Alone But Not

A couple days after her return, Kagome sat under the old tree in the court yard looking at the pictures she had taken of her friends in the Feudal Era. Taking back her old life was harder than she thought it would be. The feeling of a deep loneliness was starting to become a constant feeling within her. At least I'm getting better at hiding it when I need to. She thought to herself as she stood and touched the tree than walked away.

Returning to her room she smiled as she looked at her wall. Over the 4 years she had been in the Feudal Era she had taken many pictures without anyone knowing about it. The wall was covered from the ceiling half way down. She marveled at the many memories she had frozen in time before her. She chuckled to the fact that she even had a few of Naraku and his reincarnations.

Pulling her newest pictures from her back pocket she added them to her wall of memories. Stepping back she looked at them smiling. What the? She thought as she stepped closer after noticing something strange. One of the pictures was not as she had taken it. The picture of Sesshomaru bent down on one knee with Rin sitting on his other leg was different than she had remembered.

He was suppose to have his arm draped over the hilt of his sword that was sticking in the ground in front of him. But instead of his arm being draped as it should be, it was extended out as if beckoning someone to join them in the picture. A soft laugh escaped her lips as she saw what he had done. In his own way Sesshomaru had gotten in the last word by changing her picture without her even noticing it.

That controlling jerk. She thought to herself as she walked out of her room. As days turned into weeks Kagome settled into a normal routine of helping around the Shrine. What free time she had, she spent either in her room with her pictures or sitting under The Tree Of Ages in the court yard. From time to time her family saw or heard her talking to the sacred tree.

When she was alone it was as if she was a different person. She felt alone and as if she had no purpose any longer. Her mother and Grandfather became worried about her with her actions. One evening her mother approached her and suggested that perhaps she should take up a hobby since she had graduated school.

Upon hearing this conversation the two who had been observing Kagome since her return, left the Higurashi Shrine to report to their employer. They where sure he would be very interested in this new development.

Giving their report they both returned to the Shrine to keep watch as they where told. Across town from the Higurashi Shine three people sat in a study agreeing this was the perfect opportunity for them to put the plan in motion. The only problem was how to isolate her from her family so they would not know what was going on.

This is when the younger of the two males spoke up with some information. Long ago she had asked Inuyasha to teach her to use the sword. She had always showed an interest in learning to use other weapons. At that moment there was no time to teach her anything and soon the subject was dropped. Using the computer a flier with an application was made up. It would be delivered in the mail making the family think it was something sent to all those around just as any other flier would be.

Happy with their plan, preparations where made though out the night getting things ready. If he was lucky one or two days would be all it took for it to begin. He sat back in his seat behind his desk. Lining his desk where picture of Kagome through the years as she grew up.

He had attended each and every event she had ever been in when it came to school. He had even spoken to her in person with the help of a special ring to change his appearance. He knew the ring would come in handy when he acquired it centuries ago.

For him what had started 500 years and the anger had changed though the long years. From anger to curiosity then to an obsession and finely into something much much more. That night he laid down with his mind racing with how to hand what was to come. Finely closing his eyes as he looked at the picture that sat on his bed side table sleep took him into the lands of dreams.

The next morning came way to soon for Kagome. Her sleep had been restless as it had been so many night before. Pulling herself out of bed she went for her shower. Man I miss the hot springs. She thought as she looked at the shower before climbing in. She had been thinking allot of what her mother had said about getting a hobby. But what type she didn't know.

While working in the store house Sota walked in while reading something. " Hey Sota what are you reading that's so interesting?" Looking up he smiled. He had not even noticed where he had been walking until Kagome spoke to him. " Oh Hi sis. It's a flier and an application for a DoJo to learning the sword, other weapons and even meditation. I wish I could but mom said I'm to young. She thinks I'm to young for everything. I'm not a little kid anymore ya know." He said complaining in his own defence.

Kagome wanted to laugh at his wanting to be old enough to do things. But he really didn't understand just how easy it was to be hurt by a sword. She herself didn't truly understand until she went to the Feudal Era and saw the horror of it first hand. Taking the flier and application from her brother, what she read peaked her interest.

Greetings

If you are of age and have a need for adventure. Please consider learning to use and master the art of swordsmanship. We teach many different weapons, fighting styles and meditations. Do you feel weak, alone or unhappy? Come join us male and females alike. We guarantee to change your life in as little as 1 month of our live on sight DoJo. If money is your problem no worries. We can help with that too.

Simply fill out this application and call the number below. Someone will even come to your home to interview you at your convenience and answer your questions. We hope you come and join our small family soon.

Hmm I have been wanting to learn to use a sword for a long time. I haven't been home for very long but, I wonder if Mom would let me go there? Kind of strange we would get this just after mom talking about a hobby and me wanting to learn it anyways. She didn't have a chance to think about it anymore as she felt a smaller hand touch her arm. Looking she found it was Sota. The look of his face told her that he had spoken and was hurt with her not answering him.

" Sorry did you say something Sota?" She felt bad that he had said something to her and she didn't heard him. " Yeah I asked if you was thinking of going and learning something." He answered with a small hint of aggravation to his voice from being ignored before.

Looking back at the papers in her hand she replied. " I would like to but I don't know what mom would think of it." Grinning she looked at her little brother as she grabbed his arm lightly. " Lets go ask her. Then I can teach you." " Hey cool!" He said eyes wide and grinning ear to ear. With that they both took off running for the house in search of their mother.

Her mother stood listening to Kagome talk about the DoJo. She could see a spark in her daughters eyes that had vanished when she returned from the Feudal Era for the last time. With the tone of her voice and the look in her eyes her mother thought that perhaps this was something that would help her daughter forget about her friends through the well.

