Author's Note
I'm SO sorry it took my so long to update. I've been so busy with preparations for school and school itself that I just couldn't find time sooner to post! I hope you all understand and weren't too angry with me…((Pouts and begs at reviewer's feet)). Anyway here's another chapter for all you patient people. For those of you who are reading Deep In the Darkest Of Nights I plan to have a new chapter out for that as well as A Lesson Learned in time very shortly. I'm trying to update all my stories so please…those of you who are reading Hell Hath No Fury...wait a little longer for me! That one's honestly on the end of my list. My brother has also gotten a new chappie of The Nap Time Club done so when I get that typed up I'll post it as well. So keep a look out! Anyway on with the story!
Sammy-Sama
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of the characters associated with the series. However Artemis, Koji, Kane, Bakari, Shiizu, Taru, Kita-(you all will meet her later), Ally/Maru, Soshi, Mia, Seiji, Riku, Sayo, Naito, Chiri, Shiro, Maeko, Makoto, Yumiko, Kisho, Amaya, Kage, Akio, Yukio ((takes in deep breath after being deprived oxygen while saying all the names in one breath)) and Fluffy are my own creations.
Omnia Vincit Amour: Love Conquers All
Written by: Sammy-Sama
Chapter VI: In Every Life a Little Rain Must Fall
With a heavy sigh the young lord emptied the contents of his sturdy bucket atop the flickering flames of his camp fire; making sure there was no chance of his small source of heat and light from spreading uncontrollably. Indigo orbs watched with satisfaction as the thick, charcoal smoke rose from the pit, signaling the flames had been extinguished. Turning around he secured the container to the saddle of his companion; the large demon horse watching him intently.
"Well, are you ready to go Kage?" Sayo questioned, gaining the demon's attention.
The large demon horse turned his wide crimson orbs towards his master, nudging the young lord with his nose before bowing down slightly to allow the young demon to mount him.
"I'll take that as a yes then, huh?" The young lord laughed, taking a firm hold of the saddle; swinging his leg over, "Are we getting closer to them?"
Kage nodded, straightening to raise to his full height he then turned towards the east, heading in the direction of the group they pursued.
"I hope everyone's doing all right at home," Sayo commented, taking a hold of the reigns as the demon horse began to pick up speed, "I just have this really bad feeling like something's going to happen."
The foreboding feeling had tugged at the back of his mind for some time, the feeling that something bad loomed in the near future worried him. There was not enough time to return to his lands and check up on things, lest nothing be wrong and have all that precious time wasted. He could only hope and pray that everything would be all right, that the ones left at the castle would undoubtedly protect his daughter.
"You know what?" The young ruler questioned from her position between her mate the young Inu-hanyou, "I think we're lost."
"The correct terminology is 'temporarily misplaced," Mia corrected, turning her brazen amber orbs towards the southern ruler's violet ones.
"But I mean are you even sure we're going North?" Ally inquired, finishing off the bit of cracker she'd been snaking on, the mid day sun beating down from above the travelers, "Shouldn't it be getting colder if we were going North? It's going to really piss me off if we've been traveling nonstop for three days and it's been in the wrong direction."
"Well unless you've got a compass in that bag of junk you brought with you then we can't be sure which direction we're going now can we," Soshi retorted, folding his arms so his hands rested at the back of his neck.
"Okay 'Mr. Boy scout', doesn't moss grow towards the north on trees or something?" The demons' mate replied, "Why don't you see if you can get us going the right way."
The trio continued to bicker while the others took in the scenery, to most of the group the forest and rock faces around them seemed familiar.
Chestnut orbs-momentarily blinded by the sun-traveled upward toward the top of the steep plateau.
"We are going the wrong way," the slayer agreed, raising a hand to point in the direction of the looming settlement, "that's my village. So that means we're heading south east."
That was not what the young hanyou wanted to hear. It had been a tiring couple of days with no word of Naraku. After promises from the two children that they'd inform them the second the demon left with their cure they'd set out to head North as the duo had suggested. Ever since then they'd been fallowing one rumor after another. The sands in their hourglass dwindling at an increasing rate.
All self control-what little was left-that the hanyou still possessed was lost; the final nerve struck as his anger was taken out upon his comrades, "What do you mean we've been going the wrong way! Don't you all know we don't have much time! We've wasted three days searching and it's no wonder we haven't come across anything. I knew you'd all just slow me down, you're all useless!"
The group watched as the young hanyou stormed away from the group and headed deeper into the forest, backtracking to get himself on the correct route.
Sango turned towards the young monk, signaling for him to follow, "Lets head up to my village. There's no sense in traveling out too far and we can make camp there for the night."
"Agreed," Miroku nodded, mounting the now transformed fire cat, the couple shared their plan with the rest of their traveling party, everyone agreeing and followed the duo to the village.
"Aren't you coming Kagome?" The small kitsune questioned from atop the Western Lord's shoulder.
The aforementioned miko shook her head, "No I think I'll go after InuYasha."
And with that they watched as yet another of their group broke off.
The young woman waded through knee high bushes and trudged a ways down the old warn, dirt path in search of her mate. A red clad figure rested against a tree just up ahead, head hung low with his silver tresses veiling his face.
"They just don't understand," He growled, hearing his mate approach, "they don't' seem to realize how important it is we find her."
"I'm sure they do InuYasha," Kagome assured, coming to a stop about a foot behind the young man, "They're just as worried as we are but it's not their fault that we went in the wrong direction."
"I know," InuYasha sighed, shaking his head, "I just can't control it sometimes…I want our pup back. I want to be able to hold her; raise her. She's just a new born Kagome, even though she's half demon she still needs us."
"I'm not saying that she doesn't," The miko replied, "But now it seems that we need her more than she needs us. You just need to calm down and trust us; we'll find her and when we do you'll get to be the father that I know you are more than capable of being."
"I'm just not sure if this is one enemy we can beat," The hanyou admitted, his words sincere, "Or more like we can beat in time."
The young girl crept through the intricate maze of halls comprising the Southern fortress. Deep violet orbs peeked around the closest corner; trying her hardest to escape her pursuer.
"What have I told you about controlling your aura?" Came the gentle voice from behind the small form.
"Awe, Chiri. I thought I had gotten away this time," whined the young girl in disappointment.
Chiri laughed, "Well you almost did Maru, you just need a little more practice is all."
Maru beamed up at her instructor, "Really?"
The young healer nodded, "Yes now why don't we go find something to eat."
"That sounds good," The young would-be ruler agreed, "I'm a little hungry too."
The duo began to work their way through the castle towards the center of the structure and towards the kitchens. There was a comfortable silence between he two for most of the way, until a loud crash resounded through the stone hallways and shook the ground beneath them.
"What's going on?" Shrieked the startled Maru.
"I'm not sure," Chiri answered, taking a firm hold on the young one's hand, "Come on."
Gently tugging on the young child's hand, the healer lead the two towards the source of the commotion only to be intercepted by the young guard.
"Demon's are attacking the castle," Informed the guard, "We don't know why but we need to get Maru to safety."
"We have to tell Lord Sayo, Naito," Chiri stated, stern emerald orbs locked on the man before her, "I'll get Maru out of here."
"I know, I was going to inform him myself," Naito replied with a nod, "I just wanted to make sure you knew what was going on and were going to get Maru to safety."
"You know I will," the healer said, taking a few steps in the opposite direction, "keep yourself safe."
"You do the same," Came the guard's response before he took off from where he came and disappeared around a corner.
"Okay come on Maru," Chiri ordered softly, giving a firm tug on the shocked girl's hand, "We need to get out of here."
