Sorry for the wait, this chapter was rather busy with some pesky homework. laughs Anyway here's chapter four and please, be nice.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha characters, some lucky person in Asia does. tosses papers up in the air and grabs the popcorn Enjoy!

Chapter 4: I think its time to moved on?

Sango sat next to Kagome's bedside. Miroku brought in some lavender infusion to sooth her shaking.

"So she knows now," Miroku said as he stood over Sango and Kagome.

"Yes, she now knows what Inuyasha thinks." Sango said as she dabbed a bit of the infusion on Kagome's forehead. Miroku sat down next to her and placed a hand on hers.

"I brought an extra," He said as he dabbed a bit of the warm liquid on Sango's temples. "You're shaking like a leaf, Sango." Sango closed her eyes.

"I just can't believe that he said that," Sango said as she balled her hands into fists, shaking angrily. "And I also can't believe that it has been over four years since I met Kagome, and how much she has changed just to fit Inuyasha's vision."

"Sango, we all were there, we watched how she progressed and we all saw it coming when she came to us and said she wished to take the job of Miko of the village." Sango lowered her head as Miroku placed a comforting arm around her. "Please, do not worry so much. Kagome is strong; she has a hard innocence that won't be so easily taken. She can get through this." Sango looked up at her companion and smiled.

It had been three years since they were wed. Miroku had come a long way from being the lascivious and lecherous monk he was. Fatherhood along with husbandry had changed him into a kind, gentle, respectable man. He no longer tried to grope her instead he caressed her and kissed her gently.

Sango smiled as she placed her hands on her stomach, this was the result of their love; their child of them.

Sango was snapped from her daze when someone came into their house.

"Koga, Sesshomaru-dono, to what do we owe this honor?" Miroku asked. Koga was looking pale while Sesshomaru was ever calm.

"We heard Kagome passed out, why?" Koga said. Sango closed her eyes.

"I took her to the temple today, and we heard Inuyasha and you arguing." Sango said bluntly. Koga's eyes widened and then were trimmed with pain as he looked at Kagome.

"I feel sorry for her," Miroku said. "She tried to hard to get Inuyasha to return her love. She stood by him when no one else did, she fought with him, cared for him, tended to his every need, even gave her heart to him on a plate." Miroku looked away as he clenched his staff. "I have no words to describe the atrocity that has occurred."

Everyone in the room looked at the girl who lay still as death on the cot. No one could ever say she was neither strong nor selfless. Kagome was both and much more. The fact that Inuyasha threw her aside without wondering if was heartless indeed.

Sesshomaru stood among the group as he felt their sympathy and empathy for the Miko.

She wouldn't want it, the thought occurred to him. She wouldn't want any of us seeing her in such a state.

Sango soaked the cloth in the infusion and placed the cloth on her forehead.

"Let's leave her for a while." Sango said. "She needs-."

A scream outside froze the blood of everyone in the room. Immediately, Koga seized the door and opened the outside world.

A large wolf demon was outside of the hut in the fields. It was dark grey and its eyes were rabid blue. It was devouring the livestock and destroying the fields.

"Fox fire!" Shippo was among those fighting the demon. He was using his magic to blind the beast before attacking swiftly with a sword.

"Monk, come on!" Koga called. Miroku followed quickly as they both raced to the aid of their young friend.

Sesshomaru watched the fight from a far. He thought that if the demon was arrogant enough to take on this group, he deserved to die.

He watched the monk get tossed backwards. The fox was being pulverized but still fighting. The wolf pack leader was fighting hard but not landing and fatal blows.

He was about to leave when he heard a woman's voice behind him.

"Sesshomaru-dono . . . please help them . . ."

Sesshomaru looked back to see the Miko slowly rising from the cot. Her Hamaka had been removed to reveal her bandaged shoulder and chest. Her eyes were carefully controlled but showed the pain she was in.

"Why? Human quarrels are nothing of mine," Sesshomaru said. The Miko tried to get up but was forced down by the slayer.

"Kagome, you can't, you still need to recover!" Sango pleaded. Kagome held her shoulder.

"I have to fight," She said. "These people need me-" She was cut off as she grasped her shoulder.

Sesshomaru watched her before walking out.

"Sesshomaru-dono!"Kagome halted when he grasped Tenseiga in his hand.

Why am I doing this? Sesshomaru thought as he approached the battle; walking, almost strolling to it. Why am I helping these people?

"Sesshomaru," Miroku called. He had erected a shield behind them as Sesshomaru passed through it easily.

The wolf met Sesshomaru's eyes.

(So it is true, the great lord of the Western lands, lord Sesshomaru, is here in this village) The demon snickered.

"What do you want of me," Sesshomaru demanded.

Koga lifted Shippo onto his back. The fox was bleeding badly and in need of medical attention. He watched the dog demon approach almost walking lazily.

(So it is true, the great lord of the Western lands, lord Sesshomaru, is here in this village) The demon snickered.

"What do you want of me," Sesshomaru demanded. The air seemed stricter with the authority of his tone alone. Koga had to give the man credit, to go up against something so bit with a calm, almost arrogant expression took guts.

(To challenge to lord for his power) The wolf said (And to see if the rumors were true)

"What rumors do you speak of, tell me before I destroy you wretch) Sesshomaru said coldly.

(That the great lord was playing pet to the Miko of the village to the east) The wolf laughed (I see they were)

Sesshomaru disappeared.

The wolf cried out as Sesshomaru slashed at the wolf with the full force of Tenseiga. The wolf's head went flying before disappearing.

Sesshomaru swiped at the air, cleaning the sword before he sheathed.

