Demoness: I'm Back! I'm so sorry for the really long span between chapters. Now I'm back on track and they should be coming a lot faster now. Many, many thanks and a giant cookie to my beta reader Crash. Please read and review with any comments or questions you have. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Inuyasha, but I do own Chitenshi, Kayla, and Julie. As well as any other characters that are in my story , but not in the series. Haily/Inochiki belongs to Sesshoumaru's Mistress who is also a friend of mine.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter Two: Questions with Answers Unfound

While walking out into the parking lot of the school, the small group of friends decided who was going to ride with whom. Chitenshi and Haily both had there licenses and took their friends to and from school. It would have been normal for Chitenshi to dive Kay home, but today Chitenshi had to make a stop on her way home and didn't want her friends to know where.

"Hey Haily, can you take Kay and Julie over to my house and get yourselves settled in? I have to make a stop on my way home," Chitenshi asked as she got into her car.

Without answering, Haily and the others hopped in her car, not giving it a second thought. "Is the key still in the same pace," Haily questioned, starting the engine.

"Yeah. It's still in the rock, but the rock's now on the other side of the porch this time. I shouldn't be too long, maybe about thirty minuets. Alright? Don't start the fun without me." Chitenshi flashed a smile at her friends and drove away, leaving her friends to do the same.

As Haily got on the on ramp to get onto the highway, Kay turned to her, not quite sure how to ask her question. "Haily, you know Chitenshi better than any of us, right?"

She looked at Kay with confusion. "Most likely, yes. Why do you ask?"

Kay started playing with her hands as she replied. "Um, it's just that, we, well…"

"What she is trying to say, is that we've noticed that Chitenshi hasn't seemed to be herself lately, and were wondering if she had told you anything," Julie cut in.

"I haven't really noticed anything, but I know that the opening night of her show is coming up, so if something's worrying her it must be that. She would tell me if something was wrong."

"You're probably right. We're probably just overreacting again." Kay leaned back in her seat as Haily turned up the radio and sped down the highway.

~*~

Chitenshi pulled into a small parking lot that sat in front of a small store just off the main road. The shop was painted a dark red which was now faded and pealing off, and it looked as if no one had lived there in a long time. She walked up the worn steps and turned the rusted door knob, opening the creaking wooden door. Chitenshi stepped inside and set her bag down as she looked over the front room. The space was dimly lit, but held a welcoming atmosphere about it.

She took note of what objects had been moved and what new fabrics lined the walls since she had last been here. Chitenshi slowly made her way towards the back occasionally stopping to admire various fabrics and finished pieces, always amazed by the dedication and beauty that was sewn into each stitch. 'I don't know how she does it. Everything is perfect.'

Chitenshi's musings were interrupted by a creak of a floor board. She looked up to see a small old woman walking towards her with open arms. Chitenshi gave her a warm smile and closed the distance and embraced the woman who was like family to her.

The two pulled back and admired each other seeing the small changes unnoticeable to the ordinary eye. Chitenshi looked over the woman's white hair that was neatly pulled back into a bun, held by a small clasp at the base of her skull. Her face held the lines of old age that showed her many years, but her eyes still held the brightness and wonder of youth, now accompanied by wisdom, in their sky blue depths. She wore a simple white shirt accompanied by a long navy blue skirt with a white apron over it.

The woman's voice was low and soothing as she spoke, "My dear Chitenshi, I have expected your arrival for sometime now. I just finished the piece last night knowing that its wearer would be coming today. Now come along and let this old woman see her true work." The woman softly grabbed Chitenshi's hand and led her near her work station in the back.

Chitenshi let herself be led by the woman. "Naiana, I'm sorry that I could not come sooner. I was detained by other matters. I'm sure I don't need to tell you what those matters were seeing as how you always know." The two women gave a small laugh as Naiana placed a bundle of cloth in Chitenshi's awaiting arms.

"Is this it," Chitenshi asked in awe. "It's so light. I wouldn't believe that I was even holding anything, except I can clearly see that I am."

Naiana gave a grandmotherly smile and shooed Chitenshi toward the first room down the hall. "Aye, that is the piece. Now stop stalling and go try it on. I don't like to be kept waiting to see how a piece turned out."

Naiana watched her walk the short distance down the hall and enter the room. Soon afterwards, she went to her work bench and began work on another piece. A few minutes later, Chitenshi emerged from the dimly lit hallway and slowly walked towards Naiana.

Naiana heard the silent steps of her young friend and looked up, only to be greeted by the sight of Chitenshi in her essence. She stood a few feet away with the natural elegance that no other possessed. She rested the majority of her weight on her left foot, while her right foot was pointed as it lightly rested on the polished wood floor in front of her. The midnight black of her point shoes contrasted with the light color of the pine underneath them. The ribbons attached to the point shoes wound their way up her lower leg and stopped just below the knee.

The bodice outlined her upper body perfectly, as though it had been molded straight from her. Tiny bits of black mirror had been woven into patterns of the night sky that dance across her torso, changing position every time she danced within the light. The jagged beauty of the skirt only served to enhance Chitenshi's own strength within. The pieces of sheer black organza fell in waves barely resting upon her thighs, giving the illusion of a mist that was everlasting. She looked as though she had walked out of a place where creatures and people had a glow within them that sent chills into others who looked upon them.

