Summary: She wasn't a priestess, she wasn't even 17 years old, and she didn't come from the year 2007. It wasn't until after her death that Kagome learned the truth about who she was.

Chapter: the letter

Kagome could feel the heat of the sun beating down on her face, smell the light scent of fresh lilacs as it danced through the air, and could hear the soft song of birds above her head. A light smile graced her lips, her eyes remaining closed, allowing her to absorb everything with just her sense.

That is until the all too familiar voice of her mother penetrated her peace, "Kagome? Kagome where are you darling?" an edge of panic obvious in the soft alto of her voice.

Snapping her eye's open Kagome began to reply, but her answering call quickly died on her lips as someone beat her to it.

"I'm right here mommy!" the melodic, joy filled voice of a young girl happily exclaimed. But it wasn't a strange voice, it was a voice Kagome knew very well, because it was her own voice, her voice as a child.

Kagome looked around but couldn't see anyone, so she made her way up over the crest of the hill she was standing on and looked down to see her family.

She watched as the child version of herself ran into her mothers open arms, with her fathers arm wrapped lovingly around her mothers' waist. They were standing in a peaceful field of wildflowers, and Kagome could see a large village in the distance.

But Kagome didn't remember this ever happening, she didn't even remember this area, or so she thought, but there was a small sense of familiarity gnawing at the edge of her mind.

That's when Kagome noticed something else, her mother did not look like the woman Kagome had known growing up, in fact she looked completely different, but somehow she had still recognized her immediately as her mother.

The short haired, middle aged woman, who looked every bit the part of a gentle aging mother was not what Kagome saw before her. No, in fact the woman Kagome now saw looked unearthly, and Kagome now knew, that she, is fact, was.

This woman was very tall with a slender build, she had jet black hair that cascaded down her back and reached down to her thighs, her pale complexion sparkled in the shimmering sun, and her brilliant green eyes glittering with joy.

A sudden white light blinded Kagome momentarily and she threw her hands up to protect her eyes form the light. When she finally opened them again she found herself in a small courtyard. There was an enchanting palace set behind her, and in front of her Kagome found herself looking out over that same large village she had seen from afar moments before. It was much larger than any village she had seen in the Feudal Era before. It was almost the size of Tokyo.

But what took Kagome's breath away as she looked around was not the view, or the size of the village. It was the people. There were many people walking around her, some alone or in pairs, and even a few small groupings, but they were not all human. There were demon and humans alike walking the grounds, some walking and talking together, all interacting peacefully. Out of curiosity Kagome skillfully stretched her own aura over the lands, covering as much of the city as she could, trying to pick out the dominant species, but the most puzzling thing of all was that the numbers were almost equal. She could even feel, in some specific areas there were large numbers of both mixed together, interacting, living together in one place, in harmony.

Without warning the white light flashed again, this time Kagome knew to expect to find herself in a different location then the last.

Opening her eyes this time she found herself in what appeared to be a castle library. The tall stone walls were lined with shelve after shelve of thickly bound books, there was a fire blazing in the fireplace and there were massive velvet lined chairs scattered throughout.

Kagome felt a smile tug at the edge of her lips from being in this room, but she didn't know why.

Until the doors burst open.

The young demon who walked in took Kagome greatly by surprise, even more surprising though, was who walked in behind him, her hand clasped tightly with his, as if he was pulling her along with him.

There before her stood, a much younger version of Sesshomaru, the great human hating lord of the western lands, only he looked different. Instead of looking like he was in his early 20's, he looked to be around the age of 17, and in the place of his trade mark scowl, was a crooked grin, one fang poking out from the side of his smile, glimmering playfully in the dancing firelight.

And right behind him, was another version of herself. Except it was not a version of herself that she remembered. She was younger, looking to be maybe 14, her usual light toned skin now had the same sparkling paleness to it that she had seen on her mother before, and her usual black tresses that reached mid-back, now fell down past her knees, barley escaping the reach of the ground, the long glossy waves being pulled up into small curls at the ends. But the eyes that were set into her face were eyes she had seen on someone else before. They were her grandmothers' eyes. Only backwards. They were a shocking ice blue around the outer edge, but as they moved in, closer to the pupil they became a deep sapphire, flecked with little silver spots.

This Kagome was laughing happily, seeming comfortable in the presence of the demon she had now come to fear, "Sesshy what the heck do you want to tell me so bad that you couldn't say around our parents?" she laughed.

The young Sesshomaru turned to the young Kagome, his smile still in place, "I have to tell you my secret." He said in a voice so much lighter and happy then Kagome could ever remember him sounding to her before.

"Oh? You've been keeping a secret from me? Well that's not fair, I thought best friends were supposed to tell each other everything, and here I've been pouring out my heart to you all this time and you've been with holding information. I'm hurt," her younger self feigned sadness. But the older Kagome was still shocked from hearing herself refer to Sesshomaru as her best friend.

Sesshomaru's smile disappeared, "Cause I don't want to be your best friend anymore Kagome."

The fake expression of hurt on the young Kagome's face became all too really, heartbreak evident in her eyes, "but-but why?"

That when she remembered. Kagome knew exactly why this room made her smile, and she knew exactly what it was she was remembering, she remembered this day as if it had only been yesterday.

"Because if I was your best friend, I couldn't do this,"

Kagome watched as Sesshomaru crushed his lips down upon her other selves, kissing her hungrily, as if he was afraid this might be the only chance he ever got to kiss her and he wanted as much of it as he could get. But then, as he noticed that she did not resist him, his kiss became softer, more gentle and caring. And finally, when she still had not responded he pulled away, face downcast.

This was her first kiss.

