Holding on to the Past, Moving into the Future.

Chapter 1

By: Ryu Katanna

Beta: Miyu Suzuki

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

The End to a Journey.

Kagome stood among the ashen remains of what were the battle grounds to their final face-off with Naraku. They had done it. Nearly three years after their journey for the shards started, and they had finally done it. They had defeated Naraku, but not without a heavy price.

Her friends that she thought of as family were gone. Sesshomaru lay unconscious a few feet from her. Miroku lay dead two or three meters away. Sango lay beside him where she had fallen after the shock of seeing the man she loved killed before her eyes. Inuyasha lay holding his love, Kikyo. Life gone from his ember eyes. Kikyo lie in his arms. The stolen souls of dead women escaping from her body made of dirt, bone and ash. Her own soul also slowly returning to her. Even Shippo; her adopted son lay among the dead. Kirara, who's coat was stained with blood stood next to her mistress; loyal as ever. The neko demon looking down at Sango with mournful eyes.

Seeing her adopted family's mangled bodies Kagome released a heavy sob. "Shippo, Sango, Miroku, Kikyo, Inuyasha...no, it can't be. It wasn't supposed to end this way! DAMN YOU NARAKU! You did this you fucking bastard! This is what you wanted all along, isn't it. Isn't it!" She screamed to the misty blue skies. "You had something planned. I know you did, but what? What have you planned this time! I don't understand." Her words came out in a hushed whisper.

Jolted out of her thoughts from a soft nudging at her side she turned to find Kirara still in her large form. Kirara ad started emanating a soft purring soft in an effort to calm her mistress's little sister. Kagome started to calm down after a few minutes. With a slight smile Kagome gave one of the neko's large ears a scratch. "Thanks Kirara. We better check on Sessho now." Kagome said standing up with some help from the neko.

Making her way over to the yokai lord she started looking over his wounds. "Just as I thought. He took a bad thrashing." she murmured. Using her miko powers she started to heal Sesshomaru's wounds. The process took a while, but when it was finished all of his wounds had been healed and Kagome collapsed beside him in exhaustion. Kirara quickly caught her before her head hit the ground. While Kagome rested Kirara kept watch for any other yokai around. Half an hour later Sesshomaru started to stir.

When the yokai lord finally came to consciousness he shot up into a sitting position. Examining where his wounds had been he found nothing. 'Kagome must have healed my wounds.' he thought becoming aware of his surroundings. He wrinkled his nose in distaste at the scent of death that lingered in the air. Sensing movement beside him he turned to face Kirara standing beside a sleeping Kagome. Looking around he could see no signs of life from the rest of their group.

'So they did not survive. We'll take care of their bodies after Kagome wakes up, but for now all we can do is wait.' Picking Kagome up Sesshomaru carried her out of the battle field and into a clearing a little ways off with Kirara following close behind. Seeing a patch of long grass and flowers Kirara looked to Sesshomaru who nodded. Laying Kagome among the flowers to rest Sesshomaru sat against a nearby tree. Seeing this Kirara reverted to her kitten form and curled up next to Kagome, soon being pulled into the girls arms.

An hour passed until Kagome finally woke. She smiled slightly as she felt Kirara's kitten form in her arms instead of that of her adopted kit. Sitting up Kagome looked down at the neko in her arms. "Hello Kirara. Have a nice nap?" She asked. The neko replied with a soft mew as she jumped to the ground. "How long have I been out?" Kagome questioned herself as she stood looking at the mid-day sun. "Not long." Whipping around Kagome found the yokai lord in the same place since setting down a few hours earlier.

"Sessho, you're alright! I didn't think I could hold out long enough not to leave scars. Ehehehe..." she said with relief apparent in her voice. "Hn. Now I believe it is time to take care of those fallen in battle Imouto." Sesshomaru replied. At this Kagome fell silent; all emotion on her face gone with that one sentence. "Mm hm. You're right Onii-San." Picking up Kirara; Kagome placed the little neko on her shoulder. Slowly she walked over to Sesshomaru and the two of them started the trek back to the battle grounds.

Since arriving back in the battle field no one dared utter a sound. Kirara helped Kagome gather wood while Sesshomaru gathered the bodies of Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha, Kikyo, and Shippo. They would burn the bodies, and then Kagome would take the ashes home to her era. There Kagome and Kirara would meet up with Sesshomaru to ensure the final resting grounds for the rest of Kagome's torn family.

