I don't own Inuyasha, only o.c characters

Shiori sat at the edge of the river and stared at her rippled reflection. She remained perfectly still on the dry river bed. She could hear nothing but her own thoughts and the coursing river. Rin and Jaken carefully watched her from behind. They couldn't figure out what she was doing. It was as if Shiori's body turned to marble.

"How long is she gonna be like that?" whispered Rin. "Do you think she's feeling okay?"

"I'm not sure," Jaken responded. "Perhaps, she's contemplating suicide by drowning herself."

Rin's face filled up with horror, "Master Jaken! Why would you say such a horrible thing?"

"Well, what else could she be doing? She's been staring at that river for hours now!" he fired back. "Maybe she's thinking about it, but doesn't have the guts to do it!"

"Lady Shiori's not thinking of suicide!" Rin retorted. "She's probably just meditating or something. She's been through a lot lately."

"Hmm, well that is true. Shiori has gone through many trials and tribulations recently," Jaken thought. "She even went to Hell and back. I wonder what it was like…She refuses to tell us anything about what happened there. It must be too emotional for her to think about."

Even though she seemed fine once they all returned to the land of the living, Shiori was still very shaken up by her experience. Especially that vision she saw of Rin. The terrible image of seeing Rin mutilated was still fresh in her mind. There was no way she'd ever let that happen to the young girl—ever. Shiori made sure the young girl was always under her protection. She even refused to sleep, granted her body didn't need sleep very often.

"Ahem," Shiori quietly cleared her throat.

Jaken and Rin stopped their chattering and turned to Shiori. She was looking at them with a vague expression. Neither of them really knew what to make of it.

"Ah, it spoke!" Jaken exclaimed.

"What are you doing My Lady?" Rin curiously asked. "You haven't moved from that spot all day."

Shiori turned back to the water, "I was trying to see."

"See?" she asked. "See what?

"Images…in the water."

"Eh? Images in the water?" Jaken wondered.

She nodded, "yes, like Emi could. But I still can't do it. I guess I need more training."

"Lady Shiori, are you alright?" asked Rin as she felt her forehead. "She feels so clammy. What's happening to her?"

"I'm fine," She assured her. "Just…a bit tired."

Shiori suddenly looked up into the sky. She was sensing something coming their way.

"I can sense it," she said.

"What are you sensing, Lady Shiori?" asked Rin as she peered into the sky.

"Naraku,"

"What?" said a startled Rin.

"That monster is back?" asked Jaken.

Shiori shook her head slowly, "No…it's not him. The energy signal is significantly weaker….it must be Kagura."

"So it's that she-devil, then?" Jaken wondered. "Why is she always following us?"

"Why indeed," Shiori muttered under her breath.

By that time, Sesshomaru had emerged from the woods behind them. He too had picked up on Kagura's approaching presence. She was coming to meet with them again. What did she want this time? They finally saw her swoop over the river on her flying feather. Without warning, she fell from the sky and into the water. Rin jumped back to avoid being splashed; Shiori didn't budge. They watched Kagura's half naked body slowly being pulled down river. Rin desperately turned to Sesshomaru.

"Can't we help her, Lord Sesshomaru?" she pleaded. "She'll drown."

"Leave her," he said turning away. "It's none of our concern."

"Why did she come this far, even though she was gravely injured? She must have something dire to tell us," thought Shiori.

"Lady Shiori, don't you think we should help her?" asked Rin.

Shiori stood up, "Perhaps we should."

"Oh no you don't!" barked Jaken. "The Lord said no and that's final!"

But Rin had already dashed into the water and was desperately pulling at Kagura's arm. Jaken ran in after her to pull her away. Both of them ended up falling down and being swept up along with Kagura.

"Ah! Help us!" both of them cried.

Sesshomaru and Shiori vaguely watched as their companions drifted in the slow moving current. The current moved so slow, that Shiori easily walked beside them. Even so, the two continued to rant and scream. Sesshomaru finally decided he'd had enough of their screams and pulled them out—including Kagura.

"Oh, thank you My Lord!" Jaken thanked him once he got back to land.

Sesshomaru placed Kagura down on her stomach. Kagura was more injured than Shiori initially thought. She had an enormous hole in her back. It was so deep; they were able to see the ground on the other side. Her disheveled hair was draped over her left shoulder. Shiori was amazed that Kagura was even still alive.

