Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Inuyasha or any of the characters. This is a work of pure fiction and mostly a daydream of how I wished the anime went according to my ship. Here I shall let it sail.

New Beginnings Chapter 6:

Sesshomaru glided through the forest at a leisurely pace. Jaken scampered by his side, bowing apologetically with his news. He hated interrupting his master's patrol. While it seemed Sesshomaru was wandering aimlessly Jaken knew better. Sesshomaru was reinforcing the boarder and making weaker demons submit to his strength.

"Milord, the West needs your attention. Goro has requested your presence at the castle." Jaken squawked in fear. Travelling with his master long enough to know this would result in bodily harm.

"Tell Goro, I decline." He replied, bored with the conversation. Jaken tried to block Sesshomaru's path with his small body when Sesshomaru continued in the opposite direction of his castle.

"You have not been back to the keep since before Naraku. Goro says there is paperwork that needs your immediate attention. Also, he says there is an urgent matter with the leader of the South milord." He begged.

Sesshomaru never liked being kept in the castle, preferring to walk about unhindered. It was why he had appointed Goro in the first place. He was supposed to deal with the administrator side of things while Sesshomaru protected the lands with his strength, opting to use fear and destruction to keep the demons in line, rather than politics.

So far Goro had yet to displease him. However, at this moment he was very displeased. He used his boot clad foot to press down on Jaken's bulbous head and Jaken started flailing his arms wildly in protest. Sesshomaru did not get summoned.

"Please milord. He said he would never summon thee if it wasn't important." Jaken screeched and flailed even more wildly as Sesshomaru's boot increased in pressure and then let up unexpectedly.

Jaken cried at his master's glorious mercy. Sesshomaru looked towards the direction his castle lay. His eyes slanted in annoyance as he turned on his heels and started walking towards his new destination.

"Milord... might I make a suggestion?" Jaken asked timidly. He did not want to be roadkill under his master's foot once more.

"Hn." Sesshomaru replied, not even sparring a glance at his retainer. He had planned to visit with Rin after he'd secured his boarder. He hated leaving his ward in a human village, even if it was in her best interest. It had been two months already as it was. The unfamiliar feelings of worry were obnoxious and only seemed to abate when he checked in on her. He was upset this was causing a delay in his responsibility as her caretaker.

"Might we fly?" he almost stuttered. Sesshomaru stopped his pace and Jaken ran into the back of his legs abruptly. He knew Sesshomaru was worried about Rin. Even if she was safely in Inuyasha's human village.

Sesshomaru used his mokomoko to slam Jaken into the ground in annoyance. It wasn't unusual for Jaken to speak out of turn, though Sesshomaru would still discipline him, and this was one of those times.

After Jaken was flattened sufficiently, his mokomoko wrapped around the little toad's leg and Sesshomaru leapt into the air. While Sesshomaru's movements were graceful, Jaken was being whipped through the wind. Jaken only prayed his master wouldn't let go and decided not to speak the rest of the journey as not to anger him further.

It didn't stop him from occasionally screaming in terror though, which he tried to suppress. Sesshomaru let a little smirk slip.

Did you wish to fly Jaken? We shall fly.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoo

"Uh Kirara?" Kagome questioned when not even twenty minutes later they started to descend into…nothing. She peeked over Kirara's flank and saw nothing but trees. Shippo was sleeping face first into Kirara's soft fur, snoring loudly.

"Kirara? I don't see a village. Are we making a stop along the way?" Kagome tried again. She didn't know why she was asking, it's not like she could understand her the way Shippo seemed too. Kirara didn't even make a noise that she'd heard her and picked up her pace as she angled them further downward. Kagome nearly gasped in surprise when she felt the tingle of a barrier dance across her skin.

That's strange. I can usually sense a barrier. How did I miss it?

As they passed through the barrier, Shippo abruptly awakened and went rigid, sitting up straight and stiff.

"You ok Shippo?" Kagome asked worriedly.

"Yes, but it was different than any barrier I've ever felt." Shippo said, rubbing his arms, a shiver creeping up his spine.

"What kind of different?" Kagome asked, thoughtfully. True the barrier was thicker than most, feeling like they'd passed through molasses. However, it wasn't malevolent. In fact, she thought it felt nice. Like when a mother runs her fingers in your hair. Strange how Shippo was left with a different feeling altogether.

"It felt potent. Like shocks were going through my body. It didn't hurt but…" he trailed off trying to put into words his feelings, "Whoever made that barrier was extremely powerful. The sheer magnitude made my skin crawl."

"Hmm. It felt like a hug to me. It's one of the nicer barriers I've ever gone through." Kagome said truthfully. She studied her kit to make sure nothing was wrong. When she saw nothing unusual, she patted his head.

"I don't think it was made to deter humans. Only demons. It was like it was warning me to be on my best behavior." He concluded his thoughts.

They were silent once more as the village came into view. Kagome looked in awe as she examined the village from the air. Huts in various stages of reconstruction filled her vision. She scanned and saw the slayer training area was fully functional, a few slayers practicing.

