A/N: Yes, I know it's been ages. But, I wasn't kidding when I said real life was interfering with recreation: Let's see, in my defense I offer the busiest winter we've ever had at work, year-end bookkeeping, Christmas committments and a truly old-fashioned winter (translation: one snowstorm after another dumping anywhere from 15 to 35 cm of the white stuff each time). Let's just say I've been getting a lot of upper body exercise shovelling. Unfortunately, fatigue does not make for coherent writing skills...

Whinging over. Here's the next bit. Shall probably re-visit it to do some polishing (and I'm not entirely satisfied with the title), but here you go. Hope it appeals. :)

To those following the manga from Japan, let me again assure you that the events in this story will in no way contradict the canon. If you have any questions, please send them via private message. No spoilers on the review page, please and thanks. :)

Disclaimer: The characters of the anime InuYasha are the property of Takahashi Rumiko/Shogakukan and Yomiuri TV Sunrise 2000. I do lay claim, however, to Aine and Lon. And, Kakusamaru.

Add.: Edited as of Apr. 1/13 - Correction made to eliminate Tokijin from the text. This story takes place after Tokijin's destruction.


Chapter Fourteen: Hidden Matters

Old Takeo was beginning to wonder how many more surprises he could handle. 'Lord Ryunosuke's spear came from your village, Lady Sango?' he asked. 'Are you certain?'

Sango nodded and gestured again to the engraving on the base of the demon-bone spearhead – it read simply: Katsumaru. 'Yes,' she replied. 'Katsumaru lived in my home village almost three centuries ago. His skills as a sword smith are legendary – I grew up hearing so many stories about him...' The young woman's voice took on a wistful tone as memories of happier times – before Naraku and the destruction of her village – flitted through her mind. Suppressing a sigh, Sango quickly brought her thoughts back to the present and, bowing respectfully, she asked the village headman if she could examine the weapon more closely.

Takeo hesitated for only a moment. Then, reminding himself that these powerful strangers would hardly be asking his permission if theft was their intent, he bowed to the demon-slayer in return and handed her the spear.

A soft gasp escaped Sango as she grasped the weapon – now that she was touching the magari yari, she could also feel its aura of power. An expression of wonder crossed her face as she realised just what she was holding. 'You were all right – it does feel like a demonic aura,' she now said to her friends as, her eyes wide, she slowly rotated the spear shaft to view the blade more thoroughly. 'But,' she added, 'it's probably only a portion of one.'

'A portion?' asked Miroku. 'Sango, do you think that the yokai spirit wasn't exorcised from this bone?' The monk's eyebrows were knit together with concern. The power he could sense emanating from the spear didn't feel evil to him – nevertheless, he knew that spirits remaining within the bones of slain demons were dangerous, for they could draw other demons to them.

Sango quickly reassured him. 'No, no... that would surely have been done. I'm talking about binding a portion of the original demonic aura to the bone,' she explained. 'According to the old tales, Katsumaru had learnt how to do this while travelling in the lands far to the north.'

'So... the blade holds an ability that belonged to the demon whose bones were used to make it?' As he spoke, Miroku exchanged a surprised look with InuYasha who, he saw, was absently fingering the hilt of his sword. The monk realised that the half-demon was thinking the same thing as himself – such a technique seemed more in the province of someone like Totosai, the old yokai sword smith who had forged the Tessaiga, rather than a human craftsman.

'Yes,' said Sango. 'Although, Katsumaru only managed to accomplish the yoki binding a few times. This weapon would have been precious to him.' Turning to the village headman (who had been listening to her with undisguised amazement), the demon-slayer again bowed respectfully. 'Thank you, Master Takeo,' she said as she returned the weapon to him. Then, she smiled, adding, 'It would appear that your Lord Ryunosuke's grandmother was from my village – no doubt one of Katsumaru's own daughters if this was part of her dowry.'

The headman nodded. 'Actually,' he said. 'The records say...'

'Ah-choo!'

Startled by the sudden noise, Takeo looked at its source.

'What are you staring at?' growled a flushed InuYasha who was shooting an irate look at the old man as well as a now smiling Miroku and Sango.

