Sora: Hi guys! I am back after my little break, sorry for making you wait so long, but I am having major writing block issues, but luckily the one for this one is clearing up (not the rest of my stories though *tear tear*).

I would like to give a HUGE thanks for my great reviewers: Mangascribbler, Tashi410, Dark Onyx, and xXIronhide's femme ErinXx!

Thanks to all who gave me advice and it is duly noted. Bring on the helpful criticisms, I love it! And Tashi410 I hope you get an account because then I can actually send you a PM thanking you for your review!

Well enjoy the story and I hope updates for this story at least will be more regular!

Keitaro had been nice, albeit a little rough and more than a little flirty. Goshinboku had planned to do some secret research in their library that day, but Inutaisho and Keitaro had stuck to her like flies on glue all day long. Throughout the whole day little squabbles had been breaking out. Inutaisho, with his passive aggressive jabs and subtle attempts to place himself between Goshinboku and Keitaro, was definitely the less obvious one. Keitaro, on the other hand, was as conspicuous as a dragon in the room, more likely to use his fists or call crude names than anything else.

One quarrel had been particularly ridiculous, although Goshinboku had found it rather hilarious, in a kind of pathetic way. It had all started at dinner with the last of the rice cakes, of course Inutaisho and Keitaro had both wanted the last one. This had all lead to a vicious bout of name calling and one brandishing his chopsticks at the other.

Satomi looked on with a raised eyebrow, while Kazuhiko continued to eat, looking as if he were shoveling down popcorn while watching a soap opera. The servers loitered by the sides of the room, snickering behind raised hands as the dispute continued.

Goshinboku knew that the only way they would stop was if she interfered, again. She knew it would have to be fair, as much for Keitaro as for Inutaisho. Goshinboku reached a hand over to the rice cake, looking at it critically, as if measuring it. With a slight shrug she popped the delicious cuisine into her mouth, chewing slowly, as if savoring it. Both of the men froze, watching as she swallowed and patted her stomach. Kazuhiko looked down at his plate sadly, as if his entertainment had made it all the more enjoyable. Satomi rolled her eyes at her daughter; tact was not really one of Goshinboku's strong suits.

Inutaisho smirked slightly, as if the fact that Keitaro had gotten nothing was good enough for him. Keitaro still seemed rather confused, looking around the room as if there must be some crazed, rice cake stealing ninja in there instead of an impetuous girl. This rather ended dinner, and the different members of the table drifted off into separate directions, headed for their rooms.

That night Goshinboku hoped to get a good night sleep, so that she could rise early and begin her research, hopefully without interruption. However her mind seemed to have other ideas. She fell asleep quickly, but her dreams were not as peaceful.

She found herself racing through a grassy stretch of land, the midnight air stinging her eyes, although, the pitch black of the night did not hinder her. She could feel her heart thumping; reacting to the terror she felt coursing throughout her body. She felt a sharp twinge in one of her legs, and glancing down; she found, not a human leg, but a scaly, clawed forepaw. It was drenched in blood due to the fact that a curved sickle was embedded deeply into her scaly skin. She dared not stop to take it out, and even if she felt it was safe enough, Goshinboku didn't think that she was fully in control. She was merely a specter, seeing through the eyes of another.

The land became sloped, hindering her speed. She slowed to a laborious lope, the limp in her front appendage becoming more pronounced. The barely audible sound of swiftly pattering feet was coming closer. She stopped and turned around with a roar, resignation coursing through her. She slashed at the dark shapes surrounding her, but with a flash of steel, blood trickled over her vision. Through the last rays of light she saw a glistening shape slipping away through the undergrowth. She sighed…someone, had gotten away.

Goshinboku jolted up in her bed, surprised at the tears rolling down her face and the terrible sadness she now felt in her chest. Something terrible had happened…but she couldn't quite place it. She heaved a small sob and was surprised at the emotions churning inside of her, besides the terrible scene she had witnessed; there was a hole in her heart. A blow that came from no where, she knew that there were so many people that had life worse than her, but Goshinboku couldn't stop the pain she felt inside of her. The feeling that her life, that she, was missing something.

Goshinboku rose early the next morning, trying to shake off the gloomy fog that had descended upon her. It was due largely in part to the shocking revelations in the forest, and the appalling night terror that had plagued her the night before. She slipped into a plain kimono, padding gently to their expansive library. The Himeji family was highly affluential and a better store of written knowledge could not be found for hundreds of miles around. The castle itself was made to last for many years, the bricks along the walls stacking up many feet to provide stability. Although, the bricks gave way to beautiful white walls, with many, many blue, grey roofs stacked up like papers on a desk. The upturned edges of the roofs reminded Goshinboku of leaves that had lain around and were beginning to curl in on themselves.

