Hey there! Well I got this one out a little bit faster than the last one huh? It's pretty funny b/c last time I really had no excuse but laziness, but right now I have a million other things I should be doing, but instead I'm writing. Ugh, talk about the weeks from hell! I broke up with my boyfriend, have to find a new apartment, and am having money anxiety, waiting to get approved for my student loan so I can go to university, AND my delinquent 16 year old brother decided it would be funny to get thrown in the drunk tank for stealing someone's bike and trying to outrun the cops on it on the railroad tracks. GOD! I don't get his mentality sometimes, I swear he wasn't raised in the same family I was!

Blarg.

Well, I'm sure you all really wanted to know all that fun, anxiety-inducing crap about me, but I guess I can use it to kind of explain the 'different' mood that this chapter has. I'm totally not as focused as I usually am, and this chapter suffered a little b/c of it. I didn't want to get into anything too serious, I'd planned on making this the 'good byes' chapter, but that's a little of a touchy subject for me right now, and the last thing I wanted to do was feel more depressed than I already do, heh. So the result is this chapter. Read and I'm sure you'll see what I mean.

Disclaimer - (Forgot it last time) No I don't own Inu and company, I mean seriously, who would be arrogant enough to try and claim that anyway?

Chapter 13

(I honestly can't think of a chapter title, it's the first time it's ever happened)

Katin lay silent, waiting for her Uncle to settle himself on the futon next to her.

She had sensed her father's inner turmoil; it was what had woken her. She'd heard almost from the beginning. Somehow she wasn't very surprised. Until she had realized her demon strength she'd felt as normal and carefree as any other human, never concerned with anything other than everyday life. But once her demon side had awoken, that had changed. Besides her ragging demon blood and hormones, there had been an underlying power she'd never been able to identify, a knowing that there was just something more to herself that she hadn't yet realized. It was the unknown goal she had sought to achieve in training, and now she felt an odd kind of peace.

So, I'm a living, breathing Shikon Jewel...

She frowned. Somehow she had never quit imagined that the missing piece of her soul would be something of this magnitude.

She remembered all the tales she'd heard of the Jewel and the war over its power.

If I can't control myself or if someone else comes to control me...

She shuddered, thinking of Naraku.

Mama gave her life to put an end to the war of the Jewel...I can't jeopardize the peace she fought for, I wont!

She wasn't bothered to know that she was in danger. She'd lived her whole life being told that. She wasn't worried about her upcoming journey. Her Uncle had seen to it that everything would be done to ensure her safety. And she didn't fear the trails that she was sure to come up against. She was looking forward to them, and strange as it sounded, it was true. A chance to travel out from under her father's impenetrable scowl, a chance to see the world, to learn new things and makes new friends. She knew it would be hard work, she had no doubts to that, but the last year of her life had proved to her that she could handle hard work. Compared to her relations with Inuyasha, this would be, in some ways, a relief.

Now if only she could get her father to agree to let her leave.

Inuyasha sat high up in the God-tree. He was trying to not let Sesshomaru's words get the better of him, but they had hit all his old insecurities right on the nose, and doubt was spreading through him like wildfire. Sesshomaru was right, though he'd be hard pressed to ever admit that to the cocky bastard. Inuyasha couldn't protect Katin, not like he wanted to, not like he should have been able to. But it wasn't because he wasn't strong enough, or quick enough. It was the same reason that he hadn't been able to protect Kagome in the end. It was because it wasn't his choice. What she did, where she went, no matter how much he wished to dictate and control it, it wasn't up to him.

"Damned opinionated women" he muttered under his breath, shifting so that his chin rested on his knees.

He knew Sesshomaru was right, he knew that...but he wanted nothing more than to turn his back on that truth and hold into his daughter for as long as he could.

"What would you do?" he asked the ghost of his love as he had so many times before. Though he really didn't need to. He knew what she would have said had she been there. She would have done anything in her power to keep her daughter safe and ensure her protection, not only for Katin's sake but also for the sake of the world. Kagome knew the responsibility of a power like the jewels, knew it better than anyone, and she would have known exactly what to do.

Inuyasha did not.

Rationally he did, but, then again, rationality hadn't always been his strong suit.

Sesshomaru's reasoning made sense, as did his plan of action...but what was his motive? And was it even that important anyway? Did he want to risk Katin's safety over the doubt he felt towards his evil sibling's motives?

The answer was no.

He wanted Katin safe. And if he couldn't protect her physically then he would put in place any means necessary to have her safety assured. Sure Sesshomaru had been the one to come up with the plan, but Inuyasha was coming to learn that pride had no place in his heart when it came to those he loved.

Had he been given the chance he would have begged like a dog for Kagome's life.

So he supposed agreeing with Sesshomaru this once wouldn't be too bad.

He just hoped he was wise in trusting the bastard.

Rays of early morning sunlight shone through the 'huts' thatched roof, causing Katin to stir and waken.

"You heard us last night."

The unexpected voice of her Uncle startled her, and she jolted upright, heart racing. Seeing his unimpressed look she gave him a sideways grin.

