Laura: (headbangs) SO WHAT IF YOU CAN SEE! THE DARK INSIDE OF ME! NO ONE WILL EVER TAME THIS ANIMAL I HAVE BECOME!!
InuYasha:.......I'm not even gonna ask.
Chiyo: Some might say Laura has become a little obsessed with her I-Touch lately.
Kagome: She has an I-touch?!
Ookami: Ha, that's nothing! I have an I-Phone!
Chiyo: Ookami, nobody cares.
Koreno: Read the review responses! (whispers) Was that good?
Sango: That was great for your debut in the Author's Notes!
Koreno: (punches air)
Laura: Hello cwizumi! A newcomer, hey? You earn this! (hands over an 'I LOVE INSIDE INUYASHA' t-shirt)
Chiyo: When the heck did you make that?!
Laura: Now now Chiyo, calm down, we don't want you going demon on us again.
Chiyo: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT I DON'T HAVE ANGER MANAGEMENT ISSUES!!
Miroku: She never said that.
Chiyo: SHUT UP YOU FILTHY MONK!
Miroku: (shoots with tranquilizer gun)
Laura: Hey I love Skillet too! Yay for heavy metal rock-ness!!
Chiyo: (dead) X.x
Ookami: Alice Wolf is addicted to reading this fanfic! It must be because of my sheer awesomeness that draws everyone in.
Chiyo: Pfft!
Ookami: Don't laugh at me! It's true, ever since I entered the story we've been getting more reviews and readers!
Chiyo: Probably because they love watching you freak out whenever your feet leave the ground.
Ookami: ...shut up!!
Chiyo: Yes, AiKitsuneOni, it does suck that I go demon all the time.
Ookami: What?! I'm not too obsessive over Miroku!!
Miroku: Hey guys, has anyone seen my sandals?
Ookami: Uh....n-n-no! I mean, it's not like I have them hung up on an altar worshipping you in my room or something...(runs off)
InuYasha: ...my nice guy scale went up? That's the lamest thing I've ever heard.
Kagome: I think it's cute!
InuYasha......(blushes)
Laura: huytemen wants to know more about Aimi. Hm...
Chiyo: Is she connected to me? (stares at Koreno)
Koreno: You ain't getting a word outta me!
Chiyo: Is that so? (sharpens claws)
Koreno: Laura, help me!!
Kagome: According to D-MO, this story is amazing.
Laura: That's because it is. (nods)
Kagome: Now that you're updating more, it's definitely better.
Laura: ...(grumbles)
Chiyo: (sweatdrop)
Koreno: Oooh, Arrowachi loves my staff! That's great!
InuYasha: Koreno better not steal the show, Laura.
Laura: Naaaw, is Inu-chan jealous cause he thinks the staff is better than the Tessaiga?
InuYasha: (anger mark) Are you more insane than usual today?!
Kagome: That nickname never gets old! XD
Laura: SOMEBODY GET ME THROUGH THIS NIGHTMARE!! I CAN'T CONTROL MY-
Everyone: SHUT UP AND START THE CHAPTER!!
Laura:........-self! Okay now we can start.
Chapter 14: An Apology
"You're doing it wrong!"
"I'm sorry!"
"You gotta focus!"
"I am focused!"
"Well your focus needs a hell of work as well then!"
"I told you, I'm trying," Chiyo wailed pathetically back. "It's not working!"
"Do I have to run over it again?!" InuYasha growled at her, his glare making her shudder even though he was across the other side of the grassy field. Chiyo meekly nodded for a reply.
InuYasha sighed in sheer frustration, then he swiftly jumped over the field to Chiyo, landing beside her.
"I just don't get it," Chiyo mumbled in an embarrassed way. "It worked before for me. Why won't it work now?"
"I already told you," InuYasha barked at her, folding his arms across his chest, "you can't use Iron Reaver Soul Stealer if you're drawing your power from anger!!"
"But I wasn't!" Chiyo insisted, though both she and InuYasha knew this was an outright lie. Beforehand, Chiyo had confessed to InuYasha that the reason she'd used Iron Reaver Soul Stealer successfully in the battle the other day was because the watch had worked her up into a frenzy of power. InuYasha had then grudgingly agreed to teach her the correct way to perform the move; but they weren't having much luck.
InuYasha glared down at Chiyo as she blurted out her failed excuse, and she looked down at her feet. He stared at her in silence for a few seconds, then sighed a second time.
"You've gotta draw your power from inside you," he stated for what must have been the millionth time. Chiyo glanced up at him. "It's the same way you find the power to run, to jump, to breathe...it's all the same." He looked away, his arms unfolding. "Once you find that power, you channel it through yourself and into your hand." InuYasha looked down at his own hand, and Chiyo followed suit. She saw that his claws were beginning to glow yellow. InuYasha abruptly leapt forward, making Chiyo jump.
"Then you swipe out that power!" InuYasha yelled to her, as he brought his arm up. "IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!!"
Chiyo watched as the half-demon swung his arm down and the yellow streaks flew across the grass, striking the ground and sending dirt flying in all directions. Chiyo brought her hand up to shield her eyes from the debris. When the dust settled, she dropped her arm and saw InuYasha standing strong in between the marks he had made on the ground with a small smirk on his face.
"And that's how it's done," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
"You're so amazing..." Chiyo replied in awe.
Chiyo snapped out of her daze and smacked her hand over her mouth in shock, but it was too late; the words had already slipped out. InuYasha's expression changed from smug to startled in an instant.
"Huh?" he said, looking at her awkwardly. Chiyo shook her head furiously from side to side, her hand still clamped over her mouth.
'Oh my God what did I just say?!' Chiyo thought frantically. 'I sound like an insane fangirl! I sound like Ookami!!'
"I didn't mean that!" Chiyo squeaked, finally letting her mouth breath. "I'm sorry!!"
InuYasha blinked, still staring at her. "You...didn't mean it?" he said slowly, and Chiyo thought he looked disheartened. She mentally slapped herself.
"N-no, I mean, it was amazing!" Chiyo stammered, desperate not to hurt InuYasha's feelings. "It's just, I didn't mean for it to come out that way, and the move was still awesome, is awesome, but not you specifically, gah, I mean, yes you, but not...you...you...blugwah!!" Chiyo's words turned into an idiotic jumble of exclamation at the end.
"Blugwah?" InuYasha repeated, sweatdropping.
