The last thing Lyra wanted was to return to the castle and be alone. Sesshomaru had to resume his journey but seeing the state she was in, he couldn't bear to leave her alone either. She was still in the mourning and process and would be for a long time. It was safer for her to remain at his side where he could look after her and made sure she ate. He did return to the castle with her one more time though to retrieve the array of foods the chef had prepared. It would keep her going for a few days at least.

Lyra was so glad to be with Rin again. The cheerful young girl helped take her mind off Renji. At least during the day. When night fell, Lyra would cuddle into Sesshomaru's lap and think about her father. She wish she could move on quicker. But the thought of him in pain and alone made her heart break and she would cry herself to sleep. Sesshomaru would try to calm her but he thought it best for her to let out all of her emotions.

The last thing she wanted was for her to slow him down. Sesshomaru was sceptical but she insisted that he continue his journey like normal. It would serve as a coping mechanism so that she could slowly learn to move on. She couldn't just keep feeling sorry for herself.

Lyra had been sitting on top of A-Un but the motion was starting to make her feel sick. She climbed off the demon's back as they entered a path between the rocky canyons and went to walk beside Sesshomaru. She walked on his left side because apparently it was customary. If Sesshomaru was suddenly faced against an opponent then his hand would be free to attack or to take hold of his sword. It was tradition. Because she wanted to hold some part of him, she clutched onto his sleeve and brought it up to her nose so that she could sniff it.

Sesshomaru glanced at her. "What are you doing?"

"It helps with the sickness," she explained, her voice muffled into the fabric.

He looked ahead again, not questioning it any further.

The sun had lowered behind the horizon, allowing the stars to appear again for the night. They had made it quite deep into the valley between the canyons and there was a light mist hanging in the air. Rin then decided to begin a game of tongue twisters with Jaken.

"I'll go first," she said. "Red Jaken blue Jaken gold Jaken."

The little imp forced himself to play and repeated after her. "Red Jaken blue Jaken gold Jaken."

"Hey, you're pretty good."

Rin said it again but Jaken had already become fed up and refused to play. Rin tried to make him say it but it only caused the imp to whine in annoyance.

"I'll play," Lyra said, her voice still muffled by Sesshomaru's sleeve.

"Yay!" Rin cheered.

Lyra cleared her throat. "Red Ja-"

Sesshomaru suddenly came to a stop causing the rest of them to halt as well. Except for Jaken though, who went straight into the back of Sesshomaru's leg before falling back.

Lyra looked up at him. "What is it?"

He stayed looking ahead as an eerie flute playing began to echo across the canyon. Lyra stepped closer to Sesshomaru, clutching his sleeve tighter as the tune sent chills through her body. It was dark further ahead and she couldn't see anything except for the mist.

Soon, a woman appeared wearing a green and pink kimono. She was playing the flute, eyes closed as she walked towards them. Once she stopped, she lowered her flute before going down to her knees and bowing her head. She was a beautiful woman but Lyra wondered what she was doing out there all alone.

"It's been quite some time, Lord Sesshomaru," she spoke.

Her words confused everyone but Sesshomaru's expression didn't change.

Jaken frown. "Who are you?" he asked angrily. "An acquaintance of my master?"

Even Lyra was curious. Sesshomaru had never mentioned the woman so she thought it was before she arrived.

The woman lifted her head. "Forgive me. I am Sara."

"Huh? Who?" Jaken asked.

She continued to keep her eyes on Sesshomaru. "I'm from Asano castle," she explained. "Have you forgotten it?"

"Asano castle?" Sesshomaru repeated.

"The first time I saw you, Lord Sesshomaru, was at Asano castle during a more turbulent time."

She then went on to explain that night. Her castle was at war against an enemy who were winning the battle. Her father was about ready to burn their castle to the ground before Sesshomaru arrived. Sara had watched from the window with her father and witnessed Sesshomaru single handedly slay the enemy.

She stood up. "Lord Sesshomaru."

"I don't know you," he responded bluntly.

He continued to walk forward and Lyra followed, still holding onto his sleeve. As they walked passed, her eyes met Sara's for a second and she could see the battle inside her. However, Sara frowned at the closeness between Lyra and Sesshomaru.

