Jaken was lost.

He remembered being with his lord, Sesshōmaru, but sometime during the battle a large explosion occurred and he had ended up getting blasted away from the sheer force of it, rather than obliterated like the rest. In times like these, he was grateful he weighed so little. But… he couldn't find his master anywhere.

"Where are youuuu!? M-M'lord!?"

Jaken looked around nervously and jumped when he saw creatures from the shadows appear, several lower class panther demons surrounding him. He backed up, tightening his grip on his staff as fear coursed through him, sweat beading down his scaly skin.

"S-Stay away- gah!" His back bumped into something, and when he turned he saw there were even more panthers behind him. "T-Too many cats…!"

The imp demon screeched and made a run for it, darting between a pair of legs and scrambling for survival. He came to a halt and whirled around a few seconds after, Jaken slamming the end of his staff down to the ground and willing it to spit fire at the demons, but they all managed to avoid his attack. He looked up at the sky, beady yellow eyes big as he saw the panthers falling down towards him.

Not knowing what else to do, Jaken squeezed his eyes shut and cried out, praying that his master could hear him. "Lord Sesshōmaruuuu!"

A flash of silver bolted by and Jaken gasped, looking up with tears blurring his vision, and watched in shock as someone who was not his lord appeared and sliced at the panthers with their claws. Inuyasha knocked the demons back and landed in front of Jaken, his golden gaze glaring daggers at his opponents. The imp was shaking, palms so sweaty they could barely keep a good hold on the Staff of Two Heads.

The panther demons, seeing the way Inuyasha bared his fangs and growled animalistically at them, turned tail and fled as they knew they could not win that fight. Jaken himself swallowed down the lump that had formed in his throat and made a dash for it, running the opposite direction, but he didn't get very far before Inuyasha made chase and picked him up off the ground, dangling him by his kimono.

"Hey," Inuyasha greeted, "have you seen my friends around here?"

"N-No," Jaken stammered, mildly afraid, "but do you happen to know where Lord Sesshōmaru might be?"

"How would I know?" The half-demon asked, scowling. It was only a couple days ago he had been arguing with Irene about his stupid brother, and here they were. It was like the world was trying to put Inuyasha in a bad mood. "Besides, what the heck is that bastard doing here, anyway? This has nothing to do with him."

Jaken grew enraged upon hearing those words. "How dare you say such a thing! Are you trying to defile your great father's memory!?"

Inuyasha scoffed, holding the imp up higher off the ground so they were face-to-face. "Now you've totally lost me."

"Your father waged war against the Panther Demon Tribe many years ago!" Jaken began, already winding himself up for a long story lesson about his lord's father and the great war that followed, when the half-demon cut him off. Inuyasha's ears twitched, the boy staring down at him unimpressed.

"Oh, yeah, that. Myoga told me about it." His eyebrows then furrowed together. "But I thought Sesshōmaru didn't fight in that war?"

Jaken, having absolutely no control of his dangling limbs, sighed. His fixed Inuyasha with a sour expression.

"The Panther Demon Tribe showed up again after the war, around fifty years ago. They were bent on revenge!" The imp observed Inuyasha's reaction, noticing how surprised he looked, and continued. "Your father had passed on, but they came to ravage the countryside with the intent to kill all his people! And at that time you, sir," Jaken growled, swinging his legs back-and-forth as he tried to point accusingly at the half-demon, "weren't much help!"

"What?"

"Despite m'lord's wishes I went in search of you, as while you were born of a mortal woman you are your father's son! Lord Sesshōmaru had thought you were too cowardly and refused to show up, or that you had simply refused to come to his aid despite the fact that you were brothers! Instead, as it turns out, you had been placed under a spell by a holy priestess and were left frozen in time for years!"

Inuyasha set Jaken down, the half-demon squatting on the ground and watching as the imp turned his back to him. Jaken crossed his arms, scowling.

"Of course, Lord Sesshōmaru never actually expected you to come to his assistance, but victory would have been so easy if we had the tetsusaiga! If we knew where it was hiding sooner or at the very least had an idea of how to break the spell that you were on, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

"Ha! Sesshōmaru can't wield my sword." Inuyasha barked, placing his palm on the handle. Jaken whirled around, absolutely livid.

"That's not the point you ungrateful child!"

The half-demon blinked. His eyebrows furrowed as he processed the information that was just told him, everything starting to click together and make sense. The reason why his rotten half-brother was here and why the panthers were after them; it was because of things that happened with their father and the aftermath of the war.

Inuyasha didn't know any of this until now, because he was still pinned to the sacred tree outside Kaede's village when it happened. Still, "That's enough harping on about the past. I've got things to do."

Jaken looked on with alarm when the half-demon suddenly jumped into the air, leaping from building-to-building and leaving him behind.

"W-Wait! Don't go! I don't want to be alone!"

He hurried after him, barely grabbing onto the boy's kimono in time to avoid being abandoned.

I woke up in the arms of a demon with pale skin, head resting on the lap of a familiar blue-haired woman.

Her skin was ice cold, just as much as a certain demonic priestess' was, and left my burning, feverish skin crying out with relief. We were resting on the ground beside some kind of altar, a small table decorated with a red cloth and several torches, the jewel shards left to reside delicately on a bronze plate.

"You're quite the troublesome lamb," Tōran said quietly, seeing my glassy eyes flutter open slowly, the woman running her icy fingers along my throat beneath my turtleneck, "getting yourself into such bad shape like this. You were lucky Shūran let go of you when he did and that Anastasia had several herbs ready for the sacrificial rite, otherwise you wouldn't be here now. Just what are we to do without our guest-of-honor, hmm?"

My lips moved, but no sound came out. The inside of my throat felt like there were claws stuck inside, tearing at the flesh from within.

Tōran rested her hand alongside the front of my throat, the coldness of her touch almost seeming to seep into my skin and soothe my vocal chords. She reached out to her side, lifting me up with one arm and holding a small cup up to my lips.

"Drink this."

I wanted to refuse and spit it out, not wanting anything to do with something made by Anastasia due to the possibility of it being part of the "preparation" of having my soul taken from me, but I was so thirsty.

It had been over half a day since I last ate, nonetheless had anything to drink, and while I sorely needed to use the bathroom the touch of the cool liquid to my lips had me gulping greedily, strength slowly returning to my tired arms as my hands tried to reach up and take the cup from her. The bitter drink dripped down my bloody chin as a result, and Tōran chuckled when I started to cough.

The demoness was almost amused when I had to lean against her shoulder for support.

"You really are pathetic," She said to me, tone more playful than it was mocking, "if only those dogs could see you like this… hmph. The fun will have to wait, I suppose. Sesshōmaru is already on his way and I have one of my sisters dealing with the half-breed. Their reaction when your life is drained from your body…"

I shivered when she trailed a sharp nail from my bruised neck up to my chin, the female demon flicking off a droplet of the strange remedy from my face.

"It'll be mesmerizing. You know, I was really intrigued when you mentioned you knew the first-born son of the great dog demon general, and I'm still curious as to what transpired between you two. Won't you be a dear and tell me?"

Something indescribable flashed in those icy eyes of Tōran's for a moment when my gaze met hers, the demoness watching as I struggled to cling to life.

I took a shaky breath, whatever herbs I was forced to drink doing wonders for my throat to help me speak, though my voice didn't sound quite right due to the damage that was still there. "...ou won't… win…"

"Hm?"

I swallowed down the lump in my throat and dug my fingers into the ground, struggling to retain consciousness and feeling. Speaking felt awful. I had no idea how I got here; not remembering anything past healing my friends' limp bodies, and I was only able to assume that it had something to do with that terrifying demon brother of hers.

She mentioned Anastasia- she brewed whatever concoction I was forced to drink, which meant… what?

If they wanted me in tip-top shape they could have just had the demon use her onmyōji priestess powers and heal me. Why go out of her way and brew some kind of medicine? Unless… she can't heal.

