Good afternoon, and welcome back!

Hey there, great to see you! I know I've been MIA for quite some time. The truth is things have gotten worse on this end of the screen, so I'm hoping you can forgive me. I am so very thankful to know you are waiting for my return, however, and can't tell you how much I value you as my reader and fellow fanfiction adventurer. In hopes of making it up to you, at least a bit, I managed to scrap this chapter together (a bit hastily mind you) in a new writing style I'm working on to improve my writing skills. I genuinely hope to hear about what you guys think about the story and can't wait to hear from you, so leave those reviews when you have the time. Until next time.

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It was a beautiful crisp, clean night, with a bright moon shining amongst the stars in the deep ink-black sky. All life was still. Not a thing moved as no wind urged the plant life within the wooded area to do so, and all the creatures which had been scurrying all day now slept in their designated shelters. It was on this still night that Kioko, amongst her soul collectors, was on her way back to Kikyo and Kohaku from her arranged meeting with Rin. As well as Sesshoumaru.

Her mind was foggy, filled with so many things, and was incapable of focusing on a single thought while her feet moved on their own, taking her to where ever Kikyo was waiting for her. The events over the past few days were so vivid Kioko couldn't help but recall bit by bit to try and get a grasp on what she was to think about it all. Starting with the day she left Kikyo to take this little trip.

[~~~~~~~~~~~~~]

It was morning when Kioko had to be on her way but was torn to do so. She had returned to Kikyo's side only yesterday, and though she ached to see Rin, Kioko was unsure if she selfishly should. She was no longer the human woman she used to be. Recent events were already weighing down on her mind. Slaughtering nearly an army of demons along with their leader and witnessing the grave of her lost infant was overwhelming as it was.

Kioko wasn't even sure if she could maintain control if she caught sight of Sesshoumaru. She didn't want to show Rin the monster she'd become. Still, she wanted to see Rin, to be rest assured that the young girl was safe, and with that instinct taking over her fears, Kioko made the decision that she would follow through with her agreement. Not to mention the thought of Rin's hurt and disappointed expression should she realize that Kioko would not be coming despite previously agreeing to do so.

Kioko knew, however, that Kikyo's time was rapidly running out, and leaving her precious sister alone again had guilt consuming Kioko. Unable to keep from thinking about how much she'd regret Kikyo dying alone without her there. When Kioko returned from Western Castle, she had given Kikyo the jewel shard that was kept in one of her cherry blossom petals before she was slain.

She was reluctant, of course, due to knowing Kikyo's plans, but Kioko wouldn't dream of ever going against Kikyo's wishes. Even when she desperately wanted to. So when it came time to part with Kikyo again, Kioko gave what comfort she could to the both of them.

Her silvery-white hair flowed loosely down her back, while Kikyo's was bound in its usual style. Kikyo was still resting against the tree they took refuge under the night before by the time Kioko was ready to head out. Crouching down by Kikyo's side, Kioko placed her hand on the side of Kikyo's head. While their shoulder pressed against each other, the demoness pressed her temple against Kikyo's, and her pink eyes stared at Kikyo's folded hands with a soft yet afflicted gaze and expression showing worry.

Kikyo smiled warmly, touched, and nostalgic of the human piece of Kioko revealing itself to her at that moment. Kioko's eyes glistened with confliction as the two sat there for several minutes. The actions shocked Kohaku, who witnessed the scene from the start, when Kioko pulled away with an empty expression. Her pink hues were more than beautiful to the young boy, even causing him to blush as the loving aura that seemed to resonate from Kioko's atmosphere filled the space they occupied.

Enchanted twins that were both pure and impure. The two priestesses, without needing words, agreed to make it back to the other. Kioko's apologetic gaze could be seen death gripping the heart that no longer beats in her chest before she stood up straight and turned to leave.

That day and the next Kioko spent walking to the arranged location, and it wasn't until night had fallen that she had stopped to rest with the help of the soul collectors. Her mind buzzed with the day that was to follow, for the next day at noon, she was finally to see Rin. Sesshoumaru's choice in venue didn't escape Kioko's notice either. The clearing not too far from Western Castle that was used to purify her body and soul from Naraku's miasma, and in doing so, Naraku himself.

Kioko could still feel the remnants of how free and happy she had felt. The memories of her father sitting beside her beneath the Sacred Tree that they both treasured beyond measure. She was curious to know how he would see her now. If who she has become would gain his disappointment and disapproval. Would the same occur with Rin? No. Rin was not a human filled with prejudices or hate towards demons. If anything, Rin accepted demons far more and much easier than other humans.

So, with that hopeful reassurance in mind, Kioko waited out the night and rested as best she could before morning retook the world. Then, Kioko began traveling on, until at last, she made it to that memorable clearing.

Kioko stood amongst the treeline line, gazing up at the cloudy sky that was currently pouring down upon the world. Perhaps today wasn't a good day to see Rin. Unlike Kioko, the young girl could still quickly get sick in heavy rain, such as this. Even with her sharpened hearing, Kioko's sense of sound was drowning in the hissing of rainfall. She was lightly damp, even from within the shelter of the ancient tree's canopies above her.

