Chapter One

Lady Kasumi was sitting up in a field with the village children surrendering her. The wind was light with soft gusts. Lady Kasumi would close her eyes just as a gust of wind would come in, she would take a deep breath in and smell what the wind was sending her. No one else could pick up on the scent she could smell. No one else knew what she was doing. But she was still keeping tabs on the demon that threatened the village. The wind would also stop as soon as it got to Lady Kasumi. It seemed like the wind was being pulled towards her and the wind would be silent and expelled as soon as she took her breathe.  After her deep breathe she would stare off into the direction of the village.

The village children where playing with one another. Some of  the children were in big circled with there arms linked singing songs, and some of the older ones just sat on the ground playing with grass. One of the older child noticed that Lady Kasumi wasn't really paying attention to them as she usually did.

"Is something wrong?" Asked one of the kids.

Lady Kasumi attention was drawn back to the children quickly.  All of the children stopped laughing and playing together and they all stared at her. Lady Kasumi study the children faces, she sighed softly.

"You guys caught me. I've been lost in the wind" She said. The kids all looked at one another and then at lady Kasumi. The Children hadn't even noticed there was a soft wind until she mentioned it. A soft gust of wind came in and swept the field they were in.

"Do you guys want another story today?" She asked, the children gathered around her close and she begun to tell a story about the Bakeneko.

* * *

Rin and the others reached to the little village that Lady Kaede told them about.  They were in the village just to pick up some herbs from the monk in town and bring them back to Kaede that same day.  It was suppose to be a really simply job. Lady Kaede said there shouldn't be any problems because the village hasn't dealt with demons in 30 or more years. 

Rin got off of A-un and held onto there leash, she was ready to walk into the village. Kagome got off of Inuyasha, and Miroku got off of Kirara. Before they started to move, Inuyasha could smell a demon scent coming from the north west of the village. Inuyasha looked at Kagome and Miroku to see if either of them could sense it too. They all made eye contact with each other and Kagome and Miroku nodded at Inuyasha.

Inuyasha, Kagome and Miroku all moved away from Rin to talk privately amongest themselves.  Rin noticed they went to talk together and she gave them some space and looked at some bushes with A-un. They started to pick some berries. 

"Can you all sense this?" Kagome asked. 

Miroku nodded and same with Inuyasha. 

"I told the old hag this was a stupid idea" Inuyasha said. He looked frustrated and annoyed. All of the missions Kaede sent them on somehow always involve a demon of some kind. 

This usually wasn't an issues because Miroku and Kagome could look after themselves but Rin couldn't. Kaede hadn't taught Rin how to fight demons. Rin has only been learned how to blend and dry herbs, and how to be a human girl.

"Should we turn back?" Kagome asked.  She was also worried. "Kaede said this village never has problems with demons. So we could still go, get what we need and leave." She added.

Inuyasha and Miroku stood there quietly for a few minutes thinking to themselves. Until Miroku spoke up. "We could go to the village and get what we need. If the monk in town wants help, we could always offer our hand in removing the demon and get paid. Besides if anything goes wrong we do have Inuyasha and his might tetsusaige." 

"Why am I ALWAYS the solution?" Inuyasha asked angrily.  He let out an angry sigh. "Fine, we'll do this." Inuyasha did know that if it came down to it, anything he could fight would be brought down by his tetusaige. 

Kagome and Miroku and Inuyasha rejoined Rin, They told Rin they were going to still go, and Rin felt relieved. She was a bit scared that her mission would be canceled and she'd have to go back to Kaede empty handed.  She was fearful of Kaede would be upset with her, or Kaede would end up blaming herself.

As they walked towards the city and they got into the more farm land area they noticed the rice paddy fields were empty. No one was there,  no one was working the fields, no one was even taking a break. The fields looked abandon for the day. They saw tools stuck into the soil, like they were ready to be used,  but there was no one around, as they kept walking they noticed the signs of human life weren't there.  It was like everyone in the village just up and left. They entered the area that was closer to the monk's dwelling and they noticed there was people around.

