Mysterious Mistress Kura: I would like to say a few words before I continue on with this chapter. In case you haven't noticed, I included another OC, besides my own and my friends' of course. Her name is Hannah and she made a brief appearance in one of the earlier chapters. She is a creation of Sapphire Wings 09 from right here on I would just like to make sure that I am keeping her character in character and if I am not, I would like to know if there is anything I could do to change that. Anyway, I think you've all heard enough of my rambling so now it's time to start chapter thirteen!

Chapter Thirteen: Kiatsu's Quest – Part Two

Meanwhile, all the way on the other side of the Feudal Era, Kura was still contemplating where Isamu had run off to in such a hurry. What was he after and did it involve her friends? She knew that he was after them but would he really go so far as to inflict pain and suffering upon them? She hated to think that way and only wished for him to leave them all alone. What had they done to him? She knew that he was only after them as a way to get her to become his mate. She refused to do such a thing, but hated the thought of placing her friends in danger because of her own stubbornness. That was a trait that she had inherited from her father and it would often get her into trouble.

After constantly thinking of ways to get out of the situation she was currently in, she finally gave up and decided to wait until Isamu returned. She didn't know when he would come back, but when he did, she would be sure to give him a piece of her mind. She would make sure that he knew that there was no way in the seven hells that she was going to become his mate; he needed to get that through his thick head. Of course, she had thought about all the consequences of telling the wolf her thoughts about this little predicament and had prepared for that too. If he really wanted her, she would challenge him to a fight. If she won, she was free to go, but if he were victorious, she would agree to become his mate for life. She shuddered at that thought, knowing that her life would literally become a living hell if she had to spend it with him. However, seeing as how her father had trained the young hanyou girl ever since she was very young, she knew that she would have no trouble winning a fight against the wolf. She smirked with satisfaction and waited patiently for the wolf demon to return…

As Isamu made his way through the forest, he was soon stopped dead in his tracks when a green blur whizzed by his face. He looked around, trying to determine just who or what was watching him.

"Who's there?" he demanded sharply, listening for an answer in return to his question. Unfortunately, there was no response…that is until he heard the rustling of leaves come from behind him and when he turned around, he noticed a young girl standing before his very eyes.

"Just what do you think you're doing here?" she hissed with her hands placed firmly on her hips as if to make herself look intimidating. However, Isamu was not scared in the slightest.

The wolf cocked a curious eyebrow. "Uh, excuse me?"

"Don't give me that look!" she scolded angrily. "You happen to be trespassing on private property! This is my part of the forest and I don't take too kindly on demons who think that they can just go wherever they please!"

"What do you mean by your part of the forest? This forest belongs to everyone, does it not?" It was then that the girl looked directly into his eyes and gave him the dirtiest of looks.

"Don't get smart with me. I've had to deal with demons like you and it wasn't very pretty. Last time I allowed strange demons into this area of the forest, they destroyed practically everything and I was the one that had to clean up the mess. I'm not going through that again so you'll just have to find another way to get where you're going," she explained curtly.

Isamu scoffed. "Whatever. Just let me pass and I promise that I won't cause any harm to your forest."

"Ha! That's what they all said and what happened? Complete chaos, that's what. No, that's not going to happen again and I'm going to make sure of it."

"Listen. If I haven't inflicted any damage to this forest as of yet, what makes you think I'm going to do it now?" The wolf-demon knew that she would have to believe him now; if she didn't, Kiatsu might get to Kura first and then his chances of making her his mate would be washed down the drain.

"That's what they all say," she said with a sigh. It was then that Isamu began to get even more frustrated with the girl and could no longer hold in his anger.

"That's it! I don't care what you say! I'm getting through this forest and there's nothing that you can do about it!" he exclaimed, thinking that he had won the verbal battle. Unluckily for him, he was all but successful.

"Is that so? Well I think that there is something I can do about it…" Suddenly, green fairy-like wings erupted slowly out of her back as she withdrew her long sword from the sheath that it was currently encased in. She held the sword in such a way that it looked as though she was ready for battle. "Now, are you going to leave quietly or am I going to have to force you?"

Isamu stood perfectly still and barely even flinched. "Neither," he stated boldly. The girl looked up at him as if to wonder just what kind of plan he had up his sleeve.

"What?" she asked, hoping that what she had heard was not the truth.

"I said neither. I plan on getting past you without starting a fight," he explained simply, closing his eyes.

"And just how are you going to do that?" the fairy-like creature asked with her hands placed firmly on her hips, just as she done only moments before.

