Kagura had been surprised to receive the call from the yokai lord. He had not seemed all that impressed with Naraku, or should she say 'Onigumo's' showey introduction to the council. Whatever the taiyoukai's reason, she had been summoned to his home.

The wind sorceress sat silently in Sesshomaru's study. It was empty, save for herself, and that made her uncomfortable. Especially since she had been waiting for well over ten minutes for the yokai lord to join her.

The sound of the wooden doors opening alerted her to someone's presence, and judging by the large youki, that someone was not to be trifled with. Kagura got her feet, and waited politely for her host to make himself known.

Sesshoumaru wordlessly glided across the room to his desk, and took a seat. He looked up at her, his face void of expression. The golden color of his eyes was misleading, as his gaze would send a chill through even the strongest yokai. Naraku was going to regret getting himself tangled up with this one.

"Sit." the taiyokai said. Without hesitation, Kagura lowered herself to her chair, crossing her legs one over the other. "I suppose you are wondering why I have asked you here."

"I am more than a little curious. Is it customary for you to keep your invited guests waiting so long?" Kagura asked with thinly veiled annoyance.

"Is it customary for guests to insult their hosts in your home country?" Sesshomaru countered cooley. "I have called you here because I wish to acquisition something of great importance to me. However, if you are unfit for the job, I will seek services elsewhere."

Kagura's eyes narrowed in irritation for a moment before she composed herself. "But of course. I would be more than happy to lend our services to you Sesshomaru sama."

"I have no wish to involve your brother in this matter. Will there be a problem with this?"

"Not at all." Kagura assured him. "What is it that you are looking for, may I ask?"

"It is called The Human Head Staff."

"You must be joking. The existence of such a staff is only supported in myth." Kagura laughed, but Sesshoumaru did not seem amused.

"I do not see the humor. Can you get me the staff, or shall I take my buisiness to your competitors?"

Kagura pursed her lips in frustration. Sesshoumaru was clearly toying with her. The Human Head staff hadn't been seen or heard from since feudal times. It was rumored to have been lost centuries ago. Even now, one never heard so much as a rumor of its whereabouts. It simply did not exist. However, she sensed that it would be unwise to decline the taiyoukai's test. If she was to do her job she needed to win Sesshoumaru's trust, and impossible as it may be, this was the first step in achieving that goal.

"May I ask why you want the staff?"

"You man ask. However, I have no obligation to give you an answer." The taiyokai lazily ran his fingers through his long silver hair. "Do we have a deal?"

"We have a deal." Kagura answered. "I warn you that it will take some time, and it will not be cheap. Time is money as you know." Kagura uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. "I will find you the staff."

"Good. Then my housekeeper will show you to the door. I have other buisiness to attend to. Contact me when you have acquired the staff." And with that Sesshoumaru stood from his chair and left as quickly and silently as he had come, leaving Kagura alone once more.

"Arrogant bastard." she muttered under her breath. A moment later a female Inu Yokai dressed in a teal and pink kimono arrived to show her to the door. Neither of them spoke as they made their way through the large manor. She was led down a long corridor lined with large windows with a view of the gardens. It would be a nice day to sit quietly under a tree and forget herself. The summer flowers were in bloom, and she saw a large koi jump out of the water in the pond it called home. However, dispight the garden's beauty, it was the building just visible at the farthest end of the garden that got her attention.

"What is that building over there?" She asked the housekeeper.

"That is the house of the younger Lord, Inuyasha sama and his family." The housekeeper answered dutifully. "The door is just this way."

Well now. Wasn't that just the sort of information that Naraku had been searching for? Perhaps her visit here had bourn fruit more quickly than she had expected.

0000

There was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that prompted Kagome to open her eyes. The room was still dark, but she could still make out her mate's sleeping form as her eyes adjusted to her surroundings. She rolled over to take a peek at the baby.

Still bleary eyed, Kagome could just make out a pale silhouette leaning silently over Aiko's cradle. A hand reached out from under a white animal pelt to stroke the slumbering baby's cheek. They brandished a sharply clawed finger, slowly moving it closer to Aiko's neck.

"Don't touch her!" She gasped. Kagome quickly snatched Aiko away, earning an ear splitting wail from the pup at being so rudely awakened. Without a thought she erected a barrier around herself and her child. The room was suddenly aglow with warm pink light.

Inuyasha roused from his deep sleep as his mate bond filled him with fear, though not his own. It wasn't until he heard Kagome's yell followed by his daughter's ear splitting wails that he fully woke.

:Mama! Pup Scared!: Aiko whimpered in the language of the Inu Youkai.

He saw his wife sitting up in bed, cradling the baby to herself. Both of them were surrounded in the pink glow of Kagome's barrier. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted someone else, someone uninvited standing over Aiko's cradle. Instinct took over and he bounded from the bed, grabbing the intruder by the throat.

"Hello Inuyasha."

"Who are you?" Inuyasha spat. "What the fuck are you doing in my house?"

"Don't you recognize me? I do look quite different from the last time we met. Perhaps you would prefer to have a look in the mirror to refresh your memory?"

"Naraku! " The hanyou snarled. He wanted to shred this peice of shit into a million tiny pieces with his claws for what he had done to Kagome. The thought made Inuyasha's eyes flash red with rage. How dare he come into my house and threaten my family?! "Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you right now?"

"What would be the fun in that?" Naraku asked.

:Papa! Mama! Pup Scared!: Aiko whimpered.

"Would you make that thing shut up?" He yelled over Inuyasha's shoulder at Kagome.

"Fuck you." Inuyasha tightened his grip on Naraku's throat. :Quiet now pup. You are safe.: Inuyasha answered back, and the baby's cries lessened, though not entirely.

"It's eating you up inside, isn't it? The very thought of what I did to Kagome makes your blood boil." Naraku taunted. "And you were just as powerless to stop it now as you were then!"