The people where mumbling to each other about things, the others just thought it was village life that was being gossiped.  Inuyasha looked around and smelt the air and noticed there was no demon presents there. Everyone was human, and it puzzled him. Kagome just shook her head and thought maybe everyone was at a services with the monk and that's why no one was in the fields working. 

Kagome walked with Rin, Rin stopped a group of villagers and asked them where could she find the local monk.  The women looked at her, and then the group. The women seemed a little upset at first because there were demons with this young girl. But they decided it was best to talk to her. 

"Are you all just passerby?" One of the women asked. 

"Yes, we are ma'am" Rin responded. "I'm from a different village. I'm just carrying out a chore I was given by our Shrine maiden. Which is why I need to find the monk." Rin added. 

The women looked at Rin, They heisted before they spoke, but they ended up telling her where to go. Rin smiled and said thank you after she was given the directions to the Monk. "Thank you." Rin said. They were still displeased to see a demon with the young girl, but they did notice the humans and a monk with her so they trusted what they felt might be right. 

Rin, Kagome and the others walked towards the shrine where the monk was. As they got closer Rin got excited. "I'm almost there Lady Kaede, I'll be home soon." She thought to herself as they reached the shrine.  Once they got to the shire they walked through the gate. The area was small but it was a beautiful and peaceful area. They all looked around as Rin and A-un wondered forward into the court yard. 

The monk was watering some plants when he noticed the visitors. "Humans and demons and a little girl?" The monk thought to himself as he watched them look around. The Monk was studying them, he noticed there was a monk with them, a half demon and a women and a little girl. Plus to other demons. He wondered to himself if these people could maybe be of help.   The monk approached the group, and Rin noticed him. 

"Are you the monk for this village?" Rin asked. She felt a bit anxious as she asked and she thought it might have been a rude way to ask. But the Monk chuckled to himself. 

"I am" He said to Rin, he looked down on this little girl and noticed her curiosity.  Rin felt relief when she heard that, she also smiled at him.  "I need to ask you for something.." Rin said to the monk. 

The monk offered everyone to come inside so they could speak, he offered to make some tea for them to drink and he also told Rin he'd listen to her request and try and help her any way he could. The monk felt like he was a trust worthy person. And he also seem to have no problem with the demons at his shrine.  

The monk helped Rin find a spot for A-un where they could be outside. Rin asked if they could be a by a big tree so they could be shaded while they wanted for her to come out. The monk nodded and agreed to finding a spot where they could have some shade. He also offered to get a bowl of water for A-un to drink from. Rin felt happy with this offer and helped a-un feel comfortable, and she also made way for the big bowl to sit. So a-un to be able to drink while they waited. 

After looking after a-un they made there way into the monks house. The monk made tea and started to talk to his guests. He learnt a lot about the travelers and why they came to his village. Rin told him about how she needed some herbs Kaede wanted. She also told him about how she didn't like it when Kaede was harsh on herself for using things and not replacing them. The monk also started to talk to Inuyasha and Kagome and Miroke. 

"I have the herbs you need." He said. "But, I have a favor to ask you." The Monk said.

Inuyasha looked annoyed, and also tired. He thought to himself "This old guy is going to ask us to slay the demon isn't he? because his spell isn't working." 

"What is it?" Kagome asked softly.  

"If you do this task or not, I will still give you the herbs because the young girl needs them. But I was wondering if you all could go to the top of the hill. There will be a women up there, she's with the village children," He heisted a second. He didn't want to word it like this women was a problem. "When you get up there could you offer help to this women?" The monk asked.  

Inuyasha and the others look at each other. Inuyasha felt relieved that the monk wasn't asking them to get rid of a demon. He also felt like this was a fair trade. Just go up the hill and off the women some help with the brats, and Rin would get her herbs.  Inuyasha and the group agreed that they could go to the top of the hill where the women was to help her. The monk felt relieved, and he said thank you and he than excused himself from the room to go and get the herbs Rin asked for.

