Morning had come, the sun's early rays shining in on the group and Aiko sitting outside. The kids were running and playing tag with the other demon children while the adults were drinking tea, which Kagome politely declined. Suddenly Aiko stood and smiled, a smile forming on her face as a group crested the hill outside the village. She waved and it was reciprocated by the figure leading the way.

"Is this the brother?" Sango asked as Sesshoumaru stood up. Standing out in the open the height difference between the Inu and the spider were tremendous, Sesshoumaru towered over Aiko by nearly a foot though Aiko's aura was just as strong.

"Yes, welcome home, Eita," she said to the man to who looked to be her twin only with closely cropped hair.

"Hello sister dear, I see we have visitors. Good morning, Lord Sesshoumaru, and you must be Lady Kagome," Eita said with a bow.

Sesshoumaru inclined his head to the man but said nothing.

A loud squawking interupted the group and Kagome's face broke into a smile. "Niji!" she called, catching the attention of the rainbow colored bird.

"Gome! Rose! Kayo!" Niji called loudly. The bird landed on Kagome's shoulder and nuzzled it's head against her cheek.

"Yes, what a good bird," Kagome cooed, pulling the letter of its leg and running a finger over his feathers.

Sesshoumaru smirked, "You still need some work," he said softly, catching Kagome's attention.

"What are you talking about, Koi?" she asked quirking an eyebrow.

He nodded in the direction Niji had come from and Kaogme then noticed a few wisps of blonde hair floating in the wind.

Rose walked out from the bushes, "No one but you noticed, so I'm going to say it was good enough," she countered.

"Ah yes, but I could have killed you five minutes ago, and even if it was just me, you would still be dead," Sesshoumaru informed. "Have you come with news?"

"Wait wait wait," Kagome called and both parties stopped to look at her. She stood with her hands on her hips, head firmly set with the bird still on her shoulder. "What on earth is going on here?" she demanded.

Rose smiled, "I was Sesshoumaru's secret weapon, I'm his assassin," she declared proudly.

Kagome looked back forth between her mate and the blonde. She sighed loudly, spun on her heel and walked away.

"What was that about?" Rose asked, watching Kagome walk away.

Sesshoumaru exhaled slowly, "She's had a lot to take in these last few days, I should go after her."

"I'd give her a little while to cool off. I'm sure she'll come back when she's ready," Sango said, watching her sister fade into the treeline.

0808

Kagome was seated in the high branches of an old oak, just watching the clouds while Niji sang on her shoulder. There was a rustle a few feet down and to her left but she didn't even glance as she greeted.

"Hello, InuYasha. I'm sorry we've left you here for so long," she said softly.

InuYasha grunted, "Whatever. What are you doing out here by yourself?"

"I just needed to spend a little time where I knew for a fact that everything is the same," she said, still watching the clouds float by.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Kagome smiled sadly, "Nothing you need to worry about, 'Yasha."

InuYasha snorted but chose to sit quietly with Kagome.

Kagome sat in silence for a bit before her eyes closed and she started humming. Before long the humming turned to singing. She sang, softly at first, but with so much passion that it took the breath away from all who could hear it.

"Over in Killarney,many years ago
My mother sang a song to me
in tones so sweet and low
Just a simple little ditty
in her good old Irish way
And I'd give the world if she could sing
that song to me this day

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby."

Where Kagome left off Niji picked up, whistling the tune softly.

"Where did you learn that?" InuYasha asked quietly, Kagome's song having set the mood.

Kagome stroked the feathers of the still singing bird before she responded. "My dad taught it to me after a trip to Ireland. He said he heard a mother singing it to a newborn and it put them right to sleep. He said it was the perfect lullaby for my voice. I haven't sang that in years."

"He was right, it was a beautiful song, Lady Kagome," Rose called, startling Kagome.

"How long have you been there?" She demanded, angry that someone decided to come find her.

"I'm sorry, I came out when I heard that song. I remember my mother singing it to me when I was a baby. I didn't mean to upset you, I was just really surprised that someone knew that lullaby," Rose explained quietly. "I just wanted to tell you that it was beautiful."

Kagome sighed, her anger melting away. "No, it's okay. There has just been a lot of stress on me lately. I didn't mean to be rude to you, Rose."

Rose smiled, "I'm not upset. I understand. I am sorry to have interrupted you though."

"It's fine, I should probably head back anyways," Kagome said.

"I think Lord Sesshoumaru is planning on moving out here soon, he and Eita have been talking for a while," she reported.

Kagome nodded. "Well then, we should be ready to move on by sunset. Are you okay with that InuYasha?"

"Yeah, whatever," InuYasha muttered before jumping away, the spell of Kagome's song was broken and life moved on again.

"I am sorry that I didn't tell you about who I really was," Rose said quietly. She had grown to care for the demoness and she really respected her.

Kagome sighed. "No, I understand why you didn't. There is just a lot going on that I don't really know how to deal with. I'm sure you and Sesshoumaru would have told me sooner or later," Kagome explained.

"Yes, but still, it hurt you and that was not my intention," Rose said softly.

Kagome smiled a little, "I accept your apology, Rose, and I appreciate it."

Rose smiled brightly and nearly skipped into the village.

Walking into Sesshoumaru's line of sight she felt him send a general sense of confusion. Kagome smiled and sent him back a sense of love to show that she was no longer upset. "We'll talk later, okay?" Kagome told him quietly. Sesshoumaru nodded and turned back to talking with Eita.

"Yes, I would like Aiko to with you," Eita finished saying.

"Wait, what?" Aiko asked confused, not having followed her brothers train of thought.

"You are one of our best strategist and Lord Sesshoumaru has even said that your power would be useful in his palace. I would like you to go," Eita explained.

"I don't remember agreeing to this idea, brother dear," Aiko said, crossing her arms and glaring at her brother.

"I will not bring anyone with me without their complete cooperation and my mates approval," Sesshoumaru announced, cutting off the bickering siblings.

"Do not misunderstand me, Lord Sesshoumaru, I would be honored to go with you, but I feel that I am needed here to take care of these affairs," Aiko said.

"Aiko, I am perfectly capable of taking care of things here, and besides you're always a letter away," Eita said softly.

"Aiko, darling, you won't have another chance like this. I know you are worried about me, but go on and live your life," Ken said, shocking everyone around.

"Father...," Aiko stared, not even knowing that he had followed them outside.

Ken smiled warmly at his daughter in one of his few moments of clarity. "You gave up your life when you felt we needed you, now Eita and those in the village can take care of everything. Go get your life back, live like your mother wanted you to," he said.

Aiko's eyes filled with tears as she flung herself into her fathers arms. "I will. Thank you," she whispered. Ken's eyes closed as he hugged her close.

"Now go, Aiko, let's not make the lord wait," he whispered stroking her hair. Aiko smiled and nodded before moving to hug her brother.

"It's not goodbye forever, sister dear," he said when Aiko detached herself.

Aiko nodded and turned to the group. "I'm ready and willing to join you if you will allow," Aiko said, head held high.

Kagome smiled, "I am happy to have you along."

Sesshoumau "hn"ed and turned, taking Kagome's hand as he started out of the village.

Kagome giggled as she followed, relieved that though everything else may change, Sesshoumaru's love wouldn't.

0808

I am ashamed of this. I have had this chapter done for over a month but I've been so busy that I haven't been able to proofread this. I have been so busy as a college student, plus I had to go out of state for a week for a funeral. But here is this, and I will try to get the next chapter done soon. On the bright side, I have figured out how this is going to end! Anyway's, I love you guys and I hope to see you all soon! Bye-bye!