Chapter 15: Kintara, Maiden of Flames

~Sesshomaru~

She had always loved toying with Sesshomaru, but in that moment he had no desire to humor her. Kintara's form materialized before him. Her dark eyes scanned the area around Sesshomaru's form as he stood still, the flames licking at his limbs, but he stood strong and seemingly unfazed.

"You never put up a fight anymore Sesshomaru. You used to, but it seems your own fire has been dampened." Kintara raised a perfectly groomed golden brow. Her gaze turning into one of a more humorous nature.

"If it's a fight you want, look elsewhere. I have not the time for your games." Sesshomaru's voice was cold, and noticeably so to the demon before him. Her brow raised, and a mock pout formed on her lips.

"We enjoyed this as whelps, but I guess you've outgrown your roots… The mighty Lord Sesshomaru too prideful now to entertain an old friend." Kintara clicked her tongue, magnifying the heat around them.

The flames that once playfully teased at Sesshomaru's body now took on a hunger, one that matched the look that was now displayed in Kintara's eyes.

"I have business to attend to." Sesshomaru spoke. His voice remained steady, but the underlying hint of annoyance was not missed.

"Playing fetch with the mortals again? I thought that was beneath someone like you Sesshomaru. At least, that's the code you used to uphold. You know, when daddy neglected you for his human toy…" Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed at her words. The purr she added at the end would have made his stomach twist if it were possible.

Kintara was looking for a fight, for a taste of old times. The demoness that had mocked him for the last century whenever they would cross paths. The demoness that refused to aid him whenever he had called to arms. She had preferred the simple life, a drifter, exploring every corner of Nihon. There was no room in her agenda for aiding an old friend, and so he would leave no room in his to give in to her challenge.

"Come now Sesshy… Don't be so cruel… What would your mother think?" Sesshomaru slightly huffed at the mention of his mother. He hadn't bothered to contact her since before… Before he had left Rin in InuYasha's village. His mother had aided him in supplying Rin with the sufficient clothing she would need while staying in the village. Ofcourse, he could have let the villagers do it, but he was sure that none of them would fit her with anything suitable. Having no care for "fashion" concerning women, Sesshomaru had turned to the one person that could get the job done quickly and sufficiently.

At the time his mother had teased him on the subject, but had pulled back with her playful jests rather quickly after realizing Sesshomaru's resolve. Something in Sesshomaru knew that his mother had felt pity for him, knowing he would leave the human girl in the village. He had never wanted to reveal his emotions to his mother, or anyone, which had caused him to become disant. So he began paying closer attention to his duties, picking up where he had left off. He had not even dared to ask for his mother's aid during Yakunan's uprising. He was far too prideful to show weakness to his mother once again. Not after she had already glimpsed at the sorrowful demon he had become upon making his request to commision the clothing.

Kintara smiled sweetly toward the great dog demon. She knew the mention of his mother caused him discomfort. His mother had often been a thorn in his side since he had been a pup, and Kintara knew that well considering they had grown up alongside each other. Kintara, was a pureblood Phoenix demon. Her father Mitsuo, had fought alongside Sesshomaru's father during the invasion from the Western Sea. Kintara lacked most qualities her father had exhibited. Discipline being the most needed. She had always been a trouble maker… and maybe that had been one of her better qualities to his young rebellious nature he had spent years overcoming. Sesshomaru had often found himself drawn to the young girl when they had both been young. She was his elder, but he was usually the one that had been scorned when they had been caught causing mischief.

She held those same dark mischievous eyes now. The only difference being, was that Sesshomaru had matured. He was a battle hardened seasoned veteran, and had no time for her childish games while he was already playing a role in someone else's. Sesshomaru took a step to the side, and began walking through Kintara's illusion of intimidation. The flames were hot, but they weren't deadly.

"Very well Sesshomaru…" The tone of her voice dropped from the playful tune he had sensed earlier. The anger seeped through, causing Sesshomaru's guard to instantly rise. The wind around him picked up, causing the flames to grow, mimicking a cyclone as the flames began dancing toward Kintara's form. Sesshomaru felt the heat around him spike, and smelled the faint odor of singed hair. A few of his perfect strands were reduced to nothing in mere moments.

