A/N: Yes I did just post this chapter an then I realized when I saved it I accidently deleted an entire section from the story by accident, so that entire missing part is now in the story. Nothing in the chapter has changed, just that one part and trust me you are going to want to read it!

Chapter 10: Escape

Kagura was absolutely exhausted. After giving birth two weeks prior she figured she would be feeling better by now, but she wasn't. Granted she did not feel completely ill like before when she was pregnant, but she was still very tired. Nonetheless, she put on her best smile and looked the part when she and Sesshomaru were paraded down the streets, holding the infant for everyone to see. Now she sat on a mound of cushions in the center of her public chambers. Her hair was down and she was dressed comfortably in a yellow yukata and light green robe tied loosely.

Surrounding her were several ladies of the court, scattered around the room, sitting and standing in small groups, all chatting excitedly about the birth of the new prince, how radiant the crown princess looked, and other various gossip floating around. Queen Inukimi was with a group of older demoness'. Lady Izayoi was on the other side of the room, chatting animatedly with a young demoness. Ai was sitting on the pillows beside her mother, while Yura stayed close by sitting on the ground.

There were a few men in attendance. Seven to be exact. One of them being Byukuya, three of them guards, two of them were hired musicians and the last Jaken, Sesshomaru's assistant. The Crown Prince and King were expected to show up later on in the evening. Guests also noticed the absence of a certain ningen princess as well.

Ayame, a maiden of the Queen, and a good friend of Kagura'sapproached her and bowed respectfully. "Your highness, you look radiant this evening."

Kagura smiled. "Thank you, Ayame. Come and sit." She patted the spot right beside her.

Ayame smiled and sat on the unoccupied side of Kagura. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired."

"Still? Then why aren't you resting?"

"I am resting. Besides I have responsibilities, I cannot just lay around all day. Not with a new pup to care for."

Ayame gave Kagura a quizzical look. "Very well, just make sure you take care of yourself."

"Always."

"I am surprised that Sesshomaru is not here now," Ayame said changing the subject.

Kagura nodded. "He had a council meeting today. It had been planned for days now, he did not want to change it. He should be here soon though."

Kagura leaned over to ask Yura to get her some water. When she sat back Ayame slowly asked, "And your sister-wife, where is she?"

Kagura's passive face contorted into a heavy frown. It was clear how she felt about the ningen princess. Ayame restrained a smile for the abrupt shift in mood in the crown princess.

"I have no idea where she is."

"Have you spent any time with her? Do you get along?"

"No, and I am not sure. We have never really talked… ever."

Ayame nodded slowly. "Oh. I see how it is… Will she be coming?"

" I also do not know, but I am not holding my breath for it."

"Of course."

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By the cold fire pit, the young princess Rin kneeled on the soft velvet pillow with beads wrapped around her clasped hands. There she had a small shrine built. The pillow sat before a small arch made of flowers, and gold and silver trinkets. Two incense were burning and sitting in two dishes in the arch. Three lit red candles burned before the small ivory carved statue of Midoriko she brought from home. Silently she called out to the goddess, giving her thanks, asking for strength, and mostly asking for guidance. Rin was so lost right now. She had no idea what she was supposed to be doing right now. She was so lost in this journey and she had not even begun. Midoriko had not come to her since her wedding night and has not offered Rin any sign of her presence.

The door to her room slid open and shut. She finished her prayer and opened her eyes when she saw Kaede, standing at the door with a red silk wrapped bundle in her hands.

Rin blew out the candles, but allowed the incense to burn. When she rose, Kaede was on the bed watching her. "Since we've arrived here you have become very devoted to the goddess."

"I am far from home, it is essential that I hold on to my culture as best as I can. Right now, Mother Goddess is all I have that keeps me going."

Kaede nodded and stood from the futon. "It is a shame you had to be married. If I knew about your feelings towards the Goddess I would have tried to convince your father to send you to the White Mountain."

Rin frowned as she stood before her caretaker. "White Mountain?"

"It's a temple where men and women live their lives serving the goddess, and practice the ancient rituals of the first men."

"I've never heard of it."

"That's because not many people have heard of it. It is a very tight knit group of people. Every priest or priestess who serves the community in the name of the Goddess must first receive training at White Mountain."

