-1Oh wow thank you guys so much for your heart warming replies, I was a little worried about the previous chapter, but you all have been fantastic. So reverent bow, and hugs to all of you!!

This is a long chapter, you might want a cup of tea, at the side, and a biscuit LOL.

Thank you's go to;

Koori Youkai Hime - Sesshy felt bad, but, he's a gentleman at heart. Thought approaching from Keade's angle would be something different, and I'm so glad you liked it!! She still doesn't know everything yet, there's a little more explanation in here. She still doesn't know about Kikyo and Inuyasha.

ChickOfTheDarkMoon - Thanks for the lovely review

Lildevil0644 - Thank you

Elemental573 - So happy you liked

Elemental573 - Yep Kikyo is a bad bitch!!

Birning Ice - A very sweet review, thank you!!

Urascoldaswater - No worries, thanks for taking the time to review Urascoldaswater - I know I hate Kikyo too!! Kikyo and Kanna need to seriously go jump into a hole, that I can get some hot treacle and cook em!

Urascoldaswater - 3x reviews Lol thank you!! GET WELL SOON!!!!

Ms.Puerto Rican - Hehe, loved the twisted plot, YAY! thank you for the review.

Inuyasha1818 - Thanks, updated!

Unsigned reviewer - you've got the plot figured out! Well done you!! Updated

Juusan'ya - nice to see you again. Thanks for the review!

I'm so pleased to see so many were shocked to see Kikyo, and how much you've all expressed your disliking! Don't worry she'll get her just rewards!

Please read the note at the bottom of the chapter, when your done. Many thanks to all of you!! Without further ado, here's the next chapter…………

Chapter 9

The demon exterminator and monk

"please sit" Keade motioned to Sesshoumaru and Kagome. Kimiko gathered more steaming hot tea, and handed the two Inu Youkai a cup each.

"I don't know what I can tell you, as far as I was aware, I was born three years ago. I had no past memories, no past anything. All I knew was my name, and that my name was Kagome. I was found by a pack of wild dogs, they took me in, nursed me back to health, and I lived with them." Kagome confessed to Keade, who wanted to find out as much information as possible.

"And ye sought me out?" Keade questioned

"No, I didn't. until I laid my eyes on you, I did not know who you were. I heard your voice, something familiar about it intrigued me, that I had to find the owner" Kagome shifted uncomfortably, holding her hot tea, looking deeply into the pale green liquid.

"I was the one that sought you out Keade-sama. Kagome has been plagued with past memories in the form of nightmares. And the only nightmare that replays is the one of her death. I thought of breaking that cycle, if there was another way of remembering others, that weren't present at that time. We were on the return to my castle, and your village is along the path, I needed to see for myself, if she could remember anyone else, and she can" Sesshoumaru turned his gaze to Kagome who was lost in deep thought staring into her cup.

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"Please we need your help" Sai pleaded, as she and her twin appeared to Kagome, in a flash of light, whilst she was sitting alone.

"Come with us, you're the only one that can help her" Cho added, walking away slowly

"Hold on let me tell….." Kagome answered, wanting to tell her companions that she was leaving for a moment.

"There's no time, please she's dying." Sai remarked, pleading her with her eyes

"Okay" Kagome walked towards the two twin Shikigami.

The two girls turned into little glowing balls of light, flying up, Kagome followed, running as fast as she could, ducking tree branches, thorny shrubs scratching at her legs.

Within minutes, Kagome caught up to the two girls. They stood before the base of a waterfall, holding an urn, filled with graveyard soil, pouring it in to the water.

"All you have to do is touch her" Cho pointed to figure in the depths, dressed in a miko garb, her raven black hair floating all around her body, looking deathly pale. A deep purple mist seeping out of her wound, on her left shoulder.

"Poor thing….is that…."

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"Kagome?" Sesshoumaru interrupted her thoughts, Kagome blinked repeatedly, placing her cup on the table, before rubbing her face with her hands.

"I need to go for a walk" Kagome stood quickly, running an anxious hand over her face and, through her hair. Sesshoumaru stood placing a hand upon her shoulder. Kagome looked at him, pain and nervousness shining in her eyes.

