Kaida looked over at Kohaku as he moved weakly through the field in front of him. Rin ran after him. "Kohaku, don't go! You shouldn't be moving yet!" Rin yelled after him.
"I have to go back. Kikyou's become very weak." Kohaku said staring at the setting sun. "What's happening to her?"
"Heed my words." Jaken frowned. "Don't think Sesshomaru is just going to take you with him!"
"Can't we ask him?" Rin asked worried.
"Kohaku is welcome to travel with us." Kaida smiled at the little girl.
"The scent of the wind has changed." Sesshomaru said suddenly.
"Has something happened to Kikyou?" Kohaku asked worriedly.
Sesshomaru stared off silently for a moment. "It's too late." He turned and started to walk again.
"I'm sorry Kohaku." Kaida looked down at the boy. "But you are welcome to stay with us." She smiled at him. She knew that he was Sango's brother and she planned on keeping an eye on him if she could.
"…Thank you…" Kohaku looked off and looked sad.
"Come on." Kaida smiled. "We'll be stopping for dinner soon."
Kaida yawned as they walked. It had been a late night. Sesshomaru had walked well into the dark before Kaida had managed to convince him to stop for some rest and food. And the moment everyone was up he had set off again. Kaida could tell something was bugging him as well as he was searching for something, but he wouldn't tell her. It wasn't Naraku, she could tell by the way he acted, plus the smell they were following wasn't familiar to her.
"Master Jaken, what's Lord Sesshomaru doing?" Rin asked from behind Kaida. Sesshomaru was currently standing in a small clearing and looking up at the sky. The scent was close now.
"How would I know?" Jaken grumbled. "For the past few days, he appears to have been searching for something."
"It's not Naraku." Kaida said looking over at the two kids and small demon.
"Is it really that important?" Rin asked looking at Kaida. If it was taking priority over Naraku then it had to be huge.
"It must be." Jaken said, voicing Kaida's thoughts.
Kaida turned away as Rin turned to talk to Kohaku. Kaida moved closer to Sesshomaru. He looked so serious and thoughtful. "Sesshomaru?" She whispered. He didn't say anything and some wind blew through the area. Kaida froze as she looked up at the sky. The scent was coming from a giant female dog demon flying through the sky.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "That's…" Rin gasped. Sesshomaru jumped up into the sky before the others could say anything. As he flew up he changed into his demon form.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken called after him.
Kaida watched jealously as the two dogs flew by each other and circled each other. Kaida could sense that it was a powerful female dog, just like Sesshomaru. The two demons crashed to the ground and Kaida rushed forward, followed by the kids and Jaken. "Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken gasped shocked. He was probably worried about Sesshomaru's safety. Kaida was worried about Sesshomaru's feelings.
The smoke cleared and Sesshomaru stood in his human form calmly. He was staring at a woman with long silver hair and a dog tail like Sesshomaru. She had golden eyes, little small purple marks under her eyes and a purple crescent moon on her forehead. She looked very similar to Sesshomaru.
"Sesshomaru. So, it's you." The woman said calmly.
"Hey! Who do you think you are?!" Jaken yelled waving his staff at her. "How dare you disrespect Lord Sesshomaru?!"
The female dog demon ignored Jaken. "You must have questions about the Tenseiga your father left you, if you've come to visit your mother."
Kaida froze and gasped along with Rin and Jaken. His mother?!
"Th-Th-The… The Lady Mother?!" Jaken stuttered.
"Sesshomaru?" Kaida asked stepping forward. She was no longer worried about him falling in love and leaving her for the dog demon, but now she was nervous about meeting his mother.
"Come." He said calmly as his mother flew back up into the clouds.
Kaida nodded and picked Rin and Kohaku up. Jaken clung to Sesshomaru's tail as Sesshomaru wrapped his arm around Kaida to carry them all up after his mother.
Before Kaida knew it they were up at a mansion in the clouds. Sesshomaru set her down and Kaida set the kids down. Sesshomaru say nothing as he led them up the stairs towards a large throne. His mother sat in the throne. She looked over at the two kids and blinked. "Sesshomaru, did you not despise humans? Yet you have two human children with you, do you intend to eat them?"
Kaida moved closer to the kids nervously. "You should have heard from Father about how to use Tenseiga to open the Path to the Underworld." Sesshomaru said calmly, ignoring her comment about eating the humans.
"Really? He simply left this Meido Stone." His mother said calmly holding up a purple stone necklace that she wore.
"Meido Stone?" Sesshomaru asked. Kaida took another step closer to Sesshomaru. She wondered if he was going to introduce her to his mother.
