Chapter 20

"We're back!" cheered an enthusiastic Rin as she paraded happily into the cavern. "And we brought lots of food!" the child beamed while holding out a carrying sac for everyone to see. The bag was stuffed to the brim with large mushrooms.

"That's great" praised Kagome cheerful as ever. Her remark was followed with similar ones from Miroku and Sango, and a overly happy cheer session from Shippo. Inuyasha, compelled more by his stomach then desire to please the female rug-rat offered only a smile. In truth only Matyeo was disappointed with the haul. He had, after all, been hoping for a more substantial meal. Still the dragon hid his despair well with a faint smile and a few scattered compliments to Rin on her good work.

The dragon's dissatisfaction however proved to be short lived. For no sooner had they started roasting the mushrooms the scent of freshly killed steer wafted across the demon's nostrils from outside. Moments later the scent entered the cavern, spilling profusely from a familiar she-demon's garments, fangs and claws. Sure enough, when his friend came into view her face and clothes were dappled red.

"Sorry if I kept you waiting," she apologized while wiping a smear of blood from her face. "I had to go clear off the mountain."

"Don't worry, this is quite adequate," voiced Miroku reassuringly as he tested a cooking mushroom skewer with his fingers.

"Indeed," added Matyeo as he rose to his feet "and very much appreciated." Shura waved off the dragon's complement and gave a little laugh.

"Spare me your praise and go feed yourself Matyeo. I could hear your stomach growling half way down the mountain." To that the dragon gave an amused look of his own. Considering his appetite Shura was probably not exaggerating.

With the image of a meaty dinner blazing in his mind Matyeo turned towards the entrance. The dragon knew that, for the sake of her mortal allies, Shura would have left any larger kills she acquired outside and away the campsite so that the two of them might eat unhindered by manners and excess neatness. However before Matyeo could take a single step a shrill, impish voice erupted into the air gaining his, and everyone else's full attention.

"Alright that's enough chatting!" Jaken was yelling in Shura's direction as he strode confidently into the cavern. "We've still got a few hours of sunlight left and I don't intend to let you waste any of it with meaningless conversation!"

Shura meanwhile had crossed her arms and after a lengthy role of the eyes let out a heavy snort of exasperation. If there was one thing the little imp loved it was pretending to be her father. Even Inuyasha and his friends, themselves not having to put up with Jaken's yelling since dawn, seemed annoyed that he was treading so confidently.

"Really Jaken," voiced Matyeo before Shura could shell out some smart alic comment "give the woman a break. She just hauled nearly a weeks worth of meat all the way up here." The remark pleased Shura but nearly sent the imp into a tantrum.

"Mind your tongue impertinent dragon! Lord Sesshomaru gave me strict instructions that I train Shura from dawn to dusk in his absence, and that's exactly what I intend to do." Again Shura rolled her eyes but made no further attempt to protest. Once Jaken got into "obey Sesshomaru mode" it was best just to humor him. Disobedience or stubborn remarks would only result in an exaggerated report of misbehavior to her father, and that was the last thing she needed him to hear immediately following a tiresome journey.

Matyeo himself knew this too, having once trained under the majestic demon lord and personally experiencing the consequences of one of Jaken's negative reports.

"Well then, if that's the case then I suppose it's out of my hands." Matyeo concluded with a casual shrug. That seemed to satisfy Jaken just fine because he abruptly turned on his heels and started strutting proudly back outside, implying of course, for Shura to follow. With another sigh the exhausted she-demon turned ready to obey, but she stopped short when Matyeo gently gripped hold of her shoulder.

"Just say the word and I'll eat him," he joked in a loud enough whisper for everyone to hear. The comment sent a multitude of snickers echoing off the cavern walls.

"Ok," Shura managed to giggle. Again Jaken's voice exploded into the room.

"What's that? What are you two whispering?" he hollered while casting a glare over his shoulder. Both demons smiled innocently.

"Nothing Jaken." They answered in unison. Jaken continued to glare even as Shura quickened her pace to join him. Then after they had gone Matyeo too exited the cavern to find the bovine feast Shura had brought.

True to his orders Jaken did indeed keep Shura working until sunset for it was noticeably late in the evening before she finally returned. During the remaining hours of her absence Matyeo had made quick work of her kills, feasting on his favorite delicacies and afterwards preparing the rest for travel. True to his nature before he set to work drying, slicing, wrapping and packing Matyeo set aside the choicest and most nutritional parts for his friend to enjoy, which she did quite ravenously upon her return despite Jaken's harping.

Soon after, everyone settled into his or her sleeping spots. Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Rin slept close to the fire for added warmth while Inuyasha dozed nearby, his back resting against one of the cavern walls. Kirara, as always slept next to Sango and Shippo curled close to Kagome. Ah-un rested further back, both heads snoring gently in unison, and Shura remained snuggled in a tight heap against the horse-sized demon, her silky tail curled closely around her tucked limbs and face for heat. Matyeo rested not to far away, content to sit like Inuyasha, with his back against the interior cavern wall near Ah-un's heads. As for Jaken, he refused to sleep in the cavern at all and chose instead to perch himself outside ever watching for his master's return.

