Prologue

Edo Period, Kaede's Hut

"Mugwart can be used as a sedative, and it can also be used to clear the belly of worms." Rin listed the effects of the dried sprig presented before her, her honey bronze eyes sharply focused as she tried to remember what she had learned. "It tastes awfully bitter."

The little demoness' nose scrunched, it must have smelt bitter as well.

"Aye, and be there any ill effects with over-treatment?"

"Erm..." The nine year old thought a moment before she looked stumped, her fingers twisted a nervous loop in her overgrown silver hair. Miroku nodded subtly to get the girl's attention before pointing to his eyes.

"Oh!" Rin brightened. She gave him a relieved, thankful smile before composing herself once more to the polite young lady that she was training to become. "Yes, too much can cause tinted vision or blindness."

Kaede turned to glare over her shoulder at the unholy monk sitting behind her, catching his proud grin.

"Ye need not coddle the child, Miroku."

The old priestess packed the dried herb away in it's thin rice paper sheath and placed it in the dry storage under the false floorboard. She'd decided to quiz Rin while rotating her winter stock. Kaede's aged, weathered hands reached for the next sachet with care.

"The more knowledge thee young demon acquire as an herbalist, the less likely thy villagers wish her harm. Especially so, if Lord Sesshoumaru continues to leave her in mine care during such unrest."

The Youkai Lord stopped in from time to time to check on the little girl's well being and to present her with gifts such as the heavy, deep purple kimono coat that she was wearing then to keep away the chill that she barely felt. Miroku figured that Sesshoumaru was still trying to comprehend just what the Jewel's wish had done to his ward. For the first few weeks he had been immensely protective, but more and more the Dog was shying away from the child.

They all feared that she would ultimately be rejected by her Lord, if he came to decide that the responsibility of a daughter was too great compared to that of a simple—temporary—human ward.

Not that Miroku minded the prospect of becoming the newly changed demoness' caregiver, if Sesshoumaru were to abandon her. But it was bound to be more difficult for them to sustain such a large household in the coming months.

He'd taken up farming that past summer when demon hunting proved to be a fool's errand, with barely enough yield to last them through the winter. In the coming spring he was going to look into opening an apothecary.

"Next, girl, what is this?" The elder asked Rin.

Rin stared at the curled brown clump. "It's... tree bark—? Wait!" Something clicked in her memory. "Mulberry. It is White Mulberry bark." She glanced back at Miroku for confirmation, before realizing that Kaede wasn't going to let that slide again. "If you make it into a tea it can help fight a cough, fevers and headaches. You use it a lot when the seasons change, Miroku."

"An unfortunate truth." He admitted airily. "Hay fever can destroy the will of even the strongest warrior."

Her small laugh was polite, restrained.

Oh, how he missed the hearty laughter that once filled their huts and campsites. The newly uncursed war veteran was determined to bring it back with time. His children would be encouraged to express themselves unreserved, much like Inuyasha and Kagome both had.

Kaede pulled out one last paper pouch and revealed the delicately preserved plant stalk inside. "Do ye know this one? It may have been left from yer previous lessons, as I'd so few to spare."

The dry herb had slender, toothy leaves that Rin eyed carefully.

"I'm sorry, I do not recognize that one."

Miroku recognized it with a pang of nerves.

"'Tis a plant to prevent a new mother from bleeding out with childbirth. Such a risk it is, to bare a child. Aye, with the skill of a midwife and the correct herbs it need not be as frightening as it once was." The elder handed Rin the clipping for her to memorize. "Come early summer, we shall replenish stock. Many a child will be borne this coming year."

The death of Naraku coupled with the expulsion of demon kind from the Human Realm had caused quite an uproar and as a result there had been extensive celebrations that year. Festivals were still popping up, even nearly two seasons later. Many men had left their homes to join the rallying armies determined to rid the land of any lingering beasts and divvy up the now unspoken territories, leaving their wives satisfied and child-heavy.

Of course, Miroku was in no position to lay judgment.

"Yer dear Sango will be needing it as well, nearer that time."

Miroku's thoughts traveled to his wife. He'd given up the Cloth for her, he loved her more than anything else in that world and he was willing to bend backwards over rivers to keep her happy. Yet she insisted on driving him to madness with worry. Even then she was out collecting water, which he, in no way, thought that she should be doing such work in her condition. She'd lectured him when he had told her as much, but was it really so wrong of him to want her to be comfortable, safe and provided for? The last thing she needed was to overexert herself.

Unfortunately the cursed woman was stubborn.

A stubborn, infuriating thing that was more amazing than the sun itself.

Sango was his heart.

From the moment she told him the news, Miroku had vowed to be a better father than his own had been. And he hoped to be half as good a parent as Monk Mushin had proven to be, when he was sober.

The sight of Rin stiffening, hackles raised, pulled the ex-monk from his musings.

"What is that?" She asked. Unfamiliar sensations overwhelmed the girl since she had no ability to sense any of the supernatural before her transition. Her tiny face was pinched and panicked, the smooth purple markings on either side of her cheeks frayed ever-so-slightly with the fluttering of her aura.

It took a fraction longer for his human senses to feel it. When the warm and inviting energy buffed his own aura, Miroku jumped to his feet. At the same moment a clattering sounded outside the hut, followed by the splashing of water to the ground.

Sango ripped open the sliding door, glowing from both her baby bump and startled excitement.

"Miroku! It's the well!"