Battlefields

Sesshoumaru and Naiya were almost half way back to their village before Sesshoumaru spoke.

"Naiya… I warned you. You disobeyed me. I am very disappointed in you."

With those few words, Sesshoumaru regressed deep into thought.

How could she use Inu-Yasha's sword? Maybe it's because she's a hanyou, but in that case why was she using magic like the girl's. Kagome couldn't have risen from the dead so how is she alive. I know she has the Shikon Jewel and now they know about Naiya. I don't understand why they didn't destroy her… unless she is more valuable to them alive. In that case why did they return her to my care? Is it because they know I know they have the forbidden jewel?

"Father?"

"Naiya?"

"Why do you hate them so?"

"That is none of your concern."

Naiya glanced back to where she had been. They seemed nice enough and immediately accepted her for who she was. If Sesshoumaru hadn't come for her she might have found out why he hated them so. They didn't seem like they kept secrets from each other. She overheard them talking when Sesshoumaru carried her away. 'Inu-Yasha, how long have you known? …I suspected as much, but when Sesshoumaru showed up I knew for sure.' That girl was special. No one had ever been able to walk through her magical barrier before. What was with that girl? The two young demons seemed in love. The cat demon acted like it was protected and at home with these strangers. The dog demon and the monk had a very strange relationship, but at least they talked. I wish Sesshoumaru would talk like they did. The only ones he ever spoke to anymore were Rin or Jaken. She couldn't think of one single occasion when Sesshoumaru had said more than a few words to her. She missed the strange crew of demons, hanyous, and humans. She longed for a group like that.

"So you found her. Naiya apologize to Lord Sesshoumaru for running away and thank him for rescuing you."

Naiya glared at her mother. She hadn't been in trouble so why would she need to be rescued. She bowed carefully to Sesshoumaru then calmly walked away.

"Naiya!" Her mother called after her.

Sesshoumaru turned to leave. "Leave her." He commanded over his shoulder.

Rin knew something was different and until she found out what she decided it was best to let this go.

"Rin, she shows her respect differently than you. To her this place is a prison. She has not known worse."

"Children" Jaken called. "Line up for practice."

The children did as they were told, slowly dragging themselves over to where the adult toad stood.

"First up will be Naiya paired with Jueru. Anything is fair game. The object of this exercise is to survive. Ready? Begin."

Both Naiya and Jueru, Jaken's toady son, stood looking at each other.

"I said begin." Jaken enforced his authority.

The other children sat near the edge of town quietly. They knew these two were the strongest demon children in the village and if given the appropriate circumstances they could kill each other. The two had too much respect for each other to consider this rigged tussle a true battle. Every now and then they got into an argument over some little thing, but to fight on command was something totally different. Neither had the urge to win this fake battle so they just stood there staring at Jaken.

"Come on…Naiya" Jueru questioned unsure she would comply.

Naiya looked at him as if she'd been betrayed before she stomped off.

"I'll show them." She told herself sneaking out of the village.

"Now where are they going?" She asked as she caught sight of the magical girl dancing in front of the dog demon with the two lovers following close behind them. The monk and old woman were laughing from their positions surrounding the group with the three small demons chasing each other out in front. They have all their weapons. She observed.

They were having a great time, but it was clear to her that they were traveling somewhere. She emerged from behind the tree. She screamed and fell over backward. She had emerged to stare into the face of Kochou, her little pet.

"SHIT, Kochou…come here." She sprung from the ground clasping the little dragon creature to her chest. She ducked into the tree line with a tiny view of the town. The last thing she needed now was for someone from the town to rat on her to Sesshoumaru or worse to her mother.

Sesshoumaru, whom was watching the matches, turned his head in her direction. He stared dead into her eyes.

She knew she'd been caught. She lowered her head in shame emerging from the bushes.

Sesshoumaru simply looked back to the matches. He was more interested in them for Jueru was dominating the town children by tripping his opponent with his gross tongue.

Jueru was her best friend but he was exceptionally disgusting especially in battle. She shivered at the thought of some of the gross moves she learned to avoid the hard way.

Her attention diverted back to the main road where the group entered the forest. "Where are they going?" She asked herself quietly again.

She had to find out more about this group. Lord Sesshoumaru had told her: the only way that humans and demons could live together peace was if the demons were weak and the human strong or the humans were completely dominated by the demons. Sesshoumaru dominated her town and he had implied this group was weak because the dog demon didn't dominate them. She couldn't see how this group could possibility be weak when these demons were so carefree and the humans were definitely too strong to possibly be dominated by any of these demons so…how are they able to live together?

She followed them into the forest. She had to know.

The demons looked as if dominating these humans and hanyous was the last thing on their minds; even though, Sesshoumaru and Jaken had taught the children of the village that to be dominant was to survive. Maybe this dog demon and Sesshoumaru had a past she didn't know of. She was given the hint that this dog demon was a part of Lord Sesshoumaru's family since she had no siblings she couldn't be sure. She needed to know. She had too many questions and not enough answers.

The group traveled to a nearby village where they were greeted with open arms. Obviously they were well liked. They looked as if they would stay for the night so she found a small tree and curled up in its branches waiting for night to fall or something to happen.

The group only spent a few hours in the town before continuing on.

"Now where are they going?" She asked from the tree. There was nothing out there for them to travel to.

The group started across an empty grass field.

She couldn't follow them now without being spotted so she had to wait till nightfall to continue her pursuit. She could catch up then. She peered out across the plain until night fell. She knew the humans would force the group to stop traveling for the night so they could rest.

With the darkness's arrival so came her chance.

She fell from the tree leaving her pet, Kochou, to sleep.

She landed clumsily on her feet causing her to stumble when she began her run. She hoped Kochou would be smarter than her and return home.