Sesshomaru turned, eyes narrowed, ready to dodge her attacks. However, the sweeping motion she made with her arms was not directed toward him. Three fire balls were launched into the air, heading straight for the beast that hovered above the field on the forest outskirts. Sesshomaru didn't hesitate. He reacted with lighting speed, knocking Kintara out of her cluster of flaming cyclones. Sesshomaru glanced up to see Ah-Un safely maneuvering farther away, the three orbs of fire had lost their power. They had been illusions as well. She was toying with him, not using her true flames.

"I tire of your games Kintara." Sesshomaru spoke through gritted teeth.

"Oh come now Sesshomaru… I'm just getting started." Another sweep of her arm sent a fireball speeding toward Sesshomaru. This time though, the flames were real, and Sesshomaru's senses picked up on the smell of volatile substance within. Dodging her fire, Sesshomaru swept past her, breaking through her reforming wall of fire. The ground began to bubble again, and the sharp odor entered Sesshomaru's sense of smell once more with renewal. Soon the clearing he had escaped to would be set ablaze. He had no choice. He took to the sky, and turned his attention back to the area where he had last seen Kintara. Her form was nowhere to be seen, but the cyclone of flame grew in size.

Sesshomaru dodged once more as a barrage of fireballs launched from within the swirling flames. She had created a wall of flame around her. His dodging motion brought him closer to where Ah-Un still hovered. He could see the fire's reflection in their eyes.. Ameki's eyes were wide with fear. The two demon slayers watched the flames in anticipation of sighting the enemy. Ameki's eyes however, were on him. Just him. She was saying something, but Sesshomaru could not decipher the sound over the growing wind and roaring flames below them.

Sesshomaru dodged once more, catching sight of the fire that seemed to strike out toward him. The flame itself looked as if it were trying to manifest a body. No doubt Kintara's magics. Sesshomaru needed Ameki to be as far away from the situation as possible. What seemed like a game to Kintara, was very dangerous for mortals to be around. Kintara's coolest flame could burn a mortal's body, and she was well beyond that point. She was becoming angry. Forcing Sesshomaru to fight her. Sesshomaru darted, heading for the two headed dragon.

"Go!" He commanded as he spun around and headed for the flames. Ameki's eyes never left him. He glanced back as Ah-Un took them further over the forest. She twisted between the two demon slayers, and leaned over trying her best to keep her view of him. She was terrified. Not for herself, but for him. Sesshomaru inwardly sighed at the sight. There was no need for Ameki to worry for him. Kintara wouldn't kill him. Not only was she not powerful enough, but her intentions were not of that nature. Her displays that day were all merely an attempt to gain his favor. However, Sesshomaru had been in no mood to participate in primal traditions.

Sesshomaru burst through Kintara's wall with his light whip at the ready. He caught sight of a partially formed figure, a shadow with the flame. Striking out through the heated blaze with his whip caused the partial form to shimmer and move. He pulled back as a whip of flame returned his previous blow. The flame caught him across his boa, causing a small hiss to escape his lips. The singed fur was blackened. He pushed off the ground, sending himself in a rush backwards as he whipped out once more, interrupting Kintara's flame whip. His whip of light cut through the flames, but without making contact with her physical body, he knew it was in vain.

He continued gliding backward, gaining ground near a clearing that was untouched by her flames. Sesshomaru was not one to run with his tail between his legs, but there were more pressing issues at the moment, and this was simply wasting time. Sesshomaru burst free from the heat, and took to the sky, as did Kintara…

~Ameki~

Ameki fell into a fit of hysterics, only worsening the further they traversed. She knew it wasn't safe to stay, but Sesshomaru had stayed. She knew he was a capable demon, but something inside of her still worried for his safety. It's true that he was almost invincible, almost being the key word. He wasn't a mortal, but he wasn't unkillable either.

"AMEKI!" Kohaku was half turned, his shout gaining her attention.

"Calm yourself. There is no sense in worrying about that stubborn demon. He's plenty capable of taking care of himself in battle." Kohaku's eyes softened as Ameki attempted to calm her breathing. She had been hyperventilating between her cries for Lord Sesshomaru.

"Kintara is a spiteful acquaintance of Lord Sesshomaru's." Jaken, who was now safely on Ah-Un's back as well, scrunched his face in a reflective manner.

