Chapter 28

Hello everyone sorry for the wait again. Honestly I had the first half of this chapter done about two weeks after I posted the last chapter but I didn't want to upload a short chapter and wanted to make more progress in the timeline. The second half took so long because I mostly didn't feel like writing for awhile and I was working on Stolen Gold. But one day recently I saw a review that said they had stayed up late into the night reading my story. Well I was so impressed I decided to work on it again. And low and behold here it is. Enjoy everyone!

Disclaimer: I do not own the anime/manga InuYasha by Rumiko Takahashi nor the characters. I do however own my story and my OC Alisha.

Immediately Alisha's hands covered her mouth as she had a horrified expression on her face. Had she actually said that? As far as the woman knew she still was not even sure. Yet the priestess had confessed her love for the demon lord, and to his mother of all people.

Glancing up at the demoness' face she had been expecting anger or hatred. However, a kind smile graced the lady's face. Alisha could hear Jaken hyperventilating off to the side but remained focused on the demoness beside her. The priestess was confused by the smile. Should not the lady of the West be upset by the idea that her son may end up like his father? Did she not hate humans for that very reason?

"You are rather foolish, lady priestess," Sesshomaru's mother stated the smile never leaving her face. The Meidou stone was now resting in her lap. Their conversation seemingly more entertaining than her son walking through the darkness, "He will probably never return your feelings."

The woman lowered her hands and stared down at them as she spoke softly, "I know that and except it. So long as I can travel at his side than I shall. If he tells me to leave, it will be a sad day, but I would leave. As long as I am with him I can be happy."

"You are wise to already understand that," the lady complimented.

Making eye contact with her once more, Alisha inquired, "My lady, are you not bothered by what I've told you? Don't you hate humans after…"

"Izaiyoi? No," she interrupted with a smile on her painted lips, "Our marriage had been an arranged one. My lord and I were more friends then lovers. When he had found Izaiyoi I was happy for him. She and I got along very well in fact. You remind me of her a little. At least in the way you are both so spirited."

Jaken let out another squawk of surprise. He had not been expecting Sesshomaru's mother of all people to be so approving of human/demon relationships. No wonder she allowed the priestess to sit beside her. His name being called pulled him out of his thoughts, "Yes, Lady Alisha?"

She was mimicking his lord's glare again which made him swallow the lump that had formed in his throat. "Not a word of this to the others, any of them," Alisha instructed him making sure he understood the underlined threat.

"You needn't worry about me. I, Jaken master of keeping secrets, shall tell no one," the imp proclaimed nervously.

Without warning a large eye shaped Meidou portal appeared behind Jaken. From within its dark depths Sesshomaru and Kohaku stepped forth. In the dog demon's arms was the lifeless body of Rin. Alisha could feel the tears building up in her eyes once more. The lady of the West had distracted her from her worries but now they were coming back at full force. Feeling so weakened by the sight, the priestess could not get up to meet them. Instead Sesshomaru's Mother stood up and approached them instead.

"So you've purified the dead and returned. Congratulations, my son," she told him.

Ignoring his mother, the demon lord approached the priestess and knelt down in front of the stone seat. Though his face was emotionless, Alisha could see the apology in his golden eyes. Alisha took her daughter from him and held her in her arms. The sobs could not be stopped this time as she stroked the girl's ebony hair.

"I'm so sorry, sweetie. I couldn't protect you like I promised," she cried kissing the child's forehead, "Rin, I'm so sorry." The woman held her tight against her, crying into the little girl's hair.

Sesshomaru stood and faced his mother. "The Tenseiga would not revive her," he stated emotionlessly except to a trained ear. His female companion could hear the sorrow in his voice.

"A soul has its limits," his mother answered, "The Tenseiga can only bring back a soul once. Did you already use it on this girl?" The dog demon looked to the crying woman and nodded in the affirmative. The demoness continued, "Did you think you were like a god? That you had no fear of death so long as you had Tenseiga?"

Taking a calming breath Sesshomaru's mother explained, "My son, this is something you had to learn. That when your heart wishes to save someone dear to you, it must at the same time feel sadness and fear of losing them. Your father said this as well. Tenseiga is a healing sword. Even wielded as a weapon, you must understand the weight of life and carry a compassionate heart when dispatching your enemy. That is what is necessary for one who wields Tenseiga."

Sesshomaru said nothing as he took in his mother's words. He watched Alisha tracing her thumb over the lily necklace around Rin's neck as she held her. Rin had to die in order for him to become stronger. Was his conquest for power truly worth sacrifices like this? Was power even what he really desired? He could not remember why he had sought out Tetsusaiga in the first place and had decided it was for power. Perhaps it had been for another reason.

