I have done only minor editing changes to these original chapters. I can't bring myself to change a story once it is written, even if I feel I could write it better now. A story exists once it is made and can not be unmade.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha; this is a work of fanfiction

Chapter Two: Leashed Puppy

Episode One: Unhappy Companions

Inuyasha made a sour face. He sat alone in the sacred tree in the forest. Kaede seemed to hold no fear that he would slip away. She knew that he was bound, in more ways than one. Inuyasha stared down at the aged arrow lodged in the tree's trunk. He could not bring himself to leave this place, to leave the past behind. There was a bond to him in this place, a bond he could not have broken if he wished to.

Certainly, this place held painful memories, but Inuyasha almost yearned for the pain. Pain was all he had known for most of his life. He had been shunned by everyone he met, alone since his mother's death. Youkai despised his weakness, and humans hated his taint. He could find no place for himself. There had been a time, a brief moment, when he had believed he had found his place, found happiness. But his dream had been ripped from him. He would not allow such a thing to happen again. He would not be fooled.

Kaede sought to use him, to force him to find the jewel. Inuyasha didn't mind searching for it, but he hated that Kaede knew so easily how to manipulate him. She knew that he could not resist the quest to find the Shikon no Tama. When they finally found it, Inuyasha knew, the victory would be bittersweet. He would not possess it. That accursed collar around his neck would see to that. Worst of all, was the girl, herself. Her scent, her looks, all like Kikyou's. It reminded him of his weakness. He had sworn never to be fooled again, but was he strong enough?

Inuyasha did hate Kikyou. He hated her with a burning passion. But never could he think of her without remembering how he had loved her. He still did. It made him hate her all the more. Could he never be free of her? Even after she had shown him her true colors? After she had betrayed him? Could he not stop loving her?

A rustling beneath the tree snapped Inuyasha from his reverie. He knew who it was before his eyes found her. Such a familiar scent. He could not help but stare. Kagome looked up into his wondering eyes, confused by the strange look upon his face. He realized that she was watching him, and quickly turned his expression to a scowl, giving a slight growl. She could not understand the changes in his attitude. One moment he seemed so sad, so alone, then he would become angry, or hateful, or...

He glared down at the girl, and spoke in a voice of disdain. "What do YOU want, wretched girl? Do you think you can bend me like that old hag? Feh! I won't be led so easily!"

Kagome grew a little red in the face. Her anger sparked. "Hey! Why do you have to be so rude? What have I done to you to deserve that tone? I don't intend to USE anyone! I just want to go home!"

Inuyasha stared down at her, expression blank. Then a sneer crossed his face. "What have you done to me? What have you done! You have this damned collar around my neck! You've brought that priestess down upon me! You've brought everything back! Everything that I tried to escape! Everything is coming back to chain me again!" His shouts echoed across the forest. The hanyou sought to calm himself, but his blood boiled. It was true. This girl was only causing his pain to return.

Kagome slumped a little, but she was not cowed. "I didn't want to chain you...I didn't ask to come here, to be taken from my own world. I certainly didn't ask to work with an arrogant, rude dog! I don't even know why I'm here!"

The hanyou frowned. "Feh! You certainly don't seem eager to release me from this collar...You may not have wanted to leash me, but you have, and you won't undo the spell, so you are my enemy! I will find the jewel, not because that hag asked, but because the jewel is mine. The jewel should have been mine!"

Kagome opened her mouth to make an angry retort, but Inuyasha stiffened in the tree and sniffed the air. He growled and leapt down beside her. "There is someone coming. A lot of someones." Inuyasha picked Kagome up and loped towards the village.

There were perhaps a dozen men on horses in the village, armored and ordering the villagers about. They were probably just soldiers of some petty lord. Inuyasha did not show himself, however. Soldiers did not tend to show anything but animosity towards demons, and he didn't really feel like killing so many. He did get close enough to hear them speaking, however.

