It's time for yet another chapter! Yea! I seem to be on a roll here, don't I?

I don't own Eva or Inu Yasha!

Don't forget to R & R, please!

Now on with the show!

Ch. 18 How Freedom Was Achieved

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 been achieved at the cost of her own life? No. It couldn't be. She wouldn't be that foolish. Rei. He thought in desperation. Through the chaos of his mind her voice spoke, "I'm right here, Sesshomaru."

--

I must have knocked myself out while I was taking Sesshomaru's soul away from his body because I don't remember finishing the task. When I came to I was drained and in pain. Not the kind of the body for I was not connected to one but that of the soul when it has used up too much strength. All around me Sesshomaru's frantic cries of my name echoed painfully.

It was then that I realized what had happened. Sesshomaru was now in control of my body. That left me where? A simple background voice. It was my fault this had happened I realized. Sesshomaru had been the only conscious mind when we made it to my body although just barely, but because I had lost control Sesshomaru was put in charge.

--

"Where are you?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Close your eyes." Rei instructed.

Sesshomaru did and Rei came into focus looking like she normally did. She looked worn but pleased. Sesshomaru looked down to see he too looked like his old self. "Rei where are we?"

"My mind or should I say your mind? How should I explain?"

"Look just tell me, what happened?"

"I synced with you and took your soul into my body to save your life. I messed up and you where put in control of my body instead of being just a recessive voice."

"What about my body? Am I stuck here? Can I get back to my body?"

"I'm sorry Sesshomaru but you will have to wait to return to your body. I promise you that you can but you'll have to be patient. Do you see your body over there; it's dead? If I send you back now you will be in great pain and Naraku will finish killing you immediately before you can defend yourself."

"So what's the plan?" Sesshomaru asked uneasily.

"You must pretend to be me. I'll even be right here to help you. For now my body and all my powers are yours."

Sesshomaru made a voice in disgust. "What about my body?"

"It will be fine. Look at it this way once Naraku buries it I can repair the damage for you unseen and unnoticed. In a few days I will be able to have it back in top form and I'll get you back in your body, somehow."

Sesshomaru thought she sounded and looked more uneasily then her words claimed. "Well, okay if you say so."

"I know so. Oh, and Sesshomaru?"

"What?"

"I can hear your every thought so don't go thinking anything dirty!" She teased.

"Like I would." He snapped.

Rei just laughed as she disappeared. Sesshomaru knew she had been teasing him so it didn't sting his pride too much. Still he thought the barb was unwarranted.

When Sesshomaru opened his eyes he saw Naraku looking at him. "Ah, you're awake." He said, "You're probably not lucid enough to understand what I'm saying but your Inu Lord is dead and gone."

Sesshomaru wanted to tell him to keep his filthy hanyou hands off his body but managed to bite back his pride, saying nothing. Naraku had him removed to a small room and locked him in. At first Sesshomaru had nothing to do but listen to his own thoughts then after a little while Rei resurfaced and the two of them talked the afternoon away.

In the middle of the night Sesshomaru was awakened by cramps. At first he couldn't figure out what was wrong with him/ Rei but then an idea hit him. It wasn't pretty. Sesshomaru checked to see if he was right, he was. Darn Rei, why didn't she tell him about this? Curse her. In the recesses of his mind he heard Rei's quiet laughter echo back to him. It was not that he had forgotten she was a woman; it was because she hadn't warned him about this.

--

The next morning I knew it was time to do what I had to do. Unfortunately it would require me to see Sesshomaru's body. There was no other way to do this but to have Sesshomaru request to view it. "Ask to see your body." I directed him when he awoke. "When it's brought in I want you to act as upset and distraught as you can. Remember you're about to see someone you love dead."

Sesshomaru agreed reluctantly not understanding what I intended to do. When Naraku entered a few minutes later Sesshomaru asked him to bring his body to us and with in a few moments his body was carried in. It was laid in front of him. I could feel Sesshomaru's surprise at how bad his body looked threaten to break his mask. Silently I was in agreement with him. Sesshomaru's body was stiff and ashen with death; his eyes had also sunk in. He was largely unrecognizable, with his clothes covered with rust colored bloodstains. I told him to pace his hand on his chest. Sesshomaru hesitated but reached out and placed his hand on his body's chest.

