Author's Note: Sorry about yesterday's very short chapter, it was supposed to be longer, but it seemed like a good place to stop. I'll try to make the chapters longer from now on.

Oh, and about Nuriko Yuki, she's just a person that I decided to stick in there for no particular reason. I think. But for all those Inu Yasha/Kagome fans, don't worry, she'll come in soon. No one will ever replace her in my fanfics. . .lol.

Disclaimer: I read this in someone else's fanfic a while ago, and found it amusing. It really says all. "Feh!" I don't own Inu Yasha, but one day. . .just wait.

Quote of the Day:

I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.

--Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

I don't know why I'm putting that there, but isn't that just beautiful?

The Sisterhood

. . . Their life together was often an emotional roller coaster, quite unlike the easy, free-flowing years with Meilia. Still, their differences had not been insurmountable-her judgmental friends, his cynicism, the differing demands of their careers. As each crisis rose, was dealt with, and passed, Inu Yasha sensed their caring grow. Although there were some things he wished were different, he was grateful just to feel the caring, and the willingness to try.

It was willingness Inu Yasha thought had died for him eight years before in screams and glass and twisted metal. . .

Chapter Two

Inu Yasha flipped over again, and the back rub continued. Maybe you're finally ready, he thought. Maybe it's time. But for God's sake, Hayato, don't rush it. Don't push her away, but try not to smother her either. As he played the feelings through his mind, the apprehension surrounding them faded.

"You know, of all the bets and guesses I've ever made with myself, you've been the most striking loss."

"How's that?"

"Well, I think it's safe to tell you now. On our first date, I bet myself an extra-large with everything-except-anchovies pizza that we would run out of things to talk about in a week."

"Inu Yasha!"

"I just couldn't imagine what an unsophisticated stripes-with-plaid surgeon was gonna find to talk about with a chic, jet-set newspaper reporter, that's all."

"And now you know, right?"

He laughed, spinning around to give her a bear hug, a maneuver that usually resulted in an out-and-out wrestling match. When Nuriko showed no inclination to join in, he released her and leaned back on his hands.

"Something the matter?" he asked.

"Inu Yasha, you started crying out in your sleep again last night. Was it another nightmare?"

"I guess. . .I guess so." Inu Yasha answered uncertainly, testing the muscles in his jaw. Only then did he realize they were aching. "My face hurts, and that usually means I spent the night with my teeth clenched."

"Can you remember what it was this time?"

"One I've had before, I think. Fuzzier than other nights, but the same one. It doesn't happen so often anymore."

"Which one?"

Inu Yasha felt the concern in her voice, but her expression held something more. Impatience? Irritation? He looked away. "The highway," he said softly. "It was the highway." The tone and cadence of his words took on an eerie, detached quality as he drifted back into the nightmare. "All I see for a while is the windshield. . .the wipers are thrashing back and forth. . .faster and faster, fighting to keep pace with the rain. The center line keeps trying to snake under the car. I keep forcing it back with the wheel. Meilia's face is there for a moment. . . and Sakura's, too. . . both asleep. . .both so peaceful. . ." Inu Yasha's eye's had closed. His words stopped, but the memory of the dream was unrelenting. Out of the darkness and the rain, the headlights began coming. Two at a time. Heading straight for him, then splitting apart and flashing past, one on either side. Wave after blurry wave. The above the lights, he saw the face. The crazy drunken face, twisted and red with fire, eyes glowing golden n the flames. His hands locked as he prayed the oncoming lights would split like the other. But he knew they wouldn't. They never did. Then he heard the brakes screeching. He saw Meilia's eyes open and widen in terror. Finally he heard the scream. Hers? His? He could never tell.

To be continued. . .

Author's Note: Okay, that wasn't much longer than before, but I have to go now and I want to post this today. Sorry.