JeniNeji's Note:

Thanks again, I feel much honored of the reviews I have received; it continues to motivate me into writing. People will say, but how lame, but I'm like that. The moment when I receive no reviews, that is the moment that I will stop writing. I hope it never happens, for the story will be at least twenty chapters long, and with a lot of interesting twirls.

Very much thankful to you, Chezka for beta reading my chapter, I know is much better now. I will be eternally grateful that you accepted, and you very well know it. Anything you need, I will be there for you. Thanks.

Disclaimer: Again, I don't own Inu-Yasha, but I'm still happy that it exists. Aren't we all?

When the Past is the Future...

Chapter 3:

Meetings and Tomorrow

Inu no Taisho was sitting on the wet grass at the heavy guarded town of the Demon's Exterminators. The rain was falling on him, his silvery hair and his skin.

He only stared as the miko Midoriko channeled her powers creatively. She had been training hard for three days. She usually talked about transforming souls or something of the sort. He didn't understand those things and he didn't think a human could be able to do that. Even if that human was a powerful miko. Transforming souls? That seemed to be so far away…

He just kept staring, smiling proudly. All of a sudden, she became very good with the sword, mastering it greatly. It had seem to be just a blink of an eye…how much was it? 10 years? At least, she was safe as long as she kept the sword and that fact gave him peace.

He had to say she had grown a lot too. He still remembered when she was about ten, when he found her badly injured in the forest. She had showed him such hatred and resentment when he only wanted to tend her wounds. But as he had a child of his own, he knew the fear she felt, so he just had to oblige her to accept his help.

After that, she changed. Her smile appeared more often. The priests that were training her made her hate demons. Little by little, this had being poisoning her soul; no one should hate that much. Nevertheless, that was the fate of mikos, being used by their kind, hoping to take the power they so greedily wanted. They didn't seem to mind the consequences, like a miko's death, as it always happened. Therefore, mikos never noticed this, for they were always taught that their actions were to save human kind. Sadly, they never seemed to notice that humans were their worst enemies themselves, not demons.

Some years after, he came upon her in one of his journeys. She had followed him, leaving her kind, gaining the hatred of many. She had been labeled as a traitor.

She had grown stronger and also beautiful. He hoped that someday she'd be free to do as she wished and live happily. Sometimes, he wondered why he stayed beside her, helping her battle demons. Perhaps, he had gone soft and simple with time. However, he had to admit he had been gaining conquering sounds territories. He slowly became the law of the place. The entire land had become a whole chaos and someone needed to restore order. It wasn't his fault that the one causing it, was Midoriko in her hunt for demons and the little fact that he was the strongest demon around and was the one taking charge of the lands she had "cleaned".

More than the lands, this had been the perfect opportunity to teach his son, Sesshomaru, of the ways of life. He was going to be a man very soon, he needed to be prepared. Sesshomaru had been leading this group for some time, and Inu no Taisho was beyond proud. Sesshomaru never failed to accomplish anything nor had he taken a wrongful decision. Even at his young age, he was very wise. Inu no Taisho had been gifted with an excellent son.

His son... mated to a human miko ...

He was not one to talk, for he had fallen for the charms of humans twice. One, the little miko shooting pure energy at trees hoping to transform them in who knows what, and now, his current companion. She was half-demon, half-human, and that's why he loved her. He couldn't prevent the sad smile that invaded his face when he thought of her. He missed her dearly, her loving embrace. Half-demons were despised for their parents transgression, but he had seen the effect of that, labeling it as perfection.

She possessed great strength and abilities, but ohh, such a sweet and caring soul, compassionate, loyal and loving. She was not moved by greed, she was not as cold as many demonesses. She was trustworthy, and he loved her for showing him everything she was. She was genuinely happy when he returned to his castle. She ran and jumped over him, squeezing him in a strong hug and then kissed him happily. She was not as fake as many others, she was herself, not afraid to show it to anyone. Such was her human nature, kind in essence and rotten by life. A trait he had become to appreciate more than he would believe in his days of youth.

Inu no Taisho turned his eyes to the wooden house where he knew the other miko was sleeping. Sesshomaru had not left her side even once. Yesterday at last, he went to see her again, after avoiding her over the last two days... Of course, he knew it was hard for Sesshomaru to acknowledge her presence. His own tendency to devalue human life, hence, choosing another side and realizing he had to outcome himself, and venture to the unknown.

He smiled. It was one of the few times his son showed interest in something. There were so very few things he liked. Perhaps, it could be curiosity, but he still was drawn to her. He just hoped for his son to be happy, he did not know about the tomorrows to come. Still, he did hope them to bring comfort and no more wars... at least for a millennium or so...

He had to admit, half-demons were awesome in nature, but also very dangerous when they wanted to be. The ones that had been rotten by life were lethal... the same as that one, the one who had claimed to own the unconscious miko. He should be careful and maintain the city guarded, just in case.

The cave they were in was wet. The rain was getting heavy, affecting their senses. The drops breaking on the leaves and rocks were distracting him, making him fall into a new stage of consciousness.

Kagura was worried. He was looking bad. She felt uneasy; she could tell he was faintly turning into another person. He had not said anything nor screamed in anger or whined in pain. He just stayed numb. She wondered if the impact had damaged something irreplaceable about him. Though that couldn't be, what could've happened?

