Hi Hi

I am really really sorry but I always seem to have tech problems with this story ^.^ I was so going to have this out for you sooner but the powers that conspire against me have caused a delay. ::weeps it always my fault I never save when I get going and the power went out so suddenly I went from having seventeen pages to having six pages. U.u I know I know save early save often this happens to me a lot and the terrible thing is it always happens to this story. So I did something that I usually don't do this chapter was written in two different sittings. Hehe I tried to write after the loss but it just wasn't happening. So I had to stew for like a week before I even sat down to write more. But when I did you ended up with this wonderful chapter hope it doesn't disappoint you. Heheh so sorry and thanks for putting put with me I love you guys.

Don't down InuYasha

Update 2/17/10 don't own the poem haha It was something I read a long time ago and remembered while I was editing this chapter. The author is given credit if you want to check it out.

Taken away

And he stepped down and laid his hand
on a man who came from another land.
And we breathed again, for anothers grief
at the hangmans hand, was our relief.

And the gallows frame on the courthouse lawn
by tomorrow's sun would be struck and gone.
So we gave him way and no one spoke
out of respect for his hangmans cloak.

Maurice Ogdan

~*~*~* the outskirts of Obin~*~*~

The ominous smell of death hung thick in the air biting at his senses. Yasha stood on the outskirts of the small village trying to get control his blood that was raging in his body demanding he take action. The tension hanging in the air pulled at him setting his nerves on edge. He needed to calm himself, if he was be of any use here. He had learned long ago that rushing in headlong was hazardous and most often got him into more trouble than it was worth. Even knowing this didn't stop the urge, it was still there pressing on him. This was one of the main reasons he waited. When he was riled like this, he made mistakes and though he often landed on his feet it was a chance he wasn't ready to take, at least not when more people than just him would pay for his stupidity. Looking out at the vast expanse of rolling hills that was so different from the sparse trees at his back, he considered waiting for Miroku and the others but thought better of it. Approaching cautiously, his senses were attuned to the hectic noise spreading from the heart of the village. Their cries would not allow him to wait any longer. Slipping into the side of the village between two huts, he expected more people to be milling about, but it was obvious that a majority of them were gathered at the square.

Ducking into a little alcove between two of the buildings where he knew that he was sheltered from all the eyes that watched him. He was slipping out of his cloak turning it inside out before drawning the heavy material with the crimson lining facing out. Now swathed in the color of the Shinkushikyou, he made his way toward the noise.

~*~*~*~ Jinenjis house ~*~*~*

Kagome frowned looking at the ceiling. She was tired but she refused to sleep. Yasha had said that he would make it to Obin within two hours. That time was almost up and she hoped that he was alright. She hated sitting here but she knew very well that she couldn't have gone along not in the condition that she was in now. Where even the walk to the door had been taxing, no she wouldn't have made it very far and her presence would have only been a hindrance to them. 'Not always' she swore silently. She would learn how to take care of herself. She would not be as Yasha had once put it, an unavoidable circumstance. Someone was talking to her. 'How long have they been talking' she wondered before giving her full attention to the girl at her side.

"What has happened to you? That you're health can wan so quickly?"

"It is not waning it is getting better Jineniji has been fixing my ankle" looking up at the man that she spoke of. Jinenji was just sitting there watching them silently like being in their presence made him uncomfortable. Watching she saw the little girl reach out clasping one of his hands. He looked surprised but made no attempt to pull away.

"Then I must thank you." Smiling, Kira looked up at the man who was gazing at her. "I must also thank you for what you did for my mother it worked very well. but I don't know.. I don't even know if she's safe right now." Her small voice wavered in a tell tale sign that the girl was on the verge of tears.

Jinenji looked at the girl that was holding his hands. It was odd having someone treat him like this. There were still traces of fear in her bright eyes but that was overshadowed by the appreciation he saw there. He reached out his other hand, placing it on her shoulder. "Do not worry. They will take care of it as best they can." His voice was calm. The large man hardly ever spoke maybe that was why his words had such a soothing effect.

~*~*~*~ Obin ~*~*~*

The square was filled with people it looked like the entire town was crowed into the little space for all he knew they very well could be. Standing on the fringe of the crowd the sight before him made his stomach churn. Rising out of the middle of the crowd on a large wooden platform ten bodies were hanging lifelessly from a rickety looking pulpit. The most disturbing thing about it was that one of the men was skinned, his frame nothing more than meat and sinew dangling on a thin rope. Shaking his head he brought his hand up to check and see if the hood was firmly in place while his eyes scanned the crowd. Twelve men he thought, looking at the soldiers that stood out like sore thumbs among the masses. No wait, make that fifteen. 'Shit' surveying the soldiers for the man in charge. When he failed to find him his lips curled down in a frown. 'Cowardly bastards.' This made things more difficult. There was a cry as he watched another person being pulled from the crowd a rope placed around their neck.

"Treason against the great and honorable Emperor Naraku is punishable by death." One of the soldiers said as they drug the man from the crowd on to the platform. He needed to act now but the problem was he didn't know where their commanding officer was. That was dangerous, wherever the officer was he was sure that the swine wouldn't be alone. He would be surrounded by men. He had never been to Obin before searching the crowd for any face that might be vagley familiar from any of the meetings. Finding none, he let lose a low string of profanity. He was alone at least till the others arrived. Weaving through the distraught mass he made his way closer to the platform as his hand closed around the hilt of his sword. There were six men around the bottom of the platform and another four on top of it as well as men station throughout the crowd. It would be smarter if he could get the men that were in the crowd first. They were spread out and he would be able to take them out one by one, but there was no time for that. Stepping forward away from the safe ring of people he stood in defiance knowing that it would attract the soldier's attention. One of the soldiers turned in his direction trying to intimidate him with a glare.

"Hey you step away." The soldier nudged the guard next to him before nodding his head in Yasha's direction.

Yasha could almost smile as the two stupid men made their way toward him obviously over confidant. 'That's it just a little closer'

"Did you hear? Join the rest of the scum unless you want to be strung up there." He said in a harsh voice that usually made people cringe. The person did nothing. The man, at least he thought it was a man, just stood like he hadn't heard a thing he said.

Yasha watched as a third man, this one a little bigger than the other two looked in his direction before making his way over. The murmurs started in the crowd behind him whispered warnings to step away. Glancing over his shoulder he was met by the worried faces of the town's people. Men and women huddled in fear. Their eyes pleading that he step back and join them that he save himself rather than the man on the pulpit. They were selfish. Or maybe they didn't understand it could just as easily be them up there.

"Damn it, you little brat!" There was the sound of flesh meeting flesh causing him to turn his attention back to the platform. There was a soldier standing over someone he couldn't see though from his words he surmised that it was a kid. There wasn't time to investigate further as the one of soldiers next to him chose that moment to speak.