I went down deep inside and drew on my power to do what I had to. I breathed a single word, live, and sent my power into the dead body before us. A small flame awakened inside. It was a fraction of what it should have been but it would allow me to do what I had to.

--

Inside Sesshomaru could still feel his heart start beating nearly imperceptibly, barely more then a candle flicker. Sesshomaru shuttered. It was almost surreal to see his battered form like this. He hoped Rei would get him back where he belonged soon. Being in her body was getting uncomfortable. He was not meant to be a woman.

--

For the next few days we would do nothing but sit quietly and wait for Sesshomaru's body to recover. However our rest came to an end one afternoon when I overheard that Naraku planned to poison me to death in a few hours. I would have to hurry before Sesshomaru and I went down together. I would have to bring Sesshomaru's body back to him before it was ready. Sesshomaru and I discussed our options and decided I should go and do so right now. "I will see you in a few minutes." I said.

"Whatever. Just be careful with my body."

Despite his calm appearance I could sense the tension in Sesshomaru's voice. We did not know when Naraku would come to poison us. We just knew it would be over when he did. "Right."

I reached out my senses and found Sesshomaru's body. It lay where Naraku had buried it in the graveyard. I synched with it returning it to life and within moments I was in control. I opened my eyes and used Sesshomaru's demonic powers to blast the ground around me casing the dirt I was coving in to go flying. I coughed a few times to clear my lungs. Then I slowly rose to my feet. "Well that was pleasant." I muttered unhappily.

I brushed the dirt off my clothes not that this did much goodas Sesshomaru's robes were already hopelessly stained with dirt and blood, then headed for the door. My next challenge was to make it back to the room where Naraku had caged us with out being noticed.

As I made my way carefully down the hallway I heard crying and horse whispers from a room in front of me, with Sesshomaru's heightened sense of smell the pungent odor of blood was quickly detected. I paused and listened to it for a moment trying to identify who it was. I recognized the voice after a moment, Kagura. I hadn't seen her since the day Sesshomaru and taken control of my body when he lost his body. Softly I made my way to the door and opened it up.

Inside Kagura knelt over a cauldron full of a fermenting green solution. Her kimono was crimson with fresh blood that had soaked into the fabric. I wondered if Naraku had abused her now that she was back on her feet. She whimpered in pain and bent forward even more. Kagura slowly turned her head to look at me. Her eyes got wide and I saw her mouth Sesshomaru's name.

I shook my head as I made my way towards her. "Who?" Kagura mouthed weakly.

"It's Rei." I said softly.

Kagura looked surprised but them seemed to understand. I gently lowered her onto a stool and she leaned weakly against the wall. She seemed to be at the end of her rope and was on the verge of jumping off the deep end, utterly defeated with no hope left. "Why?" She moaned, "There's no point anymore."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"He's going to kill me before I'm free. I should just kill myself now and get it over with."

I looked over at the pot of green liquid and then back at Kagura. I was struck with the sudden horrifying realization of what the pot's contents must be. That stuff was . . . and she was going to drink it. "Kagura, What's is that?" I asked, pointing at the pot.

The sinking feeling in my stomach told me I already knew the answer but I had to hear Kagura say it for herself. "Demon's Bane. Pure Poison. The best known to demon kind. It will kill even the most powerful demon easily. Naraku is going to kill you with it, or who ever is in your body."

I figured I should worry about the first part of what Kagura said first and the second later. "You are planning on drinking that." I accused her.

"Exactly. What better way to end it right?" Kagura replied with a half laugh.

Tears rolled down her cheeks, mixed with the blood on her face. This caused her tears to look like they were made of blood. I shook my head at her in sympathy and brushed the hair from her face. Gently I wiped the blood from her face with my sleeve, I knew Sesshomaru wouldn't like the fact I'd gotten his robes dirty but Kagura needed me now. "Don't do it, Kagura."

"Why not?"

"Because then Naraku will win. He'll be able to resurrect you without your heart, your soul or your mind. Kagura the demon of wind will be nothing more then a puppet. Do you want that?"

"No." she replied in a horse whisper.

She was silent for a long moment staring pale and listless off into space. I wondered if she was there or if she had lost it. Then she turned to me and I saw that her eyes were clear. "How am I supposed to keep living like this?"

