Chapter Six

Written by Lil Nezumi

Disclaimer: We do not own these characters.

The sun slowly began to rise in the horizon, lighting the blue sky from a black darkness to a lighting blue. The breeze slowly blew into the window on the top floor of a cabin in a clearing in the forest. Inukai Aiko shivered as the breeze touched her bare skin on her legs, arms, and face. She was wearing a pair of silk black boxers and a white tank-top. Slowly, her eyes fluttered opened and she looked at the side. Daemon was curled to his side, his back facing her and the covers pulled tightly around him. Sighing, Aiko grabbed the corner of the covers, kicked Daemon out of the bed, and covered herself up in a cocoon of warmness. Daemon hit the floor with a thud and slowly, he groaned and got up.

"What was that for, Aiko?" Daemon asked sleepily. He rubbed his eyes and when he got no response from Aiko, he decided to trudge his way to the bathroom for a hot shower. He turned on the water and let it run before heading over to the sink. He looked himself in the mirror. When should I tell her? With one last look at himself in the mirror, he stripped out of his boxers and jumped into the shower, letting the hot water pound on his aching muscles. As he was showering behind the curtains, he heard the bathroom door open and shut and the sound of the sink water running. Aiko poked her head into the curtains and looked at Daemon's face, who was blushing and covering himself. "First you kick me out of bed and now you are trying to seduce me. What do you want?" He asked.

Aiko smirked. "Gomen, Daemon, but it's dangerous to put small things in my mouth." She smiled. "Masumi came up not to long ago. Hurry up and get ready, breakfast is done." Daemon watched her as she left. He was both angry and embarrassed.

When Daemon arrived into the kitchen, he saw that Aiko and Masumi were already done. He took a seat next to Sesshoumaru and began to pile bacon and eggs upon his plate. "Hey Aiko, it's your turn to do the dishes, right?" Masumi asked her sister as she placed her dirty plates in the sink.

"No," Aiko said. "It's your turn and I refuse to wash them!" Masumi placed on a puppy dog face.

"Please? I'll take your next turn. I want to go down by the lake for the morning."

"Why?" Sesshoumaru asked, looking up from his plate. Masumi raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Does it matter?" She asked him. She turned back to Aiko. "I'll be back by lunch." Aiko looked like she was in deep thought and looked at her sister. She sighed and nodded. "Arigato! Ja!" She grabbed a book and her discman from the counter and rushed out the door.

"So what are we going to do today?" Kagome asked no one in particular.

"I have an idea!" Miroku said but within a matter of seconds he was knocked out by Sango.

"Lech." She muttered. "Let's play BS after breakfast." She suggested. InuYasha growled.

"I hate that game."

"That's only because you don't know how to lie." Aiko grinned. "I'm in!"

"I'll play." Aki said. "After all, seeing InuYasha gain all the cards will be fun." He grinned. Daemon chuckled.

"You are just as bad, Aki, my brother." He said, patting Aki's head as Aki growled. "I'll play." Everyone else agreed that they'll play. After breakfast everyone left down into the basement but Aiko who was cursing to herself about having to do the dishes all the time.

"Ok, everyone here knows how to play BS, right?" Akio asked as she began to shuffle the cards. Everyone nodded. "Ok." She began to hand out all the cards to each player. They were sitting in a circle on the basement floor. There was music playing in the background and Kagome was softly singing to the tune.

And if you let me try tonight

You just might see that I'm falling

Deeper and deeper and deeper in love

And I'm feeling

More and more and more and more

And more alone

(A/N: Song is Deeper by Hanson)

The whole time, though, Sango noticed Kagome glancing at InuYasha the whole time. She made a note to herself to ask Kagome about it later. "Ok! Kagome, your first." Aiko said happily as she laid out on her stomach. Kagome placed down her first card. "One Ace." She said. Next it was Miroku's turn.

"3 Twos."

Then Daemon. "Four Threes."

"BULL SHIT!" InuYasha yelled, pointing to Daemon. He smirked and flipped his cards over to show that he indeed had four threes. InuYasha growled and grabbed the cards.

Masumi walked through the trees and looked around at the beautiful nature. The sky was a bright blue with the sun shining down and there was air so pure around. She sat down by the edge of the lake and began to sing softly to herself and was lost in her own thoughts. Part of the reason why she was there as to clear her head from her troubles. She was having doubts on if she should have taken the Shikon-no-Tama. She knew that her sister and friends were in danger now ... not to mention Sesshoumaru himself. She felt like she was the one to be blamed for the mess. But still ... if she left it in the possesion of Kikyo, it would be in the hands of Naraku and Kikyo would be dead. I'll be damned if I'm going to let that bastard kill my enemy. That's my job !