"Actually, among demons they might even be considered friends." Jaken scoffed at his own words.

"Her family is well known among the Northern regions, and her father even enlisted himself to Sesshomaru's father ages ago. Though, I've only met her a few times in passing before. Each time something like this happened." Jaken raised a pruned finger as if to make a point.

"It's her way of saying hello!" Kohaku, Ameki and Hotaru raised their brows at the little imp.

"What kind of hello ends up burning down a forest? That demon was hostile!" Hotaru pointed out.

"No, no no!" Jaken slightly frowned as he spoke.

"Well….yes maybe, but that's just how some demons are. They initiate a challenge when coming into contact with someone they haven't seen in a while. You humans probably wouldn't understand. Much can be communicated through a swift battle." Jaken's scowl became apparent.

"However, I don't think Lord Sesshomaru was interested in getting reacquainted this time… He seemed…" Jaken trailed off.

"It looked to me as if he tried to avoid the fight." Kohaku intervened.

This only caused Ameki's anxiety to climb once more, but she could control her emotions. She needed to be stronger than the spiraling mess she was becoming. Sesshomaru knew the demon, and Jaken seemed semi confident that their quarrel was simply that of friends.

"Either way we are just sitting ducks up here." Hotaru voiced as he glanced back at the flames.

"Uh…." Hotaru stiffened. The rest of the group turned their gazes back toward the fray. The flames now washed outward in all directions. The burning field seemingly pulsed and the flames in the center took form. A huge hulking form with fiery wings that battered the wind, causing the flames to spread into the forest.

"Uhm… Ah-Un…" Jaken's voice cracked as he spoke in a nervous pause.

"Lord Sesshomaru said go… SO GO FAST!" He wailed.

The huge bird with flaming unfurled wings swept toward the forest. With each flap of its enormous wingspan, fire spread in their wake. Ah-Un's steady pace quickly increased to a hastened glide. The group clung to whatever they could grab hold of. Whether it be travel gear or scale. Ameki's body was securely positioned between Kohaku and Hotaru. One of Hotaru's arms was tightly wrapped around Ameki's mid section to ensure she did not fall off, or try and lean over and search for Sesshomaru.

"That's a Phoenix demon!" Kohaku announced over his shoulder, his eyes wearily watching the approaching bird. The birds sheer size aided in its fast approach compared to the small two headed beast that Ameki had once believed was a rather large demon. She realized just how wrong she had been. She had never seen anything like it before. To her, the huge ogre demon had been the most sizeable demon she had ever laid eyes on, but this… This was straight out of a nightmare.

This nightmare however, was far too real and quickly approaching. Ameki's grip tightened and her breathing halted as she took in the sheer size of the demon behind them. The Flames licked at the corner of the forest they were currently flying over. It wouldn't be long before the whole Forest mirrored the great Beast of flame. She quickly gathered her senses once more realizing that in her moment of newfound panic she had lost sight of Lord Sesshomaru. His figure had disappeared from her view shortly after the Phoenix demon had taken to the sky. Of course her efforts to see him were forced by sheer will. It wasn't as easy to look for her Lord with two babysitters keeping a restrain on her movements.

" We aren't going to make it!" Jaken wailed over the approaching noises from behind. The pelting of flame born wings upon the wind stanched any other sounds from their surrounding. The demon was closing in, and with it a suffocating heat. One that sent Ameki into a flood of memories. The castle behind her as she ran through the smoke filled air. Choking on smoke and sorrow alike. The heat from the nearby buildings had licked at her skin much as the heat threatened to embrace her now. Her hands clenched whatever she could grasp, she could feel herself falling. Not physically, but her mind was spiraling out of control.

The Flames roared below them, as if the fire itself were alive devouring everything in its path. Ah-Un continued to gain height and distance but in that moment it felt as if it were all in vain. The Beast could not outrun their flaming grave. Ameki's eyes began to water, as her horror refused to let her blink. She knew that behind her eyelids, a more terrifying memory would surface. Her vision began to wane, as the strong orange glow encased them all. The demon would soon be upon them, but Ameki would remember nothing. Nothing but the low growl that resonated among the flames.