The area had a different feel to it than she remembered it having the last time she was present there. Where the serene and peaceful aura of the purifying air of this clearing had made her feel far more powerful before, now made her somewhat uneasy. It didn't hurt, and her spiritual powers were definitely amplified being near this place, but her demonic aura and abilities seemed to weaken here. She supposed it made sense for her to be negatively affected now by the atmosphere of this sacred place. She was indeed still a priestess, but now a demon as well.

Then, without warning, Kioko sensed Sesshoumaru's demonic aura approaching, and in that instant, several things coursed through her. His dominance overpowering her own by a somewhat generous degree, sending her soul to pulsate with a feeling of thrill. It felt different somehow, and dare she say even intoxicating. Familiarity as his presence grew closer, and she was sure if her heart could it'd be pounding at the sensations his aura was giving off. It was confusing her. Was it due to her remaining feelings for him or possibly recent events that have been swaying her emotions back and forth these few days? Maybe more? She didn't know.

What Kioko felt that she could understand, was the feeling of defiance and rage from him growing ever closer. Either way, she was overly aware and attentive to his presence alone from the moment she could sense it. Even when Jaken's weak aura was close enough for her to detect, it went ignored, and her focus remained on the demon man whose very existence was entangled with hers. Both in her living life and the undead one she now possessed. The sound of rain had gone, and the uneasy sensations her body had been experiencing had vanished. Kioko couldn't deny that despite the reason, she was anxiously awaiting his appearance, for him.

When Sesshoumaru finally began to morph into view within the treeline across the clearing, everything flooded back to Kioko's senses so quickly that she almost winced. The sound of rain boomed into her ears, the uneasy feeling made her feel almost ill, and her ever battling emotions slammed into every crevice of her body tenfold. What was she supposed to think and feel right now? From the memories of her death to what she learned from Lady Vinori and her visit to Western Castle. Given all of that and his contradicting actions, was she at fault for not knowing the answer?

For now, it didn't matter. All Kioko needed to know was that he was the one to kill her and their baby. That was enough for her to ignore everything else she felt towards him for the time being. So, Kioko watched and waited as the Lord of the Western Lands stopped at the treeline on his side of the area. Sesshoumaru, when finally coming to a stop, looked through the downpour, straight into Kioko's pink eyes that cut through the falling rain to look right back at him with piercing contempt.

Sesshoumaru, who appeared unfazed by Kioko, was entirely the opposite. His eyes were drawn to Kioko's hair that shined in brighter silver than his own, as if showcasing an incredibly pure being who could quite possibly no longer be described as such, other than looks alone. Her aura was remarkable, even by his standards. The unmistakable signs of a demonic and spiritual aura clashing, meshing together, and then resonating from her small stature as one presence served to easily threaten all that dared to be anywhere nearby.

Her animosity would be staggering to those who were unable to dominate such a rage-filled and volatile aura. Luckily, he was not such a low breed of demon to submit, even with her aura threatening to swallow him whole. His dominance still outpowered hers. Even when her aura was enticing him.

Her presence served to lure his inner demon, which writhed to lay claim to her again. To dominate and reconnect with the mate he was already bound to after so long spent apart. The deep primal bond the two had due to their being mated for life practically vibrated within Sesshoumaru's very essence. Her soul was calling to him and urging him to go to her, as he was sure his must have been doing the same towards her.

A piece of him found relief in this fact being made known. Kioko truly gave her soul to him, genuinely and without forboding when they marked one another. Her soul was his. However, she was not the same woman he mated with. Where was the Kioko he knew? He did not know this farse in front of him, whose cold gaze was now looking at him with hardened hatred and malice.

Recalling his travels to the North, Sesshoumaru could still see the carnage that Kioko had allegedly left behind. It was massive, it was ruthless, and it was not the Kioko who had him utterly at her will. Lady Vinori's words telling him in detail, as was his request, of Kioko's presence there. Explaining all that his Lady had done and why she had done so. Even details of Kioko having killed Lord Kaiden. Sesshoumaru was mentally at a loss from the tale Vinori had revealed to him.

To hear such a stark contrast to the Kioko that he knew. The Kioko that Sesshoumaru had struck back when their association was new had the opposite reaction than the Kioko who reacted to Kaiden committing the same act. Her responses between the two instances were undeniably contradicting. So much so, in fact, that for Sesshoumaru, it was almost frightening. Almost.

That clearing between them, as big as it was, felt more massive, growing further in length. As if the earth was parting and crumbling away from one another and the deepest of caverns were forming in the space between where their bodies stood. It was nearly suffocating. Their auras clashing so dramatically that Sesshoumaru was questioning whether or not Rin was actually safe in this person's presence. Half of him, of course, scolded the other half that thought such a thing.

