Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, any characters you don't recognize are mine.

A/N: Soooo I'm back! Yay, lol. I hope you guys will like this story, enjoy!

Cackles erupted outside the small cavern as a wicked sorceress crossed her shaking bridge. In her hand was a jar of ashes, filthy from the dirt which encased it. Her maniacal laughter ceased as she knelt beside the kiln. She uncovers the lid on the jar, emptying the ashes into the kiln. She shook the jar above her hand, making the dirt sprinkle down into her hand which she deposited into the kiln as well. She turned her back, humming and laughing as she swept up a herb freshly plucked from her garden. She laid the herb across the top of the kiln and bowed her head, chanting a prayer.

Just then, a figure stepped into the room. The old witch turned her head, acknowledging the stranger's presence. He revealed himself in a black trench coat and red undershirt, with boots and a hood. His face was masked, save for the tendrils of silver hair. Her eyes widened then and she bowed her respect. He unceremoniously shrugged off her courtesy and stepped closer to the kiln.

"Is it ready?" He asked darkly.

"Almost. Give it just one minute." The elder lady replied, resuming her prayer. Once she finished praying, the kiln began to glow. "May I ask, Lord Saigen, why you wish for this girl back to life?"

"She's the one I need, to find the Sacred Jewel."

"Oh? But I thought the jewel is gone."

"No, for if the jewel was truly gone, then I wouldn't be alive right now."

"Why do you need the Shikon jewel? You are obviously powerful enough seeing as how you slain the great dog half demon, Inuyasha."

"Nay, I do not want the jewel for power."

"For affluence then?"

"Nay."

"Then why?"

"To tell you the truth, I'm not so sure either. I just have this desire to find it, use it. For what purpose, I don't know yet. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I feel as though my life is entwined with the jewel, however ludicrous that may sound."

"Sounds preposterous indeed."

Saigen glared. "I do not believe I asked for your opinion!"

"No, you didn't. But I like to speak my mind."

The kiln glowed brighter, illuminating the dark cavern. The old woman stood then, raising her staff. Through the cracks, Saigen could spot the milky white skin where the ashes lain before. The sorceress screeched as she plunged the bottom of her staff on top of the kiln, making the cracks spread faster over it.

A delicate hand snuck out of the widest crack and rested on top of the herb. The kiln snapped open, allowing the nude girl to rise from the kiln. She blinked twice, examining her bearings. An evil sorceress and a demon man shrouded in a trench coat was all that registered in her head before she doubled over.

She laid on the filthy, cold cavern floor. She was shocked at the breaths that passed through her lips, the feeling of the cold chilling her skin. Her raven hair cascaded around her, stunning her farther as it tickled her nose. It was so surreal, unbelievable, this feeling of being totally alive.

The woman crossed over her broken kiln with a grunt, snatching the young woman's hair and yanking her upward. The girl gasped at the pain that accompanied the jerk, and adverted her gaze downwards. She gasped even more in humiliation that she was bare in front of another man. Her arms immediately shielded her chest and she crossed her knees over her midsection, glaring at the ogling man.

He smirked then, standing and congratulating the old hag for her work. She bowed as he departed, telling her that he will wait outside for his prize. The girl cringed in repulsion as he left the two women alone. She looked up at the woman as she laughed uncontrollably.

"This is perfect! The great Neikan revived the oh so powerful priestess, Lady Kagome."

Kagome… Yes, she remembered that name. It belonged to her, Kagome Higurashi was her full name. She vaguely recalled the buildings of Tokyo where she was born and raised. Her mother and father who adored each other and their children very much until the tragic end to her father's life. She remembered her grandfather who moved into the Higurashi shrine to help his daughter raise her two kids.

Inuyasha… she remembered him too. The man who aggravated her to no end at first, became her hero, her reason for living, her everything. Sango and Miroku, her two best friends who constantly lend a helping a hand whenever she needed it. Shippo, her little kit she grew to love as a son. Kaede, the old, wise, woman who she looked up to as a grandmother almost.

They were her family a long time ago. All of them faced many trials that produced broken hearts and tears. More than once their loyalties and friendship had been put to the ultimate test and though they never overcome them unscathed, they triumphed together. Together they learned how to fall in love and understand that loving someone means you have to let them go. They've said goodbyes and accepted loss, and they've learned all of these lessons in life together.

