The shrine festival was soon approaching our village. The festival was very important to us, especially because of the Shikon no Tama. Every year we honor the god Shishi with the shishi-mai dance while we bless the temple and set up new charms to protect our village. There are two Shishi infront of our temple one with its mouth open (Ah) to keep out bad spirits and one with his mouth close (Un) to keep in good ones. I had often wondered if there was a connection between the Shikon no Tama and the Tama charm the shishi guard. Every year I called to them for guidance and even an audience, though they never granted me one.

Everyone was busy getting ready for the celebration tonight. Streamers were hanging from every space available, and lanterns of every imaginable color are placed outside of the homes. The mood was soaking into every person in the village. Excitement was defiantly in the air. All I could do was watch as the villagers, running around getting preparations ready. But there was nothing left for me to do.

I already knew the prayers and rituals by heart. I also had my garments cleaned for the occasion. This gave me more time to wait for Onigumo's return. He was to come back tonight, and I would probably see him the tomorrow morning. A long sigh emerged as I realized that I had nothing to keep myself occupied. I stood up and made my way into the heart of the temple. Maybe some meditation and prayer could take my mind off of this long wait.

The temple had always been peaceful, that is probably why I enjoyed my job so much. Upon entering through the cloth doors into the gathering room I sensed that something just wasn't right. Anyone was allowed into this room yet the aura in the room was neither man nor beast. Somehow and for unknown reasons it was more powerful than my own. But if the creature went past the great hall into the temple of Ah Un where only priest and priestess were allowed there would be trouble.

Everything was in its place; the offering table filled with flowers and goods from the villagers was not disturbed. The simple silk drapes used for decoration were also there. It was all in its appropriate place. A pair of eyes was watching me from behind. Instinct had me ready for action without my bows or arrows at hand. Spinning around I was ready for anything, demons of the past raced through my mind as I prepared for action.

A small angelic looking pup sat in front of me. Something was not right with this scene, 'How could a puppy have a stronger aura than I?' The pup had a shaggy immaculate white coat with hair going in every direction. His eyes were amber that somewhere held a deeper knowledge, as if he knew exactly what he was doing in this temple. He let out a single bark as he let his body shake with excitement. At this point I didn't know what to think.

I knelt down in front of this creature who was still by the way smiling at me. "What is it that you want here?" I asked knowing I would probably not get a reply. Though the more I thought about it the more I was sure that this pup was unordinary. He couldn't be from the village or else his fur would be matted and dark from the earth. I tried again to somehow make sense of this situation.

"Who are you?"

He simply smiled at me, and then suddenly dashed down the main hallway into…the main temple! It could have been after the Shikon all along. I stubled and chased after the dog as fast as I could. But as soon as I made it into the entrance of the hallway, he was gone.

"Where could he of gone in 5 seconds?"

Sorry this took so long to get up. I had a bunch of computer problems and have been writing everything out by hand! Thanks a bunch.

Wanna hear something ironic? I'm eating a cookie right now. Wish I had more…