This is my first fanfic and my first time using this site, so if I screw this up...my apologies! I don't own Inuyasha...but oh if I did! The characters are the creation of Rumiko Takahashi but the situation they're in is all mine! Enjoy!

Ties That Bind

Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Kilala had been hunting for shards in the mountainous region a few days from Kaede's village for almost a week now with no luck. "Kagome I thought you said you sensed a shard in this direction ... are you sure your brain's working?" Inuyasha questioned.

"I did Inuyasha," the girl ground out between clenched teeth. "I sensed the shard two days ago and it was heading in this direction. How many times do I have to say it?"

"Well if you sensed it, why haven't we found it?" Inuyasha grumbled back. "There's been no sign of it and I'm not seeing much out here. There isn't even any sign of humans up here much less demons," he said looking around the bare peaks.

"I have no control over where demons go, besides wouldn't someplace where humans aren't living be a good place for a demon hideout?" The girl shot back.

"Now calm down you two," Miroku said. "We'll find the shard in due time. We always do," he said smugly. "Besides, I'm somewhat familiar with this area. There's a shrine not too far from here. Humans do come here, it's just not the right season right now."

"Feh. Whatever." Inuyasha replied. He turned and began to sniff the air. "Hey monk, how far is that shrine from here?"

"I'm not exactly sure, it's been awhile. Why?"

"Because there's a storm coming and it's a big one."

Kagome looked up at the peaks to the north, the direction the wind was coming from. "Wow, Inuyasha's right. Those clouds look like they're ready to burst."

"Hmmm..." Miroku said, looking around. "Let me get my bearings ... ah yes. I'd say we're about a half hour from the temple. We just need to bear a little more to the east."

Inuyasha looked toward the east and saw a faint track that looked as though it hadn't been used in awhile. Grumbling under his breath he began down it. After a half hour, they still hadn't reached the temple.

"Hey Miroku, I thought you said it was a half hour to the temple!" Shippo whined.

"It's been awhile Shippo, I may have made a mistake on the distance."
Just then, the clouds opened and rain began to fall. It started slowly, but soon gained force until the whole group was running blindly down the trail.

"I see something up ahead!" Kagome's voice rang out over the din of the rain. The entire group was now soaked through and they sprinted even faster as they saw the shrine ahead. They approached the main building and noted the two smaller buildings off to the side.

Standing on the porch of the main building they took a moment to catch their breath. Inuyasha gave himself a good shake and Kagome was splashed with more water. "Inuyahsa, watch it!" she grumbled. "Hmph, your fault for standing next to me." he retorted. Looking around her Kagome noted how much the shrine resembled the shrine in her time. "Wow, this seems very similar to our shrine." "Really Kagome?" Sango said. "Yeah, it looks similar in how it's laid out." Kagome said as she peered into the dark main room.

"Kagome, do you have those fire starting things?" Miroku asked. "Oh, you mean matches! Yeah they're in here somewhere..." She began to dig through her bag. "Here they are!" She handed Miroku the matches and he entered the dark room lighting a torch hanging on the wall near the door. He walked around the room and lit several other torches. As the main room filled with light, the group was surprised by what they saw.

"It looks like it's been awhile since anyone has used this place." Sango said as she peered at the altar with dried flowers adorning it. "Yeah, this place definitely hasn't seen much use in awhile. I thought it smelled odd." Inuyasha said as he looked about him. "Miroku why is the temple neglected like this?" Kagome asked. Sighing, the monk turned toward his friends. "I explained on the way up here that this wasn't the season that this temple is used. It's primarily used in the Spring or if someone really needs the goddesses help." Kagome was about to ask a question when her stomach grumbled. "Wow, it's been awhile since lunch. We should make some food." Inuyasha nodded and looked around the room. "I agree, but where are we gonna cook and what are we gonna cook?" "If you walk around on the veranda there's a kitchen area in the back of this building. Follow me and I'll show you." Miroku said as he left the main room.

