Hey all. Thank you to everyone who reviewed and to those who read my stories. I apologize for the long wait. I was away on summer vacation for a while, and I've started a new story as well as tried to keep the others updated. Thank you for your patience. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 6:

I've been crying for days now-on and off. Father hasn't come to find me. I haven't tried to find him, either. He doesn't want me anymore. I wander through the forest aimlessly now. I could only imagine how much Jaken is loving this. The tiny imp finally got his wish. I walk around in a trance most of the time. I think of the person I loved the most in all the entire worlds…and then how I lost him. I think of father.

It's nearing dusk now. As I break out of one of my dazes, I notice a glow beyond the trees. I walk towards it. I don't know why though. I can hear voices and the sound of flesh connecting with flesh and the muttering of the word 'idiot'. I hide behind a large tree and peer around to where the glow is being produced. It's Kagome, and Inuyasha, and the little fox demon called Shippo. They're not alone. There are two humans with them and a cat demon. The tall, male human with black hair has a reddened cheek and the brown haired female is gritting her teeth in anger. The cat demon suddenly stands and growls, the hairs on it's back raised. Oh, no. It smelt me. The female demon looks at the cat. "What is it, Kilala?"

Inuyasha grows abruptly aware and stands up, drawing his sword. "It's a demon that's what. Can't you feel anything, Kagome?"

"I feel something…" she says.

The male human looks around. "But it's not evil."

I decide not to bother hiding myself, since they already know I'm here. I slowly and cautiously step out from behind the large tree. I walk closer to them but I don't say anything. "Oh," Kagome says. "It's you."

"You know her?" the other female says.

"Yeah, we've met," Inuyasha says angrily. "What are you doing here anyway, runt?" I shrug. I want to speak to him, but I don't know if he'll listen.

"Inuyasha, put your sword away." Kagome demanded.

"No way, Kagome. She's dangerous. I've seen her powers." Kagome blinked at him.

"Please, I cannot order you to do anything, but I'm not here to harm you." I say.

"Excuse me," the female says. "Who are you?"

"I am the daughter of Lord Sesshomaru."

"What?" asks the male. "Sesshomaru has a child?"

"Damn right he does." Inuyasha says.

"Inuyasha, put your sword away!" Kagome orders again. He shakes his head. She frowns. "Inuyasha…" before she can finish his eyes widen in fear and he sheathes his sword.

"Okay, okay."

"What are you doing here…uh…I'm sorry I don't know your name."

"Shika. I'm not sure what I'm doing here. I just found you by chance."

"Why aren't you with Sesshomaru?" I look at my feet and don't say anything. Inuyasha chuckles.

"You got him mad didn't you?" Inuyasha says. I nod. He sat back down by the fire, as did the others. The fox demon looked somewhat frightened and clung to Kagome.

"Sit down," Kagome offered in a friendly way. I sit but try not to get to close to anyone.

"So what'd you do?" Inuyasha inquired.

"I failed in showing respect and composure. I disgraced him." I answered.

"That oughta do it."

Shippo finally spoke up. "So Inuyasha is your uncle?" I nod.

"Well," the female held out her hand. "I'm Sango." I shook her hand.

"I'm Miroku." The male kissed my hand.

"Miroku," Inuyasha growled, warningly. The others remained silent.

"Just being friendly." Miroku said innocently.

Before anyone said anything else, I took my chance to speak. "Inuyasha…uh…uncle," he looked at me blankly. "I'm sort of glad I found you."

"You are?"

I nodded. "I wanted to apologize for what a called you when we met."

"You mean 'half-breed'?"

"Yes. It's not normal for me to shun anyone. I've always been accepting of demons, half-demons and humans. I just felt a little insulted when you said what you did about Lord Sesshomaru. I know my mother loved him with all her heart-"

"Loved? As in past tense?"

"Yes. My mother is dead. She died a long time ago. Please, I hope you will accept my most humble apologies. I don't wish to anger you." Inuyasha stared into the fire, saying nothing at all. Everyone remained silent, waiting. I bowed my head, and was about to leave when I heard his low voice mumble.

"Forget about it. I don't wanna remember it anymore than you do so just forget about it."

"Thank you." I smiled at him. Kagome looked at Inuyasha softly and smiled.

"Where's Sesshomaru? I don't want him finding you here and thinking I kidnapped you or anything."

"I wouldn't worry about that if I were you. If he wanted to find me he'd have done it by now."

"How long ago did you leave?" Kagome asked, startled.

"A week I think."

Inuyasha shook his head. "I can't believe that guy. He's turning you away, just like he did to me…and you're his kid!"

"It is sad," I admitted. "I spent so long tracking him down…I never thought it would end like this. I wanted to stay with him. I wanted to fight by his side…" I trailed off.

"That's awful," Shippo said teary-eyed. I smiled at him.

