(A/N: Thanks for all your encouraging reviews! I loved them all. They helped a whole lot! I hope you guys are happy I updated! I changed the title of the story. 'cause I didn't like the original.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.


Chapter 25: Shiori

Kagome's hands went directly to her swords. Her arms were crossed and ready to pull the swords out at a moments notice. Kagome slid the swords halfway out of their sheaths and waited for the unknown person to arrive.

Right on cue, a demon expertly weaved out of the forest and glided down in front of her in a battle stance. It was clearly a bat demon, judging by the leathery wings it had, but his kind looked different from the other species of bats that used to live here a year or so ago.

"What is a wench like you doing in our lands?" He had large pointed ears and a large set of black leather-like wings protruding from his back. He had black hair that reached the middle of his back and had malicious red eyes. He also had very sharp long claws. His slim face and fit body made him look quite handsome.

"I'll go anywhere I please. If you want leave this place with your life intact, I suggest that you step aside." Kagome made a step forward and slowly drew out both swords threateningly.

"Who says that a small bitch like you will beat me?" The idiotic bat stood bold and still in her path down to the village. He raised his right hand and flexed his claws letting the sunlight reflect off the sharp tips. But Kagome wasn't impressed. She had seen many more intimidating threats than that and still made it out alive.

"I said, step out of my way." Kagome was starting to get really irritated with this foolish demon. He had a smug arrogance that stated he was better than everyone.

"You inferior bitch, these are our lands. You will die for trespassing," he snarled and shrieked. His high pitched shriek rang through Kagome's ears causing her to falter a bit. Her ears rang but she refused to step down.

"I said move or die. You're in my way," Kagome's cold voice filtered through the air. When it seemed like the bat wouldn't budge from his spot, Kagome had had enough of this game. The sun was already half way down and most likely more of the bat's followers were going to come out and hunt. This stray bat was just probably patrolling the area so making sure there wasn't danger nearby. Kagome, who was tired from the day's events, did not want to fend off all those demons by herself.

Kagome leaped forward and thrust both her swords. He smirked and caught both her swords in his claws in each hand. The bat had a smug little smirk on his face but missed the satisfied gleam that flashed through her eyes.

"You're going to have to do better than that to beat me," his smirk quickly turned into a malicious scowl when Kagome let her miko energies pour into both blades, instantly melting his main weapons, his claws.

"You bitch! What have you done to my beautiful claws!" Kagome smirked and leaped back her swords pointed to the ground on each side in a defensive position.

"If you leave now, I'll spare you're miserable life," Kagome threatened. She wasn't in the mood to play with a defenceless bat. All she wanted to do was to go down to the village and meet her old friends. That is if they still lived in that village. She wouldn't be surprised if the villagers made them leave. With those stupid demon hating humans, they probably threw them out of the village after the defeat of Taigokumaru. But apparently some newer bats moved into the area.

"You will not see the last of me. You'll pay for what you've done!" he then flew off into the forest.

"Right... It's not like I'll be here for long..." she mumbled and headed down the path to the villages. The day's events were really taking a toll on her. She trudged tiredly down the path ahead hoping to make it there in thirty minutes which will be when the sun sets and the moon comes out. Although she was visibly tired, her senses were still on full alert.

When Kagome reached the outskirts of the village, she was already starting to get a splitting headache. It's like these people haven't seen a demon this close before. Either that or that there was never a nice demon around. They make it seem like the event of killing Taigokumaru had never happened, like they never proved that not all demons were bad. It irritated her beyond belief.

Once she even stepped into view of the humans, they stared at her, her two swords, her facial markings, which were more visible, and lastly her fluffy tail which was wrapped lazily around her waist like a big long fluffy belt, and they went screaming 'demon! Run for your lives' or something like that and fleeing like a flock of birds who heard a gun go off.

Kagome tried to explain that she wasn't going to hurt or killed them but the after the first three attempts of talking to the villagers, and having them scramble backwards and scream in horror right back at her, Kagome gave up. But still, a large headache was forming and she couldn't do anything about it.

But the thing was, she wasn't even close to the middle of the village where there were more humans and she was getting irritated enough to think of a way to shut them up.

'Now I definitely wouldn't be surprised that Shiori or her mother moved out of this village.' Just as Kagome finished off her thought, another demon-like aura was moving towards her at a quick pace. 'Oh, now what?' Kagome groaned and pulled out the wind sword.

Just when she finished pulling it out, a female who looked to be around 15 in a lavender fighting kimono skidded to a halt. She had long white hair pulled into a high ponytail with her bangs framing her face. Her skin was a natural shade of tan with no markings on her skin. She had sharp claws that had a beautiful shade of translucent pink. Her pink eyes were cold and calculating but Kagome knew that it was just an act in front of an enemy. In her hand was a chained sickle similar to the weapon she saw Kohaku use except this weapon was made from a hard smooth metal instead of some demon's bones.

