Chapter Six

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The the next few days I fall into a familiar routine once more, though with a slight twist. I wake up early in the mornings, hike out to the forest below the Sacred Tree, and continue to practice my skill with my bow and arrows.

Mayumi is constantly with me.

She had even taught me how to make arrows! Though my first couple of tries were humorously abysmal, I was slowly starting to get the hang of it. After each session of target practice I would sit down and work at this particular task, Mayumi telling me stories from her time as she continued enlightening me on my new found powers. At mid-day I would have my lunch relaxing underneath the large tree, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the fresh breeze as she talked.

During the afternoon I would train more, but this time with using my powers. Mayumi had me practice creating shields and weapons by manipulating my energy. I was even able to recreate the bow and arrows with my aura as she had before, and day by day I started to feel less drained after the use of it.

'Soon you won't need a physical bow. This can be your weapon.' Mayumi insisted this afternoon as I look at the charred trunk of a tree I had shot. Even my aim was getting better, the tree much further away than I had ever thought I'd be able to hit. 'You're getting very good at controlling the output of your energy, this will help with your endurance during future fights.'

'Future fights?' I think, swallowing thickly. I had barely survived the last few, let alone more. 'I realize that it's inevitable we'll cross paths with more beings in search for the Sacred Jewel shards, but I still don't like to think about it.' I frown deeply, remembering how badly Inuyasha had been injured last time. Face flushing, I am quickly reminded of his speedy healing from our interactions the morning after all those days ago.


"Don't be so stubborn!" I state crossly, bandages in my hands. "Just let me take a look!"

"There ain't nothing to see!" Inuyasha insists, amber eyes narrowed at me in challenge. "I'm all healed!" I scoff in disbelief.

"You were stabbed three times! Three! You really expect me to believe that?!" I demand angrily, concern slowly turning into irritation. It was the guilt knowing that I had been the reason he had gotten hurt that continued to drive me to try and help somehow.

"You aren't going to leave it alone, are you?" Inuyasha sighs resignedly, frowning as he moves his clawed hands up to his new white top. Kaede had been able to scrounge up an extra from somewhere.

'I seriously need to know her connections.' I think randomly, before blinking in surprise as he lets the material fall from his muscled shoulders.

And boy, was he lean. Like, muscled lean.

'They don't grow them like that back home.' Trying not to blush, and definitely trying not to stare, I look over his smooth chest for any sign of damage. A scratch even.

There was nothing!

"How?…" I question, looking from his chest and to his eyes, seeing the cocky look back.

"I'm half demon, remember? I can take more and heal from worse." He replies assuredly, slipping his kimono back over his shoulders and securing it in place. I bite at my lower lip, mentally replaying the image of him topless in my head.

Just how horny was I?! It was his chest, for crying out loud!

'And his shoulders. You've always been a sucker for a set of strong shoulders.'

"Stop your drooling, it's making me uncomfortable." Inuyasha's sarcastic voice brings me from my thoughts, and this time I can't stop the burning blush as it races onto my cheeks.

"As if!" I defend weakly, and we both instantly know he's hit the nail right on the goddamn head. Inuyasha gives me this knowing smirk, his amber eyes sparkling with mischief. He looked confident as he sat there, and I felt an uncomfortable pull down low in my hips.

'Stop looking so cocky! It's kinda hot.' I groan inwardly, and to my horror Mayumi's laughter chimes in my head. 'Oh no! No, no, no, no. I gotta get outta here!' I think frantically, forcefully shoving the bandages back into Kaede's bag. Standing I quickly grab my bow and arrows from the wall.

"I'm going to go and practice." I mutter lowly, slipping my shoes on and making a mad dash out the door.

Inuyasha's amused laughter echoing behind me.


So here I was, days later, and feeling at least somewhat more competent in my new skills. Well, at least with my weapons…at a distance.

'I can think of someone who would be great at teaching you close hand-to-hand combat.' Mayumi's voice rang through my head slyly as I move about the clearing to pack up for the afternoon. Inwardly I grimace, already knowing exactly who she would suggest.

"I'm not getting Inuyasha to teach me how to fight!" I exclaim, feeling my face warm. I still got butterflies in my stomach when thinking about him shirtless. How the hell could I deal with all that pressed up against me when fighting?

"Why not?" My stomach drops, hearing him landing behind me. I resist the urge to throw my head back and cry out to the sky, his timing annoyingly impeccable. Instead I turn towards him, looking doubtful.

"You wouldn't have the patience." I answer knowingly, and Inuyasha tilts his head, crossing his arms as his hands disappear into the red sleeves of his kimono.

"You're probably right, other than for the fact that I've finally come to terms with the fact that I'm not going to be able to get rid of you." He replies easily, casually reaching up then to scratch at his right ear with his pinky claw.

"Wow, how touching." I frown irritably. "You could just admit that I'm proving to be at least somewhat useful."

"Listen." Inuyasha sighs, his arms dropping down to his sides as he walks up to me. "I'm willing to put up with anything for the jewel shards." He seems to hesitate, amber eyes looking a little uncertain. "But you aren't as annoying to deal with anymore."

