Disclaimer – I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 1 – And How am I supposed to believe…

He ran as fast as he possibly could towards the small village he knew now existed. Gasping for breath, he shook with exhaustion. Slowing his pace only slightly as he saw the large tree he sunk down beneath it and rested for a moment. 3 days of running without stop, and yet he didn't feel the sense of satisfaction and pride that he usually did. The sun beat down on his tired skin, which glistened with sweat.

There was a shadow which foretold the setting of the sun in the western lands. He grinned, reminiscing about the young girl he had met there. His eyes drifted shut and he leaned against the bark of the tree in exhaustion. Letting himself fall into the darkness.

Her glare bore down on her uncle harshly, and she felt guilt wash over her again and again. Relenting slightly she kept his gaze, standing straight and comfortably in front of him.

"You aren't going." He said, his voice was like a cold black wall that wouldn't let anyone in.

"You told me yourself you wouldn't try to keep me here if I didn't want to stay." She replied.

"That doesn't matter. I didn't think you'd try to leave… we need you here right now." His eyes leveled with hers.

"I know that Uncle. But I have a sense… a feeling like something is going to happen and I can feel something bad happening to them… I must go, please." Her eyes pleaded and begged for what she couldn't say. 'Don't keep me here… they're calling me' which is what her now stotic features told.

"You are more like a daughter to me than you'll ever know. I worry about you, something that I've never had reason to do before Rin." He looked towards the forests outside. "Be careful. Don't let your arrogance get in the way of your judgment. And do not trust everyone that you meet." His answer sunk deep into her and she bowed low before leaving.

"Thank you, Uncle. I will return in approximately a month." Then she closed the doors closed, and sealed him in there before walking swiftly down the hall to her room, picked up the small bag that sat on her already made bed. She turned, and disappeared.

His ears flicked gently to the sound of people approaching the village. From what he could tell, there was only one set of footsteps sounding… but he had been wrong before. The silver haired hanyou sighed and glanced towards the sound... prepared if there was another fight that broke loose over the sacred jewel.

To his astonishment, a young man stood, looking no older than 17, his hair was a blackish silver and he was cut up and bruised in some places. Looking rather exhaustedly at him, but still almost laughing eyes met his gold ones.

"Good Afternoon, sir… my name is Soanaru... would you happen to know where the priestess Kaede is?"

"Kaede died… 6 months ago…" He replied, looking towards the shrine where they had rested her ashes.

"I'm sorry… I didn't know…" The younger man who had named himself Soanaru, solemnly. "But I need to know something… Someone said I should look for Kaede, Kagome… otherwise I'd have to make a long trip out to The Western Lands to see my friend. Could you be of some help, sir?" He answered politely.

"Enough with this sir crap… and I suppose that I could take you too Kagome…"

"… what am I suppose to call you… do you have a name that I could ask?" Soanaru gave him a tedious glance as he asked the question.

"Hai… you can call me Inuyasha." The elder of the two answered before turning and walking off back the way he had come, not bothering to see if Soanaru was following.

The sun had set long before and she stood quietly outside of the small village. She could tell that most of the village was asleep and she sighed quietly to herself. Settling herself down on a rock she set her small bag of belongings on the ground near her.

'It's been so long… I've lost track of time… I've missed them... so much.' She shook her head, feeling slightly nervous. It seemed like a long time had passed before she stood again. Grabbing her bags and her face set in a determined look. Walking over to the doors she set both hands on the huge oak doors of the gate, and pushed.

The doors parted… opening the village up to her golden eyes. Grinning to herself, she continued to walk in.

"Hey you. State your name and business." An older voice said, gruffly.

"I come from the western lands under the guidance of Lord Sesshomaru… my business consists of his otouto, Inuyasha." She replied, not bothering to turn around to offer him a glance.

"What is your name?" He repeated, stepping towards her and setting a hand on her shoulder to spin her around.

Turning on her heel quickly she hit him hard, glaring slightly at him as he fell.

"Don't touch me…"

"Are you looking for Inuyasha, young lady?" An elderly man stepped towards her, leaning heavily on his cane. Turning to face him she nodded. "He lives near the center of the village… his house is fairly easy to spot my dear."

"Thank you, very much."

Continuing down the small imbedded dirt path, she stopped, turning to a fully lit up house, with the sound of some serious, and some joyful voices. Smiling softly to herself, she felt herself nearly become paralyzed when the small paper mat was moved out of the way, revealing him.

"… You." He glared at her.

"What's wrong, Soanaru… still a sore loser?" She grinned confidently.

"Soanaru, what's wrong?" A young woman with long black hair and cute black puppy ears came out… her unusual chocolate/gold eyes shone brightly and she seemed incredibly pale when she caught sight of the individual.

"Iria… of the western lands. Whatever made you grace us with your presence again?" He still glared, but the mocking insult fell on deaf ears when the young woman looked into the others eyes.

"K… Kagome?" Iria's voice hitched slightly.

"It is you, isn't it..." Kagome walked over to Iria, pulling her into a close hug just as Inuyasha walked out of the hut, a small girl clung to his leg.

Iria grinned up at him when she pulled away from the now teary eyed Kagome. "What's wrong Inu, you look as though you just saw a ghost."

A/N

Its been a long time. Lol… I had a different chapter up and I didn't like it… only 13 people read it so it doesn't really matter. I would have updated sooner but I went away and forgot to do so. -.- lol. Sorry. So here it is… let me know what you think..

Hai – means yes/yeah/sure in Japanese.

otouto – means Little Brother in Japanese.