*I do NOT own Inuyasha*
There Kagome sat, unable to focus on one thing for too long. 'Great.' She thought. 'I probably picked that up from Inuyasha.' She thought more about that and sighed. She did miss him a lot. He had run off with Kikyo about 3 months ago and no one has heard from him since. She was rather heartbroken, thinking about the all good times that they had together and how many times Inuyasha would protect her and get jealous of Koga trying to talk to her. 'Where did those feelings go?' She pondered.
Shippo, Sango and Miroku all sat by the well waiting for a certain miko's return. "Will Kagome ever come back?" Shippo questioned.
"Of course she will. Shippo you need to have faith in her." Sango encouraged.
"Yeah I know, but I miss her and she has been gone a long time." Shippo sighed.
"Well, yes. She is like a sister I never had so I understand how you feel Shippo… I hope she comes back soon too." Sango confessed. "She is better than having this lecherous monk around." Sango mumbled.
"I am right here ya know?" Miroku stated. "I can hear you."
"Oops, I must have missed you" Sango teased. "Why are you so quiet? Not going off and asking girls to bare your child?" Sango sneered.
"Yea Miroku. I thought you would be off telling fake fortunes." Shippo asked.
"For your information, I do not give fake fortunes. They are as honest as I am." Miroku quickly retorted.
Shippo's face fell. "Guess they aren't very honest."
Sango giggled. "Oh Shippo… Too bad Inuyasha isn't here to put his opinion in. It's two against one for now."
"Yeah well... He DID leave the group for Kikyo so I guess it's safe to say he won't be with us anytime in the near future." Miroku said.
"I still don't understand it," Sango said. "How can Inuyasha just leave Kagome like that. I know he held feelings for her. Maybe he still does."
"Inuyasha always runs off after Kikyo even if he's extremely injured like after that fight with Goshinki." Shippo added.
"Yeah. Well let's not fret about that now. It is in the past. I wish him well." Miroku stood up and walked towards Kaede's village.
"Where are you going?" Shippo asked.
"I figured we could eat instead of worrying about Kagome," Miroku's eyes softened, "She will come back to us, Shippo don't you worry."
"That's a good idea. Shippo do you want to come with?" Sango rose and followed Miroku.
"I think I will wait a little longer. I will be there before dark I promise!" Shippo sat at the edge of the well with his feet dangling off the edge.
"Okay Shippo be safe. If anything happens come back and get us." Sango and Miroku walked off towards the village. Shippo heard some leaves rustle and went to investigate. He was engulfed by an enormous aura and backed away. He was determined to know what this aura was so he gathered up the courage and ran through the bushes. He almost came in contact with a very tall daiyokai, Lord of the West, Sesshomaru.
Shippo's eyes bulged out of his head. 'Oh great Ice Lord paid a visit and now I am his next target. This can't be good.' Shippo looked up into the emotionless face and tried not the tremble.
"Heee-eee-llll-lllo Loooorrrd Sssseeesshhhooomm-mma-aaa-rrru." Shippo tried to get out the words.
"Silence kitsune." The Lord commanded. "Where is your adoptive mother? Inuyasha's human wench."
"She is not a wench she is a powerful priestess!" Shippo yelled.
Sesshomaru just looked down at this kitsune with an emotionless mask. 'How dare he talk back to this Sesshomaru.'
Shippo freezes where he is.
He is not stupid, he knows the rumors about Lord Sesshomaru and if anyone angers, annoys, or threatens him, Lord Sesshomaru will cut their life short right then and there. Shippo didn't even realized he talked back. 'Geez Shippo how could you be so stupid.'
Shippo prays to Kami that the Great Dog Demon won't kill him after that and he can make it back to the group unharmed. He realizes that he went a little farther than he thought. 'Oh great. Now I will never see Kagome again.' Shippo was ready to cry. Fortunately, for Shippo, Sesshomaru isn't on a killing spree. "Kitsune."
