A Whole New World
A Chance Meeting

There was never a dull moment ever since he had two new companions. One older than the other, but both acted like children even though one of them was indeed still a child. He still couldn't wrap his mind around it. Why he had saved the little girl just a few years ago. He had never once done anything... nice, before he had met her.

At first he had thought it was just a test for his sword, though he knew it worked for he had used it on his retainer. The only thing he really gained from his trial run with the small demon, was a massive headache. He squaked for hours on why he would do such a thing to his loyal servant. Shame he hadn't killed him then.

After two years, he had admit even to himself that he cared for her wellbeing. He always worried when she wandered off or if he was away to long and he couldn't completely trust the little toad to watch her.

Peace.

Oh how he missed it but he found himself thinking that he would never change a thing. Maybe he had grown too soft with her. That couldn't be right either. He thought himself stronger and more capable of keeping her safe.

Maybe that is what his father had tried telling him all those years ago. But of course he had to be a stubborn pup and think himself all mighty and power was the only thing important.

Clearly he had been wrong.

He looked forward to the days where they could sit in peace as a break from tracking a nasty, problematic half-breed. Today was one of those days.

Instead of her usual game of chasing the toad, she simply sat nearby picking flowers and making flower chains. She had tried time and again to make the tiny demon wear one, and when he still refused, she eventually gave up and put them on her dragon youkai friend.

Each time the toad refused her when she asked to play, she always had a sad look on her face the rest of the day. Perhaps he should find a suitable human village for her to be raised in with other children. No, he couldn't do that. She would never forgive him and he really didn't want her to hate him.

One thought did come across his mind and though he more or less hated the idea, it seemed to be the best option here. At least then he wouldn't worry as much.

Sighing to himself, he looked around. It seemed they had wandered near where his dimwitted half-brother lived. Thankful he wouldn't have to search long for them, he called to the little girl.

"Rin."

Turning to look at her lord with a smile on her face, she replied, "Yes my lord?"

"We are leaving."

"Where to Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked as she stood and walked over to him.

He stood and said, "We are going to find the hanyou and his companions."

Her smile widened and she squealed. She knew what that meant and now she wouldn't have to play by herself. Dancing over to Ah-Un, she climbed on top of him, ready to go.

As they began their walk, the wind had picked up a little, bringing a new scent to Sesshomaru's nose. Normally he wouldn't bother with it, but with a sweet smell like that and him being a inuyoukai, his curiosity kicked into overdrive.

He had smelled many sweet things before but never anything like this. So naturally, he changed course and began following the smell that was brought to his attention.

Kagome sighed. She had expected her friend to be upset but never mad. Before they had left, they both knew that there wasn't a one hundred percent chance that Kaede knew anything of what was going on.

The second she had walked out, she had apologized to the old miko. Of course, she understood. If she had been going through something like that, not knowing anyone who could help and being far away from home, she would be mad as well.

Kagome and the others sat around and talked for sometime, waiting for Yuriko to return. When it had gotten late into the day, Kaede and Shippo had left to catch fish for dinner and the others began to worry.

"I hope she didn't go too far, especially because she has no weapon on her." Sango had voiced her concern first.

"Even if she had she will be fine." They both turned to Kagome, shock written on their faces.

"Might I ask why you think that is Lady Kagome?" Miroku had been quite surprised that she had basically written off her friends safety, considering the era she was in.

"She knows hand-to-hand combat. When we were little, she was bullied a lot for being by herself a lot. After I had seen her get into a fight with two other students, I approached her and asked if she was ok and where she learned to fight like that. We talked for a while after school and that's how it all started." Kagome smiled to herself as she recalled the memory of a little girl with bruised knuckles happily telling her how she learned.

"Then there should be no worry." Sango said just as Kaede walked in, Shippo trailing behind her.

"Worry about what Sango?" he asked.

She didn't want to worry him, and Kagome saw her internal struggle.

"On whether we should leave tomorrow or the day after and if we'll have enough food to travel with."

"Oh, well that's easy. I can catch fish and rabbits!" Shippo stated loudly, with his small chest puffed out.

"I know you can, that's why there's no need to worry." she smiled to him and looked to Sango who silently thanked her.

It was good she lied to him because he always did worry over small stuff and even after he knew everything to be ok, it still took awhile to calm him down. Hoping her friend would be alright, Kagome set about helping Kaede with dinner to distract herself.

After dinner had been cooked and all had eaten, Kagome had begun to worry for real this time. Knowing she's in an unfamiliar area, why would she go off by herself? Why couldn't just have stayed here and pouted?

Seeing her friend in turmoil, Sango set out to soothe her. "I'm sure she is fine Kagome, perhaps she has gone home."