Her sprint carried her quickly across the plain.

The group hadn't been in a hurry so they wouldn't have traveled far. They only had a few hours head start towards the mountains. She flew through the tall grass in no time and into the rocky foothills that lined the mountains.

Naiya had never been this far before. She knew the wolves lived here. The area was forbidden. Naiya contemplated returning to the village. She knew if she turned back now then she would never know her answers.

Every ounce of her soul told her to turn back with every step she insisted upon taking. She hid among the rocks waiting for the morning to come when the group would no doubt move again.

She spotted them leaving the foothills the next afternoon. Naiya emerged from her hiding place to stare into a wolf pack. Her mouth dropped. There were so many of them.

At least, thirty surrounded her. The most demons she had ever fought at one time were ten weaklings. To attempt to fight would surely mean her death; however, speaking to their leader might ensure her safe passage through this area. She stared down the wolves that surrounded her. "Take me to your leader." She commanded them.

They had every intention of doing just that. Two grasp her arms to ensure she had no escape.

"Let go of me." She commanded like a princess. "If you harm me, Lord Sesshoumaru will have your heads. Now let me go. I am under the protection of Lord Sesshoumaru." She cried.

They released their grip on her only after they entered the den of the wolf pack.

As a result of their sudden release she fell to her knees.

A male adult wolf stepped out from the shadows. He crossed his arms staring at her coldly for her trespassing in their territory. "Give me one reason why I should let you live." He commanded. He was obviously in charge of the pack because her captures were waiting for his order to kill her.

"What do you know of the funny lookin' magical girl, the dog demon, and their misfit group?"

His eyes brows perked up.

"You mean Kagome and Inu-Yasha? I have to say you got my attention. What do you want to know of them?"

"Who are they?"

"I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place for that information. ...Kill her."

"WAIT… I know the girl carries the long disappeared Shikon Jewel."

"Wait." The wolf commanded holding up his hand. "How did you come by this knowledge, little demon?"

She smiled slyly. "I have my ways. Now…you answer my questions and I'll answer yours. My first question…who are they?"

"Demon slayers, I suppose…your turn."

"I told you they carry the jewel. Track them down if you want to know more."

The wolf turned his head to his guard and nodded.

Fear stuck her face. She didn't expect him to actually go after them at her stupid challenge. This was obviously a ploy to get more information from her. "Why are there demons in their group if they're demon slayers?" She asked for her second question. This would be all she would be able to get from him without giving more information.

The wolf glanced at her dryly before turning walking over to the entrance and staring out upon the land underneath the dried waterfall. She obviously doesn't know as much as she claims too. Kouga thought. The wolf spoke clearly as to be understood by all in earshot.

"It started years ago, when there was a very powerful demon that killed several people close to the elder six, Kagome, the young miko; Shippo, the little fox demon; Inu-Yasha, the dog half-demon; Miroku, the cursed monk; Sango, the last of the great demon slayers; and Kirara, her pet demon cat. ...Kagome, the girl to which you speak so loosely, is the reincarnation of the most powerful miko to ever walk this land. She sympathized with everyone willing to open their minds to an equal world, and bonded their group together one by one. Kagome, the one who carries the jewel now and protected it then. In those times, they were the group. They were the ones to be feared, but because humans and hanyous stood by demons walking within the group they were laughed at and ridiculed. Your turn… Who are you?"

"My name is Naiya." The girl spoke softly.

"What the fuck is she doing here, Kouga?"

"Inu-Yasha" The wolf turned to the dog in question.

"…She wandered into our borders. Some of my wolves brought her here." Kouga finished.

"Kouga… speak with Inu-Yasha please." Kagome interjected passing through the two canines into the den.

"Hello there. How are you? How long have you been following us?"

Kouga tilted his head staring at Kagome. Kagome left the two not a foot from each other and trusted them to talk.

"What's up mutt?"

"How much does she know?" Inu-Yasha asked quite concerned.

"A lot of little things, not enough about the past. Who is she?" Kouga glanced at Inu-Yasha recognizing the question belonged to Inu-Yasha before looking intently at Kagome and the child.

"The child of Sesshoumaru." Inu-Yasha answered him.

"You're brother had a child? Wow… Well, she's been following you guys for some time." Kouga told Inu-Yasha implying that Inu-Yasha didn't already know.

"She's a hanyou, Kouga. A clumsy hanyou child." Inu-Yasha retaliated.

Kouga's attention immediately shifted to Inu-Yasha. "Really? How do you know this?"

"She spent an evening with us before."

"Was it her time?"

"No."

"Then how do you know this?"

Inu-Yasha glanced at Kagome. He was unsure if should tell the curious wolf. "She was able to hold Tetsusaiga." He admitted.

"She is an intelligent child." Kouga comforted him. "After all, she knew how to catch my attention. She mentioned Kagome and that she carries the Jewel of Power. She is inexperienced though. It shows in her conversational skills. She told me to call you all back here." Kouga said with slight amusement. "She is curious about the group and can't understand why you all get along so well."

"What'd you tell her?" Inu-Yasha inquired.

"Not much. Why is following you anyway?"

"Got me… She's been stalking us since we left Kiada's old village. I thought she went home last night, but since you found her, I guess not. She's incredibly stubborn." Inu-Yasha concluded.

Kouga smirked. "Just like you."

Inu-Yasha looked at Kouga coldly. He placed his hand on Tetsusaiga while Kouga took a defensive stance. It had been some time since either faced off. Each was itching to fight again to see if time had weakened the other.

Inu-Yasha removed Tetsusaiga tempting Kouga with it.

Kouga flipped over Inu-Yasha's head landing just outside the cave.

"Kouga." His men yelled surrounding them.

"Get back." Kouga ordered them.