"I-is this you trying to compliment me?" I ask then in shock, and he scoffs.

"Don't take it to heart, my opinion could change quickly." He warns, but there isn't that same tone of conviction in his voice he had held previously towards me. I take it for what it is.

A win.

"So, do you want me to teach you or not?" He snaps, returning back to his usual irritated self. To my horror I find myself nodding before I even consciously think about it.

"Alright, we'll start tomorrow at dawn. Meet me here." And with that he leaps away, gone from sight.

That's the last time I see Inuyasha that day.


As I step into the clearing under the Scared Tree the next morning I see him already there, waiting with his arms crossed. He's standing in the center of the clearing, the morning light just barely shinning through the canopy that the trees provide.

"Well it's about time." He snaps. Inwardly I groan, just barely stopping myself from rolling my eyes.

Yeah, this sounds like a great start.

"You said in the morning, you didn't specify an exact time." I reply, trying to make sure my tone sounds as non-confrontational as possible. Our 'friendship' had taken a huge step yesterday, and I didn't want to fuck it up over something so petty.

'Mayumi, you with me?' I reach out, momentarily surprised when I got no response in return.

What she taking a break? This was her idea!

"Let's get started." Inuyasha brings me back to reality, and I watch intently as he closes the distance between us. "Make your fists." He commands, his voice taking on a completely different tone. Warmth sparks through me, the same feeling that hit me when he had last used that tone all those days ago during Mistress Centipede's attack. I hardly have time to wonder at that feeling, because he's touching me.

This is the first time he's touched my skin.

"You don't ever want to lock your thumb inside of your fist." Inuyasha frowns, his clawed hands much gentler than they appeared as his fingers pressed my right fist back open. Electricity shoots through me from where his skin touches mine. All contact we had, had thus far had been through the material of clothing, and every time he had initiated physical contact with me it had been done out of necessity. When he held my thighs when I was on his back it was to keep me balanced as we chased after those demons. When he had wrapped his arms around me to guide me to the ground from where I had been strung up my Yura's hair, it had been to save me from breaking my neck.

This had a far more profound impact, because he was choosing to touch me, rather than just dictating to me what to do. He gently closes my fingers against my hand, before his thumb runs over my own softly and presses it down to just under the knuckles of my fingers. "Here, like this. That way you won't end up breaking it." He explains softly, stepping back and watching me with a calculating stare. His expression is serene, like he hadn't felt that spark as I had just moments ago.

'Because he probably didn't feel it, you hungry whore.' I berate myself, wondering when I had become so desperate for physical contact. I had done everything in my power to avoid it before, because I had seen and felt the worst that physical contact could do to a person.

Was I really that broken?

Heart racing, I watch as he raises his left hand, palm open. "Let's see what you've got. Give me a punch." Inuyasha frowns, his body relaxed. I focus on his hand, hesitating for a moment, before swinging forward with my entire body-weight and delivering a punch directly into the middle of his hand. My eyes widen, realizing I had hit my target on the first try!

"Don't look so happy, that was fucking awful." Inuyasha gripes and my mouth falls open in shock.

"What the hell are you talking about?! I hit your hand!" I sputter out indigently.

"This isn't your bow and arrows. Hand-to-hand combat isn't just about hitting a target. It's about power, and being stronger and smarter than your opponent." Surprisingly Inuyasha sounds almost wise. "Your punch was sloppy and weak, and you left yourself in a vulnerable position for a counter attack."

"Woah, woah, woah!" I exclaim, eyes wide at the information he was just throwing at me. "You just said to punch your hand! I did that!" Inuyasha scoffs impatiently.

"Do you want to learn or what?" He demands, crossing his arms. I frown, glaring at him for a moment.

'He was right, you know.' Mayumi's voice suddenly echoes.

'So now you decide to show up.' I mutter lowly. 'Why couldn't you help me out?'

'Because that would be suspicious. Inuyasha knows that you have no idea what you're doing when it comes to this sort of thing. He'd know something was up if you were somehow good at it right away.' Mayumi replies logically…and I hate her for it for a moment. I can feel her retreating, the glare slowly easing from my eyes as I give a large sigh.

"Alright, alright. Yes. I want to learn." I admit, frowning. Inuyasha looks at me skeptically for a moment, before nodding as he walks around to stand behind me. I yelp as his foot kicks against the inside of both of mine, shoving my legs wider.

"Widen your stance, but keep your knees bent." He goes on then, his tone suggesting he was all business. "Plant your feet to keep you steady. I don't want to see them move except to pivot with your punch." He comes back around the front of me. "Move your body like you're about to punch me again." I tilt my head slightly, before doing as he asks and drawing my right hand back behind my shoulder. I was being mindful of my lower half, and keeping it like he had showed me. "No." He instantly replies, shaking his head.

