Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters sniff. I'm just borrowing them for this story.

A/N: If the font is italic, it means that that's what the character is thinking. If it's in bold text, that means it's a flashback of something previously said or done. This is my first ever fanfic posted publicly, so I hope it goes well.

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Chapter 1 - Meeting Again

Kagome lifted her head lazily off her pillow and shut off her alarm clock. Sitting up, she yawned and pulled on her slippers, walking over to the window and pulling back the curtains. The sunlight streamed through the glass onto the floor. Smiling, she thought to herself, "Today, I go back to see Inuyasha!"

Walking out into the kitchen, Kagome found breakfast was already on the table. "Wow, thanks mom! This looks great!" She sat down and began helping herself.

"Hey sis, aren't you going back to the other side of the well with Inuyasha today?" Souta - her usually annoying little brother - asked.

"Yup. Right after I finish taking a shower." She picked up her bowl and walked over to the sink and began rinsing it off under the hot running water.

"That's all right, dear. I'll take care of that. You just go take a shower and finish getting ready," her mom told her. Her mom was always taking care of things for her so she could travel to the other side of the well. Kagome flashed her a smile that showed she was grateful for not having to do her dishes.

"Thanks, mom," Kagome replied as she ran off to her room. Grabbing her things, she walked into the bathroom. She closed the shower curtain and turned on the hot water. She loved showers, and was especially thankful for them and shampoo when she came back from the Feudal Era. Her hair was usually mussed and dirty, along with her clothes and her whole body.

After about ten minutes, she stepped out of the shower and let the remaining steam encircle her. She wiped off the mirror and brushed her hair. Turning on the blow dryer, she let the heat whip her raven-black hair behind her. Once she was satisfied, she turned the dryer off and raked her fingers through her tresses. She smiled to herself in the mirror and began pulling on her clothes. It felt good to be clean.

Kagome ran into the kitchen and packed the food her mother had left out so she could bring it with her. "I hope I have everything," she said to herself as ran out to the ancient Higurashi shrine. She slid open the door and gave her mom a kiss on the cheek. Souta grumbled and protested as she ruffled his hair.

"Please promise you'll be careful," her mom asked her with a smile.

"I will. Bye!" With one last wave, she jumped into the well as the blue light engulf her.

On the other side of the well in the Feudal Era, Inuyasha sat with his arms crossed impatiently. "Where is that damn Kagome?" The impatient hanyou was almost always in a bad mood.

Shippou jumped on the edge beside him. "I'm sure she'll be here any minute now." The young kitsune was as excited for Kagome to return as he was.

"Inuyasha!" Shippou and Inuyasha turned around to look down the well. Kagome was standing at the bottom and was waving up at them. She pulled herself over and threw her backpack onto the grass. Shippou jumped onto her lap, smiling as he looked greedily at her bulging yellow backpack.

"Hey Kagome, did you bring our ninja food?" an excited Shippou asked. His green eyes were looking up brightly at her.

"Of course I did! I couldn't forget you," she replied as she grasped him in a hug.

"Well, it took you long enough." Inuyasha glared at her, his hands folded inside the sleeves of his red kimono. His white ears were flat against the top of his head.

"Excuse me for wanting to spend time at home!" she countered, angrily. "You insensitive jerk!" Kagome was clearly upset, and she wasn't afraid of expressing it.

"Let's just go back to the village. The others are probably wondering what's taking so long," Inuyasha exclaimed, irritated. With that, he started running back to the village.

"Why does he have to be so immature sometimes! He didn't even wait for me!" she told Shippou hotly.

"Inuyasha was just upset that you took so long because he misses you. He's always like that when you're gone," Shippou stated, matter-of-factly.

"Thanks for saying that, Shippou," Kagome said, looking down and smiling at him. I sort of figured that's why he always gets upset, she thought grimly. Why can't he ever be honest with me?

Up ahead, Inuyasha was glowering at the two of them. "What's taking you so long?"

Kagome remembered what Shippou said and softened her gaze. Does he really miss me? She stopped in front of Inuyasha and looked up at him. What's he thinking about right now?

Inuyasha looked at her, confused. "What's your problem?" He was being impatient, as usual.

Shippou looked at Kagome curiously. "I hope she doesn't get too upset," he muttered to himself.

But Kagome just shook her head. "It's nothing. I was just thinking." She closed her eyes and turned her head away. The wind was blowing every which way. Branches on the trees shuddered and her hair whipped in front of her face. She continually had to tuck it behind her ear. Rays from the sun played on her face, making it glow. The warmth consumed her entire body and lightened her mood.

The three of them resumed their walk. "Oh yeah? What about?" Inuyasha asked her innocently. All the anger and impatience left his eyes as he looked at the miko curiously. It seemed she always had something on her mind.