"What's going on?" Maru questioned, fear and panic lacing her tone.
"The castle's under attack," The young woman replied, "We need to get you out of here and to safety."
"What about you?" The young girl asked.
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine," Chiri assured, rounding a corner only to come face to face with one of the invading demons, "Maru I need you to stay back and do what I tell you to okay?"
The young ruler nodded, ducking behind the healer's leg.
"What do you think you will gain by attacking us?" Came the healer's unwavering tone.
"The young Lord is away is he not?" Answered the demon, its fire red orbs alit with determination, "There is no one left to defend the castle. And with the young child dead there will be nothing to stop us from taking over the Southern Domain."
"You picked the wrong time to attack then," Chiri informed with a smirk, crouching down slightly into a defensive stance, "There is no way you're going to lay a hand on this child let alone take over these lands."
"And you're telling me that a puny little demon such as yourself and a small child will beat me?" The demon scoffed, blazing eyes watched the two before him with amusement.
"Maru, when I give you the signal I want you to put the strongest barrier you can make around yourself and run towards the door and away from the castle."
Maru looked up towards the young healer, her voice echoing in the back of her mind much like a nagging thought.
"Where will I go?" Came the silent question as the young child gathered up all the strength she could muster.
"Head north, try and make it to your father. If not him at least get as far as the elderly miko Kaede's village; you'll be safe there."
The would be ruler nodded, backing up slightly from her protector and out of the way of any impending attacks.
"Well if you'll excuse me," Began the intruder, "I have other matters to attend to so if you would kindly step aside…"
A wave of pale powder blue energy slid across the cobble stone floors towards the demon, causing him to dodge the attack in order to escape injury.
"So it's going to be like that is it?" Replied the demon, pulling a broad double handed sword from the sheath mounted on his back, "Then lets play."
Chiri watched as the sloppy attacks of the invader headed towards her and her ward, the blasts easy enough to deflect. One after one she blocked the onslaught of energy, keeping a close eye on the young one behind her. There are always ups and downs to one's profession. Sure the young demon was able to heal just about any injury but her offensive abilities were about as effective as trying to fight in the dark.
The opposing demon saw this and decided to change his strategy. Progressively he fired off an attack and then moved closer towards the young woman, closing the protective gap between them and it wasn't much longer until he had the duo backed into a corner.
"Chiri," Came the frightened tone of the young ruler as a rather strong blast threatened to tear through the healer's shield.
"Okay, get ready to run Maru."
The aforementioned child looked wearily from her guardian to the thin sliver of light shining through the crack in the door.
"Don't worry about me just run."
Maru nodded in submission, getting a firm footing on the floor before awaiting her cue from the young demon.
The invader's sword was lowered one final time on top of the two, the blue shield serving as their only protection shattering like glass as blood splattered the walls of the stone lined hall.
"RUN!"
She never looked back, never stopped to see if the blood coating her front was that of the demon or her protector. She did as she was told and ran, letting the wind be her guide. Small arms pushed open the sturdy wooden barrier as strong legs carried the small form of the future ruler out into the unknown; the lands around her domain she'd yet to venture.
The only comfort and reassurance of her healer's survival was the soft whisper at the back of her mind, "That a girl Maru. Now run, run as fast and far as you can."
Tears streamed down her cheeks only to mix with the blood smeared on her face and body, "I will Chiri, I will."
The couple atop the slayer's companion flew through the sky towards the young woman's birth place; the legendary village where the Shikon no Tama was created; and the whole battle between good and evil began.
"Are you sure about all of this?" questioned the young monk, his deep knowing violet orbs locked on the back of his wife's form.
"What's not to be sure about?" replied the young slayer, a hand going to rest atop her swollen stomach, "It'll be good to finally go back home."
"I mean after what all has happened Sango," Miroku answered, "you haven't really gotten over what happened with your brother. I'm concerned is all."
"You're wrong," Sango argued, "I knew my brother was dead, I knew since the very first time I watch his body fall to the ground back at Lord Kagawalki's castle. I'm not going to avoid my village forever; I want our child to know both sides of their families and who their ancestors were."
A pair of strong, protective arms wrapped themselves around the young maiden; pulling her flush against his chest, "I know, I just didn't want you to feel obligated to open your home to all of us if you weren't ready."
"Don't be silly Miroku," Sango smiled, her voice light and cheerful, "You all are my family. I'd be honored to have you stay at my home."
"Yes our rag-tag family," Miroku chuckled, "Something I thought I would never live to see."
"What?" The young slayer teased, "your rag-tag family? You've always wanted one?"
The young monk simply shook his head, "You know that's not what I meant Sango dearest. I meant that I would never live to see a family in general; and I'm very much relieved to see that I have."
Sango nodded, "Yes, and I wouldn't change anything about it."
-----------------------------
For the most part the group headed along with the Slayer and monk towards the village looming in the distance. Only the brave four dared to stay behind and wait for the young hanyou and miko to return. Well, brave or stupid; but I suppose in some cases they could be interchangeable.
Soshi looked down towards the silent maiden beside him, "Hey Ally, Why do penguins live in the Arctic?"
"Because that's the climate they're designed for," The young ruler replied, quizzical violet orbs raised from the magazine she was currently scanning to lock with ginger.
The demon shook his head, "Nope, it's because they can't fly to Florida like the rest of the old birds."
The young woman's gaze narrowed towards her mate, "Now why did you have to go and say that. You would respect the poor birds; they do fly, just under water."
Questioning amber eyes turned towards the young ruler, "What do you mean they fly underwater?"
"You guys should watch the discovery channel more often," Ally sighed, shaking her head as she adjusted the small bundle of fur in her arms, "Their wings are really like flippers so they kind of flap under water to propel themselves forward."
"Right then," The young Inu-hanyou said, "I've never seen anything on that channel worth watching anyway. I mean the day you see a show about a time traveling well were some guy jumps in and disappears you come get me and I'll watch it."
"Didn't Lassie try to get Little Timmy out of the well but when she went to it he was gone?" The hanyou's mate questioned, "They never found him! He could have been taken back in time."
"The reason they never found him in the well was because he never fell in," Soshi answered with a shake of his head.
"I think they're coming," Seiji stated, looking around the small thicket they'd stopped in, a pair of familiar scents traveled along the air currents and picked up by the demon's sensitive nose, "we won't have to wait very long."
"I think we'd be best not to provoke your uncle any further," Seiji suggested, navy orbs lowered to amber, "He's under enough pressure as it is, any more and he might explode."
"It's not me you have to worry about," Mia replied with a shake of her head, "It's Ally who always…"
The aforementioned maiden caught sight of the half demon, running up towards him and the young miko.
"Well finally," Ally exclaimed, throwing her arms up into the air, "Couldn't find the right tree or something?"
"starts it," The young hanyou finished, pleading to who ever would listen to spare her friend from the impending doom that was her destructive uncle.
What happened or rather what didn't happen next shocked them all. No snide remarks passed the young fighter's lips, no growls of warning or death threats. The only response the group got was the cold, calculating glare that would rival even the young demon's brother. The young miko released her hold on her mate and approached their comrades, the young hanyou continuing ahead of them.
"What just happened?" Ally questioned, uncertain violet orbs following the man's retreating form, "did anyone else just see that?"
"I told him he needed to relax and calm down," Kagome answered, her deep chocolate gaze normally carefree, now plagued with doubt and worry, "I know you have a weird way of trying to make people feel better, but I would like it if you just let him be for a while."
"Okay," the young woman agreed, watching as the young maiden treaded the path her hanyou had taken.