"If you don't mind I want to be alone" Kagome's voiced trembled, as if some sudden realisation had come to her, and frightened her.

"If you do not return within the hour, I am coming after you" Sesshoumaru said, watching her leave slowly for the door, she turned a side long glance to him, nodding acceptance, before running out of Keade's hut.

" Is she alright?" Keade questioned, worriedly

"The memories are coming too fast, I fear I have caused greater harm , by bringing her here. She is still fragile of the mind, and heart as of late." Sesshoumaru replied, drinking his tea.

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Kagome ran into the forest, her mind screaming at her, that she should know where she was. Of the well that was covered over by a small well house. Tears slid down her face as she continued to run. She stopped before the ancient god tree. Her eyes taking the area, she knew it, but couldn't remember it. Everything about this village screamed at her, that she knew where she was, but the memories were locked away, threatening never to me released. That it would hurt her too much, if she remembered everything all at once, but somewhere deep inside, they were forcing themselves to the surface, spilling over one another. As though this village was the focal point of all those hidden memories.

Kagome approached the God tree, stepping up upon a branch, running her hand along the dead bark, with the small hole near the top of the bare trunk. She placed her head upon the bark, and allowed the tears to flow freely.

"Why do I know this tree? Why am I compelled to be here? I'm so lost, and confused…Why?"

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"Miroku do we have to come to Keade's village? You know how much I detest walking through his forest" Sango motioned, her face twisted with hatred, of thinking of him.

"My dear Sango, we promised lady Keade, that we would return, after the birth of our child, and she would bless her, over the grave of your sister. So Kagome could look down and protect the little one, like she does our son" Miroku added, placing a comforting arm around his wife.

"I miss her so much Miroku, sometimes I feel that she's still here" Sango cried, holding her daughter tightly in her arms.

"I know Sango, so do I." Miroku looked into the trees seeing a woman, leaning against the God tree, running her hand across the trunk, of where Inuyasha used to be pinned to, fifty-six years ago.

"wait here" Miroku placed Sango close by, but out of harms way, as he approached the woman, with her back to him.

Miroku POV

I do not know why anyone would want to be so close to Inuyasha's tree, but I had to find out. If she's lost, then I will take her to the village. No-one should be this close to him, but wait, two blue stripes upon her wrist, two on her ankles. She's bare foot, claws on her hands. She's not wearing much of anything, that's disgraceful.

But she's crying, she deeply saddened by something. I know she's a demon, for only demon's have markings like that, judging her attire, I'd think she were Ookami. The breeze picked up, blowing her raven hair away from her back, that's when I saw it. That scar, from her left hip to her right shoulder.

End POV

Sango had seen it too, she left her two children with Kilala, then joined standing beside Miroku. She always kept her Hiraikotsu close by, and as usual it was strapped to her back, Sango refused to walk through his forest without a weapon, when she was with her family.

"why? Why? Why?" Kagome yelled, between sobs, throwing her hands against the tree.

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"So ye are saying that Kagome is being targeted, that someone is still after her?" Keade remarked, sipping on her tea subconsciously.

"her adoptive family were murdered a few days ago, Kagura was supposed to relay information back to her new master, however she refused. She knew it was Kagome, and yet, she was willing to disobey in order to keep him or her from finding out that she was resurrected". Sesshoumaru continued.

"I see, and you are protecting her" Keade remarked, a soft smirk upon her face

"I do not want to see her hurt, when she cannot readily remember who it was she died along with, and who was the one who killed her in the first place. She is confused, lost within her own mind. She seeks answers that she cannot find fast enough, it is tearing her up inside" Sesshoumaru's attentions cast our to the forest.

"what is wrong?" Keade questioned

"I will return soon" Keade heard him leave, and continued to sip silently on her green tea, thinking to herself, as to who could be after the resurrected Shikon-miko.

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"miss, please, turn around. Are you lost?" Miroku asked, taking another cautious step forward towards the distressed woman.

"in more ways than one" she replied

"there is a village not far from here, we can take you there" Sango added following Miroku's lead, and approaching the woman.

"Please leave me alone, all of you" Kagome called out, turning her gaze to the trees, where she knew Sesshoumaru was standing.

