Once upon a time, when lands were barren, and people were simple, there lived three people who were polar opposites of each other: The rambunctious Susanoo and proud Amaterasu, and the distant Tsukiyomi. Stories of them vary and are far in between, nobody really knows what happened or how they came to be. However one thing bards had in common, was their attitudes to each other: neither could never tolerate the presence of the another for very long. Amaterasu in particular, never understood her brothers. Often asking the why such troublesome brothers had ever been sent to torment her. Eventually there came a day when she became so scared of one of them that she hid herself in a cave casting the world into darkness. As the Divine Lady sat in her dark cave, she began to regret how she acted, especially to that brother. His last words to her " Things are not as black and white as they seem" haunted her. She began feel that it was somehow all her fault. Perhaps she had failed them in some very important way…

"Through the story of Suanoo-sama and Amaterasu-sama, children, ye can learn a great lesson. For how could one possibly like and understand another being if that one is to remain distant all the time?" The old Miko Kaede was delivering a lesson to the local children of the village. Two young ladies sat at her side, the older one going over the slates the children handed in at the beginning of their class. " Remember children there is no cure for regret…" With those words she concluded the lesson. The younger assist stood up to go around the room handing out two chalkboards to each kid, detailing their homework for the night. At the shrine only two subjects were taught to everyone, arithmetics and language, as they were the stepping stones to anything greater. Language is taught through folklore, and legends each one bearing an important lesson that was the theme for the day. The story of Amaterasu and Susanoo however was taught to every student regardless of age. Kaede for once taking Kagome's advice regarding the issue of pride and regret. Rin the younger assistant, however had secretly talked to Kagome before and agreed that the overall lesson wasn't just the consequences of pride, there was also the element of fear, that led to Amaterasu and her brother being estranged, possibly forever. Kagome liked to link this story with the lives of herself and Rin. Both of whom had to overcome fear, and the object of their affections also have to overcome pride, or all four of them will live in regret.

However sometimes the links weren't the same. Especially when the object of affection was far away, and part of nobility. Kagome looked up from her marking, to Rin, who was once again outside with her eyes fixed on the sky. It was normal, everyday after classes, before she went to her little clinic, Rin would go out behind the shrine and just stare at the westward sky. To Kagome's eyes, Rin was Susanoo, the villagers shun her for her connection to a Youkai rd, but because of that connection, they also feared her. Misunderstood, and an outcast with a certain pride around her Kagome felt that if she was called Izayoi for loving a hanyou then, Rin will have more in common to the late princess than anyone else. She won't be surprised at all should Rin turn out to be a descendant of the late

"Things are not as black and white as they seem" Kagome was certain, Izayoi knew that when she mated with the Inu No Taisho.

This was something they could not talk about in front of Kaede. The old Miko could not with good conscious say anything to Kagome about choosing Inuyasha when her sister had done the same. But she never approved of Sesshomaru keeping Rin by his side. Nor did she understand how Rin, a cheerful bright girl could want to be with someone as distant and aloof as Sesshomaru. In her mind, the two were as different as Susanoo and Amaterasu, as completely incompatible as they were. With that in mind she carefully trained Rin in herbalism, with some help from Jinenji, in hopes that the girl can settle to a peaceful life in the village as a medic, with a nice young man of chosen from a pool of candidates long ago selected by Kaede herself. Kagome had no doubt in her mind, that if Sesshomaru-sama had been a Kami not a Youkai, then the elderly Miko would have been much less opposed to Rin choosing him over any of the other boys in the Village. The contrast would have been Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi, light and dark, but neither were "monsters." Susanoo however was labeled a "monster" and feared.

Kagome had wished desperately wished that Izayoi had not died to long ago, as the princess's experience with the Inu No Taisho, her hardships and struggles to over come her duty has a princess and the limitations society placed on to actually love the Youkai lord was something both Kagome herself and especially Rin could have learned much from. Kaede though well-meaning was not at all understanding, trying over five years to convince Rin that humanity and the human village was 'better' than any life she could hope to have had with her Sesshomaru-sama. "What can ye hope to gain, child? A life among youkai is no place for a human female!" she had implored. Kagome was certain Izayoi would have testified against that, if the stories were true, Youkai's capacity for love far surpasses a Human's.

Kagome had sat and listened Kaede-baa had attempted to fill her head with terrible images of Sesshomaru-sama turning on her, harming her, perhaps even killing her, even accidentally. A misplaced claw, a stray drop of venom, an errant strike of Dokkusenso, or a misplaced swipe of bakusaiga… her list was endless. Kagome had seen many of the "good young men who would make a perfect husband, and provide all the care a human woman needs." She had watched as Rin politely asked many of them to travel to the West and ask Lord Sesshomaru for his permission to court her. Others were asked to travel to China and bring her rare herbs unique the country. Some fortunate enough to have proposed in Jaken's presence were asked to beat the Kappa in combat. Kagome felt like Rin was the princess Kaguya in real life. Ever looking at the moon, not caring about the "good young men" much to her delight and Kaede's growing frustration.

