Chapter Eight: Enter Kiyomi.

Authors Note: Again, sorry for the late chapter update. I just found out that I'll be having my first child, so you can understand why my mind has been else where. But this will not stop me from my story. Turn events will befall on our beloved characters in this chapter. Please enjoy!

Recap:

"Straighten her back and shacking off the tears that wanted to fall, and the sadness that wield it self around her for the child. She had to keep focus with the plan for the well being of others. And she will find Zhao and take him down if she must."

~0o0~

Lighting struck the dark colored sky. Surrounded by the thickness of the tress, lies a small old hut. Seemly beaten by the age of time. He stared at the cripple like hut, smelling distasteful herbs coming out of its air ducks.

There he stood, a wicked smile upon his face. His plan would now be in place.

Inside the little home, was an old timeless woman. Her face was pale and crusty, as though the very skin on her face was slipping down. Her hair was thin and white as snow. Time has taken this once beauty to an old hag of unforgivable ugliness.

When the baboon man stared at her, stirring her potions, he could almost feel sorrow for her. For her face was swollen with giant and small moles of the darkest color, her crusty face dripping from her and making her look like a skeleton. But in the end he would need this woman for her unearthly power.

"What do I own to this visit?" Her voice was crack-y and gurgled.

"Do you tend to think I would not notice you. Who do you think I am, Naraku?"

Naraku step forward, "I am in need of your assistance."

The old hag didn't reply, but kept stirring into her pot.

After some time, laughter spread through her pale crack lips.

"And who do you wish for me to curse?"

"A women of not of this world."

"The priestess that collects the jewel shards with that hanyou?"

"No."

Old hag silently giggled, "I see." Picking up a bowel full of blood, easily pouring it into her mix.

"So, it's not a curse that you come for. Very well; what is in it for me?"

Holding out his hand, knowing very well what she would like.

Grey old eyes widen in delight.

"Hahaha, all part of your evil plan no doubt." Laughed the evil hag. Easing her stirring, she picked up her dipper easing it into her potion.

Naraku watched as the old hag raised the vile black liquid to her lips and take a sip.

A wind picked up in the small hut casting his pelt and the old hags hair to swirl in air.

A black aura encircled the women. The once old sagging skin of the woman began to tighten, her color returning. The snow like hair, fallen down with thickness and the color of black.

There before him, once stood the old hag and now a woman of once of her beauty. Her grey eyes now the deepest color of blue, nearly black.

A voice no longer old, but now that of sound of winter.

"Very well Naraku. I'll become part of your plan, and help you."

Naraku stood there. At last his plan is now in place.

~0o0~

Katara laid on her side. The warmth of the fire now fading, she waited. She strain her ears to hear the sound of sleep from the other campers.

She could hear the snores of Jaken and the two-head dragon. She found relief in the fact she wouldn't be bothered by the damn annoying imp.

The only problem she had was Sesshomaru.

Katara knew he left at night when they all rest for the night, but he always came back in the middle of the night. Katara knew he was against the tree, but knowing if he was asleep was another situation.

If her plan was to work, she would have to be careful getting pass the demon Lord.

She had work out her plan the day before.

She would act like her self, like everyday: help Rin with her studies, set up camp, avoid Sesshomaru at all cost when it came to sparring, and cook, and sleep.

And when all was sleeping soundly, she would leave the little group in search for her friend and her enemy.

So far the plan has come to terms. No mishaps of any of the sorts. She just hopes she could find her friend before she came across Zhao.

Silently easing up from her spot on the ground, Katara looked around the camp.

Jaken was on his back next to the fire with his legs spread out. Katara wanted to chuckle, for the little imp had a small puddle next to his face where the drool was falling. It was a sight to see, but she had to keep quite.

Next her eyes laid on the steed. It was snoring, but not as loud as Jaken. Think it was fully asleep she paid no heed to it.

Then looking over to the tree, there the demon Lord laid.

His back was against the bark of the tree. His eyes were closed, but knowing him, he could just be resting. He did look peaceful though.

Katara stared at Sesshomaru after some time. Realizing she was staring, she shook her head.