"Yes, blugwah," Chiyo snapped back, now just infuriated with herself. "Look, just forget I said anything, okay!" She turned away from InuYasha as she began to feel herself blush, trying to preserve her remaining dignity; if she had any left. "I'm gonna try it again!"
"Al...right..." InuYasha replied awkwardly, watching as Chiyo stomped off to a clear spot on the grass. He watched her turn when she had found a good place, then saw her body tense in concentration.
"Find the power, find the power..." he heard her mumble to herself, as her eyes closed to further help her focus. She then became so still InuYasha couldn't even hear her breath anymore. He frowned, watching the girl intently.
'Is she finally focusing seriously?' he thought, as Chiyo still didn't move. The wind picked up, and InuYasha saw Chiyo didn't even flinch when a twirling leaf hit her in the face. The leaf fluttered away, and InuYasha flicked his own hair out of his face.
'Damn, how long does it take her to focus?' he thought in annoyance, but secretly he was hoping that Chiyo really would find the right power this time. Not just because he wanted the training session to end, or because he wanted her to look after her own butt without him having to save it all the time (although these reasons were at the forefront of his mind), but because he really wanted to see her achieve it.
Of course, he'd never admit that, not even to himself.
His ears perked up automatically when he saw Chiyo's claws beginning to faintly glow. His breath stopped as he fixedly stared at her hand, which was slowly moving upward. Chiyo's eyes suddenly snapped open, and she leapt into the air. InuYasha stepped back as she drew her arm up, then she slashed down with full force and yelled, "IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!!"
There was a split second where nothing happened at all, and InuYasha's stomach dropped to his feet when he thought that her attempt would fail. Then, the air suddenly came alive with yellow strikes, and Chiyo's attack plunged into the ground and sent grass and dirt exploding everywhere. InuYasha ducked as a particularly large slab of ground came hurtling in his direction, and the dirt flew over him, missing his ear by a hair's breath.
'I...I did it!!' Chiyo thought in excitement, watching in awe as her claws glowed a brilliant gold. She was so caught up in amazement that she didn't realize the ground was rapidly approaching. By the time she noticed she was falling she didn't have time to upright herself.
"Oh cra-!!" Chiyo managed to blurt out before her head collided with the earth. The rest of her body followed, and she groaned as her muscles cramped up with pain.
'I bet this is how InuYasha feels after he gets told to sit,' Chiyo thought grudgingly, wrenching her body out of the ground and flopping onto her back.
"Idiot!" an annoyed voice snapped at her, and the next thing Chiyo saw was InuYasha's angry head looking down at her. 'I seem to be in this position a lot lately,' Chiyo noticed.
"Are you so caught up in your own world that you can't even realize you're falling?" InuYasha continued, glaring down at her. "What's the use of using that move if you can't keep fighting afterwards?!"
"My...my bad?" Chiyo tried, looking guilty. InuYasha ground his teeth together in irritation.
"How the hell did I get stuck teaching you how to look after yourself?" he growled to himself, then he held out his hand. Chiyo blinked, staring at it.
"Come on!" InuYasha snapped. "Lemme help you up!"
"Huh?" Chiyo said. "Oh. Right," she replied, looking startled. She grabbed his hand, and he yanked her up off the ground.
"Jeez, as if you don't know what a hand is for," he grumbled, as Chiyo regained her balance.
"Thanks," Chiyo mumbled sheepishly, and she could again feel herself blushing. She hurriedly brushed herself off in an effort to distract herself.
"So, you finally managed to achieve something," InuYasha said sarcastically, eying the damage Chiyo had caused the ground to endure. Chiyo started, the swiftly spun round to see what she had done.
"I did, didn't I?" she exclaimed, and she felt a thrill run through her. "I used Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!"
She turned to InuYasha. "Isn't that just the most awesome thing ever?!" she cried, her voice rising an octave. "I did the attack!!"
"You've already used it before," InuYasha pointed out flatly, but Chiyo wasn't listening.
"Wait til I show Ookami, she'll freak!" Chiyo said in excitement, hopping from foot to foot. "I really can't believe I actually did it!!"
InuYasha rolled his eyes.
"You do realise that when you use it in battle, you can't just stand there like a statue for ten minutes getting prepared," he said in frustration. "You better learn to use it quicker."
"Oh, yeah, of course!" Chiyo replied, turning to him. "Thank you! Thank you so much InuYasha!" she said to him, a huge beam on her face.
InuYasha started, then looked away. "Yeah, you should be grateful! Getting me to spend all this time out here teaching you survival tactics when I could be doing something better with my life. Keh!" He huffed in annoyance.
Chiyo's grin faltered a little. "Ah, yeah, I'm sorry," she said, looking down. InuYasha's head whipped around.
"Don't apologize!" he barked at her, making her jump. 'Damn, she's apologizing to me over nothing,' InuYasha thought, as Chiyo looked at him in confusion, 'when I still haven't apologized about attacking her when I was demon.'
"Well, could you make up your mind?" Chiyo asked. "I should be grateful, I shouldn't apologize, what next? I should go propose to Miroku?"
InuYasha glared at her. "Just...shut up," he muttered, then turned his head and twitched his ears. Chiyo heard it too and turned in unison; the sound of approaching footsteps. She looked to see who was coming, the groaned as she recognised the scent. InuYasha smirked as the one approaching came into view.
"Well well well, I wonder who that can be?" InuYasha laughed maliciously.
"If he asks, I'm NOT here," Chiyo growled, quickly jumping behind InuYasha for cover. InuYasha turned to her, grinning evilly.
"Oh no, I think this is something you can face," InuYasha snickered, then before Chiyo could protest, he launched himself into the air and flipped behind her, and when he landed began to run back in the direction of the village.
"Wah- InuYasha!!" Chiyo cried, spinning round, but he was already racing off across the field.
"I'll see ya later!" he called back, and Chiyo's head became covered in anger marks.
"You better pray you don't see me later!!" Chiyo yelled at him. "You'll regret this!!"
Chiyo trembled with anger as she saw InuYasha run out of sight. It was then that she began to feel a heat rise under her skin. She abruptly stood up straight and tensed with dread.
'Calm down,' she desperately thought to herself. 'Calm down! You can't get angry, you can't get mad. It'll make you go demon again...' Chiyo forced herself to relax and felt the heat die down. 'Besides,' she thought, 'you promised InuYasha. Don't let yourself get angry.'
"Chiyo?"
