The One I Love

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.

A/N: Thank you all so much for your reviews. I am incredibly sorry that I made you all wait so long for another update. My laptop charger broke, which may seem like a minor inconvenience to most, but with only one of us working, a toddler managing to break/eat/hide everything in sight, and a new baby on the way, it hardly seemed like a priority.

I have been unable to get access to my files until now, and I am unsure of when I will next be able to update- just know that I have absolutely no intentions of giving up on this story. I deeply appreciate those that have stuck by me for this long, and my newer readers that have taken interest despite my lack of updates. You have no idea how encouraging it is to have so much support from you all.

I hope you can find it within yourselves to be patient with me. I will do my best to finish this story for you, my faithful readers.


Chapter 29:

Kagome took in a deep, calming breath. She stood up straighter, her shoulders back and her chin high as she faced the people before her.

She was in Sesshoumaru's war room, standing at the head of the table. Normally, Sesshoumaru would be there in her place, but she had been the one to call this meeting. The table was a perfect circle, so that everyone seated could see each other easily. A giant map of the four regions was at the center, different colored pins representing the cardinal lords' armies and palaces. There were eight chairs around the table, all of them filled save the one in front of her. Starting to the left of her sat Kanae, followed by Mai, Kikyou and Souta. Going to her right, it was a slightly uncomfortable Inuyasha, to the right of him, Kouga, then (much to her discomfort) Sesshoumaru's other general, Hiten. Sesshoumaru surprisingly stood at the back of the room, against the door, his hands behind his back, watching her with steady golden eyes.

Kagome rubbed absently at her side, feeling the bandages beneath her dress. Her wounds were still a bit tender, especially after her spar that morning with Sesshoumaru. She was starting to think that maybe training that morning had been a bad idea. Perhaps she should have rested today and given herself some time to heal. If her mission was approved, she definitely wouldn't be able to.

"I suppose you are all wondering why I called this meeting," she began with a nervous grin.

Seven pairs of eyes stared at her expectantly and she bit her lip. She looked straight ahead at the eigth pair, seeing a steadiness there that she found incredibly reassuring. Sesshoumaru gave her a small nod to continue and she took in a deep breath, feeling just the slightest bit more confident.

"It was brought to my attention recently that Lord Naraku of the North was hunting spiritualists," she began, ignoring the surprised stares of her family. Instead, she looked down at the map of the four regions as she spoke. "He has apparently been capturing priestesses, of any age, within his region and taking them prisoner in his palace. I am not certain as to what becomes of them once they are captured, but he is no longer interested in any of the priestesses within his own lands."

"Then who is he after now?" Kanae asked curiously.

Kagome looked down at her friend for a brief moment before she chewed on her bottom lip. Should she explain all that she knew? Most of it was just a theory she had, but the evidence that had been provided as of late was enough to confirm her fears. Naraku was after her and the Sacred Jewel. But was it safe to bring up the jewel to Kanae and General Hiten? Kagome trusted Kanae to an extent, but she was, after all, the daughter of the southern lord. Certainly news that a guest in Sesshoumaru's palace was in possession of such a dangerous item wasn't something she could discuss lightly. Her eyes went to Hiten then, and she worried her bottom lip more. She didn't trust the demon in the slightest. He had shown nothing but dislike toward her since she arrived. She wasn't sure as to why the thunder demon despised her so, but she had a gut feeling to be wary of him. Finally, she looked up at Sesshoumaru once more and he met her eyes evenly, and in his golden orbs she saw the permission to continue to explain the conclusion they had come to and it was all the encouragment she needed. With a deep breath and a steady gaze, she spoke.

"He is after me," Kagome said gravely, her hand coming up to cover the jewel, even though it was hidden beneath the fabric of her mint-green gown. She made the decision then to leave out the reason why. If Sesshoumaru wanted to discuss the jewel then he would do so on his own.

There was no audible reaction to her words, but looking to her right toward Inuyasha and Kouga she could see surprise that was slowly morphing into anger. She looked over at her family then, and as she expected her mother, Kikyou and Souta didn't look the least bit surprised. Her eyes remained on Souta, her dear brother who had sacrificed so much for her safety, and his haunted eyes met hers.

"So it was Naraku that ordered my capture," he said softly to which Kagome nodded. "I thought as much."

"So now what?" Inuyasha jumped in, looking up at her from his seat. "He can't get to you while you're in the Western Palace. Nobody gets in unless we allow them to. You are safe here, so there is nothing to worry-"

"I actually came here to request permission for a mission outside the palace walls," Kagome said, cutting Inuyasha off and dropping her eyes to the map once more.

She stepped forward and reached out to point to the tiny village on the mountainside that she and Sesshoumaru had visited the day before.

"In this village," she continued quickly, before anyone could cut her off. "Is a priestess and her daughter. They are refugees from the north that escaped soon after Naraku began his hunt. They are the ones who told me of his treatchery and it was through them that I was able to piece together his intentions. They have also pledged fealty to me, and have promised the aid of their swords in the upcoming battle."

She looked up then, her eyes locking with Sesshoumaru's, who only stared coolly back at her.

"I wish to take them with me across enemy lines to retrieve any spiritualists that have managed to avoid capture," she said loudly, squaring her shoulders and tilting her chin up just as the uproar began.

"You're insane!"

"You can't possibly do this on your own!"

"How can you trust them?! They're northerners!"

"I refuse to risk the safety of another one of my children on such a reckless mission!"

"My lady, you cannot put yourself in such danger!"

