HOME | DD

Description
Chapter Six

Riding on the back of Au-un, Aniu could see Sesshomaru’s face evenly in the light of sunset. It was as expressionless as ever and it was grating on Aniu’s nerves. He seemed to not even care about what happened in the cave. As soon as he said he was sorry he practically pushed her out of his arms and strode out of the cave without another glance. Since then he hadn’t said a word to her. She seethed with anger and betrayal. How could he do such a thing? Was he playing with her? Was she just going to be like his demon whore? An ache grew inside her head from clenching her jaw so tightly. She relaxed and looked away from Sesshomaru to the ground. Sesshomaru felt her hot gaze drop but didn’t look back, he couldn’t.

“Aniu.”

A quiet voice, echoed through Aniu’s head. She looked up thinking it might be Sesshomaru.

“Aniu.”

It wasn’t Sesshomaru’s voice but familiar all the same. She couldn’t place it though. She looked around to see if the owner of the voice was nearby. She sensed nothing, heard nothing, and smelled nothing. Okay this was a little strange.

“Aniu, come.”

Who are you?

“Aniu, come to me.”

The voice was quiet and careful, as if it talked loud enough it would be heard by other people and not just her. But the voice was in her head and not spoken from anything around her. Aniu looked at Rin, who was walking close to Au-un. It couldn’t have been her. No the voice she was hearing was male. She glanced at Jaken. Nope. She looked at Sesshomaru and shook her head.

“Aniu, stop resisting and come. Come to me.”

Aniu felt a tug on her mind, like a compulsion to go to the voice. She slid out of Au-un’s saddle. As soon as her feet hit the ground she took off at a blinding pace. She wasn’t even sure why she was running. It was just a need to get to the voice quickly. Aniu was at least fifty feet from where she slid off of Au-un, when she felt a strong grip on her arm.

“Aniu. Stop. What’s going on?”

It was Sesshomaru. She quit running and turned around. He was her master now and she had to obey, but the compulsion didn’t stop pounding through her head.

“I must go to him.”

“To who?”

“I don’t know. But I must go to him.”

“Why?”

“He’s calling to me. Please let me go.” Her voice held desperation. She wanted to struggle out of his grip but she couldn’t. He was her master and she shouldn’t–couldn’t–fight him. His grip tightened on her arm bringing as gasp from her throat when the sharp claws almost pierced her skin. Almost.

He nodded. “I’ll follow you.”

His grip didn’t loosen. He turned his head and looked at Jaken and Rin. “Jaken watch over Rin.” With that he let go of Aniu. It was so abrupt that she stumbled but kept her ground and started running with that blinding speed as before. He followed close behind so he wouldn’t lose her.

“Aniu, lose him.”

What?

“Aniu, lose Sesshomaru.”

No, I can’t. He’s my master. I can’t.

Aniu looked back to Sesshomaru. The voice didn’t want followers but she wouldn’t go without someone behind her and she sure as hell wouldn’t try to ditch Sesshomaru. She turned back and just kept going to the voice.

After about fifteen minutes of blind running, the sun had set as they came to a clearing with a small hill in the middle. On top of that hill stood a figure that resembled a man.

“Naraku,” both Aniu and Sesshomaru said together. Aniu’s eyes widened as the half-demon turned to them. All of a sudden Aniu’s pulse was in her throat, choking her with her own fear.

“Aniu, come to me.”

“It was you! You bastard! You were call –“

“Aniu, come.” His voice was thick with amusement and a thin line of anger.

Aniu’s feet moved forward but she was fighting with all she had. That bastard!

Sesshomaru grabbed her arm again and tried to hold her where she was. It was a struggle seeing as she had inhuman strength. She was literally dragging him and she couldn’t stop. No matter what he did, the impulse was too strong and she had to obey.

Tears were streaming down her face with the effort to fight and for betraying Sesshomaru. How could he control her? How was this possible? He shouldn’t have any power over her. But here they were with him ordering her to him.

