a quick note from the author

Hi. I am glad you all have been enjoying my story, despite it's being kinda dragged out. But I assure you that things will start to pick up. Please be patient, the good parts are coming up in the next chapter especially. This is the last 'teaser chapter.' --'Sana'

Days later, Inuyasha seemed to be back to normal on the outside. But both Inukasumi and Kagome sensed that something was... different about him. He seemed nervous the way he kept looking back and forth, and how even though he was constantly close to his sister, he barely looked at her. Kagome felt her heart ache when she looked at him, because she knew something awful was going on. But poor Inukasumi, who was known to blame herself in situations such as this, figured that she had done something wrong but was too afraid to confront Inuyasha. The last time she did, he had snapped at her and that was when this whole thing had started.

"Oniichan," she asked, "You know that I love you, right?"

Inuyasha sighed. "Yes."

"You still love me, right? Even though I..."

Inuyasha froze. Did she know? Who told her! "Even though you what!" He asked.

"...Even though I am making you so mad."

"You're not making me mad, Inukasumi." He sighed, both in relief and anxiety, "It's..."

"I know it's me. I can tell. I know im annoying and that I don't know much about what's going on, but--"

"Inukasumi! Just... Stop talking!" Inuyasha said, "The only thing that's wrong with you is that you keep asking what's wrong! You need to realize that I don't like talking to people about things. It's how I am. It's not for you to judge." Inukasumi stared at her brother in terrified adoration. Tears welled up in her eyes. Inuyasha turned around.

"Don't blame yourself, okay?" He said, "It's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself." He got up and walked away hastily. It wasn't her fault that her mother bonded with Naraku. It wasn't her fault that he had to kill Naraku, and it wasn't her fault that her mother couldn't be saved. Whenever he thought of it, he knew he had to tell her, but how could he tell her? She already blamed herself for everything, what would she do if she knew the truth?

"Myoga," He called out to his left lock of hair, "Tell me what I should do."

Myoga hopped out. "You can't tell her. Not yet."

"But she thinks I hate her!"

"But you don't." Myoga stated, "If she found out--"

"--I know, I know. But it's her family, too. It's her mother, and if she finds out too late something bad might happen."

Myoga groaned. "Now isn't the right time. She's too unstable at the moment."

"Fine. Let her go through her life not knowing. It's not right. We're being just as devious as Naraku keeping this from her!"

"My loooord..." Myoga pleaded, "She will find out eventually, just give it time! Be patient, my lord..."

...Miles away, in the mountains, Lord Tatewaki (whom you better know as the demon Naraku) was lying down, watching the mirror Kanna held.

"What's your obsession with this girl?" Kagura sighed, "It's only another weakling demon to Inuyashas band of misfits."

Naraku shook his head. "No, she is something more. Something different." He said.

"Like what?" Kagura asked. Naraku remained silent. Kagura frowned. "What do you want with her?"

"I want you to bring her to me." Naraku ordered.

"You mean now?"

"Did I say tomorrow? Yes, I mean now." Naraku spat, "Go find them."

Kagura groaned and leapt out the window, summoning her feather. She soared down the mountain with the speed and grace of the wind.

Naraku continued to watch Inukasumi on the mirrors surface. He felt something whenever he looked at her... something he never remembered feeling before. It felt a lot like fear. Fear... and longing. But longing for what? She was certainly familiar, but he had never seen her before. He had to see her in person. He had to see this girl who made him feel this way... and determine what she was.