I woke early that morning, even earlier than Inuyasha, so I was alone for awhile. It gave me some time to actually think. Everything had been happening so fast that I hadn't realized what was happening to me. I had been with these humans for so long that I was getting well…soft. Which disgusted me, as I demon I should not feel deeply for them or care. Then again, Hinako had shown me that I needed to accept my human nature…but how without completely changing what I was? Before I was a strong willed and overall powerful demon and now? I was acting like a child, a human child nonetheless. Letting my anger with Inuyasha sway me, now that I think about it I wasn't acting like a human child at all! I was acting like Inuyasha, which is way worse! Gah, I hate this…Minako's shifting as she slept snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Minako, are you awake my friend?" I asked her silently.
"Yes, what is it you need Shiori?" She answered.
"Do I seem, different to you?" I asked solemnly.
"Yes, but only slightly. You seem more uplifted and easily swayed by your emotions, especially around that half demon. I had been watching you for awhile before I showed myself." She confessed. I sighed in return and watched the stars begin to fade in the morning light.
"I don't like this at all." I told her. "I owe him a debt which keeps me here but I know by remaining here, I'm changing."
"Then leave for awhile when he finds this half demon Naraku, then return and assist him." She replied.
"I'm thinking about it." I told her.
"Then why don't you just leave. I don't care about some debt anyway." I heard Inuyasha whisper from under his bangs. I watched him through the corner of my eye as he looked up at me strangely, almost emotionless.
"So, you've been eavesdropping have you?" I asked him whilst keeping my gaze directed at the stars. Minako shifted uneasily at this, annoyed probably.
"If you don't want to be here leave." Inuyasha replied.
"Humph, I'll take that as a yes. I won't leave right here and now. Also, I do not care whether or not you have any interest in my debt to you. I feel it necessary to pay you back what is owed." I told him then realizing that maybe the debt was a foolish thought which I quickly took back realizing my father would have done the same. A debt's a debt whether it be between humans, demons, or a half demon and a mixed breed.
"Are you ever gonna tell me why you left with Sesshomaru?" He asked bluntly showing no signs of anger.
"I'm not sure if you can handle the truth Inuyasha." I told him.
"She'd be a fool to tell you now when you obviously are not prepared for it." Minako agreed.
"Humph, whatever." He said, making a face. I watched the sun rise, thankfully in silence. I had this feeling inside that something would happen today. My instincts were never wrong, so I knew there would be no avoiding it. I'd have to wait it out and see what was to come.
Nothing happened in the morning to have given me that gut wrenching feeling. Just Miroku being a pervert, Sango beating him with the Hirikoutsu, Minako being annoyed by Inuyasha and poor Kagome stuck in the middle of the nonsense. We walked in silence for the most part, until Shippo came up to me asking me to teach him how to speak in wolf. Being a child he took on the task easily as Minako and I taught him simple phrases such as 'help' and 'don't eat me', to help him stay out of trouble. I doubted he'd ever need to use it but he quickly picked up on little words or phrases like 'how are you' and 'hello'. It was amusing actually to have something to do other than walk behind Inuyasha who was giving me the silent treatment. Nothing happened at mid day either; we stopped to eat some of Kagome's food which Shippo kept calling 'Ninja Snacks'. It was all delicious but pretty basic, just some Ramen, Rice Balls, and other such things. By sunset the wrenching feeling returned and I knew it was coming.
A soft wind blew my hair and I smelled him, Sesshomaru, approaching us. Inuyasha smelled it too and growled. He walked out of the woods with Jaken, Ah Uhn, and Rin trailing behind him. He glared at Inuyasha for a moment. Inuyasha quickly took hold of Tetsusaiga's hilt. Sesshomaru's reply was a fake smile, he then glanced at me and back to Inuyasha.
"Hello, Little brother." He replied.
"What do you want Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha asked.
"I've come for Shiori; I've grown tired of her traveling with the likes of you." He replied as if I had no choice in the matter at all.
"She ain't going with you, not anymore." Inuyasha replied pulling out his sword. Were they really about to fight over me? Ridiculous.
"Do you actually think she belongs with you and your humans, Inuyasha?" He asked. "She belongs to me and so she will come with me."
"She doesn't belong to you, Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha exclaimed in my defense.
"Do you know nothing, fool!" Jaken exclaimed. Then I realized in shock what was about to leave Jaken's lips.
"Do I not get a choice in this!" I exclaimed covering up Jaken's voice completely. Everyone looked at me confused. "Sesshomaru, I've chosen to go with Inuyasha and I've told you why. Accept it and move on." Sesshomaru scowled at me.
"Heh, told you!" Inuyasha exclaimed.
"You're not right either Inuyasha." I told him.
"Inuyasha, she belongs to me and I will not allow her to be here." Sesshomaru said again. I growled.
"Do you not listen! I told you before Sesshomaru!" Before I could finish I watched Sesshomaru get very angry. I couldn't help but remember the last time he was mad at me and he transformed and…I turned to completely face him and gazed into his eyes. "I won't go with you…" I said. He bared his teeth at me. I took a step back and fell. Inuyasha watched me as I blatantly showed my weakness. I did what I swore I would never do, I showed my fear. Inuyasha suddenly grew angry as well, probably assuming something completely wrong from what was really going on.
