Important: I've changed the order of the fics and decided to do away with the whole "new names" thing. ; it's easier just to have them by their original names (I.E. Sango is...Sango x.x), just so that they run a little more smoothly... Also, this is mainly going to be a M/S Fic with some Sess/Rin on the side XD This way I can actually put it in a category x.x

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Pick up is always an interesting time, thought Miroku as he looked around at the new meat. The ship had just made a stop at Athines, Miroku's home planet - supposedly. At least that's what Mushin always told him. He was a child when he'd been handed over to his drunken godfather and could scarcely recall any details about his parents. Only bits and fragments.

His mother used to sing. He knew that much because every now and then he would find himself humming a lullaby. No one here sang lullabies any longer. They gave false hope. It was too cruel to give children that.

Athines had been half blown apart after the last war, killing millions and leaving much more homeless. These people's only refuge was on a ship such as this. There were thousands and the chance that any of the new passengers would recognize him, or he them, was very little. Still, he continued to scan the crowd with hallow hope.

As a new family entered the foyer, Miroku found himself staring, quite rudely, at the woman of it. She was with two other men, one a boy really. One was, undoubtedly, her father judging by the air of protectiveness around him. The younger clung to her hand as one might do to a mother. The girl's - woman really - lips moved as she shook her arm free to grab a hold of a small bag at her feet. She cradled it with care, smiling as she looked inside.

Suddenly, Miroku saw it: A little cream-colored tail sticking out before the boy pushed it back into the bag. They had smuggled on a cat.

Finally, the girl took notice of her 'stalker' and gave him a look to kill. Miroku may have been terrified but instead found himself grinning like a fool. He waved.

The girl's eyebrows shot up and she quickly ushered her family along, giving one last lingering look to where Miroku stood. For a second, it seemed a flash of recognition passed between them but was quickly obscured by a new group moving in, blocking Miroku's view.

He stood there until the way cleared, but it was obvious the girl hadn't waited. They were gone.

Sighing half-heartedly, Miroku stuck his hands in his pockets and trudged back to his quarters - it was nearly curfew. Oh well. There was always tomorrow.