Fairytale's End

1551, late-Muromachi Period, Musashi

The Great Dog Demon Sesshoumaru had never even conceived that so much could happen so short a time; at least, not to him.

Tessaiga, his arm, Naraku's machinations, the revival of Rin and Kagura's desire for freedom; all these things and more had amounted to the single most eventful year of his life. As he once again departed the old miko's village, he reflected.

More enemies than he could keep count of; so many close calls and dead ends. That bastard Naraku had wasted so much of his precious time, trying to manipulate this Sesshoumaru, putting the human girl Rin in danger of turning him on Inuyasha. His death had been inevitable from the moment he began to weave his web; and now Naraku and the Jewel of Four Souls were both gone from this world.

Sesshoumaru recalled Kagura, how she had struggled against her master, and in the end obtained her freedom, but also lost her life. He'd respected the female's tenacity and own cleverness, how she'd stood on her own while still in chains. Even now, these three years later, he would bear no insult to her memory.

Between the sorceress and Rin, Sesshoumaru had developed something akin to compassion, had come to understand fear and the sadness of loss, the value of life. While where his Rin was concerned it came easily, he still struggled to apply these things in respect to others he had no consideration for. While he still had a ways to go, it had already been a long journey.

So, too, had been his ascension. All his efforts had finally come to fruition during his battle against the evil spirit Magatsuhi. Something had changed when the being had run him through and cocooned him in bits of flesh. His life on the line, and having already suffered devastating blows to his pride, Sesshoumaru had cast it all aside; his father's intentions, the Tessaiga, everything he still clung to fell away as his own will, his own power raged to the fore.

From within himself came the strength to regenerate his lost arm, and the manifestation of his very nature, his own sword, the Bakusaiga. Armed with a weapon truly his own, Sesshoumaru had, finally, surpassed his father and freed himself from the past, had, at last, become a true daiyoukai. With Rin settled safely in Kaede's village, for the time being, he was free to venture forth to the darkest places, to root out the powers that resided there, and to truly begin forging his own empire.

***

Unbeknownst to Sesshoumaru, Kintsuke had felt it in that very moment he had nearly died and instead ascended; a stirring in her lower belly where his youki had been so long ago. It flared and pulled, an echoed memory, urging her to finally return home.

All things considered, she found no reason to stay. Lake Tai had, like herself, recovered completely. With no sign of or word from Shu-Ting or the others, she was alone in this country. She'd achieved what she'd come here to do long ago, and now, nothing was left.

Without fanfare or ceremony, she packed up only what she needed, including the scrolls she'd collected from the fortress, and began the long trek back to Japan.

***

1552, late-Muromachi Period, Spring, Musashi

It took Kintsuke some time to reacclimatize to the language and mannerisms of her native country, finding quite the surprise in the new weapons the humans had here and there. The sounds from these new firearms were horrific, the stench tolerable-for her, at least-, and unlike their earlier incarnations, the 'matchlocks' were effective. She chose to take, instead, the road less traveled back to Musashi, avoiding the road that ran through the capital of Kyoto.

Along the way, she traded her hanfu for a black set of hakama and matching haori, a basic cuirass in the styling of the continent, and a simple white kimono under that. She would re-forge her dragon armor with the more durable hides found only here eventually. She wasn't exactly in a rush. To be honest, as she finally arrived in the plains of Musashi, she wasn't sure where to go.

She was home…. now what?

An encounter with a small bear demon named Misano gave her an idea. He'd mentioned the name 'Inuyasha', and Kintsuke couldn't help but think that if anyone had rumors that might be able to help her get back on her feet here, it'd be the tiny flea demon Myouga that had been charged to look after her fellow half-breed.

***

1552, late-Muromachi Period, Spring, Kaede's Village

"Koha..!" the little boy cried happily, his tiny hand grasping at the retreating form of a young boy in taijiya armor.

His mother laughed as she cradled the child against her shoulder.

Even as Sango wished her brother Kohaku would visit more often or stay for longer, being a taijiya herself she understood his need to go. Instead, she turned to her husband Miroku and their twin daughters, finding comfort in his wisdom and their smiles.

Still, so many creatures were not yet aware that the Shikon no Tama they sought was no longer a part of this world, and many others sought revenge on the late priestess Kikyou for one reason or another. Sango silently wondered just how many more would rear their ugly heads here.

Down the path at the edge of the village, the now twelve-year-old Rin stood on her toes and waved a hand up at the retreating shape that was her Lord Sesshoumaru. She called her gratitude after him, reminding him to visit again soon, and Jaken answered with chastisements for still being so informal with the demon lord; the one who now silenced the imp with a quick smack to the back of his head.

Rin had grown used to living here with Lady Kaede and the others, but she missed being on the road with her lord. She'd return to it all one day, but for now, she heeded Kaede's call to come inside for the evening.

In a hut down the way, Inuyasha leaned comfortably against the wall near the fire pit, Kagome curled against his chest as they, too, relished the quiet that fell with the night over them, the little fox demon already fast asleep nearby.

For the moment, there was peace.

***

Autumn

Inuyasha combed the horizon, keeping watch as he usually did when Kagome and Rin came further from the village to harvest some of the wild-growing herbs near the forest line. It seemed it would be another quiet day, aside from the surprise visit from a certain flea who came baring news of yet another approaching demon. Myouga had been the first to come across the traveling Kintsuke, convincing her that it'd be worth her while to pay a visit before hopping on ahead to inform his master of her arrival.

"Do try to show a little respect. You owe her a lot."

"I owe her, do I? How exactly do ya fig're?"

Inuyasha grumped, ignoring how Kagome and Rin had come to listen as well.

"She watched over you when you were much smaller after your dearest mother passed away; a guardian, of sorts."

Myouga knew he was exaggerating, but also understood that little else would get through to his thick-headed master.

Inuyasha sneered, unimpressed. If she'd been meant to guard him, then where had she been when Sesshoumaru or the other demons had tormented and nearly killed him? Despite Myouga's protests, he wasn't inclined towards any sort of gratitude for this 'Kintsuke'. He glanced at Kagome, silently asking what she thought about it all.

The miko shrugged, arms filled with herbs.

"I think it'll be interesting to see what she has to say."

Inuyasha shrugged in kind.

"Well… I guess I can talk to her a bit."

Rin beamed.

"I'll ask Kaede if she can stay with us!"

"I don't know that she'll want to stay…" Myouga mused. "Remember the way you used to be, master. She may not want to be around humans for too long."

"Just another demon too good to hang around humans, huh?" Inuyasha jeered.

"You'll see what I mean soon enough."