Keiko sat on a grassy hill, dew dripped off the grass as the sun slowly rose over the horizon. The reds and oranges mixed together into a wonderful painting. She watched it lovingly, the colors reminding her of Ka Riu's flames. She looked down at him, he was curled up on her lap, his eyes closed, blissfully asleep. Training had been intense the last two days, Ka Riu was pushing both of them harder and harder, she hadn't even had time to go on her date yet. She would see him glancing at her during training, it would make her cheeks flare red and she would have to turn her head away so Inuyasha wouldn't see.

He was starting to become suspicious. Thankfully, most of his attention was diverted onto keeping a close eye on Ka Riu, but yesterday at practice she had turned to glance at Katsuro and his eyes met her's, she couldn't help but blush. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Inuyasha's ears twitch towards Katsuro, saw his nose sniff the air, before his gaze turned sharply and near menacingly toward him. Katsuro stiffened like a board and quickly turned back to his training partner and she turned back to face Ka Riu. She didn't think it would be a good idea for her Dad to know just yet, he had always been a little touchy about boys around her, especially the last few years as she matured.

"AHHHHH!" A voice shrieked. Ka Riu awoke in an instant jumping from her lap and running towards the outskirts of the village. She wasn't far behind him. She gripped her staff and sprinted towards the screams. As she ran closer she could see two enormous demons. One roughly resembled a bull while the other resembled a cow. She could see the humans running from them, screaming, powerless.

"Wind Scar!" Inuyasha's voice demanded attention, and she saw him dive into battle. She finally reached the scene and it was already over, the demon's carcasses laying still on the ground as Kagome walked over and purified them, the bodies instantly turning to dust. Keiko steadied her breathing and Ka Riu jumped up onto her shoulder as she walked towards Kagome and the terrified humans.

"Keiko, are you safe?" Kagome's soft, worried, voice questioned her and Keiko skilled up at her.

"I only just got her Mom, relax. I even missed all the fun!" Keiko giggled slightly as she heard Inuyasha mutter a 'keh' and sheath his sword.

"Why are all you villagers running here screaming your heads off anyways?" Inuyasha's voice was gruff, but kind regardless of his words.

A small girl holding her Mother's hand looked up at them, eyes wet with tears. The girl's mother cleared her voice and timidly spoke. "We were chased from our village by the demons."

Keiko's eyebrow quirked. Usually the demon's didn't attack these parts, they knew of Inuyasha, they knew of the strength of his group, so why were they attacking so close?

"The demons haven't attacked in this region for years, why now?" Kagome had a look of determination and curiosity on her face as she looked questingly at the girl's Mother, but this time it was a nearby older gentleman who answered.

"The Demon Wars of course!" His old face was animated in anger and passion as he announced his answer.

"Huh?" Kagome quirked her head to the side and the old man's face dropped in astonishment.

"You mean you haven't heard, how could you not have?" His eyes flicked between each of them as they were joined by Sango, Miroku, Katsuro, Amarante, and Chiho. He coughed and took on an air of importance before he continued. "All the rulers have joined together to defeat the demons! To annihilate them from all of the mainland!" He manically laughed before his eyes really looked at the people in front of him. "Wait a minute…" He froze and his eyes trailed up to Inuyasha's ears and Ka Riu. "You're, you're demons!" He screamed and fell backwards, landing hard on his butt.

The girl and her Mother looked on him with disdain as the Mother spoke. "Ignore my Father. We are eternally grateful to you for saving us. We have heard of Inuyasha before, we hold nothing against you. Isn't that right, Father?" The woman turned to look at him with her eye brow sharply raised. The old man jumped when he saw her look and quickly stood up beside her, head slightly bowed.

"Yes, that's right."

"Keh, whatever." Inuyasha turned his body slightly away from them and his eyes landed on Ka Riu, searching for answers before looking back towards the woman. Keiko looked on in shock. Was this her destiny?

"All the humans are joining together, each village, each kingdom, together to fight and destroy all demons." She paused and looked shyly up at Inuyasha. "And half-demons, or any other kind of demonic mix."

Keiko felt her back stiffen, and Ka Riu nuzzled his head against her face. "Do not worry Keiko, but be prepared. Our time has arrived." Keiko took a deep breath, trying not to show her worry as she continued to listen.

"I'm sure the Ambassadors that have been going around recruiting will be here soon. I fear that it will not matter whether you are a good or evil demon. They see what they want to see. They will kill, everything." The woman stopped speaking and a few villagers that had gathered ran up to her and ushered her, the child, and the old man towards the huts to care for their wounds.

Inuyasha stood there frozen. His eyes were locked on Ka Riu. "You knew this was coming."

Ka Riu looked up at him and slowly nodded, not breaking Inuyasha's gaze.

"You're going to take her now." It wasn't a question, and Ka Riu nodded again, still not breaking Inuyasha's gaze.