Kagome gave a sigh of relief, and sheathed her sword. She gave a small smile to the bat hanyou which seemed to confuse her. Ironically, by now the frightened humans were gathering around the scary and deadly demons, watching the confrontation. They were still a safe distance away if both of them were to break off into battle, but curiosity kept them there with, thankfully, their mouths shut.

"Shiori! You've grown so much since that last time I saw you!" A small blush stained her cheeks but the confused gleam in her eyes didn't falter. Kagome made a few steps forward hoping to talk to her friend closer instead of yelling across the field. Kagome made another step but stopped when she noticed the young bat hanyou tense.

The humans who were watching this event were starting to whisper, but with both Kagome's and Shiori's hearing, since Kagome was a full demon and Shiori was part bat, they heard every comment whispered among them loud and clear. Some of the men from the village even took the courage the yell some of them.

"One demon isn't bad enough, now she's attracting another!"

"We should have kicked her and her dead demon-loving mother out of this village long ago. They're nothing but trouble!"

"Demons are never up to any good!"

"They're cold blooded killers I tell ya! Cold blooded!"

"The only reason why demons attack is because of her!" by this time, the villagers were picking up the many fist sized rocks that littered the ground and started to chuck it at them. Both of them dodged easily, but Kagome really was getting tired and wasn't in the mood of getting stones thrown at her plus she had a splitting headache from the screeching the villagers gave while fleeing from her.

Nope not in the mood at all.

After a few minutes Kagome was fed up. Not like she wasn't a while ago but the last of her patience ran out for these humans. She would even tie them up in ropes, somehow bind their mouths, and drag their asses back to the village if she could have a nice meal and a place to sleep for the night. Just as she was about to grab some ropes from her backpack, a light purple barrier snapped up into place around her and Shiori. What surprised her was that this wasn't one of her barriers but a demonic barrier made by the bat hanyou beside her.

"I thought that Tetsusaiga took your ability from making barriers. But how?" her questions were unanswered as their attention was drawn to the humans who were screaming and running back to the village after seeing that the rocks they were throwing weren't getting through but hitting an invisible force which was the barrier.

Sigh "They give humans a bad name," Kagome watched as one of the males who participated in insulting them and throwing rocks at them, running as fast as his legs could carry him and missed the crack in the ground and tripped and fell into a small pile of horse manure, "fumbling idiot."

Her comment got a small giggle from Shiori who was watching the human get up and running for his life.

"So... how was it that you were able to make barriers again? I was positive Tetsusaiga took that ability." Shiori blinked a couple of times before realization hit and a happy smile replaced the cold and calculating look she had.

"Lady Kagome? But how? You were human the last time I saw you!"

"Well... it's a long story and I don't really feel like standing out here the whole time while explaining it. Do you have anywhere I can stay for the night? I'm really tired from the travelling." Kagome was really starting to slump on the spot. All she wanted now was a nice place to sleep and some decent food to eat.

"Oh sorry. Let's go back to my place. I have enough room for another person." Shiori made one wave of her hand and the barrier that was set around them dissipated and dissolved into thin air. Shiori lead them straight through the village towards the other side where her mother's house was. Many of the villagers were in their houses peeking through the window or the door as they watched the younger demon lead the older demon away.

Although Kagome was getting irritated that there were so many eyes watching her every move, Shiori seemed unaffected as if she was used to it. Kagome couldn't help but think 'poor girl'. It was clear that these people despised demons or anyone with a hint of demon blood with a passion. Only an idiot would miss that.

The two of them walked peacefully to a secluded area of town that didn't seem like it was inhabited in quite a while. She followed Shiori into a familiar hut and settled down by the fire pit which had small glowing embers that proved there was a fire lit not long ago. Kagome took off her trench coat and her weapons and settled it down by her backpack she left by the wall. Shiori took some firewood and tried to coax the embers into igniting the dry wood to produce a roaring fire.

"I'm sorry if I don't have a lot in this hut," she smiled sadly while staring at the fire.

"Don't be. I'm the one that is asking for things so one should not expect too much," Kagome gave a small smile to the woman beside her, "I heard them say that your mother died." Shiori tensed at the mention of her deceased mother.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Kagome watched at Shiori shook her head.

"It's not that. It's just that... when you guys left the village a year and half ago... another bat demon tribe who was competing with the old tribe that lived here over land finally beat them. Because the barrier was gone, the older occupants that lived in the cave were easy to kill off, after all Inuyasha did kill most of their skilled warriors." As Shiori was talking, she got out a pot and some water from a bucket nearby and set it over top of the fire to boil. She walked around the place and grabbed many items that she could put into pot to make a stew.

"After the new bat tribe moved into the cave, they started to terrorize the village like the other bats. They killed many, and my mother was one of the unlucky ones." A lone tear slid down her cheek as she put some of the ingredients in the water.

"I'm so sorry to hear that. Are you okay?" Kagome asked. She was speechless. This girl had seen death at such a small age and had to live through it with not help from others. And with this village that hated demons so much, it would have only made the situation worst.

"I'm fine," she furiously wiped the tears away from her face, "At the last moment I was able to erect a barrier. I guess it turns out that Tetsusaiga never really stole my powers but just merely imitated it. It took me by surprise really but I was able to save most of the villagers. Mother died of blood lost though. But before she left, she told me to live happily and smile." Shiori smiled sadly.

