A/N: Hello all! I just thought I'd better post a chapter before next weekend, because I'll be in Colorado on a band trip. So I won't have access to a computer for that weekend. Enjoy!

A/N: Don't own InuYasha, don't own fluffy-sama, but I do own Akinori.

InuTaisho calmly walked in the streets of Tokyo. The youkai in disguise just appeared like anyone else in the busy city, trying to get to work or something else. He was a bit nervous though.

He was going to meet Akinori, a young kitsune that kept many youkai supplied with the potion that gave them their human appearance. Akinori was a well respected kit for his age, his father knew the connections ingredients, and his son delivered them to the various youkai.

Personally, Akinori and the wise inu got along very well, but the matter of finding a place to meet and deal was much more difficult without being spotted and caught by one of them.

'One of them…' InuTaisho so fondly called them. They were the real reason his first wife was dead. Way back in the feudal era of Japan, they had hunted the great demonness and massacred her.

They were a band of humans with high spiritual powers. They were not like miko's, though, most miko's had emotions and understood that not all youkai were senseless killing machines.

Not to mention they had…the only way InuTaisho could think of it was 'dark spiritual energy'. He had had his encounters with both of, miko's and them. When a miko once tried to purify him, the energy felt clean, holy. But when one of them got you in their dirty grasp, the energy was tainted, filled with evil and….daunting.

Thinking about made the silver haired youkai shiver. He recalled, he felt so sick and foul after that encounter, he just hoped Taijya and his sons never ever went through that. He loved them all too much…

Snapping out of thoughts of the old, he turned toward a clean alleyway. He had set up to meet in the forest, and this was probably the quickest route. As he vibrantly walked down the ally, he waved to a couple that was leaning against as tree nearby.

The couple of humans smiled back, not knowing the man, but having an instant respect for him.

That was one thing about InuTaisho, just the air about him. He was so kind to people throughout the generations. So many people respected him, whether they knew him or not. It was just something about InuTaisho…

Deep in the forest he waited. Currently he was sitting on a rock, listening to the calm running of water into a nearby spring. It was so peaceful, and he really appreciated moments like this. He, being born at the end of the feudal era, was considered a young kit still. "Japan has really changed over the years", he said absently.

This was the young kitsune that had InuTaisho was supposed to meet. Akinori, a very handsome lad. He had a nice, slim frame and he wasn't too tall. People (humans) would say he was built like an ice skater, slim, yet muscular. He had a very angular face with electric light green eyes. His light lavender hair hung loosely by his shoulder blades. His youkai marking identified him as a plant kitsune, he had the lilac flower as his mark.

He sighed, taking in the fresh air. He really wished he could come out here more often. It was so…free.

He was about to close his eyes when he heard a rustle in the distance. His fox ears lowered to focus better on the sound. He sniffed the air, and realized it was one of his most prized customers.

InuTaisho walked into the clearing, now in full youkai form himself. The young kitsune couldn't keep the shine out of his eyes, his father wanted to come personally today, but was way to busy. And Akinori didn't complain, he really enjoyed the Inu lord.

"Hello Akinori." The respected inu youkai gave a polite bow.

Akinori had his arms crossed and smiled, "Lord Taisho." Bowing his handsome face lightly he then flashed a smile. "So, Sesshomaru didn't come?"

Laughing sprightly, Taisho shook his head, "The bum is too lazy to get out, and college work is just his excuse."

"And InuYasha?" questioned the kitsune.

Again, the Inu shook his head, "Nope, he's got a girlfriend, so I never see him anymore either."

"Humph" Akinori got up and reached for a chest by his feet. "Well I suppose…We have some good news and some bad news." The kitsune paused.

"Go on…just tell me the good news first." InuTaisho said jokingly, trying to lighten up the mood. The poor kitsune, always worrying.

Flashing his electric eyes up at him, he smiled, "Well, these should taste better then the last batch, that was awful, and my father apologizes and hopes that no one died." The kitsune grinned modestly, "I was experimenting with herbs and came up with a good taste and demanded he flavored it…"

Akinori unlocked the chest and handed Lord InuTaisho a bottle. Opening the top, he smelt it and beamed, "Smells like strawberry!"

Pleased with his lord's response he added, "There are more flavors then that. So hopefully it will be just like drinking a fruit juice or something."

All of a sudden the kitsune looked very grave. InuTaisho's face fell, it was time for the bad news.

Sighing Akinori said solemnly, "Lately one of the main herbs for that. " He indicated to the bottle in InuTaisho's hand. "Has become endangered and really hard to come by. My Father and I have tried growing our own, but to no avail."

InuTaisho nodded, without that herb, if it was one of the main ones, the concoction may not work. "What is it called?"

Still on his hunches, Akinori sighed and simply said, "It's a passiflora incarnata flower extract."

The youkai lord raised an eyebrow. Akinori chuckled and added, "Just an extract from a flower…so just thought I'd tell you that, and to maybe be a little more conservative…even though." He patted the chest, "This is a very big batch, but still…"

"I understand. Good Akinori and thank you." InuTaisho looked down at the briefcase he brought. "And my payment to you and your father."

After the kitsune was paid, InuTaisho picked up the chest with ease, he would have loved to talk to the young kitsune more (he was such an insightful, intelligent young kit) but he had to get going.

"I'll see you later, my lord." Akinori bowed respectively.

InuTaisho smiled and shook his head and laughed, "No need for that. I may be of royal blood, but what does that matter now?" He left it at that as he started to walk away. "And thank you young Akinori, send my best wishes to your family."

As InuTaisho went out of sight, Akinori started in wonder, he now had even more respect for InuTaisho.

Looking back at the spring, Akinori gave a half hearted smile, not quite ready to go for the journey home. He closed his eyes and listened to the sounds around him.

A/N: Well, hope you all liked! Sorry for no Sesshomaru in this chapter…I figured the poor guy needed a break, with Rin and all!

Reviewers!

Lady-Crymsyn: Well, thank you! (and I still haven't sat down and planed anything out, so maybe this story will purely be of my intuition)

kagome of the western lands: (Nervous laugh) this wasn't exactly right away… don't cry!

Kimonolover That's okay, (grin)

Hekele Masuyo Thank you so much! I feel…honored to receive such a complement!

Phalon22 That seems to be the most popular comment for chapter seven, the Rin a Sesshomaru interaction. Thank you.

kilalachibi14 Don't say that. I'm sure you're a great writer, and yes I will read you fic. (When I have time to) Promise!

Darkness-ninja: Well, thank you

Aqua Miko haha! Here's your update (I'll say it as many times as necessary!) Thanks for the complement!

shadows-insanity Thanks, here's your update as well

Mirei Nochi don't worry, I don't think I'll leave you guys and girls hanging (not yet, anyway.)

Thank you so much reviewers! (Do I dare say……I feel loved?)