For those who read this chapter less than 33 hours after posting (before 8 am of June 6 in GMT +08:00), please read some paragraphs i added at the bottom part. Thank you.

Note: I hope you've checked the changes I made in chap 5 before reading this. I have no friends available as beta readers the moment i finished so I'm sorry for the errors.

Chapter 6: Dream

Her presence is waning each day she makes.

One day, she'll be gone.

………………………………………

He slid open the shoji and found no miko lying on the futon. Instead, neatly folded bandages placed on top of the pillow.

His lips curved a slight. Disappointed. He unceremoniously walked in and stop just before the sheets. There he noticed the altered jewel rested.

'She's still around'.

Sesshoumaru stopped his steps when sure he was far from where he found her. from her. Somehow, everything has been too familiar for him. Seeing her again stirred some memories. Yes, memories he didn't know he kept.

The muscles on his hand began to ease. The fingers started to loosen from its ball and revealed the jewel. He has been clutching the object for a while now.

………………………………………

To be drawn into something little . . .

Aramitama (Courage)

Nigimitama (Friendship)

Kushimitama (Wisdom)

Sakimitama (Love)

When united in one soul, forms a powerful balance that can be used for good or evil. When Midoriko's spirit united with the youkais, it formed the jewel. Shikon no tama.

Within the jewel, her soul and the souls of the youkai she bound with it still battle on. The state of this battle is influenced by the person who possesses the jewel.

Because of this nature, it promises power to its holder. With just a shard of it, one can become powerful. That had brought nothing more than warfare to the lands. For men and demons are greedy, they had fought over it for long it has been.

But the races' dispute came to a halt when a certain hanyou took hold of it. Then again, the silence was temporary.

The rain started pouring. The ominous clouds were still there, engulfing the sky of what turned out to be their battlefield but the menacing aura is slowly settling. Still, she seemed to be oblivious of her surroundings. She was just there, seated on her knees. Her white yukata becoming translucent, her hair started sticking to her skin and the impurities- blood and dirt are being washed off from her body. The downpour somehow wants to cleanse the miko. Something she can't do anymore.

He walked towards her form.

Clearly, the blood pooling under her was not from her victims alone. Blood was oozing out of her ear, her mouth, her hands covered with gashes. Her eyes were out of focus. Dull. She was so pale, almost like a marionette, only the fact that she was still breathing. She had fought herself too.

Then a beat. The jewel made a pulse. The jewel. . . that was her. Then, she fell into another sleep.

………………………………………

Sesshoumaru woke up, quite displeased with himself having to fall asleep so suddenly after running some thoughts in his head. He raised his head but was opposed by the sunlight. Much to his irritation when he realized it was actually sunset. He had fallen asleep by just sitting around and he didn't even noticed how long it was. He was a little content though having felt the jewel roll in his pocket. Still within in his keeping.

He was about to stand and leave the empty room when a foreign object caught his eye. A branch of flower neatly placed on the floor, just beside him.

'Plum blossoms.'

He picked it up and soon started his walk on the corridors.

'Miko. . .'

Note again: Hahah. I'm sorry again. It really took me a long time to update. I kinda err. . . went blank with the plot. Anyways, who wants to beta read this story? Also, contribute on the plot? (But not all suggestions will be taken.)You will be acknowledged, don't worry. . e-mail me! So how was this chapter? Please review. But don't go too harsh. I hope you still like the story.

The italicized words/phrases are meant to be thoughts of the characters. These are not spoken out. Also, it can be a flashback conversation.

the words/phrases with ' ' are spoken out by the characters but softly, as it is for themselves only. Or for someone near enough to hear.