Sesshoumaru appeared out of the trees, approaching Kagome. Placing a hand on her shoulder, pulling her close to him. She placed her head on his chest and cried, wrapping her arms around him tightly. He in turn wrapped his around her, holding her.

"Its alright, we'll leave. I was wrong to bring you here."

"there's just too much, everything's screaming at me, and I can't drown it out. I feel like my hearts about to explode, with something that happened here long ago. Something I watched between two people, one of which I feel like I had feelings for, and the other hated me with all our combined soul" Kagome cried, Sesshoumaru holding her tighter to him.

"combined soul?" Sango voiced stepping closer.

"I wouldn't recommend it Taijia" Sango stared at him puzzled.

"Taijia? Ever since that day three years ago, you always called me by name. why would today be any different?" Sango questioned the Demon Lord.

"he's trying to protect me…I cannot take anymore…" Kagome answered

"And why would you need protection from Sesshoumaru?" Miroku questioned

"because my heart cannot take anymore…Miroku"

Sango's and Miroku's mouths dropped, Sango released her huge weapon, the dull bone dropping heavily to the ground, as she approached the woman in Sesshoumaru's arms quickly, tears in her eyes. Sesshoumaru released her just enough to look at the Houshi and Taijia.

"Kagome? Is that really you?" Sango whispered, a hand over her heart.

"Sango" Kagome whispered back, with a nod, and more tears, falling into Sesshoumaru's Haori. Sesshoumaru released Kagome more, she seemed to want to remember the Houshi and Taijia, they had spent three years in each other's company. Sharing many happy adventures, always relying in each other. They were family to Kagome, and Sesshoumaru knew that they were no threat, to her heart.

Kagome snapped her attention back to Sesshoumaru after feeling the warmth pull away, although he wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Enough of this, I hate to see you cry" Kagome smiled and chuckled lightly

"that's more like it". Sesshoumaru pulled away completely and looked at the Youkai before him.

'so delicate'

'hold her again'

'she has stopped hurting, for now'

'I liked to hold her'

'as did I'

'she fit nicely in our arms'

'and she will again, I'm sure.'

'the kit?'

'more than likely, she will remember a kitsune, not what she will see, when she meets him again in the palace'

'we'll always be there for her…right?'

'always'

"Sesshoumaru, you removed your armour" Kagome commented, staring at the spot where it should've been.

"Hai, I hurt you with it before. It would not do us well to dwell in this forest any longer. Let us leave" Sesshoumaru commented staring at the forest of his half brother.

"Are you both coming?" Kagome asked, following Sesshoumaru

"Hai, Kohaku…kilala, you can come out now" Kilala appeared out of the bushes in her full demon fire neko form, with a three year old boy sitting on her back, while he was holding on to a baby girl. Kagome left Sesshoumaru's side, towards Kilala.

"I remember you, kilala". Kagome smiled, patting the head of the demon cat, between her ears, where she always petted her. Her eyes turned to the children.

"Kohaku, in memory of your brother?" Kagome questioned slowly as if remembering more. Sango and Miroku nodded, holding one another. Kagome took the baby out of the boys arms, and cradled her in her own, smiling.

'now that's a sight'

'she would make a beautiful mother'

'one day'

'I want her!'

'so do I, but she's on the path of finding out who she is. I will not take her from that path, not until she's ready'

'but you can offer her so much comfort, as her mate'

'true, but the decision will always be hers, and hers alone'

Kagome walked towards Sango and Miroku with their baby in her arms, she handed her gently to Sango, smiling all the while.

"you always were a kind soul, when it came to children" Miroku chirped, as he looked at Kagome, who was beaming as though the infant were her own.

"she's beautiful, what's she called?" Kagome asked, Sango and Miroku looked at one another.

"We were going to name her Kagome, after you". Sango blushed.

Kagome took her place by Sesshoumaru's side once again, and followed him back down the beaten path towards Keade's village.

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"I have to say Kagome, your choice in attire, seems to diminish more and more over the years…..not that I'm one to complain" Miroku added, earning a glare from Sango. Kagome giggled.

"I've missed that, and you guys, my memories of you both are returning slowly, all those glares, and you at one time Miroku, were such lecherous monk!" Kagome giggled more, Sesshoumaru glared at the Houshi.

