Sesshomaru and his young companion were not the only ones who had lived through those fifty long years. Jaken and Yunai, who had been left behind in this world, had endured them too.
After so much time, they had assumed Yunai had returned to Gensokyo and Jaken to Musashi Province. So when they met again, their shock mingled with heartache and joy. They had waited here for nearly fifty years, holding their vigil through all those long years, never leaving or giving up, sustained by the simplest trust and the plainest promise.
The moment they met, Yunai threw herself eagerly into the girl's soft, warm embrace. Her two little paws hooked tightly into the girl's clothing, refusing to let go. For this reunion, Yunai had given up what might have been her last chance to return home, all for a chance that grew slimmer with every passing year.
Jaken rushed up to Sesshomaru. This little monster had always spoken of repaying Sesshomaru for saving his life, but what had kept him here for so long was no longer his original desire to follow the strong. It was his trust in his master. Tears of excitement filled the green-skinned little monster's large eyes as he called tremblingly to the cold, handsome dog demon, "Lord Sesshomaru..."
"Mm." Sesshomaru fell silent. Even this was a rare display of gentleness toward Jaken. The last time had been during the Leopard Cat Tribe's invasion, when Jaken had continued to follow him despite their disadvantage, earning a small measure of kindness. This time, nearly fifty years of waiting were enough to stir Sesshomaru faintly. For the first time, he looked squarely at the little monster kneeling before him, who had raised his head and was staring at him with all his might-the little monster he had