Disclaimer: Oops. Yes, i do know that this belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter Two: Changes

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Inuyasha jumped form the branch and began running on the grass. After Kikyo journeyed on air out of the immediate area, she had started walking. Where to? He looked up at the rain clouds, and estimated that it would start raining in thirty minutes. If he couldn't find Kikyo by then, her scent would be washed away and he would have t search very hard to find her. He sighed as Kagome's crushed look crept into his mind and made his heart pang. To be honest, he loved both Kagome and Kikyo, but owed it to Kikyo. And it would be unfair to both of them when he stayed with Kagome, yet could not give up Kikyo. He lied to Kagome, that she was a replacement of Kikyo… And when he returned the locket to her, the way she looked… he could hardly harden his heart to leave. And yet, he could not leave Kikyo like that.

"I'm sorry, Kagome," the hanyou whispered as he caught up with a particular miko.


"Shippo, grab that torchlight, will you?" Sango called as Miroku stepped behind her.

"Let's get going," Miroku said, holding an umbrella above their heads.

"We should have gone a long time ago," hissed Sango. "Let's go, Kirara."

The forest was so dark now. In this time period, unlike the one Kagome-chan describes as her hometown, monsters of the dark were not just myths to scare little children, they were real. With Inuyasha around, Kagome should be safe- but her intuition told her something was wrong. Definitely wrong.

"You look beautiful, Sango," Miroku whispered in her ear, "Even when you're angry." He brushed his nose against her cheek. Sango shivered, whether from the weather or from the action she did not know.

Miroku knew he was forgiven. He smiled as he tightened his hold on Sango's waist, and pulled Sango's face close to his. Her eyes widened- how he loved those brown eyes- and before she could react-

Naraku loomed before them.

Generally, the sight of Naraku would make his guts churn, but this time it didn't, and he knew why.

It was a particular Naraku with a bushy orange tail.

"SHIPPO!" Miroku roared, as he rose his staff.

"I only wanted to remind you two that we're looking for Kagome!" Shippo whined as the staff made contact with his fox skull.

"Shut up, you two!" ordered a blushing Sango. "I think I saw Kagome! Kirara, go!"


Kagome didn't know the gang had arrived until Sango knelt down beside her, and asked her where Inuyasha was.

"He's gone. With Kikyou," she heard her hoarse voice tell Sango. On one hand, she felt her stinging eyes and sore muscles, on the other hand, she felt nothing. A deep, dull, throbbing ache, yes, but nothing more. She could not focus on anything. Her heart craved something forbidden, some silver haired and golden eyed person… but her brain prevented her from dredging up images of him. It led to a great compressing feeling, and both want and hate for the hanyou in her. But the barrier in her mind built was steel hard. And icy cold. Subconsciously, her heart reached out towards the love enclosed in the barrier, something Kagome did always, around him. Then her insides would feel frozen, the fiery passion enclosed in a cage of ice and pain. But it left emptiness, all the space where she loved Inu- no, she could not think the name. It was not permitted thus.

Kagome didn't know she was being moved until Kirara launched into the sky, nearly unseating her. She thought she heard Shippo whisper, "I'll keep it for now," and a metallic clanging noise. Something stirred within her, beating against the unyielding barrier, fighting for her to remember, but could not reach her. Something… Golden.

Her legs closed in around Kirara. Kagome was surprised to find that her muscles were all sore. Briefly, she wondered how long she had been kneeling down. An hour, a minute or a second? Time mattered not, now.

What should she do now? Now that he had Kikyou by his side to search for the shards, she could go back, couldn't she? She could go back and be a normal girl… back to Japan… What could she do here anyway? She was a nuiscence, he told her that. She was nothing compared to Kikyou's power…

"Don't go, Kagome. Inuyasha's gone, but the rest of us need you! We want you around!" Shippo whined. "We have to defeat Naraku, or Miroku will die, and Kohaku will never go back to Sango! We need you, Kagome!" as they reached the hut.

Had she been voicing out her thoughts? She couldn't tell.

Inuyasha.

"Lady Kaede! Lady Kaede! Please save my girl! Please help her!" begged a hysterical mother, carrying a girl in blue yukata. "She tripped and fell against a sharp rock as she was rushing home! Lady Kaede, save her!" She put the injured girl in the doorway as Lady Kaede emerged.

Desperation. The same desperation she felt as Inuyasha left her for Kikyou.

The girl's face was drained of blood, and she clenched her fists as she fought tears. Blood was flowing from the deep cut, but not enough to block the view of her shin bone.

Braveness. The little girl could stand mortal pain.

So will I.

Her legs pulled her, as if in a trance, to the girl, and knelt down for the second time today. Kagome pressed her palm gently against the girl's wound, causing her to gasp. A bright golden glow burst out from her palm, as Kagome's heart began to warm up.

This would be what I'll stay here for.

To fight Naraku, to help others.

Gradually, the glow dimmed and extinguished. The miko removed her hand, revealing the unblemished skin of the girl's shin, with no reminder of the nasty accident except dried blood. Kagome was suddenly aware of seven pairs of eyes staring at her.

Kagome whispered, "I hope this helps," as she turned and walked into the hut.

This would be why I stay here.


Sorry for the late update... How's this chapter? Better than the first? Please review!! Thank you!!