Miroku was leading a beautiful women away from the village. She had fainted in the market place and he had volunteered to help her home.

"Thank you again Hoshi-sama," said the girl. Her name was Aiko and she was a pleasant sight to look at, she had glowing smooth skin and long shining black hair.

"No problem," he replied, he was supporting her because she was still weak.

"I'm alright Hoshi-sama," she said pulling away from him. But within three steps she stumbled again.

"I've go you," Miruko said supporting her, taking the moment to put his hand on her butt.

The girl's eyes widened in surprise, "Hoshi-sama, how dare you!" She removed herself from his grasp and gathered the strength to slap him across the face.

Miroku put his hand up to his face and sighed, another woman had rejected his touch. He watched her as she walked away from him clearly mad. He had gotten no reaward for his good deed, and now Sango and Kagome would act coldly to him for going off with another woman. He took one last look of Aiko before going back to the village.

~*~*~*~

Kagome sighed; Sango was in a bad mood and didn't want to talk to her. She guessed that it was because Miroku had wandered off with a pretty girl earlier today. He had come back in a short period of time but, Sango didn't seem to care about that.

The sun had set a while ago, and they were staying in a available hut that the village provided. Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha, Shippo and herself were seated by the fire. Miroku was talking to Sango, probably trying to explain himself and apologize to her. Shippo was finishing off what dinner they had left; he could really eat a lot when he wanted to.

Kagome glanced at Inuyasha, he was staring out the hut's only window. 'I wonder what he is thinking about. I bet its Kikyou.' She recalled there latest adventure. Kikyou had suddenly showed up, whether she had aided their quest or not, Kagome didn't know.

~*~*~*~

Meanwhile, Aiko had safely reached her home shortly after leaving Miroku. But, as her family members had noticed, she remained unusually quiet. Aiko had returned to her former self in every other aspect, she felt strong enough again but the monk's behavior.

Finally after a few hours of this her grandmother called her over, "Child," she said, "What is troubling you?"

Aiko finished putting the wood she carried on the fire, "Grandmother, do you remember me saying something about a group of travelers coming into the village yesterday?"

"Yes of course. Now continue on dearly."

Aiko sat down, Japanese style, and continued her story, "Well, in the market place this morning I fainted," she explained, this was nothing new, Aiko often experienced fainting spells, "One of the travelers, the monk, offered to help me home."

"Yes," the grandmother urged.

"Well on the way home, the monk took advantage of my weakened state and ah," she looked away embarrassed, "He touched my butt." Aiko started to blush, her face turning red as a cherry.

"What?" exclaimed her grandmother, "A man of the cloth did something like that? They are suppose to protect people like you and me, not take advantage of us." Her grandmother huffed a little more, muttering under her breath as she walked around the house collecting different ingredients. Once she had collected the necessary items she returned to the fireside.

"What are you doing Grandmother?" asked Aiko as she watched in amazement.

"We're going to teach that monk a lesson," she said now resembling a fraction of how she had been in her youth. She began giving Aiko directions that Aiko followed; carefully doing everything she was told.

When all the ingredients were added, she sat back and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, "Ok Grandmother, everything you told me to do is done."

"Good child, now stand back while I finish it up." Aiko obeyed her and stepped aside, when she had retreated into a corner of the room, her grandmother began to chant. As the words rolled off her tongue, Aiko noticed something was happening. Her lovely face contained a look of wonder as she watched the scene before her unfold.

The air in the room thickened and felt almost as if she could hold it in her hands if she tried. Also the light coming from the fire began to fade. The fired was still there burning hotly in the middle of the room, but it's light seemed as if to be swallowed by another being.

Aiko's amazement deepened when she noticed the air around her grandmother started to turn a light blue. Aiko stayed in the corner the remainder of the spell, only leaving once it was done to catch her grandmother as she fainted. She didn't know what had just happened but her whole life changed after that night, she had discovered sorcery.

~*~*~*~

Back in town, Inuyasha and friends were preparing for bed. Sango had just left her seat to add more fuel to the fire. She had finally accepted Miroku's apology or explanation, whatever you felt like calling it.

Inuyasha sat at his post, staring out into the night. Kagome was watching Inuyasha and saw what Miroku was going to do too late. She turned her head in time to see Miroku touching Sango's butt as she leaned over to collect more firewood.

