Author's Note: Fina-freaking-ly! I'm so damn sorry its taking this long to get this done, but I've been doing 3 other stories and this one just fell to the waste side...again. Anyway, here's chapter 10! ENJOY YO!

Ch. 10

A Wedding, A Wish and a Kiss Goodnight

"Shippo, Kikyo, Florina! It's so nice to see you guys again," the sing-song voice of Kagome cooed as the three Soul Healers walked into the large hut where many others had gathered. The large thatched hut smelled of roast duck, lamb and some other species of animal and demon, alike. It was festively decorated with white, red and gold trimmings and every man, woman and child were dressed in their best ceremonial kimonos and obi's. Everyone in the village had come to see the marriage of Kagome and Matthew.
"It's nice to here and not have to save InuYasha or Matthew," Kikyo said happily as she hugged Kagome. It had been a good number of years since the incident with Kikyo and InuYasha and since then all had been forgiven. There was no use in holding a grudge against a love swept child, and the relationship she had with all members of the group, save InuYasha who wanted nothing to do with her, was a close one.
"Speaking of Matt, where has he disappeared too?" Florina asked Kagome, her bright eyes scanning the large enclosure for the thief. When she didn't see him, her eyes darkened a bit, but only momentarily. He would show, one way or another.
"I haven't the slightest idea, but if he isn't here in 5 minutes, I'll marry InuYasha instead!" Kagome huffed, crossing her bare arms across her chest.
"Nice ring," a soft yet, gruff voice said from behind Kagome. She jumped a bit before she twirled around excitedly, her long, white wedding gown twirling with her. It was a beautiful silk gown that was decorated with red and gold embroideries that twisted across her chest, abdomen, and all the way down to her feet. Each twist ended at her right side where it was tied into a small knot of color. It was a halter and her bare chest was sparkling with natural glitters and had a few wispy, soft strands of her raven hair splayed across it. Her hair was done up in a large bun and was held in place by two hair sticks; one red and one gold.

"I thought you were never gonna show up! Oh, it's only you…" Kagome said as she was met by a wall of pure InuYasha. He just rolled his eyes and put his hands in the pockets of the suit Lyn had made him for the wedding. He hated the colors because there was no red; it was too tight; and it was itchy, but he wore it to keep Lyn, Kagome, and Sango from bitching him to death.
"I had to make sure that all the guests were here, just in case you were wondering," InuYasha said sarcastically, knowing full well that the only thing she cared about right now was finding Matt. He also knew something else weighed heavily on her mind too, and after beating it out of Matt (literally), he had made sure that she had one less thing to worry herself with. InuYasha may have seemed like a jerk from the day she met him until know, but he had a softer, more protective side and he always kept good care of ALL of his friends.
"All the guests aren't here. My family isn't here, but I guess it's for the better," Kagome said, her voice heavy and flat. InuYasha could sense the pain in her and smell the faint tinge of salt in the air as she quickly turned away and wiped a single tear from her face. She sighed as she began to walk away, her white gown fluttering in the wind.
"Wait Kagome…" InuYasha called to her. He saw her hesitate, then stop. Her shoulders were slumped and her skin seemed dry and had no glow to it. The wind blew through the hut and her hair and gown were swept up and around her, but she didn't move. She finally stood straight up and turned her head to faced him, her brown eyes almost black with sadness.
"What is it InuYasha?" she said softly to him, and as a few rays of sun fell across her faced, he saw that her large brown eyes alive with emotion; sadness, anxiety, joy, and a bit of loneliness. He just huffed and smiled slightly as he stood aside. As he did her eyes grew wide with astonishment. There behind InuYasha was her mother, younger brother, and grandfather. She started towards them slowly at first, but quickly hiked up her dress and ran towards them. She crashed into her mother, embracing her in a bear hug, tears flowing from her eyes.
"You came," she said to her mother as she let her go and hugged her brother and grandfather. They all were dressed just as formal and ceremonial as everyone else, but they had on red and gold to show that they were the bride's family. Matt's family would have been dressed in blue and black, but he had no family so Sango, Miroku, InuYasha, and Lyn all had on the grooms colors. Tonight they were his family for all intentional purposes.
"Yeah, InuYasha came and got us. We're also sorry for the things we said about Matt and then saying you were crazy and everything," her little brother said as he looked down at his feet, a deep blush of apology and embarrassment flushing his face. Her mother and grandfather did the same, showing their shame in branding their family member insane and banishing her from their home. Now they were sorry and begging for her forgiveness by bowing their heads, a show of shame. She wiped away her tears and bowed to them in a show of forgiveness. They all embraced one another and then Kagome turned towards InuYasha, her makeup beginning to run. He crossed his arms and looked away.

"I though you hated me!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly. He remained rigid beneath her grasp and when she pulled away he smoothed out and brushed off his suit. He re-crossed his arms and again looked away from her.
"Feh…" he said as he walked away into the crowd. Kagome watched him go and sighed heavily. It was no longer a sigh of unhappiness or heavy-half hardheartedness but instead of weariness.
"Why does he seem so...distant?" her grandpa asked looking at the half demon as he stopped at the balcony on the other side of the hut. It was perched on the edge of Kaede's village, on a steep cliff overlooking a vast ocean and InuYasha was leaning heavily on the railing of the balcony that hung off the side of the cliff. A strong salty breeze blew up from the water below and blew his hair around his face, but he made no attempt to keep it in check. Instead he just leaned heavier on the railing, pushing himself in to the breeze.
"It's probably Lyn. He loves her so much no matter what he says or does. He wants to tell her, but he just can't seem to make the idea stick. Considering after all the times he did and didn't mean it," she said, keeping the last thought to herself.
"Why can't he make it 'stick'? Doesn't Lyn know she does, I mean, it's rather obvious," her brother asked as he sighed and crossed his arms within his silk red and gold kimono. Kagome looked down at him and half smiled and half frowned.
"Because Lyn is a complicated girl, she came here with a guy," Kagome said, a hint of pure distaste in her voice. Her mother looked up at her, a bit surprised at her daughters tone. She had never heard that type of tone come from Kagome before because she was always so nice to everyone. If Kagome didn't like him, then he must not be a pleasant person.
"But I thought they were back together," her mother asked. While Kagome and her mother were still talking, she had told her all about InuYasha and Lyn and everything about them. The last she had heard, Lyn had come back to the feudal era and all was peachy keen.
"They were, but she met Naraku after she heard about Kikyo and InuYasha.Again, when will he learn?" she said, again keeping the last part to herself. She shook her head and turned towards the rest of the hut, anxious to catch a glimpse of her future husband.