"You should learn to hone your senses." He offered, sounding slightly disappointed in her lake of demon sense.

She only shrugged. If there was one thing she had learned last night it was that the Uncle could be a pretty pompous ass. She could either be offended by it and react to it, like her father did, or accept it for the veiled advice that it was. She liked Sesshomaru, and wanted to remain on good terms with him. Still, she didn't want him to think that she was going to put up with him treating her like some lower demon under his control. She recognized that he demanded and expected respect, and she would give him what he deserved...but she expected the same from him.

"I was startled that you were awake, not that you where near. I've improved greatly since the last time we meet."

He nodded, accepting that she was at least getting better.

"And," she said, stretching and trying to stifle a yawn, "Yes, I know."

"Hn. I trust that you have more sense than your half wit father and have accepted the reality of your situation."

Katin frowned. Not that she didn't agree with Sesshomaru's description of her father, but somehow she was unable to let an insult to her family go with out some comment.

"He is not a half wit," she said defensively, but then grinned a little, "Well, at least not all the time."

Sesshomaru chose not to comment. He could see that the little hanyou had changed drastically in the last year.

"I understand what's happening," she said, bringing the conversation back on track, "I heard almost everything."

He frowned slightly, "Eavesdropping is a dishonorable form of gathering information."

She snorted, "You're just upset that you didn't sense I was wake."

He regarded her for a moment. She certainly was intuitive for one so young, and, he realized, she understood him a little too well for his liking.

She made to stand but lost her footing. Her equilibrium hadn't quite returned yet. He reached out and steadied her without missing a beat. She gave him a thankful smile.

"Arigato."

"Hn."

He stood as well and motioned that she be the first to exit their 'hut'.

"When will we be leaving?" asked as she pushed aside the door flap. But he didn't have a chance to respond before the inhabitants of the camp jumped alert at the sight of her.

She was quickly over come by well wishes and greetings.

Gods, is the entire village here awaiting my recovery?

Inuyasha watched as Sango grasped Katin to her breast, tearfully expressing her joy at her surrogate-daughter's wellbeing.

Miroku snorted in mirth, a few feet be hind the hanyou, "You remember a time when our taijiya wouldn't even display affection for me in front of you and Kagome? Now look at her, blubbering in front of the entire village." He chuckled affectionately.

Inuyasha smiled in spite of himself. Femininity suited Sango, in an oddly unexpected way.

"Do you plan on going down there, or just watching until the show is over?" Miroku asked, moving passed the hanyou and heading down the short incline.

"I'll wait," he said, though mostly to himself.

He was keeping a close eye on Sesshomaru, who stood looking bored and disinterested at the edge of the crowd of humans. Inuyasha might have called a temporary truce with the bastard, but he still didn't trust him, not with the lives of the human's he'd sworn to protect.

Katin scanned the crowd looking for the familiar silver hair and dog-ears that would signify her father's presence. Then inwardly berated herself, she had to stop relying so much on her human senses. She inhaled, picking up on his distinct scent not too far off.

He stood at the top of a hill, leaning against a tree, arms crossed, watching the goings on below him. He sensed her gaze on him and returned it. She wanted to smile and wave to him, but something inside her warned against it. A moment later he turned and walked of in the other direction and she felt the familiar sting of rejection, but pushed it aside, or tried to, as Miroku engulfed her in a reassuring hug.

"We were beginning to worry you would never wake up," he grinned down at her. She returned the gesture, but couldn't stop her eyes from returning to the place Inuyasha had stood moments before.

Miroku knew what exactly what was troubling her, "Don't worry," he whispered, giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek, "Give him time, he'll come to you."

"That baka!" Sango ragged, pacing in front of their home back in the village. "What the hell is wrong with him? He stayed by her side the entire time she was unconscious, but now that she's awake to see his concern, he takes off! It's like Kagome all over again. I've never been so frustrated with him in my life!" she stomped her foot angrily.

Miroku silently wondered if it wasn't his wife's 'time of the month'.

"Sango, dear, stomping your foot is not going to solve anything." He had meant it to be soothing, though regretted opening his mouth the next moment, as she glared daggers.

"How can you be so calm about this? She's packing to leave! She'll be gone tomorrow, and he hasn't even spoken to her yet!"

"Well, at least he isn't putting up a fight...remember how awful he used to get at Kagome..."

She only stomped her foot again, "It would be better if he put up a fight, at least then Katin would know he cared that she was leaving! Gods, that hanyou is so thick sometimes!"

The hanyou in question stepped out of the shadows at that, startling the couple.

"Oh, Inuyasha, we didn't see you there," Miroku commented mildly.

"Keh, obviously."

Sango glared, "Where the hell have you been?" she demanded.

"I told you before, I don't have to answer to you." He stated rudely.

Mentally Miroku groaned, just what he needed an irate wife and housemate.

"Come now Inuyasha, we were worried, and Katin has been asking after you." The monk said, hoping to ease the hostility in the air.

The hanyou's defiance faltered a little at that, guilt flashed in his eyes.

"How is she?" he asked.

