Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, only my oc :(

The full moon shone down on a disastrous swamp. Rotting demon carcasses and lumps of flesh waded in the muddy waters. From the surface, sprang a deformed demon covered in wet vegetation. He had a large egg shaped head and ears that hung past his elbows. His eyes appeared to be swollen shut. His mouth was fixed in a grin as he leaned down on a wooden cane.

"So, you've finally came Naraku," he croaked. "I could hear you coming over a mile away."

Up above him, was a swirling cloud of miasma. It was surrounded with Naraku's poisonous insects. The cloud landed down in front of the old demon and disappeared. Naraku was now standing before him.

"Oh," he said darkly. "Well that makes things easier. Minisenri, you are said to be able to hear everything that goes on in the world due to those ears."

"Indeed, Naraku," replied Minisenri. "And I've heard rumors of you as well. Have you come to absorb me for my ears?"

"Don't worry, I have no need for your disgusting body," Naraku dismissed. "I've come to ask if you heard about the whereabouts of the jewel fragments.

"Well, I've heard that you already obtain most of the jewel shards. Do you not?"

Naraku smirked, "There's one more shard that I can't locate. It seems to have eluded me."

"Well then," said Minisenri, "I will listen very carefully…."

The old demon turned his head away from Naraku and focused. He was listening for where the final shikon shard could be. He stood motionless, for quite some time. Naraku intently stared at the vermin—waiting. After many moments, Minisenri turned back to Naraku to report his findings.

"I can hear it, though it's incredibly faint," he announced. "However, you won't be able to reach the shard."

"And why is that?" Naraku demanded.

"Because the final shard is in the boundary between this world and the next,"

….

Shiori swam in the deep warm waters of a hot spring. She closed her eyes and let her body swirl around. The waters were so warm and inviting, that she refused to surface right away. There was something about being underwater that appealed to her. It was so calming and relaxing. For a moment, all of her troubles seemed to melt away. It was then that she felt Jaken's presence near the surface. He was searching for her. She angrily swam to the surface.

"Great, moment gone!"

"Shiori! Shiori!" called Jaken. "Where is that girl? Shiori!"

He'd been looking for awhile now. Just as he was about to search elsewhere, the water began to ripple. He slowly stepped closer to see what it was. Shiori's head popped out the water. Her eyes were filled with anger. She looked like an evil river monster, coming to claim Jaken's soul. She was absolutely terrifying!

"What?" she said with animosity. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

"Gah, I was only coming to fetch you!" gulped Jaken. "You have a visitor."

"You may tell him that I'm unavailable at the moment," she answered.

"Well I can see that!" he shot back.

"Well then….why are we having this conversation?" she snapped.

"Because he won't leave!" said Jaken. "It's that rowdy ogre, Kuno. He says the kodama needs to talk to you right away."

"The kodama wishes to speak with me?" she asked. "Then why didn't he just come to me himself?"

"Oh, I don't know! I was just sent to bring you back!" he replied.

"One thing after another," she thought.

She swam over to the banks and pulled herself out the water. Jaken screeched and turned away from her.

"Have some decency woman!" he shouted averting his eyes. "Why are you so comfortable being naked in public?"

"Why are you so uncomfortable with me being naked in public?" she asked, while dressing herself.

"ugh! Every time I turn around you're always bathing! Why on Earth do you have to bathe every day?"

She stopped to look at him, "Is….that a serious question? If so, then I'm willing to look the other way and pretend you never said that."

Jaken muttered something that Shiori didn't quite catch, not that she was trying to.

"You don't need to wait for me. I do know the way back," she said.

"I know that! But that good-for-nothing ogre told me not to come back without you….or he'd pound my head into the ground!" Jaken explained.

"In that case, go on without me," she joked.

"That accursed wretch! I don't know what her problem was up at Mount Hakurei, but she seems to be back to her insolent self again! The nerve of her!" complained Jaken in his mind.

Shiori finished dressing and was now smoothing up her hair. She briskly walked back to their camp. Jaken scampered after her. She tried to think of reasons why the kodama would seek her out. What could he have to talk to her about? She hoped he didn't need her help against any local shinigami. She just didn't want to be involved in that sort of thing. So what could it be? What was so important? He was sitting down with Rin and Ah-Un. Rin was showing the ogre some flowers she picked in the meadow. Sesshomaru stood watching them. He had an annoyed expression on his face.