So small, yet still so proud

At night before he dreams he looks into the clouds

A high flyer's what I want to be

Seems they wont let me, says I'm too small

I don't feel small at all

Just then, Masumi was snapped out of her thoughts as an arrow flew past her face, cutting her cheek. She brought her hand up to it and touched the blood that seemed to escape her body. She took off her ear phones and stood up. She looked from the arrow that was now in a nearby tree across from her to the water. Nearby she could see Kikyo's reflection. Was she ready to fight her now? All she had was a Chinese Ninja Star and a small pocket knife.

Break my dreams, that's what they'll do

Well I'm going to runaway and learn to fly like you

I'm going to go so high and swoop so low

You can't bring me down, going to be so proud

Part of the reason why she was a fighter was because she wanted to make her parents proud of her. Sure, she could fight someone but she never actually got the chance to kill someone such as Kikyo. Kikyo had more experience. She has killed before. But she wasn't going to run. She was going to prove her skill right here and now.

Little angel you got to learn to fly

Get up and earn your wings tonight

Little angel just look into my eyes

Get up and earn your wings tonight

Masumi turned around and faced Kikyo's violet eyes and growled with a smirk. "What the fuck do you want, wench?" She asked coldly. Kikyo showed no emotion but stood there with her bow in her right hand. She said nothing but went to reach for another arrow. Masumi reached in her pocket and pulled out her star. Before Kikyo could shoot the arrow, Masumi threw the star and broke the bow in half. Kikyo stood there, astonished by the sudden movement.

"Baka!" She screamed. "I came for the damn jewel. Give it to me." Masumi stiffened. They know we're here ... Aiko has the jewel ...

Push and shove then climb aboard

This is the shuttle train to the top of the world

When you look around what do you see?

These are all high flyers

But none of these high flyers look like me

"What makes you think I'd just hand it over, Kikyo, my sweet?" Masumi asked, grabbing her cheek. "After that little incident, I think I'd make you suffer." She wiped the blood on her sleeve and smirked at Kikyo. "If you want it, come and get it."

What is that supposed to mean?

What am I supposed to be?

Kikyo dropped her arrows off her back and pulled out a blade. "I hope you said goodbye to your friends, Masumi, and say hello to your parents from Aiko. You'll be joining them shortly." She charged after Masumi but Masumi managed to get out of the way just before the sword made a big impact within the tree Masumi was by. She rolled on the ground and hit her head on a rock. Shit! She touched her head with her hand and pulled away. She felt a strong stinging pain and when she looked at her hand, the tips of her fingers were crimson colored. Masumi grabbed her pocket knife and stood up.

Suddenly, Aiko threw her cards in the center of the group and stood up. Something was wrong. She could feel it. Without saying anything, she rushed out of the room and out the back door. She ran her fastest towards the lake and heard a scream. Hiding behind a tree, she saw Kikyo had a sword in a tree and Masumi laid on the ground, touching her head. She wanted to go in, to fight Kikyo, but something pulled her back and made her stop. She didn't know why, but she knew Masumi had to face Kikyo alone.

I pull my way up threw this crowd

To find your body crushed on the ground

It's so obvious, why couldn't you see?

That you can't go high flying without a pair of high flyer wings

Masumi sighed. She knew her sister was nearby and wondered why she didn't come in to rescue her ... like she's always done in the past. But she wasn't going to let that get to her. She was going to fight her battle and was going to make sure Aiko didn't interfere. Concentrating hard, she placed a barrier around her and Kikyo so that no one could enter. Her and Kikyo began to dance around each other, glares and threats being shot at each other. Aiko watched it all.

Then, Masumi charged at Kikyo. But since she didn't have a blade able to block Kikyo's, she managed to find her right arm wounded badly and Kikyo's blade laid covered in blood. She smirked. "Face it, Masumi," Kikyo said. "Your worthless. Just like your sister. How come she isn't coming in to save you, hm?" She glanced towards the tree Aiko was behind. Aiko heard this remark and leapt from behind the tree to go shred Kikyo apart but couldn't get threw. Her eyes locked with Masumi's.

