In this chapter, we delve into the icy inu's mind and find out just what he thinks of this little situation. Also, we take a peek into Kagome's conscience to see just how she has progressed after her training. I won't say anymore, otherwise it'll spoil the chappie.

Disclaimer: The usual…

Musings

Sesshomaru's mind had not reacted at all like he'd wanted it to. After getting the answers he so desired, he assumed his curiosity would dim. Instead he found it rose substantially, thousands of questions sparking behind carefully veiled amber orbs.

Numerous inquisitions of the future swarmed his subconscious, as well as that of the fate of his kind. She had said that she had only realized her miko ability a year ago, and stated that she hadn't been trained. He, being the type to analyze every piece of information he received, had come to the conclusion that miko's were not needed sorely in her time. That could have meant a variety of things, the most likely of which was that something had happened to the relationship between the humans and demons. Did one overcome the other? Did they live in peace? He didn't know, and it irked him beyond belief.

The sword she carried as well, he could sense its demonic aura and wondered what in the name of the gods she was doing trucking around with a sword of that breed. She had obtained it at the village, from the blacksmith. Why had the whelp sold such a finely crafted blade to her? Her weak ningen arms probably couldn't even support its weight.

He shouldn't have let her go so easily. However, he did not regret his decision on leaving when he did. After all, the wench wouldn't have cooperated very well once she turned into a blubbering mess.

He would have to see to it that he paid her another visit soon.

Hearing the urgent cry of his retainer, he focused on the small encampment ahead of him, watching as his ward chased the tiny toad youkai in circles, a bright, flowered wreath clamped in her small pudgy fingers.

"Jaken-sama, Rin wants to make you prettier!" the small ningen child chirped.

"No, go away you bothersome little human!" the miniscule youkai squawked, flailing his arms in a distraught manner.

Had it been in his nature to do so, Sesshomaru would have smiled.

Three years later…

Taking one final look at the monastery she had been stationed at, Kagome sighed, sending a quick prayer to the mikos that had aided her in her quest of understanding.

She wiped a stray piece of dirt from the short sleeve of her fighting kimono, realizing that she had not worn it since the day she arrived there three years ago. Her garments had been provided, mostly consisting of the traditional miko hakamma and haori. Her other clothes, the ones she had acquired at the village before she had set off to the mountains, had remained unused, save the few times she had used the odd yukata for sleep.

Her time there had passed much quicker than she expected, each day passing swiftly. She felt complete, so very centered. She had worked herself, body, mind, and spirit, harder than she ever had. The tedious training and disciplinary exercises had been unrelenting, but had paid off in the end.

Her mind was sharp and alert, searching out the few shards of the Shikon that remained. Her powers, which had been a broiling, heaving mass within her, now flowed calmly through her veins.

She had been surprised to find that, even after having gained so much power, she was still capable of advancing. During her final year, she had been praised, the other mikos claiming that her powers surpassed even that of the great Midoriko.

Her body had been put through its fair share of endeavors as well. Every day, from the beginning of the three years until the end, she had been required to rise at dawn, along with the sun. It was said to be spiritually cleansing.

She would then run three miles to the well that resided outside the small monastery, where she would fill a pail of water and bring it back with her. The only catch was that she had to balance it on her head the entire way back. The first few weeks she had failed miserably at the latter part of the task, her impatience getting the better of her. In time she mastered the exercise, finding it helped to improve not only her patience, but her grace and reflexes as well.

Once she had returned with the water, she would use it to wash her self and tend to the quaint herb garden. It was said to be a time of connecting with nature.

Meditation followed, two hours set aside every morning to that task. During this time, she was to focus on her power and try to meld it, contain it in a healthier, much more efficient way.

Feeling the now familiar bulk of Faia Enko sway lightly against her back, she smiled. Much to her surprise, once she had gained enough strength to lift and hold the sword properly, she had picked up on the art of fighting with one quickly. During the time she connected with the blade, she had uncovered some of its devastating attacks, the Flame Sphere being the most powerful and efficient of which.

Her skills with the bow had improved vastly, now rivaling Kikyo's. Her daggers had served her well, saving her life on more than one occasion. She had taken to them rather quickly as well, much like her sword.

Her last form of training had been the hand to hand combat, which happened to be her favorite. It was strenuous, yes, and there had been times in which she wanted sorely to give up, but eventually her body had learned to cope with pain. Now… now she would never be defenseless again, even when caught without a weapon. She would never again be a victim.

One thing that had surprised her greatly was the fact that Sesshomaru had paid her regular visits, the first few times frightening her a little. However, over time she came to not only sense him before he arrived, but she grew accustomed to his arrogant attitude and learned to simply let it go and answer any questions he might have had. After a while, their visits became relatively pleasant, the odd time he would even address her by her name.

Yet his visits had only lasted the first of the three years. Then, two years ago, as war broke out between the western and southern lands, he stated that he could no longer dally on such frivolous excursions.

She had missed his company, she would admit it, his biting wit and sardonic nature quite amusing at times. She smiled. During his analyses of her, little did the great Sesshomaru-sama realize that he too was being studied. She had learned that, under his hard exterior, a soft side dwelled, only surfacing once in a blue moon. Well… as soft a side as was possible for the mighty and cold hearted inu taiyoukai.

Brushing all unimportant thought from her mind, she turned to what was truly important. Firstly, she needed to get back home. She hadn't seen her family in years and felt terrible for leaving them so abruptly, but what she did simply had to be done. They probably assumed her dead.

Another wave of guilt hit her as she realized that after going to her family, she would need to find her friends again. And, of course, she still had Naraku to hunt, as well as jewel shards to collect. She could sense that very few pieces were left. She herself had about a third of the Shikon while Naraku, the dark hanyou, held the majority of the jewel. Grimacing, she fingered the small glass jar that dangled from her neck, suspended on a light silver chain. The final battle would occur soon.

Then there was the score she had yet to settle with a certain someone. Kikyo, the golem, still possessed half of her soul, which she was dearly beginning to miss. She knew that once her spirit was whole again, she would be capable of growing even more powerful. Not that she cared. She was grateful for what she had already been blessed with.

She did not lust for power, not in the least, she merely felt that it was time for the remainder of her soul to go back where it belonged… inside of her. In order to obtain said soul, she would have to kill Kikyo, and in doing so would end up facing Inuyasha.

She wasn't certain what she would do when she saw him again. Her anger had died down over the years of peaceful living in the mountains. Anger, though her soul now readily embraced it, would not rule her. She was balanced and, should she allow the scale to tip even a little, she could plunge into a world of no return… the world of darkness.

Sighing, she brushed all thought aside once more. She would cross that bridge when she came to it. For now, she had a family to visit.

There we are; another chapter up and ready to be read… and reviewed, of course. That, however, I leave up to you.