Author's Notes: It is a little late, but I wish all of the readers out there a Happy New Year. As the author of this story, I wish to thank all of the supporters throughout the year 2015. It's amazing to think that the story has been up for just over a year now and that it will continue.

Anyhow, I apologize that this chapter came out as late as it did. I didn't mean for it but it was delayed unexpectedly due to a major plot hole that I discovered. Fortunately, I've managed to resolve it without making the characters act OOC in this chapter. However, I need to revisit my plan for future chapters to ensure that they aren't adversely affected. Fear not though, as I'm not abandoning this; it just means that it'll take longer for me to publish future chapters. So please be patient and bear with me.

Please bear with me if I make any mistakes or errors, especially in terms of the language (spelling, grammar, etc.).

All characters (Kikyo, Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha) from the series Inuyasha that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own anything regarding their creation; I have Rumiko Takahashi to thank for that.

And now, I present you with chapter 8….!

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Chapter 8-Lingering Memories

"When one dwells within their memories, they are merely chasing a mirage of their past self. A true warrior looks forward, and will triumph over any past complications." -Sesshomaru about memories

"What has happened before cannot be forgotten. It just needs to be recalled." -Kikyo about memories

Not a single glimpse of his true emotion could be seen underneath his façade as Sesshomaru's golden eyes skimmed over the lines on the same scroll for the umpteenth time. Each word came to him naturally, with the letters imprinted into his mind from the repeated reading he engrossed himself in. The manuscript's content was the very thing that motivated his conquest, molding his ambition into something that felt concrete.

"What is it that the world has? Know that it has accumulated the despair from the four kokuho.

What is it that the world needs? Know that it needs the Holy Entity, the keeper of four souls.

What is it that the world seeks? Know that it seeks the True Ruler, the bearer of fangs.

What is it that the world wants? Know that it wants a bitter conclusion to this foolish tale."

No one in the west knew who had the poetic inspiration to write the passage passed down the line of the Inu daiyoukai. Assumptions were thrown around about the author being a cynical ancestor who had recognized the true potential of the kokuho, though there was no conclusive evidence. Apart from the riddle-like verse, the scroll gave details of the beginning, back when the gods were directly involved with the mortal realm. It spoke of how the world reshaped itself when three dimensions merged, allowing mortals, demons, and gods alike to interact on the same plane.

As the new world developed, the mortals were quick to claim more than half of the land's mass. Being the species that was the quickest to reproduce and grow as a united front, they scattered across the globe and settled fast. However, their territorial behavior angered the demons who deemed themselves as the superior race. Unable to reach a consensus, it wasn't long until they began a lasting rivalry that soon escalated into a full-scale war.

The world was laid to waste as the mortals fought against the demons for centuries. In the conflict, the beautiful lash continent was utterly destroyed and morphed into a barren wilderness. Life began to decay in the harsh conditions. Countless innocent died and blood spilled on the ground, all the while prompting further hostility from both instigators and participants of the war. Many demons and humans were overtaken by greed and bloodlust, transforming them into vicious beasts that found pleasure in slaughtering.

What appeared to be continuous pandemonium ceased abruptly when a god decided to intervene. Goddess Heiwa — a title mortals used to refer to her — could no longer turn a blind eye to the conflict around her. With her divine power, she created four artifacts known as kokuho that could restore some balance to the chaotic world. She was aware that greed was the fuel to the tragedy so she carefully split the Great Continent into four and assigned rulers who she found suitable, bestowing them a kokuho each. From then on, the ancient relics were seen as the symbol of inheritance and proof of leadership.

Alas, Goddess Heiwa's desired peace didn't last. Her selfless act only managed to delay the inevitable bedlam.

Time passed and with the power of the kokuho, the Great Continent reformed and flourished. The years following did much to ameliorate the aftereffects of the war. The first two generations of rulers collaborated and administrated the lands together. All was good until the kokuho came to the third generation, where one ruler accidentally discovered the destructive potential hidden within the relics. As easy as it was to utilize the kokuho for creation, it became just as straightforward to use them for destruction. Since then, there was an unannounced belief that having the four relics in one place would most likely bring catastrophe to the oblivious. And so, the four rulers renounced their alliance and retreated to their respective domains.