"Leave her alone Sesshomaru!" He shouted.
"Be quiet Inuyasha." Sesshomaru said, calming down a bit, but still angry. I was still almost petrified.
"You really don't understand?" Jaken swayed his head in disapproval. Sesshomaru took a step forward and Inuyasha quickly jumped in between.
"Inuyasha…" I heard Kagome whisper.
"Move aside." Sesshomaru commanded in an earth shattering tone.
"Leave her alone Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha demanded repeating himself. Sesshomaru bashed him aside sending him flying into a tree. I'd never seen Sesshomaru do that.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome and I cried. I tried to get up and make sure he was okay but Sesshomaru stood in front of me. Kagome made it over to him quickly enough as he struggled to get up. Sesshomaru glared down at me. I was stuck staring into those fearful golden eyes. Flashes of the past returning. "Sesshomaru!" I cried closing my eyes and digging my head as far as I could into my chest, my anger and fear building up. "How dare you!" I shouted him looking back now with fury. I stood up and got into his face allowing my emotions full control. "After what you did before, you would dare act like this with me!" I exclaimed gaining everyone's attention. "I followed you to make sure you were okay, and you!" I bared my teeth now full of anger. "You attacked me, your betrothed! You called me disgraceful vermin and now you dare to bare your teeth at me for doing something you disagree with! How dare you Sesshomaru."
"Betrothed?" I heard Inuyasha ask out loud. Of course he'd only catch that part of the conversation.
"Yes Inuyasha, the reason I was with him is just that. That's what you wanted to know!" I exclaimed full of rage.
"Fool…I" Sesshomaru began but from hearing just that, him call me a 'fool'. I lost it I transformed losing myself. Black flames rose around me and I could barely contain all the power. The demon blood took over. The whites of my eyes turned black and my irises turned yellow, my hair changed from its natural sleekness and became harsh looking, my tail too became harsh looking, like spikes that had formed from my skull and back. My claws became extended, my fangs sharper. My senses so much like a wolf's were sharper than ever. I was so tired of it all! I attacked Sesshomaru in my blind fury, I felt the warm blood on my claws, but the scent…it was…wrong.
I looked into Inuyasha's eyes having no idea what just happened. He looked into my eyes with pain and understanding. I trembled as I looked him over. He was bleeding everywhere. I turned my head to see Sesshomaru too behind me bleeding too. He watched over me emotionlessly as if he felt no pain. I backed away from Inuyasha and everything started to become clear. I could hear his heavy painful breaths and Kagome's cry. Was he okay? What had I done? Why, why had this happened? How did I lose control so easily?
"Inu…yasha?" I asked as he smiled back at me and dropped to the ground. I felt my body shaking in fear for him, as it shifted to normal.
"I'll be fine." I heard him say. It made my heart jump. He was okay. Still shaking I couldn't think, I raised my hands to my head and saw the blood that drenched them. Suddnely, Sesshomaru was behind me and I jumped away standing in front of Inuyasha ready to attack.
"You still cannot control yourself." He said blankly. I stared into his eyes and decided not to give into my urge to collapse into his arms for some kind of comfort, like I used to. I couldn't keep his gaze. I turned away.
"No." I replied. I looked down at my feet relaxing myself. I turned around to Inuyasha and bent down in front of him, he was on his hands and knees. "Inuyasha, I'm so sorry." I told him.
"It's fine, you didn't get to Kagome, that's what matters." He said. His words hit me hard. I hadn't attacked him. I looked to Kagome who looked scared shitless. I had attempted to kill Kagome but why? I heard some of Inuyasha blood drip onto the ground and decided it was only right to help him. I dug into my kimono and pulled out a blue jewel. Jaken gasped at the sight of it as did Kagome.
"Is that…?" She asked.
"No, it's not the Sacred Jewel if that's what you're going to ask." I replied. Inuyasha's head cocked up immediately to stare into the jewel. I placed one hand on his back and closed my eyes. I sent a silent wish to the jewel, for Inuyasha to be okay. I felt it pulsate and Inuyasha relax. I opened my eyes, he had stopped bleeding and looked relieved. I stood up and looked to Sesshomaru who watched me still emotionless. "I can't be here anymore." I said to myself. "Minako!" I called, she was right by my side instantly. "Let's go." I told her, she nodded and we began to walk away.
"Wait." I heard Inuyasha say. I stopped and turned to him. "You don't have to leave." He replied.
"I…" I couldn't even promise I would return. I was so unsure, so afraid. "I have to, Inuyasha." I replied. "We shall meet again." I told him praying that be true. "Sesshomaru, do not follow me. Continue on in search of Naraku and I shall return to you as I promised. The day he is found, I shall return." I told them all as I turned away from them. I transformed into my true form and together with Minako disappeared into the night, without looking back. Allowing only my wolf instincts lead the way, without thought, without emotion. To not think, to not remember, to go as a true wolf should go. Hunting when hungry, running through the night, and calling into the sky at the moon's wake. That night seemed far away for months I remained transformed as to not recall my own actions and waited for the right time to return to that strange world. Losing as I went those stupid human emotions that crippled me becoming once again that strong willed and overall powerful wolf demon that I once was.