A/N: hello, this is my FIRST Inuyasha story. Please take note that I am American, so if I have a Japanese-related mistake, notify me pleas.

Warnings: pain, violence, language, drama.

Thank-you for reviewing Ashley!!!!!

Disclaimer: not mine

Fight for My Shadow

Chapter three: Upon the Shores and Past the Waves

They trekked in companionable peace from the camp the following morning after, this time though, with Tamasine with them. Inuyasha could clearly smell his nervousness. He'd also noticed how the young youkai had kept his hand too close to the right hilt of the blades, his oddly colored eyes darting at every sound.

"Tamasine," Inuyasha said, breaking away from Kagome's side to match pace with his nephew; "What's got you so nervous? Is there something we don't know about?"

"No, uncle, not at all," Tamasine said, and Inuyasha almost believed him if it weren't for the faint scent of worry.

"Lie," Inuyasha said with a mordant smirk; "Come on, out with it."

"Fine," Tamasine said; "We'll reach the Southern Shores soon. There, we might meet an acquaintance of my father's. Kano… he's a water dragon. Very big and powerful, but he won't harm me. I can already smell him, which means he's been traveling the waterways…"

"Why should that worry you?" Inuyasha asked.

"Because, mother has no doubt seen something that has caused for Kano to be put on watch duty," Tamasine said bitterly; "Honestly, it is enough to drive a demon into madness!" he growled and suddenly jumped, up into the sky, past the clouds and on.

The gang all craned their heads back, and Miroku shook his head; "Might we see your brother soon, Inuyasha?" he asked casually as they began to continue walking the path.

- - -

Tamasine growled angrily as he landed by the river, his feet digging into the soft mud from the impact. His eyes darted around, and he drew a blade. Holding it high over the waters edge, he shouted.

"Kano, I call you to the surface!"

And with a war cry, the blade slammed with the water. But instead of slicing through, it stopped on the surface and caused violent pulses to rack the waters and cause a series of ripples. Tamasine took his blade and jumped back, sheathing it as he landed on a boulder. There, he waited.

The ripples soon stopped and began retreating back to the shore. The water darkened, and the shore became a darker brown. Tamasine rolled his eyes at the show, but his indifference turned into hidden awe as he saw Kano's head rear out of the water. Shimmering scales the color of the deepest oceans, a broad forehead sporting two black as onyx horns that measured a foot in length; white teeth like daggers sticking out from a large and powerful set of jaws; large solid black eyes with white pupils opening and closing to accustom to the sunlight, powerful torso rising into the air with stout limbs that followed. Kano only had two front limbs, no back, for they were together to form a powerful tail shaped like a half-opened fan. A ridge of plates ran down the dragon's neck and spine; on down past the surface to make a trail down the body, taunt muscles beneath scale and flesh.

A raspy, hissing breath came from the great jaws, and Kano's voice was low and raspy as he said; "My Lord Tamasine, why have you called me from my duties?"

Tamasine left the boulder and walked up to the shore, head held in authority and eyes set in apathetic sternness, the look of his father, some would call it. "What brings you so inland?" he asked, more statement than question.

"There has been a shipwreck along my shores," Kano said; "It is from the Far West. Many have perished, and I am merely patrolling for survivors or any goods that can be salvaged;" a gruff sigh; "I trust your half-uncle is treating you as you should be treated?"

"It is a courtesy that I am able to travel with such honorable mortals," Tamasine stated; "And if I ever hear you carry a tone when they are the subject I will make sure you burn alive."

This made the older demon lose his cocky glimmer in his eyes, and he bowed his head; "My apologies, my Lord," he said solemnly; "I did not know that you honored this. Forgive me…"

"You are forgiven," Tamasine said; "What brings you to this river, though, I ask you."

"I will admit, your mother and father worries for you," Kano replied, lifting his head; "And of course you are in territory that the Wolf Youkai rules. He could send his pack after you and your party. I am patrolling the waterways, keeping them on the opposite side, for I do not want to see you fail, Tamasine. You will bring honor to your father and to your kingdom;" he paused; "You will bring us a Lady to rule beside you."

Tamasine sighed wearily; "All is not so easy," he admitted; "The truth, should they find out… I would lose their support…"

"Tell them not what you hold secret," Kano said; "Least they steal from you by force or magic. Tell them only when time permits an outlet."

