Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. If I did I'd be one rich bastard.

"Mother! Why didn't you tell me you were sick?"

"Reika..." Sayuri turned around and a beautiful young woman with long black hair, lavender eyes and cat ears, ran into her arms.

"Mother, hold on... please..." crying on her shoulder.

"I'm not sick, only tired. Cut my hair, it's heavy. It hasn't been cut in centuries." The female hanyou pulled out a small knife from under her obi and cut her hair to the middle of her back. More than three feet of hair was cut from Sayuri's head.

"Do my hair the way I like it, my child."

"Yes mother." she said with tears filled eyes. Walking toward a box, she pulled out three gold pins, accented with diamonds. Quietly doing her hair in a intricate bun, amongst the silence she suddenly asked; "did she tell you at one point she wanted to become a geisha?"

"No, why?" asked Kagome.

"She said it looked fun dancing and singing. Mother made it to maiko but quit after wearing the shoes too long." smiling to herself, remembering when she first heard the story. When she finished her mother's hair, Lady Sayuri laid down on her large bed. The four young women surrounded the bed, Rin and Reika across from each other, each holding one of Sayuri's hands.

"Call everyone in here." in a dying voice, in contrast to her youthful appearance. Sango left and brought her comrades and servants inside the large room. Smiling, she said; "It has been a blessing from the gods to have all of you in my life. You all have a special place in my heart." taking a deep breath.

"Miroku, you've showed unbelievable strength, more than most humans and demons."

"Sango, so sweet and quiet but yet so strong and wise; you are a woman ahead of her time." It was too much for the demon slayer to take in, so she ran into her husband's arms for comfort.

"Kagome, not even from this time, you are stronger than you look. Do me one favor, stay sweet and pure." The miko's tear filled eyes stared at the demon.

"I will." she whispered, her mate rubbing her shoulders to comfort her.

"Sesshomaru, protect Rin." he simply nodded. "You are a strong demon, remember what I tell you. Live your life to the fullest. You have a nephew now... go see him." taking a deep breath. "Let go of the past and live a long, bright future, it took me three hundred years to learn that." Walking up to Sayuri he kissed her forehead making her blush and whispered "thank you." before leaving the room.

"Rin, promise me you'll stay full of life, the days with you in the village were happy ones." Rin cried in her lap, rubbing her head. She told her "It will be okay."

"Inuyasha." the nekoyoukai's face lit up, showing her bright white fangs. "You went out of your way to save those girls, putting your life in danger to save them from Kiaiki. As my final thank you I give you the Northern Lands." shocking everyone except Reika.

"What? You can't give me that, what about your daughter!"

"I want no claim to these lands. It is my mother's choice, she picked you." not even looking in the hanyou's direction; she was completely focused on her mother.

"You will do fine child, your kind heart and strength is just what these people need." Sayuri said in a whisper. Death was looming in.

"Why are you doing this, Lady Sayuri?" Inuyasha asked, his voice filled with pain and confusion.

"Look at me child, you will do fine. I am entrusting you with these lands. I have faith in you Inuyasha... Now give me a hug." stretching her arms out, pulling him into a embrace. When she held him she whispered; "Now you have that big house you always wanted for your family... you deserve it." Laying her back down he left the room, the stench of death was getting to him.

"My daughter Reika, you are a blessing from the gods. I love you, my little girl. You're so much like your father, always so giving." softly stroking her wet cheek.

"Mother..." laying her head on the bed, crying her eyes out.

"To my servants..." all of the new guests left the room as Sayuri said her goodbyes. Suddenly, a harsh cough came then stopped, causing blood to drip from the corner of her mouth. The Lady of the North died with a smile on her face. Before her hands went cold the strange bird flew into her lap, dying as well.

"Mother... goodbye."

Two servants put Sayuri's body on a stretcher and wiped the blood off her face. They carried the body outside to the garden through a door in her room. It would've been rude to carry her through the halls. Her coffin lay outside, visible from one of the hall windows. It was a mahogany color, a had her and Lord Xu's insignia on the lid.

"They already knew." Kagome whispered to herself, watching from the hall. Sayuri was buried next to her husband in the cherry blossom field.

All of the servants returned with sad looks on their faces. Rei picked up Sayuri's hair from the floor and handed them to Rin and Reika, since they took her death the hardest. Leading them to the window, they let go of her hair. The strands danced through the sky peacefully, it was comforting in a way, letting her go.

"I think we should go." Miroku said. Everyone agreed, leaving the palace to the main gates. Reika gave Inuyasha the keys to the palace and a better explanation of the spells used inside. When she finished she climbed on a horse with a mane of fire, speeding away.

Before the group left Kagome finally freed Midoriko from the Shikon Jewel. The jewel glowed and a large youkai emerged from it, along with the miko following behind it, scaring the entire group. The youkai just ignored them as if they didn't exist. Just when it was about to strike the miko, she drew her sword, cutting it in half. Time seemed to stop for a moment, the beast lay dead and the legendary miko floated in the air, staring at it.

"Arigato." she mouthed before disappearing along with the youkai she finally slain after three hundred years.

"Sayuri would've been happy to see that." Rin said with a small smile.

"Yes, she would." Sesshomaru said, taking her hand. They followed the group back to the village where they left their comrades behind.

"Sesshomaru, there's someone I want you to meet." Inuyasha said glancing at his older half brother.

"Who?"

"My son."

"I'd like that."

Yay! Another chap! We're almost done. How sad, but don't fear, a sequel is coming soon! Review, drop a line, tell me wat you think, it really helps.