Shippo jumped about 7 feet. It had been so deathly quiet and the Great Dog Demon had decided to end it. Shippo slowly looks up into the cold, golden eyes of the youkai. "Wha….. Wha…. What wou… would yo… you… wa… wan… want with… with me?" Shippo stutters, trying to be as brave as he can. Sesshomaru narrows his eyes at the kitsune. "Stop stuttering. It annoys this Sesshomaru."
"Ye.. Yes Lord Sesshomaru." Shippo stopped talking altogether. The Lord steps forwards and Shippo closes his eyes and prays to Kami that he wouldn't die today. Just like that, the leaves rustle again and the Great Dog Demon is gone. Shippo opened one eye and then the other and sighed. 'That was a close one' He thought, 'Better not get in his way again.' Shippo then runs back to the well to wait for Kagome.
Lord Sesshomaru walks through Inuyasha's forest and wonders why the mutt's scent has almost vanished. After his encounter with the kitsune, he was rather curious as to why Inuyasha wasn't around to defend the kit. It was his human wench's adopted son and Inuyasha would do anything for her. Sesshomaru sensed the air again. There was another smell that is very different; graveyard soil and clay. Sesshomaru recognized that smell: it belonged to that dead priestess Kikyo. 'Inuyasha is just like…' The thought that Sesshomaru started didn't finish itself. He caught the scent of lavender and rain. 'I have found her.' Sesshomaru turns and races back to where he and the kitsune were. He would be closer to getting what he wanted.
Kagome was getting her yellow bag ready for the long trip in the Feudal Era. Her mom, Kumi, stops her half way down the stairs. "Kagome, I made some lunches for Inuyasha and the rest of your friends. I also went out and bought some more bandages and ointment. I do hope you have enough for this trip." Kumi sadly smiles, wondering if this will be the last time she will see her daughter. Kagome noticed the sad look in her mother's eyes. "Mom?" Kagome questions, "I promise I will come back. I will be fine with Inuyasha protecting me." Kagome lied to her mother. She felt bad but it would take away the sadness in her mother's eyes. It upsets Kagome to see anyone so sad and lonely. She would love to sit down and tell her mother that Inuyasha's first love came back from the dead and has tried to take Inuyasha away ever since. And how Inuyasha loved Kikyo and then ran off with her to who knows where. "Mother, I will be back before you know it." With a genuine smile, and a quick hug good bye, Kagome was off to the Feudal Era, but not without telling her overly sensitive brother goodbye. "Souta, I love you and I will see you sooner than you can say pizza."
"Sis, you have used that trick on me so many times already… Find something else."
"Wow Souta I love you too. Miss you baby brother!" With that Kagome ran towards the well house with Souta trailing behind her. "I'm going to get you!"
"Ha! You wish! I'm bigger than you, which means I can run faster! See you soon!" With that last remark, Kagome ran into the well house, climbed over the side, and jumped in.
When Kagome came out of the well, she looked around to see if any of her friends were waiting for her. She heard some bushes rustle and Shippo came popping out. Kagome let out a surprised 'eep'.
"Kagome! You came back!" Shippo ran and jumped into her arms.
"Of course I did Shippo," Hugging her adoptive kitsune son tight, "I would never abandon you!" Looking around she didn't see her other friends.
"Shippo, where is Sango and Miroku?"
"They went back to the village to eat lunch. I told them I would stay here until you came back. But I promised I would be home by dark."
"I'm so proud of you! Not staying out past dark is a smart idea. I'm glad you listened to me." Kagome nuzzled her nose against Shippo's and he laughed.
Kagome turned around and hurled her yellow bag over the well side's and started walking in the direction of Kaede's village with Shippo protected in her arms.