Kagome kept her eyes focused on Sesshoumaru despite the loudness of those around her. Her mother and cousin's protests, along with those of Kanae, Inuyasha and Kouga were not nearly as loud as the silence that came from both her brother and Lord Sesshoumaru. The demon lord seemed to be pondering her words, and she took relief in that. At least he had not outright refused her. She looked to Souta then, who was watching her with a proud, steady gaze. She gave him a small smile when he nodded his head once to her. Slowly, so that nobody seemed to notice past all the shouting, he got to his feet. Then, in a voice so final and determined, he spoke.

"I'll go with you," he said.

And there was silence.

"No," Kagome heard her mother whisper. She frowned and looked over at the older woman who was looking between her two children with a panic Kagome had never seen before. "NO! I will not risk losing both of you!"

"Mother," Kagome began softly, only to snap her mouth shut when Mai jumped to her feet and slammed her hands on the table.

"No, Kagome!" she shouted, her eyes clenched tightly in pain. She seemed to fight to steady herself before she opened her tear-rimmed eyes to look up at her. "I already lost your brother once. I cannot bear it if I were to not only lose him again, but lose you as well. No mother should outlive her children."

Kagome felt guilt roll sickly in her gut. She had never thought Souta would volunteer to join her, and she hadn't even imagined that her mother would react so strongly against her desire to go. But then, she knew her mother must have suffered a great deal at the loss of her brother, whether he had been ressurected or not. She turned her eyes away from her mother and clenched her fists. Regardless of how upset it made her, Kagome had to do this.

"Mother you cannot allow what happened to me to have such a hold on you."

Kagome was surprised at the stern words that left her brother's lips. Her eyes snapped up to look at him as he walked around Kikyou's seat to stand behind Mai. He put a gentle hand on her shoulder and the woman looked back at him with watering eyes.

"I died protecting my sister," Souta told her firmly, his blue eyes staring down at her with a softness Kagome hadn't seen in some time. "If I had not been returned to this world, then I would have rested in peace knowing that. But I was returned, and now I am more determined than ever to make sure that she stays safe. If going behind enemy lines to gather more to our side is a way to do that, then I will go. Feel free to protest, but I am a man grown, and I will go with or without your blessing."

Kagome felt a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth even as her eyes watered at the emotions her brother's words brought. She would never get past the guilt of what he had done for her, but she would also always know just how much he loved her. A weaker man would have sacrificed her, but her brother was stronger than most. His sacrifice will not be in vain. I will not die out there. Not by Naraku's will. She watched as Mai threw herself at her son, wrapping her arms around his torso and weeping silently into his chest. Souta wrapped his own arms around her, making the normally strong woman look so small and fragile. Souta then raised his gaze to meet hers and he nodded once.

"As I said," he told her, his eyes hard. "I will join you."

"Thank you, Souta," Kagome whispered, blinking back her tears to look at the others at the table, all watching her with different emotions burning in their eyes. She met each of their stares evenly as she continued to speak.

"You are all aware that Lord Sesshoumaru as well as Lord Kouga have already initiated a plan here in the Western and Eastern regions that is very similar to the mission I wish to go on in the North," she began steadily, moving away from her spot at the head of the table and slowly circling around it. "All I wish to do is expand our search to the Northern region. These people were being hunted like animals. There are families that were torn apart. Mothers, sisters, daughters- all taken from their homes to the gods know where- and they have no one to go to for help. If I can go to the Northern region, search out those that no doubt have great disdain for the bastard Naraku, and bring them to the safety of our regions, then I can increase the size of our army. I might even be able to gather information about Naraku's armies, the weakness of his lands that we have been unable to discover so far. You all cannot deny the reasoning of such a mission. I only ask that I be the one to lead it, for it was in search of me that these women were taken. Their fates, the fates of all those that were captured, are my burden to bear."

She stopped when she was before Sesshoumaru. She looked up into his cool, golden gaze and squared her shoulders, folding her arms behind her back and standing as tall as she could manage without her wounds bothering her.

"With your permission, Lord Sesshoumaru," she said to him, bowing her head respectfully. "I will set out on this mission with the aid of Fuyuko and Chie, as well as my brother within the week."

The demon lord said nothing for a moment, and Kagome hesitantly looked up at him from beneath her lashes. He was watching her with a raised brow and the hint of a smirk on his lips. With his arms still folded across his chest, and his body leaning against the door frame, he looked extremely at ease, even a bit arrogant. Especially with that cursed smirk on his lips. Kagome was about to say something to wipe the look off his face when he finally gave her a slow nod. She blinked in surprise before her face lit up in a blinding smile.

"You have my permission General Higurashi," he told her, just loudly enough for the others to hear. "But I, too, will be accompanying you."

"Lord Sesshoumaru?" Kagome heard Hiten speak for the first time and she looked over at him in surprise. "Is that truly wise? You are putting yourself at great risk by going into enemy lands with only humans to accompany you-"

"You dare doubt my strength?" Sesshoumaru snarled and Kagome surprisingly felt a flash of fear for the demon that disliked her so strongly.

"Not at all, my lord," Hiten said, getting to his feet only to bow low at his waist. He stood straight up again, actual concern shining in his crimson eyes and it surprised Kagome even more. "I was simply trying to point out the obvious. You are needed here, my lord. The Western Capital should not be left without its lord during such a crucial time. Our troops need to be readied, we must set out to the Winter palace soon, and we cannot-"

"Do you think this Sesshoumaru would go on such a quest without thinking of all of this first?" Sesshoumaru cut him off, his eyes icy and dangerous.

