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.

"telepathic speaking"

'thoughts'

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

Dream

"Its amazing when the moment arrives that you know you'll be alright." - Amazing - Aerosmith

Goals are Set and Promises Made

Inuyasha had met with the man who was in charge of designing the shrine and was quite pleased. He thought he remembered exactly where things were at Kagome's house. Even the well house was going to be built. Some of the trees would need to be cut down to allow the house to be built in the right spot. He knew the Goshinboku was supposed to be within sight of the house. A nice sized hut would go there for Kaede. Yes, all-in-all Inuyasha was pleased with this first real use of his new title.

True the project made him think about Kagome a lot, but Inuyasha was consumed by it. He sat in the high branches of the Goshinboku and pictured Kagome's house in his mind. Something was in the wind though. It was an unfamiliar scent. Immediately Inuyasha leapt towards the smell to investigate.

'A pack of wild white inu,' Inuyasha questioned to himself as he looked down.

The alpha of the White Inu Pack gave a loud bark and the pack stopped moving. "I smell the hanyo son of Inutaisho. This means we are near Edo and Sesshoumaru-sama."

'Did he just talk?' Inuyasha put his hand to his sheathed Tetsuaiga.

"In a manner of speaking yes I did speak, Inuyasha-sama," shingi said. "We mean you no harm. We are the White Inu Pack. We have found the place to build a monument to Sesshoumaru-sama's ward Rin as he requested."

Inuyasha sprang from the tree and was soon standing before Shingi. "Ok then. I'll let him know."

"He requested that we see him in person." Shingi cocked his head to the left and looked Inuyasha in the eyes. "It would be unwise to disobey his orders."

"Yeah. Where did he say to meet him?"

"Edo."

"Alright, but I go with you. That village is under my protection. I won't hesitate to use force if you guys do anything funny."

"As you wish, Inuyasha-sama."

Inuyasha and the White Inu Pack ran the rest of the way to Edo. Sesshoumaru was standing under a tree looking at the river when they found him.

"Ahh, Shingi, I assume you have found a suitable place to lay Rin to rest." Sesshoumaru did not bother to turn and look at them. He knew who was there from their scents.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama. We have located a lovely place along a riverbank. There is a sakura tree opposite a small outcropping. It looks as though travelers were there not long ago."

'That sounds like the camp Rin decided on when she gifted me the bed under the sakura tree.,' Sesshoumaru thought. Sesshoumaru turned and approached Shingi. "You have done well. And here is your reward." Sesshoumaru extended his right hand to Shingi and a violet light shot forth from his fingertips leaving the imprint of the crescent moon on the inu's forehead. The mark slowly faded but a magical aura remained radiating from it.

"Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama. As you find need the White Inu Pack will do as you require."

"For now you may take Jakken to the site. He will arrange for the workers to come. I want you to only let those men and myself near the place until I say otherwise."

"As you wish." With that Shingi gave a loud bark and the pack was off. Jakken rode AhUn over them.

"Inuyasha."

"What is is, Sesshoumaru?"

"Have you had any more dreams about your miko?"

"No," Inuyasha lowered his head. "Have you had any about Rinji?"

Sesshoumaru turned his head slightly. "I would imagine she is aware of what transpired somehow. She is rather clever for a human."

"What are you going to do when you see her again?"

"I'm not sure." Sesshoumaru summoned his floating disc and stepped onto it. "What will you do when next you see your mate?"

"I don't know."

"Then it would seem for once we are of a similar mind. I shall return to check on your territory at my leisure. Jakken may employ some of the villagers to build Rin's memorial." Sesshoumaru flew away without waiting for a reply.

Inuyasha was left stunned. The impact of spending so much time with his brother had not fully set in yet, but it loomed overhead. No longer did Sesshoumaru see him as a complete disgrace. He had instead been bestowed a title, hunted with, and spoken at length with his brother. Exactly to what extent things had changed was unclear. But Inuyasha knew things had changed between them forever.

Kagome made it up the last steps home after a long first day of school. She ran to check on her garden and tended to the plants carefully. Only when she was satisfied that they were doing well did Kagome sit under the branches of the Goshinboku and begin her homework.

Her history reading was amusing. Kagome had started to think it funny when she could pinpoint flaws in the book based on personal experience. 'According to this book a taisho named Inuyasha had overseen the construction of the Higurashi Shrine. Inuyasha, a taisho? That will be the day.' Kagome started to laugh to herself softly.

"Don't be so quick to doubt, Kagome-chan."

"Rinji-chan." Kagome looked up and smiled. "I thought you had work tonight?"

"I do. I needed to discuss my access to the well house nightly. I'll be needing a personal item of yours and anyone else's who you wish to be able to use the portal. I'll be using one of Shingi's old collars and one of my silver bracelets. I expect you'll want Inuyasha to be able to come through."