The apparent leader was shouting orders to the villagers, cursing their slowness. "Hurry up and get water for our horses you filthy wenches! We have to get to our lord's castle immediately. We have no time to put up with your laziness. That damned Naraku...He thinks he can attack our master...He will be crushed for his transgressions!"

The man turned to speak to the priestess, answering some unheard question from her. "Yes, the lord Naraku, the one who has been attacking just about everyone for the last dozen years. He causes only destruction, leaves only chaos in his wake. And the cursed man uses demons to do his dirty work! He uses them to slaughter villages and massacre armies. He'll get what he deserves, though. No one challenges our master! Recently, he's been attacking even more than usual, lashing out at everything near him. I don't know why, but something has him angry." The man gave an angry mutter as a villager gave him a cup of water. He downed it and flung the cup to the dirt. "I don't have any more time to talk, priestess. We must get to our master to report Naraku's latest deeds."

Inuyasha appeared as the soldiers galloped away, hoofbeats fading to silence. Kaede wore a strange look of speculation upon her face. Inuyasha glanced at Kagome but found nothing there but a reminder of his pain. Still Kaede remained silent, pondering some curiosity. Inuyasha snorted impatiently. "Hey, old woman! What is that look on your face for? Are you forgetting that we're supposed to be looking for the jewel?"

Kaede turned an annoyed look upon the hanyou. "I am working on just that, Inuyasha. I think we may have just been given a hint as to the jewel's location. This Naraku uses demons to fight for him. He must be very powerful to keep them loyal to him. I think we should find out more about this lord Naraku."

Episode Two: Revelation

Hundreds of men, soldiers, turned to flee the sudden onslaught that was tearing through their ranks. Hideous demons rent men in two, tore at their flesh, and fed upon their still-living bodies. But none could escape the terrors behind them. The screams echoed out into the cloudy day. The sky grew darker, sun hidden behind a black cloud. The cloud drew nearer and splintered into thousands of black scavengers that descended upon the slaughter to feed. Their demonic eyes glowed with a happiness that only such a massacre could bring.

Inuyasha grimaced at the old priestess. "Hag, I don't like waiting around for something to happen. I would rather go out and MAKE it happen. Why do you insist that we wait at this stupid village? We will never find the damned jewel if we just stand here!"

Kaede sighed, but responded patiently. "Inuyasha, we know very little about this lord Naraku, save that he is very powerful and seems to have dominion over many demons. I have been trying to learn something about this man. You mustn't simply leap into danger. I would not have you risk Kagome."

"Feh. That girl is nothing but a hindrance! I don't see why I must take her with me."

"You must take Kagome. I suspect that she will be more help than you can imagine...besides, she must be there to make sure that the jewel does not fall into the wrong hands...namely yours, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha gave a short growl before falling silent. Kagome, however, had too many questions to keep quiet. "Kaede, how am I supposed to help? I am just a normal human girl. What can I do against demons?"

Kaede glanced at Inuyasha before turning her attention on Kagome. "Kagome, I have reason to believe that you have more in you than a normal girl. I can not speak of it just yet, but believe in yourself. You have untapped strength in you."

Inuyasha's eyes darted back and forth between the two, narrowing in suspicion. He snorted loudly and stood. Without a word, he walked from the hut, his silver hair shining in the bright sunlight.

Kagome turned to Kaede and gave her a straightforward look. "Kaede, I must know, why do you think I am more than a normal girl...and why did you not want to talk about it in front of Inuyasha?"

Kaede sighed in resignation. "Kagome, I believe that you are the reincarnation of my sister, Kikyou. If I am correct, then you would have tremendous spiritual powers at your disposal. But Inuyasha doesn't need to know about this. He doesn't need to think that you may have powers of your own for him to worry about."

Kagome couldn't believe it. She was incredulous. "Me? The reincarnation of Kikyou? But I don't feel like I have spiritual powers..."

"But you do, Kagome. You bound Inuyasha with that rosary. I may have made the rosary, but you are the one who finished the spell and bound him."

