A/N Next Chapter! Thanks for all the reviews guys!
Breeluv: Don't beat yourself up and you'll have to keep reading chapters to find out. Thanks for the review.
Anya Primrose: *Slaps forehead* Anya…
Madskill101: Thanks, and thanks for the review!
EgyptianAssassin: *Sweat drops* I'm just going to say to read and find out. Thanks for the review!
Okay, well, on with the chapter! I don't own Inuyasha!
"Lightning return!" Soten yelled.
A ball of lightning appeared in Soten's hands, but didn't go far, "Dang it!" she yelled, "See what I mean, Shippo?"
Shippo walked over, "You're scared to," he stated.
"What?" Soten asked.
"You're scared to use your powers," Shippo clarified, "My guess is you're afraid you'll end up like your brothers."
Soten looked down, "Well, maybe a little," she said softly.
Shippo smiled at her, "You aren't like your brothers, Soten," he said, "You have people who care about you and will teach you right from wrong. You don't have to fear your powers."
Soten smiled and nodded. Shippo then stood beside her as she moved to try the move again, "Lightning return!" this time the ball of lightning burned a hole in a tree.
Soten smiled and Shippo laughed, "You did it!" he said.
Soten hugged Shippo, "Thanks, Shippo," she said.
Shippo blushed, "Uh, yeah…" he said this is not like when my sisters hug me.
Soten released Shippo and blushed lightly. Suddenly, the warning bell began to ring. Soten and Shippo turned in panic, "Hurry," Shippo said grabbing Soten's hand and running towards the castle.
Inutaisho and Sesshomaru came out, "Get inside you two," Inutaisho said quickly.
Kohaku came out with Byakuya and Kirara, "Stay inside," Kirara said.
Shippo and Soten ran to Inuyasha's room, where everyone was, "There you two are!" Izayoi said relieved.
Suddenly, bird squawks were heard, "Demon Phoenix Birds," Miroku said shocked.
Shiori whimpered with Saki and Sakura, "It's a whole army," Sango said shocked.
"Can they defeat them all?" Rin asked.
"That's hard to tell," Sango said, "Even with everyone helping…that's a lot of demons."
"Princess Abi!" Inutaisho yelled, "What is the meaning of this?"
"I have a job to do," a female voice came, "Apparently, Magatsuhi thought too highly of the spider demons."
The five kids that knew what she was talking about, gulped, "You aren't touching the kids," Kirara yelled.
"Aw, how cute," the female voice, who everyone assumed to be Abi, said, "You think you can stop me and my birds…ATTACK!"
The house shook, "Ah!" everyone yelled.
"The arrows!" Shippo yelled panicked.
Sango and Miroku turned in panic, "They're fine-whoa-the arrows aren't-gah-moving," Miroku said as the castle shook.
Suddenly, the castle was surrounded with fire, "Ah!" the seven kids yelled.
"What the! When did you get control of fire?" Inutaisho yelled.
Abi chuckled, "A new little trick of mine…" she said evilly, "Now, I'm going to need those four kids now…"
Kanna gasped, "Kanna?" Shippo asked, "Kanna what's wrong?"
"Shiori in danger," Kanna said quietly.
Shiori whimpered. Suddenly, a bird crashed through the roof. Everyone screamed. The bird grabbed Shiori, "Ah!" she screamed.
"Shiori!" everyone yelled.
"One down…three to go," Abi said, "Take the brat to the Eastern Mountains to freeze to death."
The bird flew off with Shiori screaming her lungs out, "Shiori!" Shippo, Rin, and Kanna yelled tears falling.
***
Suikotsu and Kikyo were walking through a forest, "We should reach the Eastern Lands within the next day; two at the max," the doctor said.
Kikyo nodded, "I hardly believe that Magatsuhi will just give up," she said quietly, "He may have me destroyed now that he can't use me."
"You are a powerful priestess, Kikyo," Suikotsu said, "And I'm guessing your sister is too, since you're twins. Together, you may be able to defeat this demon once and for all."
"I don't think she'd trust me anymore," Kikyo said, "She probably didn't know I was being controlled."
"It doesn't matter," Suikotsu said, "Once you explain, I'm sure she'll understand. She's your sister after all."
Kikyo smiled, "I guess…thanks for letting me come along," she said.
Suikotsu smiled, "No problem," he said, "I could use a priestess like you in case I run into demons here."
Kikyo chuckled, "I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be the other way around," she said.
Suikotsu shrugged and smiled. Kikyo smiled softly and they continued walking in comfortable silence. Suddenly, Kikyo stopped walking and Suikotsu looked at her, "Kikyo?"
"Demons," Kikyo said.
"Correct," a voice said.
Suddenly, the two were surrounded by spider demons. Kikyo and Suikotsu stood back to back with Kikyo's hand over an arrow being ready for an attack, "Did Magatsuhi send you?" she growled.
"Yes," a demon said, "He says you are of no use to him now and that we can have our fill on you…and your little man friend."