The largest of the three soldiers looked at the man standing before them. The fool that didn't have the common sense to huddle among the safety of the masses, and he was going to enjoy teaching the man just what an idiot he was. "I said did you hear me?"

The harshness in his voice grabbed Yasha's attention making him swing back to the man in front of him. The soldiers hand was drawn back prepared to strike him. Yasha looked at the man out from beneath the shadows of his hood unable to keep the smile from slipping across his face. The man had moved close enough to be within reach, with this in mind his hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. In one fluid motion he pulled the blade from its sheath drawing it back in one smooth motion across the man's face. The soldier stood there a few seconds. His face frozen in the same expression as his hand slowly made its way to his cheek touching the slash that had started to ooze blood. Almost like he couldn't believe his sense of touch his hand drew back and he looked at the slick red liquid coating his fingers. Slowly he began to sink to his knees before falling to the ground, his blood pooling around him as the cut became a gaping wound of parted flesh. The other soldiers around him were watching in shock as the members of the crowd had started backing away from scene taking place in front of them.

There was a shout from the men on the platform and a fury of movement as people rushed toward him. Movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention and he knew that someone new had joined the fight. The soldiers who had gathered around him didn't give him the chance to turn and look at the newest addition to the fight. With the sound of steal ringing in his ears he hoped they could take care of themselves.

It was the sound of gagging that reminded him of how precious his time was. With two moves he took out the man closet to him using his momentary reprieve to take the dagger from the back of his belt. Turning in the direction of the pulpit he could see the people still stationed upon it, not sparing them time he focused his attention on the rope that had been pulled taught under the weight of the falling body. Narrowing his eyes he made sure of his aim there would only be this one chance. Flicking his wrist the hilt of the dagger left his hand spiraling toward its target. He didn't get to see if the blade reached its destination as another person was bearing down on him their sword drawn. Pivoting he side stepped the advance, swinging the shaft of his sword catching the man in the side.

Turning he looked for his next opening, seeing the men on the stage had joined him on the ground. Gritting his teeth his hands tightened as he rushed forward to tell the truth he was somewhat disappointed. For imperial soldiers they hadn't put up that much of a challenge. Pulling his body up out of the crouched position he ascended the steps taking him up to the top of the platform, looking once at the lifeless bodies he had left littered on the ground. Much to his relief the dagger had hit its mark and the man was now sitting on the ground his hands drawn to his neck while as the sound of ragged breathing filled the air.

Glancing over his shoulder at the sound of someone approaching he saw a young man with sandy brown hair standing there. He was medium in stature but had a presence that demanded respect. The mans clear brown eyes looked at Yasha for a few seconds before turning to look at the man that was struggling to catch his breath. With that he took long strides closing the distance and kneeling next to the coughing man.

Yasha turned away from them to be met with the sound of weeping looking down at the cause he saw a child. A small boy was huddled on the platform his hands reaching out to the skinned carcass. 'A child' the voice of the soldier yelling Damn you little brat came back to him. 'A Youkai his mind said taking in the child's features at that obviously marked him as inhuman. None the less he was still a child and the fact that the soldiers had dragged a kid into this angered him more and he wished for a brief second that they had suffered more before they died. It was a cruel thought and he knew it, but the sight of the weeping child haunted him. Looking at the second person the child was looking at, Yasha saw that it was a woman. She had the same red hair as the child. Studying her, he knew that she was also a Youkai. Her ears were delicately pointed and her hands were tipped in semi sharp claws. The boy had grabbed the material of her dress pulling on it like he could pull her down to him.

Flicking his sword to rid the blade of blood he sheathed it before closing the distance to the child stopping he knelt down placing his hand on the boys trembling shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" the child yelled his voice high pitched, but he did still not turn away from the woman to whom he was clutching. It was obvious the skinned man and the woman were his parents. Being this close he could smell the exposed flesh that had already began to rot.

The small boy knew he should be grateful to the man that had just saved his life. He knew if it had not been for the man, then he would be dead. Not that it mattered, how was he going to live now? Burying his face in the skirts of his mother he took a deep breath. The smell of flowers still clung lightly to the material though it was now mingled with the scent of blood that hung in the air. Closing his eyes he tried to stop the tears that were cascading down his checks. His hands tightening in the soft material of his mother's dress he wanted to block it all from his mind, but even with his eyes closed the vision of his parents was still there burned into the back of his mind. There was blood on his clothes, his father's blood. Sinking to his knees he heard the man behind him moving again. He should thank him. He was now in the mans debt, opening his mouth nothing but a choked sob escaped his constricted throat. His heart hurt not allowing anything out. His hands tightened on the fabric clenched there. As he bowed his head aqua eyes opening to look at the blood stained planks of the platform beneath him. "Cut them down."

~*~*~*~*~* Kien Naraku's Palace ~*~*~*~

The stoic man looked at the scrolls that sat strewn on the table in front of him it was no use he had looked over these papers countless time and they never said anything different turning he looked at his servant that was reading another book.

"We must leave." This captured the little mans attention and he looked up his master who was standing there was a stone like expression still plastered on his face.

"Leave but what if we have missed something here?" he said motioning to the mounds of books and scrolls heaped in on the table in the center of the room. Looking at Sesshomaru, he knew the man had no intention of speaking further. "But what."

He hated the expression on the little man that was standing in front of him. Could he be so blind? "The wind witch has left the palace. We must leave it also." He thought of the crimson eyed woman he had seen in the halls of the place a little over a week ago. He had only seen her once or twice in all the time he had been at the palace but he knew of her power. Everyone that lived within the palace walls knew to fear her wrath.

Jaken was confused now. His master wanted to leave because Kagura was no longer here? It didn't any sense to him. Why would they leave just because that woman was no longer in the palace?

"The information within the palace walls has been exhausted and we must leave. Beside that, something is going on and I want to know what it is." Looking at his little servant he could tell he was clueless by the blank expression on his face.

He knew if his master said something was going on, then something was indeed happening. But he couldn't think of just what it might be. Did it have something to do with the information they were gathering for their lord? And what did it have to do with that woman? Further still he knew his lord had been meeting with someone else soldiers had come into the room several times since he had been appointed his new master but he was never allowed to stay when they came. Drawing up blank, he tilted his head to the side hoping that his master would enlighten him to the situation.

Still the same vacant stare greeted him. "How often does he let that woman out of the palace?"

"I have only heard of her leaving the place once, although his grace didn't exactly let her go. The woman was foolish enough to think she didn't need Naraku's permission to leave and she was dragged back and punished."

"Exactly, and now she leaves the place through the main gates and no one has been sent to bring her back." Stalking to the large windows Sesshomaru looked out at the expanses of the courtyard and the large gates that loomed beyond. The emperor had told him once himself that he was never to trust the wind witch. So what had happened that the Emperor was willing to send her out now?

