Learning to Live Again

WhisperingKage

Summary: Run out of their homeland, their families torn apart and hope almost gone they go to a new land. A new world hoping to start over. Yet their wounds are fresh, barely healed and aching. Emotions run high as they step foot in this new land and walk right into the Lord of the west and his ward, the Shikon Miko.


She felt it the moment they arrived on her island. Okay, so Japan wasn't hers but damn if she didn't feel like she wasn't worthy of laying a claim on it. Having shaped it into what it was, what it was going to be.

"Miko." The tone was low and quiet pulling her form her inner musing and she nodded knowing he felt it.

Felt them.

She stood up her red pants flowing with the motion and cast her worried wards a smile. They were all orphans of the wars that ravaged the land and she loved them dearly. While she knew her companion held no great love for humans she knew he was also bound by duty to protect her and those she called her own.

After Inu Yasha had passed on she had become his burden as dictated by demon law. In time they became companions, not friends for he didn't have friends, no they were companions.

She liked to think that secretly he was her friend, her Nii-san.

"Kagome?" The small voice pulled her from her musing and she smiled down at the gap tooth child looking up at her in worry. She reached out a pale hand and ruffled chocolate brown locks. The child preened under her touch.

"All will be fine Kaoru, Lord Sesshoumaru and I shall be back. I want you all to stay here and continue your studies." The children grumbled at that but all nodded. She withdrew her hand from the top of Kaoru's head and walked to the wall of her home.

There resting on it was a bow and arrows hung from a hook waiting to be picked up when the time came.

She had not touched them since that day...she had failed her mate...and her village. Was she ready to pick them up again?

Her hand wavered over the old wood and her heartbeat sped up in anxiety.

"Let us go Miko." She flicked her eyes to her Nii-san and nodded resolve firming in her eyes. Her Nii-san always knew what to say and though it was little it filled her with confidence.

She would not be facing this new threat alone.

Their auras were powerful and as they looked towards the beach she could feel them crash over her as the waves did to the beach. The journey to the beach had been fast he had gathered her in his arms and gotten them there in minutes.

She had taken comfort in the ways his arms wrapped around her, strong, protective. It was over far too fast for her liking yet she pushed those thoughts down.

Once she had been placed gingerly on her feet she had gazed down at the large imposing ship. It was foreign as were the people filing off of it. All of them were tall and fair skinned, European.

Not human.

Next to her Sesshoumaru shifted, taking in their scents recording them in his memory for later use.

Out of the corner of his eye he watched the Miko, ever since the death of his idiot half rbother she had become muted.

Washed out.

No longer the bright eyes happy go lucky miko he had first met.

The folly of youth was gone replaced by the pain of loss. He had mixed feelings on it. He was pleased she no longer ran into trouble, dragging those around her with her. Yet upset that her inner fire, her spark had become a low kindle. Just barely there.

Rin likened it to a bird with a broken wing.

She had healed but she now had the fear of falling and that fear kept her grounded.

He pushed the thoughts aside, wondering if it was the sound of the waves and the smell of the sea that brought them on, and narrowed his eyes at the new comers.

Invaders of his home.

Threats.

"What should we do?" Her voice was light and he didn't have to glance at her to know that she was looking up at him. Waiting for his decision.

"We will find out why they are here...what they are...and if they are a threat we will get rid of them." His voice was low and cold. His words final.

She nodded her head, her grip on her bow tightening yet she followed his long confident steps down the hill.

She would follow her Nii-san anywhere.

James blinked as he felt the large powerful auras approach them, stilling his fight with Elda. Her wrists still in his as he tried to stop her from hitting him. He had accepted the blows, deserved them. He had failed her family, he had failed her.

If only he had been faster, stronger...if only...

Now she was the last of her family, alone and in a new land. He had vowed to protect her, to watch over her, to make her happy.

It was his penance.

"Let me go James!" Her voice was loud and he did so out of reflex giving her a small smile.

"I am sorry Elda, but it seems we have visitor's." His tone was even as he and Elda turned to face the new comers. Elda bristled at the human woman her hatred flowing to the forefront.

"Human!" She lunged and he quickly tried to grab her but she was so tiny and fast that he missed her by a mere centimeter. He felt dread settle in his stomach as she lunged her bloodlust tangible.

"Elda no!" His heart clenched as startled bright blue eyes locked with his own.

Would this human woman be yet another person he had failed to protect?


AN: Yes, I'm back, er well I have been writing just on other sites and accounts, but decided to come back here because its such a hassle to have so many e-mails and passwords to remember.T _T I hope you guys don't mind! I will stick to the guide lines of this site so my more...mature stuff will still be over on A03, I hope you guys enjoy having me back on this account! Much love!

-Kage