"Koga," He called. "Get the child to the elder."

Koga nodded as he and the monk carried the wounded.

Sesshomaru sat outside of the house.

"Sesshomaru-dono, please come it." Sesshomaru heard the slayer's voice carry over the chatter inside. It seemed that the wolf leader, the monk, the elder, the slayer, and the miko along with their guests ate with some of the temple folk.

"Lord Sesshomaru, please come inside and eat." Sesshomaru sighed as Rin called him.

"I will be in to eat later, Rin, go eat now." Rin looked at him before nodding.

"Lord Sesshomaru?"

"What is it now?"

"Well . . . I just wanted to say if we will be staying here for the Sakura festival," Rin asked shyly.

"The Sakura festival?"

"Yes, Lady Kaede and Lady Sango told me about it and said that it is held here every fall. I was wondering . . . if it wouldn't be too much trouble . . . if we could stay for it?" Rin met his eyes with child like hope and pleading.

"No, we will be leaving by the next moon," He said.

Rin looked down and nodded. She walked back inside crestfallen.

Sesshomaru looked back up at the stars. The Sakura festival was Japan's most awaited festivals next to the Tanabatta night

Gazing out, his mind drifted thoughts of the past and memories came through his mind.

His mother . . . she had loved the cherry blossom trees. She had smelt like them, and her skin felt like those petals.

"Good evening." Sesshomaru turned to see the Miko standing next to him. "Do you mind if I sit down?" When he didn't reply she took her seat next to him and offered her one of the bowls on the tray she had brought out. "You didn't come to get dinner so I brought it to you." Slowly, he took the bowl that was offered him as she picked up her own.

"Thank you," He said. She looked up and smiled.

Wait . . . smiled?

"Are you doing better, Miko," He asked. She looked up at him and smiled again.

"After what I heard," She said bitterly. Ah, so she was smiling out of spite and pain? "But I think I already knew." He looked at her inquiringly and she sighed as she placed her bowl in her lap.

"Inuyasha hasn't come to me and I don't think he ever will," the Miko said. "I have waited for him for 4 years now and . . . I think it is time I moved on and . . . tried to find myself a place where I can love freely."

"Do you plan to go back to your own time," Sesshomaru asked. She shook her head.

"Both my parents are dead as are my brother and grandfather," The miko smiled sadly. "My father suggested I stay here unless I found any reason that I shouldn't. This doesn't qualify and I don't want to go back." She looked up at the stars. "Everything here is worth something. You have to work and what you get is what you work for. Every single day counts and you get what you put out." She smiled, "I like that about this village. Everyone here is so kind and hard working and its so peaceful. I love this place and I won't let Inuyasha scare me away from one of the few things I loved."

Sesshomaru smiled at her optimism.

"Sesshomaru-dono?"

"Yes?"

"Do you plan to stay for the Sakura festival?" The miko asked.

"Why?"

"The village is transformed for the festival," She said. "It becomes so beautiful and everything seems magical, if you do you can see the plays and the actors along with the traveling carnivals that come here every year." The happiness returned to her voice as she spoke of the festival. "It's such a wonderful time and then there is a magic show and games." She smiled at him. "It would be worth it if you could stay." Sesshomaru pulled up his mask of calm as he tried not to stare at her face.

"I will think about it."

Sesshomaru walked into the room that had been provided to him when he was first injured. Jaken was already asleep while Rin was waiting for him.

"Good night Lord," She said smiling.

"Rin?"

"Yes Lord Sesshomaru?"
"I think we have some time," He said, "To stay for the festival." Rin smiled as she raced up and hugged him.

"Ooh thank you Lord Sesshomaru," She smiled as she hugged him. Sesshomaru looked out the window.

This was going to be interesting, he thought as the sky was crystal clear and the stars were twinkling with the future knowledge

Kagome woke bright and early the next morning. She didn't want to waste time. She had to start her patrol early in order to make time to help with the festival preparations.

As she tended to her charges, she hummed to herself.

"You in good spirits today, milady," One of the men said.

"It is a new day," She smiled.

When she was finished she came to Sesshomaru's room.

She carefully opened the sliding door and peered inside.

"Don't any of you people knock?"

"Forgive me," She said. "I didn't think you were awake?" Sesshomaru was seated on the floor with a couple of tea not to far away. "I need to change your bandages. It's been two days I should have changed them sooner." Sesshomaru nodded as she knelt next to him.

As he removed the hamaka, she tried hard not to stare at his chest or his eyes. Instead she watched her hands work as she carefully unwound the tape and checked his wounds.

"You don't need any major medicine," She said. "You're actually almost healed and just need a light salve." She applied the salve and began to redo his bandages.

"No too tight," She asked.

"No, there fine," He said. Kagome looked up as he stared off into the distance.

He's avoiding my eyes! Kagome thought as she gave his bandages a final tug before enclosing his Hamaka.

"You didn't blush this time," He said. Kagome looked up before looking away.

"No, I didn't," She said. "I guess I am used to it now."

"Feh," Kagome looked up to see a slight smile on his face.

He can smile like that? She gathered her things before bowing. As she turned to leave he called to her.

"Lady Kagome," Startled, Kagome turned to see him rise. "When exactly is the festival?"

"In two days," She said. He nodded "Anything else?"

"Yes what color would you prefer, pink or green." He asked.

Puzzled, she answered "Green?"

He nodded as he sat back down. Confused, Kagome left.

Okay I will try doing a chapter a day. By the way, I don't know much about Sesshomaru's mother but please, humor me. I am trying, lol, send me reviews and if you want a reply just asked.
Blessed be
DarkEyesBlinded