You will probably notice this chapter got out a lot faster than the last one. Chapter four was so damn hard to write and this one was easier even though it's longer. I don't get it either. I got a lot of replies about the whole Inu-Maru thing. Let's just say you learn more about him here.

I'd just like you to know most of the time Inu-Maru thinks as one person, but he sees things from two different points of view and remembers things that way too. There might be conflicts later, he he he . . .

Before I continue with my evil plotting, I'd better say something to the people out there even more evil than me;

Disclaimer: I do not, will not, but wish to own Inu-Yasha, all belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.

Oh, one last note, I'm using the '' to emphasize words too.

*

~Losing Grace~

*

Uneasily Kagome rocked back and forth on her heels.

" So you were combined when Treotha pressed the seed together? You're both of them?"

" Feh, can't you get it right the first time?"

" There's definitely Inu-Yasha in you."

The partially human demon, one-fourth human to be exact, chose to ignore her, acting as if he wasn't interested.

" And Sesshoumaru too."

The young girl hadn't the slightest on how to handle such a situation. Her eyes fluttered shut from concentration, and for some odd reason, Inu-Yasha wasn't uncomfortable with it.

No, no, he was Inu-Maru, and he essentially had the discipline and patience that Sesshoumaru possessed.

Maybe that would make things easier, but then again he was just a disciplined and patient cold-blooded killer.

Kagome decided trying to sort this out would only cause things to become more confusing.

With frustration still twisting her face, she glanced at the combined being.

" We must return to the village." She stated.

Inu-Maru's face went blank for a second.

" You may, but I'm finding Treotha."

" Hey, you are going to need help!"

" Do you really think I need help? I'm combined from two of the most powerful demons in Sengoku Jidai, and I need help?"

Looking elsewhere, she licked her lips while trying to gather the words to speak to him.

" Yes, you may not admit it, but you need help. It's just like you to deny it with the natural stubbornness of the brothers."

Trying to intimidate the young girl he leaned forward and glared icily into her eyes.

" Whether it's from stubbornness or not I still don't need help."

Happy with the silent reply he decided it was time to track down the bitch that did this to him. His plans were quickly cut short when a staggering pain ran up and down his leg.

The inconvenient injury Sesshoumaru had gotten. In the battle before he'd forgotten about it. All he could think about was saving the human female.

Mutely he cursed the strong feelings that the half-breed held for the girl.

But he hadn't been the only one to notice the flesh wound.

Masking his intrigue, Inu-Maru observed how the female gasped and began to fuss over his leg. At first she could only stare at the crimson color spreading down his white pants, but then she kneeled with worry contorting her pretty face. The Sesshoumaru part of him wondered why she cared so much.

" What about your arm?"

" . . ."

Hastily she stood and pulled back the red cloth covering his right shoulder. The demon was about to protest until he saw her eyes widen with total surprise. Then he too looked at the huge gaping wound with pink flesh covering the edges. It was a horrible injury, even for a demon.

" H-have you treated the wound yet?"

Keenly she waited for an answer as he returned the shirt to its former position.

" We're going back to the village then."

Triumphantly she began to skip back over the path she'd been following, until a long moan sounded through the area.

Frightened out of her skin, the girl grabbed onto Inu-Maru's arm, fortunately his left.

" W-what was t-that?"

The partial demon was already on guard when the somnolent moan came again.

Kagome thought to herself for a minute before declaring something.

" Oh! I almost forgot about Jaken!"

~*~*~

Four days he'd spent in their company , and he felt he was learning things. It was strange having Inu-Yasha's and Sesshoumaru's companions together.

Jaken had become more irritable and looked at him oddly when he gave the toad a command. He always followed through though.

The monk, exterminator, and kitsune seemed weary of him and somewhat more on guard then necessary. After all he had Inu-Yasha in him and would not bring harm to any of them. Well, not serious harm to Miroku and Shippo unless need be.

Nonetheless, their antics amused him.

The tiny kitsune's frequent fear, Sango's punishment for wandering hands, and the cheesy pick up lines the monk pulled, all kept him occupied. He'd seen these many things in the half-demon's memories, but now he experienced them himself. It was much more enjoyable since Sesshoumaru had never lived in the presence of such beings. He'd almost cracked a smile when he first saw Sango attack the monk. Sesshoumaru sure had a malicious sense of humor.

