Yuuki quickly realized she made a grave mistake when she agreed to leave Shiyosai Village immediately.

She managed to stay on her feet for a couple hours with minimal limping until she collapsed. Now she was riding Inuyasha's back and the rest of them laughed while the two of them hated it. "You're such a pampered brat."

"I'm injured, you lousy dog."

He grinned back at her annoyed. "If anyone's lousy it's the one needing to be carried, wouldn't ya say?"

Instantly Yuuki turned red, from anger and because he wasn't wrong. She forced her own angry smile that ended up twitching. "You know, I could very well use my Seishin powers to obliterate your half-demon self, you mutt."

A tick mark throbbed on his head as his malicious grin grew. "Oh, you mean the spiritual powers you don't have right now cause you wasted it all, you two-bit priestess?"

Despite smiling, Kagome sweat dropped at the two of them. The man she loved and her best friend, she was glad that they got along in their own way. She supposed it was proof that their friendship would be long lasting. Sango smiled at her and Miroku, "At least they're not screaming at each other."

Miroku pointed out, "True, yet Yuuki doesn't exactly have the voice for it at the moment anyways."

Shippo jumped up onto his shoulder and said, "At least this all shows Inuyasha has some sort of courtesy." Sango choked back a laugh at that.

In the meantime the fiery battle aura between the two of them only grew and engulfed them, distorting the image of Inuyasha walking calmly and carrying the limp Yuuki on his back. "You talk a lot of game for someone that can't even stand."

As the two of them smiled, it was dangerous. Tick marks popping up left and right around them. "Coming from the guy that couldn't even land one decisive blow on Naraku."

"Maybe if someone wasn't in my way."

"It's called being faster, slow-witted mongrel."

"It's luck for a helpless half-baked priestess such as yourself."

Seeing the intensity build, all their friends shifted away while feeling relief that Yuuki was too weak for Inuyasha to start a real fight. That continued on for the better half of the day until they found a spot to make camp. Yuuki was useless as she laid on the ground, leaving it to the others to prepare everything. She sighed, staring up at the sky. It would be a few days until they returned to the village at their pace, and she really was to blame for it. Without Kirara there it was hard to keep a steady pace.

So she meditated until dinner, and they all ate cooked bird while they played Old Maid with Kagome's cards and discussed what they would do once they were finally back.

Yuuki was quiet, though, stuck in her own head. When questioned about it, she would smile and pass it off for exhaustion. Which was almost entirely true. However when it came time for sleep, Yuuki found it impossible. She stared at the sky thinking. Thinking too much. The more she thought the more unsettled she felt.

"When we meet again, I shall return your items to you." Sesshomaru had said to her on Asagiri Island. "And you will tell me what transpired here."

But what do I say to him? Utsugi was there on the island, but she disappeared. There was no jewel shard, no corpse even. Naraku had simply vanished, and so did his demonic energy. She sighed, closing her eyes. It's not like he managed to escape, everyone would have seen that, hell, there'd be a trail even... but where are Utsugi and the jewel shard? Perhaps Utsugi was the one to steal it away... no, they had a deal together. Then again, Naraku was more than willing to swallow me up for the Dai Saishi no Tama... unless there was a betrayal? She shook her head, rolling it on the dirt. Naraku's not stupid enough let himself be subjected to a betrayal, even if Kagura tried. She got swallowed up in the end.

She kept her groan in her head as she pinched her eyes. This is stupid, I'm going in circles! Unless... Relaxing again she released another sigh. Unless everything was one big ploy... Kagura, Kohaku... unless everything was a set up.

If that were the case, why be so elaborate? Why go so far? Was it just for them? Who would be Naraku's target for this whole scheme?

And so Yuuki had another sleepless night.

In fact she was so exhausted she ended up sleeping the next couple days, Inuyasha forced to carry her some more since no one trusted Miroku to. Yuuki's spirit thankfully remained in her body and she was able to properly recuperate herself.

Yuuki woke up, was able to walk on her own, and they arrived at the village. Once they did, Yuuki set up a futon in Kaede's hut and went back to sleep for a couple more days.

There was the sounds of frantic horses hooves, wagon wheels turning and jumping, men shouting, women calling and giggling, and children screaming gleefully.

Yuuki slowly opened her eyes, feeling well rested for once in a long while. She glanced around Kaede's hut, but only her friends belongings were there. Slowly she sat upright and looked down at herself- dressed in plain sleeping robes. Kagome or Sango dressed me. She wondered how long she was out for, not even remembering the journey back. Rolling up the sleeves, the marks that were left by Naraku's tendrils strangling her body were fading away. Surely her neck would take a bit longer, but lightly touching it, it felt well enough.

"Ah, yes," Naraku's face was crystal clear in her mind, so close, the look of... a dangerous lust in his red eyes, and the desire of killing her slowly emanating off him. "This is the expression I've wanted to see again."

Yuuki winced, hand twitching away from her throat. Naraku... She smiled bitterly to herself. He scared me. Twice now.