*~*~*~* Obin ~*~*~*

Silence, the town was shrouded in silence. The eeriness of it hung in the air covering the small group as they made their way cautiously through the disserted streets. Only the sound of their own breathing and soft tread of their footsteps was reaching their ears.

Miroku hated it. He hated the silence glancing over his shoulder. To see Sango, he could tell that the situation had put her at unease as well. He that silence was dangerous he would have rather walked into a screaming mass than the silence.

Sango looked at the worn walls of the city. She didn't like the feeling that hung in the air the silence was stifling. She had learned long ago that silence was not a good thing looking around at the other members of the group she could tell that it was having the same effect on them. Miroku's back was tense as he walked in front of her. Even Hojo, with the least experience, appeared to be uncomfortable in their surrounding or maybe it was just that he was observant and saw that the rest of them were edgy.

Her eyes darting back and forth while her ears strained to pick up any sound. Was it a tarp, had everything just been a set up? A frown creasing her features, she wished she could hear something, hear anything. Quickening her pace, she caught up with Miroku who turned his head to look at her. His blue eyes were looking at her but he didn't speak. The atmosphere was too fragile; any spoken word would no doubt give away their position. Nodding he made a forward motion with his hand.

"What are you doing?" the yell broke the silence and with it came the sound of more shouts. It was coming from the center of the town and that didn't bode well.

__________-

Yasha stood on the pulpit with a frown on his face. Looking at the weeping child he turned back to look at the crowd that had fallen into a hush. Turning his attention to the child once more his frown deepened.

"Cut them down." His voice came out barely above a whisper, breath coming in ragged gasps as he fought to regain control over his raging emotions. Bowing his head he felt his fiery bangs brush against material of his mothers dress. His hands biting into his palm he let his eyes look down at the wooden planks. He could hear the man behind him moving. He knew he should be grateful the man had saved his life. If the man hadn't been there, he knew he would have been dead. Was he really thankful did he really want to go on without them what was he going to do now? The thought occurred to him yet again, filling him with sorrow. His heart ached. No, that wasn't the word for it. He felt hallow, in his chest where his heart had been was nothing but an aching void that would never be filled except for maybe with his own pain.

Yasha looked at the small boy huddled in the stage his face buried in his mother skirts turning he drew his sword raising his hand. That's when the shout sounded from the crowd. What are you doing? Like that cry had been a herald the rest of the crowd grew bold. Or more like their petty fear made them bold.

"Leave them up there your only causing more trouble."

"Yeah outsider, leave here you're not welcome here. This is none of your business. If you cut them down we're the ones that have to pay."

"If you must just cut down the humans and leave the filthy Youkai"

Halting his motions Yasha turned to look at the crowd. Frowning he stared out over the huddled mass.

Cattle, they were nothing more then cattle. It had sickened him when he had gotten here to see them just standing around just watching their own people drug up on stage one by one. But now what they were saying had him truly repulsed. His grip tightening on the hilt of his sword he looked at the small boy once more who had moved to his feet.

Miroku frowned looking at the scene in front of him. Yasha was standing on the pulpit raised out of the crowd. The stage was surrounded by an angry crowd that no doubt was only restrained because they had seen what Yasha did to the soldiers. Taking a step toward the stage, he halted when Yasha motioned for him to stay in where he was. Looking over at Sango, he saw that she paused too. Nodding he resigned himself to watching, ready to do help if it was needed.

Sango looked at the people standing around her out of the corner of her eye. Youkai the people were muttering about Youkai. So that was it. Some of the people up there had been Youkai. The people weren't happy that Yasha was treating them the same as he treated the humans. Didn't they understand that Youkai or not that the people up there were still diverging of a proper burial? Her hands tightening into fists at her side, she looked at the mass of people around her.

"We're not going to pay because you want to take pity on some animals."

'Animals' the words ran through the young boys mind chilling. Animals they thought his parents were animals. Steeling his resolve he tightened his hands into fists at his side, his semi sharp nails biting into his palms drawing blood. Tears were pouring down his cheeks brings the heels of his palms against his face he tried his best to wipe them away. What would his father say if he could see him now? Acting like a baby crying in front of all these people. He would be ashamed his father would be ashamed to see his son act this way. With that thought in mind, he managed to dry his tears for the moment at least and stood.

Frowning Yasha watched the child make his way to the edge of the pulpit. He had to admire the child who was trying his best to act like a grown up. After all he had been through today, he was doing a good job. Nodding, he tightened his grip again. His hands continued their upward motion severing the rope that held the lifeless body aloft in the air. With his action he heard the mass of people behind him go wild. Let them. It wasn't his problem. He was doing the right thing and they were just being selfish.

"Nothing more than a Youkai and his whore." The word bit at Yasha any sympathy he may have had for the crowd of people began to ebb away. He knew the words all too well. They brought back the pain and anger of a small child. A Youkai and his whore. People had said those words to his mother. Balling his hands into fists he could feel his nails bite into his palms.

'A lowly Youkai and his whore the words.' The words played themselves over and over again in his mind as he turned to look at the crowd, his turquoise eyes scanning the crowd trying to find the one that had spoken. His eyes hardened, anger steeling his resolve as he looked out at the crowd. Anger, the emotion seeped through his body banishing any rational thought that he might have. "That's my parents!" The words ripped from his throat in a strangled cry as his hands bit into his already abused palms. "My father was a good man and my mother was his wife. They were good people and you have no right to talk about them!" Pausing, he took a deep breath trying to regain composure. He didn't want to give them the satisfaction of knowing that they were getting to him.

Yasha looked from the angry child to the crowd once more. Some of them had the decency to look ashamed with what they had done. But it would have been foolish to think all of them felt that way as if on a queue, new cries rang out from the mass of people.

"They got what they disserved."

The boy was teetering on the edge his rage barley controlled. He looked like any second he would throw himself off the stage and into the angry crowd. Yasha had no doubt the child's anger would give him some strength and he would cause some damage before the crowd would be able to take him down. But that was just it, he was a child and Youkai or not, a crowd this size would take him down. He wasn't one to show emotion but the sight of the child standing there in the face of the angry mob pulled at him. If the sight before him wasn't enough to insight his compassion then he didn't know what would be. Though he was held at an impasse how was he supposed to handle this.

An image of Kagome flashed threw his mind and he briefly wondered what she would do in this situation. With that in mind he crossed the stage crouching behind the boy he wrapped his arms around his shoulders. Pulling the boys back against his chest he wasn't about to be shrugged off this time.

"And you'll get what you deserve.. When the soldiers come, you will all be punished. I hope that they slaughter you all."

