Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of its components

Chapter Two:

InuYasha came over the ridge as the light dispersed onto the land. He inhaled deeply, taking in her scent. She's here. His eyes scanned the area, hoping to find her. He saw a circle, etched in the stone. From the circle, two skid marks, set in opposite directions, marked the floor. He followed one of the marks to a newly made pile of rocks. A tiny section of a bright green skirt peeked from the rock pile.

"Kagome!"

He raced over, hoping she would be okay. If anything happened to her… He stood over her body, waiting for any movement. Nothing. He bent down for a closer look. Her chest rose. He stroked her hair, revealing her face. Please be okay.

She felt the fine strands of her hair brush against her cheek. Her eyelids fluttered, revealing her soft brown eyes. She turned her head, staring at the man she had longed to be with.

"InuYasha," The young girl said. She sat up slowly, unsure of her surroundings. She looked at her hands, her clothes. She felt her face. A smile appeared. She turned and reached for the nearest rock. Taking it in her hand, she hit the side of her arm. She yelled quietly. The smile grew in size. She looked back at InuYasha, whose confused expression did not phase her excitement.

"InuYasha!" The dog demon stumbled slightly as the girl embraced him. He blushed at the gesture. Never had she ever hugged him this hard before. He felt his own arms wrap around her body. He wanted to stay like this forever.

"Kagome, I am so glad you're safe." The girl released him, sitting erect before him. Her body became tense. He cocked his head, eyes questioning her abrupt action.

"What's wrong Kagome?"

"She didn't tell you."

InuYasha perked up his ears. Her voice was deeper, darker almost. It was not the same soothing sound it had been the other day, when she left on her own. He examined her face. Yes, it was the same, yet he could read anger and hatred in her brow, her mouth, and her eyes.

"Who didn't tell me what?" His voice was calm yet inquiring. He watched Kagome twist her head, away from his gaze. She smiled like she was laughing internally. His focus became more intense. Something was not right.

She set her sight back to him, catching a glimpse of his solid eyes. Her smile dominated her face as she spoke.

"She is either very smart or heartless. Either way, she left you in the dark."

"What?"

"Tell me, when you came over the ridge of rocks, were you looking for Kagome or Kikyo?"

"Kikyo's here?"

The name of his first love automatically replaced his concern for Kagome. The fact that Kikyo was near wrenched at his gut. He had to make sure she was okay too, for it was because of their love she became the wandering dead. His mind became so preoccupied that he failed to see Kagome's smile intensify.

InuYasha sniffed the air. The scent of dead bone and clay lingered in the area. It was near and far. His eyes widened as his twisted his head. In his sight was Kagome, grinning slyly at his puzzling expression.

"Kagome, you, you smell like..."

"Kikyo?"

InuYasha was now confused beyond compare.

"What happened." He demanded from her. She smiled at his anger. No matter what was going on, she always liked to toy with him. The fact that Kagome lied to him also filled her with delight. That girl is not so good after all.

"Why does that matter? I am here and you are here. She left us to be together."

He grabbed her arms, squeezing them tightly. Rage surged within him from Kikyo's tone. Her smile dropped as his claws braised her skin.

"What did you do to her?" He voice intensified in anger. He watched her eyes squint in resentment at his question. She pushed his hands away before yelling.

"I did nothing to her. Do not blame me for her actions."

InuYasha discarded her notion.

"Kagome would never do such a thing."

"Then you must not know her very well."

InuYasha released his anger as bewilderment set in. His eyes shifted towards the ground, unable to focus.

"But why?"

Kikyo's voice softened as she explained.

"Kagome wanted you to stay alive, but she finally realized that you would never leave me. So, she went to a shaman who taught her how to 'switch bodies' with another."

His wide open eyes returned to her pupils, which were filled with sincerity and honesty. The reality of the situation began to sink in. His body trembled with his words.

"So you are…"

"Kikyo, and thanks to my reincarnation, we can live together, on earth."