Here, we are, my darlings. Another new chapter. I know it's not very long, but I'm working on getting them out for you.

This isn't exactly how I wanted this chapter to go, but it just took on a life of it's own.

Newayz... Here it is and enjoy!!!

Chapter 12

"That's amazing, Harry!" Ron exclaimed the next morning at breakfast. "So, she really knew your parents in school?"

"Yeah, she said she even dated Sirius!" Harry said beaming happily. It was the happiest he had looked since losing his godfather, and, for that, Hermione was grateful. It had been too long since she had seen her friend genuinely happy in a long time. It hurt her more than she would ever let anyone know. Maybe, she thought, things were finally looking up. She just prayed to whatever higher being was listening that Harry wouldn't lose this piece of his past for a long time to come.

"Umm.. Hermione?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"Yes," the bushy haired teen answered, being broken from her hope filled thoughts.

"Professor Greenleaf wants us all to meet her tonight after classes. She has something important to discuss with us." Harry said looking serious.

"Ok, Harry. Now, let's get to Potions before Slughorn comes looking for his new celebrity." Hermione smirked at a suddenly red Harry.

The trio walked silently through the corridors behind their professor. She had made it look like they had detention so that they wouldn't be in trouble for being out after curfew. Hermione looked toward Harry hoping he knew what was going on, but he just shrugged. He had just been told when to report to Professor Greenleaf's office. They walked out onto the grounds and nobody could ignore the beauty of Hogwarts at night. The moon was full and high in the sky, and Harry couldn't help but wonder if Moony was okay. Inuai turned slightly to make sure the three students were still behind her and caught Harry's worried look. "He's okay, you know." she said softly, making all three Gryffindors jump a little at the sound.

"Yeah, I know." he said, his head down. "But I still wonder if he's alright."

"Don't worry, pup. Moony's been taking care of himself for many years now. He knows how to listen to his instincts." Inuai smiled.

"Did she just call you pup?" Ron mouthed to his best friend. Harry just nodded with a small smile. He had gotten so used to Moony calling him cub that one new endearing nickname, he could handle.

"Where are we going, Professor?" Hermione asked when she noticed where they were heading.

"We're not in class, Ms. Granger." Inuai said calmly as she started walking faster towards the Forbidden Forest. She had a place in mind for their meeting, but she had to move quickly or they wouldn't get back until early morning. "Now, hurry up. We have so much to do and not enough time to do it in."

Harry, Hermione, and Ron looked warily at each other, but followed dutifully after their professor, discreetly fingering their wands. They weren't too sure if Merry could defend herself let alone all of them.

The shadows danced about them as if they were alive. The three Gryffindors looked around them warily as they followed Inuai further into the Forest then anyone of them had been before. Presently they came upon a clearing. The students looked around in awe. It looked as if this place didn't fit in with the rest of the Forest. The shadows that danced right on the edge of their vision seemed to shrink away from this place and the moon shone brightly through a hole in the clouds that dominated the sky.

Merry sniffed the air as she looked around. There was something that was 'off' tonight, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. You'd better make this quick and get these kids back to the castle.

'I know. But I need to let them know what they're up against.' Merry waved her hand over the ground and a checkered blanket appeared on the ground with Butterbeers for all those present. "Come and sit down quickly. We have much to discuss."

Two ice blue eyes looked out at the three humans and hanyou that sat in the middle of the clearing seemingly oblivious to the danger that watched them from the tree line. He thought for sure she had found him out when they had entered the clearing. She had looked directly at him! He was sure he had been found out. So, why had she acted like there was nothing there? It didn't make any sense! He had been so sure that she would have either bolted or ousted him from his hiding spot. But she had just made the blanket and bottles appear and acted as if nothing was wrong. Well, that would change. Now, if only he could hear what she was saying.

"So, you see the seriousness of the issue at hand. That's why I want you three to take special lessons with my brothers and I." Inuai said, her face looking somewhat sad but very determined. "I don't want you three to become killing machines, but I do want you to know how to fight without your wands in case they are taken from you."

"We'll do it, Pro.. I mean, Merry." Hermione said confidently, speaking for the two boys. They all shared the same resolve. They knew it would come down to Harry and Voldemort, but they wanted to be standing beside him just the same.

"Yeah, we'll do anything if it'll help Harry and get rid of that snake faced bastard!" Ron said hotly.

"Ronald!" Hermione shrieked, causing Inuai to flatten her ears to her head and wince from the noise.

"What?"

"It's okay, Hermione. He has ever right to call him that. You can no more than call a creature what it is." Inuai said sagely. She lifted her nose to the sky as the wind picked up before tensing noticeably. "Get up and behind me. Now!" she shouted as the blanket disappeared. The three students quickly did as they were told. They had never seen their teacher so unnerved like she was. Something was wrong. They could all feel it as though it were a palpable thing. A low growl issued from Inuai's throat as she stared at the tree line.

