'Once I was'

~ ~Once I Was~ ~
~ ~ Truth ~ ~

His heart was pounding in his ears as he raced through the trees. The sun was raising and Kami he was still running. Just a little longer and they would be over the boundary that marked the Western lands. Shinzaburo briefly glanced at the female in his arms she stilled looked as if she was in some kind of trance and he wished she would snap out of it already.

Nothing made sense, why would she wander away? Why would she be any where near that Taiyoukai?

A series of roars ripped through the forest, fear spread through his body. The Taiyoukai was pissed and Kami help them if he caught them. Crossing over the boundary he felt another Taiyoukai rushing toward them from the front. Kami he hoped it was his father because it felt awful familiar, and he knew he could hardly take on one Taiyoukai but two he knew he didn’t have a chance. He hated this but knew there was no way he could save the female in his arms if something was to happen.

Reality was setting in slowly for Kagome; she felt herself moving and the feel of claws biting into her flesh. She looked up into the face of Shinzaburo, his eyes straight ahead his lips set in a frown. She felt the pounding of his heart, and panted breathe. Just the hell happen? The last she remembered was feeling sleepy and settling back on a limb high a tree.


~ The night before~

After hours of watching the palace of the moon a slight warm breeze and the sway for the tree branch lured Kagome into a light sleep. She floated for hours in the darkness of her dreams going no where. For the first time it was peaceful as if someone was waiting just beside her guiding her floating steps to no where.

After finding peace after so long in her dreams she did not want to wake, but someone kept calling her. Kagome looked to her left to find a sleeping Shinzaburo, ’okay then who’s calling me?’

It was a light voice on the breeze that sounded almost like. ‘Mother’

Kagome wasted no time leaping from the branch and chasing the voice that called to her. Her heart raced ’it has to be mother’ she thought running through the trees. She paid no mind to where she was going, or that the usual creatures of the night were now gone from sight as she moved forward. Panting for breath she stopped outside a familiar ring of trees, and moved swiftly through them into the clearing. She hid under the thick fog that seems to engulf the area. After taking a few deep breaths to calm her thundering heart she stood. The figure she saw made her breath stop for a moment, nothing could have prepared her for this…

*88*
Sesshoumaru was about to turn in for the night when he saw the barrier around the clearing pulse then settle. No even dared to enter the place it was the only spot that he could still feel close to Kagome. And someone dared to enter and spoil the purity he strove to hold on too. They would pay with their lives was his only thought as he swept through the palace and out the gates. He easily moved through the barrier without a problem his golden glaze sweeping the area. The trees glisten as if it had rained when he knew it hadn’t, a thick fog blanketed the area covering the emerald grass and mirror like lake.

Stepping from the trees he was determined to find the intruder that spoiled this holy place. A place only meant to be looked upon by him and the female that held his heart.

But he saw nothing only a light pink glow from beneath the fog he looked around. He saw movement as the figure stood the fog seemed to roll off what could only be a female. His mouth open to demand the person explain themselves when she stood their eyes locked. His heart thundered his mouth went dry; he could not look away or blink. Great Kami it had to be his imagination this could not be real. It had to be the fog it was messing with his mind he knew this could not be real; she would not be here of all places.

“Kagome,” he whispered through a tight throat his voice deep and rough with longing. “No,” his voice stronger then before seeing her moving back as his steps brought him closer to her.

They both stilled as the Tenseiga begun to glow and pulse at Sesshoumaru’s side. They watched as it tore itself from its sheath and flew into the ground between them. The glow grew and broke apart forming two spheres; the two spheres grew to form two people. One male the other female in shadowy form.

”In this special place where the first spell was cast to enslave my bloodline,” The female spoke her voice soft floating on the breeze.

“In this place where my bloodline wronged yours,” The male spoke as well his voice deep and rough.

“Two shall meet and break the unnatural curse . . . My daughter” the woman spoke and looked to Kagome who found herself unable to move. She stared into the eyes of her own mother in shock, feeling her powers flare to life as if being called.