"What an odd request" Kagome said. 

"I was expecting something like kill the demon." Inuyasha responded. 

Rin reminded them that Kaede did say this village never had demon problems. So maybe this is how the village works. There is a demon threat and then the demon is purged from the world and the village goes back to normal.   

"Well it looks like you didn't need your tetsusagia after all, Inuyasha" Mirok added.  

The Monk re-entered the room with a bag of herbs. He offered them to Rin. Rin got the bag and she opened the bag and looked down to see the herbs. She took one out and looked at it. "It looks like exactly like what Kaede said" She thought to herself. She placed the herb back into the bag, and she then closed the bag and offered a thank you to the Monk. They left the monks house and Rin went out to go and get A-un from their slumber they had. She Put the herbs into the little basket Kaede had attached to the back of A-un. She than took A-un's leash and walked over to beside Inuyasha and the others.

"Now please go see the Lady" the monk asked. 

Kagome, Inuyasha, Mirok, Kirara, Rin and A-un left the temple and started to make there way into the direction of the hill where Lady Kasumi sat with the children.  

Lady Kasumi could sense there was a few demons in town and they were coming towards her, but she didn't smell the scent of blood or burning, in stand she smelt the scent of the monk. She sat ontop of the hill with the children still and just waited. As she sat there with the children one of the demon scents become more present and it started to smell like a scent she once knew. 

"This is somewhat like Sesshomaru's Fathers scent," She said to herself "But it also smells human." 

Prologue

A black cat sat on a roof top of a home in the village. She sniffed the air and looked around, her green eyes darted about as she watched this little village. She jump from roof to roof sniffing and seeking out something. The village had a soft mist come in and the cats fur sparkled with the light.  The cat slowly moved its way jumping across the village and darting on air as she got to the monks house. She sat on top of the roof and looked up at the sky. The sky started to fill up with this beautiful orange color as the sun rose for its day.  As the sun rose forward and shined its light over the little village, the cat got up on its hie legs and started to change shape as well.

Her fur and body slowly transformed, as her shape change she grew in height.  She got tall, her ears retracted into her head as long thick black hair flicked in the wind before it calmed itself down and settled its self to her waist. Her bangs cut off just at her forehead and the rest of her hair went over her shoulders. Her skin was fair but soft,  Her face looked calm and peaceful, her lips changed to a neutral color.  She had on what looked like light makeup, her eyes were still green and cat like. She had fangs that still showed.

On her thigh you could see a mark of a flower.  She also had a long thick black tail that was draped itself her waist. It hugged her body tightly as she moved. She had no sound and no one in the village could hear her move, let along the monk who was sleeping below in his home.   

On the roof was a piece of clothing and a rock sat on top of it. She bent down and picked up the rock that was holding her kimono down. She took her clothes and placed the rock back down.  The kimono was thick and long, it was made out beautiful fabric that glinsced.  Her tail unfolded itself around her body. She pulled her kimono around her body and then her tail popped through the fabric before it re-wrapped its self around her. The kimono had purple flowers around the bottom, just like the same one she had on her thigh.   She bent down again and grabbed two other things off of the roof, one of them was a necklace that she put on her neck, it had a little burlap sack with something inside of it. She held it for a few seconds and then let go of it as it weighted on her neck. The next thing she picked up was a package. It was for the monk how lived below. It stayed up there until the day had came.

She then glanced around the village and saw that no one was awake yet, she could smell the sweetness of the doe, and the smell of the other local fruits the villagers were growing. 

"Such a peaceful scent and a peaceful village, I hope I can save this village so it can always stay this pleasant." She thought to herself, She walked towards the end of the roof and then jumped down. There was no noise when she landed, but the monk had opened up his door and looked at her before making a gesture to come in. 

"Monk" She said.   "I'm not here today for tea. I have something I need to talk to you about, I have this..." She said as she held out the sack, the monk nodded and they both walked into the his temple. 