Little one's broken, lying on the ground

Trying to get up until his last breath is out

Wings are strune everywhere, there's blood all around

'Cause even angels die, but that light just fades

It's so sad but he'd be so proud

Don't quit now, Masumi. Aiko thought. Masumi's eyes widen and she looked at Aiko. Nodding at her sister, Masumi stood up on her feet, her knife in her hand. "Hey Kikyo," Masumi smirked, "Anyone ever tell you that clay and mud melt?" She concentrated hard and felt the knife heat up. She threw the knife directly at Kikyo, catching it in her stomach. Kikyo screamed in pain and fell to the floor.

Masumi walked over to Kikyo and pulled the knife out of her stomach. "Be happy I'm spearing your life." Soon, the barrier around them faded and Masumi walked out, falling into her sister's arms. The two were held in a big embrace.

"What happened?" Aiko asked in a whisper. Masumi shook her head.

"I'll tell you later." She said, breaking the hug. "Let me get my discman and we can head back to the cabin. I have this strange urge to make InuYasha pissed ... " Aiko and Masumi exchanged grins and Masumi went to grab her discman. She noticed that it was playing still. She placed on her earphones and managed to catch the last bit of the song that was recently playing.

Broken angel you've got to learn to fly

Get up and earn your wings tonight

Broken angel just look in my eyes

Get up and earn your wings tonight

Get up and earn your wings, earn your wings tonight

(A/N: Song is 'Broken Angel' by Hanson)

Aiko and Masumi walked into the cabin and Masumi managed to walk up the stairs to go clean up before anyone would notice her return. Aiko headed down the stairs to the basement and saw that the cards were placed away and everyone was lounging around. "Aiko!" Kagome stood from the couch and walked over to her. InuYasha, who was sitting right next to her, stretched out onto the couch. "Where have you been?" Aiko looked in thought for a moment before smiling.

"I thought I heard the squirrel mafia outside with my pocky. Heh, I guess I took too long lighting them on fire." She grinned and Kagome sweat dropped.

"Feh, next time don't run out like that, wench." InuYasha murmured. One second he was looking at his claws and the next, everyone found him on the floor, Aiko on top of him.

"What did you call me, you bastard?"

"Geoffme." InuYasha huffed and tried to push Aiko off him. She just smirked and hovered a knee over his prized sword and jewels.

"Say 'Aiko is the best!'" InuYasha growled.

"Bitch." Aiko went to slam her knee down, but InuYasha quickly yelled, "AIKO IS THE BEST! AIKO IS THE BEST!"

"Damn straight!" She got off him and took possesion of the couch. Everyone chuckled at InuYasha and Sesshoumaru shook his head.

"I'm ashamed to call you my brother."

"Whatever. You adore me, table-dancing boy." Sesshoumaru blushed at the comment and lunged at his brother. The two began to fight and bicker before they were interrupted by the phone ringing. A soft female's voice from upstairs answered it and there was a click. Masumi bounced down the stairs, her hair wet from the shower and fresh new clothes on.

"That was Rin. She sounded terrified." Masumi said, a look of concern over her face. "She's on her way over along with a tutor from school. It seems we're stuck here."

Myouga was a short old man with a beard. He and Rin approached the front door of the cabin and knocked softly. In their hands were several bags of his things along with Rins. The door opened and Rin flew back, her things dropping to the ground as she felt a tight hug around her. She smiled as she met the forest green eyes of Aiko. "Er... can you get off me, Aiko? I... can't... breathe..." Aiko smiled and stood up. She helped Rin to her feet.

"Sorry! It's just so good to see you!" Aiko gathered Rins things and walked past the tutor as if he wasn't there. Rin followed suit the door was slammed on his face. He sighed and knocked again. This time, the door opened and girl with short, flaming orange hair opened the door.

"Can I help you?" She asked, looking him up and down. "You look familiar."

"Miss Inukai, it's Myouga." Masumi brought her hand to her chin, thinking. Myouga... that name sounds familiar... She looked at him more closely.

"You're the flea!" She exclaimed, taking his bags. "Sorry, it's just that you were big enough for me to squash." She chuckled and set his bags next to Rins in the entrance hall. "I didn't know you can change form."

"Indeed, I can. Is master InuYasha here?" Masumi nodded.

"Unfournately. Everyone is down in the basement. Follow me." She motioned him to follow her down a flight of stairs and they entered the room. Sesshoumaru, InuYasha, Daemon, Aki, and Aiko were playing pool while Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Rin watched. They kids were running around, playing tag.