Kagome's breath caught in her throat at the sight he made. He was dark and dangerous in that moment, the power and authority radiating from him almost tangible. He tilted his chin up just the slightest, almost unnoticeably, but the action made all the difference. He was looking down his nose at Hiten, reminding his general of his place. Kagome had never seen such a subtle, yet effective show of dominance. It was... interesting.

"The Western Capital will not be unprotected," Sesshoumaru said, his voice as cold as his eyes. "Its heir, my brother, is very much capable of making sure all is prepared for the march to the winter palace. He has not been gone so long that his position need be forgotten. He will take charge in my stead."

Kagome's eyes widened considerably and she turned around to look at Inuyasha's reaction. While the rest of the room seemed content with staring at Sesshoumaru as though he had gone mad, her eyes could not leave the motionless form of Inuyasha as he sat in his chair, golden eyes locked on his sibling. His lips were slightly parted, and his eyes were wide with shock, but Kagome knew that he was trying to contain his excitement. His hands were gripping the table and his white, furry ears were erect and turned in their direction. Kagome noticed a movement from the corner of her eye and turned just in time to see the demon lord nodding in acknowledgment to his sibling. Kagome felt something warm filling her chest at the sight and she quickly returned her gaze to the younger Inu, happy to see the small tilt of his lips that he sent his brother's way. It was then that Inuyasha met her eyes and his face split into a full-blown smile before it disappeared and he got to his feet, bowing respectfully to Sesshoumaru.

"I thank you for your faith in me, brother," he said, with more genuine respect than Kagome had ever heard come from him where his sibling was concerned. "I will not fail you."

"See that you don't," Sesshoumaru said, his face impassive, but Kagome could sense the slight teasing note in his voice and she smiled at him. "Now, if that is all, General Higurashi and I, as well as Master Souta have much to discuss-"

"I'm coming, too."

Kagome's eyes widened a fraction and she spun around to face the owner of the voice. Kouga was on his feet, his crystal blue eyes glittering in determination as he met her gaze dead-on. Kagome had to fight the urge to squirm. She was more than a little uncomfortable under his stare, still unsure about where they stood. But despite her discomfort, she kept her face carefully stoic, and her posture calm as she watched him.

"I am certain the five of us will be plenty-" she began softly, only to be cut-off by her ex-fiance. Or is he still my fiance?

"I think," he said, this time, his gaze locked on Sesshoumaru and she could see that he was trying to convey something to the other lord with his gaze alone. "That it would be for everyone's best interest if I were to accompany you all on this journey."

Kagome frowned, blinking at the wolf in confusion before she turned to Sesshoumaru. The dog demon was staring at Kouga with some emotion Kagome could not quite place, but she could see that the fist of his right hand was clenched tightly. Her brows drew together and she opened her mouth to speak when he raised a hand to silence her. She blinked in surprise and bowed her head, waiting for him to respond to Kouga's request.

"Very well."

Kagome gasped audibly and looked up at Sesshoumaru with wide eyes. Why on earth did he think Kouga coming would be a good idea? He had seen the way Kouga reacted to her being outside of the castle before. He knew that the group they had already assembled was more than capable of undergoing this mission. He must know that bringing Kouga would distract her from her goal and cause unneccessary tension within the group. So why was he allowing Kouga to come? She watched his eyes carefully, following his gaze back to the wolf demon who nodded sharply before his crystal eyes turned to her.

Kagome swallowed slowly, feeling a ball of unease build in her gut and she looked away, staring back at the map on the table.

"Now, Lord Kouga, Master Souta, General Higurashi," Sesshoumaru said, breaking her out of her stupor. "You may be seated. Prince Inuyasha, I would ask that you remain as well so we might discuss your duties here at the palace. The rest of you are excused."

Kagome fought the urge to glare at him, stepping over to the nearest chair and plopping herself down petulantly as the others who had been dismissed got to their feet and began to file out of the room. She met her mother's eyes as she walked past, giving her a small smile to which Mai returned before she allowed herself to sulk in her seat.

"Then it is settled," Kagome said with a relieved sigh, putting her hands flat on the table before her and staring at the map at its center. "We leave three days from now on horseback. Master Jakken shall retrieve Fuyuko and Chie from their village and transport them here before then."

"Precisely," Sesshoumaru said with a regal nod of his head. "Inuyasha, you need not tend to your specified duties until we have departed. Until then, we shall prepare ourselves for this journey and rest."

He said the last bit pointedly toward Kagome and she smirked without looking up at him. Instead she pushed herself away from the table and stood up, rolling her neck a bit as she did. She had been sitting for far too long, discussing the specifics of their journey, and she was looking forward to moving around a bit before she confined herself to her sleeping quarters. Her back still pained her, and she was positive her wound needed to be aired out and rebandaged.

"Then with your permission, my lord," Kagome said, curtsying to the best of her ablities with her wounds the way they were. "I will take my leave."

Sesshoumaru said nothing, but bowed his head in answer and she was walking out into the hall without another glance at the others in the room. She hadn't made it three steps into the hallway when she heard someone calling her name. With a weary sigh, she turned around and gave the demon a tight-lipped smile.

"Kouga."

"Kagome," he said, coming to stand closely before her.

Kagome struggled not to back away from him. He looked terribly uncomfortable, and his face was flushed pink as he stared down at her. She looked past him toward the war room door where Inuyasha and Souta were standing, watching them silently. She looked past them, seeing Sesshoumaru walking down the hallway in the opposite direction, not even glancing back at her. She frowned at the feeling of disappointment that flooded her and made her feel all the more exhausted.

"What is it you need, my lord?" Kagome asked, bringing her gaze back to his. She regretted her words the instant she saw him wince at the title she used.