She leaned forward, resting her arm on her knee. Taking a slow breath to calm herself, she exhaled, "Utsugi..." Whatever had happened to Naraku was a mystery. However she felt certain that Utsugi was the catalyst for keeping her in the Feudal Era. Her true obstacle to defeat. She may have Naraku's jewel shard, Yuuki may be without her weapons, but she'd be damned if she were to fail now. Her hand tightened into a fist, "I will find you."

After gathering herself and dressing in her uniform, she pushed the straw door out of the way and squinted at the harsh sunlight. Once she was able to see, she blinked in surprise at all the commotion going on.

So many villagers were running around, horses pulling wagons full of vegetables from the fields and game from the forest. Children were running around wearing colorful yukatas and the women were carrying dishware and decorations.

Yuuki stood there dumbly, watching everyone bustling about as if it were a city. "Yuuki!"

Snapping out of it, she looked over and realized Kagome was rushing towards her. Her relief was evident in her smile, "You're finally awake, we were getting worried. Especially Inuyasha, though he'd never admit it."

"I-I'm sure." She glanced down, noticing a pretty purple cloth in her arms. "Um, what's going on around here exactly?"

"A festival!" Together they looked around, witnessing everyone happily prepare. "When we arrived, Sango said Kohaku seemed to be his usual self, though he was still dizzy and weak, and his memory is still hazy. Miroku then decided to check his Wind Tunnel. He says he could still feel it, but it was gone."

"G-gone?" Yuuki stared at her bewildered. "So, what does that mean for the both of them?"

"Well, Miroku is gathering some things and planning to head back to his temple," she replied. "He was raised by a monk named Mushin who helps him with his Wind Tunnel, so he hopes he can get a solid confirmation and feel better about accepting. Sango's been staying by Kohaku's side, and once he's recuperated they'll head back to their village to tend to things. But before that, we're having a celebration of our victory!"

Victory... After a hesitation Yuuki forced a smile, "That's great. Is that your kimono?"

"Oh, look!" She held out the purple and yellow yukata and smiled happily, "It's Kaede's from when she was younger, she said I could borrow it! I'm sure we can find one for you somewhere."

"Oh, I'm not too concerned," Yuuki quickly assured. "Uhm, so, what about Inuyasha?"

"Oh, he's been the happiest I've seen him in a while. Come on, see for yourself!" Snagging her hand, Kagome dragged her around the busy streets.

They neared the sound of wood being chopped frantically, and Yuuki was stunned to see Inuyasha using his giant, magical, heirloom, demon fang of a sword to chop wood. She stared dumbly, having no words as he hacked away like a machine- a happy machine. The wood split and went flying and a couple of village kids were helping him set up log after log.

"Keep 'em comin'! We got another batch ready!" He shouted, happy to be doing manual labor for once.

Once Yuuki could find her voice she questioned, "A-are we... having a bonfire...?"

"Yep, and Inuyasha wants to make it a giant one. We'll be using it to cook everything that the village has gotten together," Kagome explained. Then she became distracted, "Oh, Kaede! Yuuki," she placed a hand on her arm, "hang out for a little bit, I'm going to try to find a yukata for you, too!"

Yuuki then watched as Kagome ran off into the crowds. She stood frozen for a moment as her friend disappeared. Looking to Inuyasha, neither he nor the village children noticed her. She then looked around her, all of the villagers focused on their tasks and charging on, paying no mind to her. Everyone was so happy and carefree. It's uncomfortable, she thought.

She was the only one not happy, anxious and skeptical as to what was really going on.

Deciding she was too out of place, she walked away. Wandering through the streets, she managed to hear Shippo over the noise. Looking over, she spotted him instructing the village children on how to help prepare for the festival. The kids seemed to look up to him, it made Yuuki smile.

She then happened to catch his eye. He perked up, "Yuuki!" Jumping off the fence post he was standing on, she stopped and waited as he hopped over to her, deftly dodging wagons and people. Reaching her, when he looked up his smile fell away to worry as he eyed at her neck. "Are you feeling better? You were sleeping for a long time."

Kneeling to his level, she smiled, "Thank you, Shippo, I'm fine." She then glanced him over- he must've been playing for a while cause he was filthy. She then asked, "So, are you going to clean up before the party tonight?"

He froze up.

She cocked an eyebrow, giving him a look. "All the adults are going to be clean for the occasion. You want to be like an adult, don't you?"

"Like an adult?" He questioned, and then stood proud. "I am an adult!"

"Good," she stood up and winked at him. "Don't forget to get behind your ears." As he slumped in defeat, she lifted a hand and added, "Don't forget to advise the other children the same thing," then walked off.

Weaving through the crowds and making it to the village edge, she decided to head towards the Bone Eater's Well. Even if Utsugi is my catalyst, it doesn't hurt to try. Making her way through the woods, once she made it to the well she leaned against it and peered down below. She remembered when Inuyasha pushed her down- his way of helping, and Kinya's voice in her mind. She realized how long ago it had been. About a month or so, right? She stared at the barren well floor, and then pushed off, glancing over her shoulder at the village. It wouldn't be appreciated if I suddenly disappeared before a celebration.

