Author's note: Hey guys! Thanks for all the well wishes and positive feedback on the story. I'm glad that everyone is enjoying it thus far. If you haven't read the original, that's perfectly fine. To be honest, it wasn't very well written and the story is changing slightly. While it can certainly be argued that this story has kind of rushed some things, it's nowhere near as bad my first attempt. LOL

For anyone having trouble reading the chapters and understanding who is speaking, I make page breaks whenever the first person is going to change. If you haven't figured it out yet, the page breaks use the first initial of the person who will be taking over the first person. As an example, SSSSSSSSSSSSSS = Sesshomaru. KKKKKKKKKKK=Kagome, and in the last chapter I used MMMMMMMMM=for miroku. I wasn't intending on branching out to any characters outside of Sesshomaru and Kagome, but felt like some updates needed to happen outside of the couple. If there is a conflict of initials (such as for Sango and Sesshomaru and Shippo) I will use the first and second letter of their name. SaSaSaSaSa=Sango and ShShShShShSh=Shippo or KoKoKoKoKo= Kouga. To be honest, I'm not sure I will be venturing beyond Kagome and Sesshomaru frequently.

Now I do use an additional page break when there is NO change in the first person perspective, but merely a passage of time. I use …. To denote that. (As a point of interest: chapter 7 had one of these between Kagome's thoughts about Rin and the attack by the demon).

The italics are currently being used to denote Sesshomaru's inner youkai. I have also used them in this chapter to show memories. However, the italics are used in conjunction with the … lines used to mark passages of time. Anything printed in italics and sandwiched between two of these lines will hence forth be memories of the person who is currently "in perspective". Don't know if that's a convoluted way of explaining it… probably is. Oh, well.

I will make an effort to more explicitly say "Rin said" or "He said" or whatever else, however I try not to over utilize such phrases. Being that this is from a first person perspective, I try to keep up appearances by noting the thoughts the first person has of the secondary speaker (Such as when Sango said that Inuyasha leaves without them at the beginning of chapter 7 and Miroku notes that SHE made that comment by saying there was a bitterness in her voice as she said it).

I appreciate the feedback though. I wouldn't have known there was an issue if it hadn't been mentioned. Hopefully this helps everyone understand my befuddled and crazy mind a little more. If you still have problems or if anyone else sees some areas of opportunity, please let me know so I can adjust my writing style as necessary.

Disclaimer: So… Yeah Rumiko Takahashi owns everything. All Inuyasha characters and any plot that has to do with Inuyasha canon. She even owns the sexiness that is Sesshomaru.

Warning: Rated M for mature… sex, violence, and cursing (maybe… I never really know. There might be some later).

Shout-outs: As always, thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites. I'm kind of a review whore so keep 'em coming! "WILL POST FOR REVIEWS!" is what my life's sandwich-board says. LOL I crack myself up.

Thanks to Kitta160 for mentioning the posting error on that last chapter. I hope you had an opportunity to enjoy it after it was fixed.

Nikichan- I loved your idea and it's very similar to what I had in mind. I appreciate the suggestion and will do what I can to make it an awesome reality for you.

DarknessDawns- thanks for the words of encouragement. Glad to hear that you are enjoying the lemon. A part of me wishes I had written the beginning differently so that we had more of Kagame's struggle, but theres also this big part of me that says "LEMON IS YUMMY! Just make it work for you!" lmfao.

Kissrose6- I hope this was a quick enough post for ya ;)

bertaee- Sesshy will be mad. You won't see it too much in this chapter, but there will be more in the future ;) I won't give too much away.

redrake233- Thanks for the encouragement. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. LOL I always feel like I'm questioning myself in terms of where the story is going... I think part of that is because I keep getting distracted by these tangents in the plot line. LOL

And thanks to the guests who posted as well. Without a name, I can't send you a direct shout out, but I appreciate the reviews nonetheless.

Hope everyone is having a great week! Now on with the story:

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

I watched in utter shock as the blast in the west wing demolished the windows and parts of the wall. There was a pinkish-blue dome around the perimeter of what had been my bedroom and I watched as the wall and ceiling came crumbling down around it. I felt fear resonate through me and I recognized that this time it was just as much my fear as it was hers.