"I suppose I could let you use his hat. As for me I think my old school uniform will work. Mom never fixed that one. it's the one I was wearing when I last saw Inuyasha."

"That would be fine. You made sure I can get in there every night?"

"Yeah. I put some oil in the door tracks so the won't make any noise."

"Good. I need to run. I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Ok. Bye."

Rinji turned and left.

'It seems like she trusts me. I just hope I don't let her down.' Kagome looked up at the branches of the Goshinboku. 'Inuyasha, I miss you so much.'

Kagome burried herself in her homework once more. She had chores around the temple after that. While tending the well house she placed the specified items where Rinji would find them. She was still going through the training to be a miko. She knew now that it was more important than ever to focus her powers and hone her skills. Her dedication in this made her feel a kind warmth inside. It was like knowing you had the approval and blessing of a friend or family member, only it felt different somehow.

'Could Kikyo be smiling on me?'

Shingi had ordered his pack to stand guard strategically around the burial site. All had been calm. Even the ookami yokai understood not to cross one who bore the symbol of the western taisho. Jakken had seen the site and had gone to find underlings to begin the work.

'Finally my pack will gain recognition for our work. I will do more for us. We need standing as well. Surely there is something Sesshoumaru-sama desires that I can bring him. I just need to find out what.'

The White Inu Pack were lesser yokai. Some daiyokai argued that the lesser yokai were barely above the humans and animals. Others viewed them as they did the hanyo. Either way, the lesser yokai were generally looked down upon and used for work that the daiyokai did not wish to be bothered with.

Shingi loathed the status he and his pack endured simply because they had been born lesser yokai. When he had killed the last alpha and taken his place, Shingi had vowed to bring hope to his pack. Now he bore the symbol of the most powerful daiyokai taisho since the great Inutaisho himself. While still unequal, it was a start.

Kouga had a bad feeling. He hadn't heard from his scouts yet and he knew they were in dangerous territory if Sesshoumaru decided they were a nuisance. No rumors of His Kagome were heard either. Something nagged and tore at his insides though. There was something different. Whatever it was, Kouga was sure it had to do with Kagome.

"Ginta, Hakaku, I'm going to see that miko Kaede again," Kouga called out into the den.

Faithful as always, Ginta and Hakaku immediately came to Kouga's side.

"Sure thing, Kouga," Ginta said.

"We'll be right behind you," Hakaku added.

"Alright…I actually want to do this alone if you don't mind," Kouga said. 'I know this will be news I need to deal with on my own first.' "I just wanted you two to be sure you took good care in guarding the den. If our scouts or any other news comes in about My woman you guys take care of it."

"We got it," Ginta and Hakaku said in unison.

Kouga smiled sincerely at his most loyal friends and took off out of the den. Many scents met his nose as he neared Edo. One of which made Kouga's heart grow a fire with a hope he'd never known before. 'Kagome…I can smell you. You're near!'

Inuyasha smelled trouble coming. And it was coming fast. 'Damn ookami.'

Not moments passed before Kouga was under the branches of the Goshinboku. Inuyasha jumped down to meet him, his hand on the hilt of the Tetsuaiga. He knew why Kouga had come. Inuyasha wasn't looking for a fight, but Kagome was his mate now. He would defend her honor and his role in her life should Kouga challenge it. His clawed fingers twitched in anticipation as he locked eyes with Kouga.

Kouga met Inuyasha's eyes. 'I'm sure of it. This is the place Kagome's scent is coming from.' "Alright, where's My woman?"

"She ain't here. And she ain't your woman."

"My nose doesn't lie, mutt. I can smell her. Her scent is all over this place.

"I know that. But I'll say it again. She ain't here." Inuyasha drew his sword and the Tetsuaiga grew to size in his hands. "And she ain't your woman."

"Then why do I…" Kouga lowered his gaze. 'I smell her all over…All over him.' Kouga's eyes grew red with fury. "Where did you hide her?"

"I didn't hide her. She ain't here."

"What did you do to her," Kouga yelled as metal on metal scraped revealing his Goraishi.

"Kouga, I will defend my mate."

"She'd never choose you," Kouga flew at Inuyasha with his clawed hand.

Inuyasha easily deflected the attack causing Kouga to leap to a high branch as he dodged Inuyasha's counter attack. Kouga darted back down towards Inuyasha and feinted left only to dive down to the right and slash at Inuyasha's side. Inuyasha leapt up just in time to avoid the hit and used a branch to propel himself back at Kouga. Kouga jumped back and somersaulted into a tree. Kouga used his speed to jump from tree to tree in order to confuse Inuyasha. It was a tactic that usually worked for him.

"I'm the one who promised her my life. You only hurt her and gave her insults." Kouga jumped down at Inuyasha's back.