Inuyasha heard Kagome's gasp, and felt her fear wash over him like ice water. He pressed his claws deeper into Naraku's throat. It would be so easy to end him. All he needed to do was add a little more pressure with his claws.

"Do you still have dreams about me Kagome?" Naraku added. "I can still feel that pretty neck of yours under my hands."

Kagome sat on the edge of the bed cradling Aiko tightly to herself. She was doing her best to ignore Naraku's taunts. It wouldn't do any good to break down now; she needed to maintain her barrier for their safety. The baby continued to cry and refused to be calmed even as Kagome rocked and soothed her. Inuyasha had Naraku pinned to the glass balcony door by his neck, so for the moment he wasn't a threat, but she knew that could change in an instant.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked.

"My dear Kagome, isn't it obvious? I can't have a miko as powerful as you roaming around unchecked . " Naraku answered.

"There's more to it than that." Inuyasha said. Sure, Kagome was a powerful miko, but she had only recently discovered the depth of her poweres. There were plenty of other powerful miko that had been around for decades and had far more reputation for Naraku to focus on.

"Perhaps there is." Naraku shrugged. "But some things were meant to be held close to the vest."

Naraku laughed suddenly, and grabbed Inuyasha' s forearm with his hand. Inuyasha yowled in pain. He flinched momentarily, feeling his flesh burn where Naraku had touched him.

That one moment was all Naraku needed to free himself form the hanyo's grasp. He bounded backward, shattering the balcony door as he landed gracefully on the railing. "This isn't over Kagome. I will come for you again."

Inuyasha snarled and leapt forward, claws ready to rend Naraku to shreds. He never got the chance, as a cloud of thick miasma billowed out from under the pelt and Naraku disappeared

"Son of a bitch." Inuyasha cursed as he ran back into the house to check on Kagome.

She still sat there holding her barrier steady as she did her best to calm the fussy pup. He reached out to touch them with his hands, expecting to feel the sharp zap of her spiritual power repell his youki. Instead it engulfed him like a warm blanket. He frantically searched for any sign either of them had been injured, letting out a sigh of relief when he found none. "Are you alright, Kagome? What about Aiko?" He asked.

Tears of relief spilled down Kagome's cheeks as she lifted her shirt and offered Aiko her breast. Kagome nodded her head silently, and let the barrier dissipate. "We're fine."

:Mama! Food!: Inuyasha heard Aiko whimper softly, still clearly upset. It wasn't the pup's usual nursing time, but it was familiar, and soothing. Kagome couldn't understand what Aiko was saying, but the message was clear as the pup scrabbled at her ribs impatiently.

:You are safe pup.: Inuyasha assured softly, brushing Aiko's soft hair with his hand.

He wasn't sure if it was his assurances that everything was alright, or the nursing that finally calmed her, but Aiko finally quieted.

"He was going to kill her." Kagome whispered, holding Aiko tightly as she continued to nurse. Inuyasha felt his heart clench, and he cursed himself inwardly. He wrapped his arms around Kagome and the baby, holding them close.

He hated that Naraku had slipped by him undetected. He was greatful that he had been able to sense Kagome's fear through their shared soul bond this time. He had been able to come to her aid before anything had happened. Still, there was no way in hell he was going to let Naraku get that close again. "Fuck. Kagome, I am so sorry." Inuyasha whispered.

"For what?" Kagome asked, cupping Inuyasha's cheek with her free hand. His bangs hid his eyes from her, but she could tell that he was upset even if she couldn't see his face.

"I couldn't stop him. He could have killed our pup and you, and I was asleep." He answered woefully. "What kind of a husband and father am I that I can't even protect you in our own home?" His voice cracked slightly. Kagome switched Aiko to the other side.

"Inuyasha, stop." Kagome urged, trying to make him look at her, but he refused. They sat there in silence until Aiko finished nursing. Kagome burped her, got up to change her diaper, then set her in Inuyasha's arms.

He cradled his pup to him as she yawned contentedly, earning a soft smile from the adult hanyo. "You both deserve so much better than me." He sighed, rubbing her soft cheek with the back of his finger.

"Baka." Kagome chided, and Inuyasha looked up at her. "Don't you ever say that again, because you're wrong."

Inuyasha sighed. "But Kagome, I-"

"Don't 'But Kagome' me." She interrupted. "I didn't choose to become your mate because I thought you could protect me. The thought never crossed my mind, actually. I chose to be your mate because I love you. You're a wonderful father. You saw that Aiko needed you, and you stepped up to the plate without hesitating. And you've been stepping up every day since. We're all safe, and that's the most important thing. Don't be so hard on yourself."

Inuyasha was in awe of Kagome. She sat there looking at him like she believed could move mountains. He saw all of the love she had for him swirling in her beautiful brown eyes, and had to swallow the lump in his throat.

"What did I do to deserve you?" He asked, adjusting Aiko in one arm so he could wrap his other around his mate. Kagome sighed as she leaned against him.

"You loved me." She said, brushing her lips against his neck with a soft kiss.

"Are you quite done?"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes in annoyance at his older brother's intrusion. He had been so preoccupied with Kagome that he hadn't even noticed Sesshoumaru's approach. He kissed Aiko's head, and handed her off to her mother before he stood up from the bed. Sesshoumaru stood on the balcony littered by thousands of tiny glass shards, looking like he was ready to let heads roll.

"Explain." The taiyokai said curtly.

"It's a long story." Inuyasha said.

"Then make it short."

Inuyasha took a deep breath. "We were attacked by a yokai. He calls himself Naraku. Somehow that son of a bitch got passed the security. I had him by the throat, but he fucking burned me and got away."

The taiyokai nodded, then lifted his right hand, motioning for someone behind him to step forward.

"Kato, you have something you wish to say?"

