A1969: before going on with the next chapter, I'd like to thanks those who reviewed and those who read, naturally.
Inuyasha: don't you always? They know how grateful you are! No need to waste your time writing down your gratitude.
Kagome: well, in Inuyasha's opinion, he doesn't to show his gratitude 'cause he's never thankful, isn't that right, Inuyasha?
Inuyasha: got nothing to be thankful for.
Kagome: aw! Don't say that, Inuyasha, I'm sure thankful about a lot of things! Like…er…
A1969: while Kagome thinks what exactly Inuyasha should be thankful for, enjoy the chapter!

C H A P T E R_N I N E T E E N:
-o-a Question, a Sword and a Realization-o-

CoCoCoCoCoCoCo

-o-o-Clara-o-o-

I can't believe I was really going to do this.

For one thing, I was certain, one hundred percent, that going back to Midoriko's grave—the very place where Kikyou died—would bring back painful memories of the night Kikyou died; for another, going to Midoriko's grave meant wasting more of Sesshoumaru's precious time—as if he didn't have enough time on his hands.

However, I knew that, in the end, I would eventually return to Midoriko's grave to retrieve the sword that Kikyou and I failed to obtain. It might as well be now, at least.

Sesshoumaru, however, didn't look as though he was willing.

"Midoriko's grave?" His perfectly shaped eyebrows were raised. His voice, I couldn't help notice, sounded like icy silk. "You wish to waste more of my time?"

I shrugged innocently up at him. "It's for a good cause…"

He was quiet for a moment, walking on as though nothing bothered him. "Sesshoumaru?" I asked hesitantly.

He glanced sharply down at me, and I inwardly cringed. "What cause do you speak of?" he asked at last, his cold eyes staring on ahead.

"Well," I began. "Before…she…died"—it was amazing how my voice choked on that word—"Kikyou and I went to Midoriko's grave in order to retrieve something, a sword of Midoriko's. I forgot the name, though. I think it began with an 'S'. Um…Shinsei, I think."

He was silent again, his thoughts pensive. "Foolish," he said at last, in the same cold tone that he always used.

"Excuse me?" I raised my eyebrows at him. "Foolish? Me?"

"Am I speaking to anyone else?" he retorted. I glared up at him, but he went on as though he didn't notice. "Yes, you are foolish. Returning to the place where Kikyou died would not bode well for you."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Was he…could he be…concerned about me?

"You would weep again. It would be annoying."

Okay…he wasn't concerned then.

"I think I could handle the emotional break down, thank you very much," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "I'm sorry I'm not a walking block of ice like you."

He stopped in his tracks and glared at me, his eyes narrowed dangerously. I inwardly gulped, remembering that Sesshoumaru had a little temper problem despite the icy façade. I continued walking on ahead, pretending not to notice his dangerous glare, when he suddenly spoke up.

"Very well, then," he said condescendingly. "Let us go to Midoriko's grave…and let us see if you can handle it."

I gulped. Great, just great. A challenge. One that I would easily lose.

- - - - - - - - - -

We continued walking on for sometime, until we came to a clearing. "Ah-Un!" I cried out. The dragon was curled up on the grass, his scaly tail wrapped snugly around him. At the sound of my voice, he raised both of his scaly heads at me, snorting. I ran towards him and stroked his scaly neck. "Long time no see, huh?" I asked him. I glanced around. "Where're Jaken and Rin?"

"Were you not paying attention earlier?" he asked in a tone that questioned my attention span.

I blinked. "Oh," I said. "They're with your mom. Sorry, I forgot."

He looked as though he wanted to roll his eyes at me. "Ah-Un," he said quietly. Immediately, the dragon stood on his legs and stretched his heads. "Hurry up," he said to me. Before I could even think of a decent retort, I felt a shift in his demonic aura and watched as he slowly took off into the air, leaving a trail of clouds in his wake.

He could fly? I never knew. Sure, he could turn into a giant dog, but he could fly? I suddenly felt a gentle nudge against my back. I gave a sudden start as I spun around. Ah-Un was standing behind me, nudging me, waiting for me to mount him.

Great. I really must've pissed off Sesshoumaru now. He knew that I hated flying. He knew that I was afraid—no, not afraid, I was terrified—of heights. Whenever I looked down from a great height, I had this terrible sensation as though I wanted to jump off. He knew I was altophobic and he wanted to get even for my little remark earlier.