"Inuyasha," I said suddenly.

"Huh?"

"What was that light you created?"

He grinned, unmistakably proud. "That was the Windscar. It came from my Tetsusaiga."

"Tetsusaiga?"

"It was my father's sword, created from his fang."

"Like fathers Tensaiga?"

"Tensaiga was created from father's fang too, but it's opposite. My sword kills, his revives."

"Oh."

"Sesshomaru lost his arm fighting for this sword. Did he tell you that?"

I shook my head slowly. "He told me it was you that took his arm but that was about it."

"…What were you and Sesshomaru doing in that field anyways?"

"He was teaching me how to use my powers. That was my first lesson."

"Hm…seemed pretty powerful to me."

I smiled. "He called it my Elemental Blast Attack." It was silent for a while until I thought of something. "Are you searching for the demon Naraku as well?"

"You know about Naraku?" Sango asked.

I nodded. "Yes. I had planned on helping father defeat him…so you're all helping Inuyasha?"

"Yes," Sango answered. "Kagome's a priestess," I could tell. "Miroku's a…monk, and I'm a demon slayer."

"A demon slayer, huh?" She nodded. I looked from Shippo to Inuyasha and smiled at her. "You missed some." She smiled, as did everyone else.

Shippo jumped out Kagome's lap. "I help too!" he exclaimed, not wanting to be left out.

"How does running away from the demons help!" Inuyasha shouted.

Miroku shook his head. "Inuyasha, don't start. Myoga's much worse." Myoga? Totosai mentioned a Myoga.

"Inuyasha…I plan on heading on my way in the morning, but do you suppose it would be alright if I stayed with you tonight?"

Before he got a chance to answer Kagome spoke for him. "Of course it's alright. Right guys?" Sango, Miroku and Shippo all nodded. I looked to Inuyasha for his input but he didn't say anything. I kept watching him until he finally spun around.

"What!"

"You didn't answer me, yet." I replied calmly.

"Rrrr…they said it was alright didn't they!"

Kagome smiled. "That's his way of saying he doesn't mind."

"Kagome!" He yelled.

I smiled at her. "Thank you."

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I slept in a tree across from Inuyasha last night. Miroku mentioned something about similarities, but I wasn't paying attention. I was thinking about Lord Sesshomaru. I plan on trying to find him again and make amends. Inuyasha gave me hope last night. Maybe now that things have been smoothed over between me and Inuyasha, father will accept that I can fix my mistakes and take me back.

Inuyasha was already awake when I opened my eyes. He was still in the tree across from me, staring at me. Everyone else was still sleeping. I'll never forget the conversation we had. He told me that he believed I would make a worthy demon and that he didn't think he'd mind me being a part of what's left of his family. I also won't forget the way he smiled when I told him I felt the same way about him. When everyone else woke up, I said my goodbyes and left.

It only took me a day to find Lord Sesshomaru. He must not have traveled far for me to find him that quickly. When I presented myself Rin jumped up excitedly and Jaken muttered something under his breath. Father was present at the time. He didn't seem surprised by my sudden appearance at all. He must have sensed me coming. He looked at me coldly, although there was something else I couldn't quite place. As usual he was far away from Rin and Jaken. He was at the far end of the clearing. I smiled thinly as I walked over to him, bowing respectively as I stood before him. I cleared my throat. My heart thumped, threatening to break through my chest. "Father." I greeted him.

"Shika." He stared at me grimly.

"I wanted to tell you that I found Inuyasha and I've spoken with him. I felt great need to apologize and explain my behavior. We've come to accept each other and I…" I trailed off again.

"Go on. Finish what you start."

I lowered my gaze. "I…hope you can forgive me."

"Do you at all realize-"

"That I disgraced you? Yes. I'm sorry, Lord Sesshomaru."

"Shika, why do you so often refer to me as Lord Sesshomaru and not father?"

I'm taken aback for a moment. "I'm…not used to saying father. I've never had to call anyone that before."

"I will not forget the what you've done Shika. But I will not hold it against you…this time. Try to restrain yourself."

"Yes father. I'll do my best, but it is hard sometimes."

"You think it was easy for me to not kill Inuyasha for putting my life and the life of my only daughter in harms way? You must learn."

"Yes, sir. Thank you."

The sun had set quite a while ago. Rin and Jaken are both asleep. As I turn to find a tree to sleep in father speaks again. "And Shika," I turn back to him. His expression is still emotionless but there is honesty, sincerity and warning in his voice. "Don't worry me again."

"Sorry, father." I say quickly, stunned by his words. "Good night, father." I hurried away and jumped into the best tree I could find at the edge of the clearing. Father worried? About me? Why didn't he try to find me then? Maybe that's why he didn't travel far. Perhaps he anticipated my return? Whatever the case, I love my father. Nothing will tear us apart ever again. I will fight by his side and I will make him proud.