Konishiwa!! Here is another chapter, I think this is the fastest update I have been able to do...vacations do make a difference. I want to thank those who left their reviews, I'm eternally grateful. I have been meaning to ask something, and I always seem to forget. My first chapters were longer, but to me, I believe that some people may get tired of reading such long chapters, so now J make them shorter. How do you readers like them? Short chapters or longer ones?

My thanks to my beta reader, Chezka, who is enjoy the story as much as I do.

DisClaImer: The same as the last eight I have written, I-don't-own-Inu-Yasha!!

When the Past is the Future…

Chapter 9

Losing Hope..in the Sixth Day

Another hell of a day had come and the battle was being lost. Sora had escaped barely alive with Kirara to help him, and now both, along with the Great Inu no Taisho and Midoriko were on the edge, using the last of their energy to remain alive. They wouldn't be able to escape, they knew that much. The demons wouldn't allow them a chance; they were hungry for the Jewel.

Midoriko had raised a protective barrier around her. She was so weak at that moment that her sword was touching the floor, she didn't have time to muster any strength to lift it nor the motivation.

She was losing. She had failed to herself and to Kagome. Her death was near. Since she took the Jewel, a new feeling settled in her heart; it stung her, but at the same time, it released a relaxing wave. She was confused, and realized she would have liked to ask Kagome about this strange feeling.

Demons approached her barrier while she looked at them uninterested. Her brown eyes looked dull and tired; they could hardly focus on anything. Inu no Taisho's howl drew her attention and she blurrily saw many demons flying away from him. She also saw as he breathed heavily and his shoulders fell.

A demon crashed onto her barrier. Feeling shockingly surprised, she used the energy of it and the demon exploded in thousands of pieces. She scowled in anger, she didn't need to be wasting her energy.

"Lord Inu no Taisho" she called tiredly, her legs suggesting her to kneel down but refusing their request. She saw as he turned and killed the demons between them as he walked towards her. He was tired, but she also knew that he was not weakened yet, he could keep up nicely for another while. When he stopped in front of her, she locked her eyes with his, pouring strength in her eyes because she felt ashamed of her weakness. "We need to retreat" she told him but quickly diverted her gaze in anger.

"We can't" he told her, as in a-matter-of-fact-way. "If we don't hold, there's no other chance to live" he stated. She frowned in annoyance, she was too tired to think, to battle, even to sleep. Right now, death was beginning to turn alluring to her tired heart and muscles.

"My Lord, I'm hardly on my feet, and I can't possibly continue on fighting, I know you have much faith in my abilities, but I must doubt your judgment this time" she told him in a tone full of anger. But he didn't put much attention to it, he knew that she was not angry at him, but at the situation they were facing. It was not easy for her, she was human after all, her life was fragile. Furthermore, she had the Jewel with her and he knew she worried about the item.

"I will not let you die" he said, his voice strong and assured, and she couldn't help but feel that perhaps he was right, they still had a chance. He had never done anything that had brought harm to her. She felt sorry, guilty for her previous overreaction and poor treatment towards him.

With a last Wind Scar, he finished the last demons attempting to get Midoriko. He turned to Midoriko, his young face drenched in sweat and the wide line on the right side of his face was slowly returning to its natural blue color. He smiled, and that smile was full of happiness. She recognized it as one of those he used to show when he was glad of his achievements, when he was proud of himself.

"My Lord, please forgive my imprudence and my loss of faith... It's just that…"

"Midoriko, stop it. I know, don't worry about it" he told her with his smile still intact. She found herself smiling as well, with that sheepish grin displaying on her face without permission so many times. She let her knees drop rested in the grass. She closed her eyes in bliss as the cold night refreshed her muscles and the sounds of insects returned after so many days of battle.

Midoriko gasped as she was suddenly taken in Inu no Taisho's arms. Her cheeks were heating with a blush and her voice left her as she connected with his pleased golden eyes. She understood his intentions when he began to walk to the Exterminator's Village. However, she couldn't stop her blush or the feeling of warmth that began to invade her heart, neither the ache that began to settle as well. Things were like this, there was no other way. That was her second sutra, her second spell that she told herself many times to save her sanity and happiness. I cannot have him.

Midoriko looked into his eyes, and his eyes carried her to the past; the day when he appeared before her and nursed her injuries. She recalled the fright his presence had caused her. Her master had told her that demons were always brutal and terrible, seeking nothing but to cause pain. They were enemies of God, and it was her duty as a miko, a being that had been blessed with holy powers to destroy them all.