Rin thought about Kaede's words. White Mountain was exactly where she needed to go to start her journey of finding the jewel of souls. Where better to get help from?

"I want to go there!" Rin stated flatly.

Kaede frowned. "I do not know if that is possible."

"Why?"

"Well, for starters, you must be a virgin."

"I am a virgin!"

Kaede frowned. "You mean Sesshomaru never…"

"No!" Rin answered sharply, hoping to get off of the topic as quickly as possible.

Kaede nodded. "Well then, I guess the only other thing is if your husband would even let you go."

"I do not see why he wouldn't."

"Well you'll have to ask him."

Rin frowned slightly. "It's kind of hard to find a moment alone with him."

"Well you know where he will be tonight."

Rin gave a disappointed look as she cast her eyes to the ground. She really did not want to go to the party. Just because she had to go did not mean that she had to stay for very long. She would go, give the present to Kagura, greet and chat with whoever was important, find Sesshomaru, ask him for a private talk, ask him for permission to go to the White Mountain, naturally he will say yes because, well, why wouldn't he? Rin would return to her room and begin packing her bags.

Rin let out a heavy sigh as she stared at the small bundle of red silk material that was wrapped neatly, concealing a precious treasure inside. It was a gift for the newborn prince. Rin had made it herself. She knew that the party had started in the Crown Princesses room an hour ago, still Rin was dressed in her silk blue bath robe. Her hair had dried from her bath and was now an unruly curly mass around her head. Kocho and Asuka had set out a dress for her to wear and made to dress her, but Rin sent them to wait in the front room, deciding to wait on Kaede to return from whatever it was she was doing.

"I do not want to go." Rin admitted. She remained staring at the present.

Kaede frowned walked over to Rin's left. "Not going would be seen as a sign of disrespect. You are already treading on thin ice. It would be for the best for you to go. Besides, as I just stated, you will have an opportunity to speak with Prince Sesshomaru."

Rin faced Kaede looking a little more than distressed. "I know I just… I am…"

"Scared." Kaede finished for her.

Rin met her eyes with a forced hardness. "I am not scared. I am a woman of the South. A princess."

"You are also a child forced to marry a demon prince centuries older than you who shows you little to no favor, a feeling shared by his peers. If I were you I would be scared too."

Rin frowned at her caretaker. "I hope you did not intend to encourage me with those words."

Kaede affectionately tucked one of Rin's curls behind her ear and out of her face. It was pointless. The curl sprang right back to where it was in the center of her forehead. "It was meant to make you feel comforted."

Rin sighed again, this time with irritation. "Well it did not. No one wants me here, Kaede. I do not even want me here. I have nothing in common with anyone here accept Kagura, and our only similarity is that we are married to the same man. I'm wasting time here. There's other thing's I could be doing right now, Kagura."

"Like what, Rin?" Kaede asked purely out of interest.

Rin sucked on her bottom lip. She contemplated. Should she tell Kaede? She would have to tell her eventually. How else would she get people to help her in her cause if she never told them what was going on? Out of everyone, Kaede was one of the only people she could trust, next to her brother and cousin.

Rin's face dropped before she looked up at Kaede with determiniation. "When we get to White Mountain I will tell you everything."

Kaede frowned in obvious confusion. "Tell me what?"

"When we get to White Mountain. Now go and fetch the girls. I wish to dress now."

The old woman nodded and bowed before leaving to get Rin's young handmaidens. Rin looked down at the beads she still clutched in her hand and she thought again of her cousin, who set the beads off.

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Kagura was doing a very good job at hiding her discomfort. She was tired, as was Yuudai. The babe was now being held by his grandmother, slumbering away. Sesshomaru had just arrived with the King and sat quietly by her side, his gaze flickering between his newborn son, his daughter who was conversing with Misho, and Kagura. He seemed to be in a good mood because he was not in a bad mood.

The doors to the chambers slid open and everyone paused as the foreign scent, that was growing more familiar, of ningen female coupled with honey suckle filled the air. Kagura watched as Rin walked through the door, flanked by her servants.

Wearing the same blue dress she first wore when she arrived, she caught everyone's attention. Her hair was a wild curly mass framing her creamy face and flowing down her bare back. She smiled politely and walked forward to Kagura and Sesshomaru where she curtsied.

"Good, evening."