“And right the wrong from so long ago . . . My son,” the male added and looked to Sesshoumaru who also found himself unable to move. His golden glaze finally looked from Kagome to the figure of his father. He felt the flare of Kagomes powers and his own dark energy.

Their thoughts were the same ‘just what the hell was happening here?’

“For so long we have waited and watched for this moment unable to move on until you two were together again”

“Our two children so full of hurt and longing. Our two children who should have been together. If not for our failing as parents we would have seen what was before our eyes so long ago.”

“Do not fear this Kagome, Sesshoumaru this our last gift to you both.” she spoke feeling them trying to pull back free of their hold. “This spell was woven by us for you both. You have shown us what we though impossible is possible.”

The pulse of Tenseiga, Kagome and Sesshoumaru’s combined powers shattered the barrier placed around the meadow.
*88*

Shinzaburo woke to find Kagome missing and followed her sent but found it had disappeared at the meadow he could see clearly but found he couldn’t enter. He tried for a few minutes and could find no weakness in the barrier. He found himself imaging all kinds of horrible things happening to his tigress if the Western lord found her so close to the palace.

When the barrier shattered he took to the trees wanting to avoid the unnatural fog that seem to pour from the area. Something was wrong he could feel it something was happening but he thought of only saving Kagome from what ever fate she had placed herself in. It was the least he could do after her saving him so many times.

With that thought in mind he leapt from branch to branch till the clearing was in sight. He saw the two shadowy figures but could not hear what they were saying. Shinzaburo took one look at the Western lord and panic, he had to put a stop to what was happening. He quickly reached down and snatched Kagome up into the trees and took off.

The pulse of Tenseiga died out as Kagome was taken from the meadow and Sesshoumaru seem to snap out of his trance. The figures were forcibly thrown back into the sword but he paid that no mind. Seeing Kagome being pulled up into the trees he roared seeing red and took off after the kidnapper. ’no one will take her from me again’

Tenseiga hummed with energy and the meadow was once again sealed from the outside world.

~Now~

The tiger youkai stared shocked as his son raced toward him carrying what looked like a female. A human female but something was different she felt unlike any human he ever met. He watched as her eyes opened and it hit him like a cave in. Only two females had eyes like those, and the power he sensed within her.

Shinzaburo took in his father with a happy glaze, never had he been happier to see him. But he wasn’t looking at him he was looking at the now awake wake Kagome as he let her down to her feet.

“Father,” he started but was cut off as he was engulfed into the larger Tigers arms.

“It is good to see you again my son Kami I had worried I would never see again.”

“It is only because of my tigress that I stand before you,” He jested to Kagome who stepped back from the two looking strangely at the tiger Taiyoukai of the north. She prayed he would not remember her but her prayers went unanswered.

“Great Kami Kagome,” the taiyoukai of the north started after looking her over. “Lord Inu Tashio had ever taiyoukai looking for you girl. Where have you been? Never mind” he finished knowing the girl couldn’t speak.

“You know my tigress father?” His father gave him a sharp look.

“You would know her too if you paid attention ever once in a while. This is the girl that was spoken of during almost every meeting of the lords. The one the former Western Lord said was wronged by his clan and her own sister.”

“That couldn’t be right father my tigress said she was sold like a common slave.”

“Listen to your father cub for he speaks the truth. I should kill you for taking what is this Sesshoumaru’s” Kagome felt him before he spoke as she whirled around to face him.

“It is not my fault you sold my tigress like common trash and left her to waste away in that hell hole,” Shinzaburo growled.

“My Kagome is not your anything you test my patience cub walk away. Your father will not be able to save you from my wraith.” his golden eyes never strayed from Kagomes form as she looked every where but on him. He growled his displeasure but she ignored him and turned back to the two tigers which displeased him even more. His cold mask never faltered even through his emotions where eating him alive, on top of everything the creature within him was struggling to be set free, it like him did not like the fact that Kagome smelled like the tiger cub.

