18

"Kagome, do you think Lord Sesshomaru will let me stay with humans even after all of this is done?" Rin asked as they played at the beach. Kagome gladly watched the girl as Sesshomaru and Satomi spoke of business with the Southern generals. Kohaku was with them as well for extra protection, although she didn't think it was needed. Inu-Yasha was off in the forest making sure all was well. He was never used to staying near a place like this for long. However, the atmosphere was different than where they were living. Less stress and much more peace.

"I think he will allow you to once Jiro is dealt with. Do you wish to?" Kagome was surprised that this question popped up. Rin was always talking about being with her favorite dog demon. Now that she was into the beginning of her womanhood years perhaps she felt a need to be more independent. It was hard to tell sometimes since she was always a joy to be around and didn't complain.

"Well, I want to be around him, but Satomi has taught me so much too. I could learn more if I stay with humans, but I'm nervous to," she admitted as she dug her feet into the sand as they stood at the shore line. "I was happy in your village, Kagome. Maybe he'd let me stay there again? Or maybe travel with Kohaku if he's not on a mission?"

"I think you'd have to learn to protect yourself better if you went with Kohaku," Kagome said with a smile. "That would take some training, but I'm sure that wouldn't take too long to get the basics. I was clueless when I first came here and I'm still alive."

"Do you think Satomi would train me? She said before that she learned how to fight really good as a human," Rin asked quietly almost to herself. Kagome just smiled wider and wrapped her arms around the girl's shoulders.

"I'm sure she'd do whatever you would ask her to do. She's truly dedicated to protecting you and I think this would also help ease her mind if you knew more. Sesshomaru may go either way, but they seem to reach an understanding pretty quick," Kagome added not really knowing how that particular conversation would go. Sesshomaru just was unpredictable with Rin, just like an uneasy father, and Satomi was so eager for Rin to learn more.

"Well, I never did ask him. Satomi has a way of winning arguments against him. It's kind of funny," Rin said with a laugh. "I always thought of him as this untouchable demon lord, and yet Satomi makes him almost act human. He has always been so kind to me, but he's different with her. Softer I suppose. A goddess and a demon lord falling in love, it makes it sound almost like a tragic legend. However, I want them to be happy."

"I suppose you're right. The divine and the damned, it sounds like a Romeo and Juliet story for sure," Kagome noted as Rin just looked at her strange. Usually when Kagome referenced something from her time, Rin stayed out of it.

"I know he's a demon, but I want him to be happy," Rin added with a sigh. They both sat in silence thinking about that. Sesshomaru dedicated his life so far to finding power and damning those who got in his way. Recently, he wanted to protect Rin, and now there was a goddess involved he wished to protect. Maybe it would take the next five hundred years to redeem his wickedness in the past, but Kagome hoped he would find the peace he deserved. Same with Satomi, something didn't sit right with the situation. Power didn't come without a cost. She just didn't know what was bartered.

"Well, enough about that," Kagome said trying to keep Rin cheerful as the events unfolded inside the castle. "Let's go play in the water and find shells. Maybe some sweet treats after too?" Rin seemed all too happy to oblige as they went into the water again. All would be figured out when the war was done. For now, all they could do was wait and see.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"She certainly looked like a goddess. That aura of purity almost stung even though you could tell she was holding back," said the youngest general, Taiki. They all nodded in agreement as Kaito and Sesshomaru stood in silence.

"A goddess coming now, it's an omen. This Jiro from the north is something. Our team we sent was the best at going in and out unseen but taking care of themselves if the need came. He took them out like rag dolls, as much as it pains me to admit. The last one rumored to deal with a goddess was Toga, and since he's no longer with us, we're running blind," said the next general, Haise who was in the middle of the age group of the generals. He was quiet for this whole time, but he couldn't help but be suspicious and weary. "Sesshomaru, your father didn't mention any of that time to you, did he?"

"No, he left that out," Sesshomaru said darkly as he disliked the rumor that his father had kept a detail like that clouded. "He died before he could say anything about it to me."

"I meant no insult," Haise said startled at the usually cool tempered Sesshomaru. Sure, he could be ruthless, but very few times had he heard of him having anything other than a calm demeanor. If he wanted you dead, he'd just kill you.

Kaito cleared his throat. "I may have something of use. That mountain that we are having issues with lies the rumored grave of the last goddess to make use of her powers. Villages spawned in the centuries since, but perhaps her awakening has awakened a power there that is trying to call out to her the only way it knows how. It is said to be a holy mountain, so this would make sense. Your father, Sesshomaru, talked of them going to this mountain only once, but I would bet my life that you will find something of interest there."