Kagura smiled back at her. "I was beginning to think you would not come."

Rin gave an apologetic look. "Apologies. I had prayed and was in the middle of meditation when the time got away from me."

Kagura gave her a forgiving nod. "It's all right. Please make yourself comfortable."

Rin nodded. She handed Kagura the gift. "It was a little last minute so I apologies if it is not what you desired." Rin spoke as Kagura unwrapped the little booties and mitt.

The crown princess smiled thoughtfully and picked them up. "Aw, how cute. What are these little things?" She used an elegant finger to hold up one of the mitts.

"Those are mitts. In the South we put those on our babies so that they don't scratch their faces. Since the little prince has claws I figured they would be really helpful."

Kagura nodded. "Yes, this is wonderful. Thank you."

Rin's cheeks turned a little pink and she tilted her head down, letting a nervous laugh. She could tell Kagura had genuinely liked her gift and it made Rin giddy with relief. The last thing she wanted was this woman to hate her. She had enough enemies for just being here.

She glanced over at Sesshomaru he stared forward looking bored, almost. Rin swallowed nervously and her stomach muscles clenched. He always made her feel so anxious. She knew he would not speak to her, so in order to engage him in conversation she would have to speak first.

"Hello, your highness," Rin said cheerfully towards him. He cast a brief glance her way and gave her a curt nod.

"How was your day?" Even she cringed internally at the super high pitched chirping of her own voice. She was just so nervous. Taking a mental note to dial it down a bit, and taking a deep breath, she waited patiently for him to respond.

Again he slid his gaze back to her looking a little irritated. Her eyes widened a fraction and she swallowed again.

"Fine."

If that was not a hint for her to stop talking she did not know what was. Unfortunately she needed to talk to him. Keeping up her smile Rin replied. "Great, I actually would like to talk to you about something."

"Go ahead."

Rin paused for a second and looked around. She figured they could go somewhere more private. Then again what would be the point, its not like she was going to make it a big secret. Eventually everyone would notice she was no longer around. Clearing her throat, she swallowed again.

"Well, I have been thinking and I thought that I should go… I mean, I wanted to go and just thought to ask you… because we are married now and that would be the proper thing to do. Not that I would not do it if it was not considered the proper thing to do…"

She looked up at she was met the Crown royals' even stares. Kagura's was a look of pity and sympathy. Sesshomaru was a cross between bored and irritated. Rin swallowed again, realizing she had better hurry up and spit it out.

So she did.

"In any case, I wish to leave for White Mountain. There I would like to study the divine ways of the Great Mother Goddess, Midoriko, and live the rest of my life as a servant of hers."

He just stared at her. Rin bit on her bottom lip, trying her best to hold herself together.

Why does he always stare so hard? She thought on the verge of nervous breakdown.

"How long would you be gone?" Kagura asked out of curiosity.

Rin shrugged, happy to be able to turn away from Sesshomaru. "I am not sure. A year or two, maybe longer. It all really depends."

Kagura looked to Sesshomaru, which upset Rin because that meant she had to look back at Sesshomaru. He gaze was still on Rin. Unwavering and cold. She tried her best not to, but she could not help it, she swallowed. Man her throat was really dry all of a sudden.

"I do not see why you cannot go. You have my permission."

Rin smiled, and shamelessly released a sigh of relief. "Great! Thank you."

Just then Inukimi glided over, to stand beside Rin. "Hello, Rin. I am happy you decided to join us."

"Of course, your grace," Rin responded, quickly bowing to the queen.

When she rose back to her full height she peaked into the small bundle Inukimi was holding. "Would you like to hold him?" She asked.

With wide eyes rin looked up at the Queen. She had only held a baby once before, when on of her friends had her baby. She only held them for a second and it was while she was sitting.

"Oh. No than –"

"Go ahead," Kagura encouraged her with a warm smile.

At this point if Rin refused she would look like disrespectful. She put on her best smile and and allowed Inukimi to set the bundle in her arms. Cradling his head with the crease at her elbow, she wrapped her arms around him. He was a lot heavier than she expected. She looked down at him. Though he was sleeping inhis grandmother's arms, both eyes were wide open and looking directly at Rin.

And as any female would do when looking into the face of anything that small and adorable, Rin smiled the brightest, realest smile she had since she arrived in the South. "Aaww!" She cooed.