"I wonder what she sees in him," her mother said to herself as she followed her daughter through the crowd so they could redo Kagome's hair and makeup in her dressing room. Walking away, she stole a last glance back at InuYasha before she looked back at her daughter and forgot all about him, for the time being.

"Are you ready Naraku?" Lyn whispered to the tall man standing next to her. His reddish eyes and pale skin seemed to glow in the setting sun. He turned his head and, standing a good foot taller than her, looked down and smiled. White pointed fangs glistened in the suns dying glare and she smiled back in return.
"Of course my dearest niece. Why wouldn't I be?" he replied as he bent down and kissed her forehead gently. She hugged him in return and he pulled away, staring deep into her mossy eyes. He saw everything behind them and felt proud that she was the last of his blood line.
"OK, but be careful, I don't want him to hurt you or anything…" she said as he walked away toward InuYasha. A final glance behind him showed a scenic picture. She was standing near the entrance of the ceremonial hut, the near set sun pouring over her in an orange and fiery red glaze. Her green eyes burned as brightly as his; a green fire that smoldered true beauty, love, and ultimate power. Smiling to smugly his self, he went about his assigned mission of finding InuYasha.

"InuYasha, I presume?" Naraku said as he leaned against the balcony next to him. InuYasha glared at him and growled deeply before he turned his head back toward the sunset. Naraku chuckled to himself and folded his hands across his chest. He was enjoying himself already.
"Lyn tells me you met another girl while she was back home," he said, hoping to antagonize the half-demon some more. He was entitled to just a little fun before all the serious work began.
"Never. But she's one to talk. She brought YOU here," InuYasha said, spitting out YOU with more poison that the tips of his late half-brothers talons. Naraku was far more amused than he thought he was going to be by now. But enough fun, it was time to do what Lyn had asked.
"Why do care so much?" Naraku asked as he looked away from InuYasha, knowing full well why he cared so much. It was a question he needed to ask though, just for a bit of clarity before proceeding.
"Why do you care?" InuYasha said. He was getting annoyed with the 20 questions game Naraku was playing with him. All the despicable demon wanted was to rub the fact that he had Lyn now in his face and he would not stand for it much longer. What little pride he had left he meant to defend.
"Well, it might be because I'm her uncle and I need to look out for her…" Naraku said as he pushed himself off the balcony railing, placing his hands in the pockets of his black, tailored suit pants. He stood with his back to InuYasha, reading his response by the change in the heaviness of the air."Her uncle? You mean you not her boyfriend?" InuYasha asked as he spun around to look at Naraku. He stared in disbelief at the tall demons back. Naraku smiled, his fangs glistening as he turned his head back towards InuYasha.
"Nope. So where's your girlfriend at anyway? Kikyo I think her name is," Naraku said, changing the subject quickly. He looked back towards the inside of the hut, satisfied that the change of subject would throw InuYasha off the subject of Lyn's relation to himself. It was getting steadily busier as the time grew closer to the start of the wedding ceremony. His sharp eyes studied the crowd, looking for the young Kikyo.
"Kikyo? She's not my girlfriend. I only want one but she doesn't want me," InuYasha said as he started to walk past Naraku. This sudden change in the hanyuo's mood surprised Naraku, although the expression played only in his cerise eyes.
"Wait, are you saying you have it bad for Lyn? The big bad InuYasha in love with a human girl? Now I've seen it all," Naraku said. InuYasha ignored him and dropped down next to a tree and hung his head. He raised his knees and put his forehead to them, draping his arms over his head. It was the ultimate position of exhaustion, loss, and sadness. Naraku did not expect the young half-demon to be in such pitiful shape.
"Everyone just thought Lyn was your booty call or something, not your love interest! Especially after the monk caught you necking with the Soul Healer," Naraku said as he sat down next to him. He did not look over at the inu, it was his private moment of contemplation and shame. No need to ruin it by staring at him.
"I wasn't! She cornered me again!" he protested, but he knew that it was a lie. After Lyn went back home, he did start dating Kikyo, thinking that her close resemblance to Lyn would help him grieve her loss, but it he ended it soon after. Her clinginess and obsession with him became too much, especially after she tried to put a curse on a young maiden who had come to Kaede's village seeking help with a demon problem in her own village. Thanks to Miroku though, Lyn knew about his short fling with her. He wondered why she cared though, she was going out with someone when she went back home too. It made him mad, but as he thought about it, it was Kikyo after all. He guessed he knew why she would be jealous.
"Umm, does Lyn know about me...loving her though?" InuYasha said, surprised at the words that had just escaped him. He hadn't even been thinking about that, so what had made him say such a thing? His recent changes over the last few hundred years had surprised him as much as it surprised everyone else.
"I thought she did, but now I'm not sure. You should tell her, and mean it this time. I know, ask her to marry you," Naraku said nonchalantly. InuYasha's head snapped up and whipped in Naraku's direction. His amber eyes were alive with surprise and anger.
"What? But she doesn't even love me, so stop toying with me goddamnit!" he said as he jumped to his feet in frustration. He turned away from the sitting Naraku and growled loudly in annoyance. He turned back towards Naraku, turned away again and punched the tree Naraku was reclining on, putting a hole straight through the thickest part of the trunk.

