Characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.

Story belongs to Me (Desert-Bandit)

Thank you for those that read and reviewed my two other stories. Now that I know that they are being read, I am confident that this story will too be read and hopefully enjoyed. (crosses fingers)

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Chapter One

Catching up

It's been seven years since the defeat of Naraku and the completion of the Shikon no Tama.

I'm now the tender age of twenty-two; far too old to still be single, as Kaede so kindly puts it.

But what can I say?

In my time, twenty-two means that you are still in or just finished University; enjoying your

freedom, your youth, or maybe be in a relationship with the possibly getting engaged; but not me.

After I made a wish on the jewel for everyone's greatest desires to be granted, the jewel must have sensed that deep in my heart I wanted to stay here in this time.

I have already spent three years here and no way am I going to be able to catch up with my school work in time for anything.

Jumping into the well, in hopes of telling my mother the good news, only to find it not working was a huge blow to my heart.

Yes I wanted to stay here but I never realized that I couldn't see my family ever again.

I just figured that the jewel would allow me to pass to and from worlds like it has always done for me.

If I would have known that, I wonder if I would have made the same decision.

Part of me wants to say yes, and then I think about my mother, grandfather, and brother.

What must they be thinking, what must they be feeling?

Are they worried? Do they know I'm okay?

It really must be killing mom.

But after six weeks passed by, I've grown slightly used to knowing I can't go back.

If this was in my heart then I should be happy; I got what I wanted.

Though last year it dawned on me that my heart didn't want to stay here because of InuYasha;

No, it wanted to stay here because of my son Shippou.

He still needed me and I him.

He's grown so much in the last seven years, going from a little boy to a young man right before my eyes. I don't care if he's not my biological son, a mothers pride for her son is still there, shining through.

InuYasha's greatest desire is, you guessed it, Kikyo.

Once she gained a new soul for herself, and isn't trying to drag InuYasha to hell every chance she gets, she's not bad at all. Actually, she and I became pretty good friends.

We even sometimes exchange embarrassing stories about InuYasha much to his horror.

InuYasha and I remain good friends as well, laughing about all the old adventures we had. We even tease each other about the few kisses we had.

Sango wished for her brothers' resurrection. He's really sweet and has taken up the "protective little brother" role without a hitch, foiling many of Miroku's attempts at groping Sango.

Miroku asked for nothing, only wanting the curse on his hand gone, which happened when Naraku was defeated.

Kouga got his men back, though he's not as persistent with me as he is now that he's the new Lord of the East. Learning the ropes of being a Lord has taken much of his attention and free time. He's considered still being just a "pup" in the world of Politics; being newly appointed and all but he seems to enjoy it and Ayame is still chasing after him much to his displeasure but I think that she is wearing him down.

As for Sesshoumaru; I'm not sure he would want anything anyway; he's not the type of guy that would ask for something without working hard for it in the process.

Yes he was a huge help with defeating Naraku, combining his Dragon Strike, InuYasha's Bakuryuuha (Backlash Wave), and my arrow, I just don't see him asking me, a mere human woman, for anything, though he and I did share some nice quiet moments before the battle.

I look back on that night fondly.

(Flash Back)

After traveling well pass midnight, the group settled down for the night. The battle against Naraku would begin in the morning and everyone was anxious but ready.

Kagome was nestled against a tree that was closest to the fire with Shippou wrapped in her sleeping-bag, leaning against her side for head support, listening intently to her soft voice, as was everyone else in the group.

She was reading Ivanhoe, her favorite classic book, and was quickly becoming Shippou's favorite as well.

After reading a measurable amount of pages, she sneaked a glance down at her son and noticed he was fast asleep. Taking her time as to not awaken him, she carefully pulled away from him and set his head against her pillow. Drawing the covers up higher on him, she leaned down and kissed his left temple before grabbing her sweatshirt and wandering away from camp.

Walking straight through the dense forest, she came upon a grassy hill underneath a vast starlit sky.

Lying back with her knees bent and hands behind her head, she began to silently name off constellations that she remembered.

Sesshoumaru had left his half brothers' camp after Kagome began reading to her surrogate son. Still a distance away, he could still hear her soft melodic voice. For sometime now, the Lord has begun to slowly respect the miko for her loyalty to her companions and son.

Hardly has he seen a female, demon or not, with such strength, be it mental or trust.

Patrolling the area around the camp, he came across a scent, her scent.

Following it, he emerged from the forest and found her lying casually in the grass staring up at nothing in particular it seems.

