Disclaimer: All characters 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.

Author's Notes: Sorry everyone, that this chapter came far later than usual. I had some issues with my PC and couldn't access my drafts and plans for the longest time. Terrible news aside, I hope everyone has had a great start to the new year. This story has reached another anniversary and looking back, I'm amazed that it has come so far. Thank you for all the support, input, and encouragement! May this tale of Sesshomaru and Kikyo prospect and continue to deliver enjoyable content in 2025!

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(No beta-reader for this chapter).

Chapter 57-Ensnared within the Manor

"It is only there for the oblivious." -Sesshomaru about traps

"There is no trap as deadly as the one created by oneself." -Kikyo about traps

Inuyasha's eyes widened when a sudden portal sprung to life in the middle of the room, startling him into leaping out of his seat. Leaving the fallen chair forgotten, his sight was glued onto the two figures emerging from the dimensional vortex.

Unbridled enthusiasm lit Sara's face as she beheld Sesshomaru's imposing figure. She hurriedly set down the bottles of concoctions she had been handling, before gracefully approaching him with almost airy steps.

Bowing respectfully, she welcomed her lord with a smile. "Sesshomaru-sama! I'm most delighted to see your return."

"Sesshomaru-sama! Kikyo-sama!" Excitement also filled Kotori as she eagerly stepped forward, still holding her flute as she made her way to the new arrivals. Yet, delight soon turned into mortification when Inuyasha's robe rolled up from the motion. She frantically tugged at the fabric, yanking it down as far as it would allow.

Their liveliness didn't seem to reach the Lord of the West, who remained phlegmatic. All needless pleasantries were ignored as he cut straight to the heart of the matter. "How are the preparations?"

"It's progressing smoothly. All that is required are the last few ingredients," Sara replied, her head slowly lifting to observe her master's face from a better angle. Her news should have delivered jubilation, yet the lack of a noticeable change in Sesshomaru's demeanor made her lament her inability to decipher his emotions.

"I believe we are a step closer then, with this." Kikyo's voice snapped her out of her self-reproach. Straightening her stiffened body, she saw the miko remove the hoari she was wearing to offer it.

As an avid collector, the practical side of Sara shoved aside her sentimental aspect in favor of marveling at the extremely rare item. Bending her knees to crouch down a little, she didn't take it into her hands but rather examined it with evident fascination. "Ah, splendid work! So this is a Yomi no Haori, and you've brought the whole garment. I should've expected nothing less, though I must say, a mere snatch of its fabric would have sufficed for my purpose."

"This—" she began as her slender fingers moved to delicately pick at the edge of the sleeve until she found a single loose strand. She pinched it, before cutting it off with her sharp fingernails and holding it up to the light to study it intently. "—is all I require. The rest, you may do with it as you wish."

That wasn't what Kikyo had expected. For an instant, Sara had the privilege of seeing her stare at the object she had held out, at a loss.

"Uh, I…" A rare stumble came from Kotori, who then proceeded to clear her throat, embarrassed. "Ahem. Sesshomaru-sama, Kikyo-sama, if you have no further use for it… may I, um, take the garment for myself?"

Kikyo exchanged a meaningful look with Sesshomaru. A non-verbal communication seemed to transpire between them, with the former fiddling with the sleeve of the haori before interpreting the latter's silence as acquiescence.

"It looks like Ryukotsusei gave you both quite a challenge," the miko commented while passing over the clothing.

"I won't deny it. The dragon was proud, arrogant even, but his boast of his strength was not empty."

"You've done well. I've once observed his powers and the destruction he's capable of from a distance, and seen the scars he left in his wake." With a comforting hand on the demoness' shoulder, Kikyo examined her before shifting her sight to Inuyasha with the same soft expression she had given the swordswoman. "I'm relieved to see you and Inuyasha return victorious."

"Course we did," affirmed Inuyasha, the corner of his mouth curling up into his trademark grin. "Kickin' that dragon's ass was well worth a few scrapes and tears—" he shrugged his shoulders, "—but Kotori here was whining about her ruined clothes the entire way back."

