A/N: Ok, this is the second story that I've posted, and I'm intending this to be a chapter-story, instead of a one-shot. That said, I hope it turns out well. I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed my last story (and those who didn't), I was very happy with how loved it was! I got very nice reviews, and so I wanted to say 'thank you'. There, now I've said it. Oh yeah, and I got this idea (loosely) from the third movie. If you haven't seen it yet, you should watch it. There will be at least one or two small spoilers in this story, FYI.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I wish I did, but, I don't.
Someone to Portect
Nine and a half years ago, the Feudal Era was nearly destroyed by an all-powerful demon sword called Sounga. This sword had been wielded by Inutaisho, the father of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. When the sword broke free of its sheath, it tried to kill the brothers, and destroy their father's swords, Tenseiga and Tetsusaiga. The brothers were victorious, and Sounga vanished into the pits of Hell.
Six months after that, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru had to unite again to defeat the almost-demon Naraku. With help from Inuyasha's friends and the wolf demon called Koga, they destroyed Naraku. When Naraku fell, so did all his incarnations, and, unfortunately, Kohaku. There were no other casualties, though. Not from the fight itself, anyway. Shortly after the battle, while everyone was still healing, Kikyo gave up her journey. She gave Kagome her shards of the Shikon no Tama and left the land of the living for good.
It didn't take long after that for Inuyasha and the others to collect the rest of the Sacred Jewel of Four Souls. In truth, it took longer for everyone to recover from their wounds; as all they'd had left were five pieces, excluding the two in Koga's legs. When Koga had the only two left, he willingly gave them to Kagome, saying, "Now that Naraku's dead, I suppose I don't need 'em anymore, anyway. Make good use of 'em, Kagome. Don't let that damn mutt waste the Sacred Jewel."
When it was completed, she gave the jewel wordlessly to Inuyasha, fully expecting him to use it to make himself a full-fledged demon. To everyone's surprise, however, he didn't. He did make a wish, and the jewel disappeared, its purpose having been served, and he still hasn't told anyone what it was. He always just shrugs his shoulders and says, "The jewel's gone, that's what matters. We don't have to worry about any demons trying to steal it."
Once all the chaos was over, the group of friends decided to stay in the village just outside of the Forest of Inuyasha. Sango and Miroku built their own home and named their first son Kohaku, in honor of Sango's brother. Kohaku is nearing eight and a half, while their daughter, Rika, just turned four. Inuyasha finally confessed his feelings to Kagome shortly before they'd collected all the jewel shards, and they had also built their own home in the village. They named their daughter Chikara because it means 'power', and Kagome thought it appropriate. She, like her father, was born on the night of the New Moon. Her seventh birthday passed barely two weeks ago.
Sadly, not all the changes were good ones. The elderly priestess Kaede passed on six years ago; three years after Naraku's defeat. When she passed, Kagome became the village priestess, as her powers had already surpassed Kikyo's. Also, when the jewel had been completed, the Bone Eaters Well had sealed, trapping Kagome permanently in the Feudal Era. Over the years, though, she's become accustomed to this, and it no longer bothers her. Plus, she knows that now that she's mated to Inuyasha, she'll see her family again in 500 years. Unless, of course, she's killed.
So, nine years after Naraku's defeat, life is pretty good for those living in Musashi. Koga has even settled down, with Ayame, in the Northern Mountains, and he's already fathered triplets. Life has not settled down nearly so much, however, for Sesshomaru, the Lord of the Western Lands. He still travels the countryside with the imp, Jaken, and the now-19-year-old human woman, Rin. And, of course, the two-headed dragon, Ah-Un. And, every now and then, he still remembers the last words his father said to him; "Do you have someone...to protect?"
To Be Continued...
A/N: Ok, now, I know this chapter's short, and I'm really sorry, but, that seemed like the perfect 'prologue' ending to me, so, I made it short. I promise that the next ones will be longer. Truthfully, if I do an epilogue, it's the only other one that'll possibly be short. Ok, enough of me, please don't give up on it yet, I'm begging here! Oh yeah, and I do accept reviews;)