"Shiori," he said coolly, "does this revolting thing belong to you?"

Kuno, not realizing he'd just been insulted, waved wildly at Shiori.

"Lady Shiori!" he shouted.

"Hello Kuno," she greeted. "It's been awhile, hasn't it?"

"My lady, I'm glad you're in good health," he replied. "I've heard many stories of your battles with the evil Naraku."

"You've heard stories about me?"

"Oh most definitely! I've heard of the battle of Mount Hakurei," he said with glee. "Indeed I have!"

"Word travels quickly across this countryside," she scoffed.

Shiori didn't like the idea of people gossiping about her. She didn't want to be well known. It was best for her to stay well hidden.

"Dearest Lady Shiori," said Kuno, kneeling before her. "I offer my apologies for coming to you without being properly summoned. But I just had to come find you. The Great Tree Spirit has urgent news for you."

"What news has he?" she asked.

He shrugged, "I don't know. He wouldn't tell me anything. He will tell only you."

"Why send you?" she questioned.

"He's afraid to leave his tree. He says it's too dangerous,"

"Too dangerous? What kind of trouble has he got himself into? Could it have something to do with the strange presences I sensed in the area last time? I never did get to figure out what they were."

"I am to bring you back to him—alone," said Kuno.

Shiori sighed, "Right now? Kuno, your timing is terrible.

"Yes, my lady. Again, I'm very sorry," he said, bowing his head. "I don't mean to tear you away from your friends….but the spirit says it's very important. Extremely important! I'm to bring you back at once!"

"Very well then, I'll go to see the kodama," she said turning to Sesshomaru. "This shouldn't take too long my lord."

"Do as you please," he simply said. "I will continue my search for Naraku."

She nodded, "and when I return, I'll do the same."

"I will accompany you on your journey, my lady!" announced Kuno.

"Eh," she said confused, "but I don't need you to. Besides, I'm supposed to go alone, right?"

"Yes," he said. "But I will protect you along the way."

"Protect her? Did he forget she was the one that defeated him after he attacked Rin and I?" wondered Jaken. "He couldn't protect her even if he tried!"

"Alright then," she said while walking away. "You may accompany me."

"Huh? She's letting him go after all? But what can he do for her? Maybe she wishes to return him home and be done with it. The forest of the Kodama is a long journey from this place. But it shall be even longer if she travels on foot."

Jaken continued to ponder as Rin waved after them.

"Good-bye Kuno!" she called. "And hurry back Lady Shiori!"

Sesshomaru turned away and walked in the opposite direction, "We're going."

"Okay!" said Rin happily running after him.

"Is it just me, or does Lord Sesshomaru seem different." Jaken continued thinking as he walked after them, "Ever since the Mount Hakurei incident, he's been constantly searching after Naraku. He's hunting him more than ever. And also….Shiori's been acting odd as well. When she was in that tennin form, she was like a completely different person, at least to me. And when she finally changed back, she still wasn't quite the same. She seems…sad about something. Was it what Lord Sesshomaru said about Naraku's feelings for that priestess?"

"His feelings for that woman….kept him from killing her. Weak, pathetic human emotions. He should've been able to kill her without this elaborate scheme. But he was unable to because of his lingering feelings of love. Absolutely ridiculous…"

"After he said that, it looked almost as if her heart stopped. She had the saddest expression I'd ever seen….and yet, just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished. And she went on back to her usual self. I wonder…..has her behavior since then been just a masquerade?"

"Master Jaken?" said Rin, breaking his concentration. "What are you doing? Why are you staring that off in one direction?"

"You nosey little brat," he snapped. "If you must know, I'm in deep thought!"

"Oh, I thought only Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Shiori could do that," she said.

"What? Are you insinuating that I'm incapable of deep reflection?" he shouted.

"Huh," she baffled. "What does 'insinuating' mean?"

Jaken face balmed, "Oh never mind!"

"Sorry Master Jaken," said Rin. "I'll let you get back to your deep thought now."

"It doesn't matter!" he screeched. "I've lost my train of thought. I can't even remember what I was thinking about now."