"What?" He growled, only audible enough for Kagome to hear, which made her smile even more, shaking her head.

'That's it, definitely changing her attire this instant!'

'he touched her?'

'Do not remind me, I will have to ask her how many times later'

growl he touched what was ours!

"milord, there you are, here is the kimono you asked for" the neko demon handed Sesshoumaru a package, bowed and left.

"Kimono?" Kagome questioned.

"for you, come in to Keade's, and put it on" Sesshoumaru lead the group to Keade's home, to where he left his armour on the floor, on the pillow that was originally Kagome's seat, before she left. Rin was playing with kimiko around the hut, and Jaken was sitting quietly, drinking tea with old Keade.

"Do my ears deceive me, Sango…Miroku, it is good to have you return" Keade voiced, standing from her position. Sango and Miroku hugged the old miko tightly in welcome. Sesshoumaru sat down once again, replacing his armour, Miroku sat opposite him, and Keade remained at the head of the table.

Sango sat down beside Miroku, whilst Kagome went behind the screen to put the kimono on. There was a lot of shuffling, going on behind the screen, that had Sesshoumaru's keen interest. Sango smiled, after a nudge from Keade, she stood from her pillow and went around the screen to help her sister.

A few more minutes of the two girls giggling about wearing something backwards and inside out, Sango reappeared looking a little flustered, but grinning all the same. She sat down next to Miroku once again, taking her tea in her hand

'I'm going to enjoy this, Sesshoumaru's not got a clue. And I'll be one of the first to see him shocked!'

Sango sipped her tea, a silent indication to Kagome who emerged from the screen. Sesshoumaru placed his cup down on the table along with Miroku, whilst Sango smiled from behind the rim of hers. Sesshoumaru's eyes were sweeping over Kagome, taking in every detail, his mouth slightly agape. Sango couldn't hold in a giggle, at seeing the usually stoic demon lord, shocked.

Wow

She's gorgeous!

She always was

In that scanty piece of cloth, left nothing to the imagination, anyone could look at her, and see everything.

She looks amazing!

Like a lady of the demon court.

Sesshoumaru realised he dropped his usually non expressive mask, and tried to pull it back up, but was unsuccessful. He stood as Kagome approached.

She was in the icy blue silk that Sesshoumaru had decided upon during the morning. The under kimono was white, embroidered intricately with deep blue crescent moons. The top layer of the kimono was embroidered with sakura blossoms in the softest pink on the left sleeve, the sakura tree on the right, embroidered in black. With the symbol of yin and yang on its base, standing on her right thigh, was the image of The Great Western Inu Youkai, with red eyes, maroon stripes upon his cheeks, green claws, and a purple crescent moon adorning his forehead. It wasn't a full length kimono, but stopped below her knees. The split went mid thigh, but the under kimono was whole underneath. No flesh could be seen, she had pulled her long raven hair to the side, allowing it to hang down her left front.

'the tailor has done well, I greatly approve'

'I like his detailing of us standing in full form on her right thigh'

'the colour truly suits her well, brings out the blue in her eyes'

'with that detail, anyone wouldn't dare challenge us for possession'

Sesshoumaru smirked as she took her seat beside him, attempting to be lady like, with her hands folded in her lap, nibbling on her lower lip with slight nervousness. He took his seat once again, although unable to remove his eyes from her.

"Kagome-chan you look so pretty!" Rin squealed with delight, looking at Kagome's kimono closely.

"Arigato Rin-chan" Kagome replied.

'I cannot believe the beauty of this kimono'

Although you do realise, with his image on it, means he wants you

'What? Why would he want me?'

I'm only telling you like it is. It's a males way of saying will you be mine.

'really?'

And with you wearing such a kimono, usually means yes…

I don't believe you

Ask him then, he tells no lies.

I don't case even if it does mean that.

You don't?

No, because I like him.

Kagome smiled sliding her azure eyes to Sesshoumaru, as a blush crept up on her cheeks.

'I really do like him'

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Thought I'd end this chapter on a sweet note ;D

This is it for six days! Unfortunately, I have to go to work. And I won't be home from work for six days, please don't flame me. I wrote this chapter extra long too, because of this reason!