I have returned! Whoot! I know I've slowed down, for no reason other then laziness and distraction. I don't know if I will pick the pace back up but I will try not to slow down.

I'm going to switch this story over into the Anime Corssover's section sometime within the next few days. Sorry if that causes any problems.

I don't own Eva or Inu Yasha!

R & R, please.

Chapter 19: Lost in Darkness

"Demon's Bane." I whispered as loudly as I dared.

I didn't know if Sesshomaru would hear or understand but I had to say it. I had realized what the poison was. It was Demon's Bane the same thing I had kept Kagura from drinking. Ironic really but it was what it was.

I hoped my message could reach Sesshomaru through the haze of hallucination I was under. There were only two things I could trust with my distorted senses, the fact we were moving and wind was howling around me. Everything else I did not trust because for all I knew it was a hallucination of some sort.

I heard Sesshomaru's voice coming from somewhere nearby. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." I replied weakly.

I heard Sesshomaru utter some bad word that I didn't catch. "That's bad. Demon's Bane is a powerful and deadly poison."

"I know. Tell me, tell me . . . how does it work . . ."

"Once in your body it spreads and multiplies quickly until it overwhelms the body's ability to control itself. Demon's Bane are actually miniscule demons. No one's seen them but every demon can sense them."

"A demon virus or bacterium. Who knew?"

"What?"

"In my world, invisible agents that make you ill and are not poison are referred to as viruses and bacterium."

I could only imagine that Sesshomaru gave me a strange look but I didn't open my eyes to see it.

They returned during a lull in the blizzard. Haruka and the rest of the residents at the Inu Youkai palace were huddled in their rooms with warm fires blazing. The howling wind blew unceasingly outside. During a lull in the storm the palace began to stir and Haruka looked outside on a whim.

Out of the thickly falling snow came a single form. It was dirty and covered in blood. Haruka watched in amazement as the form continued to approach at a constant pace. After a moment it became apparent who the form was, Lord Sesshomaru.

"Father!" Haruka cried out in surprised.

Sesshomaru looked up and met Haruka's eyes. He looked sad and weary. It was then that Haruka notices that her father is carrying something, which was consuming his attention. She couldn't see it because whoever or whatever it was had been wrapped securely in the large piece of fluff. What is he carrying with him and why isn't Rei by his side? Haruka wondered.

Then Haruka saw a small piece of blue hair waving in the wind as it poked between the fluff. She looked again to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her. Unfortunately they weren't. Sesshomaru was carrying Rei home.

Haruka turned around when she heard the door open behind her. Kagome and Rin stood there momentarily before they joined her. Both were dressed in heavy priestess style robes with boots to keep them warm. The three of them watched in silence as Sesshomaru reached them.

Sesshomaru stopped in front of them and fixed Kagome with an intent stare. "Do, do you have the antidote for Demon's Bane poison?" He asked.

Kagome shook her head. "I have the ingredients but it would take one moon to make it properly. If you need the antidote quickly you must send someone to the Poison Monks Shrine."

There was a knowing look passed around. The Poison Monks were a group of monks who lived in a secluded shrine in the mountains of the Westernland. They were experts in the making of poison and all it's antidotes. They made large batches of both but never sold the poison. There were strange rumors about what they did with the poison. Some said they drank it themselves to test the antidote others said they fed it to prisoners that were locked up under the shrine.

Sesshomaru nodded. "Organize a party to leave for the shrine as soon as possible." He said.

"Is it Miss Rei?" Inquired Rin's small voice.

"Yes," replied Sesshomaru, "She's very ill right now."

"I can make some medicine that will help her until the antidote arrives."

The tension in Sesshomaru's face lessoned slightly at this news. Rin took the lead and led the way inside the palace. Sesshomaru carried Rei to her room where she was laid on her bed and covered up for warmth. Haruka started a fire and Kagome set to work making medicine. Soon the other healers and priest arrived and set to work doing what they could. Sesshomaru sighed knowing it would not be enough. He needed to send a team to the Poison Priest Shrine to get the antidote.

When Inu Yasha showed up to find Kagome Sesshomaru decided it was best to call a meeting to discuss the subject. "So you're back, Sesshomaru. Never thought I'd see you again."

