**Italics are flashbacks**

Chapter 1

Kagome

I gazed into the fire, watching as the flames danced in front of me. A small skinned rabbit was positioned just over the flames, cooking for both the young woman and I. I looked over to said woman sitting beside her protector, his golden eyes looking up at the darkened sky while his silver hair blew gently in the breeze.

I smiled softly at the two. Rin would come of age soon, and Sesshomaru would ask for her hand. While Rin didn't know anything of the daiyokai's plans, just as I shouldn't, I knew that she would give herself to him completely. Even at her young age of fifteen, she was already deeply in love with the demon beside her, though Rin never voiced it aloud.

She didn't need to, just as Lord Sesshomaru had not needed to state his plans. I was on the outskirts looking in. I was able to see the way the two would glance at one another without the other knowing. Sesshomaru never strayed too far from the always-cheerful woman for fear of her safety. Other than himself, he only truly trusted her with me. I still remember the time I had caught him off guard.

It had been late at night and quite wet. It had been raining heavily for a few days, and we had been forced to take shelter in a cave to wait out the horrible weather. Rin had become sick due to us not making it to the makeshift shelter in time. While I had cared for her and knew that she only had a simple cold, Sesshomaru had radiated worry. It was on that night that I had approached him about his intentions.

I sat against the cave wall, taking a sip of water from my water skin. I was running low and knew that I would have to travel and find more soon. The thunder echoed outside, followed by a bright flash of lightning. I turned my head slowly, watching as the rain slowly pooled into the cave. We would be forced to find new shelter if the weather didn't let up soon.

A small cough brought my attention back to the dark-haired woman. I stood slowly and made my way to her. She was wrapped tightly in a soft white pelt, keeping her as warm as possible. No fire could be built since wet, water-logged sticks were all that could be found.

I quickly pulled the tie from around the top of my water skin before placing a hand behind Rin's head. I slowly pulled her head up before pushing the skin to her mouth, encouraging her to drink. She took two small gulps before letting out another cough. I gently laid her head back down so I could grab a cloth from my bag.

Walking to the mouth of the cave, I stuck my hand into the cold rain and let the liquid saturate the rag. When the soggy thing was dripping with water, I pulled it back into the cave, squeezing the excess into the water skin. As I made my way back to the woman, I couldn't help but notice the golden eyes that followed my every move. They were filled with so much worry that I couldn't help but smile.

Laying the cold rag on Rin's forehead, I made my way to the daiyokai and sat beside him. I leaned my head against the cave wall, waiting for the question I knew was coming. After spending a few years with Sesshomaru, you tend to learn a few things about him like knowing when he was going to speak.

"Miko, what troubles Rin?" He asked, not looking away from the sickly woman.

"It's just a cold, Lord Sesshomaru. She will be fine by tomorrow." I stated calmly, also looking at the small woman.

"Hn." Was his only reply. I looked up at the demon's face and could still see the worry etched there. To anyone else passing by, he would seem cold and expressionless, but to me, I could see it all.

"You plan to mate her, don't you?" I asked, making his eyes snap towards me. While his head never moved an inch, I could see his golden orbs staring at me from the corners of his eyes. His look told me everything I needed to know.

I sighed, thinking back on the memory. I was happy for the soon-to-be couple, but I couldn't push away a small nagging feeling in the bottom of my heart. Once again, I was stuck watching two people, who I had become close to, move on with their lives. Soon, the two would be mated and I would be in the way, just as I always was.

I turned my head up to look at the night sky. It was beautiful. The stars twinkled as if they were dancing through the night. The moon was full and bright, lighting up the earth below. The thought of Sesshomaru and Rin made me think of my friends, Sango and Miroku.

How I missed them so. It had been five years since I last set eyes on them. Five years since I left the village and traveled with the group I was currently a part of. It had been only a week after Naraku's demise that I had said my goodbyes.

I knew that Miroku and Sango were going to get married, settle down, and create their own family. I was ecstatic that the two no longer had to worry about the spider hanyou. They could stop fighting their feelings for each other and give in to their wants. They deserved the happiness of a family.

