DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA, JUST THE CHARACTERS I INTRODUCE TO THE STORY LINE

Chapter One

The group opened their eyes once they felt the wind stop to see themselves standing on the hill top just outside Kaede's village. They collectively sighed quietly as they heard commotion coming from the bottom of the hill, looking down to see Miroku leading the way with Shippo close by and Kaede riding her horse just behind.

They stopped as they reached the top of the hill, Mirokus face lighting up as he saw his fiancés unharmed form. He walked up to her hugging her tightly, Sango smiling in return. Shippo jumped into Kagomes arms and hugged her tightly around the neck, eliciting a chuckle from her. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and looked to Kaede, who was slowly managing her way over to them after hopping off of her horse. She walked up to the group, worry laced through her words.

"Where have you been? I've been feeling a very strong aura since a few hours ago. What has happened?"

Kagome walked up to her, shifting Shippo to her shoulder, and pulled the jewel from her inner pocket. Kaedes eyes widened in surprise as she gracefully took the jewel from Kagomes palm.

"The Shikon No Tama," she whispered before looking to Kagome happily, "You've fully recovered it"

Kagome nodded before looking around, her brow furrowing in confusion. Inuyasha caught onto her look and tilted his head before being knocked to the side. Everyone took a few steps back, Kagome rushing to Inuyashas side and helped him to a sitting position. He grabbed his head and shook it back and forth, looking around to figure out what had thrown him. His vision landed on a tree demon, standing plenty tall enough to block the sun if it were high in the afternoon sky. The demon was looking to Kaede, growling as he reached for her.

Sango, Kirara, and Miroku had jumped in front of her taking swings at the demons roots and hands in an attempt to dismay him from his advancements. Inuyasha stood and placed his hand on his sword, getting ready to pull it from its sheath when a blinding white light erupted from the demon. He yelled and tripped backward, falling to the ground writhing in pain. The light seared from his stomach, and divided directions from his toes to his head, cutting the demon in half.

As the demon dissolved into ashes the wind picked up, carrying them off above the tree line. The group sat there and watched as the ashes floated away when they noticed the strange girl from the clearing that had brought them here. Miroku stiffened at the sight of the long haired girl with glowing grey eyes. Sango placed her hand on his arm, calming him with her look as he turned to her, turning back to eye the girl cautiously but more relaxed.

Inuyasha moved Kagome to stand behind him as the girl walked towards them, the glow in her eyes dimming so they were their solid black again. She stopped before Inuyasha, bowing her head the slightest bit, Inuyasha tilting his head slightly at the unrecognized gesture. Kagome put her hand on Inuyashas arm, moving around him to stand in front, lifting an eyebrow. Understanding hit her, and she bowed her head in return. The girl smirked but straightened herself none the less, closing her eyes and shaking her head.

Kagome, proud of herself, stood tall and looked back to Inuyasha who wore a look of confusion look on his face. Lady Kaede walked to stand next to the two, the others following closely behind to look at the girl. She paused for a moment before walking closer, taking in a sudden breath. She took a step back and turned to the group looking amazed.

"Do ye all know this person?"

The group just looked to her, before collectively shaking their heads in answer.

"It doesn't matter if they know me Lady Kaede, the fact is that the Shikon No Tama is home."

Kaede turned to her, silently acknowledging her plea and simply nodded before turning back to the rest of the group, speaking simply and matter of factly, leaving no room for questions.

"Come, let us place the Shikon No Tama in its home and have some supper. The village will want to celebrate."

The girl stood by a hut on the outer edge of the village, watching the festivities unfold. She furrowed her brow as she watched Inuyasha and Kagome, Sango and Miroku. She sighed as she lowered her head and closed her eyes, being startled when Kaede approached from behind speaking softly.

"Ye don't have to stay over here."

"I know Lady Kaede. Just a habbit I suppose."

"You're her aren't you?"

The girl turned and looked to Kaede with sorrow in her eyes before closing them and nodding gently. Kaede sighed and walked up to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder before looking past her at the group of friends once more.

"My elder sister once told me stories about Inuyashas father. The great dog demon, unbeatable by all," she chuckled.

"He certainly seemed that way," the woman replied.

"There was one story, told by Inuyasha to her she once told me. Of how when he was born, his father perished but it was to save his mothers life."

The woman nodded and took a breath before fully turning from the scene before them and facing Kaede. Kaede looked up to her and smiled softly, comfortingly. The woman sat down and leaned against the hut, Kaede pulling up a bucket and flipping it over to sit on it.

"Lady Izayoi was being followed for a while before Lord Inutaisho decided to chose her as his mate. This human wouldn't leave her alone though. Because of his duties and his eldest, Lord Sesshomaru, being the age he was when they met, Lord Inutaisho was gone a lot of the time. He would leave and come home to Lady Izayoi telling him how she felt as though she were being watched or wasn't alone. The great Lord decided she needed someone to be with her always while he was away. I found my first real friend in Lady Izayoi."

"You let her die then."

The woman stood and turned to see Inuyasha standing behind her. His anger lit his eyes and his hands formed fists. She took a deep breath and opened her mouth to speak when she was struck in the jaw, being shoved backward. She raised her hand to wipe the blood from her lip and smirked at Inuyasha, the rest of the group gasping when they saw what was going on.

"Inuyasha stop that," Kagome shouted.

Kaede stood and backed away from the scene, giving the two the space that they needed.

"If you were supposed to stay with her, then you're the one who let her die" Inuyasha angrily growled.

"No my lord," she replied calmly "Lady Izayoi instructed me to give her time once a week. Time when the two of you would spend it alone, completely. Without my eyes. Lord Inutaisho agreed and instructed me in the same manner. When things went bad….by the time I smelt her blood…..it was all too late my Lord. I tried to get there.."

She was silenced by another blow to the jaw, sending her backward into the dirt, sending up a small dust cloud. She coughed as she inhaled the molecules, sitting up and looking to see Inuyasha quickly walking towards her. She stood and watched as he walked forward, readying herself.

"Inuyasha stop it now!" Kagome yelled.

"Stay out of this wench!" he snarled back.

"Inuyasha, I swear to you," the girl cried "I want more than anything to go back and change what's been done."

Inuyasha drew his hand back once more, only to be stopped by the ground. A huge dust cloud flew up in the air as he was driven into the dirt. The girl stood there in shock as the dust cleared and she saw Inuyasha in a hole in the ground. The rest of the group ran up and looked to see the consequences of yet another 'sit' command shouted from the background.

Inuyasha growled and crawled out of the ditch Kagome created in her anger. He stood, his head lowered as he growled loudly. His hair whipped around his face as his body twitched in anger. The group took a collective step back, the girl looking in awe.