Sesshomaru gave his younger half brother a deadly stare that said he was not in the mood. The Inu Lord turned back to supervise the priests caring for Rei. Sesshomaru watched silently as the first of what would be many potions was pored down her throat. Then he turned back to Inu Yasha behind him. "Tell me, have you ever heard of Demon's Bane?"

"Sure I have, it's some nasty poison a demon made that's now used in demon wars, right?"

"Correct. That's what Naraku poisoned her with, Demon's Bane. A poison for Demon Wars."

"You sound like Naraku shouldn't have used that poison on her. Are you forgetting who he his? Naraku is ruthless and heartless. He would anything to assure victory. Besides, can't you heal her with Tenseiga, the sword of Heaven's Healing Light?"

"I can't. Tenseiga was broken when Naraku struck it. I have to take the sword to Totosai for repair before it can be used again."

"I see. Quite a tough spot for her I'd say."

"Exactly. That's why I need to send someone to the Shrine of The Poison Monks for the antidote. It's the only chance Rei has of surviving."

"I hope you don't expect me to go on this expedition. However I will help you organize a team to send. Since you'll want to stay here as I imagine."

Sesshomaru nodded in thanks. He decided that Inu Yasha while inept at using the Tetsiaga, he was okay after all. Inu Yasha left and Sesshomaru kept watch with Rin by his side. The Inu Lord didn't want the girl to be there to see Rei being so sick but Rin refused to leave. Rin was upset, that was clear, probably because Rei was a friend and big sister to her. "Rei will be okay, Rin." Sesshomaru assured the girl at his side.

Sesshomaru hoped his words would no only sooth Rin but himself as well. "Can Rin help?" Rin asked after a moment.

"You can hold her hands and keep her company. Even if she doesn't respond to you I think Rei will hear you."

Rin nodded looking happy for something useful to do. She hurried over to Rei's side and picked up Rei's hands from the blankets. Rin began to rub Rei's hands with her own. A small smile appeared on Rei's face but she didn't move or speak.

For a long time Sesshomaru stood with eyes closed and silent. He was trying so hard to forget the familiarities of the current situation with the past when Haruna died. No, he told himself repeatedly, Rei will not die. I will not burry someone else I care about. Unexpectedly Rin's voice broke through, "Sesshomaru-sama."

Sesshomaru opened an eye to see what was going on. He knew what it was instantly. Rei was having another attack were her muscles all tightened painfully at the same time. This was why he wanted Rin to massage her hands to work out the tightness and make the pain when the attacks happened less. Sesshomaru made his way over to Rei's side to see what he could do. Her body was rigid and her hands were tensed in tight fists. "Rin, keep massaging her hands." He told her.

Rin nodded obediently and continued to work Rei's fingers with her own. Sesshomaru leaned down as Rei's eyes opened slightly, "It's okay. You're home now. Everything will be okay."

Sesshomaru added on the last part in an effort to convince himself and Rei because there was no room for uncertainty. He didn't want to give up hope or for Rei to doubt she would live.

Rei smiled up at him or at least he thought she did, it was hard to tell with the pained expression on her face. Sesshomaru stroked her hair and Rei relaxed considerably and closed her eyes again as the attack ended. She was sleeping longer and longer Sesshomaru realized; caught in whatever world of madness the poison created. He wondered if was better for her in there or here in reality. The only one who could say that was Rei herself and she wasn't talking.

I was back in instrumentality. I hated this place it was so cold and lonely. What happened to everyone? Why was I here? I didn't understand.

"Ayanami . . ."

"You killed us!"

"Murderer!

"Heartless killer!"

"You betrayed us!

"You destroyed us."

"How could you?"

"What did we ever do to you?"

"Why?"

"For what?"

"You were supposed to save us."

"You were supposed to be our friend!"

"We hate you!"

"Go to hell!"

"You're not worthy of sympathy!"

"Die angel!"

"Dam you to hell!"

"Curse you forever!"

"No please," I implored, "Let me explain! I didn't mean to do that! Things got out of my control and . . . and . . . I'm so sorry! Don't condemn me please don't think of me like that!"

"Shut up!"

"What do you know?"

"You have no heart!"

"You're just a doll, some man's puppet!"

"You have no worth!"

"Haven't you done enough?"

"Why don't you just leave?"

"We have no use for you!"

"No! No! No! Please don't say that! I'm not really such a bad person! Please listen to me! Why won't you believe me! I'm sorry everyone! I'm so sorry!"