"I wasn't whining, and it is a pity. I quite liked that kimono. It was tailor-made. I possess others, but they lack the same allure." The demoness let out a dismayed sigh, pretending that the exasperated look Inuyasha sent her way didn't exist even as her logic agreed with him. "Regardless, I suppose Inuyasha-sama has a point. Losing one's clothes is preferable to losing one's life."

"..."

For a moment no one spoke. While Inuyasha wasn't sure about the meaning behind the others' silence, he was left speechless because of how ludicrous that sounded.

He eventually managed to snort, before blurting out, "Jeez, don't you know how weird that sounds, stupid woman? And you've missed my point!"

"If you're still looking for a quick place to change—" Seeing the indignation flash in Kotori's sapphire orbs prompted Sara to finally chime in, breaking the argument before a retort could form from the demoness' lips. Her index finger nonchalantly pointed towards her workbench. "—you may consider over there."

"Under there?" Inuyasha stared, an eyebrow arched. A tablecloth had been artfully draped to create a makeshift curtain that shielded most of the area beneath the table, though he didn't think it was an idle place for changing regardless.

"It's unconventional, I'll admit, but I'll prefer it if you don't stray far. The Lady Mother has yet to return, but we can commence the first phase of the ritual with what we have gathered."

"The quicker, the better for Kikyo-sama," Kotori responded with a determined nod, her eyes meeting those of the miko.

The bird demoness had initially intended to go outside to find a secluded spot. However, given the owner's insistence that she remain nearby, she decided to use what she could. Heading over and ducking under the table, she shifted into place and called out, "Inuyasha-sama, don't even think about peeking in my direction, understood?"

The recipient felt heat rising, a vibrant shade of crimson spreading across his cheeks. Was she making it her goal to embarrass him today? Defiantly rolling his eyes, he protested, "I wasn't going to! Why you gotta call me out like that? Sesshomaru's here too, you know! Call him out too!"

Despite his complaints, he respected her request and averted his gaze. That was when he noticed his half-brother's eyes narrowing, not due to his comment, but from fixating his focus on a corner of the room.

While the others had been conversing, Sesshomaru chose to be on the sidelines, his habit of meticulously studying their surroundings taking over. The behavior aligned with the usual, but Inuyasha felt something was different about his arrogant sibling.

On the physical level, the Lord of the West appeared unchanged and his demeanor portrayed the cold-hearted stoicism he was known for. Nonetheless, Inuyasha knew it wasn't the same, even if he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. It was difficult to put into words; at best he would describe his half-sibling's mannerisms as being weathered down by an ancient mark of weariness that time itself had left.

He continued to cast furtive glances in Sesshomaru's direction, observing him with confusion etched on his visage. He watched as the daiyoukai's gaze flickered away from the corner he had seemingly been obsessed with to the row of incenses with a deepened frown.

The expression of subtle disgust was so familiar to Inuyasha that he couldn't help but scoff, his nose crinkling. "It reeks, doesn't it? You feel weaker, and less aware of your surroundings. I know the feeling. You'd better get used to it too, 'cause the stench ain't goin' anywhere. We need it for the ritual."

His words seemed to have gotten the daiyoukai's attention, for he swiftly rotated his head towards him, giving him a brief appraisal. "You are a miserable sight, Inuyasha."

A fleeting odd gleam appeared in Sesshomaru's golden eyes, only to disappear as quickly as it had emerged. However, the recipient of his off-handed jab failed to detect this transient change. The corner of Inuyasha's eyebrow twitched as he noticed how their physical appearances were like day and night.

Touga's elder son commanded the entire room with his imposing presence. With hair as white as snow and eyes as intense as the sun, his tall stature and regal bearing left an authoritative impression that was impossible to overlook. His immaculate armor and unblemished attire further heightened his magnificence, making him the embodiment of elegance and strength.

In contrast, the half-demon's physical state was far from impeccable. He could feel that parts of his silver mane at the back were churred and knotted. His regular red robe was gone, leaving the layer beneath visible, stained with dirt and traces of blood.

"Keh! Why do you care? I got what you want, isn't it all that matters?" he huffed, crossing his arms with a petulant pout. He didn't enjoy being compared to his elder brother, even if he occasionally found himself doing so subconsciously. This time, the comparison felt even more unpleasant.