The hanyo scowled as he shook his head and blinked his watering eyes – he was more than a little annoyed that, despite considerable effort on his part, he had failed to suppress the unexpected sneeze. And, even though he had never given the old saying about sneezing much credence in the past, as his sensitive nose continued to itch he couldn't help wondering just what was being said about him, and by whom. Expecting to hear a comment to that effect from Kagome, InuYasha sighed resignedly and glanced sideways at the girl, only to see that her attention was focussed elsewhere – specifically, on the magari yari of Ryunosuke.

The hanyo's frown deepened Now that he thought about it, he realised that Kagome had been unusually quiet for the past several minutes. He had assumed that, like himself, she had been listening to what the demon-slayer was saying about the weapon. But, Sango's explanation was over and Kagome was still staring at the spear. The look of intense concentration on her face left the half-demon puzzled... and a little worried.

'Kagome?' asked InuYasha. To his consternation, she didn't answer him. Grasping her shoulders, he turned her to face him. 'Hey! Kagome!'


What's going on?

A shiver coursed down Kagome's spine as she stared at the ornate spear. Despite the many incredible things she had already witnessed and experienced in the Feudal Era, there were some matters that the girl from modern Tokyo could not simply take in stride – as far as Kagome was concerned, the strange pull she felt coming from the weapon was definitely 'creeping her out'.

Once the spear had been removed from the altar, Kagome had been absolutely certain that it did, indeed, hold a demonic aura of some sort. However, before she could comment on this, she had sensed something else emanating from the weapon – something that was reaching out to her spiritual powers. A part of her acknowledged that she really, really should be drawing her friends' attention to this; yet, something deep within her told her to be silent and to wait... and listen. Thus, only distantly registering Sango's narrative, Kagome watched, fascinated, as a pale glow formed about the demon-bone spearhead and begin to pulse with a regular rhythm.

It's almost like a heartbeat, she thought. Am... am I the only one who sees it? She concentrated on the aura – it seemed to brighten and, for a moment, the girl thought she could see something translucent wrapped about the spearhead. Is that... a chain? she wondered.

Then, Kagome's heart began to beat just a bit faster as she realised that she could feel emotions coming from the spear. Her spiritual powers were reacting fiercely to the loneliness and sorrow that were washing over her with each pulse of the spearhead's soft aura. Suddenly, Kagome knew that what she was feeling was human in origin.

Who are you!? she thought wildly. What do you want?

The aura pulsed again but, the girl noticed with dismay, the light and the projected emotions were growing weaker. Then, as the glow faded, a series of images suddenly flashed through Kagome's thoughts. In her mind's eye she again saw the outline of a chain wrapped about the spear, and then... she could see herself, touching the spearhead... purifying it.

I understand! thought Kagome. I need to...

'Hey! Kagome!'

Kagome blinked as she felt someone grip her shoulders – then, she was pulled sharply around to face a pair of intensely staring, yellow eyes. 'InuYasha!' she gasped. 'What are you doing?'

The half-demon released her. 'What am I doing?' he asked, crossing his arms and huffing. 'What were you doing? You looked like you were in some sort of trance.'

Kagome blushed when she saw that everyone was staring at her worriedly. 'I'm fine,' she said. 'It was just...' Her voice trailed off as her eyes again went to the spear of Ryunosuke which the headman was now laying gently in front of the altar. Then, taking a deep breath, she told the others what she had just experienced.

'It felt... human,' said Kagome as she stepped up to the altar and knelt before the magari yari. She looked up at her friends. 'I think there's a human soul trapped here.'

Miroku exchanged a concerned look with the demon-slayer; then, he knelt beside Kagome and, murmuring a short prayer, touched the spearhead. 'I sense nothing but the yoki,' he said. But, then again, he thought, it wouldn't be the first time that Kagome's spiritual powers were able to detect something that's beyond my own abilities. 'These "chains" you mentioned could be a seal upon the soul.' He gave the girl beside him a considering look. 'I suspect that the trapped soul was able to reach past the seal, at least momentarily, in response to your presence, Kagome. Which means that you might very well be the one to break the seal.'

