A/N: Hey everybody, sorry for the long wait! I had to go to a funeral in AZ about a week ago, and I just got home a few days ago. Well, here is the next installment of my story! I hope you all like it!

Disclaimer: -le sigh- I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters….but I do own the plot. :D

'words' thoughts "words" speaking

Chapter 1: Two Months Later

It had been two months now that she had been in the great miko Midoriko's care now. Midoriko looked on as Kagome practiced with her bow, a look of determination spread across her face, perfecting her aim and the many types of sacred arrows she had been learning. She smiled at Kagome and couldn't help but feel a motherly affection for the girl, who was a very eager student, soaking up knowledge about her powers and the way of the miko as fast as she could. She had learned so much over the past two months while in her care after her body had healed enough to train. She learned how to fine tune the powerful miko abilities she never new she had, she had learned how to wield a sword though her favorite weapon was a small katana that Midoriko had given her (which enables her to channel her divine power through it), her senses were sharp enough now that she could sense everything youkai or not within a five mile radius and now felt a deep connection to the earth again and all it's creatures, she now had many powerful sacred attacks without the use of her bow, and the most important thing: control over her tumultuous emotions. That was the hardest thing for her to do in her training, because of two things: it was the first part of her training, which had started only two weeks after she was found in the cave, and in order to gain complete and total control over her emotions and her miko abilities, she had to let go of all the feelings she had, including the hate she had felt towards Inuyasha and Kikyo for what they had done to her. She still felt a tiny bit of disgust at herself, but Midoriko knew that that was what all rape victims felt and that it would pass in time.

Midoriko leaned back against the tree next to her small hut and remembered the day she was brought back into existence by Kami.

Flashback

The pure light inside the Shikon was swirling around her and the demons she battled as always. Never tiring from her eternal battle, she took yet another swing at the horrible demons around her, when suddenly, everything stopped. She lowered her sword carefully and looked around, 'Was her fight over already?' But that thought was immediately banished from her mind when she heard a voice. THE voice. The voice of Kami him or herself.

"Great miko Midoriko. We have an important task for you to undertake. The young miko that protects you within her own body needs your assistance. She has gone through a terrible ordeal at the hands of your first reincarnation Kikyo, and the Inu hanyou Inuyasha as they tried to get the Shikon from her. In order for the Shikon to be taken from the mortal plain and into the next one without hate or selfishness, she must be trained in every way of the warrior miko. And you are going to be the one to train her, for only you are powerful enough to train her budding and growing powerful miko abilities that will rival your own."

Midoriko was shocked. She was going to train her next reincarnation? "But how will I be able to train her from within the Shikon?" she said before she could stop herself.

The voice of Kami surrounded her completely, saying, "You will be brought back to life, but only until your task is complete, and then you will be returned to your battle once more. Now Midoriko, listen carefully. When you are back in the mortal plain, you will be placed inside a cave, and there will be the girl, Kagome, inside. You must free her before her friends get to her. She will not be ready to face them for some time. Now go, and train the young miko who holds the fate of all in her hands."

There was a bright flash of white-hot light, and then Midoriko felt something she hadn't felt in a very long time, the night breeze that swept in from the entrance of the cave. She stood slowly, and then looked around her. She was indeed in a cave as Kami had said, and she could smell blood and feel incredible darkness towards the main room on the cave. Walking towards the source of the darkness, she found a small pile of clay dust. Kneeling down on one knee, she put her hand over it, and then pulled back. 'So that is the source of darkness I felt. No doubt this was the creature that Kikyo created to torture the poor girl…(A/N: Kami filled her in on the details, just so ya know) now where is she?'

She followed the growing and ever-stronger smell of blood to a broken and bloody figure chained naked to a wall. She held in a gasp as she took in the mangled and bloody girl in front of her. Emotions getting the better of her iron clamp of control on them, she felt tears course down her face as she held up her hands on impulse, glowing with healing power, and healed all of the wounds on the outside and inside of her body. But she knew that there was once thing she could never heal, and that was what made her cry for the first time in centuries. She couldn't heal the girl's innocence, nor could she take away the horrible memories of what she went through. She suddenly felt very ashamed that her first reincarnation would be such a evil and dark woman. Shaking her head at her dark thoughts, she broke the sealing chains with ease, and caught the frail woman in her arms as she fell from the wall. She walked out of the cave with Kagome in her arms, and then kept walking until she found the small hut a mile away where Kami said it would be, and laid her on the futon inside, waiting for her to wake up, for she had a lot to tell the girl who held the fates of youkai and human alike in her kind hands.

End Flashback

Wiping the sweat that had formed on her brow from training in the midday sun, she set down her bow and arrows, and took a deep refreshing drink from the water bucket beside her. She set the ladle back down into the clear blue water inside the bucket and then looked towards her new teacher, who was lounging against the tree next to their small hut, eyes closed, her miko garb swaying with the push of the light wind. She smiled and walked over, putting a hand on Midoriko-sensei's shoulder and asked, "Is that all the training for today?"

