Chapter 9

Night fell and cast haunting shadows over the forest and its occupants. It was in that darkness that Shura's cries eventually weakened to whimpers and finally quieted all together. With head and torso draped gently across Sesshomaru's folded knees the demon's heir rested silently, her mind kept just enough awake to avoid further nightmares by a continuous stroking to her left ear.

The western ruler himself remained just as quiet, his body staying unnervingly strait and still save for his fingers, which moved only ever so slightly now and then to brush the silver-fur edge of his daughters ear. At first glance it would appear he was napping also, however even with eyes closed and head tilted slightly to his chest Sesshomaru remained completely aware of his surroundings and the movements of his company.

Watching him from a slouch nearby was the ever-vigilant Inuyasha. Light from the fire danced across his scarlet garments giving the illusion that they themselves were warm candlelight. That same fire also shown faintly in the golden glow of Inuyasha's eyes which stared forward at the she-demon cradled in his brother's lap.

Unlike Sesshomaru, who remained undisturbed and motionless, Inuyasha found himself fidgeting restlessly. Countless questions pounded through his head, and each one brought on a new wave of emotion. First there was Sesshomaru. Why had he abandoned Shura when she was young, moreover what had prompted him to have a child in the first place, let along assume care of her? Inuyasha had a strong hunch it wasn't love. And then there was Shura. Why was she Naraku's target? Was it really because of revenge…or perhaps to get to him? And what would happen to her now that her home was destroyed? Would she remain loyal to Sesshomaru…even after he had deliberately and cruelly neglected her for so long? That thought above all intensified the half demon's restlessness.

Inuyasha perked up at the sound of shifting and through the dimly lit cavern he caught the faint flicker to two golden eyes focusing on him.

"Hey Shura," he murmured softly. It was no surprise when she didn't answer. Her body language showed clearly she was still in shock over the entire ordeal. Uncomfortably Inuyasha fumbled for words. He felt obliged to say something to comfort his niece…but what?

"I'm…" Inuyasha began, and before he realized it the remainder of the sentence slipped from his lips "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry. If I could have killed that bastard sooner…this wouldn't have happened…" the half demon clamped his mouth shut. From across the cavern a second golden stare fell upon him.

"For once little brother" remarked Sesshomaru dryly "…. we finally agree on something." The half demon frowned faintly and continued to watch Shura as she painfully shifted to a more comfortable position. With deep yellow eyes now aimed at the ceiling Shura opened her mouth ever so slightly exposing the tips of ivory fangs.

"He'll pay…" she growled with a voice that was quiet and fatigued. "Naraku. He'll pay for what he's done." Shura wrinkled her nose, bearing her fangs a bit more "I'll make him pay." Both the dog brothers reacted, however where Inuyasha kept his gaze stern and approving Sesshomaru only shook his head doubtfully.

"Right now I find that hard to believe" he remarked with a frank honesty, which caught both his brother and daughter by surprise.

"You don't think I'm strong enough…do you father?" the demoness responded with a faint note of inner hurt. Sesshomaru's answer this time was even more brutal.

"Shura… Yesterday I discovered that you foolhardy decided to go romping around the wilds for a month without even breathing a word in my direction. Then this afternoon I had to pry your skewered body from a tree and simultaneously cope with your uncontrolled fits of emotion. Do you honestly think someone so aloof, so undisciplined and so feral would even stand the slightest chance against a demon like Naraku?" Sesshomaru's voice had turned cold, but not the bitter kind he so often slipped into when dealing with enemies. It was a parental sternness spoken only out of the need to impress on his child just how poor her choices were and how truly worried he had been. Unfortunately Inuyasha didn't see it that way, and rightfully so.

"Hey why don't you lay off?" snapped the half demon "don't you think Shura feels bad enough already…she doesn't need you to rub it in!" from across the cave, the demon monarch narrowed his eyes.

"I don't recall asking for your opinion on the matter Inuyasha…" retorted an annoyed Sesshomaru. The half demon glared.

"Well that's funny…" he sneered sarcastically "because I don't recall caring Sesshomaru…" Now both demons were glaring. Despite their greatest efforts to remain civilized and tolerant in one another's company, it seemed the hostility between them would never be extinguished, no matter what the circumstances.

Shura meanwhile, fidgeted uncomfortably as the staring contest between her father and uncle continued. Though neither of her kin would know it, inside it made her sick to think that on top of everything else she had been forced to absorb, she was also the only glue that was holding the last of her family together….

"Um excuse me If I may…" a familiar voice broke in amidst the quarreling brothers and caused Shura's ears to perk with interest "I don't mean to intrude but some of the younger members are trying to sleep…" at the cavern entrance two points of yellow light shone through the dark like fireflies. They were set amidst the soft features of an emerald-haired, demon, gentleman.

"Teo?" questioned Shura softly. The sound of her voice was apparently unexpected for it made the dragon jolt and wack his head on the top of the cave opening.

"Owowowow!" grumbled the dragon before answering with a polite smile "Glad to see you've awakened milady."

"What are you doing here?" Shura's inquiry continued despite the bewildered stare she was receiving from Sesshomaru.

"It would appear…stopping dog fights. Though that was not my original intention," Matyeo joked casually to try and cheer the atmosphere. A cold glare from Sesshomaru quickly put an end to that. Taking a step forward Matyeo lowered himself to one knee before the three western dogs. The flickering firelight cast a faint orange glow across his body and through it shone a softened expression of true concern.

"Shura… please tell me, is there anything you need? Anything I can do for you?"

Letting out an exhausted sigh Shura gradually relaxed her body against her father's silks. Then she gave the dragon kneeling at the entrance a serious and pleading look.

"Actually…Matyeo, if you could…would you…"

"You want me to attend to your home?" interrupted the dragon softly. Shura sniffled lightly and nodded. Matyeo dipped his head slowly in compliance then rose from the ground. "I will go at once milady."

With that he turned and disappeared from sight. Shura sniffled again and wiped salty tears from her eyes. She knew Matyeo would make sure the members of her town received the proper funeral honors, and take special care to insure the sight remain undisturbed in the future, but still that didn't the mourning process any easier. Closing her eyes for a moment Shura once again saw the faces of her human relations and village friends, but this time they remained as she remembered them best; happy, content and at peace. It was these images that would forever remain burned in her mind…until the day she herself would be able to join them.

Opening her eyes Shura now stared up into her father's striped face. He was one of the few sources of companionship she still had, and seeing him there before her, alive, warm…real…made Shura all the more eager to insure he remained that way. The same went for Inuyasha, Matyeo and every other being, demon or otherwise, she had come to know and care for. As soon as she got strength…Shura was determined to insure their safety…even if it meant destroying every threat herself…and that included Naraku.

"Father…I know I've disappointed you… but it will not happen again" Shura at last began quietly to the golden-eyed monarch above her. "If you permit, I would like to follow in your company, and gain whatever skills you wish to teach…." The demoness paused momentarily to gauge her father's reaction. When he seemed genuinely interested she continued "I promise I won't stop training until I have grown strong enough for your approval." Shura's eyes closed again, but this time it at the beckoning of exhaustion.

Sesshomaru stared unblinking for several minutes while his daughter fell once again into sleep. He was happy Shura finally wanted to embrace her demonhood, a late start he supposed was better then none at all. More importantly, he had been given the chance to correct his past mistakes, and raise Shura as she should have been. Still, in the same instant the great demon couldn't shake the twinge of guilt that kept gnawing at his heart.

The sound of movement stirred Sesshomaru, and he glanced up just in time to see his half brother storm from the cave, an utter look of disgust plastered on his face.