Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, the crew, or Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru… drools

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Okay. I am going to put this at the beginning of every chapter except the one after chapter two. I would call it chapter three, but I already have one. So the one with the notes on it is the one I won't put this on because… it's a bunch of notes! Don't assume that everything written here happens in every chapter. Because it doesn't Also, as my Algebra II teacher said last year, 'When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me." As she said 'ass', 'you', and 'me', she pointed to the words inside the word 'assume'. Assume. Cool huh? Learn something new everyday! Now, go tell your folks. Then, come back and read. Then R&R.

Arigatou- thank-you (might be spelled arigato, but it's the same thing)
Hai- yes
Hanyou- half demon or half breed ((We call my friend this. She's half Caucasian and half Mexican. She wanted us to I swear. She calls herself a hanyou all the time. Sad isn't it?))
Houshi- something along the lines of Buddhist monk (Miroku)
Iie- no
Kami- God or the equivalent thereof
Kawaii- cute
Kitsune- fox demon I do believe
Miko- priestess
Oi- something I made up or I heard from somewhere. I use it to get someone's attention
Osuwari- sit
Owari- something like 'Bye!' I think. I really don't know for sure.
Tensuaiga- Sesshomaru's sword
Tetsuaiga- Inuyasha's sword
Youkai- demon

Italicized words means the person is thinking to themselves in their own heads or something needs to be emphasized.
'Words written in these' means the person is speaking to someone else in their heads. Confusing I know, but you'll know it when you see it.
"Words written in these" means… Do I really need to explain this one?

I do not know what the future is like. I am purely guessing so no harping, okay? I am also guessing on what Kaede looked like when she was young. I've only seen her when she was young one time and that's right after Kikyou seals Inuyasha to a tree and then died. I'm sorry if I'm wrong. Just try to be nice as you yell at me, okay? Also, just because it says y'all somewhere doesn't mean they are in Texas. I am in Texas and the word y'all is something I say all the time. 'Kay?

I am very sorry if I have misspelled anything in Japanese, like names or the words above. I know 'ou' makes a long o sound. Like Shippo should probably be Shippo since Kikyou and Kouga follow that rule. But, I did Kouga like that from the very beginning and Kikyou became a sudden habit. Everyone else I saw it first as I have spelled it. If I have defined anything wrong, please tell me. It's not considered a flame if I ask for it. I promise. And if I've misspelled anything in English and you catch it let me know. I am a real big spelling and grammar freak. It's… Never mind. Also, my friend helped me write this. So anything wrong or stupid is her fault. wink wink And the cursing. That's all hers too. With that being said…

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The rest of the week went by in a blur. Classes weren't remembered. Homework was done in a zombie mode. Sara and Matt were thinking about the conversation with Mrs. Bassi. Immanuel was trying to figure out why they'd been reincarnated, again for Karen. Karen... she was trying to figure out everything! Yes, she understood she had been given a second, or was the third or fourth time, chance. But at what? What was she supposed to do now? They put these thoughts on hold for a few days while they studied for end of course exams, semester finals, and the like. When all tests were taken and school was finally out, the five (including Seth) got together at Karen's and Seth's house to talk things over again.

"I'm still so lost!" Sara said. "I mean... why are we here!"

"That's the question on everyone's minds," Immanuel deadpanned. "If we were reincarnated, which we were, then why? Midoriko was reincarnated in Kikyou, who was reincarnated in Kagome. Karen is the reincarnation of Kagome. So maybe she's here to-"

"The Shikon no Tama!" Karen yelled suddenly. Four heads looked at her. "Where is it?" No one said anything because no one knew. "Mama!" she yelled, jumping off her bed and running downstairs. "Mama! Mama!" Mrs. Bassi came running into the kitchen to intercept her daughter. "Mama, do you have the Shikon no Tama!"

"Don't scare me like that! I thought someone was hurt or something. And what are you talking about? Shikon no Tama? I don't have anything of the sort." Mrs. Bassi looked over Karen's shoulder to see Immanuel, Matt, Sara, and Seth standing there. "What is she talking about?"

Karen turned and looked at her friends and brother. "That's the reason I was reincarnated as Kikyou and Kagome. Maybe that's the reason I was reincarnated this time! We have to find the Shikon no Tama and protect it!"

"You were supposed to protect the jewel," Seth said, "not us. If that's why you were given a second, er, fourth chance then why are we here? We helped you get the shards last time. It won't be busted this time. Will it?"

