Tension weighed heavily in area. Close to village, was a small spring and waterfall. It was too close to the village for comfort. Just a few feet from the spring stood Tsukimai. Her silver hair, pulled back into a low braid, the jewelled lotus now clipped to the back of her head, at the base of her braid. Other than that, her appearance was un altered. She had one hand on her hip, the other hung lazy in front of her body. Her overall body language was lax. This made the group several paces ahead of her uncomfortable. To the farthest left, the slayer stood, in her full armour. Despite having three children, her body suit fit her well, and showed that she had kept in shape. She held one hand in front of her. Her legs were bent, one in front of the other, in a stance that showed she was ready for action, should the need arise. In the other hand, she held her hiraikotsu, with deceptive ease. Beside her was her husband. The monk. His hands were poised in his sleeves, ready to toss ofuda at any sudden, unwarranted movements. The other hand held his staff straight in front of him. To the farthest tight was the guardian of the village and forest, the famed hanyou, Inuyasha. His famous tessaiga drawn and already charged with youki. He was poised in his regular battle stance. One hand over the other on the hilt, shoulders hunched forward, loose enough to perform any necessary movement, tight enough to pack enough power full a full swing. To his left, stood his wife. She stood tall and proud. Her bow and arrow already notched. Her hair was loosely falling over her back, but some strands freely moving, as if on their own accord. But it was due to the sheer amount of her reiryoku, and how limitless it's power was. Of the four, she was possibly the biggest threat.

In the middle was the demon prince himself. Sesshomaru. He stood the tallest, both physically and in confidence. He gave no sign that he was ready for battle. However, everyone in the vicinity knew, he needn't poise himself to be readied. His agility was wicked, without so much as a readying jump, he would be able to close the distance before Tsukimai, so much as twitched a muscle. On his left hip, his two swords hung. The tenseiga and bakusaiga. Both used in the battle to defeat Naraku.

Tension weighed heavily, in this small grove. No animals were heard. They had all fled as soon as the group had arrived. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes as at the all to relaxed water youkai in front of him. Recounting the steps to how they had encountered her.

"Ridiculous." Sesshomaru haughtily spat, as he took a step back. That infernal word. It was the word Inuyasha and Kagome had used to describe the empty twisting he felt in his chest. The word alone was far worse that feeling. The feeling, he could ignore, but that word he could not. It was a description of weakness. As if he could long for anything.

His mother chuckled. She covered her mouth with a lazy fist. Obviously, she was amused by his reaction. "Ridiculous, my son?" She laughed once more. When she finished, she lowered her fist to her chest, her legs uncrossed as she leaned forward, only enough that she had inched close to the edge of her seat – not enough to slouch. That would be undignified. "Ah well, you are like your father."

She stood. Sesshomaru broke face, and glared at her in explicit indignation. He had lost this battle to her, he knew that. He knew from the moment she started to smirk at him. She stood beside him, facing the stairs that led back down to the realm of the mortals. A place she only dared traverse in her boredom. He still stood facing the throne, focusing his glare on it, refusing to even look at her. He knew she was still smirking. "Perhaps, it is time for you to find a partner."

"Tch." Sesshomaru chuffed.

His mother lowered her gaze down the stairs. "It is true, we all need a partner."

"And here you stand," he countered. "Alone."

"And here you are. The child of two proud heritages." She turned to look at him. He did not return the gesture. "The son of a partnership between two strong lines; you the most powerful daiyoukai."

Where was this going, he wondered. This conversation had gone from annoying to confusing in a single second. His mother always had a hidden agenda, and she hid it well. He wondered if this was one of those times. He still looked straight ahead of him. "Your point."