I awoke feeling like I was burning up and drenched in a cold sweat. My hands were shaking uncontrollably at my sides. "I was safe now that was only a dream." I told my self over and over.

Somehow the dream wouldn't leave me alone. It was too horrifying. Was that really how the people of earth thought of me or was it only a feverous dream? I didn't know. I hoped they didn't think of me like that. I really wasn't that bad of a person, wasn't I? I didn't get time to think over it though because I soon sank off back to sleep.

Sesshomaru poked his head in Rei's room. He was beginning to wonder if escaping from Naraku had been the right choice. Rei had been really sick ever since he brought her back two weeks ago. She was prone to fits of talking or crying in her sleep. He knew it was because she was constantly caught in a feverous delirium but she sounded so broken hearted. The worst though was when she began to convulse and scream in pain. Sesshomaru had to hold her down with all her might to keep her still so she wouldn't hurt herself. Now though she was sleeping quietly, too quietly. Sesshomaru was concerned that the fact she was getting worse. He'd seen her die and he didn't want to see Rei take that road. Fortunately it looked like Rei had sunk into a calm restful sleep. Sesshomaru felt better. It looked like she might be okay after all.

Sesshomaru sat down next to her and picked up her small hand. It was cold and boney. The rest of her was like that too. Rei had never had much excess fat on her and after being so sick it was all gone leaving her looking not much better than skin and bone. That's why he was here; if Rei was going to live she was not only going to need the antidote (which had arrived not ten minutes ago and would be here shortly) but also food. Sesshomaru took the cover off a bowl of soup. He gently opened her mouth and pored some of it down her throat. Rei sighed softly with contentment but didn't stir otherwise. Sesshomaru would have had someone else do it but he felt like doing it himself this time.

After repeating this process several times Sesshomaru ran out of soup and was gathering up the bowls when Kagome entered with a cup containing the antidote mixed with tea. She knelt down next to Rei and gently poured it down her throat. She stood back up and nodded to Sesshomaru then left. Sesshomaru lingered a few moments then turned and left himself.

I awoke to the sound of someone humming softly nearby. I open my eyes and turned to see Eto kneeling nearby mixing some sort of potion in a clay bowl. I tested my strength and found that I felt hungry but otherwise unaffected by bout with the powerful poison. Slowly I sat up and Eto noticed me and smiled. "Good you're awake."

"How long have I been asleep?" Not long. Just over a week since you returned."

I was amazed I felt wonderful for having just battled a powerful poison. This was great. "Where is everyone?"

"Oh, here and there. I'm sure they'll be in to visit you soon when they hear you're awake."

With that Eto lifted up her work and left. I blinked, surprised by her abrupt exit and evasive answer. Was something wrong? I wondered. I quickly forced that thought aside. No, nothing was wrong. I had survived and everything would be okay.

By the end of the day I had seen everyone in the palace except the one person I wanted to see the most, Sesshomaru. When ever I asked where he was I was told he was busy or somewhere else at the time. This surprised me greatly because I thought he would be the first to come when he heard I was awake. Still everyone else was cheery and kind, leaving me feeling content by the end of the day.

That night as I lay dreaming I was awakened by the sound of crying; not just by one person but many. I quickly climbed from bed, put on the first pair of shoes I could find and hurried to find the source of the sound. It was so loud that I located it easily, coming from the courtyard before the front gate.

I stepped outside, shivering in the frosted night air around me. Near the gates in a tight throng was a mass of people huddled together all of whom I recognized from the palace. Even Haruka and Lady Ririko where among them as some of the hardest crying members. What's going on? Why is everyone so upset?

After a few minutes of confused silence on my part and continuing lament on the others a new sound was heard, the creaking of an ox cart on the path. Instantly the crying and whispers among the group at the gates stopped and we all turned to watched as the cart approached. It was large and flat, made of ancient wood and driven by a single massive ox. Upon the cart lay something about human sized covered by several thick blankets. The ox stopped before the gate and Haruka untied the lock with shaky hands while trying to comfort Rin. Finally the gates parted with a hideous creak and the cart rolled through into the center of the circle.

A knot of fear and dread was building in the pit of my stomach. What had the cart brought that had everyone so upset and where was Sesshomaru? Carefully I approached the cart and worked my way among the group until I could see what was going on. Haruka and Lady Ririko solemnly approached the cart and took similar positions on either side of it. They reached for the blankets but before they could remove them Rin cried out, "Miss Rei!"

