The season was changing from summer to winter. The air was becoming cooler with each passing day. Already most of the leaves had turned a multitude of colors and were scattered along the frosted ground. The sun peaked out from behind fat, gray clouds, but it wasn't enough to ward off the chill.

"You better not do it. Do you hear me? Kaori. Kaori!"

A giggling Kaori darted out of the house, Amara hot on her tail.

"You can't be out here in this cold weather barefoot child! Get over here and put your damn shoes on!"

Her daughter merely ignored her, causing Amara to close her eyes and take a calming breath. Shoulders sagging in defeat, she shook her head as she watched Kaori skip around in joy as she played. She was too much like her father in regards to covering her feet. At least she managed to get a parka on her to help keep her warm. Crossing her arms, Amara burrowed within her own parka while she sat back to watch her daughter play. It wasn't but moments later, that it began snowing.

"Look Mama, snow!"

"Yes sweetheart. I see it."

Shuddering from a cold chill, Amara went back inside to stoke the fire. Unfortunately, there wasn't very much fire wood left. Inuyasha had said he would get it today after he finished in the village, but that would just be ridiculous for him to have to work all day and come home and not get to rest. She was just as capable of collecting fire wood. Pulling on her black boots and tightly securing the laces to her parka, she stepped back outside and spotted Kaori carrying something in her arms.

"Kaori, what do you have there?"

Running to her mother, Kaori held the tiny creature up. Amara couldn't help but laugh as she realized who it was.

"Kilala, what a surprise."

Amara reached out to pet Kilala's head and scratch behind her ears.

"You wouldn't mind keeping an eye on Kaori for me while I run and get some firewood, would you?"

Kilala's answer was too mew happily and jump from Kaori's hold to transform into her bigger form. Amara smiled as Kilala took a protective stance next to Kaori.

"Thank you so much. And Kaori, you better stay with Kilala do you understand?"

"Yes Mama."

"Good. I will be back shortly."

Picking Kaori up, Amara kissed her and gave her a tight squeeze before setting her back down.

"I love you mama!"

"I love you too sweetheart."

Leaving Kaori in Kilala's care Amara made her way into the forest to begin collecting wood. It didn't take long to slice down several trees and thin them down into firewood. Perks of her demon attributes. She was in the process of tying the blocks together to take back when an all too familiar scent passed by. Jerking her head up and barring her fangs, she whirled around with her claws ready to kill the bitch she couldn't stand. Before she could slice through flesh and bone, she came to an abrupt halt.

"Miku?"

Pulling back her rage, she stared at her best friend in confusion.

"Were you about to attack me?"

Shaking her head, Amara looked around and scented the air.

"No, I'm sorry I just-I thought I caught a different scent. I'm really sorry."

She could have sworn she smelled Kikyo just moments before. Maybe she was just imagining it. Sighing, Amara turned back to finish gathering up the firewood.

"Who did you think I was?"

"I thought I caught Kikyo's scent."

"I see. And you were going to cut her down?"

Amara simply shrugged her shoulders.

"She's been warned one too many times. I mean, the bitch plotted my and Kaori's death. And suddenly, she's resurrected, again and because she's supposedly human again, she thinks she can get her grubby little hands on MY mate. Inuyasha is mine, not hers. If she's stupid enough to show her face around here and try to take him from me, then she deserves death."

"Don't you think that's just a bit harsh? I mean, for all intents and purposes, she is human after all. You would so easily cut down a human being."

"If that human being is Kikyo, then yes. I wouldn't think twice about it."

"How would Inuyasha feel about that?"

Straightening, Amara turned to face Miku, completely bewildered by her line of questioning.

"Since when do you care if she lives or dies?"

"I don't. I just would hate to see anything come between Inuyasha and you."

"Nothing will. And especially not her. He's done with her. She's in the past. If she values her life, she'll stay the fuck away from my family. Otherwise, I will end her."

"Is that so?"

"yes."

Just as she started to turn away, she caught something amiss. Stopping, she turned back to face Miku with a quizzical look. Something wasn't right.

"Miku?"

"Hm?"

"Where is your pendant?"

She saw a flash of panic enter Miku's eyes as her left hand flew up to her neck.

"Oh, that? I decided not to wear it."

"So, how are you concealing your demon features?"

"What are you talking about?"

Amara narrowed her eyes on Miku's left hand, her bare left hand.

"Also, what happened to your mating mark?"

"mating mark?"

"Yes, your mating mark. The one that appeared on your left hand after you and Sesshomaru mated."

Silence hung in the air between the two. The wind picked up slightly as the snow came down faster, slowly covering the ground.

"I don't know why you are having such a freak out. I can conceal them without the use of that pendant."

"No, you can't. And even if you could conceal your demon traits without the pendant, you cannot hide your mating mark."

"Sure I can. My mate is a full fledged demon. Unlike yours, who is just a half-demon."

Amara felt her hackles rise at the intended insult to Inuyasha. It was becoming more clear with each passing second this, whoever she was, most certainly was not Miku.