With that in mind, she decided to wander the forest, not wanting to return quite yet while she was still in her own head. Bringing a hand to her chin she thought, perhaps I was over thinking things before? If Kohaku came back and Miroku's Wind Tunnel is gone...

"Ah, I see..." Yuuki stopped short, hearing a voice. Kaede? She strained her ears and listened, "That matches what Kagome had said. Then what of the Shikon no Tama shard?"

Yuuki glanced up, noticing the Sacred Tree of Kagome's home shrine looming over the trees in front of her. Kaede's at the Sacred Tree?

Yuuki decided to get closer, careful of her footsteps as she heard Kikyo's voice, "A collaborator of Naraku's whisked away the shard at his will. Whether she's acting as his pawn or his partner, I am unsure."

Yuuki stopped behind a tree, having caught a glimpse of the two beneath the sacred tree. Pressing her back against the trunk she listened as Kaede asked, "And do ye know of the collaborator, sister?"

Yuuki's eyes widened, sister? Kaede had to be about sixty, yet, Yuuki glared at the ground thoughtfully, Inuyasha was sealed away for fifty years? Odd pieces were coming together for her.

"A priestess named Utsugi, a Seishin Master."

"Utsugi," Kaede mused, "Aye... Yuuki mentioned the name before, yet it is foggy to me."

"I believe there's a certain spell cast around her," Kikyo replied, and a bead of sweat built on Yuuki's cheek. Would she overhear important information? "Her origins are unknown, even to me, and yet I felt as if I heard the name before... There was another name you mentioned, wasn't there, Kaede? A man."

"Related to Utsugi? Hmm..." Yuuki held her breath. "I cannot say for certain. Yuuki mentioned before a man that taught her techniques of the Seishin, named Kakuju I believe."

"Kakuju... Is that correct, Yuuki?"

Yuuki jumped slightly at her name. Shit, she swallowed, quickly calming her heart. After a breath she stepped out from behind her hiding place, meeting with the unsmiling Kikyo and the surprised Kaede.

"Yuuki, how long were ye there for?" Kaede asked.

"Long enough, I suppose," she replied, walking towards them. Looking to Kikyo she asked, "Did you see me?"

"I can sense more than the kehai of the Shikon no Tama," she replied, her eyes oddly sharp on her. "Tell us, is it Kakuju?"

"Well, yes, Kakuju is the old man that taught me what I know," she replied, but quickly added, "Yet I've mentioned Utsugi to him before, he didn't give me any sign that he knew her."

"Were you looking hard enough?"

Yuuki hesitated. Why did it feel like she was on trial? What was Kikyo trying to figure out? Feeling like she was caught, she struggled a reply, "I-I don't know... But I believe if Kakuju knew anything he would tell me. He's only helped me since I showed up in this world." Kikyo continued to stare at her- her eyes told her that she didn't believe her. Yuuki suddenly became defensive- defensive of Kakuju. "He's the one that taught me the Seishin, he's the one that gave me my weapons and even helped me keep my soul within my body."

Kikyo's eyes narrowed slightly, "Soul within your body, you say...?" Yuuki tensed. Kikyo's not an enemy, but she's not a friend either, she reminded herself. Instead of giving anything else away, she kept quiet. That was fine for Kikyo, and when she closed her eyes in acceptance she seemed to relax. "I see, your being in this time is more strenuous than I originally thought." Looking at her again she said, "Your solutions lie with Utsugi. However, you have been unable to defeat her before, and now that she is in possession of Naraku's half of the shard, it will be all the more difficult."

"Yeah, I could figure." Yuuki looked to the ground, thinking over her options. I need my weapons from Sesshomaru... I need to act quickly- I need to act now.

And yet the village was happy, preparing for a party. Her friends were happy, finally having something like peace in their lives. They were disbanding to pursue their own goals. Shoulders lowering, Yuuki closed her eyes in acceptance. This problem is mine and mine alone now.

If she couldn't defeat Utsugi on her own, then how could she even hope to return home?

Kaede noticed the change in her demeanor. Worried she asked, "Yuuki?" When Yuuki looked at her- the light lavender of her eyes piercing, Kaede gave up on her advice. With a sad smile she said, "I understand. Is there anything ye need, child?"

"I can pack up and prepare on my own," she replied. Making her own sad smile she said, "If there's one thing I could ask, perhaps get Inuyasha intoxicated? Whenever I wander off on my own he's quick about herding me back."

Kikyo made a small sound, quickly turning her head away. Yuuki blinked at her, "Kikyo?"

"I can see he hasn't changed." She then added under her breath, "And yet he has." With that she walked away.

As Kikyo disappeared into the forest, Yuuki and Kaede watched her go. Kaede then looked to her and said, "Come, child. Kagome wishes a yukata for ye. At least enjoy some of the party before departing."

Yuuki smiled back gratefully. "All right."

They walked back to the village together, and that's when Kagome stumbled upon them, happy as ever to show off the yukata she found for Yuuki. Accepting the temporary happiness, Yuuki was able to smile and go along with the victory festival. Once the sun set, the villagers built a massive bonfire and fired up various dishes that everyone gorged on. Barrels of sake were brought out and everyone sat together in large groups, Yuuki and her friends being one with Kohaku and Kaede. Even Kirara got to dine on some meat and fish.