Tamasine averted his gaze in thought, before looking up at the water dragon and smiling slightly; "Thank-you, sensei," he said quietly.

The dragon emitted a low, rumbling chuckle; "It has been four years since you have called me that," Kano mused, a smirk on his mouth, showing rows of snow-white teeth slightly; "It is good to see such a fine heir, and be in their presence."

The kind words made Tamasine's eyes soften, and he coughed and looked away; "Follow only by my father's orders, Kano," he said, again apathetically serious in his nature, eyes hardened again; "Remember though, there is a half-demon, so if you get too close he will sense you too, and I will not hold him back."

The water dragon chuckled; "I am match enough for a hanyou," he said.

"Yes, perhaps, but this hanyou defeated your grandfather, and then defeated Nuraku;" Tamasine said; "And anyone must hold a certain degree of power to wield the Tetsusaiga."

Kano nodded, and there was silence for a moment; "The water beckons me again, My Lord," the dragon finally said, sighing; "If there is any need of me…"

"I shall summon you," Tamasine finished. With an incline of his large head as a bowing gesture, Kano then sank back into the water. The water returned to normal as he traveled away.

Sighing, Tamasine turned, and jumped, leaping into the clouds. Catching a gust of air and harnessing it, Tamasine peered down. His sharp eyes graced the coastline, and he soon spotted Inuyasha and the others. He was about to land when a unfamiliar scent caught his attention. Tamasine immediately dove, landing on his feet in the sand; the Southern Shores. He looked around, one sword drawn and ready, and gazing ahead he saw the origin of the odd odor. Running full-tilt, he reached the mass of crimson fabric and… it was a human.

"Ningen," Tamasine murmured, bending down. He constantly glanced around, before turning the figure over. He couldn't help but gasp.

It was a female, her chest immediately proved that. But her skin was pale, her eyelids, though closed, were larger than that of the women Tamasine was so accustomed to seeing. Her clothing was ripped and torn, but extravagant and odd. She was a Far Western Inhabitant, a European, Tamasine was sure. Her heavy dress was soaking wet, her sleeves clinging to her arms and the bunched up fabric around her shoulders resembling wilted plants. The outer dress had been ripped, revealing the pinafore beneath, and a shoe was gone from her right foot.

If it were not for the sound of her pulse, Tamasine would take her for dead. Cautiously, he reached out and felt her long hair, a brownish gold. He'd seen this shade only in demons, and was mortified when he realized his actions. Taking his hands away, he stood, and again, looked around. There was a village he knew of, not even a quarter mile, where once bat demons had terrorized it. He could smell them on the wind, stank and petulant to his senses, and he grimaced. He then looked down at the pale woman from across the borders again. She was in danger. And he was not about to have her blood on his hands.

But could she speak any of his language? Was she restricted to only her own? And if so, which language would that be? Tamasine knew many languages; he had long studied with Kano and his mother and taken many lessons. But still, then how would she react to him? Tamasine did not care about that; he was not about to hide his markings. They signified who he was, who he had been born from; what was his by blood and right. Such power was not to be hidden.

Tamasine's head snapped up as he heard rushing footsteps; villagers. Tamasine stood straight and tall, face becoming set in his Father's. His eyes narrowed at the first sight, and he frowned. He had not been able to smell this from the smell of the villagers and their dogs. But now he did.

A wolf demon.

"Wolf, halt!" the order boomed from Tamasine's mouth, and the demon stopped in his tracks; "From where do you hail?"

"What's it to ya?" the wolf snapped, glaring, and Tamasine's suspicions were confirmed.

"Kouga, Prince of Wolves," Tamasine said, "Dare challenge me and I will slay you."

The demon, Kouga, blinked in surprise, and sniffed the air; "Shit," he muttered, realizing the mess he had quite possibly stirred up for himself.

Tamasine's eyes narrowed; "I smell fire," was all he said.

"My pack is making a fire for the den," Kouga said; "My Lord… I…"

"Save your apologies, I care for them not," Tamasine said; "Quick, Run to the village and bring villagers and a medicine woman."

"Why can't…" Kouga began, but he stopped when Tamasine's eyes gazed at him dangerously. Kouga glanced to look at Tamasine's feet, and then bowed before running off.

