Various documents were laid out on the table. A pair of hands half-heartedly flipped through the papers. However instead of focusing on the words on the page, the reader of the documents had something entirely different on his mind. After a while Sesshomaru gave up the guise of being studious. She just wouldn't leave his thoughts. Well… they wouldn't leave his thoughts, the girl who he lost and the new one he had only recently gained in his life.

When his brother's companion left him in the middle of the night, deep in the forest, it had only made him more curious of her than he already was. What had caused her urgency to leave? Why not try to reconnect with her other companions? Where was she going? What did she need to do? Why did he care?

"My lord…" a voice broke through Sesshomaru's musings. It was one of the workers helping to construct the castle, "We'll soon be laying the last stone to the palace. We're nearly finished"

Sesshomaru sat silently for a moment. The worker stood nervously by the entryway. The western Lord was taking the time to fully absorb what finishing the castle meant. It had taken so long to build this place… He had had to roam across his lands for so long without a true home. Now he had finally succeeded in acquiring a permanent residence. A castle built on the ruins of what was his father's glory…

"Good work. I will venture out soon to survey the final touches," Sesshomaru said curtly. The worker nodded, and then bowed lowly before exiting.

Sesshomaru took his time in getting ready to leave. He stacked his documents neatly on his desk, and pushed in his seat. He then took slow languid steps to the front of his new castle. There was no need to rush. The castle would not be going away any time soon. He would make absolute certain of that. Sesshomaru stopped before reaching the main entryway.

He had paused to stare at the blank expanse of wall that the Miko had stared at so intently the other day. She had acted as if something vital was missing. Her eyes glazed over in deep thought… Was there really something missing there? She had also questioned the existence of a garden. It had all been very strange.

Sesshomaru continued on. He would wonder about that strange girl and her strange actions later. He had no time to think about her. He really had no reason to think about her. Sesshomaru let out a low sigh as he eyed the cobblestone steps that had finally all been neatly laid. His eyes then traveled over to the stone dog statues. Everything seemed to be in perfect order. Suddenly one of the guardsmen came running up to Sesshomaru hurriedly.

"My lord there's an intruder on the outskirts of the castle. We have yet to attack because the intruder seems human in appearance but the scent…it's off" the guardsman said. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. He had a suspicion as to who this intruder could be.

"I shall see to this intruder. There is no need for any other assistance" and with that, Sesshomaru was on his way once more. He found the intruder lurking just outside the line of trees surrounding the castle. She stood there looking as if she had been waiting for him. Her scent was rather strange. It was a stench laced with the smell of dirt, clay, and death. It was a rather unpleasant smell.

"So you came…" she said coolly.

"I can only wonder as to why you are here, undead miko. What do you want of me?" Sesshomaru asked curiously. Her stare was blank, and it unsettled him on a certain level. They were almost soulless like the light had gone out completely. Kikyo moved closer to Sesshomaru.

"This is a warning of sorts. I have only come to say that I know where your heart truly lays, Sesshomaru" Kikyo said simply. Sesshomaru did not falter, but he eyed the undead woman strangely.

"What do you mean by saying such a thing?" came Sesshomaru's response. An eerie smile flickered onto Kikyo's face. She placed her palm on her cheek and let it rest there. She then closed her eyes for a mere moment before letting them slowly come open once more.

"Through means of my own, I have discovered the budding relationship between you and my reincarnation. I've come to warn you that she's in danger," Kikyo said as she moved her hand from her face. Sesshomaru was more intrigued by this information than disturbed by it.

"By whatever means you have acquired this information, you will find that you are mistaken. None of my…loyalties lay with my half-brother's companion," Sesshomaru said. He had chosen his words carefully. He didn't trust this woman. He had no reason to trust her.

"Whether my information about my reincarnation and you is correct or not, is not what one should be concerned with…" Kikyo said seriously, "She is in danger"

Sesshomaru was unsure how to take this information. Questions were bubbling up inside him. Kikyo continued to watch his reaction. She held him to the spot with her eyes alone. Those blank eyes darkening with a new intensity. Something began to tighten in Sesshomaru's chest.

"Why tell me this? Why not tell Inuyasha? What do you gain by sharing this warning with me?" Sesshomaru shot off one questions after another.

The eerie smile from before made its way back to her lips, and Kikyo moved her feet to face a different direction. She then began to walk away. Sesshomaru reached out to stop her; she did so of her own accord. Her gaze shifted back towards Sesshomaru one last time.

