Chapter 16: Through the eyes of the Enemy

~Sesshomaru~

As bold a move as it was to take the demons offer, Sesshomaru was certain that there was some knowledge he could gain from it. This demon was ancient. Her very Aura was tainted with a legion of other demons. Demons that had communed with her before. The vast knowledge she must have held was beyond even Sesshomaru's comprehension. It was that reason alone that Sesshomaru had even considered letting such a grotesque being delve into his mind.

The process however, was much different than he had anticipated. Pain. He felt pain as the demon before him prodded his mind. Her invisible tendrils could be felt all over his skin as she leered at him through dusty lashes. Everything inside of him sought the relief of fleeing the situation. His own demon howled as the invisible tendrils threatened its aura. The demon within him begged to be set free, but Sesshomaru would not allow it. This had to be done… It would be done.

Sesshomaru's vision faded as the pain grew. She was there. Prodding his mind, visions flashing before his eyes of encounters that had already past. Some were personal, some were shared, others were even… Precious? An image of a youthful Rin crossed his vision. Her big brown eyes seemed to search his face as she held his gaze. The small girl's face beamed with a smile, and the image began to distort, changing into a faze of images. Rin's appearance began to change, growing older. The childish face was now that of an adolescent, until reaching adulthood. The final image was gapped. Sesshomaru felt pain. Rin changing so quickly from a child to an adult, and then to a seasoned woman. Rin's emotions seemed to change as well. The older she became, the more serious her demeanor was. Her eyes became shaded, no longer holding the happiness that they once did.

Is this how the great dog demon seen her? Was his mind filling in the blanks of his absence in her life, or was this demon somehow tricking him. Rin had been happy the last time he had seen her before her marriage. Her wedding day had been celebrated by all, including Sesshomaru. Though he had celebrated in his own way, keeping his distance and merely observing the union. After Rin had left the Region, Sesshomaru had as well. Trying his best to leave it all behind him. He had done it for more than one reason. Rin would be safer not having him around. It was made clear numerous times by the old Miko that used to consult InuYasha's village. Hindsight though, proved that to be wrong. So very wrong.

There were rumors of an uprising among his allies. Yakunan had long before set the seeds of doubt within his ranks. He wanted to bury his past quickly, leaving all ties to Rin in secrecy. It was what he thought he had to do. Though at the time, he had known it was the only way. Rin's happiness was all that Sesshomaru had ever tried to achieve. She would not know happiness entangled in his dangerous demon affairs all the time. Sesshomaru had even taken a leave of absence after cutting his ties with Rin. Leaving Jaken to spread his woes and sorrows over the death of the human girl. Jaken spread far and wide that Rin had died. It was to protect her. Sesshomaru himself mourned the loss. Not of a dead girl, but he had mourned the bond that he had with the young woman. Such a small mortal held such a strong reign on the great demon.

Sesshomaru's vision began to blur around Rin's image. A much darker atmosphere settled behind her. Whispers entered his mind.

"His freedom is more important than some mortal."

" He left her in a village."

"She was never dead."

"She's going to be married."

"Sesshomaru still watches her."

"She doesn't love the Lord."

"She's a village urchin not a princess."

Many voices echoed in Sesshomaru's head. Voices he recognized, some that he did not care to. The voices continued as if the demon released every sliver of knowledge onto him. All the while as Sesshomaru gazed at the image of Rin, he could feel the demon reaching into other parts of his mind. Matters he had long since dismissed. Century old battles flashed across the edges of his vision, his father, his mother. The demon was gathering everything she wanted, and in return was showing him...A nightmare. Everything she knew. The voices continued.

"A dog always remembers his first owner."

"His loyalty to her is sickening."

"He probably killed her on a whim."

"He's too much like his father."

"I have plans for her."

Sesshomaru could feel the heat of his anger surface at the familiar voice that rang through his mind, tearing red through his vision. Yakunan. He could feel the demon before him tightening the tendrils in his mind. The outside world, the real world was a mystery to him. All that was tangible to Sesshomaru at the moment was the ghost of memories displayed before him. Images of a castle appeared as Rin's face faded. The castle where Rin had lived. The familiar voice continued.