Sara turned to Sesshomaru. "Please, don't go."

Lyra gritted her teeth, her hormones still on a high. 'Did she just tell my Sesshomaru not to go?!'

"I want to do what I can to make your wish come true."

Sesshomaru stopped walking and glanced back. "Help me? You?"

"Yes. And when I've help you realise your desire, I only ask that you acknowledge my feelings for you."

'Whoa what? I mean I don't blame her because it's Sesshomaru but still. Stay away from him, weird lady!' Lyra was not expecting that confession. Sesshomaru noticed her reaction. She had folded her arms and closed her eyes and he could see the slight crease between her brows out of annoyance. It was quite amusing to him.

Jaken ran to her and pointed his staff at her. "Hey, hey, hey! Will you stop this nonsense? There's no way someone like you can fulfill Lord Sesshomaru's wishes!" he shouted. "Besides, my master will not acknowledge your feelings for he is already in love with-"

"Jaken!" Sesshomaru stopped him and turned to look at him over his shoulder. "Leave her."

"Y-yes, milord..."

Lyra raised her brows and glanced up at him. 'Dude?!'

Sara smiled. "I will fulfill your wish no matter what it takes."

"Hm." Sesshomaru faced ahead again. "As you please."

"Good."

She turned and walked away from them, going in the opposite direction. Both Jaken and Rin were shocked as she left into the darkness of the valley between the canyons. Lyra turned to watch her leave as another shiver ran through her.

"Such a strange mortal," Jaken commented. "Lord Sesshomaru? Who was that odd woman anyway?"

"She sure was pretty," Rin added.

"Well face powder does miracles."

Lyra faced him as well, still feeling a little jealous. "Yes, do tell us."

However, Sesshomaru ignored them all and resumed his walking again. Lyra let go of his sleeve and stayed to listen to Jaken who seemed to have the same thoughts as her at that moment.

"Honestly, as if a mere human can help our Lord," Jaken said.

"Are you blind, Jaken?" Sesshomaru said from afar. His eyes were narrowed slightly. "That was no human."

"It wasn't?!"

Jaken and Rin gasped in surprise but it left Lyra wondering. That one second she had looked into Sara's eyes, she knew something wasn't right.

"It was a demon," Sesshomaru answered. "No. Perhaps she was originally human but never quite became a full demon."

Whatever she was, Lyra got a bad vibe from her. She caught up to Sesshomaru again and looked up at him.

"So? Who was she?" Lyra asked.

"I already said I don't know her."

She crossed her arms and scoffed lightly. "Yeah, right. She's beautiful."

Sesshomaru glanced down at her. "Are you jealous?"

"No!" She answered a bit too quickly. "I just don't want another woman competing with me and like she said, she's going to fulfill your wish. And then she wants you to acknowledge her feelings. I'm just saying, mister, that you better not-"

"Lyra." He cut off her rambling. "Do you honestly believe I would leave you for her?"

"Well, you were happy to allow her to do as she wishes," she replied, her tone clearly upset.

Sesshomaru found it entertaining because of her pregnancy heightening her emotions. But he knew he had to nip it in the bud now so that her jealousy didn't escalate. If she wasn't pregnant, then he might have carried it on.

"For me to acknowledge her, she is having to work for it. She's too focused on trying to get in my good graces," he explained as Lyra listened. "You, my beloved, had to do no such thing. You did nothing extra to get my attention. You were simply yourself and I fell for you. There is nothing for you to be jealous of for there is no competition. Not even her appearance can dare rival your beauty."

(*calls feudal era* Yes, make that two Sesshomarus please.)

Lyra blushed deeply at his words as a small smile crept onto her lips. Sesshomaru knew his words had pacified her by the look on her face and by her silence. She held onto his sleeve and held it up to her nose again.

***

The next morning, Lyra woke up to Sesshomaru's hand on her stomach as he stroked his thumb over the material of her clothing. She couldn't help but smile. It was amazing how much they both already loved the little peanut. She was surprised she woke up so early. Even Jaken and Rin were still asleep.

Opening her eyes, she smiled up at him. "Good morning."

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"Yes."

Sesshomaru helped her sit up before taking hold of her hand. "That woman from yesterday..."

"What about her?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

"I don't trust her."

