I am back with yet another chapter. Sorry this took longer then I'd planned. wasn't letting me upload for the last couple of days. Clearly I can, for now, so read and enjoy. Also don't forget to review.

I don't own Eva or Inu Yasha! Thank-you.

Now on with the story!

Ch. 17 Fight for Freedom

Naraku did not forget about me over the next several days. He actually did the opposite. He tried to infiltrate my mind several more time but now I had a way to keep him out for I had a weapon more potent then pain, love. Every time he tried to over power my mind I simply focused on all those who mattered to me: Rin, Haruka, and the others, even those I knew from my own world and Sesshomaru especially. This drove Naraku off faster then anything else.

One afternoon Naraku took me to a room I had never been in before. Inside there was only one thing, a mirror large and beautiful in a silver frame. From the minute I saw it I had the strangest desire to sit before the mirror and look into its glass surface. Now I wasn't a vain person and normally I did not worry much about my image so I was perplexed by this compulsion. I would son find out that there was a very good reason for this.

"This mirror," Naraku explained to me as he lead me before it, "Has the ability to allow a human with strong spiritual powers to see what he or she wills. I want you to look into its surface and tell me what you see."

I looked over at Naraku and understood why he needed me to do this. Naraku did have human blood and some spiritual powers. However he spent much of his time denying and suppressing the human faction of himself. So the mirror would not work for him. Naraku was probably only able to see a series of disjointed incomprehensible snatches at most.

I sat before the mirror and stared into the smooth polished surface. It began to cloud up but nothing more happened. I blinked in confusion, not sure what to do next. As I sat there wonder what to do the image of Sesshomaru came to my mind. In response the fog disappeared and I could see Sesshomaru standing in the Inu Youkai palace. After a moment I understood how the mirror worked. One had to focus on whom they wanted to see and the mirror would show it to them.

Naraku brought me back there, day after day to look into the mirror and tell him what I saw. I told him what exactly what the mirror showed me, with one exception. I said that Sesshomaru and his men had returned to the Inu Youkai palace. They had only a few minor injuries and no one was dead. I told him that I was among them at Sesshomaru's side safely protected.

I watched the Inu Youkai palace everyday seeing what my friends were doing in my absence. I saw as Sesshomaru received the first hostage letter from Naraku. It read, "I have your priestess Sesshomaru drop the barrier or I will keep her." Sesshomaru replied that he had other priests or priestess to replace me so Naraku could do with me what he wanted. I was glad he had responded that way. Naraku must not know who I was.

Haruka was also doing better and recovering from her recent illness. Sesshomaru had also helped strengthened the barrier from attack by adding some of his own energy to it. On top of that the other priestess had arrived at the shrine and taken up her place. So it appeared I was the only casualty of this recent fight.

One afternoon Kagura escorted me back to my room instead of Naraku. She opened the door of me and I went inside calmly, like I always did. However Kagura did not leave. Instead she closed the door behind her and came to stand over me. Kagura studied my face for a long time. I felt strangely exposed under her scrutinizing stare. "You're her." She whispered at last, "You're Rei Ayanami."

I was stunned. How had Kagura figured it out? "How did you know?" I asked.

"Your eyes." She said "There is no fear in them. You are the only person who would not be afraid. Also I saw you flinch away from the sun this morning when you left your room, a sure sign of your albinism."

There was one thing I had to know from the wind demon. "What will you do with the knowledge of my identity Kagura?"

Kagura gave me a smirking look that said she thought that I had no right to ask. "Well, I could tell Naraku about who you are, I might just leave you here and forget this or there is the possibility that I will remove your chains, letting you go." She said in a voice full of scorn.

She stood there looking down at me. The silence seemed to stretch on for and impossibly long expanse of time. "Which option will it be?" I asked in a desperate attempt to break the silence.

Kagura said nothing but knelt down so that we were on the same eye level. She held out her hands and I placed my chained ones in hers. I dropped my disguise so that I was looking at her with my own face. Then I gathered up all my strength and sent it into my hands. I transformed my arms into semi shaped tentacles. They were ugly and lopsided but they allowed Kagura to do the one thing I couldn't; remove the chains from my wrists. She slid the metal handcuffs easily from my arms.

