Disclaimer: Inu Yasha and all the characters in it are the sole creation of Rumiko Takahashi.

Japanese notes once more (yes I know they are a hassle, but I like using Japanese =P Most of you who watch anime probably know all these terms already so my apologies)

Anata - "you" but in this case its carries the connotation of "dear," and is a term wives call their husbands;

chan - most of you know that its used for kids. I put a note because there are two Kohaku's in my story. The younger would be referred to with "chan" whereas the older youth would be addressed with "kun"

Ane- casual term from older sister

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"Kohaku kun?"

"Yes?"

"Did you hear something? I almost thought it sounded like Jaken sama."

Kohaku frowned. He released her and stood up again. "I heard something. Rather, feel something, though I'm not so sure it's Jaken."

"So you feel it too." A voice came from the doorway. Rin turned around. Sango san stood looking out over the same expanse of trees Kohaku surveyed while Miroku sama stood close behind. "It was quiet for awhile, but now it must be getting closer."

Rin had been so distracted she hadn't even noticed anything, but now that she sat and concentrated she could feel the faint houki approaching the village. No, make that an increasingly strong houki. Just how far away was it?

"Anata*"

"Yes I know Sango. I'll notify Kaede and we'll start setting up wards. Though at this rate I'm not sure we'll be fast enough." Miroku looked worried. "I'll at least block the house so Shippo and Kohaku chan* are safe." He disappeared from the doorway back into the confines of the small house.

"Kohaku kun, we must run to the house. None of us are prepared to fight like this."

Kohaku never took his eyes off the treetops. Rin could understand his concern. The youkai would fast approach them. She could feel it.

"I'm not sure there's time. You go ahead. Take Rin with you."

"Huh?"

"It might get here before Ane* can get back. Someone needs to divert it from destroying the town."



Sesshoumaru coolly walked towards the village, despite Jaken's squawking. He had no need to rush. Wrestling his protective urges towards Rin aside, he knew that the youkai would not escape him. Besides, if Kohaku had really developed his skill as a youkai hunter, then Rin had no need to get involved.

"Kohaku, . . . " he thought to himself. Naraku had once wanted Sesshoumaru to kill the boy; the boy himself tried to face him as well, but Sesshoumaru could sense his death wish as well. Naturally he did the only logical thing. He used Tenseiga and brought him back to life. Sesshoumaru grinned; the satisfaction of remembering just how well he pissed off Naraku that time. Sesshoumaru answered to no one. Naraku seriously annoyed him trying to control him that last time. He thought it only fair to return the favor.

But now that same boy was back and, annoyingly enough, he was in Sesshoumaru's way.

Watch Kohaku fight the youkai and let the youkai have the privilege of dealing with Kohaku for him? Or should the reverse happen, Sesshoumaru would be deprived of his battle with the youkai he so carefully tracked down. Either way he was deprived of some sort of pleasure.

Sesshoumaru mused for awhile before the answer became clear. To the victor come the spoils. He would let them eliminate each other. After all, if either let themselves get easily killed, then they were decidedly unqualified to face him. He would watch them fight. And whoever won, well. . . perhaps they might end up worth fighting.



"But Kohaku kun, you don't have a weapon. What do you plan on doing?"

"Running will suffice for now. If I can get him to chase me away from the village it will give everyone time to prepare. I'll just have to improvise until then."

Rin grew worried. She was in awe of his bravery, the resolution and confidence in which he replied, but she could not help worrying over the dangerous situation he was so willing to run into.

"Hurry Rin. It won't be long before it gets here." Sango reached for Rin's hand, but the toppling of trees in the distance grabbed her attention. "Damn, it's already here. Both of you run. We can't do much without weapons."

"Weapons!" Rin jumped to her feet. Tetsusaiga was just inside the hut. "You can use Tetsusaiga!"

"Fine. Ane, run, I'll use Tetsusaiga for now."

Sango nodded and departed for their weapons further into the village. Rin scrambled inside the hut and nearly ran right into Miroku sama. Him and Kaede were prepared to set the wards and were just leaving the hut. Kaede held little Kohaku while Shippo trailed close behind.

"Follow us Rin. We'll make sure you're safe."

Rin shook her head. "Thanks Miroku sama, but I need to help Kohaku."

Miroku didn't reply only answered with a surprised look before he and their small party departed for a safer distance.

Kaede caught her eye. "I placed a few wards on the inside of the house. So if you come in here you should be ok. They aren't as strong as I wanted them to be, but it will be better than nothing. Be careful."

Rin nodded. She rushed to pick up Tetsusaiga and then rushed outside to Kohaku.



Kohaku stood firm, slightly nervous despite his brave front. He saw Rin coming with the sword, but he had no faith really in its ability to help him fight. He might as well fight with a stick, but he wouldn't tell Rin that.

"Kohaku kun!" Rin waved the sword in hand, but a sudden gust threw them both back before she could reach him.

Kohaku quickly scrambled to his feet. He noted Rin still on the floor, taken aback no doubt by its unexpectedness.

His eyes searched the forest. It was here. The houki was so strong, he felt nauseated. If only he could see. . .

"After picking up the wreckage of your last battle I'd expected to find some great warrior."

Kohaku looked up into the trees. He was surprised. A female youkai, from the wild cat tribe he had just come back from fighting. Kohaku knew she hadn't been at the battle. No one there had a houki this strong.

Green intelligence challenged him from feline eyes, while the dark hair piled loosely on top of her head complemented the wild look of rage that illuminated her features. She stared straight into Kohaku, at the empty handed, defensive pose he took, and laughed.

"I'm disappointed. It would have been more honorable if my companions had been slain by a great fighter, but I guess I'll have to settle for you. Oh well," she grinned, "it simply makes it easier for me."

Kohaku didn't take his eyes off her. She had no weapons, but by the look of her claws, she didn't need any. Her brown skirt was split up the sides, most likely to free her legs and allow her to gain her speed. Once Kohaku finished evaluating her, he looked back at her eyes.

"What do you want here?"

Cynical laughter rang through the trees. "Well I thought that was obvious." Her face grew serious, her eyes focused, narrowing in on the distance between them. She crouched low, ready to pounce; Kohaku braced himself, preparing for an attack, but in a second, she disappeared.

Kohaku's eyes darted everywhere, trying to focus in on her location. He noted Rin on her feet doing the same, Tetsusaiga in hand.

Whoosh.

Kohaku was grabbed from behind, razor sharp nails scraping slightly across his skin as she locked his neck in her hold.

He could feel her breath against his neck, her nails digging deeper as he flinched away. Small scarlet beads trickled their way slowly down his chest.

"I came for my revenge."



Gah! I know it took me forever to post and I apologize to those of you who still read this. Yes. . Midterms came, then papers, and dropping grades. -_- Plus I noticed the quality of my writing tends to degenerate rapidly when I rush things. So thanks to all of you who bear with my recent snail pace. Once again, I didn't write as much as I'd hoped, but I blame writers block. =P Anyone have any suggestions for the action scene? Hehe