(Italics) – Actions

Italics – Thoughts

Sess: (cocks an eyebrow at the computer screen) Well, would you look at this? The pup actually busted her tail to get another chapter done. Based on the dent in the computer chair, she literally busted her tail. (strokes his tail gingerly)

Rin: (claps quietly) Go, Jade! She's been getting back to her old self on the writing. Ever since she stopped with the online college, her writing has been making a come-back!

Sess: (glances at the human) Let us hope for all our sakes that this story doesn't take much longer… (gaze drops)

Rin: (puts a hand on his shoulder) I know, Father. I believe Jade can change the past. The future can be just as bright as we dreamed it could be. Just have faith.

Sess: (smiles slightly) Thank you, Rin. We'd best say the disclaimer, so Jade can post this. Jade_the_inujin does not own Inuyasha or its characters. She only claims her original characters as her own. Please enjoy the chapter.

Rin: (frowns) Father sounds so sad. Master, help Jade change the story…

Ch41: The Desires of the Wind – Part II [Warning on some sensitivity...]

"The what?" Kagura gaped back at her father, sitting in the shadows. Her head was still a bit light from her ordeal that day, so she wasn't sure if she had heard him right. The desires of the wind, what did that mean? Seeing the crimson shard in his hand, she had a feeling she was about to find out.

"Forgive me," the spider said in a lighter tone. "You did just experience a near-death incident. Allow me to speak simpler for you, for your mind must be exhausted."

Kagura blinked. For a moment, she thought he was his old self again, but the sound of his breathing reminded her that his internal make-up wasn't fully recovered from being ripped out. At least, he wasn't sulking in bed anymore. What could have stirred his spirits so?

"What does your heart desire most?" Naraku eyed her face as she gasped in surprise. "I couldn't help but hear a hint of admiration in your tone when you spoke of Lord Sesshoumaru. Just what does the prince of the west mean to you, my dear?"

"Well…" The wind child bit her tongue. She couldn't tell Naraku about her feelings for the dog. She wasn't even completely certain what her true feelings were for him. Telling the spider such a thing could be a whole bucket of worms in itself. Why did he want to know anyway?

"Are you unsure of what you feel, Kagura?" Naraku's tone turned paternal. Hidden from the wind child's sight, the youkai summoned the female's heart to his hand. Glancing at the shard he held, he frowned at the thought of another shard being taken from the bead. Looking back at the stunned Kagura, he sighed lightly. "Perhaps this can help you see through the confusion."

Kagura gasped as a strange fog engulfed her mind. Clutching her chest, she moaned quietly as her body suddenly felt hot as fire. What was going on? Had Naraku done something to her? Her thoughts faded into darkness. Once her mind was blank, the face she'd seen in the clouds faded into her thoughts. Then, she saw him, hovering over her.

Radiant golden eyes gazed blankly as her. She longed for his arm's embrace again, so warm, so strong. His scent filled her nostrils, the smell of dogs and incense. She reached for his face, but no matter how far her fingers stretched, his cheek didn't come any closer.

"Sesshoumaru…"

"Yes, Kagura," Naraku asked her. She had collapsed, so he had walked over to her. Her dark-haired head now rested in his lap, where he stroked her loose locks. "What about Sesshoumaru?"

"I… I want him…" Her voice came in gasps. "I… want him, but… that doll… She won't let me…"

"Let me help you then," Naraku whispered down to her. "Let us see if he desires you as well. Rest for now, my precious one. I will carry out the preparations. Sleep for now."

"Sesshoumaru… Must… save… him…"

When she had fallen asleep, the spider stood to exit outdoors. Raising his hands toward the night sky, he muttered a spell. Kanna stood on the porch, watching him. She knew he would be exhausted after such an enchantment, but he must have felt his plan was worth the pain.

"Ah… Just my luck," Jade muttered with her sarcastic grin. "We do a good deed, and we get rained on for it."

"Be grateful for it," Sogi said stoically.

"Why, Master Sogi?" Rin blinked as the rain dripped into her eyes from her hair. The rat was perched on her shoulder. He appeared troubled by something? "Is something wrong?"

"The sky weeps," the rat replied, glancing upward. "The gods have sent rain from the sky to heal their lover, the earth. I pray we do not find whatever has stirred such an occurrence."

The party traveled in silence for some time. The echo of water striking earth buzzed in everyone's ears. Though most of the members were lost to actual thought; Sesshoumaru, Jade, and Takeshita each had their own inner contemplations.