The jarring surprise of the blast had halted my progress toward the shiro for the span of a moment, but I was quickly running again. I cleared the distance between where I had been standing and the dome within seconds. I felt, as much as heard, the growl rising from my chest as I neared closer to the space. Around me I heard the screams of the servants as they fought to get away. The pure aura emanating off of the miko had pushed passed the bedroom, broken through walls, and injured any within the west wing. I smelt the burning of demon flesh from those who were within its blast radius.

I saw the head of my guards standing at the entrance to my bedroom where the barrier still blocked his entrance. I could see half his face sizzling away, as if it had been held to burning hot coals. I knew the truth was far more terrifying for him. He was lucky he hadn't been purified.

But watching him as I neared, I felt my youkai snap in anger beneath the surface. While I could not keep my eyes from burning red, I would not let myself show emotion. But I needed answers, and I would have them.

"Milord!" He must have smelt me on the air because he quickly turned from his conversation with a distressed servant and came toward me, kneeling.

"What happened here?" I asked. While others might have felt it cool and calm, I felt as if my fear was bleeding through my voice. Surely, Rin was with the miko. Were they both safe? Clearly the miko was alive to have left a barrier, but in what state? I looked to the dome and watched as a flick of blue whispered across the surface. I narrowed my eyes.

"Milord, I know only what I saw. I came to her aid when I heard a scream. When I approached the door, her guards said that Hari had gone inside to care for the mistress, but we could feel the power. We felt it wash over us, Milord, and we tried to get out in time. We have lost at least two people to the miko's purification power. I know not the state of the Mistress, Rin, or Hari, but I would be surprised if there is anything left of the servant." His voice remained cool as he spoke, but I could hear the thunder in his chest as his heart pounded. I wondered if it was out of fear or adrenaline. I took inventory of his scent and nodded crisply.

"Was she threatened?" I asked tersely.

"I don't know, Milord. We have not been able to breach the barrier to inquire." He finally stood as I made to move toward the barrier. I could still feel my moko-moko hugging the woman. Her pulse was slow and steady. Had she passed out? Was she even awake when it happened?

Warrior. Survivor. Keep.

I made to move toward the barrier and as I did, I felt an arm grab at my elbow. I stopped mid step and turned a searing look upon the head guard. What was his name? Clearly he did not understand his position.

He seemed to recognize his mistake, and he quickly looked down submissively, pulling his hand back as he did so. He cleared his throat as I continued to stare down at him. I heard a slight whimper come from him before he apologized and stepped back. I watched him for an additional moment before stepping toward what would have been the door to my room if the wall around the room hadn't fallen.

I could feel the eyes of the guards and servants as I stepped closer. I put my hand up to the barrier and heard a hiss of surprise from behind me. I ignored it and focused my attention on the feeling passing beneath my hand.

Strength. Pure. Youkai. Warm. Home.

I could feel my moko-moko inside, clearly it wasn't purified with whatever demon had been inside. Even from beyond the barrier I could tell that Hari hadn't made it out. And the barrier wasn't just made of sacred energy for there was a touch of demonic energy laced with it.

Powerful.

I agreed. It wasn't just the miko's reiki that was powerful and causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand, but also the youkai energy. It felt familiar, but also alien. It was an odd sensation that sent a tingle of warmth through the tips of my fingers.

Feeling that I understood the barrier a little more, I stepped through it. The silence behind me, and then the sudden outburst of breath, told me that those who had witnessed my entrance were surprised by it.

The room felt warm to me. I could hear the fluttering heart beat of my ward and her attempt to quietly control her sobs. I smelt fear and concern in her scent.

"Rin." I called to her softly. I watched as she raised her head from the miko's chest, her face stained with tears and her hands trembling.

"Ka-Kagome…" she stuttered breathlessly. "Sh-she wont wake up. Rin keeps shaking her and calling to her… but she wont wake." This seemed to upset her even more and she broke down again into tears as she dropped her head to the miko's chest.