Tamasine smirked, chuckling quietly under his breath. He looked up in the sky, watching for bat youkai, and then to the crest of the hill not so far away, looking for Inuyasha. He could sense them, and by now, hopefully, Inuyasha had picked up his scent.

No sooner had Kouga left when Tamasine picked up many footsteps plodding along across the beaches. Five men soon appeared, Kouga ahead of them, occasionally shouting and berating them. Between two they bore a stretcher.

"Where is the medicine woman?" Tamasine asked when the group arrived.

"Preparing her hut, Sir," Kouga replied, bowing quickly. He then turned to the men, and quickly snapped; "Quick! Get her on that stretcher! NOW!!" he barked when the men only looked up at him in fear.

"Stand down," Tamasine reprimanded, then he looked at the five with an emotionless gaze; "Take her to your village, and tell you medicine woman to heal her," he instructed, calmly, smoothly, gently; "I will arrive with my party later in the evening. Can I trust that she will come to no harm until then?"

"Y-yes," one man finally said, and quickly, he and another picked the foreigner up off the sand, and onto the stretcher. Then, the group headed back. Tamasine saw how the other three were armed.

"Sir," Kouga spoke up quietly; "What…?"

"There was a ship that crashed, she is a survivor," was all Tamasine said; "Ah, Inuyasha."

"WHAT?!" Kouga shouted in outrage, looking up as he sniffed the air. A wicked grin spread across his face; "So, Dog Boy's around, huh?" he popped his knuckles.

"I advise that you tend to your pack, Prince," Tamasine warned as Kouga made to run off; "It would be a shame if they were suddenly leaderless."

Kouga froze, the hair on the back of his neck bristling; "You're right," he said slowly, "I should go. My Lord," he bowed, but before Tamasine could speak, the wolf demon had gone.

Inuyasha and Miroku appeared at the crest, Kirara jumping over them with Kagome, Sango, and Shippou on her back. The Neko youkai roared as it saw Tamasine, and ran to him. Tamasine allowed a small smirk, and waited until Inuyasha and Miroku had joined them.

"We will be staying at the village not far from here," he explained; "I found a Westerner, and I plan on making sure she reaches the Capital, where the others are."

"Westerner?" Miroku asked; "As in… from the far, far west…? Europe, even?"

Tamasine nodded; "No Way," Kagome suddenly gasped, smiling; "This is perfect! I can practice my English! Where is he?"

"She's being taken to the village now," Tamasine said; "I found her unconscious on the shore. But, you probably speak it far better than I can. You may need to be our interpreter if she is not able to speak our tongue."

Inuyasha snorted; "Since when were you the valiant savior of humans?" he asked.

"Since the day a Human saved me," Tamasine said; "I do not look down on Mortals, Inuyasha, I respect them. Now," he paused; "We must go to the village, it will be a place to stay the night. They will more than likely not welcome us, so, Inuyasha, you might want to hide your ears…"

"Why should I?" Inuyasha asked crankily.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome exclaimed suddenly, upon getting a good look around; "This must be the village where you fought those Bat youkai!"

"Really?" Inuyasha asked, looking around and sniffing the air; "Hmm… it is," he mused, crossing his arms; "Bet that woman would recognize us... wouldn't she?"

"True," Miroku said; "But then, the villagers did not treat her kindly, did they?"

"But, we saved them and her and her daughter!" Sango exclaimed; "They have to remember that!"

Tamasine watched the group conversing, wondering what they were talking about. But then, he really did not care much, only about the fact that they might not have to use any show of strength or force their way. His appearance alone would cause fear and subservience in the human villagers. He then remembered the look of fear the villagers Kouga had brought had on their faces.

"Perhaps I should not go," Tamasine suddenly said, "My appearance might startle the villagers… they could take me for…"

"Nonsense," Miroku said, "You're a Lord, Tamasine, why would you worry?"

At this, Tamasine looked away; "Fear is not something I wish to cause," he finally replied; "Unless in times of war or anger;" he sighed; "But what do I have to fear? Let us go now."

Tamasine turned, and began walking down the beach, following the scents of the village. He felt his bare feet grace the soft sand, how the fine grains were crushed and parted with his every step. He breathed in salty air, his eyes took in the vast expanse of ocean. He could make out floating debris, brought in by the tides, slowly drifting to shore. They too would grace the sand by sundown, which was not so far away.