"It's okay," said Rin patting him on the back. "Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Shiori make everything look easy! You'll get it one day!"

"As usual, I get no respect," Jaken whined.

…..

"You haven't said much the entire journey," said Kuno. "Are you well?"

Shiori stepped silently beside Kuno. She swayed her arms as she walked. Kuno looked down at her with concern. Why was she being so quiet?

"Physically, I'm fine," she said. "But I'm not quite sure about spiritually."

"Your spirit isn't well?" he asked.

She shook her head, "It feels disturbed by something. Though, I'm not sure what."

"My lady, is it true that you became a tennin due to Mount Hakurei's power?"

She nodded, "So even those details traveled by word of mouth, huh? I don't like the way this is going."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not one who likes to attract too much attention. I don't like being talked about by people I don't know," she softly stated.

"Are you hiding from someone?" he asked.

"My mother kept me in the sacred lands for centuries. I was never allowed to leave, until my recent exile. Up until now, I thought it was so I wouldn't discover what I really was," she thought. "But now….what if it was to keep me hidden from the lords of the underworld. The ones I'm destined to kill? I always assumed they knew of my existence, but never saw me as a threat like the tennin did. But what if they didn't…..and now, with all this gossip because of my involvement with Naraku…they found me out? Even so, I don't want to take any chances."

Eventually, Shiori and Kuno reached the edge of the kodama's forest. They entered inside and headed toward the kodama's tree. Shiori sensed something up ahead, though she couldn't see it, she knew it was there.

"A barrier?" she thought.

She stopped short of where she sensed the barrier. Slowly, Shiori stuck her arm forward. It passed through the barrier without an issue. She walked through to the other side. Kuno tried to take a step forward, but was repelled backwards. The barrier had rejected him, but accepted Shiori. Kuno turned around.

"From here, you must journey on your own," he said. "I'm not to go beyond this point until you complete your business. This barrier is evidence of that."

She nodded to him and continued on her way. Kuno stood with his back to the barrier. It was as if he were guarding anyone from coming closer.

"Was he ordered to guard this barrier from someone who could break it?" Thought Shiori slowing walking down the path. "It's weird though, this barrier…doesn't feel like it was created by a kodama..."

She searched around for the mysterious forest presences she felt the last time. But they weren't there. She could feel only her own energy. Those presences must've been expelled from the area by the barrier. When she finally found the right tree, the kodama was there waiting for her. He was hovering around before her.

"Why is he outside of his tree?"

"So, you've come," it said flying towards her.

"You said it was urgent," she replied. "Why've you summoned me here? Are you in trouble?"

"Yes," said the fiery little spirit. "Because of my involvement with you, I've been endangered as well!"

"As well?" she questioned.

"Yes," said a voice coming from the tree. "You too are in danger."

Shiori watched as a second spirit emerged from the tree. He didn't have an abnormal form, like the kodama. He had a very familiar humanoid figure.

"Fa-father?" she stumbled. "What's going on here?"

"It is as I've said," he answered. "You're life is in danger…"

"What are you doing in on this plane? If any shinigami see you…."

"That is why I abstracted the barrier," he said turning towards the kodama, "Please, give us a moment. We must speak in private."

"This guy just randomly shows up, demands a meeting with you, and kicks me out of my tree all in the same day! "it said. "And to top it all off, because I associated myself with you I might be killed as well1 I should've moved with to the continent when I had the chance!"

The kodama sighed as he flew away from the tree. Though he made sure not to leave the barrier.

"You were the one who created this barrier? How is it that you have so much power, even as a specter?" she asked.

"I don't have time to explain any of that too you right now," he said sharply. "By this time, you must've understood the task I have for you, correct?"

"You want me to kill the corrupted leaders of the underworld," she gloomily answered. "I came to that conclusion after meeting with Toutousai."

"Why do you sound like that?"

"Father, why?" she questioned. "Why couldn't you have done it yourself? It seems like my only purpose to you is to handle your dirty work."

"Is that really what you think?" he said sadly.

"You need a wielder for the Gin Tsugunai, and so you created one. My birth was commissioned by you, just as this sword was. I'm nothing but a weapon to you. How can you expect me to think any differently?"

"I see you still refuse to believe the truth," he said. "Why must you be so stubborn?"