Slayers! Sango it seemed, had found some recruits. She watched in awe as they practiced with determination and ease as they passed over. They didn't even acknowledge Kirara or her cargo as she passed, intent on their movements.

Kirara landed in front of a large building; Kagome remembered as Sango's old home. The sliding door was thrown open as Sango came to greet her neko and was surprised to see her longtime friend, sitting atop her oldest companion.

With a cry of surprise and joy Sango sprinted towards Kagome, "KAGOME!" she shouted ecstatically, tears welled up in her eyes.

She threw herself at the slayer, sliding off Kirara's back just as the slayer launched herself forward. Loud steps sounded and Miroku rushed out, hearing his old friend's name. He stopped in disbelief as the girls sobbed into each other's arms.

Before he knew it, he joined the fray also crushing Shippo into the hug. Shippo struggled as the happy reunion tightened, and he tried to wiggle free. After a few minutes they broke apart and Shippo gasped for breath. The girls watched Shippo in fond amusement and they both laughed.

"How long have you been back? Are you here for good? How have you been? Are you hurt? You seem a little off, no offence." Sango asked rapid firing her questions. She spun Kagome around in her arms and inspected her for injuries. Her clothes were covered in a film of dust, from her journey, but no wounds thankfully. "Wait…where's Inuyasha?" She looked around but did not spot his fire rat clad body.

"Uh…it's a long story." Kagome mumbled and scratched the back of her head in embarrassment.

Sango narrowed her eyes at Kagome's demeanor as Miroku suggested, "Why not have a bath, wash off your travels, and converse. I will get a place set up for you to sleep tonight." Miroku suggested.

"But what about the twins?" Sango asked dubiously. She glanced back to the sliding door she had bounded through, uncertainly.

"Do not worry my love, when they awaken, I will tend them while you catch up." He smiled serenely at her. Kagome's heart filled up watching their interaction. She was surprised when Miroku leaned close and captured her lips with his, expecting a slap. Kagome shook off the surprise, they were married after all. Then Miroku's hand fondled her butt completely ruining the sweet scene.

This time Sango did act, and a resounding slap was issued. Miroku rubbed his cheek fondly, as if he savored it. Kagome started laughing. Married or not some things never changed.

"You're a pervert!" she screamed at him; face as red as a tomato.

"My dear Sango, we make love nightly, you love it then." He smirked knowingly and ducked as Sango picked up a rock and threw it savagely at him, her screeches become louder and more appalled. Her hand stayed from throwing another rock, this time resolving not to miss, when a sounding cry reached her ears.

"Duty calls, sorry Kagome, we will have dinner after your bath." Then Miroku bowed and hastily retreated, hoping Sango's rock wouldn't leave her palm. Before she could react, he disappeared into their home.

Sango grumbled unintelligibly, letting her weapon clatter harmlessly. Kagome thought she heard a few words such and 'lucky' and 'dead monk' and Kagome's heart swelled happily. She felt at home here. She was glad she was able to come back. She had missed her sister. They were not blood family it was true, but they were fate family. The idea she would never see them again had wounded her heart and destroyed her spirit.

"Let's go to the bathhouse an get you cleaned up." Sango said brightly. "Miroku built it for us. He thought if you came back one day, we would want to soak and bond like old times." She smiled fondly to herself.

Kagome hummed in appreciation. It was unusual for Miroku to be so thoughtful. He didn't even know if she'd be back. It warmed her heart that in these three years she wasn't forgotten, nor given up hope on her return. Tears of happiness began to well up in her eyes.

"Can I come too?" Shippo asked and Kirara, who had turned back into her smaller form, meowed in her intention to depart. The bags she had carried slid off during her transformation and a few villagers came forward and began unpacking.

"Of course," both Kagome and Sango replied in unison. Shippo dragged her bag and Kagome picked it up by the strap as Shippo struggled to Cary it himself. The bag was twice his size. As she slung it over her shoulder, Shippo produced it and hopped on her head, already relieved to get the roads evidence off.

Sango beckoned Kagome to follow and they set off. Within minutes she threw open sliding doors. They wanted it close by their home and Kagome was happy it wasn't a long walk. She was suddenly overwhelmed with fatigue. She had made it here, in one piece and without a single run in with other demons. Thank the Kami.

Kagome tuned back in from her thoughts as Sango showed her around the entrance and was pointing to two separate archways, differentiating between the men's communal bathhouse and the women's. Kagome nodded and walked to the left towards the women's entrance. A wall was the only thing dividing the two baths. At the end was a large room. On the nearest wall was cubbies for clothes framed in wood.

To the right of the room was a washing area before your soak. Four buckets, for sitting, were lined upside down. A smaller bucket next to the larger one was filled with soaps. The bath itself was spacious. Large rocks lined the bottom of the pool of steaming water. It wasn't a natural spring, obviously man made. She wondered briefly how they heated it. She moved over to the washing station.

Kagome sniffed at the crude looking soap and was happy to report they smelled wonderful. She had already run out of her times toiletries and hadn't had time to go back to get more. Not if she wanted to avoid Inuyasha. She did feel a little guilty that she didn't say goodbye to her family but vowed to go back home once her training was complete.

