MEYAME

Chapter 6: Forgiveness

"What?! I don't want to go back here!" Meyame roared waking InuNaya from his slumber.

"Well too bad." Inu-Yasha stepped in, " We need to head out and that's the first stop on our list." He crossed his arms over his chest indicating that the argument was settled. InuNaya who had awaken fully stood next to Meyame listening intently.

"We need to figure out what Naraku wants with you and why he obviously wants you dead." Sango explained.

"Exactly and finding out how the head masters wife died is a step in the right direction." Kagome chimed in.

"You really think those people are going to allow me back in there?"

"What do you think InuNaya?" Surprising him he turned to Kagome who was smiling pleasantly at him. When everyone turned to him awaiting a response he could feel the heat rise to his face, cheeks turning as red as tomatoes under the pressure.

"I think it's worth a shot." He managed to get out with a shrug.

"HELLO?" Meyame waved her arms in exasperation. "Are we forgetting that I'm basically BANISHED from there? How would we even be able to get in, there's no way they'll let me in all willy-nilly no questions asked."

"I have an idea, They won't want to refuse us."

"No." The man said nonchalantly as if he and the other 7 men were not holding spears and swords in their faces.

"please good sir, you must hear us out."

"do we now? ye unholy monk with a pack a demons at your side and two wenches?" Inunaya snarled causing the man to tighten is grip on his spear but continued to speak. "Demons have done no good but harm to our village, we will never welcome thee wench again." He glared at Meyame as if the girl had been the cause of everything negative that could have ever happened in this mans life. "And now our beloved head masters wife has been slayn by thee wench." the man sneared, meyame set her gaze to the ground in defeat.

"Please sir, we need more information on what is happening to your village." Kagome stated firmly. "There are some unknown things going on that are crusial to your entire villages servival and meyame is the key." Everyone including inuyasha and the gang starred at kagome with their mouths open, 'Did she know something we didnt?' inuyasha thought to himself until kagome gave him a 'close-your-mouth' look, he snapped his jaw shut at that.

"And exactly how could thee be the key, other than being the problem at hand?" He asked with genuine curiousity oblivious to Meyame's open mouth.

"That's what we need to figure out, but we're sure of one thing, whatever it is, it wants her." 'Well, it's not a complete lie.' she told herself. 'Naraku wants meyame gone and hes using her entire village against her.

"ye think ye can stop our loved ones from dying?"

"yes, please let us put a stop to this. We already slayed the demon thats been attacking your village for months, we didn't think anyone else would die. We came back to make sure everyone was okay and to put a stop to all this madness." 'way to go!' Kagome mentally patted herself on the back with a slight smirk.

"ye can assist." The man decided after a long silence everyone assumed he spent thinking on because it was long enough to be uncomfortable. Kagome's face lit up with excitement, her idea on whim worked and she deserved to be excited about it she decided even though she felt a bit guilty for lying some-what. Miroku congratulated her under his breath, "good job kagome." he smiled at her.

"We won't disappoint!" Kagome said casually trying to keep her excitement from showing. The man led them back to the Village down the small trail through the woods to the entrance. When they entered the village they couldn't believe what they saw, Nothing. What once was a happy little village was a dust town, Kagome thought of it as an old western film she waited for a tumble weed to blow through like they always did. Her train of thought was cut off by the headmaster speaking. That was when she realized they had reached their destination.

"State your business." His voice was hard but raspy. Before anyone could speak the man that had lead hem there spoke to him. Turns out the man is the head masters eldest from his first marriage. He spoke on their behalf without the gang having to say a word. Obviously annoyed the head master turned away and waved his hand. " Do as you wish." He grumped leaving them at the door and continued on with what looked like his very depressing day. He seemed very sad, Meyame's heart clenched you could see the pain in her eyes. She was snapped back by InuNaya nudging her side, He gave her a 'Are-you-okay' look and she nodded. The head masters son lead them to the guest room and explained to them that lunch would be served to them, to make themselves at home for the time being. They settled in while discussing their plans.

