The young woman sighed, sadly wearing a smile on her face as she stared at the grave of her late husband. She held her newest child, the one they had bore before his tragic fate in the accident. She didn't remember much, just a bright light through the window, breaking glass, pieces of blood droplets defying gravity before shrieks and screams of her two children and tumbling of the car as it flew, turning upside down and over again, and sliding.

She couldn't help but caress the smooth granite, thinking fondly of the times they shared, the fights they had over nothing before making up. She never enjoyed fighting- with anyone. Demons, her elder brother figure, her husband, her family, but it always happened, though always fixed. She missed everyone dearly, but had to remain strong for her children. Demons were surprised she even held out as long as she did. Mates were supposed to die with each other. Rumors brought up that she wasn't mated at all, but then, look at their kids.

Half demons with ears, but of course they could hide from the human society. She just hoped that one day, she could tell them about all the heroic things of their father without bursting into tears. They deserved to know.

-Year 15**-

Touga paced; and paced. Riouga tried calming him down, but nothing seemed to work. Soon Sesshoumaru was woken by the scent of distress from his uncle and worry mingled with fear from his father.

"Father, please calm down. Kagome does not lie. She will return. We can only wait for her." Sesshoumaru soothed. Touga stopped and stared- since when had his son become so bright? He smiled, moving to his son and patting his head.

"Yes; I suppose that is the only thing we can do for her." Sighing, he held his chin in thought. "But how did she transport herself through that odd well? Surely she isn't strong enough at that state to use magic- she isn't even a witch." Riouga nodded. "Recall the Taijya? They called her priestess… Perhaps they know something from the late prophecies. Shall I go to the castle and check the old scroll of the elders?"

Touga nodded. "Yes, if you could. Find out anything about a High Priestess returning as a child." He paused. "You did feel something emanating from her person, did you not?" Riouga glanced at him through the corner of his eye, his forehead pinched.

"Yes. She is definitely powerful. Thankfully- or not so thankfully in the perspective that you look at it; it is untapped raw power. She cannot use it until she can find the seal upon her and unlock it. It could take a while; perhaps years." Touga and Sesshoumaru stared at him in awe.

"How in the world did you manage to figure that out, Uncle?" Sesshoumaru asked. Riouga had a sly smirk. "I have the best trackers on my side, young prince. You learn a thing or two about analyzing as you grow with them. Now," His gaze went to Touga. "What shall we do till the time comes for young Kagome to return to us?"

-Year 2004—

Kagome peeked around, waiting for the right moment.

It was far too quiet.

Tensing, Kagome peeked over her shoulder, sensing an evil presence. To her surprise, and immediate relief, nothing was there. She stepped forward, never turning her head to see in front of her.

Big mistake.

"Higurashi Kagome, what on earth do you think you are doing?" Kun-Loon Higurashi, Kagome's mother glowered. Kagome shrank at her mother's disappointed gaze. Ashamed, she scuffed her foot against the floor.

"I-I was gonna go outside." She said. Her mother calmed a bit, her arms crossed around her chest. "Kagome honey, you aren't feeling up to yourself though. You're still pretty pale," Reaching her hand out to Kagome's forehead; she blinked in surprise when Kagome pulled away.

"Mama, I don't feel bad anymore, I feel fine. I have to go now." Kagome stared her mother in the eyes, hers full of determination. "I have to help my friends back in the well." Kun-Loon looked at her daughter, thoroughly confused. "Friends; what friends are you talking about dear?"

"My friends. They helped me when I fell down the well. They kept me save- but I ate some bad food and they brought me back here. But I promised I'd go back and I don't-"

"No," She said. Her eyes were wide, her skin white in fright. "You will not leave this house under any circumstances."

"But mom-"

"No buts, young lady. You march right up those stairs and stay in your room till-"

"Nodoka Kun-Loon Higurashi," Grandpa Koeki called his face stony. His mouth was turned into a frown, arms crossed. "You leave that girl be. It is her destiny to go. You and I know very well about that." He glanced at Kagome and smiled, walking to pet her head gently.

"Kagome-child, you hear the call of your friends, don't you? Feel the pull on your chest, from worry?" Kagome, although a bit confused, rapidly nodded. "I-I do! It feels like its pulling harshly now," Grandpa Koeki nodded once.

Turning to his only daughter, he sighed sadly. "I know this is hard for you Nodoka, after just losing- I mean, having Rano just up and leave you like this," He spared a chance glance at Kagome. Her eyes were wide in nothing, emotions flashing far too fast for him to see.

"Kagome must fill her own destiny whether we like it or not. She must. Go." Nodoka's eyes filled with tears at the thought of her late husband, her gaze fixing on the ground. Her arms shook with despair, hands clenching as the tears dripped slowly.

"Why does my family have to be the one taken apart? Why do I have to lose my family, by fate and destiny?" Kagome snapped her attention to her mother. Walking slowly to her mother, tumbled on the floor and clutching her self.

Kagome reached out to her, clutching her mother's shirt. Kun-Loon's body tensed, her eyes opening, full of tears. Kagome stepped closer and sat in her lap, hugging her waist. Kun-Loon sobbed in her throat, wrapping her arms and covering her daughter.

"Kagome- honey, please listen to me, okay? Your father…he-"A small tiny finger was placed on her mouth; Kun-Loon looked down at her understanding eyed child. Kagome smiled watery. "Grandpa messed up. I heard you whispering before I left. Daddy's gone, isn't he?"

Kun-Loon choked back another sob, hugging Kagome tightly. She smiled sadly, nodding. "I just don't know what's waiting for my sweet little baby. I want to know that she's safe from harm and that everything's going to be okay- even though I know its not."

Kagome wiped away her mother's tears and giggled. "If you want to know, then I'll tell you. It's really pretty, Mama. There are nice people too- minus one but I don't talk to him much. There are Taijya's and Demons. The Taijya called me a priestess, so I'm sure there are others too,"

Koeki's eyes widened. "You are a priestess? Why didn't I remember this?" He shuffled his feet as quickly as he could and went to his room. Standing and putting Kagome on the ground, Kun-Loon stared after to where her father went after.

"Here it is!" Koeki yelled in joy. Running out and nearly tripping, he held out a small outfit and a bow with arrows. "This is a traditional outfit that Priestess' wear. These arrows are purified by your great ancestor; The Miko, Midoriko."

Taking the clothes, Kagome smiled to her Grandfather. "Thank you grandpa, I'll take good care of it." Running to the bathroom, she quickly changed and ran back out, hugging them. "I love you guys, and I'll try to visit. I don't know when I'll be back, but I'll make you proud."

Both of them smiled, hugging her back. She was such a smart child, growing up so fast in the world fate and destiny had thrust her into.

If only they had more to tell them of all the dangers that were heading young Kagome's way.