Disclaimer: If it were mine, I would be filthy, stinking rich! Too bad Sigh

Summary: Inuyasha/Ranma ½ Crossover… Inuyasha is confused with Kagome's going to a new school, high school was it? And… Ranma and the gang get suckered into going into the past by Cologne to defeat Naraku who threatens the present.

Thank you for all your reviews everyone, they really mean a lot to me

Big Trouble in Sengoku Jidia

Episode 7—But I'm Akane!

Racing back to the campsite, rushing through the thick brush, Kagome hurried as quickly as her feet could carry her. Once she got to the site, she saw Sesshomaru's ward Rin still with Shippou they were making flower crowns, the other male members of their group were relaxing, the one with glasses was laying on his back on his sleeping bag. The Kendoest was practicing katas with his retainer cheering him on; Kagome dropped Akane's really heavy pack and her clothing on the log next to the short haired girl. "You forgot your stuff."

"Thanks." Akane lifted what looked like a tea cup to her lips and calmly took a sip.

Looking around Kagome saw Ranma laying on the ground looking like he had been smashed by some object, his hands were extended towards the sky and his face held the look of nothing but extreme pain.

Kagome's attention snapped back as she felt the tingle of jewel shards again rush through her. She looked around frantically and did not see the hanyou in red, she put her hands to each side of her mouth, cupping it and cried out, "Inuyasha!"

Jumping down from a tree branch, Inuyasha landed in front of her with the ease of a cat Youkai, his silver hair flying out as he touched the ground. "What is it, Kagome?"

"I feel jewel shards, and they are still coming." She turned around, still feeling the tingle following her very quickly.

Inuyasha sniffed the air, an annoyed growl came from within him, looking in the direction that Kagome was they all saw a whirlwind heading towards them.

A whirlwind then breezed into camp, disrupting everyone's activities, when the spinning stopped the wolf Youkai Kouga was standing there with a grin on his handsome face. "Hey, Kagome, I thought I smelled you."

"Kouga!" Kagome was alarmed she hadn't expected to run into him yet, they weren't anywhere near his wolf den.

"You sound excited to see me." Kouga clasped her hand in both of his adoringly, "oh my darling have you finally agreed to become my woman?"

Stomping up from behind them came Inuyasha, silently fuming, how dare he touch her! "Get your hands off Kagome now Wolf Breath!" Inuyasha knocked into Kouga hard, moving the wolf demon from his spot and then clasping Kagome's hands in his own, rubbing them and trying to get the wolf's scent off of her hands.

Kagome's face stained crimson as she looked wide eyed at Inuyasha, why couldn't he act like this when Kouga wasn't around she silently wondered to herself.

Approaching the three of them calmly was Miroku, if anyone could ease the tension in the air it was him. Miroku cleared his throat, "Excuse my interruption here, but what brings you by Kouga?"

The wolf Youkai shrugged rather nonchalantly, he had some information that these humans might be interested in. "I heard rumors of Naraku this way, so I was going to check them out." He heard the huffing and puffing of Ginta and Hikkaku who had caught up with him, they were probably glad of the break; Kouga mused silently in his head since they were not as fast as he was with the shards he had in his legs.

"Yeah that's why we were heading this way as well," Kagome looked at Kouga who rushed passed Inuyasha knocking the hanyou on his behind. Kouga then scooped Kagome up into his arms, smirking down into her pretty face. "Hey, I was thinking that perhaps you and I should look for Naraku together, what do you say Kagome? Forget about Mutt Face here and team up with me." He vaguely heard Inuyasha's growl of disapproval as his rival was getting to his feet once more

Kagome's cheeks were tinted pink, "Oh, well I can't you see—" She was interrupted by Nabiki's voice behind the two of them.

"Hey, what's this now? Kagome, are you all right?" Nabiki's calm and collected voice seemed hold some kind of authority as Kagome looked over Kouga's shoulder at her. She saw Akane, Shampoo and Ukyou come up as well.

"Yeah," said Akane who sounded very concerned "Is this guy bothering you?"

Kouga turned his head to find some strange humans, male and female had joined in with Kagome and her friends, he and Kagome were being watched from all around the camp, they sure looked ready to defend her if necessary.

Shaking her head, Kagome waved her hands in the air, "Oh no, nothing is wrong, Akane, Nabiki. This is just Kouga, he's a friend."

Nabiki leaned closer to Akane's ear, "He looks more like a lover than a friend, wouldn't you say Akane?"

Akane nodded, "Yeah, look at the way he's holding her close, and that look in his eyes. He wants her all right."

Kagome's cheeks flamed, "Uh… it's not like that you two. Come on now!" She practically shrieked, which caused Akane, Shampoo and Ukyou to giggle. She looked back at Kouga, she really should make him put her down, this was really embarrassing, and she could hear Inuyasha growling, his fingers were stretched out and he had that…look in his eyes again. That look that meant he was going to start a fight with Kouga. "Kouga, come on, you really should put me down now."

Kouga's chest vibrated with his thick laughter as he set Kagome down on her feet, "And just when I was thinking about giving you my jewel shards." He looked away from her innocently.

"You what?" Kagome's eyes widened in shock, "Y—you would really give them to me?"

Inuyasha stood up straighter; this wolf was up to something. He would never give up those shards in his legs, the shards that made him faster, stronger. What was the wolf after? His internal question was now being answered and he listened carefully.

"Dear Kagome, I might be persuaded to give you my shards?" The wolf demon was smirking.

Kagome clasped her hands together, "Really?" She sounded too excited and happy.

Crossing his arms over his powerful chest, Kouga's smirk seemed to grow even more devious, "Yeah." He moved closer to her, lifting his arms and gently putting them on her shoulders.

Inuyasha who was standing behind them and trying to look intimidating, he silently cursed the wolf under his breath, trying to wound him with his hard stare.

"Kagome," Kouga's voice dropped to a low almost seductive purr, "I'll give you the shards for a…" He was letting the time it took to make his request draw out long and knowing it was irritating Mutt Face behind him, he moved even closer to his Kagome… "Kiss."

Kagome blinked, did she hear him correctly? Did he really say for a kiss he would give her the shards? She had better make sure, "A what?"

Leaning closer to her, Kouga's palm slipped behind her neck and he angled her head back just a bit, his face hovering closer to hers. "Why for just a simple kiss, I will gladly give up my jewel shards to you."

"No way!" Inuyasha snarled, grabbing onto Kouga's pony tail and pulling hard, trying to turn Kouga's face away from Kagome's. "Don't you dare even think about getting a kiss from her!"

"Inuyasha leave him alone!" Kagome shouted and the Hanyou blinked at her releasing the wolf demon's hair, looking like he had just been hit in the chest.

"No, you know what he wants from you. Do you really think—" He was interrupted by Kagome's icy stare.

"If all it takes is for me to kiss him to get the shards, I should do it." Her face was increasing in color, "Th—then it's not a big deal. Just think we will have the last two shards, except for Akane's shard." She directed her gaze to Akane's neck where she saw the girl's fingers come up slightly and finger the small pink jewel shard. Kagome looked back at Kouga, up into his blue eyes, which seemed to twinkle with merriment, she swallowed hard. Oh who was she kidding, this was a big deal. It was a kiss, a kiss that is supposed to represent feelings of love, and she didn't love Kouga. She loved Inuyasha, but she had to push these feelings back, Kagome had to remind herself that she was doing this for the shards, that's right! The true cause was to get all the shards and beat Naraku. So she must do what she must do. She took one step closer to Kouga when she felt a hand come down on her shoulder.