Ha! He thought I didn't know! Unfortunately for him, I was not going to show weakness. With the slightest hesitance, I gingerly swung a leg on Ah-Un and gripped his reins with somewhat icy hands. "Hey, Ah-Un," I whispered tentatively to the dragon, certain that he could understand me. "Er…Do you mind going a little slow?" So much for not showing any fear.

Ah-Un, however, was on his master's side. With a lunge, he leapt into the air. "Hey!" I cried out, not gripping his reins, but, instead, hugging one of his necks. He glided smoothly through the air, easily catching up to Sesshoumaru.

The breeze blew against me, blowing my hair over my shoulders. I sighed as I gripped Ah-Un's reins tightly in my hands. Don't look down, I told myself. Don't look down, don't look down—look anywhere except down…

My eyes strayed to the demon flying beside me—about several meters away, actually. His golden eyes were fixed intently on the horizon, his face a smooth emotionless mask. His silver hair blew behind him, making him look ethereal. For a moment, I wondered what he was thinking about. Was he thinking about what he would rather do with the time he was wasting on me? I sighed. Why should I care about what he was thinking about anyway? I sighed again and bowed my head—inadvertently staring below me in the process.

That…was…a…long…way…to…the…ground!

"Crap!" I cried out, letting go of Ah-Un's reins and tightly hugging one of his necks. I closed my eyes tightly and heard Ah-Un snort in protest at my python like hold.

"Fool." I heard Sesshoumaru distinctly say.

- - - - - - - - - - -

I spent of most the flight (a.k.a. torture) burying my face in Ah-Un's scaly neck, closing my eyes and, sometimes, holding my breath. I knew that it was…pathetic. I mean, I was in Feudal Japan where demons abound, and yet, I feared…heights. But, really, who wouldn't? Heights made me feel so…helpless. The feeling of the cold wind whipping through my hair, the feeling of knowing that you weren't in control…

That kinda fear.

I even acted up during airplane flights—and that was just embarrassing.

So, now, my eyes were clamped shut as I clutched onto Ah-Un's neck, regretting my rash decision to mock Sesshoumaru. If I hadn't, maybe we would be walking to Midoriko's grave, rather than flying towards it. I gritted my teeth together…

Midoriko's grave…

The place where Kikyou died.

I shuddered at the thought. Was I really capable of stepping on the ground where she had died, where she had died in my arms? Was I capable of being in the place where it all happened? The death of my mentor and friend…

The worst part was that, being in Midoriko's cave, I would be constantly reminded that it was my fault that she was dead in the first place…

At that thought, the void that had been healing suddenly opened. I let out a sigh, feeling the pain again…and the guilt.

I didn't feel so good.

I opened my eyes slightly and then realized that Ah-Un was slowly descending. I felt my stomach clench tightly as I buried my face in Ah-Un's neck. No, Midoriko's grave, the place where Kikyou died…

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-o-o-Sesshoumaru-o-o-

In truth, she was…strange.

From the peripheral of my vision, I could see her burying her face in Ah-Un's neck, her eyes closed tightly and her lips pursed. She looked as though she were in pain. The expression on her face was so intense that I considered ordering Ah-Un to land, but thought better of it. She deserved a little taste of fear after the show of disrespect earlier.

I knew that frightening her was somewhat…childish, still, I did I wanted to do.

I turned my gaze away from her and towards the horizon. In the distance, I could make out the clearing where Midoriko's grave was located. I glanced at her again, somewhat surprised to see that her face had lost it's anguished look. Instead, with her eyes still closed, she looked as though she were merely asleep.

That changed, however, when we descended.

The expression on her face suddenly changed from peaceful to anguished. I landed a few meters away from Ah-Un, my eyes on Clara. Her eyes were still closed and she was still clinging on to the dragon in that strange manner of hers. She didn't want to get off, that much was obvious. Hn. Was she regretting her decision to return to this place?

I inwardly sighed. This girl was hopeless. "Miko," I said.

She didn't move. She remained clinging on to Ah-Un as though they were both carved from stone. I inwardly sighed. Kikyou had trained such a worthless apprentice. What could have made her do it? I wondered idly as I approached Ah-Un. How could Kikyou have had the patience to deal with this girl?

I tapped Ah-Un on the head. The dragon looked up at me. "Ah-Un," I said, slight impatience in my voice. The dragon reared on its hind legs, dislodging the girl who clung to him.

Clara slid the whole length of Ah-Un's back and fell to the ground with a muffled groan. She looked up, glaring at me. "What was that for, you jerk?" she suddenly snapped, her eyes a strange blue color.

For a moment, I wondered what 'jerk' meant. "You were taking too long," I pointed out, annoyed, but, of course, neither my expression nor tone of voice showed it.