She was thankful of him, of this Dog demon. If he had not entered her life, if he had not saved her... she would have grown with an illogical view of life. She would have committed so many mistakes, she would have been cursed with the flames of eternal Hell. God loved them all, for he gave life to all living things. She was no one to take those lives.

She also was thankful for him, for showing her so much about life. She had grown by staying with him, escaping her miko village. He had showed mercy, tolerance, trust and even more, what is love.

He showed her the love of a father, a friend, even when he was not aware of it. He showed her what was to love a man, because, those were his feelings for her. She loved him as a woman, not as a daughter. But, she understood completely that there would never be more. He was committed to a good woman, a woman that was deserving of his love. His mate was an eternal woman, unlike her, each second taking part of her life and drawing her nearer to death, because humans die. Even mikos.

His claws dug unconsciously in her flesh and she whined involuntarily. He gave her an apologetic look, and began to run as fast as he could away from the village. She grasped the gem of his shirt in confusion and worry, until her aura resounded with demon auras nearing. Strangely, she just felt five auras, but two of them were particularly strong. She let out a shrill of fear as she felt the demons coming faster and faster, she didn't want to fight anymore.

She saw two white furry silhouettes running in their side and she instantly recognized them to be Naraku's puppets, the wicked ones that refused to die. She closed her eyes tightly, hoping that Inu no Taisho could out run them, but she had been wrong. Inu no Taisho suddenly stopped, and she felt the vibrations in his body after he kicked one of the puppets. A second one collided with Inu no Taisho's side making them both fall to the ground. Inu no Taisho turned in the last second and took the impact of the fall, somehow, his grip on her faltered and she fell away from him.

Everything happened so fast that she was feeling a little lost. She opened her eyes to check her surroundings, only to face the horrible truth. Two puppets ready to provide mortal damage to her Lord and a strangled scream left her as her eyes drowned in tears. Only to be worsened as she watched as two more puppets were nearing Inu no Taisho, glowing with magical powers, and last, but not least, she saw as another one turned to face her and smirked. She closed her eyes at the terrible pain that came to her heart. Deciding to face death, she opened them again.

Colors passed her at great speed and her mouth hung open for some seconds as her mind tried to find what had just happened. The puppets had been blown away and women were helping Inu no Taisho to his feet.

She stared at the women, six of them. They were all beautiful, few were the occasions where she had seen these females. They had a tendency to remain hidden, fearing demons, not the fear of death, for stories told they were eternal. Nevertheless, they feared the possibility of a demon taking them as mates by force, the only thing that drained their lives was the resulting unhappiness of it.

"Inu no Taisho-sama" called one with long blue hair and black eyes. She had his hand in hers and she was pulling him to his feet softly. "Our master sent us to aid you in your mission" said another one with brown hair as she placed herself under his left arm and slowly she began to stand pushing him to stand as well. Inu no Taisho eyed the females in distrust for some moments until their scent did not betray their words, only then he let his guard relax a little and his ears pay attention.

The following three had their weapons in their hands and their senses alert. Another one, with snowy white hair, shorter than the rest bowed in front of him, her curly short hair falling to her shoulders. "Inu no Taisho, I send this nymphs to aid you. Their main trait is not to fight, but they will serve you well and they are to follow your command. Do not doubt my reasons, for I am not your enemy. Since the demons appeared in my lands, our world has been cracking; their energy is not parallel to ours. We need to take care of the trespassers, and who else better as an ally to us than you, the future Lord of these Lands, we just hope that you allow us to live in your domains peacefully, with my best wishes, Daphne."

Inu no Taisho repeated the message in his mind, and he felt a weight leave his back. They would be able to help. He considered each one of the nymphs, they were certainly beautiful, and now he understood the quest that some demons took to find them, they were worth it.

More demons began to soar the skies, and Inu no Taisho growled in frustration. It was clear that their enemy was trying to tire them, but now, they would have a hard time. The nymphs turned to him awaiting their orders. He exchanged a look with Midoriko, and sent the nymphs to stop the demons from approaching, to allow them some minutes of rest. The six young women bowed their heads in response, dashed forward and engaged in battle.

They watched as the nymphs battled and then came to a realization. The one who said that nymphs were weak was undoubtedly blind. They were deadly, and they slay without hesitation. Their movements were sharp and disciplined, their coordination had no flaws and their attacks were far more than accurate. They were perfect, but that came when one decided to protect something precious, and without the peace of their forest, they were bound to have a difficult life.