"I will have what is mine. This is where we will end this war."

Sesshomaru felt as if he were there, seeing through Yakunan's eyes. He could feel the invigoration that Yakunan felt as he had discovered the home of Sesshomaru's past ward. He could smell the aroma coming from the city below the castle. A melody of scents both food and recreation. His eyes however, lingered on the castle as he moved closer. It was late evening. Two silhouettes grieved near a fresh grave. One of them was Rin, and the other… Ameki.

Sesshomaru's thoughts halted, and he could feel the resistance of the demon showing him the visions. This was how Yakunan had known about Ameki as well, even before Sesshomaru. However, something wasn't making sense to him. If he had been so near to Rin before, why had he not killed her or marked her then?

The demon that feasted on his memories felt the confusion. Altering the scene before him. The grieving women before him faded, replaced by a void. One he felt all too familiar with. The border between this world and the next. It wasn't the setting in which his father's remains rested though, this was a different void. An afterlife for someone more attuned to its existence. Yakunan was there, once more. Communing with a being that far surpassed the size of Sesshomaru's father. The being was as black as night, and demanded attention from everything else in the surroundings. It was guarding something. A hole in the world space. Sesshomaru could hear the faint sounds of what he assumed to be screams.

Sesshomaru's vision blurred. The feeling of the atmosphere around him was almost unbearable. An uncomfortable pressure that seemingly sought to crush him, or deduce him to nothingness. He turned, glancing back at the vision behind him. Adorning the opposite side of the world space was yet another hulking figure, but instead of ebony black, the skin held tones of color that reminded him of a pearl. The beautiful iridescence put Sesshomaru's mind to the test. He wanted to make these figures out, but their features were blurred. The white being also guarded a hole in the world space, but that hole radiated a peaceful melody. One that called to him softly, tempted him to follow.

Yakunan's voice bellowed through Sesshomaru's mind, breaking the trance like state that the melody had calmed him into.

"I want the knowledge of my fathers before me."

The black being before him twisted becoming disfigured. It's features still hidden, but two glowing orbs where the eyes should have been illuminated a fiery glow.

"Your journey here proves you are strong, and what you seek is possible."

The voice sounded as if it were coming from all around. It was deep and raspy, much like it was a voice in unison with many more. Sesshomaru pondered as he gazed at the sight before him. It wasn't long before a new unison of voices intervened.

"Possible, but with a price."

Sesshomaru spun around to see that the large white beast's eyes now illuminated an otherworldly glow. Almost as if the beast had borrowed the moon's light.

"I'll do what it takes"

Yakunan's voice faded as did the vision before him. The demon that held him tight with its invisible tendrils was releasing him. He could feel his conscious mind returning, but he wasn't ready. He fought to keep the vision before him in focus, but the voices were gone. He couldn't hear what was happening.

Sesshomaru snapped back to reality as the demon before him took a step back. Her eyes, once shallow, were now wide and deep with fascination.

"Sesshomaru?" Kintara's voice sounded weary.

"No, I need more." He spoke. The demon before him slowly backed away. Nimka's eyes rolled until all that was visible were the whites.

"What's happening?" Sesshomaru asked.

"She's returning to her slumber." Kintara replied.

"She needs to rest until, well, until she's hungry again." Kintara added after pausing to think of a way of explaining it to him.

"Give it a day or two and she will awaken again." Kintara said as she gazed at the figure before them. Nimka's skin began fading into more ashen tones, as her body seeming twisted into a gnarled formation of roots. The process took a few moments, but after it was complete Sesshomaru and Kintara stood in silence. Sesshomaru didn't take his eyes off of the petrified mass before him.

He had needed more time, more information. It didn't make sense to him. What he had seen was like nothing he had ever experienced. His time in the border between this world and the next had been different. True, it was different for everyone, but that one had been unique to Yakunan. Which made its knowledge vital to Sesshomaru.

"Yakunan has come to her. Some of the memories I witnessed from his very eyes." Sesshomaru's voice was level, but his mind was reeling with the possibilities. This could be the answer, but it came with a wait time.

"Now she knows some of your memories as well Sesshomaru. I can only hope that you haven't been trying to hide anything from anyone."

