Author note; I don't usually post one of these, but I thought this is special occasion enough. I would like to personally thank all of you who've reviewed any of my stories. So far, I have received 18 reviews! It makes me so happy that you like my work enough to encourage me to write more. And without further adue (or whatever), chapter 4!

The basket swung lightly as Kiita walked down the path to the village. She was wearing her tan work haori, and had tied her hair back with a baby blue ribbon that matched the one around her waist. Kiita was going over the list of things to pick up in her head.

"Get eggs from Mr. Yukigima, Beef and pork from the Okahwas . . ." She reached the village and picked up the food from all the houses (there was about twenty). She wasn't supposed to, but Kiita always insisted on paying. The food and herbs were supposed to be offering for the Great Demon of the Western Lands, in return for the safety of their village. The money Kiita gave was her own, not Sesshomaru's, earned from little jobs here and there. Lord Sesshomaru had no idea. With her basket full and her first morning chore done, Kiita found that she had some extra yen. She looked over her shoulder at the village. Then she turned around and headed into Jaken's favorite shop.

Kiita held up the little charm as she walked back the path to the castle. Jaken was sure to like the little carved toad. It was supposed to ward off illness. The little mayoke held a bell in its mouth and jingled as Kiita walked. She giggled at the sound. It would be perfect for her little friend. She held her basket in the crook of her elbow while she dangled the trinket, making it jingle. Then her ears twitched to the left, to the foliage. Kiita stopped dead in her tracks, and the charm was silenced. Rouge youkai? Vengeful spirit? Her hands began shaking. Lord Sesshomaru had never battle trained her. Kiita slowly turned to the sound, whispering to herself, "Please be a doge, please be a dog . . ."

She was now facing the bushes, doing her best not to faint. She wanted to run, but she was frozen. The rustling grew louder and a figure stepped out, closely followed by two others. The first youkai was huge roughly twice Kiita's size (who was a good 5'4). He was a panther-like demon, with black fur and green eyes. A sheath hung on a belt about his waist, carrying a mighty sword. His two companions were both hideous ogres. Their fangs pushed past their lips while drool pooled at their feet. One was blue, one was red. They were probably brothers. Or sisters, Kiita couldn't tell. Not that her mind was on that anyway. She was thinking more about the lumbering figure before her and the damage he could inflict on her with a finger, let alone with a sword and two goons to help. The panther looked down at Kiita and sneered. Kiita gulped

"You?" He laughed, shaking the trees and sending Kiita down on her tail.

"Ow!"

"You are the mighty demon who now possesses the jewel? You are no more than a twig!"

"J-jewel? What do y-you mean, jewel?" Kiita had never owned any jewels. Perhaps he was referring to her black-pearl comb? The panther demon looked at her as if she'd just said something stupid.

If you haven't guessed, Kiita has no idea that she carries the Jewel of Four Souls

"You," he thundered, "Are an ignorant twig." He seemed annoyed. Kiita inched her hand behind her and pulled her body back. She did this as slowly as she could, trying not to attract too much attention. What was he talking about? Was her comb so valuable? Either way, she had no intention of giving him what he wanted, whatever it was. The rebellion must have shown on her face, for the panther scowled deeply.

"I suppose I'll get it my way then." The panther took hold of the hilt of his sword and drew its full length. Kiita's mind swirled with the realization. She was about to die. Then her mind found a choice. She took it. Kiita screamed as loud as she could, setting the demon off guard. In his hesitation, Kiita took the chance to run. She struggled to her feet and shot off through the woods to her right. She ran blindly, not caring where she'd end up, where she was going, only that she escaped the three monsters rumbling behind her.

"Help! Somebody!" Tears streamed down Kiita's face. She felt something graze her arm, and then felt something wet and warm. She caught the scent. Blood. The sword had sliced her arm. How bad was it? Kiita didn't look to find out. If the panther demon was close enough to leave her bleeding, how much closer would he be if she paused? Then she heard the "shing" of the blade as it whistled through the air. It caught something, and she felt a weight lift off her arm. She turned her head. Was her arm gone? No!

