PLEASE READ!

I am sorry that I haven't been updating lately. There are 3 reasons.

1) I am really busy taking care of my dad. He just had knee surgery, PLUS I have a HUGE Physical Science report that is due the day I go back to school.

2) It's hard keeping up with writing while I'm already being bugged by various people on youtube to make videos.

and 3) I feel that no one is even READING my stories anymore. I looked at how many hits this story has gotten, and I am sad to say that the numbers are very low. I REALLY need reviews right now. I hope you all understand. You can also help me by giving me ideas. What should happen next? How should the story end? Please let me know in your reviews!

Thanks and love you lots ^^

*ghostvampirehunter95*

Chapter 9

InuMaru and Osamu

When I awoke, I still felt cold arms wrapped around me.

I growled softly, still comforted that he was holding onto me.

I heard him chuckle, "Good morning sleeping beauty."

"Good morning prince charming." I whispered lightly nipping at his ear.

"Did you sleep well?" he whispered stroking his hand through my hair.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I did." I sat up, and stretched my arms out in front of me. The pain was nearly gone from my body. The only thing was that there was still a slight ache in my side.

"We should head out," I whispered, "InuYasha's been getting on my nerves lately."

"I can take care of that." Edward said threateningly. I only laughed.

"I don't think that would be a wise decision Edward."

Using all of my strength, I pushed myself off the ground, and stood up. I winced slightly; I hadn't been up in days.

Edward's arms were immediately around me, supporting my weight. "I'm fine." I whispered, and he let go of me immediately.

"Where's everyone?" My eyes searched around, but I couldn't see anyone.

"Sesshomaru went to do his normal patrol of the area, Kagome, Shippo and Rin went looking for berries-InuYasha went with them claiming he needed to protect them, Jaken went to run errands, and Miroku went to talk with the others."

"What about Gennimaru?"

"He left."

My face fell, "I'm going to find Sesshomaru. You may come along if you wish."

"Wait-" he called grabbing hold of my kimono. He slightly pulled down the sleeve, revealing the 3 long scarred scratches on my shoulder blade.

Edward gasped and retracted his hand immediately. "Is that from the battle?"

"No," I whispered pulling my kimono back over my shoulder. "It's from a long time ago."

"What happened?" he whispered quietly, resting a hand on my shoulder.

I sighed. "Perhaps I will tell you another time. But for now, let us leave the past in the past."

I continued walking over towards the trees, but I was surprised that Edward did indeed follow me.

Way ahead in the trees, about 100 yards or so, I could see Sesshomaru in his youkai form, his large red eyes were gazing off into the clearing, as he kept a watchful eye out for any demons coming in the area.

"Maybe you should stay here." I whispered to him.

Edward seemed to think for a moment, but then he nodded in understanding.

I leaned up on my tip-toes and lightly kissed his cheek, before I ran off into the woods, catching up to Sesshomaru.

About mid way, I changed into my youkai form, and began walking just before I approached him.

I growled in greeting as I stopped at his side. He was much larger than me-at least a head taller, and his legs and torso were much more muscular than mine.

"I see you are feeling better Arashi," Sesshomaru said, though his muzzle did not move.

My red eyes shined with delight, and I inwardly smiled. "Much better, the pain is practically gone. My wounds have healed greatly." I replied in the same way.

"But you will have scars," Sesshomaru whispered, his eyes flickering down towards me.

I looked down, my heart sinking. "Yes, I know."

"But you are strong Arashi-I am sure you will heal quickly." I knew he was now talking about my healing emotionally rather than physically.

"Yes, I suppose I will."

"Are the others coming?" I asked after a moment of silence.

"No, I have yet to call them. I did not think that they would appreciate it if I sent for them this early in the morning."

My eyes gazed out into the rising sun ahead of us.

"Would YOU like to call them?" he asked after a few moments of silence.

My eyes widened in surprise, but a huge sigh escaped my muzzle as I thought. "No. We shall call them together."

"Hmph!" was all he said.

I threw my head back, and let out a loud and long howl. It echoed off of the trees in the distance, and seemed to carry out for miles.

I continued to howl a few times, until I heard Sesshomaru join in. We stopped and listened.

It was deadly silent, but then all of a sudden, a loud howl echoed over the trees back to us.

"That's InuMaru. Sesshomaru said almost sounding excited if that were possible, "I shall call for Osamu." Sesshomaru leaned his head back and howled loudly into the trees again.

There was another dead moment of silence, but off in the west I heard another answering howl.

"That must be Osamu!" I howled in reply, and so did Sesshomaru.

Off in the distance, I could hear thundering footsteps approaching us fast! Then, two large white masses began to form-one coming from straight ahead of us, and another coming towards us from the west.

Two large white dogs were approaching us fast, and when they were a few dozen feet away, they came to an abrupt halt.

"You called for us Sesshomaru?" InuMaru said in his deep and firm voice.

"Yes, and Arashi did as well." InuMaru turned to face me, bowing his head slightly.

"Please, forgive me your majesty." I inwardly smiled at how he called me "majesty".