Hands closed around his shoulders as he was pulled back. Squirming, he tried to move but he couldn't. Maybe that was partly because he didn't want to. His anger was draining away and he fought to pull it back but it was slipping away leaving him hallow and empty. Bowing his head, he could no longer look at the crowd as the sobs rose in his throat. He suddenly didn't care what he looked like as the tears poured down his cheeks. "Their gone.." the words left his mouth in a ragged cry "They took them away from.. me.." his throat closed trying to prevent him from talking and his words hurt. Turning he buried his face in the material of the mans shirt, his fists tightening as his nails dug further into his palms blood dripping down on to the wooden planks below. "They're gone." pausing he tired to catch his breath as it was coming in ragged sobs. "They killed them. they killed them and they made my mother watch." his words cut off as another sob rose to his throat.

Yasha heard the man that had helped him move to stand behind him. He knew that if it came to worse the man would throw himself into the fray to help. The thought comforted him. Raising his hand, he signaled for his companions to come forth.

Hojo looked at his friends as they started moving through the crowd toward the stage. The people had fallen into a hush once more, but the tension still hung in the air making him uneasy. He almost wished someone would say something, anything to break the mounting tension in the air. The only sound to hear was the child sobs.

Sango looked at the faces of the people as they made their way through the crowd. They were standing in hushed silence, eyes focused on the stage in front of them. Their faces somber masks like they had just realized that even though the boy was Youkai, he cared.

The square was silent except for the mournful wails that filled the air "I don't want to be alone." The loud almost inhuman sob filled the air. Heartbreak. It was the sound of heartbreak. The heartbreak that came with the realization that you were alone and there was nothing you could do about it. She knew those words. It was enough to make her heart ache. The cries were wearing down the walls that she had fought so hard to place around herself, but even the strongest wall could not keep out the young boys wrenching sobs. They invaded tearing at the scars and scabs on her own heart making it bleed.

He tried to regain control of himself, but like the time before, he could not summon the power to stop. His hands unclenching, gathered the material of the man's shirt in his fists, much like he had his mothers dress.

"You're coming with me."

The words sapped the last of his efforts to pull himself togther and he sagged against the mans chest. His body wracked with uncontrollable sobs. He could feel hands moving on his back in a comforting manor. At least it was supposed to be soothing, but the movement reminded how his parents tried to calm him when he was cried and the thought only made him feel worse. "I want them back.. I want them back but they took them away from me." With those words his power of speech seamed to fail and all he could do was cry.

Sango paled as they ascended the stage. She could clearly see the child now. With his grief he had lost the ability to retain his human form fully as a fury orange and red tail was pressed up against his body. The weeping was louder here too, it was worse hear now that she was closer. Even now she had to fight the urge to bring her hand to her aching chest. Not able to look at the child any longer she looked down at the wooden planks that were speckled with blood.

Yasha glared out at the crowd over the top of the boys head. Turning his attention to his friends that were now standing next to him, he frowned. Seeing that Sango looked lost in her own thought, he focused on Miroku.

"I want to know what went on here. Most of all I want to know why it happened and I want to know right now. Also find out what you can about the boy."

"It will be done."

Miroku was almost happy that he had been given a task, anything to take his mind away from the painful sobs behind him.

The sandy haired boy for the first time turned away from the crowd and focused on the man crouched before him. Now that his mind was no longer clouded by chaotic thoughts, he could observe him for the first time. Taking in the information of what he had just seen, lead to the conclusion the man in front of him was the Shinkushikyou. Judging by the expression on some of the people in the crowd he knew that they had drawn the same conclusion.

"His name is Shippo."

Yasha turned to look at the young man standing next to him nodding. Before turning his attention back the crying boy in his arms. 'I'll make sure that you're well taken care of.' Tightening his grip, he tried once again to comfort the boy but the sobs would not stop and he knew that they would not for a long time.

~*~*~* Jinenjis House ~*~*

Kagome lay on her back staring up at the ceiling. After they had left Jinenji and Kirra had rushed her off to bed telling her she was not get up. Blinking she took in the darkness of the room. Soon the sun would filter in through the small window making its way across the same planks she was now looking at. Over the last week she had spent what felt like hours doing the exact same thing she as doing right now, if she closed her eyes she could still picture the swirling grain of the wood. It felt like she had done nothing but stare at the ceiling. Sighing, she opened her eyes again with another sigh.

What was taking them so long? She should be sleeping right now. She knew she should, but she couldn't help the unease that hung over her. The house was silent and that too only served as a reminder of the fact her friends had yet to return. The silence bothered her the most. Normally by now she would hear Sango and Miroku arguing over something in the other room. Hojo would have come to the door to check on her. If she was honest with herself it wasn't the silence that bothered her the most, She missed Yasha. Even though he was rude and always commenting on how she needed to learn to walk, come to think of it why was she worried about Yasha? But there was just something about him. There was a presence that surrounded him. When he was around even if he wasn't near her she felt safe, and now that he was gone she was worried about him.

Then there was what had happened before he had left. Bringing her hand to the side of her neck she thought about his lips pressed there it had been for the briefest moment, so brief she could believe she had imagined it. His arms around her had not been imagined though. What had lead to his weird behavior. What had lead her to be ok with it? She had been even she could feel the dull ache that had wrapped around her as he pulled away. Yasha since when had she become so attached to him. The reason for his absence once again came to the forefront of her mind. The world she lived in now was dangerous and Yasha rushed right into the danger. Maybe they hadn't returned because something had happened. 'Don't think like that she scolded herself as a frown tugged on her features.

"Don't worry." The voice was calm and it served to break her out of her dark thoughts. Turning in the direction that the voice came from, she could see the vague outline of Jinenjis large form. The voice was comforting and she knew that he was right. She shouldn't be worrying; they could all take care of themselves. Still like the time before when Yasha had gone off to fight Koga, doubt hung at the back of her mind. A doubt that she knew wouldn't go away till she saw him again.

Jinenji could see perfectly in the half light that filtered into the room through the window. He could see the frown tugging at her features and he knew that she worried and that nothing he said could possibly make her feel better. It made him feel bad that he didn't know what to say. He didn't really talk to people much and people had never really talked to him. He could mix herbs and medicines but right now he had no idea what to say to sooth the girl's fears. So he said nothing letting the silence stretch on. Lot of help that did. "You should get some rest while you can." He said for lack of better words.

Some rest while she could, he was right of course. She knew that she needed to sleep though gave the wisps of sleep that were pulling on her conscious. She did need to sleep. Tomorrow would be the last day

He was glad that she relented to him, her eyes sliding closed. He was thankful that he didn't have to say anything about the upcoming day. He didn't want to give her more to worry about then he had to.

~*~*~* Library Kien ~*~*~*

Sesshomaru scanned the yellowing parchment of the scroll he held in his hands. Words sam tighter in front of his eyes, they had been doing nothing more than reading for what felt like hours bringing his hand up he pinched the bridge of his nose letting out a sigh. Of all the different missions the emperor could send him out on he sends him to do this? This was the second library and they had yet to find any new information about the sword.