~Sesshomaru~

The beast within sprang forth as Sesshomaru found air beneath his paws. A more carnal and animalistic nature took him over. He was still within power of reigning his emotions in, controlling his own demon nature, but releasing his inner demon was a feeling of bliss. One that came with few drawbacks, except one…

Ameki would see him. She would see him in his true form. Something he had oddly wanted to keep from her. It was nothing to be ashamed of, he was rather proud of his true form, but he knew deep down how terrifying he looked. He didn't want to intimidate her, she was comfortable with him much like her mother had been. However, desperate times call for desperate measures and Sesshomaru was losing patience with Kintara. It was already clear she had lost interest in being civil sometime back.

Sesshomaru was far from the monster he was once Associated to be. His aristocratic assassin days were over, but one thing was for sure. He wouldn't mind taking a page from the younger Sesshomaru's book, and Kintara would be the recipient of his younger teachings. She had crossed the line, a line he had made clear from the very beginning and now she would pay for her insolence.

Sesshomaru darted toward the Cyclones that trailed behind the large Phoenix demon. His form was pure but a tad bit of dread entered his conscience, enough to make him inwardly wince. Would he be fast enough even in his true form? His dread only grew which fueled his anger more. She was approaching Ah-Un quickly. Sesshomaru pushed harder against the hidden plain that demons were tethered to. His Demonic blood drew power from the seeping tethers around him. To the human eye there was nothing, but to demons, it was clear. Another world within the mortal realm, hidden to mortal eyes.

Kintara's hulking form was upon them. Sesshomaru could hear the wails of the terrified Jaken. He could hear the panicked shouts of the demon slayers, but the one voice he had honed his senses to detect was silent. Sesshomaru released another forceful growl, this one was much darker than the last, and for a moment he noticed hesitation within Kintara's form. He was gaining on her, and she knew it.

She was mere feet from the two headed dragon when the flames dispersed, along with her hulking form. The fire that engulfed the surrounding Forest slowly dispersed leaving charred wood and smoldering abandoned structures in its wake. Kintara's figure reappeared in the freshly burned field below them. She was so small, but her eyes were clearly narrowed as she gazed up at the great dog Lord. Sesshomaru could taste it, the need to knock her down to size, to put her in her place. She had been toying with him even as her anger had taken over. She wanted to test him, and test him she had. It was clear that she had questions from the beginning, now she had her answers. Whatever those may have been.

The urge to clench his Jaws around her small form swept over him. His demon blood pounded strongly through his veins, causing a loud reverb within his head. His anger was getting the best of him. The thought of killing her on the spot was too strong for him to keep at bay. He needed to pull away.

He reverted his form back to his familiar humanoid appearance. Instead of approaching the Phoenix demon, Sesshomaru closed the gap between himself and Ah-Un. The once wide-eyed distraught young Demon Slayer now held a hardened gaze toward the demon below them, as if he hadn't been on death's door only moments before. However, he wasn't Sesshomaru's concern. The woman he held onto was.

Ameki's face was calm, as if she were sleeping and hadn't experienced any of the terror that the group had moments before. Her breathing was even, and her eyes were closed. Her cheeks were tinged pink and her skin glistened with sweat from the heat of the flames being so close to her. Sesshomaru's racing thoughts seemingly quieted at the sight. She was alright.

"Speak with me a moment." Sesshomaru heard the words as if he had been standing right beside her. Kintara's voice had changed from one of distaste, to one of, interests? Curiosity?

Sesshomaru pulled his gaze away from Ameki's peaceful one. He was still too heated to approach Kintara after her stunt. She had openly defied him, and put Ameki in danger. Even if she had only been toying with him and meant the mortals no harm, there was no doubt in his mind that Ameki had been terrified.

"Leave…" Sesshomaru's cold tone could have culled any flame that Kintara could conjure.

"Sesshomaru, the girl...Who...what is she?"

Kintara's question puzzled Sesshomaru catching him off guard. Her sudden interest in Ameki unsettled him. Her use of what while referring to Ameki troubled him further.

Sesshomaru quickly descended, landing directly in front of Kintara, merely an arms length away.

"What business is it of yours?" He asked coolly, but with intentional sternness.

" Lord Sesshomaru I'm being serious." All signs of her previous mocking tone while addressing him were gone.

"Something is off about her, and if you haven't sensed it yet then the rumors must be true, you've become soft."