Sesshoumaru's mind was still thinking of Kagura. Why was that? Had he not already saved her? He knew his Light had somehow brought him to her aid. What more could there be to this ever-present foreboding he felt in his chest?

Takeshita was also fixated on the wind witch. However, her thoughts were less concerned than the prince's. She had seen desire in Kagura's eyes. She wanted Sesshoumaru, but something held her back. What could prevent a woman from going after that which she longs for? She scuffed at how weak the very idea sounded.

"If you want something," she thought to herself, "you have to take it, like plucking an apple from a tree. Nothing comes to you in this world. Action is the key to achieving your goals."

Jade's mind floated around a different topic. She had been reflecting on the image she'd seen after Sesshoumaru had revived Kagura. That tall, handsome man was definitely the prince's father, Kazuki. Just what had he been to her in her past life?

She recalled saving him during a battle the first time they'd met. After learning of his stolen birthright, he'd sought out to take back his homeland. He had been noble in status and heart with a great sense of humor. Though his marriage to the daughter of the Poison-Flower clan had been merely a treaty, he had given her as much love as he could. Still, just what had they been to each other?

"Kazuki," the teen mused, "would we have been friends today? You seemed so care-free and regal at the same time. Is that what Sesshoumaru is becoming?" She glanced at the lord, only a few paces ahead of her. Smiling lightly, Jade made a wish. "I hope he does, my old friend."

Suddenly, Sesshoumaru and Takeshita stopped. Jade snapped out of her dream-state. Everyone looked to the lord prince for his reasoning. The doll looked panicked. Jade's eyes hardened, for she'd felt it as well.

"Naraku is nearby."

"It's one of his spells for sure," the lord reinforced her declaration. "The miasma is strong. He's calling for us to come." He looked back at Jade. "Are you going to be alright if we engage him so soon?"

"Born ready, pal," Jade replied with a crack of her knuckles."

"Is there any warning from the Master, Rin?"

"I haven't heard anything from him since the rains started, Lord Sesshoumaru," Rin answered with a hint of worry.

"Sesshoumaru…"

"I know, Takeshita," the dog said quietly. "I know it hurts. Jaken, Sogi, Rin, Kaze, watch over her. I don't want her to fight."

Everyone gaped at the lord prince. Had he really ordered her to sit this one out? Not a word was spoken as the prince began to walk toward the source of the miasma. Takeshita was frozen in shock, but that didn't stop the rest of the party from following their lord. They knew he was wise, so they would not question his judgment. Finally, Sogi called back to the doll over the rainfall.

"Come along, Takeshita."

After jumping over the river, the party ran. Everyone was focused. No words were exchanged. Naraku had invited them to a gathering, and they were ready for whatever party games he had planned. The miasma trail led to a palace, Naraku's palace, but it seemed closer than the last time they had been there. The dog glared.

"This is an illusionary palace," he announced placidly. "Be on your guard, especially you, Rin." The child simply nodded.

"Why would Naraku create an entire palace for us?" Jaken asked as he walked up to the dog lord.

"Obviously, he must need room to play," Jade muttered sarcastically.

"How wonderful of you to come, Sesshoumaru Party," Kanna's voice echoed from the courtyard.

"They come," Sesshoumaru said, raising a gleaming hand.

Kohaku's chain-sickle darted from behind them, forcing Jade and Sesshoumaru to leap deeper into the courtyard. The rest of the group had remained near the open gate. The dead boy emerged from the shadows between them. His dead eyes glanced at the dog and teen before turning his back to them.

"Is he ignoring us?" Jade asked the lord in a slightly ticked tone of voice.

"It would appear that way," he replied, "but he is of little concern to us right now. Our opponent is over there."

Jade turned to see Kanna with one of Naraku's golems. The rippling baboon pelt told them he was itching to attack. Sesshoumaru cracked the Whip of Light at the golem, destroying it. Both he and Jade were surprised at the easy defeat, but Kanna looked up at them, showing them the golem's reflection in the mirror. Turning around, Jade hacked the new creature in half.

"Sesshoumaru," she growled, "what's going on here? How did another one just appear like that?"

"Her mirror must hold the original golem's image," the dog replied as he snapped his bright whip at a newly found golem. "These are reflections of the true golem, but I doubt they're any less bothersome."

"Very perceptive, Lord Sesshoumaru," Kanna said as yet another golem appeared before Jade. "However, I am not limited to one reflection. The real golem is being reflected from another mirror. I can summon as many reflections as I wish, and unless you can find the true golem in this palace, I can and will overwhelm you with ease."

