Chapter 18

"Lord Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken called out, running towards Sesshomaru, who was standing next to Rin in a field of flowers.

"What is it, Jaken?"Sesshomaru asked as Jaken finally arrived, trying to catch his breath.

"I have news about a girl." Jaken replied, panting heavily.

"A girl, you say?" Sesshomaru asked curiously as Jaken calmly shook his head.

"Yes. Her name is Moka. I hear that she's some sort of strange demon called a "vampire." I hear that these so-called "vampires" are much more powerful than demons, even dog demons." Jaken informed him.

"A vampire?" he questioned, in deep thought. He never knew such a strange demon could be so powerful, than a dog demon like himself and his father. For some reason, the fact that this vampire could be stronger, than both him and his father combine didn't sit well with him at all. Let alone, a woman at that. Out of nowhere, the scent of strawberries and vanilla lilies filled his nose.

"Jaken, I'd like to meet this "vampire" you speak of." Sesshomaru said, looking towards Jaken.

Elsewhere...

"So do you plan on telling her the truth, Lord Shuzen?" the black cat asked, who was standing next to him, near a rocky cliff.

"No. She has to be able to figure half of life on her own, before I can actually tell her the rest of the story." Issa replied.

"What about her engagement towards the half-demon, Inuyasha? Do you plan on telling her about that?"

"I don't think I should. I'm sure she knows the ring, that's on her finger as well as Inuyasha. I gave her the ring, when only she was a little girl. And I assume Izayoi must have done the same thing, before she passed on to the other world at least."

"How long do you think this little charade will last? You know this can't keep going on forever, until they discover the truth."

"Until the time is right, Luna. Until the time is right..."

Moka's P.O.V

I stretched briefly, feeling happy and exciting. Keade and Miroku suggested that we'd take a break for a while, from traveling and exorcises demons, at least. I had no idea what I was going to do on our day off, but I definitely didn't want to waste it by just standing here, thinking about what I'm going to do, that's for sure. 'Let's see. What should I do today.' I pondered, a finger pressed against my cheek. At first, I was set on spending the day in the field, but...that's what I do all the time, every time that we get back from a long journey.

Just as I was thinking about something else to do, I saw Inuyasha on all fours sniffing the ground. I couldn't help but let out a slight giggle. He didn't know how silly he looked, sniffing on the ground. "Inuyasha, what are you doing?"

"What does it look like? There's been a lot of demons around here lately, I think I'll go check out the woods."

"You're going to look for demons on our day off?" I asked, frowning a bit.

"Do the demons have the day off?" he snapped, glaring at me slightly. "Anyway, what about you?"

"Oh, I planned on resting in the field, like always at first, but I thought about doing something different, other than doing that." I explained. I wanted to do something different, other than rest in the field like I always do. "Hey, would you like to join me in the fields, then?"

"What? Just you and me?" he asked, pointing to himself. I watched his face turn red as he scratched the back of his head. "Um...I don't know."

"Please, Inuyasha! Just come with me, just this once." I begged, putting on the angel face. He knew that he couldn't resist the face, like he tried to last time.

"Fine, I'll come with you." he sighed in defeat.

I squealed in delight, before pulling him along with me. Sure that it's peaceful, quiet, and beautiful, but it's no fun, when you're only by yourself.

The two of us sat in the field of flowers, side by side. Silence was only going on between us as the two of us say next to each other. None of us dared to make a move, nor a sound. But I couldn't take the silence any longer. "It sure is nice out here, today."

"..." Inuyasha grunted in response.

"What's wrong, Inuyasha? Are you not enjoying yourself?" I asked, slightly ashamed that I made him come all the way out here. "You're free to leave, if you don't wanna be out here."

"No, it's not that at all." he said, staring at me with an expression, I couldn't read, or tell. "Do you really enjoy being out here?"

"Of course I do." I answered him, with a smile. "I can't even find the words to describe it...but it sure is beautiful." I told him, staring at the different kinds of flowers, that were standing up before my eyes.

"Really? There isn't much of anything here."

"That's why it's so beautiful. Because there's nothing here." I replied. "You wouldn't understand the subtle delicateness of a woman's sensitivity." I said, with independence playing in my body.

"Deli-what?" he repeated, confusion plastered on his face. "Is it strong?"

I giggled slightly at his response. "It's not about strength."

"I don't get it."

I let out a faint sigh. "Never mind. Let's just enjoy the day together."

"I really don't get you. Huh?"

I looked towards him, slightly confused. "What is it, Inuyasha?" I then knew why, when I saw a butterfly flew in my sights. "Oh, it's a butterfly! Oh, wow, it's been a while since I've seen one." Another then flew in my sights. "There's another one!"

"There's even more. Look over there." he said.

"Oh yeah. They look like they get along." I replied.

Silence only played between us for a moment, before he spoke. "Yeah, so?"

"Huh? Um, so..." I stuttered, blushing a bit. I didn't really know what to say to him, at this moment. I don't know... Maybe he doesn't wanna be out here with me, after all. "Um, it's really nice here, isn't it?" I commented, quickly changing the subject.

