In this chapter one of your requests will come true. And a big thank you to 'Elspeth', I didn't know I had made such a grave mistake. I will correct it ASAP. And as for my other reviewers, thank you so much for your support. It is great to write for you guys!

Chapter 10: New Beginnings are always Difficult

Inuyasha was lying motionless on his bed in his given quarters. The first three weeks have passed so fast since he arrived in the Diwata-community that his head had started to spin as he thought about it. He groaned in exhaustion at the sheer amount of changes. It was difficult to imagine that a few weeks ago he had to sleep on tree branches or that he only owned what he wore on his person. It was also unfamiliar that he felt so relaxed. So safe.

He was unable to return to his friends for the moment, but the half-inu had started to accept that fact. At least he was not throwing fits like in the beginning. He missed his friends. Badly. But without the right 'key' the inu-hanyou was unable to pass the magical stone-gate. At least he was promised by Shioshiso that he could return at a later time. That reassured him, if there was one thing certain, it was a Diwata's promise. Apart from his missing friends Inuyasha was happy with his current situation and he knew that his co-hunters were not endangered by Naraku or anyone else. His new life was awesome and just this one time he wanted to be selfish. The hanyou grinned and recalled fondly his upside down turned new life.

After he was left with his new temporary servant/guard (?) and a little wacko glued to his leg the hanyou was piloted out of the room and into his new quarters by his eager servant. The hanyou's body felt numb and heavy with the newfound burden. Back then he was not even certain exactly what dragged him down, it could have been the small child, his exhaustion, the news of his condition or all together. He hardly registered as he was led into his room and to some soft surface as he slumped into the layers of his bed. The little girl practically purred next to him for some unknown reason. His head felt like it was stuck beneath the water. He hardly heard anything and registered even less. After a few seconds of incoherent thoughts and rumbling he was dead to the world. The little girl seemed to agree with him and fell asleep next to him and was returned later to her room by her amused mother.

As the next morning came Inuyasha finally got to take a glance at his room. It was a big and bright room with a light green carpet which seemed to be made of some sort of fur, which puzzled the young male. The bed consisted of various layers of mattresses and was about twice as high as the beds he knew from Kagome's home and far wider and a lot more comfortable than those. It was dark green like moss and the hanyou loved it. The entire stay would be worth if he could keep the soft furniture. The cupboards, wardrobe, working desk and the huge mirror in the corner were also lightly green and had an elegant edge to them. The sharp eyes of the mixed-blood could make out elegant hawk-carvings in some objects. The silver-haired male raised surprised an eyebrow, he had expected many things, including sleeping in stables or the most wretched guest room currently available, but he never imagined his new quarter to look this … noble. Still caught in his stupor he missed as Aring knocked and entered with a tray of food in his arms. He bowed politely and advanced to the bed. He put the tray on the hanyou's lap, catching the attention of the dazed youngster. "Good morning master. I see you are already inspecting your quarters, that is a lovely idea but you should wait a little. Firstly you should eat something and by the time you have finished we can discuss today's schedule and whatever you think you wish to know. I also have taken the liberty to arrange some new robes for you. Please try them on once they arrive. This should last at least until we have measured you. …What is wrong master?" the Familiar asked as he saw the incredulous expression on the young face.

The hanyou forced a smile to his lips and waved him off nonchalantly with the words that he had just been surprised but grateful for his thoughtfulness, but on the inside his blood was singing. The last time he had breakfast in bed was when his mother was still alive and if his memory did not betray him he was never measured. Never. He was so used to the baggy fire-rat robe that the thought of new clothes seemed like a dream. Besides having someone serve him was a little embarrassing and also surreal for the penniless man. He eyed the neat breakfast and helped himself after he had offered Aring something, who declined politely but determined. As the mixed-blood ate, the Familiar busied himself with the room until there was a knock on the door and a tall Diwata-male entered bringing the robes mentioned before. He exited quickly with a wave of his hand to Inuyasha and the words that they should definitely stop later at his place. The hanyou finished promptly and put the tray to the side to inspect the garments. While he tried them all on, Aring told him a little about the society and the nature of Diwatas.

