A/N: 'The news of my death has been greatly exaggerated...'

Yes, finally. I know it's been a long wait -- real life interfering with hobbies again, I'm afraid (see the whinging note on my profile). And, this was, bar none, the hardest chapter to write so far -- not just because of a hectic time schedule, but because there is so much to be explained. Ironically enough, the scene had been planned ages ago, but trying to put it down in a coherent fashion was daunting. Thanks again, Magnusrae, for your input -- I think I would have kept going in circles otherwise. :)

Irish lesson (for those interested): Dian Cecht is pronounced 'jyan kekht'; sin-seanathair (shin shawn-a-hair) means great-grandfather; ádh ort mór (ah ort mor) means 'Good luck'; 'Damnú air, arís agus arís eile' (dam-noo air, ah-reesh ag-us ah-reesh ay-leh) means 'Damn it, again and again' (and guess who says that?); mallaithe (mal-i-heh) means accursed.

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.

Chapter Fifteen: Complications

Kakusamaru murmured a few appropriate courtesies of farewell as he bowed low to the ghostly ruler of the Lake of Tears; then, he made his way across the dilapidated courtyard toward what remained of the mansion's main gates. Naraku's newest incarnation was feeling relatively pleased with himself. He had accomplished all of his duties – even his dealings with the wraith were progressing smoothly, he reflected. Kanna had warned him that the ghost of the lakeshore might prove contrary, but Lady Taka was being quite cooperative... despite what Kakusamaru considered to be her often contradictory mannerisms.

One minute disdainful, the next flattering... and always arrogant, he thought. She is intriguing... but tiresome. He strongly suspected that the spectre had shown the same behaviour in life.

As Kakusamaru stepped into the shade of the woods bordering the lake, a soft sigh of relief slipped past his lips. He squinted at the cloudless, blue sky beyond the canopy of leaves above him and a sulky frown crossed his face. Even though the sun had not yet reached its zenith, the day was already proving to be the most brightly-lit of his short life. If only, he thought, it would rain every day – the dark, roiling clouds of the previous day's thunderstorm had been far more to his liking.

A faint buzzing sound interrupted these thoughts, and the blue-skinned demon turned to see that one of Naraku's wasps was again approaching. He knew that there could be only one reason that the creature had returned so soon. Well, well, he thought with an inward smirk. It seems that word of the half-demon has merited some interest.

'Lady Taka's compliance is assured,' he said, as the over-sized insect swooped down and hovered before him. 'She has been advised of Sesshoumaru's arrival and she eagerly awaits her rendezvous with him.'

As he listened to the Saimyosho's answer, the yokai's complacency had abruptly vanished. 'Very well,' he replied, with a bow of his head. 'I shall observe this InuYasha.' Kakusamaru kept his expression carefully neutral until the demon wasp had disappeared, then he grumbled a curse. He had hoped that he would be able to find a shadowed nook somewhere and monitor Sesshoumaru's movements at a distance, as he had since he had first employed his little 'spy'. Yet, now it would seem that he must actually risk detection, for Naraku had ordered him to determine why the one called InuYasha had come to the valley... and (more importantly) to ensure that the half-breed did not interfere with his master's goal.

Rolling his eyes at the unfairness of this change in plans, the slim yokai set off toward the shrine where he had last seen the hanyo and his companions. He could only hope that this InuYasha's senses were not as acute as his older brother's – the thought of tailing someone like Sesshoumaru in broad daylight did not, in his opinion, bear consideration.

Suddenly, Kakusamaru halted in mid-step. His fine features contorted in an expression of puzzlement, and then uncertainty, as all worries about the perceptiveness of half-demons were evicted from his mind in favour of what might be a far more alarming development. Raising his left hand, he stared at the mirror embedded in his palm as he considered the recoil of power he had just felt.

Sesshoumaru's ward should not have expired so soon, he reasoned. Yet, his link to the girl child had just been severed, and he could think of no other explanation for this other than the death of her body. Huffing with annoyance, he folded his arms. Well, this is inconvenient, he thought.

Kakusamaru again regarded the mirror in his palm. So... he mused, as he looked into the silvered surface. What should I do with you, little mortal? His expression became one of clinical curiosity. If he released the child's essence, he supposed she would find her way to the Netherworld. Or, he wondered, would she simply remain on this plane in her own self-imposed hell, like Taka...?