"Did that scare anyone else? Or was it just me?" Mia inquired, turning to each of her companions.
"Now psycho, rampaging InuYasha I can handle," Seiji admitted, ushering the group to start moving forward, "But silent InuYasha, I can not."
"Agreed," Came the chorus of responses.
The duo sat in the center of a large clearing; both hunched over a wide stump. The sun directly above their heads causing the small translucent objects placed on the surface of the stump before them glitter and shine.
"I think that this makes twenty," The younger of the two said with a smirk, his short spiked blue tresses remaining in place as he leaned forward to move his piece to his desired spot, "When are you just going to admit that I'm better than you at this, Yukio?"
A resounding growl came from the said demon, his deep crimson eyes glaring daggers at his companion, hands glowing a sinister red.
"You're getting too cocky for your own good Akio," Yukio sneered, slamming his fists against their makeshift game board; the wood and pieces igniting in flames.
The young boy sat and watched with a slight pout and watery storm-grey eyes as his game set melted and burned into ash, "That was totally uncalled for."
"How is it you're so good at this game anyway?" the yong demon questioned, "I'm the only one you play it with."
"I don't know," Akio shrugged, his stormy orbs drifting across the sea of grass to land on a dark shadow among the trees, "I guess it's not totally fair, seeing as how you don't do well when you're being watched."
"What do you mean?" Yukio inquired, following the tranquil gaze of his partners with his own blazing eyes, "Whose there? Show yourself!"
A lone figure appeared from the darkness, his garb a rich purple. To say the two were a little apprehensive of the newcomer's appearance would be an understatement. The aura the demon emitted was one of pure, unmistakably maniacal evil.
"What is it that you want with us?" Akio questioned, watching the demon with growing interest.
"I'd heard that there were two highly skilled seers in this region," The man answered, "I came to seek their insight, however I come to find only mere children."
"You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover," Yukio cautioned, moving the stump he sat on to be positioned in front of his friend, his comrade forming a new seat of ice for the young demon to sit on, "We are the seers you are searching for, though generally we need to know the name of the one who seeks our knowledge."
"My name is Naraku," the demon replied watching the two before him curiously, "And I wish to know the outcome of the next major battle I'm about to become entangled in."
"To say you're to become entangled in isn't exactly correct you know," The younger of the two demons corrected, "You'll start the war and the outcome is yet to be determined."
"What do you mean 'yet to be determined'?" Naraku shouted, crimson eyes flashing with rage, "You mean you don't know?"
"We only know what we see," Yukio answered, turning his blood red orbs towards the demon who intruded upon their game, "Now I believe we have nothing further to say to the likes of you. If you would kindly leave us alone we'd greatly appreciate it."
"Why you little," Naraku said threateningly, a searing white hot pain shooting up his arm, "Fine, you're of no use to me anyway."
The duo watched as the intruder disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke, causing small wisps to remain in their clearing.
"How original," Akio sighed, stormy orbs turning towards crimson, "A puff of smoke? Honestly how many times have we seen that one?"
"Too many," Yukio replied, "So do you think we've seen the last of him?"
Shaking his head, Akio waved a had before him; a chess board made of pure ice floating atop the stump which had been place before him, "Some how I don't think so, he'll be back. He's only made the first move you know. Now we just have to wait and see what the others do."
The young demon nodded, his crimson orbs trailing towards the white king, the two triangles atop its head swiveling about as the rest of the pieces fidgeted in their squares, "Why chess?"
"Pardon?" Akio questioned, "Why not chess?"
"I mean why can't it be checkers or something I'm good at?" the young fire starter clarified, "I mean why does it always have to be chess?"
A pleasant grin spread across the young ice demon's face, a hand motioning to the game board, "Chess is a war game, all based on strategy."
"Whatever," Yukio sighed, turning his attention away from the game board, "So you want to go and find out why these two are fighting?"
"I already know why," the young demon commented, "I want to find out what they do about it."
The small group of travelers rejoined the rest of their traveling party and continued to journey towards the slayer's village in relative silence; each one lost in their own world, the land around them drowned out by their own thoughts. Though, as they all had become accustomed to by living with the Northern rulers-be it in the past or the future-the companions knew the peace wouldn't last for long. The good thing about the couple's constant badgering; they were never disappointed when they fought, for it proved to be almost as entertaining as when the young miko and hanyou had a spat.
"You know, I think we might be better off calling upon Ayame and Kouga for help," The young wolf commented, a hand drifting down to lightly cover her lower abdomen, the very spot where the life inside of her now grew, "I mean we're going to need all the help we can get."
"You're right," Koji agreed with a nod, "especially since you're not fighting."
The was a slight pregnant pause between the couple as the young wolf registered what her mate had said and then came up with a response.
"Excuse me?" Artemis questioned, her voice laced with warning, "I don't think I heard you right."
"I'm sure you did," her mate replied, turning his azure gaze towards the young woman, "I said you're not fighting. Not in your condition."
"My 'condition'?" Artemis repeated, glaring daggers at the young man, "What has me being pregnant have to do with anything? It doesn't mean I can't fight."
"Yes it does," Koji stated, "You can't risk hurting the baby. Artemis, come on; use some common sense here."
"I am!" the young demon exclaimed, whipping around to point at the stubborn man, "You have no right to tell me what I can or cannot do, you ass."
"Now I know that's the hormones talking," The man muttered, looking away from the angered woman.
Artemis huffed away from the young wolf, her stony gaze narrowed ahead of her as she shouted to her mate over her shoulder, proceeding to make her way through the mob of people in search of the young miko, "You know, I was a fool when I agreed to be your mate."
A smug grin snaked its way across the young lord's features, his azure eyes dancing with a mischievous, playful light, "Yes, dear, but I was in love and didn't notice."
"Ass," The young wolf growled, slowing her pace so she walked at the young priestess' side.
"Man troubles?" Ally questioned knowingly, curiosity gleaming in her deep violet pools.
"isn't it always?" Artemis replied, turning her attention towards the woman beside her, "Can I ask you about something?"
"Anything," Kagome answered, questioning auburn locking with stormy grey, "What's on your mind?"
"Well, it struck me as odd when I heard that Naraku was back, and then just plain impossible when I found out it was true," Artemis began, "How is it that he's returned, it thought we made sure he was good and dead before. I guess I could understand why he'd take your child, possibly to get even with you and InuYasha but I have this unnerving feeling that there's something more to it."
The young maiden took a deep breath, she knew it was only a matter of time before this conversation arose. The young Northern Ruler had always been the observant one and the one to come up with a solution of a plan first.
"We did defeat Naraku the first time," Kagome agreed, running over how exactly she was going to tell her story with out exposing her time and the people in it, "But when I fell through the well it sealed itself so InuYasha, the others and I couldn't travel through it. The jewel was left behind and InuYasha wished that he and the others could live with me in my world. Unfortunately that wasn't a self-less wish so the jewel wasn't destroyed."
"Oh shit," Artemis gawked, the dots connecting in her mind; and unfortunately it wasn't a picture of a pretty pony, "So if I understand this correctly, if a selfless wish isn't made then the jewel just goes on back to the protector or the next in line?"
The young miko nodded, "It came back to me, but it also went to the next protector."
"Amaya," the wolf whispered, "Your daughter is the next protector. That's why Naraku took her was because she had the jewel."
"Yes," Kagome agreed, "And that's why it's important to get her back, because she's not just our child but because in the wrong hands she's a weapon."
"He is just one twisted bastard isn't he," Ally commented, the three around her nodding.
"You have no idea how right you are," InuYasha stated from the head of the group, leading them after the young slayer and her husband.