Lyra sighed quietly. "There's something inside her. She was a pure woman and I believe that she truly does love you. But there's an evil presence surrounding her."

"I want you to come with me," he told her.

"Seriously? But won't it be dangerous?"

"I am not comfortable leaving you alone out here. You must remain where I can see you."

Lyra knew that she wouldn't be able to sway his decision and agreed to go with him. It was Sesshomaru's habit to leave without saying anything so he left with her whilst the others were still asleep.

It wasn't long before they he landed and placed Lyra onto her feet. She heard the commotion as they arrived but she couldn't see anything from her position on Sesshomaru's shoulder. Turning around, she noticed they were on some sort of rocky terrain. She saw Inuyasha and Kagome who were just as surprised to see them. In the air, Sara stood on the back of a huge bird demon holding the Tessaiga in her hand.

'How did she know that Sesshomaru wants the Tessaiga?' Lyra thought to herself.

It seemed that whenever Lyra saw her cousin, something was always happening. She would have liked to speak to her but it clearly wasn't the time.

"Lord Sesshomaru," Sara spoke. "Why are you here?"

Sesshomaru looked up at her but didn't answer. Sara noticed that Lyra was at his side again and frowned.

Inuyasha glared at Sesshomaru. "So you were the one behind all this, Sesshomaru?!"

He went running towards his brother to attack him but Sesshomaru quickly leapt forward. He gripped Inuyasha's wrist and used his poison to stop him. Sara then flew down with the bird.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Make sure he doesn't get away on me!"

However, Sesshomaru pushed Inuyasha away before turning shooting beams of poison straight at Sara. Lyra's eyes widened in surprise as she watched from the sideline. She felt like pulling up a chair and grabbing some popcorn. The demon bird completely disintegrated but Sara jumped off in time and landed on the ground.

"Lord Sesshomaru," she gasped.

Inuyasha slowly sat up. "Why you-"

"Stop your barking, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru cut him off.

'Was that- Was that a pun?'

"What?!" Inuyasha scowled.

"This woman has nothing to do with you," Sesshomaru said, looking at him over his shoulder.

Sara knelt down and presented the Tessaiga. "Please accept this. Use this sword to put an end to Inuyasha's life."

Lyra sighed quietly. 'This woman has no idea. I know in my heart that Sesshomaru would never kill his brother. No matter how much they detest one another.'

"You're under the wrong impression," Sesshomaru told her causing her to gasp. "Did you truly believe this is what I desired? For you to steal his sword for me?"

"And you do not?" she asked.

"I will not accept help defeating Inuyasha. Especially not from someone like you." He turned away and made his way back to Lyra.

Sara called out to him. "Please don't go! Lord Sesshomaru!"

However, Sesshomaru ignored her as he took hold of Lyra and flew away with her. She almost felt bad for the poor woman. She knew Sesshomaru wanted nothing to do with her but she was trying so hard to please him.

They soon landed again, this time in a forest. It was a complete contrast to where they had just come from. The grass was luscious and green and the trees were tall. Thin droplets of sun rays peaked through the small gaps between the leaves. Birds sang in the distance as they both walked through the forest until Sesshomaru came to a stop.

She stood with Sesshomaru beside a tree in the middle of all the others. The tree was different to the others. The trunk was a lot larger and the roots were chunkier.

"This tree..." Sesshomaru wondered aloud. "Of course. I remember now."

Lyra looked up at him. "What do you remember?"

Sesshomaru explained to her that it was the day Inuyasha had cut off his left arm. He had slain the troops before arriving at that tree to rest and regain his strength. Before Lyra could speak, they were joined be a third person.

"Do you remember now?" Sara's voice came from the shadows of the trees.

Lyra almost jumped in fright by her sudden appearance but quickly composed herself. Sara emerged from the shadows, still clutching onto the Tessaiga.

"On that day so very long ago, you were leaning against a tree and resting from your injuries," she spoke as she approached Sesshomaru. "It's still so vivid. I will never forget the sight of you that day. I had never seen anyone as handsome as you. And I gazed at you for a long, long time."

'Okay. Creep alert.' Lyra quietly breathed out. The woman spoke as if she was not there. Although she was pretty sure Sara probably wished she didn't exist.