How come?

She said she wanted my soul and the spirits that came with it, just like the panther demons do, so does she only have a few Shikigami? I'm still not even sure how many Shikigami I have, but the more I encountered her and learned about her, the more I was starting to think she wasn't as powerful as she actually seemed. Or, maybe, I'm looking at this all wrong.

She is powerful.

Anastasia merely lacks the connection to more than a couple spirits. She doesn't have a Shikigami that can heal others. She can curse and burn and fight, but she can't mend the wounds of her allies. She doesn't have the river's blessing.

Why?

What Shūran said earlier- they needed a human soul. Anastasia wasn't mortal, so they went to me instead. Yet it still feels like something was missing; a piece to this puzzle that… I just couldn't figure out. Who was she? How come she wanted the Shikigami so badly? Did she feel inadequate? No, no; that doesn't matter right now. I… I need to focus.

While I can still talk… and think.

Sesshōmaru…

Tōran wanted to know about him. He was definitely coming to this place; in fact, she made it sound like he was already here in the town somewhere. I still never got to properly thank him for what he did, so I can't let myself die here. I have to survive; to thank him. To thank him and make sure Maria is safe. To make sure that everyone is safe.

I have to apologize… for getting them into this mess.

They tried their best to convince me that I had helped them somehow, that my presence actually meant something, but then this kind of situation happens and all of that becomes null and void to my mind. Every mean demon I've met always made the same observation about me and, as much as I loathed to admit it, they were right.

I was weak. Pathetic. I try so hard, but I can't do anything to protect anyone.

I can't even protect myself. In the battle back in the village we normally stayed at, when Karan tried to kidnap me the first time, my friends kept yelling at me to get away. They told me to run and leave them behind. I can't fight like they can.

Not with this stupid body of mine… that was born with asthma and worsened into a severe state because of the careless actions of other people. The environment I grew up in that led to me being this weak, this tired, this dependent on medicine.

I couldn't do anything without the help of other people. Even now one of the many demons that were supposed to be the enemy was caring for me, soothing my burning skin with her winter magic, doing her best to keep me alive if only to sacrifice me later. I want so badly to repay everyone for their kindness, for their compassion, and I hate that this stupid body won't let me.

This disgusting, useless slab of flesh I was forced to walk around in, unable to do anything of use without only becoming more of a nuisance by passing out for several days on end and causing more worry.

I loathed it so much.

I just wanted to live. I wanted to live and make myself someone deserving of all this help. I want to save my friends, instead of having to be the one saved for once.

This bloodline that had apparently been gifted with a connection to spirits... I need to use it. To understand it.

But I was running out of time to do so.

Though my vision was blurry and all I could really make out were shades of blue, I focused my attention on Tōran as best as I could. A part of me understood why they wanted to revive their master; they cared for him and wanted to expand their territory. They felt threatened after losing a war, desiring to regain their strength.

But they were going about it completely wrong. I don't know much about this world and how a whole lot of the more mystical aspects of it worked, but nothing good could come out of reviving the dead.

Whether it be by tenseiga… or the sacrifice of many lives.

"Your m-master…" I breathed, shivering as another wave of dizziness and nausea washed over me. "I-It won't… be him. He won't… be the same."

Tōran's magic paused and she stared down at me, the woman slowly moving her fingers back down to my very bruised neck. She had to stick her icy fingers down underneath my turtleneck again to touch the raw flesh, but she didn't hurt me. No, her cold touch felt so nice against my sickly warm flesh, and had I not known the reason why she was helping me I would have relaxed against her completely.

"A-Anastasia… she's lying…"

I reached up, squeezing my eyes shut as the stinging sensation came back, throat and back aching. My frail, trembling hands wrapped around the one that was now currently resting along my left cheek, gripping her fingers as tight as I could in an effort to get some kind of meaning across.

I blinked, fighting the intense urge to sleep, trying to make out her expression. I needed to see her face; to figure out what she was thinking. "Wh-What she told you… it's not true."

Tōran's lips turned downward as sweat started beading down the sides of my face. I was so sleepy.

"Revenge… ch-changes… people. I-If you… bring him back, then…"

Someone was walking up to us, dressed in different shades of red and white, but I couldn't hear them. I wasn't even sure if I could hear myself. I could only hope my words were actually making it out of my mouth. I think I could still taste the blood from before as I spoke.

"...he won't… recognize you like you want."

I was gripping her hand so tightly now, her blue eyes boring into mine intently. My lips curled back and I choked, head on the verge of falling back onto her shoulder.

"D-Don't… do this. Don't give them a chance… to hurt you."

I barely managed to get out those last two sentences before my eyes slid shut. I hadn't said nearly enough to convince her; I didn't have the strength to. I was broken. I could only hope now that someone made it in time to save me, whether it be Inuyasha or even Sesshōmaru.

Tōran pulled her hand away from mine and I found myself being lifted up in the air, two red fiery snakes slithering up and curling around my form, raising my body off the ground.

Several pentagrams appeared- one beneath me and one above me. Large red flames and smoke from burning leaves formed a protective barrier, keeping out anything that wasn't a Shikigami. My head leaned back, arms and legs going limp as I drifted even higher up in the air.

Tired mind succumbing to the darkness, the preparations to sacrifice my soul began.

...

Tenseiga would not stop shaking.

As soon as Sesshōmaru's foe had disappeared after his last attack, his father's fang started to grow restless and would not stop moving, the blade seeming desperate to pull itself out of its sheath and towards whatever was calling out to it.

His first thought was that perhaps tetsusaiga was nearby again, as the two swords often reacted to each other's presence, yet it was clear that was not the case as the demon lord could detect the half-demon's scent in the direction opposite of where the tenseiga was pointing him.

He would never admit it aloud, nor even to himself, that he had no clear understanding as to why tenseiga was acting this way. The sword led him through the remains of the hidden village, deep through the forest, and to the castle gates where he could make out the silhouette of what could only be the remains of the Panther Tribe General hiding in the courtyard ahead.

It truly was an enormous corpse, but not one that he felt was worthy enough to be considered a true threat.

Even if it were managed to be revived, it would surely be an easy feat to obtain victory against such a decrepit old foe. The demon lord's nose twitched as a breeze blew by, the smell of familiar human blood only growing stronger. He could smell the woman all over the place- but her scent was strongest near the skeleton, which meant she was right up ahead.

The foolish panthers really were going to risk everything on this one mortal priestess.

"Y-You're seriously amazing, Sesshōmaru."

His grip on tenseiga tightened, the male demon momentarily wondering if her connection to spirits was what was causing the fang to act up. Was it trying to tell him to save her? Why? For what reason should he, Sesshōmaru, go out of his way for a measly human?

There was no side of a bargain to uphold, no promise of protection to keep. They parted ways in the fallen castle and that was it.

She was just a weak and pathetic mortal priestess, whose powers were too great for her failing body to hold. Whether it's by time running its course or by demons who coveted her soul, she was going to die soon. It was only a matter of how and when, and should she survive this encounter it was clear that she would only last until the next full moon. What was the point in rescuing someone who would only perish afterwards?

It was a waste of time.

And yet… here he stood actually contemplating in silence as to whether or not tenseiga truly desired for him to act out and save her.

This wretched sword his father forced upon him was absolutely worthless, and Sesshōmaru only kept it out of respect for the man who had once been a great and mighty demon general. For it to try and urge him to save a priestess of all people was absolutely ludicrous.

She was a fool; a nuisance that travelled with his even more foolish half-brother.

The woman may be different from the rest of the priestesses that roamed the land, but she was a priestess all the same. While her powers were neither holy nor demonic, and did not come from a soul that harbored immense purification ability, they were still spiritual in nature. And from what he could tell from the short time they were in the fallen castle together, the spirits she worked with were derived from the world around them- spirits of the world pulled into being by one mortal woman and given form.