That was of course assuming that the sword even existed to begin with. It was absurd when he thought about it. The tetsiguia was the legendary sword forged by a faithful follower of Naraku in a moment of pure love. A faithful follower, who would be stupid enough to do something like that? Only an oaf would be foolish enough to think they could defy the great lord. To oppose him was death. Could that be why everything was hidden? For now he was sure that someone had went through a lot of trouble to keep the information hidden. There could be no other explanation for the lack of information.

Still he knew that there must be some founding in the legend or why else would he be asked to look into it. Yes something big was happening. The wind witch leaving the palace only confirmed it. It was an important key, her leaving. What could he have asked her to do? She like them was most likely on a mission, though it didn't make sense the Emperor had once told him that she was never to be trusted so what the hell was going on? What did it have to do with this sword? The tetsigia. The sword of legends. For that is what it truly was, the sword with only one master with such power to build an empire or destroy one.

With that in mind, he reached for another book. It was the same, it was always the same yet he still read, not wanting to take the chance that there might be something new. His eyes widening he looked the last sentence on the page.

As the jewel beckons the sword must answer, in the greatest darkness does it shine.

Reading the line again just to make sure he wasn't seeing, he turned the page. Nothing, the next few pages of the book were missing. Like all the other pages of the book there were only words printed on the front paper. Turning the page back he read the sentence again. In all their searching this was the first time he had come across anything having to do with a jewel.

"As the jewel beckons the sword must answer." The words tumbled off his lips and he knew that he had found something. If he could find the jewel he could find the sword.

*~*~*~Obin~*~*~

"I want them found! I want that man that was in charge here brought before me." His eyes flashing he looked at the men that were standing in front of him, his temper was getting to them he knew, but he couldn't quite control himself.

Miroku looked at the other men standing next to them with winces on their faces. He could almost smile. He had seen Yasha get mad so many times it almost didn't bother him. Key word there, almost. The truth was as many times as he had seen it, he would never get used to it. Yasha was, well he was scary. The man was just lucky his hood was still up "We suspect that he is hiding."

"I know the cowardly bastard is hiding. None the less I want him brought before me and I want him brought now. Do you understand me?" much to his satisfaction the room emptied and he knew they would soon find who was responsible. There weren't that many places to hide in this small village. The fact the person was being so cowardly only did more to stoke his anger. Sitting down, he looked at the wall, his ears catching to the soft sound of crying. Turning he looked at the door that lead into the small room where the young boy was. If that bastard had only used half of his brain, then maybe that kid wouldn't be in there right now. He hated this. Maybe this is what he hated about what he did. He was always at the center of suffering people who got their lives torn apart. He had seen much tragedy in his life, in fact he usually had a front row seat. He got to see first hand as people tried to pick up the tattered pieces of their lives and carry on. He had seen families ripped apart he had seen people killed. It always left him the same. With a hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach that would never go away. His hands tightening into a fist he wondered if he should open the door and walk into the other room but thought better of it. The child had a lot of pride he could respect that. After all he himself had more than his share of pride. So he did nothing, just sat there listening to the soft sobs that he knew the boy was trying to hide. Maybe that room had been silent since they got there and maybe the other people couldn't hear the sound coming from the room, but to him with his sensitive hearing it was loud and clear.

To him with his sensitive hearing the boy might as well have been screaming. Though the other people had the peace of not hearing the boys cries were slow torture.

There was a bang as the doors to the main room swung open turning he looked at the closed door listening to the people talking before making their way into the room.

It was Miroku that came through the door first followed by Sango. The others he assumed were taking up guard outside the main door just to make sure that their guest didn't escape.

"We found them. They were packing to leave the village when we came across them" Sango said with a hint of disgust in her voice. She hated people that didn't own up. Sure she could understand that they were scared. If they would have came to them of their own free will she knew that both she and Yasha would have been willing to cut them a little slack, but the fact that they were trying to slink away like worms only served to make her madder and if she was angry she knew Yasha must be pissed. Looking behind her for a second she knew she didn't pity the men one bit.

_________-

The man stood there with a frown on his face he knew what he had been brought here for. He had been called to the carpet and he didn't like the idea of it one bit. Turning he looked at his man. They had failed to do their job and he knew it. He had taken an oath that the people of this village were his to protect and that they failed to carry out their appointed task.

Looking across the small room he knew the man he was dreading seeing lurked there. There was the overwhelming urge to flee but he knew that three other men were outside the door preventing his escape. People were moving around in the other room. He could hear them almost mocking him, the soft scuffle of feet. The wooden floor boards creaked softly only adding more to his impending plight. What would they do to him? He had heard what the Shinkushikyou had done to the soldiers, he had slaughtered them.

Then he thought of himself. He had let them down, he had let himself down. Bowing his head he heard the door open and a hooded man entered, his features hidden by the shadow cast by the hood pulled over his face. The man was looking at him though he could feel the heat of his gaze. The feeling made him want to shrink back, to cower on the floor. Only the small amount of pride that told him he deserved whatever was coming to him kept him rooted in place It was either that or maybe it was the fear if he tried to escape and he was caught. No, there were no illusions in his mind, if he tried to escape he would be caught. It was what would happen to him after he got caught that terrified him.

Yasha looked at the man that stood in front of him. This was the person they had left in charge here, this whimpering shell of a man. He was older. Looking to be in his mid forties but that didn't mean anything. Rough times made a person age faster than they should. For all he knew the man could only be a few years older than himself. His anger rising, barely contained, he crossed the room stopping in front of the man. The closer he got the more figgity the man was. His entire body shook giving the impression that any second he would collapse to ground.

"What's your name?"

"Tolan." He said rather proud of himself because he only stumbled over his own name just a little bit. Still the fact that he stumbled over something as ingrained in him as his name had him a little upset.

Tolan he thought wondering if he had heard the name before after a few moments of blankness he came to the conclusion that he hadn't. Leaning forward he gathered the front of the man's shirt in his fist. "I understand that you were afraid. Don't think that I wouldn't understand what it feels like. But you had a job here. It was your appointed task to make sure that you did everything in your power to make sure that the people of this village were safe."

Yes he knew that, he had pledged himself to the protection of this village no matter what the cost. When the time came to put his pledge to the test he had cowered with the rest of the crowd standing with them as helpless people were dragged up on stage accused of crimes he knew they hadn't committed. Crimes of association with the rebellion, a crime to the crown he himself was guilty of.

He had given his oath to defend or die trying, and now he had failed and was going to face a coward's punishment. It felt so long ago that he had joined the rebellion. If he thought real hard he could dredge up a memory of what that felt like. When he had been so full of hope but something had happened. He had only been kidding himself for all those years. When push came to shove he wasn't all that up to pushing back, instead he had stood there and watched. He had stood there and watched as people he had known all his life were pulled up on that stage one by one and he couldn't even move. He was a coward and being the presence of this man and the other people that stood behind him he had never felt more ashamed of himself.

