The Promise

InuYasha rolled his eyes as Shippou had a weak attempt to give a threatening snarl. "No, like this." He said simply as he curled his lips back and snarled, making the hairs on Miroku's neck stand as he watched nearby, leaning on Goshinboku. Shippou tried again, to no success. InuYasha put his hands on his hips as he shook his head. "I don't get you runt." Shippou pouted.

"Well at least I tried." InuYasha smiled.

"Yeah, don't tell Kagome I was teaching you this. She'll kill me for sure." Shippou giggled but nodded as Miroku walked over and picked Shippou up.

"I think we should be getting back inside. Sango has been getting cranky with her pregnancy, only about two months to go. Kagome is inside sleeping, and I think that we must work tomorrow, better to get sleep early than to be tired all day." InuYasha snorted.

"Keh. I don't sleep." Miroku scoffed.

"Your lying InuYasha. I've seen you in your peaceful moments. Tell me, what happened when you went back to our era?" InuYasha said nothing as he turned and began walking.

"Nothing much." He said finally. "He wouldn't talk to Kagome. But she could like sense his sadness in his aura or something." Miroku looked puzzled.

"Do you think he powers increased once she purified the Shikon No Tama?"

"Why would it increase? Midoriko said she was a savor for both humans and youkai now, so why would her power need to be increase if Midoriko chose her to unite the world?" Miroku shrugged as he thought about InuYasha's question.

"I understand that she was indeed a very powerful miko, and her power surpassed that of a priestess, that of Kikyou. But surely, her power must have met new limits once she passed the Trail of Chikara Nanda Ai Shiteiru." InuYasha nodded even thought doubts lingered in his mind.

"I don't think Kagome's powers ever meet a limit." Shippou pondered. "I just think that her mind allows a fuller extent of her power to be used when she goes through a life lesson. I don't think she has to worry about not being strong to overcome something." InuYasha smiled as Miroku petted the young kitsune.

"Well, until we figure this out, let's not say something to Kagome until after we all come home from work tomorrow. The children will be going to school also, so Mrs.Higurashi will be home by herself, with Kazuyu correct?" InuYasha asked as he walked into the house. Sitting down at the kitchen, he ordered Shippou to run along and play when Miroku sat down in front of him.

"Ok, I think it's best we try not to worry her. What I am worried about is if you altered the present by going back in the past."

"What do you mean?" Miroku sighed at his friend's ignorance.

"I mean going back, you could have fueled a new emotion for you from your brother, that may have the slightest change on something that could have had a major insight on where we are today. For instance, if what Kagome did made Sesshomaru love her as a sister, surely you would not be in the same place, as he would not allowed you two to meet your premature demise, whereas we would not have a second chance to start over. Understand?" InuYasha nodded slowly.

"Ok, so your saying, having Kagome show him an ounce of sympathy when Kagura died could have changed our future, well, our past future?" Miroku nodded.

"Correct, but as I see, nothing has changed. We will find out tomorrow." Miroku stood up. "As for me, I think I will check in on Higurashi-sama and the children." He walked away quickly, and InuYasha stood up and quietly walked into Kagome's room. Scanning the room, he quickly, but quietly picked up his mother's diary, but when he turned to leave he felt someone's gaze baring holes into his back.

"You trespass my room, then you take what's in here? My my InuYasha, who'd think that you were a sly cooper." InuYasha growled as a image of the Raccoon came into his mind.

"I am an inu-youkai wench. A dog. I kill raccoons." Kagome giggled as she sat up and looked at him.

"Whatever dog-boy. Where's Sango? How long have I been sleep? Where's Shippou? Where's my mother? Where's everybody?" InuYasha put up his hands in a way to get her to stop talking.

"I dunno woman. Somewhere in this chamber of yours."

"It's not mines baka it's yours." Smiling, InuYasha sat down on her bed next to her, shuddering lightly as she raked her fingers through his hair, allowing her claws to lightly scratch the back of his neck. "You gonna read it or just stare at it?" InuYasha opened his mouth in a retort but thought against it as he opened the book to the next entry.

My beloved InuYasha,

There are some things you need to know if you plan to live in a environment with mix bloods.

You must already understand that there is a world that doesn't understand that the blood of a person does not determine who they are. That just because they are not of your heritage does not mean that you look down on them, or that they belong in hell or to be your slaves for the rest of their lives. That if they were born of a 'sinful' act, that they were to be killed, as well as they parents of the child.