Sango spun around on Miroku, the fire in her eyes saying he'd gone too far. Kagome closed her eyes not wanting to watch Miroku get slapped once again even if he did deserve it. But, the slap never came.

At the same moment Miroku's hand touched Sango's butt, the chants effects hit him. To his horror he realized what he had done. When Sango had turned to face him, he hand ready to hit him across the face, he fell to his knees. "Please Sango, forgive me," he said to her, his hands clasped in front of him in a begging manner, "I don't know what come over me, I should never disrespect a woman like that."

This brought Inuyasha out of his trance, "Huh," he said, "You always do that to woman, that and ask them to bare your child."

Kagome was silent, she had been the most surprised by his action, 'I bet he's just putting on an act,' she thought.

Sango didn't continue through with the slap, "What?" she said, and Shippo just stared at him.

Miroku glanced at Inuyasha, "I'd never do that to a woman. They deserve respect, not to be molested."

The group just stared at him, even Kirara. They couldn't believe Miroku was saying this, Miroku was the last person in the world they expected would utter those words.

Then Miroku took Sango's hand in his own while still kneeling on the ground he asked her, "Sango say you forgive me, please?"

Sango looked at him oddly, "Of course I do,: she said. He looked like he was trying to propose to her, not ask for her forgiveness.

Miroku smiled, "Good," he said rising up from his knees, he still held Sango's hand. "Then I will wish you all a goodnight," he said to them and slowly raised Sango's hand to his lips. Miroku kissed it before whispering, "I am very happy you forgave me."

Sango started to blush, 'This is so embarrassing,' she thought. She hated being the center of attention and quickly took back her hand. She looked away from them before saying, "Goodnight you guys, I'll see you in the morning." With that Sango climbed into her bed still facing away from them.

"Goodnight," Kagome responded automatically. She looked at Inuyasha, he was staring at Miroku with a funny look on his face. She caught his eye as Miroku readied himself for bed.

After Sango and Miroku were in bed, and persumably asleep, Inuyasha said to Shippo, "I'm going out for a while, call out if there's any trouble," the arrogant tone was gone from his voice and he looked oddly thoughtful.

"Inuyasha, I'm coming with you," Kagome announced as he got up.

He looked at her for a second with his hard golden eyes, before they softened, "Alright," was his simple answer.

~*~*~*~

The peaceful nightly noises of the forest were cut off as a pitch black circular portal appeared. First a woman walked through, she was the most beautiful woman most men have ever seen or were lucky enough to feast their eyes upon. Behind her a demon walked out, "We have returned to our world," he observed looking around before his eyes settled on the woman in front of him.

She was only sixteen but had grown into a fine young woman. The moonlight turned her flawless ivory skin a cream color. Two dark locks framed her face while the rest was left to flow down her back.

At her waist hung an assortment of weapons, a sword, throwing stars, and a short knife. Among her clothing he knew there was yet more daggers she kept hidden. In the place that they had come from, to be unprepared meant death by on of the dangerous monsters that always lurked somewhere in the shadows.

"So we have," she replied looking at him. "But why now after all those years? Why have we suddenly had to opportunity to return?" Her lovely face looked worried, it had been years since she had seen such a peaceful place as this.

The demon looked at her, he hated seeing her unhappy, "Do not think about it, just be glad we are back." 'Now that we are back,' he thought, 'I can find you some different clothing.'

He had never liked the outfit she wore now, they had found it shortly before being sent to the other world. Sesshomaru had stumbled on a massacred village, and in one of the huts lay the clothing she wore now along with it's matching necklace.

'It was all too convenient,' he thought, plus he hadn't even mentioned of the most interesting part.

Rin had taken an immediate liking to the outfit, though she had been too small to wear it yet. The outfit consisted of a top of harden maroon leather, and a short skirt of the same material that she wrapped around her waist and tied on her left hip. The top stopped just above her belly-button and provided coverage for the tops of her arms.

The material acted as a type of armor, but still provided the person free movement, the fact that the skirt was split on each side helped. The symbol on it though was what had first attracted his attention after Rin had put it on. There was a small cherry blossom that was embroidered on the lower right-hand corner of the skirt. There were vines that extended from it and crawled up the right side and across the bottom-front. The necklace was also make of a cherry blossom that hung from a fine chain shaped like a vine.

