Disclaimer - I don't own Inu and the gang…but Katin's mine, and so is Keto…and soon new characters too…but not Inu, he's all what's-her-name's, Rumiko Takahashi (I had to go look up how to spell it).

Well, I'm back, so sorry for the long delay, lots going on, and all those other common excuses sheepish grin . So here's Chapter 10, enjoy!

Chapter 10 - Unwanted Attention

The embrace confused Katin as much as it pleased her, but she knew that if she spoke a single word it would shorten her time in his arms. After a few moments he drew away. His face was once more impassive, his demeanor calm and distant.

"Keep today's lesson in mind; know your strengths and how to control them."

She nodded and watched in silent bafflement as he walked away.

Sango was, of course, fine.

Later that evening Miroku approached Katin (upon Sango's insistence) and had a little talk with her regarding her demon blood and Inuyasha's past problems with transformation.

For a year Katin trained; fine tuning her skills and learning to control her demon instincts. She was a cunning warrior, quiet and thoughtful, but quick and deadly. She was good at stealth; her enhanced hearing and sight helped her in that respect. Her only weakness was her physical strength, but she was working on that - she was only twelve after all.

She was a far cry from the pleasant, happy child she once was. Now a fierce determination drove her to reach some unknown levels of achievement. She was withdrawn and very quiet; even Keto couldn't bring a true smile to her face.

Sango knew the girl only sought to impress her father, but she also knew Inuyasha did not need any such impressions.

In truth, Katin's training bothered Inuyasha more than he let on. Not only had it transformed his sweet, happy daughter (the one who reminded him so much of all the things that had been wonderful about Kagome), he knew that warriors crave the chance to exercise their skills, and he dreaded the day Katin chose to do so.

Her newfound purpose was not the only reason for her change in personality. She was not only coming of age as a hanyou but also as a human. If newfound powers and skills weren't enough, newfound hormones topped it off. Puberty is never a subtle change.

Katin struggled to hide her weaknesses from the others, Inuyasha especially. She didn't want him to know she had growing pains, or mood swings, she wanted to prove she was as strong as he was, that she could withstand and persevere without help from the others.

But there were certain things she couldn't hide, certain changes in her body chemistry that didn't escape other demons' attentions.

"Sango!" Inuyasha's brow was puckered in a worried frown, but his eyes told of his true frantic anxiety.

"Hai?"

"Go to Katin."

"Nani? Is something wrong…?"

"No, she…ah, you need to talk with her."

Quizzically, the taijiya eyed him - sensing his discomfort - then raised a single brow, understanding and finding it amusing, "Well, what would you have me talk to her about?"

Inuyasha clamped his mouth shut, as if he refused to say more, but then, "Women things," he said tightly and glared at her.

She regarded him for a moment, "You know of such things do you?"

He only nodded.

Sango tried very hard to hold back the grin that was tugging at the corners of her mouth. She couldn't help but tease him a little, "And you know of such things how?"

That was a stupid question, he had been married, after all.

His eyes turned to narrowed slits, he recognized her game. For a moment it seemed he would snap back with some angry reply, this was what she expected from him.

Mentally he squared his shoulders and looked her directly in the eyes, "I always know such things…like how right now you're in heat, you reek of it"

Her jaw dropped.

"That second child might not be too far off if you keep Miroku's company for the next few nights."

Sango caught a glimpse of his cocky grin as he turned and left.

It's nice to know he still has a sense of humor, she thought bitterly, trying to be outraged but not succeeding.

Inuyasha was not the only demon to notice such changes in Katin. The amount of youkai attacks on the village had doubled, and it happened around the same time every month. The adults couldn't figure out why the monthly courses of one girl could effect such change.

"It must have to do with her demon half," Miroku pondered, "I mean, demons pay no attention to the other women in the village."

"Of course it's her demon half, idiot." Inuyasha snapped; he was always on edge whenever this topic of conversation was broached.

"Well, are her, ah…smells any different from human females?"

Inuyasha glared warningly, "Of course."

"Well, what's diff…"

"SHUT UP!"

The three sat in silence for the next few moments.

"Well, we can't very well leave her in the dark about this," Miroku sighed, "Inuyasha you should have a talk…"

"NO!"

"Someone has to!"

He kept his mouth shut tight.

Sango sighed, getting rather annoyed at this display of male stubbornness, "I suppose it will have to be me."

"NO!"

