A/N: Whaaaat? An update? So soon? After two 5 year hiatuses? What is this?

Well, this is mom having a flexible work schedule and her daughter going to Montessori day care for a few days per week to start preparing for the transition to preschool. Anywho, it means, more pockets here and there for creative writing and thankfully, inspiration hits me when I sit down to the computer. So, here's another chapter!

Things steam up a bit for Sango and Sesshomaru near the end of the chapter, but should be appropriate for MA rating. I wanted to give you the goods without things being horribly graphic, because as a parent, I now understand the need for a little bit of discretion with these things, in the event that there are young readers snooping around here ;-) Without further ado, here you go! (and let me know what you think! Comments are always welcome!)


Chapter Eleven:

Rin sat, her dark eyes studying the meal of meat, fruit, and rice before her at the table; she was starving, as it had been what seemed like days since she'd eaten anything, yet her stomach was tied in knots with worry of Sesshomaru-sama. She sighed, her mind elsewhere.

Beautiful work, Mareo, a cruel, snickering voice reverberated inside the demon's thoughts, taunting him. You surely have used your understanding of the human heart to your advantage; the poor child will pass from hunger and grief before she can act as a living sacrifice.

Pushing the devil's sarcastic jabs out of his mind, the raven haired youkai observed his young, melancholy companion at the table, his dark brows drawing together as he contemplated what to do. He'd studied the interactions between the girl and her fair, white haired master briefly before he developed his plan to abduct her for his own purposes after noting that her master would supply a long duration of youki for sustenance of his body; perhaps if he could emulate certain traits Sesshomaru possessed, it would soften her so that her heart would not become fully tainted with hatred, and no longer be useful for sacrificial purposes.

It was strange that he and this girl should cross paths; she was, after all, merely a young, plain human child who happened to accompany the proud, cold taiyoukai of the Western Lands. There was seemingly nothing extraordinary about her. It remained stranger yet, that the devil and the many youki powered devices Mareo had in his possession to carry out his plot to resurrect Eri, had honed in on her, in particular, as the sacrificial lamb.

It's no matter, Mareo mused to himself, rubbing a longer skein of his thick, wavy raven hair between his fingertips thoughtfully before his blood red eyes fixed on Rin again. Once her life force is transferred using the power of the complete Shikon no Tama, I shall be with Eri once again and the child will merely be an afterthought.

"I see you've not touched your food," Mareo's voice rumbled; he willed it to be neutral, yet gentle. "Do you not care to take care of yourself in the event that your Lord Sesshomaru comes to take you home?" he added on, when he noted that her demeanor hadn't changed. Adding that tidbit at the end of his sentence, however, changed everything.

"Leave me alone," Rin grumbled back at him, her normally soft and cheerful brown eyes filled with anger and defeat.

"I have concerns about your health should you continue to fast and forgo any true sustenance," the massive youkai replied cooly, leaning toward her. He smirked slightly when he saw her back stiffen defiantly and one of her eye brows lift suspiciously.

"Why do you care if I eat?" she asked hesitantly, her dark brown eyes gauging his features for any information as to what was really going on. She could sense that something wasn't right. "What do you want from me?" she added, feeling confused and humiliated when her only response was cruel laughter.

"Those are my affairs," he replied between chuckles, pushing himself away from the table and starting to slowly stride around the room with his hands clasped arrogantly behind his back. "The only part that concerns you is keeping your body healthy and your heart pure."

Rin paused and began to ponder the events of the last few days since she had been brought to Mareo's lair. She recalled seeing him, a man, struggling to absorb Lord Sesshomaru's youki as well as Jaken's and Ah-Un's. He had mentioned a woman named Eri and seemed to have a terrible past. She watched her captor muse to himself, and licked her lips in determination. "You want her back don't you? That Eri lady…" she ventured, softening when she realized the intent behind his plans. He misses her, Rin thought, her heart sinking into her stomach empathetically; she, too, knew how this felt. She had lost her voice, due to the trauma and grief of witnessing her family be murdered by wolf demons prior to chancing upon the grand, cool, and mysterious inuyoukai who'd become her care taker. What he was doing made sense now, even though she didn't care for his execution of bringing the woman in question back.

Dark brows lowered over smoldering iron orbs and Mareo struggled to keep his anger at bay in response to her ability to perceive his plans. "What you saw in the other room is not your concern," he fired at her, kneeling so that he was face to face with the young girl who stared at him, her jaw fixed in determination.

"I feel sorry for you," Rin began, unable to keep the grief and anger out of her voice at the same time. "You said do not have faith in Lord Sesshomaru… but it's because you got hurt and ended up like this," she continued, ending up with the wind knocked out of her when one of Mareo's massive hands seized her by the neck of her kimono and dangled her in the air above him. She struggled against his hold but the fight left her when she bore witness to his tortured, conflicted soul present under the fury and anger he was using to mask it.

Rin released ragged, shaking breaths, knowing she had struck some sort of chord in her captor, else he wouldn't be handling her in this way… she had seen this to a lesser degree in Sesshomaru-sama, though he'd never caused her to be overcome with fear or handled her roughly. Unsure of what to do or say next, the human girl hung limp above the ethereal raven haired youkai whose blood red eyes were scrutinizing her with an intensity she thought would burn holes in her flesh.

Mareo felt his soul taking part in an internal war, where it became difficult to express himself in the present. His mind flipped from being able to focus on the intuitive, dark-haired imp he held in a vice grip above him to processing thoughts and feelings that were crashing about inside him like a tidal wave on the coast. How could her words be affecting him in this way? Was he not able to squash everything down just hours before?

Fool, the youki energies you've harnessed are beginning to return to their owners, the characteristic two-tone, malevolent voice of the devil chimed to the crippled man. Apparently, your vessel rejects that dog demon's strong life force; all that energy should have held you until you harnessed the other jewel shards. What are you to do now? He queried, aware of the impact his taunts would have on the tormented creature.

The dark-haired demon growled and found himself plopping Rin back down in her seat, running a trembling hand through his hair as he fought to keep his anger and anxiety at bay. The dark-haired girl studied his every move, her eyes belying compassion and a softness that made him feel increasingly uncomfortable with each passing second. His human heart was beginning to rise up and respond greatly to her words and actions.

She used to look at me that way, Mareo thought, his mind leaving the present to think back to his demon lover. He shook his head roughly and glared with hot, red eyes down at Rin.