At that time, a prophecy of unknown origin spread around the Great Continent like a fire. The prediction spoke about the appearance of the True Ruler, who could properly harness the power of the sacred artifacts to reunite the Great Continent under his name.

It was a skeptical tale with little proof, though Sesshomaru had always believed he was the True Ruler referenced in the prophecy and poem. He had to be the one. With that in mind, he set about unraveling the mysteries surrounding the kokuho. So far, he understood the relics' history and the reason why they held immense power. Apparently, the kokuho increased in energy with each new successor rising to inherit the throne, since fragments of the previous rulers' souls would be drawn in and therefore accumulated inside the artifacts.

That much he could comprehend, though he needed more information, especially regarding the prophetic poem. He could decipher parts, like the miko being the Holy Entity with her pure soul. If what the verse stated was true, then Sesshomaru did not doubt that she would play an integral role in reshaping the world and bringing forth the True Ruler. It was one of the main reasons why he kept her around in the west.

However, the sections that Sesshomaru couldn't fathom were what irritated him. Needless to say, he was undeniably intelligent, and yet, the answers he sought continued to elude him. Each line in the poem stood out on its own, like a condition that could be fulfilled separately. From what he had, the daiyoukai couldn't fully distinguish the correlation between each line. How would the kokuho connect with the Holy Entity if they were meant to be used by the True Ruler? What did the keeper of four souls imply? Just what was the poem ultimately asking for?

The hoard of unanswered questions was so infuriating. Had he possessed less self-control, then he would've vented his frustration on the furniture long ago. Still, the seemingly unending list of inquiries wasn't the only thing that stood in his conquest.

To be qualified as the True Ruler, it appeared that Sesshomaru would need to be the bearer of fangs. The only things that he could identify as fangs were the Three Swords of the Honorable Ruler. After all, it made sense that the True Ruler was also honorable. But that was also the heart of the problem. While Tenseiga and So'unga came to him willingly, Tessaiga had chosen another wielder. Unless the sword of men accepted his ownership, he would never truly be qualified as the True Ruler.

"You were there during the Chousen, right? What do you think of it?"

Someone's chit-chatting brought Sesshomaru's thoughts back to the present. Sitting cross-legged on a silver zabuton behind his study desk, the daiyoukai looked up from the scroll he was holding as his keen ears overheard the conversation between two servants passing by his closed door. It had been a week since the Chousen and he could still hear some of the lower-classed servants talk about the event. Were they really that bored and had so little else to talk about?

"I'll be frank. It's mind-boggling. I mean, her hands are bounded! Just how the hell did she even manage a single shot, let alone ten?" The second servant spoke, with a touch of apprehension latched onto his words.

His companion, who had brought up the topic, hummed in agreement. "Yeah. And not to mention that she actually used Waramaru-sama's bow. It's the largest one in the west. A person of her stature shouldn't have been able to handle it. Do you think it is witchcraft?"

"Maybe…" The second youkai gulped loudly while stopping in front of a closed door. Too engrossed in gossiping, he was unaware he was standing directly in front of his lord's chamber. "It's not farfetched to think she cheated, despite what Waramaru-sama said…"

"What makes you think that, huh?" The other youkai stopped as well, apparently inquisitive.

"…Because I saw her practicing today. And her arrows were glowing with a faint purple light! There was also an intense aura. I don't know how Kotori-sama didn't catch it, but I suspect maybe she was bewitched by the miko already."

"We can't say for sure that Kotori-sama has been ensnarled just yet. But it's definitely a possibility. And not to mention those arrows… from what you're describing, they sound deadly."

"Yeah! What if she fires them at us? There's seriously enough power to kill us both at once!"

"Okay, that's enough crap. We're fine. Sesshomaru-sama has got all of it covered. He'll protect us. If the miko does try anything like that, she'll be the one who's dead. Anyways, we can't afford to dawdle. Let's go." With that said, two sets of footsteps echoed outside of Sesshomaru's chamber and faded into the distance.

