Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi. However, this story and created characters are mine.

Chapter 17: A Mind's Reflection

"Why do I need to watch the girl?" Kagura asked aloud, annoyed at her new babysitting job.

"Naraku expects you to kill InuYasha when he comes for her," The dead boy responded nonchalant. He seemed to stare into space as the wind witch scowled.

"I will be easy I suppose, without his sword." She smiled at the thought. InuYasha without a weapon to protect him. The smile ebbed away as the image of her new sibling appeared in her mind. The only reason the half demon did not have his sword was because of that creature.

I will get that nameless bastard, for the humiliation it caused me. She remembered back to the first day they met, when Naraku pinned her down to have the creature take a hair. She became a lowly dog in that moment, one who was being punished for disobeying its master. It does not deserve to live.

"I know that you have tried several times to free from Naraku." That comment played in Kagura's mind, making her shiver. With one word the creature could send Kagura to her death. She recalled how Naraku smiled at his new creation; full of pride for this "perfect tool" he created to destroy InuYasha. With such faith between the two, there was no way she could deny the shape shifter, for it would mean death. She hid her frustration behind her fan. She knew she was trapped.

The two sat silently, watching the girl breathe slowly. The walls were dark, making the shadows fade into them. The Saimyosho hummed above their heads.

"He has arrived."

Kagura snapped her fan loudly.

"It is about time."

After running through the woods for what seemed like an hour, the shape shifter halted. It breathed heavily, hoping no one would hear the deep breaths. No sounds were heard around the shape shifter. It smiled at the thought of its victory while regaining its breath. It looked happily upon the sword, praising its deed.

The shape shifter examined the blade within its grasp. The fang seemed to glow in the moonlight, giving it a heavenly feel. It checked the surface of the sword, scanning the metal carefully. No nicks, no dull edges appeared on the sword, just cold, clean steel. It clenched the hilt tighter.

Raising the sword high, the shape shifter swung it downward, striking the ground. There was a nice humming to it, as if it were trying to sing. It repeated the motion, listening to the hum more closely. Tense with slight frustration, a snicker of disappointment appeared on the shape shifter's lips. The sword was not trying to sing; it was crying.

Denying the cries of the sword, the shape shifter lifted the sword again, gripping the hilt of Tetsusaiga. In a majestic pose, it thought of Naraku, its master. Anger grew, building its strength. In InuYasha's voice, the creature yelled to the sky.

"Wind Scar!"

The sword clashed to the ground as the shape shifter swung the fang blade. Nothing. The blade continued to hum sadly. It knew that this thing was not its master, its true wielder, and no amount of swing was going to change that. The shape shifter gritted its teeth.

"Why didn't you work?" It yelled at the sword for disobeying. Out of frustration, the shape shifter duplicated the motion, yelling into the sky. Again, nothing happened. Lifting the sword, it examined it again, seeing if any damage was taken. None; the sword was still in top condition. Sighing, the creature lowered the sword.

"I could still use this to kill him," it said allowed, conjuring its own plan, its own desires, "even if I can't use the Wind Scar." The creature stared back at the castle, where its master, its enemy, resided. Loathe could no begin to describe the emotion that boiled inside the creature.

"You never should have let me out," the shape shifter announced to the far away hideout, hoping and fearing that Naraku would hear, "I have a body, a will and now a sword to take you down."

Rustling interrupted its thought. Turning towards the noise, buzzing reached its ears. The shifter stepped back, preparing for a demon to fight. The new sword in its possession, the creature gain confidence. No matter what came from the woods, it was ready to destroy it. That confidence ebbed away to fear grew as Saimyosho appeared from the dense forest. The shape shifter, now fearful of what the demon wasps would tell Naraku, became terrified as her master emerged behind the insects. The words it just spoke played back in its head, knowing that they would be its last.

"This is where you are hiding Midori?" Naraku asked without emotion.

"Yes Naraku." The shape shifter bowed slightly, even though it felt like spitting at him.

"Tell me, when will you follow me orders properly?"

"What?" Midori whispered under her breath, yet loud enough for her master to hear.

Tentacles shot from Naraku's body, striking the shape shifter's neck.The InuYasha disguise faded into a teenage girl with auburn hair and jade green eyes upon impact. The force of the extremities hitting her caused her to drop Tetsusaiga, reverting it back to its rusty form. Her hands now free, reached for the tentacles in hopes of removing them. Midori gasped for air as the tentacles dragged her closer to her master.

Naraku smiled as the frightened girl neared him. He always loved placing fear in others. This creation gave him even more joy. He pulled her until only a foot distanced between the two, just close enough to see the fear in her eyes.

"You were supposed to kill InuYasha's friends" His voice hissed in her ears. He only heard gagging in response.

"This is your first and last warning my dear. Do not disappoint me again."

Midori felt the tentacle retract as he dislodged them from her throat. She landed with a thump on the ground. Holding her healing neck and gasping for air, she watched her master leave, the scum that would take away her life at any sign of betrayal. She stood, now fully healed. Naraku knew about her attempt, or at least had a notion, of betrayal. The thought of him knowing all along enraged the girl. She could never take him down, not like this, yet it was all she wanted to do. She turned her head, where the rusty blade caught her eye.

Anger raged inside her as she reached for the fallen sword. Blade now in hand, she imagined the blood of Naraku staining the majestic blade. Killing was not an easy thing to execute, but her hatred for Naraku ran deep, nullifying any sorrow which she would have felt. She stared hard at the now shining blade, relishing the thought of Naraku's death. Suddenly, an image of Naraku's smirking face appeared on the Tetsusaiga. Surprised by the vision, the shape shifter dropped the sword, letting it crashed loudly on the ground. The heirloom transformed, returning to a rusty piece of metal with old bandages wrapped around the handle.

Midori looked back to where her master left. The chuckling of Naraku began to plague her mind. She recalled how she became part of Naraku, the day she died. The chuckling that she would hear if she ever defied her creator. She thought about how she would die, slowly, if she ever committed mutiny.

"It would only be suicide," Midori said, thinking about her recent confrontation with Naraku, "even with this sword." Knowing of the outcome of any battle between servant and master, the shape shifter sat down, trying to forget the truth. Instead, she thought about the people she encountered, the other minions that Naraku had created. She thought about how they have helped Naraku in his plans. A smile spread across her

Returning into form of InuYasha, the shape shifter took hold of the old sword and headed into the woods, following the scent of the red tree.

From the shadows a young boy emerged, accompanied by demon wasps. He watched as the transformed Midori fled into the dark forest.

"Go after her. Make sure she does would she is told." The boy obeyed the voice and followed the girl, leaving the chuckling man behind him.