"Be strong and take things one day at a time. Concentrate on something that is important to you to keep yourself moving. It won't be pretty but you'll live to see the end. Naraku will not control you much longer."

"How do you know?"

"Because there are powerful enemies who have allied themselves against him. Not even Naraku could stand opposed to all that."

"Are you sure? He . . . he's so strong already and he just keeps acquiring more power everyday."

"I'm going to need you to trust me. Naraku's hold will not last."

Kagura nodded mutely. I smiled at her and gave Kagura one last nod of reassurance. "Tell me, do you have anything to keep living for?"

I felt something like the goddess being that I had once been during Instrumentality when I asked that question of so many others. At first Kagura didn't reply but then she slowly began to speak, "My freedom and that of my sister. Naraku has us so under his control that we can do nothing but what he wants us to. Kanna is so under his power that she can't think or feel anything he doesn't want her to. If I could have my way we'd get out of here and never come back."

"Then hold onto and focus on that dream. Let if feed you and give you strength."

Kagura nodded hesitantly. I smiled gently at her and used a simple charm to ease her pain. "You got your freedom, didn't you? What did it cost?"

"Do you mean from Naraku or from before, back prior to when I came here?"

"Both."

"Yes, I have my freedom but I paid a heavy price for it. I would not wish anyone else paid the price I did for such a reward. I hope your freedom will come at a much cheaper cost to you."

"Was the cost you paid that horrible?"

"It was, there are some nights were I am kept awake by the screams or awakened by the worst nightmares imaginable."

I saw Kagura shutter slightly. "If I can I will make sure your price is much less."

Kagura gave me a look that said she was grateful for my concern. "Thank-you." She murmured.

"I promise I won't forget about you." I assured her.

"Who's in your body now?"

"Sesshomaru. Why?"

"You should hurry. I think Naraku is going to force you to drink this stuff anytime now."

Kagura rose to her feet and began to rummage in the cabinets. She came back holding a box with dried tealeaves inside. She put them in a pot of boiling water. Once the water had boiled long enough she pored some of the liquid into a blue porcelain cup for me. "Have Sesshomaru drink some of this. It should clear his mind of that tea Naraku has made you drink." She explained.

I lifted the cup from the table as Kagura slumped back onto the stool and closed her eyes in exhaustion. "You know we will be enemies from now on. I can't help you again if I want to live."

I nodded expecting just as much from her.

Quickly I turned and hurried down the hallway. I could sense two of Naraku's guards where Sesshomaru was chained. There could be only one reason they were there and Naraku couldn't be far behind so I needed all the speed I could get. When I reached the door I set the cup of tea inconspicuously on the floor outside then burst through the door wielding a long poison whip. I cracked it loudly in the air to get the two demon's, who were leaning over Sesshomaru, attention. Before they could do more then turn and stare in horror, I killed the first one. The second ran from the room, screaming in terror, before I could destroy him too.

I stepped outside and lifted the cup of tea from the floor then hurried back inside. I held the cup for Sesshomaru so he could drink. I watched as his eyes slowly cleared. "Are you felling better now?" I asked.

Sesshomaru nodded and straightened up slightly where he sat. "My body is in bad shape. Right?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"Your speed. You were too slow when you attacked and I can tell your moves are deliberate as if you're being careful with what you do."

"True. You're body is still badly injured. I'm afraid I'll put too much stress on it and cause more damage. For now we need to stay where we are so I can fix your body up. Believe it or not you're in better condition then me."

"Great." Sesshomaru grumbled.

I couldn't blame him. Sesshomaru probably didn't feel so good himself so the fact he was the strongest of us must leave him worried. There was one more thing I could do to help him, I remembered. "Give me your hands." I instructed him.

Sesshomaru held it out his arms and I easily bent the metal bind from around his wrist using Sesshomaru's body's superior strength. I broke then chains in to many pieces with my hands relishing getting my revenge on the thing that had caused me so much trouble. Then I opened the door to the outdoor garden and threw the pieces of the metal chains as far as I could.

I turned back to Sesshomaru to see he was on his feet now. With his help I ripped the sleeve of his right arm into long strips that I tied around all of my open wounds. Once I was bandaged up, Sesshomaru and I started to leave our room for the safely of the forest.