She was at the top of the hill, standing only a few feet away from the evil bastard. She had the urge to close that distance but Sesshomaru was holding her so tightly she couldn’t. It was tearing her apart. Her soul and mind were all for getting away from Naraku and jumping into Sesshomaru’s arms, but her body was pulling her toward the asshole.

“Kohaku,” Naraku called.

Kohaku appeared from the other side of the hill. He was dressed in his demon slayer’s outfit. It was just like Sango’s except it was turquoise and black instead of read and black. He was Sango’s kind, younger brother but thanks to the jewel shard embedded into his back he was Naraku’s slave. Naraku had implanted it when Kohaku was dying and it kept him alive. Naraku had wiped Kohaku’s mind of all the bad memories of his past, of him killing his father and rest of the demon slayers because of a demon controlling him. Of his sister and his family and all the good times they had. All he knew now was Naraku’s voice.

“Kill Sesshomaru.” The order was smooth and held that hint of amusement. If Kohaku went up against Sesshomaru he would die. Sesshomaru wouldn’t hesitate to kill him, he didn’t give a damn that Kohaku was Sango’s only family left.

Kohaku pulled out his Kusarigami and leapt toward Sesshomaru. He let go of Aniu and pulled out Tokijin and blocked the Kusarigami. Kohaku drove forward, backing Sesshomaru down the hill.

“No Kohaku. Sesshomaru please don’t kill him.” Aniu was worried now. She couldn’t let this happen; Kohaku couldn’t die, not yet. She started down the hill, slower than when she came up.

“Aniu stop.”

She stopped but fought against the hold on her. Her whole body vibrated with the tension of trying to get away.

“Come to me, Aniu.”

She turned slowly and walked up the hill. Every step was an effort as she tried to fight back. Once on top of the hill she stopped but was pulled toward him. Against her will she walked toward him until she was standing a hairs-breath away.

Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile….

Naraku reached a hand up to her face, his fingers leaving a trail of heat across her face. She felt something dark and quiet, consume her. It was the place where her mind went when she killed, when she didn’t want to feel anything. Where it was dark, quiet, completely empty and lonely. Her eyes widened as she understood that Naraku was overtaking her mind and shoving her into that dark place where she feels nothing. She tried to fight but couldn’t break free. She was alone and helpless in her darkness.

You've built a love but that love falls apart. Your little piece of heaven turns too dark…

* * * * *

Chapter Seven

“ANIU,” Sesshomaru yelled. He looked from Aniu to the boy in front of him. He didn’t need this distraction right now he had to get to her but he couldn’t kill the boy. It wasn’t because of his own feelings but because Aniu didn’t want him to. He was stuck between what he should do and what he couldn’t do.

Kohaku came after Sesshomaru but he dodged and leaped up the hill. Since Kohaku was human it would take him longer to get up the hill so he had some time.

He landed swiftly next to Aniu and Naraku. He lashed out at Naraku with his poison claws but he quickly sidestepped it. He moved Aniu so she was in front of him, like a shield.

Sesshomaru cursed under his breath and leapt into the air. While in air he moved to the side as a swishing Hiraikotsu. He looked up to see a fire cat with two humans riding on it. A monk and a demon slayer dressed just like Kohaku. They were Inuyasha’s friends. He looked around and spotted the stupid half-breed. He jumped up in the air so that they were face to face, glaring at each other from several feet in the air.

Inuyasha looked down from Sesshomaru to Aniu and Naraku. Naraku still had a hand on Aniu’s face and her eyes were blank, dark green pools.

“Aniu,” Inuyasha said softly.

Kagome looked over his shoulder and gasped as she noticed what was going on. Naraku was draining her, erasing her memory.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha landed on either side of Aniu. Naraku just smiled. Kagome climbed off of Inuyasha and notched an arrow, aiming towards Naraku. Inuyasha reached out his had at the same time Sesshomaru did.