She sent him a level gaze, "Inuyasha, she needs to be aware of what's happening to her! What if she's attacked? She won't know what to do."

"Hasn't your training taught her anything?"

She bristled at the insult, but Miroku put a calming hand on her shoulder.

"I believe she means that Katin needs to be prepared. How can she possibly fight against something if she doesn't know or understand what it's after?"

"She won't have to fight. I'll do it. I'll protect her."

He remained closed lipped after that. The others sighed, resigned to the fact that the topic would remain closed, until the next month at least.

As it was, they never had the chance to discuss it again.

The early morning damp chilled Katin's toes as she walked across the meadow. It was just after sun up and as she looked back, down on the village she could she the first signs of its inhabitants rising for the day. She knew Inuyasha had forbade her to leave without an escort – for some bizarre reason his ridiculous over protectiveness had only increased in the last few months, despite her improved technique – but she really needed some time to think away from the others. Once uncle Miroku had tried to teach her meditation, but having inherited Inuyasha's inability to sit still for any lengthy amount of time, she'd politely excused herself and left to find something more interesting to do. But maybe today she'd try it, maybe some meditating would rid her of her awful cramps and sagging spirits.

This was the first time she'd wandered off alone since the incident last year. She often wondered about her Uncle and the circumstances surrounding his and her father's estrangement. She wanted to ask Inuyasha about it, but like some many of her wants regarding her father she'd squashed it, knowing it would be pointless to even bring it up.

She sighed. It seemed so many things were pointless when it came to him. She had trained like a dog; pushed herself past her own limits, but it meant nothing to him. He did not praise her or hold her in any higher regard. He did not even offer to give her lessons, he didn't ever stick around to watch her train, and, to top it all off, he still didn't trust her with her own safety.

Baka, what does he think will happen? I'll freeze up and forget how to fight back? Geez, nothing I do is ever good enough…

The anger that she usually held tightly in check threatened to overcome her. She decided to practice, the physical activity usually worked to expel any distressed emotions.

It was hard to stay focused today though. Her thoughts kept slipping back towards her troubled feelings regarding her father. Soon she found herself lashing out to each hurt thought.

Doesn't smile…

A sapling was slashed in two, the disconnected half fell to the ground in front of her.

Doesn't talk…

She did a handspring over the shrubs and landed, crouched, on the other side.

Doesn't care…

She lashed out with her foot, 'tripping' her 'opponent'.

Never cares…

Her anger was quickly becoming a depressed sort of rage. Tears came to her eyes as she ravaged the foliage around her.

"NEVER CARES!"

The heart broken cry rang though the forest, startling the wildlife to silence. It took Katin a moment to realize she'd been the one who'd spoken. She surveyed the forest and the damage she'd inflicted.

Her legs trembled and gave out from under her. She cried miserably into her hands.

She didn't quite understand why she'd gotten so upset. She felt absolutely desolate, and that usually didn't happen, usually she was able to keep up a somewhat positive disposition whatever her feelings were…maybe it had to do with her courses. Sango had mentioned side affects…well, whatever it was Katin couldn't shake it. She couldn't stop crying, she couldn't train anymore, and she'd never, ever, get her father to love her.

She was so wrapped up in her distraught sobbing that she did not sense the demon as it approached her.

"My, my, such a pretty little thing."

Startled, she jumped up, turning towards the voice.

He chuckled, "Quick reflexes too." He moved a step towards her.

She took a step back. Her upset was completely forgotten as her instincts set off warnings. This demon was dangerous and she would have to protect herself. She drew her small katana.

The demon smirked. Katin had never seen anything like him; he was a mix of ogre and minx. He towered over her by at least four feet, and the stench coming off him was enough to make her feel slightly dizzy.

"Do you plan to fight me?" He laughed cruelly, "That is foolish, try that and you will die. Submit to me, little one."

The way he spoke to her gave her an uncomfortable feeling, and goosebumps broke out over her entire body. He wanted something – what, she didn't know, but whatever it was the implication gave her the creeps.

"You are the fool. Do you know who you stand before?" she demanded with false bravado.

Her arrogant speech only amused the demon, "I don't care, I'll take you anyway."

She took this as an invitation to commence. She lunged towards him, directing the blade at his heart.

A pain suddenly gripped at her own.

He swatted her aside and she landed her back against a tree. Clutching at her chest she tried to stand. He was before her then and grabbed her shoulders, bringing her to her feet. Then he nuzzled her neck, nipping it slightly.