We stepped out into the hallway and began our trek down the long corridor. Using my demonic senses I could feel Naraku was far away on the other side of the palace. However there were two demons near our location. One was farther away but the other was quite close. Both were very strong and I was worried about what would happen if they found us. The one that bothered me the most was the one who was closer to us. He seemed to be moving in our direction.

"Do you sense him Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru nodded quickly. "Let's move."

I agreed with him. We could not afford to get caught, not in the state we were in. Sesshomaru spead up and took the lead with his A.T. field at the ready. It wouldn't be as powerful as my own but it was easily the best defense we had. Will we make it through this? I wondered silently. Yes, of course we will. I told myself quickly. I refused to let myself entertain any doubt or hesitation.

A short distance we could hear the man enter the hallway and begin walking in our direction. Quickly we ducked inside an open room and hid in the shadows in the hope we would not be noticed.

However on this day luck was not on our side. The demon stopped in mid stride as he began to pass our room. For several tense moments all was silent and then the door opened. Although nothing could have been farther from the way it sounded I believed I had just heard the chimes of death. Sesshomaru and I looked at each other. Stay back and let me handle this. Sesshomaru insisted.

No. We must work together.

Before I could say anything more Sesshomaru had stepped out of hiding to face our opponent. He was a tall man of average build with tight fitting clothing. From the shadows where I crouched I could see hundreds of knives all long and gleaming hanging from straps in his outfit. This guy was obsessed to put it lightly. Shuttering, I could only guess at how many more were concealed beneath his clothes. He smiled at Sesshomaru and raised one of his long bladed weapons. "Hello. Miss Ayanami. I was wondering if I would have the pleasure of testing my powers against yours."

"Who would you be?" Sesshomaru demanded in a tone that commanded authority.

"I am known as Hijun, the master of knives and other sharp weapons."

That was clear from the number of blades he carried and the way he handled the one in his hand. Sesshomaru, I knew, had no such weapons to counter Hijun's. However he could make his own from his body as I frequently did or he could steal them from his opponent. I felt bad because I knew Sesshomaru must want the Tokijin in his hand at this moment but instead it was strapped at my side. It would be useless to him not because he lacked the will to control it but the demon blood and powers required to master it. I looked down at the blades and wondered if I could. Most likely I could but not as well as Sesshomaru, especially with the injuries I was suffering from.

I had to fight the desire to draw blade or whip at that moment. Sesshomaru had been right. If I stayed hidden I would most likely be able to intervene if trouble arose. I sincerely hoped it did not. I watched closely as the two began to battle, Hijun with his army-sized collection of knives and Sesshomaru with a short sword he had made from his arm.

I held still watching at the attacks went back and forth. Sesshomaru was holding his ground but struggling to use my powers. It was time to switch back, I realized. If not Sesshomaru and I would be in danger. I can do this, I told myself firmly. My shoulders slackened as I released some control over my body. I focused my attention on the power of my core. After a minute I felt it's powers activate. Sesshomaru I switching us back to our bodies.

Sesshomaru made no reply but he didn't object to what I had said either. I took this to mean he had understood and agreed. I drew on the powers of my core as a springboard to completely cut both of us off from our bodies. Then I returned to my own and placed Sesshomaru back in his.

I opened my eyes, rejoicing in the comfortable feel of being back in my own skin. Silently I vowed to always appreciate it because I would never belong anywhere else.

I opened my eyes to see a knife flying for Sesshomaru. "Sesshomaru look out!" I cried.

I threw myself between the knife and Sesshomaru turning my body into a solid wall but there was no time to release my AT field. I felt it sink deep into my back and pain exploded. I would have staggered and nearly collapsed only just managing to stay on my feet had I not been a wall. Sesshomaru looked up at me through pain filled eyes and I knew he thought I was crazy. His eyes got big and then a second knife imbedded itself in my back. A third flew through me and struck Sesshomaru in the chest. His eyes widened with the pain then slowly closed and he sank to the floor. My stomach drooped like a rock in horror.

"Sesshomaru!" I creamed.