"Well then, how about you show me this new little trick of yours. Reveal your demon traits and mating mark."

The impostor fell silent then, their gaze's boring into one another. Suddenly the impostor sighed and closed her eyes.

"This is quite bothersome. Why must you be so observant?"

Summoning her sword and taking a fighting stance, Amara growled at the fake Miku.

"Just who the hell are you?"

"Can't you see? I'm Miku."

"The hell you are!"

Those cold sapphire eyes opened to narrow on Amara.

"Aside from a few minor details, I am her."

Amara's fingers gripped the hilt of her sword so tightly, her knuckles had turned white. This was nothing but an impostor. One she was going to get rid of. Without warning, she attacked. Throwing all her power behind her attack, she leapt into the air and slashed her sword towards the woman. Just before she made contact, a barrier came up, thwarting her attack. Landing back on her feet, she slid back in the snow, glaring at the barrier that was protecting the enemy. Her anger mounted as she recognized the barrier. Only one demon in the world had the ability to create a barrier that thwarted her powers.

"Damn you Naraku."

As the name passed her lips, pain exploded from her back. Her eyes widened and her fingers went slack, releasing her sword to fall to the snowy ground. Coughing up blood, she looked down to see all too familiar tentacles protruding from her body. Retracting, the tentacles left her body and she sank to her knees.

"You rang?"

Her body chilled at the sound of his voice as he came up behind her, wrapped an arm about her waist and hefted her to her feet. He held her tightly against his front. It brought back the horrifying memories of the day he kidnapped her nearly three years ago. Why after all this time, was he showing up now?

"What do you want?"

"Oh, I want what I've always wanted and that's you my dear."

Fear coursed through her. This just couldn't be happening again. She barely survived last time. In fact, she died in Inuyasha's arms from the torture Naraku had put her through. It was sheer luck that Kagome had been around and saved her life. Swinging her gaze back to the Miku impostor, Amara glared.

"And what the hell do you get out of helping him in his twisted games?"

The impostor's lips twisted into an evil smile.

"I will receive what I've always wanted."

"And that is?"

Right before her eyes, they changed. Shedding the mask of Miku and revealing who it really was.

"I will finally have Inuyasha."

Amara couldn't believe what she just witnessed. How was it even possible?

"Kikyo.."

Naraku and Kikyo had teamed up again. Growling in rage, Amara barred her fangs at Kikyo.

"Are you never going to learn? Inuyasha is MY mate. He will never have you, you psychotic bitch."

"A fact I am well aware of."

"Then what in the seven hell's are you doing? He will absolutely rip you apart for your hand in my death, Kikyo. You will not win him over."

"Oh no, not as myself, anyway."

Before Amara could even question that statement, Kikyo approached her and as she moved, she changed once again. This time, Amara's eye's widened in horror as she was suddenly staring at herself. Kikyo, now in the form of Amara, reached out and ripped the pendant from Amara's neck and slipped it about her own. Flipping her new crimson curls over her shoulder, Kikyo grinned at Amara.

"For me to have Inuyasha, I'll just have to become you."

"You can change your looks, but there's no way you could pull it off. Our personalities are completely different. You haven't the slightest idea how we live our life. You may be able to fool him temporarily, but Inuyasha will discover the truth. And once he does, you'll be joining me in hell."

Amara felt a chuckle rumble in Naraku's chest as he tightened his hold on her.

"Who ever said you were going to die in the first place?"

Amara's brows furrowed in confusion at Naraku's words.

"That's always been your goal. All these years.."

"Maybe once, but I much prefer you alive now."

"I don't understand…"

"Tormenting you would be no fun if you were dead, Dear."

Amara had never been one to give into her fear. But in this case, she couldn't stop the images from her previous encounter with Naraku. Her heart rate increased, beating wildly with panic. She absolutely could not withstand another assault from him. Sucking in air, she let loose a scream as loudly as she could with the hopes it would reach Inuyasha.

"Shut her up! She's going to ruin everything."

Kikyo panicked, searching the area for any signs that Inuyasha was coming. It was difficult to see with the falling snow and she didn't have any super hearing. Thankfully, Naraku silenced Amara by covering her mouth with his hand.

"Tsk tsk tsk. Now that was a dirty thing to do."

Kikyo glared at Naraku as he teased Amara. She struggled against him, but it done her no good.

"You need to get out of here. Inuyasha could show up at any time."

Giving Kikyo a bored look, Naraku surrounded himself and Amara in a barrier that concealed their scent.

"Don't forget your part of the bargain, Priestess."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Kikyo huffed.

"I won't, now go."

They took to the sky then. Mere seconds later, Inuyasha arrived. Amara struggled against Naraku as hard as she could, but she was too weak from blood loss to fend him off. Her heart clenched in absolute agony as she witnessed Inuyasha embrace Kikyo and hold her against him. Without her permission, her eyes filled with tears. She couldn't blame him, Kikyo looked exactly like her. She only hoped he would realize soon that it was an impostor.