She wondered if he died, would she die as well? She could kill him right now and win her freedom. But she feared she would die as well, or worse: Naraku finally awakening and be willing to kill her straightaway. She just resigned to look at him and guard the entrance to prevent intruders.

He felt his system was very slow. He couldn't think, for his mind was set in revisiting certain events of his life, of his past and he was unable to control them. His eyes were focused in the drops that fell from the stalactites to the ground.

Naraku was recalling that time when Kikyo had been tending his wounds. He remembered thinking she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met: her determined brown eyes, her long black hair and her soft hands that caressed his ugly skin. She didn't mind his burns. She still treated him with care, as a worthy human being. It had been so long since he had felt sympathy that he thought the very emotion had been denied to him. She showed him that it was still there...

He wanted to take that sad smile away from her lovely face. She had even cried in the little cave when she believed him to be asleep. He wanted to be someone she could count in, someone who could hold her spirit. He sourly remembered how he had been a simple bandit, a two-faced sniveling dog. These recollections only brought shame in him, twisting his mind. He didn't want her to know, but she wouldn't talk to him anyway. Every time he would try to engage in conversation with her, she'd avoid many topics or reduce herself to just non-personal matters.

As days went by, frustration kept growing and so did his desires. He wanted her, all of her. He wanted her attentions, her care, smiles, tears, eyes, skin, her hair... her long lashes that made her eyes look sleepy, her strength, he wanted everything. Yet, he did not deserve any of it, any of what he so longingly craved. How could a low bandit like himself be worthy of possessing such a gem? Still, he loved her, and hated the Shikon no Tama. That Jewel only worked to sadden her. If the Jewel didn't exist, she would be free. She wouldn't be chained to its fate.

He once asked her what she would do if she wasn't the Jewel's guardian. She had been surprised by his question; her eyes widened and made her look confused --plus, very cute too, if he dared to comment. She told him she will simply live the life of an ordinary woman, and then get married. She left the cave, as always, not aware of the fate that she had chosen, with those simple words.

He did what he needed to do in order to accomplish his dreams. Everything for the opportunity of infinite happiness...

He called upon demons and made a deal with them: his flesh in exchange for their powers. They agreed. He remembered a large number of them, how his adrenaline hadn't been enough to ease the pain of being eaten alive; how tortured he had been that day. He feared those demons wouldn't stick to their end of the deal. All this, for the chance to reach happiness...

Kikyo. That was the name that left his lips a million times, in middle of pain, of fear... in the middle of his dreams.

He remembered feeling strong, feeling good. Now, he was going to be able to protect her, she wouldn't have to fight anymore. He remembered reaching a lake, where he stood by to look at himself. He was handsome, he was himself again. The burns had all been erased, demon strength was great. There was nothing that could stop him. But little did he know, there was just one thing capable of destroying him.

Properly dressed in clothes that were handed to him by a simple villager, not stolen as it was his costume, they had been given to him. He will change his ways, a brand new life awaited him. He went looking for Kikyo.

She had been in love with a half-demon named Inu-Yasha. He found about it, and felt red-hot anger flowing through his veins. When he told her who he was -- the man she was nursing to health once again in that cave -- she looked at him with such hatred that he was left stunned. He tried to explain, to say something while she tried to purify him, but she never stopped. He was part-demon and that aspect of his own self broke loose as he felt disdained by her every action. He did it all for her, after all he had bargained...

She battled him; he battled her, though he did not injure her. He matched her, he was good indeed. His insides twisted violently, making him scream in pain. She just stared, no longer with those caring eyes, but he saw them reflecting utter indifference. Not only he was able to see that in her eyes, but underneath, he could see her hatred. He walked away; so many things were affecting him. He didn't know his new body so well. He finally parted, though not before sending her a penetrating look. No words, just a long road with remnants of a tainted human aura.

Days later, he found himself staring at the funeral fires. She had died by his hand. He could not control the void of emotions plaguing him. He had killed her. The demon part of him wished for her death while his hurt human emotions helped his other part, to feel some comfort, some…revenge. He had brought her ending when all he wanted was to be with her forever.

"Kikyo" her name trailed off his lips softly, with longing and he blinked his eyes. Once again taking his surroundings, he was in a cave…healing.

Seconds later, his memories took him to Kagome. He had mistaken her the first time he saw her. The resemblance to Kikyo in her aura had been his mistake, because once you looked at her blue eyes, you'd notice the difference immediately. He had wondered many times how would Kikyo look if she had blue eyes... stunning.

Kagome. She was Kikyo's reincarnation. That was for truth. He had found himself thinking of her quite often, even going as far to idealizing a plan to make her come to him willingly, but had refrained from doing so. It would do him no good.

Now that he had come face to face with Midoriko, he had been surprised once again. Her eyes were identical to Kikyo's. She had been graceful in her movements, as someone of high status. Her movements had been smooth and attracting... almost another perfect miko...

"Damn this human heart" he muttered annoyed and clenched the hakama tightly over the spot of his heart. "Onigumo, how I long to get rid of your existence, die already..." he narrowed his eyes. "Couldn't Onigumo choose any other beings to get infatuated? Only mikos?" Naraku asked himself incredulously.

He began to open and close his hands, feeling the strength returning to him. He was healing at last, he was returning to his previous state.