Sesshomaru thought for a moment, taking in Kintara's words. He wasn't really the secretive type. Anything he did was always with purpose and he cared not who knew. However, things were quickly changing in his life once more. Once like they had with Rin. There were many demons, not just Yakunan, that wished for his demise, and some to see him suffer. If they were to ever commune with Nimka, they would certainly find out about Ameki's existence. That is, if those memories were what Nimka took. He only recalled a few flashes of memories that Nimka had shown interest in. None of them had contained Ameki, that he knew of. However, he had been shown one of Yakunan's memories containing Rin and Ameki. He still wasn't completely sure how the exchange worked. He had never had dealings with Nimka before. He had known of demons like her, but never personally.

"Whatever you choose to do Sesshomaru, I'll support it. I'm not sure how much aid I can lend, but if the time ever comes where you need it, you'll know where to find me." Kintara's voice began to fade.

"Leaving so soon?" Sesshomaru spoke as he glanced over his shoulder at her dispearsing form.

"I've matters of my own to tend to. It was…" Kintara paused before fading, the remainder of her reply carried on a soft warm breeze that smelled faintly volatile.

"Nice to see you again…" She was gone.

Kintara had not lied to Sesshomaru about helping him find a starting point on his journey. He hadn't found the answer he had sought originally, but he may have stumbled upon something with more potential. Yakunan had wished for the powers of his fathers before him. That could explain how such a young demon could wield such ancient and taboo knowledge. He needed to understand more of the situation, which meant he would need to bargain with Nimka again.

The idea made him feel uneasy and that was almost foreign to his short list of characteristic emotions. The more he pondered on the idea of sharing his memories with a strange demon he had just met, the more a sense of dread enveloped his already encumbered mind. Was he losing himself in this battle to Yakunan? Was he still able to think clearly? Was his mind as sharp as it needed to be or was he too distracted with other matters?

Sesshomaru huffed. This had been exactly what Yakunan had wanted. To send Sesshomaru on a wild goose chase while he gathered his forces and continued sewing deceit within Sesshomaru's own allies. Yakunan was using Ameki as a security blanket, like the child Sesshomaru saw him as. It infuriated him, and at the same time it… intimidated him? Was Sesshomaru even remotely familiar with the emotion? Yet another emotion. What was he becoming?

~Ameki~

Ameki heard the distant twang of a bow, signaling that Hotaru had found his prey. They later feasted on a few rabbits that Hotaru had hunted early that morning. The cleaning process, which made her rather sick, left her with little to no appetite. She was sure that it had more to do with her dreams that previous night than the actual food. It smelled delicious, and looked absolutely mouth watering as the succulent juices escaped the cooking meat. Though, after only a few bites, she realized that her taste buds refused to reply in kind, leaving the morsel of meat rather bland.

Kohaku was sure that Sesshomaru would return, but the day progressed, and Sesshomaru did not appear. Even Kohaku looked as if he were rather bored, and had given up awaiting the great dog demon. His mind was elsewhere, watching the newly fed fire devour the freshly cut wood. Ameki occupied herself with a few things she had packed for the journey. One of those things being the tanto that Sango had given her. Kohaku had shown her previously in the day how to sharpen the blade correctly with a sharpening stone. He had shown her the correct way, and the wrong way. The wrong way would have produced a dull, or even brittle blade edge, damaging the perfect weapon.

Ameki was grateful for the distraction his lesson provided her with. So much was happening in her life at the moment, and this made things feel as if they were slowing down a bit. Just setting around a campfire enjoying the social environment. That was, until night came. Everyone rested peacefully, while Ameki lay wide awake staring up at the night sky. She had no desire in the thought of sleep, knowing that Yakunan would be there waiting for her. She didn't want to return to his realm of dominion. She didn't want him to continue where he left off when she had been awoken by Hotaru. She wanted his remaining words to be left a mystery.

"Rin, it's not too late…" The words drifted over to Ameki's hearing. Surprised she slightly pushed herself up onto her elbow, peaking across the fire at a sleeping Kohaku. His form was still, but his brow was knitted tightly above his clenched eyes. He was dreaming… about her mother. Ameki's own brows furrowed as a sense of pity settled in. Kohaku had gone years without seeing his friend Rin. His outburst toward Sesshomaru back in the village had led Ameki to believe that Rin and Kohaku had once been close friends.