Kagome saw him as he shifted his eyes up to her younger selves face, "I'm sorry, it's just….."

Kagome's other self press a single finger against his lips to hush him.

She smiled in shyness, "you weren't done kissing me.'

And with that said she leaned up onto her tip toes and lightly pressed her soft lisp against his.

Before Kagome could see anymore, though she knew what would happen in the end she was still a little sad when the bright light flashed again, moving onto the next vision, what she now realized were memories – her memories.

The next thing she saw was once again herself and Sesshomaru, both looking to be in their late teens early twenties. They were alone on a hill top, the same hill top that was in her first memory. Kagome saw her other self pressed tight against Sesshomaru in a strong embrace, her face tormented with despair, while he soothingly rubbed small circles in her lower back.

"I will come back soon my love, you know I would never leave you," his hushed voice was slow and calming.

Both versions of Kagome nodded, "I know. But something just doesn't feel right about this. I don't know what it is, I can't really explain, butt feels like something isn't going to work out right and that I'm not going to see you again for a long time."

"Darling you worry too much, I'm just going to see what this new problem is out in the eastern lands for your father and then I will come right back to you. It will be like I was never gone," he reassured her.

"I am being silly, aren't I?" Kagome laughed.

Sesshomaru laughed, "Yes love, you truly are. I promise all will be well. But you have to let me leave in order for me to come back any time soon."

The other Kagome laughed, alright, good bye my sweet, come back to me soon."

Sesshomaru leaned down and pressed his lips softly against her before whispering, "It would destroy me to be away form you for any longer than necessary Kagome, without you there is no me."

The Kagome who was witness to these memories stood silently as tears streaked her pale cheeks, this was the last time she ever saw the Sesshomaru that her heart belonged to. It was true that in her travels with Inuyasha her path did cross with Sesshomaru's, but it was obvious that neither had recognized the other.

Kagome because her memories of her life with him had been hidden from her. Her appearance altered, and her scent and powers masked.

But Kagome could not figure out why her heart had not recognized him, her true love. But in reality, she knew the truth. The man she had met now, was not the Sesshomaru that she loved, this Sesshomaru was cold and heartless, a human hating monster who had no soul. That was not the man she loved. Not the man that was kind to everyone and loved all things, the man that would sacrifice his life for his peoples, human and demon alike. The powerful ruler who wanted nothing more than peace between races and to live happily with a family. This was not her sweetheart.

The next flash of white came, and Kagome knew that this would be her last vision. Her last memory as a goddess, before her life changed and became what she knew it as now.

The terrified screams of people, her people, pierced the air, the orange glow of blazing fires burned at Kagome's eyes and the think layer of smoke above her made it hard to breath.

This was a memory she didn't want to see, didn't want to revisit.

She was standing alone in the library where Sesshomaru had first confessed his love for her. Looking out the window she saw the surrounding city up in flames, everyone fighting each other, their neighbors and friends – it was demon against human.

Suddenly the doors burst open and she saw herself dressed in deep red silk pajama pants and a matching silk kimono top, a familiar sword strapped to her back rush into the room. Running to the large mahogany desk that sat near the window she pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill, she then watched as her past self scribbled out a note that she remembered all to well.

'My darling,

The creature has attacked the city, turning everyone against each other. it is neither demon nor human, it is an abomination that I cannot describe and it is after mother, father, Souta and I. we are going to try to lure it out of the city so maybe we can kill it, if we cannot do that we must go into hiding, it is the only hope that the people will be safe. It is too dangerous otherwise. Please my love, protect our people and I will come back to you soon.

Always love,

Kagome.

Folding it up Kagome watched herself press her personal mark into the hot wax she had used to seal the letter on the thick paper. She followed herself out of the study and down the familiar hallways of her old home and out the large doors to the front courtyard. She knew that time was running out, most of the city had been destroyed and the people were dying. The creature, the thing that had attacked, was approaching the palace and she could see her family preparing to leave.

"Kagome!" she heard her father call to her.

"I'm coming!" but instead of going to him she turned and rushed to one of the messengers saddling a horse to escape, she recognized him as one of Sesshomaru's men. "Daiki!"

Said man turned his attention to her, bowing quickly, "my Lady."

"Daiki, please you must take this to Sesshomaru! He must read this letter before he hears anything else about this attack. It is the only hope we have," she begged the messenger.

Daiki accepted the letter with a nod, "I will bring it directly to him my Lady."

"Kagome! We must leave!" she heard her father call again. Kagome's younger self glanced at her family frantically before turning once more to Daiki.

The present day Kagome watched as her mother and brother took flight upon their unconcealed wings. Her mothers' glorious white wings in such contrast with her brothers deep black.

"Thank you Daiki, no go in peace," her other self whispered just as her father flew up, his broad, jet black wings producing a slight breeze.

"Kagome they are about to take down the palace," her father exclaimed, and he was right. The warning people as well as the demon creature were at the gates.

With a final nod the other Kagome removed the concealing spell on her wings and let them unfold and with a powerful push, she on her sparkling silver/white wings and her father on his followed after her mother and brother to what would be their unsuccessful attempts to kill the beast and their trip through the well – to life as she knew it now.

But as her past self faded from view Kagome still stood, watching as her city was demolished. That's when she saw what she had not seen before.

Rouge demons covered the courtyard now, attacking any remaining people and Daiki, who was making a break for the back gates, was caught and killed by a snake demon. He was left to rot on the cold ground, her letter torn to shreds in the process.

And with that final vision the white flash faded to black. A single thought crossing her mind.

He never got my letter…."

sorry that took so long, i'm really working on being faster guys.

not going to do a to the reviewers this time like i have in all my other stories, but i will next chapter, promise.

Aya-chan