Chapter 3: Home

He sat waiting for what seemed like eternity. When would she return? Why had he foolishly let her go save that village populated only by humans? She was all he had left in this world. How could he have let her go?

The Lord of the Southern Lands could think of nothing else as he sat on his thrown waiting for her to return.

"My Lord!!! There is a large ball of light coming towards us. I believe it is my Lady. I believe she has returned finally." The attendant looked back to see the throne empty and the various fabrics in the room whirling from the speed of the Lord leaving his throne.

"Guess he was waiting for her return." The attendant shook his head.

In the Garden

Sakura touched down and allowed the ball to disappear. She watched the others as they righted themselves and began inspecting their surroundings. A sad smile made its way onto her features as she looked at the young hanyou. He was lucky to be alive. Many never lived to see their first year of life.

"So where are we??" The hanyou in thought spoke. Sakura turned to him.

"You are at my palace. Well, mine and my brother's. We have finally beaten the brutes who threatened this place. The Southern Lands is finally ours and for that you have no idea how grateful we are," Sakura sighing with relief.

"So who was the original ruler of these lands??" Kagome asked as she watched the female dog hanyou. She didn't think that Sakura would hurt them. She seemed to know Inuyasha, not personally but there was definitely some connection.

"Our Lord Father ruled these lands. He ruled the youkai with a strong hand and was kind towards the humans. Though, to be honest, he didn't care for the human race, but they provided for him and so he gave them his protection. They make some of our fabrics, and grow much of our crops. Here we have tried to keep the peace between Human and Youkai, and it had worked out well until those vagrants came to try and snatch the throne away." Sakura said looking angrily at the memory of the Hyenas coming and forcing her father to run for fear of death claiming herself and her mother.

"Sakura!!" The group turned to see a tall man with golden hair and eyes hurriedly making his way towards them.

"Lord Brother." Sakura said as she bowed to the man. The man scowled as he reached to group.

"How many times have I got to tell you to stop calling me that? I'm your brother; you don't have to call me Lord. Get it through your head little sister." His scowl softened as he enveloped her in a hug.

"Little sister? You're a full-blooded youkai, and you embrace a hanyou." Inuyasha scowled, kind of jealous that Sakura had family that cared about her. Whereas for him, Sesshomaru did nothing but try to kill him. Where was the justice in that?

"Of course I embrace her. Is there a problem with that? She is one of my own." The man glared at Inuyasha.

"Talon, this is Inuyasha, the Late Lord Inutashio's youngest son." Sakura introduced. She then walked over to Kagome. "And this is the Shikon Miko."

Talon's eyebrows shot up. "This is the Miko?" He said coming closer to her. He noticed that Inuyasha's hand went to the Tetsuaiga that rested on his hip. Talon smiled at that. So the girl meant something to him.

"Yes, but her name is Kagome. Please call her as such. She doesn't like to be referred to as the Miko." Sakura smiled.

Talon shook his head as he stopped in front of her. "I take it you have given her the jewel shards you have collected already." He questioned.

"Of course."

"Then I should do the same. I came across some marauding demons earlier that had a shard. I'd like to know where they're all coming from." Talon brought out a silk pouch and handed it to Kagome.

Kagome was completely lost. "How is it we've had to fight tooth and nail against other youkai to get their jewel shards but you two, who happen to be rulers of the Southern Lands, just hand them to us without so much a fuss?"

Sakura and Talon looked at each other and laughed, which left the group completely lost. Sakura wiped her eyes and smiled warmly at them. "Because Kagome, we're not as stupid as the rest of them. We don't need some trinket to become stronger, to become what we want to be. No one can. If someone truly desires something, and it's something that they in their heart want then they will have it. Besides, that thing you hold is far too much trouble even if it does give power to those who hold it. That jewel is cursed. All who use it will never know true happiness so long as they hold it."

Kagome looked at the jewel and shook her head. "I agree. We've come across so many who used the jewel and they either died or were miserable. None of them obtained happiness."

Talon waved his arms. "Come, enough of this sad talk. I am proud to have the youngest son of Inutaishio in my house and the presence of the Shikon Miko, Kagome, and my sister is also now home safely. There is much to be celebrated. You are all welcome to spend the night here in safety and peace. Rest assured that no one will dare attack guests of ours, shall we sister?"

"Yes of course, brother." Sakura and Talon led the way through the palace.

Okay everyone, if you're still with me....

As you can see Chapter 3 is finally out. Sorry it took so long... Damn bunnies. My plot bunnies pushed into doing a Devil May Cry/Gundam Wing Crossover Fic and wouldn't take later for an answer. So that's why this one has been neglected. They finally decided to give me ideas for the next part of this story and for the Alternate Return to Me storyline.

I'm going to try and keep my three, four,... how many open fics do I have? Anyway, I'm going to try and add chapters to them at least once every two weeks. If I'm lucky they'll be a new chapter once a week. Now when I say that I mean one chapter of one fanfic. Not one chapter for everyone of them, though it is entirely possible that I will do more than one fanfic a week.

Hopefully....

Now then, to my reviewers...

i'..polish - I'm not sure how to take that. Lol. I'm glad you like it. Now revive because here's the next chapter. I know it's a bit short but I couldn't think of a better way to end it.

Cherry-Blossom-Phoenix-Sakura - Thank you. I try to write well, but sometimes it doesn't always turn out that well. The words just won't flow... that's called Writer's Block. My personal little h*ll.

KittynJenn - Wait no more, for I know you have been waiting a while. The next chapter is here and I'll try to post for this fanfic more regularly. It's just my plot bunnies have been busy with the Devil May Cry fic I have going now. It's up chapter 12 and they've got me going on chapter 13 now... Help!

TheDemonMistress - I'll try! Hope you enjoy it!

Gracy - Who do you love? Lol.

Miroku's Lover Girl - You're not dead are you! Umm, Anita Blake!! Come bring her back please!! lol.

inuhime313 - Thank you, I appreciate it. Again, I'll try to nag my bunnies to give me more ideas for this fic. I think for the next chapter I'm okay to get it done soon.

mysterywolfgirl - I'm sorry you had to wait to so long. Let me go beat my bunnies for misbehaving! Lol!

Thank you all for reviewing. You don't know how much I appreciate it! You guys are awesome and I hope I never disappoint! Thank you again. See you next chapter!!!!