Chapter Twenty (filler)

Well here's another short one to sum up everything for the next chapter. I know I made one not too long ago, but I couldn't really continue without setting some things straight is all.

As for the situation in how long it will take me to write it up: I'm not completely sure. I know the idea of what I want to happen, but I'm not so sure how to word it yet. Hopefully I'll have it up sometime tomorrow but I make no promises. It shouldn't be any later than one or two days, I'll stay up all night writing before I make that happen.

I know it's short and sorta vague, but it's important to know what everyone is thinking and feeling at the moment because it will show back up later. I've already plotted out the first 'big issue' in the story, so pay attention to everything. Even if you don't think something is important, keep it in mind because chances are it will make a return later.

I know I know, the 'first big issue' was Sonya returning to her body. And no, I'm telling you now, it's actually not an 'issue'. That little twist was mainly put there just so Niki would have the time to get integrated into the pack and have a chance at getting her memories back. Originally I was going to have her hit her head on something (Probably during a battle) And go into a sorta coma and have them come to her that way, but I thought the 'apple of knowledge' was a nice touch. You know I love references.

Anyway, yes, the big dealie is going to be on the dark side, so be prepared, Spoilers! The headman does return.

And one of the reviewers mentioned it was sad for Aoi to be scared off by Touga after he opened his home to them? Let me try to explain: Touga has already claimed Niki as his in his mind. And to have another male try to stake a claim himself on the SAME woman is a very high insult, not to mention it also voices (To Touga anyway) a desire to battle over said woman. Touga took this as a threat to what he claimed as HIS and eliminated the competition like any demon would. The man already knew Touga had his eyes on her just from having his servants and guards keep an eye on Niki while she stayed there. A blind man could see that Touga was interested in her, and you never dispute a demon's claim, ever.

Hope that cleared some things up~ Keep up the reviews, they make me wanna write more and more guys!

-I do NOT own Inuyasha or it's characters

-I DO own Sonya, Niki and the plot

~TL S0nya

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Dinner was an awkward affair, even after things had been explained to the rest of the pack. No one knew what to say, they already suspected Touga would not be leaving with them when the weather finally cleared, and it was a safe bet to say Sesshomaru and Sonya were planning on departing to the west so they could join Rin and Jaken before snow started flying as well. That left Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku and Shippo to leave and return to Edo before the same thing.

No one wanted to ask what Niki planned. She barely revealed anything about herself other than small bits here and there, and the only thing they had to go on was the fact she was from the future like Kagome and Sonya. But without the well letting her through, she was stuck in the past. There really wasn't anywhere for her to go, Kagome was determined to ask her to join them in Edo, but with Touga having his eye on her, it was a hard decision to make in the long run. To be totally honest, she wasn't sure if Niki would go with them.

That left only two options for the girl: either stay there with Touga or leave her to wander on her own and find her place in the world by herself. All-in-all it wasn't a happy thought. Even if they only spent maybe a week and a half with her, she was pack, simple as that. She fit in with them better than anywhere else she'd go in life.

In the end, it was left up to her to decide. They just simply had to wait for her to tell them, if she decided to that is. Frowning slightly, Kagome stared gloomily down at her food, her chopsticks hovering over the last bite of rice before she gave up the pretense of eating and simply excused herself from the room.

Looking up, everyone watched the miko leave, each with identical frowns of thought on their own faces. Even Sesshomaru seemed curious to know what Niki planned now that things were beginning to settle down for them. He had heard his mate and Kagome speaking with the Slayer just yesterday about wedding plans and knew that he wouldn't be able to talk the wolf out of participating in the human's wedding. She was simply too close to them for him to convince her otherwise.

It seemed everyone in the pack had finally paired off, leaving his father and the woman he had his eye on alone. 'If Father has his way, it will not be for long, unfortunately.' He frowned at the thought and closed his eyes as he pondered over his sire's reaction to Rin. It was obvious he would never leave him alone after meeting the girl. Granted she started out as his ward, but when he finally was truthful to himself, she was more like a pup to him than anything. His father would never let him live it down either.

'Perhaps it is best if I keep her away from him for now. At least until he has settled in his own affairs.' With a silent snort, he opened his eyes in time to see his brother stand as well and turn to follow the miko. She had been upset, and after mating the girl, it was his job to ensure she was healthy, in mind and body.

He had to admit to himself, reluctantly, his brother seemed to have calmed down now after finally mating her. He seemed a little more mature almost, and it was welcome by all there if they were to speak about it.

Glancing over at Sonya from the corner of his eyes, he felt a small prick of regret in his chest at her sullen expression. She seemed reluctant to leave the pack after he had spoken to her about it before they went to join the others for dinner. But admitted it was probably for the best considering they had left Rin alone long enough.

Yes, she was upset, but there was nothing he could do about it other than let her participate in the wedding for the slayer and monk before they left for the west. It was the least he could do anyhow.

Gripping her chopsticks hard enough to break them, Niki ground her teeth as yet another pair of eyes landed on her with a sad, worried look in them. She had enough of them acting like she was dying for crying out loud! It wasn't the end of the world, and it wasn't like she didn't have a place to stay. She knew full well that Kiade would gladly set her back into her home if she ended up returning to Edo with the others. Not to mention Sonya had said -Much to Sesshomaru's irritation- that if she wanted to stay at the western palace with them she'd put up a room for her. And it wasn't even necessary to ask Touga if she could stay here with him, he obviously wanted her around, even if she didn't want him to want her around the way he did.

In the end, she had more homes than anyone else she knew, so really their worry was pointless. Deciding she had enough of it, Niki placed her chopsticks down with a little more force than necessary, gaining their attention as she straightened her back, eyes narrowed in irritation as they swept around the room at each one there. "Would you all stop acting like I'm dying from some terrible disease? I'll be perfectly fine on my own, and it's not like I don't have anywhere to stay. So stop with the moping and looking at me with those big, sad eyes of yours." Shooting a final glare at all of them, she stood up and strode from the room, intent on finding some peace before she really started chewing on heads.

Touga chuckled lightly, the low rumble catching the attention of his son and mate as they looked at him curiously. "She is correct. It is not like none of you would open your home to her should she need it, no? Leave her be and let her decide what she wants to do now. I am certain she can make that decision on her own." The others, hearing him ducked their heads in shame before nodding quietly. They knew full well they've been acting like she wouldn't know what to do or where to go next when she had proven to them several times that she was perfectly capable on her own.

Touga was right, she had plenty of places to choose from. The only thing she had to worry about is what one would she take. Cheering up slightly at that, Sango flashed a small smile at Miroku before finishing her meal with a better mood than before. It wouldn't do for her to act like this with her wedding only a week away, she should be happy for herself for once instead of worrying about everyone else. The gods could forgive her this one time for being selfish, she was sure of it.

As for Kagome and Inuyasha, they sat in the garden, taking comfort from each other in the moonlight as the rain clouds finally drifted away, leaving the air smelling clean and sweet. They would take the time tomorrow to gather their things and spend just a little more time together with the pack, then the morning after they would leave back to Edo so she and Inuyasha could work on building their own hut before winter arrived. Not to mention she promised Sango to help set up the ceremony too.

Smiling slightly, Kagome cuddled closer to Inuyasha, enjoying his warmth in the cool night air as she pondered over everything that had happened in the past and what will happen in the future. Yes, things would be alright once everything settled down again. She knew it.

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