He shrugged, deciding to do nothing. It would probably be... imprudent to free the captured soul without first consulting his superiors. And, he thought with a grimace, he still had a hanyo to follow.

Emitting a sigh of resignation, Kakusamaru silently made his way through the woodland, all the while seeking the deepest shadows available.


'...Naraku's spy is gone.'

Those words sent a wave of relief coursing through Jaken's small frame. You've got to hand it to Lord Sesshoumaru, he thought, as he gazed up at the tall taiyokai with blatant admiration. His instincts are truly remarkable.

After all, the little demon reasoned, Lord Sesshoumaru had known from the beginning that something more than a mere demon worm was spying upon them through Rin. Therefore, Jaken found it entirely plausible that the taiyokai would also be aware of the moment that observation ended. He nodded approvingly.

'Hah! Naraku was foolish to underestimate you, my lord,' said the kappa. Then, his elation quickly subsided as he remembered that he was still far from being up to speed. His gaze flitting anxiously from his master to the foreign woman and then to the newcomer – the kitsune-like human who stood nearby and intently watched the female with an attitude that practically screamed protectiveness. 'But, Lord Sesshoumaru,' continued Jaken, 'what...?'

His query remained unfinished. Sesshoumaru had given him no more than the briefest of glances; still, the kappa had caught the glimmer of anger within the dog demon's golden eyes. Obviously, Jaken rapidly concluded, his lord's comment that he could now speak freely was not to be taken literally. Deciding that the stream of questions running through his mind would be more safely addressed at a later time, Sesshoumaru's servant sighed and resigned himself to figuring out things on his own... As usual! he thought grumpily.

Meanwhile, having effectively halted any further interruptions from Jaken, Sesshoumaru turned his full attention back to Aine. She had remained where she was, her lap still serving as Rin's headrest, her fingertips still gently smoothing the tousled black hair of the sleeping child. The dog demon noted her posture, however, and recognised that she was tense – more tense, in fact, than she had been since he had first told her of Rin's condition. His eyes narrowed as he considered what this might mean, especially since the lady's magic had done as he had expected.

So far, his plan had been successful.

Sesshoumaru had deduced a purpose behind Rin's constant wakefulness over the past two days. Logic had dictated that whatever had possessed her needed her senses and, therefore, needed her to be awake. The taiyokai had readily scorned an obvious solution to this problem – he would never lower himself to strike Rin, not even to thwart Naraku. However, Sesshoumaru had devised a more feasible strategy within moments of sighting Aine that morning. The lady, he had realised, could do more than simply confirm the existence of Naraku's spy.

She could cripple it... by putting Rin to sleep.

The dog demon was very familiar with the Dé Danann healer's ability to induce sleep. . Just after his first encounter with a powerful hell-spawn known as a 'fiend', Sesshoumaru had seen Aine cast 'sleep compulsions' on Jaken and Rin. Soon afterwards, he himself had been subjected to the same spell, though he had been distracted from immediately realising this by the events which had followed. It had not been until some days later that he had recalled how he had fallen asleep while Lady Aine had healed his injuries. That was something that he should not have done so easily (no matter how great his fatigue), for Aine had been a stranger to him then, their unusual bond yet to be formed. Yet, he had slept deeply in her presence.

In the end, this deduction had inflicted only a minor wound to his pride. Sesshoumaru had quickly realised that there had been no deception behind the lady's actions – she had simply compelled him to sleep to better facilitate his healing. In fact, as time had passed, he had grudgingly acknowledged the subtlety of a magic which had managed to slip past his considerable (albeit compromised at the time) defences, concluding that, since the sleep compulsion was technically a 'healing' spell, it was logical that his instincts had not perceived it as a threat.

Thus, he had come to reason that the same would hold true for the foulness adhered to Rin and, with the lady healer's readily given agreement, his strategy had come to fruition. From the concealment of her shape-shifting companion's barrier, Aine had sent Rin (and what lurked within her) to sleep with a touch; then, she had immediately linked her life-force to the child's and had confirmed Sesshoumaru's suspicions – that two beings rather than one had 'possessed' Rin.

It had been at that moment that the unsettling sensation of being watched, which had been plaguing him since this ordeal had begun, had vanished. However, as he now looked into the lady's eyes, the grim satisfaction Sesshoumaru had been feeling began to ebb.

So... he now wondered. What else have you found, lady?


