-1Disclaimer: Yeah...so I searched e-bay and I now own Inu Yasha. You wanna know what else I own? The rights to that lie. That's right. I lied. I don't own Inu Yasha. I wish…but alas, someone else owns it…some Japanese person…huh. Go figure, right?

Ch.2 Intentions

"Naraku"

An evil chuckle shook the brick wall behind her, and she could feel the bile rise in her throat from his touch.

"At your service, my miko…or perhaps you at mine" His voice became husky with the implication.

"Release me now Naraku, or I'll purify you where you stand"

"Try, little miko, what other surprises do you come with?"

A growl rumbled through the young woman, released along side a bolt of purifying energy to the massive man behind her. SUCCESS! The evil pervert released her, stumbling away in a cloud of miasma.

"I will find you again, chibbi-neko."

Kagome's attention swung back to the rampaging care bear, focusing her energy to circulate throughout her body. Women and children were rushed past her in frantic waves, their husbands rushing them to safety.

"Hey! Tenderheart, down here."

She succeeded in two things with that call:

1)She managed to capture the bears attention.

2)She received a wide sweeping backhand.

It was official. Kagome was pissed. Her new garbs were now soiled and dusty, her hair was a mess, she hadn't slept at all since she'd returned to the feudal era and she'd been backhanded by a fuzzy wuzzy reject. Rage drove her to her feet before she shot across to the youkai, somersaulting over another swing of it's large arm, landing a roundhouse between the eyes. Kagome landed in a crouch, just missing another sweep of claws. Once her target was cleared she launched into a back walkover, smashing both legs into the bears chin, knocking him to the ground.

"Mercy Kiss."

The bear was done for, the flesh and bone melting to ash as her powers of purification took effect, leaving only a single, small sliver of the jewel laying in the pile of it's ashes. Relief settled into her skin as she picked up the now-purified shard from the remains. Bear forgotten, she turned her attention to the injured villagers, heading swiftly to the make shift hospice. Her limbs ached in protest of her continued action, pleading with her for rest.

"No…they need my attention now…I can rest later."

OoOoOoOo

Inu Yasha gazed slowly over the silent calm of their camp, the only one away as par usual. He let the silken strands slide idly between his fingers, the dark locks returning to rest against the pale complexion of the woman that lay sleeping against him, and the hanyou could feel his heart contract with joy. Things were so different now…calmer. And (though he felt like a traitor for even thinking it) he knew that the absence of a certain girl from the future was to thank for that. It wasn't that he didn't miss Kagome…to be frank, he was deeply concerned about the girl that had become his little sister…however, in her absence, the guilt of sneaking off to see kikyo was no longer present, allowing him to devote the previous energy the guilt used towards rekindling the flame between the former priestess and himself. Father, however, Sango's drive to protect the young miko from the knowledge of Inu Yasha's feelings for the dead woman had relaxed, allowing her to delve deeper into her growing bond with Miroku.

No…he wasn't happy that Kagome had taken an extended vacation…but he understood, and he was not such a fool to deny the good that had come of it. He was content, and confident that he would see his best friend again…so he settle to focus his attention on his love, for now, the beauty that had captured his heart, and finally come to rest in the haven of his arms. His eyes drifted shut once more, blissfully content with life as it stood that second.

OoOoOoOo

You never realize just how much you've gotten yourself in for until you're already waist deep in the mess you've created. The clarity of her situation shone upon Kagome like a faulty flashlight that had decided to come on after she was already half way through the cave. There were more sick and injured than she'd realized at first, and only two of the village women knew anything of healing. The man she was currently working, a 30 year old crop farmer with tan hair and blue eyes by the name of Keirotsu, had several breaks and cuts, badly injured in a failed attempt to keep his family safe from the youkai. She'd learned while speaking with him to keep his mind of her healing, that his wife had been killed, and his eight year old son lay with the injured children, wounded saving his father from the bear.

Were it not for the fever medications and peroxide with her from her era, many would have perished under illness or infection, and though it did her giving heart good to know she'd saved lives, that satisfaction did little to give strength to her exhausted body. Her fingers had long since begun working on auto-pilot, detaching from the sleep deprived haze of their mistress. With one more sigh to add to her growing collection, she finished bracing the last of Keirotus's breaks and pacified him with a smile.