Even if Kioko had become this unstable demon, he refused to believe that she would lay hand to Rin; but could he risk Rin's safety from such a half-hearted faith? Should Kioko dare to cause harm to Rin, he'd have no choice but to stop her. The Kioko who loved Rin would surely grieve with self-hatred should she ever commit such an act. The fact that Kioko was here showed that the woman who has been a mother to Rin is in that clay body someplace. She didn't have to be here, yet she chose to be.

Kioko stood there, impatiently waiting for Sesshoumaru to produce Rin. His aura was affecting her in ways she rather it did not, and after their wasted time of just staring at each other without a single movement had her beginning to believe this was a trick of some sort. That he hadn't brought Rin and intended to finish the task of killing her.

Her eyes grew into a deadly glare, and her demonic aura burst through the area with more aggressive intent at the thought, but not as fully as it would have been outside of such a pure place. He seemed unaffected, but his demonic aura rose in accordance with hers, as if trying to ease her into submitting to him. As if she would be foolish enough to ever do such a thing again! Doesn't he know she'd learned her lesson?

That was the moment Jaken and Rin finally appeared from behind Sesshoumaru's frame, and the instant Kioko spotted Rin her aura's intensity dropped. Her eyes melted into a gaze filled with surprise, as a small sense of fear struck her. The possibility of rejection being very possible coming to life in Kioko's mind. Sesshoumaru sensing Kioko's malicious and deadly intent diminish to practically nothing, allowed his own demonic aura to settle as not to provoke Kioko to reignite her ferocity.

Rin, who had been looking up at Sesshoumaru curiously, decided to follow where his eyes had been staring. Rin's brown hues met pink and widened in shock. Even though the woman across the raining field had silvery-white hair, Rin knew she wasn't mistaken that it was Kioko standing there. Without warning, Rin yelled out Kioko's name, and the undead woman heard it clearly slice through the downpour that curtained between her and the human child.

Rin ran out into the rain towards Kioko before Sesshoumaru or Jaken could utter a word to stop her. Calling out for Kioko again, Rin began to cry while her arms were reached out towards Kioko as she ran across the soggy earth.

Kioko, who had been scared stiff the second Rin's eyes connected with hers, was now resonating with the instinct to move at seeing Rin running to her so persistently. What Sesshoumaru saw next had his golden orbs widen in utter disbelief and even a dash of emotion. Kioko's expression turned into one of anguish and urgency. Her pink orbs filled with relief, conflict, and a mother's love as soon as she seemed to snap out of her trance.

Kioko darted forward without further hesitation, feeling desperate to get to Rin practically smothering her. Her loose hair whipped frantically behind her as time seemed to slow for Kioko. Nothing matter, her hatred, her grief, her never-ending torment, not a damn bit of it mattered other than to get to Rin. Kioko slipped the socks and sandals that threatened to trip her due to the mud she was stumbling to run through off her feet. Her vision becoming clouded not from the rain but the tears that began to sting her eyes. Her speed was far more significant than Rin's, but due to Rin's head start, the two didn't finally meet until they both reached the very middle of that lone large clearing.

The instant Kioko made it to Rin, she fell to her knees as the two collided while Rin rushed into Kioko's more than welcoming open arms. Rin quickly wrapped her arms around Kioko's neck, crying nonstopped as Kioko wrapped her left arm around Rin's shoulders, then placed her right hand onto the back of Rin's head holding the girl to her frame as carefully but securely as she could.

Leaning forward while still holding Rin, Kioko's forehead touched the ground, her silvery-white hair curtained over her body in a wing-like fashion, and her body served to shield Rin from any more rain. The sounds of the two crying and the sight of Kioko's body shaking with her heavy sobs were witnessed by Sesshoumaru's now softened gaze. 'There she was' crossed Sesshoumaru's thoughts, as he relaxed a great deal, no longer feeling the need to consider Kioko a threat to Rin.

So many things reeled through Kioko's mind. All the things she'd done that earned her no right to hold Rin like this. The abandonment she committed to Rin when she left despite being on her way to see Rin when she died. The fact that Rin must have surely grieved over Kioko's demise. She couldn't feel it, but she knew Rin must have been holding her as tightly as her little arms could. Kioko dug her forehead deeper into the dirt, gritting her teeth and clenching her eyes shut as tears continued to spill from them when the thought of her unborn child crossed her mind.

The brother or sister Rin would have had is gone, but Rin was still there. Right there crying loudly into her kimono, and clinging for dear life with absolutely no intention of letting Kioko go. So the two remained that way, until they could finally calm down, but remain unmoved.

"Kioko?" Rin spoke through weakening sobs.

"I'm here. I'm right here." Kioko answered, her soul feeling a rush of heartbreak at the sound of Rin's voice and the question itself. With reality returning to her senses, Kioko removed her right hand from Rin's head, alerting Sesshoumaru when she then reached into her pouch of cherry blossoms. Kioko sensed Sesshoumaru's demonic aura shoot up in warning but ignored it as she pulled out a purple cherry blossom to pulsate her purifying energy into, and an umbrella appeared.