Though his face was as coldly impassive as ever, Aine could see the questions within her anamchara's intent stare. Ach, how I wish I could give you the answer you desire, mo chú, she thought sadly. But, I suspect there's more to this 'possession' than you've surmised. She did not want to voice her suspicions yet – not until she was sure. What she had sensed within Rin was simply too... improbable. Still, Sesshoumaru had obviously recognised her concern; the perceptive dog demon would require an explanation before she would be able to glean more information through a second reading.

'Your instincts are remarkable, Lord Sesshoumaru' she said, unknowingly echoing Jaken's thoughts and earning a startled look from the kappa as a result. 'The second invader is truly gone – it faded the moment the sleep compulsion took hold. But, while it was there... 'twas as if I was sensing it at a great distance.' As she continued, the healer's voice took on a hard edge, for she had been outraged by what she had discovered. 'Your theory was entirely correct – Rin was being used as a scrying portal.'

Sesshoumaru nodded. It was just as he had thought – the one watching him had not actually lurked within Rin. After all, the only foreign scent and jaki clinging to the girl was that of the demon worm, and his instincts would never have reacted so vehemently to such a lowly yokai. No, the spy had been observing him from a safe distance – a plan totally suited to the devious nature of Naraku.

The only thing the dog demon had not understood, to his immense irritation, was how the watcher had slipped undetected past Ah-Un to create such a connection with Rin. The demon worm was certainly not the primary culprit – it would be too weak in power to maintain a distant link with anything but its worm charmer.

Hnh. Yes, the non-existent worm charmer... That, too, had made no sense to the taiyokai. Had the lesser yokai truly been no more than a decoy? He growled inwardly with a sudden urge to finally be rid of the creature's disgusting scent.

'Lady... What of the parasite?' he now asked.

Aine had to suppress a shudder of revulsion – the demon worm's life-force had felt vile, its dark taint made even more repugnant by its contamination of an innocent child. Sesshoumaru had already explained the primitive yokai's exact nature to her, and Aine wholeheartedly agreed with his use of the term, 'parasite'.

'The creature is caught fast within the sleep compulsion,' she answered. 'I believe its essence can be purged...' She paused, trying to piece together the bizarre readings she had found within the little girl.

'But, you have reservations,' stated Sesshoumaru. Though the tone of his voice was neutral, a small furrow had once again formed beneath the crescent moon on his brow. Jaken noticed this and unobtrusively shuffled two steps away from the inu yokai.

Well-practised in dealing with a worried parent – which, despite his distant mien, was exactly how Aine currently saw the dog demon – she met his stare calmly. 'Lord Sesshoumaru,' she said, 'before I dare try any spells of healing, I need to know exactly what has been done to this child.' Remembering the worry she had sensed within her anamchara, her voice became even softer as she added, 'This is... very complicated, a stór. I must form a deeper link.'

Sesshoumaru's expression was once again impassive. 'Proceed.' he said, his eyes now focussed upon the sleeping child.

Aine nodded. Then, she bowed her head and, after taking hold of Rin's hand and this time placing her other hand upon the child's chest, she opened a new healer's circuit. Probes of magic surged throughout the little girl's body, reading every nuance in the life energies they found there and bringing that information back to the healer who, as she interpreted her findings, felt her heart growing heavier by the moment.

Jaken watched as the Dé Danann woman cast her foreign spell. The Power was stronger this time, he realised – he could actually see a faint golden glow appearing around her hands. Then, the kappa grimaced with distaste as the surge of alien magic brushed against his own small jaki. It feels so... different, he thought. Ugh. It's making me itch... Emitting another sigh, he began to fidget, then steeled himself to be still, having realised that unnecessary movements might draw unwanted attention from an already very irate dog demon.

Still, Jaken had not forgotten that the odd-looking woman was supposed to be some sort of healer. Regardless of his physical discomfort, a faint flutter of hope stirred within him as he watched her close her eyes in concentration. Even though he disliked the idea that a human (and a foreigner at that) might succeed where he had not, if this female could somehow revive Rin...

Then, the woman looked up to meet his master's gaze, and Jaken's shoulders slumped in disappointment.


A worried frown creased Londubh's brow while Aine explained how she needed to form a deeper healer's circuit with young Rin – this, he knew, did not bode well. A mortal should not be so difficult to evaluate, he reasoned, his blue eyes focussed intently on Aine and her patient. He regarded the limp, still child, and the sight brought with it the pain of an old sorrow. The poor babe... A dark curse, indeed, he thought.