It was why the dead had affected her so.

Because all beings, dead or alive, walking upon this earth, were part of nature. They were spiritual.

And in her desperate need for survival her soul was calling out- connecting to another spirit in hopes it would help her. The fang his father left behind; the tenseiga.

It was reacting to her call, pressing him to move forward and save her.

Irene, who acted with a sense of loyalty towards him, Sesshōmaru, despite being aware of the truth.

And as he found himself walking up to the gate, more than intent on destroying the panther demons before they could so much as try reviving their master, he found himself being greeted by a familiar fire-user that stood atop the castle entrance.

Karan's entire body was lit up in flame, the female demon pressing a hand against her waist, guarding the area, the wound on her arm long-since healed by her own regenerative abilities. Sesshōmaru shifted his hand from the tenseiga to the tōkijin, unsheathing it in preparation for battle.

No one was going to get in his way- not even vermin like her.

"Hmph." Karan sneered and curled her lips up. "Well, hello. It's about time you arrived here. The show is about to begin."

Everything was going according to their plan.

While the remaining of her siblings distracted the half-brothers and the wolf demons, Anastasia could finish setting up the spell. Tōran watched as the snakes coiled around the young human's body, not quite touching her yet somehow restraining her all the same. A small fire burned in a box below, smoke drifting from herbs set in the middle of the lower pentagram.

The power of the Shikigami was a mysterious one indeed and somehow, in all of her many long years spent living, Tōran had never once heard of it until recently. In fact, had that strange priestess never found them when they were in the process of taking over this castle town… they might have only settled for obtaining the jewel shards and using the human lives as sacrifices.

To be told that there was someone out there- a mortal woman- whose soul held the power of multiple spirits and would be far more efficient than any other sacrifice… well, it was more than a little shocking. They didn't even believe her at first. In fact, her siblings tried to kill Anastasia upon her arrival and the only reason the stranger lived was because Tōran had ordered it.

She wanted to know what that person was planning. She had dared come all this way, after all, so the least they could do is hear her out.

Anastasia… just who was she, really?

She claimed that she wanted the sons of the great dog demon general dead, as they kept getting in her way. There was something about the mortal priestess that she wanted- so much so that she was willing to let Tōran use her talents for the Panther Tribe's gain.

"Just what makes you so special…?" The demoness mused, watching as the pallor of the sleeping girl's skin became even more sickly than what it already was. "Irene, was it? I will remember your name. Your one soul, filled to the brim with power, will be what saves our master."

And yet…

Tōran's fingers twitched. Irene's words kept nagging at her, echoing in her mind, and she found herself recalling the way the mortal's pale, bandaged hands gripped her own so tightly. Her eyes- gazing into Tōran's with such ferocity and concern.

That pathetic mortal… who was the very key for reviving their master.

It was as if she were completely convinced that Anastasia was their foe, that their master- once resurrected- wouldn't be the same person anymore. Irene spoke as though she believed everything the Panther Demon Tribe has been fighting for would just… fall apart after obtaining fruition. She was truly foolish.

So why… was it bothering Tōran so much?

What did Anastasia want so badly about this girl that she was going out of her way to help them, even though it meant losing the life of the very thing she desired? What did she want from Irene? Her body, perhaps?

Tōran doubted it; the girl's body was so fragile and broken that if she wasn't going to be sacrificed tonight it would only last for a few more days.

What sort of demon was Anastasia? Did she prey on the young and sickly, feasting on their flesh only after death? Hmph. If that were the case, so be it. It had nothing to do with Tōran and her siblings.

But… still, for Irene to use her remaining strength to give the demoness such a cryptic message; it left her unsettled. Instead of trying to get away, instead of attempting to use her spiritual powers on her, Irene, in a great deal of pain, warned her about the demonic priestess.

It could just be a ploy to cause infighting and make their plans fall apart, but somehow…

Tōran had the feeling that wasn't the case. Her eyes had been so sincere- big and brown and doleful.

Her eyes drifted to Anastasia, watching the woman cast her spells. She was surrounded in a veil of mystery and flame, and no one knew much about her. Her scent was a strange one as well- reeking of dirt and clay. Something about it was very similar to the wounded mortal they now held hostage by the altar.

That mask of hers…

How she wanted to tear it off. Tōran was starting to grow irritable as she found herself being swayed by the words of that mortal, unable to believe that Irene had such an effect on her. She had been mocking the human mere moments ago, and now here she is contemplating whether or not if Anastasia can truly be trusted. Was this part of Irene's strange magic?

Such a weak human, yet those sweet worried words bothered Tōran greatly, that pretty little battered face gazing at her with such concern despite them being on opposite sides of battle. Despite being enemies. Her dainty, bloodied hands had gripped Tōran's so tightly, pleading with her to stop this. To avoid Anastasia.

And the demoness… almost found herself being swayed by the mortal.

No. No, that human is wrong.

Tōran tried to push the intrusive thoughts away, doing her best to stop the doubts. Their master is a benevolent demon, who cherished his clan above anything. He would never do anything to hurt them. Once revived he'll be more powerful than ever, strengthened by the spirits of Irene's Shikigami and by the sacred jewel shards, and then they'll get their revenge on the sons of the great dog demon general.

After that is over with, the Panther Demon Tribe can continue with expanding their territory.

Everything will go according to plan.

That mortal priestess didn't know anything; she was merely planting seeds of doubt in Tōran's head. A brilliant actress, one so skilled that even on the brink of death she can pretend to care for her enemies. Regardless of her glassy concerned gaze and hoarse damaged voice… that was trying to convince Tōran otherwise.

The ice sorceress suddenly tensed, nose twitching as several scents suddenly came flooding in from the surrounding gates. Sesshōmaru was quite close, with Inuyasha right behind him. Kōga and his wolves, as well as a female human with a scent suspiciously similar to their sacrifice, was even closer. All standing at separate gates that would lead to the courtyard, most likely fighting her siblings by now.

So many similarities…

She could tell right away that the human with the Wolf Demon Tribe was related to Irene. Yet, oddly enough, she couldn't tell anything as to why Anastasia had such a similar scent. Interesting.

Taking a deep breath, Tōran focused.

Karan, Shunran, and Shūran…

They were all fighting right now, defending the gates to the best of their abilities. And Tōran was within the courtyard, eyebrows furrowing when she sensed one of her siblings were having trouble. Irene's voice echoed in her mind once more and Tōran turned away, frowning deeply, ignoring the strange tightness in her chest.

"Keep the girl steady," Tōran ordered Anastasia, who said nothing, "I'm going to go help Karan."

The demoness disappeared in a white mist, leaving the priestess alone with the mortal girl and the large skeletal corpse. A hut could be seen nearby, surrounded with a pale blue barrier. It was the very same hut Irene had been locked up in earlier, all the inhabitants of the castle town, as well as Irene's friends, huddled together inside.

Anastasia raised the sleeping girl's body higher, watching as the moon rose in the night sky. "Just a bit longer…"

Without warning a girl in white appeared behind the masked woman, presence unnoticeable by any until she spoke.

"It is almost time…" Kanna whispered, dark eyes gazing into the fire dancing around Irene. Her hands held close to her chest a brand new mirror. "Soon, her soul and her powers… will belong to you. You will be whole."

A gust of wind blew by and Irene's back arched ever-so-slightly as she took in a weak breath. Pain etched across her face, eyelashes fluttering as she tried so hard to wake up. Kanna lowered her head, gazing into the mirror which reflected off the girl's form.

"An imitation… no longer."

It's cold. I wasn't in an endless, swampy black river like before- it was just… cold.

So many voices were whispering, crying and overlapping each other. My eyes wouldn't open no matter what I tried, so it was impossible to see who was there.

They were drifting from place-to-place, while somehow remaining in the same spots nearby. Surrounding me. It felt like there was some kind of coil wrapped around my throat, keeping me from speaking.