'What about it, old man?' InuYasha suddenly asked a very perplexed-looking Takeo. 'Do you know what else is in that spear?'

Takeo only shook his head. 'Master InuYasha, it's as I said... none of our records make any mention of the spear holding a... a yoki of any sort, let alone having a... consciousness attached to it.' Nervously meeting the half-demon's fierce stare, he added, 'I can only tell you that I've never heard of anyone being harmed by it.'

'I have to try,' said Kagome. Her expression became one of resolve. 'Whoever is trapped in there... is in pain. I could feel so much sadness...'

InuYasha opened his mouth, then shut it again with an inward shrug. He recognised the determined look on Kagome's face; he knew she would not abandon the soul trapped in the spear. A ghost haunting the lake, and now one in this shrine? Huh! This placed is cursed. With this thought, he moved to stand just behind the girl – if the trapped soul turned out to be hostile, InuYasha planned to whisk Kagome well out of its reach. 'Be careful,' he grumbled to her under his breath.

Kagome smiled at the half-demon. Then, feeling more nervous that she wanted to admit, she reached out and laid her right hand upon the blade.


While an incredulous Takeo was listening to Sango's revelations about the last treasure of the Mizumimoto Clan, several kilometres away, a certain Dé Danann shape-shifter was musing that he, too, was not having the best of days.

'Come with me.'

Lon quickly realised that Sesshoumaru's words were not a command, despite the calm assertiveness with which they had been spoken. No, though he had by this time decided that the 'demon lord' had inscrutability down to a science, Aine's demeanour was sufficient to show the púca that what he was actually hearing was a request. Or, at least, he concluded, the closest this Sesshoumaru can come to one.

A worried frown appeared on his foxy face at the thought of further complications – Lon could read Aine like a book, and he was certain that she had sensed something very troubling from her anamchara. He almost groaned aloud. Weren't we after having enough to worry us? And here, we finally find this fellow, and he has his own bloody problems... in which he apparently intends to involve my lass.

This thought caused the púca's protective instincts to protest vehemently. Sesshoumaru had been well-described to him by both Aine and Eadoin, and his own senses already agreed with one part of that description: the demon lord's inherent power was tremendous. However, this worried rather than reassured Lon who knew from experience that the powerful had a very different concept of what was dangerous. His own clan was comparatively weak when it came to sheer Power and, despite their rather 'outgoing' nature, they were a cautious race when it came to dealing with conflicts involving magic. Thus, as far as the shape-shifter was concerned, the fact that 'his lordship' shared a soul-bondwith Aine did not mean that he was entitled to whisk her away to face only Danú knew what. Dismissing his youthful guise, Londubh cleared his throat.

'Come with you where, exactly?' he asked.

Sesshoumaru's penetrating gaze was immediately fixed upon him. His expression was still coldly aloof, his face showing no reaction to the Dé Danann's sudden change in appearance; but, the flicker of Power beginning to shift about the dog demon left no doubt in Lon's mind that his interruption had not been welcome. Nevertheless, blue eyes met gold unwaveringly as the shorter male held his ground – although, for one brief, absurd moment, the image of a snarling Yuki sprang to Lon's mind and he wondered if he should turn his head and yawn.

Then, the attention of both men shifted to Aine as she slipped past Sesshoumaru and moved to the side of her old friend. 'Ah now,' she said. 'There speaks my blackbird... never one to prevaricate.' She gave the púca a quick glance of warning – then, she linked her arm with his and calmly steered him toward the taiyokai who was watching them with slightly narrowed eyes.

'Lord Sesshoumaru,' she said. 'Of course, I'm more than willing to hear all that you have to say. But first, I believe some proper introductions are necessary...? After all,' she added, with a gentle smile at her soul-friend, 'we don't need any misunderstandings complicating matters.'


The moment Sesshoumaru had uttered those three words, Aine had known that Lon's silent observation would be at an end... and that, given his current volatile mood, her anamchara would not react well to a challenge from her old friend.

And, she thought, as she continued to hold firmly to the púca's arm, a challenge is certainly in the offing.