“Now look here Lord Sesshoumaru I will not let you harm my son. I am sure there is a reasonable explanation as too why they are together. Right Shinzaburo?” He looked to his son who looked too Kagome. She nodded and he sighed running his fingers through his hair.

“I was captured father by a youkai who wanted to forcible send you a message. I was to be tortured and my dead corpus thrown at the gates of my home” His father gasped but he continued. “But it wasn’t to be because the place where they took me, my demise was stopped by my tigress here.” he waved to Kagome his statement earned him another vicious growl from Sesshoumaru. “We have been cellmates for these last two years until the fortress was attacked weeks ago. It was her quick thinking that got us both out of there and I promised my tigress I would keep her safe father.”


“You have your answer Lord Sesshoumaru now that Kagome is under my protection you may go.”

“You dare try and keep me from what is mine Lord Essen,” Sesshoumaru growled drawing closer to the three.

“She is not yours, she is mine,” Shinzaburo growled back at the enraged youkai lord.

“I think not cub,” Kagome had heard enough she was no ones property and would not be spoken as such. She drew in-between the two and gave Shinzaburo a displeased looked to which he drew back. She knew this would not end well for Shinzaburo which would cause his father to get involved and she didn’t want to think about that. She whirled around to face Sesshoumaru who looked smug. *leave him alone* was hissed across his mind.

Sesshoumaru flinched it had been to long and he was not use to her entering his mind any more. He glared over her shoulder at the two tigers and hissed. “Leave us”

“I will not leave you to hurt my tigress,” Shinzaburo stated shaking his fathers hand from his shoulder. Sesshoumaru angrier got the better of him his hand reached for Tokijin but he stilled wide eyed as Kagome already had her sword drawn and to his neck. Essen drew his son away from the scene.

“Come Shinza we are going home your mother was worried sick boy.”

“But father?”

“Remember young Kagome if there is every a time you need a home my offer of protection still stands. You are welcome in the Northern Lands. Now come Shinza let them handle this it is of no consider of yours.” Kagome nodded not taking her eyes or sword from the Taiyoukai in front of her. She felt the two as they raced away from the area and she within drew her weapon. They could still hear Lord Essen growling at his son.

Sesshoumaru was furious inside that she would protect that cub. She choose that cub over him and it hurt and only fueled his angrier.

“So your loyalty lies with that cub,” he spat she just shrugged and glared at him. He dared to question her loyalty when he and his sire threw her away like she was nothing. For a few moments she entertained thoughts of killing him but they ended as quickly as they came.

Sesshoumaru angrier died away as he looked her over with a sigh. She stood before him ethereal like a goddess the wind blowing through her ankle length raven hair and for the first time he noticed the white streak. *stop staring at me* she hissed again causing him to flinch.

Because of his stubborn nature he didn’t look away afraid if he took his eyes off her she would disappear again. By Kami he had dream of this so often it didn’t feel real at all. Sesshoumaru couldn’t help himself as he reached for her just to have her move out of reach. Sesshoumaru let his hand drop with his eyes before he spoke.

“We have searched for you Kagome,” he stated. *lies, why search for what you never wanted?* she hissed.

“Kagome. . .before you were born I wanted you by my side. How can you say you were not wanted?”

She growled and narrowed her eyes but stayed as silent as ever. All he spurted was lies and she wouldn’t answer him. Why should she when he had proven to her, she was nothing in his eyes a common slave to be sold. *how easily you forget *

“I don’t forget and have never forgotten what was done to you Kagome. By the gods woman if I did not want you why would I be here now? You are mine Kagome and have always been no amount of time apart can change that. Even you yourself prove that even now. Do you not remember your promise when you came into this Sesshoumaru’s care?” he watched as she got that thoughtful look in her eyes then touched her long tresses.

How could she forget it was first time he had told her she was beautiful even more beautiful then the night sky. She was barely even twenty at the time he made her swear to never cut her raven hair after Kikyo had cut it the day before in angry. And in all this time she never had…that is.

