Chapter Twelve-Where She Belongs

Dealing with her new form was a lot easier with Kouga's clan to help her. Saraku found that she didn't mind it as much as she thought she would. She was lot safer this way. Her agility was triple what it used to be, making her hunting training easier and more successful than before. Kyoko delighted in showing her the tribe ways. Sara picked up the rituals fast, and loved to demonstrate her knowledge to Kouga, who humored her. Achika fell into the role of surrogate mother, showing her how to cook and clean the caves out. Saraku truly loved her time there.

Yet, something really did bother her. No one had bothered to come looking for her. Not Sesshoumaru, and not Inuyasha. She never mentioned them in Kouga's presence, but deep within,Sara wondered if any of them really wanted her around. Today, she was sitting on her favorite ledge, watching over the woods below. Her mind wandered to her time with Sesshoumaru. He had never made her feel less important than him. Not until he'd given her the potion. Now, she definitely less important than he was. She was a half-breed. None of Kouga's tribe seemed to notice this. It was probably because their den mother, Achika was also a half-blood. She stood up at length, shading her eyes from the tormenting bright sun, and blinked. Down below, she clearly saw Inuyasha. She backed up away from the ledge. Her whole body was shaking. A mixture of relief, and fear rose in her. She ran back to the den to get Kouga. It wasn't that she thought Inuyasha would hurt her. It was the law.

Kouga caught Sara as she ran towards him. He had seen her from his post in the cave opening. "What is it?" He asked her, doing his best to soothe her.

"Inuyasha. He's on his way up the cliffs. I saw him!" Sara breathed, trying to calm down. "He's coming to take me away, but he won't want me if I'm like this!"She felt tears slowly roll down her face, as she held on to Kouga. The demon prince's eyes narrowed in thought.

"That may not be the case, Sara. Inuyasha has changed a lot over the years. Let me go and talk to him first, if you will. Go and clean yourself up. I don't want him to think I have not been taking care of you." He let go of the girl, and left to meet his enemy half-way.

Inuyasha grunted upon seeing Kouga approach. "I ain't here to see you." He tried to pass Kouga, but the prince refused to let him. "Move out of the way, damn you!"

"I can't let you pass. We have to talk first." Kouga crossed his arms, making it plain that he was not going to give an inch until Inuyasha heard what he had to say.

"Just so you know, I intend to take Saraku back with me. She doesn't belong with you." Inuyasha stated plainly.

"Shut your yap for two minutes so I can explain what's going on." Kouga growled low in his throat. When he saw that Inuyasha was paying attention, he cleared his throat. "Saraku was turned into a half-demon by your brother."

Inuyasha blinked. "Come again?" He thought he'd misheard the demon prince. Sesshoumaru would never turn anything into a half-demon. He hated half-breeds!

"It's true. She's part wolf demon now." Kouga replied, folding his arms. " She wants to stay with my tribe because we know how to take care of our own kind. My mate is also a half-demon."

"It doesn't matter what she wants. She's my niece. I don't care if she's a half-demon!" Inuyasha found himself saying something he thought he'd never say. "Besides, I don't want you raising her anyway!"

"Oh, so that's it, huh? Don't want me raising someone you found? Is that the only reason you want to take her back? That's the most selfish, idiotic, uncaring thing you've ever said! She's still a child with feelings!" Kouga felt his anger boiling over. "You will never lay a hand on her again, Inutrasha. Count on it!" He bounded back up the cliffs, meeting Achika in the entrance to their den. "Saraku is to stay away from Inuyasha from now on! He's nothing but a self-centered, childish puppy!"

Achika nodded, not daring to contradict Kouga while he was so furious. "My love, did you ask Sara what she wanted?"

"He doesn't deserve her, regardless of Saraku's wishes. He's too full of himself. The only reason he does want her is so that I don't have her!" Kouga fumed, walking over to his weapons pile to work on some new spears for an upcoming hunt. "Sara. Come here." He had glanced over to her bedroll to see the child looking stricken by his announcement. He gestured for her to sit at his feet when she wandered over listlessly. "I know it seems harsh, taking you away from him like that all together, but believe me when I say that it's for the best. You have never been more settled than you are right now. I can tell it by how content you are. The tribe loves you."

"But can't I ever see Shippou and Kagome again? They won't reject me, I know it!" Sara looked up at her new father, pleadingly. "Please, Kouga..."

"I'll see to it that they are brought here to visit. I won't allow you to run about at your own will like everyone else did. It's not safe." Kouga figured it was about time he started taking a firmer hand in raising her.

"Okay..." Saraku couldn't help but smile. It was just as she'd always wanted it. This was truly where she belonged.

Later in the month, Kagome and Shippou were called to visit Saraku. Kagome had a surprise for the young girl. She had given birth to a half-demon baby girl named Kikyo. Saraku was very happy for her friend. The three friends talked idly of the days past, as they ate some food from Kagome's home. Kagome no longer lived in her time. She had blocked off the well by now. She was delighted to see how healthy and happy Saraku was. They didn't talk much of Inuyasha that day. Saraku didn't think to ask about him. She did wonder about Sango and Miroku though. "Are they alright?" She asked at length.

"They're great. Sango had her second child. It was a boy. They named Kohaku, after her late brother." Shippou reported dutifully. "And I have a mate now too." He grinned sheepishly at Saraku, who was smiling knowingly.

"As do I. Our parents betrothed us last week." She replied calmly. "His name is Hime." Saraku and Hime had become inseparable after her formal fostering ceremony the month before. They were nearly always together. "Things certainly didn't turn out how I thought they would."

"But everything is as it should be." Kagome concluded, as she held her daughter close to her. "Isn't that right, Kikyo?" The baby giggled, pulling on one of her ears lightly. Kagome smiled. "You are just like your father."

Saraku smiled as the dinner horn beckoned her towards the den. "Well, I'll see you guys next time."

"Feel free to send us messages once in a while!" Shippou called out as they headed back down towards the forest.

"I will!" Saraku waved until they were out of her sight. Then she raced inside to tell her family of the day's events.

(And this concludes Where She Belongs, and my Inuyasha trilogy! I hope everyone enjoyed it,and I thank those who stuck with me on it!)