A/N: Ok, so for the record, I wasn't planning on posting this for a week or two. But because of the 2 day wait to post any new stories, I had some extra time on my hands. Well, that and I didn't want to study for psychology. Ok, here's the next chapter! Hope you like it! OH! And don't worry, all you Sango and Miroku lovers, there's something for you in here too.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Sad.

talking

"speaking"

'thinking'

Emphasized text

Flashback

Chapter 2: From the Get-Go…

KATANA'S P.O.V.

It had been a wonderfully lazy day. Everything was still, there had been no intruding demons for days, and my brothers had been suspiciously content to leave me in peace. I was lazing in a tree on the edge of the forest, close enough that I could smell danger and far enough away that the distractions of everyday life couldn't bother me. That was until I heard Miroku calling.

"Inuyasha! Get down from there! I have something of the upmost importance to tell you!" The voice had come from my left side, on the ground below me. Damn monk never could keep his head on straight. 'Eighteen years and he still can't tell us apart unless he sees my eyes—wait. He's on my left! If I were to open my eyes, all he would see would be the gold…if I dropped my voice just right…' I smirked. It was time to have some fun with the monk.

I cracked open one lazy golden eye and peered down at my uncle. Putting on my best Inuyasha-ish scowl, I took a deep breath and concentrated on speaking as low as possible. "What do you want?" If Miroku noticed any difference between my voice and my father's he dismissed it. Apparently what he had to tell me was important after all.

"The next village over is being attacked. Giant worm youkai, apparently. You must go and vanquish them." His shoulders sagged just a little at the thought, and he raised a hand to rub the bridge of his nose. "I would go myself, but Sango has fallen ill and needs me to watch the children. I wanted to ask Katana to babysit, but she's nowhere to be seen. Have any idea where I could find her?"

I cringed inwardly. Miroku and Sango had four rambunctious children, and despite the fact that I wouldn't admit it by pain of death, I enjoyed babysitting for them. For one thing, they were the only ones who could tell the difference between my father and me. Even from a distance with my back to them. They could always tell which one was which. It was usually comforting…but not today. No, today I wanted action, and if I had to sneak around an unsuspecting monk to get it I would. The only problem was I didn't want to lie to him. How to get around his question…"You found me didn't you?" I replied.

"Yes."

"Then you can find anyone. And another thing—why should I care what happens in the next village? The shards were collected years ago, monk, in case you've forgotten." 'OK, I managed to answer his question without lying. Now if I could just distract his attention away from having me babysit…' I spared another glance at the ground, being careful to keep the right side of my face out of his sight.

A vein in Miroku's head had started to throb. "Buddah give me patience. The Festival, Inuyasha. The Festival. It's being held in the next village. And you promised Kagome you would go this year." Damn the Festival! I had forgotten. It was the new moon the next day, and my entire family would be human for a night, so we could sneak into the village practically unnoticed. It wasn't that the next village over didn't take kindly to hanyous, but having so many around at one time made them nervous.

At this point I realized I had two options: Either tell Miroku and my father that I impersonated him and screwed with Miroku's head, earning me a good scolding from Mama and an ass wooping from Papa (although he would probably applaud messing with the monk) or option number two, continue with the charade and get rid of the youkai myself—which quite honestly I had been planning to do from the beginning. Option number two it was. "Fine monk, fine. I'll take care of the youkai. Go home. And Miroku!" He had been turning to leave, but once again gave me his attention. "Don't tell Kagome about this. I don't want her to worry."

"More like you don't want her to know you forgot." If I hadn't had super hearing, I would have missed his snide remark. The real Inuyasha would have pounded him for that. But I let it slide. I wanted action and now I had it. Plus, if I had given him some bruises, he would have surely told Mama, and she would have mentioned it to Papa. Then I'd really be in trouble. But there was no time to ponder such thoughts. It was time for a little trip to the next village. Once Miroku was out of sight, I turned and headed east towards an unsuspecting youkai.

NOTSU P.O.V.

I watched as she scrubbed her bloody hands clean in the river, cupping her fingers and splashing some water on her face, washing away the dust and mud that had been smeared all over her cheeks and brow from fighting the worm demon. "They're gonna find out ya know. They always find out. You're not one of the twins, Pup. You can't keep them guessing for long." She looked at me with those eerie eyes of hers. Pure annoyance was reflected in them, but she didn't dare deny my claim.