"Where should we start first?" Kagome asked first.

"I'm still amazed we got in... something doesn't feel right to me..." Meyame stated with a shiver.

"What do you expect these people are all scared and depressed just looking for a reason to mope and hide about." InuNaya stated casually. "It's enough to give anyone the chills" Meyame nodded in agreement with another shiver.

"We know that Naraku wants you here." Miroku insisted.

"Yes but the villagers don't." InuNaya spoke slowly grasping what Meyame was saying as a cold breeze came over him, sending chills up his spine. "I've been here for months and it's never been like this here, she's right something's not right here." They all nodded in understanding. Obviously he knew more than they did but it just looked like the usual ominous demon hating village to all of them.

"I say we wait, something is bound to come our way whether it be Naraku or the villagers. Let's just stay alert and ready at all times." They were all about to agree with Miroku when three men walked into the room with spears, they all stood defensively as one of the men spoke.

"The head masters son would like to speak to the one called Meyame," Meyame blinked in confusion. ' they addressed me by my name? and why does the head masters son want to speak with me when we just spoke moments ago? Why didn't he say something to me then? Why do they have spears?!' The thoughts raced through her mind trying to make sense of the situation InuNaya's growl could be heard through what she could only describe as madness before the click was heard in her head, it made sense. 'Hakaku, not the eldest son but the youngest. The one who accused me of killing his mother the one who-' Her thoughts stopped when a hand grabbed her wrist. "we wish not to force ye mi'lady but we have been instructed to use force if need be. We are to assure you that it be strictly conversation between ye and master Hakaku." 'bleh' she cringed, even the man simply saying his name left a fowl taste in her mouth but she agreed none the less, thinking it best in her new friends search for information maybe she could get some kind of information from him, also the men seemed as if they were going to either hurt her, or her friends or possibly get hurt themselves if she refused and it didn't seem like the best way to start out with this mission. Even if she really didn't want to do it in the first place. "The mutt is to stay." He spat while another man held his hand up, halting InuNaya from following. "We're under strict orders." InuNaya glared at the man in front of him, as sweat dropped down his face he whispered a silent apology.

"Clearly." InuNaya stated glancing at Meyame who gave him a reassuring look. He crossed his arms over his chest reluctantly but with obvious displeasure as the man continued to lead her down the hall.

As she was lead down the hallway of the familiar building she thought about all those years of feeling unwelcome there. It was always uncomfortable not to mention uninviting but it was her home or what she believed to be, it was the only thing she knew until InuNaya showed up. Just a stranger, she never questioned his appearance, how he had shown up at just the right time or why he stayed. He just felt familiar and safe also smelled good too. She shook the thought from her head as they continued passed the head masters chambers. She wouldn't dare look inside, knowing she didn't cause his misery or kill his wife for that matter didn't stop the guilt of feeling like maybe she may have played a part in the cause, even though, the head master still believed she was the cause of his ladys' death and that was enough for her to not want to make any kind of eye contact. Instead she continued down the hall and realized how comfortable she felt since being in the presence of the gang. Inu-Yasha, although a grump at times he obviously cared. Kagome, always warm hearted like the love only a mother could give. Miroku, Sango, and Shippoo too. Even Kirara had cuddled up to her that night. 'Safe!' Was her last thought before they passed the too familiar kitchen. 'I'm about to talk to Hakaku... alone..InuNaya isn't here... what was I thinking?!'She stepped into the doorway as the anxiety raised. She felt a hand shove her forward without so much as a word the door shut behind her. She placed a hand over her arm and tried to rub away the goose-bumps that had started to form, it was dark with nothing but a small candle that was only big enough to light up a small corner in the room, that was when she saw movement in the light. There he was standing there, creepy as ever with only one side of him lit by the light. It felt like her heart was going to pound right out of her chest she was sure he could hear it."Take a seat Meyame." The goose-bumps had resurfaced at the sound of his voice but she complied with his request and sat in the middle of the room on a small cushion. "Would you like something to drink?" He asked casually while holding up a bottle of what Meyame could slightly smell as sake. She shook her head, still with no words and he placed the bottle back down. It started to make her a bit mad that the man in front of her was acting as if nothing had happened. He only tried to rip her clothes off then blamed her for murdering his mother when he knew that she was with him the whole time. She knew she couldn't let her guard down, not even for a second.

