AN: School sucks!! Really….school is fantastic since you get to hang out with your friends and get your weekly allowance and get you to buy clothes and stuff but it sucks at the same time when deadlines causes sleepless nights or the time to enjoy our free times. Anyways, I am terribly sorry for my late…late…very late updates I'm graduating this year so a lot of work needs to be done. I hope I can make it up to you. Oh…yeah! Thanks for the reviews and those who placed my story on their faves list, I really appreciate it. Updates might take a little while since I'm having my review and all…for graduating and stuff… and I'm already rambling so proceed…and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own squat…I wished I did though...

Moonlit Future

Chapter 4

The steam from the hot springs was refreshing and relaxing to kagome, after travelling further up north for most of the day she finally found a good place to relax her much abused feet and tired body.

While soaking in the hot water Kagome leaned on a rock and looked up at the afternoon sky. She noticed the moon was already high and marveled at the beauty of it. While gazing at the moon she remembered the presence she encountered the moment she came about in this world and at how odd that she seems to find it familiar.

'Definitely weird' she thought silently.

"Lady…I do know you enjoy your baths but we are in an unfamiliar territory. It would be wise to cut it short." Yuweh said while standing guard close.

Kagome's brow lifted slightly upon hearing Yuweh and said, "Yuweh…I think I have enough training to defend myself if trouble decides to knock on my doors"

"You are too lax lady, I simply----"

"And you worry too much." Kagome interjected while getting out of the water and took a towel made by Yuweh through magic.

Yuweh let out a sigh when his mistress came out of the water and shamelessly bared herself in front of him. "Lady...you really should be more modest." Kagome chuckled a little and looked at Yuweh with a smiling face.

"Exactly what's there to hide? You've been with me since I could remember I think there's nothing for me to be shy no?" Yuweh can only shake his head slightly at his mistress's statement.

"Mistress, there's a village up ahead should we head for that direction?" Ai told her.

Kagome contemplated over Ai's information and came up with a decision. "I think it would be in our best interest to go there and find out some needed information as to where we are. Besides that presence I felt by the well was demonic and powerful enough that can rival my own so I'm a bit curious as to what manner of creature exist here."

After eating some fruits she found in the forest Kagome decided to head to the direction Ai pointed while keeping her companions hidden in her shadow.

It was a fine day to pick herbs, frolic in the sun or just play around with hyperactive kids. Kikyo couldn't ask for anything else…or so she thought.

Kikyo has been a trained priestess ever since her holy powers began to surface at the age of 6. The villagers always held her with great respect but somehow they find her cold and unfeeling at times despite her beauty and holy powers. As a master archer she defended their village against youkai who thought to make a meal out of them and at times her arrows were used to create barriers for protection.

It was just like any other day for Kikyo; tending for the sick, gathering for some herbs and walking around the village to keep everything in check. But as she walked along the edges of the village, her back became rigid as she felt a strong demonic presence around the area and to make matters worse she felt three of it heading straight for the direction of their village.

Noticing how their Miko suddenly stopped walking and eyes narrowed at the direction of the forest they calmly approached her. "Miko-sama, is there something the matter?" an elderly man asked.

"Take the women and the children on the shrine." After that brief command the man carried out the orders to the rest of the village knowing full well demons are lurking close by.

Kikyo masked her presence and kept walking in the shadows while heading into the forest. Her footfalls were silent and her breathing was light as she silently treaded the forest floor towards the source of the youki. While hidden behind large tree Kikyo's eyes widened upon seeing three outsized Oni's heading for the village's direction.

While she is capable of killing any demon, taking on four over grown Oni would be foolish. But as the protector of her village it is her duty to lay her life on the line and protect it from any harm coming its way.

While keeping herself hidden she silently notched an arrow on her bow and took aim for the nearest Oni.

It's been some hours since Kagome left the camp site to look for a village and while walking on the way some lesser demons tried to attack her assuming that she's a helpless maiden walking alone in the woods. Technically on somebody else's perspective she does look alone since she kept her youkai hidden in her shadow, making them invisible to anybody else. This is very efficient and convenient for someone like her who grew up in an era who believes that demons and magic exist only in myths. It was a form of possession that can be performed only between a master and its guardian connected together with a strong bond.

When she was younger keeping her guardians via possessions have been tedious since it took a lot of concentration and power to keep them in longer periods of time. But as time passed she grew stronger and skilled in the arts of the warrior that it had become natural for her to do the possession as easy as breathing and eating.

While walking down the path towards the direction Ai indicated her senses picked up several youki ahead of her. Two…no there's three of it up ahead and it seems to have cornered someone possessing some holy powers.

"Kagome…it is best that we find another path. There seems to be danger up a head." Yuweh's voice calmly heeded. Despite Yuweh's warnings Kagome held herself calmly and walked towards the direction where the youki is coming from. She kept presence hidden and walked stealthily so as to regard the situation carefully.