"What?" I ask, trying to keep the snap out of my voice. He lifts a dark eyebrow, and I instantly back down. Walking up to stand directly in front of me he reaches for my fist, bringing it forward so it sat just in front of my shoulder. Then he gently pushed it down towards my hip, turning my fist from being knuckles up to palm up.

"When you go to punch you want your center of gravity to be low, since that is where most of your physical power is going to come from. When you go to punch me throw your weight into it, but with control. Pivot your right foot and rotate your hand like it will naturally want to do. Do not let it raise up above your shoulder, that's how you get injured, and that could cost you your life." He states seriously, and I'm once again blown away by the attitude that he's taking towards this.

He's actually teaching me, rather than belittling me.

Inuyasha moves to stand in front of me again, raising his left hand. "Again." He command, and without second thought I move. The motion is fluid, and it feels more secure than the last time. As my fist connects with his hand I can tell the difference with the force behind my hit. Inuyasha smirks, his amber eyes glinting with mischief.

"We might be able to work with that." He comments, letting his left hand drop. "Take your stance, and we're going to do this again. This time you're going to use both hands." He takes his own stands, raising both his right and left hand up to his shoulder height. I nod, feeling a boost of confidence as I take my own stance.

We go on like this for a while, just the repeated motion of punching from the left and the right. The sound of skin smacking skin echoes through the clearing as my knuckles start to turn red. Noticing this Inuyasha has us stop.

"Turn around." Inuyasha orders, and again I feel that warmth spread through me as I do so without question. Moments pass, and I feel anxious as there doesn't seem to be any sound coming from behind me.

Then suddenly there is the pressure of a hand clamping around my neck, and an arm around my waist. I freeze feeling Inuyasha's body pressed up against my back, muscles against my curves.

"What are you going to do now?" Inuyasha's voice drifts into my right ear, his breath hot against the skin as his grip tightens on my throat.

Only, I don't hear his voice.

And suddenly I'm not in the clearing by the Sacred Tree anymore. I'm in my home before the Shrine, and Inuyasha isn't the one pinning me to his chest.

"LET ME GO!" I cry out, heart racing as my energy pulses through me before I can stop it. The pressure on my neck is gone, along with the body, and everything comes rushing back to the present. I turn sharply, breathing heavily as I look around the clearing wide eyed.

Not my old home.

Inuyasha gets up slowly from the ground, not looking too ruffled, but gazing at me with concern. He's frowning, amber eyes unsure as he slowly approaches me. I take a step back out of instinct, mind still reeling from that unwanted memory.

"Yua?" Inuyasha calls, his voice soft and uncertain as he continues to slowly approach me. I start at the use of my name, one of his clawed hands reaching out tentatively.

'I'm safe. I'm here.' I think, desperately trying to ground myself. When I don't shy away again Inuyasha closes the distance, placing both hands on my shoulders.

"What just happened?" He frowns deeply, looking down at me with concern. I hesitate, emotions welling up inside of me that I hadn't felt in a very long time. I shake my head, throat growing tight as those emotions threatened to overwhelm me and send me into tears.

"I'm sorry." I manage to croak out, but Inuyasha shakes his head.

"I'm fine, you just tickled me is all." He replies with that usually cocky tone. I can't help laughing, even as it comes out strangled.

Then he does something that really shocks me.

His face is moving closer, and my heart starts to race. I could see every detail in that moment. His flawless pale skin…the small ring of brown around his irises in his eyes before it's overwhelmed by the amber.

'What is he doing?' I think to myself frantically, before his forehead lands against my own firmly and he closes his eyes. I hesitate before doing the same, and the relief washes over me in a tidal wave. I feel warmth quickly washing away the cold.

I feel safe.


Inuyasha's POV

'What the hell am I doing?!' I can't help thinking inwardly as I feel the skin of her forehead against my own. I take in a deep breath of her scent, cherry blossoms mixed in with something sweet. Honey? She had looked so lost after she had come back to her senses, and scared. Her heart had been racing so fast that I was sure it would've beaten right out of her chest given half the chance.

Something had frightened her. No, it had downright terrified her.

Despite everything she had seen since she had come here I had never seen her look as scared as she did just then. Something deep in me called on me to somehow fix it.

This had been my first reaction on how to do so. It was basic, something that I know demons other than myself had done countless times to calm their mates. I had seen it for myself over my hundreds of years. Had even tried it on Kikyo once when she had been really upset, but over what I couldn't remember. It hadn't comforted her, not like it was Yua right now. It made me feel good to know I could do this for her.

It made me feel possessive.

I felt a sense of intense relaxation as I just stood there with her under the morning sun, taking in her scent and the feeling of warmth radiating from her body. We were still standing a good distance apart, with only our foreheads touching, but the connection made me feel like we were pressed together from head to foot.

I had never felt something this strong before. Not even with Mayumi.

Mayumi.

I snap my head back suddenly, catching the look of disappointment flash in her green eyes before she expertly hid it. Thankfully she allows me to pull back, giving me some much needed air.

"We should probably stop there for today." I find my voice, and surprisingly it isn't as weak as I feel in that moment. "Go and get something to eat. We'll meet here tomorrow morning." Even I can admit that sounded a little abrupt. I see that same disappointment from seconds ago flash over her face, before she nods and offers me a small smile.