Harry looked around Inuai enough to see a large black dog enter the clearing. He gasped. No! It can't be! He thought to himself. I saw him fall through the veil. But it had to be! No one could fake an animagus form. Hermione had said so, and she was hardly wrong. He tried to make his way around Inuai to get to the dog, but was stopped by a clawed hand on his shoulder and a growl. Harry looked up into a face that hadn't been there just a few minutes prior.

"Get back, foolish boy!" Inuai bit out. "It's Not Sirius! Now, get back to the castle. You're in danger here."

Harry looked at Inuai for a moment deciding if she was correct and that it wasn't Sirius. He needed to see for himself, but another side of him said to high tail it out of there with all his limbs and life intact.

"I'll not tell you again! Now, go! And don't forget the spell I taught you!" Inuai called as she stepped toward the dog. Hermione pulled on Harry's arm as he resisted the urge to stay. With great reluctance, he took one final look at the dog and Inuai before turning and following his friends out of the Forest.

Inuai stared down the animal in front of her. This was not Sirius. It couldn't be! Something was off about the scent, but she couldn't quite figure it out. "Alright, show yourself!" she snapped angrily.

The dog merely cocked it's head to the side and let out a low whine.

"I know you're not who you are pretending to be! So, give up the farce and show your true self!" she growled fiercely. She watched with a guarded expression as the dog turned into, not the face she had grown to love, but a face from her past. The sliver fox demon looked at her with loathing and pure hatred in his eyes. The last time she had seen him, he had looked at her like a big brother only wanting the best for her.

"So, I see the years have been good to you." he sneered.

"It's good to see you too, Matsudaira." Inuai snarled. "Now, what the hell do you want."

"Ah, so you remember. How quaint." He said smirked at the hanyou. "I just wanted to come by and see how my little 'sister' is doing. Is that such a bad thing?" Matsudaira answered looking as innocent as he could muster with a sneer on his face. "I should thank you. Without you, I never would have become what I am now."

"And what's that, Matsudaira? An ass? The shit on the bottom of my shoe?" Inuai laughed, never moving from her defensive position. She laughed inwardly as a growl issued forth from the demon in front of her.

"You'll pay for that, you little bitch!" he snarled at her. "I'd kill you now, if I didn't already have a purpose for you."

"And what purpose is that?" Inuai growled.

"I'm surprised you don't already know." Matsudaira sneered. "Your youki should be screaming the truth at you as we speak. Or do you not listen to it?"

"What are you talking about?" Inuai asked moving slightly from her position.

"You, little wench, are my mate." Matsudaira said plainly with a look of disgust on his face. "But I would rather kill you for what your family has done to me."

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, old man, but I've already found my mate, and it's not you!" Inuai spat as if she had tasted something foul.

"That's impossible!" He yelled.

"Sorry." Inuai chuckled. "Besides, I would never mate with you. I despise you and being in your presence. So, get the hell out of here before I drive you out."

"What can you possibly do to me, bitch." Matsudaira smirked. "You're just a waif of a thing. A strong breeze would cause you to fall down."

"I have two words for you, Matsudaira." Inuai smirked right back. "Accio, So'unga." Matsudaira's eyes widen as the sword came whistling toward them and landed directly in Inuai's waiting hand. "Make your next move, demon scum."

"You may have won this battle, but you will not win the war." Matsudaira spat as he backed into the Forest. "You will suffer and then you will watch your family die."

"Bastard." Inuai growled as she stood still in the clearing watching the trees and shadows around her. What the hell is his plan? There's no way we could be his mate! Our youki would've called to his when we were children.

'I know.' Inuai thought, breathing hard. She had had such a tight hold on her magic and demon blood that it had left her exhausted. She knew she would have a hard time making it back to the castle on her own, but knew of no one to help her. Just as she was dragging herself to her feet to make the long trek back to the castle, a strong hand gripped her arm. Inuai swung around with So'unga to strike down the attacker, only to find Sesshomaru looking down at her with what looked to be a strange mix of amusement and worry.

"Come on, Little One." he said softly as he lifted the hanyou to her feet. "I'll help you back."

"How did you know?" Inuai asked, still breathing hard.

"Harry." was the only word Inuai heard before she wrenched her arm from Sesshomaru's grip and ran to the nearest tree, where she proceeded to empty all contents from her stomach. "Are you ok?" Sesshomaru asked slightly worried from just over her.

"Yeah, yeah. Just a little after effect from the confrontation, that's all." Inuai said as she smiled weakly up at the tai-youkai before falling back against the tree.

"You're in no fit state to walk." Sesshomaru said stating the obvious before signaling to Inuyasha standing a few feet away.

Blanket Disclaimer for A Hanyou's Life:

I don't own anything that you recognize. If I did, I wouldn't have any bills and could give my daughter the life she deserves.