Something New by sarhea

Endings & Beginnings

Summary: The start of something new.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and co, someone else does.

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...ooO Endings & Beginnings Ooo...

"InuYasha! Now!"

Kagomes mind went blank as she saw her so-called protector ignore her call, run to her incarnate Kikyo.

Even as her heart bled her instincts refused to let her give in. She would not let her friends and allies get hurt. Shame filled her heart as she saw the glare leveled at the inu-hanyou by his elder half-brother. Sesshoumaru had no tolerance for such rash behavior in decisive conflicts. He had misgivings about agreeing to a temporary alliance to take down Naraku in the first place.

...ooO Begin Flashback >... > ... >

"The hanyou has no sense of strategy or tactics. He jumps into a situation without considering the impact of his actions. That might work against lower level rabid youkai but never against a strategist like Naraku."

"WHAT?!! Who the fuck are you to say that?!" InuYasha howled. "I have Tetsaiga and I'll cut up the baboon freak just like I cut off your--."

Red bled into Sesshoumarus eyes.

"SITT! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit!" Kagome screamed irate beyond belief with her hanyou companion.

The daiyoukai eyed the six-foot crater with red eyes and turned to the miko with a carefully restrained expression. Kagome bowed her head quickly unwilling to give any impression of challenge.

"Forgive us Sesshoumaru-sama. InuYasha is foolish and headstrong. We should have restrained him before agreeing to this meeting."

The red retreated a fraction to reveal chips of gold. "Is he not your leader?"

Kagome snorted. "Of course not. He is muscle. He thinks he is leader but he does not have the final say in matters that concern us as a group."

"Kagome-sama speaks the truth. She is the one who provides us with a general direction. InuYasha insists on running but Kagome-sama controls the pace and direction." Miroku smiled wryly. "We are relatively-speaking weak ningen. Sometimes InuYasha forgets that. Kagome-sama considers it her responsibility to remind InuYasha of that. Frequently."

The last of the red retreated. Sesshoumaru eyed the hanyou who was still unconscious from the force of the sequence of subduing commands. She was clearly a major influence in this group.

"Would you be considered the leader of this pack?"

Kagome frowned. "Sango and Miroku also have their say."

"But do they defer to you?" Sesshoumaru pressed.

"In the matter of the Shikon shards, hai." Sango responded quickly. "Kagome is the only one who has come out on top of confrontations with Naraku. All of us fell prey to his lies and were deceived but she broke free of his illusions. However, since she is inexperience in battle she defers to the rest of us."

Sesshoumaru frowned and reconsidered his thoughts. "I will not let InuYasha direct the strategy for our future plans. He may have input but not final say."

Kagome considered the wording. "Will you listen and use our advice?"

"If tactically sound or practical, yes."

"Sesshoumaru-sama, we are going in a to-the-knife fight. Wild crazy strategies might be required to get the upper hand." Sango pointed out carefully.

"I understand that taijiya. And I know true human warriors excel at improvising to overcome great odds. What I do not care to see is what my idiot half-brother excels at doing: Jumping in without proper thought or running off without considering the impact of his actions. How many times did he nearly die in battle due to his rash actions, only to be saved by one of you intervening? How many times has he run off leaving the miko alone and unprotected?"

The tajiya and houshi frowned grimly. In recent months InuYasha had proven to be most undependable when it came to giving Kagome protection. She had been attacked more than once when she returned from her home era because the one who was supposed to escort her back (InuYasha) happened to be distracted by other commitments (Kikyo) that he had forgot to mention to the group when he said he'd meet and walk Kagome back. It was through sheer luck and chance that Kirara had been around on two occasions while Kagome managed to fend off her assailants once. Once Sango and Miroku found out they blew up and insisted on Kirara or one of them walking Kagome back from the Bone Eaters Well.

Sango smiled grimly. "We see and totally agree with your point. If InuYasha refuses to cooperate Miroku will seal him before we go into battle."

Sesshoumaru blinked. He hadn't expected the hanyous pack to be so completely agreeable to his terms.

As though sensing his confusion the houshi continued. "InuYasha has been too careless with lives, his own and ours. If he refuses to act more maturely then he will not be included in our strategy planning sessions. If he refuses to keep a civil tongue I will paralyze him or Kagome-sama will subdue him."

... ... End Flashback Ooo...

InuYasha had thrown a huge fuss and sulked for weeks and refused to talk to them but in the end he had given in. He refused to participate in the planning sessions but agreed to follow the strategy decided upon. After that meeting he spent more time away from the camp during the evenings, time he spent with Kikyo. They all knew but no one said anything. Kagome had strangled her tears not wishing to cause more friction in the group. In the weeks that followed the support and affection from Sango, Miroku and Shippo, the intelligent conversation from the stoic daiyoukai, the cheeriness of his ningen ward, they all helped soothe her aching heart into healing.

