A/N: Okay it was brought up in one of the review I got if this is a SessKag fic

A/N: Okay it was brought up in one of the review I got if this is a SessKag fic. No it is not, what I meant by Sesshoumaru's wedding band being the "courtesy of Kagome" was that she put the concealment charm on it. I'm sorry I should've been more clear, and I apologize if it confused any of you.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

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He was waiting. They all knew it too. Pity swelled within their chests as they watched him sit up in the tree, looking at the well. She wasn't coming back, but he just couldn't accept it, could he?

"Come on, Inuyasha, Kagome's not coming back," Shippou called up to the half demon. He paid no attention to the fox demon.

Sighing, Shippou stared at the monk next to him, silently conveying that it was his turn. Miroku met Shippou's eye and shook his head.

"Has he been like this the whole time?" he asked in a whisper, though he knew that Inuyasha could still hear. Shippou nodded.

Miroku gazed up at Inuyasha, not knowing what to do. He couldn't just tell him to stop moping and move on with his life. No, that would be too callous, and he knew that that was the last thing he needed. But surely he must've already realized that the chances of Kagome returning were very slim.

"Inuyasha, the village is being plagued by demons, and you're just sitting here, letting them perish. Kagome won't be angry if your not here when she comes back," Miroku tried in vain.

"Why don't you and Sango slay them," Inuyasha growled, knowing what the monk was implicating.

Miroku stuttered, taking a few steps back. That was a low blow, even by Inuyasha's standards. He knew that he hadn't spoken to Sango since she left, distressed by Inuyasha's desperate yearning for the impossible. That had occurred a year ago.

"Sango's not here, Inuyasha," Miroku snapped. "Just realize that Kagome's not coming back already! It's futile to believe that she can return. The village needs you and all you're doing is waiting for the impossible to occur!"

"Shut up, monk," Inuyasha barked, glowering down at the angered monk.

"Fine. I will, but this was the last time I was going to come back here to try to snap you out of your delusional state," he declared, storming off to the village, leaving a shocked Shippou and a grumpy Inuyasha in his wake.

"That's what Sango said last month, Miroku," Inuyasha called out bitterly to the already gone monk, hoping that he had heard him.

"That was really stupid, Inuyasha," Shippou admonished, shaking his head at the poor guy before following after the irate monk.

Inuyasha sighed, and leaned back against the tree. He knew it was futile to wait for Kagome, but something was keeping him there. Logically he was aware that it would be better to leave, but emotionally, he had to stay. There was a feeling that he had that made him think that she would be coming back. It was that inkling that had him wait for a year and a half.

Nothing had come of it.

He snorted at his own stupidity. Leaping from his place in the tree, he landed softly on the ground. He felt like killing something and what better than a demon attacking the village? Smirking to himself he began running in the direction of the village. This demon was about to meet hell head on.

Kagome could wait—he was done.

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Kohaku glanced over at the sleeping for of Rin, making sure she was okay. Night had fallen and he was beginning to feel nervous. Sesshoumaru wasn't there that night, meaning it was up to him to protect Rin. He shook his head, trying to get rid of the need for sleep that was making his eye lids heavy.

Picking up a log, from the pile that was steadily dwindling, he stoked the fire and stood up. There were only two pieces left, and he knew that they would be out within the next hour. He softly stepped over to a sleeping Jaken, and shook him. Spluttering, Jaken shot up, holding his staff in front of him, ready to attack. Clamping a hand over the toad's mouth, Kohaku held up a finger to his mouth and pointed to the remaining wood.

"I'm going to get more wood, watch Rin," he ordered, picking up his sickle and marching into the forest.

He glanced back towards the camp, but it was already put of sight. Sighing he scanned the ground for any pieces of wood that could be used. Stooping down he picked up a rather large log.

A shrill scream pierced the night. He abruptly turned around, staring in the direction of the camp. He dropped the wood and sprinted back. Breaking through the trees he skidded to a halt where the camp was. No one was there. The fired had been extinguished and was now emitting lazy coils of steam from its remains. Twirling around he tried to catch sight of anything that would tip him off as to where they were.

Nothing.

The night was still, betraying no evidence of any disturbance in the surrounding area. Kicking the log that was still steaming, Kohaku watched as it crumbled, revealing that it was already ash. Letting his head fall back in defeat, he stared up at the stars that were twinkling jubilantly.

Rin.

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Kagome sighed, looking up at the stars through her window. It was a peaceful night, a boring night. Someone knocked on her door. She issued a soft, "Come in" and saw Souta enter.

He walked up beside her, and rested his elbows on the ledge beside hers. They stood in silence, watching the sky with tranquility. Souta nudged his sister's side, catching her attention.

"How did the meeting with… him, go?" he asked politely.

Kagome's eyes narrowed, "Fine, why?"

"Are you going back?" Souta asked eagerly, his eyes widening with hope.

"No, Souta, I'm never going back," she answered, clenching her jaw to keep her from lashing out at her brother.

"Why not, sis? You love that place, I know you do."

"Maybe I don't, Souta," she snapped, barely glancing his way.

"You do, you cried for months after you sealed the well," Souta countered, staring at his sister with knowing eyes.

"I had to," she spat, still not daring to look into her brother's eyes.

"You didn't have to, so why did you?"

"It's complicated, Souta," she ground out.

"I can follow."

She whirled around, glaring at him with tear-filled eyes. "Drop it," she commanded in a shuddering whisper.

"I want to know the truth."

XXXX

The bright rays of the sun hit her eyelids, effectively waking her up. Yawning, she stretched her arms above her head and began to push her sheets off her when she realized that someone else was in the room. Turning her head to her right, she nearly screamed when she saw a man standing there, watching her.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she hissed, glaring at a passive Sesshoumaru.

"Rin is missing," he stated, ignoring her question. Sango's expression dropped into a slack-jaw stare.

"What do you mean missing?!" she asked in disbelief, glancing around the room as if to make sure that no one was listening.

"I mean her presence is not able to be found," Sesshoumaru answered flatly. If Sango hadn't known better she would've said that there was an underlying note of sarcasm in his voice. Yet, she did know him, and knew that sarcasm wasn't a word affiliated with "The Great Sesshoumaru."

"What do you want me to do about that?" Sango demanded, knowing that he was going to order something from her.

"I want you to find her." Sango closed her eyes and laughed quietly to herself. Opening her eyes, she stared straight at Sesshoumaru.

"How exactly am I supposed to do that?"

"You're looking for a bear demon, male. He kidnapped Rin and Jaken while Kohaku was gathering fire wood. You have a week to find her or it's your life," he informed her, glaring down at her disheveled appearance with cold amber eyes.

"And do you have any other leads for me, because you might as well kill me now." Sango glared back at him.

"Don't tempt me, woman," Sesshoumaru threatened, cracking his knuckles menacingly.

"For someone who claims to be so above their brother, you sure do act a lot like Inuyasha," Sango noted. Growling, Sesshoumaru grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the wall, causing splinters to burrow themselves into her back.

She glared at him behind her tears, making no attempt to loosen his hands. He needed her help, she knew that much. Sensing that she wasn't going to try to fight back, he dropped her. Sango glowered up at him, her jaw set in a determined scowl.

"You have a week, demon slayer," he stated, turning around and disappearing through her door.

The sound of hurried footsteps reached her ears. Laughing bitterly, she pushed herself off the ground and turned to stare at the splintered wall. Brushing her brown tresses out of her face, she attempted to make herself presentable for the onslaught of questioners that were on their way.

I'm going to need help.

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A/N: So that's another chapter. Please review, I love hearing from all of you.