Chapter 1

You would think life would have been peaceful after Naraku, that he would eventually be just a bad memory to those who knew of him yet that wasn't so. The story of his creation spread across the lands along with what it took to bring him down and that started a mass panic. Killing bandits and lower demons were marked priority by several rulers and those same bandits and demons were enjoying their freedom without Naraku alive. Battlefields littered the countryside even more than it already had. The need for stabilization was great. This era continued to run true to its name, The Warring States Era.

The jewel was gone, not a hint of it left but Magatsuhi was able to act on his own before he disappeared with the jewel, he didn't even gloat about it but it began to become obvious that he did something when hair that only Kagome could see was making its way to the village through InuYasha's Forest. Kagome and InuYasha once again battled the hair demon, Yura. She was stronger than before but with her weakness already known, she was defeated none the less.

Then the rumors of the Band of Seven emerged along with numerous others. The ones that had used jewel shards were oddly not coming after them like some of the others did. Then the dreaded fake Jewels of Four Souls was emerging and during their many escapades to locate it and take it down did InuYasha fall. His recovery was slow and made so by a strong poison.

This is what led to the current dilemma; Jinenji's village was a good hike from here. Shippo was off training, the village needed protection, Sango and Miroku had kids to worry about, and Kirara was now off with Kohaku. This left Kagome, who was still trying to control her powers with a firm hold but was much stronger and better equipped than during the days of hunting Naraku down to go forth and make the journey alone.

She wouldn't let him down, he is her best friend and had always come through for her, she would do so in return for him so with the steely resolve she had become known for, she headed out on her own to find her other half demon friend in hopes that he could help. At a time like this she really wished that they had a horse for travel but never had she made a journey like this alone. Squaring her shoulders she headed off with the first few rays of the sun shining over the horizon.

It was a rough start the first few days and she felt it with her lack of sleep. It was with her determination that she continued on, passing inns and villages that could offer a room to rest but every time she came across one it was well before nightfall and she wouldn't lose ground just for the sake of comfort while her friend struggled to battle the poison. She figured she could if needed take a rest at her friend's place since she knew he could keep her safe as she slept but already she was imposing on him so she felt guilty for even thinking it.

It took her another few days for her to reach a hill to the village that finally came to accept her friend. On the opposite side was his farm. 'Only a couple miles to go,' she thought with a smile. As she entered the small village a few of the locals looked to her, a couple of the older men more so than the others. 'They must be trying to place my face,' was the only idea she could come up with but she just smiled and headed straight to the farm. She went down the dark path until she could finally see the larger hut through the trees and walked through the tree line to the field beyond.

She could feel him before she could see him as he came from around the other side of the hill. Once he noticed her she could tell he was smiling and they made their way to greet one another. "Kagome, I'm glad to see you again." He noticed the slight signs of fatigue as he greeted her and figured she must be in need of help.

"Hello Jinenji, how has life been for you?" She asked, her kind smile easily coming to her lips as she looked upon the gentle giant.

"Everything has been well, even ma is doing well. Come inside and have some tea with us, she just put it on." With a nod in acceptance they made their way into the hut where she was greeted by his ma. The older lady was happy to see the young woman and how she has grown.

"Now Kagome," his ma started, also noticing her less than energized appearance. "What has brought you all the way out here? It's my understanding that it is a several days walk from the village you come from."

She took a small sip of her tea before setting it down, she felt guilty and it must have showed but she cleared her mind of it. "It's InuYasha, he isn't doing well. He was poisoned several days ago and we have tried everything that we have available to us. His recovery has been slow; he never woke once since it happened. I was hoping you could do me the favor of giving me better herbs to fight poison, I just don't know what I could do in return for you."

"Kagome, we are still very thankful for what you had already done for us. You have no need to worry about doing or giving us anything in return. On top of that InuYasha had done a lot for us too so there was never any need to worry," his ma explained.

Jinenji set out and immediately grabbed the required herbs, when he came in Kagome had a sack out in front of her, undoing the drawstring. "I still insist though. I didn't help so I could benefit from it; I helped because it was the right thing to do. Someone else needed to help and we were happy to do it. I have several herbs that are known to grow in our area and a small sum of money. I really can't find it in me to accept it with a good heart otherwise."

Her determination shown clear in her eyes and he could hear his ma sigh but he decided a new tactic to ease their minds since she obviously couldn't go on feeling like she had used them. "Kagome, we will accept but I want you to stay here for the night. It would be nice to have your company."

She looked at the position of the sun in the sky and she knew she could get a couple hours in of walking but that wouldn't get her far. Looking at her two friends she conceded and with that she helped out a little here and there with cooking and gardening. In the short time that they were up and awake they had spent idly chatting about things and sharing knowledge.

Kagome was thankful for the sleep because she felt great the next day. With a hot meal in her stomach she set out waving goodbye to them as she started on her journey back. Her trip there had been smooth but now heading back to the village she began to need to test her barrier to help fend off the lower level demons since they kept attacking in a bunch. They were usually spread out, making it hard for her to take out all of them at once so she was left shooting arrows at the stronger ones while others perished by her barrier like bugs into a flame.

Her journey remained rough as she continued to Edo but as she could see another village in the distance, she knew it would still be a few more villages until she crested the hill to Edo. On her journey down the path she could feel something powerful as lightning flashed overhead with the sound of thunder following shortly after. Turning to go around the corner she could see them and immediately halted before hiding behind a tree and some bushes.