There Must Be More to Life Than This Chapter 2: A New Friend Arrives As Memories Consume, an inuyasha fanfic

There Must Be More to Life Than This

By Rhinoa Lunar

I have to say I do not own Inuyasha or any of the pre-chapter song lyrics…I'd be FAR away from Florida if I did.

Sengoku Otogizoshi – Warring States Era

Goshinboku – the Sacred Tree

Osuwari – the Japanese phrase to command a dog to sit…the closest thing to "sit boy" used in the English dub

Kazaana – wind void AKA the wind tunnel

Shikon No Tama – Jewel of Four Souls

Hanyo – half demon

Yokai – demon

Inu – dog

Okami – wolf

Neko - cat

Kitsune – fox

Yokai Taijiya – demon slayer

Miko - priestess

"…" – telepathic speaking

'…' – thoughts

'…' – written in a book or elsewhere as it is read

Inutaisho I believe is what Inuyasha and Sesshoumeru's father's name was. If I am mistaken please let me know. It means dog lord or dog leader.

Bakusaiga – the sword that shot out from Sesshomeru's left shoulder as his arm grew back while he fought with Magatsuhi and thus finally surpassing his father in power

Goraishi -five thunder fingers (He got this weapon during the manga after the series ends by going into the tomb of his tribe's ancestors. They're kind of like a supernatural version of Wolverine's claws from the X-Men except he only has them on one hand and while they are imbued with the magic of his ancestors, it is possible for them to break…though it would probably take someone or something VERY powerful to do so.)

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"Down in the underground, you'll find someone true." Down in the underground by David Bowie

A New Friend Arrives As Memories Consume Kagome and Inuyasha

Kagome had once again refused to eat much to the distress of her family. All they could do was stand idly by as she was wasting away. At least once in a while she would venture outside to stare at the Goshinboku. Today was one such day. 'Oh, Inuyasha, I wish you were here with me,' Kagome thought as she stared up at the scar that marked where Kikyo's arrow had held her love for fifty years.

"May I sit too," a melodic voice asked calmly.

Kagome nodded and pushed herself toward the far end of the bench. She glanced over at the owner of the voice and found a girl who was about her own age wearing low-rise, skin tight, dark jeans, combat boots, and a deep violet baby tee shirt. Her neck was caressed by a silver necklace with a crescent moon pendant. Her hair was pulled partially back allowing some strands to cascade down to her shoulders. The girl's face seemed familiar somehow, and yet Kagome could not figure out why. 'No wait a minute…This is the so-called "freak" from my junior high school class. The girl whose eyes would stare through you, as if she were studying you…Eyes just like Sesshomeru's.' The girl held in her right hand a violet leash that was attached to what appeared to be an albino retriever with golden eyes. Kagome felt her heart skip a beat.

"I'm Rinji by the way. You probably don't know me, but we were in the same class last year in school. As I understand it, we'll be in the same class again in high school."

"Oh."

"Its alright that you don't remember. Nobody really pays ma any mind anyway, and with all your absences from school how could I expect you to remember someone like me?"

"Oh, but I do…Sort of. You sat in the back corner by the window, right?"

"Guilty as charged." 'Kami I hope she cracks soon. This bullshit nice girl act is annoying.' "I forgot to mention my best friend in the world. How silly of me. This is Shingi," she said petting her four-legged companion. "He can be a bit tempermental. Do you like inu, Kagome?" Rinji laughed on the inside. 'This ought to get me somewhere.'

'Inuyasha…' "Oh, yes, dogs are great. May I pet him?"

Shingi shot a dirty look at Rinji but played along. 'What the hell is this girl doing,' he thought as Kagome began to pet his ears in the most peculiar manner.

'I miss you so much, Inuyasha.' Kagome once again turned her attention to the Goshinboku before them.

'So this tree IS tied to the hanyo,' Rinji thought. She zeroed in on the point of Kagome's interest and saw the miko energy still flowing from the tree. 'This might be pressing my luck, but it could also be the perfect opportunity.' "Say, Kagome, you know all those rumors about me being able to see and do things that are, well a bit out of the ordinary?"