But something was always tugging at the back of his mind. Perhaps it was Rin. He'd noticed a change in her, small at first, but now it was evident to him as Miroku's secret intent for any 'healthy' lady.

She was happier than she'd ever been. Sure she was still as obedient as Sesshoumaru had taught her to be, but the little girl talked all the time, played with Shippo and other children in the village, learned from the adults, or spent time with Kagome. The young woman had become her idol. So much that he could almost say she was Rin's mother figure, and for good reason.

He'd seen the special way she treated each individual child or how gentle she could be with scraped knees and other injuries. Whenever there weren't words or motions that could make it better, she just smiled, and somehow that made things better.

He liked the change in the child, except around him. Sometimes she'd look at him as if longing for something. He wasn't sure what, and it didn't make him happy to know Rin needed something, but he couldn't provide for the child whatever it was.

Although that wasn't the item in his complex thoughts that needed sorted out. It was something with the girl, Kagome.

Hadn't Inu-Yasha wanted to tell the female something? It was just at the back of his mind . . . .

Out of the blue, Inu-Maru gave a throaty growl. Startled, Jaken, Sango, and Miroku all looked at him, but he'd already settled down again.

The cause of his abrupt anger was the half-demon's crazy views. Never mind, he'd take care of it, even if he had to deal with Kagome personally.

~*~*~

" And that one's Leo."

" Really?"

" Who cares?"

It was still hard to see some of the vibrant dots because the sun had not set all the way.

Nonetheless Rin's talent at identifying constellations surprised Kagome. Though Shippo was standing off to the side acting uninterested, she saw his mystified gaze at the sky every time the younger girl pointed out another star arrangement.

" How did you learn this all?"

Sadness edging her voice, she spoke softly, " Sesshoumaru taught Rin all this."

Kagome looked over at her eyes reflecting the stars so perfectly. The youngster really missed Sesshoumaru, but she had to admit, she felt the same way about Inu-Yasha. She'd just gotten him back, and now all this had happened. Wondering how long the bad luck would continue, she glanced back at the midnight sky and sighed.

" He must have been a good teacher."

" Yes." All of a sudden, she faced Kagome, " When will Sesshoumaru get back, from Inu-Maru's body?"

It took a moment for the teenage girl to answer. Even Shippo was waiting expectantly for the answer, because it meant the return of Inu-Yasha also.

" You have to ask Inu-Maru that."

She looked sad again and Kagome scolded herself for giving that answer.

" I don't want to."

Curiosity peaking, Kagome asked the girl why.

" Well, because, I'm scared of him. He's not the same as Sesshoumaru, he's somebody different and I don't have Sesshoumaru-sama to stop him if he's bad."

Making a face the teen wondered to herself. How in the world could someone be more frightened of Inu-Yasha than Sesshoumaru? Maybe equally frightened, but not more scared of the full demon brother. From her personal experiences it wasn't logical.

The wind rolled over the grassy land, and Kagome lost herself in her thoughts watching the swaying stalks of grass.

But, she remembered the change in him at that one point in time. He'd seemed almost gentle towards her, or at least not a threat towards her life as regular. And that look he gave her. His eyes weren't masked for a moment, but he'd held such turmoil of emotions that she couldn't understand it. Still, it had been something different from his usual stoic expression and she felt.felt special to have seen such an odd face for Sesshoumaru on the demon. The girl still remembered how fast her heart was beating until she'd understood his little lie. Even that was different from the cold and calculated lord she'd always known.

" Kagome."

Her complicated thoughts still bubbling, she turned to the demanding voice.

***

When he'd arrived the children noticed his presence immediately, but the young woman, so preoccupied by her thoughts, sat with her head in hands and back to him. He was not at all happy with the disregard she was treating him with.

Almost forcefully he said her name.

" Hm?"

At once she turned her face to him eyes distant with some untold feeling. She seemed so innocent for that split second waiting for his answer.

Motioning towards the children, he cleared his throat.

" Kids, I think it's time to head back to the village."

" Okay." They agreed together and didn't dawdle in leaving, practically trying to escape his company.