"I didn't kill your mother," She said warily but got nothing but silence in response. "I'm truly sorry about-"

"Let's not worry about that." He cut her off with a chuckle. Confusion washed over her as she watched him as he rose to his feet still holding the bottle in hand. "Let's not concern ourselves with the past shale we? hmmm?" He smiled. 'Something's not right about him...' She decided to study her surroundings but even with her demon eyes that allow her to see greatly in the dark were having difficulty. She could only see darkness, which she also thought was odd, she shook the thought when he moved in closer.

"What exactly happened to her?" She decided this would be the best conversation to distract him with while she figured a way out of this, she could hear the three men shuffling behind the door but when she looked back she couldn't see the door, no light from the hall, nothing.

"You like this candle?" Her eyes shifted back to him. "It illuminates demon eyesight in the dark." her eyes widened in realization, ' no wonder I can't see a damn thing!'

"You never answered my question on the death of your mother, you were greatly troubled by it when it happened. Why are you less concerned now?" She asked again. Obvious to her persistence he smiled.

"Oh, you just have to talk about that don't you?" His smile never left his lips as he smashed the bottle on the wall leaving nothing but the neck in his hand and a sharp one at that. She had flinched at the sound but never made a move as she watched him, waiting for him to continue, was she freaking crazy?! She thought before he spoke. "If you must know. I killed her." Was all he offered leaving a long pause of silence to drift over them before laughing manically. "I did it, I needed to frame you."

"Why?" She asked in return, keeping her voice as level as possible.

"I don't know!" He shouted shaking his hands in the air with frustration. Meyame stared at the broken bottle waggling in his hand. "I needed them to think you did it so they'd try to kill you."

"Why?" she asked again seeming unbothered by his actions or words.

"I don't know?" He scratched his head in genuine confusion. She noticed this, it's as if he knew but didn't know at the same time. How is that possible? How could he be fully aware of what he was doing but not know why he was doing it? "But that's not what I wanted, all I wanted was you, but you rejected me. Maybe that's it? I don't know! I was told to make you mine that night but I was unable to. So I was told to kill my mother." He shook his head in confusion as if he knew it was all wrong but tried to make sense of it.

"Who told you to?" She asked with concern in her voice, deciding it was best to keep the questions short and clear. 'could this be that Naraku's doing?'

"I don't know!" He shouted again turning away from her, placing a hand on the wall. "I'm being told to kill you right now." He turned back to her, her eyes widened with confusion and surprise. 'could he be so powerful that he can get inside peoples' minds and talk to them?' He drunkenly wobbled towards her he looked her directly in her wide amber eyes as he raised the broken bottle over his head, "I'm not crazy." He whispered as she braced herself.

A young woman with long dark hair pulled back in a lose ponytail offered Kagome another round of soup. She noticed that the girl looked frail and thin, unlike the other women she seemed more alive and scared almost, although obviously trying to hide it. She glanced at Kagome out of the corner of her eye. Kagome quickly turned her gaze to The other women who did their do's as if they were in a hard depression. They even ignored the young woman Kagome had noticed, as if she wasn't so timid. "Meyame has been gone a while?" InuNaya perked up at the sound of her name he had been listening intently at down the hallway waiting for any sign to jump to the rescue if need be.