The Lord of the West didn't bother replying. He returned to his examination with the impression that he was looking for something in particular. In truth, he wasn't quite sure what he was seeking. From his hampered senses, nothing was out of the ordinary, yet… Was it mere paranoia or his warrior senses that stirred his intuition of something amiss?

Inuyasha had confirmed the necessity of the incenses, even though they were hindering his sensory abilities. But for what reason did the scent serve? From Sesshomaru's perspective, demons seemed more affected than humans, though Kikyo was the one who required the ritual. Furthermore, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that a threat was nearby.

Trusting his instincts, he strode towards the door, aiming to leave the premises and scan the room from the outside. The moment his senses could operate optimally, he would be able to settle this inner turbulence once and for all.

"Sesshomaru-sama? Wait, Sesshomaru-sama! Please don't leave! You mustn't!"

Dismissing Sara's plea, he placed a hand on the shoji and was about to slide it open when an ominous chuckle filled the room.

"Ha, it's a shame. I was quite confident you would remain oblivious, given your subordinates' lack of awareness. I made sure to be meticulous in my deception, but your skepticism knows no bounds, it seems."

The low sardonic voice, which Sesshomaru identified as Naraku's, echoed from all directions, prompting everyone to snap to alertness. With his hand placed on his sword's hilt, the True Ruler scanned the room, his gaze eventually settling on the corner he deemed oddest.

"You have become more astute, Sesshomaru. It appears I have no choice but to hasten my plans, after all."

Almost immediately, a kekkai flickered into existence before dissolving to reveal three shadowy figures lunging at him.

One assailant parted his mouth, showcasing razor-sharp triangular teeth akin to a shark's. Saliva coated the white surface as a roar left his maw. "I'll eat you up, and put on muscles!"

Kyokotsu's battle cry was like a trumpet, ringing off the walls with a clamor like thunder.

Although piercing his ears, Jakotsu wasn't surprised at his comrade's loud and vocal presence. While Kyokotsu was not the most nimble in their group, he was the definition of colossal in physical terms for a human. Towering over even some youkai species, he possessed the lung capacity to shake an entire room with a mere breath.

Having devoured many demons to strengthen himself, Kyokotsu had undergone a transformation that mutated many of his features. His dark green hair now stood in messy spikes, adding to his imposing height. A pair of dark blue stripes adorned the skin beneath his beady, bloodshot eyes. These characteristics gave him a distinctly animalistic and almost demonic quality, particularly evident when he opened his mouth to reveal his sharp, jagged teeth capable of tearing through meat and bones with ease.

Sadly, his bulky frame and blue chest armor were of no use against the demon lord. Sesshomaru had swiftly reacted to the ambush, moving with a speed akin to lightning. He thrust his claw, stabbing through the layers of muscle and tissue with ruthless precision.

Yanking his appendage free and leaving a gaping hole where the heart had been, Sesshomaru turned his attention to his next closest foe, a mercenary with unruly brown hair and six green markings drawn across his face. Whipping out So'unga with his dominant hand — the one free of blood — he felt none of the blade's usual willful nature as he delivered a powerful horizontal slash, aiming to cleave the human from the waist upwards.

The bloodthirsty grin on Suikotsu was contorted by astonishment. Only his rapid reflexes saved him as he crisscrossed his arms in a defensive position. The sword smashed into his trusted tiger claws, shattering the latter into shards and throwing its wielder into the wall with such force that it left cracks and dents in the surface behind.

'This ain't good!' Jakotsu could feel the weight of the situation upon him. The realization that he would be the next target prompted him to stop, his waraju sandals pressing hard into the ground in his endeavor. With a sense of urgency, he distanced himself and opted to exploit the range to his advantage.

"Pathetic." Sesshomaru's golden orbs narrowed as he stared at the remaining foe standing, his expression one of disdain. He had hoped to face a more formidable adversary, but instead, he found himself battling inept humans unable to withstand his strength long enough to test So'unga. Since the trial, the sword of hell seemed to be acting far more docile than he had thought possible, so he sought a brawl that could confirm whether or not its rebellious nature had truly been curbed.