Miroku got tipsy early, and challenged Inuyasha to a drinking match, which plenty of people got in on with bets. After chugging and Miroku falling back, Inuyasha declared victory, even though he lost his wits long ago.

Although both Sango and Kagome were sober for that exact reason, Yuuki glanced around and noticed that their attention was on their partners. Yuuki smiled to herself, partners. They weren't couples, but Yuuki was quickly realizing how dumb you'd have to be to not notice their mutually expressed feelings.

Then Yuuki's smile fell away, looking down at her small cup of sake. I feel... lonely. They were her friends and it was a celebration, yet there was a partnership between everyone else. Well, if anyone was her partner for the occasion it would be Shippo, yet he was busy showing off his tricks to the drunken villagers. Yuuki felt weight on herself, knowing she was the only one not very happy.

After taking her drink, she sighed in satisfaction and glanced at Kaede. The old priestess nodded to her discreetly. Taking an opportunity, Yuuki snuck off unnoticed.

Stripping of her yukata, she put her school uniform back on. Using her backpack, it was still filled with her school supplies. Sighing, she couldn't leave them behind, just in case. Still she managed to pack away a blanket and some first aid from Kagome's bag, as well as a hairbrush. She's my friend, she'll forgive me. Taking some money from Miroku's pack and dried rations from Kaede's stock, she finally shouldered her bag and snuck back out. She smiled over at the bonfire, hearing everyone's loud talking and laughs. Everyone has their own tasks and are settling it on their own. It's only natural I do the same.

She then noticed Kaede approaching her. "Here, child." She handed her a bundled up package wrapped with large leaves and string. "Food from the festival. It will last ye a short while." Accepting it, Kaede then looked over concerned. "Yuuki, where is your weapon?"

"It's all right," she assured with a smile. "Someone's keeping it safe for me, but I'll be getting it back. There's no need to worry."

"All right," having no other choice but to accept that, she nodded her head in farewell. "Safe travels."

"Thank you, Kaede." Bowing in return, she headed out, disappearing into the darkness of the forest as Kaede watched her leave.

Days she had been traveling to the southeast from Kaede's Village. Skipping roads, according to her mind's map, she took the direct route through the forests towards Sesshomaru. From Asagiri Island he flew to the northwest. Of course, assuming he didn't take a turn. It wasn't easy; lesser demons were appearing more frequently. Perhaps with the absence of Naraku they felt like they were safe. Without her weapons, she was left with only her Seishin powers, her best weapons her hands. Close combat, and if not fast enough a serious injury.

And ever since setting out on her journey alone, she hadn't been able to escape the damn rain.

Exhausted and slowly worn down by the weather, Yuuki collapsed beneath a tree, breathing hard. "Damn this..." Frustrated with her predicament, she pulled her backpack around and sifted through it. No umbrella- still, no matter how many times she checked. She swallowed, feeling something off in her throat. It was thick and irritated.

Sighing, she pulled out whatever was left over from the festival food and unwrapped the small bundle- "Achyoo!" She quickly turned away, and then paused from the pain the sneeze caused. "Unngh..." She was shaking now, and her throat and nose felt worse. "Damn Kagome's cold..."

She gave up on food, it never felt right when she ate while sick. Tucking it away again, she hugged herself as tight as she could, coughing lightly. Taking out her blanket now would only get it soaked.

"Come to me, Yuuki."

She glowered. The more she rethought the memory, the more twisted it was becoming. Instead of whatever smile she saw, it turned into a look of annoyance from him. "Come to me, Yuuki. I cannot be bothered to find you."

They're my weapons, she thought bitterly, body trembling from the cold. If he planned on giving them back why doesn't he come to me? It should be easier for him to find me than me find him.

"You come to me, girl. If you want your weapons back." Again the memory twisted again with worse hidden messages. Instead a smile a sneer.

It's not like he can use them anyway. What would he gain from keeping hold of them instead of just handing them over? She closed her eyes, the exhaustion weighing on her. "I'll give your weapons back in exchange for information about what happened here."

That can't be right, she thought. I didn't think he was so bad, but Inuyasha did tell me he was a jackass. They hated each other and she was always hanging with Inuyasha. Another thought was Sesshomaru simply wanted to avoid his little brother. They're both stubborn idiots... must run in the family...

As bad as it was to drift asleep outside in the rain, her sickness made her weak. She slumped back against the tree, face flushed and labored breath. Trembling, she tried to hold onto her backpack tight- since it was everything she owned. I can't sleep now... I need to keep going, I need my weapons... I'm vulnerable...

While her body went limp, her bag slipped from her arms, some of the contents spilling out. Food rations and a couple of books slowly became soggy from the onslaught of pouring rain.

...

...

...

The great sound of a tree twisting, breaking, crashing, through the hiss of rain.