Kagome felt his presents a while ago but only now was it growing stronger. He was coming closer.

Craning her head back farther against the cool grass, she watched him walk towards her until he was several feet away.

'His frown still looks like a frown, even looking at him upside down', she thought sadly.

Tilting her head forward again to look up at the night sky, she greeted him.

"Hello Lord Sesshoumaru, how did your patrol go?"

He looked at her for several seconds more but said nothing.

She smiled softly.

"That bad huh?"

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow and Kagome laughed softly and sat up, crossing her jean-clad legs.

"It was a joke Lord Sesshoumaru, lighten up a little."

She said while patting the area next to her, a silent invitation, one he took.

Sitting down next to her with an elbow resting over one bent knee, he finally replied,

"What is it that you are doing out here without any protection?"

Kagome looked back up at the stars.

"I just wanted to get one last look at the stars before tomorrow comes; you know, just incase I don't make it out."

Sesshoumaru too looked up at the stars and asked,

"What is it about the stars that intrigue you so?

I've seen you watch the stars several times before, even with your kit"

"Well," she began,

"The stars tell stories, they are influential, and they have names, they have become legends, they can guide you home, watch over you, grant wishes. Throughout history they have taught people, philosophers, math and science, they even make up constellations. To put it simply, they are amazing."

Sesshoumaru watched her as she spoke about these stars as if they were a higher being.

The joy and passion in her voice drove Sesshoumaru to wondering if they were such a thing.

'Could these simple stars be all that she says?'

He doubted it, and yet what she said…

Kagome saw that Sesshoumaru was looking at the night sky as well with a look of slight disbelief.

"My mother used to tell me that the stars watch over us, protect us and remind us.

Whenever you're alone or scared, know that they are there; whenever you see lots of shooting stars, they are crying and you should pray for happiness to those that need it the most because everyone needs somebody to pray for them, no matter what, and when they twinkle, they are happy, so that you may know that you are doing right."

She finished with a smile full of remembrance.

The night sky began to fade to light as the new day arrived.

Today was finally the day.

Sesshoumaru scoffed slightly.

"Stars do not tell you anything, girl, they only tell you the time of day."

With that he gracefully stood and began to walk away.

Kagome stared after him with sad eyes until he stopped and called to her,

"Come, Naraku's reign will end on this day."

Kagome stood and ran over to Sesshoumaru and together they walked back to camp, ready for what awaits them.

Though what Kagome said still confuses Sesshoumaru, he can't help but look up at the stars and see them in a new light.

(End Flashback)

That day is still one of my favorites.

As for me, four years went by after that and I'm now a properly trained Miko.

Kikyo denied wanting to become the village miko again so I took the job, though I do it a little differently.

Instead of killing demons, I try to give them a second chance. It was hard at first to convince the villagers that the demons may mean no harm and eventually they began to agree. The village has been a peaceful one since then.

Although I specialize in bow and arrows and the occasional Hama no Reiryoku (Purifying Spirit Power), Sango has been teaching me how to fight with swords and hand to hand combat. She said that a woman can never be too careful when learning how to protect oneself.

And I have to say that I agree with her.

Little Shippou, as he will always be to me, accompanies me when I travel from village to village.

Me in an outfit similar to Sango's but green where hers was pink, and Shippou's like Kohaku's.

Together I think we make a pretty cute team.

"Momma, when are we going to get there? I'm getting pretty tired."

Shippou said from behind her.

She noticed that he was lagging behind but didn't say anything, but rather slowed her pace down to accommodate him.

"We're almost there Shippou."

Shippou seemed to perk up after she had said that.

They journeyed to a village that was infested with rogue demons. Since Sango is currently bed ridden with her second child, Kagome and Shippou offered to handle it.

"The village is jut right over that rise."

Kagome said as she pointed ahead of her.

Shippou smiled a grateful smile.

"Thank goodness. For a minute there I thought that you were going to have to carry me the rest of the way."

Suddenly a scream pierced through the quietness of the forest.

Kagome and Shippou took defensive positions reflexively.

The scream sounded again until Shippou recognized it and turned to Kagome with wide eyes.

"It's Sango!"

Kagome didn't waste any more time and began running the last stretch towards the village all the while praying.

'I hope it's not what I think it is. She still has four weeks left!'

Sorry that this chapter was so long.

I can't promise that each chapter will be the same in length. (once I start writing or get an idea I can't seem to stop)

Please review if you enjoyed!

Thanx!

- Desert-Bandit