An Inheritance of Fate by MidnightStar

A New Beginning

Chapter One: A New Beginning

Kagome had returned to the Feudal area after a long break. The final battle with Naraku had taken its toll, and all members had injuries that needed to heal. It had been three months since the three day battle took place. It was a time consuming fight for everyone including Sesshoumaru and Kouga who battled alongside Inuyasha and Kagome. Thousands of low class demons had cornered the group in a clearing about a half a day from Kaede's village.

It started with the feeling of ominous evil that permeated the area. The group was travelling to find the last of the jewel shards when Kagome suddenly stopped and stared into the forest. In a sudden burst, demons flooded the area attacking the young miko first. Inuyasha had defended her with his usual brash moves and successfully kept her breathing. The taija and the monk were holding their own, though the monk could not use kazaana; for Naraku had placed the venomous insects nearby. With his sutras and staff in hand; he fought well. The fox kit stood his ground but soon took to the edge of the forest at Kagome's command to hide. She did not want the kit to be harmed. Kirara and Sango took to the skies with hiraikostu. The first day was long and at the end with Shippo's barrier aided by Kagome's power they were safe for the moment. The second day went much like the first only the group was wearing thin and very much tired and in need of rest.

Sesshoumaru was passing by in a nearby village with Rin, Jaken and Ah Un on the second day, when he felt the battle. Leaving them in the safety of the village and curiousity overcoming his usually cold nature, he assisted Kagome and Inuyasha, not fully aware that Naraku would make a presence but hoping some information would be gained from his half brother and his group. With Bakusaiga at his side, he was confident and fluid with his sword strokes, overpowering many with a single stroke. He never said more than a word or two the whole time.

Kouga was searching Kagome out to reassert his claim upon her when he stumbled into the chaos on the third day. With two shards in his legs....Hakkaku and Ginta were accompanying him in the confrontation and fought nobly against Naraku. Kikyo had appeared with her soul stealers in tow.

Naraku had finally appeared in all of his glory to fight the supposedly weakened group at midday of the final day. He was as cold and calculating as always and dodged the attacks with style and ease. Darkness had fallen across the land and the evil permeated every living thing. It was getting tough for the group to keep fighting. The final arrow came not from one....but both priestesses. The mikos worked in concert to finally take out the evil nemesis. Kagome had secured the Shikon jewel and only had two or three shards left to find and it would be completed once and for all.

She spent the last three months tending to her friends wounds and making numerous trips between home and the Feudal Age. It was tiring as she was trying to finish the school year with honors and was catching up on all of her missed school work. For the most part, she succeeded.

Now she found herself relaxing with Sango at a nearby hot spring, taking away the stresses of dealing with Inuyasha and ready to relax for the summer. The group had scouted nearby villages for the presence of demons or hints of the last of the jewel shards, though secretly she knows where they're located. The demons had all but vanished and the quietness of the demon community concerned Kagome. It was unnatural. Kagome was staring into the deep glorious blue star filled sky when Sango brought her out of her thoughts.

"What are you thinking about, Kagome-chan?" Sango questioned quietly sighing within the hot waters. The taija definitely felt like this was needed. She snuck a sideward glance at her best friend, hoping to figure out what was bugging her.

"Inuyasha, unfortunately." Kagome responded.

"Is there anything in particular?" Sango probed sighing in contentment again within the warm cozy water.

"Just been thinking a lot." The miko started slowly, looking once again at the night sky. "I mean....." she stopped as a few small tears welled up. Kagome lifted herself up off the rock that she was resting her head upon. She turned to look at Sango, with unspoken emotions written across her face. "I just can't hurt anymore, Sango. Seeing Inuyasha earlier with Kikyo again, just stabs at my heart."

"You love him, don't you, Kagome." Sango asked softly, getting ready to comfort her distraught sister.

"Yes.....and no." came the reply which surprised the demon slayer. "Well, I love him, in a certain way.....but not the way that I thought. Does that make sense?" Kagome questioned innocently to her friend.

"I think so..." Sango replied lost in thought and contemplating Kagome's words. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I guess I grew up some, Sango. I love Inuyasha....but I'm not in love with him. It just took me a while to understand that. I see the bond he has with Kikyo and I'm foolish to think he would give that up. That's his first love." She continued; words rushing out as her mind continued quickly. "I will always be his friend....but I don't think the romance will be there." She concluded as a few tears ran down her face. "It hurts though. I just need to readjust to that thought."

There was a moment of silence between the girls as a shooting star emerged in the night sky. Kagome made a silent wish for find whatever it was she was looking for. "I just wonder if there was anyone....who would love me, for me." She murmured under her breath. She paused a moment more before turning to Sango with bright eyes and a smile after a moment. "How are you and Miroku?"

