They crept closer to the border of the villages. It was almost too easy. They had heard so many fierce rumors about the Sentient that protected these villages, had heard of her power and grace. Had the legend been grown from nothing? Or was there really something powerful that watched over these few villages. Not that the humans in them were of any interest, no the interest was the jewel shards that could be sensed within the villages. And more to the point, that those jewel shards had multiplied in the past few hours. Before there had been three maybe four, now there was seven. Seven shards just waiting for the taking. The demons could feel them, almost smell the glory to be had by having them.

The lead demon, a creature terrifying to behold held up a hand in a fist, signaling his followers to stop. He stood strait, nearly the height of a house, a deep purple color to his flesh, and turned to face his followers. There were nearly a hundred demons following his lead now. They looked to him for protection from other smaller demons, and he provided that. So long as they followed his orders, hunted for him, killed for him, and gave him the rewards. He stretched his dark membranous wings, making himself appear larger and therefore more intimidating to those who looked to him.

"The village is ahead." He rasped.

He listened happily to the calls of the demons who followed him, an odd assortment of snakes, smaller dragons, cats, any many different demons that did not have a category to fit into. Holding his hand up again, they silence to listen to him. "The New moon approaches, and with it comes darkness to hide our attack." He paused again as the demons around him cheered. "Until we are ready, no one passes beyond this point, do not go any closer to the village, if you do you may very well alert the Sentient of our presence. Am I understood?"

The demons all around him nodded consent. He smiled grimly at them, "then let us prepare for battle."

He watched as his demons set about sharpening their claws, and weapons. This was going to be simple. Take the jewel shards and he would be even more powerful. The Sentient surly could not withstand such a force. His 90 demons alone could take care of her. And should he need to set foot on the battlefield then she would die at his hands, she would taste blood on her tongue, and kneel at his feet. And he would take possession of the shards. He laughed to himself as he settled down to watch his demons prepare. The night of the new moon approached, and with it so did his destiny.

Shippo licked his last loly-pop as he walked though the village. Akima had set them up in a very nice place, but had disappeared shortly after. He could understand her not wanting to hang around with the humans, maybe she wasn't as comfortable as he was with them, or maybe she had wanted to get back to her duty, whatever that was. It had been a few days since they had been in a village, and he enjoyed watching the people moving from one task to another. But there was something different about this village that he couldn't put his paw on. Something odd in the air maybe. And it was something that he intended to find out, if they weren't safe here then they needed to know it.

He spotted a group of children playing with bright colored ball, just a simple game of catch. He watched them for a few seconds before one of the little girls turned to him, and waved him forward. Glancing behind him to see if they meant someone else he gasped to realize she did mean him.

The little girl giggled, and threw the ball to him, he caught it. Then stared at it, not sure what to do. The girl ran up to him and smiled, "we are playing, would you like to play?"

Shippo stared at her dumfounded for a second before laughing and joining in the games. Privately he was shocked. These humans wanted him to play with them, they didn't care that he was a demon, or maybe they didn't notice? One look at his tail and they had to know. "My name is Shippo, what's yours?"

The girl giggled again, she was cute with short dark hair, "I am Milola." She stated as she passed the ball to another, "this is Lily," the light haired girl next to her, "Royo" the boy with hiar pulled back in to a pony tail, "and he is Bitilo" the last boy in the group.

Shippo smiled, "nice to meet you all." He played with them a few moments, laughing with them as they each did a trick with the ball, Milola's was the pretties, she bounced the ball and kicked over it. "So you don't mind playing with a demon?" he couldn't help but ask, if he or his friends was in danger he needed to know.

"Why would we?" Royo asked, as he passed the ball to Lily.

Lily caught it and passed it on to Milola, "you're here in the village, your our age, don't you want to play with us?"

Milola caught the ball, and passed it back to Shippo. Shippo caught it and stammered, "sure I want to play with you, its…its just that your not afraid that I'm a demon?" he passed the ball to Bitilo.

Catching the ball Bitilo laughed, "you wouldn't be in the village if you were dangerous. Our Sentient protects us. She wouldn't let you near us if you were a threat."

Shippo absorbed those words as he watched the ball pass hands a few more times. He had heard of Sentient before Songo had mentioned them on the way here. All smaller demons had heard of them. But he had heard they were all dead, died long ago. How was it that this village still had one? He caught the ball when it came back to him, "How long has your village had this Sentient?" He asked as he tossed the ball to Lily.

"She has been here for a long time, a few hundred years maybe?" Lily said tossing the ball to Milola.

Milola caught it, "yes but its not just our village that looks to her, she guards five villages here."