I'm here to teach you something my son. Sometimes, you must go against the teachings of the world to prove what's right. You are living proof that youkai and humans can live as one, can live in peace and in happiness. You are living proof that hanyous can be just as civilized as humans, and if it wasn't for a protective charm, which very few, unless specially trained could sense, they would not even know that you weren't human.

I ask you a favor. Your father and I already started the legacy. I ask that you finish it. I want you to show the world how it feels to have a human mother and youkai father. To show them that half of your blood was considered to be 'filthy' and unpure, but show them the beautiful young man that I know you will grow to be. Show them that the way they are living is wrong, that kami never wanted us to live killing each other.

I understand that there are a few hanyous, and most likely, they are either being totured, or dead. I want you to make it stop. Your father's wish, was to free his son from that hateful look in his eyes toward you as a hanyou, towards me as your mother. He wanted you to teach your older brother that if for the right reasons, a hanyou who is fighting for the benefit of the world's power can surpass that of the greates youkai. I know that you will not fail and disappoint your father, even though you were very young when he was killed, I know that there is a love that can never be broken.

Remember that fighting for the peace is in your blood. I cannot remember how many times your father was challenged for leadership of the Western Lands because he was slowly losing his control. In him choosing me, a mere human as his lifelong mate, it caused an uproar and revolt in his land, and many sought to bring back justice and proper authority, but your father always remained victorious, because he was, by fate, the choosen leader of the Western Lands, and he wanted nothing better than for you to be as strong and wise in the way of the world like he was.

I will make a simple promise to you. As long as you fight to maintain the world, and fight so that the world can be in peace and harmony, I will always smile down on you. Remember that I am always watching you, and if you ever need me, I'm already on my way.

Koi Shiteru

InuYasha sighed deeply as he closed the book and sat it next to him. So, I promise Okaa-san. I promise I will fight, for you, and for father's dying wish. Kagome laid her head on his shoulder and lightly rubbed her fangs across his back.

"What's wrong?" She asked soflty. InuYasha said nothing as he let his head roll back.

"Well, it seems I have a new responsibility."

"Oro?"

"It seems we have to work together for Midoriko Kagome."


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Sesshomaru stumbled as he felt a mixture of emotions and memories flood through him. Him, InuYasha and Kagome…the first time he wanted to cry….a second time of him holding Kagura….Kagome's flare of power….his love for the both of them.

"Foolish children…"He mumbled as he stalked around outside of his wife's work building. "Why would they….they could have messed everything up. Shimatta!"

"Nice choice of words Sesshomaru. Now what if Hanako was here." Tsukiko said with a little irritation. Turning slowly, Sesshomaru glared at his wife.

"And it takes you 20 minutes to walk down 2 flights of stairs, or did it take you 20 steps to walk to the elevator." Scowling at her husband, Tsukiko put her hands on her hips. " They could have just screwed everything up."

"How'd-"

"When Kagura died, they went back, to give me their sympathy. So in my mind, she died twice, and they could have changed everything. If only they would just listen baka hanyous…"Tsukiko ran her finger over Sesshomaru's cheek as she took his arm and began walking down the street with him.

"You have to stop worrying about everything honey. You can't change the world."

"If I could, I would."

"Not everything's meant to be changed." Sesshomaru sighed as he pulled her closer.

"But not everything's meant to happen the way it did either. I wish I could just stop everyone's heartache."

"But look at InuYasha. If it wasn't over his heartache of Kikyou, he would not be with Kagome, and most likely, would be dead. I'm glad you tried to kill him in the past. You've only made him stronger." Sesshomaru shrugged as they walked into a diner.

"I dunno. I don't know why you have to work on a Sunday, but I'm glad this is open 24/7." Sesshomaru thought aloud as thy were seated at a booth.

"They needed me, and don't give me that lecture on how I don't have to work Sesshy, I'm perfectly fine with doing something with myself." Shrugging off the argument that she just tried to avoid, Sesshomaru began looking through the menu that was just set in front of him. Now let's see….


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"Master, they are here." The young neko turned around in her chair and looked at her secretary, arabbit youkai. Her long red hair touched her mid thighs, but she had on a black dress suit with her legs crossed. Her glasses sat on the edge of her nose, barely hiding her yellow eyes the almost pierce into the very depths of her follower. She yawned slightly, bearing off her pearly white fangs in the darkeness so that her servant shuddered in the security of the dark.