It was hard for her to think that just a few short weeks ago Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had adopted her into their family, or that after that there had been a celebration were Miroku had announced his love for Sango while Shippo bounced around from the excitement of it all. Kikyo had also been there that night. Kagome and Kikyo had both come to an understanding, and now Kikyo had become part of the group, and another sister to Kagome. Inuyasha and Kikyo were to be married next spring when the Sakura blossoms began to bloom. Kirara and Kaede were smiling along with the rest of them. That night had been one of the happiest nights of her life because that night they were all family, and every one of them knew it.

The morning after the hut had woken to Kagome's scream of shock. Everyone scrambled over to find out what was wrong when they saw why. Kagome held a pocket mirror in one hand while the other gripped tightly at her blanket. Her skin had paled some and a crescent moon appeared on her forehead. The symbol of the InuTashio Clan. She was even more shocked as both brothers approached her and lightly kissed the mark before whispering to her. Welcome to the family sister. Lady Kagome of the Western Lands.

Kagome finished with the wood and lay her loved ones together. As they set them to flame Kagome stared deep into the embers. She vowed then and there she would not cry, she would not show weakness, and most importantly; she would never allow anyone that close to her heart. If anyone tried to hurt what family she had left she would kill them. She only had Sesshomaru, Sota, her grandfather and mother now.

Slowly Kagome brought out a large leather money pouch from the pocket of her blue jeans, she would carry the ashes in this. She had not worn her school uniform to the feudal era since her adoption. Sesshomaru refused to let her travel in the outfit saying No sister of mine will be seen walking about in such revealing clothing. And his word was final.

Sesshomaru looked ob into the embers thinking of what the next five hundred years would bring. Glancing over at Kagome, Sesshomaru could tell she was changing from all the inner turmoil. She was growing cold to the world; turning her back on everything she had known. He couldn't stop it, and he knew that one day she would meet someone who could and would break through the barrier of ice she had created around her heart.

It had been three weeks since Kagome lost a piece of herself when she lost those so dear to her in battle. Since then Sesshomaru had brought Kirara and herself to his castle in the Western Lands.

She had changed greatly within the past couple of weeks. She no longer held the happiness in her eyes, nor the zest for life that she once had. Kagome walked slowly down the long corridor with Kirara following close behind. With Sango gone Kirara had chosen to stay with Kagome to protect her and keep her safe. Just as Sango would have wanted.

Sesshomaru had been in meeting all day, but Kagome knew now it was time to return to her own era. She could feel something inside her pulling her toward the well. Though she didn't know what it was she had a bad feeling about what was happening in her time. Coming to a set of large mahogany doors she lightly tapped on the door. Ignoring the harsh growls she lightly pushed open the door. The growling ceased as the stoic air that now surrounded the Lady of the West enters the room.

Speaking in a voice as devoid of emotion that it matched her brothers perfectly. She ignored the other lords in the room and turned to her Onii-San "Sesshomaru I must speak with you about a very important matter that has come the hand, and I fear it is most urgent and cannot wait." Sesshomaru knew something was wrong. He had explained to his Imouto a long time ago not to interrupt meetings unless an important matter came to hand. "I will return momentarily." he told the other lords as he stood to leave the room.

Following Kagome out of the room Sesshomaru closed the door behind him. "What is it Kagome?" "I have to go back to my time. I can't stay here any longer. Something's wrong in my time, and I need to go back to find out what it is." Kagome said picking up Kirara."Alright, in five hundred years I will send Jaken to you. I only ask you do not kill him...again. I grow weary of reviving him every time. I would accompany you to the well, but I cannot leave the other lords. There are problems in the South that must be resolved. Kirara I leave her in your care." Sesshomaru said looking at the neko in Kagome's arms. With a nod Kirara jumped to the floor and transformed into her large form. "Well, goodbye Onii-San." Kagome said enveloping Sesshomaru in a hug. "See you in five hundred years, Imouto."

With that Kagome left on Kirara to return to her own era. Naraku defeated, though at a price. She didn't belong in the past anymore. She was going home to her family. Not knowing what to expect when she got there.

That's the 1st chapter. I know I have others to finish, but I had a serious case of writers block. I'm try'n though. Sorry if it's any inconvenience to you. Good news: I know what's happening next in my stories. Bad news: I need to figure out how to word it to my liking. Later!

Ryu