A/N: Hey guys! This chapter is dedicated to Lady Rini who was the first and only reviewer! You rock my socks Lady Rini! Sorry the first two chapters have been so short. Hopefully this next chapter makes up for it. Please review when you're done reading! Remember, flames are welcome!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Dammit.

talking

"speaking"

'thinking'

Emphasized text

Flashback

Chapter 3: Mischief Mine

KAGOME'S P.O.V.



I wrapped a bandage around Kyo's bicep. "I can't remember the last time I was this embarrassed. What were you thinking? Any of you? Do you realize you could have gotten yourselves killed?"

Simultaneously all my boys (with the exception of Kyo who remained silent) started speaking, pleading their innocence. I knew of course that there was only one to blame. But as it was, Inuyasha was out looking for her at the moment, so I was left tending to my sons. I sighed and picked up my pile of supplies, kneeling before Notsu and dabbing at his bloody split lip with a wet cloth. Sango was over in the corner preparing a numbing herb paste and Miroku was by the fire sipping tea. Kaede was watching Nikomi, Ani, Sai, and Mioma, their children, in her hut, leaving the couple free to roam around and see the festival with us. Unfortunately our evening had been cut short.

I felt terrible. Here it was, Miroku and Sango's day off without children and they were forced to leave the village and help me tend to my walking wounded boys. They said they didn't mind, but I knew better.

I felt a firm hand clap my shoulder gently. "We tried, Mama. We really tried to be gentlemen...it wasn't our fault—or hers. Those bastards had it coming. Please understand." I looked back at my second born, Setako. He was the largest of my children, being a full four inches taller than Inuyasha and having bulging muscles over every inch of his body. He had large, chocolate eyes, no claws and my nose, but otherwise looked like his father—fangs, ears and all. He, however, cut his silver hair around his cheekbones (though tonight it was ebony black), his bangs swooping to one side. Despite his rather intimidating appearance, Setako was actually the gentlest of the pack. He was really more of a big teddy bear—especially where Katana was involved. But none of this made him any less dangerous to perturb. Pinning me with a hard look he released my shoulder. "We are not sorry."

'I know you're not, Setako. It's who you are—all of you.' I inspected a rather nasty looking bruise on Notsu's leg, then moved my first aid kit over to the twins. "Ok, you two. Where are your boo boos?" Raidon and Ronin smiled, letting down their outer garments and exposing their backs. What looked like thousands of paper cuts covered their spines, shallow, but obviously painful. I winced. "Sango are you finished with that?"

"Yes. Kagome I can finish the twins. Why don't you get some sleep?" Sango dipped her fingers into the green pasty goo she had been concocting and started to spread it over Raidon's back, causing him to hiss in displeasure.

"I can't, Sango. Not until Inuyasha gets back with Pup."

"Then you can stop waiting. We're here." A frustrated Inuyasha said, entering the house. His brow was etched in anger and his shoulders sagged, tense and stubborn. "Pup! Get inside. Now."

I watched as she entered, back straight and fists clenched at her sides. Her kimono was ripped and muddy, but there didn't seem to be much blood. The scowl on her face marred her pretty features and delicately applied make-up. Her hair, which had been beautifully braided and pinned with combs and chopsticks into a perfect bun, was once again wild, tangled, and completely disheveled. She looked a wreck.

The response to her homecoming was immediate. As soon as she stepped into the room, Setako, Notsu, Raidon, Ronin, and Kyo jumped up and applauded, wooping and whistling her praises. She laughed and performed a couple of sloppy bows, her bangs hiding the sadness in her eyes. Her brothers didn't seem to notice. They fell to their knees, touching their foreheads to the floor and raising their hands, shouting "Hail! Hail! Hail to the Queen of Brawl! All fall before the Empress of the Fight! Mistress of Mayhem! Hail Hail!"

Sango glared at her husband. "Miroku get up! Don't encourage them!"

"Dearest Sango I was only trying to remain in character."

"Move your hand one inch closer to my ass and you'll have to find a new way of producing children."

"No one understands me!"

In spite of myself, I started to laugh. Inuyasha looked at me, asking if I broke my brain, Katana continued to relish her praise, knowing it was the last glowing moment before a long emotional fight, my sons continued to joke, putting aside their pain for a moment to make their sister happy. And of course, Miroku retreated back to his place by the fire, a large red handprint evident on his face. I laughed again, rubbing my temples and recollecting the events of the past few hours.

