A1969: I have said a nearly a hundred times, so I don't think it's prudent to say it again, but I'll say it again, just once more...I. Am. Sorry. For. Updating. Late! Ha! I hope that's the last time I have to say it.

Inuyasha: knowing you, it won't be the last time.

A1969: shut up. Don't force me to make Kagome say 'it'!

Inuyasha: too bad—she's not here. She had to go to school again.

A1969: what?! No! Who's gonna stop you from being annoying now?!

Inuyasha: too bad for you!

A1969: excuse me while I go find some way outta this mess. Oh, wait! Thanks to those who read and reviewed! –leaves-

Inuyasha: get back here! It's payback time!

//-Chapter Four-\\

R u n a w a y

\\//\\//

-Naraku-

What could be more enjoyable than this?

I stared at the forms of the two denizens who knelt in front of me, their foreheads touching the wooden floor. A small smile curved my lips.

"You both know what to do," I said, turning my back on them both.

"Yes, Master Naraku." There was a rustling of cloth...

I turned around. They were both gone.

I smiled to myself as I ran a finger over the Sacred Jewel in my palm.

Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru...

After all these years, you will both pay most dearly.

\\//\\//

-Kagome-

"WHAT?!"

Both of our voices echoed throughout the entire palace as Lady Takara smiled pleasantly at us. She was joking right? She was known to have a sick sense of humor, exactly what to be expected of the woman who had aptly named her son 'Killing Perfection'.

"What the hell?" Inuyasha snapped, standing up, and glaring at her. "That's not even a funny joke!"

"Who said I was joking?" Lady Takara asked, raising an eyebrow.

Inuyasha and I both stared at her, speechlessly confounded. A minute later, I spoke up. "Lady Takara, now isn't the actually the best time to joke..." I let my voice trail off as she once again raised an imperious eyebrow at me.

"As I've once said, I was not joking." She crossed her arms and appraised us both.

Not...joking? I could feel the blush slowly creeping across my cheeks. "You can't be serious," I finally said.

"Oh, I am most serious," she said, still smiling. There was something evil about that smile, I swear there was!

Inuyasha and I continued staring daggers at her. "Do you not see the brilliance of it, both of you?" she asked, her tone somewhat annoyed now.

"No," we said flatly. Brilliance? More like darkness! Not that...I minded...being married to...Inuyasha, it's just that Inuyasha...had issues with...commitment.

"Then let me enlighten you," Lady Takara said. Her smile widened even further. "If Inuyasha were to marry, my elder son would feel compelled to...rise up to the challenge, to surpass Inuyasha, if you will."

"I don't think he'd do that," I said. "He won't do it, because he'll feel as though he were following an example set by Inuyasha. And Sesshoumaru would never, in his life, follow whatever Inuyasha does."

Inuyasha's eyebrow twitched. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, his eyes narrowed comically.

"I mean what I mean," I said, pouting.

"You make it sound as though Sesshoumaru's too good to follow whatever I do!" Inuyasha snapped.

"That's not what I meant!" I snapped. From the corner of my eye, I saw Lady Takara throw us a look that clearly said, "Not again."

"Well, it sounded like it!" he snapped back.

My temper was getting the better of me. "But it's true, isn't it?!" I half-shouted. "He'll never follow anything you do, so there's no point in marrying you!"

"Like I'd wanna marry someone like you!" he snarled.

His harsh words completely caught me off guard. I could feel my eyes widening in shock and hurt. Of all the things to say...

Inuyasha's eyes, too, widened as though he realized what he just said. "Kagome, I didn't mean," he began.

I looked down at my hands. "Of course you meant it," I whispered, forgetting that Sesshoumaru's mother was staring at us. "I mean...why would you marry someone like me, right? You can't marry me. I'm not Kikyou." I didn't let him say anything else as I stood up, went out to the veranda, and out to the lake.

"More drama?" Lady Takara asked.


Stupid, stupid, jerk!

I made my way towards the lake, hoping that the tranquillity of the water would be enough to calm my turmoil. Of all the things to say! It wasn't as if he wasn't aware of my feelings for him—he knew perfectly well how I felt! Urgh!

I stomped towards the lake, my temper still bubbling. Darn it, I forgot to say 'it'. I sighed. It can't be helped, I guess...

"Aunt Kagomeeeee!!!"