"Huh? Oh, yeah it is." he agreed. Silence once again, played between the two of us. I felt nervous. Wait a minute! Why am I feeling so nervous about being out here with him? It's not like I'm in love with him? Am I? "Hey, Moka... About what I did a few days ago..."

"Yes, Inuyasha?" I questioned, turning to look at him.

"...I wanted to apologize." he finished, staring at me, with slight guilt in his eyes. "I know what I did and said was wrong."

"Oh, Inuyasha. It's okay, really, I-"

"No, let me finish." I instantly shut my mouth and let him continue on. "I shouldn't have never said those things to you, back there. It was incredibly disrespectful and I feel like a total jackass."

"Inuyasha, you don't have to apologize. I know how sorry you are." I told him, truthfully, before looking at my lap. "I already said it's okay. You were probably just upset, that the curry dish was too spicy and you were saying these things, that you probably didn't mean."

I turned to look at him, only to see a beautiful lily in my face. "Here, this is only my apology for how I treated you." he offered, with a smile, I've never seen him with before. This is the first time, I've actually seen him smile like this. "I know it may not be the best apology, I could come with. I know."

I took the delicate lily out of his hand and stared at him in awe. "Inuyasha..." I trailed, speechless. "That's what I've always wanted from you. An apology. You don't have to give me the world's best apology, just one simple "I'm sorry" would be enough for me to forgive you." I slowly smiled. "No one has never in my life apologized to me. Thank you." I leaned near him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Instead of looking unphased or shocked, like I expected, I get a slight smile in return. "Sure. It's the least I could do."

After the two of us talked a bit more, until the sky hit down. I was surprised, that Inuyasha was able to make me smile and feel comfortable, more than ever. After the skies turned dark, the two of us decided to head back to Kaede's village. I expected everyone to be in their homes and asleep, but boy was I wrong! Instead of the whole town being empty, I hear beats of drums playing, along with laughter and joy. I see a whole lot of people dressed up in all kinds of kimonos. "Um...what's going on? I didn't know they were hosting a festival.",

"Inuyasha! Moka!" called a familiar voice. Before my eyes, I see Kagome and Sango, jogging up to me, both dressed in beautiful kimonos. "Moka, thank goodness! You're just in time! Let's go! We have something for you." she said, both her and Sango pulling me away from Inuyasha.

"Huh? Something for me?" I questioned, still confused about what was going on. "Hey, you guys! What is this about? How come I didn't know about the festival, until now?" I asked, growing a bit frustrated. As the two of them pulled me into Kaede's hut, the two of them smiled at me. "What are you two up to?"

"So..." Kagome started, grinning from ear to ear. "...tell me how it went."

I titled my head, slightly confused. "What are you talking about? How what went?"

"You know, with Inuyasha?" Sango chimed in, smiling as well.

"Well..." I murmured, twirling the lily, I still had in my hand. "Well, the two of us talked about a few things, before making amends. He even gave me this flower as an apologizing, for how he treated me." I explained, examining the flower, that was left in my hand.

"Oh, that's wonderful! I'm so relieved." Kagome exclaimed. "Anyway, Sango, Kaede, and I made something for you. Well, Kaede mostly made herself." she said, her and Sango, standing side by side.

"Hmm? You guys made something for me?" I queried, not quite sure if I was hearing right, or not.

Kagome and Sango looked at each other for a moment, before giving each other a nod. The two of them finally separated to reveal their hidden treasure. I let out a gasp as I stared at in awe. Lying in the hay, neatly folded dark purple kimono, with multiple light, purple bats spreading in different places on it. "It's so pretty..." I was marveled at the sight of the kimono. "The three of you made this, for me?" (AN: I would suggest looking on my profile and seeing what their kimonos look like, before going any further.)

"Yeah, of course. It's a "thank you" gift, mostly from the three of us. I knew bats were your favorite animals, so I asked Kaede if she could do it."

"Honestly, you two didn't have to do this for me. You've already done enough for me." I told them, feeling slight guilt in my heart.

"Nonsense. We simply wanted to, because..." Sango paused, before staring at me, with a warm expression. "...you have been like the best friend, we could ever wish for."

I was speechless. I was like their best friend, they could ever wish for? Is this the reason they made this, for me. "Thank you so much..."

Inuyasha's P.O.V

"So have you apologized to her, yet?" Miroku asked as the two of us walked through the village.

"Yeah. So?" I answered, making it sound like no big deal. I knew he was up to no good, when I saw a mischievous grin on that face of his. "Look, don't go gettin' any funny ideas, because nothing happened. Got it?"

"Inuyasha, answer me one question." Miroku said, pausing for a few seconds, before finally speaking up. "Do you honestly feel that Moka is more, than a friend to you?"

I immediately stopped in my tracks, when he asked that question. I had to be honest. I can't hold it in anymore. "Yeah, of course I do..." There you have it, I have feelings for Moka, the girl, who has two split personalities. "It's just that..."