*FLASHBACK (SETAKO'S P.O.V.)*

I leaned against the doorway to Katana's room, hard pressed not to laugh as she threw kimono after kimono across the floor. Her usual fire-rat haori discarded, she had carelessly thrown on a white tank top and sweat pants (compliments of our grandmother from the other side of the well) so she could change for the festival. Her frustrated grumbles were turning into whines and growls, and she seemed to have forgotten my presence.

"That's it! I'm not going! I have nothing to wear! So sad. I guess you'll all have to have a marvelous time without me. Toodles!"

I surveyed the room. There were at least 30 or 40 different kimonos littering the ground, all in assorted colors, fabrics, and designs. I picked one off the floor, holding it up to her. Midnight blue in color, with a white crane on the back, a bright orange obi, and a soft yellow undershirt, I failed to see how she could resist it. "What's wrong with this?"

She turned to me, faced flushed, brow furrowed with complete irritation, she clenched her teeth and stared at me. "Wore it last week. Reeks of spider youki. And besides that, I just don't want to wear it."

I chuckled. Katana always got more girly around our human nights. It was also no secret that she didn't want to attend the festival. "Give it up, Pup. You're going. Choose something and get ready."

"Why did I have to be a girl?"

"Could be worse. You could be one of the twins."

She shuddered. "Tell me when Papa gets home. It's too near sunset, I can't smell him."

"Fair enough, Pup."

She shut the door in my face and from what I could hear, proceeded to throw garment after garment against the wall, swearing like our father's favorite child. I walked over to where Mama was reading in the corner and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Pup can't find anything to wear."

"Then she can wear something from the future. I don't care, but she's going."

"Where are the rest of the pack?"

"At Kaede's. Sango and Miroku are dropping off their kids for the night, so the twins, Notsu, and Kyo will meet them there, then we'll all congregate here and walk over to the next village together."

"Father's not gonna be happy…it's the new moon."

"He'll live."

Cursing could be heard from the front doorway. I smirked, "Bout time you got here, Old Man. The sun's nearly down. Katana! Father's back!" I called.

Father stomped into the house, scowling at me, threatening bodily harm if I said another word. He was carrying a large, wrapped package in one hand. As his hair and my own started to darken, our ears rearranging themselves on our heads, we heard Katana's door open.

"Papa!" she cried. Launching herself at his back she latched her arms around his neck from behind and allowed him to bend over, swinging her in a circle around the room, legs flying.

"Oof! Pup! How many times I gotta tell ya not to jump on me?"

She slid off his back and smirked, passing a now-human hand through her thick mane of ebony hair. Clearing her throat she batted her eyes in her best daddy's-little-girl pout. "Papa I don't wanna go to the festival."

"Too damn bad."

Her pout faded, replaced with an angry grimace. Fire appeared behind her violet eyes (A/N: BOTH of her eyes are violet during the new moon.) and her shoulders tensed. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning. The good Katana was gone and the gruff, fiery, beautiful one we all knew and loved had returned. Our father usually had a hard time resisting her pleas, but apparently he had promised Mama that we would go as a family. I just hoped he was ready for her fit.

"I'm not going!" she growled.

"You don't have a choice, Pup!"

"I'm not a pup! And you don't want to go either!"

"You're going, Pup, end of discussion!

"I have nothing to wear!"

Father threw down the package he had been holding at her feet. "Feh. You do now. Change, Pup. We'll drag you there pale-ass naked if we have to, but you're not getting out of this."

Katana picked up the bundle. She sighed through her nose, knowing that it was a losing battle. Usually we knew, she wouldn't give in so easily. Perhaps it was the new moon's influence and the fact that Father had brought her a gift, but whatever the reason, Pup kept her mouth closed. Storming into her room, package in hand, she slammed her door and proceeded to curse the walls around her.

I couldn't hold back my smirk any longer. "That went well."

Father turned to me, looking up into my eyes. He hated the fact that I had surpassed him in height and growled when I bent my head to acknowledge him. "When we get to the next village she's your responsibility. I already have one wench to watch after." He yanked his chin in Mama's direction, and I rolled my eyes. He clenched his jaw for a minute, the picture of perfect seriousness. "I mean it, Tak. If anything happens to her…"

I blew my bangs out of my eyes. The only people whoever called me by my real name were Mama, Kaede and my eldest brother, Tamahome. Everyone else simply called me Tak. I had endured my father's death threats before—they came often enough when Katana was involved. "Stop worrying, Old Man. She's one girl. There are five of us, six if you include Shippo. She'll be fine. Shippo's meeting us there, right Mama?"

