Author's Note:

Hello everyone! WriteTheFinal here, and welcome to my first ever fanfiction! I have written several things before, but never anything like this online, so I hope that it's well appreciated. Of course comments/critiques/and advice are appreciated. I don't mind how harsh it is as long as it's honest and backed up by good evidence. If someone just out and says they hate my story, then that's their opinion and I won't judge them for it. But, as I'm sure is the same for all you writers out there, a kind comment here and there is welcome.

So, my first fanfiction will take place in the wondrous world of Inuyasha, made by none other than the "Manga Princess" herself, Rumiko Takahashi. I have admired and adored this series ever since I was little, but after finding out the conclusion of the anime only a few years ago, like many of you out there, I yearned for more. I guess there was no point in continuing the story though, especially since both Naraku and the Shikon Jewel have been taken out of the picture.

But no, I don't think it should stop there! The questions left unanswered are many, and some fates still left undecided! Many, I presume, are still curious about the relationship between Sesshomaru and Rin. More so, what happens now with our four heroes who have seemingly settled into a calm and relaxed life? Is it really all over?

Not for me it isn't! This story is my version of what I believe the continuation of Inuyasha should be! I won't be focusing on just one or two characters, but all the characters whom we all know and love.

The story shall begin a short time after where our characters were last seen in the extra chapter published by Takahashi-san in 2013. For those of you who hadn't read it yet, I encourage you to do so before reading this story.

I hope you enjoy the story, and feedback would really be appreciated as well. Thank you, and happy reading!

-WriteTHeFinal-


Chapter 1 - The Start of Tomorrow

The chirping of birds could be heard from far off in the distance. The forest wasn't far away, and after all it was Feudal Japan when the territory of Musashi hadn't been settled fully yet. The land which would one day become Tokyo was no more than dense forestry with few rivers accompanied by villages here and there. Having chosen to live in an era with no electricity, no modern technology, no familiar surroundings, and not to mention a million and one different rules and customs she had to abide by, it was evident that Kagome Higarashi truly loved her husband Inuyasha-a half-demon who always proved to be stronger than he appeared-to be able to live with him in surroundings so unlike her own in what we know as the present day Japan.

Standing tall and proud, Kagome woke up every day with a spring in her step and a smile on her face. A newly accustomed priestess, she still had much to learn from old Kaede, the younger sister of Kagome's former reincarnated self, the immortal priestess Kikyo. Kikyo had been Inuyasha's old lover, and for a time Kagome's rival, but in the end Inuyasha had made his choice about whom he belonged with. There was nothing to separate him and Kagome now, though of course he tried often enough to hide how much Kikyo's existence had meant to him in the past. Despite living in the same home together for quite some time, there were still some evident boundaries that existed between the two, but bit by bit they learned to cope and move on towards the future. Kagome considered that "tomorrow" was all that would matter once she got the hang of living in such a strange land.

Waking at dawn and going about her daily chores was only the start. While her brave husband and his spiritual comrade Miroku went off in search of evil demons to slay, Kagome spent her time with Kaede and Miroku's wife Sango, a former demon slayer who now dedicated her time to mothering three children. It still took a lot of getting used to, seeing Sango as a mother after seeing her in battle dressed as a warrior so many times.

The two women went about their chores often, ever in conversation about the past, the world around them, and the future. Both had matured and changed deeply since last having seen each other, and yet still they held onto a friendship which could never be broken.

"How are you getting along Kagome?" Sango chanced to ask while they knelt by the riverbed doing laundry. Kagome scrubbed at Inuyasha's red sash eagerly as she noticed the sun rising higher into the sky. Wife though she may be, she was also a priestess, and as such had to tend to many other duties as well. One of them was keeping up with her archery so as to protect the village should any demons come near and try to attack.

"Alright I guess," Kagome answered honestly. "But to be honest, I think it'll still take some getting used to. You've all changed so much, and yet it's been three years since I've been here. What must I have missed while I was back in my own world? How can I make up for that?"

"Kagome, you have nothing to make up for," Sango assured her, all the while keeping a watchful eye on her twins Sumi and Suki. They were watching over their younger brother Toru, however they were both mischievous and liked to tease the few-months-old baby who was barely learning how to walk. If Sango hadn't trusted them even a little though, perhaps they wouldn't be allowed so close to her only son. "You were trapped in your world after you destroyed the Sacred Jewel. We should be grateful to you, even though we all missed you terribly."