"Yeah I do now that you mention it. I don't pay attention to rumors like that though." Kagome waved her hand in a display of dismissal.

"Can I show you something? Somehow I don't think you'll call me names like the others."

"Alright."

"Can you take Shingi's leash by any chance for a moment?"

"Sure thing…Why?"

"Nevermind why for now."

Kagome took the leash from Rinji's right hand and noticed a faint, but obvious birthmark focused in the palm of the girl's hand. 'No way!'

Rinji stood on the bench and leaned forward climbing onto the fence. She placed her hand on the scar and her eyes fluttered for a moment. "Do you know what happened here, Kagome? Its amazing!"

Kagome's jaw nearly dropped. 'Can she really…'

"A miko, and a powerful one at that, bound a hanyo here! The dates are a bit sketchy. I'm not THAT good…Yet. But someday I will be. It was an inu hanyo if I'm not mistaken. It was right here on this very spot. The binding arrow was embedded…" Rinji traced her index finger around the scar until she found the spot. "Here…It was right here."

Kagome gasped. 'That's the exact spot Kikyo's arrow was when I met Inuyasha!'

"You probably don't believe me," Rinji said jumping back down. "I should go." She gathered Shingi's leash. "I've bothered you enough for one day."

"No, its OK," Kagome blurted out. 'I can't believe she saw all that! Is she a miko too?'

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

'Got her!'

An hour came and went as the girls discussed mundane topics such as school and shopping. When it became too much for her to bear, Rinji announced that she had to leave and buy some groceries for dinner.

"Wait," Kagome said. "Let me give you my cell number. Maybe we can hang out some more. I mean, if you're not too busy and all."

"I'll call you sometime then. It might be nice to have a friend at school for a change."

Kagome smiled after giving Rinji her number and watched the girl leave. For the first time in a month she felt a bit happy. Marching inside the house Kagome looked at her mom and asked, "So what's for dinner," much to everyone's surprise.

"Rin! Rin, honey," Sango called out. Sango had only recently begun to suspect that she was pregnant and refused to tell anyone about it until she could be certain. Still every now and then she could not help but press a hand against her belly.

Rin came running up smiling and laughing. Her face was bright red from running around the village with Shippo and the village children. "Does your tummy hurt, Sango-san," the girl asked innocently as she noticed Sango's hand holding her stomach.

"No, I…" Sango quickly removed her hand. "I wanted to take you to your visitor."

Rin's face lit up. "Sesshomeru-sama came to see me!" Rin straightened out her kimono and tried to appear like a true young lady. 'I want Sesshomeru-sama to see I've been a good girl while he was away.' "Where is he Sango-san?"

"I'll take you to him. He's waiting by the bridge."

Rin was way ahead of Sango as she ran all the way smiling brighter than she had during her stay in the village at the very sight of him. "Sesshomeru-sama, you came to see me!" Rin rushed to him and clutched his leg afraid he'd leave again.

"Hello, Rin," Sesshomeru said showing no emotion as usual.

His hard exterior could not fool Sango who gave a soft smile of amusement.

"They'll be fine, by the way," Sesshomeru said looking at Sango's belly.

"What? How do you know?" Sango stared bewildered at Sesshomeru.

"I can smell them," was his reply.

"Wait…They…Them…"

"That's because you're having twins. Isn't that what humans call it when there's more than one?" Sessomeru's eyes studied Sango.

"Yes…" Sango brought her hand to her belly in joy. "When will Rin be coming home? I'll pack her a bag so she has everything she needs."

"A few days." It was obvious by the ever so slight change in tone of his voice to anyone who knew Sessomeru that he was glad to be spending time with the child again. "A week at most. Now that the petty local demons know that I have reclaimed my father's territories and birthright, they have backed off. Rin should be safe with me even if she wanders off alone."

"But I'm always safe and happy when you're around, Sesshomeru-sama," Rin said looking up at him with adoration in her eyes. "You always come for me."

Such blind trust and loyalty…She never questioned him the way Jaken would. Sure, she would ask him where he was going and if he was alright when he came back, but she was always satisfied with whatever answer he gave her. Maybe that's why Sesshomeru liked her so much.