'That was odd of me.' Katara thought.

Silently turning around she picked up her satchel. It didn't have much in it but her winter cover jacket. It wasn't cold enough to wear it here in this world. The wind the past few days have been picking up, and the trees have been changing colors, but for her it wasn't cold enough for her. Hell it was still a little warm to her skin.

But knowing the season was changing, she would need it in just a few months for she could feel the bracing of winter.

'I wonder what this land would look like with snow.' Easing out of her thoughts, she slowly got up, trying hard to not make a sound. Looking around the camp one last time, her eyes found the sleeping form of Rin.

Rin wasn't far from Katara when they slept, in fact the child slept almost next to her. But Katara told Rin to sleep closer to the fire that night for the wind had picked up, and she didn't want Rin to catch ill.

If it weren't for the child, Katara would have been dead by now.

The only reason she was leaving, was fro the child. The minute Katara and Toph landed in this world, they have been attack and chased. And knowing that Zhao was out there searching for power, she had to leave. It broke her heart that she had to leave Rin without even saying goodbye, but it must be done. Katara didn't want to bring danger to her.

With that in thought, Katara turned around and walked into the ever growing trees in search for her friend.

~0o0~

For sometime now, he knew something was amiss with the girl. He had kept close watch on her since she joined his growing group.

He had notice that morning how her mood changed. Her scent was calm for most of the morning, but it changed to worry. At one point he smelled her tears.

Sesshomaru also notice how she paused for a mere second. He paid no attention to it. After all she was a human, and from what he could tell from such a lowly species, they tend to rapidly change their moods and feelings on a daily bases.

But as he sat there, he knew now why she act differently. She was leaving them. He had watched her ease up from her spot and look around the camp, even when she stared at him for a short while. After a short time she had risen and then stared at Rin.

He didn't care if she left or not. She do as she please only if it didn't distract him from his mission.

But as she looked down upon Rin, he could see the strain in her face.

It seemed she was leaving because of Rin. That angered him. Rin hadn't anything wrong to the woman, in fact he had watch as Rin played with the woman. The woman didn't seem to be bothered by it.

Watching the woman, she turned her face away from the child, then her emotion changed once again. It was sadness mixed with courage. This interested him.

As he watch the woman silently leave he sat there pounding this turn of events.

If she left, Rin would be deeply hurt and would worry for the human wench. But did the human leave in the first place?

He decided he would follow her and see where she was going and doing. And find the reason why she dare leave, since her duty was to Rin.

Walking over to the sleeping form of the imp, and kicked him in the head. In turn it made him fly over to a set of bushes.

"Wha – What!" screamed Jaken. Jaken jump out of the bushes waving the two-headed staff.

"Jaken." The imp stop, and stared at his Lord.

"Lord Sesshomaru." Jaken squeak and bowed before Sesshomaru.

"I'm leaving. Watch over Rin." With that Sesshomaru turned on his heels and walked where Katara had left.

"Yes Mi'lord." Replied Jaken.

"Jaken. If anything happens to Rin in my absence. It will be your death."

Fear enclosed in Jaken eyes, "Yes Lord Sesshomaru. Of course Lord Sesshomaru." Stutter Jaken.

Without another word, Sesshomaru departed, to find Katara.

~o0o~

Katara had found the river in hopes that by following it up stream she would find Toph, knowing Toph would be using the river to find Katara.

It was wired though. When her and Toph were together, they were attacked what seemed every second of the day. Now that she was on her own, Katara truly thought she would get attacked, but nothing has.

'Why am I bothering with it. Isn't good that I haven't been attack.' Stopping in her tracks, Katara looked up in the brilliant light blue sky.

'If Toph was here, she would just say I was worrying to much.' Shacking her head of her thoughts, Katara raised her arms and stretched her aching body.

"I guess that's a sign to rest." Looking around for any onlookers. Seeing none, Katara took off her outer cloths, leaving only her under garments.

Folding her cloths neatly on the riverbanks, she dived into the cold flowing water.

The river was smooth, and deep so it gave Katara a sense of ease.