She opened her mouth to make a retort, but thought better of it. She stood up and dusted herself off. Clara still wore the strange assortment of garments from her world and this…annoyed me. She sighed then looked around, her expression guarded. Her eyes narrowed at the environment around her, and then, she sighed again, a look of guilt, defeat and sorrow dominating her facial features.

Of course.

This was the place where Kikyou died in her arms. I could imagine—actually, I could not, as I did not sympathize with her—the guilt that must rack her at this moment.

I could have cared less.

She sighed, then glanced around again, her gaze resting on the entrance to Midoriko's cave. "Right," she mumbled to herself as she hesitantly took a step forward. She took another step, then another; then, very abruptly, she stopped in her tracks. My gaze strayed to her face. There were conflicting emotions written on her features. She bit her lip, and closed her eyes, as though buried in deep thought. She suddenly opened those eyes (a dull, dreary blue, I couldn't help but notice).

"I can't," she mumbled, more to herself than to me. Before I could even decipher what she meant, she quickly spun on her heel and ran off, disappearing into the trees.

What a bother.

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-o-o-Clara-o-o-

I couldn't do it.

I couldn't stand being there—being the place where Kikyou had died, in the place where I…where I…had inadvertently killed her. The guilt raged through me as I stared at the entrance to Midoriko's grave, aware of Sesshoumaru's cold gaze on me. I took a hesitant step towards the mouth of the cave, staring into its dark depths. The barrier that blocked the entrance pulsed at each step I took.

I stopped.

I suddenly remembered a conversation me and Kikyou had, in this very same place, a long time ago…

"Well?" Kikyou asked. "Are you going in or not?"

"I was hoping that…you could go first."

"No," Kikyou said. "It is only right that you go first."

"I can't."

"I know it can be hard," Kikyou said soothingly. "But you must do it."

"But—"

"Trust me."

But now, there was no Kikyou to trust, no Kikyou to encourage me, no Kikyou to tell me not to be frightened…

I took a step back from the cave. "I can't," I whispered, more to myself than to the demon lord with me. Without even thinking, I spun around and darted off, into the forest.

I ran through the trees, not caring whether or not I would trip. I didn't care if Sesshoumaru was following me or not—I doubted that he was, anyway. I ran through the trees for several minutes until I finally came across a winding stream that cut through the path in the trees. I stopped, out of breath, leaning against a nearby tree's low hanging branches.

I breathed, closing my eyes as I did so. A sharp cutting pain seared through my chest. Guilt. Pain. Sorrow…they seemed to be weld heavily inside of me, forged together like a sword stabbed into me. I couldn't help it—being in the place where Kikyou died was just too…too much.

Quietly, I sobbed and leaned my head against the tree's branches, hearing nothing but the sound of my own silent keening and the soft bubbling of the stream. This was getting out of hand, but there was nothing I could do—the guilt was just there.

Sesshoumaru must think I'm pretty pathetic, I thought wistfully, surprised that I cared. After all, had it not been I who had suggested that we sidetrack and come here in the first place? He must think I'm weak…and pathetic…and foolish…wait—he thought those already.

I felt my knees give way, I fell to my knees on the ground, letting my head rest against the hard woody trunk of the tree and sighed.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, as though to Kikyou. Who knew? Maybe, her spirit could hear me…

"You have nothing to be sorry for," a gentle voice murmured.

I looked up, expecting to see Sesshoumaru (and that would be miraculous, if not, strange and…disturbing), instead, Takeshi was standing on the stream, his gentle eyes fixed on me.

"You again," I murmured, wiping the tears from my eyes. I did not bother standing up, too sunk in my grief as I was.

He walked towards me, making a comforting sloshing sound on the stream. I watched, wary-eyed, as he approached dry land and knelt down beside me, smiling.

"You have a very gentle nature, Midoriko," he murmured, tilting my chin upward, his smile reaching his eyes. "Unlike in your past life, you cry now"—he smiled, as though remembering something that amused him—"so unlike before!"

I didn't answer, instead, I looked up at him, my eyes narrowed and—for a moment—my guilt forgotten. "Who are you, really?" I inquired. "I've been asking you that…but you never answer me. So…who are you? Why do you…help me? And why do you refer to me often as Midoriko?"

His smile, comforting, turned into a frown. "I've told you before, haven't I?"

This time, I really did forget my troubles and guilt. "You've told me you were my friend," I reminded. "Shouldn't friends be honest with each other?"

"I'd tell you," he said quietly. "But…I can't."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Why not?"