The young would be western heir walked silently behind her father; her mate glued to her side with no sign of budging.
"You know you don't have to walk so close Seiji," the young hanyou stated, her brazen orbs looking up into the young demon's face; noticing his features had become serious.
"He's slowing us down," Seiji whispered, watching as the rest of the group gained distance ahead of them, "What's going on?"
"I need to have a word with the two of you," Came the calm lord's voice, nodding towards his wards to continue with out him. The Taiyoukai waited until the two had caught up with the main group before falling back to walk beside the two behind him, "I overheard your conversation last night."
"Lowering yourself to eavesdropping now are we Lord Sesshomaru?" Mia replied sarcastically, refusing to make eye contact with the feudal lord.
"You'd do well not to speak to me in such a manner," Sesshomaru warned coldly, "I merely wish to know why you bare my scent. What sort of trickery have you implied?"
"You over heard our conversation last night," The young hanyou stated, "It's no trick, it's what it is."
"Mia," Seiji hissed, ramming his elbow into the young woman's ribs, "What are you doing?"
"I would assume that you are the half breed's mate," came the lord's comment, a fine layer of disgust seeping into his tone as the demeaning word passed his lips, "how is it possible that what you say is true? I would never lower myself to produce a hanyou offspring."
Rage boiled in the young hanyou's heart, hurt flooding her emotions as she listened to the demon beside her. The small voice in the back of her head warned her not to make a big deal of it, that he was the man who lived in the feudal times and didn't believe that hanyou's weren't inferior. Though however you slice it bread's still bread, and hearing your father talk about you that was still hurt.
"Lord Sesshomaru," Mia began slowly, her tone cold though try as she might she was unable to fully conceal the hurt from her voice, "Tell me, do you care for that human of yours? Do you care for Rin?"
"She's my charge," Sesshomaru replied, "I feel what any lord would feel towards their vassals."
"Then why did you save her?" Came the hanyou's question, her golden orbs finally meeting with the young lords, the pair mirroring each other, "If you claim to hate humans so much then why do you mingle with them? Why do you 'lower yourself' to their level? What happened to cause you to hate humans and hanyous so much? What did they ever do to you?"
"Hanyous are neither human nor demon," The young lord answered, "They have no place in this world. They can not protect themselves and have not the purity of full blooded demons. Neither race wants them contaminating their families."
Mia shook her head, "You didn't answer my question. What did we do to you to cause you despise anything that didn't have pure blood?"
"My father left my mother for a human," Sesshomaru answered, never had the young lord told anyone of what his father had done; how he'd shamed his family and blood by mating with an inferior human, "He mated with that mortal princes and spawned the half-breed that would cause me so much trouble."
"I'm sorry that your father left your mother and I'm sure caused her much pain because of it, but my uncle is a very brave man," The young woman argued, "He's stronger, smarter and more daring than any full demon I've seen. It's because he's a half breed that he's able to accomplish his goals in life, despite his past endeavors and heartaches. He has the senses and power of a demon but the heart of a human, that heart which allows him to love and care for others. To trust and believe in himself and it's that heart, Sesshomaru, that keeps you from accepting the fact that there will come a time where being human won't matter. One day you'll mate with the one you love, and I can tell you now it's not who you expect."
"What do you mean?" Sesshomaru inquired, slightly taken aback by the hanyou's heart filled statement, "Who will I choose to be my mate? How do you know?"
"I can't tell you," Mia replied, her mate slipping his hand into hers, giving the young woman the support she needed to face her father, "I am not allowed to interfere with this Lord Sesshomaru; nor are you to divulge what we've discussed. The only thing further I wish to know is this: if you did mate with a human, and your child turned out to be a hanyou with everything that comes with being a hanyou, the ears the eyes and the power; would you still care and love it like you would if your child were a full fledged demon?"
"I would never mate with a human," Sesshomaru answered, turning his gaze from the hanyou to look straight ahead of him, "So this conversation is pointless. I will not contribute to bringing another filthy abomination into this world."
Seiji watched with knowing navy orbs as his mate's jaw clenched together, a fang peeking over her lip as she bit down on it to keep from shouting or crying out, which one he couldn't be too sure. He knew his mate better than he knew himself most days, but of all the things he thought she'd do he would have never foreseen this. The next thing the young demon knew was the young woman jerking her hand free from his grasp only to slap it across the demon lord's face. He stood in awe as the young lord turned to face his mate with angered golden eyes only to meet a watery honey gaze.
"You are so completely set in your ways, you know that!" Mia exploded, effectively gaining the attention of the group that had now made great progress towards the village and only then notice the trio's absence, "I assure you that one day you'll get that self-centered head of yours out of your ass and then you'll understand what I'm trying to tell you. I'm not lying when what I said last night is true, whether you choose to admit it or not. When you love someone you should show them; that's what your father did! He didn't care whether or not Lady Izayoi was human or not; that didn't matter! All that did was that he cared for her and her for him. Times are changing Sesshomaru, and I hate to burst your bubble but they're not going to wait for you."
The two demons watched as the young hanyou stormed forward to the group, Ally, Bakari and her uncle there to greet her back into the traveling party; sending cold glares towards the young feudal lord.
Seiji sighed, the sent of salt penetrating his senses and driving him crazy. Turning towards the demon beside him he said, "She's right you know, and she speaks from experience. Her father disowned her because she's only a half demon, yet that's not what I saw when I met her, when I feel in love with her. I saw a beautiful, caring, loyal woman who'd put up with anything and everything I did. I knew she'd be with me through tough times and good and when she cried I'd be the shoulder she'd go to and dry her tears. In every life a little rain must fall, but even though bad things happen and the rain ruins your day, there will always be a rainbow after the storm. Just because you think so poorly of hanyous Lord Sesshomaru doesn't mean that everyone does and I warn you now; there will come a time when no one but you will feel that way and you'll be out numbered. Try and see things the way they see it and maybe one day you'll understand."
Sesshomaru couldn't understand what he'd done, couldn't begin to fathom what the duo were going on about. Though in time he might be able to understand. Time, ever changing, ever passing, never stopping; one thing he couldn't control. Perhaps the two were right and that hanyous would one day have a place in this world of his, yet that was left to be seen.
No hanyous wouldn't find a place in his world, they'd never lower themselves to such a level. Neither human nor demon, that's how the world saw them. An inferior breed unworthy of life. But perhaps it's not that they're neither, but because their both. They have the power of demons but the consciousness and feelings of humans. Something set aside for only hanyous and something more precious than power or anything in the world; the ability to love, and be loved in return.
The young fire starter watched closely concealed in the thick brush of the forest. The two had agreed that it was too suspicious for them both to join the group so Akio agreed to go in undercover; saying something about always wanting to be a spy or something like that.
.:.:. Flash Back .:.:.
"So here's the game plan," Yukio began, quickly going over the details of their mission, "Go get yourself stuck in a tree and pretend to be afraid to come down."
Small ebony triangles flicked in the young demon's direction, "I may be half cat demon but that's just degrading."
Crimson orbs rolled at the younger demon's comment, "Well do you have any other ideas?"
"Well…no," Akio replied with a frown.
"Then we do things my way," Yukio stated mater of factly, a smug grin paltered across his face.
"I'll get you back for this Yukio," came the young one's warning, "Mark my words."
.:.:. End of Flash Back.:.:.
A crimson gaze turned towards the source of a rather large commotion, watching as his young companion ran past him; apparently trying to lure the demon pursuing him and a small child to simply chase him instead.
"Oh boy, now we're saving people," Yukio muttered, a hand going to his forehead, "This is just not how the world works."