'I can usually feel her emotions, the longer I'm with her the stronger its gets... it's almost as if they were my own but I know they're not.' He thought silently to himself, ' I don't know what that's about or how that's even possible but it's helping me at my task at hand...' ~Get Close To Her~ The familiar memory played in his mind, ~Gain Her Trust, Protect Her~ He squeezed his eyes shut trying to push out the terrorizing memory right out of his mind. "Should we check on her?" InuNaya's eyes snapped open when Sango spoke, she had been polishing her Hirakotsu intently to stay busy or to avoid feeling what InuNaya was feeling, the ominous anxiety. He listened to the gang in dog form as they chatted casually before all the women left the room.

"There's something up with that young girl." Kagome stated immediately when she was sure all of the women had been out of hearing distance. "She seemed scared, and not of us."

"Yeah this place gives me the creeps!" Shippo shivered in distaste. Just then the girl Kagome noticed walked in, alone. Everyone looked at her, waiting for her to speak but she never did. She just stood in the doorway shaking. She shook so much InuNaya imagined her body parts falling off one by one any second.

"Well woman, what is it?" Inu-Yasha asked rather roughly.

"Now Inu-Yasha! Is that any way to peak to a lady?" Miroku caressed the girls hand, before he could lean in an kiss the top of it like a gentleman would. She immediately sunk into his chest like jell-o crying hysterically yet quietly like she was trying to keep her voice down.

"There, there. Everything's going to be alright." He patted her on the back trying his best to sooth the woman while giving Sango a pleading look. She obviously didn't find the gesture amusing as she gave him a steady death glare. Not quite soft enough that everyone didn't feel the need to slide silently away from the Demon slayer. "Look! I'm not touching her!" He lifted his hands in the air to display what he stated was true, as Sango stomped to him the girl whimpered, halting her march.

"Something's wrong... something's terribly, terribly wrong..." She whaled while smashing her face even deeper into his chest. Miroku closed his eyes accepting his death.

"What's your name?" Kagome always had a way of easing into a situation with a pleasant smile on her lips she comforted the girl by rubbing her back lightly.

"Yuki." She choked.

"Yuki. Could you please explain what's going on to us? Maybe we can help...? All of this can't be normal can it?" She questioned although Inu-Yasha couldn't tell if she was asking the girl or herself.

"No, it is not, none of this is normal. None of the other maids will speak to me. At all." She sniffled as she grabbed Kagome's hands looking into her eyes pleadingly. As she looked into her eyes Kagome realized this wasn't ordinary little girl madness, one where much like ones at her school would decide they didn't like a girl and shun her, no. Something was seriously wrong here..

"What's going on with Meyame? Where is she?" InuNaya who had stepped into his normal form asked abruptly.

"I do not know, the girls wouldn't tell me, I asked myself. I really did. They wouldn't speak to me, they wouldn't even look at me it was as if I wasn't there speaking to them at all. They seem to be in some sort of trance." She choked on the last part as another fit of tears threatened to leave her soft brown eyes again. It all came to a halting stop when a very loud ear piercing scream filled InuNaya's thoughts, soon after a flood of emotions hit him like a train all at once, fear, shock, and most of all pain. As he felt the agonizing pain that erupted from his left ear he darted blindly into the hallway not knowing where he was going he relied solely on that unknown instinct that told him he was going in the right direction, it hasn't failed him yet. The others followed quickly behind him, they all felt something too although it wasn't the same as what he felt but it wasn't good either.