Kagome hesitated. "I still don't know...Maybe I do have these spiritual powers, but I don't feel like anybody's reincarnation. Could you be wrong?"

"Perhaps it would be best if I were." Kaede almost mumbled.

"What do you mean? Why would it be a bad thing?"

Kaede hesitated, but slowly spoke the hard words. "Kikyou was my sister and protector of the Shikon no Tama. She was a powerful priestess, and many sought the jewel. She made many enemies, though very few survived their meeting. The one that I worry most about, though, is one who we need. Inuyasha."

Kagome gasped, but Kaede continued. "Inuyasha always sought the jewel. He wished to use it to make himself a full demon. He and my sister somehow became close...even though he had originally been her rival.

"I do not know precisely what happened that day fifty years ago, but I do know that Inuyasha and Kikyou suddenly became enemies. My sister died, and we had thought that Inuyasha had taken the jewel. I do not know how Inuyasha would react if he found that Kikyou had been reincarnated...and that YOU were that reincarnation. We must keep it from him, at least until we can be more sure of his reaction."

Kagome nodded, eyes wide. Would Inuyasha try to kill her, too? Would he HATE her?

Episode Three: Scavengers

Inuyasha growled. His mood had rapidly grown sour since those soldiers had caused the old hag to become wary of searching for the jewel. Inuyasha was not afraid of any foolish human lord, even one who seemed to hold dominion over demons. He would take the jewel, no matter who possessed it. He had not suffered exile in this damned forest for the past fifty years simply to let another take the jewel.

He stalked through the forest, unconsciously making his way toward the sacred tree. It had been obvious that Kaede had wanted him to leave. His scowl deepened. What could she have to say to that girl that he could not hear? What could they be plotting? Against him? The girl seemed almost too innocent to do anything devious, to plan any deception. No! He would not let himself be fooled. He would suspect everyone. Even that girl. She held his leash, after all.

Inuyasha stopped, suddenly noticing the quiet that held the forest. There was no sound, not even birdsong. His hackles rose, as a feeling of wrongness washed over him. Then the scent came to him. Inuyasha spun around and dashed towards the village.

There was a commotion from just outside the village. Cries rang out and were met by a shrieking reply. Inuyasha quickly came to the source. It was those soldiers again, but this time they would not be bullying the villagers. About twenty demon-crows had set upon them, shrieking as they dove upon the weak humans. The soldiers tried to defend themselves, but stood no chance. These crows were bigger, stronger than they would normally have been.

The men were falling to the ground, blood poring from their eyeless sockets, beating the birds away with frantic waves of their arms. It did them no good. The scavengers tore into their flesh, causing them to scream in pain and fright. Inuyasha watched, but did nothing. He would not help humans.

A sound to his right brought his attention from the macabre scene before him. Several of the villagers had appeared, drawn by the shouts of the soldiers. The men ran forward, waving their tools at the crows, before being set upon themselves. Fools. But another sight took Inuyasha's breath. That stupid girl was there, trying to fire a bow that she obviously had no talent for. Stupid girl!

Inuyasha snarled as a crow dove towards the girl, who froze, fright plain on her face. Blood splashed across her as the bird exploded into a mass of gore and feathers. "What the hell do you think you're doing!" Inuyasha shouted, standing between her and any danger. She could only stare at him, wide-eyed.

Inuyasha snorted. Great, he supposed he'd have to take care of this before any more of the fools died. The crows had noticed him now. They held no fear of the petty humans, but a dog-demon was something altogether different. Four came shrieking at him, and he shredded them with his claws, turning to another that was still busy feeding on a corpse. He stomped on it's head, crushing its skull, before leaping to meet another group.

He ended up killing all but a few, who fled once their numbers had been thinned. Many of the villagers bore wounds from the birds, but only two had been killed. Inuyasha grunted. It wasn't as if he cared. The villagers were tending to the wounded, and preparing to bury the dead. Kaede had come to see to the injured, but wasn't really needed. No one came near the gore-covered hanyou...until the girl made her way over to him, that is.

