Wow, I am so SORRY that it has taken me so long to update. My schedule has been nuts, and I'm working on another story that I'm hoping to publish on within the next month or so. I promise, I will be working on this story as much as possible, and I be watching the show for much needed inspiration (wink, wink, excuse to watch TV). I hope you enjoy this chapter, and please leave a review!!!


Chapter Six

Western Lands

The next several days were incredibly trying for the entire group. Inuyasha had noticed the hushed tension between Amaya and Goukuma, and had decided that it was his duty to poke fun at them for the slightest reason.

For example, Goukuma, instead of sleeping near Amaya as he had when first joining the group, had opted to rest nearer to Inuyasha. Of course, Inuyasha being Inuyasha, had decided that he should say something along the lines of how the new lovers were arguing already. And, of course, Amaya had had to punch him in the face.

As trying as it was, Amaya still found solace in these new friends of hers. They all functioned through the arguments and petty disputes, and it never failed to make her smile, even though she was aching.

It had pained her to tell Goukuma the things she did, but she had to. When she saw him, he was a fellow outsider like her, and a friend that she could confide in, but he was not the person that she could fall in love with. There was something missing in her, something that wouldn't allow her to see him as more than a friend.

Needless to say, it was a relief when they finally reached the Western Lands late on their fifth day of travel.

It was a strange, pristine place, where the villagers were all demons and they interacted as a single unit. The children played in the fields. It was not unlike the small village that the group called home.

Whispers reached the ends of the village that Inuyasha, the half breed brother of the lord had arrived, and soon there was a welcoming party for them at the courtyard of the mansion. Rin was ahead of them.

When she saw them, she smiled her brightest, and those who knew her would swear that they still saw that glimmer of childhood and innocence that had once defined her. Her blue and white kimono fluttered in the wind as she waited for them at the entrance.

"Welcome," she said, bowing to them. "I have told everyone that you are all my honored guests. My home is your home."

"Yeah, yeah," Inuyasha said. "Where is my bastard of a brother?"

Rin looked a bit shocked, but she was used to Inuyasha's behavior.

"He's out with his troops checking the borders of the lands. He should be back by tonight," Rin said, taking everything in stride. By this time, she had led them all to a sitting room where they could all sit. "I have already sent for tea and refreshments. I'm sure you are all tired from your trip."

Kagome took the seat to Rin's left, while Inuyasha sat next to her. Amaya and Goukuma took the places across the small circle, and Miroku and Shippo were next to them.

Kagome was the first to speak.

"We believe that Naraku has made a move," she said, and watched as Rin visibly stiffened. After having been possessed by Naraku's minions and then killed, only to be brought back to life as a demon, Rin's experiences were undoubtedly still weighing heavily on her.

"What happened?" she asked.

"A demon who called himself the Kon-Kiipaa came after Inuyasha," Miroku explained. "We think that he is somehow in alliance with Naraku, or is perhaps a diversion."

Rin nodded, taking it all in. Her smile had long since faded as she waited for more of an explanation.

"He specifically asked for me," Inuyasha said, leaning forward on his hands.

"And he got away from me," Amaya said, anger clear in her voice.

"Oh, where are my manners?" Rin said, as though just noticing the new faces. "I'm Rin, Sesshomaru's mate."

"I'm Amaya Imamura," she said, waving from across the circle of friends.

"She comes from my time, Rin," Kagome explained, and the young girl understood.

"And you are?" she asked of the demon next to Amaya.

"I am Goukuma of the bear demon tribe. I have not had a chance to come by and congratulate you and Sesshomaru. The children must be quite the handful."

"Yes, but they are a blessing as well," she said, smiling fondly when her children where mentioned.

"Can we get back to the real reason we're here?" Inuyasha asked.

"Be nice, Inuyasha," Kagome said. "We're in her home, show some respect."

Miroku and Amaya nodded, and he took exception to this.

"Hey, you were all the ones who wanted to make this trip. I wanted to handle this myself, but no, you all wanted some help."

"I see, but you'll have to wait until Sesshomaru comes back in order to ask for that help," Miroku said. He sat cross-legged, and helped himself to some tea when the tray was brought to each person.

"Feh," he sniffed, and soon he was mentally out of the conversation.

