Beth: Terribly sorry for the lack of updates. College got in the way and I've been exhausted lately. Hence the no writing. So please forgive me and accept this new chapter.

I still do not own Inuyasha and the gang. Not entirely sure what happened to my Inuyasha manga either.

XXX

Clara.

When she opened her eyes Clara knew she was dreaming. She knew this because she was hanging out in space with no space suite. She gasped and flailed around panicking.

Clara stop this foolishness.

The sharp tone tore through her panic and calmed her down. Clara glanced around until she came face to face with a beautiful young woman standing five feet from her. She had long dark brown hair, the same color as Clara's undyed hair, wide brown eyes, and a kind smile. Forcing herself to take deep breaths Clara opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. The woman smiled.

You must be scared to be in my world. Understandable. It'll all sink in soon.

Clara blinked and took another deep breath.

Who are you? What is this place? Why am I here?

The woman tilted her head to the side slightly and walked a few steps closer. She reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind Clara's pierced ears.

You know those answers deep inside.

Clara frowned at the no answer. She thought for a moment glancing at the strange woman who looked so much like her. Her thoughts drifted back to the moment before those strange shadowy figures pulled her into the well. They had said some things strange, but she had been too scared to properly think about them. What had they said? Clara frowned and bit her lower lip, a habit since her childhood, and thought hard. They had called her a reincarnation, said something about sisters, power, and the same face. She glanced at the stranger and noted the sameness in their features. Tearing her gaze away from the woman Clara forced herself to think harder than the answers came to her.

You're the Priestess Mirena aren't you?

Mirena smiled encouragingly.

And this place. She continued. Is a dream of some sort isn't it? So we can communicate. And I'm here because… This is where she trailed off. Clara had no idea why Mirena was here. She had been in this world for weeks now and this Priestess decides to visit?! She felt her temper rise as Mirena held up her hands in a peace gesture.

I know you must be very confused and I'm sorry it took me so long to contact you, but my power isn't at its full strength yet.

Clara raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. Mirena smiled and looked her over.

You look so much like me. It's remarkable how my family once guarded the Tree of Time in Japan then moved to America to your native Montana at my instance. I knew you'd soon come and find me. She beamed. And here you are.

Shifting her weight Clara cast a suspicious look over the priestess. She didn't get a very good feeling from her. You knew I'd find you? How? Why?

Mirena smiled. I understand you're very curious about all of this and ready to go home, but not yet. You must stay. She paused and seemed to flicker. I need to go, but have no fear. I'll see you again soon. Take and use my blades. They'll help you in the coming fight.

Wait! No!

Clara was too late. Mirena blinked out of existence and her whole world seemed to blur together. Clara saw images she'd spent years learning how to forget. Disappointed parents. Agents in black. Line after line of illegal code. A bruised and battered body getting off the floor of a dirty gym, spitting blood, and preparing herself for the next hit. Blood. So much blood. The screams of people she'd hurt. And her mother smiling warmly.

Mom? Clara called desperately as the image faded. Please come back! Forgive me! I didn't know they'd come after you! You should have been safe! Mom!

Her world went black and Clara woke with a start breathing heavy. She pushed her hair off her sweaty forehead and gently removed Rin from her side. It was a miracle she hadn't woken. Softly Clara stood up and uneasily made her way to the wash basin and washed the sweat off her face and neck. After a glance at Rin to make sure she was still asleep she stepped outside and took in a deep breath of the fresh air. She stepped off the porch and made her way through the garden the rocks biting into her bare feet as she climbed the bridge over the koi pond. Leaning against the railing she let her hair fall around her face and stared into the clear water watching the koi.

Taking a deep breath she let it out slowly rolling her neck feeling the familiar weight of stress and anxiety settle on her shoulders. It had been years since she felt this high of level of stress, but then again it had been years since she thought of her parents and what she did and who she used to be.

"Nope." Clara said slapping her hands against the railing. "Not going down that road."

She took a deep breath and tilted her head up to the sky. The stars were all gone now and she could see the shadows slipping away as the sun came up. She'd only gotten a few hours of unrested seep, but it felt like she'd just drank eight cups of dark roast coffee with espresso in it.