Sitting up slightly in order to continue covering Rin's frame from what rain she could, Kioko then removed her other hand, causing Rin to loosen her grip and look up at Kioko while Kioko opened the umbrella. Then gently pulling Rin from her, Kioko held the umbrella over Rin and placed the handle into Rin's palm. Pink hues looked at Rin with a sad but gentle gaze. However, Rin was overly aware of the fact that there was no smile on Kioko's face.

"Why don't you quickly head for the trees next to us, and I will be right behind you." Kioko suggested. Rin still in disbelief that Kioko was here, delayed. What if she turned away, and Kioko was gone? Despite the thought, Rin did as Kioko wanted and began rushing to the treeline where Sesshoumaru would still be able to see them. Kioko stood with a stance of pride, the tears invisible amongst the rain flowing down her face. The mud within her bangs washing away with the water soaking over her as she looked in the corner of her right eye at Sesshoumaru.

His golden eyes were already looking into hers when she had done so. Still, her gaze shifted into a glare, warning him not to try anything before looking away and walking after Rin, who was now anxiously waiting. Once the two picked one of the trees to sit under, Rin closed the umbrella to set it down while she and Kioko sat side by side, glancing at each other.

"I am so incredibly pleased to see you, Rin." Kioko's voice spoke with sincerity and a loving tone that Rin had been more than accustomed to hearing Kioko use with her. Still, to see no smile, was a bit unsettling for Rin, who decided to say nothing of it for now.

"Kioko, I'm so happy you're here!" Rin exclaimed without reservation, and Kioko, who wasn't suspecting to hear such a thing, softened with a melted gaze. Sesshoumaru eyes had yet to leave Kioko and was caught off guard. There. His Kioko was right in front of him. Even with a few of her features changed and her feelings for him distorted. Despite this, he resisted the urge to go to her. This was Rin's time with Kioko. It was an agreement. For him to keep his distance while Rin has time with her mother, and he would ensure to keep his word, no matter how much he ached to do otherwise.

Kioko sat there, observing Rin. She grew a bit taller and seemed a bit less hyper though Kioko guessed that could just be due to the moment. No harm of any kind from what she could tell, which overflowed Kioko with absolute relief. Reaching her right hand out to touch Rin's head, Kioko paused. Her pink hues looked at her hand above Rin's head and could envision the blood soaking her skin from all those she violently killed in the Northern Lands, as well as Kaiden's face after severely damaging it.

About ready to take her hand back, feeling too tainted and unworthy to touch something as precious to her as Rin. Rin stopped her by grabbing Kioko's wrist with both of her hands and placed Koiko's hand on her head with a kind and happy face as she looked at Kioko with glassy eyes. Kioko winced as she witnessed her hand touch Rin's hair before looking to Rin with an emotional gaze.

"Have you been well?" Kioko asked before moving her hand to pet Rin's head, which signaled Rin to release her hold on Kioko's wrist.

"Yes! Lord Sesshoumaru has been ensuring my well being." Rin chimed, holding back how much she noticed that Kioko's touch was icy cold. "Lady Kikyo, too! There was a doctor who turned out to be one of the Band of Seven, and she saved me." Rin told Kioko, putting the demon priestess further at ease before placing her hand that was petting Rin's head onto the child's left cheek.

"Did she? I am so grateful. I'll have to thank her later." Kioko stated in reaction to the news. Kikyo never told her, but then again, why would she bring such a thing up to begin with. Still, Kioko felt warmth at hearing that Kikyo had kept her word even after Kioko's death. To make sure that Rin remained safe. Rin happily began to banter on telling Kioko of so many things that Kioko had missed while Kioko sat there, allowing the child to do so with a motherly gaze.

During that time, Kioko noticed Rin shivering from what she assumed was the rain. So she retrieved yet another purple petal from her pouch and brought from it a towel. Using it to dry off Rin's face and hair while Rin continued to talk with an overjoyed smile on her face and a blush on her cheeks from Kioko's actions. After drying Rin off as best she could, Kioko wrapped the towel around Rin just as the girl was finishing her tales.

"When Lord Sesshoumaru told me we would be meeting you here, I wasn't sure what to think. I missed you very much, Kioko." Rin admitted with honesty evident in her brown eyes. "Why did you leave? Lord Sesshoumaru was troubled when you hadn't come back, and when you died, he had been very unhappy." Rin then questioned, making Kioko's eyes wince before closing them to think of how to answer. He was unhappy? Was he truly, when he was the one killing her in her memories? Opening her eyes, they looked a bit more guarded before she answered Rin as honestly as she could.

"I left due to things that happened between Lord Sesshoumaru and I. It wasn't anything you had done, and it wasn't because I stopped caring for you. I was on my way to see you on that fateful day. I'm sorry that you had to experience such grief, I never wanted that for you." Kioko assured, not wanting to emphasis on Sesshoumaru when speaking to Rin. This was about Rin right now; therefore, discussing Sesshoumaru wasn't a priority to explain in this conversation.