"Okay. Uh, thanks…for that." She murmurs, and I know she referring to what I just did. I can't answer her, only nod as she turns and leaves.

Taking her scent and warmth with her.


Yua's POV

Needless to say the rest of my day was a total disaster. I couldn't concentrate. Instead I was constantly replaying the moment Inuyasha's forehead had touched my own, and the scene that had unfolded afterwards. He had looked so ashamed.

'Why, though? He hadn't done anything wrong. If anything he had done everything right.' I frown as I look over the river, chewing on my lower lip.

'In his mind he felt guilty.' Mayumi replies gently. 'He brought you comfort in a way that he only ever had done for me. I know it might not seem like it to you, but what he did was very intimate, only reserved for those considered to be pack.'

'Pack?' I question, nose wrinkling. 'What the hell do you mean by that?'

'You need to remember that he is part dog demon, and dog demons typically have a need to belong to a group. A pack. Unless they are a rogue, that is.' She explains patiently. 'When we were together we were a pack. Inuyasha was the Alpha in his mind, and I was his Beta. It was instinctual for him to think that way, but being half human our relationship was a little different than if he had been completely demon. Our relationship was…softer for a lack of a better word. He treated me as an equal, rather than a subordinate.'

'You were his pack, then?' I ask, still feeling a little confused despite her trying to explain it to me. Another term comes to mind, so I decide to try throwing it out there. 'Were you his mate?' Demons like him took on the characteristics of their animal namesakes, right? Animals had mates. It made sense in my mind.

'No.' Mayumi giggled a little. 'We weren't mates, but we loved each other. That was enough for the both of us at the time.' She pauses for a moment, before speaking in a more serious tone. 'I know you think Inuyasha is a lot of things, but above all else he is loyal to a fault. It's part of what made me fall in love with him.' She admits softly, and I feel guilt wash over me.

'And now you had to see him treat me like I was you. You had to feel what I had felt when he had held me.' I clarify, not really needing an answer. 'I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to get caught up like that.'

'Yua, stop apologizing. I told you that I've let go, and I mean it. I'm more concerned about what had caused you to react like you had when he had grabbed you. I could feel your fear even though I was completely behind our barrier. It was intense.' I stiffen, pulling my knees in tighter to my chest.

'I didn't exactly have a great life before I came to live at the Higurashi Shrine with my relatives.' I frown deeply.

'Did you feel like talking about it?' Mayumi asks gently, and I shake my head to myself.

'Not really. Not yet.' I reply honestly, and Mayumi thankfully seems to understand as she gently drifts off, leaving me alone to my thoughts once more. As I gaze out over the glimmering river, one thought echoes in my head.

How was I going to face Inuyasha tomorrow?


"Greetings and salutations, Inuyasha." I blink in shock as I look down at the large flea-like creature that was currently attached to Inuyasha's chest, a red welt from a bite on his skin. It had been slightly amusing to watch him suddenly jump in the middle of demonstrating how to bust someone's knee with a well-delivered kick, quickly trying to jerk his kimono top apart.

"You…you have fleas?" I can't help choking out in amusement, to which Inuyasha throws me a disgusted look.

"Flea! Just one!" He argues, his amber eyes narrowing at me in annoyance, before he looks down at the flea on his chest. He doesn't wait a second longer as he smacks his palm over the flea, the poor creature groaning as Inuyasha brings his hand out to see. The flea is pancaked to his palm, but clearly still alive.

'He looks like an old man, but with the body of a flea…' I think, finding it weirdly fascinating. 'What kind of demons aren't there?'

"His name is Myoga, and he's a pest passed down to me by my Father." Inuyasha gripes, frown on his face. However, I'm more focused on the mention of his paternal heritage.

'Inuyasha's Father must have been the demon then, his Mother must have been human.' I deduce, figuring that a demonic flea wouldn't be associated with a human. Myoga slowly removes himself from Inuyasha's palm, floating down to land on the ground. I kneel with the silver-haired boy as he begins his interrogation.

"So what did you need to see me about?"

"Lord Inuyasha!" Myoga suddenly pops up as if nothing had happened.

'Lord?' I think, bemused as I glance at the handsome boy next to me. 'He's nobility?'

"I've come to tell you there is news about your Father's tomb!" Myoga exclaims, his four arms flapping around in excitement. "Someone is trying to find it!" I lean back on my knees, frowning.

Inuyasha's Father is dead?

"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha asks, clearly confused.

"As guardian of his final resting place, I could bear it no longer." Myoga sits down, looking up at us with a solemn expression. Inuyasha, however, seems less than impressed.

"So you took off and came here instead?" He demands. Thunder suddenly rumbles in the distance. I glance overhead behind us, seeing the dark clouds building just over the mountains.

"Uh, we should probably head back to the village." I murmur, pointing to the angry looking sky on the horizon. Inuyasha looks as well, frowning.

