AN: I usually don't bother with this. But Inuyasha doesn't belong to me. (rolls eyes, like anyone actually would think it does.

Inuyasha woke up to the sound and smells of a cooking breakfast. Instantly his stomach growled and the hanyou had to stop himself from visually drooling.

He was sure if the others saw him doing something so dog like he would never hear the end of it.

Standing up Inuyasha stretched working the knots out of his body. No matter how often he did it, sleeping on the ground just wasn't his style. He much preferred the nice futons that Mirokou was able to get them whenever they stopped in a village.

One good thing the Monk could do.

With sleep still heavy in his eyes Inuyasha moved over to the fire and sat down beside said Monk.

Mirokou was happily eating something that Inuyasha had never seen before. But could tell from his face (and the smell) that it was good.

Smiling brightly Kagome pasted him what she called a paper plate with two square pieces of hard bread brightly colored. Lifting on up he noticed that it was nice and warm…and smelled strongly of sugar and chocolate.

Hmmm chocolate his newest favorite food.

Deciding this strange food was edible (he didn't care what it was, if it had chocolate on it he'd eat it) he took a large bit.

Inuyasha was thus surprised when the hard bread proved to be hollow, instead filled with a gooey sticky sweet tasting mush.

The bread part crumbled in his mouth as he ate, and the goo stuck to the roof of his mouth.

He LOVED it!

"Kagome?"

He managed to ask through a mouth full of sweet bread.

"What is this called?"

Kagome sighed, no matter how often she told him not to talk with his mouth full he just didn't get it.

"Well I'll tell what its not. Its not see food Inuyasha. Close your mouth while you chew. And swallow before you talk!"

She said that in a tone of voice sure to get results. It wasn't a 'your going to get sat' voice. But a more 'this is my first warning' voice. Usually if he wasn't feeling to stubborn he would listen to her and stop whatever rude or annoying behavior he was doing.

Worse than house breaking a dog.

Inuyasha cringed slightly and carefully swallowed before he opened his mouth to ask his question over.

"So wench what is it?"

"It's called a Pop Tart. Its an American food."

Shippou looked up from his stalking of Inuyasha's food.

He had already finished his and was hoping for Inuyasha's as well. It had become a ritual for the hanyou to ward off the little scavenger. He had to be careful or lose his meal.

"What's an Amer-re-cain?"

Inuyasha bopped the kit on the head making him lose his hard won (stolen) pop tart.

The kit screeched as always then jumped into Kagome's lap. He was always hungry but right now American sounded way more interesting. He just loved knowing stuff that no one else did in his time.

Kagome rubbed Shippou behind the ears thinking of some way to explain what America was.

"Well Shippou, America is a country…well an entire land mass that has been recently for you guys discovered by Europeans. In my time America is one of the most power countries in the world."

"So when was found?"

That was Sango; she had just taken her place (as far away from Mirokou as possible) around the small fire. Kagome handed her a couple of tarts as well.

"Umm lets see it was discovered in 1442 but didn't become The United States of America until 1776."

"Sounds interesting Kagome."

Sango calmly started eating her pop tart unaware that Mirokou had been inching toward her as Kagome talked.

One could almost ready his mind as his eyebrow twitched and his hands itched.

"Oi Mirokou. Come with me a moment."

Inuyasha handed off his unfinished pop tart to Shippou who squealed in happiness and quickly made a glutton of himself. He then stood up brushing off crumbing and turned around not meeting the curious eyes of his pack.

"I wonder what he wants Hoshi-sama?"

Sango turned to speak to the priest…or at least talk to him where he had been, and where he should still have been. But instead she came almost nose-to-nose with the pervert…his hand only inches from her left breast.

Mirokou smiled and tried to look innocent. Failing miserably as his hand one its own accord (or at least that's what he would say) finished the job the gods had given it.

He groped her.

Sango shrieked loudly turning an interesting shade of red…and

:SMASH:

"Pervert!"

…smacked the living daylights out of him with her overlarge boomerang. Which the monk could have sworn she didn't have beside her a minute ago.

