Serenity couldn't go to sleep that night. It may have been the fact that she wasn't tired. Or maybe since she was scared that Naraku might come and get her again. The darkness of her room was calming. It reminded her of whenever she was beaten so much that she fell into unconsciousness. Being surrounded by still darkness, sweet, blissful unconsciousness.

Then her heart skipped 2 beats as she heard footsteps coming towards her room. She quickly hid under the covers and shivered. The door was opened and she heard breathing. The footsteps came closer, and closer...still closer. From under the covers, she saw someone's hand start reaching over to pull back the covers. She nearly cried out since she was so scared. The covers were pulled back; she closed her eyes and screamed in horror.

"Serenity ? You can't sleep either ?" asked the calm voice. Serenity opened her eyes and saw Inu-yasha looking down at her. A wave a relief passed over her. "nuh-uh, I can't sleep" she said softly. "Me neither, I came in to check up on you" said Inu-yasha as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"Do you think Naraku is gonna come for me again ?" asked Serenity. Inu-yasha glanced at Serenity, blown away by the sudden question. "Will he ?" she asked again, less audio in her voice this time. "No, not while you're with me" said Inu-yasha. "Thank you" Serenity responded. "Do you dream ?" asked Inu-yasha. "Dream ?" asked Serenity. "Yeah, when you sleep, what do you dream about ?" he asked.

Serenity lowered her head. "Nightmares, never dreams" she said. "Ohh...don't you remember anything nice about your dreams ?" Inu-yasha asked in a worried tone. "I don't remember the last dream I had that was worth remembering. But what I've always wished for has happened in the nightmares. The one wish I wanted more than seeing my mom and dad again" said Serenity. "What is your wish ?" he asked. "Cant tell you, if I do, it wont happen" said Serenity. "You believe that ? It must be something good" Inu-yasha said. "Yeah, it is" assured Serenity.

Inu-yasha patted his knee, and Serenity sat on it. "Are you alright with telling me all this ? I mean, im no doctor, but it's easy to see you've been through too much for someone your age" said Inu-yasha. "Well, kind of...do you want me to stop telling you ?" asked Serenity. "No, it's good to get all of your emotions out. I know someone who might be able to listen to your problems" Inu-yasha said. "Who ?" asked Serenity. "An old friend who owes me a favor" said Inu-yasha.

(The next day, at counseling office)

"Thanks for being able to see her on such short notice, Miroku" said Inu-yasha. "Not a problem. You say she's your adopted daughter, correct ?" asked Miroku. "Yes, she's in need of counseling. You think you can help her ?" asked Inu-yasha. "What happened to her ?" asked Miroku. "She was abused...severely" Inu-yasha said in a low voice. Miroku looked more serious than ever. "How so ?" he asked. "She'll tell you if she wants" said Inu-yasha. Serenity came into the room and bowed.

Inu-yasha got up and left the room after patting Serenity on her head. "Hello there Serenity-chan" greeted Miroku. "Hi" said serenity dryly. "Im Igamu Miroku, I'll be speaking with you today" said Miroku. "'bout what ?" asked Serenity, she didn't know. "Your past, your father tells me you were abused" said Miroku.

Serenity looked at the floor. "You don't have to tell me about it, have a seat. We'll talk about something else" Miroku said. Serenity nodded and sat down in a chair across from Miroku. "So, tell me about yourself. What do you like ?" asked Miroku.

"Well...I like looking up at the sky" responded Serenity. "Interesting, do you have a favorite color ?" he asked. "Blue" she said quickly. "What do you want to be when you grow up ?" he asked. "You think I'll live that long ?" Serenity asked, her eyes filled with hope. Miroku sweat-dropped. "Of course you will !" comforted Miroku.

After writing a few things down in notebook, Miroku talked Serenity again. "Wanna tell me about your past ?" he asked. Serenity's eyes widened and she glared at Miroku coldly. "That's none of your business Mr. Igamu" said Serenity sharply. "But I just asked a simple question !" Miroku exclaimed. "IT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS !" yelled Serenity with such intensity that Miroku was flung against a wall. "Okay then..." said Miroku in a tiny voice. Serenity breathed in and out and lowered her head. "Sorry..." she whimpered.

(Later)

"Did you talk enough with Miroku ?" asked Inu-yasha. "He's too nosy, he wanted to know too much stuff" said Serenity. Inu-yasha sweat-dropped as he read the note Miroku gave him before they had left the office.

Inu-yasha,

Your daughter was nice to talk to. Yet...well, thanks to her, I'll be needing to consult my doctor since I can't hear very well now. Still, Serenity was 'nice' to talk to.

Sincerely,

Igamu Miroku

Ps. your bill is 7,000 yen.

To be continued...

A bit off topic, but I thought I'd add a silly-ish chapter. Read and review or no update.