Smiling she agreed to let her daughter go. She knew Kagome could take care of herself but as a mother she still felt a slight worry for her daughters safety. Excitedly Kagome grabbed the phone calling the number supplied on the paper. Seeing her daughter so full of life like she once had been brought her mother great joy.

Kagome told her family when someone would be coming. Across town a man sat behind his desk working on documents when there came a knock to his door. He watched his servant as he came in and stood in front of him. " My Lord. She has called. The interview is set for 2 hours from now."

Sesshomaru sat back smiling inward. " You know what must be done. There can be no mistakes. You may go." Bowing the servant left his masters study. Pushing the buttons, he waited for the answer on the other end.

" Yeah what do you want now?" Came the voice. " She has called. It starts tonight." A brief silence came from the other end of the line. " It will work Sesshomaru. Just be careful what you say and do." He finely said. " I have not waited all these years for you to tell me something I already know Inuyasha." Sesshomaru could almost see Inuyasha as he rolled his eyes. " Fine. Good luck, your going to need it. Call if I am needed." Then the line went dead.

Dialing once again he listen for the answer. " Hello." Said a soft female voice. " The time has come. It starts tonight." The female smiled. " I understand. I will contact the others and be there within the hour." He smirked. " I shall see you then." Finely hanging up the phone he stood and left his study to make sure everything was as it needed to be.

Sesshomaru didn't care for the deceptive sneakiness of Inuyasha's plan. He felt it was below him to pretend in such a way. He would rather approach her with the truth.

Kagome paced back and forth nervously. Her mother watched her daughter, amused with her inability to sit still. " Your tea is getting cold Dear." She said as she took another sip of her own tea. Sitting back down Kagome slowly sipped on her tea as her leg bounced on the floor. When the knock came on the door Kagome almost flew from the room to answer it.

During the interview they learned the DoJo was on a small Island. Even though they had electric tvs, radios and phones were not allowed. Hearing this her mother became concerned what would happen if her daughter was to get injured. Sensing her concern he informed them they had a medical team and there was a phone in the main house for emergencies use only.

They was both taken by surprise when he said she would be leaving with him that day. When asked why it was so important she leave that day. He simply replied that another student would be going that day and it only made since for them to travel there at the same time. After hearing his reason they both agreed with it. Saying her farewells Kagome was soon on her way.

Reaching the airport she was escorted to a small private plane. Entering the plane she was greeted by another young woman who was waiting. After introducing themselves to each other, the two continued their conversation through out the entire plane ride. Kagome felt a very strange connection to her new friend Reni. It was as if she knew her from somewhere even though she knew they had never meet before.

Kagome and Reni's conversation was interrupted when the pilots voice rang out over the intercom. " Ladies. If you will look out on the right side of the plane. You will see your new home for at least the next month." Looking out the right side Kagome saw a lush green island with blue lagoons and sandy beaches.

As the plane circled to land, she could see the other side with mountains and a waterfall. Not far from the base of the mountains she saw huts. From what she could see they reminded her a lot of the huts in Kaede's village. She could see the animals that roamed wild as they got lower to land. All in all the island was beautiful and she couldn't wait to explore it.

Hearing the plane, Sesshomaru stepped out onto his balcony and watched as it flew over. He was sure by lunch time tomorrow there was going to be once very upset Miko on his island. He almost felt sorry for the others who was helping him. This was something he was ready for. Stepping back inside he laughed to himself as he thought of her spit fire temper and her stubborn ways.

He knew tomorrow was going to be very interesting indeed. He couldn't wait to see the look on her face when she realized it was him. After their last encounter by the well 500 years ago, he was going to get to play with her at last. Just because there was a real reason for her being here. That didn't mean he couldn't have fun with her while doing it.

Over the long years he had learned many things about her. First from the kit Shippo then from her friends, Inuyasha and finely from watching her grow up. He knew just what to say and how to say it to upset her. Even though she didn't know it, he knew a lot more than she would like. She is going to be my very own personal toy and tomorrow the games will begin. Sesshomaru thought to himself as he smiled.

As Kagome and Reni stepped off the plane, they was greeted by a man in black hakama ( pants) and a white haori ( shirt). He bowed before greeting them. " Welcome to my master island. If you will follow me I will show you both where you will be staying." After 10 minutes of walking they finely arrived at a hut.

Kagome and Reni stepped inside finding two beds with small dressers. Before they could look around anymore their attention was pulled to the doorway. " My name is Yoko. Welcome to The Tashio Dojo. I have been instructed to inform you both that tomorrow you will be meeting my master. He is the owner the DoJo and the island. He also works with one lucky student personally. Tomorrow you will be told the way things work here with your training. If you wish to bath there is a hot spring in the hut beside this one. I will return soon with your evening meals." Before they could ask any questions he turned and vanished from sight.

With the speed he moved she was sure he must be a demon. She couldn't figure out why she had not sensed his demonic aura. When Yoko returned he was stopped by Kagome before he could vanish again. " Yoko? What kind of demon are you and why am I not able to sense your demonic aura?"

Yoko froze to her question. He remembered Sesshomaru saying something about her being a Miko. " I'm a half demon Miss. My father a Full Wolf Demon my mother a human. My braclet hides my aura. All demons wear something that does this." Reaching into his pocket he pulled out two braclets.

Handing them to Kagome and Reni he continued. " It is required that all who are on this island must wear these. Once on your wrist you will be unable to remove them until My Master choses." He watched as they both slipped them on. Seeing the look Reni was giving him he quickly pardoned himself and left.

After eating their dinner Reni and Kagome decided it would be best to get a good nights sleep. With that they each went to bed for the night. Little did she know what awaited her the next day. Her own personal nightmare about to come true.