"There you go. I should be able to remove the casts within the next week or two. Rest for now." she instructed as she gathered her supplies to move to the next patient.

"It looks like you could used your own advice." Responded a soft, yet firm voice. Kagome didn't even look behind her as she stood to move to the next person, opting instead to converse with the village leader as she worked.

"Miomoto-san. There are still far too many in need for me to be able to rest. I will find time after I have completed my duty."

"Kagome-sama…"

"Just…Kagome, please. I can't stand that formality."

"…Kagome… you cannot perform to the best of your abilities when you lack sleep. With rest, you'll be rejuvenated and you'll be able to move faster and do more for these people." Miomoto motioned to a girl, roughly 13, just behind him, who looked upon Kagome with rust colored eyes. "Reina has been observing you as you've made your rounds, and is confident that she has learned your routine. She can take over while you rest. We will wake you if anything urgent arises. Please, next door we have prepared some stew and laid out your odd pallet for you to rest."

Kagome eyed the young girl warily as Reina stepped forward and bowed.

"Kagome-sama, I would be honored to serve in healing duties while you rest. Please accept this service as a token of my gratitude to you for helping so many already."

Reluctantly Kagome conceded, handing her supplies to the polite young girl before she made her way to the cabin next door.

"Thank you" She managed, her lids drooping as the prospect of sleep seduced her from the 'clinic'

"No, Kagome-sama. Thank you, were it not for you, we would all be dead. Go, rest now, and we can speak more later."

OoOoOoOo

Heiko shuddered, his long green tale tucked in tight behind his legs as his yellow bug-eyes clenched shut in the face of the vicious growl that rumbled through the large study, reaching him even as he stood against the large oak doors of his lords study. Books shook in their cases as they lined the walls, and the dust shook from the tops of the cedar shelves, snowing down onto the plush silver carpet of the study. The lump in the messengers throat grew bigger as he repeated, once more at his lords request, the report from the far ends of the western lands to the enraged Taiyoukai that sat, deceptively calm in appearance at the dark oak desk on the other end of the study.

"…Th…The small village under the leadership of one, Miomoto Keiske, which rests on the far eastern fringes of the western lands….has…sent report of…having been ravaged by a bear youkai of immense strength under the control of one, the hanyou Naraku… The youkai desolated half the crops and twelve huts before a wandering miko was reported to have arrived, single handedly slaying the demon in mere seconds…." Heiko swallowed hard, continuing his report "…The miko currently resides in the village, having set up a hospice of sorts for the injured in the largest of their huts. The human casualties number just below thirty, and the injured numbering just above that same number. Meyuna, the previous miko, was slain in the beginning of the attack, protecting the village as best she could. Her successor, one Reina Hirako, has not been adequately trained to usurp the position, which seems to have been temporarily placed with the unnamed miko. This report was sent by the end of the battle, before she made her identity known…end report."

If Sesshomaru hadn't already been in a sour mood from hours of paper work, he was furious upon hearing the report, having demanded Heiko repeat it twice to ensure he had captured every detail. The human casualties were of no consequence as far as the western lord was concerned…however, that Naraku dared harm those under the taiyoukai's protection was a crime far worse than the slaughter of the incompetent inhabitants.

"Set Jake to oversee the estate and it's affairs in my absence, and send Jijun to guard Rin in my absence. I will leave to asses the damages to my lands, after which I will continue to patrol my the rest of my lands. I will be gone indefinitely. Should anything happen in my absence, you are to send Jaken to me at once. In Jakens absence, Jijun will both oversee the estate and my ward. If any harm comes to either of those, the consequences are more than you would wish to imagine. Remove yourself from my sight at once."

