I apologize for the late update. Have been busy and at the same time try to update all my stories. I'm totally way behind with update. Sorry about the delay. Here is the next chapter. Enjoy and don't forget to review.

Chapter Forty

Sesshomaru was so angry that he turned and headed toward the hut. He was planning to talk to Inuyasha when Saige got in his way. At first, he was slightly surprised by her action, but then realizes that she must have assumed that he might tried to killed Kiyomi, which was the farthest thing on his mind.

"I won't let you," He heard her said.

She glares at him for a few second before it vanished. It was replaces with a calm expression. "If you really care for me then let me make my decision and trust me on this".

"Trust?" Sesshomaru thought for a moment. Maybe he should trust that Saige is doing the right thing even though he disagrees with it because he really doesn't want to lose her.

Realization hits him when he realizes that he has actually cared for Saige and has silently accepted to be father to her He looked over at Saige who was trying to figure out what he was thinking,

Unexpectedly, he grabs her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace. He realizes Saige was surprised by his action when he felts her tenses up.

"As much I dislike your decision, I won't stop you from doing it," He told her.

"Thank you," he heard her muttered before he felt her relax and hugs him back.

XXXXXX

A minute later, Saige pulled away and looked at Sesshomaru. She was surprises to see the anger in his eyes gone and was replaced with a slight concern expression. She gave him a nod before she turns and walked toward the hunt.

She immediately stops in her track when she saw Rin, who was slowly walking up to her. Before she can get a chance to say something, she felt herself get pulled into an embrace. Realizing that it was her mother hugging her, Saige found herself hugging her mother back.

Rin knew she can't stop Saige from going through with saving Kiyomi. So, she decides to accept her daughter decision even though it hurt her.

After a few minute, Saige pulled away and walked toward the hut leaving Rin behind with Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru walked up behind Rin and placed a hand on her shoulder.

All of a sudden a breeze wind was blowing. Swiftly Saige turns her head toward the forest, eye fixed as if she sense something coming from a far.

"Rena," she muttered under her breath when she picks up a scent. Knowing that Rena is alive, Saige knew that Cobramaru must have brought her back from the underworld to distract her. That way he could get his hands on Kiyomi.

With Rena alive, bring more trouble for her because that would mean that Rena would come after her to challenge. Well more likely to destroy her.

"Saige?" her mother's voice snaps her out from her thoughts. She looked up to meet her mother's worry eyes. "Are you alright? Is there something wrong?"

"It's nothing," She told her mother and turn around, not before noticing her father's stare.

She knew her father senses it too and would probably question her or go after it.

"I can handle it," she said out loud to where her parents can hear her. Then she begins to head toward the hut.

As she reaches the hut, she stops and realizes something wasn't right. Usually her father would say something and not letting her leave.

Senses something wasn't right, Saige turns around, only to see her mother walks toward her and her father was no where in sight.

"Where is he?"

"Huh?" Rin blinks her eyes confused and turns around, expecting to see Sesshomaru behind her. Noticing he was gone, she turns back around and looked at Saige. "He was just behind a minute ago".

Saige tightens her fists.

"He must have gone after Rena". She thought.

"What's wrong?" Rin asked, now standing next to Saige.

"Nothing"

Usually Rin wouldn't questions and would believe what Saige said, but now she starting to think that Saige is hiding something and that Sesshomaru might be in trouble.

"Saige, is Lord Sesshomaru in trouble?"

Seeing her mother concern and scared, she didn't want to lie to her, saying that her father is okay when she doesn't know herself. "He's strong and a fighter," was all Saige said before she walked inside the hut, leaving Rin alone.

Rin stares at the forest and places her hand to her chest. "Lord Sesshomaru, please come back safe". She muttered.

XXXXXX

Somewhere in the forest, Rena was walking and slightly glancing around. She can pick up Saige's scent from far and knew she was heading in the right direction. Suddenly out of nowhere, a wolf demon appears from behind her showing his fangs at her. Before the wolf demon could attack, his head was slice off in a blink of an eye.

"Fool," she muttered as she slices her sword back in it sheath and continue to walk ahead as the wolf demon's body headless collapses to the ground.

Up on the branches on one of the tree, a pair of eyes was watching Rena. He was about to follow her when she suddenly disappear.

"Huh? Where did she go?" he questioned. Before he can figure out where Rena went, a claw suddenly puncture a hole in his chest. His eyes widen as he looked down at his chest. Realizing what was happening, he turned to see Rena behind him.

"You," he choked as he was bleeding from his mouth.