"You, know nothing, you little fool," he spat, approaching the table quickly. He needed to distance himself from the little human that caused him to experience such a myriad of human emotions and feelings all at once. Mareo shoved her heaping plate up to her chest, forcing a set of aged chopsticks into her hand. The girl cried out in alarm, and stiffened at the proximity of his large form, a faint sweat breaking out on her neck which served to dampen the hair at the nape of her neck.

"Quiet. No more words from you," Mareo barked down at her, his voice lacking fire, before he turned on his heel to leave the chamber. Rin was left alone.

The human girl scratched her cheek nervously and tapped the chopsticks on the table before using them to sample a morsel of food. She inhaled through her nose, allowing the delicate flavors to permeate all the different parts of her tongue, her saliva rushing in to assist her in chewing. Kami-sama, the food was amazing… but it made her miss Lord Sesshomaru, Jaken-sama, and the estate all the more.

Rin knew that she had found the human part of her captor. If she could discover how to reach more of that part of him, touching his conflicted human heart, she could reason with him to let her go or at least allow Lord Sesshomaru to find her without causing him harm. She continued to eat and let her mind work at the details… perhaps matters were not as hopeless as they once seemed…


Sango swallowed, lowering her hiraikotsu as she beheld the aged tree youkai Bokuseno. Her dark eyes gauged Sesshomaru, noting that he had relaxed his impassive, confident stance and held himself like a son would revere a respected father-figure. She smiled softly, feeling warmth rise in her chest at the sight; it was refreshing to see him in this light, instead of cool, composed, and haughty as was typical for him.

The taiyoukai bowed his head for a brief moment before he spoke, his baritone voice even and composed. "Bokuseno. It has been some time."

"Indeed it has," the old tree demon replied, a slight breeze whistling through the various leaves of the surrounding green and orange foliage. "I heard tale of a creature who roams throughout the lands, claiming youki from all matter of demon that cross his path while laying claim to rogue shards of the Shikon no Tama," Bokuseno continued, his brassy eyes scrutinizing the half-dog demon before him. "I see that you have had an encounter with such a demon."

Sesshomaru drew in a deep breath and schooled his features neutral before his father's old friend. "Yes. This Sesshomaru was fully human no less than a day ago," his tawny eyes flicked back briefly to study Sango, after hearing an increase in her heart beat. He returned his gaze to the tree youkai positioned before him when he saw nothing worth acknowledging, other than how alluring she appeared with such lush greenery surrounding her.

"The great Lord Sesshomaru, a human. I struggle to imagine that sight and scene," Bokuseno mumbled good-naturedly, taking a moment to ponder that scenario.

"It was a scene, all right," Sango interjected, her cheeks glowing red when two sets of youkai eyes became fixed on her. She cleared her throat and chuckled nervously before she continued on. "Bokuseno, Sesshomaru seemed to frequently be lost in past thoughts and memories in human form and—"

"If this Sesshomaru can beg your pardon, WE were speaking. I did not ask for your input," the taiyoukai snorted derisively in her direction, feeling irritated that she thought it appropriate to interrupt his exchange with the old tree that had known him all his life. Beautiful and irresistible as she was, this was his discussion with Bokuseno and Sango had no part in it as far as he was concerned

Sango's back stiffened in response and she crossed her arms over her chest. Hm. You ask for aid in this matter, yet push me back when I give it, she thought, willing herself to try and understand his needs in that moment, but found it immensely challenging. "Very well," she spat back, shifting her stance defiantly. "This is the last time I shall try and assist you." She turned her head stubbornly and closed her eyes, long dark hair flipping over her shoulder with the sudden movement.

"Assist me?" Sesshomaru queried back sarcastically, not much of his stony visage changing, save for a slight upward tilt in one of his dark eyebrows.

The bickering pair was interrupted by deep, rumbling chuckles that shook the Earth. Sango swallowed and relaxed her arms down to her side, her attention set on the aged tree demon.

"This takes me back decades," the sage of the forest spoke after composing himself, his voice alight with humor and amusement.

"Decades?" the Lord of the Western Lands asked, his own stance softening.

"Yes. Your father and Izayoi made many visits to see me after they had become acquainted," Bokuseno began, but paused in speaking before giving Sesshomaru a calculated look. "I sense this story may anger you. Shall I continue on thus?"

Izayoi… Sesshomaru thought, feeling bitterness rise up in him. He longed to stamp it down, but considered what Inuyasha had said about attempting to be present when unpleasant feelings arose. He swallowed and balled his hands into fists, his claws digging into his palms. "Your senses serve you. The mention of that wench's name does indeed anger me." The taiyoukai began to feel his hot blood running over his knuckles and relaxed his fists; he really wanted to tear something to bits, yet there was not much around him that could physically be torn to bits…

Bokuseno's wrinkled face lightened at the taiyoukai's response, his mouth turned up in a slight smile. "Yes. I understand," the demon of the forest replied, his deep voice gentle and filled with compassion. He studied Sesshomaru for several moments, feeling nostalgic and his age all at once. It is strange, Lord Sesshomaru, he mused to himself. Though you are centuries old and have seen countless battles and experienced much of this life, you still remain the willful and spirited child that would escape his mother's reach to play in my branches.

Unable to turn his head at all, the tree turned analytical eyes to the lovely, young dark haired human stationed behind Sesshomaru. It was amazing to him that the dog demon had allowed another human, other than the child he'd rescued some time ago, into his intimate company. Perhaps the winds are changing in the Western Lands, Bokuseno thought, his attention returning to the present when Sesshomaru placed a hand on Tenseiga's sheath absently.

Sango ran her hands through Kirara's coat a few times before stepping toward the half-demon form of Sesshomaru carefully. The tajiya decided to proceed with caution after the tongue lashing she had received moments ago. She looked between the handsome, ethereal inuyoukai and Bokuseno several times before asking in a small voice, "who is Izayoi?"

Furious tawny eyes glared down at her for several moments before they softened. She knows not who the horrid woman is, he noted, drawing in a deep breath to still the anger that threatened to well taiyoukai had no desire to lose his composure again in such a short time, and decided he'd find some other outlet for his impending ire. Perhaps some idiotic lesser demon that they'd pass by on the way to finding Rin after this detour… It has been some time since I've had a decent hunt, he concluded, feeling some solace in that plan. Calming, Sesshomaru leaned toward the fair tajiya and was relieved when she looped her slender arm through his and rested her toned, feminine form against him.

The old tree observed the pair, seeing history repeating itself in some ways. He smiled internally, knowing that Sesshomaru wouldn't fully appreciate his story now, but might someday. "Izayoi was Inuyasha's mother," he replied, seeing the dog demon tense up in response to his words.

