Update: Chapter edited.

Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah, usual disclaimer

A/N: Yeah, hmmm, nothing really to say about this chapter except that I like it…Fish anyone?

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Chapter Five: Fish Anyone?

The stories had lasted well into the night, and it was late morning before everyone really got going with their day. After a quick bite to eat the group decided that it was time to get down to business. Kouga jumped in first with an idea to ambush Naraku, which was quickly shot down by Inu Yasha. More plans were thrown out only to be tossed away again a moment later. Julia watched everyone as they were arguing, but really had nothing to add. She wanted to help but honestly had no idea how she might be able to. She did not know the land, she had no idea what Naraku was capable of, and she didn't really know what her companions' strengths were, either. So, deciding that she had had enough of their arguments she once again snuck outside the den.

Stretching as she walked into the late morning light she took in the sight of the valley in the day light. It was magnificent. Taking a look around at the guards that Kouga had placed around the cave she decided that it would be safe enough to do a little exploring.

She walked along the ledge until she found a small path leading to the base of the falls. She could feel the mist coming off the falls as she got closer to the bottom, but in the warm morning light it felt refreshing. After exploring the base of the falls she began to walk downstream taking in the beauty around her with every step. But as she walked her thoughts turned to the events of the previous night. She had thought Kouga to be an obnoxious prick, but he had turned out to be a decent guy. Was it possible that Sesshoumaru could also be a decent guy? Kagome seemed to feel that he was becoming one, but after the way he had acted yesterday she could not see what it was that Kagome had seen in him. He was horrible. Sure, he had come in at just the right moment and managed to save possibly all of their lives, but he was so mean about it. He acted like he was some kind of infallible god.

"Women should know their place," she mumbled under her breath in an imitation of Sesshoumaru. He should know his place. If he really was Lord of the Western Lands, or what ever his title was, he should know how to treat people. Just because he is godlike in appearance does not give him the right to act like one. If only he would drop the ego and help then her new friends might actually make it out of this situation in one piece.

Realizing that she had gone father down the river than she had intended to Julia was about to turn around when she heard splashing and what she thought sounded like giggling. Curiosity winning over fear she decided to go check it out. As she walked around the bend in the river she saw a young girl standing about knee deep in the water concentrating very hard on something. She then watched as the little girl reached into the water and tossed to the shore a rather large fish in one swift motion.

"That was great!" cheered Julia as she clapped and walked towards the little girl. But the girl seemed frightened by her appearance and quickly began making her way to the shore. "Wait!" Julia called. "Please don't go, I'm not going to harm you." Julia knelt to the ground, hoping to appear less menacing to the small child. It seemed to work, as the child was no longer attempting to run away. "My name is Julia, what's yours?" she asked with a smile.

"Rin," came the small reply.

"That is a very pretty name, Rin," Julia complimented. "I was just hoping you could show me how to catch a fish like that. You must be quite an expert." Julia bowed her head slightly to show she was serious about it, and was rewarded with a small smile upon looking up at the girl.

"You really think I am good at catching fish?" asked Rin, obviously trying to contain her excitement at being complimented.

"Yes," replied Julia honestly, "what you did was really quite amazing."

"Okay, Rin will show you how," responded the little girl with a big smile now gracing her lips, "but first you have to get in the water."

"Sounds good," replied Julia as she took off her shoes and socks, rolled up her jeans, and took off her jacket. Remembering that her watch was not waterproof she quickly stowed it in her pocket. Wading in, the water only came up to her mid calf, but the chill it caused reached all the way up to her back. "Now what?" she asked, trying not to let the discomfort from the chilly water show, knowing she would get used to it in a minute or so.

"You have to bend over like this and be real still." Julia imitated the little girl's posture, but squatted a little to be closer to the waters surface.

"Like this?" Rin nodded to show her approval.