Being a half-demon priestess did not prevent me from falling face first into the ground as Tsumiko's tiny iron arms clamped tight around my waist, her weight pushing me to the ground.

"Tsumi-chan!" I gasped, lifting my face off the earth. Pieces of grass fell from my nose and eyebrows. Oh, ick. "Must you be so ebullient all the time?" I asked, giggling as I sat up.

She released her arms and sat back on her haunches, pouting at me. "Are you mad, Aunt Kagome?" she asked, her eyes wide with innocence.

It was so hard to stay annoyed when she pulled out her secret weapon—that puppy dog look of hers. I giggled. "No, I'm not mad." Just a little sad, actually.

She grinned. "Whew! For a minute, I thought you were—!" Before she could finish her sentence, Shigeru suddenly appeared behind her. In the blink of an eye, he placed a hand on her head and rammed her face first into the soft grass.

"That's how it felt when Aunt Kagome hit the ground," Shigeru said smugly, removing his hand from his sister's head. He stood back and folded his arms across his chest, looking smug.

"Shigeru!" Tsumiko growled as she sat back on her haunches. There was grass on her eyebrows, and grass sticking out of her nose. "I'm going to kill you!"

I couldn't help but laugh. Tsumiko turned to me, her face in full pout mode. "Sorry, Tsumi-chan," I said, trying to staunch the flow of my giggles. "It's...just...that...hahahahahah!"

Enraged, Tsumiko turned to Shigeru, who was smirking at her. "Nice look, little idiot!" The three of us turned out attention to Hakudoshi and Rin, who were making their way towards us. Hakudoshi looked smug, while Rin had a hand over mouth to hide the giggles.

"Shigeru! That's it!" Hm...it seemed as though Tsumi-chan couldn't take being taunted. A second later, she leapt to her feet, but Shigeru was quicker—he was already running towards the lake.

"Shigeru! Get back here!" Tsumiko screeched as she darted after him.

I giggled, but then I remembered what Inuyasha had said, and I quickly fell silent. Did he really mean that? That he didn't want to...marry me? It's not like I expected it, but...

Of course he couldn't marry me. Kikyou was still here, right? And with Kikyou around, Inuyasha will never choose between us. That's the way it has to be...But then...didn't I give up my mortality just to be with Inuyasha? What if he chose Kikyou in the end? Sure, he might not choose her now, but what about ten more years from now? A hundred...?

I didn't want to think about it, because I knew, deep down, that Inuyasha would choose Kikyou in the end...

"Aunt Kagome, is everything all right?" Hm? I looked up to see Rin sitting next to me, her head tilted slightly as she considered me. Hakudoshi had already run off after Tsumiko and Shigeru.

"Oh, nothing, everything's fine!" I said. I smiled and waved a hand at her.

Rin sighed. "You know, seventy years ago, when I was still a little girl, I would have believed you..." her voice trailed off.

Yes, seventy years ago, Rin was still somewhat young and naive, completely oblivious to the covert feelings of those around her. But she wasn't young and naive anymore, no. She was more mature now, and she carried herself well. Her eyes, so filled with childish innocence seventy years ago, now held that first look of wisdom women are born with, but aren't aware of as children—intuition.

I sighed. Lying would be pointless. "No, Rin-chan, I'm not fine," I said, sighing. "I just have a problem, that's all."

"What kind of problem?" she asked, blinking.

"I don't want to bother you with my problems, Rin-chan," I said, smiling. "Besides, I don't think it's a problem someone as young as you should know."

Rin blinked again. "It's about uncle Inuyasha, isn't it?"

I sweat-dropped. Bull's eye. "Um..."

"I won't say anything," she promised, raising her right hand, a mock solemn look on her face. "Why are you two fighting?"

I smiled at her. "It's complicated, that's all, actually," I reassured.

She looked uncertain.

"Take this!" Rin and I jumped at the unexpected shriek that pierced the still air. We glanced towards Tsumiko, Shigeru and Hakudoshi. The three of them were running around the lake's edge, but that wasn't what surprised me.

Tsumiko was standing at the edge of the lake, her arms raised sideways. There was a look of pure concentration on her face as she glared comically at her brother. I gaped. Behind her, the water from the lake rose so it towered above her. I'd never seen her use her powers before.

"Ooh, I'm scared," Shigeru said, pretending to cower in fear.

