Chapter Three: Painful Memories

A village was burning, consumed up by fiery flames while the villagers that look to be of canine demon heritage were fighting against the attackers of their village, many of them being slain in the process but takin a few of the attackers with them. Meanwhile in the middle of the village two demon men faced each other, their swords drawn.

One was of canine demon heritage with long black hair and split bangs that stopped just past his red triangle painted cheeks that was adorned by a feather headband. His ears were elf-like with tufts of black fur at the ends and his eyes were brown. Around his neck was a hair-pipe bead choker with fangs on it. He wore chest plate armor that had gray fur connected to the shoulder plates and nothing else underneath it, his arms and collarbone exposed. Gray fur cuffs adorned his wrists. A gray fur pelt is tied around his waist, his legs bare except for the fur trimmed boots that resemble moccasins on his feet.

He swished his long black tail angrily as he glares at the other demon man that was of dragon heritage who was holdin his right eye, blood seeping through his hand where the canine demon man had wounded him. He says with a growl, "You and your men. Attack my people. You pay with life." He had to take the demon down for behind him were great treasures he held dear.

Watching them was a canine demon woman with long back hair that was pulled into a low ponytail with a feather tie and forelocks adorn with beads. She had blue eyes and elf-like ears with tufts of black fur at the end of them just like her mate. She wore a white kimono-like outfit that bare her shoulders with white fur trim around the chest, the end of the sleeves and bottom hem of the kimono. Fringe lined the sleeves of her outfit. She too had a long black tail. In her arms was a small canine demon girl wearing a black kimono with a white obi and gray fringe and fur. She bore resemblance to her father but had her mother's eyes. She had a tail like her parents as well.

Never taking his eyes off the demon dragon man the canine demon man says to the women, "Kaliska, munge vi ite alim ra fitsenge (Take our daughter away from here.)"

The woman named Kaliska gives him a astonished look as she replies, "Kehe, Oe sayi ke hum nga Hukato. (No. I will not leave you)"

A growl forms in Hukato's chest spills into his voice as he says sternly, "Ka! Po ni'ul letsranten! (Go! She more important!)"

Tears form in the corner of Kaliska's eyes as she nods and says, "Nari si ma tiyawn. (Be careful my love.)"

She then grips her daughter tight in her arms and and runs off in the direction of the forest while her daughter cried out from within her mother's arms, " Kehe ma sempul! Ma sa'nok lonu! Po kin ayoeng! Ma sempul! (No father! Mother let go! He need us! Father!)"

The daughter watches from within her mother's arms as her father engages the dragon demon man in battle and loses sight of him as she and her mother disappear behind the trees. As Kaliska passes by a tree she is struck from the side by an object wielded by one of the attackers who was standing guard so none of the villagers could escape, knocking her down and causing her to lose grip on her daughter who tumbles across the ground and lands a foot away from her.

The young demon girl picks herself up and watches as her mother fights the attacker that was a demon soldier. The demon attempts to stab Kaliska with his blade but she sweeps him off balance with her foot and then with a blast of icy wind from her hand freezes him solid and he falls to the ground, crumbling to tiny pieces upon impact.

She then attempts to go over to her daughter but more demon soldiers arrive and they try to attack her and she freezes them solid with an icy wind blast from her hand. Sensing something behind her, Kaliska turns to face her opponent and feels a sharp object pierce her through her chest and into her heart. She gasps and chokes alittle as blood spews from her mouth. Through her blurring vision she sees that her attacker was the demon dragon man who her mate had protected them from and fought against moments ago. The demon dragon man withdraws his sword from Kaliska's chest and she falls to the ground in a puddle of blood.

The young demon girl quickly crawls over to her mother as she cries out in horror, "Ma sa'nok! (Mother!)"

Kaliska grasps her daughter's small hand and says to her between weak breaths as tears stream down her cheeks, "Tul..ma ite. (Run..daughter.)"