About you. That's what she wanted to say, but she decided against it. She bit her lip and and hurriedly tried to think of something to say that would turn away Inuyasha's rousing suspicions. "About..." she paused and stopped in her tracks, causing Shippou to run into her. "Inuyasha, it's very faint, but I think I can sense the power of the Sacred Jewel shard!" The wind suddenly died down as she glanced around worriedly, the leaves on the trees whispering quietly to her.

"Are you serious? Where is it?" Inuyasha asked excitedly. His eyes darted in between the trees of the forest, his hand on his sword. Hanyou as he was, his extremely sensitive nose had picked up a strange scent. His grip on the Tetsusaiga's hilt tightened. Is that...no, it can't be...

Kagome scanned the area around them uncertainly and shook her head. "It's gone. I lost it..." Looking around again, she sighed. "I'm positive that I sensed it." The presense of the shards had been there, and they were tainted. It gave her a dark and eerie feeling to think about it.

Shippou looked up at her. "It just disappeared?" The young kitsune watched as she shook her head sadly. His pool of green eyes blinked in confusion.

"Well, let's get back to the village then. Maybe Miroku and Sango will know something." Kneeling down, Inuyasha waited for them to climb on his back. "We have to hurry." As soon as they were on, he began running to the village where Sango and Miroku were awaiting their arrival - mostly the return of Kagome.

"What do you think it was, Inuyasha?" Kagome wondered. Inuyasha had definately smelled something, and she didn't like the way he was taking it.

Inuyasha continued looking ahead. "I don't know, but I don't like it." He could feel Kagome's body tense up. He stayed quiet and turned his head to look at her. She stared distantly at nothing. It seemed that she was thinking - again.

Stopping in front of Kaede's hurt, Kagome and Shippou jumped off his back. At that same moment, Sango and Miroku moved the entrance flap aside and rushed to greet them.

"Welcome back, Kagome-chan," Sango greeted, warmly.

"Yes, Kagome-sama. It's good to have you back." His face turned serious as her turned to Inuyasha. "Did you happen to sense something earlier?"

Sango glanced at Inuyasha. "It seemed there was something sinister in the air. But it disappeared as soon as it came." Her smile had faded and she prodded apprehensively at the folds of her haori.

Inuyasha looked down and returned his hands to the interior of his sleeves. "Yeah, I could sense it. And Kagome felt the presense of a Sacred Jewel shard."

"Is this true, Kagome-sama?" Miroku inquired.

"Yes. It was very faint but I know I could feel it." Kagome knew that something was wrong, but she didn't know what. A demon, maybe?

"Then we must go search for it." Sango had changed into her demon slaying clothes and was holding her Hiraikotsu on her back. Kirara mewed softly as she ambled out of Kaede's hut.

"Sango's right," Miroku added. "Whoever's behind this must be stopped." The rings on his staff were clinking against each other with the wind which was again blowing softly.

Kagome looked away from them, far off into the forest. "You're right. I don't like this at all." She sighed quietly. "Whoever it is, they're powerful." Her gaze turned cold, as did her voice. She wasn't exactly afraid, intimidated was more like it.

"Inuyasha, do you think it could be Naraku?" Miroku asked as Kagome and Sango walked away.

"It's possible," Inuyasha replied. "But how would he be able to hide his scent like that? Unless..."

"He put up a barrier," Miroku finished for him. He rubbed his chin and closed his eyes, deep in thought. Past memories flooded his mind as previous battles had started this way.

"Well, what are you waiting for? If we're going to find this thing, we need to hurry," Inuyasha implied. His impatient personality was somehow comforting to them. His determination and strength made everybody feel more confident.

"Inuyasha's right. Kirara!" The two-tailed cat demon transformed, allowing Sango and Miroku to climb on her back. "We'll search above on Kirara. You and Kagome can investigate the forest," Sango told them, sternly.

"Hey! I don't take orders from..." Inuyasha started. I don't take orders from no human. He growled, frustrated when he was interrupted.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome was glaring at him.

"Wait, what did I do?" Inuyasha was confused. "Feh, whatever."

"Let's just get going." Kagome folded her arms and glared at him again.

He kneeled on the ground without saying anything. Kagome hastily climbed on his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. When he was sure she was secure, he began running swiftly to the forest.

After twenty minutes of dodging branches, Inuyasha let Kagome jump off his back and onto the grass. He began sniffing and inspecting the ground on all fours, searching for any trace of the scent from earlier.

Kagome sighed and looked around, becoming alert. "Inuyasha, I can sense the Sacred Jewel shards..." but she was cut off before she could finish what she was saying. Kouga was standing in front of her, clasping her hands with his own.

"Kouga-kun, what are you doing here?" she asked innocently and sighed inwardly. There's another argument waiting to happen.