A bitter smile curved Kagomes lips. And here he was breaking his promise to them, the promise to protect Hiragushi Kagome, another vow, failing to honor his vow of vengeance against Naraku.... And for what? A clay pot that was in no real danger, not where she was standing at the edge of the battlefield. Oh Kikyo shot a few arrows and purified some of the lesser youkai but it was Kagome and her friends who were keeping the path clear for Inu no Taishos sons to engage Naraku. And now the idiot had completely forgotten what they had agreed upon.

Grimly she drew out three arrows and nocked them all; energy sapping but very necessary to drive the necessary power to hurt Naraku.

"Sesshoumaru!"

The daiyoukais eyes widened as he caught sight of her primary weapon. Then those cold amber eyes narrowed as he gave a tiny nod and lifted Tokujin.

Kagome first inhaled, then exhaled, then let go. The wooden shafts and steel arrowheads were burning pink from her energy. The effect was compounded by the resonance generated by three infused arrows so close together.

From a great distance she heard their reluctant ally call out his own attack, felt the dark energy build and release and rush towards the target. The cyan blue lightening danced and sparked as it rushed parallel beside the light pink of her hamayas.

Naraku was able to shield against one, but not two different opposing energies.

A broad smile spread across her lips as she felt Narakus jiaki and his miasma dissipate under the harsh assault. His scream was a faint counterpoint to the assault on her miko senses and throat.

"Bitch!"

Kagome turned bringing up a short sword infused with her energies and managed to take out two of Narakus minions. Then something hit her in the back very close to the kidneys. Distantly she gave thanks it was a blunt instrument and not a knife. She turned to take out her attacker before her knees gave way under the assault of the much larger hebi-youkai.

"Kagome!"

"Hiraikotsu!"

The hebis head vanished in a cloud of gore.

Kagome smiled pleased that both Miroku and Sango were still alive. And then unconsciousness took her.

...ooOoo...

Kagome blinked trying to clear her blurry vision. Thankfully the room she was in was dark, the only source of light an oil lamp a few feet away.

"Kagome-chan, are you all right?"

"Sango?"

"Hai."

"Did we win?"

"Hai. Your attack combined with Sesshoumarus. Naraku did not have a chance. I still don't understand how your two attacks did not cancel each other since they had opposing energies."

"Don't care. Is any one... hurt?"

"Some youkai died but most of Sesshoumarus allies and vassals have left after taking evidence of Narakus demise. Miroku and I have been healing in his hunting lodge. Jaken has brought Rin and Shippo from Kaedes village."

"Where is InuYasha?"

Sango was quiet for a brief moment. "He's with the clay pot. He tried to pick a fight with Sesshoumaru, to get Narakus shards and the ones from you, to get Kikyo to fuse them but Sesshoumaru tore a hole in his gut and threw him out. Said the only person getting the shards would be you and that you were unconscious. Called him a dishonorable whelp because he disregarded the plan and ran to protect the clay pot. I'm so sorry Kagome-chan."

"Why should you be sorry for what that idiot has done Sango-chan? Forget about him; I want to know about Kohaku and Kagura and Mirokus wind-tunnel."

"Kagura fled with Kohaku and a few of Narakus detachments. Mirokus wind tunnel is gone. He still uses the beads out of habit though."

Kagome smiled slowly. "Has he asked you to marry him?"

Sango blushed prettily. "Hai. But we aren't going to get married until the Shikon is restored."

Kagome sighed and pushed herself off the comfortable futon. "Guess we should get going then. There still are a few shards to hunt down."

"Iie miko." A low baritone cut through the quiet hush. The two girls turned to the shoji screen silhouetting a tall male form before it slid open to reveal a particular daiyoukai. "This Sesshoumaru gave instructions to have all the shards on the lands of allies and vassals to be handed over. The trinket should be complete."

The two girls stilled. Tears pooled in Sangos doe brown eyes. Kagome reached out to hug her friend close before speaking quickly.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, Naraku had a boy under his control using--."

"The boy is still alive. This Sesshoumaru revived him after removing the shard."

Hope bloomed in the teary eyes. "Thank you but why?"

Sesshoumaru shrugged faintly. "Rin wished for the boy to live." Then he straightened. "Clean up and come down for the evening meal. The kitsune pup is most anxious to see you." With that he turned and left closing the shoji screen behind him.

The girls followed his instructions using the surprisingly luxurious facilities and donning the kimonos left in their rooms. The fabric was a heavy linen blend embroidered with cotton threads, pink and black butterflies on cream for Sango and blue flowers and green vines on pale yellow for Kagome. Both had matching obis made of black linen embroidered with tiny white stars.

Sango blushed and accepted the attentions from Miroku. Kagome was more demonstrative as she modeled her clothing for the children.