She had got exceptionally proficient at archery now, so she only had to train with her bow only once in a while now. Her other abilities on the other hand, were still blossoming from the deep well of power inside her, and so she still need to practice on those.

Midoriko sensed her student approaching and smiled warmly when she felt the hand on her shoulder and opened her eyes at the girl's question. Sweeping her long dark hair off her unoccupied shoulder, she replied with fake exasperation, "You should know by now, Kagome, that training starts at dawn and ends at sunset."

Kagome laughed, one of her rare true laughs that warmed all around her who heard it and said, "I know Sensei, but you can't blame me for trying, ne?" She removed the friendly hand off of her teacher's shoulder, and then asked with the best puppy eyed expression she could, "Sensei-sama…do you think I could take a small break and head to the hot springs? Pleeeeeease?"

Midoriko gave a small sigh and gave in; she couldn't resist that face if she tried. "Alright, fine. But don't expect that you are going to get out of the rest of your training!"

"Awww man!"

"Hahaha. That's what I thought. Now go and get your bathing supplies and go relax. I expect you back here in an hour Kagome!"

Kagome gave a mock sigh and then laughed again, and headed inside the hut towards her huge tattered yellow backpack and got out her bathing supplies. Towel, fresh miko clothes, and bathing supplies under her arm, she headed towards her favorite hot spring. She gave a small yip of happiness when she saw the steaming water and quickly set down her things, disrobed and slipped into the hot and calming water. Leaning her head back against the moss covered stone behind her, she let her guard down for the first time since she begun her training, and let the hot steaming waters of the hot spring relax her aching muscles and calm her still aching soul. Little did she know that she would have unexpected, although not unwelcome company this afternoon.

Sango sighed, and put down her Hiraikotsu. Straightening herself, she looked towards where Miroku sat with little Shippo outside Kaede's hut. Things had never been the same ever since Kagome and Inuyasha disappeared without explanation, and the small group was feeling worse for the wear because of it. Shippo hardly ever smiled anymore because of the absence of his loving mother, and Miroku had been uncharacteristically serious since the day they had found the cave with Kagome's blood but not the girl herself inside it. They had never told Shippo what they had found, but she knew that he thought she was dead, just like everyone else did. All except Kaede surprisingly, she had said something after they got back when they told her what they had found. She had said to the downcast couple, "Ye need not worry. Things are meant to happen for a reason, just as this did. Things will come to pass and ye will both see our young friend again." She then started making her stew, and prepared for dinner that night.

Sango steeled herself against her dark thoughts and walked towards the houshi and her friend, knowing she had to be strong for everybody. Once she got to the duo, she sat down next to Miroku and smiled, "Hey, I think I am going to go to the hot springs, you two going to be ok while I am gone?"

Miroku, who had been meditating, looked up from his folded hands and said with a small smile, "Yes my dear Sango, of course we shall be alright," a wide lecherous smile then spread across his face, his hand inching forward stealthily, "Do you want some help with your bath Sango…?"

Shippo and Kirara looked up when they heard a loud slap and a proclamation of 'hentai', to find Miroku sprawled sideways on the ground, a large lump forming on his head, with a fuming Sango in her taijia outfit standing over him, fist raised. She gave a small sigh, stood straight, blush apparent on her face and then said, "Ok then. I am going to the hot springs now. Shippo, Kirara, you make sure he doesn't peep, ok?"

Shippo smiled a bit and then both he and the fire neko nodded. Getting their promises, she grabbed her usual kimono from inside and headed towards the hot springs. Humming a small tune under her breath, just as she rounded the corner of the forest path that led to the entrance of the hot springs, her heart stopped and her breath left her completely. There, in the steaming water, sat her missing friend and sister, leaning back against the stone of the hot spring, eyes closed, and in one piece. Tears sprang to her eyes, and her hands came up to cover her mouth as a wave of happiness and joy surged through her. Before she knew it, she had dropped her folded kimono to the forest floor with a soft thud and ran towards Kagome, jumping into the hot water fully clothed and enveloped Kagome in a strong hug. "K-Kagome!"

She was still lounging against the rock of the spring when she felt a splash and then was enveloped in a strong hug before she could even open her eyes. She froze, and opened her eyes wide when she heard the voice of her sister and best friend Sango call out her name. Still frozen in shock, she turned her head slightly to see Sango's face pressed into her shoulder, tears of joy running down her face. "Sango…?"

Lifting her face from Kagome's shoulder, she smiled widely, and whispered elatedly, "Oh Kagome! I have missed you so much dear sister! Where have you been all this time? Are you alright?"

Kagome smiled sadly and said, "I'm fine. You might want to get undressed, it is a long story, although I am sure you would not want to hear it…it is not a very happy one."

Sango pulled back, unwrapping her arms from around the woman before her. "I would like to hear it, we…I need to know what happened to you Kagome."