"Later that day I went to a nearby pasture to pick flowers for you and I was filled with so much happiness," she said. "My father discovered that I would check on you everyday and refused to allow his daughter to be taken by a demon. He took his troops to get rid of you and I tried to stop him. You were our saviour." She sighed quietly. "My father's actions were unforgivable. There's no possible way I can ever make amends."

Sesshomaru still had his back turned to her but his eyes widened a little. "The sound of a flute," he suddenly spoke. "I thought I heard a flute that day."

Sara gasped. "Yes." She pulled out the instrument from her kimono. "It was this same flute."

She walked over to the tree and sat down at the roots. Bringing the flute to her lips, she closed her eyes and began to play that same tune. Lyra went to move away but Sesshomaru quickly grabbed hold of her hand before she could go anywhere. She felt him squeeze her hand gently and in response, she pushed her fingers between his and squeezed back.

Sesshomaru thought back to the day the troops had surrounded him. A flute could be heard in the distance as they fired their weapons at him. But the humans were no match for his superior power and he scared them off easily. Then he recalled that the flute had stopped playing.

In front of them, Sara ended her tune and opened her eyes.

"It was shortly after that the Asano castle burned to the ground," she explained. "It was my father who had set the castle on fire. He was so frightened by you, Lord Sesshomaru, that he must have gone mad. He chose death and he went down with his castle. I harbour no ill will toward you for what happened. My deranged father was to blame."

Lyra remembered her own father. The extent he went to just to keep her away from Sesshomaru. But his reasons were different to Sara's father. Sara's father was scared of Sesshomaru's power. Lyra's father was scared of losing her. It made her realise how lucky she was to have him. And she realised what a great man he was. To give up so much for her. 'I hope you and mom are together again, dad...' She closed her eyes and held Sesshomaru's hand tighter. He knew how she was feeling and wished to leave once the whole fiasco with Sara was over.

Sara continued to speak. "After his death, I entered a nunnery to pray for the repose of my father and his vassals. But call it punishment or cruel twist of fate, I became gravely ill with a wasting sickness. It quickly took hold of my body and I learned I had know a very few days left to live."

Lyra listened to her story and grew even more sorry for her. It was a tragedy.

"I would have ended my life without ever revealing my feelings for you," Sara admitted. "But then Inuyasha appeared. When I saw Inuyasha I had second thoughts about my resolve. If I could just live a little longer I could somehow attack him. Even if it meant dying in the process I would steal the Tessaiga away from him. I thought it was the least I could do to atone for what my father had done. That's when something strange happened. I was suddenly surrounded by apparitions."

Lyra's eyes widened a little as she listened. That was the bad vibe she was getting from Sara. It was what she could see in her eyes. Demons.

"I had no doubts about accepting their proposal," she said. "Without reservation, rather happily in fact, I gave my body and soul to those demons. Such an enormous spiritual energy, my soul and body had been released. I was reborn." Sara stood, her eyes now red and took hold of the Tessaiga, presenting it again. "Lord Sesshomaru. Please at least acknowledge all that I have done for you until this day."

She walked over to him and Lyra was about to move her hand away from Sesshomaru's. She already felt sorry for the woman and her standing there hand in hand with Sesshomaru would only hurt her more. It wasn't something she wanted to rub in the woman's face after everything she had been through. However, Sesshomaru refused to let go.

Sesshomaru looked at Sara. "Huh. So that is your true form, is it?"

"True form?" Sara asked. "What could you possibly mean by that, Lord Sesshomaru?"

He just stared at her blankly before another person joined them.

"There you are, wench!" Inuyasha yelled as he leapt through the trees.

Sara smirked. "It's Inuyasha."

Inuyasha readied his claws as he yelled, "Iron reaver soul stealer!"

Sesshomaru suddenly let go of Lyra's hand and turned quickly, grabbing the hilt of his Tokijin. He unsheathed it in a flash and swung it at Inuyasha, cutting his shoulder.

"Sesshomaru..." Lyra gasped quietly in surprise, her eyes widened. 'What is he doing..?'

Inuyasha stumbled back and held his shoulder. "It figures. So you're gonna get in the way are you, Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru still held his sword out. "Don't lay a finger on her," he warned, his tone deep and serious.