It wasn't that hard to follow her father's trail; the young lord having a deathly fear of heights limited his time in the skies and allowed the demon horse to leave a solid trail of hoof prints in its wake. That had been the running joke between the two as the young princess grew up and was told of her ancestor's origin and what she was. Being only ¼ demon would hinder her slightly, though for the most part her appearance was human she'd have little trouble from the mortals.
Her father told her grand stories of her ancestors; the regal hawk demons of the south and how they'd soar through the skies above with their ebony wings. Sayo hated to fly, being the only on in his family to be afraid of heights made him a prime target for bulling, however like all setbacks, you simply had to take them in stride and work on other abilities to make up for your disabilities.
Maru looked around the thick underbrush of the forest floor, The ground under her feet beginning to tremble and crack. An enormous lizard demon emerged from the thick trunks of the trees around her, the demon's scaly brown hide concealing it from the unsuspecting child.
"Well, well," Came the lizard's smooth tone, "What do we have here? A small child come wandering into my neck of the woods?"
Frightened violet orbs looked around wildly for anything to defend herself with or anyone to help. Seeing nothing, and spotting the demon approaching her she did the only thing she could think of; she ran. For the second time that day she ran for her life with no idea of whether or not she would see her father or home again.
The demon began to gain on the young southern heir as she weaved and darted among the tall trees and around bushes, trying her hardest to loose her pursuer. Tripping on an unseen root, the young girl sprawled out atop the brush of the floor, her ankle twisted and pained her as she tried to stand.
Towering over the small child the demon said, "Looks like you weren't fast enough, girly."
"Hey you scaly lizard butt!" came the feeble taunt from the young ice conjurer, "Why don't you leave that poor human alone and pick on a real demon!"
"I can handle my self just fine thank you," replied the prideful would be ruler as she slowly dragged herself away from the demon towards a tree she used for support and aid in getting herself to her feet, "I'm not some weak human."
"I'm sure you're not," Akio agreed mockingly, "But I think it'd be best to leave this to the big boys now, don't you?"
With a wave of his hand the young demon sent a barrage of frozen spears towards the lizard, gaining it's attention and running the opposite way away from the injured child. The demon however had different plans than to chase after a mere hanyou.
"He must not understand who you are little one," stated the lizard calmly, "Why would I case after a mere hanyou when I could have the heir of the Southern lands for dinner?"
A small whimper escaped the young girl, using what power she had left to push out her senses and find anyone nearby who could help. A familiar aura came to the forefront of her mind and she ran towards it, her pace drastically slowed as she hobbled in the direction of the one who she hoped would save her.
"Help!" She shouted, the lizard mere inches from her as he lowered it's claws to the ground causing a thunderous explosion, jettisoning the small child through the air and colliding with the trees around her before finally breaking though to the clear path beyond the forest's line.
The group continued to make their way towards the slayer's village, the young Western Lord more or less being completely ignored from the rest of the traveling party. The air around the path began to thicken, the little radars in the groups' minds going haywire as the aura of a large demon came closer towards them as well as a smaller, weaker one."
"Someone help me please!"
Turning towards the shout the group looked towards each other.
"Do you know how big it is Kagome?" Questioned the young lunar wolf.
"Not anything we can't handle," The miko replied, cautions hazel orbs following the aura of the demon, "But someone needs help."
"Well don't just stand there," Mia scolded, drawing her blade from the sheath at her side, "lets go get some action!"
"Mia, Seiji, Kagome and I will take care of this," InuYasha stated, dividing the group up into a search and rescue party of sorts, "The rest of you keep going towards the slayer's village and we'll meet you there as soon as we're done."
"Agreed," Koji nodded from his position next to the young Eastern Ruler.
The four drafted for the recon mission branched off, venturing into the trees in search of the one who had called out to them. The two hanyou's lead the way; swords drawn as the duo burst into the small clearing the demon had made only to find a small boy clutched to a high tree branch like a lifeline.
"Which way did the demon go?" InuYasha questioned the young boy.
With feigned, yet convincing fearfulness, he pointed in the direction his pursuer had gone, watching as the two half demons charged after it.
"Can someone help me down please," Came the cat hanyou's plead, "I'm afraid of heights."
"Sure thing," Kagome replied, crossing over some fallen trees and began to climb up the tree the young demon had latched himself to, "Here, hang on."
Akio gently climbed onto the young miko's back as she helped him climb down the tree and place him securely on the ground.
"Do you have anywhere to stay for the night?" The young maiden inquired, her chestnut orbs latching with the young boy's stormy blue ones earning a hesitant shake of his head in response, "Well then you can come with us for the night."
With a gently smile he took the young miko's hand as she lead him back towards the path, the two hanyou's returning to the two left behind. As the group of now five headed towards the village looming in the distance, none of the young boys rescuers saw the thumbs up he gave behind his back; signaling to his companion the plan was a success and he had successfully infiltrated the group.
Ally looked around at the strangely familiar terrain as the group charged onward towards a demon the young Miko had sensed. The couple treaded along the warn dirt path towards the fortress-like village looming in the distance.
"You know what?" The young woman asked, gaining the attention of the man beside her.
"No, what?" the demon replied, ginger orbs alit with interest.
"You have been with me through all the bad times. When I got kidnapped…" She trailed off for a moment; that wouldn't have been good if it had been anyone else, "You were there to help me escape. When my boss hounded me about work, you were there to support me. When I had to go after Naraku, you were by my side. When we had to choose you quitting your job and moving here or going back to the states to keep your business, you stayed right here. When I got really sick a few months ago, you were still by my side... You know what?"
"What dear," Soshi inquired, smiling as warmth filled his heart.
"I think you're bad luck..." Ally stated with a smirk.
A slight frown creased the young demon's face, "I'm bad luck? Aren't you the one who's got the bad luck? I mean you get into more trouble than I can hope to even fantasize about."
"It's not trouble," The young maiden responded, "It's my job. Anyway I've never been in any real trouble; or should I say not much."
"Let me see now," Soshi pondered aloud, "How much you want to bet I can prove you wrong?"
"Twenty bucks says I'm right," Ally replied with a confident smile, "Go ahead, try me."
"Okay lets see," The young ruler's mate began, counting off the times with his fingers, "There was that time you were kidnapped by Naraku; Sesshomaru was on your tail about the toaster."
"Like I said," Ally reiterated, "Not much trouble at all."
Soshi shook his head, there was simply not reasoning with the young would be ruler, "Fine you win. Why didn't you want to go with the others?"
"Because it will come to us," came the young woman's reply as the trees to their left began to collapse.
"Help!"
Turning their attention towards the cry, the young demon placed himself in front of his mate protectively, ginger orbs narrowed cautiously towards the oncoming threat. The next thing the couple knew the trees were completely demolished from that side of the path, the small form of a young child being thrown through the air only to be caught by the nimble demon.
"Finally some real action," Ally commented, placing the fuzz ball of a dog she'd been so protectively carrying down on the ground next to her mate, giving it a firm pat which told him to remain still. Drawing her knives from their hard leather sheathes at her side; releasing them with practiced grace towards her opponent. The projectiles erupted in a blazing red and gold flame before connecting with the demon's thick hide, completely engulfing it before it's ashes were picked up and carried off with the wind, "Well that sucked, wasn't much fight in that one."
"Ally," Soshi said gently from his position on the ground, the young child still clutched tightly to his chest, "I think you should come here."
"Why? What's wrong? Is she okay?" Came the maiden's worried tone as she sheathed her knives and steadily crossed the distance towards the young man, "Oh shit."
"What are we going to do?" questioned the young demon, ginger orbs rising towards violet, both shocked at what the demon held.
