/ducks thrown objects/

A/N: Yes, I know... it's been way, way too long, and I sincerely apologise for keeping everyone waiting. The usual excuse of 'real life' still applies. I won't go into a detailed explanation -- let's just say the past year has been bedlam and leave it at that. My apologies, too, to Magnusrae and Jentsi. Ladies, I anticipate reading your latest chapters with eagerness in the near future. Simply put, I told myself I couldn't have any treats until I got something posted here.

I was originally going to post an extra long chapter, but decided that a particular discussion between Sesshoumaru and Aine needed more revision, so here we have what you would call a 'transition' chapter to take you to the next stage of the story (wherein some action will happen). I hope you enjoy it. :)

Irish lesson (for those interested): a lúbaire (loo-bair-e) is a treacherous, deceitful trickster; púcaí (poo-ka-ee) is simply the plural of púca; ealaín dhubh(ay-leen oo) means black magic; Oró! is an exclamation, like 'Oh ho!' or 'Ah!'; cnádán (ke-nah-dahn) is Irish for toad (more on this at the end of the chapter); beog (bay-og) means little; a chnádán beog (ah khe-nah-dahn bay-og) means 'little toad', but in this format it's being used as a form of address (I'll give you three guesses on to whom?).

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 Sixteen: Discussions and Distractions

'Lady... I believe it is time that you told me why you came to this valley.'

Aine fully agreed with her anamchara – the two of them definitely had much more to discuss, although she suspected that a good part of their pending conversation would focus on what she had so far heard about the Lake of Tears and its ghost.

First, however, she needed to deal with a pot that was threatening to boil over.

Judging by the way his eyes were darting rapidly between herself and Sesshoumaru, Aine knew that the few diplomatic skills Lon possessed were about to make a rapid exeunt. She had known the púca her entire life and could read him like a book – there was no doubt in her mind that the news that the lakeshore's malevolent spectre was somehow connected to the attack on little Rin had set Lon's protective instincts surging. When his jaw clenched as he shot a speculative glance at Sesshoumaru, she recognised the conclusion he was making as soon as it crossed his mind – that the dog demon had deliberately misled them by not mentioning the ghost.

Aine, however, believed that her taciturn anamchara had simply deemed it unnecessary to discuss the spirit's involvement until now. Still, she could understand Londubh's frustration – she was feeling no small amount of the emotion herself. Despite intentions otherwise, they continued to become embroiled in matters concerning the dark lúbaire, Naraku. Nevertheless, it still would not do for her dear blackbird to begin demanding information of Sesshoumaru. The healer knew that a thoroughly riled Lon would be fully capable of throwing caution to the wind and taking the taiyokai to task.

Fortunately, she had a distraction at hand.

With all of her senses on guard for any shift in the simmering púca's aura, Aine looked up at the dog demon. 'Aye, Lord Sesshoumaru,' she said. 'Indeed it is... and, the sooner we speak, the better. So,' she added, with a respectful nod of her head, 'with your permission, I'll turn this part of the wee one's care over to Lon.'

Two narrow-eyed stares, gold and blue, immediately flickered across each other in a brief, mutual appraisal. Then, with a dismissive lift of one elegant eyebrow, the dog demon's gaze returned to Aine who had continued to address him, her voice holding a gently persuasive tone which he remembered well.

'The spells I've set within her will allow Rin to swallow water, Lord Sesshoumaru,' she explained. ''Tis a fairly straightforward healing compulsion that can be attuned to another Dé Danann aura, so Lon will easily be able to trigger it. Then, I can leave Rin in his very capable hands... and you'll have my full attention, so.'

Sesshoumaru quickly realised that this proposal required very little consideration on his part. The healer had long ago told him of her people's regard for children, and her shape-shifting companion had been blatantly obvious in showing that he was in full possession of that particular racial trait. Therefore, the dog demon had no reason to dispute the lady's claim that the male Dé Danann would adequately follow her directions.

Of greater importance to the taiyokai, however, was the fact that the lady's observations about Rin had been most revealing. He had begun to unravel the mystery shrouding Naraku's latest manipulations – yet, there were still some annoying large gaps in the puzzle and they all had one item in common: Naraku's supernatural ally.