"I...I want to apologize for my behavior last evening," he said, reaching up to scratch at the back of his neck nervously, his eyes downcast. He looked so very young that Kagome nearly laughed. "I was out of line, I realize that now. I should not have spoken to you in such a manner, and I feel terrible for ever putting my hands on you."

Kagome blinked up at him in surprise, her lips slightly parted. She never thought that Kouga would bring himself to apologize to her. Not so easily. It hadn't even been a day and here he was, asking forgiveness. She was pleasantly surprised, but suddenly nervous at the same time, though she hadn't the slightest idea why.

"Kagome," he said softly, meeting her eyes sadly and reaching out to take hold of her hands gently in his own. "I still want you as my wife. That has not changed. I have realized that this training with Lord Sesshoumaru is good for you; it makes you happy and I will not take that from you. I want you to be happy with me. If you'd like, I might even spar with you myself-"

"Wait, what are you saying?" Kagome interrupted, her eyes wide and her heart pounding in her chest.

"I'm saying," Kouga said softly, releasing one hand to cup the side of her face gently, his thumb stroking her cheek. "That if you'll have me, I'm still willing to be yours."

Kagome felt the breath catch in her lungs.

She wasn't sure why she was hesitating to answer. This was what she wanted, wasn't it? She wanted to be married to Kouga so that she might get past the pain of losing Inuyasha. It was the only solution... wasn't it? As she looked up into Kouga's hopeful blue eyes she felt conflicted. She couldn't recall the pain of Inuyasha at the moment, even as she looked at him over Kouga's shoulder. She stared at the dog-eared man she had loved and she felt... nothing. The pain that was usually associated with the sight or thought of him wasn't there. But when had it gone away?

She looked back to Kouga and saw the confusion in his eyes, but she couldn't get her floundering mouth to speak. Kouga was the one for her, so why couldn't she just accept his proposal as easily as she had before? Why was she hesitating? Instantly, a pair of brilliant golden eyes and an indigo crescent moon flashed in her mind's eye. Her heart hammered at the image and she nearly gasped in surprise. Surely she didn't have feelings for Sesshoumaru? It was impossible. He was an ally. A comrade. He was her mentor, not someone she should see in a romantic light at all. I have simply spent too much time with him these last few weeks. We have become close. Almost friends. Still, she could not manage to utter the words that would tie her to Kouga once more. Now that she had the option once more, now that she had managed to get past her grief on her own, she was unsure of what to do.

"I..." she choked out, her mouth suddenly dry and her head spinning. "Kouga, I..."

"Yes?" he pressed, his eyes brightening and his fingers lacing through her hair. Kagome felt her heart spead up in nervousness and her palms started to sweat.

"I need some time to think," she breathed, searching his eyes nervously. She almost flinched when his face fell and he slowly, regretfully pulled his hands away from her.

"I see," he whispered, and Kagome felt tears sting her eyes at the sight of his pain. She bit down on her lip and reached out to take one of his hands in both of hers.

"Kouga, I have been through much in the last few months," she told him gently, ducking her head so that she could meet his eyes. "I have changed since you found me in Deepwell. This war, the jewel, living in this palace- it has changed me. I just... I need time to figure out what it is I want for myself now."

He raised his eyes to meet hers and she saw rejection burning in their depths. She reached out to touch his cheek but he stopped her, his hand wrapping gently around her wrist. She felt the prickle of tears in her eyes when he tilted his head to press a kiss to the palm of her hand and run his nose along the soft skin before releasing it.

"I will not force your hand," he said calmly, his blue eyes hesitating to meet her own. "I will wait, Kagome, but I will not stop trying to win your heart. Know that."

Kagome gave him a small, sad smile and nodded her head.

"Thank you, Kouga," she whispered. He nodded in return and pulled his hand out of hers before standing upright and taking in a deep breath.

"Now, there is another, more pressing matter I must discuss with you," he told her, his demeanor suddenly serious. Kagome frowned and rose a single brow, surprised at how quickly he was able to move on from the subject. "There was a reason I was unable to return to the palace as quickly as I had originally anticipated."

"I know that," Kagome said slowly. "Lord Sesshoumaru said as much, though he was unwilling to tell me what it was that kept you."

"That is because I asked him not to," Kouga explained and Kagome's frown deepened at his words. "I did not want you to worry needlessly. You see, I came across a priestess during my travels. She was a survivor of Roan."

Kagome's eyes widened and a hand flew to her mouth in surprise. There was only one priestess in Roan, and Kagome had thought her to be dead after she had seen the remains of the once vibrant village. She was certain there was no way she could have survived when the rest of the villagers had not, but if what Kouga was saying was true, then somehow, someway, Tsubaki was alive. Kagome felt an immense relief that not all had been lost that day, but she was still very confused.

"Tsubaki is alive?" she asked him, her hand moving to hold her throat.

"Yes," Kouga said with a trace of a smile. "She is alive and well, and I have brought her here. She is in her own rooms, resting."

"How?" Kagome asked excitedly. "How did she survive the attack? Why did you not wish to tell me she was found? And you drug her all over the Eastern and Western regions while you gathered spiritualists for our army! She must be exhausted!"

"I did not want to trouble my fiancee with the thought of me traveling alone with another woman," Kouga explained, his eyes lowering guiltily. "After what had happened with your last suitor-"

Kagome reached up to put a finger over his mouth. Her eyes flickered over to Inuyasha who was finally looking away from her, though his ears were drooping atop his head. The half-demon began to walk away then, but Kagome paid him no mind. Instead, she turned her gaze back to Kouga and gave him a small, thankful smile.

