Hey everyone. Well, I see the first chapter got a few hits, but not many reviews, but that's cool. Happens all the time, lol. Anyways, since I did get a review, I'll go ahead and answer it.

ardee: Thanks for the review. Yeah, you missed review number 500 in Forgotten Guardians, but you did get the first one here, hehe. Thanks about Iya. I worked on his character a good bit. Things will be interesting when they reach Lady Shankoutetsu's castle, that is for sure. Thanks for the review!

Ok, without further ado, I'll begin the chapter!

Special thanks to all the following authors for allowing me to borrow names of things from them.

DemonGirl-Setsuna: My main character's name.

Nytemayr-Shatterd-DayDreams: Sesshomaru's mother's name

Yukina-Raven: Name of my main character's sword.

Disclaimers: I do not own Inuyasha or any other animes.

Chapter 2

Stretching out his lean body, Iya yawned lightly and dropped to the ground from the tree he had been sleeping in. Looking over to see Ichigo was already up and doing his morning exercises, Iya walked over.

"Good morning Ichigo. Sleep well?"

Stopping, Ichigo stood up from the ground and said "Yeah, good enough I suppose. Ready to move out?"

Nodding in response, Iya replied "Yes, let's get started. We should arrive at Lady Shankoutetsu's castle sometime today, I hope."

"Well then, I suppose we should head out." Ichigo remarked while slinging his heavy sword over his shoulder and adjusting his kimono top.

"Right."

The pair instantly began running off in the direction of the east. Iya led the way while leaping from tree to tree. Ichigo easily kept pace with Iya as the pair covered ground quickly.

After traveling for an hour, Ichigo broke the silence and asked "So, this Lady Shankoutetsu, she's your older brother's mother?"

Nodding in response, Iya calmly said "Yeah, she is. She's not fond of me though. I only met her a handful of times before, and let's just say, they didn't end well."

Chuckling, Ichigo looked ahead. After a few minutes, he finally said "Iya, you know, you've never mentioned much about your clan. I mean, it's been twenty years now since we started traveling together. There a reason why you don't talk about them?"

"No, not really." Iya remarked. "Only three of the Taisho Clan are still alive. There is my older half brother, myself, and my younger half brother. We all three share the same father, but each have different mothers."

"Sounds like your father got around." Ichigo teased.

Instantly, Iya stopped and stood still. Glaring at Ichigo, he replied "He wasn't like that."

Seeing his comment struck a nerve, Ichigo apologetically said "I'm sorry. Didn't mean anything by it."

"It's alright." Iya said with a sigh. "My father mated twice. Once with my brother's mother, whom we're going to go see right now, and the other time with my younger brother's mother."

Frowning, Ichigo asked "What about your mom?"

Heavily sighing, Iya looked up at the sky for a moment. Finally, he said "They were friends."

Noting how Iya was acting, Ichigo scowled and gruffly said "Ah, forget about it. I was just being nosy."

"More like your usual self." Iya snidely remarked.

Both lightly chuckled at the comment till Iya stopped suddenly and took a sniff at the passing breeze. Taking the scent in once more, Iya lightly growled and glared off in the direction of the wind.

"Take a sniff of what just came our way." Iya growled out.

Breathing in the wind, Ichigo instantly grabbed the hilt of his sword. "It's one of them, and it's just the one I want!"

Ichigo instantly ran off at top speed in the direction the scent came from. Following closely, Iya moved swiftly and took another sniff at the oncoming breeze.

"Smells like he's been busy." Iya growled.

"Yeah, I can smell the smoke, and I'm starting to see the flames also up ahead."

Taking another whiff, Iya growled once more, saying "I can smell blood, and lots of it."

Letting out a small growl himself, Ichigo pushed more speed out and ran faster. Iya quickly compensated and followed closely.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arriving at the village, the pair found several huts burning still, and several smoldering skeletons, with some still having burning flesh on them. They also found several bodies with deep slash marks on them.

