The days quickly went by and for eight years Shinta never returned to the western lands. For the past eight years Shinta had run with Yoko's band of thieves and had quickly gone up in the ranks to the point that he was the leader of his own band among the main band. Only a matter of months into his joining he had made a name for himself. Night crawler is what the villagers and other youkai had begun to call him, for he moved as if he was part of the night, silent and swiftly. He was also known for never killing people that got in his way though if they did attack he would simply defend himself. Though his skills were beyond that of any youkai or human.

Night was beginning to fall. Two figures stood on a beach, above a great castle stood atop a cliff. Lights shown in the windows and maids could be seen scurrying about inside.

" Draco do you remember the times that we used to spend on this beach when we were younger. How much fun we had just the two of us."

Draco turned to his life long friend, who currently had his back to him.

" yes I remember, why do you bring it up?"

Shinta turned around. His markings and hair glittering in the moon light, but his eyes were dull. In them was a sadness that only a hurt child could have, yet behind the hurt was the knowledge only the creator of the earth could hold.

" Draco, my best friend.. my brother" Shinta paused; he took in a deep breath and turned to look at the ocean.

" I have a feeling that to night one of us won't be coming back."

To say this news was shocking to Draco was and understatement. For several minutes he sat their with his mouth agape, finally his was able to pull it shut.

" W.. wa.what do you mean?!"

Shinta turned around. His golden eyes were still dull with sadness and hurt.

" One of will die to night...I know who will die."

" NIGHT CRAWLER!"

Shinta turned to see one of his scouts running towards him from down the beach.

" Idiot."

The horse youkai cowered under Shinta's cross gaze.

" Just pray that Sesshomaru didn't hear you. Now what did you want."

" Sesshomaru has just left the castle. All is clear."

Shinta nodded. " Are the men in position."

The horse youkai nodded, his violet eyes alight with excitement.

" Good" Shinta reached for his mask and placed it on, concealing the side markings, his nose and mouth. A black strip of cloth concealed the mark of the western lands. After making sure the mask was secure he turned and head off down the beach.

Seeming at wake from a dream, Draco realized that this may be his last chance to talk to Shinta. He reached forward and grabbed a hold of Shinta's tail. Shinta stopped and turned around.

" Shinta, tell me who won't come back."

" Me."

Time seemed to stop as Draco watched Shinta turn back around and walk away. A single tear fell down his cheek. Several time Draco tried to open his mouth and tell Shinta not to go through with his plan, but each time nothing came out. He watched helplessly as Shinta spread his large wings and took off for the balcony to his old room.

No my friend if any of us has to go to night it will not be you. I'll
make sure of that.

Shinta stepped gracefully on the balcony of his old room. Going into thief mode he silently crept into the room staying along the shadows. He quickly took in the room. It remained exactly the same as he had left it, except that a thick layer of dust blanked everything. Sesshomaru must have forbidden anyone from entering, odd not brooding on it too long, Shinta ventured farther into the house. All was silent in the great house. Odd.usually there would at least be maids running around unless. Shinta suddenly paled as the sound of shouts and screams reached his ears. He turned and raced towards the front entrance. Unless he heard that baka's shout and was expecting us.shit hold on guys.

Shinta ran as fast as he could towards the sounds of his comrades. What he found when he came into the room horrified him. Bodies or all different youkai littered the floor. The floor was died a black red from all the blood that covered it. None on the floor were alive.

The sound of metal against metal came resounding from the adjoining room. A yell of pain was fallowed.

" DRACO!" Shinta raced forward, his heart beating wildly in his chest. That was until he entered the room, and then it felt as if his heart had stopped completely. In there was Sesshomaru and Draco. Sesshomaru was standing over a fallen Draco. Draco was trying desperately to reach his sword, which had been kicked across the room. Draco was badly injured and was bleeding profusely from different parts of his body.

" Pathetic fool, you'll die just like your comrades."

Shinta watched in what seemed to be slow motion, he watched horrified as Sesshomaru went in for the final kill. Not realizing he had moved Shinta was across the room in less then a second and was picking Draco up by the tail and flung him across the room just as Sesshomaru's blade made contact with his back. A searing white hot pain ran through his body as the blade sliced into this back. The force of the blow threw him to the nearby wall.

Shinta hit the wall with such force that it knocked the wind out of him. He quickly turned around ready to launch himself off the wall, but he didn't turn quickly enough. For the pain that fallowed next was beyond anything he had ever felt before. His vision began to swim in front of him. Shinta raised his head to see Sesshomaru only a matter of a foot away from him. His one are was extended slightly, his face was unreadable. Shinta took a chance and looked down. Tolkijin was stuck trough his chest clear up till the hilt. Shinta looked up just in time to see Sesshomaru's eyes flash. He turned the blade and ripped it out of his side.

Shinta gave out a cry of pain and fell to the floor. His hand clutching the now giant wound in his chest and side. Silver blood pored freely from the wounds. The edges of Shinta's vision were slowly starting to darken. He closed his eyes since having them open was nauseating.

" so you are the legendary night crawler, I expected a lot better. Now say good bye."

Shinta curled up in as small of ball as possible. The pain was slowly dying down and turning to numbness.

" Wait father, should we not see who the legendary creature is."

Shinta gave out a slight whimper. If he could he would have killed tolka right then and there for not letting Sesshomaru kill him. He heard Sesshomaru's footsteps drawing closer. A hand suddenly grabbed hold of the edge of the mask and cloth and ripped them away none so gently. He waited for the realization to hit.

The sound of the mask hitting the floor fallowed was closely fallowed by the sound of a sword hitting the ground. Shinta felt him self being pulled up and his head was laid down on something soft and warm. He slowly opened his eyes to see the face of Sesshomaru looking down at him. The look on Sesshomaru's face was one of pain, hurt, confusion, but mostly panic.

" Shinta?" his voice was small compared to what it just was. You could hear the panic in his voice.

" Hello Sesshomaru." It was getting harder to breath and things were slowly fading.

" your night crawler..i...why"

tears stared to fall unnoticed from Shinta's eyes.

" because I thought if I could get your attention you would love me again like you used to when mother was still alive."

Shinta closed his eyes and took in a shuddering breath, he exhaled and his body suddenly became limp in Sesshomaru's arms. Sesshomaru's eyes widen and he shook Shinta's vigorously.

" Shinta"

no response.

" SHINTA!!"

Shinta lay still and unmoving, his body was slowly becoming cold and the blood and stopped flowing from the wound.

Tears started to fall from Sesshomaru's eyes as he looked down at the unmoving form that was once the apple of his eye.

" I killed him.I killed my child." The realization suddenly hit him like a ton of bricks and he broke down completely.

" Father?"

" Get out"

Tolka looked at Sesshomaru funny. " Father.I.."

" I said get out, take your mother and brother and get the hell out of my castle.i never want to see any of you in the western lands again.GET OUT!!!"

The boy ran from the room.

Sesshomaru looked up from Shinta. A sword glinted at Shinta's side. A decision was made up in Sesshomaru's mind instantly.

" I'm sorry, my son.my boy.. my little Shinta"

Well what did you think...there is one more chapter after his though it will be a short one. Please review.