A/N: Inuyasha and all characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi, this story is the brainchild of Kajatk8, and belongs to her.

Chapter 1. New Beginnings

It had been a full year since Kagome had been able to come back to the Feudal Era. While she had been happy in Modern Tokyo with her family and friends, she realized after defeating Naraku, she never really belonged there. In fact – she hadn't belonged in the modern era in a long time. What other ninth grader has assisted a village with a plague? Buried a whole village? Watched as their best friend lost themselves in their demon blood and murdered a whole band of bandit's right in front of her? Fought off hordes of demons only armed with a bow and spiritual power? None of her friends even believed in demons, let alone believe that she drifted off to the past during her many "illnesses" during middle school. They'd probably just lock her up for insanity and throw away the key.

So Kagome kept a lid on her secret life and pined for it in the three years she missed. She had been over-joyed to return. She thought her life would always be lived in the shadow of the time spent there, just with the remembrances of her friends and allies. However, when she graduated high school after throwing herself back into school full swing – it was almost as if she were unconsciously aware she would go back. She excelled in history and had taken many extra-curricular activity classes in CPR and medicine. Her friends thought she'd become a doctor, but she always seemed disinterested in continuing her education and college. Little did they know, the only reason she took an interest was to help those in need. It had been the closest she could come to learning to be a miko in the modern world.

But now, she was back, everyday seemed to be a gift. Wanting to get out of the shadow of Kikyo, Kagome was studying the arts of a Shinto Priestess under the watchful eye of Kaede and Jinenji. While purification seemed to come to her without thought, she had never received formal training. But the past year was spent combining her modern day knowledge and that of a traditional Priestess.

"Are you ready to go yet Kagome?" Inuyasha asked. He'd been asking every ten minutes or so while she got ready.

"Just about Inuyasha," Kagome replied while putting the finishing touches on the last of her concoctions. "Kaede won't be able to have me around for the next month or so… I thought I'd just help her with the last few remedies before we go…" Kagome said.

"She will be fine! It's not like she won't have Miroku or Sango around, hell, even Shippo can help with basic remedies." Inuyasha said.

"I know, I know. I just want to be thorough," Kagome said.

"Any more thorough and we'll never leave!" Inuyasha replied. "I still don't know why you think you need to learn Shikigami." He said.

"Because! It's all part of a traditional priestesses studies. Besides, don't you remember how powerful Kikyo's were? Kocho and Asuka protected Kohaku. They could purify and protect areas while she wasn't there. Imagine if I could do that when we go and take care of demons in far off villages. Edo would be protected!" Kagome replied a little too enthusiastically.

"Yeah I remember…" Inuyasha said, his eyes a little glazed over apparently lost in thought. "It's not like we are gone that often," he said.

"I know, I just want to learn all I can," Kagome responded. "Plus, it'll be nice to see them again, don't you think?" Kagome finished up stirring her concoction and placed the cloth around the top of the jar, fastening the lid.

"As long as they don't try to make us into Shikigami again…" Inuyasha said haughtily watching Kagome work.

"Yes, that was a little mortifying, but Botan and Momiji were just confused." Kagome said. Remembering the time when they were both turned into Shikigami was a little humiliating to say the least. At the last second Kagome remembered when she thought she could get the Shikigami Inuyasha to "sit," but it hadn't worked, instead Inuyasha got sat and the Shikigami Inuyasha stepped on him. Kagome started giggling in remembrance.

"Remember when the larger Inuyasha stepped on you?" Kagome giggled.

"It's not something I'd like to repeat," Inuyasha growled. Of course, this just made Kagome laugh even more, and soon she almost fell over in giggles at Inuyasha's glowering countenance.

"Shut up!" Inuyasha growled.

Kagome tried to sober up, but it was a little difficult. Kagome stood and reached over grabbing her packed bag full of what she thought she'd need – full of bandages, a change of miko clothes, water bottles and several ofudas for offerings along the way, a knife for skinning animals and her attempt at making both shampoo and soap. She then shouldered the bag and reached for her bow and quiver of arrows. After placing everything on her back she grabbed the gray jar she'd just finished up.

"It's a good thing I finally learned how to fletch my own arrows, I think that Rekuko-kun may have had a heart attack if I asked him for another twenty so soon." Kagome said thoughtfully.

"Keh, finally you learned something worth learning." Inuyasha grumbled. He still appeared to be mad at Kagome's teasing giggles.

"What are you talking about? Everything I learn is worth learning." Kagome said, reaching over and kissing Inuyasha on the cheek.

Despite having been living together now for a year, each time she showed him affection, he appeared to have just seen her for the first time. This time he didn't disappoint either. He lightly blushed and looked away, looking slightly smug.

"Well, when you learned barriers, that was quite helpful. Helped take care of that moth problem over in Suichi's village." Inuyasha said.

"See? It's all useful." Kagome said smiling and leaving the house. Inuyasha followed her and she looked over the peaceful village of Edo with a watchful eye.