"Kagome," Ranma's smooth sounding voice filled Kagome's ears. "I can tell you don't want to kiss him. You shouldn't have to do anything you don't want to do." Ranma said from Kagome and Kouga's left side, "Take it from someone who knows what it's like being forced into a situation they don't want." He pulled his hand from her shoulder and clinched his fists against his chest, "You don't have to sacrifice yourself for a bunch of silly pieces of jewel, it's stupid!"

"Yeah!" Akane pointed her finger at Kouga, "How dare you put her in such a position you pervert!"

Kouga looked shocked at Akane, "Who are you calling a pervert, human!" He crossed his arms over his chest, "You have spirit woman, confronting a wolf Youkai like me, takes a lot of guts."

"But we do need the jewel shards you guys." Kagome had clasped her hands in front of her body, looking down at them, "And I should be willing to do anything to get them all back, after all it was me who broke it in the first place."

Inuyasha pushed past Kouga who ended up face down in the dirt, he rushed to Kagome. "Kagome don't you dare even think about kissing Kouga. You shouldn't have to do…'whatever' it takes to get the shards."

"But you're always saying we should do whatever it takes to get all the shards, this is one of those moments." Kagome could feel her heart flutter with how Inuyasha was standing there, looking at her. Why should he care if she kissed Kouga, after all he goes off to see Kikyou every time her soul gatherers breeze by, of course she doesn't know what happens when he sees Kikyou, but just thinking about makes her heart hurt. "Besides, it's not really any of your business."

Inuyasha clinched his fists as a bitter taste filled his mouth; it usually always filled his senses and made his stomach twist into knots every time Kouga came around flirting with Kagome like that. And right now he was not about to let Kagome kiss that stinky wolf! "None of my business? Like hell it is. You aren't kissing that guy! That's all there is to it Kagome."

Kagome jumped back, how dare he try and tell her what to do; She'll show him all right! Pointing her finger in his face she exclaimed, "You aren't the boss of me! I'll do what I want!" She turned around, more determined now to do what she must to get those shards from Kouga.

Inuyasha's strong hand had grabbed Kagome's arm and she was spun around, practically colliding with Inuyasha's chest. "I am not going to let you ruin yourself over that pathetic wolf!" He grabbed her gently but firmly about the shoulders.

"Hey!" Came Kouga's angry comment.

Fuming with controlled anger, Kagome squeezed her eyes closed tightly, "Inuyasha, what do you think I'm gonna do? It's not like I'm gonna have sex with him or anything! It's just a stupid kiss!"

This was something Inuyasha couldn't bare to see, Kagome kissing Kouga. The idea caused unpleasant shivers to run through him. "Kagome you don't have to kiss him." Inuyasha said his voice devoid of any anger or hostility. His golden gaze held her brown, and he could hear Kagome's heartbeat start to race. It was as if everything moved in slow motion as Inuyasha moved even closer to Kagome, he saw her eyes widen slightly in what could be described as confusion. Both Inuyasha and Kagome's cheeks were tinting pink. Someone coughed behind them and both Kagome and Inuyasha twirled around in a quick reflex away from each other standing back to back.

"I wasn't gonna try nothin'" Inuyasha sounded rather guilty.

Kagome started giggling she then looked over at Kouga, "I'm sorry Kouga, I am going to have to say no to your generous offer of giving me your shards." She then looked over her shoulder at Inuyasha, who was in turn looking over his shoulder at her. They both could see their cheeks were indeed very red.

"That's too bad Kagome; you could have had them you know. But that's all right. I'll have awhile to convince ya." Kouga winked, and Inuyasha spun around.

"And just what do you mean by that?" Inuyasha snarled hatefully.

Kouga twisted around, looking at his rival with a very devious looking smirk, "Since I'll be coming along with you. Just to protect Kagome of course. You never know when she'll need to be rescued by a real demon." He insulted.

"Why you..." Inuyasha's hand reached for his Tetsuiga hilt.

Reaching out Kouga, placed his hand against Kagome's cheek, "After all, you still need these shards right, and I might decide just to give them to you, without my condition."

"I'm not going to tell you again, get your hands off Kagome right now." Inuyasha's heart was full of nothing but anger and jealousy as he started to pull his blade from its sheath when… "Sit boy!" was shouted and Inuyasha went face first into the ground.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha groaned from his whole in the ground.

"I think it would be a good idea Kouga, you coming with us. We can use all the help we can get." Kagome smiled up at Kouga, who had reached up and clasped her hands in his. The subduing spell had worn off and Inuyasha was getting to his feet. She could hear his growl of frustration and anger and even heard his heavy footsteps coming towards them. She knew what he was going to do, so Kagome being utterly brilliant shouted, "Sit!" and once again Inuyasha was imbedded into the ground.

Kouga's face took on the appearance of complete seriousness, "Kagome, I will protect you from danger; you can count on me my love." He saw Kagome's smile and that was definitely worth it, he wanted to be by her side always and now was his chance. There was no way Inutrasha was going to talk Kagome out of this decision of hers. He had his plan to get at least one kiss from his sweet Kagome's lips, and finally finding and defeating Naraku by her side would be something he would give up his life for.

Rin's loud giggles brought attention to herself as she ran towards Sesshomaru; Inuyasha looked towards his brother as Rin's arms circled around one of his legs.

"Lord Sesshomaru, Shippou asked if I could go with him and his friends."

Looking down at his always happy and perky ward, Sesshomaru's knew that she would want to travel with them. But that would mean that he would have too as well, it was the perfect opportunity for himself to find out more about the Takara look alike, "If that is what you want Rin." He consented

Rin clapped and cheered and tore her arms away from Sesshomaru to go back and join Shippou.

Inuyasha was certainly suspicious and they did not need the extra burden of a child, "We ain't taking care of your human Sesshomaru!"

"I will keep watch over Rin." Sesshomaru would follow these humans and other demons.

"but that means you'd have to go where we go," Sango said to the demon lord, she had her hand on her Hiraikotsu just in case she needed to suddenly fling it at him.

Sesshomaru was irritated yet it did not show on his face, "indeed."

The entire group all stood silently, this was a shock even to Ranma and his friends. The same demon that tried to kill him and Akane was going to be traveling along with them because of the whim of a child. It was a mistake, Ranma could feel that something was wrong, but he knew there was nothing they could do to stop this Youkai from doing whatever he wanted. He would remain on guard.

Now this was the strangest traveling party to date, the rumors were spreading quickly about the group of Youkai moving along with humans as they were in search of the menace Naraku. Over several days of traveling the large group finally spotted a village not to far from them.

Sango recognized this part of the countryside; she was near her own home village. If only the demon exterminators were alive now, she would be greeted by her family with hugs and kisses. It had been at least a year since Naraku had tricked her little brother Kohaku into slaying his kin. She did not want to dwell on these thoughts right now, finding Naraku was the only thing on her mind. He would pay for all the evil he has done.

It was late afternoon and the party was weary and they wanted to rest, well the human half of the party was.

"Inuyasha," Kagome's sweet voice was heard from somewhere in the group, "Can we take a rest now?"