Apparently Diwata aged normally like humans until they made a contract with nature, which allowed them to look as old as they wished and it also allowed them to be a child for as long as they wanted. It had confused him before when Shioshiso mentioned that with him there would be two children. But apparently a Diwata was only considered an adult when he or she bonded completely with nature and the concerned Diwata had to pass a few trials before he was even allowed to bond. The society was pretty similar to the demonic one and at the same time it contrasted sharply with it. In the Diwata as well as in the demonic society males and females were on equal footing unlike humans. In both races people were very close to their partners and children and the more powerful a Diwata or Demon was, the calmer and gentler he became. It was a balance that was often found in the world, the more powerful something was the more it liked to evade trouble of any kind. It amused the hanyou that his own half-brother was normally under the same unwritten rule of nature - at least until his temper flared. What was different were obviously the presence of the nature-linked Familiars, secondly the handling with power and the view on workmanship and last but not least the politics. Unlike demons Diwata did not reject to the idea of power shifting, in fact it was considered an honour to 'raise' the next head. Inuyasha learned that Shioshiso herself was instructed by the former head. He was apparently his great-, great-, great- and great-grandfather on his mother side, looked hardly older than early (human) thirties and went by the name of Okan.

After his first 'wardrobe-lesson' he had five new outfits that were of the typical cut worn by Diwatas. Arms and legs were covered pretty loosely and the hem tended to float around the body. What seemed too wide at the limbs was corrected at the torso where the fabrics clung desperately to the skin and emphasized the persons build. The picture was finished with a sash, getas and jewellery of choice. Inuyasha argued about half an hour before he submitted to the getas and a black bracelet with shining golden gems. 'Topaz' Aring called the shining gems he got for the hanyou and they fitted his sash nicely and made a nice contrast to the dark blue robe. After the 'dresscode-fight' the hanyou was led to the throne-room where lady Shioshiso awaited them with a little hyperactive girl next to her.

Inuyasha remembered fondly that first day and especially that moment. As he came closer the lady rose from her seat and advanced to him. She placed her elegant fingers around the beads and said friendly "Good morning, Nephew. You remembered our conversation yesterday, don't you?" The inu-hanyou nodded to the question. "Then you know what will happen now" the short-haired beauty said. The grip around the cursed necklace tightened and Inuyasha felt something leaving the woman in front of him as it was forced into the beads. The cursed item glowed in a sickly yellow while the beads gave crunching sounds from them, until they were pulverized by the force of the sheer pressure. With wide eyes Inuyasha's gaze followed the falling pieces with a fluttering heart. Shioshiso pronounced what he felt "You are free, nephew. You are no longer anyone's toy, pet or tool for frustrations. But I have to warn you Inuyasha. The next one that dares to put something that vile on you will not live to tell the tale. If you see your friends in the future make sure they understand this part." her eyes shone with promise.

After a while her eyes softened as she continued "And now let us talk about something that should be of interest to you. As you are with child we have to specify your schedule. As you are a warrior I do not wish to take the option of fighting lessons from you, but we should put these lessons to the first phase of your pregnancy until the major part becomes too dangerous for you and your babes. Firstly for you are a prince I would like you to learn to handle politics, customs and to lead the people around you. Furthermore I wish to teach you how to deal with each kind of person, no matter what status or personality they have. And for yourself I want you to have a vast amount of knowledge and to be independent. I am convinced it will help you greatly in the coming years. Besides a wise man gains respect and for all your experiences I want you to be able to clearly announce your own opinion and to show your intelligence. The last important issue is the nature bonding. Our source of power. Starting with it right now I cannot and will not allow you. Beforehand you begin you have to pass three tests like most of the Diwata. The tests relate to wisdom, maturity and comprehension of nature. If you pass all three tests you have my blessings to undergo the bonding - but do not try to bond on your own! Bonding can be dangerous and the tests show if you are ready to face nature itself. Never get cocky, Inuyasha! There is nothing more fearful than vengeful nature." She paused after that statement. When she continued her gaze was on her daughter "Normally all Diwata have to pass these tests, only certain exceptions can forgo this tradition like my daughter had to. Back then she had been very sick and to increase her stamina we allowed her to forgo one of the tests. But still it had been a close call; both the sickness and the tests had drained her almost to death. So please do not ask me to hasten your schedule." Inuyasha had listened intently the entire time. The female had been explicit but the plea had been a personal request not an order. The hanyou wondered if the mother still feared for her little girl.

Shioshiso took a step forward and gestured for the other two to follow her when she spoke "Now let us go! Today we will show you around and introduce you to various persons who will take a major part in your new life and schedule."

The inu was dazed, when her entire speech finally settled in his mind. Her ideas of his 'schedule' filled his being with growing horror but also curiosity. As the lady turned around and went ahead his body followed before he realized it. His thoughts ran free. Could he really become what she had in mind? Inuyasha hoped so and kept his mouth shut as he tried to imagine how long it would take him to be ready to pass the three tests. Maturity, wisdom and comprehension of nature … the hanyou suppressed a laugh. It would take him another hundred years to gain maturity and another millennia until people would describe him as wise. But who knows, maybe it would be fun and besides, time was a luxury he no longer had. His hands went to his belly. Next year at this time he would have a family. His own little family. Complete with elders, aunts and cousins. Some new neighbours would also be in the mix. He could not wait for the future and at the same time he dreaded that he would not be ready when the time came. But at least he was not on his own. Not anymore.