Several moments passed in silence as the group drank some tea and eat a few pieces of pastry. It was mere moments later, however, when a small, green demon waddled into the room.

"M'lady, the babies are ready for their dinner," he said, leaning his brown staff. He squawked, however, when he saw the group. "What are they doing here?" he said, pointing a withered finger at them.

"They have come to speak to Lord Sesshomaru, Jaken," she said, standing and turning to the group. "If you'll please excuse me, the babies get quite cranky if they are not fed on time. Jaken will show you around the house, and to your rooms."

Though he balked about it, the demon reluctantly agreed, knowing that to defy Lady Rin's wishes would mean a very severe punishment from the Lord when he got home.

The rooms were vast, and once they had been showed to their accommodations, the only place left to see was the room that housed the weapons. Inuyasha was particularly excited about seeing that particular room, but Jaken had insisted that they wait for the master's return before seeing that room.

The two girls and Shippo received a large room with more feminine furnishings, while the men were assigned a room that was more plain, yet large enough to accommodate them all.

"I will have the servants prepare dinner for you all," Jaken said, a little bemused. It was still a mystery to him how the two brothers had come to be on speaking terms, let alone hospitable to each other. Although the demon would never think of defying his lord or his lady, it was still in him to distrust the small group of allies.

With one last little scratchy sigh, Jaken walked away, leaving the girls to themselves.

"Is it just me, or was that toad a bit hostile toward us?" Amaya asked, and Kagome laughed.

"That's just Jaken. Except for that staff of his, he's pretty well harmless. Just don't let him hear you say that."

"Okay. Between you and me, I want to see that weapons room. If this Sesshomaru guy is as bad-ass as you say he is, he must have a killer arsenal."

Kagome nodded. "He does."

It was at that moment that Rin stepped into the room, a wide eyed and chirping baby in each arm.

"Oh my goodness, look how big they're getting," Kagome exclaimed, picking up Tsukiko and holding her close.

"That they are. Their appetite is insatiable, I'm afraid." Rin pretended for a moment to find this unacceptable, but in truth she prayed everyday, thanking the gods for her two beautiful, healthy babies.

"Dinner is served, if you are ready," she then said, and the two women followed her, soon to be joined by the men.

The dining hall was large, and the places were prepared with bowls of rice and vegetables, and a richly spiced chicken, as well as fire roasted fish and dumplings. Amaya sighed, thankful for so much food.

Taking her place, she looked around, waiting for someone else to start eating, and when Shippo reached for his fish with enthusiasm, Amaya did so as well, rolling up her sleeves and delving into the chicken.

"Good food," she said to Rin, flashing her a thumb up. She could tell that the other woman was confused, but nodded and smiled to let her know that it was a good thing.

Shippo and Inuyasha seemed to have a competition going on who could finish first, and it soon proved to be the young fox demon who could indeed best the adult half-demon. A fight broke out soon as Inuyasha attempted to steal Shippo's rice, yet that was soon ignored as Kagome and Rin began talking like the oldest of friends.

Amaya looked over at Goukuma, who was well adapt at pretending to be a stone wall, and she winked, catching his attention.

Reaching over with her chop sticks, Amaya snatched a morsel of fish from Inuyasha's bowl and stuffed it into her mouth, rendering the dog-demon into a wide-eyed state of shock.

"You stole my fish!" he said, pointed a deadly clawed hand at her.

"You stole his rice," she countered, and looked rather smug about it.

"Yeah, well now you owe me something."

"I owe you jack shit," Amaya said, crossing her arms. She raised a brow and assumed her most intimidating stature.

From her seat, however, Amaya watched in amusement as Shippo took this opportunity to help himself to the rest of Inuyasha's fish, and a few of his dumplings. Inuyasha, not taking notice of this, continued to argue loudly, gaining the attention of everyone.

When he finally settled down, he looked down to the food that was supposed to have been eaten by him, yet wasn't, he went into another rage.

"Brother, I see your manners have not improved."

All went silent as the voice reached them, and the group turned to look at the new presence in the room.

Sesshomaru was a presence and a force to be reckoned with. At least, Amaya noticed that right away. His eyes went automatically to his mate and children, to ensure their safety amongst the group first, and then he let his eyes travel to the guests in his house.

"I assume there is a reason you are here, half-breed."

"Yeah, there's a reason," Inuyasha responded, crossing his arms.