"Back off Notsu. I don't care if they find out. I came back without a scratch, and the village is safe. I know you won't squeal on me, and Miroku thinks it was Papa fighting the youkai, so he shouldn't say anything either. The worst that'll happen is Papa will be angry and Mama will forbid me from coming to the Festival with all of you tomorrow. And we all know what a tragedy that would be." She rolled her eyes. "And if they do somehow find out, I'll distract them with one of the twins' secrets." She cracked her knuckles. Her ears twitched lightly atop her head. It was times like these I truly realized how much she resembled our father.

Papa and Katana were the exact same height. Both had silver hair draping down past their waists, sharp claws, fangs, and black eyebrows. Even their bangs fell in the exact same manner. When Katana smirked or snarled or frowned, she looked like a replica of Papa. If that wasn't bad enough, dog youkai are born with a second set of vocal cords to growl with, howl, all that. So of course, having this other aspect Katana's voice was lower than most girls—not unfeminine, just rich and low. When she dropped her voice she could almost pass for a man. And of course, they had the same, twitching dog ears that Mama loved to tweak. The only true way to tell them apart was Katana's one violet eye.

However, it wasn't only in physical appearance that they were alike. When they slept, both turned toward the left side—Papa did this so he could hold Mama. No one knew Katana's reason. Both were quick to anger, stubborn as asses, and courageous to a fault. It was almost as if Mama had had no part in making her daughter. She had simply been plucked from Inuyasha's soul and molded into his clone.

I scowled and shook my head. "You misunderstood me, Pup. You deserve whatever punishment you get if caught—which you will be. I'm not worried about that. I am worried however, because whenever you go down, somehow you manage to take one of us with you."

I held her burning gaze as her head snapped around to glare at me. She swallowed…but didn't deny it. She couldn't—it was all too true. So she settled for staring, her eyes screaming two simple words. 'F-off.'

I sighed. "Katana…he just wants to keep you safe. You're his baby…his pup. But you're our responsibility—"

"I don't remember asking to become your burden! If Papa didn't want me to fight, he shouldn't have taught me how! I will not sit by and watch as my own brothers find their places in this world, while I'm damned to just sit here and rot! If you don't want to be blamed for my mistakes, my injuries, my life, then stop trembling with your tails between your legs, grow some balls and tell Papa to let me be!" She was tired, I could see, but it wasn't so much from fighting the youkai. She was tired of having the same lecture, the same fight.

My heart twisted at the pain in her eyes and the fury of her words. I was the sixth born, the closest to her age. I had played with her as a child, had been coddled almost as much as she had…but unlike her, I had learned to tame my wild heart. I grew up. I took control of my responsibilities. She never had. She never would. Katana had had this same conversation with every one of her brothers, as well as Mama and Papa. But, being Katana, she fought everyone of us every time.

I clicked my claws and pinched the bridge of my nose. I had to calm myself down. I had to be the rational one in this dispute. It didn't matter who was arguing against my sister. If she was part of the fight, there was no use but to be calm, grounded, level headed, and realistic. Which is what made fights between she and Papa so ridiculous. Neither one would give in, though neither made any sense at all.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to start again. "Dearest sister, aren't you being a tad selfish? All you're thinking about is acquiring your own freedom from whoever you think is holding you down. What about us? Me, Raidon, Ronin, Kyo, Setako…we love you. But you take advantage of our authority. Please…just…at least try to behave?"

The fury in her eyes disappeared as soon as it had come, replaced only by contentment. "No promises." 'Good enough.' I thought. I turned to leave, content with her answer, and completely spent on energy from fighting. A single, long, strand of dark brown hair blew into my face, though there was no wind. I knew looked up.

Just as I had suspected, Katana had taken to the trees, following me silently. I personally preferred walking, though jumping on the treetops was much faster. We were nearly home when she spoke. Even born with our father's exceptional ears, I still managed not to hear her. "If you have something to say, say it, Pup. I can't always read your mind."

"I said you missed one."

"What?"

"You. Raidon, Ronin, Kyo, Setako. You missed one. What about him, huh? What about Tamahome? Does he love me too?"

She didn't give me time to answer before she leaped in front of me and darted for the doorway of our home. 'Katana…what do you want me to say?' It had been over two years since we last saw our eldest brother. When he left it had not been on good terms…at least…not with the Pup. 'You are a burden, Pup. But you're our burden. And we'd be damned before we let you go.' I sighed, watching her disappear into Mama's awaiting arms. 'But the only one who can speak for Tamahome is Tamahome.' Shoving all other thoughts aside, I stepped into the warmth of my family's house.

A/N: Just so you know, I'm gonna be watering down some of the language in this fic. I just like to think the story is more important than the swear words. Also, this is supposed to be a comedy. I know this chapter was kinda intense and frustrating, but I promise it'll get better! I'm looking forward to writing the next chapter…plenty of mischief ahead. Read & review! Loves!