Sango huffed, "You'd know if you'd bothered to stick around for two minutes after she woke up!"

Inuyasha gave her an exasperated glare, "You know I wouldn't abandon the village with Sesshomaru lurking around."

"No, but you'd abandon your daughter..."

Miroku jumped in then. "Come now! Sango, dear, lets not..."

She turned on him, nearly cutting the feet out from under him with the look in her eyes, "And why not?! Someone's got to tell him what a baka he's..."

"Now you listen to me wench!" Inuyasha barked, forgetting his respect for the taijiya.

Angrily she snapped her attention back to the hanyou, outraged, "You stupid jackass! Why do you continually do this?! Your daughter just recovered from the trauma of her life! And you don't even have the decency to stick around...!"

"I've been here the whole time!"

"What does that matter if she hasn't seen you?! How can you do this to her? Do you know she thinks you're angry with her, mad because she disobeyed you? She's in there wondering if you're going to show up long enough for her to say good bye before she leaves. What is wrong with you? Since when did you care so little for her feelings? Gods, it's as if everything Kagome ever taught you about love you've thrown down and stomped on!"

Inuyasha was struggling to keep his head, he felt plenty guilty on his own with out Sango screaming all his imperfections in his face...but she had a point, Katin had no idea how he felt towards her and her decision to leave, let alone how he felt about what had happened in the forest a week and a half ago.

"Sango, please," Miroku was trying to calm the taijiya, but to no avail.

"How can you be so selfish, Inuyasha?"

He bristled at that. Whether the others chose to recognize it or not, he had been making plenty selfless sacrifices and decisions lately. He'd been stomping on his basic instincts and shoving aside his pride from the moment Sesshomaru entered the situation. He knew it hadn't been right of him to avoid Katin, but he hadn't sorted out exactly how he felt about everything, and he didn't want to approach her and say the wrong thing. He'd been thinking a lot over the last few days. He wanted to leave her on a good note and he knew if he didn't take time he would just end up blurting out something horrible and ruin everything. And he'd done enough of that to last him a lifetime.

Katin chose that moment to peek her head out of the hut, "Sango, are you...?" then she saw her father, "Oh." Her eyes widened slightly, but she tried to hide her surprise and relief. Smiling she came down the steps, " Otousan," she said bowing slightly.

He remained frozen for only a moment then gave her a brief nod of acknowledgement.

This angered Sango even further, "Inuyasha..."

He turned his even gaze back to her and looked at her levelly.

Miroku grasped her by the shoulders and tried to steer her away, but she kept her feet grounded. "Sango, please, let's just leave..."

"I will not!"

Katin couldn't hide her surprise at that.

"Come now, don't you think you're being just a little unreasonable..."

Inuyasha snorted, "Of course she is, she's breeding."

The other three stopped dead at that. Sango flushed, in anger and embarrassment. Miroku's jaw dropped. Katin just stood for a moment, inhaled then nodded in agreement, a grin spreading across for face.

"Well that explains the mood swings." Miroku muttered, earning him a thump on the head. "Oh, did I say that out loud?"

Katin giggled, "Wow, this is pretty exciting."

Inuyasha grunted, bringing her attention back to him along with all the previous tension and pained emotions. She cast her eyes to the ground, suddenly feeling very ashamed and unworthy, though she wasn't exactly sure why.

Miroku saw this and decided now was the best time to leave the pair on their own.

"Come Sango, we should find Keto and tell him the news."

Still a little dumbfounded by the news, she did nothing to stop him from moving her in the other direction.

The two hanyous remained silent, neither knowing exactly what to say both wishing they were anywhere but here.

Inuyasha cleared his throat, "Walk with me." It came out more a demand than he'd meant to too, and he mentally cringed when she meekly nodded.

Baka, you'd better not fuck this up...

Gods, please let this go well...I don't want to leave with him angry...

Well, there you have it. I had a few things I wanted to set up in this chapter, and I think I accomplished it. I couldn't really help Sango's little outburst, it kind of wrote it's self. I know it all kind of seemed a little off and rushed, but it was all I could come up with, I just couldn't figure out a way to make it work any better. Oh well, not my best work, but it'll do...and I'm sure I'm just being my own worse critic anyway.

Oh, and I was thinking that maybe the title of my fic doesn't really suit the content, does anyone have any ideas? My title creativity seems to have dried up, haha.

Review Responses:

ArtificialRed - Thanks! It was really hard to write him, so hearing that I did a good job means the world! And I'm glad you're still with me -

ShortPoet - Your long reviews totally put my puny responses to shame, you'll just have to get your Chapter 23 out there so I can repay you - Thanks so much for your praise, I spent a lot of time trying to make sure that the conversation between the three worked they way I wanted it to, and I'm glad to hear it did. I love Sesshomaru's character so much, even though he's hard to write I really enjoy writing him. I thought I should stick in more Sango this time around. How'd I do? Haha.

jim hawking jr - Thanks, I know the whole demon/miko blood thing has been done quite a bit already but I'm hoping my way is different enough not to seem too repetitive. Glad you liked it!

THANKS FOR READING!