The young demon girl shakes her head, tears forming in her eyes as she says, "Kehe..ma sa'nok..Oe kin ngati..(No..Mother..I need you.)"

Kaliska smiles sadly at her daughter and says, "Tul..rey..tsunslu ti nawm sa'nok..hawnu nga. (Run..live..may the Great Mother..protect you.)"

The young demon girl watches as the light leaves her mother's eyes and sees she had stopped breathing. The young demon girl shakes her mother as she cries, "...Ma sa'nok? Ma sa'nok! (..Mother? Mother!)"

Suddenly she hears a male voice say, "Pathetic. All of them."

She looks up and sees the demon dragon man coming towards her, his sword covered in blood. The young demon girl tries to run but the man grabs her by the nape of her kimono and lifts her up to his face.

As she struggles to free herself he says to her, "Don't worry I won't kill you. I've got something worse then death for you."

He grabs the young demon girl's left forearm with his free hand and begins to murmur a few foreign words. The young demon girl cries out in pain as she a searing sensation on her left arm and her body begins to glow white. When she stops glowing he toss her on to the ground next to her dead mother. A burn-like scar now adorned the young girl's left forearm, her demonic features gone. He had turned her human.

The young girl lies still, her body to numb to move. She then hears another male voice says, "My lord Kalona your face, that man has injured you. Looks like it'll become quite a scar."

The girl turns her head to see a lizard-like demon in servant clothing handing the dragon man he called Kalona an eyepatch.

Kalona puts the eyepatch on as he replies, "Tis nothing but an scratch Nukpana. Though I'll admit he was a fearsome opponent like I heard though my power was greater. Now I will feast upon my fallen prey."

Nukpana looks at the young girl who was clearly still alive and asks, "What bout her? Is it fine to let her live?"

Kalona replies, "She is no more than food for demons now. She bears no threat to me. Until the brightest night in the sky comes she's powerless. She'll only have that time til the sun rises. She shall suffer that way til the end of her days for I will keep an distant eye on her."

The young girl tries to listen to more of their conversation but her body gives out on her and everything fades to black.

Saphira wakes up and sits upright, her body shuddering slightly. She could feel tears roll down her cheeks and she wipes them away with her sleeve. She closes her eyes and clutches her left arm as she says quietly to herself, "I wish I could not have this dream."

Suddenly she feels a hand touch her shoulder from behind as a male voice asks, "You ok?"

Startled, she snarls and withdraws her dagger from off her thigh and prepares to strike the person behind her then stops when she sees that it was Inuyasha.

Aware of the dagger now at his throat, Inuyasha says soft, reassuring voice, "Relax, it's me."

Saphira withdraws her dagger from his throat and sheathes it as she says, "Don't do that. I'd of hurt you."

Inuyasha replies, "Sorry." He takes note of her tear-stained face and asks, "What's with the tears? Did ya have a nightmare or somethin?"

Saphira looks down at the ground as she replies tentatively, Just bad memory from past. I don't want to talk about it...not now."

Inuyasha frowns alittle then shrugs as he says, "Well, if you don't want to talk about it I not make you. But when ya ready to talk I'm here."

Saphira looks up at him with a small smile as she says, "Irayo (Thank you.)" She then grabs her bow/arrows along with a small satchel and water-skin she made from the skin of the deer they hunted earlier for dinner. She then gets up and says to Inuyasha, "I go gather more medicinal herbs and water. I shall return."

Inuyasha nods and says, "Be careful. If you get yaself into danger call me."

Saphira nods and says with a small smile, "I will, but you know me I can handle low-class demons." She then walks off into the woods.

Inuyasha watches her leave with a slight smirk on his face as he thinks to himself, "True enough she's like Sango in terms of fighting skill only deadlier. I had my work cut out for me when I was practicing with her."

He thinks back to the night where their practice fights first began. It was the night of the new moon and he was in his human form. They were sitting around a fire in the middle of the forest eating fish that Saphira had caught.

When they were done eating, Inuyasha gave and impatient sigh as he said bitterly, "Wish morning was here already damnit."

