Disclaimer: Thank you Rumiko Takahashi for your genius and I have not gotten any renumeration for making this story. But if Takahashi-san would will me something I wouldn't mind if its Sesshoumaru.

MIRROR OF SOULS

CHAPTER 37

KURAI JIGEN

(The Dark Dimension)

The Land of Rus [ancient name of Russia]- The Dungeons

"Nice vintage. Hmm," Rylanion threw his head back in satisfaction, savoring the rich bouquet. He feels a great sense of accomplishment at what happened today and it reflects on the swagger as he strolls around the rows of caskets in the dungeon, a goblet of wine in his hand. He held up the bottle against the flickering candlelight, sloshing the liquid ruby. "Hm...better save some for later."

He couldn't help crack a smile whenever he looks at his prizes. "It won't be long now, folks. Just be patient." he chuckled. "Oh, before I forget; thank you Sesshoumaru," with a big smile he lifted the gold goblet in salute to the inu lord, stopping in front of the one who could not hear him, "for leading me straight to those trouble-makers. They've been a thorn on my side for a while now. These people are like rats, you know? They skitter and make noises and are generally the pests they are. We can't have that you see. " he stopped and put the bottle of wine on Sesshoumaru's casket.

"Imagine, I would have avoided all the trouble I had if I just followed you around,' Rylanion chuckled. "But, uh, sorry that you cannot share this rare vintage with me. " he gestured apologetically, chuckling again.

"What is that you say?" the pale youkai cupped a hand on his ear, as if listening. "Ach, my friend, you didn't have to offer your services in the mix but thank you nonetheless. So generous of you! You even threw in a few extras; your captain, the young lord...nice specimens. Oh, to be young. Their youth is really something that I look forward to. And yes! You also got me the copy of Zarianna. My friend, you didn't have to do that, you know." the man laughed at his own humor.

Rylanion sighed as he looked to the side in regret. "Ah, Zarianna...' he purred as the man slowly walked a few feet away and stopped at one of the cases. At his touch the top of the almost opaque slab cleared up revealing the occupant. Setting his goblet on Sesshoumaru's casket he smiled as he reached inside and cupped Kagome's cheek. "you came back to me, my love. I told you, didn't I?" he whispered."I said that you couldn't run away from me. I said I will find you and we will be together again. I'm doing this for both us. Believe me." another gesture freed the sides of the crystaline case, they unfurled back as if alive so he could easily lean in more to kiss Kagome on the cheeks and ending on her lips where he thoroughly ravished the soft rosy petals. The man's hands were not idle and they roamed in freedom at the soft and lovely curves without censure from the unconscious woman.

Not the first time he had done this, no. He liked a little exciting defiance every now and then just to see some fear shimmer on his prey's eyes but once he had his fill of his dominion he liked them subdued with a little chemical help from his own concoction.

"We need a little privacy, my dear...I want you all for myself." With a click of his fingers the sides of the casket unfurled, elongated and closed over them like the petals of a deadly flower.

*{O}*

In Kagami's Mirror

Kagami was not prepared at how fast the lord of the West had her neck locked in his deadly hand. "My lord.." the entity pleaded as the fingers tightened, a dangerous tinkling sound frightened the guardian of the mirror. "I'm Kagami." she choked. "Please do not kill me."

"Kagami?" No change registered on the powerful inulord's expression even as he slowly try to squeeze the energy out of her. "The entity of the mirror?" it was not a question but a statement.

"Yes, my lord."

"I am in the mirror?" another statement.

"Yes, my lord."

"You summoned me."

"Yes, my lord."

"Did you kill this Sesshoumaru?"

"It was not I." she shook her head slightly and gratefully the chokehold lessened. "...and you are not dead."

"Not?" one brow went up.

"Yet." one nod.

"Good." one smirk. Sesshoumaru released the entity as his attention was captured.

"I took you from the 'Kurai jigen' and brought you here."

"The dark dimension."

Kagami nodded, thankful that the Cardinal is in a talking mood. "It's where captured souls are harvested and used. I have also saved the others." Kagami backed away as the lord advanced at her words.

"Where are they?"

Kagami swept her hand to the right and like a mist lifting Sesshoumaru saw the rows of people behind the veil. The formidable lord strode inside quickly and Kagami followed slowly as he swept his gaze around until he found the ones he was looking for. He hurried over and stopped at the second row, gently laying a hand on Rin's head, an expression of extreme relief showed in the softening of his gaze. The lord then turned and laid a hand on Shippo's chest nodding his satisfaction at the safe condition of the children as they and the others float in the mist. "Where is Kagome?" the ice returned in his eyes as he failed to find the miko among the people.

"I believe lord Rylanion did not put lady Kagome in the dark dimension, my lord."

"What does it mean?"

"I was about to pull Kagome-sama in here when she was taken. That is the reason I..." Then Kagami suddenly gasped. Though the entity is not a youkai nor an elemental and barely holding a semi-humanoid shape he could still feel its emotion. The entity became distraught as it opened its hand and produced a shimmering ovoid. "My lord, we need to act quickly...Kagome-sama...!"

Sesshoumaru became tense at the words. "What of the miko?" In response to his question, Kagami stiffly swept her hand and a vision opened.

*{O}*

Happily spent, Rylanion lingered a little longer stroking Kagome's cheek, palming a breast, his eyes hungrily sweeping over her face but he froze as he stopped at one of her markings. "Yes..." he whispered. "Where is it?" The man looked up in thought, his fingers stilled in stroking the smooth unblemished skin.

Suddenly losing interest in Kagome, he slid down from her body hastily straightening his garments; a gesture from the man closed the case and without a parting glance Rylanion left the darkness of the dungeon.

The castle was enormous and it literally needs an army of servants to be able to clean it from top to bottom. It was not the kind of castle that looks grandiose but rather it could be described as stately and elegant. Sadly, since its mistress died the upkeep of the entire building was neglected and some rooms and areas were either closed, forgotten or in disrepair as the years and centuries went by. Throughout the years its army of servants have been whittled down to but a handful with one or two footman or maid joining the ranks. The servants were right in the middle of cleaning the usable areas of the castle when Rylanion arrived like a whirlwind in his haste to reach his errand.

"Get out of my way!" Rylanion snarled and sent a hapless servant tumbling after being side swiped by his passing. "Useless creatures!" The old man cowered in fear under his mops and buckets and other cleaning items that upended on him. Thankfully a passing maid helped the octogenarian up and both gathered the fallen items on the floor in haste not wanting to meet the same fate twice. The old man was almost whimpering in fright as the maid wrapped an arm around his shoulders and steered him back to the kitchen.

By the time Rylanion had slammed open the door of Kagome's room he had forgotten both servants as he almost upturned the entire bedroom looking for one item. "Where is that fucking mirror?' Rylanion's handsome face contorted in shaking the bedcover and throwing pillows and bolsters everywhere. "Where did she put it? Ah!" The handle of the yellow bag almost got ripped off as Rylanion dragged it from under the bed and carelessly opened it and dumped its contents on the ruined bed but he didn't find what he was looking for. Breathing hard from all his exertions he leaned his shoulder on one of the posts of the four-poster bed then he remembered that Kagome was also in the library a day before and perhaps she took the relic with her.

Smiling wickedly he pushed off of the bed post ignoring the mess he created in the room. As he walked out, the bedpost he leaned on turned a sickly green and began to sizzle upon contact with air.

*{O}*{O}*