Tsumiko glared, pouting. Without hesitation, she pointed both her arms towards her brother. The wall of water behind her curved over her head, heading towards her brother. Shigeru only smirked, and then he leapt gracefully into the air, slashing at the water with his claws. Tsumiko's concentration broke, and her hold on the water wavered. The amorphous water fell with a loud splash on Tsumiko, her eyes wide and round through the curtain of water.

Sibling rivalry really did run in the family.

"Ha!" Shigeru taunted, landing back gracefully on his feet. "Beat you again!"

Tsumiko glared, her face reddening. I could've sworn the water evaporated into steam over her head.

Rin sighed. "Despite the fact that he acts like father most of the time, Shigeru really is immature underneath," she said.

I nodded. My gaze trailed to Hakudoshi, who was busy jeering jokingly at Tsumiko. "Did you wet yourself, little idiot?" he asked, laughing. I blinked. I'd never seen him laugh like this before—laughing out loud. Boy, he's really changed...

"Shut up Doshi!" Tsumiko snapped, crossing her arms. She tried to look imperious, but this look was spoiled when she let out a loud sneeze.

Rin sighed. "I've never heard a demon sneeze before," she said, sighing. She stood up. "I guess Tsumiko has to get dry. Oh, and...I think someone wants to talk to you." She smiled and pointed behind me.

Eh?

I glanced behind me, and felt my eyes widen. Inuyasha was standing not far from me, his eyes fixed intently at me. I blushed and looked away from him. Great—what did he want now?

"Hey, Uncle Inuyasha! Did you see Tsumiko take on Shigeru?" Rin asked.

"Hell, yeah!" Inuyasha said. "Kinda reminds me of me and Sesshoumaru fighting—with Tsumiko representing her old man." I heard him snigger, but then he fell silent. I didn't dare look at him.

Rin suddenly blinked. "Of course!" she said. Obviously Inuyasha was making a signal of some sort. "Besides, I think I have to get Tsumiko changed!" With that she rushed off to where the others were, laughing at poor Tsumiko.

It was just me and him now...

I wouldn't look at him. His words still echoed in my head. Sure, I guess I was making a big deal about it, but...

I heard a rustling behind me and, before I knew it, Inuyasha was sitting beside me. I felt myself blushing. I pretended to watch Rin as she chased Tsumiko around the lake, trying to coax her back into the palace. Hakudoshi and Shigeru were both watching Rin's efforts, Hakudoshi occasionally cheering Tsumiko on.

"Don't let her get you, little idiot!" Hakudoshi called out. "Kami, you're so slow!"

"Shut up, Hakudoshi!" Tsumiko screamed as she narrowly avoided Rin's fingers.

"If you don't change, even though you're a demon, you'll catch a cold!" Rin warned.

"Quite the lively bunch, aren't they?" Inuyasha suddenly asked.

Startled, I looked at him, my eyes wide. "Eh..?" Was he going to make small talk?

"Kinda reminds me of us...before," he said, his hand on his knee, his eyes fixed on the grass. "How we used to be before...You...me...Miroku...Sango...Shippou and Kirara...We were kinda like that before, right?"

I looked at them again. Rin successfully caught Tsumiko while Hakudoshi booed at this. "Hakudoshi's sort of...like you now..." I replied, somewhat hesitantly.

"No, he isn't," Inuyasha said. He was suddenly quiet...Oh no...It was that kind of quiet. "Listen, Kagome...about what I said earlier..."

I looked away. I didn't want to hear it. He sighed. "Will you please look at me?"

"It's alright," I said. I looked at him and flashed a smile. "Forget it! I mean...Lady Takara and her crazy ideas, huh?"

He was silent, his eyes fixed on me. "Crazy ideas..." his voice trailed off. How strange. He sighed. "Listen, Kagome..." He paused, staring up at the sky. "About Lady Takara's 'crazy idea'..." He suddenly looked down, and a shadow fell across his eyes. "About my remark earlier..."

"Forget it, Inuyasha," I said, as I stood up. I looked down at him. "You've said what you've said, but it's alright—I won't begrudge you." I smiled at him. "Besides, I understand how you feel...after all...Lady Takara's suggestion must...cause you discomfort, mustn't it? After all...There's still Kikyou to consider..." I turned my back on him. I wanted to go find the kids and maybe they might make me smile...

Before I could walk, I suddenly felt his clawed hands on my wrist. "Dammit, Kagome, how the hell am I supposed to say whatever I want to say if you turn your back on me like that?" he demanded. 'Bout time his rough demeanour returned.