"Then you have to wait for the fish. Once the fish is right below you have to reach in really fast, grab the fish and throw it to shore so it can't wriggle free," explained the little girl. Seems simple enough, thought Julia as she carefully watched the water beneath her. As a fish neared she readied her stance and stretched her fingers in preparation for the catch. Now! she thought as she plunged her hands into the water, only to come up empty-handed and close to falling over backwards. Julia heard giggles off to her side.

"This is harder than it looks," Julia mumbled, "I could have sworn that fish was right there."

"The water makes it look closer than it is," explained Rin, "the fish is actually really close to the bottom, my papa taught me that."

"Okay. Well, let me give it another shot." Julia assumed the position and waited. As another fish came swimming her way she prepared and as she plunged her hands back into the water she was surprised to find them come into contacted with the soft slimy surface of the fish. Before it could escape she closed her hands around it and tossed it in the direction of the shore.

"You did it, you did it!" Rin cheered and clapped with delight.

"I did, didn't I?" She was still a little amazed that she had done it herself. Rin started to head for the shore and Julia followed.

"You should come with me now," said the little girl, picking up her fish. "I want you to meet someone."

"Oh, I don't know, Rin. I should probably get back to my companions," answered Julia, thinking that she may have been gone a little too long. She reached into her pocket and retrieved her watch. I really should be heading back…

"Oh please," Rin begged, "I know he will like you." The little girl smiled at Julia and grabbed her hand, trying to urge her on.

"Alright, but just for a little while," Julia agreed. She just could not say no. She tied her jacket around her waist and tied her shoe laces together so she could let her shoes hang from her shoulders. Her feet were not quite dry yet so she figured she'd go barefoot for a little while. She then picked up the fish she had just caught and followed Rin into the forest. Who could Rin want me to meet? Julia supposed it might be the little girl's father, as she had spoken of him a moment ago, and she did say the person was a 'he.' Oh well. Guess there's only one way to find out.

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It was starting to get past noon and Sesshoumaru was beginning to wonder what had happen to Rin and Jaken. They had set out quite a while ago to procure food for the little girl and should have been back by now. Normally he would have trusted Jaken completely, but after Rin had been abducted by Kagura a couple of months back Sesshoumaru was not really certain what his servant was capable of. He then caught the scent he had been waiting for. Rin was on her way back, but…not with Jaken. I know that scent…but why would that woman be with Rin? No. It cannot be her.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, Lord Sesshoumaru!" cried the little girl as she burst into the clearing. "I made a new friend!" Then, following close behind his ward, came the very person he knew it must be. The confused look on her face echoed his thoughts completely, but he had a much better handle on how to mask his thoughts.

She had removed her shoes and walked barefoot like Rin with her pants rolled up to her knees. The outer garment she had worn earlier was now around her waist, revealing a top that showed all of her arms and emphasized her bosom. The jewel shard still hung about her neck. Some of her hair had escaped the binding she used and now framed her face. She was definitely not a child like the girl Inu Yasha fawned over, she was definitely a woman, but in her current state of dress she looked the part of a child.

"This is Julia," continued Rin, cutting in on his thoughts, "she is really nice. She said I was an expert fish catcher, and let me teach her how to fish." She then ran over to Julia and dragged her closer to him. "See look at the fish she caught!" Rin said, pointing to the fish Julia was carrying. The woman, Julia, had not looked away from him since she had entered the clearing, but now glanced down at the fish she was holding.

"Here, Rin why don't you keep it," the woman said, handing the fish to Rin, "that way you both will have a fish," she said as she indicated Sesshoumaru as the other person she was talking about.

"No, Lord Sesshoumaru does not eat human food," Rin said as she took the fish. "Why don't you stay for lunch? Then I can show you how to cook the fish, too." Sesshoumaru only looked on as Julia tried to answer. He could see that she did not desire to stay because of him, but she seemed to like Rin.