Rin, finally her bubbly self again, had unshed tears in her eyes before leaping forward to cling to the dead woman's kimono top. Kioko, whose right arm rested to her side, placed her left hand onto the back of Rin's head.

"I-I knew that, but I still wondered. I'm so glad it wasn't something I did wrong to make you leave." Rin choked out through her sobs. It must have been such a heavy thought in the back of Rin's mind. Kioko simply remained still while Rin let out more of her sorrows, and once Rin calmed down, Kioko opted to urge Rin to release her.

"Rin, if you don't release me soon, you'll get sick." Kioko suggested, thinking of her dead clay body being incapable of providing Rin with needed body heat to prevent getting sick in this rainy weather. Rin pulled back a bit to look up at Kioko, but her hands didn't leave the top on either side of Kioko's waist.

"Kioko, are you traveling alone again? Won't you join us instead?" Rin inquired hopefully, and a pang of guilt struck Kioko.

"I am currently traveling with Kikyo, I'm not alone. She needs me, and since I know you are with Lord Sesshoumaru, you will be fine in my absence. It is for the best that I remain with her." Kioko explained to Rin as best she could without bringing up the fact that the idea of traveling with Sesshoumaru hit an emotional nerve. Even if it was to travel with Rin, she couldn't be trusted to remain in Sesshoumaru's presence for too long when she felt the way she did for him. It would be too much.

"I understand." Rin then said with obvious disappointment. "I will see you again after this day though, right?" Kioko almost smiled at the question. It was clear she wasn't the same person that Rin knew her to be. Even so, she wanted to see Kioko again. It seemed Rin had undoubtedly picked up Kioko's old habits of no discrimination and a heart that saw the hearts of others.

"I promise it." Kioko answered. Her pride and her worry for Rin grew tenfold in that moment. Such sentiments are what resulted in Kioko's death, but that part of her was so perfectly kind and human. It was a bittersweet trait to see in Rin.

"Rin." Sesshoumaru's voice suddenly sounded out to them, making Kioko tense momentarily until her eyes turned to look at him with a hardened gaze. His voice practically resonated through her, to the point that it was almost dizzying. It was the first time since he arrived that she heard his voice. Looking back to Rin, Kioko knew it was time for them to part, though she didn't want to. Rin, who had been looking at Sesshoumaru with a sense of sadness in her smile, glanced at Kioko, who was looking back softly.

Kioko placed her hand back onto Rin's head as agony was hinted within her pink hues. Leaning forward, closing her eyes, Kioko placed her lips to the top of Rin's head with her eyebrows knitted in her strife, as Rin clenched her eyes to prevent tears. The sight caused a small pang of pain in Sesshoumaru's chest, but it was time to leave. The sun was about to disappear from the world, and Rin must be returned to Western Castle to eat a meal and rest after her ordeals today. He was sure Kioko knew and understood this.

Rin, reluctantly, stood once Kioko pulled away and returned the towel around her to the demoness. She then grabbed her umbrella, but before opening it, she did something that caught both Kioko and Sesshoumaru off guard. Rin bowed to Kioko with the utmost respect in mind. Kioko's expression broke into one of raw emotion. Touched by Rin's actions.

Standing straight, Rin was grinning widely then opened her umbrella to hold above her head with one hand, before reaching her other hand out for Kioko to take. Kioko resisted the urge to cry before giving a small smile, catching both Rin and Sesshoumaru off guard. Her child indeed. Jaken, who remained by Sesshoumaru's side, was also in disbelief of that smile given his last encounter with Kioko was none too pleasant.

Standing, Kioko took Rin's hand, and together they walked out of the comforting shelter of the tree they were frequenting out into the rain, side by side. Rin sheltered by the umbrella Kioko had provided her with and Kioko getting soaked all over again, not that she cared. Clearly, Rin wasn't blind to Kioko's new body, and she said nothing.

Rin then began parting from Kioko, who was walking to the center of the clearing where her socks and sandals remained, to walk to Sesshoumaru, who was still waiting for Rin to come to him. The two released the others the hand once their distance demanded it, and Kioko continued walking to her place in the clearing, but her eyes did not leave Rin as the girl began running happily to Sesshoumaru's side. The place Kioko could tell Sesshoumaru kept empty for her to return to. The place a part of her wants to return to, the piece that wanted only that.

Stopping once in the middle of the clearing by her things, Kioko watched Rin turn to wave goodbye to her before following after Jaken into the forest. Kioko's pink hues watched her go with longing clearly written on her face. Her gaze then turned to Sesshoumaru, noting he had yet to move and was simply staring at her. She glared weakly at him, her emotions too wild to even bring forth any effort of malice.

Sesshoumaru wanted nothing more to get closer. Witnessing his mate standing in such an empty place in the rain alone. The tears that had started falling down her face in that instant noticeable only to him and the drops of rain between them. Even as a doll made of clay and graveyard soil, his beautiful Kioko still cried. Even death hadn't stopped their constant appearance on her face. Denying his wishes to get closer and comfort her tears away, Sesshoumaru, with more difficulty than he realized, turned away.

