Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha……………obviously

Where did Kagome go?

Mrs. Higurashi finished dinner and noticed that Kagome had not come back inside but Buyo was sitting on the couch with Sota. She smiled to herself thinking that Kagome met a friend outside and forgot to come inside to check in. She was happy for her daughter; Mrs. Higurashi had always thought that Kagome studied too hard. Calling Sota and Grandpa to dinner she laid the meal out on the table.

"Mmm…this smells good Mom!" Sota exclaimed entering the dining room. He sat down then looked around for his sister. His eyebrows rose slightly when he didn't see her in the kitchen helping their mother. "Mom where's Kagome?"

"Yes where is she?" Grandpa chimed in as he too had noticed the absence of his granddaughter.

"Oh I think she ran off with some friends, in the heat of the moment." Mrs. Higurashi assured them, finally joining them at the table. Buyo gave an unnoticed laugh at this explanation. "She will probably call soon."

I know where she is. Not that anyone can hear me. Buyo laughed to himself again.

Sota immediately accepted the rationalization and began to eat his food happily; Grandpa was not so quick to agree. He had a hard time believing that Kagome would run off without thought; it just wasn't like her. He kept his opinions to himself however not wanting to frighten anyone unnecessarily. He ate his food quietly hoping no one would comment. His hope was in vain.

"Why so quiet Grandpa?" Sota asked with a mouthful of the pickles and mei. He was scolded by his mother and instantly he blushed and finished chewing. The older man was washed with relief thinking he wouldn't have to answer his grandson. He was wrong; as soon as Sota's mouth was free of food he posed his question again. The eldest Higurashi heaved as sigh before looking up from his meal to answer the question.

"I am just tired tonight Sota. It was a long day; I'm not as young as I used to be." He lied smoothly. Buyo meowed loudly after hearing that, drawing the family's attention to him. He merely flicked his tail at them and blinked his green eyes.

"I'll bet Buyo knows where she is, too bad he can't talk." Sota said his mouth once again full of food. He was scolded for a second time and he didn't speak again throughout the rest of the meal.

Sota left the dinner table and went up to his room to read his new manga before bed. Buyo followed the boy intent on talking to him even if he wouldn't understand. Sota sat on his bed just as Buyo jumped on it to sit next to him.

"I really wish you could talk Buyo." The boy sighed. "That would be cool." He stroked the cat's head reading his manga.

Oh but I can talk. Better than you can most of the time. Don't you what to know where Kagome is? I will tell you if you ask me nicely. Buyo smiled again as he had done earlier that evening willing Sota to look at him. The boy answered the unheard summons looking down at the cat.

"I wonder when Kagome will be home. What do you think Buyo, will she miss her curfew? That would be funny, sis getting in trouble for once." Sota laughed at the possibility.

She will definitely miss curfew though I doubt that your mother will punish her under the circumstances. Come on Sota ask the right questions. That's the only way you'll be able to hear me. Buyo hissed angrily when he saw that the boy was again ignoring him. Sota looked down at Buyo because of the noise he had made. That only seemed to irritate the cat more, arching his back Buyo leapt down from the bed with more than an ordinary cat's grace. He turned and stared at Sota with silted green eyes before stalking from the room holding his tail angrily still. I shall try again tomorrow. Perhaps he will be more perceptive when he realizes that she isn't coming back. Buyo sauntered into Kagome's room anger already washed out of him. Launching himself onto her bed he curled up in the center. At least I have given her another chance. Hopefully she will get it right this time. Buyo meowed one final time then settled into sleep.

&&&

Kagome woke up at the bottom of the well. She stretched and rubbed her head. Looking around she assumed she was still in the well house. Shaking her head she looked up at the moonless night thinking it was the ceiling.

"Buyo?" Kagome called up the well. "Hear kitty, kitty. Buyo?" She heard a faint meow at the top. Kagome started to climb up the side of well thinking that she would have to save her cat. Finally reaching the top she threw herself over the lip and landed on cool grass. Her eyes widened as she felt the grass between her fingers and saw the plain before her bordered by a forest. Kagome was filled with fear until she heard the faint mewing again. With renewed vigor Kagome searched for Buyo, she wouldn't let anything happen to him no matter what strange place they were now in. She rose to her feet and searched around the well for Buyo. Just before she had fully circled the well she found what she had thought was Buyo. The cat before her had two tails and was as black as the moonless night she was in with a piecing violet birthmark on its head and matching strikingly violet eyes.

"You're not Buyo." Kagome stated as she leaned forward to pet it on its head. "What's your name pretty kitty?" The cat's eyes flashed open and Kagome's hand was shocked. She fell back with the force of the cat's attack. Kagome lay on her back once again filled with fear trying to process what had just happened. The cat walked on her stomach and stared into her eyes. Kagome became still with fright. The cat tilted its head still staring at her.