I shook my hands in an attempt to return feeling to them and returned my hands to normal. Kagura placed the chain at the far end of the room and left, telling me to hurry up and do what I had to do. I sat on my side of the room collapsed against the wall with exhaustion. I watched the room spinning dizzyingly around me as my stomach threatened to remove its contents. My reaction seemed strange considering that the source of my weakness had been removed. It seemed possible that my body was in sock from the sudden removal of the chains. I also thought it was a backlash at the amount of energy I had used in the simple transformation of my hands.

The nausea and weakness passed quickly. I straightened up and went to work. If I didn't want to get caught I had to make this quick. I summoned up my will and formed part of my body into a child-sized version of myself. I cried out from the burning pain as I literally twisted my body apart to create a second body. It looked exactly like the first had all those years ago. She fell from my chest to the floor limp as a rag doll. I winced and gasped as my whole body was wracked with pain. It felt like someone had put my insides on fire. I had, I was forced to remember. Creating her had taken a lot out of me and the binds were still close enough to limit my powers.

The hard part was over, from now on it was all easy. Gently I picked her up and held her against me. I felt a tingle in the back of my mind as it took control of the body giving her life. I opened my eyes and was slammed instantly with the disorienting sensation of looking at myself through both pairs of eyes. I closed both pairs to stop the assault on my senses. I took a few deep breaths to calm my nerves. I tried to open both pairs with out the backlash but I ended up loosing control over one body or the other. After several unsuccessful attempts at this I reached a balance where I could use both bodies with out over loading my senses.

I shot a side-glance at the door when I heard footsteps approach. Naraku was coming. Quickly I changed back into my priestess disguise and sent the child me away through the walls. Naraku opened the door and glided in like he owned the place, wait he did. Darn. "Hello there. How are you doing?"

"As well as can be expected but I think you knew that already."

"Indeed."

As I was keeping Naraku busy on one end I was directing my child sized half out of there. I slipped through several rooms and then out into the hallway. That was as far as my sneaking would go. Kanna saw me. "You . . ." She murmured.

I turned to run but I was trapped between Naraku and Kagura. "Well, well, what do we have here?"

"I'm looking for my mommy." I said in a voice reminisce of the firsts.

It was jarring to hear that voice come from my lips again. I hadn't spoken like that in ages. "Who's your mom?" Naraku asked.

On a whim I gave my name. "Rei."

Naraku grinned, so predictable. "So why do you want to find her so badly?"

"Our world's been damaged. Everyone says mommy did it. They say mommy's a bad, horrible person. I don't believe it. My mom's not like that at all. She'd never do something as terrible as what's been done to our world."

Naraku nodded. I could see my scare tactic had worked. Now it appeared that he was trying to formulate a plan. "Why don't you stay here? I can have your mom come and get you."

"Okay." I replied cheerfully.

Won't get me that easily, I vowed. If only he knew who I really was. He would be in for a surprise.

A sort time later I was left alone in a room near Naraku's own. He wanted to keep me around to use as a lure for Rei Ayanami. The irony was that I was the one he wanted. I had to keep that a secret and play my cards well to hide my identity. I knew that as long as he believed I was my own daughter he would not hurt me for fear of having me run to Rei and bring the wrath of the Westernlands out in full force. I had sensed fear in Naraku when my name was motioned. The first thing I had to do was to get in touch with Sesshomaru while I had a chance. I sat down quietly and closed my eyes. Sesshomaru.

I felt his response almost instantly. Rei. How are you? Are you okay?

Relax Sesshomaru. I'm fine. Naraku does not want to hurt me.

That is good. I haven't given away your identity yet. I don't want him to hurt you.

Please keep it that way. I have a plan but I need more time.

How much more? Rei the longer you stay there the more likely it is that he will learn whom you are.

I am aware of that. That's why I have a plan to escape. Listen I'm running out of time. I've split in two and convinced Naraku that my second half is my own daughter. He will most likely write a letter to me saying he has my daughter and trying to lure me to his palace. I need you to respond as if you were me. Ask for proof and do anything you can to stall for time. Do the same if he claims to have me.

I'll do my best but Rei; promise me you'll be careful. Don't do anything rash or dangerous unless you have to. I want you to come back home safe.

You have my word. I assure him.

I miss you. Sesshomaru whispered.

So do I. I can't wait until we're together again. We both need to be strong a little longer.

Sesshomaru nodded. Having hope and doing our best is all we can do.

Tell Rin I said hi and tell Haruka that my getting captured was not her fault. She did her best.

I will. Rei. . I . . .take care. There was a pause before Sesshomaru said in a very soft voice: I love you.