Inuyasha recognized the man as the son of the head of Sesshomaru's personal security team. He was inu, around his own age, but with striking black hair. His yellow eyes glowed in the moonlight. "Yes Sesshoumaru sama. We cornered the intruder near the back gate. When he tried to fight his way out, one of my men shot him." Kato explained.

"So he is dead." Sesshomaru said.

"No my lord. His body crumbled into a pile of dirt. We found this in the middle." Kato held out a wooden figure, broken in two along the trajectory where the bullet had struck it.

"What the hell is that?" Inuyasha asked.

"It's a demon puppet sir. It explains how he was able to slip passed our defenses." Kato explained. "They leave no scent, and are virtually untraceable by any other means."

"Fuck." Inuyasha growled.

"What defenses do we have against this magic?" Sesshomaru asked, taking one half of the puppet in his hand. He studied the wooden figure with an uninterested expression.

"Sacred sutras aught to do the trick. If you have a barrier erected around the compound, the puppet would not be able to enter.

Inuyasha snorted. It didn't matter if they put up a barrier to keep a puppet out. Every day there were a least one hundred yokai that entered the gates for various reasons. Even if they did have a barrier of protection, there would still need to be a spot where the staff could come and go without being purified. Since Inuyasha already knew that Naraku could make himself appear as anyone, it didn't matter what they did, he would find his way in.

"It won't work." He said.

"It will work Inuyasha sama." Kato assured him.

"No. As long as we have to maintain a safe area in the barrier to let the staff through, it will not work. He is a shape shifter. He can make himself look like anyone."

"Are you certain?" Sesshomaru asked. "True shape shifters are extremely rare."

"He looked like Inuyasha when he attacked me the first time." Kagome said as she stood from the bed, still holding Aiko in her arms. She didn't dare put the baby down.

Sesshomaru nodded in understanding. "What will you do then?"

"We can't stay here." Inuyasha said.

"Where will we go?" Kagome asked. "We could go to my mother's."

Inuyasha shook his head. "It's too risky. It might make your family a target." He stood there for a moment, thinking over his options. "Ipanima." He finally said. Sesshomaru nodded once.

"Ipanima?" Kagome asked, but Inuyasha didn't answer.

"Not my first choice, but it has it's advantages. It was recently renovated as well. When do you plan on leaving? " Sesshomaru inquired.

"Tonight."

"What about Sango and Miroku's wedding? It's in two days?" Kagome reminded. "We're supposed to take the train up there in the morning."

"Kagome, it isn't safe." Inuyasha said, earning a death glare from his wife. Not wanting to face her wrath, he quickly thought of a compromise. "Alright, we'll go. But..."

"But?"

"But, we keep a small security detail." Inuyasha said.

"Alright." Kagome conceded. If it was the only way he would let her go, then she would just deal with it.

"We should still leave before sun up though." Inuyasha decided.

"What about Mama? She was supposed to come with us."

"We can send a car to pick her up so she can meet us somewhere."

"With all due respect Inuyasha sama, this Naraku might have someone keeping tabs on your movements. It would be wise to set up a few decoys to keep them off of your trail." Kato suggested.

" Agreed. I will spare two of my men to act as your security, and will have five cars ready in one hour's time." Sesshomaru said. With that the taiyoukai left, followed by Kato and the other members of the guard.

Inuyasha headed back into the house and pulled the luggage out from under the bed. "We should get packing." He said.

00

An hour later they had packed their bags. They couldn't bring much, only what three suitcases and a toiletries bag could hold. Inuyasha told her to pack a little bit of everything, since they didn't know how long they would be gone. That scared Kagome a little, but she also knew that it was the best chance they had to stay safe.

Kagome strapped Aiko's carrier into the back of the car as Inuyasha and Kato packed their car and the decoys with luggage. It was still dark, but Kagome knew that dawn wasn't more than an hour or two away.

It was decided that three cars would act as decoys for them, while the other two would head to the shrine for her mother. They would meet up with her somewhere outside of town, and then continue the rest of the way to Miroku's summer house together. After the wedding, Mama would catch a ride with Sango and Miroku, and they would continue on to Ipanima.

Kagome sincerely hoped that they weren't really going to catch a flight to Brazil. She had a sneaking suspicion that being stuck in a pressurized metal tube thousands of feet in the air for twenty-four hours with her irritable hanyou husband and the baby might not be the best idea.

Finally Inuyasha slid into the back of the car on the other side of Aiko, as Kato and another guard slid into the front.

"Isn't this overkill?" Kagome asked worriedly.

"Maybe, but I'm not willing to risk it. You and Aiko are too important to me." Inuyasha said.

"Alright, are we ready to go?" Kato said into his walkie as he took the driver's seat. He was answered four separate times, and he nodded his approval. "Then lets hit the road." With that, all five identical black cars pulled out of the driveway.

Right away two of the other cars headed toward the shrine, while the other three headed in the opposite direction. As they made their way to the edge of town one by one their two decoys veered off course to go their own routs, leaving them on their own.

After about an hour of driving, they finally pulled over at a parking garage. Kato got out of the car and waited. It wasn't more than five minutes and the door closest to Inuyasha swung open, and Mama slid in while her luggage was transferred to the trunk.

"Well, I have to say that I've never had a personal escort before." Asami said in her usual cheery tone. "Care to fill me in?"

"It's nothing to worry about Higurashi-san." Kato assured her as he slid back into the driver's seat. "There was an incident last night, and we're just being overly cautious." And with that they pulled out of the garage and continued on their way.

After a few minutes, Asami casually closed the window that partitioned the cab from the passenger seats. She gave her daughter and son-in-law the 'look'. "Alright, now which one of you is going to explain to me why two cars showed up at my house to pick me up, and you weren't in either of them?"

Inuyasha gulped nervously, flattening his ears against his head like a scolded child. Asami had the look that all mother's had that made all children- even grown ones- quiver in fear. To his great relief it was Kagome that spoke first.

"Mama, Do you remember why I had to stay with you earlier this month?" Kagome asked somberly.