"You want her to fix the problem because she's the only one who probably can," Sesshomaru asked almost annoyed. "We don't have time for this, there is more important matters to solve."

"I agree, but it could be valuable to you both to learn as much as you can before it's too late. We are walking blind here, and if there is something that can be learned maybe we can record it for the next generation that has to deal with this problem so that they too are not the same as we are. Knowing nothing is already the loss of this war. What if we go in and find out something tragic mid battle? The moral alone would suffer and the war lost. If your mind is not clear then what hope do we have."

"Something tragic? Sesshomaru asked narrowing his eyes.

"Power does not come free, Sesshomaru," Kaito said as a warning. "You gave up much in your pursuit. She was once a human and now turned goddess. No matter how I look at it, I can only see it as temporary. One way or another. Either her body or soul will break before the other. That much power is dangerous for someone who was once mortal."

"Mortal, you say?" Haise asked with his eyes open. "For her to wield that much energy…"

Sesshomaru glared at Haise but resisted the urge to fling out his poison whip. Taking in a deep breath, he didn't want to think about Kaito's warning, but he had a point. It was something Sesshomaru thought of as well but didn't wish to. Knowing her limits would take time, and he didn't know how much time they had to work on limits. Let alone how far to actually push her.

"We shall head East this evening. Her powers seem to be stronger during the night and there isn't time to waste," Sesshomaru said as he quickly turned and walked out of the room. Deep down he wanted to go to the forest and train for hours to get his mind off of what was going through it. Her dead body at the end of a bloody battlefield. She deserved more than that. He would make sure she didn't die. He had to.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Rin," Satomi called out when she walked outside for some fresh air. Kagome and Rin were still playing by the beach. Inu-Yasha was no doubt watching from the forest nearby and she sensed Sesshomaru not too far off either. However, his aura seemed agitated and uneasy unlike normal. Usually his demonic aura was calm and collected. This time it seemed to be flaring out in all directions. Rin saw Satomi and ran up to her full of energy but breathless. "I see you've been having a good day."

Satomi smiled contently as Rin told her all the little details about her day on the beach and the treats she got to eat. Truly she felt like a mother even though the girl was into her early teens. After this war was done, she would never get to see her have a life beyond now, so she watched every detail of her face, listened to every inflection of her voice, anything to preserve how she was now.

"Satomi, have you seen Lord Sesshomaru since the meeting?" Rin asked directly, making Satomi snap out of her trance.

"I have not. Hana and Maori were keeping me company. However, I'll imagine we will be leaving soon. Maybe as soon as tonight, it's hard to tell though since he hasn't mentioned anything," she said to Rin before turning her attention to Kagome. "Apparently there's a disturbance in the East that they wish for me to take care of. After that they will meet us in the West."

"Inu-Yasha and I will accompany you then," Kagome said with a smile as Satomi smiled back. It would be nice to have some female company of her own age. Rin was amazing but there was only so much she could bring up to the younger ears.

"I look forward to it. Should be interesting with the brothers. Hopefully we don't have to scold them too much," Satomi said teasingly as they started to walk towards the town.

"No promises," Kagome said with a groan. "They've always been impossible."

Both sighed and then laughed as they talked about the past issues the brothers had. Satomi was getting quite the earful and shaking her head to the stories. Sounded like they both had a lot of issues to work out, but things sounded calmer. Perhaps Kagome was part of it and taking care of Rin in the village. Surely that would keep Sesshomaru in check a bit better. Maybe…

Sesshomaru's aura hadn't been calming down by the time sunset came. The girls had been in the small hut Kagome and Inu-Yasha stayed in and Satomi excused herself. Sighing, she decided she better just get this over with. When the guy picked to be angry, he was rather obstinate in it. Just when she was thinking that Inu-Yasha appeared before her.

"I wouldn't," he said warningly. "When he's like this it's best to leave him alone. However, that's just my experience. Didn't take much for him to want to rip my head off anyway." He continued walking as Satomi just nodded and smiled.

Continuing to walk in Sesshomaru's direction, there were a few times where his aura burned her. Poison? She saw the poison more than once, perhaps that was his ability. Either way it was powerful, and her purification powers were healing her as fast as it bit into her skin. She could feel the aura start to dissipate as she drew closer. Almost as if he was inviting her.

The clearing was burned and drenched with the smell of a strong poison. He was letting off some steam, that much was certain. He looked to her glaringly as she reached the clearing and stepped forward. Stopping once she saw his face, her eyes determined to not falter. They were still some distance apart, but it may as well have been worlds.

