A/N: I like this chapter, I really do. It has some of Inuyasha's thoughts on things and he is so adorable, I wanna hug him.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Enjoy~

NOW this is the law of the jungle, as old and as true as the sky,

And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die.

As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk, the law runneth forward and back;

For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.

~Rudyard Kipling, The Law for the Wolves

"I know you miss him Ana," Remus said gently, sitting beside her on the bed but the sixteen year old didn't so much as look at him. "It isn't fair that he was taken from you."

"He was taken from you too Remus, you were best friends," Ana whispered quietly.

"Yes, but he was your godfather." He sighed long and low, "I have spent many years with Sirius and you spent so little time with him."

"I'm getting used to that Moony," Ana said bitterly, "it seems I am destined to never have a family."

"That's not true," Remus said whole heartedly, "you're just a little …unlucky… when it comes to these things."

"Unlucky? That's a major understatement."

"I know you feel this way now, but you will have a family of your own. You will find a man who cherishes you and have children with him." He wrapped his arm around Ana's shoulder and pulled her close to him, resting his head atop hers. "Right now, you have the Weasleys, Miss Granger and of course you have me."

"You mean…" Ana shifted so she could look at him, her eyes wide and impossibly green.

"Yes," Remus laughed and placed a fatherly kiss on her forehead, "for a long time now I have considered you pack. So do me proud pup."

Ana didn't leave the lily pond for days, she was too confused to go back to Inuyasha, and so she contemplated her life. How it had changed and what the future held in store for her. She didn't think about Sesshomaru, he was far too complicated and lingering on him too long was just headache inducing. She wondered if she would ever get the chance to go home and if she did, would she want to. She spent hours upon hours contemplating and wondering until, when dawn broke one morning she stood with a purpose. Kirara, who had remained faithfully by her side, stood with her and mewled.

"I think we have spent enough time away don't you?" Ana said cheerfully and Kirara transformed with a happy growl. Ana swung her leg over the side of Kirara and they set of to find Inuyasha and the others. "For now my role is to defeat Naraku. I will deal with whatever comes after that when it is time. Be swift Kirara, I fear we have been gone too long." Kirara made a noise of agreement and sped up.

It took them half a day to reach the group and when they did Ana knew immediately something had gone wrong. Inuyasha was sat off to the side, on the slop of the hill. The others were sat under a tree in the shade at the top of the hill. But it was the heavy silence that told Ana that things had changed. Kirara transformed when they landed and went over to Sango who sat trying to comfort an unhappy looking Kagome.

"Kikyo stole the jewel shards we had accumulated," Miroku told her as he approached her, "we were caught in a trap laid down by Naraku and well…"

"Kikyo is Inuyasha's dead love?" Ana asked trying to recall.

"Yes," Miroku sighed heavily, "Kagome has been affected by this, she feels it's her fault and Inuyasha refuses to believe Kikyo was working with Naraku."

Ana left Miroku and went over to Kagome, they had unresolved issues that needed to be cleared up. There was no point in them trying to be a team if they were fighting. She heaved a heavy sigh and sat beside the younger girl. "I apologise for the nasty things I said before I left. It was rude of me and I deeply regret saying them."

"No, you were right to say those things because they were true. I don't know how to use my powers, I can't defend myself and these clothes are impractical for this era. I just don't want to… I mean being here is wonderful but I don't want to forget about the future... I don't want to…"

"You don't want to forget who you are," Ana finished for the girl who struggled to find the right words. The girl nodded morosely and Ana wrapped her arm around her shoulder and spoke in a soothing tone, "I understand. It's hard to accept but change comes to everyone and just because you're here and learning things doesn't mean you aren't still you. You are Higurashi Kagome and no one will take that away from you."

"I want to try harder from now on, what happened with Kikyo has showed me how weak I am." There was defeat in her tone but also a determination that only comes from such a defeat. "Sango has agreed to train my physically but I don't know who will train me spiritually, we don't go back to the village often enough for it to be Kaede."