Twirling around, Inuyasha tried to pin her to her spot with an aggravated glare, "Don't tell me you're tired already?"

She nodded, "I am, and I think everyone else is too." Pointing over his shoulder Kagome pointed out the village to him. "Look we can ask for lodgings there for the night."

"Weak humans," Inuyasha grumbled, throwing his arms down at his sides, "There is no time to stop, if we do Naraku could get further away from us."

Clearing his throat, Kouga slid next to her, "You know Kagome, if you're tired I could always carry you." He wiggled his brows.

Inuyasha clinched his fists together, then thrusting his arm up and his finger into Kouga's face, he was not about to let that wolf carry Kagome, not even if he, himself were on his last leg and was about to die. "No way!"

"Inuyasha, stop this foolish behavior." Sesshomaru had grown tired of the constant noise his half brother made.

Shaking his fist at Sesshomaru, Inuyasha snarled, "you mind your own business, this has nothing to do with you."

Sesshomaru was getting increasingly annoyed, if Inuyasha wasn't arguing with the wolf, then he was arguing with that human male, he needed to shut his half brother's mouth before it drove him insane but it seemed that someone had beat him to it.

"Inuyasha," Miroku appeared next to the hanyou with his staff in hand, "Settle down, now we are going to village with or without you. It would be nice if we could stay under a roof once in awhile." He started walking in the direction of the village, Sango and Kirara hurried to catch up with him.

Sneering, Inuyasha turned his face turning red in irritation and anger. "Hey, you guys get back here!" He noticed they were not paying attention to him, "Don't you ignore me damn-it." He turned to find Akane and Ranma had both shrugged their shoulders and ran after Miroku and Sango. Inuyasha didn't get a word in edgewise before everyone else started passing him up heading towards the village.

"Talk about an ill mannered mongrel." Commented Kuno while passing Inuyasha, the kendoest situated his bokken across his shoulder, while being followed by his retainer Sasuke.

"Master Kuno, I agree. Yes, yes I agree."

"Come Sasuke, we shall not retire under the stars this night." Kuno led Sasuke towards the village.

Inuyasha held his finger up as if he was going to speak to the other girls, the old man and his disciples, but no one was giving him the time of day. Grumbling and feeling a hand on his shoulder, he turned his head in the direction and he found Kagome smiling at him.

"Come on Inuyasha, you were out voted."

"Feh," Inuyasha looked away from her, "You're all a bunch a losers." He turned and started following the group toward the village anyway noting that his half brother moved slowly behind him and the rest. It was bizarre that Sesshomaru decided to be part of their group, he never needed anyone. What was he hiding?

This village was just a little too familiar for him, Sesshomaru remembered the day he and along with a few other demons from his army had attempted to destroy the place. He looked beyond the village into the woods, where he discovered that Takara was still buried there. He took a small glance at Akane, and growled as quietly as possible. This girl better not try to enslave his mind like Takara did.

Sesshomaru hadn't counted on coming back this way since he was already here last night. When he had agreed to be part of this band in which was more for Rin's sake, only so she could be around her own kind as he would eventually have to let her go to be with other humans when she got older. That thought let a tiny bit of sadness drift through him, had he really gotten attached to the human child? He would ponder these internal questions at a later date as they were coming upon the village.

As soon as they entered the village, the villagers immediately stopped what they were doing to turn and stare at the large group. A flurry of gossip started among the villagers and some were even pointing at them, especially at a certain short haired young lady.

An old lady pushed her way through Inuyasha's group, he muttered some choice words in her direction but the old woman paid it no mind as she continued on her way, finally coming to Akane. The old woman squinted her eyes. Reaching up, she cupped the young woman's chin and turned her face from side to side.

"Uh…What are you doing?" Akane's eye twitched as this stranger seemed to paw at her face.

The old lady turned around to the villagers, "It sure looks like her all right!" Facing Akane once more the old woman spoke about Akane as she looked her over, "I don't think it can be though, but then again she did disappear a long time ago."

"But wouldn't she have aged?" An old man from the village said as he too came up to stand beside Akane, looking at her curiously.

Akane took a step back from the two of them, holding up her hands in front of her, "Excuse me; I don't understand what you are talking about." She looked at Ranma imploringly, "Ranma, do something."

He shrugged, "I don't know what to say Akane, these people seem to be confused is all." Taking a step towards the old folks, Ranma cleared his throat. "Can we help you with something?"

"Get out of the way sonny boy." The old lady pushed Ranma out of the way with a strength that a woman of her age shouldn't have as he shouted a very loud 'Hey!' none of them paid attention to him. It seemed like even more elderly men and women approached Akane who poked and prodded her with their fingers.

"Hmm I don't remember her hips being this big before." An old male's voice said as she was poked in the rear. Akane shot up straight as an arrow as a creepy feeling raced through her body.

"Yeah this girl's breasts are a tad larger than I remember as well." A woman's crinkled finger reached out to poke Akane in the breast, but the younger girl's arms came up and protected her bust from being poked.

"Excuse me!" Akane shrieked half in disgust and half in fear.

"Get away from that girl." An elderly male voice ordered, "Leave her alone." He just knew they were frightening this girl, he could hear it in her voice.

Akane shifted her position a little and saw a man standing there; he was tall, slightly hunched over with a stick pointed out in front of him. There was a piece of cloth wrapped around his eyes; he hit the ground with the stick as he moved forward towards them.

"Don't be stupid," He said to the elderly group still surrounding Akane, "Lady Takara would be at least fifty years older if she were alive. Idiots you all are," The man insulted. "Lady Takara is dead. She was murdered by a disgusting Youkai." He stopped directly in front of Akane, "Please miss, forgive these idiots. They are you know getting really old."

"Oh be quiet Haru!" one of the elderly women shouted, "She looks just like her, well almost exactly like her anyway."

There was that name again, Takara. This was the second time she was mistaken for this girl. Akane sighed with relief as the crowd of elderly dispersed. "We are sorry to cause this huge uproar."

Haru waved his hand in the air, "It is not your fault. You just look like someone they loved and miss, that is all." Even though he could not see her, just by hearing the comments around him he knew that this girl was a Takara look alike and that is all. "What is your name?"

Akane smiled, "Its Akane, Akane Tendou."

"Hmm, Akane, that's a nice name."

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, "Uh…thank you." She squeaked out and Haru laughed.

"I did not mean to embarrass you."

Akane was impressed, "How did you know I was embarrassed? I didn't say."

Haru lifted his hand to his lips and laughed lightly, "I am blind my dear, my hearing is excellent, same as a few other reflexes of mine. Other skills increased when I lost my sight." Haru remembered the Youkai that had blinded him, and he knew he was sensing that same Youkai from all those years ago, that name would forever be burned in his ears and his memories. What was he doing back here though? Had he returned to finish the job of killing the rest of the villagers? While he took Akane and the rest of her friends to a part of the palace where they would be able to stay, he leaned closer to her. "I would be careful if I were you."

"Oh, why is that?" Akane asked Haru quietly. She took a quick glance over her shoulder at all her traveling companions, they were all talking quietly amongst themselves, although Ranma was the only one not speaking, he seemed to be looking at her and Haru, listening to whatever it was that they were saying to each other then returning her gaze to Haru's.

