Half Breed's Song

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Is this dying? I always thought that death involved a lot of pain…but…I don't feel a thing…

That would be because you're not dead…not completely.

Takeru? Takeru is that you? I can't see you…

Chiyumi you can't be here. You shouldn't be here.

You're pushing me away again. You've always pushed me away. Tell me, was there ever a time that you truly loved me?

How can you say that? I have always loved you.

Then why? Why the beads?

When I believed that you and Inuyasha had tricked Kikyo and myself for the jewel I used them to keep you subdued.

And after you discovered the truth?

I…I wanted you to be with me. I loved you Chiyumi. I still do. This ring…it was for you. I could never gather the courage to give it to you. All I ever wanted was you.

Since you say that to anything in a kimono I find it hard to believe.

I only said that to those girls because I couldn't have you.

You always had me Takeru, you know that.

I know that now Chiyumi. Now will you please return? Your brother needs you, the little Kitsune needs you, even the half-breed boy.

Ten points if you can get him to admit it…

Heh heh, good-bye Chiyumi…fare well in all you do, and never forget me.

I won't…I couldn't…I…

Go back Chiyumi…

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The moment Chiyumi came to she was up and running towards the demon that had caused so much trouble, leaving behind a shocked Monk, Priestess-in-training, half breed and two Kitsunes.

"Wasn't she dead a moment ago?" Kagome asked.

"I think so," Shippo replied, "At least I'm pretty sure…"

"Miroku-sama," Hoshi, the original one, tugged on Miroku's sleeve.

"Yes? What is it Hoshi-Chan?"

"Why'd you give Hos—I mean Chiyumi-sama, that ring?"

"There's a story in my family about a beautiful you woman under an enchantment. My grandfther handed it down to his son, who handed it down to me. I was told that when I found this girl, to give her this ring and tell her Grandfather's story. It's funny, but, I didn't remember the story until just now."

"Oh…ok…um, Miroku-sama?"

"Yes?"

"Is that why she kissed you?" Ashi snorted as Miroku fought to hide a blush.

"'Kiss' puts it lightly, Hoshi. You should try 'Sucked-the-lifeforce-out-through-each-other's-mouth'," Miroku gave a nervous laugh as he whacked Ashi off the head with his staff and told him to hush up and watch Lady Chiyumi.

As this was going on Chiyumi walked calmly over to where the battle was still taking place. Neither side was gaining an advatage but Chiyumi knew that is something didn't happen very soon, Inuyasha was going to die. If only I had both of my fans… she though to herself as she clutched the short sword in her left hand, With only the one I'll be an even match and no more.

"Lady Chiyumi. Lovely evening isn't it?" Chiyumi looked down at her shoulder.

"Oh, why hello Myoga. I wouldn't expect to see you here. There's a battle going one and I'm about to join it."

"Yes I know. That's why I came to return the other Shukusen," he pointed to something shiny on the ground at Chiyumi's feet, "I knew that you had kept one but figured you'd might like it's twin."

"That's very kind of you Myoga, thank-you," the flea leapt from Chiyumi's shoulder.

"You're most welcome, Milady. Good luck with the demon," Chiyumi picked up the other short sworde on the ground. Holding them both she flicked them open with a deft movement. Shukusens are fans that when opened look nothing more than decorative lady's fans. Closed they looked like swords. Her set had matching pink on white rose patterns, silk fans on steel ribs, dull at the base sharp towards the top. The baldes themselves wer thin and fragile looking but Chiyumi knew better. These things could slice thick metal  bars. They had been a birthday present from her mother when she was seven and had become Chiyumi's prized weapons.

"I missed you," she whispered, then narrowed her golden eyes and threw one at the demon. The metal edges glinted in the light of the full moon as it swung around the demon's sword with a series of sharp clangs then came back to its mistress. Chiyumi caught the fan, spun it around then closed both with a sharp sound and held them in a defensice stance.

"You came into my forest, beat up my friend, and attempted to scewer  my brother," she stood next to Inuyasha, "For that I cannot forgive you."

"You're late," Inuyasha said.

"You look like hell," she replied.

"Baka no miko."

"Inuyasha no baka," they grinned at each other.

"Who are you?" the demon demanded, "Where's the other girl."

"You killed the other girl," Chiyumi snapped, "I'm her replacement. Do you mind if I try at him?" she asked her brother politely.

"Naw, go for it."

"Thank-you," Chiyumi snapped her fans opened again and flew at the demon. He barely had time to blink before Chiyumi was there. Her left fan blocked his sword while the right one sank deep into his leg. She swung up, hitting his arm, spun around, hitting him a couple more times, dipped, and slashed.

"She fights as if she was dancing," Shippo breathed.

"She moves like water," Miroku added, "Flowing from one strike to the next. Like a river might, neverending."

"Chiyumi may be disgustingly happy," Inuyasha had overheard, "But she knows how to fight. She's been trained ever since she was five. The first year was basic fighting, by age six she had graduated up to her favorite weapon, the Shukusen."

"Battle fans?" Ashi asked, "Aren't those really hard to master?"

"She mastered them by age ten. Chiyumi can fight and fight good."

"Fight well," Chiyumi corrected as she scored another hit on the demon's leg. Suddenly she jumped backwards.

"What's wrong?" the demon taughnted, "Giving up?"

"You are in no posistion to taunt me. And no, I am not giving up. I'm just bored and have decided to stop playing around," her eyes were cold, "I'm going to kill you for what you did to Hoshi, you bastard," she surged forwards and spun, one fan striking the demon's neck, the second severing all the way through skin, muscle and bone. Hoshi squealed in fright at the demons head rolled to her feet. The tiny Kitsune plowed into Shippo and buried her face in his side.

"Lady Chiyumi that was unusaly gruesome of you."

"Yes well, I was angery. And I knew that if I had kept it up for very much longer, he would've gained the upper hand," she bent over the still form and thrust her hand in. she felt around the inside of the demon for a moment then writhdrew her hand. She held three Shikon Jewel Shards, "I think these are the reason I knew that Inuyasha-kun couldn't beat him."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence Chiyumi."

"You're welcome. By the way? I'm keeping these," she undid her necklace and stuck the new shards on.

"What do you mean you're keepin' 'em?!" Inuyasha demanded as she put the necklace back on.

"I killed it."

"I wore it down for you!" Chiyumi snorted.

"Any  longer and it would've had your head Inuyasha-kun," he growled at her, "Think of it this way, he had three shards absorbed into him. You have none. I would've had a hard time after a while and I had eighteen.  They weren't absorbed into me, mind you, but just being there gave my powers a boost. Well that and my natural fighting talents. Right Ayashi-chan?"

"Whatever. And don't call me that! Especially not Ayashi-chan!!" Chiyumi looked at him, his tone held more than it's usuall amount of annoyance. It worried her a bit then she shrugged it off as the boy being tired and injured.

"I think I've had more than enough excitement tonight," Kagome said, "I say we all go to bed so we can leave tomarrow."

"We?"

"After everything I just went through for you," Inuyasha snapped, "Do you really think you get to stay here?" Chiyumi ducked her head so no one could see how happy she was.

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