InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Snow White and the Seven 'Dwarfs'...Sort of ❯ Into the Fire ( Chapter 43 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

I think I fixed the problem. But Now I won't have bold or italtic stuff. Sorry.

Lovemeetsdeath- Thank you! I’m happy you think so. And hopefully by now, you know if Jakotsu ends up with Bankotsu or not.

Nightlife Maiden- I know, I’m sorry about the lack of Inu/Kag fluff. Once I get Sess and Rin settled, I’m going to try to focus more on them. Enjoy the new chapter!

Japanese Dreamer- Thank you! And I’m sorry about the huge wait, it just took me awhile to finish.

Disclaimer- I do not own Inuyasha or Snow White and I am not making any money off this fic.

‘’ That’s when the little voices in pretty much all the guys head start to talk. You can consider this voice their inner Youkai, the voice that tells you right from wrong, or the voice that says what you’re really feeling, it depends on the male hearing the voice at that time. I’ll only put this in when that happens. (hehe)


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Rin, Seven, Oda and Sesshomaru-

Rin tried to ignore Bankotsu silent gloating next to her as she looked over the house. Just because she agreed the feathers on his head were slightly ridiculous, he turns into a boasting moron.

"Is everything ready Renkotsu?" Rin whispered quietly.

Renkotsu swept over everything once last time. "The guards and other household members will still be asleep from the potion I slipped them this evening. We are ready." he confirmed.

She nodded and glanced over at Bankotsu. Oda and Jakotsu had done a really good job on him. His ragged and dirty army uniform looked like he had just crawled out of a grave, while the moonlight made the fake blood on his chest look very real. What was visible of his face looked like it was decomposing. Briefly she wondered if Seiko would call their bluff when he realized Bank didn’t reek, but hopefully he would be too terrified to notice. The rest of his head was hidden under Jakotsu’s ‘cute’ war helmet. But the effect was amazing, even Rin had trouble hiding a gasp when she saw him out of the corner of her eye, forgetting Bankotsu wasn’t a ghost.

She looked at her men, "Let’s do it." she ordered, drawing the hood of her black cloak over her head.

Her men nodded solemnly, covering their faces with the hood in one smooth motion. When Jakotsu ‘gently’ nudged Oda, he followed suit.

Rin looked one last time at Sesshomaru, who agreed to stand outside and play look out. "You remember the signal?"

He nodded once, "Good luck."

She smiled briefly, before picking up her bag and leading her men into Seiko’s house.


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Seiko

Seiko sighed, rolling over onto his back. He had been jumpy and waiting for something to happen all day, even though he had no idea why. It must be the stress of the job affecting him. He just had to try to get some sleep and things would be fine in the morning.

Dong

Dong

Dong

Seiko shot up in bed, sweat beading on his face at the sound of the bells. Where could that have come from? There wasn’t a temple near his home for miles. It must be his imagination, it must be.

Dong.

Dong.

Dong.

Low laughter echoed from down the hall as chains clinked and rattled. He pinched himself, to see if he was really awake or if this was only a dream.

Suddenly the noises stopped. Seiko stayed still, waiting to hear if any more sound would emerge from the silence. After a few moments, he assumed there was nothing, and laid back down on the bed.

He cried out when cold hands grabbed him, quickly wrapping even cooler chains around his body. He struggled, but was quickly subdued when a hooded figure slammed his hand into his gut.

Now bound, the figures stepped back, two on either side of him and one at his head, and slow footsteps were heard down the hall, getting louder and louder as they came closer to his bedroom.

Seiko whimpered, "Please, don’t hurt me." he begged.

"Oh I won’t hurt you." a voice paused. "Much."

The man who had spoken stepped through the door of his bedroom and Seiko gasped, dread gripping him. "Kao!" He cried in fear.

Kao’s ghost smiled coldly, "Good evening General Seiko. It’s nice to see you remember me." it said as it glided closer to him.

Seiko started to shake, rattling the chains wrapped around him. "Don’t...Don’t come any closer!" he begged.

"And what are you going to do if I come closer, hmm? You killed me once, you can’t do so again." the ghost said tauntingly as it moved closer.

"What do you want?" Seiko whispered fearfully.