She pondered how long it's been since she was killed. She slowly cupped her chest, which bore a scar that served as a testament of her sacrifice. She wondered how everyone's lives shaped ever since the day she departed. Perhaps Sango and Miroku tied the knot finally and brought into this world their kids. Shippo may have become a strong, powerful demon and obtained himself a family of his own to protect. Inuyasha… she felt a pang of envy at the thought of him finding a new love and starting a new beginning with her. On the other hand, and the pain became more intense at this theory, he could still be hurting, mourning, unable to live out the last of his days without the one he loved.

I have to see them. Kagome thought.

"Now my dear, I resurrected you, making me your birth mother. I require you to meet with someone, daughter." She chuckled mirthlessly. Kagome glared at her, wishing her to cease the screechy laughter. "He is standing outside and is quite eager to meet you. But first, we must get you into some proper clothing."

Some time later, and Kagome was cloaked in a tattered kimono. She smoothed it down, the excess dust that clung to the clothing fluttered in the afternoon breeze. She could see through the entrance of the cavern, a demon man with long sliver hair. Her heart jumped and she rushed to him, throwing her arms around him from behind.

The man only chuckled and plucked her arms off of him. He turned to face her and smirked as her smile melted away. Kagome would've kicked herself mentally except for when her gaze met his cold, maroon eyes, her blood froze. Chills slinked up her spine as she saw the faint purple spider mark on his forehead.

"By your countenance, I see I am not the man you seek." He chided.

Kagome stepped back. "I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else."

"Ah, perhaps you had mistaken me, Saigen, for Inuyasha?"

Kagome gasped. "You know him? Then, do you know where I can find him?"

He bellowed a laugh so loud that even the trees swayed. "You are not going to find him." With a malicious glare, he snatched her arm roughly. "You are staying with me and find the jewel."

"The jewel?"

"Don't be stupid, I mean the Shikon no Tama of course."

"And what do you gain from the Shikon?"

"I am not at liberty to discuss that with you. Just help me find it."

"Impossible. The jewel has been wished away, it's gone."

"You lie, for if the Shikon's existence truly has been vanquished, then I would not be sustaining any air in my lungs."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"That I shall not discuss with you either."

"Then this business of finding the Shikon jewel, I shall not help you in either." She brushed past him, oblivious to his smirk. "I am going to find my friends and if you come any closer, I have no qualms about purifying you."

"You see, I knew you would say that. Remember Kagome, you can never escape me."

She froze, glancing back at the creepy man over her shoulder. He craned his head her way, his aggravating smirk still in place. She figured he was only bluffing, using scary tactics to root her to the spot. She turned then, continuing down the path until his voice stopped her once again.

"Are you oblivious girl, to what is missing?"

"Missing? What do you mean?"

"Just stand still and listen."

Kagome nodded and remained perfectly still. She could hear the whistle of the breeze as it caressed her face. The sound of rushing water was also present. There wasn't anything missing in her opinion. Suddenly, she clutched her chest with a gasp laced with agony. She crumbled to her knees as searing pain seized her body. Breathing through it made it even more unbearable.

Then, as fast as it came, the pain left her body. She shakily got up on her feet, looking back at Saigen. He turned then, revealing a sparkling ruby in his hand. Kagome could feel the ominous aura pouring off of it and she clenched her fist. Saigen squeezed it slightly, the act bringing on a dull pain.

"What-"

"In this ruby, I contain your heart."

"My… heart?"

She slapped a hand over her chest, but found no pounding. She pressed her fingers to her throat, but there wasn't a pulse. "Without my heart… I would be considered…"

"Dead yes, but not entirely. You see, I knew you would refuse to help me in my quest for the jewel willingly, so I had to tie you to me. Whenever I need you, I can call upon you with this. Go to your friends if you want, but remember that you won't be able to escape me."

As his final words drifted in the air, a substance rose around him and shrouded him in a smoky red veil. Kagome coughed, shielding her eyes and when her sight returned to her, he was gone. She knew this wouldn't be the last she would see of the demon and she fretted for the day they would reunite.

She saw Neikan, the insane sorceress, emerge from her cave. Kagome backed away, alarmed by the gleam in her eye. There was no need to squander any more of her time. Her friends were top priority and she needed to see them. She needed to see how well they got along without her and see if they created a new life that came with her sacrifice. She turned away from the smiling Neikan, rushing past the thorny bushes and hanging on tight to the railing as she crossed the unsafe bridge.

"Child, you can run, you can hide, but you can't elude him. He will find you." Neikan laughed again as Kagome ran.