"Hey pup! It's your turn!" Aiko called to her sister and teammate. Masumi rolled her eyes.

"Coming, bunny. InuYasha, Myouga is here." Masumi said and walked over to the pool table. The teams were Sesshoumaru, Daemon, and InuYasha against Aiko, Masumi, and Aki. So far, Aiko's team was in the lead for the money. InuYasha stepped away and walked over to the old man.

"Yo."

"Master InuYasha, I have some terrible news." Myouga said. At that, everyone turned their attention off whatever they were doing and towards him. "It's seems that everyone here will not be able to return back to school." InuYasha nodded.

"We heard that already from Rin. Why do we have to stay here?" He asked. Myouga sighed.

"It's complicated to say, Master InuYasha. It seems that the twins are a target of Naraku."

"What else is new?" Aiko spat. "We can take care of him. No big deal." She said, rolling her forest green eyes. Myouga turned towards her way.

"That may be, Miss Inukai, but he has risen to a greater power and has joined forces some of the most important people around. Everyone in this room is in great danger." Masumi sighed and fell to the floor.

"It's my fault, isn't it? I shouldn't have taken that damn jewel!" Sesshoumaru crouched down at her side and placed his arm around her shoulder.

"No, it's not. If you didn't take it, it would be in his hands now." He whispered. Masumi sighed and didn't meet his eyes.

"What about school?" Kagome asked, standing from her spot. "We can't miss that!"

"Do not worry, Miss Higurashi. That's why I'm here. I'm your tutor for the rest of the year." There was a loud noise and everyone turned towards Aki. He grinned and patted his stomach.

"I'm hungry. Anyone up for dinner?"

Sango entered her bedroom and sighed. She was going to take a hot shower before dinner but first, she walked over to the bedroom windows and opened them. It's like an oven in here. She walked over to her dresser drawers and began to take out a clean pair of light blue jeans, white t-shirt, and undergarments. Just as she was about to enter the bathroom, she stopped.

Meow.

She threw her clothes on the bathroom tile floor and walked to one of the windows.

Meow.

Sango looked out into the trees in front of the window and then down into the bushes. A smile crept across her face as she saw a small, yellow kitten with two tails that had black tips and her paws were also black. The kitten looked up at her.

Meow.

Sango leaned over and picked the kitten up in her two hands and pulled her inside. "You're so cute." She said, looking at the small animal. She checked the animal for a collar of some sort but didn't find anything. "I think I'll keep you. But what should I call you?" She looked at the cat for a moment before smiling. "I think I'll call you Kiara. Do you like that?"

Meow.

Sango smiled and ran out the door and down into the kitchen where most of the people were. "LOOK!" She held up Kiara.

"Aw, Sango-chan, she's cute." Kagome said, petting Kiara. Kiara hopped into Kagome's arms and purred. "Where did you get her?"

"I found her outside my window." Sango said. Masumi walked over to Kiara and scratched behind her ears.

"She's a rare firecat demon." She said. "She can transform into the size of this cabin almost and fly."

"Can I keep her?" Sango asked like a little kid. Aiko chuckled.

"We're not going to stop you. Did you name her yet ?" Sango nodded.

"Kiara."

After everyone had finished their dinner and Aiko had her rounds of strawberry pocky with Daemon, they went off on their own. Aki stayed in the kitchen, getting stuck with the dishes because of his bad attitude at dinner. Stupid Pocky ... He shook his head and placed the last clean dish in the rack. Just as he picked up a dry washcloth to dry them, the phone rang. Aki picked it up.

"Yo?"

"Seven days..." a dark voice said.

"Seven days?" Aki questioned. "What about seven fucking days?"

"You're going to die."

"Oh really?" Aki asked, grinning. "Pray tell, how will I die? A little girl is going to come out of a tv and attack me?"

"No."

"Oh then you're going to turn off all the lights and murder us one by one. I should have guessed."

"Hm... that doesn't sound like a bad idea. But because of your bad attitude, let's make it tonight." There was a click and then that annoying ring tone. Aki shrugged and hung up the phone. He went back to the dishes, not knowing how much trouble he would be in later.

Author's Note: Sorry for such a long wait. It's been a long time, I know, and I apologize. It took me quite some time to write this out as how I wanted it. To be honest, this is the fourth time I had tried to write Chapter Six. sigh Anywho, please R&R. Inu-chan has written out more than half of chapter seven and it will be in parts so that will be out soon enough !