Saphira looks over at him and says in a sympathetic tone, "You must really hate being human once every month."

Inuyasha replies with a scoff, "Course I do. My senses are dulled. I can easily be killed in my human form than my half-demon one. I don't dare to let my guard down. Only a few friends know of my weakness." He looks at her and adds, "And now you know as well due to my carelessness. Though we're friends now so I'm not really worried."

Saphira smiles as she says, "Tis nice you think me friend and opened up to me. If it make you feel better I can give you some lessons so low-class demons won't be a burden when human."

Inuyasha asks curiously, "Lessons? Of what sort?"

Saphira replies, "The physical kind. You have basic fight skill honed but reflex needs work." Saphira gets up and draws her daggers from her thighs. She turns and points one at Inuyasha and says, "Since you are restless. Lesson one starts now."

Inuyasha gives her a look of disbelief as he says, "What? Now? Me against you?"

Saphira nods and he says, "You sure? I can go easy on ya cause ya girl. But I take a fight seriously too."

Saphira chuckles as she replies, "Don't underestimate someone on just looks or gender. Now then draw your blade and fight me with everything you got."

Inuyasha sighs as he gets up and draws his sword. They circle each other, keeping their eyes lock on the other. Inuyasha then lunges forward and attempts to strike her but misses and she agilely dodges to the side then parries his sword with her daggers as he turns around and swings his blade at her. She then kicks him in the stomach causing him stumble back slightly then lunges forward and pounces on him, knocking him to the ground and he loses grip on his sword. Saphira holds one of her daggers inches from his throat.

Inuyasha stares up at her and she leans down, bringing her face to his as she says, "Your moves too obvious. Is that all you have? Or were truly going easy on me?"

Inuyasha gives no response as he looks away, a slight blush on his face due to the position they were in as she was straddling him. Taking it as a sign of guilt and that he had gone easy on her, Saphira takes her dagger away from his throat and as she sheathes them she says in her native tongue, "Wem na tseya ngeya syen. Nui si za'arip syen syeha. (Battle like it's your last. Falter and you draw last breath.)"

Inuyasha nods and says, "Tslolam. Ii...tsun oe tel nefa? (Got it. Um..can I get up?)"

It was then that Saphira notices the suggestive position they were in and quickly gets off, her cheeks slightly red and she says in an apologetic tone, "Sorry."

Inuyasha sits up and sheathes his sword. He looks over at her and asks, "Where'd you learn to fight like that?"

Saphira replies, "Grandma Sanume. When my parents died in battle she took me in. She taught me the arts of killing and everything else I know."

Inuyasha smirks as he says, "Well she did a good job. You're pretty strong."

Saphira gives him a small smile as she says, "Irayo (Thanks.) She then frown slightly as she thinks to herself, "Though not strong enough to have saved everyone I loved from him.)"

Inuyasha notices her sad expression as asks, "What's wrong?"

Saphira replies tentatively, "I am...strong. But not strong enough for my journey's path."

Inuyasha gives her a curious look as he asks, "And what path is that?"

Saphira looks at him and he sees a hint of both sadness and determination in her eyes as she replies in her people's tongue, "Fte meuia ti ftawnemkrr..si zong ti zusawkrr. (To honor the past..and save the future.)"

Before Inuyasha could ask what she meant by that she says, "It story for another time. We must rest. We'll train again tomorrow night."

She then gets up and goes over to the fire pit and lies down beside it. She glances over her shoulder at Inuyasha and says, "Hivahaw nimwey (Good night.)" She then lays her head down and falls asleep.

Inuyasha sighs, he gets up then walks over and climbs up into a tree above Saphira and makes himself comfortable. He refused to sleep during the nights of the new moon so he kept watch over Saphira til morning.

Back to the present, Inuyasha thinks to himself, "With all that's she told me it feels like she's leaving a detail out. Is she afraid to? If so why? It may be none of my business but I want to help her. She saved my life. I want to return the favor. But I can't do that if she keeps being distant. Whatever it is I'll help her face it. I just hope she tells me soon."

