Hello!

I am going to try and get a good chunk of the story out ASAP and then it'll be weekly updates. Don't be afraid to follow along - I will not abandon you!

Also, lemme know if you have any ideas of where Kagome's been for these last 3 years before I release the next chapter! I feel like I may have been heavy-handed with the hints, but that's only part of the mystery! So much to be revealed! Our little Miko finally grew up, but she'd have to in order to be with our Sesshy.

Anyway, thank you so much to buzzk97 & KyraTekak for my first couple of reviews! Please continue to look forward to more from this story!

.Rilore.


"Inuyasha!" Kagome's voice rang out in the brightening sky. She looked up at the dog demon slumped in the tree. He refused to answer her call.

She felt a sliver of annoyance, but her growing laughter pretty quickly squashed it down. How many times has she yelled for her best friend? And how many times have they been in this exact position? The old days were everywhere in this village and she couldn't stop the giggles that ripped through her.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha mumbled with concern. He jumped down from the tree and gave her shaking shoulder a tap. "Are you okay?"

"Sorry, Inuyasha," she breathed out. "This just brings me back. I can't help it."

"Brings you… Back?" He looked at her with a questioning look. White hair cascaded down as he bent to look her in the eyes.

"Three years ago," Kagome clarified for him. "I still can't believe it's been that long since I've seen you guys. I really missed everyone."

Inuyasha continued to stare at her with knitted brows. "What the hell are you talkin' about, Kagome? You've been here for months already."

"I know, I know. Anyway, we gotta get going if we're gonna make it to the East villages anytime soon."

"I've been ready. It's you guys that always take forever," he said, crossing his arms.

"Sure," Kagome rolled her eyes at the hanyou. "Hopefully we can get a look at some of these soldiers! I wonder if Sango could recognize the armour."

"If that bastard's information was correct," Inuyasha commented.

"We already talked about this!" Kagome felt some of that irritation come back. Yup, they were definitely back to their old ways. "Why the heck would he lie to us? That wouldn't make any sense at all."

Inuyasha just shrugged and started walking off as if he wasn't just muttering to himself in a tree a moment ago. She could still sense his frustration, though.

They made their way back to the others without another word. Kagome wasn't sure if he was fuming over the fact that it was her he gave the information to, or that he actually knew way more than they expected. It was his lands after all that were being covered in blood. Of course, Inuyasha took it as some sort of competition, but did Sesshomaru? She thought that teaming together to defeat Naraku had forced them to grow closer. She had to settle on the idea that it probably wasn't ever going to truly happen.

"We're all ready!" Miroku waved them over. "Finally done moping, Inuyasha?"

"Mind your own damn business!" Inuyasha snapped. "Let's go already."

They made their way down the roughened dirt path as the sun finally sat atop the clouds. Kagome settled into her secrets as they traveled. She had fully expected the romance between her and Inuyasha to have continued after she arrived in the feudal era, but every time she looked at him, she could only be brought back to those three years.

. . .

Kagome felt her entire body begin to tremble as the world faded away. Her vision blurred and she felt the jewel in her hands grow heated. It burnt against her skin, but she couldn't move. Her entire being quaked with energy until there was nothing left to make sense of. Complete darkness.

She awoke to a light breeze brushing against her raw skin. Kagome found herself in the middle of a field of flowers. The sweet scent of the field pulled her the rest of the way from the land of dreams. She sat up and looked around knowing exactly where she was. This is just outside of Kaede's village! She was still in the feudal era! The jewel didn't bring her back to her time after all.

She glanced at the empty area and couldn't help but wonder where everyone else was. Why did the jewel bring her here? She wanted to yell out, but her words wouldn't come. Was she afraid? Tired? Injured?

She stretched, feeling her limbs' fluid motions. She felt fine—unscathed. She lifted herself, glancing around the area once more. Kagome began walking, she knew that if she just went toward the dense trees, the village should be just beyond.

Rumblings of a busy street sound ahead as she made her way over. She rushed forward, but her feet froze just a moment later. The village was different. It seemed smaller. Oh no! A demon must have attacked while they were gone. It leveled a third of the homes!