"One of the Youkai that you are traveling with, the one that goes by the name of Sesshomaru." He pointed somewhere behind them.

"What about him?" Akane took another quick glance in the Youkai's direction, his head jolted a little as if he knew she was looking at him, and he seemed to pierce her soul with just a look from his cold, golden eyes. Akane swallowed nervously, and when Haru tapped her on the arm, her head whipped around, facing him.

"He's the one, the one that killed Takara. And if I am not mistaken as I have heard from all the comments going around that you look almost exactly like her." He patted her shoulder tenderly, "So just be careful, he might try to kill you too."

Akane blinked, "Oh, is that all. Well he already tried to kill me." She was oddly cheerful, "but I can take care of myself, so there's nothing to worry about." Akane was smiling wide even though she knew Haru couldn't see it.

Stopping suddenly, Haru turned around and even though he could not express through his eyes, he was sure he had the most serious expression he could achieve on his face. "This Youkai is not to be underestimated; you must not ever find yourself cornered by such a beast. He and many others won't hesitate in killing you, and if they really wanted you dead, you would be so without question."

Akane's eyes were wide with fear at hearing his warning; his whole tone of voice was rather discouraging, "Uh…"

"Constant vigilance Akane Tendou, you must always be aware of what is going on around you." He then shook his head, erasing thoughts that he had warned Takara about the demon lord as well and look what happened to her. He wondered if this girl would listen to his warnings, wondering how alike she was to Takara. Haru wished he could see her, to see Takara's face again would be a true gift. "Miss Akane, I would like to show you something if you don't mind." He had led the entire traveling party to a door and slid it open, inside was a very large room. "But first you all can rest in here; dinner will be served once the sun has set."

The party rushed into the guest room and sat down their packs and other belongings, Haru listening intently to their footsteps and the dropping of their supplies. "Miss Akane, I would like to show you that something before dinner, would you please come with me?"

Clearing her throat, Akane sighed, "All right."

By her side in an instant was Ranma, "I'll go with you." He didn't know what was going on, those people saying that Akane was this other girl, her being almost killed by the demon lord that was traveling with them. There had to be reason for all these things and he wanted to find out just what that was.

"As will I," Sango rushed up to Ranma and Akane.

Bowing slightly, "Very well then," Haru answered, and after he straightened his posture he turned around, that stick hitting the ground in front of him as he started walking. He was counting his footsteps towards the shrine that was made for the royal family. They came to a pretty building painted of brown and red, there was only one door and Haru slid it open.

Sango recognized the shrine; she had come in here before when she was a child. He parents would often send her to this village to take a break from her extensive demon slaying training. She remembered what was in here, but the question was how did Haru? "How do you know what is in here?" Sango asked, since the old man was blind and all.

"I have been told what was inside." He led the way and felt around for the small table that was situated next to the door. He felt around for the candles and the matches next to it. Feeling a small since of victory when he found them, he lit the candles carefully, the room lighting up with its soft glow.

Ranma, Akane and Sango stepped inside, and before them were the three members of the royal family, well at least their portraits. There were flowers and gifts on the floor in front of each of their pictures. Akane gasped, her hand flying up to cover her mouth in shock. It was like looking into a mirror. It was very unnerving and she felt a cold tingle rush through her body.

"Well now, would you look at that," Ranma was hiding his discomfort as well as he looked at the portrait, the girl was practically the splitting image of Akane. "She looks exactly like you Akane."

Shaking her head wildly, Akane groaned, "I don't like this, I don't like this at all." She stepped right up to the portrait touching what looked like her own face, "People keep mistaking me for this girl, I am not her! I am Akane!" Her hand dropped to her side and her fingers clinched making a fist. "I almost get killed because I look like her!"

Sango remembered seeing this portrait before which is why Akane looked familiar to her, "Hey I wouldn't worry too much about it Akane, if it makes you feel any better, your hair is a different color than Takara's."

Her comment didn't make Akane feel any better, she closed her eyes tightly. She knew she was acting rather foolish, this was a just a girl from the past. But she was almost killed because she looked like this other girl. She vaguely heard footsteps come up behind her, a pair of arms circled around her and Akane's eyes widened in shock. She was held tightly, her back pressing against a hard chest. Akane swallowed hard, "Uh…"

"Akane," Ranma's voice was soothing to her, "don't worry about this picture, or this girl." He didn't know when he had decided to embrace her like this; she just looked so lost and deep in thought that he just couldn't stop himself. He could feel his face heating up and he was sure that he was blushing. "I know what you are thinking and it is all right, you are still you. Just cause you look like this other girl doesn't mean a thing."

He spoke so quietly, calmly, and Akane wondered what was wrong with him, Ranma has never behaved like this, especially with her. "Ranma, why are you acting like this?"

"Shh," Ranma closed his eyes and bent forward nestling his face into the spot between her neck and shoulder. Ranma seemed to feel at ease as he held her this way; he wanted to melt completely against her. He was making her nervous for Ranma felt her pulse speed up; he wanted to soothe away all her fears. "Akane, you don't have to worry about anything with me here with you."

Her cheeks flamed red at Ranma's weird behavior; it was causing a strange feeling to flutter in her belly. His arms around her felt so good and it was almost a feeling of complete perfection. Neither of them was aware that Sango had grabbed Haru's arm and steered him towards the door of the shrine.

As Sango headed for the door she found the strange site of Sesshomaru standing there, his gaze wasn't directed at her, but behind her over her shoulder. Slowly she turned her head seeing Ranma and Akane there, Ranma had not moved and he was still holding onto Akane tightly. To her what they looked like was a loving couple, not at all the behavior they display on a daily basis as she has gotten to know them over the past few days.

Back inside the shrine Akane cleared her throat, signaling that she was going to say something. She needed to get a hold of herself, Ranma was just doing this to make her feel better, it's not because he really cared about her or anything. Unlike before there was no need to beat him over the head or call him any names. She just wanted to get away. "Ranma, y—you can let go of me. I'm all right now." What he was doing was making her feel out of control of her own self, it was in fact scaring her a little. The way her heart raced, the heat that she was feeling that was running through her. Was it right, was it normal?

The truth was Ranma did not want to let go, he was enjoying this. Akane would never let him do such a thing back home, she would have clobbered him right away and been called a pervert for even thinking it. "But I don't want too." He confessed without realizing it. Hearing her shocked gasp, Ranma's arms immediately dropped away from her, he had said it! That's not what he wanted to say! He stepped away from her instantly as if he had been shocked by a bit of electricity.

The loss of his warmth and his touch ached in her heart, she thought she had wanted him to let go. But perhaps she was wrong, Akane was confused now. Neither of them moved for what seemed like a long moment. Her mind was acting up she wanted Ranma to hold her like before, she was gathering up her courage, "Ranma…" Akane saw his eyes shift from the floor to her chocolate brown, their gazes locked. Akane made to move one step forward but stopped as she saw Ukyou coming up behind Ranma, her heart felt like it started to crack. Those other fiancés of his wreck everything!

"There you are Ran-Chan I was looking all over for you." Ukyou tried to sound cheerful, even though she saw Ranma holding Akane like that. She could forgive his moment of weakness, Akane probably knocked him on the head a little too hard and he didn't realize who he was holding onto.

Ranma looked annoyed as closed his eyes tightly, his fist clinching in front of him. He took a deep breath and spun around facing Ukyou, "Oh is that so?" He sounded aggravated.