Kagome looked at the wounded Mirokou and sighed.

"He's getting bolder."

Shippou sighed as well. Gods forbid he ever became a grown up like that.

Inuyasha growled and walked over to the downed monk. He had important things to talk about. Here he was about to bare his soul to the priest and he was being a leech!

Inuyasha grabbed Mirokou's feet muttered an apology for taking the monk before Sango was done with him, and dragged him to where they could talk without being overheard.

He wasn't exactly gently with him either, for Inuyasha didn't particularly care that the monk's cloths didn't protect him from thorn bushes like the hanyou's did. Nor did he care that the human was being dragged through those thorn bushes by his feet.

Grunting in annoyance Inuyasha sat down cross-legged and waited for Mirokou to pull himself together.

And despite the thorns the Monk was surprisingly quick about it. In fact he was actually glad the Hanyou had saved him from Sango. What she no doubt had planned for him would have been more painful than a few thorns.

"What is it Inuyasha."

Mirokou sat cross-legged as well his eyes closed and face peaceful.

Inuyasha squirmed suddenly not sure if Mirokou was the man to ask. The guy had woman troubles of his own out the ass end. What could he possibly tell him?

What do I have to lose though? Who knows sometimes peoples advice is better than what they do themselves. You know the old saying do as I say not as I do.

"Well umm…I wanted to ask you…"

The hanyou cleared his throat clearly embarrassed. This was enough for Mirokou to open an eye in curiosity.

"Yes?"

Inuyasha turned bright red as he forced the dreaded words out. He was finding it harder to ask than it was to decide…and deciding had been hard enough.

"I was wondering..umm..howyougetagirltolikeyou."

He said in a rush…and with a low voice.

Mirokou's eyebrow shot up, for he could make out most of what Inuyasha had said.

"Come again."

He said just to be sure of what the hanyou said, and of course to tease him a little.

Inuyasha growled at the small smirk on Mirokou's face. How dare this human make fun of him!

"FORGET IT!"

Inuyasha started to get up but Mirokou suddenly banged him over the head with his staff. Taken by surprise Inuyasha fell down with a soft thump.

"I did not mean it that way. I really did not hear all that you said. Remember I am a human and don't have your ears Inuyasha."

Inuyasha settled down a little at Mirokou's calm and serious voice. He only sounded like this when he was serious. So Inuyasha's nerves were soothed a little knowing he wasn't being made fun of.

"Well…its…just that, um I wanted to know…um girl I um Kagome and that is?"

"So this is about Kagome?"

Inuyasha blushed and sputtered a little. He hadn't really meant to let Mirokou know that it was Kagome he needed help with.

"Inuyasha, I don't think you need to worry about her. Kagome is in love with you."

Mirokou smiled softly although inside he was jumping up and down.

Finally this baka has realized what he had in front of him. Can't say I'm surprised he came to me…but then again I am the master when it comes to woman.

"ya…I know…but."

"But?" Mirokou prompted.

"I don't think she likes me very much. I wanted to know who to make her like me."

Mirokou taped his chin in thought.

Can a woman really love someone but at the same time not like them? That's something I've never really considered…surprising that Inuyasha thought of it. Maybe there's more to him than blood and violence. I will need to meditate on this…however it wouldn't hurt to give him some pointers on women. The poor guy needs it. How in the heavens he managed to capture the beautiful Kagome's heart it simply beyond me. (sigh) It has to be the hair.

"Inuyasha…for Kagome to like you, you must first and most impotently be nice to her."

Inuyasha nodded, although that didn't tell him much. Even he knew that.

"Which means, you can't be calling her bitch and wench all the time. Kagome has a name…use it. Second don't yell so much, be nice ask her questions about herself. Make her think that you are interested in her. Give her gifts…flowers and such."

Inuyasha looked doubtful on the last part. Gift giving he could understand. His demon instincts told him to do that much at least. Although the 'gifts' if he followed those instincts would be kills he'd made. He'd already tried that…by hunting some nice juicy rabbits for her. Kagome hadn't gotten he hint.