She sat there on her knees clinging to the wall that she was finally able to find. Blood dripped down from the wound on the left side of her head and ear down her arm, Meyame could feel a headache forming but she gritted her teeth an looked towards Hakaku again. "God damn it!" He yelled holding his ribs, "You little bitch, why did you kick me?" Her eyes widened as he walked closer to her, even in the darkness she couldn't see anything else around her, it was too dark. Which irritated her a little bit. 'why can't I see?!' Her eyes shifted from Hakaku to the small tea candle providing the only light in the room. 'Damn candle...' As he wobbled closer to her he stepped more into the darkness, becoming invisible to her eyes. In the darkness she pictured him walking slowly towards her although she couldn't see she assumed he was too drunk on sake to move very fast. She realized she was horribly wrong when she felt a hand firmly grip her own. Blindly she threw her fist around herself hoping to make contact and find where he was so she could actually do some damage with her demon strength. Her fist caught fabric, not caring what exactly she was grabbing she grabbed a hold of the delicate material, acting fast she pulled back her other fist and with all the strength she could muster she swung, and missed. She heard his chuckle and decided that this was life or death. She quickly pulled him closer to her with both hands attached to whatever she had a hold of and she brought her knee up and kneed him in what she believed was his stomach, she felt him arch over taking her opportunity she swung full force with her free hand knowing that if she let go of him she wouldn't be able to find him. her fist made contact with his head knocking him backwards away from her.

She scrambled to her feet and ran towards where she believed was where she entered until a hand grabbed her ankle sending her face first to the floor. Even kicking and punching with all her might he somehow managed to climb on top of her. She could see light reflect off the bottle thanks to the candle as she reached for his face hoping to scratch his eyes out. She couldn't reach... as she saw the bottle coming down she slammed her eyes shut to brace herself.. and nothing.

Confused she opened her eyes, before she had time to react she was picked up by her arms and set on her feet. "InuNaya." She whispered, not being able to see wouldn't stop her from feeling that familiar presence. looking into those also familiar golden orbs as he turned to the faint sound of his name, he looked in her eyes for reassurance before his eyes flicked to the body slowly rising to his feet. InuNaya stood in defense pushing Meyame behind him protectively.

"How nice of you...*Hick up* ... to join the party.." Hakaku hick-upped, struggling to catch his breath still holding the bottle in his hand he laughed, swinging the bottle as if it was still full of sake, He stopped to glare at them before running full force in their direction. InuNaya grabbed him by the wrist that was holding the bottle, with his free hand Hakaku pulled a knife from his sleeve swiping it at InuNaya's torso slicing open his stomach. He winced at the pain but more in surprise. Hakaku chuckled pulling his knife back, InuNaya being a little more advanced in his senses acted quickly before he could stab him again he pushed him backwards. He watched him stumble and looked around, but he couldn't see anything. It was like his senses were slowly disappearing. The only thing in site was what was in the light and right now what was in the light was Hakaku which didn't leave much room for defense and he was moving in surprisingly fast for a drunk guy. distracted and a little surprised at the speed InuNaya's eyes widened as a sparkle of metal that slid by his face so fast he almost didn't see it at all but he definitely felt it as the metal sliced into the soft flesh of his cheek. He glared at Hakaku, 'That was close.' pulling his fist back making contact with Hakaku face, 'I can't see anything!' Looking around for a way out of that situation, 'I can't see where I entered. I can only see what's in the light, I can't smell anything either...'

Sensing his distress Meyame shouted, "The candle!" He turned to look at her and she pointed in the direction for a brief moment before looking at the candle his eyes lit up with understanding. 'That explains why I can't see or smell anything but that doesn't explain-' Cutting him off a gasp escaped her lips as Hakaku ran towards them with his knife out once more, he had dropped the bottle when InuNaya's fist collided with his face. Grabbing both of Hakaku's arms he swung him around and into the wall. He stood instantly using that short time InuNaya run towards the candle. 'I just need to put it out, then I can see!' He was grabbed by the back of his collar and pulled back to face Hakaku.

"Why should you get her?! Why?! It's not fair! You're meant to be with her! It makes no sense!" He got nose to nose with InuNaya a little confused and oblivious he said nothing, "But I did everything right, everything I could for her! I made sure she had food! A home! I even made sure she stayed in the village! I deserve her! I do! You and I, we're the same, we're both here for the same reason, Why do you get what I deserve!" InuNaya could see the desperation in his blood shot eyes mixing with the blue it developed a dark purple. He couldn't explain it but the look in his eyes and it pissed him off, He grabbed his whole face with is hand squeezing it tight.