"It is for me to know and for you to see," were her final words before disappearing behind the trees.

Kagome had taken to wearing the key around her neck, hidden away under her shirt of course. It merely blended in with the other necklace she wore to hold the jewel shards. The group had been traveling for a couple of days now in search of the last shards.

The hunt was more solemn now. It was most likely because they all knew they were coming towards the end. They were running out of time. There was no putting off the inevitable battle with Naraku. Each mile took them closer to the 11th hour.

"Do you smell that?" Inuyasha suddenly said. The group paused and watched the hanyou as he continued to sniff at the air, "Smoke…"

"A fire?" Miroku questioned. Shippo jumped off Kagome's shoulder and looked up at Inuyasha seriously.

"I smell blood too!" the younger demon exclaimed. Inuyasha bolted off in the direction the smells were coming from. The group hurried along behind him as fast as they could. Sango rode along on Kiara as Miroku and Kagome pushed their legs to the limit.

Kagome could feel her legs begin to burn. Her breath was ragged and her throat stung as she tried to breathe in. This became even harder when they finally reached a clearing filled with smoke. Black smoke billowed everywhere. It clogged the sky. Everyone slowed down.

Sango flung her hirakaitsu at the smoke to clear a pathway. It was mostly effective. The group could now see where the smoke originated. It came from a village. Or at least what was once a village. The sight was sickening. Kagome bile rise in her throat. She glanced over at Sango who seemed almost haunted by what she saw.

There had been a slaughter. Bodies littered the ground. Blood flowed like a million different streams down every crook and cranny in the dried dirt. Faces cast forever in looks of agony were seen on some of the fallen. Their eyes glazed over in a glassy sheen. Whatever had hit the town showed no mercy. No one had been saved.

Everyone one was tense as they stared at the carnage. Then Inuyasha's head snapped up sharply. He stared deeper into the smoke. It was then the group knew that this wasn't over. Whatever had done this to these people was still here, lurking just where they couldn't see. Dark silhouettes began to merge into the haze created by the smoke. At first they could see one or two then three or four, and then even more.

"An army…"

No one was sure who said it, they were all focused on the approaching shadow figures ahead, but they all knew it had to be true. The silhouettes began to take true form as they exited the smoke. The group recognized the uniforms immediately. Kagome felt her heart drop as she recognized who stood towards the front, leading the way.

"Why if it isn't my uncle's shame?" said a dark silky voice. His gold eyes were piercing and sharp as he seemingly looked right into their souls. More and more soldiers continued to march in unison behind him. It was a rather intimidating display.

"You must be Kano," Inuyasha bit out with a sneer.

"Oh. So you know who I am. Can't decide if I should feel honored or not by this recognition. Then again… my name is being spoken through the lips of a worthless pus filled abomination," Kano said icily.

Inuyasha growled in rage. He pulled Tetsusaiga violently from his sheath, revealing its true form. Miroku gripped his staff tightly. Sango raised her weapon high into the air. Shippo was ready with any trick he could pull. Kagome readied her bow. They prepared to fight. Kano let out a rough cackle.

"What is so damn funny?" Inuyasha managed to bark out. Kano gave a toothy grin, his fangs glistening with the firelight. He held up his hand and the soldiers behind him stopped at attention. It grew momentarily still.

"Do you truly expect to beat me? Look at how pathetic you all are. The apparent leader of this little pack a hanyou? Then he's backed up by three powerless pitiful humans, a cat, and finally a mere child. I could kill you all myself, but then what fun would my soldiers have?" Kano said confidently.

"You're a bastard!" Inuyasha yelled as he charged toward Kano and his army fearlessly. Kano seemed unmoved by this act of bravery. He raised his arm into the air and snapped his fingers. The soldiers began to rush past him.

"Kill them all except for the one we need!" Kano commanded.

Inuyasha swung Tetsusaiga at a large group of soldiers. When the light dissipated, there was a large gap where the soldiers had once stood. However, many others began to fill their place. Sango and Kiara worked at another corner. Kiara snarled and clawed at anything in front of her while Sango did her best at taking out as many soldiers as she could. Miroku made sure that his friends were out of harm's way as he removed his prayer beads. Kagome struggled as a she did her best to fend off the demons. Her holy powers were doing some damage, but they apparently not enough. Something struck her from behind and then…

everything went dark.