~"Sesshomaru, it is my duty. I must face him alone," Midoriko's voice argued inside his memories.~

~"Let me find my father's sword so that I can protect you," his own voice growled back.~

The demon lord dismissed those thoughts from his head. What difference did it make now. Midoriko was dead. However, he would get stronger so that he could protect Alisha.

Jaken had begun crying almost as soon as he saw the priestess cradle her dead daughter in her arms. The lady of the West's voice caught his attention though.

"Little demon," she spoke, "Are you crying?"

"I am Jaken," the servant sobbed, "And because my lord's disposition prevents him from showing tears. I, Jaken, shall in his place."

The demoness turned to her son and questioned, "Does this girl's death sadden you, Sesshomaru?" He merely stared at her, not wishing to admit the weak emotions he felt. "I will not do this again," his mother state as she lifted the Meidou necklace over her head.

The lady approached the mourning mother and spoke softly, "Lady priestess, you do not have to move, but lay her down."

Quieting her cries and wiping her tears, Alisha laid Rin down, her head and shoulders across her lap. Sesshomaru's mother placed her necklace around the child's head and set the stone on the center of her chest. A bright light began to glow from the stone.

Kohaku who had been quietly mourning Rin's death spoke up at the sight, "That light from the Meidou stone. Is that…?"

"It's the girl's life that was left behind in hell," the demoness answered.

The light died down and as it did Rin's eyes opened once more as if from a deep sleep. Immediately the reincarnated Midoriko swept her up into her arms and hugged her tightly. Kohaku hurried over and hugged the girl as well. Sesshomaru knelt down in front of the stone chair and cradled Rin's head with his clawed hand.

"Lord Sesshomaru? Mommy?" Rin questioned in a hoarse voice.

"You're alright now," the demon lord reassured.

Still holding her adopted child, the priestess looked to the demoness still standing back from them, "Thank you, my lady. I would gladly pay you back in some way."
The demoness smiled and merely mouthed so none could hear, 'Make him happy.'

Blushing the woman turned back to her daughter. She kissed her cheek and buried her face in her hair. At the moment she would not be able to face Sesshomaru after seeing his mother's request.

Jaken still a little teary eyed spoke up, "Honorable Mother, allow me to express Lord Sesshomaru's gratitude in his place."

"Is Sesshomaru happy?" his mother inquired as she looked at the happy group fawning over the child.

"Most likely very much so," the imp replied.

Quietly to herself the demoness said, "He has become more like his father than he knows."

Alisha relaxed her arms around the girl and asked, "Do you think you can stand, princess?"

Carefully Rin slid off the priestess' lap and stood before her and her lord. "Yes, mommy."

Sesshomaru nodded in approval of the girl's returned strength and stood as well. "We're leaving," he announced and headed for the stairs.

The priestess stood as well and thanked the western lady once more. Rin took her hand and pulled her along to catch up to Sesshomaru and Jaken. Just like she had during their Christmas stay in the future, the girl took the demon lord's hand with her free one. She met no resistance and happily walked between her guardians.

Kohaku had paused at the top of the stairs to think when the demoness called after him, "Boy, answer me one thing. How is it you were able to survive in hell? That is impossible for a human of living flesh."

"My life is bound by a Shikon Jewel shard," he responded.

"I see," the demoness then understood, "Then remember this. You and the girl are the same. Lives that cannot be saved by Tenseiga."

"I'll remember that," Kohaku told her before he hurried down the steps after the others.

Sesshomaru glanced to his priestess companion out of the corner of his eyes. She met his gaze with a sad but understanding expression. Despite having only human hearing, she had heard the lady's words. The dog demon would not be able to revive her brother after his shard is removed. Alisha accepted though that Kohaku was willing to sacrifice himself in order to defeat Naraku. That did not mean that she would not protect him and prolong that option as long as possible.

At the bottom of the first set of steps A-un was waiting for them. They were freshly cleaned and fed. The children and Jaken got onto the two headed dragon while the priestess stepped up behind Sesshomaru. The fluffy white cloud formed beneath their feet and lifted them into the air, A-un following close behind. Just like how they had flown to the palace, the woman merely held onto the back of Sesshomaru's armor. However, once the group was far away from the palace, Alisha wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his fur boa.

"I will enjoy our time together as long as I can," the priestess thought happily to herself as they flew through the sky.