She shrugged. "Probably. You know him, he'll pop up when he likes. He did promise to be there though--"

Mama was cut short by Katana's frustrated scream, followed by a round of colorful curses. She made a move towards the door, but I intercepted her hand as she touched the handle.

"I got it."

Mama gave me a curt nod and stalked over to the fire to boil water for some Ramen.

Taking a deep breath, I grasped the door handle and knocked gently. "Pup, it's me. Let me in would ya?"

Behind the wood I heard a muffled "keh." Taking that as permission to enter, I opened the door a crack and squeezed inside. The floor was still littered with perfectly good clothes but a clear trail had been blazed from her wardrobe to the table and chair by her window. There she sat, yanking a brush through her dark hair, refusing to look at me.

Looking around at the dumped kimonos I sighed. All gifts from Father. He had always spoiled her the most. My brothers and I had given up being jealous of her ability to steal his attention. After all, we knew she didn't mean to get any of it. She was simply too headstrong, too stupid, too loving, too everything. Besides, the kind of attention our father gave her wasn't the kind she wanted.

I followed the trail to her side and snatched the brush out of her hands. "Stand up. Let me see."

She looked about ready to maim me, but did as I asked. The kimono fit her perfectly, as they all did. Mint green silk, it was adorned with pink sakura blossoms and a pink obi. Her undershirt was light blue, accenting the tiny blue birds that adorned the sakura tree on the back. It was times like these I actually remembered I had a sister. Who was a girl. Usually dressed in fire-rat firs, Katana almost never showed her curves or wore make-up. It was only when forced to that she agreed to present herself like the lady she truly had grown to be.

A wave of pride and protective instinct flowed through me. From the moment she was born I knew I would be forever playing the part of the proud older brother. My sister was a perfect paradox and everything I could never be. But she was still a Pup. She still had a lot to learn. And she was still my little sister.

"You don't look half bad, Pup." I said as I stepped behind her and carefully started gliding the brush through her thick tresses.

She relaxed and sighed. "I still think I make a better hanyou than a girl. I'll need to do something with my hair. And make-up is going to be a problem."

I nodded, handing the brush back to her after all the tangles had been released. "Why don't you wanna come with us, Pup? Would it really be so terrible—to spend a few hours with all the rest of us?"

She sank to her knees and glared at me from beneath her dark lashes, rubbing her temples as the stress finally made its way to her brain. "It's not that. It just feels so…fake…"

I forced an encouraging half smile for her benefit. I knew exactly what she meant. Hiding behind our human blood, dressing in finer clothes, constantly smiling. It was hard enough for my brothers or me…but Katana always had the brunt of the bulk. Getting all fancy, having everyone baby her, watching her mouth, being under constant supervision and all on her human night, where our senses were dulled and nerves were always on edge. If the festival were held in Kaede's village it would be a different story. She would be able to speak and act as she liked without worrying about the other villagers—they knew her well enough. But the next town over was expecting complete cooperation from the festival's participants. Katana wasn't simply dressing up and going to a celebration. She was bridling her very spirit; her impulsiveness, her aggression, her passion, her courage, her unparalleled joy and fire…the very things she loved about herself she could not show.

I dropped to one knee and lifted her chin with a finger. "Hey. It will be ok," I said slowly "You may even have some fun. Leave it to Big Brother Tak. You'll see." Tweaking her nose with a finger I stood up. Even with pathetic human hearing I could sense my brothers approach. "I'll send the twins in. They may be worthless, but they can do something with that monstrosity." I waved to her hair and left the room.

Everyone had arrived. I clasped Miroku's hand and kissed Sango on the cheek in greeting as I passed by. "She's almost ready Mama. Just needed some calming down. And her hair is a mess—"

Before I had even finished the sentence I saw Raidon and Ronin bounding towards her room. Reliable and dishonest as ever they scampered inside, raving to our sister about her gorgeous new outlook on life—oh wait no, they hadn't meant that.

I chuckled. The twins were Mama and Papa's only full-blooded human children. How this happened I'd rather not imagine, but I've always had the sneaking suspicion that Mama found a way to make Father's new moon nights more enjoyable.