Aine was an old hand when it came to intervening between posturing males; although her clan was known for its healers and bards, it also had its fair share of warriors. Even so, she experienced a moment of uncertainty as she and Lon halted before the frowning Sesshoumaru. Though she had known him her entire life, Aine could not always predict how the mercurial púca would behave, especially when he was being protective. And, anamchara or not, the dog demon was still very much an unknown to her. Thus, she was more than a little relieved when Sesshoumaru's churning yoki subsided and (after shooting her a brief, pained look) Lon formally inclined his head in response to the 'proper' introduction.

Despite the ebbing of his demonic aura, however, Sesshoumaru continued to watch the púca with a calculating expression in his eyes. 'This is your true form,' he then said.

'Indeed. Your lordship is most discerning,' answered Londubh, with another slight inclination of his head.

'Hnh. As I thought: a shape-shifter... like a kitsune.'

With this comment, the dog demon's gaze moved back to Aine, leaving Lon with the impression that he had just been dismissed as unimportant. Certainly, the inflection which Sesshoumaru had placed on the word 'kitsune' implied that the comparison had not exactly been complimentary. A response leapt to the tip of the púca's tongue... and was just as quickly swallowed as he reminded himself that one-upmanship could not be a priority when dealing with the puppy's older sibling. Biting the inside of his cheek in annoyance, he focussed instead on Aine as she continued to speak to the 'demon lord' softly and calmly.

'Now, mo anamchara,' Aine was saying. 'You've my full attention, so. If you'd care to elaborate...?'

An expression of distaste briefly crossed the taiyokai's elegant features. If the truth were to be told, Sesshoumaru would have preferred not to 'elaborate'. Speaking of Naraku was repugnant to him; in fact, if his honour had not demanded the hanyo's extermination, a demon of his stature would not even recognise the existence of such a creature. Nevertheless, he had already acknowledged that involving the healer in his affairs would not be a matter of simply asking her to verify his suspicions about Rin and be done with it. He had not forgotten the extraordinary degree of regard she had shown for the girl. And, the dog demon knew from personal experience that, when it came to her calling, Aine was extremely thorough if not (in his opinion) tenacious.

Concluding that his most expedient course would be to simply deal with her questions as they arose, Sesshoumaru put aside his annoyance and responded.

'A half-demon called Naraku has had the audacity to challenge me,' said the taiyokai. 'As part of his scheming, he has somehow caused Rin to be enthralled...' Something became immediately obvious to the dog demon. 'You have both heard of Naraku,' he said, looking at them in turn.

'We have,' confirmed a grimacing Lon. 'Courtesy of your brother and his companions.' Internally, the púca was suppressing another groan. Naraku again, he thought. Why, in Danú's name, are things so determined to become so snarled?

On hearing this, Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed again and a dangerous glint appeared in their golden depths. 'InuYasha is in this valley.'

'He is,' said the púca. 'We met by chance on the road. He's after tracking some bloody great serpents he happened across. Been damned insistent on finding them, too – says they reeked of this Naraku.'

Serpent demons again, thought the dog demon. So, has Naraku planned on InuYasha's involvement? Or, did the foolish half-breed merely stumble across the trail? He frowned. 'InuYasha's presence is irrelevant to my purpose,' he said, his gaze meeting that of Lon. 'I do not care if he wishes to pursue such mediocre yokai.' Providing, Sesshoumaru added inwardly, he stays out of my way. After all, as far as the inu yokai was concerned, Naraku was his prey.

At this point, Aine spoke. Her eyes dark with concern, she stepped toward Sesshoumaru, immediately drawing his notice. 'Lord Sesshoumaru,' she said. 'What of this enthralment? How is Rin?'

Sesshoumaru had expected this question. 'She neither eats nor drinks,' he replied. 'Nor does she sleep.'

Aine's breath caught sharply. 'How long has she been like this?' she asked.

'Two days.'

'Ach, Danú...' said the healer, clasping her hands reflexively; her eyes widened at the realisation of what this meant. It was Lon, however, who voiced her thoughts.