Kagome nodded with a grateful smile. "Yes, I suppose you're right. But still, I wish I could find a way to erase those three years of emptiness for Inuyasha and I. Though I've been busy in my own world, I still wanted to see him. I'm very happy to finally be by his side again."

"Do you miss your world? I mean, well your family's there, so surely you must want to go back, right?"

Kagome's smile dropped. It was true that she missed her mother, grandpa and kid brother Sota and thought of them often, but she knew that the love they would be able to offer her would never be enough. She had chosen to stay with Inuyasha, and she wasn't going back on that decision.

"Of course I do, but-"

"Keeping busy I see?"

"Kaede!"

The old priestess came into view, walking calmly along the riverbank with a young, eleven-year-old Rin at her side. Rin smiled politely to both women, but she had nothing to say at the moment. Though she still kept up a friendly disposition, she was noticeably more silent the more time passed in the village. It was clear that her absence from Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older brother and a noble full-blooded demon was starting to take its toll on her. But both Kaede and Sesshomaru suspected that this might happen, so no one said a word about it or tried to change it.

Kaede nodded her greeting. "I see ye are doing well Kagome. The life of a priestess suits ye, as it did my sister Kikyo." Kaede was always making references to the long-dead sister whom she loved and revered even in her old age, so it wasn't taken badly on anyone's behalf. For a time, Kagome had almost actually hated Kikyo, despite the fact that her very nature forbade anything evil. But it was undeniable to the wise old eyes of Kaede that in more ways than one, Kagome and Kikyo couldn't help but share some similarities. The sad truth had been that one of those similarities was a love for Inuyasha.

"I don't know about that," Kagome admitted. "I haven't been out of this village barely once since I've gotten here, and besides which there's never any demons around." The demons rarely attacked their specific village anymore because everyone in the region now knew of the fearsome half-demon Inuyasha who wielded a demon sword greater than all their powers combined. It was really dangerous to even get near the village with a bad intent, let alone expect to come out alive should any of the three main heroes catch them. Very few demons knew of Kagome's very existence, and that was part of the reason she felt so left out. Her three years spent away from the Feudal Era really cost her, though no one saw it that way as much as she did.

"Aye, and that is a good thing," Kaede observed. "Though ye are strong Kagome, remember that as a priestess, ye responsibilities will take ye far from the village one day. Someday ye will miss these days of peace and tranquility which so many people are unable to have."

"She's right you know," Sango said. Having living in a demon slayer's village that was rarely free from attack or the continuous demand for the slaying of demons, she knew better than anyone to respect the days when she could take a breather. Kagome had yet to find her purpose in her new life though, and it was more than likely that it was bothering her to know that everyone else seemed to have a place.

"What did you want to see us about, Kaede?" Kagome asked. After all, the old priestess's visits weren't at random.

"Still as perceptive as ever I see. Very well, I shall tell ye. But first finish ye tasks and then come inside to my hut."

Quickly settling out the last wet clothes to dry on the line, the five-Kagome, Sango, and the children-followed after Kaede and Rin into the old priestess's hut. There, Kaede began brewing herbal tea for them all to enjoy while they conversed.

After serving each of them and sending the children outside to play-with close supervision from Rin of course-Kaede looked into the eyes of each woman carefully.

"Kagome, I'm afraid that ye will be seeing battle yet, and very soon at that. And Sango, ye as well."

Both Kagome and Sango startled. This was not what they had expected at all. "What do you mean, Kaede?" Sango was the first to ask.

"A demon has come. A demon so fearsome and yet so cunning, that Miroku and Inuyasha shall surely fail to slay it if they try."

"But wait a minute!" Kagome insisted. "Inuyasha and Miroku are both strong and they haven't failed to slay a demon yet! What demon could there possibly be that Sango and I can slay but they can't?"

Kaede sighed. "I will tell me, but I must insist that ye both do not reveal a word of this to Inuyasha or Miroku. If they learn of this demon, they shall surely go after it alone and perish. It must be kept a secret."

"We promise," Sango said firmly.

Kagome nodded. Of course, anything! If only to protect the lives of her husband and friend...


Author's End Note:

Thank you to everyone who's read thus far so far! I promise that it shall only get better from here on out, but for now this was a sort of introductory chapter. I'd love to hear any comments or feedback you have on this, so please don't hesitate to insert a comment below! Just any little thing is fine. And once again, thanks for reading!

So, what was Kaede talking about? Who is this new demon that's suddenly come on the scene? And why can only Sango and Kagome face him? Find out in the next exciting chapter!