Brown eyes, black hair, no claws, fangs, or inu ears, they were the spitting image of our mother…with our father's sharp face angles. But what they lacked in demon abilities and assets they made up for in wit, intelligence, arrogance, and speed. Possibly the smartest of us all, the twins had the greatest criminal minds of any human, youkai, or hanyou that ever lived. And they weren't to be toyed with either. Human, perhaps, but they were no less deadly than the rest of us when pissed off. Those damn numchucks could be downright painful when angled the right way at one's head.

From the very beginning of their existence they had practiced perfecting the art of riddles and loopholes in conversations, twisting a single ordinary phrase into something completely absurd and irrational. They had become experts at appearing and disappearing on a whim, sneaking out of a room or relationship faster than once could blink. They could talk their way out of nearly anything, and their charm always won over girl after unsuspecting girl. And the best part—they did it all together. They are twins after all.

All these qualities would not have been nearly as annoying, however, had they not decided long ago to acquire an apprentice, someone to whom they could pass on their knowledge and humor. And of course there was only one person they trusted with their secrets—hence their joy at gaining a little sister.

Though she was not nearly as skilled as the twins, lacking the slick tongued talent that they were obviously born with, Katana was a fast learner and a willing pupil to Raidon and Ronin's trouble. It is by their tutoring that she survived to be as wild as she is. If anything could help enhance our sister's beauty it was the quick slight-of-hand of the dreaded twins.

Kyo, my only slightly younger brother, was leaning against the back wall. When I entered he lifted his chin in my direction, a silent salute. I did the same to him. Kyo had always been a quiet boy. Those who did not know him believed him to be apathetic and numb, without any true emotion. However, this could not be farther from the truth. Kyo hardly ever spoke, and when he did, he said little—which made what he did say all the more precious to those he was addressing. Not only did he have emotions, he felt them all the more deeply. He was not apathetic, he just preferred not to jump straight to conflict or aggression. In truth, Kyo's silence was a form of upmost respect for those around him.

Appearance wise, he looked like our father, plain and simple. He had golden eyes and silver hair, though his was cut even with his shoulders, and his right fang always protruded from his smile. He wasn't Father's spitting image like Katana, but he was pretty close. The only major differences were his human ears, lack of bangs, and his height—barely five feet tall, he was the shortest and lightest of all our siblings. This always made his enemies wince—short meant small, but small could be deadly. Kyo's stealth was unmatched, silent as the grave. His opponents usually died with a quiet scream on their lips. Still, to those he loved, Kyo was well near harmless.

Just as Father was about to storm over to Katana's room, bang on the door, and demand we get moving, the door opened. The twins somersaulted out, grinning proudly as they reassured Katana that she looked perfectly presentable.

With a final word of encouragement, Katana stepped out. Her hair looked radiant, the make-up she adorned, courtesy of our grandmother in the future I was sure, was utterly perfect. She looked like an enchanted lady. We knew better.

Clearing her throat she looked at everyone gathered in the room. "Are you bakas gonna get going or am I gonna have to change again?" With that she stomped out into the cool night air, leaving all of us in her wake to follow.

The village looked amazing. Color everywhere, laughter floating through the air, lanterns and candles lit all around, kites and costumes and flowers blanketed the entire picture. Father, Mama, Sango and Miroku had gone off on their own, leaving the rest of us free to wander. I looked over my shoulder at Katana. Her head was turning from side to side, observing everything and anything that could distract her attention from having to converse with her overprotective brothers. I smiled.

Falling behind I poked her in the ribs gently. "What do you think? Is this so terrible?"

She glanced at me and sighed, shaking her head. "It's beautiful, Tak," she said reluctantly "…He would have loved this."

I frowned. I didn't need to ask who she was talking about. "Is that what this is about? You don't want to enjoy yourself…because Tamahome would have had fun?"

"No! Yes! I don't know!" She threw her arms up in irritation. "He was always trying to change me, Tak! I feel like…I feel like the very person he was always trying to make me be!"

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. So the reason she wasn't happy, the reason she didn't want to enjoy the festival was not because of an empty wardrobe, or because she was hiding her identity—not really at least. It was a simple, petty, sibling rivalry. Her own stubbornness against our eldest brother's opinion on how a lady should act and dress. The clash of what he thought was best for her, and what she knew she deserved. It was a fight that had been raging from the moment she was born.

I gritted my teeth to keep from grabbing Katana by the shoulders and shaking her senseless. Of all the stupid, irrational reasons to get upset, she hid behind her anger at our brother. "Katana, Tamahome is not here. He can't hurt you. He wouldn't even if he was. Why do you insist on fighting him?"

She shrugged. "It's an impulse."