With no effort whatsoever Inuyasha side-stepped the claws and slashed his sword down stopping just shy of Kouga's neck. "She did choose me. She said she was glad to wear my mark. Face it, Kagome loves me."

Kouga made no move to stand, nor did he speak a word.

"Look, Kagome likes you for some reason. When she finds her way back," 'If she finds her way back.' "I'm sure she'll want to see you."

"I thought she loved me." It was barely a whisper.

Inuyasha pulled the Tetsuaiga away but remained in a defensive stance never taking his eyes off Kouga.

"What's going on? You had me." Kouga looked up. His eyes had returned to their blue glow. "Why didn't you kill me?"

"Like I said, Kagome likes you for some reason. And she'll want to see you when she comes back. She'd never let it go if I killed you."

"You love her? If you don't I will kill you myself."

Inuyasha took in a deep breath. True he loved Kagome, but he had never said those words aloud to anyone except Kagome herself. And he had thought that was a dream at the time. "Yeah," he said meeting eyes with Kouga. "I love her."

"Don't ever let me hear about you hurting her." Kouga allowed the Goraishi to retract. "I will kill you if you ever cause her pain."

"I don't ever want to hurt her," Inuyasha said sheathing the Tetsuaiga. "I will protect her always."

Wind ripped through Inuyasha's hair and when the dust and leaves settled Kouga was gone.

'I guess he gave up.' Inuyasha leapt through the treetops towards Edo. He wanted to be sure Kouga had really gone. 'No sign of him and his scent isn't here.'

The wind blew downstream along the river where Inuyasha spotted the ookami yokai at last. Sango appeared to be talking to him. 'As long as he stays away from the village he ain't hurting anything.,' Inuyasha thought as he stood on the bridge making sure the wind hit him. He wanted to be sure Kouga knew he was being watched.

Kouga smelled Inuyasha and consequently Kagome from upstraem. He looked up to find Inuyasha watching him. Almost daring him to go near the village. Once more he turned his attention to Sango "So you say he thought it was just a dream?"

"Yes, Kouga. We all miss Kagome very much. We just haven't seen her since Naraku was defeated. I think if she is able to return Kagome will certainly want to see you."

"Do you believe he loves her?"

Sango was taken aback. "Kouga, why do you think he looked out for her son much? Why else would he have risked hell to find her when she disappeared? Why would he have sulked around with the few items she left behind in his arms every night? And what other reason would he have to fight with you every time you cross paths? Kouga, I am certain Inuyasha loves Kagome-chan with all his heart."

Kouga stood silent for a moment. His hands balled into fists at his sides. "Sango, one more thing."

"Yes."

"Does she love him in return?"

Sango lowered her head for a moment but raised it in a slight smile. "Yes, Kouga. Kagome-chan loves Inuyasha very much. I knew very quickly in our travels together that she must be in love with him. Only love could have kept them from tearing each other apart. She accepts Inuyasha as he is. She doesn't care about human or yokai prejeduces. She loves Inuyasha for all he is as a hanyo and never once has asked him to change."

"That sounds just like her. She never cared what a person was on the outside." Kouga relaxed his hands in defeat. "I guess that's it then. She really chose him."

"Kouga I…" Sango's voice trailed off as she raised her arms to hold Kouga in a comforting hug.

"Its alright. I want her to be happy. He better keep her happy if she finds a way back. You make damn sure of it." Kouga surprised Sango slightly by returning the hug softly. His tail hung low and twitched only slightly. "Your monk is a lucky man. You are a good woman, Sango."

Sango felt the arms tighten around her a moment, but was quickly knocked off balance when the wind picked up announcing Kouga's departure. Not feeling her own feet slip out from under her, Sango was surprised to find herself in Inuyasha's arms just centimeters from the ground.

"You alright?"

"Yes. Thank you, Inuyasha."

"What did he want?" Inuyasha helped Sango back to her feet.

"He wanted to be sure you loved Kagome-chan and would take care of her if she came back."

"What did you tell him?" Inuyasha looked worried. She had seen the wrath of Sango when Miroku's eyes wandered. And now that she was pregnant he feared her even more so.

"That I knew you would," Sango said smiling with the glow of her pregnancy.

Inuyasha relaxed and sighed. 'Maybe someday she really can come back and I can prove it to everyone.'

Sesshoumaru found himself pulled into the deep slumber once more. Again he was in the strange room with the girl Rinji. He watched her still sleeping form on the odd raised bed. There was a powerful aura about her that seemed chaotic. The white inu was sleeping in the same spot he had been before.

Sesshoumaru stood several minutes before Rinji began to stir. Underneath the sheets she stretched out her body and some of her smooth skin became exposed. True Sesshoumaru had seen Rinji nude on their last meeting, but somehow this mild exposure of random flesh stirred him in a way he did not quite understand. Powerful or not, Rinji was only a human.