Inuyasha rolled over on his bed. The tour that followed Shioshiso's speech went almost all over the city KagayakuNiwa. A lot of people were interested in meeting him and the inu spent a lot of time with handshaking, small bantering and greetings. At first it was a little awkward but it changed after a while as he could accept that these beings really held no objections to him. On the tour he learned very fast that the Familiars looked a lot like the element or the plant which they represented. The half-blood had to practically grovel on his feet after he had stepped by accident on a root-foot of a flower-like Familiar. The master of said flower just laughed and helped him to calm the bristled plant down. Later he introduced himself as Sainoarashi and it turned out that he was one of Inuyasha's new teachers. The intense green-eyed Diwata with the round face joined him on his tour and gave some (partly dubious) references to each place and person. He reminded Inuyasha a little of Miroku aside from the fact that he never groped or proposed any female close to him. Later that day (or more in the evening) he was led into an arena where a tall male Diwata with silver eyes, aristocratic sharp features and the typical midnight-black hair introduced himself as Okan. That Diwata was his ancestor as well as the current weapon master. The silver-eyed man also belonged to the circle of teachers and would take care of his physical training. Inuyasha found him both intimidating but also intriguing. He couldn't help but shiver in anticipation. Finally he had his own weapon-master, like Sesshomaru always had! Another addition to his list of teachers was Shioshiso who insisted on showing him some understanding of politics and the quality of leadership. To his surprise (and amusement) even Tokidoki insisted on teaching him. She wanted to teach him various customs - at least those she understood herself. The mother of the child whispered later to Inuyasha to repeat her everything that the little girl would tell him, probably to make sure she didn't taught him the wrong things.

That was the first day and it was tiring in the least - but it was nothing compared to what awaited the hanyou the following days and weeks. Without even his notice the hanyou fell into a routine. In the morning he would wake up with Aring whirring by his side, who would tell him various amusing or important things while he helped him to get ready for the day. Sometimes he would eat in the great dining hall as many Diwatas preferred to share their time and meals. After his breakfast he was brought to Shioshiso who held court and before forming her judgement she would question him or order him to put himself in the concerned person's position. If she did not held court they drank tea, which she used to test him through arguments. In these arguments one of them proposed a topic and the other had to crumble the others conviction and argument. Each and every time he felt drained after these encounters as if he was squeezed through a meat grinder.

After his morals, his way of speaking and his view of the world received harsh blows by the lady, were his remains dragged to Sainoarashi. Saino was always greatly amused by his condition when he arrived. The poison-green-eyed male looked and acted even more immature than Inuyasha, but the hanyou had come to reluctantly accept the fact that the 'big-baby' had earned his title as sage rightfully. He had a huge library and was often found somewhere in its depths. The childish book-worm had taken a liking to create unique illusions or dreams to underline the current lessons and his descriptions were always precise and interesting. Some topics tended to be hilarious, if he thought them as worthless or amusing, like he did with the thought of superiority of the demon or human race. He once stated "If both races were perfect than you as a mixed-blood would be god. In fact these 'perfect' races are pretty blind as they have yet to realize that WE keep them alive. If we would slack with our duties the 'perfect beings' would wither like flowers. By the way did you know …" and then he rambled on. Saino had the habit of sometimes switching topics at an alarming speed and sometimes it was difficult to follow his trail of thought, but the lessons were always refreshing. Inuyasha wondered if that was the reason why he always got the middle lessons. Sometimes Kotodoki would join him in his classes and he was surprised and impressed by her mature side that shimmered about once a day through. After Saino's teachings he had some free time for himself until sunset. In that time he entertained himself with various fellow Diwata and Familiars, he visited certain 'hot-spots' that everyone knew and enjoyed or he went to the great hall where he and his new 'big family' (including Aring, many friends, some neighbours and those that were bored) sat comfortably and played games or just enjoyed each others company.