She smiled weakly up at him. "Thank you for saving me...for saving everybody. A lot of people would probably have died if you hadn't been here."

Inuyasha glared at her. "I didn't kill them to save YOU. I don't care if these villagers live or die!" he shouted so that all could hear. "I only killed the damned crows because they were in MY territory. Don't expect me to be helping you worthless humans. I don't care about you!" With that he turned and stalked off, leaving behind a speechless Kagome.

Kaede came up beside her and rested her hand upon the girl's shoulder. "Do not worry, Kagome. He is not a gentle person. He doesn't take praise well."

"B-but he said he didn't care. He said he didn't mean to save anybody!"

Kaede sighed. "That is probably the truth. Inuyasha doesn't care for humans. While he may not be the evil demon that I had thought him, he may hold no love for our kind."

Kagome shook her head. "Why? Why does he hate humans?"

"Inuyasha...he has not lived an easy life. He is a hanyou. Demons do not accept him because of his human blood...and humans despise him for his demonic blood. People hate the idea of a child made by a demon. Inuyasha has lived his entire life alone...and has had no good experience with us. Perhaps he will change his mind one day, but it will not be until he is shown kindness and acceptance. I fear that he may never let that happen. He once came close to that...but it ended very badly."

Kagome stared after the hanyou. He was no longer to be seen, but she could still clearly see him, saving her from the crow that had nearly killed her. He had been alone for his entire life? How lonely he must be. How could anyone live alone forever?

Episode Four: Duty

Kagome once again felt that strange displacement, as if she were floating, when she dropped to the bottom of the well. She had come out back into the well-house. Elation filled her, and she nearly shouted for joy. She was home. She ran up the stairs and flung the door open, greeted by the brightly shining sun. She basked in the familiarity of the world about her.

A shout broke the spell that held her, and she turned to find her mother rushing towards her. "Kagome!" She swept her mother into a tight hug even before the older woman could do the same. Kagome began to cry, overcome with relief and happiness. Her mother spoke reassuringly and did her best to soothe her daughter.

If her family was surprised at her sudden reappearance, they were downright incredulous at her explanation of her disappearance. Her grandfather seemed to accept it without too much trouble, but her mother could not believe such a fantastic story. Being pulled down a well by a monster into the past and meeting demons…How could such a thing be true?

Few people believed in demons anymore, and very few would believe someone's claim that they had met one. Kagome's mother did not think it possible, but her daughter was not one to make such things up. She had to believe her daughter, even if she found it difficult. Of course, they would have to find an excuse for her disappearance. Her friends would surely be wondering where she had been, and the school would not be happy about her absence. Perhaps they would simply say that Kagome had been ill.

Kagome seemed oblivious to the worries of her family, however, as she savored the hot steam rising from her bath. She hadn't ever realized how wonderful a hot bath could be. Kagome vowed not to take the simple pleasures of her life for granted again. She knew now how glorious her time was. There were no evil centipedes, no murdering crows, and no ill-tempered hanyou.

Kagome wondered a bit at what Inuyasha would do when he found her gone. He probably wouldn't care in the least. He hadn't wanted to be paired with her in the first place. He had been coerced into helping her find the jewel. Kagome got a guilty feel at that. She had abandoned the quest for the jewel. It wasn't her problem…she was just a middle-school girl…but still, Kaede had been depending on her. Finding the jewel had been important, for many people, and Kagome had turned away. Kagome sighed before submerging fully in the water. She didn't want to think about this right now.

Kagome had barely finished dressing when she heard a commotion downstairs. It was actually quite a loud commotion. She wandered down to find out what was causing to find her family staring at an obviously furious silver-haired hanyou. The source of his anger was not hard to figure out. Several little scrolls were pasted across his form, and he was glaring at Kagome's grandfather who was holding another incriminating scroll in his hand.

