She'll Need a Savior

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Still don't own Inuyasha. Oh well…

You think you're better alone
For the sake of your sanity
It won't resolve
If you just learn to breathe, again
You think you're better alone
It won't resolve.

- Carolina Liar "Better Alone"

VVVV

The next morning Kagome was the first to waken. Not surprising considering it was still dark outside, only about three or four in the morning. Kagome's eyes shot open as she tried to control her breathing. Since she first heard the news of her father's homecoming, every morning she would awaken like this. Every night she would have a nightmare.

Except these weren't just nightmares, they were memories. Memories of her dad.

Kagome closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She couldn't wake anybody else up, or else there would be questions, questions she didn't want to answer.

Turning over so she was on her side, Kagome brought her legs up, curling into a ball. She stayed like that for a while, watching a few trees dance in the cool breeze. She barely noticed as a small figure headed toward her.

All of a sudden Kagome felt something soft and furry crawl into her bag with her, in the same spot where Shippo would sometimes lay. She tensed and quickly shifted her gaze down, her mind trying to determine who, or what, lay in her arms.

Her lips moved up into a soft smile as she saw the two-tailed cat curled beside her. As the youkai cat purred and rubbed her face into Kagome, the young girl tried to suppress a giggle; she had to remain quiet.

"Kirara," she murmured, keeping her voice low. "How did you know I needed hug?" She questioned, stroking the cat. Kirara only mewed in response before snuggling in closer to Kagome.

Kagome fell asleep knowing the youkai would protect. The next few hours were her first peaceful hours of sleep in nearly a week.

It was a good thing too; she needed her energy for the events the day would bring.

VVVV

When Sango awoke, the first thing she noticed was the smell of fish cooking. She lazily opened one eye and turned to face the fire, expecting to see Kagome preparing breakfast, a breakfast Sango knew Kagome would barely eat.

She was surprised to see Miroku roasting the fish. She sat up quickly, but before she could open her mouth Miroku had already acknowledged her and had begun speaking.

"Ah Lady Sango! Lovely morning, isn't it?" He watched as the woman before him turned his gaze to the still sleeping Kagome. "Unusual right? But we shouldn't dwell on it. We should just be glad that she's finally sleeping well, although it looks like she had some help." Miroku grinned, gesturing to the sleeping youkai cat curled in the miko's arms.

Sango herself couldn't stop the smile that was fast growing. She knew Kagome hadn't been sleeping well; the girl wasn't as quiet as she hoped. Occasionally Sango, and Miroku, would hear the terrified gasps for breath, but they would do nothing because they knew Kagome didn't want them to do anything. Sango always felt bad about it in the morning, and she suspected Miroku felt the same even if he didn't show it, but she knew that when Kagome was ready to talk to them about her problems she would. Until then they would wait.

"It's nice to finally see her sleeping peacefully, isn't it?" Sango questioned softly, only half-expecting an answer.

After making sure the fish weren't burning, Miroku moved to sit beside Sango. He glanced briefly at the sleeping Kagome before turning back to Sango. "She deserves the peace." He said simply, not wanting to disturb said peace.

The two sat in silence for several moments, waiting together. Waiting for the fish to cook. Waiting for Kagome and Kirara to wake.

Waiting for Kagome to talk to them.

VVVV

Kagome wasn't sure how many additional hours of sleep she had, and she didn't particularly care. All she knew was that when she woke up, for the second time that day, she wasn't choking for air. She blinked slowly, her eyes taking in the bright blue sky above her. She felt something soft move in her arms and looked down. Her lips curled into a smile at the sight of the feline youkai curled into a ball in her arms.

Kirara mewed up at the miko before her before sniffing her nose. Smelling the cooking fish, she jumped up and trotted towards her master, patiently awaiting her own portion of food.

Kagome looked up, startled that breakfast had already started. She looked at Miroku and Sango and smiled softly at them. They grinned and nodded, waving her over. As Kagome made her way to them, Miroku served them all fish.

At first the three of them ate without a word, the soft sound of chewing faintly heard.

Miroku broke the silence. "So, Lady Kagome, ready to return home today?" he asked casually.

For a fraction of a second, Kagome froze. She had forgotten that today was the day; today was the day she was going home. She nodded slowly. "It'll be nice to be back, although the timing kinda sucks." She laughed nervously.

Miroku chuckled with her. "Yes, I suppose it does 'kinda suck.'"

Kagome smiled and looked down at her food. Most of her fish was still there. She tried to ignore Sango's gaze as she whistled, calling Kirara over. She tilted her bowl down to Kirara's level and smiled as the youkai anxiously ate the fish. Kagome slowly stroked the cat as she looked up. Meeting Sango's eyes, she shrugged. "I don't want to waste the food."

She tried to ignore the look Sango shared with Miroku. Standing up she brushed off the dirt from her legs. She glanced briefly in the direction of the hill, hoping to see Inuyasha and Shippo in the distance. She didn't.

She headed back to her sleeping bag to pack up. Out of the corner of her eye, Kagome could see Sango and Miroku pack their own belongings.

The three of them worked in silence, each of them focusing on their own work. Once their campsite had been cleared and everything was packed, they were ready to go.