Inuyasha watched his nephew, snorting as he crossed his arms, thinking, Spoiled Brat. The entire expedition had been based solely on what Tamasine told them, and he was rapidly getting sick of being ordered around. He was the leader, or so it had previously been established. Snorting again he started to walk towards the village as well, and the others followed him. Kirara purred as she shank down to her familiar cat-size, and darted around them in play with Shippou.

Tamasine stopped just outside of the village, turning and waiting for the others. He could feel the stares, heard carts and feet stopping and heads turning. He heard the gasps, and accepted it. Inuyasha walked up and for a moment, stood beside him in silence.

"Well," Inuyasha said; "Get going."

"What?" Tamasine whispered, looking at him; "You'll be coming with me!"

"Yeah, but if they attack it's training for you," Inuyasha said, and so saying shoved his nephew forward.

Tamasine caught himself quickly and gracefully, and stood there, looking around; "I am the one who sent the foreigner," he said loudly; "Where is she now?"

Timidly, a young woman spoke; "At the Miko's hut, youkai."

Tamasine looked at her, kindly; "Could you show me?" he asked, tone still firm, but gentle for her courage and strength.

The woman nodded, taking a child, hers, up in her arms. The little boy, barely two, looked up at Tamasine in awe, unsure of whether to cry, scream, or smile. Tamasine smirked kindly, and nodded to the woman. She turned and began walking through the village, and Tamasine looked back at Inuyasha and nodded before following her.

Miroku came up beside Inuyasha, and Inuyasha whispered; "get us lodging."

Miroku smiled; "It would be my pleasure," he said, and he walked into the village, heading straight for the first pretty face.

Sango was fuming and Kagome was rolling her eyes. She picked Shippou up and Sango took Kirara, and Inuyasha gathered the packs.

- - -

The woman took Tamasine through the huts and small houses, out to the edge and down a path to the alcove. What he saw there was not a hut, but a very large domicile, built against and up alongside the Cliffside.

"The miko is a good healer," The woman said, looking up at Tamasine; "See where the smoke is? The Miko is there, probably burning incense in prayer."

Tamasine nodded; "Thank-you," was all he said before he walked towards the house, setting foot onto the threshold and then entering.

The rooms were open, lit with lamps where sunlight could not reach. Tamasine followed the sound of singing, soft prayer over open flame and smoke. Tamasine navigated the short halls, finally coming to an open door and stepping out onto a porch. Near a pond was an old woman, on her knees and whispering a sung prayer as she waved her hand over bluish smoke that came from darkening flames. Tamasine watched, not wanting to disturb the woman as she worked. The smoke grew darker as well, wafting around her bony fingers, curling and spiraling to form images as they bonded and created an orb. The old woman, whose eyes were dark with knowing and age, watched the sphere, and Tamasine did, as well, mystified and drawn to it for some reason. He felt connected, as if a door had been opened to him.

And then it struck him.

"Stop."

The smoke instantly fell away, becoming grey again and floating on to the heavens. The flames became the color of gentle amber, normal again. The old woman looked at Tamasine and slowly got up, angered by the interruption.

"So, it is ye that the spirits speak of," she said, brushing past him and shuffling to another room.

"Excuse me?" Tamasine asked, following her. He stopped outside the doorway; the miko was rearranging a cloth on the European's head.

She had been stripped of her odd clothing and put in simple bed attire, laid on a rush mat with a pillow and three blankets over her to bring her temperature up, and appeared asleep. The miko was muttering under her breath, and Tamasine failed to catch any of what she was saying.

"You said spirits," Tamasine said.

"Aye, that I did," the miko said quietly; "Ye bring a shipwrecked Westerner to my home, but I fear that is not why ye have come this way," she turned and faced him; "There is another reason…?" she asked, more statement though for her wry look and slight smirk of knowing.

"Whatever you know, tell me now," Tamasine said, danger sifting through his tone; "I am in no mood for games or riddles."

The miko chuckled; "For a demon lord you are still very eloquent and gentle, even when you are angered," she commented; "Are you positive that you are of the Lord of the Western Lands bloodline?"

"Of that I am sure of, beyond measurable certainty," Tamasine said, walking into the room. He got onto his knees beside the miko, dwarfing her small frame to his tall and armored one; "What is wrong with her?" he asked quietly.