Sango gazed up at the taiyoukai, studying his flawless face which to the untrained eye would have appeared to be devoid of emotion. Though he often forced his expressions to be stoic or indifferent, she had spent enough time with him to note that the relationship his father had with Inuyasha's human mother pained him and affected him in many different ways. She began to softly rub the arm she was leaning on, hoping that she could provide some kind of comfort.

"Yes. And the woman that distracted my father from many of his Daiyoukai duties, as a result of indulging in weak sentiments and emotions," Sesshomaru ground out, becoming frustrated that his deep seeded bitterness and resentment regarding anything that involved Izayoi was welling up for all around him to see.

"Mm. So you say," Bokuseno countered carefully. "I remember things very differently."

"So it seems," Sesshomaru growled angrily, his eyes flashing red. He nudged the lovely human woman positioned on his arm away, as he was becoming overwhelmed by having her near. The tajiya stumbled back a few steps, clearly surprised by the hasty and unexpected maneuver. The transitioning taiyoukai growled low in his throat his head half turned in her direction. His eyes continued to flash red with rage, but his breath caught in his throat and crimson orbs returned to tawny when her scent became laced with sour notes, as if she were in some kind of emotional pain. He turned toward her, his stance relaxed and he watched her numbly, unsure of how to proceed after what he'd done impulsively.

"I understand," Sango breathed, working at framing his actions and treatment of her objectively. This has nothing to do with you. He is upset and not acting or thinking clearly, she told herself, but still felt a few pangs of hurt at his treatment of her moments before. It was beginning to wear on her somewhat, that this accomplished, proud, honorable, and astoundingly handsome demon that she'd developed affection for was no more than an ill-tempered child at times, especially when his pride was at stake.

The young woman clamped her arms over her chest protectively when he held a hand out in her direction, as if to silently apologize in his own way. The beautiful dark haired woman shook her head softly and flashed him a rueful smile. "No, thank you. I need some time."

"Sesshomaru, are you open to the possibility that your assumptions and understandings of your father's dealings are skewed?" Bokuseno's voice boomed, bringing the pair from their uncomfortable exchange. The inuyoukai's head snapped toward him defensively, his eyes narrowing into slits. For all that he admired and respected the tree youkai, he was stepping far into forbidden territory for one without lower appendages.

"Enlighten me," Sesshomaru fired back haughtily before realizing that Sango had left his side and was attempting to mount her fire neko across the clearing. His speed, having apparently returned at that time, aided him in bounding to her side, effortlessly, like he'd been able to prior to having his youki stolen.

Sango jolted backward away from his massive, robed form that had materialized next to her. The taiyoukai fixed his gaze upon her heart shaped face, searching for answers, but only received what his nose was giving him; sour scent. "Where are you going?" his baritone voice questioned stiffly; he felt guilt rise up in his throat when he considered the fact that he'd thrown her away from him again in his failed attempt to gain control of his emotions while angry…

"It doesn't matter," she breathed, longing to look into his ethereal face, but resisted temptation; the characteristic crimson stripes he wore in full youkai form had returned and were adorning his proud cheeks making him appear even more comely than he already was. "Besides, I'm not leaving permanently, I just would like to think while you discuss matters with Bokuseno," she continued, lifting a hand as if to shade her face when he tried placing a perfectly tapered finger under her chin. "Please don't make me look at you right now." I think I will melt from desire, though I'd like nothing more than to be away from you in this moment she thought, her mind and body arguing as to whether or not she should jump into his arms or fly away on Kirara's back to give herself space and time. She felt warmth coursing through her stomach as she stole glimpses at his face between her fingers, her delicate cheeks flushing when she caught hungry tawny eyes beckoning to her to stay with him. Clearing her throat, she pushed the long part of her ponytail over her shoulder absently and turned away from him to prepare to leave the area.

"This one would love to enlighten you, if it will aid in reconciliation of your other affairs," the wise forest sage added from across the way, his rough, aged voice edging on cheeky.

Sesshomaru's shoulders dropped in defeat and he closed his eyes, drawing in a labored breath. There wasn't going to be any other way out of discussing Izayoi, his father, and his memories, it seemed. He glanced up briefly as the young woman tightened one of the sashes on her pink haori after having lithely climbed atop her large fire neko. "Sango," he started but paused, his loins stirring as he studied every inch of her in shape figure, his eyes lingering at the curve of her breasts and buttocks that he could make out beneath her pink robe for a fleeting moment.

"I won't be far," she replied, patting Kirara on the back before the large feline took flight and disappeared into the canopy of the forest. Not thinking twice, the lumbering form of Ah-Un shot their master an apologetic look when they took flight after the human woman, trailing her as they disappeared into the trees and leaves. The tajiya's delicate scent faded into the distance, leaving Sesshomaru alone with his forest companion. He felt somewhat relieved; should something happen to her, she could not only hold her own, but had 3 youkai that could come to her immediate assistance.

"I see that your temper still serves," Bokuseno chuckled, his wrinkled mouth turning up wryly on one side. "You seem to be just as angry as you always were—"

"This Sesshomaru cannot fathom what has made you so incredibly bold with your statements these last few minutes, but I warn you to—" Sesshomaru began, his eyes widening incredulously when the arbor sage began to boom with laughter, despite his threats. He felt the grip he had on his control slipping once again; his eyes flashed crimson and he lifted a clawed hand up before cracking his knuckles. It was at that moment that Tenseiga began to vibrate at his side, humming gently, in an attempt to calm him.

"You cannot take offense, my lord," the tree ventured good naturedly as he studied the inuyoukai before him, his brassy eyes belaying compassion. "I speak so boldly because you are at a place where you are willing to listen to what you have needed to hear for many years."

Sesshomaru's hand lowered, his posture relaxing. He looked down his regal nose at his father's old companion and drew his arms into the sleeves of his haori. "When have I not listened?" the taiyoukai queried, one dark eye brow lifting curiously. A breeze brushed into the thicket where he was, sending his now pure white tresses into the air around him. His transformation back to a full youkai was nearly complete, it seemed. "I distinctly remember us conversing with regard to my father's swords and Inuyasha's humanity requiring protection from the Tetsusaiga."

Bokuseno's lips pursed together for a moment before he continued on. "Yes, we did. However, there has always been much that your father wished I discuss with you, but I could not until now," the tree youkai closed his eyes for a few seconds as he awaited some kind of response.

"Hm," the taiyoukai mused, his golden eyes contemplative, not quite understanding the tree demon's words. However, he wasn't about to let him know that. "Go on," Sesshomaru added, boredom beginning to lace his voice, though he did find his curiosity had been peaked.