But would Kagome really prefer dead weeds to meat? How would he prove himself to her with flowers? Wouldn't she rather know that he could provide her with food and stuff? He didn't understand.

Didn't humans do anything right!

Mirokou saw Inuyasha's confused look and nodded in sympathy.

"Woman are strange my friend. Trust me…flowers are the way to go. Nice bright ones that smell nice. Don't know why but woman like nice smelling things."

Inuyasha stood up, careful not to look at Mirokou.

His mind was swimming with thoughts and ideas. Now that he had a basis to go by he might be able to continue on his little quest.

Inuyasha turned around concentrating on where he might find flowers.

"Oh and Inuyasha…one more thing."

The hanyou turned slightly although not enough to look at the monk.

"You must tell her how you feel. Tell her that you don't plan to go to hell with Kikyou."
Inuyasha grunted in surprise as Mirokou stood up and made his way back toward camp. It was easy to find the way all he had to do was follow his trail of blood.

Inuyasha growled angrily at his retreating form.

How the hell does he know I'm not going to hell soon? I never told him I wasn't going to full fill my promise to Kikyou? What the fuck does that stupid monk know?

Inuyasha sighed

Damn it. But I'm not going to hell. So why am I getting so angry. Its pretty obvious what I plan to do since I'm suddenly all about Kagome know. I don't know if I can do this. Not calling Kagome a bitch or wench will be easy enough. But to ask her questions about stuff and give her things. What could I give her? She has so many nice and amazing things. Why would she want anything I give her? I have nothing to give her. Why would she want flowers? Flowers are just weeds, she wouldn't be able to eat them? Just look and smell them.

Inuyasha blinked as something brushed his mind softly, a memory long forgotten.

He closed his eyes willing the memory to come instead of forcefully pushing it back like he did countless of times with his other unwanted thoughts of the past.

(flashback)

The smell of roses was strong. Bright red patches outlined the dim darkness around him. He put his thumb in his mouth uncertain. Which one should he pick? Each rose seemed to be more perfect than the last. They all looked the same to him.

Carefully he reached up with one tiny-clawed hand and snapped the stem of one rose. It was a little bigger than the others and brighter.

With his new treasure in hand he turned and ran as fast as he could to where his mother sat under a tree reading.

He hid his gift until she looked at him. As always the love in her eyes made him smile. He was the luckiest boy alive. His mother was the prettiest, nicest and smartest mother in the entire world.

Smiling he showed her his treasure.

To him it was just a flower. A nice flower and pretty, but still just a flower. In fact he would have never thought to give her one, instead thinking that bringing her the usual gifts of critters he managed to catch far better, if it had not been for the fact that he had seen his father do the same thing earlier that day. He wanted to be just like his father, and if that meant giving his mother a flower…well that's what he would do.

"For you momma."

She smiled at him as she took the rose. Gently she set it down after looking over it carefully and then brought him onto her lap. He snuggled closer against her feeling safe and warm. He loved the sound of her heartbeat and the feel of her breath as it tickled his ears.

"Momma? Why do you like roses? They're just plants?"

His mother was silent for so long he didn't think she would answer him. She was like that sometimes, and he just figured that the answers were something only grown up could understand. There sure was a lot he didn't understand as it was. Grown ups were strange.

"Its not the plant itself that makes giving a woman flowers so special son."

She faulted as though not sure what to say. He lifted his head so he could watch her.

Why is she crying?

With a tiny hand he wiped her cheek not sure what to do about her tears.

"Inuyasha…the reason its so special…It's the thought that the one you care for is giving you something, for no other reason than because the flowers are beautiful…and that he's thinking of you. That's what makes the roses so special."

(end FB)

Inuyasha shook his head surprised at the memory. He never remembered anything like that before. Certainly nothing that even suggested he remembered his father. Yet he did remember him in this memory…although he couldn't remember what he looked like, or him actually giving his mother the flowers. He more or less only remembered remembering that.

My father gave my mother flowers. I once gave her flowers.

Surprisingly the memory made some of his uncertainty and confusion lift.

Strange how a memory so old can help me now.