He shrugged innocently. He suddenly smiled again—a crooked smile. "Now, where were we before you interrupted?" he mused. "Ah, yes. Don't waste your time on tears, Midoriko, instead go back to the cave and retrieve Shinsei."

At the mention of the word 'cave', the guilt suddenly crept back on me. "I…I can't," I mumbled.

"You can," he assured me. He held my hands and gently pulled me to my feet, still not letting go of my hands. "And you will," he added.

I shook my head. "Being in that cave—the place where she died, no, the place where I killed her—" I choked, not able to finish my sentence.

He placed one of his fingers against my lips, silencing my blabbering. "Listen," he said, somewhat amused. "How many times must it be said to you? You are not responsible for your mentor's death. You never were. Even Inuyasha says so…" His voice trailed off, and I narrowed my eyes suspiciously at him.

"Inuyasha?" I asked. My eyes suddenly widened. "Were you…were you watching me?"

He looked up at me guiltily. "Someone had to make sure that you were alright," he replied. "Seeing as Lord Sesshoumaru is too dense to deal with any kind of emotion—guilt included." He sighed. "Why Kikyou asked him of all people to take you to Mt. Tenku…" His voice trailed off.

I felt despair at the mention of Kikyou's name—but it was easily overrode by the disbelief I felt. "You were spying on me the whole time?" I asked. "Why?"

He let go of me. He sighed. "I was concerned, Midoriko," he said quietly. "Normally, I shouldn't be. But, yes, I was watching you, making sure that you were out of harm's way—"

"That's why Kikyou asked Sesshoumaru to take me to Mt. Tenku," I pointed out. "Because he can protect me."

He raised his eyebrows. "Oh, yes," he said sarcastically (I never heard him being sarcastic before). "Lord Sesshoumaru can protect you from all those dangers—but can he protect you from himself?"

His last remark caught me off guard. "What are you talking about?" I asked, the guilt totally overrode by fear…and curiosity.

He sighed, letting his voice drop. He glanced around the trees. "Lord Sesshoumaru looks…controlled does he not?" he said quietly. "Few people know his…true nature."

Inuyasha's words suddenly returned. Hiding your true colors…

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice subdued.

"What do you know of Lord Sesshoumaru?" he asked.

"That he…that he…he's—"

"A killer," Takeshi finished, sighing. "The reason why I've been watching you is because I fear his godly self control might…slip."

"That never happens," I pointed out.

He shrugged. "Besides," I went on, a little too defensively, I couldn't help but notice. "I already know about his being a killer—no need to point it out to me, thank you very much."

He considered me for a moment. "I suppose you know that—of course you do. So, you see the reason why I've been watching you."

No. Something told me that wasn't the main reason why he was watching me. He was lying. We were both silent for a moment. "Midoriko," he said again. "Come with me."

I looked up, surprised. "What?"

"Come with me," he repeated. "I can take you to Mt. Tenku after you retrieve the sword. You do not need to travel with Lord Sesshoumaru."

Travel with him and not with Sesshoumaru? For some strange reason…I didn't want to. I was about to open my mouth to reply, when Takeshi suddenly tensed, his eyes glued to the trees. I spun around to see what he was seeing.

Sesshoumaru walked out of the shadows of the trees, his eyes cold and his sword in hand. Takeshi automatically pushed me behind him, his sword already in his hand. "Lord Sesshoumaru," he said mockingly.

I glanced at Sesshoumaru. His expression was unreadable. "You again," Sesshoumaru said, his voice colder than ice. He turned his amber gaze to me. "Clara, come," he ordered.

I was about to take a step towards him, but Takeshi automatically blocked my way. "She comes with me, Lord Sesshoumaru," he said defiantly. "I will take her to Mt. Tenku."

"She was entrusted to me, unfortunately," Sesshoumaru said. I raised my eyebrows. Wouldn't it be best for both of us if he just let me go with Takeshi? That way, I wouldn't be wasting his time anymore, right?

"Then let me relieve you of your burden." Burden?! Really…So, I was a burden huh?

I sighed then stepped away from him, towards Sesshoumaru. And, for some reason, despite Takeshi's dark hints about Sesshoumaru earlier, I didn't feel…afraid. I felt…safe. The kind of feeling that you get when you know you've made the right choice…Was I even choosing? Perhaps I was, I didn't know.

"Midoriko," Takeshi said, grasping my shoulder. "What are you…?"

"I don't want to burden you," I snapped, not knowing why his referring to me in that way made me this angry.