I loved you too Sesshomaru. I replied.

I heard Naraku coming so I quickly severed the link. By the time Naraku showed up with food for me I was wearing the classic bored child look on my face as I sat pouting on the floor. Naraku smiled uneasily as he set the tray down before me. Clearly he was unsure of what to make of me and was uncomfortable in my presence. This was most likely because Naraku wasn't sure what to make of me: a powerful enemy, innocent child or an ally. There had to be some way to use this to my advantage.

After a minute I knew how I could do just that. I could use his fear of me to get him to give me more freedom from watch and anything I needed. Caution would have to be used but this could be fun toying with Naraku.

I hoped Naraku wouldn't look too deep into my eyes and see the age and wisdom I had in them. Otherwise my game might be up. So I had to keep up the mindset that I was a young child, without full knowledge of the world or they heavy sin which I carried. I wished it were that easy but the closer I was able to get the better.

I ate my soup with child-like eagerness. When I was finished I lifted the bowl and held it out to Naraku with the largest smile I could summon. Naraku took the bowl from me and went to leave. I stopped him however to ask for something to do. He promised to bring something back and left me alone.

I waited for his return, smiling silently to myself as Naraku's discomfort. Waling around, I began to exam everything in the room with large child like eyes full of innocence. I want to make myself appear as harmless as possible to Naraku's eyes. He should not suspect that I was any sort of threat to his plans. I wanted Naraku to drop his guard and forget about me long enough for me to disappear.

When Naraku returned he was carrying several scrolls of paper, ink and a bamboo brush. He also had a go game board and a biwa in his hands. He set them on the floor and called me over. "Look what I have brought for you. This should be a lot of fun."

Clearly Naraku did not know how to deal with children. I decided to lure him into a trap of my device. I took the go board out and ask Naraku as sweetly as possible to set it up for me. Naraku reluctantly knelt next to me and began to set up the pieces on the board. When the game was ready I then pleaded with Naraku to play with me. Naraku looked like he wanted to do anything but stay here and participate in a game of go against me. However my charm and child's desperation combined to convince him to remain.

Naraku had the first move although he protested that fact. From there the game went back and forth. I had a good understanding of the game of go from what I had learned and my memories. During the game I played down my skill to the level of the young child I appeared to be. In the end I let Naraku win and put on a puffy angry face when he did.

After the game Naraku claimed he had stuff to do and left me alone. I frowned once he was gone, not sure what to do. I ended up deciding to learn the biwa to pass the time. I had seen women play it before at the Inu Youkai palace but I had never touched one myself. I picked up the stringed instrument and set it in my lap. I pulled gently at the strings, testing the sounds they made. Slowly I began to grasp how to play it.

I occupied myself the rest of the afternoon with this task. By sunset I was tired and ready to eat. So I left my room and went searching for Naraku to find out when I was to eat. I found him deep in conversation with Kagura and a fierce looking female cat demon. I marched boldly into the room and stood before them. Naraku seemed extremely annoyed by this. Up close I could get a good look at the cat demon that sat beside me. She appeared young, confident and arrogant with a nasty scar that ran from her chin to the bridge of her nose. I wouldn't call her beautiful but she had a wild rugged side one might find attractive.

I turned back to Naraku as I felt his stare land on me. "What do you want?" He demanded.

"I'm hungry. When do we eat?"

Naraku muttered something unpleasant under his breath. I had unsettled him and threw him off guard once again. I was amazed by how easy it was to do this. Naraku was on edge. Did he fear when I would show up to challenge him? Or was it that he feared the help I might bring in the form of Sesshomaru, Inu Yasha and his friends.

Naraku rose to his feet and began to push me from the room. I did not attempt to fight this action and allowed him to lead me to another room. Naraku left me alone and gave some orders to his servants. Food was soon provided and I began to eat.

From what I had deserved Naraku wanted me to leave him alone but if I did he would become nervous. This would cause him to go looking for me. I came to the conclusion that to strike a balance between these two forces was the best way to create the maximum freedom for me. This would give me time to devise how to get to my other half, free her and get out of here.

For the next month I kept a similar pattern of behavior while I continued to scope out my escape rout out of the palace. During this time Naraku became more comfortable with my presence and I had told him nothing about Sesshomaru's plans despite his constant attempts to make me stare in the mirror. By now I had been trapped in Naraku's palace two months and I was desperate to get out of here. I risked several short talks with Sesshomaru. He was also getting edgy and wanted to me out of there. I promised him that I was working hard on it but I had to be careful not to get caught.