Ameki couldn't imagine what his dream must have been about. Or rather, his nightmare by his increasingly erratic movements. His arms twitched, and his face clenched, before relaxing. It seemed as if it happened within a blink of an eye, before his form returned to a peaceful slumber.

Ameki forced herself to stay awake. Each time the drowsiness of her mind threatened to pull her under, an image of Yakunan would jolt her awake, giving her a newfound vigor due to the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She would not sleep. She couldn't face what Yakunan had planned for her dreams.

Day broke once again. Ameki sat up, and yawned. Feigning the act of just having woken up. It would do her travelling companions no good to worry about her further. Her lack of sleep would be her little secret. After observing the new mark on her hand, she found her comb wrapped up in a silk cloth among her belongings. She would start her day by freshening up the mess she knew was present from a restless night. Hotaru set out again with his bow, just as dawn broke. Kohaku paced back and forth in the distance, his resignation from the day before forgotten. Ah-un still slept, his heavy breaths filling the peaceful morning with a rhythmic tune. Jaken however, sat in silence with a stone pout adjourning his features.

Sesshomaru had said that he wouldn't be gone very long, but very long it would seem could mean days to a demon with no sense of time. Ameki sighed. The smoldering wood from the previous nights fire was just about gone. The smell of smoke was still strong in their surroundings, the earth was scorched in odd patterns across the field they occupied. A big portion of the forest to her right was left in devastation. The smell made Ameki's nose twitch, realizing that she herself had adopted the stench. Her yellow Kimono, Yuuto's gift, smelled of her surroundings, and no doubt the clothes she had stashed away in her bag as well.

All of these new revelations made her feel a bit thirsty. Reaching for her bamboo container, she took a small sip. The cool liquid eased the burning in the back of her throat, but only made her want more. Until it was gone. They would need to find a stream and soon to refill their water supply.

"Jaken?" For the first time all morning Jaken looked at something other than the ground at the mention of his name.

"What is it girl?" His ill mood was detected quickly by the irritation in his voice as he replied.

"Are there any streams around here?" Ameki asked.

"How would I know?" He answered exasperated.

"Well, I just figured since you're a Kappa, you'd be able to sense those kind of things." Ameki raised a brow as she spoke.

"Oh, yea, well… I'm not a mutt like InuYasha, I don't just crawl around sniffing for stuff." Jaken crossed his tiny limbs in an attempt to seem stern. In reality though, he appeared much more like a child that had been insulted.

Ameki shook her empty container at the gumpy imp for dramatics, and maybe even to get her point across.

"Fine." Jaken stood up and began walking, his little legs moved slowly and even seemed a bit stiff. No doubt from him not moving much since Sesshomaru had departed.

"Eeeh, ahhhh" Jaken's exaggerated, or maybe not so exaggerated, voice echoed through the field. He turned around.

"Well, what are you waiting for girl? I can't bring the river to you." Ameki refrained from rolling her eyes as she stood.

"I asked if there was water nearby Jaken, I didn't mean to make you show me." She retorted as she caught up with the aching imp.

"Well, I might as well take you there now. You could use a bath anyways. My little nostrils can't take much more of that smell." Ameki halted her steps at his words and put on an astonished expression.

"You don't smell like a bed of Roses either Jaken." Ameki feigned insult. Jaken, the stony faced imp, chuckled.

"In all honesty I could use a break away from Ah-Un for a bit. He can get a little gassy while he sleeps." Ameki burst into laughter. A genuine smile arose in her features. Jaken had actually made her laugh, and it wasn't at his expense.

"You have jokes, and here I thought you had such a dull personality." Jaken scoffed at Ameki's observation.

"That was no joke I assure you. That two headed beast may have one body, but he eats for two, and smells like it too." Ameki began laughing again.

"Where are you going?"

Kohaku's shout resonated off of the wooded area ahead of them. Ameki turned to see his attention was now on them.

"We are heading for a refill." She shouted back as she waved her container.