"Kouga…" Inu-Yasha continued their previous conversation. "What do you make of our situation?"

"I think she should be returned to where she came from until she grows up."

"What do ya know? We finally agree on something. Now the question is who should take her? Kagome won't allow us to walk away and leave her here."

"Well, I'm not gonna leave her with you, you stupid mutt."

"Eat this, you wimpy wolf."

Inu-Yasha jumped into the air locked on his target.

"Inu-Yasha, stop it. Kouga…Stop this battle." Kagome pleaded with them.

"Kouga!" Kagome yelled as Inu-Yasha slashed the wound of the wind. Kagome jumped in front of Kouga using her self to stop this stupid war. "Kagome?" Kouga stated in shock.

He grasp onto her and jumped from the blast.

"Why did you do that, Kagome?" Kouga asked still holding her.

"Get away from Kagome and fight me you wimpy wolf."

Kouga stood up and slowly stepped toward Inu-Yasha and his challenge. Kouga removed his sword from his belt.

Inu-Yasha smiled. He'd never fought Kouga while Kouga had a sword before. Kouga had never drawn it in the all time Inu-Yasha knew him even in the battle with Naraku. Inu-Yasha jumped into the air slashing at Kouga with Tetsusaiga.

Kouga stopped Inu-Yasha's attack with his own sword. The two stood frozen trying to win the battle of strength before the battle of wits.

"Stop it!" Kagome yelled at them.

"They'll fight until there's a clear winner." Miroku stated as he walked up behind Kagome.

"Why Miroku? They'll destroy each other." Kagome couldn't take her eyes off the two.

"I don't know why…Kagome, but they need you to end this battle before it gets out of control. Can you purify them like you did the other night?"

"No." She said shaking her head. She didn't know how she did it in the first place. "Even if I could I wouldn't. It would put everyone in danger."

"Well…what about 'sit'?"

Kagome glanced at Miroku then diverted her eyes to the ground hiding her face from him. "I promised Inu-Yasha that I wouldn't use it anymore. Besides if Inu-Yasha fell then Kouga might…"

Kagome looked deeply into Miroku's face. "I won't take that risk, Miroku."

"Kagome, if you don't do something, they will destroy themselves." Miroku thought for a moment before continuing. "…What about… placing a rosary on Kouga…then you can stop them both."

Kagome really didn't like the idea that Miroku proposed but she was running out of time and options. "I can try." She surrendered.

Kagome closed her eyes placing her hands together in a small circle. A ring started to glow. Kagome opened her hands outward, freeing the ring. The ring appeared around Kouga's neck even though the two were too consumed in battle too notice.

Kagome looked to Miroku worried about what she was about to do.

Miroku nodded at her.

Kagome knew she had no other options so she inhaled a deep breath and released it trying to work up her courage. She then inhaled enough air to project her voice.

"SIT" She barked out.

Both demons hit the ground simultaneously.

"What the fuck?" Kouga yelled out as he tried to get up.

Inu-Yasha was stunned at first that they both went down with Kagome's 'sit,' but with Kouga struggling he noticed that they both now wore a rosary. Inu-Yasha began to laugh.

Kagome pinned them both to the ground. She had warned them both. It was only fair that both of them be on the ground for fighting.

Kagome marched confidently between the two.

The other demons poked their heads out from where they hid to see both demons laying on the ground with the young miko between them.

"Now that that's over. If the both of you fight again you'll both be right back here. If you don't believe me Kouga, ask Inu-Yasha; he's hit the ground more than you'll ever know. By the way, you both are subdued by the same word. That means if either of screws up, you both go down. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." Kouga stated a little irritated. Once the sit wore off, he pushed himself from the dirt.

Inu-Yasha did the same. He put Tetsusaiga away as the wolf took a moment to recover his carriage.

He grabbed his sword clumsily putting it away too.

"Come on you two." Kagome called to them from the entrance to the cave.

"You'll get use to it." Inu-Yasha whispered to Kouga as he followed Kagome inside.

"Kagome… I demand you remove this, at once." Kouga yelled.

"What…the rosary?" Kagome asked.

"Yes." Kouga confirmed.

"Kouga… I'm sorry…" She said as she reached her hand gently to his chest where the rosary fell. "No." She concluded firmly removing her hand.

"Kagome… remove it." Kouga insisted.

Miroku could see this situation getting ugly in no time. "She's made up her mind Kouga."

"Hmph." Kouga grunted as he sat next to Shippo and Kohaku whom were cuddling.

"Inu-Yasha… Take a seat." Inu-Yasha looked at Kagome. He was amazed that she was that conscious of the word 'Sit.' Had she been toying with him before, letting 'sit' slip from her lips? She didn't stumbled over asking him to 'sit' down so that they could all talk.

Kagome gave him a scrutinizing stare as he was making up his mind so Inu-Yasha hurriedly plopped down next to her.

"Now that we're all here, let's introduce ourselves. There are some new faces to Inu-Yasha and myself. I am Kagome. As most of you know, long ago I was pulled into my families well by a demon. Soon after that, I awoke Inu-Yasha then shattered the Shikon Jewel. With Inu-Yasha's new help, Shippo won a battle against the thunder brothers then stuck with Inu-Yasha and me. We met Miroku shortly after when he tried to destroy Inu-Yasha for being a demon. We wouldn't have bothered with Miroku if he hadn't stolen the Shikon Shards that Inu-Yasha and I had obtained. I remember when Miroku revealed his right hand… the one with the air void… Inu-Yasha tried his best to hold his ground, but was loosing so I let go of what I was holding on to. Miroku closed his air void just in time to spare my life. Inu-Yasha called me stupid for that because Inu-Yasha and I didn't know each other all that well then."