Not one to ignore any information he could process, Sesshomaru took a moment to interpret the servants' conversation. He wasn't interested in their opinion on the miko. But what troubled him was the fact that she had seemed to regain her powers. He didn't receive anything from Kotori about the phenomenon so he assumed it occurred so recently that the demoness hadn't filed an updated report. Naturally, the alternative was to believe that Kotori was under the miko's influence but the notion vanished from his mind as soon as it was conjectured. If he recalled correctly, it would be near impossible to try to control Kotori mentally. Just as the Inu clan was known for their incalculable amount of youki, the Tori clan was famous for their innate ability called Keen Eye, which gave the species immunity to brainwashing effects. In other words, Keen Eye allowed Kotori to retain a clear state of mind even when under the effects of mental manipulation.

The smallest hint of a frown etched on Sesshomaru's countenance as he contemplated what the servants said. If he was to take their words seriously, then it meant that the miko had somehow bypassed the restrictions from the Beads of Subjugation. Briefly, he wondered if the rosary was malfunctioning. 'No. I can still sense the dark magic within the beads. Moreover, I ran several experiments beforehand and nothing led to the conclusion that it would fail to restrain the miko. My only assumption is that she has learned an unknown method that allows her powers to resurface without the expected repercussions.'

With that in mind, Sesshomaru stood up instantly and placed the scroll back on the shelves behind him. Speculations would only get him as far. Without seeing things for himself, there was no way to confirm any of his postulations. Calmly heading towards the door, he slid it open and cocked his head at an angle as he took in his study room. As a habit from when he was still a pup, he checked to make sure everything was still in order. The scrolls were neatly placed on shelves, the desk was spotless, and the tatami floor wasn't spotted with a single drop of ink. Contented with the room's orderly state, the proud and mighty daiyoukai ventured out into the bright morning sun with one intention.

The archery field in the Lower Quarter was empty in the morning save for a form clad in white and red. The figure stood in line with the targets several feet away. With the bowstring pulled back, the archer's pair of mahogany eyes stared straight ahead unblinkingly.

The archer was undoubtedly Kikyo, with her obsidian hair tied back into a single low ponytail. Two strands of looped hair rested beside her breasts, defying the breeze's playful touch. Standing straight with her feet slightly apart, she concentrated on infusing her powers into the arrow.

As she welcomed the familiar feeling of her aura surging through her, she took a moment to recall the events that occurred a day after the Chousen. She couldn't fathom the reason, but Kotori seemed to have taken a liking to her, even going as far as requesting her friendship. Unused to the sudden affection, Kikyo remained stiff as the demoness half-pulled her into her room. There, she was left surveying the bland-looking area while Kotori disappeared into a wardrobe, only to return minutes later with a few sets of clothing.

"Your clothing is tore Kikyo-sama. Here, I'll lend you mine. Consider it a token of our new friendship."

Her offer sounded genuine, though Kikyo was wary nonetheless. She bluntly declined the demoness, adamantly stating that she would not wear an outfit that was not hers. Besides, it wouldn't feel right to her if she was seen clad in a kimono rather than her miko garbs. It was just as uncomfortable as it was unprofessional.

Being the equally stubborn person Kotori was, it took a while for the demoness to back down. Eventually, she agreed to mend Kikyo's tattered top with clear reluctance. That was easier said than done, and Kikyo was left exasperated when she realized the futility of trying to change while iron chains bound her wrists. Left with no other alternative, she had to settle with a maid sewing the fabric together while it was still on her. The process was long and uncomfortable for both the youkai and the human, especially since the former was constantly terrified by the latter's aura that instinctively responded to the physical contact.

Kikyo's reflection ended when pain flared inside her throat. She gritted her teeth together, refusing to grunt at the awful sensation. The Beads of Subjugation were once again restraining her. Whenever her aura tried to surface, she would be deterred by the searing pain. It felt as though someone had lit a torch that scorched her insides while simultaneously depriving her of water and oxygen. And the parched and agonizing feeling would only fade after she withdrew her energy.

