There's a preview of my next story at the bottom. It's a different style prologue, and I hope you like it.

I lay in the hospital bed, hooked up to many machines. My children stood around me, with the addition of a couple grandchildren. I smiled, around me was silver and white, with the exception of Hiro and his daughters. They were so pretty. Soon they'd become heartbreakers and Hiro would threaten any boys that came along. I wished I could see it.

Kichirou sat on the side of my bed. He was always close to me, especially after that night. He never had a chance to know Sesshomaru. Whatever he learned he heard from my stories. It broke my heart when he asked me, at age five, where his dad was and what he was like. In reply I said Sesshomaru was an amazing man and the love of my life, and that he would be unable to come to home to us. Kichirou would hear the whole story in ten years. When he was old enough to understand and handle the information. Or maybe I just wanted to protect him from horrors of the world.

50 years ago

Today was the day. Fifteen year old, Kichirou, waited to hear the story. Of course he'd take after his father and remember to collect promises. Sesshomaru would've had a run for his money with him. I would've liked to have seen it. I missed him so much, even with our bond broken, I still considered him my mate. If not physically. than in spirit.

"Your father was the most honorable man I knew, but when we first met, he was cold and distant. But we fell in love, and he gave his life to protect me. An evil man tried to kill you and me. Sesshomaru, your father, killed him but that cost his life," I told him. Then I started to go more in depth, from the very beginning. It took a couple hours, but we got through. Just in time too.

The door opened and my husband came in. It took years, but I did find someone who made me happy. I truly loved him, but it was nothing compared to Sesshomaru. The love for my husband was a campfire, compared to a bonfire that was Sesshomaru's. He was also a human, but he didn't mind that my children had youkai blood, and he would not tell anyone. We were good together. And I finally gave my novels, Threads of Fate, an ending. Although my readers were upset with the ending. Both characters died, but my female character died of grief. Something that wouldn't happen to me. But the male character, died protecting his mate. Just how the actual events were. It was catharsis for me

"Mom, I don't want you to leave. Not like both of our dads," Kichirou whined, speaking for all my kids. Back when I met my husband Tsuki and Touga were less than welcoming, If I thought it was bad with Sesshomaru it was even worse.

I smiled, "I'm sorry hun. I'm human. It was bound to happen sooner or later. If not an accident then sickness. If not that then old age. Looks like I'm getting a combination of the last two."

Kichirou stared at me sadly. He grew into such a handsome man. All my children grew up well. I wish I could see them through and have dozens of grandchildren running around causing mayhem. But it was no use. My failing heart,and my age, wouldn't allow me to. But I was thankful that I still had my mind, albeit it was a bit more cynical, sarcastic, and reflective.

I felt my heart clench and throb within my chest. Only in my old age did I realize how fragile humans are. How quickly we die in comparison to youkai. Hiro, who was centuries old already looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties. He's been that way for majority of life too.

Behind me, a machine furiously beeped as it tracked my heart rate. It was weakening now. Weaker than before the attack. It wouldn't be long now. While I would be sad to leave, I wasn't afraid. I lived a good life, and it would have to end. Perhaps I'd be able to meet Sesshomaru and my second husband.

Later that night, a golden light woke me up. A goddess, I could tell by feeling her power, appeared before me. Surprisingly Benzaiten wasn't my visitor. Instead she called herself Amaterasu. I bowed my head to her and greeted her.

"My child, you have suffered much heartache. I heard your curses. You've been quite furious with us. I don't blame you."

"Why were Sesshomaru and I never allowed to be together for more than a moment?" I asked.

"You were never supposed to meet, never supposed to be together. But since someone messed with destiny, you were allowed to meet in the past. You became important than because you allowed many youkai to live into the present. After that you were never supposed to meet again. You two became anomalies. When you fight fate, things becomes harder and more painful."

I nodded, but it was worth it. I was happy in those times. Amaterasu held out her hand and asked if I was ready. I nodded and took her hand. A jolt went through me, straight to my heart. After a few seconds the machine flatlined and I stepped out of my body. In a flash, I was deposited into a grassy field. There were trees around it, and the field was filled with little pastel colored flowers. She nudged me forward before disappearing.

I stumbled forward, looking over my shoulder. I should've known she'd disappear. It seems the kami enjoy things like that. I walked out over the field, the grass was cool and cushiony. Once in the middle I plopped down. It was as soft as I thought to sit on. I could easily spend my whole day laying here looking up at the stars. If only it were nighttime.

Then I noticed my hand. It was no longer wrinkled and withered. It was smooth once more. I brought a hand to my face. Smooth and firm. I couldn't believe it, I was young again! Was it like this for everyone? How was this possible? I just assumed people could look like whatever they wanted to. So I assumed that meant I could appear however I wanted. I didn't get time to test it out.

"Aren't you going to greet me by running into my arms?" a voice asked a few minutes later.

I froze. I would know that voice anywhere. I rolled over and my eyes landed on familiar black boots and white hakama. With a disbelieving expression I looked up...and into Sesshomaru's face. I jerked back in surprise, once it set in. I grinned and and bolted upright and threw myself at him. I shoved my embarrassment aside, it's been over six decades since I last saw him.

