A/N: Oh, yeah, back for another round! It's really taking me along time to update on this story because I've been busy trying to get started on my Lion King story, but yeah lets keep moving.

Disclaimer: Don't own much, except Saizu, and parts of the plot. The rest follows the InuYasha the sword of an honorable ruler, and pieces of the manga and anime series. And yes, I have already said this.

Thank you fern for the name Akaiyuki

Chapter five: To be expected

A cool wind blew briskly through the trees; a small valley lay dormant under a massive volcano. This was Totosai's home.

Saizu lay leisurely in the tall grasses with her arms tucked snuggly below her head. Her messy bangs covered her eyes from the radiant rays of the sun, she slowly closed them resting them only briefly, hoping to find a bit of peace. Some how, this is the only way she felt rejuvenated, she felt so….alive.

She reached out in front of her, with one eye open, she attempted to grasp hold of the sky, or maybe to pull herself up to it. A butterfly fluttered by soundlessly and landed on her palm, she drew her hand near slowly, inspecting the insect. This is perfect, it's almost like a dream…she thought, sighing heavily.

"I suppose you wanted some fresh air, too?" she asked the butterfly, cocking an eyebrow.

It said nothing of course; it flapped its wings as if winking at her then flew away, leaving her once more alone. The sun beamed brightly against her tan face as she leaned forward to peer outward at the valley. These types of things never lasted, and that's what she hated about life, something's just never last. Relaxation and contentment vanished once she spotted a familiar, yet unwanted face.

"Hey, InuYasha…"she said simply, uninterested in the fact that he was any where near her.

InuYasha frowned, that tone in her voice didn't seem at all pleased that he was within ten feet radius of her. He scrunched his nose and took in a deep whiff of the air, it smelled strongly of lavender, he sniffed again, and sunflowers. The texture of soft wet grass felt strangely, as he walked upon it. Almost rubbery, it reminded him of when he was younger and how he would play in the fields of flowers right after a rainy night. "What's up, InuYasha?" she questioned, pulling him from thought.

"Oh, yeah-"he mumbled, "Totosai wants you; he said he has something for you. So hurry up, before I have to hear his mouth."

She brushed passed him without another word; this would be her one-hundredth-time scaling the volcano. She tossed her chocolate brown hair over her shoulder then pressed on, but she knew that once they arrive at the top she would need InuYasha's help crossing the magma. Across the pool of lava laid a massive skeleton, one of which resembled what Saizu though was a large fish, was Totosai's workshop or home. Which was surprisingly cooler in the inside than out.

"Hey, forehead, don't get too ahead of yourself! Remember you'll burn your feet right off if you're not paying attention." He growled, springing up beside her.

"Thanks so much….InuYasha." she mumbled, "I apparently couldn't see the steamy red rocks in front of me. Thank you for pointing out the obvious."

"Oh shut up. Now hurry and climb on my back!" he growled at her, cursing himself forever offering.

"So squat down already…" she ordered, rolling her eyes at the arrogant hanyou.

He reluctantly did, allowing her to get on his back, but mumbled something under his breath as he did so. With an easy jump, InuYasha ascended the mountain. The closer they drew to the peak of the mountain, the hotter the air became, causing the scent of burning ashes to carry in the wind.

"So-"Saizu began, breaking the silence, "What's the story between you and Kagome…?"

"What?!" screamed InuYasha defensively, "There is absolutely nothing going on between me and that…that girl!"

Sai simply rolled her eyes, Yeah right, geez, make it obvious that you like her...she thought, but for a moment she could feel her heart leap into her throat and she couldn't bring herself to say anything, "Ok, InuYasha, it was just a question. No need for any crazy hysterics."

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"So, Saizu, it's been a while. Although, you haven't aged much since the last time we saw each other, but to be honest it seems as though you've gotten younger," Totosai said, as he sat cross-legged near the fire pit. "I must say, that I would have thought you to be my age by now!" he added laughing.

She smiled nervously, still not seriously comprehending what was going on. She shifted uncomfortably on the floor, her legs began to cramp and she could feel jagged rocks poke her in the rear. This massive cave of bone was obviously no place for a human, so why was she even here? "Um, Totosai was it. How is it that I was born here or my other self was born here I should say, and I was born in the future, I mean it just doesn't make sense."

He scratched his head, he held her gaze only for a brief moment before he turned away from her, "I don't know, for sure."

InuYasha sat impatiently beside Saizu, "Can we hurry this up, I happen to have better things to do than baby-sit some weird wench from Kagome's time, it was hard enough with just her around." InuYasha growled warningly, his metallic piercing yellow eyes fuming.

"What do you mean baby-sit, if anything no one asked for your help you…." She caught herself, she paused collecting deep breaths and restrained herself from adding anything further, "Look, I didn't ask to be sent here, I just was. And from what it seems, your sword was the thing that summoned me into this world to watch you." Her words were angry, and dripped with irritation.

"Ooh, she got you there." Totosai added, his head nodding in his agreement, "but regardless, all the answers you seek, Saizu, lie with tetsusaiga."

InuYasha stood excusing himself from the conversation. The fact that she gave off this weird aura; it wasn't a one of malice or anything, but one of purity and comfort. She felt so familiar to him, and it was irritating. He could even recall her scent, though vaguely similar to the tetsusagia; Saizu's still stood apart from it, she brought him calmness and reassurance.

