I am posting this at 12 AM again...I really need to stop this habit when I work in the morning.

Sorry for this chapter being so late. There were a few deaths in my family and I really didn't have the will power to write for a while. I do want to finish this story though, it can just be hard to find the time between work and personal things.

Anyway I hope you enjoy and again I am sorry for this being so late.

Soten stared at the grinning face of Kiyara in front of her and chewed her lip. The group had been prepared to leave the village, and she pulled Kiyara aside to talk about the previous night. She would normally just blurt out an apology, but she couldn't get past Kiyara seeing her in such an embarrassing situation with Shippo and her words were refusing to come out.

"Do you have something to say to me?" Kiyara said and Soten sighed reluctantly.

"I suppose I owe you an apology," she spoke through her teeth, not looking up from her shoes.

"It would be nice".

"I'm sorry".

A slow hand clap drew her gaze up and Kiyara smiled back at her.

"So you DO have manners," she teased unexpectedly grabbing hold of Soten's arm and hugging her. Soten jumped, but ultimately ended up seized in the other woman's clutches. "Well your apology is accepted, and I suppose I owe you an apology too. I probably shouldn't have interrupted you and Shippo during such a...intimate moment."

Kiyara's choice of words immediately broke Soten's composer.

"It wasn't-" she stumbled but Kiyara only laughed.

"Do you like him?"

The question came from left field and Soten struggled to force an answer from her throat.

"DO YOU LIKE HIM?" Soten shot back, angry that everyone seemed so eager to pick apart her feelings.

"Relax it's just a question, but yes I like Shippo. I don't think I like him the way you like him though. I would actually much rather prefer YOU in that regard."

"I-" Soten paused not sure what to say to the confession, but Kiyara brushed over her confusion.

"He was certainly right about you though".

"He said something about me?"

"He didn't volunteer, I asked...but yes".

"What did he say?" the question spread the smile wider across Kiyara's lips.

"That you were very interesting and...full of personality."

"Of course he said something stupid and vague," Soten grumbled.

" I don't know enough about you, to tell how YOU feel, but I know he likes you."

"He didn't say he liked me, did he?" Soten could feel her heartbeat quicken at Kiyara's comment.

"He didn't have to, isn't it obvious enough after yesterday?"

"He was just giving me back...something," Soten censored her words, feeling flustered again at the mention of the night before.

"He was going to kiss you," Kiyara stated plainly and Soten couldn't think of any way to deny it. "Did you want him to?"

Kiyara's question went unanswered and she leaned closer and pat Soten's cheeks. "Well, if you're not interested in him, I'm available." Soten glared at her and she giggled. "Don't worry. I don't have any plans of trying to steal you away, unless of course you want to be stolen. But just to stir the pot," before Soten had a chance to react Kiyara planted a soft kiss on her lips.

"WHA-" Soten's face twisted into shock, and she felt the burning in her cheeks get warmer.

"Tell me, was that your first kiss?" Kiyara's smile turned devilish.

"What does THAT matter?"

"It was, wasn't it?" Kiyara sang excitedly. "PERFECT!" She chirped. "Tell Shippo I did that. It will make him sooo mad," she bopped Soten's nose and sauntered away. "Until next we meet my lightning bug," she called back as she disappeared into the trees leaving Soten stunned and lost for words.

"IT WASN'T MY FIRST KISS!" she regained her voice, but the subtle shifting of branches in the breeze was all she got in return. 'DON'T YOU AT LEAST WANT TO SAY GOODBYE TO EVERYONE?" she still got no reply. "Whatever," she huffed, turning away and heading back toward the shrine.

When she emerged from the trees she saw her companions huddled around Kagome as they said their goodbyes. The older woman had Rin wrapped in a bear hug before parting and placing a wooden bow firmly in her grasp.

"Keep practicing like I showed you and you will be a pro in no time," Kagome smiled.

"I will make sure to return this to you as soon as we get back," Rin said clutching the bow and swinging it over her shoulder.