Damn him, that dog. He was not going to get his way. He will take Kagome back, and he will steal the Jewel once it came out of Midoriko's heart. Then he will be possessor of two Jewels, the one from the future and the one of this current past.

Kagura turned to see her master as he began his cursing. That was something more natural. Her uneasyness was going away. Things were going back to normal. Still, Naraku was numb and distracted, looking at the cave's walls, but she could feel his aura returning to its usual tainted black. He was awakening.

Sesshomaru. Kagura found herself once again thinking of the High Lord. How cute he had been when young. She closed her eyes and rested her back against the wall, allowing her mind to bring the happiness that reality denied her.

He had been here for a long time now. The cracking sound his back made a second ago when he laid down, told him so. He had been here for no apparent reason. He didn't need to be here, watching her, but something deep inside prevented him from going away.

He had kept staring at her. What was he thinking? Did he expect her to turn into a demon or something? She was human.

She had his scent over her... had he really befriended a human? He did tolerate Midoriko's presence after all, and his father's mate. He had hated both of them at first; and hated his father as well, for setting his eyes in a half-demon. As for her, he had a very specific reason to hate her: she had the taint of a human in her demon blood...Filth, scum, uncleanliness in her blood and being.

But he had been wrong. After ten years of being blind he saw something else. His father's partner proudly went to battle alongside him, she protected him with the same fierceness and courage as he for her. She had been loyal to him through the years, and most importantly, she had made him happy. Never did his father smile so much. She won his love with her happy personality and her energetic ways, although he always believed that the partner of someone of high rank as his father needed to be more serious and royal, but he couldn't deny she had been a good companion to his father.

He wasn't fond of humans. Yet, this girl, this miko who smelled like him was an obvious proof of his feelings. To his still utter surprise, she allowed him contact with her... if she carried his scent.

She smelled nice, something he discovered hours ago. Her hair was long and shiny and it smelled of flowers, or something that he couldn't quite point. She was different. He had found that out so much. Her clothes were very odd, and too revealing to his liking. He preferred the yukata she was now wearing. Her skin seemed so soft and it held no scars. He would have expected some minor injuries, but she carried none. She must have been well guarded, even Midoriko had sustained some horrible injuries and she was strong.

He felt the need to touch her many times now, but he feared to do it. That was strange for him, but he thought that if he touched her, he would find some things he would like to deny.

Movements and soft whimpering had brought his attention a while ago and that why he settled to rest in the wooden floor next to her. Perhaps, it had been a mistake, now that he thought about it. When he saw the blue sky was in front of his eyes...her eyes…

His mind was blank. He had never seen a human with blue eyes. Human's eyes were brown in color. He tended to associate different eye colors aside brown with demons. She was human, he was certain about that, but she was a miko too. With that cleared, he had no doubt at all. She was the first human with blue eyes…

She was having a nightmare, so he decided to lie down next to where she slept, to try and somehow take her crying away. It hadn't worked, probably because he was avoiding touching her, so she kept facing her bad dreams without any distractions.

It had worked for something though. He had seen almost all the forms her face could take. Many looked troubled, but in her face, they looked fine. Since he began to watch her, he had hoped to see one smile from her, and so he did. When she awoke, their eyes met and then she smiled. He felt something in that moment and it felt good. That feeling seemed to bring her some sort of comfort, and he could not help but wanting to know how he was in the future. He must be great, if just a look could provide such ease to her. She strikingly resembled Midoriko, but he assumed it was because they were both humans and mikos. He frequently wondered what was happening to him. That would be great to know. Why? Why was he acting like this?

Nonetheless, her fear had replaced all other emotions. He felt confused, although he masked it well, it was normal for him, almost natural. Still, he did feel strange, masking them from her.

She sat on the futon abruptly, confusion obviously etched in her features. Sesshomaru moved and sat as well, once again looking directly into her eyes. She stared bravely, trying to find her answers in those golden depths that told her nothing. His direct stare was making her feel cornered.

"Sesshomaru ...you ...I thought you were..." she began softly, but stopped as she saw his eyes twitching in annoyance. She knew right away the reason, she had not directed him in the proper way... and he seemed, different. Younger. She wondered what was happening and where she was. She paled and bowed her head a little " I ...I beg your forgiveness Lord Sesshomaru ... I must have been still half asleep" she told him trying to sound convincing, but failing miserably.

She turned even paler at his eyes twitching. He hadn't meant it, but all this was incredibly strange for him. She, who barely knew him, addressed him so casually that he reacted instinctively. She had taken a low and humble rank in amend, but he didn't like it. If she was accustomed to address him casually, then how could he force her to change that? He was preoccupied of mistreating her. He did not know how to interact with her. She was a mere miko now, but she could be someone else in the future. He had never been in this situation before, feeling lost. Anyhow, there was something he knew...

"Do not apologize, you can refer to me as you please" he said seriously, without room for doubts or arguments.

His voice was soothing her aura unconsciously and his tone was soft and alluring, not brusque and scary as always. She lifted her face to meet his eyes. She found no lies in them, leaving her more confused than before. She let out a soft sigh, at least he wasn't angry with her.

She began to check her surroundings. She was in a little house that had very few things, a place where she could hear the rain outside. There were no more sounds. She felt content. It had been long since she felt safe. With Naraku on the loose, she had been always afraid of a surprise attack.