Rin ran to me and grabbed my hand, pulling me through the crowd to the cart, next to Haruka. Both Haruka's and Lady Ririko's eyes become big in surprise. I had the sudden feeling they didn't want me here. Haruka swallowed hard and took my hand in hers, squeezing it hard. "I'm sorry, Rei. I didn't want you to find out just yet."

"Find out what?" I demanded.

"Go ahead. Pull black the blankets and see." Lady Ririko insisted softly.

I lifted my hands from my side where they were hanging like dead weights to see they were shaking badly. I forced them to take hold of the blanket and pulled it back. When I saw what was underneath I screamed. No, NO, No! It couldn't be! This was a lie. My knees gave out and I sank to the ground, tears rolling down my cheeks. I was numb to everything around me and my ears rang loudly with a deep roar.

Sesshomaru was dead.

I screamed again, and again until I was hoarse and unable to utter a sound. The tears pored unceasingly and my body had given over to shaking un-controlling.

No. It could not be.

The next thing I knew I was laying in my back, once again in my room. Eto was kneeling beside me running a cold washcloth over my forehead. For a minute I had the fleeting hope that what I had just seen was a dream. Then Eto spoke and the illusion broke. "I'm sorry, Miss Rei. You weren't supposed to know just yet."

"It's true?" I croaked out in a barely audible whisper.

Eto looked away and began to wipe her eyes furiously. "When?" I demanded as loudly as possible.

"There was a huge battle with Naraku three days ago. During the fight Sesshomaru challenged Naraku and he was killed. We found out just before you woke up."

I shook my head frantically as my heart threatened to burst in two out of my chest. No, it couldn't be. Sesshomaru was not dead. This was all just a bad, bad dream.

It must be. I had to be.

Yes, it is. This is only a dream.

Sesshomaru heard a movement from the other side of the room. He shook his head realizing he had fallen asleep. Feeling foolish Sesshomaru looked up to see Rei was trying to move on her own for the first time in nearly a week. Quickly he went to her side and knelt beside her. "Who . . .Sesshomaru . . ." She whispered silently.

Sesshomaru looked down into her red eyes to see that they no longer worked, she was aware of his presence by sensing him with her senses. She was blind and they both knew it.

I slowly came to hearing nothing but the soft breathing from a second occupant of the room I was in. I tried to find the source of it but I was too weak to move. The next thing I knew Sesshomaru was kneeling over me. I could feel his closeness and the warm breath on my face. Yet my eyes could not see him or anything else, I was blind.

Before I could say anything more Sesshomaru silenced me by placing his hand over my mouth. "Rest now."

A small smile crossed my face but I couldn't say or do anything more. So I closed my eyes and let my mind drift off to sleep.

When I awoke again my mouth had a metallic taste to it. I was lying in bed and someone was holding my hand. I turned to look, although my eyes where bad, I could just barely see Sesshomaru kneeling beside me. I think he was smiling.

Over the next several days I slowly began to get stronger. However the stronger I got the worse my eyes got. I feared that it wouldn't be long until I went blind all together, permanently. Sesshomaru was supportive throughout and helped me however he could. I felt grateful that he was being so nice to me but he refused to listen to me when I protested that I was getting stronger.

A lot of the time I was usually alone with my thoughts because I was too weak to go far, so I had a lot of time to think. The main subject of my thoughts was the dreams and images I had seen during the time I was ill. Logically I knew it was all illusion but what I had seen was my worst nightmare, the population of humanity rising against me and denouncing my part in instrumentality. It also contained a vivid recap of instrumentality itself in all its vivid detail.

I had to wonder whether any of what I had seen would become reality or remain fantasy. I hoped it would not because it meant that I would never be accepted by anyone on the other side. Surely there would be some people who would understand and forgive me.

One afternoon Rin came to see me for the first time since I had awakened. From what I had been told she had caught a cold and been confined to another room.

Rin bounded in happily and rushed right to me, throwing her arms around my neck. The force knocked the air out of me and I had to sit before I lost my footing. "Miss Rei is awake!" Rin cried excitedly.

I smiled back and embraced her tightly. Rin released my waist and sat down on a mat next to me. She placed something small and furry in my hands. I could tell it was orange but further detail was lost to me. "It's Rin's kitten Nemu. He's hurt, can Miss Rei help?"