Kagura appeared in my room to speak to me that afternoon. To my relief and amazement she gave me the perfect way out of the palace. Kagura told me that there was a trapdoor hidden under the floor in the last room in this hallway. If I made my way there and opened the door, I would be able to leave the palace unnoticed.

After I had dinner one night I returned to my room telling Kagura that I was going to bed. I did lay down to doze for a couple hours but I awoke myself after the house had fallen silent. Tonight was the night, I decided. I left the room and began to wander the corridor of Naraku's palace. Looking around I was amazed at how perfect this opportunity was for me. I made my way to the room where Naraku was holding the priestess, my other half. I placed my hands on the door and broke the seal on it. Then I retreated to the shadows at the other side of the hall while I waited for the priestess to emerge. After burring the chains from her wrists in the garden, she came out moments later and the two of us began to walk softly down the hallway careful not to wake anyone.

I should have known this was too easy and that something would come along to stop me. At the time however I thought that my plan was going well and I would soon be free from Naraku's grasp. Then however as I passed a room near the entrance to the palace the door flew open and bright light flooded the hall blinding me. Kagura collapsed in the open door way bleeding profusely. "Run." I saw her mouth.

I didn't waste anytime in following her orders, I ran as fast as I could. Behind me I heard Naraku enter the corridor. "Where are we going to?" His voice called out in the dark.

A barrier appeared in front of me, stopping my progress. I turned and lifted my child form into my arms. "I am leaving." I told him.

I recombined my two forms and returned to my original state. "Who are you?"

"I am who am I am."

"But, the child . . ."

"We were of one mind, one soul and two bodies."

Some form of comprehension seemed to cross Naraku's face. "You're no priestess. Who are you really?"

I let my mask fall away and frowned at Naraku from where I stood. The great demon grinned recognizing my face. "So, Rei Ayanami, you're a shape changer able to assume disguises to hide yourself."

"How do you know this isn't another disguise?"

"A good question. True you look and sound like her but you've fooled me once with the priestess and child. Clearly you must have met Rei at least once to have such fine detail. The true question is why did you chose her face and not someone else's?"

"Maybe I know you fear Rei and wish to scare you away so I invoke her name."

"So in other words I should not fear you."

"No, you should fear me."

"So you are a danger to me. Why not your own name?"

"Have I? Or maybe you don't know my name."

Naraku raised his hand and attacked the air in front of me with a long whip. It struck my A.T. field lighting up the hallway with the orange hexagonal bands. Naraku smirked and raised his whip again. "Nice try Rei but your bluff didn't work."

My fists clenched and my jaw set. Naraku had discovered my identity, now it appeared I would have to fight for my freedom against him. You're okay, Rei. I can do this, I told myself repeatedly. I spread my A.T. around me as strong as I could make it. There was no I was going to grant Naraku any favors in this fight. He was going down, I was here with the intent to win at all costs.

I inverted my A.T. field and made a run for it down the hallway. Naraku came after me and fired into the black void that was my mind. I screamed as my psyche was torn to pieces around me. Quickly I returned to normal, still clutching my head in pain. So much for that plan, I grumbled. My head was ringing painfully. Naraku had taken advantage of the back voids one weakness; it exposed my mind to danger.

Naraku was smirking at me from across the hall. "Don't think I'll let you go that easily, Miss Ayanami."

"Of course."

I created a sword from my own arm and brandished it at Naraku. This ends here; I was getting free of Naraku. Naraku smirked and pointed his own sword at me. I wasn't afraid of his sword yet so I held my ground. I couldn't move or I'd risk being hit from behind but as long as I had my own sword Naraku would be wary to attack.

Naraku moved warily and I mirrored his moves. Slowly my face changed into Naraku's and I saw Naraku flinch at the sight of his double. We went a few rounds before I changed my face again. This time I was Unit Zero in her full monstrous form. I roared loudly as I could, causing Naraku to back away. It was amazing how much power I could wield over Naraku even though he knew who I was. I tested my power again by ripping through his barrier. Naraku cringed and I could sense fear. "What's the matter? Scared now that I'm a big and strong?"

Naraku stepped foreword his fright seemed to have been momentary. "I fear no man or demon!" He shouted loudly at me.

"Well that's too bad," I replied, " because I'm not either of those!"