"Maybe if you were more straightforward…."

He closed his eyes, "straight forward, huh?"

Shiori examined her father. It was the first time he ever appeared to her like this. Up until now, her father only visited her inside of her mind. It was too dangerous for him to see her any other way. So why had things changed now?

"Enough of that," she dismissed. "What have you got to tell me? Why is my life in danger?"

"Because they know of you now," he answered. "They have you in their thoughts."

"The underworld leaders?" she inquired.

"Yes, they've received word of your accomplishments. And now, they'll be coming to claim you."

"Then I was right. They didn't know about my existence because you and mother kept me hidden. You kept me a secret," she said. Shiori suddenly thought of something, "What about Reika? Though she was tennin, her soul was badly corrupted before she died. She couldn't possibly have been sent to nirvana with my mother, right? She had to have been sent to the underworld. Wouldn't she inform them of something?"

"It's possible that her soul was sent straight to hell along with my body," said Isao. "She wouldn't have had time to say to say anything to the lords."

"I see," she answered. "Why do they want me?"

"Because you are my daughter. And I was their greatest enemy," he answered. "Naturally, they'll come after you because of myself."

"Why didn't you just give them the shikon jewel?" she snapped.

"How could I ever allow such a thing to fall into their possession? Shiori , these lords far surpass Reika in terms of corruption. If they got their hands on the shikon jewel, there's no telling what would happen," he explained. "They're dangerous and ruthless. Their wish is, for you to join me in hell for all eternity."

"How could they have come to be so evil? They, the rulers of the netherworld," she pondered. "Explain that to me."

"There are 3 rulers of the netherworld…..Goro, Hisoka, and Orochi. They are the sons of the former ruler, Ryouta. Ryouta was a very wise and strong leader. He ruled very fairly and always showed respect to the incoming dead souls. His sons, however, did not have such traits. Darkness lurked in all of their hearts. When the opportunity came, they overthrew their father and took charge. They set free more evil demons and suffering into the world."

He paused before he continued, "It was them that sent hordes of demons after the creator of the shikon jewel, Midorko. They didn't like her purifying the land of demons. They don't like anyone or anything with spiritual powers. If they could reach the sacred lands, they most certainly would. The lords are absolutely dreadful."

"And you expect me to slay these monsters?" she questioned. "How am I supposed to do that?"

"I, a full blooded shinigami, couldn't do it myself, because I lack spiritual powers. A full blooded tennin, such as your mother, couldn't do it because she lacked demonic power," he stopped and looked into her eyes. "But you, a half tennin and half shinigami, are the perfect mix of demonic and spiritual power. You, Shiori, are the only one that can kill the lords of the underworld."

Shiori took a step back from him. Was he serious?

"Father," she said softly, "you overestimate me. I'm not strong enough to do it. I was almost defeated by the barrier of mount Hakurei. As a tennin, I can barely defend myself. And I don't know how well I'd do against a shinigami."

"No, you are strong enough," he said. "You've become stronger since last saw you."

"I haven't," she said shaking her head.

"Oh? Then how is it you passed through my barrier?" he asked her.

"What?" she asked. "I thought you put up the barrier to keep out demons."

"I put it up as a test," he said. "To see if you could phase through. Not just anyone can pass through a shinigami barrier. Only one with strong demonic power can do so."

"How do you know I couldn't pass through before?" she asked.

"Because," he answered with a smile. "I no longer have access to your mind."

Her eyes widened, "what?"

"Haven't you wondered why it's been awhile since we've talked?" he asked the stunned Shiori. "It's because you've become so strong, that you put up a mind barrier. I can't access, and neither can anything else."

"I've become stronger? But I hadn't noticed…I even don't feel any different. When did I become stronger?"

"You must've done as I told you, and began to accept my emotions," he said proudly. "Though, I wish you would accept them all. You still won't accept the love you feel."

She looked away, "I don't know what you're talking. I don't love anyone."

"What about your mother?" he asked.

"My mother was a coward who feared death and made a deal with a shinigami," she flatly stated.

"What about your sister?"

"Emi held information from me for years. She betrayed me," she answered.

"What about the young girl you travel with?"

"Rin? She's just a little human. I only watch her when I'm asked."

Isao paused, "what about Sesshomaru?"