Where am I?

It hurts.

What's being done to me?

I'm scared.

Shunran giggled when she saw Inuyasha approach, Jaken huffing and puffing as he ran up alongside him.

"Just try to get past us," The girl taunted, smiling wickedly at them, "it won't work. Not until the preparations are ready."

"Just shut it!" Inuyasha snapped, brandishing the tetsusaiga and pointing it at her. "I know she's in there! Give Irene and the others back!"

The half-demon lunged, running at her with full speed as he swung the sword. The demoness merely smiled as his sword appeared to make contact, but then it phased right through her as several doubles materialized. Inuyasha's eyes widened and a gasp left his lips, the boy quickly redirecting his aim, struggling to land his feet on the ground without hurting himself.

"Wh-What!?" He spun around, dust kicking up behind him from his landing, and he watched as a whirlwind of flower petals appeared.

Within that whirlwind were dozens of clones, all looking identical to the original; not that Inuyasha could actually tell which one was the original demon. They were all laughing, mocking and joyful, the girl taking great pleasure in befuddling him.

"What is this?"

Her voice was so freaking grating… urgh-!

"Damn iiiit!"

Inuyasha jumped up, swinging once more. Every Shunran his sword hit was just another illusion, the girl's laughter getting louder and more obnoxious with each failed attempt at destroying her. The half-demon was spinning in circles at this point, tripping over his own feet in a mad dash to get this battle over with to rescue his endangered friend.

"Stay still and die already!"

They were almost there.

Kōga and his men, as well as Maria, Rōyakan, and the wolves, had finally made it outside the forest. Yet at their destination Shūran stood waiting for them, the large demon more than a little irritable at the sight of the group.

His fists began to crackle with lightning, the man ramming his fists together as he yelled, "You're not welcome here, wolf! Leave!"

Ooooh, Kōga was not happy.

He could smell Irene; more than that, he could smell her blood all over this foul panther demon. He had hurt her, hurt Irene, Maria's little sister, and had the audacity to show his face.

The wolf demon chief's blue eyes lit with hate and he charged, the boy filling with unbridled rage as he leapt out of the way of the electricity and aimed a kick towards Shūran's face.

"You bastaaaard! What did you do to her!?"

Shūran managed to block Kōga's foot with his arm, sending him sailing back. As he flew through the air Kōga managed to righten himself with a flip, running even faster at the demon as his anger and determination fused together. He was so close that there was no way they were just going to let this person stop them!

Irene was right through that gate! He could tell she was still alive by her scent, but by his title as chief of his clan he was going to get some damage in to this monster for hurting her so badly. Irene was just barely clinging on to life.

And Kōga had promised to save her. "I'll kill you!"

"Ha, no chance!" Shūran growled, mocking him, lunging forward and ramming his fists into the earth with incredible strength, stopping Kōga in his path by leaving small craters in the ground. The bridge broke and tore up, as did the earth they stood on, with each blow Shūran released. "Hrah! Ha! Raaaah! Take this!"

Kōga narrowed his eyes and stepped back, avoiding each blow easily. He then grinned, leaping into the air above Shūran and startling him. He was just about to aim another kick when he caught wind of a spark, and Kōga hurriedly twisted his body to move out of the way as the panther demon let loose a huge bout of electricity.

It avoided Kōga, but standing right in its path was Rōyakan- who had been standing by watching the fight take place. Hakkaku and Ginta yelped and dived out of the way, while Saun backed Maria out of the lightning's range.

Shūran sneered as he watched Rōyakan collapse and turned back to Kōga, cackling. "Not too bad, little man."

Kōga glared at him, lips curling back as he ground his teeth together, fangs bared. This demon didn't move very quickly, but his lightning was not something that should be messed with. One wrong move and it could kill him.

Or even worse- his men and the one human they had travelling with them.

I can't see anything at all.

Those who were speaking were indistinct; neither male nor female, instead blending together and creating something more powerful, more ancient. I couldn't recognize them at all, yet somehow I knew; they were the spirits.

The Shikigami bound to my soul by blood. A lump formed painfully in my swollen battered throat, and my lips curled back with a choke.

I was going to die.

The demons were going to kill me and these spirits were going to be forced to do their master's bidding. Worse, Anastasia might take them away at the last second and use them for her own nefarious deeds.

This cold place that I'm in… I have to get away. I have to escape.

But where even is here? I'm not sure I can figure it out. There was something familiar about it, too- memories coming to mind the longer I floated in this abyss. A place where one is unable to leave, the very same place where… I had wound up when miasma once poisoned my body. That place.

What was it?

This was no battle.

Sesshōmaru stood there in growing annoyance as Karan fired attack after attack at him, the demoness darting around with a grin as though she earnestly believed she was some kind of danger to him.

Such a nuisance; she was doing nothing but wasting his time. It was hardly worth mentioning how he effortlessly deflected her attacks with tōkijin, nonetheless the way he had finally let loose a spike of demonic energy with his sword that tore through the demoness' fiery defenses.

Karan screamed as the blow tore through her flesh, sending her crashing hard into the stone wall behind her. Once having hit it, she fell down into the stream that was below the gate's bridge, steam rising out of the water as her fire was put out.

Pests like her should know better than to get in his way.

The demon lord began to move forward, walking calmly towards the gate across the bridge as Karan struggled to pull herself back onto her feet after such an attack.

The fire-user glared darkly at him, cursing his name with all the hatred she could muster, and only stopped when a spear made of ice shot forward from the castle entrance. Having sensed it coming, Sesshōmaru was able to easily avoid the hit, leaping gracefully into the air and watching with a sense of aloofness as the area around them became covered in ice.

Karan's head snapped up, the girl staring in shock at the arrival. "T-Tōran?"

The winter sorceress smiled coolly as she approached, a cold wind blowing around her form and littering the surrounding vicinity with snowflakes. "I know we fought earlier, but I really am still so surprised; I had thought you would be weaker compared to before. I never once imagined Karan would have so much trouble fighting you."

"And why is that?" He inquired, seeing the way her lips curled upwards in a mocking smirk. The smell of human blood was even stronger now, hovering around Tōran's hands and drifting out from the courtyard. A low growl settled in his throat, voice almost demanding as he stated, "You were never one to underestimate your opponents. Did your retreat damage more than just your pride?"

"In your dreams, perhaps. But, really, what was I to expect with you looking like that?" She asked, waving a hand dismissively in the air. Her eyelashes fluttered, gaze full of mischief and spite. "You're missing an arm. I wonder; just who could have done such a thing to the mighty Sesshōmaru?"

Tōran anticipated his next move, the demon lord disappearing in a burst of speed, showing up in front of her and releasing a fearsome blast with the tōkijin. She gripped her left wrist to steady her arm and spread out her fingers, palm pointing outwards towards the man, a strong wave of cold air and snow shooting up and slamming against the demonic energy and lightning that was sent her way.

The two powers crackled against each other, barely giving their all, and yet a large explosion still resulted due to the clash. Two demons nearly rivaled in power, yet waiting for the true battle.

Fog surrounded the area and Tōran leapt away, standing atop the castle gate and observing as Sesshōmaru stood straight in the middle of the bridge. His lips were tilted downwards, amber eyes narrowed, expression hard and as cold as her ice.

Oh, how I long to see his eyes fill with despair… Tōran thought, the hate for him and his kind strong in her heart. Soon, very soon, Sesshōmaru, shall your life be brought to an end.

And it will all be because of one human priestess.

To think she actually knew who he was…

Her mind began to once again fall back to her previous conversations with the mortal, who had at first seemed so certain that their plans would fail because of the demon lord, then later found some reason to "warn" them that their revenge would go awry. That their master would not be who he was. She knew nothing.

Tōran knew Irene was wrong. So why did she have to keep reminding herself of that?

How bittersweet, she thought, distracting herself with the thought of her vengeance, the two fools losing their lives together.

