Hello, peoples! Starting the third chapter! I hope you guys like this one, too. R&R!

Seekers of the Shikon Jewel

"So, you mean to tell me that you can see the past, present, and future?" Inuyasha rolls his eyes and closes them, tapping his foot against the ground.

"Yes, and this is a parallel universe." I glance towards Inuyasha from under my hair. "That's why you confused me with Kikyo. I'm Kikyo from another universe."

I don't believe in reincarnation, and this is definitely not five hundred years in the past. We have records of what happened in Japan all those years ago, and they have no records of demon attacks. This obviously has to be a different universe.

Inuyasha's ears perk up from the mention of her name. "Oh."

"Moriko can also see our pasts and futures, Inuyasha. She knows everything about almost everyone." Kaede tells Inuyasha the one thing I wish she wouldn't.

Inuyasha's eyes snap open and swiftly shifts his head towards my direction.

"What?!" Inuyasha gasps.

"Uhm, well, I know your past, Kaede's, Kikyo's, and many other people we'll meet in a couple of weeks." I look away from Inuyasha, my downcast eyes gaze into the fire. "Inuyasha..."

He settles down and changes his position, crossing his legs and arms, looking at me intently.

"What is it now?"

He sounds annoyed. Should I really tell him this now? Yes, I have to. Now is the time to tell him.

"Inuyasha. I know about your past. Even parts that you don't know." I pause and gather the courage to look at him in the eyes. "Would you like me to tell you the parts you don't know or remember?"

"Tell me... My past?"

Inuyasha

She can tell me my past? Like how my mother died, why Kikyo betrayed me, how I came to be? She can tell me my future, too... And since she must know all of these things, she seems loyal and trustworthy with secrets.

"Alright, I'll ask you a couple ques-"

"That's not what I mean." She bursts in.

"Huh? Then what do you mean?" I ask.

She takes a deep breath.

Moriko's eyes seem to have... Saddened. What happened in my past that's causing her to act so down?

"I mean, like, from beginning to end, as long as you don't mind." She hesitates.

I think about it for a moment.

"Fine then. Since Kaede already knows some of my life and you know all of it, I guess there are no secrets around here, huh?"

I look up at Moriko and regret my words instantly.

"I-I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to sound rude! I-I just wanted to know if you wanted to find out about your past. I'm sorry!" Tears start to form in her eyes.

NO! NO! NO! SHE CAN'T CRY! NOT NOW! THE ONE THING I CAN'T STAND! A WOMAN CRYING!

"Look, don't cry, alright? I was just kidding. You can tell me everything because, honestly, I'm pretty curious."

I glance at her again and sigh with relief.

"Oh, uh, okay then. And I wasn't crying either." She crosses her arms.

"Alright then, you weren't crying. Now tell me everything."

Man, she's just like me. Stubborn, yet soft. Oh well, better prepare for the whole story.

"So, Inuyasha, I'll start with when you were born." She pauses. "I'll also tell you that you don't really have the best past someone could hope for..."

I nod. "I'm prepared for that."

She nods back, takes a breath, and... SMILES?

"You know, Inu, I'll tell you the truth." She stands up and spins around giggling. "You were the cutest baby ever! I would cuddle you for years if I could!"

Of course, she would say that.

"Okay, uhm, I'll start with with how your parents met. Oh, if a fairytale could ever happen, theirs would be the closest to it! Would you like to know about them?" She looks at me smiling, but her eyes still look unhappy.

"Sure, I'm ready." I reply.

"Alright. I'll start with your father. Since you never met him, I'll describe his looks and how his life was like."

I nod, curiosity taking me over.

"Okay, so, he, and I know you hate him, looks a lot like Sesshomaru. Yes, I know who he is. Your half-brother that acts like a blonde rich girl." She rolls her eyes.

I start to laugh... I actually laugh! "Did you just say a 'blonde rich girl'?!"

She smirks. "Yes... Yes, I did." She holds up her hand for a high-five.

I high-five her and slow down my laughing.

"Actually, if you were full demon, you would have his crests. You know, the lines on the cheeks? His were purple and jagged, he had his fluffy tail/boa thingy, like Sesshomaru does, he had the famous amber eyes, his hair was long and silver in a ponytail, and he had three swords. One, the Sword of Heaven, Tensaiga, which he entrusted to Sesshomaru. Tensaiga can raise people from the dead. Two, the Sword of Hell, So'unga, which harbors the soul of a dragon from Hell, and lastly, Tetsusaiga. Tetsusaiga is the Sword of Earth, or Humans. Only humans or half-demons can touch it, but only you have the power to wield it." She stops to take a couple breaths.