Yasha's grip tightened on the man as he watched his face change. Only now does he feel any remorse. Only now after the damage has already been done. Shaking him slightly he fought to contain himself. Maybe that was why the man's next words that sent him over the edge.

"Like one man can make a difference. It is better to live than to speak out and die."

His eyes flashing, the words sunk in, filling him with anger. Lifting the man up by the front of his shirt, he flung him against the wall. He was holding him up with one hand while reaching for the door with the other one. Yanking the door open, the three people that were standing outside jumped as the door behind them burst open revealing a mad Yasha holding up the man they had brought into the room just minutes ago.

Frowning as he made his way to the center square, he could hear people following him. Marching up the rickety old stairs he reached for one of the stray pieces of a rope that was still hanging from the pulpit fashioning a makeshift noose out of the frayed edges. Once that was accomplished, he pulled it over the man's head. Tolans eyes were wide as he looked around waiting for someone to save him or maybe just waiting for it all to end. So this was how it was going to end, he was going to die anyway. He had been trying to avoid this and now here he was on the blood splattered pulpit and the only thing that was different was the person that was executing him.

"How do you like it? I can feel your fear. This is how they must have felt." People were starting to gather around the base of the platform. Turning his head, he looked at their awed faces. They probably wondered what was going on and Miroku had a look on his face like he thought that he had lost his mind, but that was alright with him let them think him mad. It wasn't like he cared. Turning his attention back to the man held up on the pulpit he placed his foot on the chair that was the only keeping the man from stretching his neck.

Tolan was looking out past the man that held him in place. He hadn't expected this. Sure he knew he was going to get yelled at. That had been a given but the man was going to kill him. Looking out at small crowd gathered there he searched their faces and what he saw there terrified him. Why didn't they say anything? Surely the man before him wasn't completely cold hearted, he would listen wouldn't he? Shaking, his body was shaking now as he bowed his head. Nothing, only silence. They were just going to watch.

Yasha watched as the man in his grasp looked wildly behind him. There was a wild hope in his eyes as they darted back and forth. Then everything changed as his chin dropped to his chest. He was shaking Yasha could feel the fine tremors running through the man's body.

"Look at me damn it." He commanded. Though much to his irritation, the man took a few moments before he actually had the courage to look at him. When he did, there was fear in his eyes fear and something else. "Look at me and tell me that you don't care. Tell me that one person wouldn't make a difference to you now."

'Just one person' The thought crept into his mind while his words from earlier came back to haunt him. 'Like one man can make a difference. It is better to live than to speak out and die' What he would have given for just one person to say something for one person to speak up. Looking up he gazed into the depths of the man's hood. Like he could read his mind the man began talking.

"Just one person to say something. Just one person to speak up even if it didn't change anything. Just person would have meant to world to any of the people that died up here. It would have meant something to the child."

The child those words sent old anger seeping back into him feel something for that little brat. "To that little Youkai if you asked me his parents got what was coming to them. My only regret is that little abomination did not share their fate." That was the last thing he said before the stool holding him up gave away beneath his feet.

Yasha stood there watching as the man reached up trying to hold himself up. Taking a deep breath his vision swam before him as a tingle spread threw his body. Closing his eyes he shook himself slightly and the feeling passed almost as quickly as it had come opening his eyes he was met by the sight of the man struggling for breath as he hung suspended off the ground.

"A child is a child Youkai or not and you are best to remember it do you understand me?" His voice was cold and biting as the man looked at him with eyes that had begin to tinge red as the blood vessels broke in them. "I said do you understand me?"

Tolan focused on the man's face or more like the darkness that surrounded it and he knew it was death that had come for him. A child. His vision was clouding but he could hear the man clearly. 'do you understand?' the icy words bit at him and he knew his life depended on his answer or maybe not he would die up here. With the last of his breath he forced out a choaked yes.

Yasha heard the strangled answer as he turned away reaching for his sword he was about to cut the man down when he thought better of it instead he turned his back fully to him speaking to Miroku who was looking at him while the others had their attention focused on the hanging man.

"Cut him down and get him from my sight I never wish to see him again." There was a rush of movement followed by the sound of a limp body hitting the wooden planks. Strangled breathing filled the air but still he did not turn to look at the wretched man. "You are stripped of your title." Turning he sought the attention of Mamoru who he had learned was the name of the sandy haired man who had come to his aid in the fight. Once he had his attention he spoke.

"You will now be the one in charge here for you have shown your self more fitting of the station then that man ever was." With that said Yasha began walking again toward the small home where he had been lodging.

Tolan watched as the man walked away from him. His hand pressed to his aching throat he thought of the mans words. He thought of the child. As much as he would have like to deny it he knew one person would have made would have meant a world of difference to that child today. His eyes sliding closed he could hear the boys mournful cries. They were haunting to him. The thought left him cold. He had not wanted to believe that a Youkai was capable of the pain he had heard. But only a broken heart could ever make the wails that had fill the air. A great injustice had been done to the kid, he had seen his parents murdered infront of him and instead of comfort he had only received scorn and hateful comment, the thought made him sick.

______________-

When Yasha entered the room it was silent. Cursing a little he wondered if the kid had gone and ran off making his way to the door he was comforted by the sound of light breathing. Letting out a deep breath he turned away and walked to the table slumping down in a chair he buried his face in his hands. His moment of peace didn't last long as the door opened to reveal Mamoru standing there.

"I appreciate what you've done for me. Though I do not think that I am worthy of this honor. I am grateful for what you have done for my father." Seeing that the Shinkushikyou was going to do nothing but nod he continued on. "I owe you a life debt for my father and it is one that I intend to carry out and so when you leave I will be going with you."

"Your place is here and it is here that you will stay are you already so willing to turn your back on the responsibility that I have given you?"

"My father will watch over the village until my return. But with your approval or not I will leave when you leave."

Yasha took in the man's expression and he knew nothing could be said to sway the boy. Thought he didn't like the idea of another person tagging along it looks like this man was determined to come with him. "Is that so?"

"It is I will not take the debt that I owe lightly."

The door behind him opened and Yasha knew that his three companions had entered. Glancing at them before returning his attention back to Mamoru he frowned a little taking in the young mans expression wondering if there was anything he could say to sway his mind but before he could say anything though the young man was talking again.

"for a debt owed and un repaid is nothing but ungratefulness and I will not have you for one second believing me to be ungrateful."

"Very well I want to leave by tonight or tomorrow by the latest but I want to make sure things here are settled before we leave why don't you go and find out what you can and make preparations for your departure."

Miroku watched as the man eagerly left the room before he turned back to Yasha. "Just what was all that about? Are you really going to let him come with us?"

"He would follow even if we left with out him this way I know where he is instead of having him blundering along behind us just causing more trouble. Besides I want to know more about the boy he threw himself into the fray yesterday and he killed three men before I could get to them. When you were looking up the people that help with the resistance in this town did you come across his name?"