She was gazing at him again, those blue globes pushing him to speak. He stared back at her heedlessly.

" I will find Treotha," Inu-Maru had to continue quickly before the girl would angrily mention his injuries, " and yes, I have healed enough to track her down."

The reason for his hurried explanation was the discovery of her secret power over Inu-Yasha, which in turn was a power over Inu-Maru.

He had the sudden urge to touch the rosary around his neck, but suppressed the temptation.

It sure brought back memories about his first day here, how he'd tried to leave because of Sesshoumaru's distinct distaste towards humans. The demon was not about to permit an aged human to treat his wounds, and dashed to the forest. He made a reluctant return after Kagome showed him the effect of the 's' word.

By then his wounds were even more unpleasant, but the girl was still steaming because of his harsh words toward mortals and refused to apologize. Since then he'd been careful of her temper.

Several times afterwards he'd tried to escape in order to find Treotha, but she was watching like a hawk. The female was unmerciful with that word.

It had made Inu-Maru sour toward her.

But he felt guilty about that for some unknown basis. After all she was perhaps the kindest being to him out of all the individuals in the village. She was the only one who didn't treat him different, who didn't give him strange looks when behind his back or try to avoid his existence.

In her own way she'd always been there, indifferent and supporting.

At that point Inu-Yasha realized something that he should have known, and Sesshoumaru gained a greater respect for the little priestess.

" I will break this bondage of the brothers."

" Umm . . . but Inu-Maru, it's, it's that time of the month."

The demon stared at her oddly for a moment while she twiddled her fingers together.

" I do not wish to know about your upcoming human predicaments." He stated angrily, but he couldn't smell anything on the female indicating the process.

She blushed furiously and shouted straight at him.

" Not that! It's your time!"

" Are you entirely blind and dim-witted human? I'm not female!"

" I know that!" She paused only to calm herself and catch her breath, " You really don't know what I mean?"

He didn't answer her, not wanting to admit his clueless state. Her face softening, she watched the last of the sunlight disappear, leaving only the endless stream of stars and black sky.

" Promise me you won't go after Treotha."

Inu-Maru was surprised and angry at the same time. He was missing something really important that this mortal was not telling him.

Grabbing her shoulder, he forced the girl to look at him, but before he could articulate a sound a shiver ran up and down his spine.

Rapidly the world became darker and it seemed he could not see every single piece of grass as clearly. Even the stars seemed blurry. Then he lost the sound of nearby animals scampering across the rich soil. Grasshoppers and crickets were fading away to a low hum.

Slowly he felt weaker, but most of all he noticed his change in ability to track scents. It wasn't clear any longer whether friend or foe were in the area and what they were feeling, and Kagome's engaging scent wasn't as strong.

" What's happening to me?!" he demanded on edge.

" Do you remember now? Remember what happens on the new moon?"

*

I bet everybody can remember what happens on the new moon can't they? Yea, maybe I'll get a chance to make this fic even more lovey dovey, wouldn't that be nice? I think it seems like Sesshoumaru wins out most of the time, but then again, he is stronger.

*

Contact with author:

Nova S.: Your so good to me to review each chapter! That makes me a happy writer. *sigh* I do really like to put in twists, forcing you guys to read more! Opps, did I say that last part . . . .

Mala: You are welcome, here's the next one, and soon another, I hope.

Meamiko: You're still interested? I'm not so bad then! And why would I quit?

Divine Discontent: Wow, thanks for the praise! :) This pairing is excellent huh?

Reality: Don't worry, I'm trying very hard to make it original, and you need not worry about pairing!

Angelike Riddle: Yes they have. I hope I explained everyone's opinions well enough.

Asianbaby599: I've asked myself that several times!

Bunny: I don't think I'm the average fangirl either, but is that the average fangirl? I guess I am *shrugs* I wanted to do that! I don't think I could get away with calling my brain a 'data-base', but oh well, can't worry to much. I'm not sure when I'll get rid of her, but she won't interfere to much with the group. If I'm lucky I'll only have her in maybe one or two more chapters! (I know you're jumping for joy) And you just read the next one!

kawaiikitsune: Because I can! But here's the update, so you should be happy.