"More like a bad habit."

"That too."

"Let it go."

"But I could, but I should, but I won't."

"Pup!"

"Jerk!"

"Bitch!"

"Bout time you noticed."

For the first time since we arrived, I saw it. That flash behind her eyes, the sparkle that ignited her flame. A simple game of name-calling and she was back to her normal, gruff self. This was the Katana we all knew, someone playful and free. I smirked and nudged her forward.

"Move, Pup. We're falling behind. And please…try to enjoy yourself." She spared me a small half smile.

Hours passed and we finally stopped to eat at one of kiosks set up around the center of the village. Katana ate hungrily, rolling up the long sleeves of her kimono and ripping at pieces of meat with her teeth. Kyo and I bought a bottle of sake and poured a cup for each of our brothers, but didn't dare offer any to Katana. Even if it was his human night, Father was sure to sneak a whif of her breath, and if there was any liquor on it, we would all be skinned alive.

Licking her fingers, Katana stopped and looked over Kyo's head. "Look who showed up."

We turned our heads just as a carrot topped head of hair disappeared behind the crowd. "Shippo!" the twins called "Shippo we're over here!"

Being the tallest, I stood on my toes and searched, finding Shippo pushing through the river of villagers to get to us. "Damn kitsune never did have a great sense of direction."

"I heard that, Tak!" Shippo stepped forward, finally appearing beyond the mass. Bopping the twins on the head, he grinned. "Katana you look like a girl!"

"I'll pretend that's a compliment."

"It was!"

"Sure. Where have you been?"

"Watching the fi—"

I sent him a death glare and he quieted. "You've been searching for Mama, haven't you, Shippo?" I filled in. Unfortunately, our sister was not as dimwitted as she often pretended to be.

"…You were watching a fight?" she asked quietly.

Shippo's shoulders sagged, a sure sign he was ready to spill the truth. I shot him another glare, but he relented. The coward never did like lying to Katana or Mama. "There's a wrestling match going on in the village square. Winner gets a custom blade made by the local swordsmith." Shippo honestly appeared to have a weight lifted from his shoulders. My brothers all looked at one another. I rubbed the bridge of my nose, knowing fully well what was coming.

Katana's eyes lit up. The scowl that had been plastered to her beautiful face finally seemed to crack, replaced by our father's signature smirk. "Keh. Why are we sitting around here then? C'mon let's go—"

Ronin, Raidon, Shippo and Notsu all reached over, grabbing the sleeves of her kimono to restrain her arms as she started toward the center of the village. Kyo and I stood in her path. Silent as ever, Kyo looked up at our sister, lifting his chin. Though he said nothing, the expression in his eyes was clear—'Don't even try it, Pup.'

Katana straitened her shoulders. With a deep, patient breath she said "Get your FILTHY, SNOT-SWELLED PAWS OFF MY KIMONO!" Had we been hanyous and not humans for the night, her outburst would have hurt our ears, sending our hands flying to cover the fuzzy digits and letting her free. As it was, she was kept in a firm grip.

"Pup, be reasonable. We can't go to the fight." Notsu replied. He always had had an influence on our sister—we assumed it was because they were rather close in age. Katana had a tendency to push through whatever boundaries lied in her way, but Notsu always provided a different train of thought for her to follow. But when Katana's patience ran thin, even our youngest brother could not find a way into her brain…

"You think I care about reason? I wanna see some action!" Shaking off our brothers and Shippo, Katana took another step forward, stopping suddenly when Kyo's arm shot out to block her way.

Their eyes met, and automatically we could feel the angry fire rising in both gazes. Their auras clashed. Kyo and Katana had never truly understood one another, which had always worked out fine. They respected one another's opinions and standings, they just didn't agree. However, for some reason, out of all her older brothers Pup seemed to respect Kyo's authority the most… probably because she knew that he was the only one who actually carried out his threats against her.

Kyo and Katana almost never spoke, and spent little time together. However, I had yet to know Kyo to make a promise he did not keep—from the miniscule to the extremely serious. When he promised our father he would watch over Pup he meant it, and while he didn't get in her way often, knowing she would get what was coming to her sooner or later, when he did step in and look her in the eyes he meant life or death. His involvement meant he had run out of patience. If Katana pushed him any farther, Kyo would discipline her by taking her strait home and locking her in her room, waiting outside the door for our parents to get back…and she knew it.