Kagome ran and grabbed the first person she saw.

"Where is Kaede?!" She demanded. This was bad! How many died?

The woman's eyes widened as she yelped and shoved at Kagome. "What do you want from me?!"

"It's me Kagome. Please! What happened here? Where is Kaede?!"

The woman continued to stare wildly at her as a small crowd surrounded them.

"Who is that woman?" A man mumbled.

"Look at the way she's dressed. Is she a foreigner?" A young woman wondered.

Huh? Kagome looked around at the unfamiliar faces of the villagers. She's been living in this village for years. Where was everyone? She didn't recognize a single face here.

"Can anyone tell me where to find Kaede?" Kagome pleaded to the murmuring crowd. What in the world was going on here?

"She must be in league with those demons! Look at her skin!" One man yelled suddenly. Kagome backed away at the surge of the villagers and looked at where they all began to stare. Her hands maintained their normal pale complexion, but there was a new addition of color. Swirls of glimmering pink and speckled black ran along her wrists. She pulled back her sleeves to expose that they continued halfway to her elbow, ending in slanted points.

She touched the new markings, and just beneath her fingertips, power thrummed. They reminded her of the two sides of the jewel. There was the pearl-like light that glowed pink. And the celestial night sky of the darkness that lay within the tainted jewel. But, she couldn't sense the thing anywhere. Okay, now she was freaking out. Her heart sounded in her chest as she saw her hands had begun to violently shake.

Before she could even try and wrap her head around her new cosmetic features, the villages began to close in on her.

"Hold on, I'm human. You know me! Inuyasha and I have been here for years. Sango and Miroku must be somewhere!" She turned to the scouring faces around her.

"Grab her!" A man screamed from the back.

"Don't you dare touch me!" Kagome yelled back, but it didn't seem like they were going to listen. And so, she did what she needed to. She shoved through the unknown villagers and ran.

She felt a jolt of pain as her feet carried her down the dirt path. She glanced back to see them throwing things in her direction. Something smacked her right in the cheek and she gasped from the contact. It was a rock! They were throwing rocks at her!

"I regret every single time I ever saved your sorry butts! See if we ever do it again after this!" Kagome screamed as she hurried back into the forest. What the hell has gotten into them? And why didn't she recognize anyone? Maybe they were possessed… And perhaps she just hadn't noticed the newer faces. The village had been growing so much recently. It was just all so weird. And where the heck was everyone?!

Kagome didn't stop running. Her fear fueled her longer than she expected and it was well into nighttime before she finally hunkered near a tree. She was terrified of being on her own. She knew that she could survive, but she didn't like all of these unanswered questions.

She plopped down and felt tears finally spring to her eyes. What was she going to do?

"What is the matter little human?" A cool voice rang out. The forest became heavy with power as Kagome looked up, trying to find the source. "I could smell your blood from miles away."

Oh no! A demon! She sprang to her feet, preparing to either run or fight.

"What do you want?! Who are you?!" She glared around the dark forest. And then she saw something that made her stomach lurch.

Yellow eyes stared at her from the shadows and white hair soon came into view.

. . .

"So, I must know," Sango sped up to walk beside her friend. "How did you convince Sesshomaru to give up the information?" Kagome was pulled from her thoughts by the demon slayer's words and the hand that gripped her shoulder.

"Oh, well I just helped him out with something, that's all," Kagome said, looking away. It wasn't her place to divulge his secrets. No one knew about his arm lacking its markings and full strength. At least, she didn't think anyone knew. "Lord Sesshomaru is way more understanding than anyone really gives him credit for, ya know."

"Lord Sesshomaru?" Miroku spoke up. Oh. Whoops. Kagome felt her blood freeze at the slip-up. Her mind whirled, trying to come up with something to cover the obvious mistake.

"I mean—yeah. He was pretty considerate giving us the information so that we could help out. Just thought he deserved a little extra respect is all," she felt the lie and couldn't help the guilt that continued to collect in her heart.