"Sesshomaru...I missed you so much! Amaterasu, she told me we were never supposed to be together. That we've been fighting destiny by trying to be!"

He chuckled, "I know. She explained it to me too. It shouldn't matter anymore. We are both dead and it no longer affects us. We can stay together in the afterlife until we choose to be reincarnated."

I loosed my arms and looked up at him. "I don't want to be separated," I confessed.

"We could always find each other, or stay in the afterlife."

I nodded and pulled him closer. I'm sure I looked pathetic, but I could care less at this point. No one was going to judge me. I felt Sesshomaru pull away, and he said that we should continue on. Before I agreed I told him that I remarried. That I loved another after him, but I could never replace him.

"I told you to find happiness, and you did. I'm not mad at you, nor do I think less of you. Did you believe I would? If you want to know, he chose to be reborn already."

I smiled sheepishly. "I had to be sure. Shall we move on?"

Before he answered, another voice greeted us.

"You are truly my son, Sesshomaru, and Sayuri, I am glad to call you my daughter." The form of Sesshomaru's father stepped out of the light. "You've grown compassionate, son."

"Father. What are you doing here?" Sesshomaru asked flatly, while I greeted the elder taiyoukai more warmly.

Touga smiled, "I wanted to see my eldest pup. A father wanting to see the pup he hasn't seen in centuries. Is that a crime?" Sesshomaru didn't reply. "But I'm going to be reincarnated soon, so this is my last chance to see you. To know you."

After what seemed like ages of talking, about both Sesshomaru and myself, Touga's body faded into a ball of light. It hovered in front of us for a moment, as if to say a final farewell. But then it took off, shooting into the sky where it disappeared. I hoped he would have a long life.

Sesshomaru stood up and I followed suit. Now that there were no more interruptions, we could finally move on. I whispered to Sesshomaru asking if he was ready. He tore his gaze away from the sky, which had considerably darkened, before his golden eyes found my brown ones. He placed a gentle kiss on my lips and nodded.

He offered his arm, which I accepted, and we walked forward together towards the doorway. The right side of the meadow held a blinding light. It called out to our souls, warming us when we were unaware of the coldness. My curiosity grew with each step. I was one step closer to finding out where you go when you die. With a shared smile, I led Sesshomaru though the light. It enveloped us, filling us with peace.

We were finally together.

~Fin~

AN: It's over. This story is over. I'll miss them, but have no fear! There will be another Sesshomaru story! It's eventual SessKag. Here's the prologue. Tell me what you guys think!

I'd like to give a shout out to Tani Hunter and xXChirushiXx who were loyal reviewer. And another shout out to any loyal readers and to those who favorited and put this story into their alerts. You guys rock.

This story will be a fairy tale, albeit a modern one. In fact, it takes place in this very city. Tokyo. It starts at a shrine and ultimately ends in the very same place. Like today, human and youkai coexist, but some from each side resent that fact. They wish to return the world to what they believe is the status quo. A world where youkai are dominant and where humans cower in fear.

It starts off with two characters, as many fairy tales do. A girl and a boy, but make no mistake, they are not royalty. No, there won't be any princesses or princes, or even knights, just to people trying to make their way through life. One lost everything that truly mattered. One had everything but what truly mattered. Now the question is, what would truly matter? The answer is love. It can make the weak rise up from their knees, but it also makes the strong fall to their knees. .

The girl, she was such a bright, happy child. She did not become sad quite easily either. But when she did, a smile would always follow after her first tear. She easily made those around her smile, especially her parents and two siblings. She loved her family and thought the world of them, as most children do. She believed in dreams and fairy tales, and she waited for Prince Charming. That soon changed when youkai attacked. The vilest of their kind, shed innocent blood, forcing her power. However, it was too late for her family. They lay torn at the bottom of the stairs.

But then she was forced to grow up all too soon.

The boy, he was always a quiet child. He rarely cried as a little one, and was never fussy. Always following his duty, he became the perfect son. The one who'd follow in his father's footsteps and become heir. He hero worshipped his father. Until his father's affair drove a wedge between them. The product was a despised half-brother, a messy divorce, and the death of his father. By the time his brother was to be born, the boy built an icy wall around his heart, so when his father said he was going to see his bastard son, the boy responded with a frigid farewell. That was the time he saw his father.

He too was forced to grow up all too soon.

Both alike yet so different. They were from two separate worlds that have tried to merge as one. She was a human and he was a youkai. Under usual circumstances they should've been able to coexist, but the choices they, and those around them, made shaped their lives. They would not get along. They could not.

the girl and boy had a defense mechanism. He had icy walls and she had fiery sparks. These methods were effective at keeping unwanted visitors out of their lives. Only those who were necessary were let in. They were safer when they were alone. Alone meant no weaknesses, nothing could drag jeopardize them. There were only allies, partners, and assignments. Perhaps that is why they both lacked something in life. Something they could feel missing, but couldn't identify.

This story starts with a girl and starts with a boy. One became a taijiya and the other was became president of a company. Her hair was as dark as the new moon and his hair was a bright as the full moon. They would meet because of her obligation. He was her assignment to damage the morale of all youkai.