Inuyasha was putting up a good fight. "He is quit troublesome with that sword of his, but if I dispose of it. . . " Aaka thought as she block the sword with her staff. She could change it to a sword but chose not to. Aaka then flipped backwards as to get out of the way of the blade. "Hmm. You have become weaker Inuyasha, or is it that I have become much stronger?" Aaka thought to herself noticing that he wasn't what he used to be. Inuyasha didn't know that she was toying with him. He took an upward swing at her stomach, or so she thought. His true intension was to knock her weopon out of her hand. Which he accomplished. "Heh. Now let's see how well you fight without your dumb twig." he smirked. "Do you think Inuyasha can beat her?" Shippo asked. "I hope so." Kagome said worried, "But what I don't get is why she seems angry at Inuyasha when they've just met." By this time Aaka decided to cut to the chase. Inuyasha had managed to get in a few hits but nothing to terrible. He, however, was bruised and battered from head to toe. Kagome wasn't sure what to do, and just as she was about to run between the two fighters to stop them someone came out from the bushes. "STOP!" hollered a gruff voice. Everyone looked in the direction that Kagome and Shippo were taking cover. An old wolf demon stumbled out from the thickets. "My-lady. I'm so glad I've found you." He huffed. "What is it you want elder can't you see I'm busy?" she said somewhat irritaited. "He's not who you think my-lady." "What do ou mean?" Of course he is. He looks, smells, and acts just like the same murderous hanyo I ran into years ago." she glared at Inuyasha. He would have struck her down but was too worn out and was starting to loose a little blood. Kagome ran to him. "Inuyasha is not a murderer!" "Yeah! Sure he can be a bully but not a murderer." Shippo chimmed in. "Silent!" Aaka growled. "My-lady look at your hands." "What there a little bloody just like I'd always imagined they'd be when we'd meet again." she said looking at Inuyasha for a second. "There not burning. . .are they?" Then it clicked. "No. . .no there not!" she said shocked she could forget such a thing. "Anything else that you notice my-lady?" he asked. Aaka noticed the scent of the air and in shock said, "The smell is not the same! It should smell like poison and the poison should be burning like the eternal fires of hell where the blood is touching!" "Whats going on Kagome?" Shippo asked. "I dont know." she said confused, "Excuse me but-" Inuyasha fell unconcious from exhaustion and partly from blood lose. "Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled catching him. "Elder you stay and stop the bleeding. I shall go and get help." Aaka then looked at the three travlers, "I am terrible sorry for the grave mistake I have made, but your friend is good hands." She then ran off towards the den.

Hours later Inuyasha was bandaged and placed in a room to himself to heal. The others were treated to a meal. "You must please excuse Mrs. Aaka for what she did. Your friend, Inuyasha, will be okay." said the old wolf demon. "Of course Inuyasha will be fine. Afterall he's been up against bigger demons, right Kagome?" asked Shippo as he stuffed his face. "Yeah." Kagome said. She had a lot on her mind, "What does Aaka have against Inuyasha, I wonder?" Kagome thought to herself. Meanwhile outside the den Aaka was thinking over things too: "I don't get it. How could I make such a mistake." she scorned herself. It was a beautiful afternoon. So Aaka decided to go for a walk. She also had something to do. The two got done eating, and that's when the old wolf decided he tell all. "Here let me show you around the den." he said motioning them to follow. "Mrs. Aaka feels horrible for what she did, but you must be wondering why she did it in the first place?" he said sparking Kagome's interest. "Well, yes." she said curious. "Hm. I could start were she first met Inuyasha, but for you understand her better I shall start from the beginning." he said as they walked down a wide corridor. "Aaka was the smallest of the last litter her parents, Kapu and Silver, would have. Now don't get me wrong she wasn't the runt. However the real runt died of sickness so Aaka, being the second smallest, well took the spot. The others picked on her, but loved her nontheless. Soon the pups were old enough to choose. They could go start their own pack or stay home." "Aaka stayed didn't she?" asked Shippo. "Yes. She was the only one. She loved her parents more than anything in the world, which is why she decided to stay. Just a few weeks later after Aaka decided to hunt alone her parents were killed." he paused. "How awful." Kagome said sad to hear such a thing. "She naturally took the heir to Okami Paradise, though she was young she was the best leader we've ever had. I guess she had to be. Not only to prove to her siblings, herself or us. But to prove to her deceased parents that she was truly rightful to the throne. All she ever wanted was to make them happy. Well years later she was ready to seek her revenge on the murderer of her parents. He was a rich and powerful Emperor."