"Sesshoumaru!" The prince glanced back at Jade's call. "There are more golems with Kohaku!"

"Then we must crush the original," he said, running past the void. Jade started hacking away at the fakes, hoping to buy him some time.

"I wouldn't let him go in alone," Kanna said to the teenager. "There are other games to play inside the palace. He might be killed before he finds it."

"What?" Jade gaped at the void. Surely, she was bluffing. She had the poker face to do it. Nothing could defeat Sesshoumaru. Still, Naraku liked to play dirty. Could he overpower the Great Dog?

"Jade, go!" Takeshita cried out to the teen.

"What…?"

"Help him! Please!" The doll's pleadings were all Jade needed to run past Kanna for the entryway.

"Time for the play to begin, for the actors are all in their places, Father…"

Sesshoumaru stopped. His eyes showed he was in a hall, but his nose conveyed a different story. Closing his eyes, he followed his nose. The miasma was thickest along a specific path, as if someone had laid a breadcrumb trail for him to follow. Swinging his hand to the side, the crack of his whip echoed as it struck down a golem.

"Where are you, Naraku?" He said in a calm voice, "Enough games, come out of hiding, you coward."

"Finished playing already?" Naraku's voice bellowed from the miasma, but he was clearly absent. I suppose it's time for the next round then."

"Naraku, I'm tired of your child's play."

"Then you'll appreciate the next game, Lord Sesshoumaru. I assure you of that…"

The voice faded away, leaving the dog in a thick fog of miasma. Opening his eyes, all was dark. The spider must have given up on the illusions. Raising his hand, the soft glow of Light began to evaporate the pestilence. Taking one step forward, a sudden movement caught his attention.

Swinging his hand about, his Whip of Light hit a crawling limb, but instead of disintegrating, the vine-like limb swelled and curled up his arm. Cursing silently, the youkai lord yanked the limb forward, hoping to draw out whatever this creature was. Much to his displeasure, the limb only grew longer, coiling around his torso. Tightening its grip, the crack of his armor birthed a growl in his throat.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru," came a feminine voice from the dark fog, "this time, the game is of a more adult nature."

"Don't tell me…" The prince lost his voice a moment as the limb squeezed his abdomen. He felt his feet sliding backward, as if he were being dragged. With a thud, he struck some kind of pillar, where more limbs coiled about his legs.

"I don't… have time… for games!" Flashing a glowing glare, the miasma cleared, revealing the room. Suddenly, the dog gasped. His eyes faded to their gold and white state. He felt as if his strength had been sucked away for a moment. What kind of spell was this?

"We remembered you had freed yourself before with that strange light in the cave," the voice said, followed by a soft padding sound. "These limbs feed off of your light source, growing stronger as you grow weaker. I suggest you not try that trick again."

Gasping, the dog collected his thoughts, making note of the late warning. Glancing up, he stared back at the opponent. Dressed in a thin, white kosode, under robe, a female walked toward him on light footsteps on the wood floor. Her wavy, black hair flowed all-about her, framing her pale face. His gaze narrowed once he noticed the visage.

"Is this how you repay a life-debt, Kagura?"

"I…" She finally looked him in the eye. Something was different. Something was wrong with her. "I have to find the answer…"

"What answer, Kagura?" Sesshoumaru asked with a hint of concern. "What's going on here? What did Naraku do to you?"

"My father has given me the opportunity to fulfill the desires of the wind…" Kagura reached for the prince's cheek.

"What are you talking about, Kagura?" The unease was clear in his voice. Perhaps it was the forward attention while being bound that made the nerves bunch in his throat. Or, it could have been the fact that one of Naraku's incarnations was joining the ranks of trying to seduce him that made his stomach muscles tighten. Either way, this wasn't in Kagura's nature. Naraku has done something to her. He only hoped it wasn't permanent.

"I must find the answer," she muttered softly. Her fingers traced the scars on his face, earning a flinch on his part. "I must answer the question…"

"What question, Kagura? Talk to me." The lord's attempts to snap her out of the trance proved fruitless. As his armor crumbled away, he felt her hands brush his kimono off his shoulders. "Kagura, look at me! You have to wake up! Kagura!"

"I must find the answer…" She whispered as she laid her head against his kosode, listening to his quickening heartbeat. "I must answer the question of my heart."