He was eternally grateful for the Forest Lady, she had given them the ace to win. He definitely wanted to be in good terms with her. He found pleasure as he watched the demons squirm in fear and flee, and he also felt his heart beat faster in anticipation. He will kill the half demon that provoked so many suffering in his new daughter.

Sesshomaru finally reached his destination. At last, he managed to go through the thick forest that served as a natural fortress, and now he wondered why it had not occurred to him to do it flying in his cloud. There was no denying that he had been deep in his own thoughts.

His father's castle was a sight that brought peace to him and comfort as he thought about his chamber. How he missed it, his father had exhausted him so. He longed for that peace and comfort; not as much as going on his own journeys, but he had no other choice than to take what was available.

The familiar scent of the walls, the floors and the occupants welcomed him to the castle and his person relaxed at last. He walked the unchanging, cautiously decorated hallway to his chamber, when a flash of white and pale yellow glued him in a tight embrace. He noticed the scent of said being, and that was one of the scents that made him relax no matter what mood he was in.

"Welcome back, brother Sesshomaru!!" a child's voice peered in the hallway with sincere excitement. He locked his eyes in the long silvery hair before ruffling the child's hair until an angry whine was heard. He didn't contain himself and he let a chuckle permeate the hallway. Golden eyes rose to meet Sesshomaru's, and then two eyebrows brought together made him chuckle more.

"Brother, you are chuckling" admonished the small child wrapping two arms in front of her chest. "And is you who tell me to hide my emotions?" a pout marring the young face. Suddenly, the pout was forgotten and two eyes widened as the child sniffed the air. A scream left the child's mouth and another squeeze was given to Sesshomaru's leg. He raised an eyebrow, taking notice of the now more developed senses of the child.

"That scent, you brought something for me, you brought someone to play with me!!" the child chirped. Sesshomaru suddenly became serious and thoughtful. He did nothing as the child pulled on his tail to see what he carried, and a scream of happiness invaded the surroundings followed by a frightened cry from Kagome. He closed one of his eyes in pain and gave a stern look to his sibling in admonishment.

Another presence approached from his back and Sesshomaru stilled his movements. "Momo, behave in front of your brother" said the voice of a young woman with a sweet, but at the same time commanding voice. She had long, light blonde hair that flowed in beautiful curls adorning her pink eyes. She was wearing an Asian shirt that ended at her hips, tied around her waist with a yellow obi that had been doubled in half with white silk pants and pink shoes

"Yes, mother" the little overly excited girl beamed at her mother, but instantly turned to the human baby and silently begged Sesshomaru to allow her to carry the baby. Sesshomaru gave in to the silent plea and handed Kagome to his little sister. She hushed the baby trying to stop her from crying, and magically, it worked. Kagome stopped crying and stared unblinkingly at the young girl's face, as if utterly confused and awed.

"Lady Sephira" he said acknowledging the presence of his father's partner with a bow of his head. "Sesshomaru" she responded, although she used no superlatives with his name, she always used such veneration and respect when she addressed him. He had long since tried to find faults in her, she was a good woman, she had given him a sister, something he had been grateful for seventy decades now. Today, he had someone to care for, and he had someone who admired him. He was glad.

"It seems that late mission has been fueled with negative situations" she commented serenely and Sesshomaru nodded. A sigh escaped her lips and she let her pink eyes wander to the baby in her daughter's arms. "A human girl?" she smiled knowingly, "that is so like your father. Please tell me what has happened after you refresh yourself, I'll be waiting in your Father's study" she said with a worried tone and with a small, almost imperceptible bow of her head.

"I will arrive shortly" he said calmly and walked away down the hallway, after ruffling his sister hair as she passed and he smirked to himself as he heard her scowl in anger. Momo stared at her brother's back and quickly walked to her mother "How should we call her, Mom?" she asked curiously. Her mother blinked a few times in thought when a voice rushed from the end of the hall.

"Her name is…Kagome"

"Mom" Momo said as she turned to her mother while holding Kagome under both of her arms and Kagome's foot dangled with every single movement Momo made. Sephira looked away from Kagome's wide confused blue eyes and looked at her daughter. "Did you notice that Brother was chuckling?" the little girl asked with confusion striking her face.

Sephira gazed at the direction that her partner's son had disappeared into and sighed. "Yes" she said tiredly but also with a strange smile on her lips. "Don't you think that such a thing is good for him?" she asked, Momo walking away from the hallway and into her chamber. Momo blinked and followed in her mother's steps. "Yes, I like it when Brother is happy" the little girl commented happily.