Heiko sent frantic thanks to Kami as he fled from the study with all due haste, sending the large oak door swinging open wide and slamming shut as the gecko hurried to carry out orders. The Lord of the western lands growled in response to the thunderous boom of the slamming door, making a mental note to flog the insolent servant next time the gecko crossed his path, Sesshomaru turned his gaze out the large window on the eastern side of his castle. That particular settlement provided his lands with the bulk of it's soil grown crops, a resource not easily replaced as so little of the soil in the west was so rich as that particular area. He rolled the information regarding the wandering miko over in his brain…perhaps Inu Yasha and his undead companion who had replaced the younger, louder girl…The miko having moved on ahead and Inu Yasha arriving after the demons destruction. After all, the last he had seen the dead miko, she was not so close as stay beside Inu Yasha at all times.

Satisfaction tickled in the back of the great Inu youkai's mind as he turned to prepare for his journey across his lands. He would kill two birds with the same theoretical stone. Both would he restore his lands and finally seize the tetsaiga from his ape of a brother…delicious.

OoOoOoOo

Consciousness sunk into Kagome in a slow, lazy stream of colors, drawing the sleep hazy miko out of her dreams and into the light of wakefulness. She released a yawn, popping her back as she stood from her mat to stretch, scanning her foreign surroundings in slight confusion before the memories of the previous evening jumped to the forefront of her attention. She arched backwards in a single, cat like movement, completing another back walkover before concluding that she was limber enough to face the day…or night as it seemed to be. Revitalized by her nap, The miko returned to check the status of the injured next door.

A smile stretched across her face as she quietly padded across the hut floor, looking over the sleeping forms of the villagers, pleased to see they slept soundly, their condition visibly improved. Satisfied, she made her way to the lightly snoring elder in the corner of the room. He sat, arms crossed against his chest, his head hung low. Kagome repressed the urge to giggle as she lightly shook Miomoto to awaken, almost giving into laughter as he startled to wakefulness, his eyes frantic and hazed with sleep.

"Kagome." He greeted, smiling as he recognized the woman.

"Miomoto-san." She smiled in return before addressing her immediate issue "While I would like nothing more than to stay here indefinitely, I have a quest that requires my devotion…to which I must return soon. However, I'm a bit worried about leaving you without a trained miko…do you happen to know if any of the women here in the village posses any sort of spiritual power?"

The mans eyebrows furrowed together as he listened, his head nodding at her question.

"Reina. She was already training under Meyuna-sama in the ways of miko with the intent of succeeding the elder woman…however, her training was never completed before…well…"

Kagome nodded in understanding, mulling over the information before coming to a solution.

"I will stay here long enough to complete her training. After that, I really do have to get back to my journey."

"I understand…Thank you, Kagome. I still don't know why you've decided to bless us with your attentions and assistance, however, I find it unimportant as to why, opting to simply be grateful to you for your help."

Kagome smiled.

"I'm glad to be able to do some good in the lives of others…however, I do need to speak with Reina…do you happen to know where she is?"

Miomoto shrugged his massive shoulders in response.

"She left the hut after the last of the villagers fell to slumber."

"…I think I should go find her. Thank you."

It didn't take long for Kagome to find the young woman, curled up on the top steps of the former miko's shrine, her eyes turned towards the sky in unspoken, yet resounding questions. The light breeze tousled the shoulder length gingerbread locks dancing off her shoulder in the gentle wind, framing her peachy cream face in their movement. Kagome easily noticed the wet sheen of freshly shed tears in the rusty depths of Reina's tortured gaze, and she felt her heart go out to the grieving youth.

"Reina"

The younger girls eyes slid from the endless expanse of stars above them to rest on the woman not but meters away from her.

"Kagome-sama" The voice was barely audible, strained around the pain swelling in her throat.

"Please…no sama. Just Kagome…Reina…" Kagome began gingerly, not wanting to push the girl, but left without a choice in the face of her urgency. "…I'm truly sorry for your loss…from what I heard from the villagers, Meyuna was a wonderful woman and a great miko…and while I understand your need to grieve the loss of a strong woman and wise mentor…I'm afraid I'm going to need you to rise above that by tomorrow morning. As of now, this village is without it's backbone, and I must resume my own journey. Thus, I cannot stay and fulfill the roll of village miko…Thus, I am faced with the need to locate a woman to take upon her those responsibilities. This village needs that pillar of strength and wisdom to survive. They need you."

"me?"

"I was informed that you were to succeed Meyuna, is that so?"

The girl nodded slowly in confusion.