Kagome could barely find her voice at seeing Inuyasha here. "I-Inuyasha? What are you-"

Inuyasha finally noticed her when she spoke. He gave a growl of frustration and leapt over to her side, taking her arm in his tight grip. "There you are, wench! How dare you run away. That damned hag was worried sick. Come on, we're going." He started to tug her to the door.

Kagome could only stare at him, unable to resist the pull on her arm. But her mother had other ideas. "Hold it right there! You can't just take my daughter away again."

Inuyasha glared menacingly at the woman. "Why not?"

"First of all, she hasn't eaten dinner yet. I won't let her go anywhere without eating first."

Four pairs of eyes stared at her as if she were mad. "What!" was the hanyou's disbelieving reply. "Mom! What are you talking about? I don't want to go back!" Kagome shouted right on top of him.

"Feh! What you want doesn't matter, wench. We're leaving…hurry up and eat. I want to leave this place as soon as possible." The hanyou gave a little shake of his head, still not believing that that woman was actually going to let him run off with her daughter.

"Oh, but it would be impolite to eat without you. You must have dinner with us. You'll be our guest, and then you can talk about taking my daughter away. If she doesn't want to go, I can't really allow you to make her go. But I'm sure we can come to some sort of agreement."

Inuyasha didn't know how it was done, but somehow he ended up eating dinner with the girl and her family, ignoring the glares from the old man and the awestruck stare of the young boy. Kagome's mother was disturbingly pleasant during the entire dinner. Kagome, herself, could not decide whether she should be glaring at Inuyasha or laughing at the poor hanyou's predicament. He had come expecting to exert his demonic authority and whisk her away before anyone could stop him. Instead, he was being treated to dinner like friend of the family, or at least an honored guest.

After dinner, Inuyasha prepared again to force Kagome to come back with him, but her damned mother insisted that they sit down and talk about it. She ushered the others out of the room, leaving Inuyasha alone to convince Kagome to return with him. He had had enough.

He once again seized her wrist and tried to drag her away. "Come on, wench! We are leaving. NOW!"

Kagome managed to free herself from the hanyou's grasp and glared up at him. "What if I don't want to go? Why should I? THIS is my time. THIS is my home!"

Inuyasha gave her an angry grimace, but didn't tug on her again. "The old hag says that you can sense the jewel, girl. She says that we need your help to find it…to make sure that it does not fall into evil hands. Feh. Personally, I don't give a damn about these evil hands, but I do want the jewel. It is mine by right!"

Kagome was quiet. Finally she looked into the hanyou's eyes. "Kaede said that? I…You really need me to help find the jewel?"

Inuyasha grunted. "I don't need you…but the hag is convinced that you would be of help. And I can't complain if I can find the jewel that much faster." Kagome remained silent. Inuyasha sighed. "Listen Kagome, I want to find the jewel. If you can help me, then I want you to come, but it is the old woman who insists that you HAVE to come, to protect the jewel."

Kagome's eyes widened slightly. "Did you just call me Kagome?"

Inuyasha gave an uneasy shrug. "So what if I did?"

"Nothing, it's just that you've never used my name before. I…I feel like I should help. If I really can help then I should try. I feel like it is my duty."

Inuyasha snorted. "Whatever. So, you'll come?"

Kagome nodded. Perhaps things wouldn't be so bad. If Inuyasha could be civil, then anything was possible. And Kagome felt a strong pull towards that time that had nothing to do with Inuyasha tugging on her wrist. She felt as if she were SUPPOSED to be back there for some reason.

"Good. Let's go. We'll have to reassure that senile old hag that you're not going to abandon us."

"Okay, I'll go, but let me explain to my family first. Then we can go back, but I'll still need to return to my own time every few days. I have a life here, too."

"Feh." was Inuyasha's only response, but he felt somehow relieved. For some reason he was glad that this girl Kagome was returning with him. He couldn't explain the feeling, but he felt it nonetheless.

End of Chapter Two

-Chevalier