"Hey! Who are you calling pathetic?" Jakotsu demanded, his tone sharp as he brandished his sword towards the one who insulted him.

"You dare ambush me with such a feeble effort? Did you truly believe you stood a chance against this Sesshomaru?"

"You, Sesshomaru, really are as arrogant as they say. You may be attractive, but you've gone way too far, you arrogant wretch. You've just made me want to cut you up even more!" the mercenary retorted, his voice a mix of fury and admiration that bordered an insane glee. From this distance, he planned to exploit the full advantages of the unpredictability of his retractable blade's attacks.

He was caught off guard when someone who wasn't the Lord of the West darted towards him, only to realize that it was Inuyasha a moment later when his Tessaiga crisscrossed with his Jakotsuto, generating a shower of sparks.

"Heh! Your trick is gettin' old. I know damn well what that sword of yours can do. You won't one-up anyone when I'm around," the hanyou with triangular ears on top of his head boasted, a confident smirk on his countenance.

"It's you, Inuyasha!" Any signs of his annoyance vanished as the man's painted lips curled upward in ecstasy. His dark irises lit up upon realizing the half-dog held recollections of him from their one short encounter. "You remember me! We really are a match! I kept telling the others you're the one I want, but no, they all had other ideas. Go fight Sesshomaru, bah-bah-bah, they all say. I'm so happy you want to fight me! Come, let us finish our dance!"

Jakotsu's shrill voice caused Inuyasha to grimace. "I'm not doing this for you. We've got some unfinished business to settle, that's all, and I ain't letting Sesshomaru hog all the glory!"

While it was true that he hadn't chosen Jokotsu as his opponent for the mercenary's sake, he was also disinclined to reveal the truth. The ambush had triggered the instinctive response of stepping in to cover for Sesshomaru — though in hindsight, he doubted the aid was needed.

"You're the cutest even when you're not being honest with me!" Jakotsu's response was a playful laugh as he pushed with strength beyond mortal limits. "Since you want me that much, I'm all yours, Inuyasha. We're gonna have so much fun!"

A series of events evolved rapidly before Kikyo in a matter of seconds.

The sudden appearance of assailants, followed by Sesshomaru's quick retaliation and the clash of sparks between Tessaiga and Jakotsuto, had set the scene for the unfolding chaos.

Kotori, rushing out from under the table, was met with a flurry of root-like tentacles that she narrowly avoided by using Inuyasha's Robe of the Fire-Rat as a shield.

As an archer, Kikyo's response to the chaos was to shuffle toward the nearest corner, an endeavor to observe and deduce what she ought to do.

All thoughts were halted when something grabbed her by the wrist. Whipping her head around, her brown orbs immediately widened at the sight of unkempt auburn hair, focused dark orbs, and a recognizable face that seemed more weathered from hardship but stronger than she had last seen him.

"Kikyo-sama!" the young man called out, urgency latched onto his voice as he attempted to tug her over to him. "I've finally got you! Just follow me, quickly! I will take you to a safe place!"

In conjunction with the havoc, the spontaneous appearance of Tadahiro, the heir of the east, left Kikyo atypically stupefied. The raven-haired woman stood motionless against the prompting, her brain trying to rationalize his presence.

The first notion her wary mind conjured was the possibility of an imposter, so her gaze drifted to the young man's other hand. The spear he was grasping onto was emanating dark energy, though it couldn't mask her spiritual aura. Although most of the petals from her Platycodon Grandiflorus seal had withered away from usage, she could sense her unique wavelength of energy. Even if a shapeshifter like Naraku could mimic Tadahiro's form, the purity within her aura could never be replicated by the evil creature.

This was indeed the former Prince of the East, and the current Lord of the East by birthright.

'Why is he here amidst this chaotic situation?' That became her second thought. Were it not for the mayhem going around her, she might have been struck by a sense of déjà vu and concluded that the hot-blooded royalty had a knack for getting himself into dangerous places, particularly when she least expected it.