Naraku smirked and we continued to battle. Back and forth we went tearing up the palace. I was holding my own against Naraku but this wasn't doing any good. One of us would have to start giving up soon or this would get nowhere. I had no intent on giving up so I would have to fight it to the end.

I returned my face to normal before I summoned every ounce of angel's blood in my veins to the surface. It hummed and danced leaving me feeling almost drunk with the power. I was as close to being that which had controlled instrumentality, as I would ever be again in this life.

I swung at Naraku with everything I had. He countered but I could see that he was even harder pressed to do so. Out of nowhere he tried to slash me with a hidden dagger but I liquefied my body into LCL making the attack harmless. Naraku was taken back but this new ability. "So you can make yourself liquid. A handy technique I must admit."

"I can imagine you want to know how I do it, but . . ."

The corner of Naraku's mouth twitched into a slight smile. "You're not offering lessons, correct?"

I nodded. It was true what I had said. This was not teachable to someone like Naraku. His mental powers were weaker compared to mine and we both were aware of that. The problem was how strong he was physically to go with his mental powers and the fact I wasn't bodily strong.

Naraku came again and I countered his strikes. Bit by bit I lead him out of the palace and onto the open clearing that surrounded it. My hope was that I could use this to my advantage to disappear. Naraku backed off for a moment looking frustrated by the fact he wasn't gaining ground. I quickly turned and ran for the forest edge. Running away had never been my plan, not yet at least, as I charged I formed a ball of energy in my hands. Just as I had expected Naraku leapt in front of me and struck out with a short dagger but before he could stop me I fired the energy into his face tearing flesh and blinding his eyes temporarily. Naraku roared angrily in pain and swung out at me without seeing what he was doing. I dodged the blow quickly and struck him hard in the chest.

Naraku bent double in pain and I saw the opening I had wanted. I took off sprinting as fast as I could for the forest. The next thing I knew I was laying fact down on the ground. One of Naraku's arms had become a long tentacle and was wrapped tightly around my ankle. My head hurt along with my chest and I feared I'd cracked my ribs in the fall, maybe a concussion as well. I tried to detangle myself as Naraku rose to his feet and wiped the blood from his mouth. "I can't let you leave." He said in a commanding voice.

I stood up to face Naraku and the world lurched dangerously and I had to hold out my arms to stay upright. Naraku raised his hands and I saw that he held many long shiny metal objects in them. I took off at a kind of staggering run trying to get away. However Naraku was fast.

They struck me in the back as I entered the tree line. I cringed visibly with pain as I felt warm blood soak into my clothes. Undaunted I yanked one of the metal needles out and knew instantly what it was. Naraku had used this trick to incapacitate me once before. Each and every metal pin would be coated with a poison that would put me to sleep in a few moments. I still had one last card to play. There was no way it could save me but it would certainly buy me time. I focused all my energy on gathering as much of my power as I could. In a mighty burst I released in right into the face of Naraku and his palace as the world began to fade around the edges.

When I awoke I lay bound and gagged in a small dark room. There was a sort of soft buzzing in my head that made it hard to think or concentrate. Everything around me wavered around to the point it was almost impossible to make anything out. I closed my eyes again and tried hard to remember what had happened. At first I could remember nothing and my mind felt like a great blob of jelly. The best I could do was sit back and let my memory return as it would.

Slowly I remembered what had happened, I had tried to escape but been caught then defeated. The room I was in must be the only one to survive intact after my wrath had been unleashed. I heard a moan from somewhere near me and I glanced warily around. There was a strange colored shaped form a short distance from where I lay. After a few minutes I figured out who it was. Kagura, the wind demon.

I tried to move to see if she was okay but was consumed by pain, ending up in an ungraceful heap on the floor. My body was completely out of my control and every movement was agonizing. So I was forced to give up on moving under my own power anytime soon and lay still on the ground. I made out the smell of blood as I rested there but I couldn't tell if it was Kagura or me who was bleeding. However I suspected that it was both of us.

Kanna showed up unexpectedly some time later. I didn't know how long had passed since I had woken up only that time had ceased to have any meaning. Kanna set her mirror on the floor and began to wipe the blood from Kagura and my own injuries with a damp rag. One she was done she forced spoonfuls of weak broth down our throats. The only way I was aware of any of this was because I could see her moving around. Had I had my eyes closed I would have been insensible to it all.