Miroku looked uneasy at the memory. "That reminds me. You didn't know any of us then. How did you know that I wouldn't allow you to be pulled in?"

"Because you took such care to get out of the village away from the villagers. Anyways after that we met Sango and the trouble she was in with our common enemy Naraku. He had a hold of her brother, Kohaku. Somewhere along the way, we met Kouga and his wolf pack. Kouga had the largest crush on me then." She smiled at him. He smiled back.

A soft growl emanated from somewhere near Kagome. She looked to the direction in which it was coming. "Inu-Yasha…" Kagome said to calm him while giggling a little at the situation.

Kouga may have moved on in this time but in their time Kouga was still a threat to Inu-Yasha. Inu-Yasha looked at Kagome then placed his arm around her drawing her nearer to him.

"We battled hard against Naraku, but have yet destroy him. Inu-Yasha and I traveled to my time for my mother's birthday. We found Kiada's book, then ended up here. When we realized we were in the wrong time. We tried to go back through the well, but we couldn't."

Miroku's mouth dropped. This tidbit struck all of them as odd since the well always worked for Inu-Yasha and Kagome. They used it all the time. Miroku would have asked if Shippo hadn't beaten him to the question. "So you're both trapped here?"

"Yes." Kagome answered him.

"I'm sorry Kagome. I didn't know." Kouga apologized for his behavior.

"Kouga, no one knew."

"Can I go play with them?" Tora asked pointing to where seven wolf pups were. She was obviously bored with the group of adults who spoke of the past for a good time.

Kohaku wrapped her arms around the kitten. "No Tora, they're wolves and you're a cat."

"I'm a tiger!" Tora blurted out.

"I'm going too." The puppy child answered.

Kouga smiled at their courage. "Come with me."

Kouga stood and walked towards the exit where a few wolf pups were playing.

Kohaku began to breathe heavily then spoke. "Kirara… Koinu… I want you two to go with Tora."

The two immediately took to the air in pursuit without any objections.

Kohaku smiled slightly at Shippo's reaction of pulling her in tighter for comfort. Kohaku closed her eyes as he buried his face in her hair.

Awww, Kagome thought still in Inu-Yasha's protective hold from Kouga.

"Children… these are ours guests. If there is any trouble you all must answer to me. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir." They answered together.

With Kouga's return, Miroku continued to talk to Kagome. "So in your time you have yet to defeat Naraku. Right?"

"That's right, Miroku."

"Ok… well, we shouldn't say too much about the future. You understand, right?"

"Of course."

"Since you were brought here by accident or not, you will no doubt change the past, this present, and our futures. In view of the fact that you were brought here, to this time; there must be a reason. I guess it's best you get a brief history lesson of what happened after we destroyed Naraku."

"Hello." A female wolf interjected as she entered the den.

"Hello, my love." Kouga greeted the female wolf.

"Everyone, this is my wife."

Kagome smiled sweetly getting a better look at her than when they met briefly at Sango's hut. She's pretty. Her white outfit looks really familiar. I wonder if she's the same wolf that Kouga promised to marry in our time.

"Have we met before?" Kagome asked.

"A few times" The female wolf stated sitting next to Kouga clinging onto his arm.

"How did you two meet?"

"Kouga promised to marry me if I made it through a hard time that my pack was having when I was little."

Yep, it's her. Kagome smiled leaning her head against Inu-Yasha's chest.

Inu-Yasha shifted his weight; Kagome was making him uncomfortable. The others noticed Inu-Yasha blushing. Apparently, the two still had a young love. Everyone diverted his or her attention away from Inu-Yasha's embarrassment.

Miroku took the silence to continue his recollection. "Once we defeated Naraku, we built that temple in your honor. In the meantime, Sango conceived the child of a demon. He was nice, a little rough around the edges like Inu-Yasha, that's why Sango couldn't bare to kill him when they first battled. He showed mercy for humans and hunted other demons. The demon was singled out by other strong demons that united and destroyed him. Shippo took right away to Sango's child. These two little demons…"
Miroku said pointing to Shippo and Kohaku. "…fell in love and now are constantly hunted by other demons for being weak. Lastly, Shippo rescued Tora from her pride's horrible fate. We continue to hunt small demons, but thanks to you both the large and powerful demons are dead. Kouga married later on and had pups. He thinks of all of the pups in the pack as his own."

"The three of them are playing with Tora, Kirara, Koinu, and …the puppy demon, right now."

"You mean Naiya?" Inu-Yasha harshly enforced Miroku's mistake.

"Can I meet them?" Kagome asked enthusiastically.

"When they get back." Kouga calmed Kagome. "Besides I have no doubt that they'll be in trouble soon anyways."

Seven wolf pups and their company of four ran all over the wolf territory chasing each other before stopping down by a stream where the wolf pups usually played.

"So… what do you wanna do?" The eldest wolf pup asked. He was the age of a human seven year old.

"I don't know" Tora said in a pant. She wasn't use to running such long distances.

"How about 'tail the cat'?" One of the wolves asked. This boy wolf was about Naiya's age and Tora's age.

Tora immediately clung to the side of a tree and hissed at him.

"No." The eldest said confidently. "These are guests of my father. If we make trouble with them, then we'll all be in deep trouble."

"Wimpy prince," a younger wolf antagonized him.

"No" the eldest growled back.

"I got an idea." Naiya said. "How about a battle? We pair up and the pairs battle together first. Then the winners will pair off."

"Good idea." The white girl wolf spoke.

"I'm in." The light brown female wolf barked.

She's just a girl, but about my age. Naiya thought. She has a small jewel embedded in her forehead. Why?

"Me too" said the eldest wolf staring at the other young male wolves trying to get them to join in as well.

"Well kitty… you in?" He asked Kirara quite rudely.