I gently felt the kitten's soft fuzzy body with my fingers trying to find the source of the injury. After several moments I found that one of Nemu's legs was broken. I felt hesitant about using my powers because I hadn't even tried since I woke up. I had no idea how strong they were or if I could control them as I normally did. I knew I had to try my powers sometime however so now would a perfect opportunity to do so.

I drew on my cores power, using it to straighten and bind the fractured limb. When the leg was bound in place I stroked Nemu's head and handed him back to Rin.

"Nemu's leg will be just fine. You should keep him quiet so he doesn't reinjure that it." I advised her.

I could picture the smile on Rin's face as she said, "Thank-you miss Rei."

"Your welcome."

That evening I had been sitting in front of a fire in my room trying to stay warm despite the snow and subzero temperatures outside, with little success. As I was debating what steps to take to stay warm, Sesshomaru showed up with three blankets. First he pulled my hands away from the fire and wrapped them up carefully. Then he placed the first on blanket on the floor beneath me, the second he wrapped around my shoulders the third he placed around himself and then sat down beside me.

Sesshomaru glanced into Rei's room to see her huddled tightly before the fire. She was holding her hands so closely he was amazed they hadn't been burned off her arms. Sesshomaru understood why she put herself so close to the flames; she had lost a lot of weight during her illness and had trouble maintaining warmth in her thin frame.

Sesshomaru wondered what she saw there in the flames. What terrible memories was she burning into her mind before she lost sight forever? Sesshomaru shuttered at the possibilities knowing what he would choose if he was in her place. She must feel awfully alone and afraid.

Slowly, silently Sesshomaru entered the room and pulled Rei's blistered palms away from the fire. He gently bandaged them after applying a healing salve. She whimpered softly when he first touched her hands but made no other sound, starring at him with those wide failing red eyes that seemed too big for her face. Then he wrapped her tightly in one of the three blankets he had brought, placed another one under her and the third around himself.

Once this was done he sat down behind Rei putting his arm and his own blanket around her. She sighed and leaned back against him appearing weak and worn. He massaged her shoulders and she soon relaxed.

"Feeling better?" He asked after several minutes of silence.

"Yes. Thank-you."

"What are you not going to yell at about how you're not worthy?"

"No. You'll do it anyway."

"What's wrong Rei, you've been so quiet and melancholy since you woke up?"

"Well, during the time when I was ill I saw my worst nightmare and the most horrible of my memories played out over and over before me."

Sesshomaru squeezed my shoulder tightly in sympathy. "Why didn't you wake up? Reality had to be better then that."

"I couldn't. My body was too weak for me to leave that world."

"Couldn't be easy to see that repeatedly for two weeks. I imagine instrumentality was your most terrible recollection. Right?"

This was the opportunity I'd been waiting for. It was time I fill Sesshomaru in on the details of Instrumentality. I took a deep breath to settle my nerves then I told him everything. About third impact and how through it I had not only destroyed the world but killed every single person by turning them to LCL All because I listened to the desire of one person, who I had chosen. How I spent two years of desperation trying to convince people to reject the paradise I had given them. As I talked I showed him the scar on my neck and arm where I had been killed during third impact. I held nothing back, not one detail. I wanted him to know it all and I wanted him to understand but not fear me for it. I needed him to know the cruelty I had displayed.

All the while I stared straight ahead at the fire because I was too ashamed and scared to look at Sesshomaru's face. When I finished he said nothing for several minutes preferring a few moments of silence to digest it all. I sat there my hands trembling. I doubted myself, wondering if I had made the right choice by telling him all. Part of me felt relieved like I had released a giant weight I'd been carried around. "You tried to kill yourself at the end, didn't you?"

It had been a detail that until recently I hadn't remembered because Lilith had suppressed it deep within my mind. The nightmares had brought it back to me however. As Instrumentality had come to a close I had been alone and abandoned by everyone. Feeling like a failure, weak and useless, I had let go of not only body but also soul. If it hadn't been for Lilith I would have faded for good. "Yes."

"Who stopped you and saved your life?"

"Lilith my mother."

It had amazed even me that Lilith had forced me to stay alive. While I was her daughter she never seemed to be very caring towards me. Then out of the blue she had pulled me back and kept me alive. "You have not earned the right to give up and destroy yourself yet. You may find something worth living for if you don't disappear." Lilith had told me.