"Thank you, Kouga," she said, removing her finger from his lips. "That was sweet of you, but you had me and Ayame very worried. You took so long coming back that we thought something had happened to you."

Kouga seemed surprised at the mention of Ayame and Kagome wanted to roll her eyes. There was no way the man was that obtuse. It was not as though Ayame was subtle in her affections. She made it obvious how she felt for Kouga. The poor fool just chose not to see, though Kagome had no idea why. Was it because Ayame was not of higher birth? Well neither was Kagome. She was a simple village priestess from a small farming village, and he had still chosen her to be his. Surely there was something that Kagome didn't know, something between the two wolves that she did not yet understand. Perhaps, before she came to a decision on whether she would marry Kouga or not, she should find out what it was.

"I apologize for that," Kouga finally said, turning his head to look at the wall beside them.

He folded his hands behind his back and stood upright, clearing his throat before he looked back at her and bowed his head respectfully.

"It was a pleasure speaking with you, General Higurashi," he said, and Kagome wanted to giggle like a child at how happy hearing that title made her. He looked up at her from beneath his bangs and gave her a fanged smirk, one that she was surprised to find was incredibly flirtatious. "Perhaps we could speak again, over tea this evening?"

He is flirting with me! Kagome flushed and lowered her eyes before she nodded her head shyly. Kouga had never had any reason to use his charms on her before; she had agreed to be his fiancee almost immediately after all. Being the target of such attention was strange, and new, and surprisingly pleasant. She felt the faint flutter of butterflies in her belly when he lifted her hand to press a warm kiss to the back of it, letting his lips linger before he released her and backed away with a flash of fangs and a mischievous wink. Kagome held her breath and felt her cheeks burn at his actions. I'm being ridiculous. Kouga has seen me naked and here I am, blushing like a young girl with her first sweetheart. She cleared her throat and curtsied quickly, almost clumsily before she excused herself.

There were more important things for her to worry about at the moment after all. Like seeing Tsubaki and finding out how the woman had survived an attack from the formidable demon she and her family had faced. Perhaps she knew something they did not about this strange demon.


Kagome rolled her shoulders as she walked out of the infirmary. Her wounds were freshly bandaged and a poultice was put on them to ease some of her pain. She looked down at her forearm, where the loose, flowing sleeve of her gown was pushed back so that she could see the white bandages. She was happy that the wound there and on her leg had stopped aching and stinging, but the wound on her back was proving to be very troublesome. Every time she stood or sat, turned or even took a step, the wounds would pull and burn, sometimes cracking the forming scabs and causing them to bleed anew. She had never had a very high threshold for pain, but still, these wounds were possibly worst she had ever been dealt simply because of how often it appeared she used her back. Even sleeping was proving to be difficult.

She sighed, knowing that it was unlikely she'd be getting much rest before their journey, despite Sesshoumaru's orders.

Kagome was making her way to the guest wing when she came across Kikyou. The older woman was standing outside of someone's quarters, staring at the door with suspicion, as though it were hiding something from her. Kagome came to a stop before her, raising an eyebrow in question when the woman finally turned her chocolate orbs to meet her gaze.

"Do you sense it?" she asked Kagome, her voice calm, but her eyes almost wild.

Kagome frowned and turned to look at the door. She reached out with her weakened holy powers and gasped when she felt something block her power from reaching into the room. It was as though she had struck a barrier. Her power reached out in tendrils of faint, violet light, prodding at the door and she was surprised when it recoiled the instant she made contact. With wide, confused eyes, she reached out with her uninjured arm and pressed her fingers to the wooden door. Her skin stung the instant it met the warm surface and she jerked her hand back.

"Whose room is this?" she asked Kikyou, though her eyes remained glued to the door.

"I do not know," Kikyou responded, coming to stand shoulder to shoulder with Kagome. "But this barrier was not here yesterday."

Kagome snapped her fingers in realization and her heart started to race in excitement.

"Tsubaki," she breathed, and she could sense Kikyou's body tense up beside her. She smiled and she stepped closer to the door, careful not to make contact with the strange barrier again before she called out louder, "Tsubaki!"

"Kagome, what are you-?" Kikyou began, her eyes wide in bewilderment.

She was cut off by the sound of the door unlocking being pulled inward to reveal the room's sole occupant. Kagome gasped, her eyes watering and her hands clasping before her as though in prayer. Kikyou simply stared, wide-eyed but silent as the priestess they had both thought dead stepped out of the sleeping chamber.

She looked different, so different that Kagome would not have recognized her if she hadn't seen the string of jade beads around the woman's neck. Even in childhood, Tsubaki had worn them- having been the only thing left from her mother who had died defending Roan many years ago. Kagome took in the woman's strange white hair. The Tsubaki she'd known had raven hair, even darker than her own, but this woman before her had white locks that had a light, lavender tint. Her pretty face was turned down, but she flicked her eyes up to meet Kagome's and Kagome almost gasped at the darkness of the woman's blue orbs. Immediately, her arms erupted in goose pimples and she had to supress a shiver.

"Kagome," the woman said before flicking her eyes to Kikyou, then back to her. "It's been a while."


"I'm coming with you."

Sango was rushing around her bedroom, searching for the box that she was certain she had left beneath her bed. When she and Miroku had returned to their village, the priest had immediately left town, saying he would return for her in before they were scheduled to set out to meet with the armies of the East and West. Now, it was only a few short days before that time, Miroku had yet to return, and she had waited until the last moment to prepare for their journey.

Needless to say, she was far from excited about being alone with the lecherous vagabond for as long as it took them to reach the Western Mountain. Still, she had a duty to uphold and nothing, not even a perverted priest was going to stop her. Now, if only she could find that damn box...