After his break - with the downfall of the sun - the hanyou went to the trainings-ground which was lit with torches. Okan always stood in the centre of the arena waiting for him. Apart from being a show-off, Inuyasha was more than impressed with his weapon-master. He was strong and proud and even before they clashed swords, the mixed-blood could tell that silver-eyed man was a force to be reckoned with. He was right. After a few hours the hanyou was covered in multi-coloured bruises but he was content. The older man was a great teacher. He was impatient yes, but he was also precise and knew how to train someone. At the end of each day the half-blood had a new set of bruises and cuts to show off, which would heal over night and return with the coming sunset. Another lesson Inuyasha learned within minutes was that cursing in the Diwata's presence would lead to multiple bruises or a painful jab to his head. The Diwata had even once threatened to throw him over his lap if he insisted to pollute the air, the indirect promise made the youngster immediately shut his mouth. He had no doubt that he would stick to his word. Just like Shioshiso, Okan was a man that did not make empty promises and he would be damned if he let himself be treated like some naughty pup. At the end of each training session the hanyou took a bath and headed then to bed. Sometimes there were some assignments for him left or Saino would invade the bathroom to join him. But still, everything had become a routine.

Even Kotodoki's lesson had become 'normal' to Inuyasha. Since the first day, the little girl was often found somewhere next to him and whenever they got in certain situations Kotodoki would spring an instant lesson at him. Thankfully everyone that also got caught in those lessons would help him as well.

With heavy eyes the hanyou fell asleep, dreaming of the many changes, his new classes, the people, the future and his friends that somehow found their way into the big dream-picture.

- In the western land -

Three long weeks had passed since the kidnapping. Three long weeks with no improvement whatsoever. After the strangely half-dead and yet half-alive tree swallowed their friends the group had started to question the people of the city and in the temple. None of the questioned knew exactly what that fog was, but in some old scrolls found in the temple, it was stated that the tree was once used as a gateway by 'holy beings'. But that was all. The hunters were irritated, worried and frustrated. But that was nothing compared to Sesshomaru. His blood was boiling in his veins. Somebody had stolen from him. Had attacked him. And had gotten away! With his family-member no less. His prey! Never before had somebody dared to openly mock him this way, or to steal from him for that matter. Without the medal he had no proof against the panther demons, which meant his investigations came to an halt. Without the little pest his ward was crying her eyes out (rather loudly) and without the other bigger pest these humans refused to leave his side while he investigated. That flee-ridden wolf had caught up with the rag-tag group and insisted on contaminating his air. He felt like howling!

The lord had searched everywhere - his archives, the heads of his council, had questioned his consultants and his few allies. He once again checked almost every record which occupied itself with races, legends, 'holy beings', mysteries and enchanted jewellery. But no matter where or how long he buried himself in work, he found no information that could help him out. The humans themselves started to give up. With each day they became more restless, more exhausted and more hopeless. They started to doubt that their friend would ever come back. They even started to doubt that he was still alive (except for the monk). The demon-lord knew better - he knew the half-breed was alive. That little weed wouldn't go down that easily. He could attest to that. But the more the humans refrained from the search the slower they advanced in it. Without the humans he couldn't get information out of the humans living nearby and without the dirty door-mat he couldn't get his hands on the legends of the 'primal demons' led by that door-mat-prince. Furthermore fate had it that each day new problems were added to their search. The monk and the female hunter's whelps got sick and needed care. The useless priestess had every second day some test or assignment. The wolf-cub returned from time to time to his dens and father to navigate his people through some border-business. And in his own rows of followers there were many new recruits that started to wear down his patience as well as his 'young' palace. It was as if fate didn't want them to find the way through the sacred tree.

In fact he also started to think of stopping the search entirely. Even with the medal it would have been a nuisance to put it lightly. But now after such a long time, hardly anyone would acknowledge the medal as proof. Maybe, … maybe it would indeed be the best if he started to search somewhere else. This search has brought no results and the inu-lord started to doubt it ever would. With a deep sigh the lord turned from the surrounding humans and returned home. He had a charge, subordinates, his lands and many responsibilities. He couldn't afford to waste even more of his precious time. 'The past lies behind and the future has to be focused on' and with that thought in mind he left. He would never really give up that was against his nature, but the search would no longer take the frontline of his thought.

- tbc -

Okan (=king crown) and Sainoarashi (=talent storm) are the only new characters on the Diwata-side which will play a higher role beside the aunt and cousin. Okan will stay more in the background while Saino will probably visit the chapters more often.

Oh yeah, just for your information the bed is not a figure of fiction. They do exist but only few people in this world can afford such luxury.

The city name KagayakuNiwa (=radiant garden) came from the game Kingdom Hearts. I love the cities name and decided back then to someday take it over in on of my stories. And with the Diwata it fitted perfectly. As for the Diwata it was pretty difficult to get information about them, but I guess I found out pretty much. If any of you find something else about that race make sure to contact me and for the rest of you, Please Review! Especially if you have an idea to the number and gender of Inuyasha's child(ren). I currently variant between one and three pups with at least one female.