They entered his temple and went into a room for them to sit, she sat down. She had put the sack in front of her. The monk had brought in tea anyways and placed it on the table. The monk then also sat down. He cleared his throat and then looked up at her. Her face was serious and it had an expression of sadness.

"Have you been sensing it as well?" he asked her. "Its been about 40 years since you came here and you haven't changed at all. You've changed this village, and its people, but you, yourself haven't changed.  You may end up changing after this tonight" he said.  

She looked at him and bit her lip. "Monk, this is for you" She said as she handed him the package. The package was stuffed, and everything had its own place. He opened up each little package, some of it was herbs, grave yard soil. He opened up another package and inside were little circle objects that looked like beads, and inside the last one which was a stone of some kind. When he picked it up a bright light came out of the stone. 

"Tonight after you all leave the village, before the sunsets light the herbs and grave yard soil together, this will create a barrier. No one will find you, I won't even be able too. The herbs is a strong mix, I also dropped a bit of my blood in. The grave yard soil is from this place from years ago when I first came its full of demon and human remains." She stated "Make sure that you put these little pills into the fire when it burns the brightest and the strongest. This is what will create the protection of the village. Only do one pill at a time to feed the fire. " She said.  "These will keep you all safe. Until its over. As for that stone, hold onto it. When it stops shinning it means everything will be done and over. Its also going to be the only way I can signal you." 

"Lady Kasumi.." He said. He had worry and sorrow on his face and in his voice. He realized what was going on. And why her blood was mixed into the herbs. She shook her head, and smiled a empty smile at him. 

"This is your village, and these are your people. I will not be able to protect the villagers for much longer. So please, this is the last bit I can do. " She said. "I'll go out with the children for today. I can sense the energy and I will send them home as soon as I sense the energy getting closer.   For now, get the villagers together and let them know. Everyone must leave before sun set." She stated.  

The monk was a friend of this women, and she valued him the most of this village, He also valued her.  She was one of his closest friends and was also someone who looked after him when he was young. The monk also was one of the few people who really knew her identify and who she was. He also was someone who knew what she was capable of.  The monk saw her when she first came to the village, she came flying out of the forest north west of the village.  Demon where plaguing the village and were fighting one another a long with humans. The Monk watched in horror as his master was killed by a demon and was about to have his flesh eat as she came out and beheaded the demon. 

She was clearly a demon, but she cared about human for some reason. She told the young monk to leave and find a safe spot as she transformed. The monk had ran and hid and just as he did that she faced a demon that had recognized her. He saw a bright light and flight a powerful wind that sent the big demon away. When she was finished with that demon others had fled.   She than dropped to the ground and as she did that he ran out of hiding to go and see her and make sure she was okay.  Sense then she was apart of the village. She watched the monk grow up, and turn into a man.   

As Lady Kasumi got up, the monk let his head hang in sorrow and in mourning. "Monk" She said. "Don't mourn, what hasn't been lost." She said to him as she left the room and went out. As he looked up to see her she was gone. Just like the wind.

* *  * 

Meanwhile at Lady Kaede's village.

"Where are they?" Kaede asked herself while looking frustrated. Kaede was looking into her jars and trying to find something. She searched and searched and became more and more frustrated as she kept searching. 

Rin walked into the house, she held a basket full of freshly picked herbs for them to use for treatment for wounds. With the lack of demons the only injuries that have been happening has just been accidents. She placed the basket on the ground and she looked at Lady Kaede. Kaede was bickering to herself about something.. Rin felt bad she also really didn't like Lady Kaede bickering towards herself because it always seemed like Kaede had higher exceptions to herself and would be disappointed. 

"Where are what?" Rin asked.
Kaede wiped her forehead and let out another sigh of frustration. She stopped searching and turned around to look over at Rin. Rin was hot from just being outside and she looked a bit tired from heat.  Rin looked curious at Kaede. "Is there something I can do to help?" Rin asked Kaede. She was eager in helping Kaede. 