It pained him to do so, but for now, he would keep his word in remaining distant with her this time. However, the next time he was to meet her, he'd confront her. He would demand to be listened to and clear up the matter of her believing he was the one to kill her, and the pup he too continued mourned. For Kioko, it was fresh and new, yet he had time to come to terms with their loss.

The image of her blood dripping from her face while in his arms crossed his mind. Then the one of her cremation as she disappeared behind a wall of fire. The smell of her cherry blossom scent morphing to that of burning flesh. Their child burning beside her. Those were his last memories of her, but hers were of him killing her and their underdeveloped infant. The things she must have felt, had experienced, during those moments of what she thought was his assault were things he couldn't begin to comprehend. So, he'd accept her rage, her hatred, and even her violence because the next time his eyes were granted the chance to fall on her again, he would correct it.

Once his back turned to her, Kioko's expression fell to one of despair. His turning his back on her to walk away, flashed the memory of the day he attacked her while she attempted to return his collar to him across her vision. He was dismissing her; again. And all over again, it hurt her. She wanted to run after him, go to him, and demand an explanation as to why he had done what he did. How he can treat her in such a way. He was showing such kindness to her by allowing her to see Rin, and that did not escape her.

The caring emotions she still held for him grew once more, battling with her detestable feelings for him. Watching as he, along with Rin and Jaken, walked away, leaving her there, made a sob escape her involuntarily. Taking a step towards them, Kioko stopped herself. She couldn't follow. She wouldn't return to the side of the man that killed her and her child no matter how rapidly her emotions repeatedly swayed. She would never allow it. So, the step she took forward, she then took a step back once their images disappeared into the darkness of the trees.

Kioko kept her focus on Sesshoumaru's demonic aura, feeling its distance grow further away from her, and once it could no longer be sensed, Kioko felt hollow. The rain poured harder, and the loud hissing of its force drowned her ears. Clenching her jaw, and ignoring the items still laying on the ground by her feet, Kioko turned away and walked calmly. It was time to leave the small amount of joy she got to have. So, she entered the tree line she came from and disappeared from the clearings sight. On her way to return to Kikyo.

[~~~~~~~~~~~~~]

It would take less time to make it to Kikyo than Kioko had thought when sensing where her companion was located. However, that was when Kioko also sensed Naraku's overwhelmingly dark demonic aura near Kikyo's. Immediately, Kioko rushed with all the speed she could muster. Thankful, if only for a moment, for her body made of clay because without it, her bare feet would have been sliced apart from the many sharp foliage and rocks she was stepping on. Fear was filling every ounce of her. For Kikyo, and over Naraku. All she could do was run and hope that she wouldn't be too late.

When Kioko finally made it to Kikyo's location, she arrived to witness Sango, Miroku, Shippou, and a demon man she didn't know standing outside a tiny shrine by the road. They were staring at a barrier that Kioko could tell from the feel of its essence belonged to Kikyo. It wasn't until she was closing in on them that they noted her arrival and, of course, surprise, and dare she say, confusion took shape on their faces.

"What is happening?" Kioko asked coldly as she walked over and stood in front of them, staring down the barrier before her.

"We followed Kikyo here, and once we arrived, Inuyasha and Kagome had rushed inside only for this barrier to form here. We haven't been able to get inside." Sango reported to Kioko, whose back was turned to her. The curtain of silvery-white making up what Sango could see of Kioko with eyes that shimmered with her sadness for the undead demoness. Kioko tuned in to Kouga, the apparent demon in their company, asking who she was and Miroku informing him with more than she would like. Kioko, without warning, punched at the barrier as hard as she could, and to no surprise, the barrier remained unfazed. It was Kikyo's after all, but it was worth a shot.

"Kikyo!" Kioko called out, trying to remain composure in front of the others but was downright scared at anything happening to Kikyo while she stood right outside, unable to approach.

"Didn't we just say we couldn't get inside? Why don't you just wait like the rest of us?" Kouga then says, addressing Kioko in a matter-of-fact dominant like stature. Kioko's demonic aura spiked to incredible heights before her pink eyes sliced through the air to look at him over her shoulder, and Kouga gulped before taking a step back while the others grew on edge. Kioko was still unstable as far as they knew, and though they knew not to do anything to provoke her, it might have been best to warn Kouga to do the same. Especially, given Kouga's connection with Rin.

"Act accordingly, or I'll rip your fucking throat out." Kioko voiced with a tone dripping with deadly intent. A shivered passed Kouga's body before he closed his mouth and glared at her through an expression that showed apprehension. Her demonic aura and malice were staggering, but nothing compared to the pink eyes that cut his pride down like razors. Luckily for Kouga, Kioko's attention was then shifted back to the barrier, which began to dissipate.