The miko returned her attention to the woman; "What would be wrong with her?" she asked, looking back at the demon.

"Her heart is slow, it's not as rhythmic as it should be," Tamasine said; "Her skin is pale, opaque almost, and her body heat is…"

"Cooler?" the miko quipped; "My, ye demons never cease to amaze me at how many things ye are able to pick up," she sighed; "It's from being thrown about in the seas. She could have clung to wreckage for days, and the waters are cooling for the coming autumn…"

Tamasine nodded; "I am Tamasine," he said, glancing at her. He had failed to introduce himself, and was mortified for forgetting.

The miko chuckled; "Such a fine demon you are, Tamasine," she said, smiling; "I am Itoe," she paused; "Your mother… she would be the spirit demon, Ninani? The one with no given name?"

"Yes," Tamasine said; "What do you know of my mother?"

"Very little, do not be defensive," the miko said, rising; "Oh, these old bones," she groaned, hand going to the small of her back; "Come; let us go to another place, the front of the house, perhaps."

Tamasine rose, the sheaths of his swords scarping against the hardwood. The miko stopped and turned to see the damage, and clucked her tongue; "You will fix that," she said, motioning to the new scratch.

"Of course," Tamasine said, and the miko chuckled again before continuing on. Tamasine followed her.

"Why do you live so far from the village?" he asked as they sat outside on the front deck of the house.

The miko sighed as she folded her hands into her wide sleeves; "The village is too loud, too quick to jump the barrel," she paused; "Here, it is quiet. I can go about my daily life, travel to the village when I need to, but mostly I stay here."

"Do you get alone?" Tamasine asked; "Even a hermit feels the pain of loneliness."

"I am no hermit, young demon," Itoe said with a quiet laugh, "I see many people each day."

Tamasine nodded, and looked out at the ocean; "Have demons ever plagued this village?" he asked quietly.

"Oh yes, many," Itoe said, "Bat youkai, wolves, even cats have, but we have either won or others have fought for us."

"I heard of a half-demon that lived here," Tamasine said; "Yet… I did not sense one when I came…"

"Oh, yes, Shiori is who you speak of," Itoe said; "she and her mother left us some time ago. The villagers would not relent, even after the Bat Youkai were defeated by that one hanyou… I believe he was part Inu-Youkai…"

"Inuyasha?" Tamasine quipped, looking at the old woman.

Aye, that was his name!" she exclaimed, sighing; "Ah yes, what a hero. The children play games mimicking that battle, what led up to it, the entire ordeal, really," she was silent as she reminisced; "I never did thank him."

"Inuyasha is my uncle, he is here," Tamasine said; "Though I think he has employed out friend Miroku to acquire lodging."

"Oh really? Well I have many rooms, and finally they may be put to use!" the spry old woman got up much quicker than before; "Can you travel fast, young demon?"

"Of course, miko," Tamasine said.

"Then quick, fetch my bag by the Foreigner and then we will rush to the village. They shall say here."

- - -

"Sir I believe that there may be an evil presence lingering over your home…"

Miroku repeated the most common phrase for what had to be the tenth time that day. So far, no one had let them stay, and he was getting ready to give up.

"And I believe that my house has been purified and blessed many times over, monk," the current home owner said, "Now please, I must decline your offer. My house is full, anyway."

Miroku nodded, and walked away, back to the group who waited around the fence; "Well?" Inuyasha asked.

Miroku hung his head, and Inuyasha groaned; "Again?!" Kagome asked, fuming; "What was his excuse??"

"The same as the others," Miroku said, looking at her; "Listen, why don't we just camp out on the beach? Tamasine can find us when he is finished."

"No way, we're finding him and leaving," Sango said, stomping her foot; "I'll admit he has a heart, unlike many demons we've encountered, but I'm getting tired of these side projects!"

"Sango, we all can't help it when a problem comes up!" Kagome said, "I mean, what would you have done if you found someone injured and helpless? Left them?"

"Yes, I would have!" Sango said loudly, "It's none of my business nor any of my concern!!!"

"Listen to yourself, Sango!" Kagome screamed; "This isn't you!"

"Sango, calm down!" Miroku said, taking his wife's shoulders gently and pulling her back against him; "Calm down…" he whispered.