Whether the human truly loved this demon or not didn't matter; her clear faith in him was enough to fill Tōran with amusement. Amusement and… perhaps, bitterness? Odd.

Standing tall, a low chuckle escaped Tōran's throat.

"The celebrations are finally about to begin!" She exclaimed, extending her hands out to her sides. "We've been waiting for you! The seats are all lined up… and the guest-of-honor has been more than eager to see you. Oh, Sesshōmaru, won't you come see the life be taken from that sweet human girl?"

There wasn't much reaction from him then, save for the dark stare he had been continuously giving her for the past few minutes. She knew there was something off about what that girl had been speaking of earlier; this person really didn't associate with humans.

And yet when she mentioned her… Tōran could have sworn his hand tightened ever-so-slightly on the handle of his sword.

The woman brought her hands towards her chest, resting them over her heart and smiling with a sickeningly sweet face. "Of course, if she doesn't wake up before the rite… she won't see you at all. How heartbreaking that would be, considering she seemed so confident in your abilities. Really, whatever shall be done about that? Heh. I look forward to it!"

The wind picked up and her laughter echoed in the air, the demoness vanishing in a gust of cold wind- neither she nor her sister anywhere to be seen.

Sesshōmaru narrowed his eyes, having had enough of dealing with these irritating panther demons.

My soul.

It was my soul.

I was trapped inside of it, consciousness existing there yet not quite being. I bet it was why I had no memory of it before. The voices were starting to become clearer to me now as well, which meant I had to be on the right track.

If the Shikigami and I were connected to each other's souls, then it only made sense that I could hear them when inside my own. How I got here, on the other hand, I have no idea.

I blame Feudal Era magic.

Did they pull me in here or was it Anastasia who had done so?

I can hear their voices fading again…

The cold was getting worse now.

Damn it. My eyes still won't open! I have to get out.

...

"What's the problem!?" Shūran taunted, seeing Kōga keeping his distance. "Not holding back on my account, are you? Come and get me!"

Kōga scowled, using a boulder for cover. He was observing his opponent, memorizing his tactics to try and think up countermeasures for them. Shūran's lightning bolts were fast, but that was about it that he had going for him. All Kōga needed to be was fast to land a blow, and so he tensed his legs and ran. Shūran laughed, pointing his hands outwards as they sparked with electricity.

"Too slow!"

"No..."

Shūran blinked, startled when Kōga kept vanishing from his line of sight. He barely looked up in time to see the wolf demon reappear in a whirlwind, a leg landing hard into his abdomen and sending him sailing back, bruising several of his ribs.

"...you are!"

Kōga jumped back with a particularly harsh shove against Shūran's torso, landing back and watching with satisfaction as the man hunched over and groaned. A single blow and he was already giving up; perfect. Now he can get out of Kōga's goddamn way and let him save Maria's sister like he promised.

Shūran, an arm wrapped over his wounded abdomen, jumped back and shouted, "R-Retreat, Panther Tribe!"

"Ha!" Kōga laughed when he saw them run away. "Serves you right!" He turned towards his group, seeing Rōyakan laying on his back. "How's the big guy doin' back there?"

"He's breathing." Hakkaku answered, sitting atop Rōyakan's large stomach as he checked for vital signs. The giant wolf demon was snoring loudly, obtaining a strange look from Maria when she saw this.

Ginta nodded. "I don't think he's fainted; more like he's just asleep."

"Then leave him," Kōga ordered, turning and staring down the gate with fierce eyes, "let's go."

He knows Irene is in there.

Even worse, he was starting to pick up another human scent as well; Kagome's scent. Oooh, how his blood was boiling knowing that those two human girls were in trouble. Inuyasha was seriously so pathetic; he can't even protect Irene, nonetheless Kagome!

He was going to have to have a serious talk with those women and see about convincing them to move into the Wolf Demon Tribe. Kagome declined several times before already, but surely this would be the thing to get her to agree to it.

This has to show her just how incompetent that half-demon really is.

Kōga was going to save her and Irene, no matter what it takes, and prove to Kagome that he, unlike Inuyasha, is a real man worthy of her attention.

Something was restraining me; something that needed to disappear. If I can break through that, then maybe I can do something.

"Closer… it's coming closer…"

This ice cold black surrounding me… it has to go away. I have to make it go away. Now move! Can I speak at all? No… frick. Okay.

"It's calling us…"

I inhaled sharply, pain flitting across my expression briefly.

I can't… just give in…

These spirits are in danger. I have to help them. But what can I do? I don't want to just lie here and pray that someone will show up in time to save me; that was far too dangerous and several of my friends were already wounded because I did exactly that.

I can't rely on others if it means getting them hurt. I have to act myself. I'm tired of being so sick all the time.

But I… I…

I need the help.

Frick, it hurts. It feels like I'm suffocating, like someone cut off my airflow completely. I won't last much longer like this. Someone, please… I'm so sorry. I can't get out of here; I can't open my eyes or break free of these cold chains. I can't save these spirits or myself. I've truly failed everyone this time.

I'm so pathetic.

...

No matter how many illusions Inuyasha sliced through they just kept coming back, duplicating and becoming near insurmountable in number.

He can't tell who the real one is.

The scent of these flowers are really starting to get to him, too, and his sense of smell was starting to get all kinds of messed up. Jaken scowled when he saw this and made his way over, slinging his staff over his shoulder, expression unimpressed.

"What are you doing, Inuyasha?" He demanded.

"Shut up!"

"Hmph. Let me handle this." The imp planted his staff on the ground, huffing. "Jaken to the rescue! Now, behold as I dispel the illusions!"

The shrunken head of the old man opened its mouth and flames spurt forth, burning away all the duplicates at once. They all seemed to fuse back together, the scent of flowers fading along with the whirlwind as Shunran appeared as a single demon, standing at the door of the gate protectively once more.

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes, blinking several times to force the dizziness away. "Is… Is that the real one?"

Jaken nodded his head sternly. "Yes."

"Ohhh~!" Shunran hummed, grinning at them with teasing eyes. "Not bad for a little imp."

"Your tricks can't fool me!" He told her in retort, raising his voice. "Don't underestimate my power!"

Inuyasha stood, charging at the female demon with renewed rage and determination. "Now that I'm know who I'm dealing with- what!?"

Another whirlwind appeared and Shunran disappeared behind the gate, the demoness' voice echoing around them as cherry blossoms pelted them from every direction.

"Let's finish this at the castle!"

Inuyasha grit his teeth together, frustrated. "Get back here you coward! I'll kill you!"

So cold…

What is that drumming sound? Is it my heart? It sounds so slow and tired…

It's scaring me.

...

Tōran knelt down before the shrine they created and closed her eyes, breathing deeply as her siblings joined her one-by-one.

Behind them sat the rest of their clan, the lower class panthers all bowing their heads in respect towards the remains of their master. Above the altar, floating high in the air above the Panther Tribe, was Irene. Her eyes were closed and blood dripped from her form, the moonlight seeming to only enhance the ice cold flames flickering around her body.

"It's almost time…" Tōran whispered, a surge of excitement and anxiousness flowing through her. She spoke louder, hoping the demon could hear her words. "The moon is almost directly overhead. The time is now upon us, Master! In moments the dogs we despise will be slaughtered and the Panther Tribe will reign over this land!"

A red light began to shine around them, forming a barrier as the moon rose into place.

Somebody…

I can't fight alone.

Help me…

Sesshōmaru approached the courtyard from the opened gate, tenseiga reacting violently in response to the close proximity they were in with the mortal priestess.

The demon lord could see her there raised in the sky, as if she were some kind of sacrificial lamb ready to be offered at any moment to the panther demons' master. Irene was hardly breathing, if she was at all, and while he could not make out any visible wounds her clothes were stained with her own blood.

