1The ‚q‚΂ç‚F‚¢ðå‚Ì‰Æ shone brightly atop the hill, a sparkling diamond in the middle of the darkness. The Great Elder sighed, seating himself by his fire. A great white dog sat beside him. The Elder stretched out his hand and let his fingers brush behind the dog's ears. The dogs head leaned against her master's hand. The Elder's eyes closed. The fire crackled merrily and for a long time, the Elder sat and did nothing. His chest rose and fell slightly, the white dog seated beside him. Finally, the Elder spoke, barely above a whisper…

"Your son is here..." the Elder said quietly, relaxing his hand and letting it slide through the dog's long mane. The dog stirred. It walked away and turned toward her master. The marks on her face became less rigid and the crescent moon-shaped strip of fur faded behind white hair. The form of a woman began to appear, her paws turning to arms and feet. Her padded front feet curled out, and elongated into clawed fingers. "'‚¢Œ¢ took her normal form. Her long, silver hair slid past her back, and her golden amber eyes could not be mistaken behind it. A crescent-moon was marked on her forehead, and she wore a kimono of golden fabric. She glanced down at the 'å‚«‚¢Œ¢‚Ìðå.

"Sesshomaru… he is here?" the woman asked softly. The 'å‚«‚¢Œ¢‚Ìðå nodded his head and glanced toward the window, "He is here with two demons… and a mortal."

"A mortal…" "'‚¢Œ¢ said, bowing her head.

"Yes…" the Elder replied, and then began to laugh, "And… if I'm not mistaken, he is in heat."

"'‚¢Œ¢ did not look up, his senses were stronger than hers and she was growing older, but she too could smell the unmistakable musk.

"Are you certain it is him?" she asked. The Elder nodded.

"I am sure of it milady."

"How unfortunate for him," "'‚¢Œ¢ replied, pondering a moment, "Then… he has chosen a mate?" The Elder smiled.

"Interestingly enough…" the Elder continued, "He has brought a mortal with him… a female mortal." "'‚¢Œ¢'s head shot up and she stared into the old demon's eyes.

"You don't suppose… he has chosen this mortal, do you?"

"That, I cannot say." The 'å‚«‚¢Œ¢‚Ìðå replied, "He brought her along so that he could keep an eye on her."

"Then… he loves her." Sesshomaru's mother said, moving to the window, "Or he's been

obligated to her safety." The Great Dog Demon closed his eyes and joined "'‚¢Œ¢ by the window.

"One truth… makes more sense than the other." He said, placing a hand on "'‚¢Œ¢'s shoulder. She gently laid her hand atop his.

"I just want to see him happy." "'‚¢Œ¢ said, looking out the window. The moon was absent from the sky and the stars shone the brightest she had seen them in years…

Sesshomaru leapt from the branch of the tree he had been seated in. His watch was over and his time to leave was drawing near. He glanced down the path at Rin; she rested in a bed of flowers, her scent mixed with the fragrance of moonflowers. For a moment, Sesshomaru thought he felt a longing in him… to be with this mortal… this woman. He walked up to Rin. Her eyes were closed and her hair lofted softly on the breeze as she slept. He glanced down into her closed eyes. A smile spread across her face as she rolled onto her side. Sesshomaru swooped down and took her in his arms, carrying her to the garden. His arms were sturdy and forceful and carried Rin with great ease. Rin stirred only slightly as she was moved from the ground, but she quickly snuggled into his chest. Her smile spread as she nestled into his kimono. Rin's smile widened and she mumbled something into his sternum. It was muffled, but Sesshomaru's demon ears picked up the name clear as a bell "Lord Sesshomaru…"

A pulsation erupted from Sesshomaru's body. His arms held Rin tightly, but his legs had become weaker. He felt a longing in his loins that he had not felt for a long, long while. Sesshomaru remembered this. This longing was… lust. No… Sesshomaru thought not here…not tonight, of all nights! He quickened his pace, his legs seeming to weaken with every step and his mind had become horribly clouded. He raced into the gardens, his fair hair tailed behind him as he ran. He needed this feeling out of him. It was driving him crazy, the ideas that raced in his mind. His eyes glanced forward and were met by a revolting sight. Almost asleep on the grass was his half-brother, Inu Yasha. His hair was dark, meaning that he could not smell him. By his side lay the mortal woman that always followed him. Sesshomaru ran forward and placed Rin by the garden wall, well out of the sight of Inu Yasha. Slowly and carefully Sesshomaru laid Rin's body upon the grass, and then he turned on his heel and raced away into the darkening forest.

Sango slowly opened her eyes. She was lying on the open grass at the edge of the forest. She last remembered what had happened; a fight with a demon, a hit on the head, and someone… running? Her thoughts still hadn't completely gotten in order, but they would return shortly. She sat up, her head and back made her writhe with pain, but she managed to pick herself off the ground. From here she could see the glorious gardens of the Great Elder. She did not recognize her surroundings. This is not where Miroku, Shippo, and I fought the demon Sango thought.

"It's ok Sango…" a voice came from beside her, "we… we got away ok."

Sango quickly looked beside her. Exhausted and panting, Miroku sat beside her, sweat dripped from the tip of his nose and his whole body was shaking.

"Miroku…" Sango breathed. She fought to her knees and crawled over to Miroku. He sounded as though he were an inch from death.

"Miroku." Sango repeated, cradling his head and pulling him toward her. Miroku's eyes opened slowly, a smile slowly forming on his face.

"Sango…" he said quietly, flinching in pain as Sango lifted his shoulder from the ground, "the demon, he… he's gotten me, run, Sango…" Sango's eyes filled with tears.

"No! Miroku, no, hold on, I'll get he-"

"What the- Sango? Miroku? What's going on?"

Sango turned her head. Shippo stood leaning against a tree, his kimono ripped and torn, but besides a couple scratches, he looked ok. Kirara was at his heels, rubbing against Shippo's furry ankles.

"Shippo? What the-… what happened?" Sango asked. Shippo looked a bit confused himself, but explained.

"You were hurled against a tree and knocked unconscious. Miroku picked you up and rushed you off to safety-"

"No… then he gave his life for me." Sango whispered, her eyes welling with tears once more. Shippo looked even more confused.
"What are you talking about? I held off the demon, he just took you and ran." Shippo said, his eyes scanning Miroku who sat quietly on the ground.

"So then, the demon didn-…AAAA!" Sango screamed. Miroku's hand had begun to stroke her rear. Can't he EVER do anything else! Sango thought viciously. She swung her arm around and caught the monk right on the side of the face. Shippo just shook his head, walking behind an enraged Sango and in front of an injured Miroku.