Rin had grown enough to fit into it at age twelve, and here was the best part, the outfit grew as she did. They had never had to get her other clothing because the one she had now had grown with her.

She nodded her head, clearly still upset. He sighed, "Rin," he said warmly, "Do not worry, everything will turn out just fine."

"Hai," she said still facing him, then she smiled, "Can we explore this world a little, I've forgotten almost all of it."

Sesshomaru looked at her lovingly, "Of course we can." It had been such a long time since he'd seen her smile like that. Back in the other world, there wasn't much to smile about.

~*~*~*~

Kagome and Inuyasha were wandering through the woods. Kagome had thoughtfully brought her bow and fletching full of arrows before they left the hut. She slowly trotted after Inuyasha, he hadn't said a word since they left.

"Inuyasha," she ventured.

"Hm."

"Where exactly are we going?"

"I don't' really know, just," he paused, "somewhere quiet."

"Mmm...." Kagome said. She continued to follow Inuyasha, until he suddenly paused sniffing the air. "What is it Inuyasha?"

"I can smell Sesshomaru," he said half turning to her, "and he's close." Inuyasha didn't mention that Sesshomaru's scent had changed slightly, or that there was a human with him.

"What?" Kagome whispered, not wanting to draw him to them by her voice, "We haven't seen him in at least three months, why would he show up now?"

"I don't know," he said drawing the Tetsusaiga from its sheath, "They are headed this way. Kagome get behind me," he growled as Sesshomaru walked into the clearing.

"Why my dear brother Inuyasha," he said as he moved out of the way for another figure to appear, "It has been such a long time."

"Not quite long enough," countered Inuyasha looking at the woman.

"Sesshomaru," she said, "This is your half brother? The one you have been trying to kill?"

"Hai,"

She peered at him with a critical eye, "He's not much to look at, is he? I mean, take his stance for example, it looks as if he's about to dance not fight."

Inuyasha growled at the insult, "What's this Sesshomaru? Your keeping company with a human? I guess you are our father's son after all."

Sesshomaru gave Inuyasha a piercing look before noticing Kagome, "What's this?" he said, "She is the same age as before."

"What do you mean 'same age she was before'?" Inuyasha asked positioning himself in front of Kagome.

"It has been ten years yet, she remains the same."

"Ten years? Feh," he said with scorn, "You've obviously gone insane. We saw you just over three months ago."

Sesshomaru was silent, "Interesting," he said finally.

"It's been nice chatting with you Sesshomaru, but I'd rather fight," Inuyasha repositioned himself.

"Sesshomaru?" asked Rin, "May I fight him instead?" she looked at him.

"This would be a good time to test you skills," he said thoughtfully, "Of course Rin, go ahead." She nodded to him stepping forward.

"Sesshomaru, you've go to be kidding. You're letting this woman do your fighting for you?" Inuyasha accused.

Sesshomaru didn't answer him, but was watching Rin intently, this was going to be her first fight in this world.

Rin unsheathed her own sword, positioning herself in a fighters stance. "I am ready, you may attack first if you wish too," she said mildly.

Inuyasha growled, he couldn't even use the wound of the wind on her seeing as she was human. Inuyasha rushed at her and cut down quickly.

Rin avoided his attack with ease, slashing Inuysaha across his back, Inuyasha bit back a cry of pain, he hadn't thought she would be that fast, after all, she was human.

"Inuyasha," cried Kagome seeing how Rin's sword buried itself into his back.

"Stay back Kagome, it's only a scratch."

Rin took up her fighting stance again, her blade glistening red in the moonlight from his blood. "He is an even worse fighter than I first thought he would be, " she said to Sesshomaru, "That attack wouldn't have hit me if I was blindfolded."

"How dare you!" remarked Inuyasha, losing his temper.

"You heard me," replied Rin cooly.

"Adjust your left foot slightly," came the instruction from Sesshomaru. Kagome and Inuyasha looked at him surprised to still find him here, they had forgotten him. "It is off a little Rin."

She did as she was told saying, "How could I have forgotten something as basic as that?"

Rin and Inuyasha continued to fight, it appeared that Rin had the upperhand. SHe landed more blows upon Inuyasha than she did to her.