"No, Kohaku," she sighed, putting her hands on her hips and looking around at the mess her room was in. "I swore I had put it in here..."

"Sango, this is what we were trained for!" her brother argued, from her doorway.

Sango spared him a glance at the frustration in his voice. He was standing in her doorway, his body tense and his face distressed. His wide, chocolate orbs watered in his frustration, but he did not let a single tear fall. His pale cheeks were flushed, nearly hiding the dusting of freckles that were scattered over the bridge of sighed and felt her shoulders slump as a pang of guilt fell heavy in her stomach.

She and Souta had never been apart. Even before they came to this village, when their family was still alive and were hired regularly to handle rogue demons, they had always been together. If there was a threat, they faced it side by side, taking comfort in the fact that they the protection of each other. Now, she was planning on going off to battle, without him, and he was afraid. She could see that much. Sango bit down on her bottom lip, searching her sibling's eyes for a moment before she turned away and continued her search, speaking to him without facing him.

"Be that as it may," she began slowly. "We are no longer contracted demon slayers, Kohaku. We have a life and a business here, and a child that depends on us. I am the eldest," she finally looked up at him as she said this. "So I will be the one to report to Lord Kouga. I need you here, to secure our life here and to take care of Shippou while I am away."

"Sister, that is hardly fair-" Kohaku began, shaking his head and reaching up to run a hand anxiously through his shaggy, brown bangs. Sango rose a hand to silence him and gave him a stern look that had his jaw snapping shut.

"Life isn't fair, little brother," Sango said simply. "We have learned as much. And besides, I am your guardian. You will do as I say, and I say that you will stay here and run the inn and the tavern with Shippou while I am away. Should anything happen to me, this place is all you will have left, and you will need it to survive."

Kohaku's jaw tensed, and Sango knew that he wanted to say something, anything to get her to change her mind, but he knew better. Sango was as stubborn as a mule, a trait she had taken from their father, and she would not be swayed. She took her job as his protector very seriously, even more so after Shippou had joined their family. With a sigh of defeat and a stubborn pout to his chin, he looked away from her before nodding in acceptance. Sango smiled before turning away to rummage through her belongings once more.


Kagome and Kikyou sat beside each other on a midnight blue settee, each holding a small cup of tea and staring ahead at the newest addittion to the Western palace. Neither lifted the cups to their lips, neither spoke. Each just stared carefully at the woman before them, the one that they had known since childhood yet appeared as a complete stranger to them now. Kagome had to stop herself from prodding at the priestess's aura with her own, not wanting to appear more suspicious than she already was. Beside her, she could see Kikyou was struggling to do the same.

Tsubaki had changed. Not just physically, though her new appearance was shocking enough on its own. No, the woman's very soul was different. It still held the basic properties of one with spiritual powers, but there was a heavy, suffocating presence within it as well. Kagome was unsure of what to make of it, but she couldn't help but find the sensation behind Tsubaki's presence familiar, and unsettling. I won't find anything out if I just sit here though... Kagome met Tsubaki's shining blue orbs and saw a hint of amusement there. Kagome's hands tightened on her cup and she sat up straighter, setting the white porcelain on the low table before her.

"Lord Kouga tells me he found you stranded in a forest during his travels," Kagome began conversationally.

"Aye," Tsubaki said, a fond smile curling her lips as she stared off toward the door that led to the rest of the palace. "He was very kind to me. You are very lucky, Lady Kagome."

Kagome flushed in embarrassment before she cleared her throat awkwardly and looked to Kikyou for assistance. Her cousin simply shrugged a shoulder and daintily took a sip of her tea. Kagome fought the urge to roll her eyes and turned her attention back to Tsubaki.

"He is a good man," Kagome admitted, running her hands over her lap nervously.

"Demon," Tsubaki corrected. An amused glint shone in her eyes she looked back at Kagome. "Such an odd choice in suitor for a priestess. Though I can hardly blame you. He is quite handsome."

Kagome's face flushed even darker, and she felt oddly at the interest Tsubaki seemed to have in her former fiance. It wasn't jealousy, she knew that feeling all too well now- but it was uncomfortable. She took in a deep breath before she continued.

"He is... We are no longer affianced," Kagome said awkwardly, feeling the heat of embarrassment on her neck. Tsubaki rose an eyebrow and sat back in her chair, her dark lashes blinking innocently.

"Oh dear," she began, putting a hand to her chest in a slightly exaggerated show of remorse. "I do hope it had nothing to do with my accompanying him on his journey."

"No, of course not," Kagome said, waiving her hands before her and shaking her head. "I honestly had no idea you were even alive until after we had decided to break off the engagement."

"Oh."

Kagome tensed a bit at her words, mentally slapping herself for being so insensitive. She bit her lip as she watched Tsubaki's face lower a bit, a shadow falling over her eyes as she sat there. Kagome was reminded of the reason she and Kikyou had decided to speak to the priestess in the first place. To find out what had happened to Roan, and how the priestess managed to survive while the rest of her village had not. Kagome shifted awkwardly in her seat, struggling to think of the proper way to go about getting that information. She wanted to handle this delicately, not wanting to upset Tsubaki more than she already had. Kikyou, however, had other plans.

"What happened in Roan, Tsubaki?" Kikyou asked, breaking the tense silence that they had built up. Kagome frowned at her cousin's lack of tact before looking to Tsubaki for her response. Tsubaki's eyes lowered for a moment, seemingly studying the dainty hands that were folded in her lap before they flicked back up to meet Kagome's.