I spread my AT field as I transformed my body back to normal and turned on the knife man. I had to end this now and get Sesshomaru out of here. I changed Sesshomaru's knife into a sword and summoned my lance to my hand. Then charged him like a maniac waving it dangerously. I cared little for myself only for Sesshomaru. Hijun, seeing my intention, drew his sword and prepared to defend. He attacked first but I ducked and sliced him in two with the lance. He body crumpled to the ground. I released my lance and it fell with a clatter. With tears streaming down my face I turned and stumbled back to where Sesshomaru lay, ignoring my own pain. I knelt down next to him and checked for vitals but there were none. He was gone. Gingerly I pulled the blood covered fatal knife from his chest and held it in my hands.

This was all wrong. There was no way he could die. No after I had gone through all that trouble to keep him alive. He would not die. No now, not today and not ever. I wasn't going to let him. I placed my palms on his chest and reach out with my mind. At first I couldn't feel any trace of his. I panicked but then I felt a faint glimmer. His soul stood on the edge to the gates of death. His eye where closed and I doubt he could sense me. He was just standing there letting the wind whistle past him into the netherworld beyond. I grabbed Sesshomaru's arm and pulled on it with all my might. He refused to budge; no matter what I did he would not move. I bent forward in concentration and forced my energy into his body. It looked like I would have to make his body live like before. The energy caused the wound begin to heal it's self. Sluggishly his heart restarted and his breathing returned. With a little coxing his soul slowly followed. Out of breath I collapsed next to him thoroughly exhausted. Still I kept one hand on him to keep us synced. He was barely back on the edge of life and I was terrified he would go back over if I didn't keep him breathing.

I heard the door slide open. I glanced over my shoulder to see who it was. Gishuken, Naraku's newest incarnation stood there. So he was the second demon I had sensed. I lay still hoping he would think I was dead but he was not deceived. "Hijun is dead but so are the others. This does not make sense . . ."

He looked right at me and smirked. Gishuken knew I was still living. He stepped foreword and picked my lance off the floor. I flinched as he began to laugh. "Such a pretty and dangerous weapon."

Slowly he made his way across the room to us. I wrapped my hand around the hilt of the knife that had killed Sesshomaru. He stood right over me and raised my lance. I shifted my feet under me and prepared to strike. Gishuken brought it down and I went to stab him. He was faster. Pain overwhelmed me as the lance went through my chest. I sank to my hands and knees coughing up blood. I could barely breathe and everything spun. Gishuken leaned down next to me. "So it was you." He hissed in my ear.

I focused my attention on him and stuck him in the face with the knife. He roared and his hands flew to his left eye. "Why you!" He exclaimed.

I didn't wait for him to attack again. I glared at him and Gishuken went flying. He was on his feet and came back at me, knife in hand with in moments. I didn't have time to do anything but mount a weak defense. It crumpled like paper and he struck me deep in the side. I doubled over as pain went everywhere. I narrowed my eyes and sent my A.T. field at him. He went flying and landed in the next room, dead? Unconscious? I couldn't say. I sank to my knees and placed my hand on Sesshomaru's chest before I fainted.

--

Sesshomaru awoke groggily. He was aware of some pain in his chest and other areas of his body but he didn't feel terrible overall. Someone's hand was resting on top of him. He sat up slowly causing it to fall off. In front of him Hijun was dead, hacked in two and Gishuken lay in the next room buried under a large amount of rubble. He looked beside him and saw to his horror Rei lying there. Two knives and her lance protruded from her back. He first thought was that she was dead but then she moaned almost inaudibly.

Sesshomaru gasped and leaned over. She was alive. He checked for a pulse to see if it was true. She had none. What? How was she alive when breath and heart had failed? He turned Rei on her side to find a deep gash there. A close inspection of the wound showed a blood red orb inside. Sesshomaru poked it hesitantly. What was this thing? He'd never seen anything like it. Whatever it was it appeared to have been injured by the strike and was bleeding LCL. Sesshomaru placed Rei's hand on it trying to cover the wound. It didn't do much good soon her hand was sticky with LCL and it was still going everywhere. He tried to remember what Rei had said about her powers. She had mentioned a core that as long as it remained undamaged she would not die. While it was clear she was not dead the core had sustained damage. What did that mean?

Fist things first, Sesshomaru decided, the knives and the lance were going to have to go. Sesshomaru gripped the first knife and pulled it out as carefully as he could. Bright LCL trickled from the wound but Rei didn't move. Sesshomaru took hold of the second knife with less indecision and removed it. More LCL flowed but she seemed insensible. He took a deep breath and slowly rose to his feet. He seized the lance and yanked.