Sango turned to get a bag for Rin. Inuyasha's watchful eyes were fixed on Sesshomeru. This only reassured the yokai that his hanyo brother was doing exactly what had been requested of him. The emptiness was still present in his eyes.

'That miko…She must have left for her homeland for good this time,' Sesshomeru thought. 'He'll get over it soon enough. She's only a human after all. Then I can really test his strength.' He looked down at the child dancing at his feet. 'Is that how I would react should Rin ever be gone from my life completely?'

Sango came running back with a small bag. "She has an extra kimono, a comb for her hair, some dried meats, and a blanket. I know you probably know that she can catch fish and cook for herself, so if you're gone longer than expected she is capable of fending for herself."

"Thank you, Sango-san," Rin said hugging the woman who was basically her surrogate mother as she grabbed the bag.

"You behave yourself while you're away," Sango said smiling.

Rin smiled back at Sango and as she turned around Sesshomeru had already begun walking away. Happily she ran after him. It didn't matter that she was always following him. He was there for her and that's what mattered. He had been there for her when no one else was.

Sango watched as the two of them met up with Jaken and AhUn near the edge of the forest before turning around to find her husband. He was getting the surprise of a lifetime.

Finding Miroku was easy enough. He was in their hut fidgeting with his hand-covering. While it was true that the kazaana was gone, it had left a scar that he still wished to hide. It was relieving that he no longer needed to bind it with blessed beads for fear of it opening up accidentally.

"Miroku, I have something to tell you."

"What is it Sango?" Miroku turned his full attention to his wife.

"I know how much you've always wanted this." Sango took in a deep breath as she watched her husband's face start to lighten up with anticipation. "I had suspected this for a while, but I needed to be sure before I said anything, but Sesshomeru confirmed it and more." Miroku was now leaning in grinning widely as he waited to hear those final words. "Miroku, we're going to have twins."

Miroku's jaw dropped. "Did you say twins?"

"Yes, Miroku…We're having twins."

"How do you know its twins?"

"Sesshomeru said he could smell them…And even better, he said they were healthy."

Miroku leaned in and kissed Sango deeply. "I can't believe it! I'm the luckiest man…"

"Alright, I get the idea," Sango said with mock irritation.

Miroku had never completely stopped with his lechery, but now it was entirely focused on Sango. When he wasn't being perverted he was showering her with compliments. The former yokai taijiya had actually grown to like it, but she enjoyed playing the game that it still annoyed her just a little. After all, jumping from being so distant to doting overnight would be no fun whatsoever. Miroku positioned himself next to Sango and reached for her hand in silence. Sango rested her head on his shoulder and felt the weight of his head on her own. Both were smiling with content and nothing would spoil this time alone together.

Kouga hadn't really expected to see Kagome after the rumors of Naraku's defeat had reached his tribal lands. Why would she travel the countryside when she could settle down at least to rest a while. Still, he was pained that she had not come to see him yet. After all, it was he who had promised to stand by her side for life unlike a certain mutt who never seemed to appreciate her. Kouga decided to search for the mutt's scent. It should help him find HIS woman.

Rin was picking flowers at sunset while Jaken, AhUn, and Sesshomeru lounged under a large tree overlooking the field. Why the child still insisted on giving him flowers still baffled the inu yokai, but he viewed it as an act of devotion nonetheless.

'So even after living among humans in a safe environment she seems happier to be wandering around with me,' Sesshomeru thought. 'Interesting…She's such a strange child. It does somehow feel somehow better having her around again. How peculiar…'

Rin returned wearing a large grin on her face. "I picked these just for you," she said handing Sesshomeru a colorful bouquet. "They're all for you, except this one." Rin pulled a white flower from the bundle and handed it to Jaken.

Restoring his kingdom had been a boring and time-consuming task. For the most part all he had to do was let demons within his territories throughout the Western Kingdom that he was the son and rightful heir of the great Inutaisho. Anyone who had questioned him did not live to tell the tale. Finally being more powerful than his father, Sesshomeru could have taken out anyone who had opposed him. Much to his disappointment it had only been the younger and weaker who had the audacity to question his authority. The older ones remembered his father and respected Sesshomeru's position. They swore loyalty and were given territories to watch over under Sesshomeru's rule.