It was cold and refreshing on her skin to be in the water.

Deciding that she swam enough, she turned and swam back to the surface. Before she reached the surface, she thought she saw a reflection next to her belongings. She stop in the water looking up at it, blinking once she looked at it again. This time it was gone. If she didn't know any better she thought the reflection look like Sesshomaru, if not. Thinking she just imagined it, she poked her head up in the surface, seeing if anyone was truly there. Thinking she was safe she went to the bank were her cloths were at.

Using her waterbending, she dried herself with one swoosh of her hand and put back on her cloths and continued on her journey. Not knowing that she was being followed.

~0o0~

Sitting for lunch that Katara caught in the river, she sat there in frustration.

"It's been a good day and a half, and no sign of anyone." Katara had been walking close to the river, hoping she would have come across Toph, but guessing she traveled pretty far from where she got separated and injured she won't see her any time soon. But it was getting frustrating.

"I guess I should keep on with my plan. Hopefully I'll come across her soon." With that in mind, Katara began to cleared her area were she stop to rest to eat when she heard someone chuckle.

Katara looked up, but she couldn't see anyone. Then again, she heard the same sound. This time clearer then last.

"Who's there?" shout Katara. There was no answer, Katara admittedly got into fighting position.

"Feisty are we? I see why he has interest in you." Katara turned around to the voice.

There stood before Katara, a woman. In black robes with red flowers, the woman was beautiful. Her hair was long and black, her skin looked smoothed, her lips were full and the color of blood. What put Katara at alert was her eyes. Her eyes the darkest blue Katara has ever seen, even almost black looking, as if this woman was timeless.

"Who are you? And what do you want?" question Katara.

The woman chuckling once again, "Oh dear where are my manners. Please forgive me, my name is Kiyomi. And what I want is not of importance. It is what he wants."

Katara looked upon the women with confusion. Who is she talking about?

Katara was about to ask who she was talking about, when Kiyomi pulled out a strange looking stick out of her robes.

"Now child of water prepare for my POWER!" Suddenly the odd stick that Kiyomi held, grew a strange light. Katara not knowing what to do, turned and tried to run, but was soon entangled with roots.

"Earthbending?" The tentacle like roots began to form over Katara's body, trying to trap her.

"Haha silly girl, you can not escape from my trenches. Now ready yourself for you will be controlled under my spell!" Kiyomi laughed.

Katara looked at the woman in panic. 'shit, I have to get out of this.'

Before the roots began to tighten its grip over Katara arms; Katara used what little water that was in her water skin, and sliced through the roots freeing herself.

"I don't think so Kiyomi." Kiyomi stop her laughing and looked at Katara in surprise.

Kiyomi used her stick once again, this time a beam of light came towards Katara.

Katara dodged out of the way before the beam had hit her.

Another bright beam was heading towards her, using her bending. Katara took a deep breath and used frost breath to freeze the incoming beam.

"Clever trick my dear, but it will not save you." Said Kiyomi.

Using the water in the earth, Katara formed her water whip.

"What is it that you want from me? Why attack me?" asked Katara.

Again the evil witch laughed, "It is I who does not want you my dear. I'm just doing what I'm told, and seeing that you are on your knees in control by your master." Kiyomi used her power again, bring the roots to life, creating a wave like barrier. With a small move of her wrist, the roots started to come towards Katara.

Katara used her whip cutting through the wave, but was soon replace.

"You can not stop me!" Yelled Kiyomi.

Katara drop her whip and raised her hands towards the on coming wall. Closing her eyes, she used her waterbending to control the roots.

Before the roots out stretched itself to enclose her, they stop.

"What! How?" Kiyomi yelled.

Katara open her eyes, and with all her might, she pushed the wall back with her bending.

"How are you controlling my plants? I was told your could only bend water!"

"That's correct, but whenever there is water I can control. And plants need water to survive!" Katara yelled back.

Kiyomi raised her wand like stick once again and pushed the wall back.

Katara tried using her bending but was being pushed back by Kiyomi power.