"Hai…but she never finished teaching me…"

"I will complete your training…I cannot leave this village until they have a trained miko…And while I will try to be patient, Reina, I need you to be a fast learner. You must pay attention to what I tell you, take what I teach you and learn to apply it. You must dedicate yourself completely to training and learning your duties."

Reina nodded slowly in understanding.

"I will give you tonight to grieve…that's all I can give you…I'm sorry."

Reina just shook her head, a sad stretch of the lips accompanying the gesture.

"Don't be… I have no wish to dwell…this will provide a welcome distraction from these unfortunate circumstances. Thank you."

Kagome smiled.

"You are wise beyond your years, Reina…it will serve you well in your duties.

OoOoOoOo

And so, the sun rose once more to greet the broken village with it's cheerful rays. Kagome stood by Reina in their small 'hut hospital' patiently showing the girl which herbs were to be used in healing and how to prepare them for the respective tasks. As promised, Reina proved to be a dedicated and avid pupil, eagerly absorbing the knowledge Kagome gave her, devoting herself to her studies. The previous night had passed in tears and growth as she helped Reina learn to draw strength in the face of loss. Kagome had imparted words of both comfort and wisdom upon the young girl, satisfied with Reina's quick understanding.

And now, as morning gave way to day, Kagome led Reina to the shrine once more, strictly informing Miomoto-san that they were not to be disturbed unless an emergency made itself known. Reina had already leaned the basics of meditation with Meyuna (for which Kagome was immensely grateful) Allowing Kagome to move forward into energy summoning and control.

Day by day, their training began to hold it's effect. The week passed swiftly, and Reina had shot her first holy arrow (only having missed her target by two trees) and managed an impressive imitation of Kagome's Mercy Kiss. The futuristic priestess was pleased with her student, hopeful that by the next weeks end, she could leave the village in Reina's capable hands…beyond Naraku, another fact had her worried. News had arrived that the Western lord had left to come inspect the village. While Kagome was confident she could defend herself against the killing perfection himself, she had no wish to place the village in lesser favor with it's lord. And thus, it was with this mindset that Kagome pressed Reina harder, increasing the intensity of her daily drills. (And much to Kagome's pleasure, as she trained along side instructing Reina, she too was growing stronger).

Kagome had dedicated the mornings to focus on mind control. Mediation was taken to a whole new level, and Kagome used the waterfall technique regularly. Reina had questioned Kagome vigorously with their first visit, eyes widening once Kagome informed the girl of the exercises origin.

"you…you mean you trained with the Genzo Sanzo?!"

Reina had never since questioned Kagome's methods, elated to be trained in the ways of the legendary Buddhist priest. After lunch, the day was dedicated to power control and applied offence. Kagome instructed Reina how to concentrate her powers into offensive attacks, a task which Reina practiced vigorously, determined to fire a beam of power from her hand. (she'd only taken out two more huts in her attempt to learn Mercy Kiss.) Beyond purification attacks, Kagome worked with Reina on hand to hand and archery. Blessedly, the young girl was already well gifted in physical combat, witch left more room for her to use her energy productively. Soon, Reina had coined an original attack she named 'heavens fist.' A physical attack that amplified a full force punch around the enemy from all sides, forcing the opponent to their knees. Throughout dinner, they discussed Buddhist theory and beliefs, going over a mikos intended behaviors and duties to her fellow man. In the evening, Kagome encouraged Reina to learn to read and write, insisting that a miko must be well educated.

"Wisdom is difficult to convey when you cannot speak properly to allow it to be heard."

The evenings excited Reina, and she took to reading eagerly. No one else in the village knew these skills, and Kagome encouraged Reina to teach…and teach she did. She red to the injured as the fell to sleep, teaching those interested in learning. A large portion of that years harvest had been destroyed in the chaos, however, with much effort by both miko's, the crops were revived, to the pleasure of the farming village. As she had hoped, by the end of their second week, Reina had learned all that Kagome had to teach…the rest she would have to discover alone…And so, it was with a cloak of sadness on that last day as the walked to the waterfall to train, she handed the girl a hand-crafted bow (courtesy of Kagome's spare time) and a quiver of arrows, with written instructions on how to make the arrows herself. Moisture gathered in her pupils eyes as she accepted the gift from her teacher.