"Don't worry about it, I can always find another bow if I need it. Besides I have been put on a strict no unnecessary weapon watch," she rubbed her tummy and Rin nodded.

"I forgot that you already have such a dutiful watch dog."

"Yeah when he hasn't escaped with my eldest child to do what he calls essential training."

"Sounds important," Kohaku laughed hearing the irritation in Kagome's voice.

"Yeah well if he wants to bond with his kid who am I to stop him."

"What about THIS kid?" Shippo pat her belly and she giggled.

"Inuyasha seems to have a radar for this stuff. I'm sure he will be back before it's born."

"A good guy wouldn't leave your side," Shippo nuzzled her and she ruffled his hair.

"I'll make sure to remind him of that when he gets back." She pat his back into a hug and turned to Soten who perched herself quietly on the wooden fence lining the shrine. "You too Soten," Kagome smiled, tugging her closer.

She squeezed her shoulders, making Soten bend around her firm pregnant belly. Kagome looked her in the eyes and clasped her cheeks in her palms.

"You take care of everyone okay."

"I always do," Soten mumbled.

"That a girl," Kagome winked and stepped back toward the door. "You all make sure you stay safe okay. You're practically my children, so don't make me hunt you down for being reckless."

"We won't" Kohaku, Rin and Shippo spoke in unison and Kagome gave them all one last wave as they headed up the road.

Soten walked near the back of the group, following along quietly as she let her mind digest what Kiyara told her. She knew that there was truth in what she said. It was clear that Shippo's feelings leaned more toward wanting something deeper, but if she let herself admit it, she would have to figure out her own feelings and she didn't know if she was ready for that.

She must have been wearing her concern on her face because Shippo let himself fall to her side and studied her pout.

"Did you get all your apologies made?" He said, nudging her arm.

"I said what I needed to."

"So then she just said something to piss you off?"

"I'm not pissed off."

Shippo raised an eyebrow and looked at her unconvinced.

"What? I'm not. We just talked and then she bailed."

He puckered his lips and switched his raised brow to the other side. Soten tried to stop herself from laughing, but she could feel the air trying to force its way out of her stomach. She pressed her palm to his face and shoved him back.

"Stupid" she muttered through broken chuckles.

"I know you are but what am I?" He sneered and she pinched his nose.

"Hey do we have to separate you two?" Kohaku peered over his shoulder and grinned.

"Of course not DAAAAD," Shippo mocked turning Kohaku's face red and earning a giggle from Rin.

"Don't sass young man he only wants what's best for you," Rin joined the joke, clinging to Kohaku's arm.

"Rin don't encourage him," Kohaku sighed but couldn't hide the smile forming on his face.

Shippo continued to poke at the embarrassed demon slayer as they curved around the path and headed for the base of the northern mountain range. There destination wouldn't be much further, a couple more days and they would be able to call their journey complete. Making camp for the night, the atmosphere calmed from the excitement. It was an obvious relief for everyone that they were so close to their goal and still in one piece.

As the night crept in and the fire was burning comfortably, a gentle glow bounced from the sleeping party's silhouettes, yet Soten couldn't seem to rest. She played in her mind what it would feel like to call their journey done. She couldn't say if she would be happy it was over or miss the company, but her speculation was overshadowed by the idea of giving a definitive answer to the goofy fox. Being able to joke with him so casually left a slight feeling of doubt lingering on her mind. If she did feel different about him, would it change?

She sighed sitting up in her bed roll and pressing her back against the adjacent tree.

"Can't sleep?" the soft voice was so quiet she barely heard if over the fire's crackle. Miyu sat with her legs bunched to her chest staring blankly at the flames, but cut her eyes at the demon acknowledging her awakening.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Soten stretched, straining to see in the dim light, but could make out a pained smile on the girls lips.

"I haven't been able to sleep right for a while now."

"Yeah I know the feeling," Soten agreed and silenced herself when she glanced at Shippo and watched him stir beneath his blanket.