I had been thrilled for them. That is, until my heart had been ripped out and shredded right in front of my eyes. Before the destruction of Naraku, InuYasha had been my everything. Even though he had left me for Kikyou many times, when he had come to me and told me he wished to mate me when Naraku was defeated, I had been so happy that I completely forgave him for everything.

After two years of chasing after the spider hanyou, to kill him, and the dog hanyou, for his love, I was finally going to have both. I had become more determined than ever to finally kill Naraku. I had been ready to settle down with the man that I had loved for quite some time. I had truly believed that he reciprocated my feelings for him.

I believed it all, until the rug was pulled from under my feet. The truth had slammed into me so hard, I was left breathless. A week after an end had finally been put to Naraku, I had been looking for InuYasha so I could ask him when he wished to be mated. What I had found broke me completely. He had been in the middle of a passion-filled dance with Kikyou.

I had been so shocked and hurt that, for a few minutes, I wasn't able to peel my eyes from the sight. It wasn't until they both cried out their releases that I had turned and run from them. My eyes had been overflowing with tears as I'd sobbed and blindly ran through the forest.

My goal had been the Bone-Eater's Well. While I knew the well no longer held any power and I could never return home, I still found comfort from the old wood, but I had never made it, being stopped by a root that was protruding from the ground. I had fallen face-first in the dirt, and instead of pushing myself to my feet, I had screamed out my sorrow. I hadn't cared who heard or if a yokai came and killed me. All I knew was my heart had been shattered. The one that had ended up coming surprised me just as much as seeing the one I loved with another.

"Miko, why are you on the ground?" A deep baritone voice asked. I looked up to see molten eyes peering down at me. I knew, then, that I was going to die, and I welcomed it.

"Just kill me quickly, please?" I begged, knowing that the Lord of the West, the coldest demon to walk these lands, was going to be my end. In all honesty, I was glad that my demise would come from someone I knew, even if only the slightest bit.

"Why would this one do such a thing?" He asked, cocking his head to the side slightly. Great, that meant he was going to kill me slowly. I guess the pain can't be much worse than the pain his brother caused.

"Why do you cry?" He asked, after my silence. I turned my gaze from him and let my face fall back to the ground. I could feel the dirt sticking to my cheeks as my tears dropped to the ground, and I knew I looked so horrible, this particular demon had to be laughing on the inside.

"Get up, Miko." He ordered, aggravation in his voice. I looked at him again to see his eyes focused on where I had been running from. I knew he could hear exactly what was bothering me, even if I couldn't. His face held no emotion, but when his eyes looked back down at me, I could see that he was angry at his half-brother's actions. I don't know why he would be angry, or even care, but it almost seemed as if he did.

When I didn't immediately obey him, he swiftly bent down, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me roughly to my feet. I was shocked at his actions and even more shocked that he was touching me, a lowly human. He brought me so close to him that I could feel his breath on my skin as he spoke his next words.

"Are you not the Shikon Miko? Are you not the one who delivered the final blow to that abomination of a hanyou? Yet you cry in the dirt over another hanyou, who does not deserve your tears." He said, his voice smooth. My sobbing had been quickly replaced with shock the moment he grabbed my wrist. As a way to keep me on my feet, he was holding it firmly over our heads. His eyes bore into mine as I took in his words.

He was right. I was a strong miko who survived in a world that she didn't belong in. I defeated an evil that had been plaguing this era for over half a century. Yet I threw myself to the ground, believing I belonged there, over someone who never once truly cared for me. Even so, the pain in my chest was almost unbearable.

"It hurts." I whispered as his hand gently released mine, knowing that I would stand on my own two feet.

"A pain that will fade." He stated, taking a step away from me. I looked up into his eyes and found myself wondering why he was here in the first place. Why was he helping me in my time of emotional need?

"Why are you here?" I asked, letting him see my confusion. He looked at me for a long moment, debating on if he should answer.