Having Rin back seemed to lift that weight off of him. She distracted him from his annoyance with the whole process. Besides, for some reason, at a time he could not pinpoint, Sessomeru had realized he actually missed having the little girl around. Of course, he would never admit to such a thing…But he had observed the thought and emotion. 'Perhaps this is what father meant,' he thought as he recalled his father's question...The question that had resulted in Inuyasha inheriting the Tetsaiga. 'Do you have something to protect?' Until Rin came along, Sesshomeru never felt the need or urge to protect anyone or anything other than himself. But now…Now he knew that he would mercilessly torture and kill anyone who dared harm the girl. He had been ready to kill his own mother when she made him choose between gaining more strength at the cost of Rin's life. That vile yokai woman had sent HIS Rin into hell just to see if he would be like his father and save the human. Something had compelled him to save Rin at that moment. He had literally pulled the little one from hell. She was not breathing and his hatred reigned as not even the Tensaiga could revive her. His mother had laughed at his futile efforts. 'You did not realize you can only save someone with the Tensaiga once? Poor boy…' In the end she had decided to revive Rin for her own amusement. 'You and your father are not all that different when it comes to your love of humans. You just don't realize it yet. Wait and see…You will love a human one day.' Those words had sickened him to his very core. True, he saw himself as Rin's protector by that time. But even if it was a love for the child, she was just a child. He looked to her as a kind of daughter. In the end he had even helped destroy Naraku because he had dared to harm HIS Rin. Kidnapping her once more he had swallowed the girl into his vile body. Sesshomeru felt indebted to the miko his brother was mourning for since she had delivered the killing blow to that bastard. 'Now I'll never have the chance to repay my debt. Perhaps…Maybe her world isn't that far off after all.

Rin danced around her lord, protector, and savior singing random songs she had learned from the village children. Sesshomeru allowed a very slight upward curl to his lips. Only Jaken seemed to notice.

Rin continued to dance until she grew tired. Sesshomeru was a bit shocked when she jumped into his lap and gave him a great hug. Instinctively he put his arms around her and allowed her to fall asleep safely there. 'Nothing will ever harm you as long as I'm around.'

With Rin gone for a while, Inuyasha spent most of his days sitting by the well with Kagome's bag in hand. Kirara was his only company. No one else dared approach him. Thus far every attempt to speak with him had been met with Inuyasha yelling at the offender to "Go to Hell," "Get off my ass," or worse, "Go fuck yourself!" This included the young and still impressionable kitsune Shippo. All decided it would be best to allow the hanyo to come to them when he was ready. They knew it might not come during their lifetime, but he had to come to his own acceptance.

Kirara jumped into Inuyasha's lap and mewed at him softly. Without even realizing it, the hanyo began petting the neko yokai. Kirara purred in a comforting manner that only cats can do. This slowly subdued some of the hanyo's despair, though a tear or two still managed to escape his eyes.

So caught up in his grief, Inuyasha did not notice the scent of a familiar okami yokai approaching fast.

Even without the jewel shards embedded in his legs, Kouga still had the whirlwind speed that was unique to okami yokai pack leaders and their children. Kouga stopped short of the clearing. Ever since he caught Inuyasha's scent he had been prepared for another fight for dominance over HIS Kagome. Instead he saw the back of a hunched over hanyo sitting by an old beat up well. "Hey mutt, where's MY woman?"

Inuyasha didn't even twitch his ears. He just continued to stare at the well as though Kouga wasn't even there at all.

Not being greeted with the hostility Kouga had become accustomed to, he felt almost insulted at being ignored, but something inside him knew that there was something very wrong. Slowly he approached the hanyo. He expected Inuyasha to jump up and pull the Tetsaiga on him if he got too close.

Still, Inuyasha did not notice Kouga's presence. Instead he pulled Kagome's bag closer and continued to pet Kirara with his free hand.

It was then that Kouga noticed the smell of tears. "So she finally dumped you because she wanted a REAL man, did she? Well, where is she? I'll gladly take her home and give her my mark for the world to see she is mine."