I know there's something in the wake of your smile. I get a notion from the look in your eyes…

They both touched one of her arms and power filled her, Sesshomaru’s cool, collective power and Inuyasha’s hot, anger-filled power. The two intermingled within her awakening her own power. It surged forward against Naraku’s power throwing him halfway across the hill. He landed on his feet looking over at the two brothers and the girl. Disapproval was clear on his face but just behind it was curiosity. What was going on?

Aniu’s eyes began to fill with acknowledgement. The blank eyes changed into intelligent, alert eyes. The power overflowed in her and she cried out with the feel of too much power. Her knees buckled and she sank to the ground. Inuyasha’s hand slipped from her arm but Sesshomaru’s went around her waist and kept her on her feet.

“What the hell was that?” Inuyasha asked.

Naraku started walking toward the little group. He knew exactly what was going on but why spill the secret. If he could control the girl maybe he could control the two brothers. Now that would be the perfect plan. He moved closer with a wicked smile on his face. His laughter bubbled out of his throat as he thought about how ironic it would be for them to work for the person they were trying to get rid of.

Naraku’s laughter raised the tiny hairs on the back of Inuyasha’s neck. He turned to see the bastard coming towards them. He drew Tetsusaiga. The rusty old sword transformed into what looked like a fang and aimed for Naraku.

“You won’t come anywhere near Aniu,” Inuyasha said. “Wind Scar.”

The power aimed straight for Naraku and hit. The power cleared to show that Naraku had his barrier up and it had deflected the Wind Scar. Naraku took no notice and kept moving forward. Shit.

Inuyasha rushed him and Naraku struck him with one a thin line of power that threw him a ways from him.

Sesshomaru was too busy trying to get Aniu to talk to him. He lightly tapped her face. Her eyes fluttered then closed and stayed that way.

And there are voices that want to be heard. So much to mention but you can't find the words…

Sesshomaru laid her down gently then drew his Tokijin and turned to Naraku. “Dragon Strike.”
Naraku grinned. “If Inuyasha’s Wind Scar couldn’t get past my barrier what makes you think your Dragon Strike will?”

He was confident. The bastard.

“Wind Scar.”

Inuyasha’s wind scar intermingled with Sesshomaru’s dragon strike just like their powers had connected in Aniu’s body. Sesshomaru’s cold, blue dragon strike and Inuyasha’s hot, yellow wind scar. The two hit Naraku full on. His barrier was destroyed and his body disintegrated. When it cleared all that was left was his head, floating like a ghost.

The head of Naraku looked at both the demons. “You win for now.” Then he started retreating leaving behind a miasma. Inuyasha grabbed Kagome–who had just stood there dumbfounded during all this–and jumped off the hill and on to a high tree branch, away from the foul miasma. Sesshomaru picked up Aniu and leapt into the tree. He didn’t land in one like Inuyasha but ran back to where he had left Rin and Jaken.

* * * * *

The miasma cleared and Inuyasha looked around for Sesshomaru and Aniu. He found Miroku and Sango but not the other two. Damn that Sesshomaru.

He grabbed Kagome around the waist and jumped to where Miroku and Sango were on the hill.

“He must have taken Aniu and ran.”

“It looks like that, Inuyasha,” Miroku said.

“Naraku sure made it so that he couldn’t be followed. Do you think he was badly affected by Sesshomaru and my power?”

“It could be. His body took a lot of damage,” Sango said.

Movement caught Kagome’s eye. She looked down and at the bottom of the hill she spotted Kohaku’s Kusarigami.

“Sango look,” she said carefully.

Sango glanced where Kagome was looking. She gasped and slid down the hill.

“Kohaku,” she said softly as she picked up the Kusarigami. “Did Sesshomaru…did he kill him?”

Inuyasha took a sniff. “I don’t smell any blood and I didn’t see any on Sesshomaru.”

Sango let out a breath that she didn’t know she was holding. Kohaku may have killed their family but it wasn’t his fault and Sango just wanted to get her brother out of Naraku’s grasp. She looked out towards the forest. Thank you Sesshomaru.