Kagome and Inuyasha opened the shrine door, walking out, and was immediately shocked when Kioko had darted forward, throwing the two out of her way as she made her way inside to see Kikyo crumbled to the floor, in obvious distress. Instantly at Kikyo's side, Kioko placed her hands on Kikyo's shoulders with a look of concern and slight fear.

"Kioko, you've returned." Kikyo spoke in a strained voice, and Kioko's expression became more worried.

"Of course, I'm right here." Kioko responded gently, placing a hand on Kikyo's head in comfort.

"You should keep your distance. Naraku has taken great lengths to incapacitate me and could possibly get to you as well." Kikyo warned in consideration of Kioko's safety only for Kioko to look back at her with eyes that glowed resistance.

"Enough. I'm not going anywhere, especially with you in a state like this." Kioko then reassures Kikyo, whose eyes suddenly showed relief of her words. Kioko knew Kikyo must have been at least a bit scared. Her time was near, and neither of them were prepared for it.

The group had made their way to the shack doorway to peek inside and witness the scene. Seeing Kioko and Kikyo in the same place side by side left them intrigued. That was, everyone but Kagome, whose anger was already triggered because of Inuyasha and Kikyo. Now Kioko was there by Kikyo as well, tending to the already dead woman. Deciding it time to leave, Kagome heads out with the others, leaving Inuyasha and Kioko behind with Kikyo. Not that Kioko cared to even notice. Asking Kikyo what the situation was, Kikyo told Kioko of the plan she had made with Kagome, while Inuyasha made his way back inside with them.

"I can't fathom how you can put any trust into that wretched little girl." Kioko commented while keeping her attention to Inuyasha, who stood behind her observing the two priestesses together.

"With you and I out of commission, Kagome is the only one left with the spiritual prowess to do this." Kikyo countered softly, knowing Kioko would take the comment to heart. Kioko knew her spiritual powers had weakened due to her soul's current state of hate and malice in every fiber of it. However, it should have been her that could save and protect Kikyo, her precious sister, not Kagome, who wasn't even worthy of sharing a soul with Kikyo.

This was the first time Inuyasha had ever seen the two interact, and to see how deep their bond was, he had to say, he was relieved. Kikyo had more than just the feelings he and Kikyo shared. She had more than just him. His guilt of almost kissing Kioko when she had been ill grew at this knowledge. He was foolish to attempt such actions. Not only due to Sesshoumaru's clear claim on Kioko but because his feelings, now that he looked at both Kioko and Kikyo, were more than obviously different.

Shortly after Kikyo rested a bit at Kioko's insistence, Inuyasha took Kikyo into his arms, and the trio leaves the small shack and its woes behind to find Kohaku. Inuyasha was amazed to see Kioko actually keeping up with him at a full sprint, but then again, given her new demon heritage, he supposed he shouldn't have been. On their way to Kohaku's location, Kikyo announced that her shikigami, which had been protecting Kohaku, seems to have been eliminated.

"You're shikigami disappeared?" Inuyasha asked with a look of urgency on his face. Kioko, remaining silent, became rather alarmed at the news as well.

"Yes, please hurry. We must find Kohaku." Kikyo urged, and with her focus remaining on Kikyo's condition, both Inuyasha and Kioko simultaneously picked up the pace to the location Kikyo sensed Kohaku to have gone. While Kikyo and Inuyasha associated with each other, Kioko kept to herself. Thinking of the day before with Rin and Sesshoumaru. She couldn't grasp it. The way she felt with Sesshoumaru that close by.

She didn't feel that when she was revived. All she could feel was her burning hatred and the rage that consumed her alongside her grief. Her feelings were so contradicting, and with the things going on with Kikyo, it was far too overwhelming. Not to mention Rin, who Kioko missed infinitely already. The small group passed the treeline into a vast forest. Then, like a brick wall, Kioko was hit with a blasting and intense sensation. Its familiarity making Kioko falter from the sudden impact, much to Inuyasha and Kikyo's notice who stop for a moment to look back at Kioko's look of shock and emotion.

"Kioko, what is it?" Kikyo asked, knowing it had to be something troubling to make her demonic double falter to a halt, and bear that expression that only meant one thing. Sesshoumaru.

"It's nothing." Kioko replied, making her way over to them in a stiffer composure that Kioko was clearly trying to maintain, and failing. With the urgent matters at hand, they take Kioko's word for it and continue on their way. Noting that Kioko was now unmistakenly distracted. Her demonic aura reflecting her distress. Kioko could feel the familiar trembling of her very essence. The longing to get closer to the presence she was sure she was feeling. It couldn't have been. It was only yesterday she had come face to face to him for the sake of Rin. He couldn't have been nearby again. He must have known to keep his distance.

Upon arriving at their destination, at last, Kioko's expression turned, even more, unsettled much to Kikyo's notice. There was no mistaking it. Sesshoumaru's presence had been there, she could feel it. Like a rush of heat blazing through her body as her desire to get closer to the presence that was already long gone filled her.