"Five! I never heard of one strong enough to guard so many, she must be really strong." Shippo said, wondering if anyone was safe here.

"Strong?" Bitilo asked, "I guess she is strong, she can carry more bales of wood then any of the men."

Royo had the ball now, "And she can shoot an arrow farther then even my father."

"I guess she is pretty strong, but we never really get to see that side of her." Lily said, holding the ball to her chest. "She is never to busy to play with us."

Milola laughed, "And she comes up with the best stories."

Shippo stared at them. Lily threw the ball to him. He looked at the ball, then back to them. They didn't care that the Sentient was a demon. To them she was a friend…and protector. She was just Takira to them. He smiled, then laughed as he threw the ball to Bitilo. This was a different village. This was a safe village, where the humans here could interact with demons who didn't mean them harm. That was why it felt different; there was no fear in the air. Some of the villages they had passed through there had been so much fear and hatred floating on the wind that it was difficult to breath. Laughing again he took a deep breath of air and enjoyed his simple game of catch with his new friends.

"That didn't take long." Songo said as she noticed that Shippo was no longer with them. She, Kagome, Miroku, and Kirara were still seated at the table in the room they bad been given to share. It was a large hall, complete with mats for them to sleep on, pillows, and blankets. It was easily the nicest place they had been given in a few months. The food was fantastic, and they even had a private bath, which Songo fully intended on using as soon as possible.

Miroku followed her gaze and noticed the Shippo's place was empty. "Wonder where the little guy got to."

Kagome finished her soup, and placed the bowel back on the table. "I don't know, but I am beet. InuYasha can sure set a pace." She turned to the sleeping mats, a gleam in her eye.

"Don't you want to explore the village first?" Miroku asked, standing up.

Songo stood too, a gleam in her eye, "what exactly do you want to explore, monk?"

He smiled. "Just wanted to get a look around is all, nothing that would require company."

Songo took a step closer to him, Kagome sighed. Miroku truly was an idiot at times.

Before Songo could say anything else, a man walked in to the room. He was tall, and handsome, if you discounted the scare that ran from above his right eye across his face, and reappeared on his covered left shoulder. He was a gentile man who had a soothing voice and presence. Hakoru smiled at them, "I am not interrupting I hope."

Songo stopped in her advance on the monk, and smiled at the healer. "Actually your presence is most welcome."

Hakoru eyed them. He was used to humans, so why did these ones make him so nervous? "I was asked to come ensure that the meal was to your liking." He glanced at the empty plates scattered across the table and smiled. "I am sure that the ladies will be most honored.

Kagome stood up and stretched. "The meal was excellent, please tell them thank you so much for us."

Hakoru nodded, "it is an honor to have Takira's brothers among us."

He means that, Kagome thought as she stared at him, too bad they don't know Takira's brothers that well she added in her mind. "How many demons live here?"

"Akima, who is Takira's student. There are always a few travelers, human and demon that come this way. And myself." Hakoru answered.

Songo nodded, "And you're a healer? A demon healer who can fix almost anything to judge by Sesshomaru's arm."

Hakoru smiled, and Songo's cheeks warmed a little, he was a little too handsome. "I can heal only what the owner wishes to be healed. For the flesh to mend it must have a cause, and not just vanity. That is why I still bear this scar, and as a reminder to myself that I am no fighter."

Miroku watched the exchange, and noticed the color in Songo's cheeks, he took a step closer to Songo. "If your not a fighter then you're a lover, surly there must be plenty of beautiful ladies in this village for you to woo."

Hakoru eyed the monk, "There is only one beautiful lady in the world who I wish to woo."

Kagome sized the moment; "You do love Takira then don't you! How cute! You're here to help her and you fell in love with her! That is so romantic!" Kagome's eyes glazed over for a moment as she played out the little romance between Takira and Hakoru in her mind. She was smiling like an idiot.

Hakoru took a slow step backwards, truly afraid of these humans. "I will report to the ladies now, let them know of your enjoyment of the meal." His exit was a breath shy of running.

Songo stared after him, not noticing that Miroku was staring at her. "He's a pleasant enough fellow isn't he?"

Miroku looked between Kagome, who was still all dreamy eyed making up her own love story for Hakoru and Takira, and Songo who was clearly still taken by Hakoru. Shaking his head he looked down to Kirara who twitched her tail at him. "Guess something's never change. Come on Kirara, let's go explore the village." Kirara glanced at Songo, then jumped up on to Miroku's shoulder.

Miroku didn't make it far, actually he made it to the doorway before InuYasha stormed into the room. "We are leaving." Was all he said before walking back out.

Kagome stared at the empty doorway, then looked to Miroku, who shrugged. InuYasha stuck his head back in and stared at them, "Well? Aren't you coming?"