"What makes you think you deserve another human being simply because you want them." Hakaku clawed at his forearm and hand with strength that InuNaya thought would be very painful if he wasn't so furious. "YOU don't get to choose if you deserve someone's life!" He lifted his fist over his head before bringing it down on his skull as hard as he could.

"ARUGH!" Hakaku cried rubbing his dizzy eyes furiously with his fist. InuNaya jumped for the candle and blew it out. Immediately after the candle went out it was as if the entire room was illuminated by his night vision catching sight of Meyame first. 'She's okay..' "HOW DARE YOU!" Screaming he ran blindly towards InuNaya before tumbling to the floor after being bashed in the head with a small table, out cold. InuNaya made eye contact with Meyame who was still holding the small table amber eyes ablaze with fury. She looked back at Hakaku's unconscious body laying on the ground with birds swirling around his head. InuNaya grasped her shaking hand, lowering the now broken table until she released it onto the floor.

"Meyame... I...-"

"What's that?" He followed her gaze to the ground, reaching down she grabbed what looked like a glass shard from the back of Hakaku's head. It instantly went from black to bright pink, at that moment the gang ran into the room.

"A jewel shard!" Kagome had spoken first, Meyame saw the obvious knowledge in her voice and was even more confused.

"You don't know anything about the sacred jewel?" Shippo had asked first.

"I couldn't sense the jewel the whole time until we got close. I wonder how that could be?" Kagome questioned although more to herself, "I saw the jewel purify in your hand Meyame, I thought you were a half demon?"

"I am." Blinking, she was just as confused as Kagome. Obviously for different reasons.

"She's definitely a half demon, I can smell her Yokai." Inu-Yasha stated. "She's not lying."

"Could a demon be a Miko? Or a half demon? She is half human after all." Sango turned to Miroku.

"I honestly don't know if that is possible. Maybe if the human parent was a Miko but, even then I am unsure of the possibility. Demons are not usually born with Miko powers to me it is unheard of." He rubbed his chin in thought.

"Here." Meyame took her eyes from the sliver she had been staring at, shoving it in Kagome's direction.

"Are you sure? I mean it is your-"

"The hell if it is! Take it! It's ours!" Inu-Yasha shouted in exasperation.

"Inu-Yasha!" She scolded.

"He's right," Meyame said nonchalantly. "It's yours. You need it more than I do. Hell, I don't even know what it is."

"I'm saying its yours because we're here because of you and would not have found it if it wasn't for you, plus you guys did deal with the person who possessed it." Kagome smiled warmly.

"Kagome has a point, besides she was able to purify the jewel. For whatever reason that means it's in good hands. From my knowledge only the protector of the sacred jewel can do that." Miroku stated.

"I don't want it." Inu-Yasha and InuNaya had raised an eye brown in Meyame's direction.

"Why?" Sango felt she had to ask, they've never really came across someone let alone someone with Yokai that just didn't want the jewel at all, even humans wanted the damn thing.

"With the damage and chaos this thing caused with Hakaku." She paused. "I may not be very smart, I know I'm young but I have eyes and I feel as if this is dangerous. I don't want any part in the evil it carries. I feel bad for pushing it on you but, for whatever reason you want it. So, you can have it. I think it's in good hands with you." She placed it in Kagome's hand and closed it with a smile, squeezing softly before releasing her hand. Taking her seat next to InuNaya she mindlessly rubbed his fur. He was perched up staring at her in surprise. It was written all over his doggy face and everyone in the room noticed it -except Meyame- Yet they all said nothing.

