AUTHOR'S NOTES
There was some problem when I uploaded the last chapter but I did fix it so if you happened to have read it before I found out about the problem, you should be able to read it now. Apparently not all of the chapter was loaded up…

If I just confused you then ignore me! But if there ever is an error in the update could you reply to say that there was an error, becausae I'll gladly fix it, but I can't fix it if I don't know something's wrong! And it'd be nice for you to reply anyways because it's just the polite thing to do.

Okay, I never edited this chapter because I've been really lazy lately. And I know that's a really lame excuse but with all the stress in my life lately I'm pretty lazy when I get the chance to do so, so…. yeah. Besides, Ravyn wrote this whole entire chapter so if there are any errors it's her fault, not mine! Ha!

Anyways, I don't really remember much about this chapter… it's been a while. What I do remember of it was that it was originally part of chapter twelve but that chapter was so long I had to cut out a part to make Chapter Thirteen. So if the beginning seems a bit choppy that'd be why. (This seems to be happening a lot lately… or maybe that's just me).

And while I'm at it, Ravyn made an AMV for our fan fic. An AMV is short for an Anime Music Video: you take a song, and a bunch of clips from an anime show, put it together and tada! You've got an AMV! They're really cool and Ravyn basically got a bunch of pictures together that deal with our fan fic and made one for Yoshiko and Sesshomaru (Yoshiko isn't in the real show so all pictures of her are drawn…but they're not ugly looking or anything). Anyways, if you DO want to download it, just go to anime the spaces, of course). You'll have to register but it's free and no hassle, despite the fact they ask to donate money… it's called "Where Are You Now, Sesshomaru" and it uses the Michelle Branch song "Where Are You Now." I'm not trying to advertise or anything, I'm just saying Ravyn made the AMV and it's available for you to get. You don't have to get it if you want, I really don't care. But AMV's are seriously really cool so I'd check the website anyways. Then again, I'm really into music… but whatever. You have a fan fic to read! So read, enjoy, and reply of course!

DISCLAIMER
When hell freezes over I'll own InuYasha. Last time I checked hell wasn't freezing over, but you never know with the Global Warming. Anything from the shows and manga by Rumiko Takahashi (sorry if that's spelled wrong, I'm just spelling it out of the top of my head) she owns, not me. Or Ravyn. We're just borrowing. Don't mind us! Though I think if hell freezes over I should at least be able to date InuYasha if that's not too much to ask… and I guess Ravyn can have Sesshomaru. I guess he's a nice guy and all, but just so not my type (except when his eyes go all red because he's about to transform. Then I beg to differ). However, anything you DON'T recognize from the works of Rumiko Takahashi and VIZ and whoever makes it in Japan we own and you cannot have or we'll have no choice but to borrow the Tetsusaiga and blow you to pieces with the Wind Scar.

Anyways, I'm done writing my novel. You can go read my other novel, which is this fan fic. Cheers!
-
Chapter Thirteen: Mix Emotions

She had been young when she had first met Raoul. He had been a young farmer not too much younger than herself. Despite the obvious fact that she was part demon the young man had gone out of his way to make her feel invited in the village. At first it was uncomfortable because it reminded her of Godric and she head a lot of news about her younger brother.

But soon she found herself accepting the flowers and smiling at Raoul. The slightest touch made her face go red and for a while she forgot that any part of her was demon. She just wanted to be human, for him. In a way he wanted to make himself far more acceptable for her too. Flowers just didn't seem to be enough anymore.

So he started to build a house somewhat in the woods for them. Sometimes people came to help but mostly Raoul working on his own. She had known about it and often went down to spy on him. It was on one of these days that she watched as an ogre attacked. She tried to fend it off but Raoul had been reckless and gotten himself seriously injured. He died in her arms.