Meanwhile near a river Saphira is gathering herbs and water. She looks up at the waxing moon and thinks to herself, "I want to tell him everything but if I do how will he react? Will he run or stay?" She pulls back the left sleeve of her kimono-like outfit and traces the burn-like scar on her arm with her fingers, "I don't wish for anyone else to die for me but I can't keep hiding this from him as he is already suspicious. He is a good person and I do need the help. Maybe..this is the path the Great Mother has chosen for both of us. I'll have to take a chance on him tomorrow night."

With that thought in mind she heads back to the campsite where Inuyasha was. She finds him still awake and greets him, "I'm back, ya miss me? We're good on medicine and water now."

Inuyasha looks up at her and replies, "Welcome back. Good to see ya in one piece."

Saphira smiles at him as she says, "Your concern is sweet. Thanks." She watches as he looks away, embarrassed with a small reply of "Feh." She then walks over to fire pit and sits down, she then says hesitantly, "...Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha gives her a hum in response and she says nervously, "Tomorrow night...there's something I want to show you...about me..okay?"

Inuyasha sensed how nervous she was so he says to her in a reassuring voice, "Okay." He thinks to himself, "So she's gonna finally tell me everything, that's good." He relaxes as he prepares to go back to sleep.

Saphira gives a relieved sigh and she lays down to go to sleep. As she closes her eyes she says softly to herself so he wouldn't hear, "Please..don't leave me.." She then goes to sleep.

Though she had intended him not hear he had and ponders to himself, "Leave her? Why would I do that? Guess I'll find out tomorrow."

Inuyasha sniffs the air for any signs of demons. Detecting none he goes to sleep. However, he was wrong as from a tree not too far from them a lizard-like demon was watching them. It was Nukpana. He had been following them since he found them, cloaking his demonic aura so that neither Inuyasha or Saphira could detect him.

He stares at Inuyasha as he thinks to himself, "He doesn't seem much of a threat but orders are orders. And it seems the girl will reveal the truth to him tomorrow night. I could kill him now in his sleep but what fun would that be? It'll be more exciting to hear him scream in pain. I shall deal with him tomorrow so Lord Kalona won't burn my hide." He then disappears off into the night to set his plan in motion.

Later on in the afternoon after spending the whole morning walking in the forest Inuyasha and Saphira find a village, and not just any village for Inuyasha recognized it. It was old Kaede's village, the place where everything in his life first began to change. They pass by a few huts, at which Saphira looked around at in awe as she never been in a human village up close before. She had only seen them from a distance from within the forest. They then come across a shrine and without Saphira noticing, Inuyasha stops and walks over to a grave inside the shrine and stands in front of it.

Fresh flowers surrounded the grave, ones he brought the last time he was here. He stares at the grave and images of a young maiden wearing a miko outfit with long raven black hair, warm brown eyes and a smile that could melt his heart. Pain filled his chest as he says softly to himself, "You said you'd always be by my side..but yet here I am again all alone..and it's all my fault." As he stares at the grave he thinks back to a moment between them.

"The baby's kicking, wanna come feel Inuyasha?" said the miko and Inuyasha turns from his chores and watches as the miko rubs her swollen pregnant belly. He walks over to her and embraces her from behind.

Nuzzling her neck, he places one hand over hers that was on her stomach and says, "Heh looks like we got a rebel, they're kickin up a storm."

The miko smiles as she says, "Just like their father. Soon we'll be three isn't it great?"

Inuyasha places a small kiss on her cheek as he says softly, "Yeah it is."

Back to the present, Saphira finally notice that Inuyasha wasn't next to her and looks back to see him standing inside a shrine. She walks over to him and sees that he was standing in front of a grave. She looks at the grave then peers at Inuyasha's face and sees that his eyes were filled with a sad, distant look.

