Symphony of Dreams
See? This is why I didn't want to tell you guys that I was deleting Man's Best Friend. 'Cause so many people are upset because of the deletion. I'm sorry you guys, I'll repost it some day.

Forbidden
Chapter Eighteen

He scowled as he continued to nurse his wound. He looked down to the ragged piece of cloth that was soaked in black blood. He glared down at it as he watched his pulsing veins, his skin slightly healing and molding together. He gently lay the cloth back upon his wound, continuing to clean the wound before it could become infected. Even a great demon as he could be hurt by a mere wound infection...

He then thought about the girl.

"How can she possess such power? I have yet to know anyone but Midoriko with that kind of energy...but the girl is of no relation to the wench. Who is she? And why is she so powerful for a human?" Khan muttered to himself. She confused him greatly, and he did not like to become confused. He looked over to the Souunga.

"Hmm...so, you are quiet, are you?" Khan asked it. He grunted when the sword showed no response, simply laying upon the boulder it was set upon. He looked to the cavern floor. He was ashamed. He was hiding...he, a demon who managed to destroy Midoriko and defeat the great Inu no Taishio, Touga.

He smirked. Damn dog...he can possess the Souunga. The sword is annoying beyond belief, always wanting, wanting, wanting...
Khan thought with amusement.

The girl...she is alone...

He scowled. Damn it...he had hoped he had quenched the sword's thirst for death with the other woman's blood, as well as Midoriko's. It seemed he was wrong, or so he guessed.

"Who is this girl you persist on in killing? And for what reason? It does not matter, I will hold no participation in your mindless murders." Khan said quietly to the sword. The Souunga began to pulse. He could feel the dark aura surround it. The sword was angered. Like he cared...

She is pupped with a hanyou...

Khan's eyes narrowed slightly. Hanyou? A...half-breed? He felt his body lurch with an unknown force, but managed to keep himself silent and still for the moment. He growled. What was this? He knew what it was. It was his reason for being. The reason he was brought to this world.

Fear...

He growled slightly, sounding more of a gasp as he collapsed onto his knees, holding his body in pain. He felt it go numb, lighting afire. The spines upon his body began to move in random directions, feeling as if they were ripping from him. His body began to shake, however it continued to feel numb.

"I-I can fight...I've done it before...what's wrong with me? Damn it..." Khan muttered to himself as his vision began to fade slightly. He did not want this. It was their fault...they feared. They created him, they gave him the purpose, they made him kill those hanyou children...he did not want to, but their fear made him...

"No..." He ground out before his vision faded to black.

Kill her...and all hanyou's...

Inuyasha scowled as he ran through the Fukai Mori. He couldn't believe what he was doing...he was going to attempt to help his brother! Well...even though they both hated each other's guts and would throw a world party the day the other died, they were always going through things together. They went through father's death together and they both protected the castle together...and Inuyasha would be damned before he allowed Sesshomaru to die other then by his claws or of natural causes.

"Damn it...Sesshomaru, you better not do anything to Rin..." Inuyasha muttered as he leapt into the tree branches and jumped from branch to branch, giving him an extra boost. He was surprised when the trees did not fight him, or even react to him at all.

He did not notice the branches closing up behind him...

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes as he gazed out to the ocean, the setting sun upon the lining of the gentle waves, seeming to droop in sadness at him. Sesshomaru blinked in shock slightly. He looked down as the waves ran upon his boots, wetting his feet slightly. He then sighed slightly.

Everything is coming back...the flowers in the garden are blooming once again...the grass is growing over...even stray animals are wandering the castle grounds. How is this possible? None of this happened since I was but a pup. Why is everything suddenly seeming as if...in peace?
Sesshomaru thought. He then remembered something his father told him from long ago, when he was still a pup.

"There are many signs to behold that warn of terrible danger...life before the death. Dawn before dusk. You must watch out, even when in a time that seems peaceful...for it may be your very end."

Sesshomaru scowled. That couldn't be the position he is on now, could it? He didn't know...he was unsure of his way now. Sesshomaru was lost in a fog, and he had no way to find out where the exit was.

"Hn..." He grunted. His ears twitched at the sound of oncoming feet and he sniffed the air. His eyes narrowed again when he noticed Rin's scent heading in his direction. He twisted around, knowing she would not see him for a few moments. He quickly used demonic speed to vanish, and when he stopped, he was behind Rin. He narrowed his eyes as he saw her in the kimono of the dragons he had given her still, and her slow pace as well. He noticed that she was slightly slumped as well, her head bowed down.

He followed silently after her.

Rin sighed slightly as she stood at the ocean bay. She took off the wooden sandals she wore out here and stepped into the ocean's cool rift. She felt the ocean breeze blow gently by as she stretched her head up into the air, closing her eyes and allowing the salt air to tingle her hair and toy with it. She opened her eyes, but barely, and looked into the sunset.

