"As many arrows, loosed several ways, come to one mark ... so may a thousand actions, once afoot, end in one purpose." – William Shakespeare, Henry V

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A single belief led them there. The full moon illuminated the night sky as a secret army hid in the shadows, a silent threat using the darkness as a black sheet to cover their destructive intentions. A band of powerful thieves brought together by greed and hatred. This night would test them all.

Unaware of the foreboding attack, a lone figure stood in a room that now belonged to him. In fact, now every room in this fortress was his. Rooms filled with rich tapestries, priceless gems, gold, and a library lined with books of endless history. Yet to him it felt so empty.

He valued nothing here. All these walls held for him were memories, Memories that haunted him from time to time. His fingers fluttered over an old box that sat on a small table in the room. It had been left untouched for many years and dust floated in the air as he passed his hand over it. Dare he touch something that could possibly release all the emotions he was so desperately trying to hide?

The sound of shattering glass disrupted his thoughts. His senses kicked in and he finally came to the realization of his imminent danger. As a last minute decision he gently picked up the box and placed it carefully within his clothing. With swift steps he began to leave the room. His frantic retainer stood outside waiting for him.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Rogues have taken your father's castle by storm! They're trying to gain control. We must leave at once!" Jaken sputtered. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed dangerously as he walked past Jaken and down the hall.

"I do not run from any fight. What fools they must be for thinking they could take what now belongs to me. Call upon the soldiers and prepare for battle. We must protect the castle at all costs," Sesshomaru said as he continued onward to where the sounds of crunching glass were coming from. Jaken ran towards Sesshomaru quickly and grabbed onto his robes. Sesshomaru stopped and glared back at this hindrance.

"Sir, most of the soldiers is part of the rogue army. Once word spread that your father died protecting a human he had bedded they denounced their loyalty to the house of the moon. That is why we must leave my Lord. I fear you cannot take them all your own," Jaken said softly. Sesshomaru growled deeply. His pride refused to let him retreat, but he knew he would most likely die if he stayed. He was not yet strong enough.

Sesshomaru gripped onto Jaken's shoulder and the smaller demon winced at the contact. Sesshomaru conjured up his cloud beneath his feet. Red eyes glowed brightly as the taiyoukai broke through the wall of his own stronghold. The two journeyed a ways from the castle before stopping. Sesshomaru released Jaken from his hold and the smaller demon tumbled to the ground.

"Leave me…now!" Sesshomaru roared as he caught site of the castle off in the distance. Jaken scurried off not wanting to face the wrath of his lord. Sesshomaru was furious at what faced him. The castle was now being engulfed in fire. He could only watch in boiling rage as all he had left was being destroyed.

Hordes of demons pushed against the walls of the castle and watched with delight as stone and rubble crashed to the ground. Elegant pane glassed windows were sent crashing to the ground as beautifully sparkling shrapnel, The shimmering of the broken glass magnified by the fire licking against the building turning the white stone black.

All he could do for now was watch. Sesshomaru could only watch as rebels tore down his memories. That was not what angered him, however. He had been forced to run away. He felt like a coward. That was why his past was currently being taken apart stone by stone. All because he could do nothing, but watch.

"I will never allow this to happen again…"

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Kagome blinked her eyes open. The bed she laid on creaked as she shifted her legs off to the side. Her bleary blue orbs took in her surroundings. The thin blanket covering her slid off her shoulders. Everything seemed so dark…

Kagome could feel that a long span of time had passed. A tiny slip of light peeked from a crack in the door. Kagome carefully got up from the cot she had been sleeping in. Slowly, Kagome inched towards the door. She stretched her arms out in front of her, so as not to run into anything.

Her fingers pressed against the wood of the door. Nails dug into the grain as she pushed the door open. What stood before was a long dark hallway. Lit torches hung on the stone walls and casted an eerie shadow in every direction. Kagome walked out of the doorway and headed a random direction down the hall. It was spooky wandering such a dim place when no-one was around.