"With inuyoukai blood comes great pride and will," Bokuseno offered, "and you have been angry for quite some time. When you rescued that human child, I wondered if you might be ready to listen. After seeing you with that woman, I am readily assured," he finished, his gaze going skyward, his branches shifting around as if he was preparing something.

One of Sesshomaru's delicate ears twitched when a long, branch reached down in front of him, presenting him with a leaf that contained a glassy, blue liquid that he'd never seen before. His nose got to work, but yielded him no information. "What sort of magic is this?" the inuyoukai asked aloud to the arbor demon, deducing that this was some sort of offering for him.

"Drink, and this will take us into my channel of memories. This one believes it will be more effective for you to hear your father's words yourself," Bokuseno replied evenly, waiting for the inuyoukai to make his choice.

Skeptical, Sesshomaru grasped the liquid filled leaf in both of hands and drew one edge to his lips before drinking from it as if it were a chalice. After finishing the last drop, he could hear his pulse pounding in his ears, his forehead breaking out in a sweat. His breathing was labored and when he'd gathered his bearings, he realized that his body had become transparent and hazy in the very clearing he'd been standing in moments before; it was as if he weren't present.

He paused, his golden eyes widening in disbelief when he beheld a sight he hadn't seen in almost a century. Father… he thought, reaching a dematerialized hand toward the great Inu no Taisho, only to retract it when the great dog demon swiftly approached Bokuseno (who strangely seemed to be present in this dimension).

"Old friend, it pleases me to see you," the white haired inuyoukai exclaimed, his rich, deep voice thundering through the area. A confident, fangy smile lit his lips; Sesshomaru studied him carefully, noting that this was probably one of the happier moods he'd ever seen his father in.

"And I, you. You have been everywhere as of late, peacekeeping and exterminating in all areas west, at the same time, it seems. Is their turmoil at the estate? Does it drive you to more work?" The tree youkai replied; it seemed as though he were teasing the massive dog demon residing in human form. The younger taiyoukai's brow knit together thoughtfully as he continued to listen and observe earnestly, noting that some part of him had missed his father all this time and it was refreshing to watch and hear him again.

Inu no Taisho raised a hand and ran it over his head and down part of his long, pure white pony tail, the good-humored grin still present atop his handsome visage. "Hm. Not turmoil. Just usual matters," the powerful dog began and studied his talons briefly before continuing. "Friend, I have a mate that forbids me from spending time alone with my son unless it is to instruct him on managing the Western Lands. My body that aches for attention from said mate yet she does not allow me near her either," he continued, letting out a rueful sigh, "and, it seems that many youkai grow restless of late and are finding their way closer and closer to my estate."

"Busy, indeed," the tree demon chuckled but his brassy eyes grew solemn for a moment. "What is this about not having time with your son? Young Sesshomaru?"

The inuyoukai turned away from his friend the tree for a few moments and stared right at where the younger, handsome demon was positioned. Golden eyes met for a few moments before it became apparent to Sesshomaru that his father saw through him and was fixating on something else.

"I long for more than this," Inu no Taisho muttered quietly, just barely audible but his son and Bokuseno seemed to hear him. "It is a foolish sentiment, but I pity and loathe what my son is becoming," he added, turning on his heel to approach the arbor sage once again. "I wish to teach him to hunt, yet be merciful toward his prey if needed. I long to speak with him regarding matters of the heart because I am damned sure that his mother has taught him naught of how to care for another living soul, youkai, human, or whatever else—"

"I am compassionate to your plight, old friend, however, we knew this would be the way of it," Bokuseno replied gently, his eyes glancing up towards his branched canopy above. "Female inuyoukai, formidable and beautiful as they may be, know not more than how to fight heartily in battle, then carry and produce heirs to raise them for various tasks once they have had their fill of battle."

"Indeed. I was a fool for believing she would one day love me, despite our partnership being arranged centuries ago. She loves what I do to protect her title and comfort but naught else," he spat, beginning to feel angry about what he could not change. "And Sesshomaru will become just as she is. Cold, unfeeling, kind only when it serves him. And honorable, but what does honor get you when you are alone in this life and are constantly seeking power and control?"

Power and control? Sesshomaru thought, his slender dark eyebrows working together as he contemplated this. Perhaps everything he had known to this point in his life had been centered on gaining and maintaining control of his lands and… fighting for power by way of claiming his father's swords and other things… He began to experience the sinking feeling he'd had when he realized he had to make amends with Sango after speaking to Inuyasha at the estate. It was also becoming apparent that his foolish father was not all that foolish and seemed to have a… depth of person that he never knew existed.

Sesshomaru was aware that his father often worked at engaging him in his childhood, offering smiles, an encouraging large hand if he fell or found himself frustrated as a pup—but he was informed by his mother that these notions, these displays of affection were weakness that would only be the end of him if he allowed them to flourish and acted similarly to his father. As he did not have great rapport with his father, the taiyoukai simply believed his mother who seemingly rendered respect and fear from any who crossed her path.

"My temper gets the better of me," the Daiyoukai breathed after a long pause. "I came here hoping to share humor with you but find myself needing to discuss all matters of my home life," he chuckled sadly, his warm golden eyes lifting when he noticed the arbor sage lowering something down to him using one of his longer branches. He paced a few steps forward and laughed again, his enormous hand grasping the dark flask hidden in the deep basin of the leaf. "I see I left this behind at our last visit. Surely it has aged considerably and will taste even more divine."

"Indeed. This one would have consumed it, given your impervious state after having it several decades ago, but I have no way of safely doing so," Bokuseno's voice rumbled, his tone wry as Inu no Taisho pulled the cork from the aged flask easily, drinking deeply from it.

"Mm, yes, age has served this sake well," the enormous human form of the demon dog relaxed considerably as the sake warmed him from the inside. He strode over to the base of the expansive tree and sat, drawing his knees up so that his arms could rest there. "Perhaps age and time will serve Sesshomaru well," he mused aloud, twiddling his two perfectly tapered index fingers together as he mulled over that thought.

"He is much as you are, believe it or not," Bokuseno replied, looking down to see the great dog demon's golden orbs peering up at him. "I have not seen him for some time, but as a small boy, he would escape the great lady's watch and come to hide in my branches. He does not say much, but I sense that he too, longs for something more than what she offers and teaches him about life."

Comforted by his friend's corollary, Inu no Taisho closed his eyes and rested his head against the trunk of the tree behind him. "One can hope," he stated flatly, a small smile curving at his full lips. "Perhaps someday I will have a son with whom I can bond, and someone to protect and cherish."