"What is it?"

"Her other side. I think the other Moka hates my guts. I'm not sure, if she'd accept me, unlike the other half." I'm just gonna be really honest. I still like the other side of Moka, better than the scary version of her. Although, the scary side of her is more arousing. "I mean, I like both sides of Moka, it's just that the other half doesn't seem to like me."

I heard him chuckle next to me. "You won't have to worry about that. Just try to get to know the other half and she'll probably open up to you, sooner or later." Miroku explained.

"Trust me, it won't be easy." I replied. Before I can add on anything else, I hear a familiar voice shouting, not too far behind.

"Let go of me! I told you, that I didn't want to come!" shouted the all to familiar voice. Moka...

"Oh, c'mon! Stop being such a big baby! It'll be fun, trust me!" I heard Kagome shout. I looked behind me to see Kagome and Sango, tugging on someone behind the hut.

"I look horrible!" cried the voice of Moka. "Everyone is going to laugh at me..." pouted the voice.

"Now, Moka. There's no need to be shy. Just about every woman in the village, is wearing the same thing as the three of us." Sango reassured, tugging on the figure.

"Come on, Moka. You're going to be fine." Kagome coaxed, once again tugging on the figure, along with Sango. But Moka didn't seem to wanna back down, from the looks of it. "Oh, for crying out loud! Sango, give me a boost here!"

"Gladly!" Sango went behind the hut.

"Wait, Sango! What are you doing?" Moka questioned. I watched Kagome pull and out finally came Moka. I almost lost my breath at the sight of her. She was dressed in the most beautiful kimono, I've ever seen. She also wore a pink flower in the side of her pink hair. I didn't see what the big fuss was about, she actually looked adorable in my opinion. She looked absolutely stunning.

"Hmm, Moka looks absolutely stunning, wouldn't you say?" Miroku whispered slyly, slightly leaning towards me. I glared at him, when he stared at Moka. I knew that look anywhere. I knew he was having perverted thoughts of Moka, running through that thick skull of his.

"Yeah. You better not be thinking of trying to pull anything off on her. You know Sango wouldn't like that, if she found out, that you tried anything with Moka." I theorized, smirking slightly. I couldn't be happier with the thought of Miroku receiving a brutal beating from Sango.

"Hey, sorry we're late. We had a little trouble, we had to take care of." Kagome greeted, referring to Moka, who had her hand behind her back, her feet shifting back and forth.

"You women waste to much time, getting ready." I groaned.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Kagome asked, glaring at me.

I was about to give a remark, until Sango interfered. "Well, who wants cotton candy?" she interjected, clapping her hands. (AN: I don't know if the even served cotton candy, or anything that is candy in feudal japan, when they had festivals. But its only a fanfic, so bare with me here.)

"Me! Me! Me!" cheered Shippo. Of course he would. He was only a little kid, after all.

A few moments later, the others were enjoying themselves and seemed to be having the time of their lives, by the looks of it. All except one, that is... Unlike the rest of the bunch, Moka seemed to be out of it. Instead of seeing a joyful smile, I only see a slight frown. She looked as if she didn't wanna be here, from what she said earlier. She looked upset over, for some reason.

Moka went to follow the others, but I only pulled her back by her arm. "Come with me." I mumbled, pulling her along. I dragged her to the one place, that makes her feel comfortable. The field. "I'm sure no one will find us here."

"What? Inuyasha, what's going on?" she asked.

"I could ask the same thing." I remarked sarcastically. "Honestly, Moka. What's wrong? You seem out of it." I could only watch her look away, her face downcast a bit.

"Well, I'm okay. It's just a little dark out, that's all." she answered, biting her lip.

"Liar." I muttered, making her goggle in shock of what I just said. "I know something is going on with you, Moka. Are you not having fun, tonight?"

"Oh, I am. It's just..." she paused, before giving me smile, I couldn't read. "...it's been a while, since I've been to a festival." she added. "I'm happy that they're actually having one, but at the same time..." Her smile, turned into a faint smile. "...it makes me sad..."

I was a little caught off guard, by what she said. Why would she be upset, for being here...to a festival of all things? I would've thought, she'd be all over the place, like Shippo and the others, but I guess it didn't seem that way. "Huh? How come?"

"W-Well...it's kind of a long story." she stammered, not looking me in the face. "I don't know, if you'd wanna hear an old boring story from someone, like me."

"Well, I've got time to listen." I said, staring at her. "Plenty of time." I added. There's was no way, I was gonna let her get off, that easily, without telling me why, she's so bummed out.

"Do you really want to know why I'm like this, Inuyasha?" she smiled faintly, her bangs shadowing over her eyes.

"Of course I do. I asked, didn't I?" I replied.

She walked the opposite direction from me, towards the forest. "Follow me. Let's go somewhere, where we can talk." she said, walking forward. I wasted no time, following her to where she lead me...

I'm just going to stop right there, for now. I know one of you, want Inuyasha and Moka to get together right away and I'm working on that, in the next chapter. Sorry for the long wait.