Nonetheless, Kikyo did discover a trick that made the pain more bearable. Disinclined to scare off the maid mending her clothing, she attempted to spread out her aura so that it wouldn't seem as menacing as the usual condensed mass of energy surrounding her. It was at that point she realized that the rosary could only limit her power release, not wholly prevent it. It would detect how much power she exuded and only respond after she reached the threshold. In other words, by slowly ejecting her aura in minuscule amounts, she could temporarily prevent the rosary from reacting.

The muscles in her arms were straining to keep the arrow drawn so she released it. The projectile left the string with a hum and wandered off her intended mark. It was only a millimeter or so, but that was enough for Kikyo to glare at her handcuffs like their existence offended her. It was no understatement that they were a nuisance. The chains that were magically extended the other day had returned to their original length, no doubt according to Sesshomaru's will. Because of that, Kikyo found herself unable to fully draw her bow once again.

Kotori's ears jerked up when she could no longer hear the sound of an arrow leaving the bow. Puzzled, she lifted her head from her katana and was just in time to see Kikyo giving the handcuffs a censorious look. Aware of the possible thoughts going inside the miko's mind, she placed her blade, which she had been sharpening for a while, back into its bronze scabbard.

"They're still causing problems, huh?" she asked, pushing herself off the bench she was sitting on and moving towards Kikyo. During the past few days of knowing the miko, Kotori had grown fond of her. In the past, the demoness might have thought being friends with a human, especially a miko, was outrageous. But now, Kotori wouldn't think twice if Kikyo asked for her friendship. Although she was rejected once, she knew it would not be long until Kikyo accepted her, hopefully. It was something she looked forward to.

"In more ways than one. But most of all, they remind me of Sesshomaru's pompous visage," Kikyo noted with a sour remark, giving the chains a useless yank. It rattled loudly, a noise that she was despising more and more.

"While I agree that Sesshomaru-sama takes pride in everything he does, he is not a problem. And there is nothing wrong with his face," Kotori almost hissed, slightly peeved that Kikyo would take the opportunity to insult her lord.

"Kotori, don't get too riled up by my rambling. I am merely expressing my disapproval of these burdensome restraints. After all, you were the one who requested that I become more forthright about my troubles."

Kotori blinked and her annoyance evaporated when she realized that Kikyo was trying to be frank with her, something she did encourage more than once. "Oh, yes. I recall saying that… but could you refrain from commenting on Sesshomaru-sama? I understand you're frustrated, but Sesshomaru-sama is, I suppose… a sensitive topic for me."

"A sensitive topic? I am surprised you would acknowledge it. Alright, I understand." Kikyo couldn't suppress a small chuckle as she spoke. Whether it was from embarrassment or a habit, she quickly muffled it with the back of her hand.

Unbeknownst to Kikyo, Kotori was amazed after catching a brief second of the sound. It was the first time she heard the miko laugh in an authentic manner. There were the occasional smiles and dry laughter but never had there been a moment when Kikyo expressed her mirth like this. Her laugh was soft and captivatingly soothing, enough to brighten anyone's gloomy day. With that recognition, Kotori joined in and laughed wholeheartedly.

The joyful moment lasted for a short time before it was interrupted by an authoritative presence.

Kikyo's features returned to a hardened mask, her body tensing immediately after. Before anyone could stop her, she nicked an arrow and released it without a second thought. The arrow flew in the intended route, sailing in an arc towards Sesshomaru.

The daiyoukai was aware of the projectile long before it even reached him. Although it was too quiet for the human ears to perceive, his youkai senses warned him the moment the miko had struck. Stretching out one arm to protect his chest, his index and middle fingers snapped together timely and he caught the shaft in mid-flight. He immediately took notice of the lack of spiritual power within the arrow, comprehending that the miko planned it to be a warning shot. Did she foolishly think he would be caught off guard? The realization stung his pride, though his expression betrayed nothing.

"Your powers pale in comparison to mine. Do you honestly believe that you stand a chance?" It was no doubt a rhetorical question coming from the daiyoukai as he approached the two females with even steps. The mockery in his voice was evident despite his monotone; it was like he was daring Kikyo to challenge his point.