"Now, I wonder if she's here because of your Father or Sesshomaru?" asked Sephira more to herself than to her child "Why is she here? A miko…"

He felt all his muscles relax as he closed the door behind him. The scent of his person, so familiar that refreshed his being to no end. He dearly missed this place. This was one of the sole places where he felt that he truly belonged, that was his.

He pressed his back to the cold stone wall, lowered his head and hid beneath his silvery mane of hair. He felt miserable and confused, but even more, he felt ashamed. He felt ashamed when he saw her. That overly beautiful demoness, or better put, that overly beautiful nymph looked at him crossly with deception. He could not take the look on her rainbow eyes, that accusing stare.

He was a Demon Lord, she was no one to reprimand him. He will be the law in these lands in the future, how dare she? He shook his head one, two, three times; trying to be free from the strange feeling that was setting in his heart. He walked to the futon and let himself fall in the familiar and comfortable sheets.

He pressed his left hand to his eyes to hide them from the light. He remembered the strange aura that invaded the swamp and how his instincts immediately alerted him. He was surprised, he had to admit, when minutes later, a nymph appeared in the forest exit with Kagome in her arms. She had colorful eyes, staring reproachfully even when she was clearly younger than him. Her hair was amazingly long, and was shockingly white as snow. She was shorter than him, but equally imposing. He had never before seen a woman triggering his desires so quickly, and cutting them down with that same quickness.

"You are a cruel, merciless Lord. I am ashamed to serve under you". Those were the only words that left her mouth, the only ones she pronounced with such a glorious voice. She walked towards him, so slowly that he felt as if hours had passed until she finally reached him. He wondered if she had somehow spelled him to render him motionless as she approached. She gave Kagome to him, and slowly as before, she walked away from him.

He had been weak. He had taken Kagome again, and this time, he didn't feel like abandoning her. He hated to admit it, but he felt that leaving her had been wrong and that he was ashamed of his weakness.

Then he resolved to take her to the castle. Fate had taken its course against him, and he must deal with it, after all, he was the great Sesshomaru. With those thoughts washing over his tired self, he began to undress and prepare for a bath in the hot springs.

Kagura felt like a tornado would. She was dizzy and out of control. She was attacking everything in her path, demons fell at each side of her soaked in blood. She was bathed in it, much of it her own. She had been battling demons for a long time now and was beginning to feel tired, but Naraku wouldn't let her rest. He was certain that the mutiny had been her entire fault, and was now making her pay terribly.

Blood was falling to her eyes and she felt them itch. A strong impact in her left side sent her flying against the cave's wall and she felt her head hit hard against the solid rock. Her breath escaped her and a splash of blood smeared her and she feared that the impact may be lethal.

Her hands unconsciously opened and her fans fell to the floor. She looked at them numbly and saw that one of them broke with the fall. She then looked at her trembling pale hands and took a fast breath in realization of the pain that was invading her, until she felt as she once again was crashed against the wall. She spit blood and felt as her strength left her, then she fell to the floor.

She couldn't move, and she also remembered that the surroundings were suddenly cold. The red pinkish eyes could no longer focus on anything; her whole body had been numbed by the pain. As her eyes closed in exhaustion, she remembered seeing Hanna. She was never friends with the pale demoness, but she missed her. Now that she could no longer see her, she knew she had really cared for her in her own strange way.

She had been right. Her only freedom had been in the hands of the Goddess of Death. She was abandoned in the hands of a merciless half demon that had kept his word when he said that he was going to destroy her. She was glad she could escape him, even if that meant her death. She was, for the first time, pleased with her fate.

Unno watched as one of the demons that was loyal to his father crushed the Wind Sorceress against the cave and how a disgusting gush of blood exploded from her. He felt his heart turn cold in desperation. He wanted the Wind Sorceress, he didn't want for her death. He began to expand his powers, making snow fall in the cave to turn in chill as a warning for the demon.

However, it was draining him, and he needed as much power as he could now that he was fighting the half demon Naraku. He maintained his power as he tried hard to concentrate in the battle. Naraku turned to be more apt that he had believed him to be, but even so, a pure demon was always stronger, a demon like him.

He sent a jolt of magic toward Naraku, but he raised a barrier and the magic dispersed without any damage to the half demon. He scowled in anger and was surprised to be hit by one of Naraku's tentacles causing an opening in his abdomen. He felt as the tentacle almost pierced him, but luckily, he escaped without further harm.