"Before I forget-," Totosai said, interrupting the silence, "I made this weapon for you. Now, it won't be as powerful as the tetsusagia, but you still should be able to channel a bit of its energy through this." He went to the shelves that hung above a large flat rock. He took down a sheathed pole-like sword; unsheathing it carefully he revealed a metal shaft with a curved blade fashioned onto the end.

"This is a naginata, it's constructed off very dense metal and its binding agent is that of demon fangs and talons. And it's completely indestructible, it is able to withstand fire, water, and hopefully never rust," he paused abruptly.

"And?"

"Well, -"he began, "I haven't thought of a name for it yet," he replied, "At least I don't think I have…" he added, forgetfulness lingering in his voice.

She waited attentively her feet still tucked uncomfortably under her. She bit her lip lightly, and began to tap her fingers against her thigh impatiently. It seemed like an hour had passed before anything else was said, when in actuality it had only been a few minutes. As she opened her mouth to suggest something Totosai interjected rudely, "Akaiyuki! Yes, that is her name, Akaiyuki." He said proudly, handing over the weapon.

Saizu held it briefly, fingering it a bit with her index fingers. How could the weapon be made of a dense metal, and yet it weight absolutely nothing. She anticipated the pole-sword to at least weight something heavier than a feather. She set it aside, stood, and then met InuYasha at the mouth of the cave. She'd assumed after he left the small conversation that he was long gone, or at least half way down the volcano. "Red Snow..." he mumbled, crossing his arms across his chest.

"What?" asked Saizu, not fully comprehending what he meant?

"The naginata, its name is Red Snow, Akaiyuki."

She nodded now noticing the exact uniqueness of the blade's name, the Red Snow or the Akaiyuki fit it perfectly. The hilt was a pale gray almost white, and the leather handle stitched with crimson and silver lacing. She glanced over her shoulder to find that Totosai nodded off, he'd propped himself against the inner cave walls. She and InuYasha had only been with the sword-smith a few days, but she felt so at home with them. She rubbed her arms quickly as a chill ran down her spine causing a slight outbreak of goose bumps.

"Humph, guess you'll be in some training," scoffed InuYasha, as he walked over and picked up the Akaiyuki by the hilt, then shoved it into her hands.

They scaled down the slope of the mountain, arriving at the down of scented plants, a range of hills lead back towards Kaede's Village. Passed the forest, and over a bridge would guide them back to the security of their friends. A cool calm river ran beneath them, collecting many things along with it, the wind carried the booming sound around them. Saizu held the Akaiyuki with a firm grip, with one hand positioned near the blade and the other at the end of the pole weapon, she pivoted a fighting stance, "come at me then."

"Pfft," he scoffed, unsheathing his sword, "let's get this over with, the sooner you learn to fight, the closer you are to getting off my back and back to your own world."

"Then stop running your mouth already and fight me!" she replied, planting her feet firmly on the ground.

His fang rose high above his head as he charge forward, his steps were heavy, and his breath seemed to catch in his throat as if exhausted, he hesitated briefly then charged blindly at her once more. Damn. Her scent was getting to him, as if poison from a snake or spider. And yet, he enjoyed it more so than he thought he would.

He attacked, thrusting the tetsusaiga rapidly in every direction. She dodge his blow with grace and ease, as if reading his own moves she also lashed out her weapon clashing with his. Her fingers burned with a scorching sensation, surging with heat and an involuntary twitch. InuYasha noticed this, upon taking advantage of the opportunity he knocked the Akaiyuki from her hands pinning her to the ground.

"First rule of fighting," he began, "never hesitate to strike your adversary, because they won't delay in killing you."

She struggled against his might; she paused briefly ceasing her squirming movements to peer up at InuYasha's face. Her eyes widen, for the way the light was hitting him, he seemed heavenly. Her heart quickened in pace as it pounded against her swollen chest. Is it just me or does InuYasha in this light…she thought laying her back flat among the dirt.

"Well," she said, "Here's a rule for you!"

She forced her legs underneath his body, and kicking hard, in an area that would cause any male excruciating pain; she shoved him aside, "Take your own advice." She searched for her weapon, scampering towards it she grip the hilt of it tightly digging her nails into the leather, and then with a swift motion held above InuYasha's Adam's apple, barely puncturing the skin.

"That was a cheap shot…" he coughed, moving her weapon from his neck.

"You never said that we were fighting fair," she said smugly, placing her hands on her slender waist.

After collecting himself, and shaking off his embarrassment he walked toward her coolly, he held his head high and straight ahead never taking his eyes off hers'. She raised a questioning eyebrow, but didn't move. Now they were nose to nose with one another, lips almost touching. She quivered, what had gotten into him all of a sudden? Was he about to kiss her? He lifted his clawed hand to her pale peach skin, brushing against it only slightly. She closed her eyes tightly, not wanting to see what would happen next. Her eyes snapped open when a sharp pain shot through her forehead, her hands instantly flew to her head rubbing the sore spot.

She looked to InuYasha, who was laughing hysterically, "and that is why I call you forehead! Damn forehead what's that head of yours made of, rocks?"

She could feel her face become flushed and hot in anger, "Should have expected you to do something childish, god my little sister is more mature."

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