"She drifted all the way in this condition?" marveled Jaken as he examined her. "She's a goner if you want my opinion."

"Is she…dead?" Rin asked.

Suddenly, the giant hole in Kagura's back began to close up.

"Huh?" Jaken recoiled back at the sight.

"Will she wake up now?" Rin asked.

"I hope so," said Jaken. "Then maybe she can put her clothes back on!"

"Jaken, why are you so offended by nudity?" Shiori asked.

"I just think women should have a certain level of decently!"

Shiori rolled her eyes, "Oh, don't be so prude. There is nothing wrong with the naked form."

Kagura's eyes shot open and she slowly sat up. Jaken and Rin marveled at the sight.

"I'm not dead?" thought Kagura. "Naraku has hold of my heart, so I didn't die….hmph, serves him right!"

She spotted Shiori, Rin, and Jaken beside her. She modestly covered up her breasts with her arm. Sesshomaru was sitting on a rock, staring off to the sidelines. He wasn't at all interested in the situation.

"You people?" Kagura wondered. She casually glanced at Shiori. "Well, I didn't expect you to be travelling with Sesshomaru again, little Miss Princess."

"….how do you know about that?" Shiori demanded.

"I have my ways and sources," she responded."So princess, do I owe you my undying gratitude for this rescue?"

"Actually, Lord Sesshomaru was the one who saved you," said Rin cheerfully.

"As an afterthought," Jaken threw in.

"Huh?" Kagura whirled around and saw Sesshomaru. "You saved me? So you have some compassion in you after all."

"How dare you say such a thing?" Jaken fussed. "You should be grateful Lord Sesshomaru even rescued you!"

Sesshomaru promptly stood up. He didn't like being called out about his "compassion".

"We're going," he stated.

"Hold on," Kagura called out. "Don't you even wanna know what happened to me?"

"Look, I have no interest in what happened to you," he answered.

"Even if I tell you I found Naraku's heart?" she shouted.

He stopped walking and turned towards her again.

"Naraku's heart?" wondered Shiori.

"You must've noticed that destroying Naraku's body is completely useless. In order to kill Naraku you must destroy his heart. I know where it is," she told them. "I found it."

"Don't listen to her," Jaken warned. "She may be trying to lead us into a trap. Shouldn't you already know where it is since you're Naraku's incarnation? Why do you need to find it?"

"It's highly unlikely," thought Shiori. "Kagura wants Naraku dead just as much as we do. She already told me that Naraku doesn't trust her….so it makes sense that he'd hide the location of his heart from her."

"It's up to you whether you believe me or not, but it won't hurt to hold on to this," she said flicking a green crystal at Jaken.

"What's this?" he asked.

"A demonic aura crystal," she explained. "Naraku stole a jewel named the fuyouheki that hides demonic aura. He uses it to hide the location of his heart. When the crystal stops glowing, it means you've gotten closer to the fuyouheki. That's what happened when I attacked a demon named Goryomaru's temple. I think he may be the protector of Naraku's heart because the crystal stopped glowing once I reached the crystal."

"His heart," said Shiori. "It's been hidden inside of another incarnation, right?"

"Yes," Kagura nodded. "Hakudoshi was originally a small infant that housed Naraku's heart. But he was sliced in half by a human priest. One of his halves grew to be the Hakudoshi we know now; the other half is still in infant form."

"And it's this infant that hold's not only Naraku's heart, but Hakudoshi's as well." Shiori finished. "That explains why Hakudoshi also can't be killed either. When I fought him, I destroyed his body….but he still survived. He's more like Naraku than I thought."

"If that's true, than Naraku must already know you're after his heart. He's smart enough to figure that much out," said Sesshomaru calmly. "It's useless for you to take further action."

"Well what about you, Sesshomaru?" she asked. "Why don't you get him?"

"Kagura, do you intend to use me?" he questioned.

"Of course," she said. "Who else can kill Naraku but someone of your caliber? No one else surpasses you in terms of skill and demonic power."

"Gah! Such flattery! Just what is she trying to do?" thought Jaken. He turned towards Shiori. "What? She has nothing to say? Hmmmm, how unusual."

Shiori wasn't even looking at Kagura anymore. She seemed to be looking through her…..looking into her soul. Sesshomaru just grunted and turned away from them.

"Thanks for all of your help today," said Kagura standing to her feet. The spider birthmark on her back was completely visible. "I'll be going now."

"Already?" asked Rin. "Didn't you want to ask for help?"