"What?" Sesshoumaru froze. What did she mean by that? He looked down at her. Her face reminded him of Takeshita, clinging to him for comfort. Could it be true? Was Kagura too in-love with him? If he had been in a less stressful situation, the prince's mind might have contemplated what pheromone he gave off to attract so many admiring eyes. As the stakes stood though, the lump in his throat moved down to his chest.

"She isn't certain of her heart's desires," he mused as she clung to his chest, "and Naraku is using that to his advantage. He's deepening her confusion and leaving her to act on impulse. Still, what does she truly desire in her heart? There must be something she holds dearer than I…"

"I must know the answer, Sesshoumaru," the wind child said in a pleading voice. Rising on her toes, she kissed his shoulder. He flinched at the touch of her lips, but she didn't seem to mind. "Can you tell me the answer? I've always known you were wise. You have the strength of a god. I believe… I believe…"

"You believe what?" He noticed the problem instantly. If he could get her to see whatever she couldn't say, she might wake from Naraku's spell. "Tell me what you believe in, Kagura."

"You."

"Why? What do you believe I can do that I don't know? Tell me, Kagura…" He bit his tongue as she kissed his neck. This wouldn't have bothered him so much if he wasn't already weakened. Her advances were like stomping on an open wound. Why did he reject it so much? Women had tried to woo him most of his life, yet it had never affected him like this. What was he trying to protect?

Jade came to his thoughts. She had never made any kind of advance toward him. They had been comrades for almost two years. It had been several months since he'd realized his feelings for her, learned of her enchantment, begun the quest he now took to set her free. That was what he held back for. He wanted Jade to be where Kagura was, no one else would satisfy his desires.

"So strong…" She whispered as she stroked his bare arm. He frowned. He didn't have much time. He had to snap her out of this trance before things became too adult. He had to think fast. Strength, why would she bring up his strength? Why did she believe he could do?

("I believe you have the power to send Naraku to oblivion.")

"That's it…" Sesshoumaru gasped. "You believe I can kill Naraku for you. You desire your freedom above all else." Kagura froze. "Yes, Kagura, that is your true desire. That's the answer to your heart's question. You are the wind itself. You want to fly free, but you don't think you can do it alone. That's why you turned to me. Don't you see? The desire of the wind is freedom."

Kagura gaped. Looking up at him, her lips parted, but nothing came out. She looked as if she were in pain. Her fingers clamped onto his kimono as she silently gasped. She was fighting it at last! However, the limbs that held him prevented him from aiding her. Looking around, the lord tried to find something of use. Glancing behind him, his golden eyes gaped.

"The golem…? This was the true golem all along," he said with a hint of irritation. Recalling Kagura's warning about this creature, he bit his cheek as he weighed his chances of giving it his all. "There really is no point to living if you don't taunt Death." Grinning, he balled his fist, preparing for his battle.

Just as before, the limbs began to suck away his Light, making him grimace, but instead of pulling back, Sesshoumaru unleashed a roar as he released as much Light as possible. The room turned white as with his blinding power. The golem tried to absorb it, but there was just too much. It vanished, dispelled completely. Elsewhere, the shard in Kagura's heart shone with a bright, pure pink.

When the Light diminished, Sesshoumaru knelt on his knee, gasping for air. Looking up, he saw that Kagura had collapsed, blinded by the prince's radiance. Reaching his hand out to her, Sesshoumaru waited for her to accept it. She had to accept his help, or there was nothing he could do. Suddenly, a small hand grasped his fingers. He smiled.

"Grasp your freedom with your own hands now, Kagura."

Tiredly, the wind witch gaped up at the dog youkai. Gasping for air, she stared at him, awe-struck. He'd saved her twice now. Some might call it Fate, but she believed it was a warning. Yes, he was willing to save her life, but he was above her. They could never be together. She was a child of Naraku, and he was an enemy of Naraku. Even if she cared for him, her desire to fly freely was so much stronger. He'd reminded her of that.

"You don't have much time left," she said to him, pulling herself up.

"What do you mean? I destroyed the golem." The prince eyed her as he questioned her.

"The golem was only one of the games he created to distract you from the true goal."

"And that was?" Sesshoumaru used the explanation time to pull his kimono up from his belt, straightening it once more.

"Eliminating Jade Carden."

"What?"

"He's in no condition to actually fight her," Kagura explained as she led him back to the hallway he'd originally come from. "He got an idea after learning I had feelings for you. He plans to woo her into submission, and once she'd vulnerable enough, he'll deal the final blow."

"Where is he?" The anger in his voice made her gasp. She hadn't seen him this angry before. He must truly love this girl to stir up this emotion for her sake.