For days she wandered aimlessly when she stumbled across a woman with long black hair and brown eyes. She knew right away that this was a priestess but how she didn't know. The priestess seemed to understand the pain in her eyes and asked her to explain what had happened. When she had finished the priestess had given her some simple words of advice:

"Love is a complicated thing and sometimes it has a way of knocking you off your feet when you feel like you're on the right track. Maybe that was nature's way of telling you that there was someone else out there for you. But I know, for a while, this will only be words to you."
-
As Yoshiko's opened her eyes, her hand closed around two smooth rocks. Moaning, she sat up and looked down at her hands where a blue stone and a green stone lay. In surprise she recognized the green one as an Earth Stone, a stone very much like the one her father had once had. Yoshiko looked around the hut but saw no sign that any of the others were there. She thought at first that maybe they were off in the village but soon an old lady walked into the hut.

"Who are you?" asked Yoshiko, taking a cup of water the old lady offered her.

"My name is Kaede. I am a friend of InuYasha," explained the old lady, sitting down next to Yoshiko.

"Kaede… Aren't you Kikyo's little sister?" asked Yoshiko thoughtfully.

"Aye that I am. Ye knew my sister?" asked Kaede.

"I met her once. She gave me some advice on a topic I didn't even think she knew that much about. But it was good advice," muttered Yoshiko, taking a sip of the water. "Lady Kaede, where is InuYasha?"

"They left two days ago. You've been unconscious for five days," said Kaede.

"No wonder I'm so hungry."

"InuYasha wanted me to tell ye when ye awoke that Sesshomaru came to see ye," said Kaede, ladling out some soup from the pot over the fire. "He seemed awfully worried about ye and wanted ye to go see him when ye awakened. If it had not been for he ye would probably not have awaken."

"Does InuYasha want to get rid me so badly that he's willing to send me off to Sesshomaru?" laughed Yoshiko, eating a bit of the soup.

"He also says that it wasn't Sesshomaru who—" started Kaede.

"I know. It wasn't Sesshomaru. The person that attacked me was way too slow, the sword didn't look like Sesshomaru's and Sesshomaru doesn't have blue eyes," said Yoshiko, waving this away. She sighed and finished off her soup, wondering why exactly InuYasha had left her behind.
-
Trying to find Sesshomaru was like finding a needle in a haystack: it just wasn't possible. The best thing Yoshiko could do was walk around for a couple of hours and hope he would find her. As she was walking she found herself listening to a very odd sound. It was almost as if somebody was running so fast that their feet weren't touching the ground but they were moving and make noise. At first she willed it to be Sesshomaru but she knew almost at once that it wasn't. Suddenly right in front of her path came a whirlwind, which stopped and in its place stood Koga the wolf demon. In an instant Yoshiko's dagger was in her hand, ready to throw.

"What do you want?" snapped Yoshiko.

"I smelt your blood and followed it all the way over here," shrugged Koga. "Is mutt-face not treating you right?"

"No, it was my own stupid fault. I hesitated in a fight and got injured," muttered Yoshiko.

"Well, you're alive and that's all that really matters. Now, where exactly were you headed all alone?" asked Koga, grinning.

"I'm looking for somebody," explained Yoshiko, causing Koga to frown.

"You're not looking for dog-boy, are you?"

"No," said Yoshiko shortly. "Now, I don't have time for this. Leave me alone!"

"Why?" asked Koga, raising his eyebrows.

Right away Yoshiko thought about attacking the wolf demon. But a hand on her shoulder caused her to stop and spin around. Her eyes went wide when she found herself looking into the face of none other than Sesshomaru. His eyes swept over her as if checking to see if she was all right. In a way she did the same thing, but also to make sure it was him. Yoshiko noticed the bandage around his left shoulder but got no chance to question Sesshomaru about them.

"Your not nearly in the shape to be in a fight," said Sesshomaru softly, causing Yoshiko's heart to beat faster.

"Look who's talking. The one that made me train for three days right after I had gotten injured!" laughed Yoshiko, looking away.

"Those were ordinary injuries. This one is not," said Sesshomaru.

"You're InuYasha's older brother, aren't you?" said Koga.

"What is it to you?" asked Sesshomaru, as Yoshiko put her dagger away.

Koga shrugged as his eyes flickered to Yoshiko's face. She was trying, with difficulty, to keep herself from blushing. Sesshomaru's hand was still on her shoulder and, though nice, it was causing her heart to beat faster and faster.