Kintara's gaze hardened.

"I felt something when I approached them. It was coming from her. It was a dark energy, and then it just vanished as if it had never been there, but I did feel it. It was real." Kintara sighed and backed away raising her hands in submission.

"I'll admit I got carried away. A younger Sesshomaru would have found it entertaining, but I'm telling you that whatever was coming from that girl was much darker than even what the young brash Sesshomaru could have been compared to." Kintara's gaze softened as Sesshomaru listened.

"What magic are you dabbling with involving that mortal?" Kintara took a step closer, but Sesshomaru's words halted her.

"The black Dragon." Kintara's pupils receded considerably at the mention of Yakunan. Her stone set face almost betrayed how she felt at the mention of the beast.

"He has a hold on her, and it's only going to get stronger." Kintara shook whatever had distracted her mind and stepped forward once again.

"Cut your ties while you can, or it might become your downfall."

Sesshomaru halted any response he had planned. Was she concerned? Scared for the great dog demon? The mighty Phoenix Kintara? Her true colors were seeping through revealing the young demon she had once been, the one that had sheltered him like an older sister.

"I have to do this. I have my reasons." Kintara's eyes slightly widened as Sesshomaru spoke.

"We all have our reasons for the things we do Sesshomaru. That doesn't mean we should get ourselves killed. Isn't that why you despised your father?"

Kintara. The only demon that had always been explicit and straight to the point when it came to addressing him. Even his most trusted allies would have never taken such liberties in bringing up the past. A past that was clouded with confusion and selfishness. Sesshomaru wasn't a saint by any means, but he was well on his way from being the adolescent brat that could see no color in the world.

"If you have nothing useful to add, I'll be leaving." Sesshomaru stated as he turned to walk away.

"I can't depart information if I don't know the circumstances of the situation." Kintara huffed.

"Let me in Sesshomaru…" Kintara's gaze almost turned pleadingly. She was still there. The Kintara he knew. Ages of roaming the lands had toughened her skin, but her soft spot for the little silver haired whelp still remained.

"Ah-Un" Sesshomaru muttered. Above them he could hear the restless groan of the two headed beast.

"Rest." He commanded.

With that the two headed beast descended, landing in a clearing that had barely been touched by the previous flames.

"What the Hell are you doing Sesshomaru?!" Hotaru protested. His eyes portraying the earlier panic he had witnessed, but they were also laced with hatred. Hatred toward the woman that stood before them.

"She's an acquaintance." Sesshomaru said cooly. Expecting that to quell the young man's protests. It did not.

"An acquaintance that moments earlier was trying to kill us if you didn't notice, My Lord." The emphasis he put in addressing Sesshomaru was filled with sarcasm.

"Yet, she didn't…" Jaken croaked matter of factly. Hotaru glanced back at the toad that was barely holding on to Ah-Un in disbelief.

"You were just rooting for him to kill her you ugly toad! Now you change your tune?"

"SILENCE!" Kohaku intervened, drawing both Jaken and Hotaru's attention.

"Sesshomaru must have his reasons, as skeptical as I am about the whole situation. I doubt he would let anyone near Ameki if they meant us ill will." He glanced back at the still woman. Hotaru's grasp on her had tightened from the tension that had built in his frame. Her form seemed un-bothered by it.

"Or me!" Jaken chimed in once again.

"Lord Sesshomaru's most faithful servant!"

Sesshomaru turned his attention back to Kintara, who looked as if she were fighting the urge to wince at the loud screeching imp.

"But if she did that for fun, imagine what she could do to a human village!" Hotaru blurted once again. Sesshomaru himself fought the urge to turn toward them. His business was with Kintara. Maybe he should have left them hovering above. No, Ah-Un had needed a break. He wasn't the young demon he once had been when Sesshomaru had first acquired his services. He had been pushed to the limit trying to evade a fiery death.

Kintara's sharp voice spoke up.

"If you haven't noticed young mortal, there aren't any villages around for miles. A few resting shacks along the road to the north, but no one was injured." Kintara slightly frowned at the boys accusations.

"I don't use my powers for Domination. You should know there are already enough demons out there that do." Her voice darkened, but her attention returned to Sesshomaru once she was satisfied with the young man's expression.