"Fine, let's go." He mutters, standing. I stand as well, a little surprised as Myoga jumps up, landing on my shoulder. I look to him as he seems to survey me intensely.

"I've heard of you, reincarnation of Mayumi." He informs me seriously. I inwardly sigh, feeling annoyance at once again being identified because of someone else.

"My name is Yua." I reply firmly frowning, the flea humming slightly. "And you can hitch a ride so long as you don't bite me."

"Deal, Lady Yua." I flush at the title, quickly shaking my head.

"No, no. Not Lady, never Lady. Just Yua."


"It's the remains that are important, and they are no longer there." Myoga goes on to explain later as we all sat around the warm fire, the sound of rain pounding against the roof. Thunder would roll through the sky every now and then, further setting the solemn mood of talking about Inuyasha's dead Father.

"So where are the remains then?" Inuyasha frowns, straightening up.

"Regretably, sire, no one knows." Myoga replies, and I'm once again hit with the fact that Inuyasha was a Lord.

'I honestly never would have guessed it.' I frown a little. 'He's never even mentioned his title before.'

"Some guardian you are." Inuyasha mutters, leaning his head against his hand as he continues to look less than impressed.

"Inuyasha," Kaede begins, "they say your Father was a phantom beast. That the Western Lands were his domain." I find myself subconsciously leaning forward, attention now fully on the elderly priestess.

"Can't say as I remember it that well." Inuyasha admits in a bored tone, clearly not as enthralled as I was.

"Your Father was a demon among demons. Great and powerful." Myoga goes on, supporting Kaede's claim. "His blood was especially delicious, and you, Lord Inuyasha, have inherited that from him." He adds as if in afterthought. I wrinkle my nose slightly in disgust. What a thing to say about someone! "Your Mother was a beauty beyond compare-" Myoga goes to continue, but is cut short as Inuyasha moves swiftly, digging his heel down on the poor flea. I blink in surprise, looking from Inuyasha's heel to his face filled with irritation. He jumps down silently, heading for the door.

"Hey, it's still raining out!" I frown in concern. His abrupt exit, while not entirely uncharacteristic, surprised me. Especially because talking about his Mother had seemed to trigger him.

"Whatever." He mutters moodily, shoving the covering to the side and stepping out into the pouring rain.

"What was that about?" I frown, looking towards Myoga then as he once again recovered from being squished. Maybe that was the flea's ability?

"Lord Inuyasha's Mother, Lady Izayoi, died a long time ago. He has always preferred not to speak of her. I should have known better." He informed us gravely. I look towards the doorway that Inuyasha had exited, my chest aching as it was clear how much his Mother had meant to him. He had hardly flinched at the mention of his Father, but Myoga speaking of his Mother had caused him to lash out.

'I would have thought it'd have been the opposite.' I frown. 'Inuyasha seems to be so in tune with his demon side, and resentful of his human. After all, he was willing to give up his human side to become full demon.'

'You should go after him. Talk to him.' Mayumi urges, her own voice carrying a hint of worry.

'Are you sure that would be welcomed? He seems like the type that when he wants to be left alone, he wants to be left alone.' I reply, feeling unsure.

'Trust me on this one.' Mayumi breaks off our connection completely, backing down deep within me.

'Where is she going?' I can't help thinking in confusion. She had only receded so far on a couple of occasions. Usually I could still feel her even when she was behind the barrier, just barely, but she was always there. This time there was no trace of her. Looking out the window I can see that the rain hasn't stopped, but it's gotten much lighter. Deciding to do as she asked, and to trust her judgement, I rise from where I am sitting.

"Where are ye going, child?" Kaede asks with a frown, and I give her a small smile.

"I'll be back soon, don't worry." I reply, for some reasons reluctantly to admit to her that I was going to seek Inuyasha out. It felt like it should be private. I slip on my shoes, stepping out into the mild rain. It was just sprinkling now, the odd raindrop falling onto my cheeks as I look up to the much lighter sky. I start moving, my feet carrying me towards the riverside. Somehow I had known I would find him here.

Where he and Mayumi had first met.

'He's soaked.' I frown deeply in concern as I spot him in the tree, looking up towards the sky. I come to stand under the tree, lifting my right hand up to rest it on the bark. Do I let him know I'm here? Does he already know?

Suddenly the skies open up and it begins to absolutely pour again. I can't help a gasp as lightening lights the sky and strikes down somewhere in the forest nearby, the crack of thunder nearly deafening as the very ground beneath me shakes. I can feel the rain quickly soaking me through to the skin.

Before suddenly it's not.

Red surrounds me, and I look up to my right to see Inuyasha looking down at me from the canopy he had created over our heads with his kimono top.

"What the hell are you doing?! You're going to get yourself sick!" Inuyasha exclaims over the roaring of the rain, looking equally as drenched as I am.

"I wanted to come and check on you!" I cry back, frowning in concern. Inuyasha's amber eyes widen, going from looking slightly pissed off to surprised. The surprise quickly goes back to his normal look of annoyance.