The ghost seemed to think for a moment. "What do I want? I want many things Seiko, mostly being able to live again. World peace would be a close second, third," he paused again, "Revenge."

Seiko started to wail. "Please don’t hurt me, it was war, what else could I do?"

"You could have faced me like a man rather then kill me from behind." Kao snapped.

"I was afraid." he whimpered pathetically.

"Don’t even try that. You enjoyed the killing." the ghost spat out.

Seiko didn’t answer, he only started weeping.

"Your lower then dirt." the ghost said disgustedly, "It would be a mercy to put you out of your misery."

"No! Please, no." Seiko begged, "I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!"

Kao shook his head, "I should drag you down to hell right this instant, but your more use to be alive then dead."

Seiko immediately perked up, "Just tell me what to do." he urged, "I promise, if you just give me a chance I can be useful."

The ghost considered him for a moment. "I want you and your men to join the rebel’s army."

Seiko jerked, "Betray Kikyo? Are you insane?" he shouted, forgetting his fear of Kao in face of the larger one.

"Are you saying your more frightened of Kikyo then me?" Kao asked in incredulously.

"Hell yes."

"Then you have no use to me." Kao hissed and drew his arm up. Almost instantly, the black hooded figures reached into a black bag they carried and started to throw dirt on him.

"Into the grave you’ll go." Kao giggled madly as he was covered from head to toe in a fine layer of soil

"Ok! Ok! I’m sorry, I’ll do it!" Seiko shrieked as soon as he felt the dirt covering him.

"Good. In four days time, take your men and meet a group of six men and one woman a few miles from the north end of town. Follow their instructions no matter what they say and Seiko, I will know if you double cross me. I will be watching you." Kao warned.

Seiko nodded rapidly, "Group of seven people. Four days. Got it."

"And one more thing before I leave you Seiko. Tell no one of your change of heart if you do not want me to come back." The ghost warned, leaning close to Seiko.

He quickly leaned forward and pressed his lips on his forehead, ignoring his cries in his ear. "Good night." he whispered, before pressing a nerve in his neck and putting him to sleep.

Suddenly cheerful, Bankotsu bounced on his feet, flicking the helmet off. "In your face Renkotsu! I said I would make a good ghost!"


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Urasue’s Lab

"My Lord? The preparations are ready whenever you are." Urasue told Naraku, not meeting his eyes. The raw pain in them was to much for her to face.

Naraku didn’t move his gaze from Kikyo’s body. This would be the last time he would ever see his beloved in the flesh, after this she would be clay. "Leave us." he ordered harshly.

She bowed submissively, walking backwards out of the room, Yura following her holding a jar with a red haze inside.

Naraku moved closer to Kikyo’s body, ignoring the roaring fire that lay at the other end of the room. "Oh Kikyo." he breathed, stroking her cold cheek. "I’m so sorry. Sorry about so many things. I should have been stronger. If I hadn’t let my lust get in the way, you would be alive and Kagome would be dead." he swallowed, "I only wanted her so much because she looked like you." he explained, sitting on the edge of the table and drew her body into his arms.

"Do you ever wish things had happened differently? Or that we had met in a different time, or a different place? Some times I wish we had. I wish we were born in a different time, where we both weren’t so hated, where we wouldn’t have turned out so bitter. You know how I wish we met? As children, when we were still innocent and pure." he whispered, "We would have met each others eyes and that would have been it. No one else for the two of us; No Kagome, no Inuyasha, no jewel. Just Naraku and Kikyo, Onigumo and Shima, content with only ourselves." He smiled to himself. "I know you would you call me a sentimental fool if you could hear me but that how I feel."

He leaned down and tenderly kissed her forehead. "I promise Kikyo, it will be different next time around." he swore. "Next time."

He forced himself to stand up and lay her body back on the table. "Urasue!" he called hoarsely and she immediately walked back in, Yura on her heels.

"Are you ready my lord?" she asked almost kindly.

He nodded and grabbed the end of the table as he wheeled it towards the waiting fire.

He looked down at his Kikyo’s face one last time, her features oddly peaceful in the light of the flames.

And he pushed her into the blaze.