"This one was bringing Rin to your village miko, Kaede. Rin needs to learn the ways of humans. She needs to be taught and educated." He stated, his voice cold. I could see the way his lips tightened as he spoke, and I knew he did not wish to leave the girl behind. An idea instantly popped into my head. I knew I could very well lose my head for such a suggestion, but I had to ask.

"Lord Sesshomaru, may I offer you a deal?" I asked quietly. I was very nervous and, as his eyes gazed down at me, that nervousness grew.

"Indeed." He stated after a few silent moments.

"As you know, I'm not from here. Where I come from, everyone is well educated. If you want, I could teach Rin everything she needs to know, in both her education and the ways of humans. The only thing I ask in return is that you allow me to travel with you." I whispered, playing with my fingers. I couldn't look up at the demon as I felt his eyes searing holes through me. I felt as if I was going to die just from his look, and, as the silence lasted much longer than any of the others, I contemplated how he was going to kill me.

"I accept your offer, Miko." He started, causing me to look at him with my mouth agape. "You will, however, follow every order I give. You will teach Rin everything you know. You will also provide your protection for my ward any time it is needed."

"I agree, Lord Sesshomaru. I ask that you allow me a few minutes to say my goodbyes to Sango, Miroku, and Kaede as well as pack a few items. Then we can leave immediately." I asked, hoping I was not pushing my luck. I was extremely surprised that he agreed to my deal, and I didn't want him to go back on it.

"Hn. This one will wait here. Make it quick, Miko." He stated. I gave a small bow before running off in the direction of my friends.

Now, five years later, I still traveled with Lord Sesshomaru. Sango had been sad to see me go and wished I would stay, but Miroku and Kaede understood completely. I had told them I would come and visit, but I never did. Sesshomaru had taken us back to the Western Palace. I honestly believe he took me there so I could heal. In the last five years, I learned much about the cold prince. First being that he wasn't cold.

He was well guarded and kept up this façade of being cold, but he carried emotions, just as everyone else did. It didn't take long before Sesshomaru and I had become more than just allies. We both carried a deep respect for each other. While we are not in love with one another, because I was not interested in such a thing and his love belonged to the woman sitting beside him, we had grown to be good friends.

Besides Rin, I was the only one he could truly be himself around. I knew that he trusted me, even more than his imp, Jaken. He knew I would never betray him in any way. In fact, I would give my life for him. He deserved it. He took me in when he didn't need to. He gave me the space and time I needed to heal. He made sure I was properly cared for, and that no one laid a claim on me.

While not many men, or yokai, had wanted to lay a claim on me, the few that did were turned down quickly. If they did not take my hint, Sesshomaru was there to scare them off. Over the years, I had gotten over InuYasha. I no longer loved the hanyou as I once did, but the pain of what he did still lingered in my heart. I knew that it would never leave.

I also knew that if I gave myself to someone again and they threw away the little piece of my heart that had fixed itself, I would never be able to heal again. So, I pushed away anyone who wanted me in such a way. I had no interest in finding love. I was content with the mostly-quiet relationship between Sesshomaru and myself, just as I was with my relationship with the always-cheerful Rin.

"Miko, you are burning the hare." Sesshomaru stated, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked at the rabbit over the fire and noticed that he was correct. I quickly grabbed it and sighed at the blackened meat over half the rabbit. I pulled off the good portions and handed them to Rin who happily took it. When she had her half, I bit into the darkened flesh, ignoring the charred taste.

"Where did your thoughts go?" Sesshomaru asked, making me look towards him.

"Everywhere." I answered before looking back at the cooked hare in my hands. "I'm sorry I burnt the rabbit."

"Hn." Was my only reply and I smirked slightly. He knew I didn't wish to talk about my thoughts, and he wouldn't pressure me about it. Instead, he would give me his silent support, making sure that I knew he was there if need be.

"Lady Kagome, why is it you have never settled down?" Rin asked in her still-small voice, even though she was basically a grown woman.

"I do not wish to." I replied, looking at her. She looked at me before cocking her head to the side, something that she had picked up from her lord who was watching her closely.

