28Sesshomaru stood in his office looking out over his land through his large window. "Akira." the name was echoing through his head. Why was he thinking about her now, after all these years? She had been a human after all. He hadn't exactly hated humans back then though. Well he defiantly hadn't hated her. Akira was what was the word special to him. Not only was she beautiful, she had a great strong-willed personality. She was...was perfect. They had spent a lot of time with each other. Even his dad had approved the relationship. He had known he liked her a lot, but he hadn't realized he'd loved her until it had been too late. By the time he had known for sure that she was the one he wanted to...no needed to spend the rest of his life with she had died. It had been that day he had turned his hatred towards humans. They were too weak to get attached to; they were to easily hurt by things. He had hated humans for a long time after that, most of the hate faded away and then he just didn't see any point in being around, or caring for the weak humans, who would die soon anyways. He'd always kept his vow though, never to fall in love again, and he hadn't. He hadn't even come close to liking someone...until...until he had gotten involved with his brothers affairs that is. Sesshomaru slammed his fist into the stonewall causing a crater to form as his hand almost broke completely through the wall. Why couldn't he keep his nose out of other peoples business? Every time he's tried to help somebody else it blew up in his face. First Akira, and now kag...He stopped his train of thought abruptly. First Akira, and last Akira, he would not subject himself to anymore pain, but as much as he hated to admit it, it was too late.

Miroku walked slowly up the steps of the temple. It was almost dark now. He had butterflies in his stomach. He hadn't been here in a long time. HE stopped at the entrance and bowed his head to say a small prayer before walking into the temple. "Soshi" he called as he walked in. HE heard some noise in the back room.

"Who's there" asked a man turning to look at his visitor. Upon seeing who it was recognition washed over his face. "Miroku? Miroku is that you?" asked the old monk with a smile.

"Yes, it's me" he said walking further into the room. The older man rushed through the room and embraced him.

"My, my, my. It's been such a long time" he pulled Miroku back to arms length. "You have grown. What are you eighteen?" he asked.

"Nineteen almost twenty actually" he answered.

"That old all ready?" said the man dropping his arms.

"Yeah, I know I'm getting old." he said with a half smile.

"No. No not at all." he replied "Your still a toddler compared to me" he laughed.



"Old for me anyway" he said glancing at his hand, now with a frown on his face.

The older monk's happy expression fell. "The last time I saw you, you had left to find the shape shifter who was responsible for that cursed hole. Tell me have you found him yet?" he asked.

"I found him, but I don't know where he is. If that makes any sense, but that's not exactly why I'm here." he said.

"Well, then come sit." he said motioning to the ground as he sat. "Tell me what it is you need, and I'll try to help you to the best of my knowledge." he said.

Miroku sat down 'to the best of my knowledge' he knew those words well. Soshie was a very good monk. He wouldn't do anything to harm a single living think, weather it be demon or not, but he was always prepared to give information to anyone who needed it, and Miroku just needed information anyway. He sighed, as he began to explain about Naraku and the others, he hoped it worked.