Inuyasha placed Kirara and Kagome's bag on the ground beside him and rose to his feet. Turning towards his former rival for Kagome's affections, he lifted his face forgetting that tears were still kissing his cheeks. "She's gone, Kouga."

"What do you mean she's gone?"

"I mean she vanished. I think she went home…But she's gone just the same." There was no anger, or even sorry to Inuyasha's voice…It was hollow and empty just like his eyes.

"Well, when is she coming back?"

"She ain't coming back!" As he yelled at Kouga, the tearing of his heart was written all over Inuyasha's face despite his best efforts to show nothing but anger to the okami yokai.

The look on Inuyasha's face was one of honesty. Kouga was nearly at a loss for words. "What the hell happened?" His voice was calmer now.

"Head in that direction." Inuyasha pointed toward the village. "Sango or Miroku or even the old miko Kaede will explain. I can't right now."

'Inuyasha admitting a weakness? This must be serious.' Kouga gave his simple wave and the whirlwind was off toward the village.

Inuyasha simply turned back to face the well and clutched the bag again. When Kirara placed herself into his lap again, he began mindlessly petting her. 'Kagome, please be happy. Don't you DARE forget me…But I can't stand to think of you crying.'

Shippo had returned to running around with the village children. It was nice to have kids to play with. It didn't even seem to bother them that he was a yokai. Kohaku had joined them and was showing them a game where they kicked a ball back and forth. Shippo was almost too caught up with the game to notice Kouga approaching…Almost. Expecting at least a little confrontation, he excused himself from his friends and called for Kaede-sama.

"What troubles you, young Shippo?"

"That's Kouga coming. He really likes Kagome-san and I think he's going to get real mad when he finds out that she's gone for good."

"I see." Kaede paused for a moment and looked the okami yokai over. She approached him with caution and held out a hand waved a hand indicating him to follow her. "I have much to tell you. Why not sit with me inside where it is more comfortable?"

Kouga was surprised by the trusting miko, but then again, Shippo and Inuyasha were here and if she was one of the mutt's friends, then she might know Kagome. Once inside the hut, Kouga took a seat cross legged on the floor by the fire pit.

Kaede came and sat stoking the fire just a little. "Kouga, was it? That is what young Shippo said your name was."

"Yeah."

"I am Kaede the miko of this village and younger sister of the great miko Kikyo. May the Kami watch over her soul."

'Younger?' This was indeed a nagging question in Kouga's mind, but nothing was so important that it could pull his thoughts from HIS Kagome.

"As I understand it you have come in search of Kagome. Is that correct?"

"Yeah. She's MY woman. I kept telling the mutt that. Now that I hear Naraku is dead, I've come to see if she's ready to take her rightful place by my side."

Kaede sighed deeply. She knew Kagome was in love with Inuyasha. She felt sorry for Kouga. "I'm afraid it would seem that neither of you may have her for a bride, or a mate as I believe many yokai call it."

"Inuyasha said she went home and wasn't coming back. He must have really hurt her. If I find out that its true, I'll rip him to shreds with my Goraishi."

"Inuyasha would like nothing more that that now. He would welcome death I believe. He is not the reason Kagome went home."

"Then why would she leave? I'll go get her and bring her back."

"Leaving, it would seem, was not her choice. After the battle with Naraku, she and Inuyasha disappeared for a time and only a broken shell of Inuyasha returned."

"He left her behind?" Kouga's eyes began to redden with rage.

"Calm down, Kouga. There is more to tell. Inuyasha was able to bring himself to tell us what happened before avoiding everyone as he does now."

Kouga's eyes returned to their deep blue.

After Naraku died, Kagome picked up the Shikon No Tama to take on my sister's old task of being it's caretaker. She was pulled into a void that was promptly sealed. Inuyasha used his Tetsaiga to open a portal wishing to find her. I know not how or why, but they found themselves trapped within the jewel itself."

Kouga's eyes widened.

"As you know, the Shikon No Tama grants a single wish to whomever possesses it. The correct wish would purify it completely."

"Considering the mutt is still a hanyo I'm guessing it was Kagome who made the wish."