Their small but respectable house was just on the outskirts of town, very close to Miroku and Sango's house, much to Kagome's chagrin. Miroku and Sango's ever growing family tended to be rather loud and boisterous and sometimes took a while to settle down for sleep. In fact even now, though it was still quite early, the sounds of the twins' giggles could be heard along with Miroku's exclaimations and Sango's firm voice booming over them all.

Inuyasha stretched his arms reaching far over his head and then settled his hands mid-shoulder locking them behind his head. "Have you said goodbye to everyone yet?" He asked.

"Yes, we just need to stop by Kaede's before we leave. I just need to give her the ointment." Kagome replied gesturing with the jar she carried.

"Alright," Inuyasha said.

They walked through the outskirts of the village, becoming ever and more populated as they kept going. Edo was growing each and every day. With a highly competent miko around, the village had managed to stave off many cases of plague. And tales of the "White-haired hell-demon" also appeared to have spread, scaring bandits and criminals alike, neither of which had attacked since Inuyasha had been unsealed. As a result the once small village now seemed to be growing at an alarming rate. Kagome wondered slightly apprehensively how much of the growing of Tokyo she would see.

Kagome was only nineteen, not very old at all in her own era, but here it was considered about the time women had already had one if not two children. But still, she wouldn't live forever. She knew this. She also knew of all the evil priestesses and people in the world, and what they did to gain power or try to live longer. It didn't matter, as long as she had Inuyasha with her each day, she didn't mind that they would only share fifty or so years together. She was grateful for each and every one.

As they approached Kaede's familiar hut, Kagome glanced up as a shadow crossed over her, darkening her vision. She met the cool amber eyes of Sesshomaru as he landed in a flourish of white and red just outside of Kaede's hut. Jaken of course, ever present clinging to his pelt dropped off and stared at them in mock imitation of his master.

While it had been many years since Kagome had considered Sesshomaru 'Inuyasha's mean and evil brother,' yet, she always shivered slightly at his large and powerful youki. If anything, in the past four years, since the fall of Naraku and Kagome secretly suspected since embracing his feelings and heart, Sesshomaru's power seemed to increase. He definitely had the strongest aura that Kagome had ever felt. She wondered if it would continue to grow as he grew older, or if it would peak at some point. She also briefly wondered why she'd never felt one like his back in modern Tokyo, but then quickly dismissed the idea. Thinking about five hundred years in the future, when she was likely long dead always depressed her. She tried not to think about the future if she could help it.

"Good Morning Onii-san, here to see Rin-chan?" Kagome smiled brightly.

Sesshomaru blinked and looked at her for a moment, and Kagome briefly thought he wouldn't answer when he finally said, "Yes, I'll be staying close while you both are gone."

"Really? Well, then, all that worrying was for nothing, wasn't it, Inuyasha?" Kagome said elbowing Inuyasha.

"Keh," Inuyasha replied.

"I'll just be a minute," Kagome said ducking into Kaede's hut. "Good Morning Kaede-baa-chan, Rin-chan!"

Kaede and Rin were both sitting around the fire where their breakfast had clearly just been removed and were currently boiling water for tea. Two teacups were in Rin's hands. Rin sat wearing a brilliant purplish blue striped kimono emblazoned with golden butterflies and Kaede sat in her traditional miko outfit – white haori and red hakama.

"Oh Kagome-sama! Good morning! Rin is so happy to see you! Are you leaving?" Rin said brightly, energy always overflowing. "Would you like some tea?"

"No tea thanks. And yes, we're just heading out now. I'm not sure when we'll be back, probably a month, maybe more, maybe less." Kagome replied.

"Ah, did ye finish the last burn ointment child?" Kaede asked.

"Yes, here you go. I hope it's the right consistency…" Kagome said thoughtfully handing over the jar she had been working on earlier.

"I'm sure it will be fine, you're underestimating your abilities again." Kaede said smiling.

"Well you know, this isn't old hat to me like it is for you." Kagome said.

"What's an old hat Kagome-sama?" Rin spoke up.

"Umm…. What I meant was… hrmmm…" Kagome said. She sometimes did or said things that became difficult to explain. For example, during her hunt for the Shikon jewel shards she quickly realized that euphemisms and proverbs that she held dear and used often didn't have the same meanings and had to quickly rephrase. "It means that Kaede is used to doing things like making burn ointment and because she is used to it, it is easy for her to do. But, it's not easy for me to do because I've only been doing it for a year." She explained.

"But where's the hat?" Rin said thoughtfully.

"Ummm… it's just an expression Rin-chan – another from my time. Sorry… Old hat means you're wiser and have been studying for longer than a new hat." Kagome said frowning.

"So Rin is a new hat?" Rin said.

Kagome laughed at the image that popped into her head. "Er… yeah, I guess you could say that." Kagome said smiling.