Kiyomi evil blood lips smirk, with a little twist of her wrist, she drop the wall.

Katara in surprise didn't realize that a root tentacle was coming down behind her.

Turning the last second, it knocked her over entangling her, binding her arms down so she couldn't use her waterbending.

Struggling in her bind, Katara looked up at the evil witch who walked over to her.

Bending on one knee, Kiyomi brushed a strain of hair out of Katara's face.

"You pull a good fight child, I see why they want you so." Eyes widen with terror. Katara looked into the blacks eyes of Kiyomi.

'This can't be the end? It can't be!'

"This will only hurt for a minute." Closing her eyes, Katara waited for the coming pain.

Kiyomi put the tip of the stick on Katara's shoulder, it soon started to glow.

Katara open her eyes, when a white hot pain went through her body.

She watch Kiyomi stand and raise her stick like wand to the air. She began to chant in some old langue that Katara couldn't understand.

"Now I shall bind you to your master, and he shal-" Kiyomi was cut off.

A bright green whip came down on her wrist and torn the wand out of her hands.

"How dare you. You shall pay for that!" Kiyomi raised her hand calling forth her wand.

"You will let the woman go, or it will be your death." Katara looked over to see Sesshomaru.

'He came for me. But why?' Katara thought.

"I will KILL YOU!" Before Kiyomi raised her wand at Sesshomaru, Sesshomaru used his whip to catch the witches wrist.

"Stop! Don't you know what your doing?" cried Kiyomi.

"Hmp."

"If you break my spell, it will all be ruined."

Narrowing his eyes at Kiyomi, "Good."

Before she could protest, Sesshomaru tighten his grip, causing the acid in his whip to cut through her hand.

Katara watched as Kiyomi screamed in pain from Sesshomaru. The roots that were binding her were beginning to loosen up.

Sesshomaru watched as his acid tore through the witches wrist. As her hand fell to the ground with the wand, Sesshomaru looked over at Katara. The mark on her shoulder was still there and still glowing. Looking up, he locked eyes with Katara's blues. She was still in pain, and wasn't struggling as before.

'The wand must still be causing her pain.' With that in thought, he pulled out Tokijin. With one slash, the wand was turn into ashes.

"NO! You have no clue what you have done!" Sesshomaru looked up at the witch, for a split second he was surprise. The woman that once stood in front of him, was now an old hag.

He was about ask what she meant, when a bright golden light where the wand once laid started to glow. A beam lifted into the air, hovering above the ground.

Before Sesshomaru knew it, the beam came towards him. He tried to dodge it, but fail, for the beam hit him the shoulder. A white hot pain went through his shoulder, then to his body. Cringing from the pain, he looked up at the witch.

"What is happening?" he asked coldly.

The witch looked at him with her lifeless gray eyes, and laughed.

"AHH!" Sesshomaru looked over at Katara who was screaming. Her shoulder was glowing just as his. Something was wrong. What have he done?"

"Fool, you just became bonding with the human girl." She old hag started to laugh, "This is better then the original plan. Oh yes, Naraku will be most upset. This is just splendid!"

"Naraku is involved." Wincing from the pain in his shoulder, he watched as the witch began to disappear in the darkness.

"Goodbye Lord of the West." With that she was gone from his sight.

The pain in his shoulder eased, so did Katara's screaming.

Sesshomaru walked over to the girl. Bending on one knee, lift her arm up. She had a mark on her shoulder, a cross of some sorts.

"You came. Why?" her voice was low, she was close to sleeping into darkness.

"Hmp" Sesshomaru watched as Katara closed her eyes, and succumb to sleep.

Cutting the roots off of her, he gently picked her up, and laid her next to the fire she had going during her rest.

See as there is nothing else to do, he sat there against a near by tree.

He has a lot to think upon. The witch had said they were bonded. But How? And what kind of bond? And how is Naraku involved in this?

Indeed, he has a lot to think about, including how to get out of this mess.

~0o0~

There is Chapter eight. I had this plan out for sometime now. I made this chapter extra long for you! Over 3000 words. Hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to Review!

~TTF~