"Lord, I hope not," Matt breathed. "It was easier to wander around in the Feudal Era. Four teenagers and a pre-teen in this day and age? I don't think that'll go over so well."

"Why can't we just live like normal people? Or as normal as we all were before we remembered everything?" Sara suggested. She got a few weird looks. "I know, I know. But it is possible. We can forget about everything and start all over again. Maybe that's why we're here. Look at it that way." There was silence for a while. "Come on. Tonight's a new moon and we agreed to spend the night at Immanuel's, remember?" Everyone nodded silently and walked back upstairs to being packing their bags. Well, Karen's things anyways. On the way to Immanuel's, they'd stop by Matt's and then Sara's. Seth was going to stay at home this time.

Once Karen was packed, Immanuel took her back and put it on his back. They walked to Matt's and went to his room. "You're not supposed to have girls in your room," a voice said at the door. "Mom and Dad said so."

"Shut up and get out," Matt directed without turning from his dresser.

"No way!" the girl insisted. "Mom'll have your butt all over the house and I get to watch. Oh —!"

"Shut it Kate-lynn! I do not have girls in my room! It's Sara and Karen. And Immanuel! Even if- Why am I explaining anything to you? Mom and Dad have both said that I can have any of these three in my room whenever I want as long as it's not night and it's not. Besides, we're going to Immanuel's tonight. So don't burn the house down or anything. Now leave my room and me alone," Matt said, turning back to his dresser. Occasionally he would shove something in his backpack.

"Humph! I'm still telling Mom." With that, the girl was gone.

"You know, this makes me glad that I was the youngest," Immanuel said. "No little siblings to get annoying."

"Even if you'd of had them, would Sam have let them get annoying?" Sara asked with a smile.

"Yeah right!" Karen answered on a laugh. "If he treats you like this, imagine what he'd do to a younger sister! Wait, maybe we should send Kate-lynn to see him?"

"I wouldn't wish that threat on Kimberly," Sara shuddered. "Poor Kristen. Wish she could spend the night as well."

"Don't push your luck," Immanuel growled. "The only reason any of you can is because of Rachel. She persuaded him into letting her see her friends. Not in letting you spend the night with me. There's a big difference in Sam's book so don't try to convince him otherwise. You don't yet Matt? You're taking longer than Karen."

"That's because I don't know where anything is in my house," Matt said. "I'm not here unless I have to be."

"Sorry," Immanuel said. The tone in Matt's voice said he didn't want to talk about it so they didn't. He was ready to go soon after that so the four headed to Sara's house. "Will Kevin be alright on his own?"

"Kevin's spending the night at Karen's. Mrs. Bassi insisted; said she didn't want someone Steven's age staying by himself. It doesn't matter that he has several times before considering that I have to work." She sighed softly. "Whatever. Come on. I have to feed Krystal. Don't think Sam will let me bring her."

"Not a chance in hell," Immanuel affirmed. The trip to Sara's was a short one. She had everything organized in her room and it took all of ten minutes to get in and out of the apartment. The reason it took so long was that Krystal was trying to figure out what was going on. Now they they were off to Immanuel's, Karen felt anxious and scared. She unconsciously moved closer to Immanuel. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and leaned in close to whisper, "What's wrong?"

She shook her head in the negative. He just squeezed her shoulders a little to comfort her. When they turned onto the driveway that would lead to the house the sun started to sink into the horizon. Karen turned to watch the slow transformation that would turn Immanuel into a full demon. The first thing to change were his eyes. They turned a crimson red as two purple slash marks on each cheek made their way across his face. When they about five yards from the front door, his nails lengthened into claws and his canines grew even more pointed. The last thing to appear, and always the last thing to leave, was Karen's favorite part of the monthly transformation: Immanuel's ears slid to the top of his head.

Sam met them just inside the door. "Was beginning to wonder if you'd ever get here. You've already transformed," he growled, obviously not happy. Immanuel scoffed and walked right past him. Rachel walked into the entryway. She smiled at Immanuel; he ignored her. Karen, Sara, and Matt quickly began to follow their changed friend. "Make sure to be in the gym in ten minutes Immanuel. If I have to come looking for you..." He left the threat hanging.

"Why does he want you in the gym?" Karen asked, wanting to be the first person to talk to him in case his anger got the best of him and he attacked one of his friends. "I thought he left you alone on these nights."