I glanced at him. "I said forget it, okay? I should be sorry for overreacting, so...let's just forget Lady Takara's stupid suggestion." I tugged my wrist from him. He looked at me. What was that funny look in his eyes...?

"Heh, you're right," Inuyasha said, looking down. "Besides...how the hell am I supposed to say whatever it is I wanna say if you two brats eavesdrop?!" Huh?

Before I could blink, Inuyasha spun around, and slashed at the nearest bush with his claws. Two blurs burst from behind the bush and landed neatly in front of Inuyasha.

"Watch where you point those claws of yours!" Hakudoshi snapped.

Eh...?

"And we weren't eavesdropping—it is beneath me," Shigeru added.

"Whatever, kid," Inuyasha said. And before I could stop him, his fist rammed down on Hakudoshi's head.

"Ow, what the hell?!" Hakudoshi snapped. "And what about Shigeru?"

"Scamper, you two!" Inuyasha ordered.

"Were you two arguing?" Hakudoshi asked, grinning. "And were you going to apologize, Inuyasha?"

"None of your business—now go!"

Hakudoshi only smirked, not making any move to run. "Were you going to kiss and make up?" he taunted. Okay, he could be annoying when he wanted to be.

"You little punk," Inuyasha threatened.

"I'm scared now."

"Aunt Kagome, Uncle Inuyasha, were you two fighting?" An innocent voice asked. We all glanced behind us. Tsumiko was running towards us, Rin following behind her. It seemed that Rin had successfully changed her into a blue yukata.

"Of course not!" I said, smiling.

"Of course they were!" Shigeru and Hakudoshi said at the same time.

"Why you little brats!" Inuyasha snapped as he raced after Shigeru and Hakudoshi, both of whom continued to taunt him. I sighed as a small smile curved my lips.

I felt a small tug on my arm. I looked down and saw Tsumiko looking up at me with those wide innocent eyes of hers. "Aunt Kagome?" she said. "Were you and uncle Inuyasha really fighting?" There was such a tragic look on her face that it seemed almost comical.

"Of course not," I said as I knelt down to her level. "It's nothing to worry about, Tsumi-chan."

She beamed at me. "Good!" she declared. "I don't like seeing the two of you fight, you know!"

"And why not?" I asked, still smiling.

"'Cause it's like a mommy and daddy arguing—and I don't like it!" she proclaimed. She suddenly looked sombre. "All mommies and daddies should get along, don't you think so?"

I could feel my smile faltering as I regarded her. Tsumi-chan...she must really need a mother. Lady Takara was right—the role of a mother was something neither she nor I could ever fill. Oh, Mizuki...Why were you stupid enough to die without even seeing your daughter grow?

"Aunt Kagome, won't you tell me about my mother?" Tsumiko suddenly asked.

"Tsumiko!" Rin admonished.

Tsumiko ignored her older sister, her eyes still on me. "Before, I used to hear the servants talk about how gentle Mother was...was she really gentle, Aunt Kagome? And was she beautiful?"

Not quite sure why, I drew the little girl into my arms. "Oh, Tsumi-chan," I murmured. "She was, and so much more! She could be stubborn, too! But she was always good."

"Tell me more," Tsumiko pleaded, pulling away from me.

"Tsumiko," Rin said, sighing. She, too, knelt in front of Tsumiko and smiled sadly at her. "Between you and me, Mama was very much what Aunt Kagome said she was—did you know it's because of her that we've got Hakudoshi?"

Tsumiko's eyes widened. "Really?" she asked, intrigued. "Tell me, tell me! How did Mama give us Doshi?!"

"Don't call me that!" Hakudoshi called as he darted past us, Inuyasha in hot pursuit.

"Get back here, you numbskull!" Inuyasha roared. "And take back what you said about me and Kagome!"

Huh? What about us? But before I could ponder, Tsumiko asked another question. "Aunt Kagome...how did...Mama die?"

I stared at her, shocked speechless. I'd always thought that all children viewed their parents as strong, indestructible, a pillar of perpetual support. Most children shied away from even thinking about their parents being gravely ill, let alone dead. Even Rin's eyes were as wide was saucers as she looked at Tsumiko.

"Tsumi-chan, I don't think you should ask that question," I said.

