-1Nodding and taking the Tetsegia from the young woman, Sesshomaru looked down into her sad eyes. "Little miko, will you come and stay with me and Rin for a short time before you leave. Rin has been asking about you quite a bit lately. I fear she would not be pleasant to live with if she doesn't get to spend some time with you before you leave. And if you do come back, your presence will be welcomed in my land any time."

Kagome studied the lord's face for a moment and nodded her approval of the arrangements. " I will visit for a short time with you and Rin, Lord Sesshomaru."

"Be ready in two days. I will met you here at Inuyasha's grave." the lord of the west turned and left Kagome standing his parting back.

Chapter 3

The Western Lands

Two days passed, Kagome stood at the door to Old Kaeda's hut before sunrise. She looked over at her friends. Smiling at their sleeping forms that lay about the hut. She knew it was time to leave them. She hated to say goodbye and had decided to get up and leave before they woke for the day to make things simpler. Besides she planned to stop here before she went home to her time. In a whisper, "Be safe Sango and Shippo, do not let Miroku get out of hand. Take care this will be one of my last times seeing you, Kaeda. I love you all." Lifting the make shift door Kagome went out into the early morning dampness. The dew was still thick on the ground and the village was quiet with very little steam lifting from any of the huts. Kagome walked through the village heading towards Inuyasha's Forest and the grave of her long dead friend. She sensed Sesshomaru standing the edges of the forest to hid his presence from any enemies that may be near by. Seeing Kagome coming into view Sesshomaru stepped out waiting.

"Are you ready, miko?"

"Yes, Sesshomaru, I am ready. Let's get going before they decide to come say goodbye. I do not wish to have a teary goodbye. I will wait until I get ready to leave for my time to do that." She stuck her chin into the air as her pride would not let her get to sentimental over leaving her friends behind.

Sesshomaru called out his powers to make a cloud and offered a clawed hand to Kagome. Kagome gave a slight bow, took his claw, and stepped up onto the cloud preparing for the journey to his domain. They rushed off leaving the village to look as if it was just an ant hill from their view. Kagome silently thought over all the villages and manors that they seemed to pass over. As they followed the path of the rising sun.

Sesshomaru stopped once to allow Kagome to walk around and stretch her legs and eat some berries before they continued west.

"Miko, it will not be long now we have been in my domain for some time. Just a little further and we will arrive at my manor. Have you ever visited these large estates in your time or here?"

Kagome only nodded because the speed they were traveling and the cool air wiping around them just made it hard for to talk. She shivered at the cool air trying to ignore the numbness that had taken root in her body. Sesshomaru noticed the body next to him shuttering at the cold and he pulled her closer using his robed arm as barrier to help her warm up. She looked up to his eyes whispered inaudible thank you and looked forward to see the manor that was just starting to come into view.

With in minutes, a manor that rival the castles of Europe came into view. Kagome gasped at the sprawling buildings, and grounds that were included inside the walls of the manor. "Wow…. It's beautiful… I've never seen anything like this…" Kagome stuttered.

Sesshomaru's eyes showed the appreciation though his face stayed frozen in its icy manner. "Thank you.. Hopeful Rin has not destroyed her little garden by burying Jaken. She did that last time I was home." He mused

Kagome laughed gently to herself. She had started to learn to control herself some time ago. She seemed almost to be a different person except for glint that just showed in her eyes. Oh what fun could Kagome come up with in such a big home. She was sure she would definitely have to get lost a couple times… Her curious nature was starting to peek, and as they speed towards the ground she could now see the little girl called Rin waiting for them outside the front gates. She smiled at the energetic little girl who wasn't as little as she once was, but still full of energy as the first time that she had met her those years ago.

"Hello Rin, it is good to see you again."

"Hello Kagomesama, would you like to see my little garden. I planted a new plant today. Jaken daisies." she giggled with delight.

"Rin, is that where Jaken was left? Please take Lady Kagome inside and have Ana take her to room." Turning to Kagome. "I leave you for the moment with Rin. Ana will take you to your room. Please feel free to have one of the two take you to the springs to wash up and get dressed. Dinner will be shortly." He strode into the manor without another word.

"Rin hopes that Lady Kagome likes her room, and visiting Rin. Ana is a nice servant, and Jaken doesn't quite let Rin play as much as she would like. Will Lady Kagome play with Rin?"

"Yes, Rin, I will play with you. Now let's get inside and find Ana and my room so we can go to the hot springs and pla… I mean bath." She grinned. "Rin, how easy is it to get into the wrong places around?"

Rin grinned, "Lady Kagome, are we going to be doing something mean to Jaken?"

"Just possibly, Rin."

"Easy, Lady Kagome," the little girl said to young lady as the two entered the manor giggling and whispering hush tones to the amusement of the servants around the manor.

Ana standing just inside the door saw the two girls giggling and smiled. "Lady Kagome, I am Ana and I will show you to your room and to the bath house." She bowed and directed the two in the direction of the western wing where the family was housed. "Lord Sesshomaru, is placing you in the family wing. May I ask why he may be doing this?"

Kagome sighed with a sad look on her face, "I going to guess on this one… Inuyasha, his half brother, was a very close friend of mine. Inuyasha's first love Kikyo believe it or not is supposedly my incarnation. She died about fifty years ago after pinning him to tree and I released Inuyasha from same tree about three years ago." A far away look came into her eyes, "Inuyasha had once said that he couldn't chose between me and Kikyo. Kikyo died for him and all I asked of him was to live for me."

"M'lady, you sound as you loved him more than a friend. Please do not take offense."

"None taken, and at one time I guess I did, but things changed and the love though still there was more for a friend or sibling than for a lover. He in a way broke my heart, and it broke even further when he died." Kagome said quietly.

Rin looked up into Kagome's sad face I wish I could do something to cheer Kagome up. She looks sad and Lord Sesshomaru had that same look when he talks about Lord Inuyasha lately. They need each other. I wonder if Ana can help me.