It has been six days since Kagome left the group. They have not heard anything about her whereabouts from villagers nor Inuyasha tracked her scent. Everyone was worried. Even Inuyasha admitted to himself that he treated Kagome like a piece of trash, after all this time when she stood firmly by his side. Not that he would ever admit it aloud. Most of the time they traveled in complete silence. Shippo was always in Sango's embrace, riding on Kirara. The situation was tense which Miroku, who did not try anything perverted since their friend left them, proved.

"Inuyasha, I believe we should camp for the night."

"Yeah, you're right Miroku. It's not like we will be able to found anything in the night." And with that they build a small fire under the tree. The cat demon in her larger form was covering her lady and a little kitsune with two tails to keep them warm. Miroku was sitting nearby and Inuyasha was on the other site of the fire, leaning against a tree. Suddenly he catched a small movement in the nearest bushes. Standing up and drawing his sword, he waited patiently. Miroku was also up looking in the same direction. After a moment, Kikyo emerged from hiding.

"Kikyo, what are you doing here?" The half demon asked stepping carefully to her.

"I came with a proposition. Since Kagome left this group…" She shoot her lover a death glare. "… I wanted to ask you if I could accompany you for a little while."

"Lady Kikyo. Why so sudden request?" Miroku asked.

"I felt something strange last night. Strong demonic aura was released from the northern lands."

"Do you think it's Naraku?"

"I don't know Inuyasha. When it reached me it was faint, but coming all the way from north means only that it was strong."

"Indeed." Miroku nodded. Sango and Shippo were sitting quietly, listening to the conversation.

"Well if that's the case then come with us." Inuyasha flashed her a smile, which quickly faded seeing her cold glare.

"You are not only one in this group. I will join you when all of your companions will agree to this."

"I suppose, it will be good to have you with us, Lady Kikyo." Miroku bowed lightly with small smile on his face, which Kikyo gladly returned. With another piece of Kagome's soul, she was warmer and nicer.

"I think…" Sango started slowly gaining everyone's attention. "… that it could be good to have a woman to talk to." Shippo just nodded his head and Kirara meowed in approval.

"Thank You." Kikyo whispered and sat next to the fire.

"By the way Lady Kikyo, maybe you heard something about Kagome?" The dead priestess shook her head.

"I believe we might find some clues in next village. I heard about a miko helping there for the past two days."

"Ok so what are we waiting for?" said Inuyasha getting up.

"Calm down my friend. It's the middle of the night. What will you accomplish going there now? We shall leave first thing in the morning. For now, let us rest." And with that he closed his eyes, joining with the already asleep Sango and Shippo.

--

When the sun rose, they were all up and ready to go. Kikyo was flying with her soul collectors wrapped tightly around her, Sango, Miroku and Shippo were riding on Kirara's back and Inuyasha, as usual, was leading the was running with all his might. Around noon, they finally reached the village. Now it was Miroku's turn to lead, knowing that his half-demon companion had no social manners. He found an old man and walked over to him.

"Excuse me." He bowed lightly. The man bowed back and was about to speak when he saw something behind the monk.

"Ah! Priestess, you came back!" He called happily.

"I'm sorry but you must've mistaken me with someone else." The man looked closely at Kikyo and sigh.

"I'm sorry you are right." He was ready to turn and leave when someone grabbed his shoulder lightly.

"You are saying that the priestess looking exactly like this one was here?" Sango asked with a hope in her voice.

"Yes, she was."

"If it is not too much trouble, may you tell us her name?" Miroku asked as politely as he could.

"Of course. Her name was Kagome." The gang members took a deep breath and continued to listen.

"She was a strange miko at the beginning, telling everyone that she preferred to be called by her name, not the title. We all love her with all our hearts. She gave us all the help we needed with treating wounds and even more. She cooked, cleaned for us and played with kids. Oh yes, the children especially loved her." The old man smiled brightly at the memory. Because of this, they immediately knew that their Kagome was, indeed, here, because only she could make people smile like that.

"How long ago did she left?" Kikyo asked to everyone's surprise. The man went silent for a minute.

"I believe it was two, three days ago." Inuyasha;s eyes lighten up a little.

"Which direction she took?" He asked.

"Miko walked this road." he pointed to their left. "Probably heading for south."

"Thank you for all this information. You have no idea how much you helped us, sir." Sango was over helmed by her feelings of relieve so she hugged the old man who just smiled in return.

"I take it, you are her friends?" Everyone nodded.

"I hope you find her soon. This girl is really one to treasure." Sango just smiled and hopped on the demon cat's back with kitsune still in her arms ready to hit the road. Miroku sat behind her as usual. That is when she felt it, a hand rubbing her butt, but instead of punching the lecherous monk in the face she just laughed loudly.

Yes, things were going back to normal. With that, they moved in the direction of the southern lands.

--

Sesshomaru could not take it. The waiting was killing him. So after another day and another negative report from his trusted imp he decided to go and search for Rin himself. After telling her mother about his plans and after telling Jaken to send him a messenger if there will even be a shadow of the news about Rin he took off to the forest.

It has been two days since then. He looked in every deserted hut, cave and even asked people in his land whether they saw a little girl with raven-black hair. Nevertheless, all this was futile. He had no clue, and it was driving him mad. His inner beast was roaring in anger. He needed to find her. She was, after all, the first and only person, who accepted him just the way he was.

