AN: So... it's been a while. Sorry about the huge delay. Hopefully now that it's summer time and I've got a bit of time on my hands I'll be able to keep up with it. Unfortunately I have camp starting next week, so it might still take a while, but they should be coming faster. Also, I JUST noticed that I've been separating wrong. How embaressing. Well I hope you guys like this chapter!

The Fire Bearer 2-
Separating Souls

kagomes-wanna-be

Chapter 5:
The Jewel

The rain had stopped halfway through the night, and Inu no Taishou had made his way back to the hut in silence just before the sun had risen. He didn't want to be caught sitting under the same tree that Kagome was in, especially when she had been so obviously vulnerable in her state.

When he had returned, Sesshomaru was still awake, but he didn't say anything. Though his father had been gone from this world for nearly two centuries, he didn't find it his place to reprimand his father for disappearing for the night. He also didn't think it right to ask where he had gone off to. He had a pretty good idea, but he knew it wasn't any of his business in the end.

Inu no Taishou hadn't moved from his position since he had gotten back, even now that the sun was rising. He left his head tilted back against the wall, his eyes closed, but not sleeping. How could he sleep with so much to think over? His son had attacked him over a girl that he didn't even know, and yet he still protected her from him. Worse so, he was apparently a part of the girl now, and she was a part of him. He was a dog demon AND a phoenix demon. He didn't know anything about phoenix demons or their powers besides the fact that they had disappeared years and years ago.

Why had that been? He wasn't sure if anyone had ever known. They had been a strong race - humans feared them greatly and demons wanted to take them over. Once they were gone, the only thing that had been done was celebrate. It was a tragic loss for the world, however. Inu no Taishou had never met any of the race, but they were noble and fought only when threatened or to help restore peace.

Demons didn't care, though. The majority of demons were selfish and low beings who simply saw the phoenixes as a interval to power. Humans were simply clueless and feared anything with powers that they themselves did not posess.

The phoenix demons had apparently not been lost, though. There was one - well, half a one - still alive. Alive again, rather. Had they finally started to return? Was she just the first of many? Was she the only one? If she was, then their race could rest peacefully knowing that they had the best possible candidate to carry on the blood. She was young, powerful, and beautiful.

His eyes slid open as the sun's rays flooded through the window and kissed his eyelids. He closed his eyes for another moment and just let the rays spread further down his body as the sun rose higher. It had been so long since he had enjoyed the sun on his skin, and it felt so good.

A sound across the room caught his attention, however, and he opened his eyes to see Rin sitting up, stretching in the morning sun. Sesshomaru sat on the edge of the cot and they exchanged their goodmornings, kissing gently. They pulled back from each others lips and she smiled up at her mate before turning her head towards his father. "Good morning Father," she said as she pulled off the blankets, sitting on the edge of the cot with Sesshomaru.

"Good morning," he responded, nodding his head towards her. He wasn't quite accustomed to the title they had given him, but he found it growing on him.

The paper door slid open as Sango and Miroku walked out of their room. "Good morning, everyone," they said, everyone exchanging greetings once again. The group had decided to stay at their hut for the night, to make sure that everyone was accessible had anything happened.

Sango looked around the hut, sighing gently. "Is Kagome not back yet?"

"I'm right here." Inu no Taishou's newly acquired ears stood straighter and twitched as he turned to see the dark haired beauty standing in the doorway, the sun lighting up her face through the window. "Sorry I didn't come back. I fell asleep in a tree."

Inu no Taishou's eyes squinted as he stared at her, knowing that she had lied. "Don't worry about it Kagome. You got back just in time for breakfast," Sango said as she walked over to the cupboards and began to pull out foods and spices.

"Oh, well then, I would love to help," Kagome said with a smile as she walked over to Sango.

Sango looked at her surprised. She had just transcended from another world and she wanted to help make breakfast. "No, that won't be necessary Kagome."

"Sango, I used to do all the cooking. Why wouldn't I want to do it now?" she asked, tilting her head to the side as she looked at her friend with a smile on her face. She knew that it would be hard for her friends to let her do anything, but she wanted to persist.

"Well... if you're sure."

"I am," she said, nodding her head as she took her place next to Sango.

Inu no Taishou watched the scene with interest. Kagome was an excellent actress, he decided. If he hadn't watched her crying for hours the night before he would have also fallen for her smile. He had seen her, however. But if she wanted to play as though there was nothing wrong at all then he would act as though he knew nothing was wrong as well.

Conversations began around the room, and occasionally he would be brought into them, only to take himself back out. He watched Kagome tentatively, following her every movement. The clothes that Sango had suplied her with were a bit too large on her, but the natural curve of her body was still clearly visible.

He looked down at the apparel that his son had supplied him with. They were white, as was nearly everything Sesshomaru wore, and they fit him well. Sesshomaru had grown to resemble his father greatly, and they were almost the exact same size now that Sesshomaru was almost the same age as his father. He was about 2 or 3 demon years younger, which averaged out to between 40 and 60 years for humans.

Breakfast was finished quickly, and everyone got a rationing of ham and biscuits. They gave their thanks before everyone settled down to eat. Kagome was placed next to Inu no Taishou and for a second was swpet up in her scent. He came back from his high after a moment and began to eat.

