Love Will Find A Way

by mauigurl808

Two people in two different worlds. She is a miko, guarding the Shikon no Tama, and he is a hanyou, prince of the Western Lands. But these two seperate beings have one thing in common. A forbidden love. Inu/Kag

1. The Miko & The Hanyou

Author's Note: I am back again with another story. This time, it's based in the Feudal Era. At first, I had placed a poll on my profile asking viewers what style of Inu stories they preffered. Though I got a lot of 'Modern Era' votes, I still have a desire to do a Feudal era story as it has been on my mind for a long time. Anyways, this is a start of a new story and I'm still continuing my 'Fate's Twisted Feathers'. As for the summary, if you wish to know more about this story's plot then feel free to read it on my profile. I'm excited to see how this chapter plays out. Thanks for reading.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha...

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Chapter 1: The Miko & The Hanyou

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The sun began to set against the horizon, ending another day. The birds flew back to their nests to settle for the night as mothers fluffed their feathers and sheltered their chicks with warmth for the coming night. The sky erupted in a brilliant show of colors, orange licking against pink and purple fighting against blue. The animals hurried within the woods, back to their dens, as they settled for the coming night. The stars began to play against the sky as the sun fell beneath the horizon, allowing darkness to sweep over the land. Everything was finally settled.

Except there was a dispute happening in town. Caravans filled with bays of straw tried to push their mule through the crowded streets that were filled with people yelling over each other, trying to get their voices heard. One woman climbed on top of the table containing all of the merchandises that the merchant was willing to sell, yelling at the man behind the table. A ruckus began to stir, getting even more intense, as men began to push each other to get to the merchant, all of the townspeople enraged as to the merchant's ways of trading. But the merchant had no words to defend himself, and therefore, began to grab the most valuable possessions he owned from the table and he ran.

The townspeople screamed at him as a herd of them began to follow the man, stampeding past other merchants who were willing to sell them for less. But the townspeople wanted revenge on the fleeing merchant.

On the side lines, away from the streets where the ruckus was heralding their way down to the river, a lone priestess tilted her straw hat into the air to view the commotion. A smile lit her face as she watched the fleeing merchant run along the bridge over the river, out of town. The crowd passed her in a frenzy as they ran along the path that she took, heading to the bridge to head out of town. The priestess smiled, tilting her hat back over her eyes as she continued on her way.

The night was quiet as caravans loaded their last shipments and began on their way out of town. The merchants were willing to stay out a little longer in hopes of gaining a few more sales from the frantic crowd that had stirred up the streets. The merchants were now using the dying crowd to their advantage, screaming at the top of their lungs at the offers they were willing to make for the merchandises they had.

Going on her way, the priestess walked along the edges of town, taking the beaten path up towards the hill where she resided. Trees littered the town, giving the people mercy from the relentless sun in the day. Along the way, the priestess passed a few villagers, all who recognized her. They all stopped whatever they were doing to bow at her until she passed by. She bowed back in thanks of their acknowledgement and continued on her way. Holding a small bundle in her right hand, she smiled as she watched two small children run past her, giggling. She stopped and watched their fleeing figures as they played with each other and headed into town. Turning towards the hillside, the priestess continued on.

The ground began to ascend, making the town smaller as the priestess headed up the lone hill that lay beneath the towering castle above. Just beyond the hill where only one house remained, resided the castle of the royal family of the East. Here is where the King of the East resided, right in her backyard. The priestess smiled as she began to climb the stairs that ended the town and started onto grass. She took the path that led straight to the house at the top of the hill, all the while looking around her at the peace and serenity that surrounded her. This was her home. This village, protected by the royal family, was where she had found her home. A home that she protected with her life.

Walking towards the entrance into the house, the priestess looked around, flaring out her aura. She turned to survey the village as her aura pressed outwards, seeking any trace of demonic aura that could be nearby and threaten the lives of the villagers. When she found none, she turned around to open the door into her home.

"Tadaima," she called out, hoping to hear a response from her family. And a surprise is what she got.

"Onee-sama!" She watched as a little bundle of body and hair ran towards her and slammed into her, making her giggle as she steadied herself so she wouldn't fall.

"Otouto," she greeted back, wrapping her arms around his little figure that reached up to her abdomen. She giggled as she leaned her body over him, sheltering him in her embrace.

"I've missed you, onee-sama. You were gone for so long," her brother said as he moved back, taking a look up at his bigger sister.

The priestess smiled and ruffled her brother's hair. "I've miss you too, otouto. I am sorry I was gone for so long," she said apologetically. Her brother let go of her just as their mother came into the living room to greet them with a warm smile, a beautiful welcome for the priestess after her long day out surveying the land for demons.

"Okaeri nasai, Kagome."

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Far away from the Land of the East, lived a different set of beings. Far away from the peace of the little village is where chaos erupted constantly, on an every day basis.

The castle was bustling with youkai servants trying to prepare for the celebration tonight. The villages in Nihon were invited to a ball held by the King of the West in his castle in the center of the Western Lands. The castle was decorated with the festivities of tonight's events as the servants hurried around the huge rooms, their voices echoing throughout the long halls and tall rooms.

Walking into the kitchen, the queen smiled at the youkai servants as they formally greeted her with a bow.

"Is everything ready?" the queen asked the head cook as the male bull youkai nodded his head.

"Yes, My Lady. The food is prepared and ready to be served."

The queen nodded her head in satisfaction, and turned to leave the huge kitchen. Going into the next room, she smiled as servants bustled around, preparing every room in this castle to the queen's expectations for this party. Things were coming along smoothly and the party was ready to start in an hour. The queen smiled as she looked high above her at all the decorated walls lighted by the wooden torches hung against the walls. With a smile, the queen headed towards the king's chamber. She passed by the rooms that would hold the guests of royalty from all the villages and kingdoms in Nihon.

Every family of royal blood was invited to attend this very special night. Her son, Prince Inuyasha, was to find his mate at this Mating Ball that they were holding for him. And it wouldn't be the first one they held for her youngest son. They have held three balls previous to this one, all with the same purpose of trying to find a mate for Inuyasha. The boy was just uninterested at all the balls that they held for him, and they were all for nothing as Inuyasha came out of it with no prospective mate for his future. Much to his parents' disappointment. But the queen was sure that he will find one this time. Though the guests were usually the same at every ball, she was inviting royalty from Okinawa and the outer Japan Islands in hopes of finding her son a mate. Her eldest and step son, Sesshomaru, was already mated to a beautiful ningen named Rin. Now, she only hoped that her youngest can find love. The queen sighed as she opened the huge double doors into the king's chambers.

Sitting behind his huge, wooden desk stacked with papers lighted by two lanterns on each end of the desk opposite of the king's chair, the king looked up at the sudden interruption. The queen smiled as her mate looked up from his papers, a smile on his beautiful face. She walked into the room, lighted with torches on the walls, as she surveyed the paintings that were done in his honor.

"I see that you are happy, my mate," the king said as the woman smiled with a nod, going to her mate's side as she kissed him sweetly.

"I am. All the preparations are in place and ready. I believe we can open the gates now for our guests," she said excitedly.

The king chuckled and grabbed his wife's hand, placing a gentle kiss on it. "Izayoi… you are a wonder to me."

Izayoi smiled as her mate got up, his height towering her smaller frame with strength. "So you remind me, Inutaisho." Inutaisho smiled and the two walked out of his chamber to find their loyal servant.

"Is Inuyasha ready?" Inutaisho asked as servants passed them, greeting them formally before leaving. Inutaisho, however, only had eyes for his mate as the two walked hand in hand to the main room of the castle.

Izayoi frowned, her face showing her wonder and worry. "I don't know. I haven't seen him since our last meal. I hope he's doing well," she said, taking a glance at the stairs as they passed by. The grand staircase headed up to the second floor after separating halfway to allow two staircases to form on each side. The windows above the staircase were huge, allowing the scene of their garden within the castle grounds for pleasure.

Inutaisho tugged on his mate's arm, gaining her attention as they entered the main room of the castle. "Let us leave Inuyasha to his business. He is probably fuming in his room right now." Izayoi giggled at her mate's true statement as Jaken made his introduction and the party was set to begin.

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A shout rang out into the hallway of the second floor, going to empty ears that weren't present on the floor. All the servants were down on the first floor preparing for the ball that was soon to come. Everyone was waiting for the guest of honor that should be arriving soon now that the guests were waiting in the main room. But the guest of honor was shouting to no one in particular as he tried to take his frustration out on the bedpost in his bedroom. Closed double doors blocked him off from the world that he could care less about and his balcony doors were opened to allow the world that he wanted to caress his heated skin.

The prince flopped onto the bed, defeated and sulky. 'I can't believe my parents are doing this… again!' The thought of going down there into the main room to greet all of those 'honored' women who were here to mate with him just infuriated him. The prince Inuyasha got up from his bed and paced just at the edge, still disbelieving that this was happening again. Couldn't his parents take a hint? He wasn't looking for a mate. He didn't want one. Mates were just too much to take right now, when he wanted to journey the countryside and see the different places instead of being cooped up with a mate at home. Sooner or later she would become a pregnant bitch and he would have to watch over and fuss over her constantly and his desire to wander Nihon would be forever gone once pups are borne. Inuyasha growled. 'No.'

A knock sounded Inuyasha out of his thoughts as his head flew to the double doors, glaring at the door as if the intruder behind them could feel his death glare. But then the knock sounded again, unheeding of Inuyasha's threat, and he stormed his way over to the door. With a huff, he opened the door to come face to face with his eldest brother.

"Sesshomaru," he said with disgust, taking in the Inu-youkai's formal attire for this evening. "What do you want?"

Sesshomaru regarded his younger brother with little emotion at all after the way Inuyasha greeted him. His younger brother was known to have no manners at all and his public display of it was what got him into that reputation. But he was the people's prince and they respected him no matter how bad his temper was. Sesshomaru was dressed in his formal robes, a white kimono. The haori was white with red edges on the bottom, bearing patterns of a cluster of three white circles along the edge, continuing from end to end. The same circles were in red along the shoulders of his haori. His white hakama billowed out to his ankles where he wore comfortable black shoes made of bark cloth. A yellow obi tied at his waist laid hanging in the front, purple designs at the ends of the obi. Sesshomaru's Tenseiga, one of the two swords that Lord Inutaisho had forged for his sons, lay tucked against him from the obi at his waist.

"This Sesshomaru does not do well with your attitude, little brother," Sesshomaru said, his voice cold as stone without any hint of emotion. Inuyasha could care less about his stoic eldest brother. Sesshomaru was a walking zombie for all he cared, only showing emotion in the heat of a good battle that would actually make use of Sesshomaru's time.

"Yeah, well like I care. Is that all you came to tell me? That you don't like my attitude?" He glared at Sesshomaru as the demon didn't move at all.

"This Sesshomaru has come to tell you that your presence is wanted downstairs. Chichi-ue is counting on you to find a mate this night."

Inuyasha snickered and looked away from his brother. "Yeah, well tell father that I won't be doing just that."

At this, Sesshomaru actually showed emotion. There were only a few times, always with his own family, where Sesshomaru did show his emotions, whether it be anger or irritation. For Sesshomaru, something like that was actually emotions that he hid. Sesshomaru glared at his brother. "You will do what Chichi-ue expects of you. Chichi-ue and Haha-ue has made three Mating Balls for your pathetic self and you still have failed them in finding a mate. This Sesshomaru would suggest for you to grow up, Inuyasha. It is unbefitting of a demon with your stature." At that, Sesshomaru turned and walked away, heading down the hall to join the party.