Kirara turned up her nose leaping into a nearby tree to chaperone the little troublemakers.

"Pup?" He asked Koinu.

Koinu joined Kirara without a word because playing was one thing, but battling children was another. The two had enough battle experience already.

"Fine… Who's first?" The eldest asked.

"Me." Naiya announced.

The light brown wolf smiled. "Me too." She said quickly before the others had a chance to respond.

"My name is Naiya. I am the child of a powerful demon lord."

"I'll keep that in mind." The girl wolf replied. "It's nice to know you'll give me a challenge. My name is Houseki. I am the princess of this pack."

Naiya smirked. "You talk too much." She exclaimed as she jumped to tackle the wolf girl.

Naiya hit the dirt. The wolf was faster than she thought.

"Was that supposed to be your first attack?" The wolf asked smiling holding back her laughter.

"I'm just getting warmed up." Naiya stated as she turned to face her opponent.

"Take that!" the wolf yelled as she fell from the air.

Naiya ducked out of the way of her fists just to be kicked in to the back. Naiya fell to the ground. She glanced back coldly at her opponent with dirt lining her face. She disliked her opponent already for her unfortunate meeting with the ground.

"Never turn your back to an opponent." She said.

All of a sudden it hit Naiya. …Those words. Her mother told them to her. To have such knowledge meant this wolf and her mother had been in battle before. But her own mother was a wimp; she always rode around on Ah and Un and only left the village with Lord Sesshoumaru. Naiya jumped out of the way of the wolf's tackle.

Houseki slid onto the ground.

Maybe there was more that she could find out here than the knowledge she came for. Naiya thought. She wanted to know about the past, all of it, the whole story.

While caught in thought, Houseki nailed Naiya in the stomach with her foot.

Naiya had never been hit that hard before. She fell to the ground clutching her stomach. That hurt. She was actually in pain.

"Are you alright?" The eldest wolf asked.

"I'll rip that pretty little jewel from your ugly forehead for that." Naiya exclaimed as she stood up wavering.

Houseki circled to attack again. Then the wolf collapsed to the ground flat on her face. She attempted to pick herself up from the ground, but that showed just how weak she was.

"Houseki" the eldest exclaimed as he ran over to his fallen comrade. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." She stated as he helped her to her feet.

"This battle is over." He announced officially.

Kirara jumped from the tree and grew to her adult form.

"Cool" one of the younger pups said. "Can I ride?"

Koinu followed Kirara to the ground. He grew as well.

"No wonder you won't battle us." The eldest said. "Alright Houseki, play time is over. Both of you ride back to den. Ok? Houseki I know you're strong but you must learn when you have met your match. Now go."

Houseki was placed atop Kirara and Naiya crawled atop Koinu. Kirara and Koinu flew back to the den.

Tora grew into her tiger form to follow them.

"Cool…you too?" the young one asked. Tora knelt down for him and two other young wolf boys to climb aboard. The eldest male wolf and the white girl wolf lead the way back to the den for Tora.

"You're a good fighter Houseki"

"As are you, Naiya. Something I can't figure out is how you won without touching me. I clearly had the advantage; yet, you won."

"I have to confess" Naiya avoided eye contact with her "…I cheated."

"What?"

"I used magic."

"That's funny Naiya, but even I know that only monks and mikos can use magic."

"I can prove it. Koinu, Kirara, stop please."

Kirara did as she asked. Although these two were strangers, they certainly bonded quickly.

The young wolf hopped off Kirara as the young pup slid off Koinu. "Alright, Naiya. Prove it"

"The only way to prove it would be in battle. Otherwise you'll claim that it's just a ploy, a trick to make you think I'm stronger than I really am."

"Alright, Naiya, I'll battle you again, but for now I think we should return to the den and check on the others."

"Why? Are you wimp? Come on…battle me again."

"Okay one quick battle."

"ALRIGHT! Prepare yourself"

Kirara growled annoyed.

"Oh Kirara, everything will be alright."

"Ready?"

"Always." The young wolf jumped into the air. They met face to face.

Now that Naiya knew the wolf was incredibly fast, Naiya anticipated the wolf's moves thereby blocking them as they came. Houseki threw a punch; Naiya blocked. Houseki spun into a kick; Naiya backed out of the way. Houseki tried to tackle Naiya, which separated the two.

"You're going easy on me." Naiya yelled out as Houseki hit the ground.

Houseki turned around to see Naiya standing over her.

"Then you attack me for awhile." Houseki challenged her.

Naiya smiled at the challenge before starting her own series of attacks. Naiya flew through the air successfully catching Houseki in the shoulder causing the two to roll along the ground.

Houseki, however, rolled right back onto her feet while Naiya landed in the soft dirt. Houseki then jumped into the air to hit Naiya with force declaring her supremacy and ending their quick battle.

"This is the end." She yelled.

Naiya fearfully looked into her face before closing her eyes and bracing herself for the impact.

Houseki suddenly released a frightful noise and fell gently to the barren earth.

"Kouga…" Kagome asked. "What's wrong?"

His head had snapped in the direction of the woods. "Did you hear that?" Kouga asked staring into the forest from the den.

"I did." Inu-Yasha reassured him from his own frozen stance.

"Me too…" Shippo replied rising to his feet.

"…It almost sounded like a young demon's scream." Kohaku finished Shippo's comment.

Kouga glanced back at Kohaku in horror. Obviously he had been thinking about the children.

With a small exchange of glances with Inu-Yasha, both Kouga and Inu-Yasha darted out into the woods.

Kagome stood up with her mouth hung open and her hands clasp in front of her chest. She hadn't heard the sound and with the speed at which the two demons sprinted into the woods, she could never follow.

"It's alright Kagome." Sango said encouraging her to sit back down and relax.

