Hello all my readers out there! I am back with another chapter! The good news for you is that as of today I'm am out of school for the summer, which means I'll have plently of time to work on this! So be prepared for lots of updates!

For the record: I don't own Eva or Inu Yasha! I'd be extreamly rich if if I did! lol!

Ch. 16 Costly Errors

Over the course of that day and the next day the barrier continued behave strangely. I tried to remain calm and not worry however it was getting harder to remain untroubled.

The day afterward I sensed the barrier and I noticed with much alarm that it was weaker today. I had asked Haruka about it but she claimed she was not ill despite her unusually pale face. 'Could one person's death have this much effect on the barrier?' I wondered. Whether it did or not, this wasn't good, the barrier would die soon if nothing changed. Then the Westernland would be open to the most horrible invasion imaginable.

I stopped in mid stride as I felt the barrier nearly flickered out, this was followed by a thud as something hit the snow behind me. "Lady Haruka!" Several voices cried.

I turned to see Haruka struggling to stand up. I hurried quickly to her side and put her arm around my shoulders. Her entire body was shaking with the effort to remain on her feet. Haruka's face was too pale and ashen; it made my face look almost tan. She was clearly exhausted and fever marks burned brightly on her cheeks. "Haruka, what's wrong?"

"Rei, I . . .I'm sorry. The truth is, I don't feel so good right now."

"Shh. It's okay. You did what you could."

Several youkai came foreword with a stretcher and I helped her lay down on it. Then I covered Haruka up with every spare blanket we had to keep her warm. This was bad. With Haruka sick and the priests gone there was nothing to keep the barrier up. I had to get to the shrine and fast. "All right people let's move. Keep Lady Haruka warm, safe and well cared for."

"Yes, ma'am."

I blinked in surprise at the response. No one had said anything like that to me before, ever. I stood there completely caught off guard and dumbfounded. Realizing this was not the time, I quickly shook it off and filed under things to deal with later. That was the best solution as far as I knew. Yet, I could not loose the sense of urgency or the fact that I was in charge. It was up to me to get us through this. Can you say no pressure?

We journeyed on for the next two days without incident Haruka improved slightly but quickly relapsed becoming violently ill. She had vomited several times and was running a high fever. Of course the barrier was significantly weakened by her condition and all but the strongest demons would be able to enter. However by midday we had yet to see even one demon. Surely Naraku was up to something. The problem was, what? 'What are you planning Naraku?' I wondered.

There was no answer but the howl of the winter wind. I sighed in frustration and marched on. I kept my eyes and senses active every minute, looking, feeling for any demon in the area. That's how I saw it before any of the others. A demon crow spy flying over us high in the near cloudless sky. I could see it's black eyes lock on me as it wings turned to take it back to its master. Suddenly I sensed something, demon warriors about to strike. "Get down." I hollered at the top of my lungs.

Everyone ducked as black poisoned arrows began to rain down on us. The acid poison burned large holes in the snow but the arrows hit no living targets though. Quickly I gave orders for the others to take Haruka and retreat to the safety of the woods a short distance back. As they vanished behind me a band of demon's appeared. I made sure to get their attention and I began to sprint in the direction of a nearby mountain. I had no plan but to lead them away from the others. Racing as fast as I could I ran up the trail that led to the top of the mountain with the demons in hot pursuit. I could not waste energy on keeping myself warm so I let my A.T. field fall.

As I ran raw icy wind blew past me driving snow like a million icy daggers against my skin. I tried not to think of the numbness that was quickly infecting my hands and feet. I focused my attention on the path ahead. Crunch, crunch, crunch. My feet sank like rocks in to the snow. Behind me I heard the clanging of the weapons the demons carried. I was right to assume they wanted me. I tensed as a particularly strong gust of wind threatened to force me backward. My clothes were rapidly proving themselves useless. My breath came in short white puffs and my lungs burned from the cold air as I struggled to keep going.

