A/N: Well, it looks like we fixed my computer for the time being, and there is the fact that I am actually home! Thank you for being so patient!

Disclaimer: Don't own InuYasha..

InuYasha and Shippo were upstairs, discussing what happened the night before while Sesshomaru was running Kagome home. Shippo had told InuYasha that he was just on his way home from getting some groceries for his parents. Then he thought he'd come over to visit and to see if they had anymore potion in stock. That's when it happened, the kitsune had been attacked, and he didn't recall much of the incident due to a blow to the head.

"Did it talk to you at all?" InuYasha tried to press for details, seeing if he could perhaps resurface some sort of recollection.

Shippo shut one eye in hard concentration," I don't think so."

InuYasha sighed, with the prospect of packing up everything and moving had left him in a foul mood. The retailer was to come in about half a month. That was the only time the retailer had an open time.

But InuYasha knew that it wouldn't be them just moving, since they were distributors of the potion that made them appear human, other youkai families, such as Shippo's family, would also have to move, or find another distributor.

InuYasha sighed again, "Want to go play my X-box?"

Shippo smiled, "Of course!"

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Kagome made it to the top of the stairs and saw Sesshomaru's car just dart out of sight; it was starting to cloud over again. 'What is the deal with all the rain? I suppose it's good for the grass.' She let her mind wonder for a while when she suddenly realized, "Oh no, I forgot my music." She turned around and walked back to the steps, "Guess, I'll just go and get it..." she added with a sheepish look, "I'm defiantly taking my bike this time!" She ran to the garage to retrieve her bike."

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Looking at the time on his wacth, InuTaisho tapped his foot impatiently, if that young kit didn't hurry, he'd get soaked by the rain.

Akinori had been fifteen minutes late now, usually he was here before InuTaisho ever got to where ever they met.

Just when InuTaisho was considering going to look further in the woods, a pale fox with a strange lavender tint strolled out of some bushes. InuTaisho noticed the slight limp in his walk and all three of his tails were down-trodden. InuTaisho had never seen Akinori in his fox-form, but he knew this wasn't the way proud young man usually would carry himself.

He also smelt a trace of blood.

Akinori's energetic pale green eyes met InuTaisho's disguised gold eyes. The fox directed to him that this place probably wasn't the safest to meet.

InuTaisho followed his led, allowing himself to slip into youkai, so he could use his claws if it was necessary. After walking a few quiet steps, Akinori stopped a few feet ahead of him and transformed into his human-demon form.

When he returned to normal, he shut his eyes in apology, "I'm sorry sir, and I was ambushed by one of 'them' on the way here." The kitsune eyed his injured arm.

"The main concern is are you alright?" InuTaisho saw that the wound wasn't too serious, but Akinori looked a little out of it.

Akinori bowed his head in acknowledgement, "Yes, but I am afraid that it seems they are swarming this area."

InuTaisho smiled solemnly, "Yes, they attacked InuYasha and Sesshomaru the other day."

The fox raised an eyebrow, "Really? That's interesting..." He didn't miss the Inu lords' look.

Confirming the kitsunes' suspicious InuTaisho sighed, "I can't move for about a month. Neither of the boys is too happy, they've really settled in this city."

"I would imagine so." Akinori agreed while treating his arm properly with some herbs. "Anyway, I just wanted to meet you to have you aware that we have not found a replacement for our flower ingredient, speaking of which, how is your supply?"

"It adequate for now, we distributed to all our costumers, so..." InuTaisho handed a small pouch over, "Here is your payment."

Akinori stuck it away in his kimono, "Just be careful, they seem to know there a quite a few of us around in this area, I suggest you give fellow youkai a word of caution."

"Yes, and take care of yourself on your way home." InuTaisho bowed, "And say hello to your father for me."

The kitsune bowed back and transformed back into a fox, and bounded off.

InuTaisho watched Akinori cautiously leave, melting in with the forest. The inu youkai smiled and said softly, "Take care, indeed."

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Sesshomaru was not entertained.

He had gotten home about an hour ago, and there was really nothing to do. InuYasha, Rin, and Shippo were upstairs, his human-step mother was cleaning, and he was stuck with not much to do.

He got up, 'I'll just go on a walk.'

Sesshomaru stepped outside, he didn't mind the light drizzle of rain that had just started.

He looked down the sidewalk and started on his way.
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Kagome could not believe her luck! First, she had a cat run out in front of her, she slammed into her brakes and tipped her bike over, then she hit a crack in the sidewalk, then now it started to pour!

All of this for some music?

'Heck, I'm half way there...'

As she was brooding, she failed to see the figure coming toward her on the sidewalk. She perked her head up just in time to stop herself from running into whoever.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there!" Kagome bowed her head in apology.

No answer for the person.

Kagome huffed to herself, 'How rude!'...'Maybe...'

"Are you alright, are you lost?" Kagome was starting to get a little concerned, maybe she should just keep going.

She got back on her bike and started pedaling.

The figure's eyes snapped open and ran after her.

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Sesshomaru trudged onward, oblivious to the pouring rain. There was really nothing on his mind; he just figured maybe he needed to get out of the house.

While pondering nothing in particular, a spine chilling scream cut his blank state of mind. He hurried forward, as he got closer he heard a girl pleading, "What do you want with me? Please! Answer me! HELP!"

Sesshomaru was now in the scene, and when he saw what was attacking the girl, his eyes widened, 'Why are one of them attacking a harmless girl? From the scent of her, she is ..."

Before he had time to let the rest of his mind register that last thought he attacked, it had pulled out a knife and was going down on the girl. The girl screamed, feeling her last minutes of life.

Then all of a sudden, just as the knife slashed into her shoulder, she saw a blur of silver.

Sesshomaru had no choice; he'd deal with the human seeing him as a youkai later. He ran up to it and mercilessly clawed at it's face, but it counted and stabbed at is at his abdomen. Luckily he was demon, or he'd be dead for sure. The girl screamed, her rescuer, though bizarre looking, what with a giant...tail...had been stabbed.

But Sesshomaru grabbed it's arm and summoned his whip, it didn't take long for him take down the intruder with them locked so close.

The frail human fell to the ground, Sesshomaru realized it had been a sickly woman, most likely homeless, which is why she was probably easier to defeat.

Turning to the victim of this mysterious attack Sesshomaru looked closer to the girl that had been attacked.

Then it dawned on him.

"Kagome?"

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A/N: I figure since my abcence, I feel like I should answer some reviewers right here and now

IYGU: Thanks, and all I can say is time will tell...

Melinda M M: Yes, and it just got a little more intense, eh? (That's great, by the way!)

bluediamond-hime: Well, thank you! I'm sorry for the delay, I've been so busy, but I have been sorting the story out in my head in my spare time.

liquid rice : Once again, I didn't e-mail this to you before, gomen, and thanks for the advice. I did proofread this one though...once, lol. Just wanted to get it up in a hurry. What's with Lee-chan? My name has changed now? And I know Lord Karl is purple. (Nods)

Mirei Nochi: That's an interesting point you make there. Hmm..well, it's, like you said, fun with youkai! (I'm sure they're will be more car rides.)

angelmaiden&sexysk8rchick
Thanks

FFchick: You bet'cha.

Well, Ja for now, I plan to update sooner (Ha, plan to, lol)