A/N: I tried adding a little religion to this chapter, I don't think I am very accurate though as to how it works or how a noble would talk to clergy. I did do some research though on Shintoism, anyway enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Rumiko Takahashi's

It was late the next day when Izayoi and Takemaru left to go to the shrine. It was not far from the castle in Setsuna. They approached the shrine, and cleansed their hands, Takemaru rung the bell, they bowed twice, clapped twice and prayed. Izayoi bowed her head, hands clasped together, thinking about how to pray. She really only wanted one thing, to be with Inutaisho. She prayed that he would never leave her. After they had spent some time at the shrine, they made their way home. The sun had already begun to set over the horizon, as they walked the dirt road. Up ahead Izayoi could see a group of monks, traveling as well. She lowered her head in respect.

"Good day." The head monk said. Takemaru stopped and turned in his direction.

"Good day lord monk."

"It would be best if you two got home soon, there are many demons prowling these lands, especially the great dog demon."

That again, why where so many people afraid of Inutaisho? Izayoi knew him as a kind and compassionate yokai, even if they were rare. She wished that others could know him like she did. Takemaru and another monk started to talk and Izayoi listened in, but soon she felt as if someone was watching her. She looked over to the right to see the head monk staring straight at her. Why was he staring? And why did he have that suspicious look? He could not possibly know about Izayoi's relationship with Inutaisho. Soon they parted from the group of monks and continued on their way home, but thoughts went through the monks head. There is something suspicious about that girl.

As Izayoi and Takemaru walked through the gate, they both noticed that there were many other samurai around, more than usual, and that there were some unfamiliar faces.

"Who are all these men?" Takemaru was ready for a fight if that was necessary.

"They are my protectors." A female voice spoke up from behind a few samurai, she appeared from behind them in full view. Izayoi gasped, it was Kameko!

"Kameko-sama!" Izayoi practically yelled her name. She threw herself onto the old woman and they embraced. Oh how good it felt to see her dear aunt again, after what Takemaru said, Izayoi wasn't sure if she would ever see her.

"Takemaru-sama, I have not seen you since the wedding." Kameko said, still holding a teary eyed Izayoi. Takemaru smiled lightly.

"Yes it has been a long time."

"Come Izayoi, come to the garden with me and we will talk a while."

Izayoi and Kameko left Takemaru standing with the samurai. Takemaru had not wanted Kameko to be here, he preferred Izayoi to himself, but as long as it made her smile.

Izayoi and Kameko walked along the path by the pond, the sun was almost down and the stars were coming out.

"Izayoi, you seem different somehow. Are you feeling alright?"

Izayoi thought about it, could she tell that Izayoi was having feelings for someone? She hoped that she did not suspect Inutaisho.

"I am fine, Yuriko said that I seem in love with Takemaru, but I do not believe her."

"Who is Yuriko?"

"My servant."

Izayoi knew that she was stepping on egg shells, if Kameko knew then Izayoi would be in big trouble.

"You do seem happier somehow, a little more whole, but you are not in love with Takemaru?" Izayoi shook her head, she knew that could never happen.

"Izayoi, have you seen…..him lately?"

Izayoi's heart jumped up into her throat. She could not confess her love for Inutaisho to Kameko.

"I have only seen him fly in the sky, but I have never met him" Izayoi hated to lie, but she knew it was safe for her and Inutaisho.

"I hope that you will keep your distance like I have told you, you do not want to get involved with a demon." Izayoi nodded. They continued their walk around the garden until the sun was gone and the moon was out. Soon Kameko grew tired.

"Izayoi I think that I will retire."

Izayoi nodded.

"I will stay out here a little longer if that is alright."

Kameko suddenly grew suspicious but she accepted it.

"Alright Izayoi, but don't stay out too late." Soon Kameko was gone.

Izayoi stood in the garden waiting for Inutaisho, it was ages before she finally heard a loud whoosh above her, she looked up at the moon to see Inutaisho fly across it. Izayoi jumped up, he was coming! She looked around for him, but no one was there. Izayoi searched the entire garden, but she could find nothing. Suddenly she heard a loud roar in the distance, she looked to the west to see over the castle wall. In the distance was Inutaisho, in true form, on top of a hill. He was waiting for her. Izayoi wanted to see him, but she did not understand why he would not come to her. She waited for a while, and saw as the great white dog finally gave up and started to leave. Izayoi panicked, no don't leave I am coming! She ran out of the garden and made her way around the castle to the front gate, she saw all the samurai sleeping around her, they did not seem to be following their orders very well. Soon Izayoi found herself far away from the castle on top of the very hill he was standing on. She looked ahead, as far as her eyes could take her, all the way to the beach in the distance. Soon Izayoi knew, he was gone, she lowered her head and felt her tears begin to fall. She had missed him.

"Inutaisho." Izayoi turned and began walking away, maybe tomorrow night he would come back? She did not know, maybe he had lost interest in her. Soon Izayoi was back in the woods near the castle, she struggled through the thick brush. It was too much for her to bear and she found herself sitting on the forest floor sobbing.

"Why do you cry child?"

A voice spoke from the darkness.

"She cries because she is afraid, afraid of death."

Another voice spoke.

"Afraid she is? Then let's ease her pain."

Izayoi looked up to see eyes appear from the darkness, eyes of many colors, red, yellow, purple, eyes that stared hungrily at her.

"I want the first bite!"

"NO! I will have her legs."

Suddenly the eyes were attached to hands that reached out to her, Izayoi was surrounded, she whimpered as they closed in.

"Inutaisho!" Izayoi cried. She felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Inutaisho!" Izayoi screamed. She stood up and fought back slapping at the hands that grabbed her clothes and hair. She tried to run but they pulled her back. Suddenly Izayoi heard a loud roar behind her, it was not the roar of a monster, but sounded more like a man. She heard slicing of flesh and bone.

"She is ours! You cannot have her!" Suddenly a mouth full of fangs came out of the darkness and bit Izayoi on the shoulder. She screamed, then fell on the ground, but the hands were no longer around her, the eyes were gone, and Izayoi was alone again. Or was she? She rolled over onto her back and felt her shoulder as it stung with pain. She felt the sticky wetness of her blood. Someone hovered over her, but it was too dark to see.

"Izayoi." a deep resonating voice spoke her name.

"Inutaisho." Suddenly Izayoi felt herself drifting away, as the pain became more and more intense. She was losing conciousness. She tried to fight it but soon succumbed.

Inutaisho held her in his arms.

"Izayoi! Izayoi!" He shook her but she did not respond. Inutaisho pulled down her kimono to get a better look at the wound, it was a poison bite. He knew what to do, who to go to. He could help her, but Inutaisho had to make it in time. He had to make it! He picked her up off the ground and ran into the dark forest.

A/N Alright, tell me if this is good, or not, I am not to sure about some parts but I really like the ending and you might like where it goes. Anyway, please R/R!