A/N

Hello readers! Here is the next chapter of Second Journey. Whew. So, I didn't post the last few days. I am going to dish out a few chapters tonight.

Also, I am new to , and am still sort of getting used to the 'alert' and 'review' system, so I am really sorry if I haven't responded or if I am supposed to do something...

Apologies...

Enjoy

~Smortz

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I am only borrowing her characters for my own personal amusement. I do not claim any ownership to her characters or story.

Chapter 12

Kagome ate in silence. The meat in her mouth was flavorless. She wasn't focused on taste. She could see that what she said effected the taiyoukais enormously. They still thought of themselves as invincible.

Her thoughts were else where. Her mind was focused on strategizing. If they are after demons, they will need to stay in Japan, she decided. They probably hide behind barriers that are hard to sense.

A sigh escaped from her as she chewed the last piece of her portion. She stood up to gather the spices, tucking them back into her back pack.

The sky was filled with orange hues as they left the lakeside in complete silence. No one wanted to talk. Sesshoumaru was trying to run through events that could drastically change the projected future. There was no way he would blend with humans. It was not because they were humans, but his pride. He had earned his place in the House of the West. There was no reason good enough for him to give that up.

"Do you think they'll send someone else?" Kagome asked. She had been thinking that the priestess they had encountered had been an investigator. She had been sent to test their powers, to see what they were dealing with.

"Not for a while, they used her to gain distance," Ryuichi let out, "she was probably the weakest. Now that she's gone, we should expect the second strongest. He will try to kill us."

Shivers ran down her body. Her eyes went to Sesshoumaru. He looked so deep in thought. "Need help thinking?" She asked, cautiously approaching his side.

The golden eyes peaked at her from the side. Kagome could see him debating it. "Why would we need to blend with humans?" He asked. Kagome had been expecting this question.

"It would not need to be immediate," she said quietly, going back to her history lessons. "In a few centuries, the humans will invent a weapon that will kill you," she said gently, "if they think you are already gone, they won't hunt you out. You can still become powerful in the human world." A hum was her only reply.

"What sort of weapon?" Shippo asked. He had sensed her fear when she'd spoke of it. Her eyes met his.

"I cannot give you too much information," she warned, but continued, "if it does not kill, it will be excrutiating to put up with. You will most likely lose a limb. The weapon is too far advanced for the medical equipment. There is no cure."

Kagome's smile lightened the kitsune's mood. She ruffled his hair once more. "Don't worry," she exclaimed, "you've got me!" Shippo laughed, giving a nod.

"Pri- Kagome," Sesshoumaru caught himself when she tossed him a look of warning. His eyes were focused in front of them. A village greeted there eyes. Kagome nodded to Shippo, her feet taking her closer. It looked as if this village was richer than the last they had seen.

A man greeted them with a smile. "I am the village monk," he greeted, extending his hand to hers. His eyes focused on her breasts and Kagome cleared her throat. He seemed to shake his head. He must need to clear his thoughts, she mused. "Why are you here?" He asked. The question was directed at Shippo. The monk's eyes focused on his tail. Kagome cleared her throat once more.

"We only travel in hopes of reuniting with our group," she proclaimed, "we have been separated." The monk looked skeptical, but turned to guide them in to the village. Kagome smirked waving over her shoulder. She knew Sesshoumaru would see it.

"I was hoping to ask if you have seen a group of monks and priestesses, they may be traveling with a demon," Kagome slowly questioned, carefully watching the monk's face. The monk did not answer immediately. He led them to a shrine, allowing them to sit on rugs.

"I have not seen a group such as yourselves," he mumbled. "Priestess, why do you travel with three demons?" Before Kagome could answer, he nodded, "Although, I thank you for leaving the two taiyoukais behind."

Kagome nodded her head to him. "We are trying to find this group. They have stolen a treasured item from one of those demon lords," Kagome explained, "we meant them no harm, but would like to get it back. I travel as a peacemaker and dear friend. These demons helped me slay Naraku three years ago."

The monk's eyes widened in realization. Kagome felt guilty for pulling the Naraku card. She had began to suspect that monks and priestesses knew what happened.

"You are the Shikon priestess?" He asked. A grin gave birth on his face. "We will have a feast!" He exclaimed pausing briefly, "The youkais, is it the half demon?"

Kagome wanted to wince. She was expecting to see a sword strike the monk for even thinking it was the half demon instead of the Great Dog Demon Sesshoumaru. "No, it is the Lord Sesshoumaru, his half-brother," she explained. The monk nodded, suddenly standing to open the door. "Come in!" He shouted into the surrounding forest. Kagome was reminded of Miroku.

The two taiyoukais came into the room. Kagome felt the overwhelming power when Sesshoumaru sat beside her. "Now," the monk said, returning in to the room, "the village will prepare for the feast, we will house you for the night. Priestess?"