Sesshoumaru definitely wished to hear more about the Lake of Tears and its wraith, and he was not about to discount the chance that the Dé Dananns had happened upon some information of merit. Thus, he quickly concluded that he now had three options: agree to the lady's suggestion, wait until she had finished administering to Rin's needs herself or confer with her companion instead.

For the inu yokai, there was only one logical choice.

Meanwhile, Jaken had just remembered that he could blink. Aine's suggestion had left the little demon flabbergasted. What utter foolishness! he thought, as he shot the kitsune-like foreigner a supercilious look. My lord may tolerate the female's interference, but there's no way he will leave Rin in the care of that odd character...

Any further thoughts the kappa might have made on this matter were abruptly interrupted by his master's answer to the healer.

'Agreed,' said the dog demon.

Jaken's head promptly started to ache.

Giving Sesshoumaru a nod of thanks, an inwardly relieved Aine reached out with her hand to Lon. 'Come, mo londubh a stór...' she said, her eyes entreating her old friend to follow her lead. 'I've a job for you, so.'

Lon complied. However, judging from the expression on his face as he walked toward her, Aine could see that the púca was well aware of her intent to distract him. This was further confirmed when, as he knelt beside her, he spoke using a tone of authority the healer had not heard since her childhood.

'Just how is that spirit involved in all this, Aine?' he asked, as he placed the waterskin and the small, leaf-wrapped bundle nearby on the ground.

'That still seems to be something of a mystery, Lon,' she answered calmly. Then, giving him a determined look of her own, she gently shifted Rin from her lap to his, knowing that his focus would shift to the child no matter how out of temper he might be. Sure enough, although still sporting a worried frown, the púca reached for the little girl without hesitation, automatically shifting position so that Rin's head would rest at a comfortable angle.

Londubh looked down at the child; his blue gaze became puzzled as he studied her still, pale features and watched the rise and fall of her chest. Though the movement was regular, the pauses between her breaths were too long, he thought... Even for one under a sleep compulsion.

'This is not right, mo chailín,' he said.

The healer nodded. She had known that close contact would allow the perceptive púca to sense the artificiality in the little girl and she could easily predict his next question – and his reaction to the answer she must give him.

'When you'd finished your reading... 'twas sorrow and anger that I saw in your face, Aine,' he murmured. 'What did you find within her?'

Aine took a deep breath, then explained the disturbing conclusion at which she and Sesshoumaru had arrived.

Lon's eyes widened as he listened, his expression making no secret of the shock and outrage he was feeling. The older Dé Danann had found the idea of using a living being as a scrying medium repulsive enough, but to hear that there existed a power which would rend the soul from the body and hold it prisoner... 'How?' he asked, his voice tight with disbelief. 'What manner of ealaín dhubh could create such a curse?'

Aine shook her head. 'That's also unknown, dear one,' she answered softly, 'but, 'tis an answer Lord Sesshoumaru means to have.'

A hard glitter appeared in Lon's eyes as he again regarded the mortal girl. Then, he held out his hand to Aine, allowing his aura of power to rise as he did so. 'Very well, lass,' he said, as he wrapped his fingers around hers. 'We'd best begin, so. Set the link.'


Lon was grateful for the few moments it would take for Aine to connect his aura with the magic she had placed within the child – he needed some time to begin to put his reeling thoughts in order.

With the exception of his sojourn on the open ocean, Londubh of the Púca Clan had not felt so rattled in years.

Despite the reputation for capriciousness held by the púcaí, Lon himself seldom truly lost control – at least, not to the extent that a fit of temper could take precedence over survival. His shape-shifting clan had learnt a hard lesson long ago when disastrous choices had been made, and the thrice-damned geis had been the result. Nevertheless, when he had heard that the haunt from the lakeshore was somehow involved in this new mess they now faced, Lon had been gripped with a deep, inherent need to protect his Aine, to whisk her away from this valley and its curses. He had wanted to lash out, and almost had... at Sesshoumaru.

And that, boyo, would not have been your smartest move, the púca chastised himself. Sure and at your age, you should be knowing better.

He felt the triggers for Aine's spell lock with his own inherent magic, and Lon's focus returned to the child in his arms A soft sigh escaped him as he looked down upon her baby-soft features. Alive... and yet not, he thought sadly. Aine would do all she could to help the poor mite, he knew, and so would he – although he would not allow his lass to be placed in jeopardy in the process. Aine's safety would, always, be his first priority.