"Feels just like finals." She muttered.

Clara wound her way back to Rin's room. She took a deep breath steadying her nerves then opened the door and slipped back into the cool room. She laid down next to Rin again and pulled the girl close before closing her eyes and falling back to sleep. It seemed like only a second, it was actually two hours, but Clara was awake again and she was not happy about it. Lady Kanta strode about their room directing the maids to pack. They were heading to the hot springs in the mountains to have a picnic and too relax. Tomorrow they'd start on lessons, but today was for relaxing. Also in the mountains was a heeler who would check over Rin and Clara to make sure they were healthy and perfectly fine.

Stifling a yawn Clara changed into mens clothes since they'd be going into the mountains. After a long argument with Kanta they both agreed that while in the palace Clara would wear the traditional female clothes, but when they left she could wear with the clothes she came in or a pair of mens clothes tailored to fit her small frame. Idly Clara hoped that they would always leave the palace. She might like dresses from the 21st century, but these kimonos were so constricting they drove her crazy.

Still half asleep she followed dutifully behind Rin and Kanta as they headed out of the main palace and to the stables where Ah-Un was waiting for them. Rin and Clara would ride the dragon and as a fox demon Kanta could change her form to make the steep climb half a mile into the mountains with ease. Clara was starting to feel more awake when she heard Jaken's shrill voice complaining.

"Please don't come with. Please don't come with." Clara begged any deity who was listening.

Her prayers were not answered as they came around the final corner into a courtyard and there was Jaken complaining to Sesshomaru. Clara let out a string of swear words under her breath causing Kanta to glance back at her seeming amused. Clara offered her an apologetic smile. Kanta and Rin both bowed to Seehomaru while Clara; a little late, just inclined her head. She was still learning all the proper etiquette of this place.

'It's not that different from my debutant lessons from home before I got kicked out.' Clara mused as she helped Rin onto Ah-Un. Taking a deep breath she hauled herself up onto the dragon settling behind Rin.

She glanced over at Kanta and Sesshomaru who were standing to the side having what seemed like an argument. Clara couldn't see any obvious signs of anger, but both of them were barely moving their lips and Jaken was looking a little fearful and edging away.

'Whatever.' Clara thought focusing her attention on Rin. 'I'm way too tired to care.'

Rin glanced up at her mother and smiled. "You're going to love Koko. She's this really nice healer in the woods. She's been checking on me since Lord Sesshomaru took me in."

"She was also the healer for the Lord when he was a child. "Lady Kanta said walking over smiling.

Clara tried, but failed, to imagine Sesshomaru as anything but a stoic grumpy demon.

"Out of curiosity does Sesshomaru-" "Lord Sesshomaru." Rin corrected. "Yeah. Does he have any family?"

Clara didn't miss the look Kanta and Rin exchanged. Just then Jaken puffed up as Ah-Un started walking out of a side gate and onto a well worn path up the mountain.

"Lord Sesshomaru is the noble son of two great and powerful dog demons who rules the glorious West." He bragged.

Clara blinked. "Okay will someone not Jaken explain to me?" she asked.

The pair glared at each other causing Lady Kanta to laugh amused.

"Jaken is correct Lady Clara." She said. "But he also has a half brother a half-demon named Inuyasha."

"How come he isn't around?" Clara asked. "Is he a lord somewhere else?"

Kanta glared at Jaken to be quiet, he looked very put out, and transformed into her fox form as they cimbed higher and deeper into the mountain. They were maybe a quarter of a mile up when Clara glanced over the edge. She shuddered and glanced quickly back to Kanta who didn't miss her shudder.

"Inuyasha is a half-demon therefore he isn't eligible to rule." She explained. "Lord Sesshomaru and his brother have bad blood between them. Inuyasha has never been here and I doubt he ever will."

Clara frowned. "Because he's a half demon he can't rule? What if he is a great ruler, but you'd never know because you never gave him a chance." She protested.

Jaken let out a shrill laugh. "That's ignorant fool rule the West? Preposterous!"