"No, it's nothing like that, I just…." said Kagura softly as she threw down one of the feathers from her hair. She stepped on and levitated above them. She stared down at Sesshomaru "I just….wanted to see him again before I died. Just one more time….that's all." With that, Kagura flew away. Sesshomaru stared after her for a long time before briefly turning away.

"Put on your clothes!" Jaken yelled after her. He then turned back to the others. "Lord Sesshomaru, what shall we do with this crystal?"

"I'll leave it to you," he simply said.

"Huh? Oh but my lord, that puts me in such a bind!" Jaken whined.

"You should hang on to it Master Jaken," said Rin. "That lady didn't seem like she was trying to trick us this time. In fact, I'll bet she was secretly in love with Lord Sesshomaru."

"What? Why would you say such a silly thing?" he scolded.

"She praised him. Don't you remember that?" She happily asked.

"I don't believe that," said Jaken. "Shiori, you've been awfully quiet, what do you think?"

"I think you should hang onto it," she said. "It could prove to be useful in the future"

"No, I meant, what do you think about this child's silly comment? About Kagura being in love with Sesshomaru, it's absolutely ridiculous right?" he asked.

Shiori looked away, "Not at all…"

She walked ahead of them all. Sesshomaru glanced at her as she slowly passed by him. Her head was down and her long dark hair swung in front of her face. Was she trying to hide her face from him? Rin quickly ran after her.

"Eh….is it me or am I sensing some sort of tension on the horizon?" Jaken thought while walking with Sesshomaru. Shiori and Rin were further ahead of them.

"I felt something from him," thought Shiori. "After Kagura left, Lord Sesshomaru watched her leave….and I got a strange feeling from him. Could it be that her feelings for him…are mutual?"

Shiori had already acknowledged her own feelings for Sesshomaru back in the Netherworld. But she hadn't yet said them out loud. Although his heart wasn't as cold as it once was, she knew he'd never return her feelings; that much she wasn't expecting. However, when he came to retrieve her from the netherworld….she couldn't help but think that….maybe, just maybe, he felt the same way. But when she was with him, she never felt anything from him. However, she just sensed a stir of emotion from Sesshomaru…..but it wasn't because of her, it was because of Kagura.

She looked back at Sesshomaru out of the corner of her eye. Her face was still concealed by her hair. He was vaguely looking straight ahead, also appearing to be in deep thought. She figured he was thinking of Naraku's heart. Shiori turned back around and realized she'd been caught.

"I saw that," said Rin slyly.

"Psh, you saw nothing," Shiori dismissed.

"I knew it! I knew it!" Rin proclaimed.

"Shhh," Shiori hushed the girl. Was she trying to alert Sesshomaru? He wasn't that far behind them. "Rin, lower your voice. You knew what?"

"I knew that you liked Lord Sesshomaru," Rin whispered. "I was right."

"I do not!" she whispered back.

Rin smiled, "then, you love him?"

Shiori could do nothing but stare at Rin. She was absolutely stunned!

"Ooh!" Rin silently squealed. "At first I thought you just had crush on him. But it turns out you're in love with him."

"Alright fine," said Shiori faintly. She was warily looking over her shoulder to make sure Sesshomaru wasn't listening. He was still wrapped up in his own thoughts. "I'm in love with him. There…are you absolutely satisfied now?"

Rin could barely contain her excitement. Her little face turned bright pink as the biggest grin spread across her face.

"Listen to me, child," Shiori said carefully. "You cannot tell anybody about this. Is that understood?"

"But Lady Shiori, I think you should tell Lord Sesshomaru!" she dreamily said.

"And I think you've been in the sun too long," Shiori answered. "There's no way I'm telling him something like that. Not now, not ever…..not even if my life depended on it."

"Then how are you guys going to get married and live happily ever after?"

"We're not getting married,"

"But that's what people do when they're in love," Rin explained.

"This girl is…..absolutely delusional!" thought Shiori as she face balmed.

"They get married and have children and live together happily," Rin swooned.

"Rin, that'll never happen," said Shiori.

"Yes it will! He loves you too," said Rin. "I know he does!"

"No he doesn't," Shiori somberly responded. "I would be able to sense his feelings if he did."

"Yes he does, or else he wouldn't come to save you all the time," Rin assured. "He went to the Netherworld just to save you, didn't he?"