Sleep came quickly for everyone, however it did not remain for long. Mid way through the night a strange nightmare plagued Inuyasha's mind. The image was of a demon, feminine in appearance with prominent horns and large, feathered wings. She was shrouded completely in shadow, with the exception of her irisus's, which gleamed blue like sapphires through the dark. She was standing amidst the remains of a burning village, the dismembered bodies of its former residents scattered at her feet. As the dream progressed the last mortal still alive, a man wearing a boar's head cowl and sporting crude exterminator weapons made his way from the wreckage and stared in horror up at the demon he had failed to kill. The beast just stared right back and a cold, almost inaudible laugh started to resonate from her throat. Then she lunged, eyes blazing with undeniable bloodlust… the sound of crunching bones and a hideous roar followed soon after and it was that horrible sound that jolted Inuyasha back to consciousness.

Breathing heavily the half demon glanced around swiftly in an attempt to regain his bearings. The action, combined with his painting inevitably roused Kagome.

"Inuyasha? Are you alright?" whispered the girl as quietly as she could manage so as to not wake the others. Her effort didn't quite work for both Sango and Miroku were pulled from sleep by the disturbance.

"What's going on?" mumbled Sango sleepily while pushing herself into a half sit. Miroku did the same, though could manage only a yawn.

"Nothing." Muttered Inuyasha trying to brush off his friends' concern "it was just a dream, that's all." Though atypical for the half demon the explanation was believable…at least for a moment.

"So, you have seen it too then Inuyasha." The dull whisper of a familiar dragon lord caused the four alerted heads to turn. They were greeted by two golden, black-slitted, points shimmering through the dark. "I suppose its not surprising, considering you're her uncle."

"What are you talking about?" inquired a bewildered half demon.

"That dream you had, was not simply a nightmare, but a past memory being projected into your mind." Inuyasha's face twitched uncomfortably as details of the image impressed across his psyche. If what Matyeo was saying was true then the demon in the dream had been…

"Are you sure?" inquired Inuyasha defensively. The dragon's eyes shifted slightly in the ark of a nod.

"I myself was a witness to the aftermath of that day. And though it happened nearly a decade ago, before Shura and I had even met, I have never once forgotten…that horrible scent of darkness and rage that was left behind" Matyeo paused and for a moment his eyes closed, shrouding him completely. "It was Shura's darkest hour."

Inuyasha stared ahead for several moments as he continued to replay the scene in his head. Something about it seemed oddly familiar, not perhaps to him personally, but the premise itself. He vaguely remembered hearing something about Shura's rage and demon slayers…

"Wait a minute…" Inuyasha interjected still half in thought "I think I remember…back when we first met Mia told us that when Shura was younger she went on a rampage and killed a bunch of demon trappers in revenge. Was what I just saw her memory…of that day?" Matyeo's eyes shifted to him.

"Yes," he answered truthfully. Now Miroku, Sango and Kagome sat up with interest. They vaguely recalled that story also. It was after Shura's poisoning by the black viper, Mia had told them of her daughter's past, including her bloody night of vengeance against the offending demon trappers.

"If I recall…" Miroku stepped in "Shura requested sedation afterwards, until she regained control of herself."

"That's correct," voiced the dragon once again "And for a great many years she was successful. But…" everyone's faces twitched uncomfortably.

"But not anymore." Inuyasha finished nervously. Through the dark everyone could see the dragon's eyes grow heavy with concern.

"Something has reawakened that darkness she had managed to suppress." The dragon tilted his head and gestured glittering eyes to the she-demon still sleeping beside ah-un. Though hardly visible in the dark an eerie purpleish aura had started to enfold her, all the while Shura shifted restlessly, pawing out at the earth with hands and feet. "You see, even now it torments her, plaguing her mind with menacing dreams and emotions. And if it continues to grow…" the dragon's voice trailed off. He couldn't bring himself to finish.

"What could have released it?" now it was Kagome who spoke, her voice came as a harsh whisper filled with anger, despair and pity. To her surprise the answer did not come from Matyeo, but instead Inuyasha.

"Naraku. It was Naraku," hissed the half demon "during her battle with him Shura boosted her power in order to fight back. It must have been then. Naraku gave her a reason to loose control." The half demon gritted his fangs harshly "and now he's given her even more reasons to do it again."

Before anyone could comment further a familiar yet incoherent yammering from outside the cavern broke the quiet tenseness. It was Jaken. Moments later a chill swept seemed to sweep through everyone's spines as Sesshomaru stepped inside. As was typical he didn't acknowledge anyone except the restlessly fidgeting she-demon who remained oblivious to his appearance. Lowering himself to a crouch the demon lord rested his hand on Shura's forehead. The aura around her dissipated and Shura in turn gave one final flinch before gradually opening her eyes.

"hmm….father?" muttered the demoness in a half daze when the familiar scent reached her. The calmness of her tone seemed to suggest she had forgotten all traces of the nightmare she had been having. Sesshomaru patted her lightly.

"Yes I have returned," he informed, masking perfectly his unease. Shura continued to gaze sleepily.

"Did you find who you were looking for?" she asked. Her father nodded.

"Yes."

"Oh…. that's good," replied the she-demon apparently to tired to divulge any further information.

"We shall resume your training at dawn," Sesshomaru concluded, giving his daughter another slight pat between the ears. Shura let out a tremendous yawn and curled her head back to its former position, tucked tightly inward to her chest.

"Ok. See you in a few hours." With that the she-demon closed her eyes and fell almost immediately back into sleep. Sesshomaru meanwhile started towards the exit. Though it was not at all obvious from his expression changes in his scent revealed clear enough the deep brooding worry that was throbbing within. And as the dog lord himself was quick to notice, Matyeo, Inuyasha and the three mortals that watched him leave harbored similar olfactory cues.