The racing climb up the mountain stretched on and on. I was pushing my limits of long distance running. I could sense that the demon's had fallen back slightly, probably to conserve energy. I felt comfortable with the pace I had set and I knew I could keep this up for a while. This now became a race to the end.

Abruptly the path opened up ahead of me into a large flat plateau. Before the paths twists and turns had protected me from them and to some degree, the wind. Here I knew, I had none. I hurried up as I made my way across not wanting to get caught out in the open where their archer could hit me. The wind struck me full in the face now, feeling like it was trying to rip my skin away. My face quickly became stiff and numb. I tried to cover it but it didn't help much.

I turned and went in the direction opposite of the wind. I knew I had to do something soon; this running thing was getting me nowhere. Unexpectedly I came to the edge of a huge cliff. Below was a deep canyon with wind driven snow swirling all around. Behind me were the demons and the forest. Instantly a plan began to form in my mind. I had a way out. I stood so that I was facing the winds and my chasers. I slid my feet so they rested right up along the edge. I closed my eyes and relaxed my body.

I took this opportunity to speak to Sesshomaru and tell him about the trouble while I waited. Sesshomaru can you hear me?

Rei, What's going on?

Trouble. Naraku's cronies have made it through the barrier. They're after me.

Sesshomaru muttered something under his breath. I'll be there as soon as possible but I have a problem. Naraku's army has come in the barrier after us. I'll be there as soon as I can.

Right. I'll do what I can here.

After talking to Sesshomaru I stood remaining as I was for several minutes as the demons neared. I used the spare time to catch my breath. Slowly my chest ceased to rise and fall as rapidly. I could feel my whole body relax greatly making the next step even easier. I was still there standing on the ledge when the demons reached me. "Look, I think she's given up." One teased.

I opened my eyes. At that moment a strong gust of wind reached me. I let it push me back over the edge. One of the demons tried to grab my hand but missed. My stomach lurched and I hung there suspended in the air. Then time slowed down as I fell down, down.

Looking back I could see the demons still standing on the hill. When I counted them I realized that not all of them were there. Some must have turned back along the way. There was no time to loose I realized. I had to get back. Still there was no point in letting the ones that had followed me live; they worked for Naraku after all. I narrowed my eyes and focused on the rocks upon which they stood. With the sheer brute force of my mind I crushed the rocks and watched as they fell away.

I allowed myself to freefall effortlessly through the frigid mountain air until I had nearly reached the ground. As I neared the ground I spread my A.T. field to break my fall. Using it I was able to float there like a bird.

I quickly turned my attention on the location where the others were. The demons that had turned around had reached my companions location and were beginning their attack. I knew that I had to get there quickly and make sure that Haruka was safe. Flying would be the fastest way to get there. So that's what I did, I flew using my A.T. field instead of wings. This allowed me to fly with great speed and covered ground quickly. I was anxious as I made my way there despite my speed. With Haruka being so weak, she would have to be defended and would not be able to fight.

When I neared the location I landed on the ground, drew my bow and arrows and began to run. I burst into the clearing and took out two demons' immediately with well-placed shots. I tried to fire again but I was forced to dodge a demon that had come at me. He had a long heavy blade that he swung at me with wide arcs. I countered his blade with one of my own I had strapped at my waist. Sharp metal clangs rang out at our blades collided.

As I struggled with the demon before me there was no time to locate Haruka with my eyes. With my senses however I could feel that Inu Youkai warriors were guarding her. I was able to relax slightly knowing that she would be safe for now. I focused my attention on the demon before me striking back with mightily blows for his attacks. We went back and forth dodging and striking hard blows. I gained ground on my opponent and defeated him with some effort.

I turned to see how Haruka was doing. She was surrounded by Inu Youkai and holding a sword of her own although she seemed not to have the strength to hold it much longer. I began to make my way towards her but then I spotted two large energy blasts. One blast was headed right for Haruka and company at the same time the other one headed for me. I made a split second decision. I spread my A.T. field around them and braced my self for the blast. I knew I was physically weak but I could endure pain. I would have to rely on this to pull me through.