Clearly, this was a situation which would require much serious thought on his part.

At that point, Aine's aura of power subsided and, reaching into her satchel, she took out a small bronze cup and filled it with water. Then, she looked up at her anamchara. The dog demon's expression had remained impassive throughout the casting of her spell – only the intensity of his gaze had betrayed his interest in the process. 'All is ready, Lord Sesshoumaru,' she said.

She gave Lon a soft smile and began to stand, then halted as the older Dé Danann raised a hand to stay her. 'A moment, lass,' he said, ignoring the frown which had appeared on the demon lord's face. 'Would you mind opening that wee parcel first?' he asked, gesturing to the leaf-wrapped bundle lying nearby. 'I think you'll be well pleased with the contents. I scented it on my way down the ridge.'

Giving the púca a curious look, the healer opened the package; then, with an exclamation of pleasure, she held up a wedge of honeycomb. 'Oró!' she exclaimed, as she broke a piece into the bronze cup. 'You brilliant man. This will be far, far better than water alone.'

''Twasn't difficult.' Lon shrugged dismissively. It had hardly been the first time he had raided a bee hive. Bees were easily fooled by a glamour – the insects had not reacted in the slightest to his plundering of their ample stores.

Aine leant over and kissed her old friend's cheek, then stood and faced her still frowning anamchara. 'Your pardon, Lord Sesshoumaru,' she said. 'I'm now at your disposal.'

The taiyokai nodded, then turned to face the edge of the clearing. 'Come with me, lady,' he said, as he looked at her from the corner of his eye. 'I would speak with you away from further distractions.'

Londubh lifted one eyebrow on hearing the dog demon's statement, but withheld any comment Earlier, he had objected to Sesshoumaru removing Aine from his sight. However, he thought, while picking up the bronze cup and gently swirling it to mix the honey and water, circumstances have somewhat changed.

Meanwhile, Jaken had also stood and, with a self-important shrug of his shoulders, began to walk behind the dog demon. Without turning to look at the little yokai, Sesshoumaru spoke.

'Are you deaf, Jaken?' he asked

Though Sesshoumaru's tone of voice was almost blasé, Jaken understood his master's true meaning immediately. Without missing a beat, the kappa hurriedly shuffled backwards, his body bowed in obeisance. 'O-Of course not, my lord,' he stammered. 'No more distractions... yes, yes, I understand, Lord Sesshoumaru. I'll just keep a close eye on Rin then, shall I? And...' – he looked up beseechingly, only to see his master and the foreign female walking away between the slim birch trees – '...Oh... um.'

Emitting an annoyed-sounding (albeit prudently quiet) 'Hmph!', Jaken squatted on the ground beside Ah-Un and glared at the man who was now raising the small cup to Rin's mouth. Well, I suppose I should keep an eye on things here, at that, thought the little demon. Yes, indeed... that's why Lord Sesshoumaru agreed to this odd human administering to Rin. He'd meant for me to stay behind and supervise him.

Suddenly, Jaken felt the by now familiar – but still very irritating – sensation of foreign magic; then, to his amazement, he saw Rin swallow.


'There now,' Lon said softly. His fingertips gently stroked Rin's neck as he magically guided the honey-sweetened water down her throat. 'There now. That's a good lass – drink it all, so.'

'Why do you bother talking to her?'

Lon looked up and frowned slightly at the source of this question. Though Sesshoumaru's little, green henchman had been watching him balefully for several minutes, this was the first time that he had addressed him.

Jaken rolled his bulbous eyes. 'There's no point, you know,' he added, in the manner of someone explaining to a simpleton. 'She can't hear you if her soul is gone.'

Lon frowned again as he continued to minister to the child. 'Perhaps so, a chnádán beog,' he replied. 'Yet, cursed though she is, she's still but a babe... and I can treat her no other way,' he added, as he then coaxed another sip of liquid into the child.

Jaken's eyes narrowed on hearing himself addressed with foreign syllables, but he only asked huffily, 'Why do you keep calling it a curse?'

'What else would you be after calling a malevolent spell?' came the other's calm answer.