"The other side of the palace," Kagura replied in a timid voice. "I'm not sure which room though. You love her a great deal, don't you?"

"More than you could understand." He dashed off, leaving Kagura alone. Thinking fast, she sliced her forearm with her fan in the pattern of talons. As she bled, she looked after where he'd gone. That was that. She would just have to grasp her freedom on her own.

Running through the halls, Sesshoumaru tried to find either scent. Desperate, he started opening random doors, finding disappointment behind each one. Where was that tarantula? Kagura had mentioned he was not well, so he must be exhausted from the spell. He only prayed he wasn't too late.

Opening another door, fortune smiled upon him, but relief died within him instantly. On the floor, Naraku had sprouted several extra arms, pinning a stunned Jade to the ground. Her eyes looked dead, drained of emotion, yet her face clearly read terror. Her jaw trembled as the youkai's tongue grazed her neck.

The spider barely got the chance to glance sideways to catch a glimpse of the enraged dog. Sesshoumaru didn't give him a chance to recover from the shock. With a mad dash, the youkai lord rammed into the spider. Crouching over the frozen teenager, he snarled viciously, showing his true anger with complete honesty. Naraku stayed where he'd fallen, grimacing in pain. He knew he'd been beaten. He didn't even try to speak.

Scooping Jade up in his arm, Sesshoumaru didn't even look down at her as he ran through the tatami paper door into the night. Leaping over the palace walls, the dog ran as fast as his legs could carry them both. Jade didn't make a sound. She didn't move a muscle. He almost thought she wasn't breathing for a moment. He hoped she hadn't fainted from stress.

Once he reached the bank of the river, he stopped. Gasping from exhaustion, he dropped to his knees. His excessive Light use was coming back to bite him. His arm felt weak as he held the teen close. His tail was limp about him. This Light was a powerful weapon, but he had to learn how to properly harness it.

"Jade…" Sesshoumaru looked down at her. "Jade, it's all over. He's gone. I won't let him near you again. I promise…"

"Kill me…"

"What did you say?"

"Please, kill me…" She muttered quietly, "I'm disgusting. I don't want to live with him all over me."

"Jade, everything's alright now. Naraku's not going to touch you anymore."

"I can still feel his hands," she gasped as she recalled her experience." So many hands… Crawling all over me… They ripped my shirt and my bra, and his tongue…" She stopped as her body twitched at the very memory.

"Jade," he cried, "you're alright now!" She pushed him back, but he pinned her down, preventing her from grabbing Dragon's Breath. "Jade, snap out of it! It's over now! Don't let him take root inside your mind, or you'll never be free of him!"

"His mouth was all over my chest!" She screamed up at him, tears streaming down her cheeks in the rain. "He forced his tongue in my mouth! He grabbed me! He was going for my belt! He was going to… He was going to… and I couldn't move! I couldn't stop him! I hate myself! I just want to die!"

As she wept bitterly, Sesshoumaru's heart broke for her. Of course she would want to escape, she was so strong, but even the strongest of youkai had their weakness. No one was completely invincible. She'd lost something very precious that night. Naraku had stolen her sense of control, which was so very important to her. What could he possibly do to undo this? How could he give back what she'd lost?

"Jade," the prince said in a low voice, "if you need to, you can imagine that I am Naraku. He was the one that robbed you. Take back that which he stole. Attack me without mercy until you feel satisfied… until you feel restored…"

They remained still as the rain fell around them. She was gaping up at him, shocked at his proposition. Could she attack Sesshoumaru? He was free of blame. He'd gotten her out of the palace. He'd never said anything like this before. Why was he so willing to suffer in Naraku's stead for her sake?

Slowly, the idea began to seem appealing. All the pent up rage should be released, right? Suddenly, her eyes twitched as crimson started consuming her sockets. Fangs sprouted from her gaping mouth. The obsidian talons broke the surface of her fingers. Ears stretched out to points, and a familiar aura began to thicken around the two of them. Sesshoumaru swallowed a lump in his throat. Jade's youkai form had emerged once more, and without Rin to subdue her, there was no telling if he would survive the night.

"So," she hissed up at him, "you would be Naraku's stand in, would you?" He nodded with a sober look in his eyes, but his solemn expression didn't faze the youkai's gaze. "Then I suggest… you prepare yourself!"

Kicking the dog in the stomach, she sent him flying backward. She leapt after him fast enough to pounce him just as he hit the ground. The lord grunted at his bruised abdomen, but he made no facial sign of pain. As she lifted her clawed hand, the lord heard her crack her knuckles. Closing his eyes, he silently whispered.

