Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. No money is being made from this work, and copyright infringement is not intended.

Chapter 2

Kagome stood at the bottom of the well-shaft feeling rather composed, considering she had just passed through a void in the company of a half-demon. Though her heart pulsed quickly within her chest, she had the uneasy feeling that it had more to do with the protective way her companion cradled her against him than true fear or apprehension. His manners were offensive, but his actions held a level of care that bordered on reverence.

She shifted in his arms and immediately he came back to himself, drawing away from her so quickly her balance wavered. "You're home," he said gruffly and turned his back to her, as if embarrassed.

"Ah," Kagome hesitated, feeling oddly hurt by his dismissal. "I guess you'll be going back now?"

"Keh. Don't sound so eager to get rid of me, wench," he grumbled, casting a dark look over his shoulder. Her breath caught in surprise. His golden eyes had actually flashed like an animal's in the muted light of the well-house.

"I'm not!" she insisted vehemently, surprising herself with her intensity. "I... Thanks for your help, Inuyasha," she forced herself to say despite her growing embarrassment. She had the uncomfortable feeling she hadn't behaved very well towards him. Sure, he was rude, but that didn't mean he hadn't been... somewhat heroic. A look of surprise crossed his features before they hardened into a stoic expression she had no hope of deciphering. His piercing gaze had softened, but he remained guarded.

"I need to talk to you," he said gravely, turning back towards the wall. Unreasonable panic swelled within her at the tone of his voice. She knew she was being idiotic, but somehow she really didn't want to hear what he had to say.

"Can we talk later?" she asked, trying her best to sound breezy and nonchalant. Blood pounded in her ears, and her breath caught uncomfortably in her throat. Why did she feel so terrified?

"There's not much time," he said. He seemed more uncertain than she had ever seen him. "I have to get the jewel back to..." He stopped speaking and she watched in fascination as his ears flattened to his skull. "Your brother's coming," he growled.

"Souta?" she asked.

"You got another brother I don't know about, wench?" He rolled his eyes at her obvious question, but it seemed to her that his exasperation was feigned. Kagome frowned. She didn't think she had even told him she had a brother.

"C'mere," he muttered, "We'll talk later." She blinked when he placed his hands on her hips and unceremoniously hoisted her over his shoulder. She felt his chest rumble when a startled squeak escaped her. He was laughing at her! She opened her mouth to complain when he leapt into the air. His powerful jump easily carried them past the lip of the well-shaft.

"A bit of warning would have been nice," she snapped with as much dignity as she could manage when he lightly set her on her feet a moment later. He raised an eyebrow, glancing down to where her hands now clutched fist-fulls of his heavy, red haori. She flushed and loosened her grip.

"Be safe, Kagome," he said solemnly, glancing quickly towards the entrance way. "Wait for me. I'll come back," he vowed. His strong voice deteriorated into a whisper, "I swear it."

Before she could decipher the importance of his oath, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Her breath stuttered and her mind went blank with shock. He drew back wearing a gentle smile that became more of a smirk when her hand reflexively rose to brush against her lips. His eyes didn't leave hers when he spoke, but his voice became heavy with bravado. "Hey runt, do me a favour, will ya? Take good care of your sister for me."

"Souta!" she cried, and whirled around to find her wide-eyed brother standing at the door. How could she have forgotten about him? All thoughts of her brother had fled from her mind the moment Inuyasha had leaned forward to capture her lips with his own. "Oh god..." she muttered, mortified beyond reason. Souta had witnessed her first kiss!

"Inuyasha! Osuwari!" The words sprang from her lips instinctively. The hanyou cringed and the silence after her outburst was so complete it made her ears ring. She hadn't just yelled a dog command, had she? Just when she thought it was impossible to become more embarrassed...

It took awhile for Inuyasha to collect himself, but at last he managed to speak. "Wrong command, wench," he said with a half-smile, though his voice held a strange melancholy timbre. He gently brushed the curve of her cheek with the back of his hand before he turned, without warning, and vaulted down the well-shaft.

Blue light flared against the darkness and she knew he had escaped. She hadn't even had the time to draw the breath she needed to activate the kotodama. "Beloved!" she yelled, vindictively hoping that the spell would reach him on the other side of the well.

Kagome slowly turned back towards Souta, belatedly realizing how her behaviour could be misconstrued. She'd just yelled an endearment, after all. The younger Higurashi blinked and the relief on his face slowly faded into a scowl. He opened his mouth and drew a very, very deep breath.

"No," Kagome hissed, shaking her head. "Don't you dare!"

"Serves you right for making us worry!" Souta shot back petulantly. "Mama! Grandpa!" Souta hollered with such force it seemed the walls of the well house rattled. "Kagome's back, and she's got a boyfriend!"

xxxxx

Inuyasha's smile had faded even before the blue flare of the time portal had fled into the darkness. He slumped heavily against the cool stone wall. Her scent clung to him and her taste lingered upon his lips. It was too much. He lashed out, pounding his fist into the earth. He barely noticed the twinge when his knuckles split against the rocky soil of the well bottom.