None of our other siblings, including myself had that type of line drawn in the sand for her antics. And yes, Kyo knew that if he took her home, she would just sneak out. But the point was…he would bring her home. If Father arrived back at the house and saw Kyo outside Katana's doorway, he would know something had gone wrong. Not that Kyo would say anything. He would simply nod at Father and walk off, leaving Katana to do the explaining. Hence why the Pup would escape ahead of time.

Shippo looked uncomfortable, shifting from one foot to another. I blamed him. He wasn't supposed to let on there was a fighting ring at the Festival.

My gaze returned to Katana and Kyo, still staring at one another angrily. I could see the wheels in her head turning, trying to think of some way around her brother's steel set mark. Finally she blinked and turned to me. It was a defense tactic and I knew it—weaken the oldest around you and the rest may soon fall. But I had always loved seeing her squirm for an agreement. So I listened. "What if we just watched the fight? I promise, I won't get involved, and I'll stay a couple rows back so I'm nowhere near the ring. You can all come with me. I won't even speak! Notsu can even keep a grip on my shoulder in case I get out of line. C'mon, it's got to be more fun than just strolling around at night. Aren't you the least bit curious?" She flashed me one of her light-up-the-world smiles.

I sighed. Damn her. Damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn. She knew we all wanted to go and were holding back because she was with us. My brothers eyed me. I saw them shrug their alliance to our sister. Apparently they saw no flaws in her plan.

"You will stay four rows back?"

"Yes."

"Notsu will keep a grip on you at all times?"

"Sure."

"And you will stay silent as the grave?

"Yes."

"And if Father is angry you're near the fight at all?"

"He won't be as long as I act like a lady and do not get involved. Besides it's a learning experience. Maybe I'll see some new moves I want to try back home on you bakas. Besides, it's not like I could put up a good show anyway in this dress."

I bit the inside of my cheek and looked into her eyes. Innocence stared back at me—innocence I had long since learned not to trust. But one thing about Katana…she didn't lie. Not to her brothers. Not to me. If she agreed to my terms…

I looked over at Kyo. He pierced me with a glare, understanding. Retracting his arm, he reached up a finger and tweaked Pup's nose, an affectionate gesture that spoke volumes—'don't make me regret this…or you will.'

"Alright, alright. Fine. Let's go. Notsu, keep tabs on your sister." I said. Katana , and batted her eyes.

"Thank you, Big Brother—oof!" Kyo had launched himself up in the air with a jump and landed on her back, crawling up so he was sitting around her neck, knees falling over her shoulders, he pointed forward. Pup chuckled. "You heard the little man, boys! Tally-ho!"

And with that, we started toward the village square, knowing deep down in our guts that this night was a disaster waiting to happen.



KATANA'S P.O.V (still in flashback)

The fight, though between human males, was actually decent. Though Notsu's hand on my arm kept me from being swallowed in the crowd, I was grateful for the chance to have some real entertainment. Kyo sat still on my shoulders, raising a fist in approval for one of the fighters. Had I not promised to stay silent, I would have been whooping and hollering my criticisms by now. But if that was the price to pay for some actual fun, then I was willing to bite my tongue.

I shifted uncomfortably for a moment. Damn these robes, the layers and layers…Notsu eyed my movements, tightening his grip slightly. I rolled my eyes.

Reaching up to place Kyo on the ground, I turned to Notsu, swatting at his hand lightly. "Let go. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"You're joking right?"

"I'm not even going towards the fight! I promised I wouldn't cause trouble, and I won't! Lay off!"

"No!"

"Damn you, Notsu if I was at my full strength I would hit you so hard right now…"

He had the nerve to scoff at me. Raising my chin with a finger, he said "Well you're not, Pup."

"Let. Go. Now."

"Do you honestly expect me to—Holy shit! You wench!"

I cranked my teeth further down on his finger (the one once holding my chin), though I did not draw blood, and released. I smirked when he relinquished his grip on my arm to massage his abused finger.

"Where do you think you're going?!?"

I felt the vein beside my right eye twitch. Why didn't anyone trust me? "I. Am. Going. To. The little. Girl's. Tree. Nosy." I ground out through clenched teeth. "Unless you want to escort me while I piss!"

Notsu winced. Easily embarrassed, he turned back the fight. "Be quick. If the others notice you're gone, my head is on the block!"

"Fine."