Yuuki jumped awake, body breaking in a cold sweat of fear. Her wide lavender eyes honed on the falling trees, and forcing its way forward was an ogre. Yuuki's heart dropped, seeing the ten foot monster with russet skin, great black horns, and black eyes focusing on her.

Sango talked about ogres once. Dumb and slow creatures that were powerful and devoured any flesh, even of its own kind.

She trembled still- both of fear and cold- and her light eyes glanced around the monster as it slowly made its way towards her. It's limping, she realized, focusing on a wound on one of its calves. A clean gash that was still bleeding.

Stupid, slow, and injured. Her hand twitched as it wanted to reach for her missing rosary. I could run and escape, she thought. Abandon this path and double back towards Kasasagi Village.

"Your solutions lie with Utsugi," Kikyo's words echoed in her head. "However, you have been unable to defeat her before, and now that she is in possession of Naraku's half of the shard, it will be all the more difficult."

Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to her feet. Utsugi beat me time and again without any weapons. She flexed her fingers- they were slow to respond being nearly frozen. Her whole body was weak with her sickness. The ogre's massive steps shook the ground little by little as it approached. If I'm going to beat her, I have to win every battle before me!

The ogre gave a great roar that shook her bones.

Her shaky mouth twisted into a smirk. Well, shit... I'm scared.

She rushed forward towards the ogre as it swung its massive hand. Using the slick ground to her advantage, she slid down low and dodged, the mud splashing up on her legs. The massive black clawed hand passing over her head and whipping the air around her. Sliding passed the legs, she managed to get her footing again and readied her right hand. Just like Utsugi, she straightened her palm and aimed her nails. Summoning her Seishin she created a pointed blade around her hand. Rushing for the wound on the ogre's back leg, she followed the cut and severed the tendons even deeper, searing it with holy power.

The ogre reared back and roared in pain. It stumbled back and Yuuki scrambled to get out of the way. Carelessly it swung back in a blind attempt to strike her. Yuuki's iris' shrank in fear, feeling the power behind the arm as it closed in.

I'll die.

Abandoning an attempt at footing, she leapt and narrowly dodged. However the force blasted the wind and sent her flying. She cried out, cut off short by slamming into a tree.

Slowly the ogre turned, stumbling terribly from the wound in his leg. Yuuki cringed, forcing herself to ignore the pain shooting through her body, the cold, the sickness, and instead turned all of that into fuel as she got to her feet. Inside, yes, this was terrifying. Fighting demons before was easy because she had friends, she had back up; if she fell down someone else would be there to pick her back up. To protect her. Yet now she was alone.

She glared up at the demon with ferocity, "I... am not... losing!"

With a scream she ran forward, summoning her Seishin around her body. The ogre reached for her and she leapt into its grasp, reaching her hands forward. "Purify!"

The ogre closed its fist around her holy light, and ended up losing the hand. After exploding in light and eradicating the hand, only a smoking stump was left, half charred and bleeding. It roared again- a slight shrill sound from the pain, and stumbled back. Putting weight on the injured leg its knees buckled and collapsed, and Yuuki took the opportunity to jump on top of it. With another scream she threw herself at the head, and buried her flaring hands into the eyes. Riding the ogre's face it roared and screamed and thrashed about, but she grit her teeth and refused to be thrown off, melting the eyes and burying her arms deep into the skull until she was to her shoulders in ogre blood.

Eventually the ogre stopped moving, and went limp. Panting heavily, she stayed as she was for a moment, her powers fading away. With her bare hands she could feel burnt chunks mixed with slime. She was too exhausted to feel disgusted. Slowly she dislodged herself and pulled her blood soaked arms out from the sockets. Kneeling on its face, she listlessly stared down at the damage she caused. Too slow, was her only thought as she slowly got off. Still too slow for her...

Slipping off the head she nearly collapsed, stumbling towards her belongings that were carelessly on the ground. A voice nagged at her, and her vision became hazy. "Ogres are dumb, but like any demon or beast, they know the importance of scouting." Yuuki's eyes rolled slightly as they closed, and they weren't as easy to open. "If you find an ogre alone, then always know there's a pack nearby." Sango's voice faded away as she collapsed. With a wet slap her body fell face first into the watery grass, lying motionless with the smoking dead ogre body.

With a great thud another ogre's body collapsed. Sesshomaru stared down at it unfeeling as he twirled his Tokijin, with a hard flick ridding it of the weak demon's blood.

Around him laid dead a whole pack of ogres, twenty or so. The rain finally began to lighten up some after he finished his brief battle. Far too simple, he thought, sheathing his sword. The pack sent a scout too close to the camp Jaken and Rin had created. After Jaken's shouting and Rin's shrill scream, Sesshomaru appeared quickly enough to cut it down.

And so he decided to rid of the rest of them. One wandered off somewhere, he vaguely realized, looking towards the broken path. Staring through the rain, he knew that the ogre was wandering far from the campsite and would not dare return. I suppose there's nothing more to do. If that ogre were to find another wandering pack, there was a chance they would return and bother him again.

So to sate a certain boredom, he followed the path.