Kanta shut him up with a glare. "An admirable protest Lady Clara, but it is not how things are done. We demons think that humans, with exceptions-" she gestured to Rin and Clara. "are filthy and lower than us."

Clara gaped at her. "T-thats-but-"she stuttered appalled. 'This world has more in common with the 21st century then they think.'

Kanta offered her an apologetic glance as she changed back into her human form as an old woman. They had reached the hot springs. About thirty feet away up a cliff side was a cave Clara guessed was Koko's. They would freshen up at the hot springs before making the climb to see Koko. Clara glanced up to the entrance of the cave and was startled to see an old woman, odler than Kanta, standing at the entrance. The woman waved then vanished into her cave. The three of them, Kanata, Rin, and Clara, freshened up while Jaken stayed behind with Ah-Un.

The entire way up the cliff side Clara couldn't get her mind off what Lady Kanta had said about half demons and humans. It disturbed her how much this place reminded her of home society wise. She was having trouble wrapping her mind at how backward that kind of thinking was.

'I shouldn't be surprised since this is the Fudal era, but still. It's wrong.' She thought. "The rest of the world really needs to get it act together in my time." She muttered.

Kanta gave her a strange glance which Clara answered with a fake smile. Kanta inclined her head to her and lead them to the mouth of the cave. Rin took off into the dimmed cave towards the very back where the tunnel lead into a medium sized room. It was covered in various pillows, rugs, and candles. In the middle burned a large fire with a pot in the middle slowly cooking something. Around the walls and on the work space table hung various animals, and none animal, parts and herbs. Lots and lots of herbs and flowers.

"Welcome." Koko said in a raspy voice.

She sat next to the fire tending it and occasionally throwing something into the pot. Rin was already seated next to her. Clara gave the healer a once over. She had thick grey hair entwined with small bones and snarls. She was a small woman dressed in a fine, but ragged deep green kimono. Her eyes were a bright blue, but the lines on her face and her gnarled hands betrayed her age. What that was Clara had no idea.

"Please child." Koko said waving her hand to in front of the fire. "Sit."

Slowly Clara sat with Kanta sitting next to her on her knees. Rin was also sitting on her knees, but Clara and the old woman but sat criss cross applesauce.

"Kosmia please allow me to introduce Rin's mother Lady Clara." Kanta said gesturing to Clara.

Clara gave her a lame wave when Koko turned her bright blues onto her.

"Interesting." Koko murmured. "And please Kanta it's Koko." She winked at Rin who giggled. "Now I've already looked at Rin and she's in perfect health, but she needs more protein in her."

Rin sighed while Lady Kanta nodded. This was nothing new.

"If you don't mind my dear friend." Koko said to Kanta. "Please leave me and Rin's mother alone. I'd like to go over her privately."

Kanta blinked in surprised and raised her eyebrow, but she rose gracefully and herded Rin out of the cave. Koko turned her attention to the young woman in front of her. Clara knew this game well and returned her gaze evenly. They stared at each other for five minutes before Koko smiled.

"Please." She said patting the pillow next to her. "Come sit and let me get a good look at you."

Clara rose and sat next to her. She faced Koko evenly and waited for what she would do. Koko took Clara's hands in her own and stared right into her eyes and peered deep into her soul. Her hands twitched in Koko's, but Clara didn't pull away. She hated this feeling of vulnerability so much. It reminded her of a time she'd rather forget. Koko clucked her tongue.

"Trying to forget will solve nothing." She said. "You need to face what troubles you head on dear."

Clara ripped her hands from the healers and stood up. "Thank you for the advice, but I must really go be with Rin."She turned and started to walk away before pausing and glancing back. "You're wrong by the way. Burying my past has worked fine for me so far." She forced herself to remain calm and walk out of the cave and not run like her instincts were telling her.

"Beware the Priestess Mirena." Called behind her.