"So did I," Immanuel growled. "Don't worry about it. Matt, you sleep in my room. Sara and Karen are right next door in another room." He opened a door, turned on the light, and walked into it, setting Karen's bag down on one of the beds. "Pick whichever bed you like. There's two of everything practically so you should be comfortable." And there was. Two large beds were on opposite side of the room. Both were covered in sets that matched the drapes of the window next to it. The two large windows in the room provided plenty of light during the day. An armoire sat facing each bed; a wooden table with the same designs as the armoires were next to the head of both beds. A door sat opposite the wall that held the two windows.

"That's the bathroom. Come on, I'll show you my room. Sorry if you don't like it Matt. It's nothing like your room." They walked out of the girls' room, past a door, and through another one a short distance down the hall. The door was heavy, and even though Immanuel was the one to open it everyone could see just how heavy it was. He turned the light on as they entered and everyone but Immanuel froze in place.

There was a small bed on one side of the room, up against the wall with the top nudged into a corner and it's right side along the wall. Beside it was a collapsible table. A beside table maybe? There was a bottom sheet and a top sheet on the bed, with one pillow. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing was one the walls and there was one window across the room from the small bed. Next to the window, however, was a larger bed: about a queen size if not bigger. There was a set of sheets, a blanket, and a comforter on the bed with four pillows at the top. It was a stylish set with a matching bed skirt. A mahogany table sat next to the larger bed, intricate decorations carved into it. The same carvings were installed in the trunk at the base of the bed and on the armoire that was facing the foot of the bed.

There was door in the wall not used by the small bed, the bigger bed, or the armoire that led tot he bathroom that was shared with the girls. Immanuel walked to the smaller bed and lay down on it, hand behind his bed. "That's your bed," he said, not looking at anything else. "The armoire is yours if you want to pout your clothes out. Or the trunk. We share a bathroom with the girls. Sorry, only one in this hall. There's a door that leads into the hall from the bathroom. I'll have to show you because it's weird. Set up how you want; everything of mine is where it is to stay. Karen, Sara, you might want to go set your things up as well."

"Wait a minute! Where are your things! Why is your bed smaller! Why does this room seem to have a line drawn down the middle of it to separate you from the bigger things! Why-?"

"Did I mention that Sam hated me?" Immanuel asked, turning his red eyes on Karen as he cut her off. He threw a look at Matt, then Sara. "Hurry up. I really don't want to piss off Sam. I usually don't mind, but I'm not in the mood. I don't mind my room. I don't need a bigger bed, or a cool table. I own very little anyways so it's not like my room needs to be lavish or anything. Now Jacob, there's a room to see. Anyone hungry? I can get you something to eat before Sam and I spar."

"More like he tries to kill you and you survive," Matt muttered, knowing full well that Immanuel could hear him.

"That may be, but I think I asked you all to settle in," Immanuel said, his tone changing a bit. Karen pulled Sara after her into their room through the bathroom, pushing Matt toward his bed in the process. "Thank you."

Karen and Sara put their things in their respective armoires, and then joined the boys in their room once more. No one could get over the fact that Sam treated Immanuel like a slave even in his furniture. Immanuel silently led the way to the gym, detouring to the kitchen to grab something to eat for his friends. He walked into the large room they called a gym, unknowingly leaving his friends behind. The thing was bigger than their gym at school! It was bigger than both the gyms combined! No wonder they had to go upstairs to get to it! Sam stood on the other side, waiting. Rachel was sitting behind him a ways, a worried look on her face. She had insisted on being there.

Immanuel turned slightly to instruct his friends on where to stay only to find them gone. He turned all the way around to find them at the entrance. He sighed and walked back to them. They were staring in three different directions: Karen stared at the Olympic size swimming pool to her far left; Sara was gawking at the weight lifting equipment; Matt was looking at the weapons that hung on the right wall. "Guys," Immanuel said, snapping them all to attention. "Your standing there isn't helping me. Come on. Go sit by Rachel. Move!" he yelled suddenly, shove Matt to the floor hard and jumping to his left, the others' right. Sam landed where he was standing, knees bent, one hand on the floor with its fingers curled under slightly in attack.

Immanuel stood and growled at his brother. "You said you would not hurt them," he thundered, curling his own fingers into his palm as if to attack suddenly. His ears lay flat against his head now. Sara help Matt up and then headed over to Rachel with Karen.

"I did, and I keep my word. I didn't touch any of them," Sam smirked. "You're the one who hurt the boy."

"To keep him from getting killed by you!" Immanuel yelled. "I should kill you and be done with it."

"Come on then."