While the elder told of the battle Aaka was at the graveyard. "So many great wolve's lie here. Hiten you died a glorious death." she said looking over his tombstone, "But you. . . Kazu. Did not deserve to die. You were a loyal friend. I. . .did not deserve someone like you. Your death shalt be in vain. I promise this, until the murderer is brought down, or until I die trying to avenge you." Aaka took a moment of silence and then headed back to the den. By now the elder, Shippo, and Kagome were at the mouth of the den looking upon the forest. "So you see that is why Aaka attacked your friend so." the old wolf finished. "Wow what a story." Shippo said. "Poor Aaka." Kagome said sympathetically. "Oh don't worry about her. She has found happiness his name is-" "Elder! Let's not go into ALL of my life's stories." Aaka said stopping him. "Oh my-lady you have returned." he said, "Well enjoy your stay. I shall go tend to your friend." he said leaving. "Heh. I guess he told you about my sad life, huh?" Aaka asked with a smile. "Uh-huh. It's okay though it answered my question." Kagome said. "Um. Mrs.Aaka." "You can just call me Aaka." she corrected him. "Oh okay." Shippo said, "Did you ever open the box Kazu gave you?" This question starteled Aaka, but she did not show that emotion for more than a second. ". . .No. Why do you ask?" Shippo suddenly felt he shouldn't have asked that question. "Oh uh just wondering." he said trying to cover his tracks. Aaka then patted his head and smiled at him to make him feel better. "She seems so sad. Even when she smiles. It must be hard loosing so many people she cared so much for." Kagome thought. That's when an idea hit her. "HEY! I have a great idea!" she said enthusiastically. "How about you come with us and we can help you find this murderer your looking for, so you can avenge your friend?" Aaka seemed to like this idea. Except there was a few problems. The culprit was long gone and would probably return if she left with them he might come back. She couldn't just leave her pack could she?

That night everyone had a nice peaceful sleep. Well with the exception of Inuyasha who wouldn't listen to the old wolf's wisdom. "Listen here you old fart! I'm not done here. I don't care if I'm hurt cause when i'm through here you'll be messing with Her wounds instead of mine!" Inuyasha struggled to get out. "You young hethen! Listen to me before you get yourself killed!" he yelled back. All this camotion woke up Redeen. He stopped in to see what the problem was. "Yo, old man what's goin' on?" he said with a yawn. "Lemme' Go!" Inuyasha pushed the old demon out of the way and trudged onward. "Why you!" the old demon said shocked. "That wasn't very kind of ya'." Redeen said leaning in the doorway. "Says you." Inuyasha replied. Redeen didn't like this so he tripped Inuyasha. "Why look the hanyo can't even walk." he then bent down and whispered to Inuyasha, "Oh and by the way don't cause no trouble here. Most of all lay one hand on Mrs. Aaka and you WILL die." he then walked over and helped the old wolf demon up. This enraged Inuyasha and he charged at Redeen. They started to squable, until a menacing voice stopped them both in their tracks. "Stop this nonsense AT ONCE! I will not allow any of this in my den!" Redeen quickly bowed as Inuyasha turned around to see who it was. "Sorry my-lady I was just-" "You were just leaving." she finished his sentence. "Uh Yes My-lady." he bowed and left, but on his way out gave Inuyasha a warning glare. "So have ya come to lecture or fight?" Inuyasha said ready for another round. "Neither." she looked at him. His wounds re-opened from moving around so much, "Your wounds are never going to heal. Follow me." "Huh? Why should I?" he said confused. "If you want to be healed sooner then I suggest you'll do as I say." She said walking off. Inuyasha was in some pain and figured if she healed him he would be ready for any other stunts her of her pack might pull. He followed her down many corridors until they were at the mouth of the den. She stopped and asked if he could go on further. He just answered by walking. They walked deep into the forest and soon came to a river. There they went over a bridge and soon enough came to a large clearing. "Take your bandages off here." she said as she took a seat on the soft earth and waited, "Your quiet lucky that there is a full moon, otherwise you'd be out of luck." Inuyasha did as he was told and they walked on. "What's the dumb moon got to do with it?" he asked. "You'll see soon enough." she answered. They got to a shrine. "So this is themoon shrine? Looks small and broken down." Inuyasha said displeased. "Heh. You have no idea." she said with a smirk. She then took both hands and placed them in two clear parts of the door where the thorns refused to grow. The thorns slowly moved and took the shape of her hands as they pricked her skin. The door soaked up the blood and opened. "This way please." they walked down a flight of stairs. There was a small under water pond in the cavern. All around it were statues of late rulers of Okami Paradise. A mist shrowded the water, which sparkled like crystals. "This water is moon water. Many, Many years ago a gaint rock crashed from the heavens here, carrying ice from the moon. It soon melted and can heal even the most death defying wounds." She explained and then pointed to the water. "Take a seat at the far end and soak until all your wounds are gone." "How long is this gonna' take?" Inuyasha said impatiently "Depends on the patient, and you have no need to take your clothes off, the water will not soak them on a full moon." she walked back up the stairs and went ourside. Inuyasha went to the far end of the pond and noticed as he soaked a faint light. There was a small hole in the ceiling that allowed the moonlight to shine through. Out of nowhere a beautiful tune filled the air. This tune was also heard at the den. The night was peaceful again and all seemed right with the world. For the time being.