"He did go out of his way to save me," thought Shiori. "Jaken even said they were on Naraku's trail, but stopped completely when he caught my scent. Lord Sesshomaru even rescued me from Hisoka's grasp. And he even attempted to rescue me from Hell…..yet, I've never felt any strong emotion from him. Not like what he felt for Kagura. Perhaps he'll never think of me as anything more than an ally…..."

Shiori felt Rin grabbed onto her hand. She looked down into her large brown eyes. They were flickering with concern.

"Please stop looking so sad," Rin pleaded. "I don't like seeing you this way."

Shiori smiled, "I'll be fine. Don't concern yourself with me."

"Are you sad because that other lady is also in love with him?" Rin asked.

Shiori stared in shock, "Why must she always ask all the wrong questions?"

"Hey, what are you two whispering about?" Jaken asked.

Shiori and Rin spun to see Jaken beside them.

"Nothing important," Shiori lied.

"Nope, nothing at all," said Rin slyly.

"Nonsense!" shouted Jaken. "You were whispering about something! Now, out with it!"

"Sorry Master Jaken but it's a secret," Rin laughed. "We can't tell you."

Jaken frowned, "Lord Sesshomaru! They're up to something! Please, make them explain what they were talking about!"

Sesshomaru glared at his group before looking away again.

"But…Lord Sesshomaru! Don't you want to know what they were talking about?"

"Not particularly," he answered.

Shiori grinned, "And there you have it, green one. So drop it."

Jaken folded his arms and grumbled under his breath. Shiori and Rin laughed at Jaken's pained expression.

"But I still think you should tell him," Rin whispered.

"And I still think we need to get you out of the sun," Shiori answered.

…Many days later…..

Shiori, Jaken, Rin and Ah-Un were walking through a mountain passageway. Sesshomaru had gone on his own the day before.

"Shiori! The aura of the demonic crystal is weakening," he informed her. "Naraku's heart must be nearby!"

She stopped walking and peered around. She couldn't sense anything. Kagura's words were true. The heart was concealing its demonic aura with a special stone. Rin looked up above them.

"Oh, there's a cave up ahead!" said Rin, pointing the way.

"Stand back," said Shiori as she drew her sword.

She swung her sword. A ball of energy emitted from the blade and destroyed the cave. Pieces of rocks flew everywhere and a cloud of smoke lingered in the air. When the smoke cleared, a monstrous demon emerged.

It had a large scaly body, with a giant arm made of tree roots. He leered down on them all. Rin gasped in fear and ducked down.

"Eh…what is that thing?" asked Jaken.

"Is that Naraku's heart," Rin wondered.

"Shiori, I didn't expect you do be away from Sesshomaru," it sneered.

"You say my name so casually, yet I've neither met you." Shiori scolded it. "That happens to be a huge pet peeve of mine."

"Oh?" he said with a smirk. "I meant to properly introduce myself, before you destroyed my hiding spot."

"And did you mean to ambush me as well?" she questioned.

"It seems I've been found out in more ways than one. My name is Moryomaru," said the creature.

"Well, Moryomaru….you must be destroyed," she lunged forward.

She struck the monster with her sword, but it didn't even leave a mark. Shiori attacked again, but she couldn't harm the creature.

"Is something wrong Shiori?" he taunted. "You seem a bit distressed by something. Are you upset that you can't break through my shell?"

"Hell wrath!" she cried.

Shiori swung her sword and sent a surge of energy at Moryomaru. But he didn't even try to dodge, instead he embraced the energy. Shiori watched in horror as he absorbed her demonic power.

"What?" she baffled. "This fiend is absorbing my power."

"You cannot defeat me, girl. Your demonic power only makes me stronger," he bellowed. "And now, let's see how you like being on the receiving end!"

He fired at her with the stolen demonic power. Shiori quickly jumped out of the way of the incoming attacks. Energy blast exploded all around them.

"So, where's Sesshomaru?" he questioned her.

"How should I know?" Shiori scoffed. "It's really none of your concern anyway."

"It seems to be a concern of yours," he jeered.

Shiori tried to attack him directly, but failed once again.

"Why can't I break through his shell?" she thought. "What content is it made of?"

Moryomaru laughed at her efforts and tried to capture her in his tentacles. But she escaped his grasp and slide under him. He then whipped around a tentacle and knocked Shiori off to the side. He slammed down another tentacle at her, but she rolled out of the way. She jumped back to her feet and fired a diamond purification beam at Moryomaru. The beam struck him in his right shoulder.