Flame, very much like the power she had demonstrated before back in the decrepit castle, was wrapped around her, and the man noted that it appeared to be the very thing that was holding her up. An herbal scent flowed from a box below the girl's body, plants burning inside. Standing before Irene, with their arms raised up, guiding the twin snakes along the girl's body to bind her, was the one performing the spell.

He could only surmise that this was the "Anastasia" that he had heard so much about.

Tenseiga…

It was pulsing at his hip, reaching out, calling to the girl as if it believed she could hear it.

The voices stopped.

They didn't fade away; they just… stopped. It was as if they were startled by something.

Though greatly pained, I could feel my eyebrows start to furrow together in confusion, fingers somehow managing to twitch despite the resistance. There was this… sensation in the distant black- so close yet so far at the same time.

What was it?

Sesshōmaru gripped tōkijin tight and dashed forward with a burst of speed, lunging with narrowed golden eyes at the two priestesses and the clan of panther demons. The blade made contact with a layer of red light and he went sailing back, the barrier rejecting his presence.

Tenseiga went into a fritzy as he landed, the fang daring to actually pop partway out of its sheath. Lips pulling into a small frown, he sheathed tōkijin and rested a hand atop tenseiga's handle to try and calm it.

There's a barrier…

One he was unable to break.

There!

It was stronger that time. The drumming of my heart got louder, almost jolting with surprise and anticipation at the new development. What was happening? Why are the spirits so silent?

Was someone actually here?

Sesshōmaru momentarily fixed his gaze on the unconscious mortal woman before turning his attention to Tōran. The demoness was smiling at him with a strange look in her eye, the look she wore on her face oddly enough not matching her gaze.

"Soon our master will be resurrected," She said to him, "so prepare to watch this human die… and have your own life taken from you!"

The jewel shards began to glow from their spot on the offering plate, their shine almost blinding in this dark night, and to all their surprise a weak growl escaped from the large skeleton corpse. All the panther demons watched with bated breath as the ginormous demon's hands began to shift, the corpse reaching out with sluggish movement to grasp the jewel shards.

Claws so big, the demon took the entire altar along with the plate, and he shoved the wood and cloth into his mouth, chewing as best as his decrepit jaw would allow.

The siblings all gasped as this happened, seeing the way he swallowed the jewel shards. Shūran's eyes grew wide. "Our master has awakened...!"

Moon shining brightly, reflecting off the structures around them, the old panther demon coughed and hunched over, wheezing.

When he spoke, it was a low and hungry growl. "...ood… Give it to me! Blood and flesh… and a soul…"

What is this feeling? Something bad was happening.

No, no, no! Wake up! Get up! Move!

This is bad- really, really bad. I mean, it was already bad before, but now it's even worse!

I could almost feel my limbs again a few seconds ago, so what happened? Someone is there; someone has to be there. I can still feel it!

A warmth; a gentle, soothing warmth...

But closer still was a terrifying evil… leaving me dizzy and nauseous with it's horrible demonic aura. If I wasn't already suffocating from the lack of air, I was certain I would have forgotten how to breathe just from being near this monstrous presence.

It wasn't human; it wasn't even demon. It was cursed. A vengeful spirit brought back from the dead, hoping to destroy all in its path until its lust for death has been satiated. It could not feel compassion or love.

It only felt hate.

And the desire to kill.

The building on the left erupted, a blue barrier wrapped protectively around all the humans that had been taken captive by the demons. Everyone looked around in fear and confusion, and the ones who were most terrified were three of Inuyasha's travel group: Miroku, Sango, and Kagome.

"Wh-What's with this light?" Kagome exclaimed, trying to figure out what was happening. "Is it a barrier?"

Rage quickly formed on Sango's face, the brunette seeing the people standing in the distance. "Look- over there!"

Miroku stood and gripped his buddhist staff tightly, eyebrows furrowing as a deep frown appeared on his lips. "The panther demons… they've got Irene. Their master appears to have awoken as well, which means…"

"No!" Kagome brought her hands up to her mouth, horrified. "Don't say it! We're not too late! Th-There has to be something we can do. Sango, any ideas!?"

The girl was shaking. Her hands were holding onto hiraikotsu so hard her knuckles had turned white, breaths coming out uneven. Irene was covered in blood and Sango's mind was starting to go blank. There was no way they could break out of the barrier without her Shikigami or Inuyasha's tetsusaiga; they were stuck. All they could do was watch as Irene inevitably ends up getting killed.

Killed… just like Kohaku. Just like the rest of her village.

And Sango… was powerless to stop it.

"Your soul is here, Master!" Tōran called out, standing and gesturing with her hands to Irene's floating, sleeping form.

From the background Kōga could be seen running up, lunging at the barrier with a loud battlecry, only to be deflected and sent flying back. Hakkaku and Ginta looked at their leader in alarm, then at Kagome when they saw she was actually there in her own form of prison, before they focused on Maria- who was staring at Irene with haunted eyes.

"Take and devour her!" Tōran declared. "Be reborn with the strength of a human priestess, and of all the Shikigami spirits she inhabits!"

Miroku and Kagome watched as Sango's shoulders began to shake, the brunette slayer fighting to silence the tears that were forming, a cry strangled in her throat. Maria, from beside Kōga and the wolves, patted Saun on the side and muttered something to him, before suddenly surging forwards with a yell. Sango, seeming to be snapped into action by that, lunged with her hiraikotsu- both females attacking separate barriers with rage and desperation fueling their hearts.

"Release her!"

"Let her go!"

"I'll kill you!"

"Begone!"

Words and threats began to spill out of their mouths, English and Japanese, and despite how many times the barrier sent them flying away they kept getting right back up, swinging until their arms grew weak and defeat settled in.

Hakkaku and Ginta pulled Maria off of Saun, the woman thrashing and screaming until her throat became raw, only for her to finally slump over and bring a hand up to her face, unable to stop the sobs from taking over.

Sango, however, ended up stumbling back after being blown away one last time, the hiraikotsu dropping to the floor. Kagome yelped and called out her name, trying to catch her before she could fall.

"Easy…!" Miroku cradled the demon slayer close, wrapping an arm around her back. "Sango; Sango, can you hear me? Sango!"

"You fools can not break through our master's barrier!" Shūran claimed, sneering at them. "You mortals are too weak!"

"But, hey," Shunran giggled, raising a kimono sleeve up to her lips, "keep trying! You're invited to dinner for a reason, after all. It would be rude to let such important guests bore themselves, right?"

"Our master is too powerful to fall to the likes of you!" Karan bragged. Tōran remained silent, listening to her siblings words, blue eyes observing the two broken mortals who had acted out upon seeing the human priestess' form. "You're all going to die tonight."

Tōran's gaze flickered over to Sesshōmaru, who was unmoving. He continued to stand in place, hand resting upon the grip of his restless tenseiga. Hakkaku outstretched a hand towards Maria, seeing the way she was currently hunched over on the ground. "S-Sister…"

There was nothing he or his allies could do to help her at this point.

Ginta squeezed his eyes shut, balling his hands into fists. "Sh-She's done for… we failed. Kōga, we failed to save Irene…!"

"Shut up!" Kōga snapped, glaring at them and then at the barrier. His hands were shaking at his sides. "We haven't… We haven't failed! There's gotta be a way!"

So much sadness, so much despair…

It was too late.

Anyone who could have saved me was gone now, weren't they? The spirits and I were… fated to die this way. I can't believe this. After all this- after everything I've been through with them to get this far… and I was just going to be killed.

What was the point in fighting for these past two months if this was how it ends?

I never even… got to see Maria properly. If she was even here with Kōga like I thought I saw her, then there's a good chance she's dead now. Those panther demons were dangerous. I-I can't… imagine how she must feel if she is still alive. She must be so mad at me right now, dying on her like this.

I'm… the worst sister.

Sesshōmaru's hand was shaking from how badly tenseiga wished to be drawn, his own strength doing little to quell the trembling of the sword.