"I wonder where everyone is…" Kagome said softly to herself as she continued to wander. These halls were a maze to the young woman without the help of Rin to guide her. Kagome passed by countless empty doorways. It was a new castle, but Kagome swore under her breath that ghosts must haunt these vacant places.

A glow illuminated from somewhere down the hall. Perhaps it was one of the spirits that appeared to haunt this place? Kagome crept forward. As she got closer to the glow, she realized it was coming from one of the open rooms. How curious…

Kagome picked up her step. Her shoes clacked against the ground disturbing the silence. The occupant must have been aware of her approach for when she entered the room, she watched as Sesshomaru threw a tarp over something. Kagome slowed her feet and came to a halt. She eyed the area around her. It was surprising, odd, and very beautiful. The room was filled with pictures. Hundreds upon hundreds of pictures varying in size and subject littered the floor.

Kagome approached a painting of a tiny blue bird. She picked it up gently and brushed her hand over the canvas. The rough texture of the painting tickled at her fingers. Kagome moved her eyes from the painting to look at Sesshomaru. The western lord studied the young woman's reaction to the room.

"Where did you get all of these?" Kagome questioned lowering the painting in her hands to stare around the room once more. Sesshomaru walked towards Kagome and gently pulled the painting out of her grasp. Kagome watched as Sesshomaru eyed the painting before setting it aside.

"Long ago I would take time to paint things at my leisure. However, I have been unable to partake in such things since…" Sesshomaru let his explanation remain unfinished as he shifted his head to look at where his other arm was meant to be. Kagome's face fell.

"I'm…so sorry" Kagome said in a somber tone.

"It is of no consequence" Sesshomaru replied back.

"You must really enjoy nature to paint so many wonderful pictures of it…" Kagome commented lightly in an attempt to change the subject. Pretty blue orbs touching the paintings in the room with their gaze.

"I was inspired by someone a long time ago. The enjoyment of it came easily whenever I thought of her. To be captured completely by such simple things…" Sesshomaru said, his eyes shifting to the tarp.

Kagome grew more curious as to what lay under the tarp. Yet, something inside told her she already knew the answer. The dark-haired teen approached the tarp slowly. Sesshomaru appeared to not be bothered by Kagome's approach. The young miko brushed her hands on the edges of the cloth.

It was definitely a painting by the shape, a fairly large painting. Kagome bunched the cloth in her hands. She tugged it up and off as hard as she could. The tarp went flying until settling in a clump on the floor. Kagome held back a gasp.

The picture of Nozomi was even more tragically beautiful now. The painting had yet to be marred by time or be tainted by the other face. Kagome reached her hand forward, and placed it on the space that would hold the other woman. Where was she? When was she going to become part of this masterpiece? And most importantly, who was she?

"She's enchanting," Kagome commented softly as her hand fell to her side. Sesshomaru remained silent for a while. He looked longingly at the picture, his eyes not wavering from it until he turned to Kagome.

"That she is…" Sesshomaru said softly. He gingerly picked up the fallen tarp and carefully replaced it over the picture. It was as if he couldn't stand to look at it for too long. The thought saddened Kagome to an extent. The room grew quiet again.

A puzzle was forming inside Kagome's head. She was slowly putting pieces together of everything that had happened. She knew now that Inuyama castle belonged to the Western lord. She was now aware that the second woman in the picture had yet to be added. There was no garden in this time, but it was going to be. What did it all mean?

Kagome needed to know more information. There was a chance that the future for the present here could be revealed. Inuyama castle was still privately owned in her time. Perhaps she could gather more about the history of the castle from the owner. Maybe, he might tell her the story of how they beat Naraku. Maybe, the owner could tell any legends about this so called "golden age" that was coming. Maybe she could ask the owner about…him.

Kagome's eyes wandered over to Sesshomaru once more. There was no change in his position since the silence had started. Kagome pulled her eyes away from the demon to the door out of the room. Since this was the one lit room in the castle, the door appeared a black void into nothingness. It was decided in that moment, Kagome would go back to get her answers.