"I owe her my gratitude for that. All in all that's not so bad." Sesshomaru said.

"What?"

"Rei you didn't seal the fate of the people caught in Instrumentality. You said yourself that if they had the will to keep living in the real world they could come back. All you did was try to help your brother, Shinji, from being driven insane. Besides you said that some of the people there that were killed before Third Impact but were brought back by it. I believe this was a chance for them to try to rebuild a better world. Rei, maybe from your perspective it looked horrible but you did a good thing. I'm the horrible ones whose been killing people, only the ones I've hurt are hurt forever."

"Yes, you're right. Maybe this wasn't so bad. Thank-you so much for reminding me of the positive aspects of that horrible incident."

Sesshomaru stayed quiet for several moments. "Tell me something." Sesshomaru asked. "Did any of your dreams while you were sick contain humanity trying to get back at you?"

"Yes, several of them did, actually. Why?"

"Because you were talking in your sleep constantly and you sounded like you where trying to explain or apologies for something."

"I was. That is my second worst nightmare. Once this war is over with Naraku I promised Kaworu that I would return home, explain everything to everyone and apologize for my actions."

"You fear those who won't listen and forgive. The ones who will always hate you for your role in Third Impact."

"Yes. I wish I could be assured that there won't be any backlash but I'm not that foolish. I just hope they won't hate me forever."

Sesshomaru pulled me closer. "Do you want me to spend the night with you to keep the nightmares away?" He asked.

Had he known? Ever since I woke up, I had nightmares every night involving either The Commander or humanity in general trying to take retribution on me. I was grateful at his offer. "Yes, please."

Sesshomaru ran his fingers though my uncombed, greasy hair. He got the end of my braid and began to undo it. Within minutes my hairs was loose and free down my back. "Sesshomaru, what are you doing. My hair's a mess."

"You're still beautiful to me."

I smiled back and closed my eyes. In minutes I was fast asleep held safely in Sesshomaru's arms.

Sesshomaru came to hearing the howling of the wind outside. He looked down to see Rei sleeping peacefully as she lay against him. Her hands were warm and cheeks pink. Sesshomaru was glad she was resting so comfortably. He had heard that she had been sleeping uneasily for several nights now so the fact she was made him relieved.

Someone loudly calling Sesshomaru's name awakened me the next morning. I groaned and rubbed my head as I sat up. Who would be shouting this early, I wondered? After a moment I realized it wasn't early but actually late morning. My senses told me that Sesshomaru was standing near the doorway probably listening to the voice. "Totosai? What brought you out here in the middle of winter?" Sesshomaru called.

"What am I doing? What am I doing?" Cried the man's voice. "I received a letter saying that the Tenseiga is ruined and you ask me what I'm doing here? You broke my greatest work!"

"I didn't break it, pompous old fool. Naraku did."

"All the same. You put the Tenseiga in harm's way didn't you? Dam fool."

Sesshomaru made no response to this Totosai's accusations. There was a long moment of silence and then Sesshomaru stepped back from the door and an old man entered, carrying a giant sledgehammer. Even without my sight I could feel his eyes fall on me. "Well, now this is interesting. I didn't know your new love was such a rare beauty."

"Leave her be Totosai. You came to see about fixing the Tenseiga not hitting on young women to feed your ego."

Totosai grunted and took a seat near the fire. Without a word he held out one hand expectantly. When nothing happened he snapped impatiently, "Let me see it. You want the Tenseiga fixed right?"

Sesshomaru grunted and untied the great sword from his belt. He tossed it easily to Totosai who caught it just as smoothly. Totosai drew the sword from the sheath and frowned deeply as he stared at the injured blade. "I'm afraid to repair this I'll need a new fang. Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru stood stock still for a prolonged period of time. In the dead silence I heard what was keeping Sesshomaru from moving. Outside our door, Inu Yasha's soft laughter could be heard. I must have been too preoccupied with following the conversation between Sesshomaru and Totosai that I hadn't notice him approach. "So you'll have to learn to use your sword again just like I did." Inu Yasha chuckled.

"Silence. Inu Yasha." Sesshomaru growled.

Totosai grunted impatiently promptly ending any quarrel between the brothers and Sesshomaru opened his mouth. He removed one of his fangs and handed it to Totosai before coming to sit next to me. "I'll go get us some breakfast. Keep an eye on him okay?"

