First off, I'm so sorry for not updating! I've been busy this summer and I'm getting ready to get back to school, which stinks.

Secondly, I'd like to give a shout out to @Ginesu for drawing a picture of Izayoi and putting it up on her story "Frozen in Time", which is amazing by the way! Check it out sometime!

Now, on with the show.

Izayoi's POV

It's been a few weeks since Arrosa left out on her own. We haven't heard anything from her since, but it's not like I expected her to write.

Currently, we were fighting yet another demon. "Wind Scar!" Papa yelled as he swung Tesseiga at the giant turtle demon, causing it to disintegrate completely.

"Nice job Inuyasha," Shippo commented.

"Thanks," Papa replied.

While all of this was fine and dandy, I was waiting. For what you may ask? Well, that day was no ordinary day; in fact, it should be a very special day for Papa and me. If you guessed that I'm talking about my birthday, then you would be right. It was a special one too; my 13th birthday, when I can call myself a "teen".

At lunch, I glanced around at everyone, expecting someone to say something since I had been dropping hints for several days now. No one said anything. I was starting to get irritated. "Uh guys, you do know what today is, right?" I questioned.

They all looked at me and then at each other. "Um, is it the night of the new moon?" Ayuma asked.

I shook my head. "No."

"The night of the half moon then?" Kayuma asked.

Again, I shook my head. "Not that either."

"Then what is it Izayoi?" Mochigo inquired.

A sweatdrop formed behind my head. They really don't know! I realized. I can't believe this! Maybe I was jumping to conclusions too fast. After all, even if they did forget one of the most important days of my life, which actually started my life, I had to remember that we were traveling on a quest to destroy an evil demon who threatened the entire existence of the world. Still, a simple "Happy birthday Izzy," would've been enough.

It surprised me that even Papa didn't know though. I mean, he would remember the day his only child was born, right? Then again, this is my Papa I'm talking about here.

"Okay guys, think," I said. "It's an important day that only comes once a year."

"A festival?" Shippo questioned.

"No. It's something that everyone has."

Nothing. No one figured it out, which got me really mad. I stood to my feet and then went to the hot spring for a bath.

3rd Person's POV

After Izayoi left, the others let out a collective sigh of relief. "Do you think she'll figure it out?" Mochigo asked.

"Nope," Inuyasha answered. "She really thinks that we forgot her birthday."

"We couldn't forget her birthday," Ayuma added. "Mostly because she's been hinting about it for a while now."

"Well we've got her presents here with us," Kayuma stated as she pulled out a large bag filled with presents for Izayoi. "Good thing she didn't see this or it would've ruined the surprise for sure."

Izayoi's POV

I sat in the hot spring, contemplating my situation; my friends, and Father forgot about my birthday. I was mad but not really mad I guess. I can't blame them, what with having to slay demons and things like that. Maybe I was just upset because I was so use to Mama always wishing me a Happy birthday and making me an amazing dinner the night of my birthday. She would tell me the story of the day I was born while Papa and I would stuff our faces with food.

After a while, I got out of the water and dried off. As I was getting my robe on, I heard rustling in the woods. I quickly grabbed my bow and an arrow and waited to see who, or what, would come put of the woods. Soon, I got my answer on what made the noise; it was Tsuyo with a bouquet of flowers.

"Hey Izayoi," he greeted with a smile.

I smiled back as I lowered my arrow. "Hey Tsuyo," I greeted back.

"I brought you these." He handed the bouquet over to me and then gave me a kiss on the cheek. "I remembered."

"Yep, you sure did." I sighed then looked at the ground. "I wish I could say the same about the others though."

"They forgot? How could they forget?"

"I don't know." I then sat down on the ground and Tsuyo followed in my lead as I stared up at the clear blue sky. "I'm not mad, just disappointed I guess. It's not like I wanted an elaborate celebration; just a simple gathering and for everyone to say Happy Birthday. Is that too much to ask for?"

That's when I felt Tsuyo's arm wrap around my shoulders. He brought me into a warm embrace as we sat on the ground. That made my day, being in the embrace of the person I loved. "Just remember that they still love and care about you Izayoi. That will never change."

"I know. That includes you too pal."

Tsuyo and I laughed together as we sat there. Who needs a party when you've got a great person like Tsuyo next to you?

3rd Person's POV

Tsuyo had to leave soon after to get back home. Izayoi waved him off before looking down at the flowers he had left her. She sniffed them before walking back to camp. What she saw there was surprising; her friends and Father had boxes wrapped up for her.

"You guys did remember," She smiled at them.

Inuyasha got up off of the ground and walked towards Izayoi, pulling her into a tight Father-Daughter hug. "Happy Birthday Izayoi," he muttered into her ear.

"Thanks Papa,"

Izzy then saw the box that Inuyasha had at his feet. He picked it up and handed it to her. "Open it."

Delicately, Izayoi opened the box and found a locket inside. It was gold and shaped like a heart. She opened the locket and saw that inside it was a picture of her when she was first born and the other was of her parents not too long after they married. Tears of joy ran down her face as she put the locket on. I remember Mama wearing this, Izayoi thought. It feels like I'm closer to her now. I know I'll get her back, along with Uncle Miroku and Aunt Sango. She looked up at the sky with confidence. Just ypu wait Naraku, you're going down.