Quickly walking towards the end of the village where they heard some commotion, Iya and Ichigo quickly found the source of the disturbance.

In the square of the village sat a young man with outstretched hands over a young woman who had mid-back length black hair pooled around her. His hands glowed with power, showing he was casting a spell. He had long red hair that was held back in a band, and wore a black set of robes.

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE KENSHIN!" Iya screamed out while continuing to rush forward.

Looking up, the young man named Kenshin turned to find Iya standing in front of him. He bore a cross shaped scar on his left cheek and had soft violet eyes. Smiling, he said "Why if it isn't Iya Taisho? I'm surprised to see you again, yes I am."

"LEAVE HER ALONE YOU BASTARD!" Ichigo screamed while running straight for Kenshin with his sword drawn out. In a single side slash, he swung his sword, only to hit thin air.

Kenshin quickly reappeared off to the side five feet away with a smile still on his face. With kind words, he said "Now, now, that wasn't nice, no it was not. After being away from one another for so long, I'd think you'd have some kind words, that I would."

"SHUT UP!" Ichigo screamed while charging at the red haired young man once more.

Like before, Ichigo quickly swung his sword at a side slash move, but Kenshin quickly moved out of the way. This time though, when he reappeared, he was nearly struck by Ichigo coming around with another side slash. At the last moment, Kenshin had reacted and dropped downwards. A few hairs on his head were taken off by the sword Ichigo swung, but that was all the damage received. Kenshin quickly recovered and jumped backwards.

Smiling once more, Kenshin said "Wow, you've improved, that you have."

Glancing at the girl, he finally sighed and added "I suppose I could fight you two, but for now, I shall leave. After all, not long from now, she'll come to me, that she will. And then I will get what I want."

"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE! DIE MURDERER!" Ichigo roared as he charged Kenshin.

Sidestepping the oncoming attack easily, Kenshin began making runic symbols with his hands. Finally, he waved his hand to his left, opening a glowing blue portal.

"OH NO YOU DON'T!" Ichigo screamed while swinging his sword at Kenshin.

The blade's tip just barely missed Kenshin as he stepped into the portal, seemingly unaffected by Ichigo's attack. While he vanished, a smirk formed on Kenshin's lips just as the portal closed.

"DAMN IT ALL TO HELL!" Ichigo cursed as he slammed his free hand into the ground, making a large impact crater.

"Calm down Ichigo." Iya admonished. "We'll get him soon enough. In the meantime, we have a new problem."

Glancing down at the young woman, Iya walked over and crouched down beside of her. Gently, he turned her over onto her stomach and glanced at her neck. There on the back of it was a light grey symbol that Iya had expected.

Deeply sighing, he glanced around and saw the many humans coming out of hiding. Each glared at him, with one yelling "You monster, get away from her!"

Turning the girl back onto her back, Iya looked at her many features. She had fair creamy skin, a body with many curves in the right places, and wore a beautiful purple kimono with a yellow butterfly embroidered into it. Her scent was heavy with the smell of fresh raspberries.

Gently pulling the young woman into his arms, Iya stood with the girl being carried bridal style and received a shocked look from Ichigo.

"What the hell are you doing?" he demanded.

With a simple reply, Iya said "Taking her with us."

"Ah hell no, we're not taking her with us!" Ichigo growled out.

Sighing heavily, Iya motioned his head towards the villagers who were grabbing up farm tools, and asked "Would you rather leave her with them? When she transforms, those villagers will kill her. I figure it's better we take her for now. It's not permanent."

Grunting, Ichigo sheathed his sword and said "Let's get out of here."

"Yeah, we'd better if we don't want any trouble." Iya quickly replied.

Rushing off towards the edge of town, both Iya, with the young woman in his arms, and Ichigo moved at incredible speed. The few villagers that came out yelled for him to stop, but none could catch up.