"Someone broke into your apartment. " Asami nodded.

"Yes, but that's not the entire truth." Kagome admitted, earning another 'look' from her mother. "The apartment was broken into, but we were home when it happened. Mama, the guy that broke in tried to rape me." Kagome's voice broke as the memory of her 'Inuyasha faced' attacker flashed before her eyes.

"Luckily Inuyasha was there, because he pulled the guy off of me before anything really happened." Kagome added. "But he got away."

"What does that have to do with now?" Asami asked hesitantly.

"Whoever he is, he is targeting Kagome. He broke in last night and threatened the baby." Inuyasha explained. "I had the bastard by the throat, but he burned me with something, and got away again." He pulled up his hirt sleeve to reveal the hand shaped burn on his right forearm. It had almost healed itself completely, but was still visible.

Asami looked at her daughter in horror. "Why didn't you say anything?" She finally asked Kagome, tears in her eyes.

"I- I didn't want to worry you. We reported it to the police, but since I couldn't give them a description of the guy they never found anything." Kagome admitted.

Asami sensed that Kagome was holding something back. "What aren't you telling me?" She pressed. "Did you recognize him?"

Kagome frowned, nodding her head. "It's not what you think though. I didn't want the guy to get away with it, but if I'd told the police what he looked like, it would have caused some problems."

"How so?" Asami sounded a little upset.

Kagome bit her lip nervously. She wasn't sure she knew how to explain it.

"He looked like me." Inuyasha said with a heavy sigh.

"What?" Asami gasped, eyeing Inuyasha in horror.

"I don't know how he did it, but he made himself look like Inuyasha. At first I thought it was him because he looked and sounded just like him, but then I realized that it wasn't."

"How? I don't understand." Her eyes were wide as she studied Inuyasha's face.

Inuyasha hung his head. The look on Asami's face spoke volumes. When she saw him, she didn't see her son in law, she saw a monster- a possible threat to her daughter.

Kagome pulled back the collar of her shirt, exposing the mate marking at the juncture where her collarbone met her shoulder. "This is Inuyasha's mark." She said. "I got it right after we began courting, and it became permanent when we became soul bound. Whenever Inuyasha touches me, the mark feels tingly and warm. When this guy was on top of me, I realized that I didn't feel anything. My mark didn't so much as itch. Plus, whoever this guy was, he didn't know that Inuyasha has naturally silver hair. Even when Inuyasha has his concealment spell I can see thought it. This guy's hair was just black- as Inuyasha would appear to anyone unable to see through the charm."

"I admit that for a minute there I wasn't sure what to think." Asami said, placing her hand over her heart. She then turned to Inuyasha, touching his shoulder lightly. "I owe you an apology my dear. For a brief moment I doubted your intentions, but I know you would never hurt my daughter."

"I understand. You don't have to apologize Asami, really." Inuyasha said with a shrug. "I mean, it sounds pretty bad even to me. That's why she told the police she didn't see his face."

Asami leaned over her seat and pulled Inuyasha into a warm hug, planting a kiss on his forehead. "Call me Mama, dear. You are after all my daughter's husband, and that makes you my son. I am glad that Kagome has you around to look after her." The hanyo blushed lightly at her motherly show of affection.

00

Inuyasha greatfully stretched his legs as he sat on the edge of the covered walkway that circled around the old house. Kagome had slid both screens open wide to air out their room. Inuyasha watched out of the corner of his eyes as she put a blanket out on the floor next to him, then placed Aiko belly down. "Would you keep an eye on her while I clean this dusty room?" She asked as she walked back inside.

Aiko still didn't have the neck strength to lift her own head for longer than a few seconds, so instead she turned it so she rested on her cheek. Inuyasha smiled as he watched her wiggle about, working the muscles in her arms and legs. She whimpered softly when she realized she had an audience, and Inuyasha smiled. Aiko tried to lift her head, but it was just a tad too much, and it landed softly back on the blanket. She whined again, earning an amused chukle from her father. Her little ears swiveled toward the sound, and she smiled her own toothless smile.

Inuyasha turned, sprawling his legs out behind him and laid down on his belly next to the baby. Once again Aiko did her best to lift her little head up. She cooed playfully and reached out to him with one of her tiny little hands. "Come to Papa, little girl" he said, lifting her as he rolled to his back. He rested her tummy down so they were chest to chest.

He watched as she bobbed her head in quick succession, then whined in frustration when she couldn't get it up for a longer look. A tiny frown began to curl at her lips, and he could see the tears as they collected in her large innocent eyes. "Hey now, crying never solved anything." He cooed, resting his hand against her tiny back, gently rubbing circles. "Try again." :Try again: He encouraged gently in both languages, and watched as Aiko put the most effort into this last attempt. And her effort paid off. For a full four seconds she lifted her head and looked her papa square in the eye, smiling triumphantly before her chin hit his chest. "Atta girl." He praised, rubbing one of her tiny ears between his fingers. :Good pup:

Aiko yapped woefully, whimpering three times. His dark brows raised in surprise at her use of the Inu Youkai language. She'd been using it more and more recently without any prompting on his part. It was amazing what a pup was born knowing.

:Papa. Wet. Want Mama: Her little legs squirmed as if to add emphasis. :Want Mama: she repeated again, squirming with more urgency. She stopped and lay still for a moment or two, her body tensing, then a moment later she added, : Wet. Dirty. Want Mama:

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose, smelling that the baby did in fact need her pants changed. "You close to done in there?" He asked hopefully. He heard Kagome caugh as she whapped her cloth, stirrinig up a large cloud of dust that filled the entire bedroom.

"Not even close. Why?"

:Mama! MAMA!: Aiko whined excitedly at the sound of Kagome' s voice. :MAMA! MAMA! MAMA!:

:Quiet pup.: he growled irritably in response.

:Sorry. Pup be good!: she whimpered apologetically.