His hands clenched reflexively. Lon hated feeling helpless, even though he knew that he could contribute little at this point. Maintaining the concealing glamour had been his task and that had ended the moment the sleep compulsion had sent the girl into oblivion. Now, he could only watch and wait for Aine to finish, knowing that she would let him know if she needed his assistance.

At that moment, the púca heard a sigh to his left. Glancing sideways at Jaken, his sharp gaze took in the play of emotions crossing the little demon's face. Ach, the sour-looking article... he thought. He looks as if he's swallowed a nettle, so.

Normally, he would have marked Sesshoumaru's dour, toad-like servant as an excellent target for a bit of sport. However, given the circumstances (and perhaps fortunately for the already harassed kappa), Jaken currently merited no more than a passing interest from the Dé Danann trickster.

The two-headed dragon was a different story. Following a curt order from Sesshoumaru, the great beast had moved to stand passively a few metres away. Nevertheless, one of its heads had been staring fixedly at Lon since he had entered the clearing. The púca accepted the animal's behaviour as natural, if unsettling. He was a stranger to the creature, after all, and Aine had long ago told him of how 'Ah-Un' was protective of Rin, and of how she had seen it (or they) follow the young girl as docilely as an old carthorse. Lon glanced again at the dragon from the corner of his eye.

Oh, aye. But, even a carthorse kicks with sufficient provocation, he thought with an inward snort. Then, he focussed again on the reading taking place before him.

Londubh felt a knot of tension building between his shoulder blades. He was well aware that Aine's concerns about trying to break a spell of enthralment were more than valid. Even her sin-seanathair, Dian Cecht himself, would've been hard pressed to tackle such a task, he reflected. The púca was sincerely wishing her success, especially in light of the sleep compulsion working as they had hoped. But, now that the reason behind Rin's possession had been confirmed, he truly did not know what to expect. You've the right of it, my Aine – Eadoin's talents are needed here...

Scrying – using a medium to see visions of the future, the past or, as in Rin's particular case, the present – was an ability all of the daoine sídhe possessed with varying levels of proficiency. The druids and bards were by far the most adept; the free-spirited Púca clan were, not surprisingly, among the least. Dé Danann scrying spells required considerable Power and disciplined focus – two things not associated with the capricious shape-shifters. Nevertheless, Lon still had a thorough understanding of the practice. He knew that any reflective surface could be used as a medium, as could music, although employing the latter was a complex, hard-earned talent limited only to highly-trained bards like Eadoin.

But, in all of his years of life, the púca had never heard of a person being used as a tool in a scrying spell. Still, he could hazard a guess at the purpose behind such an invasive enchantment. Scrying was both mentally and physically tiring – using such magic for a prolonged period required considerable stamina. But, the drain upon the caster of the spell would be lessened significantly if a second life-force were being used to augment the scrying connection.

With this thought, Lon's blue eyes again gleamed with anger and he silently cursed the being called Naraku. Rin had not only been enthralled and cruelly deprived of sustenance, but her small form had probably been used to fuel magic simply for the purpose of keeping a constant vigil on her guardian. 'Tis no surprise that the mite looks so fragile, he thought sadly. And, if she can't be revived, what will her protector do?

The shape-shifter's sharp gaze moved to Sesshoumaru. His face was as stoic as ever, but the taiyokai projected an alertness which left no doubt in Lon's mind that Sesshoumaru was anything but indifferent to the scene before him. Then, any further speculations the púca might have made about the demon lord's ties to the little girl were quickly dismissed as the healer sighed and raised her head.

As he read the expression on Aine's face, Lon felt as if a lead weight had struck the pit of his stomach. Ah, no... he thought and, brushing past Jaken (and earning an indignant frown from the kappa in the process), hestrode forward and crouched down beside the healer. Gently gripping her shoulder, he murmured a question in their native language.

Aine reached up to pat her old friend's hand. 'It's still complicated,'she answered, her gaze moving alternately from Lon's warm blue eyes to Sesshoumaru's cool gold as she spoke. Reaching into her satchel, she pulled forth a small waterskin and held it out to the púca. 'First things first, mo londubh... I've set healing compulsions, but they'll not be able to properly do their job 'til this child has some water.'

Lon nodded. 'Aye, mo chailín. I'll see to it, so,' he answered. 'I marked more than one spring below, and...' A raspy voice interrupted him.

