A/N: Here we go, another chapter. Shame it took so long. This is something that just goes in a direction, not entirely sure where it going. For those of you who enjoyed Sesshy's little appearances, he won't be in this one.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in InuYasha. I do own the characters Yumiko, Kotsuroki, Yoru, Taiyou, and Sayuri and any other OCs I decide to place in here.

~~Spoiler Alert~~

This story is based off the MANGA and after the series is over. You are cautioned that there may be spoilers to what happened.

Narrator

Days. So many days would pass as a routine was set into place. It was a week maybe two, who was keeping count at this point? No longer did Kotsuroki crawl to his sister's side in the middle of the night. That ended after two to three days. He would still sit in her lap after breakfast as he waited, almost impatiently for the little girl with bright hair to come for him. Yumiko was no fool, she could see a little bit of puppy love there as he would get up as she walked towards them. Taking her hand with extra special care and proving that he was a big boy, that he could protect her. The daughter of the Daiyoukai clan couldn't help but smile at this little display of affection from her little brother. After all, it was nice to have something to look forward to with each day, when all seemed to go down hill. Even Yumiko felt she had something that she could look forward to with each day. When breakfast had ended she would go with Kouga down by the lake before the children went to play in the water with the warm sun on their backs. Throwing punches at one another as she quickly picked up how to fight. It was natural for her to move the way she should. Each movement quick and calculated as she would watch the way he moved. At times, she couldn't tell when he was going to move to make sure that she was paying attention. Senses blazing as she would be locked in the dance of combat, waiting for the pain of contact or that brush of skin against each other causing that strange flutter that was starting to form in her stomach. Sometimes, their practice would extend to the afternoon without realizing it. Today would be one of those times.

Crimson eyes flash as the woman catches the slight turn of his body, her body quickly reacting as she ducks down to miss the punch that was being swung over her head. Her hips swinging as she sweeps a leg under his own but he is quick to react and jump over them, upon landing he does not see her swinging her hips around another time as her other leg knocks into his, causing him lose his balance. Catching herself into a spring she would leap forward, her body crashing into his as he lands on his back. She straddled over his chest, one hand at his throat the other with her fingers tensed, claws bared. He can only give a grin as they stay there a moment, unable to hear the cheers of children as they watch the two combat. A gin appears on the lips of the Alpha as he shifts a bit and he brings his legs up, ankles up around her throat as he slams her to the ground. Gripping, Yumiko's claws dig into his skin at his throat, causing blood to trickle from the surface wound. A yelp escapes her as she feels her back slam into the ground. Kouga fights through her legs that are somewhat tangled at his waist and moves to pin her down. He moves his body from underneath her and unlocks his ankles quick to be above her, his hands grasping at her wrists and his knee planted within her stomach. She lets out a bit of a groan and those crimson eyes are staring up at him blazing, his own gaze returning hers with the same intensity.

With her chest heaving as she takes each breath her body becomes lax as she shows her submission. Her eyes closing a bit. She can feel his grip relaxing on her as he moves to get off of her, sitting beside her but still touching her. She can't help but wonder why but she doesn't argue as she can't seem to find any reason to mind. It is then that she can hear the distinct sound of children's voices as they cheer and giggle. Rolling her head to the direction of the voices she opens her eyes to see the children of the pack lined up, well, it seems they got to get a bit of a show didn't they? The mother's looking somewhat disapproving but a few with smiles tugging at their lips. Quickly Yumiko brings herself to a sitting position and lets her breathe catch, keeping her eyes off the women. She didn't want to get scolded by those who were older than her. But she does catch a glimpse of Kotsu as he seems to be fairly excited. "Come on children," calls one of the mothers as they are ushered off to play at the lake's edge. Biting her lower lip she looks over to Kouga and he seems to catch her gaze from the corner of his eye. A smile forms as he gives a slight chuckle and shakes his head.

"I'll get you tomorrow. I really will this time," she boasts a bit, her breath still heavy from exertion.

"We'll see about that but you did almost have me today," he replies as he stretches his arms above him. He would then push himself to his feet and his eyes would watch as the children began their own sense of play.

Yumiko would follow his gaze and see Kotsuroki wrestling with one of the other boys. It wasn't unusual for the boys to wrestle but Kotsu was really coming out of his shell. Yumiko gets to her feet and as she stands she can feel the bump of fur against the back of her legs, looking down she got the firm gaze of Yoru and she sucks in her lips a little. He was giving her that scolding look and she just returns it with a look of innocence. Yumiko would then take a step forward so that she was standing beside Kouga, her gaze softening a bit. She looks towards him, her mind racing a little. Her heart still pounding from the adrenaline rushing through her system, or maybe it is more? She can't help but admire him a little and she just smiles a little softly to herself. No use getting attached is it? Not when your goal is to defeat the very clans that killed her parents. Two very powerful clans. With a soft sigh she turns away from him and begins to walk towards the woods.

"Come Yoru, I'd like to get a bathe," she says softly.

At her words, Kouga turns to watch her walk away from him. Watching her retreating form as her hips sway with each step and her tail giving a soft sway with the movement. Even the way that her hand seemed to unconsciously brush over the bark of the first tree she passes. Rubbing the back of his neck, he looks away with a bit of a chuckle. However, he gives a slight wince when he does touch his neck. Lowering his hand he would see the blood and he just stares at it for a moment.
"Damn, she did get me a little this time," he says, almost proudly.