'I've seen her be like that before... so pure... that's the only way I can describe it, but I guess it still surprises me.' He laid his head back down on his paws. 'I guess I'm more curious why her... why do I ...' He closed down his thoughts and looked back up at Meyame remembering the candle. Maybe it'll help, these people know more about this stuff than they did. "What?" She questioned looking into his golden eyes before the thought hit her and she looked back to the group. "oh yeah! The candle Hakaku had a candle lit in the room he said it stops demon sight other than what was in the light."

"Reiki?" Miroku asked.

"He didn't say the name." She answered.

"What's Reiki?" Asked Kagome.

"It's demonic energy." Sango stated. "Healers use it for healing but not very often, it can become very over whelming especially for humans. I've heard of the shamans channeling the Yokai energy into candles and using them for collecting good energy but I can see how you'd be able to use it on demon's to stop their senses. It's basically a trick like Shippo's fox toys." Shippo glared at Sango before they all turned their attention to the stirring from Hakaku who was still lying on the ground left where he had fell.

"What hap-ouch!" He grabbed his head with both hands and groaned in pain. Inu-Yasha snagged the back of his shirt and pulled him up to eye level.

"Did you have a nice nap? You've got explaining to do." Hakaku yelped in fear.

"Please don't eat me demon!" He cried.

"Shut up." Releasing his shirt he dropped back to the floor. InuNaya let out a growl and transformed back into his normal form. Glaring at Hakaku as Meyame squeezed his arm trying to keep him in place.

"I'll tell you anything you want to know!"

"I can't believe that stupid guy couldn't tell us anything." Shippo sighed as they made their way back to Kaede's village. "Talk about a wasted trip."

"I agree, all he did was apologize to Meyame a million times." Sango looked back at the two walking behind her, Meyame stared at the ground in front of her facing the opposite direction of InuNaya who had a 'I'm-very-mad" look on his face. Meyame had forgiven Hakaku for everything and he was not happy about it in the slightest. The couple hadn't spoken a word to each other the whole walk.

"We need to figure out our next move." Everyone had drew their attention to Inu-Yasha. "You heard him, a white baboon put the jewel in his head, Which means Naraku is close. He should be coming our way soon."

"Right! Whatever the reason he doesn't seem to want Meyame... alive..." Miroku agreed. "Hakaku said he didn't want to kill her because he wanted her to himself so he put the jewel in his head." InuNaya looked up at Meyame. She looked back at him and he quickly averted his gaze as if he was still mad. 'Somehow, she can read my mind . ARUGH!' He thought to himself in frustration.

"Why though? I mean what could Naraku possibly want with Meyame?" Kagome asked concern washing over her features.

"Are you sure there's nothing else you forgot to mention?" Inu-Yasha had asked Meyame but It was InuNaya who stiffened.

"Not that I know of..." They made it to Kaede's village just in time for dinner. "Yes, I'm starving!" Meyame groaned. "Aren't you InuNaya?" He turned her way to glare at her and she put her head down. "Let's eat please!" She begged walking into Kaede's and greeting her before the others."

"So nothing aye? Shame." Kaede shook her head. "Seems to me that Naraku is handing out shards."

"That's what I'm saying!" Shippo said before slurping his noodles into his mouth.

"Meyame aren't you even a little bothered that Naraku wants your life?" Miroku asked, "You don't seem at all concerned at the very serious situation at hand."

She blinked. Stopping mid bite and swallowing down her remaining food. "Not really." She shrugged.

"Why not if you don't mind me asking?" Asked Sango.

"Well, I don't know him. I've never seen or heard of him, as far as I know he doesn't exist. How can someone who's just a name bother me and become a concern in my life? Let alone talking about my death..." Miroku nodded in understanding. "Besides, I have InuNaya. You'll protect me right?" She smiled at InuNaya who looked to her then looked away with no response or eye contact of any kind. "Can I have some more? Please, lady Kaede?" She turned to Kaede with a smile as if nothing had happened.

'I don't know...' He thought with frustration.