Tenseiga did not have the power to pierce through the barrier, to break through it, but that woman being held captive within it does. If she was able to destroy the one back in Naraku's castle then perhaps she could do so again.

The demon lord took a quiet step forward, twisting the blade as he pulled it out of its sheath, and everyone watched in surprise as he made his move.

"What is he doing…?" Miroku wondered aloud, indigo eyes growing wide as he saw the man vanish and reappear at the front of the red barrier, closest to the end that Anastasia and Irene were at. Sango blinked away her tears and watched, Kagome letting out a small gasp as Sesshōmaru swung the trembling tenseiga hard against the red light. "It can't be…!"

It was the fang of his father, a blade Miroku had only ever seen be used to slay the undead, and it was pulsating. Tenseiga, shaking, reacting to the soul of a wounded mortal, calling out in a desperate attempt to awaken her. Sesshōmaru, the demon lord whom all believed to have a heart of pitch black, who did not have the compassion necessary to wield such a blade of healing, swinging the sword… and using it against the barrier aimed at Anastasia- knowing full well that it wouldn't leave so much as a dent in the red layer of light.

The panther demons' master outstretched his hand, unperturbed by all the commotion outside his protective field, and went to snatch Irene out of the fiery blue vortex of flames and snakes she was held in. He was aiming to devour her barely breathing flesh-and-blood, the monster almost seeming to drool. It was like he could sense the power radiating from her form.

But that was when something even stranger happened; the panther demon general… stopped.

"What's going on!?" Miroku could hear Kōga call out, the wolf demon watching the scene with just as much anxiety as the rest of them. The wolf demon chief was yelling at the proud demon lord Sesshōmaru, not understanding what the silver-haired man's aim was. "The hell're you doing!?"

Sesshōmaru ignored him, gripping harder onto tenseiga as it tried once more to fly out of his palm, the blade so desperate for something that it was forgoing all else. The barrier was trying so hard to send the demon sailing back, but Sesshōmaru was powerful; it was an extremely rare time when someone appeared that could rival his strength, and even then he always won.

And he was placing so much of his power into this sword, to keep himself from being flung back, to try and assist tenseiga on whatever mission it seemed to be on, that neon blue electricity was starting to crackle out of the fang and spread along the barrier, trying to break through it.

This blade which could never harm those of the living, but could save those of the dead… was acting now, for whatever reason, to get him to rescue this pathetic mortal priestess.

Was it expecting her to die? Was it trying to get him to save her before she could die? His father's fang never made any sense to him; to this day he still doesn't understand why he was left with such a weak sword. Why the tenseiga? Why didn't his father give him the tetsusaiga instead?

And does it want him to go out of his way to help this pathetic woman!?

...ba-dump...

Sesshōmaru's eyes widened just a miniscule when he heard it. The heart of a mortal, beating in time to the pulsating sword.

Tenseiga had managed to connect to Irene's soul.

Ba-dump.

Ba-Dump.

My hands and legs twitched.

Ba-DUMP.

BA-DUMP!

Pain came flooding back into my senses, the numb sensation starting to disappear. My lips curled back and my teeth grit together, and as a cry of sheer agony tried to rip itself out of my damaged throat I found my back arching, arms pulling as hard as they could against whatever restraints were binding me.

BA-DUMP! BA-DUMP!

BA-DUMP!

Anastasia's hands lowered, the masked priestess taking a step back when she saw her snakes lose their grip, the fiery creatures seeming to break apart as the girl's body regained control.

"What…?" She watched from behind her mask as Irene's body grew bright with her own fire, hot green flames replacing the cold blue, the girl's glassy eyes snapping wide open. "This isn't possible…"

Tōran and her siblings watched in alarm as Irene regained her senses, Sesshōmaru leaping away from the barrier just as another soldier appeared-

Inuyasha.

Desperation and fear lit up on Irene's face like a beacon as she fell through the air, and the green flames quickly took form. A large spirit erupted from the fire and soared through the crowd, cawing loudly and catching her before she could hit the ground.

The eagle startled all those who were watching, the creature much larger than what should be natural, carrying the girl with ease. It dove through the air and flapped its wings, a large gust of wind knocking the panther demon general and all of his clansmen backwards.

The eagle only continued to grow bigger in size, beak piercing through the ominous red barrier as it's body spun through the air, wings wrapped firmly around itself to keep the summoner from falling. And though she was hunched over Irene was very much awake on its feathered back.

To all those with keen noses, it was also clear that her pain was nothing short of extreme.

Sesshōmaru watched as this occured, golden eyes following the fiery green eagle as it flapped through the sky and carried her to safety. Tenseiga had done nothing like Sesshōmaru had been expecting; in fact, it did something that he was certain it wasn't actually meant to do.

It had not performed a revival on a dead mortal's soul; it had awakened one that was still living. The spirit of his father's fang reached out to her and snapped her back into consciousness, saving her from falling into death's icy grasp.

This woman…

There was something very strange about her, indeed.

"She broke through our master's barrier!?" Karan could be heard crying out, unable to believe what was happening. "She's just a weak mortal!"

Tōran looked around, ice blue eyes raging. "Anastasia! What is- huh?"

She couldn't see the priestess anywhere. Did she run away like a coward?

"Traitorous wench!" The winter woman cursed.

The eagle passed by the half-demon and for a split second dazed brown eyes met angry amber, and as Inuyasha came hurtling downwards towards the blue barrier surrounding the caged humans the fiery creature Irene rested upon began to flicker and fade, the girl having trouble staying awake any longer. Kagome's voice could be heard, calling out to her friends, to Inuyasha, to Irene, and the half-demon raised the tetsusaiga high above him.

"Get outta my waaaay!" Inuyasha shouted at the wolf and panther demons, who all scurried to move as his blade turned red. "Hyaaaaah!"

If Sesshōmaru was shocked that the tetsusaiga changed colors and was able to slash through the barrier, he hid it well. Everyone turned towards Inuyasha, the panther demons furious beyond all belief, while the humans were extremely relieved.

"Sorry to keep ya." He snarked at the panthers, glaring at them. Shunran brought a hand up to her mouth, eyes narrowing darkly.

"He can also break our master's barrier…?"

The eagle flickered again, this time more noticeably. Irene's eyes were drooping, head bobbing forward atop her Shikigami as she slumped over, exhausted. Sesshōmaru sheathed tenseiga, noticing that its restless behavior had stopped, and observed the mortal girl a moment more before turning his attention to the ground when he heard his servant shrieking at him from the direction of one of the other remaining gates.

Jaken came running at him, staff held clumsily in his hands.

"L-Lord Sesshōmaru, Lord Sesshōmaru!" He hunched over and gasped, struggling to catch his breath. "I-I have searched everywhere for you! I'm relieved that you are safe! N-Not that you wouldn't be, of course, no one can defeat you o-or even hurt you, that is! I just meant- oh, but to think..."

The imp turned his head, cutting himself off and frowning deeply, a strange look on his face.

"Inuyasha has surprised me… just when did he become so powerful and learn to wield the tetsusaiga like that? And not to mention that mortal woman! Is she even still alive?" Jaken blinked, looking up, and his eyes almost bugged out of his head. "She's falling right for the earth!"

"Inuyasha, get Irene!" Kagome cried, pushing at his shoulders to get him to move. He had been checking her and the rest of their friends for injuries. The half-demon jumped and whirled around, realizing just now that Irene wasn't atop her Shikigami anymore. "She's going to die!"

"Fuck!"

Sesshōmaru watched as Irene tumbled below, his hand still resting upon the tenseiga. He watched as the half-demon spun on his heels, ready to leap up and catch the sickly foreigner, when someone else beat him to it. Not once as Irene inhaled stuttered breaths did tenseiga shake, not once as her eyes failed to open did it pulse and compel him to move forward.

Kōga cradled Irene in his arms, holding her close to his chest as he presented her to the only human within his group of wolves- Maria.

