4

I gasped at the sight. I instantly knew what he was; triangular ears sat upon his head, the tips of fangs hung over his lower lip, and his eyes were a shocking golden color. A demon. Yet despite the fear of demons that the villagers had instilled in me, I had no fear of him, even in his obvious rage.

His anger made him oblivious to my presence. He brushed by me without a glance. So I turned to his two remaining companions.

"Excuse me." They looked up from their conversation with each other to stare at me when I spoke.

"I… did not mean to interrupt…but did you say 'Inu-Yasha'?"

They continued to stare until the woman turned to the monk, "You don't think…"

"Couldn't be. Though, they do look similar."

"Pardon me?" I was thoroughly confused by their behavior.

"Oh, look at us. I'm so sorry. I'm Sango. This is Miroku and yes that was Inu-Yasha." She said his name with a hit of annoyance and waved her hand at the general direct he had taken. I turned to see if I could see him but despite the flatness of the terrain, he was nowhere to be seen. When I turned back the monk was immediately before me with my hand in his. He bent to kiss it in a gentlemanly way.

"And you, my lady? What is your name?"

"Miroku", said the woman in an exasperated tone. "I think it is obvious that you are wasting your time if you acting along your normal ways." He ignored her completely and in my confusion over her statement I decided ignore her statement as well and respond to his query.

"Well…that is a complicated matter."

"Oh?"

"Well I do not know my name." Again the two exchanged meaningful glances.

"The villagers here address me as 'Lost One'."

"Well, Lost One, maybe you should tell us more of your story."

I took them back to my hut and made them weak tea over a weak fire. There was not much to tell and I was done with my short story quickly. However, they obviously took much meaning from my story because there were many glances between them. When I was done they excused themselves and stepped outside my hut to converse in hushed voices. Excitement bubbled up within me. Maybe they had known me. Maybe they could tell me who I was, where I came from. Maybe I would finally learn my name.

"Miroku, even you must admit, the stories fit."

"I wish it weren't her."

"How can you say that, Miroku?"

"It is apparent that she has been through much hardship. She was taken against her will by a demon and now she carried its child. It is an awful fate. The only good is that she does not remember the event."