Chiyo stiffened, and gritted her teeth together as she heard the voice behind her.
"That is your name, isn't it?" the voice continued. "Chiyo, right?"
Chiyo sighed in exasperation, then grudgingly turned around to face the owner of the voice.
"Koreno," she addressed the so-called mage, fixing him with an ice-cold stare.
Koreno stood, hunched over, leaning on his staff for support. Kaede had done a decent job healing his wounds, but on the whole he was still very weak and – according to Kaede – shouldn't be walking around for another day or so.
"What are you doing out here?" Chiyo asked coldly. "You're supposed to be recovering."
Koreno grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, I shouldn't be out here really," he admitted. "Guess I just don't like sitting in one place."
Chiyo said nothing.
"I just watched you perfect your new attack," he continued, when he realized Chiyo wasn't going to answer. "It was intriguing to witness."
"So you were spying on me?" Chiyo growled at him, crossing her arms. Koreno's eyes widened.
"Oh no, nothing of that sort!" he replied in shock. "I was coming over to you anyway. Your young fox demon friend told me you were training here with...InuWasha?"
"Inu-YA-sha," Chiyo snapped at him. Koreno nodded.
"Of course, InuYasha...I haven't quite got everyone's names right yet." He gave a light laugh, then stopped when he saw Chiyo expression remain rigid.
There was a long silence.
Chiyo looked over Koreno's face, his expression innocent and slightly taken aback by Chiyo's bitter demeanour. But besides that, his face was also covered in injuries. His jaw looked slightly out of line, he had a large black eye, and when he spoke, Chiyo could see that one of his teeth was chipped. It didn't take Chiyo much to figure out where he had acquired these recent wounds.
Chiyo bit her lip as she felt a feeling of guilt pang at her insides. She cursed internally. 'How the hell can I hold a grudge against this guy if I'm feeling sorry about what I did?' Chiyo thought in frustration. 'He's got a lotta nerve, coming up to me after what he did, but after what I did to him, I'm starting to think the situation should be reversed...dammit!'
"I came here to apologize!" Koreno suddenly blurted out, and Chiyo blinked out of her thoughts. She kept her silence, though, and continued to just look at him. His expression had become less calm now, and much more guilt ridden.
"I wanted to apologize," he repeated, more quietly now. "I feel so shamed about what I did to you before. It was incredibly out of line, and I don't know what I was thinking at the time...no," he said, shaking his head, "I can't come up with excuses! There is no excuse for what I did." He looked down to the ground, re-adjusting his grip on his staff. "I can't forgive myself for my actions. But I can only pray that you can." He looked up at Chiyo, his eyes meeting hers. Chiyo saw them, filled with remorse, and she cringed.
'Why is he making me feel like this?!' she yelled at herself. 'This isn't fair! He can't just...just come up here and expect me to forgive him! I have grudge rights, I tell you!!'
"Why did you even do that?!" Chiyo suddenly exploded, trying to push her frantic thoughts out of her mind. Koreno jumped, stepping back slightly. Chiyo felt her skin boil once again, and she shut her eyes hard, compelling herself to calm down. Once she had her rage had under control, she opened her eyes and glared at Koreno.
"Why did you kiss me?" Chiyo forced out, and Koreno's guilty look deepened. He opened his mouth to speak, but Chiyo wasn't finished. "And don't give me any crap about how you thought I was this Aimi person, I already know that! What I want to know is who the hell this person was, and how you made the mistake of confusing me for her."
Chiyo noticed how hurt the mage's face looked now, after she had mentioned the name Aimi. She, not being one to hurt others often, instantly regretted the words. But she worked hard to keep a stern look on her face, as Koreno mustered up an answer.
"...she..." Koreno swallowed, and Chiyo sensed he was trying to think straight. "...she was my lover...and was killed by Naraku."
"I heard that," Chiyo said, and he looked at her in confusion. "I was on the roof when you came to," Chiyo explained grudgingly. "Keep going."
Koreno swallowed again. "Well, we...we travelled together, and she had a particular way of speaking." Chiyo blinked at his odd comment, and saw his grip on his staff tighten. "Your voice...you sounded so much like her."
Chiyo's voice caught in her throat. 'I sound like this Aimi?' she thought in shock, her hand reaching up to her neck.
"So when you caught me when I fell in the field," he continued, "and I heard your voice..."
Koreno shook his head. "But I was completely wrong, of course," he said, and he seemed to recover a little. "Besides, Aimi wasn't a demon like you. She was human."
"Half-demon," Chiyo corrected harshly, and Koreno started. "And you went all the way to kissing me just on hearing my voice?" Chiyo took a step forward, carelessly invading Koreno's personal space. "Like, c'mon! How stupid can you get?!"
"It wasn't just the voice," Koreno said quietly, looking up into her face. "It was also your eyes."
Chiyo abruptly realised that their faces were so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. And the way he looked into her eyes...
The blood immediately rushed to Chiyo's head and her whole face blushed furiously, and she jumped back, shocked into silence. Koreno continued to stare at her, unmoving and melancholy. Chiyo's mouth hung half open, and her hands trembled. She knew she looked as red as a sunburnt tomato, and she could feel her heart beating loudly in her furry ears. She gulped, in shock about what she was feeling.
'You. Should. Hate. This. Guy," she told herself, but she knew this wasn't going to be happening for much longer. As angry as she had been about him kissing her, she couldn't bring herself to hate him any longer.
'What he did to me is nothing compared to what he's been through,' she thought, as Koreno kept looking at her sadly. Chiyo sighed, then straightened up.
"Fine," she said gruffly, and he blinked. She glared at him, but her glare had lost most of its intensity. "You...you're forgiven."
Koreno's eyes suddenly lit up. "I...I am?" he asked, a smile tugging at his lips. Chiyo paused.
"Yeah," she sighed, "you are. And I'm sorry too...for punching your face to bits."
Koreno laughed, coughing a little. His grip on his staff lessened as his mood uplifted.
"But don't get too excited!" Chiyo warned. "You still piss me off!"
And with that said she turned and began to stomp away.
"Huh- hey, wait!" Koreno called, then began to hobble after her. "Chiyo!"
Chiyo didn't look back, but her pace slowed slightly as she allowed him to catch up.
"Th-thank you," he huffed, the small burst of energy he had used to catch up already wearing him out. "You are truly considerate, Chiyo."
"Yeah, well don't get used to it," she huffed, but in annoyance, not weariness. She kept her eyes set on the village and was very thankful that her blushing had finally faded away.