Rei screamed ear piercingly. Sesshomaru pulled her to him coving her mouth to stifle the scream. Carefully he dropped the lance and took her in his arms. Her entire body was shaking and trembling. His first thought was what had happened to her. The last thing he remembered was she had taken two of Hijun's knives for him but the third had stuck him straight in the chest. He looked down and realized that he was bleeding from a shallow wound there. It was barely more then a scratch but Sesshomaru clearly remembered the knife sinking deep into his chest.

This was ridiculous Sesshomaru decided with her wounds there was no way they'd get out of here alive. Looking around he found the missing piece of the red core Rei carried. It was lying almost invisibly in a pool of bood not far from where Rei herself was. The only reason Sesshomaru had seen it was becasue it had caught the light in a way the crimson blood and LCL didn't. Sesshomaru placed the piece in place. Then he glared at Tenseiga and muttered that he officially hated the sword. Gingerly as he could he adjusted Rei's position in his lap and drew Tenseiga. Sesshomaru held it steadily above her at he talked himself into doing what he had to do. He took a breath and stabbed the blade right through the exposed core in her stomach and himself. Rei's body glowed brightly. As it receded she lay silently against him.

--

I came to feeling weak and in a daze. After a few moments in which I assured myself that I was still alive; I felt brave enough to open my eyes. Above me Sesshomaru's face came into view. I blinked in surprise that he was real and okay. I was sure I had lost him. A smile crossed Sesshomaru's face. "You are okay. I'm glad."

"What, what happened?"

"I don't know. One minute the knife hit me the next I woke up almost completely healed. You on the other hand, how do I describe it? You were alive yet dead all at once and your core was damaged."

I pondered what he had said before it all made sense. When Gishuken had stabbed me in the side he must have damaged my core unbeknownst to me because of the pain I was already in both physically and mentally. Then I must have foolishly used the last of my strength on Sesshomaru thus making it appear as if I was dead when my body stopped and my angle half took over to keep me alive.

I explained what had happened to Sesshomaru from the minute he died to when he awoke again. It was decided that it was a good thing he had used Tenseiga to heal us both when he did. I couldn't be a full angel for long or I'd stay that way forever mostly likely also insane from the power. On the same hand if my core failed my human half took over, however if I were mortally wounded I'd die then. Neither option was very good. So it turned out that things had gone the best way they could have.

Sesshomaru helped me to my feet and I retrieved my lance from the floor where I had dropped it. I absorbed the lance back into my body and hurried to Sesshomaru's side. "Are you ready? We'll probably have to face Naraku himself next." He asked.

"No, but I'm as prepared as I'll ever be. Let's go."

With that we set off down the hallway. The palace seemed colder and more menacing now. I wondered if Naraku knew what we had done and was waiting to take revenge. Chances were that the answer was yes and we were about to be in big trouble.

I turned a corner with Sesshomaru right behind me and ran right into Naraku. He grinned and beckoned me to come closer. I didn't move. "Good evening Miss Ayanami, Lord Sesshomaru. What a pleasant surprise to see you both here."

Before either of us could reply Naraku produced three small daggers and threw them at me. Smiling I liquefied myself into LCL as an idea came to me. If it worked we'd be free of Naraku forever.

--

Sesshomaru watched in horror as Naraku produced three mini daggers and sent them sailing at Rei. She smiled as she turned into a yellow orange liquid just before Naraku's daggers reached her. The liquid fell into a puddle on the floor taking the dagger with it. Rei's kimono landed on top completing the effect. Sesshomaru could see that Naraku was furious, starring intently at the puddle of ooze on the floor. A few moments later a strange thing began to happen, the ooze rose up and formed a human shape taking Rei's kimono with it. It solidified and Rei reappeared. She produced all three knifes from with in her arms and sent then sailing at Naraku. The first two pinned his arms to the wall and the third pinned his legs. She charged foreword drawing her own short sword as she went. "Don't trifle with me." She hissed.

"I would put that sword of yours away if I were you. Those daggers of mine were poisoned. You have about five to ten minutes before you feel its affects and one week to live."

