Kagome knew it was a better time than any to forage for whatever medicinal herbs she could before the oncoming storm, but she never expected two demons to approach the village. It happened moments before the rain crashed down, just as the billowing winds cloaked the sky in a dark shadow. Two figures stood above the hill overlooking the meadow, where she and the village children had congregated shortly after visiting the Forest of Inuyasha.

Before she could usher the children toward the village, the two female demons suddenly manifested several feet away from her, and in an instant, Kagome drew her bow and notched an arrow. Nothing happened. They did not attack her but merely watched her with nothing more than subtle indifference, especially the oldest of the two, who hid half her face with an elaborate fan.

The oldest, who was also the tallest, wore a stylish kosode of magenta and blue, with silver butterflies embroidered into the silk fabric. A wide and black obi clung to her slim figure, with two silver tassels hanging from the front, her dark hair swept up into a high bun, revealing green beaded earrings with white features. Painted cherry lips and crimson eyes contrasted against her alabaster skin, but aside from that, she remained silent.

As for the youngest, Kagome couldn't describe much aside that she was very pale, with white hair to match her frosty skin, adorned in a matching kosode without an obi. And much like her female companion, she also didn't wear shoes. Her coal-black eyes stared into nothingness. It was as if she had lost the will to express any sort of emotion, and that somewhat alarmed her.

Recalling what lady Tsubaki had said about demons who take on human appearances, Kagome remained still while trying to ascertain the level of their demonic aura. Only she sensed nothing, but their appearance alone screamed demon. Warned to never underestimate their strength, she realized they must have concealed their powers, and that alone left her wondering how long they'd been watching her. It was terrifying and frustrating.

Why did they appear outside the village? Were they intending to cause trouble?

Kagome recalled the conversation she had with them:

"Do you need something?" Kagome asked, her grip tight on the string of her bow as she stood in front of the children. "If you're planning to attack this village, then you're out of luck. There's nothing to gain from that, anyway."

A scoff reached her ears as the oldest demon narrowed her gaze. "Do you often make it a habit to greet strangers this way?" She asked, lowering her fan to her side. "We were simply passing through and were curious. Trust me, if we had reason to attack, you wouldn't be standing here asking that. I have enough power to wipe out this entire village, as well as that measly barrier you've set up."

Surprised by this, Kagome lowered her bow, but kept her gaze focused intently on the slightest of movements they made. "Then… hello."

The small albino child nodded her head. "Hello…"

"Sorry about that… I didn't mean to assume, but I've had my share of rough encounters. So, you can't blame me for that. If you're only passing through, then I won't stand in your way, but I noticed you were watching us a moment ago."

"Indeed. I'm looking for someone, and I thought maybe they might live in this village, but I see we are not welcome here."

"An acquaintance?" Kagome asked, suddenly curious. "Or a loved one?"

The woman scoffed. "Love is for the weak. Neither a friend nor an acquaintance. I'm not sure who I'm looking for, but I was tasked with finding this person," She said. "I've searched all across the lands for this one purpose, and there are only a handful of villages left. I didn't expect to come across one with such a barrier."

Kagome slowly nodded, but she wasn't sure who they were searching for or why, but judging by their nonchalance, perhaps they weren't a threat after all. "I see… well… I can't let you into the village, but if I knew who you were looking for, I could certainly help."

"That won't be necessary. It's clear we must have frightened you and the children," She said, shifting her crimson gaze toward the kids huddled behind Kagome. "Perhaps, if our search fails in the last remaining villages, then we'll return."

"In that case, if you do, then I will welcome you the next time," Kagome said, before turning away from the two and ushering the children ahead of her.

"That child…" The woman said. "He's a demon."

Kagome paused and glanced over her shoulder, shifting her blue eyes between the two, and nodded once more. "Yes… He's my son."

"Your son?" The small girl asked. "But you're a human…"

"Yes… It happened last year. His mother… passed away, so I've since raised him as my own."

"Are you telling me your village accepts demons?"

"Not… at first, but they've warmed up to him. In fact, he's been nothing more than a blessing to everyone. Forgive me for not introducing myself. My name is Kagome. I am the high priestess of this village."

The demoness nodded and shared a look with her companion. "I am Kagura and she is Kanna, my youngest sister. It's interesting to know your people take kindly to demons… in some sense."

Kagome weakly laughed. "Well… I'm hoping to make it a reality in the future. I want this village to one day accept all people, regardless of their race. I don't feel anyone should be discriminated against."

Kagura furrowed her brow. "Such a strange priestess…" She said after a moment. "But… interesting. You're probably the first I've stumbled upon in many years, especially one with that mindset. I wish you luck in your endeavors, Kagome. Until we meet again…"

After that encounter, the demons left and Kagome and the children returned to the safety of the village's barrier. Once situated inside her home, Kagome wrung the sleeves of her clothing dry of water and patted her hair with a towel, and then sorted through her basket of forest ingredients. There were twelve turnips, eighteen mushrooms, a few handfuls of medicinal herbs, lavender, angelica root, rosemary, bilberry, celandine flowers, and safflower, and after she extracted those seeds, she'd later plant them in her garden.