She stopped dead in her tracks and tightly held Shippo. In front of her was the mighty, cruel, and cold Lord Sesshomaru of the West. Kagome started to panic. 'What could he possibly want? Maybe he is wondering where Inuyasha is.' she thought. 'Inuyasha isn't here anymore, so he can't fight him for the Tetsuiga.' She stood her ground and looked into those hard, cold, emotionless gold eyes. "Is there any reason for his highness to visit a human miko so close to a human village?" Kagome's voice was serious but had a little humorous tone to it. Sesshomaru didn't like it.
"This Sesshomaru is here for you Miko. This one suggests you say my whole name with the title if you want to keep breathing." Kagome narrowed her eyes.
"Don't be making threats towards me."
"Wench, this Sesshomaru can do what he pleases. This one is in need of your assistance." Sesshomaru said.
"Kagome. Don't go with him!" Shippo whined. "You might never ever come back."
"Oh? What does the Lord of the West need with a human?" Kagome questioned.
"This one will not discuss such things where it is not private but this Sesshomaru has come for you, so let us be off." With that last remark, Sesshomaru turned and started walking in the direction opposite of Kaede's village.
"Uh, Sesshomaru? You do realize that... um... I'm going that way," as she points to the direction of Kaede's village, "and you are going that way." Points in the opposite direction.
"Is there a problem with that Miko?" His deep voice taunting her.
"Oh course not! But unlike you I have friends and I want to see them!" Before Kagome could breath in, Sesshomaru had pinned her against a tree, his eyes a blazing gold. "Miko, this Sesshomaru has plenty of friends. It would be wise not to assume while with this Sesshomaru." With that, he let go of her throat but quickly grabbed onto her arm and formed his youkai cloud and left for the West palace.
Kagome didn't know that the Lord could be so fast. She was so close to him… The last time she was close to anyone like that was when… Kagome tried to fight back those sad-happy memories. Kagome kept thinking 'where did I go wrong?' over and over again. She soon snapped out of her trance when a whooshing sound came around the youkai clouds. 'Oh great!' Kagome mentally kicks herself. Now The Cold No heart Lord will give me up as a sacrifice to the other demons that are attacking us.' Then she hears a familiar voice,
"Put Kagome down!"
Sesshomaru mentally sighs, "Why is the slayer and monk here?' He felt Kagome stiffen just before the slayer called to put Kagome down. After that, Kagome relaxed.
"Miko, I suggest you tell your companions to stop attacking this Sesshomaru or things will get difficult." Sesshomaru's tone was cold... and a bit annoyed? Kagome yelled down to her friends, "Sango! Ice Prince has requested my help. I agreed. If you want you could follow us."
Sesshomaru's face looked bored as always, "Miko, your friends aren't allowed to come with."
"NO!" Sango couldn't hear Sesshomaru. "Sesshomaru! You aren't taking Kagome anywhere… and THAT'S FINAL" With her last remark, Sango screamed "HIRAIKOTSU" aiming for Sesshomaru's back. "SESSHOMARU! WATCH OUT!" Kagome tried to move but he wouldn't let her move. "Sesshomaru if we don't move I will be dead along with you. I suggest you move your precious ass before both of us die!" Kagome exclaimed.
Sesshomaru moved out of the way in time, but was brushed on the shoulder by it coming back.
This caused Kagome to be knocked out of Sesshomaru's one arm grasp. She screamed and fell down to the ground below her. 'So this is the way I will die?' With that thought Kagome closed her eyes and accepted her fate.
Kagome felt all the air exit her body. Her eyes watering and her mind on the brink of shutting down. She kept falling down and down. She squeezed her eyes harder and finally let her mind go into a state of unconscious.
She didn't feel the soft, warm hands wrap themselves around her small figure, the small grunt that slipped out when they landed on the ground, the warm ember eyes of the man she fell in love with for so long, nor the bright red robe that was made up of the fire rat.
"Inu... Yasha?" Shippo stuttered. Sango and Miroku could see the pained look in his eyes as he look at Kagome in his arms.
He only wished that she had not suffered too bad when he left. His whole body showed the emotions he was feeling.
