Kiyomi felt her energy slowly being seeped from her body with every step she took. The mountain was so much more powerful than she had originally thought.

Kiyomi felt a shock run over her body as she walked alongside of Lord Sesshomaru. He had stood in front of barrier but took no step closer.

She knew that she could not go through the barrier either. It wasn't because she would be purified. She had come across a barrier such as this once before. The only thing that would be her powers. She would become extremely weak almost unable to move. However, if Lord Sesshomaru walked into it he would be purified instantly.

They had come here because this time Lord Sesshomaru had actually found the scent of Kohaku and followed it. It led to this mountain. But from this point on she could tell his scent had disappeared. It was the only reason why he would stop here.

After a few minutes of silence Kiyomi saw Lord Sesshomaru begin to walk away. Kiyomi slowly followed him and moved to his side.

"Lord Sesshomaru," she said, "if you'd prefer I can go into the barrier and check for myself if the boy is there."

"No," he said. Kiyomi nodded and sighed. She just felt so weak. Kiyomi followed next to him closely as they made their way back toward Rin and Jaken at the foot of the mountain. Kiyomi wondered to herself. What would she do when she saw Naraku? What would happen?

Suddenly her vision blurred and she felt herself falling forward. Before she could do anything she felt an arm around her, holding her up. He slowly pulled her back up to her feet and stared down at her.

"I'm sorry," she said running the tips of her fingers over her forehead, "even though I can't be purified here my powers are still effected greatly and I'm very weak."

"Hn." Kiyomi watched him turn away from her and begin to walk away. Kiyomi followed him until they got to where they had left Jaken and Rin but Rin wasn't there.

As soon as Jaken saw them he was on the ground bowing and whimpering.

"I'm so sorry! Please forgive me, Lord Sesshomaru," he sobbed, "Rin ran off before I could stop her!"

Kiyomi sighed at the imp. He was so sad.

"Where is she," he said, "inside the barrier?" Suddenly Lord Sesshomaru began to walk toward the barrier but Jaken quickly grabbed on to his legs.

"You mustn't go in there Master," he shouted ,"if you enter the sacred grounds even you will be instantly purified!"

Lord Sesshomaru looked down at the imp passively. Kiyomi looked up into the barrier and saw a small shadow. She moved closer the barriers edge.

"Be quiet and look behind you." Kiyomi watched the shadow get bigger as the girl approached them.

"Huh? Is that Rin!" Rin emerged from the barrier with a wide smile on her face.

"Lord Sesshomaru," she cried happily.

"Kohaku was there, wasn't he?" Kiyomi stared at the shocked expression of the girl when he said that. He hit the mark huh?

"Now be honest Rin you can't deceive master's keen nose."

"Um...the truth is Kohaku helped me escape," she said, "there were lots and lots of demons in the cave."

Kiyomi scowled at the little girl.

"What's that," Lord Sesshomaru said with a scowl of his own.

"Well, that is rather odd." Why were there demons behind the barrier when they couldn't even get inside it?

Was Naraku inside Mt. Hakurei?