Not long after the rain started falling and a crack of lightning lit the skies outside her open shoji screen door, a figure appeared outside her terrace. Although the sight had frightened her and spurred her to her feet, she relaxed when she realized it was only Sango. For the rest of the storm, they sat together at the low-rising table, with Shippo sleeping in his makeshift wooden cradle beside Kagome, and the slayer apologized once more for not attending the wedding ceremony. Though Kagome assured her it was a brief and rushed event and spared her further details that it was only a contract marriage. After all, this was a secret between her, Kaede and Seijun.

Although she and Sango had acquainted themselves over a short period, the two became fast friends, often sending each other letters. And during her time spent training in the Kai Province, she'd gone above and beyond to ask about Kagome's well-being through several letters. They were more like sisters than anything, and with Sango's surprise visit, having not seen her since last year, she revealed some interesting information concerning her recent missions.

One in particular focused on an ominous barrier several provinces north of them. According to Sango, a powerful demonic aura resonated from the Mutsu and Dewa Provinces, stretching further north toward Mount Hakurei, a celestial mountain known to repel all demons. But for fifty years, the celestial barrier that kept demons at bay had fallen, and now, the path leading many to spiritual enlightenment no longer existed. In fact, it was now impossible for anyone to travel that way, and according to some reports given to Sango's clan, those that entered never returned.

It was a mystery which went unsolved for several years, but she intended to change that one day, if not soon. Sango believed it was the work of a powerful demon, maybe even several, and that the barrier was slowly stretching south. One day it might shroud all of Japan, and humankind might eventually cease to exist to a terrible threat not yet discovered. It was a possibility which kept the slayers on their toes, and currently, several of her men were investigating the areas near those provinces.

Kagome frowned. "Wow… that's all news to me…"

"But that's only half of our problem. The second most concerning issue at hand is a notorious group of demons causing mischief throughout the lands, massacring village after village."

Kagome gasped. "Wait, Seijun told me about this! He said there's a chance they might pass by our village at this rate! I guess they're trying to make a name for themselves, even eliminating weaker demons."

"Yes… We learned that the one who leads his pack is called Youko Kurama. He's a silver kitsune, a powerful one at that. I briefly encountered him while on a separate mission, but unfortunately, he slipped out of my notice in an instant. They're just as treacherous as I've heard. I'm not sure where they're headed or even where they came from, but we have a separate search party keeping an eye out for them. "

"Youko Kurama?" Kagome asked. "You said he's a silver kitsune?" Her eyes shifted to Shippo, sleeping beside her.

Sango sighed. "Regardless, I don't think you have anything to worry about, now that you have a barrier erected around the village. I doubt they could pass through anyway… But there was another reason I visited you, Kagome. We received a missive from a village just two days away from here, pleading for our help against an awful demon terrorizing them. I know you recently returned to the village, but would you be interested in lending me a hand?"

At the mentioning, Kagome grinned. "Yes! I would love to! At least then I can put my training to the test!" But realizing she'd have to leave Shippo alone once again, she turned to him and smoothed out his auburn bangs from his face. "I'll have to leave him in Aiko's care… But, I have something I want to ask you, Sango."

"What is it?"

"I didn't realize he would grow so quickly in the time spent away while training. He's no longer a baby… He's talking more, even walking, and not once has he ever cried. Seijun said he observes everything around him, more so than a human child, and he seems to pick up on emotions well. Sometimes I feel as though he understands us and the situations happening around us. I suspect it's because he's a demon… Is it really instinct?"

Sango nodded. "Yes. And because he's a kitsune, he's even more empathetic than most demons. Given his current surroundings, I know in my mind he will grow up wonderfully. Though, I warn you to be careful as he gets a little older… Around his teenage years, he might attempt to run off and cause mischief, but that usually lessens once he's reached maturity."

"Thanks for the warning… But… there's something else… Look," She said, pointing toward his fox ears, and pulling down his blanket to reveal his fluffy tail. "There's a bit of silver appearing in his hair and fur."

Sango's eyes widened. "Oh? That's not so unusual, Kagome. I'm not sure if I told you, but there are only a few kinds of kitsune in the world. There are red, silver and black kitsune, each possessing similar traits, but possess different behaviors. Reds are more docile than others, preferring to play tricks on people, while the silver kitsune are a much rarer breed. The silver kitsune are vicious to outsiders, and have a tendency to attack their own kind, even humans."

"Oh, that's awful…"

"As for the black kitsune, they are friendlier to humans and demons, but prefer living in colder climates to any others, which is why we only see them in the winter. Since Shippo is a mix of red and silver, I would definitely keep your eye on him as he grows up. He will probably become a handful in the future."

