Saaya's Test

Saeka, Storm, Naraku and Saaya followed the two dragons into the mountainside, casting one final look at their unfortunate companions. Saeka could do nothing but shake her head and pray that Sesshomaru was here to give her strength when she needed it. And she was going to need it very soon.

The baby was showing signs.

The tunnel within the mountain was pitch black. Only Saeka was able to efficiently see where she was going. She still kept a hand on Storm's shoulder, however.

Naraku kept his arm around Saaya as it got to the point where no one could see whatever was in front of them. He could hear the footsteps of Saeka and the other dragons so he kept following them.

" This way." The lead dragon said from somewhere in front. The group stopped suddenly and Naraku managed to slow himself before walking into someone.

A crack of light suddenly appeared that grew wider and bigger. Naraku realized that the side of the mountain was opening. When the tunnel was completely illuminated, he saw the two dragons start forward, Saeka and Storm following. He hurried after them with Saaya as the gate began to close once more.

" Follow us and do not touch the gems." The dragons said. Naraku stared around them in awe. They were in an underground cavern lighted with torches decorating the walls. On either side of the road was a line of different jewels on the ground. Obeying the dragons' orders, he ignored them.

" I wonder what this place is." Saaya whispered.

" I don't know." He replied truthfully. He continued to gaze around him in wonder.

The dragons led them down the pathway toward another door. They stopped. " Once inside here, none of you is to leave our sight." They ordered. Everyone nodded. The dragon closest to the door slammed his horns against the stone. As they watched, the wall suddenly split open. The two golden dragons backed to the sides and ushered them in.

Of the small group, only Saeka was utterly stunned at what she saw.

Hundreds of dragons lay all throughout the cavern, most of them staring at her in awe. She gazed around, her hand clutching Storm's mane. It was absolutely breathtaking and Saeka now sorely wished the others were here. But more than anything, she wanted Sesshomaru.

" Keep moving forward." Storm instructed. He snarled viciously at other dragons who approached her, a few of them wishing to know if she was available. Saeka kept her eyes forward toward a large stone platform where an enormous white dragon lay watching them. When they reached the spot, he slowly uncurled himself.

" Saeka." He said warmly. " You have finally arrived."

There were calls of approval from around the chamber and Storm stepped forward protectively. " Let her see him." He said. The dragon snapped his tail against the ground. " All in good time, Storm."

He turned to Saeka. " Saeka, do you know who I am?" he asked.

" No."

" I am Golgiroth. The leader of the Northern Dragon Clan. I am your grandfather, father to the dragon who killed your mother and was later killed by you, yourself." He said.

Saeka's eyes widened. " My grandfather?"

" Yes."

" How can this be? I was always told there were no Northern Dragons left."

" Lies. All spread by my people to ensure our safety. I told the same thing to our last visitor."

He coughed dryly and curled his tail up amiably before dropping it. He looked her in the eye, though she could tell he was blind. " Saeka. I desperately beg that you take control of our lands and lead our people to freedom." He said. He sighed. " It is only right, for I am soon to pass along and if I should die, my people would soon follow."

Saeka looked at all of the dragons scattered throughout the cave. They were all staring at her with looks of sorrow or confusion. Many others wore looks of delight at the fact that she had come, apparently. She turned back to Golgiroth.

" I am sorry." She said. " I cannot lead you. I am in no condition to do so effectively."

" What?"

" Golgiroth, I understand that I may be a Northern Dragon, but I am soon to have a baby and I can't lead your people. I don't even know if the Northern Domains are even still inhabitable for demons any longer. A lot has supposedly happened since you were driven away. The Northern Lands are nothing but barren wasteland now, a tundra devoid of life. We only came this way seeking my mate, who has run for reasons we'll keep."

" Oh, you mean that demon." Golgiroth grumbled. " I'd forgotten about him. Crin!"

A topaz maned dragon appeared. " Ki, Golgiroth?"

" Show Saeka to the demon's cave."

" Ki."

The dragon called Crin beckoned for Saeka to follow him, but growled at the others to stay put. Saeka obediently trailed after him, through a large crowd of dragons all pushing to see her. He led her to a small cave in the side of the mountain. He stepped aside so she could enter. She bent down and crawled in, peering through the darkness with her dragon's eye. Instantly, she felt the breath catch in her throat and before she could stop it, she screamed.

" NO!! Sesshomaru!!" she shrieked. She rushed forward to his side and raised his head off the ground. " Sesshomaru! Sesshomaru!!" she cried desperately. A loud commotion was heard as Saaya and Naraku forced their way through and hurried to the mouth of the cave. Saaya could easily get through and gasped when she saw her father. " No! Dad!" she yelled.

Golgiroth's voice boomed into their ears suddenly. " Saeka! Return here at once!" she yelled.

Saeka stood up, eyes flickering deep red in color. She stalked out of the cave and back to the stone platform, glowering at him. " What have you done to him?" she demanded. Golgiroth stood up stiffly. " Saeka, I did what I had to do to get you to come here. He will wake up very shortly. Be patient."

" No! I didn't travel all this way for you to tell me to be patient! I came all this way to find my mate before this baby is born!! Which, by the way, could happen anytime! Don't tell me what to do after all of this!"

She slumped to the ground, heaving breaths wracking her whole body. Saaya rushed over and helped her up. Her eyes were deeply saddened. She looked up at him. " Golgiroth." She said. " I am Saeka's daughter. I will take her place and lead the dragons." She said. Golgiroth snarled. " No! You are not a dragon, you are a dog!"

" I am a dragon!" Saaya yelled, getting to her feet. Golgiroth cocked his head to the side. " Are you capable of proving it?" he sneered.

" If I can transform."

Saeka's eyes widened. " No, Saaya. You have the exact same form as your sister did. You don't stand a chance."

" Mom, I have to try." Saaya said quietly. Naraku came up behind her and turned her to face him. " Saaya, don't. This won't be good if it turns out you are a dog like Miharu was." He said concernedly. Saaya smiled at him warmly. " I have to try, Naraku." She whispered. " For InuYasha and the others' sakes."

He reluctantly let her go and she stepped forward, toward Golgiroth. She remembered her dream where her grandfather had told her that the time was right, and she could unlock her true form. The only problem was this:

She didn't know how.

A/N: I'm sooooooooooooooooo sorry this took so long to update. Talk about major writer's block. I've got two other fanfics I'm working on that I'm having too much fun with and I'm having a hard time with this one, knowing it's going to end and how it's going to end. Some of you might not forgive me. And Kinkatia, I'm sorry I can't send this to you first, but I HAVE to get this up. It's been far too long since my last update. I PROMISE to send you the next one. You're always the first person I send a lot of things to. Oh, and I also published a short story I'd like it if someone would read and review. It's called Icy Barriers of The Heart. Please, please, please read that one!!! I put so much work into it!!! Ciao!!