It's beautiful...the setting sun...to behold such an image as this...it's rare. But...I've seen something similar to it. I miss the old days...when it was just me and Kagome. I could live with the abuse...I could live with being mute...I could live with having no friends but the villagers. But...I can't live with this...with Inuyasha...with Sesshomaru...not like this. I'd rather have been a slave, tortured and used instead of falling in...
Rin's thoughts trailed off. She stood there puzzled fora moment. Falling in...? Falling in what? In...

Rin blushed as the thought entered her mind. She couldn't possibly...she barely knew anything about him! Just that he was a inuyoukai that ruled over the lands. He was her Lord and Master...and...mate currently, but that was besides the point!

Was she...in love with Sesshomaru?

Rin shook her head and felt her heart immediately jump into her throat. Her stomach felt as if butterflies were continuously floating around inside her stomach. She felt her entire body light on fire. Her hands went up and cupped her face. She was blushing like mad...was it true then? Was she really in love with Sesshomaru?

"Damn it...Sesshomaru, get out of my head..." Rin muttered. She was not used to swearing, but she could make an acception.

"Why? Why do you keep making me feel this way? I feel like anything is possible with you...like nothing bad could hurt us. When you're near, I get nervous, but comfortable at the same time. I feel like you would never hurt me on purpose...do I really love him?" Rin questioned herself in a whisper. She closed her eyes and fell to her knees, ignoring the ocean waves as they began to rise upon her.

"Do I really love him?"

Sesshomaru could not believe what he had heard. Maybe Jaken's screeching had finally made him go batty and he was illusioning it.

"Sesshomaru...please...let me go..."

She says she loves him, but to let her go? This woman confounded him beyond belief. He did not know what it was she desired. Did she desire him or her freedom? He was willing to give her her freedom, and yet now she asks for him as well? Which one did she want more?

"Hn...you humans always were greedy."

Rin's eyes widened and she quickly stood up, whirling around at the sound of his voice, only to slip on the wet sand and fall back into the foamed water. She glared up at him as he began to chuckle at her. She looked at the cross white scar upon his face from when he was attacked in the Forest...there were also scars upon his body. She was extremely embarrassed though...

"How long were you there?"

"The entire time..."

"Oh...how much did you hear?"

"All of it."

Rin couldn't respond. Her mouth wouldn't work, it refused to say anything to him. All it could do was snap shut and stay that way. She felt her eyes burn from the salt water and also from unshed tears. How stupid she seemed now. He must think her a complete fool. She glared down at the water, awaiting his response. Sesshomaru closed his eyes. Then so be it.

"In three moons, the marking will be removed...and...you will be free to go." He said softly before turning away. Rin's head snapped up as she heard that. Free to go? Was he...letting her leave of her own free will? Rin blinked before she realized that Sesshomaru had left already.

She stood up slowly, stumbling slightly. She then fell forward on her hands and knees and stared at the ocean waves that rose upon her.

"I...I don't...want to leave..."

Khan scowled and swung Souunga against the trees once more. He wished to pass. He wished to enter the Forest,but the Fukai Mori had blocked him off, closing his way to the castle, the only place that held the hanyou that was to be born. He was born to kill them, he was born to annihalate them...he needed to finish his purpose...

"Open up! I am Khan, Future Ruler of this world! Let me pass, now!" Khan yelled as he continued to swing the Souunga, striking down the trees, which merely made more grow back. He snarled at them, before turning away. His own home had thrown him out. As if it knew of his intentions to dominate all three worlds and was taking it upon itself to stop him. Khan thought it ironic.

The home I was born in is trying to stop me from taking my dream...how foolish and incompetent it is. I will destroy all the living upon this worthless excuse for a planet!
Khan thought with fury. He turned back to the Forest. He knew all the secrets of this place...he knew that when one was killed within this place, they were brought back as the wandering dead, taking out anything it met. He also knew that no one was capable of flying over it. The trees would grasp you and drag you down to the floor. No other way was to take but going around, or going through.

It looked like he would have to go around...

Khan scowled and swung the Souunga once more in his fury.

The forest was protecting the one's he seeked to kill...

Kagome glared at the ground as she once again stumbled and fell down. She looked up and around the quiet, solemn forest. No sounds were heard, no light could be seen except for the glittering sunlight through the trees. Kagome sighed and sat up, not even bothering to walk anymore. It was hopeless. She was lost...

Kagome looked down to the Shikon Jewel and rubbed it. It...wasn't working anymore. The Jewel did not comfort her as it once did, after it brought her into the Forest again the one time, it had changed. She did not know how...it...just did. She let it go and took it from around her neck.

It was because of this.

This was the reason everything was so terrible...that's what she thought at least. Kagome glared at it, then stood up, and with all her might, she threw it into some unknown area of the forest. She then heard something, like a twig break. Kagome's eyes widened slightly before she turned around quickly.

"I...I-Inuyasha...?" She called out hopefully. Maybe he had come to find her?

Another sound.