"I don't know if that is such a good idea Rin," the woman said. "I'm sure it is too short notice for a lunch guest, you and Sesshoumaru probably-"

"No," interrupted Rin. "Lord Sesshoumaru doesn't mind, he does not eat with me anyway. Right, Lord Sesshoumaru? Can she stay?" the little girl asked, looking up to him. He looked down at Rin and then over to Julia, but did not answer either way. He wanted to see what the woman's response would be. However, he got the feeling that she may have seen something of his thoughts because her eyes changed from being uncertain to displaying their usual stubbornness.

"Alright, Rin," she answered as she grabbed the little girl's hand and walked over to the fire pit. Sesshoumaru watched as Rin found two long sticks and Julia started a fire. She would cast a backwards glance at him from time to time, but she did not address him.

"My Lord Sesshoumaru," cried a voice from outside the clearing, "I am sorry, but that human seems to have eluded me again." It was Jaken, finally having returned from searching for Rin. Sesshoumaru could see the fear in his servant's eyes turn to surprise as he saw Rin and yet another human sitting over by the fire staring at him. Rin giggled and whispered something to Julia, something about not liking the little toad demon. Sesshoumaru knew that Rin would not want anything bad to happen to Jaken, but the little girl did not like him.

"Jaken," he stated, bringing the toad demon out of his surprised stupor.

"Yes, me Lord?" the little toad demon replied, obviously waiting for the worst.

"Feed Ah-Un."

"Yes, me Lord," he replied once more and walked over to where the two headed dragon had been lazily napping. Sesshoumaru then turned his attention back to the humans. Rin was explaining to Julia how to position the fish over the fire so that they did not burn. Sesshoumaru could tell that Julia already knew what the little girl was telling her, but the woman listened intently anyway. Rin then sat next to her and poked the fire with an extra stick that she had found. Sesshoumaru moved to lean against a tree opposite the fire so that he could observe the two more comfortably.

"Julia, you are human right?" asked Rin, looking at Julia with her big brown eyes.

"Yes, of course I am, Rin," replied Julia, seemingly amused by the question. "I seem to be getting that question a lot. Why do you ask?"

"Well, it is just that your hair is the color of the sun, and I have never seen another human with that color hair before," explained the little girl. She then grabbed Julia's head and looked closely into her eyes. "Your eyes are pretty, too." Julia brought her own hands up, gently removed Rin's hands from her face, and placed them in her lap.

"Well, they are not so special, Rin. There are lots of people who have my coloring where I am from." Julia told the little girl with a smile.

"And where is that?" Julia's smile did not fall, but Sesshoumaru did not miss the glance she threw his way. Yes, he thought where are you from?

"Well, it is a place far west of here." What kind of answer is that?

"Oh," replied Rin. "Have you eaten fish like this before?" Obviously, the kind of answer she knew would satisfy a child's curiosity.

Sesshoumaru only listened to the rest of their conversation with the fringe of his hearing. Talks of flowers and fish did not interest him. He did, however, keep a watchful eye on the pair. Julia would smile at Rin and answer all of her questions, but an occasional glance down at her wrist would cause a momentary frown to appear on her face. What can she be looking at? It looked as though she wore a bracelet of some sort, but why it would be special Sesshoumaru could not tell.

After the glance she sent his way when Rin asked where she was from, the woman seemed to forget he even existed. She never spoke to him or looked at him, and when Rin brought up something having to do with him she acted as though he was not present.

"Well Rin, it has been fun, but I think I should get back to my friends now." Julia suddenly said as she glanced down at her wrist again.

"Do you have to?" asked Rin, obviously wanting her new friend to stay.

"Yes," replied Julia, putting her footwear back on and returning her pants to their original length. "I'm afraid they might get worried and come looking for me. Kind of like how you don't want Sesshoumaru to worry about you, right?"

"Yeah, you are right," agreed Rin.

"Thanks for showing me how to catch fish." Julia added as she stood and gave Rin a hug.

"Can you come play with me again?"