Kagome was suddenly wary at the shyness in his voice. He sounded timid. "Yes monk?" She asked.

"Will you bless us with a display of your power?" He asked, forcing the words out. Kagome could see the early signs of sweat around his forehead.

"How would you like me to," she paused. How could she put this into words? "Perform?" She asked. By the look on the monk's face, he hadn't thought that far. Kagome tried to put in her two cents. "What about an archery contest?" She asked, hoping he would take the bait.

The monk grinned. "Yes! Marvelous! That will do fine," he cheered, clapping his hands together, "oh, the village will be so pleased! You know, this village is demon friendly. We have welcomed many demon, and half-demons, into our gracious homes."

Kagome was actually pleased to hear this remark. Three years ago, villages would instantly try to weed the demon out, and then kill them. To know that, because of her and Inuyuasha's travels, villages had become tolerant was a good sign towards the future. Now, all she had to do was get the Egg back and force the foreigners back home until they could come up with another plan to avoid the rest of the years.

"I am extremely pleased with your tolerance to demons," Kagome exclaimed, grinning to the monk. "Actually, we need help from a monk such as yourself," she added, hoping to stroke his ego a bit.

"A monk as myself?" He asked, giving her a questioning look on his face.

"Yes," Kagome nodded quickly, "someone who has led their village with fantastic leadership. Your morality is a blessing from the kamis! We need your help."

She almost saw his chest puff out along with his ego. He nodded, waggling his eyebrows, "What can I help you with?" He asked.

Kagome shot the dragon youkai a look. He was looking at her with complete confusion. "There is said to be an immortal priestess," Kagome let out. She instantly saw an emotion pass through his face, but it was too quick to identify. "What have you heard about her?"

"S-She is extremely secluded," he said the words carefully. "I have not seen her for many years. She came out once when Naraku was wreaking havoc across the lands, but when she realized it was because of the jewel, she went back into her isolation."

Kagome's mouth twitched as she thought about it. "Do you know the way to her home?" She asked. The monk frowned and she already knew his answer.

"Sorry, but I am afraid even I can not track her," he mumbled, "although I have not tried. She is quite scary."

The image of the seer came into her mind. Kagome shook it off, nodding to the monk. The door opened, a village woman came in wrapped in red garbs. "Master monk, the food is ready," she returned.

The mention of a feast had Kagome salivating. Although they had just eaten a boar, she found herself anticipating the taste of a homecooked meal. The monk stood up, waving them all over. "This way, this way," he cheered.

Sesshoumaru came up beside Kagome. He had enjoyed watching her talk to the monk. She had treated him with respect, but also used him to gather information. Unfortunately, the information was lacking. "Are you sure you can display your... powers?" He asked. When the monk has asked for such a thing, even he had worried.

He had seen her display of power when fighting against the priestess. Her swordsmanship was nonexistent. He had seen her fight agaisnt the dark priestess, but he knew the dark priestess was also lacking in skill. The thoughts to when Kagome was with Inuyasha, completely hopeless and relying on the half-breed, flooded his thoughts.

She did kill the demon in the village, he pointed out to himself. He added with an inward smirk. It is hard to miss a giant gorilla. A child could have made that shot.

"You doubt me?" She asked. He was almost stunned to hear a certain bitterness to her tone. It was as if he had angered with such a thing.

"No," he murmured, "I know you have greatly improved since you were last in this time." His eyes watched hers. He could see her staring with those chocolate orbs.

"You'll see," was all she said to him. The power behind the words shocked him. She had said them with a fierce determination. A look in her eyes that almost dared him to challenge her new abilities.

Sesshoumaru actually enjoyed to see the look. It was new to him. He had never seen such a look in a human, not even one like her. "We shall," he laid the challenge on the table, and enjoyed the smirk that came upon her face.

The room opened to show an elaborate feast. A large pig was roasting over an open fire pit. Salads, and soups were already served in front of their seats. Kagome took a seat between Sesshoumaru and Shippo. Her eyes focused on the demon lord next to her.

He will see, she promised herself, he will not doubt me again.

The days of being powerless were over. She was strong. Archery lessons, karate, meditation, they had all worked to improve her skills so she could be in the past era. This was where she wanted to be, where she felt right. She would prove it to the demon lord.

The food was pushed in front of her. A large salad wrap filled with marinated pork. Her belly growled. She watched Sesshoumaru examine the food and laughed lightly. "Do you not like it?" Kagome asked, gesturing to the item with her chopsticks.

Sesshoumaru's eyes stared at her, before looking back to the food. Honestly, he had his own servants cook his meals. Since demons did not eat as much as humans, he did not know a variety of what was thrown on the table in front of him. He only required three meals per week.