Clara ignored the advice again and began her decent down the cliff side breathing heavy. "I will not break down." She muttered to herself fiercely. "I will not break down here." Going slowly she finally made her way through the small house to the side of the hot springs. She shed her clothes and grabbed a towel to wrap around her body. She had no hair tie so she left it down as she entered the steamy water. Carefully she removed the towel setting it on the edge of the rocks and submerged herself in the water. Rin handed her a small bottle of oil telling her it would make her hair all soft anf shiny like hers. Clara smiled at the child and rubbed the floral scent into her scalp and hair. She pulled her hair up and used two of the hair pins Kanta had brought to keep her thick hair up. While Rin was playing by the small waterfall that allowed clean water to go into the pool Kanta sided up to Clara. The redhead gave her a weary look.

"Would you like to talk about what happened in that cave?"

"No thank you. I'm fine."

Kanta sighed and gave her shoulder a quick squeeze before the two woman sat in silence both lost in their own thoughts. Rin noticed that something had changed in her mother, but she didn't know what.

After a few hours they reluctantly left the springs and headed back down the mountain to the palace to get ready. Demon Lords from all over were coming to meet with Sesshomaru and go over what has been going on since he was last in the West. It was noon by the time they had descended the mountain and got changed into their formal wear. Clara glared at the deep purple kimono with lavender accents laying on her bed. Rin giggled and helped her mother get ready. Kanta performed some sort of miracle, in Clara's eyes at least, that dried her thick hair and left no frizz. Then she braided it into an up do and placed a ornamental pit through it. Dangling on the pin was a small gold fox with ruby eyes. She seemed amused by this choice of decoration, but refused to say why. Leaving Clara to put on her own makeup Kanta helped Rin get ready. Clara quickly dusted her list with this gold powdery substance that reminded her of eye shadow and lined her eyes lightly with black.

Finally they were ready and just in time.

The Lords, and some ladies and children, were arriving. Hurriedly they headed to meet Sesshomaru, Jaken, and the other lords at the front of the palace in the foyer type waiting room. Clara was vaguely annoyed that they had to get all dolled up, but that the others looked the same as always. She stood behind Rin placing a hand on the child's shoulder for support. Kanta stood next to her ready to whisper names into her ear so she didn't mess up. Clara also noted that they stood at least a step behind all the men. Her temper bristled for a moment before she forced herself to calm down.

'I'm way too 21st century for this type of place.' She thought as the page announced the first Lord.

Soon she was lost in a whirl of names and titles as they blended together. Clara was just starting to feel sick with nerves when thankfully the last Lord entered. There were twenty-two in total, not counting the ones who stayed at the palace full time, and only nine had brought families.

Hurriedly another page came up to the other and whispered franticly into is ear.

"Introducing Lady Iris. Lady of the West." He announced nervously.

Clara's head snapped up from her conversation with Rin. 'Lady of the what now?'

Just then a lady entered causing all those around her to bow lowly. With the exception of Sesshomaru and Clara, who was a little late and not quite as deep as the others, everyone else was nearly face first into the floor. With her long pure white hair, the crescent moon on her forehead, and bright gold eyes she was the image of her son.

"Mother." Sesshomaru greeted. He took her arm and lead her deeper into the house.

Still in a daze Clara let Kanta Lead her into the formal dining room where the low table was already filled with food. As Rin's Mother she was seated on Sesshomaru's right side with Rin between them. Kanta was on her other side. Across from her sat the brown haired blood eyed demon he had seen previously, Lord Hotaru, he still unnerved her, on his left side sat Lady Iris and on the other side another one of Sesshomaru's senior officials. Feeling slightly sick with nerves and the uneasiness that demon across from her produced Clara sat in silence and ate her rice with veggies concentrating on Rin next to her and keeping a fake smile on her face. To add to her uneasiness Lady Iris kept glancing at her with an assuming gaze then to the fox in her hair then back to her conversation with her son.

Due to her allergies and preference for not eating meat Clara forced herself to eat slowly like the others and not to rush. Every instinct she had told her to run and never to return, but she couldn't leave just yet. She had to stay for Rin's sake and she knew that her running out would reflect badly on Sesshomaru. Her breath hitched as her mind wandered into forbidden territory. She carefully took a sip of tea and forced her shaking hands to still concentrating on her fruit. Kanta noticed how on edge she was, and how well she concealed it, so she gave the human woman a soft nudge with her chopsticks and a quick smile when Clara glanced at her.