"Sesshomaru?" She said again. She took a step back.

Another sound.

"Rin? Miroku? W-who's there!" Kagome screamed as she began to back up much more.

Another sound.

Kagome hit a tree trunk and slid down it slowly as she watched dead men and demons walk towards her, all of them missing their heads...they lay next to the walking corpse's, rolling towards her. Some of them were missing their arms, some missing a leg or two. Kagome shook her head in fear. What was happening...!

Kagome screamed when a branch flew out before her and rammed into the bodies, knocking them all aside. Kagome looked up quickly to see a beautiful tree behind her. It's bark was a pure white. It had flowered vines growing around it's base and theroots dug into the ground. Kagome watched in fear as the tree's branch began to come her way. She screamed again as she was picked up.

"There's no need to fear me, young human mortal..."

Kagome swore she was about to faint. First Inuyasha, now a tree? She really was going mental...

"I am what the Lord knows as the God Tree. You have no reason to fear me."

Kagome sighed relieved as she was set down upon the tree, not harmed and away from any danger on the forest floor. At least, that's what she thought.

Kagome hid herself among the leaves as the zombie's came back, their groaning and moaning reaching her ears, haunting her. She watched happily as a root knocked them aside again, she could literally feel the tree moving as it did so.

"They will not be able to touch you. They move slowly, and I am far too powerful and swift. What is your name, child?"

Kagome looked at the tree. She shrugged, might as well.

"My name is Kagome. I'm a--"

"Slave of the Lord and Prince, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. I know of you. The wind of your village told me of you before it was destroyed."

Kagome's breathing stopped. Destroyed?

"M-my village was destroyed...?"

"Yes. I knew you did not know, and you wouldn't have found out had I not have told you. You will not be able to leave the forest, however."

Kagome glared.

"Oh? And why's that?"

"There is a beast that is loose, that this forest is the birther of. We trees wish to right what is wrong, and entrap him within here for the rest of time."

The God Tree was protecting them then? But...the forest was supposedly evil. Why would it help them then?

She could feel the wind pick up gently around them, and heard something so beautiful.

The Tree was laughing...

"Yes...we were known to be evil in this forest...the Fukai Mori...the Deep Forest. We were to drive anyone insane, should they stay long enough. We were to bring back that which has died in our grasps as zombie's. Yes...that was what we were, to protect this creation of man."

"Huh? Creation of man? What was it, God Tree?" Kagome asked it. Look at her, talking to a tree...she must be going crazy.

"It is what you now know as Khan. A beast created from the fears of man, from the wish to kill that which shouldn't have been. It was man's creation, so we protected it. We adjusted to the constant invasions of those who wished to destroy it, but my fellow trees and I protected him. Now,I fear as if we may have made a mistake..."

Kagome's eyes widened. Then...Khan was born because of them...it was their own faults that he was wrecking such havic. Their destruction by his hands were their own fault! Kagome looked down to the ground and sighed sofly. She had no idea...how could this have happened?

"It is alright, young one...no one knew that Khan was of human existance but us trees within the Fukai Mori. It was a secret to everyone..."

Kagome still felt bad however. It was their faults all along. The war against Khan was because of them. All the lives they lost was because of them. Midoriko's death was their fault...Inuyasha lost his parents because of them...

"I still feel terrible, God Tree. Why? Why did the humans create such chaos? Why didn't they know?" Kagome asked him. The tree seemed as if it were shivering, not wishing to tell her.

"Only two others besides us knew of Khan's existance by humans. Touga, and Midoriko."

Kagome winced. Touga...that was Inuyasha's father, wasn't it?

"Yes, indeed it was."

Kagome choked slightly and nearly fell out of the tree. Had he just read her mind? She thought so.

"Ahahaha...I'm sorry. I should have warned you of my power."

The tree chuckled at her as the wind gently picked up, rustling the leaves in it. Kagome shook her head and smiled.

"It's okay. But...when can I get out of here?" She asked. The tree fell silent. Kagome felt an odd presence behind her. The hairs on her neck rose out of fear, and her eyes widened. She turned around, and nearly screamed.

There stood a bloody Inuyasha, his eyes glowing the fiercest red. His pupils were narrowed and his fangs were poking out of his mouth. His claws were bloody as he stepped toward the tree. Kagome screamed and fell out of the tree, it not saving her this time. She backed up until her back was against the bark.

"I-Inu...yasha? What's happened to you...? W-where's the Tetsusaiga?" Kagome asked him, her voice quivering. Inuyasha did not answer her. He glared her down, as if cornering his prey. He snarled at her as he took another step. Kagome could not move. She was trapped between Inuyasha and the tree trunk.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome called again. Inuyasha leapt at her, his claws stretched, sharp enough to shred her easily.

"Inuyasha!"

Something flew out in front of her, plunging through Inuyasha's chest.

Haha...(side-glance) Yeah...v.v Bye.

Symphony of Dreams signing off