"Oh yes she does, believe me" Naraku said, opening his eyes and peering up at the fuming half-breed. The impressive display of power and anguish sealed the deal. The hanyuo loved Lyn, and he would tell her that, completing the part of the "mission" she had sent him on. Now it was his turn to complete a little task he had been planning since he had learned of her little predicament with InuYasha. What he had planned would surely put a stop to this endless bickering and loyalty questioning one and for all. His plans never failed.
"But you just said you weren't sure?" InuYasha exclaimed, clearly now more puzzled and frustrated than before. Naraku had to fight back a smile that threatened to ruin his plans.
"I lied. Are you or are you not?" Naraku asked impatiently. InuYasha collapsed down next to him again, hung his head, and sat there and thought it over. His mind was running on overdrive and it felt like smoke should have been pouring out of his ears. After about a minute or two, he had finally decided.
"I don't have a ring," he finally said as he raised his head. A faint smile on formed on his lips. Now Naraku let the smile he had been holding back surface. All was going according to plan as expected.
"I thought you'd never ask," Naraku said as he produced a thin gold ring from his breast pocket. On the top of the thin gold band was a semi-large diamond that shone with such brilliance it was almost hard to look at. The last of the sun's cool rays fell onto the diamond and the glittering surface broke the ray into millions of colored lights. The lights danced on their faces and across the cool ground, but soon the colors blended and formed a large rainbow colored dog. It resembled InuYasha's father when he was in his true form; large (though not life sized), and prideful. It amazed InuYasha and he looked at Naraku with a puzzled look on his face.
"Is this the Eternal Soul diamond?" InuYasha said in amazement. He watched as the rainbow dog pulsated brightly, howling a cascade of bright red, gold, and blue. Naraku handed the ring over to the awed hanyuo, stopping the flow of sun from hitting it. He looked into InuYasha's wide eyes and his face grew somber.
"It is a family heir loom and for the last 500 years, it has been giving everyone that held it the same puzzling light show as you just witnessed. It wasn't until I learned of Lyn and then of you that I understood what the sign meant," Naraku said, a slight sadness filling his usually sarcastic and bored voice."But only the Senpai Akki demon blood line carriers this diamond,"InuYasha said as he looked up at the smirking Naraku. As he looked into his florid eyes, he sensed a type of urgency that flooded Naraku's normally unreadable aura. He peered deeper into him, but was stopped as Naraku looked away and into the now dark sky.
"I am full blooded demon Senpai Akki. The last of my kind with the exception of Lyn and her half- blooded brother of course," Naraku said as he walked away, but as he did, a small, sad smile formed on his lips. Emotion was never Naraku's forte, much like Sesshomaru. However, he was prone to his moments, and as he thought of his late brother, a deep sadness filled him. It was a comforting thought to know, though, that he was no longer the last of his noble and ancient race.
"Hold up demon boy. Are you telling me Lyn's a demon too?" InuYasha said, astonishment now taking the place of bewilderment in his voice. Naraku stopped, sighed for good effect, and turned back towards him.
"Yes," he said bluntly. The pain in InuYasha's eyes didn't startle Naraku as much as he had anticipated. This hanyuo was more like his father than he knew.
"Then I'm not worthy of her," InuYasha said as he handed the ring back to Naraku and walked past him. Naraku held the ring in his hand, anger beginning to grip him. There was no way this half-breed was going to ruin this for him. Lyn needed a mate with strength, dignity, and ancient blood. InuYasha wasn't the perfect candidate, but with his brother dead, he would have to do. InuTaisho's blood flowed through his veins and if the half-breed ever decided to become full youkia then he would rival any that had come before him. Pain and blood flowed from Naraku's hand as he squeezed the ring and the diamond bit into the soft flesh of his palm. He took a deep breath and turned towards the fleeting InuYasha.

"Don't give me that damned pride thing InuYasha. You're father didn't have that type of pride when he mated with your mortal mother," Naraku said as he caught up with him. InuYasha looked straight ahead at the waning crescent moon. The light was reflected in his gilded eyes and Naraku saw pain and inner struggle reflected in the orbs. He supposed InuYasha had never before felt this much pain and he pitied him. Never the less, he had to accept Naraku's marriage proposal of Lyn; whether now or soon, it would be accepted. He sensed that maybe he was pushing the subject to hard for the hanyuo looked delicate in the pallid moonlight.
"It's not right, she's more powerful than I could ever be. I'm not worthy Naraku," InuYasha said as he finally stopped walking and turned towards him. Stone cold determination met annoyance and the two looked at each other for a long while, waiting for the other to finally give in. InuYasha's fists were clenched to the point where his knuckles were white and the soft pitter-pat of blood dripping from his palms to the ground could be heard. Naraku lifted his head and looked up at the moon. The ring in his hand burned him, as it had done many times before. It was no longer his to hold. He looked back at the half-breed who had caused him so much trouble in the last hour and huffed. He lowered his head, bowed and back away.
"I understand. Please, take this though. In case you change your mind, for it is no longer mine to hold," Naraku said as he held the ring out to InuYasha. The ring was glowing brightly even in the dark. Respecting Naraku's seceding wish, InuYasha reached for the ring. As his talons touched it, its glow became unbelievable bright, making Naraku noticeable flinch as the diamond burned him deeper. InuYasha wanted to pull away, but couldn't; he was drawn to the diamond and soon he had picked it up from Naraku's charred palm and held it tight in his hand. He felt the power pulsate through him. He breathed in deeply and smelled his father's scent. He opened his eyes and looked in Naraku's crimson gaze.

"I'm still not worthy Naraku. I never will be," he said as he placed the ring inside his inner jacket pocket. A soft breeze smelling of cinnamon made the two turn around towards the direction of the hut.