"We must leave tonight," Kagome said confidently. Her words seemed to break Sesshomaru out of whatever thoughts he was having. Golden eyes turned on her with curiosity. He moved closer to her.

"Why must we leave tonight?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I need to get back somewhere and it must be soon," Kagome replied seriously.

"What is so urgent?" Sesshomaru inquired. Kagome straightened her back and looked the Western Lord right in the eyes. Blue clashed with gold in a beautiful mesh of color. Kagome breathed in and out.

"I've had time to think; time to go over things and analyze them. I need to go home. We're going to bypass your brother and my group. Take me to Kaede's village. I can reach home from there. Please…" Kagome put on a determined face.

"If that is what you wish. The night is dangerous for any traveler. We will have to fly," Sesshomaru said as he started to head for the door. Kagome blinked and turned her head to eye the demon lord.

"Fly?"

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Wind rushed past her ears furiously, scattering her hair in various directions. Her eyes were shut tight. Fingers clenched as they dug into the fabric of Sesshomaru's kimono. Feet dangled under her body. There was nothing holding her to this spot except her own death grip and the Western Lord's one arm firmly around wrapped her.

"We are almost at our destination," Sesshomaru said, his words rumbling down his chest as Kagome felt the vibrations of his voice. Kagome chanced a look at her surroundings. What faced her took her breath away. It was dazzling…

They were high above the forest in clear view of the full moon hiding a bit behind drifting clouds, the sweep Sesshomaru's cloud curving as they floated across the night sky effortlessly. Kagome could see the stars. She could see all the stars. They were diamonds twinkling in the sky.

The two landed on the outskirts of Kaede's village. Kagome's feet hit the ground gently. She balanced herself before removing her hands from Sesshomaru's person. The demon lord removed his arm. The two parted a bit from each other.

Kagome could make out Sesshomaru's silhouette in the darkness, the color of his hair illuminating him a bit more in the moonlight. Kagome was aware that he could probably see her perfectly. She wasn't sure if that was fair, although it didn't particularly matter at the moment. Kagome bowed her head.

"Thank-you…for everything," Kagome said. She waited a bit before lifting her head back up. It was almost eerie. The moon had hit Sesshomaru's eyes causing a golden shimmer. It was like he was a common beast in the night. It was interesting to think of him in such a way. He was a beast in a sense, wasn't he?

Sesshomaru never replied to Kagome's thanks. He simply turned from the girl and disappeared in the night. There were no parting words, no reply to the thanks, or any other warnings of dangers. He was simply gone. Perhaps he had been waiting to rid of her presence all along…

Regardless of his reason, Kagome had places to be. The dark-haired teen gauged her surroundings and pinpointed where she believed the well to be. She reached it within minutes. Her hands gripped the edge and glanced down.

"Hello darkness my old friend…" with these last words Kagome plunged into the well. When she landed in her time, it was even more dark than before. There was no moon to shine for her. Kagome groped around in the dark until her hands found the ladder. She pulled herself up to the lip of the well.

Kagome crept over the side. She outstretched her arms and then tried to find the door. Kagome once again found herself under the light of the moon. It was fading now though. The dawn was beginning to break. Kagome made her way to the house.

The door was locked when she finally got there. Kagome sighed and tried to the window. It slipped open and she made her way in. Kagome shuffled in the dark and flipped on a light switch. The bulb in the kitchen flickered on.

Kagome checked the oven clock. It was 6:30 in the morning. She had plenty of time to get ready. Kagome scurried to the hall and then walked quietly up the stairs. She changed into some more comfortable clothes and grabbed some pocket money from her purse. She also grabbed a tiny note-pad to take down information just in case. She was ready.

Kagome made her way out her front door and down the street. She would head first to the bus stop, then to the subway station, and lastly end up at Inuyama castle. The trip took over two hours in total. Kagome tiredly dragged herself up the stone steps to the castle. When she reached the top, she saw a figure shuffling around in the information booth. Kagome came up to the counter and cleared her throat loudly, the person inside still distracted by what they were previously occupied with.