She then looked at Sesshomaru. He was wearing a simple sleeveless white hakama and black pants. He was strong, if she didn't knew better, his muscled arms would've told her anyway. His hair was long, it looked the same, but his eyes had something different, as if they were relaxed and overwhelmingly soothing, not deathly-cold anymore.

"Your clothes... are different..." she commented absent-minded. Her answer was a movement on one of his eyebrows, he tried to raise it, but it didn't work as usual, the movement was forced and unpracticed. She laughed internally. She continued to look around, but there was no one.

Waves of miko powers brought a frown to her face and she looked at Sesshomaru once again.

"Is Kikyo training outside?" she asked concerned.

"No" was his simple reply. This time, when she looked at him, she saw confusion in his face, the same she thought to be in hers. Still, it was rare to find an emotion in his face, and it looked almost wrong. "Who is this Kikyo? I assume she is a miko."

Kagome looked at him with wide eyes. Her mouth opened and closed various times without sounds. Her fingers began to tremble with shock. What?

She stood and ran for it. She opened the shogi door and looked at the downpour. She could hardly see anything, she looked back at a confused Sesshomaru who was standing up, and ran outside. The rain was drenching her white yukata and she embraced herself to cover her chest. She saw as some people watched her as she passed their houses at high speed, but there was one place where she thought she would find her answers. She finally reached the one with miko powers. She remained still. She could not believe her eyes. There was a young woman, someone she had seen, the one the tales told about... priestess Midoriko.

She felt her legs losing their strength and her knees gave way. She was falling when someone caught her and took her. She was numb, feeling the world turning upside down. She put her hands in her face shielding herself from everything she could see, trying to escape the truth.

A rough voice called upon her, and she obliged to meet him. When her eyes fell on him, she felt herself turn white. He couldn't be... She continued staring unflinchingly. Her eyes watered and tears began to fall down her face. A little further away, Midoriko was looking at her, worried. She was soaked, and her skin seemed to be paler than ever due to the darkness caused by the rain clouds.

"Where am I? I don't... belong here..." she said almost in a whisper as her sobs rocked her body taking away the strength to talk. She began to cry harder at the blank looks everyone gave her. What did Naraku do? How was everyone?

Those were the last things she remembered before falling asleep, a rainy night, a miko from tales, an inu youkai who was in her friend's dreams and a Sesshomaru who was... caring...

The next time she awoke, she had a familiar companion. Kirara was in her little form in front of her. Kagome raised her hand to ruffle her creamy hair. Kirara leaned in the familiar touch, as if she had missed it dearly.

"Hi Kirara" Kagome said softly, glad to have a familiar presence. "What happened? Where's Sango?" she asked worried, but imagined she was no longer there, for she had come to another past.

Kirara began to make little sounds that were shorter and quicker than usual; as if she were almost coughing, but with a more high-pitched sound. Kagome looked at her frowning. She didn't understand the meaning of those sounds.

Two unfamiliar, but recognizable presences came into the house. Midoriko peeked inside the house to see if the girl had awoken. Inu no Taisho was holding the piece of cloth that covered the entrance, also taking a peek. Kagome lifted her gaze and gave them a little smile.

"She's sad, she fears for her master's well being" he said in a rough voice that she was getting accustomed to. They both entered the house slowly and soundless.

Kagome blinked at him, trying to understand his words, until they settled. Kagome turned to Kirara again, and brought her closer to her. "Don't worry, she has strong friends" she said, trying to convince the little cat demon. The truth was that she said it, trying to convince herself more than the adorable cat beside her. "After all, Naraku appeared in the well... so..." she trailed off in thought.

Midoriko walked and sat next to Kagome with a sad smile, interrupting her train of thoughts. Kagome inhaled deeply and sat on her futon, knowing it would do no good to just lie around. She needed to return home. Ironic, she thought, she didn't care at which house she arrived, for both the Feudal and Modern Japan felt as home.

"I'm going out Midoriko, to clean the perimeter" said the proud and tall Inuyoukai. He then changed his gaze from Midoriko to Kagome, "Are you coming with me?"

Kagome flinched at his words, her shoulder tensed visibly. A happy sound from her lap made her let go of Kirara as she ran towards the Inuyoukai and transformed herself into the giant feline.

The great demon smiled and felt pleased, then he looked at Kagome "That's fine with you, right?" he asked her with a happy smile, and she nodded in agreement "I'm Taishomenaru" he said.

Kagome's wide eyes told him she hadn't been fast enough to learn this piece of intelligence and he exhaled tiredly. "Yes, I know, it's a difficult name, but my father's best friend's son is called Taishoseru and his younger brother is called Taishomeseinaru. They are both cat-humans demons, strong ones let me add, but I have to say that father had a lot of tolerance to have friends like them, you know, we don't get along very well by nature's law, cats and dogs. Like there are some other Taishos, call me Inu no Taisho, Inu because I' m a dog so you can identify me" he finished and took a deep breath of fresh and much needed air. He smiled at her; firstly because her mouth was wide open and he found it to be funny, and secondly, because he was proud of himself, he explained so much in such a short conversation. He began to walk to the door with Kirara.