'In this heat?' the púca asked, his voice a shocked whisper. He had fully understood the implications of the demon's words: the little girl – the mortal child that travelled with the powerful Sesshoumaru and of whom Aine had spoken so fondly – was dying. He turned to Aine. 'Such cruelty, mo chailín,' he said.'Surely, something can be done...?'

For any Dé Danann, the idea of a child being harmed through the use of magic was an anathema. However, Aine knew that such a thing was particularly repulsive to Lon – she could see the flicker of pain in his eyes and understood how hearing of this attack against Rin had evoked certain memories for the púca. Giving her blackbird's arm a quick, sympathetic squeeze with her hand, she turned back to Sesshoumaru. 'Aye,' she said. 'Aye, surely something can be done. Tell me more, mo anamchara.'

Sesshoumaru had also noted the Lon's reaction to Rin's plight. Hnh. Curious... he thought, as he again focussed on the healer.

'Naraku thrives on deception,' said Sesshoumaru. 'I believe there is a hidden purpose behind Rin's condition – and that you, lady, have the means to confirm its presence.' Saying this, the dog demon decided that he had delayed long enough.

'We leave now,' he said to Aine. 'I will explain as we travel.' He looked briefly at Lon. 'Whether you come or stay is not my concern.' Sesshoumaru was about to turn away – then, he paused as he felt a Dé Danann aura of power awakening within the black-haired stranger.

Londubh's blue eyes took on a chill gleam as he gave the taiyokai a grim smile. 'Oh, I'm coming along, your lordship. After all, once Aine has seen to the wee one, she'll be glad of some return transport.' Saying this, he stepped back.

Sesshoumaru's yokai eyes saw a familiar golden glow envelope the shorter man as his form began to flow and expand. The dog demon's expression barely altered as the sturdy black horse took shape before him. However, a glimmer of understanding flitted across his eyes as he watched Aine nimbly climb onto the púca's back.

'I've no use for someone who'd curse a child, you see,' said Londubh. 'So, I wouldn't dream of delaying your pursuit of the bastard, and I'm sure my lass feels similarly.' He tossed his head, then once again met the taiyokai's cool, appraising stare with one of his own.

'Lead the way, Lord Sesshoumaru.'


Although Sesshoumaru never gave the impression of haste when travelling by foot, his long, measured strides could cover ground very swiftly indeed; it did not take him long to lead the two Dé Dananns to the base of a birch-covered rise where, he informed them, he had earlier directed Jaken. Within moments, the taiyokai marked Ah-Un's jaki – Rin and Jaken, he said, were already waiting for him at the ridge's crest.

From the underlying tone of the dog demon's voice, the black 'horse' keeping pace beside him had the distinct impression that it would not have gone well for Sesshoumaru's underling if this had not been the case.

As they had made their way down the valley, Lon had, for the most part, resumed his role of passive observer; by the time the group had spotted the long ridge that was their destination, he had decided that InuYasha's older brother definitely possessed a gift for brevity. In the púca's opinion, Sesshoumaru had answered Aine's questions with a most remarkable conciseness. The dog demon's proposed course of action – which had met with the healer's approval – had been equally succinct, although there was about to be an amendment to it.

On entering the dappled shade of the slim, white birches, Sesshoumaru halted. It was imperative, he then stated, that Rin not be aware of the Dé Danann woman's approach. 'Naraku must remain ignorant of you and your abilities, lady.'

'I agree, mo chailín,' interjected Lon, as he turned his head to look back at his passenger. 'If his lordship here is right, the thing that clings to the child might sense you before you complete your task.' As far as Lon was concerned, the one called Naraku should never be made aware of Aine's involvement. He would not risk such an evil creature someday seeking revenge on her.

Sesshoumaru made no response to this comment – his focus was once more entirely upon Aine. Magenta-edged lids lowered imperceptibly as he observed the slim, red-haired woman; he recalled his first sighting of her that morning, and how she had moved through the misted woods with a grace that would have done justice to a taiyokai female. Sesshoumaru had no doubt that Aine could easily slip undetected behind a mortal child. However, he reasoned, it was not Rin's notice which she had to avoid.

'The bard could produce a barrier to sight and sound,'said the dog demon. 'Can you also do this, lady?'