A sudden spike of youki snapped her out of her reverie and alerted her to Sesshomaru's approach. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of two more familiar-looking assailants vainly attempting to impede his path — one with a torrent of fire and the second with poisoned projectiles. 'They are… Renkotsu and Mukotsu. Are they trying to stop Sesshomaru from reaching me… or from reaching Tadahiro-san?'

"Come on!" A frustrated grunt erupted from Tadahiro when the miko held firm, unwilling to move. Although he possessed a larger physique and could resort to throwing her over his shoulder, he didn't deem it appropriate to use force on the woman he respected. "Kikyo-sama, we need to go!"

"Tadahiro-san… I assure you, I am well protected. Sesshomaru stands by my side," Kikyo assured, her voice steady but loud enough to cut through the clanging of metals as she tried to stop the young man from dragging her along. "It's your safety I'm concerned about."

Slowly but surely, the final pieces of an old puzzle clicked into place. She had thought it strange when she had seen the members of the Band of Seven at the borderline. The Shichinintai was known to be active in the east; they should have no reason to partake in a conflict between the west and the south. It was only upon seeing the purple coating Jakotsu's weapon that she began to make some assumptions, though clarification hadn't been possible when the mercenary had chosen to flee instead of speaking with her.

'I see. It seems Tadahiro-san found their aid, only to then all side with Naraku for some unknown reason.'

"Why?" she questioned, speaking exactly her musings. "Why have you allied yourself with Naraku?"

"To save you, what else?" Tadahiro had barely finished when Kikyo caught a blue and purple figure behind him.

'Naraku!'

Only her eyes had alerted her of his presence and the danger sank in with the realization that the mastermind was lurking around with a Fuyouheki fragment.

"Move!" There was no room for delay. Kikyo shoved the young man aside with her body, involuntarily positioning herself in the path of the incoming attack.

A callous smirk danced on Naraku's lips, an indication that her reaction had been a part of his intricate scheme. With a swift movement, he extended his palm, tendrils of jaki circling as he forcefully struck her in the chest.

She coughed, feeling an intense pain spreading with the miasma and all air being forcefully driven out of her lungs. The momentum sent her unceremoniously smashing into the wall, which triggered the very surface behind her to emit a single flash. Red inscriptions emerged and parted like ink seeping through paper, materializing a confinement circle that ensnared her, pulling her limbs in place and holding her up so her body couldn't slide down.

A vibrant shade of red dyed Sesshomaru's sclera. The magenta stripes adorning his features sharpened, growing longer as his lips stretched taut in a menacing snarl.

The spectacle of rage was the final image that filled Mukotsu's wide round eyes before So'unga vertically bisected him.

Demonstrating unparalleled speed, Sesshomaru removed the last of his obstacles by swiping the bandana-wearing mercenary away with his other hand. His youki twisted and eddied around his boots as he charged forward, his arm extended and claws flexed to snap Naraku's neck.

A dark purple radiance engulfed the entire room, its brightness so intense that even Sesshomaru had to narrow his eyes into slits. In that instance, no one could move; it was as if time had come to a stop.

From the perspective of those with youki coursing through their veins save for one, the ground seemed to disappear all of a sudden, unveiling a bottomless void that dragged them into a rapid descent.

When the luminescence waned, only Naraku, Tadahiro, The Shichinintai, and Kikyo remained in the room.

Princess Abi, currently an exile from the Fenikkusu clan, was perched high above, her legs crossed on a flaming platform shaped like her loyal servants' wings. She watched keenly from afar, her eyesight renowned for its sharp precision.

The female Inu daiyoukai, though she did not bear the sheer power that her son exuded, was not to be underestimated.

Despite being surrounded by countless demon birds and relentlessly attacked from all directions, every maneuver the dog demon executed was done with elegance. Her movements were expeditious, her body moving with the grace of a black swan as she dodged or delivered a powerful swiping attack that could obliterate any adversary that got too close.

As more of her devoted companions fell victim to the Inu daiyoukai's lethal claws, Abi couldn't help but bite the bottom of her painted lips as she reflected on the 'trade' that led her to this precarious situation.