She then looks back to the grave and thinks to herself, "So this is a person he has lost?. Wonder who it is. Friend or lover? Should I ask? I am unsure of what to say to him."

After much debate, Saphira then says softly, "So..um...wanna talk bout it?"

Inuyasha sighs and saying nothing he turns and walks away down the road. Saphira stares after him with concern as she thinks to herself, "Guess not." She wouldn't hold it against him for she knew how he felt, having lost her own kin.

Saphira runs to catch up to him then walks quietly by his side. Suddenly they hear a old female voice says, "Well it's been a long time since I seen ye, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha looks to see an old woman in miko clothing standing outside a hut. It was Kaede.

Inuyasha says to her, "Still alive I see old woman."

Kaede replies, "And ye still have that rude tongue I see. Come for a visit?"

Inuyasha shakes his head and he says, "Just passin through."

It was then that Kaede noticed Saphira and asks, "And who you be young lady?"

Saphira replies, "I am Saphira, a friend of his." She then asks, "You?"

Kaede replies, "I am Kaede, I am the miko of this village."

Saphira bows slightly as she says, "Tis a pleasure to meet you."

Kaede chuckles as she says, "My what manners. Inuyasha could learn from ye."

Inuyasha scoffs then hears a male voice say, "I thought I heard a familiar voice."

All three of them turn to see walking towards them was a young man, who looked to be in his twenties, with black hair tied in a small ponytail and indigo eyes. He wore black and purple monk clothing. Carrying with him in his hand was a shikago staff. Next to him was a woman who looked to be the same age as him with long brown hair tied in a high ponytail and brown eyes painted with pink eyeshadow. She was wearing demon slayer clothing and carry a giant boomerang on her back.

Inuyasha recognizes them and says, "Miroku...Sango.."

Saphira leans to him and asks, "Friends?"

Inuyasha nods and says, "They are the ones who helped me defeat a terrible demon named Naraku. I told you the story bout it awhile back."

Saphira replies, "Oh I do remember that."

Miroku and Sango stop in front of them. Sango says to Inuyasha, "It's been awhile."

Inuyasha nods as he says awkwardly, "Yeah.."

Miroku turns to Kaede and says, "Sorry for the long wait. The demon extermination took longer than we expected. Hopefully the kids have been good for you."

Kaede chuckles and says, "They have been no trouble. Shippo and Rin have been keeping them well entertained."

Miroku smiles and replies, "That's good to hear."

It was then that Miroku and Sango notice Saphira and Sango asks, "Who's this with you Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha replies, "It's a long story but this is Saphira, she's a new friend of mine."

Saphira bows slightly and says, "Tis a pleasure to meet you."

Sango bows as she replies, "And you as well." She takes in Saphira's appearance and asks, "Such strange clothes, you are not from this area I take it?"

Saphira shakes her head as she replies, " No. I live within a forest far away from here."

Miroku turns to Inuyasha and says, "Since we're all here together after a long separation. Why don't you and your lovely companion join us for a meal?"

Inuyasha prepares to decline his offer but Saphira interrupts him as she says with a smile,"We'd love to."

He gives her a annoyed look as he asks, "We what now?"

Saphira gives him a pleading look as she replies, "Don't be rude. They haven't seen you in a long time. Spend some time with them. Besides we could use the rest at the moment as we've been walking all day."

Inuyasha sighs in defeat and says, "Alright we'll stay."

Sango smiles as she says, "Well then I'll go start dinner. Kaede care to lend me a hand?"

Kaede replies, "Of course dear." And they both head inside the hut. Saphira follows in after them saying, "I help too."

Miroku watches Saphira leave then leans to Inuyasha and says with a grin, "That girl's a beauty. Where'd you find her?"

Inuyasha gives him a annoyed look as she says, "Like I said it's a long story. I'll let her explain. And wipe that grin off ya face, ya dirty monk. We're just friends." He then goes inside the hut with Miroku following behind him.

