Kagome and Shippo had been wondering through the forest for days, they drank river water and ate berries off of the trees. Kagome was a girl that wasn't accustomed to the life of living in a forest like Shippo was, it was lucky for her that he knew which berries were bad and which of them was good. She dropped to her knees by a hot spring; it had been days since she's last had a nice bath to soothe her aching muscles.

"Hey Shippo, I'm going to take a bath so please keep watch."

Shippo nodded before he turned away from her to give her the privacy she needed, before long a small splash made its self known signaling that Kagome was fully submerged in the warm water. She sighed to herself as she let her aching muscles relax; finally she was having a nice soak. That's when Shippo's ears perked up, someone or something was following them or at least coming up on them.

"Kagome I think its time to get out now." Shippo said with a bit of fear and worry in his voice.

Kagome followed his instructions, she didn't want to take any risks when it came to other people looking for her or just finding her in the first place. Once she had her cloths on she went sprinting through the forest with Shippo on her shoulder, she didn't know where to go or what to do all she knew was to run as fast as her legs could carry her. Before long they came upon a small cottage, a black smith sign clearly strung on the font door. Kagome knocked gently before opening the door slightly only to be greeted by an elderly looking man and his son and daughter, she looked at them for quite some time before talking.

"Um, I'm looking for a place to stay and I was wondering if you had any space available?"

The girl around her age maybe even older looked her up and down, that is until she spotted the royal crest on Kagome's arm. She gasped in surprise before she whispered her findings to her father who in turn gave a slight gasp of his own.

"Sure, you may stay darling you can sleep in Sango's room with her, we have a extra bed since her older sister passed away."

The old man turned away from her so that he could continue with his work, he left the two girls to get to talk with one another. Shippo on the other hand went to hang out with the young boy Kohaku.

"So what's your name?" Sango asked as she led Kagome to her room which she once shared with her sister.

"It's Kagome, Kagome Higarashi." For some reason Kagome always gave her full name, she guessed it was a habit since she was of royal blood.

"You do know that your royal crest is showing, right?" Sango questioned as she plopped herself on her bed her eyes wondering over the raven haired girl in front of her.

Kagome looked down at her arm and indeed the royal crest was clearly in sight, she cursed silently as she tried to cover it up she didn't even know it was visible in the first place. Kagome looked up at the girl named Sango, finally for the first time since she got there she observed her. Sango had deep brown eyes, her hair was long and held back in a pony tail which she probably did to help her father work. She work a light shade of purple above her eyes allowing her eyes to shine brightly when she smiled, she had a slim yet muscular figure so Kagome knew she could take care of herself if the time came for it.

"Kagome, a traveling Oracle came by about a month ago saying that a young women and fox would appear on our door step asking for shelter, she said we should let you in and also that I should leave with you on your journey. I have no idea what she was talking about but she seemed pretty trustworthy when it came to her words. She also told me to take a weapon and our family jewel, which has been passed down through generations of our family."

"Jewel?" Kagome questioned as she looked at Sango. "What kind of jewel is it?" Maybe it was one of the jewels she was seeking to free Inuyasha from his imprisonment.

Sango tilted her head slightly before she reached behind her and pulled out a small crystal box, it glowed slightly in the lamp light as she opened it. When Sango finally pulled out what was inside Kagome nearly had a heart attack, there it was the diamond that signified air. Although it looked different then what she thought she was sure that was it, it was now a diamond broach which Kagome reached out gently for. Sango noticing the girls reaction handed it to her gently.

"Be careful it's really old, I don't know how long it will stay in that broach; but I won't blame your if it pops out."

Kagome nodded unconsciously; finally she had the first piece to the puzzle she so desperately wanted to solve, for her sake and for Inuyasha's.

"Do you mind if we leave in the morning, I think I'm being followed?"

Kagome said finally telling Sango of the thoughts that were running through her mind. Sango just nodded not bothering to argue with royalty, all through the night though Kagome told of her plan to same Inuyasha and herself at the same time. Sango on the other hand understood her every word, letting her mind soak in the journey she was about to embark on with the mysterious princess and her young fox friend.

The next morning Sango kissed her brother and father good-bye before starting to head out the door with her giant boomerang placed firmly upon her shoulder, that is until her father stopped Kagome his hands trembling slightly as he presented and sword and shield to her with her family crest on it. He looked up at her his brown eyes showing the joy of his work. Kagome took it gratefully, now she could protect herself and her friends and she wouldn't have to rely on Sango's help all of the time. Shippo on the other had waved bye to Kohaku before settling himself on Kagome's shoulder, Shippo may be little and fuzzy but he was a master of illusions, even small spells he could do. Soon the trio set off for the Banzari Temple which was said to hold the emerald jewel or in other words that jewel of earth which was also needed to set Inuyasha free.