"Wait. Let me go with you." He replied as he dashed toward their campsite, grabbing his satchel. Ameki felt a bit awkward for a moment. She had planned on freshening up a bit, but with company other than Jaken it would be rather uncomfortable. Even with the toad she had doubts of her comfort, but Jaken was easily swayed to give her some privacy. She wasn't sure that Kohaku would grant her that same kindness. Afterall, he seemed a bit like Sesshomaru when it came to being over protective. It wasn't his fault she didn't guess. It was just something that naturally integrated with the male ego.

Ameki decided to find time later to freshen up. Afterall, she had left her soap and fragrance at the campsite anyways.

~Sesshomaru~

Sesshomaru hated the waiting. It seemed to be the only thing he had been doing lately. Waiting. Waiting for answers, and solutions. He had found one, and yet there would be more waiting. He could go back, and let the others know that it would be a while, but leaving the area where his answers could be sought felt wrong. It was so close. He was so close. They could wait. He knew he wasn't exactly known for arriving on time, and he didn't care. Well, a part of him did care… He cared that Ameki had been unconscious when he had left.

Sesshomaru shook himself from his thoughts. Another day had passed. He waited. Surely Yakunan would have eyes and ears in the area, but he sensed no danger. No ominous aura's. It was always better to be safe than sorry though. Yakunan had made a dire mistake leaving this demon alive, something Sesshomaru wasn't sure about himself. Would he kill the demon that now held his memories? This demon didn't seem to be a physical threat to anyone. No blood soiled the surrounding earth. It truly did just feast on memories. In a way though, this made the demon formidable to many. The knowledge it held, could turn the tides of many wars. Especially this one. He just needed to find a weakness, or some answers pertaining to Yakunan's games.

The third day came, and Sesshomaru waited. He waited until the petrified roots before him seemed to thrum with life once more. The entangled mass slowly receded, revealing a face that sent chills down the mighty demons spine. The old hag that he had seen before, now held the appearance of someone from his memories. Someone precious to him. Rin. A much younger Rin. The Little girl that had changed the great dog demon's life forever. The demon appeared just as Sesshomaru remembered Rin. Her small frame, and wiry limbs seemed malnourished. She wore the same pink peasant clothing she had been in when Sesshomaru had first met her. She looked exactly like the small orphan that had tried to help the wounded Sesshomaru in years past.

Something inside of Sesshomaru began tugging. An emotion he often quelled quickly. The demon before him sat in silence, with the face of an angel. Sesshomaru's hand twitched as his nails dug into his skin.

"What kind of trickery is this?" He demanded. The small voice that answered made the demon within him wine.

"It's your most treasured memory Sesshomaru." The small voice that answered held every note in which the real Rin would have answered. The happy nature in which the demon portrayed only angered Sesshomaru further.

"Why do you appear to me like this?" Sesshomaru had to physically restrain himself from letting loose the low growl that was building in his chest. Rin's memory would not be tarnished by some demon parading as her.

"I can assure you it's not personal. I simply relish and thrive on those memories that are strongest to the bearer. This appearance gives me strength because it was a vital part of your memories. It was a turning point in your life, one you still continue to build on." The demons face, Rin's face, took on a more solemn nature.

"I don't mean to offend you Sesshomaru. I did not think you would still be here when I awoke. I do give my sincerest apology if this causes you discomfort." Sesshomaru wasn't sure how to respond. Shape shifting demons weren't exactly a good memory for him, considering his past with Naraku. Instead of furthering his interrogation concerning the demon's appearance, he decided to move forward with his own motives.

"I need to see more." He spoke calmly, relaxing his features from the previous tension he had felt.

Nimka slightly lifted her chin as she contemplated her answer.

"I have all that I need from you Sesshomaru. I have your strongest memories, and have had my fill." Sesshomaru had prepared to protest, but Nimka stopped him by putting up a small hand and waving it about.

"However, the girl. Ameki. Yakunan has marked her, and I would like nothing more than to delve into her mind. More specifically, I want the memories from her time in the afterlife. She died that night, and I would very much like to know what she experienced." Nimka clasped her tiny hands in front of her stomach as she fell silent, waiting on Sesshomaru's response.