"Wanna talk about it?" Miyu's question had a level of desperation to it, making it almost sound like a plea.

"Not here," Soten stood and flexed the numbness from her leg before tip toeing into the trees.

Miyu followed slowly behind watching her feet squish into the grass as she traced the demon's steps with her own. The forest got denser the deeper they traveled and soft thickets of mossy bushes piled up the cliff sides. Eventually they found a small clearing a little way from their camp. It was sheltered up one of the lower shallow peaks of the mountain side. Being higher up allowed the breeze to brush across Miyu's cheek and she relaxed.

"So what's on your mind princess?"

"What isn't," Miyu paused and looked at the mountain peeking from behind the trees.

"Nervous?" Soten followed her gaze and saw where it rested and it was clear what was bothering her.

"Scared," Miyu hung her head. "I think I have been ignoring it until now, but it's gotten kind of hard since we are so close."

"You know we won't let anything happen, don't you?"

"Protecting me from some crazy demon is not what I am concerned with," she sighed. "When I met you and Shippo, it was the first time I had any contact with a REAL demon and I think it made me...hopeful. Even though you are a pain in the butt." Soten pushed her arm and she smiled. "Neither of you where what I imagined. You weren't snarling, beastly creatures but then we left the castle. The centipede demon, the ice demon and Yuri. all of them are things from my nightmares and I just keep thinking, what if that is what's waiting for me at the top of that mountain?"

"Then I'll kill em'," Soten spoke bluntly but Miyu looked at her stunned. "You mean this 'fiance' of yours right? If he is an asshole i'll kill em' for you. Then you don't have to worry anymore."

Miyu's shock slowly turned into a grin and then a giggle and then a full on laugh. When she looked up at the demon, her eyes were holding back tears.

"Thank you," she choked as the first tear slipped and she clung to Soten tightly.

Fighting the urge to just stand awkwardly still, Soten wrapped her arms around her and pat her head. Feeling Soten's hug Miyu couldn't hold back the cries that she muffled into the thunder demon's shirt.

"I'll be damned if I got you this far just to leave you with a lowlife," Soten pulled her back and looked at her red puffy face. Miyu nodded and whipped her cheeks. "We'll protect you."

"I know."

"Then stop with the waterworks, we'll get through this."

Miyu squeezed Soten one more time and gave herself a moment to gain her composure.

"You're stubborn," she laughed and Soten nodded in agreement.

"Damn straight."

"So we know why I'm a wreck. What's your problem?"

"Nothing as important as yours."

"Is it about Shippo?"

"Why would you guess that?"

"Because Miroku told me about you guys hugging in the woods," Soten's cut her eyes questioningly and Miyu smiled. "We had a chat when you guys weren't around to interfere."

"And you trust what you heard from that perv monk?" Miyu laughed and Soten rolled her eyes. "Just focus on what's ahead. I'll be fine."

"Well if it means anything Soten I really hope that you will be happy after all of this," Miyu looked up at the moon and smiled. "I thought you were terrible when I first met you, but you're not that bad once you know what you are dealing with."

"I don't know what you are talking about I a perfectly graceful lady," Soten couldn't keep a straight face at the comment. "You aren't as annoying as I thought you were either, and I will make sure to come visit, so don't worry." She stood and motioned to head back to camp.

Miyu nodded and hopped up, following closely behind as Soten maneuvered back through the trees. She felt a small amount of her anxiety lifted, but there was a twisting feeling still sitting in the pit of her stomach. After a few more feet through the thick branches she realized why she couldn't relax.

Soten stopped suddenly causing Miyu to run into her back. She leaned around her shoulder to see Soten's red eyes narrow. Looking ahead she saw the reason for her pause. A figure sat on the bolder a few feet away and when she met their eyes Miyu felt her breath catch in her throat. The slender frame of Yuri moved smoothly to her feet and Soten pushed Miyu's petrified body behind her.

"Well this is unexpected," Yuri grinned. "I never thought we would meet face to face again. Disappointing"

"Life has a way of being funny like that. But I was actually HOPING to see you again, I owe you for the trouble your little ice pet caused" Soten shot back.