Kagome looked again to the hill, sighing at who she didn't see. Sango grabbed her friend's hand and squeezed it reassuringly. When Kagome looked up at her, Sango smiled at her, telling her things would be alright.

But even Sango was having a hard time believing it.

The three of them began heading out, Kirara sitting on Sango's shoulders. They were quiet at first, but after several minutes of silence they began to talk amongst one another. Not about anything in particular, they spoke just to rid of the tense atmosphere.

They had walked for several hours and passed a few small villages. According to Miroku they were still three more days away from the well. Three more days until Kagome would return home.

As night fell and the group set up camp in the forest, Kagome couldn't help but wonder how Inuyasha and Shippo were faring. They had been gone five days, but there had always been a chance they would return. But now the group was far from the previous campsite, Inuyasha and Shippo wouldn't know where they had gone off to. Kagome only hoped that they would think to return to their "home" village by the well.

Kagome quickly shook her head, trying not to worry about Inuyasha and Shippo. She chanted Sango's words in her head, trying her hardest to believe them.

'They'll be okay. We shouldn't underestimate Inuyasha, he'll be sure to come back to us safe and sound. And he'll definitely protect Shippo! They'll be okay.'

VVVV

Miroku had been right in his initial prediction; the group arrived safely by the well three days later. They didn't run into Inuyasha and Shippo.

The group was currently enjoying one last picnic meal on the hill the well lay on. The summer breeze was gentle and the fried food Kaede had prepared was delicious, and although she was laughing along with something Sango said, Kagome found her mind wandering.

This was it. Tonight was the night. She was leaving the feudal era, leaving her friend, Shippo, leaving Inuyasha. She wasn't sure when she would be back, but her gut told her it would be a while. Her mother would want her to stay while her father was there, and who knew how long her father would stay with them. No matter how much Kagome tried not to think about it, to just enjoy the moments she had with her friends of the feudal era, she always ended up thinking about her father.

Kagome didn't want to go back, plain and simple. She wanted to avoid the confrontation with her father as much as possible. She wanted to stay in the past, stay with her friends. She felt a thousand times safer there than she did with her dad. Considering the amount of demons that were out to kill her, that was saying something.

"Kagome, are you sure you're alright?" Sango asked her friend worriedly. Sango wasn't stupid; she had seen how upset Kagome had been recently. She knew something was bothering the girl, and she could see Kagome didn't want to talk about whatever it was that was bothering her. Sango just wished she could help; it was her last chance before Kagome left.

Kagome looked up and nodded. "Yeah I'm fine, sorry guys I'm just really distracted."

Miroku nodded. "It's fine Lady Kagome, don't worry about it. It's your last day here for now so let us all make it enjoyable." He wiggled his eyebrows. "I'm sure I can think of a few ways to do so."

Kagome laughed as Sango punched the monk's shoulder. This was what she would miss, the playful banter among her friends. This was what she was leaving. She didn't want to leave.

But as time passed so did the need for Kagome to leave. Her father was arriving the next day and she had to be there to greet him. She knew her mother was expecting her back by now. She couldn't delay the inevitable for much longer.

Seeing Kagome glance at the well again, Sango knew it was time for her friend to leave. She looked up at the miko, and at her slow nod Sango knew Kagome would be leaving shortly. Sure enough, several minutes later Kagome stood up. Sango and Miroku followed.

Stepping forward, Sango grabbed Kagome into a tight hug. She wanted Kagome to know that no matter what, she would be there. If Kagome ever felt ready to talk, she would listen. Immediately after Sango stepped back, Miroku took her place.

Kagome felt miserable about hiding the truth from her friends, but she knew she would be even more miserable if they knew the truth. Besides, she could take care of herself. She could deal with her father on her own. She didn't want to drag her friends into her battles.

Sango and Miroku walked Kagome to the well, Kirara close behind them. They approached the well and stood beside it, Kagome standing the closest. Kagome turned to face the well, peering inside. This well would take her back home, back to her family. Sighing, Kagome turned back to her friends, a soft smile gracing her lips. "I guess this is it, huh."

Sango smiled sadly and nodded. "Yeah, I guess. But I want you to know that while you're gone, Miroku and I are gonna look for Inuyasha and Shippo, and we are going to find them. By the time you come back again we'll all be here waiting for you!" she promised. Miroku voiced his agreement.

Kagome smiled. She had such wonderful friends; she wished she didn't have to lie to them. "I don't doubt that at all Sango, thank you. I guess I'll see you guys later then!" She called out to her friends.

And with her goodbyes said and over with, Kagome turned around and leaped into the well, the blue light engulfing her. The silence that followed indicated the miko had passed through, and with nothing else to do, the monk and the demon-slayer returned to the village.

VVVV

Oh man. First off, I wanna apologize for being so late with the chapter. I fell ill last week (fever, vomiting, the whole nine yards!) and I hadn't been able to reach a computer to type up the chapter. A thousand apologies for the delay! Second off, I want to apologize for the chapter in general. Admittedly, it's not too great. But don't worry! Things should start to pick up next chapter. This one was sort of a filler chapter. I do hope to have the third chapter up soon though!

Special thanks to the amazing reviewers from chapter one, you guys all made me grin like an idiot while I read your reviews (: So thanks again Sora7, midnightstar32,Luv . kagome, and Kiana-Ishido ! I hope to see you guys all next chapter!