Regrets of the Past by dark_miko66

Encounter

The youkai screeched as the purifying arrow pierced its heart. A lone maiden stood regally as she watched her nemesis fall. Slinging her bow over her shoulder, she continued on her way. The miko was quite use to the almost continuous onslaught of demons; its all part of the daily routine. They're all after the same thing...the enormit power that only resides in the now complete Shikon no Tama, which is currently hanging around the young maiden's neck. As the miko continued her journey to her unknown

destination, an unsettling silence befell across the abnormally silent forest. No birds sang, nor did happy little rodents scuttle along the worn path. Even the sun seemed to have trouble shining through the tall, ancient trees as the wind whispered its secrets across the land. Perhaps the deafening silence is due to the miko's presence. Of course, mikos are quite common in villages, but this is no ordinary miko. Within her is an infinite power that rivals even the most powerful youkai. Her aura shines that of a strong,

pure soul with an underlying lethal promise if you think otherwise. Or maybe, something sinister may be stirring somewhere out in the abyss of impenetrable shadows of darkness.

Looks can be deceiving, especially for this particular girl. Do not let her small frame fool you. Below her billowing garments is a strong build from swordsmanship that screamed perfection. If you gaze deep into her eyes, there is a wisdom that surpasses her years and a searing sadness that overshadows the gleam of cheerfulness that once permented her striking blue eyes. Just being in her presence you could sense the grief and regret, for one as young as her shouldn't of seen the horrors she had. To see each of your dearest friends, your second family slowly dieing as you stand there knowing that you can't do anything about it. If only you had just a few more weeks to complete your training. Just a little bit more time, they maybe you would've been strong enough to save them.

Alas, three long years have passes since that day when they had finally defeated their enemy. Three years of hard training and striving to become stronger, to make for her weak moment that sealed her friend's fate. Then maybe her friends would forgive her in their afterlife. Maybe they'd forgive her for not being able to save them.So now the miko wanders on. The alliance that stood against Naraku had long parted. Now she is left with the burden that is the Shikon. She is forever tied to it. The Shikon chose her and it is now her duty to protect it. Doomed to walk the land until the end of her days guarding it from those who seek its power.

The maiden walked on into unknown territory. These lands were rarely wandered by the shard hunting group many years before. The lands that of the west.The miko halted her steps as she sensed a strong youki approach her. She tilted her head slightly to the direction it approached.

They stood silent a few moments, until the miko finally spoke, her melodious voice carrying across the clearing.

"What can I do for you, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

After a moment of silence his deep, icy voice answered, "Is there a reason why you have ventured into this Sesshoumaru's lands, miko?"

"Is there a reason why I should not?"

"Do you insist on answering with only questions?"

"Do you?"

He raised a slender eyebrow and came further in the clearing. "It has been a long time, Kagome,"

His voice slightly softer than before. Slightly.

Kagome smiled slightly, a sad smile. Yes, it had been a long time since she last saw him. He, of course, still looked the same. Long silver tresses with a tinge of blue, like the light of the moon in its full glory; piercing twins of the sun that blazed like a hot summer's day. His face pale with bold markings accenting his high cheekbones, and a royal blue creasent framed by his strands of moonlight. Crisp, pristine white attire graced his slender yet muscular body. Two swords hung at his side. One for taking lives,

one for giving.

Seeing her here was a bit of a shock for Sesshoumaru, if he was the type to be shocked at anything. He had been patrolling his borders, as always, when he felt an overwhelming power venture deeper into the west. The large aura washed over him leaving a soft tingling that made his hair stand on end. That power felt faintly familiar. Naturally, he went off to investigate as his duty of being the lord, and to fill his own slight curiosity.

When he caught a whiff of her scent, there was no mistaken it was her, his brother's wench. He would never call her that now, for he learned years ago that she would give him hell. Well, as much hell as she could give with him being a powerful taiyoukai, and she a pathetic ningen onna at the time. Now she had grown and matured, and had sacrificed her life of happiness away from this time to protect that wretched jewel. She could've just left and forget about everything. She could've left five years ago when she first fell through the well. But here she was standing before him. Gone was the young, naïve girl who pranced around in that ridiculously short skirt scouring the lands with his hanyou brother and his band of friends. An interesting bunch, as diverse as they were; but they all shared the same goal and that was what kept them together. That, and their strong bond of friendship.

Sickening if you asked him.

The hentai monk seeking to break the curse of his right hand; the taijiya mourning the loss of the brother that slaughtered her father and the last of the demon exterminators; a kitsune pup clinging to his new family afraid of losing them like his real parents; the brash hanyou bent on revenge for his lost love; and a young girl only trying to fix what she broke, and help her friends along the way. And somehow, he found himself joining their tachi to finally rid the world of Naraku.

Sesshoumaru snapped out of his thoughts when the young woman turned his way. Surprise flashed across his eyes for the briefest moment. So different from the girl she was when he first met her. Standing mere feet from her he could sense her sadness. Her eyes, which darkened into a deep blue of a darkening sky locked with his amber ones.

"I will leave if you wish, Sesshoumaru," she said quietly, dropping the formalities.

"No need, miko, we were allies in the past, that does not change now."

Kagome laughed lightly, although it sounded hollow. "I didn't think you'd let me off so easily, Sesshoumaru. And here I was anticipating a fight.

How disappointing." She teased.

Without warning, Sesshoumaru lunged for her . Knowing that he would attack, she swiftly blocked with her sword. They sparred quite often back in the shard hunting days. He even helped her train a bit, too. Their swords danced a deadly dance. He found that she had improved immensely in her sword fighting. But still no match for him, unless she decided she wanted to purify his royal ass. He quickly disarmed her and pinned her against the ground. His eyes locked once again with hers.

"You have...improved."

"Of course. The guardian of the Shikon no Tama must capable to protect it."

He did not answer as they stood from the forest floor. He turned and started walking away, and stopped at the edge of the clearing, tilting his head toward her slightly. "This Sesshoumaru's castle a short distance from here. Surely you seek shelter as the night approaches."

With that, he continued walking, with Kagome following slightly behind. She knew better than to do otherwise. Besides, it had been a long day and

she wasn't about to deny a warm bed to rest upon. The weather lately has been quite unforgiving. So she trailed behind letting him lead her to his residence.

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So there's chapter 1. Please be nice and review. And if anyone by any chance has a copy of my fic, 'Pro Totus Infinito', please contact me. (Although I hightly doubt anyone does...) -.-U