"I will train you," Ana said, laughing when Kagome frowned, "I mean I can't train you in how to strengthen your powers, but I can try and train you in how to access them at will. I'm not going to promise a result because my magic works differently to your powers but I can try nonetheless."

"Thank you," tears rolled down her eyes and Ana fought the urge to sigh. Kagome was turning out to be very emotional. "What I said about Sesshomaru and Naraku, I really didn't mean it, I'm sorry for being jealous."

"Don't be, I mean after all who wouldn't be jealous? I have a human hating inuyoukai and an evil, creepy youkai after me. C'mon how many girls are lucky enough to say that?" She grinned as it got the desired effect and both Sango and Kagome laughed.

"More like unlucky," Sango chimed in.

"At least there is one thing," Kagome said suddenly, "Sesshomaru has the power to keep Naraku away from you."

"Oh joy, a real knight in shining armour Sesshomaru is," Ana rolled her eyes before continuing dryly, "the next time he saves me from Naraku I shall simply fall into his arms and demand he ravish me."

They all laughed hysterically and Ana was glad she had managed to change the mood. It was good to feel free like this and suddenly Naraku didn't matter as much anymore. In that one single moment there was no Shikon jewel, Naraku was just another random name but most of all it was just three friends having fun. Amusement rang through Ana's body and it took her a moment to register that it wasn't her own, it was someone else's emotion and she had a good idea whose. She sighed suddenly and the moment was over. She stood and informed the other two she was going to talk to Inuyasha.

She sat beside the hanyou and didn't say a word, they stayed in silence for a long while until Inuyasha spoke in an amused tone. "I shall simply fall into his arms and demand he ravish me?"

Ana laughed and shook her head, "what can I say? I'm a sucker for the dramatics."

"It was a picture I could have done without," Inuyasha said, disgust and amusement lighting his eyes. "You and Sesshomaru together is just… wrong." He shook his head as if to discard the image altogether. "You've seen him haven't you? I can smell him on ya."

"Yeah he came to visit," Ana said, suddenly feeling less light hearted then she had, "he told me what he wants from me, what this mark means and what will inevitably happen. I… I don't know what to do Inuyasha, this is too much for me to handle. I'm scared of what will happen if I just give in to all this and accept my fate."

"Look, I don't know much about this stuff and as much as I hate my brother there is one thing I know," Inuyasha sighed lowly, looking up at the sky, "he will protect you. He will make sure you have everything you could ever want. He values his honour above all things and… since he bit you he hasn't been far away from us."

"What do you mean?"

"He has been following us all this time and if he does go away he always comes back. I can smell his scent sometimes and at night he keeps the lower level youkai away. And believe me when I say it ain't out of brotherly love for me. He's doing it for you."

"You say he'd give me everything I could ever want, that he's protecting me but," she frowned as she tried to voice the one thing that worried her the most since her conversation with Sesshomaru, "will he ever love me?"

"I don't know," Inuyasha answered honestly, "youkai aren't like humans, they don't have such a wide variety of emotions and I don't know Sesshomaru that well. Maybe you will have to teach him how to first." Inuyasha shrugged a little before his eyes shone with hurt and Ana knew he was thinking about the woman he loved.

"Hey," she poked his side gently, "don't let what happened with Kikyo get you down."

"I don't know what to do, the others…"

"They think Kikyo is on Naraku's side and that we should go after her."

"What do you think?"

"Honestly," she moved her arms behind her and rested on them before tilting her head to look up at the sky, "I think Kikyo has her own agenda, she has a reason for taking the shards but I don't think it was entirely to help Naraku. We will see when the time comes what she is planning but I doubt she is in league with Naraku. If anything, you and Kikyou have the most reasons to want him dead."