"…So….then you're…"

"Leaving tomorrow morning. You've learned it all. All that can be done now is strengthening the knowledge that you have…and that is something that you can do alone. You don't need me anymore. It's up to you to continue to grow stronger…now. There is a low energy demon puppet in the foliage of those trees. The puppet is unable to attack, but has a high defense, so you'll have to use a good deal of energy to destroy it. Locate it and illuminate it with your arrows."

OoOoOoOo

"Gone training My lord."

Miomoto-san trembled under the golden set of eyes that glared down at the terrified human, visually unpleased with this news.

"…were you all not instructed to remain inside the village until my arrival?"

"…the order never reached our village…They should return by mid-morning…they train just inside the woods near the waterfall."

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"This Sesshomaru does not wait on humans. I will asses the village upon my return from retrieving the two women."

Miomoto leapt to his feet as the demon turned away, marching into the forest.

OoOoOoOo

Kagome finally understood why Sanzo had been so exasperated with her. Reina had done so well…however, she could not seem to get her bow and arrow in synch with her inner vision. Reina was aiming in the right direction, but her arrow missed the mark repeatedly. And the one time it had hit, the energy had been dispelled. Reina echoed Kagome's historical reaction, shrieking in rage as she reached her limit.

"Reina…stop focusing on the bow and arrow. The puppet is your target, worry about that."

Once more, the girl evened her breathing, and her hands relaxed their death grip on her weapons. After several moments, Reina carefully raised her bow and released the arrow, hitting her goal successfully, with the exact amount of energy required. At last, Kagome released a breath she hadn't recalled holding as she rose from her spot below the tree to hand Reina a dry, fluffy yellow towel.

"Well done. Remember, it's all in finding the target before you can destroy it."

"Wise words indeed."

Kagome froze as the stoic voice reached her ears.

"I trust you are done then."

OoOoOoOo

Sesshomaru was not a happy man. He, the greatest demon in the western lands (and quite possible the entire world) now embarked to locate two women. Two human women. Not for the first time did he find himself loathing the incompetent species. The order to stay put, he felt, was relatively simple to abide by. It should, considering the lazy nature of the human race, come…well…naturally. Yet, here he was, marching through the trees for not one, but two of the foolish beings. As though that hadn't been sufficient material to upset him, he had arrived to discover that his brother hadn't been anywhere near the village any time recently, once more bringing the identity of the 'wandering miko' into question…Imagine his surprise when he finally made it to the waterfall, only to spot the one person he had never thought to suspect. News had reached even 'this Sesshomaru' of the young miko's departure, and yet, there she sat, seemingly annoyed under the shade of a tall pine, watching over the shrieking girl in the waterfall.

'training?'

"Reina…stop focusing on the bow and arrow. The puppet is your target, worry about that."

He turned his gaze to look at the honey toned girl under the rushing water, now understanding the objective of the exercise. Achieving insight even in chaos…reluctantly he allowed himself to be marginally impressed by the raven haired girls tactics. Curious, he watched in silence as the trainee hit her target, radiating glee with her success. His attention returned to the older girl…no…woman, he amended as she stood. Once again, surprise overtook the lord (though he would give Inu Yasha a kiss on the forehead before he'd admit to such a thing) as he drank in the miko's altered appearance. At a simple glance, the miko would seem to look the same as always…however, her features had reached maturity, breaking her into the confines of womanhood. Her young figure had blossomed into the voluptuous curves that proclaimed her sex. Her breasts had grown large and beautifully rounded and her slender hips had widened into a slightly larger, yet far more feminine arc. The childish roundness had melted away from her face, leaving the narrowed structure of a matured female. But most startling were her eyes. That forever midnight sky had not faded, however, the naïve gleam of ignorance was gone, replaced with the wisdom and cheerful grace that exuded from her.

"Well done. Remember, it's all in finding the target before you can destroy it."

"Wise words indeed."

Sesshomaru broke from his observations to step into the clearing, his amber gaze stern and unyieldingly focused on the older miko.

"I trust you are done then?"