"Hey, did you say before," Koreno continued, struggling to keep up, "that you were a half-demon?"
Chiyo abruptly stopped, and Koreno tried to as well, but he lost his balance on his staff and began to fall forwards. Chiyo could have let him fall, but she caught him around the waist and swiftly set him upright.
"Yeah, I did," she replied, as he regained balance. "What of it?"
"Oh, it's just..." Koreno said, unsure of what to say.
"What? That half-demons are filth?" Chiyo said sharply. "They're half-breeds? Not really worth existing?"
"Of course not!" Koreno exclaimed, then clutched his chest as his loud voice strained his injuries. "It's just, I've never met a half-demon before..." he said, more quietly.
"Really," Chiyo commented. "Well, say whatever you want about them to me, but I swear if you insult InuYasha, I will decapitate you with a spoon. And it hurts more than a sword, I can tell you that."
Chiyo took pleasure in watching Koreno shudder at her threat.
"Is...is InuYasha a half-demon as well?" Koreno asked, after his fear passed.
Chiyo nodded, then continued walking towards the village.
"And are you his daughter?"
"WHAT?!!" Chiyo yelled at him, her eyes growing wide. "No way!!"
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Koreno quickly said, flustering at Chiyo's outburst. "It's just, you look so alike...you're not related to each other?"
Chiyo stared at him, then thought that his accusation about InuYasha being her old man was actually not that bad of a theory. Considering that her DNA was apparently mixed with his. According to Kyon.
"...we're not related...in that way," Chiyo said, looking at the ground as she walked. It was close enough.
"Then...is he your older brother?"
"No! We're not family!!"
"Ok! Sorry!"
A short silence followed as they reached the outskirts of the village.
"You guys sure are different sort of group," Koreno said to her next, limping beside her. "What exactly are you all doing together?"
"We're-" Chiyo began, but stopped, suddenly wondering what the group was actually doing together. It took her a few seconds to remember that InuYasha and the others were supposed to be gathering shards of the Shikon Jewel. Chiyo's pace slowed, then eventually stopped as she realised that they hadn't been doing that lately. Why was that?
"Chiyo?" Koreno said, peering at her. Chiyo looked at him, wondering whether she was even allowed to tell him that the others collected the shards.
"Koreno!"
Both started at the voice, then Koreno turned around. Chiyo looked behind him and saw that Kaede was shuffling towards them from her hut, looking strangely annoyed.
"You shouldn't be outside!" she called, waving her arm at him in frustration. "Come back inside at once!"
"I've been caught," Koreno muttered, then turned back to Chiyo, smiling nervously. "Thank you again for forgiving me," he said happily. "I'll talk to you later!"
Then he hobbled as fast as he could back over to the irritated Kaede.
Chiyo watched him enter the hut, followed by the old priestess, then shook her head and continued her walk into the village. Her thoughts returned to the Shikon Jewel shards.
'So why isn't everyone looking for the sacred jewel shards anymore?' she thought in shock, then started as she figured out the answer. 'It's because we're here,' she realised, her eyes widening and pace slowing. 'Ookami and I...ever since we got here, they haven't been looking out for jewel shards!' A sick feeling began to form in Chiyo's stomach. 'Because we're here...is it wrong? Are we stuffing up how this place is supposed to run by being here? It can't be...'
Chiyo stopped, walking making her stomach feel worse. "Dammit," she cursed under her breath. "What if it's true? What happens then?"
'We might...have to leave for good...'
The thought had barely crossed her mind when she felt a swish of air slice above her head, followed by a glint of metal.
Instantly fearing the worst, she jumped around, claws raised, and bared her fangs in shock. Next thing she felt was a smack on her sensitive ear, and she grabbed it in pain. She tried to see who was attacking her, and caught a glimpse of a black foot. Then the foot kicked up dust off the ground and into her eyes, and she cried out, covering her eyes. Then the attacker delivered a hard jab into her stomach, her cry became a hard choke, and then she stumbled back, temporarily winded. She lost her balance and slipped over, crashing onto the ground. She desperately tried to scramble up and face whoever – or whatever – her attacker was, when she suddenly felt the tip of something sharp and cold on her throat. Her breath caught, and her first thought was that a claw or talon was against her. But as she looked down, and the last of her dust left her eyes, she saw that it was not a claw but a sword that was pinned against her. Her breathing was heavy and her heart drummed against chest so hard it hurt.
'Who the hell-" Chiyo began to think, but stopped when she picked up a familiar scent. Slowly her head raised up to view her attacker's stern face.
"Got you," the attacker said, and Chiyo's eyes widened when she saw who it was.
"...Ookami?!"
Her best friend glared at her, the sword still pressed up against her throat. Chiyo's breath was shallow and frantic, and she stared at Ookami, eyes wide and hands quivering.
'What is she doing attacking me?!' Chiyo thought in horror, the cold metal of her sword biting into her neck's skin.
Ookami paused, then Chiyo felt the blade slowly relax its pressure on her. Suddenly Ookami's glare vanished, and Chiyo began to frown.
"No use getting into a fight with me now," Ookami said, her face suddenly breaking into a huge grin. "Be prepared to start losing again!"
Chiyo's frown deepened, but her eyes stayed wide. "Wuh...wha...what...?"
"Bwahahahahahaha!!" Ookami burst out laughing, then quickly sheathed her sword. "You should see your face! You're whiter than a ghost!!"
"Ooka...Ookami..." Chiyo stammered, finally finding her voice again. "You..."
"Like my new fighting style?" Ookami asked happily, as if she hadn't just beat up her best friend and looked like she was about to slice her throat right open. "Guess where I just was? With Sango!"
Chiyo paused, then shakily began to get to her feet, her neck still tingling from the sword's touch.
"We finally got around to that training session she said she's give me," Ookami continued, as Chiyo clutched a hut's wall for support. "And although she's a total pain, Sango's actually really good at giving fighting lessons!"
"So...what that...just was..." Chiyo said unsteadily, "...that was..."
"The result of today's training!" Ookami replied cheerily, the giant beam still planted on her face. "She told me when attacking demons to go for their weak spots, and since you're always going on about how sensitive your ears are, they were the best shot to go for!"
Chiyo stared at her friend like she'd just grown another head. "So you used me as a test dummy?!" Chiyo exclaimed, but Ookami wasn't listening.