"No my child. I was trying to find herbs, but I think I used them up awhile ago." Kaede sighed. "How was your trip out and picking herbs?" She asked Rin.  Rin Smiled and showed Kaede the herbs she picked.  Kaede was happy to see that Rin picked the best herbs she could find. "These will do nicely. We should dry them" Kaeda said. 

They sat down and started to use string to tie to the steam of the herbs. When they were done tying all of the herbs up by there steams they then started to hang them upside down so they could dry out. Rin started to feel hungry and she told Kaede she was getting hungry so when they were done Kaede started the fire and started to boil up some rice. Rin offered to fetch fresh water for them to drink also. Rin took a bucket with her and ran down to the creek and pulled up some fresh cool water, Rin walked back up the path to the house. When Rin entered the home she could smell the freshly cooked rice/ Kaede had the rice ready and a little bowl was out for Rin to eat room.  Rin brought the water in and she grabbed herself a cup and poured herself and Kaede some fresh water.  After Rin handed Kaede some water she than sat down with hers and her food and started to eat.

Kaede looked at rin. "Rin," She said. "I summoned Inuyasha and the others. I have a task for you. And I want them to come with you." She stated.

Rin looked at Kaede and smiled. She felt excitement. Since Sesshomaro left her in that village she hasn't been allowed to leave. Kaede has been watching Rin carefully and making sure no harm comes to her.  Sesshomaro would still visit but Rin still longed to go out and adventure the world more. So for Rin this was a really nice gesture and she felt like Kaede really trusted her.  Kaede started to tell Rin about what she was looking for, and the task she was about to send her on...

Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroko and Kirara all showed up together in the village. They noticed A-un sitting in front of Kaede's house.  Everyone looked puzzled at first but they felt like Kaede would explain what was going on once they got inside to speak to her. They all made their way  into Lady Kaede's home and greeted Kaede and Rin. 

Rin was excited and happy to see them all. "Everyone!" she exclaimed.  

Kaede told everyone to sit down and she started to explain why everyone was summoned there. She told them about a herb that she needed and how Rin is being sent out on the task to go and get it. 

"Are you insane old women?" Inuyasha yelled. "Sesshomaru is going to kill you if he finds out you sent Rin out on her own for this." 

"Why do you think I summoned you all here?" Kaede said with a blank face looking at Inuyasha. "I sent you all to come because you all will be looking after Rin, and making sure she gets there. Makes sure she also picks up the herbs she needs from the village monk and then finding her way back here." Kaede said and then sipped on some cold water. 

"You think he is going to be okay with this...?" Inuyasha mumbled to himself. He felt like he was being pushed into a plan. He also started to worry that if something happened to Rin and he was in charge of looking after her, Sesshomaru would have his head too. 

 Kagome could sense the worry but at the same time, she could sense Rin's excitement. She also thought the task wouldn't be too hard, get some herbs, come home.  So Kagome decided that should would offer help for Rin.  After Kagome said so, the rest of them chime in saying they'd all go aside from Sango. She wanted to stay in the village and look after her children, But she offered Kirara for Miroko. 

Everyone got up and left Kaede's house for outside. Kaede picked up a that would go on the back of the saddle on A-un. After she was done, she offered Rin some help so she could get up on A-un.  Kirara transformed into her bigger version and Miroko got on top of her. Sango approached him to give him a good bye hug and kiss.  

"You take care of our children" Miroko said. "I won't be long" He said softly as he kissed her on the forehead. 

"Good bye Sango and Lady Kaede!" Rin yelled and waved.  A-uh went off and Rin was happy and started to wave goodbye. Inuyasha picked up Kagome and they followed and Kirara went off too and followed close behind them.

... 

So this is my first bit, I think its okay. I had to figure out a way to add inuyasha and the others, but without them taking up too much space, or making the story geared towards them, because its not really geared towards them at all. I really don't want them to be the main characters.  I have different plans for them anyways.