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

"Lady Shiori!" called Rin. "Look at this flower I picked."

Shiori sat on a high tree branch. Her back was away from Rin and her head was rested against the tree trunk. Rin was at the base of the tree, calling out to Shiori.

"I'm sure it's beautiful," Shiori softly responded. She wouldn't even look.

Rin frowned, "I wish I could cheer her up. I've never seen her so sad before."

"Neither have I," Jaken commented. "Is it me or has she been a whirlwind of emotion lately? It's hard to believe there was a time when she didn't show any emotion at all."

"It must have something to do with Kagura and Lord Sesshomaru," Rin thought.

Sesshomaru appeared behind them and looked up at Shiori. He sat down at the base of the tree and closed his eyes. Jaken and Rin carefully watched him.

"Oh no, what's about to happen now?" Jaken thought.

"Why didn't you break free of Moryomaru's grasp?" Sesshomaru asked Shiori.

She didn't respond, so he continued, "Were you trying to let him absorb you?"

"I was hoping to destroy him from the inside," she answered.

"And what if you weren't able to do that?"

Shiori swung her legs as she looked up into the sky, "It was a risk I was willing to take."

"You were willing to risk your own life?"

"If that's what it takes to keep everyone safe," she responded. "I don't care about the risks. If the opportunity is there, I'm going to take it."

"I won't have any more of your risks," he said casually. "Or your reckless behavior."

"Oh, you won't? Is this an attempt to discipline me?"

Shiori jumped down from the branch and landed in front of Sesshomaru. He didn't even flinch at the sudden movement. He only glanced at her casually.

"What about you and your own recklessness?" she questioned. "Didn't the same thing almost happen to you? Weren't you nearly absorbed by Naraku?"

"That was an entirely different situation," he said.

"And just how was that?" she casually demanded. "Can you please explain that to me?"

"Because," he explained. "It's almost over. This battle won't last much longer. I can't afford to have you messing up."

"So now all of the sudden I've become a huge burden to you?" she questioned. "Am I nothing but a throne in your side?"

He looked away from her and remained silent. Jaken and Rin could feel the heavy tension in the air between the two. It was extremely uncomfortable.

"If that's how you feel, then why you do even bother rescuing me?" she quietly asked him. "Why not just leave me to die?"

His gaze sharply turned to her, "enough."

"Maybe I should've just died along with Kagura," she fussed.

"Shiori….." he firmly said. "I said that's enough."

"Or better yet, maybe I should've just stayed in the depths of Hell…for all eternity," she continued, "never to see you again."

Suddenly, Shiori felt anger rising inside of Sesshomaru's heart. He shot up and latched onto her shoulder. His golden eyes were filled to the brim with anger. Rin was afraid that Sesshomaru would kill Shiori.

"Don't ever say anything like that again," he snapped tightening his grip on her shoulder.

She carefully examined him, "To which part are you referring?"

His anger subsided as he stared into her troubled eyes. Shiori could feel him calming down….and then—nothing! She couldn't feel any more emotion from him. It was as though he were concealing them from her. But why, was there something she wasn't supposed to know? Sesshomaru loosened his grip on Shiori, but he didn't let go.

"Which part?" she repeated.

Just as he was about to answer, a bolt of lightning struck the ground. Both of them turned to see a swirl of dust and dirt surrounding the spot where the bolt hit. Once it had all went away, Toutousai and his demon cow were revealed.

"Master Toutousai?" said Shiori.

"What is the meaning of this?" Sesshomaru demanded. "We were in the middle of something."

"Er…I didn't mean to interrupt anything," said Toutousai scratching his head.

"It doesn't even matter anymore, Master Toutousai," said Shiori.

"We're not finished yet," said Sesshomaru sharply.

"Oh, but we are My Lord," she retorted. "We're finished."

"Did they just break up?" Rin whispered to Jaken.

"You stupid girl!" he scolded. "In order for them to break up, they'd have to be together!"

"What do you want?" Sesshomaru demanded. He was in a very sour mood.

"I heard your sword was destroyed in battle," he answered.