"Maybe I can help then,"a familiar young voice said and it made InuYasha's blood boil.
"Shippo. What the hell do you want?" InuYasha growled. The young Soul Healer looked at him with a smile on his face. Naraku could sense that there was an uneasy and potentially violent tension between the two and it intrigued him.
"Just came to help that's all," Shippo said, his orange hair illuminated by the ceremonial torches that were lit behind him. InuYasha's growl deepened and Naraku could sense an immense hate for Shippo coming from him. InuYasha made a move towards Shippo, but Naraku held fast onto the hanyuo's left shoulder and held him back.
"Why don't you guys like each other?"Naraku asked Shippo. He saw Shippo's eyes burned with the memory. Whatever the memory was though, it amused Shippo for he chuckled trembled with fury under Naraku's firm grip.
"I hit on Lyn while they were still together and she hit back," Shippo said. Naraku fully expected InuYasha to rip free of his grasp and tear Shippo to pieces. Shippo seemed to be expecting this to, for he had moved back a few feet. Instead, InuYasha's eyes lit up with idea and tribulation. Naraku let him go and the hanyuo's shoulders slumped and his head dropped. Shippo, who had now moved close enough to them so that Naraku could see his hazelnut eyes clearly. He seemed puzzled at InuYasha's uncharacteristic response.
"Why don't you…court… Lyn, Shippo? Your both full demons and she…she needs a strong…demon…to be with…with her," InuYasha forced out and both Naraku and Shippo saw that he nearly died inside as he said it. The pain in his heart greatly outweighed the pain in his hands and his dug his claws into his palms, reopening the wounds there from his early showdown with Naraku.
"No InuYasha, she belongs to you. We both know that," Shippo said. He rubbed the back his neck uncomfortably as InuYasha stared at him with the remnants of a shattered heart in his now dull, tawny eyes.

"*growl* I'm such a damn mutt…" he murmured to himself. Shippo seemed to know regret his early entrance and walked up face-to-face with InuYasha.
"Don't worry my boy, I've got what you need," Shippo said as he reached into his inner breast pocket and produced a white cloth that held a small, round object. He unwrapped the cloth and a small, pinkish purple pearl now sat in his open palm.
"No way…" Naraku said in a very uncharacteristic way as his jaw dropped. InuYasha looked at Shippo, then at Naraku, and then at the pearl whose color seemed to swirl like a turbulent cloud trapped inside the pearl. The Shikon no Tama was more beautiful in person than in any story he had ever heard.
"This should help your mutt problem, right?" Shippo said as he held the pearl between his pointer finger and thumb. The cloud inside the pearl swirled more violently and grew darker as Shippo held it and the light it gave off reflected off of InuYasha's face as he moved his head closer to the pearl. He could feel its power and all at once he wanted to take it and make a youkia of himself. Then he could be more powerful than anything ever before. Everything would be his, no matter what. He would be unstoppable. InuYasha backed away and shook his head, scrambling the erratic thoughts that were overpowering him. He breathed deeply and walked, cautiously, back to Naraku's side.
"How does it work," InuYasha asked, knowing full well already how it worked. He also knew the power it had to turn even the most tranquil creature against itself and tear it apart, leaving only the most power hungry part of it left. He tore his eyes away from the pearl and looked at Shippo, awaiting an answer. Naraku was as still and quiet as stone, transfixed by the pearl. InuYasha saw how his red eyes seemed to be filled with a deep violet haze and so he stepped in front of the entranced demon. Naraku blinked rapidly and looked around, obviously confused. He looked up and at InuYasha and saw the answer in his eyes. Naraku bowed deeply to him, then to Shippo and walked towards the hut entrance, not looking over at the jewel as he left.

"Now, to answer your question. Just grab the pearl, hold it tight and let one side take over. The one you know she would love more,"Shippo said as his large hazelnut eyes narrowed at InuYasha in a queer anticipation. InuYasha starred at the jewel for a little while more before he abruptly took the pearl from the young fox demon's hand, hung his head, allowing a mass of white hair fall around him, and then headed towards the house where they would all be staying. The sounds of the after party filled the night, but the only sound InuYasha heard was Lyn's voice as it drifted from an open window and into the night.

"A demon huh? I would never have known," Kagome said as she hugged Lyn tight. Lyn hugged her friend back and half-smiled, half-frowned. Her mossy eyes were clouded by emotion and a lingering surprise mixed with a hint of confusion.
"That would explain how you flung me across the forest the day we met," Matt said as he sipped his mocha cappuccino, thinking about the day he had nearly killed his best-friend and himself as well. He was glad he had matured and no longer rushed head first into unknown situations with equally unknown circumstances, some that had proven to be painful.
"But doesn't that mean your mother is a demon too?" Miroku asked scratching his head in confusion. He had met and talked with her mother hundreds of times and never once got the impression from her aura that she was anything but human. Yes, her aura had been unlike anything he had ever experienced before; powerful yet calming with a deep hue of wisdom and ancient ways. He thought nothing odd of it because both Lyn and her younger brother shared the same odd aura, though Lyn's was the strongest and her brothers a bit more normal. Now that he had heard about her family's true lineage, the strange and ancient aura's now made sense. How had he not seen it before?
"Yeah, I guess. But that's not important! I want to be normal, before I knew any of this; to be human again. InuYasha will never love me if I'm more powerful than him," Lyn said, obviously frustrated with the new and strange situation unraveling before her. When she had first met Naraku, she had been sure he was a puppet of Kratos because of their similar appearance and she had been prepared to kill him. But then he had bowed to her and told him that he was her uncle, and showed her a very old yellowing, black and white photo of him and her father. The resemblance was overwhelming and it brought back the familiar pain of loss. He had explained to her the origin of her powers, her true blood line as well as her true age; 200 years old. She had been shocked and didn't believe, but he had brought proof of her birth because her birth was a large event, but it had shadowed over a deeper and profound event. The day she was born was the day InuYasha's mother had been killed. Her birth was marked by this death. She had cried, but had come to terms with her new fate, though not fully. She was still young for her kind and she knew that her and InuYasha would live full and long lived together; if he would stay.

"Is he all you think about?" Sango asked as she shook her head. Lyn looked at her, her green eyes which were now veined with purple, looked sadly at her old friend. She knew Sango meant well, but she would never understand the love and deep bond she felt with her stubborn hanyuo. She smiled and looked out at the crescent moon shining in the dark sky. The sounds of celebration still echoed through the night, but all she heard was the sound of her own heart beating in rhythm with his. She knew he was outside, waiting to come in, she could sense him. There was a sadness in his aura and she knew that Naraku had told him. Her heart began to break before he even entered the room or uttered a hushed word.
"I can't help it, I love him, even though he doesn't love me…" Lyn said as she broke her gaze with the moon. She took a deep breath in and tried to ignore the almost overwhelming power his aura had over her. She didn't show that she felt his sadness on top of her own and was close to being crushed beneath it.