"Huh? He's in pain? I can feel it….it's very faint but he felt pain from that attack. Could it be that his shoulder is his weak point?"

She jumped to attack his shoulder again, but this time she was caught. She struggled to escape the vermin. Suddenly a surged of energy hit him from behind. Moryomaru turned around to see Sesshomaru coming towards them. He calmly assessed the situation.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken gleefully cried.

"Why must I always bail her out of a reckless situation," Sesshomaru thought.

"Inuyasha's brother, huh?" said the beast.

"I've never considered that half demon to be my brother," snapped Sesshomaru. "But if you possess that knowledge than you must be Naraku's heart."

"It's possible that I'm that varmint's heart," Moryomaru sneered.

"Shiori," Sesshomaru demanded. "Stand down."

"He absorbs demonic energy," she said. "Your attacks will only greatly increase his power.. He didn't absorb my spiritual energy during my last attack, only my demonic energy But I might be able to stop him with my spiritual power."

"Ha!" laughed Moryomaru. "You really think so?"

Moryamaru fired more beams at Shiori, but Sesshomaru stepped in and blocked the attacks. He fired another wave of energy at the creature.

"You still haven't learned have you?" he jeered.

"I told you to stay down," Sesshomaru snapped. "Stop causing me trouble."

"And you do have a better idea on how to deal with this scoundrel, My Lord?" she bleakly asked. "He'll only absorb your demonic power every time you attack him."

"Eh? This is no time for them to argue!" Jaken thought.

Moryomaru tried to crush the pair with his giant tree roots. But they escaped him. Shiori shot another purification beam at the mongrel; he took a direct blow from her. She held up her energy beam as he began sliding back. Her powers still weren't enough to penetrate his shell.

"Nothing's working?" she thought.

Just then, Moryomaru rushed forward and seized Shiori in his roots. She fought to free herself.

"Oh no!" cried Rin. "He's got Lady Shiori!"

"Resistance is absolutely futile," said Moryomaru. "I shall absorb you into my body."

"Why? " She calmly asked him.

"Why?" he was a little put off by her question. "Why? To absorb your demonic aura of course. The power to create portals to the Netherworld is very useful. Think of all the creatures I could absorb."

"Why must I always bail her out of a reckless situation?" Sesshomaru pointed his blade at the hideous creature, "Put her down."

"Oh, you don't like me touching your precious mate do you?" he mocked.

Moryomaru brought Shiori closer to him; she slowly anticipated her next move. Sesshomaru leapt forward and attacked the monster's body. But he had the same problem as Shiori. He couldn't get past that shell. It was much too hard. Moryomaru fired Sesshomaru's power back at him, causing him to carefully dodge the pursuits. The entire time, the creature still had Shiori in his grips.

"What is she doing?" thought Sesshomaru. "She could easily break out of his grip. So why hasn't she done anything yet."

"Sesshomaru, you can't stop me!" it taunted. "I will have this girl's demonic power, as well as your own."

"If I can't attack him from the outside," thought Shiori. "Then maybe I can attack him from within…..Come on Moryomaru, just a bit further."

Moryomaru started bringing Shiori closer and closer to his body. Kuno and Rin's eyes were widened with horror. She was about to be absorbed into his body. It was then that Sesshomaru caught the scent of blood and miasma in the wind. Shiori could sense a familiar demonic aura.

"Something's wrong…." She thought. "Something's very wrong…Kagura."

"Oh, did that stupid woman die?" taunted Moryomaru. "It seems she died all over something as trivial as her freedom. "

Shiori could sense that Sesshomaru was suddenly deeply angered. Was it because of Kagura?

"If she hadn't betrayed me she may have been able to live a little longer," he continued to mock. "But now it seems she died in vain."

Sesshomaru was slowly starting to lose his composure. Shiori could definitely feel it. His emotions were….spiraling. He rushed up and lashed at Moryomaru's shoulder over and over again. His sword made a loud clanking sound with each strike.

"You're angry now aren't you?" questioned the beast. "I can feel your emotions through your blade. So then, that woman was the one you really cared about? It appears I had it all wrong. I thought that this was the one you loved."

Shiori couldn't even look into Sesshomaru's eyes. Hearing that said out loud, especially by an enemy, was devastating. Sesshomaru could see the pain in her eyes.

"Then I suppose you won't mind if I absorb her!"