Inuyasha blinked back his shock at his brother's words and peeped his head out of the doors as he yelled at Sesshomaru's back. "Asshole!"

"This Sesshomaru will see you downstairs, little brother."

Inuyasha growled and slammed the door shut, the loud crash echoing in the empty hall. 'That bastard! He knows how to get under my skin.' Inuyasha walked back into his room, heading for the balcony doors that were still left open. Once he got outside into the cool breeze it felt like all of his problems he held within his room was gone and he was free to be who he wanted to be. Inuyasha took a deep breath, bringing the fresh air of the night into his lungs to comfort his soul. As he exhaled, a frowned settled upon his face and he gazed down at the attire he wore. He was all dressed up for his party, even though he was having second thoughts about going. He wore his formal attire, much like his elder brother's but his was mostly just in different colors. His haori was a red while the edges were white with three red circles in a pattern along the edges. There were white circles along his shoulders, much like Sesshomaru's. His hakama was red as it ended at his ankles and he wore black shoes as well. His obi was white and purple at the edges in the same design as his brother's obi. The purple symbolized their family's bloodline, descending from the Great Inutaisho who bore the purple marks on his cheeks of the Inu-taiyoukai.

The breeze floated towards him, gently lifting his hair off his shoulders as it billowed out behind him. Inuyasha closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of the night. Their castle was flanked on three sides by a demon's village. All around the castle grounds lay houses built with demon families inside, all depending on the royal family of the West for protection and shelter. Inuyasha frowned as he could hear people talking in town, wishing that he was out there with them. He opened his eyes and gazed down at the trees that were shorter than his balcony. He should have felt like he was on top of the world, but he didn't. He should have felt happy here, living a life of luxury and royalty, but he wasn't. Something about this life just gave Inuyasha pause, made him think twice about whom he was and what he was meant to do because of his blood. Inuyasha growled as he glared out over the land that was theirs. It beckoned him to run with it, run with the wind that caressed his hair and be free with the animals that roamed at night.

'Dammit all!' Damn the Gods for bringing him into a royal demon family and having him go about his life like he was reading it in a book. His father wanted him to find a mate and start breeding with her. Sesshomaru already impregnated Rin, who was six months pregnant and as plump as a boar demon. But Inuyasha didn't want kids, or at least not yet. He wanted to live out his young life first, while he still could. Although he was a hanyou and would live for a very long time, he wouldn't outlive Sesshomaru, who was the rightful heir to the throne. Inuyasha snickered as he leaned against the stone railings along the edge of the balcony. 'I don't see why I was born. Sesshomaru already seals the deal that they won't have to lose their precious throne and land to some other demon family.' Inuyasha was tired of all these politics and royal duties that he was born into. He wanted his independence and peace. He wanted to roam the lands freely without having constant watch from guards and servants with every little thing that he did in his own home.

With a look back at the double doors containing the life that he must live, Inuyasha looked towards the Western Lands that showed him the life he wanted to live. Making up his mind, Inuyasha climbed onto the railing. He smirked as he looked down at the height he was at, able to see the ground but being too high up for a human to jump and live from. But he was a hanyou and he would live. Inuyasha took off his shoes and flexed his toes, feeling the coolness of the stone beneath his feet. With determination and a rush of high, Inuyasha jumped off his balcony, free falling with a spirit for excitement and fun. The ground came up and he landed gracefully on his feet, bending a bit to take in the fall as he stood to his height. He gazed around the grounds, seeing that all of the guards must be on duty within the castle to watch over the guests. Inuyasha smirked. 'Perfect.' He took one last look at the lit hallways that lay within the double doors heading into the castle and he turned his back on his duty. Inuyasha ran out of his home, jumping over the castle walls with grace, faster than the human eye could see. He landed on soft grass as the trees towered above him, making Inuyasha feel free as he looked at the wall that surrounded the castle that caged him in. 'Finally…' Inuyasha turned around and ran with the intention of running until he grew tired.

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The shoji door opened as Kagome stepped out of her home, smiling as the moonlight caressed her figure and igniting the land with a luminous glow. She closed the shoji door, a white cloth draped over her arm against her chest, and began to set out for her bathing ground. The village below was lighted with dots of fire within each individual house as the families began to settle down for the night. Kagome smiled, reveling in the feel of the night and all its mysteries.

Making her way into the forest, Kagome took the familiar path to the onsen that she bathed in every night. The forest engulfed her figure as she walked into the timberline, getting swallowed up by the darkness of the forest while the moonlight tried to penetrate the ground for her to see. But Kagome knew these woods like the back of her hand. The woods on the side of the castle, running all the way to the mountains just in the distance, was where demons loved to sneak into to devour the villagers with their surprise attack. And it was her duty to make sure that the village was protected from demon attacks. So this forest was her battleground as she confronts all the many demons that think to sneak around in these woods.

A snap of a twig snapped Kagome out of her thoughts as she whipped around, her eyes narrowed as she searched for the source of the sound. Her bow was against her back, wrapped around her body, while her arrows remained against her back as well. She always came prepared wherever she went, even in these woods that she knew so well. Because these woods would always surprise her with new enemies and threats.

A squirrel snickered its way out of an underbrush, startling Kagome as she gasped and then giggled, humored at the squirrel's ability to startle her. "Looks like you got the last laugh this time," she said as the squirrel stood up on his back legs, gazing up at her with a curiosity animals held around her. Kagome smiled and turned around, heading in the direction of the onsen. The tiny squirrel sniffed the air a bit, testing the new visitor's scent, and decided to remain with Kagome as it followed behind her silently.

It has been sixteen years since she has been living in this village. The time had come and gone as quickly as she has aged without even noticing the changes within her body. Kagome barely even knew how old she was anymore, or the fact that she has been calling attention to the young men in the village nowadays. Sixteen years ago she had been four years old, just a young child learning the new things one can learn from touch and taste. Everything had been fine when she was young. Her family was a poor shrine family, having their own little shrine on the outskirts of the Eastern Lands. Their village had been a small one, only having one village healer and barely even a marketplace for the traders. Everyone knew everyone and friendly faces were sought after as daily rounds in the heart of the town was made every day. Her family had been in charge of the shrine that remained near the edge of the village, having descended from the shrine's keepers. They inherited the shrine and their family took great care of their shrine. Her father was in charge of all of the shrine's business, from visitors to money, he had been the man of the house. Her mother was the shrine keeper, welcoming the guests as they made their prayers and cleaning up after the shrine. She had also helped her mother with the cleaning duties, always wanting to touch the artifacts that they contained in their shrine houses. The three of them took care of their shrine.

Until one day, in winter, when a man on a brown stallion rode into their shrine grounds and took their home away. The man was the King of the East, his soldiers riding up behind him as they brought up the rear of their procession. She had only been a young child, gazing up at the tall men on horse back. Her father had asked who they were and the man introduced himself. Right then and there, she remembers how her parents had gone to their knees, prostrating themselves for this man. Kagome hadn't understood it then. All she knew was that this man was scary and huge, so she didn't like him. And later she would only grow in her dislike for that man. The king had demanded that her parents give her up to him, being in his care, forever. She still remembers how her father had become enraged and nearly threw himself at the king if it wasn't for one of his soldiers holding her father back. She had watched with terrified eyes as her mother cried, squeezing her for dear life as she didn't want to give her up. But the king insisted that he take her for his own personal use.

The king had explained to her family the situation that he was in. One of his soldiers had come across a demon battle, the aftermaths displayed along the ground at the edge of a cliff. The soldier had examined the remains and found something in particular that caught his interest. What the soldier found was the legendary Shikon no Tama, lying within the flowing blood from the demons. It seemed like the demons had been fighting for the jewel and fought to the death for it. The soldier had then returned to the castle with the jewel in hand and the king had demanded a priestess to care for it. But no one would step up to the duty of guarding the Shikon no Tama. For many knew of its bad luck and attraction towards demons because of the enormous power that it contained. Many priests and priestesses had been too afraid to even go near the jewel, let alone care for it. So the king had sent messengers to every village to find a priestess who would care for the Shikon no Tama. And a particular rumor had spread about a child of a Shinto shrine family who had the power to project spiritual barriers. This, the king had found interest in and he had set off to find the village that contained this individual child. After days of searching, the king had informed them that they had found the source of the rumors and Kagome had been the child they were searching for. The king had demanded her parents to give her up, but then her father had devised a deal. Her family would go with her to the king's castle and stay with her if she was to be used as their Shikon no Tama protector. The king had agreed.

Kagome smiled as she glanced back to see the squirrel was following her. She kept a slow pace, allowing the animal time as it scurried to keep up with her. Kagome had to hold back her giggle, but carried on, allowing her thoughts to swamp her again.

The castle had been enormous when she had first arrived at this village, and the townspeople had all reacted to her new face. Rumors had spread about who she was and why she was here, of all times. The king had then set up a house for her family at the top of a hill looking down at the village while the castle would be nearby, right in their backyard. At the time, Kagome didn't understand why she was needed, what her purpose was at the court of the King of the East. But she knew it was something special because every day since she had arrived, she had been training with the priestesses on things that she didn't even understand. They had swamped her with books, text of the ancient way of divinity. They had thrown at her spiritual attacks and defenses, how to make a barrier, how to purify a demon, how to project one's spiritual power into an object. And all those training had been ancient history. She had been a child, yes, but she had been swamped with duties to do and learn for her duty in the future.

The trees began to clear up ahead, making Kagome smile at what awaited her in the clearing. She walked a bit faster, knowing that the squirrel would keep up with her if he found her interesting enough to do so, and hurried her way to the onsen. Her eyes fell upon the onsen as smoke rose from the still surface. A smile lit her face as her eyes danced with enjoyment and relaxation. Without hesitation, Kagome placed her bathing cloth down and began to untie her miko robes. The robes came off in a heap of ruffles as they fell to the floor and then Kagome took off her white undergarment kimono. In all of her nudeness she smiled as peace surrounded her and sank into her flesh, making her lose the tension of carrying the burdens of being the Shikon no Miko, just as if the robes itself had been the burdens she wore. She dipped her toes into the water first, testing its warmth as it sent shivers up her spine, leaving a trail of Goosebumps along her body. Kagome sighed and closed her eyes as she walked into the onsen, allowing Mother Nature to soothe her body.

Sixteen years ago she had lived a life that she controlled. Now, she had no control over her life or her happiness. The king controlled her happiness, and everything that came with it. He made sure that he would visit her at least once a week to see how she was faring, although Kagome had no idea why. She had assumed that it was because he thought of her as a daughter, or yet, a friend. When he had brought her here to this village he had been especially nice to her, inviting her to the castle parties and allowing her to play in the castle garden. And as a child, she didn't object to playing in the gardens. Her parents stayed with her constantly, knowing that there were enemies around every corner. When she was young, people had just heard about her status and new role. Some people were against her cause and found that they should exterminate her. The people who were against her were sought out by the King and killed for trying to kill her. But then again, demons weren't the only monsters in this world.