'Hmph!' snorted Jaken. 'Curses are entirely different! Of course, what would a foreigner know about it.' The little kappa was again focussing on the ground and didn't notice the speculative expression which had just flickered across the human's face.

The sarcastic comment which had been hovering on the tip of Lon's tongue had just been swiftly discarded in favour of a more inspired plan. The púca had decided that he needed more information about Naraku and that, rather than wait until he could again question Miroku or another of the puppy's group, he would take advantage of the opportunity before him. Lon had realised that Jaken – verbose, supercilious little being that he so obviously was – would love to display the depths of his knowledge if given the right audience.

'Ah, a chnádán beog,' said Londubh, '...sure and you speak the truth. I know little of this land and its dangers, though 'tis not for lack of trying.' He paused and set down the bronze cup, knowing that the little girl's stomach would need a chance to absorb the fluid she had already swallowed. Then, allowing a slightly injured look to cross his face, he continued priming his target.

'You see, Master Jaken,' he said, 'Aine's clan has entrusted me with her safety, and the little we've heard of this Naraku creature while in the company of your master's brother has worried me greatly. But, InuYasha is, well... not the most communicative of fellows – he's so wrapped up in his own hunt that he's spared little time for conversation...'

Jaken snorted, effectively conveying his own opinion of InuYasha. 'Hmph! That obnoxious hanyo's reasons for seeking Naraku are entirely different from Lord Sesshoumaru's – my lord's claim on the vermin's life is by far the more valid.'

'Really?' asked Lon, his face showing only interest and respect.

Thanks to the frustrations he had endured over the past two days, this was all the incentive Jaken needed to begin expounding on the duplicity of the being called Naraku. He immediately launched into an indignant tirade on the creature's cowardice – of how he hid in the shadows and used minions (Lon decided he would later ask for further clarification of the term 'incarnation') and trickery to achieve his ends. The little kappa fairly bristled with outrage when he related how Naraku had had the effrontery to try to manipulate the taiyokai.

'And, to make matters even more insulting, Naraku's power is not even his own,' continued the kappa in an offended tone. 'He would be nothing without the energies he draws from the Shikon Jewel shards.'

'Shee-con jewel?' asked Lon. 'What's that, then?'

'An artefact of power,' explained Jaken. 'Even a mere shard of the Jewel will greatly enhance a yokai's power. Of course, Lord Sesshoumaru has no interest in such a thing,' he added proudly. 'He has no need to enhance his strength through such artificial means.'

'Indeed? Well, that I can understand, a chnádán beog,' answered Lon, as he resumed feeding Rin the honeyed water. 'His lordship's strength is obvious, and Aine's told me that he's an honourable man.'

Jaken gave an approving grunt on hearing this. Then, he gave the Dé Danann a suspicious look. 'Why do you keep calling me by those words?' he asked, abruptly changing the subject. 'What do they mean?'

Lon's face was momentarily a study of wide-eyed innocence and bemusement. Then, he nodded, as if in sudden understanding. 'Ah, is it "cnádán beog" you're meaning?' The púca shrugged as he bent over Rin; keeping his gaze on the little girl's face, he answered nonchalantly, 'Ach, sure and I meant no harm by it. It just seemed the natural thing to call you.'

'But what does it mean?' the now exasperated-sounding Jaken asked again.

A pensive frown crossed Lon's face. 'Well now... it's a wee bit difficult to translate into your language,' he replied, the lie falling from his lips with practised ease. ''Tis a title used in my homeland when speaking of family retainers of particularly high status. Given that you're the servant of someone like his lordship, ach... I'd assumed that the term suited you. However, I won't use it if you're offended by it.'

The kappa blinked, then sat up a little straighter. 'Oh. Well... I guess there's no harm in it,' he said, his tone full of noblesse oblige.

Lon nodded and allowed himself a faint, satisfied smile. Then, after murmuring a soft, 'good girl' while again magically triggering Rin's throat to swallow, he renewed his quest for information.

'Right then, a chnádán beog – you were after saying...?'