"Wait! What do you mean only I have the power to wield it?" I ask.

"Well, in about a week or two, you're gonna get Tetsusaiga to make you more powerful. Sesshomaru wants it, though. He's going to try and kill you for it, but you end up beating the crap out of him." She smiles. "But, later he turns into what you would consider a 'good guy' and joins up with our gang. We'll meet all of them in about a month or so. Is that all you need to know about that?"

I nod. Wow, this girl really does know everything... And I beat the crap outta Sesshomaru?! I must be a lot stronger than I used to be.

Moriko continues. "Now, I now that you know what your mother, Izayoi, looks like, but did you know she was a princess?"

"W-what? I didn't know that. I knew she was of high-class, but not a princess!"

She grins. "Well, your father was a powerful dog-demon lord, your mother was a princess..." She clasps her hands together giggling. "That would make you a prince!"

Okay, she's starting to scare me...

I am really enjoying telling him all of this. I wonder what he thinks of me right now.

I look up at Inuyasha's face, then I frown. "Uh, Inu? What's the matter? Your face looks weird..."

His face looks really freaked out, like my face when there's a really awkward moment.

"Oops... Did I say something kinda awkward for you?" I ask.

He jumps out of his trance and shakes his head no. "Nah, that just caught me off-guard for a moment." His gives me a smirk. "So, I'm a prince, huh? Is Sesshomaru a prince?"

"Yep! Oh, and when we first meet him, I'm going to give him an EPIC first-impression." I do, YET ANOTHER, evil smirk.

Inuyasha's eyes widen. "Uh, like what?"

From his face, I can tell he's thinking something dirty. I grab my shoe and throw it at him.

"OW! What was that for?" He yelps.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Inu, I meant I was gonna insult him!" I blab.

He rolls his eyes. "You're just gonna get yourself killed, ya know."

I glare at him. "No, I'm not. Geez, have a little faith."

"Fine, fine." He looks at me squinting. "You know, I don't know how I could have mistaken you for Kikyo... Your hair and eyes are a completely different color than hers. If you're her from another dimen- however you say it-, then how come you look so different?"

"Dimension, and that's because I'm not Japanese, I'm American. Actually, I'm a mix of tons of different races. I'm British, Irish, Scottish, African, Thai, Vietnamese, and Cherokee." I breathe in and out fast, out of breath.

"Uh huh, and I have no idea what American is or any of those other words you used. Is that all?" He gives me his 'I don't give a damn' face.

"Screw you and sit!" I say angrily.

"DAMN! Stop doing that! It hurts!" He growls.

"No! ANYWAY, we need to continue the story." The words roll off my tongue like molasses. "So, as I was saying, your father was a Demon Lord, and your mother was a princess. You and Sess are both princes. We got that gig down."

"Uh, we got what down? You talk weird." He rolls his eyes.

I suck in my breath. Remember, Moriko, we want to get on his good side! So I don't sit him.

"I'm American, I speak English with a little bit of slang." I explain. Then I ask, out of pure confusion. "Um, also, why do you guys all speak English if you're Japanese?"

Kaede comes in. "Oh, we have learned many languages through the years. All of Japan can speak English unless you are strongly isolated from local areas."

"Oh! Wow, didn't know that." I giggle. "Actually, I'm fluent in Japanese as well, but I still prefer speaking English, if you don't mind."

"Oh, it's fine, child. Ye are lucky that we can speak ye language fluently, or else ye probably wouldn't be too comfortable, hm?" She grins.

"Yeah, it would probably still be a bit difficult. Arigoto, Kaede-sama." I wink.

All she does is smile.

Inuyasha puffs out a breath. "Kiss-up."

That name hits me hard.

"Ohh, look! It's the teachers' pet! I bet she's just having sex to get good grades. She's WAY too stupid to understand anything! Ha!"

"Actually, I wouldn't say I'm smart, but I'm not stupid. And I don't have sex with the teachers, I'm a virgin."

"Even if you WERE telling the truth, that would make you suck even more!"

"Excuse me, students, is there something you would like to tell the class?"

"Uhm, no, Mrs. Jay. I'm sorry. I was being rude for speaking out of place."

"Heh, kiss-up."

Inuyasha

I look up at Moriko after my uttered words.

What the hell? She looks... Angry AND sad... This girl's bipolar...