Sango blushed prettily at the question and coughed uncomfortably at the thoughts running through her mind. "The lecher." She commented about the monk.

"Having bad times?" Kagome teased with eyes alight.

The demon slayer snorted indelicately and laughed lightly, still blushing. "I don't know what I'm going to do with him." She commented lightly with a glint in her eyes. "We're doing okay. He's having trouble getting used to the fact that the wind tunnel is not there. That wandering hand of his is truly cursed with or without Kazaana!"

Both girls laughed and began finishing up their baths, chatting idly to each other and turning the mood to a lighter tone. Sango always made Kagome feel better and her mood improved rapidly. She realized then that life had a lot to offer in the way of romance, fun and everything in between. Now was the time to relax and enjoy some of the smaller things life has to offer. After another few minutes, Kagome spoke again.

"I guess we better get back before our wandering boys get any bright ideas."

"True.....I really don't feel like using Hiraikostu.....I just finished sharpening and polishing it." Sango smirked.

"And I don't want to 'sit' Inuyasha." Kagome laughed and the girls made their way to camp, enjoying the walk together.

The Lord of the Western Lands had been wandering for what seemed like forever, not knowing what he was searching for. The evil hanyou was dead and he and his entourage had healed from the injuries. With Naraku gone, the daiyoukai needed to find something else to focus on. He had settled his affairs with the lands and begun once again to patrol them. He was never one to stay in one place for very long, a trait his father had passed to him. So for now he was headed to one of the very little known areas that were under his father's control. Sesshoumaru didn't even think that Jaken knew of this play......he knew Myoga did though.

"Where are we going, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken had finally spoken as the sun dipped below the horizon, with a hint of exasperation touching his voice. They had been walking for days, only to take short breaks to allow Rin the opportunity to eat. Most of the time, she slept on Ah-Un's back.

Sesshoumaru gave the imp a cold glare, daring him to speak further. The toad had interrupted his thoughts and the dog prince was not happy. He did not break his stride and continued the short distance of the hill to overlook the lush valley which was their destination. Ah-Un carried Rin and followed behind the prince to overlook the area, leaving Jaken staring after them.

Sesshoumaru was looking for a specific area...and found it. Hidden in the deep valley was a waterfall surrounded by a small lake. It was hidden in an unobservable place, known only to his family bloodline. Hidden behind the water was a place his father used to get away from the stresses of running his territories. The spell that concealed it was masterfully done, giving normal observers no hint of what lay behind or beyond the water. It was close to the northern lands of the wolves and therefore a perfect hiding place that no one bothered. The wolves did not bother this territory and the people that lived there tended to their own business. It was a peaceful place and a good are to think and brew over situations.

Without a thought, Sesshoumaru looked at Ah-Un, gave a nod and leapt into the air. Ah-Un wrapped its tail around Rin and followed, leaving a bewildered Jaken to scramble to the edge and grab the hem of Sesshoumaru's hakama pants, praying not to meet the ground so far below. Sesshoumaru's cloud materialized beneath his feet and he unceremoniously dumped Jaken, giving a cold glare in the processes.

"F-Forgive me, Lord Sesshoumaru!" Jaken stammered. "I did not mean to intrude!" The imp bowed profusely at the Western Lord's feet.

"You will watch Rin, Jaken." were the only words spoken.

"B-B-But.....eep!" Jaken studdered, not daring to question Sesshoumaru again.

They landed softly on the ground below, with the Western Lord glaring at the servant. Ah-Un landed with Rin secured on its back. The little girl slid off and ran to Sesshoumaru waiting patiently for his attention. With a nod and a slight rising of his silver brow, he waited patiently while Rin gathered her thoughts.

"Can we do that again, Lord Sesshoumaru?" she questioned, still giddy from the flight down and with eyes big and round.

"Perhaps." He returned stoically. "We will be here for a few days." and with that strode away to a nearby tree and sat down waiting for Jaken to attend to the dragons and the girl. He turned his thoughts to the nearby entrance and wondered what he would find inside, left by his father.

Night had fallen quickly and Sesshoumaru looked at Rin lying next to the dying fire, sleeping peacefully. The moon had risen, looking much like the mark that adorned his forehead. He nodded at Ah-Un to watch over the girl and silently stood. Jaken had fallen asleep nearby and was snoring loudly, unfazed by what had happened earlier. Sesshoumaru glared at the imp, quietly wishing death upon him should anything happen to Rin and walked to the edge of the waterfall. The waters glistened with the silvery sheen of the narrowed moonlight and arcing out from the waterfall, a moonbow glistened with all the colors. Sesshoumaru looked up into the dark night sky and saw a shooting star. Idly berating himself for the foolish notion of making a wish, he turned to the doorway of his father's keep and entered.