Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha.

This is the edited chapter, so it's a may be a little different from the original story.

Enjoy.

A warm summer wind blew through the thick forests of the West, rustling the leaves in a wave that ran across the canopies, resulting in a green rain that twirled to the flat forest floors. The demons and animals of the forests wandered from their dens and homes, enjoying the moderate weather and socializing, watching as their young played among the falling leaves. Above them, the sky was clear, the sun shining down upon them and sending a soft green light over everything, but in the distance, rolling thunder could be heard, a storm slowly approaching.

My nose picked up the humidity of the coming rain in the air, and my mood instantly dampened. If we became caught in the downpour, I would not be pleasant to be around. I hated the rain, and we'd been lucky so far. Only one small shower had caught us in the time we'd been away from the palace. I shifted up my shirt, pulling it tighter around my neck despite the heat, wanting to cover up with the thought of being chilled by the rain.

"Mom, why do we always have to travel," I asked as I crossed my arms before me, sighing. A yawn suddenly took me as I watched my mother's back, her dark hair swaying as she walked. Every time it swung away, her petite body showed, then was hidden again as her thick hair passed her back. Despite her size, I knew too well that my mother would do anything to protect us or defend our father.

Not that he ever needed protection. I almost snorted at the thought.

"It's so boring," I complained after a moment of silence.

"You know we travel to please your father," my mother replied as she spun around to look at me, walking backwards. I wanted to laugh when I saw she had braided more flowers into her waist length hair. She never seemed to grow up.

"Yes, but why doesn't he just leave us at the palace?"

Mom just sighed when she caught the annoyance in my voice then turned to resume walking the correct way. "Why don't you talk to Keema to help pass the time? If you get a good conversation started, we'll be back before you know it," Mom suggested.

"I've tried to talk to her, but she doesn't seem to be in the mood for a conversation." I replied, glancing at my sister. Her light blue hair almost reached her shoulders and swayed with each step she took. At one time, she had preferred it long, just as I did, but when we were younger, our old brother, Sessho, cut it off during a moment of mischief, and she found that she liked it short. Ever since, she'd insisted on cutting it regularly to her shoulders.

I always thought it foolish. It was too short to put into a tail and unusually short for a female demon to sport.

As I stared at my sister, she continued to look out into the woods along the path. What was so interesting? I looked past her into the trees, my eyes scanning for what she could possibly see. Nothing out of the ordinary.

"Keema, what are you looking at?" I finally asked. Keema's head turned to look at me, and it was like looking in a mirror. I looked into my same golden eyes and face. We were the same height and had similar looking delicate figures. Her face had softer features than mine, following mother's example, while my features were harder like my father's, though not masculine. Her eyes were sweeter than mine, kinder. Perhaps that was why she was such an interest with the soldiers of the palace.

She smiled warmly at me.

And that was another reason.

"Oh, nothing really." Her sweet, melodic voice replied. "I'm just thinking is all." She took a piece of hair in between her fingers and fiddled with it against her lips as she looked off into the woods again.

I frowned. She still didn't seem to be interested in a conversation. I sighed, turning my face forward again. "Mom?"

"Yes, Reeka?"

"Keema doesn't want to talk." I told her, kicking a rock on the trail so that it hopped and skipped ahead.

Mom sighed again. "Why not challenge your father to a race?" She suggested. "You haven't raced him since you were young."

Yeah, because I realized it's impossible to win. I thought to myself. But what's there to lose?

"Alright." I said as I jogged up to my father. I took a moment to look over him. Lord Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western lands and one of the most powerful demons in the world. His long silver hair was pulled up into a high ponytail because of the warm weather and his stride was still strong, even after the many miles we had traveled since leaving the palace.

"Father?" I said as I struggled to match his pace, his legs much longer than mine.

No answer. Which to me meant go on.

"Will you race me?" I asked.

I saw his golden eyes move to look at me for a moment then looked away. "No," was his cool response.

"Come on. Just to the end of the forest."

"No."

"Please?" I practically whined.

My father actually turned his head to look down at me. "Reeka, what part of 'no' don't you understand?" He asked, irritated.

"Oh, just the whole 'no' concept." I replied smartly, grinning at my father.

Father growled. "I've noticed."

"Sesshomaru-sama," Mom called. "You know she's not going to leave you alone until you race her." I laughed softly when Father sighed softly under his breath. Mom always used a title when addressing Father. He always corrected her, but it never did any good, she still used a title. Old habits die hard, I suppose.

"So, Father, do you accept my challenge?"

I heard Father growl.

"Fine."

"Great!" I pulled my hair up and secured it high on my head in one motion, just as my teacher had taught me. He said it was a skill I needed in case I was ever caught by surprise because, unlike my father, I had trouble fighting with my hair flying freely around my face. Whatever. Nasuku was an odd man.

"Mom, care to count it off?" I asked as I glanced back at her. Mom smiled and nodded, beginning the count off.

"Ready."

I lowered my arms to my sides, and Father stopped walking.

"Set."

I shifted my weight onto my toes and leaned forward. Father still only stood next to me, his body completely relaxed.

"Go!"

I shot forward as fast as I possibly could, my legs straining against the demand I put on them. My surroundings were nothing but a blur as my demon blood kicked in. I risked a glance behind me. Father was nowhere in sight, but he had never passed me. Where was he?

I looked forward again just in time to see my father land gracefully at the edge of the trail. He turned to me, his golden eyes blank. I skidded to a stop before him, glaring and panting heavily. "I believe I have won." He said in his deep, empty voice, taunting me.

My glare intensified. "Yeah, you did." I said irritated as I walked around him and out of the forest, trying to slow my breathing. I turned back, arms crossed. "I will beat you one day. Oh, and next time, could you actually run. Last time I checked, you don't jump during a race." I looked up and met his eyes.

My father and I stared at each other; eyes locked and the tension rising. My hand ached for my sword, but I knew better. I would be on my back before my hand even brushed the beautifully carved hilt.

"Sesshomaru-sama!"

Father tensed when Mom's panicked voice filled the air. He left our standoff without a second thought, instantly at her side.

I stood in shock for a moment. My hand touched my sword just to stop its pleading then I ran down the path after my father, the whole way watching Mom. She was throwing her arms around and shouting at Father. I could now see the tears in her eyes. What had happened?

When I reached Mom, Father had already run into the forest. He was running so quickly, he was hardly anything but a blur. What could possibly be so important that the Great Lord Sesshomaru was forced to run? I thought over my father's title in my head with an almost sarcastic ring to it. Great my ass.

I was watching him as I spoke. "Mom, what's going on?"

"It's Keema!" She cried. My eyes were instantly on her. "She's gone! Just gone! I was watching you and your father, and when I turned, she was gone!" Mom took a moment to take a deep breath, calming herself down a bit. "I called for her, but she never responded. That's not like her!"

I nodded. It wasn't like my sister not to respond when being called. She was very well behaved and sweet natured. I understood why Mom was so worried, but Keema could protect herself. So, why was father in such a hurry to find her?

"I'm going to help father look for her." I told Mom. Mom nodded as she chewed on the nail of her left thumb. "Just wait here. We'll find her."

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