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Back at the stream

Inuyuka could smell others nearby. A group of humans and demons, although not unheard of it made her uneasy. She decided to play dumb and continue the lesson, hoping they would go away. She tried to flatten her ears as much as possible to avoid notice.

Iro looked at her, confused at her friends' reaction, usually she picked a fight or made for an escape. The Hanyou smiled at the pup and simply continued.

The Inu-Gang watched, looking back and forth between Inuyasha and the girl across the stream.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He looked down at her before he took a step toward the stream. However, before he made it past the tree line, a large shadow passed over the area and a loud thud shook the ground.

"What tha...?!" Inuyuka said, looking in the direction the shadow traveled.
Suddenly a large serpent demon came crashing through the trees, charging Inuyuka and Iro.

"Give me your jewel shards, bitch pup!" It bellowed, swinging it's massive tail toward the girl who quickly grabbed Iro and lept into the air.

"You won't get them! You'll only taint them and use the power for evil!" Inuyuka responded, flipping in the air and landing behind the demon. "Besides," she turned with a dark smirk, "You can't use them if you're dead." She placed Iro on the ground and the pup ran to the tree line, being still too small to fight yet.

"I'd like to see you try filthy half-breed!"

Inuyuka's eyes darkened and lunged at the demon.

"IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!" She screamed, swinging her claws at the demons head, dragging them down across its chest, slicing it in half. Her sharp power-infused claws went through the beast like butter. It's two halves falling in opposite directions, splattering blood on the grassy ground. Inuyuka landed gracefully in a crouch, after gliding between the "halved-demon".

She glanced down at her right hand, covered in blood, and wrinkled her nose. She didn't like killing, only did it to survive, yet the blood she had spilt over the years for her very existance could still be seen through her eyes no matter how hard she scrubbed her body and clothes.

Inuyuka stood up and walked back to the stream to clean her hands and face. Iro stayed in the brush, knowing how her companion was after being attacked.

"Is it worth it Iro?"

The wolf pup tilted her head at the odd question and seriousness of her voice.

"What?" She barked.

"Living, being hunted just for what I am and what I protect." Inukuka's eyes looked down at her red tinted reflection. "Maybe...maybe we can find a nice pack for you to live with, who can provide a safe home for you. Better than what I can give you." She pulled a dagger from her belt and studied it. "I was never suppose to be. If i was never taken from my family, my brother, I wouldn't have to fight all the damn time. Stupid humans, it's their fault." She growled.

Iro whined at her friend. She had never seen Inuyuka act like this before and it frightened her.

"Fam...Fam-wee."

Inuyuka looked at the pup.

"What?"

"We arr fam-a-lee Inuyuka." The pup said coming from the trees to stand next to the distraught half-demon.

The Inu-Gang watched in disbelief, wondering if they were truely related.

Inuyasha stared at Inuyuka with sadness. She was just like him, years ago before he had met his current friends. Hunted, hated and hateful. He took a cautious step toward the girl, as a gentle breeze blew through the clearing.

Inuyuka stiffened as a familiar scent tickled her nose and memories. Tears springing to her eyes and falling down her cheeks and into the water.

"I miss my brother." She cried, her body shaking. "I can someties smell him on the air, but when I try to find him, it's like he was never there. I wonder if he's alive. Gods I hope he is, and I hope he is happy."

"I'd be happier if you turned around sister."
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