Shiori turned back to her father. He was staring right at her. She knew he was feeling her emotions quell inside of her body. Why did he have to ask about him?

"What about him?" she questioned.

"You love him, don't you?"

She stared past him, "love makes one weak."

"Who told you such a thing?" he asked tenderly.

She didn't answer him. She continued to stare foreword.

"You say you claim not to love any of the people I mentioned," stated Isao. "But your actions say otherwise. You attacked me in anger after learning that Reika killed your mother. You rescued Emi from Naraku's clutches. You ran into the Mount Hakurei's barrier when you learned Rin was in danger. And you damaged Naraku's barrier when you thought he absorbed Sesshomaru."

She still didn't say anything to him.

"All of that, yet you still think love makes you weak? Who told you that?" he demanded.

"No one," she said.

"That's not a weakness, Shiori. That's power,"

"So, you're saying love gives me power?" Shiori snapped. "Do you have idea how cliché that sounds!"

"I'm not saying that. I'm saying that you need to accept everything about yourself," he shot back. "You can't suppress any part of yourself, it will only weaken you. Just as you were weakened by the sacred lands influence. It suppressed part of your blood and gave you only half power."

"Accept all of myself?"

"Though you've denied it, you've already shown your feelings for those you care," Isao continued. "It's true that actions speak louder than words, but sometimes words are just enough."

"I remember now, back then when I fought with Renkostu. He began taunting me about my emotions."

"You pretend to be so fearless, so emotionless…it kills you on the inside. You don't want anyone to discover who you are."

"I remember…."

"Underneath it all, you're scared out of your mind. Even though you claim not to fear death, I know you do. You're afraid of dying…you're afraid of this barrier…you're afraid of being helpless….you're afraid of feeling emotion. Admit to it….Admit your fear."

"He was irritating me so much. I just wanted him to shut up…He wouldn't stop talking….He was pushing me to my limit."

Shiori imagined that moment when she gave in and finally admitted the words she refused to even cross her mind.

"I'm afraid. Yes it's true, I've suppressed my emotions. I don't understand them…and sometimes they frighten me. I run at the slightest sight of emotions….especially the emotions of others. I may be lost right now, but I know for sure I'm on the right track…I have many sides to me that no one else knows of. So you don't know me…."

"That's right….I admitted my fears to him. And at that moment, I felt a surge of energy through my body. Even Gin Tsugunai swelled with power. It was as if we were connected. All of that happened, because I accepted the way I felt in that situation?"

"You're starting to understand now, aren't you?" her father asked. "I can feel it."

"Tell me what I must do next," she demanded. "Tell me how to defeat the evil lords."

"To defeat them you must-"

Suddenly Isao called out in pain and curled over.

"Father!" Shouted Shiori reaching for him.

But her hand phased right through him. She couldn't touch him in the outside world. He was practically a ghost.

"Father, what's wrong?" she asked.

"Someone is disturbing my body," he cringed. "They must've discovered I'm not in it."

"What?"

"Shiori, get out of her!" he ordered. "Now!"

Isao dropped the barrier around them. The Kodama came flying back.

"The barrier's gone!" he cried. "What's happened here?"

"It's my father! They know he's here," she shrieked. "They'll kill him for real this time."

"What?" he said. "Agents of the Netherworld are coming—here? Right now? I'm getting outta here! Continent here I come!"

With that, the kodama flew off at high speed.

When Kuno heard Shiori's scream, he came sprinting towards the kodama's tree. He saw the worried look on her face.

"What's wrong my lady?" he asked. "What's wrong?"

Naturally, he couldn't see Shiori's father. He only saw her. Though he was surprised that the barrier disappeared and he was allowed to get to her. Isao projected his voice into Kuno's head.

"Ogre, take Shiori far away from here!" he demanded. "Hurry and do it now."

Kuno didn't even question the voice in his head. He reached down and grabbed Shiori.

"We must leave now," he said tugging the girl away. "We can't stay here!"

"No!" she said pushing him away, "I can't just leave him like this!"

"Who is she speaking of?" he wondered. "Does she mean the one who erected the barrier? Is she talking to him now?"

"Shiori," he strained. "Go with him….go….before it's too late….You must not be ...captured. If that happened….I could never forgive myself."