Keiko felt her stomach tighten and she jumped a little when Kagome gripped onto her arm, breaking the staring contest.

"No, it can't be time…" Kagome's voice was sad, but her hands loosened and let go as Inuyasha walked towards her. He wrapped his arms around her in a comforting hug and whispered something in her ear before she looked up to meet Keiko's nervous gaze.

"I knew it was coming, I could sense it. Especially with Ka Riu showing up. I just hoped it wouldn't happen…"

Keiko could feel the stares of the others on her back as she turned to face her Mom. "Mom…" Her voice was nervous, but she steeled herself and made it strong. "What do I do now?"

Kagome and Inuyasha looked at her and both slightly shook their heads. "I don't know, I think you need to ask Ka Riu that."

Keiko nodded and glanced at everyone, but the only face that truly caught her attention was Katsuro's. He looked so confused and worried. His eyes flashed questioningly towards her's and she couldn't help but look away.

"I need to be alone with Ka Riu." She muttered out and then bounded away, everyone watching as she went. She ran until she was back on the same grassy hill she had been on as the sun rose, that felt so long ago now.

She sat down on the ground and Ka Riu jumped down into her lap before looking up at her.

"It is time for us to begin our destiny Keiko." His voice was steady and firm.

"I know, but what are we supposed to do? How can we help at all in this situation?"

"I don't know, we just will."

"The demons hate me, I'm not full demon, I'm not even half-demon! The humans don't like me because I have demon in me! This village is a haven, it is safe. I want to help, but how can we? How can we help two sides who hate us?"

Ka Riu looked up at her before rubbing his head against her outstretched hand. "I know it will be hard, and I don't know how we will do it, but we will." Keiko nodded at him and continued to pet him, leaning back slightly and relaxing in the heat of the day.

"Who can come with us?"

Ka Riu looked up at her and took a moment before answering. "It will be dangerous, it is our destiny, no one else's." Her face fell but she nodded in understanding. This was their mission, and theirs alone.

"I don't know how I will stop my Dad and Mom from following me."

"They know it is time, they must let you free."

"I don't know about that…" She laid all the way down on the grass, eyes closed, as Ka Riu cuddled up against her. What would she tell everyone? How could she convince them all to let her go?

"Keiko?" Katsuro's voice called out softly to her. She opened her eyes and he sat down beside her. She sat up and Ka Riu looked at her before nodding and walking into the woods. Katsuro's eyes followed him before turning towards her. "I see we get some time alone."

She looked at him and nodded, averting her eyes from his gaze. He was sitting so close, his leg was brushing against hers. Her heart sped up and her cheeks were flushed.

"Yea…" She muttered out.

"Does this mean that you will be leaving?" His voice was unsteady, and her heart lurched at the sound of it.

"Yes, it does." She took in a deep breath and then turned and looked at him. He wasn't looking at her, but off to the side. She tried to memorize everything about him. She took in a deep breath and let his scent invade her. Just like trees and fresh spring dew. It reminded her of the dew that dripped off the grass earlier that morning.

He turned to face her and his hand reached out and grabbed hers, holding it lightly. "Can I come?"

Her face flushed and she cherished the feeling of her hands in his. "No, you can't. It has to be just Ka Riu and me, at least, for now." Her eyes watered up as she slowly pulled her hands out of his and placed them on her lap.

"I understand." His voice shook slightly and he scooted over a bit closer to her and grabbed her hands again. "When will you leave?"

Her hands shook slightly. "In the morning."

His breathing became heavy and they sat there in silence for a few moments. Both unsure of what to say or do. He liked his lips and slowly leaned in…

A bush behind them rustled and her head shot to look at who entered as soon as she recognized his scent. Inuyasha stood behind them, hands folded across his chest, with "I will kill you eyes" staring daggers at Katsuro.

Katsuro jumped to attention, his nervous hands wiping their sweaty palms against his haori. "Um… I should go." He looked longingly at Keiko before he let his hair fall over his eyes and he bounded off into the woods.

She looked up at her dad, frustration etched in her face. But, he wasn't looking at her. He was staring off into the distance, his face soft. She relaxed and stared up at him. What was he thinking?

Inuyasha sat down next to her and did not look at her. He just continued to look out at the sky.

"I can't protect you." His nails dug into the ground. "I know you are not going to let me follow you."

She gasped slightly. He knew he couldn't follow?

"I couldn't always protect your mother either." He paused, as if to prepare himself for what he was about to say. "She died. I couldn't stop it. I did everything I could… We were just lucky that Rin convinced Seshomaru…" He coughed and turned to face her. "I couldn't stand it if I lost you. Your mother and I… Well…" He coughed again and turned his head slightly away. Keiko's eyes widened as she swore she saw a tear fall down his cheek. "Just be careful!" He stood up abruptly and began to walk back towards home.

She watched until she could no longer see the red of the fire rat. "Dad…"