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Rin

"That was fun wasn’t it?" Bankotsu asked cheerfully. "We should really do that again." he suggested as the group walked back to their hotel.

Rin grinned, "Nice job Bank, I was really impressed." she said admiringly, "That kiss at the end was a little weird but he got really scared."

"I’m just glad we don’t have to carry those bags around since we left the dirt at his place. It just didn’t go with my outfit." Jakotsu informed them.

"And we wouldn’t want that." Renkotsu replied dryly.

"I’d like to play that trick on some of the doctors I’ve met today." Suikotsu grumbled.

"Oh!! Can we?" Bankotsu begged.

"We’ll see." Rin told him, as she became increasingly aware of Sesshomaru moving closer to her. It seriously was not fair how good that man looked with his profile highlighted by the moonlight. No normal woman stood a chance.

"And that bell part? That was a nice little detail." Bankotsu continued to explain. "We should make that part of our act every time."

"I’m still not sure we can trust him in battle." Rin broke into Bankotsu’s rambling thoughtfully. "I wouldn’t want a general that afraid in my army. And he still might try to betray us, he seemed genuinely scared of Kikyo." she added.

Renkotsu shrugged elegantly, "Then we can make him tell us some of the army’s formations, attacks, and such, and lock him up during the battle. The point is so the other side doesn’t have him." he explained.

Rin nodded, "Good idea. Hold up for minute guys," Rin asked, and her men immediately stopped, even Oda who only rolled his eyes a bit.

"Tomorrow I’m giving you a bit of a free day. Find out some more information, but otherwise do what you want. I have my own little project to do." Rin said vaguely, hoping they wouldn’t ask for more information.

"Just what is this project Rin?" Renkotsu asked suspiciously.

Rin blinked innocently, even though they probably couldn’t see it. "Getting into Naraku’s palace and doing some searching."

"WHAT?" her men almost roared.

"Rin, what the hell are you thinking? That’s insane!" Bankotsu hissed.

"It’s to dangerous!" Suikotsu protested.

"We need someone to get inside!" Rin shot back, "Naraku knows what all of you looks like, I doubt he’ll even give me a second glance! Besides, when does Naraku hang out with servants? I’ll be safe and we need the palace blueprints!" Rin argued.

"Why?" Sesshomaru asked softly, "Why is this so important when we will be fighting them on a battlefield?"

"Because we need to cover every angle! What if Kagome or Inuyasha or someone gets kidnapped and if we have to sneak into their dungeon? What if we have to go in to set off a few traps? Or what if we have to get innocents out? We have to be prepared." Rin urged.

"I don’t like this." Jakotsu replied back.

Rin sighed, "Me either, but it has to get done. I promise I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself. Trust me."

There was a small silence as her men considered her words, "If your not back by midnight, we’re storming the castle to get you back." Bankotsu warned.

Rin nodded, "Fair enough." she allowed.

Sesshomaru moved closer to her and took her hand briefly, squeezing it before allowing her to pull out of his grasp. She took that as his permission to go.

Renkotsu sighed, "Let’s get back to our hotel. It’s going to be one hell of a day tomorrow."


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Next Morning


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Kouga

‘You are such a moron. I can’t believe I’m half of such a wuss." Kouga’s demon said in disgust.

Kouga scowled, not realizing he was only frowning at himself. "Shut it." he growled, confused enough about what to do then add to that with a nosy, horny demon.

‘Make me.’ it snarled back.

Kouga’s growled half heartedly as he pushed his covers back and rose. He had been thinking day and night and he still had no idea what to do about Ayame. She couldn’t be serious right? She couldn’t have given up on him, that just wasn’t Ayame. When Ayame wanted something, she grabbed it with both arms and all thirty two teeth and never let go.

He should know, it took a week for the bruising and teeth marks to finally fade.

But Ayame must be bluffing; she had been after him to long to let him go so suddenly. It was probably just some dumb female mood thing.

‘How many times do I have to repeat it before it sinks into your thick head? You. Are. AN. Idiot!! Go after her before someone gets there before you!’

Kouga snorted, "Come on, who’s she gonna go after here? Every other male is taken, including Shippo since Hiten’s sister got here. I’m the last guy around, I’ve got no competition. I got plenty of time to make my move." he assured himself.