"So you don't want a family or to be loved?" She asked, making me sigh. While Sesshomaru would give me the quiet I wanted, Rin wouldn't. She meant no harm. It was just her curious nature getting the best of her.

"At one point in time, yes, I had wanted to be married…or mated." I added, thinking back to InuYasha's exact words. "But things happened, and now, I no longer wish for it."

"You shouldn't live in the past, Lady Kagome." Rin replied, picking at the chunks of rabbit in her hand. "You will never be truly happy if you don't find the one that is just for you."

I noticed the way Sesshomaru looked down at the woman even more intently. I also noticed the way Rin blushed a little under the daiyokai's gaze. I sighed again, watching the two. It would soon be time for me to move on. I would have to find somewhere else to call home so I didn't get in the way of these two.

"Sometimes the past has a way of haunting us no matter how far we run." I whispered, loud enough that Sesshomaru heard my words. He took his eyes from Rin and gazed at me. I knew he wanted to say something, but I also knew, with Rin so close and the subject being such a sensitive matter, that he couldn't. I would have to wait until his future mate went to sleep before he would speak what was on his mind.

I didn't answer back to Rin and we continued to eat in silence. Ah-Un had already fallen asleep a few feet away from us. I finished off the last bit of my rabbit before throwing the rest into the fire. I watched as the entire thing quickly took on the flames, eventually burning down into ash.

Within the hour, Rin was curled up in a ball, still sitting beside her lord. I watched as he wrapped his white pelt around the one he loves, keeping her warm, and that small pang poked at my heart again, forcing me to push it away. When he was sure she was taken care of, his gaze met mine.

"Miko, are you planning on leaving my protection?" He asked, never once blinking as he studied my reaction.

"Yes. When Rin comes of age, I will leave you two so you have the privacy you deserve." I stated, looking up at the night sky once again. I knew he wouldn't be happy with my decision, but it must be done.

"I cannot stop you, but you will know, neither Rin nor myself wish for you to go. You are a part of my pack. Even if you choose to leave, you will remain so." He replied, making a small smile form on my lips.

"I do not wish to impose on you, or your budding relationship with Rin." I argued, not looking away from the dancing stars.

"You would not do such a thing. As I said though, I cannot stop you." He said, before looking curious. "Rin's studies are completed, as they have been for a while, yet you still stayed. Why do you wish to leave now?"

I let out a sigh as I looked to the ground. I should have known that he would ask this question. I wish I had an answer for him, but I didn't. Instead, I asked him a question. "Why did you decide to travel again?"

"Something is calling to me." He replied, looking away. He didn't press the issue of me leaving, but I knew he would ask again.

"Do you know what it is?" I asked, a little curious myself. We hadn't traveled since he took me to his palace so long ago. Then one day, he came to me and told me to prepare to leave, and I did. I never questioned him, knowing that that was not the right time to do so.

"No, only that it is wanting me to find it. It feels familiar, but I cannot place why." He replied, letting his eyes close. I knew that the conversation was over.

His eyes may have been closed, but he was nowhere near asleep. Instead, he was searching, feeling, and exploring his surroundings without even lifting a finger. I was always amazed at the strength of the daiyokai I had come to respect and love as the dear friend he is. I had never expected to see such strength, and I wondered if anyone would ever be able to rival him. Secretly, I hoped no one would. At least then he would always be safe.

"Goodnight." I whispered, knowing I wouldn't get a reply. I made my way over to a tree and laid down beside it. I curled myself up into a ball and closed my eyes, trying to think of what my future days held for me. I knew not to expect happiness, for the one place I found myself content was soon going to be taken from me.

With that said, what does my future hold? Would I ever find what my heart truly desired? Would I ever find a home that I would never have to leave behind again? With my thoughts stuck on the millions of possibilities for my future, I fell asleep, never realizing just how close my true happiness was.

-sSs-

Here you go, guys. I hope you enjoy.

Teaser: Chapter 2: Why is Inu no Taisho back from the dead? Who brought him back? Can he find his sons? Continue reading to find out.

I do not own InuYasha.