The Unexpected

Amaya arrived at home after another wonderful day out with Tanaka. She grew to like the sometimes boastful boy a little more each time they went out together. So much so that Kazuki began asking questions about where they were going.

"It's a secret." Amaya said looking away and crossing her arms. Why should she tell him where they were going? She thought. He never spent time with her anymore and besides, it's a SECRET place that no one is allowed to know about.

"Oh, common sis, tell me where you've been going with that dumb boy!"

"Tanaka isn't dumb!" She snapped.

"Sure he isn't." Kazuki huffed. "I never liked him to begin with anyway!"

Amaya huffed back and said "Whatever," then walked away.

Kazuki looked at her astounded. "That's it? You're not gonna try and bite my head off some more?" He yelled after her. It was the first time she had ever dismissed an argument and walked away from it.

She turned and said with an almost bored expression, "No," and continued to walk away.

"Oh I get it." Kazuki grew a bit angry. "You're using Tanaka to replace Hotaka aren't you? You stupid idiot!"

Amaya paused at this, and suddenly grew furious! She hadn't even thought of Hotaka for a few days, spending time with Tanaka really took her mind off the fact that she was separated from her crush.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" She snapped around.

Kazuki smirked almost evilly, pleased to have finally gotten her attention. "Yeah you heard me!" He frowned at her.

"I would never do that!" She yelled again. "So you're the only one who's allowed to have new friends HUH?!"

Kazuki wasn't fazed at all by what she had said. His arms were still crossed and he frowned at her almost mockingly. "Sure, whatever," he said. His dislike for Tanaka was starting to really get on his nerves. "Keep hanging out with that obnoxious brat! Like I care!" He then ran away to play with Sen and the others. He was becoming pretty mean, almost like his father used to be once.

"Where is HE?" Inuyasha and the others had been waiting for about a week now but there was no sign of Kyoufu Oni. "ARHHHH!" Inuyasha yelled and almost ripped out his silver hair.

"Perhaps he has changed his strategy?" Kaya suggested.

"Or maybe he's toying with us long enough so he can attack us once we've let our guard down!" Inuyasha exclaimed clasping one of his fists in front of him.

"Also possible." Kaya agreed.

Riku, Kayas brother, walked up to her with a drawing. She looked at it and understood completely.

"Brother says we should try and obtain that power I mentioned earlier if Kyoufu Oni isn't showing up."

Inuyasha looked at the drawing Riku drew. It was a picture of a specific old man with a scar down the right side of his face.

"So this is the guy who will give me the power I need?" Inuyasha frowned at the picture in thought.

Kaya and Riku nodded in unison.

"But who will look after the cottage?" Inuyasha questioned.

"Since your family is gone now he has no reason to attack your home." Kaya replied.

"Hmm." Inuyasha thought. "That's a good point. So where is this guy?"

"He is far towards the north."

"Well we better hurry. I hope you're right about Kyoufu Oni not attacking our home while we are away."

"I'm sure he won't."

"Ok then we should leave tomorrow and spend tonight preparing. But we have to keep an eye out for that mangy demon anyway just in case he does show."

"Of course." Kaya replied in her usual simple matter-of-fact tone of voice.

Kyoufu Oni never showed during that night and the next morning all four of them headed towards the old mans house in the north but first they would have to pass through the rainforest mountains.