One couple came out of a hut, with the old man swinging a farmer's tool wildly. An older woman behind him came rushing out, yelling "LET GO OF MY DAUGHTER DEMON!"

Glancing at the woman and the man for a moment, Iya felt sympathy for them, but continued running. "If only they knew what was really going to happen to their daughter, I'd be their least of their worries."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Putting a bit of distance between themselves and the village, but staying within a few miles of it, Iya and Ichigo stopped at a stream. Building a makeshift bed for the young woman, Iya laid her down on it.

"I'll get a fire started. You want to get some dinner?" Iya asked.

Shrugging, Ichigo walked off towards the woods to hunt. Gathering up some dry wood that was laying about on the ground, Iya placed it in a spot and then moved some rocks to make a small fire pit. Satisfied with his pit, Iya placed the dry sticks within and grabbed a few rocks. Repeatedly striking them together, he finally got a set of sparks to ignite some of the smaller kindling. Placing the rest of the dry wood in, Iya smiled as he fire grew.

Getting up, he quickly found a tree that he gathered would contain enough wood for the entire night. Flexing his claws, ice formed on the tips of his claws. With a sweeping motion, Iya slashed the tree cleanly, making it fall to the ground. Carving it up into pieces, he carried a load back to the site where the girl laid.

Placing a few bigger pieces into the fire, Iya checked on the girl once more and sighed. "It's a shame this happened to you." he mumbled.

Looking her over, he kindly smiled and ran his clawed hand through her black silky hair. "I bet the boys of your village all liked you. Heh, if I had to guess, I'd assume you were the one they all wanted." he mused softly.

Hearing something coming, he stood back up and went to tending the fire. A minute later, Ichigo came out of the woods holding two rabbits in his hands by their ears.

"Got dinner." Ichigo gruffly said and threw them down beside the fire.

Eying them, Iya asked "Are you going to get them ready?"

"Since I caught them, I figured you'd fix them." Ichigo said with a smirk.

Glaring at Ichigo, Iya growled lowly, making Ichigo slightly uncomfortable. After a moment, he walked over and picked up the rabbits, saying "Actually, I'll take care of it."

Smirking in triumph while Ichigo walked off to get dinner ready, Iya grabbed a flask out of his kimono and noted it was nearly out of water. "Better fill up while I can." he grumbled.

Going to the stream, Iya dipped his canteen in and filled it till it brimmed with water. Going back to the camp site, he grabbed a few sticks large enough to support the rabbits to cook on and whittled them down a bit using his claws.

Ichigo soon returned with the two skinned rabbits and placed them on sticks, then set them into the fire to cook. He soon walked down to the stream and washed up before coming back and taking a seat on a log Iya had pulled in to relax on.

"So, any change in her yet?" Ichigo asked.

Shaking his head, Iya replied "No, not yet. I'd say it'll be dark when it begins. The transformation always takes place during night it seems."

"Yeah…" Ichigo mumbled while looking to be lost in thought.

"About earlier…" Iya began.

"Forget about it." Ichigo finished. "I got angry, and got sloppy. It was my mistake."

Sighing heavily, Iya looked at Ichigo and said "You've got to try and stay calm when you fight him. He'll kill you if you don't use that head of yours."

"I know, but when I see him…"

Placing a hand on Ichigo's shoulder, Iya smiled kindly, saying "You get angry. I know. It happens. Just remember, if you're going to beat him, you've got to remain calm. Your anger will get you killed against Kenshin."

"It's hard to forget about her Iya. I've tried so hard…"

"You shouldn't." Iya instantly interrupted. Looking at Iya with great confusion, Ichigo waited for an answer. "She's a part of your past Ichigo. You'll never fully forget her that much is for sure."

Looking up at the sky, Iya sadly smiled, adding "I know I can't forget people in my life that I want to forget. Just trust me on this one, it's best not to forget sometimes. The memories of the person you try to forget usually give us good things, so don't let her memory fade away."