"I want you to send a message to Cobramaru for me," she sternly said before she yanks her hand out from his chest and kicks him out of the tree. Then she landed on the beside the twitch body.

Rena glares at the lifeless body for a few second before she walked away.

XXXXXX

"We need to come up a plan to stop Cobramaru before it too late," Miroku got up and walked over to Kagome, Inuyasha, and Kenzou.

"It's not going to be easy," Kenzou paces around. "He has brought his army back from the dead. Who knows when he would attack, so..."

"We need to find his corpse fast before he finds it," Saige answered and everyone looked over at her.

Kenzou notices something was bothering Saige. Before he can question her, Rin walked in and Kagome spokes.

"Rin, are you okay?"

Rin nodded and Inuyasha looked around, sniffing the air. "Hey Rin, where's Sesshomaru?"

"Um" Rin looked over at Saige.

"He went to check something out," Saige answered, helping her mother out.

"Alone?" Inuyasha folds his arms and scoffs. "Typical, he always goes off without saying anything".

"HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT ABOUT LORD SESSHOMARU?" Jaken spats, earning himself a whack in the head.

"Shut up!" Inuyasha retorts, holding one of his fist up.

"I wonder why Sesshomaru went off alone." Shippo questioned.

"Maybe he senses a demon from far and went to fight it before it reach here," Kohaku assumed and Saige stares at him.

She would have gone after him if she didn't have to deal with anything. "I know how to save Kiyomi," she said, changing the subject, getting everyone attention.

"Really?" Kagome asked with a smile.

"Yes," Saige simply replied and Inuyasha looked at her.

Knowing what she was about to do, he spokes. "Saige, are you sure you know what you are doing?" he asked in concern.

He really didn't want her to sacrifice for Kiyomi. As much he wants to save his daughter, he didn't one to see someone sacrifice their life.

Saige gave him a "Let me do this" look before she pull a small bottle out from her kimono. Then she pulled Tenseiga out and pulled liquid out from the bottle onto the sword. The sword glows and she points at Kiyomi.

Kenzou stares at the sword and glances over at Kiyomi. "Forgive me," he thought and Kiyomi nodded as she could hear what he was thinking.

Unexpectedly and swiftly, he moves and grabs the Tenseiga from Saige and slashes it at her.

"KENZOU! What do you think you are doing?" Kagome shouted while Inuyasha and the others stare in shock.

Saige on the other hand was shock and glaring at Kenzou.

"I'm sorry," Kenzou drops the Tenseiga down on the floor.

Angry, Saige grabs by the collar of his kimono and drags him outside. Once outside, she tosses him to ground.

"FOOL! What were you thinking?"

Kenzou got off the ground. "I was thinking that I was doing the right thing".

Saige growls and grabs him by the neck.

"I had to do it because it was Kiyomi wish and also Totosai's order," he explained. "You are the only one that powerful beside my dad and Lord Sesshomaru that can defeat Cobramaru and I can't let you die".

As if his word were going through her mind, Saige release him, letting him fell to the ground, coughing.

She turns her back to him and stares up at the sky. "You do realize that by saving me, you put Kiyomi in danger".

"She's not in danger," Inuyasha's voice spokes and Saige turns around, seeing Inuyasha help Kenzou up. "You're forgetting that Kiyomi has Kagome's power, which mean she can put up a barrier and by drinking Sesshomaru's blood, the curse is not strong on her".

"Why didn't you tell me?" Saige walked up to Inuyasha.

"You never ask, beside I thought you would have figure it out already".

"So did you know Kenzou would do this?"

"No, I didn't expect Kenzou would do this, but I did have my suspicion". Inuyasha held Tenseiga out from behind him and gave it to Saige.

Saige took the sword and stares at it. "Shouldn't you be upset that I didn't save Kiyomi like I said I would?"

"No I'm not because I understand," Inuyasha placed a hand on Saige's shoulder. "Beside I know you were lying about where Sesshomaru went," He taps his nose. "I sense the demon aura too and so did Kenzou. So, mind telling me who that demon is that Sesshomaru is going after".

Kenzou went over to Saige. "I'm sorry I did that, but I think you need to tell my father about that demon. I don't want to you to handle this alone when you got everyone that care for you".

Saige stares at Inuyasha and Kenzou wondering if she should tell them. After a minute of thinking, she decides to tell them about Rena.

Unaware, Rin and Kagome were standing near the doorway of the hut hearing their conversation.

TBC: Hmm, I wonder what's going to happen next. It's relief to say that Kiyomi will be okay for now. That was shocking to what Kenzou did.

There will be encounter with Sesshomaru and Rena and Saige will confront Rena.

Stay tuned.