Sesshomaru flexed his hand, "Even without a weapon, I can still destroy you with my claws."

Toutousai narrowed his eyes, "I thought you might say something like that. However, I was still compelled to come here. Tenseiga called me."

"Tenseiga did?"

"Don't pretend like you didn't notice. It's been making a lot of noise lately, hasn't it?" Toutousai asked.

Sesshomaru glanced down at the sword by his hip.

"It appears your heart now has what it was lacking," Toutousai continued. "It has reacted to a change in your heart. Most likely the sorrow and anger for another's sake.

"Rage and sorrow for another's sake?" thought Shiori.

"Give me tenseiga," Toutousai demanded. "The time has come to forge it into a weapon."

"A weapon?" Shiori gasped.

Toutousai nodded, "This was all a part of the Great Dog Demon's plan."

Shiori turned to leave.

"Just where do you think you're going?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I don't know…." She answered. "Some place you aren't."

He glared after the girl as she silently walked away.

"Let her go," said Toutousai, "I have a feeling she's not gonna like tenseiga's newfound ability."

"And why do you say that?" asked Sesshomaru.

"You'll see," answered Toutousai. "Now come."

…

Shiori wandered somberly through the night. Her thoughts were raging at a thousand miles per minute. The more she tried to clear her mind, the more cluttered it became. She didn't know what to do. She thought of going home and finding Emi, but there was too much going on. Returning home at a turbulent time like this was out of the question.

She stopped walking when she felt movement behind the trees. She was definitely picking up on two presences—unworldly ones. Spirits, perhaps? She examined the area carefully, before trudging on. Shiori patiently waited for the presences to make themselves known. Finally, two young girls floated out in front of her. Shiori casually stared at the pair.

"These children….they're shikigami. I've never seen shikigami with such human forms before,"

"Princess," said one of the girls. "Why are you so far away from what matters most to you?"

The twin girls giggled, before gliding down the path. Shiori calmly watched them.

"I see, I'm to follow them," she thought while walking forward. "Why would they address me by that ghastly title? And just who created them?"

She eventually realized the shikigami were flying out of view. Shiori raced after the girls as they zipped throughout the forest. They were fast. Shiori quickly leaped from tree branch to tree branch in order to keep up with them.

"Where are they leading me to?"

Shiori came to a screeching halt when she could no longer sense the presences. It was as if they'd vanished into thin air. Shiori found herself in the middle of a river valley. She was alone—where were the shikigami? And why had they led her there of all places? A warm breeze gently blew Shiori's hair into her face; she angrily tied it up into a ponytail. Shiori sharply turned behind her—someone was coming.

"Strange, this presence feels familiar. I know who it is, yet the soul feels alien to me."

Kikyo slowly came into view. Behind her, were the two shikigami children? It seemed that she was the one who created them. Shiori glanced at Kikyo…something was different about the priestess. She could no longer hear the crying souls of the dead. She now possessed just one soul…but it was no ordinary soul. This soul was completely purified.

"I was beginning to think we'd never cross paths again," said Kikyo lightly.

"I was about to say the same thing to you, priestess," said Shiori.

She nodded, "I've been in hiding ever since our experience at Mount Hakurei. I needed time to recover from Naraku's miasma wounds."

"How are you feeling now?"

"A lot better now that I have extracted Midoriko's soul," said Kikyo quietly.

"Midoriko? The priestess who created the shikon jewel?" asked Shiori. "So that's the purified soul I sensed inside of Kikyo. It was Midoriko's soul."

"The very same," Kikyo nodded.

"Part of Midoriko's soul was most likely still lingering around in this world. The rest must be inside of the shikon jewel," thought Shiori while staring at Kikyo.

"Midoriko and I are now working together to complete the shikon jewel. There are only 3 shards remaining….and they must be kept purified. If I can purify the shikon jewel along with Naraku, then I'll be able to kill him. All he must do is touch the purified jewel."

"And that will be all?"

Kikyo looked up into the nighttime, "that should be all."