Inuyasha shook his head again. He didn't have time for this. He had to find some flowers.

Sniffing the air he as Kagome put it 'followed his nose'. Although why she always sang it and laughed afterward was still a mystery to him. He could smell some flowers not far. If he hurried he could pick them and be back before Kagome and the other started to worry.

Yasashiku gathered his books and another small brightly colored bag as he headed off to work. He was as they say 'happy as a clam'. This stupid and boring assignment was finally over. And for once he was getting an important job. He didn't much care for his new partner, but he didn't mind that much. At least Renjiro was a demon. He was getting positively sick of young humans.

How does the species survive if their young act the way they do. I'm surprised the idiots know how to feed themselves.

Well maybe that was too harsh. Kagome wasn't like that. Although he could tell she tried hard to fit in. The way she moved and looked around her. It spoke of a human who had been hunted and attacked. It spoke of a human able to protect herself.

Of course he knew very well what kind of demons always attacked her, hell even he and his master had attacked more than once.

Yasashiku knew very well what the girl went through.

Which is why I say it's pointless to watch over her. If a Hunter or Demon did attack her she would just use that Miko power of he's and turn them into dust. What could I possible do to help?

Yasashiku sighed, happy it was finally over. Although he still had one more duty to perform. His master Kiyoshi had called him earlier to tell him of his changed assignment and to ask him to do one more thing.

He had to somehow hook up Tekeshi a date with Kagome.

Tasashiku thought back to the conversation.

"Tasashiku my brother is wanting to approach his wench now. However…I seriously doubt he's given it any thought as to how he plans to do this."

"Kiyoshi-sama?"

"He can't just walk up to her and ask for a date. She won't even know who he is. So Tasashiku before you leave your assignment, figure out a way to set up a date between my brother and Kagome. I'm sure you'll be able to do this."

"HAI Kiyoshi-sama."

"Please Tasashiku…its just Kiyoshi."

"Sorry Kiyoshi-sama."

"(Sigh)"

Tasashiku was brought out of his daydreaming and scheming by a familiar voice…errr…three familiar voices that is.

Eri, Yuki, Ayumi: HOJO-KUN!

Tasashiku aka Hojo slowed down allowing the three girls to attack him.

Hmmm

He thought as they proved once again to be extremly pushy. Asking him when him and Kagome were going out again. When he was going to ask her again. And stuff like that, stuff that really was none of their business.

Hmmm these girls have always been the reason for Kagome going out with me. Maybe I can use them again. Kagome has trouble saying no to them. Ya this'll work out great.

"Actually…"

Hojo started making his voice sound really sad. This was enough to get the girls quiet. He was never sad.

"Actually my parents are moving."
GASP went all the girls.

"That's terrible Hojo."

Yuki echoed Eri's statement.

"Ya that's…rather sudden."

"I know. Actually today is my last day."

"Why did you tell us?"

That was Ayumi.

"Well I didn't want to make anyone sad. Goodbyes are so depressing."

Ya right I can't wait to get away from you human spawn!

Ayumi sighed.

"Poor Kagome, have you told her yet? She's going to be sad."

What are you girls on? Surely you're not that blind? Kagome can't even stand me.

Yasashiku shook his head in disbelieve. These girls were so dense sometimes. Why couldn't they see that Kagome didn't like him? Why couldn't they see that she had someone else that she was close to?

Although their denseness is going to pay off now.

"Well I was thinking about that…and well I've got an idea."

Ayumi looked up at him in curiosity as did her two friends.

"I feel really bad about leaving her when she's so sick and all. So I was thinking…I know this guy…and well."
Yuki suddenly squealed as she caught his drift.

"A blind date! That's wonderful Hojo. Your so grown up and nice! Kagome will love it. She never gets to go out."

Eri clapped her hands excited.

"What's his name?"

And Ayumi finished with.

"What does he look like?"

Hojo laughed good naturally holding his hands up as if to ward off the question.

"One at a time. His name is Tekeshi; he's a friend of mine. Ummm he had black hair about this tall."

Hojo lifted his hand slightly above his own head.