"But I want to know!" she said. "Aunt Takara always said that Mama 'went down fighting'...but how?"

I shook my head apologetically at her. "I'm so sorry Tsumi-chan...that's one question I wouldn't dare answer."

//\\//\\//

-Tsumiko-

There were many things I didn't like.

I didn't like it when summer came—it was too hot, and the sunlight was too glaring. I didn't like it when no one believed me when I said that I saw the most beautiful butterfly yet. I didn't like it when Shigeru and Hakudoshi scared all the fireflies away from the garden. I didn't like it when I saw a hairy caterpillar—I was afraid of them! I also didn't like it when Uncle Inuyasha and Aunt Kagome had to leave.

They'd left already, just before the sunset, which was too bad, because I wanted them to see all the pretty colors! But Aunt Kagome had said that she was worried about Kiyoshige, so there was nothing I could about it.

It was dark now (there were no fireflies, drat Shigeru!), and Rin-neechan and I were sitting in our room, the one that opened out to the garden. This room was my favorite because it always smelled of flowers, but not just any flowers, mind you...they smelled of the flowers that Mother had loved.

Mother...

I knew I wasn't supposed to ask, because Father would be very angry, but I wanted to know how Mama died. I know it seemed strange (Doshi said so himself), but I just wanted to know what she died for. How on earth could she die for anything and leave us behind? I wanted to know, but Rin-neechan wouldn't tell me! Not even Doshi would give me a hint, saying that I should just 'drop it'.

"Tsumiko, it's your turn." I looked across the board at Rin-neechan, who raised an eyebrow at me. "You're always inattentive when it comes to Go, aren't you?"

I pouted. Go was useless because I always lost! "It's boring!"

"Because you always lose?" Rin-neechan smiled at me.

"I'd rather do something else," I said. I perked up. "Nee-chan! Let's go out and count the stars!"

Rin-neechan held up a hand, a sign that I should be quiet. "Sh, I think I hear Father coming..."

Oops. We were supposed to be asleep by now. Rin-neechan quickly stood up and blew out the candle, but I was sure that Father knew we were still awake—he just ignored it, though. Despite that, Rin-neechan quickly lied on her futon, drawing the covers to her chin. I quickly followed her just as I heard Father's footsteps outside on the veranda.

I could make out Father's silhouette through the closed shutters. He stopped just outside our room, and no wonder—I could hear another set of footsteps coming down the veranda, towards Father.

"I hoped I'd find you here, Sesshoumaru." Huh? It was grandmamma. Although, she didn't like it when we called her 'grandmamma', 'cause she said it made her feel old. But how she could feel old when she looked so young—

"You did now, didn't you?" I heard Father say. His voice was so cold! It was probably colder than 'dried ice', which, according to Aunt Kagome, was very, very cold.

"I want an answer from you," Grandmamma said. "Well, Sesshoumaru? Will you, or will you not marry Lady Yuhiko?"

WHAT?!

Father, marry that snob Lady? Why???

In the darkness, I could see Rin-neechan's eyes were as wide as mine as we listened. Surely, Father wouldn't marry her? He loved Mama, right?!

It seemed like an eternity before Father answered, his tone colder than normal. "Yes."

I couldn't stop myself. Maybe I was possessed, but I couldn't stop myself. "NO!" I shouted. I threw off the covers, and got out of bed, and wrenched the shutters open. Father and Grandmamma were both looking at me, surprise hidden beneath their cold facade. "Father, no!"

"Tsumiko," Grandmamma began.

I ignored her. "No, Father, no!" I cried out. "Don't marry that snobbish lady!"

He was silent, his cold eyes fixed on me. It was always like that—he regarded me coldly, all the time. But I was used to it, even learned to ignore it. But not now, not now, because those cold eyes seemed to say that he didn't care about marrying anyone else. But he had to care! He had to! Didn't he love my Mother???

"Don't marry Lady Yuhiko, Father!" I pleaded.

"I will not be dictated to." Father didn't spare me another glance as he turned on his heel. No! Usually, when he turned away from me, I didn't mind. But now, I minded—I minded very much.

"Don't you love Mother?" I called after his retreating back. He suddenly stopped in his tracks.

I heard a sharp intake of breath from Grandmamma. "Father, please, listen!" I went on. "If you love Mother, you won't marry Lady Yuhiko!"

"Tsumiko, you've said enough," Grandmamma said, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off.