"Are you sure you can last that long on one soul? I understand it's an exceptionally powerful soul, but can you really manage with just one?" asked Shiori.

"I only need it long enough for me to kill Naraku," she said. "After which…..I'll revert back to ashes and grave yard soil. My clay body can take no more."

"You can't be serious," Shiori scolded. "You can't be so willingly to accept your death like this. You're a dead priestess that lives on the souls of the dead. Kikyo, you're guaranteed a spot in Hell."

She nodded, "It's a fate I've always been aware of. No matter how much good I try to do…..that fact still remains. I steal lost souls for my own means. After my business here is finished, I will go to Hell. It's what I deserve."

"Yes, the thought of you using dead souls, kills me deeply on the inside. But I don't believe you deserve to be damned. There must be something else you can do to repent. You can't die now,"

Kikyo lowered her head somberly. Shiori turned away from the priestess and looked at the twinkling stars.

"Have you spoken with my father lately?" she questioned.

"Yes," said Kikyo lightly. "He's told me everything."

Shiori looked over her shoulder, "then you know about my descent into Hell?"

"Yes,"

"You have no idea what that place is like," said Shiori darkly. "You have no idea what kind of torture I went through. I still have terrible visions about it," Shiori continued. "I can't keep them out of my mind."

"Is that why you came to me?" asked Kikyo. "Because you needed someone to confide in?"

"Came to you?" said a confused Shiori. "You were the one who led me here."

"I led you here because you were searching for me. You would not have been able to see my shinigami if that weren't the case," said Kikyo. "You wanted someone to talk to, did you not?"

Shiori turned back around, "Did I?"

"There's something you need to get off your chest," said Kikyo standing next to her. "Something is weighing a toll on your soul. Tell me."

The pale moonlight bounced off Shiori's dark hair, giving her a tennin-like appearance. She closed her eyes as another warm breeze brushed across her face. She opened her eyes again and stared across the river valley.

"I finally have everything I was seeking," she said. "I have Father's love and support, I discovered the mystery of my origins, I've finally become accepted by the tennin society, I've become stronger, I even rescued my Father from Hell. Yet, it's not enough."

Kikyo somberly watched Shiori as she continued, "I tried to pretend like everything was fine…..but in actuality, I'm still not over the experience. Every time I close my eyes, I still feel like I'm being tortured. I still see the mutilated bodies of my companions."

"Shiori…." Kikyo sadly whispered.

"I'm afraid those visions will come true. I'm afraid that whenever that the next time I see someone, it'll be for the last time. I don't want that to happen," she said frantically. Shiori looked sharply at Kikyo. "I don't want….anyone else to die."

"Anyone else? Who's died so far?"

"Naraku discovered Kagura had betrayed him, and so he killed her," she answered. "I wasn't even able to save her. Maybe if I had….Lord Sesshomaru wouldn't….."

Shiori abruptly stopped talking.

"He wouldn't what?" Kikyo asked encouraging.

"He wouldn't be so upset with me…"

"You don't really believe that do you?" asked Kikyo. "Do you feel hate emitting from him?"

Shiori shook her head, "Other than anger, I can't feel anything emotion from him—at least not for me. I felt a surge in his heart when he rescued Kagura. I felt that same feeling when she later died. But he doesn't feel anything for me…."

"Do you think it's possible that he's closed his emotions off to you?" asked Kikyo, walking beside Shiori. The two of them were slowly walking along the river bank.

"I can't imagine why he'd do that," she answered.

"He must not want you to sense his feelings," said Kikyo. "Feelings…for you."

"What is with humans and their delusional ideals?" thought Shiori. "There was a time when I believed that to be true. It was when he saved me from one of the Lords of the Netherworld. Lord Sesshomaru even allowed me to fight by his side. I thought…..I thought there might be a possibility."

She stared at the fluttering fire flies ahead of her, "but I see now that I was a fool. I'm just a burden to him. The woman he cared for died right in front of him…and I was unable to save her. I could do nothing but watch."

Kikyo quietly listened to the sad girl in front of her. Shiori had never poured out that much of her emotion to anyone. For years, she kept everything concealed. In truth, she couldn't bear the thought of Sesshomaru hating her for any reason.