"Kohaku's scent stops right here, and it looks like Sesshoumaru's crew took him with them." Inuyasha reported to Kikyo while eyeing Kioko nervously. The demoness' aura shooting up with rage.

"I see." Kikyo responded, also looking over to Kioko to see her obvious signs of being at odds. Kikyo then cringed in vast amounts of pain. Kioko's eyes scanned across the area as if in hopes of catching sight of the Taiyoukai, but knew he was nowhere close enough for her to see even a glimpse of him.

"Kikyo, what's the matter? Is the miasma spreading?" Inuyasha asked in minor panic, catching Kioko's attention immediately. Looking over at Kikyo, Kioko took a step closer into Inuyasha's space than he thought she'd ever do willingly without Kikyo in his arms. Kioko's hand rested on Kikyo's as she looked at the injured woman with a look of sincere apology and frustration.

If only she were still capable of cleansing Kikyo's body. If she wasn't so defiled already due to Sesshoumaru's betrayal remaining so fresh for her. Kikyo understood, however, and simply smiled at Kioko in comfort. It was then decided that Kohaku was probably best left in Sesshoumaru's capable care and that they should instead head for Mount Azusa. So, with Kikyo's instruction clear, Inuyasha and Kioko made their way to where Kikyo requested. Inuyasha, now curious, asked Kikyo what was at Mount Azusa that Kikyo sent Kagome for.

"It is said that the spirit of Mount Azusa can appear as a god or a demon. Its appearance is always the reflection of the beholder's heart. " Kioko began to explain and goes on to say that this guardian would be the one to decide if Kagome had been relieved of the corruption Naraku had afflicted her with. That very moment, no worse omen could have presented itself, as Kikyo's bow shattered into slivers mysteriously of its own volition. "Something has happened to Kagome." Kikyo then reveals to them.

"What are you talking about?!" Inuyasha inquires in alert. Kioko glared at the half-demon as his mannerisms revealed that he still cared for Kagome more than he should have. Especially in Kikyo's presence. With no answer to provide him, Inuyasha rushes faster, and Kioko increases her speed as well.

Kioko found the news to be the worst she could have heard because it meant Kagome was struggling to get things done to save Kikyo. Kagome's purity was not something Kioko found herself caring much about. Only Kikyo. If Kagome continued to ruin Kikyo's chances, then she'd kill Kagome herself. No exceptions. In no time, they arrived to where the group had been waiting at the foot of a long set of steps.

"This isn't right, she's taking way too long. I'm going!" Kouga's voice rang out for all to hear.

"Cool it, scrawny wolf boy." Inuyasha retorts as he finally stops in place with Kikyo in his arms and Kioko to his side when the others turned to notice their arrival.

"Inuyasha."Miroku called out only for Sango to follow.

"Kioko, you're here." Kioko looked to Sango with a blank expression before she then heard Kikyo speak for Inuyasha to place her down where he stood. Inuyasha agreeing to her command he carefully and softly places her down. Immediately Kioko went to Kikyo's side and looked to the raven-haired priestess with a cold expression but eyes that reflected her care.

"I'll be waiting here for you. Go find her."Kikyo then informs Inuyasha, and Kioko's expression morphed to one of affliction. She knew how much Kikyo loved Inuyasha. Telling him to leave her in the dirt to go find the other woman Inuyasha had apparent feelings for had to of been so painful no matter how logical.

"Alright, then." Inuyasha responded to Kikyo without hesitation, and within her heart, Kioko felt hatred for Inuyasha. He didn't hesitate or ask Kikyo if she was sure. Had Sesshoumaru done the same to her, she wasn't sure her already unstable heart could have watched as he left for another woman he cared for as Kikyo was about to do. The flicker of memory with Reika on her knees in front of Sesshoumaru flashed past Kioko's vision, and she closed them to wish the sight away. Now not being the best time to think of herself.

The moment Inuyasha moved to go after Kagome Kioko went to behind Kikyo and crouched down to place her right hand onto Kikyo's right shoulder. Kioko's pink hues looked down at the woman she gave the title of sister with a gaze of pure anguish written all over her beautiful face for all to witness.

"Huh? I thought you were gonna look after Kikyo?" Kouga taunted with displeasure at Inuyasha's primary desire. Kioko's eyes shifted to the wolf demon and glared at his tone. As if Kikyo were a source of anything less than pleasant.

"I'm going now. I have to do this. It's that simple okay?" Inuyasha rationalized and, without another second wasted, ran his way up the stairs. Leaving Kikyo and the others behind. Watching him disappear from view, Kioko's dead and threatening glare visualized the surge of her demonic aura. Until Kikyo's hand reached up over the shoulder Kioko held to touch Kioko's cheek, gaining the demoness' attention. Instantly calmed by Kikyo when she looked over at the warm chocolate brown eyes looking back at her emotionless gaze.

"It's alright." Kikyo said kindly to Kioko, but no smile graced her lips. Kioko winced. It wasn't alright, not at all.