"Yes. That," she snickered, "It would have been more pleasing under different circumstances. I genuinely like you Soten, and I think we can come to an understanding together."

"I don't think so," she responded bluntly,reaching for Reigekinjin and breathing a sigh of relief that she brought it with her out of habit.

"Please Soten, I think we can both come to understand the gravity of the situation." Yuri stepped forward and Soten could see her face clearly in the moonlight. Her once smooth skin now had a red scorches, burned and twisted into the flesh. She didn't show visible signs of being in pain, but her hesitation to act gave Soten the impression that she might still be feeling the effects of the attack that left her branded."What I want, and what you want are two VERY similar things."

"Really? Please, tell me what I want. Everyone seems to know, and I have been itching to figure that out."

"Validation." The word was simple but Soten's failure to respond sent a flicker of confidence into Yuri's stride. "We are both a dying breed you and I. We are both searching for acceptance. Acceptance of our talent. Acceptance of our power. Acceptance of our love." She paused letting the comment sink in to the thunder demon's ears. "You see everything I want is slowly dying, because of people like her," she pointed to Miyu sheltering behind Soten's back.

"I didn't do anything to you. I don't even know you," Miyu managed to find her voice feeling safe shielded by Soten.

"WE are dying Soten," she ignored Miyu and continued to look Soten intensely in the eyes. "Demons are being erased by the things that should be our pray. They outnumber us, they think they are better than US and now they want to intermingle. Taint the bloodlines of the beings born greater than them. You should understand. Your brothers, your father and mother. Killed. You are the last of who you are, and they hired you like a dog to do their dirty work. They have lost respect, they don't understand how the world should be. I just want to remind them of their place so that I can finally get what I know we deserve, validation."

"Are you done?" Soten didn't flinch.

"I was hoping you wouldn't do this Soten, but if you are going to force my hand I am going to enjoy it." Yuri snapped and low growls crept from the darkness behind her.

Icy blue eyes gleamed under the moonlight before six houndish creatures stalked out of the trees. Their snarling mugs dripped with a thick mucusy saliva that seeped between their sharp blade like teeth. Their bodies hunched forward preparing to pounce with their elongated claws digging into the soil.

"Soten," Miyu whispered. She could feel herself shaking and took a fearful step back, nearly falling down the sheer cliff behind them. She hadn't realized that they were pressed with their backs to the edge of the mountain side.

"Miyu?" Soten pulled her attention back to focus. "Do you remember where camp is from here?" Miyu didn't answer, but Soten felt her head nod against her shoulder. "Run there and don't stop."

Before Miyu had the chance to digest her words, Soten pushed her down the sheer drop. She felt her stomach flutter with butterflies as she plummeted, watching Soten and Yuri shrink smaller before she crashed into the brush lining the base of the mountain. The soft moss broke most of her fall and she only felt a slight throb in her hip despite falling from the massive height.

"You made it easier," Yuri smirked and pointed sending three of the dogs barreling down the cliff side.

With a swift motion Soten swung Reigekinjin holding it loosely from the end of the hilt so it extended its reach. It sliced cleanly into one of the dog's neck successfully knocking it off balance before the remaining creatures plowed into her. She felt the full impact of the beasts heavy frame. Her risky maneuver left her grip loose and her weapon flew from her hand, clattering to the ground. Without her armor there was nothing to block her, and she could feel the claws digging into the soft flesh of her belly.

Crying out, she slugged the demon's snout as hard as her body would allow her. It whined and fell back, giving her a slight reprieve to sit up before the second lunged her way. Slightly more prepared for the impact, she grabbed at its neck. Pushing back she felt her fingers slipping through the greasy fur as they struggled to keep a grip on the snarling maw attempting to bite at her face. Lifting her foot she managed to wedge it into the creatures chest and kick, sending it back only a few inches before it came at her again.

