Chapter 2 - Kagome's Dream

"I swear by the blood in my body that we will be together again." Kagome whispered, "that's what you said." Inuyasha's expression turned sour and he glanced at Sesshoumaru who stood in the clearing without uttering a word. As always, Sesshoumaru's face was cold and impassive.

"I have never said such a thing, wench." he snapped. Silence followed shortly before the sound of childish laughter entered the clearing. Rin hurried to Sesshoumaru's side, holding two fish in each hand.

"Lord Sesshoumaru! Lord Sesshoumaru! I caught four fish! See? Jaken was too slow, he couldn't catch anything!" she panted. Exhausted, Jaken stumbled out of the trees and next to Rin.

"Impudent child! You distracted me!" he complained before falling onto his back from fatigue. The young girl pointed at Jaken and giggled before realizing Sesshoumaru had company. Her eyes widened with recognition before grabbing Jaken's arm and dragging him across the ground to A-Un. Sesshoumaru observed them for a few seconds before snapping his attention back to Kagome and Inuyasha. Kagome had stopped crying. Twigs and leaves were tangled in her hair, and she had scratches all over her body from running through the forest. She looked desperate and exhausted. Her claim to what Sesshoumaru had said in her dream surprised him but he quickly brushed it off and turned slowly before joining Rin and Jaken. Kagome's knees buckled beneath her and she fell to the ground. Her mind was no longer overwhelmed with confusing emotions from her dream and her cheeks grew red. What was I saying?! It was just a dream! How embarrassing! Oh God, and Inuyasha heard it! Kagome looked up at Inuyasha who scowled at her angrily. He marched off into the bushes without her to join the rest of their gang.

"Inuyasha sure looks angry with Kagome. I wonder what happened with Sesshoumaru." Miroku contemplated. Sango just shrugged and glanced at Kagome who sat her behind her on Kirara. Her face was as red as a tomato and her eyes were puffy from crying. Kagome only told her that they encountered Sesshoumaru in the clearing but that was it. No other details were shared. Shippou sat on the scruff of Kirara and he gazed at Kagome worriedly. She had run off after talking about her dream. Inuyasha finally broke the silence.

"Why would you run off like that, Kagome? It was just a goddamn dream! And of course, Sesshoumaru would never say anything like that! His heart is as cold as ice."

"Look Inuyasha, I don't know what happened, okay? The dream felt so real. It was overwhelming. I felt like I was going to break." Kagome responded.

"Break?! From a silly dream?! What kind of dream was it anyways? Did anything else happen besides what Sesshoumaru said?" Inuyasha's voice faded off at the last question. This irritated Kagome.

"What do you mean by 'anything else'? What are you accusing me of dreaming of?!" Kagome snapped. Sometimes she really couldn't understand how she could stand being with this guy, but love worked in strange ways and she didn't question it. Kikyou died for the second time a few weeks back and she remembered how heartbroken Inuyasha was. Kagome felt like a terrible person to have once wished for Kikyou to disappear, and now that it had come true, she felt even worse, yet at the same time relieved. Kagome found it odd that her only rival had been the girl from her past life. Kikyou and Kagome should have been the same yet their personalities were not at all alike. At the very least, they had the same love and the same enemy. Inuyasha and Naraku. And Naraku still had yet to be defeated.

"Well, it's not like you ever dream of me...or any of us. But when Sesshoumaru pops into your dream, you suddenly go bonkers! What's the big deal, Kagome?!" Inuyasha glared at Kagome suspiciously as they traveled. The sun was at it's highest point of the sky and similarly, Kagome's inner rage was it's highest.

"Osuwari!" she shouted, "Sango, please take me home."

After climbing out of the old well, Kagome sighed and dragged her bag along the ground to the door of her house. She was so grateful to be back home. The only thing was, she had a visitor.

"Oh hi, Kagome! Are you feeling better today? I just came to bring you some notes." Her classmate, Hojo, was just about to leave. He had a kind smile on his face as always. Kagome attempted to smile back. "You looked exhausted. Why are you lugging your backpack around? It's Sunday. Look, I'll help you bring it to your room." he bent down to help Kagome carry her bag but she kindly refused the offer. She didn't want him to stay any longer than he should.

"Thanks, Hojo but I can handle it. Why don't you start heading back home?" she waved him away and continued to drag her backpack towards her bedroom. Her mother was in the kitchen, making lunch.

"Oh, Kagome! You're back! You look absolutely worn out! Why don't you let Hojo help you with your bag?" Kagome's mother smiled sweetly at Hojo and nodded before continuing to cook lunch. Kagome sighed and agreed to let Hojo help her out.

"I guess it's okay," she admitted, defeated.

When they reached her room, Hojo blushed slightly and set down Kagome's yellow backpack. He'd asked Kagome out on dates a lot of times but entering her room was a whole different ball game. Kagome sat on her bed and lay down for a few seconds before sitting back up to thank Hojo. It was so nice to finally relax after a long journey in the feudal era, trying to find Naraku. She really wanted to take a break from yokai hunting and wanted to sleep on a proper bed. It couldn't hurt to stay here for a few days, could it?

"Thanks a lot, Hojo. I'm feeling much better now. Maybe I'll see you at school on Monday, okay?" Hojo nodded silently and scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Um, do you think you'd be free on Saturday next week?" he asked nervously. Kagome's eyes widened with surprised and she considered it for a few seconds. The others wouldn't mind, right? I'll just be here for a week. That's all. Oh, but anything could happen! What is Naraku planning?!

"Er, I'll think about it. I'll let you know by the end of the week." Kagome smiled and the pair said goodbye to each other before Hojo left and closed the door behind him. Kagome lay back down on her bed and wondered if staying in her world for a week would be too long. I wonder what would have happened if I never went to the feudal era in the first place. She thought of all the things that would be different. Maybe I would be going out with Hojo. Kagome giggled at the thought but then she realized one important thing. I would still have the Shikon jewel inside my body. I'd be putting my family in danger. Kagome closed her eyes on that thought and began to dream. The same dream she had the night before. With the same voice of Sesshoumaru. And the same words being spoken.

"I swear by the blood in my body that we will be together again."