If you hadn't realized it before, I still don't own Inu Yasha…  All I own is that cardboard box I use for shelter in Times Square and even that is questionable….  Anyways, all rights to Inu Yasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi...

Inu Yasha ran through the forest and over the rolling green terrain with fluid grace and agility.  In the wake of a rising sun, his hair glimmered in gold and his red garments shone with fiery brightness.  It seemed as if he was trying to outrun the wind.  A toothy grin graced his features as he leapt high into the air, letting his body glide on an air current, his injuries obviously forgotten or healed. 

Wow…  I didn't get that much rest but I feel refreshed…  Seeing Kagome must a have put me back in business. Being near her always makes it easier to heal.   Kagome…  She looked like an angel sleeping.  If things were not so complicated, I would love to wake up like that every morning, if the gods willed it so.  But…  I know…  I can't…   

Frustrated by his own thoughts, Inu Yasha furiously decimated a low hanging branch that hindered his progress.   No more thinking about Kagome that way…  I have to put her behind me…  The hanyou surged onward towards Jikoro.  I hope everything is okay back at Jikoro.  If anything happened to the gang while I was out being a coward… I will never forgive myself.  What was I thinking?  None of those guys are any shape to defend that place if another demon decided to come crashing through. 

  

The dog demon pushed faster arriving at the town of Jikoro within the hour.  Once at the entrance he paused, sniffing the morning air and listening closely for any sign of danger.  The smell of humans, the forest, and fresh morning dew clung to the air.  Nothing alerted his senses.  Since when did I start worrying so much about those guys?  It's not like…  I need them or something…   Inu Yasha shook his head and rebuffed his own prideful thoughts as he walked through the town to the manor house of Tsukumo-sama.  Who am I kidding?  I wouldn't know how to carry myself without Sango, Miroku, Shippou, and Kirara around.  They've grown on me…  It's weird… Fifty-something years ago, I wouldn't have imagined I would be where I am today.  I figured I would always be alone.  Who could really want to be friends with a hanyou?  Back then I don't think I ever really thought of the future like that.  It was hard enough just trying to live in the present… Now… I have friends… friends… People I probably would have never gotten to know if it hadn't been for… her…   

 That thought stopped him where he stood.  Standing close to a fishpond in the garden of the gracious lord Tsukumo, Inu Yasha's expression grew solemn as looked back in the direction of the Bone Eater's well.  Kagome…

"Inu Yasha…"

Inu Yasha started at the sound of his name.   Recognizing the voice, the hanyou turned to yell in annoyance at the person who dare interrupt his thoughts, "Miroku?!  What the hell are you doing out here!  Shouldn't you be inside resting or something?  You damn humans are too fragile…"

"You certainly do have an odd way of saying things.  However, I am flattered that you would worry about me and the others…"

"Keh!  Worry?  What the hell are you talking about!?  You think I would waste my time worrying about you?  Spare me the bullshit, houshi.  All I'm worried about are the jewel shards…" Inu Yasha continued to yell all the while, silently thanking the monk for giving him a reprieve from his torturous thoughts of Kagome. 

Miroku quirked an eyebrow then flippantly dismissed Inu Yasha's ranting, "So…  How is Kagome?"

The inu hanyou turned nearly twelve shades of red.  How does he know I went to see her?  He can't possibly know anything…  He's bluffing…  "What are you talking about bouzu?  Kagome isn't here, remember stupid?  She went back to her own damn world…"

"Oh…" Miroku did his best to hide a smile, "Well, you disappeared last night.  Naturally, I assumed you went to check on the Kagome-sama.  Or could I be mistaken?"

Inu Yasha sat down by the pond, refusing to answer as he stared down at the fish swimming lazily in the clear water. With his stubborn will, he forced the fiery blush that stained his cheeks to dissipate.  So he does know.  Damn it!  I never can get anything past that fucking houshi…

 Miroku sat beside him and was silent for a moment.  He watched the hardheaded hanyou with amusement.  You're so easy to pick with Inu Yasha and as readable as any scroll I've come across.  Let's see how long you can last before you finally tell me what's going on.   

"What the fuck are YOU looking at Miroku!?  You keep staring and I will rip you a new one…" Inu Yasha growled in anger.