The tiger demon dodged a handful of attacks and jumped a safe distance away with his left hand in his abdomen, the pain stinging as clearly as there is day and night.

He turned to the Wind Sorceress and he watched as the demon that had been attacking her was now kneeled in front of her inspecting her wounds. Now he was certain that the demon had obeyed his order and that he was from now on going to protect her.

Unno took both of his daggers from his pocket and pressed each hilt together, then they began to shine impressively. He smirked as he felt the energy the daggers were releasing and the strength they emitted.

He took a deep breath and exhaled as he pushed himself forward as quick as his legs could take him. He saw as Naraku tensed in advance and he felt satisfaction at the sight. He slashed the dagger in his right hand against Naraku but missed by mere inches. Immediately, he turned to kick the half demon that had been expecting an attack as such and managed to evade the tiger's kick and jumped away. Unno growled in annoyance and followed quickly and threw the dagger in his left hand at the half demon that let out a chuckle and put on a barrier.

When the dagger approached Naraku, it passed the barrier as if it never existed, and the half demon had to maneuver carefully and as fast as his demonic speed could make him move to avoid it, to be against a real Unno that pierced the flesh on his shoulder with the second dagger.

Naraku screamed in pain and took Unno by the neck, starting to let go of his miasma. Unno knowingly kicked his way out and spelled the dagger in Naraku's shoulder. As he jumped away, he watched as Naraku tried to take the dagger out of his shoulder, but only succeeded to make the dagger dig even deeper.

Naraku watched full of hatred as the tiger demon once again charged against him, and he prepared his magic to overthrow him. However, when he was willing to send his attack, a sharp pain in his back took his concentration away. He turned and recognized the pain coming from the second dagger that the demon possessed. He couldn't contain the anger he felt at the moment. He was clearly in disadvantage and Kagura had been beaten down.

Harsh movements in his exposed front made Naraku turn his attention to Unno, who was invading his person. Without thinking it twice, he threw a punch to the demon and sent him flying away. He smirked as the demon hit hard on the floor, and for an instant, the world seemed to change and fate seemed to be at his side.

Naraku expanded his senses when a disturbing silence invaded the cave. He turned to his surroundings to see the herd of demons watching him in amusement. He exchanged looks with them, but he couldn't manipulate them for much long. Their number was far superior, and he was beginning to feel tired.

A chuckle from afar made Naraku twitch his eyes in anger. He stared at the tiger demon's form as he stood and turned to him. Unno slowly cleaned a trail of blood that was falling from his lip and smirked, completely sure of his victory. Naraku's hatred for the demon grew a million when he saw that face, his aura becoming violent.

"Surrender Naraku, you have lost" said Unno with confidence. Naraku narrowed his eyes and studied his situation.

"I'm have not lost, fool" said Naraku harshly and Unno once again chuckled. Naraku searched with suspicion in the tiger demon, and he was pained to see the object of Unno's happiness. In his right hand rested Kagura's orb.

Naraku's aura exploded in anger and miasma began to pour from every cell of his being. His eyes turned bloody red and the demons began to howl in pain as the poisonous gas burned their skin. Unno registered the events and ran to aid the unconscious Wind Sorceress when Naraku took him by surprise and crashed him against the cave's upper walls.

He felt the as bones cracked from the impact and as pain settled in every nerve of his. Shocked, he did nothing as he fell to the floor once again, still with the orb held tight between his fingers.

The Sorceress Heart. He had it in his hands, the heart he wanted to possess.

Another impact woke him from his musings and he felt himself hit the floor hard. He felt his chin exploding in pain and was numbed the second after. Out of terror, he stood immediately and was greeted with bloody red eyes. He began to cough as the gas began to invade his lungs and now he began to feel the itch that was settling in his eyes.

Naraku's sick laughter brought his attention to full sense and he felt his strength return. He was going to save the Wind Sorceress and himself. He could not be defeated by a sick, power-craving half demon.

He took the orb resting in his hand inside the pocket beneath his shirt and over his heart and prepared to fight. This was going to be the battle of his life.

To be Continue...

JeniNeji's Note:

Hope you all enjoyed it. Chapter ten is on it's way. The way I myself see this story, it has three parts, of ten chapter each one. This is the first one, that will end with chapter 10, is like..Journey to the Past, then, the next two parts will come. I think it will be best to keep the chapters here, I wont divide them. I guess is easier that way. I feel happy, this is my first fanfic, and people have liked it, it makes me feel pleased with myself. Thank you.

Merry Christmas!