Along with the sound of rain, Sesshomaru's steps squished in the water logged ground. Finding the end of the path he froze. He stared at the ogre before him; eyes replaced by bloody darkness that streamed down its face, the leg that he had wounded lightly hanging on by the bone, an arm missing a hand. It wasn't a clean kill, it was more of a mutilation.

First he sniffed the air. The heavy rain had diluted nearly everything, even the foul stench of the ogre's blood. However, above all else, flowers.

His eyes widened slightly. Wisteria...?

Swiftly he moved around the ogre and sure enough he found her. Lying face down in the wet grass, body stained with mud and ogre's blood.

Yuuki..!

In the next instant he was kneeling beside her, pushing her onto her back. He looked her over; face pale and contorted in pain, chest rising slightly, rapidly, with short shallow breaths. He reached for her face, but even hovering his fingers over her skin he could feel the heat radiating off her. Sniffing again he could clearly smell sickness. It's familiar, he thought, an illness Rin had before...

After looking her over, he realized that she had no wounds. He narrowed his eyes and looked to the ogre again. She killed that demon in her sickly state? He looked back down at her in slight intrigue. And without her weapons. It was near impossible for a lone human to defeat an Ogre Ram on their own, yet here she was without injury, against the odds. As Yuuki gasped for breath, Sesshomaru was brought to his senses.

He would bring her to the camp, that was already decided. However looking to the side he noticed her pack of things. They were Yuuki's things, no doubt she would be in need of them if that was all she had. Laying her down and leaving her for a moment, he knelt down to collect the contents, food rations and- books... He narrowed his eyes and grabbed one, inspecting it. Mathematics... After tucking it away he grabbed another, Science... The future she was from was well versed in studies it seemed. He tucked them back into her bag and secured her things. First he slung her bag over his shoulder and then turned to her. Using his one arm and mokomoko once more, he picked her up and carried her back through the forest.

The rain let up. Upon reaching the campsite, Rin and Jaken were just as happy as ever to have their lord return. "Lord Sesshoma-!" Rin gasped, hands clapping over her mouth. "My lord! You have Yuuki!"

"My lord!" Jaken rushed up to him looking bewildered. "Why do you- how did you come about her!?"

"We thought you were just killing the ogre's, my lord!"

"She was alone in the woods," he explained and laid her down by the fire. With the storm passing, the sun began to fall with the dark clouds still hovering. As darkness quickly fell, the fire crackled, and the warmth helped with her shaking. Sesshomaru stepped back and as Jaken and Rin gathered around to inspect her.

"Lord Sesshomaru, she doesn't look well," Rin said and looked back at him worried. "What do we do? We do not have any medicine."

Dropping her bag, he replied, "Jaken."

"Y-Yes, my lord!"

Quickly standing at attention Sesshomaru said to him, "The ogres have been dealt with. Watch over them while I'm gone. I'll return shortly."

"As you wish, my lord-!" He winced away as Sesshomaru took to the air, flying off over the forest. Jaken sighed heavily, looking back towards Rin who hovered worriedly over Yuuki. "And once again I'm left with this task..."

Well, thankfully they had already prepared for the night. Ah-Un was fed and meat was skewered by the fire. Yet it was slightly stressful for him for his master to be gone again, to get attacked by ogres, and then suddenly his master drops this human on him again. With a sigh Jaken settled by the fire next to the girl's odd shoes. Again Lord Sesshomaru helps her, he thought, eyeing her face as Rin checked her forehead temperature. The same human he took such a keen interest in at Naraku's last castle. I don't know what's special about her, but oh well. As a faithful servant and follower of Lord Sesshomaru, he wouldn't question too much.

Jaken then blinked and realized Rin was going through Yuuki's backpack. Snapping to reality he exclaimed, "Rin! What are you doing!? Those aren't yours!"

"But it's Yuuki's," she argued, and pulled out a blanket. "Yuuki trusts me, so I'm using her things the way she'd want." She said it with such confidence that Jaken hesitated, lacking an argument. Sighing, he gave up and let her do as she would. Since when did they become so close? Instead he sat by the fire and waited for their meat to finish cooking.

Rin draped Yuuki's blanket over her and tried to make her comfortable. The young girl even ran off to gather some foliage to create some comfort for her head. "I remember how I felt when I was ill," she said aloud and Jaken glanced at her. Rin smiled, "Yuuki, do you need some water?"

Jaken looked to Yuuki, but the woman didn't respond. "She doesn't seem conscious, Rin."

"Maybe," she replied, kneeling close beside her. "But it's hard to sleep when you're sick." Leaning in close, she smiled as she asked again, "Yuuki? Are you thirsty? Do you need water?"

Yuuki coughed lightly. "Nngh... wh... wha... plea..." It took great effort to speak.

However Rin heard her words and jumped to her feet, running off. "Rin!" Jaken yelled after her.

"I'll be back!" She called back, "I'm getting water!" After stealing a bamboo container from Ah-Un's saddle she ran off.