Kikyo gave no reply as she fearlessly met his golden orbs in a silent minute of appraisal. The two inspected the other's cold features. Their expression mirrored perfectly, giving an impression that they were looking at a facial replica of themselves. They stood immovable, both emanating a sense of regal pride. The wind kicked up in that instant and attested their standpoints, causing both silver and black locks to dance, with the former having more freedom than the latter.

Sesshomaru was the first to look away to regard Kotori, having lost interest in the stare-down. With a fleeting glance, he communicated with Kotori, who took the cue and left the archery fields without another word.

"Why are you here, Sesshomaru?" Left alone with the demon lord, Kikyo decided to break the unnerving stillness. It was obvious Sesshomaru was in no hurry to leave so she submitted to her curiosity, demanding the reason for his presence. She knew that her attitude was an invitation for him to get aggravated. Goading the daiyoukai while she was unprepared was imprudent on her part, though she had enough confidence that Sesshomaru wouldn't act solely on her provocation. After all, the Lord of the West didn't allow his sealed-off emotions to dictate his actions.

Instead of responding with words, Sesshomaru released his demonic energy, generating an invisible force that slammed against the miko with the brutality of a tidal wave. He inwardly smirked when he heard her surprised gasp, but then lowered both eyebrows when he felt her flaring aura trying to match his youki. The fact was laid bare for him to analyze. Straight away, he realized that the miko did have a means of countering the rosary's effects.

Even without the Beads of Subjugation, Kikyo's stamina couldn't outlast Sesshomaru's. Instincts dominated her and she rapidly loaded her bow, pointing the shaft at the tall figure standing passively before her. Unlike most youkai, Sesshomaru had the nerve to look pompous while she directed her weapon at him. Her brows puckered and she fired. As expected, her aim was true as the arrow charged for the daiyoukai's heart.

Unperturbed by the glowing projectile, Sesshomaru calmly whipped out So'unga and swung it down. Even before the physical contact, the daiyoukai could feel the sword's corruptive aura expand around the purified air. Red and white light clashed, creating sparks that pushed Sesshomaru's silver mane back. Unfazed by the blinding light, he simply narrowed his eyes before applying enough pressure to slice through the veil of spiritual power and the arrow.

Kikyo didn't try to hide her astonishment. It was written all over her face as she watched the broken pieces of the arrow fall to the ground.

'He repelled my Hama no Ya as if it was a toothpick!' she reflected in a mixture of disbelief and anger. But just as quickly as she allowed her emotions to slip through her facade, she recovered her composure before giving Sesshomaru a defiant stare. Although her attack ended in futility, it was too early for her to back down. Fueled by her promise to Takaharu, she expelled more of her energy, all the while enduring the gnawing pain that tore apart the inside of her throat.

Sesshomaru's eyebrows narrowed surreptitiously when he felt his youki being pushed back. The air around him grew thick with a power that threatened to cleanse his youki. It was a power strong enough to equal his, but it came with consequences. Sesshomaru could discern the flicker of pain flashing across the miko's face as she sought to overpower him. Grudgingly, he had to give her steadfastness some credit. It should be agonizing to muster this much energy, yet she continued to resist the rosary's effects. She was indeed stubborn if nothing else. There was a high chance that her body wouldn't withstand the damage, with her vocal tract collapsing first under duress. Letting out a deep rumble from his throat, Sesshomaru summoned more of his demonic energy and promptly detonated his powers. 'Pathetic fool. Always trying to surpass your limits... Hmph, you are just like her.'

Significantly amplified, Sesshomaru's youki knocked Kikyo off her feet. With a startled gasp, she shut her eyes and braced for the inevitable impact with the floor. It never came; instead, something soft stopped her fall. Cautiously, she cracked open her eyelids and saw that Sesshomaru had wrapped his mokomoko around her waist, effectively catching her. Before she could react, the white attachment reined her into his chest. Her eyes widened in surprise as he wrapped his arms around her. She squirmed and struggled, discomfort worming through her entire body at his unrelenting hold.