A woman of the same ethnicity and clearly of the same heritage. Irene had found the sister she said she had been looking for.

And given that the tenseiga wasn't reacting at all, it was safe to assume that Irene would be alive to actually speak to her later. Sesshōmaru released his sword, closing his eyes and turning away from the scene taking place. He had done his part; he had saved the mortal girl the way his father's fang encouraged him to. There was nothing else for him to do except rid this world of that vile undead panther, whose corpse was disgracing his presence.

"Give… me… blood!"

The panther demon general reached out with a hand towards the place where all the humans were gathered, intent on snatching up a handful of them. Kagome let out a yelp and stumbled back, Sango hurriedly standing and recollecting herself- picking up the hiraikotsu with the intent to throw it.

Kōga and Inuyasha both moved at once, Inuyasha raising the tetsusaiga up to shield his three friends while Kōga hoisted Kagome up in his arms and dashed away, setting her down beside Maria, who was holding Irene.

"I-Inuyasha!" The middle schooler cried out, alarmed when she saw the demon's large hand smack the half-demon down flat on his back.

Kōga snorted. "Rest assured, Kagome; it's gonna be easy getting you out of here."

Maria looked up upon hearing the name, blinking several times to rid the tears out of her eyes, staring at the girl with realization. She watched as the younger girl turned, glaring at the wolf demon.

"I'm not leaving the others behind!" She snapped.

Maria frowned, standing and carefully resting Irene on Saun's back. She kept a hand on the girl's shoulder blades, rubbing them gently as if to try and help her airflow. "You are... Kagome?"

"Hm?" Kagome blinked, pretty face turning to look at Maria with confusion. "Y-Yes, I am? Who are- oh my god. You can't be Maria, can you?" The girl stepped forward, startling the foreign woman by grasping her arms. "We've been looking everywhere for you! I'm so glad you're okay!"

She gasped. Kagome whirled around, kneeling down beside Saun who seemed unperturbed by her presence.

"Irene needs her medicine! She's been through way too much today, we can't- oh god; Inuyasha!" Her attention snapped over to see the half-demon struggling to push himself back up, the silver-haired teen on his knees as he used his sword to shove the panther demon general's hand off of him. With a grunt he sliced through the demon's flesh, skinning him of whatever cover he had over his bones, leaving the monster to let out an ungodly roar of pain as he lost a hand. "Yeah! You show him, Inuyasha!"

These people… were Irene's friends.

Maria had been told so much about this Kagome by the wolf demons; she honestly thought they were building her up to be something a bit unrealistic with how much they praised her. She was an asian beauty, most definitely, but she was clearly younger than Irene. Inuyasha, too, didn't seem half as incapable as Kōga liked to build him up as with his insults. He was doing pretty well against a demon of such big size and had even managed to break two barriers today.

Maria stared as Kagome rushed over to Inuyasha, the girl hurrying over and whispering something to him.

"The jewel shards are in his throat!" She said. Inuyasha grinned, looking up at the demon general confidently.

"Got'cha. I'll get 'em back. You just get Irene and the others out of here."

She nodded. "O-Okay. Good luck!"

Kagome rushed over to where Miroku and Sango were rallying up the humans, the girl picking up her discarded bow and quiver of arrows. She slung them over her shoulder, battle ready, and waved an arm.

"Alright, people! Stick together and run for it! Come on, this way!"

Without further instruction, the humans started to scream and made a break for it, pushing past each other in an attempt to escape. Tōran's expression lit up with rage and she pointed at the runaways, ordering the remaining lower class panthers to attack.

"Stop them!" She shouted. "Don't let them escape! Grab the sacrifice!"

The humans were brought to an abrupt halt as the panthers cut off their path of escape, and Maria quickly drew her sword when she saw some dare approach. Her hazel eyes narrowed, the female human getting into a stance, more than ready to fight. Saun let out a small howl from behind her, eyes gazing at her with concern as he carried Irene on his back.

"Take her away." Maria ordered. "I won't let them past me."

Kōga huffed. "Like I'm leaving you here alone." The wolf demon chief grinned and flexed his claws, getting into a stance beside her. "We'll fight them together."

With brown eyes fierce and expression aghast, Kagome marched forward and pushed her way through the other humans. She glared down at the demon panthers.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" She demanded. "Aren't we supposed to be your live sacrifices!? Put away your weapons! You're not supposed to kill us!"

Oh. The panther demons that were about to swing at the humans and the wolf demons paused, realizing she had a point, and Maria could only watch with impressed eyes as the girl fearlessly pushed her way through the demons, forcing them to make a path.

"Now move!"

"Would you look at her go?" Ginta beamed. "Sister Kagome is so cool!"

Hakkaku nodded proudly. "That's our gal!"

Kōga marched forward, fangs baring in frustration. "Alright, don't just stand there! Move! Clear the way for her!" Maria hummed and nodded her head at that, before charging forward and slashing with her blade as Kōga and the rest of the wolves started attacking. "Hyah! Take that, bastards!"

Saun dashed off with Irene, following Kagome and the rest of the humans to safety. Sango and Miroku helped out, the hiraikotsu swinging through the air and taking out several panthers at once, while Miroku used his sutras and staff to purify some of them.

"This would be," Sango began, catching her hiraikotsu and ducking out of the way to aim a kick at a nearby panther, "a lot easier," she slammed the corner of her hiraikotsu into another's face, "with Kirara!"

"Agreed!" Miroku breathed. He hit a demon hard in the side of the neck with the base of his staff and jumped back, wincing when a claw raked his back. "Gah-!"

"Miroku!"

"Fox Fire!" A voice suddenly called out, startling them both, and they looked up to see a ball of green flame latch onto the demon who had hurt the monk. "Take that, you jerks!"

Sango and Miroku looked up to see Hachi standing atop Kirara's back, waving several fans of encouragement at them, cheering them on, with Shippō on the cat demon's head. Sango blinked, a relieved smile crossing her face. "Everyone!"

"Heeey!" Hachi greeted. "We finally found you!"

Miroku grinned. "Help has arrived! Come on, let's go!"

"Yes!" Sango dashed forward and leapt up into the air, using Miroku's hands as a springboard, and spinning around she let loose the hiraikotsu, letting it tear into the panther demon forces without restraint. Kirara flew downwards, catching her before she could land back on the ground, and raising a hand up Sango caught her weapon as it doubled back towards her. Determination had taken over her fear now, the female warrior ready to battle as much as it takes. "We have to catch up with Irene and Kagome! Anastasia's gone missing!"

"What!?" Shippō almost shrieked. "She's actually here!? I thought that was just guessing!"

Slashing at several more demons, Miroku allowed himself to be pulled up by Sango onto Kirara, the male positioning himself behind her. "No, it appears we were right to worry about her. She was helping the panthers ready Irene for sacrifice. Had Sesshōmaru not done whatever he did… I fear Irene would not be with us still. She might not be with us still if we don't hurry."

Kirara picked up pace upon hearing that, Sango swinging the hiraikotsu once more and catching it. Half the foes were down by now. Shippō paled, Hachi himself looking quite scared.

"Wh-What do you mean?" The raccoon dog asked. "Was she not saved?"

"What's Sesshōmaru got to do with this!?" Shippō exclaimed, alarmed. "He's a bad guy, too, you know!"

"I don't know." Sango said, voice firm. "But whatever he did seemed to snap Irene out of the spell she was under, which let her escape and break the barrier. But because she broke the barrier… I'm not sure she's okay."

It was one thing to have her dear friend be injured and then rescued, it was another to have her be injured, rescued, and completely worn out due to using the insanely powerful Shikigami spirits. Her body couldn't keep up with those spells; if her using it to break free caused her body to finally give way… no. No, Sango isn't thinking about it. She's had too many scares today already.

She had… She had given up once today already. Not again.

Not ever again.