Well, that was all very useful information. "Thanks for the heads-up. Once this storm clears, I'll see if Aiko can look after Shippo until we return."

"Thank you for coming along, Kagome. I appreciate it!"

After crossing through Mt. Habaki and through the winding turns of the mountain pass, they arrived in a forestry area two days later, where a small settlement laid. Mangled corpses littered the soils of this decrepit village, innards and flesh strewn about here and there, and a headcount of fifteen villagers pointing their accusations toward a massive demon dwelling on the outskirts of the settlement. His name was Jinenji, and he supposedly lived with an old witch, rumored to have cursed the village with her dark magic.

At the beginning of their investigation into this matter, Kagome and Sango speculated whether this was the truth, and their confusion only grew as a result when an older woman waved her cane at them and the other villagers. Turned out that was Jinenji's mom, or in everyone else's case, the old witch.

Jinenji's mother berated them, dismissing the dreadful attacks on their village every night by claiming her son had never left the hut. Unfortunately, it was only her word against several others. Even worse yet, the headmen of the village had lost his life shortly before they had arrived, and now the people were at their wit's end, trying their best to safeguard what was left of their home.

For three days, they remained there until a slithering creature tore into the village. Coupled with the frantic screams, a ringing bell and an ear-piercing demonic shriek, the pair jumped from their futons and exited the house, only to find the huts on fire and a terrifying insect demon pulverizing two villagers with its elongated tail. Pinchers at its base decapitated those poor souls, and their remains were fed to the newly born children.

To sum the entire situation up, it was a nightmare. Something straight out of a horror movie, but the night only worsened when Jinenji's mother sacrificed herself to save her son, and the result of that led him to muster his strength and courage to defeat the beast and its tiny vermin offspring. After that, the morning sun greeted them, and they saw the impact the attack had on the entire village. There was nothing left. Nothing to start over with, and certainly a growing fear which forced everyone to pack their belongings and start anew.

With the realization that Jinenji was not at fault for what happened in the village, everyone apologized, pleading to follow him wherever he should go. After all, they owed him that much, especially after how they treated him in the past, especially his now deceased mother. Relieved and sympathetic for everyone's loss, Kagome didn't have the heart to let them walk off with such a heavy burden to carry on their shoulders. So, she invited everyone to live in Kaede's Village.

"I won't rest easy knowing what's happened to all of you, so I'd like you all to travel back with us to Kaede's Village. We have plenty of food and space to build up new homes for each of you, and as long as you're willing to help, then there won't be any problem."

Sango smiled. "That's really nice of you, Kagome. I think that's a great idea."

Kagome nodded and approached Jinenji and grasped his massive hand in hers. "I'm sorry for what's happened to you and your mother. I know it wasn't fair, but I hope you will look past this in a new light. We all make mistakes."

"But… I'm a half-demon… How can someone like me be welcomed in your village? The last thing I want is for your people to turn against you," He said, lowering his head, tears welling in his blue eyes. "I don't want to trouble you…"

"It's no trouble at all, Jinengi. We really want you to come with us. I know I really do," She said, smiling, much to his surprise. "You see… for the longest time, we've struggled to maintain our crops. We almost didn't survive the winter because of other circumstances, and now that we're in April, I'm trying to help the village prosper before this coming winter. You're a magnificent gardener, and you can grow many plants in such a brief time span. We could really use your help, Jinengi."

"Really? But… will everyone be okay with me being there?"

"Sure they will," Sango said, smiling. "You might not be aware, but Kagome's child is a fox demon. She adopted him after his mother passed away, shortly after he was born. He's been a blessing to everyone. And you're not just amazing at gardening, but you're also very strong. I'm sure everyone would feel a lot safer knowing you lived there."

"A demon? Priestess Kagome has a demon child?" Someone asked.

"That's what I heard…"

"A village that's tolerant of demons? This is the first time I've heard of such a thing…"

"But… this is better than us wandering and scrapping for food… I'll take that over anything."

"Yeah! I'm with you on that! Thank you, priestess Kagome! Slayer, Sango!"

"Thank you for forgiving us, Jinenji!"

After that, Jinenji gathered all his and his mother's belongings and placed them into a wagon, along with his mother's corpse, wrapped in delicate cloth. He had asked Kagome if he could bury her near the village, so that he could visit her every day, and he was pleased Kagome had accepted. From there, he pulled the wagon with him on their voyage back to Kaede's Village, with the other villagers following behind on foot.

A/N

If you recall from the chapter titled "Ominous Beginning" in Temptation's Flower, Naraku had sent Kagura and Kanna on a mission to locate the Sacred Jewel. Since then, they've been searching all over for it and finally find it, now that Kagome's returned. Don't forget the beads of subjugation conceal the jewel, but some loose ends will be explained in a few more chapters regarding them and Naraku. Plus backstory on the antagonist!

Next chapter will be fully written out, and a battle will take place! :)