As for Sesshomaru, he was one furious youkai. "Halfbreed, I suggest you deliver your miko to my palace in 3 days time. If you and your companions fail, I will have to come and get the pathetic human. Inform her when she wakes up." Sesshomaru flew off in the direction of West.
As for Inuyasha's group, everyone stared at Inuyasha, who magically appeared out of thin air.
"Where the hell have you been?!" Sango screamed.
"Sango, I'm sorry. I had to finish some things with Ki-"
"The dead priestess that is made up of clay and graveyard soil? The one that wanted Kagome dead and you in hell? Man you have got some nerve showing your face here." Sango fumed.
"Sango you know that I didn't mean to hurt Kagome. You and I both know that Kagome can handle herself and get over the-" Inuyasha didn't finish his sentence.
"EXCUSE ME? You pathetic halfbreed… I was under the impression you had this huge, big heart for humans, but I guess I was wrong. Leave before I kill you!" Sango threatened.
"Sango, my dear, I don't think that is going to be necessary." Miroku tilted his head towards the forest edge. As soon as the monk had said that, the dead priestess walked out of the trees into the clearing where she saw Inuyasha holding Kagome. "So, you leave and go for the helpless bitch? Interesting."
"Oh, don't you even start you clay pot! Maybe when we hit a village we could sell you for some money… See where that gets us." Sango smirked at Kikyo's face.
Miroku was getting weary of this whole situation and Shippo didn't really know what was going on.
"Mmm. Why is everybody yelling? My head already hurts you don't have to make it worst…" Everybody just stopped and stared at the bundle in Inuyasha's arms.
"Kagome?"
"Yes, that is my name. Why are you guys yelling so much. Who is holding me?" Kagome replied without opening her eyes. "Can we go somewhere without so much light my head is pounding."
Inuyasha was confused. 'Did she even realize whose arms she was in? Was she okay with it? Had she accepted what he did to her?' A million thoughts ran through Inuyasha's mind.
"Eh, Kags do you know who's got you right now?"
With that question Kagome's eyes snapped open. Midnight blue met warm golden. Inuyasha mentally kicked himself. 'Her eyes hold so much pain.'
Kagome tried to understand the situation. 'Why had Inuyasha come back? Why was he holding her? Where was Kikyo? Where had Sesshomaru gone?'
"Hey Inuyasha." Kagome acted as if they had never stopped talking and saw each other every day. "How have you been?"
Inuyasha didn't understand what had just happened. "I'm good Kags. How are you?"
"I'm good. Why are you here? Like why have you come back? I thought you left me for Kikyo? Where is she? Where is Sesshomaru?" Before either one could say anything Kikyo started yelling. Both looked up at Kikyo.
"EXCUSE ME?! INUYASHA YOU RAN BACK TO HER WHEN SHE WAS IN DANGER HOW SWEET. SHE IS NOTHING MORE THAN A WANT-TO-BE PRIESTESS. HOW DARE YOU LEAVE ME AND HOLD THIS WHORE IN YOUR ARMS. HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN I AM YOUR MATE? INUYASHA YOU WILL PAY DEARLY!" With that promise, Kikyo stomped off into the forest.
"Well then. Kikyo sure seemed pretty pissed what did you do while you were away?" Kagome asked.
Inuyasha's ears went flat along his head, "Kagome, I mated Kikyo…"
Kagome sat there for a while. "Well I hope you two are happy. Could you let me down Yasha?"
Inuyasha let Kagome down. Kagome tried to be as calm as possible. 'How could he mate Kikyo? She's not even alive. I just wish he would have told me… Here I was thinking he would mate me. Kagome he doesn't even love you.' Kagome walked into the forest leaving the hanyou, demon slayer, monk, and Kitsune in the clearing.
"Inuyasha." Sango started.
"Sango nothing can be changed. I cannot go back and unmate Kikyo. I was just under the impression that she loved me but she's not affectionate, like Kagome. She rarely laughs, unlike Kagome. She is soo full of hatred and bitterness-"
"Then why, may I ask Inuyasha, did you mate her in the first place, knowing it would destroy Kagome? Miroku questioned.
