Sorry, I would have updated yesterday but I was literally "dead on my feet" with the work I've been doing at my job the past few days. But regardless, I continue to write! I would like to thank: purduepup, Inu'sgirl4ever, Mika, dasiy31, DiscipleofAnime, kinara103, Da-Finest-Blackanese-Miko, and katelynhonky for reviewing-the most reviews for a chapter I've gotten so far for this story! Keep it up guys! Anyway, here's another chapter to enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. The sexy hanyou and any and all characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I only own Akio Higurashi and the plot!


"My love for you is a journey; starting at forever, and ending at never." -Author unknown

Chapter 8

The two cousins made it to a cozy one story home near the edge of the village. Herbs of many kinds grew in gardens around the house and the smell of incense to repel demons surrounded the area. Not only was Kaede the current village priestess, but she was an expert in medicine; curing anything from mumps and measles to demon inflicted attacks. Many in the village came to this home seeking wisdom and medicine, as well her expertise in vanquishing demons.

The woman in question was standing outside her door, presumably waiting for them. She was easily recognized when she wore her priestess outfit. And the eye patch across her right eye, caused by an old injury, was something she never spoke of. So the girls quickly made their way to her.

"Konbawa, Kaede-san." They greeted, bowing in unison before Kagome's mentor.

"Aye, welcome Kagome and young Rin." She gave he own little bow. Her voice was deep and low. "Come in, come in. Let's get started, shall we?"

Both females went in through the mat and slid off their shoes. The house smelt of the herbs she grew, not a pleasant smell but not repulsive. They made their way through the small corridor and into the sitting room, where 3 mats were placed along a table with tea cups at each setting.

"Ah, I see ye have brought your arrows, Kagome. Excellent, we will need them for our lessons today." Kaede saw the bow and arrow she had given her young apprentice as the child placed them beside her. Then she began to pour the herbal tea in each cup.

"What will we be learning today, Kaede-san?" Rin asked eagerly as she accepted her cup.

"My my, ye have a healthy appetite to learn, young Rin." Kaede smiled as she poured tea for her apprentice. "About as much as your older cousin here."

"Well, I'd like to help people one day, so I would like to know everything about demons." She took a sip and moaned. "The tea is delicious."

Kagome agreed with her own drink. "Yes, Kaede-san. It is in fact soothing."

"That is the affect of the herb I brewed. It's suppose to soothe the inner nerves." Kaede explained. "Today is going to be especially important, since the summer is near its peek, the demons have been more active."

"Why is that, Kaede-san?" Rin asked.

"Maybe I should tell ye both from the beginning. It's a rather long tale, which will include the history, abilities, strengths and many more details about the mysterious world of demons." Kaede closed her eye, calmly sipped her tea, and looked to the young girls who sat quietly in the late afternoon light streaming from the lone window.

"Demons have existed since the beginning of time; way before any other creature, including humans. It's said they were created by the falling tears of blood by the First Kami, whose name is lost forever. When the blood was shed on the vacant country of Japan, supernatural beings of varying strengths and powers formed the first known generation of demons. They bred and formed new bloodlines, furthering their races while coexisting peacefully.

But when humans came, there was a shift, an unbalance of dominance and power. Then began a never ending battle between the two races, fighting for superiority and to become the dominant race. Humans, after a while found new ways to destroy the beasts, but since demons have lived for far longer, it was their endless numbers that gave them the advantage. The Kami had never seen such foolish behavior and so sought to finally create peace. They created a powerful storm, which destroyed nearly everything in its path.

When it was over, the two enemies decided it was best to put their rage and hatred aside and work together to pick up the pieces of their former lives and start anew." Kaede closed her eye and took a big sip.

"So that's how it all started." Run thought aloud.

"Aye, child." Kaede nodded.

"The Kami created the disaster first in order to bring harmony and relative peace to the two." Kagome swirled the tea in her cup.

"Unfortunately, after the catastrophe, that's when the divide of the demons began. There was the evil, who loathed the humans and didn't want nothing to do with them. And the good, who decided it was better to coexist with the humans, and that's where we are at today."

"Kaede-san, what are the most powerful demon races?" Rin asked, which both she and Kagome looked to their mentor.

"Ah, that is one of my particularly favorite subjects." The priestess smiled and put her cup down. "There are about four known demons races who are believed to be the most powerful and probable immortal species in this region."

First, there is the Kuma; whose massive size and brute strength make it a fierce and ferocious predator.

Then there is the Ryuu; a mighty beast that has the ability of flight, can call on its natural power of fire or lightening, and its impeccable size that can overpower any opponent.

"The Neko, who have the most subspecies; are to be known as the most wittiest and most daring. They have lethal claws, a very keen sense of smell and sight, speed that is nearly unmatched and have mystical powers far beyond our comprehension, which makes them cunning, very unpredictable and extremely wicked.

And then, the Inu…"This subject was what Kagome was secretly waiting for. She would make sure to pay close attention to very word, hoping to figure out more about InuYasha without actually hinting at it, which could rouse suspicion if she wasn't careful.