As Kanna had worked I had been able to stare at her mirror where it had been left on the floor. At first all it reflected back to me was my own memories most of which were unpleasant. Gradually I drifted deeper so that I could see the other side of the mirror for it worked both ways. If you could go far enough into its depths you reached Kanna's soul. What I saw there I would never forget. Kanna was full of unspeakable pain and confusion. However she was unable to express any of this because Naraku kept it heavily repressed when she could not reach it or feel it. Kanna wasn't all that different from me back when I was an Eva pilot at Nerv except I could still feel, just not express.

Kanna left, as silent as a waif, leaving Kagura and I alone with the silence. I closed my eyes and let my mind wander. I drifted off among the silent waves of my memories.

I was awakened by the sound of someone entering the room. I opened my eyes to see what was going on. Slowly Naraku's face swam into view. Every shred of common sense I had screamed danger. I fumbled clumsily trying to spread my A.T. field against him. It didn't come. Naraku leaned down so close I could feel his hot breath on my face. "Here drink this."

He shoved a clay cup to my lips and began to force the liquid into my mouth. I scrambled for something, anything to get me out of here but nothing worked. I was weak and helpless as a newborn kitten like this. Finally it was over and he rose to leave. "You should know that Sesshomaru is coming. Don't worry. I'll make sure you can see him again before I end his life." Naraku promised me with a backward glance.

You will not. I vowed silently, lay a finger on Sesshomaru you bastard. As soon as he was gone I rolled my head to the side and coughed up as, much of that fowl potion of his as I could. I felt sick, hazy and unfocused but I had hope for things to get a little clearer. I knew that if I kept this up things would become less clouded and confused. All I had to do was to not swallow as much as I could. It wouldn't be much but it gave me back an edge of sanity and hope. I figured the longer I kept this up the easier things would become.

When I next saw Naraku he was carrying a piece of parchment on which he had written a letter. I could read what it said but I didn't need to do that to know what it said. Naraku was providing Sesshomaru with proof of my capture and yet more threats. As I sat silently before him Naraku lifted my limp hand from my lap and pressed it against the paper leaving a bloody mark. If Sesshomaru had suspected Naraku was bluffing about having me this would be all the proof he'd need. At that moment I decided that this was about to be big trouble.

The next day Naraku had me brought before the mirror again. This had been a good day for me because Naraku had yet to give me a dose of the drugged tea so my mind was unusually clear. I had virtually no power over my body so I had to sit in a hunched over position using my elbows to keep me upright. I was directed to look into the mirror and tell Naraku where Sesshomaru was. I don't know why he cared so much about the Inu Lord unless Naraku thought he was coming here to save me. I focused on Sesshomaru's image in my mind and the mirror began to clear.

In the highly polished surface I could see Sesshomaru alone charging across a barren field of snow and ice. It took a minute for it to register what Sesshomaru was doing; he was coming here, for me. Every part of my body wanted to call out to him and warn him of the danger, send him back home where it was safe. I fought with every once of strength and self-control I had to keep my face clear despite what I felt. Naraku couldn't know what Sesshomaru was doing. "What do you see?" Naraku demanded.

I didn't answer him imminently because I didn't trust my voice not to betray me. I twisted my fingers in my skirt in worry and opened my mouth to speak. "Death." I whispered in a hushed leaden voice.

"Who's? Mine or someone else?" Naraku inquired.

"I can't see that far." I whispered hoarsely.

Naraku snorted and sent me back to my room. I think he had the answer he wanted or at least one he could use. Otherwise he would have questioned me more. I prayed hard that he didn't know how close Sesshomaru was. My time was limited and I had to get out of here before Sesshomaru arrived.

A few days before Sesshomaru had retreated to the silence of his palace gardens. He wanted the peace and calm in order to have time to think. Sesshomaru was going to try to contact someone from Rei's world, Kaworu. Ordinarily he would not do something like this but the Inu Lord was desperate. Sesshomaru was planning to storm Naraku's palace and he needed to know where it was. His only hope was to have Kaworu tell him its location. The only problem was that Sesshomaru wasn't sure he could do it. He had never tried to reach someone from Rei's world and he wasn't sure it would work. Still it was his only hope. Sesshomaru needed to know where the palace if he wasn't going to wander blindly around in the frozen forest south of the Westernland.

Sesshomaru chose one of the snow covered benches and sat down, relaxing his body. Kaworu. He thought. Sesshomaru waited for an answer as biting wind rushed past him. The silence stretched on and on, leading Sesshomaru to believe he hadn't been heard. So he tried again and again. After repeated failed attempts Sesshomaru was about to give up and return inside when he received an answer. "Yes? What do you want Sesshomaru?" Inquired the voice of the last angel.