"Even I needed your father to have you." This was valid. Sesshomaru knew his lineage. His maternal grandfather was a well renowned youkai. Revered in the true west – the mainland. He and his family had travelled to Nippon to continue their every expanding territory. He also came because of the reputation of a young inu-daiyoukai. In his very early years, this boy had earned himself the title, Lord of the West. Appointed to him, appropriate so because of his sheer might. Despite his youth, the lad had already conquered the entire West – it was not just his strength that was impressive but the age. He was barely an adolescent. Though humans had no regard for his borders, they did fear him greatly, acknowledging his might. It was this boy's strength that drew the lord of the Mainland. His blood mixed with this boy's blood, would create a great and powerful lineage, that would reach beyond the confines of land, but would transcend time. The mainland lord summoned for his youngest daughter, born and raised in this foreign land. When she came of age, she was to entrance the young general. His mother had little-to-no care for romantic endeavours. But her beauty entranced the Inu-no-taisho, her indifference towards him only served to fuel his desire for her. He could conquer the Western lands, but could he conquer her. The beauty used the chase as a game, simply entertainment. Finally, when she tired of her game and her father demanded she wed the general, did they marry. From this union, was the birth of Sesshomaru.

"Are you suggesting…"

"Where is this path of conquest leading you, Sesshomaru." Her smile disappeared, her tone serious. Her eyes narrowed, her gaze burning Sesshomaru's face. "At what point is your conquering enough. And what will you do with it?"

Sesshomaru blinked. "I have said to you before, Sesshomaru, life is finite. When your time comes, what will happen to all your victories. What will be your legacy."

Just remembering that afternoon was enough to make Sesshomaru's blood rush afire through his veins. It did not help that shortly after he had returned, Tuskimai's youki was sensed. Coming from his mother's, he often had new robes to gift to Rin. Today, was no different. The delivery was swift. Before Rin could thank him, he, Inuyasha and the miko-in-training darted out of Kaede's hut.

Sesshomaru had rushed ahead, but he heard his brother and the miko get stopped by the slayer and the monk. He was already stopped at the clearing by the time the group arrived. And Tsukimai, was already there, poised and proud. Her braid twisted over her shoulder. The way it looked reflected the waterfall behind her. The tension kept building. No one was saying a word. Despite his sharp hearing, not a breath was heard. The birds had flown long before he had arrived. As the rest of the group came, the other woodland beasts fled, sensing the urgency in the air.

They all had something. Something – Sesshomaru hated to admit, and so he would not – to protect. The monk and Slayer had three children together. They had their family, that they had just started, waiting for them, counting on them. Inuyasha and Kagome had an entire village they assumed responsibility for. An entire village relied on their strength and wisdom to uphold them and ensure their safety and protection. And, Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru had Rin.

The group deepened their stances as soon as Tsukimai brushed her braid off her shoulder. She grinned. It annoyed Sesshomaru. She was toying with them. Tsukimai reached behind her. Sango raised her hiraikotsu, higher of the ground. Kagome drew her arrow back. Sesshomaru could only imagine the monk now had his ofuda in hand, and his brother tightened his grip on Tessaiga. As for him, he reached for bakusaiga. As his hand connected with sword's hilt he realized, none of them were familiar with the type of youkai this girl was.

From behind, Tsukimai had pulled off one of the pearl threads from her lotus clip. It was an odd thing to reach for in battle. She let the thread roll innocuously onto her palm, which then out stretched. She stood like that for some time. Sesshomaru did not allow it to show, but he was not too sure what the girl was doing. Was it a gesture of peace? If that were the case, she would not have made her presence known in a hidden manner. She should have approached them on neutral grounds. Suddenly, she closed her fist around the pearls and brought her fist up over her head in one swift motion. As soon as she did, the waterfall behind her halted.

His eyes narrowed on the girl. What are you.

"Just what kind of youkai is this?" Miroku murmured to no one in particular.

His wife's eyes were wide, surprised that a small gesture would stop an entire flow of water. Tsukimai's hand returned to her side, her fist still encasing the pearls. "I-I've never seen something like this."

"Once, with that water goddess."