Kikyo readied the arrow, "And what makes you think I'll let you," she asked glaring, "There's a reason Magatsuhi chose me as a body in the first place; only now, my powers aren't dark."
The spider demons hissed, "You don't have enough arrows to defeat us all," one said.
"The more you kill, the more the rest of us get to eat!" another one chuckled.
Kikyo's hands shook from the tension of the bow in her hands. Kikyo stared at the spider demons for a long, long time, then smirked, "You want us…come get us!" she fired the bow above them and the two humans were surrounded in a bright white light.
When the light disappeared, Kikyo and Suikotsu were gone, "Nani!" the spider demons yelled.
Suddenly, the scream of a little girl was heard above them, but they ignored it and went to look for the priestess and the doctor.
***
"Kouta?" Renji asked softly, shaking the wolf demon prince.
They had stopped for a few minutes rest and Kouta had zoned out on his friend. Kouta looked at Renji, "What?" he asked.
"We should get moving before we freeze to death," Renji said.
Kouta sighed and stood up. The two friends began walking again. The freezing wind blew in their faces and snow fell around them, "Where's this stupid herb anyway?" Kouta asked annoyed.
Renji sighed, "Kouta, it's been years," he said, "Don't you think it's time to move on from her death?"
"Who said I was still on her death!" Kouta yelled.
Renji sighed and put and hand on the wolf demon's shoulder making him stop, "Kouta, there was nothing you could do," Renji said, "The demons had you out numbered."
Kouta clinched his fists then relaxed, "She was the only human who wasn't afraid of me," he said, "She didn't even tell the village who I was, but then…those stupid blood sucking bird demons…"
"Kouta," Renji said, "Enough is enough."
Kouta sighed and they started walking again. Suddenly, a scream was heard. The two demons looked up, "Let me go!" Shiori yelled, "Shippo! Somebody!"
"That one of the birds that…" Kouta glared, "Renji!"
Renji was surrounded by fire and turned into his demon form. It was like Kirara's only the colors were switched. Renji flew up growling, "Drop the girl, you murderous bird!" he yelled and attacked the bird demon.
The sudden impact caused the bird to release Shiori, "Ah!" Shiori yelled covering her teary eyes with her hands, "Shippo!"
"Kouta!" Renji yelled, but then was attacked by the bird.
Kouta jumped up and grabbed Shiori before she hit the snow covered ground. Shiori slowly opened her eyes shaking from both fright and cold. Kouta saw this and removed his white pelt from around his waist and wrapped the small girl in it, "Are you alright?" he asked.
Shiori was still teary eyed and was hiccupping too much to answer. Renji quickly took care of the evil demon and flew back down and turned human again, "Is she alright?" he asked.
"I think she's still too scared to speak," Kouta answered, "We have to get her back to the castle; she's only half demon, she can't survive this cold."
"We can't," Renji said, "That doctor will be here for the herb any day now."
"Well, what do you say we do then?" Kouta glared.
"We hurry and find the herb then I can fly us quickly back to the castle," Renji said, "Lord Koga and Lord Inutaisho are great friends, we can't jeopardize that."
"I-Inu-" Shiori said shakily.
Renji and Kouta looked at the shaking Shiori, "I-Inu-ta-taisho?" she asked.
"You know him?" Kouta asked.
Shiori nodded, "G-gave m-m-mother and u-u-us ho-home," she said, "Mo-mother sa-save Inu-Inuyasha and h-his mot-mother."
"Her mother's that priestess!" Renji said shocked, "Kagura-san said she took four children in, two demons, a half demon, and a human; she must be the half demon."
"Well, all the more reason to get her somewhere warm," Kouta said, "What did Kagura-san say the half demon's name was?"
"S-Shi-Shiori," Shiori said, "M-my na-name is Shi-ori."
"That's it," Renji said, "But your right, we should get her back to the-"
"No!" Shiori yelled causing the two boys to jump, "G-get he-herbs for mo-mother and fa-father."
"Did she just call Inuyasha-san father?" Renji asked stupidly.
Kouta sighed making his breath visible, "Shiori, we'll come back for the herbs," he said, "You can't survive these mountains; no human can-"
"I'm on-only hal-half hu-man," Shiori said, "Mo-mother needs her-herbs as wel-well as fa-father."
"But you-"
"I do-n't care!" Shiori yelled, "Save m-m-m-other a-and f-f-f-."
Kouta and Renji sighed, "How much farther do you think the herbs are?" Kouta asked his friend.
"Uh…I'm afraid I don't know," Renji said.
"Well then, we walk fast," Kouta said holding Shiori close to him to keep her warm, "And the minute we find them you transform for a fast getaway out of here."
"You're kidding," Renji said, "You're actually risking her life?"
"If we didn't do things this way then she would've yelled and screamed the whole way down," Kouta said, "I have a feeling she's stubborn when she wants to be."
Renji sighed and ran to catch up with his friend, "If she dies, you know that it might cause a war right?" Renji said.