I don't know where you're going and I don't know why, but listen to your heart before you tell him goodbye….

* * * * *

Chapter Eight

Sesshomaru stopped his running. No one was after him and Jaken and Rin were ok for a while. He had to make sure Aniu was ok. He looked around and saw a small pile of leaves at the base of a wide oak tree. The leaves were still green so they would be comfortable. He laid her down carefully, propping her head against the trunk of the tree. Her head turned away from him limply, not like she did it herself. He put his fingers to her pulse and felt that it was thready and fading. He actually looked at her now and noticed she was barely breathing.

Rain clouds come to play, again. Has no one told you she's not breathing…?

Sesshomaru pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her waist almost like he did in the cave. He kissed the top of her head and then leaned his cheek on her head.

“Don’t leave me, Aniu. Don’t go. You can make it, I know you can. Come back to us, to me.” His voice almost sounded like it was choked by tears.

Well, can you feel those arms around you? Well, can you see this place surround you? Well, can you hear the people calling…?

Aniu didn’t respond and he felt her fading faster.

“Please Aniu. Stay with me.”

Come On Now, Stay Right here in the light, So that you won’t walk away, away…

He felt her pulse skip a beat then come back a little stronger. With every beat it grew a little stronger and so did her breathing. His arms tightened around her. “Come on you can do it just stay here. Stay with me.”

How can you see into my eyes like open doors? Leading you down into my core, where I've become so numb... Without a soul, my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold. Until you find it there and lead it back home…

Aniu whimpered. A small, quiet sound but he heard it. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

I've been sleeping a thousand years, it seems. Got to open my eyes to everything…

Aniu slowly opened her eyes. She looked around and wondered where she was and who was pressed against her back. She suddenly remembered Naraku and him trying to take over her mind then the power. That power, so much of it, then nothing. So who was she lying against? Fear overwhelmed her. She struggled little because she was so weak.

“Sshh, it’s ok.”

Aniu relaxed knowing that she was with Sesshomaru.

Closing your eyes to disappear, you pray your dreams will leave you here. But still you wake and know the truth, No one's there…

Sesshomaru moved his hand to her head and stroked her hair. Aniu closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Her pulse and breathing were getting stronger every second. How come? Sesshomaru was just as baffled as Aniu but he didn’t complain. He just wanted her alive and well.

* * * * *

It was close to noon when Aniu woke again. She felt better than she had before, snuggled up against Sesshomaru helped too. Why was she feeling this way about him?

Aniu turned her head so she could see his face. He was leaning up against a tree; his eyes closed hiding his amazing amber eyes. She smiled and studied his face for a few moments. She licked her lips then sat up in his lap. She put one hand on his shoulder and the other cradling one side of his face. She leaned into him and laid a gentle kiss on his lips. She tasted salt on his lips. It confused her for a minute and she pulled back. Then she really looked at him and saw tear streaks that lined his face. Sesshomaru never cried. So why did he cry this time? She didn’t want him to cry. She leaned in again and laid another gentle kiss on his lips. This time he stirred.

Sesshomaru felt her lips on his and he kissed her back, tasting her and the salt from his lips. He moved his hand to the back of her neck and pushed her against his mouth a little harder as he reacted to the kiss. He wondered what the salt taste was from and then remembered he had been crying when he thought he would lose Aniu. Why? He had only been with her for a few weeks. He pulled back from the kiss and looked into those dark green eyes of hers. They weren’t blank like when Naraku tried to take her over, they were filled with happiness but behind that was sadness. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears as she realized that Sesshomaru had shed tears for her. He pushed her back to him and kissed her. Was he in love? Did he really care for Aniu?

Without the mask, where will you hide? Can't find yourself, Lost in your lies. I know the truth now, I know who you are. And I don't love you anymore. It never was and never will be, you don't know how you betrayed me. And somehow you've got everybody fooled...