"According to Inuyasha, Kagome felt the jewel was far too powerful to exist and so she wished for it to disappear forever."

"She did what!"

"Yes, Kouga," Kaede said as she nodded her head. "The Shikon No Tama is no more. Inuyasha was expelled from the jewel as it collapsed on itself. Since he was unharmed, we are all of the mind that Kagome was sent to her home in the same manner."

"So I'll ask again. Where is she? I'll go and get her."

"It is not that simple. Did you never wonder about her strange manner of speech, or her clothing…Her strange medicines that worked better than any healer's? These things never caught your attention?"

"I figured she was from a place far away from these lands, but I'm fast enough to go and get her."

"Can you travel between worlds and time?"

"What do you mean, miko?"

"Kagome is my sister Kikyo's reincarnation. She is from these lands, and yet she is not."

"I don't get it."

"Kagome is from another time far into the future. She lives in a place called Tokyo."

Kouga's eyes were begging to notice any dishonesty in the old miko's face, but found none.

"The gate between her world and ours has been sealed somehow. Kagome cannot return even if she desires to." Kaede looked up as she felt a wind rush through her home. The okami was gone.

Kagome was tracing a heart delicately with her index finger around one set of Inuyasha's prints. She had at least gained enough weight to be healthy looking again. She still would not take phone calls from her friends. They would be curious about how she and Inuyasha were enjoying the summer holidays. At least they had stopped bothering her about Hojo after they met Inuyasha. Once they had met him it seemed only Hojo continued to get together with her.

Kagome's grandfather had been both thrilled and saddened when Kagome announced that she wanted to be a miko. He knew it meant a true miko would inherit the shrine, and a family member at that of all people…But he still knew her reasons. It broke his heart that his only grand-daughter was choosing a lonely life of chores, prayer, and celibacy over starting a family of her own, but Inuyasha had grown even on him during the past year and if Kagome wanted a happy marriage he would be the only man for her. He decided to begin her training as soon as she was ready, though knowing what she was capable of during her adventures in the Sengoku Otogizoshi, all he really needed to do was help her with her own discipline and daily chores.

Kagome heard the humming of her cell phone vibrating on the desk behind her. Absentmindedly she answered it before realizing what she may have just done. "Kagome here."

"Hey, Kagome, I'm glad I got your number right."

"Oh thank the Kami its you!"

"I don't have to work until six tonight so I was wondering if I could bring Shingi and hang out." It was taking all of her willpower for Rinji not to ask her outright what her connection to the hanyo was.

"That would be nice. I'll see you in a bit then. You want to meet by the Goshinboku again?"

"Sure I'll see you soon."

The girls hung up without saying goodbye. Kagome realized she had to get dressed. Wandering around in her pajamas would probably not be the best of ideas. She threw on some jeans and a red shirt so she could wear the black and red baseball cap. As a human, her sense of smell could never compare to Inuyasha's, but she could smell him faintly on the hat and it brought her closer to happiness. Once she was dressed, Kagome went to the Goshinboku and waited for Rinji. Her miko instincts told her there was little, if anything, that she could keep secret from the girl. Yet, somehow, she had a feeling that was meant to be. As scary as it was, Kagome felt compelled to trust Rinji.

Rinji saw Kagome seated on the bench and held back at the shrine steps. Once again the girl was thinking about the hanyo called Inuyasha…But the important thing was that she felt like she could, and even should trust Rinji. 'I never implanted that into her mind.' "This will make things a lot easier, won't it, Shingi?"

"Yes, but be careful. That girl has a powerful aura."

"I know, and it's a pure one at that."

"She is a TRUE miko."

"If she's a true miko then why does she think so longingly of the hanyo?"

"That, I am afraid, I am not at liberty to say."

'Figures.' "Well, let's go see how far her trust reaches, shall we?"

Shingi barked not only indicating his answer but also alerting Kagome to their presence.

"Hi, Kagome," Rinji said as she approached the seated girl. Rinji was dressed once again in dark denim, low rise jeans with another skin-tight top, though this one revealed her stomach. She had a piercing through her naval that had a crescent moon dangling from it. She wore the same necklace as last time. The shirt had small sleeves and was a soft red in color. Today she had worn her hair completely down.