*I have no home,*she hissed into his mind pulling the mass of hair tight in her fist.
*I have no lands,* with the other she pulled her sword again.
*I have no lord,* his golden eyes widen her sword was once again sheathed her raven tresses stopped at the nape of her neck. She held her hand out to him opening her fingers; letting the wind carry away the hair she had sworn never to cut. After all this time after all the searching and what was it all for she was rejecting him she was rejecting his claim. But what did he except

“Kagome,” he started she looked up at him with such hatred it made him take a step back. He started again after swallowing the lump in his throat and meeting her stare. He would not back down not now, he had waited too long for this day and she would hear the truth if it killed him. ’Then maybe she can find it in her heart to forgive me and come home. We can start over I know we can’

“Kagome my father took to his grave a heavy heart for not being able to change what he did. For not being able to find you and beg for your forgiveness. As the current lord it is now my place to ask for forgiveness in his place for both my father and myself. My father for not believing in you or your word that day so long ago when you were questioned. And this Sesshoumaru for not putting a stop to the whole thing by speaking up about your whereabouts that day.” He stopped to gauge her reaction she only stood ridge with the same unforgiving look in her eyes. He clinched his fist and stared her right in the eyes.

“But we will not ask forgiveness for the selling of your person. For that you have only your elder sister Kikyo to blame. My father had nothing to do with it and did not find out until it was too late. Kikyo and yourself where gone and we had no clues to follow,” he finished in a whisper.

Kagome took a step back in disbelief, if anything she knew in her heart this was taking a lot for Sesshoumaru to say. Never had he ever ask for her forgiveness for anything even when he was wrong. But that was not the cause of her disbelief, her own sister had her sold. Sure she knew her sister hated her, having her punished was one thing but to have sold her. Kagome shook her head no no she would not believe her own flesh and blood would stoop so low. She could not believe it.

She searched his golden gaze for any sign that he was lying but only found regret, regret, loneliness and guilt. But how can it be? How is it I could not have seen it? The crease around his eyes, the firm set of his mouth and the slump of his shoulders as if the weight of the world was upon them.

She turned from those golden eyes that seem to beg for her and looked to the tree-line. All these years all these years and it was Kikyo who had sold her from her home. Kikyo who had separated her from their mother and sent her to hell. Kagome growled and clinched her fist, she would find the bitch, Kikyo, and get some answers. All that matter now as the truth. And she would get it even if she had to walk each layer of hell to find her.

Sesshoumaru held back the whimper that threaten to erupt from him when Kagome turned her back on him. But what did he except her to run into his arms and forgive him and his father so easily. No he had seen the disbelief clearly written on her face felt the emotional war within her. What he wasn’t prepared for was her walking away from him.

“Kagome,” he called and started after her, he stopped when she did but Kagome still would not face him.

*I have to know*

“Leave the past in the past my little assassin and come home.”

*I have no home . . . I have no future the past is all there is*

“You can have a future Kagome with this Sesshoumaru by my side. The way it was meant to be”

*Nothing is meant to be Lord Sesshoumaru* she sighed inwardly. *You and your clan can rest easy Lord Sesshoumaru I will not seek revenge. Just do not seek me out anymore* With that final statement she walked away and never looked back for fear of what she would see. As Shinzaburo once told her revenge was overrated your own heart and mind does enough damage on its own without any help from others. And she had clearly seen the damage done to Sesshoumaru. The Lord she had once wanted nothing more then to serve was gone and in his place was some other creature. Hatred would no longer sustain her now there was only the search for the truth. She had to hear the words from the mouth of the one person who had wronged her, Kikyo.

Sesshoumaru grab the nearest tree for support, again she was leaving him. Again there was nothing he could do to stop it from happening. His golden gaze took in the ties of her shin guards, the shift of the muscles in the backs of her tones legs, the lazy sway of her hips as she walked. The straightness of her spine, her slumped shoulders, the way the wind moved through her neck length raven hair. His little assassin was no more in her place was a completely different creature. How could he go on? How much more could he take before he was finally took his own life to stop the twisting knife in his heart? A clawed hand fisted his haori over his heart trying to stop the pain.