'This is wonderful…' Kagome thought with pure bliss as the water bubbled beneath the surface, tickling her skin. The warmth of the onsen relaxed her knotted muscles and made her forget about the day's events. Kagome took a deep breath and looked around, gazing at the flower bushes that lay scattered at the onsen's edge. Rocks were pilled up at the opposite end where water bubbled forcefully as hot water came up from the Earth. Kagome smiled and closed her eyes as the water finally reached her chest and her raven hair fanned out around her like ripples in a pond. Tilting her head back, Kagome relaxed and allowed the onsen to wash away her day's troubles.

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The ground flew beneath his feet, reminding him what he was, what it was like to be a hanyou. Inuyasha smirked, feeling rejuvenated with a kind of high that he's rarely felt. Being cooped up in a castle can cause a sense of forgetfulness on highs that are caused by freely running. The landscape around him blurred but his acute vision could see everything that he passed. Inuyasha ran through the forest, dodging the trees like an obstacle course meant to impress the king. The moonlight could not touch him as he avoided all the open spaces to play a game with the moon. Inuyasha hadn't felt alive in a long time, and now was his time to forget about who and what he was and to have a little fun as he let nature do its magic on his soul. Running took away his worries and problems. As he ran, he remembered of how his life used to be when he was younger.

Being a young prince didn't come with heavy responsibilities. He was allowed to play in the garden, enjoying his time as a young prince while he still could. His father used to take him on some of the processions he would lead to other villages and he always loved to go on those processions. His mother would teach him how to make garlands and they would both make garlands for his father and older brother. Back then, Sesshomaru had been a bit nicer to him, as nice as Sesshomaru would allow to be seen, and he loved his brother back then. Back then, so many things were better. Now, he was flooded with the duties of helping to rule an empire. He had to help his father everyday with politics, always consuming his time with uninteresting things that he could care less about. Inuyasha didn't see the point of all his schooling and working with his father if Sesshomaru was going to inherit the land. It was Sesshomaru's business to care for the land, not his. But his father had told him that Sesshomaru would need him by his side so he would have to learn all about politics and securing things he wanted through words and persuasion. So Inuyasha had learned the ways of a good tongue, and he had done the schooling that his father wanted. But it all wasn't enough.

The forest was long and Inuyasha was beginning to wonder where he was. He was getting a bit tired, as he had run nonstop for miles, and now didn't know where he was or what land he was on. A long time ago he thought he had left the Western Lands, which meant that he was in the Eastern Lands. But he ran in the cover of the forest so no one would notice him. Plus, he was running so fast that no human would be able to see him anyways. Inuyasha smirked as he jumped up to a branch and began to run along the treetops, taking pleasure in feeling free and alive as he ran along the trees, becoming one with nature. 'It truly has been a while.'

Without any thoughts in mind, Inuyasha continued on, intending on reaching the shores of the East before he turned back to head home. But then he caught onto a scent and he stopped, hanging onto the tree's trunk as he balanced himself on the branch. At a crouch, Inuyasha took in his surroundings, searching for the source of the smell. 'Human. Fire. Food.' Inuyasha jumped down to the ground and ran to the edge of the timberline. Once he got out of the forest's hold, he gazed out at the landscape touched with the moonlight.

The village of the East was in plain view and Inuyasha's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the royal family's castle. The village below the castle was where he smelt the fire and food and it was obviously flooded with humans. Inuyasha smirked, gazing up at the castle in his view. It stood in all its grand size, belittling the smaller houses below its reach. Inuyasha looked at the forest that led right up to the castle's gates and he smirked. 'What fun…' He went back into the woods for cover and began to run for the castle. He wouldn't ignite a fight with them, but just drop in and snoop around for a bit to see what he could find.

Inuyasha moved with blinding speed as he raced his way towards the castle's feet, wanting to drop by and spy on them. The King of the East was known for his kindness to humans but disdain towards demons. He was the ruler that his father least liked in all of the four rulers, including himself, of Nihon. The ruler of the North was a wolf youkai and the ruler of the South was a bird youkai. The ruler of the East was the only human ruler in all of the lands, which didn't fare well to the three other demon rulers of Nihon. But thanks to his father, the king was able to keep his throne because Inutaisho didn't see him as a threat. But his father still didn't like the king.

Something gave Inuyasha pause as he stopped, jerking to a halt as his hair flew past him from his speed. He lifted his nose into the air and looked around, taking in his surroundings. 'Someone's here.' He could feel another's presence and he wondered who it was. Maybe it was someone spying on him sent by the king. Inuyasha growled and got into a fighting position, crouching down to await the intruder. But no one came or showed their faces and he couldn't hear any movement nearby. But he did scent someone. 'A woman…' The woman's scent was strong and nearby, meaning that she was alone and unprotected. He smirked to himself and headed towards the source of the scent. Inuyasha bounded along the treetops, wanting to have the upper advantage when he met the woman to assess the situation.

Coming into the clearing, Inuyasha looked ahead as he noticed an onsen, the steam rising above the surface of the water. He sniffed, unable to see the woman, but still scenting her. Cautiously, Inuyasha jumped down and walked into the clearing. The moonlight bathed him in its radiance and lighted up his silver hair to a burning glow. Inuyasha frowned, looking around him for any potential threats or enemies. He then spotted the clothing that must belong to the woman just across from where he stood. 'Miko robes?' he noticed. 'A miko? Here?' Inuyasha glanced around warily, waiting for the miko to show herself, but he couldn't see her. He walked closer to the surface of the water and looked inside of the steaming onsen, knowing that she must be in the water and waiting for her to come out.

Just then, the water sprung up from the onsen in an uproar and Inuyasha moved back, bracing himself for an attack. He got into his fighting position as he watched the water fly off the figure that appeared out of the water as if a seer. Inuyasha's eyes widened as he gazed at the miko, her body glowing in the moonlight. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

The miko was still naked but she obviously paid no mind to that fact. She was halfway out of the water, his eyes able to see from her belly button and up. But her back was facing towards him as she turned to the side a bit. Her left hand was up, two of her fingers pressed tightly together as a small ball of light formed at the tips of her fingers in front of her face. Water dripped from the woman's back, traveling down the small of her back to drop into the water. Her long, black hair cascaded down her back in thick bunches from being wet. The moonlight shone against the water, lighting up the woman's beauty and figure as Inuyasha took in her sight.

And he was speechless. This miko was the most beautiful woman that he has ever seen. All those Balls were useless if he had never seen one female that looked as beautiful as this woman. Inuyasha slowly got out of his attacking stance, slowly coming to his full height as he kept his eyes glued on the woman's eyes, waiting for her reaction.

"What is your purpose here, demon?" Kagome asked, her eyes narrowing on the Inu-hanyou that kept his eyes on her. She breathed deeply, keeping her attack on just in case the demon decided to make a move. Her ball of spiritual energy flickered against her fingertips, reminding her of the threat in front of her. Though she knew she was standing out of the water, naked, she didn't care. The demon would give her a reason to kill him so he wouldn't walk away seeing her naked after tonight. Kagome watched him, allowing her senses to read his aura as she waited for his attack.

The Inu-hanyou wore the outfit that she found strangely familiar, like someone she has met before. But Kagome was sure that she has never met this Inu-hanyou before. After examining him a bit longer, Kagome began to recognize him. He was the son of the Ruler of the West, the Inutaisho bloodline. Kagome frowned and moved one step away from him, knowing full well the legends and stories of the famous Inutaisho. He is a very powerful demon and if his sons were anything like Inutaisho, then Kagome would be in for a big surprise. 'But he's an Inu-hanyou…' She took in his shocked figure as he just stared at her and noticed his beautiful golden eyes that caught her attention. 'A cute Inu-hanyou… No! What am I saying!' Kagome blinked back her shock after what she thought and lost her concentration for a second. The spiritual energy ball evaporated.

However, Kagome didn't make another one. Slowly, she dropped her hand to her side, turning even more so that her back was facing him. She wrapped her arms around her breasts, wanting to cover herself from his scrutiny as it seemed like he was intently watching her.

"What is your purpose here, demon?" she asked again a bit forcefully to catch his attention.

Inuyasha blinked back his shock when he heard her voice and straightened out. He cleared his throat, still trying to get past the beauty that he was staring at. "Depends on who wants to know," he bit back, not liking the tone she used on him. He was used to be waited on and treated with respect, not yelled at and glared at.

Kagome frowned and glared at the demon. "It does not matter who I am…"

"Oh yes it does," Inuyasha said as he crossed his arms across his chest.

Kagome narrowed her eyes on him, sizing up his figure. He truly had beautiful eyes. Those golden orbs were angry and irritated, which she could care less, as she gazed at his beautiful silver hair that flowed behind him. 'Wow…' She had seen the Inutaisho family from a distance when she would accompany the king on processions or meetings with other rulers, but she never saw one of them up close. And this young son was truly a sight to behold.

Inuyasha watched as the woman took in his figure and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as she sized him up. Something about her eyes along his body made him feel strong and powerful, which was weird. Inuyasha glared at the woman, trying hard to glare at her beautiful light brown eyes. He had never seen another's eyes like hers before. They were a light colored brown and with the moon's glow hitting her from the water's surface, her eyes looked like a sparkling grey. Inuyasha gulped, thinking about how he was going to get out of this. It was obvious that she intended to harm him, and her voice was firm and held no room for any chances. This miko was strong, and powerful, which made him wonder why he hadn't heard of her before.

Kagome took one last minute to gaze at the hanyou, sensing that he wasn't in any attacking position, and then turned her head.

Inuyasha blinked as he lost eye contact with the woman and watched as she walked over to the opposite side of the onsen. He smirked, his hands still crossed, as he waited for her next move. She would have to get out of the water in order to get dressed. Inuyasha waited with a smirk as Kagome made it to the other side of the onsen.

Grabbing her things, Kagome reached for her bathing cloth and flicked it open. With irritation, she turned around to see that Inuyasha was still watching her, a smirk on his face. "Would you mind turning around so that I can get dressed?" she asked politely through her gritted teeth.

Inuyasha snickered and slowly turned around, keeping his back towards her.

"And don't peak," she warned with venom.

Inuyasha blew air out of his mouth. "Yeah right. Like I would want to."

Kagome just rolled her eyes and blew off the insult as she stepped out of the onsen and began to dry her body off. Once in a while she would look back to see that the hanyou still had his back towards her. Quickly, Kagome got dressed, feeling the soft fabric of her undergarment against her flushed skin. She stepped into her miko robes and tied them together, turning around to face the hanyou. "You may turn around now."

As Inuyasha turned around, Kagome noticed that his smirk was gone. He was gazing at her intently, something deep within his eyes making her wonder what he was thinking.

'Her scent… I've never smelt anything like it before.' Inuyasha took another deep sniff, trying not to make it noticeable to her as he took in her scent again. The miko smelt like Jasmines, and he hadn't felt relaxed in another one's scent before. Not another besides his mother. But this woman. Inuyasha glared at the woman, not liking the fact that he was so casual with her, a miko, someone who he barely even knew and who tried to kill him just a moment ago.

"What's your name?" he asked harshly.

Kagome raised her eyebrow as she brushed back her hair behind her ear. "Depends on who wants to know." Now it was Inuyasha's turn to raise his eyebrow as his words came back to bite him. Kagome smirked, teasing the demon as she realized that he really didn't want to harm her. His body tone spoke that he was relaxed and comfortable, so he didn't mean to harm, something that she found oddly thankful for.