"You're supposed to stop me from doing that," Kouta said off handedly, "So help me keep her alive."
Renji groaned, but nodded, "That herb better not be at the peak of this thing…" he muttered.
Shiori shook harder and Kouta held her closer, "Thanks," she whispered into Kouta's chest.
Kouta looked at the half demon in his arms and sighed inwardly why does this girl remind me of her?
***
"Shiori!" everyone yelled shocked.
Abi smirked, "One down…three to go," she said her red eyes flashing.
"Bakusaiga!" Sesshomaru yelled destroying at least half of the phoenix demons.
"You will die right here and now, Abi!" Inutaisho yelled.
Abi smirked, "Just try," she said and pointed at the castle again and the phoenix demons flew towards it while on fire.
"Bak-" Sesshomaru was cut off when fire came close to him.
Abi smirked. Suddenly, the twins were taken, "Saki! Sakura!" Sango yelled.
"Hmm, not sure if these two are a part of the four…" Abi said, "Oh, well, kill them."
"You, will, NOT!" Sango yelled suddenly having a giant boomerang in her hands, "Hiraikotsu!"
The giant boomerang destroyed the phoenix demons holding her children, causing them to fall. Sango immediately jumped out of the window and grabbed her daughters and landing on the ground safely. She set her daughters down and grabbed her returning weapon, "Go inside," Sango said sternly to her children.
Saki and Sakura ran inside crying, "Daddy!"
Sango glared fire at Abi, "NOBODY hurts my children," she yelled.
Saki and Sakura ran into their father's arms crying, "Don't worry," he said, "Mama's mad, the battle will end soon."
"What do you mean?" Izayoi asked.
"Oh, you've never seen Sango mad, my lady," Miroku said.
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango yelled destroying all the flaming phoenixes that surrounded them before returning to her.
Abi was shocked, "Nani!" she yelled.
"Stay AWAY from my children!" she yelled, "Or your head is next!"
Everyone blinked in shocked and Abi glared, "I'll be back," she said and flew away.
Sango was breathing slightly heavily, "Sango…" Inutaisho said shocked.
Sango relaxed, "That, was, amazing, Sango!" Kirara said smiling.
"Well, now you understand why my husband starts to panic when I start to get angry," Sango stated.
"I'd hate to be around you when you were pregnant with your daughters…" Byakuya said then turned to Kohaku, "Did that bring back any memories?"
Kohaku blinked, "Um, sort of, I think," Kohaku said holding his head, "I remember Sango running towards me while the village was on fire, but that's it."
"Well, it's something," Sesshomaru said, "Let's get back inside."
"What about Shiori?" Shippo asked running out with his siblings and Soten.
"I'm afraid Abi covered the birds scent," Inutaisho said, placing his hand on Shippo's shoulder, "There's nothing we can do."
Rin fell to her knees, Kanna fell backwards landing on her butt, and Shippo just stood there froze, "Kids…" Kirara started to say, but Shippo ran into the castle before she could finish, "Shippo!"
"Let him be," Sesshomaru said, "But keep an eye on him. We don't want him doing something stupid."
Rin began to cry, her tears moistening the ground, "Rin," Kohaku said gently, walking over.
Rin shook her head, more tears falling. Kanna just sat their completely void of emotion, "Kanna," Byakuya said trying to get a reaction out of the small girl by waving his hand in front of her face; Kanna didn't even blink, "This can't be good."
"Rin, I'm sure Shiori's okay," Kohaku said gently.
Rin grabbed Kohaku's armor and cried into him. Kohaku held Rin close as she cried, "It'll be okay, Rin," he said running a hand through her black hair.
"Kanna, can ya at least blink?" Byakuya asked, waving his hand in front of her eyes again, "Hello, Kanna?" Kanna didn't blink, move, nothing, "This isn't working…" he sighed.
"Let's get them in bed," Sango said, "I'll go find Shippo."
Sango entered the castle and Soten followed her. Kohaku stood up with Rin still crying into him and Byakuya picked the still emotionless Kanna up bridal style. Everyone entered the castle and Kohaku and Byakuya took Rin and Kanna to their room. By the time they got there, they'd both fallen asleep and Sango had put Shippo to sleep. Kohaku and Byakuya set the two sleeping girls on their beds. Kirara sat on her bed, "Poor kids," she said, "First their parents…now their sister."
"Parents?" Sango asked slightly shocked.
"Are the two not their parents?" Byakuya asked pointing to the connecting door.
"I knew Kagome was, but Prince Inuyasha as well?" Sango asked.
"Well, they call him father," Kohaku said.
Sango smiled lightly and stood up, "Come on, Kohaku," she said, "I think it's going to be a long night with the girls."
Kohaku just nodded and followed his forgotten sister out of the room, "Go on to bed, Byakuya," Kirara said, "I'll watch them."
Byakuya sighed, but nodded and left the room. Kirara looked at the sleeping kids and sighed, "You kids don't deserve this…" she said before lying down for bed.
A/N Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please R&R, please and thank you!