"And check out all this neat stuff she gave me!" Ookami continued, pulling some items out from a new pouch attached to her belt. "There's little daggers, shrukien, a gas mask, oh, and these too!"
Ookami picked up a small pellet tenderly in between her thumb and middle finger, and held it delicately out in front of Chiyo. Chiyo stared at it blankly.
"What is tha-" she began, but was cut off as Ookami suddenly threw the pellet with all her strength down onto the ground, and it exploded into a billow of smoke.
"It's a smoke bomb!" Ookami cheered, as she darted away from the thick black gas. "It helps with get-aways and distracting opponents. I feel like some sort of secret ninja when I have all this stuff!"
The smoke started to clear away, and Ookami waved the remaining gas away from her absently. "Isn't this awesome, Chiyo?!"
"..."
"Chiyo?" Ookami repeated, her smile fading when her friend didn't reply. In fact, Ookami couldn't see Chiyo through the parting smoke. "Chiyo!" Ookami called again, stepping forward. She stopped when she stepped on not ground, but something soft. She looked down and saw her foot was on Chiyo's face.
"Gah!" Ookami exclaimed, jumping off her friend. "Chiyo, what's wrong?!"
Chiyo was on the ground, her body twitching, her mouth half open, her eyes dazed, and a drunk look on her face. Ookami knelt down beside her and shook her violently.
"Chiyo!! What happened?!" Ookami cried, then she suddenly remembered something Sango had told her earlier.
'Smoke pellets are good for escaping, but they're most effective on opponents with a keen sense of smell. The smoke blinds their eyes as well as their nose, and it usually leaves them unconscious.'
"..."
"I killed Chiyo!!" Ookami squeaked, then preceded to drag her unconscious friend to Kaede for desperate medical help.
"That was a rather powerful smoke bomb ye used on her, Ookami."
"I didn't mean to! I forgot she was really sensitive to this stuff!"
Kaede sighed. She flicked some remedial herbs over Chiyo's blocked nose as she tried to clear the smoke from her nostrils. Chiyo was still in her unconscious state, only moving with an occasional twitch. Kaede was working her best, but it was hard to get every part of the gas away from such a powerful blast.
"Ye should be more careful with what you are given," the priestess instructed her, and Ookami hung her head. Koreno sat up in his futon, from across the other side of the hut.
"Do you need any assistance?" he asked, as Kaede crushed more of her herbs. Ookami looked up.
"Sure, if you know anything about how to get a unconscious half-demon who inhaled enough smoke to start a bonfire party lively again," she said, grimacing again at her dazed friend.
"Actually, I know my fair share about healing and medicine," Koreno replied, slowly standing up and grabbing his staff. "I could have a look at her, I may be able to help more than you might think."
Kaede and Ookami looked at him, then at each other.
"Fine then," Ookami sighed. "But I swear, if you start molesting her I will rip you to shreds."
"I won't do anything of the sort!" Koreno exclaimed, looking hurt. He carefully walked over to the three and knelt down next to Chiyo. He looked her over, then moved his staff over her, and closed his eyes in concentration. There was a silence as Ookami and Kaede watched him in interest, and his breathing became slow and even. Ookami saw him frown, then mutter something under his breath. Suddenly, he swished his staff to the right, making the other two jump. Ookami watched the small leaves wrapped around the staff begin to glow, and Koreno pointed the tip down onto Chiyo's face. He mumbled a few more words, then tapped the end of her nose with the staff. There was a pause, then Chiyo's eyes suddenly snapped open and she let out a loud string of sneezes.
"Wow, you did it!" Ookami exclaimed, and Koreno opened his eyes and pulled his staff away. Chiyo looked around, still looking dazed.
"What happened?" she asked groggily, rubbing her face. "My nose feels like it's about to fall off or something."
"It's good to see you're conscious again," Koreno said, smiling at her. "I should have come over to help sooner."
Chiyo blinked, waking up a little more. "What did you do to me?" she asked, before delivering another few sneezes.
"Well, Ookami dragged you in about half an hour ago-" Koreno started, then stopped when Ookami suddenly clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Now then, Koreno!" she exclaimed, grinning nervously. "I'm just going to go check on Houshi-sama and the others, and you can start the story after I leave. Got it?"
Ookami stressed the last part with a force that made Koreno shudder. There was a pause, then Ookami ripped her hand off Koreno's face and shot out the door quicker than you could blink.
Villagers stared as they saw a young girl demon slayer power walked past them and as far away from the hut as possible.
'That was close,' Ookami thought, shuddering at the thought of what Chiyo might have done to her if she'd remembered that Ookami had knocked her out in the first place. No sooner than she had thought that Ookami heard a huge scream from the hut she had just raced out of.
"OOKAMI I'M GOING TO BLOODY MURDER YOU!! I'LL FEED YOU TO THE DOGS!!"
Ookami's power walk quickly changed into a full-pelted sprint.
Ookami stopped running when she was certain she'd reached the complete opposite end of the village. She stopped outside one of the newly rebuilt huts, her breath coming in gasps. 'I think I'll give Chiyo a couple of hours to calm down before I go within ten metres of her,' she decided, grimacing at the thought of what her half-demon friend might be planning for her. She slumped down and rested against the hut, her breathing eventually slowing down and her heart relaxing back to a normal pace. She sat there, wondering how to bide the time she had, when she heard a sound like a slap come from inside the hut.
"Will you keep your hands to yourself?!"
"I'm sorry Sango, you know I can't help myself!"
"You don't sound sorry one bit, you lecherous monk!"
Ookami turned her head as she heard Miroku and Sango arguing from inside, most likely from Miroku's recent groping attack Sango had received. 'Poor Houshi-sama!' she thought, pouting. 'I betcha his cheek's hurting right now. I shall gladly go and comfort him!'
She was just about to stand up and go inside when Miroku spoke again.
"Sango?"
Ookami paused, frowning at the tone Miroku had used. It was full of concern, and very gentle.
"Yes?"
Ookami heard Sango's tone; annoyed, hurt, and somewhat sad.
"Is something bothering you?"
There was silence from Sango. Ookami was frozen in her sitting position outside the hut. She didn't know whether she should go in, walk away, or stay put. Her mind couldn't make up what she wanted.
"It's just..."
Sango sounded reluctant, and Ookami heard slight movement inside. No doubt Miroku was shuffling closer to her; but not for perverted reasons, for serious ones.
"It's about Naraku, and the jewel shards."