"The Inu are the most well studied of the four. And are by far the most intelligent of any beast. They are capable of incredible strength and are far faster than even the Neko. They can also live for hundreds-if not thousands of years. Their sense of smell is the most well developed, enabling them to hunt down their prey within a few miles, followed by their advanced hearing that can spread for as far as ten miles! They can see very well in the dark, often using it to hunt at night to spot nocturnal prey. The Inu are also quite strong, capable of bringing down a full grown Ryuu if they have the power to. Their healing capabilities are quite astounding as well. Their blood can heal anything from a deep scratch to even a hole in their stomach."

"Do all demons have healing powers?" Rin asked.

"Nay, only the Inu and a select few of demons have such power." Kaede answered. She took a quick sip her herb tea and cleared her throat.

"Is there a difference in the blood that make Inu so…unique?"

Kaede noticed her elder pupil's eagerness and fascination with the subject. She seemed focused, more spirited and…just different. Before she only answered simple questions, shook her head silently, and was quiet in her movements. But now, there was a spark, a growing light in her deep walnut eyes. The old woman wondered, what caused such a transformation?

"The blood in the Inu have a toxin of some kind, one that can rapidly replenish and repair damage done to their skin and organs. Because of this, this is why this beast can live for a long period of time."

"Wow. You seem to know much about Inu, Kaede-san."

Kaede only smiled at the young girl. "Aye young Rin. When ye have encountered many Inu as I have, you can't help but observe and wonder."

Kagome silently sorted through all this info. Sure she knew Inuyasha could jump high distances, hear her from afar, and smell her scent. And the scars…

"Kaede…"The old woman and Rin turned to her. " Just out of curiosity, are demons unable to heal from spiritual inflicted wounds?"

Kaede's lone eye widened in alarm. Where did such a question come from? And what has gotten into her apprentice? Never did she ever seem this interested in any of her previous lessons. Now it was an entirely different matter. Now it was like she couldn't get enough information.

Regardless of her pupil's sudden change, Kaede answered. "When a priest, priestess, or monk inflict a demon with a spiritual weapon, like a sutra or a scared arrow, the demon instantly purifies into dust. But when it comes from a weapon infused with spiritual power, like a rock or a spear, the demon is seriously wounded and weakened. Eventually it recovers, but it will forever be imprinted on its body. Nothing but a permanent scar, with the barest hint of spiritual energy remaining."

Both cousins were stunned at such information. Kagome saw how scarred Inuyasha's body was and it made her ill at how much suffering he's had to endure day in and day out. It must have literally been hell for him. It was cruel, it was sickening, it was just awful how people could abuse such a wonderful person as her hanyou.

"Anyway, back to the topic of the seasonal uprising." Kaede spoke, forcing the young miko to focus again. " At every season's peek, the demons become more restless. They come in more numbers. It's because their blood is calling for more sustenance, more strength than normal. Which is why the village hunters go to hunt every day, to keep down their unruly numbers and to ensure the safety of our people."

"What about you Kaede-san?" Rin stopped her. "Do you go as well?"

"Only if I'm needed. I do not care for the profit these people seem to gain from killing them." Kaede shook her head. "I do not believe in killing for fun. If they demons aren't harmless, I do not bother."

Kagome was relieved to know that she wasn't the only one who felt that way. "What about the legend of Midoriko-sama? And how she was killed?"

The old miko thought for a while and brought up up her tea cup. "No one knows what really happening to your ancestor. I believe it was old age and disease that caused her death, but most people sought to blame the demons." She took a sip. "While I agree we need to survive one way or the other, killing demons for amusement and for the bountiful profit that goes with it is something I deeply disagree with."

After that, they got some needed archery practice before it became too dark. In the big field behind Kaede's home, where a shrine presided, Kagome followed her mentor's instructions and after a few practice shots, she was ready to advance. It was a while since she had to do archery but the young miko quickly learned how to focus and channel her spiritual energy into her shots and aim at a difficult spot. She wasn't as precise as Kaede, but the old woman told her that she had very wicked aim and the channeling of her power into her weapon was phenomenal. Kagome even went head to head with her old and wise teacher, each delivering a near perfect shot.

Kaede observed her student and noticed that she was improving very well. Maybe within a year she would perfect her aim and completely control her miko energy. It would take time, but she was confident in her pupil. While she let her oldest student now practice her meditation, to completely relax her form and begin to generate low energy shields and barriers; something that was required but was lacking, the old miko then turned her focus on young Rin, who has no spiritual power but has potential to be a wonderful medicinal expert. At thirteen, Rin was old enough to begin learning and even practice some archery herself.

Kaede had watched both her young students. Kagome was beginning to strain but it looked like she could hold a barrier longer the more she focused, and even generated a few shields. The barrier and shield were completely different but both required intense focus and pure concentration. The barrier warded off any demons in the general are where it forms, and the shield protected the user from on-coming demon attacks; that could deflect poison and demon miasma and/or disintegrate it.

