Author's Note: Yeah, another long chapter. Sorry about that. But it's pretty action-packed and a little gross. Read and enjoy!

The treetops rustled by the sudden graze of Sesshoumaru's boots against them. The wind was beginning to die down, and the air cooled as the sun sunk below the horizon behind him. Night was approaching. There wasn't much time until the rising of the Full Moon. The dog youkai moved calmly, but with great haste, silently crossing the darkening sky.

This demonic aura is unusual. Even I have never sensed anything like it.

Aggravated that he knew neither whom nor what lie ahead, Sesshoumaru was too curious to turn back. Or maybe he wasn't simply curious. Rather, he was being drawn somewhere. It wasn't Naraku. In any other scenario, he would have considered this to be a waste of time. But he couldn't shake this feeling. And it didn't help that Tenseiga wouldn't keep quiet.

The village was aglow with a rainbow of colored lanterns and the smiling villagers' faces. Everyone was dressed in their best, brightest kimonos. Even the drunkards took the time to wash their greasy hair. Musicians entertained the crowd with lively beats on their drums and woodwind instruments, inviting the villagers to dance around the square. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of fresh kebobs and rice balls, and a hint of sake from some overindulging men. In short, the festival was going wonderfully. Even Sayera was having a good time.

Although no matter how surprisingly pleasant the evening was turning out to be, Sayera was unable to distract herself from the conversation her and her mother had shared back at the house. Ti-An seemed to forget their common language and spoke only in riddles when describing the Kaiyou Crescent, which now lay hidden beneath Sayera's kimono. Before she could ask for further explanation, they were interrupted by her father, who was very anxious to depart. She hadn't had an opportunity to speak privately with her mother since they left the house.

But among the mass of people, Ti-An was nowhere to be seen. And this was hardly an appropriate place to talk about such an important matter. I guess I can just speak with her about it later…She remained uneasy, but wouldn't allow herself to show it. After all, this festival was, in part, a birthday celebration. She had to plaster on the thickest of masks to make it through the evening.

After the dancing, a bit of a talent showcase began on a makeshift stage that had been built at the back end of the square. Some of the village's most talented singers performed, while others performed acrobatics or traditional dances. Aruki and Akiyo even displayed their swordsman abilities in a mock duel, calling it a tie after several minutes and numerous rounds of applause. How their father beamed.

At the end of the talent showcase, Sayera's father stepped up onto the stage and provided a welcome. Out of nowhere it seemed, Ti-An appeared and gently shoved Sayera onto the stage with her father and two brothers. She could hear the whispers waft among the crowd. Uncomfortably, she glared out at the audience with a weak grin while her father began speaking.

"My people!" His voice boomed from his rather elderly body. The congregation was silent. "Thank ye all for joining us this evening as we celebrate this yearly festival! Thanks to ye hard work, I believe this to be one of the best yet!" He continued to gurgle on about village news, thanking this person and that, but Sayera lost interest.

Her attention was now focused back towards the center of the square, where a massive bonfire had been constructed. It was wider than the length of a man and more than thrice as tall. The orange flames reached up so high that Sayera feared they would scorch the heavens. However, drowning out the black smoke was the Moon's unusually bright countenance.

The Moon had often been a source of tranquility in Sayera's bitter little life. Ever since she was a girl, the Moon fascinated her. She could remember being lulled to sleep by its soft, silver glow, and looking to it for strength when she felt like she wanted to scream. Now it served as a beacon of hope. It was cool and peaceful – something Sayera strived to be. It would fall into darkness on occasion, but given time, it would return in its brightest and most joyous beauty. Like tonight.

The Moon is full tonight. And so bright. I can barely see the stars. It's actually hurting my eyes. Sayera was so concerned about the Moon, she hadn't noticed that Yukashii had joined her father on the stage.

"...which brings us to my final announcement." Her father sustained his speech. As he spoke, he stepped closer to his daughter and firmly grasped her hand. She shuddered at the gesture as she was ripped away from the Moon and placed back into reality. Her father was not looking at her, but she could tell his eyes were sparkling by the mischievous smile that played his lips.

"As ye all know, this day marks my Sayera's twentieth year. I could not be happier with how lovely she has become…"

Although seemingly impossible, her father's words caused her to feel even more uneasy. How lovely I've become? What is going on? Her emotions were muted by the smile she forced herself to bear.

"So with a heavy, yet happy heart, I say this." With a small tug, her father pulled her hand in close. Reaching out, he likewise grasped Yukashii's, and placed their hands atop one another. Sayera glanced up at Yukashii with a furrowed brow, but all the man did was smile. "It is my honor to hand my Sayera over to our dear Yukashii, who has formally asked for her hand in marriage."