Turning back to look at Ichigo, Iya smiled once more. "Besides, the memories of the people we try to forget also give us strength. Use your memories of her to help you fight, but don't let the anger you felt from losing her cloud your mind. Just remember what you're fighting for."

"Yeah, I know… I just wish it hadn't ended the way it did. I will fulfill my promise I made to her though, no matter what." Ichigo remarked.

"We all have things we promised to do Ichigo. Whether you choose to honor that promise or not is what defines you."

Glaring at Iya with a grumpy look, Ichigo mumbled "Damn philosophy…"

"It helps, don't it?" Iya wryly remarked.

Getting up, Ichigo checked on the rabbits and turned one side of the meat further in. Sitting back down, he glanced at the girl and asked "What do we do about her?"

"We look after her till she wakes up." Iya replied calmly. "If we're lucky, she won't be afraid of me and run off."

Raising an eyebrow, Ichigo mockingly asked "And if we're not lucky?"

Sighing heavily, Iya stared at the fire for a moment. "She'll run back to her village, where she'll be killed probably."

"Even if she doesn't run off, what are we going to do with her?" Ichigo pressed.

Thinking for a moment, Iya finally said "I'm not sure. We can't just leave her here. Without any kind of training, she'll die of starvation, that or be killed by something. Either way, we really can't leave her."

"We're not taking her with us." Ichigo quickly stated.

Glancing at Ichigo, Iya lightly chuckled, saying "No choice in this matter. We are responsible for her."

"NO, you are responsible for HER!" Ichigo growled out. "You're the one who grabbed her and dragged her along!"

"Ichigo…" Iya lightly growled. "We have to take care of her. If I must, I will do what I can to protect her."

Pausing for a moment, he lightly sighed and added "Besides, I think I know what we can do with her once we go to Lady Shankoutetsu's castle. I'll see if she'll take her in, and if she won't, I'll ask Sesshomaru to take her in at the Western Stronghold."

"Do you think either demon will let her stay?"

Staring at the fire, Iya watched it dancing. Finally, he said "I don't know…"

"That's encouraging." Ichigo replied with a smirk.

Grabbing one of the rabbits off the fire, Ichigo carefully peeled it open to see the meat was done. Throwing it to Iya, who expertly caught it, Ichigo grabbed the other and blew on his rabbit.

"Looks yummy." Iya teased.

"Be thankful I cooked it for you." Ichigo growled out.

Chuckling, Iya bit into his rabbit, tearing into it with his sharp fangs and chewed it up. After a moment, he finally said "Not bad."

The pair continued to eat their meal in silence before finally finishing up and throwing the bones away. Standing up and stretching, Ichigo yawned.

"I'm going to go train for a while. Be back later." he said while walking away with a hand wave.

Throwing a few more pieces of wood onto the fire, Iya poked it and pushed the wood closer into the hot embers. Finishing up, Iya walked over to the girl and saw she was sweating greatly and lightly panting.

"Figures, she's burning up from the demon blood taking root." he mumbled.

Walking down to the water, he pulled a small rag out of his kimono and dipped it into the water. Wringing it out, he placed it back in again and wrung it out till it still had some water left. Going back to the camp, Iya placed the rag on the girl's forehead and wiped it off before placing it on her forehead once more.

Seeing the girl still panting heavily, Iya sighed heavily and felt his face begin to turn a shade of pink. "I really don't want to do this, but you're burning up and I have to cool you off somehow."

Pulling his sword out of his obi sash, Iya laid it on the ground. Next, he pulled on his obi, which instantly came loose and allowed his kimono to slowly open. Sleeve by sleeve, he pulled his kimono off, leaving his under kimono exposed. Carefully, he laid it over the girl, covering her entire chest down to her upper thighs.