Realization dawned in his eyes. He sighed and, unexpectedly, stowed his sword away in its sheath. "I have offended you," he said, sighing. He glared at Sesshoumaru, who hadn't lowered his sword. "If you harm her…I will kill you."

Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrows. "You kill me?" he mocked. "Do not try to humor me. Now, leave, before I decide to end your life now. And another thing—if I sense your presence again, I shall not hesitate to send you to the next world."

Takeshi snorted but turned on his heel and stalked off. "Another time, then, Midoriko," his voice called out.

There was silence for several moments, then Sesshoumaru turned and walked away. "Wait up!" I called out as I followed him.

He stopped in his tracks and spun around to face me with such speed and grace that I gaped. He glared. "Silence," he said and continued walking on.

I silently regretted not going with Takeshi.

- - - - - - - - - - -

We returned to Midoriko's grave in a subdued mood—well, at least I was the subdued one. Sesshoumaru was…Sesshoumaru, as always.

The small confrontation had replayed itself in my mind over and over until I suddenly realized that I was standing just outside of the cave mouth, the barrier in front of me pulsing at my approach. I looked up at Sesshoumaru—he was staring at the barrier with narrowed eyes. I hesitated, waiting for the guilt to come and rack me—it did, though not in the same magnitude as before. This was mostly due to the fact that I was preoccupied with the little rift between Takeshi and Sesshoumaru.

I hesitated right outside the barrier, then I removed my backpack from my shoulders. I rummaged around in its pockets until I found the Sacred Jewel. I didn't want to leave it out here. I dropped my bag to the ground and stuffed the Sacred Jewel into my jeans pocket.

"Well?" Sesshoumaru said.

Oh, right. Time—his time—was being wasted. I hesitantly stepped through the barrier, feeling the warmth as I crossed through the barrier and into the cave's darkness.

Once I was inside, I turned to look back at Sesshoumaru who was still standing outside. "Er…you aren't coming?" I asked hesitantly. He raised his eyebrows at me, as though wondering why I still asked my question. He suddenly reached towards the barrier with his hand. As his hand made contact with the barrier, blue light flashed where his fingers touched the barrier—it must have stung seeing as he slowly withdrew his hand.

Oh.

The barrier rejected him.

I suddenly remembered what Kikyou had once said, that only people with compassion for those who suffered because of the Sacred Jewel could enter Midoriko's grave. Compassion was not something that Sesshoumaru felt everyday. I think he didn't even give the slightest care to the people who suffered because of the Sacred Jewel, hence, Midoriko's barrier refused to let him through.

Sesshoumaru was…compassionless. He did not feel pity and mercy to those who were unfortunate.

He was cold.

And pitiless.

I looked at him for a moment, and he looked right back at me. Through the blue haze of the barrier, I could make out his unfathomable golden eyes—eyes that seemed to hold me in their power. I couldn't pull myself away from his gaze. No—it wasn't that I couldn't pull my gaze away from his, it was that I didn't want to pull my gaze away from his…

I felt my heart beating faster in my chest, felt the blood rise to my cheeks…

His eyes narrowed infinitesimally, then he pulled his gaze away from my own, his eyes straying to the cave's dark interior. "Hurry back," he ordered as he turned on his heel and walked towards Ah-Un.

I didn't idle by the cave entrance; instead, I dashed into the cave, stopping when I was certain that it was dark enough for him not to see me. I stopped and leaned against the rocky tunnel wall, closing my eyes as I did so. Despite the fact that I was back in the place where Kikyou and I had last been, I didn't feel guilt building within me—instead, I felt…something else.

When I had looked at Sesshoumaru and when he had inadvertently held my gaze, I couldn't help but stare back at him, as though he held me with his eyes. I knew I could've pulled away from his gaze but…

For some reason, I didn't want to. He had pulled away, not me. Why? Why did I not pull away from those golden eyes?

Takeshi's words suddenly returned to me. Lord Sesshoumaru can protect you from all those dangers—but can he protect you from himself?

But can he protect you from himself?

I had a feeling that there was a double meaning to Takeshi's words—and I had a feeling that I knew what that double meaning was. I closed my eyes and leaned against the cave wall. I would not continue walking until I could figure out what that double meaning was…

Can he protect you from himself?

Takeshi already knew that I knew that Sesshoumaru was a cold-blooded killer with a temper problem and who might (just might) loose control of himself (rarely), so why would he bother saying that? What did he really mean by 'protect you from himself?'

I sighed and opened my eyes. I'll figure out Takeshi's little cryptic remark later, I decided. First, I had to go and grab Midoriko's sword.