"Stay still," Sesshomaru whispered into her ear. Kikyo shivered instinctively, feeling quite certain that the chilliness of his voice could ward off almost anything. She noticed that the rosary glistened momentarily before finding her body paralyzed, unable to move a single muscle. Against her mind's protest, her body remained unresponsive as if severed from its connection with the control center that was her brain.

Sesshomaru's brows furrowed slightly when he felt uneasiness gush from Kikyo like a waterfall. The miko was certainly not used to the treatment, for her heart was thumping erratically. Somehow, the thought that this obnoxious woman was uncomfortable with his touch irked him so he hissed, "Calm your heart, miko."

Kikyo had no idea what was going on inside Sesshomaru's head, but she figured that whatever it was, she didn't want to be a part of it. She considered dropping her bow and reaching for Tadahiro's tantou to defend herself. It was an appealing thought, something that she would've done if only her body was under her control. However, as much as she willed it to be a dream, the demon lord holding onto her could freely manipulate her body. The realization brought a twinge of panic. Sesshomaru could do whatever he wanted to her and she would be powerless to stop him. Although it was ridiculous to think he would be interested in her body like some lewd man, she felt helpless now that she was at his complete mercy. More importantly, there was nothing more dangerous than a Sesshomaru who she couldn't comprehend. Questions ran amok inside her head. 'Why is he embracing me like this? What is he scheming?'

Time crawled away slowly for Kikyo while the two remained motionless. Just when Kikyo thought her legs were going numb from the lack of movement, Sesshomaru released her and she crashed unceremoniously onto the ground. His barely decipherable smirk didn't escape her notice as she climbed back onto her feet slowly, feeling lightheaded from her hard contact with the floor.

"Do you understand now?" Sesshomaru asked monotonously. "Perhaps you have learned to understand the futility of trying to defy me. Know your place, little miko."

"For an individual who is reliant upon an enchanted object to claim the superior position, you certainly do talk egotistically. Had this been a fair battle, I would've exorcized you." Kikyo spat out the dirt that she inevitably got in her mouth. She massaged her temples with her fingers, feeling a headache setting in as an aftereffect of being dropped. Despite the pain, she did her best to glare at Sesshomaru unflinchingly through the slits between her fingers.

Sesshomaru openly curled his lips into a displeased frown, though that was more of an outward show. Contrary to what his features revealed, he was actually impressed by the miko's audacity. While there were those like Gorou who tried to be defiant, they were nothing more than cowards trying to probe for his non-existent weakness. The miko was among the few who dared to challenge him directly. He supposed he ought to compliment her daringness, though that would be encouraging further insubordination. Settling on the idea of reinforcing his authority, he roughly reached out and clawed his fingers around Kikyo's throat.

"Miko, know your place before my patience grows thin," he threatened, hauling her body into the air like a ragged doll.

Kikyo was only half-listening. Her body sizzled with violent purple sparks as Sesshomaru's youki brushed against her skin, bringing forth a pain akin to having countless hot irons pressed into her. Her throat burned for two different reasons and the longer her feet dangled in midair, the more agony she felt. A straggled guttural grunt escaped her. It was taking every ounce of her willpower to not cry out and give the daiyoukai the satisfaction. Letting her bow clatter onto the ground, she strained to grab Sesshomaru's hand as she desperately tried to wrench himself free. Her struggle proved hopeless, with her power and oxygen supply depleting fast. Finding her vision becoming blurry, her eyes met Sesshomaru's briefly before she lowered her gaze in an uncharacteristically humble manner.

Sesshomaru understood her gesture. He tossed her onto the floor in an undignified heap, leaving her wheezing and coughing as he walked past her without another glance.

As Sesshomaru continued passed the fields, he found his thoughts lingering on the miko, as strange as that was. He concluded that while Kikyo's powers were stronger than he had anticipated, it was nothing he couldn't handle so long as he remained vigilant. One would think the evaluation would've appeased his curiosity, but even so, the daiyoukai's attention was still fixated on the miko.