"Its OK, you'll get over him soon," Miroku said as he tried to take a bite of Sango's mini hotdog, but was nearly bit himself. The small scene pushed a hint of laughter and old happiness into her load of guilt, grief, and melancholy. A small smile rested on her lips for a moment, then it was gone. Sango had spied it and knew that it was a start.
"He was just a demon anyway," Kagome said shrugging, trying to sound as if she didn't care. The moment the sentence left her mouth though, she knew it had been a mistake as Lyn shot a menacing look in her direction. Kagome looked away quickly and Lyn's gaze softened. She took Kagome's hand in hers as a gesture of apology. Kagome smiled in relief and cupped Lyn's equally pallid hand in hers and nodded.
"He isn't just a demon though, he's human too," Lyn said softly. Kagome squeezed her hand and Lyn gave a half-hearted smile before she stood and walked to the window in the bridal hut. The moon filled the window completely and when Lyn looked out she saw how it filled the darkened forest with light. The soft glow glittered on the dewy leaves and glittered like a million little earth bound stars. It filled her with a hope and at the thought a small tear slid down her smooth cheek. She did not wipe it away, fearing that the feeling of her breaking dam on her finger would cause the entire flood to come.
"Which side did you like better?" Sango asked as she shoved another mini hotdog into her mouth. She was glad she was not in Lyn's position to choose, but she felt her friend's pain all the same. Her aura washed over all of them, forcing her pain onto all those with her. She probably didn't know, but it didn't bother anyone because they knew that if she had been able to keep it all inside, Lyn would have shut down long ago.
"I didn't like any side better. I loved him all...and always will," she said, whispering the last bit to the moon. As if it was responding to her, its glow washed over her, filling her with calming warmth. She closed her eyes and let it fill her with a peaceful and serine feeling. From a darkened corner of the room, InuYasha watched her close her eyes as the moon washed over her. His golden globes traced her every feature made more prominent and beautiful by the lunar light. He breathed in deeply, her Jasmine scent filling his nostrils. He loved her with every fiber of his being and he hated himself for being so weak; too weak for such a powerful and beautiful demon like Lyn. A pain filled him and he stood there, waiting.
"Harsh. It's too bad he wouldn't except you for what you are…" Miroku said as he took a half eaten hotdog out of Sango's hand successfully this time. He smiled as she turned towards him, fake anger burning in her eyes. He quickly planted his lips on hers and when he pulled away, a soft blush powered her cheeks. He went to whisper to her, but a familiar aura hit him and he turned to greet the owner.

"But I would…" came InuYasha's voice from the darkened corner of the room, right by the door. They all turned to face him as he stepped from the shadows allowing the warm candle light to throw his shadow abstractly against the bamboo walls.
"InuYasha. What are you doing here?" Lyn said as she turned from the window to face him. He hid his aura from her now, making it difficult to read him. She had known that he was outside, listening to them, but she had forgotten about his presence as she became entranced by the celestial bodies lambency.
"I came here for you," he said softly as she came to him. She stood looking up into his sandy eyes. The flickering candle light filled his eyes with a strange glow as the fire flickered in them. He made to reach out to her, but hesitated and recoiled. He saw the hurt flash in her eyes and he immediately regretted his rash decision to reframe from her touch.
"Me...? But I'm a demon. You can't love me or even want me," she said bitterly as she felt herself begin to cry. Her dam was breaking and she no longer had the strength to keep it from falling. Before a single tear fell though, he had grabbed her hands gently. She looked up at him questioningly and before she could slip the words from the tongue, she felt him slip her something. It was smooth, round, and warm in her hands. He let her go and stepped back. She raised her hands and opened them, washing her face in the soft pink glow of the jewel in her hands.

"What is this?" she said as she held the Shikon no Tama he had placed in her hand between her fingers. It was entrancing, but it didn't have the same overwhelming effect it had had on Naraku on her. To InuYasha, this proved that she was more powerful than anything he would ever again encounter and thus he was below her. She looked up at him and she saw that he was looking out toward the moon which was reflected in his saffron eyes.
"It can make you human," he said, never taking his eyes off of the skies lamp. She saw that he wanted to and felt that he wanted nothing more than to embrace her and fill his lungs with her sweet scent. It made her hurt so much to see that pain she was putting him through. He sensed the change in her aura and broke his staring contest with the moon. He looked into her drowning green eyes and placed a hand on her cheek. She placed a lax hand over his and closed her eyes in momentary serenity. She opened her eyes again and looked at him with a new determination fueled by a new idea hatching in her head.
"If this could make me human, couldn't it make you full demon?" she asked, closing her fingers around the jewel. Its heat pulsated against her skin, making her palm sweat.
"Yes, but I know this is what you want; to be normal," he said as he grasped her hand that enclosed the jewel. He could feel its heat from between her fingers and he quickly let her go as he felt his youkia side begin to struggle against him. He breathed heavily as he fought to gain control. A hand on his shoulder brought him back together once more. He turned his back on her quickly though, and walked to the far window and gazed out into the moon swept landscape.
"But, then I can't stay, there would be no point. I don't want to leave...it wasn't supposed to turn out this way," Lyn stammered. She was at a loss for words and actions. She was confused, hurt, angry, and frustrated at him for being to prideful and following the rules of the inu youkia. She stared into his eyes and she saw how fear and sadness were swimming in their golden oceans. She squeezed the small orb in her hand and walked up to the overly prideful hanyuo. She tried to look straight into his eyes, but he would not have it. He finally lowered his eyes and she gave up her futile attempt to meet her love's beautiful gaze.
"But you must, it's the best for you. You don't belong here with us...with me," he said as he dropped his head and closed his eyes. He was barely able to speak now; the pain he felt within himself was more than anything he had ever experienced. Not even the death of his mother had caused him such pain. He could feel her gaze burning into him and he finally looked up and met her gaze. Her green eyes were more alive than he had ever seen before and he resisted the urge to place his lips on hers.
"But..." she began, but he just placed a finger on her lips. Tears ran down her face as she hugged him tighter than she ever had. As she hugged him, she thought about how much it would hurt to leave him alone after all that had happened. She closed her eyes as she breathed in his warmth; she knew what she had to do.