Now armed with the larger and more powerful Meidou Zangetsuha the group journeyed East once more. Though their path traveled slightly North into the mountains. The terrain was tough on the children so they took to riding on A-un most of the time. Alisha did her best to travel on foot but on occasion even she needed to ride on the two headed dragon to rest her weary legs.

As the group of humans and demons walked through a stony valley between mountains a boy appeared before them. He had black hair to his chin and wore priest clothes. As they got closer to him though more features could be seen and the woman had to suppress a gasp of shock. The boy had no eyes, just large black pits of nothing. Not even the back of his skull, just nothing. Like looking at the dark sky without stars.

"Would you like to know what it is that Tenseiga is missing, Lord Sesshomaru?" the boy asked with a knowing taunting tone.

Sesshomaru stared down the child, "What Tenseiga is missing you say?"

"Doesn't it bother you that Tenseiga's Meidou can't form a full circle yet?" the boy inquired.

"Who do you think you are knowing such a thing?" Jaken shouted from beside the dragon he lead.

"Silence, Jaken," the demon lord commanded not bothering to look at him.

"I didn't say anything," the imp moped.

Rin looked down at him puzzled, "Why do you always tell that lie, Master Jaken?"

"You think you would learn by now," Alisha added standing in front of A-un incase of danger to the smaller members of their traveling group.

The strange boy turned around and began walking away. He looked over his shoulder and said, "If you wish to know then follow me."

Without a word the lord of the West began to follow the child. The boy lead them deeper into the mountains and over a very large naturally made stone bridge.

"Lord Sesshomaru this could be a trap," Jaken spoke up, "They could be luring you out to kill you and take Tenseiga."

"In that case, I'll just slice them apart," the dog demon responded flexing his claws.

The boy in front of them disappeared as Sesshomaru and Alisha sensed strong demon energy forming above them. A beam of energy shot down at them. A-un took the children in the air while the demon lord and priestess leaped forward. Jaken was caught by Kohaku's quick thinking and the chain from his scythe. Sesshomaru leaped into the air to attack his assailant. While on the other hand Alisha held onto what remained of the stone bridge. Being human she could not jump as far as her demon companion. She tried to pull herself up but the rocks became lose. Sesshomaru could not turn around to get her as another black beam shot at him nearly hitting him. A-un was at max capacity so he could not save her either.

Alisha looked down just as the rock gave way and saw it was going to be a long fall. The rock came lose and she fell a few feet before she felt strong arms cradle her. She looked up and smiled at her demon companion. "Good catch," she told him.

He flew up to the remainder of the bridge on the side they came from and set her down. "Remain here. You'll be in the way," he told her.

Another blast of black energy came toward them but this time Alisha saw it coming. Quickly she created a barrier around both of them. The energy hit against the barrier and turned into a Meidou right in front of them. Thanks to the barrier both of them were safe. The priestess removed the barrier once the Meidou had disappeared allowing Sesshomaru to fly up to where the energy had come from. The demon lord used Tenseiga to send a Meidou toward their attacker making a large chunk of mountain disappear. It revealed their attacker that was finely dressed in armor and holding a long staff with a rounded topper. He had light purple hair that framed his face that half a mask covered.

"In the past, I fought against that sword," the mysterious demon stated.

"What?" the demon lord was shocked by the information though he did not show it. Now that he knew the priestess was safe he could focus on his challenger and he did not like what he was hearing.

"Although, back then when I fought your father, that sword didn't have that form," the masked demon added.

Angered by the words and from him nearly killing his priestess, Sesshomaru leaped toward his opponent and swung his poison claws at him. The cliff on which the masked demon had stood crumbled but Sesshomaru's foe had dodged the attack.

"So in order to know Tenseiga's secret you intend to fight me without it?" the demon observed then should as he swung his staff, "I'm Shishinki do not take me lightly!"

A perfect circular Meidou formed behind Sesshomaru taking out a portion of the mountain behind him. The demon lord thankfully avoided the attack but was stunned by what he saw.

"In the beginning Meidou Zangetsuha was my technique," Shishinki boasted. Then he became quite serious, "Sesshomaru, your father stole it from me as well as my face." The demon removed his mask and to the humans' horror the half the mask was covering was completely gone. A curved chunk was removed leaving him without a left eye or that side of the top of his head.

"So your technique was stolen and faced was broken. Did you call me out here to just whine at me?" Sesshomaru glared at his opponent.

"The Meidou Zangetsuha is my technique and a technique does not need two users!" Shishinki attacked once more as he shouted angrily, "Especially by some incomplete sword like Tenseiga!"