- - - - - - - - - - -

As I neared the cavern where Midoriko's and the demon's remains were located, I felt a familiar sense of dread build up within me. This was the very place where it had happened—where Kikyou had used her remaining strength in order to rescue me from the strange incorporeal demon that had awoken. Because she had used her remaining strength, Kikyou soon died…

All because of me.

I staggered as I stepped into the chamber. My head began to swim with the images of Kikyou using her remaining strength in order to save me…

Me.

Useless, worthless me.

I stopped in my tracks, letting the guilt wash over me. I closed my eyes. No, I told myself. Now was not the time to cry—now was the time to finish what Kikyou and I started.

Hesitantly, I opened my eyes and stared at the crystallized forms of Midoriko and the demon that had eventually killed her. No—the demon had not killed her, she had killed both of them. I took a step towards their crystallized forms, my eyes fixed on Midoriko and nothing else.

Midoriko was…beautiful. Even in death, one could still see traces of her beauty encased in the crystal. Could I have been the reincarnation of someone so beautiful? Or maybe there was a rule to this whole reincarnation thing—in one life, you were beautiful, in the next, you were plain. As I approached the crystal, I wondered if Midoriko's eyes were as startling as mine. Funny, it gave me little solace to know that at least there was one part of me that was beautiful—if not my face, at least my eyes.

By this time, I had now approached the crystallized form. I hesitated as I grabbed onto the demon's stiff tentacles to hoist myself onto one of its massive, spiky coils. From above, little sunlight filtered through a hole in the cave, giving me the illumination I needed. I carefully grabbed onto the demon's horn so I could climb up onto its head—and come face to face with Midoriko again.

Like the last time, I couldn't help but stare at her. Her face was so serene, it didn't look as though she had been through hell, battling the demon that I stood on; it looked as though she were merely asleep. With my one hand, I held on to the demon's horn, with the other, I caressed Midoriko's cheek, feeling the cold, slippery crystal that encased her flesh.

I was her before, I realized, as though I didn't know it yet. It was funny; the contrast between this beautiful priestess and me was just too pronounced. Midoriko was very beautiful whereas I was merely plain (at least my eyes made up for the plainness, or so they said); Midoriko had been brave while I was…well, not exactly cowardly but certainly not brave (like Inuyasha or Sango); Midoriko, I assumed, had to be graceful when she had still lived while I was a klutz on my feet.

I sighed as I let the hand that held her cheek fall to my side in defeat. Kikyou would have told me that I was just as good as Midoriko. But there was no more Kikyou…

I took a deep breath before the guilt could wash over me again. Steady, I told myself. I didn't want to fall off this crystallized demon.

My eyes now strayed to the crystallized sheath at Midoriko's waist. The crystal that wrapped around the sheath and the hilt of Shinsei was not so thick, that would enable me to grab the sheath. I secured my grip on the demon's horn as I stretched out towards Midoriko's waist, my hand outstretched. I grasped the sword's sheath and wiggled it around, trying to loosen the crystal that trapped the sword.

"C'mon you stupid thing," I muttered, wiggling the sheath around. The crystal slowly started to crumble. "Yes!" I crowed as the sheath came free. I stared at the sheathed sword as I brought it close to my face. The sheath was made of polished mahogany and carved with an intricate pattern of chrysanthemums. These I could make out through the thin sheen of crystal that coated the sheath.

I suddenly felt a tremor.

I looked down. My subconscious already knew what was happening before I could react. Baka! I had the Sacred Jewel with me! I shouldn't have brought it! I automatically jumped off the crystallized forms of Midoriko and the demon, sheath grasped tightly in my hand. Instead of landing on my feet as I'd hoped, I fell to the ground in a heap.

"Ow!" I gasped as I felt the rocky ground beneath me. But I couldn't worry about any scrapes or bruises that I'd gotten. My attention was fixed on the incorporeal demon that rose out of the crystallized demon's body…

I screamed.

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-o-o-Sesshoumaru-o-o-

What was taking that girl so long?

I could feel impatience building within me, threatening to escape me in the form of an irritated growl. I was in a hurry because my mother had told me that I was to meet someone—well, unfortunately for whoever awaited me, they would have to wait seeing as I did not like to be rushed…but found myself rushing anyway.

My eyes strayed to the cave where Midoriko's barrier stubbornly refused to let me through. Well, with Clara in the cave, at least I had a chance to think.

Takeshi.

That bastard who dared to challenge me. Hn. He was brave, I'll have to admit—only few dared to point their swords at me in that blatant manner.