"I..I..." she tried to talk to him but her tongue stopped her from saying anything. He stopped and turned to her. She took a breath and filled with courage.

"My name is Kagome, Lord Inu no Taisho" she said a little louder than needed and perhaps blushing a bit more than necessary; she was nervous. She had heard of him so many times, that meeting him was surreal. Not because he was scary or something, but because he was "The Great Inu no Taisho".

He smiled gently. "Well, we will talk later then, Kagome" he said and left the house with Kirara following. He had said her name, not even Inu-Yasha had used her name so fast after meeting her, just after a deadly mission and many days of constant subduing. He was really something else, but she liked to discover that he was not the ruthless ruler that many made him seem to be, otherwise she would be too frightened to really care about his charm.

Midoriko was smiling. Kagome couldn't help but see how beautiful she really was, and in some weird way, she reminded her of Kikyo. That long black hair, and those compassionate brown eyes, even when Kikyo's were almost dull or lifeless. Midoriko was older than her, Kagome noticed -- she was just sixteen and a little more perhaps – but Midoriko was 19-20. Midoriko had begun to take the appearance of a woman, losing some childish features. She looked a lot like the statue in the cave. Her voice nudged Kagome to pay attention, a sweet and soft voice, unlike Kikyo's taunting and cold one.

"Never had I met another miko as strong as myself, you must be fierce in battle" she said happily and expectant. Kagome couldn't refrain her need to stare at her. She just acknowledged her strength, a comment she found surprising. Kagome almost laughed out loud. "Come, it is raining no more" she said happily taking Kagome's hand and pulling her outside the house.

Kagome followed numbly. The morning sun made her shut her eyes tightly. After some seconds, when she reopened them, she saw a familiar place. The place looked just like the Demon Exterminators' village. The high walls were as big as she remembered them to be. There were also lots of people, many of them were training with so many different weapons, but there was a young man who stole all of her attention.

Kagome stared at him, her eyes wide. He had black hair tied in a ponytail, his hair reaching his lower back. He had the black outfit that reminded her so much of Sango, but he had a strange helmet, not the same as the one she remembered from Sango's. It had no color and was made mainly of demon thorns. Sort of feeling that someone was watching him, he turned and locked eyes with Kagome. She now saw he had brown eyes and a little horizontal scar below his left eye. He was a very handsome man. He gave her a soft smile, and she found herself gladly returning it.

Midoriko giggled softly and closed in to Kagome to tell her something in her ear. "He's Sora, he's the leader of this town" she said happily. Kagome smiled, "I like him too" Midoriko said the last part and began to walk away laughing. Kagome had turned red from embarrassment at being caught staring by both. She had to say dryly he had seen her, and also Midoriko. Yet, she wasn't staring at him like that; she was looking at something he was carrying, though she doubted Midoriko would believe her.

"This is the Demon Exterminators' village, right?" Kagome asked walking behind Midoriko as the latter nodded her head. Kagome could feel the energy of demon parts. This was a prosperous village, exactly how Sango's village must have been like. No wonder Kirara was content here.

Kagome spent her day talking nonsense with Midoriko. She was very nice, and she never imagined her to be so cheerful. The one time she had seen her in the cave, she looked serious and strong, not like a giggling girl. Kagome felt good, she had been happy in life. Now, her spirit had been imprisoned in the Shikon no Tama, she had to free her. She absently placed her right hand on her chest.

She found out Midoriko had been thrown away from her village for associating with demons. Kagome couldn't contain the anger that rose in her gut...fuming at how ignorant some people could be. She had had some minor troubles in the Feudal Era for the very same things, but what happened to Midoriko had been worse. After all, this was some centuries before Feudal Japan, she thought prejudices would be stronger here.

She had some things in common with Midoriko, though it seemed Midoriko didn't quite get along with demons for real, she just worked alongside them although she felt much respect for Inu no Taisho. She had said in the middle of everything that she couldn't possibly believe that Sesshomaru was Inu no Taisho's true son. She said they had so little in common, and that they sometimes were more or less enemies, for they had different beliefs.

Midoriko asked Kagome about the Four Souls, and she gladly told her what little she knew on the subject. She wasn't Miroku, who studied them for his training, although she must admit that it had always seemed to her that he had been training for other things than for just being a monk. Perhaps, if he had put more attention to his training in the temple and not just being distracted by the ladies, he would have been stronger. Well, she had to say she missed him a lot too. Thinking about Miroku, she imagined what would have happened if he had met Midoriko. She was surely beyond beautiful, it would have been funny and interesting to see such as couple as Miroku and Midoriko.

Taisho's return brought both their attention to him. He smiled and walked to them. Kirara was in her little form and jumped in Midoriko's lap. She played with the kitty happily and Kagome bowed her head a little when her eyes met with Inu no Taisho's. He smiled and looked at Midoriko.

"Midoriko" he called to her and continued when her eyes met his "Have you felt any demons close today?" he asked with a frown on his face.

She smiled. "No, my Lord" she said now a little more seriously, looking more mature, reassuming her position as the powerful priestess she was.

Taisho twitched his eyes in thought and then turned to Kagome. "and you Kagome?"

