***Of course I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters. I just like to make them my puppets!***

"At the center of every fairy tale lay a truth that gave the story its power." ― Susan Wiggs

Rather than returning to camp, he travelled almost aimlessly until he was deep within an enchanted forest. Although the path through the ancient forest was of rough-hewn terrain, he moved with ease as he traversed over the forest floor. The tangled masses of under growth and layers decay were not proof against his predatory grace. Moonlight filtered through the canopy of leaves, illuminating the ground and glinting off his silken, pale locks. He did not need the dim light for he knew this route like the back of his hand for within its depths laid the home of Bokusenou. The ancient being was not only an old friend of his father's but also his main source of information. More often than not, it was the Magnolia youkai he confided in when he was in need of rational advice. Despite the fact the tree spirit remained deep rooted in soil, his knowledge of the world around him was vast and seemingly never-ending.

If anyone could answer silver crowned youkai's question it would be he. Sesshoumaru stood on one of the gnarled roots that formed an elevated mass at base of the humungous Magnolia tree. His sensitive hearing picked up the intermittent snores that rumbled through the clearing. Having no desire to wait until the older youkai awakened the daiyoukai released a pulse of youki, jolting Bokusenou from his slumber with a start.

The tree demon blinked slowly merely observing his new visitor before he spoke, "To what do I owe this pleasure, Sesshoumaru?"

"Tell me what you know of InuYasha's miko," Sesshoumaru commanded.

Bokusenou paused before answering the young daiyoukai, his ancient eyes shimmering with amusement. "Ahhh… This is the first time you've asked me about the fairer sex."

Although the Western Lord's eyes narrowed slightly in warning at the Magnolia tree youkai's light teasing, he refused to dignify him with a response.

"Sesshoumaru," the old tree sighed. "You are simply no fun to tease. You never humor me. Your father used to take great pleasure in heralding me with stories his adventures. Ah, what wit he had. Such a fascinating life he led."

"Such things serve no purpose to this one. In the end, it did my father no good."

"Such cynical child." Bokusenou chuckled lightly, his leaves rustling lightly. "You'd be surprised at what you can achieve with a light hand in such matters concerning women. Ahhh, but I digress. What do I know of the miko Kagome, you ask?"

The silver haired demon knew silence was the best way to combat the elder youkai's fanciful mood.

Another sigh passed Bokusenou's lips, this one signaling that he was settling in to tell a lengthy tale. "Ah, she is an enigma no? Very human but unlike any human you've come across."

"Hnnn…"

"Well, it was not so long ago when our ancestors the Gods themselves dwelled on these lands. I met quite a few of them of my lifetime, you know. While it is no secret that we as youkai are their direct progeny, the Gods also dallied with humans bestowing their favors as they saw fit. One such human, a fisherman by the name of Urashimako, or so they say, caught the eye of Otohime, daughter of the former Dragon God, Ryūgū-jō. It was Otohime who having fallen in love with this commoner at first sight welcomed him to live amongst her kind for many years. They mated; blessing the human with gift of longevity but from their union came no children. It would seem that while Otohime's beauty was unrivaled it was not enough to stave off the loneliness of hundreds of years of isolation from his own kind. Humans are not meant to be away from humans and certainly not suited for immortality. They're too fragile and far too fickle in my opinion. What she saw in that silly human, I will never know."

Sesshoumaru's brow furrowed just a bit, "This is forgotten lore. My okaa-sama* once told me this tale as pup but I do not understand what this has to do with miko?"

"Ahhh… such impatience. A pup you still are, young one," Bokusenou chuckled once again. "You seek me out. You must endure my tales. Surely you should know this by now."

Taking the admonishment with dignity, the daiyoukai gracefully took a seat against one of he youkai's gnarled branches. It made more sense to be comfortable whilst he heard this tale especially if the information he sought was long off.

"Yes, yes, settle in. It has been far too long since I've had a visitor willing to hear my long-winded memories. Time has a way of changing tales to suit the teller but, you must remember whelp that in every tall tale there is a grain of truth if you're willing to seek it out."

If the old youkai could shake his head, he would, "Hmmm… Now where was I? Oh yes! Perhaps Otohime knew her pet could not last amongst her people too so she set him free. Anyways, with the dragon princess' blessing she returned him to his world with an enchanted Tamatebako*. The goddess sent Urashimako away with strict instructions not to open the box under any circumstance. Upon his arrival back to his village, the former fisherman realized how much time had truly passed since he left. Although his family had grown and flourished, as humans tend to do, there was not one person among his ilk who knew him even though many knew of his legend. In the end, the grief of being alone once again was too much for him to bear. He grew absent-minded in his sorrow and opened the box Otohime gave him. "

"Indeed, Otohime chose a human suitor on a whim and mated him only to grant his wish to return to his world years later. Her gift, however, was a double-edged sword. She knew what awaited him in his world and she knew well enough the consequences should he return. It is unknown if she warned him and would not heed her. Alas, she must have known that he was impatient and the years did naught to temper his will. Whatever the case, his returned sparked a commotion like none seen before. Some were in awe of him, anointing him a God amongst men while other humans wanted proof that he lived amongst being who could not die. The only memento from his time spent in the other realm that remained in his possession was that box. When he finally opened it, all the years that he left behind in the mortal realm struck him at once and he aged so rapidly his body eventually disintegrated into dust."