"So how's the Western Soldier Rin-chan" She asked as the two walked towards Rin's clinic. Kaede had as part of her plan for Rin's life, taught the young girl everything she knew about herbalism, and midwifery. Despite unwilling to settle with a man of Kaede's choice, Rin had studied her trade extremely well and is known in the area to be a great doctor despite her age. The girl operates on one moral lesson "Only if you show mercy to the weakest of the weak then mercy will be shown to you." Rin never cared whether her patients wereYoukai, Kami or Human…they were sick and injured, therefore weak and mercy must be shown. Her argument "A medic's honour is determined not by who she treats but how she treats. There is no honour in letting a patient slowly waste away." As Kagome looked at her adopted sister, she was sure if Rin had been in modern times she would have been a great doctor or nurse, simply because she genuinely cared about their health while they were recovering. She did that with Sesshomaru, which Kagome guessed is the reason why the Youkai lord kept her close to him, and cared so much about her. Being a Priestess she knew emotions are powerful things to spirits. Gratitude can lead to undying loyalty, tempered with the time the two spent together, Kagome could easily see the bond between the two evolving into something deeper.

"He's still in his healing sleep. How long does a Daiyoukai need to wake up?" Rin sounded a bit disappointed. Kagome sighed "it depends on how powerful the Youkai is. How are you so certain he's a Daiyoukai?"

"When he came to me some of his wounds were already healing…Call it a medic's instincts?" Kagome hummed "He should wake up in a couple days then. Are you planning a question-marathon with him as soon as he's awake? About a certain someone with silver hair?" Kagome can't help tease.

"Silver hair? You mean Inuyasha Nii-sama, why ask about him?"

"Are you sure he's the only silver head you know?"

"Rin doesn't know what you are talking about Nee-sama" Kagome giggled at how Rin emulated Onii-san's speech pattern whenever she was flustered. Lightly flicking the girl on the forehead, she continued, "Dummy, I mean a certain someone who bears a crescent moon" writing the rest of her sentence on the ground with a nearby stick. "Rin doesn't think she needs to see the Lady mother" Kagome cursed herself for teaching the girl so well. The kanji for "him" and "her" were the same, unless the writer was being very specific. She had been hoping that a play on words would lead to a flustered Rin. But the young lady has evidentially seen through it.

"Oh then I suppose someone does not look at the moon and sigh?"

"W-who says Rin does that?" The girl's wide eyed, red-faced somewhat panicking look sent Kagome into a laughing fit, her mind having immediately supplying the facial appearance of a very large koi fish. The laughter continued until the reached the clinic where Inuyasha was waiting for them holding what appears to be a sack of potatoes.

The clinic was built right next to Rin's home, featuring 8 room dividers, similar to shoji doors. However instead of the traditional screen doors, Rin had asked Lord Sesshomaru for the blue cloth, embroidering the yellow edges herself. Construction of the clinic of course came from Inuyasha with his vague memories of his mother's home, and Kagome's few modern items. She had not brought many things with her; three books, a voice recorder, and a polaroid. One of the books was on architecture, which was how her clinic came to be. Despite having modern roots the clinic fit right into the humble quaint village of Edo as Rin preferred traditional styles.

"Hey Rin, ya got room for another one? I found him laying in the forest" Inuyasha moved the "potato sack" holding it before him revealing that "it" was in fact a semi-conscious but very sick looking man. Rin quickly assessed his injuries and overall appearance before shouting into the clinic, "Soko set up a new futon in any spare room we have then go and make some Ginseng Soup please." She herself then went to rummage through some cabinets taking out various herbs and creams.

"This girl really is something ya know? I don't get why she chose my brother, but I can understand why he would choose her." Kagome nodded, it wasn't hard to understand Rin's sweet cheerful demeanour coupled with her obvious skill in what she does, made it hard to determine if her suitors simply wanted to use her. Villagers said the Western Lord only kept her because he knew she will one day be a crucial piece in his elaborate game of chess. Many monks have come to try and "break the curse" and "free" her thinking they can achieve instant fame it they manage to "coax her back from the dark". Kagome laughed each time a suitor or monk was chased away, but she can't help but worry. How will that affect Rin? Isn't she uncomfortable with all the unwanted attention?

"Kagome, you know I never concerned myself with the talk," Rin looked up from where she was slowly peeling the clothes off her newest patient, her tone was soft yet calm and distant, something Kagome thought she had picked up from Onii-san. Turning back to said patient she continued "so why should I care now? This one is gravely injured, I'm a medic, I can save him so I will simple as that." Rin had looked up again with a bright smile unique to her. "I know what Kaede Baa-sama will say" Rin cleared her throat and in a perfect imitation of her mentor "Child ye must remember yer duty as a healer is to humans only. Youkai are not worth your time or effort, they are like Susanoo-sama. Youkai know no gratitude, they will bite the hand that feeds them " A bout of laughter came from the girls at this as both knew Youkai were not what other humans made them out to be. They were misunderstood and feared. Youkai were the opposite of Kami. Rin as she worked wondered why this particular youkai was hurt so badly. He was a soldier by the looks of it, and from his wounds she would guess that he had been ambushed and outnumbered. His armour laying beside his futon had numerous large cracks in it, shoulder guards completely shattered, next to it were his shredded wrist guards, and the remains of what looked to be silk from his silvery hair. His Kosode and haori laid in a pile next to Kagome. Usually the soiled, ripped garbs discarded by an injured man of fortune was enough to cloth three children. It was a shame that this soldier's clothes were tattered beyond repair. Rin had left the soldier in his torn and bloodied hakama only because she did not have any extras.