Ookami frowned when Sango mentioned the two. 'Naraku?' she thought. 'And the shards?'
"We haven't seen either of them for a while now, not since around the time Chiyo first appeared."
"That is true, Sango," Miroku replied.
Ookami's frown deepened. 'Since Chiyo came here?' she repeated to herself. 'They haven't found Naraku or jewel shards since then? That's a long time by now...'
"Which part about that bothers you?" Miroku asked quietly, and there was a pause. Ookami waited, feeling her whole body was tensed.
"Is it because we haven't heard anything of Kohaku for a while now?" Miroku asked, and Ookami knew he was taking a wild guess. She heard Sango gasp quietly.
"...yes," she admitted sadly, and Miroku sighed heavily.
"Please, don't worry yourself with such things," Miroku told her, sounding concerned. "Just because we haven't heard much, doesn't mean at all that we have given up. All we can do is keep searching. I'm certain we'll find your brother, and Naraku, and when we do he'll pay for all his actions."
"...thank you, Miroku," Sango said quietly. "I believe you. I won't let it bother me anymore."
"Sango," Miroku said, more contently now.
Ookami was still frozen outside, listening to Miroku comfort Sango with his heartfelt words. Her hand was trembling, and she slowly turned her head away from the hut's entrance.
"Houshi-sama..." she said quietly, biting her lip. She was silent for a little, then she gave a soft laugh. She looked up at the darkening sky, as evening was quickly changing into night.
"...you really are a lucky guy..." she said to the setting sun, a small smile appearing on her face.
"Miroku!!"
Ookami jumped as Sango yelled the name from inside, then she heard Miroku scoot back.
"Wait, Sango, please! Put your Hiraikotsu down! Don't be rash-!!"
All his pleading was in vain, and Ookami winced as she heard the boomerang bone collide with the groping monk's head. She decided that this wasn't the safest place to sit anymore, and she quickly hopped up and left, in search for a new resting place.
"You'd think there'd be at least one free hut in this place," Ookami muttered under her breath, after stomping out of another occupied shelter. But she didn't really have a right to complain, considering most of the huts were filled up with women, children and the injured from the recent demon attack a few days ago. A few more huts had been erected since the battle, but the majority of the village was still in ruins. Ookami felt unnerved looking at all the rubble and debris, but she couldn't avert her eyes in any direction to escape it.
"Dammit," she cursed quietly, stomping past a few village children playing in the wreckage. Ookami wished she could be as naïve as them at that moment, and just carelessly play away the days without any worry.
Determined to temporarily escape the view of the destroyed place, Ookami spotted a bed of reeds that covered a small stream, which trailed away from the village. She sighed, then changed direction and headed towards it, having no-where else to go.
When she got to the reeds, she saw that they were a lot bigger than she had thought when close up, reaching a head or so above her. She carefully parted them and stepped between their leaves, hopping over their roots and landing next to the thin stream trickling down into the brush.
"Well this is quaint," she stated, raising her eyebrows with her hands on her hips. "Looks like some secret place that lovers meet or something." She nodded with agreement on her own statement when she spied a bed of water lilies growing along the edge of the delicate bank.
Fragilely she walked down the tiny brook, trying to disturb as little as possible. She reached a point where the reeds spread out a little more and she had room to sit herself down. Gratefully she immediately plonked down onto the soft ground, then absently began twisting one of the reeds in between her fingers.
'Wonder if Chiyo's calmed down yet,' she thought, then grimaced. 'Nuh uh. I'm gonna play it safe and wait a while longer.'
Ookami suddenly tensed when she heard a rustling in the reeds behind her. Her hand instantly jumped to the hilt of her sword, ready for anything that might jump out at her.
"Kagome, what are you dragging me all the way out here for?!"
"Will you just be quiet?"
Ookami relaxed as quickly as she had tensed, and rolled her eyes. 'Speaking of a lover's meeting place...' she thought. 'How ironic.'
"Kagome!" Ookami heard the splashes as the couple walked over the stream. "What is your problem?"
Kagome didn't answer, but instead asked him another question. "Tell me now. What really happened?"
InuYasha paused, most likely in confusion. "What really happened when?" he replied, but there was an edge to his voice, as if he had some idea of what was coming.
Ookami stayed as still as possible. She knew if she moved even the slightest bit InuYasha would hear her, and why he hadn't picked up her scent yet was a mystery to her.
"Back in Kaede's hut earlier," Kagome said, and Ookami saw a slight gap in the reeds where she could see the two without being seen herself. "When Chiyo attacked Koreno."
Ookami saw InuYasha grimace, and turn his head away.
"You didn't tell us everything," Kagome continued sternly. "Whatever reason that was, I want you to tell me now."
"I knew you'd do this," InuYasha muttered under his breath, then he turned back to her. "Yeah, there was more," he admitted, sighing in annoyance. "But I wasn't gonna say it in front of everyone else."
Kagome paused, waiting for InuYasha to continue.
"...it's about Chiyo," he started, and Kagome nodded. "When she attacked that Koreno guy...it wasn't like she was just mad at him. She was punching him brutally, being really viscous."
Kagome nodded.
"And then, when I went to stop her..." InuYasha gritted his teeth as he remembered, and Ookami frowned.
"She turned at me, and snarled like I was some sort of vile demon," he said, hands clenching. Ookami remembered that part, but Chiyo had done the same thing to her earlier when she had surprise-attacked her. She had figured that was a half-demon thing.
Ookami started as a thought suddenly came to her. 'Unless...' she thought with dread.
"And her eyes..." InuYasha continued, "they were red."
Ookami couldn't help gasping, but Kagome gasped at the same time, overlapping hers and keeping her hidden. 'It happened...again?!' Ookami thought with fear. 'I didn't see Chiyo's face then because InuYasha was blocking her. Did she become demon in front of him now?!'
"R...red?!" Kagome repeated in shock, staring at InuYasha. "Does that mean..."
InuYasha nodded, his mouth twisted into a disgusted frown. "Yeah," he choked out. "She has a demon side like me. Except hers isn't triggered by injury."
"And what exactly is hers triggered by?" Kagome asked.
"Anger," InuYasha replied. "I'm nearly certain of it. I managed to calm her down then, and that's when you guys came in and she started crying. She told me later that she had wanted to..." InuYasha paused, shuddering at the memory. "...wanted to attack me next, not just Koreno. And as she was telling me that, she started freaking out."