"Yeah, what are you two doing in here?" She smiled innocently, convincingly.

Akane hoped Ranma would inform Ukyou that she interrupted something important; she closed her eyes secretly wishing. "Ranma, why don't you tell her?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Ranma didn't want to tell Ukyou what he was doing. She would be upset and he did not want to hurt any of the girls, even if they were annoying sometimes they were still friends of his. "Nothin' much, Akane was over reacting to this picture in here that's all." Ranma crossed his arms over his chest making the situation sound not so important. "You know how she gets, totally blows things out of proportion." He waved his hand in the air as he said that.

What he said felt like a punch in the face to Akane, and she it felt as if her heart shattering, filling with anger and rage. Why couldn't he just tell the truth for once! It was down right frustrating and she hated him for it. Akane took a very deep breath; she would never allow this kind of a situation to ever happen again! Heading in their direction she saw Ranma flinch, he thought he was going to get hit since he probably knew he said the wrong thing again. But Akane did nothing; she didn't even speak to him just simply passed by him and Ukyou.

Uh-oh, Ranma thought to himself, it was always the silent anger to watch out for. Shaking his head and thinking that she was always too sensitive about situations.

Akane stepped outside wanting to get away from Ranma and Ukyou; she met Sango along the way back to the guest room.

"Done already huh, you two looked pretty cozy back there." Sango was smiling.

Rolling her eyes, Akane's hands planted themselves on her hips. "Who cares about that jerk! I certainly don't."

Sango blinked knowing how the two of them were together; she wasn't surprised at Akane's tone or anger. Something else must have happened in that shrine. She wanted to help Akane to feel better, but this might make her feel even worse. "You know Akane I think there is something you should see."

"Not another picture." Akane complained.

"No, not another picture." Sango pointed towards the woods, "When I was a little girl I would come to this village often, since mine neighbors this one. Anyway, I think you should take a look at Takara's gravesite, she does have one. I remember seeing it out there, and besides it will give you time to settle your nerves after whatever it was that Ranma said to make you mad."

Akane let a brief smile appear on her lips, Sango was very observant. Ranma always said the wrong thing; he just simply had foot-in-mouth disease. "Yeah, a walk might do me some good."

"It's not that far from the village if I remember correctly. I ran across it on accident when I was playing out there." Sango crossed her arms over her breasts, remembering when she was little. "The blind man, I can't remember his name told me to never go out there alone, I guess he didn't think I was strong enough to fight against demons." She was laughing now, "Now look at me, I'm the only surviving member of the Youkai Exterminators and I really am the best in my field."

"I'm sorry about your family, Kagome told me what happened." Akane glanced down at her feet, sorrow and grief filled the young martial artist, "I know what its like to lose your loved ones, I can't compare my experience to yours though since I only lost my mother when I was very young."

Sango let out a soft sigh, her mind full on her family and her duty to avenge them and to save her brother was heavy in her thoughts. "That is why I am after Naraku, he tricked my brother into killing my whole clan, he would have killed me too." She lifted her palm to her breast, "and he still has my brother, there is a Shikon shard in Kohaku's back which Naraku uses him as a puppet to do his dirty work. I can't allow that monster to keep torturing anyone ever again." She said with such determination.

"I don't understand how can anyone be so cruel and heartless to do these kinds of things to other people? And it was all because of this jewel!" Akane asked while lifting her Shikon shard, her fingers curving around it, squeezing. "This thing, it turns people against each other and brings hate into everyone's lives, what was the purpose of such a thing anyway, just to create suffering!"

Sango wondered that as well, the stories she had heard about it seemed true, but the jewel only seemed to cause pain more than anything. The jewel changes people, families and loved ones. Sango had been thinking about this for some time, noticing different things about Akane's family, her father and her sisters. "Akane family is the most important thing, without them we have nothing." Sango saw Akane nod, "And I know you love your family with all your heart, I see how you all act with each other. Your sisters they are sweet and well they are not like you, they are not fighters. Your sister Nabiki is kind of like a female version of Miroku without the ass grabbing anyway. There is no way they can ever stand up to a villain like Naraku; you will lose them, all of them."

"What do you suggest then? It's not like I can send them home." Akane released the shard and it rested against her chest.

Looking over at Kirara who was sleeping, she was curled up next to Shippou and Rin who were sitting on the porch of their guest room. "They can use Kirara to head back to Kaede's village where they will be safe from harm." She smiled, "Kirara changes into a large fire cat and she can fly. They will be back to the village really quickly." Looking at Akane, Sango found the younger girl to be thinking about it, for her brow was creased. "It is just a suggestion, if you don't want to lose your family." Turning away from Akane, Sango headed towards the children.

Taking some consideration into what Sango had said, Akane would ask her father about what was best for her sisters. But right now, the urge to see that grave was growing more interested so looking over her shoulder to see if anyone was paying attention to her and discovering that no one was, she headed in the direction of the woods. Akane walked through the brush, the trees were tall and green and they seemed to get thicker as she moved further into the woods.

Hearing a twig snap from behind her, Akane whirled around glancing around in all directions, hearing another twig snap, and another, and another. Her eyes widened but as a little white bunny hopped out of the direction of the noise, she let out a large puff of relieved air. "You scared me little guy." The bunny just wiggled its nose in the ground to her comment. Resuming her path Akane pushed her way through the trees, moving the branches with her fingers so they wouldn't scrape her skin. Was she even going in the right direction? She carefully stepped over fallen logs, large boulders that were in her way. She was coming to a small clearing; there were a circle of trees. And then she saw it, a headstone had vines growing around it. Walking to it, Akane kneeled down noticing that there was no name on it. How could anyone be sure that this was Takara's grave site?

The dirt seemed to sink in a bit, feeling her foot sink into the dirt about an inch Akane glanced down. The dirt, it looked like it had been recently dug, she pushed her hand into the dirt and it was soft, like someone had disturbed the grave site. Standing and rubbing the dirt off her hand, she wondered why it would be fresh if this girl died fifty years ago. The question now was why would a demon want to kill Takara, it didn't make any sense to her. "What happened?" She asked the grave, "Oh Akane, stop being an idiot. It's not like she's going to talk to me." Akane said out loud to herself.

"Enslaving one's mind is not acceptable."

Akane groaned, recognizing that cold, emotionless voice. Why was she being stalked like this? It was making her so mad! And not to mention afraid. Slowly Akane peered over her shoulder at the very tall form of Sesshomaru who was standing a bit too close for comfort, shocked and alarmed she jumped back away. "We—were you following me?"

"You are a very stupid human to come out here alone, no one to protect you."

She did not need anyone to protect her just because she was a girl! "Ugh, that is so typical; I don't always need someone to protect me. I can do that well enough on my own!" Akane did not see it coming, it was so fast within the blink of an eye she had hit the tree behind her and was now groaning in pain, her vision blurred for an instant and that was when she felt it, something sharp digging into both of her upper arms causing her to yelp in pain.

Fingers squeezed, claws piercing her skin, "Human bodies are so fragile, I could break you. You do realize this, do you not?" Sesshomaru informed into her pain contorted face. The scent of her fear surrounded him, enveloping his mind. He wanted to hurt her, to make her feel the frustration that he felt at seeing Takara's face again. "You are Takara's reincarnation you are her, I will kill you now." He lifted one of his hands from her shoulder up in the air to strike her dead.