"Come on!" He growls, his one arm moving to wrap firmly around my waist and drawing me tightly into his side. The side of the kimono he had to let go of flops wetly against my cheek, but I hardly have time to register that before he's leaping off further away from he village.

"Where are you taking us?!" I call out over the storm, lifting the side of his kimono that had fallen away from my face. By now the material is so saturated it's hardly doing anything to keep the rain off of us anyways.

"Someplace safe to wait out the storm!" He calls back, and before long he lands in front of what looks to be an abandoned hut on the outskirts of the forest. We rush in, and I look around in slight awe at the place. Admittedly there isn't much to it. The hut consisted of one room with a raised wooden floor and fireplace directly in the center, much like Kaede's. I look around, firewood stacked neatly on the one wall.

Had he been living here since he had woken?

"Inuyasha, what is this place?" I ask, my teeth clattering as the cold from my drenched clothes starts to register. Frowning he shakes out his kimono in the entrance, before tossing it on the wooden floor for now. He moves over to the pile of wood and starts to stack them in the fireplace.

"I made this hut fifty years ago." He replies, using his claws to spark a fire. It casts a subtle glow as it begins to build, before finally it's roaring to life. "Get over here and warm up." He orders, and without question I move over to kneel in front of the fire, holding my hands out palms up towards the flames. The silence weighs on us heavily for a long while, my thoughts spinning as the warm fire quickly begins to dry us off.

'Fifty years ago? That must have been right before he was pinned to the tree.' I realize, glancing around at the now well lit room. "You put a lot of work into this place."

"Yeah, well, it was only the start. I was going to add rooms to it." He mutters offhandedly, moving to sit on the other side of the fire.

"Rooms?" I ask lightly.

"Yeah, for kids."

My heart nearly stops.

I look up towards Inuyasha with shock, my mouth falling open slightly while he stares into the flames. It was like he was looking, but not really seeing. I swallow thickly then, realizing he was talking about Mayumi.

He and Mayumi had wanted children.

He had wanted children.

"Don't look so shocked." Inuyasha mutters lightly, his amber eyes glancing up across the fire towards me. I snap my mouth closed, feeling a little embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. I just never thought you'd…" I trail off awkwardly, and a small smirk passes over his lips.

"Because now I wouldn't. I had only ever considered kids with Mayumi, and it was because she wanted them with me." He replies simply. "Before her I thought the worse thing I could ever do was bring a baby into this world." He frowned deeply.

"Why would you say something like that?" I ask gently. I mean, sure, babies weren't exactly on my radar just yet, but even at my age I had thought about it once or twice. It would be nice to have a family that was mine, to be able to raise my kids better than how I had been. Give them the chances I didn't get.

"They would have demon blood in them because of me." Inuyasha frowns, grabbing a stick and stoking the fire. "They'd be outcasts, not belonging anywhere." His tone turns softer, and I instantly know he's thinking of his own experiences.

'I had never really thought about that before. How tough it must have been to grow up half in one world, and half in the other. Even more so because the two worlds you are a part of don't co-exist well.' I reflect, chewing on my lower lip.

"How did Mayumi change your mind?" I can't help asking softly. Inuyasha looks at me slightly surprised, before relaxing as he answers my question.

"Just being her. I knew our kids could have a chance at a good life with her as their Mother." Inuyasha murmurs, and I feel my chest ache anew for him. He reaches for his kimono he had laid on the floor near the fire, obviously satisfied with how dry it now was as he pulled it back around himself.

'Why can't I tell him about you, again?' I think to Mayumi, guilt washing overly me heavily. She doesn't answer.

Suddenly Inuyasha stiffens, his nose going into the air as he visibly sniffs. His posture is stiff, before he jumps up quickly and heads for the door of his hut. I get up, rushing over with him and looking out the doorway as well.

"Be. Silent." He mutters lowly, his whole body almost vibrating with the growl that suddenly emits from deep in his chest.

Then I feel it.

A wave of insanely strong aura hits me harder than any has before now. It's powerful, domineering, and incredibly intimidating.

'Who does that belong to?' I think to myself as a chill spreads down my spine. I feel Inuyasha's chest brush against my back as he shifts, looking at the surroundings. The rain eerily stops, clouds parting to reveal something I'd never in my life thought I'd see.

A carriage floating in the sky.

The carriage is surrounded by what looks like little green amphibian guards, all floating high in the sky above us. The wind blows, the flap on the back of the carriage lifting to reveal a gorgeous dark haried woman wearing a pink kimono. Inuyasha pushes past me outside, his eyes never leaving the carriage.

"Mother?" He asks in disbelief.

Say what?

"It is you! Inuyasha!" The woman's voice carries out over the wind. Chains suddenly tighten around her cruelly, and she cries out in pain.

"Mother!" Inuyasha calls out, running a few paces. I follow him closely, frowning even more in concern for the woman above us.

Shouldn't she be dead? Wasn't that what everyone was saying?