Shippo stood up. "I'll go see what got Inu-Yasha so riled up."

"Well I'm going with you." Kohaku stated firmly.

"We'll be back soon." Shippo told the others as Kohaku took her head start to jog in to the woods.

Shippo smiled at the group before tailing Kohaku into the woods.

Naiya looked up to see Houseki lying on the ground not to far from her. "Houseki…" She started worried that she had hurt her new friend.

Houseki picked her head up from where she lay. "What the…?" Houseki asked.

"That was a magical barrier. You ran right into it. Sorry about that."

"I see." Houseki commented. "But how?"

"Like this." Naiya closed her eyes raising the shield again.

"But you're a demon." Houseki objected to Naiya's skill.

"It's a gift." Naiya responded democratically.

Houseki gave Naiya a weird look before commenting, "That's so cool. Do you have any other abilities?" She asked now curious about her new friend.

"Sure. I do."

"Can I see?"

"Only if you continue to fight me." Naiya replied confidently.

Houseki smiled at the spirit the well-beaten pup still had. Naiya and Houseki were both covered in blood despite their strong wills. Houseki stood up waiting for Naiya to stand so they could continue the battle. Naiya understood the gesture from Houseki and stood in reply.

Houseki grinned showing her fangs before she launched her next wave of attacks.

Naiya took every hit that Houseki threw.

After a few deadly blows, Naiya began to glow. She lifted her hand to Houseki freezing Houseki in her tracks. Houseki collapsed as she had done before when they were battling in front of the other young demons. Houseki looked up from her hunched over position with fear.

The pain is more intense than the last time. It has to be because Naiya is hurt worse now than before.

Houseki knew she couldn't just accept this attack from Naiya or she would be unconscious soon so Houseki leapt from the ground toward the pup.

Naiya obviously can't execute more than one magic attack at once that is her fatal flaw. Each magical attack is draining her energy. Naiya may be powerful but even she has her limitations.

Houseki fell limply from the air into Naiya where she stood. The two recovered and squared off in opposite positions facing each other. Considering the severity of their injures, they were both put into defensive modes and were too afraid to move first.

This had become a stand off.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Inu-Yasha yelled at them.

"Houseki?" Kouga questioned in disbelief.

The two girls stood firm.

Houseki turned her slightly head to see her father staring at her.

Before anyone could react Naiya slammed into Houseki.

The two girls struggled a bit before Inu-Yasha grabbed Naiya pulling her from her attack and Kouga held his daughter, Houseki, consequently mutilating her counter attack against the young canine.

Kirara growled at warning the two girls just how much trouble they were in. Kirara and Koinu had flown about half way back to the wolf sanctuary for help. Even though Kirara returned with Inu-Yasha and Kouga, Koinu continued the rest of the way back to Kagome.

The girls didn't know what happened. One moment they were battling the next they were being restrained.

"What The Fuck do you think you're doing?" Inu-Yasha questioned Naiya again.

Kouga warned Houseki of her discipline to come at the same time. "Houseki, I warned you all about making trouble with our guests."

Houseki could see Naiya staring off into space to avoid Inu-Yasha's questioning.

Naiya's stubborn streak sent her the message that Naiya wouldn't confess a word. They're battle had started in good fun and ended in a full blown challenge. Her father and his guests would never understand that. Houseki hung her head in shame. Her father had told her not to start trouble and she had; even though, this battle was not in bad terms. "Father…" Houseki pleaded for him to listen.

"I don't want to hear it." Kouga told her firmly releasing his grip.

Kouga gave Inu-Yasha an intense stare before leaving the scene.

Inu-Yasha followed Kouga but kept his grip on Naiya's right arm with his left hand.

"It's my fault." Naiya blurted out pulling back from Inu-Yasha's hold.

Inu-Yasha could see that Naiya was protecting the young wolf from Kouga's wrath. He didn't understand why, but since she was speaking…

"What the fuck did you hope to achieve? Don't you realize you're covered in blood? Both of you are."

Naiya glanced down at herself. She knew she'd been hurt but she hadn't realized she lost so much blood. Her long white fur was matted down, stained with her own blood. She looked over to Houseki whom was also covered. Unlike Naiya whose injuries came from the wounds that Houseki inflicted, Houseki had little superficial scratches, but had been coughing up blood from Naiya's crushing magical force.

"Kouga and I tracked you by your scents." Inu-Yasha continued pulling Naiya from her thoughts. "We can smell your blood almost all the way back to the den. If Kirara didn't lead us to you then we would not have found you. This battle may have started in good fun, but once the first of you was injured… that should have ended the battle. You are not at war or in a life threatening battle. There was no need for this blood to be shed."

"But…" Houseki protested.

When Inu-Yasha glared back at her, she resumed her shameful dismay.

Naiya knew what Houseki was trying to object with. Inu-Yasha and Kouga had fought the other earlier in the day with no motive. If the young miko, Kagome, had not stopped them both with a single word then the two adults would have without a doubt battled until there was a clear, bloody winner. "You and Kouga fought earlier… with no war."

"That's different. Kouga and I have been friends for a long time."

"Houseki and I are friends." Naiya blurted out.

Houseki couldn't see this argument making headway with the dog demon. After all Houseki had never seen this dog demon before in her life, but her father did seem rather friendly with the whole group of odd demons and humans.

"Naiya…" Houseki tried to warn Naiya to be quiet.

"Both of you." Inu-Yasha shouted. "Shut up! You both are in deep trouble. Let's go." Inu-Yasha pushed the young dog demon forward.

Inu-Yasha marched the reckless crew through the woods and the surrounding area full of the wolf's pack members. They stared at the girls as they passed. Inu-Yasha came face to face with Shippo and Kohaku where he handed off the troublemakers. "Shippo, Kohaku… make sure they get back to the den in one piece. I'll kill them myself later."