Sango woke up Kyoko and he came out to join them, taking his food grudgingly. He began to eat before looking up, stopping as he saw the two new faces across from him. "Who are you?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

Sango scolded him for his rudeness, but Kagome simply laughed. "My name's Kagome."

His eyes widened as he stared at her. "Wooooah. Really? My parents have told me stories about you before! Aren't you a powerful demon?"

She smiled as she looked at her friends before nodding her head. "I sure am. I used to travel all over Japan with your parents fighting evil demons and saving the world."

"With InuYasha, too?"

Kagome's smile faultered for a second and her eyes wavered before she nodded her head. "Mmhmm," was all she muttered before taking a bite of her buscuit.

The boy's attention moved onto the man sitting next to her luckily, and he tilted his head to the side. "And who are you?"

Inu no Taishou paused for a moment in his answer, not sure what to say. "I'm Sesshomaru and InuYasha's father," he stated finally.

"Really?" Kyoko asked, tilting his head to the side again. "But you don't look old enough to be their father. Maybe their brother or cousin or something."

He chuckled, smiling gently and nodding his head. "Yes, I am their father. You must remember that demons age much slower than humans do."

"Ohhhh," was all he said before he returned to eating. He finished much faster than the rest of them and went back into his room to change before heading out for the day.

Silence fell over them again before Kagome spoke again. "We need to go find him."

The group looked up at her in surprise. "Kagome... are you sure?" Sango asked. "Even after yesterday?"

"Of course 'even after yesterday'," Kagome said, slightly shocked as she looked at her friend. "He's still our friend Sango, and I think we all know that he has done far worse things than what he did yesterday." Kagome looked around at everyone and they all nodded their head gently. "Besides, someone needs to give him back Tetsusaiga before he kills everyone on the island."

Inu no Taishou simply sat there as everyone agreed. He knew what would happen if InuYasha didn't have his sword on him in battle - he was the one who had the sword made for him - but he had never witnessed it. Was that one of the 'far worse things' that his son had done?

"I don't think we should go yet," Sesshomaru chimed in eventually.

"Why not?" Kagome asked, her voice sharp.

"InuYasha's demon blood had started to recede before he left. I suggest that we wait a few days and see if he comes back himself. He's a stubborn bastard, but even he knows what will happen if he doesn't have his sword," Sesshomaru explained. "Plus, Kagome, I believe he will also return of his own volition to set things right with he. He has waited for ten years for you to return. I doubt that he will allow this to ruin his chance of being your friend again."

Kagome sighed, setting her plate down. Sesshomaru did have a point. "Very well."

"And you two did just come back," Miroku said. "You should give yourselves a few days rest before going on a possibly long and hard journey such as that."

"Yeah, we don't want either of you hurt," said Rin.

Inu no Taishou was slightly taken aback by everyone's apparent concern. Sesshomaru did have a point, but the rest didn't seem to take into account that they were two very powerful demons. It didn't take very long for them both to recover from anything. Though he did remind himself that it was human nature to worry and be concerned. It was a good trait, if not an annoying one.

"Can I have it back?" Kagome asked after a moment's silence. She looked up at Sango and Miroku expectantly. They knew what she was talking about.

They looked at each other for a moment before nodding their heads, Sango standing up and walking back into their bedroom. Inu no Taishou watched on in confusion, everyone's demeanor suddenly very serious. Sango walked back into the room and his breath caught gently as he felt himself pulse.

It continued, the feeling growing in intensity as Sango walked closer to them. She stood in front of them and he could barely stand it. Her clasped hands opened to reveal a broken pink jewel. Was that what was making him feel that way.

Kagome reached forward and picked up the jewel from her friend's hands, holding it between her two fingers. The jewel seemed to come alive at her touch, the inside of it turning to liquid and swirling around as though happy to see her.

He looked back at Kagome and could only see her smile as her eyes shown pink.

--

InuYasha groaned as his eyes opened, staring into the darkness. "Wha... Wh-Where am I?"

"I see that you've awoken," a voice said, a door opening and flooding the room with light.

InuYasha sucked in a hard breath, closing his eyes and turning his head. "What the hell is going on?" he growled out, turning his head to glare at the man again. He went to take a step towards him, only for his hands and feet to catch. "What the-" his voice caught as he looked down to see the chains that were binding him.

The man chuckled and walked up to InuYasha. "I'm sorry if it's uncomfortable, but I'm sure that you are aware of the necessity in restraining you."

His lips pulled back as he pulled against the chains. "Let me out of here you bastard or I'll rip you to shreds!" He growled dangerously, his fingers spreading as though he were trying to claw the man.

"Oh, but InuYasha, don't you want to stick around to see what's going to happen to you?" the man asked, smiling sadistically.

InuYasha pulled back slightly, glaring at the man. "What do you mean what's going to happen to me?"

"Well," the man started, holding his hands behind his back, "we're going to do a little experimenting together, InuYasha."

"Experimenting?"

"Yes," he said, the smile never leaving his lips. "And this world will be our testing ground."

AN: Ohhhh. It's getting interesting:D It's about time after this freaking long, huh? Like I said, I'm going to do my best to start updating this continuously. Until then, why not check out my other stories! I have a Death Note one now! Yay! Alright, well I hope to see you soon. Go, review, and be merry.

kagomes-wanna-be

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