'This seems so real. She seems so real.' I think to myself in amazement, my hand reaching out and grabbing onto Inuyasha's sleeve. "Wait, Inuyasha, just think. You said she died long ago." I remind him, swallowing thickly. Was someone really powerful enough to play a trick like this?

Or to bring back the dead?

Inuyasha hesitates, glaring up into the sky as the guards leave the carriage, letting it sail up further into the clouds. His Mother calls out his name desperately, and I know it's taking everything in his willpower not to completely lose it.

And then a massive clawed hand reaches out from above the cloud cover.

The carriage floats right into it's grasp, and the three fingered hand crushes the wood easily, as if it had been built with toothpicks. The cloud clears, revealing an eighty foot monster with blaring red eyes. It's skin was dark in color, the hair on its head a shade of dirty grey. Horns poked out from the demon's forehead to complete the monstrous look. There, in it's paw, now lay Inuyasha's unconscious Mother.

Regardless if this was a trick, could we really risk doing nothing?

Inuyasha charges forward, before having to dodge a fire ball as it flares up and races towards him. There on the monster's bicep stood a toad looking creature with a wooden staff. On that staff there were two heads carved out; one of a woman, and one of a man. As he lets out the second fireball I can see the mouth of the man's head open, releasing it.

"You missed!" Inuyasha shouts out in victory.

"Jaken!" A stern low voice calls out, the reptile demon turning to look towards it's owner. Only then do I notice a man with silver hair, much like Inuyasha's, standing further up on the larger horned demon's shoulders. He was dressed in a white kimono with a decorative red patterns on it's sleeves and right shoulder. On his right shoulder I'm shocked when I see his arm is threaded through what looks to be some sort of large metal bear trap, his left shoulder holding what looked to be a fluffy boa that draped over his back. He had a powerful presence, and a handsome face that stared at us with little emotion. Two purple marks in the shape of triangles painted each cheek, and a crescent moon his his forehead. That wasn't really what caught my attention.

His eyes. His eyes look identical to Inuyasha's in colour.

"Yes, milord!" The reptile replies nervously, looking eager to please his master.

"I want him dead." The man orders calmly, his gravelly voice octaves lower than Inuyasha's. I feel a chill rush down my spine hearing it. Everything about this man exuded power, and commanded respect.

"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha shouts out angrily all of a suddenly, glaring at the figure above us.

"Indeed, I've quite missed you as well little brother." Sesshomaru gives a small smirk, his face filled with a light amusement as he looks down at us.

Say what?!

I look between the two of them then, and at the same time I see the similarities and the differences in their appearances. Even in the way that they hold themselves. Inuyasha was all passion and action, whereas Sesshomaru gave off this vibe of cold collection. It was clear he was the older sibling, but something other than that set them apart as well.

'Is he a full dog demon?' I can't help but wonder, hands clenching tightly into fists. 'Is this what Inuyasha could have been? What he has wanted to be?'

"A little weak mortal, how interesting." Sesshomaru's amber eyes narrow in on me as I stand just feet behind Inuyasha. My back straightens, feeling the clear threat that came with him noticing me. "Others would be ashamed, but with you little brother, the girl quite suits you." I feel irritation spike from deep inside of me, and I know in that instance that it's Mayumi finally coming back to surface.

'I'll show him a weak mortal!' Mayumi growls lowly, before I feel her forcefully manipulating my energy, causing it to burst forth from inside of me. I blink in shock, my body now covered by the purple haze of my aura.

'What happened to playing it cool and letting me keep control?!' I panic slightly, and Mayumi growls once more.

'Inuyasha told me stories of how Sesshomaru went out of his way to make his life a living hell. If you had any idea what this asshole has done to Inuyasha in the past you'd be just as pissed as me!' At that another burst of energy comes off of me, shocking even Inuyasha as he glances towards me with wide eyes.

"What? I've been training!" I try to cover up. 'Seriously, Mayumi, chill! Or your cover will be blown!' Mayumi grumbles disdainfully sulking back behind our barrier once more. Once she's gone my aura disappears from around me, but the energy is still there waiting just below the surface.

"Maybe not just a simple human after all." Sesshomaru replies, having obviously felt my energy output. He still hardly sounded impressed. Suddenly the monster, by wordless command, tightens the chain around Inuyasha's Mother's neck, lifting her head up as she whimpers in pain. "I should think you would have had enough of them, especially after I heard that your lover was killed by that priestess all those years ago." He states coldly, and I can feel Inuyasha shaking with rage beside me. "Or maybe our Father's weakness has been passed down to you."

"He's not weak!" I spit out then, glaring up at Inuyasha's older brother. Sesshomaru looks slightly amused.

"You should train your pet better." Sesshomaru quickly replies, clearly brushing me off.

"Why have you come all this way, Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha demands, his first held out in threat. "I know it wouldn't be just to tell me how disgusted you are in my choices."

"Be not a fool." Sesshomaru frowns at him then. "I have no such time to waste. The tomb of our Father, where must I seek it?" I blink in surprise. Sesshomaru seemed to hold nothing but disgust for their Father, so why would he be looking for the remains?