Kaede smiled at their exchange and then said "Good luck child, it's very draining to learn Shikigami. But have no fear, Botan and Momiji's Shrine is famous for their Shikigami arts. I'm sure you will have it down in no time."

"I hope so, I was hoping to experiment with Shikigami that I could leave in the village while we are gone traveling." Kagome said.

"Ahh, that is a wise idea. However, it requires a lot of spiritual power. Not that ye are lacking in that respect. I believe you have far surpassed my sister in power. Now all ye need is control." Kaede said smiling.

"Right. Well I'm off. Take care Kaede-baa-chan, Rin-chan." Kagome said smiling and turning around to leave. However, before she could Rin jumped in front of her and grabbed her into a strong hug. Kagome returned the hug fiercely, thinking of her own mother briefly before she left each time for the feudal era. "I'll be back Rin-chan, don't worry."

"Rin knows you will Kagome-sama, but Rin thinks you'll be gone longer than you think you will." Rin said ominously pulling away from Kagome and looking into her eyes knowingly.

"I promise I'll return okay, Rin-chan?" Kagome said and briefly patted her head.

The ominous look quickly passed out of Rin's eyes as her head was patted and she shook her head and smiled. "You can't break promises." Rin said firmly.

"Nope, you can't, so see? I'll be back," Kagome said. Kagome continued walking out of the hut and re-adjusted the quiver on her right shoulder. She hadn't liked the dark look that had come over Rin and briefly wondered at it. She'd never seen the girl who was so full of life look so darkly before. It had almost appeared like something had possessed her when she spoke. Kagome shrugged and resettled the quiver looking out at the two brothers.

It appeared that they had been in some type of conversation, but when Kagome came out, both brothers stopped talking and looked at her curiously.

"Ready now Kagome?" Inuyasha said.

"Yes, let's get going." Kagome said. Looking at Sesshomaru she said, "Take care Onii-san. See you soon." And as an afterthought she added, "Bye Jaken! Be good!"

"As if I need to be told what to do from a human!" Jaken said vehemently.

"Hnn." Sesshomaru responded.

Kagome and Inuyasha started walking out of the village, heading East out to the shrine that Kagome would soon be reuniting with both Momiji and Botan. She thought of all the training that faced her and all the hard work she'd have to put into the coming month. She was a bit apprehensive about leaving Edo, but she'd never felt like this before. It felt as if something bad was going to happen and briefly she wondered if what Rin said was true.

When searching for the Shikon Jewel shards they'd come and gone so often, she felt like Kaede's house was a revolving hotel. Yet, this time as they climbed the last hill before Edo would then fall out of sight, she paused and turned to look at it. She briefly looked to the torii gate leading to the steps of the shrine and even at this distance; the white form of Sesshomaru could be seen with a smaller greenish brown blob next to him and a brightly colored purple-clad child bouncing around him.

"Did you ask Sesshomaru to hang around while we were gone?" Kagome asked while finally turning away and continuing up the path.

"No. I didn't even tell him we were leaving. I expect Rin did though, you know how she goes on." Inuyasha replied.

"Yeah," Kagome said. "What were you talking about when I was inside?"

"He told me about a dark miko he'd heard about." Inuyasha said.

"Oh? Like Tsubaki? What's happened?" Kagome asked.

"Well, apparently there was a village that Sesshomaru usually purchased items from for Rin, but the last time he went there, there was a barrier. But instead of keeping out demons and bad spirits, it called them to the town," Inuyasha said.

"Well…?" Kagome waited feeling like she missed something.

"The whole village was gone, the villagers were all eaten or burned, and it was pretty gruesome from what he said." Inuyasha said.

"That's terrible!" Kagome said outraged.

"Yeah, apparently it's the third one he's heard about." Inuyasha said.

"What? We have to stop this!" Kagome said. "Wait… why do you think it's a dark miko?"

"More rumors, there's a dark miko working with two other demons. Neither of them are powerful on their own but, somehow with the miko, they've become a triumvirate of power to be reckoned with." Inuyasha replied.

"This is awful. So Sesshomaru thought our village would be next?" Kagome asked.

"Yeah, apparently. You know he'd do anything to protect Rin." Inuyasha said.

"Yeah, well, I'm glad he'll be there," Kagome said.

Inuyasha became silent as they walked down the path. Kagome's brain was spinning. Was this why she felt so apprehensive leaving? Somehow she was slightly aware of this dark miko? She doubted it. She'd never displayed any precognitive abilities before. Yet, still… what Rin said ate at her about being gone longer than she meant to be. She tried to put it out of her mind and focus on the good. Her village was perfectly fine for now. All her loved ones were healthy and happy. With Sesshomaru, Sango, Miroku and heck, even Jaken there, she doubted any youkai or miko would stand up to them for very long.

A/N: Well there you have it. First chapter done! As always, let me know what you'd like in the reviews, and I don't care, give me bad, good or indifferent comments! =)

Edit: 08.14.2016 - Fixed grammatical and spelling errors.