"You're mother was really something special. I know she's proud of you. After all, not everyone would live and tolerate those idiots in the village and still smile and protect them."

"I guess so. It was after that, that I started to train my powers. And yeah, like you said I try to protect the villagers from youkai that come around here. But lately those new bats from the tribe are disrupting the village. I fight them off best I could but there are just too many of them for one person to fight. But after a while, the villagers grew weary of trusting a hanyou like me and they started to think that I was in league with those other bats and that I would betray them for the youkai to eat one of these days." Shiori stirred the pot in front of her. The fragrant smell of the stew filled the hut.

"I guess it's my turn to tell you what happened to me," seeing Shiori nod, Kagome continued, "Well... just a few days ago I learned what my true heritage was. I learned that I was adopted into a human family that my dead mother came across. But before she left me with the family she had cast a spell on me so that I would appear human until my 17th birthday. Um... what else is there to say? Oh... Inuyasha kind of doesn't know because I ran away that night after hearing him confess that I was nothing more than a shard detector..." Kagome drifted off. Her eyes contained that faraway look and her expression suddenly turned sombre.

"That's sad to hear. I was sure you two would make a really cute couple." That statement caused Kagome to blush a faint pink. She shook her head negatively.

"I don't think it was meant to be. Besides, he's already pursuing another," 'pursuing the dead to be exact,' "Anyways I was thinking after training a bit I would go find my father. Oh yeah... I'm also required to help Sesshoumaru while at it." At the mention of Sesshoumaru, Shiori couldn't help but stare at Kagome with her jaw dropping. Kagome fidgeted under her gaze and couldn't help but giggle at her friend.

"Shiori, if you don't want to catch flies, then I suggest that you close your mouth." Shiori snapped her jaw back in place and couldn't help the small little blush that stained her cheeks.

"Sorry, it's just that, it's hard to believe that you met Lord Sesshoumaru and lived to tell the tale of it."

"Oh then I guess you didn't know that he and Inuyasha are half-brothers," Seeing her eyes widen in shock Kagome couldn't help but let out another chuckle, "Yeah... kind of hard to believe. They're nothing a like! Well other than the silver hair and golden eyes... So I guess that's why they're at each other's heads every time we seem him. Come to think of it, I'm kind of surprised that I'm alive today with all those battles they have. I'd have to say, I wasn't exactly the strongest in the group when I was human..."

Shiori spooned out the steaming stew into some bowls and handed it out to Kagome, who took it graciously.

"You've grown a lot since that last time. Last time I saw you, you looked like you were nine years old. Now... look at you... you look like a fifteen year old!" Kagome's comment caused Shiori to blush a cute pink.

"Well you see... I've reached demon maturity. And well... we grow rapidly until we look the age of sixteen."

"Oh..." The two ate peacefully, having small talk in between. Night had already taken over the last of the daylight few hours ago. Kagome was tired and both of them decided to retire for the night.

Few hours before sunrise

"AHHHH!"

Both occupants of the hut sat up quickly and dashed out the door. Many ear-piercing screams filled the dark sky. Their heads whipped to the source of the noise and their eyes met with a large hoard of flying demons that were terrorizing the many villagers.

"It's another attack! Hurry! Let's get our weapons," Shiori said. They rushed back in the hut looking for their weapons.


(A/N: I know how you people feel about how short chapters are... but at least my updates aren't like 500 words or something right? Well... the beginning was around 800 words but that's why I plan on revising it! I hope to make it a bit longer but then I'm not really in the mood to do that as of late... The only things I have planned for this story is in my mind and it's kind of hard to twist the story into fitting what I want. Ok I'm finished my ranting!

Thanks reviewer Kagome-chan, but I think I'm going to use the name Kazuma for a character rather than the weapons. Thanks for your review!

The names and some votes! Thanks to everyone for voting!

Wind blade name(s):

Reioseiga (by: LadyAkina) 6

Kazeyaiba (by: XxBaByKaGoMexX) 2

Kazejiten (by: Kariisme)

Lightning blade name(s):

Inazuma (by both: ladylillyofazra & kyasarinyume07)

Kuroseiga (by: firetiger) 1

Rakurai (by: LadyAkina) 1

Kyuuden (by: LadyAkina) 2

Inazunaha (by: angelfromjapan666)

Denkouyaiba (by: XxBaByKaGoMexX) 2

Kimotota (by: star2bcaught)

Inabikari (by: kyasarinyume07)

Binshona (by: Dark Inu Fan)

Iontari (by: Pernes Empress)

Raiseiga (by: Kuro-Himitsu) 2

Nariyuten (by: Kariisme)

Bow name(s):

Ryusaki (by: Pernes Empress) 4

Anyekaiyaiba (by: KougaSesshomaruAnime)

Doragonsenshu (by: me but with the help of Nicnivin)

Draakremous (by: Lady-Crymsyn)

Ryusaigen (by: Kariisme)