"If I can, I definitely will," replied Julia, smiling at Rin again, "but I have to go, so good bye for now." The woman waved to Rin and began walking out of the clearing without even acknowledging him. Rin waved back to her until she cleared the trees and turned towards him.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, Julia will come again won't she?" Rin asked, her eyes wide with hope. Sesshoumaru did not know the answer to that question. This woman, Julia, did seem to keep popping into his presence.

"Rin, wait here with Jaken," he replied and then leapt off into the trees.

She had not gone far when he found her. He waited above her in a tree watching her hesitantly move forward. Then it suddenly struck him what her problem was.

"The river is that way," he said, dropping down in front of her and pointing to his right. She was startled momentarily, but her typical fire returned to her face the moment she recognized him.

"I know that, I was just…" he raised an eyebrow at her quizzically, "…it is just that Rin didn't take the most direct path to your camp. And since when are you speaking to me?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused by her question.

"You didn't say anything when I arrived with Rin, and you were silent the entire time I was there," the woman explained.

"I did not have anything to say," he replied. "Besides, the idle chat of humans does not interest me."

"So that's why Rin talks so much." She was mumbling, but he could clearly hear her. She was back-talking him again!

"What is that supposed to mean?" She looked up at him, seemingly surprised that he had heard her.

"You know what?" she began with, in his opinion, a highly exaggerated sigh. "It doesn't matter. You would not understand, and I don't feel like wasting my breath on you. You said the river was that way?" she pointed to the direction he had indicated earlier and began to walk away.

"I did not give you permission to leave." Sesshoumaru said as he grabbed her arm. She stopped and looked at the hold on her arm.

"Do you honestly think that will work on me?" she asked, defiance clear in her voice.

"Do you honestly think that will work on me a second time?" he asked, knowing full well she was referring to her escape on their first encounter.

"I'd be willing to try," she shot back.

"You would fail," he replied calmly. She stared at him for a moment, then let her arm fall limp.

"Look, I don't have time for this childishness right now. What is it that you want?" she asked, sounding almost as bored as he normally did. That's new he thought, and then…Wait a minute, did she just call me a child?! He was about to question her about it and realized that she was baiting him.

"You will tell me what you meant," he demanded, releasing her arm.

"Why?" she asked, pulling the binding she used in her hair out and allowing it to fall freely about her face. She then crossed her arms. "You are Lord of the Western Lands. You don't care what a human thinks, let alone a woman. A woman should know her place, right?" She was obviously throwing his words from yesterday back in his face, and she was right, he should not care. So why did he?

"I will not explain my actions to you," he replied.

"Fine, you want to know what I meant, then I'll tell you." she spat out and then took a deep breath. "I meant that you obviously care so little for others' opinions that you will not consider lowering yourself to their level to hear them out. Rin, for example, talked so much this afternoon that it was obvious she does not do so on a regular basis. She obviously loves you as some sort of hero and would follow you to the ends of the earth, but you apparently do not consider it your station to converse with her. Humans are worthless, humans are beneath you, humans are not worth your time, and yet here I see you taking care of one, or at least trying to. You-"

"Enough! You don't know what you are talking about," he interrupted, having had quite enough of her insults.

"You said that once before, but I think I do," she shot back. "You may be a Lord, but you have no idea of how to treat people."

"I said enough," he repeated.

"This is exactly what I mean," she continued. "You ask me what I think and then you try to shoot me down when you don't like what I have to say. Like I said before, it is a waste of time to even try to speak with you." She turned to leave, and he should have let her go, but he could not.

"I have not given you leave yet," he stated as he turned towards her.

"Do I really look like I care?" she shot back as she spun around to face him.

"Why does Naraku want you?" he asked, ignoring her taunt. He would regain control over this situation. He would not let her words affect him.

"I told you before I don't know," she replied, sighing heavily in the process. "I have a jewel shard and maybe that is why. I really don't know."