"It's nothing." Inuyasha answered as he grabbed the diaper bag from its resting place against the wall just inside the room. He didn't mind changing the wet ones so much, it was the soiled ones that he would rather leave for Kagome. Seeing as she was busy at the moment, he reluctantly went to work, doing his best to not breath.

:Dirty. Wet. Want Mama: her legs kicked as Inuyasha went to unfasten the cloth around her tiny belly. :Not Mama. Want Mama.:

:Be still.: Inuyasha woofed scoldingly.

:Sorry. Sorry.: She groveled appropriately, then added :Where Mama? Want Mama.:

The adult hanyo's patience was wearing thin, and he growled. It came out more deeply and angrily than he intended as he wiped her clean, then fastened a diaper on again. Aiko's ears flattened against her head, and she wailed, crying large tears. Inuyasha felt a pang of guilt. Aiko was still very young and didn't understand why he was so irritated. He lifted her to his shoulder, letting her little head rest in the crook of his neck, patting her bottom comfortingly.

:Pup bad?: she whimpered softly.

:Pup not bad. Pup noisy.: Inuyasha clarified.

:Pup loves Papa. Loves Mama: Aiko's little hand grabbed hold of his shirt, and she snuffled his shoulder.

That last one made Inuyasha's heart melt into a puddle of warm goo. Aiko was definitely too cute for her own good.

:Papa loves pup too.: he repeated, kissing the top of her head.

00

Sango felt the rush of adrenalin that heightened her senses as she swung the old practice sword. She had found the set of old sparring swords while exploring the storage room and immediately suggested a friendly match. Miroku felt the burn in his lungs as he dodged every swing Sango threw. He was fast, but Sango was faster. She had already hit him in the arm and the side of his shoulder. Neither blow had been pleasant, and he felt his body ache in protest.

Sango let out a loud yell as she swung the bamboo sword, landing a sharp blow to the back of Miroku's left thigh. With a cry of anguish, Miroku's leg cramped and gave under his weight. He dropped his sword on the ground.

"Had enough yet?" Sango asked, eyeing her fiancé with a satisfied grin.

A loud clap came from across the court yard, and they turned to see Kagome and Inuyasha standing on the veranda.

"Just give up Miroku. She's clearly your better!" Inuyasha teased as he made his way toward them. He was clearly impressed with Sango's skill with a weapon.

"One must learn to recognize when they have been beaten. My lovely Sango, you have bested me once again." Miroku managed to say through his heavy breathing. He massaged his leg for a few moments before he stood up.

"I had no idea you were so good with a sword." Inuyasha commended.

Sango brushed her bangs out of her eyes, resting the sword over her shoulder. "Are you any good?" She asked him as she leaned down and took the sword Miroku had left on the ground, offering it to Inuyasha.

"I haven't held in a sword in a long time." Inuyasha amitted with a shrug.

"You can't be worse than him." Sango laughed.

"Sango, you wound me." Miroku pouted. Kagome giggled, offering Miroku a hand up.

"Come on lover boy, lets go sit down. I've got to see this." She said as she moved to sit on the veranda. "Come one Inuyasha!" She cheered as Miroku took a seat beside her.

Inuyasha accepted the sword from Sango, then took his stance.

"Are you ready then?" Sango asked, taking her own stance.

"Don't think I'm gunna go easy on you just because you're a girl!" Inuyasha taunted, his golden eyes flashing brightly.

"Good. I expect nothing less."

Sango made the first move, taking aim at Inuyasha from the left. The hanyo met her blow with his sword, and shoved her back."Well done." Sango said with a nod before aiming another blow at Inuyasha's leg.

The hanyo quickly hopped out of the way. He landed behind Sango's right flank and landing a blow to her shoulder.

Sango grunted, but otherwise seemed unscathed.

He watched Sango as she moved, trying to decide what would be the best angle of attack.

"Well, this is interesting." Kagome muttered to Miroku as they watched their significant others battling it out.

"Want to make it more interesting?" Miroku asked with a sly grin. "Care to make a little wager?"

"There will be no gambling." Mama scolded, although she couldn't hide the amusement in her voice as she bounced Aiko in her arms.

"I appologize, Asami-san." Miroku offered apologetically. Kagome waited until her mother was out of earshot then leaned over.

"I've got 2,000 yen on Inuyasha." She muttered.

"You're on." Miroku agreed.

Inuyasha watched as a bead of sweat dripped down Sango's nose. He was more than impressed with her ability to keep up with him. He had thrown three more times, but had only managed to hit once. "Honestly, I'm surprised. I always took you for the 'girly' type." He admitted.

Sango shrugged. "I was a total tom boy before my father remarried when I was twelve. My step mother was the one that decided to make me a debutant. Right Kagome?"

"Right! Never met a boy she couldn't beat!" Kagome answered with a laugh.

"So you don't really like shopping?"

"I never said that." Sango snorted, following Inuyasha's move in anticipation of his attack. She swung her sword, and caught the tip of Inuyasha's hand as he dodged.

"Youch!" Inuyasha shook his hand to distract from the sharp pain. It was only momentary, and then he was ready again.

"That's my girl!" Miroku cheered loudly.

"Come on Inuyasha! Don't let Sango beat you!" Kagome added, elbowing Miroku in the ribs.

"Your move." Sango said.

Inuyasha grinned wickedly, moved right, then feigned left, the blade of his bamboo sword pointed against his opponent's throat.

Sango was shocked. She couldn't move without Inuyasha landing a 'kill' blow. She had finally met someone to challenge her. She lowered her own sword and nodded her head. "Good match." She said, offering a bow.

Inuyasha smiled, returning the gesture.

"Yes! That's my man!" Kagome cheered, jumping up from her seat. She seemed to be enjoying rubbing Inuyasha's victory in Miroku's face. "You owe my 2,000."