"You shouldn't be so naive about these things, Shiori," said Kikyo softly. "There's a reason he came to your aid. And it's not just because you're a common ally to him. I'm sure he feels the same way. He gets upset whenever you do something outrageous, because he cares for you. He doesn't think of you as a burden; he values you. You're a strong person, Shiori."

"Hmph, strong person?" Shiori said with strain. "I'm at my wits end. Kikyo, I can't take anymore of this. I'm not strong. I never would've beaten the last underworld lord without Lord Sesshomaru. I never would've escaped Hell if it weren't for Grandmother's light. Don't you see? My strength….has been exaggerated. Sometimes, I wish I was back in the tennin world without a care in the world."

"Despite every hardship you've been through," said Kikyo, placing a hand on Shiori's shoulder. "You still prevailed. You could've easily given up, but you didn't. It's only natural for a person to feel the way you do now. You feel lost and distressed; you fear for the life of your companions. It shows you that you really care about them. Your life has new meaning behind it."

"I don't know," whispered Shiori. "I just don't know."

They suddenly caught on to a presence lingering nearby. Both of them turned around to see who was coming. Kohaku emerged from the thickets and walked towards them. He slowly knelt down in front of Kikyo. He gave Shiori a weird look. He wasn't expecting her to be with Kikyo. Shiori returned his odd expression.

"Why does this kid keep showing up in my life?" Shiori thought. Why was he away from Naraku?

"You are…." Kikyo trailed off.

"I want you to use my shard," said Kohaku.

"Yes, I realized you were following my trail," said Kikyo nodding. "Do you know what it means? What will happen when I use your shard?"

"I'm prepared to give my life," Kohaku answered.

"Do you not fear death?"

Kohaku looked up to Kikyo, "I do not."

"He's speaking the truth," Shiori thought. "He truly doesn't fear death. Could living really be such an ominous task for him? It would seem that Kikyo and I aren't the only ones willing to give up our lives."

Kikyo also noticed the pain in his eyes. Why was he so willing to allow the use of his shard? Kikyo could see the jewel shard in his neck. Kohaku's very life was bound by it. If it were removed, he would die. And for this very reason, Kikyo was hesitant to gather up the remaining shards. She knew there was someone out there whose life was bound by a shard. That person was Kohaku. But now, she was running out of options. It seemed as though she'd need to take his shard anyway.

"If we had met in a different way, I could heal this boy's wounded soul," Kikyo thought. "And allowed him to keep living. If only it were something that I could do now. I'm sorry….Kohaku."

Shiori suddenly felt the sorrow in Kikyo's heart surge, "She's going to use his shard…..even though it deeply pains her."

She rose to her feet and looked back up to the sky. Kikyo looked to her with a troubled expression.

"You're leaving now, aren't you?" she asked.

"Yes, I should be heading back now," said Shiori. "I shouldn't have run off in anger in the first place."

Kikyo stood up, "Take care of yourself, and remember what I've said."

"And you remember what I said as well," said Shiori. "Please, don't do anything dangerous Kikyo."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to honor that request," she thought. "I'm afraid I don't have much longer."

Shiori soundly floated up the river and out of the valley. Kikyo watched her disappear along the horizon before turning back to Kohaku. He was still knelt down in front of her. She stood up and began walking away. Kohaku followed after her.

….

Rin was fast asleep against a tree. Jaken was promptly snoring beside her. Sesshomaru stood with his back away from them and stared out into a clearing. It was just after dawn when Shiori finally returned back to her group. She quietly walked up behind Sesshomaru. He didn't turn around or even acknowledge her presence. Shiori didn't quite know what to say.

"Are you waiting for the sun to rise?" she asked. "Take it from me, it's nothing special."

"Hmph," he grunted.

"He's still mad at me," she sighed.

"I didn't think you'd come back this time," he said coldly.

"I can't imagine why," she said looking off to the side. "I just needed to clear my head."