--

My feet came to a screeching halt. I couldn't believe my ears. Naraku had poisoned those daggers? He'd intended that I would be hurt but not killed by them? Then it all made sense. Naraku was planning on the daggers hitting either Sesshomaru or I. It didn't matter whom as long as just one blade struck home.

Now what? I wondered. Was this really the end? Would I have to face death? The prospect left me shaking; I didn't want to die, not yet. Naraku freed his right arm and easily took my sword from of my hands. "Shut up! Don't tell lies." Sesshomaru growled.

"But I'm not;" Cackled Naraku "The poison I used is highly potent. Its effects include loss of the senses, convulsions and inability to control ones body."

"Did you forget about something?" Sesshomaru asked.

He snarled and placed the Tokijin back in its sheath. Sesshomaru then drew Tenseiga instead. As the great sword flashed to life Naraku lashed out and there was a great deafening crack before smoke filled the air. When it cleared a great crack ran down the length of the Tenseiga from its edge to the hilt. The sword was now dead and useless.

Naraku still grinning wickedly produced a small glass jar from his sleeve. "I suppose you'll want this." He said.

I nodded weakly. "Of course you do. Now be a good girl and tell me about your AT field."

My voice cracked as I asked; "If this poison is as strong as you say it is why did you allow me to hit you with the knives?"

"I anticipated that you would strike back so I took some of my own antidote in advance. Now back to my question tell me about your AT field."

I was gaining some control over my emotions now and was able to speak calmly. I suppressed a half grin at this knowledge. Naraku of course had planned on being hit by me but he had not planned for me to counter poison the knives. Yes, that's right Naraku. I cannot only alter my form but the chemical composition of the LCL I become just enough to create a poison toxic to demon's like you. Still I kept the illusion so that Naraku would think he had all the power. "My AT field is the light of my soul a sacred territory that no one will intrude."

"How is it that you are the only being I know who can produce it?"

"All living beings could produce it at one time or another but most have lost the ability or the knowledge of how."

Naraku seemed to be digesting what I had told him. I was now standing firmly before him feeling much calmer and in control. "What do you want for the antidote?" I asked almost daringly.

"I want you to surrender your heart and soul to me like Kohaku did."

I pondered his proposition. I could choose to become his slave or die. I refused to die but I the though of bowing to him was equally as repulsive. Either way everything I cared about would be gone. I couldn't decide which was worse death or being controlled and forgetting everything important to you. As I thought about it if I stayed alive there was a chance Sesshomaru or I could save me from Naraku. It was the only hope I had. Still what happened when my own poison took effect and Naraku died? If I chose to be his slave would I then be free or in even more trouble?

There was only one option I realized. I had been a fool to even consider the other. No matter what the risks this was the path I would take.

I held out my hands and condensed my being into a small ball between them. I held it out to Naraku. "Don't do it, Rei!" Sesshomaru shouted "You shouldn't sell yourself to this low to live. We'll find another way to keep you alive with out his antidote."

Just as Naraku was about to take it from me I absorbed my being back into myself with a smile. Naraku looked shocked for a moment but then grinned. "So you choose death. So be it."

"Yes, let the effects of our attacks play themselves out shall we?"

Naraku at first seemed not to have noticed the hint then however I saw his jaw clench. "Say that again." He demanded.

"Sorry. You'll have to wait and see I'm afraid."

Sesshomaru grabbed my hand and pulled me down the hall. To my amazement Naraku let out go laughing madly behind us all the way, we left Naraku's castle and made it into the woods. As Naraku predicted we hadn't gone far when my eyes began to dim and my legs became weak and unstable. Soon I was barely stumbling along gasping for breath. Everything was spinning in a strange blur of color and I couldn't keep my head straight. I could tell I had lost it when I saw a running Asuka next to me. "Hey, Wonder girl!" She called to me.

"Go away." I thought, "You're not real."

She did but the effects of the poison didn't. Sesshomaru noticed my difficulty and scooped me up with one swift move and carried me with his one arm. I closed my eyes so as to not see any more hallucinations. That one alone had been scary enough. I was beginning to wonder if I would go crazy from the visions before anything else.

Who will survive the war or poisons? You'll have to wait and see.

Finally a teaser:

She was blind and they both knew it.

Short and ambiguos, I know.