Resisting once more she didn't see the second and third beast crawling up to swipe at her back. Slashing the skin clean through, she faltered giving the demon in front of her the chance to overpower her and bite into the nape of her neck. Falling backwards under the weight she felt the claws rake into her stomach again trying to find purchase to keep her still. Being pent gave the opportunity for the remaining two to bite at her arm and leg.

Feeling the pain from the sharp teeth shoot through her body, Soten almost felt that she might lose consciousness, but the sound of Yuri's amused chuckles forced a pulse of energy through her body. Channeling the rage bubbling in the pit of her chest she yelled as lightning surged through her left hand pinned down by one of the creatures. Without Reigekinjin to focus the charge she had to let her body take part of the force, but she didn't bother holding back.

Unleashing the energy all three demon's retched back in crying whimpers. Two retreated to a safer distance near Yuri, but the third that had been focused near her left arm seized up. It's fur smoked and all the joints in it's legs locked. Feeling the resistance slack Soten shoved as hard as she could. The solidified corpse toppled over and she strained to claimer to her feet. She felt the blood slipping down her back where the gashes had reignited the pain from the fight with the ice demons.

"You really just refuse to stay down don't you?" Yuri sneered striding a few steps closer. "You're just like your brother. Never know when to quit, unfortunately you didn't inherit his resolve when it came to the usefulness of humans."

"Stop talking," Soten mumbled forcing herself to stand upright, even though it sent pain shooting through her limbs.

"Don't like to hear it huh? How much like him you are?" With her words she twitched her finger sending one of the dogs charging.

Without removing her glare Soten extended a hand and sent a charge blasting into the ground. Stopping in its tracks the demon's face burned before it tumbled back to avoid the attack. The sleeve of Soten's kimono reflected how aggressive she was. It was singed up to her elbow and her skin was dotted with red blotches where it was starting to bubble from the heat.

"Oh, quite menacing," Yuri smiled. "But how long can you keep that up before you do more damage to yourself?"

Soten glanced at Reigekinjin and one of the demons stepped between her and the weapon, baring its teeth enough to let the slob puddle on the grass. Seeing the beast take a pouncing stance she felt her muscles tense. Without Reigekinjin, continuing to use lightning would eventually damage her. She considered grabbing for it. She would likely get another nasty bite, but at least she would be in a better position.

As she contemplated, the clanking sound of metal distracted them both. It sounded as though the dogs that went after Miyu were being pushed back and they were getting closer.

"Damn," Yuri swore under her breath. "I am sorry it has to end this way," she nodded to her dogs and they lept before she turned heel to retreat.

Soten dove head first at the one near Reigekinjin. Fighting through the smell of her skin burning she fried it, falling on her tender stomach and reaching her arm as far as it would allow to barely grab the hilt. The last remaining dog chewed into her leg before she swung around and kicked. Its head slung to the side and she drove her blade down hard impaling its skull to the ground before it could recover.

She took a few breaths, listening as the sound of swords got heavier. She could since an unfamiliar demon presence, very faint, but different. It moved with the sound of blades, inching closer. Scattering to her feet she took off between the trees. She could feel her feet thumping on the dirt as she bolted through the brush, sending a shockwave of pain through her body with every impact.

She ran for a few minutes before slowing to a stop. Looking around, she felt the hairs standing on the back of her neck. She paused, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the shadows of the trees. She had to end this. There was no way Soten would allow this woman to get the best of her again.

A brief russell turned her attention and a new pain ignited in her shoulder when a thin blade pierced through her back. She swung hacking at Yuri as her form disappeared leaving the dagger stuck firmly though her body.

Illusions.

"You seem to have developed a habit of causing problems for me, and now you have made this more difficult. Though if we are lucky my dogs have already dealt with my little nuisance," Another Yuri emerged unsheathing a fresh dagger.

"And you seem determined to continue flapping your mouth," Soten grit her teeth through the pain and took a stance for another attack. "I hate to break it to you but there are quite a few annoyingly capable people back there who are just as stubborn as I am."

