Oh, boy. *face-palms* I really haven't updated in over a month? UUUGH! Just where the heck does the time go, people?! *sighs* Anyways, really sorry about that. *bows repeatedly* Life's been real hectic as of late. But thankfully, I remembered this story and managed to whip out a chapter for ya. :) But first, a HUGE thanks and cake to my NINETEEN most AWESOME and recent reviewers: MsWildLuck, Xerxes'Girl, Blackenflames, Sarudoshi, ashthetyto, Gotta Have My Choco, Smoldering Blue Eyes, AmyRoseAlice, E-man-dy-S, Hetomi, Strength Honor Love, KHandFF7fanforever, Mika Kezume, Lady Syndra, Trinabear, kidagakaush, SnowDreamy, guest, and Agent Aries! I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH! *squeals and glomp hugs you* Also, a huge thanks to all the people who have favorited and/or followed this story. *tosses you guys/girls cookies* Hope everyone enjoys chapter 9! :D

Terms to know…
Daiyoukai – Great Demon
Youkai – Demon
Hanyou – Half Demon
Inu – Dog
Kitsune – Fox

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha, the Inuyasha plot, NOR the Inuyasha characters. I only own my main OCs Autumn/Akiko and Kimiko, any other OCs created along the way, and any part of the plot NOT a part of the Inuyasha anime or manga. This fanfic, however, is MINE and I'd like to keep it that way.

Chapter 9-Cruel Realtiy

Autumn/Akiko's P.O.V.
Our entire little group sat in silence as we ate some ramen from Kagome's time. Shippo had ended up being fine, and since he was a Youkai, it wouldn't take long for him to heal. But after the day he'd had, the kitsune was currently sleeping, making the meal a lot quieter then it usually was. Not that the silence bothered me, for it gave me the time I needed to sort through some of the thoughts pressuring my mind.

Yeah, I bet you can probably guess what those thoughts entail, huh?

Sesshomaru.

I'd hardy expected to meet the great Lord of Western Lands anytime soon, let alone today! Seriously, the Daiyoukai had practically come out of nowhere! "Come to think of it," my eyebrows creased in slight confusion, "just why did he show up? What did he come here for, anyways?"

"I've been wondering the same question myself." A familiar voice murmured thoughtfully in the back of my head.

I blinked in slight surprise, "Inu Lady?"

"It's actually Kimiko, dear." She corrected gently.

"Oh, sorry." I apologized quickly, "But what do you think, I mean, about Sesshomaru's weirdness?"

A soft chuckle answered my inquiry, "I do have a faint idea."

"Yeah, well, care to share it?" I was sorely tempted to role my eyes at the vague answer.

"Hmm… No, I don't think I will." Kimiko chuckled nervously, causing me to glare at my cup of ramen. Should've known I'd have to figure it out for myself.

…

SILENCE…

…

"Tell me, have you yet decided on a mate?"

Cue me choking half to death on my noodles as that question was randomly sprung in my face, "EXCUSE ME?!"

"Miss Akiko," Miroku's concerned voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I looked up to see that everyone was staring in my direction, "are you alright?"

"Wha- Yeah, I'm fine!" I assured my companions hurriedly with a bright smile, "Just choked on some of these buggers is all." Standing up, I awkwardly sat my mostly empty ramen cup down on the log in which I'd been sitting. "You know," I laughed nervously, scratching the back of my head, "I'm just gonna go take a little walk, okay?"

"By yourself?" Kagome seemed rather worried, "Are you sure you don't want someone to go with you?"

"Nah. It's fine." I smiled reassuringly before heading off into the woods. Once I was a little ways away, I slumped up against a nearby tree, "I'm waiting for an explanation! Just where the heck did that question come from!?"

"It's a perfectly valid one." Kimiko defended herself calmly, "Considering what you are now, it'd be best to find a powerful mate quickly, lest you be taken by force."

"I'm not just gonna randomly marry some guy!" I snarled angrily, "This place is great and all, but I'm gonna have to go home eventually. So, I can't afford to make any permanent ties to this place!"

"That's just it, though." The Inu spirit stated quietly, in an almost guilty manner, "It's impossible for you to go back."

Everything around me seemed to freeze at her words, "I… can't… go back?"