Reaching under the kimono with brightly glowing pink cheeks, Iya carefully found the obi sash to the girl's kimono and untied it. Gently, while watching where he placed his hands, he pushed the girl's kimono open and laid each side of the sash to each of her sides. Grabbing the wash cloth once again, he walked down to the stream once more and wet the cloth before returning. Coming back, he gently used the cloth to rub her face down and then moved it to her upper chest, then down her arms, and finally to her mid-thigh down.

Finished, Iya once more washed the cloth in the stream and placed it back on her forehead. Reaching underneath the kimono once more, Iya pulled her kimono back up onto her body and adjusted it to cover her. Satisfied that it was, Iya tucked his own kimono top in around her. Grabbing his obi sash, he retied it and placed Ketsaiga back within it. Sitting back down onto the log, he began to stare at the dancing flames.

Twitching his ears, Iya closed his eyes and began stretching out with all of his senses and checked to make sure nothing was near that could present him with trouble. In the distance, he could sense Ichigo's aura flaring up somewhat, but not at the level that would lead him to believe Ichigo was in trouble. Creatures that lived within the forest were stirring, but other than that, Iya couldn't sense any danger.

Opening his eyes, Iya glanced at the girl and softly sighed. Moving to check on her, he squatted down and felt her forehead. She was still lightly panting, but she wasn't sweating as much.

Standing up, he grabbed the rag on her forehead and headed to the stream, once more dipping it into the cool water. Walking back, he heard her cry out, making him rush to her side quickly.

Arriving, Iya saw her body floating a few feet off the ground and had a red aura covering her body. His kimono easily slid off of her, leaving her floating with her untied kimono in the air. Her bones instantly began making a crackling sound, as if each were reshaping. At first, her toenails grew out to become clawed feet, then her hands changed till she had clawed hands. At the same time, her skin seemed to tighten a bit, and her muscles grew a bit more firm on her arms and legs. Her hair slowly began gaining red streaks in it, giving her a red and black hair color. She opened her mouth as she cried out, revealing fangs growing in. Moments later, her human ears vanished, only to be replaced by two small black cat ears on her head. A long black tail finally came out of the bottom of her kimono to complete the transformation.

At this point, her body slowly lowered back to the ground and she panted lightly still. Looking her over, head to toe, Iya lightly blushed at the sight.

"She's so beautiful in her half demon form..."

Shaking his head, Iya sighed and stood up. Realizing the cloth he had been cooling her off with was still in his hand, he walked back down to the stream and rewet it. Returning, he placed it on her head and placed his kimono top back on her, tucking it in once more. Taking in her new scent, Iya confirmed that she still smelled of fresh raspberries.

"That scent, it's so pleasant…" Shaking his head roughly once more, Iya walked over to the empty log and looked off in the other direction, trying hard to ignore the pleasant aroma coming off of the young transformed woman.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Panting lightly, Ichigo wiped some blood off his face that was lightly trickling down it. Once more picking his sword up, he growled out "Damn it, I couldn't do it! Once more!"

Holding his sword out once more, he closed his eyes and he called forth to the sword to transform. It instantly followed his command, transforming from it's current state to a new sword. It no longer had a guard, only a hilt covered in a white bandage cloth with a strip of it hung loose on the end. The blade itself transformed so that it looked like a large butcher's knife that was as long as Ichigo's body. It was mostly black except for right near the edge of the blade that was bright silver.

Holding the sword perfectly still, he mentally said "Come Zangetsu, let's try again."

A figure of black energy slowly began to form like it had many times before in front of Ichigo's body. The black energy slowly began to take form of a man wearing a black trench coat with a white collar. He had long black hair, a goatee, and wore a pair of darkened sunglasses.

In a deep voice, he said "Ichigo, are you sure you can continue? After all, you being just a quarter demon, you may never be able to unlock my true power."

"Shut up!" Ichigo snapped angrily and flashed a glare at the older man. "I'm tired of you and everyone else saying I'm weak because I'm a quarter demon!"

