Hey guys! This chapter is a bit on the short side but lots o' stuff happens. Not much to say this week so I'll let you get right to it.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: ChibiBean does not own nor claim rights to InuYasha or any of its characters nor do we own the lyrics by Relient K. Thank you.

More Deals are Made
I'm a little more than useless,
and when I think that I can't do this,
you promise me that I'll get through is,
and do something right. ­–Relient K

Azurine's condition worsened over the next few hours. It seemed inevitable that the shard's absence would kill her before Miroku returned.

Miroku had never been this angry before. He stared down the infamous demon before him. "You're killing her. I will not let you get away with this."

Naraku laughed coldly. "Of course you won't. I expected as much."

"What?"

"You see, Sade had to be taken out of the picture. Only a witch could kill her. Your wife just happened to be one."

"So, you promised the removal of my wind tunnel in return for Sade's death. Then, you remove the shard keeping Azurine alive after she kept her side of the deal?"

"You forget, monk: I did keep my promise. I removed your curse thus sealing your wind tunnel. I held up my side."

"You're killing her, though!"

"I kill a lot of people."

"Remove it, now!" Miroku demanded.

"What will you give me in return?"

Miroku contemplated a moment. Is it worth getting the wind tunnel back? She is bearing my child, but I could always…No! Azurine's my wife. I love her and I'd do anything to save her, even if it means… "Leave her be, and I'll take the wind tunnel back."

Naraku grinned malevolently. "Deal."

Azurine opened her eyes. "What's going…Mom?" Her memory slowly returned as she spotted Sade's corpse lying several feet away behind Sarah.

The pregnant woman solemnly glanced at Azurine. "I see you're awake. All of your sisters have arrived. There's such a range of ages. One's even a newborn."

"Really? What's going to happen to them now that Mom's gone?"

"Well, Sadie's pretty independent, so she wants to live on her own. You've already taken Sage in. But, Sakura, Saki, and the baby…well…if you don't…that is, if you can't…"

"I understand. I'm all for you adopting them. I know you'll take good care of them."

"Oh, thank you Azzy," she sighed. "I'm so glad you've finally woken. We really thought you were a goner. You were so sick yesterday. Miroku's furious with you. You put the child in danger."

"I had to…the wind tunnel…" Azurine coughed.

"He went and got it back. It's the only reason you're alive, now. He went to Naraku himself and demanded your safety." Sarah sat a tray next to Azurine as she spoke. "Now, I want you to eat."

Azurine pushed it away. "I can't."

"Please eat, for me?"

"Sarah, you tell me that I basically killed my own mother for nothing and you want me to eat?"

"Azurine, Sade was setting you up to be sacrificed. You were going to have to fight her eventually. And look, you've saved all your sisters from a terrible fate. Don't you call that something? As it is, Sadie's scars won't ever go away, nor will the one on your back. You can't see it, but it's shaped like a rose." Sarah sighed. "So eat before you make that baby of yours any sicker than it already is. Miroku wouldn't like that."

"Where is he anyway?"

"He was really upset and freaking out. We had to drug him up and drag him home."

Azurine frowned and lifted her arm. Upon examining it, she found her hand was coal black, but her arm was back to normal. "Sarah? My mother knew something; something Naraku didn't like her knowing. That's why he made that deal. You don't suppose any of the other girls know what it was, do you?"

"It would be helpful, but you've got slim pickings. Sakura and Sadie are probably the only ones old enough to know. The others are too little to comprehend any of her plans."

"You don't suppose Sadie will ever stop hating me?"

Sarah shrugged. "I think she's already forgiven you. But you eat now, talk when you get better."

Azurine sweat dropped.

"Sadie! Wait up!" Azurine shouted.

Her sister stopped and turned, looking around. "Shouldn't you be in bed?" she lightly snapped.

"Yes, but I had to speak with you. Look, Sadie, I'm sorry about what I did," She finished just as she caught up to her.

"It…it's okay, I guess. She wasn't always the best of mothers. You know, though, now that Mom's gone, you have to take over her job."

"Mom had a job?" Azurine was genuinely surprised. Sade had spent so much time plotting and torturing that it didn't seem like she would have time for a job.

"She was one of the head witches of the Witch's Guild. You're the first born so you have to take over."

"Just tell them you're the eldest."

"Hair." Sadie pointed at the red streak in her hair. "You have silver like Mom's because you're oldest. The rest of us get the color from our fathers. That's why Sage has a blond streak; Yuto has blonde hair. My father had red."

"Oh," was all Azurine said in response. A thought then occurred to her. "Sadie, there's something I need to know."

"Why Mom was one of Naraku's prime targets? It's because she had the power to bring people back from the dead. He didn't like the idea that she could bring back any of his enemies."

Azurine's old friend, Yukito, the man Little Yukito was named after, flashed before her eyes. "Can you do that?"

"Yes, I inherited that power."

"Alright, here's an idea: I'll take Mom's place in the Guild if you bring someone back for me."

Sadie thought about it. The task was both physically and mentally draining, but she supposed it was all right. She shrugged. "Okay."

"Great."

Chapter End

Ooooo. Looks like we may see our old buddy Yukito again. But, will it work? And, if so, how will he handle Azurine being married? Tune in next week! Bai-bai!