From the diary of Princess Higurashi Kagome of Musashi
Date: twentieth day of the first month of summer. Year XXXX

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The palace of Princess Tsuyu is close. I can already see the twin mountains between which it is located, hidden in a valley full of bubbly streams and lakes full of crisp cool water. Himitsu, Shippou's father, says that we're making good time and will reach the palace sooner than could be expected from regular horses. The beasts pulling the carriage seem to be pleased at his remarks about their speed and strength.

Rin seems anxious, reading the letter Inuyasha gave her a few days ago at least once a day. I wonder what Lord Sesshomaru had written in the letter, but she did not offer to show it to me and I don't want to pry.

My sweet cousin has a lot to think about - Sesshomaru is a hard case to decipher and understand. He is in many ways similar to Inuyasha, but he has little of Inuyasha's expressiveness. He may appear cold and uninterested, while he is in fact very entertained. Well, I guess she will find a way to read him, if they are to work out in the end.

Luckily, Inuyasha wears his heart on his sleeve and is easy to goad into spilling what is on his mind. Especially when he is not wearing the glamour that hides his true self. Guessing his mood by a glance towards his ears is the best way to see if my puppy is down or if he needs to be scolded.

Ah, it all is so new and fascinating. I have so much to learn and I feel like I just opened my eyes for the first time. The world is now a vibrant place, where mysteries lurk in moonshades and legends walk the wild forests.

Every night of our journey Inuyasha comes to me and leads me out of the inn or a camp where we're staying to explore the shadows and run free. I was anxious at the start, not wanting to worry Rin, unsure how to deal with my new body and senses. But my mate is near, always, guiding me, showing me how to use my claws, how to sense energies, how to stalk and hunt game.

Oh, he is most miffed when I release the animal I manage to catch! But there is no need to take life when we have plenty of food. And running in the woods, feeling the exhilarating energy in my body, the wind whipping my hair and my sleeves, with my mate at my side - this is what I enjoy doing most of the time when we're away from the attentive eyes of our escort.

The wilderness was always a mystery I wished to explore, but couldn't as a princess of a noble house. Now I will be able to go wherever I wish, to find out all the little secrets of the nature. In the silver moonlight, in the fresh air carrying a billion scents, in the feel of the dirt and tree limbs under my feet - in that I find my sense of belonging, of freedom, of joy. Every time I look into Inuyasha's luminous golden eyes I see that the future will not be bleak, nor dull, nor loveless.

Together we drink from mountain springs, eat berries, and snuggle in the cradles of the swaying tree limbs until the dawn calls us back to where the others wait for us.

I feel guilty to keep this wealth of experience and joy from Rin, but I am not sure if she would understand. I am not the same Kagome I was even a month ago. Will she be able to accept that? Am I destined to hide the truth from my family now? I would, if I had to, but I wish I could be certain that at least she accepted my choice and my love. She always spoke of how she wished that we could be allowed to live our lives as we see fit, to go wherever we wanted.

I will have to wait and see how Sesshomaru will do with his courting. Inuyasha says that his big brother will be hilarious to observe. I am somewhat inclined to agree with him - the stoic lord is not the most expressive man and him trying to voice his affection to our sweet Rin might be most amusing.

I wish that the youkai were more known about and accepted, not secreted away in their dwellings. It would make things so much easier! Master Myouga said that the humans are not yet ready to accept another race living among them and that the youkai themselves are not inclined to deal with humans. They will approach some or take some as mates, if they wish, but it is still rare for them to see humans as more than a nuisance or food. When there will be more hanyou like Inuyasha and I, maybe we will change that. But for now I will be content in the knowledge that I am no longer alone, that my spouse values my opinion on matters, that I am no longer quite so restricted by rules of human nobility.

Still, it will take a while to get used to my new power and the enhanced senses. And the ears, I can't believe how sensitive they are! No wonder Inuyasha went to his knees the first time I grabbed onto them to rub them. Oh, when he nibbles at them with his teeth I can't stop myself and just slump in his arms. One of these nights I will manage to sneak up on him and I will suck one of his ears until he whines for mercy!

And I can't wait to reach Princess Tsuyu's castle. I can't wait to get her alone and show her myself. I am sure she will be stunned! And I hope she will show me her new form as well. Inuyasha says that she most certainly will have big eyes and wide mouth, since she is now the Frog Princess. I wonder if she knew of what her husband was before she married him.

I must finish for now; Inuyasha is nearing the tent I am staying in. Shiori, the maid hanyou, will set a barrier around Rin's tent, so she won't be disturbed in the night nor attacked. I am so thankful for her help - thanks to her, I know Rin won't wake up in the night to find me gone.