'She won't drink it,' said Jaken, bristling with defensiveness and forgetting his earlier decision to not draw attention to himself. 'I've been trying to get her to swallow for two days,' he added, his voice dropping to a disgruntled grumble.

The healer took one look at the small, green demon and saw the misery that lay beneath his surly expression. Sesshoumaru's retainer, she realised, must be very confused and frustrated. Giving Lon's hand a gentle squeeze (for she had felt him tense and knew that a biting comment was imminent),Aine spoke kindly to the kappa, nodding her head formally in acknowledgement as she did so.

'Aye, Master Jaken,' she said. 'Sure and I've been told of diligent care you've given Rin.' Then, speaking in reassuring tones, she told the now gaping Jaken of how there was a Dé Danann spell which would make a sleeping person drink.

The kappa only nodded distractedly in response; he was still reeling from her first remark. Of course, he knew that the woman was, at best, paraphrasing his master, but even so... to know that Lord Sesshoumaru had spoken of him at all... His irritation vanished with the realisation that his efforts had been recognised. Suddenly, the foreign female's interference did not rankle quite so much.

Meanwhile, Lon shot Aine an admiring look. That's my darlin'... you always did have the knack of flattening a hedgehog's prickles. Which, he reflected, as he stood and cast a covert glance at Sesshoumaru, is just as well, I'm thinking. Grasping the fine, braided cord attached to the waterskin, he looped it over his neck. Then, after nodding to Sesshoumaru and telling Aine that he would return swiftly (along with a murmured 'ádh mór ort'), the púca turned and strode away, his form shifting to that of a wolfhound as he went.

Jaken emitted a small squeak at the sight of the long-legged, black canine loping out of the clearing. First he's a horse... now, a dog. Just what is this 'day dah-nahn'? The little demon didn't know what was more baffling – the fact that a human could shape-shift at all, or that the stranger had dared to take that particular form in the presence of an inu yokai. Then, as he cast a cautious look at his master, he remembered that there were far more important matters afoot and he quickly put the sharp-featured foreigner from his mind.


'Explain this "complication", lady,' said Sesshoumaru, his deep voice now holding an undercurrent of impatience.

'Aye, Lord Sesshoumaru,' said Aine. As she spoke, she gently lifted Rin's slight form higher so that she could partially cradle the child in her arms. Ach, little one, she thought sadly, her fingers once again tracing through the girl's dark, silky fringe, I so hope I'm mistaken about you... Taking a fortifying breath, she began.

'Rin's life-force is not... normal. I sensed that much through my first reading,' said Aine. 'The life energy within her is recognisable as hers, but... it's greatly diminished.'

The dog demon frowned, remembering how the lady had spoken similarly of the state of his jaki before repairing the injuries he had received from the hell-fiend. 'The damage to her body is greater than expected?' he asked.

The healer shook her head. 'No, Lord Sesshoumaru,' she answered. Again, she glanced down at the child in her arms. 'When I first linked with her, I thought that might be the case. But, ach... this is... I can think of no other way to describe it than to say that the majority of what is Rin has been torn away, leaving only... a remnant. A remnant that keeps her heart beating, her lungs breathing, but... 'Tis as if her life essence is but a thin, brittle shell wrapped about a great, empty chasm.'

Hearing this, Jaken gulped and flinched. A very disturbing hypothesis took root in his mind as he remembered how Naraku had used Shikon Jewel fragments in the past to manipulate the boundaries between the physical and spiritual. He did not dare to look at his master who, he knew, would undoubtedly be drawing a similar conclusion. Not good, not good... Jaken whimpered inwardly. If this woman means what I think she does, my lord's fury will be boundless! The kappa was suddenly very glad that he was not the one explaining the true degree of their enemy's audacity to the proud taiyokai.

Meanwhile, the healer's comments had caused an expression of surprise to flicker across the dog demon's face; then, a hard, predatory glitter appeared within his golden eyes. Naraku... has he truly dared...? Sesshoumaru abruptly checked his anger, refusing to even consider finishing the thought until he had heard more.

'So, lady... the demon worm's role?' he murmured, the calm, analytical tone of his voice eliciting yet another flinch from Jaken. Sesshoumaru ignored the nervous kappa, however; instead, he kept his gaze fixed upon the lady's eyes. Even though the empathic bond they shared was now quiescent, he found that those green depths hid nothing from him – he now saw within them not only concern, but a genuine sorrow. The sight elicited within the inu yokai a strangely chilling sensation which was both unfamiliar and unwelcome.