"He said to use it if you ever came to me. That's right, he mentioned something else." Sesshomaru's mother said calmly. She reminded Kaida of how Sesshomaru acted sometimes. "He said that using the Meido Stone would place you in danger, but I shouldn't feel scared or sad."
"She doesn't seem that worried." Kaida heard Rin whisper to Jaken.
She doesn't…. What kind of mother is she?
"Well, Sesshomaru? Your mother is terribly distressed." She said, pretending to act distressed.
"Such hollow words." Sesshomaru said calmly.
"Then I shall have you entertain me." She held up the stone and Kaida tensed. The stone glowed and before Kaida cloud move a large black wolf appeared.
"Meido Zangetsuha!" Sesshomaru said drawing his sword and slicing the wolf.
"So this is your Path to the Underworld." Sesshomaru's mother commented as she watched the crescent moon appear. "It's nowhere near a full moon."
"What?!" Jaken frowned. "Lord Sesshomaru's sword cannot cut through it?!" The wolf didn't seem hurt at all. Kaida drew her own spear nervously. She would help protect Sesshomaru and the others.
"This is a hound from the Underworld." Sesshomaru's mom said bored. "Sesshomaru, it appears that your sword cannot cause harm nor bring good." As she finished saying that the wolf shot forward and kidnaped Rin and Kohaku.
Sesshomaru looked after them shocked as the wolf flew through the hole Sesshomaru's Meido Zangetsuha had created. Sesshomaru didn't wait he flew after the wolf and Kaida followed.
"Wait Sesshomaru." His mother called. He paused in front of the hold and Kaida caught onto his shoulder to keep herself close to him. "You intend to step into the Path to the Underworld, for the sake of saving humans? You've developed a kind nature."
"I merely go to cut down that hound." Sesshomaru said before flying through the hole. Kaida hung close to him. Kaida watched as their surroundings turned into darkness. Sesshomaru landed on a path and Kaida got off. They both looked forward where the wolf was running ahead of them. Sesshomaru didn't wait and shot forward cutting the wolf with his claws. Unfortunately het wolf dodged and Sesshomaru's attack destroyed part of the path.
Kaida ran up behind Sesshomaru and froze seeing the kids. They were in the wolf's stomach. Sesshomaru frowned and pulled out his Tenseiga. "The healing Tenseiga!" He shot forward and cut through the wolf. Its remains fell into the water below the path. Sesshomaru just landed next to the kids on the path. "Are they okay?!" Kaida jumped over the hole and landed next to the kids. Kohaku shifted and woke up. "Lord Sesshomaru! Lady Kaida!" He looked at them.
Kaida smiled. "It appears that you're able to move." Sesshomaru said calmly. "That's the power of the Shikon shard, I suppose." The path behind them crumbled suddenly and Kaida jumped in shock.
"The path!" Kohaku gasped. Kaida tensed and drew her spear as demon birds came flying as well as what looked like two more wolfs came up from the water.
"Take Rin and run." Sesshomaru ordered as he turned towards the attackers. Kohaku nodded and picked Rin up on his back and ran.
"Sesshomaru!" Kaida said behind him as he cut through the wolves.
"Go!" He ordered.
Kaida nodded and turned. She jerked as a demon hit the path in front of Kohaku, causing him to fall. Sesshomaru was there in a moment and caught the kid. Kaida followed Sesshomaru in jumping on the falling rocks to the other side of the path. He had set Kohaku down.
"Are you alright?" Kaida asked. Kohaku nodded slightly.
Sesshomaru continued on walking and Kohaku followed. Kaida frowned, but followed. Sesshomaru what are you doing?! This place isn't right and it's dangerous for the kids. Her worries were intensified as Kohaku stopped walking. "Rin… Lord Sesshomaru, Rin isn't breathing!"
"What?!" Kaida gasped and ran to Kohaku and Rin's side.
"Rin is dead?" Sesshomaru asked coldly.
"She isn't breathing." Kohaku shivered. "And her body's getting colder."
"Set Rin down." Sesshomaru ordered. Kaida took a step back as Kohaku set the girl down and Sesshomaru drew his sword.
Rin… Oh no…. Kaida shivered. She looked up at Sesshomaru. He was gripping his sword angrily and looked confused and upset. Sesshomaru?
"Forgive me, Lord Sesshomaru." Kohaku whispered. "I was with her and yet…"
Sesshomaru remained silent and he looked down at Rin. "Sesshomaru." Kaida whispered and took a step towards him. He looked up at her and she could see the regret in his eyes. Before Kaida could say anything else there was a pulsing from the darkness ahead of them.