She squeezed the small, pulsating gem in her hand and breathed a final wish. There was a flash of purple and as the light subsided, Lyn and InuYasha were no more. In Lyn's place stood a young girl with long jet black hair that hung down to below her waist. From that hair protruded two light black fox ears with purple tips that twitched ever so slightly as they adjusted to the new sounds of her surroundings. Her once smooth and gentle hands were now clawed and clutched the jacket of the man she was entwined with; she was almost a foot taller and her shadow danced widely across the faces of the bewildered spectators that sat in awestruck silence. In the place of InuYasha stood a tall, young demon whose suit clothes were now shorter and tighter, revealing a toner and leaner body. He had long, silky white hair (nothing like InuYasha's old matted mane) and the ears that once protruded from his mane were now gone. There was also now a long violet streak of hair that hung in his face that matched the purple of the young hanyuo girls' ears. On each of his cheeks, two long violet streaks ran horizontally across them and ended at the corners of his eyes. On his forehead, two violet crescent moons were positioned, almost interlocking. Also, upon his hands were the same stripes that ran across his cheeks and the new shortness of his suit showed that the stripes ran up his arms to at least past his elbows. He looked like a younger, tamer version of the late Sesshomaru. The two were still wrapped in each other's embrace and only Lyn knew what had just occurred. She squeezed the young demon that was embracing her tighter and buried her face deeper into his chest, revealing in the sound of his strong and steady heartbeat. She knew he would be upset, but until then, she would enjoy the calm serenity that lay within his embrace.

"Lyn, InuYasha?" Kagome finally called out meekly. The two figures opened their eyes and met each others gaze. InuYasha's now glowing red and blue pupiled eyes stared intoLyn's now golden green eyes and she felt him grip her arms tighter. She felt his claws dig into her now thin, yet muscular upper arms. She smiled guiltily up at him, and she saw that his eyes were full of question and suspicion, not the overwhelming anger she had originally suspected.
"What did you do Lyn?" he asked, his voice now much deeper and more sensual than before. He noticed the change and it made him look deeper at her. She blushed and shied away from his gaze. She could still feel his gaze on her and saw his eyes gleam from the corner of her cast away eyes. She sighed and looked back at him.
"I made you what you always wanted, and I made myself what I always wanted to be..." she said as she lowered her head. She knew he didn't want to become a youkia because he feared what he might do if he ever became one. All of the other times he had reluctantly turned, he had been dangerous, volatile and homicidal; but of course he didn't know that she knew of this because it ashamed him to think of himself as a monster. She also knew that he was wondering how he was so calm and in control of himself when before it had been almost impossible.

"As part of my wish, I made your youkia more human and tolerable; a pure blooded you. I guess I got my wish," she said softly enough so that only his overly sensitive hearing could pick it up. He sighed and shook his head, knowing full well that he could never be mad at her for what she had done. It was a selfless act which made his Lyn herself. He smiled and breathed in her scent which remained relatively the same with only a subtle difference; she smelled of rich Jasmine and of a light spring rain. He leaned forward and placed his face in her long, midnight silken hair and inhaled; his nose tickled by the twitch of her ear.
"Cute ears," he whispered into one of them making her shiver. He felt the vibration of her body and he held her closer, pushing her slender, firm frame closer to him so that he could feel her every curve against him.
"Thanks. Now you get to rub mine I guess," she said slyly. He just smirked and brushed a strand of hair off her still soft, milky white skin. She closed her eyes and pushed her face against his hand. He cupped his hand onto her cheek and ran it down the curve of her neck where he could feel her strong pulse. His fingers brushed against the barely visible puncture wounds his mark had left and at once he felt his beast purr in was distracted from his current train of thought as his hand was removed and held tightly by hers. Her claws brushed against his skin and it sent shivers of long lost lust through him. It had been many years since he had truly had her and now he wanted her more than ever.
"I love your hair. No more tangled mane," she said as she ran her fingers through its silky white strands. He watched her intently as she ran her fingers admiringly through his long hair, reveling in the softness of it. She stopped at the purple strand and a playful smile lit up her beautiful face.
"Very nice..." she said. He smiled and they both shared a small laugh before Matt snapped them back to the reality outside of themselves.
"Yo, earth to you two...!" Matt called, his voice a bit unsure. InuYasha sharply turned his head and looked dead at the thief, making Matt jump back. The young youkia smiled and Lyn giggled at how baffled the thief looked.
"Hey Matt, don't you love my new look!" Lyn said, letting go of InuYasha's hands. Shespun around gracefully, her kimono spinning around her, casting wild shadows on the flame lit walls. She stopped spinning, grabbed the edges of her kimono, hiked it up just a bit, and bowed; her long hair fell around her head and covered her ears. Sango continued to stare in disbelief even as Kagome clapped in glee. It seemed as if nothing could shock, startle or bother that girl.
"Lyn? What happened to you two?" Sango said as she gazed at Lyn's ears absent mindedly. Lyn just giggled and grabbed Sango's hand, scratching her hand with her claws as she grabbed it a bit too roughly. Lyn blushed and immediately let go, looking down at her feet as to avoid eye contact with Sango. Sango looked at the long, red marks on the tops of her hands and couldn't help but start to laugh. It was a laugh of relief and nothing else. Lyn looked up, a blush still tainting her cheeks, and also laughed. The two "sisters" laughed with each other until tears blurred their vision and their sides threatened to burst.
"Sorry, I've got to get used to these," Lyn said, wiping away a tear that had leaked from the corner of her eye. She shook her head and held out her long, slender fingers and admired the sharp tipped edges of her claws. Sango did as well, daring to touch the pad of one of her fingers to the tip of one of Lyn's claws.
"Well, know that that's over, how bout you tell us what the hell just happened?" Miroku said, and everyone nodded in eager agreement.