"Can't seem to make up your mind? Do you hang out with dog-boy and his friends or him?" asked Koga.

"Well… um…" muttered Yoshiko, now going red. "InuYasha kind of left me behind. Not that I blame him. I haven't been that trustworthy. Keeping secrets, disappearing all the time…"

"We should get going," said Sesshomaru, taking Yoshiko's arm and started to walk back into the woods.

"I don't think so! She's my woman!" snapped Koga.

Sesshomaru stopped and took his hand off Yoshiko's arm, to her relief (and disappointment). He turned toward Koga, his eyes narrowed. The wolf demon's hand moved to his sword as Sesshomaru advanced on him. Yoshiko found herself completely confused as Sesshomaru just stared Koga down almost as if he didn't like the idea that Koga liked her.

'I must not have healed completely yet. Maybe I've gotten a fever again,' thought Yoshiko.

"Leave," said Sesshomaru.

Yoshiko knew that Koga was quite stubborn and could definitely see a fight coming along. But the thing was that Sesshomaru was faster than Koga that he would probably cut off the wolf demon's head before he even drew his sword. Sure enough Koga started to draw his sword but Sesshomaru reached out and grabbed his wrist.

"We don't have to stoop to this. Just leave," he said.

"Fine. But I will come back!" snapped Koga, shooting Yoshiko one more glance before leaving in a gust of wind.

"There is only one reason he can run that fast," said Yoshiko. "He has a Wind Stone."

"It's best to keep the stones separated so Kamatari can't get them all at once," said Sesshomaru, staring after Koga.

"Yeah, he may be a jerk but he's still more on our side than on his side," said Yoshiko.

"Come. Rin is waiting," said Sesshomaru, walking into the trees.
-
Despite the obvious fact that Yoshiko had been otherwise occupied when the demon had attack Sesshomaru in her form he couldn't help but be wary. Ever since that day things hadn't felt right, as if something that he had kept locked up had come out and there was no way to put it back. It hadn't been his idea to see Yoshiko again; it had seriously been Rin's. If he could have helped it he would have avoided the half-demon all together. But since Rin felt like she needed to see Yoshiko to know if it had been her who attacked Sesshomaru had promised to check things out later.

When he smelt her blood, however, he lost all reason and had rushed off to find her. He had not thought about having to talk to InuYasha and his friends only that he may be able to keep Yoshiko alive. The only person before Yoshiko that he had ever felt so strongly about had been Rin. But then Rin had been kind to him and taken care of him even though she didn't have to. What has Yoshiko ever done for him? He owed her no debt for her life. Jaken had made it out to seem that he saved her life so she would owe him but that had never crossed his mind.

'Then why is it that I want her to look at me but when she does I look away?' thought Sesshomaru in frustration, watching as Rin ran forward to hug Yoshiko.

He sighed and started walking forward when Yoshiko turned toward him, smiling. Her face seemed like it was lit up from the inside and her eyes shone like emeralds. Sesshomaru paused pondering whether to look away or to continue watching. Standing not too far away was Jaken who had his arms crossed and looked upon the girls disapprovingly. Shaking his head he turned to Sesshomaru who finally started walked off.

"Well! Are you coming or not?" cried Jaken.

"Of course, Master Jaken. We're right be hind you!" called Rin.

For most of the time Sesshomaru found himself trying his best to avoid Yoshiko. It helped that she spent most of her day with Rin and her nights resting. He found himself wondering of what the point of bringing her along was. But when he saw the smile on Rin's face he knew for certain the reason. Besides that he felt calmer with her around, something that only caused to confuse him more.

One night he found himself standing not too far from where she sat against a tree, eyes closed, apparently asleep. The moon glinted in her orange hair, making it shine. As he continued to watch Sesshomaru suddenly thought to run his hand through her hair. But before he even started to move his hand Rin started to moan in her sleep and Yoshiko's eyes flew open instantly. She turned toward the sleeping girl's figure and gave a sort of half smile.

"Hey Rin," she said, moving a bit of black hair out of the girl's face.