I'm sorry. Are you alright? It is so rare that one of your kind asks the right question. I almost never get to talk to anyone. Oh and to answer your question my name is Satomi. The cat blinked waiting for Kagome to respond. Kagome blinked three times trying to process what she thinks she just heard. She shut her eyes tightly and counted to thirteen the opened them again. Seeing Satomi still on her chest she decided to voice her question.

"Did you just talk?" Kagome asked hesitantly.

Yes I did.

"But…but you're just a…a… cat… and besides your… lips never m…m…moved." Kagome stuttered her rebuttal.

I am no ordinary cat. I am a full blooded youkai. As to why my lips didn't move that is because I am speaking to you in your mind. That was the shock you felt it was our minds becoming telepathically linked. It isn't usually so violent but you miko powers must have repelled mine at first until it realized that I was friendly. Satomi jumped from Kagome's stomach and flicked her tails beckoning Kagome to rise. Come we have to find a safe place for you to sleep. I will explain the rest in the morning.

Kagome rose and followed Satomi into the forest. She was sure that she was dreaming so there was no harm in following the strange talking cat into the forest. She would soon wake up in her own bed or lumped over her desk and none of this would have happened. Satomi considering freeing the miko of her delusions but decided not to it would be hard enough for her to get her somewhere safe to sleep without her added panic of knowing the truth.

No that can all wait until the morning when she will be safe.

&&&

Four Months Later

Present Day Tokyo

Sota sat in his room listening as his mother and his grandfather explain the situation to his father. Mr. Higurashi had divorced his mother long ago but still visited with Kagome and Sota whenever his schedule allowed, which wasn't very often. Mr. Higurashi was away on business when Kagome disappeared and had just returned and thought he would spend time with her and Sota so he stopped by the house that afternoon.

"Akira I don't understand how this happened. What do you mean she went outside and never came back? Why didn't you call me? I know we have our differences but she is still my daughter! I had a right to know that she was missing!" Mr. Higurashi yelled in whispers hoping that Sota wouldn't hear.

"Well Daichi," She began through clenched teeth. It took all Akira had to not slap her ex-husband. He was barely a father. All he ever sent to her children was birthday presents. And now all of a sudden he had rights! Ha! "I called your office several times and was told that you would receive my message when got out of whatever meeting you were in at the time! Only I was never able to leave a message because your secretary disconnected me before I could tell her that my daughter was missing! It was like they had been instructed to give me the run around every time I called." Daichi looked at the floor racked with guilt. That was exactly what he had told his staff right after they got divorced. It had never been a problem before because the kids were always the ones who called. But obviously Sota wouldn't call in an emergency. He would have a talk with his staff first thing on Monday morning. "Anyway I don't know what happened. When it got to be passed her curfew I started calling her friends to find her so I could pick her up. When none of them had seen her since final classes I panicked. So I called the police and they sent and officer over I spent three days filing a missing persons report, trying to keep calm for Sota's sake! He won't talk to anyone but Buyo now and I don't know what's wrong with him! They were so close he's probably heartbroken. He had his first birthday without Kagome to sing to him when he woke up. She made it a habit of waking up to the sound of her singing instead of waking up to his alarm like normal. She always used to say that it was too harsh for the ears of a birthday boy." Akira sniff fighting the tears she continued. "But not this year. He woke up to his alarm clock and refuses to open his presents until Kagome comes back. I am beside myself, my daughter is missing and because of the loss I am losing my son as well!" No longer able to fight Akira wept openly for the first time since Kagome's disappearance.

Both men sat motionless for a moment. Akira never cried, and if she did it was in private. Neither man had ever seen her shed tears and was unsure of what to do. Grandpa motioned for Daichi to comfort her. Daichi hesitated fearing she may strike him but did as he was told. To his surprise she clung to his shirt.

Sota returned to his room with Buyo. He waited for the cat before he closed and locked his door. Buyo sat on his window sill and stared at the boy with wide green eyes. Sota rolled his eyes at the cat before flopping on his bed.

"You can stop playing kitty cat now Buyo we're alone." Buyo tilted his head to the side and said nothing. "Buyo I'm serious! If you don't talk right now I'll skin you!" Sota's threat was empty and Buyo knew it but decided to answer anyway.

What do you want Sota? Buyo sounded bored, which was true except he was mostly annoyed. Sota had been pestering him ever since he figured out that the cat could talk and Buyo was missing his naps because of the constant questions.

"When is Kagome going to be able to return? I get that she's in the Feudal Era and everything but I miss her." Sota's eye's darkened with sorrow.

My goodness Sota I thought you just turned fourteen! And yet here you are whining to me again about Kagome, you should really man up about this it isn't becoming of a young man to cry and go into a comatose state. All of your foolishness is making your mother cry. What kind of person does that? Tsk tsk tsk. Absolutely no manners or respect of you elders. Buyo smirked at the boy. If he was going to suffer he wouldn't suffer alone. Sota would share his pain.