"Yo, what's up with you?" I ask.

"Nothing, just a bit of unwanted memories coming back. We're kinda alike ya know." She leaves her sentence hanging.

"How so? We're nothing alike!" I argue.

She laughs a fake one, and the scent of salt hits my nose. She's crying? Why? Shit.

"Uhh-!"

"Well, when we were children, we were bullied, made fun of, shunned, despised, all just because we are who we are. Because we're us," Tears roll down her cheeks as she looks up at me. "We both (choked sob)- we both know what it's like to be hated by everyone. The only people who love me would be my only friends and family, but none of them truly understand me, except for a few. Your mother understood you..."

"Keh! Yeah right! My mother was ashamed of me! She was embarrassed to have me as her child! Who would want a half-demon as a child? Who?! No one! That's who! Now, I'm leavin'! Don't try t-"

As I stand up to walk out of the hut, I feel a hand wrap around mine. "Huh?!"

I look over at the teary-eyed girl with the scent of moonflowers and sakura.

"You don't know the whole story..." She starts. "She risked her life to make sure you lived! And so did your father! Your father died to save both yours and Izayoi's life! Actually, your mother died the day you were born. She was murdered for bearing the child of a demon, but your father raised her from the dead, and you were fine. Your father, already suffering wounds from a fight with a dragon, ran into a burning building to save his child and beloved! He raised her from the dead, and guess what else? Your kimono was once his. He covered it on his love and child and turned away from them, facing his enemy. Your mother cried out, "Beloved!", and do you know what your father said? He said, "Inuyasha." That's it. Your mother and the general, his enemy, asked, "Who?", and your father said with pride and a smile on his face, "My child's name shall be Inuyasha. He is of my blood, and he was borne from the woman I love above all else. His name will be Inuyasha. Now, Izayoi...""

Moriko pauses and whispers, as she impersonates my old man. "Run."

Silence can't even be the sound that follows after her one-word-statement. "He... Told her to run." She finishes, and lets go of my hand. Kaede stares at her in complete awe.

Moriko turns away from me and closes her eyes. "Your mother ran out with you crying in her arms, since you could sense her distress, and she realized that the building was going to collapse. Unknown to her, InuTaisho knew he was going to die. Before she knew it, about to run back in, the building collapsed, on the man who killed her and on the man who loved her." She sends an emotionless gaze towards me. "Is that all you need to know about your birthday, on April 4th? For you, that would be the very beginning of rice-planting season. Is that truly all you need to know?"

Words are wanting to spill out, but fangs prevent their ruthless escape.

"You aren't lying... Are you?" I ask slowly, trembling.

"No. I'm not lying." She wipes her eyes.

"Why... Why does the world have to be so fucking horrible when you're alone?!" I growl between gritted teeth, my hands gripping the side of my hakama. "It seems everyone I meet just ends up dying because of me! That's why I don't have friends... I have no one, and that's how it'll always be!"

"No, that's not how it'll always be." I whisper.

"Moriko... What do ye mean?" Kaede questions.

I twist around very fast and look straight into the watering, shining orbs of gold. "Because you have friends! You just won't accept it! You know you want them, and damn it, you want them just as much as I want to never be bullied again!"

He starts to object. "I don't wan-!"

"AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU DENY IT, INUYASHA!" I yell in his face, the silver triangles lying back from the unwelcomed noise. "You have friends! You may have just met me, and you may not trust me, but I am taking my life's chance to trust you!" I step back, my eyes still watering from my earlier crying fit. I reach out my hand in a position for a hand shake. "I'm willing to risk my life for any enemy we may face to be your friend, Inuyasha! Will you accept my request of friendship? Or maybe not even that! Just acquaintances, but no longer as strangers! Shake on it?"

Moments start to pass by. He won't accept. Of course he won't. I'm just a crazy bitch who he thinks wants control over his life...

Wait.

Slowly, unsurely, but the year-long moments end as Inuyasha releases his hakama and reaches towards my outstretched hand.

With a loud gulp, he looks me straight in the eye and says, "I accept... Your request of friendship, Moriko."

The brightest smile I've ever smiled forms upon my quickly lightening face as his hand takes mine in a sure, strong grip. I shake it up and down twice, with a loud laugh. "Well, then! I say thank you," I grin up at him, my eyes shining- not from tears, but from pure joy- "To my new friend, Inuyasha, for giving me the best birthday present a girl could get!"

Three days later...