Rin continued to mumble a few inaudible things while Yoshiko sat next to her, just stroking her hair. The girl's eyes were just starting to open when she cried out, "Mommy!" Yoshiko's eyes opened in surprise as Rin, still in a half sleep, sat up and started hugging her. When Rin's eyes finally opened Yoshiko had her sit in her lap.

"I though you were my mother," muttered Rin.

"You must have been dreaming," said Yoshiko, smiling, but still a little shaken by the sudden hug.

"It started out as a nightmare," sighed Rin. But suddenly she looked up at Yoshiko, smiling. "But it ended in a dream. Mother always told me that after I had a nightmare that she would be there when I woke up."

"What?" said a startled Yoshiko. "But I'm not-"

"Only my mother held me like this," murmured Rin, closing her eyes and resting her head against Yoshiko's shoulder. "Hey! It's almost the half moon," she added before falling asleep.

At Rin's last words, Yoshiko turned to look over her shoulder at the moon. The almost half moon reflected in her green eyes and her eyes narrowed. For the first time she seemed to actually notice that Sesshomaru was there. This time she didn't smile at him, but frowned. She sighed, leaning her back against the tree again.

"I should probably go tomorrow."

"Why?" asked Sesshomaru.

"Sueko's probably wondering where I am. Plus… there are other reasons," shrugged Yoshiko, looking back down at the sleeping Rin. "It's not like I'm just going to disappear. Maybe I'll leave around noon."

"If you want," muttered Sesshomaru, turning away.

"Are you okay?"

In surprise Sesshomaru looked over his shoulder to see Yoshiko looking at him with her eyebrows raised. He frowned at the same time she did.

"Why?" he asked.

"You've been awfully quiet, even for you. Plus you've been practically avoiding me since Koga!" snapped Yoshiko. "I don't like awkwardness! It makes me…" She paused and ran a hand through her hair, sighing. "It makes me feel like I didn't something wrong…"

As she trailed off she looked up and away, back toward the moon. Sesshomaru found himself wondering if maybe he should say something. But even if he did what would he say? He hardly even understood any of this himself. Finally he eyes moved away from Yoshiko up to the moon. What was there to say that she didn't all ready know?
-
"Must you leave, Lady Yoshiko?" asked Rin, practically hanging off the half tiger demon's arm.

"I can't hang around here all day. There are things I have to do!" cried Yoshiko, trying so hard not to laugh.

"What's so important that you can't do with us?" cried Rin, pulling on Yoshiko's hand.

"Well I have other friends I need to help. I'll come back though!" assured Yoshiko.

"You said that last time," complained Rin, dropping Yoshiko's hand and looking down at the ground.

"And I came back," laughed Yoshiko.

For a minute Rin did nothing but then she lifted up her head, grinning and said, "Right!"

"So you take care of yourself, okay? See you later!" called Yoshiko, waving at Sesshomaru and running off.

She didn't pause long enough to see if Sesshomaru would show any sign of noticing her departure. Most likely he wouldn't even give her a sign. At the most a small flicker of the eyes at her retreating back. If so she wouldn't even notice. She sighed and hung her head. It wasn't until she almost ran into a tree that she looked up again.

"Great! Now I have to figure out where I am!" cried Yoshiko, looking around. "What is up with him anyways? He's worried about me for ten seconds then suddenly doesn't seem to care that I'm within ten feet of him! Why do I even care?"

She moaned and hit her head against a tree just to try getting herself focused again. As she straightened up she heard somebody take a step forward. In a flash Yoshiko turned around, her sword drawn, just to find herself completely alone. For a minute she stood there but no other sign came of another person. Not even in the trees. Giving it up for a bird or some wild animal she sheathed her sword and continued to travel back to Kaede's village.

As always walking alone left a lot of time for thought. But as Yoshiko walked she didn't think about her brother. In fact she didn't think too far back than a couple of months. No this time she thought about Sesshomaru. Why was it that she had hesitated when that… thing that looked like Sesshomaru had attacked her? She had known it wasn't him. Yes it had taken a while but she figured it out. But there had been a part of her that hadn't seemed sure. Didn't want to make that mistake.