"Now, before we are interrupted once again, explain."

~Ameki~

Once again Ameki was attuned to the searing pain on her palm. A few visions flashed through her mind, but her fatigue kept her from opening her eyes. She could feel it pulling her deeper into an unconscious place. She could hear the voices around her speaking. Someone had moved her body, and laid her on a softer setting. She couldn't talk though, or move. Sesshomaru's voice had echoed through her mind, calming her. His words were jumbled in her mind though. She couldn't keep up or understand the conversation that was taking place. She tried without success until she had fallen into a deep slumber.

Her dreams were plain. As plain as the dreams she remembered from a time before her life changed. She knew she was dreaming. She knew what was real and what was fake, and normally that would be enough to help her wake up. This time however she didn't. She felt strange, and a little heavy. As if something were keeping her asleep. She was in a beautiful grotto. The walls were covered in moss, and there was an opening in the rock above her that let in light from the outside. A peaceful stream created a beautiful calming ambience in the rather spacious room. She was sitting on a rock, admiring the shrubs that flourished with the sunlight through the ceiling.

"Trying to die on me already?" A familiar voice rang across the cavern walls, shattering the peaceful illusion that Ameki had been enthralled with. Her breath caught, unwilling to release in the same room that the voice occupied. Terror was quickly replacing the rather calm she had felt prior.

She searched the cavern briskly. Supporting her weight with her hands on the boulder below her as she swiveled her gaze all around.

"Stop…" She had meant to yell the word, but her body still refused to breath, or let the full ferocity of her words surface. It came out a small whisper barely audible to even her own hearing.

"No." Came the reply.

"I need you. You are a part of the bigger picture dear girl." The voice was low, and sounded as if it were coming from every direction at once. The sound would have suffocated her had it taken form.

"I don't understand…" Ameki's voice trembled, as another whisper escaped.

"In time." The voice replied with disinterest.

"This is the second time you've come close to dying now. I can't have you destroying my plans now can I?"

Ameki knew it was Yakunan. She had known from the moment the atmosphere changed. His dark energy was what kept her anchored to the dream. The more she focused, the more the dark tendrils came into view.

"He'll stop you!" Ameki's voice returned with a bit of vigor.

"I'm sure he'll try, but there isn't much he can do if he's having to watch out for you." A chuckle rang through the closing space. All images of the grotto were blurring from her view, darkened by the apparition that now stood in front of her.

"Stay safe. Don't journey with him, or I'll have to make a reappearance each time you try and rest." Ameki swallowed hard at the ember eyes that gazed down at her from the black silhouette.

"I'll do as I please…" Her courage was returning but quickly quelled as his anger became apparent.

"When I kill him, you will watch me. Every horrifying detail will be made explicitly available to you. You'll be my guest of honor. Then, when I'm done tearing that dog from this plain of existence, I'll…"

Ameki's eyes opened. The stark horror in Hotaru's eyes were apparent. His hands still grasped her arms tightly as he looked down at her. Ameki's chest heaved with a fresh breath of air. She felt that she had not tasted air in centuries. Her body felt starved of it.

"She's awake!" Jaken croaned. Kohaku spun around in the distance where he had been seemingly searching for something.

"You idiot! Hotaru yelled. You scared us!" Ameki, the terror of her dream still fresh on her mind, didn't respond.

"You stopped breathing girl!" Jaken chimed in, his little beady eyes relaxed.

Ameki turned her head toward the makeshift campfire that was a few feet away from where she laid. The flames...they reminded her of…

"The demon… what happened?" She asked. Hotaru sat back on his feet and gazed at her in disbelief.

"This day is just one big shit show after another…" He groaned.

"Where's Lord Sesshomaru?" She asked hoping to get some kind of answer from someone.

"Girl, one question at a time you gave us a scare." Jaken replied.

"Lord Sesshomaru left with Kintara, the Phoenix demon." Jaken grumbled something under his breath before turning toward the approaching Kohaku.

"See she's fine, Sesshomaru won't have our heads afterall." Jaken beamed up at Kohaku with a too giddy grin.

"How long was I asleep?" Ameki inquired, still a bit disoriented and shaken.