The monk shook his head and sighed, "Then, I must be mistaken…  Perhaps, you ran off to meet Kikyo in Kagome's absence.  I never thought you would be that sly…"

"Damn it, Miroku," Inu Yasha shook a clenched fist threateningly at the unfazed figure beside him.  "I did not go after Kikyo.  I'm a lecher like you.  Besides, why would I go slinking off like a thief in the night to see Kikyo?  If I want to go see her I will, whether or not Kagome is here."

"Right…  So you did go see Kagome-sama…" Miroku concluded.

"Yes…  No!  I mean… Damn it… You lech… You tricked me…" Inu Yasha growled.  Miroku, you always have a way of making me talk. 

"Heh… I did nothing of a sort.  Servants of Buddha do not resort to trickery.  The truth will always reveal itself.  So why is she not with you?  Do not tell me you chose to get into another argument with Kagome-sama…  Honestly, Inu Yasha… do you never learn_"

"No, Miroku.  We did not argue.  She's just not here.  That's all…" Inu Yasha's shoulder's slumped dejectedly as directed his gaze back to the pond.  "She is where she belongs…"

"What are you saying, Inu Yasha?  You want Kagome-sama to stay in her time?  What about this mission?  What about you?  You really think she will actually stay away?" Miroku asked incredulously.  Inu Yasha, what do you have planned?  I do not have good feeling about this.

"She will stay in her world.  She will when I tell her…  It's final this time.  I am breaking it off with Kagome…" What I am doing… what I will do… must be done.  I must spare her the hurt…

Miroku shook his head doubtfully, "You were unable to break up with her last time.  You think your heart will allow you to do it now?  What has caused you to come to this decision?"

"It's not my heart that matters…  It's hers…" Inu Yasha heaved a sigh.

Miroku fixed his intense purple stare on the depressed hanyou before him.  I can't understand you.  Kagome-sama is happy being with you.  Why would you want to ruin that?  So many thoughts ran through Miroku's head but he voiced none of them, allowing the dog demon before him to voice his own feelings first. 

"It's best to break it off now.  We aren't really meant to be…"

"I am still not sure I understand what you're trying to say Inu Yasha…  If you are trying to look out for Kagome-sama's feelings, you must know that breaking up with her will hurt her very much.  She loves you.  I can tell."

Inu Yasha looked away from the pond into Miroku's eyes.  The hanyou's eyes flashed with anger and frustration.  "You think I am that dense that I can't see that!?  I know how she feels!  I know and it's fucking killing me…"

"Inu Yasha?"

"You don't get it, do you Miroku?  You say breaking up with her will hurt her but is it any better than the pain I cause her now.  Everybody thinks I'm that stupid that I don't notice how she looks when I go after Kikyo… when I say the things I say…  I know, damn it, but I can't and won't stop…"

"Why?  Why would you willingly hurt someone you obviously care for?" Miroku was puzzled by Inu Yasha's cryptic words.     I know but I can't and won't stop…

Anguish bled into the half demon's amber eyes, "Our meeting was ill fated from the start.  She came to me… a replica of the woman, who held my heart.  I was not supposed to love her…  She was not supposed to be here at all.  Kagome still does not belong here.  Her world, her school, her life…  She wouldn't leave all that behind to come and stay for good with me.  Even if she would, I can't allow it.  I can never give my heart totally to Kagome…  I made my choice the day I told Kikyo I would always protect her.  Always… means forever…  I made a vow that I would put her to rest.   I will not break that promise.  Don't you see, Miroku?  Leading Kagome on… making her believe that we have may have a future… will hurt her more when the end comes.   I see it in her eyes.  She wants me to live but I already chose to die."

"So you don't have feelings for Kagome-sama, then?"  Help me understand Inu Yasha.  Are you sure this is the only way…

"No, that's not it… I love Kagome more with each passing day…  I just can't stand to see that look of hurt on her face anymore.   To know that I am the one causing her pain hurts me.  Prolonging the inevitable will only make the situation more complicated…" Inu Yasha looked up at the sky, trying to blink back tears that were welling up in his eyes.  I am not a wimp.  I will not sit here in front of this fucking monk and bawl like a baby. 

 When Inu Yasha became silent, Miroku sighed, "I am sure Kagome-sama understands your history with Kikyo.  She chooses to stay.  Don't you think she should have the right to do as she pleases?  Besides, she is a part of our group.  Without her here we will have far more complications."