"Mm," the aged tree youkai replied absently, wondering how that would come to pass given the fact that his current mate was a cold fish and had no desire to reproduce further. "Perhaps."

Bokuseno's eyes lifted and fixed on Sesshomaru and the taiyoukai remained lost in thought and memory until he was snapped back to the present after the tree had called his name several times. He shook his head roughly, his golden eyes darting around to study his surroundings. I have returned from the past, he observed while lifting a hand in front of his face, noting that it was no longer transparent.

"If I were to speak honestly, I do not place blame upon your father for seeking out and pursuing Izayoi" the arbor sage began, his eyes following Sesshomaru as he strode before him, his face impassive. "He longed for companionship and purpose. And this one believes that that princess, human or not, provided him that."

The white haired demon's eyelids lowered over conflicted golden orbs as he mulled over what Bokuseno had asserted after bearing witness to the scene involving his father. He sighed, feeling resolved, and looked sardonically at the old tree. "So it seems," the taiyouaki replied as a faint breeze flitted through the area, sending several long tendrils of his hair into the air.

"Perhaps it is time for you to find companionship and purpose?" he continued to press, his deep voice rumbling in the ground beneath Sesshomaru's feet. "You are not likely to find it in a female inuyoukai."

"Hm," Sesshomaru mused, schooling his features to be neutral as he continued to work on everything he'd seen and heard that provided insight and aid into many of the emotional conflicts he'd had in human form. He swallowed and decided to step out of his comfort zone for a moment to gain the tree's perspective on this manner.

"I have bedded many youkai females, inus included, and though their bodies satisfied immediately, I grew bored after a time. I find that I have had no experience with the tajiya's body… yet I find myself wanting to be at her side constantly," his emotionless golden orbs studied the clearing, his nose twitching as if to search for her scent nearby, in case she was hiding in the brush watching him.

"Perhaps there is more to being a mate than producing heirs, though that is not what your mother believed," came the good natured response.

So, it is allowable to experience these feelings, regardless of how they drain my energy and patience… Sesshomaru wondered, his brain seeming to work on multiple ideas at once. "I perceive emotions and attachment as weakness because this is what I was told since I was a pup," he processed aloud, beginning to feel bitterness rise in him toward his mother and how she had chosen to render him.

"Emotions and feelings provide information and insight, Lord Sesshomaru. If they were nothing but weakness, they wouldn't be so helpful in numerous situations," Bokuseno answered, his voice well-informed. A few beats of silence passed between the pair and the tree could sense his companion growing restless with each passing moment. "It is permissible to feel, as well as it is permissible to make amends after you've acted rashly when these feelings overwhelm you."

Sesshomaru turned to face the aged tree, feeling indebted to his father's old friend. "I am grateful for your extended memory and your council," he told him, his baritone voice soft and breaking character.

"I am happy to share it with you," was the kind, rumbling reply. Brassy eyes watched contently as Sesshomaru disappeared into the forest in the direction that Sango and the youkai had gone earlier. Go and find happiness, young one, he thought before closing his eyes and taking a long needed rest.


Water, cool and wet, lapped against the exposed flesh of Sango's muscled calves. She stared with intense concentration into the depths of the stream, her hands gripping the make shift spear she had fashioned using one of the several combat knives she often hid beneath her black battle suit and tied it to the bottom of a long, thick branch using her hair ribbon.

She had insisted that Kirara rest as she hunt for her own fish (though the fire neko was notoriously better at this particular task), mostly because she wanted to engage in a bit of exercise to help clear her mind and her hurt feelings from being tossed aside by Sesshomaru earlier. She drew in a deep breath, her thickly lashed chocolate brown orbs fixed on a slender, flippant shadow beneath the water that approached. Gripping the spear in her hands, the tajiya plunged it into the water the moment she saw the aquatic creature aiming to make its escape, and laughed when the spear emerged with a wiggling fish at the end of it.

"See, Kirara? I am lucky today," she called to her flaming companion who had reverted to her pocket-sized form to rest along the bank. The small cat mewed in response before starting to groom herself. The dark haired human woman laughed softly to herself at her adorable, furry friend and gingerly grabbed the fish from the end of her spear. Sighing, she tossed the poor creature back into the stream and watched as it zipped away, leaving a trail of bubbles in its wake. I didn't want to eat it anyway, she thought absently, stepping from the water and back to the shore where Ah-Un had been observing her patiently, lying on all four of its limbs comfortably.

Sighing, Sango sat alongside the massive dragon youkai, earning the attention from both heads; she pat them each on the head before she drew her knees to her chest. She crossed arms over knees and leaned her chin on her arms, her long ebony mane flowing around her form unceremoniously. Drawing in another breath, the young woman found herself struggling to maintain a coherent train of thought; her thoughts and feelings, it seemed, were everywhere and nowhere all at the same time.

Sango's eyes traveled skyward where she drank in the beauty of the green canopy of leaves from the hundreds of trees present all around her. She was remembering Miroku, her chocolate brown orbs lost in the lull and current of the stream. He had been maimed in a place like this and it led to his untimely death. She drew in a shaking breath, willing her heart rate to slow down. It's strange. I haven't thought of him much since we arrived at Sesshomaru's estate, she thought, tangling a hand in her silky black tresses. Her cheeks grew warm thinking about the stunningly attractive dog demon that controlled the Western Lands.

Shaking her head intentionally, she returned her thoughts to the deceased monk that had been her former lover—lover… was that really what they were? We spoke I love you to each other as he rested on his death bed but… Releasing a labored breath, Sango recalled traveling hands that would grasp at her backside or breasts whenever they had the chance along with the disappointment and jealously she felt when he ran off with various women in each village that they'd rest at in their quest to collect Shikon jewel shards. His charming visage and speech, paired with his kind and gentle treatment of her when he realized he'd hurt her feelings would seemingly place a bandage over the other negative things that she generally felt when she was with him…

No, she continued internally, her pondering drifting to a different handsome, willful male figure that had recently entered her life in a greater capacity. I think I loved houshi-sama because he was there, she surmised, feeling a bit guilty but resolute as her chocolate brown orbs fell to her feet and the mossy grass beneath her sandals. She recalled their kiss in the moments before he went to the next life; it had been filled with passion and pent up emotions—at the time, she assumed what she had felt was love… But now she wondered if she understood what that meant, given how the Lord of the Western Land's touch had lit a seemingly indistinguishable fire within her and she couldn't seem to get him out of her mind despite her best efforts.