Jaken opened his mouth, but gave up. He sighed again and frowned over at Yuuki, seeing her struggle. Perhaps she saved Rin's life, he thought. However an obscure connection was being created in his imp mind. Even if Lord Sesshomaru appreciated that, the extent he's gone through for this girl is more than necessary. It was too much of an effort- he wouldn't forget how his lord kept her by her side when her body was far too still back in the flower fields. He frowned even more to himself. He still believes his actions aren't obvious to me.

Jaken would keep his thoughts to himself. Anyways, with the area now cleared of danger he felt that he could finally relax once in a long while.

Rin rushed back with the water and lifted Yuuki's head, helping her to drink.

Meanwhile, Sesshomaru wasted no time in reaching the cave cliff of old lady Baba. When he landed his demonic energies dispersed, and the old hag was already mumbling and grumbling as she slowly made her way to the front of her cave, glowering at the tall demon. "You're back, three-legged-mongrel. Tell me, what is it this time?" Eyeing him, he didn't have a human girl with him. "Back to finally kill me?"

"The priestess I brought before," he said and she narrowed her eyes. "You remember her, yes?"

"I'm old, not stupid." With that she spat at his feet, but he wasn't bothered by it. Eyeing him, seeing no reaction, she decided that it was rather serious. "Fine. What about the priestess girl?"

"She's ill," he replied. "Similar to the illness you treated with Rin before."

"Oh?" Baba-sama eyed the Dog Demon Lord. That girl Rin only had a simple cold, easy to overcome. Yet the fact that his demon lord was concerned by a priestess made her vaguely confused. Looking at him she could tell he was an old beast that was yet still young. She scoffed, turning back to her cave. "So, you haven't eaten her yet, have you? Taken her virtue? What an honorable demon you are."

Sesshomaru blinked. Perhaps the only tell tale sign that her disrespectful words finally got to him. He moved forward after her- "Heel!" She spun around and held her small wrinkly hand out. He stopped and stared down at her. Looking down his aristocratic nose with such cold demonic eyes, the pupils turning to slits, his pureblood markings turning jagged. He made sure the old priestess hag could feel his true demonic aura.

Lowering her hand she frowned at him with her wrinkly face. "Oh, put yer pecker away, ya dog." Without concern she turned back and continued into the cave. "I know not what ya plan on doing to the poor girl, however I do know a priestess with potential when I see one. Of course I'll help the girl."

Sesshomaru relaxed, returning to something of a normal self. Still he continued into the cave, pushing aside the growing vines that blocked it off. She bustled about, collecting hanging dried herbs to create a concoction. "She's a special one, that girl," she was saying. Settling down, she began grinding the herbs. "I noticed when I first treated her. A rare power that's tapped by only a few. Seishin, the power fueled by the energies of the world around us."

Sesshomaru simply stared. Seishin. He didn't recognize the name, nor did he care. A human capability in an attempt to fight demons. Priestesses wield holy powers, and perhaps more powerful than some. The same said for demons. And the battle between demons and the holy humans was far longer than even his father was alive.

Father... It was an odd thought to have for him.

"It's a special power," Baba-sama continued. "Something lost by the known world." She sighed, perhaps in remorse. "Tis' a shame..." Even while Baba-sama spoke of the powers, something she felt familiar with, the knowledge she possessed seemed to slip away like a mist. It's too strange...

Sesshomaru looked away, bored while she continued to work, adding boiling water from her fire to her concoction. She spoke again, "Of course... after I heal her with this potion, if you don't eat her..."

He glanced at her again. She smiled over her shoulder, "She can become powerful enough to destroy even you."

The thought made her cackle as she continued to work. Sesshomaru continued to watch the old hag as she made her potion. Powerful enough to destroy me? His mouth almost twitched into a smile. An interesting thought. Imagining that woman being a challenge for him made him want to test that old hag's theory. A human from another world barely capable of fighting on her own... However, quickly remembering, all amusement left his face. She was ill, and he was unsure how humans faired with sickness. He only knew them as weak, easily killable creatures.

Yet Yuuki can't be weak...

There was a silence as Baba-sama made her potion. She eventually spoke up again, "Tell me demon, is it a simple sickness?"

Sesshomaru glanced at her again. In his silence she rolled her eyes and glanced back at him, "What I mean, mutt, is that is it sickness or is it something more? Is she weak? From what? I need parameters, dog."

It felt exhausting to even listen to her. "She was found alone face down in the rain," he replied. She frowned at how descriptive he was. I thought he'd give a half-ass remark. "I smelled a sickness on her, yet she was weaker than that. She had battled an Ogre Ram on her own with no wounds."

"An Ogre Ram, eh?" With that Baba-sama returned to her work. Eyes as purple as wisteria flowers... Something felt off ever since she met that girl. Something was missing in her memory and Baba-sama knew it. She wouldn't be played a fool by any force. Considering that girl is from elsewhere...

She finished grinding the herbs and then poured some water into the pot over the fire. The old woman sat back down, frowning at the fire as she waited for the water to boil. "Demon Lord..." Sesshomaru glanced at her, her back to him. "Her eyes... What clan is she from?"

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. Clan?

It seemed his hesitation was too long as she scoffed. "Right, of course you wouldn't know. You know nothing of our kind."

"I know you are easy to kill."