"I wonder if I could try to go back home... No bandits have taken me yet, no matter how many times I walk alone in the woods! The jewel needs to get shattered!" I mutter helplessly, low enough so the grumpy hanyou sitting from across the room won't hear me.

Ever since our declared friendship, we have been talking a bit more and getting along (sort of). I haven't sat him since my birthday, which kinda established a bit of trust. I told him I won't sit him, unless he was going on a rampage or he honest to God deserved it.

CAAW CAWW!

"Huh?" Inuyasha and I gasp out of surprise in unison.

A large demon crow flies straight into the hut heading straight towards me.

"Hey!" I duck as it tries to slice my head off with its talons.

Then I feel a slight tug at my neck and realize with pure and utter despair, the crow got the jewel.

Wait, this is good! Now I have to wait for it to go attack someone, have Inuyasha slice it, and shoot the foot!

"Inuyasha! Don't slice it yet!" I yell.

"Why the hell not?!" He screams.

"I have a plan. Wait for it to attack someone, but before it does, slice it to pieces and bring me its foot! Don't ask why, but there's a reason for this!" I explain, grabbing an arrow and a bow.

"Fine then, of course you're the expert!" But despite his insult, he obeys my command, presumably curious for why I'm doing this.

The crow shoots out of the hut and heads toward a small child. Inuyasha runs toward it and slices it to pieces. He grabs a foot and throws it to me.

I catch it, tying it to the arrow. The demon starts to regenerate, and flies into the air, footless. I aim the arrow into the sky and prepare to shoot, waiting for the perfect moment.

"She cannot hit the demon! 'Tis too far!"

"My butt she'll hit it."

Ignoring the degrading remarks, I shoot the arrow.

Inuyasha's eyebrows furrow together, and he sucks in a breath. "I get it. She's shootin' the foot! It'll go straight towards the crow!"

Kaede appears from behind me. "Is everyone alright? Where is the-?"

I point in answer to her question and she looks up, just as the arrow reaches its destination. A bright pink light shines for a moment, then off go the shards! Glowing lights looking like shooting stars fly across the sky, reaching the horizon's late dawn.

Perfect.

"Are you sure it's here?" Inuyasha grumbles in annoyance.

"Oh, yeah. I'm sure it is." I can't help but release a tinsy bit of laughter into my few words.

I glance at Inuyasha, and I notice suspicion reflecting off his eyes.

"Is this apart of your plan, Ms. Fortuna?" His sarcastic remark aimed towards me.

I tense up and pause my 'searching'. Damn.

"Uhh-"

"So you mean to tell me you planned this WHOLE fucking thing from the beginning?!" He screams.

"Well... Yeah..." I stutter, not making eye contact.

"Huh, okay then. Did you know that I would be pissed at you, and do you even know where the Jewel is?"

"Yes, and sort of. The Jewel was shattered into thousands of pieces... and we... sorta... ya know... need to... find all of them..." I gasp out each word, his aura behind me growing with immense anger.

"WWWWHHHHAAAATTTTTT!?"

"You have NO fucking idea on how pissed I am! We only have ONE shard! And just when I agree to be friends with you! Damn, woman, you're really just a walking blob of lies!" He screams into my face.

You have no idea...

"Well, Inuyasha, it's too late! The Jewel is shattered, and we have to find the pieces. You're stuck with me!" I yell back.

His faces twists unnaturally as his fit of anger really boils up to his head. "You bitch!" He spits in my face.

"I'll take that as a compliment, seeing that a bitch is a female dog." Now it's his turn to stutter in surprise.

"Ye two need to stop fighting! I'm getting a headache from your bickering, now quit it!" Kaede scolds both of us.

Inuyasha mutters under his breath. "I'm stuck with a bitch and an old hag. What the hell is next?"

Kaede, with her almost deaf ears, didn't hear him... But I, with as good as hearing as Inuyasha, heard it loud and clear. "Inuyasha... Please... Don't call me anymore names."

"Why should I listen to you, liar?" He spits at my face.

1 2 3 4... 1 2 3 4... Calm down...

"Stop it. Please. I'm called names enough already... So stop it." I glare at him.

I look away and feel him back off. "It's still bright outside. I'm going to go take a walk."

Maybe Yura will appear...

Yura

"How wonderful! The Jewel has finally resurfaced, and now I can gain so much power!" I laugh my seemingly innocent girl's laugh, combing my oh so beautiful skulls.

All I need to do is kill her.

Hope ya'll loved it! Next chapter coming up soon! R&R!