Sango had never received much attention from men growing up, as she was raised and treated like one due to her role in the village. Her father had also never pressured her to consider marriage, but allowed her to decide for herself if she was to wed or continue to be the village's top slayer. The young woman licked her lips when she continued to contemplate her relationship with the monk. He had indeed been there for a great number of important events in her life—but he'd also left her to flirt and make merry with other women during times when she wished he would have been at her side…

The young woman was broken from her reverie when she sensed a strong youkai presence approaching, one which she recognized readily but hadn't been able to detect for days. She glanced to her left and saw him emerge from the thicket, her heart skipping a beat. He's regained all of his youki it seems, she thought, her eyes raking over him as he strode toward her, his perfect white mane billowing behind him in the gentle breeze.

She found herself fighting back a giddy smile at the sight of him, her hurt feelings from being tossed aside when he lost his composure seeming to melt into the background. Mm, I wonder... is THIS love? She thought, her palms beginning to sweat lightly in anticipation as he drew nearer to her. If it was, she was enjoying every moment of it.

Ah-Un was pleased to see its master and leapt to its feet, its tail wagging gently. Sesshomaru approached the two headed beast and placed a clawed hand on its back for a few moments before he turned his golden gaze toward the lovely human woman seated on the floor of the forest. Her sweet scent void of the sour notes it had had in the clearing not long before. He met her gentle, dark brown eyes saying "This Sessh—" No, address her less formally, he caught himself, clearing his throat before trying again. "I, behaved badly."

Unsure of how to respond, Sango remained still in the grass, gauging the inuyoukai cautiously while he held his rigid posture and emotionless visage. He appeared to be silently awaiting some sort of reply. An apology, she mused, feeling triumphant and better all at once. Whatever he'd discussed with Bokuseno seemed to affect him so suddenly and in such a positive way. However, he still had acted like "a jerk", as Kagome would have put it, so she decided she'd have a bit of fun with him.

Turning away, the tajiya stuck her nose in the air and sent him a haughty "hmph." She laughed internally, sneaking a glance at him out of the corner of her eye. His slender eye brows worked together and lowered somewhat over his golden gaze. "Yes, you did," she replied, rolling to her feet gracefully as she slowly began to walk away, swinging her hips. She had seen several beautiful women in her village do this from time to time growing up, and wondered if it would have the effect she so desired and cause him to follow her.

Sesshomaru stood, flabbergasted, but was unwilling to let confusion play out in his posture or face. She remains angry still… but why does she leave me walking like that? His eyes narrowed, as he attempted to use his nose and his ears to glean more information regarding her behavior. Her heart beat seemed even and her scent, normal…

Female youkai often made overt displays of their voluptuous, feminine bodies in that manner to beckon him to rut with them if they were bored or needed the interaction outside of a mated relationship. His eyes narrowed further and he began to feel his loins responding to the potential intent behind her actions; he willed it to stop, however, wasn't going to let her off the hook for leading him to think in that light.

Sango's breath left her momentarily when Sesshomaru materialized before her, nearly causing her to crash into his massive, muscled chest. "Kami-sama, Sesshomaru! I had my guard down," she gasped, raking a hand over the top of her hair as she tried to still her heart that was rapidly beating from his surprise appearance.

Smirking dangerously, the demon lord began to pace toward her, his eyelashes lowering over smoldering golden orbs that seared her with an intense look of desire. "And that, tajiya, was your first mistake," his baritone voice rumbled coolly, as he began to pace toward her, his hot gaze not leaving her heart shaped face.

Sango swallowed as she slowly stumbled backwards. She lifted a hand to her chest as she glanced behind her occasionally, uncertain as to where she was going. I wanted him to follow me, but I wasn't expecting this, she continued, her face growing hotter and ruddier with each passing moment. There wasn't going to be any way to out run him, she realized, and part of her wished that he would continue to advance.

"What's the matter?" the taiyoukai asked, his deep voice laced with wry humor. "I assumed you wanted me to follow… so here I am," he finished, raising one dark eyebrow playfully. He reached one of his perfectly tapered hands toward her, running his first two fingers through a thick skein of her hair absently before he used that arm to pull her towards him.

Sango's heart leapt into her throat, her arms caught at her sides due to his embrance, and she breathed heavily when his temperate tongue slid, with painstaking slowness, down the side of her neck. Sesshomaru paused at the top of her clavicle at the base of her neck where his tongue began to dance over her soft flesh that covered the bony structure. "Ohh," she moaned in ecstacy her eyes rolling into the back of her head; she was finished fighting his hold. How was it that his touch could awaken such a desire in her? The demon that had bereft Sesshomaru of his youki had given her similar attention yet her body had not responded the same as it was reacting now.

"Mm," the Lord of the Western lands breathed gently against the soft flesh of her neck as he slid his arms around her waist so she could utilize her arms again. "I forget myself. You were still angry with me. Perhaps I should leave you be," he added, teasing lacing his tone. His eyes widened when she glared up at him, her hands fisting in the front of his robes impatiently. She yanked his hot, rock hard form against her body and slid one of her legs over his thigh, the inside of her clothed hip grazing his manhood roughly. The dog demon felt something very primitive happening inside him, and wondered if the human woman knew what she was initiating.

Ah-Un and Kirara's heads raised in unison, their noses twitching when they caught the scent of imminent mating and quietly retreated, away from the pair whose libidos were growing by the moment.

"I was pretending to be angry before. I did not appreciate being tossed aside because you could not handle yourself, but I am grateful that you sought to make amends," she began her trembling voice completely serious and dripping with desire. "However… if you leave me at this moment, do not plan to touch me ever again," she finished in a harsh whisper which ended in a cry of alarm as Sesshomaru pulled her leg up over his thigh further, wrapping it around his waist on one side. She caught his harried gaze, noting that the whites of his eyes were bleeding red and the crimsons stripes on his cheeks grew more prominent.

"As you wish," the inuyoukai growled, not bothering to mask his arousal before he caught the young woman's lips with his own, nearly bruising her in the process.