"What is it, woman?" he asked pointedly as he looked at her yukata. It was burned in places from his own energy. Sniffing the air, she didn't seem to be hurt. However, he could have sworn he smelled her blood as she approached. Her power must have healed her as she came into this dense fog of poison. A purple cloud of miasma settled into the ground, turning the grass brown.

"I could ask you the same, demon," she answered with the same level of condescending nature. "Throwing tantrums over something? You certainly did some damage." Narrowing her eyes, his own eyes matched hers flashing a bright red before he disappeared and reappeared inches from her face. His eyes were back to amber as she now looked up at him.

"What did you barter for your power?" he asked with his tone demanding an answer. She looked to the side and he touched her chin with his thumb and index finger to turn it back to him. "I'm not a fool, woman. Don't treat me as such."

"Woman, is that all I am to you now?" she asked as she slapped his hand away. It was hard to find the words that she wanted to tell him. Tears welled up painfully as her voice felt like it was choked from her throat.

"What did you barter?" he asked again, this time it felt softer. Less demanding and more pleading.

Leaning her head forward against his chest, she breathed as the tears blurred her vision. One by one they fell to the ground, purifying the poison and leaving the grass green where the drops landed.

"I was supposed to have died so many other times. I couldn't protect Rin when she needed me. I couldn't do anything with my life. So, I gave up my life for the powers I would use in return to be sure Rin was protected. At least my death will have meaning," she said as he gripped her shoulders almost painfully and pulled her away so he could look at her.

Her eyes were calm although the tears fell, and he was left with his eyes wide not knowing what to say. It was what he thought, but he wished for it to be anything but that. His grip lessened on her shoulders. "Your life would have had meaning. Humans have such a fleeting life, why do this?"

"Yes, it is fleeting. I would rather die for a cause I know I believe in rather than not knowing what cause is left to me. To be with the ones I care about most at the end and know when it will be here than never knowing the next step. This world is harsh and cruel, and I was promised of her protection." Her tears stopped as she wiped them, now she was just sure of her cause even more.

"I have guaranteed that for years," Sesshomaru said almost insulted. "You doubt my abilities. I could have protected you and her without your sacrifice."

"I don't doubt you, but this world is ever changing. What if you died? What then? I couldn't bear the thought of either of you dying," she admitted as she reached forward and hugged him. Taking in a deep breath and letting it go, she could feel the poison lifting. His arms didn't wrap around her, but she knew that he understood her.

"I will not die. Neither will you two. I will win the war with Jiro and you can keep your powers hidden as much as possible," he said as his arms finally wrapped around her upper back. She was so warm and pure, he felt obligated. He couldn't let her die. Even if it meant going it alone, he wouldn't endanger her to protect this world. He was too selfish for that. She was his, not to give to the world for their martyr. The world didn't deserve that.

His words made her take in another deep breath and hold onto his woodsy sent. It was like home should smell. Maybe he could do this on his own. However, she knew that would be impossible. Feeling his power, Jiro was willing to play dirty and yet she sensed Sesshomaru would eventually do the same to win. She didn't want it to come down for that. For his pride to take a hit just because of his need to protect her.

"I know you'll protect us. But who will protect yours?" she asked as he almost laughed at the idea. A small 'huff' left his mouth as he shook his head. She looked up at him and she saw a small tug of a smile on the side of his mouth. It made her blush.

"Satomi," he said leaving her breathless. "You are the most beautifully stubborn woman I have ever met." Kissing her forehead, he walked passed her as she turned to follow with her cheeks red as crimson. As they walked, she ended up beside him. Sliding her hand to his, she threaded her fingers with his.

"Sesshomaru, you are the most honorable handsome demon I have ever met," she said quietly as she looked up at him, his face almost unreadable. It was obvious he was not used to compliments, usually the opposite she figured.

"We leave tonight," he said changing the subject as she shook her head knowing what he was doing. "We don't have time to waste, and the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can figure out the rest of the problem. The East won't take long to get to and Rin will probably sleep most of the time on Ah-Un. The entire night should be enough."

"What about the mountain's aura since it's holy? Won't that hurt you?"

"Don't be foolish. I will not succumb to such nonsense."

"Suit yourself, stubborn dog demon," she said shaking her head again. "I hear Kagome and Inu-Yasha are coming with."

"That is true, but I won't have them slow us down," he said narrowing his eyes at the thought.