"InuNaya." Inu-Yasha broke his train of thought. "We're going to need more wood soon." He walked out. He got his silent request to join him and followed.

"What's with you two?" Inu-Yasha cut into a log easily splitting it in half. "One minute she's all over you with no complaint, You're protecting her like she's yours but the poor girls life is in danger and you can't even answer if you're going to protect her or not?" InuNaya stared at the uncut log in front of him. "I guess what I'm asking is are you going to stay with her or not? I think I should at least know this information if you guys are going to be traveling with us."

"Well, I mean Yeah. We've been together since I saved her from that demon that killed her parents."

"That's not what I meant, I meant do you care about her? Like care, care?"

"What..? Why would you ask that?" He halted in his swing to gape at Inu-Yasha's question.

"Ain't it obvious you two bicker like an old married couple."

"He's right ya' know." Miroku interrupted whatever InuNaya had opened his mouth to say. "You have some kind of feelings for her." He pulled his sleeves back, "Come on my good man, a beautiful woman like her? With sun-kissed skin exposed all day- " Inu-Yasha threw a log at the monks head. "I was just stating-" Miroku rubbed the sting out of his head.

"Yeah, we all know what you were stating." Inu-Yasha shook his head, "Sango would murder you if she heard you right now."

"I don't think I do..." They both looked to InuNaya who was completely clueless. "I always want to protect her. I saved her life when I met her," 'I mean I was watching her for a while before that but they don't need to know that.' His face reddened. "It's hard to explain, I don't mind her being close to me like that... It's like some unknown force is telling me to let her be close.. and to protect her."

"Let me ask you this," He looked to Miroku. "Have you ever looked into her eyes and thought about looking into her eyes every day?" InuNaya's face flushed. "That's it aye? You like her ha-ha." He smacked his shoulder understandingly before hacking a log himself.

'...What...?' InuNaya tried to comprehend the conversation. He tried to make sense out of it but it was hard when all he could see was her face in his mind. 'I... like..her..?' He shook his head and continued to cut logs without saying another word. ' There are way more important things at stake here... there is no room for feelings.'

~Mean While With The Girls!~

"I can't believe you just act like nothing's wrong when he acts like that." Meyame blinked at Sango.

"Come on, don't act like you don't have a clue of what I'm talking about."

"He's different." She continued eating for a second longer. "He'll get over it. If we argue about something, anything He'll wake up the next day like nothing happened and he'll be back to normal. He just thinks I shouldn't have forgiven Hakaku but I did. I'm not going to change it he knows that. He'll be over it by morning." The girls sighed and nodded.

"Why did you forgive Hakaku?" Kagome asked.

"That's a good question." Sango chimed.

"I don't think I should burden myself with the mistakes of others, I'm not going to let something someone else did ruin my life. It's not my burden to take. I forgave Hakaku for myself not for him. Forgiving him doesn't change what he did, he'll have to live with that, forgiving him changes the way I look at the situation I don't have to think about it. Besides it wasn't fully his fault he was forced by that Naraku guy." They all helped Kaede clean up while awaiting the boys with the firewood. Meyame rubbed her hands together holding them close to the fire as Miroku walked in hauling wood with Inu-Yasha following behind. "Where's InuNaya? I didn't sense his presence with you guys." Meyame perked up immediately. Confused Inu-Yasha looked behind him.

"He was just behind me?" He raised a brow when he saw no one behind him.

Meyame sulked 'He can't really be that mad, can he?' She thought looking at the floor.

"Keh, want me to track him down?" Inu-Yasha offered.

"No, he'll turn up."

"Suit yourself."

~Authors note~

I'm so sorry it took me so long. My laptop doesn't have Mirosoft word... I'm trying to get a cheap laptop of my own that does because this is my boyfriends. I'm hoping this works and uploads right. I'm trying really, really hard to get back into putting this online and writing more. please review I really appreciate it and again IM SORRY IM SORRY!