Title – You Are My Love

Rated – M

Couple –Kagome/...wait and find out! ^_^''

Genre – Romance/Adventure

Summary – A life is what you make of it...whatever you make of it. Kagome if one of five successors, she is also the only female successor. Normally, the Lady/Lord of a female successor will decide which male successor will take the hand of the rare female Successor. However, her Ladyship passes away before the decision could be made, leaving Kagome to decide; with few little words to help her choice along.

Key – Key

Flashback Flashback

"Speaking"

'Thinking'

-x-x-x-

Letter of Significance

Born across the lands of Japan, split in five sectors, are successors. With each successor comes great responsibility and power, but for each land a child must be gifted with certain...attributes...

For the Western Lands, the Successor must be one with the ability of Light, the capability to see the good qualities one has, and the ability to grow into the qualities.

992, Fallen Leaf Season, Night of a Crescent Moon

Dear Midoriko,

It has been many seasons since our last assemble. I would first implore that you come visit once in a while, secondly Dear Midoriko; I have excellent news to bestow you. My lovely Akari has given birth to a strong baby boy. One who I am sure will become a strong ruler, with a good head on his shoulders. We have decided on the name Sesshoumaru. A strong name, one he will grow into. Midoriko, I hope to see you soon, Akari wishes you good health and a long future, she too misses you. Take care, Midoriko.

Yours truly,

Lord Inu No Taisho

Western Lord

'A good name Taisho, and indeed, I will have to find time to visit.'

The Eastern lands were shrouded in dark clouds and fogged with a purple mist that brought forth the evilest of intentions and the darkest of desires. The successors of the Eastern lands were hard to trust; brought up in the art of treachery and deceit, born to lie for power and known for their disloyalty.

992, New Moon Cycle

Midoriko,

A child was born and a letter has been sent to the others as well. It is a boy; though, I have heard that Taisho had acquired a successor a cycle before I. He holds the oldest one and mine only a little younger. We now await the birth of Sunoe, Kaze and yourself; try and be quick.

Lord Kuro of the Eastern Lands

'As guileless as always Kuro dear; you haven't changed a bit. Not even giving me the child's name, what shall I call him; It? I suppose I will need to respond and pose my question then. Though, I find it intriguing, you and Taisho had the first and only a cycle apart. Rivals to the end, but as always, Kuro, you came in second to Taisho...oh, I should make sure never to say that out loud.'

"Heh heh," She laughed softly.

The Northern Lands had a playful air around it, so the Successor was almost always fun and carefree. Loyalty is a big thing for the Northern villagers and tribes. The successor was taught at a young age to never take revenge and anger to the heart.

993, Days of the Big, Bright and Open

Lady Midoriko,

So long the days have been, and you have delayed your visitation to our home. The winds have brought forth a gift of our own. As I am sure you have heard, Taisho has had the First of successors, and Kuro following after with his own boy. My lovely Lady Era has too given birth to a son, though a seasonal cycle has passed since the other two were born, I have watched as the third successor breathed it's first breath of life, and so, with that said, my son Jin, my love Era and I await to see you soon.

Lord Kaze of the North

'I haven't seen Era for many seasonal cycles; I hope she is doing well. Jin, sounds like he will make a whimsical sort of successor, but then, I expect nothing less from the successor of the Wind Lands, or from Kaze and Era.'

For those of the South, intelligence and a keen sense of knowledge and wisdom, always learning something new, the Southern villagers were the wisest of them all. The born or chosen successor was taught strategy and life's hardest lessons.

993, Snow Season

My Dearest Friend,

Midoriko, how have you been? I hope you have luck choosing a successor, for I have had the fourth, and that leaves only you. Another boy, as I am sure you guessed. He is named Touya and I am very proud of my son. A strong and kind baby, quiet too. I wish you would come and visit; Sis and I miss you greatly. I am afraid that with good news comes grave news; I am now Lady Sunoe, my love Xue has passed on from an illness and as such, he no longer rules the Southern Lands. I will raise Touya with the memories of his father, I don't wish for him to grow up not knowing the man who had wanted so badly to see him. I hope you don't feel sad by this news, for his death was painless if incomplete, but he went knowing that he'd guide his son in spirit. We await the letter of your own successor.

Lady Sunoe of the South

'Oh, my dear Sunoe, the passing of Xue is a sad one undeniably, but you are right, he will guide your son, Touya, spiritually and will always be there for the young boy.'

"So it's my turn, I have already chosen my successor though. I will not have a child of my own, but Ai had given her word that her daughter would be fit for the role perfectly...this...Kikyou. I shall see."

"Lady Midoriko, your cloak."

"Thank you Minato, how is your wife doing, and your son?"

"Both are wonderful, Miroku's birth cycle is coming to a new start soon."

"Really; so he'll be six or seven?"

"Seven Lady Midoriko."

"Well, I am happy for you."

"Thank you, it means a lot to me and Mari."

"It is nothing, now, if you will excuse me; I have somewhere I need to be."

Minato bowed and his loose black shoulder length hair fell forward with the motion as she pulled her long hooded cloak on and left, the fabric of the cloak sweeping through the air fluidly.

-x-x-x-

A little girl with long dark brown hair stood outside with her mother, a fake smile stand in place of her normally placid one.

"Kikyou, you will be making mama and papa really happy when Lady Midoriko chooses you as her successor."

The girls brown eyes stared up at her mother, dull and almost lifeless were the girls' eyes.

"Successor?"