"And very handsome…or at least that's what every girl that sees him says."

Three pairs of shining eyes looked up at him. Yasashiku shuddered; no he did not envy Kagome with these friends.

God I can't wait to get out of here.

Kagome waited until Mirokou had come back from talking with Inuyasha before she grabbed him by the arm and excused herself.

Sango and Shippou were very surprised that Kagome would willing be alone with the lecher. However they shrugged to each other and went about breaking camp. The morning was late and if they meant to get anywhere today they had to get going.

Mirokou found himself hard pressed to keep up with an upset Kagome.

Hope this isn't about Inuyasha…or about me. If looks could kill.

Finally once they were out of a certain demon dogs ear range Kagome stopped and turned around.

Mirokou looked at her expectedly, but she suddenly seemed to have developed lockjaw because she couldn't force the words out.

"Is this about Inuyasha?"

Mirokou asked, remembering the talk he had just had with the hanyou.

Kagome shook her head.

"No this is about me."

Mirokou's eyes suddenly lit up and he grabbed her hands. Kagome's eyes went wide…then halfway closed in disgust.

"About you as in you've decided to bear my child?"

"No…"

"Oh."

:slap:

"Ouch."

"Now kept your hands to yourself Mirokou."

Kagome rubbed her hand, which stung a little from her slap and glared at Mirokou.

Surely this womanizer can keep focused long enough to help me. I'm really scared to go home. I won't go home until I learn a little about my powers.

Kagome opened her mouth and proceeded to tell him everything that had happened the day before. She even admitted to holding back her powers in a fight. Afraid of what might happen if she let it lose.

Mirokou's eyes just got wider and wider as she spoke until finally he just keeled over his feet twitching in the air.

"Mirokou?"

Mirokou made a scene of himself for a few more seconds before sitting up in his typical cross-legged fashion. He motioned for Kagome to do the same.

"Ok let me get this straight Kagome. One there are youkai's in your time. And two you're saying you've been hiding some vast power that none of us, not even Inuyasha knows about."

"Yes."

Mirokou crossed his arms as well deep in thought.

"I want to feel this power. I can't feel anything different right now?"

"Well…"

Kagome started uncertain.

"Well it's like…it falls asleep or something when I'm not using it. I don't really know how to explain."

"Kagome…show me this power."

Mirokou opened his eyes so she could see how dead serious he was. Kagome shifted uncomfortable.

"I don't want the others to know yet. I don't know enough about it."

Mirokou nodded.

She's scared of this power. I can't hold it against her that she's kept it a secret. People that are afraid usually try to hide what makes them different or afraid. Its human nature. I'm glad though she's finally coming out. We just might have a new and powerful weapon against Naraku if this turns out right.

"Don't worry Kagome. I'll touch you…err on the arm."

Mirokou added hastily as Kagome looked about to blow in anger.

"And you just find the power within you. You don't have to let it out. Just find it, and I shall be able to feel it."
Kagome nodded although he could see she didn't trust him, or didn't trust his hand he should say.

Gently he laid his hand on her arm…careful not to touch anything else. For once he was totally into the job ahead of him.

"I'm ready Kagome."

Kagome closed her eyes and looked within. It wasn't hard to find the power. It never was, it was just sleeping underneath her skin. It pulsed and moved a little like a snake wrapping around itself, as she let her mind touch it. She didn't let it out although she could tell it wanted out. She merely showed Mirokou where it was.

It was strange really she could actually feel Mirokou looking inside with her. Could feel his mind stop in shock as it felt over the power within. Surprisingly quick he withdrew from her.

Kagome opened her eyes in confusion. Why had he run away like that?

"Mirokou?"

Mirokou was laying flat on his back breathing hard. His face was so white and clammy looking that it actually scared her.

"Mirokou? Are you alright?"

He raised his hand to stop her from coming to his side. That was strange beyond belief for the woman. When did Mirokou even stop one of the girls from getting within groping range?

"I'm alright Kagome-sama."

"You don't look or sound alright?"