"They were slaughtered," Tsubaki said simply, her voice void of emotion. Kagome's lips parted in surprise at how easily Tsubaki spoke of the destruction of her home. Kagome was about to speak when Tsubaki continued, her voice dropping to a whisper and her eyes falling on the cup Kagome had set down. "A demon came, a powerful wind sorceress. She killed everyone- every man, woman, and child. Nothing I did, no matter how hard I tried, could stop her. I was rendered unconscious during our battle, and when I awoke, the others were dead. I could do nothing."

Kagome's hands gripped her skirts and her entire body tensed at the mention of the wind sorceress. Souta had mentioned her, the demoness that had captured him and tortured him endlessly for days until his body had given out and he had died. Kagome knew that the woman had to have been powerful to detain her brother, and now she was disturbed to find that she had managed to overcome Tsubaki as well.

"But you managed to survive?" Kikyou said suddenly, interrupting her thoughts.

Kagome looked over at her cousin, taking in the older girl's raised eyebrow and slightly hostile gaze. She turned her eyes back to Tsubaki who was trembling in her seat and lifting her pale hands to cover her face.

"I hid amongst their bodies," she said, her voice shaking as much as she was. Kagome felt a pang of sorrow at the sight of the woman before her. She had never known the overconfident priestess to break down into tears. "I had masked my aura, terrified that she would come after me if she knew I was still alive. I-I waited for her to leave, and she did- but I was so frightened that she would return. The instant I felt her gone, I ran blindly..."

"Why not go to Deepwell? You knew that reinforcements from our village had been sent for, so why not come to us for aid?" Kikyou questioned, setting her teacup next to Kagome's and failing to hid the suspicion from her voice. Kagome frowned. Tsubaki was obviously distraught. She didn't know why Kikyou insisted on torturing the poor woman with memories of her failure.

"Have you ever been that afraid, Kikyou?" Tsubaki asked quietly, lowering her hands just enough that her blue orbs, glittering with tears, could meet Kikyou's cold brown. "Have you ever felt completely defensless? My powers were useless, I had no way to protect myself, or those I cared for. My family, my home- destroyed all because I was too weak to help them..."

Kagome's heart clenched painfully at Tsubaki's words. How often had she felt that same fear? How many times had she berated herself, and had been reduced to self-loathing for that exact same reason? She looked at Tsubaki then and saw herself, before Sesshoumaru had trained her to be a warrior. Before she began to believe in herself again. She reached out then, taking one of Tsubaki's hands gently in her own and giving it a light squeeze. The white-haired priestess looked at Kagome with wide, surprised eyes. Kagome returned her look with one of sympathy.

"It's alright," Kagome said softly. Tsubaki's eyes widened even further, and her ruby lips parted in shock. "You may not have been able to save them, but you are alive; you survived, and now, you can avenge them."

"Kagome-" Kikyou began, her voice irritated. Kagome shot her cousin a glare that silenced the older priestess. She turned back to Tsubaki, offering her a kind smile.

"Join us, Tsubaki," Kagome said pleadingly, tightening her hold on her hand. "Help us bring an end to Naraku's reign, and avenge the lives of your people. Our people."

Tsubaki only stared at Kagome, her blue eyes searching Kagome's own with wonder. More tears ran down her cheeks and then she was pulling her hand from Kagome's hold. She brought the hand to her chest, lowering her eyes to stare blankly at the table before her, her lips pressed in a thin line. Kagome frowned, reaching out for her again until Tsubaki flinched away and put her other hand over her eyes.

"Please go," she whispered.

"Tsubaki?"

"GO!"

Kagome jumped at the shout and turned to look at Kikyou. Her cousin was staring at Tsubaki through slightly narrowed eyes but she still nodded her head before flicking her eyes toward Kagome.

"Let's go, Kagome," Kikyou said in a tone that left no room for argument. She stood, not sparing the distraught priestess another glance and made her way to the door. Kagome, after sending a sad look Tsubaki's way, followed, her eyes on the floor before her.

Once the two of them were gone, they could not see that the white-haired woman had dropped her hands and was glaring vehemently at the door they had just closed. They didn't see her stare down at the palm that had been held so tenderly in Kagome's hold. They didn't see the slowly blistering skin, and the fire that set the woman's crystal blue eyes alight with fury before she called her power forth to heal the damage to her flawless skin that the younger girl had no idea she had caused.


"She is hiding something."

Kagome looked up at Kikyou as they walked down the empty hallways of the palace. She wasn't exactly sure why she had remained in her cousin's presence, but she suddenly had no desire to return to her rooms to rest. Her mind was troubled with thoughts of Tsubaki, and what could have possibly caused the strange shift in the woman that had her throwing out her comrades.

"How can you tell?" Kagome asked, growing impatient with Kikyou's attitude toward the woman they had both called friend. "She is traumatized, Kikyou! Of course I wouldn't expect you to understand the pain of others-"

"There is a blackness in her aura," Kikyou cut her off. Kagome rose an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. "I cannot tell what has caused it, but even you must realize that there is something dark residing in her soul. Something that was not there before."

"She has seen great tragedy," Kagome said stubbornly, turning her eyes to the hallway ahead. "I can only imagine what damage a pain like that could cause to a pure soul."

"You are too kind-hearted, cousin," Kikyou said with a tired sigh. "You cannot see past the facade Tsubaki has created to distract us. I would be careful around her if I were you."

"You have no proof-!" Kagome said angrily, stopping in her tracks and glaring at Kikyou's back. The older girl stopped as well, spinning around to meet Kagome's glare with one of her own.

"And you are too willing to trust false tears and sad lies!" Kikyou spat. "Think of what your naivety has cost you before, cousin, before you allow yourself to be harmed by it again."