Description
Chapter Six

Riding on the back of Au-un, Aniu could see Sesshomaru’s face evenly in the light of sunset. It was as expressionless as ever and it was grating on Aniu’s nerves. He seemed to not even care about what happened in the cave. As soon as he said he was sorry he practically pushed her out of his arms and strode out of the cave without another glance. Since then he hadn’t said a word to her. She seethed with anger and betrayal. How could he do such a thing? Was he playing with her? Was she just going to be like his demon whore? An ache grew inside her head from clenching her jaw so tightly. She relaxed and looked away from Sesshomaru to the ground. Sesshomaru felt her hot gaze drop but didn’t look back, he couldn’t.

“Aniu.”

A quiet voice, echoed through Aniu’s head. She looked up thinking it might be Sesshomaru.

“Aniu.”

It wasn’t Sesshomaru’s voice but familiar all the same. She couldn’t place it though. She looked around to see if the owner of the voice was nearby. She sensed nothing, heard nothing, and smelled nothing. Okay this was a little strange.

“Aniu, come.”

Who are you?

“Aniu, come to me.”

The voice was quiet and careful, as if it talked loud enough it would be heard by other people and not just her. But the voice was in her head and not spoken from anything around her. Aniu looked at Rin, who was walking close to Au-un. It couldn’t have been her. No the voice she was hearing was male. She glanced at Jaken. Nope. She looked at Sesshomaru and shook her head.

“Aniu, stop resisting and come. Come to me.”

Aniu felt a tug on her mind, like a compulsion to go to the voice. She slid out of Au-un’s saddle. As soon as her feet hit the ground she took off at a blinding pace. She wasn’t even sure why she was running. It was just a need to get to the voice quickly. Aniu was at least fifty feet from where she slid off of Au-un, when she felt a strong grip on her arm.

“Aniu. Stop. What’s going on?”

It was Sesshomaru. She quit running and turned around. He was her master now and she had to obey, but the compulsion didn’t stop pounding through her head.

“I must go to him.”

“To who?”

“I don’t know. But I must go to him.”

“Why?”

“He’s calling to me. Please let me go.” Her voice held desperation. She wanted to struggle out of his grip but she couldn’t. He was her master and she shouldn’t–couldn’t–fight him. His grip tightened on her arm bringing as gasp from her throat when the sharp claws almost pierced her skin. Almost.

He nodded. “I’ll follow you.”

His grip didn’t loosen. He turned his head and looked at Jaken and Rin. “Jaken watch over Rin.” With that he let go of Aniu. It was so abrupt that she stumbled but kept her ground and started running with that blinding speed as before. He followed close behind so he wouldn’t lose her.

“Aniu, lose him.”

What?

“Aniu, lose Sesshomaru.”

No, I can’t. He’s my master. I can’t.

Aniu looked back to Sesshomaru. The voice didn’t want followers but she wouldn’t go without someone behind her and she sure as hell wouldn’t try to ditch Sesshomaru. She turned back and just kept going to the voice.

After about fifteen minutes of blind running, the sun had set as they came to a clearing with a small hill in the middle. On top of that hill stood a figure that resembled a man.

“Naraku,” both Aniu and Sesshomaru said together. Aniu’s eyes widened as the half-demon turned to them. All of a sudden Aniu’s pulse was in her throat, choking her with her own fear.

“Aniu, come to me.”

“It was you! You bastard! You were call –“

“Aniu, come.” His voice was thick with amusement and a thin line of anger.

Aniu’s feet moved forward but she was fighting with all she had. That bastard!

Sesshomaru grabbed her arm again and tried to hold her where she was. It was a struggle seeing as she had inhuman strength. She was literally dragging him and she couldn’t stop. No matter what he did, the impulse was too strong and she had to obey.

Tears were streaming down her face with the effort to fight and for betraying Sesshomaru. How could he control her? How was this possible? He shouldn’t have any power over her. But here they were with him ordering her to him.