"Kagome is a baka.  She can't defend herself anyway.  Most of the time, I have to run off and save her ass.  She hinders this mission more than she helps.  We can do fine without her.  You see how well we did against that piece of shit that attacked Jikoro yesterday.  We don't need her here!" Inu Yasha spoke with an anger he did not feel.  His voice lost its edge as he continued, "She's far too naïve to know what's good for her and too stubborn to see the truth.  Kagome has too much hope sometimes.  Her trust in me is unfounded and half the time I don't deserve it.  I mean… she shouldn't put herself through so much pain at my expense.  I want her to live her life in her world.  It's for the best…"

"So, when do you plan on going through with it?  It's obvious that you have doubts if you haven't broken it off yet."

                "I went to tell her last night.  I wanted to get it over and done with so I could move on.  I got there and found her asleep.  Not only, was she asleep but also, Kagome was in the grips of some nightmare involving none other than Kikyo and myself.  So much pain…  Even in her sleep, I could tell she was in so much pain.  I couldn't wake her then and…  I couldn't bring myself to walk away.  I stayed there… to watch over her for the last time.  Tonight…  I must finish what I started." Inu Yasha clenched his fist at his side. Pain marred his handsome, exotic features.

                Miroku observed the hanyou, his own expression sad and thoughtful.  I have often thought of what would happen to Inu Yasha and Kagome-sama once this journey ended.  I see now that Inu Yasha's thoughts have been similar.  I can't help but feel that there is more to his decision than he lets on or even understands.  I sense fear in him; fear of his own feelings for her, I think.  While it is still unclear to me how Kagome managed to come to this era, I know her presence here is no mistake. The time I spent traveling with the group has shown me much about Kagome.  Her strength and purity of heart will prove to be the key element in the war against Naraku. She is far more powerful than even I can fathom. .  I know Inu Yasha means to do the right thing.  I just don't believe that breaking up with Kagome-sama will solve the problem but this stubborn dog demon will do as he pleases.  He can be so narrow-minded sometimes.   "Inu Yasha… if this is what you really want.   I will not argue.  But, I suggest you think it over a bit more before you finally go through your plans."

                "You think I haven't been thinking about this…  I have thought and thought for days, weeks, months, years…  I know what I am doing…" Inu Yasha snapped at the monk.  Well, at least I think I do…

                "Fine, Inu Yasha.  I won't press the issue anymore…" Miroku conceded.

                The hanyou heaved another sigh and changed the subject, "How are the other's doing?"

                "Everybody is healing.  I am sure no permanent damage has been done to anyone.  When I came out here, the gang was still asleep.  I seriously doubt that anyone developed any sicknesses in the night."  Miroku slowly rotated his bandaged shoulders, "That lizard youkai did a number on us…  Even Naraku's cast-offs are becoming much stronger.  The final battle is getting close.  He'd hiding like a coward, building his strength so that he strike.  I just know it…"

                "Keh!  When that day comes, I will be standing there waiting for him.  Full demon or not…   I will defeat that bastard Naraku once and for all…" Inu Yasha concluded triumphantly before standing up and walking away.

                "Can you Inu Yasha?  Can you do it without Kagome?" Miroku sighed as watched his friend's retreating back then stared deep into the pond.  

Inu Yasha went to check on his companions, peeking into the room Lord Tsukumo provided for them. That conversation with Miroku put me on edge.  I need to think about something else for a while… Even in the darkened room, the hanyou could see everyone clearly.  No one stirred as he walked into, taking extra care to make no sound.  He took a seat close to a sleeping Shippou curled into the fur of Kirara.  He heard the kitsune mumble something about chocolate and could not help but to smile.  You little brat, you're always thinking about sweets.  Shippou, you gave me a big scare yesterday.  I know we fight a lot and all but I want you know who the leader is.  You get a little too out of control sometimes…  You might think I am just picking fights but it's my way of training you.  You need to know how to how to defend yourself.  Inu Yasha reached out and brushed a clawed hand over the kitsune's auburn mane.  You almost gave me a heart attack pulling a stunt like you did yesterday.  Baka…  Kagome always coddles you…  You're too weak and young to go around being a hero.  You almost died…  Little bastard…  I'm the only one allowed to kill you.  When you get well enough, I am going to strangle you.  I'm proud of you though…  I won't say it to your face because that's a little wimpy for me but I am.  You're a strong kid, growing up without your mom and dad, like I did…  I know it's hard but you never say a word.  I apologize in advance for taking Kagome away.  I know how you think of her and all.  Hopefully, one day you'll understand. 

