Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own InuYasha or anything affiliated with said show.

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

Kagome sat in her office remembering her quest in the Feudal Era, all her friends and family, and of course that blasted Shikon Jewel. Six years had passed since she had last set foot in that time. Not by choice of course, but once they defeated Naraku and she had wished for the innocent people that were killed to be brought back, the jewel had disappeared and she had been sent home in a blinding flash of light. She never even got to say goodbye.

Now, years later, Kagome had a job that she loved and was finally getting her life back on track. Those years of traveling between times had almost destroyed her chance at a future, but when she realized that she could never go back, Kagome had thrown herself into her schoolwork and managed to not only graduate high school, but college as well. Because of her adventures she decided to become a history professor at the college she had gotten her degree from. Her family had been so proud of her and she was glad she had been able to see the look on her grandfather's face when he learned what she was majoring in. Sadly, he had not lived long enough to see her graduate, but he had been so happy that she had, and I quote, "Enjoyed my stories so much that you just had to learn more." Seeing him that happy, Kagome decided not to bring up her trips back in time. Let him believe he was the one who had made her want to study history, as long as he was happy it didn't matter to her.

Hearing a knock on her door, Kagome was brought out of her thoughts. "Enter." She said while she quickly straightened the items on her desk. 'I really need to get myself organized.' She thought, looking at the papers that were strewn everywhere.

"Miss Kagome?" A tall man with black hair and blue eyes asked from the doorway.

"Yes Chris?" She replied sweetly. Chris was one of her best students; he was always asking questions and would usually end up starting class discussions. He loved to bring up things about demons, but that's probably just because he was one. What kind, she was unsure of since he hid his aura well, but as long as he didn't cause problems it mattered not to her.

"I was wondering if I could speak to you for a moment." He said politely. He was always polite. It didn't matter what anyone said or did, he never got an attitude or caused any problems.

Looking up at him Kagome smiled. "Of course, please come in." She said, motioning to a seat across from her.

Chris entered her office and sat down gracefully.

'Why are demons always so damn graceful?' Kagome thought pouting. It just wasn't fair. Not only do they look perfect, but everything they do always appears so…majestic. "What would you like to discuss with me?" She asked once he was comfortable.

"You're a miko, right?" Chris asked bluntly.

Kagome's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. 'How did he find out?' She thought frantically. 'I've hidden my aura ever since I got back the last time.'

Seeing her face, Chris smirked. "So I was right. I knew it."

"But…how?" Kagome asked curiously. "I made sure that I never let my power flare and I've always kept my aura hidden. What gave me away?"

"Well for starters, you seemed to know a lot about actual demons. I know for a fact that some of the information you teach is not in any books. And second, your scent. Not only do you smell innocent, you smell pure as well. I was told that only miko's smell pure." Chris explained.

"My scent gave me away?" Kagome asked thoughtfully. "Well how about that. I knew that demons had great senses, but I didn't know you could tell I was a miko by my scent. I guess I'll have to figure out how to hide it from now on."

"That would be a very good idea. Demons may not hate miko's anymore, but we're not exactly fond of them either." Chris told her truthfully.

"I see." Kagome said, then her smile widened and her eyes gleamed. "Now that we're being truthful, will you tell me what kind of demon you are? I've been wondering that ever since your first day."

Laughing, Chris smiled. "Sure, I'm an inu-demon. Although I'm a little surprised that you weren't able to figure that out yourself."

"Well excuuuusssse me." Kagome said, turning her nose up. "But you had your aura hidden and unlike you, I can't smell what you are."

Waving his hands in front of himself, Chris spoke. "No, no, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that with all of the things I talked about I assumed you would have put everything together."

"Huh?" Kagome asked confusedly. "What do you mean?"

Chris just shook his head. "Every time I talked about demon traits I always used my own as an example." Seeing Kagome nod in understanding he smiled. "Now, to get down to why I really came here. Have you ever heard of an item called the Triangle of Time? It was made by an evil miko around seven hundred years ago and had the ability to send people through time. At least that is what the rumors say."