I closed my eyes as the blast struck my body. I could feel my body burn and rip under its power. I held back the urge to cry in agony from the pain. Everything seemed loud and shaky. Suddenly it was all over and silence reined. My entire body doubled over and I opened my eyes slowly.

I saw blood. Blood and LCL smeared my vision. I must be in unit zero. Berserk. That's right, she went berserk on me. I blinked trying to clear my eyes but it didn't work. I knew I was hurt, bad. I couldn't feel the pain though, not good.

"Rei! Rei!"

Someone, a woman was screaming my name. Her voice sounded far off. Dr. Akagi? It had to be her. "I'm okay doctor. I tired to reply but the words couldn't reach my lips. Only a painful rasping sound came from the back of my threat.

Somewhere, in the back of my mind, a voice was telling me I needed to move. There was danger. Something didn't seem right. I managed to slide my right leg foreword but even such limited movement was painful. Move. You must save; save . . . my mind kept telling me. Who, who did need to save? Ikari? No that didn't seem right. Who? Who? Who did I need to protect? Haruka. Everything came back to me in a rush. I blinked and I saw white. Then black.

As the blast receded, Rei was revealed to be standing there stiffly. She seemed almost ridged. Blood dripped from countless injuries. It as well as her eyes covered her face. Haruka tried to get to her but found Rei's barrier in the way. Dammit. "Rei! Rei!" Haruka screamed in desperation.

She saw her blink and tears of blood ran down her face. A soft high-pitched sound came from her. She moved ever so slightly foreword. How could she do that with such injuries? Haruka was impressed. One of the demons pulled something out of his bag and walked up to her. He held it before Rei. Her body went limp and she fell to the ground instantly. Haruka tried to get to her but Rei's A.T. kept them in place. The rest of the demon's approached Rei and picked her up by the neck. With one last grin they turned and left. For the longest time Haruka and the Inu Youkai around her stood there in silence. Then with an unexpected sigh Rei's A.T. field gave out. Haruka sank to her knees sobbing. Dammit. Dammit. She cursed as she punched the snow. Why? Why did she have to be such a child? Not knowing what else to do she buried her face in her hands and cried.

After several minutes she got to her feet and squared her shoulders. "Let's go. We can't let them take her to Naraku."

"But, Lady Haruka . . ." Protested the leader of the Inu Youkai warriors.

"Enough. She got hurt defending us. It was our job to look after in the first place. We need to get her back. My father would kill us if we didn't."

They nodded in agreement and readied themselves. It was time to rescue Rei.

The group of demon's sat around a fire eating a dinner of a fresh kill that night. They were grinning happily feeling gloated by the day's victory. They had indeed failed to kill the Inu Lord's daughter but they had captured the priestess. "That chick was a tough one today. Wasn't she?"

"Yeah. Naraku was right. She's strong, for a human."

"Let's just hope she stay's quiet now."

They looked back at where Rei lay bound, gagged and unconscious on the ground. She'd fought hard but had been quiet since she'd passed out. However she could be trouble if she woke up, even if she was injured. For this reason they had used a special metal Naraku had given them to bind her up. Supposedly it should neutralize her priestess powers making her harmless and weak.

Sick. I felt sick to the bone. So sick I thought that if I threw up till I died or cut out my insides it still wouldn't be enough. That's how bad I felt.

I had been marched in a haze like this since forever it seemed. I'd long ago lost any sensation of feeling I had. I knew that wasn't good but at least I didn't feel warm. I'd always heard that that was how you felt right before you died if you froze to death. Right now feeling warm didn't sound too bad. Don't get me wrong I didn't want to die but I'd do about anything for some warmth right now.

I glanced up at the near cloudless sky. It wasn't far to the edge of the Westernland now. We'd cross it in about another two hours. 'Sesshomaru where are you?' I wondered. He should have come by now. Where was he? Please hurry, Sesshomaru. I pleaded.