Before entering the library Goshinboku looked around, not wanting to have to explain what she needed, and why she was there so early. Hurrying quickly to the section she thought she would need, Goshinboku did not see the form that was hidden behind many stacks of shelves.

Inutaisho stood up, replacing a book on the shelf. Sleeping had never suited him much, and it was like Myoga, gracing him only in times of great tranquility and safety, and even then it was rare. Rubbing his face, he walked along the shelves, letting his fingertips graze against the bindings of the books. He figured that he had been over exaggerating his infatuation with Goshinboku, he wasn't quite in love yet, but ever since the death of his mother about a month back, every feeling had been stronger and rawer. Whether it be an emotion of pain or pleasure it didn't matter, he still felt her absence dearly. Inutaisho sincerely hoped that he hadn't made Goshinboku uncomfortable or scared her off with the forwardness of his feelings, because in reality, he didn't even know her. Inutaisho slapped his forehead, what happened to the smooth, young bachelor that could impress any young lady? But maybe that was for the better, she didn't need another one like that, Goshinboku needed someone real. He withdrew a book at random and through the gap he had created in the books he saw that he was not alone in the library. Goshinboku looked around sleepily tapping the edges of the books as she read their titles. She muttered to herself as if in a trance,

"Benzaiten….Benzaiten…Benzaiten…"

Inutaisho pondered her meaning carefully, what would Goshinboku be doing looking up the goddess of love? He replaced the book thoughtfully, and decided to do some reading as soon as she left. Surely he could gain research suggestions from her, and that didn't mean he was snooping. Certainly not.

He headed farther back into the library, not wishing to watch her. That was a little creepy, and although Lord Inutaisho was many things, he was not creepy.

As though Goshinboku had sensed another's presence she turned around, narrowing her eyes as she stared into the dark corners of the library. The large book held in the crook of her left arm started to become quite heavy, and Goshinboku drifted towards a large table, seemingly satisfied that no one was there. She wasn't sure why she was being so cautious, it wasn't like she wasn't allowed to be in the library. But somehow the fact that this was all some big secret made her feel jumpy.

She dropped the heavy book on the table, cringing at the sound it made on impact. Flicking through the yellowed pages and coughing as the dust rose upwards Goshinboku looked for anything that might be useful to her. She stopped at a chapter that seemed interesting, reading intently, her nose slowly becoming closer to the book as she leaned in.

Chapter 28

Throughout the centuries the gods have proceeded to become more and more secluded. Desiring to be worshipped and to live in their snug hermitage rather than dwell among us as often as they once did. Not only have they become more distant, they have very nearly ceased to sire the children that they once did. Affairs with humans were once common-place and only one goddess still, albeit rarely, participates in such behavior. This would be the kind, wise, yet promiscuous goddess of love, Benzaiten. Her children's powers and behavior is explored in chapter 17. While the gods once…

Goshinboku ceased reading the current chapter and flicked hurriedly to the seventeenth chapter. She didn't know what she should feel all about this, shock? surprise? Goshinboku didn't really feel anything; it just didn't seem real yet.

Chapter 17

…the children of Benzaiten are always daughters, seeing as those of the male line are not as in tune with the subtle nuances of the heart. Her children always reflect true beauty, both of the heart and in physical appearance. While the powers of love are underestimated by many, Benzaiten's daughters possess remarkable abilities. They are able to speak directly to a person's heart, manipulate it and change its desires, whether for evil or good. They also, as their mother does, have a connection with serpents and dragons, which are Benzaiten's sacred animals. Benzaiten's daughters often feel as if they are missing a part of themselves when they are not in love, this is because love is such a crucial part if their entities that they feel lost without it. Those around Benzaiten's daughter may find themselves falling in love with her, it is wise to keep these feelings in check as it is most likely that she does not return the feelings or is using her powers to create false feelings. Although this is rare, some of Benzaiten's daughters have extraordinary powe—

Here the page was too water spotted and yellowed to be able to read any more of the page. Goshinboku groaned in frustration, just when it was getting good. She sat back and thought, Could I really be making people fall in love with me? Does that mean that it's not real? Does that mean no one will ever love me for real! Goshinboku was starting to make herself hyperventilate, of course there had to be more to this, one couldn't go around having everyone fall in love you, right? This wasn't even that detailed of a section, what she really needed was a manual titled, How to Handle the Fact that You Aren't Fully Human, Are Probably Going to Have to Save the World with Your Mysterious Powers (That You Can't Figure Out How to Use…or What They Are), and That You Have are Some Sort of Subconscious Seductive Gene That You Can't Turn On or Off.