Kagome tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Nope, I can't say I've ever heard of it. Why?"

"Well…" Chris said nervously. "I kind of borrowed it from an old demon and now I'm not sure what to do with it. I had hoped it would take me back in time, but so far it hasn't done anything. I was just wondering if you knew how it worked."

Kagome shook her head. "Sorry, I can't help you. I don't know anything about it." Then her curiosity got the better of her. "But could I see it anyway?" She asked, holding out her hand.

Chris shrugged his shoulders. "I don't see why not." He said, pulling a small pendant out of his pocket and dropping it into Kagome's hand.

Kagome looked at the strange necklace in her hand. It was a triangle about the length of her pinky that was made out of gold. It had wavy lines that went from each corner and joined at a small black jewel in the center. Upon closer inspection it appeared as if the jewel was glowing, and strange symbols were appearing on it as well.

When Chris saw the pendant glowing he got up and walked over behind Kagome. "What is that?" He asked, pointing to the strange symbols that had appeared.

"I don't kn-" Was all Chris heard before he was blinded by a bright light and then thrown across the room. Blinking, he stood up and looked for his professor. "Kagome?" He asked the now empty room. "Where are you?" He looked under the desk just to make sure she was actually gone before smiling. "Well my job is now complete." He said as he walked out of her office.

ooooo

Groaning, Kagome shook her head and stood up slowly. 'What the hell happened?' She thought groggily. Opening her eyes she gasped, she was in a forest. 'Wait a minute, is that the god tree?' Blinking, she looked again. "Oh my god, I'm back." She said in shock. Before she could do anything else, a voice suddenly spoke up.

"Wench, what are you doing here?" The cold voice asked.

Kagome's eyes hardened and she clenched her teeth. "Not again." She bit out. "Every time I come here I'm greeted the same damn way. You'd think after six years his greeting would change." Standing up and facing the person behind her she got ready to 'sit' him to hell. "SI-…wait, you're not Inuyasha." She said dumbfounded.

"Of course I'm not, wench." A tall demon, who looked a little like Sesshoumaru, said rudely. He had long white hair, the same stripes on his face and the same golden eyes, but his hair had silver bangs and tips and he was a little shorter. "How could I be someone who's dead?"

"Dead?" Kagome asked sadly. "He died? When?"

The demon looked at the beautiful woman before him like she had grown another head. "He died a hundred and thirty years ago, shortly after I was born." Then he looked at her clothing, she was wearing some odd sort of kimono that was rather short. It was tan and ended a few inches above her knees. "Wench, you are not from around here. Tell me, where do you come from?" He demanded harshly.

Kagome was still in shock over the news about her best friend's death so she didn't even hear the demons question. 'He died.' She thought sadly. 'And I never even got to see him again.' Suddenly what the demon had said registered in her head. "He died a hundred and thirty years ago? How is that possible? Shouldn't I have come back to the time I made the wish?" She asked herself out loud.

The demon was getting very angry. First she refused to answer his question and now she was talking nonsense. "Wench, cease your babbling."

Glaring at the name calling demon, Kagome snapped. "Now listen here you arrogant ass, stop calling me wench! I have a name you know!" She growled angrily.

The demon snorted and glared at the impudent woman before him. "I am superior to you human, and as such there is no need to use your name." He replied rudely.

"You stupid bastard." Kagome hissed. "Who do you think you are talking to me like that? I'll have you know I could fry your demon ass to a crisp in an instant." She said crossing her arms across her chest and glaring at him.

"I am the Lord of the Western lands." The demon said glaring right back. "And as such I deserve respect."

"Respect my ass." Kagome scoffed. "Respect is earned, and you have a long ways to go before you earn mine buddy."

Snarling, the demon grabbed Kagome around the neck and pressed her back against a tree. "Wench, you will die for your disrespect." He smiled evilly as he began choking her.

Kagome, however, simply returned the smile and raised her hands to rest on his arm. "You shouldn't have done that." She said, smirking as her purifying powers started to surface.