Narrator

Meanwhile, Yumiko couldn't stop smiling and she really couldn't explain why. That or she didn't want to acknowledge it. Things were bad, sure they were, but that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy her life while she still had it? Her smile slowly fades as it is replaced with a frown. She had to remember her goal. She had to remember why she was training, why she was trying to make herself stronger. Bringing a hand to her lips, the side of her index finger brushing along the bottom one, she looks to be in thought. She was trying to understand some of the things that she felt around Kouga. It was strange but she felt at ease, calm, and well... there was that feeling in her stomach that obviously was making itself known. She knew in all positive sense that she liked Kouga. To her he was nice and sweet. He was giving her a chance to be something other than the little flower that her father had always tried to make sure that she was. He treated her different than all of the other suitors that had been at her doorstep. Those who just lavished her with gifts and vowed to protect her and her clan. As if she needed protecting but she knew that she did. She was weak, she always felt weak. Though then it hits her. She stops a moment, her brow furrowing a little. Suitors? When did she start looking at him like a suitor? Looking down to Yoru who had stopped beside her, his green eyes meeting hers.

"Yoru, do you think... do you think that he would try to court me?" her voice showing somewhat of concern yet that little tinge of hope. Why was she hopeful? Well, call it a puppy crush but she knew that something was there.

The black wolf gives a slight grunt and bumps her legs to get her moving. She frowns at him and nudges him with her toes a little.
"I know that you wouldn't like that but do you think he would try? Or am I just being too romantic and childish?I know what I'm suppose to do. Is it bad for me to even want him to?" she continues.
The wolf simply ignores her and she frowns, stomping her foot to the ground a little.

"Taiyou would at least try and encourage me a little," she says to his silence.

He would only give a soft growl, his teeth baring a little. Of course she got stuck with the aggressive one of the two. Without Taiyou around to calm the male down he was quite stressing. But she knew what he was trying to get across. Don't lose track of what is important. She had to make sure that she staked her claim over the Northern lands, but even she knew that she couldn't make that happen without Sesshoumaru's help. She lets out a sigh and follows after the black wolf, skipping a little to catch up.

"I do hope that Sesshoumaru-sama finds us soon. I... I want this to be over," she says softly.

Soon enough they were at the river and Yoru would begin patrolling along the banks to make sure that no one walked in on her. She would take a good look around as well before taking off her clothing and stepping into the chilly river. Shivering a little she would reach to the bottom of the river, searching for a course stone. Finding one she would run this over her skin to rub the dirt off. Her eyes watching as she cleaned herself. She would then go through scrubbing her hair and tail before getting out of the river. Stepping out she would then wring the water out of her hair and tail, shaking what she can off her skin. She would then redress and take a deep breath as she brings her arms over her chest to warm herself up. She really needed to try and find one of those nice hot springs. These cold bathes were not very comfortable.

At the moment she was alone and she shifts about uncomfortably. Those crimson eyes shifting through the darkness as she tries to find some sign of Yoru. He usually didn't go far. Why was she so scared? A soft hissing can be heard and her eyes widen. Her heart pounding swiftly within her chest. She takes her arms from around herself and she gets defensive, fingers tensed and waiting. She can smell burning flesh and she begins to shake, eyes widened, fear the worst.

"Y-yoru?" she calls out softly, praying that he hears her.

But there is no answer. She turns quickly at the sound of breaking twigs and crackling grass. Her breathing quickens and she bares her teeth, trying to look at least a little threatening.

"Who is there? Show yourself!" she calls out, her voice loud and clear but with the slight waver caused by her fear. She never was able to keep her voice steady when it needed to be.

Still there was no voice but her senses were overwhelming her. She could smell blood, burning flesh and fur. They were the scents of her clansman, of her mother, her father, her brother. She could hear something, running, slithering through the trees, cracking. There was the stumbling of footsteps but she couldn't discern where they were coming from. Then there was the murmuring of voices, voices she couldn't comprehend. There was a soft hissing and strange growling. Turning, Yumiko would try and defend herself from all angles, but she wasn't even sure what she was defending herself from!

"It is your fault," the words hiss into her ear and she turns but there is nothing there.

She is panicking, unsure of what is going on. She swore she heard whatever it was right there!

"They died because of you. All of them. You couldn't protect them, your mother, your father, even your little brother," the voices hisses within her ear once more.

She turns but still, nothing is there. "My brother is alive, you are lying. This is just a trick," she replies, her voice shaking as she begs for it all to be a lie.

But it is in that moment that her brother comes through the trees, his body covered in blood. His eyes wide and frightened as he reaches out for her but falls, an arrow pierced within his back.

"Kotsu!" she screams.

Her eyes are wide, the pupils dilated as rushes to his side. He isn't moving, she can't feel his heart beating or his chest rising with a breath. Her body shakes as she searches for the enemy, searching for someone. It is then that her eyes shift, the golden shade overcoming the crimson that is so prominent within her gaze. Her youki and aura radiating off of her as her anger and grief overcomes her.

"Oh, stronger than I thought," the voice whispers, laughter lacing the edges.

A growl escapes her throat as she clings to the body of her brother, his body growing cold under her touch. She can feel the tug of something along her ankles and Yumiko shifts as she sees that there are vines of some sort growing from her brother and latching onto her. She starts to tear at them, claws ripping the plant like material apart but there is something strange about it. It bleeds.

"What is going on?" she questions in panic.