"Yes, you will be taken in by Lady Midoriko, and then...well, you will see." Kikyou watched her mother turn as a woman walked up to them.

"Ai, how have you been?"

"Wonderful! Truly wonderful, I received your letter just this morning."

"That's good; is this child Kikyou?" Midoriko looked down at the child who stared almost emotionlessly at her.

"She is. My pride and joy, she is."

"Hmm," Her eyes looked to Kikyou's and the little girl back up a little, unnerved by the stare. It was like the woman was staring into her very soul, and digging into her conscious. "I'm sorry, Ai; I can't take her as my successor. Her heart is conflicted and though she may be physically and socially prepared for the future that I have prepared for my successor, she fails mentally and spiritually." She bowed respectfully and turned to leave. Kikyou seemed relieved, despite her mothers' angry expression.

"MIDORIKO! You can't do this!"

"I'm afraid that I can, Ai. I won't place my people or my home in jeopardy because your child is incapable of perceiving when good is bad and bad is good or when the two blur; it's a difficult task, one that your little girl will overwhelm herself with, and the outcome will be demoralizing, she will die in distress and pain."

"..."

"Care for your little one." Midoriko left without another word.

-x-x-x-

"How unsettling," Midoriko walked buoyantly through the streets.

"Madam, are you okay?"

Midoriko stopped in her stride back to her castle and turned to see a man with graying black hair and a cheerful smile, a woman was next to him smiling happily with a plump belly.

"You are about to give life to child, best wishes to all three of you."

"You are too kind M'lady." The woman in his arms smiled happily, bowing her head respectfully to Midoriko.

"M'lady?"

"You hide beneath that cloak of snow like fabric, but I see who you are. Only our Ladyship walks in such a fluid pace and way. Your eyes are similar to that of Lady Yuki when I met her."

"I see, you met the sister of the southern Lady, Lady Sunoe. It must have been an honor to meet her."

"It was M'lady. I met her while she had been on her way to the Lady Sunoe's castle to help with the birth of the South's successor."

"I see, your child is..."

"A blessing."

"Yes, she is."

"She?" The woman smiled blissfully. "I'm having a baby girl!"

"Yes, if it is alright with you, in four years may I return to see the child?"

"What for?"

"I had come here for a reason madam, sir. I came because today I was supposed to take in my successor, however...the girl turned out to be...questionable, her heart and soul were not ready for the trials. Your child will be born within the next season."

"So, our daughter has become...a candidate?"

"Yes, if that is alright with you."

"Oh, it's great! Thank you, it is truly an honor, I look forward to seeing you in four years, M'lady."

"As do I, may I inquire to your names?"

"I am Aika Higurashi and this is my husband, Isao Higurashi."

"I see, than please call me Midoriko; I will meet you both four years from now."

"Good bye, Midoriko."

The two bowed, Isao called out slightly, "Goodbye, Lady Midoriko."

-x-x-x-

I remember the words my father had told me...before I was chosen as the Lady Midoriko's successor. "Remain bright when all light fades, and keep your heart strong when your mind falls weak. Take no battle without due consideration, and ponder no more then necessary on your enemies or friends. Whatever your life holds in store for you, remember, a life, no matter whose, is always full of choices and decisions; some good, others...not so much; what matters, is that the outcome is what you make of it, and you take the consequences of those outcomes, good or bad." It was that same day, my father allowed a woman entrance into our home. She was magnificently beautiful; her hair a raven black, shining with every caress of light bestowed upon the long waist length locks. The wind seemed to be dancing to a timeless melody with the silky straight tresses. The woman's eyes held such wisdom in imperceptible old age; she looked no more then a snapping young 30's and yet, her eyes told stories of centuries. Those deep cerulean blue eyes captured mine in a calculative gaze, and her first words were stained into my memory...

"Your eyes are beautiful..." My father seemed to be glowing; I was only four during that first meeting. Her second meeting was to come quicker than I had thought. For not but a season later and that woman was back. Continuously, when I had seen her, I distinctly remember her always dressed in a white hooded cloak that covered her whole form with elegance and flowed ever so gently with her slightest movements. Her last meeting, was my last day with my father. It was my sixth birthday that she came to our home and told my father that I had been chosen as the Lady of Unity's successor.

"I trust you'll take care of her..." Those were the words that my father so kindly said... "I trust you'll take care of her..." I had felt abandoned when he told her this. 'I trust you'll take care of her...' I had allowed those words to haunt me in my dreams during my first seasonal cycle at Unity Castle...my new home...my memories lasted no longer then three seasons as I was gradually eased into my new home and lifestyle. Lady Midoriko was the one who had continuously visited my home. I was a successor of our Ladyship...our protector...

My name is Kagome Higurashi...

Lady...Kagome Higurashi as of today.

"Lady Kagome, the letters are becoming urgent. Replies need to be sent out..." Kagome turned away from her violets and peonies that she had been watering.

"Then send replies."

"But what should I tell the Lord's and Lady?"

"Hmm...How about telling them, the truth?" She asked; placing the watering can down, she looked to her desperate advisor. He had black hair in a short ponytail that was tied at his neck and violet eyes. The young man was Twenty-Four years old and was very wise in comparison to many others at the castle. "Miroku, you are a capable advisor...I'm sure you can come up with something. I will not marry someone I have never met nor seen. It is as simple as that."

"Yes, but―"

"But nothing! I won't hear another word on the subject!" She turned away and continued watering her flowers, moving onto the roses when Miroku bowed and left to do his job.

-x-x-x-

Me: Hope everyone enjoys this new story. ^_^''