He had vowed to return the jewel. It was his responsibility to return Midoriko's soul to the slayer's village where her physical remains were preserved in the depths of an ancient cave. He knew he had to move quickly, for he could feel the energy leaving the stone even now.

Cold dread knotted his stomach. Without the jewel, would the well continue to function? He was reluctant to relinquish the stone, but he was running out of time. If he waited, perhaps he could convince Kagome to return. If she came back and the well closed…

He shook his head, disgusted with himself. It seemed that when it came to Kagome, his selfishness knew no bounds. Could he really bring himself to destroy the jewel and knowingly trap Kagome in the past without her knowledge? She would be devastated if she could never see her family again. He flushed with shame, furious for having even briefly considered keeping her by his side in such a fashion.

He had returned her to a place where she was safe and loved. She would live in a world that was uncomplicated by the struggle between humans and demons. She could excel in her studies and live a normal life for someone in her era. She was better off without him. He had failed her more completely than he had ever thought possible. He had pledged to protect her and she had died.

He took an unsteady breath, savouring the way her sweet scent clung to him. He hadn't meant to kiss her. The knowledge that he would probably never get another chance had galvanized him. When he had felt her small hands clinging to his robes, his long-ingrained restraint had crumbled.

He leaned back against the wall and gazed up at the square of blue sky where the well opened to the world. He closed his eyes, trying to memorize the exact texture of her lips and the quick gasp of surprise that had gusted against his cheek when she realized his intent. It had been their first kiss, and likely their last.

"She's better off without me," he whispered. But he sure as hell wasn't better off without her.

xxxxx

The fire snapped and quivered, fighting against the rising wind. Inuyasha stirred the coals with a slender branch. It was becoming too much effort to keep the fire alive. He didn't even know why he had started it in the first place. It wasn't like he needed the warmth.

He supposed it was habit that had initially made him stop. He had made good time after pulling himself from the bottom of the well shaft and starting towards the slayer's village. But as soon as darkness began to approach he had automatically set about finding a suitable place to camp for the night. He hadn't even realized what he was doing until he had collected an armful of kindling.

Though his responsibility to Midoriko weighed upon him, he could not force himself to travel through the night. He knew he was dragging his feet, but he intended to keep his word. What difference would a few hours make? He continued to prepare the spot he had selected and soon a small fire was shedding light into the deepening darkness. The chill of the night had intensified as the wind steadily became more restless.

He closed his eyes against the fire's brilliance. He could almost convince himself he was no longer alone. Kagome was tightly encased in her strange, futuristic blanket and Shippo was snuggled against her. Sango slept a strategic distance away from Miroku, and Kirara's small feline form curled by her feet.

A sharp crackle of thunder made him open his eyes once more. His fantasy dissolved.

Inuyasha scowled into the forest, allowing himself a moment of lingering self-pity. He was fucking pathetic, dreaming about companions he had surely lost forever. Kagome had been the one to hold the band of misfits together. Even if he could find them again, without Kagome would he even be able to win their friendship?

He looked into the sky to see a fork of lightning slice across the velvet black. It was then that he realized despite the wind, the sky was clear and full of stars. "Damn it," he muttered, quickly dousing the fire. Now that he was paying closer attention to his surroundings, he could feel the distant flicker of demonic energy.

Though he hoped he was wrong, Inuyasha suspected he had already met the demons responsible for the unnatural light show. He tore through the underbrush, hating the fact that he was heading into a battle unarmed. He missed the steady weight of Tetsusaiga. Would the Thunder Brothers have reason to go hunting without the Shikon jewel fragments to tempt them?

The underbrush thinned and the forest gave way to a narrow flood-plain of bobbing rushes. Inuyasha crouched low as he emerged into the open, sacrificing speed for a semblance of stealth. Two men, one well-proportioned and one portly and grotesque, knelt in the centre of a trampled expanse near the river's edge. The copper tang of freshly spilled blood filled the air and provoked a low growl from his chest. The bastards were skinning a fox.

He tensed, flexing his claws and preparing to spring when a small furtive motion disturbed the reeds. Shippo cowered against a log, valiantly attempting to smother his sniffles, but ultimately failing in his distress. "Hell," Inuyasha breathed in helpless rage."Ah, fuck! I'm so sorry, Shippo," Inuyasha muttered and then startled the child by straightening to his full height. He stepped right over the kit's head and strode towards the brothers who were oblivious to his presence, intent on their gruesome task.

"Drop the fox," he demanded, and the squat brother unwittingly complied, rubbing bloodied hands against his thighs.

"This is our kill, hanyou," the other drawled. The thunder demon drew himself to his full height and then continued to rise in the air. The little airborne wheels by his ankles churned furiously, and small flames burst from their rims. "If you want your own pelt, you'll have to be content with the little runt. He ran off into the forest," the man chuckled as if in fond remembrance. "That is, assuming a hanyou could handle a fight with a full blooded youkai. Even that child might be too much for a pathetic creature like you."