Aine nodded, though a slight frown puckered her forehead as she understood his intent. 'A glamour, you mean? Aye, Lord Sesshoumaru – but, casting one about Rin will muffle all sound around her. And, if your suspicions are correct...'

The dog demon frowned. 'You cannot cast it about yourself as you approach her?'

'A wall of glamour is usually stationary,' she replied. 'And, 'tis only that kind I've learnt to create, but...'

She was interrupted as her 'mount' chuckled – then, Londubh spoke briefly in what Sesshoumaru recognised as the Dé Dananns' lyrical, foreign language. The dog demon watched as the healer responded by reaching down and, with a brief, warm smile, resting her hand on the shape-shifter's shoulder in what was obviously an affectionate gesture. Feeling slightly perplexed (and unexpectedly annoyed) by this exchange, Sesshoumaru looked at Aine enquiringly.

'All is well, mo anamchara,' she said, as her frank gaze returned to the taiyokai. 'For, aren't we after having a true master of glamours with us?' Then, she explained: 'Lon can easily cast a glamour that will move with him – or with another. 'Tis a skill unique to the Púca Clan.'

'At your service, your lordship,'murmured Londubh, his voice conveying only polite respect. Inwardly, however, he was greatly amused. Can't dismiss me now, can you, boyo?

The dog demon cast one suspicious glance at the black horse who, he noted, had bowed his head in such a way that his eyes (and any expression they held) were hidden behind his thick forelock. Then, with a curt, 'So be it', Sesshoumaru continued up the slope.

They had not gone much farther, however, when Lon's thoughts again became serious. The shape-shifter was as sensitive as a real horse when it came to the mood of his passenger and he could tell that, despite her agreement to the demon lord's plan, Aine was still very troubled – and, he believed he knew why.

The púca had great faith in Aine's skills – he would be very surprised if she could not tell the demon lord what he wanted to know about the child. But, as for breaking the actual enchantment upon the little girl... that was another story altogether. Ach, he thought. Unfortunately, what would either of us know of the curses of this foreign land...?


Indeed, Aine was deeply concerned by what Sesshoumaru had told her. The healer did not consider spells of enthralment to be trifling matters. Those she had heard described in the stories and histories of the Tuatha Dé Danann had been complex magics, most of which had held firm until lifted by those who had cast them. She truly did not know if she could break the enchantment upon Rin.

Aine's green eyes darkened with concern as she watched the tall dog demon who now strode ahead of her and Lon. Every inch the warrior... and, as pragmatic as ever, she thought with a slight shake of her head. Yet, she now understood the nature of the worry which she had sensed churning deep within her anamchara, and her kind heart ached both for little Rin and for her stoic taiyokai guardian.

Her gaze then shifted to the lone sword sheathed at her soul-friend's side. Of course, Aine had noticed that Sesshoumaru no longer carried his second blade, but so far the matter had barely tweaked her curiosity. After all, she and her anamchara had had far more pressing matters to discuss since their reunion. Now, however, she wondered what had happened to the horrifically powerful Tokijin.

Not that Aine in any way mourned its absence. Although the Tokijin had been a formidable force in Sesshoumaru's hand, the Dé Danann healer had found its sinister aura repellent.

No matter that Sesshoumaru could control it absolutely, she thought. That sword was a poor match to his aura of power.

With this, her attention returned to the occupant of the innocuous black, lacquered sheath secured within the dog demon's ornate sash. A soft smile tugged momentarily at the corners of her mouth as she recalled the feel of the Tenseiga's inherent magic – so entirely different from that of the daoine sídhe. Yet, the sword's aura had resonated smoothly against her own... much, she acknowledged, like its master's did.

However, nothing compared with the compatibility between master and sword.

Though many months had passed since the Dé Dananns' previous journey to the Japans, the horror of her beloved cousin's death could still haunt Aine's dreams. Never before in her long life had she felt such anguish as the moment she had sensed his life force slip from the grasp of her healer magic and vanish into nothingness. When she had held Eadoin's still body in her arms, she had been too overwrought with grief to fully interpret all that had happened next. Only later had she understood the nature of the power which had washed over her healer's senses when Sesshoumaru had used the miraculous Sword of Heaven to restore her dear one's life and heal his body.