After what seemed like an eternity lunch was over and all the Lords, plus Lady Iris, left the room to go start their meeting. Still lost in her own thoughts Clara numbly followed Rin and much to her surprise the rest of the women outside to a large court yeard in the back of the palace where they let their children , and Rin, play.

"Stay close." Clara said to her. "Okay?"

"Okay mamma." Rin said cheerfully hugging Clara before dashing off.

Stumbling slightly in the unfamiliar shoes Clara sat on a blanket next to Kanta under the shade of a large tree with the rest of the ladies and mothers.

"Are you alright?" Kanta asked softly.

Clara gave her a tried smile. "Yeah. I'm fine it's just been a long day and a very confusing one at that."

Kanta chuckled. "I understand. I was overwhelmed when I first came to court."

Clara gave her a questioning glance.

"It was when Lord Sesshomaru's father was still alive and the Lord of the West." She said remembering. "I was young then and my job was to watch over the young Lord."

"Then my husband fell in love with a human woman and had my step son." Came a melodious voice close behind them. Clara started and turned to glance behind her. She blinked at seeing Lady Iris and wearily watched as the Lady of the West sat down gracefully next to Kanta and another woman.

"Always a pleasure to have you here my Lady." Kanta said. The other ladies agreed murmuring their own hellos.

Clara said nothing and turned her attention to Rin as the little girl played. She was very aware of Lady Iris looking at her. After a while she got up and excused herself on the ground of being tired. The ladies all said their polite goodbyes, but Clara heard none of them. She just focused on putting one foot in front of the other and concentrating on getting to her room where she could break down in private. She had learned early on that she could only break down in public.

"Who knew debutant lessons would actually help me." She muttered to herself.

As she entered the palace she had to concentrate on which way was her room. She'd been here two days and still nothing made sense. She knew it was towards the back of the palace deeper where it was more easily protected and harder to get to. Sighing she made her way to the outside porch and tried to get to her room as quickly as possible. It had been a long day of being reminded of things she never wanted to remember combined with lack of sleep and she was ready to just take a bit to relax and recharge. She didn't notice as Lord Hotaru followed her until he stepped in front of her causing her to crash into him suddenly.

Clara blinked in shock and glanced up feeling her blood run cold.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly. "I wasn't paying attention."

"It's alright my lady." He said.

'Even his voice makes me sick.' Clara thought.

She gave him a polite smile and tried to go around him, but he blocked her way. Without warning he pinned her arms above her head and pressed his body against her his face was close to hers. Clara was so frazzled by today her mind shut down and her fighting instincts kicked in. She tried to knee him in the stomach, but his grip on her was too tight.

'Please gods above not again.' Clara begged.

She was too panicked for rational thought. She was lost in memories of another man in the same position. Of another set of hands gazing her body taing what they wanted and of another man's breath across her face. Lord Hotaru smiled down at her, but it didn't reach his eyes. He kept her hands tightly above her head and traced a sharp fingernail down her cheek leaving a thin scratch which caused blood to spill down her cheek.

"I know you feel it Lady Clara." He cooed to her. "You felt it the moment we looked into each other's eyes. Our attraction."

'Attraction?!' The word wound itself through her mind. Clara gaped at him unable to speak barely keeping her panic at bay.

He chuckled and withdrew a few steps away from her. "Until we meet again Lady Clara." He bowed to her giving her a smarmy smile. Looking quite pleased with himself he walked back into the palace and back to the meeting.

"Lady Clara?" came a soft voice behind her.

Clara gave no notice that she heard the maid. Carefully the maid led the dazed woman to her room. She helped the lady out of her kimono and hairstyle and into a more comfortable kimono. She handed the woman a cool glass of water and helped her sit.

"Leave me." Clara order voice hoarse.

The maid bowed out of the room. Clara sank to the ground spilling the water on the floor mats. She lay on her side staring at the wall before the stress of the entire day and her latest encounter got to her causing her burying her face in a blanket and letting her sobs out.

XXX

Pretty dark-ish way to end the chapter, but here ya go. Again I am so sorry for taking so long to update. I hope to update more often in the future.