*88*
She tore through the trees in her mad dash, he could hear her running. The joy she felt sizzled through the very air around him. She raced out the tree-line and pause for a moment he knew to catch her breath. His golden eyes watched as she bent over hands on her knees fisted in the long sleeves of her kimono.

She looked up spotting him right away, the bright smile that burst forth was brighter then the sun. The bottom of her white kimono blew around her legs as she raced again toward him. Her jeweled eyes twinkling with happiness, he did nothing but open his arms. He felt the caress of her happy voice across his mind as she leapt into his arms.

He spent around with her in his arms and pulled her close burying his face in her ankle length raven tresses. Her scent drawing a pleased growl from the young youkai as he crushed her to his chest.

“Have you missed your lord my little assassin?” He chuckled and smiled into her hair.
*88*

He snapped back to reality when he heard Inu Yasha calling his name. His eyes looked back to spot he had last saw her, with a sigh he turned to his younger brother.

“What’s wrong with you Sesshoumaru? I have been calling you for like forever. What are you doing here?”

“She was here Inu Yasha,” he stated looking back to the trees.

“She? Kagome and you let her go? Did you talk to her? What did she say? Is she coming home then?”

“Come let us leave this place,” he spoke walking away. Inu Yasha looked to the spot his brother had been watching with a curious tilt of his head and ran to catch up with Sesshoumaru.

*88*

Five long years she searched riding from village to village with one through in mind. She had to find the truth, she had to know why. She couldn’t look forward without finding out the truth.

“Mama did you see that,” pointed a little youkai as he watch the youkai horse who seemed to have a shadow riding on its back.

“I saw nothing Toko now come on or we will never reach home,” the female youkai spoke catching the child’s hand. The child turned back to see strange blue eyes looking at him from on top the horse before they moved out of sight.

It was late in the night when she reached the cave. Sliding from the midnight colored horse she stood looking over the area. It was in the middle of no where. The cave was part of a solid rock wall that seemed endless in height and length. The small stream they pasted over seemed to mark the area off as forbidden. No trees or plant life even grew on this side of stream near the rocks.

She watched as the horse went to the water, she knew he would not leave this place until she was ready. Using her senses she scanned the area for any threats only finding the one she sought within the cave.

***88***
“I knew you would come,” the old voice spoke. The clocked figure sat before a small fire its back against one of the stone walls. “Sister” she whispered pulling back the hood.

Kagome gasped looking at her elder sister, Kikyo had aged, and her once raven hair was all white. Her once smooth skin was winkled with age it would seem her sister had not aged well. The once brown eyes were dulled with pain. Kagome quietly took a seat across from her sister.

“You have not aged at all Kagome,” she coughed. “If you have come for my blood then all you have to do is wait for I am dieing anyway.” One hand came from under the cloak she held it out to the light. The skin was darken and hard, even cracked in some places. “I have already lost the left one crumbled to dust,” she sighed.

“I guess this is the price I pay ne. All I can ask is that someday you find it in your heart to forgive me. For so long I hated you my little sister, for so long I hated the west and the Inu youkai that rule there. But is not why you are here is it?” Kagome went to refill the cup that sat next to Kikyo when she started coughing again.

“I know that look you want to know why?” she questioned and Kagome nodded. She had to know.

“Did you know my father died in battle?” Kagome shook her head, no. “He did after I was born mother was 500 when she had me. I was a little over ten when Sesshoumaru was born and the castle went crazy over it. But none mourned the death of my father. The little bastard bit me four months after he was born. Kami I hated that boy. But as much as I hated him I hated his father even more mothers, Lord Inu Tashio,” she spat the name like a plague.

“And to get Sesshoumaru’s mother off his back he made mother marry your father. When it became known mother was pregnant with you, your father was sent off to fight a battle was well and never returned. Mother was too loyal to question it but I knew I knew he had sent them away to die so he could have her all to himself. Mighty lord Inu Tashio lusted after the one creature he could never have. . Our mother. I liked Sesshoumaru’s mother she was nice enough but after she died and that bastard started spending every waking hour with mother I put a stop to it. Spreading the rumor was easy enough. It was the talk of the palace.” her voice cracked as she laughed dryly. Even if it hurt it felt good to laugh once again.