Kouga heard a faint clunking sound deep in his mind, almost as if someone was banging their head repeatedly against a wall. ‘Idiot.’

Kouga forced himself to ignore his demon as he got up, dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast, and the usual lustful attack by Ayame. Just like always.

He peeked around the corner, making sure she wasn’t hiding to jump on his back, he looked up to make sure she wasn’t clinging on the ceiling to pounce on him and he looked behind himself just to make sure she hadn’t gone for a sneak attack today.

Nothing.

He frowned, but told himself she must be biding her time, trying to lure him into a state of false security before jumping him. See? Just like always.

His eyes never stopped moving, they ran up and down every wall, shadow, closet, space and hole in the wall to see if Ayame was about to leap out and tackle him but she never appeared.

‘How did I get stuck with such a idiot? Why couldn’t I have been Sesshomaru’s demon? Hell, I would take Shippo at this point!’ Mini Kouga grumbled.

Kouga ducked into the living room, making sure she wasn’t hiding in there, before checking out the closets in the hall. He even checked under the lamps.

‘I bet Sesshomaru wasn’t this dumb when it comes to Rin. He probably strode towards her, said ‘you belong to me’ and swept her off her feet in some really cool move before stalking off with her. He never checked under a rug to make sure his girl wasn’t about to jump him. He’d probably jump her first. You’re so lame Kouga.’

‘Shut up!" he hissed under his breathe, dropping the carpet back on the floor. Where was she? He had never gone this long without being fondled/tackled/molested by her since the moment she healed from her wounds from when she came.

He finally made his way into the dining room, where most of the dwarfs were already seated and waiting for Kag to bring out breakfast.

He dropped down into his seat, trying to ignore them. Damn it, why the hell was he paying so much attention to them today? When didn’t Hiten cuddle with Kagura, keeping her close to his side, while she played with his braid. And Miroku was always coddling Sango since the attack, even though the pleased blush on her face was slightly new. And that damn mutt was still drooling in the direction of the kitchen door, half for the food, but mostly in the anticipation of seeing Kagome herself. Hell, it looked like Inuyasha still had some saliva left over from dinner last night on his chin, as gross as that was.

This was normal business around here. So why the hell was he just noticing this big gaping ache in his stomach?

The door swung open, and Kouga nearly sighed in relief when Ayame bounced through. There she was. Now she would sit next to him in her usual spot, try to keep some body part of theirs touching at all times and probably grope him under the table when he was done eating. He would jump, yell, run away, and she would try again at lunch. Just like always.

She smiled brilliantly at the dwarfs, "Morning!" she said cheerfully, and sat down next to Kagura and Hiten.

Kouga felt his mouth drop open. What the hell was she doing? She never sat over there, not in all the years they lived here. She was always next to him.

"Hey Ayame." Kagura replied back, "How did you sleep?" she asked.

"On my back." was Ayame’s quick response, "I probably don’t have to ask how you slept." she said with a pointed glance at Hiten’s arm while they both smirked.

Kouga blinked slowly, completely bewildered. How could she just make normal conversation and joke around when it felt like the earth was shaking under his feet? And she hadn’t even looked at him once yet!

"Breakfast!" Kagome chirped merrily as she walked in, a huge plate of food in her arms. Shippo and Soten were close on her heels, carrying pitchers of cold tea and water.

"Oh Kami, I love you...r food Kagome." Inuyasha added, his gaze focused on the plate and a certain pile of flesh nestled against the dish’s edge.

Kagome blushed slightly, "Thank you Inuyasha." she said proudly, while the two kids grimaced.

She passed the plate around, the kids following it to pour drinks and settled down in her seat.

"I have such good news." she gushed, obviously in a good mood.

"Yeah?" Hiten asked, the others looking interested.

"A letter from Ayame’s people finally came this morning!" she announced, sliding a slip of paper out of her sleeve and handing it over to Ayame. "They say a small number of them can sneak pass Kikyo’s borders to here to make plans and meet the rest of the generals and such. Then they’ll sneak back to attack Naraku’s troops from behind the day of the battle."