"No, I didn't. There weren't many only five two of them lost their lives yesterday. I would have remembered if I saw anything about the boy."

Looking down at the table he frowned he hadn't expected the boy to be a member of the resistance. There was something about the boy, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Why did he had have the skills he did. Mamoru had killed three men. Sure they were poorly trained men but men that still had more training then a country slave should have. Something was going on and he was going to find out what.

"What of the boys parents." He said nodding in the direction of the bedroom where Shippo was.

"His parents were loyalists they had nothing to nothing to do with the resistance."

"And the other member of the group?"

"The other one had been beaten and supposedly can't walk."

"take me there I wish to talk to him." Standing he headed to the door waiting for his friends to fallow turning he looked at Hojo thinking better of it his eyes shifted to look at Sango who had stood to follow him. "Stay with the boy."

Sango wanted to go with them but also she didn't want to leave the boy alone. Nodding she took Yasha's old seat in the chair watching them as they left the room. Not long after the door closed she heard crying in the other room. Shifting her attention to look at the door she stood closing the short distance. The crying quieted as she got closer to the door. Opening it she saw the boy was laying on the bed with his tail curled around his body he looked like she was asleep but she knew better from the sounds that had just came through the door. Briefly she wondered if she should cross the room and try to comfort him but the way he was acting told her, her actions would just make him more uncomfortable.

Closing the door she knelt there listening to the struggled silence of the room. Closing her eyes she had to fight back tears maybe she should have just have told him that she didn't want to stay here. Maybe she should have said that Miroku or Hojo could have stayed . She didn't like sitting here it was too painful. Closing her eyes she let her head fall forward to her chest. "Dad," the word was out of her mouth before she could stop it and with the word came her tears.

____________-

Yasha stood as the door opened before him. The room was small and cramps and he saw a woman laying on the floor across the small space. Her face was truned away from them but as they closed the small distance she turned toward them. Her features were familiar she looked like an older version of the little girl who had come to Jinenjis house to tell them what was happening.

His eyes went from her face to her back that was bared and covered cloth and salve. The smell of medicine and rotting flesh reached his nose. Someone had certainly went to town on the young woman. Blood was seeping through the bandages, and there were gashes on her sides that were plainly visible. Taking a deep breath the coppery smell of blood that hung in the air once again invaded his nostrils. All the sudden the room when out of focus and he had to struggle not to lean to his side closing his eyes he bowed his head turning to shake the feeling away. It had gone away quickly last time but this time the feeling lingered and he actually reached out pressing his hand against Miroku's shoulder to steady himself. What the hell was going on? His eyes opening again he tired to blink away the fuuz that still lingered at the at the corners of his vision looking out the small window that was in front of him he could see the sun and he knew.

~*~*~*~*Jinenjis house ~*~*~*

Kagome threw her head back as light exploded behind her eyes. Waves of pain rolled threw her body and unlike most days the pain did not stop when Jinenji removed his hand from her ankle nor was she allowed to slip into the sweet oblivion of sleep that had always took her before. Her body shaking she leaned forward against Jinenjis large frame as she tired to regain control of herself. Her breath coming in ragged gasps she tried to open her eyes and when she finally succeed she did not know why she had even bothered the room was a big blur anyway even the ceiling that she thought had been burned into her mind with perfect clarity was a wavy mass of distorted browns. Slowly she became aware of the wetness of her face and only then did she realize that she had been crying. Maybe that was the reason that black dots swam her vision as she felt herself being lowered to the futon.

Kira couldn't take it any longer it was worse then it had been this morning how could Kongyou have said they were helping her get better. It looked like they were killing her like they were slowly draining the life away from her new friend. Shaking she felt large hands close around her shoulder and she wasn't able to stop herself when she flinched slightly at the contact. None the less she let the large man steer her away from the room for she could not handle seeing the older woman in such pain. When she was in the main room she was aware that Jinenji and his mother were talking briefly she wondered how long she had been standing there.

Jinenji looked at his mother with hurt in his eyes. He had healed many bones before and he knew what was in store for the people but never before had it hurt this much. Never had doing his job become such a chore maybe it was because through it all she tried to be so brave. At this point he had seen many brave men resort to blubbering babies and though Kongyou did cry she did not reach for his hand and beg for him to stop like many before had if she had he would have understood he would have been prepared for it. What he wasn't prepared for was to have her look up at him with appreciation.

"Can't we just this one time." Before he could say more his mother's rough voice cut him off.

"You should know better then to say such foolish things. There is no turning back now she had her chance I asked her if she wanted to stop and she said no. Now it's too late for that she has reached the point of no return." Her eyes narrowing she looked at her son before turning away from him she could not stand the look in his eyes. She could under stand the situation he was in after she didn't like what they were doing to the young lady anymore then he did. Turning away from her son she focused on the young woman laying on the futon. Sweat was covering her body and she was curled up into a half ball her hand clutching her sides while tears course down her cheeks. She didn't want to look but she couldn't seem to take her eyes away. Feeling someone bump into her side she looked to Kira who had insisted on being in the room her eyes too were glued on Kongyou as tears slipped down her cheeks.

"Why don't you come outside with me and gather some herbs." She was greatful when the girl nodded and followed her outside it would do her some good to get out of that house.

Kira knelt on the ground next to the old woman looking but not entirely seeing what was in front of her. Looking out of the corner of her eye she could see the old womans knar led hands as they worked to up root plants from the soil.

"Why do you do that to her I thought that you were supposed to be helping her. Why don't you stop?" Her voice rose as she spoke she tired to calm herself but instead her voice just rose.

Turning she looked at the woman older woman her head was bent down while her wiry grey white hair hung over her eyes obscuring her face.

Jinenji's mother looked at the small child threw the hair in her face. She thought of telling her a little sugar coated lie, but experience had told her that it was more beneficial to tell the truth. "Because what I said was the truth, it's too late to turn back it would cause her more harm than good right now."

"I don't understand more harm than good but her face I can't stand to see how hurt she was. I can't believe that you don't care, your killing her."

"Her ankle was broken, we needed to heal it and to do that it required time and energy. The reason that she keeps getting weaker is because there is only one place to get the energy from and that's from herself. Whether the leg healed in 6 months or six days is no difference it still requires the same amount of energy."

"But you could still stop right now. You don't have to carry on."

"Have you been listening girl. We have cheated time and when you reach a certain point there is no return. One the fifth day there is no turning back. If we were to do that then time would revert and we would be back were we started or worse." Or worse she thought that was a nice way of putting it but she wasn't about to burden the young girl with the true extent of what would happen if they stopped now. Not wanting to say more she went back to collecting her herbs.