Mirokou took a couple of deep breaths calming himself. It took every bit of his Buddhist training to overcome himself and remain calm. He closed his eyes deep in mediation, Kagome seeing this sat back and waited for what he had to say.

By the Gods, how is this possible? Kagome is a human. True she is a Miko but she's also untrained. She's never been purified and has even fallen in love. A true Miko would lose power because of this.

But this whatever it was that sleeps within is beyond anything I've ever felt. This is beyond any of us. Kagome…that power had nearly killed me just looking around.

Mirokou's eyebrow twitched.

The fact that this power is willing to sleep like that speaks either of great control on Kagome's part…or the power is completely happy the way it is.

But how long will it stay like that. Someday it will awaken…that is the nature of these things.

What should we do?

Mirokou opened his eyes. He knew what should be done. But he wasn't sure they could do it without arousing suspicion. He also did not know if it would help.

Inuyasha and the others knowing is the least of our worries. If Naraku finds out he might try to use Kagome to his own ends. That must not happen.

"Kagome-sama…this is frightening to say the least."

Kagome whitened a little, but she swallowed her fear and nodded.

"Kagome-sama, I think we should talk to Kaede before we do anything. Being a Hoshi is different than a Miko. Although I'm not sure if that is what you are anymore. And you should tell no one else! No one must know of this…do not mention it anymore, not even to me understood."

Kagome nodded a little scared.

At least now I know I'm not over reacting. Mirokou is worried as well. I'm glad I finally told someone. My shoulders feel less tense already.

A slim figure moved in the dark. Moving in silence, moving in secret. Every shadow was his friend, every sound his enemy.

The figure stopped as he came upon a light. The single dirty light bulb lighted the even smaller room. It casted half shadows across his face.

A face covered in a black mask. Dark intelligent eyes shone reflecting the light just slightly.

The figure moved so that not so much light hit him.

The movement made his prey wary.

For by the small light an average looking man crouched over that of what used to be a woman. It was hard to tell anymore.

The man…no the youkai looked up from his kill and wiped his blood stained mouth. His beady ugly eyes looked out into the darkness.

He shifted his weight from foot to foot unsure what to do. The watcher could feel his unease at the darkness around him.

The darkness a moment ago had been his friend. Allowing him to hunt and eat the woman in peace. Now it was against him hiding possible dangers.

The Hunter…for that was what he was placed a pair of small goggles over his eyes. They served two purposes. One was to see perfectly in the dark. Something not even a youkai could do totally. And the second purpose was so that the Hunter could see through the shield protecting the youkai.

The land became red as the goggles turned on silently. The man's shape twisted and then became solid again. But the new image was totally different than before. Where an average if a little ugly man had been, a grotesque youkai stood.

It was a snake Youkai…or maybe a lizard. It was hard to tell sometimes since the snakes could grow arms and legs to move around better.

The Hunter took a deep breath.

He hadn't meant to go hunting today. Today was supposed to be his day off. However when he had felt the kill, he had to follow his calling.

Luckily being a workaholic paid off in times like this. Because the Hunter never went anywhere without his gear.

The Hunter tightened his hold on his favorite weapon…a sword.

He attacked.

The youkai saw him the moment he moved and totally dropped all his shields. The monster grew twice his size and attacked as well. The monster spit something foul smelling at the running hunter. The hunter however was quick and jumped aside.

Two pairs of eyes narrowed in hate as the Hunter jumped at his prey. His sword raised above his head…the youkai readied another blast.

Only one pair saw anything after that moment.

The Hunter dropped to the ground his sword smoking. The last glow of magic faded into nothing.

The Hunter still breathed.

Standing up the Hunter removed his mask…revealing smooth skin, a small nose and full lips. The Hunter was really a Huntress.

Hisano breathed deeply a moment enjoying the rush of battle and the exhilaration of a flawless victory. She hadn't even been touched.

She sheathed her sword still hot from the magic she had put in it and reached for her cell phone.

"Oi ya I have two bodies to be picked up, one human female, youkai male."

She hung up after giving the address, not brothering to listen to the sounds of congratulation that were no doubt going to be voiced.