"Our Father's tomb? Why ask me?!" Inuyasha frowns, and I can tell he's anxious as his eyes continue to dart between his brother to his mother laying in the monster's grip.

"Seeing, yet never seen. Protected, yet never known to it's protector." Sesshomaru begins to recite the weird passage. "No other clues are known."

"I got no idea what you're talking about." Inuyasha responds, and even I can tell there is honesty behind his words. "Besides, even if I did, there is no way I'd tell you!" He adds spitefully.

'Not smart, Inuyasha.' I inwardly groan. 'You don't have to incite him, especially when he has a hold of your Mother!'

"I see. Then you leave me no choice but to let your Mother's suffering convince you." I feel my stomach drop, watching as Sesshomaru's nails of his left hand elongate into some sort of whip, striking at the side of the face of his monster. It roars in pain as simultaneously his large hand starts to slowly squeeze the life out of Inuyasha's Mother.

"That won't work, stupid! She's been dead for years and we both know it! Like I'd really fall for some stupid trick like that!" Inuyasha calls to him, but his voice wavers slightly as the woman above us lets out a pained groan.

"A trick, is it?" Sesshomaru smirks.

"You're the one that's stupid. Recalling spirits from the Netherworld is a simple task, if you are Lord Sesshomaru." Jaken's voice holds a tone of superiority as he talks of his master, and even I'm starting to be convinced.

This really could be Inuyasha's Mother? Was a demon like Sesshomaru powerful enough to raise the dead?

"He was even so kind as to give her flesh!" Jaken continues. "And yet her own son would deny it. How sad to be Mother to one such as you." He goes on cruelly. The amphibian-like creatures from before reappear, tugging and pulling at her chains.

"I-Inuyasha." She calls out weakly, reaching her hand out towards her son. I look to Inuyasha, his cold indifference towards the woman replaced with what looked to be warm amazement. "I've come back, Inuyasha! Back from the world of the dead!" The woman reiterates, before passing out as those awful creatures straggle her further in the chains.

"Stop hurting her!" Inuyasha cries out desperately.

Enough was enough.

I frown, concentrating my energy as I form my bow and arrow with my aura, tilting it up to aim directly at his brother.
"Let his Mother go, or I'll shoot." I call up to Sesshomaru, but he looks hardly fazed.

"What makes you think you'd be able to harm me?" He asks coldly, before whipping the monster again. Inuyasha jumps into action, heading straight for his Mother as I let my arrow fly. The arrow meets its mark, hitting Sesshomaru's right shoulder as my aura bursts from where the tip making contact. With a surprised grunt he stumbles back, both he and the monster momentarily distracted as Inuyasha swoops in.

"IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!" He cries out as he cuts straight through the monster's arm. I pale, watching as his Mother starts to fall the long distance towards the ground. Out of instinct I reach out, concentrating sending my aura underneath of her to do my best to slow her fall. Thankfully succeeding I run over to where she landed, chasing off those little toad creatures.

"Are you alright?" I frown, kneeling down and gently unwrapping the heavy chains from around her.

"Yua! You and her get out of here!" Inuyasha suddenly shouts over his shoulder. I frown, looking up then and watching as Sesshormaru glares down directly at me, his hand covering the wound on his shoulder with his skin charred around it.

"I think not." His low voice rumbles over the clearing, and he once again whips at his monster, the beast screaming in pain. Suddenly the monster reaches out with his remaining arm, heading directly towards us.

"MOTHER!" Inuyasha screams, but I know he wouldn't reach us in time. I move quickly around in front of her.

'I have to protect her, for Inuyasha's sake.' I think to myself desperately, calling forth my energy then and creating a barrier around us both. The monster's hand squeezes around the bubble my aura creates, the force of it causing me to wince as my knees buckle.

"Yua, Mother, get yourselves out of there!" Inuyasha screams, but both he and I know if I let this barrier go then his Mother was dead.

Along with me.

I can feel the hand closing down on us, forced down to my knees as my bubble of energy gets smaller and smaller.

"I can't hold this for much longer!" I cry out to Inuyasha, feeling myself start to panic. What was I going to do?! Suddenly there is a blinding light that comes from behind me.

And darkness rushes right in after it.


I can hear the sound of water before I even open my eyes. Looking ahead there is a gazebo that straddles the pond, green grass everywhere and trees in the distance. Inuyasha was standing near it with his Mother on the grassy bank.

Where were we?

I try to move to get up, heart pounding as I realize I am frozen to the spot.

'What's happening to me?'

'You're awake!' Mayumi's voice screams in my head. 'It's Inuyasha! He's in trouble!'

'He's fine! He's right there with his Mother.'

'Look at her reflection!'

I frown, doing as Mayumi says, and my eyes widen in shock.

She had no face.


Dun, dun, duuuunnnnnn. Thanks again to those that have reviewed! I really appreciate the kind thoughts and words, as well as the insights that you offer. It really does help me further myself as a writer, and improve. Hope to hear from more of you following this chapter!

Until next time!

T.O.T.