"Huh?!"

A roar of cheers came from the crowd. Her father's chest was swollen with pride. Yukashii gazed lovingly at the woman he was prepared to marry. That woman, however, was not there. Sayera's eyes nearly bulged out of her head. The hand that touched Yukashii's was instantly damp and shaking. Her breath did not come.

Did he just…arrange my marriage? A burning anger began building within her. He arranged my marriage without even consulting me? I'm supposed to marry Yukashii because it is his will? She could feel the sting of hot tears begin searing the edges of her eyes.

"Lady Sayera, are you alright?" Yukashii clearly noticed her frozen state. Whether he mistook it for joy or not was a different matter. But she was unable to hear his question. She was unable to hear anything. All she could hear was the sound of her racing heartbeat, pounding hard and fast in her temples.

She was so furious, she could not move. Her thoughts could not arrange coherently. All she could see or feel was the brightness of the Moon shining over her. It became brighter and brighter, and her heart pounded faster and faster.

"Lady…Sayera?"

Then all at once, everything stood still.

The wooden stage split in two, the sudden vibration sending those on it hurling to the ground. As she landed hard on her back, Sayera began to regain her senses. Splinters and chips rained down on her from the broken wood. She could fuzzily see villagers frantically running in the opposite direction, shuffling around her huddled body.

Her head ached and her chest was numb. What's…going on?

She began to hear the villagers' piercing screams. "A youkai! A youkai!"

A youkai…? With difficulty, she managed to stand up, although barely keeping her balance. Fleeing villagers nearly knocked her back to the ground. When she was able to see straight, Sayera couldn't believe her eyes. Floating above where the stage had been was a woman in a white robe. Emanating from her body was a dark, unsettling, purple glow. Her dark hair waved about her pale face. But wait…

It has no face!

A man running from the disfigured youkai was stopped in his tracks next to Sayera. He started to gag, choking on something. Before she had time to react, dark blood rushed out from the man's mouth and ears. Her stomach turned as he collapsed to the ground, a pale husk, red tears inching down his face. The blood from his body pooled above him for a moment, before flowing through the air towards the youkai. It shuddered as the blood pierced its chest, absorbing it within its own body. It was then Sayera noticed the youkai's scaly, armor-like skin and jagged claws. Was it sustained by human blood?

Yukashii had also regained himself after tumbling off the collapsed stage. He now stood battle-ready with his blade drawn. He launched himself into the air, swinging the sword with all his power. "Be gone, monster!" His statement was made in vain. The youkai lifted a limp claw, and struck him with some invisible force that cast him to the ground once again.

"Yukashii, no!" Sayera tried to run over to him, but she was halted by the sight of more villagers' bodies being drained of their blood. The stench was coarse and potent. She had to cover her nose and mouth to avoid vomiting. So fear-stricken, she could barely move.

It was then that she caught sight of her mother. Ti-An stood alone, watching Sayera, and…smiling. They locked eyes, but instead of finding fear, Sayera could only sense an odd tranquility in her mother's gaze. Why is she just standing there? Ti-An opened her mouth to speak, but her words were inaudible next to the villagers' cries. What is she doing?

Momentarily breaking free of her fear-induced paralysis, Sayera starting running towards her mother. "Run away, mother! Hurry! You must –" Sayera's words and her run were cut short by the horrifying sight that began to unfold before her. Blood oozed from Ti-An's face and ears. It streamed down her neck and stained her beautiful kimono. Though blinded, Ti-An still offered a loving gaze to her daughter before falling to the caked dirt in a darkened heap. From the ground her eyes remained open, still gazing at her lovely Sayera, even in death.

Sayera swallowed hard to quell an overwhelming wave of nausea. Her eyes followed the trail of Ti-An's blood as it made its way through the air and into the youkai's chest. The idea that her mother's precious blood was being used to satisfy the appetite of such a horrendous beast made her retch. What will make this youkai stop? Tears stung her eyes as she lost hope. Falling to her knees, she prepared herself for an inevitable death.

But before she had another moment to mourn, Sayera was shaken by another demonic presence. Another beast was coming. From the treetops of the forest beyond and behind the youkai, a man leapt forth, silver hair and white kimono wafting in the air. He boasted battle armor, two swords, and…claws?

"Another youkai!" Sayera gasped.

In a single strong, swift motion, this youkai braced his claws and sliced them into the other beast's back. He was not repelled as Yukashii had been. In fact, the faceless youkai appeared to be injured, or…

At that very moment, a sharp pain bolted Sayera's chest. Everything went black.