"It's simple. I need to get through in order to stop someone that is a terrible threat to this forest. I am not sure if you have met them before but they are very dangerous indeed. I need to stop them before it's too late and the whole forest pays the price for their irresponsibility," the wolf lied through his teeth. He didn't care though; if it meant lying to make it back to Kura on time, then so be it. He would do anything for her…anything…

The girl raised an eyebrow at this. "Really?"

"Yes," he lied once more.

"So someone, somewhere, is trying to inflict damage upon this forest?"

"That is true. But if you let me pass, I'll be sure to stop them before anything drastic happens," Isamu replied assuringly yet untruthfully nonetheless.

The girl thought his words over for a few minutes before accumulating a response. "Okay, but be warned. If I notice even a single leaf out of place, I'll be on your back faster than you will ever know. Understand?" The wolf nodded as if to show that he understood the meaning of her words. "By the way, if you ever need me, my name is Hannah, guardian of Inuyasha's Forest," she added before watching the wolf nod and vanish out of sight. Once you could no longer see even his shadow, Hannah turned the other way and headed off towards a nearby river to refresh herself after such a long day…

Back with Kura…

"What's taking him so long?" she asked herself while continuing to pace back and forth. "Where could he have possibly gone in order for him to take this long to return? Now, I'm not complaining or anything but I am wondering just what he is up to…" Her questions were then answered when she heard a tiny cough and when she looked over towards the entrance of the den, she saw Isamu standing before her, looking as though he had just got back from an intense battle.

"What happened to you?" she inquired hesitantly, wondering whether or not it was any of her business.

"Accident," he lied for about the third time that day.

Kura cocked a single eyebrow. By the look on her face, Isamu could tell that she did not believe him in the slightest. "Really?"

"Yes."

"That's funny because your wounds look an awful lot like battle scars…"

Isamu twitched a little, hoping that she would not find out the truth. If she found out that a mere pup had beaten him, what would happen? He could only hope that she wouldn't rub it in his face. Then again, she really didn't seem like the type of girl to do that sort of thing. She seemed like more of the caring, nurturing type…through his eyes, that is.

"Um, excuse me, but are you going to answer me or what?" Kura repeated, slightly annoyed at the fact that he was ignoring her.

Isamu broke away from his thoughts and looked down at her. "Sorry my dear," he apologized, his voice sounding abnormally sweet…almost too sweet…

"Yah, yah, quit the sweet talk Romeo and just answer my question," she cut in sharply.

It was then that an idea popped into the wolf's head. He grimaced evilly, hoping that she would believe what he had to say. "So, you want to know what really happened?"

"Yes, that's why I've been asking you." Kura was now getting even more confused as to why Isamu was delaying stating the reason as to why he was so badly injured.

"Well then, I will tell you. It was Kiatsu…the one that you happen to love so dearly…" Kura's eyes then shot wide open in shock; she wasn't expecting his name to come up in a conversation between herself and the wolf.

"K-Kiatsu?" she stuttered, puzzled as to if she had heard him right or not.

"That is correct. He challenged me to a fight, of which I could not refuse, seeing as how your safety was on the line…"

"What?" She took a few steps back before continuing to speak. "You guys were fighting…over me?" she questioned, pointing to herself.

"Yes," the wolf responded and then added, "Because we both love you…"

"Both of you…love me?" Kura was still practically speechless as she tried to absorb everything that she had just heard.

"As much I hate to admit it, yes…" The wolf hung his head, as if ashamed to say what he did.

"What do you mean?" Kura asked, now slightly intrigued by everything that he was saying.

"I mean I love you, but Kiatsu loves you as well. I wish to have you all to myself, but that can't happen with him around. I know you have feelings for him so why don't you admit them?" This statement then caused a wide blush to spread across Kura's cheeks, the colour being bright crimson.

What is he talking about? I don't love Kiatsu, do I? No, that's ridiculous. He's only a friend and nothing more. I can't go thinking like that. Besides, what would father say? He already doesn't like the idea of his own daughter spending a lot of time with her close friend, so how would he react if I told him that I was falling for Kiatsu? No doubt that he would probably flip out and forbid me to date until I was his age, which is long time considering how old he must be… Kura sighed, trying to find the right words to say to Isamu without hurting his feelings. It was difficult, she knew that much. How could she possibly tell someone that she wasn't interested in them without breaking their heart? It was impossible and there was no way around the truth…

"Listen I…" But before she could continue with what she was about to say, the young half-demon girl was interrupted by someone mimicking a fake cough. When the hanyou and the wolf turned to see just who had arrived, they were both shocked, surprised, and in Kura's case, very grateful.

"Kiatsu!" they both exclaimed in unison.

"Kura! I'm so glad you're okay!" The male heaved a sigh of relief before turning to look at the wolf that was currently standing but a mere few feet away from his friend. "You…"

"We meet again…"