The Tenseiga blade had done far more than resonate with the dog demon's aura. It had merged with it, channelling Sesshoumaru's powerful life force into a burst of raw energy which had somehow drawn back the veil between this world and the next, and had called Eadoin's soul back to his body.

It had been a whirlwind of warmth and light beyond the likes of anything she had ever felt.

It had been beautiful.

Yet, not once had Sesshoumaru suggested using the wondrous artefact to revive Rin. This led the healer to one conclusion. The Tenseiga can do nothing to reverse this dark magic... she thought, her eyes once again focussed upon the sword's master. That's it, isn't it, mo chú deas? If Rin dies, your sword can restore her body, but then she'll continue to suffer as long as this 'possession' is in effect. She sighed inwardly, then started slightly as Lon's voice pulled her from her worried thoughts.

'Take heart, my lass,' the púca said gently. 'You can only do your best.'

Aine smiled in appreciation and leant forward to briefly embrace a sturdy equine neck. 'Go raibh maith agat, mo londubh. Unfortunately, 'tis a task that needs a druid,' she mused; then, she winced as she felt Lon tense beneath her. The preoccupied healer had not meant to voice that last thought. However, whatever the púca had been about to say about the dubious usefulness (and parentage) of druids was forestalled as the dog demon once more turned his head to look directly at Aine.

'We are near,' said Sesshoumaru.

She nodded. 'Understood, a stór,' she said softly. 'We'll be following your lead.'

Sesshoumaru responded with his own nod. Then, he moved silently but swiftly toward the combined scents of Jaken, Rin and Ah-Un. Any concerns that he might have had regarding the black horse's ability to be equally silent in his approach were quickly and somewhat grudgingly dismissed – the male Dé Danann made barely a rustle as he wove his way through the birch forest.

As they neared the top of the ridge, Sesshoumaru permitted himself to indulge once more in a feeling of satisfaction. The fortuitous appearance of the healer had indeed changed matters; already, he had formulated a new strategy in anticipation of the information she would be able to confirm. He still had every intention of investigating the Lake of Tears that day. But, first...

First, Naraku and his supposed 'ally' are about to find themselves... inconvenienced.

With this thought, the taiyokai glanced out of the corner of his eye at the Dé Danann healer. No matter how many contingencies Naraku may have considered, thought the dog demon, it is impossible that he would have anticipated someone with her abilities.

He frowned then, as his thoughts turned from Rin's enthralment to Kakusamaru's 'warning', and the news that the devious Naraku had somehow allied himself with a ghost. Sesshoumaru knew that such a partnership would be highly unusual. As a rule, spirits did not seek 'alliances'. Ghosts were interested in only one thing – whatever 'unfinished business' tied them to this plane of existence.

So, he reflected, if this spectre is involved, it sees Naraku's plans as a means to its own ends.

Further speculation was put in abeyance as Sesshoumaru realised that he had reached his destination. Gesturing for the Dé Dananns to remain where they were, he moved ahead and, as he had expected, a high-pitched voice promptly called to him.


Jaken sighed as he shifted the Staff of Two Heads from one shoulder to the other and looked about the shaded glade he had chosen for a temporary camp. How long, he wondered, would Lord Sesshoumaru be gone this time? He assumed that his master had gone to the Lake of Tears – no matter how untrustworthy Naraku's messenger was, the dog demon would leave no stone unturned.

What a miserable development, lamented Jaken. Such an insult to my lord. Even if he didn't understand the motivation behind his master's actions, the fact remained that Lord Sesshoumaru had safeguarded Rin since they had found her lying dead on a forest trail. The little kappa shuddered when he considered just how angry the powerful demon would be if Rin actually succumbed to the stresses being inflicted upon her weak, mortal body.

Of course, he will use the Tenseiga again, he thought. Rin will be revived. But, still... Jaken huffed uncomfortably to himself. It was unbelievable that the suffering of a mere mortal should be so... disturbing to him. Really, it's not as if...