Immediatley a face splitting frin adorned the newborn princes face and Rin's smile somehow got bigger.

"He's perfect." She said allowed, never looking away from him.

"Of course he is. He has the blood of a legend coursing through his veins,' a voice foreign to Rin said behind her.

Surprised, she gasped and carefully turned to see who the speaker was. The man stood a head over her, wearing rich robes. His skin was an odd waxy blue-gray color and he had ruby red eyes. The same as Kagura and the newborn prince. To his right standing beside him was the man who was introduced as Kagura's brother, Byakuya.

"Apologies, your highness. I did not mean to startle you. I only meant to greet my beautiful daughter and son-in-law, and also get an opportunity to hold my grandson."

"Oh." That's all Rin was allowed to get ou when the child was abruptly taken from her arms by him. Sesshomaru shot to his feet and let out a deathly growl that made everyone in the room freeze.

The man only looked to him with a passive glance before smiling down at the young child. His smile was not like Rin's it was filled with cold malice, Rin did not like that. He looked as if he was going to devour the child. Rin recalled several tales as a child she heard about demons eating babies. He must be one of the ones.

Not knowing where her bravery came from – most likely the growlin inuyokai standing behind her who clearly disliked this demon as well – Rin plucked the babe, who was now squirming and whining uncomfortably, from the male. Offering her most forgiving smile to him she turned and walked towards Kagura.

"Apologies, but I assume he wants his mother. I would hate for such a sweet little prince to have to cry." She handed the babe back to Kagura. She then stepped a few steps back from the group and curtsied politely. "I shall retire to my rooms now. I shall see you all tomorrow." She cast the demon a forced smile. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

Once she exited the room, Rin exhaled, feeling as if she could finally breath comfortably. The tension in that room was so thick it was literally suffocating her. She commented on it to Kocho and Asuka once inside her private chambers.

"It is because there are so many different yoki's in the room," Kocho offered.

"Pardon?" Rin asked.

"You know, like… a demonic aura." She elaborated.

"Oh. I understand. Who was that gentleman who approached as I was holdin the prince?"

Asuka answered. "That was Lord Onigumo Naraku. Her highness, Kagura's father."

Rin froze. "Her father?"

"Yes, but his highness, Sesshomaru, as well as the rest of the royal family, including Princess Kagura, are not very fond of him. It would probably be for the best if you kept your distance."

Rin exhaled in relief. She would have hated the thought of insulting Kagura's father. Not after the woman had been so nice to her just now.

"Oh. Well then. That's good to know."

She finished dressing for bed. Once they were finished, the handmaids gathered all of the dirty laundry and other items.

"Tell Kaede that I want to leave for White Mountain a fortnight."

They bowed and left the room, leaving Rin alone for the night.

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Kagome's eyes fluttered open. The room was pitch black, which meant it was still some tie during the late night. Cool air made bumps rise on her flesh and she realized that she was alone in her bed. She had gone to bed before Hojo, and was wondering if he had come to bed at all yet, or had he risen before the sun, as he often times did as well. Pulling the light blanket off of her she placed her feet onto the floor. The cool temperature made her shiver. It always amazed her how the climate would dramatically change from day to night, smoldering heat to bone achingly chilly. She pulled on her warm house slippers and walked over to the vanity table opposite of the bed where her robe was thrown across the bench. She slid the soft warm fabric over her arms and shoulders and tied it loosely around her waist.

She went to the bedroom door and opened it walking down the dark hallway. For a moment she thought of going back to get a candle but decided against it. She was halfway down the hallway and she knew where she was going. A quiet yawn escaped her as she rounded the corner that led to her husband's office. She could see dim firelight coming from the bottom of the door coming from the other room. She knocked on the door waiting for a response. She knew how he hated for her to just walk into his office unannounced. After a moment passed she went ahead and turned the door knob and entered the office.

She frowned when she saw that it was empty. The fire was low in the fire pit, and needed another log. She walked around to Hojo's desk. It was littered with papers, and an open ink well and quill that dripped a huge ink stain on a letter. Never being one to keep her nose out of others' affairs, Kagome read the note thoughtfully.

