Symphony of Dreams
Once again, I am sorry for the deletion of Man's Best Friend. I promise, one day I will repost it, but to be warned, it may not be the same story you have read. It may even have a different title to it. But I hope that you will all read it anyway. Anyway, thank you and enjoy. (Why do I always say that...?)

Forbidden
Chapter Seventeen

Kaede looked grave as she poked at the lit fire. It was nearly sundown, and she still did not tell Inuyasha anything about Khan...and it seemed that Inuyasha had no intention of leaving until she did. She sighed and looked out of the bamboo door to see Inuyasha yelling at the children as they tried to grab hold of his ears. She smiled wryly. How it must feel to be young again...

"Aye...it seems that he truly does not have any intention to leave..." Kaede uttered. She looked back to the blazing fire that she had made. How was she to tell him?

"If you want, Kaede-san, I will get rid of the half-breed." Kaede glanced over her shoulder to see Tsubaki standing in the shadows, glaring at Inuyasha. Kaede sighed.

"Nay child. Inuyasha has his rights of being here. We are not to interfere in his business. I am sure he has good reason to wonder about Khan..." Kaede said. She looked to Tsubaki suspiciously. "Why do you despise Inuyasha so much, Tsubaki?" Kaede asked. Tsubaki blinked in shock, before she lowered her eyes to the floor. She took deep, ragged breaths.

"That's none of your concern, old woman." Tsubaki growled out, stomping out of the hut and leaving a suspicious Kaede behind.

Be careful, Inuyasha...I do not believe that Tsubaki may be trusted...
Kaede thought. She then turned back to the fire, intent on keeping it alive.

Kagome stared in utter horror at what lay before her. A young woman with raven hair...chained by little metal threads...lay on the floor with blood dripping out of her entire body practically. She felt her heart pound in fear. It could not be...

"M-M...M-M..." Kagome stuttered in attempt to say the name.

"Midoriko? Ah, you are a bright mortal then, aren't you?" Khan said with glee as he stood behind her. Kagome screamed and turned around quickly. She stared in fear at the monster before her. The spikes on his wrist were soaked in blood...

"Y-you killed her..." Kagome uttered. She stepped away from the beast in attempt to get away. Khan scowled and struck her in the head. Kagome screamed in pain as she hit the floor with a hard thump. She glared at the beast before her. Khan laughed before preparing to strike her again. Kagome felt tears enter her eyes as she watched him prepare to strike down her life.

"Feh, stupid girl...you would allow yourself to be killed..."

Kagome blinked. Was that...? Inuyasha?

I-Inuyasha? Where are you?
Kagome thought frantically as she stumbled to get away from Khan again.

"I'm in your head, stupid!"

Kagome blinked again. Was that even...possible?

"Yes it's possible! I'm doing it now, ain't I?"

Kagome scowled. This was definitely Inuyasha...

"Oh gee, no duh. Listen, if you want to live, you have to discover your power!"

Kagome blinked.

My power? But...I don't have a power! Inuyasha, what are you talking about?
Kagome thought as Khan once again swiped at her, making her duck and dodge him. Khan laughed hysterically.

"Stupid wench! Do you believe that you can escape me!" Khan mocked. Kagome screamed as he swiped and hit her in the side.

"Kyaaa!"

"Ahahahahaaaa!"

"Damn it Kagome! Use your power! Like you did to me!"

The sit command? But that was an accident, Inuyasha!

"Then have another accident!"

Kagome swore that if Inuyasha were beside her, she would have killed him. She looked to Khan as he approached her in the corner he had trapped her in. Kagome whimpered in pain and fear as she held her wound.

"I-Inuyasha..." Kagome whispered. She watched as Khan raised something shiny. Kagome narrowed her eyes. Was that the Souunga? Oh no...Khan continued to advance upon her, and then he swung down the Souunga. Kagome cried out and thrust her hands forward, watching in amazement asa pink glow ementated from them and rammed into Khan.

"Argh!" He growled as he held the hole in his stomach now. He glared at Kagome.

"We'll finish this another time, wench..." He muttered before disappearing into the darkness. Kagome's heart did not stop beating though. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, holding her wound that he had made upon her.

"Inuyasha...thank you..." Kagome whispered.

Sesshomaru glared at the two humans who had fallen asleep in his lobby. He growled, causing them to immediately wake up. One he knew to be the Monk from earlier, which embarrassed Sesshomaru, but only slightly. He did not have time for this...he had to get rid of them and get back to Rin.

"What do you want?" He growled out. Sango glared at him, while Miroku stepped forward.

"Sesshomaru-sama, there seems to be something within the forest that is killing anyone who enters." Miroku explained. Sesshomaru looked to him.

"The Fukai Mori is a living forest. An ancient demon has made roost there...I am sure you are familiar with the being named Khan, correct?" Sesshomaru said. Miroku and Sango's eyes immediately seemed as if they were to pop out of their sockets.

"Khan? You mean the one who battled the ancient priestess-"

"Midoriko. You are correct, taijiya. I know of this beast who dwells within my lands. Is that all you have come to tell me?" Sesshomaru said. He would kill them if that was all they wanted...

"No. There seems to be another demon who knows of the Fukai Mori...a demon named Naraku. I have a bad vibe from him, Sesshomaru-sama..." Miroku said. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes.

Another demon who knows of the Fukai Mori and Khan? That is not good...whoever this Naraku is had better not interfere in any way...
Sesshomaru thought. He growled before glaring at the monk.

"You may leave." He said, before turning and walking away. Sango looked to Miroku. Miroku had a grave look upon his face.

"Sango...I believe we should check on your brother." He advised. Sango nodded, before they both ran out of the castle, towards the Fukai Mori.

"Aye, Inuyasha. Tell me...what is it ye wish to know of Khan?" Kaede asked him. Inuyasha growled.