I jerked effortlessly at the chains around my wrists and felt the shock run up my arms. This was impossible. I didn't know what these things were made of but whatever it was had the ability to impair my powers. It also left me feeling weakened and ill. The cause of my illness as one might conclude was not from my injuries, most of which had been small flesh wound, the worst of that was the shock combined with the weakness from blood loss, but the chains I now wore around my wrist. Like kryptonite for angels. I had tried repeatedly to change my hands and slip out but I couldn't. Then there was the shock. Not pleasant at all.

My only consolation was that I was only half angel. I got the feeling this stuff would be even harsher on my cousins. There was the fact that this stuff didn't exist where I came from and it only existed in small quantities here. Still none of this diminished the fact that I was being dragged to Naraku and powerless to do anything about it.

I could also be grateful for the fact my disguise held. The last thing I wanted was for Naraku to know who I really was. That would make escape infinitely more difficult.

Despite her lack of strength Haruka did her best to lead the pursuit after the demons that had taken Rei. She had one thought on her mind, to get Rei back alive. They marched for days always one step behind their targets and never able to catch up to them. Naraku's henchmen were heading steadily south towards where Naraku's castle was. On the sixth day after Rei's kidnap her captors dragged her outside of the Westernlands a few hours ahead of Haruka and company. Haruka wanted to follow and catch them; however everyone including herself was too tired and they were forced to rest.

While the rest of the camp slept Haruka got up early and made her way to the barrier, picking her way carefully over the treacherous terrain. After more then a half-an-hour of walking she spotted it dead ahead of her. Haruka took a deep breath and plucked up her courage. Then she started towards it. What she failed to see were the three demon archers watching her.

Haruka walked the last few steps with more vigor then before. She knew Rei and her kidnappers weren't far. She'd have her back in no time. She heard heavy footsteps behind her and her father's voice call her name. The next thing she knew Sesshomaru tackled her to the ground, keeping her pinned close to it by his superior weight and strength. Six demon arrows flew over them moments later, right through the air where Haruka had been standing. A second volley of arrows came right after the first one and the fifth arrow got caught in Sesshomaru's armor. The sixth embedded itself deep in Sesshomaru's arm burning away indiscriminately at his flesh. Carefully he drew the Tokijin from its sheath. He held it in front of them as a deterrent for arrow as he helped Haruka to her feet.

They made their way back to camp as quickly as possible. Sesshomaru cut down several more rounds of arrows and they caused no more injuries. Haruka collapsed from cold and exhaustion when they arrived back at camp. She was carried off to bed while the others attended to Sesshomaru's arm. Someone pulled the arrow out while another demon wrapped the wound tightly to stop the blood flow. Once that was accomplished they made Sesshomaru lie down and rest. As he relaxed one of his generals scolded him. "You shouldn't have left that arrow in so long, sir. Did you see the damage it did and what about the poison in your body?"

"The poison was weak. They wanted to kill us with the arrows; the poison was a last resort. Besides I have more important things to worry about."

The next morning Sesshomaru went to check on Haruka. When he found her she was awake and clearly angry, staring moodily off into space. Sesshomaru remembering Rei's advice from long ago tried to be gentle in approaching her. "Are you feeling better now?"

Haruka didn't answer. "Look I know you're mad about being prevented from saving Rei but I had my reasons."

"Like what." Haruka snapped, sounding on the verge of tears.

"I didn't want you to get hurt."

"Then you'll tell me why you don't want me to leave the Westernland."

Sesshomaru looked away unsure of what to say. Finally he sighed and sat down beside her. "Right after my father died I needed a way to keep the barrier up since he was gone. I didn't trust myself to keep it since I was the new lord. So I had to find someone else I could trust to give it to. In the end I chose you."

Haruka starred back at him in stunned disbelief. "I'm the key to the barrier of the Westernland? Why didn't anyone ever tell me?"

There was a long pause before Haruka spoke again. "You could have told me." She said reproachfully.

"I know you should have been told before now but I wanted to keep you safe. So I thought it would be best if as few people knew as possible."

Sesshomaru sighed. "You must think I'm a horrible father right now."