"She remembers nothing from that night. I doubt there is anything her memories could give you." Nimka slightly shook her head at Sesshomaru's reply.

"No, she doesn't remember, because her body was not there. To physically remember something the body is required. Her time in the afterlife, as short as it may have been would not be revealed to her. However, it leaves a mark on the soul. That is what I want to unveil."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes as she spoke. Nimka wanted to not only probe Ameki's mind, but somehow her soul as well.

"I won't let that happen." Sesshomaru answered cooly.

"There has to be something else you want." Sesshomaru wasn't the bargaining type, but letting this demon, the one that appeared to him as Rin, anywhere near Ameki's mind or soul wasn't an option he wanted to agree upon so quickly.

"I can see you have your doubts Sesshomaru, but that is my offer." Nimka's gaze was level.

"I won't allow it. Ameki's soul is not to be tampered with." Sesshomaru's resolve seemed apparent, but her next words peaked his curiosity.

"I couldn't tamper or harm her soul if I wanted to Sesshomaru. It's not within my power. Someone much stronger already holds that right. It is within Yakunan's grasp, however short lived that will be." Sesshomaru couldn't help but to wonder what her words meant. What they really meant.

"I don't understand." Sesshomaru replied.

"Bring her to me. I will choose a different appearance if that makes you more comfortable. I wouldn't want the girl coming face to face with her orphan mother." Sesshomaru slightly scoffed.

"That isn't the issue Nimka." His mood darkened.

"You said that the memories you sought were within her soul. How can you retrieve them if you can't delve within?" Nimka's little laugh caught Sesshomaru off guard. It was like music to his ears once more. Something about the girlish giggle sent a wave of emotions through Sesshomaru that he hadn't felt since… Since Rin had asked if he, the great lord Sesshomru, would remember her when she died. The little innocent girl that Sesshomaru had felt such loyalty to without reason.

"The same way you and I are talking now Lord Sesshomaru. I may not be able to openly retrieve those memories, but I can coax them free. Yakunan may hold power over her, but he's still young, and his powers aren't as strong as his predecessors. His control over her is weakened by the mark he placed upon her. The very thing he sat out to do is causing him great struggle." Sesshomaru listened intently, waiting for Nimka to continue.

A childish grin graced Nimak's lips as silence followed.

"You were saying?" Sesshomaru inquired.

"I'll reveal more when I have received more. Think about it Sesshomaru. I'll still be here when you decide." Sesshomaru's brow furrowed.

"How do I know you'll give me what I want to know?" Nimka shrugged.

"It's a risk you'll have to take Sesshomaru. Is the knowledge you could gain worth it?" Nimka inquired teasingly.

"No harm will come to her?" Sesshomaru inwardly sighed as he asked the question.

"There are always risks Sesshomaru. She may see something that frightens her. I can't be the judge of whether or not it will harm her. Physically, no. Emotionally, it's a gamble." Nimka's appearance began to change as she spoke. The image of Rin began to distort, becoming something new, older, but yet still familiar. Princess Sara Asano. The mortal woman that had fallen in love with Sesshomaru in decades past.

"Why have you chosen this appearance." Sesshomaru asked.

"A mortal princess that lost everything seems like someone that could accurately sympathize with Ameki don't you think?" Sesshomaru wasn't satisfied with her answer, but he wasn't sure he was comfortable delving into the subject either. He knew that Nimka had seen his memories, and felt his emotions. He felt pity for the princess that had sacrificed everything to try and make him happy. Feeling pity for humans wasn't something the past Sesshomaru had done often, but it was something that continued to flourish in him, even to this day. He felt the emotion more often than not. His fears of becoming soft like his father were no longer fears, but possibly… goals. After all, his father had been a formidable demon. Always fighting for what he felt was right, and to do that he had to embrace those feelings that Sesshomaru had, for so long, denied.

"Talk with her Sesshomaru. You know she has the right to know that she can decide as well whether or not to do this. She simply only needs to know the option is available. Let her have some kind of control back in her life." Sesshomaru sighed out loud surprising himself.

How would he even begin to explain all of this to Ameki?