She was not Takara! She was Akane! Feeling a sudden power and strength from her surging anger her fist shot up and it flew hard and fast into Sesshomaru's face, sending him back a bit from her, the sleeves of her shirt ripping as his claws had been digging into her skin. She did not see the small shocked expression on the demon lords face as she took off in a run back towards the village, there was no way she was going to stay around there.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed slightly, and he took off after her, she caught him off guard. He was struck and by a simple female too, it would not happen again. He could see her, she could run fast he gave her that much, but he was faster. He lifted his hand and fired a ki blast and it hit the ground near her feet causing a small explosion sending the girl flying to the ground. Something familiar about this scene surged through his memories as Akane covered the back of her head with her arms to protect herself from flying debris.

Akane coughed clearing her throat and of the dust from the blast, turning over to get to her feet she found Sesshomaru standing just before her. "You jerk! What did you do that for! Just leave me alone!" She screamed at him.

All right so maybe the scene in his mind was going a little differently than what is happening this time around, but the actions remained the same. Sesshomaru noted that the girl did have a strange bravery as no one talked to him like she does. It was infuriating. He saw the girl scoot back away from him as he reached down to grab a hold of her by her shirt but she evaded his hand, by ducking down and away then jumped to her feet crouching down preparing herself to fight this demon if necessary.

Struck odd with her behavior, even in the light of her impending death she was not going to back down, this girl would fight him knowing that she would lose. Even though he could smell the thick scent of her intoxicating fear which was what was pushing him on to attack her, she was not quivering before him, on her face she wore a mask of deception and yes concentration. Over the last few days of his observation of this girl, he found that she never backed down from a fight. This would not do, Takara once again was enslaving his mind to these thoughts about her. He would kill her, but not right now. In the back of his mind it said to just do it now, but he pushed that thought away. He lowered his hands to his sides as he simply turned away.

Standing upright Akane was confused, but relieved at the same time. She didn't have to think twice about getting out of that area and she turned on her heels running for the palace grounds.

Kasumi was rubbing alcohol on Akane's wounds in her shoulders, she heard her sister suck in a painful breath. She then wrapped a bandage around the last of her puncture marks. "Akane, please tell me how you got these?" She had been trying for the last twenty minutes to get her sister to speak about what happened, but Akane refused to divulge the information.

The door was slid open rather forcefully and Ranma stood there, he saw the bandage around Akane's arm and some bloody pieces of cloth on the floor next to her. "What happened?"

Akane ignored his question by turning her face away from Ranma's direction; she pulled her torn short sleeve down over her bandaged wound and stood up. "Thank you Kasumi."

Ranma's lips thinned at how Akane was ignoring him, he was going to say something when he saw Kasumi shake her head no at him. He heard voices behind him and turned around to see Kagome and Inuyasha approaching. Without giving time for Ranma to move, Inuyasha bashed him in the back of the head sending the boy flying forward into the wall. Inuyasha laughed hard as Ranma fell onto his back staring up at the ceiling.

"Inuyasha, that wasn't nice!" Kagome reprimanded.

"Hey that was a good move," came the voice of Ryouga who had been sitting in that room. He was snickering as Ranma jumped to his feet.

"What did you do that for ya creep?" Ranma's temper was getting the better of him.

Shrugging Inuyasha calmly answered, "You were in my way and I didn't feel like talking to you."

Ranma stomped over, getting in Inuyasha's face. "You're going to pay for that." He started cracking his knuckles threateningly.

Rolling her eyes, Kagome then smiled cheerfully, "Hey Akane, want to help me make dinner?"

A dark cloud seemed to pass over Ranma as he cringed while glancing at Kagome, "Trust me, you don't want her to help you. She'd kill us all!"

Akane was trying to ignore him, she really was. She promised herself not to let him get to her. But it wasn't working! "Shut up Ranma! No one cares what you have to say."

"Oh it can't be that bad," Inuyasha commented which seemed much more sensitive and kind than whatever Ranma said.

Ranma stomped his foot and waved his fist in the air, "You don't know what you're talking about!" While the boys were arguing Kagome grabbed Akane by the arm and they headed out towards the kitchens.

Once they got to the kitchens, which had three large counters, and one side of the wall was made of brick and had a roaring fire. There were three cauldrons situated over three small fire pits for soups and stews. At one of the counters, Shampoo and Ukyou were already there. Shampoo was making her special ramen for Ranma and Ukyou was making a truly spectacular Okonomiyaki for her love.

"Hey, Akane, what are you doing here?" Ukyou asked slyly, "Going to make something disgusting for Ranma?"

"Who cares about that jerk? I'm just here to make dinner and it's not just for Ranma." She threw her nose in the air and headed to where some vegetables were sitting out to be used.

Shampoo leaned closer to Ukyou's ear, "Gee someone bitter, Ranma reject Akane lots." She giggled but was not expecting Akane to fling a glass of water at her, splashing in her face. Now standing in Shampoo's spot was an adorable little kitty. Shampoo arched her back and hissed at Akane.

"Serves you right," Ukyou said still chopping away at her carrots she was going to use in her pizza.

The door was suddenly thrown open and there stood Kuno, he had heard that Akane was going to making part of tonight's dinner he had rushed right over. "Ah, Akane Tendou you are going to make something truly spectacular for me." He ran forward, "You can not hide your feelings from me my darling." He reached out to grab her, when Kagome purposely stuck out her foot right in his path and he tripped falling forward his arms flaying out as he went head first into a bag of flour sitting on the floor.

Both Akane and Kagome were laughing hard as Kuno stood up straight, he was covered from head to toe in the white powdery substance, he coughed out a puff of flour dust, which made the two girls hold their stomachs from laughing too hard.

"Master Kuno," The sound of Sasuke's worried voice flittered through the kitchens as he ran inside and to his master's side. He looked up at the girls, "what have you done to Master Kuno?"

Looking innocently, Kagome smiled. "He tripped is all," She covered her mouth with her hand, trying to keep down her laughter.

Kuno standing up straight trying to look as regal as possible as he was completely covered in flour, "Come Sasuke, I must clean up before I take part in my darling's lovely feast of delicious dishes made by her own sweet hand." He turned leaving the kitchen a trail of white footprints left behind.

"Hey thanks Kagome," Akane finally had recovered from her laughing fit.

Smiling cheerfully Kagome grabbed a knife from the counter, "Well I can tell you aren't interested in that guy as a boyfriend, and that he probably annoys you."

"There is no probably about it." Akane pumped some water into one of the smaller cauldrons and set it over the small fire to boil...

Leaning up against the wall in the large guest room, Miroku was listening intently to what Soun Tendou was saying, and it seemed to be making a lot of sense now.

"So you are telling me that they are cursed? I am rather cursed myself." Miroku looked down at his covered hand. "Which is why we have to find Naraku and soon, if we don't my life will end for I will be sucked in by this wind tunnel in my hand. I was sent away when my own father was pulled into his, every male in my family line has been cursed with this; but it is handy that is up until my demise though."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Soun leaned back against the smooth wall, "I didn't realize that this Naraku was this despicable." He then worried for his own family, would this evil creature do horrible things to his daughters as well if he had something to gain from their pain and suffering.