"Thank you," Inuyasha said gratefully and turned to look at her. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. Her long black hair swayed in the small breeze and shimmered in the sun, her green eyes so vivid and vast almost glowed with such a pure light. Her magical aura seemed to make her skin glow with a pale light, it was as though she was not of this world. For a moment Inuyasha truly thought she was an angel sent from the Kami. Everything clicked into place for him in that moment he knew why Naraku and his brother sought her. Why they hovered around her like a moth to a flame. She was pure of heart, body and soul and though these things could be found in any priestess, Ana was different. She wasn't a priestess, she wasn't supposed to be this pure. Even Inuyasha knew that all humans, even his friends, were corruptible but not Ana. Naraku and Sesshomaru were dark creatures, they were both greedy and uncaring for the plight of others. They were the exact opposite of Ana. Opposites are supposed to attract I suppose and Ana's is definitely the light to their dark, he thought before turning away from her.

She was powerful and beautiful, the two things youkai like Sesshomaru looked for in a potential mate. Inuyasha knew Sesshomaru valued his honour and wouldn't do anything to cause Ana serious harm. Naraku on the other hand… he shuddered at the thought of what Naraku would do if he got his hands on her. Naraku would do more than just hurt her he would break her. His hand tightened around the hilt of Tessaiga and a small growl escaped him. As if I'd let that happen.

She was his sister now, even if he wasn't quite ready to verbalise it, she was his pack. They shared a mutual understanding of pain. They had both grown up surrounded by prejudice and being hated by family. Ana was a half breed like him and she didn't judge him. The others were ignoring him thanks to his reluctance to believe in Kikyou's involvement with Naraku but not Ana. The others were his friends, he could no longer deny that. But Ana, she was his pack, someone he could trust on an instinctual level.

Ana stood and stretched, startling Inuyasha with the unexpected movement. She grinned down at him before offering her hand, "c'mon then, let's get going." She helped him up and they made their way to the others. "I highly doubt Naraku will destroy himself. No matter how powerful wishful thinking is. So shall we continue trying to find him?"

The group agreed and they set out without much delay, though their pace was lazy and sedate. They had to look for Shikon fragments and Naraku but that didn't mean they were going to waste a bright and sunny day. They didn't get to far from the hill before night descended on them and they decided to sleep for the night. They all slept, apart from Inuyasha who kept watch, with happiness and a lightness in their hearts though they all knew it might not last.

The next morning they set out at a much faster pace though it wasn't long before trouble found them. There was a giant boom over them and Ana thought for a moment that it was thunder, but the thought was short lived because in front of them appeared an old man holding a hammer on a giant stick. He was also sat on top of a cow. A three eyed cow that made Ana instantly want to have one.

"Who're you?" Inuyasha growled, his hand on his sword.

"And where can I get a three eyed cow?" Ana asked grinning like a child when everyone, including the old man, looked at her like she was crazy.

"I am called Totosai," he said looking at Inuyasha with his overly large eyes, "now, draw your blade Inuyasha."

Inuyasha looked just as confused as the rest of the group and made no move to do as asked. The old man just sighed impatiently and jumped from the cow, wielding his hammer overhead he made to bring it down on Inuyasha. But Inuyasha wasn't that slow, he drew Tessaiga and the hammer landed smack in the middle of it, only for Inuyasha and the blade to be pushed back. The blade practically sang at the contact as the hammer was removed and Totosai backed off. Inuyasha charged forward and made to strike at the other but the Totosai pulled out a piece of leather and caught the Tessaiga in it.

"Really Inuyasha? Getting beaten by an old man wielding a piece of leather… it doesn't say much for your skill does it?" Ana called to him.

"Shaddup!" Inuyasha called back, annoyed.

It was only another minute or two before everything was cleared up between them and they were sat around a tree. Totosai was the smith who forged the Tessaiga and he had come to see if Inuyasha was worthy of the great sword his father had made Totosai forge. The smith had told Inuyasha that if he found him unworthy then he would break the blade, though Ana doubted he would.

"I am a hunted man," Totosai said grimly, "forge me a blade that will rival Tessaiga, otherwise I shall kill you there is an idiot spouting such nonsense to me. You have to help me, protect me from him."

"Listen old man," Inuyasha made a face of extreme agitation, "don't you mean please protect me from him?"

Totosai's eyes went even wider than they naturally were as he whispered "he's here."