Inuyasha took a moment to gaze at the miko, waiting for her to make a move, but nothing came. He was strangely confused as to what to do now. "So you won't tell me your name and you won't kill me."

"Who said I wouldn't," she said. Inuyasha glared at her, seeing the challenge in her eyes.

"I know you won't."

Kagome shrugged casually as she draped her bathing cloth along her arm and brought it against her chest. With her other hand she ran it through her hair, trying to get the knots out. "Usually I would kill demons for sneaking up on me, especially if they saw me naked." Inuyasha smirked, making Kagome glare at him and his bloated arrogance. "However, I will spare you this time, demon. Just make sure you don't do it again."

That said, Kagome began to make her way towards the timberline, heading back to the village. She knew the demon wouldn't follow her because he had the stubbornness of a thousand bull youkai. But she knew that he wouldn't let her leave without challenging her threat.

Inuyasha growled and watched as the woman walked away. He felt the sudden urge to run up to her and keep her with him, chain her to his side as his slave. Something was obviously wrong with him if he wanted a miko to stay with him, but that's the way his mind was thinking right now. Inuyasha was so conflicted with his emotions that he had to growl to get himself under control.

"At least tell me your damn name." This made the woman stop, much to his amazement and hope, and he waited for her answer.

With a look back, Kagome sized him up one last time, making sure that it was wise to tell him, and then smiled. "My name is Kagome."

A satisfaction smile lit up Inuyasha's face, feeling victorious that he received the woman's name. She smiled one last time and turned to leave, but he had the oddly impression that she was stalling. Inuyasha didn't want her to go. He found himself following her, she would take one step away and he would take one step closer. Once he realized what he was doing, he stopped himself. With a curse, Inuyasha gazed at the ground, pulling himself together. Just before she reached the timberline he spoke to her. "My name is Inuyasha."

Kagome smiled and walked into the darkness of the forest.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

The morning dawn brought life into the sleeping beings along the land. The trees began to leak with life, birds fluffing their feathers from the night's cold and the morning dew sliding along the leaves and grass. Animals began to rise from their dens as they welcomed the morning sun, ready to find prey for their empty stomachs. The forest was littered with life as the animals awoken.

Walking through the village, little movement was seen. Kagome gazed along the sides of the road, taking in the empty stands where the merchants would set up their merchandises in the morning. The ground was moist beneath her shoes as she walked along the ground, leaving only her footprints in this new day soil. Kagome made her way towards the shrine near the edge of the village. The shrine had been ordered by the king when she had first arrived in the village. The townspeople had built the shrine a little ways to the west of the village because they hadn't wanted the demons entering the village. Everyone knew of the child Kagome who would become the Shikon no Miko, guarding the Shikon no Tama within the shrine. Everyone feared and revered the miko Kagome who saved their village and their lives countless times from demon attacks. The shrine was well protected with her barriers so that she would know when a demon would be approaching the shrine. Since the shrine was between the village and her home, she could see it clearly and reach it before the demon could destroy the shrine to find the treasure waiting inside.

The shrine came into view as Kagome smiled and continued her way towards her destination. She climbed the few steps of stone that the path ended on and made her way through the red-colored torii. Once Kagome passed under the wooden gate, she felt the presence of her barrier and began to read its structure. Her barrier was perfectly the same as when she had erected it yesterday, so pleased and satisfied that it served its purpose, Kagome lowered her barrier and watched as her miko energy dissolved into thin air. Kagome continued forward, stopping next to the well in the middle of the shrine grounds as she placed her hand on the stoned-lip of the well and gazed down into its dark depths. The well was silent and she smiled, gazing up at the shrine house in front of her. Their shrine was small, only containing one shrine house, which held the Shikon no Tama within, and a well.

Continuing forward, Kagome stopped to bow at a couple who were making their prayers at the bottom of the shrine stairs. The couple smiled at Kagome and she gave them her blessings, only earning her another respectful bow and a grateful thanks. Kagome walked up the shrine stairs, passing between the ropes that hung down from the roof of the shrine house. She opened the shoji just as she heard the husband ring the suzu bell at the top of the hanging ropes. Kagome closed the shoji as the man continued with his prayer, clapping his hands, but she carried on into the shrine house.

There, in the middle of the shrine house held up on a table by a wooden stand, the Shikon no Tama shone brightly in its welcome to her. 'Shikon no Tama.' The Jewel of the Four Souls, containing Aramitama, Nigimitama, Kushimitama and Sakimitama. Created by the Legendary Priestess Midoriko, the jewel is a remembrance of the battle that the Priestess had to endure and the battle that continues within the conflicting jewel. Though it seemed like a solid object, the jewel had been created from Midoriko's miko energy and the four souls she held within her being.

The jewel shone bright, lighting the shrine house with a white light and then it dimmed back to its light pink glow. Kagome smiled, recognizing the jewel's presence as much as it recognized and welcomed hers. She walked over to the bowl filled with water and went back to the table in the center of the room. Slowly, Kagome did her morning rituals with the jewel. She sprinkled water over the jewel and the strand it was held on, made out of the hair of the dragon. When she was young, the King had ordered a dragon to be slain in the North, and when the soldiers had returned, they had brought the dragon's head to Kagome. She had only been eight years old and the poor girl had blanched and hid behind her father in fear at the sight of the huge, bloody dragon head. Her father had expressed his anger but the King had insisted that the child must use the dragon's hair to fuse with the Shikon no Tama as a strand so that the child could wear the Shikon no Tama as a necklace, able to keep it close to her at all times. At first, Kagome hadn't believed that she would have been able to fuse the strands together with just her miko powers. But they had proven her wrong. At just eight years old, the older mikos and monks had watched in fascination and fear as the child fused the dragon hairs together, melding them and twisting them so that they looked like a beautiful braid of hair, melded to the sides of the jewel. Kagome could, at will, disconnect the jewel and the strands through her powers. It was held together by her miko energy and she could easily take it apart.

Sprinkling the water in a circle around the Shikon no Tama's stand, Kagome then paid attention to her duties as the protector and guardian of the Shikon no Tama. She would have to go out and patrol the lands around the castle grounds to make sure that there were no demons nearby that could sneak up on the village. Kagome placed the bowl of water back on the table near the side wall and covered it with a white cloth. She went back to the Shikon no Tama and clapped her hands twice, bowing with her hands in front of her, and then rose to her full height. With one last look at the jewel, Kagome turned around and headed out of the shrine house.

Making her way through the village, Kagome smiled and made small talk with the villagers. The villagers had come to take a liking to her, though Kagome knew that deep down they were still suspicious and afraid of her powers. She was known throughout Nihon as the most powerful priestess alive, the only one able to keep the Shikon no Tama pure. Which was how so many demons knew of the jewel's location and who to expect. But the foolish demons were the ones who came, and lost their lives in the process, and the smart ones were devising a plan that always ended in the giving of their lives. No demon could get past the Shikon no Miko and no demon lived to tell of their encounter with the priestess and the depth of her powers, but those that she fought with knew of her powers.

"Here you go, My Lady," a man said as Kagome approached the prepared horse at the edge of the town near the wooden bridge over the river.

"You have my thanks," she said formally as the man bowed with an appreciative smile on his face. She grabbed a hold of the horn of the saddle and lifted herself up onto the horse with grace. Taking the reins from the man, Kagome situated herself comfortably on the horse so that her bow against her back wasn't bothering the horse, and then tapped the stallion's ribs. At once, the stallion trotted forward, lifting its head in the process of being mounted and now having to accommodate someone else's weight.

Without another look back at the small group that watched her form leave the village, Kagome nudged the horse harder and the stallion stormed off in a fury of pounding hooves. She brought her body closer to the neck of the stallion, enjoying the way her hair blew behind her in the breeze and the wind that hit her face, blinding her until she got used to the ferocious wind. The sound of the hooves hitting wood cut her out of her thoughts as the horse crossed the river and then back onto land, outside of the village. Kagome turned the horse and the two were off in a fury of red, white and brown as the sun began to rise to greet the land with its blessing, starting a new day.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

The sunlight spilled into the room through the open balcony doors, lighting up the huge bedroom with the first rays of life. However, the figure on the bed did not stir or show any signs of life from the sunlight that hit his back. The figure was peacefully sleeping, lost in his dreams from the night before.

"Inuyasha!" Pounding on the wooden doors was loud as it echoed into the silent room, making the figure stir on the bed. The knocking only increased in level and the person on the other side of the door was obviously angered. "Inuyasha!" At once the door opened, revealing a very angry Inu-Taiyoukai as he strolled to the side of his son's bed.

"Inuyasha, wake up," Inutaisho said strictly, watching as his son's ears twitched in annoyance on his head but his son's eyes didn't open.

"It's too early," Inuyasha grumbled, his face faced away from his father as he only grabbed onto his pillows and buried his face into their softness.

"I do not care what time of day it is. I will have a word with you." His word was law.

Inuyasha stirred then, knowing that he was starting to get on his father's last nerves and he would hear it from his mother as well if he didn't get up to see what his father wanted. So he moved, stretching a bit and then sitting up to nearly glare at his father, seeing that Inutaisho wore the same expression on his face.

"Where were you last night?" Inutaisho demanded, getting the first word in on their conversation.

"Out," Inuyasha simply said, turning his head from his father. In a way, he felt guilty for looking straight into his father's eyes and telling him that, plus he had left everyone wondering where he was last night. But in another way, he just didn't want to deal with his father's problem about his actions last night right now. It was way too early for him to even think properly.

Inutaisho growled low, seeing Inuyasha turn his head from him. "Where did you go?" He watched as Inuyasha crossed his arms across his chest and leaned back against the headboard of his bed.

"I went running around."

"You went where?" Inutaisho asked, knowing that his son was trying to beat around the bush so he wouldn't tell him the truth. But he would get the truth from Inuyasha. Last night had been a disaster. The party that they had thrown for Inuyasha had been ruined because the guest of honor wasn't at the party, or anywhere to found in that matter. The whole night had been focused on trying to entertain the guests, who had come from miles away and who were frustrated because of the main person of the party's absence, and trying to find the guest of honor.

"I left the castle," Inuyasha said simply, not wanting to tell his father anything else.

"You left the Western Lands," Inutaisho accused.

Inuyasha's ears drooped on his head as his father already seemed to know the truth. He was definitely going to hear it from his mother too. And maybe even his brother.

Inutaisho fumed and looked away from Inuyasha, turning to glare out the balcony doors that remained open, the silk curtains flowing into the room from the slight breeze. He had sent one of his guards to find his son and when the guard had returned, he informed them that he had followed Inuyasha's scent until the edge of the Western Lands. Inuyasha had left the Western Lands and gone into the Eastern where that deranged ningen king lived. Who could have known what the king would have done to his son. That ningen despised youkai, just as much as Inutaisho despised the King of the East for his shallow knowledge.

Inutaisho turned back to his son, his face still etched with cruelty and anger, and he growled at Inuyasha, getting the hanyou's attention. Inuyasha looked up at him, waiting for him to speak, knowing that he didn't have the right to talk right now.

"You are not to go back to the Eastern Lands. Is this understood?"

After a tense second, Inuyasha looked away and nodded, wishing that he could tell his father just what he thought.

"You are not to leave this castle. Your mother and I are going to throw you another party tomorrow night. You will be present at this party and you will find a mate. Am I understood, Inuyasha?" Inutaisho stared hard down at his son, knowing that Inuyasha would not disrespect him and deny his demands.