"I'm sorry. We don't give any tours on Sundays. You'll have to leave…" the voice from within was obviously male, but not the other young man from before. Kagome grumbled. She was not going this far for nothing.

"If there aren't tours on Sundays then why are you here?" Kagome shot back irritated. An angry grunt was heard from inside. The information booth window opened with a crack and forest green eyes stared back at her. Shaggy brownish-orange hair tussled as the teen male opened his mouth to most likely snap back at Kagome. The mouth fell shut, and the boy seemed to freeze. Kagome was put off by the odd reaction.

The young man turned away from Kagome and looked to be searching for something again. Kagome still felt strange about his response to seeing her. She didn't think she'd ever met this young man before. He was handsome in his own way, seemingly a bit younger than her. The sound of jingling keys reached her ears.

"If you must know the burglar alarm went off. We think it might have just been the cleaning crew, but I was told to check it out," the young man said in a low voice. Kagome sighed and tapped her foot. This wasn't going to do. She needed information.

"All I want to do is talk to the owner," Kagome said desperately.

"Mr. Taisho doesn't usually like to talk to anyone unless it's absolutely necessary. I'm sorry but I can't help you" the young replied. The teen opened the side door to the booth and stepped out, shutting the door behind him. Kagome almost growled in frustration.

"This is absolutely necessary!" Kagome cried.

"I'm sorry Kagome, but the answer is no!" the young man shouted. There was a pause. Kagome's eyes widened. It was impossible. The sandy-orange haired man paled realizing his mistake instantly. Kagome approached him.

"How do you know my name?" Kagome asked. Her interest was on its ultimate peak. The young man seemed to squirm as he tried to think of an answer. He knew he would get in so much trouble if the truth was found out.

"Uh…Lucky guess? Gotta go!" with that the young man zoomed off. Kagome could only stare at his retreating form. She wasn't entirely sure what just happened. All she knew is that she was not any closer to new information. Or was she?

Kagome turned her attention to the information booth. She walked to the entrance and twisted the door knob. It opened up with ease. In his rush, the curious young man had forgotten to lock it. Kagome ventured inside and began to snoop about. It was an information booth, wasn't it? And she needed information…

Kagome shuffled around till she found something that looked like it had potential. It was a list of contact numbers. Kagome eyed the list till she found what she was looking for. There were two names under Taisho. That young man was a bit of help, he had given her a name to look for.

All the cards had only the first initial and then the last name. The first card she had simply said S. Taisho. The other had A. Taisho on it. The address on one card looked like an apartment number, while the other appeared to be a house. Kagome thought her best bet was to try the house first. It would be more likely that the owner would live in a house rather than an apartment, plus the house was considerably closer. If all else failed, she'd head to the apartment.

Kagome jotted down the info on the contact cards and then placed them back in their spot. With that finished, Kagome was off again. She was unsure of what pushed her today, but she believed it as a strive to end Naraku's reign. Any information could prove to be vital.

The trip to the house took half an hour by bus. Kagome had grown nervous in her travels. Her confidence had dwindled a bit the more she thought her plan through. She wasn't aware if this Taisho person was nice. Would he be angry that she bothered him on a Sunday? Was this the right choice?

Kagome breathed deeply as she approached the front door of the house. What if this guy was a crazy old man like her grandfather? All the possibilities kept swirling in her head. She really hoped this A. Taisho was helpful. She didn't want her efforts to be in vain.

An old-fashioned knocker was attached the door. Kagome lifted the ring and timidly knocked on the door. Seconds ticked by like hours as Kagome stood waiting at the door. She removed her hand from the knocker and rested them at her sides. Kagome bit her lip as she heard the door click open. What came into Kagome's vision almost caused her to faint. She was completely caught off guard.

"Ka…Kagome?"

"Ai?"

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YAY! I finished! This is a relatively short chapter and I apologize. I've wanted to get this chapter out for a while, but I've been so busy. I'm heading for college! Woo! So it was quite a lot to work with. I had to finish high school. Then there's all this insane packing to do. *swirly eyes* Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Tell me what you think in a review. I love you guys! =D