"It is good," Kagome said, chewing on her piece. She swallowed, showing him a grin. "I used to make these all the time in the future," she whispered. Kagome remembered making these wraps. The pork and vegetables frying before being wrapped in lettuce. It was one of her favorite dinner dishes.

The dog lord looked at it with a questioning expression on his face. Finally, he took it in to his mouth and she watched the skeptical look in his eyes go to pleasure. "Told you so," she mumbled, going back to her soup.

"Lady Pri-." Kagome cut in, "Kagome." The monk grinned at the permission to speak so formally. "Lady Kagome," he corrected himself, "we have set up the archery targets if you would like to demonstrate while the pig is being cooked. There are many villagers who are waiting."

Kagome looked at the pig. Indeed, it looked as if it needed a few minutes to cook. She caught the blank look in Sesshoumaru's eye before nodding to the monk. She pushed herself up and went to grab her bow that was leaning against the wall behind her.

She reached for her quiver of arrows before a woman stopped her. "Lady Kagome," she whispered shyly, "I-I have made you a set of arrows, so you would not have to waste your own for our sake."

Kagome smiled at her, extending her hand to take the multiple arrows. "I will use these arrows then," she said with a grin, "in honor of your hospitable village."

The woman flushed, nodding as she followed Kagome out. Kagome saw Sesshoumaru watching. To her amusement, he was holding a cup of what looked like wine. He's a drinker? I would love to see him drunk, she said to herself as she spotted the five targets. Each one was farther away then the previous until it got to about sixty meters. Kagome nodded, she could do this.

It got quiet as everyone stopped chatting. Kagome slowly grasped her first arrow, aiming it at the target that was only twenty meters away. She brought the string back against her cheek, focusing on the bullseye. Her fingers let go.

The pink energy swirled, tickling Sesshoumaru's insides before it rang against its target. Hitting it to the left of the center, she nodded. It was a good shot, but close. He watched the priestess take the next arrow out, quieting the audience.

The next target looked to be thirty meters. He watched her body as she lined up. The way she stood tall, her chin leaning against the string. Her shoulders upright and her eyes full of determination. She looks strong, he commented.

The arrow flew against its next target, once again hitting the middle circle. The villagers clapped, the monk going to talk to a few people before quieting when she took another arrow out. The forty meter mark was next and he watched as her brow quirked. She was concentrating harder.

Kagome bit her lip when the arrow released. The pink energy swirled as it went after its target. It hit the center and she sighed. The next two would be tougher. The competitions she had participated in while she was in the future often went to seventy meters, but she had not practiced her archery skills other than the armlet, and gorilla since she'd been back.

It hit the center and she rolled her shoulders. They had grown tense with her concentration. The villagers cheered and she grinned at them, nodding her thanks to them all. She slid another arrow along the string, but something caught her eyes.

The sunlight came off of Sesshoumaru's eyes as he watched her with an emotion she couldn't figure out. He almost looked as if he was sizing her up. A look of acceptance in them. She smirked to him, and grinned when she got a small lift in the corner of his lips. He thinks I will miss the next shots, she stated.

She focused on the fifty. The bullseye was off in the distance, and without her modernized bow it was hard to aim, but she found the center. It flew and the energy that helped it glide kept it from falling. It slammed through the target, a hole in the center. It was a tad to the right, but hit its mark. Her eyes went back to Sesshoumaru, and instead she got a full smile. He held his cup out to her and she grinned as if she'd just passed a test. He should get me some wine if I can make the sixty, she grumbled.

The target was hidden in the trees and when she notched the arrow, she pulled hard on the string. The arrow was already lighting with energy she'd knew would be necessary to carry the arrow to the target. The energy kept the arrow from falling, it kept the arrow from wavering and slowing down. Her power was needed.

The pink swirled, splashing against her body as she took aim. The arrow flew, the string caressing her cheek as it shot through the trees. It made a sound as it cut through the air before slamming through the target. The monk shouted in victory, clapping his hands together. "Marvelous!" He shouted, "That is absolutely amazing."

Kagome flushed at the compliments. She turned to see Sesshoumaru but found that he was no longer there, sitting against the wall watching, he was gone. A sudden feeling of emptiness filled her and she realized she was beginning to like having the quiet company.

A sudden presence filled her. She turned to where the targets were. A cloaked figure now stood between the forty and thirty bullseye. She had one of Kagome's arrows in her hand. Her fingers stroking the feathers at the back. "Impressive," she cooed. She swung the hood from her hair and Kagome stared at the creature, no, the god in front of her.

The black tresses curled in large waves over her shoulders. The silver and aqua eyes filled her with a sense of familiarity. She smirked, and Kagome knew who she was instantly. "You have been looking for me," the priestess said, holding the arrow up to point it at Kagome. "Your display has intrigued me, I have become bored in this forest. Now," she added before huffing, the pale complexion glowing under the rising moon, "ask me your questions, Lady Kagome."