Although this was hardly their first experience with the supernatural, Kagome's friends still greeted the news that the valley's treasured spear held the trapped spirit of its long-dead daimyo with surprise and concern. Miroku and Sango listened attentively as she described her experience, as did InuYasha, although only his persistently twitching ears indicated his interest. Outwardly, the still-sulking hanyo had assumed an attitude of indifference – much to the teenage girl's annoyance. He looked up, however, when Kagome revealed that two seals had been placed upon the spear. This information also caught the interest of the young monk who then posed a few questions about just what she had 'seen' at that point.

'Two levels of binding,' murmured Miroku. 'I wonder...' A thoughtful expression crossed his face. Then, he blinked and looked about him as he realised that his friends were looking at him questioningly.

'You wonder what?' asked a frowning InuYasha.

Miroku shook his head, a pensive look on his face. 'Just a... tentative theory,' he answered. 'Please...' he said, while InuYasha gave a soft, irritated huff, 'go on, Kagome.'

As Kagome nodded and continued her story, Miroku felt a gentle nudge on his arm. He looked at Sango – following the demon-slayer's gaze, the monk quickly saw what was worrying her.

Takeo was standing slightly apart from the group; his faced had paled noticeably and he was staring fixedly at the enchanted spear. The surprise and disbelief which had been in the headman's expression when Kagome had first begun her explanation had now changed to horrified dismay as he truly grasped the actual fate of the valley's last daimyo.

Miroku quickly concluded that the elderly man had had more than enough stress that morning. However, before he could say anything, Kagome was describing the trapped spirit's request that she take the contents of the cloth bag to a 'hidden' waterfall and a mysterious 'she' who could tell them more of the seal upon the spear. At that point, it immediately became evident to all that InuYasha was about to become a very active participant in the conversation.

The half-demon's yellow eyes flashed and his dark eyebrows promptly knit into a 'V' as his frown deepened dramatically. Kagome halted her narrative, realising that her dog-eared friend planned to protest loudly about any further postponement of his search for the serpent demons. The teenage girl groaned inwardly as she thought of the deep sorrow which she had felt coming from Lord Ryunosuke, and of the spirit's claim that he could hear all that was said within the shrine. She suddenly found herself wishing that she had waited until they had all left the building before telling her story.

Fortunately, Miroku had no wish to see the effect a hanyo-strength tantrum could have on the already distressed Takeo. This, he thought determinedly, is neither the time nor the place for an argument.

'Well!' said the monk, his eyes crinkling as he pasted a beatific smile on his face, '...it would seem we've much to discuss!' Then, after firmly clasping InuYasha on the shoulder, Miroku swiftly ushered the suddenly bewildered-looking half-demon through the door of the shrine (followed by a relieved-looking Kagome) before he could even sputter a protest.

'I think we could all benefit from some sun and fresh air about now, InuYasha,' continued Miroku. 'It's such a lovely morning...' As they were exiting the building, however, he caught Sango's eye and gestured subtly toward Takeo. The young woman nodded and, with Kirara at her heels, walked over to the headman who was now holding the spear and still staring at it with an expression rife with anxiety.

'Master Takeo?' Sango asked softly. 'Are you all right, sir?'

The older man looked up at her, momentarily startled. Then, he gave a brief, humourless chuckle. 'Ah, lady demon-slayer... such a question.' He shook his head as he looked down on the spear in his hands. 'No... No, I don't think I am,' he answered, his voice low and pensive.

Takeo then looked up again and, on seeing the worried expression on Sango's face, gave her a wan smile. 'Perhaps you're wondering why I should accept the young priestess' findings,' he said. 'I should doubt a stranger making such a far-fetched claim, should I not? And, I might have, except...' – he shook his head wonderingly – 'Lady Kagome's description of Lord Ryunosuke could have been taken directly from my ancestor Daisuke's writings. His records are most detailed, except,' he added softly, 'there is no mention of this... this sealing of the daimyo's soul.'

As he spoke, the village headman ran his hand gently over the demon-bone blade; then, he turned and bent to return it to its resting place within the altar. The girl also spoke of the waterfall, he mused to himself, and a thoughtful frown flitted across his lined face. Even if she had prior knowledge of the spot (and Takeo sincerely doubted that was the case), it's impossible that she would know of its significance.