"Water goddess?" The girl called arrogantly. "No such a thing. Simply a goddess of the lake. Eve she must answer to me!" She brought her fist across her chest, then swung it diagonally down. Her arm was tight and straightened off to her side. With that, the waterfall that she had just stopped, came rushing like a tornado towards the monk. Sango leaped in front of him, holding hiraikotsu in front of her. The force of the torrent, far too great for her to rebound. Sesshomaru leaped to the side, as Inuyasha grabbed Kagome and leapt into the shade of the trees.

"Don't think you can run from me!" Tsukimai's empty hand swung up, the straight to her side. Two fingers pointed straight, the rest curled around her thumb. In that instance, the dew drops that scattered around the flora of the pool rose, and violently careened themselves at the miko, hanyou and lord. Inuyasha stood in front of Kagome, and held his arm out, so his sleeve absorbed the assailants. However, one scraped past and scratched his cheek. It was surprisingly painful, and hot. Like being hit by bullet. The youkai flipped her hand up, otherwise keeping her finger's positioning, then flicked her hand up, so her fingers pointed to the sky.

Kagome shrieked as the bullet-like water drops hit her back. No blood was drawn, but the sting burned her backside. Inuyasha, turned quickly only stopped when Kagome shook her head and pointed to the assaulting female. He released a throaty growl, as his free hand returned to tessaga's hilt. He held the blade up, gathering youki around it, "Kaze no Kizu!"

The blast of wind swung off the blade, rushing towards Tsukimai. The blast broke apart some of the rock from the cliffs, freeing some of the halted water. When the dirt and mist cleared the girl had disappeared. "Did I get her?"

"Inuyasha!" His wife shouted as she drew an arrow and quickly launched it, just beside his head.

"Oi!"

Tsukimai's body seemed to concentrate from the mist Kagome had stuck. Though she retained no injuries, her hair had been hit. "How-How did you- You." The angry girl waved hand violently in front of her. As her hand moved, the mist behind her condensed into the shape of a sickle. Once fully formed Tsukimai slammed her pearl thread into it, forming a complete scythe. Completely made from what appeared to be ice. She grabbed hold of handle and swung it at Kagome. Her strike intercepted by Sesshomaru's bakusaiga.

He was surprised at the strength the small girl had. She managed to hold her blade steady against the bakusaiga. But she was not strong enough. Sesshomaru began to push his blade up into the crease of her scythe, pushing Tsukimai backwards. Her feet dug into the earth, under his force. She pulled the scythe back. He missed the movement, but she had dispersed the scythe back into mist. Sesshomaru pulled back, and jumped landing adjacent to Inuyasha. Kagome stood weakly beside her husband. Her bag of arrows hung loosely on her shoulder. Inuyasha placed himself between Kagome and the mysteriously powerful youkai. Tsukimai once again stood tall. Her eyes narrowing angrily at the three. Sesshomaru held bakusaiga above his head, staring her down back. He let his hand fall heavy, pushing a wave of his youki out of bakusaiga hurtling towards Tsukimai. Once again, she had somehow evaded the attack, dispersing herself among the mists. The pool near them began to bubble, as Tsukimai's form built itself from the waters. "What is she?"

Sesshomaru had no answer for his brother. In all his years, he never came across anyone like this. Defeating her would be a first, and he intended to make it one of his best. "Stay out of my way." Sesshomaru replied, before launching himself at her, Bakusaiga held across his chest, ready to be batted to slice the girl's throat.

"You fool," She began, bring her legs apart and bending her knees, in a readying form. Her arms came across her chest to form an 'X' shape. "You are fighting in my realm. You are mine." Behind her, the water rose like a high wall. The pool quickly lowering, as the wall grew taller. Tsukimai's hands came into a fist, and she thrust both arms straight in front of her. The wall immediately split into two, and followed the movement of her arms. They were like pillars that had slammed hard against Sesshomaru. He was knocked back, but unharmed. Sesshomaru braced his shoulder blade against the ground, using it as a pivot for his body to roll over, when the rest of his arm and hand hit the ground, he pushed off, once again righting himself.