Songo looked up, supprised to find InuYasha back. "Going where?"

"Getting the hell out of this village, I don't care if there are jewel shards here. I want to get as far away as possible." InuYasha was now standing in the door way. His eyes kept going back to the table that no longer held food, but he could smell what had been served. "So you didn't think to save anything for me did you? Well that's just great, I have to travel on an empty stomach. That's fine!"

Kagome stared at him for a moment before answering. "Hakoru said that he would be happy to bring you some food when you showed up. And we are not leaving."

"Oho yes we are! There is nothing here that we can want." InuYasha said, arms crossed. He had that snotty 4 year old look on his face that meant trouble.

Songo sat down at the table again, "InuYasha we just got here, what did your sister have to say about the jewel shards?"

"She is not my sister!" he looked away, then said out of the corner of his mouth, "and I forgot to ask her."

Miroku stepped forward, "You had her all alone, and you didn't ask? Why not!"

"She's not like that, I don't think she would have told me even if I had asked, so get off my case!" InuYasha yelled.

Kagome took a step forward, "InuYasha did you even listen to her? Or did you just storm off." She stared at him a full minute, before determining her answer. "InuYasha shes your sister."

"Is not!"

"All I am saying is give her a chance." Kagome pleaded.

"She is not my sister!"

Kagome stared at him, "Fine! You want to go on being all sulky well that's ust fine, we are not leaving. You will spend some time with her and that is final!"

InuYasha flinched, "I will not! And you cant make me!"

Miroku winced a half second before Kagome yelled "SIT!"

"Should have seen that one coming." Songo said dryly as Miroku sat next to her at the table.

"Sit sit sit!"

"He will never learn will he?" Miroku said as he watched the too familiar routine.

Takira moved through the forest listening to the sounds that went a long way to comfort her aching heart. Her eyes closed, she let her feet take her on the path she knew so well. What was wrong with her that her own brother, her own flesh and blood didn't want anything to do with her? Was she so horrible of a person to want to be a part of his life? Should she just let him walk away from her, and spend the rest of her life wondering?

Too many questions and no answers, she never had answers. With a shake of her head, she focused on the little things, the things that she could control. Like protecting her villages, looking after Akima in her training, making sure they had enough food and wood to keep them though the long winter ahead. So many things to keep her occupied, she didn't need to worry about her brothers and their life's. Didn't need to worry about them when she had so many others who depended on her.

But she wanted to worry about them, wanted to know that her siblings were safe. She wanted to be apart of their life's, wanted to see them happy.

She knew he was there long before she rounded the corner of the path to where he stood. Takira opened her eyes and smiled softly at Hakoru, who smiled back.

"I figured you were on your way home." He fell in to step beside her, not offering to touch her, he gave her a respectful distance.

Takira was silent for a while, trying to sort out her new found confusion of a life. Just yesterday she had been happy. Had known that one brother was well and happy. Now she wanted to crawl into a hole and hide until both left her villages, and at the same time wanted to sit with them, hear their stories, and laugh with them about the past. How could she want too things that were so opposite?

"If you don't express something soon, I am afraid you are going to burst. Its not healthy to keep so much inside Takira." Hakoru said, still keeping the distance.

She glanced up at him, then away before answering. "I am confused. I am not supposed to get confused, I am supposed to fix confusion and provide order."

"Family has a way of doing that to everyone, worry not, all will sort itself out in the end." The confidence was in his voice, but not his eyes, which was why he wouldn't meet her gaze.

Takira said nothing for a few paces. "I don't know what to do, he doesn't want me to be a part of his life, and I have no rite to demand it. But I want it Hakoru." She touched his arm lightly, stopping him in his tracks. "I want so dearly to be something to him, something more then just 'enemy'."

He didn't touch her, but wanted to. From the first moment he saw her, he had though of no other. He had loved her on sight. And while she was sometimes amused by him in bed, he was not confident enough yet to ask for more then just casual couplings. He wasn't sure that she wanted more. "I have no medicine for this, I am sorry."

Slowly, as though unsure of her movements she rested her head on his chest, and wrapped her arms loosely around his waist. "This is enough, for now this is medicine enough."

He stared at her for a moment before wrapping his arms around her, holding her to him. He noted how cold she was, and wished he had thought to bring a blanket, there was already the bite of winter in the night air. Taking a deep breath he savored the scent of her, it smelled of the wild forest and lilac. His bed always had that same smell after he had shared it with her. He pushed those thoughts away, she didn't need a bedmate tonight, tonight she simply needed a friend to hold her. Tonight he would be nothing more then that friend.