"Stupid Buyo, don't take that tone with me you sadistic cat." Sota smirked. He had become quite cruel himself these last four months. "I have no intention of apologizing for my silence. They all deserve it for what they have done. And I intend to punish them thoroughly." A loud cracking is heard from Sota's room as he beats his door with a ball. The adults all look at each other worried. No one dares confront him on his behavior.

And just what have they done Sota? Buyo encouraged the boy suddenly enjoying the new coldness in his eyes.

"Well it all started with Grandpa. This whole mess is his fault really!" The boy shouted to his walls throwing a ball against his door as if daring someone to open it.

Really? Well do tell Sota; don't keep me ignorant of his crimes. Buyo became the Cheshire cat again. He abandoned the sill for Sota's desk so he could lounge more freely and still keep an eye on Sota.

"Well it all started when he made mom marry dad…………." The boy began a rant that would last well into the night. He would explain the endless reasons why the adults in his life were responsible for the loss of his sister. Buyo nodded and offered his agreement at every chance he got, all the while smiling to himself. Even though Sota could now hear Buyo when he spoke the cat kept his involvement in Kagome's disappearance a secret from Sota. So the ranting boy had no idea that his only friend was the reason why his sister was lost to him forever.

&&&

Feudal Japan

Kagome sat by a riverbed munching on the fish that she and Satomi (mostly Satomi) had caught. She had spent four months living in a hut that her cat mentor had instructed her on how to build. Satomi had taught Kagome on how to channel her miko powers after she had realized that she wasn't dreaming and had indeed been transported back to the past by the sacred well at her family shrine. She had almost completely forgotten what is was like to live life any other way, but in quiet moments between training exercises she remember her first morning in Feudal Japan.

&&FLASHBACK&&

Kagome rubbed her eyes and stretched. Her back ached from sleeping on the ground. Satomi sat at the other side of the clearing staring intently at the young miko.

"Good morning." The girl greeted the cat.

Indeed. Are you ready to hear what I must tell you or would like to attend to some other matter first? Satomi's eyes were wide as she awaited Kagome's reply.

"Umm I guess I'll never really be ready so let's just get it over." Kagome said nervously. Satomi smiled pleased with the girl's answer.

As you wish. But must request that you do not interrupt me, it is very important that you hear all of this in one sitting no matter how confusing it maybe. If I forget to tell you something because I was interrupted that could prove fatal. So you must hold all you questions till the end. Understood? The girl nodded in response. The cat smiled again before starting her tale. I was waiting for you at the well because you were supposed to fall into it right when you did. Well to more accurate you weren't. Kagome tilted her head and parted her lips in question. Satomi hissed in reminder of the no interruptions rule. You weren't supposed to fall into the well until a week after you fell and for the time continuum sake you did. You are being giving a second chance. The first time you fell in to the well you fell in love with the wrong one and it ended up getting both you and your true love killed. The Fates have smiled upon you and decided to give you a second chance. Here's the catch you can't return home until you choose a path. If you choose the same as the first time you will relive everything just as it was in the alternate reality and every pain you suffered you will suffer tenfold. Their curse. If you choose correctly then you have a chance most only dream about. Life with your soul mate. Their blessing. You may now ask questions. Satomi sat patiently for the young girl to organizing her thoughts.

"Okay my first question has to do with last night now what you just said. Is that okay?" Kagome felt awkward talking to a cat and asking for its permission but it seemed like reasonable decision.

Yes.

"What did you mean when you said I asked the right question?"

Well typically you humans waste time with all the wrong questions. Worrying about things that aren't important for the situation you're in. A lot of the time you are close at reaching the heart of the matter but you never quite make it. that is my kind reward you when you ask the right question with our wisdom.

"Okay. Next question. Who is the right one? From the way you said it like there was a group of guys to choose from."

Unfortunately I can't give you that information. It is cheating you see, but I can do too things for you. First I will tell you that your choice is between two dog demon brothers… Satomi's eyes flickered with mischief. And a wolf demon prince. The second thing I will do is give you head start on your training and point you in the right direction. Shall we begin?

&&END OF FLASHBACK&&

Kagome flex her barrier just as Satomi attacked. The youkai did a back flip landing on her feet in a tree branch and purred with excitement.

You are ready. There is no more that I can teach you, it is time to start you journey. Come.

Kagome rose and followed Satomi. It was finally time for her to choose your path and this time she was sure that she would get it right.

&&&

Leigh: Okay so I was able to put out this chapter sort of close to my deadline. Hope you like it. It will be more Sess/Kag soon. Just laying down the foundation. Curious as to what everyone thinks of the talking cats. Let me know. ; )