The demon's eyes widened when he saw her hands glowing pink and he dropped her quickly, before she could do any real damage to him. "You're a miko?" He asked surprised. "I thought they had all died out? What is your name?"

Smiling brightly at the demon, like he hadn't just tried to kill her, Kagome gave him her name. "My name is Kagome. What's yours?" She asked curiously.

"My name is Maru, and I am the Lord of the Western lands." Maru replied.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "I already knew that." She said, referring to him repeating his title. Then she paused. "Wait, if you're the Lord of the West then what happened to Sesshoumaru?"

"You knew my father?" Maru asked shocked. "That's impossible, he died over fifty years ago, and you can't be more than twenty five."

"Actually I'm twenty three, but that's not the point." Kagome said, waving her hand dismissively. "I met your father while I was searching for the shikon jewel shards."

"That can't be true." Maru said shaking his head. "The jewel was destroyed by a wish over two hundred years ago."

"T-two h-hundred years?" Kagome asked stuttering. "But it's only been six years since I made the wish."

"Explain yourself miko." Maru demanded. When Kagome just glared at him he sighed. "Kagome."

Nodding, Kagome proceeded to tell Maru about her adventures. Everything from the first time she fell down the well until she made the final wish and was sent home. Then all about the Triangle of Time and how she ended up there again.

To say he was surprised would be an understatement. Maru was completely shocked. This was the same miko that his father had told him stories about when he was a child, the one who had stood up to him time and time again without fear. He had said that she was the most powerful miko since Midoriko, and he'd even entertained the idea of mating her so that her power would be his to control. And now here she was, this great and powerful miko, right in front of him.

After telling Maru her story, Kagome waited patiently for him to absorb what she had said. When it looked like he was done thinking she asked her question. "Can you tell me what happened to everyone that I traveled with after I left?" She asked softly.

"Inuyasha mated his love Kikyo, since she had been brought back to life, and they lived together happily until she died of old age. Inuyasha decided to follow her in death shortly after. Unfortunately they were unable to have children, it was said to be a side effect of Kikyo being the walking dead for so long." Maru replied.

Kagome nodded her head sadly. "Well I'm glad he was happy, even if it couldn't be with me." She said quietly.

"The monk and slayer married and had two children. A girl named Gome and a boy named Kag. They died from a dangerous fever that plagued the land around 150 years ago. I do not know what happened to their children, but I assume they lived their lives out. Shippo mated a demon named Kaya. They had a son named Kure and as far as I know Shippo and his son are living in the mountains to the East. And Kouga mated Ayame and they had many pups." Maru finished.

Sighing, Kagome sat down. "At least they were all happy." She said smiling. "I'm glad they had good lives." Looking back at Maru she grinned. "What about your father? You didn't say anything about him."

"My father ended up mating an inu-demoness named Shiri, and they had me. My mother died during my birth and my father died a few years ago protecting his lands from a strong demon. He killed the demon, but not before it fatally wounded him." Maru said sadly.

"I'm sorry." Kagome said softly. "I didn't mean to make you sad."

Maru shook his head. "You did nothing, there's no need to apologize." Offering her a hand up, he smiled. "Come, you may stay at my castle until you find out how to go home."

Smiling back at him, Kagome took his offered hand and stood up brushing herself off. "Sure. Lead the way."

Smirking, Maru quickly picked her up and took off on his cloud.

Kagome laughed. "You only look like your father. He was never this…sociable." She said grinning.

"Yeah." Maru said, smiling back at the woman in his arms. "I got that from my mother."

Nodding, Kagome closed her eyes. "Wake me when we get there." She said before she fell asleep.

Maru couldn't believe his luck. He was sent out to find himself a mate and the perfect one practically fell right into his lap. She was gorgeous, with her waist length black hair and brown eyes, plus her body wasn't half bad either. And if that wasn't enough she happened to be an all powerful miko, one of the strongest ever, that had also been born with the Shikon jewel in her body. She'd be perfect as a Lady of the West. Now all he had to do was convince her to be his mate.