With every step, flames and wreckage followed. Every hut around her was set ablaze, and the center of the village became the epicenter of her servants' feast. Corpses littered the ground, a testament to the lives recently taken without discrimination for her mother's replenishment. With wings tucked into their white bodies and their long beaks buried into flesh, her demon birds drained their victims of every droplet of blood, leaving behind a dried shriveled mess.

As more of her demonic flock descended to feast, some that had already started drinking squeaked in protest at sharing the spoils.

"No fighting now." Her commanding yet amused voice rang out. "There's plenty to go around. But don't leave a drop behind, my trusted servants."

Her faithful servants continued to feast and she watched with a pleased smirk. The more blood she acquired, the sooner her mother would be able to recover from the grievous injuries she had suffered from her former kinsmen.

Her imagination of fighting a glorious battle of retaliation next to Tekkai was halted when all birds' heads simultaneously pulled away from their victims, their gaze fixed on a single dark corner of a burning hut.

"What's the matter?" she asked, her alertness rising.

"Princess Abi, the bird master."

Her answer came as a man's voice as he emerged from the shadows, his ominous presence causing the darkness around him to writhe with an eerie twist.

Tall and pale, the newcomer had dark wavy hair tied in a high ponytail. Dressed in a plain blue kimono and a purple vest, he could easily be mistaken for an ordinary nobleman, if not for the crimson glow from his eyes and the distinct blue eyeshadows. His demeanor exuded confidence despite being outnumbered, and a dark aura enveloped him as he moved with grace and poise.

"Yes? Who are you?"

"Make me a path so I, Naraku, can cross over."

"How dare you order me around like that!" she screeched, infuriated by his insolence. Summoning a blazing surge of fire with a wave of her hand, she poured her boiling rage into the attack and threw it at him.

Her anger soon morphed into a mixture of surprise and confusion when her projectile, which normally would've incinerated a foe into ashes, ricocheted off Naraku, who had completely enveloped himself in a purple dome.

Squealing in fury on her behalf, some of her servants attempted follow-up attacks by charging at the man, only to be deflected the instant they collided with the kekkai.

"It wasn't intended as an order." The inflation in his tone didn't change, though she noticed the pacing was a slimmer quicker, almost as if he wanted to get his clarification across before she could attempt another assault.

"Then what is your intent?" Aware that she couldn't penetrate his barrier, she held her flames at bay, even as her birds persisted but to no avail.

"Call off your servants, princess. I did not come here to battle you, but to make a trade."

Eying the stranger, her anger was subsided by curiosity mingled with vigilance as she gestured for her birds to withdraw. "Naraku, you said your name was? So then, what's in it for me if I agree to help you?"

She was no fool. This mysterious individual was aware of her name and whereabouts. It was likely that he had done his research on her. Her current less-than-ideal situation should be a known fact. Thus, there must be something special he required from her while being capable of offering something of her interest.

The kekkai surrounding him flickered before dissolving. Nevertheless, she was under no impression that she could exploit it. His stance was self-assured, with no openings available.

"First answer me this, princess. It's my understanding that you use your birds to collect the blood of humans for your mother, who is apparently on the verge of death. It is puzzling to me that you have ventured north instead of seeking assistance from Sesshomaru. Your clan is under the Lord of the West's reign, and while you may have been exiled, you could argue the injustice of the punishment and seek refuge. Why have you not chosen to do so?"

Naraku's question struck a sore spot of her pride and she bared her fangs in a hiss. "It's true we could find shelter under Sesshomaru. But that cold-hearted demon lord won't meddle with the internal affairs of a clan, and we won't ask him. Our problems with the clan are our own."

Ultimately, their riot stemmed from their dissatisfaction with being made to bow respectfully to the unworthy one on the throne. To fall on their knees in front of another sovereign to beseech for his help would bring shame upon everything that her mother and she were trying to do.

"In that case, all you need to do is continue collecting blood and hope that your mother recovers quickly, princess. That's one option. Or… if you promise to assist me, then I guarantee to help you gather blood even faster than you can ever achieve on your own."