__________-

Kagome's head lulled in the direction of the small window. Slowly the black dots faded away and her vision cleared. The clouds flew across the sky and she watched time move. The room grew dark and then light though she knew that nothing had changed at least that's what she told herself. Countless morning and nights passed yet she knew that time was standing still even while it whirled past her.

Wrapping her arms around her midsection she closed her eyes not wanting to watch the swirling mass that lay beyond the window. She felt so alone the coldness around her told her that she was alone.

"Yasha."

~*~*~*~ Obin ~*~*~*~

Miroku looked at his friend as he leaned on the table his face in his hands like he had a head ach. He wished that he could see Yasha's face maybe then he would have a better idea of what was going on. As it was now he only knew that something was wrong. It had happened in the room when they had been looking at the woman's back . Sure even he could smell the blood in the air and the cuts that were visible on her back looked terrible, but he had seen worse and he knew that Yasha had too. So that couldn't be the reason for his sudden reaction. It had been somewhat scary Yasha's hand had clasped down on his shoulder and his friends weight had almost made him stagger forward.

He knew something had happened to him though Yasha wasn't about to tell him what was going on.

Yasha knew that Mrioku was looking at him he could feel his eyes boring into him. He wanted to turn around and yell at him to mind his own damn business but he knew doing so would only make his friend more nosy. Hell since when had that stopped him.

"get the hell out of here Miroku I don't need you hovering over me like I'm a kid now get out of this dam room and get ready to leave. I want to be ready to leave within the hour." His voice bit with a ring of command and he knew that Miroku would obey. After a moment when he didn't hear Miroku move he thought that maybe he had over estimated himself or maybe Miroku was more stubborn that he had given him credit for.

"Are going to tell me what the hell happened to you in there?" Though it was phrased as a question, he wasn't about to let Yasha keep him in the dark. Narrowing his eyes he closed the distance between them.

"I told you to go and get ready to leave make sure that Sango and Hojo are ready to leave to I want leave as soon as possible." Miroku still stood there irritation caused his lips to curl down into a frown. "Look Miroku I can't explain what happened or why it even happened to myself so I sure as hell wouldn't be able to explain it to someone else so get off it and do what you're told."

Miroku seeing that he wasn't going to learn any more then he already knew turned.

____________-

Shippo heard someone at the door a few seconds before it opened evening out his breathing he did his best to appear like he was asleep but he knew that this man would not walk out of the room like the woman had before.

Yasha looked at the young boy curled up on the futon he knew that the boy was only pretending to be asleep but he couldn't allow him that luxury right now. "Shippo it's time to leave come on I'll take you to your house to get anything that you might need." Not waiting for the him to say anything he scooped him up into his arms.

________-

Yasha looked around at the inside of the house as he moved into the main room. The house looked more lavish then most of the ones that he had been into. That was to be expected they were a in a Youkai household. Looking down at the plush carpet that covered the wood planks of the floor he frowned. Letting Shippo down he watched as the boy walked through the house in a daze.

Sitting down he decided to give the boy a few minutes by himself.

Shippo looked at the house. It had only been a day had it only truly been that long it felt like an eternity had passed since the other morning walking into the kitchen he could still the over turned chairs and scattered dishes that was the only evidence that remained of the struggle that had taken place. Not about to look at it any longer he turned from the mess and walked down the hall to his room pausing he reached for the door knob instead turning to look at the room that lay across from his own. Pushing the door open he saw a large bed the covers were still rumpled as he knew that he mother hadn't had time to get around to making it. Nor would she ever be making it he thought bitterly walking further into the room. With a small jump he crawled into the middle of the bed comforted by their smell that still lingered there among the sheets. Pulling the soft material in his fists he thought of his mother she always threw the sheet over him while she made the bed the white material looking like clouds coming down to cover him.

His eyes watering he bit back tears. He didn't have time to act like a baby. He was no longer a baby he was a man now. Still that did not stop him from taking one of the pillows in his arms and pulling it close to him. "I miss you." He murmured laying there a few minutes before he got to his feet again. Walking to the door he turned his back on the room pulling the door shut and crossing the room without a backward glance because he knew that if he did then he would break down.

It wasn't like his room was any better it was filled with little nick knacks his parents had gotten him he thought of the small assortment of toys that he had in the pouch at his waist. Looking down at his clothes he saw they were still covered with blood. The thought was sickening as he quickly striped pulling on new clothes as fast as he could, not knowing how it was that he had been able to stand being in the garments as long as he had. He still felt dirty like the blood had made a thin film on his skin that would never wash clean, and he knew it wouldn't he knew that the ghost of that feel would linger with him forever. Stepping further into the room he looked to the small stuffed animal laying on the bed, his mother had given it to him much to his father protest for his last birthday. His dad had said that a doll wasn't something that you gave a boy even one as young as him. Picking the worn stuffed fox he looked at it. Maybe he should take it with him? His grip tightening on the animal he thought better of it. This was a baby's toy and like he had told himself he was no longer a baby. His Father had been right, Shippo thought of the small ivory handled knife his Father had given him. At this moment it as nestled in the pouch next to the more childish toys, it would be helpful, it was a manly gift. Still even with the knowledge he gave the stuffed toy a lingering look before turning away to look at the rest of his room.

As Yasha stepped into the room he looked at the small child he looked lost even in his own house. His turquoise eyes swept over the room but didn't really take any of it in. For a moment Yasha wondered if the boy even noticed he was there.

"are you ready to go?"

Shippo turned and to see the man in the cloak standing there. He wished that he would take of his hood so he could see the man's face as it was now all he saw were his bright golden eyes which were enough to tell him that the man wasn't human. Sparing him a glance he turned back to the rest of the room.

"Are you really going to take me with you." He didn't mean to sound as desperate as he did but he couldn't help himself. Bowing his head he looked at his feet that at the moment were little paws holding him off the ground. Cursing his own weakness, he wasn't even able to ratain his human form completely he wondered why the man that had proven himself to be so strong would want a burden like himself.

Kneeling down so he was almost the same height as the child Yasha reached out his hands resting them on the boys shoulders. "I said that I would take you and I meant it."

Not able to help himself Shippo leaned into the man barrowing some of his strength from him because he had so little of his own.

Yasha still didn't know quite how to react so he just knelt there doing nothing. After a few minutes he pulled back to look at the boys watery turquoise eyes. "Well you best grab what you need so we can be going." He said raising to his feet.

Shippo looked around the room one last time before turning walking out without taking anything. "Your not taking anything?"

"It is no longer mine to take. I don't belong to it no more then it belongs to me I want to forget it. I want to forget this place even exits." Picking up his pace he was thankful that the man could not see the tears streaking down his cheeks.

That night we saw with dread surprise
the hangmans scaffold had grown in size.
Fed by the blood beneath the chute,
the gallows-tree had taken root.

That's it for not a very eventful chapter but you know things can't stay that way for long reviews help if you want me to write faster. ^.^ ::wink wink::