"Yea, maybe." she stood and said again, "I'm going out to look for her."

As she turned to leave, Miroku spoke up. "Lady Kagome, you said so yourself that she knows how to fight. Sango is right. Perhaps she did return home. Either way I am sure she will be fine until morning."

Kagome hated that he was right. She also hated the fact that she was going to leave her friend to fend for herself if she was indeed still in the past. She really wanted to go look for her but without Inuyasha being here to help guide her, she couldn't. Yes, she could've attempted to have Shippo help but try as he might, he was too small and his skills were not as good as the older demon.

With a sigh, she turned to ready herself for bed instead and began feeling guiltier by the minute. She would go to bed now so she could wake early and start her search.

With dishes put away and beds made, everyone began to lay down for bed. Kaede, Sango and Kagome slept close by the fire while Miroku slept a little closer to the door so he could stay on alert.

Instead of his usual place with Kagome, Shippo had opted to sleep with Miroku to help with any intruders that may try to storm into the old mikos' hut. As Kagome closed her eyes, the last thought to cross her mind was, please be okay Yuriko.

Yuriko woke to the sounds off birds chirping and a slight chill in the air.

Had I really slept that long? It's almost dark out! Sitting up enough to stretch her muscles, she heard a low growl. Looking down when the sound came again, she noticed it had been her stomach.

"I can see why I would be hungry, especially since I haven't eaten anything all day." she giggled to herself.

She really should get up to and make her way back to the village but instead she leaned back up against the tree. This was definitely something she could get used to. Sure there were parks back home, but this was different. There were no distant car noises or people running and yelling about being late. If she could, she would most certainly spend all her time here.

Unfortunately, she knew she couldn't. She had school and her family. But perhaps she could visit here when things back home became too stressful? That is something she would have to remember to ask her mother and Kagome about.

She closed her eyes again to listen to the sounds of the birds as they flew over her. Sadly, she couldn't enjoy her peace long because at that moment someone had stepped into the clearing she was in and began laughing. Peeking through a half lidded gaze, she watched the little girl come into view with what looked like several demons by her side.

"Look Ah-Un!" She had just caught another lizard and showed it off to the much larger relative. He of course didn't care for the tiny reptiles she was showing him, so he simply looked at the thing in her hands and huffed.

Standing back up after she had bent down to let the lizard go, Rin gasped. Curiosity had gotten the better of her and she asked, "Milord, who is that?" She looked questioningly at the tall male beside her.

Who indeed. As he walked a little closer, he noticed that the small woman was a human. What he also noticed was where the scent was coming from. Impossible. A human cannot possess a smell such as this.

Hearing the little girl ask someone something, she opened her eyes fully to get a better look. Gasping to herself, she took in the tall being and his very silver hair.

There is no way in seven hells that HE is the one I have been dreaming about! But he looks so much like him and.. she looked closer and her breathe hitched in her throat. Those eyes. Those are the very golden eyes I had seen both in my dream and in my mirror! This is way too freaky! Kagome had mentioned to her before that there were only two people in this world who had golden eyes and she had already met one. Dropping her head into her hands, she groaned.

Taking it upon herself, Rin ran toward the groaning woman. Once she crossed the short distance, she knelt in front of her and asked, "Are you alright miss lady?"

Picking her head up, Yuriko looked at the little girls face. She's cute, she thought. "I'm fine." she answered.

"How come you're out here all by yourself?" she asked, tipping her head a little to the side.

Before she could answer, the golden eyed demon made his way to them. Once there, he caught the gaze of the little girl and she quickly became upset.

"Rin." As he said her name, she stood and made her way to the dragon youkai who was now behind him.

When the little girl, now known as Rin, climbed on top of the demon, she took this chance to stand.

From the look in his eyes when he approached them, she could tell that he had been upset with her. Hoping to put his upset to rest, she spoke up.

"I hope you won't be upset with her for very long. After all, it is in a child's nature to be curious about new people and new things."

He glanced down at the small woman. Upset? How could she have known? No one has ever been able to tell.

"It is none of your concern whether I am upset or not." She looked into his eyes and was about to say something when he cut her off. "Who are you and why are you on my lands?"

It hit her then and there. Her would be long journey to find him was now over and for that she was grateful. Though she could only hope that he wouldn't turn her away and that after him, she could stop introducing herself.

Standing tall and proud she said, "My name is Yuriko Akiyama and I am here because I need your help."

Hey guys, sorry for the late update. I have been trying to write this whole chapter and I got busy with Christmas decorating and shopping and holiday depression has been real bad. I also lost internet for a few days, and if I didn't I would've posted the chapter a few days ago. Anywho, I hope you guys like this chapter! Also, Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and Happy Holidays to those who celebrate other holidays!

Ms. Manami