Ayame touched the letter almost caressing it. "Sayo." she breathed, her eyes filling with tears as Kouga’s fists clenched under the table. "When can they be here?" she demanded.

"Two days time." Kagome took a sip of tea Shippo had poured for her, her eyes twinkling, "I hope you don’t mind that I’ve already written a response, welcoming them here. I was just so excited for you." she explained.

"No, its fine, I’m excited to. I’ve missed my people and my country so much..." she trailed off, emotion getting the best of her when one tear trailed down her cheek.

She wiped it away, quickly getting herself under control. "I can’t wait!" she exclaimed unable to tear her eyes away from the message.

"I hope you don’t mind but I also asked Sayo to bring someone specific to come and visit you that I remember you telling me about." Kagome said innocently. The other two girls stared at her, before slowly grinning.

A smile slowly lit on Ayame’s face, and a blush bloomed on her cheeks, "Oh...him? I..I don’t know what to say Kagome."

‘HIM?’ his beast roared. ‘Just who the hell is HIM?’

"Thank you is perfect." she teased.

Ayame grinned, "Thank you." she repeated.

"Now eat something, we all have to get out strength up." Kagome ordered, to which Inuyasha immediately began shoving food in his mouth at a disgusting rate to try to please her. He was awarded with a sunny smile while Kouga started to feel ill at the soft smile on Ayame’s face.

‘No competition huh?’ his demon taunted.

Kouga didn’t respond, choosing to violently stab his food instead, imagining HIM spelled out in big letters.

His demon sighed again, ‘Idiot.’


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Rin

Rin forced herself to take deep breaths as she walked toward Naraku’s castle, her men anxiously watching her go. She didn’t let herself look back, even when she felt Sesshomaru’s eyes boring into her neck and swept a hand down her nape to get rid of the sensation. It didn’t work, but it made her feel slightly better.

Even though he had ‘allowed’ her to go, Sesshomaru was still angry she had decided to go without consulting him first. He hadn’t said a word to her all night besides hugging her tightly, and then giving her a hard kiss this morning. Her lips still throbbed if she thought about it to much.

She shook her head to clear away her thoughts as she neared the palace gates. She couldn’t think about him, she had to concentration on the task ahead of her.

"Name?" a guard called down to her.

"Asuka." Rin called up the name she had chosen for herself. "I’m the new maid."

"That sounds right, let her in." he ordered and the gates slowly opened.

She allowed herself a moment to take another deep breath before she walked through and into Naraku’s world.

For as horrible and sick Kikyo was, she had kept a very nice castle. The road before her was long, but she could see the palace, raising above in the mountains. Gardens and small buildings dotted the landscape but the design of the palace was such that it was the only thing you could pay attention to. Naraku had made the right choice not to change any of the designs since he had taken over.

Rin focused on the castle and the landscape for most of the walk over, making mental notes on where it seemed a lot of guards stood, where a good place to hide was, and how far it would take from the castle back to the gates.

She was just about to talk up the steps when she noticed a small old woman struggling the carry two pails of water inside.

"Here, ma’am, let me help you." She asked, taking hold of the yoke and putting it over her own shoulders.

The old woman smiled, "Thank you child, that really is a heavy burden for such a old woman like me."

Rin smiled back as she followed the woman inside into a kitchen. "It’s no trouble ma’am." she said politely, setting the water down where the old woman indicated.

"Now what’s a pretty young thing like you hauling water around?" the woman teased.

"I just accepted a job here, my name is Asuka."

"Ah, well I’m a cook here, my name is-"

"Mayu?" Rin guessed, her eyes wide.

The old woman blinked and looked at her suspiciously. "Yes, how did you know that?" she questioned.

Rin swallowed and took a chance, "Kagome says hello."

"You there!" another woman shouted while all the blood drained from Mayu’s face. "You better be the new maid that was hired."

Rin submissively bowed, "Yes ma’am."

"It’s about time you got here. There’s a lot of work to be done and not a lot of time to do it. Follow me." she ordered. When she turned around, Rin met Mayu’s eyes, mouthed ‘I’ll be back’ and quickly followed her while Mayu stared sightlessly at her back.

"Don’t talk to me, but you may call me Hari." the woman ordered. She stopped in front of a room and pointed to it, "Clean." she commanded and quickly left while Rin rolled her eyes at her back.