After a hot meal of ramen and tea the group settled in the main room. Miroku had found a hibachi and some dry wood in the kitchen area and transported it to the main room. Everyone huddled around the makeshift campfire and tried to warm up. "We should get out of our wet clothes," Miroku said looking around at the group, who were all shivering despite the fire. "Yeah, I bet you'd enjoy that. Pervert!" Sango said as she smacked him on the side of the head. "Actually, he has a point." Kagome said. "We could all catch cold and the last thing we need now is to get sick. Besides I have some dry clothes in my backpack."

After rummaging through the backpack the group was dressed in a variety of odds and ends. "It's a little better. Thank you Kagome." said Sango dressed in a T-shirt and pajama pants. "You're welcome." Kagome said trying to keep a straight face. Miroku, who was sitting next to Sango, was dressed in a Hello Kitty shirt and pink sweatpants. Finally Kagome couldn't hold it in anymore and laughed heartily at the monk in girls clothing. "I'm glad I could bring a smile to your face Kagome, however I don't see why I got these pink clothes and Inuyasha gets the dark blue pajamas. It seems a little unfair." "Heh, deal monk. It was what was left over. You were the one who decided to go back to the kitchen when we started looking through Kagome's extra clothing." Inuyasha said gloating. "I don't see what's wrong with your clothes Miroku. They're dry aren't they? Besides, we kind of match!" Shippo said smiling. "Shippo when you're older you'll understand," the monk replied, glancing at Shippo who was clothed in an oversized pink Hello Kitty sweater. "We should try to get some rest," Sango said as she yawned. "Tomorrow will be a long day."

The group laid out and within a few minutes sleep had overtaken them. As the night wore on and the fire died down, a strange blue light began to emanate from the altar. The light grew in intensity and as it reached its apex a figure appeared.

The goddess looked at the group laying before her. She smiled to herself. 'Ah, all asleep. They were very weary.' As she crossed from the altar toward the group she stopped by Miroku and looked down. 'You wish for one to continue your family line with you, yet you continue to ask the wrong women. The one who will help you with this lies next to you. However, I am not here to help you tonight. You will learn in time.' Smiling at Miroku she glanced to Sango laying near him. 'You will do well to help him. Your child will be blessed when the time comes.' The goddess continued walking and stopped in front of Inuyasha.

Looking down at his sleeping form a sad smile crossed the goddess' face. She studied Inuyasha as she examined his heart. 'Inuyasha, you've grown into a fine man. How I wish things could've been different. You could've been mine, but it was not to be. I loved your father, truly I did. I hated having to give him up and enter my arranged marriage, but I had no choice. I promised him I would always look after you and I have from the time you were within your mother. Luck has brought you to my shrine after all this time. Ah, but what's this? Your heart Inuyasha, it is torn. Your demon nature and your human nature are at odds. You are losing control of your demon nature. Oh my.' Worry crossed the goddess' face. 'I can't allow this. Inuyasha, your father would not have wanted this. He loved your mother and the product of that love was you, his pride and joy. You were the culmination of demon and human with the strengths of both. He would not want to see you like this. I must do something.'

Gazing steadily at Inuyasha the goddess thought of what to do. Suddenly she was conscious of a murmur. Turning, the goddess looked at Kagome and peered into her heart. 'Oh my! She is in love with Inuyasha. How pure this love is. He has hurt her, yet she still cares for him' The goddess smiled at Kagome. A plan was forming in her head. Turning back to Inuyasha, she once again examined his heart, looking for his feelings for Kagome. 'There they are! Inuyasha, you've buried them deeply. Ah, but I can see why. You feel so strongly for her. You've almost lost her and you worry you may lose her again. You trust her and you've never trusted another. She is the key. Yes, I believe I know how to save your human nature Inuyasha. There is one bond that cannot be broken and it will bind you to your human nature forever.' Smiling the goddess looked from Inuyasha to Kagome and back. 'Yes, I believe this will work.'