"I don't know but…"Ally answered, a small smirk crossing her face, "I think it's mini me!"
After demon chasing, rescuing, and saving the group finally made it to the slayer's village as the sun began to descend below the horizon; the sky erupting in a blaze of evening light.
"Well it took you all long…enough…" Came the monk's cheerful voice as he greeted and ushered his companions into the main building of the village and the only one in relatively one piece. Miroku looked through the group, noticing two new faces and the distance they all put between the young Western Lord and themselves.
He waited until the young miko and hanyou passed before questioning them about it, "Something happen?"
"Nothing we're not used to," InuYasha replied curtly, angered amber orbs glared at his older brother for a moment before turning back to the violet of his companion's, "Either in the future or the past anyway."
Understanding dawned on the young monk as he nodded, "I see, well it looks like we have a couple of new faces among our humble group. Take everyone to Sango through the large double doors ahead of you and she'll get you all something to eat."
The young hanyou nodded, motioning for everyone to follow him inside where hey all promptly took out their bowls and eating utensils as the young slayer dished out the proper portions to each member.
Curious hazel orbs looked from the small form in the young hawk demon's lap as she approached to the southern ruler, "Is that…?"
"I'll explain everything later, once we've put her to bed and taken care of her wounds," Ally answered the young maiden's unspoken question, looking towards the young miko as Sango passed she asked, "Kagome, do you have any instant ice packs and an ankle wrap?"
"Do I?" The miko replied sarcastically, "I stocked up to the brim with first aid supplies before we left."
The young maiden took the rather large bag she'd been carrying over her shoulder and dug through it's contents, pulling out the things she wasn't looking for. Soon things from bandages of every size to open wound and sticking supplies littered the ground before the young woman handed over the requested items.
"Thanks," Ally said, motioning for Soshi to take the young girl into the next room and place the ice pack upon the swollen appendage.
"Okay will you please explain to me why that girl has the same sent as you Ally?" questioned the young hanyou from her spot in between her mate and her uncle, "I thought you said that two people couldn't exist at the same time or be in the same place."
"The story of my past is a long and complicated one," the aforementioned young woman answered thoughtfully, "I can't explain it easily and would prefer not to have it out in the open to everyone."
"Well then if you knew we were going to meet up with the younger version of yourself," The young Eastern lord commented, "Why didn't you tell us and we would have avoided her."
"Because I didn't know," Ally replied honestly, "I had no memory of the event, it was almost like a blank spot in my mind until it had already happened."
"That still doesn't explain why the two of you can exist at the same time," Soshi argued, stepping quietly from the next room where he'd put the younger version of his mate down for bed as well as tended to her wounds, "Theoretically it's impossible."
"True," the young maiden agreed, "Yet it's impossible to travel back in time through a mystical well located on the grounds of an ancient Shinto shrine right?"
For a moment the room went silent, she had them there.
"But isn't that why…" Yumiko began, stopping for a moment to correct her words, she couldn't reveal herself as the young Northern Ruler's daughter. One of the group was already found out, who knows how much trouble they'd have if they all were, "the others couldn't join the quest with us? Because they would be risking affecting the time stream."
"I just don't know," Ally thought for a moment, "You remember that StarTreck Episode where Riker met up with his clone right?"
Soshi simply looked towards his mate in disbelief, "I know you're not going to use a StarTreck episode as a reference to your life."
"I am," replied the young woman with a firm nod, "Now in that one episode Riker's clone came aboard the Enterprise and he and the clone had two different memories after a certain point. Now if this whole experience is anything like that then I won't remember certain things that happened in my past until they have already happened."
"So what happened to Riker while the clone was there?" questioned Kisho, simply wishing to gain the information of the outcome form the young woman.
"Well Troy began to hit on the clone and tried to hook up with him basically," Ally answered, violet narrowing towards her mate, "And if you try and hit on mini me than not only will I kick your ass but when we get home I'll charge your butt with a sexual harassment and pedophile charge so fast it will make your head spin."
"So," Mia argued from across the room, taking a sip of the wonderful stew the young slayer had prepared for them, "It's no better than you dressing him up like Riker and chasing him around the apartment…or you attacking Riker at the convention."
"Wait," Soshi ordered, holding up a hand to silence the argument that was about to commence, "She did what?"
"She pretty much mauled the guy who plays Riker when we went to the convention to do that assignment, " The young hanyou answered, "I have video to prove it."
"Now I think mother should have sent that in as well to AFV," Yumiko snickered, "That would make for some good quality T.V."
"Okay, okay," Ally said franticly, waving her hands vigorously before her, "We're getting off subject here. We have enough problems to worry about than my total love of Riker…and it's not 'the guy' it's Jonathan Franks I'll have you know."
"Whatever," the young obsessed maiden's mate sighed, sending the young woman a glare that clearly meant that the discussion wasn't over, a hand going to massage the stressed bridge of his nose, "Let's recap on what we have to do shall we?"
"On our To-Do-List so far is," Mia began, taking out a pad of paper and a pack of sixteen different colored highlighters, then looked quickly over at her friend, "Say anything and I'll kill you."
"My lips are sealed," Ally grinned, picking up her chop sticks and finally beginning to eat her meal, "Go on."
"All right," the hanyou continued, writing down the list onto the paper, "We've got to save Amaya, find out where Naraku is and defeat him again, get Ally's younger self back home; and get our hind parts home before we get killed and or fired. Any questions?"
Violet orbs locked with amber as the young ruler's hand shot into the air.
"Yes Ally?" Mia motioned for her to ask her question.
"You Don't intend to refer to her as 'younger Ally' do you?" the young maiden inquired, pointing a finger behind her to the young child in the next room.
"What else are we going to call her?" questioned the young wolf, her grey orbs turning from her mate's crimson ones to look questioningly at the young southern ruler.
"Her name is Maru," Artemis answered, her knowing gaze landing on the sitting form of Ally, "I thought there was something familiar about you."
There was an audible gulp as the room went silent and the young woman swallowed her mouth full of stew, "Shit."
This was just great. First it was Mia who was found out by her father; yet as of the current moment it didn't seem he believed her, which for all intensive purposes was a good thing. However now Ally had been found out and connected; though when you think about it; it was only a matter of time before someone saw the resemblance and made the distinction.
Twelve pairs of horrified eyes turned to look between the young maiden and Lunar wolf; they were so used to talking with the version of the ruler in their own time that it completely eluded them that they had to remember the two were not one in the same. Now their group was completely compromised.
"Well," Came the uneasy voice of the young demon positioned beside the exposed ruler, his jade orbs looking around the group uncertainly, "This certainly isn't going well is it?"
"So you're the future version of our little Maru are you?" inquired the young Northern Ruler curiously, cerulean orbs looking the young woman up and down, "I can see that you didn't turn out half bad from the little squirt in there. See Artemis she did get a lot stronger."
"Yes," the aforementioned demon's storm grey gaze narrowed slightly as if she was trying to figure something out, "Though not all on her own."
"Well, I'm beat guys," Ally stated, feigning fatigue as she placed a hand to cover a forced yawn, "I'm going to turn in. See you all in the morning."
The group reluctantly nodded as they watched their comrade evade them, knowing full well she was hiding something with in the labyrinth of her past.
"Thank you for the meal Sango," Soshi thanked, stacking his and his mate's bowls up and heading out to wash them in the stream that ran around the rear of the village.
"Don't worry about that Soshi," The young slayer said gently, "I'll take care of it. You just head on to bed, we have a tiring day ahead of us."