"Sometimes I can see why some would call you heartless," she said with a laugh before catching a glare from him.

"You'd be wise to heed them," he said warningly as he thought about the deeds he had committed before.

"I'm a person who believes what I see with my own eyes. You're far from heartless, but the one we're battling is. We will be strong if we stick together, but we have to be united. All of us," she said determined as his mouth twitched to another ever so barely there smile.

"You're quite motivating for a human," he said teasingly as she blushed. Finally coming up to the village, she saw Kagome, Inu-Yasha, Rin, Kohaku, and Kilala all waiting. Still holding onto his hand, Kagome almost looked like she would faint from the sight. Inu-Yasha was even more at a loss for words.

"I take it you're ready," Sesshomaru said not letting their looks phase him. Although he knew exactly why.

"Don't give us that, of course we are. Time to show that guy who's here to stop him every time," Inu-Yasha said full of confidence as he punched the air. The rest agreed as Sesshomaru and Satomi let go of each other's hand.

"Now we don't know what's waiting for us in the East, but let's go get some answers. I want this guy done with so we can go on with our lives," Satomi said as Rin went to her side holding her arm.

"Yeah!" Rin called out as everyone smiled.

It was decided that Kagome would ride with Kohaku on Kilala. Satomi and Rin would ride on Ah-Un while Inu-Yasha and Sesshomaru would keep the lead and back protected on their journey. It would be a long night, but they agreed stopping would hinder their plan. Rin would rest since she was the least prepared for these sorts of things, but Satomi almost welcomed the idea of making sure she was safe as she slept.

Sesshomaru and the cloud beneath him protected the front as Kilala and Ah-Un were close together. Kagome and Satomi would chat now and again but it was mostly quiet. There was so much riding on this journey. The fate of the world that Kagome and Inu-Yasha were familiar with, but Satomi felt the weight of it as the night dragged on. Everyone was depending on her, but she didn't know how to live up to the expectations. The only thing she could do was do the best she could. But would her best be enough… she could only hope.

"I see it," Kagome called out as the hazy mountain made its appearance as the sun broke through the fog on the horizon. They had ridden all night, Rin was rubbing her eyes as she woke up and the rest seemed to be exhausted. It was still a good two day walk from where they were. But the aura didn't feel holy even from here. It felt tainted somehow like the generals were worried about.

However, suddenly Sesshomaru stopped and so did Ah-Un and Kilala. Narrowing her eyes, Satomi could see the thick barrier. It was more obvious as she concentrated. This far out… but it didn't feel pure. There was something else at work here, as if something wanted what was at the mountain to create chaos. No doubt Jiro and his followers were to blame for this.

"We stop here," Sesshomaru said as he descended in annoyance. If even he wanted to stop and investigate then Satomi knew something was off. He would be the type to charge in and not worry if people followed him.

Following him, Satomi jumped off of Ah-Un and rushed to the barrier. Looking at it further, she could feel the world seemingly go away as voices became faded. Looking forward and narrowing her eyes, she could see a figure in the distance.

"Hello my dear," said the chilling voice she already knew. Jiro.

Everyone seemed to be paused in time as she went to everyone. The silhouette in the distance walked closer until she could see it was him on the other side of the barrier.

"Happy to see me? We could end this here, but that would be too soon. I want the world to see your death so they never question me." Menacing. That was the only thing in his voice she could hear. "I want to hear your last breath under my hand."

"You're a monster," she said as she stood her ground and clenched her fists.

"Oh hardly my dear. I am what the world created, it's the world that's a monster," he said shaking his head and sighing. "Monsters are demons like them that think they can rule the world and no one ever thinks otherwise."

"You're a demon yourself," she said accusingly.

"Hm… now I am," he said as he started fading away. "I do hope you don't die yet, goddess. I look forward to doing the deed myself."

Suddenly it was like everything moved forward again in time. Everyone was talking about the barrier. Satomi was out of sorts as Sesshomaru picked up on that.

"Are you ill?" he asked curiously. The barrier was emitting a sort of strange aura and he wondered if she was affected by it.

"No… just. It's nothing," she said not knowing how to explain what happened. "We should keep walking and see if there's a weak point. I don't sense any give here."

"She's right, staying here won't do us much good," Kagome said noting the area was rather ominous feeling. "I sense a better area to the north."

Walking, Satomi couldn't get what happened out of her head. What kind of trap did Jiro set for them that he hoped she survived just to be killed later. He was truly evil, but she knew she'd have to be on her guard. All the while, she felt like she was being watched. However, it was a different kind of presence. An angry presence.