him at the same time...as if he wasn't really there...only partially.

"Snap out of it Rin."

Rin blinked. Snap out of...who did he think he was? "Excuse me? Snap out of it? How dare you! Do you even realize what just happened to me, you little brat?" Rin yelled. Sesshoumaru merely blinked at her, as if he didn't care.

"What's there to realize? You gave yourself to another man. And because of that, you've broken the bond we had. Although there was little to start with regardless..."

Rin glared. This was the real Sesshoumaru. Definitely. Speaking to her like a child, reprimanding her with his words, being mean...

"Sesshoumaru, don't you dare even do that. I'm sick and tired of always being treated like some stupid kid by you! Do you have any idea what I've been doing? Protecting your stupid kingdom, that's what! Maybe you could give me a little gratitude, but that would be asking too much then, wouldn't it?" Rin said with some force behind her words. Sesshoumaru did not seem fazed in the least, but still continued on.

"I merely treat you like a child because you act like one, constantly throwing tantrums at me. And it's not really you that's protecting my lands, it's the half-breed. And I didn't bring you here to argue, so please quit doing so, seeing as I don't have a long time to talk."

Rin stopped dead, looking at him in confusion, then Utsugi's words hit her hard. Was this the only way to see Sesshoumaru? To betray the Mark? To...betray him?

"You are correct in your assumption. It seems that you're getting smarter everyday, aren't you Rin?"

She glared at the smirking Sesshoumaru. "Who said you could look into my mind? Don't do that!" Rin growled out. Sesshoumaru looked to roll his eyes, before Rin noticed he seemed to become even more transparent. Was time running out?

"Yes, it is. I told you that I didn't have long to talk."

Rin sighed some to herself. Fine then...it was obvious that there was something on his mind...so they might as well get it over with now.

"You were pregnant...were you not?"

Rin's breath hitched. He wanted to know about InuTaisho...this was exactly what she had feared...would he hate him? Disregard him? Ignore him? ...love him? "Y-yes...I was pregnant..." Rin whispered, but she knew he could hear her. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. He knew that he was the only one she was mating with at the time...so the child was obviously his. But then he would be a hanyou...a thing he despised...

"I see...and what is the child's name?"

Rin took a deep breath. The time was now...now is when she would know if Sesshoumaru would accept the child or not. "His name is...InuTaisho. I-I couldn't really think of what to name him, and it just popped into my head, so..." Rin stuttered, wondering if he appreciated the name. Sesshoumaru did not seem to respond at first, before he decided to speak up.

"It's a good name for him. Does he know of me?"

"Only when I tell him bedtime stories..." Rin whispered. Sesshoumaru nodded, then looked away.

"Remember Rin...I placed that Mark on you for a reason."

And with that, Rin felt her body collapse as Sesshoumaru finally faded away, before finding herself in front of Toukijin again. She was back? That was it? That was her only chance to see Sesshoumaru? But...there was still things she wanted to ask him! She suddenly regretted arguing with him, when she could have been getting answers. When was he coming back? Was his body almost finished? What of Khan? Was he really gone for good? So many questions, but no answers. And the only way she could have gotten them was gone for good now...until he was able to be brought back. And who knew when that time would come...it could be years from now...she could be gone and passed away by the time he was able to come back. And by then...her little InuTaisho could be all grown up...and still never know anything of his father...

Rin sighed. Damn her conscience...now she was going to have to tell her son everything she knew about his father...wasn't much, but he would still know. And hopefully, he would understand...

-6-6-6-

Kagome stared at InuYasha with hurt and betrayed eyes. He would kill her if she didn't give him the Jewel? But what would possess him to want to do something so...unlike him? Then again...Kagome glared. He had killed her once...what on Earth made her think that he wouldn't be able to do it again? Kagome looked over to Tsubaki. She was positive that all of this was this woman's fault...

"InuYasha, you're just going to have to kill me then, because I'm not giving you the Jewel!" Kagome growled. The Shikon no Tama may have no powers left, but she was still it's protector, and it was still a family heirloom. She wasn't giving it up if it meant her life. InuYasha pressed his ears against his head. She was really going to die for some stupid Jewel? Sure it was from her parents, but it had no power! Why would she rather die...?

"Well InuYasha? You heard what she said. Kill her and give me the Jewel!" Tsubaki yelled. She was getting highly annoyed with him not listening. Then her eyes widen with acknowledgment. She did not find Kagome like she promised...which meant that the deal was off! If InuYasha did refuse to take the Jewel, nothing would happen! The pact was over...but the hanyou didn't know that. Tsubaki smirked. As long as InuYasha didn't know that he was free, then he could get the Jewel with no problem...