Kohaku opened her mouth to object to Inu-Yasha's threat, but Shippo spoke up silencing her.

"Come on children." Shippo whispered.

Inu-Yasha took off back into the woods. He found Kouga standing on a cliff overlooking his kingdom.

"What are you doing up here you wimpy wolf? There're two troublemakers down there that I can't wait to sink my teeth into."

"Inu-Yasha…" Kouga started in a trance.

"When the war was over and you and Kagome were pronounced dead, I came back here. My pack kept me going. They needed me. Eventually I married for the pack; we needed more wolves to survive. I had three lovely pups."

"Let me guess, one of them was the wolf in that stupid battle with Naiya."

"Yes." Kouga answered. "I thought I raised them better than that. Turns out I failed."

Inu-Yasha crossed his arms in his robe. "I think you overlooked something very important, Kouga. When you walked away, they shifted the blame back and forth, both trying to take it and the shame that goes with it. They were protecting each other. I think their little battle was a test of strength, not a war. Anyways… stay here and think about your failures; I'm going back."

Kouga had been silent staring into his territory. "What would you do?" Kouga asked softly.

Inu-Yasha froze. Kouga had never asked for his opinion before. "Nothing" Inu-Yasha answered him. "They're just kids. I already yelled at them for spilling each other's blood. Allowing them to live with their own guilt is far worse than us punishing them."

"You wish to allow them to punish themselves?"

"Of course." Inu-Yasha responded.

Kouga was impressed. Inu-Yasha had never seemed that enlightened before; of course, Kouga had never exactly given him the chance, what with chasing Kagome and all.

Kouga grinned. "Race you back." He enticed Inu-Yasha.

"What happened?" Kagome asked Shippo catching sight of the two injured pups that he lead back.

"I don't know" Shippo replied.

Kohaku told Kagome all they knew. "They won't talk and Inu-Yasha didn't say anything."

"Like he ever does?" Shippo interjected.

Kohaku smiled trying not to laugh.

"Kirara…why didn't you stop this?" Sango asked quite concerned.

Koinu cuddled against Kirara to divert Sango's attention and maybe lighten Kirara's mood.

"Judging by Kirara's expression, she did." Miroku extrapolated.

Kagome, Kohaku and Sango began to treat the girls' injuries. Miroku and Shippo gathered Koinu and Kirara to comfort them and get more information.

"You're still too slow, mutt."

"But I'm catching up, you wimpy wolf. You're a lot slower without those damn jewel shards."

"I'm still faster than you." The two laughed as they entered the den.

"You certainly are cheery." Kagome voiced disapproval at Inu-Yasha's cheery mood after such an event.

Inu-Yasha smiled slyly showing his fangs.

Kagome glared at him. She knew he had something on his mind. The look she shot him told him that if he and Kouga went too far then they would both be on the ground in Kagome's favorite position.

Inu-Yasha twitched at Kagome's glare.

Kouga caught Inu-Yasha's fearful moment.

Then he looked at Kagome in an impressed manner at her ability to freeze Inu-Yasha in his tracks. She had trained him well.

Kouga's eyes widened and mouth dropped when he realized she had trained Inu-Yasha using 'sit' and now he was vulnerable to the same threat.

Inu-Yasha placed his hand on Kouga's shoulder calming Kouga's nerves. The threatening miko had made her point clear.

Inu-Yasha proceeded over to where Kagome was nurturing the pups. He knelt behind Kagome placing his hand on her shoulder showing that he was going to play with the youngsters some.

Kouga, however, took off in a different direction. Kouga's disappearance distracted Inu-Yasha. He figured either Kouga was going to see his wife or more likely was going to check on the other pups and the tiger child.

"I'm going to check on the other little rascals." Inu-Yasha excused himself from the scene.

He wanted to play with the two pups for fighting, but he didn't want to do it without Kouga. The kids were afraid of each of them in their own way. It would be more fun if both he and Kouga cornered the kids together instead of working on them individually. Inu-Yasha concluded so he went to find to the other young ones and Kouga.

He found them all just outside the den in the open field well within the territory under heavy supervision.

Kouga stood at the edge of the cliff again. He was barely visible to Inu-Yasha. Kouga obviously had a lot on his mind since this was the second time he was up on that same ridge.

Inu-Yasha called the children in for the evening since Kouga wasn't there to do so and night fell upon the land.

Kouga's wife entered the den looking as if she lost something.

"Loose something?" Inu-Yasha questioned her.

"You haven't seen Kouga have you?" She asked.

"He'll be back soon." Inu-Yasha reassured her returning to Kagome and the two injured pups that slept in her lap.

Everyone besides Kouga's wife slept soundly through the night. Inu-Yasha awoke several times in the night to see her standing at the entrance awaiting Kouga's return. Finally Inu-Yasha couldn't stand her suffering any longer. He knew she was trapped by her duty to the other wolves; she couldn't leave without alerting the entire pack.

"I'll get him." Inu-Yasha stated a little irritated by her constant worrying.

She nodded to him thanking him for his actions of good will.

Sun up brought warning amongst the pack members.

Inu-Yasha found Kouga up on the ridge. Kouga was debating with himself over some stupid decision to blend the pack with another given the incident from the day before.

"KOUGA!" The wolves began to yell.

"What is it?" Kouga asked coming out from his hiding place.

"We were looking for you." Spike, one of Kouga's personal guards said.

"Well you found me." Kouga answered rather rudely.

Inu-Yasha remained hidden since he understood Kouga's frustration.