Sesshomaru was so intently following the battle that he didn't notice as Kagome slowly arrow to her bow and drew the string taut. Only once the arrow had been released did he realize what was happening. All Sesshomaru had time to do was position himself so the arrow hit him in the lower shoulder instead of him heart.

"No!" shouted Rin when she saw what was happening. "You BITCH!" she said to Kagome trying to attack her.

Inuyasha positioned himself in front of her, "I don't think you want to do that," he remarked, "Sesshomaru may be alive now, and just leaving him lying on the ground might not be a good idea."

Rin looked at them, hatred filling her eyes. "She will pay for this, remember that Inuyasha and enjoy your last days with her." With that Rin sheathed her sword, picked up Sesshomaru, and carried him off, a surprising feat for someone as small as herself.

Inuyasha watched them go before turning to Kagome, "Why did you do that?" he asked her, his eyes and voice betraying how worried he was.

"What do you mean? It looked like you were having a trouble dealing with her, plus," she shrugged, "It was the perfect opportunity to get rid of Sesshomaru."

He sighed, "You should have left that for me to deal with." Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder before adding, "She might give me some trouble."

Kagome stared blackly at him, "Do you mean you might not be able to defeat her?"

He growled at her, "Of course I can defeat her. It might take me a while to do so and now I have to worry about your safety," he said thinking back, "She looked pissed."

~*~*~*~
Rin had draped Sesshomaru across her back and was now running as fast as she dared. She needed a safe place to keep him until he was better, but to kill him while looking for it wouldn't be any help.

"Rin," come Sesshomaru's voice from beside her ear, "Put me down. I can walk."

Rin hesitated before replying, "No," she said finally. "You are too badly injured, I am looking for a safe place for us to stay while you get better."

Rin suddenly spotted an abandoned hut and headed toward it. In response to her words Sesshomaru growled.

"Only a few more minutes," she said

The hut itself was dirty and old. Rin wrinkled her nose in disgust, but it would have to do. She laid Sesshomaru down gently and began to gather up organic material that could be used as bedding.

Once she had arranged it in the cleanest corner of the hut, she carefully picked Sesshomaru up and put him down in it.

"Rin," Sesshomaru said trying to sit up.

Rin gently forced him to lay back down. "I will be right back, I am going to look for herbs that will help you get better. I don not want to come back and find you somewhere other than you are now."

Sesshomaru growled, but then sighed. This is exactly like what had happened before all those years ago. He had been severly wounded after a fight with his brouther Inuyasha and Rin had come along to help.

Taking his sigh for a 'yes I'll stay where I am,' she walked out of the hut and into the night. ~*~*~*~ The next morning Inuyasha and Kagome told the others what he happened the night before.

"So, is Sesshomaru going to die?" asked Sango. The group was sitting outside the hut in the early morning sunlight.

"No," said Kagome, "The arrow hit him in the shoulder, not the heart."

"Oh," she replied, she looked at Miroku. He was still acting the same as last night, treating her kindly and not being perverted. He even passed up the opportunity Sango had unintentionally offered him to touch her butt earlier.

"Even if Sesshomaru lives, it sounds as if this Rin girl is still out for blood," he paused before adding, "Kagome's if I'm not mistaken."

The all glanced at Kagome, "I won't let Rin get close enough to lay one finger on Kaogme," said Inuyasha.

"I'll help you to protect Kagome, Inuyasha," Shippo announced boldly.

Kagome nodded her head, "Thank you Shippo," she said.

"Feh," Inuyasha said, "Like you could actually be of any help."

Shippo glared angrily at Inuyasha, "As much help as you!" he shouted, and Inuyasha ignore him.

"Now Inuyasha," said Miroku, "Tell me about this girl you were fighting with."

"Back to you normal self I see," said Sango drily.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked her.

"Nothing," she said with a sigh. Sango picked up her boomrang and said to Kagome, "I'm going to take a bath in the hotsprings, do you want to join me?"

Kagome nodded her head, "I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Okay, I'm going now, catch up with me later," with that she was gone. She had jumped on Kirara's back and flew away.

"What's up with her?" asked Inuyasha, he was staring after her.

"I don't know," Miroku said, also watching her go.

'Guys are idiots,' thought Kagome, she could guess what was wrong but she wasn't about to tell them. She looked at Miroku, "What do you want to know about the girl?" she asked, thinking he'd start asking about her looks, but he didn't.