General Hojo,

I have concerns over the Kings mental health. Lately he has been behaving strangely, lashing out on his advisors, ordering the execution of several citizens for petty crimes. Since the return from the West, the king has not been the same. Several servants have reported to hear the king talking to himself when he thinks he's in private. He refuses to leave his chambers during day light hours, and will not speak with anyone but myself and a few choice guards.

On a more concerning matter, the reason in which I am writing you this letter. Of late, the king had an unhealthy obsession with Lady Kagome. I just discovered that the king has been having spies trail her every move since our return from the West. Whenever she is mentioned his temperament immediately grows dark. Once in private with me, he even called her a witch, and threatened to have her burned alive for being so. He believes she plots against him.

He plans to have her imprisoned and most likely executed. Do not leave her alone or unattended, I fear the worst for her. I have sent escorts so that you both may find sanctuary outside of the South where you will be protected. They will be there by nightfall. I believe it would be in Kagome's best interest to keep her in the dark for the moment. I fear that this thing may be bigger than we realize.

Takemaru

Kagome frowned and read the letter again, this time picking it up. Her heart hammered in her chest. She was confused. Why would the king accuse her of witchcraft?

"Kagome."

Kagome let out a whelp of surprise and jumped when her eyes met with Hojo's shadowed figure in the doorway. Her entire body was trembling. His eyes immediately went to the letter in her hands.

"Kagome, I thought I told you not to go through my things," he said gently as he approached her.

Kagome remained silent and allowed him to take the letter from her and set it on his desk. He rested his large hands on her shoulders. She was afraid to meet his gaze and instead stared at his boot clad feet.

"When did you get that letter?" She asked in a barely audible voice. Hojo began to rub small circles into her shoulders with his thumbs. It was meant to be soothing but merely unsettled her even more. When he did not respond she looked up at him. "Hojo?"

He let out a sigh. "This morning, when Miroku came for a visit he left the letter."

Kagome nodded. Her eyes burned and tears filled her eyes. "I am no witch. I swear," she whispered as tears slid down her cheeks.

Hojo shushed her, grasping her face in his palms. "I know. But listen, I was coming to get you anyway. It is not safe for you here."

"Where am I going?"

"I am not sure. I was not told."

Panic swelled inside of Kagome. "Then how do you know I will be safer there?"

"Takemaru has arranged it. Come, Kagome." He grabbed her and dragged her out of his study and down the steps to the main entry way. He disappeared, only to return moments later with one of her dark riding cloaks and a pair of her comfortable riding boots. She quickly them on and exited the large house through a side door. Outside two people waited for them, standing before a small horse drawn carriage.

The first to catch Kagome's eye was a young woman who was beautiful beyond reason. Her straight, jet black hair was in a high ponytail on her head. She wore skin tight body suit that hugged the generous and shapely curves of her hips, rear, and bosom. Armor coated her arms, legs, back, and chest, and she had a strange weapon at her back that looked like a large boomerang. Beside her was a young man. He stood a foot over her was lean with muscle. He wore the same skin tight body suit, coated with heavy armor. His hair was wild and pulled back into a tight ponytail as well. Around his waist were a sword and a chain sickle. Both shared the same dark, almond shaped eyes and pointed noses.

Upon seeing them, both warriors bowed at the waist. The female was the one who spoke.

"Greetings, General and Lady Kagome. I am Sango, this is my brother Kohaku. We will be escorting you to safety tonight."

Kagome hesitated, looking back at Hojo with unshed tears. This whole situation was insane to her, and it seemed to come from nowhere. Just this morning she was planning Yuka's wedding in her den, and now she was fleeing the country. She had to be dreaming.

"Kagome, you must hurry." Hojo said pushing her forward.

Her anxiety managed to rise even further. Kagome stopped and faced her husband. Not able to stop the tears or hold back the sobs she cried. "Are you coming with me?"

Hojo looked pained. He shook his head. "No. I cannot go."

Kagome tears came out thicker and faster. "No!" She cried despairingly, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You have to come with me!"

He pulled her arms from around his neck and placed them at her sides. "No, Kaome. I have to stay here and make sure you are not followed."

Kagome shook her head and sniffed. "I feel like I will never see you again," she cried leaning her head down.