Sesshomaru relaxed slightly knowing he had finally gotten the help he wanted. "Kaworu, can you tell me where Rei is?" He asked.

"Why? Has something happened?"

"She's been kidnapped and I don't know where she is. I was hoping you could help me find her."

Kaworu's smiling face was broken like a look of worry and concern. He nodded quickly and replied, "Of course. I will help you locate Rei. Give me a minute to sense for her. Do you have any idea where she is?"

"Southwest from where I am outside of the Westernlands."

There was no response from Kaworu but his eyes closed, face slackened. He remained this way for several minutes while Sesshomaru waited silently for the angels' answer. Finally Kaworu straightened up and fixed Sesshomaru with a serious stare. "I know where she is. May I show you?"

Sesshomaru nodded in response. "Close your eyes and I will reveal to you Rei's location."

Sesshomaru did as he was told and he felt Kaworu's finger rested on his forehead. After a minute he could see a large palace in the middle of the snow cover woods, Naraku's Castle. Without being told he knew the path to take from his palace to where Naraku was. Then the image faded and Sesshomaru could see Kaworu again before him once again. The angel smiled and nodded to the Inu Demon. "Did you see what you wanted to see?"

"Yes, thank-you."

"Are you going after her?"

"Yes, something happened to her. I must go and save her before something worse occurs."

"Take care. The one who holds Rei is strong."

"I know."

Sesshomaru rose to his feet and made his way inside the palace. He made his way down the hallway walking swiftly with large wide steps. Sesshomaru entered into a room and appeared in front of Haruka. His face was hard and his eyes were cold like he was walking into battle. "I've got some business to attend to. Can you take care of things while I'm gone?"

"Sure."

"Thank-you. Don't worry I know you'll do fine. Listen I need a favor from you. Can you keep as many of the healers and priests here as possible? Also if any letters come for me answer them as if you were me."

"I'll do my best. Why father is something going to happen?"

"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, "Father!"

However it was too late, by the time she reached the gate he was gone. Haruka stood there clinging to the gate for support. 'Are you going after her father?' the answer seemed to be yes. Sesshomaru was going to challenge Naraku for Rei. Haruka blinked and realized she was crying. She wiped her eyes and hurried back inside quickly before she got cold.

I had no plan to escape this time; I was running on total desperation. That night I tried to sneak out despite my limited mobility. My only hope was to drag myself out without being noticed. Naraku caught me before I was anywhere near my goal. He lifted me off the floor and carried me back to my room where I was once again locked back up. For the next several days that was were I remained. Kanna brought food and bandages a couple of times everyday but I was unable to persuade her to give me any sort of aid. Looking back she was being smart in protecting herself and I can't blame her for it. She had seen Kagura beaten many time for disobedience no doubt so she had to know what would happen if she didn't do as Naraku demanded.

Two days after my much-failed crawl for freedom Naraku appeared once again looking clearly still weak and injured. He gave me an unusually large dose of the drugged tea before he lifted me from the floor and dragged me down the hallway to a large room that was set for battle. I knew now what this meant, Sesshomaru was coming and I was the bait to lead him to his death. My stomach clenched tightly as this knowledge sank into my brain. I hated Naraku with everything that I was but more I hated the fact I was powerless to do anything but sit stupidly here on the floor as his lure.

It wasn't long before the door at the far end of the room slammed open and Sesshomaru charged in. I knew it was him more by his aura and the change I felt in the air rather then visible sight. The drugs in my veins made my eyes too unsteady and unreliable.

I listened to their voices without understanding most of the words as Naraku and Sesshomaru almost shouted at each other every word they spoke. After a time a long silence descended and Naraku made a gesture at me along with some softer-spoken words. After a moment a loud howl of pain and fury broke the silence. I wanted with all my heart to cry out along with Sesshomaru but my voice was silenced.

Sesshomaru exchanged a few more angry words with Naraku before swords were drawn and the fight was on. I watched it from where I lay, trying desperately to keep up and know what was going on. While it was virtually impossible for me to do this I found an easier way, the split blood that soon fell to the ground and stained their clothes. The crimson stain stuck out brightly against everything else making them unmistakable even to me.