"Sure."

I followed Sesshomaru with my senses as he left the room and then turned back to Totosai, who was busy with work on the Tenseiga. He held the great sword over the fire pit in the center of the room and blew fire on the blade, causing it to become superheated. He used his hammer to whack against the blade, making it ring loudly. Very slowly and carefully he worked Sesshomaru fang into the blade of Tenseiga.

I watched it all with interest. Although my eyes were almost gone I was becoming good at using my A.T. Field and senses to track what was going on around me and find things. That's how I was able to follow what was happening.

The ringing from Totosai's work was so loud I sensed Sesshomaru long before I could hear him. He came into the room carrying two bowls filled with hot food. Sesshomaru handed one to me and sat down beside me with the other. I lifted the chopsticks and took a large bite. It was wonderful; Seki must have been in the kitchen today.

We ate in almost complete silence while watching Totosai at his work. The old sword smith worked tirelessly, keeping the blade heated and pounding it repeatedly with his hammer.

Hours later Totosai said he was finally done. He handed the blade to Sesshomaru and instructed him to test it out. So we bundled up and went outside to the courtyard. I stayed where it was warmest under the overhang while Sesshomaru and Totosai went out onto the path. They stood there; talking for several minutes before Totosai laughed loudly and came to join me. "The Tenseiga is heavier now." I commented as stood there waiting.

"You noticed then did you? I wondered how much you could see with those eyes of yours."

"Well enough. My eyes won't work much longer I'm afraid; I will be blind soon."

"I see. So you want to know why Tenseiga is now burdensome in the hands of Sesshomaru after my repair."

"Yes, I would."

"When you make a sword out of the fang of the sword's intended master; the sword's master must have master his own power or the blade will be cumbersome and hard to handle."

"In other words Sesshomaru has un-mastered strength he must learn to employ or won't be able to use Tenseiga."

"Yes. That's exactly what I'm trying to say. So he might not be able to do anything about your eyes for a while."

I said nothing more but turned back to watch and see what Sesshomaru would do. Sesshomaru raised the Tenseiga and aimed it at Jaken who appeared from another area of the palace. Sesshomaru sliced Jaken in two with the blade. This did not harm the imp although he was slightly miffed by being randomly attacked by his master. Sesshomaru however seemed pleased. Totosai was not miffed or pleased, he was discontented. "That is all well and good Sesshomaru, however you need something more impressive then that. You must master Tenseiga's ultimate move to lessen the weight of the blade."

"Say that again, you old wind bag." Sesshomaru snapped.

Sesshomaru stomped over to where we stood; his face clearly displayed his anger. He glared at Totosai for several long moments before the old man made a reply. "You do not know about Tenseiga's powers? Pathetic you've had that sword over fifty years."

An instant of guilt flashed over Sesshomaru's face. I knew that the Tenseiga made Sesshomaru uncomfortable because its powers were to heal and revive. The sword, he thought, was useless. After all what could an inu lord have use in a sword that did not kill. He spent years hating the sword and wishing it had the power of Tetsusiaga. He forgot that the power to heal and revive would be useful in saving the lives of humans and weaker daemons that were frequently exploited by the powerful demons of the era. Would Sesshomaru see the sword for the good it could do and not what he wished it was for him? Sesshomaru didn't need power but the ability to heal.

"So what's the secret?" Sesshomaru demanded.

"The secret is the wind scar, the same as Tetsusiaga. However as you know it heals and revives, not kill. If you wish to lighten the blade you must free your late wife from her prison. What an imbecile." He said in a teacher like manner with the last line in a whisper.

Sesshomaru looked like he understood what Totosai had said. He turned and walked out back to the area of the path where he had been before. He relaxed his shoulder and aimed the blade at the sky. He tried to slice but the weight became too much and the blade hit the ground. Sesshomaru grumbled and tried again with similar results.

Totosai was right. This could take a long time. I shivered and pulled the blanket tighter around my shoulders.

Okay that's all! Don't forget to review before you leave!

And finally a teaser:

Sesshomaru stopped in front of a sword that lay on a wooden table. He gently lifted it and held it out to Haruka. The sealing suntras on it's seath crackled loudly in the air. "Sounga."

Will Sesshomaru be able to master Tenseiga's power in time and what is Sesshy planning with the Third Great Sword? You'll have to wait and see! Untill next time.