Slowly, the human woman turned to face him, no fear present in her eyes, merely wariness.

"Sesshomaru…"

"Sama, woman. I am Lord here."

She mad no move to amend the reference, however, opting for silence instead.

"This Sesshomaru will not repeat himself."

"Yes, we're done, my…lord." Kagome choked the title with no small amount of visible effort.

"Then you will return to the village, where you should have been upon my arrival.

Finally the fire broke free.

"Should have been?! We were training so that the village could have their miko, and we received no notice that we were to be at any place at any given moment, as such we are exactly where we need to be!" Kagome huffed, thoroughly infuriating the demon before her.

Reina's eyes had widened three inches in diameter as the miko exploded, concerned for the miko's safety in the face of the displeased lord before her. That any dared to defy the Great Lord of the Western Lands was beyond the young girl, as she moved to gather their things.

"Miko, you are to be where I say, when I say it. Period."

"My lily white a-"

"Enough. You're disrespect will not continue!"

Poor Reina's heart was definitely beating faster than normal, and Sesshomaru took comfort in the fact that at least one woman had responded as they should.

"I think we should return to the village for lunch, Reina" Kagome addressed, pointedly turning her back to the indignant man behind her.

"I'm afraid I can't allow for that to happen, miko"

"Reina…go on to the village, I'll be there shortly."

The young girl took off at full speed as Kagome turned to view the woman that had addressed her, continuing to ignore Sesshomaru.

"What do you want, Kagura?"

OoOoOoOo

The wind witch had totaled two hundred and forty three ways to creatively kill Naraku by the time she located the miko.

/Flashback/

"Yes, Naraku-Sama" Kagura answered the summons, venom in her voice as she made a deep bow to her master.

Upon her arrival, she had found him lounging against an array of pillows, watching the Miko through Kanna's mirror. But the fact that reached through Kagura in waves of disgust was the dark tint of lust in the dark hanyou eyes as he pawed at his engorged erection through the fabric of his pants.

"You will gather the miko and bring her to me unharmed."

Kagura felt her heart reach out to the unaware girl as she heard the command. No, she didn't like the young miko, but to be beneath Naraku in his bed was a fate she wouldn't have wished on any person, no matter how much she disliked them.

"The younger? What of Kikyo"

Naraku turned his eyes back to the mirror.

"I'm no longer interested in the figure crafted in bone and dust. The younger miko is alive, viral, soft…and powerful."

"you intend to make her your mistress?"

"Better than that, my servant, I will make her..

/end flashback/

OoOoOoOo

Never in all his years as lord had any dared to forget his presence. The notion was a suicidal fantasy, to absurd to even consider, much less indulge…and yet here he stood, his presence forgotten by witch and miko alike.

"What do you want, Kagura?"

Sesshomaru growled, cutting through the useless chatter.

"For what purpose have you entered my lands, witch?"

Ruby eyes trailed to him for a mere second before returning to Kagome

"I have been sent by Naraku to retrieve the Miko."

Briefly, Sesshomaru found himself curious of how long the miko could hold the breath that had caught upon the witch's arrival, and still held the respiratory cycle at bay.

"The wench is currently under my possession to be punished for trespassing and insubordination. Naraku's retrieval will have to be held at a later date."

Finally, to his calculations, approximately four minutes had passed by the time the miko finally resumed air intake.

"I'm afraid patience isn't in Naraku's army of traits."

"So, Naraku expects me to just give you a big ol' hug and walk into his palace with a jolly smile on my face as I cheerfully inquire as to his plans to kill me?" Kagome mocked dryly.

To Sesshomaru and the miko's surprise, Kagura's eyes softened in…sympathy?

"I regret to tell you, Naraku does not plan to kill you, Miko."

Kagome blinked.

"Then just what does he want with me."

Kagura's eyes were grim in answer.

"He intends to mate you."

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Butterfly: okay. There we go. Wow….my arms and fingers HURT! And my head. Thanks for the reviews guys, they keep me inspired, and with inspiration, the words flow faster, So. Read and review!!!

A special thanks to all my previous reviewers:

Dark Angel

fantasy4luvr
Twilyt Bitch

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