The battle raged on and on across the great room. I could tell from the blood and what was left of my senses that Sesshomaru was loosing little by little to Naraku. A crazed panic over took in my desperation to find something, anything I could do to save him. However I kept coming up against the maddening wall that my body was useless and my powers denied by the chains at my wrists.

I can't let Sesshomaru die. There must be something I can do. I half screamed, half pleaded to myself. My mind seemed to run in circles without anyway out.

Out of the blue something dawned on me. Naraku may have taken away my body and contained my powers but he had not taken away the source of that strength my heart and soul. Furthermore I was the daughter of Lilith and her blood coursed through my veins as it always had. There was indeed still something I could do. The relief that came over me at this knowledge was like the ice-cold bucket of water I needed to clear my head. I knew what I had to do; my old focus and determination told me I was ready.

Naraku's chains had the biggest effect on outward use of power such as firing blasts or spreading my A.T. field. However it had a lesser impact on what I did to myself. I had been able; with some effort maintain my disguise despite the chains on my wrist. Thankfully that was all I would need.

Carefully and meticulously I detached my soul from my body. Once released, I began to walk, silent and invisible, across the room where Sesshomaru knelt in pain from Naraku's electric attack. The chains tried to resist this movement but I ignored their force that tried to pull me backward.

I reached Sesshomaru and placed my hands on top of him. Slowly I began to synchronize with him. As I sank deeper into his mind the pain Naraku was putting him through became stronger and even more real to me. It rose to a climax where it felt as if I was also under attack and I cried in pain, my screams mingling with Sesshomaru's. Working as fast as I was able I detached Sesshomaru from his body and wrapping my arms around him pulled him away with me.

It's over. Sesshomaru thought as his knees gave out. Naraku's going to kill me any second now. Then I'll be free to join Haruna and Rei in the nether world.

Sesshomaru knelt there, gasping in agony before the great half-demon in complete humiliation. It was an insult of the worst kind for the great Lord of the Westernlands to be brought so low. Sesshomaru was madder though about the death of Rei then anything else and for that he wanted to break the bastard Naraku into a million bloody pieces. Despite his pain Sesshomaru stared at his opponent with all the pride, rage and hate he felt for him. Naraku smirked back at him then raised his hand for one final attack.

"One last thing before you go Sesshomaru; you are by now well aware of the fact that you can't bring back your late wife but I imagine you don't know why."

"What would you know?"

"That symbol that appears every time you try to resurrect her? It's my special seal that keeps her bound to the netherworld, in the depths of hell. The only way you would be able to save her would be to use your father's third sword, Sounga. However you know what that would do to her. She would lose her heart and become a soulless ghoul. None of that matters though because you're too soft to use your father's greatest sword. So you will never save her. Try to digest that as you breathe your final breath."

Sesshomaru cringed and slammed his eyes not wanting to see what he knew was coming. He screamed in terrible anguish as Naraku's lighting coursed though his veins. Behind him Rei unexpectedly began to scream. Sesshomaru mentally cursed himself. It appeared Rei had been alive after all and Naraku wasn't going to wait for him to die to begin killing her. Just as he was on the verge of passing out the pain began to disappear to be replaced by a fuzzy disconnected feeling. At first he thought it was because he was drifting away to the other side but then he realized he was being cut off from his body. An invisible hand grabbed him and everything began to spin. The next thing he knew he was bound and gagged lying against a wall. He felt funny like someone had drugged him heavily. Wait a minute, Ayanami was the one tied up against the wall, and Naraku had drugged her.

Sesshomaru forced his eyes to focus and looked up. To his surprise he was laying on the ground with Naraku a feet a few away standing of a white and red shape on the floor. Confused he glanced down to see he was in a woman's body wearing the exact same kimono Rei was wearing, and then he spotted a scar on his no her upturned hand. It looked exactly like one Rei had from the night when he knifed her. "No," the thought in horror "I am Ayanami!"

Sesshomaru was confused. If he was Rei, then where was she? What happened to Rei?

What did happen to Rei? You'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out! Yes, this is not the end. I repeat, this is not the end!

Review, please and tell me what you think!

And finally for those who are interested a teaser for chapter 18:

For several sickening, maddening moments Sesshomaru feared Rei had changed places with him at the last minute and was the one who now lay dead on the floor. There was no other way he could be where he was if Rei hadn't rescued him. Had saving him be achieved at the cost of her own life? No. It couldn't be. She wouldn't be that foolish. Rei. He thought in desperation.