"No." she continued gently, "Crossing dimensional barriers is not easy to do, young one. And though it can be done, it's only possible if you are the same person in which you were before."

By this time, I was shaking all over upon being given the devastating news, "So, because I'm now a… Youkai, this means… I can't ever go back?"

"A Daiyoukai actually, but yes, you are correct." I could almost see her lower her head in shame, "I truly am sorry, child, but you were the only one. I didn't-"

"It's okay." I spoke the words quietly out loud, cutting her off as I sat down by a nearby stream, "Could you just… leave me alone for a little while, like retreat to the back of my mind or something?"

"Of course." Kimiko replied softly, for I could sense the heaviness she felt, "Just call if you need me."

Sensing her presence retreat to the farthest depths of my subconscious, I let my forehead fall hopelessly onto my knees.

Mom.

Dad.

Hank.

Hell, even the dumb cat!

I wouldn't ever see any of them again. My whole life, I'd been born and raised on that old ranch. I'd grown up riding mountain horses and rounding cattle. Family was everything, and was always to come first. That's what I'd been taught, for with family is where I'd always been. But now…

"Don't cry." I repeated the phrase like a mantra in my head, "Don't-"

The first tear landed with a small splash on my knee.

Damnit.

I couldn't even describe how I felt at the moment. It was a mixture of slight anger, unbelievable pain, and devastation. At first, I'd been beyond excited to find myself in my favorite anime. If I'd known I wouldn't ever be able to go back…

Lords! Did my parents even have a clue what had happened to me! Did they think I was dead! The last thing that anyone back in my world would know is that I got in a car wreck, but my body would be missing. I imagine I'd eventually turn into one of those unsolved missing person's cases.

The tears threatened to flow harder.

Man, I hope my parents handle this okay… losing their only daughter.

The ball that I'd curled up into became tighter as I mulled over the thought. I probably would've started crying harder except suddenly, a soft rustle of grass followed by a familiar scent assaulted my senses, making me freeze.

The movement stopped shortly after as a deep, smooth voice spoke up, "Why are you crying?"

Sesshomaru's P.O.V.
After meeting the female Inu, who I now fully intended to take as my mate, I had given the appearance of departing. In actuality, I had simply hid my presence - this included my scent - as I followed my younger half-brother's pack back to his camp. Taking note of where they were located, I had then moved a small distance away so as not to get discovered, but still close enough to detect if any of them moved.

Particularly the female Inu going by the name of Akiko.

Not only was I making sure no other male dared to move in on what I had already claimed, but it was my hope that the female would move away from the rest of the pack so I would have a chance to speak with her in private. As annoying as it was, I highly doubted I would be able to get anywhere with her if Inuyasha was present. The fool never did seem to know his place.

My sensitive nose suddenly picked up a presence moving hurriedly away from the hanyou's pack, causing a small smirk to adorn my features.

It seemed fortune was smiling upon me today.

Taking to the skies, I made sure to continue keeping my presence concealed as I followed my intended's scent. It wasn't long before I came upon her. Landing silently several yards away, I was about to approach when another scent made me pause with a frown.

Salt.

Much to my astonishment, the golden Inu was crying; the scent of her tears and sorrow clouding around me like a depressing fog. I myself had never witnessed another one of my species show such an emotion, so the sight was quite a first for me.

Just who had hurt her in such a way?

The thought in of itself was infuriating.

True enough, I may have only met the female earlier that day, but I'd decided that instant that she was mine, and no one touched or harmed what was mine. Those who dared such a transgression against the Lord of the West, did not live long to regret it.

Dissipating the barrier concealing my presence, I watched the female freeze as I approached. Stopping in front of her, I posed the exact question boiling in my mind, determined to receive an answer, "Why are you crying?"

Sorry if this chapter seemed kinda heavy. I tried to put a little humor in the beginning to make up for it. :) But we all knew this part had to come. After all, how would you feel if you were suddenly told you could never see your family again? Anyways, I am BEGGING you guy's/girl's to PLEAAASE review! Your reviews have had me SOOO inspired in my writing! So, keep up the AWESOME work, and I'll keep giving you more chapters! :D Also, please follow and favorite this story as well! See ya'all in the next chapter!

NEW STORY!
Milord Babysitter - Inuyasha - Sesshomaru (FUNNY) - ONESHOT

Rock Out!
Kira