Sesshomaru grew irritated. So long as there was water around, Tsukimai seemed de be able to conjure any shape, object or weapon – she was even able to use water as a method of transportation, no matter what form of water it was. His brows furrowed together in thought. He snapped his head to the side, as soon as a new scent had made itself present. Rin. Both youkai turned their head to new body who had joined. Sesshomaru glanced at Tsukimai, before pivoting on the balls of his heels and darting straight for Rin. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of her. With one arm, he scooped underneath the girl – her back rested on his arm, and his hand wrapped just under her thigh. He made a steady leap over to the miko. With just a moment of eye contact, he knew Kagome knew to watch Rin. He turned his back to them, ready to slash at Tsukimai again. "Wait!"

Everyone paused, taken aback by Rin's sudden scream. "Please, don't fight her!"

"Rin?" Kagome breathed.

"Kagome-sama, I'm so sorry- I- I was reading the forbidden scrolls at the shrine." She paused. Sesshomaru was not aware of any shrine in the village, save for Kikyo's grave, and the torii that was up the hill from Kaede's hut.

"What shrine?" Inuyasha asked.

Tsukimai's stance relaxed, as she stood down. Her hands fell to her sides. She seemed eager to hear what the young girl had to say.

"It-It's the one where the shikon jewel was once kept." Rin paused. "Kaede asked me to clean it, and I went. But I found scrolls I was not supposed to read. The Kami no Makimono."

"The god scroll?" Kagome repeated.

"The god scroll." Tsukimai whispered. This did not go unnoticed by Sesshomaru. His eyes darted to her. "Those went missing millennia ago."

Inuyasha turned his head to her, and scoffed. "Tch, you're saying you know about them?" Sesshomaru though the same –albeit, in a more dignified manner. Tsukimai did not appear to be much younger than himself. He was nowhere near a millennium.

Tsukimai smirked and crossed her arms over her chest. "Know them? I'm in them."

Her smug smile turned to an unimpressed frown, as soon as Inuyasha responded, "Bullshit."

A soft blush painted her cheeks. "F-fine. Maybe not me. But, my family."

"What?" Kagome had little to contribute to the conversation.

"The god scroll chronicles the life of Izanagi-sama and Izanami-sama. From Izanagi's sadness, Ameterasu-sama, Tsukiyomi-sama and Susanoo-Sama were born." Rin began. "And the three of them appointed eight youkai to transcend the realm of earth and man, and watch over the eight elements."

Sesshomaru was not entirely sure he believed in these gods, nor in the Shinto religion. It was something for mortals. However, if it explained Tsukimai's abilities and skills, he had to keep a fairly open mind. In his youth, he learned close-mindedness was weakness, and he was no weakling. Tsukimai interceded, "Water. I'm the newest water guardian. I've only done this for something like 50 years."

"And what does that mean?" Kagome asked her.

"It means, I oversee the waters of Nippon. The seas, the lakes, the rivers, even the rain."

"You control everything?" Inuyasha sneered.

Tsukimai glared at the hanyou. "No, stupid," she hissed. "I just make sure it's all balanced. Like, if there is not enough water in the lakes and rivers, I push the rains to fall."

"Pretty incompetent if there are droughts all over, then."

"You try to manage all of Nippon, you stupid hanyou." Tsukimai replied indignantly.

"Excuse me? I oughta-"

"If this is true, explain why you are here." Sesshomaru interrupted.

A brief silence filled the clearing. Until Tsukimai dropped to the ground, her knees hitting first, then her bottom. She looked to the side, at nothing in particular. Upon looking at her, a feeling of familiarity washed over Sesshomaru. He was not sure what it was about her, but there was something. It was not in her physical features. She did not look like anyone he could recall. But it was in her attitude, in the way she carried herself. It was in her fighting spirit. Somehow, there was someone beyond his reach that she reminded him of. He flinched, as the welling emptiness returned in his chest. This time was more painful than before. It was no debilitating, but it certainly was distracting and a nuisance.