"I'll come for you," she said. "I'll go the netherworld myself and defeat the lords. Then I'll save you from hell. I can do it. That's what you were going to tell me to do, right?"

"No," he said. "Once you travel to the netherworld, you are not to come rescue me. Do you understand? You can't travel into hell."

"But father…"

"No, Shiori. It's too late for me now. Focus on your mission…..save the netherworld and forget about me…"

She shook her head, "I won't!"

"Go now!" he shouted. "They're almost here!"

This time, when Kuno grabbed her, Shiori didn't resist. He scooped her up in both arms and ran off. Shiori looked back and saw her father's tortured expression slowly disappear. Kuno ran for miles and miles before finally stopping to rest.

"Are you alright, Lady Shiori?" he asked her.

He was still holding Shiori in his arms. She hadn't said anything the entire way back. Shiori stared vaguely up at the clouds passing over the sky. She recognized this place…It was her meadow. Kuno ran her without even thinking. He didn't know about Shiori's attachment to this place.

"I'll be okay," she said. "Please, put me down."

Kuno obeyed and placed Shiori down in the high grasses. She stared out across the horizon, and listened to the birds chirping happily. How she wished she had no worries.

"Lady Shiori, I was just wondered….can you really travel to the netherworld?" asked Kuno. "I remember you mentioning going when you were talking. Is that true?"

"Partially true," she answered quietly. "I've never travelled there before. But I did create a portal once to the netherworld. Though, it was an accident. I've never had a reason to go there until now. My father charged me with defeating the Lords of the Netherworld. And that's what I shall do."

"The Lords of the Netherworld?" he thought.

"Kuno, you may go now. I really need to be alone now," she said.

"Yes my Lady," he said, bowing, "Call for me should you ever need me."

"Of course. Oh, and Kuno?"

"Yes?"

She looked at him sharply, "Don't return to the Kodama's forest. If they out you helped me escape, you'll be killed."

He gulped, "Yes, my lady. I shall find a new home. Farewell."

She didn't even watch him go. Shiori laid back into the grass and closed her eyes.

"I'm on my own now. Father can't help me anymore. Like always, he's left me with a lot to think about. Just how much of this can I really handle? I just don't know. I guess I should stop my search for Naraku. There are more important things to do. I must find Sesshomaru and tell him that I'm taking my leave of him—permanently…"

…..

Kagura stepped over the body of a wounded priest. She'd just attacked him with her fan and was now placing something on his chest. It was a small infant with light purple hair and light eyes. It closed it's eyes as he listened to the his heart.

"Geez, what's that brat doing? After slicing this high ranked priest half to death, he's checking out his heart?" she thought.

"Kagura…" said the infant darkly, "I'm done with this one. You may kill him now."

Kagura obeyed and dealt the finishing blow. She picked up the infant and walked out of the temple

"I didn't see anything," said the infant. "Even though he was a high ranking priest, he was still just an ordinary human."

"Just what were you trying to see?" she asked.

"The border between this world and the next," he answered. "That is where the final shard of the shikon jewel is located."

"I may be of some help with that," said a voice.

Kagura turned to see a man behind her. He had long dark hair that matched his elaborate black Kimono. The man looked at her with a devilish grin.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Forgive me," he leered. "My name is Goro…and I think I have a solution to your problem."

"Go on," said the baby.

"You wish for an entrance to the border between this world and the next, correct?" said Goro.

"He has a strange demonic aura," thought Kagura.

"Who exactly are you, Goro?" asked the baby. "This guy….he's a phantom spector. He's not physically here right now."

"I, Goro, am one of the rulers of the underworld," he said. "So naturally, I can help you with your situation."

"You can give us a way to enter?" wondered Kagura.

"All you must do" said Goro. "Is bring me the girl called Shiori."

"Shiori? You mean Sesshomaru's friend?" she asked. "What do you want with her?"

"We have business with the girl…" he stated.

"Why not go after her yourself?" questioned the demon. "Why do you need us?"

"Do you now want the final shard? Said Goro. "It's yours if you deliver it here. Think about my offer."

"How will we enter to the boarder once we capture her?" asked Kagura.

"Bring her under your influence," said Goro, disappearing. "And she'll do the rest."