The next morning, when the sun had just risen, Kura walked out of the hut before everyone else was awake. She headed to the nearby stream to clean herself up. As she splashed the cool water on her face, she sensed a strange presence lurking nearby. She stood up and looked around.
"Dad?" she called out hesitantly, hoping to hear a response from her father. Nothing. Now she was getting worried. What if whoever it was wanted her and her alone? What if-? Suddenly, a rustle from within the trees interrupted her thoughts.
"Who's there?" There was a slight tremble in her voice but she managed to remain calm.
The sound got louder and louder and louder until…
"Who are you?" But it wasn't Kura that had asked this typical question…
"Dad?" The young girl looked at the tall figure in front of her. He stood in his typical battle stance with his sword held out in front of him.
"Answer me! Who are you?" he demanded angrily.
The mysterious figure closed her eyes and sighed. "Typical behaviour of a demon…or should I say half-demon…" Putting heavy emphasis on half-demon, the figure, who appeared to be a young girl around Kura's age, opened one eye slyly and smiled evilly.
Inuyasha growled lowly. "That's it!" He then jumped up with his sword over his shoulder and prepared to strike.
"Pathetic," the girl scoffed and held her arms high above her head. "Aqua Shield!" she exclaimed as a giant wall of water came up from the ground to form a barrier in front of her. The minute Inuyasha's sword hit the shield, it passed right through to the ground and was then shot back, along with its master, by electrical currents.
"Damn, she's stronger than she looks…" Inuyasha cursed as the water slowly faded away.
"Of course I am. I mean, that's what you can except from an elemental warrior…"
"Elemental warrior?" Kura pondered aloud as she turned to look at her father.
"I've never met someone like you," Inuyasha stated, not once lifting his gaze from the female warrior. "Who are you and why are you here?"
"Well, I don't normally tell others my identity but in this case I'll make an exception. My name is Nekura, the last standing elemental warrior you will ever lay eyes upon…" She then quickly withdrew her samurai sword from its sheath, held it in front of her and took a fighting pose.
"Wait a minute," Kura intervened. "What do you mean by 'last standing'? Do you not have a family…or friends?"
Nekura tilted her head downwards so that her bangs were covering her eyes from sight. Kura then noticed a few teardrops falling from her once noticeable icy blue eyes. "I don't want to talk about it…" she sobbed while trying to maintain her tough exterior. Kura looked at her almost as if she was about to shed her own tears.
"I…I'm sorry. I didn't know…" Kura looked down at her feet, mentally beating herself up for asking such a stupid question.
Nekura looked up and shook her head, trying to attempt a small smile in the least, but found it near impossible. "It's not your fault. You were just curious, that's all."
"Yah and curiosity killed the cat…"
"Don't say that!" Kura looked to find the source of the voice and soon realized that it was her father. She looked at him confused.
"What are you talking about?" she questioned, oblivious to what he meant.
"What do you mean, 'What are you talking about?'? You know exactly what I mean!" Inuyasha then lowered his voice, walked over to his daughter and placed his hands on her shoulders. "You know I don't want to lose you so don't talk like that. You mean just as much to me as your mother did. I love you Kura and I hope you never leave me…" At the moment, Inuyasha nearly broke out into tears but stopped himself.
"Dad I…" Kura hesitated for a moment before continuing. She then placed her own hands on her father's shoulders. "You won't lose me because I'm hard to lose. I'll always be your little girl…forever." She then smiled and hoped for one in return. Although, she didn't have to do much hoping for as soon as Inuyasha heard those words come from her mouth, he almost instantly burst out into a small smile.
Nekura looked at them both and smirked shyly. Well, I guess I better leave you two alone…" Just as she started walking away, Kura called out to her. She turned around as soon as she heard the familiar female voice.
"Why don't you stay with us? We could always use the extra company, right dad?" Inuyasha simply nodded. "Then it's settled! What do you say?"
Nekura paused for a moment. "Sure…if it's all right. I mean, I don't want to be a burden on you two…"
"Oh don't worry, you won't be! I bet Sango and Miroku won't mind either."
"Who?" Nekura asked.
"You'll find out about them later. Now what do you say we head back to the village now?" Kura suggested.
"Sure, let's go," Nekura replied, showing off a happy smile. The trio then walked back to the village together, or at least Kura and Nekura did. Inuyasha walked ahead of both girls, his arms folded across his chest as usual.
Meanwhile, in another section of the Feudal Era, most often referred to as the abandoned area, a shadowy, mysterious figure stood in the center of a crowd of trees.
"So the young girl has joined that wretched half-demon and his daughter, has she? Well, we'll just see about that…" the figure smirked evilly. "Once they face the wrath of my pure-blooded wolf demons, they'll be too afraid to challenge me." The apparent male demon looked down at his hands that were covered in fresh, black demon blood. He had just recently slaughtered a countless number of demons and was on the hunt to kill more.
"I may despise being a half-demon myself but it does have its benefits. No one ever suspects a half-demon…" he smiled cockily, showing off his powerful, razor sharp talons. "…and it never fails…"
Mysterious Mistress Kura: Wow, this was longer on paper. Oh well, it was still a good chapter, right? Please review and tell me what you thought of it. I love hearing your opinions about my work because it encourages me to write more. You guys are my inspiration and I love you all for that! Well, I guess I should get started on writing chapter two. Luv ya all! Ja ne!