What had his purpose been in trying to persuade Clara to leave with him? And why in the name of my dead honorable father did I not permit Takeshi to take her away? The second question was easily answered—I had given Kikyou my word that I would Clara to Mt. Tenku. The first question was not so easily answered.

Takeshi…

In what way are you acquainted with Clara? I thought staring at the cave, leaning back against the tree under which I sat. That was what most bothered me—the fact that he seemed familiar with her, as though he knew her. I did not know much about Takeshi, but I did know that that human could be bothersome. I decided to leave the questions for later. Perhaps Clara could answer them for me.

If that girl would only hurry up.

What, I wondered idly, could she be doing in the cave?

Weeping again, no doubt.

I sighed as I stood up and made my way to the cave's entrance. I stared at the barrier as though willing it to vanish. This barrier refused to let me through—of course, it was created by Midoriko herself and had not Midoriko opposed demons such as myself?

I turned around to go to Ah-Un when an all too familiar shriek emanated from the cave behind me. I spun around and at the same time, withdrew my sword Bakusaiga from its sheath. Without even thinking about my actions, I ran into the cave.

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-o-o-Clara-o-o-

I rolled over to one side as the demon's smoky tail thrashed towards me. I gasped as I felt my arm ram into a rock that protruded from the cave wall. I could feel blood trickling from the gash at my arm, but I ignored it. I had other matters to attend to, such as staying alive.

"Midoriko, back so soon?" the demon asked, its tone menacing.

I grunted as I stood up, still clutching the sheathed sword. I looked up at the demon. "Oh, look," it said mockingly. "No priestess here to protect you!"

My eyes slightly widened at its words. No priestess—no more Kikyou. As much as I hated to admit it, the demon was right—there was no more Kikyou to protect me, no more Kikyou to save me…

"You're all alone," the demon said, its serpentine body coiling around the cave.

Why wasn't it attacking yet? Why wouldn't it just finish me off? Even this demon knew that it was my fault that Kikyou was dead…

"You've always been alone Midoriko," the demon taunted. "Always. You were alone then, you are alone now."

It was right.

So strange. This thing that's trying to kill me is actually right.

Midoriko was alone then.

I was alone now.

The only person who would have bothered to keep me alive was Kikyou and, thanks to me, she was gone.

I sighed. The demon roared as it raised its head above me, rearing high towards the cave ceiling. "Just because I'm alone," I said, looking up at the demon, my eyes narrowed dangerously, "doesn't mean I should quit!" I grasped the hilt of the sword and pulled. The demon froze, its smoky eyes fixed on me as I tugged at the sword…

That remained in its sheath.

Okay. This was awkward.

Darn! The crystal that encased the sheath prevented me from drawing the sword (oh well, I didn't know how to use a sword, anyway).

The demon laughed tauntingly at me. Suddenly, it made lunge towards me, its red eyes growing bigger and bigger as it approached, its jaws opened…

I closed my eyes, waiting…

I didn't feel the demon. Instead, I felt an arm wrap itself securely around my waist and the next thing I could feel was the ground vanishing beneath my feet.

I opened my eyes. "Sesshoumaru!" I gasped. His arm still around my waist, he made one leap to the other side of the cave and out of the demon's way. He deposited me on the ground and spun around to face the demon.

"Oh?" the demon asked, rearing its head so that it could face Sesshoumaru and me. "You came here with a priestess, now you come here with a demon?" It eyed Sesshoumaru critically. "Not just any demon…a demon lord—a daiyoukai. Heh. What could have brought about such a strange partnership? Demons and priestesses are mortal enemies…and yet here you, a demon of the highest rank, is giving aid to a mortal priestess!"

"Enough," Sesshoumaru snapped. He pointed his sword at the demon, his eyes unfathomable. "Dragon Strike!"

Bad idea!

The Dragon Strike's power reverberated off the cave walls, sending bursts of energy at the cave ceiling at the demon who roared with rage. The blue light from the attack blocked my vision, but not my hearing. It was all quite clear—the demon shrieking in rage, the bursts from Sesshoumaru's Dragon Strike…and the stalactites that fell from the cave ceiling.

I gasped as I sidestepped to avoid a falling stalactite. Darn! Sesshoumaru could've at least foreseen what would happen when he unleashed an attack in the cave. I couldn't see well—Sesshoumaru's Dragon Strike made sure of that—I felt certain that a stalactite was going to crush me…

Before I could even contemplate on whether or not being crushed by a stalactite would hurt, I felt something hard ram into me, pushing me against the cave wall, keeping me back from the dangerous swirls of energy and falling rocks…

Do I dare open my eyes?