"Wow, I didn't even know that the jewel could do that..." Florina said as she closed her silver eyes and sighed in disbelief. She had walked in only moments after Sango and Lyn had their little "episode" and had frozen in the doorway. Her eyes grew large at the sight of them, and even at one point, refused to believe they were truly Lyn and InuYasha. She had finally come through and now was as awestruck as everyone else.
"So your saying is that all you did...was wish?" Matt said, as he scrunched up his face in a confused expression. Kagome sat behind him and started running her slender fingers through his thick brown hair and the confused expressions passed into one of bliss. Lyn smiled inward and knew he would be asking no more questions. Kagome's touch was like an instant drug to him and it made her heart swell to see her old friend so happy.
"Yeah, it gave him what he always wanted and did the same for me as well," Lyn said, answering Matt's question even though she knew he was hearing her, but it was more of an automatic hearing than a voluntary type. What she said would pass right through his brain and out the other ear. She imagined her words flossing their way through one ear and squeezing out the other before floating away into the night through the rooms open door. She suppressed a giggle and smiled widely instead.

"But I thought you DIDN'Twant to be a demon?" Miroku said sporting the same expression Matt had been sporting before Kagome's fingers began to intertwine themselves in his thick, soft locks. Lyn's smile widened and extended to her eyes which now seemed to be shinning with specks of silver that swam in her golden green eyes.
"A hanyuo isn't a demon is it? Besides their a lot cooler," she confessed, looking down at her feet as she did. She could feel everyone's gaze settling on her, but she didn't want to look up for she felt a bit embarrassed at confessing her little secret. She had always been fascinated with InuYasha's kind, and although she didn't want to be a full demon, she knew that in order to be with him, a compromise of sorts would have to be reached. So she settled for the one that she decided would be more tolerable; besides, being a hanyuo had its perks.
"I thought it was like a sin or something for a demon and a hanyuo to hook up?" Kagome asked as she massaged Matt's head. His eyes had rolled up into the back of his head and it looked as though he was in heaven. His honey moon had started early it seemed.
"So? I'm not as vain as InuYasha here..." Lyn said as she elbowed the demon in the side. He grunted in mild surprise and then turned back towards the group. He actually enjoyed the looks of awe and keen study that everyone was giving him; for once the attention wasn't bad and he could get used to it. The only one who was looking at him with the familiar looks of suspicion and reproach was Kaede, but he didn't blame her considering his family history.
"*grumble* I'm not vain!" InuYasha finally protested as he crossed his arms across his tone, broad chest. He marveled in the way his new muscles felt and the way his chest was wider and fuller; not that it wasn't before, it was just better now.
"Are too! You're being vain right now!" Lyn said, pointing out the obvious fact that he once again staring into a nearby mirror. He glared at her through his reflection and he saw her stick her tongue out at him. All at once he longed for that tongue to be tangled with his and to have her lips kissing his chest and beyond. He snorted softly and shook the images out of his head causing his long white hair to fall around his shoulder and frame the strong features of his face; he successfully passed it off as an act of vanity.
"I'm just getting used to my new look," he said as he brushed a wayward strand of white hair off his face.
"Uh-huh..." Lyn said as she rolled her brilliant, multicolored eyes.
"Shut up..." he replied, agitation edging the tips of his voice. Lyn narrowed her eyes in warning and InuYasha just rolled his and avoided her glare.
"Jeesh, so pushy," she finally said when she was satisfied that he was not going to say anything with any hint of agitation or any unhappy tone again. He sighed and got up effortlessly; he was still amazed at how well his new body worked and how easy things were coming to him know. Although a hint of humans till resided in his heart, he ignored it in favor of his demonic part and savored the feelings of power that now flowed through his veins. He briefly thought that if Sesshomaru was still alive that he would be superior to him even though he had managed to overtake him in his hanyuo form, but not without serious damage.

"I'm not pushy, now lets get going," he said as he turned towards her and offered her a strong, slender hand. She looked up at him and crossed her arms. He sighed but kept his hand out anyway knowing she would eventually take it because he knew that she was brimming with excitement, though she was hiding it extremely well.
"See what I mean?" Lyn said crossing her arms with an I told you so look on her face. His jaw began to flex, showing his growing agitation and Lyn giggled. She finally uncrossed her arms and had barely put her hand in his when he lifted her off the couch with major ease. She glided up and came to rest against his chest. She looked up into his eyes and saw the growing frustration in them dissipate immediately. But she also felt something else begin to grow and she pushed her self closer to him so that he could feel her every curve. She heard a deep rumble in his chest and she allowed soft growl to escape her own throat in response.

"Where are you going Lyn dear? You've only been here for less than a year," Kaede asked as she eyed InuYasha cautiously. She didn't completely trust the demon InuYasha yet and she could sense that he knew it even though he made no attempt to acknowledge it.
"Home," she said dreamily as she backed away from InuYasha and then took off up the stairs that lead to her room. Sango and Kagome followed, leaving behind a solemn demon, suspicious priestess, hungry monk, and extremely disappointed and bewildered thief.