All Sango could do was attempt to hold her own against the powerful mouth that worked her lips and her tongue in circles it seemed; she began to taste blood after several moments and noted that one of his fangs had nicked the inside of her lip and it was beginning to burn somewhat. Trying to ignore the throbbing in her mouth, she shifted her focus to what his massive hands were doing along her lower body. His hand that held her leg seemed to caress the back of her thigh to her buttocks in one subtle motion several times before it settled into her robe, his clawed fingers slipping under a flap in her black jump suit between her thighs and—

Sango shrieked in both shock and pleasure, completely conflicted with how he was handling her between her thighs. His touch wasn't rough by any means, in fact, she could feel something completely pleasurable happening from her hips all the way down to her toes, however, it seemed to be too much pressure, and too fast. Her breaths began to come out in short gasps and she felt overwhelmed and scared all at once, especially when his features appeared more animalistic with each passing moment. The human woman clawed at Sesshomaru's back for lack of any other outlet for her growing discomfort and passion, biting her already bleeding lip in the process to stifle the pain related cries she wanted to unleash.

Noting a change in her scent and feeling the pressure of her fingers digging into his back, Sesshomaru paused his ministrations, his breath settling and his eyes fading from red to gold. He retrieved his hand and went to raise it to one of her cheeks gently, his golden orbs harboring quiet concern, but the young woman looked away, her eyes brimming with tears. The taiyoukai's brow furrowed for a moment and he pulled her face toward him, forcing her to meet his gaze. One of his thumbs traced the underside of her chocolate brown eyes, catching the salty liquid that began to spill forth and dribble down her cheeks.

"What ails you," he finally asked, his voice uncomfortable and taught, his golden eyes cloudy and appeared filled with unfamiliar emotions to the weeping Sango. He moved the hand that held her heart shaped face to the nape of her neck and attempted to pull her against his chest to comfort her, but her form stiffened as he drew her closer to him.

"I… I am sorry," the tajiya choked out, bringing her hands up to rub the tears away from her eyes and hide her burning face. She felt completely humiliated and exhausted. "I want this… I want you… I just… it—" she continued on but was paused quickly when the inuyoukai carefully examined her face, noting how swollen her lower lip was becoming and how her legs were shuddering even as he held her.

Sesshomaru sighed, closing his eyes for a few brief moments. I have hurt her, he thought, his chest tightening and bile rising up in his throat. He opened his eyes and the golden depths remained cloudy as he positioned himself an arm's length away from the beautiful human woman that had nudged him past a level of passion that he could control in his human form. It seems that this will prove to be challenging.

Sango's weeping increased when Sesshomaru had put some distance between their bodies. I have ruined everything, she cried internally, feeling absolutely devastated for begging for more from him to not be able to handle it when he acquiesced. "This will not work, will it?" she blubbered into her hands, her voice muffled.

The inuyoukai stiffened at her words, and he gaped at her, his mouth nearly dropping open as he stood near her filled with genuine shock that she believed something so outlandish. Studying her for a few moments as she continued to weep without end, Sesshomaru expelled a labored breath and set his mind to conjuring up what he would say in response to her tear-filled worries, both spoken and unspoken. There wasn't going to be an easy way to breach possible reasons as to why she felt the way she had, so he surmised that he'd just have to start discussing things with her and reap whatever consequences came from it.

"Sango, there are a few matters to discuss," he started, his baritone voice cool and composed, "however, you won't hear them if you don't cease—"

"No, I understand," the horrified tajiya choked out, rubbing her running nose with her forearm. There was no turning back; he'd seen many vulnerable parts of her in the last 5 minutes and she resolved herself to hold nothing back now. "My body probably isn't right for this. I am likely unteachable—" she continued but was halted forcefully when the taiyoukai grabbed her under the chin and by the arm, dragging her toward him unforgivingly.

"You beautiful, young fool," Sesshomaru growled, his grasp on his control and composure beginning to wear thin. "You place words in my mouth which hold no truth—and it tries my patience. Cease acting like a small child and listen!" he ordered, his voice curt and nearly sounding like a bark. Sango's jaw clamped shut in his hold, however, her slender form continued to tremble with emotion and unshed tears.

Kami-sama, this is going well, the demon lord grated inwardly but knew he had her undivided attention and softened his grip on both her arm and chin. "I have laid with many female youkai over the centuries. It is the way of things given my lifestyle and status," his golden eyes narrowed when her heart began to race and her scent changed, holding unpleasant peppery notes that burned his sensitive nostrils. "I do not share this with you to flaunt my experiences… I share this with you, because rutting with a female youkai is…" he paused, mulling over in his head how he could properly explain the concept to her, "different."

The young woman grew still, her chocolate brown eyes puffy and her pace of breathing slowing and becoming more even. "Different?" she wondered aloud, tilting her chin upward so she could meet his eyes. She swallowed, feeling naked under his scrutinizing golden gaze, and resisted the urge to look back down toward the grass beneath their feet.

The Lord of the Western Lands nodded mutely, his thumb absently stroking her soft, flushed cheek. "Generally, there is very little that happens prior to rutting, other than general pleasuring and at times, a chase or hunt," he eyed her carefully, ensuring that she continued to remain emotionally stable as he elaborated on the subject. "And, when we engage in sex, we reside in true form. I am more animal than rational being throughout."

True form, Sango thought, her stomach feeling as though it was sinking lower into her body when she considered what that looked like and meant for Sesshomaru as far as what he was used to. Her dark eyebrows fixed together pensively as she continued contemplating what he'd said. "What does that mean?" she queried after a few beats of silence had passed between them.

"Well," Sesshomaru began, his hand moving from her arm to rest on the hilt of Tokijin absently. He felt like an idiot for having to share such a humbling piece of information with her, but fought back the urge to desist when he remembered Bokuseno's words. "I have had centuries of experience bedding youkai women in my true form," he started to reply, sliding the hand that rested on her cheek down to the small of her back under her fragrant, ebony hair. "And very little in the form I currently reside in. If I use this form, the expectation stands that I exert dominance and control, while using pressure and force to stimulate female arousal and desire to mate more quickly."

Sango absorbed this information, her brain untangling the details while attempting to not feel threatened by the fact that the demon she'd developed attraction and feelings for had made love to so many beautiful youkai with curvy, flawless appearances. Briefly, she remembered Kagura, one of Naraku's various reincarnations who had made it clear that she desired the great demon lord, and was overwhelmed with jealousy when she imagined the two of them tearing each other's clothes off—

"Sango, what ails you? Did you hear me?" Sesshomaru pressed, his voice edging on impatient. Golden eyes narrowed as he awaited her reply, not appreciating how her scent remained laced with the unpleasant hints that continued to singe his nostrils.

"Y-yes, I heard you" the tajiya stammered, pulling out of his hold swiftly. She grew frustrated with herself for conjuring up such scenes in her mind. Here this overtly proud demon was, out of his element, working at explaining the fact that he'd never done this with a human and all she could do was grow angry and jealous when she considered all the female youkai that he had had relations with over the years. In fact, he'd been having intercourse centuries before she'd been conceived by her own parents!