She was at the top of the hill, standing only a few feet away from the evil bastard. She had the urge to close that distance but Sesshomaru was holding her so tightly she couldn’t. It was tearing her apart. Her soul and mind were all for getting away from Naraku and jumping into Sesshomaru’s arms, but her body was pulling her toward the asshole.

“Kohaku,” Naraku called.

Kohaku appeared from the other side of the hill. He was dressed in his demon slayer’s outfit. It was just like Sango’s except it was turquoise and black instead of read and black. He was Sango’s kind, younger brother but thanks to the jewel shard embedded into his back he was Naraku’s slave. Naraku had implanted it when Kohaku was dying and it kept him alive. Naraku had wiped Kohaku’s mind of all the bad memories of his past, of him killing his father and rest of the demon slayers because of a demon controlling him. Of his sister and his family and all the good times they had. All he knew now was Naraku’s voice.

“Kill Sesshomaru.” The order was smooth and held that hint of amusement. If Kohaku went up against Sesshomaru he would die. Sesshomaru wouldn’t hesitate to kill him, he didn’t give a damn that Kohaku was Sango’s only family left.

Kohaku pulled out his Kusarigami and leapt toward Sesshomaru. He let go of Aniu and pulled out Tokijin and blocked the Kusarigami. Kohaku drove forward, backing Sesshomaru down the hill.

“No Kohaku. Sesshomaru please don’t kill him.” Aniu was worried now. She couldn’t let this happen; Kohaku couldn’t die, not yet. She started down the hill, slower than when she came up.

“Aniu stop.”

She stopped but fought against the hold on her. Her whole body vibrated with the tension of trying to get away.

“Come to me, Aniu.”

She turned slowly and walked up the hill. Every step was an effort as she tried to fight back. Once on top of the hill she stopped but was pulled toward him. Against her will she walked toward him until she was standing a hairs-breath away.

Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile….

Naraku reached a hand up to her face, his fingers leaving a trail of heat across her face. She felt something dark and quiet, consume her. It was the place where her mind went when she killed, when she didn’t want to feel anything. Where it was dark, quiet, completely empty and lonely. Her eyes widened as she understood that Naraku was overtaking her mind and shoving her into that dark place where she feels nothing. She tried to fight but couldn’t break free. She was alone and helpless in her darkness.

You've built a love but that love falls apart. Your little piece of heaven turns too dark…

* * * * *

Chapter Seven

“ANIU,” Sesshomaru yelled. He looked from Aniu to the boy in front of him. He didn’t need this distraction right now he had to get to her but he couldn’t kill the boy. It wasn’t because of his own feelings but because Aniu didn’t want him to. He was stuck between what he should do and what he couldn’t do.

Kohaku came after Sesshomaru but he dodged and leaped up the hill. Since Kohaku was human it would take him longer to get up the hill so he had some time.

He landed swiftly next to Aniu and Naraku. He lashed out at Naraku with his poison claws but he quickly sidestepped it. He moved Aniu so she was in front of him, like a shield.

Sesshomaru cursed under his breath and leapt into the air. While in air he moved to the side as a swishing Hiraikotsu. He looked up to see a fire cat with two humans riding on it. A monk and a demon slayer dressed just like Kohaku. They were Inuyasha’s friends. He looked around and spotted the stupid half-breed. He jumped up in the air so that they were face to face, glaring at each other from several feet in the air.

Inuyasha looked down from Sesshomaru to Aniu and Naraku. Naraku still had a hand on Aniu’s face and her eyes were blank, dark green pools.

“Aniu,” Inuyasha said softly.

Kagome looked over his shoulder and gasped as she noticed what was going on. Naraku was draining her, erasing her memory.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha landed on either side of Aniu. Naraku just smiled. Kagome climbed off of Inuyasha and notched an arrow, aiming towards Naraku. Inuyasha reached out his had at the same time Sesshomaru did.

