Herro Hawesome People of Le World! I'm glad you people like it so far, even have a follower. LOVE IT! I'm having a caffeine crash and i need to stay awake cause my friend is coming to pick me up at 11:30 to go to her house. AT NIGHT! I'm so nocturnal lol. Any strudel, Enjoy chappy 8. A.T.

Mai walked through the door. Kagome and Dylan looked up at her from their discussion.

" Is he OK?"

" Yeah, he's fine. Just wanted some air."

Inuyasha walked up behind Mai and stood there. Mai tilted her head back with it landing against his chest being that he was about a head and a half

taller than her, even with her favorite buckle steel-capped combat boots she was shorter than him by at least a head. She looked at him as he looked

down at her smile that was sweetly spread across her face.

" Hi there."

He smiled back at her and lightly pushed her forward so they were inside. Dylan and Kagome looked at each other questioning the sudden kindness

between the two figures before them that always fought.

" Welcome back. Sorry we brought up bad memories."

" It's OK... You guys should get some sleep. We're leaving tomorrow."

The all nodded and left for their room, though Dylan stopped and stood before Inuyasha handing him something.

" Here Inuyasha..."

" What is it?"

" You were going through my bag before and I bet it was this band that Mai made for me a couple years ago while us orphans were making them for

each other. She made some for guys the other day in her spare time. She's always making stuff with what ever she has on hand."

Inuyasha looked at the light blue woven strings of plastic with small, smooth white beads shaped like a sea shell and could smell the scent of the ocean

wafting off of it.

" Yeah, this is it, but why does it smell like the ocean?"

" I was found drifting as sea. Sailors found me floating on a bed of seaweed and drift wood. I guess the smell of the ocean just stuck. Anyway, night

Inuyasha."

*Mais' Room*

Mai was spread out on her back, fingering the bracelet.

*FLASH BACK*

The madame was standing before the other children in the door way with a young boy standing beside her.

" Everyone, this is Dylan. Be nice and make him feel welcome. Especially you Mai."

Mai stuck her tongue out at the big woman while listening to the rain hit against the windows. The madame got an idea as the smirk spread across her

wrinkled, pudgy face.

" He's in your charge. Show him around but do NOT get him in trouble!"

She left, and the other children went back to what ever they were previously doing. Mai just kept her head down but her eyes peering at Dylan from

under her fringe with piercing eyes.

At this point in time Mai was nine and Dylan was eight, a year after Mai arrived. Dylan hadn't spoke at all he entire time.

" Are you a mute or something?"

Mai raised her head to look at him more clearly while he stood in silence.

" Guh! Come one."

Mai grabbed his hand.

*END FLASH BACK*

Inuyasha knocked lightly on Mai's door and spoke through the door.

" Hey Mai, can we talk?"

" Yeah."

Mai sat up against the bed post as Inuyasha walked into her room.

" What's up?"

" Can you tell me more about Dylan's history? He said he was found adrift at sea and that's what I smelt before."

" Yeah he was. I just grown used to he smell honestly. I hardly notice it anymore. When we were young and I got upset, I'd sneak into his room and

sleep there, his smell was calming. He was always kind and mature about things even though he's a little younger."

" We called people who smelt like he sea he ocean people. Obvious reason why. But there is something different about him."

" Like what?"

" I don't know, but worth looking into in the Feudal Era."

" Yeah I guess. Anything else you wanted to talk about?"

She watched with heavy, tired eyes while he sat next to her. She started to doze off and leaned against his arm with her head resting on his shoulder.

Inuyasha looked down at her.

' I guess I better let her rest. But there's something... If demons are after her and calling her princess...'

He just sat there looking out the window.

*Half Hour Later*

Mai's dreams were invaded by shadows, causing her to wake with a start. Inuyasha, who had fallen asleep, woke also and looked at her.

" You OK?"

" Fine... just... I'm gonna stay up for a little while."

It was evident that Mai was still really tired.

" Want me to stay?"

" Please?"

He put his arm around her shoulders.

" I thought the nightmares were over..."

" What nightmares?"

" Memories from my past... the terrors... the shadow creature with its glowing red eyes... always running... can never escape..."

Mai had pulled her knees up to her chest, burying her face in her arms as she rocked herself back and forth. Inuyasha had a worried expression.

' What if the eyes are that of the shadow demon we ran into? It would make complete sense.'

" How long have you been having these?"

" ... Since the incident."

Since Inuyasha had his attention on Mai, he didn't notice the red eyes hovering in the far upper corner of he room, watching Mai, but she noticed. She

jumped in fear and surprise, then dug her face into Inuyasha's shirt.

" Hey, you OK?"

" I... I don't know..." Mai kept her face pressed into Inuyasha's shirt the rest of the night.

*DAWN*

Inuyasha has his sight focused on the sky through the window.

" Looks like you might be sleeping in school."

" Wouldn't be the first time. Plus, that's if I can even sleep..."

" I know the feeling. Two nights before Kikyo was brought back to life... I had a nightmare from the memory of her sealing me away with her arrow. I

don't know if it was fate or a freak accident, but now she's somewhat back in my life. So don't think you're alone in this."

" Thanks Inuyasha. I needed that."

Inuyasha yawned and stretched while Mai rubbed the tiredness from her eyes.

" Man, I'm still tired. I'm gonna sleep."

Inuyasha got up from his seat next to Mai on the bed and walked over to the corner by the window to sit and sleep.

" Yeah, you do that you lucky duck."

Mai knew Inuyasha was already asleep so proceeded to get ready for school and went down stairs. Mai was sitting down stairs for a few minutes when

Dylan and Kagome came down.