"I think I do," he replied, getting the look of surprise he had hoped for. "Naraku wants to know where you come from, and now it appears that he cannot take that shard from you by force. You are a mystery to him, and I'm sure he does not like being in the dark anymore than I do."

"I don't know why the shard is doing that, but why would my place of origin be special?" she asked crossing her arms once more.

"Your coloring, your odd garb, your strange speech, and your name are all different from anything I have ever seen or heard, and I guarantee that Naraku has noticed those differences as well." Sesshoumaru replied, reveling in her continued surprise. "I know many dialects, but the language you used when we first met was completely new to me." He walked over to stand directly in front of her so that he could look her in the eyes. "Tell me where it is you come from that you do not even know of the great Lord of the West?"

"Like I told Rin, I come from a place far west of here," she replied never looking away, and then she smiled. But, it was not the happy smile she had used with Rin, it was one full of mischief. "Besides, it won't matter once Inu Yasha and the rest defeat Naraku, which would go a lot smoother if you would work together with them." So that was her game.

"I have no desire to work with that incompetent half breed," he replied.

"He is not incompetent, at least not that I have seen, and you two would have had Naraku if he had not run away," she continued. "If you two actually decided to work together Naraku would not stand a chance."

"This conversation is over." She was not going to lecture him on what to do.

"Fine," she said tersely and turned to leave, "God, I swear it is in one ear and out the other. Why do I even bother?" she once again mumbled to herself.

"Are you trying to anger me?" he asked, knowing full well that she had meant for him to hear her. She turned and smiled at him, but it was a fake smile.

"Why no of course not, oh great and powerful lord. I would never wish to displease you," she said in an all too sweet voice and giving him a mock bow. "I will now take my leave of you." She turned once again and walked primly towards the river. Sesshoumaru only stared. Why was it that he didn't just kill her for her insolence? There was the connection to Naraku true, but was there something else?

He walked casually back into the clearing where his servants and Rin waited for him. Jaken waited silently for instruction next to Ah-Un and Rin sat near the now lifeless fire pit playing some sort of game. He once again wondered why it was that he had saved her. Was it really only to test his sword's capabilities? She had been kind to him and had not been frightened of him. She possessed the same kind of fearlessness that this Julia seemed to have.

"Rin," the little girl looked up expectantly at him when she heard her name, "what do you think of Julia?" And he was asking because he wanted to know, it had nothing to do with what Julia had said to him. But then, why was it he had never cared before? Seeing the little girl's huge, surprised smile almost made him wonder if he should have done so sooner. Gods, this woman would make him soft if he was not careful.

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Julia finally found the river and started to march back towards the wolf den mumbling to her self the entire way.

"Stupid…arrogant…pompous…oh, he irritates me so, but…" she halted her march in midstep and turned to look back towards Sesshoumaru's camp. "But he did save that sweet little girl, and she appears to be happy with him…" She shook her head. This guy was so hard to figure out. He reminded her of a typical snobbish prince from some old fairy tale who eventually learned his lesson…but what could cause Sesshoumaru to figure it all out?

"Enjoying the scenery?" a sudden voice startled her out of her thoughts, but she knew to whom it belonged.

"Yes Kouga," she replied calmly not turning to him, "it is really beautiful here."

"The others were worried about you, so I offered to come find you," the wolf said as he walked up to her. "You know, since I am the fastest after all." His voice was laced with ego.

"I know it is late." Julia turned towards him. "There was a minor distraction on my little exploration."

"Sesshoumaru?" he asked, looking at her questioningly.

"How did you know?" He simply tapped his nose and waited for her to explain, she really had to remember that heightened-senses-thing around her new demon companions. So, she told him about running into Rin down river and the child's insisting that she follow her. "Time got away from me as I was playing with Rin, and then I tried to convince Sesshoumaru to work with Inu Yasha, but he would not listen. So, I left." Kouga only stared back at her wide eyed. "What? It's the truth."