'It acts as an anchor,' Aine answered softly, 'The demon worm holds what remains of Rin's life to her body. If I purge it, those energies will disperse... and she'll surely die. But, Lord Sesshoumaru... fragmented though it is, Rin's life-force is not so low that it should need to be artificially bound to her body. Life does not yield to death so readily, not while the soul is present. Which means...'

Sesshoumaru finished her sentence. 'Rin's soul is gone,' he said.


The healer was right, thought the furious dog demon – the situation had most definitely become more complicated.

Naraku had stolen Rin. Again.

The realisation that he had been duped was beyond infuriating to the taiyokai, for he had thought that he had seen through all the layers of Naraku's machinations once he had realised that he was being spied upon. It had never occurred to him that Rin's condition could have been due to something other than some possession or enthralment. It had never occurred to him that Naraku could somehow have orchestrated the removal of her soul from her body, leaving behind only a parody of life within an empty shell. Sesshoumaru snarled inwardly.

Insolent, devious creature... You shall die by my hand.

With this thought, the dog demon forcibly suppressed his churning yoki. Now, he knew, was not to time to give in to his rage, no matter its justification. Nevertheless, despite his efforts, streams of demonic energy persisted in eddying about him, causing his silver-white hair and the long sleeves of his haori to stir as if teased by an errant breeze.

His analytical mind began to rapidly consider the implications of the healer's revelation, and one fact in particular. Not once in the past two days had the Tenseiga reacted to the absence of Rin's soul. What is different this time? he wondered. Rin's life had been the first the blade had compelled him to save. Why should it ignore her now? Surely, he thought, the false life perpetuated by the demon worm would not have fooled the sentient sword. Then, a reason for the Tenseiga's inaction suddenly leapt to mind. Of course... he concluded. It is the only plausible explanation.

'Rin's soul has not been dispatched to the Netherworld,' the dog demon said aloud. 'She is imprisoned elsewhere.' And, he added silently to himself, he need look no farther than his anonymous watcher to find that prison.

The spy was also a thief. It was the most logical option – the theft of Rin's soul must have been connected to the creation of what the lady had called the 'scrying link'. The taiyokai's demonic aura subsided and his gaze focussed inward as a new strategy occurred to him. Until now, he had been content with merely blinding his watcher – now, however, the thief must be found. Then, he would use the Tenseiga to release Rin1... and he would ensure that the thief would relinquish their own spirit to the Netherworld.

It would be, he concluded grimly, a most equitable exchange.

Meanwhile, on hearing Sesshoumaru's deduction, Aine's breath had caught in a soft gasp. She now stared down at the sleeping child with a thoughtful expression. 'Aye,' she murmured softly. 'Aye... that's how 'twas done. That's how the scrying link was held so steadily for so long.'

The healer immediately felt a bit more reassured about Rin's fate. Though she knew nothing of magic which manipulated souls, she had realised that the owner of the wondrous Tenseiga would. If anyone could retrieve the child's stolen soul, thought Aine, surely it would be the man who had pulled her Eadoin from death's embrace.

She nodded as she looked up at the dog demon. 'The life-force and the soul are intertwined – the pull between them would be enough to hold a scrying portal open,' she said. 'Your spy is the thief.'

'Indeed,' said Sesshoumaru, one of his elegant eyebrows rising slightly as Aine's words matched his own thoughts. A mutual conclusion... he mused. Interesting.

The feeling of approval which stirred within the dog demon at this discovery then increased as he noticed that there was no scent of fear upon the lady, despite the fact that, he knew, she would most certainly have sensed how his yoki had just flared in anger. It was then that Sesshoumaru realised that, for the first time in his memory, he had an ally who was not merely a necessity to be endured – and, that this knowledge actually carried with it a certain level of satisfaction.

For the powerful demon whose focus had long been the demanding and solitary Way of Supreme Conquest, it was a most unusual discovery.

'Lady,' the taiyokai said then. 'You referred to the second presence you sensed within Rin as a life-force.'

Aine shot her soul-friend a puzzled look. 'Aye, so I did,' she replied.

'Hnh.' Sesshoumaru's mouth quirked slightly. 'So, it was not a spectre.' As I suspected, he added to himself, Naraku's messenger lied.

'A spectre...?' The healer looked even more bemused. 'Do you mean you'd believed the one that watched through Rin was a ghost?' She shook her head. 'Ach, no... whatever that presence was, 'twas no lost spirit. I've no gift for sensing such things – that's work better left to clerics.'