I know there's something in the wake of your smile. I get a notion from the look in your eyes…

They both touched one of her arms and power filled her, Sesshomaru’s cool, collective power and Inuyasha’s hot, anger-filled power. The two intermingled within her awakening her own power. It surged forward against Naraku’s power throwing him halfway across the hill. He landed on his feet looking over at the two brothers and the girl. Disapproval was clear on his face but just behind it was curiosity. What was going on?

Aniu’s eyes began to fill with acknowledgement. The blank eyes changed into intelligent, alert eyes. The power overflowed in her and she cried out with the feel of too much power. Her knees buckled and she sank to the ground. Inuyasha’s hand slipped from her arm but Sesshomaru’s went around her waist and kept her on her feet.

“What the hell was that?” Inuyasha asked.

Naraku started walking toward the little group. He knew exactly what was going on but why spill the secret. If he could control the girl maybe he could control the two brothers. Now that would be the perfect plan. He moved closer with a wicked smile on his face. His laughter bubbled out of his throat as he thought about how ironic it would be for them to work for the person they were trying to get rid of.

Naraku’s laughter raised the tiny hairs on the back of Inuyasha’s neck. He turned to see the bastard coming towards them. He drew Tetsusaiga. The rusty old sword transformed into what looked like a fang and aimed for Naraku.

“You won’t come anywhere near Aniu,” Inuyasha said. “Wind Scar.”

The power aimed straight for Naraku and hit. The power cleared to show that Naraku had his barrier up and it had deflected the Wind Scar. Naraku took no notice and kept moving forward. Shit.

Inuyasha rushed him and Naraku struck him with one a thin line of power that threw him a ways from him.

Sesshomaru was too busy trying to get Aniu to talk to him. He lightly tapped her face. Her eyes fluttered then closed and stayed that way.

And there are voices that want to be heard. So much to mention but you can't find the words…

Sesshomaru laid her down gently then drew his Tokijin and turned to Naraku. “Dragon Strike.”
Naraku grinned. “If Inuyasha’s Wind Scar couldn’t get past my barrier what makes you think your Dragon Strike will?”

He was confident. The bastard.

“Wind Scar.”

Inuyasha’s wind scar intermingled with Sesshomaru’s dragon strike just like their powers had connected in Aniu’s body. Sesshomaru’s cold, blue dragon strike and Inuyasha’s hot, yellow wind scar. The two hit Naraku full on. His barrier was destroyed and his body disintegrated. When it cleared all that was left was his head, floating like a ghost.

The head of Naraku looked at both the demons. “You win for now.” Then he started retreating leaving behind a miasma. Inuyasha grabbed Kagome–who had just stood there dumbfounded during all this–and jumped off the hill and on to a high tree branch, away from the foul miasma. Sesshomaru picked up Aniu and leapt into the tree. He didn’t land in one like Inuyasha but ran back to where he had left Rin and Jaken.

* * * * *

The miasma cleared and Inuyasha looked around for Sesshomaru and Aniu. He found Miroku and Sango but not the other two. Damn that Sesshomaru.

He grabbed Kagome around the waist and jumped to where Miroku and Sango were on the hill.

“He must have taken Aniu and ran.”

“It looks like that, Inuyasha,” Miroku said.

“Naraku sure made it so that he couldn’t be followed. Do you think he was badly affected by Sesshomaru and my power?”

“It could be. His body took a lot of damage,” Sango said.

Movement caught Kagome’s eye. She looked down and at the bottom of the hill she spotted Kohaku’s Kusarigami.

“Sango look,” she said carefully.

Sango glanced where Kagome was looking. She gasped and slid down the hill.

“Kohaku,” she said softly as she picked up the Kusarigami. “Did Sesshomaru…did he kill him?”

Inuyasha took a sniff. “I don’t smell any blood and I didn’t see any on Sesshomaru.”

Sango let out a breath that she didn’t know she was holding. Kohaku may have killed their family but it wasn’t his fault and Sango just wanted to get her brother out of Naraku’s grasp. She looked out towards the forest. Thank you Sesshomaru.