Kagome gave a little jump in surprise but answered quickly "I'm an not very sharp at feeling demon auras, but I haven't felt any today either, my Lord"

"This is very strange indeed, demons had been coming to town more fiercely in the past days than never before, they seem to have just disappeared. I suppose that some event is taking place around, and I highly doubt it will be to our benefit" he commented as he looked at the setting sun. Kagome shifted uncomfortably on the floor, as she thought about his words.

"The demons are coming because of me, I'm sorry" Kagome said as she lowered her eyes to the grass next to her feet, no longer looking at the tree above her. They both turned to her. "I came here by accident, in a battle with our enemy. I was ordered to hide something, but he found me and in the middle of the battle, we both fell here, in this time, and he's still probably looking for me. The item I carry is wanted by many demons and it's my duty to protect it. I can't say more about it though" she stopped and raised her eyes to meet them "Did I kill him... with my powers? When did you found me?" she asked with a hint of anxiety and fear.

Midoriko and Inu no Taisho exchanged looks. "He's alive..." said Midoriko softly "...but badly injured" she finished. Kagome's shoulder slumped in deception, she had hoped to be free from him already, but still, fate was against her.

"My son, Sesshomaru, was battling against him as well" he said more than asked, crossing his arms in his chest.

Kagome looked at him and smiled "Yes, he was, he's the strongest of us all, and his wisdom is always helpful, he has learned from you very well" she said contented. It had been a blessing he had accepted to fight alongside with them, that's why she believed that Inu-Yasha and the others must have been well. "Speaking of him, where is he? I haven't seen him all day" she said while looking around.

"It's his turn to guard the town surroundings" Taisho said simply, and began to walk away "Aren't you going to eat, ladies? Well I'm starving" he asked with disbelief in his voice, he rose his hands as if surrendering, but as a thought went through his mind, he stopped and turned to them. "I order the two of you to remain in this exact place" he said seriously. They both looked at each other confused and then rose their eyes and saw that he had began to walk faster towards the house. "Of course, you can come after I have finished eating!!"

Midoriko dropped Kirara from her lap and ran towards him screaming "No, you won't!! Do not dare to eat it all or you will feel my wrath!!"

Kagome exchanged a look with Kirara, and she couldn't help but laugh. "Don't they remind you of someone?" she said as she stood and walked to the house. Kirara let out a small sound of approval and began to follow. "Now we know from who he learned his manners, don't we?"

She walked out the house at night for a walk around town after eating a very delicious meal. But as she did, her heart clenched with a million things she had been trying so hard to avoid all day. Her mind was already falling to reality. She was in the far past, her friends lost in the future, that was really also the past. Naraku was roaming the place. The Shikon no Tama was cloistered in her chest calling upon demons. After all, she had depended upon the Jewel to free herself from Naraku. She feared that because she had used it, she had contributed to taint it more. She was causing more trouble to Midoriko's soul.

Inu-Yasha ...

He must be so worried. When he finds out Naraku had crossed time with her, he will be terrified and the guilt he will feel might destroy him. She could imagine him, he thought of himself deep inside as weak. He would probably feel that it had been his fault for not being strong enough, for not being a full-fleshed demon. Her eyes watered at her thoughts, she didn't want that to happen. If she could only send a message telling him she was fine. But how?

She wondered if the magic well had been even constructed around this time. Seeing as she had fallen from the sky, she didn't come out from the well as she always did. At least, Naraku won't be able to return either.

She would be fine in the company of strong people. Inu no Taisho -- who a minute ago didn't seem so powerful, fighting with a miko for food... but ohh well -- he was legend so, he truly must be the character she believed him to be, or so she hoped.

Poor Inu-Yasha, she wished for him to be here, and meet his father. At least, Sesshomaru did meet him.

Sesshomaru. He looked so different. He even seemed happy. Perhaps, he was always like this, but she didn't know him very much at all. She wondered what the future Sesshomaru will think about everything that happened in battle. Will he worry about her disappearance? Or will he simply accept it and keep on as he always did?

Fate loved her, she was wrong when she said otherwise. She didn't finish, fate loved t-o-y-i-n-g with her, so all she will need to have was only faith. She will live with each passing day, and she will fight. When it's time, she will return to the Feudal Era, she was sure. Now, she will worry about this day, and tomorrow. Her concerns only regarding tomorrow...

Naraku was wearing his white baboon outfit as always. Kagura was standing next to him, always confident, and her pink eyes were cold and calculating. They were both standing in front of a giant tree.

Thousands of demons had responded to his summons. They were of many sizes and forms. He smiled pleased at them. They were impressive demons, in his time; many of them had been extinct, for he had never seen some. There were many Ogres, Onis he haven't seen some in some years too. Their strength was formidable, so was their greed. He could distinguish Dragons on the mass, two of them, the most remarkable demons. This was going to be so easy.

He was thankful that his stronger body was able to bring him enough energy to sustain such a big barrier. He counseled this meeting, not wanting his surprise to be ruined, even when it was being held miles away from the village, he wouldn't dare to take unnecessary risks.

Naraku rose his arm and let his aura run wildly. His hair floated madly with the flow of energy, and Kagura smiled contented as the wind reached her, elevating her kimono as well. The giant size of his aura, and the strength it carried was enough to silence most of the demons. Many became frightened of the one in front of them.