Jaken, however, was elated by his master's query. 'Such good news, Lord Sesshoumaru!' he blurted. 'What a relief! Now you can avoid the Lake of Tears and its ghost altogether.'

Sesshoumaru's frown returned and, glaring at the hapless kappa from the corner of his eye, he uttered a brief, barely audible growl.

Jaken blanched. 'N-Not that you would be afraid to face such a danger, my lord!' he added hastily with a nervous titter.

Meanwhile, Aine stared at the little demon in amazement. 'The Lake of Tears...?' She looked questioningly at her anamchara. 'Lord Sesshoumaru... what does that dark spirit have to do with Rin?'

The dog demon's eyes narrowed as (to his servant's considerable relief) his focus was drawn back to the healer. 'You know something of this ghost, lady?'

'More than I would like, unfortunately,' answered the healer. However, before she could elaborate, another voice sounded within the clearing.

'Damnú air, arís agus arís eile...'

Londubh had returned. Once again in human form, he now strode forward with a full waterskin in one hand and a leaf-wrapped bundle in the other, the expression on his foxy face a blend of disbelief and annoyance. Then, he shot an almost imploring look at Aine. 'Am I after hearing right, mo chailín?' he asked. 'That mallaithe wraith is part of this mess, too?'

Aine could only shrug helplessly. 'So it would seem, a bhodach...' she answered.

The taiyokai was watching both Dé Dananns intently. 'Lady,' he said, 'I believe it is time that you told me why you came to this valley.'


As Aine would eventually discover, she was not the only one to have dealings with trapped souls that morning.

Kagome swallowed apprehensively – the moment her hand had made contact with the demon-bone spearhead, both the shrine's interior and her friends had faded from her sight. A distant part of her could still feel the wooden floor beneath her knees and the smooth surface of the spearhead beneath her fingertips, but about her there was nothing but a seemingly endless expanse of soft, pale light.

'Thank you, little priestess...'

Startled by the voice, the teenage girl looked up into the solemn, dark brown eyes of the man who had suddenly appeared before her.

Seeing the ornate embroidery on his clothing, Kagome quickly deduced that he was a nobleman. However, she also realised that there was nothing pampered or delicate about him. Despite being made of fine silks and linens, his kimono was cut in the practical style adopted by samurai and his black hair was pulled back in the most conventional of topknots. As well, he had what she had come to recognise as a fighter's posture – relaxed, but with an air of readiness. Looking at his face, she guessed him to be in his mid-twenties. His features were pleasant rather than handsome, and his expression was serious.

Nevertheless, the faint lines about his eyes and mouth revealed that at some time he had been well acquainted with smiles and laughter and, seeing this, Kagome knew that she nothing to fear from this strange spirit who had called out to her. He looks... kind, the teenage girl thought. Then, emotions that were not her own again washed over her; she felt a sudden tightness in her throat in response.

It's just the same as before, she thought. He's so sad. Miroku was right – this man... he must be trapped here.

'Who... who are you?' Kagome asked then. 'Are you a prisoner in the spear?'

To Kagome's surprise, the man gracefully lowered himself to his knees so that he could look at her at eye level. 'My name is Mizumimoto Ryunosuke,' he answered. Then, a wistful smile crossed his face as he took in her startled expression. 'Yes, that's right,' he said. 'I am the man of whom Takeo spoke: Ryunosuke – the last daimyo of this valley.'

'You could hear us?'

Lord Ryunosuke nodded. 'I can hear everything that transpires within this shrine,' he replied. 'But, no one has ever been able to hear me. At least,' he added softly, 'that was the case until you stepped through the door, honourable priestess.' Then, he leant forward in a bow of deep respect. 'Truly, Inari led you here, gracious lady.'

Kagome instantly felt her face heating with what she knew was a brilliant blush.. Despite the spiritual powers she had gained since falling through the Bone Eater's Well into the Feudal Era, Kagome had never really considered herself a true priestess or shrine maiden. The junior highschool student from Tokyo certainly didn't feel comfortable receiving such a gesture of veneration, especially from a grown man. 'Oh... no, please,' she said quickly, 'Please, Lord Ryunosuke... I'm no one special. Just... just call me Kagome.'