"I can't believe he beat her!" Miroku said, completely dumbfounded as he pulled out his wallet and placed the money into Kagome's waiting hands.

"You're a good fighter. It's been a while since I actually had to plan my strategy." Sango admitted, slapping Inuyasha's shoulder lightly. The hanyo chuckled.

"You're no slouch yourself." He complimented.

"I think I'll actually have to prepare if we ever have a rematch." She laughed.

"Alright. I'm glad to see you enjoying yourselves, but we do have a wedding to prepare for." Asami reminded. "Do you have a special place around here, or are we doing it right here in the courtyard?"

"Oh, well..." Sango wasn't quite sure how to answer that.

"Actually, I think I know the perfect place, and it's not that far from here." Miroku said. "Would anyone care to join me on a walk there to check it out? Sango?"

"It's worth a look I suppose." Sango agreed.

"Care for a little hike?" Kagome asked Inuyasha curiously.

"Sure, why not." The hanyo agreed.

"I can watch Aiko if you would prefer not to take her along." Asami offered. She cooed at the baby as she layed on the floor on a blanket, happily chewing on the pink lovey she got from Shippo.

"Are you sure?" Inuyasha asked. Even if they weren't going to be gone that long, this would be the first time doing anything without the pup in tow. It wasn't that he didn't trust Asami, but the idea made him a little nervous.

"Of course I'm sure. You two go have some fun. We'll be fine. Kato san and his man are here if anything happens." Asami said, waving them off. "I should have lunch ready by the time you four get back."

"Thanks Mama! See you when we get back!" Kagome called as they followed Miroku out of the courtyard into the forest that surrounded the house.

0

Kagome smiled as she walked under the canopy of summer green. The trees were so full that the light that made it to the ground was filtered green. Her fingers brushed Inuyasha's, and he took her by the hand as they walked behind Sango and Miroku.

"I bet you he gropes her before we get there." Kagome whispered. She decided that she might as well try her luck again. Inuyasha snorted back a laugh.

"Oh he definitely will. Just a matter of when. Two cups of ramen says he doesn't make it ten minutes." Inuyasha countered.

"Deal, but I say he won't make it to five minutes." Kagome laughed. Inuyasha checked his watch to mark the time.

There was something so comfortable and natural about being out under the trees with Inuyasha. He seemed so much more relaxed now than he ever had back in the city. It made Kagome smile to see him so in his element. Her hanyo noticed her smile and sent her a questioning look.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing, you just seem so relaxed is all." Kagome mused. Inuyasha shrugged, rolling his eyes at her.

"Probably because I am." he teased.

Their conversation was interrupted by a loud smack. "Miroku, can't you keep your roving hands to yourself for once?!" Sango fumed as she continued along the path in a huff, leaving Miroku beind with a large red mark across his cheek. Inuyasha checked his watch and groaned.

"Two minutes and thirteen seconds. Damn, you won." he said.

"I've known him longer." Kagome said with a shrug. "Will you ever learn?" She added as they passed Miroku.

"I can't help myself. My hand is cursed!" Miroku said, jogging to catch up. "Her backside is just so..."

"I don't need to hear that." Inuyasha interrupted. "So where is this place you're taking us?" He asked, changing the subject.

"Not too much farther. Maybe another few minutes." Moriku answered. "It's called 'white purity' by the locals."

"Why is that?" Kagome wondered. Miroku smiled and shook his head.

"I'd tell you, but I think it will become obvious when we get there. There is a legend that centuries ago a powerful priestess battled an evil youkai there."

"You really think that happened?" Kagome asked curiously.

"Who knows."

"Keh." Inuyasha snorted.

"You don't think so?" Kagome said with a curious glance. The hanyou crossed his arms over his chest.

"It's probably the local's way of earning their claim to fame."

"That very well may be, my friend." Miroku agreed with a smile. "We're not far now. Wait up Sango!" He called, jogging to catch up. Sango stopped and turned around, waiting patiently for the rest of the group to catch up. "It's just around this bend if memory serves me. Be warned, you're going to have to protect your eyes." He added as they rounded the bend.

"Protect our eyes?"

A moment later it became clear why as they entered the clearing. Everything so was white and pristine that you had to squint your eyes to adjust to the brightness. Although, to everyone's relief, they didn't seem to be blinded.

"Wow!" Sango gasped, taking in their surroundings. Everything, from the grass beneath their feet, to the trees that lined the meadow was completely colorless, as if covered in a blanket of snow.

"No wonder they call it white purity." Kagome thought aloud. She turned a circle, admiring the natural beauty.

"Might need sunglasses if you have the wedding here." Inuyasha pointed out, blocking the light with his hand.

"We could always hold the ceremony at dusk." Sango suggested.

"That wouldn't be too hard." Miroku agreed. "So does this suit you my love?"

Sango smiled brightly and nodded. "It's perfect. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful setting. What do you think Kagome?"

The three of them turned to the young miko, waiting for her responce. She turned, stumbling mid step and collapsed.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled. With youkai speed he was there to catch her before she hit the ground.

0

Kagome's head began to spin, and the sounds of her friends sounded muddled and far away. Everything seemed to bleed white, and she felt as if she were weightless.

The feeling didn't last long.

"Hello my child. Open your eyes." A kind voice coaxed gently.

Kagome groaned and rubbed her eyes and steadied her feet. There were no definable landmarks, just white mist everywhere. Why did this feel so familiar?

A gentle laugh caught her by surprise, and she looked over her shoulder. Dressed in ancient battle armor stood a woman. She had long ebony hair, and although she appeared youthful, her eyes held a wisdom only earned with age.

"I've been waiting for you." She greeted, offering Kagome a bow.

"Who are you?" Kagome asked.

"Think dear one. You know me, for I have been with you always." She answered. Kagome stood there and thought for a moment, searching her memory. And then it hit her.

"Midoriko. My imaginary friend when I was a little girl!" She realized.