"Master," he prayed desperately, "let her find herself again. Please…"

A bright flash of lightning chased by a loud crack of thunder made him open his eyes once more. Before his face, Jade's hand had frozen millimeters from him. As he gaped in shock, he looked through the parted fingers before his eyes. Jade's eyes had faded back to white. She started to tremble. More tears flooded her eyes. Pulling her hand back, she looked at her palms, choking on sobs.

"What was I… going… to do? Whose voice… called me… just now?" Gaping down at the prince, the teen gasped, grabbing her torn shirt to cover her chest. "Oh god, I tried to…!" Her voice died as she wailed, drowning out the rain falling from the dark sky.

"Jade…" Sesshoumaru sat up as she crawled away from him like a wounded rodent, crying in a mournful tone. Approaching slowly, he said in a gentle voice. "Jade, it's going to be alright. I promise. I promise…" Wrapping his arm and tail about her, he felt her trembling worsen at his touch. He fought back tears of his own at the reaction. How could Naraku sink so low? She was so frightened, fearful of the outcome he had prevented. She must have felt so helpless. He wished he could turn back time, but he knew all too well how useless such desires were.

"Jade," he spoke calmly in her ear as she wept, "I would never hurt you like he did. I would rather die than force myself on you." His grip tightened as tears finally escaped his eyes. "I would rather slit my own throat…!"

A tremulous grip grasped his trunk. He gasped. She was clinging to him. His words had gotten through to her. She still trusted him. Burying her face in his chest, he could hear her muttering something to him. He asked her to say it again. She glanced up at him, with a face the gripped his heart.

"Please don't tell anyone."

"I'll take it to the grave and beyond," the prince replied. Stroking her cheek, he smiled sadly, for his heart was as broken as her spirit.

"We can't have the others thinking something happened," Jade said, whipping her face as rain replaced the tears. "The world continues to turn even when it's hurt. I'll move on and so should you." Sesshoumaru froze as she stood, dumbstruck.

"As long as you let the dark past rule your heart," she said in that unearthly voice, "you will never see the bright future that shines before you." Her gleaming eyes smiled down at his stunned face. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru."

As the party's voices came into hearing range, Jade pulled her shirt close to her, waving to them. With that care-free smile, no one ever questioned her appearance. Sesshoumaru stood aloof from the group, beside the river. Lost in thought, he stared blankly at his image in the water. What had she meant? With more questions than answers, he looked skyward.

"I don't know how you did it," he said quietly, "but thank you… Master."

Author's Note: Wow! Look what I can do when I'm motivated! Hello people! I see you came back for the next chapter. I hoped you didn't find this chapter too awful. I came up with the outline five or six years ago. You see, this chapter is actually one I wrote for myself. I was in Jade's shoes once, but I didn't have a Sesshoumaru to hold me back then. I didn't have anyone for some time actually. I wrote this chapter with the hope that people would see that just because the act didn't happen spirits can be just as slashed, for men and women. It's no joking matter. I dedicate this chapter to all the silent victims of sexual assault. You aren't alone. Anyway, the atmosphere gets lighter. I promise… but for how long? Only nine chapters remain…

Jade: (walks in the front door) Hey, guys? Could someone help me with the groceries? (silence) Hello?

Sess: (appears from the study)

Jade: (blinks) Oh, there you are! Could you lean me a hand? I'm kind of tired. (rubs neck)

Sess: (nods and walks out to the jeep)

Jade: (watches him) What's wrong with him, I wonder? I hope he isn't sick. (bites lip)

Rin: (walks up behind the puppy) Hi, Miss Jade.

Jade: Ack! (jumps with fright) Rin! You scared me!

Rin: (pats the puppy's head) I'm sorry. I just wanted to tell you that your latest chapter was so heart-felt that it moved Lord Sesshoumaru. He's just deep in thought right now. By the way, why did you write it, if you don't mind my asking?

Jade: (calms) I… think I was remembering it…

Rin: (gapes) What?

Jade: (laughs it off) It's stupid, I know. Don't worry about it. I'm okay. I'd better get on the next chapter, or the fans will get restless again. (takes the grocery bags into the kitchen)

Sess: (stands in the doorway) No, Jade, you remembered it. You just forgot the tree I held you under all night long…

Rin: (looks at the dog and the puppy and smiles) Things are looking good to me. See you all next chapter, guys! (waves)