"Yes, Chichi-ue." Inuyasha clenched his teeth and glared up at his father. The two Inu-youkais stared hard at each other, both stubborn and demanding in their own right. After a few moments, Inutaisho nodded his head and headed for the door, his figure tense and rigid.

"Your mother will have a word with you after breakfast." That said and having the final word, Inutaisho closed the door behind him.

Inuyasha growled, low and deadly, and reached for anything close to him. What he grabbed was a pillow which he threw towards the door, the thing falling helplessly to the floor halfway between the bed and the door. 'Fucking bastard!' Inuyasha tore the covers off his figure and headed for his bathroom, knowing that he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep after this.

Walking into the bathroom, Inuyasha went to the bucket of water that awaited him. The water was changed five times a day and Inuyasha knew that the water hadn't been changed this morning because it was still cold from last night. But he didn't care. Dipping his hands into the bucket, Inuyasha splashed his face with water and rubbed his sleepiness away. His father's insistence was on his mind and he was irritated to no end. 'Another bloody ball!' But this time, there was a catch, and a terrible price on Inuyasha's end. Not only would he have to attend this one, but he would have to choose his mate at this one. Tomorrow night. Just like that. Inuyasha growled and splashed the water out of the bucket in frustration, letting the ground get wet.

He stomped his way to the hanging cloths as towels and wiped his face furiously. 'How dare he.' The fact that his father, his own father, would insist on him picking a mate tomorrow night only ignited his anger towards his father. His father of all people should know that finding one's own mate was like finding a needle in a haystack in this world. He couldn't just point at one girl and wish her to be his mate because she looked pretty or because she was rich and was the princess. No. Inuyasha knew that he never felt the draw to any of the women that attended the Balls, which was why he hated them. It only reminded him that he was still without a mate while his family was happily living their lives with their mates.

Walking out of the bathroom, Inuyasha heard a knock on his door and then the voice of a servant. He allowed the female youkai into his room as she bowed to him and started on her morning work. He left her alone. Inuyasha walked outside onto his balcony and welcomed the morning breeze as it hit his bare chest. He wore his formal hakama as he looked down at his feet. Inuyasha smirked.

Last night had truly been amazing. He had felt the land's excitement as if it was his own as he had run freely, with no reservations. Last night he wasn't the Prince of the Western Lands. Last night he had no title over his head, nor any responsibilities as he had been a free man, running for Kami only knows what and to whatever the destination has path would take him. And his path had taken him to the arms of a beautiful miko.

Inuyasha blanched as he gazed out at his mother's garden beneath him. 'Beautiful?' Since when did he think a woman was 'beautiful', let alone a miko at that? Inuyasha let his thoughts wander again as he thought about last night's magical ride. The woman had indeed been beautiful when she was half naked under the moonlight within that onsen. He still remembers her scent, the scent of Jasmines that his mother loved, and he still remembers her eyes, those beautiful light brown irises. She had looked at him with not fear but determination and focus. She had been all miko then, not the woman that was obviously hidden beneath her skin. She was very beautiful and she had called his attention so quickly, like a sun in the middle of a crowded room. Inuyasha knew that he had never seen that woman before, never at any of his Balls because he would have known and remembered a woman like that. She had truly made an impression on him.

"Excuse me, My Lord."

The servant's voice snapped Inuyasha out of his thoughts as he turned around and gazed at the woman.

"Your bath is ready," she said, keeping her eyes down and her head bowed in respect. Inuyasha grunted and turned his back towards her, signaling her dismissal.

With a thoughtful look, Inuyasha looked out at the horizon. 'Tonight…' He needed to see her again. Her scent was fresh in his mind, stirring something deep within him that he had never felt or experienced before. Her glistening skin was still in his sight when he closed his eyes, making him feel like a man in need of a woman's body. Inuyasha growled to himself as his gut began to twist and the telltale sign of his desire began to grow as he looked down at his hakama. 'This can't be happening.' Him. A hanyou. A hanyou prince of the West. He… desired a miko woman?

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Later on that day, Inuyasha and Izayoi were walking along her gardens within the castle grounds. Her gardens grew at the back of the castle, encompassing the grounds with all sorts of plants. But there was one plant that her mother loved the most. Izayoi walked over to her favorite rose bush, her fingers gracing the petals of a blue rose, as she bent at the waist to take in its aromatic beauty. Inuyasha smiled, placing his hands behind his back as he waited for his mother. With his mother, he always showed patience and love, something he rarely did in front of public. His mother was the gentleness that his father didn't have and the amount of love she contained was enough to keep their family together and united as one.

Izayoi released her breath, blowing it against the leaves of her favorite bush as she smiled lovingly at the rose in her hand. "You know, Inu… this rose bush helps keep me steady when I feel like the world is collapsing around me." Izayoi got to her full height, releasing her tender hold on the rose, and turned around to gaze at her son. Inuyasha looked just like his father in his younger years. The boy had the charm of a prince, handsome and attractive. He also had the tenderness his father has, and the patience, though he hides it beneath his outer barriers. Izayoi frowned as she turned from him to gaze out at the rows of rose bushes she had.

When Inuyasha was born, most of the youkai at court had turned their backs on the child. None of them wanted to be the servant of a pitiful hanyou, let alone one that could one day become the ruler of the Western Lands. Some had even tried to kill him, something that Izayoi remembers well. One night, she had gone for a walk with her baby in her arms in her garden when someone had jumped out of the trees and covered her mouth. The only thing she remembered was seeing someone dressed all in black and she fought for her life, and her child's. But the man was strong. Next thing she knew, her arms were empty. Izayoi had screamed for her child, looking around her gardens for the thief who took her baby. Thankfully, Sesshomaru had heard her cries as he had been walking down the halls, and had run to her side immediately. He had caught the demon just outside of the castle walls and had slaughtered him then and there, with no mercy. She hadn't asked to know of the details, only Inutaisho wanted to know them to fulfill his deep burning rage at his servant who had done this to his own blood. The next day Inutaisho had ordered all of his servants to confess and most of them were banished from the Western Lands, never to return unless they seek death.

"Haha-ue… you're brooding again," Inuyasha said with a hint of amusement. Even here, in her garden where she comes to find peace, she always seems to find troubles in her thoughts. Inuyasha watched as his mother turned around, focus on her face as she snapped out of her thoughts, a smile at him in thanks.

"You've noticed?" she asked teasingly. Izayoi giggled as Inuyasha shrugged and she went to her son's side, linking her arm with his. "We have to talk." That said, Inuyasha frowned and let her mother lead the way as Izayoi took them down one of the stone covered paths. The two walked in silence, allowing the early afternoon rays to shine down upon them as they passed bushes of all sorts of flowers in all sorts of colors.

When Izayoi found her words and knew that she was trying her son's patience, she spoke softly to him. "Your father was very mad last night."

Inuyasha sighed heavily, not wanting to talk about him, but knowing that he had no choice. His mother did want to 'talk' to him, and her talks were usually down and straight to the point, giving him insight, of course, but making him think twice of his actions. "I know."

"He had sent one of his sentries to find you. When I learned that you had entered the Eastern Lands… I was terrified," Izayoi said fearfully. She felt Inuyasha place his hand over hers and she smiled up lovingly at her son, thankful. But then she gazed into his eyes and frowned, willing him to answer. "Why did you leave, Inu?" she asked, seeing his face in pain as he already avoided her question, turning his eyes from her to look ahead. But Izayoi squeezed his arm, feeling the loss of warmth from his hand as he brought it back to his side. Izayoi waited, knowing that her son would tell her when he felt ready and she knew he would. She gazed ahead, giving him space, and watched as two birds hopped onto the stones in front of them and then flew off.

"I wanted to run away," Inuyasha admitted, finally telling himself what he had truly wanted.

Izayoi gasped and turned to look back at her son. "But… why, Inu? Have we done something wrong to push you away?" she asked, her voice cracking as she was near tears in learning that her own son wanted to leave her. 'What have I done wrong?'

Inuyasha was quick to reassure his mother, placing his hand back on hers as he stopped them and looked into his mother's fearful eyes. "This has nothing to do with you, Haha-ue. Do you hear me?" He waited for his mother's reply, and when he got her nod, he smiled lovingly at her. "It's me." He then urged his mother forward as he needed to walk and talk in order to open up to his mother. Thankfully, she stayed quiet the whole time he explained.

"I just… I don't like to be here, Haha-ue. I feel like a prisoner in my own home. I can't leave the castle grounds because Chichi-ue thinks it's not safe in the village, especially for a hanyou," he said with disgust. When his mother was going to interrupt him, Inuyasha hurriedly continued, not wanting to hear his mother's sweet words. "I want to travel the land like before, when Chichi-ue used to take me on his processions to other ruling families in Nihon. But now he only takes Sesshomaru because he's the rightful heir to the Western Lands and needs to learn about politics. I want to get out of this Kami awful place and just… be myself," he said softly, his eyes gazing down.

It was Izayoi's turn to stop them as she went in front of Inuyasha and unlinked her arm with his, reaching up to place his head in her hands as she made him look at her. "Inuyasha… my beautiful son… your father loves you with all of his heart, as do I. You should have told us about this."

Inuyasha shrugged and tried to push against his mother's hands so she would release her tender hold on him, but her hands didn't budge. "It doesn't matter."

Izayoi shook her head. "Of course it does. You know you can always come to me to talk. And I'm glad you did." She released his head as she sighed, frowning as she gazed up at her son. She had not known that Inuyasha had been having these thoughts. "Why do you think you cannot be yourself here?" she asked, wondering what would make him feel unsafe in his own home.

Inuyasha sighed heavily, not wanting to tell his mother everything. There were just some things that he didn't want others to know, yet. "I don't know, Haha-ue. It's just… hard being a hanyou. I know that people are out to get me, but I don't care. Let them. Chichi-ue doesn't have to protect me from everyone. I am old enough to take care of myself now," he pointed out angrily as his anger for his father came back.

"Inu… your father is just concerned for your welfare, as am I. I would want it the same way he does if I knew that there are people beyond these walls that would harm you."

"But it's life, Haha-ue," Inuyasha nearly screamed at his mother. Izayoi blinked, shocked, and took a step back as she watched her son get a hold of himself. Inuyasha beat himself up, cursing inwardly at his stupidity for raising his voice at his own mother. She was only trying to help him and he was getting a bit hotheaded.

"I'm sorry, Haha-ue. Excuse me," he said, bowing towards his mother before turning on his heels and walking back towards the castle.

Izayoi frowned and brought her hands up to her chest as she watched her son walk away, his red fire-rat robe the only thing she saw. "Inuyasha!" Her son stopped, turning his head so that he could slightly see her over his shoulder, his ears turned in her direction as he waited for her words. But Izayoi didn't know what to say. She wanted to comfort her child, tell him that everything would be okay. But she knew that Inuyasha wanted to be alone and he would close off everyone to hide his emotions within himself. That was how he had grown up to be because of all those people who wanted him dead since rumors had spread of a hanyou being born to the royal family of the West. Rumors had always gotten to her son and had always brought him down, making him realize that the world would be out to get him and he was only safe within these stone walls. She wanted to tell him that he would be safe, but she had no words that could comfort him. And the fact that he had run away from the castle last night was proof that she no longer could comfort her growing son.