Rin was solely focused on the herbs in front of her. Kaede had the girl memorizing each and every herb after she taught her the names. To be a good medicinal expert, one had to know the name of the herb she used in her medicine making. Once the young teen has completely and confidently named each herb, and its properties and uses, then she could learn how to properly make them into medicine.

Kagome was indeed a little weak when it came to the herbs but she could hold her own. When the girl was just twelve, she had gone through the same lessons that Rin was going through now. It wasn't easy, but the old miko was proud of Kagome after nearly a year of lessons. When she turned fourteen, her archery lessons began.


Before the lessons concluded, as Kagome and Rin rested in the hut, the eldest brought up a question. "Kaede-san, how exactly do you tell a bad aura from a good one?"

The old woman paused in her work. Kaede was grounding a herb for an new incense but stopped when she heard her apprentice speak. "Ye have to feel the energy from the demon, child." She looked up at Kagome. "A bad demon's aura, you can tell if it's evil by sensing the darkness surrounding its heart. You can tell the difference between naturally evil or if it's been possessed. Same with the benign."

It made perfect sense. When Kagome felt Inuyasha's demonic aura, she could only think "safe". Maybe it was because of his human heart. But it also amazed her at how he could still be gentle and caring; considering his past and the scars she's seen.

When the half moon shined light onto the hut, it was time to leave. Both girls bowed to their sensei and began the journey home.

"I never knew memorizing the herbs could be so difficult. I'm exhausted." Rin was dragging her feet, no longer her spry self.

Kagome smiled and drew her cousin in. "Don't worry Rin. It isn't so bad."

"How did you do it?" Rin asked; her eyes beginning to droop.

"Determination and hard work. And a lot of memorization…but you have the passion for it; so I'm sure you'll do fine."

Rin perked up at that. "Really?"

"Really." Kagome said confidently.

Kaede wasn't the only one who noticed her cousin's strange behavior. Her cousin was smiling now, she was talking more than she's ever seen her. Her eyes seemed brighter, her sad demeanor replaced by a happy joyous one. She wasn't worried about her, but Rin did seem curious. She wanted to ask her, but right now, all she wanted was some dinner, a bath and her nice comfortable futon.


The two had entered the now occupied home. Masako had just finished making dinner and were waiting on the girls. For once, Kagome had no qualms about eating with her family. She spoke very little but she felt like she was someone different, someone with purpose. That made her smile, knowing what the cause was. It seemed the more time she spent with her secret hanyou friend, the more she wanted to be alive. It was like she was striving to be a better person, not just for her family but for someone special; one who needed her.

When the dinner was over, Kagome freshened up with a bath, changed into a comfortable blue night gown; one with lace that ended at her knees and above her wrists. The gown didn't choke her like others did. This was one was her favorite because it gave her room to breathe. As she lit her candle beside her bed, she walked over and cracked open her window to let the night air in.

Then something caught her eye.

She picked up a flower. A lovely purple flower. She took a good whiff of it and knew that it was the lavender. She breathed it in, a smile blooming on her face, a red color tinting her cheeks. She felt the cool breeze of the night air, bringing the forest smell with it. Her hair floated around her face and her neck, her eyes closed as she took everything in.

She knew who brought this flower to her. She could feel his demonic aura, clear as a bell. Holding the lavender to her chest, inhaling the pleasant aroma, Kagome's smile never left her rosy lips and closing her eyes, she sent him a silent thank you. While her heart beat twice as fast and feelings she kept at a minimum now pumping in her veins faster, Kagome could feel a new emotion, something that was foreign to her. And it was directed at her hanyou. A feeling of warmth, of complete safety, tenderness and comfort and the need to be at his side all wrapped into one. What was it, she wondered?

But for now, she was content that InuYasha was nearby, and that the flower nestled at her bosom was beautiful, if only because he brought it to her.


Inuyasha could indeed smell her reaction to the lavender flower from his perch. She loved it, her face absolutely glowing with such happiness. He was glad that he brought her such feelings. When he found it, he was a bit nervous but he felt that he had to do something, give something to her like she did to him.

And it seemed his fears were put to rest.

Knowing that he brought the girl he cared for a wonderful ending to the day, the hanyou wrapped the new gift around his shoulders, covering his whole upper body. He leaned against the bark of his tree and after knowing Kagome would be safe tonight, Inuyasha let himself relax. He shut his moonlit eyes, letting the aroma that was Kagome wrap around him. It wasn't necessary, but the hanyou could live with the blanket for now. It was a precious gift and he would not ruin it. Besides, it gave her some fulfillment that he would be warm tonight and the peace of mind that she wanted.

It was enough to see Kagome so lively, so stubborn yet so full of energy and life. She was beautiful, pure, and his secret. As his mind lulled him to sleep, all he could think about was the woman that haunted his dreams, one that he wished he could be with forever, one with lovely brown eyes and a scent as gorgeous as she was….his one and only Kagome.


What do you think? Demon history with a cute ending? I think it turned out beautifully! The kiss will be coming up shortly, I promise. Next chapter, Sango makes an appearance! And thank you once again for your support, guys, I truly appreciate it! Until next time...

Ja Ne for now!