The girl did not speak for some time. Her eyes glazed over, he could see, with unfallen tears. Her brows came together, she looked frustrated, hurt – angry. She shut her eyes tightly. Sesshomaru began to feel somewhat annoyed. This girl came after them, started a petty fight, threatened Rin's – and the village's – safety. She was the one who taunted first, and continued to do so. She initially attacked. Now there she sat, a few feet from them, crying. It was pathetic.

"Oi, you attacked us remember? Why're you crying." It annoyed Sesshomaru even more, that his brother shared the same thought as him. Although he accepted Inuyasha as family, Inuyasha was not his equal.

The two were caught off guard when Tsukimai snapped at them, "I had to make sure you were good enough."

Sesshomaru knew Inuyasha's surprise quickly became irritation. "Good enough for what? Quit answering us, with shit that don't answer what was asked."

"Good enough to help me." Tsukimai's angry voice faded into a soft whimper. "Please, help me."

"Help you."

"Inuyasha," Kagome softly interjected. Sesshomaru did not need to turn around to know she probably took hold of one of his brother's hands. It was expected that the miko's soft heart would be willing to hear out the water youkai. "Hear her out, please."

Judging from the lack of response, Sesshomaru assumed Inuyasha had relented.

"My sister," Tsukimai's hands gathered onto her lap, intertwining loosely. "Sh-she's been gone, lost to us since a little past three years ago."

"I have no interest in this." Sesshomaru turned to his side, ready to leave. Unlike Inuyasha, Sesshomaru had no one to answer to. He knew Rin would not try to stop him, if she chose to listen, that was her own choice. Before he could continue his thought and leave, Tsukimai ducked down. Her hands came together so her index fingers and thumbs touched, forming a diamond shape. Her head came down to fill the diamond, in a deep bow.

"Please! I am begging you. No one else will help me. No one else can."

"This request of yours has no benefit for me."

She somehow deepened her bow, he elbows bending more to her side. "It does! You-you will see her again. You will save her, just liked you wanted to." Sesshomaru looked at her from his peripherals. Was he to assume he knew this girl's sister?

"She was taken from me. From us." Tsukimai continued. Presumably, us was referring to herself and the other seven – or Sesshomaru supposed six- guardians. "You, all of you knew her once."

Tsukimai sat up once again. Sesshomaru could see she was crying that entire time. Her lavender eyes seemed like a smoky cloud, covered with tears. He could see she was holding back. If what she said about balancing nature was true, he was curious if her tears had a connection with the rain. He turned so he was fully facing her. Perhaps her answer would solve the issue of familiarity.

"Kagura."

The empty welling in Sesshomaru chest, came to a full twist. It felt like a whip had encircled his heart and pulled tightly. It was the first time in years he had heard her name. It was the first time in years he remembered the smell of her blood mixed with Naraku's miasma. He remembered the sharp sense of urgency that shot through his body when it first hit his nose. A deep burning of anger boiled in his stomach, just as it did when Moryomaru had the audacity to insult her. In his mind's eyes he could see Kagura sitting there, slumped over, miasma pouring from her body. It was tragic that the first time she got her heart back, she was cruelly murdered. It was later revealed to him that he felt 'compassion'. But now, a new mysterious feeling raged inside of him. It's physical output tearing shreds into his organs. One thing he knew, though, this was not longing.

Lmfao, okay so for the longest time I forgot I had to input A/N's here, cause I upload to AO3 first, which has it's own space for AN's.

1). Guyssss, I'm so bad at building tension and writing fight scenes. PLEASE GIVE ME ADVICE and constructive criticism.

2). Tsukimai's fighting style is 100% based on green lantern LMAO - I have 0 imagination for fighting. Anywhoooo, I also have a mini series on my tumblr, the Parenthood!fic series. t's a bunch of stupid driblets of Sesshomaru and Kagura as a mommy and daddy.

3). YAY KAGURA IS FINALLY MENTIONED & SESSHOMARU IS THERE HEAR IT. His mind's kinda scrambled right now- cause mine is haha.

That's all for now. Short notes for a long ass chapter. take Care and happy 2018, everybody! As always, drop a comment to say hi, criticize or high 5!