With a start, Jaken realised that his master had returned – he could feel the dog demon's powerful jaki approaching. Both relieved and puzzled that his lord had returned so soon, Jaken waited until the inu yokai had almost reached the clearing before he called out to him. After all, he reasoned, as he cast a subtle look at the unnaturally silent child kneeling nearby, he should behave normally – if his master's suspicions about Rin were indeed true...

Then, he heard Sesshoumaru's voice behind him. 'Jaken. Come here.'

'Y-Yes, my lord! Right away, my lord.'

Rising swiftly, the kappa shuffled hurriedly into the nearby shrubbery, then halted in amazement. Standing within a few metres of his master was... a horse?

Eccentricities aside, Jaken was a very intelligent little yokai who had lived a long life during which he had seen a great many strange things. Thus, this unusual sight gave rise to three observations in rapid succession: (1) there was a horse accompanying Lord Sesshoumaru; (2) a horse would never stand so passively near any demon, let alone an inu yokai; and (3) therefore, this was not a horse. Jaken blinked and shot a questioning look at his master, his mouth opening to ask the obvious. However, the abrupt, cutting motion Sesshoumaru made with his hand (his claws very apparent in the gesture) served to quash any thoughts Jaken had of speaking. His lord's meaning was obvious: be silent.

Jaken was thoroughly mystified. His bulbous eyes wide, he looked back and forth from his master to the animal. Both seemed to be watching Rin, who still knelt unmoving, her back to them. Then, as his glance moved back to the horse, he realised that it was now looking at him and...

Did... did that animal just... wink at me?! Shaking his head, the little kappa rubbed his eyes and stared again at the black horse which was once more looking toward the clearing with, Jaken now noted, eyes of a less than natural hue. Berating himself for not being more observant, Sesshoumaru's retainer started to pay attention to his other senses. The beast had no perceptible jaki, he realised, so it was not a demon. He sniffed the air reflexively. This horse, he thought, smells like... a human!?

At that moment, the little demon realised he could detect another human scent – a very familiar one – on both the horse and...

A trembling Jaken immediately looked up at the dog demon's face. Then, he slumped with relief. His master's eyes were still fixed on Rin – if he had noticed that his servant has almost leant forward to sniff at his hand, he was, thankfully, ignoring it.

The kappa proceeded to look about, a frown on his ugly, green face. So, he wondered, where is the woman? Then, he jumped when the horse suddenly spoke.

'That's it then,' said the animal. Before Jaken's startled eyes, the equine's form shifted and flowed – within seconds, a black-haired man stood before him. The kappa was not surprised when he saw that the stranger was garbed in clothes similar to those which he had seen the Dé Danann bard wear.

However, his attention rapidly shifted to his master who was now striding toward the clearing, issuing a curt command to a snorting Ah-Un to stand down. Jaken quickly saw what had brought the dragon yokai to its feet.

The foreigner called Aine Ní Airmed was kneeling in the clearing with Rin slumped against her and, to the kappa's surprise, the little girl had closed her eyes. For the first time in two days, Rin appeared to be asleep. Gobsmacked, Jaken shuffled forward as he watched the red-haired human gently ease the child down until her head was pillowed in her lap. Clasping the girl's right hand in her own, the woman placed her left palm over the child's forehead for a few moments. Then, she looked up at the taiyokai who, the small demon realised, was intently observing her actions.

'You were right, Lord Sesshoumaru,' she said, as she gently smoothed Rin's hair back from her face. 'Not one, but two foreign life-forces were within her.' Her green eyes took on a hard glitter and Jaken guessed that, whatever was going on, it had angered this female he knew as 'a healer of the Tuatha Dé Danann'.

Jaken pushed his amazement aside as he suddenly understood. Looking up at his master, he shivered as he saw a humourless smile appear on the taiyokai's aristocratic face. Then, Sesshoumaru nodded.

'You may now speak freely, Jaken,' said the dog demon. 'Naraku's spy is gone.'


A/N: Next, Kagome learns who is held captive within the spear while Sesshoumaru is discovers that what has befallen Rin is more serious than even he suspected...

Toodles.