Author's Note: Well, if anything good has come from the plagiarism, it's the fact that it got me back to writing this story! The passionate response you guys are giving to this whole thing has totally gotten me over my writer's block. Thank you!

Minako awoke to a wonderful feeling. After a night of humanity, her normal hanyou body felt even better. She always appreciated the little things like her senses and small claws after having to stand a night without them. However, the warm and fuzzy feelings didn't last very long.

She suddenly let out a loud gasp, hands clenching into fists as she exclaimed, "I smell something!"

"Hm?" Jaken looked up from his place by the fire where he idly cooked fish for their morning meal. "What, the demon nearby? That's nothing. I noticed it hours ago."

Mina's head dropped in disappointment, "Well, why didn't you say anything?"

"It's just a bottom-feeder," he said, waving her off, "They go after weak or dying things, so we have nothing to worry about."

"I don't know these things," Mina mumbled, arms folded over her chest. Was this bottom-feeder the same scavenger that Sesshomaru had mentioned?

"Yes, but you will learn."

Mina kicked at a nearby rock, sulking while she waited for food. How could she ever learn if she was set back at every full moon? And it wasn't like she could remember the scent of every demon! Who had that kind of memory? Lord Sesshomaru, of course, but whom else? Really, no average person should be set to such a standard!

As though he had heard her thoughts, Sesshomaru stepped into the camp at that moment. Mina beamed up at him, wishing her mate a good morning. Perhaps by her imagination, she noticed a flash of warmth in his otherwise cold gaze before he turned to Jaken.

"Almost ready, m'lord," the little imp exclaimed, "Won't be much longer!"

Rin woke up at his commotion, stretching with a yawn before glancing at the fire, "Fish again?"

"We aren't exactly surrounded by options here!" Jaken snapped. "If you don't want any, you can just go hungry!"

"We shouldn't keep Lord Sesshomaru waiting," Mina stepped in, crouching down to run her fingers through Rin's messy hair, "So just have a little, and then we can look for berries or something along the way."

"Well, alright," Rin reluctantly agreed, crawling over and snatching up a fish as Jaken finished cooking. She nibbled, making a few faces when Sesshomaru did not appear to be looking.

Before long, they were packed up and on their way once more. Minako searched for anything edible with Rin while attempting to keep up with the youkai. They managed to find enough to satisfy the little girl's hunger. As they followed behind Sesshomaru, Mina noticed the forest growing increasingly dense. The trees loomed overhead, seeming farther and farther away from the ground as they grew to block out the sun. The forest became a dark and claustrophobic place by nightfall.

Minako did not sleep well. She awoke in the middle of the night to the scent of demons everywhere. There were so many youkai, and the stench of it nearly overpowered her nose. She felt overwhelmed by the possibility of danger, unable to see or hear anything beyond the thick layers of trees. Rin slept soundly at her side, unable to sense the things that Minako did. Jaken sat staring out into the forest, apparently on guard.

Something brushed against her shoulder and she jumped, looking up to find Sesshomaru taking a seat beside her. His arm around her, he gazed out into the darkness. His presence meant safety and she closed her eyes, resting her head against his chest. Nestled between Rin and Sesshomaru, she finally settled into sleep.

All too soon, she awoke to a busy camp. Jaken stomped out the fire and Rin grabbed their few possessions. Sesshomaru waited at the edge of their small camp, nodding at Mina to follow. She dragged herself up and trudged on, her legs burning as the mountain grew steeper.

Rin shared nuts and berries as they walked, chatting her little heart out. Mina noticed the solemn silence between Jaken and Sesshomaru as they moved forward, the girls staying between the two. Jaken took the rear, occasionally glancing back into the forest. Although Rin did not notice, Jaken's paranoia worried Minako.

This behavior continued on throughout the entire day, and Mina began to feel once more as though hundreds of dangerous demons were closing in on her. With too many scents to focus on any single one, she moved closer to Sesshomaru and pressed her face into his sleeve, holding tightly onto his arm. His scent served as a comfort and she found herself feeling ridiculous about the previous moment's worries.

However, by nightfall, Sesshomaru's company did nothing for Mina's nerves. She didn't quite understand it, didn't quite have the power to question it, but one minute everything was fine and then the next, Minako felt herself drowning in a sudden flood of fear. She did not seem to be the only one, as Rin gripped her hand tightly and whimpered. The youkai did not seem troubled at all by this sudden overwhelming feeling of despair. In fact, Jaken gently whapped the two girls in the butt, forcing them to move forward as Sesshomaru glanced back. Mina's gaze met his and she struggled to get closer.

And just like that, they broke through the fear and into a completely different landscape. What had seemed like an endless dense forest had suddenly changed into rolling hills of sparse trees and flower gardens within the blink of an eye. A large castle sat on the farthest hill, patrolled by demon guards. They had passed through a barrier into the gathering place.

Sesshomaru waited for a moment, as if expecting something. Mina shifted, looking around. The sound of wings beating on the air drew her attention to the sky, and her lips curved into a smile as Ah-Un landed. Sesshomaru directed the beast to protect Rin before turning to Mina.

"I want to go with you," she said.

"Only youkai are invited to the gathering," Jaken piped in. "You could only follow us to the door."

"I know," she said a little uncomfortably, "But I want to be there."

Jaken opened his mouth to argue, but Sesshomaru spoke first, "As you wish."

With a smile, Mina hugged Rin and patted Ah-Un before running off after Sesshomaru and Jaken.

The castle glowed against the darkening sky, rows of torches leading their way right up to the entrance. The first set of doors led into a large foyer where various youkai and lesser individuals mingled. Two armored demons guarded the next set of doors. They stared down their long noses at Mina in disgust.

"That one stays."

Lord Sesshomaru did not show any signs of hostility, but Mina could sense his anger. "That one is my mate, and we are well aware of the rules."

The two armored demons glanced at each other, exchanging looks. Were they intrigued by his decision in mating a hanyou? Or perhaps they thought him a fool. Mina certainly hoped that she had no damaged his reputation by accompanying him this far.

Minako forced a smile, "I'll be fine, my lord. Go on and I will wait for you here."

Sesshomaru gave a nod, hesitated, and then motioned for Jaken before passing through the doors. The guards stared Mina down until she retreated to a wall far enough from the door to seem nonthreatening. From her new post, she watched the youkai passing through, admiring their elegance and beauty. Never before had she seen such fine clothing.

They paid no mind to Minako, of course, who felt worse as the crowds dwindled and she was left quite nearly alone, with only the glaring guards and chained servants to keep her company. She imagined briefly how lovely it would be if she were a youkai, able to pass through those doors freely, rather than wait ashamed in the foyer. But such fantasies were unhealthy and this gathering was surely not that great at all. Just business, of course, it wouldn't be any fun at all.

"I'm glad I'm a hanyou," she told herself as the music and laughter drifted into the foyer from behind the guarded doors. "I'm glad…"