All around me, I could still hear the sound of rocks falling, and the Dragon Strike reverberating off the walls. I hesitantly opened my eyes and found myself staring straight at Sesshoumaru's armored chest. Both of his hands were on each of my shoulders, pinning me to the wall, keeping me out of reach of his own Dragon Strike. The close proximity made me blush—how strange. I hesitantly looked up at him—he was staring over his shoulder, watching—with satisfaction—at how his Dragon Strike so easily annihilated the demon.

The demon emitted one final terrible roar—which sounded like a shriek—of anger before finally vanishing in a wisp of smoke. As the demon vanished, so did Sesshoumaru's Dragon Strike.

It was suddenly silent.

I became aware of Sesshoumaru's clawed hands still gripping my shoulders tightly. Then, very suddenly, he turned his golden gaze to me. I suddenly couldn't move—no, it was not that couldn't; it was that I didn't want to, like earlier. His gaze seemed to pierce through me, as though he could see through me…

The close proximity to him did not help. I couldn't turn my gaze away from his, paralyzed that I was…

Why?

I slowly felt the blood rise to my cheeks in the form of an innocent blush.

But can he protect you from himself?

It was as though Takeshi's voice was in my head—asking the question that I could neither understand nor find an answer to. Looking up at Sesshoumaru, meeting his golden eyes, I suddenly had a sneaking suspicion that I could both understand and answer Takeshi's cryptic question.

My subconscious could, at least.

I was still struggling to find out the answer to that question when Sesshoumaru suddenly let go of my shoulders just as the last of the stalactites fell from the cave ceiling. I realized then how hard he'd been gripping my shoulders—there were going to be bruises there, I was certain.

Tempted as I was to look at the bruises that were sure to be forming, I turned my attention to the cave and my eyebrows shot up in surprise. Deep grooves had been carved into the ground because of Sesshoumaru's attack; the cave walls looked as though large amounts of rock and earth had been scooped out of them, leaving depressions; the cave ceiling was nearly devoid of all stalactites except for several that looked as though they were endanger of falling off. My gaze automatically turned to the crystallized forms of Midoriko and the demon and to my astonishment, they were untouched. I didn't know if Sesshoumaru intentionally did that or whether or not those crystallized beings were just very lucky.

I felt my eyebrows shoot up at the damage. No wonder he found it necessary to shield me with his body. I blushed at the thought (why the hell am I frequently blushing lately?).

"Are you injured?" Sesshoumaru's cold voice cut through the silence.

I looked up, somewhat startled, and clutched Midoriko's Shinsei closer to me. "Wh-what?" I stammered, unable to believe my ears.

"Are you injured?" he repeated, somewhat impatient.

I blushed. Wow, he was concerned? "No," I said, still feeling surprised and…pleased?

"Good," he said as he turned around to leave. "No more delays, then."

I could feel disbelief coursing through my veins. Really! When I thought that he was finally being a little friendlier!

"Are you coming or not?" he asked as he made his way towards the cave exit.

"Wait for me!" I shouted as I ran after him.

- - - - - - - - - - -

When we reached Midoriko's barrier, I stopped in my tracks, feeling astonished as realization suddenly hit. "Wait a minute," I said before Sesshoumaru could exit the cave. He stopped a few feet from the barrier and stared at me from over his shoulder. "You…got…through the barrier?!" I could hear the astonishment in my voice.

"What of it?"

I blinked stupidly at him. "But…you couldn't go through earlier!" I gasped. "The barrier wouldn't let you!"

He raised his eyebrows in an annoyed way. "No barrier can keep me out," he said as he confidently stepped through the barrier without even feeling its sting.

I could feel astonishment coursing through me. I thought only people who had compassion for the victims of the Sacred Jewel could get through the barrier! The barrier had adamantly rejected Sesshoumaru before—why did it accept him now?

"Clara," Sesshoumaru called, impatient.

"Right," I replied, "I'm coming!"

As I ran through the barrier and out of the cave and towards him, I could feel a small smile on my face as I suddenly realized why he could go through the barrier. Maybe, just maybe, he had more compassion to him; maybe, he wasn't as heartless as I thought he'd be…

Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't the cold-hearted killer I thought he was.

CoCoCoCoCoCoCo

A1969: I'm done!
Inuyasha: be sure to review once you're done reading, ya hear?
Kagome: Inuyasha!
A1969: er…pardon him for his crudeness. But do review! Thanks a million!