"I am Naraku, and I have traveled beyond time and space, and I bring news" he said with a high tone to allow all the demons to hear "There is a Jewel, a Jewel that when full, will grant any wish to its possessor..." he stopped to allow the demons to speculate around a little and let their greed grow "...the possessor is a human miko, and is hiding in the Demons Exterminator's village. Who wants the Jewel?!" he shouted the last part and as a response, the demons roared in delight "Who wants to destroy the Exterminators' village? The mikos?" He said, and an even louder roar resounded in the clearing, thankfully echoing in his barrier as they were unable to pass. "The story tells ...and they were defeated by a multitude of demons... We shall and will win. Who dares to fight to gain the Jewel?"

The demons were roaring, howling and screaming in utter happiness, their greed pouring from them in waves that surpassed an infinite sea, the clouds of hatred accompanying it, and the sun in the horizon was the desire for power that always shone in the likes of them. He had his army, he had his warriors, and he will have the Jewel. Both Jewels.

She fought for seven days and seven nights, and perished, but in that last moment, she freed her own soul, and from her heart, The Shikon no Tama was born...

He smiled in advance. He had thousands of demons to his command, more than needed for seven days and nights. He will succeed.

"Tomorrow!! My fellow demons, the Jewel will be in our hands!!" Naraku yelled. Instantly, the demons began to make preparations for the dawn to come. They are the strongest, they will reign.

Naraku exchanged a look with Kagura. She had a duty. She will be the head of the second army, the one that will engage in battle at the third day. If she did it well, then, he will grant her wish, she will be free.

She will be free at last... She will accomplish her task...

Little did she know that her plans will not come out as she thought. Two red eyes were watching her, carefully analyzing her.

Sesshomaru walked the lonely forest that surrounded the village. His senses were in high alert. His father's worries were well-based. There were no demons in the area. It felt even wrong, out of place.

Sesshomaru continued with his rounds, but he could feel an ominous presence in the area... still, there was nothing. This was making him doubtful, and for the very first time, he was unsure of the events to come. This chilly sensation was getting to his bones, making him uneasy. He was often the hunter, never the hunted, and he saw how much he liked the thrill of the hunt. Of course, now that he had a little of the counterpart, he was even pleased with himself, he could make other demons feel this way. How pleasant it is to be strong.

He found his guard duty to be useless, so he decided to return to the village and wait for what was to come. Besides, if demons approached, he would feel their presence. He just needed to be very alert.

As he walked through the silent forest, his thoughts returned to the miko, again. He was mad. He had been drawn to her, but it had not been her at all. She had been sleeping for three days straight, she had done nothing. And yet, he was being affected by her.

Insanity, maybe... all of this was rambling through his mind. He overly thought of his future self. As he always wanted to do things the right way, he obtained the result of it: a very confused mind, with a very confused self.

He will avoid her, for he was certain she was going to change him. What he resented more is that she was doing nothing. She was a human, and females of that kind were wicked, they knew how to charm, but he won't fall for that. He was stronger, even if his future self was fond of the girl; he will not be the same. He was he, not his futuristic self, not yet. He will be, eventually... Maybe, if he didn't change his future or...

He found himself realizing this mongering was taking him nowhere, resolutely deciding to stop this madness of his.

The high walls of the town and the dim light from fires that fought against the darkness of the night brought back his attention to town, to the people and to his surroundings. He expanded his senses once again, but felt no demons. He silently entered the town, thinking, it was useless to remain outside wandering any longer.

The sight that welcomed him made his blood boil. In the middle of town, where a big fire had been set to allow a better watch during guard, was seated his miko with the town's leader, Sora, and worse, they were chatting happily.

His?... Didn't he leave his madness, his particular paranoia a while ago? Well, perhaps, he solved in keeping it a little while after all.

"Hiraikotsu" he repeated in thought "that's a fine name for my weapon, thanks. You are very thoughtful, Lady Miko Kagome" he said with a big smile in his face and his eyes glimmered in contentment.

Sesshomaru couldn't help the anger that he felt, and his eyes narrowing. He was far away, but he could hear them very well. The most irritating part was that he never smiled like that, not even when talking to Midoriko. Yet, there he was, with the miko who had just returned to consciousness some hours ago. And there he was, already having such a wonderful time, as if he knew her, as if she were his best acquaintance. As if…he liked her.

"My friend, she's a demon slayer too. She uses that weapon and she was the one who named it, I am merely repeating it sir. Surely, it's the strongest one there is, but it's very hard to handle and very heavy too. You must be very skilled indeed to be able to handle it" she said politely, with a touch of amazement in her words.

"Then your friend must be a very strong and skilled girl as well" he said and suddenly stopping. He stretched his hand to touch her cheek. He began talking again, this time softly and looking at her face with an unfamiliar expression. "The same as you, my strength is nothing compared to yours, Lady Miko Kagome. So please, do not cry anymore. Everything will be all right I..." he was saying, but instantly turned as he felt Sesshomaru approaching. He quickly stood and bowed to him.

Sesshomaru nailed his golden eyes in Sora's. Sora maintained straight and unwavering. He had to admit the human was courageous, a trait hard to find in a human, but somehow he was not liking the fact that this human had it right now.

Kagome had turned in the middle of everything and was looking confused. Suddenly, she remembered that drying tears marked her face and hurried to clean them with the sleeve of her yukata.