Inu Yasha leaned against a wall, his legs crossed and his arms crossing his chest.  His body felt tired again.  Closing his amber eyes, he sought to catch up on missed sleep.  His ears still twitched atop his head, catching the lightest sound.  He did not reopen his eyes until he heard Sango rise and pull back the drapery covering the window to allow light to pour into the darkened room.  He could see that Sango's movement was a bit stiff.

"How do you feel, Sango?" Inu Yasha questioned.

Sango turned away from the window; slightly surprised that hanyou spoke to her at all after the sour mood he'd been in yesterday, "I'm okay.  I do not believe I sustained any serious damage."

"Next time, don't be so clumsy." Inu Yasha replied gruffly.

Sango bristled a bit but then sighed, "You weren't so lucky either, if my memory serves me correctly…"

"I'm a half demon.  I can heal faster.  We can't afford to lose another person, you know." Inu Yasha muttered.

"Another?" Sango's eyes widened.

The hanyou looked away, "It's nothing… don't worry about it…"

"Is Kagome-chan, okay?  Nothing happened to her, did it?" Sango could feel fear building in the pit of her stomach.

"No, she's okay.  Stop worrying.  Nothing is wrong…" Inu Yasha answered growling in irritation.

"Oh…  Will she be back soon?" the taiji-ya asked lightly.  Something is not quite right and I intend on getting to the bottom of this. 

"I doubt it…" Inu Yasha grumbled a bit. 

Sango's brow furrowed a bit, "Kagome wouldn't just abandon us…"

"She can and she will.  It's not like we need her.  You know as well as I do, Kagome can't defend herself.  She gets in the way of this mission…" the hanyou hardened voice cut through the air like a knife.

"Inu Yasha?  What are you getting at?  Do you not want Kagome here?" Sango asked incredulously.

Inu Yasha never got the chance to answer because Shippou awoke, rubbing his eyes with his tiny fists.  "Hey, you guys…  What's goin' on?   I got a hell of a headache.  What happened yesterday?"

"You tried to get yourself killed that's what happened!" Inu Yasha yelled at the fox youkai.

Shippou clapped his hands over his ears "Don't yell!  My head can't take it…"

"Serves you right…" the dog demon growled as he pulled Shippou to eye level. 

The kitsune's emerald eyes snapped opened.  He gulped nervously as he realized he was dangling in the air by his collar, which Inu Yasha gripped in his strong, clawed hand.

"Inu Yasha!  Unhand Shippou!  He is just a kid and he is injured." Sango rebuffed the hanyou.

He ignored Sango's request and continued to torment the little kitsune.  His amber eyes flashed in the late morning light "Don't ever try that shit again…  I swear to the gods, next time I will make you regret it."

Shippou gulped again and then spoke in his defense, "I wanted to help…"

"Good lot of help you are if you're dead!  Baka!"

The kitsune shut his eyes again waiting for Inu Yasha to strike him like he usually did.  Why is he so mad anyways?  Why does he care if I die or not?  At least I would die fighting like my father…

Inu Yasha sat the youkai down gently.  Shippou looked up warily at the much bigger hanyou in shock.  "You're not gonna hit me?  What is your problem?  Are you okay?"

The dog demon lightly ruffled Shippou's hair as he grinned, "Baka… you got battered enough already.  I will save that for later, when you're better."

He left the room after saying this, leaving Sango and Shippou to gape after him.

"What's up with him, Sango?" Shippou rubbed his aching head lightly.

"I do not know…"

*****

Inu Yasha sat high up the tallest tree in Tsukumo-sama's courtyard for hours on end.  He only came down to eat in silence.  Sensing his solitary mood, none of his companions dare bother him, not even Shippou, who always felt unsettled when Inu Yasha was in deep thought.  The lord of the manor threw a great banquet in honor of the gang for delivering the town of Jikoro from the vicious lizard youkai. Others chatted on and on around the dog demon.  No one really attempted to speak directly to Inu Yasha anyway.  He was a half demon and still considered dangerous despite his heroics.  The hanyou shrugged it off.  He was accustomed to the cowering and foolish townspeople's attitudes.  I don't really care.  Besides, I need to be alone…  I don't feel like talking to anyone right now…  I don't feel like thinking either. 