--

Kagome woke up to the sound of birds singing happily. The sun was set just above the ground, meaning it was still early. Looking down at her sister sleeping peacefully, she decided to let her rest a little longer today. She could sense they were near the village.

"Take care of her." She whispered to her little snake friend who immediately wrapped itself around Rin's little body. Kagome just smiled, took her miko clothes and went to take a quick bath. After yesterday, she really needed one. She defeated about ten demons in one day. Mostly because after she killed the second, she found a jewel shard in its throat. The piece was about one/eight of the whole jewel so, it really was a miracle, that she survived. Thanks to her demon abilities. Yes, yesterday she had an occasion to test her strength when young mikoness was fighting with some low class demons.

Once even, to her surprise, she produced a poison from her right hand, knowing full well what kind of attack was that. How could she not know? She was killed, well technically, with it.

Feeling fresh and relaxed she made her way back to the camp only to find that Rin was already up, playing with snake.

"Good morning." Kagome said gaining Rin's attention.

"Good morning Kagome one-san!" The little girl called happily and launched herself at the young miko who caught her in mid air and swung her around.

"One-san, why are you in miko clothes?"

"Because Rin, we are near the village and we're going to stay there for a little while probably. I don't want anyone other than you to know that I am also a demon so keep it as a secret okay?"

Rin only nodded her head and went in the nearest bushes to find some wood to make a fire. After they ate the breakfast and packed all of their things Kagome found herself once again on the road, with pearl white snake wrapped around her and with a little girl walking by her side with a bow and one set of arrows.

Well, when we get there I will need to buy another set since demons in this lands seems to like my fragment of the jewel.

So they made it, killing two demons on their way there. In the village, she helped people, just as she did it in the other one. It was now after the sunset and the young couple offered them a place to sleep in their house after she treated the man with his bruises from hard work.

"Thank you once more for letting us spent the night." Kagome spoke softly, but exhaustion was clearly visible in her voice.

"It is no problem, priestess." The young woman, named Isori replied. "Besides, we don't have many children in this village so it is really great to see our little girl having such a good time."

"Yes, I am also glad that Rin can spent some time with someone in her age."

And not killing the snake. Kagome added mentally.

"I believe she travels with you all the time?" Kagome nodded slowly.

"May I ask what happened to your parents? Because it is obvious, that she is your sister. You look like a mirror images." The young miko just smiled. She knew it will be easy to let them believe they are sisters, but never expected it to be so.

"Our parents were killed by a night robbers when we were in the other village." Kagome said pretending to sound a little sad.

"Oh that's so cruel. I'm really sorry."

"It's ok. We managed to get through this and now we are trying to help the others as much as we can." Isori smiled at that. She never expected a miko to be so young, yet so skilled and smart.

"Rin it is bed time." Kagome called and a second later, her little sister appeared on her lap, humming some strange melody.

"What is it that you're humming honey?" Rin thought for a moment and looked at young miko with confusion.

"I don't know One-san. This melody sometimes just pop in my head and I can't stop it."

Maybe it has something to do with her past. Kagome thought with a hint of hope.

"Go to sleep. We have a long day tomorrow." With that, she placed little girl on the mat, right next to her and kissed her on the forehead. Soon, she too, drifted off to sleep with snake securely curled on top of them.

--

Lord of the Western Lands was on his way back to the castle. After another day of fruitless searching, he decided to return. Walking slowly, the taiyoukai stopped, smelling the air. Turning his head to the right he waited a moment and out of bushes appeared one of his messengers.

"Milord." He said and bowed deeply.

"What is it?" Sesshomaru asked coldly.

"I have some news for you."

"Do they have something to do with Rin's location?" His mask was right on his face but inside he felt this little jolt of hope.

"I believe they have, Milord." Sesshomaru just raised his eyebrow lightly, meaning for messenger to continue.

"We received information from southern lands about a half demon that lately killed many demons from that region."

"This does not concern me." The taiyoukai was now irritated. He wanted to know something about Rin's whereabouts, not some half-breed.

"But milord." The messenger took a deep breath. "They are saying that this half demon is traveling with a little girl. And from the description we received, Rin is matching perfectly."

By now, the poor guy was pinned to a tree by Sesshomaru's hand.

"Where." He said in a voice that would easily froze the entire hell.

"Near the village where the old miko..." He did not even finish because Sesshomaru was on his way in a full speed. He knew that without stopping, his journey there would take two, three days at this pace. However, it really does not mean anything to him. All he wanted right now was to find the little girl and see her smiling at him.

--

In the meantime, within a cave in the northern lands a green demon was lured deep, deep underground by a tainted fragment of the sacred jewel.

"Come. I shall make good use of you." The voice inside the jewel said, separating a small shard from the rest of it, which was almost a half of the jewel, and placing it in the demon's forehead.

"Now go. Go and bring me this shard."

So, how was it? Like it? Hate it? I'm waiting for your opinions!

Preview of the next chapter:

"Good morning Milady" Kagome said with a bow.

"Good morning child" the old woman replied with a sigh.

"Is there something wrong?"

"I believe it will be. Something evil is coming this way."