The lord of the West dodged the attack once more and spoke, but the priestess did not hear the next exchange of their words. Her mind was suddenly filled with worry as she figured out the meaning to Shishinki's words. Tenseiga could not steal techniques but its twin Tetsusaiga could. Sango had told her many times of the different attacks that InuYasha's sword absorbed. Which meant that it was Tetsusaiga that stole the Meidou Zangetsuha and for Tenseiga to have the ability that meant that it had to have been a part of Tetsusaiga originally. That's what Shishinki meant by Tenseiga having another form. Sesshomaru was going to be angry when he found out that his sword is just a small piece of his brother's sword. Speak of the devil, InuYasha's group ran up the path and stopped beside the priestess.

"Alisha, what's going on?" InuYasha asked seeing his brother's much larger Meidou get absorbed by a smaller one.

"Shishinki there is the creator of the Meidou technique and wishes to kill Sesshomaru. It's been a large dangerous fight so far that is why I am over here and the kids are safe in the sky," the woman explained watching her companion fight.

Sango looked up and saw her brother riding on the back of the two headed dragon. "Kohaku!" she called.

"Onee-sama?" the young slayer shouted back.

"We've been keeping him safe since Kikyo's death. He's been reluctant to visit you though," the older priestess explained to her sister, "He still blames himself for father's death."

"Oh no, not Shishinki!" everyone heard a familiar voice shout. Everyone turned ignoring the fight for a moment to see Myoga the Flea jumping up and down on InuYasha's shoulder, looking very nervous.

"Myoga!" Kagome called surprised by his sudden appearance.

"Who's Shishinki?" the half demon questioned.

"He fought your father long ago and lost," the flea demon explained.

Without warning a Meidou came streaking toward InuYasha and Kagome. They luckily jumped out of the way in time. As per the norm, the half breed pulled out Tetsusaiga and attacked Shishinki with a wind scar.

The half faced demon dodge without difficulty and commented, "I heard that the Great Dog Demon had two sons." He then gave a small laugh, "And the younger brother was given Tetsusaiga."

Sesshomaru held back a growl but anger was clear on his face. "Did you not call me out here to fight?" he called to his opponent, "In that case, we don't need anymore useless chatter!" He swung Tenseiga releasing another Meidou that unfortunately got absorbed by one of Shishinki's.

"Myoga," Miroku said gaining the flea demon's attention, "So if what Lady Alisha said is true and Shishinki was the creator of the Meidou Zangetsuha does that mean that Tenseiga is like InuYasha's Tetsusaiga and has the power to take an opponent's weapon's power?"

The flea immediately froze and did not answer the question. Alisha clenched her fists and shut her eyes. She was right. Myoga's reaction proved it. How could Sesshomaru's father do that? There was diffidently another lesson for his sons here, but this was just cruel. Why could it not be like with Sounga?

"Lord Sesshomaru, do you not know how your Tenseiga was born?" Shishinki mocked.

"What," Sesshomaru growled.

The half faced demon laughed at his own joke once again before explaining, "I told you, when I fought your father, Tenseiga did not have that form. In fact Tenseiga did not even exist. What I actually fought was Tetsusaiga."

InuYasha and his traveling companions were stunned by the news. While on the other hand the reincarnated Midoriko could fell the lord of the West's aura flare as he grew angrier. There was no telling what he would be like after all this.

"That's right, Sesshomaru," Shishinki continued, "Your Tenseiga is Tetsusaiga's…"

"Silence!" the demon lord yelled releasing another Meidou at his opponent. However, just like every time before his was absorbed.

Shishinki went on the offensive and attacked the brothers but the attack was intercepted by a wind scar. The Meidou attack instead flew past them leaving a hole in a mountain behind them. InuYasha was about to attack again when his elder brother punched him square in the jaw.

"You bastard, what did ya do that for?!" the half demon shouted.

"I won't let you interfere," Sesshomaru growled at his half brother.

No matter how much Alisha wanted to go in there and help them she knew she could not. She needed to talk to her companion and they to calm him down. With this new turn of events he probably would not want to hear what she had to say. The priestess would also not be able to fight with them to keep that creep from speaking anymore because she could not fly. The only reason InuYasha could join the fight was because he could jump high enough to the ledges on the mountain side. Alisha could only hope that by the end of this fight Sesshomaru would not just throw away the only thing his father left him. And also to not kill his brother out of jealousy.

This fight goes on for another 3 chapters in the manga so I felt it would be good to end it here. Otherwise this chapter would be huge and you'd never get an update. ^_^ I hope you enjoyed and thank you for all your amazing reviews.