It was all old news to her.

Hisano's eyes narrowed as she looked at the dead youkai. Pain and hatred so strong she could taste it rose up like bile. She spit on the corpse.

"Rest in hell you son of a bitch!"

Her eyes then rested on the corpse of the woman. A young one not even 20 yet by the looks of it.

Hisano felt no pity for the woman. She was dead, her pain was over. Although she did felt a little sorry for the family.

You'll just be another run away I guess. A missing person that no one will ever find. To bad kid.

Hisano shook her head and smiled at herself.

What am I saying? She's can't be much younger than I am…if she is at all.

But…

Another part of her mind said.

I feel so much older.

Hisano sighed and put up her shields again. Instead of a battle tired warrior, that of a young pretty businesswoman took her place.

Hisano looked over herself making double sure her light peach power suite was perfect, that her sword looked like the briefcase a woman like her might carry and that nothing, not even her hair…or her smell was out of place.

The shields were perfect…not the strongest around but perfectly serviceable.

She had lived this long with them.

Setting her face into a pleasant seductive smile Hisano walked out of the dark building. No one on the busy Chicago street gave her a second glance…well they did but they didn't really look at her, only her breasts or her ass. Just as she liked it. The less she gave them to remember…and the less they looked at her face the better.

She was nothing to them but a pretty body walking by.

Just as it should be.

Hisano looked around her face pleasant but her eyes hard as stone. Her senses stretched searching for anything that might mean a youkai nearby.

She felt nothing.

She almost growled to herself. Oh Kami how she hated the fact that the most noticeable energy was that of terrified humans. It was by those humans that most youkai's were found. If the human was killed they could actually pinpoint, just like she had done today where they had been killed. This only worked for some reason if the human was killed by a youkai.

It infuriated her that she usually had to wait until a youkai killed someone before she could hunt them.

And sometimes even then it didn't work. Sometimes the human was killed to quickly, or the place the youkai killed was shielded.

There were so many what if's and maybe's in her line of work.

But I made a kill today…just now because of that. The youkai was stupid to kill her like that. He had tortured her making sure she was scared of him. It was like a fucking beacon in the dark. He deserved to die.

Suddenly her cell phone started ringing. Hisano sighed and seriously considered not picking it up. It was probably her boss going to yell at he for making a kill on her vacation.

Oh well

She picked up the phone.

"Hisano here."

"Hisano-sama, do you know who I am?"

Hisano blinked in surprise. This wasn't her boss…and it wasn't anyone that she knew. Her eyes narrowed, how had this guy gotten her number. This was a very secured line. The only ones to know it was her Team leader and the one above him.

"No."

She let him know how she felt by the tone of her voice. He laughed.

"My name is Hisoka."

Hisano gasped and stopped in her tracks. She got bumped into by a few passing humans almost dropping her phone. As quickly as she could without raising suspicion made her way to a dark corner so she could talk more openly.

"Hisoka as in the number one killer in the Hunters Guild?"

A deep voice laughed softly again.

"Aye that one. Although it's been a long time since I last went a field."

"What can I do for you sir?"

Hisano wasn't sure what to do. Hisoka was so above her in the ladder of the hunter's guild it wasn't funny. She was just a plain hunter, not even a leader of a team yet. Hisoka was the best there had ever been, was even serving last she heard on the high Council.

What would he want with her? Why was he calling her?

"You get to the point quickly Hunter. That's good, the reason I called is. I am assigned to an important mission in Japan. I'm putting together a team. I want you to be on it. I know this is your vacation, but your Region leader said he didn't think you would mind."

"HELL no I don't mind."

Hisano felt her heart go into her chest. This was her chance…her chance to make a difference. To move up and finally become someone in the Guild.

I can't believe this. He's actually asking me personally to join his team. I can't believe it!

"Good I thought you would think this way. I'll have someone pick you up tomorrow. Have everything ready for a long trip. We're not sure how long this will take…or how dangerous it will get. Be prepared!"

With that he hung up leaving a slack jawed Hisano standing speechless in a dirty alley.