With caring fingers, Hojo drew her gaze by lifting her chin with gentle fingers. "You will see me again, love. That I promise. I just need you to be safe. I'll come see you as soon as I can. I promise." He placed a tender kissed on her soft wet lips. He could taste the salt from her tears and had to suppress a groan of sadness.

He stepped back and helped her get into the carriage and closed the door. He faced the two warriors employed by the prince and gave them steady gazes. "Protect her," he stated.

"Until there is no breath left in our bodies," the young man, Kohaku said.

Hojo nodded. "You should leave quickly, before you are seen."

With that the two warriors got on the carriage and rode away into the night. When Hojo was sure they were gone he went back into the house where he quickly dressed for travel. He woke his butler and gave him orders to evacuate the house immediately before grabbing his already packed travel bag and going to the stables to saddle his horse and leave. As Hojo galloped away from his home, not sure when he would ever see it, or his wife again.

He hoped he would reach the palace in time to meet up with Takemaru. He could not help but feel a great evil was behind all of this. He just did not know what.

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Rin rolled onto her back in the bed, peeling one eye open. The firelight from the candle she let burning in the corner flickered as it neared the end of its burner. She had no idea what woke her up. She had been in a deep sleep, probably the deepest sleep she's ever had since leaving home. Facing the ceiling she closed her eyes again, breathing deeply, she appeared to still be sleep. She took in a deep breath and meant to let it out when all of a sudden large violent hands squeezed her small neck dangerously hard.

Rin's eyes shot open and she opened her mouth to let out a scream that did not sound from her crushed windpipe. Heavy hands bore down on her fragile neck, nearly napping it in half. Rin's arms flailed madly in front of her, trying in vain to pry his hands off of her neck. Her heart hammered and she could hear it beating like drums being played right in her ears. She kicked her feet frantically but her much larger attacker sat on her midsection, making her immobile.

Just has she felt herself beginning to drift away, her arms fell back. For some unknown reason she reached beneath her pillow and she felt cool metal meet her hot sweaty palm. She immediately grasped the jeweled handle to the blade her brother had given her for her birthday, and with all her might, she slammed it into his neck.

Her attacker let out a bellow of pain and fell off of her. Scrambling away, Rin fell off of her bed sucking in voluminous amounts of air. Lightheadedly she rose to her feet only to fall again. Instead she crawled to the center of the room and used the end of the fire pit to stand.

Searing pain burned her head as she was violently yanked backwards by her hair. She let out a high pitched cry, but her mouth was quickly covered by a large hand. She was brutally thrown onto the ground and her attacker quickly covered her body with his.

"You little bitch!" He hissed.

Rin reached up at grabbed the hilt of the blade to twist it but her hands were knocked aside and she was punched in her jaw. She heard a crunching sound and a hot stabbing pain burned her lower left jaw. She watched him yank the blade out of his neck with a harsh grunt. Blood squirted out, splashing onto her face. He held the blade up to bring down on her. She resorted to the only form of defense she had. She screamed, so hard and so loud she was sure she felt something tear.

Her hands came up to block the blade and it sliced deeply into the center of her palm. Rin let out another scream, only this time it was in pure agony. The blade was ripped from her balm and landed in her left shoulder. She screamed again, this one not carrying as far the last to, due to her abused throat.

"SOMEBODY HELP ME!"

Just then a harsh breeze blew and her attacker was viciously yanked off of her. Without a second thought she rolled onto her stomach and rose on her hands and knees, scrambling to get away. She ended up slipping on the soft fabric of her nightgown and blood. Her shoulder hit the floor, driving the blade further into shoulder. The pain was so immensely intense, Rin could take no more. There she layed on the floor, completely exhausted, completely, defeated. Not able to move.

In the darkness she could her scuffling. That's when gentle hand grabbed her by her midsection and turned her over. She could not make out much from the shadow above her, whose lap she now rested in. She could only see that this person was not her attacker. She could also see gold eyes blazing in the darkness. She cracked a weak smile, relief setting in that she in fact had been saved. The darkness creeping into her vision now she could not tell if it was the darkness already pleasant, or another more sinister kind. However, she soon found that she was not up for fighting it off. She was tired.

She opened her mouth, to say what, she was not sure. To thank him maybe? He shushed her.

"Don't speak. Just rest. You will be fine," he said to her.

Rin nodded and closed her eyes, letting her labored breaths take her away to unconsciousness.