Soon the rest of their traveling party had come inside the room as the dinner that had been prepared by Kagome, Akane, Shampoo and Ukyou was ready to eat.

"Hey Akane, which did you make?" Ranma asked innocently with a smile on his face.

Smiling one of her beautiful smiles back at Ranma, Akane felt a blush stain her cheeks, "I made the soup."

"Great, now I know which one to avoid." The pigtailed boy snickered and he heard Akane's growl, he felt a fist come down hard on the top of his head, he turned his head snarling at Ryouga. "What did you do that for!"

"How dare you insult Akane's cooking Ranma, I will make you pay for that comment." Ryouga was completely overwhelmed with his anger and he moved to attack Ranma, when the boy who was going to be attacked using his quick speed and reflexes had scooped some of the soup in the spoon and quickly shoved it in Ryouga's mouth, who fell backwards his eyes crossing from the horrible death soup in his mouth.

Looking at his plate Miroku glanced down into the soup, it smelled good. "Hey this all looks good girls."

Ranma's head snapped around as he saw the monk putting the spoon into the soup bowl, Ranma reached out his hand and shouted, "No, don't eat that. You'll die!"

The spoon fell from Miroku's hand hitting the floor with a loud clanking sound, Miroku felt like his stomach just jumped out of his body, ripping painfully from inside, he could hear groaning and moans of pain all around him. "What…was…that?" He felt like passing out.

The old man was crying, Happosai covered his eyes with his arm and bawled into his maroon sleeve, "Why didn't you tell me that it wasn't fit for human consumption?"

"Hey!" Akane growled at everyone, "It wasn't that bad, was it?"

Ranma felt he was the only one with any sense around here to not have eaten Akane's cooking he even warned everyone, "You know Akane, we could probably bottle this stuff and give it to Naraku, it would kill him for sure! We could call it Akane's Toxic Stew, kill off your worst enemies and people that just plain bug ya, we would make a fortune."

The empty cauldron suddenly flew across the room and smashed right into Ranma's body, knocking him to the ground, his hands extended towards the ceiling as he was feeling nothing but extreme pain running through his entire body. Perhaps he had gone a bit too far with the Toxic Stew comment his head informed himself. He groaned loudly. Akane's red anger aura blazed all around her as she turned and threw open the door, stomping out. Why did he have to go and say stuff like that! That stupid jerk! Akane walked through the back yard coming to a red painted arched bridge, she stood there for a moment before hopping up to sit on the bridge's railing, swinging her legs gently back and forth, glaring down into the water of the decorative stream that ran through the garden. "Ranma you dummy." She threw a rock hard into the water, the fish scattering. "Oh who am I kidding, I'm nothing like the other girls. I can't even cook anything without attempting to poison everyone." She growled light and low, clinching her fist, Akane's normally pretty face scrunching up in anger. "But he didn't have to be such a jerk about it!"

"Do you know what the problem is Akane?" Ukyou's voice said from behind Akane, who turned and looked at her over her shoulder.

Akane saw both Shampoo and Ukyou standing there, what did they follow her out here just to rub it in some more?

"It's the simple fact that if you can't cook a decent meal how are you going to make Ranma's meals for him. You certainly can not live on take out alone." Ukyou did make a valid point, but Akane was not going to give up just because she can't cook anything, unless they moved to Ryugenzawa and she could in fact use the Water of Life, everything turned out pretty normal when she used it.

Akane jumped up onto the railing and turning around carefully, glaring at her rival. "Yeah well the only thing you can make happens to be Okonomiyaki, Ranma will surely get sick of that eventually, even if his stomach happens to resemble a bottomless pit most of the time."

"That so true," Shampoo giggled, "Which is why Shampoo better wife than both of you. Shampoo can make anything."

Growing in frustration, her eye twitched, "It's not always about food you guys!" Akane stomped her foot, "There's more to it than just that you know." Stomping her foot was a mistake as it slipped causing to knock her off balance, she started falling backwards her arms flaying out in front of her trying to rebalance herself. Ukyou and Shampoo rushed forward, Ukyou reached out to grab Akane's hand their finger's barely brushing each other's as Akane went backwards over the side. Akane didn't fall very far as she fell against something and stopped, she felt a pair of arms holding her up, opening her eyes as she had closed them tightly, she found a pair of cold, emotionless eyes staring into hers.

"Clumsy human," He insulted frostily, wondering why he had even stopped her from falling, she could break her neck for all he cared.

"Akane?" Ukyou shouted in worry as she peered over the side of the bridge, appearing shocked at what she saw. Akane was practically laying within the arms of the very same demon that tried to kill her, and she wasn't even moving. Maybe she was shocked?

Shampoo rushed to the side as well, her blue hair bouncing along with her the theme of her excitement in hopes to see a dead Akane at the bottom of the river, Her lips pursed in irritation, "Akane is no dead, aw that too bad." She sounded so very disappointed.

Akane then remembering where she was started squirming around, "Hey, let go of me!" She thrashed around almost violently as she remembered his threats on her life just a few short hours ago.

"Stop it." Sesshomaru's arms tightened around her, and the grip on her thigh from his hand increased. If she wasn't careful she was going to cut herself on his sharp and deadly claws, he didn't know why he was concerned for he was just going to kill her.

Stilling instantly, Akane's fear of this demon raced through her every nerve from the sound of his voice. She shuddered. "Put me down, now!"

"Do not presume you can order me around human. You should feel appreciative that I assisted one such as you." Sesshomaru leapt into the air and landed on the bridge, he noticed Ukyou and Shampoo did not move from their spots. Carefully he set Akane down on her feet. And the moment her fear evaporated from her body and she twirled around, anger blazing hotly in her eyes.

Akane turned and pointed her finger in his face, "I didn't ask for your help you know, I could have taken the fall, I am after all quite used to it."

"You ungrateful human," Sesshomaru took a step forward, he was going to shorten this girl's life considerably, he lifted his hand in the air slightly as his fingers twitched, how dare she talk to him like that.

"Akane," Ukyou's unsure voice sounded in Akane's ears, "Perhaps you shouldn't irritate the demon." She could see how he was standing and glaring at Akane and she didn't like it.

"What! Me irritate him? It's the other way around I tell you." Her eyes shifted back to Sesshomaru as they narrowed into angry slits. "No one is going to tell me what to do that's for sure. Especially not some demon I don't even know."

Ukyou shook her head; she could tell that her friend's life was probably going to end in this time period. "Akane, sometimes you can be so stubborn, he did help you after all."

She did not want to explain what happened earlier that afternoon in the woods with this creature that stood before her. All she wanted to do was get away from him and not wanting to get into another fight, she relented, "Fine, Ukyou, fine." Tightly and tense with her teeth clinched, not to mention her fists tightened at her sides. "Thank you for helping me." She said to Sesshomaru before turning her back on him and walking away.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed in on Akane's round behind, noticing that it was different than Takara's was. This girl's was a bit more full and shapely. He tilted his head getting a better look as it moved almost teasingly with each step she took.

Ukyou's jaw dropped as the Youkai just openly stared at Akane's backside, she cleared her throat politely and she saw Sesshomaru's head jolt a little and turn, looking at her. "It's not polite to stare."

"I do not stare, I observe." Was Sesshomaru's answer.

Shaking her head, Ukyou thought he sounded more like a pervert now than Happosai was. "Even observing is considered rude."