"I wasn't thinking. I just sort of acted. It just kinda happened…" Inuyasha's eyes held that same pained look. It was evident to both Miroku and Sango that Inuyasha was suffering and unhappy. Both of their hearts went out to him but they didn't feel too sorry since he got himself in this mess.
"I'm going to go check on Kagome. Inuyasha stay if you want, all I ask that you stay away from Kagome and try not to upset her." Sango left the three males in the clearing.
Sango found Kagome curled up by a tree crying into her knees. Sango sat next to Kagome and leaned her body against Kagome. Kagome sniffles got quieter and she looked up at her non related sister.
"Thank you Sango." Kagome smiled sweetly. Sango straightened herself and faced Kagome.
"Kagome your heart is so big. Why do you continue to let someone like Inuyasha hurt you? Aren't you angry as hell at him?" Sango started to rub Kagome's back.
"I was Sango. I was devastated that Inuyasha left but I couldn't hold that grudge because I love him. No matter how much he hurt me, I will always forgive him. My mom always told me this little saying whenever I would get upset at something. She would say "Kagome, sweetheart, think of it this way; sometimes bad happens in your life. You have five seconds to forgive, forget. You need to control yourself to prevent you from hurting others while you are upset." I have always thought of it whenever Inuyasha upset me or said something mean."
"Kagome you have such a pure soul. I want to be like you. So positive and forgiving." Sango held admiration in her eyes.
"Oh Sango I wish I was like you! You are so strong and courageous!" Kagome admitted. Sango just laughed and looked at Kagome.
"We both have something we admire about each other. Together we can become better. Together we can learn to be forgiving. And strong. And courageous but Kagome you are all those things." Sango giggled while her eyes started to water.
"It's so funny that we want to be something but to someone you are already those things and more. I love you Sango. Thank you." Sango turned and sat by Kagome's side looking out into the forest. Kagome leaned her head on Sango's shoulder.
"I love you too Kagome. Thank you for staying by my side." Sango leaned her head on Kagome's head. Both stayed like that for a while until Sango realized that she had not told her what Sesshomaru said.
"Hey Kagome. Sesshomaru said we have 3 days to 'deliver' you to the West before he comes and gets you." Sango said.
"Well that isn't a lot of time." Kagome thought out loud, "If anything it will take us 3 days to get there." Kagome sighed.
"Maybe he will let us stay with you while he needs you. Did he ever tell you what for?" Sango inquired.
"No he never said. He said that he would tell me somewhere private."
"Ooo Kagome you know what this means." Sango teased poking Kagome.
"What does it mean Sango?" Kagome genuinely confused.
"IT MEANS SESSHOMARU WANTS TO MARRY YOU!" Sango exclaimed. Kagome's face went pale then beet red and her blue eyes bulged.
"He wants to what?!" Kagome looked at her sister as if she had two heads, "Sango stop. He would never marry a human. ESPECIALLY a priestess. They are supposed to purify demons not marry them! Sango I think we need to set up camp and go to bed. You are acting crazy." Kagome stood up and brushed herself off. Sango copied the priestess.
"I guess. But doesn't it make you anxious as to why he wants to meet with you in private?" Sango said.
"Eh. Not really. Come on let's go get the boys and tell them to get some firewood and we can go hunting." Kagome said.
"Maybe after we can find a hot springs!" Sango said hopefully.
Kagome and Sango made their way back to the three males as the sun was getting ready to set.
"They must be worried about us." Kagome said guilty for being gone so long.
"I'm sure they are either fighting or eating." Sango said.
"I guess you're right. Shippo will have a bully to pick on him. Shippo really did miss Inuyasha. He was like the brother Shippo never had." Kagome explained.
"You're right let's just hope they aren't at each other's throats like always." Sango said. Both girls walked to the clearing and was greeted by a sight that made them giggle.