"And talking with a dead priestess and subordinate of Naraku was the best way to do that?" he questioned. He could smell Kikyo and Kohaku's scents on Shiori.

"Why must you be such a dog?" she asked. She was little annoyed by his "intrusion".

"Why must you be so rash?" he shot back.

She sighed, "Look, I didn't come back here to argue with you, Lord Sesshomaru."

"Then why did you come back?"

"Because I want to be with you," she said softly.

Sesshomaru turned around and looked at her sideways. Shiori blinked, unsure of why she was receiving such a strange look. Her eyes widened when she realized the innocence of her statement.

"With all of you," she said, adding on to her thought.

His expression didn't change, if anything, it intensified. Shiori shyly looked at the demon lord before turning away. What had she just done? Did she just indirectly confess her feelings to him? She peeped at him out of the corner of her eye—he was still staring at her! But his expression was slightly different this time. He looked more….at peace.

"I understand now," thought Sesshomaru. "Suddenly, everything makes sense, why didn't I see it before."

"Uh, My Lord? Did Toutousai reform Tenseiga into a weapon for you?" she asked. She was hoping to divert the attention away from herself.

Sesshomaru glanced down at his sword, "Tenseiga's transformation is finished."

"So then, you can use it as a weapon?" she asked. "How interesting. Have you tried it out yet?"

He nodded once, "yes, but I must learn more about its power. Father never told me about this side of Tenseiga before. I've never seen him use this ability."

"What kind of ability is it?" she curiously asked. She moved in close and looked at it as well.

Sesshomaru withdrew his sword from his sheath and walked to tree. He held out his blade and swiftly swung at the tree. When he was finished, he slid the sword back in its sheath and turned back to Shiori. Suddenly the tree was split in half as part of it was sucked up into a crescent shaped hole. Shiori calmly watched the entire scene. Sesshomaru didn't know what to make of her calm demeanor. He thought she'd have more of a reaction. The crescent hole closed up, leaving nothing behind but a battered tree behind.

"Such dark demonic power" she said. "The only time I've ever felt anything like that….was in the Netherworld."

"This technique is called the meido zangetshua," he explained. "It has the ability to send a foe directly into Hell itself."

She didn't speak for a long time. She just kept staring at the battered tree.

"Why won't she speak? Is she weary of the attack?" He thought. "Or does she approve of it?"

"You said something about learning more about this technique?" she asked. "How do you plan to do that?"

"I'm going to find someone with clarification," he said.

"Who?"

"My Mother of course," he said bleakly.

"Your mother is still alive?" she said with shock.

He glared at her, "yes, why wouldn't she be?"

"Because….you never talk about her," she said avoiding his glaze. "The entire 50 years that we've known each other, not once have you brought her up in conversation."

"Yes….for good reason," he said coolly. "But before I track her down, I need to find Moryomaru. He and I have a score to settle."

He turned to walk back towards Rin and Jaken.

"Shiori," called Sesshomaru over his shoulder.

"Yes, My Lord?" she asked.

"Your hair is tied up. Did you do that because you were mad at me?" Sesshomaru inquired.

Shiori turned a slight shade of red and folded her arms.

"My decisions on styling my hair have nothing to do with you," she defiantly said.

"Yes, everything is finally clear," he thought as he left her. He had a peaceful expression on his face.

Shiori was grateful that Sesshomaru wasn't angry with her anymore. But there was no guarantee that she wouldn't do something crazy and rash. With the final battle on the horizon, it seemed that everyone was cracking under pressure—she included.

She thought over all of the events from the following day. She thought about her meeting with Kikyo, and the topics they discussed. Shiori could only hope that Kikyo didn't try anything dangerous. She thought about Sesshomaru and the harboring feelings she had for him. She even thought about Kagura and how she was unable to prevent her death.

"I'm not too fond of Lord Sesshomaru's new attack," she thought. "But maybe it'll be powerful enough to stop Naraku….and no one else will have to die. Then, when this battle is finally over….when Naraku's finally dead…..maybe I'll confess to him my true feelings. Maybe, I'll finally be strong enough to muster up that strength."