She stood quietly, gazing down into the Well, her connection to and from her home era. The last time that caused the trip home was a need to replenish on bandages and ointments from her time. Truth be told, it was the best excuse, along with the promise of more ramen, to get away from Inuyasha.

Ever since Kikyo returned, it had been nothing but problem after problem. Inuyasha would often disappear at night, claiming to be off to scout for trouble or hunt game. She knew better, but never let on that she did.

' Kikyoh... Why does she have to keep attracting him away from us...? It's like she does it on purpose. But why? Does she hate us? '

Whatever the case, she had no time to worry about it. To be brutally honest, the whole subject shouldn't bother her at all. Obviously, Inuyasha had chosen who he wished to be with, and that was just fine by her. With the increasing insults, her tolerance decreased until she reached this point. Her mother noticed the change whenever Inuyasha was around, which in itself had become rare visits. But it was coming. It was fated to.

Bag packed, it was time to return after a good nights rest. Origionally, she planned to stay a few days, but something just seemed off. The feeling that normally came when a bad instance was about to surface, but it wasn't exactly bad. More like an extreme change in the order of how living had been there.

' Mom?! I'm heading back!'

She had chimed in a cheery voice, though it was obvious her mind was in another place. Bag over her shoulder, she jumped into the well, making the travel to the past back to her waiting companions. As usual, an impatient hanyou hurried her out, whining about the long absence
when a duty had to be finished.

' Inuyasha, give it a rest already! You're always rushing us all over the place looking for the shards when nothing is going on! We're humans, ok? We can't do all this moving like you!'

' Well this wouldn't be happening if you hadn't screwed up and broken the damned thing in the first place! ' His arms crossed, gazing with indifference.

' Ugh! Inuyasha, you know very well that wasn't on purpose! I was new here!

I didn't know how to fight, or how to use a bow, or... or...! You know what...? I don't have to deal with this right now! SIT!'
She walked over the hole his body made in the ground, ignoring his presence on the walk back to the village.

' Kagome! You're back!'

' Hey shippo!'

She smiled at her adopted kit. He always helped lighten her spirits after fights with Inuyasha. Though all this was nice, the feeling was still there and had only gotten worse. What was wrong here? Of course, it had to be Naraku. There had been no activity from him in the past few days, and with most of the jewel in his grasp, there was no doubt something was up. Normally it felt more
intimidating, foreboding as if some one just insulted your friends mom in front of you and the fight was obviously coming. A giggle stirred her from the thought. Shippo was playing around with a dragonfly right as Sango and Miroku wandered over.

' All stocked up?'

' Yeah, but to be honest, I could have gone for a few more days away from Inuyasha! I swear, he gets worse every time I come back! He used to be better until...', she looked down, sadness reflecting in her eyes.

' Kagome, please just forget about it for now. We all know he's just trying to hold onto two things when there's only room for one! '

She could do nothing but walk away towards Kaede's hut in the village. Her mind was already on overload upon the return. The weird feeling, Inuyasha, and the duty to regain the jewel and stop Naraku. It just seemed she couldn't catch much of a break anywhere. Maybe if she focused her powers into her senses, that would help pinpoint any activity? Another interruption.

' Hey, Kagome! I got a bone to pick with you! '

'Sit.' She groaned, walking off into Kaede, with everyone following her, leaving behind an annoyed Inuyasha. Truth be told, no one wished to be around when he got started. It wore down on not only hers, but their patience as well.

That night came peacefully enough, if peaceful could be achieved with the circumstances. Miroku had tried a few grabs that night and was now
'asleep' in certain terms. Inuyasha had been run from the hut after the threat of a few sits. That left the girls and Shippo, which finally left it more quiet. But everyone was on edge.

'So you guys feel it too?'

'Yeah... It's not too clear if it's truly evil, but something big is coming.'

'Hm... Do ye think it's one of Naraku's schemes?'

Kagome shook her head, brow furrowed in thought.

'No... We can tell the difference if that were the case... Though it doesn't seem too far from it. Maybe he is connected in some way? '

'Well we don't know anything else besides the feeling. Guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.'

With shared nods, the conversation changed to more laid back form. No one knew more into things, so why trouble their minds more than needed at the present? As long as their guards were kept up, things would be alright and dealt with when the problems arose.