"What do you mean? I came to see my woman!" he stated. Kagome held her breath as she waited for Inuyasha to explode.

Inuyasha lifted his head off the ground. There were wolfprints on his back from Kouga running over him previously in haste to see Kagome. "Kouga, get your hands off her. AND SHE AIN'T YOUR WOMAN!" he yelled furiously. He jumped up and balled his hands into fists.

"Well, well, lookie here! It's the mutt." Kouga smirked and let go of Kagome's hands. "Have you been keeping my Kagome safe?"

Inuyasha sneered. "What do you think? She wouldn't be here if she wasn't safe!"

Kouga crossed his arms. "I just had to check on her," he countered haughtily. His ice-blue eyes were glaring at Inuyasha.

"Yeah, you mangy wolf? What do you say we finish this now?"

Kouga sneered and poised himself for a fight. "Whenever you're ready."

Kagome took in a deep breath. "Inuyasha..."

He looked at her in confusion. "Wait, Kagome, I didn't mean it..."

"SIT BOY!" She turned away, satisfied as she heard him crash to the ground. Tolerating their petty arguments had never been something she'd been overly good at. Kami, why can't they go one minute without a fracas?

Kouga smirked again and Kagome glanced at him. "Sorry about that."

He smiled as he 'accidently' stepped on Inuyasha's head. "Oh, it's alright Kagome. I can take him any day."

She sighed as Inuyasha forced Kouga's foot off of him and stood up. "So tell me, Kouga. Have you sensed anything at all?"

"Yes, and that's why I came here to check on you. I don't trust this mutt face here." he paused and after a moment continued. "There's something evil going on and I don't like it."

Inuyasha was casting glares at him. "So, I guess you felt it too."

"KOUGA!" They all turned around as Hakkaku and Ginta appeared, breathless.

"Oh, hi Kagome!" Ginta smiled. "What are you doing here?"

"Feh, none of your business," Inuyasha replied, irritated once again. His ears twitched as he looked at the two of them. She really needs to stop being nice to those mangy wolves.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome spoke to him warningly. She put her hands on her hips as her brown eyes blazed with anger.

"Wait...what did I say?!" He got a worried expression on his face and a terrified glint in his eye. He knew that tone...

"Sit!" For the second time that day, he fell face first to the ground. Kouga, Ginta, and Hakkaku cringed as he did, and glanced nervously at Kagome. Ginta leaned over and whispered to Hakkaku, "That was harsh..." Kouga glanced at the two of them sideways scrutinizingly.

Inuyasha stood up and shook his fist at Kagome. "Would you quit doing that?!" he yelled at her angrily. The front of his red kimono was layered with dirt. He began brushing the dirt off and mumbled bitterly to himself.

"What? You mean say 'sit?'" she asked innocently. For the third time, Inuyasha was forced to the ground and was offered a nice helping of dirt. The three wolves winced and took a step backwards.

"Maybe if you weren't so insensitive and rude! I'm leaving!" Kagome stormed off into the woods, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Her nerves were twitching as she resisted the urge to pound Inuyasha to the ground with her powers of subjugation and one measly word - sit.

"Hey, wait, come back Kagome!" Kouga yelled to her. There was no way he would let Kagome go off by himself. Ginta and Hakakku held onto his arms, restraining him from pouncing on Inuyasha.

"Keh, just leave her be. She'll come back sooner or later." Inuyasha turned his back and walked in the opposite direction. He layed his ears flat against the top of his head as he grumbled to himself. There's no way I'm apologizing to her.

Kouga, Ginta, and Hakkaku blinked, turning their heads one way and the other, a momentary silence between them. "So you're just gonna let her go off alone while there's something out there?" Kouga yelled to Inuyasha.

"Maybe she should've thought about that before she stormed off," Inuyasha retorted.

Up above, Kirara began to swiftly descend, nearing the others. When she alighted the ground, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou jumped off her back. Looking in the two directions, Sango sighed. "I'm guessing Kagome-chan and Inuyasha have had another fight. Am I right?"

Kouga looked at her and turned in the direction Kagome went. "Yeah, and I'm going to go after her."

"Wait Kouga!" Miroku walked up to him and sighed. "It's probably best if you left Kagome-sama alone at the moment. When her and Inuyasha fight, she isn't usually in a good mood. We should let her be on her own for a while."

"Whatever you say, Houshi. As long as she's okay." With that, Kouga stalked off and sat on a nearby boulder, his arms folded impatiently waiting for the return of Kagome.

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A/N: I know this first chapter is kind of boring, blah blah blah, whatever. I promise, it gets interesting soon. I'm having a lot of fun writing this. I guess you know what I'm gonna say next (because everyone does)...

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. Haha, I bet you didn't expect that. Oh, by the way, review please! The more reviwes I receive, the more motivated I am to keep writing!