Smirking, the man said "Then come prove you're not."

A sword, exactly the same as the one Ichigo held, appeared in front of the man with his hand resting on the hilt. Charging forward, Ichigo let loose a loud angry roar and swung at the man's head, but the older man dodged easily.

"You'll never beat Kenshin with the feeble skills you have right now. Do you want to dishonor Rukia's memory like that?" the older man taunted.

"SHUT UP ZANGETSU! I WILL DEFEAT KENSHIN, NO MATTER WHAT! HE'LL PAY FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO RUKIA!" Ichigo screamed. "I SWORE IT, AND I WILL CARRY THROUGH WITH MY PROMISE TILL I'M DEAD!"

Charging ahead once more, Ichigo swung at Zangetsu, only to hit the twin sword that Zangetsu wielded, sending out a small shower of sparks.

Smirking, Zangetsu mockingly said "Come, make me use two hands at the least Ichigo."

Growling loudly, Ichigo leapt backwards and let out a loud exhale. Closing his eyes, he began calming himself. Gripping his sword tightly, he felt his demonic aura begin to flare out. Reopening his eyes, they flashed blue for a moment, making Zangetsu lightly smirk.

"Finally find your resolve boy?" he mocked.

Raising his sword up with is right hand, Ichigo held it high as the demonic aura continued to pour out. The sword itself began letting out a howling sound as a blue aura flared around it and Ichigo's body.

Doing the same as Ichigo did, Zangetsu raised his own arm and began pouring out his own demonic aura, making the sword he held let out the same howl as Ichigo's. Smirking, he called out "Can you make me submit Ichigo?"

"I will defeat Kenshin and avenge Rukia, no matter what. I swore to do this, and I will no matter what the cost! And to do that, I must learn to fully wield you, meaning I will make you submit!" Ichigo stated calmly.

Grabbing hold of the sword's hilt with his second hand, Ichigo began pulling his sword downwards. Mirroring his moves, Zangetsu did the same. At the same time, the pair made a downwards cutting motion, sending out a huge wave of demonic aura. The aura's clashed together, forming a large domed sphere that engulfed a large area, sending out a huge explosion and rocking the entire forest. Smoke and dust plumed up from the blast, obscuring the area.

The smoke slowly dissipated and Iya quickly ran to the site. Looking around, he attempted to sniff the air, but found nothing but smoke and dust filled his senses.

"Damn it, I can't smell a thing." Iya mumbled while covering his face with his kimono's sleeve. "Ichigo, where are you!?"

Seeing a figure walking out of the smoke, Iya softly gasped at the sight of the man in dark clothing. On his shoulder was Ichigo. He gently set him down and lightly chuckled.

"Ichigo, you nearly succeeded where so many in your clan have failed. Be glad that you got that close without dying."

Turning to Iya, the man said "Tell him when he awakes that he still has a ways to go."

"I shall Zangetsu." Iya calmly replied.

The man instantly faded away, and the sword in Ichigo's hand reverted back to it's original long silver form. Iya walked over and attempted to take the sword from Ichigo's hand, but found it was securely held.

"No use in attempting to put it away for you." Iya quipped while scooping Ichigo up and slinging him over his back.

Looking once more at the site where the fight had taken place, Iya smirked. A large crater was now formed where a forest once stood.

"Just a little over the top there Ichigo, but I see you're still not there yet."

Turning, Iya walked back to camp and placed Ichigo down on the ground near the girl, allowing him to sleep. With patient hands, Iya applied some herbs to Ichigo's wounds and then bandaged them up.

Yawning once he finished, Iya stood and stretched. "I guess I should get some sleep myself since you two are out completely."

Bounding into a nearby tree, Iya moved to a sturdy branch near the top and leaned back against it. Slowly, his eyes closed, but his other senses stayed sharp while he drifted off to sleep.