"Rin." I watched her shake her head in defiance. "Rin, the miko is sleeping. This Sesshomaru can hear her heart. It is strong, Rin." She looked at the miko's face with a sad smile and nodded, reassured. I walked closer, coming to stand in front of my ward on the other side of the futon. I knelt down and put a hand on the girl's head. "Rin, tell me what happened."

Rin seemed to think for a moment, as if she wasn't really sure what she remembered. "Rin… Rin was sleeping, Sesshomaru-sama. I remember screaming, but it wasn't coming from Kagome-chan." She paused for a moment and thought. "It was Hari, Sesshomaru-sama. She was screaming like she was angry and maybe in pain. But she wasn't bleeding. She was holding a knife… and… I remember shaking Kagome-chan. Her eyes were open, but she didn't speak or move." She paused again.

I watched the emotion cross Rin's face. She seemed to be confused. I patiently waited for her to continue and when she didn't I gently urged her onward.

"Rin." She looked up at me as I said her name. She seemed to draw strength from me as she squared her shoulders; a look of determination on her face.

"Hari tried to attack Kagome-chan and Rin. Rin watched as a bright light came from Kagome-chan's chest and exploded like the sun. It was bright and warm. It made Rin feel like she was safe and at home. But I don't think Hari felt at home because she was screaming and was thrown against the wall. And then Hari disappeared and Kagome-chan's eyes were closed."

I nodded. "Thank you, Rin." I patted her head once more before standing. I called for the Head of the guard and watched as he stepped up to the barrier, but did not move to cross it.

"Yes, Milord?" he asked. I turned to Rin, knowing that he would hear my orders as I spoke to her.

"Rin, it is late and we will need to make other arrangements for sleep. Can you assist this Sesshomaru by finding Lord Nori?" She beamed up at me excited to have something to do. I nodded to her before turning to walk back to the Head guard. I felt her fall into step behind me.

"Locate Lord Nori, brief him on the situation and have him begin making the necessary arrangements. See to it that at least two guard accompany you and assign them to my ward's care. If any harm should fall on her..." I glared heavily at the guard and I heard his heart race for a moment, "…know that I will personally see to the three of you." He nodded in understanding. I turned to Rin one last time and nodded to her. She seemed to take this to mean she was dismissed, for she quickly smiled and began to skip away down the hall.

As they left, I turned once more to the miko and made to sit beside her.

KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

There was darkness, pain, and something familiar. I saw the moon before me, then it was gone as clouds seemed to paint themselves across the sky. Then it was back, but shining even more brightly. There was a warmth and familiarity in it.

I dwelled in this place, whispers from people long since past and those yet to come. They spoke of love and friendship. Of war, death, pain, and loss. They spoke of changes… Transformations… and of things for which I had no words.

And cutting through these conversations were thoughts and images that were not my own, but were. Images first of a youkai lord teaching me to kill, the taste of youkai and ningen blood on my claws, then there were those thoughts of a quest… a task or achievement just outside of my grasp. Still more followed of a girl trailing after me with flowers in her hair, a feeling of serenity and calm as I watched a mass in my bed, frustration as I watched what should have been mine wielded by another, and fury as I watched an explosion tear through what was my home.

They came so fast in my mind and it was difficult to know if they were memories of my own life or of another's. I felt the emotions and heard my youkai growling and purring in unison with them. I smelt things and heard things for which I had no understanding, but I knew them nonetheless.

In this place where I knew not myself, I heard a familiar feminine voice warm my heart and calm my mind. She wore a face similar to my own, but different all the same. She wore battle armour and I knew that she had once protected something… Something that was important. And there was a feeling in my heart that that task had become my own.

"Sleep now and wake anew. Trust your instincts and let two become one. Run not in fear. Know that you have been gifted this unique power because you have what is necessary to see the task complete without bending yourself to the whims and weaknesses of others." I felt a kiss upon… something. I knew not my body in this place. I didn't know if I had a body, but I felt it anyway. I felt her leaving and heard her words echoed in the depths of my darkness. And then there was light beyond light.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

It was the day of the Full moon and I felt energized. I had not taken rest, but I would feed from the moon and relish the taste of it on my youki. As I watched the people building their booths and tents in preparation for the evening festival, I reminisced on the previous evening's events.