"It's a new day, the sun's about to rise. We were getting ready for Sesshomaru's return when Jaken noticed you weren't breathing. We thought for a moment…" Kohaku's words fell short.

"Well, you know…" He averted his gaze and sighed.

"It's been an alarming couple of days hasn't it?" He ruffled his already disheveled hair.

"That's a bit of an understatement." Hotaru scoffed.

"He left with her?" Ameki's voice rose in pitch.

"Yea, we thought we were all gonna die one moment, and the next dog man was striking conversation with her. A civil one." Hotaru answered with disdain.

"It's Lord Sesshomaru, not dog man!" Ameki gave Hotaru her best attempt at a scowl.

"Hey now, that look doesn't suit a princess." Hotaru responded back.

"So you can address me as Princess but you can't use Sesshomaru's proper title, the one he still currently holds?" Ameki didn't have to attempt anything at that time. She could feel the frown crease her brow.

"Whoa calm down. Where did the attitude come from all of a sudden?" Hotaru's features steered from the teasing one that had appeared previously.

"I'm just trying to lighten the mood around here. We aren't exactly living the life at the moment." Hotaru huffed and stood up.

Ameki straightened her back, sitting upright. She attempted to smooth out her clothes as she inwardly tried to straighten her thoughts up as well. She didn't mean to be snappy with Hotaru. She just wasn't exactly herself, and Sesshomaru was gone. She wanted nothing more than to lay eyes on him. Just the thought of him helped comfort her, but she was still very uneasy from the dream. Images that no doubt Yakunan had planted in her mind teased her. He was showing her what was to come, but thankfully, her conscious mind could fight him off. It was while she slept that he gained control of her thoughts. She felt like a prisoner within her own body. It was frustrating and terrifying.

Yakunan had mentioned that he didn't want her travelling with Sesshomaru, which meant they were probably on the right path. That much at least gave her a little of her determination back.

~Sesshomaru~

"What do you mean gone?" Sesshomaru shocked even himself with the urgency in his voice.

The old demon Nimka, maybe even as old as Nihon itself, held his gaze. She was a hermit of a demon. Never venturing out into the world herself, but luring people and demons to her. She was a master illusionist, and could make anyone see anything she wanted. That's how she fed. Not on flesh or bones, not even souls. Her sustenance of choice was memories, knowledge. It made her very valuable to those who would need her aid. Her tiny pupils probably held every ounce of loyalty she had ever held for one side or another in wars past. She was neutral. It was how she lived her life. Serving both sides to any confrontation to maintain her own lifestyle.

"The sister has vanished, and the brother searches." Kintara sighed as Nimka spoke.

"Your journey to Echigo would have been pointless." She turned toward Sesshomaru.

"It doesn't change my plans. I'll search for them." Sesshomaru gave Kintara a side glance as he responded to her observation.

"So what? Are you going to find the priestess and reunite her with her brother? Then what? Do you think they will feel gratuitous and owe you a favor?" The mocking tone Kintara held only served to irritate Sesshomaru.

"Are you trying to help me or work against me?" Sesshomaru retorted.

"I'm trying to reason with you Sesshomaru. You need to understand that there are consequences to everything we do. Sure, you've shrugged them off before, but Yakunan is different." The irritation in her own voice was apparent.

"He's not like other Demon's you've been up against. In his own homeland he is considered a God." The pleading had returned. It seemed to be a recurring habit that Sesshomaru did not remember Kintara having.

"He is no longer among his own, and therefore is just a demon. That is all he is, and all that he will ever be."

Sesshomaru held Kintara's gaze for only a few moments before Nimka intervened. Her scratchy voice reminded Sesshomaru of an old Hag, which is exactly as she appeared to them.

"I can exchange more for… a taste…" Kintara stepped forward, prepared to share her own mind with the demon. However, Nimka shook her head. A toothless grin slowly crept into her features. A leathery hand reached out, extending a long thin finger toward Sesshomaru.

"You're joking…" Kintara scoffed.

"Sesshomaru would never allow anyone into his personal...huh?" Sesshomaru stepped toward Nimka, catching Kintara off guard. Nimka's tiny pupils dilated quickly with eagerness.

Sesshomaru inwardly prepared himself for what was about to happen. If this old Hag had more knowledge for him then so be it. He wanted it. The price would be steep, of that he was sure.