The connection between the falls and the last Mizumimoto daimyo was but a brief notation in Daisuke's records, but the elderly shrine keeper remembered the story – just as he remembered the first time he himself had visited the 'hidden' cascade and its deep pool. He had been no older than Shiro when, one bright summer morn, the more adventurous Taro had convinced him to join him in exploring the narrow deer tracks which were the only paths to the isolated site. They had not lingered long at the waterfall, however, for they had felt intimidated by the seclusion of the place – and, though neither had voiced their suspicions at the time, both boys had later admitted to each other that they had felt as if something there had been watching them.

With this thought, Takeo wondered just who Lady Kagome was supposed to meet at the falls. When a certain conclusion stirred at the back of his mind, he quickly suppressed it, deciding that it was simply too improbable (and unsettling) to consider for now. With another soft sigh, the elderly man slowly straightened and stepped around the altar to where its cover lay.

He nodded his thanks to Sango as she moved forward to help him replace the altar top. Before they grasped the heavy piece of wood in place, however, Takeo paused and gestured for her to wait. Then, facing the altar, he bowed deeply.

'Daimyo,' he murmured, his voice raspy with emotion 'I... we... We did not know, Lord Ryunosuke. We did not know of your... imprisonment...' He touched his head to the floor, unmindful of the sympathy in Sango's eyes as she silently watched.

'My family has failed you,' Takeo whispered. 'Please, forgive your servants.'


After having spent what he considered to have been a worrisome long time watching the little shrine, Kakusamaru was at last being rewarded for his diligence. His targets were finally emerging from the building.

Once again cursing the brightness of the sunlight, the shadow-user crouched lower in the shrubbery and irritably shrugged his shoulders. How he longed to be quit of the accursed place! The air about the shrine still resonated with spiritual energy and, though it had diminished greatly since he had first arrived, enough remained to cause the blue-skinned yokai to feel decidedly... twitchy.

Nevertheless, he had no choice but to endure – Kakusamaru knew that considerable pain would be in his future if he did not discover InuYasha's purpose in the valley. Thus, he now crept as close to the clearing as he dared, preparing to make use of the sharp hearing Naraku had seen fit to bestow on his latest servant.

Dark eyes narrowed speculatively as the silent yokai counted only two humans with the hanyo – why, he wondered, had some of the party remained within? This worrying thought was suddenly put on hold, however, as he came within listening range of his targets' conversation.

'We can't put this off again, Kagome!' he heard the half-demon's angry voice saying. 'Naraku's more important...'

'I'm not saying that,' the girl responded. Her voice was quickly losing any conciliatory tone it may have held as she continued. 'I'm just saying that we can't leave the daimyo trapped there...'

'Now, InuYasha, be reasonable. If you'll just listen to my suggestion...' interjected the monk.

'Huh!'

Kakusamaru's eyes widened in amazement; he almost forgot his discomfort as he studied the first argument he had ever witnessed. He found the experience to be both novel and entertaining – especially given the fact that he had already presumed these humans to be InuYasha's subordinates. Now, however, he quickly concluded that his understanding of group dynamics had been far too simplistic.

One white eyebrow rose in surprise and an appreciative smirk appeared on the slim demon's face as he realised that the delicate-looking female was actually daring to scold the furiously scowling hanyo. How very... diverting she is, he mused. I wonder if all humans are so intriguing?

However, his amusement waned as he began to absorb the actual content of the debate, and to consider its many implications.

So, InuYasha hunts the snakes, Kakusamaru thought, his brow puckering in a pensive frown. His presence here has nothing to do with Sesshoumaru. That should satisfy Naraku, except...

The blue yokai wondered... Surely it will be a nuisance if this volatile fellow begins hovering about the tunnels? Not that Naraku's lair would be easily found – the serpent demons' tunnels were a veritable maze, and Kakusamaru knew that it would take even a sharp-nosed half-demon days to decipher them. Then, a far more disturbing hypothesis occurred to him.

What if Sesshoumaru detected his sibling?

Kanna had told Kakusamaru that there was bad blood between the inu brothers; thus, the younger incarnation now reasoned, the two would probably battle if they met. And, a battle could divert Sesshoumaru from Naraku's purpose.

Naraku's spy shuddered – he did not like that thought at all, especially after having carefully orchestrated everything so that the dog demon would be inclined to investigate the lakeshore that very night. Thus far, all had happened as Naraku had directed. Sesshoumaru's pride had demanded revenge against the one who had 'possessed' his human ward, and he had come to the valley to confront Taka; Kakusamaru believed that the girl's apparent death could only provide an equal if not greater incentive for the powerful inu yokai to seek out the dangerous ghost.