"Well mayhaps i'll have to deal with them too." Yuri lunged swiping the dagger quickly.

Soten blocked the first blow and deflected the second. She felt the third slash against her leg and stumbled backward. Her body was slowing and she could still feel blood caking her clothes to her skin, but the second she saw an opening she swung Reigekinjin and landed a shallow blow across the slender demons torso. The slash dispersed another illusion and a third appeared from behind a tree. The shimmer in her form showed that it was another trick so Soten pressed the attack forcing her back and shattering the image into clouds.

"You're getting sloppy. Running out of steam?" Soten taunted and another Yuri, the real Yuri, stepped into the clearing.

She sucked her teeth at Soten and wiped at the beads of sweat dotting her forehead. She studied the thunder demon's shaky stance and charged not allowing her a chance to breathe. She ducked below the thunder pike swiping at her head and grabbed the blade sticking from Soten's shoulder. She gripped the metal hard cutting into her fingers with the sharpened edge before pulling, tightening around the metal slick with blood.

Soten yelled out as the thicker side of the dagger forced its way through her shoulder and got stuck as the hilt met her back. Yuri yanked separating the blade from the hilt and it clattered to the ground. She stepped away and let go of the blade feeling the sting in her fingers from the gash that stretched across each one.

Soten clutched at the gushing wound and couldn't stop herself from leaning on Reigekinjin to keep from falling over completely. She squeezed her eyes to try to clear her vision and swallowed the blood that bubbled up into her mouth.

"You appear to be struggling yourself," Yuri smirked realizing that her dogs had done enough damage to give her a clear upper hand.

"Shut up," Soten grunted and forced herself to stand upright. "You hide behind your little minions and let them do your dirty work. You don't get the luxury of bragging."

"Well I didn't have a problem knocking you down when we first met. I don't see why I would have a problem now. Unless you plan to have your fox come to save you again."

"Using a cheap trick means nothing, but whatever makes you feel better. Go ahead and stroke your ego. And let me remind you that I don't need anyone to save me, but if he was here I am pretty sure he would love helping me kick your ass again."

"Tsk," Yuri clicked her teeth at the comment. "I'll make sure to tell him that you died with a very high opinion of him." She sneered. "Is it worth it for a little girl you barely know?"

Again Yuri charged moving the dagger wildly with her injured hand, pushing Soten's stamina to its limits. Soten started to feel dizzy again as she struggled to parry the attacks. A cut went across her arm and then another to her leg. She was losing focus.

Yuri's words were spinning in her head. This woman threatened to best her. She didn't understand why until she saw the look in her eyes. Yuri was determined. She had a goal and she planned to see it through, even if it meant killing or being killed. But, isn't that what Miyu was to her?

A goal. A task. A mission.

No.

She was...a girl.

She has feelings, she has dreams, she has fears.

She only wants to be happy and she trusts them to make that happen.

That thought made Soten feel...good. That she could come out of the other side of this fight with something else to show for it other than a useless challenge to prove something to a world where she could care less what they thought. She had too many people relying on her to let herself be stopped by a psychotic demon with tunnel vision.

Yuri jumped back giving herself some space before positioning the dagger for critical blow and Soten couldn't bring herself to move. For a moment she could hear her heart beating in her ears and she unexpectedly felt a tear welling up in her eye.

"You don't understand..." Soten whispered to herself as her vision made Yuri feel like she was moving in slow motion. "I promised...I PROMISED!"

"SOTEN!"

She heard her name as a green flame burned through the trees and Yuri's dagger plunged into her abdomen. Without hesitation she flipped Reigekinjin around her palm and shoved it clean through Yuri's chest. The woman jostled from the blow, then tensed before her hand slipped from the dagger and fell to her side. Soten let go of her weapon and it fell over embedded in Yuri's body as blood washed over it and soaked into the ground.

She didn't know how long she stayed standing after that, because the next thing she knew everything went black.

Thanks so much for reading. I will try to work on the next chapters more consistently.

Until next time :)

-ErynBenae