They all turned to look and there in the sky was the figure that Ana most certainly did not want to see for a little while. Sesshomaru glared down at Totosai and Inuyasha from the back of the two headed dragon he kept. Ana did a retake as soon as she saw the dragon. She had found something she wanted more than the three eyed cow. Sesshomaru jumped down and landed softly on the ground with a smirk.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Inuyasha yelled.

"And where can I get a two headed dragon?" This time everyone glared at her and Ana held her hands up defensively. "What? I can't help it if I want one. I like weird creatures." She wondered how they would react if they saw a house elf, or any of the creatures in her world.

"Travel with me and you will be able to see my dragon any time you wish Ana," she couldn't help the shiver that swam through her body as he uttered her name so sinfully, and judging by the triumphant smirk he held he had seen it. She also didn't miss the double entendre he managed to get away with so smoothly.

"No thanks, I much prefer it here with Inuyasha," she gave a nonchalant shrug, "I think he's much better than you would ever be." Sesshomaru growled lowly and Ana glared at him challengingly before jerking back as he appeared right in front of her.

"Do not lie to this one onna," he said, his voice deep with anger towards his half breed brother. He sniffed the air around her a little, scenting her pureness, "you are untouched."

"Untouched?" Confusion shone in her eyes before they widened in realisation and her whole face turned red. "You think I meant… You thought I… with Inuyasha!?" Suddenly she let out a small snort which soon turned into full out laughter. "Merlin you are such a moron."

"Speak clearly Ana," He growled, not enjoying being laughed at especially while in the presence of his brother.

"I can't believe you actually thought I did it with Inuyasha, I haven't even kissed a guy. Give me a little more credit than that Sesshomaru," she rolled her eyes and huffed a little and if anyone said she was pouting she would vehemently deny it.

She was so pure, Sesshomaru realised, far purer than he imagined and he was thrilled to know he was going to be the one to taint her. To show her what it meant to desire someone so fully. But she was not ready for that yet. He would have to start slow, very slow and build things up from there. He glanced at her lips, they stood blood red against the paleness of her skin and he had the urge to claim them. She told him they were untouched too and he had sensed no lie from her, his desire for her only seemed to heighten each time he was exposed to the delicious power she has. Still the fact remained that it wasn't time.

He turned to Inuyasha, appraising him as if to see what was so great about him. He sneered lightly as he examined his half-brother. He stood there looking as clueless as ever, Tessaiga drawn wearing the robe of the fire rat. Another gift from my father he thought, his anger rising swiftly. Sesshomaru had never been gifted anything of worth from his father, and yet Inuyasha had been given two such treasures. And now, he had Ana as well. His hands clenched into fists at his side, his aura flaring briefly before he reigned it in. He wasn't jealous he told himself stubbornly, he was above such things. But still the flare of the green eyed monster crept up within him. After all Inuyasha had gotten everything. He got their father's attention, their father's sword, he was protected by the red robe, he had been given a mother's love, he travelled with the woman Sesshomaru wanted.

And what had Sesshomaru been given? A sword that doesn't cut. His mother's version of love was sadistic at best. She preferred to play games and speak in riddles. After he was old enough to walk she no longer held him. He couldn't remember ever being hugged by her or hearing the words 'I love you'. His father was another matter entirely. Ever since he had been a pup he sought his father's approval, he wanted his father to be proud of him. But no matter what he couldn't make his father say the words and he had watched his father betray his mother. At the end his father had chosen Izayoi and his death. Looking at Inuyasha only reminded him of what he had lost. Of what he could lose now that Ana and Inuyasha were friends.

He sighed quietly, focussing instead on why he had come here. "Inuyasha," he said coldly, his voice like the ice of the Antarctic, his eyes narrowed on him. "Why do you consort with Totosai?"

"He's going to protect me," Totosai squeaked, hiding behind Inuyasha. Sesshomaru's left eyebrow rose in disbelief in response to what Totosai had told him. His lips curved into a small smile that would have sent death running in the opposite direction. "But wait," Totosai called out, clearly afraid, "if you defeat Inuyasha I will make you a new sword."