"We did have some adventures, didn't we? You were such a lively little thing. However, I am far from imaginary." Midoriko smiled encouragingly.

"Were you the one I heard the night my powers awoke?" Kagome asked. Midoriko nodded.

"Yes, that was me."

"What is going on? Is this a dream?" Kagome asked. Midoriko's smile turned to a frown.

"You are not dreaming, I'm afraid. Do you remember what I told you on that night?" Kagome thought about it for a moment.

"True evil will awaken." Kagome remembered. The ancient priestess nodded solemnly. "I still don't quite understand."

"And that is why I have brought you here. Why don't we have a seat? This will take some telling." Midoriko said, gesturing to a large flat stone as it appeared from the mist. Kagome took a seat. "Five hundred years ago in this very clearing a battle between a young priestess and a truly evil yokai took place."

"Miroku said it was the local legend." Kagome realized, earning a nod.

"All legends have some seed of truth I suppose. However, this miko was said to come from a time in the future by way of a magic well."

"This sounds familiar. I think Grandpa told me a story like that about the old well at our shrine."

"Yes. That's the very well." Midoriko nodded, pleased that Kagome remembered her family's history. "Anyway, this young miko was not alone in her fight. She had three allies: a young taijiya- the last of her village, a Buddhist monk, and her hanyo lover. The yokai had amassed his power collecting shards of a shattered jewel. This jewel had the power to either do great good, or terrible evil."

"The Shikon no Tama!" Kagome gasped.

"Yes. The Shikon no tama." The warrior priestess confirmed. "The evil yokai sought to use the Shiko no tama to increase his strength, and destroy his enemies. However, the priestess and her friends stood in his way. So he lured them all to this clearing, where they fought. It was a bloody battle, and in the end every single one of the priestess's friends was killed. In a selfless act the miko took the jewel, and used it to channel her spiritual powers to purify the yokai. She let out a blast so powerful that it purified everything in its path." Midoriko finished.

"Wow, That's amazing. I just don't understand what that has to do with me."

"Her one wish was that her loved ones could live a life free from the pain the Shikon no Tama had caused them. I granted her wish, because I believed it to be a selfless wish- one that would not be tainted by the yokai souls within the jewel. The wish bound the four friends together in a way I never anticipated. The miko that travelled through the well was reborn as herself, the daughter of a young shrine keeper from Tokyo and his wife from a country across the sea."

It dawned on Kagome that this sounded familiar. The shrine where she had grown up had been tended by generations of her father's family, and her mother had been born in the US. "You can't possibly mean... me?" Kagome shook her head. There was no way that she was the Miko from the story. It just seemed too bizarre.

"Yes Kagome. You are that same miko." Midoriko said, resting her hand on Kaogme's shoulder. She looked the young woman in the eye. "I am afraid that the same yokai you battled battled in the past has been reborn. If he is allowed to grow in power, the world will be plunged into war. You have been training, and I can sense that you have a good grasp on your new abilities. I am pleased to see this, but I am afraid that it will not be enough. You and your friends must remember your former lives. It is the only way to defeat this enemy."

Kagome sat there for a moment and let Midoriko's words sink in. It was a lot of information all at once, and it was almost too amazing to believe. However, something in Kagome's heart knew that it was all true. She was reminded of a dream she'd had more than once, one that echoed Midoriko's tale. She could remember watching Inuyasha die, and seeing all of her friends bodies strewn across a battle field. If this new yokai was as awful as the one from the past, then everything she cherished would be put at risk. She didn't want to lose Inuyasha or Aiko, they were far too precious. She took a deep breath and nodded.

"Okay. What do I have to do?" She asked, steeling her resolve.

"I will show you the memories from that life, as well as the memories of your hanyo, taijiya, monk and yokai lord. It will not be easy, because they lived hard lives. I just want you to know what to expect. Are you ready?"

Kagome nodded her head again, and Midoriko placed her hands on Kagome's temples. She gasped as she watched the images flash before her eyes. Memories of her fifteenth birthday- how she'd been pulled down the well with Mistress Centipede and had the jewel ripped from her body. She saw herself freeing Inuyasha from his curse, and banding together to retrieve the shards after the jewel had been shattered. Slowly they'd become friends, and their group grew. First Shippo had joined them, then Miroku, and then Sango. She remembered all of their travels, all of the times they'd faught together. How she'd fallen madly in love with a certain crass mouthed hanyo. She remembered Naraku, and Kagura, even Sesshoumaru. The night before the final battle, when Inuyasha had confessed that he loved her. How they'd made love under the stars together, and it had been the most loved she had ever felt. It brought tears to her eyes. Then the final battle when she'd watched everyone she loved get slaughtered. She remembered feeling her resolve as she stretched her powers inward, fusing them with Midoriko's, then using the combined power to purify Naraku and end his evil.

Next she witnessed Inuyasha's memories. She witnessed how he had grown up alone after his mother's death. Saw him running from humans and yokai alike just to stay alive. It had been a bloody and brutal existence. She witnessed his first meeting with Kikyo, and them falling in love. Then their betrayal by Naraku. Then the darkness... Until he opened his eyes and saw her. After that everything just seemed to fall into place. Even though they worked to get the Shikon no kakera and kill Naraku, he had friends for the first time, and it was all because one girl had randomly fallen down a well. She watched as he'd fallen in love with her during their many travels together. Every happy moment in is life revolved around her. She witnessed everything from gaining the Tetsusaiga, to the band of seven. Even when he confessed his love for her on the night before the battle, and then his death at Naraku's hands.

Sesshoumaru had very few sad memories. He had lived mostly a solitary lifestyle by choice, with a few exceptions. He had been a proud yokai, ironically it was his pride that ended up killing him in the end. He had been so certain that he would be the one to kill Naraku. After all, Bakusaiga was a magnificent weapon. Unfortunately, his pride was his downfall. The power of the Shikon jewel had made Naraku stronger than the yokai lord had anticipated. Every blow he dealt the evil hanyo he received four more in kind- each wound pumping his veins with deadly miasma. His last memories were of being overwhelmed by Naraku's body, cursing himself for his failure.