“To put a stop to the rumor mother found a suitable wife, the half breeds mother. Whatever her name was. By the gods that woman was weak and always running to that bastard crying when anyone wronged her. But I got her and good stupid woman could not tell the differences between us.”

“While you were off fucking that bastard I came up with a plan. Don’t look at me like that I knew what you too were doing.” Kikyo sighed and Kagome helped her shift positions seeing how hard to was for the woman to move.

“By Kami I hated being in that place. I was going to get you all back for some imagery wrong you all had cause me,” she sighed and cast a glance at her sister. “I hated you most of all Kagome. Don’t look at me like that. I hated you, Sesshoumaru was the heir and next in line for Lord and he fawned all over you. Always father Kagome needs this, Kagome needs that. Kagome can do this and Kagome can do that. I wanted to purify his tongue to get him to shut up. I heard the whispers he was going to take you as his mate. And I could not have that; if I couldn’t be his mate why should you. So I did the one thing I knew would get you trouble. Izayoi was easy she always walked the forest without protection. But never did I think it would be a public whipping he would punish you with Kagome. . .I am guessing you talked to Sesshoumaru before you started looking for me” her dulled eyes met Kagomes and she nodded. “He told you then it I was I that sent the note to the healer Shatai. I am the one that had you sold,” she stated as if talking about the weather.

As the night wore on Kikyo told Kagome many things why she hated many people and how she had been living. Morning came and went as Kikyo slept Kagome though over most of what she heard from his sister. Kikyo was dieing but not from hatred she was dieing because she refuse to answer the call of the land. Unlike her Kikyo had not been allowed to return to the west had not seen the land of the in years. The energy within her was weak but it was killing her. She looked to her elder sister ’is this to be my fate to die in cave as I am slowly purified from within’ all through the night she watched by the light of the fire as the darkness crept up Kikyo’s face now surrounding the bottom of her face.

“Inu Tashio made it known I was the cause of your disappearance and none would allow me to reside within their lands. Once it became known who I was I chased from villages far and wide. The money from the jewelry I had sold had run out long ago so I have been forced to live off the land. This started two hundred years ago then none would look upon without fear. None would take me in for fear my malady would befall their families. For two hundred years I have lived with in this cave and waited for you to find me Kagome. I have told you all of this not for pity my sister but so you could know the truth behind the words I speak.” that was last things Kikyo told her before her lower face harden. Now she could barely speak as evening came Kagome had made up her mind watching as Kikyo’s fingers turned to dust before her eyes.

She stood from her spot in the cave kicked dirt on the fire, and kneeled beside Kikyo.

Kikyo was startled awake as Kagome lifted her brittle body into her arms.

The horse was shocked by Kagomes sudden appearance from the cave, but he approach anyway. Bright red eyes took in the creature in her arms he could smell death on that one. *Mistress* his voice full of worry. Was she the one his mistress was searching for?

Determined blue eyes met red *We have to reach the west by sun up can you do it?*
The midnight mane moved as the horse nodded. *Is she the one Mistress?*
*And she’s dieing . . . When she does it should in the west*

Kagome lifted Kikyo on the horse and quickly climbed up once again holding Kikyo in her arms. One hand caught in the youkai horse’s mane as it reared and raced off.

For the first time in a long time Kikyo felt free as they raced through the night. She didn’t know where they were going or why but she would not die alone and for that she was happy. The last few hours of her life she was regretting so much of her life, the things she had done, the people she had hurt. And for the sister she had wronged as long ago to be with her was enough to make her heat beat just a little fast and the pain seem to melt away as Kagome held her close. She wished just one last time to see the place of her birth.