"No!" I said. "Father, you can't marry her, you can't! You won't!"

Father glanced...no...he glared at me from over his shoulder. When he spoke, his voice was cold...too cold. "Your mother is dead."

"Don't you care about her?!" I shouted after him as he began walking away.

"No."

I'd always heard the servants—and Uncle Inuyasha and Aunt Kagome—say how much my Father loved my Mother. I'd always heard them say that she was everything to him, that he had even sacrificed his own life just to save her. This kind of love was what sustained me when my Father was so cold. Even though he didn't seem to care about me, I ignored it, knowing that he had loved my Mother...

But now...

His simple answer destroyed my beliefs, my world.

"You're lying!" I shouted at his back. "You're lying, Father!"

"Tsumiko, enough!" Grandmamma said, gently holding me back.

"No!" I shouted. I broke free from her, facing her. "Don't you understand, Grandmamma? If Father marries that woman, he's throwing Mother away! He said he didn't care about her! Why?! Why, Grandmamma?!"

I didn't wait for her answer as I jumped from the veranda and ran to the garden, the cold wind whipping past me as I darted past the bushes. I had had enough! Father didn't care about me, he didn't care about me at all! I'd ignored it for the past seventy years, but I couldn't anymore! He didn't care about me! All he cared about was Shigeru, Shigeru and that mean Lady Yuhiko!

I couldn't take it anymore, I just couldn't!


I flew.

I didn't care that I was cold and sleepy, I just wanted to get away from father...so I flew. High. I glanced down me as the wind whipped past me. Cold. The wind was cold...and I was so far up. I could feel my hair fanning out behind me. I might have looked like a ghost!

I still didn't care. All I cared about was flying far away.

It was miraculous how I'd managed to sneak out of the vast palace grounds. I'd ignored Grandmamma as she called out to me. I didn't care anymore. All I cared about was that Father didn't love mother...

Gradually, I could feel my strength ebbing. I sighed as I slowly descended into the seemingly safe forest beneath me.

I sighed as I wrapped my light sleeping robe tightly around me. It was cold in this forest. Hm...was I far from the palace? Most likely, since I'd been flying for quite a while...

I stifled a yawn and looked about me. The moon's pale light filtered through the leafy canopy high above, casting an eerie glow all around.

I shivered.

Somewhere from above, I heard the haunting trill of an owl...

No need to panic. I was a demon after all. I could easily take down anything in this forest...

Right?

I wasn't so sure. The wind rustled eerily in the tree tops, and a shiver ran through me. Shadows leered at me, like demons in the night...

It would be stupid to be afraid...that was what father would say. Urgh!!! I didn't care about what father said anymore! I didn't care about him at all!

Angrily, I stomped through the forest, parting bushes roughly with my hand, ignoring the sting of the wood and leaves and a few occasional thorns. Father could be dead for all I cared!

I suddenly stopped, my eyes widening.

What was I thinking?

I didn't want that. He may have cared less about me, but father kept me safe, always protected me. I didn't want him to...die.

I suddenly felt a pair of eyes on me.

My blood froze.

A growl came softly from the bushes in front of me...

The bushes rustled, and I took an automatic step back. I felt a rise in demonic aura from the bushes, demonic aura that made the hairs on the back of my head stand.

Run.

The moment this thought occurred to me, something burst from the bushes.

I screamed.

The thing that growled at me was far too hideous to be a demon! It looked like an ogre, but...it's face was rotting, as though it had been dead. No, not rotting, more like melting. Its mouth hung at an odd angle, as though its jaw had been broken. Noxious green ooze dripped from its mouth, filling the entire glen with a pungent odor that made want to throw up.

It roared at me.

I shrieked and without further ado, I turned on my heel and ran off. I could hear it following after me, its heavy steps thudding behind me...

Getting closer.

I darted past trees and bushes. From behind me, I could hear the ogre crashing into trees, apparently knocking them aside! Faster, faster, faster! I gathered the wind around me and quickened my pace. The forest sped past me, appearing as nothing more than a green blur. But using my powers was tiring...

I could feel myself wheezing as I struggled to maintain control of the wind. I glanced behind me. The demon was probably fifty yards behind me, but it hadn't given up! It was still running...

And it didn't appear tired.

What would Doshi do?

He'd fight and kill it, duh!