Since we were in the middle of the village, I had to walk to the edges of the crowds to find a place to relieve myself, and since my stupid kimono had so many layers it took longer than normal. Stupid fancy clothes…

As I was walking back to my brothers, the hairs on the back of my neck started to stand on end. I walked faster. It may have been my human night, but even weakened I could tell when I was being followed. Best to enter the crowd again and lose the stalkers.

Right as I was about to enter the crowd at the edges of the fight ring (several rows behind my brothers—I couldn't even see the tops of their heads) I gasped as a tight, sweaty hand seized my wrist from behind. My arm was bent backwards and pinned against my spine. Another hand, just as gross as the first snaked around my head and covered my mouth, silencing my scream. I tried to spin and kick outward, hoping to dislodge the creeper. But again, those damn DAMN layers of my kimono kept me from excessive movement. And my brothers wonder why I hate dressing like a lady!

"Where do you think you're going, koishii?" A rough male voice slithered in my ear. "We haven't had our fun with you yet…"

Stupid human night! If I had had my inu nose, I would have been able to smell the bastard. Better still, if I had my inu nose I would have been able to smell them.

Out of the darkness behind the trees and from the weave of the crowd came several more men, each one greasier and smellier than the last. All looking at me…well, actually at my chest. I forced my breathing to be slow and even, refusing to let them know how nervous I was. Then I made eye contact with every single disgusting one of them, promising a world of pain once I got free. I just had to wait for the right moment…

"Why don't you tell us your name, pretty lady?" the one confining me slipped his hand away from my mouth.

'NOW!' My mind screamed. As soon as my mouth was free I let out a blood-curtling scream, driving my knee up to my chest and slamming my foot down on my confiner's toes. He yelped, a pathetic sound really, and released my wrist. Lifting my skirts I lifted my leg again and drove my heel into his balls. He cried out in pain, hands flying down to cover himself, but before he could collapse onto the ground, I bashed my fist downward to his kneecap, forcing it to bend backwards with a crack. Stupid baka fell like a rock. He didn't get back up.

I spun around. By then of course, the remaining bastards had circled around me, but appeared too stunned to come forward. Now that their comrade was beaten however, their shocked expressions twisted into hideous faces, threats practically dripping from their tongues. I held my ground. I had to.

I pounded my chest with a fist. "You want this?" I pounded again. "Come and take it, you sons of bitches."

NOTSU'S P.O.V

I paced back and forth at the edge of the crowd. Where was that stupid wench!?! I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. And I had a pretty good guess as to who was involved…

My blood froze over as a scream sounded from the forest around the village edge. 'DAMMIT PUP!'

Before I was able to spring forward and race toward the source of the call, my brothers and Shippo appeared out of the fray. I swallowed as Tak's concerned eyes hardened on me. He was angry…and since Pup wasn't here to take it out on…

"Where is she?" Said in a whisper, it wasn't a question. It was a command. Tak almost never spoke in that tone unless he was beyond pissed. He wasn't asking me where our sister went—he was demanding my life for hers.

"She said she was going to use the tree! She said she'd only be a few minutes—"

Before I had finished my sentence, they had already started sprinting towards her voice. I swallowed my excuses and ran after them.

Ahead, we could see a line of men, circling around something…or someone. It was then that we heard Katana's voice. "You want this? Come and take it, you sons of bitches."

One of the men cried out as he launched himself at her, arms outstretched and ready to grab her throat. He never got the chance.

One by one we pummeled them, charging at their backs and forcing their faces into the mud. I kept asking myself why. Why had I allowed her to go off on her own?! Trouble always followed Katana. Always. She was like a damn danger magnet. And the worst part? She ENJOYED being that way! Why? Why did I think that for a few measly moments, she would be alright? I collided with one of the men, ramming my elbow into his shoulder blades. I would punish myself later. Right now I needed to protect my sister.

Breaking through the chain of bodies, we circled around Katana, facing the remaining men. There had to be at least 30 of them, and more appearing out from behind the trees every moment. I looked at my brothers. "We're screwed…"

SETAKO'S P.O.V.

"We're screwed…"

"Shut up, Notsu. I'll deal with you later. Pup?"

"Thanks for finally showing up, ya assholes."

I resisted the urge to sigh with relief. She was still insulting us. Good sign. "You really messed up this time, Pup."

Katana was silent for a few moments as the bastards around us started closing in. "Tak, I…it wasn't me…I really tried…" I didn't have to turn around to know she was struggling not to get angry, to understand our frustration.