"Well you sure change your tune," Ana muttered as Sesshomaru leapt forwards, engaging Inuyasha in battle. Ana turned and watched, Sesshomaru's back was to her and every time Inuyasha moved towards him he dodged to the side. He never moved back, closer to her. It took her a moment to register the unfamiliar emotion rising up within her, and when she did her eyes went wide. She was touched by the fact the he was thinking of her. Sesshomaru didn't want Inuyasha's wild swings hurting her.

"What's wrong Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru taunted as he dodged yet another swing of the Tessaiga, "I thought you were going to defeat me?"

"Bastard," Inuyasha responded with a growl.

The growl sounded so very dog like that Ana was suddenly picturing Inuyasha as a puppy. He would be all white, his tail swinging back and forth as he yipped for attention. He would be soft and warm, perfect for cuddling. He would chase his tail and play fetch. A small girlish sound of enjoyment came from her lips.

"Dear Totosai, don't you think this is a waste?" Sesshomaru's voice brought Ana out of her musings, "Inuyasha is swinging the blade around with brute strength. Your master sword might as well be a log for how he wields it."

Ana couldn't really argue with that and it seemed Totosai agreed. Inuyasha's swordplay sucked, there was no way he could ever truly beat Sesshomaru with such a poor skillset. "Maybe if you'd have taught him how to use a sword like a brother should, then he wouldn't be so bad at it," her voice was full of scorn and a tiny bit of hurt. Sesshomaru glanced at her but said nothing in response.

Inuyasha swung his sword with a declaration of ending Sesshomaru, but fell short when the elder grabbed his wrist. The smell of burning flesh swept through the air as Sesshomaru used his poison claws. Ana moved towards them, shouting at Sesshomaru to stop but he ignored her, instead turning to face Totosai. "Well, will you forge me a sword now?" he asked, his voice cruel and mocking.

"No," Totosai said stubbornly before a stream of fire erupted from his mouth, heading straight for the three of them. Ana watched with wide eyes, the move was so utterly unexpected that she stood there in shock, unable to move. She knew if she didn't she would burn but it was such a strange sight to see, she was rooted to the spot. An arm secured itself around her waist and pulled her back, out of arms way.

"Are you stupid onna? To stand there in danger?" Sesshomaru's voice whispered harshly in her ear, bringing her out of her reverie. Blinking she looked up at him, his eyes showing worry before the emotion was erased and only a cool indifference was placed there. He looked up to peer at Totosai over the flames. "So, you refuse me regardless."

"Quiet gripping," Totosai responded, finding confidence now a wall of fire separated them. "I have already given you a splendid blade of your own. The Tenseiga that is at your hip," Ana glanced down at the sword, wondering why Sesshomaru never used it. "I forged it from your father's fang, it too is master blade. Perhaps even greater than the Tessaiga. Give Tenseiga to the elder son and Tessaiga to the younger that was your late father's last wish."

"Don't play with me Totosai," Sesshomaru growled angrily. Ana felt him tense behind her and the arm that was still wrapped around her drew her closer still. So close the design of his armour pressed against her back, almost enough to hurt. "You claim this blunt slab of metal is worthy of me?"

It seemed there conversation was to end there, Totosai leapt forward and brought his hammer down on the ground. Sesshomaru was forced to move back as the ground erupted and lava spewed forth. Suddenly Ana was grateful for his frog like jumping abilities, but still, Totosai's coolness just went up a level in her book.

"Hnn, they have fled."

"They left me behind," Ana pouted, not really sad or hurt that they fled. Sesshomaru wouldn't hurt her, unlike the others, and if he tried to do anything funny to her she would just apparate away. Or send a stinging hex were one shouldn't really be sent, she sniggered at that thought.

A/N: So this one was a longer chapter...yay!... Inuyasha was just adorable, I made myself like him more. And Sesshomaru's thoughts on Inuyasha kinda made me sad when writing them. But at least it humanised him a little more...I hope.

Anyway next chapter Rin appears, more Ana/Sesshomaru bonding time, and maybe Kouga... If I can fit him in.

Arrivederci my dear readers.

Please review.