"I said I want to know everything, damn it." Inuyasha growled at her. Kaede whapped him on the hand with the stick she had been using to poke the fire. Inuyasha yelped slightly and rubbed his abused hand while glaring at Kaede.

"Now then...a long, long time ago...there was a priestess named Midoriko. She was pure, beautiful and a very kind woman. Unlike other humans, she loved everyone, human and demon alike. She supported the human and demon mating rituals, unlike most others. People began to despise her for her choices in allowing hanyou's to be born, such as you, Inuyasha." Kaede started. Inuyasha blushed slightly, but continued to listen.

"Now then, out of all that hate and anger towards Midoriko and the hanyou's, Khan was born. He was born within the Fukai Mori, where a tree held him until he was grown enough to leave it. He wandered the Forest, mastering his techniques. You see, his soul purpose was to elimate Midoriko and all born hanyou's, but he eventually tired of such. He wished to dominate all worlds, Heaven, Hell and Earth. That is where your father came in."

"My father?" Inuyasha said surprised. Kaede nodded.

"This was before your brother was born, so it was very long ago. Your father possessed the power of the three worlds. The Souunga, a sword from Hell. The Tenseiga, a sword from Heaven, which was given to Sesshomaru. And the Tetsusaiga, the sword of Earth, which was given to you." Kaede explained. Inuyasha glanced to the Tetsusaiga as she continued.

"With these three swords, Khan was banished into the Fukai Mori, never to return. Midoriko and your father continued to work together as one to protect the three worlds, no matter how much they hated the two. Eventually, Khan began to grow stronger...he began to lust for power, revenge upon the great Inu no Taishio and the priestess Midoriko." Inuyasha couldn't believe what this woman was saying.

"Khan overpowered Midoriko, and your father tried to help her. He was the leading General in the human demon war against Khan. But he too, failed in time. So, as thanks to your father for believing in her, she sealed Khan and herself inside what is known as the Shikon no Tama..." Kaede ended. Inuyasha stared at the floor. What a shock...his father, General of the war against Khan, and the only supporter to Midoriko...

"But...why is Khan alive again?" Inuyasha asked. Kaede looked at him gravely.

"Inuyasha...Khan's purpose was to destroy Midoriko and all the hanyou's. But even after you were born, he did not awaken...there must be another half-demon on the way..." Kaede explained. Inuyasha thought hard on this.

Who do I know that may be having a...it can't be...Sesshomaru and Rinmight bein danger!
Inuyasha thought. He immediately stood up.

"Thanks Kaede, I owe you one." Inuyasha said before he took off out of the hut, and through the Forest.

Rin opened her eyes slowly. She moaned as she sat up. She looked around the room before she realized she was still in Sesshomaru's bedroom.

"Rin-sama, you must lay back down...the master would not like it if you strained yourself..." A young maiden told her. Rin looked to the woman and blinked. Sama...?

"What? I am a mere slave like you...I am no Lady, I assure you." Rin said with a gentle smile. The woman shook her head.

"Sesshomaru-sama requests that everyone calls you as such now, Rin-sama. Now please, milady, lay back down and rest..." The woman asked. Rin sighed.

Sesshomaru...you're doing too much for me...
Rin thought. She stretched slightly, then noticed the new kimono she wore. She blinked and looked at it. It was beautiful. It was a dark blue with a silver dragon and a golden dragon intertwining together around her stomach, sides and back. Rin smiled and immediately stood up to adore it.

"It's beautiful! I've never seen anything so gorgeous in my life!" Rin exclaimed.

"That's where you're mistaken, Rin."

Rin immediately turned around with a blush, looking at Sesshomaru as he looked her body up and down. Rin smiled and then ran up to hug him tightly. She then squealed.

"It's beautiful Sesshomaru! Thank you, I have never had anything so precious before..." Rin said in adoration. Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back.

"Rin..."

Rin loosened her grip on his neck and stood there in his grasp. She sighed and closed her eyes, leaning her head against his chest.

He's so warm...Sesshomaru...thank you...for everything...
Rin thought. She then saw the images flash through her mind once more and her brows squeezed together. Was that...? Was that her family...? Rin sighed softly as she snuggled in Sesshomaru's chest, who responded by picking her up and setting her gently upon the bed. Rin opened her eyes and smiled up at him. Sesshomaru's eyes softened.

I despised her...I destroyed her home because I thought it was a disgrace to be given a human for a Tribute...I was a fool. Rin...forgive this Sesshomaru for what he has done...
Sesshomaru thought. He would have to tell her...but he was...frightened. What if she despised him afterwards? Sesshomaru mentally kicked himself. Who was he? He was Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Kingdom. He did not need to fear a mortal.

"Rin." Sesshomaru said sternly. Rin looked up at him. Sesshomaru looked to the opposite end of the room.

"I will remove the marking on the third moon, starting tomorrow." He said. He then left the room. Rin stood there in shock as his words absorbed into her mind. Had she heard correctly? Sesshomaru was going...to remove the marking?

I should feel happy...I'll be able to leave him...I should be happy...so then...why is it I don't? Sesshomaru...
Rin thought as tears flowed down her face. She hugged herself tightly, hiding her face from the world.

"Sesshomaru...why do you keep playing with my emotions? I wish you would just die already! I hate you, SESSHOMARU!" Rin screamed into nothingness.

Sesshomaru scowled as he heard her words outside of the screen door. So, she hates him then? Then so be it.

"Damn you, Rin..." Sesshomaru walked away from the door, his claws glowing a sick green color.

"Jaken."

Uh-oh... (side-glance) Sesshomaru's back to his cruel self again... (smiles) Oh well. WOOOHOOOO!

... ... ...bye-bye!

Symphony of Dreams signing off