Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except for my little demon Kotori. Everyone else belongs to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei, Shogakukan Comics, Sunrise and Viz Communications. I am poor, so please don't sue!

Author's Note: Well, this is my first attempt at Inuyasha fanfic! Please do not flame me yet...things will be better in the next chapter, which is already written. As soon as I transfer it from my notebook to my computer, I will post it up.

Somewhere In Between

As the day closed, the sun bid farewell to the world quietly. There was no brilliant flame to signal a beautiful tomorrow. Even the clouds even seemed subdued, forsaking their rainbow hues for more expectant deep purples and grays. For those watching the skies on this night, it was obvious that the first snows were on their way.

In the forests below, however, there was one who's eyes were focused somewhere other than on the heaven's. The small, dark figure's yellow eyes peered from beneath the hood of his cloak and were fastened to the path under his booted feet. The creature, a small demon by the name of Kotori, hurried down the silent trail anxiously. For him, the expectant hush that had settled in the trees only meant that he was nearing his destination and the one who had summoned him. Kotori traveled for a few more moments, pushing himself through the dark forest; he was anxious to complete this business and depart.

Finally the last of the trees gave way, leaving him on the edge of a small clearing. A swirling shaft of moonlight which had managed to escape the gathering clouds illuminated the area. At the center of this soft light stood a slim figure, who was also cloaked. He took a tentative step toward the figure and reeled back in shock. The shafts of moonlight were moving! Kotori watched in horror as his eyes focused on tiny faces within the light, each circling the mysterious being at their center.

"Stay where you are. You do not need to come closer yet."

The demon stopped, surprise twisting his features as the cold, rich voice of a woman rang through the clearing. "Who are you?" he asked. "Why have you called me here?"

The silence that followed seemed to last for an eternity. Then the cloaked woman spoke again. "That scar on your chest. Tell me about it."

The tone of her voice suggested that the comment was more command than request. Regardless of his uneasiness, the demon raised a calloused hand to his chest. He winced as the tough fingers traced the long scar hidden there. Without knowing quite why, he started to speak.

"It was given to me by the woman I chose as my mate," he began. "It turns out that she didn't want to stay, and she stabbed me in my sleep."

"Then what happened?"

"I-I wandered through the forest, bleeding to death, until a priestess found me. She cleaned and dressed my wound. As soon as I felt better, she disappeared. I never saw her again." He narrowed his eyes as he studied the strange woman. There was something about her... "I later learned," he added, "that she was killed by her lover soon after."

"It appears as though you were misinformed," the woman replied. Kotori could almost hear a trace of sadness in her icy response.

Knowing this mystery woman to be the same priestess who had saved him years ago, Kotori's confusion at his summons grew. "Why have you called for me, after all this time?"

The woman finally moved, raising a slim arm. In her pale hand rested a glowing object and a small, dark bag. "Let us call it a favor for a favor. There is something I want you to do for me."