"Are you sure?" inquired the young demon, earning a small smile and a nod he placed his bowls beside the cooking pot and retired to the room his mate had disappeared to.
"Well I think we'll head on to bed as well," Kagome added with a yawn, motioning for her hanyou to follow.
"There's a small hut just outside if you two would like to use it," Sango offered, "I figured you all could use some private down time to rest and not be bothered by our chatter."
"It was my idea actually," corrected the monk as he winked towards the couple, a perverted grin covering his features.
"You are a sick man Miroku," replied the hanyou with a shake of his head, silver tresses reflecting the fire's dim light, "Pure and simple."
Small smiles graced the remaining members of the group's faces as they watched the two retreat from the main building. The building soon erupted in semi-quiet discussion on the topic of finding Naraku, granted they intended on handing his ass to him on a platter, they needed to find him first. Victory would only come when the enemy was found.
"I have no idea where he could be," Riku admitted, turning so he was facing the group and could clearly see each member occupying the drafty, repaired building. The group noticed however, the slight shame lacing his tone, and the clear sense of uselessness he felt as it seeped into is eyes and expression, "I just wish I could be of more help to you all. I mean I don't know why I came to tell the truth. I can't fight with even ¼ of the skill you all have and I don't know much about this demon we're pursuing."
"You came because you cared," Mia answered gently, turning a sympathetic and confident smile towards him, "You are excellent at getting and remembering information and that will be essential to us later on."
"Speaking of which," Koji added, "What do we know?"
"Well from what Maeko told us," Artemis replied, mulling over the conversation they'd had with the siblings, "He's cursed from something. They said that he had a silver bit mark on his arm…why does that sound so familiar?"
"Couldn't tell you," came the young wolf's response, cerulian turning to crimson, "You got any idea Kane?"
"It sounds like a Lunar wolf bite to me," replied the wox, "I've heard that the protectors of the clans up north have the ability to curse intruders in such a manner."
"That's it!" Artemis exclaimed, digging through her small pouch and retrieving a small silver whistle before blowing through it softly; no sound was produced.
"That was brilliant," Koji stated smartly, "you brought something that didn't even work?"
Storm grey narrowed as she spoke, "Shiro, please come here for a moment."
Surprised gasps filled the room as a simmering form began to appear from the shadows of the hut, a large wolf padding out into the dim fire light.
Artemis greeted her companion with a gentle smile, "Been a long time Shiro, I hope you're doing well."
The white wolf crossed silently across the room and sat down before her mistress, the large appendage behind her wagging and thumping loudly against the ground as the specters tongue hung out merrily.
"That a girl," cooed the northern ruler, gently rubbing behind the guardian's ears, "Now I need you to tell me something."
Shiro tilted her head to the side, giving the ruler her undivided attention.
"I need you to tell me if someone's been to the castle recently," she continued, "Have they?"
The wolf barked in response, her head bouncing up and down to signal her answer as yes.
"Was this person strong?" the young demon inquired, "Did he have a strong evil aura?"
Again the specter's response was the same.
"Well it seems we know where Naraku's hiding now," Bakari commented.
"Seems we do," Agreed Artemis as she gave the wolf a firm pat and relieved her to go and return to her post as guardian of the castle, "She was the one to indeed curse him, however she'd almost completely drained from the encounter."
"So now we know where he is," Kane restated, "And it's up north."
"Pack your snow boots kids," Mia sated jokingly, "We're going on vacation!"
The wicked hanyou glided towards the infant nestled in the small cradle, watched as her small hands balled into fists and a low warning growl rumbled from her small chest.
"Do you honestly think that you can take me on?" Naraku chuckled, "You might be the hanyou and miko's pup but you are certainly no match for me."
Little Amaya simply continued to growl, she knew her parents were going to come for her and soon they'd be together again safe and sound.
"It honestly doesn't matter," The hanyou stated, retreating from the defiant young pup, "soon I'll have this curse lifted and then I can go after your parents. Then I'll be free to do as I please."
Amaya watched with darkened amber orbs as her kidnapper moved away from where she lay, the growl never ceasing. She knew that she had to be strong, she wouldn't let her parent's enemy have his way with her. The young pup had to be strong and supportive for her parents. Doubt and fear plagued the strings that connected her to the two she loved.
Concentrating as hard as she could, Amaya pushed her healing energy through the bonds, trying to comfort her parents. They would need all the strength they could get, and this was the only thing she could do for them.
The small room of the hut was shrouded in silence, darkness lurked in the corner's too far for the fire's light to reach. The couple sat before the small burning pit, both trying to come up with a solution to the present problem placed upon them.
"Do you really think this is a good idea?" The young maiden questioned, a hand stroking the vertically challenged puppy currently occupying her lap; her violet orbs drifting from the crackling flames to rest on the small child sleeping at the opposite side of the fire.
"I don't see what the problem is Ally," Soshi replied, following his mate's gaze, his ginger eyes softening at the sight of the younger version of the young woman, "I mean as long as she doesn't connect the dots we should be alright."
"But what if she does?" Ally inquired, "I mean that could totally alter history or worse."
"Don't you think if History was going to be thrown off kilter Kagome would have done it already," The young demon stated, prodding the fire to heighten the flames, "She is you though isn't she? You have her memories so you'll know when or if she finds out right?"
"That's just it," came the frustrated tone of the young ruler, her hand going to massage the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger, "I can't remember anything from just before I met up with the group."
It took a moment for Soshi to respond, how could she not remember what had happened? Wasn't she living it at that very moment so she would have those memories, wouldn't she?
"How is that possible?" Soshi questioned, perplexed ginger orbs fell on the confused form of his mate, "I mean this is the past right? It's already happened, so you should remember."
The young maiden bit her lower lip in concentration, trying to come up with a logical explanation for their situation.
"I think it's because you're not suppose to see things in two different perspectives," Ally explained, "In all honesty, two people can't exist in both the future and the past. That's one of the reason's why Artemis and the others stayed in the future."
"But that doesn't make any sense," The demon argued, "I mean you're here, so you can be in two places at once."
The young woman just shook her head, "No, that's Maru. There's a difference."
Soshi was just down right confused. There before him was the 8 year old version of his mate, yet she claimed that the small child was not her? They had the same sent, same features, same everything. The only difference he could tell was the subtle change in their auras, but he just wrote that off as a power difference. "Okay then what's the difference then?"
Ally took a deep breath, steadying herself for the explanation ahead, "When I was about her age my father died. Some how, and don't ask because I'm not a hundred percent sure myself how it happened, but a part of his and my mother's souls merged into mine. What importance that will serve I don't know but that day I was changed; for all intensive purposes my soul caused me to became a new person."
He hadn't known, never would have guessed. The young demon knew that the woman before him had had a difficult past but what she was suggesting was just impossible.
"Okay, I'll go with you on that one," Soshi sighed, not wishing to delve deeper into that subject so soon, "But what about Yumiko? Artemis is pregnant with her and I doubt she had her soul merged."
"It's not Yumiko," Ally answered simply, "Their auras are different so it can't possibly be her."
"So that means that…" The young demon trailed off, the hut once again falling into silence. The only sounds were the soft whimpers from the young child across from them.
If what Ally said was true, then the child currently growing within the young Northern Ruler was not the young wolf they'd come to know. Yumiko had a brother or sister; but she never spoke of them nor did she seem to know.
"That just proves that this will be our hardest test yet," Ally whispered softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty and sorrow, "My father won't be the only innocent person to die this time."