Kagome was struck silent, her eyes wide, and her body shaking. Kikyou's face became stoic, and she turned away, continuing down the hallway as though nothing had happened. Kagome could only stare at her cousin's retreating figure until she disappeared around a corner, and out of her sight. It was then that she released a shaking breath and allowed a single tear to trail down her cheek.


She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes to savor the peaceful atmosphere of the garden.

She wasn't sure how long she had been lying on the grass, staring up at the false sky, but she had no desire to move from her small sanctuary. Night had fallen, and there was no one here to disturb her. The only sound was the trickling of water in the fountain in the distance. All else was silent, and she allowed herself to imagine she was free of all of her burdens. In this moment of peace, there was no war, no betrothals, no power-crazed demon hunting her down to conquer her home. A small smile curled her lips and she opened her eyes to stare up at the glittering stars that floated above her. She needed this time to herself.

It was then that she felt a shift in the air, and a familiar aura was suddenly brushing against her senses. She should have been annoyed, would have been, if it had been anyone else. Instead, she allowed her lips to tilt up in a smirk, her eyes still closed as she brought her hands to rest behind her head comfortably as her guest drew closer.

"Good evening, Lord Sesshoumaru," she called out softly. "Lovely night, isn't it?"

The demon said nothing, but she heard the soft crunch of the grass as his weight settled upon it beside her, a respectful distance away. She opened her eyes and tilted her head a bit to smile over at him, not the slightest bit perturbed by his disapproving look.

"You should be in your quarters, resting," he said pointedly. Kagome's smile widened.

"Are you worried about me, my lord?" she teased. Sesshoumaru sniffed delicately and looked away from her, choosing to stare at the darkness ahead of them with disinterest. Kagome giggled before she carefully pushed herself to sit up, wincing a bit when her wounds tugged painfully. Once she had righted herself, she sighed, looking out into the darkness as well.

"Why are you not in bed, priestess?"

Kagome looked at him out of the corner of her eye. She had to swallow her laughter. He was so obviously bothered, though he refused to say so. Of course had she been anyone else, she would have no idea what he was feeling, but she had come to know Sesshoumaru better in the weeks they had spent training. She was touched that he even considered her worthy of his concern.

"I needed some air," Kagome finally said, causing the demon to looked at her with an eyebrow raised in question. "This as close as I could get without actually leaving the mountain. Which I am certain you would not have approved of."

Sesshoumaru watched her for a moment before he looked away again.

"You have been here for hours," he said. "You missed dinner. Your family was concerned."

"Just my family, my lord?" Kagome asked, teasing him again. This time, she laughed outright at the blank stare he gave her. She hissed, however, when her laughter caused her sore muscles to tense painfully. With a tired sigh, she leaned herself back to rest her weight on the palms of her hands. "My apologies. I had intended on returning to my quarters, but once I was here, I couldn't bring myself to leave."

They sat together in silence, taking in the peace that was everpresent within the greenery around them. Kagome watched the stoic demon lord, wondering what he could be thinking of, but not bothering to ask. It was rare he gave her insight to his personal affairs, and she would respect his desire for privacy. It must be terribly lonely, though. After another few moments of comfortable silence, she carefully lowered herself to her original position, easing her weight carefully onto the ground so as not to greatly disturb her injuries.

She took in her surroundings again, soaking in the quiet comfort this magical place provided. She could smell the perfume of the plants around her; feel the soft crispness of the grass beneath her; she basked in the starlight of the false sky above her; she relished the small taste of freedom she felt just being in this place, away from the troubles of her life. If she could, she would spend her days here, not worrying about a thing. No, I don't think I could shirk my responsibilities, even if I had the choice... She was too invested in the welfaire of her home to ever do that. Too involved to leave this war for others to handle in her stead. It would be difficult, and she would question herself- but that was not something she had to worry over tonight. Tonight, she would enjoy, and save her burdens for tomorrow. She smiled, crossing her legs at her ankles and taking in a deep, cleansing breath.

"This place is almost perfect," she sighed happily, staring up at the sky again.

"Almost?" Sesshoumaru repeated, as if insulted that his gardens could be anything but perfect. Kagome chuckled and looked over at him.

"It's missing something," she told him.

The demon lord looked down at her then, raising an eyebrow as indication that she should continue. Kagome rolled her eyes and smiled to herself, redirecting her gaze to the false sky.

"You have almost everything here that a normal garden would have," Kagome explained. "And some more magical qualities that most gardens don't. But even with your false sky and magical, glowing flowers, there is something missing that always reminds me that this place isn't truly free of this mountain, and that we are confined beneath layers of rock."

"And what is that, priestess?"

Kagome reached a hand out to the sky above her then, as though searching for something. She waved her arm a bit, her fingers spread out as though combing the air. She let out a soft, disappointed sigh and lowered her arm to rest over her stomach.

"There is no wind," she said, and closed her eyes. "And that will always remind me that this place is mostly artiface."

"Hn."

After that they sat without speaking, basking once more in the silence of the garden. It wasn't tense, or filled with unspoken words that needed saying. It was the silence amongst comrades that needed nothing but the presence of the other, and the peace that they had found in this small corner of a palace that represented the pressure of their responsibilities; all that they were fighting for, and all those that would suffer if they failed. Kagome was glad she had this moment of calm to look back at with the journey she faced looming ahead.

For she knew it was unlikely that she'd feel it again for some time.


A/N: I'm positive there are many grammar and spelling mistakes. I didn't have time to edit this before it was posted.I hope you all can forgive me. Please review.

Happy New Year!

-sesshylovr