"Damn it Kagome, why do you have to be so incooperative?" InuYasha growled. Kagome smirked.

"Wow, a big word InuYasha. I didn't know you were capable!" Kagome yelled back. InuYasha twitched. She was sounding just like Sesshoumaru!

"Shut up, stupid girl! Just give me the damn Jewel!" InuYasha yelled. Kagome's eye twitched and InuYasha gulped. He knew what was coming up next...

"Sit boy!"

BOOM!

"Sit, sit, sit, sit, sit boy!" Kagome yelled some more. How dare he...! He was going to kill her, and all he had to say was stupid girl? That idiotic, pompous, red obsessed, puppy whining, hot-headed jerk! No wonder he still had no mate!

InuYasha groaned at the barrage of sit commands and twitched his foot some, just to make sure he could still move. When the reprimands finally stopped taking affect and he could push himself up, he growled. "What is the matter with you?" InuYasha shouted, now forgetting that he needed the Jewel. Kagome glared. What was wrong with her? What was wrong with her...!

"You little selfish brat! You threaten me, insult me, and then ask what's wrong with me? What's wrong with you! Huh? Is it because you don't know how to stick up for yourself?" At this point, she was pointing at Tsubaki. "Is that why you're still taking orders from women!" She continued to yell, which merely continued to piss him off further. He stood up, glaring at her, his body shaking.

"Fine then! I won't take the Jewel, happy now? But only because I don't wanna kill you!" InuYasha huffed and crossed his arms. Tsubaki's eye twitched. He wouldn't take the Jewel? Perfect, just perfect! That wretch had to ruin everything! Kagome's body shook with anger as she glared at him, tear trickling off her eyes.

"Well you sure didn't have much of a problem killing me before!"

And with that InuYasha's world crashed. He looked at Kagome with stunned eyes before she turned and stomped off, leaving him there with Tsubaki. She merely smirked. Well...maybe watching these two would be more interesting than having the Jewel...

"K...K...Kagome, wait..." InuYasha called out, but his voice was raspy and shallow, unable to be heard by Kagome. His throat went try and his mind began to swirl. He couldn't understand...how did she know it was him? Was she really awake the night he told her? But he wasn't in his right mind when he did it! He could barely remember what had happened when he had...killed her...

"Kagome..." InuYasha whispered. He couldn't face her now. Not ever again. Because she was right...he didn't have any problem when he had killed her. InuYasha turned around and began to walk deeper into the Fukai Mori, his ears still pressed to his head. He wouldn't go back. Not now, not ever. Kagome would be better off without him...

...after all, how could she love a miserable half-breed...

-6-6-6-

Touga sighed as he watched his youngest son. How terrible...the poor boy had such a broken heart now. Then again, the girl was right as well. He did indeed kill her at one time. He turned around to look at Utsugi, although she wasn't faring much better as she watched over Rin. Earlier she had said that Rin had found the way to see Sesshoumaru, but she hasn't spoken a word since then.

"Utsugi..." Touga started. Utsugi did not move, or even budge an inch. Touga sighed. It seemed like there was no getting through to her. Touga blinked when a small sphere of light came up to him, stopping near the tip of his nose. He raised a brow. A messanger? Did this mean that Sesshoumaru's body was completed?

"Touga-sama, we have trouble!" The light said, a high squeaky voice. Touga blinked.

"Yes, what is it?" By this time, Utsugi had managed to rip her concentration off of Rin and towards them. The light continued.

"It's your son, something's wrong!"

Touga blinked. If this thing was referring to InuYasha, then he already knew, but if he was referring to...

"Sesshoumaru's body! We can't complete it!"

-6-6-6-

Kagura yawned and stretched, watching the man in chains in Kanna's mirror once more. Kanna hadn't budged, as always, and simply stared into the mirror. Earlier, something funny had happened when they were watching it. It was really weird...one second they were watching Naraku being recreated, and the next, some freaky looking demon appeared. He was really spikey, that's all Kagura could think of with his appearance. There wasn't really much though, just darkness and red eyes. But there was also a sword there too...it seemed familiar to her, but for the life of her, she couldn't remeber where she had seen it.