Slowly Rinji opened her eyes and was caught quite off guard by the inu daiyokai standing before her. "How did you get here?"

"I would presume the same way as before."

"Shingi! Wake up, Shingi!" Rinji wrapped the sheet around herself and bowed low before Sesshoumaru.

The inu opened his eyes lazily and yawned as he stretched out. "What is it, Rinji? We don't have long to sleep now that the spell has been started and I…" Shingi lowered his head in awe at the sight of Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru-sama, I didn't know to expect you tonight. Rinji never said…"

"That's because I didn't…I mean at least not on purpose." Rinji looked nervously at her four-legged companion. "it's the surge again, Shingi."

"Surge," Sesshoumaru asked no one in particular.

"About six days ago there have been incredible spikes in Rinji's powers. My theory is that her soul is…Well, now it is complete."

"I see," Sesshoumaru said trying to hide the pain this fact brought with it. 'It was six days ago that Rin passed from this world.' "Girl, come here."

Rinji stood and clutched the sheet to herself as she walked towards Sesshoumaru. "Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Slowly so as not to startle her, Sesshoumaru reached a clawed hand out to Rinji's face. He turned her chin to each side and studied her. He would not miss a single detail. He needed to be sure. 'Those are indeed Rin's eyes.'

Without warning, Sesshoumaru felt a hand on his lowered arm and another on his own face. They were soft and gentle. Rinji now studied him. He felt her hand slide down his left arm delicately tracing over his muscles before meeting his own hand where they ran the length of his claws before he felt fingers intertwine with his own. Her other hand traced his cheek bone and ear before running fingers through his hair. Sesshoumaru was now aware that he himself had begun to toy with Rinji's hair and that he was now tracing small circles at the small of the girl's back which was now bare because she had dropped the sheet covering her.

Greedily Sesshoumaru drank Rinji in with his eyes. For reasons he could not explain he now knew what had stirred in him before. This human girl was making him hard with lustful need. Pulling her in close Sesshoumaru brought his lips down hard on hers and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Rinji was shocked by this but returned the kiss with passion. In this manner alone she vied for dominance as she urged Sesshoumaru's mouth open and flicked his fangs and tongue with her own.

Sesshoumaru lifted Rinji in his arms and laid her down onto the bed with a gentleness that surprised even himself. His gentle gesture did not last as he climbed on top of her and continued to ravage her mouth. Rinji gave in allowing him to overpower her and she wrapped her legs around his waist as she snaked her arms around his neck to hold him close.

Sesshoumaru began to run his hands down Rinji's body lightly clawing at her sides. He began to lower his kisses to her neck where he playfully nipped at her . Rinji was moaning with desire underneath him.

"No," Sesshoumaru said pulling himself away from Rinji abruptly.

"Is something wrong, Sesshoumaru-sama," Rinji asked.

Sesshoumaru stood upright and looked to Rinji. "I do not…"

"Its because I'm human, isn't it," Rinji asked reaching for the sheet to cover herself in shame.

Sesshoumaru remained silent and still. 'Is that really the only reason?' His need still coursed through him but his pride was fighting it with all its' might. "Just see to it that you succeed in finding your way to me. Your talants could be quite useful."

Shingi poked his nose out of the bathroom he had retreated to unnoticed. "I will see to it that she does."

The crescent moon on Shingi's forehead flashed with a violet light and Sesshoumaru found himself resting underneath the Sakura tree in the soft glow of the moonlight.

'That girl.'

Shingi approached Sesshoumaru in the clearing. "Sesshoumaru-sama, I did not expect you to arrive so soon."

"I wanted to see the sight with my own eyes. You have chosen well."

"Where is your female? I can smell her but I do not…"

"She is not mine, and she is not here."

"Might I know what troubles you, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"Shingi, there is nothing one such as yourself can do in this matter." Sesshoumaru turned his gaze over to the river. Images of Rin laughing as she caught fish flashed into his mind. He turned away to view the sakura tree and Rinji's face came into mind. No fear in her eyes as she looked to him almost as an equal. It annoyed him slightly but intrigued him even more. 'Who are you really, Rinji?' "Shingi, there is something you can do for me after all."

"Anything you ask."

"I want your pack to watch the generations in the region for a girl who understands and does not fear the yokai. She is human but posesses powers akin to many yokai, including your mindspeaking. She will know of me in some way. Help her come to me and your pack will gain standing with me. Standing with me brings your status up among all yokai."

"Consider it done." Shingi bowed low to Sesshoumaru.

A/N There will be flashbacks from time to time now as memories of Rin haunt those who knew her. Sesshoumaru will be forced to consider why Rinji has the effect on him that she does and what he will do about it. Starting in the next chapter the story will be sped up slightly showing the changing of seasons and progress of the gateway spell and control of powers on both Rinji and Kagome's parts. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. ^_^