"I'm sorry…" Izayoi whispered as she bowed her head defeated, her hands coming closer to her chest in comfort.

Inuyasha frowned, scenting the coming tears that his mother would spill. He couldn't comfort her when he didn't even know how to comfort himself, let alone explain to her what was wrong with him. "Me too…" he said, as he turned and headed towards the castle, leaving his mother in the comfort and peace of her garden.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Once Inuyasha got back to his room, he slammed the door behind him, angry at himself for leaving his mother like that. But he couldn't go to comfort her because she wouldn't understand. For once, his mother just wouldn't understand. She was too in love with his father to understand that Chichi-ue was just pulling the reins too tight and needed to let loose. Chichi-ue just didn't see things like that. Inuyasha growled, his face in confusion and anger, as he gazed around his room. His bed had been made, his haori and hakama that he had left on the ground had been taken away for cleaning. This was his life. He was waited on by servants, protected by the castle guards and sought after by maidens that his parents wanted him to choose from. But did they even care what he wanted?

Inuyasha walked towards his balcony, taking off his haori as he threw it on his bed. Only wearing his fire-rat hakama and his white undergarment haori, Inuyasha made his way outside, taking in the scent of the forest and the land. He could smell the dirt, rising from the ground as the wind pushed it to new land. He could smell his mother's flowers and as he looked down into her garden, he didn't see her anywhere. 'She must have gone to look for my father for comfort.' Inuyasha glared at the flowers as if he was glaring at his mother. If she went to him for comfort and told his father about what they talked about, he would never trust in his mother again. Once that thought flew into his mind, Inuyasha's ears drooped and he hit himself for ever thinking that. His mother was a kind woman and she understood that he confided in her with things that he would never, never, tell another soul. She was… his mother.

With a sigh, Inuyasha leaned against the railing, gazing over his mother's garden to stare at the land that went for miles out, mountains rising in the distance. He wanted to run along those tops, touching the clouds that blanketed the peaks. But here he was, a hanyou prince, stuck within his own castle because the world around him hated him for what he was. But that woman…

Inuyasha's eyes widened as he remembered something from last night. 'She hadn't killed him.' That was right. That miko, though she had been naked and beautiful, had kept her miko energy ready and her attack had been right there above her fingers. Inuyasha's eyes widened as the memory hit him. 'She tried to kill him.' For some reason, Inuyasha felt angered and hurt, but he hadn't even remembered this because he had been too into… 'Into staring at her body?' he offered as an explanation. With a shake of his head, Inuyasha bowed until his forehead rested on the warm stone. The miko had indeed tried to kill him, like all other ningen and youkai alike in this world, but she hadn't. And that's what grabbed his attention the most. She had been so determined last night, the strength and fire in her eyes to kill him if she had wanted to, and she could have, but she didn't. 'She didn't.' Inuyasha lifted his head and looked out at the land, confusion and determination in his eyes. He pressed his lips together as he made up his mind, not caring of the consequences or his father's rage. He would go to the Eastern Lands tonight and find that miko again.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

The night fell amongst the land like a silk blanket, encompassing the land with darkness while igniting the heavens with stars. The moon climbed its way along the sky, valiantly crossing the space between heaven and earth to make its way back beneath the land.

Walking along the village, Kagome noted the merchants who were packing up their merchandises along the market street. She walked down the beaten path, smiling at the merchants as they looked up to see her unflawed figure making her way back up the hill to her home.

"Lady Kagome!"

Turning around at the sound of her name, Kagome stopped in her tracks to see a small child running towards her. She smiled and went to her knees as the young girl approached her, her face spotted with dirt and her clothes bearing marks of mud and torn holes.

"Sachi, where is your brother?" she asked sweetly, then noting the girl's frightened face. Her instincts began to kick in as the little girl's frightened aura began to indicate some sort of trouble, which triggered Kagome's aura to flare out.

"Lady Kagome! Please help my brother!" Sachi said, her face in fear and her lips in a pout as she tapped Kagome's knee, trying to catch the miko's attention. "Lady Kagome!"

"Go back to your home, Sachi," Kagome said as she stood up, her face turning to the West where she felt the demonic aura that she had either missed or had just arrived at the village. She looked down to see that Sachi had a stubborn look on her face and knew that the girl wasn't going to leave. "Go now. I will bring back your brother." That said, she ran to the outer houses of the village near the entrance where the village horseman lived. She banged on the shoji door, calling out the horseman's name as she waited for him to answer the door.

Once the shoji opened Kagome ordered the man to get her a horse. The villager left no argument or room for questions as he ran out of the house to the arena where he kept his horses near his home. Everyone knew that Priestess Kagome protected their village, and she was always calm and peaceful. When Priestess Kagome was frantic and rattled, they knew that a demon must be approaching and they were in danger. So none of the villagers questioned or held anything back from her use. Kagome looked inside the man's house and found his bow and arrows, remembering that she had left hers within the shrine because she had been returning there. Snatching them, Kagome ran towards the arena when the man was already bringing out a mare.

"My Lady," the man said, still huffing from the exertion of his quick footwork, pulling the horse behind him as he opened the gate containing the horses within. "Let me grab a saddle…"

"There is no time," Kagome said, putting the bow and arrows around her body as she reached for the reins. The man gave it to her with no complaint and held the horse as she mounted the mare, situating herself and the bow so the both of them would be comfortable. "Thank you. I will return your bow and arrows." The man didn't have time to tell her not to worry before Kagome kicked the horse and the two of them were off in a dust storm of horse hooves.

The ground beneath her moved quickly as the thundering of the horse filled her ears. Kagome kept her focus on the demonic aura up ahead as the horse went straight to the demon. Her aura encompassed the whole area around the village and the castle, not taking any chance that there might be a sneak attack on the other side of the village if this demon attack was only a diversion. But it was quite far from the village and she wondered what Sachi and Genku had been doing so far away from the village. The horse sniffed loudly, making Kagome reach behind her back as she balanced herself on the horse's back without a saddle, feeling its spine against her junction and its ribs against her thighs as it ran at full speed. The mare began to slow as they reached the timberline and the roar of a monster erupted from the forest. The mare stopped, making Kagome having to hang onto the mare's mane, as the mare reared up, not wanting to follow the source of the sound.

"Ya!" Kagome said as the horse brought its front feet back onto the ground and Kagome kicked the mare forward, the two racing off into the trees. Kagome had her bow in one hand with the reins as she held onto the mare's mane with the other, ready to grab an arrow once she came into sight of the demon. The demonic aura was getting stronger as the trees began to decrease in number and Kagome recognized where they were. 'There is a clearing up ahead.' She readied her bow, and waited until she saw the demon and could get a clear shot.

Another roar erupted into the forest as the horse whined but carried on, not wanting to get on the wrong side of the miko. Just up ahead, the clearing came into view as the horse entered the clearing and its head was pulled back. The mare tried her hardest to stop quickly, turning so that the miko could get a clear shot. Kagome pulled back her arrow as the horse came to a stop and the demon was in her view. Without a second thought, Kagome let go of her arrow and watched as her miko energy engulfed the thin wood into a flaming arrow of spiritual energy. At the last minute the demon turned its gruesome head towards the coming attack and his green eyes grew wide before his mouth roared out his pain as the arrow shot its way into his body, creating a huge hole in its stomach.

The young boy starred up at the demon with wide, terrified eyes as the guts of the demon's stomach blew along the land, some landing on him. The boy screamed and backpedaled along the land, hitting his back against a tree as he was frozen on the ground in fear.

Kagome jumped off the horse and ran to the side of the young boy, seeing his frightened eyes as he stared ahead at the demon. She placed her bow down and placed her hands on the boy's shoulders. "Genku! Go back to the village," she said firmly, catching his attention immediately. Kagome used her aura to wrap around the child so he would feel comfort and peace instead of having to see the demon behind her writhe on the ground in pain as his howls erupted into the forest, shaking the trees.

Genku nodded his head after staring into Kagome's eyes, gathering his strength to get up. Kagome helped him to his feet and pushed him away, making him stumble along the way as his feet got used to his body's weight. Kagome urged him on as he turned around to look back at her, but then his eyes widened and his mouth opened in a scream.

"Lady Kagome!"

She fell to the ground quickly, falling right onto her chest as the wind was knocked out of her. Kagome could barely grasp what was happening before she was dragged along the ground and then lifted into the air, hanging upside down. The little boy watched in fear as the miko was lifted off the ground, in the demon's grasp, and he felt useless and weak, unable to help her. With sheer determination, his being was flooded with adrenaline as Genku shot off towards the village, intending on calling for help for the miko. The demon's tongue was wrapped around her ankle as it held onto her, his eyes glittering with triumph as he realized that he would kill her for what she did to him.

"Foolish miko," the demon said, green vile leaking out of his mouth. Kagome showed no emotion as she regarded him upside down, her hair spilling down in a waterfall of blackness. The demon was like a glob, but more solid than fluid. His tongue was leaking with green goo, slithering its way up Kagome's hakama as she was held high in the air. "You thought to defeat me?" his voice asked, bubbling up from his throat. As he spoke, his stomach began to slowly heal itself, pulling its parts back up from the ground as the green globs began to slither its way back to his body. Kagome watched as they attached themselves back into the hole and he began to rejuvenate. 'Hm… I have to shoot him in the head.' Kagome turned her attention to her bow and arrows that lay on the ground where she had helped Genku. 'Genku.' She looked around for him, not seeing him anywhere, and thanked the Kamis for taking him to safety.

"You will die, miko." The demon caught her attention again and she glared at it. With a quick whip of his tongue, Kagome went flying into a tree, hitting her side against the tree and getting the wind knocked out of her as she fell to the ground. Kagome rolled onto her back, coughing up blood as her ribs hurt and it burned to even breathe, let alone move her abdomen. 'Dammit!' she thought, placing a hand on her ribs where it felt like they had been broken. But the demon caught her attention again and all thoughts about her welfare flew out the window. Kagome sat up as the demon made his way towards her, a gloated smile on his face, and placed her hands up in front of her as light began to form in the center of her palms.

"Oh, what you got there, miko?" the demon asked while laughing at the sheer thought that this miko would still fight him while she was on the brink of death.

Suddenly, another demonic aura came into her range and Kagome's eyes widened as the realization hit her. 'A surprise attack?' she thought, hurrying her attack before the next demon would come to take advantage of her injured state. Focusing all of her thoughts to the center of her hands, Kagome conjured up an arrow with her spiritual aura, the light blue arrow made from her miko energy becoming solid as she gazed up at the demon. His eyes widened as he realized what she was planning and he hastily wiggled his way towards her, trying to kill her before she released her arrow.

The ground began to roll as the breeze shifted and the trees screamed and tilted from the new energy. Kagome stopped, sensing something coming closer, some sort of huge energy.

"Wind Scar!" Suddenly, the ground began to shake uncontrollably as a burst of light shot out from the trees around them, making the demon turn around at the last second to see three claws of light coming towards him. With a large howl, the demon was killed and his pieces remained along the ground and in the trees. The three claws of light had vanished with the demon, making Kagome blink twice to try and figure out what it is that just happened and what she had just seen.