"Yes, hello InuMaru." I turned my head over to Osamu. "And greetings to you Osamu."

"Please," he said. His voice was hoarse, sounding like an old man. But yet it was strong. "call me 'Uncle' if you don't mind."

I bowed my head in assessment. "You are to kind Osamu, just like your brother."

"So I have been told." he mused.

"Please come and join us at our camp." I offered. "You can meet the others there."

Osamu and InuMaru both bowed their heads. "Please, lead the way Lady Arashi." InuMaru said in a gentlemen fashion.

"Have either of you seen any demons heading this way?" Sesshomaru asked suddenly.

"Yes, on the way here we passed a snake demon's camp." InuMaru said.

"How many were there?" I asked suddenly alert.

"A few dozen perhaps." Osamu replied.

My eyes grew wide in horror. "Perhaps it would be best for us to stay in our true forms then." I heard Sesshomaru say.

"The demons probably won't arrive for a few days yet at the rate they were traveling." Osamu interjected.

"Let us be on our way." Sesshomaru said, and he turned around and began walking towards camp.

I followed him, and Osamu and InuMaru were not far behind. We walked at a regular pace, our large paws crashed to the ground causing the trees to slightly shake.

"Lady Arashi!" InuMaru called, and before I knew it, he was walking next to me. He was a tad taller than Sesshomaru, but was far more muscular. It must have come from being captain of the guard.

"Yes InuMaru?" I asked in a sweet and innocent voice.

"Well I-I was wondering….when do you wish…to umm…be.."

"Married?" I interjected. He nodded. I looked down, a moment of silence falling between us. "I-I do not know. Perhaps in the near future."

He nodded in understanding.

We were approaching the camp now, and ahead I could see InuYasha and his friends sitting in a small circle, eating breakfast. Rin was sitting near the trees, pestering Jaken, and the Cullens were conversing amongst themselves.

But wait-how many Cullens are there? I thought there were only four! I began to mentally count in my head. Sure enough, it came to seven.

"Lady Arashi is back!" Rin called suddenly as she darted into the trees towards us.

Rin threw her tiny arms around my huge leg-they didn't even reach half way around-.

"Hello to you too Rin." I greeted her. InuMaru and Osamu looked away as if they weren't paying attention, but I knew they must have been highly confused.

"I have missed you Aunt Arashi!" she said, a toothy grin spreading wide across her face.

Sesshomaru eyed me skeptically, but when I shot him an exasperated look, he seemed to understand.

"Everyone is eating breakfast, and I have caught yours." she said with pride.

"Really?" I pretended to sound shocked. She nodded her head.

"Well, perhaps we shall eat later." I said, "But for now, let us introduce our guests."

Rin nodded, and skipped back into the camp.

Sesshomaru was the first to step out from behind the trees. Everyone in the camp seemed to eye him cautiously and respectfully.

I emerged soon afterwards, the heat of the sun beginning to warm my white fur and skin. My eyes flickered over towards the Cullens for a brief instant, but then I turned my attention towards Sesshomaru again.

"Should we stay in our true forms or not, Sesshomaru?"

"Yes," he answered all too quickly and solemnly, "If the snake demons do indeed try to attack us, we shall be ready then."

I nodded in understanding.

"Who are they Lady Arashi?" Sango asked quietly, gesturing towards InuMaru and Osamu.

"I am glad you asked Sango. Everyone," I was sure to address everyone who was here, "These are our guests, and they shall be helping us. InuMaru," I inclined my head towards him. InuMaru gave a slight bow, but said nothing. "and Osamu." Osamu complied in the same actions as InuMaru.

"Osamu, InuMaru." I addressed them. They both turned their heads to look at me. "While you are here, you may do as you wish."

They both bowed their heads in assessment, and walked out into the field.

"I will once again go and patrol the area. Stay here and guard the others." Sesshomaru ordered.

I nodded my head in comprehension, and watched as Sesshomaru walked back into the trees.

When I turned my attention back to everyone else, I saw that InuYasha and Kagome were bickering, while Shippo unsuccessfully tried to stop them. Sango and Miroku were talking amongst themselves, and it ended up with a slap from Sango. Rin was picking flowers in the field, where she was constantly bugging Jaken and talking to InuMaru and Osamu.

"Arashi!" I heard a hyper voice call. And I was shocked to see that it was Alice.

"Long time no see!" she shouted flinging her arms around my leg.

"It's nice to see you too Alice." I chuckled slightly. "How have you three been?"

"Oh just fine!" Alice said in her normally hyper voice.

"It that so?" My red eyes flickered over towards Jasper and Carlisle.

"She speaks the truth Arashi." Carlisle said.

I nodded my head once. "Carry on with whatever you were doing. I will be back shortly."

With that, I turned around, and began walking back into the trees.

"Arashi wait!" I heard a familiar voice call. My feet stopped, and I turned my head a fraction behind me to see who it was.

I was not surprised to see that it had been Edward.

"Can I come with you?" his voice was amazingly seductive to my sensitive ears.

I turned around and began walking into the trees again.

"Do as you wish…."