"You are very very pretty Kagome-sama." Rin whispered. Kagome hadn't managed to break the child of the habit of calling her Kagome-sama.

Kagome smiled and stroked the fine weave of her kimono. "Thank you Rin-chan. But you must remember clothing and personal grooming is a big part of making a good impression. If I just came in after a rain shower and falling in the mud I would not be very pretty."

Rin shook her head. "You are pretty here." She patted her own chest right over the breastbone. "You don't yell or say bad things about Rin or Sesshoumaru-sama. You are a nice lady."

Kagome blinked but could not refute that point so she concentrated on the meal already served and waiting. Some of the dishes looked a bit odd but most were very familiar. Politely she waited for their host, Sesshoumaru, to begin eating before following suit.

The meal was relaxed and enjoyable. Once the main meal was cleared away the adults settled around a low table in pairs, Sesshoumaru with Kagome and Miroku with Sango, to discuss the situation while the children played. The conversation was not too serious and topic fluid since everyone was in a good mood; at least until InuYasha showed up.

"Oi bitch! Move your lazy ass! There are still shards to hunt down."

Kagome stilled tears shimmering before something hardened within her. She ignored the object of her childish affections and turned to their host.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, can we move this discussion outside? I do not wish to risk your property being damaged."

Cool eyes surveyed the aggressive form in the doorway. He resisted the urge to wrinkle his nose. Even from this distance the stench of decay, grave soil and dirt was prevalent.

"This way miko."

With that he rose and everyone else followed.

Kagome ignored InuYashas taunts and demands and instead focused on the task at hand. She had no concerns about restoring the Shikon but how to get rid of it? It was more than clear she could not give the Shikon to InuYasha; any wish he made would be tainted. How to word it? How to word it?

InuYasha huffed as he followed the group anger and jealousy warring within. Since when had the bitch and his I'm-a-pureblood-youkai brother been so close to each other? Why was Sesshoumaru so protective of her?

They stopped in the middle of a large meadow. Everyone watched as Sesshoumaru produced a silk pouch and tipped the contents into Kagomes waiting hands.

Pure and tainted shards tinkled and chimed before being purified within the touch of the Shikon Miko. The shard most resistant was the almost semi-sphere that had belonged to Naraku, but even it gave way and turned pink.

Kagome cupped her hands on top of each other trapping the shards within and concentrated. Light seeped from between her fingers for a few brief seconds. When she opened her hands all could see the restored Shikon in all its purity.

"Give it to me!" InuYasha lunged at her.

Sesshoumaru quickly intercepted his disdained half brother and tossed him aside.

"You will let the miko perform her duty!" The daiyoukai snarled. "The Shikon isn't for the likes of those who lust after it like yourself and Naraku."

Everyone stilled at that pointed comparison.

InuYasha snarled. "I'm not Naraku!"

"But you will be if you keep on this selfish path!" Sesshoumaru countered. "Leave the miko be!"

"Kagome promised to let me wish on the Shikon!"

Kagome winced regretting that foolish vow for the nth time. "InuYasha I cannot do that. You are part youkai and all the youkai and even the ningens that used the Shikon were tainted."

Red bled into gold. "Traitorous Bitch!"

She ignored the hurt. "If you tell me what you wish for I will try to word a proper wish for that desire."

Desiring nothing more than to strike back he responded quickly. "I wish for Kikyo to live so that we can be together."

Sango and Miroko hissed, Miroku had to restrain Shippo from pouncing on InuYasha for hurting his foster mother. Sesshoumaru was quiet. InuYasha was shocked when Kagome only smiled and rolled the Shikon within her fingertips.

"An unselfish wish for me, one most selfish for InuYasha. The hanyou wishes for Kikyo to live and have a flesh-and-blood body and so she shall. I wish for Kikyo and InuYasha to get exactly what they deserve."

A bright light flooded the field. When it retreated the Shikon was nowhere to be seen.

InuYasha frowned. "What did you do wench?"

Kagome suppressed her ire. "Your Bitch is alive. Go find her and leave me be! We are nothing to each other!"

Sesshoumaru smirked. "You heard the miko. Go find the other one. You have no reason to stay here among civilized folk."

InuYasha snarled and drew Tetsaiga. And it remained a rusty katana.

Everyone stared at the untransformed weapon. InuYasha glared at Kagome.

"What did you do bitch!?"

"Tetsaiga is no longer yours InuYasha. I drew it from your fathers grave. I gave it to you to protect me. Now that you have discarded me I take it back." Kagome spoke coolly. "It is exactly what you deserve."

Everyone remembered the wording of Kagomes wish. I wish for Kikyo and InuYasha to get exactly what they deserve.

InuYasha trembled. "I need Tetsaiga."