Immanuel didn't move. He stayed still, knowing that attacking while this angry would do nothing but make him go into a demon rage, thereby endangering Karen and the others and proving Sam right. And that was something he would not allow. As he calmed himself, his ears rose from his head to listen to his surroundings better. He could smell the others' fear pulsing off them in waves. It almost made him sick. Sam moved then. But it was away from Immanuel. Toward Karen. He was stopped by Immanuel and his fist. Although he dodged the flying appendage, and the claws that followed after it, he had to admit that Immanuel's speed was improving.

"Don't even go near here," he hissed. "Do whatever you like to me. I will heal by morning. But if you touch Karen, I will pull your nails out one by one and cut your head off with my own claws." He heard Rachel's sharp intake of breath, but didn't care. He still didn't understand how she could stand to like the beast he called brother. He stopped thinking then, because that could cause him this fight. He blocked out everything and focused solely on Sam. They rushed each other at the same time, Sam's hand going for Immanuel's throat while Immanuel went straight for Sam's legs. Immanuel ducked; Sam jumped. Both avoided the attacks.

Immanuel slid to a stop, rounding to face his brother. They were in the same position from moments ago, before Sam went after Immanuel's friends. One ear flicked as the silence ticked on. Then, Sam disappeared. Immanuel stood up straight and closed his eyes. Karen thought he was stupid for doing it, but when Immanuel stuck his left leg out and Sam appeared only to stop himself from tripping she thought he was doing pretty well for himself. Rachel gasped beside her again.

"Your speed has improved Immanuel," Sam complimented. Immanuel grunted in reply, swinging his right hand at his brother, claws extended. Sam ducked it easily. "Let's test your endurance. Follow me."He disappeared again and Immanuel suddenly set off running about the room in all directions, changing as fast as he got into them.

"What is he doing?" Matt whispered, leaning over to Karen.

"He's following Sam," Rachel answered on a whisper. "Sam's faster than we can see, but we can watch Immanuel. Sam is leading him all over the gym to see how long he can last. This could take all night if Sam wants it to. I saw them do this once that took all weekend! Neither stopped for anything! And it wasn't a transformation weekend either. I just hope he doesn't get hurt."

"If Sam hurts Immanuel I'll kill him," Karen said fiercely.

"No Immanuel," Rachel whispered, shaking her head. "Sam. Sometimes he gets so caught up in trying to make sure he's stronger than Immanuel that he doesn't think. He'll run across the water, but not be fast enough and slip into it. Or he'll curve around a piece of machinery too close and nick himself. One time he looked back to watch Immanuel while jumping from tree to tree. They do it often enough, but he was getting cocky because Immanuel was falling behind and undershot his next foot placement. He fell out of the tree, but played it off that he was jumping out of it and continued running on the ground. He so prideful... Always has been."

Jacob walked by the open door of the gym and peaked in. A sinister smile spread across his face until he caught sight of Karen, Matt, Sara, and Rachel. He growled and mumbled something they couldn't hear. But then Sam's voice rang out, "Say one more word Jaken and you'll take Immanuel's place in here."

Immanuel added his two cents. "And my friends are not weak! Karen alone could kick your ass!"

"Sorry Sam!" Jacob called back, obviously not meaning it. He said nothing about or to Immanuel.

Rachel sighed. "No matter what I do, I can't get Jacob to like me. Or Immanuel! Just because I like Sam doesn't mean I agree with everything he does to Immanuel. I was Immanuel's friend before I became his sister. I wish he could see that."

"Don't worry too much Rachel," Matt said. "Immanuel doesn't get close to anyone. He's still distant with us sometimes. Karen's the only one really. And there's an obvious reason if I ever saw one."

A growl made the four turn their attention back tot he 'fight' going on before them. They saw Immanuel standing still in the middle of the floor before them as a once again visible Sam jumped over his head. "You're not to stop. I tell you when we've had enough. Unless... you're admitting defeat and stopping because you can't hack it."

"You know that's bull Sam," Immanuel spat. "I just can't take them anymore!" He pointed to where Rachel, Matt, Sara, and Karen were sitting. "They're so afraid something's going to happen that it's distracting me way too much. One or two, fine. But all four is nauseating." Karen didn't understand what Immanuel was saying. He found her nauseating? Not just her, all of them! Tears welled up in her eyes as she readied herself to run from the room. "Their fear is flooding from their bodies. The smell of it is making he sick. I can't allow my friends to be this afraid because you are insecure about the power you hold over me, no matter my appearance. You want to hear it? Fine. You're stronger than I am. You always have been. If that's what this is about then I quit. It was never about getting stronger than you; it was about surviving you."

