I could hear the low murmuring of the ocean tide swelling… Back and forth it frothed… bubbling, gushing, and murmuring… almost like it was voices of people I knew…

Voices…?

Suddenly the image of the frothing ocean splintered and came crashing down and the voices grew louder.

"You said she's alive…" Someone hissed.

"She is she's not conscious yet." Another replied.

""It took her awhile to wake up last time." A younger voice answered.

I tried to focus on the voices, to listen to each distinct tone, trying to pull myself back up to the surface.

"Shh…" Someone murmured. It was someone close… someone I knew… someone I loved.

Who was it…?

"Kaori-chan…?" Someone different whispered above me. It was a girl… another person I loved… but a different love…

I could feel myself struggling to grasp the fleeting memories as they flew passed me.

No!! I cried as I felt myself sinking back into the darkness. I don't want to go!! I don't want to die!

Wake up… The voice that never went away whispered. Wake up…

I can't… I answered back.

There was a bright flash in the darkness I had been pulled into and there before me floated another…well… me. She looked almost the same, red hair, orange eyes, pale skin, but her wings… they were bigger; she could fly with them.

She smiled at me, her head tilted to one side. You have to wake up… They're all waiting for you… HE hasn't left your side once…

I blinked at her. Who…?

The one who loves you most you silly bird. She smiled brighter.

But I can't get out… I answered sadly.

She held her hand out to me. I'll help you.

I grasped her hand and suddenly we were flying up through the dark. The light above us got bigger and bigger until we were both engulfed in the light.

You can make it from here… She said to me as she let go of my hand. You are a strong fighter.

Thank you… I said as I turned to look at her one more time.

She smiled. Go! Get out of here.

I smiled back and turned away from her.

The voices were louder now; there were lots of people in the room with me.

"I thought she was finally waking up…" Someone murmured; it was Makoto.

"Give her time… she was very damaged…" A woman replied; I recognized Suzuki's bell like voice.

"I'm worried that she won't wake up…" A younger male answered; it had to be Seiko.

"She'll wake up… She's a fighter…" A man answered quietly… Oh Sesshoumaru…

I forced myself into my body and immediately regretted it; my midsection felt like it had been stepped on for hours.

"Oh…" I moaned quietly; every noise in the room stopped. "Why do I feel like someone hit my stomach with a boulder…?"

"Kaori-chan!" Suzuki cried as she ran over to me.

"Hi Suzuki-san…" I answered weakly.

"We've been so worried you wouldn't wake up…" Makoto said as he walked over behind his wife.

I tried to smile, I don't know if I succeeded. "You know me better then that Makoto-san…"

Suzuki straightened up and started to push Makoto and Seiko out the door. "Let's let her rest…"

Everyone shuffled out begrudgingly; and then Sesshoumaru stood to leave.

"Don't go…" I whispered as I grasped his pant leg weakly.

He smiled at me and lay down beside me, carefully so that he didn't jounce me around. "I thought I had lost you…"

I smiled up at him. "You knew you could save me…"

He sighed and pulled me to his chest. "But some of the villagers didn't want to bring you back… I don't think they thought I could."

I gazed up at him "You would have brought me back anyway once we left the village…"

He laughed softly. "You're probably right…"

I sighed contently and closed my eyes. "Please…" I murmured. "Please try and complete my silly little tasks…"

I felt him stiffen slightly against me then relax. "I will…"

"Good…" I mumbled as I fought to stay awake.

"Sleep now Kaori… I'm not going anywhere…"

"Promise…?"

"I promise." I could hear the smile in his voice. "I love you…"

"I love you too…" With that I sunk into the darkness that didn't scare me… sleep…

Days went by until I was finally able to walk around freely without tiring in a few minutes; I still couldn't chase the children around, but we settled for other silly games.

"Kaori-sama." Matsu said as he approached me one day.

I looked up a little startled, I wasn't expecting him to approach me, and he had been avoiding me for a while. "Yes Lord Matsu…?"

Matsu laughed. "You know you've always been allowed to call me Matsu-san."

I smiled at him. "I know you've said I could, but right now you're my suitor."

Matsu smiled back. "Very true…" He cleared his throat. "Well… As your suitor, may I have a word with you?"

I blinked. "Of course you can. Children… I'll be back in a few moments." I stood up and followed him away from the children and the villagers.

"So…" I ventured slowly.

"Kaori-chan…" Matsu said as he turned back to face me. "I know I came here to be a suitor but there are things that I've noticed about you and me…"

I blinked, trying to follow his train of thought. "What do you mean…?"

Matsu laughed at my expression. "Kaori-chan you're half my age."

"I know…"

"Well I don't know about you, but I just can't marry you. I watched you grow up, you're the daughter of my friend, and I know that many men marry women half their age, and I could probably do it too if I hadn't watched the girl grow up."

I stood there staring at him; I couldn't believe it.

Matsu smiled. "I love you like my own child, Kaori-chan. I don't think I would be able to marry you… And if I did, I know I could never sleep with you to bare a child. Besides… I've seen how that Sesshoumaru fellow watches you when he thinks no one is looking."

I felt my face go into a shocked look. "What do you mean…?"

Matsu tousled my hair lightly. "He loves you Kaori-chan… and that's what you really need, a man that loves you. Don't get me wrong, I do love you, but as a daughter, not a lover."

"So… What does that mean Matsu-sama…?" I questioned, still confused.

Matsu smiled and kissed my forehead lightly. "It means that I will be pulling out of this silly 'suitor race' so you can marry a man who truly loves you as a man should love a woman who is to be his wife. I will always be your friend, and I hope a second father to you."

I could feel tears brimming on my eyes. "Thank you Matsu-san…" I murmured.

Matsu laughed. "Don't cry. You should be happy! Come." He wiped my tears away. "Let's go tell everyone the good news."

As we walked back to the village to make the announcement I saw Sesshoumaru playing with the children… sort of… I smiled at his attempt to appease me and make the children happy. He scooped up Amane and put her on his shoulders; then he spotted me.

I smiled and walked over to him. "Come…" I murmured softly. "Matsu-sama wishes to make an announcement and you need to be there."

Sesshoumaru nodded and set Amane down and followed me to the center area by the front gate; Matsu was already there.

The guards had gathered the men and women and they made a large half circle so they could see our faces.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice." Matsu smiled at everyone. "I wish to make an announcement. I have already told this to your spunky leader, but I feel that I should tell all of you, and my… competitor." He winked at Sesshoumaru. " You see… While Kaori-sama was unconscious I had some time to think about things and I've realized that I can't marry Kaori-sama; I never could."

There were gasps and whispers running through the villagers.

"Now please, let me finish." Matsu smiled. "You see… I was friend's with her father and mother and I watched her grow up into this fine young woman here before us and I have grown to love her, but as if she were my own daughter not as a potential wife. SO I have decided to remove myself from this silly 'competition' and leave her to the man best suited for her." Matsu turned to Sesshoumaru. "I know you'll love her for who she is. I know you are the best choice to reign in this spunky woman. You have my condolences and I do hope that your life with her will be complete."

I smiled at Matsu, tears filling my eyes again. "You have always been like a father to me Matsu-sama, I hope you never forget that."

Matsu smiled back. "Thank you Kaori-chan… I hope you know that you have always been like a daughter to me, and you always will be."

Sesshoumaru bowed low to Matsu. "I thank you for giving up in your attempts to marry her. I promise I will take good care of her in your place."

Matsu laughed. "Oh you better. I'll tan your hide if something like what happened a few weeks ago happens again to her."

They were both laughing by the time they were walking about up to the castle.