"Ah, yes. It seems that you are even keeping secrets with him. Are you sure that we were the first ones you sought out after you came back, dear friend?" Miroku said with a smirk.

"Miroku!" Kagome chastised.

"Keh. What are you all blabbering about?" Inuyasha swooped down beside them.

"Nothing," Kagome answered. She glared over to Miroku who gave her an innocent smile. "How was it ahead?"

"I can't smell any demons. Looks like it might be a while further until we get to the right place," he responded. Inuyasha continued to stare at Kagome, but he didn't say anything further.

"What is it?" She questioned. Did he see something up ahead? Or was there something on her face?

"Nothing." Inuyasha tore his eyes from her and leaped away, continuing his scouting ahead. He wanted to ask her. He's been wanting to ask her ever since she came back to them, but he couldn't. There was some wall that Kagome had erected between them since her return. He assumed it was the time apart at first. It had been so long, but the more they spoke and spent time together, he could see the strength in her barrier.

Everyone noticed the slight differences within her. She would react harsher sometimes, or she'd disappear into herself with such a pained look on her face. Or now, when she'd meet his eyes and she'd look so sorry. He wasn't even sure if she knew she was doing it.

When Kagome finally came back to them, she had only said that life in her time was the same as it always was. And that was it. She didn't look or smell any different than before, but there was something inside of his beloved friend that he couldn't reach. And he wasn't sure when he became someone she couldn't rely on.

. . .

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken yelled as he traversed the sky with Ah-Un. He had finally been reunited with his Lord, only for him to disappear on him again. "Lord Sesshomaru! Why did you leave me?!"

He glanced behind him at the empty seat. He had despised the little human child when Lord Sesshomaru originally took her in, but they had grown so close. He felt his little demon heart longing for the soft voice of Rin. Perhaps he could convince Lord Sesshomaru on a visit soon.

Silver hair finally caught his attention. "Lower us, beast! Lord Sesshomaru is just below!" Ah-Un gave a short huff before descending.

Leather-clad demon feet touched the ground as he ran to his master. "Oh, my Lord! I was so worried that I would not find you!"

"Hn," was his master's only reply. Sesshomaru had smelled the burning flesh of the villagers long before his eyes set upon the village. It looks as if the witch's soldiers became carried away with their bloodlust. The entire area had been burned to the ground. He glanced up at the full moon. So, their information was accurate. How long has this been going on?

"My Lord, was this the witches again? I thought they only took several humans to sacrifice. They burnt an entire village this time. What do they want with so many human souls I wonder?" Jaken mused aloud as he stared at his Lord. He did not receive a reply, but he knew that Lord Sesshomaru was the one to figure it all out before it was too late. There wasn't a single creature on this land that could beat his master.

"Jaken," Sesshomaru said. "Return home."

"B-But My Lord!" Jaken began his protest until his eyes settled on the Western Lord's. "Ah, yes. At once, My Lord! Will you be following behind?"

Sesshomaru turned and began walking away. The green demon understood that he would get no answer and hung his head low. He was no longer needed.

. . .

Inuyasha stiffened as he felt the heavy presence of demonic energy. "What the hell!"

The rest of the group postured and looked around, ready for the impending fight. "What is it, Inuyasha?" Sango was the first to ask.

"Is it them?" Miroku looked around. "I do not sense an evil presence."

"Neither do I," Sango nodded, continuing to glance around. Kagome shoved off of Kirara. They had been traversing the mountain range for days and were supposed to be arriving at a village in just a few hours. Could they have stumbled on the soldiers already? She wanted to flex her reiki energy and investigate, but she knew better. She couldn't stop the way her body reacted on pure instinct and barely kept her control in check. She would, though. For everyone's sake.

The ground rumbled beneath their feet as a roar echoed in the distance.

"I smell magic. It's different though. It smells like water, but there's something old mixed in. Like some corpse."

"Do you believe it is necromancy?" Miroku eyed the distance, trying to sense the magic Inuyasha spoke of.