The half dog demon just sat, staring into the sunlit sky until the sun waned and the horizon shimmered in the sea of pinks and golds of the oncoming sunset.  Only then did Inu Yasha move.  He launched himself of into the direction of the Bone Eater's well.  It's now or never, Inu Yasha…  It is time to bring an end to something that should have never begun. The conversation with Miroku repeated itself over and over in his head.  The monk thinks I can't do it…

That thought bothered him to no end, especially because he had his own nagging doubts.  Part of him never wanted to let Kagome go, to pretend that nothing was wrong, to ignore the obvious and be oblivious to all things except his own selfish need.  That part of him protested louder as he grew closer to the well.  The hanyou had to quell the strong urge to turn back.  I can do this…  I can do this for myself… for Kikyo… for Kagome…  I must… do this…  Inu Yasha chanted over and over in his head this mantra as he had several times since he finally made his decision.  Even so, he could not help the growing unease he felt deep inside. 

"Why am I so unsure?"

Because I'm afraid… because I love her… because I'm not even sure what I am going to say…

Before Inu Yasha knew it, he was standing before the well staring down its dark interior.  He gripped the rocky wall with strong hands as his furrowed forehead beaded slightly with sweat.  He hesitated in silence, his intense amber eyes staring down into the well.  Can I do this? 

Frustrated by his doubts, the inu hanyou growled out several self deprecating curse words before leaping into the dark pit.  A bluish purple light engulfed his body as he was dragged 500 years into the future.  Free falling through time always gave him a weird feeling.  He always wondered if he could get stuck or step out of the well into the wrong time period.  I've never expressed that worry to anyone.  Kagome probably wouldn't know of anything like that.  Besides, I would look like a real coward whining to Kagome about something so trivial. 

 

Inu Yasha gracefully landed at the bottom of the well, his silver locks fanning about him before settling onto his shoulders.  He looked up at the old wooden ceiling of the well house.  He smelled the air.  The little shack reeked of the smell of modern Tokyo, pollution, humans, waste, and a little bit of Kagome's scent lingered about the small space.  The scent was old and fading.  He could tell Kagome had not been near the well since she returned.  He was a bit miffed at that.  That baka didn't even attempt to come back and apologize to me, or even see me, now that I think about it… not that it matters now. 

His task was heavy on his head as exited the shack and proceeded towards Kagome home.  His heart was in his throat and his mind whirled with possible ways of breaking the news to his dear Kagome.  What do I say? 

"What's up, Kagome!  Just stopped by to say I never want to see you again and, uhh, could you give me the shards of the Shikon no Tama…  I don't think you need it…"

"Way to sound like a jerk…" Inu Yasha muttered to himself as he looked up at Kagome's bedroom window.

 I'll just tell her that we can't see each other anymore.  That's simple enough.  If she asks why, I'll just say it's too dangerous for her in Sengoku Jidai.  Wait!  Didn't I try that before?  Maybe I should say something about Kikyo.  That will definitely tick her off… and she might 'sit' me a million times.  Shit…  What do I say?! 

You could try the truth…

Keh!  I'll sound like a babbling idiot… 

You'll sound no worse than you sound right now…

Arrgh…

"Okay… whatever…  I need to just get this done." Inu Yasha sighed and then leap up into the tree beside Kagome's window.  He slipped into her room with practiced ease, only to find Kagome fast asleep in her dark room.  She lie sprawled out on her bed with a pink comforter wrapped haphazardly about her uniform clad body.  

 "Damn it Kagome!" Inu Yasha whispered harshly.  Why do you always have to be sleeping?  As if things aren't already complicated…  Inu Yasha paused sniffing at the air. 

Kagome's scent permeated the night air, heavily laced with the salty tinge of her sweat, and something more…  There was something not quite right about Kagome's smell…  Inu Yasha breathed in again letting his acute sense of smell filter out all the smells wafting off of Kagome's body.  His instincts told him something was definitely wrong.  What the hell…  What the hell is wrong with Kagome? 