"The darkness!" Kohaku gasped. Kaida tensed as the darkness moved forward towards them and surrounded them. As it receded back towards the way it had come Kaida noticed that Rin was gone.
"Lord Sesshomaru! Rin went!" Kohaku gasped.
Sesshomaru looked at Kaida once and them shot after the darkness. She nodded and followed, keeping an eye on Kohaku. She wasn't going to let him get taken either. After a few moments of moving forward a light suddenly shone and they could see the mansion again. "The outside world." Kohaku gasped.
"Come out, Sesshomaru." His mother called. "If you continue forward, you will exit the Underworld. However, this path will soon close. Once it does, you will never be able to return to this world."
"Kohaku Kaida, take this path outside." Sesshomaru said.
"Huh?" Kohaku blinked. Kaida just frowned and looked at Sesshomaru. He had turned and was starting down another path that appeared from the darkness as he walked. A red glowing light shone in the distance. Kaida could smell Rin's scent coming from the light.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I'm coming with you!" Kohaku yelled running after Sesshomaru. Kaida watched the portal close before running to catch up to the boys.
"I'm staying with you Sesshomaru." Kaida said as she caught up to him. He glanced at her and she could see the worry in his eyes. "I'm going to protect you." She smiled.
He nodded and turned to look towards the big black ball outlined with red in the sky. Kaida almost covered her nose as she caught the scent of death. The air currents suddenly changed and it felt like she was being sucked towards the ball. She wasn't the only one; she could see both of the boy's hair blowing towards the ball. But her thoughts were changed instantly as a big black monster rose up from the end of the path. It was holding Rin in its hand. "RIN!" Both Kaida and Kohaku yelled together.
"I presume that is the Guardian of the Underworld." Sesshomaru said calmly.
That must have surprised Kohaku enough to interrupt his concentration because he was caught up in the suction and started flying towards the monster. "Kohaku!" Kaida gasped. Sesshomaru quickly shot a green whip towards the boy and caught Kohaku's ankle and pulled him back.
"Don't cause me any unnecessary trouble." Sesshomaru said as Kohaku landed. "I can't bother to look after you any further."
"Yes." Kohaku nodded. Kaida moved closer to Kohaku. Sesshomaru couldn't bother, but Kaida would protect the young demon slayer.
Sesshomaru walked towards the monster and Kaida noticed a pile of human corpses next to the monster. So did Kohaku. "A mountain of corpses?!"
"Kohaku stay next to me." Kaida whispered nervously. She tensed more as the bodies near the monster started to move and fly towards the black ball. It raised up Rin's body as if to throw her into the ball. OH NO! RIN!
Sesshomaru didn't wait and ran forward drawing his sword. He jumped up at the monster, which slammed its hand down destroying part of the path. Sesshomaru cut the monster in half easily.
"He did it!" Kohaku yelled excitedly. As the monster disintegrated Rin's body dropped and Sesshomaru caught her and landed in the middle of the corpses. Kaida ran towards him, with Kohaku following her.
"Rin, wake up." Sesshomaru whispered. "Rin." He stared down at her body and dropped his sword.
"No… Rin…" Kaida whispered collapsing to her knees.
"Lord Sesshomaru?" Kohaku whispered.
Sesshomaru stared intently at Rin's body. I can't save her. Tenseiga… I let you die for this thinkg. Nothing could ever be worth the cost of Rin's life! Sesshomaru looked over at where Kaida was crying. Kaida, you must think me a fool. He glanced over at Tenseiga angrily, but blinked as it started to glow and send light out.
"Tenseiga is…" Sesshomaru heard Kohaku gasp. The corpses surrounding Sesshomaru started to move towards the sword. "The mountain of corpses!"
"What is going on?" Kaida whispered hoarsely.
Sesshomaru watched the corpses reach for the sword. "It's almost like they're clinging to Tenseiga." Kohaku said shocked.
"Sesshomaru…" Kaida's voice sounded weak and worried.
You also wish to be saved? Sesshomaru looked at the corpses. He knelt down with Rin on his lap and grabbed his sword. It pulses a blue light. He picked it up and it spewed forth a bright blue light over the corpses into the darkness. Kaida! He moved towards her, easily able to see in the light. He pulled her close and looked over at Kohaku. "Come along."
"Meido Zangetsuha!" Sesshomaru called and opened a portal back into the other world. Sesshomaru walked out into the Mansion. Kohaku and Kaida followed him. Sesshomaru would usually be happy to see that his cut was almost a full moon, but he was too worried about Rin and Kaida. Rin was dead, and Kaida was unusually silent.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken called out, crying slightly. Sesshomaru ignored him and turned to his mother.