Inuyasha shook his head, sniffing the air. "No, it's not like that demonic witch that brought Kikyo back." He ran ahead before stopping and turning back. He gestured in the air. "Over there!" And then he was leaping into the air.

Miroku took off in a run as Sango and Kagome hopped on Kirara's back. They trudged ahead until they heard the sounds of water rushing and something very much like stomping.

Inuyasha rounded the mountain's edge first and stumbled on a massive cliff ending in a powerful waterfall. That wasn't the first thing he noticed, though. The very first thing Inuyasha saw was the giant blue dragon as its steel eyes found him.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Kagome exhaled as they fell in step behind Inuyasha finally.

"Perhaps this may be a fight we do not wish to engage in," Miroku breathed out. Despite his words, he clenched his staff. Miroku could sense the demonic aura from the beast now, and it was coated in death.

Inuyasha called from a few feet ahead. "There's humans behind him."

"They're kids!" Sango yelled as she saw the small bundles shaking behind the dragon. They were dangerously close to the edge of the peak. The dragon took a step closer, its clawed foot vibrating the earth as it stomped forward. And then it roared. Kagome instantly clasped her ears as the sound bore its way through her skull.

"Gah!" Inuyasha seemed to take a heavier hit of the sound as he fell to his knee, grabbing for his head. The entire group squirmed as it finished its warring bellow.

"That was ridiculous! Don't let it do it again, Inuyasha! Take it down!" Kagome felt her inner cheerleader rise to the occasion. She was equal parts horrified and terrified, but she knew that he could handle this. He's already taken down a dragon after all.

"Thanks for the permission!" Inuyasha barked out, but there was a smirk on his lips. He was in his element. He rushed forward, pulling tetsusaiga from its sheath. He leaped in the air and instantly went for a killing blow at the creature's neck. A claw rose to instantly bat away the sword as it barely missed its intended target. Inuyasha dropped to the ground but didn't hesitate to go for another swipe.

"We need to gather the children. Inuyasha will not be able to use his full power until they are safe," Miroku said, turning to the rest.

"I got it!" Sango glanced over to Kirara who instantly understood and they took off in the air without a second's hesitation.

Kagome felt her fingers itch with the need to do something. She wasn't used to sitting on the sidelines anymore. "My turn!" She reached back for an arrow, quickly knocking it.

Just ahead the dragon dove forward, teeth gnashing for Inuyasha.

"Not happening, you scaled snake!" He yelled as he went low, only to come up on the other side of the beast. He lunged and tore tetsusaiga through its side. Another horrible roar came from the beast, nearly taking them all to their knees.

Sango appeared behind the dragon and began collecting the three little lumps. She placed the third child on the back of Kirara. The dragon suddenly turned from Inuyasha and those steel eyes landed right on Sango.

"Go, Kirara!" she yelled as the cat took off. Sango whirled with hiraikotsu, sending it flying with an expert throw. Its long-clawed hand rose to knock the weapon from the air. At the same moment, Kagome unleashed her arrow. It sliced right through the arm of the dragon, separating the limb from the owner.

A piercing scream rang through the air as the beast lunged forward. Kagome was ready to run, but the dragon flew instead of attacking. It gained height in the air and circled them just above. The group reunited in the center of the cliff as they stared at the muscled form glaring down at them.

"Nice shot," Inuyasha commented.

"Yes! Thank you, Kagome. That was a close call," Sango followed up.

"Eh, you two had it handled. I just wanted in on the fun, too"

The dragons' energy pulsed around them as magic began to fill the air. The river behind them became pulled by some unseen force. It rose completely and barreled toward the dragon. The water encircled him before crashing into his body as a light began to emanate from it.

"I'm gonna guess that's not a good thing," Kagome mumbled.

"Over there!" Miroku yelled. They looked across the way and saw a cavern embedded into a nearby rocky hill. At the edge of the rock was a woman. She was bathed in blue light as she held her hands out.

"Keh! So, we finally found one of those witches," Inuyasha spat.