Kouga felt as if his world was being turned upside down and unlike when they battled Naraku Kouga couldn't just run off and slaughter a few demons in his way, flirt with Kagome, or make fun of Inu-Yasha to make him feel better. Kouga was trapped in this place. If he was gone too long they worried so ever since their last battle Kouga had made his life boring to accommodate this secure lifestyle.

Inu-Yasha felt sorry for him, but Kouga had developed a family and he had responsibilities to the pack.

Inu-Yasha took a side route back to the den where Kagome was making breakfast for the entire pack with very little help. Why was she working so hard? Didn't she ever get tired of doing things like that? Inu-Yasha began to wonder if Kagome had ever had anything done for her. She's going out of her way to make those stupid wolves happy. Inu-Yasha wondered if Kagome acted like that with him: waiting on his every whim and him not taking any notice of her efforts.

"Something wrong Inu-Yasha?" Kagome asked him.

"No" he denied to himself more than to her.

"Is there something I can help you with?" He asked out of guilt.

"Are feeling alright, Inu-Yasha?" asked Kagome. She dropped everything to find out the answer to her question, kneeling in front of him pressing her hand to his forehead.

Inu-Yasha growled with annoyed embarrassment slapping her hand away. "I'm fine." He blurted out without thinking.

Kagome fell over backward staring in shock at Inu-Yasha's sudden change in attitude.

"We need to talk." Inu-Yasha inquired. Kagome stood up at the completely absorbed in Inu-Yasha's comment.

Inu-Yasha led Kagome up to the ridge where Kouga had spent the night.

"Tell me what you see." Inu-Yasha told Kagome.

"Um…" She answered looking around. "I see den, the surrounding woods, and the river."

"What else do you see?" Inu-Yasha asked.

"Um…" she answered unsure of herself. "I see a small village."

"That's Kiada's village." Inu-Yasha told her. He then held his hand out in another direction. "And that village?"

"I don't know." Kagome confessed.

"That is Sesshoumaru's village. The one Naiya spoke of."

Kagome was impressed with his eyesight; she'd forgotten his demonic vision was superior to her own. "What else can you see, Inu-Yasha?"

"I can see the well…that's all."

"Inu-Yasha, What's really bothering you?"

"Nothing." He replied.

"You wouldn't have brought me here if something wasn't bothering you. Is this where Kouga spent the night, last night?" She asked.

He nodded once.

"…So Kouga also knows of this place. I bet he spent last night up here thinking of old times. I mean since you can see the well from here; he probably can too."

"I not sure if we'll ever get back to our own time." Inu-Yasha told Kagome.

"Of course we will. Is that what you wanted to tell me so bad."

Inu-Yasha diverted his face from her. She knew he was hiding something besides his doubts. "What is it Inu-Yasha? Tell me. You're not alone. We're in this together."

Inu-Yasha hesitated before responding. "This present isn't exactly what…"

"I see." Kagome said with a smile. She sat at the edge of the ledge.

"Did you know that Kouga has three pups…two boys and a girl? I met them last night. …The girl battled with Naiya yesterday." Kagome smiled looking out onto the land away from Inu-Yasha before she continued. "Naiya claimed that it was her most honorable battle. I get the impression that Sesshoumaru never gives her a real challenge. Naiya and Houseki spent most of night conversing quietly, but they did want to know if you'd keep that promise of killing them. Miroku told them you would. I couldn't help but laugh." Kagome tried to contain her newfound laughter. "Everyone thinks you're a cold-blooded killer. I guess life's easier for you if demons think that. I also heard Naiya speak of her home village. Sesshoumaru apparently settled in what was left of an old village and now it's full of homeless hanyou and demon children. Looks like it was just a matter of time before Sesshoumaru learned the meaning of family. Our group misses us both. Actually they miss you more than me."

Shock overwhelmed Inu-Yasha. No one could miss him more than Kagome. She was always so caring and interested in everyone's petty little problems. The group couldn't have missed him more. They were always fighting. She still stared out upon the land while she spoke.

"I was hurt at first," she continued, "but then I came to realize that you protect this group from every little threat. I guess that I only hinder your life what with…" She pointed to her neck before drawing a ring with her finger hanging from her neck that mocked the rosary. "…The rosary…and all. I am your greatest weakness. I'm sorry, Inu-Yasha."

"Kagome…" Inu-Yasha spoke calmly. "I miss our time too."

"I'm sorry." Kagome said standing face to face with Inu-Yasha with her hand against his chest and sadness in her eyes.

"Without you Kagome, I would still be stuck to that forsaken tree. Without you…we would have never have met any of the others. We would never have defeated Naraku or his stupid offspring. If it means I have to wear this stupid thing for a while, then I'm okay with that." Kagome looked at him with amazement. He hardly ever spoke this way and she wouldn't be surprised if he never spoke like this again.

"Now…" he continued, "let's find a way home so this future can exist."

Kagome nodded expelling a happy giggly noise that Inu-Yasha had never heard before. Kagome took off running back to the den of the wolves.

"Kagome…" Inu-Yasha stated not even looking in her direction.

Kagome froze staring back at Inu-Yasha. Something was coming.

"What is it?" Kagome asked.

"It's back," was all he growled.

A dark haze moved through the forest settling on the pack's location. Kouga was the first to be on his guard. This place had been safe for so long that the presence took the wolves by surprise. The wolves with the most experience rallied the other wolves preparing them for battle.

Inu-Yasha flew down the trail grabbing Kagome and joining Kouga as fast as he could.

The twenty-five total wolf pups, Naiya, and Tora were taken deep into the wolf den by a few older wolves to protect them from this new threat.

The poisonous haze engulfed the area.

Kagome and Inu-Yasha found Kouga leading the wolf warriors with his wife by his side. Kagome had forgotten the she-wolf was a fighter too. Inu-Yasha stood firm as his own gang rallied behind him. This time they were prepared for the battle.