"Not if the individual you are observing does not know about it."

"Maybe you shouldn't be 'observing' Akane, and why would you want too anyway? She's not exactly feminine or anything." 'Well she's a tad more feminine than I am, at least she wears dresses,' Ukyou thought to herself. "You seem to be the type of demon that is attracted to pure beauty." Ukyou never really thought of Akane as pure beauty, sure the girl was cute and attractive when she wanted to be. But then again those were only Ukyou's personal thoughts, since Ranma kept saying that she was the cute fiancée when Akane was the uncute one.

Sesshomaru's eyes shifted to Ukyou, thinking that this girl is blind when it comes to beauty, of course she was another girl so it didn't matter much what she said. And sure when he knew Takara she was very beautiful, especially for a human, and if this girl is her reincarnation then she was beautiful as well. "It is not your concern human of why I observe the girl." He then startled Ukyou by leaping in the air following the same path as Akane had.

Being a martial artist and a good one, well not as good as Ranma or her rivals but still good enough, Akane sensed she was being followed. She whirled around, spreading her feet standing apart. "All right, I know you're there."

Dropping down in front of her, Sesshomaru didn't even phase the girl, or at least that's what it seemed like. "You knew I was there? How is that, are you perhaps a miko?"

"A miko?" Akane asked with a scoff, "No, when one studies martial arts their senses get elevated a bit." She noticed his eyes narrow slightly.

"And what is that?" Sesshomaru's curiosity was starting to get the better of him again and he was actually asking questions, perhaps he shouldn't be conversing with this human either. He had made a huge mistake fifty years ago when he had done that with Takara, but this girl standing before him was even thought parts of his mind would disagree, the louder part was shouting, this girl is Takara.

Akane crossed her arms over her breasts looking irritated, she really did not want to be talking with this guy, he left her feeling very uneasy like she always had to watch over her shoulder and be prepared for an attack from him. Quite frankly this demon scared the living hell out of her, even if she was good at hiding it. "It's a form of Kempo. I train under the School of Anything Goes Martial Arts, of course where I come from it's only practiced by two families, the Tendous and the Saotome's. Eventually it will go nationwide."

"Yo Akane!" It was Ranma's voice interrupting her conversation, and he saw her turn around giving him her attention, "We managed to rescue the dinner you made from turning more into toxic sludge," He teased with a lopsided smirk.

She tried to keep her temper, she really did, but he was asking for it. Akane lifted her fist in the air, "Oh be quiet Ranma. It wasn't that bad!" She yelled over at him.

Ranma raced over to where Akane was standing with that demon, "Well did you bother to even try it?"

"Oh Ranma-Honey," Ukyou waved as she was running over she had a huge smile on her face, she saw Shampoo leaping over faster than she was running so she picked up the pace, but Shampoo got there first and looped her arms around Ranma's neck.

Shampoo cooed and held onto him, "Ranma, you come out see Shampoo?"

There was a little fright flittering through Ranma's eyes as he looked over at Akane, her eye was twitching and he could see her red jealousy aura flowing off her in waves. "A—Akane." He tried pushing Shampoo off of him. Looking at the Amazon, he kept trying to pry her vice like grip from around his neck, "Come on, let go! Akane is..."

Looking away from him, Akane closed her eyes willing herself to settle down. Without a word she just turned and started walking away.

"Shampoo! You can't keep doing that. Akane is mad!" He wiggled out of her hold.

She shrugged, "Akane always mad, that nothing new." Shampoo jumped at him again, "Why you no stay still?" Irritation was nothing but what Shampoo was feeling at that moment as Ranma kept avoiding her embrace. He then took off like a shot running after Akane.

"Akane, let me explain!"

"Ranma!" Shampoo shrieked, "No, Ranma come back, why you run from Shampoo!"

"He doesn't want you holding onto him like that." Sesshomaru's cold voice said from behind her, he was growing increasingly irritated by the minute with the humans jumping around like this. He felt he should at least get them to stop it, so he commented on the obvious fact. Shampoo whirled around facing him.

"What you talking about, Ranma love Shampoo." She said to stoic demon lord, "What not to like?" she gestured to herself before leaving Sesshomaru standing there by himself.

It really was getting late as Sesshomaru walked through the village, Rin his ward was fast asleep on the porch, held in her little hand was a small bouquet of flowers. Sesshomaru bent down and picked up the girl, he would place her inside this room with these other sleeping humans, he slid the door open not really careful of waking everyone, he crossed the room managing not to step on anyone, there was a small short screen dividing the male side from the girl side. There was a cushiony spot in between the Takara look alike and Kagome, Sesshomaru headed over to the spot holding Rin safely in his arms.

With the greatest of ease he bent down, setting Rin on the futon. The little girl rolled over and snuggled into Kagome's side. Sesshomaru took a chance glance at the Takara look alike, this girl wasn't so angry looking as she slept; in fact the lines of her anger were gone. She looked almost peaceful. He had remembered when he had watched Takara fast asleep, not realizing that he was moving closer to get a better look, it was as if it were fifty years ago and the the same girl laying before him. Why did she have to come back, filling his head with all these thoughts once more? He was not comfortable with this recent development; this girl was enslaving his mind once again. Sesshomaru needed to end her life now, quick and painless she wouldn't feel a thing.

Moving over Rin so that he was on her other side and getting closer to the Takara look alike. He let his upper lip curl back slightly revealing his sharp deadly fang to the dark night. Lifting his hand and curling it around the Takara look a like's neck, all he had to do was squeeze and it would be over. He heard her soft voice whisper something.

"Ranma." Was the soft name that left Akane's mouth and she smiled lightly.

Why couldn't he do it? What was the matter with him? Sesshomaru feeling nothing but utter frustration simply pulled his hand away from the Takara look a like's neck, but something he did not expect happened, she had reached up, her fingers touching both his cheeks. His eyes widened slightly, not enough for anyone to really notice. This girl was touching him and he did not feel his normal revulsion of the prospect of human flesh touching his, instead a small wave of tingles passed through him.

Her reflexes shocked him for she had quickly grabbed him about the face and pulled him down, her lips finding his in the darkness. The entire world all came to a stop as Sesshomaru felt frozen to his spot, nothing had ever shocked him before, but this, this was... He noted that her lips were soft and warm as she released him; her hands fell to her sides as she was still in her deep sleep.

Sesshomaru pulled back and noticed that she had a smile on her face; she turned on her side facing away from him. Without even realizing it, Sesshomaru lifted his fingers lightly touching his own lips; he could still feel her there. Why did he allow her to do that? Why didn't he stop her? Well for one she was asleep and she thought he was someone else. Feeling a pair of eyes on him, Sesshomaru lifted his head and if he was shocked it didn't show on his face. Inuyasha was glaring at him over the short screen which divided the boy side of the room from the girl...

Well that is it for episode 7, now I know there are a lot of characters but don't worry, I will be narrowing it down to the main characters of the story which will be… Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Ranma, Akane, Ryouga and Sesshomaru. I will be focusing on most of those characters after the next few episodes. I brought Kouga in for the dividing up the characters. Well stay tuned for the next chapter, it should be out very soon.

Also remember guys that I am a true R/A fan no matter what I do with either of them before they get to that point.

Remember to review,

Thanks,

Ryoko Blue