"Pitiful," Sesshoumaru muttered.

"Ah, I suppose so. For some love is a fickle, fleeting thing. That Otohime did love her some humans though. I heard a rumor that she went on to breed with some other human*. Such an odd being that one. Anyhow, the miko and Otohime share a connection of sorts. For you see time has a way of warping things, whether it be love or in this case magic. Otohime sent Urashimako through a portal many moons ago and somehow the fair miko you speak of travelled through it. The world from which she originates is a place shrouded in mystery I must confess but, I guarantee you it certainly is not the home of the Gods. She is and is not of this world and I will not tell you more than this especially when Kagome can certainly tell you better."

"Of this world but not," Sesshoumaru mused quietly.

Such an explanation could have been written off as nonsense had it been uttered by any being save Bokusenou. But what exactly did it mean? The youkai pondered the raven-haired miko known as Kagome and let the facts he'd gathered about her run through his mine. She was an oddity to be sure; the manner in which she held herself, her odd speech patterns and that indecent clothing she constantly wore. Even though her wardrobe appeared much more subdued of late, she still refused to conform to the garb befitting her station as a priestess or even her own species. Instead of that ridiculously short excuse for a kimono she often sported in the past, her legs were covered in form fitting black bottoms tucked into strange but sturdy boots of black leather that laced up her calves. Her tops were still flimsy as ever, leaving her arms and sometimes parts of her torso uncovered.

Perhaps, it was his own fault that he had yet to piece together the puzzle that was Kagome. Since merging packs, he carefully positioned himself as an observer, never actively engaging anyone without due cause. He listened to the conversations around him, storing pertinent information when he saw fit. The daiyoukai knew his presence altered the dynamics of their pack and the conversations flowing around him were often strained by fear and wariness. He paid it little if no heed as he did most things. It was beneath his notice to be concerned with such trivial matters. Yet somehow the more he tried to ignore the miko, the more she peaked his curiosity.

Although the girl was known for being forthright, time seemed to have matured her. There were occasions during their travels when the raven-haired young woman seemed pensive and lost in thought. The miko didn't babble inanely as much as she once did even though she was still was unnecessarily cheery most of the time. Despite it being ultimately her agreement for the two packs to work together, she avoided directly addressing Sesshoumaru even when he inevitably fought with InuYasha. That was until today.

Discretely he flexed his remaining hand, replaying the evening's events in his mind. His claws gleamed, catching the rays of moonlight. Although he fully healed mere minutes after their encounter, he could still feel the sparks of her purity dancing over his skin. It was unsettling to say the least. Closing his fist, he sighed quietly.

"So Sesshoumaru, you've taken to traveling with your hanyou sibling?" Bokusenou mused before yawning deeply.

"Hn," Sesshoumaru replied, not at all surprised that his youkai companion knew.

"Certainly you'll have some interesting stories to tell," the Magnolia youkai sighed before closing his eyes once again.

The taiyoukai did not spare the now slumbering tree a reply. Instead, he lifted his gilded gaze to the star filled sky peeking through the treetops and flexed his hand impulsively before sighing.

*Another chapter done! Whew this was a hard one for me but I like it. Thanks for all the reads! Please don't hesitate to review!*

Author's Notes-

*Fukai Mori - "Deep Forest" in Japanese. Also the title of InuYasha's 2nd ending theme.

*Tamatebako - an origami cube that can be opened from any side

*Okaa-sama – formal address for mother in Japanese

*Otohime apparently went on to wed a hunter by the name of Hoori and birthed a son whose descendants would go on to include the 1st Emperor of Japan.

I referenced Urashimako or Urashima Taro in this chapter. It is the tale that dates back to the 8th century about a fisherman named Urashima Taro who saved a turtle from being antagonized by a group of children. As a show of gratitude the sea turtle takes the fisherman to the Palace of the Dragon King and reveals her true identity as princess Otohime. Although it appears to be a Japanese fairytale, there happens to be a Shrine in Kyoto as well as some written material regarding a man by the name Urashimako who returned to his homeland after a nearly 300 year absence.

I took creative license with the story as an explanation for the existence of the well Kagome has been traveling through. Its history was never explained oddly enough but it goes without saying the magic that activates it has to be as old as time.