Sesshomaru seemed to absorb this, even though no specifics were given. He knew that Inuyasha would never have come to the Western Lands to seek his aid unless the situation was dire.

"We will speak later, then."

It was then that introductions were done, and Amaya found that everything was very tense. Especially around the two brothers.

The evening continued with a more thorough walk through the grounds, and though it was quiet, it was peaceful. Kagome watched all of the demons in the village, and it was so like the human village that it brought about a pang of homesickness.

Amaya fell back so that she was walking in sync with Goukuma.

"What are you thinking about?" he whispered, looking down at her.

"It's beautiful here," she said, looking around. "I've never seen such a place."

He nodded, looking toward the group in front of them.

"I think I have a plan," Goukuma said, and he was barely audible.

"Whatever it is, I'm with you. I swear, if they don't jump each other soon, one or both of them will probably end up dead."

He laughed, again letting his golden eyes settle on her. His plan for Inuyasha and Kagome, which was quite brilliant if he did say so himself, was secondary to his desire to have Amaya. He watched her now, the way the purple sunset played along her black hair, and the way she smiled when she watched the moon and stars.

When they had finally made their way back into the mansion, the group walked the halls together, and without truly realizing where they were, Sesshomaru led them into a room that was twice the size of their bedrooms.

"This where I store my weapons. Few can ever claim the privilege of being allowed in here," he said, glaring pointedly at Inuyasha.

"It's true," Rin said. "He won't even let anyone in to clean. You'll have to forgive us for the dust."

"This is amazing," Amaya whispered, walking from case to case, and practically salivating over the variety of weapons.

The group watched her as she gently trailed her fingers over a red velvet lined table, which had a tilted top, with hooks holding up three swords. She fiddled with a silver ring on her thumb, as she examined the swords carefully.

"This sword," she said, reaching out. "This is the most beautiful blade I have ever seen."

"Do not touch that sword," Sesshomaru said, the threat palpable in the room as he moved toward her.

Yet Amaya already had her hand around the hilt, and was lifting the weapon off of the case.

"Amaya, listen to me," Kagome said, walking forward. Panic was clear in her voice. "Drop that sword."

"Something's happening," Amaya whispered, her eyes still trained on the blade. Goukuma was at her side in a moment, hands gripping her shoulders. Winds and bolts of lightening burst through the room. Amaya's head tipped back, and her wide open eyes filled with black.

"Let go of the sword," he yelled at her. He tried to take it from her, but a red blast of power sent him flying into the air. Then, in a concluding flash of light, the room stilled and silence ensued. Amaya looked from person to person.

"What just happened?" she asked. Goukuma reached out to take the sword from her, only to be shocked with a small strike of lightening. Sesshomaru tried the same, only to be met with similar results.

"Master. My true Master."

"Did this fucking sword just fucking talk?" Amaya screamed, looking over at Sesshomaru.

"Yes," he said, his jaw clenched. "It seems that Father's sword has chosen a human as its master."

"Hey, listen, I'm sorry," Amaya said, handing the sword out. "It's all yours. I had no right to touch it."

He gently pushed at her hands so that the sword rested at her chest. "Take it," he said, and it sounded strangely like defeat.

"I can't believe what I'm seeing," Inuyasha said indignantly. "Every single human who has ever touched that sword has turned into a soulless killer. What are you that makes you so different?"

Amaya couldn't say anything, she could only watch as Sesshomaru handed her a sheath.

"Guard Souunga with your life. This sword," he said. "Is dangerous. Never let it leave your side."

She nodded, and swallowed.

"I'm really tired," Amaya said quickly, walking past the group to the room that she shared with Kagome, and she closed the door.

Once inside, Amaya clutched the sword to her chest and fell against the only wooden wall, sliding to the ground. Letting the sword fall to the ground, she felt tears prickle at her eyes.

"Why does shit like this keep happening to me?" Yet she knew, beyond any doubt, that this was all apart of her fate. And she also knew that fate was about to knock her feet out from under her. It was inevitable, and when it happened, it was going to be devastating.


Okay, tell me what you think!!! The plot is really moving along, and I'm hoping to shock more than a few of you! As always, please leave some reviews to encourage quicker writing, and until next time, I wish you all the best.

Signed,

Tears of My Heart