Sesshomaru changed his gaze towards her when she turned his back and tensed. He could smell her distress, for what though, he wasn't sure. His arrival, that he had seen her crying, or because she was embarrassed at being caught.

"By your leave, Lord Sesshomaru" Sora politely said and left the place, taking his giant weapon with him and after a little bow at the miko. Sesshomaru looked at his retreating form quietly.

He turned to Kagome and saw her looking at the stars, almost ignoring him. He then looked at them as well, to see what she was so fascinated in. The truth was that for him, stars only served to guide his journeys. There was nothing charming about their sparkling attributes. Not that he hated them, but he found them almost useless. Yet, there was something he hated and that was: not knowing something. The worst was that it was an unknown gap between what he certainly knew and what he had yet to discover. He had to know everything and he wanted to know it now!

"What was the reason of your crying?" he asked, still looking at the stars. He heard her sigh next to him, still sitting next to the fire. He saw she had turned to face him, but he didn't turn to meet her gaze, keeping his eyes on the starry sky.

She stood and looked as the flames danced, letting her thoughts find their way. "Sometimes, being aware of the events to come is not the best thing, it can make one fell useless, powerless" She slowly began to walk away from him, but turned "Can one be stronger than fate?" she asked sadly.

It was then when Sesshomaru turned and looked at her. Her eyes were almost orange in color due to the fire, and he found them bewitching. He couldn't help but gulping this feeling that was threatening to come out of him. He shook his head to make his mind settle to normal again, and to rationalize what she had just said

"It can be done, as long as one fights for it" he said monotonously. His thoughts were asking himself if he really believed that, if that was the truth.

Kagome smiled sadly and began to walk away once again. "That is not true. We cannot change destiny, no matter how much we want to, and you have come to accept that as the truth in some other time, it's useless" she finally said, now walking away from him to the houses.

"Miko, where are you going? Return here this very moment!!" he said harshly due to the turmoil she caused in him with those words. He could not believe her words to be real, and the frustration of not knowing of his future self was falling on him like a heavy block of ice.

Kagome turned and her eyes narrowed in anger "My name is not miko...!!" But she stopped herself and took a deep breath. She hadn't introduced herself to him yet. "It's Kagome" she said, that last part more calmly, knowing that it was the way he normally acted when he was enraged.

Sesshomaru just looked at her with narrowed, slanting eyes. She dared to raise his voice at him. Now, he was beginning to regret allowing her to refer to him as she preferred. Perhaps, it had been a big, big mistake.

She walked towards him and stopped in front of him. She was very short, he noticed. "Sesshomaru, let me tell you this and don't you forget it. I am not your property or your slave, so don't go ordering me around, you hear me??" She said pointing her index finger at his gray helmet made from dragon scales.

This was enough, he used his tail that had been wrapped around him and caught her at the waist forcefully, and brought her to his eyes' height, of course after a little rudely shake. He locked eyes with her, he saw no fear. Instead, he saw defiance and it made him angrier.

"Miko, you will..."

"No!!" she interrupted, angered.

He, in his anger, caught her chin with his right hand covering her mouth at the same time. He set his cold eyes on Kagome in an attempt to intimidate and subdue her, but she just looked angrier. How on earth could she not fear him? He must have spoiled her too much in the future, and now, these were the consequences.

"You will show your respect to this Sesshomaru from now on, and you-will-follow-his-every-command" he said dangerously slow. She began to shudder and struggle in his hold, an internal smirk appearing in him. He had won over her.

He took his hand away from her face, and she began to scream as if she were dying. He had to let go of her and take some steps back to not fall as so low to need to cover his ears. She fell to the ground, her hands clenching her heart. She was still screaming her lungs out.

It was then when he saw that it wasn't him, something else was hurting her. He grabbed her in a second and took her in his arms. Her eyes were tightly shut and she was sweating. He searched in her for some sort of spell, but found none. He then expanded his senses for any nearby enemy, he found none either. He was greatly confused, not knowing the cause of her suffering.

His father was coming towards him. His eyes were fierce, never had he seen those eyes directed at him. His father was wearing a simple sleeping black kimono, and the upper part was open. How shameful, if there was an appropriate way to describe such exposure. That was his father after all, his sense of property and decency were not so strong.

"What have you done?" he asked with a cold voice, making Sesshomaru slant his golden eyes in disbelief at the accusation.

Kagome let out a heavy breath, and they both looked at her thinking that she had fallen unconscious, but instead, found her looking at the stars again, with a heavy breathing, her hands covering her heart. "There is a giant wave of evil nearby, and it's... coming"

To Be Continued...

JeniNeji's Note:

Ahhh My God.

This is the longest piece of work that I have done for fun. I swear. I feel like dying. But oh well, everything for the story.

So, what do you think? Has it been good so far?

Thanks to the reader, and specially to those who left some reviews!!

CocoaBeans101

Sayuri-chan 16

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darklily16

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Looks like the DNA chain, the names of the readers...

Jajaja

1, 2 and even 3 Thanks yous!!

Final Note:

I want to give special thanks to those two readers that told me about the mistakes in my writing. I hate to do things without the quality they deserve. If it wasn't for both, I wouldn't have found a beta reader. I am very sorry, for those who were traumatized by my writing, and I am grateful for those who kept reading it anyway.

Thanks again,

JeniNeji