In the depths of the sea, Sesshomaru moved through the water with Han in his arms. A small conch at the girl's chest shone with a clear blue light, spreading a water-repelling barrier around them. This was Dragon Maiden Cheng's gift to Han, a treasure that let her draw upon the waters of the four seas wherever she was. Now, however, it sheltered Sesshomaru, allowing him to move unhindered through the seawater.
He skirted great pale sea anemones waving their delicate tendrils and passed over one brilliantly colored mushroom coral after another. The world beneath the sea was strange and beautiful, but their destination was a forbidden sanctuary without a trace of light.
Once again, he reached the deepest reaches of the sea, where he could not see his own hand before his face. The temperature was as cold as ice. No living creatures existed here, and no colors shone. This was a lifeless hell that could only steal the lives and souls of those who entered.
In the supposed memories of his previous life shown to him by the Shikon Jewel and Midoriko, he seemed to have come here as well. For the same girl, for a similar reason, merely to prolong her life, he had been willing to pay even with his own soul. Such powerful feelings, such unwavering devotion-the emotions of two lifetimes truly overlapped here...
"Who are you?" asked a mechanical voice, neither male nor female, its tone far colder than even Sesshomaru's.
"One seeking medicine," Sesshomaru said coldly.
This time, he did not intend to leave himself behind.
Once, that had been the only thing he could do for her. He cherished her feelings but could not return them. His love for another woman remained buried deep within his heart, never fading, so he could