Haruka shook her head. "You were doing your best right? How can I blame you for that?"

"Easy. I've been a jerk and I wasn't there for so long. On top of that I left you with something you never wanted with out your knowledge. That should be more then enough."

"Maybe I'm too forgiving or maybe none of this is sinking in because I don't feel angry right now."

Sesshomaru smiled. "Stay that way, it's much better for your heart."

"Father?"

Sesshomaru froze. Haruka hadn't called him that since the day he left more then fifty years ago. "Yes?"

"Rei, did she know?"

Sesshomaru nodded in the affirmative. "What is going to happen now?" Haruka asked.

"Rei is Naraku's prisoner now. Most likely he will attempt to use her as a hostage. Of course whether he believes her to be a priestess or knows her to be Rei herself will make all the difference."

"How so?"

"If Naraku thinks she's a priestess he will have less bargaining power and there is a lesser chance that he will hurt her. However if he learns who she really is he'll have more power and will most likely hurt her. We'll have to wait and see."

A short time later the group was packed up and ready to return home. There were heavy hearts and long faces all around as on among them was missing.

Naraku was waiting for us, grinning almost gleefully, when I finally arrived at his palace. He nodded to all his henchmen and thanked them for their good work. Naraku then dismissed them and lead me inside himself. He said nothing a first as he lead me through the halls I remembered far too well from my last visit here. I found to my great unease that I could recall more then I had thought. Maybe then I'd have some sort of edge this time.

Naraku locked me in a small room like the one I had been in last time. There was a single futon rolled up in the far corner along with a bowl of water but nothing else. I sat down and made myself a comfortable as I could on the floor, prepared to wait until Naraku returned. This even would not be long in occurring.

Naraku showed up about two hours later with that hateful smirk still plastered on his face. The dark shadows the setting sun cast upon him made him appear to be a truly fierce monster. I worked hard to keep my face neutral despite the tremor of fear I felt. "Come Priestess. Let us walk." Naraku invited in a tone that was too kind and gentle to be anything but deadly.

I nodded simply and rose to my feet. Naraku's invite had been an order not a request. We walked slowly down the hallway as I listened to Naraku's plan. He wanted me to betray the Westernland and work for him, lead him to the remaining fragments of the Shikon Jewel. Clearly he still thought I was still an ordinary Priestess. So much the better, I needed time to get out of here. "No. I can not serve you, for I am already bound by my vows." I said softly, being sure to keep my voice even.

I caught the flash of frustration and anger that appeared on Naraku's face. He reached out for me with clawed fingers roaring, "You will help me, you mortal fool"

I knew that I did not want Naraku to learn who I was. Quickly I came up with the most repulsive image I could to scare him away, the death cry of three million humans as I took their souls away. I brought forth every instant of it along with my own reaction as I was torn to pieces by their pain. Although Naraku liked pain this would be so sudden and overwhelming even he wouldn't be able to handle it.

Naraku fingers wrapped with unimaginable tightness around my arm. I could feel the acid burning through my priestess kimono and into my skin. Then he touched my mind and the memory forced him to let go. He backed off looking overcome and shocked by what he'd seen. "What are you?" He hissed.

"I am only a priestess." I replied softly in the same even voice I had used the entire time.

Naraku lead me back down the hall and locked me back up in my room once again. Round one went to me. I had evaded working for Naraku or giving up my secret. I wondered though how long I could keep this up.

What will happen next? Only I know. You, will have to wait and see. . . but for thos who want a taste of what's to come here is the teaser for Chapter 17:

"In these dark times it's always possible."

Sesshomaru placed his hand on Haruka's shoulder and stared at her tenderly. "You have made me very proud my daughter. I couldn't ask for more. Take care, okay."

Haruka nodded weakly. Sesshomaru nodded back and left. Haruka rose to her feet and watched him go. 'What is he thinking? The only reason to keep the healers and priests here was if someone was going to get hurt or . . . die.' No! Haruka took off running after him calling, "Dad!"