"Hm," the taiyoukai mumbled, his eyes narrowing suspiciously at her silence. "I sense danger here. What goes on in that head of yours?." He stuffed his strong arms into the long sleeves of his haori as he impatiently awaited her response. He found it challenging, as he always did with Rin, to remain cross as he observed the demure olive skinned woman struggle to collect herself. As much as he was loathe to admit it, she had made quite the impression on him thus far.

Laughing ironically, Sango ran a hand over her ruddy, tear stained visage before releasing a pensive breath. "My thoughts torture me," she responded finally, unable to meet his gaze; she found it much more interesting to study the brook she'd been sitting near before he'd entered the clearing. She was giggling again in moments at her foolishness and insecurity regarding the whole matter, despite her best efforts to calm down. "All I can imagine is you with Kagura and she is a spider, and you are a massive white dog," she breathed, pressing her hand to her lips further stifling the sounds she was emitting. "I apologize. You hold no fault in this, it's mine."

One dark slender eyebrow arched over a set of bewildered golden orbs as he continued to watch her laugh, despite herself. I divulge this information and she imagines what she thinks is youkai sex, he mused, noting that some of the tightness in his chest dissipated at the thought. Perhaps he wasn't in trouble after all. "No, this Sesshomaru prefers multiple scars to one giant one that consumes the entirety of the back," he informed her, his full lips turning up in a half-smile, his voice alight with sarcastic humor. "And, an inu would likely crush a spider and not be a natural match, if you were wondering. I never rutted with Kagura, as available as she made herself at times."

Sango paused and considered, no longer feeling defensive and ornery over the fact that Sesshomaru had laid with so many women. She turned back toward him, her long hair cloaking her body as she moved. "I do not want explicit details, but what youkai would be a 'natural match' as you call it?" she asked, genuinely curious; this subject appealed to her as a tajiya and her role in up-keeping the village library for posterities sake, should any other demon slayers find it.

The pure white haired demon chuckled softly, pleased that she could speak rashly about the topic now. What was done was done; he couldn't change his past and his many lascivious endeavors so it was better that she remained aware of them, though he wasn't feeling particularly proud of his sexual achievements in this moment as he had been in the past.

"Mainly inu, though much younger ones; the ones of age take interest in choosing a sufficient mate. Sometimes males of my kind would mate with stray or female wolves who were ostracized from their packs and produce a half-breed between both kinds; these females were ideal, as they were purebred youkai, had no roots, and were not looking for any sort of commitment," Sesshomaru answered her knowingly, absently running his claws through her dark tresses; he noted that she moved a few paces closer to him and he slid his arm around her trim waist. "I have also dabbled in intercourse with various feline youkai variety, but found it a bit distasteful."

Sango's brow furrowed together, her cheeks glowing red when she felt the hand on him pull her body nearer to his and she could nearly hear his heart beat. "I know I shall regret asking this… but what was distasteful about that experience?"

Recalling the events, the taiyoukai used his discretion and resolved to not divulge that information. She is too innocent and sensitive about these matters right now, he thought, his golden gaze drinking in her lovely, flushed countenance and the rise and fall of her full breasts with each breath she took. He highly doubted that she would understand why a male youkai would attempt to rut with three or four female cat demons at a time, where all pleasured and ravaged each other throughout.

Hoping to change the subject quickly, he narrowed his eyelids seductively and gently kissed her on the forehead before cupping her cheek with his free hand. "It matters not. What does is how we shall overcome this…" he carefully turned several words over in his head as he figured out how to get the phrasing right, "obstacle of engaging in physical relations without my youkai blood and instincts taking over."

The human woman nodded, processing his words. She rubbed her cheek against his hand gently, and placed her hand over his, entangling their fingers. "I would like that," she finally returned, her chocolate brown orbs catching his neutral, golden ones. If he is obtuse like Inuyasha, then I should speak from the heart, she reminded herself, licking her bruised lower lip before continuing. "I long to know what it means to be… a woman, I suppose, in the sense of making love and learning what my body is capable of with…" she stammered the last part, a blush rising from her neck to coat her face as she became overwhelmed by emotion, "one I care deeply for. But, perhaps not today, given what happened earlier…"

Sesshomaru's loins stirred again at her words, his own heart rate nearly picking up before he willed both parts of him to settle. His normally expressionless eyes were filled with unspoken desires and need as they raked over all parts of her comely form. She knows not what she does to me, he thought, somewhat disappointed that he could not, in good conscience, ram her into the closest tree and slice through her clothes to claim all parts of her soft, muscled form in that moment. He drew in a few even breaths, tracing his thumb along her puckered lower lip.

"All in good time, Sango. This Sesshomaru isn't so old that he cannot learn a few new tricks," he replied, his baritone voice nearly a whisper as he drew away from her, striding in the direction that Ah-Un and Kirara had retreated when they had begun to get physical earlier. I know not how to care deeply, as you say, but I hope to learn, he thought, unaware of the change in the young woman's face as she watched him leave.


Mareo stumbled, almost blindly through a forest with young trees, his crimson orbs appearing bloodshot and frenzied. He grew frustrated and anxious when he could hardly harness any level of miasma and barrier that he had days prior, after having absorbed all the energy from the few stray wolf youkai he'd encountered before nabbing their jewel shards. He also felt his lower limbs becoming weaker by the moment, as his human body fought to harness the energy of the Shikon no Tama as well as the demon form that the devil had granted him when he traded his soul for it.

All of his plans… it seemed that fate and the devil were intent on either keeping him from fulfilling his overarching goal of completing the jewel and resurrecting Eri with the wish that the jewel could grant. Shaking his beautiful head roughly, the man in demon form focused his attention on the matter at hand. He required more youki before he could summon enough miasma and other abilities that would easily render him the winner in any battle required to claim more shards.

Suddenly, Mareo became overwhelmed by a strong spiritual presence and sensed a great deal of youkai, similar to what he had absorbed from the great dog demon days before, yet… different somehow. His brow furrowed thoughtfully when he became aware of the fact that the spiritual and youkai auras were accompanied by the familiar draw of the Shikon no Tama. A cruel smirk lit his lips.

"I looks like I shall be gaining several things this eve. Jewel shards, youkai, and possibly spiritual powers," he mused aloud to no one in particular, before he set off in the direction of these forces, ignoring the aching in his legs and lower back.


A/N: I'll be taking a little break to recover my creativity and ensure that my ideas flow and the story details end up conclusively, but will give you more in due time ;) Ta-ta for now!