'The similarities are almost uncanny. Could it be that she is…?' Recalling the miko's stubborn attitude, Sesshomaru pulled his gaze up as he beheld the sky. In his mind's eye, the outline of a captivating figure materialized and was put side by side with an image of the miko. The more he compared, the more he theorized the possible connection between Kikyo and the enigmatic entity in his past. But he soon dismissed his conjectures with a wave of his hand. It was ludicrous to think that she could still be alive.

But if so, then what about…

'A descendant?' The idea was easier to digest using logic, though that did nothing to prevent bitterness from seeping into his bones. His fists clenched and unclenched, and he momentarily wondered if strangling the miko to death would've been the best course of action.

Hibiki stifled a groan when he heard the cracking of his bones. Rolling his right shoulder blade backward, he eased his protesting muscles from the strained position. He was tempted to give his body another stretch but thought better of it. At his age, it was best not to pull his joints excessively, lest he caused damage to them.

"Ah, this used to be easy. I must be out of shape," he muttered to no one in particular. Taking his mind back, he wistfully reflected on the days when his younger self would constantly challenge his limitations.

Although he was technically immortal, he would still feel his actual age creeping up on him whenever he decided to succumb to a peaceful but dull life. Peace was the poison that made him weak, causing him to lose his fangs; it was a reason why the Inu clan was naturally combative. In a sense, instigating fights alleviated boredom. Nonetheless, Hibiki could be considered an irregularity amongst his species, just like the great Inu no Taisho. The former Lord of the West abhorred unnecessary violence and was the one who taught Hibiki the value of peace. And to honor his friend's ideals, the chancellor adapted his way of living.

Naturally, that came with repercussions. With time, his bones grew weary and his powers drastically declined. His senses were no longer as sharp as eons ago, but even then he could still make out the faint shuffling noises around the corner. Out of pure curiosity, Hibiki left the shelter of his beloved arbor to investigate.

He didn't have to wander far before he saw a figure standing behind a tree truck that obscured his face. Staying out of sight himself, Hibiki took a furtive sniff and recognized the scent as Gorou's. Baffled, his head tilted to the side. 'What is he doing here? And now of all times?'

Gorou seemed unaware that Hibiki was watching as his focus was glued to a pigeon perched on his outstretched arm. A wide grin tugged his lips as he untied the strip of paper attached to the bird's neck with one hand. Eagerness was plain on his features as he narrowed his eyes to read the document.

We are in the next phase, Gorou. Be careful. We are staking everything on you.

Gorou could feel his heart swell with delight. From what he could interpret, it seemed everything was proceeding as planned. So long as he played his part, he was certain he would finally get his deserved revenge. The arrogant Sesshomaru would be stabbed behind his back, and Gorou would make sure that he would be the one to do it.

"Just you wait, Sesshomaru. I'll get even with you… and using the very piece that you laid out yourself to do it no less! Haha!" Laughing like a madman keen on seeing bloodshed, the old youkai summoned his powers and burnt the paper in his hand. The pigeon squeaked and Gorou laughed again. By the time the pigeon scuttled off in fear, the piece of evidence of his scheme was left blackened and charred. Pleased, Gorou dumped the useless paper onto the grass and left.

Once Gorou was out of sight, Hibiki drew near the burnt paper. He didn't bother picking it up, knowing it would be illegible in this state. Evenly, he placed his foot on it, extinguishing the last traces of embers that nibbled at the paper. Despite having overheard Gorou's plan to usurp the throne, Hibiki was not apprehensive in the least. 'Ah Gorou-san, it appears that you do not understand the futility of your deed. What a grave oversight. Just as rules aren't meant to be breached, the Lord of the West isn't someone you should challenge. Ah, facing him in such a cowardly manner could be the last mistake you'll ever make.'

More Author's Notes: Chapter 8 is now officially done and Chapter 9 should be on its way sometime this year… Unfortunately, I can't guarantee the exact date, but I'll try to get an update done as soon as possible. Regardless, I hope that you have enjoyed this chapter and please leave a review or feedback on your thoughts.

Preview: Mutual Friendship – Next time, Inuyasha finds out more about Kikyo and the eternal secret she carries with her.

"But I promise I'll keep this a secret. It'll be just you and me, no one else. It's a promise… a promise from a friend!"

"…A friend?"