The daimyo rose and, taking in her flustered appearance, simply nodded at her, though his eyes showed a glimmer of amusement. 'Very well, "Kagome" it is,' he said. 'Though, I reserve the right to respectfully disagree with your self-assessment. You are right – I am indeed sealed to my spear.' He grimaced. 'A bitter irony, is it not? The weapon which served to keep our valley free from invaders has become my prison.'

'When I first sensed you, I could see the shadow of what looked like a chain wrapped about the bone blade...' said Kagome. 'Was that the seal?'

'See for yourself.' Saying this, Ryunosuke held out his hands to Kagome.

The girl gasped as translucent manacles suddenly appeared about the daimyo's wrists, each one trailing a chain which looped to the 'floor' before winding away into the softly-lit ether about them. How awful for him, she thought. To be trapped here for so many years... and no one realising. She wondered if the ghostly irons caused him any pain. Then, as she stared at them, Kagome noticed that the chains were becoming more opaque.

The man kneeling before her muttered a soft curse. 'No. It's too soon...' he said.

'What is it? What's wrong?' she asked.

Ryunosuke sighed. 'I'd hoped this reprieve would last longer,' he replied. 'Your touch upon the spearhead weakened the seal that holds my soul, and allowed us to speak... but, the binding is again overpowering me.'

She quickly reached out to him, placing a hand on one of the steadily solidifying manacles. 'I can try again...'

'No.' The daimyo said softly, then he took her hand between his own. 'No, little priestess... time grows short, and I must explain quickly.' His grip tightened on her hand as he continued, his voice low and urgent. 'There are two seals upon the spearhead – one is my prison, the other is upon the spear's power itself. The second one is the more powerful and must be broken first before I can be released from these chains.'

'Another seal?' asked a confused Kagome. 'But, I don't feel anything else...'

'It's rooted elsewhere,' he interrupted. 'And, that root must be destroyed to break it. Please, Lady Kagome... I ask for your help, not just for myself but also to free one who is precious to me. There is a small bag tied to the spear... Take what is within it to the hidden waterfall. If you do this, she will find you... she will tell you all.'

She? Then, Kagome realised that she could feel the touch of his hands on hers fading. 'Wait... who do you want me to find?' she cried out.

However, Ryunosuke was only able to smile sadly at her before he faded from view. Then, Kagome found herself looking into wide, glowering eyes of gold as clawed hands gripped her shoulders.

'What happened?' asked InuYasha. When Kagome had suddenly spoken aloud about finding someone, hehad swiftly gotten down on his hunkers in front of her. Find who? the half-demon wondered as, impatient for an answer, he proceeded to give the still disorientated teenager a single, firm shake. 'Kagome, wake up!' he growled.

A now very alert Kagome (she did not like being shaken) returned his glare with interest. 'I'm awake!' she snapped. 'I just needed a moment...'

Releasing her, a grumbling InuYasha plopped down cross-legged on the other side of the spear, obviously feeling somewhat affronted that his concerned intervention had been dismissed. Kagome sighed – she would have to apologise later, she knew. For now, however, she needed to tell the others what she had found. Then, her eyes went to the shaft of the magari yari.

'Excuse me, Master Takeo,' she asked, pointing at the item dangling just below the spearhead, 'but... do you know what's in that bag?' The unexpected question earned her puzzled looks from her friends as well as the village headman.

Takeo nodded, a perplexed frown on his face. 'Yes, miss,' he answered. 'It holds a hair comb that belonged to Lord Ryunosuke's betrothed.'


Outside the shrine, black eyes tinged with red watched the small building with an expression of increasing concern.

So, they are still there, Kakusamaru mused.

Originally, the blue-skinned yokai had returned to the shrine with the intention of tracking InuYasha from that point. He had not expected the hanyo and his companions to still be within the structure. He also had not expected to return to the site and feel the area fairly throbbing with a spiritual energy that was so pure it was causing the hair on the nape of his neck to stand on end.

His lips pursed in irritation. This, he thought, is going to be troublesome.


Footnote:

(1) Sesshoumaru already knows that the Tenseiga can release an imprisoned soul. In InuYasha, Episode 77: 'The Panther Tribe and The Two Swords of The Fang', the mummified master of the panther tribe was revitalised by absorbing the souls of his followers. Neither Sesshoumaru nor InuYasha could overpower the giant demon until Sesshoumaru used the Tenseiga to free the captured souls. :)

See? I research. ;p

Next: Sesshoumaru hears about Taro and Jaken gets a nickname...