"My, how scary." She snorted, stoking the fire. "You think those words scare me, mutt? I know firsthand how easy it is to kill our kind. I know how easy it is for you to kill our kind." She shifted in the dirt and turn to him, frowning. "Answer me, demon. What family does that priestess belong to?"

Sesshomaru stared at her for a moment. "She said her name was Fujiwara Yuuki."

"Fujiwara..." With a hum, her wrinkly mouth frowned deeply as she stared back into the fire. "That name... there is a curse over that name."

"You know of her lineage?" He wasn't so much curious for himself as he was for her.

"I did once," she replied. Her beady black eyes narrowed as she tried to remember. Yet like an old dream she couldn't remember the details, and it seemed false. "A curse prevents me from remembering. Perhaps anyone from remembering. One thing is for certain; if things continue as they are for her she is doomed."

Sesshomaru turned to her at that. "Doomed, you say? If she's truly weak then nothing can be done for her in that case."

She nearly snorted at his arrogance. "Oh, the big bad dog that doesn't give a damn." She spat to the side once more. Adding weigh to her voice she said, "All dogs are the same; loyal. Just to whom depends on you."

He frowned. No more than loyal dogs. Her words would have her decapitated right then. Yet I don't kill her.

"Sesshomaru... Have you someone to protect?"

Sesshomaru flinched and headed out of the cave. The memories of his father from so long ago echoed distantly in his mind. On the cliff on that new moon night... It made a part of him furious, yet he didn't know why. I think of that memory now? Why? His father was far beyond that of a common dog demon. Dogs loyal to masters... His father was loyal, but to a human woman. And lost his life.

Why?

"I do not care for the woman's well being," he finally said. "Her life has merely stumbled into mine because we have a common enemy. Her life is a pawn in Naraku's game and so long as she's close I can find him easily. Should she die now, I lose nothing."

Yes, die, to a common cold, she thought sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "Hm. Right." Baba-sama did not care anymore for the half-assed lies he'd make for his own pride. Instead she watched the steam rise from the pot as the water boiled. While she continued to make her potion, Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed in a cold glare out at the night sky.

He hated the way this old, weak, frail human hag made him feel.

After Baba-sama finished her potion, pouring it into a bottle and corking it, she handed it to Sesshomaru with a few words. "After she drinks this she needs to-"

He flew off, the wind blasting her in the face.

She frowned deeply after him."Damn, three-legged-mutt." She spat after him and retreated to her hole. The great Inu-Taisho... Dropping down in front of the fire, she randomly pulled out some fried squid from her sleeves and munched on that as she thought. She had heard stories of the demon that had protected all of Nippon, commanding all sorts of demons in an army on several occasions. Defending the East from the bugs of the other continent, and the West from the wild cats, and the North from the great Elk-Horse Demon. To think she was dealing with the son of that beast.

She chewed as she thought, knowing his prideful nature. After swallowing she stared into the fire and said, "I pray knows his loyalty, and fails her." As a sacrifice she tossed in the rest of her fried squid to the fire.

Even if he was the son of a great demon that helped the humans, Sesshomaru was one that still had too much to learn. And he would learn the hard way.

As Sesshomaru flew through the night, holding the warm bottle of medicine, he was questioning himself. Humans were less than nothing. Annoyances. Yet here he was making sure Yuuki recovered from her sickness. He could toss the bottle away, leaving her to overcome the illness on her own. If she was so weak and died then that would be the nature of humans. Something that shouldn't surprise him.

Yet in the back of his mind, he didn't want to risk it. So he thought to himself, I need her to tell me what happened on Asagiri Island, that's all. After that she will be on her own.

"Know your loyalty and fail her."

Sesshomaru halted and stared back towards the old woman. Something settled over him and it made him feel uneasy. Shoving the feeling aside he quickly hurried on.

Returning to camp, he was once again greeted happily by Rin and Jaken. "Lord Sesshomaru!" They both jumped up and hurried over to him. Jaken was the first to notice, "Lord Sesshomaru, what is that in your hand?"

"Huh?" Rin leaned over and tried to see as well. "Lord Sesshomaru, is that medicine from Baba-sama?"

"Here, Rin." Sesshomaru handed her the bottle. "Make sure she takes it."

"Okay!" Rin hurried back to Yuuki's side and placed her head in her lap to help hold it up.

While Rin helped the medicine down her throat, Jaken blinked over at them and then at his lord, who walked away to sit beneath a tree. He went back to that old hermit for medicine? He would have thought that Sesshomaru would have killed her a long time ago. Yuuki choked a bit and coughed, but Rin quickly helped her drink some water.

Sighing, Jaken wandered over to the two of them and stared down at Yuuki's sickly face. "Well? Is she better yet?"

"Master Jaken, I don't think medicine works that quickly."

"Perhaps not. Well once she sleeps she might be better in the morning."

Rin stroked Yuuki's hair and said, "I hope so."

Sesshomaru looked over at them, seeing Yuuki's slowly relax. Her breathing returned to normal and she seemed to slip into a peaceful sleep. Seeing that, he was able to close his eyes and rest as well.