Leaving the enticement hanging, Naraku's form contorted unnaturally, the bones near his shoulders shifting to rearrange themselves as a long trident emerged from his back. Abi was a daiyoukai who had seen a lot of unusual things, but the sight of him pulling the weapon out with an unexpected smoothness left an uneasy feeling in her guts.

"After all, why settle for the blood of humans when it's more efficient to feast on demons." He threw the item at her, smirking as she easily caught it with one hand. "That is made from my bones. I shall lend it to you."

She thoroughly inspected her new toy and noted that not only was its exterior tough, but an unfathomable power also lurked within.

Given her circumstances, she could see its boons. With her mother crippled, she had to keep a low profile and avoid conflict. That was why she had opted for weak humans as her target as opposed to youkai, despite the latter being a more efficient remedy.

"What's the catch?" she asked with a skeptical eyebrow. Thus far, all he had explained were the benefits she would be receiving. She hadn't forgotten that it was supposed to be a 'trade', which meant nothing would come without a cost.

"I have some tasks I need you to carry out. As for the potential dangers, you will become aware of them the moment you accept my first assignment."

Abi emerged from her musings with the conclusion that accepting Naraku's task would inevitably make an enemy out of the Lord of the West. The terms of their trade were becoming increasingly evident. For one, her assistance in obstructing Sesshomaru's mother would, in turn, make Sesshomaru her adversary.

She internally chuckled, recognizing the risks involved. With her deed, she could no longer seek aid from the Western Realm. However, why would she want the protection of that heartless, power-hungry demon lord? He cared solely for the status of his power as a symbol, with indifference towards the land he governed. If anything, he would eventually become a grand opposition to the future she envisioned.

A buzzing sound alerted her to the presence of the wisps-like demons — Saimyosho, as Naraku had introduced. She assumed they were here not only to observe the situation but also to keep a watchful eye on her. That was fine by her; she had no intention of acting behind his back at the moment, especially not when the half-demon was still useful and her mother needed more time and resources for her recovery.

For now, she would go with the flow and remain a bystander as the Inukimi fought off the relentless waves of bird demons, desperately seeking her blood.

Sesshomaru was livid.

Since Kikyo was nowhere to be found, the realization that she was likely still trapped in Naraku's repulsive grasp stoked aplomb of disgust and frustration. His desire to resort to destruction to break free from the vile pest's trap was overwhelming. Yet, the unexpected nature of his situation had served as a bucket of water that cooled his rage, subsequently containing his impulsive drive in favor of thinking things through. As the crimson sheen over his eyes faded, he sheathed So'unga and his expression shifted to one of calculation.

The magic that had pulled them into this peculiar cavernous area felt strangely akin to teleportation in some capacity. Yet, the major disparity was the experience; it felt like he had been forcefully pulled — as if ensnared by a vacuum — rather than carried off.

Unable to classify the method, Sesshomaru wasn't certain whether they were still within the confines of the estate, contained within some kind of bound hex, or inexplicably transported to a completely foreign location altogether.

"Where the hell is this?" Inuyasha was the first to break the silence, voicing what was playing on the minds of all present.

"What happened? I remember the ground suddenly opening and then falling. Are we in a hidden area beneath the manor? But this doesn't look like a normal cave." As Kotori swept her gaze through her surroundings, she tugged thoughtfully on her obi, tightening the white hoari draped over her slender figure. The strange aura in the air etched a cold sensation into her bones, making her shiver.

Adding to the chill was the sight of the pinkish flesh-like masses that seemed to be merged with the rocky terrains. Frankly, were it not for the rocks, she might have concluded they had been swallowed and were in a large beast's stomach.

"Let's put aside how we ended up here. I wanna know where we even are so that we can get out." The irritation in Inuyasha's tone was as palpable as his disgust. He carefully lifted his foot from the fetid liquid that came up to his ankles and wiggled his toes to shake the substance off. An unpleasant odor — metallic and putrid — assaulted his nostrils. Carrying a stench reminiscent of the undead creatures summoned by So'unga, it twisted his face into a grimace.

'I wonder, can we escape by destroying the wall?' The unnatural surroundings felt disorientating for a demoness as practical as her so she swiveled her head towards her companions. Her eyes, sparkling with a deep, sapphire hue, glimmered briefly as she locked onto her lord's three swords, before dimming as she lamented her missing katana.