Immanuel turned to face the four on the wall. He nodded his head toward the door and waited for them to walk out it so they could leave. Karen was the first one up, tears gone from her eyes now that she understood what he was saying. Sara and Matt followed quickly after. Rachel was the last one to stand, but she didn't follow. Immanuel didn't expect her to. As they neared the door, Sam appeared in front of it. "You don't leave until I tell you."

"Au contraire," Immanuel taunted. "I am in charge of every part of me save this." He picked up the beaded necklace he wore with one finger. "And you don't control that either. So, we will be going. Move." The two brothers stared each other down before Sam's gaze shifted to Karen.

"You have so much power that you don't even know about. I want him to train tomorrow. Make him train. You, Sara I believe your mother named you," Sam sneered, looking at Sara now. Matt moved in front of her slightly. "How cute. Save it boy. I wanted to tell her to train with Immanuel. He seemed to be doing an adequate job at that school of yours. Get out of my sight Immanuel. Your transformation sickens me."

"Only because I threaten you for some unknown reason, brother," Immanuel taunted. He pushed Karen and Sara forward a bit, Sara moving into Matt. They walked straight back to Immanuel and Matt's room. Immanuel lay down on his back in front of the armoire, his feet under the edge of it. He started doing sit-ups at a rapid pace. "Ask your questions, voice your outrage. That was nothing compared to his normal crap."

"This is illegal!" Karen shouted suddenly. "He can't treat you like this, he just can't!"

"There is nothing in the laws... that says my brother... cannot keep me from... hurting people... while I am like I am," Immanuel said between sit-ups. "That's what that was. He was keeping me focused on something that if it got hurt it could defend and heal itself. People around here and back home couldn't."

"You know," Matt said slowly, "in a sick and twisted way, he's showing he cares." He received a few weird looks that almost made him shut his mouth. "Well, it does! He cares enough about people around here to keep them safe. He cares enough about Immanuel to keep him from going truly crazy with these transformations. He cares enough about-"

"We get it," Sara said morosely. "And you're right: it is sick and twisted. So we will never speak of it again."

"Time for bed," Immanuel said, getting off the floor and walking over to Karen. He kissed her forehead and then walked to his bed. He lay down on it as he had earlier: on his back with his hands laced behind his head. He didn't make another sound or movement as his eyes closed with the exception of an occasional flick of an ear. Karen motioned for Sara to follow her, and before Sara complied, she kissed Matt good-night and trailed Karen through the bathroom, turning out the light on her way out. Matt went to his bag and pulled out the pants he would wear to bed. After changing, he crawled into bed and went to sleep.

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"That was uncalled for!" Rachel exploded once the others were gone. "You could have made him swim laps or lifted weights and you know it. And is he right? Is that why you treat him as you do? You're afraid he might be or get stronger than you? You're such a... a... I don't even know!" Rachel started to storm off to her room when Sam grabbed her by the top of her arms and crushed his lips against hers. When they parted, both were panting. "You can't do that yet," Rachel whispered, laying her head on his chest and closing her eyes. "Not until next year."

"I couldn't... Immanuel just... I got so riled up. I'm sorry Rachel," he apologized on a whisper. It wasn't something he normally did and it was hard to get the words out of his mouth. He could hear Jacob approaching and hugged Rachel quickly. "Off to bed with you. Summer or not, you kids need your sleep," he mocked.

Rachel just sighed and shook her head at his antics. Will it ever stop? The animosity between the two of you?

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Immanuel couldn't lay there anymore. His mind kept screaming at him: Mate! You need her! Go to your mate! Karen was too far away. He felt his demon side taking over. And Matt was too close. Immanuel stood swiftly and silently, and walked to the girls' room. He entered silently, not waking anyone, and moved to Karen's bed and stared down at her for a few moments. Then he lay down at the foot of her bed and curled in on himself. For the first time in a long time, Immanuel fell asleep on a transformation night. She's not my mate, he argued with himself. She's my girlfriend. For now.

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A/N: Okay! There ya go! I finished it this morning so I am sorry if there are any mistakes. I wanted to get it out right away. I will beta it tonight and fix it tomorrow if need be. So tell me if you find ANY mistakes! Any at all! I wanted to thank my reviewer phantomfandannyluver. Thank you! I know it's weird, but that's because I'm weird! Well, owari everyone! dpa06