Kagome saw the predawn color of the sky and looked down to her dieing sister. They had to make it she wanted her sister to see her home one last time. She urged him to go faster edging him toward the cliff that overlooked the Western Lands it was as close as they were going to get.

At the cliffs edge she slipped from the horse and shifted Kikyo in her arms. She watched as Kikyo’s eyes opened as the sun rose from its nighttime slumber reflecting in the pain filled orbs of brown.

Kikyo heard even if she didn’t feel the crack of her harden jaw as she tried to speak.
“For. . .give me,” she whispered brokenly. “For. . .give him”
Her hair went first carried on the breeze followed by her body as she crumbled in her sisters arms. The dust of her body swirled and blew out over the Western Lands just as the sun settled in its place above the world. Kagome watched the scene as the tears she thought so long were gone streaked her face.

Loud sobbing filled the morning sky starling the now awaken birds as Kagome fell to her knees clutching the cloak Kikyo had wore.

“I. .I forgive you Kikyo, my sister,” she sobbed broken to the world. She rolled to her back staring up at the glowing ball in the sky with a sigh. As if by some magic the one sun became two and around the two formed a face. She reach out with her hand toward the delighted golden orbs and smiled at the smirk on his thin lips. “Have you missed your lord my little assassin?” was whispered on the warm breeze. She jerked upright pulling her eyes away from the sky.

He was worried for his mistress; the youkai horse had never heard her speak not once. He slowly moved toward her seated from nudging her back *mistress* he wanted nothing more then to stop the waves of sadness pouring from her defeated form.

She nodded as if to the sky and looked back over her shoulder.
“I have to get it back Takamaru. All of it” she stated to which he nodded.
*Your voice mistress you have a voice* his excited voice rang through her mind.

“My mother told me a story once Taka, of two females born into our bloodline back before we had a name. Back before the lands where split. The older was very powerful but had no voice, the younger was weak in power but was gifted with something the older did not. A beautiful voice. My mother said the younger hated her older sister and decide to play a joke on her. The joke ended with the elder losing her life. After the death of her elder sister the younger was gifted was amazing powers. The powers of her elder sister Taka.” he nodded again in understanding as Kagome walked to his side to change.

He looked out over the land as she dressed and readied herself. It was time she thought time to it all back.

Kagomes eyes glazed over in remembrance as she once again turned her face skyward.

*88*
He had been angry with her and would not even look in her direction. For week s it carried on until she could no longer take his silence. She had failed to kill her target a youkai that had been raping and killing females through the lands. To Sesshoumaru it had been a simple mission to Kagome she could not bring herself to kill the creature.

For two days she was gone from the palace of the moon. For two days she had tracked and stalked the creature. It was late in night when she returned covered in blood hers and the youkai. She didn’t even bother to knock as she entered Inu Tashio’s study. She looked to her shocked mothers face then to Inu Tashio who seemed to be in the same state of shock as her mother.

She walked right up to her lord Sesshoumaru and dropped the kubi bukuro at his feet and walked away. But she could hear their voices from behind the door. Her mother and Inu Tashio demanding to know what was going on and Sesshoumaru’s voice. “Father, Lady Kenai meet Takahiro rapist and murder”

The sound of his voice soothed the hurt of weeks of silence.
*88*

Takamaru’s warm breath brought Kagome from her thoughts as he nudged her side. *Are we going then?*She hopped on his back and tied up her hair.

“We go to the Western Palace Taka as fast as you can,” she whispered. She had found all that there was to know and now it was time to put an end to all of it. And to put an end to it she had to go back to where it all started. She would not meet her end like her elder sister.

Love and the pride twinkling in her lords golden eyes was her life when she was young and naïve. That love was cast aside to keep her sanity while she lived in hell for years. Hatred became her friend, hatred for those who did her wrong so long ago. Even that was replaced with the need to know the truth to understand why her sister betrayed her so. Now with nothing left in her soul she felt the call of the lands her for to complete it, for her to come home. She felt the need of the land for her to soothe some ache even she could feel spreading through the lands.


0_0

kubi bukuro refers to a head bag for carrying the enemies head.