"What should we do?" Sango questioned as she stared from the dragon to the demonic witch.

"I'll take care of the dragon and then her," Inuyasha responded with confidence.

Miroku shook his head. "As much as I believe in you, my friend. I do not believe she will be sticking around for long."

"Agreed," Kagome said. "How about you and Sango take care of the dragon? And Miroku and I will get to her. Kirara will keep the kids safe. We just have to hurry."

"No! I have no idea how dangerous she is. I'll finish this up quickly!" Inuyasha countered instantly.

"They already left, Inuyasha!" Sango let a laugh escape her as she watched Kagome and Miroku make their way to the next ridge.

"Break's over!" Inuyasha yelled as he readied himself. The dragon was barreling toward them—with all four of its limbs. "Stand back, Sango!"

The dragon's energy pulsed behind its fangs as it let out a powerful roar of fire. It barreled toward the duo with an alarming speed. Inuyasha straightened, tossing his sword in position.

As the dragon neared and the fire breath was just ahead, he let loose. "Backlash wave!" Air rippled around the cliff's edge as the youkai of the attack fought against Inuyasha's power. The wave finally overtook its opponent and Inuyasha could feel the ripples of power slam into the dragon. Inuyasha grabbed Sango and leaped back as its body slammed against the rock surface as lightning simmered its flesh.

"You really did take care of it quickly," Sango noted. Inuyasha gave a triumphant scoff as he set her back down.

"Of course I did. I thought everyone would know better than to underestimate me by now." They broke into a run to glance over the edge only to freeze. Miroku was slumped down to the ground and the witch and Kagome were nowhere to be seen.

Inuyasha grabbed for Sango again, quickly making his way to the monk. She ran to him the second her feet touched the rock and knelt by his side. "What happened?!"

Miroku sputtered as he clenched his stomach. "She possessed the water somehow. It attacked me and I couldn't stop it. The witch. She took Kagome."

. . .

Kagome felt the edges of her consciousness struggle against the darkness that kept pulling her in. Finally, she opened her eyes. She was slumped against the side of a building. A small hut it seemed. She cursed the throbbing in her head. The witch had knocked her out. She wasn't expecting the physical blow. She had been prepared for magic—not that.

She began to shake her head, but the pain that laced through her refused to offer such free movement. What would he say if he saw her now? How embarrassing.

"Oh? You're awake?" the woman beside her spoke. Kagome looked up at the witch. She was a little taken aback by the woman's features. She was beautiful. Her eyes were ocean blue and so soft, just like the tufts of long brown hair. She had a slightly plumped face that made her look like some marble statue she'd see at a museum. Was this really one of the witches that's been sacrificing dozens of humans?

"Hopefully my little pet killed your companions," she said low. Even her voice was smooth and elegant. "I had planned on killing you. Until I saw you use your powers, priestess. You'll serve as a very powerful sacrifice indeed." Well, at least she didn't have to wonder about the woman's involvement for very long.

"You better hurry up and let me go, lady. My friends will come for me. There's no way they fell to some overgrown lizard!" Kagome sneered.

"How cocky for a pathetic human. Even if they survived, we're already days away from where they were. You're going to die, human. And you're going to help us get one step closer to meeting the goddess," the witch let out a little chuckle. Kagome ran her words back. Did she say they were days away?!

"Days? It's been days?!" she gasped.

"No, you stupid thing," she smirked before giving Kagome another punch to the gut. This time, she stayed awake, but she couldn't stop the vomit that shot out of her. She leaned over and wretched, feeling the humid grass beneath her fingers.

"Gross! Stop that at once!" the woman yelled, jumping back. And she called Kagome pathetic… What a disgrace to demons.

"Well, then maybe don't hit the human," Kagome coughed out. She wiped at her soured mouth as she leaned back against the wooden surface. She wondered then what the woman had meant. Perhaps there was some sort of teleportation type of magic that she used. Was it really possible that they were so far from where she'd been taken from? So… If she used her powers, no one would know, right?