I stopped in my tracks, and whipped around, the wind whipping my hair past my face, temporarily obscuring my vision of the demon. I held my hands together and flames burst in front of me. I opened my arms wide and a jet of flame shot towards the demon.

What?!

The demon jumped into the air, avoiding my blaze. It somersaulted in mid-air, over the flame and landed, with a loud thud, a few feet away from me!

I was too petrified to scream, too weakened to fight it off, too terrified to run!

The demon snarled at me.

I wished father was here!

It suddenly lunged towards me.

I closed my eyes. The one thing that I regretted the most was that I hadn't been able to apologize to father...

BOOM!

Eh?!

I opened my eyes. The demon in front of me was frozen in place, its eyes wide with shock.

An arrow stuck out from between its eyes.

It suddenly staggered away from me, shrieking, clawing blindly at the arrow. The arrow suddenly glowed pure white, and its light spread throughout the demon. There was a loud roar of agony as the demon flayed around, light wrapping slowly around it, consuming it.

A holy arrow...?

As I watched on, the demon gave one last final scream and disintegrated, its ashes falling to the forest floor.

"They seem to be getting worse and worse," a quiet voice behind me commented.

I spun around, my eyes widening in shock.

A girl was standing behind me. She looked seventeen summers. She was garbed in the traditional clothing of a miko, but her hakama was dark blue instead of red, and a black obi was tied tightly around her waist. Her skin appeared pale, but her cheeks were subtly roseate. Her eyes..they were unfathomably black, almost like cold, dark tunnels, and her long brown hair fell right down to her waist, silken and straight.

I gulped. "Who...who are you?"

Her cold eyes narrowed at me. "I was about to ask you that," she said.

//\\//\\//

-Kagome-

"I hope Kiyoshige's recovered by now," I muttered as Inuyasha and I walked side by side. The sky was filled with the moon and a million stars, their light guiding our way as we walked. Usually, we ran back South, but not tonight. Tonight, we walked...in hopes that we could fully settle our little argument earlier.

"He's recovered, I'll bet," Inuyasha muttered. "He's as strong as Miroku, that Kiyoshige..."

An awkward silence suddenly fell around us.

"Kagome," he began.

"I don't want to hear it, Inuyasha," I said, sighing. "I told you before, right? Just drop it."

He suddenly yanked me by the shoulder so I faced him. "Ow!" I snapped. "What gives?!"

"Listen, Kagome, I only wanted to tell you that I—" He suddenly broke off, his head tilted slightly. Listening, I realized. The moment this occurred to me, my ears picked up what he must have heard—a subtle whooshing sound of a large object heading right for us...

"Shoot!" Quick as a flash, Inuyasha scooped me into his arms and jumped back just as something large shot into the ground with a loud crash, sending chunks of earth and dust in front of us.

"What was that?!" I gasped as Inuyasha landed a few yards away. He set me down on my feet. "Inuyasha, what was...?"

But he didn't seem to hear me. His eyes were wide with shock as he stared at the dust that slowly started to subside, revealing what had rammed into the ground. I followed his gaze.

And my own blood ran cold.

No...

"Impossible," Inuyasha breathed. We watched as the massive weapon twitched on the ground, and then it shot into the air, towards the trees, vanishing into the darkness. Inuyasha was far too stunned to say and do anything, even pull out his Tessaiga...but how could he think of pulling out his Tessaiga?

"That's not...possible," Inuyasha said, when the whooshing sound vanished into the trees.

Even I could not believe my eyes...

And then I felt it.

Something I had not felt in a long time. A subtle, yet pronounced and familiar pull, sharp and demanding...

"Inuyasha!" I gasped, my eyes widening with shock. "I...I...I sense a Sacred Jewel shard!"

Speechless, Inuyasha looked at me, his eyes wide with shock.

"Looks like your skills are as sharp as ever, Kagome," a familiar voice said.

Inuyasha and I stared at the trees, where an all too familiar figure emerged, her brown eyes narrowed menacingly at us, her weapon slung across her back...

"Sango?!"


A1969: yes!!! I can finally update!

Inuyasha: took you ages!

A1969: sorry about that, but I was just drowning in school work...literally!

Kagome: it's okay...just don't mind Inuyasha.

Inuyasha: when did you get back?!

Kagome: just this evening...why?

Inuyasha: never mind.

A1969: thanks! Anyway, thanks to those who read the last chapter and those who reviewed! Review this one please!