Kagome nodded and the waited as Sango undressed and joined her in the hot spring, sitting across from her. As soon as her sister was situated, she told her all that had transpired after she left the hut that night, leaving out some of the gory details, but Sango got the picture nonetheless. When she got to the part about her new teacher Midoriko saving her, she faltered, and decided it would be best to keep the identity of her sensei a secret; so she instead told her that a very powerful wandering miko had found her, nursed her back to health, and was now teaching her and guiding her in the way of the miko.

Sango stared at the woman in front of her, amazed that she was still alive and had survived such a…horrific and terrible ordeal. She felt such incredible anger at Inuyasha for letting this happen to her beloved sister, and knew that if she ever saw him again, she didn't know if she couldn't kill him and that clay whore. Tears forming in her eyes, though not falling, as she finished her tale, she shifted through the warm water and once again hugged her sister, gently this time. "I…I don't know what to say except I am so sorry that you had to go through that all because of that damn jewel…I…I cant believe that they did that to you Kagome. I am so sorry."

Kagome smiled at Sango as she pulled away, sitting closer to her this time. "It is alright Sango," she cut her off before Sango could protest at her words, "I let go of my hatred for them long ago. Part of my miko training is to let go and gain control of your emotions. Now I only feel sad for them that they had to resort to such evil things to try and get the jewel. However, even if I don't feel any hatred, my sensei said it is perfectly fine if I do decide to seek retribution for their actions, so they will pay for the pain they have caused me."

Sango stared at her in wonder. When had the girl turned into a young woman so fast? She was only 19 summers. She shook her head and said, "Dear sister, when you do seek your revenge, please allow the rest of us to seek it with you. Kikyo has done the worst thing she could ever do. She has harmed my best of friends and my sister, and for that, she will pay a great price."

She smiled sadly and shook her head. "No Sango, I can't let you do that. I don't want to sound selfish, but I want to find them on my own, and when I do, they will pay."

Sango looked at her, a confused expression on her graceful features, "What do you mean on your own?"

Kagome gave a small sigh, a pained look in her eyes. She laid a hand on her dear friend's shoulder and said, "After I am done with my training, I am going to travel. As a miko, and even before that, I have always felt the strong need to help people. And that is what I aim to do. I am going to wander Sengoku Jidai and help people in any way I can, and if I happen to come across Kikyo and Inuyasha in my travels, then I will seek my justice. And please, before you ask me dear sister, I can't have you join me. You have your whole life ahead of you, and you cant put that on hold for me." She smiled and then said, "I mean, have you noticed at all during our travels how Miroku looks at you?"

Sango blushed and looked down, stuttering, "Ye-yes…but he is just a pervert, and looked at you the same way, did he not?"

Kagome chuckled, the sound light and warming, "Kami no Sango! Did you ever notice that after a year or so, he wouldn't even touch me, only you? Sango, come on, the poor guy is so hung up on you he cant even see straight, let alone keep his hand to himself for a few moments!"

Sango blushed deeper this time. "Do you really think so sister?"

"Of course I do! I know so!"

Sango didn't say anything for a few moments and then said, "Well, I guess so...," she said changing the subject, "Come sister, I think it is time to get out, I still think that staying in here this long is bad for you, no matter what you say."

Kagome froze, and Sango noticed. "Kagome, do you want to see the others? We all miss you, and I am sure that they would all want to see you. Please come with me? You don't have to tell your tale again, I will tell Miroku and Kaede after Shippo is asleep."

That was all it took. Just the mentioning of little Shippo's name and she was already out of the water and getting dressed. Sango smiled and followed her out saying; "I take that as a 'yes'?"

Kagome pulled on her miko clothing, gathered her bathing supplies and towel, and said, "I forgot all about my little Shippo…what kind of mother am I? He must be worried sick."

Sango lied and shook her head, not wanting to upset her friend over the little Kitsune's true condition. "I don't think you are a bad mother Kagome. You have been through a lot, I am sure he will forgive you as soon as you pull out some of that strange candy from your time," she said with mirth in her voice as she finished putting on her usual kimono.

Kagome looked towards the sky and deduced she had about an half hour left before she had to return to Midoriko-sensei and resume her training, so she looped her arm through her sister's and headed towards the village of Edo which she called home and where her second family waited for her.

A/N: I know, I know, it's a cliffy, and I am a horrible, horrible author for torturing my readers so. Well, I hoped you liked it! She finally gets to see her friend and sister after two months of intense training.

Oh! I never told you guys in detail what kind of powers she developed! Want to know? Oh ok, I give in. I'll tell ya. She can now shoot bursts of energy out of her hands, of course she has stronger barriers now and can project them to protect others, she can also form her sacred power in a form much like Sesshoumaru's whip, she can channel her power through the blessed katana Midoriko gave her, resulting in many different forms of attack that you just might see in this fanfic, and she now can read minds to a certain extent and can exorcize demon and evil spirits from people etc. Cool huh?

Well, that is all for now, I hope you guys liked it! In the next installment of my story, Kagome gets to see her friends, and you get to find out more about the Inu hanyou Inuyasha and Kikyo and Sesshoumaru! Stay tuned!

Ja ne, Ninjaru