Upon approaching the scene Kagome saw a woman dressed in a traditional Miko garb surrounded by two large Oni. She was a bit far from the scene to make out the appearance of the woman, but from her direction it seems that the woman is young and the aura surrounding her body was strong enough to defeat a demon. 'But not strong enough to hold out against these two' she added silently. While on her way here she noted that there were three of those bulky looking demons…looking out for the third one she noticed a pile of ashes not far behind them. 'oohh…it seems she was able to defeat at least one of those.' She silently thought while watching the fight between the two forces.

Kikyo's eyes narrowed slightly when the two oni's circled her on both sides. While they did so, she kept an arrow notched up her bow prepared for any on coming attacks. She kept her stance steady and balanced while she was being surrounded by the two oni's. Keeping her arrow pointed up front while spreading her aura around her she waited with baited breath the oncoming attack from either side. At the corner of her eye she saw the oni on her left move, thinking that it was attacking her from that side she pointed her arrow towards that direction leaving her back open. Kikyo is a master archer and confident with her skills but when her arrow was directed against the oni all her skills were beaten by the speed of her target and managed to avoid its demise.

Kikyo's eyes widened in surprise that her arrow didn't hit its mark but when she felt the other oni on her back she immediately notched an arrow on her bow but…was not fast enough. The oni where her back was exposed to, took a step towards her and swung its bulky arms sideways that sent her slamming unto a nearby tree. She felt the air leave her lungs when the oni backhanded her and sent her flying. She anticipated the pain that came with it when her gaze saw that she was heading to a tree, she closed her eyes shut and waited for the pain. But it never came. Kikyo felt arms encircling her body in a protective manner while she felt that her back landed on somewhere soft. Slowly cracking her eyes open she noticed that the arms encircling her were petite and smooth but when she looked up to see the one who saved her, Kikyo's eyes became wide as saucers. She saw her own face looking down at hers with deep blue eyes that held the same surprised expression.

Kagome's mind was in reeling…she couldn't believe it. The person she just caught in her arms looked exactly like her, save for their eyes. It was uncanny.

Kikyo slowly straightened herself and slowly asked "You…" but was immediately cut off by Kagome. "Later…we have to deal with them first." She said while glancing at the direction of the on coming oni.

Kagome pushed the woman that looked like her behind her, "Stay Here…" she uttered while her body became ready and aware on the presence of the two oni. Her black dress fluttered all around her while she stood calmly facing the oni.

While witnessing this Kikyo noticed that her aura was nonexistent. She couldn't believe it; every being has an aura so it was impossible for this woman in front of her to have none. Her first impression with her was that she was powerful and skilled so the absence of her aura was puzzling her.

When the two oni's set their eyes on them Kagome knew that they were about to attack. Ready and anticipating their move Kagome slowly moved, walking as calmly and as gracefully as ever. When one of the oni decided to take a slug at her Kagome moved out of the way before it even connected with the empty space. Lifting her arm with her index finger and middle finger pointed at the direction of the oni, she let a small amount of her powers lose turning the unfortunate demon into nothing but a pile of ashes.

Seeing the demise of its comrade the third oni charged at Kagome; but without even sparing a glance at the charging demon she released some of her holy powers and delivered the being into the realm of the dead.

Kikyo stood by the tree dumbfounded and bewildered. The woman who looked identical to her was obviously powerful to have easily dispatched the two remaining oni without breaking a sweat. In her many years of being a miko she had never met a miko of the same caliber as the mysterious woman standing before her. Taking note of the way the woman was dressed she decided that may be she was not from around here, keeping that in mind Kikyo decided to thank her and probably ask her for a few things.

Kagome's blue eyes met with brown one's when she looked at the woman heading her way. Bowing in front of her the woman thanked her, "thank you for aiding me…I am Kikyo the miko of the village up ahead."

Kagome took note of her appearance once more and silently thought that their looks really looks similar. Keeping her expression calm she extended her right hand to Kikyo "I am Kagome…and well…am sort of not from around here."

Kikyo's brow rose slightly upon hearing that, "I can see that…your garments are not something I've seen from around here." Kagome slightly smiled at her.

"If you'd like, our village will gladly welcome you to stay for the night." Kikyo offered.

Kagome was about to agree with her when several village men surround them with farm tools firmly gripped in their hands. "Kikyo-sama…we are glad you are safe." One of the village men uttered with relief, but when their sights landed on Kagome they couldn't help but gawk at her with their mouths slightly open.

Seeing the bewildered looks of the men Kikyo raised her arm slightly indicating Kagome's presence and introduced her "this is Kagome-sama…she will be staying in our village for the night as gratitude for saving my life and ridding the village of the demons that threatened our safety." Upon hearing this the men stopped gawking at her and bowed low at her.

When they were about to leave Kagome stopped on her tracks and looked around then suddenly her skin tingled and the hair on the back of her neck stood on ends. Kikyo noticed that their guest stopped on her tracks. When she was about to inquire if something was bothering her a strong wave of youki hit her sending her flying on nearby tree. The strength of the youki rendered Kikyo unconscious along with the village men.

Ignoring the warning signals flaring in her head, Kagome stood her ground and whipped around to the direction of where the youki was from. While keeping a calm face she faced the creature that emitted that strong youki and silently gasped at what she saw.

"Hmmmm…so we finally meet." Sesshoumaru purred.