"Leave it to me, I'll bust us out of here."

She only realized she had spoken her musing when Inuyasha took it literally. The hot-headed warrior didn't waste any time, and without hesitation, he sprang into action, determined to follow through with her 'suggestion'.

"Kaze—"

"Wait!"

There was a small splash as Inuyasha lamely struck the ground without releasing the torrent of youki. He glanced at Sara with a puzzled look, demanding an explanation.

"Destroying this place without knowing what lies beyond could be extremely perilous." The woman shook her head, her tone warning. "We don't even know if the miko is on the other side. It may be wiser to explore this place and search for clues to leave."

Sesshomaru's eyebrows knitted together at the proposal. He cast his gaze to the cavern's depths, the darkness stretching so far that even his superior senses could identify nothing significant. To venture into the unknown involved many risks to contemplate, not to mention the time they would use to explore. Following through with Inuyasha's unfinished intent would be much more efficient, yet a thought weighed upon his mind and oppressed the temptation.

This seemed like a complex scheme with an objective more intricate than trapping them. Such a trap would require a great deal of time, energy, and resources, which an outsider like the Lord of the South shouldn't be able to manage alone. 'Did he have assistance from within?'

"Sesshomaru-sama?" Lost in contemplation as the daiyoukai was, Kotori's call went unanswered and only silence followed. She knew better than to attempt to get his attention again, despite how his guidance could reassure her and provide a clear path forward.

"Hey, Sesshomaru! What's next?" Inuyasha called out, either completely clueless or just far too impatient.

Kotori suspected it was a mixture of both as she approached the half-demon with a shake of her head. "Patience, Inuyasha-sama. Sesshomaru-sama is deep in thought. It's best not to disturb him."

"Is now really the time to be daydreaming?" He was grumbling but seemed to understand since he allowed Sesshomaru some time to think. Walking to the nearest wall, he rapped his knuckles against the hard surface, testing for any weaknesses in case brute force would end up being their final solution.

Kotori followed him, slipping off her robe while hoping to use the time to return his attire. If possible, she wished to give Sara's flute back to her as well, but sadly, it had been dropped somewhere amidst the chaos that had occurred earlier.

"Here, Inuyasha-sama, thank you," Kotori expressed her gratitude, for more than one occasion. Not only had the Robe of the Fire-Rat preserved her modesty, but it had also served as a shield, protecting her when she was attacked. Without it, she would have likely been seriously harmed by Naraku's tentacles during the ambush.

"It's not a big deal." As Inuyasha reclaimed his heirloom and put it on, his golden eyes roamed over her new outfit, where the flowing white garment draped past her shins. While red had been a refreshing color on her, he discovered that white also had its appeal. The shade, though often seen among those around him, had a certain allure when worn by Kotori.

While Sesshomaru's kimono emphasized his regal and majestic nature, and Kikyo's hakui added to her air of purity and holiness, Kotori's new hoari bestowed her with a gentler touch compared to the long khaki kimono that he had come to associate with war and battles.

'Damn... Wait, what the hell am I doing? This ain't the time to be admiring her!' He felt a slight heat creep up his face as he realized he was getting side-tracked. Shaking himself out of his momentary daze, he quickly turned away and tried to ignore the spreading warmth in his cheeks.

That was when he saw Sesshomaru take one step toward the deeper part of the cave, then abruptly change directions with surprising agility.

Startled gasps simultaneously left Inuyasha and Kotori as the True Ruler whipped out the sword of hell and positioned the tip dangerously close to Sara's neck.

The noblewoman swallowed, her countenance reflecting a mixture of pain and sorrow as she began to speak. "Sesshomaru-sama, why are you—"

"That's enough," Sesshomaru interjected with a cold, biting tone akin to a raging snowstorm. His voice held enmity and disdain as he continued, "I have no desire to see your disgustingly wretched form any longer."

More Author's Notes: I'll be apologizing in advance that the next update will also be delayed. Hopefully, you all don't consider this to be a terrible cliffhanger. I thank you all for your patience and until next time.