"You've returned." She said calmly. Sesshomaru laid Rin down on her throne. "What's wrong, Sesshomaru? You look dejected. Tenseiga has grown as you wished and your path has expanded. Shouldn't you rejoice?"
"Did you know that this would happen to Rin?" Sesshomaru glared at his mother. Kaida moved over towards Rin's body.
"You've already used Tenseiga to revived that girl before, have you not?" His mother asked calmly. "Tenseiga can only call a person back from the dead once."
Sesshomaru froze, his eyes widened in shock.
"That's only natural." His mom said calmly. "A life is supposed to be limited. It is no trifle for you to save multiple times. Sesshomaru, did you believe yourself to be a god? You need not fear death with Tenseiga in your hands? You needed to learn the desire to save the life of a loved one, and the sorrow and fear which accompany that loss."
Sorrow and fear. He glanced at Kaida by Rin's side. This time it was only Rin, had it been Kaida who had died… How would I feel? He frowned just thinking about it.
"Your father said Tenseiga is a sword for healing. You may wield it as a weapon, but you must value life and possess a compassionate heart if you are to bury your enemies. That is the requirement of he who would wield Tenseiga, a sword which can save hundreds of lives while sending enemies to the Path to the Underworld." Jaken started crying again. "Little demon, are you crying?"
"It's Jaken." Jaken whispered. "Lord Sesshomaru by nature will never shed tears, so I must cry in his stead." He started crying more. Sesshomaru just ignored him and looked over at Kaida. She was crying as well. It upset him to see her so sad.
"Oh, are you sad, Sesshomaru?" His mother asked looking over. Sesshomaru turned back to his mother and stared at her silently. "Don't expect another chance." She said calmly. She took off her necklace and approached Rin. She placed the necklace around Rin's neck. It started glowing and surrounded Rin in a light blue light.
Kaida looked up. "Rin?"
"The light…" Kohaku gasped.
"It's the little girl's life, which was left in the Underworld." Sesshomaru's mom said calmly. Rin opened her eyes slowly and everyone looked down at her in shock. Sesshomaru opened her eyes in shock.
"Rin!" Kaida whispered in happiness.
"Rin!" Kohaku smiled.
Rin smiled but started coughing. Sesshomaru gently placed his hand on the side of her face and looked down at her calmly. Rin.
"Lord… Sesshomaru?" Rin whispered.
"You're find now." Sesshomaru said calmly. He turned and looked at Kaida. She was smiling as she looked at him. He smiled gently back at her.
"Yes." Rin smiled up at the two of them.
Sesshomaru smiled and helped Rin up. Kaida hugged the little girl and smiled. "I'm so glad you're okay Rin!"
"Kaida." Rin smiled and hugged Kaida back. Sesshomaru watched the two girls he had come to care for… No, the two girls that he loved.
"All this fuss over a little human girl…" He heard his mother say. "He's inherited one of his father's odder traits."
What would father think? Sesshomaru paused. He looked at Kaida. He would like Kaida I think.
"Sesshomaru!" His mother called walking over. She eyed Kaida for the first time. "Who exactly is this mostly demon woman?"
Kaida looked up at his mother and Sesshomaru noticed her shift nervously. Sesshomaru stood up calmly. "Come." He looked at the girls. "We'll be leaving now."
"Not going to answer your mother, Sesshomaru?" His mother asked.
Sesshomaru started to walk towards the stairs. "I love Kaida." He said calmly and looked over at Kaida. "We'll be going now."
"Oh." He heard his mother say. Sesshomaru didn't wait to hear what she was going to say. He started to walk down the stairs again. Jaken, Rin, and Kaida followed him. Kohaku followed a little bit slower.
"Child." His mom called. "A have a question for you. You survived the Underworld: a possibility for a demon, but an impossibility for a human."
"My life is sustained by a Shikon jewel shard." Kohaku said calmly. Sesshomaru turned and looked back.
"I see." His mom said calmly. "Then remember this… you are the same as that little girl. Your life cannot be saved by Tenseiga."
Sesshomaru frowned. "Yes, I'll remember that." Kohaku nodded and then moved to catch up.
"Let's go Sesshomaru." Kaida whispered and touched his hand. "We still have to find and kill Naraku, and your sword is now stronger." She smiled at him.
Sesshomaru nodded. "After this is all over… Kaida I have a question for you." He smiled and continued to walk, leaving Kaida blinking as she looked up at him. I don't ever want to lose you Kaida. I want you by my side forever.