Naiana slowly rose from her seat and walked over towards Chitenshi. "My girl you have made this old woman blush just with the sight of you. I'm glad your dance studio came to me and commissioned me to design this piece for your show, but I feel so sorry for your father. With all those young men who are going to see you, he's going to have a hard time keeping them away."

Chitenshi groaned at the statement. "Please, don't remind me. He's already too over protective as it is with the whole Travis situation. I think if he could, he would lock me in the house and never let me out again." Both gave a smile knowing that Chitenshi was right.

"Your friends are waiting for you and I think that you have kept them in that state for long enough," Naiana said while sitting back at her work bench.

Chitenshi looked at her watch and her mouth hung slightly ajar. She slapped her hand to her forehead. "I told them I would only be thirty minuets and now it's already been close to and hour and a half. I have to get going."

Chitenshi ran back into the room and carefully took off the costume, folded it, and placed back into its original cloth wrapping. She hurriedly threw on her school uniform and raced from the room only to be greeted by Naiana with an amused look on her face.

"Yes, I know Naiana. I'm always late, and they're going to be annoyed, and I have to make it up to them," Chitenshi mumbled while she attempted to pull on her other shoe hoping on one foot.

"I actually wasn't going to say those things, but now that you mention it, that would be a good idea. I was just going to tell you that your shirt is on inside out along with your skirt," she said as she pointed to the different articles of clothing.

Chitenshi stopped her struggle with the shoe, which had been winning and looked down. She burst out laughing. Naiana came up to her laughing and placed a hand on Chitenshi's shoulder. "Before you go, I have one last thing to give to you. Please wait in the front while I retrieve it." Chitenshi stared at the back of the retreating woman with confusion, but soon gave up and did as she was told.

The setting sun poured its rich colors through the windows, making the front room almost glow. Chitenshi slung her bag over her shoulder and waited for Naiana. 'What could she possibly have to give me? My studio didn't commission her to do any other pieces that I know of,' she thought as she stared out the window into the sunset.

The creaking of the floor boards alerted her that Naiana was back. She moved her gaze from the window, back to the old woman behind her. Naiana held a package wrapped in red silk in her hands that held Chitenshi's family crest embroidered in black. The parcel slowly lifted from her arms and placed itself in Chitenshi's. It was light as a feather, but still held weight. Chitenshi looked confusedly from the package now resting her arms to Naiana.

Naiana took in a slow breath and began to explain. "A few years ago, before your mother passed, she came to me one night and asked me to design and create this for you. She said I was to give this to you on your eighteenth birthday if something were ever to happen to her. I do not think that even your father knew about this. I know isn't for another two weeks, but I know that I will not be able to see you then, so I guess giving this a little early won't matter." Naiana gave a warm smile and opened the door for Chitenshi.

Chitenshi sighed in mock defeat. "I guess you opening the door shows that you don't know anymore about what I am holding in my arms and that I should not prod you for more answers." She walked towards the door, stopped in front of Naiana and gave her a hug. "I do not know when I will be able to see you again, but I will try my best to come as soon as possible."

With that she walked down the old worn steps and back to her car. She got in, started the engine, and drove away, but not before waving to Naiana, standing in the doorway of the shop.

~*~

Naiana watched her drive down the road away from the shop until she could no longer be seen, then went back inside and closed up the small shop. She then retreated to the back and proceeded to make some tea while focusing intently on some unforeseen obstacle. The old kettle slowly started its whistle, drawing Naiana from her reverie. She poured a small cup and sat down at a nearby table and contemplated everything consuming her mind.

"It is a gift and a curse, to have the ability of foresight. You can see when people are to die and to live, without being able to change a thing, but seeing people in danger shadows the heart. My dear Chitenshi, you are going to have to face terrible perils in the time coming that will make you turn away, but you must be strong. Not only for yourself, but for those around you who hold your friendship and love. You will decide the fate of lives that have been lost, and lives that have yet to be created. The lurking presence that shadows your every movement will come forth and reveal itself to you, and another presence that you have been searching for will be found. I know I will not see you again, unless fate decides otherwise, but I will be with you in your dreams. Be safe Chitenshi…"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Demoness: Ah Ha!! Another chapter done! I'm planning on getting the 3rd one out a lot sooner since I have most of it written and I'm using more of the old version of this story in it. Plus Sesshie boy is getting a bit impatient with me and these long breaks in between chapters. *glares at shackles around ankles* Did you really have to chain me to the desk?

Sesshoumaru: I had no other choice then to do so. If I did not do so, you would be in your room either reading mangas or watching the whole series that you taped, but having you chained to the desk as you put it creates another problem.

Demoness: And what the hell would that be?

Sesshoumaru: You cannot go and get me more of these things that you call chocolate.

Demoness: *Pales* Where did you find those? I got that candy for Christmas from Sesshoumaru's Mistress. *anger rises* That's it! You're dead mister!

Sesshoumaru: *walks away while listening to furniture being broken* She will likely have the chapter up next week if all goes according to the plan she has made. Until then I'll be eating this chocolate.