…

After sending Rin on her way, I turned back to the ona. She had not twitched, her breathing had not changed, and her fever had only gotten worse from what I could feel across the room. A small part of me recognized that such a temperature was impossible for a ningen to survive, but I had no worries for it. A larger part of myself, likely my youkai half, recognized that there was no danger for her despite the lack of evidence to prove it.

I moved to her and felt her reiki move around me like water adapting to a boulder in its path. It caressed me as if it knew me and wanted to welcome me home. I allowed my youki to come to the surface of my being and instead of the anticipated snap and crackle of reiki and youki meeting, I felt the submission of the reiki under the weight of my power. I felt my youkai purr in appreciation before my youki reached out to caress the reiki as it had done me.

I came and kneeled beside the miko and trailed the back of my hand across her cheek. It was hot. Too hot, but I only felt warmth spread through me. I closed my eyes and let my mind reach out to her.

At first, nothing came to my call, but as I waited a silent darkness came up as if searching. Memories that were not my own came to my mind and felt myself crying and sobbing at a funeral for a man I did not know. I watched a woman place an infant child in my arms and coached me on how to hold him as love seared through me. I felt myself running after a carriage I did not recognize as a bag slapped against my back eagerly. I heard the gossip of the girls around me about a teenage boy named Hojo and then there were suddenly memories of Inuyasha. Saving him, loving him, mourning him, and caring for him. I felt emotions that were not my own and I let them wash over me as the memories continued until I was staring into the cold golden eyes of a familiar face.

Seeing my face from the eyes of the miko I saw things. My first memories of myself were those of anxiety and pity. The miko had pitied me when she had first met me and I wondered at what that meant. I saw the coldness reflected in those golden eyes and watched as my true self stoically commanded those around him. And then it changed… Warmth, confusion, familiarity… and instead of ice I was seeing fire. Instead of pity, I felt love and affection.

The strength of the ona's feelings overwhelmed me for a moment and I knew not who I was. I pushed my own thoughts and memories back at her in response, hoping that she would feel the gratitude I felt in her sharing her vulnerabilities.

I waited for a short time and received no reaction. I felt my moko-moko caress her skin as I allowed my youki to wash over and into her. I moved in to pick her up, knowing that moving her was going to be the next step and was fascinated by the quick and sudden reaction of her reiki. It spiked around me in recognition, caressed me, and receded completely. I felt the barrier around the room fall and I pushed my own youki in a swirling vortex around me as the remainder of the ceiling and walls tumbled without the support of her reiki.

I carried her carefully from the remains of our room and into battered and cracked walls of the remainder of the wing. I continued past the servants, some of them standing in aw after us before getting back to their tasks as they felt the menacing snap of my youki.

…..

I looked back into our temporary room as I felt her reiki shift. As evening had passed into night my youki had come to know her reiki in a new way. Even without it's physical manifestation, I could feel it resonate from the depths of her. As I had focused in on it over the passing hours, I had noticed it shift again and again as if to make room for something new.

Tonight the festival would continue. I would take Rin around to the booths, allow her the opportunity to spend time with other ningens of my territory who celebrated the night of my power. I would make my appearances to the local youkai and ningen lords before coming back to watch over the little ona who had so quickly consumed my life.

TBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBCTBC

Note: Alright, so not as long as the other chapters, I know. But I really felt like we made some progress in the right direction in terms of building up to the core plot. I kinda see this fic going on for awhile with well over 30 chapters. We shall see though. I do have some ideas in terms of finishing the shikon and defeating Naraku, but when I began writing this I didn't have a specific place in the Inuyasha canon where I wanted this to start from. I will start freshening up on my Inuyasha history and see if there is a place in the Inuyasha plot that makes sense. I am open to suggestions. I know this fic suggests that Kagome has been hunting with Inuyasha for three years, while I believe the Manga time frame saw the jewel completed within a fraction of that time.

Anyway, I hope the author's note at the beginning helped everyone enjoy the reading experience a little more. I really tried to keep the formatting to the story as simple and basic as possible, but I am open to suggestions in how I can improve it.

Thanks for reading guys and don't forget to R&R!