Kagome and Ookami both stared at InuYasha, unmoving and shocked speechless.
"As she freaked out, the demon started taking over again," InuYasha growled, shaking his head. "And that watch she wears...she was scratching at it like crazy."
Ookami gulped quietly, then decided she had had enough of eavesdropping. As slowly as she could, she began to stand up.
"I hit her on the head, to try and snap her out of it...and it worked." InuYasha looked relieved for a second. "But when I asked her what that was all about, she couldn't remember what had just happened."
"No way..." Kagome whispered, "this is...it's terrible..."
Ookami was standing now, and she carefully pushed the reeds away from her, revealing herself. "That same thing happened with me," she said.
InuYasha and Kagome both jumped violently, and Kagome shrieked in surprise and slipped back onto to the ground in shock, narrowly missing landing in the stream. InuYasha immediately grabbed his sword and yanked it out of its sheath, pointing it at Ookami and growling in alarm.
"Woah woah, hey wait!!" Ookami yelled in a panic, her hands flying up in surrender and sweat drops appearing all over her head. "Relax, relax! It's just me!"
InuYasha blinked, then stared at her. "Ookami- what the hell are you doing here?!" he snapped, lowering his giant blade. Ookami sighed in relief, clutching her chest and checking it was still in one piece.
"I was here before you guys," Ookami defended, as Kagome picked herself up off the ground. "I've been here the whole time you were talking."
InuYasha frowned, obviously confused at why he hadn't noticed her beforehand. He tched, then roughly sheathed his sword. Both he and Kagome stared at her, and Ookami took this as a sign to continue.
"The same thing with Chiyo," she said quietly, "it happened to me as well. It was when that demon attacked the village. One of the demon's tentacles had grabbed onto her arm and some sort of purple stuff went into her. After that she was rolling on the ground and attacking the watch like it was on fire or something. And she snarled at me too, with the same red eyes."
InuYasha paused, then an anger mark appeared on his head. "And why didn't you tell us this earlier?!" he growled.
"You weren't gonna tell anyone but Kagome what happened, you hypocrite!" Ookami shot back. InuYasha scowled at her.
"Okay guys," Kagome said, trying to calm the two. She turned to Ookami. "So you're saying this purple stuff was what made her go like this?"
Ookami paused, then nodded slowly. "There's definitely some sort of connection with it," she said firmly.
"And we're gonna find out what it is," InuYasha said with determination. "That blasted watch also has some connection with that bastard Naraku. When I get my claws on him, he's going down, dammit..."
"Chiyo!"
Chiyo looked up from the fire, which she had been staring at in boredom prior to a familiar male voice calling her name. "Miroku," she replied, nodding as he waltzed into the hut, followed by Sango and InuYasha. The three were bathed in orange as the light from the fire was the only source of light left, since the sun had set a good hour or so ago.
"And Koreno, of course," Miroku added, sitting himself down next to the mage. Koreno smiled and bowed his head as a reply.
"You people seem rather jaded," he commented, and Chiyo sighed.
"Not much to do sitting in a hut, is there?" she told him, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Well, why don't we just have a friendly chat then? It could cure all of our boredom," the monk said, and he handed out a few bottles he had brought with him to everyone. He went to hand one to InuYasha, who was staring out the window, at the thin crescent moon that provided little shine on the village tonight.
"InuYasha?" Miroku called, nudging the bottle against the half-demon's side, and he blinked out of his daze. "C'mon, join us!"
InuYasha raised his eyebrows, then took the bottle from Miroku, biting the cork and popping it open with his teeth.
"So what have you guys been doing this afternoon?" Sango asked, as InuYasha spat the cork out.
"InuYasha taught me how to use Iron Reaver Soul Stealer," Chiyo said, popping her bottle open with her hands instead. "I am feeling vey accomplished with myself. How about you?"
"I was teaching Ookami how to fight properly, like you suggested," Sango replied, and Miroku took a swig from his bottle. "She was a little stubborn at first, but she seemed to enjoy it after a while."
"Ah yes, and then she tested out her new techniques on me," Chiyo growled, and Koreno sweat dropped. "Where is that broken brained excuse for a friend now?"
"She was following us before, but she seemed reluctant to come in here," InuYasha told her, and now he could see why and Chiyo practically steamed with infuriation. She took a large gulp from her bottle to distract herself, then blinked as the liquid ran down her throat. Immediately her tongue began to buzz with sweet flavour, and her irritation was at ease. She dropped the bottle in shock, as her throat tingled as the drink washed down into her stomach.
"Holy shmickey, what's in this Miroku?" she asked, but she never got an answer as Sango had punched him in the head as he made yet another groping move against her. InuYasha rolled his eyes and took a mouthful from his bottle, and he pulled the same expression Chiyo had a moment ago. He blinked, stared at the bottle, then both he and Chiyo stared at each other. Almost on cue they both shrugged, then they both took another drink in unison.
Ookami and Kagome passed Kaede's hut for the forth time, both slowing down in front of it.
"You ready to go inside yet?" Kagome asked her, and Ookami grimaced. "Or would you rather take another walk around the village?"
Ookami sighed. "I can't avoid this any longer," she grumbled. "I'm just being a big chicken now."
"Don't say that," Kagome said kindly. "I'm sure Chiyo will forgive you."
"Well you're a hundred times more optimistic than me," Ookami muttered, then she steeled up her nerves and walked towards the hut. They both reached the hut door and Kagome pushed aside the cover for them both to walk in. The two girls took one step inside, then stopped in shock at the sight before them.
Sango was drooped over Miroku's lap, smiling happily as Miroku caressed her behind. Miroku had the same goofy smile plastered on his face. And Chiyo and InuYasha had their arms around each other's shoulders, their eyes half closed and swaying back and forth against each other.
"You ain't got nothin' against ME," Chiyo said slowly, her speech slurred and drowsy.
"Zat's what YOU think," InuYasha replied, his words just as hazy.
Koreno was sitting in the corner, looking quite shocked and nervous. Bottles were strewn across the floor, and everyone's faces were red as could be, except for Koreno's.
"What the friggles happened here?!" Ookami exclaimed, and Koreno looked up, noticing their presence.
"Oh, thank the heavens!" he cried, swiftly getting up and half running, half limping towards them. "All of them have been like this for so long, I haven't known what to do!"
"InuYasha?!" Kagome exclaimed, and he looked up tiredly.