Kagome could not resist asking. It was a question from deep within that her mind would not hold back. "Rinji, you really like crescent moon jewelry. Is there any significance?"

Rinji honestly had not known why she had always liked them. She just was drawn to their shape. She especially didn't know why she was so particular that the tips of the crescent shape face to her left side when she wore them. "I've just always liked them. I'm not really sure why."

Shingi placed his head in his companion's lap. 'I think I might really be the one to have finally found her.'

"I see," said Kagome as she looked down at her fidgeting hands. 'Its just like the one on Sessomeru's forehead. They even face to the left.'

'Is that why? My whole life have I been searching for this yokai?' "Does it bother you?"

"It just reminds me of someone I know."

'So she knows BOTH brothers!'

Kagome saw a tiny flash of excitement flash through Rinji's eyes. They flashed like lightning. At the moment they flashed the clear blue sky above turned black and thunder began to boom throughout the air. 'Oh no! The shed's still a disaster after what happened with Inuyasha and Bouya wouldn't appreciate an inu in the house. Sure he liked Inuyasha well-enough, but then again, Inuyasha isn't technically an inu. The only place to avoid the downpour is…It's the well house.'

'Gotcha now!'

"Come on," Kagome said grabbing Rinji's hand and leading her straight to the well.

"Should I close the door?"

"All we have in here are some oil lamps since nobody really comes in that much and I don't have any matches."

Rinji waved her hand filled with heat of the flame deep within and all of the oil lamps lit up as she closed the door. Rinji was not going to let this storm up until she was good and ready to leave. It was only ten in the morning and work was at six. Setsuna always welcomed Shingi if Rinji decided to bring him in. The customers seemed to like him and he was always well-behaved.

"That was…How did you?" Kagome was astounded but not afraid. She'd seen more than enough to brush this off as almost commonplace. 'One thing's for certain though. Now I know she's not a miko like me. What's she smiling at?' "Did I do something odd?"

"No, its just that nobody's ever been that calm about my powers before." 'She thought I was a mere miko. Don't make me laugh.'

"Do not make light of a TRUE miko's powers." Shingi silently reproved Rinji. "It was a true miko who bound that hanyo. The energy on the Goshinboku is very similar to this girl's aura."

"A descendant?"

"No, I believe a reincarnation. Stay on your toes around this one."

"Got it."

"Sorry I didn't have a better place to get shelter. I have a neko in the house and my grandfather's shed is having some remodeling done."

"That's fine. This place is interesting."

"How so?"

"It has an immense aura about it. Its practically suffocating."

'She can sense it too? Maybe I can see Inuyasha again.' Kagome allowed a smile to fall into place. It was accompanied, however, by an undesired blush.

"What's on your mind, Kagome?" Rinji was just toying with the girl now. Shingi curled up in the nearest corner and pretended to sleep.

"I…I err…"

"Its alright if you don't want to tell me. I can already see that its love."

'Oh no! Just who does she think I'm in love with?'

"Its written all over your face, Kagome. I'm guessing its that guy your friends are always talking about. The troublemaker, am I right?" Rinji smiled inside. Kagome was almost completely wrapped around her finger.

Kagome's face dropped and she tilted her head down. It was subtle, but Rinji could see she was looking at the well with her downcast eyes. "Yeah…I love him very much. I know he loves me too. He…He had to move away though." 'I know it's a lie, but I can't exactly tell her the truth here.' "I don't think we'll ever see each other again." Kagome felt a salty tear hit her right cheek.

Rinji impulsively approached Kagome and hugged her. 'Why did I do that just now?'

'I did! I'm the one who found her! Her attachment to the miko proves it. I will be the descendant granted the promised reward,' Shingi thought.

AN: There will be more of the well scene in the next chapter, but I felt this was a good place to end the chapter. A lot will be going on in the next chapter so please bear with me. I said the chapters would be rather long. If they are too long, please let me know. ^_- Also for those who have read the manga. I can't remember if the twins were born first or not, but I went with it that way. ^_^ I felt it would be a bigger impact on Miroku that way.)

Rhinoa