The room was nothing special, so Rin quickly cleaned it and stepped outside to do some searching.

Only to find Hari there.

"You’re done? Good. Follow me." she ordered.

And so the morning went. Rin would clean, try to leave and find herself blocked by Hari.

She was getting ready just to knock the annoying woman out and stuff her in a closet after the fifth time, when Hari sighed, "I have to let you go get lunch now. Go back and see Mayu, she’ll give you some scarps." she ordered and marched away.

Rin stood still for a moment, debating whether to go see Mayu or sneak around and decided Mayu was a safer bet. It was smart to make allies inside the palace itself.

"Child, are you going to stand there all day or come down with me?" Mayu asked, exasperated from behind her. Rin turned around to see Mayu standing in the hallway with a plate of food in her hands. "Come along then." she ordered and Rin obediently followed.

Mayu let her inside a small room and closed the door, handing the plate over to her.

Rin said down on the tiny cot pushed to the wall and took a bite, closing her eyes in bliss. "Hmm, you must have been the one to teach Kag to cook." she moaned.

Mayu folded her arms over her chest, "How do you know Kagome...Asuka is it? she asked.

Rin shook her head, "Not my real name, made it up. " she said, slightly distracted by the food. "I’m really Rin."

"Rin?" Mayu gasped, "But...but you’re supposed to be dead!"

Rin shrugged, "So’s Kagome, but she’s still around."

"Kagome’s still alive? Oh thank Kami." Mayu breathed, closing her eyes and falling against the wall. "But how?"

"Naraku never killed her, he just chased her out into the woods where she found me and a lot of people angry at Kikyo."

"You must be the ones leading the rebellion." she guessed.

"Good, you’ve heard about that, that’s why I’m here actually. I need blueprints of the palace and a way to get messages across to loyal servants working here." Rin told her.

Mayu nodded firmly, "I will help with that."

Rin looked up from her lunch, "You can get me blueprints?" she asked eagerly.

"Of course I can. I could draw you a map myself. But it so happens the keeper of the map room is in love with my cakes." she explained. "And he owes me a few favors."

Rin looked up again, "And he isn’t loyal to Kikyo or Naraku?" she asked.

Mayu shrugged, "We will find out. I can meet you in town after the palace’s dinner."

Rin stood up, scraping the last of the food off her plate and into her mouth.

"I’ll meet you at the bridge in the north end of town." Rin said, trying not to blush in remembrance of what happened on that bridge.

Mayu nodded, "Very well, I’ll see you there." she turned to leave, after picking up Rin’s plate. "Rin?"

"Yes?"

"Can you let Kagome know I’m happy she’s still alive? And that I intend to give her the scolding of her life for not letting me know earlier."

Rin grinned, "I promise to tell her."

"Thank you." Mayu nodded and left.

Rin scowled down at her dirty hands; "Back to work." she mumbled and left.


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Meanwhile...

Soten cracked one eye open and slightly turned her head to make sure Shippo was peacefully sleeping still. She made sure to tire him out during their game of tag today, so she could so what needed to be done without distraction.

Slowly she sat up, careful not to make a noise that would alert Shippo and wake him up. All the dwarfs were busy at the mine, her brother out in the woods with Kagura and Kagome had left Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha to continue her training. She was becoming quite the threat.

With her dragon fluttering over her head nervously, Soten made her way to the house, ignoring with all of her will the still warm treats Kagome had left on the table for dinner tonight. She sat down at her brothers desk and carefully wrote out a letter, making sure to be neat and precise. Before sealing it, she thought for a moment, and decided there wasn’t any more information that needed to be included. Koryu landed heavily on her shoulder and he gently rubbed her cheek with his nose, almost the same way she had seen Sango’s cat act with her.

“Lets hope this is the right choice Koryu.” she murmured softly as she slipped the paper into a harness strapped to his leg. He looked down at her, almost asking her if she was sure she wanted to do this, before flying back to Naraku.

She watched him go until he was less then a black spot in the distance, still unsure about what she had just done.


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AN: Review! And I’ll let you yell at me about Soten’s intentions without a compliant.