The young miko began to move restlessly, whimpering and muttering.  She cried out bits and pieces of sentences, words that would have seemed muffled and incoherent to any human's ears.  Inu Yasha was not human and his hearing surpassed that of any human alive.  His heart wrenched in his chest as he heard Kagome gasp.

"No…  Inu Yasha…  No…"

                Do you do this every night, Kagome?  Do you have nightmares about… me?

                Her breathing was hoarse and painful, her words continued to twist the knife in his heart, "I need to… get to…. you…  Why won't… you… let me…"

Is this how you feel?  Do I hurt you that much… to make you suffer even in your sleep?  Inu Yasha wanted to comfort Kagome and make her hurting stop.  Yet, he stood frozen in one spot, hands clenching and unclenching. 

"Inu Yasha… don't… please…"

He grimaced in disgust, baring his fangs.  His eyes were shut tightly trying to block out her words.  It's my fault.  You feel this way because of me and I allow it.  Playing with your heart and hurting you.  I am supposed to protect you and all I do is cause you pain…  You always hide it but I knew there was more going on behind that façade then you led others to believe. I have been painfully aware of you since the day we first met, so I have no excuse.  I knew and let you go on hurting.  I don't deserve you…  I never have…  Please forgive me… 

The hanyou stepped forward reaching out to caress the sweat Kagome's dampened tresses.  He wanted to quiet her whimpering and ease away those nightmares as he'd done the night before.

"NO! NO!!! NO!!!!" Kagome cried out, her head thrashed about on her pillow, away from Inu Yasha's descending hand. 

The inu hanyou froze mid-reach before pulling his hand away.  His amber eyes burned as he withdrew from the dreaming girl.  I don't have the right to be near you.  I only cause you more pain with my presence.  The muscles in his throat constricted as he spoke, "I'm sorry, Kagome…"  Inu Yasha fled Kagome's room trying to make some distance between him and the slumbering miko.  He could still hear her pain stricken voice with crystal clarity inside his head.        

  He found himself standing before the well house, staring blankly into oblivion.  All around him sakura blossoms danced on the night air.  Those little blossoms, illuminated in the moonlight, were such a beautiful sight to see, but Inu Yasha was blind as well as deaf, far too focused on self deprecating thoughts. .Here I am running away from Kagome again.  I am such a fucking baka… an asshole… a bastard…  I hate myself… I am a lowly hanyou… a half breed… a…

"Inu Yasha!!!"

He heard Kagome cry out to him a second too late.  Before the hanyou had time to prepare for her arrival or escape, she was standing behind him.  He could feel her presence, but refused to turn and look her in the eye.  He could hear her ragged gasps and smell the sharpness of her tears and sweat.  Standing rigid before the shack housing the Bone Eater's well, Inu Yasha could not find the words to say to Kagome.  He felt the sharp tugging at the back of his mind again; telling him something was not quite right with Kagome.  He assumed it was the nightmare that had the miko behind him smelling so oddly.   Nightmares because of me…  Now is the time.  I have no choice but to finish what I started.   

"Inu Yasha?" Kagome shuffled forward, perplexed by his silence.  I need to be near him.  I need to know he is real…

Inu Yasha's ears twitched atop his head even though he remained stiff and unmoving.  No Kagome…  Don't come near me.  I don't deserve to be near you.  Self-disgust and anguish radiated though his voice as he ground out his words through clenched teeth, "Don't…"

His harsh command stilled her progress.  

"Inu Yasha…" Why is he being so harsh?  Am I still asleep? This really can't be my Inu Yasha… Can it?      

                The hanyou mentally steeled himself against any emotion before turning towards the bewildered girl.  I do this for you, Kagome.   I hope one day you will forgive me and understand.

                Kagome watched with disbelieving eyes as Inu Yasha angrily spun to face her.  The whole scene was too surreal for her fever weakened mind to grasp.  Sakura blossoms whirled about the pair, unaware of the storm brewing.  The light of the moon cast an eerie glow on all that its pale beams touched.  Strands of the half demon's silver hair flew about his face, caught in a chill night wind that made Kagome grip the tangled pink comforter closer.  Her chocolate brown eyes focused on Inu Yasha and she stepped forward once again.  Her need to be near him, overrode all else.  Inu Yasha…

                "Didn't you hear me bitch?  I said don't come near me…" Inu Yasha snarled baring his white fangs.  Forgive me…