Miroku's memories weren't as heart wrenching as Inuyasha's, but he'd had his share of heart aches. Witnessing his father getting sucked into the wind tunnel the most tragic. She witnessed him growing up at the small temple and learning quickly how to deal with Mushin's drunken blackouts. She saw when he left home and began traveling from village to village spreading the teachings of the Buddha. He had spent his days listening for any news of Naraku- the youkai that had placed the cursed wind tunnel in his grandfather's hand- and spending his evenings in the company of any woman that wold have him. Then his meeting with herself and Inuyasha. Then Sango. It had been so easy to fall in love with her firey spirit. Something about the way she slapped him when he touched her perfect backside made his heart skip a beat. He knew that she would be the woman to bear his childred. It had been love at first slap, and she'd kept him in his place from that moment on. He wanted nothing more than to kill Naraku to avenge his forefathers and Sango's kin. When the final battle began he had thrown everything he'd had into beating Naraku. Unfortunatly, it had not been enough.

She saw Sango last. Growing up as the clan lord's daughter had placed a lot of expectations on her young shoulders. But she'd always done well in battle, and her father praised her skills and prowess against yokai. She had loved her little brother the most though. Watching him murder her father and their comrades had shaken her to her core. It was heartbreaking to watch as Kohaku's eyes went from empty to confused and scared. She had no memory of beingBeing in the ground, but she did remember pulling herself from the dirt. She had refused to die. When she heard the news that her village had been slaughtered, she had a driving need for vengeance. She had only the thought of killing Inuyasha, the hanyo that had slaughtered her fellow villagers to keep her going. After learning that it was Naraku that had murdered her village she turned her rage away from the hanyo and his friends. Her heart had broken again when Kohaku resurfaced, only to try killing Kagome. She wasn't sure how it had happened, but she found herself in love with that pervert monk. If they lived through the battle with Naraku she had promised to become his wife and bear his children. It was her last regret that she never got that chance.

When it was all over Kagome couldn't stop the tears as they streamed down her face. It was more than a little overwhelming to suddenly hold four lifetimes worth of heartbreak and memories. She was more than a little relieved to know that she hadn't seen any of Shippo's memories. His previous life had ended in tragedy, and she was so happy to know that this time around he had a mother and a father that loved him very much. There was no reason to burden such a sweet child with such ugly memories.

"Are you alright?" Midoriko asked, her voice full of concern.

"I don't know if I can bare to give them their memories back. They had such hard lives the first time, why do I have to ruin it by making them remember?" Kagome cried, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

"Because it is the only way." Midoriko answered matter of factly.

"And Naraku? How am I supposed to defeat him this time around when I don't have the jewel anymore?"

"You have no need of the jewel. All of the power you need to defeat him is inside of you. And I will be there to guide you when the time comes. You and I are of one soul. We were bound together when you purified the jewel. I have faith in you. Now our time together is up. If I keep you here much longer your hanyo might not be able to keep his composure." Midoriko's eyes twinkled knowingly.

"Will I ever see you again?" Kagome asked.

"Perhaps..."

Midoriko's last word echoed softly as she felt herself being pulled back to reality.

Her eyes shot opened and she gasped for air. Inuyasha cradled her in his arms, looking more worried for her than he'd ever been. As she took her first gasping breath, she moved up to cup his cheek lovingly. "Kagome!" He cried, his voice full of relief. Then his face fell and his eyes glazed over for a moment as his past memories were stuffed back into his head.

It only lasted a moment, then it was all over. Inuyasha blinked down at her with those beautiful golden eyes. He looked so confused, and a little lost. "K-Kagome?"

"Yes?" She answered through her tears. Please don't hate me!

"What just happened?"

"Gods, I'm so sorry." Kagome whimpered, wrapping her arms around Inuyasha's neck.

"How could I ever hate you, wench?" Came his soft reply as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Kagome smiled, remembering all the times he had called her that when they had hunted the shards all those years ago. It had become a term of endearment of sorts.

"Kagome!"

"Kagome! Are you alright?"

Sango and Miroku came rushing over.

"I'm alright. I think I just fainted because I didn't get much sleep last night." She fibbed as she let Inuyasha help her up. Her feet felt a little wobbly, and she lost her balance. Inuyasha's arms tighten around her to keep her from falling again.

"I think I should take her back to the house. Will you be alright if we go on ahead?" Inuyasha asked Sango and Miroku.

"Of course." Sango said with a nod.

"We'll be fine. You just take care of Kagome."

Inuyasha waited a moment until Kagome steadied her feet then he knealt down, offering her his back. With a smile of recognition, Kagome grabbed his shoulders, and he hefted her up, gripping her by the thighs. "Hold on, we'll be there soon." He said before bounding off toward the tree line.

It didn't take Inuyasha more than a few minutes to get back to the house, but the ride had been an exhilarating one. It felt like all of the other times she'd ridden on his back, the wind whipping through her hair. She leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed as he landed silently in the courtyard.

Mama sat on the veranda with Aiko laying on a blanket, playing peek-a-boo. Asami looked up at them curiously. "That was fast. I haven't even started lunch. Where are Sango and Miroku?"

"We had to hurry back because someone fainted." Inuyasha answered, squeezing Kagome's legs teasingly.

"Are you alright?" Mama asked. "I'll get you some water."

"I'm alright Mama, really. It was just lack of sleep. I think I just need a little nap. Do you think you could watch Aiko for a little longer?" Kagome asked. She had a feeling that Inuyasha was going to have some questions for her when then got to their room.

Asami nodded her head. "Of course. You go get some rest."

"Thanks Mom. I'll come get the pup here in a little while." Inuyasha said as they headed off to their room.