Just as Shiori was about to be absorbed, a pulsation surged through Sesshomaru's body.

"Die!" he whispered.

He took his sword and jabbed it at Moryomaru's shoulder with such force, it made the monster cringed. Shiori could see a bright light emitting from the spot. Sesshomaru had pumped in so much of his demonic energy into the sword, it was starting to crack.

"No, he's about to reach the jewel shard in my shoulder," Moryomaru thought.

At that moment, tokijin's blade snapped in half. Moryomaru quickly let go of Shiori and flew off in a swirl of miasma. Sesshomaru threw the broken blade behind.

"Are you injured?" he asked Shiori.

"No," she answered.

Sesshomaru turned away from her and flew off into the sky.

"Lord Sesshomaru," she yelled. "What about your sword?"

"I feel no attachment to a broken sword," he called over his shoulder. "I'll simply need to find a replacement."

"Where's he going now?" Jaken asked.

"I know where he's going," said Shiori floating up. "I'll be right back. Jaken, protect Rin with your life!"

Jaken gulped.

"I just hope I'm not too late. Kagura—hold on! I'll save you...I'll do it for Lord Sesshomaru."

…..

Kagura wondered in pain; she had a huge miasma wound in her chest. Naraku discovered she was trying to betray him for her freedom. He found Kagura and gave her back her heart. But before she could enjoy it, he attacked her and pumped miasma into her body. After which, he let her go free. Naraku mocked her, knowing she didn't have much longer to enjoy her freedom. Now Kagura was all alone in a meadow.

"My heart," she thought while enjoying its sound. "It's beating…."

She tearfully smiled to herself. And sunk down to her knees. "Will it really end this way? With me all alone? There's no one else around…..is this the freedom I sought?"

Just as she was about to black out, she saw Sesshomaru. He was towering over her. She gasped. Was she hallucinating? Was he really there?

"I followed the scent of blood and miasma," he said casually.

"Oh, I see," she sounded a little sad. "You thought I was Naraku. Are you disappointed it was just me?"

"I knew it was you," he said.

She looked up at him, "So…he came knowing it was me."

He pulled out tenseiga, but stopped, "Even tenseiga can't save you now."

"Maybe I can," said a voice from behind him.

Shiori quietly walked up next to Sesshomaru. Kagura looked to her in surprise.

"Shiori, you mean you'd try to save me?" she asked. "Even after everything I've done to you?"

She knelt down in front of the dying woman, "you really haven't done anything to me…"

Kagura smiled sadly at the girl.

"I'm afraid it's too late for me," she said. "The miasma is too far gone."

"At least let me try," said Shiori.

"There's nothing you can do for me," answered Kagura, as she shook her head. "But, I appreciate it."

Shiori sadly looked down; there really wasn't anything else she could do.

"I think I understand it now," said Kagura. "I understand why you come here all the time."

"Huh," said Shiori looking up. "I hadn't even noticed it before…..this place….it's my meadow."

"It's so calm and peaceful here," Kagura looked her in the eye, "it feels free….."

The wind around them began to pick up. Flower petals began swirling in the air. Kagura's life was just about over.

Sesshomaru stepped closer, "are you going?"

"Yeah," Kagura said. "It's enough…."

Shiori closed her eyes and began praying over Kagura's soul. She smiled at both of them as miasma swelled out of her wounds. As the miasma dissolved away her body, she held on to one last thought.

"I saw you…one last time," thought Kagura as fell backwards and dissolved into the wind.

The swirl of miasma had also disappeared. Shiori felt the wind die down around her—Kagura was gone. She sadly looked down at the empty spot in front of her.

"I couldn't even save her," said a somber Shiori. "I can't come here ever again. I can't return to this place."

Sesshomaru watched her rise in complete silence.

"I'm sorry, Lord Sesshomaru. If I'd only gotten here sooner," she turned to face him. Her eyes were flickering in sorrow. "I know she was important to you…."

He was about to say something to her, but stopped when he sensed Inuyasha. He and his crew showed up behind them. They'd already realized what just happened.

"Wait," Inuyasha called. "Did Kagura suffer?"

Sesshomaru looked up to the sky, "She was smiling."

Inuyasha noticed the tortured expression on Shiori's face. She quietly rose to her feet and stared up into the sky. Inuyasha stood by her side.

"You okay?" he asked her.

"I'm fine," she said while sadly watching Sesshomaru. "Just….a bit tired."