Unfortunately that book was probably already checked out by someone, it sounds like it would be really popular. Goshinboku closed the book, rubbing her eyes slowly; what happened to worrying whether her mother was going to force her to go a ball and meet a bunch of idiotic suitors? It wasn't that she didn't like the balls, she loved getting all dressed up, feeling beautiful, it was the men that was the problem, well…when aren't they? She just didn't believe that you could just marry anyone, it has to be the one, you know? Not just anyone would do. Besides you could barely even call these stuck up princes and other nobilities' sons men, either they leered at her with lecherous grins, or they would ramble on about their wealth; one time two young men got into a full on "my horse is bigger than yours fight" and when it came to blows? Well let's just say one young man did not have very good aim and ended up hitting Goshinboku, needless to say they were forcefully escorted from the premises. This brought Goshinboku to another unsolved mystery, why do you say "needless to say" and then proceed to say it anyway? Whew, the world really is full of mysteries of epic proportions.

Goshinboku stood up and brushing her hair out of her face. She pushed her chair back and returned her book, leaving everything as it was before. She exited the library and headed for the kitchens, somehow she knew that she couldn't figure this out on her own.

As soon as he heard the door shut Inutaisho headed to where Goshinboku had been sitting. With a cock of his head and a few sniffs he located the tome she had been poring so intently over. He too read Chapter 28 and felt surprise fill his body, never had he expected this. A daughter of the gods? How could this be? And more importantly, how did it affect all of them? Not that this changed his feelings towards her at all, he in fact was not even a little bit human.

Inutaisho went on to read Chapter 17, but this time his reactions were quite different. For a split second he felt remorse, sorry that she would probably never return his feelings. But after that split second, a shimmery black cloud descended around him, although he did not notice it. After that one split second Inutaisho found his feelings hardening into anger. He felt angry at this girl, this girl that he was falling for, this girl that he thought he had real feelings for. And here he found they were fake, a creation of her manipulation. Did she wish to manipulate him because of his power? It didn't matter why, he was done. At this last thought the black cloud condensed into a circle over his heart and dissolved into his skin. Throwing back the chair Inutaisho didn't even bother to put the book away, his undue anger overflowing as he too exited the library.

Little did the two know that they were not the sole occupants of the library that morning, hidden behind the rows of books stood a boy with cold, laughing eyes. His black attire hid him well in the shadows, but one would wonder why the multitudes of links and chains that dangled from his clothing and leather jacket did not make a sound. The torn up black bowler on his head, the black scarf tied around his neck, and the rest of his ensemble matched the black, shimmering ball of dark energy that was suspended above his left palm. The boy laughed to see Inutaisho's anger, beaming as the man threw his chair back and left. The only part of the boy's outfit that wasn't black fluttered proudly, tucked into the hatband of his bowler; it was a single blue jay feather, which the boy had taken as his trademark. As the rest of the excess black energy flew through the bookshelves back towards the boy, it knocked off of a shelve an extremely heavy book entitled Punishment for the Wicked, it then proceeded to fall directly on to the boy's leather clad foot. Yelping like the blue jay most likely had when he had plucked its feather, the boy hopped rather noisily around, looking now like a boy who was simply trying to be evil, when in reality, he wasn't.

His hopping was stopped suddenly when a gauntleted hand reached out of the shadows and seized the scruff of his neck. Black eyes bathed in evil glittered out from the darkness.

"Shut up, boy," The cruel voice whispered, snaking out of the darkness. The man's voice was strangely charismatic and handsome, but his visage was cloaked in darkness, making it impossible to read his features. He tightened his hand and his fingers dug deeply into the boy's neck, making him wince. The man set him down, and the boy straightened up, trying to appear cool, as if nothing happened. Man and boy slunk from the library, hidden in the shadows, malice in one of the pairs of eyes.

Goshinboku entered the kitchens, looking for one person in particular. She found him seated cross-legged in a corner, hands touching in a prayer position and a bottle of sake in his lap. She sat next him snagging the bottle out of his lap and swigging a quick drink, her face wincing at the bitter taste of alcohol. His violet eyes opened quickly,

"What? What are you doing?" He spluttered, snatching the bottle back and bestowing it tenderly on the other side of him where wandering hands couldn't touch it. Although, he was not one to preach on the evils of wandering hands, his were infamous.

"Your mother would be furious," said Ryota, trying, and failing, to look stern.

"It's been a long day," Goshinboku sighed, "And, I'm not the one meditating and drinking at the same time!"

"It's been a long day," he replied and both of them glanced at the barely appearing sun, a few of its ray shining out from behind the hill in the east.

"And it's still early," Goshinboku laughed, a pained expression on her face.

"Yes it is…," Ryota murmured, "Speaking of early, why are you in here? You would never be in here this early unless something was really bothering you."

"Well," Goshinboku said, wringing her hands, "It's kind of strange, and uh…a little odd, and some might think its crazy, but…"

"You don't have to worry about me not believing you," Ryota said seriously, looking her straight in the eye,

"Just start at the beginning."
And she did, starting at the very beginning which happened to be…all of three days ago, not including that particular day.

Thank you so much for reading and please, please, pretty please (with Ramen on top) review!