" Wow Mai, you're up earlier than usual."

" Did Inuyasha leave? I haven't seen him all night."

" Why? Were you planning to do something with him? Lol."

Dylan was amused by the look Kagome had. Mai decided to show she had a heart by saving her.

" No. He was hanging out with me all night and fell asleep in my room. He's still asleep."

Dylan gasped.

" Mai! First Sesshomaru and now Inuyasha! And you say I work fast."

Mai rolled her eyes and Kagome stepped forward.

" Was he really?" ' Wow. They must have connected.'

Mai looked horrified... almost.

" Don't go making assumptions! I was having trouble sleeping so he talked with me for a little while OK?"

Mai stood, grabbing her bag, and headed for the door.

" I'm leaving first."

Mai walked out leaving the other two just standing there.

" She really has it bad for the guy."

" Who? Sesshomaru?"

" Yeah. Lol. She actually giggled. But she would rather threaten murder than admit to it."

" Does she never giggle?"

" Nope. She says it makes her feel stupid."

" Hmm. Oh No! Mai forgot her note for the school!"

" We better get going."

Kagome grabbed the note as the ran out he door, running to catch up to Mai.

*Mai*

Mai sighed while she was walking. She stopped to buy a cold drink on her way to the school as the other two ran up to her.

" Mai!"

" Wait up! You forgot your note!"

Mai turned to see the others as they stopped to catch their breathe. My took the note and nodded.

" Thanks."

My threw her empty soda bottle in a near by garbage can and continued walking with Dylan and Kagome following.

" It's our last day in the 'present' for a while. I have so much to do today; dueling club, hanging with Mayu for a while and I said I would show Sota

some moves."

" Plus we're studying history today..."

Mai stretched and yawned as they neared the school.

" Good. I can catch up on some sleep."

Dylan threw the back of her head an exasperated look.

" Well I guess the two of us will be taking the notes then."

" Yep."

They finally arrived at school where Mayu was waiting.

" Hey Dylan."

" Huh?"

Dylan was drawn out of the conversation he and Kagome were having as Maya ran up to hem.

" Oh hey."

" Are you going to dueling club today?"

" Yeah, but I can't stay long. We're going to visit Kagome's distant relatives for a while."

Mai looked at Mayu carefully then at Dylan as a Cheshire grin made its way on her face.

" Ooh! Hey Dylie, she's pretty. Is she your girlfriend yet? Hey there. I'm Mai."

It was making Dylan and Mayu nervous but for totally different reasons. Dylan knew his sister was ganna end up acting like this on purpose as a test to

see if the new girl could handle being around, and Mayu was afraid Mai would attack her.

" Ahem, um... This is my sister Mai and this is Kagome. Guys... this is Mayu."

Kagome shook Mayu's hand and shot her an apologetic smile for Mais' behavior.

" Hi Mayu. Nice to meet you."

Mai just stood there smiling and acting innocent, which we all know she is anything but.

" It's nice to meet the both of you. Do you two go to dueling or any other club?"

Kagome shook her head and Mai went mellow.

" No, I'm too busy with school work."

" Oh, I know what you mean. What about you Mai?"

" I don't do clubs unless they're for party fun time."

Dylan and Kagome sweat-dropped and Mayu just smiled, not sure of what else to say.

" Hehehe... my sister for ya'."

" Lol. I can see her point though, but I'm sorry that I'm not going to get to hang with you guys. My family is hosting a festival at our shrine early next

week."

Dylan looked excited.

" Oh I'm sure we'll be back by then."

Mai gazed in the other direction with half-lidded eyes.

" Yeah... sounds fun."

* Higarashi House*

Mai ran into the house, tackling Inuyasha to the ground.

" FREEDOM! Feudal Era, here I come!"

" AGH! What the hell Mai? I get you're excited, but we can't leave until the others get back."

" I know, but school feels like a boredom inducing prison. You're loads more fun."

Kagome's grandfather walked in with something long wrapped in a thin red sheet.

" Oh good. Welcome back Mai. If you're going back to the Feudal Era, I want to give you something. This weapon could come in handy."

He hands it to Mai with great care.

" Really?"

Mai unwraps it and looks at the bo staff, studying the intricate detail and running her hands along the cool silver colored metal.

" It's beautiful."

Inuyasha watched her wearily to make sure she didn't end up hurting herself.

" How old is that thing?"

" Older than you, I can tell you that."

Kagome, having walked home alone, came through the door and saw the staff in Mai's grasp.

" I'm back. Grandpa, what is that?"

" This is an ancient bo staff that was passed down through the Higarashi family to guard over, but I don't see any harm of giving it to Mai."

Mai started bouncing in place from her pent up excitement.

" LOVING IT! Thanks SO much!"

Mai ran out side to practice while the others were left in shock from her speed. Inuyasha called after her.

" Just don't hurt yourself!"

Kagome shook her head.

" Where did our family get it from?"

" I don't remember... all I do know is that it belonged to a royal family in ancient times."

*MAI*

Mai seemed to be dancing around the yard as she the others came out to watch her. Mai stopped and smiled at them, not noticing that the staff began

to glow and that her eyes were turning deep red with a violet glow to them. Inuyasha began sniffing the air.

" I smell a demonic aura!"

" What? Where?"

Mai was too happy holding the staff in a firm grip to notice his alarmed state.

" Oh man. Guys, this feels amazing. My senses are so much better. I feel so light..."

Everyone turned their attention to Mai immediately and saw the faint trace of aura around her frame.

Inuyasha + Kagome: MAI!