Later on inside the hut, the group eats their dinner. Saphira chatted away with everyone, telling them of her encounter with Inuyasha. They were shocked to hear of their friend's close call with death and thanked her for saving him. Meanwhile Inuyasha sat and eats his meal quietly. When he was done he thanked Sango for the meal then gets up and walks out the hut and jumps into a large tree nearby.

Saphira noticed him leave and thinks to herself, "He had that sad look in his eyes again." She turns to the others and asks tentatively, "Um may I ask who that grave belongs to in the shrine?"

Everyone in the room went from smiles to having gloomy expressions on their face and Miroku says, "It belongs to a young priestess by the name of Kagome. She was also Inuyasha's wife for five years."

Saphira replies, "I see. He never talked of her. What happened to her?"

Sango then speaks up and says, "She died after giving birth to their first child. Sadly the child didn't make it either due to complications. When I told Inuyasha what happened he broke down saying it was all his fault. After the funeral he left and we hadn't heard from him since. Though we notice fresh flowers were always at her grave so we believe he visits without our notice."

Saphira looks down sadly and says, "No wonder he's being so distant. It must be hard for him to be here. I didn't know and yet I encouraged him to stay." She looks at Sango and Miroku and says, "I can however relate to how he's feeling as I have lost my family for they died in battle. I just wish there was something I could do for him."

Sango replies, "The best thing to do at the moment is give him space. Though with your support I'm sure he'll come around."

Miroku nods in agreement as he says, "She's right. There's not much we can do or say to change how he feels at the moment. To him she was everything. But with time and with you by his side it'll help him in more ways than you think."

Saphira nods and says, "I see. Thank you for the advice. I'll try my best." She thinks to herself, "He's grown on me a lot. I just hope I can give him what he needs."

Meanwhile Inuyasha is lost in his thoughts about Kagome. After defeating Naraku and the Shikon jewel destroyed he and Kagome were separated for three years only to be reunited again. They had married and were to have their first child together. Yet fate had other plans it seems. Without the jewel and with the whereabouts of Sesshoumaru unknown for him to use the tensaiga nothing could be done to revive them from death at the time. Inuyasha then shakes his head to clear it as he thinks to himself, "Damnit stop it, Kagome wouldn't want you to be suffering like this. Not only that but ya making everyone worry." He looks over at the horizon to see that the sun was setting. He then jumps down from his tree and goes inside the hut.

Saphira was speaking to Kaede about different herbs when Inuyasha comes in and says to her, "It's getting late. We should get moving."

Saphira looks up at him, knowing full well the cause of him wanting to leave and says, "Ah..alright." She turns to Kaede and says, "I will put this knowledge to good use, thank you."

Kaede smiles as she says, "Ye are welcome dear."

Saphira then gets up and bows to Sango and Miroku as she says, "Thank you for the meal. It was a pleasure spending time with you."

Miroku smiles and Sango replies, "The pleasure was ours." She turns to Inuyasha and says, "You. Don't be a stranger. Come back and visit us again, alright?"

Inuyasha gives a small gruff reply of "Sure." and Sango turns back to Saphira and asks, "Will you and Inuyasha be joining us for our Obon Festival tomorrow night? We'd be happy to have you."

Confused, Saphira asks, "Obon festival?" She had never heard of such a thing. She looks to Inuyasha for an explanation.

Inuyasha replies, "It's a human festival where they honor the dead."

Saphira says, "I see. It sounds nice." She then asks, "Would you go with me to see it, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha hesitates for a moment then replies, "Well..if it's what ya wanna do, I suppose I could keep you company."

Saphira smiles then turns to Sango and says, "Looks like we're going."

Sango smiles as she says, "Great. We look forward to seeing you."

Tired of waiting, Inuyasha leaves the hut. Seeing him leave Saphira says to the others, "Gotta go. See ya." She then leaves the hut to follow after Inuyasha.

Shippo hops onto Miroku shoulder and says, "I like her. She's really nice."

The others nod in agreement and Miroku says, "Yes maybe she's the one who can bring our half-demon friend out of his misery."