"And then what happened, mister Myoga?" Rin asked, avidly listening.

"The priestess' body was burned along with the Shikon Jewel, Kikyo's last wish being with Inuyasha." Myoga's voice came from the vase that was his prison, impressing upon them the tragic tale.

"Wow, and now Inuyasha is in love with her reincarnation? Poor miss priestess!"

"Indeed." The flea nodded then had a sudden realization. What was he doing giving out information to Inuyasha's brother and rival? It all started out with him making small talk with the little girl and found himself becoming the wise storyteller. Oh no! He hoped nothing bad would come out of this!

Sesshomaru idly listened to the conversation before commenting in amusement, "So that is how Naraku came to be. Truly an abomination."

Sesshomaru had spoken. There was silence around the campfire at his unexpected statement.

It wasn't long before Rin broke the silence, however, with her child's train of thought. "So the priestess, was she beautiful, Lord Sesshomaru?"

He thought about it, eyes closed and indifferent. "She's beautiful."

The group waited for him to say more, but he didn't.

"I meant to ask you this my Lord, but why do you hate Inuyasha even though he's your brother?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Jacken said. "Because he's a hanyou, you stupid girl! His mother was human, making him worthless! I'm- erm." His shrill voice tuned down, and he glanced at his Lord. "But that's a forbidden topic. Don't ask about it anymore!"

Rin accepted that and simply said, "I'm human my lord. Do you hate me?"

"Enough of your questions, Rin." He stood, and started walking away.

"Eh? Where are you going my lord?" Said Jacken.

"Don't follow me."

Sesshomaru walked toward the river, intending to be alone. Then he stopped, his eyes narrowed and rolled to his left, sensing a presence over his shoulder.

"Show yourself now or I'll kill you."

"Kukuku~ sharp as always, Sesshomaru." A person with a familiar baboon fur coat and mask stepped out of the foliage.

"Naraku. Here to hook me into another one of your plots?"

"No plots. I came simply to trade information that might interest you."

"Hn. It's funny you came. I've just heard the most interesting tale involving you."

"Is that so?"

"…and the woman named Kikyo."

"…!"

"Your heart beat faster. Is it perhaps the sound of her name that makes it so?"

"That woman is of no consequence," Naraku said voice rough. Then it smoothened. "Come now. I'm not here for small talk. I have it on good authority you've been looking for a suitable replacement for your arm. It's so happens I know where you can find one."

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Kikyo was bent over under the heat to gather vegetables. The field was filled with villagers farming alongside her in this late morning, all wearing a big sakkat to block the sun from their faces. Kikyou came upon this village and settled there for a while, finding a lot of work to be done. Today, vegetables must be harvested to sell to the market.

Doing labor and tending to people in need had been a part of her duties as a priestess. The villagers accepted her, finding her presence a blessing in many different ways village folk needs. Mending, teaching, healing. When all is said and done, to do theses activities is simply something she does, stuck in her ways as she is.

Kikyo paused as she stared at a freshly pluck bean pod, her thoughts turning to her encounter a few days ago. 'Inuyasha's brother,' she thought. The demon Sesshomaru.

They look similar at first glance, but where Inuyasha was all wildness and brash energy, his brother exuded a sort of reserve and aloofness. It was odd to think that being was his brother. He had came to glance at her, and left just like that.

'Sesshomaru, huh? I wonder what he is about'

"Miss Priestess! It's trouble!" The little girl, Saya, came running up to her.

Kikyo dropped her basket full of bean pod and came towards the girl. "What is it, Saya?"

The girl panted, taking large gulps of air. "It's Konosuke, the herb collector! He's terribly wounded!"

Kikyou wasted no time and followed the girl. A crowd of people had gathered over the house the herb collector laid in. It parted as Kikyo made her way to the victim. Moans of pain filled the enclose space.

Konosuke clutched his right leg which bled. But the strange thing was the blackened skin around it.

Eyes, narrowing, she made her way over to him. And brought her face closer to the wound.

"This is no ordinary wound. There is a curse placed on you."

"A curse?!" A woman, presumably Konosuke's wife, cried.

She looked at the man. "Tell me what happened."