Increasingly disgusted, offended and confused, she lashed out to shove him aside, but he didn't let go. As a result the shoulder of her kimono ripped, revealing her pale skin. He fell away but was quickly back on his feet.

"Stay away from me!" she hissed.

He grinned, eyeing her exposed flesh with a hungry expression she did not understand.

"A hanyou, eh?"

"Yes," she snapped. By this time they were circling each other, both in a warriors stance, waiting to attack or counter one.

"Well, that makes no differ…"

She attacked again, this time ramming her shoulder into his bulging gut.

This winded him, but did no other damage. She lashed out with her claws, ducked, and ran between his legs, then kicked him behind the knee.

There was a loud crack and the leg gave out from beneath him. He started to go down, and Katin moved to clear his path, but he twisted around and grabbed her ankle before she had the chance.

He landed and the forest around them shuddered.

"You," he snarled, obviously in some amount of pain, a fact that made Katin bustle with pride, though it was short lived, as he brought up his other hand to grab her other foot, which had been kicking furiously at his grasp.

"Let me go!" she hissed, trying to sound as menacing as possible.

He laughed again, leering up at her, then dragged her towards him.

She didn't understand the look in his eyes, but she didn't like it. She didn't understand why his grip on her legs seemed so violating, but it did, and his leering smile made her skin crawl.

She did the only thing she could think of.

"FATHER!"

And then she struggled and fought for all she was worth.

Inuyasha's ears twitched, then he dropped his breakfast bowl.

Katin!

He bolted out of the hut.

"What on earth?" Sango muttered, bending to pick up the shattered pieces of pottery as Miroku and Keto stared after the disappearing hanyou.

Katin had somehow managed to free herself from his grasp and was now fighting back with all the ferocity she could muster. It didn't help her that every time she went to deal a strategically placed, dangerous, blow her heart would seize in a fit of pain. It happened again as her claws raked through one fleshy cheek.

The demon reeled away, blood leaking through the fingers that clasped at the wound.

"Little bitch," he growled, "That's it! Damn mating, I'm going to kill you!"

Mating? She stumbled away from him, as the sudden, disgusted, realization dawned on her. With THAT!?

She had no more time to think, he lunged at her and she made to dodge away but her heart pains had weakened her considerably. He grabbed her arm and yanked her forward – hard. A loud pooping noise reverberated through her entire body. He'd dislocated her shoulder. She didn't even have time to register the pain before her absolute rage took over.

He held her dangling from her limp arm and pulled her close, then grabbed hold of her legs and hissed, "Any last words before I rip you in two?"

Something changed in her eyes; fear and pain turned to murderous rage. Self-preservation kicked in and the demon reeled back, dropping her instantly. The evil power she was emitting far surpassed his own.

"N-nan…?"

He didn't get to finish. Her eyes flashed red, her growl turned to a snarl, and then all hell broke loose.

Inuyasha was desperately searching for his daughters fading scent.

Damn stupid girl, what did I tell you about sneaking out before sunrise…?

Then a brilliant white and pink light exploded from the forest. Immense amounts of purifying energy shock-waved the air and Inuyasha was knocked off his feet.

His daughter's scream permeated the silence that followed the blast.

Katin…absolute terror took over his heart as he blindly rushed in her direction.

He came upon a scene that did nothing to calm his heart.

Katin lay ashen, a death like stillness surrounded her - the forest creatures had ceased all motion and noise. Around her there was a faint glow. He recognized it immediately; it was the same light energy that had surrounded Kagome many times as she'd fought with her Miko powers. There was the scent of dissipated evil, lust, purified youkai, and death…and then, not so dead evil…

Inuyasha's thoughts finally quit focusing so completely on his daughter's motionless form, and he moved his eyes to the other motionless form not too far off.

Rage rose swiftly in his heart and chest, it consumed him so completely that he grabbed at Tetsusaiga's hilt for control.

Holding Katin's ashen, limp hand was none other than Sesshomaru.

Thanks for reading!

I promise this is not what it seems and all will be sorted out next chapter, so hang in there if you're a little confused.

jim hawking jr - Thanks, I hope this one suits you too…though it's a little more upsetting…

ArtificialRed - Thank you, I'm glad you like it

ShortPoet - Mary, here's more Sesshomaru, hehe, just you wait, it'll get better…I like him too much now to make him a bad guy!

Later Dayz!