Kagome could see that the warrior had been in many battles old battle scars riddled his torso. He didn't look much older than Sesshomaru, or even Inuyasha. Maybe he was in his early hundreds. Funny that she was thinking in centuries now instead of years. Kagome can't travel through the well anymore, or at least she can't be seen by anyone from her time anymore. As far as people were concerned, Kagome Higurashi was dead, having suffered from Tuberculosis, junior high and high school. That story didn't come from her grandfather, but one of her grandfather's friends, Ogino-Saishu, whose granddaughter had apparently been spirited away, to the world of Youkai and Kami, just like her. Only that girl was slightly luckier, she didn't fall 400 years into Time. Kagome shook her head no need to dwell, now she should be helping Rin with this fallen warrior. Kagome had seen her fair share of grave injuries traveling around feudal Japan, and learned how to treat the basics. Rin was the real master. The young doctor had poured over book on herbalism, acupuncture, massage, and various other practices deemed traditional in her time. The wounds weren't too bad considering what Rin usually saw...However they are puzzling. The wounds themselves weren't deep, but the question was how had he sustained them. On his shoulders were evidence of talons, his arms and sides sported wounds from what Rin identified as left by naginata and katana. Inuyasha had pointed out sabre wounds as well, and claws on his back. Rin identified poison wounds, and Kagome would be blind if she can't see this one was badly burnt. The smell of burnt hair, blood and Rin's own herbs was overwhelming. How the girl could live with this everyday was beyond Kagome. She wondered if this was how Inuyasha felt everyday, overwhelmed by all sorts of scents, that make the head dizzy. 'I won't be surprised if Inuyasha isn't even breathing whenever he's in this room' A soft voice pulled Kagome out of her nose for a while.

"This is the second one this month, hopefully ONE OF THEM can give us a few answers" Rin muttered as she rubbed washed each wound dressing them in a special cream she had mixed herself. Watching Rin work Kagome thought back to the morning's lessons. It talked as if everything were black and white, there was good and bad. Susanno and Tsukimaru would be the bad, Amaterasu the good. That was it. But the Goddess plunging the world into darkness was just cruel beyond anything Susanoo and Tsukimaru have done. There was always a silver lining Kagome learned. 'And sometimes that lining can make all the difference in the world, Kami knows I hated Feudal Japan, but here I am, all it took was time to find that silver lining and learn to appreciate it'

"Kagome-Nee, do you think, something might be coming?"

"Why do you ask Rin-chan"

"Rin...Rin feels like something Big is happening, and these injured warriors, they're just the start of it. Kaede-sama would say "good riddance foul beasts" but Rin knows not all Youkai are like that. Obaa-sama might also say "fret not child the divine shall watch over thee all thy life" Rin's experience with spirits and kami is limited but they don't seem much different from youkai."

"The threat this time won't be either Rin, it shall be from our own Kind" Rin turned to look at Kagome standing proud in her priestess robes with this faraway serious look. Kagome had cleaned up pretty well over the three years since she'd returned to the Feudal world. She'd assumed the role of head priestess, and Kaede Baa-sama had commented on her becoming more and more similar to the Kikyo that she remembered from her childhood, each day. "They'll be coming for a very special treasure hidden deep within Mt Fuji...It's Japan's most prized possession and the one thing every human wants. The one thing we've been slaughtering each other over for millennia"

"Humans can be just as bad as Youkai Nee-sama. Kami can be bad too, no need to sigh like that. We just have to fight to be the best we can and live as happily as we can!" Rin declared before turning her attention back to her patient. Meanwhile Kagome was lost in thought again.

'If Amaterasu sama, had understood her brothers like Lady Izayoi had understood Lord Toga…Like I understand Inuyasha and Rin understands Onii-san…then she won't have lost the most important thing to anyone…Family. Her story isn't about Redemption…it's about seeing the grey, and having the courage to accept the grey. Neither Susanoo nor Tsukiyomi were bad. However nor were they good. People are just like that...'


A/N So before you all throw rocks at me for having this be from Kagome's perspective let me explain it. Kagome is like an older sister to Rin, she understands why Rin does what she does and relates to her because both girls love a Youkai. Kagome has been compared to Izayoi throughout the series, however she thinks that another person is more like Izayoi than herself, Rin. Both girls look up to Izayoi, who was outcasted for her feelings, I will try show why they admire her, and how it affects them throughout the story. Kami are featured in this story to display the supposed good and evil.

P.S I really don't know how this is going to play out...so please just bear with me.