"Kagome," Inuyasha said, and Kagome looked at him heartedly, fists clenched.

"Don't you order me around, Inuyasha!" she said angrily, and she turned on her heel and walked away.

"Kagome, wait, get back here!" Inuyasha shouted, but she only walked away faster, out of the ivllage and towards the beach.

Inuyasha turned when he heard Sango groaning; "I hate this," she muttered, now leaning against Miroku for support; "All of this imbalance…"

"I know, I'm sorry," Miroku said, and Inuyasha turned away when he embraced her. Sullenly, he went off after Kagome.

- - -

Tamasine and Itoe reached the village, and the demon set the old miko down on the ground; "That had to be the worst ride ever!" Itoe complained, whacking Tamasine across the shoulder with her walking staff. Tamasine flinched instinctively, and growled.

"Watch where you wave that," he warned; "Or I'll break it."

The miko laughed; "Ye could not harm me, Tamasine," she said, looking up at him; "Ye have compassion, ye could not bring yourself to kill such an old woman as I."

Tamasine took hold of a sword; "Oh so you may think," he muttered; "Why did you bring such things?" he asked suddenly, motioning to her pack Itoe had strapped to her back.

"Oh, a house call," Itoe said; "While I go to that you may find your friends. Then meet me at this gateway."

"Fine then, old woman," Tamasine said, and so saying, he kicked off the ground as he jumped and rose into the air. Shaking her head, Itoe went to her duties.

- - -

Off the shores and into the sea, there was a sudden jutting rock formation. There a large cave took up the majority of the rock, and had once been inhabitant by Bat Youkai. Yes, Bat Youkai still lived there, but it had been taken over by other demons Since the defeat of their large and once powerful leader. Now, other demons ruled the cave, and that part of the shores. The demons were smarter, more cunning, quick to think and methodic to plan. They were a joined group of sea, air, and bird youkai. The bats they had made their simple servants, a befitting punishment, the others quickly thought.

But one lead this group a powerful Akusei ((1)) youkai called Yoruryoku. Able to take the form of a human, he appeared to be in his early thirties. Long, sleek black hair pulled back into a ponytail, armored shoulders, chest plate, and leg guards, all over a dark purple and black haori that was held together with a silver sash. Around his neck he wore a chain, jewels imbedded in the rare steel that made the links. The jewels were metallic, with swirling objects no one quite understood what they were, inside them.

Yoruryoku sat on a thrown of bones, all fitted together to form a seat of power. They sat in a secondary cave up near the roof of the master cave, he and several followers. It was lit with lamps, though the flames were dying and cast shadows along every surface. The Akusei waited in silence as a bird demon in the form of a man approached, bowing before he lifted his golden eyes to look at Yoruryoku.

"Rouyakan, what news do you bring me?" Yoruryoku asked, his voice resonating in the silence. It was deep and powerful, death sifting through the tone.

The demon, Rouyakan, replied; "Lord, I have successfully brought Kage-sei here, to you. Shall I bring her?"

With a nod from the Akusei, the bird demon turned, and his two large, black-feathered wings spread out as he flew out of the cave. Yoruryoku couldn't help but smile as Rouyakan flew in again, this time with two harpy-like bird demons behind him, bearing what appeared to be a woman between them. The figure was laid at the feet of the thrown, where the two harpies bowed and blacked away. Rouyakan walked up, and gently turned her over, delicately brushing away her midnight blue hair so Yoruryoku could look at her.

"Kage-sei," the Akusei breathed, eyes greedily taking the form in. Her clothing was torn, shredded, and what little she wore did not cover up her body. Yoruryoku saw that it had once been a pure white kimono, robes of purity. Now, they were dirtied. And it angered him that such a creature should be dirtied at any time.

"Why is she dirtied?" he asked, standing.

Rouyakan looked up fearfully, and stepped back; "I asked you a question, Rouyakan," the Akusei seethed, fists clenching; "Why?"

"We fought a bloody battle, my lord; she was in the midst of it all!" Rouyakan said, his voice steady but nervous; "She was unharmed, though, I assure you!"

Yoruryoku's eyes narrowed; "Take her to Myota, have her cleaned and dressed. I will personally detain her in the core of the Rock, so that no one shall find her."

- - -

:TBC:

A/N: there you have it, folks! Thanks for the reviews! Keep 'em coming please!!!!!