"Oh, the basket!" Kiita watched as the basket was trampled on and left in the dirt. That was a whole month's worth of food! Kiita was still turned around when her foot caught an upturned root. Down she went, her arms outstretched, catching her fall. She screamed as she felt the Panther and his ogres close in on her.

"Now that's not fair!" Kiita heard the voice and gingerly looked up. Then she heard a yelp from what sounded like the panther, followed by a thud that made the ground beneath her vibrate. Then the voice again.

"My, my. That's no way to pick up ladies."

Kiita turned to see another demon facing a now fallen panther demon. But, this new one looked, almost human!

"Hey, if you wanted a dance," then new demon ran up to the panther, who was regaining his balance and standing, "You should've just asked!" He delivered a swift kick to the panther demon's face, sending him reeling. The panther's back hit a tree with a loud crack. He was silent and blood spilled down his jaw. The ogres, who had been quietly watching their master's death, ran through the brush, yelping and whimpering all the way.The strong, man-looking demon watched them run.

"HaHA! You keep runnin', ya whelps! Hahaha!"

The new demon turned around and faced Kiita. She yelped and flung her head back to the ground, covering it with her hands. She heard footsteps coming toward her and they stopped next to her ears.

"Those ears look just like InuYasha's. Hmm, come to think of it, I haven't seen him lately." Then Kiita felt his hands wrap around her wrists. She screamed and sobbed into the dirt, kicking her legs on the ground like a three-year-old throwing a tantrum.

"Hey, calm down. I just wanna help. Your arm is bleeding." She lifted her head just enough so he could see her eyes glaring at him. She had stopped crying.

"I know," she said flatly. He smirked.

"How much did the sash around your waist cost?"

"I wouldn't know."

"Okay, then," He pulled at her wrists until she was standing, then he quickly undid the sash.

"Eeep!" What was this black-haired, blue-eyed demon going to do to her? Rape her? Kiita didn't want to find out. As soon as the demon was looking away, Kiita ran off. Two feet. She felt a hand close tightly around her wrist, though not tight enough to hurt. Kiita turned to look at the stranger. She gave him her best death glare. He just laughed, which only made her madder. Kiita tried wrenching her arm free, but to no avail.

"Arrgh! Let GO!" Kiita came down fast on his wrist, digging her meager teeth. He only shook his head. Then, taking the scarf with his other hand, he began wrapping it around her bleeding arm. Kiita stopped biting him and gasped. He had been trying to help her, and she'd done nothing but bite him.

"I…but…"

He smiled.

"You don't have to thank me. I was going this way anyway." Now using both hands, he tied the sash tightly.

"There, that should stop the bleeding. But don't take it off for a day or two. Even us demons take time to heal." Kiita nodded her head, agreeing with him and thanking him.

"Oh, you might want to wash up. You've got dirt all over you." Kiita looked at herself and blushed. He was right.

"Oh! I hope Lord Sesshomaru won't beat me for it."

The male demon took a step back.

"Sesshomaru? You serve him!"

"Oh!" Kiita stumbled back. The once kind demon now seemed so angry. Was it wrong to work for him? Was he a bad person? He was rough around the edges, but he wasn't naturally evil. The demon then walked up to her and sniffed her.

"God, you even hold his stench." Kiita wanted desperately to defend her master, but she found she couldn't do much.

"H-he gives me nice clothes," she managed. The demon scoffed and spit on the ground.

"I could see that," His eyes roamed the length of her body.

"W-well who are you anyway! To talk about my master that way?"

"My name's Kouga, and you must be his daughter, Kiita."

Sorry to leave you hangin'. Wait, no. No, I'm not (smiles). Next chappi coming soon, hopefully.

PS: If you haven't guessed by now, Kiita has no idea she's related to Sesshomaru in any way, let alone to be his daughter.