"Kanna...when is Naraku supposed to be completed?" Kagura asked. Kanna did not respond. As always. It was always to Naraku that she spoke, and it would always be Naraku that she listened to. She sighed and stood up, holding out her fan. "Very well, then I shall go and find me something to do..." Kagura mumbled. Kanna paid her no heed. As always...she growled and took out a feather from her hair, throwing it into the air and watching as it grew large enough for her to sit on. She leapt on and took off into the sky, exploring the forest from above. Luckily, the Fukai Mori's possessive aura was incapable of rising above the canopy, so she was safe...for now.

"Damn you to Hell Naraku...you need to die and stay dead..."

Although she knew he didn't technically die, even the great Naraku's powers were incapable of overcoming the Fukai Mori's mind twister. If he had no memories, then he was dead to her. But unfortunately...Kanna was able to find him and bring him back...now whenever his memories are restored, he would most likely punish her for "not trying to find him." Oh, she was trying to find him alright, but she wasn't going to help him, Hell no...she was more thinking that his body without a head was a better fashion statement than he had first thought.

Kagura grumbled some more before she blinked, seeing a village ahead. -Well, I have nothing better to do...maybe I can terrorize some people...nah, that doesn't seem too fun right now...-
Kagura thought. She shrugged and landed anyway, watching as the people simply continued to go along with their daily work, despite her being a demon. She blinked. This was a strange village indeed...

An old woman with a bow walked up to her, an eyepatch over one eye. Kagura glared. Such an ugly hag...the old woman nodded. "Youkai, come with me...I wish to speak with you on important matters..." She said. Kagura stared. A strange village indeed...if the priestess wished to speak to a demon instead of slay it...

Kagura shrugged and followed after the woman until they came to a small hut. The old woman sat down, Kagura sitting as well. "Aye...my name is Kaede, and I am the priestess of this village. Who would you be, demon?" Kaede asked. Kagura glared slightly.

"...Kagura...why do you want to talk to me?" Kagura demanded. Kaede nodded, poking at the fire with a stick.

"Yes, yes. It would seem to me that we are heading into tragic times, don't you agree?" Kaede asked. Kagura huffed and crossed her arms.

"Tell me about it..." She grumbled in annoyance, Naraku entering her mind. Kaede stared at her closely.

"It would seem something bothers ye, Kagura. But I wish to seek your assistance..." Kaede asked boldly. Kagura snapped her attention back to the hag. Okay, this village was officially weird. What on Earth...a priestess seeking help from a demon? Had the humans nowadays gone mad?

"You see...there is a dangerous demon named Khan coming afoot and...no one is able to leave the village to call for help due to the Fukai Mori. They are all terrified of the Forest, because of it's reputation to twist the minds of the weak. So...seeing as ye are a demon that can fly, we were hoping ye could seek us assisstance."

With that Kagura stood up immediately and walked out of the hut. No more, she was staying in this village any longer. People here were crazy! They actually wanted her to really...!

"Wait, Kagura! Please, you must help us." Kaede said, rushing out after her. Kagura stopped and looked at the old woman.

"Why would you trust a demon to help you?" Kagura asked. Kaede smiled at her wryly.

"I don't. But ye are the only way that we can defeat Khan and prevent him from killing us all..." Kaede said. Kagura stared. Khan...it seemed familiar, but she couldn't place her finger on it. She sighed. Well...helping them may help herself out in the end...she'd rather serve under Naraku for a few more years than die, really...

"Fine...where exactly am I supposed to go, old woman?" Kagura asked sharply. Kaede nodded and pointed to an area past the Fukai Mori, lined with mountaintops.

"Aye, that is ye's destination. There, ye will encounter a mansion. Ye must speak with the Lord, and ask of his assisstance." Kaede said. Kagura grumbled and plucked out her feather. Oh well. She threw it into the air and took off, heading into the mountainrange. Many of the villager's looked to Kaede before a young woman decided to ask the question they all wondered.

"Kaede-sama, how do you know that she will help us?" She asked. Kaede's face turned grim as she answered her.

"Because if she does not, then we are all doomed..."

To Be Continued...

I almost fell out of my chair when I heard you guys really thought Sesshoumaru was back. Come on now! You know me better than that. (sideglance) I don't bring people back so easily, but at least now you know the deal between Sesshoumaru and Rin. Poor InuYasha...at least he didn't kill her again! Now he's just heartbroken... (tears) And Kagura helping humans? Wow, that's a first...then again, she's really only doing it in her own interest. Wait, Sesshoumaru's body can't be completed? Oh no, what have I done? (grins) I'm just playing. Everything will work out...I think... (shifty eyes) Oh, look at the time, gotta go! (waves)

PLEASE REVIEW!

-Angelus