Then, out of the forest, the hanyou she had met last night came strolling out. Her eyes narrowed on him as her lips pressed together, intending on using the arrow still levitating above her hands if he came back to kill her. 'Damn… I should have killed him when I had the chance.' Now she was injured and didn't have the energy to fight him, let alone stand on her own. Kagome stayed calm, knowing that if she became distressed, it would cause her life. But she watched with wonder and awe as the hanyou stepped out of the timberline and into the small clearing. He was wearing a red robe, the thing looking too big for his body but she could still see his body form beneath the layers of clothing. He walked with strength and determination, his back straight and rigid as a huge sword was resting against his shoulder. The hanyou held a sword that resembled a fang, the size of a huge demon's fang, as it was slung over his shoulder and he carried it effortlessly. Kagome glared at him as he approached, watching him warily.

"It's alright, miko. I won't hurt you," Inuyasha said as he lifted his sword from his shoulder and swung it to his side, embedding it into the ground. Once he let go of the hilt of the sword, Kagome watched as the huge fang shrunk, glowing until it became nothing more but a worn up sword. She blinked, seeing the useless, beaten up sword that had once been a huge fang that had destroyed the demon. She had seen it with her own eyes. Right? Kagome coughed and her concentration on her miko energy vanished as she placed her hands on the ground in front of her, spitting out blood while her side burned from the effort of coughing.

She heard the sound of metal scraping against metal and then two feet were in her view as the hanyou bent down and she heard his growl.

"You're injured."

"Yes." It even hurt for her to talk. Kagome groaned and pushed back so that she could sit up and view the hanyou so near to her. His demonic aura was pushing against her own, a very powerful one for just a hanyou, she noted.

"Where's you're village?" he said, his face going up into the wind as he sought the answer for himself.

"I will not let you near my village," Kagome said firmly, though she felt as weak and as fragile as she was right now. It pained her to talk, to breathe. All she wanted to do was close her eyes and take some herbs for her to go into a nice, peaceful sleep where she could forget about this pain.

Inuyasha snickered and looked back at Kagome. "If you want to get your wounds treated then you're going to have to let me take you back to your village."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I can get there by myself, hanyou."

Inuyasha flinched as she called him a hanyou. His ears flattened and he turned away from her so she wouldn't see his reaction to the word. But his own reaction is what made him confused. Usually, he wouldn't give a damn if people called him a 'filthy hanyou'. He had grown up knowing that people thought of him this way and that he wouldn't be able to grow out of it. But for some reason, hearing it come from this miko hurt. Just then, Inuyasha sniffed and his body became tense. Kagome noticed this as the hanyou turned his head to the side as if looking at something. She turned to see the empty timberline of the forest, watching for something that should be coming if his senses were as good as she known it to be.

"The villagers?" she guessed, feeling their auras as they approached. There were seven of them, coming to help her, she assumed because Genku had gone to get help.

"They're coming for you," Inuyasha said, feeling a deadly growl rise up into his throat. He blinked back his shock at his instincts. He wanted to take this woman and run, or stay and kill those damn villagers for thinking to take this miko from him. He turned to gaze at Kagome, seeing her light brown eyes gaze at him with confusion and wonderment, probably the same he was showing her. He was confused as to what to do. He had come here to find her and maybe even talk to her again, not to find her nearly killed by a demon and injured by it too. To make matters worse, the villagers were sure to chase him off if they found him with their miko. 'Theirs?' he thought, brushing away that thought just as fast as it had entered his mind.

"Come," Inuyasha said, making up his mind. He reached for Kagome, as she tensed and her eyes widened, and he carried her bridal style. Kagome was about to hit his chest but the movement caused a sharp pain in her side and she groaned. Inuyasha glared down at the miko in his arms. "Don't move, baka. You're injured." That said, he took one last look at the direction the villagers were coming from and bounded off into the darkness of the forest with the miko in his arms.

The villagers finally came into the clearing where they heard the demon's roar and they all gasped. Weapons drawn and torches ready to burn the demon, they didn't expect to find the clearing empty. But what shocked them was the three claw marks that were etched out of the Earth, as if some huge demon had dug their claws into the Earth and left their marks along the land. The demon's green goo that was once his body remained scattered along the empty clearing.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Inuyasha took Kagome to a secluded onsen that he sniffed out. He walked around until he found the perfect spot and then knelt so that he could place Kagome down carefully on the ground, mindful of her injuries. She looked okay on the outside, but the miko was good at masking her emotions. Kagome looked away from him once she was on the ground and she began to assess her injuries now that she had the time and space.

Inuyasha got up and left Kagome's side, sniffing out the area to make sure that no one or nothing else was here, and when he was satisfied, he began to find the flowers that he had scented nearby. Kagome watched him curiously, wondering what he was looking for and seeing his determination and focus. Though he was a hanyou, she noticed how well he seemed to scent things out. 'Inu-youkai's noses are a lot powerful than many other demons,' she reminded herself, pressing against her ribs again. She flinched. Nothing felt broken but it was definitely bruised, badly. Kagome sighed and bowed her head, knowing that she would have to take it easy for the next few days and maybe even have to ask the king for his priestesses in lending her a hand. But once the king finds out about her wounds he would definitely send as much as she needed, and more to care for her. Kagome chuckled venomously, knowing that she was merely just a pawn for the king who only wanted her power for his own doings.

"Oi! What are you brooding about, miko?" Inuyasha asked as he came back to her side carrying a handful of yellow flowers in his hand.

Kagome eyed them suspiciously and then gazed up at his golden eyes. 'His eyes are so beautiful.' "Nothing," she said as she looked away, beating herself for thinking that.

Inuyasha shrugged and sat down cross-legged, making Kagome scoot away from him at the closeness he was to her. With an arch of his eyebrow, Inuyasha gazed at Kagome next to him with irritation. "I'm a hanyou. I'm not contagious," he said, scooting closer.

Remaining on her butt with her legs to the side of her, Kagome bit her bottom lip and looked away, but didn't move. Inuyasha began to pick the petals of the flowers, placing them on his hakama until he finished plucking all nine of the flowers. Curiously, Kagome side-glanced at what Inuyasha was doing, hoping that he didn't notice her slight curiosity. She had never known that the hanyou would be knowledgeable in the medicinal arts. Not even she had heard of these yellow flowers or that they carried some sort of medical potency. But she watched him with interest as he set about to crushing the petals. Kagome watched Inuyasha's face intensely, getting lost in his masculinity that he wore. Though he was a hanyou, she found him attracting. Very attracting. This she couldn't lie to herself. Though she hadn't plan on seeing him again, here he was. This hanyou, the son of the King of the West, had ventured back to the East where he knew he would be in peril. For what? 'Does he intend to kill me?' Kagome narrowed her eyes as she gazed at him, not missing the way his cute ears on his head swiveled to the source of every sound he heard or the way his jaw clenched when he was in deep concentration like now. Kagome's gaze softened as she found herself gazing longingly at this hanyou, this man. How long she hasn't felt a man's touch, nor has she been with a man. All the men in the village were afraid of being with her in fear that they might get harmed by her miko powers which were known throughout Nihon. Men were frightened of her, but her beauty hadn't gone unnoticed in the village as she had called attention to the younger men lately. However, she knew that it wouldn't be anything serious because most of the men didn't see her in that way.

"Oi! Are you listening to me?" Inuyasha asked, glaring at Kagome. She blinked and flushed, embarrassed that she had been caught staring at him like a lost dog.

"Oh, I am deeply sorry," she said with a small bow of her head.

Inuyasha jerked back, shocked at what she was doing, and then raised his hands up. "Um… okay. You don't have to apologize," he said, wondering what had gotten into her. One minute she was suspicious of him and the next she was bowing to him as if she should be respecting him. When Kagome brought her head back up, her cheeks were still pink but she kept her gaze on the crushed petals in the hanyou's opened hand.

"What's that for?" she asked, wondering what he was intending to do with it.

"What do you think?" Inuyasha asked with a roll of his eyes. He came closer so that Kagome had to move back this time at the closeness he was. She leaned back as he leaned towards her, and she could smell his scent. He smelt like the forest, a rich scent of pine and the fresh cut of grass in an early morning. Kagome nearly closed her eyes in bliss at the scent of him, but she gasped when he grabbed her hand and placed the petals in her palm. "Eat it," he ordered, his golden eyes staring at her bewildered ones.

After a moment of processing what he said, Kagome blinked and blanched. "You have got to joking," she said with skepticism. Inuyasha arched his eyebrows and leaned back on his haunches with a scowl, crossing his arms. "How do I know this isn't poisonous?" she asked the obvious, knowing that he knew she doubted him.

Inuyasha watched as Kagome smirked and he smirked himself at her boldness, but he expected her to ask him. He would have thought less of her if she had just taken the petals without asking if they would kill her. 'She's a smart one,' he thought, but he already knew this. "They're part of the Jasmine family. My mother has these in her garden that she grows in the castle. It'll help with broken bones."

After hearing its medicinal properties, Kagome frowned, feeling bad for even doubting him. She looked away from his heated eyes and gazed down at the crushed petals in her hand. She heard shuffling and looked up to see that Inuyasha had gotten up and was making his way over to the onsen behind her. Kagome closed her eyes and placed a small smile on her face, disbelieving that she was actually trusting this hanyou.

"Thank you, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha froze in his walk as he heard his name fall from Kagome's lips. He whipped his head around to see her head fall back as she brought the petals into her mouth and began to eat them. His eyes were wide with shock and awe, his ears straining to hear her say his name again. Her voice was like music to his ears, which made him note that he could pick out her voice in a crowded room, but when she said his name it made all the difference. His name fell off her lips like water, elegant and smooth, but it was her voice alone that held the power of it. Inuyasha felt his heart beat faster and he turned away, knowing that he was staring at her back like a fish out of water. 'What the hell is wrong with me?' he demanded of himself, but he just didn't know the answer. Maybe this miko was placing some sort of spell over him. Yeah, that's why he had been acting so strange since last night, since he saw her.

With a growl, Inuyasha spun around and crossed his arms across his chest as he gazed at Kagome's back. She heard his growl and turned to view him with wonder and curiosity. Her eyes held his attention more than anything at that moment, but he quickly focused on her attempts to subdue him. "Okay, miko. What kind of spell did you place on me?" he asked a bit harsher than he had anticipated.

Kagome frowned and shook her head, her eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "I don't know what you are talking about, hanyou."

Inuyasha smirked and raised his eyebrow. "It is obvious that you had done something to me last night when your fingers were glowing," he said matter-of-factly. But he watched as Kagome smirked and he scowled at her, wondering what she was so happy about as if she had played a trick on him.

"If I had wanted to kill you, hanyou, I would have done it by now," Kagome said softly, though her voice held the quick tell of promise in her tone.

Inuyasha quirked his eyebrow and uncrossed his hands and placed them on his hips, sizing up this miko. She truly had a fire beneath the surface of her well-made miko facade and this external barrier she had placed on herself. It was obvious that she was used to seeing to other's needs before her own and that she placed others above herself. But Inuyasha didn't see why he was so attracted to this miko, this one woman who could kill him if she wanted to. Why had he come back for her?

"And what about you, hanyou?" Kagome asked after she was left in his silence. His golden eyes were gazing straight into her soul, which made her uncomfortable. Not only has she rarely been within a man's presence for this long a period of time, but they were alone and she was wondering why he had come back. "What are your intentions?"

Inuyasha snickered and glanced away, turning back around to look at the onsen. "If I wanted to kill you, miko, I would have done it by now."