"Oh, heeeeeey Kagome," he replied, blinking slowly. "Where've you been all zis time?"
"Hey look, it's you're girlfriend," Chiyo said to him, grinning sillily. "You're in troooooooouble..." She poked InuYasha in the chest., and Kagome blushed furiously.
"She'z not ma girlfriend," InuYasha replied, turning to her. "Shuddap, you...you...you," InuYasha pouted when he couldn't think of an insult for her.
Ookami frowned, then picked up one of the empty bottles on the ground. She stared at the jade-green glass, inspecting the bottle all around, then eventually sniffed the neck. "This is-!!" Ookami exclaimed, then glared at Koreno.
"Why the hell were they all drinking this?!" Ookami yelled at him, and he looked at her fearfully.
"I-I-I don't know!!" he whimpered. "The monk brought it in, and everyone started drinking...I don't even know what it is!"
"Ookami, what was in the bottles?" Kagome asked in a panic.
"Isn't it obvious?" Ookami groaned. "This is sake. Rice wine."
Kagome groaned when the alcoholic drink was mentioned. "Tell me you're joking!" Kagome exclaimed, then she glared at InuYasha. "Why on earth were you drinking sake?!" she yelled at him, but he wasn't listening.
"Wench!!" he suddenly exclaimed, poking Chiyo back in the chest. "Zat's what you are, a wench!"
"Don't you DARE call me zat," Chiyo growled, pushing his head away. InuYasha almost lost his balance and nearly rolled onto his back, but he caught himself. Just.
"I'll call you whatever I want," he growled back, "wench."
"You lookin' for a fight, bastard?" Chiyo replied, rubbing her red nose and scowling at InuYasha. "You're askin' for one!"
"Oh yeah?" InuYasha replied, glaring back. "Maybe I am!"
"Zat's it," Chiyo snarled, and she began to stand up. She wavered dangerously as she tried to find some sort of balance, nearly tripping over Miroku and Sango, who were still happily groping each other on the floor.
"Ha ha!" InuYasha laughed, as he tried to get up himself. "You can't even stand, wench!" He then lost his own balance and slipped onto the floor, legs in the air.
Chiyo laughed so hard she lost her own balance and fell back, landing in the same position.
"Wench wench wench!" InuYasha yelled, hopping up onto his hands and knees.
"Baka baka baka!!" Chiyo shouted back, grabbing at his throat. InuYasha grabbed at hers in sync.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!!"
InuYasha and Chiyo both looked up to find a shadow looming over them, then a hand came down on each of their heads in a karate chop motion. They both jerked with pain, then they flopped back onto the floor, unconscious.
Ookami stood in between them, a ferocious expression on her face. "You two can both go to sleep for a while," she growled, as Kagome dragged Sango away from Miroku behind her.
"But I wanna be with Miroku!" Sango complained, as Miroku continued to grope the air, too drunk to notice Sango was gone.
"You'll thank me later, Sango," Kagome reassured her, walking the inebriate demon slayer out of the hut.
Koreno paused, watching the two girls exit, then he turned to Ookami. "Thank you so much," he said to her, sighing in relief. "You are a saviour."
"It's nothing," Ookami replied, staring at the two unconscious half-demons on the floor. "I can't believe Houshi-sama gave Chiyo sake. Of all the things!"
"Well, all we can do is wait for them to wake up tomorrow, right?" Koreno asked, yawning. "I don't know about you, but I'm extremely worn out.
Ookami yawned herself. "Yeah," she agreed. "C'mon, let's get some sleep."
The next morning
"My head, my head, my freaking head!" Chiyo moaned, clutching her 'freaking' head in pain. Ookami rolled her eyes.
"Well you shouldn't have drank SAKE last night," she snapped at her. "How could you?! Honestly Chiyo, I thought you were a little smarter than that!"
"I didn't know what it was!!" Chiyo snarled at her. "Miroku just gave it to us! How was I to know?!"
Ookami rolled her eyes again.
"Hey, you two!" Kagome entered the hut where the two were sitting, and the girls looked up at her.
"A man from another village just arrived here," she told them, and both girls frowned. "He's extremely injured, even more so than Koreno was."
"Who is he?" Chiyo asked, her hands dropping from her head.
"He says he came from a village north west of here," Kagome continued. "Apparently his village was attacked by a demon, and he was a survivor who managed to get away."
"So what, does he want us to slay the demon?" Ookami asked, and Kagome nodded.
"But there's more," the schoolgirl added. "The man thinks that the demon has a sacred jewel shard in his possession."
"What?!" both girls exclaimed, looking at each other.
'A jewel shard...thank goodness!' Chiyo thought. 'They're still able to find them...'
"Of course, InuYasha and the others immediately said they'd go and retrieve it," Kagome told them. "Koreno says he wants to come to. I'm wondering if you girls are coming."
Chiyo and Ookami looked at each other. Ookami pouted at Chiyo, in a come-on-we-have-to-go-it's-a-once-in-a-life-time-opportunity-here sort of way. Chiyo sighed.
"...okay, we'll come," she told Kagome, and Ookami punched the air in excitement. "When do we leave?"
"Quickly, more bullace I require,"
"Yes Lady Kaede!"
Kaede watched the young boy rush out in search of more of the remedial herb. She looked over the injured man in front of her, trying to cover his wounds with the remaining bandages she had left.
"Another poor soul destroyed by the sacred jewel..." she muttered to herself. The young boy she had sent out returned then, carrying a sprig of the herb in his hand.
"My thanks," she said, taking the sprig from him, but at that instant the man in front of her cried out, and Kaede and the boy watched in horror as he spasmed before them. Suddenly his stomach split open and white froth poured out, and the man gave one last jerk before slumping down, motionless. The boy gave a cry and covered his eyes fearfully, and Kaede hurriedly dismissed him from the hut, asking him to fetch help. Kaede stared at the man as the boy ran out.
"He was...already dead?" she said quietly, her old face forming a frown.
In the air above the village, Kagura closed her fan with one flicking motion. She took one last look at InuYasha and the others departing from the village, then she turned her feather and flew off back to her master.
Laura: LONGEST. CHAPTER. EVER.
InuYasha: 19 pages?! How can you write 19 pages?!!
Chiyo: Everyone's talking about me behind my back.
Ookami: Join us next time, hopefully Chiyo will be over her hang over by then.
Laura: Oh, by the way, bullace IS a remedial herb. I looked it up. Bai!