Although, the blue-skinned demon huffed to himself, I can leave nothing to chance. A moue of displeasure crossed his face as he shot an annoyed look at his palm. If only the little human's body had not proven to be so unexpectedly fragile, he thought petulantly.

It would have been infinitely more reassuring to the shadow-user if he had still been able watch the dog demon through the girl's eyes. Unfortunately, now that his link to her body had been severed, he would have to track down Sesshoumaru before nightfall – there was no doubt in his mind that, once apprised of the situation, Naraku would order him to be absolutely certain that the dog demon's interest in the Lake of Tears had not diminished.

That being said, the disgruntled Kakusamaru was determined to postpone that particular task until later in the day in other words, as close to sundown as possible. He had vowed that he would never again underestimate the acuity of the taiyokai's senses.

Suddenly, Kakusamaru had more to occupy his eyes and ears, for the old shrine-keeper, accompanied by the armoured demon-slayer and her pet two-tail, had left the shrine to join the others and the topic of conversation was changing. Efficiently compartmentalising all other concerns to the back of his mind, the incarnation who had been created to spy continued to do exactly that.

Before long, Kakusamaru heard the monk mention the lakeshore's inhabitant. The demon grinned ferally when he realised that it had been a desire to know more about Taka which had initially drawn the group to the shrine; when he heard the word 'exorcism', he snorted inwardly. Foolish monk – you haven't the power. Taka is no ordinary spirit. She would destroy you, body and soul.

Then, Kakusamaru discovered just how much of a bother InuYasha and his companions were going to be to him.

'It's only sensible that we split up, InuYasha,' he now heard the monk saying. 'I still wish to see the shrine's records – and not just to learn the story behind the ghost. Those scrolls may also hold some clues about just what happened to Lord Ryunosuke.'

'Fine,' the half-demon grunted in response. 'Suit yourself. C'mon, Kagome,' he said, as he crouched down with his back to the girl. 'Climb on so we can get going.'

There was a rather gravid pause, then the human girl answered: 'You know... I really think I should stay here with Miroku and Master Takeo. My contact with the spear wasn't long enough to...'

Another argument ensued as the girl pleaded her case. This time, however, their unseen listener was too busy considering his next move to be entertained by the conflict.

This is most annoying, the blue-skinned yokai thought. His orders had been to observe InuYasha. However, the information he had just gleaned would indicate that his time would be better spent watching the monk and the girl. He looked up at the sky and frowned. Naturally, the one time I would welcome the sight of a saimyosho, none appear...

Kakusamaru shrugged Unfortunately, he could not be in two places at once. His course was clear – he would follow orders and trail InuYasha to the upper reaches of the valley, beyond the lake. Once there, he would be able to slip into the tunnels and report to Kanna in detail.

He was very certain that this new information he had just gleaned would result in some revisions being made to tonight's plan.

As he continued to watch, the debate between InuYasha and the female called Kagome abruptly ended with the half-demon's grudging agreement to the girl's wish to remain behind, (followed by a terse caveat to 'leave that damned spear alone' until he returned). Then, with an abrupt 'let's go, Sango' to the demon-slayer, a very annoyed-looking InuYasha turned and bounded up the road leading to the Lake of Tears.

Kakusamaru's eyebrows shot up with surprise as he watched the small two-tailed cat enlarge into a full-sized firecat; he then winced as he saw that the feline yokai was the demon-slayer's mount, and that it flew – in fact, it flew very quickly indeed.

Grumbling to himself about now having to evade detection by two sharp-nosed and undoubtedly dangerous beings, Naraku's spy slipped deeper into the trees and began to swiftly, and oh-so-cautiously, pursue his quarry.


A/N: Just to elaborate on Jaken's new title... When I went searching for the Irish translation of toad, I was met with a selection of words. I ended up narrowing it down to cnádán because this word seems to refer to a particular species called the Natterjack Toad, which (oh happy coincidence) was described in one source as a spindly-legged, potbellied fellow with one of the loudest calls known amongst amphibians. Sound like someone we know?

Next: Sesshoumaru and Aine