Kagome smiled coldly. "You Want Tetsaiga. You Need the Sealing properties of Tetsaiga on your youkai blood. Push up your sleeves InuYasha."

Dumbstruck the hanyou obeyed. Over his forearms were several tattoos inked into his skin, symbols mystical in origin.

"The sealing qualities of Tetsaiga have been transferred to your body. You will never be at risk of losing control because the seals cannot be taken from you unless you are dead. There are several seals all over your body with the primary one right over your heart.

"You do not deserve Tetsaiga but you do not deserve the threat of losing control. Your revived bitch is alive so go to her. Leave me be."

As expected InuYasha refused to listen. In the melee that ensued he was knocked out and secured with Mirokus sutras specially designed to fail in a set amount of time. Then a servant was instructed to drop him just outside the estate barrier wards. The untransformed fang and its sheath lay discarded on the dirt.

Miroku, Sango and Shippo stared at Kagome awed.

"I never expected you to be so vindictive Kagome-sama." Miroku spoke finally.

Kagome shook her head. "Not really. InuYasha has pushed and demanded and gotten his way for too long. He has accumulated a lot of bad karma, so has Kikyo. What happens to them now is no concern of mine."

"But what about your soul?" Sango was worried. "Won't there be a problem with Kikyo being alive?"

Kagome shook her head. "Urusei used part of my soul to fuel Kikyos clay body but my wish basically grew that fraction into a new soul. My soul is my own. Hers is hers. I might be her incarnate from her original life but now when the two of us die we will be reborn into different bodies."

"How do you know all this Kagome-sama?"

Kagome stilled. "I'm not sure Miroku. I just do."

Sango relaxed and smiled cheerily. "Well that's that. You must stay for our wedding Kagome-chan."

"Of course."

Then Sesshoumaru stirred himself to speak.

"Miko, what will you do with Tetsaiga?"

Kagome turned to the daiyoukai and smiled brightly. "Pick it up." He stared at her incredulous. Kagome grinned. "Trust me."

Reluctantly he knelt and gingerly reached out to touch the weapon. It did not repel him.

"How?"

Kagome shrugged. "I have some control over the sword. Before I wanted InuYasha to use it. Now I don't so you can have it. But you won't be able to use it to full effect unless it is in the defense of ningens."

Sesshoumaru studied the rusted weapon forged from his sires fang. "This Sesshoumaru does not need Tetsaigas power since he has Tokujin. But it will be a valued part of the Western Lands armory. Perhaps it will be used some day."

Kagome blinked. "If you say so Sesshoumaru-sama."

"But what are you going to do Kagome?" Shippo voiced the question in the back of everyones mind. "You can't go home."

That reminder was enough to break the strong spirited girl. She sank to her knees in the meadow and wept soundlessly.

Sesshoumaru frowned and spoke. "What does the kit mean?"

Miroku winced and answered. "Kagome was not born here. She traveled great distances by the means of a magical portal. Usually the portal allowed her to cross without any problems but a few months ago it sealed, the magic was completely gone. Kaede-sama believed it was because Kagome was meant to live in this world, not her birth world."

"Can she not travel by regular means to her homeland?"

Miroku shook his head. "Iie. It is impossible. We had thought of using the Shikon but Kagome insisted it would be a selfish wish and that she would rather live here than risk the Shikon being tainted. Kaede-sama would be more than willing to host Kagome and give her some proper training to supplement the bits and pieces that she has picked up on the way."

Sesshoumaru frowned and looked at the weeping girl.

"Who is this Kaede?"

"She is the miko of the village near InuYashas Forest. She is also Kikyos younger sister from when she was alive."

"Then this Kaede is not a suitable host. There will be too many reminders. The miko will guest in the Western Lands."

Sango stiffened and protested hotly. "Kagome-chan is my sister! If she needs to stay with anyone she can stay with me!"

"This Sesshoumaru doubts the miko would wish to intrude upon your new life with the houshi. She will need time and quiet to recover and heal from her losses. She can do that under this Sesshoumarus protection. No one will dare attack her."

Sango was torn. "May we visit her?"

"Whenever you wish. One of the Western Lands messengers can be assigned to carry correspondence between you two every few weeks."

Sango knelt besides Kagome. "Kagome-chan? What do you think?"

Kagome rubbed her tears away. "Sesshoumaru-sama is most generous. I will accept it but only if Shippo can come with me." She looked at the daiyoukai squarely. "He has no one else."

There was no chance in expression but inwardly he was pleased. The miko was loyal and true to those she considered pack and kin.

"If that is your only condition, this Sesshoumaru sees no problems."

Kagome smiled briefly. "Then Shippo and I will join you after Sango-chan and Miroku-kun get married. I promised I would see Sango-chans wedding."

...ooOoo...

TBC...

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