'Dear me…' Miroku murmured, wide eyed with shock.

Khyber sighed. 'Tetsumi's mother was of the snake dancers, those evil ones who have no loyalty for friend or kin. They are easily bought with money and sparkling objects, which they covet greatly and hide in stores buried deep beneath the earth. Tetsumi watched as her mother slaughtered the entire village.'
'But... I thought you said you didn't know who did it,' Kagome prodded, wishing to know more about what had happened.

Finished mashing the berries, the black winged girl began adding herbs to the gooey mess. 'Tetsumi has completely forgotten the events of that terrible day, and I had no wish to remind her. She has only the memories I placed in her subconscious, and believes those to be the true events. I saw no need to inform her otherwise.'

'But how could she forget something like that?' Miroku mused. 'I would think such a horrible event would imprint itself upon her mind, not completely vanish.'

Khyber hesitated, and Sango's eyes widened in disbelief. 'You didn't…' she muttered staring at Khyber in horror. 'You didn't do the ceremony, did you?'

Khyber just bit her lip. Even Inuyasha looked shocked and disgusted (which was saying something). Kagome just looked confused. 'Uh… what ceremony are you guys talking about?' Miroku took the opportunity to explain.

'The blood letting ceremony is a ceremony that was used in the dark times, when youkai were constantly at war amongst themselves, and humans often caught in the crossfire. There was a raging slave trade back then, and the ceremony was used to put demon blood into humans so that they could serve their masters longer. This process turned them into hanyou… of sorts. They gained a lengthened lifespan, and some demonic markings; tails, and the like. But they were human in every other way: no increased strength, speed, etc. Anyway, the point is that after the Clash of Tribes, the ceremony was forbidden… on pain of death.'

Inuyasha sniffed the air. 'But the kid smells like a normal human. It's your scent I can't figure out.' He direct ed this last bit at Khyber, who ignored him and wrapped the berry&herb goo in a large leaf.

Sango narrowed her eyes. 'Unless you did it in reverse.' Khyber flinched. 'You did, didn't you? You took her demon blood, and made her a human girl. In doing so, you would have removed her memory of the event as well.'

Khyber stood. 'what I did was awful, but there was no other way. If there had been, believe me, I would have taken it. But it was the only way to save her from herself.'

'But,' Miroku pondered thoughtfully, 'that means you are part demon now as well as angel. And what about equivalent exchange? You would have to live with the memories you took, and relive them every night in your dreams.'

Khyber looked him squarely in the eyes. 'I don't sleep much.' With that she walked out of the cave, taking the leaf package and her cloak with her.