I don't know where you're going and I don't know why, but listen to your heart before you tell him goodbye….

* * * * *

Chapter Eight

Sesshomaru stopped his running. No one was after him and Jaken and Rin were ok for a while. He had to make sure Aniu was ok. He looked around and saw a small pile of leaves at the base of a wide oak tree. The leaves were still green so they would be comfortable. He laid her down carefully, propping her head against the trunk of the tree. Her head turned away from him limply, not like she did it herself. He put his fingers to her pulse and felt that it was thready and fading. He actually looked at her now and noticed she was barely breathing.

Rain clouds come to play, again. Has no one told you she's not breathing…?

Sesshomaru pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her waist almost like he did in the cave. He kissed the top of her head and then leaned his cheek on her head.

“Don’t leave me, Aniu. Don’t go. You can make it, I know you can. Come back to us, to me.” His voice almost sounded like it was choked by tears.

Well, can you feel those arms around you? Well, can you see this place surround you? Well, can you hear the people calling…?

Aniu didn’t respond and he felt her fading faster.

“Please Aniu. Stay with me.”

Come On Now, Stay Right here in the light, So that you won’t walk away, away…

He felt her pulse skip a beat then come back a little stronger. With every beat it grew a little stronger and so did her breathing. His arms tightened around her. “Come on you can do it just stay here. Stay with me.”

How can you see into my eyes like open doors? Leading you down into my core, where I've become so numb... Without a soul, my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold. Until you find it there and lead it back home…

Aniu whimpered. A small, quiet sound but he heard it. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

I've been sleeping a thousand years, it seems. Got to open my eyes to everything…

Aniu slowly opened her eyes. She looked around and wondered where she was and who was pressed against her back. She suddenly remembered Naraku and him trying to take over her mind then the power. That power, so much of it, then nothing. So who was she lying against? Fear overwhelmed her. She struggled little because she was so weak.

“Sshh, it’s ok.”

Aniu relaxed knowing that she was with Sesshomaru.

Closing your eyes to disappear, you pray your dreams will leave you here. But still you wake and know the truth, No one's there…

Sesshomaru moved his hand to her head and stroked her hair. Aniu closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Her pulse and breathing were getting stronger every second. How come? Sesshomaru was just as baffled as Aniu but he didn’t complain. He just wanted her alive and well.

* * * * *

It was close to noon when Aniu woke again. She felt better than she had before, snuggled up against Sesshomaru helped too. Why was she feeling this way about him?

Aniu turned her head so she could see his face. He was leaning up against a tree; his eyes closed hiding his amazing amber eyes. She smiled and studied his face for a few moments. She licked her lips then sat up in his lap. She put one hand on his shoulder and the other cradling one side of his face. She leaned into him and laid a gentle kiss on his lips. She tasted salt on his lips. It confused her for a minute and she pulled back. Then she really looked at him and saw tear streaks that lined his face. Sesshomaru never cried. So why did he cry this time? She didn’t want him to cry. She leaned in again and laid another gentle kiss on his lips. This time he stirred.

Sesshomaru felt her lips on his and he kissed her back, tasting her and the salt from his lips. He moved his hand to the back of her neck and pushed her against his mouth a little harder as he reacted to the kiss. He wondered what the salt taste was from and then remembered he had been crying when he thought he would lose Aniu. Why? He had only been with her for a few weeks. He pulled back from the kiss and looked into those dark green eyes of hers. They weren’t blank like when Naraku tried to take her over, they were filled with happiness but behind that was sadness. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears as she realized that Sesshomaru had shed tears for her. He pushed her back to him and kissed her. Was he in love? Did he really care for Aniu?

Without the mask, where will you hide? Can't find yourself, Lost in your lies. I know the truth now, I know who you are. And I don't love you anymore. It never was and never will be, you don't know how you betrayed me. And somehow you've got everybody fooled...