"Are you sure Usagi?" The other youkai nodded. Her elbowlength whitehair moved with her movements, and her red eyes glistened, waiting for the next predator which was to try tofeast on her. She always twitched and looked around the room at the slightest movements, ready to dart away at the slightest signal of danger. The neko rolled her eyes and waited for the rodent to reply.

"Yes, InuYasha and the others are to work for Sesshomaru No Taisho, the first born of the Great Inu No Taisho tomorrow." The neko scowled at the mention of the name Sesshomaru, but said nothing else.

"Yes, and how about Moon?" The secretary smiled evilly.

"I am pleased to annouce that they are married and have to kids. Though she does work, just not for him. It seems you have a chance to dispose of her after all master." The neko cracked her knuckles as she looked at the envelope sitting on her desk. Stabbing her claw through the picture, she brought it up to her face and hissed at it. I've waited 3 long years Moon. You can't escape me now. "So you wish for me to give them a call, perhaps pay a visit?"Usagi chuckled.

"No, my mother would not allow it. I shall deal with her personally myself. Tell me, what else have you uncovered about my dear Moon?" Usagi smiled sadly as she opened up a notepad and removed the pen inside to hold the page.

"Well, I understand that her powers no longer work in the daytime, only at night, unlike when you two were older. That should come to our advantage." The neko smiled evilly.

"I know that already, but other than her precious husband, what does she cherishes most?"

"Her children, especailly the youngest, her daughter Hanako. But beware, her father is the Great Sesshomaru No Taisho. Do not believe them to be weaklings."Usagi warned. She shuddered when her master laughed coldly and shot her a mocking glare.

"Do you believe that I am afraid of a young girl who can't even hunt yet? She wouldn't last to minutes with me in a battle. Do you not have faith in the youkai that saved your life when you were nothing but a pile of dirt in this street?" The young secretry shuddered as memories flooded her head, and she shook her head and bowed respectfully.

" I am truly sorry Lady Yoko. I shall never doubt you again." Yoko stared at her servant but said nothing else as she ordered her to fix her posture.

"Also, her husband has a brother that will be very useful in the family's demise. He is arrrogant and stubborn, and is also a hanyou. Goes by the name InuYasha, and his mate is-"

"Higurashi Kagome. The reincarnation of the great priestess Kikyou. What youkai wouldn've known her?"Usagi shrugged as she began nervously chewing onher pencil.

"Yoko, what exactly is it you have against Tsukiko?"

"Because of her, our family was banished from our Lands. We were critisized, held no honro, no reason to look down on other youkai, for she has mated with the enemy of millions of generations. She has bore children that were never meant to be born, made a breed of a youkai that does not have the right to live on this world. And for that, I hate her. She was older than me by a couple of minutes, but father loved her more. Even when she ran away for that disgusting looking Sesshomaru, he said nothing of it, even when they slaughtered him and mother, there was no word about Tsukiko coming out of their mouths. It is her fault our parents were slaughtered, our family and friends skinned alive or fanged to death, and for that, I must exact revenge."

"And you plan to do that by..." Yoko threw the picture of Tsukiko up in the air, and with one swipe tore the picture into shreds.

"I must annihilate my sister."


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A/N

Ok, if it is short, I am so sorry. Well it comes to find out that we are not going to actually get rid of the internet for a long time to come, but we are going ot get rid of it. sigh I wonder why they would do something like that when we practically need the interent to live. Well I have a test going on right now, and most likely when I get home from school I'll probably go to sleep after that, so you'll probably get an update not tomorrow but the day after that. I'm hoping some of you can catch the connections of the people in the story. Here are some hints below.

Tsukiko : Moon Child

Koi Shiteru : I Love You.

Yoko : Sun Child

Usagi : Rabbit

Hanako : Flower Child

Now, if they are all children that were named after something, if, and when Tsukiko have another child, her third born, she must contnnue the Eastern Land tradition, and follow the line of names. Now, do you understand the connection? Hanano was named Flower Child for a special reason. If you could put two and two together from hints I put in the story, I'll explain it to you in email, as well as dedicate the next chapter for you when I explain it all in the next update. And if you still don't get it, I'll go even farther in Author's Note. Good luck! (You may want to read Chapters 19...and 20. Now there are little hints that will get you going. Draw conclusions...)