They began washing in silence, Kagome taking the time to scrub her little kit thoroughly. Shippo wiggled around, "Kagome I can wash myself," he protested. Kagome just continued and Sango laughed knowing Shippo was enjoying the attention. She didn't know if Kagome understood that bathing the kit was symbolic in demon customs. Only family washed each other. They called it grooming, I think.

Sango was bursting at the seams for conversation but knew better. Kagome liked to focus on getting clean, always silent in her scrubbing. She always wanted to get it done quickly so she could slide into the steamy bath, which meant not getting distracted by talk. Three years didn't change that about her. Once she was in the bath Sango knew Kagome would open.

She peeked again at the girl, already washed herself. Since she was clean, she walked to the pool of water and slid in. She groaned in pleasure to be taking a bath without trying to balance two twins. Her toes curled in delight.

Once Kagome had cleaned herself and her kit to her liking Kagome joined in the bath. Shippo dived in, splashing in childish glee.

"So?" Sango questioned. She knew she didn't need to say more and listened as Kagome told her story from start to finish. How at first everything was good at the beginning. How Inuyasha pulled her out of the well. How he admitted he wanted to spend his life with her. She recounted the feelings of doubt that crept in as he sent mixed messages, then their conversation by the well, and eventually her decision to leave.

"That's everything." Kagome concluded as Sango's eyes were wide. Kagome looked down at her pruned fingers, sighing. They had already been soaking at least an hour.

"I think…you made the right decision." Sango said after processing her friend's story. She liked Inuyasha, he was a good friend, but she always felt uncomfortable with how Inuyasha treated her. She silently thanked Kaede for the seed she obviously planted in her friend's head, even if she didn't mean too.

"I'm glad you agree. I needed space. I needed training. I needed to focus on me and what I want. I just…I just don't know if that includes Inuyasha anymore. I don't believe my heart can take any more doubt." Kagome choked a little on more tears she refused to let fall. No more crying over Inuyasha.

"You have been betrayed and I understand how that could make it hard to trust him completely." She felt pride swell for her friend. She saw Kagome's struggle. "Do you have a plan?"

Kagome nodded. "I need time. I want to find a trainer, develop my powers. I don't have a handle on them. It's so embarrassing. I also want to help people in this time. I owe a debt for the mess I caused with the Shikon jewel."

"You didn't mean to do that. You didn't even know it existed." Shippo soothed, butting into their conversation. He stopped his back stroke to wade over and pat his mother's shoulder comfortingly.

"I know Ship but it still caused a lot of damage. It may be gone but it's still my responsibility to clean up my mess. It didn't just end because I wished it away." She said suddenly feeling guilty. She thought back to when Inuyasha scolded her, reminding her that it was her responsibility to collect the fragments. You break it, you put it back together. Then sweep up the dust.

"I agree with Kaede and Ship. Your whole life can't be about the Shikon. You broke it, you put it back together, and defeated Naraku. I believe that's all the penance you can do. It was a horrible situation, and you oversee it well. If you want to help the people of this time do that. Just don't do it because you feel guilty still. Do it because helping people is just who you are inside. It is who you are inside."

Sango's words warmed her. She felt between Kaede, Shippo, and Sango a twinge of absolution. She looked at Sango with tears in her eyes, this time Inuyasha not being her cause.

"Do you forgive me?" she sniffed suddenly with baleful eyes. She had never truly blamed herself for the Jewel. However, if it weren't for her, so many tragedies could have been avoided.

Sango looked at her friend bewildered. "Forgive you for what?"

"I'm the reason this happened to your village and your family. I'm sorry I didn't know how to protect the jewel properly. Naraku attacked because you had a shard and if I didn't break it, you wouldn't have brought it here. Naraku along with it. You always blamed Naraku but you should've blamed me too, but you didn't." Kagome was sobbing now. Sango pulled Kagome into a hug, not caring about being naked, only wanted to comfort her.

"I never blamed you for a second. It was an accident you broke the jewel. You didn't know it was inside you. How could you have protected something of which you were unaware? Being a slayer was always a risk. If it wasn't the jewel, it would've been because we were slayers. Naraku chose to do that to my family. The shard just gave him reason." Sango said stroking her hair. Her insides twisted. She had never known she felt that way. In fact, she was certain she didn't before. Being home must've gave her time to reflect. How wrong she was.

"Ok." She submitted and they pulled apart.

"Oh no, don't break apart." A voice whispered and all three heads swiveled. Sango zeroed in on a small hole in the wall dividing the baths from the men and women pools. One eye was visible.

Eyebrow twitching, Sango pushed Kagome down into the water away from her husband's lecherous eye. Her face hot with anger.

"Oops did I say that out loud?" he awkwardly laughed and suddenly Sango was at the hole and poked him in his still searching eye.

He howled in pain and Kagome laughed even as she shielded herself. She wasn't even mad because for the first time everything felt almost normal. She finally made it back home and she felt good.

It's time for me to finally start living for me. I wonder where it will take me.

Wait a minute...If Miroku is here...who has the kids? Oh man he's going to get pulverized.