"Oh, I don't doubt it," he replied, shaking his head a bit. "It is just hard to imagine Sesshoumaru letting a human talk to him so and then letting them leave with their life." So Kouga believed him to be a monster as well…she was just not seeing it. Arrogant yes, a snob yes, full of him self to the breaking point yes, but she just could not see him killing without a purpose, and certainly not for a purpose as silly as talking back to him.

"So, what did you guys decide today?" she asked as they walked back to the den.

"That I will keep my shards until we defeat Naraku, as they are safer and more useful there anyhow." Kouga gave her a sad smile. She remembered that that had been a subject of great argument this morning. Inu Yasha wanted them now so that all of the shards they had would be together and safe, but of course Kouga wanted to keep them. Kagome must have finally convinced Inu Yasha that that was the best course of action. She knew Kouga prided himself on being the fastest of his pack and that losing them would be hard for him.

"They will still respect you without them," she added after his explanation. He looked at her, obviously not sure what she was talking about initially before comprehension dawned on his face.

"My men are loyal, and they will follow me because I am their leader, but…" he paused in his speech and looked at her, "but, will I be able to protect them as I have been?"

"I'm sure you will, Kouga," she replied softly, knowing that this was touchy subject with him. "From what the others have told me you are an incredible fighter, and I am sure you will remain so even without the shards." For some reason she found herself speaking to him as she believed a sister might address her brother, comforting him, encouraging him. "Besides, once Naraku is gone you guys will have nothing to worry about, right?" she added as she gave him a small punch in the arm. Kouga smiled at her and nodded.

"You are a strange woman, Julia." he replied, rubbing the spot she had punched though she knew there was no way she could have hurt him.

"I know," she admitted, "but you'll get used to it." She smiled and then, seeing the path to the wolf den up ahead, got an idea. "I'll race you to the top, but no cheating!" She then took off running. She knew Kouga was initially shocked, but he quickly came out of it and started to catch up. She did not care if she won or not, but it was a way to get Kouga out of his mood. She had to admit that she actually liked the wolf demon, probably because she understood him now. I wonder if I'll ever understand Sesshoumaru? she thought as Kouga began to over take her.

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Rin had prattled on about how nice Julia was and how she wished that she would come back to play with her. Sesshoumaru had listened to her as they walked through the forest, though he had also been thinking of another matter. Finally he had come to a decision.

"Jaken." The toad-like demon immediately appeared before him. "Take Rin back to the castle and wait there for me." Sesshoumaru turned to go back towards the wolves' den.

"You wish me to leave you, Lord Sesshoumaru?" asked Jaken, anguish apparent in his voice.

"I don't want to leave you, Lord Sesshoumaru!" added Rin in a sad voice. He merely glared at Jaken and the little demon bowed his head in resignation. He then turned to Rin.

"Do this for me, Rin."

"Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru," agreed the little girl, standing to attention with a smile on her face.

Sesshoumaru changed into a shimmering ball of blue light and took off towards the wolves' den. He would wait for the opportune moment to strike Naraku, but he would not work with Inu Yasha. His half-brother had let him down before and did not deserve a second chance in Sesshoumaru's eyes. Rin would be safe at his castle, so now all he needed to do was focus on Naraku's destruction. That woman did not know him. He did not need anyone's help, and why should he care about those worth less than he? Yes, he would kill Naraku, and wherever his worthless half breed of a brother was, Naraku was sure to show up.

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A/N: Don't you just love Rin, so innocent, so naïve, so good at bringing two people together. And Kouga, you gotta love Kouga. I realize of all of the characters that he is probably the most out of character, but you have to know there is more to him that what is shown on screen or in the manga. So, yeah, please don't go off on "Kouga would never do that" or "Kouga would never say that" cause I guarantee that there will be moments where you will think that. But, believe me if you have seen the Anime, at least, as far as the episodes I had listed in the A/N in the first chapter you'll see that there really is something else to Kouga. This story just contains my interpretation of it. Okay time to stop rambling. Now go review…