Kagome gazed at his back with a smile after what he said, hearing her words come back at her. She shook her head and sighed, looking away from him. His silver hair had caught the shine of the moon and it glowed even more intensely in its light, making her amazed at this hanyou's beauty. He probably didn't even know that he was handsome, or maybe he did but didn't care. Whatever the case, it wasn't her business.

"Well… you have my thanks for helping me with the demon," Kagome said as she slowly got to her feet, her face scrunching in pain as she moved her torso to get up.

Inuyasha whipped around and was already strolling back to her side, anger and irritation in his eyes. "What are you doing, baka? Your wounds haven't healed yet. You shouldn't be moving around."

Kagome arched her eyebrows and gazed intently up at him, seeing the worry hidden deep beneath his irritation and anger. "Why do you care?" she asked softly, not meaning to hurt him. But she saw his ears droop on his head and his eyes changed, but she couldn't tell what he was feeling because he looked away from her and all signs of his emotion washed off his face.

"I don't," Inuyasha said matter-of-factly. Kagome tilted her head to the side, gazing at him with interest, trying to figure him out. This hanyou was becoming more of an interest to her than a threat, which was what demons usually were to her.

"Then why did you come back, hanyou?" Kagome asked, seeing that she had caught his attention as he looked back down at her. His golden eyes were so intense that she had to regain her thoughts before she spoke again. "I could have taken care of myself just fine back there."

"Oh really?" Inuyasha asked with an arch of his eyebrows and a proud smirk on his face. "Then why is it that you are the one who is injured and I was the one who saved your life?"

Kagome chuckled and looked away from him, seeing too much of his pride in his eyes. "You did not save my life. You merely ended the demon's." She turned to look back into the woods where Inuyasha had carried her from. She needed to get back home. The villagers would have told her family by now and her mother would have gone to the King once the villagers returned without her. The King would definitely find her, and if his sentinels found Inuyasha with her, there would be trouble.

"You must go," Kagome said anxiously as she gazed up at him.

Inuyasha was taken aback as he looked at Kagome's worried eyes. 'She's… worried?' He didn't understand this miko, or the fact that he was so attracted to her, but he did know that something was up and he could tell in her voice. "Why?"

Kagome sighed and shook her head. "The villagers will go back to my home and tell my mother that I am missing. She will go to the King and he will send out his sentinels to find me," she pointed out, glancing around the darkness of forest as if the trees had ears.

Inuyasha smirked and tilted his head. "The King? The King of the East?" he asked, wondering why she referred to him that way.

With a nod, Kagome turned to glance back up at him, seeing his relaxation and curiosity. "You do not heed my warning as well as you should."

Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders. "I don't see any threats around. There is no one in these woods. I would be able to hear them if they even decided to sneak up on us." Inuyasha watched as Kagome nodded her head, believing in his words. 'She's doing it again,' he thought. She believed in him, which was weird because he was a hanyou and she was a miko. By their ways of life, they shouldn't be agreeing with each other, let alone conversing with each other as if they did this every day. But here he was. The miko's beauty was definitely what brought him back, and he had to admit that he had made a wise decision on coming back to find her.

Kagome noticed his eyes gazing at her intently and she tilted her head, wondering what he was thinking. "What?" she asked.

Inuyasha blinked and shook his head, a small flush forming on his cheeks. "Nothing," he said sternly, looking away from her with a scowl on his face.

Kagome scrunched her eyebrows but dismissed his actions, turning around to face the forest. "I need to return to the village. If the King finds you are here, he will…"

"The King won't find me here," Inuyasha insisted. Kagome sighed and turned around to see his cocky smile. "I'm a hanyou, miko. He can't get passed my nose, or my hearing senses," he reminded her, but Kagome just shook her head.

"I know that. But I must be going. Besides, I am worrying my family and the royal family with my absence."

"The royal family?" Inuyasha asked, taking a step towards her fleeing figure. "Why would they concern themselves with you?" he asked curiously, wondering why the King of the East would go at such lengths to insure that this miko remained by his side.

Kagome turned around with a curious stare as she gazed up at the hanyou. "Do you know who I am?" she asked him, wondering if he knew. Everyone of Nihon knew of the legendary Shikon no Miko of the East, under the watch of the King of the East, she was his. Many people knew of her. Wherever she went, when she went with the King on his processions, people were afraid of her and backed away from her when she passed by. It was as if she had become a contagious disease that the people of Nihon desperately tried to protect themselves from. Her power was well known and ningen and youkai alike knew of her and her powers. But here, this one hanyou didn't seem to know of her, which made Kagome feel content and surprisingly grateful. She couldn't remember the last time someone wanted to be in her presence for a long period of time, but then again, he didn't know of her so that didn't count.

Inuyasha tilted his head to the side, gazing at her intently. "Should I?"

Kagome shrugged her shoulders. "I know of you, Prince Inuyasha of the Western Lands, son of King Inutaisho and Queen Izayoi, younger brother to Prince Sesshomaru, rightful heir to the Western Lands." Inuyasha's eyes were wide with shock as she relayed to him the information of his blood. She sighed and looked down at her hands held in front of her. "I am shocked that you do not know of me." After a silent minute spent between the two, Kagome thought it through and understood why Inuyasha didn't know of her. "I believe it is because I have not journeyed to the Western Lands with the King that I am not well known there."

Inuyasha snapped out of his shock as he heard her. He snickered, his arms relaxed at his sides as he found himself not wanting her to leave yet. "The King of the East doesn't venture to my family's lands. He is not welcomed there, as we are not welcomed here."

At this, Kagome took a step back towards Inuyasha, interested in his facts. "Why is that? The King has never told me the reason why he has never journeyed to the Western Lands for business." She waited, seeing that he was a bit flushed at the fact that she was leaning towards him with curiosity. Kagome caught herself and blushed, reeling back on her heels to put some distance between them. 'This is getting too out of hand.'

"My father has a disagreement with the way the King of the East sees things. The King thinks that all youkai should be eradicated from this Earth and they're all evil, ningen killing demons," Inuyasha said with venom and disgust in his voice.

Kagome gazed at him innocently, wondering if what he said and the way he felt was the truth. She could feel his aura tinting with anger and pain, but she wondered why. And she also wondered why Inuyasha also disagreed with the King. "Is there a problem with that?" she asked innocently.

At this, Inuyasha suddenly took a step back and stared at her as if she had turned into a demon. He couldn't believe what she just asked him. Kagome, however, noticed his shock and took a step towards him, wondering what had gotten into him. But Inuyasha brought his hands up and stopped her in her tracks, willing her to give him some space. After a moment, Inuyasha glared at Kagome, wondering why she would side with the King on this one. "You believe in him? You think it's right to destroy all the demons?"

Kagome shrugged and watched his reactions, wondering why he was so sentimental about this. "It does not matter who I believe in. I believe in myself and I have my own thoughts about things."

"Then what do you think about demons?" Inuyasha asked, cutting into her explanation. Kagome scrunched her eyebrows in thought and then answered him sincerely.

"I believe that there are demons out there who seek their own pleasure and desires without thinking of other's health or wellbeing. These demons are the ones that I have no second thoughts over, or care about their health and wellbeing. They have no sympathy from me," Kagome said, her voice strict and stern as she gazed hard at Inuyasha, telling him the truth of what she believed in. "But there are some demons that I believe to be 'good', or what we want to believe is the definition of 'good'. And those demons are the ones that I have a toleration for."

"Toleration?" Inuyasha asked, disbelief on his features. "So you tolerate demons?"

Kagome gazed at him as if he should have known. "Yes. I am a miko, hanyou. What else would you expect of me?" she asked him, wondering what he was going to say. But the answer never came as Inuyasha turned his head and gazed at the ground. Kagome sighed, feeling his discomfort and tried to make things better with him before they parted ways. He had indeed helped her so she would make amends before they parted. "Listen, hanyou. You are a demon and I am a miko. Some things in this world are never meant to coincide."

Inuyasha shook his head as the words fell off Kagome's lips. For some reason, he had seen her as someone with a big heart, but she had little care for demons. 'What else would you expect of me?' her words rang clearly in his head, and truthfully, he hadn't thought about that. She was indeed a miko, and he a hanyou. What he was expecting was not reality, which made Inuyasha wonder why he was even here again. They were two different beings and they had different beliefs. They had different ways of life.

The silence between them stretched on as the gap remained between the miko and the hanyou. The two were of different worlds, never to coincide, never to become one. What they found in their worlds were different from the other's, which made them opposite beings. The miko and the hanyou gazed at each other for a long time, trying to find the truth and answers to their questions in each other's eyes. Gold mingled with light brown, fusing together as if they could coincide in a world where there was no distinguish between ningen and youkai. The world would be a much happier place.

Taking the silence, Kagome nodded her head, giving a slight bow, as she turned around to head back to her village. "Once again, I thank you, hanyou, for helping me and seeing to my wounds. I am in your debt."

Inuyasha watched as Kagome walked away from him. For some reason, he felt like this would be the last time he would see her. She spoke the truth, and the truth was that he shouldn't come back to this place to see her again. The truth was, they were both different people, and he shouldn't toy with fate in that way. So for reality to strike him, Inuyasha could only watch in shock and wonder as the miko walked away from him, intending on going separate ways without another look back.

But then, Kagome did stop. Inuyasha's ears perked on his head and his body grew rigid as he waited for her to say something. Then, Kagome turned around slowly and her light brown orbs clashed with his. Inuyasha felt a stirring within his gut, wondering what it was but not wanting to think about it. He could only think about the miko in his vision, her soft smile that was so beautiful and her tender eyes that welcomed him. She truly was a sight to behold, like when he first saw her last night.

Kagome gazed at Inuyasha for a brief second, taking in his apparel and his strength and determination that he erected in his demonic aura. She touched his aura one last time with her own, seeing his reaction as he felt the slightest touch of her aura. A smirk formed on his face and Kagome watched the movement of his mouth with interest. His golden eyes were beautiful and his silver hair was amazing, but he was a hanyou. 'Snap out of it, Kagome. You cannot have him.' However, it was nice to be able to talk to someone who wasn't afraid of her or who didn't think that she was some sort of freak.

"May Kami watch over you, Inuyasha," she said softly, knowing that he could hear her, and then turned around to head back.

"Take care of yourself, Kagome," Inuyasha said loud enough for her to hear. He watched as Kagome stopped, a small misstep, and then continued on to the village. Her figure began to disappear behind the trees and he never saw the smile that remained on her face as Inuyasha glanced at the ground in front of him where she once sat. He pictured the miko sitting there, her hair elegantly flowing to the ground in a lush, black waterfall. He had wanted to run his fingers through her hair and feel its softness as much as he had wanted to touch her face to feel their tenderness, the same tenderness he saw in her eyes. The miko's eyes were ones that he would never forget. Never. Taking one last look at the darkness of the forest in front of him, Inuyasha turned his back on the East and headed in the opposite direction.

The stems of the Jasmines lay forgotten on the ground where it had formed the trust between the hanyou and the miko.

---

Torii- a wooden gateway at the entrance of a Shinto Shrine to separate the living world from the Kami world

First chapter, please tell me what you thought. But just know that I have another in progress story so I will be writing both at the same time, one of the Modern Era and one of the Feudal Era. But for now, just tell me what you thought of this chapter. Thanks a bunch.

-Kaleialohalani