Kagome glanced up at the witch as she fussed with ingredients in a small basket. "What Goddess were you talking about?"

The witch didn't stop her movements, but she answered. Perhaps her impending death earned her a few answers. "The goddess. Amaru. She will rid these lands of those that don't follow in her name."

"And what exactly is she the goddess of?" That won Kagome a raised brow, but she went back to organizing and crushing certain leaves.

"It doesn't matter for you. You will never know her."

"So, what you're saying is you're sacrificing all these people—and me—to bring some lady back from the dead? How original," Kagome replied with a scoff.

"You will not provoke me. You will be dead soon enough, human."

"At least tell me how much longer until we get there. I want to know how long I have to live," Kagome stared directly at the witch. She needed more information. She needed to know where the rest of them were.

"Oh, don't you worry. It'll be tonight."

"Tonight? Don't sacrifices normally need to be in some special place? Kinda phoning it in aren't you?"

The witch stood and gave Kagome a curious expression before walking into the small hut. She waited for an answer, or some sort of reply, but she didn't get one. Should she escape now? What if the rest show up tonight? Kagome eyed the surrounding area before glancing at the setting sun. She'll wait.

. . .

Sesshomaru continued to fly through the night air. He was almost there. The smell was getting stronger—nearly upon him.

He saw a faint light ahead and descended to the trees. He ensured his aura was as tampered as he could allow it to be without affecting his senses. As he followed the scent of magic, he had picked up another smell entirely: Kagome.

He imagined the human woman had been captured once again. It seemed she was often pulling the attention from her group through these little excursions. He recalled that he had rescued her more times than he had wished. If she was youki, he would have demanded her to acknowledge the debt of life she'd owe him.

His left hand flexed as he recalled what she'd recently given him. Perhaps, even if youki, she had repaid it in full. Sesshomaru heard voices just ahead as he neared the faint candlelight flickering against the shadows of the night.

He continued forward and looked around a grouping of trees. And he nearly bit his tongue with surprise at the sight before him.

He watched as Kagome held the demonic sorceress in the air with her reiki. It acted like a cloud as the pink material enclosed around the demon's waist—sending out bolts of purification. His eyes landed on the human Miko to find her skin marred with markings. They slightly glowed as the thin swirls snaked around her wrist and exposed collarbone. Her kimono had been torn. A sleeve was slashed through as the collar settled just below her shoulder. Spots of her blood splattered against the pale red material.

Those markings on her skin were not there the last he saw of her. They were the decorations of a demon. Did the witch give them to her, or was this part of that change he had sensed in her earlier?

Sesshomaru took her in as a wave of her power slammed into him. And he took a step back. He immediately fixed it, by inching forward and daring his body to try and react in such a dishonorable way again. It had been done, though. The power within her was unexpected and much stronger than half the demons he knew. Perhaps, even more than that.

He felt his temper rise as questions continued to fill his mind.

"How many of you are there?!" Kagome yelled at the demon witch.

"Nine!" the woman screamed. "There are nine of us!" That's when it occurred to Sesshomaru what exactly was happening here. The human Miko was torturing the demon for information. He nearly let the control of his youki slip as he took the young woman in.

He felt his demonic blood rise as it heated against his flesh.

"Where is your little hideout?" Kagome questioned next. She felt like throwing up. Each time the woman screamed, she could feel her stomach twisting. She knew it was necessary, but she didn't have to like it. She had sworn that she could hold onto her humanity and still survive in this world. The feudal era had been her true home the moment she stepped foot here. She missed her family, but this was her life now. And she'd protect not only her feudal family but the innocent lives that lived here.

"I cannot say! I cannot say!" the woman yelled.

A small tingle rolled up Kagome's spine as she felt the gnawing sensation of being watched. Oh, for all that is good in his world, please don't let it be Inuyasha. Kagome turned slowly toward the intruder.

Yellow eyes watched her as they came closer to the small clearing. Kagome felt her blood run cold as she nearly wavered on her feet.

"This is…" Sesshomaru began. His voice was low and icy. "Rather an unexpected sight human Miko."