The couple was brought from their thoughts and quite conversation by the muffled crying and sobs from the opposite side of the fire. With out warning the small form shot up from her bedding and looked around wildly. Tear filled violet orbs scanned her surroundings before landing on the comforting, safe, reassuring form of the young ruler. With shaky legs she stood and went around the fire towards the young demon before crawling into his lap, burring her face into his chest.
Unsure ginger eyes turned to meet with amused violet ones, the young woman simply nodding consent to the young man.
Gently, Soshi wrapped his arms around the sobbing child, his hand rubbing comforting circles on her back, "What's the matter Maru? Did you have a bad dream?"
Maru nodded, sobs wracking her body despite her efforts to control them.
Ally smiled at the scene beside her, "See, I knew I loved you even before I really knew you."
Soshi shook his head at his mate's attempt at humor, his concern resting on the small shaking form in his embrace, "What happened Maru?"
"They died…everyone," Maru sobbed, her body refusing to obey her protests of regaining control, "There was no one left. So much blood…there was only dark…nothing left."
Horrified claret orbs locked with mortified lilac, "This can't be good."
The young miko watched her hanyou with fatigued auburn eyes, the man's withdrawn attitude starting to unnerve her.
"InuYasha just please, come here and rest," Kagome pleaded, watching as his form by the window never moved, "You're no good to anyone tired."
"I don't need sleep," the hanyou snapped, "It's only you weak humans that need sleep."
He was doing it, the one thing that she feared he would do. The young hanyou was pulling himself deeper and deeper into his old ways. Closing himself off from any thing that could hurt him, including his emotions. In a world overrun by demons who'd jump at the chance to get a small child and where humans hated half breeds; trust was something you never had.
"Please don't do this," The young miko pleaded softly, rising from her spot on the floor to move towards the young man, "Don't shut me out."
InuYasha heaved a heavy, frustrated sigh; his amber orbs turning towards his mate, "I'm sorry."
A weak smile graced the angelic face of the pure maiden, a soft hand going to lightly cup the half demon's cheek, "We're all worried. Everyone here has something to loose in one form or another. We just happen to be the ones effected first."
"It's just so hard Kagome," the young man admitted, "My instincts are screaming at me to go and save our pup at any and every cost; but my head's telling me to think things through and plan it out. Planning takes time, time we don't have. It's like my human and demon sides are waging war again."
"It's not just you, and it's not just your demon and human sides," came the soft tone of the young woman, "I want to go get our baby just as much as you do, however we both know who we're up against and we both know we have to be ready or we'll never get her back."
"I hate it when you're right," The hanyou smirked, though the action was just to reassure his mate, the normal flare of his eyes gone making the gesture almost forced.
"I have a good feeling about this," Kagome said, her deep chestnut pools turning towards the window, much of the landscape hidden in the shadows of night, "We'll find Amaya and get her back; I just know it."
A strange warmth filled the couple's hearts, much like the feeling of pure miko energy healing one's tired, tattered body; or even the deeper level of a soul bonding with another. Both the Miko and Hanyou were filled with the warming completion only a mother and father could have while holding their child. It was little Amaya's only way to help her parent's, keep them together and feel safe. A family is connected at a deeper level, the bond of blood the strongest in the universe, and there is no stronger bond than that of a maternal one.
Author's Note
Again I'd like to apologize for not updating in so long! The late update was because of the reason's I've already stressed and am not going to repeat. I will try and post as soon as I can but this year is proving to be my most tiring and trying of years so I wish for you all to bare with me while I try and establish a consistent schedule. My Junior year has been loaded with homework so I'm sure you all know how that goes as far as enough time to get a chapter of the quality you all expect. Thanks. Remember 5 reviews or seriously no update!
A run down of how the next couple of weeks before the new year's gonna look: I have exams in about a week then I get out for break. I hope to have at least one chapter out for all of my stories currently posted during or before break is over…weather permitting that is. I hope you all can forgive me and hope you understand. This time last year I finished up the 1st story and pumped out a whole mess of the 2nd one's beginning. So I've been pretty good about posting until now. Please keep reading and hope you all enjoy the chapters! And if I don't post before the holidays I hope you all have a safe break and happy new year!
Sammy-Sama
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o.O.o Handy-Dandy-Dictionary o.O.o
Taiyoukai- Demon lord
Hanyou- Half demon
Miko- priestess
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Responding to -see I made refrence to your sexy monkey you trecky! Lol. I hope you liked this chapter and I hope you're now totally confused about your character! ((grins evily)) And if you don't post another chappie for your story soon I'm coming after you with a pitchfork while your on stage next weekend!
Cassandra not as soon as I'm sure you'd have liked but I did update! Thanks for reviewing! I know you always do!
phoenix-hazel363-well now you know! Bet you weren't expecting the young lord to get a slap in the face huh? Maybe that'll teach him…then again maybe not.
Inukag4ever181 - well I thought what Naraku wanted to do with here was obvious…she does have the jewel after all…connect the dots and make the pretty picture come alive! Let me know if you still don't get it after this chappie okies!
TotallyLost-((sobs while reading review)) I know I'm a sap for the romance too. The characters might be a little bit OOC but hey…if I wanted them to be exactly like what Takahashi wrote them to be I'd watch the show instead of reading the stories. I'm glad you enjoy it so much. Quite honestly sometimes I don't think it's all that good but hey I'm the author…and a picky one at that. Thanks for reviewing and hope you enjoyed this chappie as well.
Bedard-NO!!! REVIEWS ARE NEVER ANNOYING! That's one of the main reasons why I post this! To get Reviewer input! If there's something I need to fix or something you think I should add then by all means let me know! I agree that the last chapter was a bit Flash Back happy but I don't want these characters to be like in the 1st story where they were just there and you didn't really know them. Like Yumiko and Kisho for instance…you hardly have seen anything with them yet. I'm considering about doing short stories based on just them once this is over and work on that in my spare time but I'm not sure. Don't worry though there will be more Inu Kag action in the future…just wait a little longer and by the time I'm done you will wish I didn't'have so much. Lol.
Riyuto-san-well there you go sir… I posted so you better review! lol! I'm glad you understand how busy I am…you really have no idea what it's like! I'm also in my BETA club this year (it's an honor's society…national level) and that's kept me working like a dog. I'm glad this is your favorite! I like it better than the other two myself…I've had two stories ot perfect my talents and see what you all like and what I need to work on! I hope they haven't thrown you in the loony bin yet and if they have try and get them to let you review and tell me and I'll come bust you out! Lol!
Sexy Neko Gal-I'll be happy to read yours as soon as I have time! don't give up! Now I havent' been totally honest with the hole review thing in the past and ppl have shot the whole if you like writing do it and don't' complain at me but hey…if no one reviews for five months I don't' post for five months. See how the world works? Thanks for reviewing I know you are one of the ones who always will!
Hearii-sama- I know! Too many words!!!! Ahhhh!! Thanks for reviewing and building my esteem and ego back up! Lol. give you kudo points for being the only one on AnimeSpiral to review for this chapter…I hope you liked what happened to sessy or are happy that you now know! yet once again I leave you all in a state of suspense.
PrincessAnime-I give you kudo points for being the only one on AnimeSpiral to review for this chapter…I hope you liked what happened to sessy or are happy that you now know! yet once again I leave you all in a state of suspense.
Chapter VII: War does not determine who is right, war determine who is left
What's up with that chess board? Who are Yukio and Akio anyway? Am I being so totally weird by having all these people together in one spot…did I loose count of anybody? Will I update soon? What's up with Ally's past? What's going to happen to Artemis' baby? Who is Artemis' baby? What does Naraku intend to do with Yukio and Akio and do they really have ulterior motives for working with Naraku? Like oh say…killing the big bad demon themselves?