"I know Pup." I looked around us, trying to analyze how many men there were. 'SHIT. Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit SHIT!!!' There were too many to handle, especially in our human forms. And Shippo's fox fire only went so far…

I bit down on my tongue hard enough to draw blood. Father was going to kill me for this… "Pup?"

"What?"

"You wanted action, right?"

I could feel it on my back. The radiation from her hot head transcended down to her smirking lips and out into the circle surrounding her. Her fire had been lit. 'Good luck smoldering that' my mind sneered.

"Move over, boys. I got some asses to burn!"

INUYASHA'S P.O.V.

I felt it.

Sango, Miroku, Kagome and I had been wandering the streets of the village. For once, I was actually enjoying the business of the crowds. I was in the middle of filing through some kimonos for Katana. I had made a promise to myself long ago that I would spoil her just as I spoiled Kagome. My daughter would want for nothing. Ever.

It was then that I felt it. A pricking along my spine. My stomach dropped. Had I had inu ears I was sure they would have sprung up and swivled around. Only one thought resonated in my head: 'Pup…'

I grabbed Kagome and started running, screaming at Miroku and Sango to move and keep up. I followed my instincts to the edge of the crowds to find my pack, my boys in the thick of battle, a brawl of humans fighting humans. In the middle of this chaos was none other than my Pup. My daughter. Dropping Kagome from my back I charged. No one tries to hurt my Pup and lives. NO ONE…

Time seemed to stop passing. One by one the reeking men fell to our feet. The last of them my sons left for me. I grasped the bastard by the throat, raising him off the ground and tightening my grip. "Die…live…no one cares," I whispered so only he would hear "but know that if you ever, EVER threaten my family again, I will rip you apart limb by limb." Dropping him to the ground as he gagged for air I turned and started walking back to Kagome (who was restraining a pregnant Sango), Miroku at my side. I motioned for the rest of my pack to follow.

Glancing at my boys I couldn't help but notice that Pup was not among them. She had disappeared into the forest. "Kagome."

She looked at me and I could sense her frustration. I felt the same. All my boys had torn clothes, bleeding parts, and dirty wounds. I could already smell the early stages of infection setting into their open injuries. "Miroku, take them home. Kagome, clean them up. I'm going to look for Pup."

Kagome bit her lip. "Do you think she's ok, Inuyasha?"

I scowled. "Stupid girl'll be heading back home. She'll probably be by Goshinboku. Get home, Kagome. We'll meet you there. And you," I turned to my sons. "I will deal with all of you later." I was beyond pissed. Beyond thinking they were worth my anger. Right now I had to find Pup and get home. Without looking back I bounded into the trees. With or without youkai senses, I would find my daughter.

*END FLASHBACK*

KAGOME'S P.O.V.

Katana stood alone before us. Her brothers had left, returning to the forest for a few hours while we debated on a good punishment for our daughter. Sango and Miroku remained at our home, ignoring the death glares Inuyasha sent Pup as he paced back and forth along the floor. Every once in a while he would open his mouth to speak, but seeing her face, would snap it shut with a growl and pace again.

Sunrise was just settling in. We were all tired. Katana said nothing, refusing to defend herself unless probable cause. She had had her moment of glory tonight. Now it was time to accept her fate. Finally I stood up.

"Katana get your things."

She blinked at me. "What?"

"Get. Your. Things. You will be going down the well for…for…for however long it takes to come up with your punishment! One of us will come and get you when you are to come back, but until then you stay with your Grandma, do you understand me?!?"

She swallowed. "I didn't do anything." Her voice dripped with resentment. "They attacked me. What? Did you think I was going to just stand around and get raped?!"

"Get your things!" I yelled.

Her messy hair flinging behind her, I watched as my daughter slammed the door to her room. I heard her gather her belongings she would need for the future. She came out of her room carrying my old yellow bag. With a final look, she sped off out the door, towards the well. Neither Inuyasha nor I followed to make sure she went. We knew she would.

I collapsed into a chair at the table. Sango handed me a cup of tea. I looked at Inuyasha who had finally stopped pacing. "So," I said. "She's your daughter more than mine. Got any ideas?"

A/N: WHEW! That chapter took me a couple weeks to write! But in my opinion at least it was worth it. I know it wasn't the funniest chapter, and it was a bit confusing switching between characters, but I needed a way to introduce everybody! So…for next time…what will Katana's punishment be? R&R please, flames welcome!

P.S. Also, "Pup" if you hadn't noticed is a nickname only used for Katana. It represents her stature in the family, how she's the last born and the most precious, as well as the most troublesome.