Inuyasha was holding Shippo by the tail in one hand and Miroku was trying to calm down Inuyasha. His other hand was under a statute. Shippo had put one of his kitsune magic statutes in Inuyasha's hand. Inuyasha held it and was stuck to the ground under the statute. Miroku was trying to tell Inuyasha to calm down and asking Shippo to remove it. Shippo was refusing. Inuyasha was yelling at Shippo to grow up and to get the statue off of his hand. They were all engrossed in one another that they didn't notice Sango and Kagome come back to the group.
"Hey guys fighting won't help us get firewood or some dinner." Kagome said giggling behind her hand.
Sango was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. "Man I have never seen such a ridiculous sight in my life. Inuyasha you look so funny. Reminds me of the good ol' days when we were still together and…" Sango trailed off.
Everyone in the group looked around at each other and something registered. They were never complete without one another. Inuyasha was the rash one of the group. Shippo was the jokester. Miroku was the wise and flirtatious. Sango was clever and quick to respond. Kagome was the person who pulled them all in with her big heart and positive mindset.
Before anyone knew what was happening, they were all being held by one another. Just for that moment they would relive those memories; good and bad. They would let the others see them at their weakest point, here being embraced by each other. They let their emotions free and just stay there for a couple moments, enjoying the company and being able to be close to one another like they have been so long ago.
The moment was interrupted by someone's stomach grumbling.
The group laughed and pulled away.
Inuyasha went to hunt and Miroku went out to collect firewood while the girls and Shippo found a place to set up camp and explore the area for any hot springs.
"Do you think we will ever find a hot springs?" Kagome asked.
"I thought so. But I'm not sure now. We have been just wandering around." Sango sounded a little discouraged.
"What is that through those bushes?" Shippo asked. He jumped down from Kagome's arms and ran towards the bushes. Kagome and Sango followed him through the bushes.
"There is a hot springs!" Sango happily said.
"I know but it is a little a ways from camp." Kagome eyed the hot springs.
"That's okay Kagome. We have Miroku and now Inuyasha for the time being. Might as well use their protection while we can." Sango stated.
"You're so right!" Kagome responded, "Let's go back to camp and grab our things. I'm sure the guys will be back by then." Sango, Kagome, and Shippo started walking back towards camp. They were greeted by the two males setting some firewood up and skinning the boar they had caught.
"Hey Sango. Would you ask Kilala if she could light this fire? Unless Kagome has those wood things that ignite a fire." Miroku requested.
"Kilala would you mind lighting the fire for us?" Sango asked the twin tailed companion.
Kilala meowed in response and transformed.
Before long, all six members of the group we sitting around the fire eating and conversing.
"So Inuyasha, why did you come back? Why were you so close to Kaede's village?" Sango questioned.
"Well Kikyo needed to come back and talk to her sister Kaede. So we were on our way back when I smelled Kagome's scent. Then I sensed Sesshomaru and I followed that aura and saw Kagome falling." Inuyasha told the group of Kikyo and how she travels from village to village healing the sick and exterminating demons with his help (even though she doesn't need it).
"Well I'm glad you are back if only for a short while Inuyasha." Kagome smiled and finished her food. "When we are traveling we should probably move quickly. Not moving far from Kaede's village is going to really set us back."
"You are still going to go through with Sesshomaru's proposal?" Miroku asked shocked.
"Yeah! He obviously is very desperate to ask a human priestess for assistance." Kagome said, "And besides, who would I be to turn someone down? That's not who I am as a person."
"Yeah Kags. You were always helpful and caring. Glad to see that didn't change." Inuyasha commented.
"Well what if he's having problems and you can't fix it?" Sango said outloud.
"I never thought about that," Kagome pondered Sango's question. "I guess I could ask your help. All of yours. We are such an odd put together team. I'm sure we can figure out a solution." Kagome said determined to solve whatever Sesshomaru threw at her.