~Prologue~
"That's all I know, mi'lord." The crane youkai stated, as he bowed and lowered his gaze to the moist grass.
Narrowing his eyes, he leaned further into the tree bark behind him. "Fuko, this Sesshoumaru knows there is more." Pausing and biting back a hiss of pain from his ward who was seeing to his wound, he looked towards the darkened sky above. "Tell me, does your mate love to watch the stars?"
Head jerking back as if being dealt a blow, the man started to quiver. "Please, leave her out of this. She knows not of my family line and..."
"Then speak now or this shall be the last time that she ever set eyes on such." Sesshoumaru growled, as he pulled free of his ward's tender care to his arm. Standing and ignoring the rapidly flow of blood coursing down said appendage, he slowly neared the crane. Flexing his other hand and summoning his jaki, he raised an eyebrow. "This being does not like to be kept waiting."
Eyeing the whip that was singing the dewy grass of spring, Fuko shook his head. "That I cannot. For the goblet of..."
SWISH!
THUMP!
"Ahh!" He cried out, as he nursed his now winged stump.
Impassively staring down at the feathered arm that lay severed between them in a pool of crimson, Sesshoumaru cleared his throat. Successfully regaining the wailing man's attention, he pressed on. "Where is the location of the goblet of Cree?"
Biting his lip and whimpering from the pain coursing throughout his body, the crane youkai shook his head.
"You shall see your mate soon enough within the next world." Watching as his mouth opened to object to the slaying of his other half, Sesshoumaru gave a quick twist of his wrist. Turning around, he ignored the sound of the crane's head meeting the lush and bloody grass. "Rin, gather Ah-Un and return to the fortress."
Smiling, the young teen gave a bow and wondered off towards where the two headed dragon awaited her.
Watching as she easily maneuvered so that she was on his saddle from the many years of practice, he glimpsed his ever patient servant. "Put out the fire, we leave now."
"Yes mi'lord." Jaken stated, rushing about and preparing for the long trek no doubt.
Raising his head and catching the desired scent, Sesshoumaru growled. "Inuyasha."
"Damn it monk! Come get these demons off me!" Inuyasha yelled, as he was once more forced to the ground by the three toddlers.
Shaking his head, Miroku laughed. "My children are no demons. One would think you being one my friend, that you would be able to tell the difference."
Covering her mouth with her hand and sharing an all knowing look with her the female beside her, Kagome shook her head. "I don't think this ever gets old."
Nodding, Sango brushed her hair back from her face. "I agree. After four years of being around them, there is always humor to be had." Eyeing the smallest girl standing over his head bothering her good friend's ears, she shook her head. "Zya, what did mommy tell you about that?"
Dropping her hands to her side and going beet red, the girl gave a small smile. "I do nothing wrong mommy. I a good girl." Walking over to the older version of herself, she pouted.
Kneeling and running a hand through her hair, Sango sighed. "Yes you are." Kissing her crown of hair, she motioned towards the hut.
Watching as she vanished behind the rice mat, Kagome frowned. "You're too easy on her."
Sighing and retaking her seat beside the entrance, she closed her eye. "It's different with her, Kags. She's my baby girl and..."
"If you don't get a hold of her now, then she will get out of hand. Sorry to tell you that, but just because she's the only girl doesn't allow her to get away with everything." Kagome stated, watching as her two friends ushered the two boys towards the river to no doubt clean their dirt covered faces. "I know you don't want to separate her, but..."
"No offense, but you aren't a mother." Her friend boldly replied, rudely cutting her off. Coming to her feet, Sango crossed her arms. "I know you think you know my daughter, but she fears being treated different from her older brothers. If how I treat and discipline her is not to your standards, I'm sorry. Until you have your own children, you can't say nothing."
Flinching back as if slapped, she slowly turned around. Blinking back the tears that gathered in her eyes and swallowing the sob desiring release, she shook her head. "Mother or not, your daughter is acting out and you're not doing nothing to reign her in." Taking a step and into her personal space, Kagome's voice turned cold. "And as for knowing her, I never was given the chance the way you coddle her. Prey to Kami, that you find the strength to right her before she does a wrong that even you can't help her out of."
Going red in the face, Sango balled a fist. "How dare you?"
"Dare I? Did you not just bring up the fact that I no longer have a child?" Glimpsing her hand, she smirked. "You're going to hit me? You better think good and long before you so much as try. One hit is all you're going to have and you better make it count."
"Trust me, that's all I'm going to need." And with that, she swung.
Pivoting on the balls of her feet to twist to the left and thrusting her palm out, it struck against the limb coming for her face. Hearing Sango cry out in pain, Kagome narrowed her eyes and quickly maneuvered closer. Elbowing her in the face and watching as she fell back from the pain, she shook her head. "I'm not the same person that climbed out of that well seven years ago. You would be wise to remember that."
Pulling herself up into a semi-standing position, Sango smeared the blood from her busted nose. "I can see that."
Staring at the glaring woman across from her, Kagome relaxed her tensed muscles. Here she was squaring off with the one female that she saw as a sister. Where did it all go wrong? Was it the demise of Naraku? The final wish on the Shikon jewel? Or was it the loss of her son after his birth just months ago?
Blinking back tears as his peaceful face once more appeared within her mind's eye, she released a shaky breath. "I didn't come here for this. Obviously we are two different people and..."
"What the hell happened to you?"
Turning, both were greeted with an angry hanyou rushing over, with the monk flanking with two kids in his arms.
Quickly cleaning her face, Sango attempted to smile at her nearing family. "How was the river?"
Setting both of the boys down, Miroku lifted her chin and frowned at what met his eyes. Looking from his wife to one of his best friends, he was lost. "What happened?"
Subconsciously taking a step back, Kagome looked away. "I think it's best that I leave."
"Yes, I think it is." Sango bitterly stated, as she took her kid's hands and led them away.
Watching his other half walk away, Miroku sighed. "Whatever it is that was said and done, she meant none of it. She is just exhausted from the boys and Zya's little stunts haven't been helping. Give her time and..."
"I'm leaving, Miroku." Blinking, a tear fell. "I think it's for the best. A lot has changed and I just...I think traveling the lands would help me."
Reluctantly nodding, he pulled her into a friendly hug. "Then I wish you the best, my friend. May the lands heal your soul and bring you back to us safely." Releasing her, he went in search of his wife and kids.
Scratching his head, Inuyasha frowned. "So this is it huh? You've finally made up your mind I see."
Looking away, her vocal cords froze.
Sighing, he lowered his gaze. "I get it, Kags. I screwed up. I'm sorry, but I had to go and..."
"Was she worth your son's death?" Her cold voice sounded, in the night.
Gasping, he found her staring daggers into his being. "I didn't know the village was going to be attacked. How would I..."
"You knew I was scared after what Kaede spoke, yet you still left. And to her no less. You might as well knew about the attack, because you left me defenseless and because of your selfish actions, my son is dead." Visibly shaking, Kagome slapped him. Watching as smoke flanked his cheek from the purification she laced within her hit, she cleaned her face. "I can't stand to look at you nor be in your presence. You are dead to me, just as he is."
Turning away, she walked away. Not only from the man that she loved and once spoke a vow before Kami for, but the life that she once knew and loved.
I know that it's short, but it set's the story. Please rate and review me.
Mzsha18XX