"Which hat should I wear Sango?" Lyn asked, excitement peaking in her voice. Sango sat on the edge of the bed and was trying not to doze off as her head continually drooped down to her chest and then snapped back up, cracking every once and awhile. She yawned and stretched, smacking and licking her lips sloppily as she did. Her eyes were bloodshot and she looked as though she had been awake for 36 hours straight; which she almost had been helping Lyn and Miroku pack as well as other things that needed to be taken care of before they left. Lyn was in the process of trying to find a good hat to wear and had narrowed it down to two choices: a black 'conductors' hat with metallic gold dots adorning the base of the hat and a red bandana with white ameba like designs on it.
"Just go with that nice black one Lyn. It goes with your bikini top," she said in a lazy, exhausted voice. Lyn looked over at her friend and knew that the only thing Sango really cared about was finding a nice warm bed to curl up in, preferably next to Miroku. Her sense of style hadn't suffered any though Lyn thought as she tossed aside the red bandana and began to tie her hair into a tight ponytail. It was a bit difficult because she never really wore her hair up and when she did, her hair had never been so long and, well, slippery almost. The silky softness of it made it hard to get a good, solid grip on it and make a tight ponytail. She finally succeeded and clapped her hands in excitement. The sudden noise jolted Sango out her daze and she jumped to her feet. She looked around the room, dazed and then looked at the laughing hanyuo who stood beside her. Lyn hugged her friend as she picked up her suitcase and walked towards the door.
"OK, let's get going!" Lyn said excitedly as she ran out the door, nearly trampling Miroku in the process. He hit the wall and made himself as flat as he could when he saw the black and milky white blur that was coming at him at full speed. He felt a whoosh of air hit him in the face as she disappeared down the stairs. He leaned over and took in a huge breath of air for he had had the breath stole from him as Lyn tore by him.

"Sorry Miroku!" sounded a voice from downstairs. He looked over at the foot of the stairs and shook his head, erecting himself as he did. He looked over at Lyn's room and saw Sango standing there, leaning against the doorframe with a grin on her tired face.
"She nearly killed me," he said as Sango walked over to him, planting a soft kiss on his warm and wet lips. She pulled away and looked into his deep, dark brown eyes and sighed. She laid her head against his chest and listened to the steady beating of his heart. It soothed her and she felt herself begin to drift off; Miroku felt the change in her breathing and the way she was leaning heavier against him and in one sweeping motion, lifted her off her feet and held her bridal style.
"Don't be such a baby. She's just a little nervous, that's all," Sango said as she began to drift off to sleep again. He looked down at her and realized how beautiful and peaceful she looked when she was at rest. He leaned his head down and kissed her warm forehead. She snuggled up against him and he shifted her in her arms to evenly distribute her light weight and began to walk down the stairs to the outside. He carried her outside and felt a warm spring breeze brush against his face and tousle his thick head of hair. He smiled and walked over to the well. He saw Lyn standing there and she waved to him. He nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"You should be more careful when you're taking off down such a narrow pathway you know," Miroku said as he came up next to Lyn. She smiled and rolled her eyes at him as she continued to throw suitcases down the well.
"Yeah, so she doesn't trample someone as important as you, right Miroku?" InuYasha's voice laughed from behind him. He nearly jumped in surprise and monetary fear, but stopped himself last minute as to not wake the deeply sleeping Sango in his arms.
"Damn! You scared me InuYasha! Try to be louder next time!" Miroku hissed as he took in a deep lung full of air, held it in, and then let in go in a large WHOOSH of air. He shook his head and walked behind the new demon.
"Sorry, but I don't do it on purpose. At least not all the time..." InuYasha said as he walked up to Kagome, gave her a long kiss and threw the last of the suitcases down the well as if he was throwing a candy wrapper into a waste basket. Miroku stopped a few feet behind the couple and gently blew into Sango's face. Instead of the fluttering of eyelashes and sleepy groan he expected, he instead got a fist to the face. The next thing he knew he was looking up into the faces of Lyn, InuYasha, and Sango. Both hanyuo and demon looked as though they were trying to suppress a heavy bought of laughter while Sango looked extremely guilty. Her mouth was turned down and her eyes were wet, like she was going to cry."What the holy hell happened?" he said as he slowly tried to sit up and that's when the pain in his jaw hit him full force and he cringed; he collapsed back down and moaned. He looked up at InuYasha and Lyn as they burst out laughing; tears poured out of their multi-colored eyes and as Lyn struggled for breath, she pointed a long, sharp tipped finger at Sango. The slayer rubbed the back of her neck nervously and shrugged.

"Son of a bitch!" he said as he started to rub the large spot on his chin that was throbbing. It felt as if his jaw was dislocated and speaking hurt. He could imagine the large purple spot that would soon manifest itself on his face. The thought such an ugly mark marring his beautiful face made the pain even worse. He shot Sango a murderous glance and he immediately regretted it. Tears poked out of the corners of her eyes and she went from looking sorry to a mix of sorry and angry. She crossed her arms across her chest and turned her head from him. He sighed, dropped his hands, lifted his head and dropped it heavily against the earth. He saw a blast of white in front of his eyes and then it subsided as well as the pain in his jaw. The throbbing in his head and the throbbing in his jaw seemed to have cancelled each other out; now it was just tiredness. He sat up, rubbed the back of his head and wrapped his arms around the woman who had cold cocked him. She did not stiffen in his arms, but instead turned towards him and placed a quick, light kiss on his sore jaw that only lightly brushed the skin.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to punch you, but when you blew on me my first reaction was to…attack?" she said, half smiling. He rolled his eyes and kissed her soft, moist lips. He pulled away gently and rested his forehead against hers and looked into he moist, hazel eyes.

"Careful now monk, she's dangerous," InuYasha called as he swung his legs over the dark opening of the well of ages. Lyn stood behind him and her face was still pink from her previous laughing fit. A few giggles escaped her, but she stopped them as a look of pain swept over her face. She held her sides and breathed as deep as her sore ribs would allow her. The monk turned his eyes from them and back to Sango who was helping him to his feet.

"Neh, neh, neh..." Miroku said as he mocked InuYasha. Sango giggled and ran her fingers through his hair, brushing bits of leaves and grass from it.
"I heard that monk!" InuYasha said as he slipped into the well with Lyn close behind. Miroku looked at Sango and she just shrugged as she too swung her legs over the well opening and plunged in. He watched as the darkness swallowed her, but it was not all dark as a nearly blinding whitish blue light overpowered the black and his slayer disappeared within it. He shook his head as he too swung his legs over the lip of the well.

"Bombs away," he said to the empty forest as he too slipped into the darkness and into another world.