"Keh. That's big talk, coming from a dead man," Inuyasha sneered, sure to keep an eye on both of the brothers. The frog-like brother had abandoned the corpse, having finished removing its pelt. This shouldn't have happened without the jewel fragment, Inuyasha thought furiously. Shippo should have been safe and happy with his father!

"Look at his hair, Hiten!" the reptilian brother cheered. "If I use it in my potion, it will work for sure!" The creature gave a great, hiccupping laugh.

Hiten smirked, twirling his halberd in a lazy arc. "Looks like we'll get two pelts today," he snickered. "What an excellent evening hunt." He brought the weapon down, and lightening erupted from its tip.

Inuyasha leaped away from the forking energy, only to find himself facing Manten. As the hideous brother cackled, energy coalesced within his mouth. Inuyasha growled, recalling the massive destruction the attack left in its wake. He twisted to the left, but it was too late and white-hot pain flared across his shoulder blade. The world trembled beneath his feet.

Inuyasha grit his teeth, his good arm rising instinctively to his shoulder. He was being stupid! He had grown so accustomed to fighting with his sword that he had almost forgotten what it was like to use only his claws and the innate strength of his demon heritage. He forced a laugh, despite the sickening smell of charred tissue that clogged his nose. "Okay, now I'm angry." He dug his claws into the raw flesh of his shoulder, "Blades of blood!" Manten squealed as the liquid knives sliced across his face.

Hiten attacked, using his weapon in a more traditional manner, and attempted to part Inuyasha's head from his body. Inuyasha was expecting the blow and easily jumped out of the way. Hiten swung and stabbed, forcing him back, until his heels brushed the edge of the river. "Pathetic half-breed," he groused, sounding almost disappointed. "I thought with all that big talk you'd be at least a little entertainment before I killed you."

"Bastard," Inuyasha snarled, and unceremoniously punched him in the face. The halberd clattered to the ground. "I haven't even gotten started." Hiten darted back, rising into the air once more. Inuyasha scooped the weapon from the ground, giving a low growl when he felt its demon aura rage against him.

"Heh, you're done for," Hiten laughed, crossing his arms over his armoured chest. "No half-breed could possibly wield the Halberd of Storms and Thunder, isn't that right, Manten." The thunder brother cast a look over his shoulder to find Manten caressing his now-bald scalp and muttering feverishly to himself.

Inuyasha grimaced, feeling the burn of foreign energy creep up his arm. "Keh! You don't seriously think this thing is going to possess me, do you?" he demanded. "Your bloody halberd is nothing compared to my Tetsusaiga." He gripped it tightly with both hands and raised it high in the air. Hiten's smirk grew wider.

The weapon's tip began to glow, however the metal beneath his fingers began to sear his skin. Inuyasha grunted, throwing the weapon as though it were a spear instead of immediately dropping it as his instincts dictated. Lightning burst from the tip and encircled its victim the moment the blade encountered flesh. Manten gave a hideous squeal of anguish and before the light faded from the weapon, the ash that remained of the demon's body was carried away by the wind.

"Manten," Hiten whispered. "No, brother! You killed him! You'll suffer for this, hanyou!" He lunged towards the fallen weapon, but before he reached it, a sudden puff of smoke filled the air. A sharp popping noise echoed in the night. When the haze cleared, a dozen identical halberds were strewn along the river's edge. Inuyasha grinned, impressed that the runt had decided to stick around. Hiten cried out in rage when the first weapon he grasped transformed into an acorn.

"What's the matter? Afraid to fight me with your fists?" Inuyasha sneered. His opponent howled and dove towards him with unnatural speed. Their impact carried them to the ground, locked in a fierce struggle. Inuyasha kicked out and managed to shatter one of the churning wheels against the rocks of the river's edge. The satisfaction he felt at this achievement was dampened by the way he could feel himself weakening. His abused shoulder throbbed. The charred wound left by Manten's attack had split open against the stones.

With a grunt of effort, Inuyasha managed to push the thunder demon to the side and scramble back to his feet. He grabbed one of the remaining halberds from the ground and grimaced when it transformed into a stick. A branch was better than an acorn, he supposed, looking back towards where Hiten had pulled himself up a short distance away.

Hiten, sneered at the stick in Inuyasha's grip. "Pathetic," he said and gave a dark chuckle. "I thought that even a hanyou would have more pride than to stoop to defending himself with a twig." He grabbed for another weapon. There was a small cry of alarm from amongst the reeds when the halberd failed to transform within the thunder brother's grasp.

"Little foxes shouldn't attempt clever games," the demon snarled and raised his arm. Energy began to coalesce at the weapon's tip.

Moving without thought, Inuyasha sprung forwards, stick in hand. He would not loose another of his friends! His body moved habitually, bringing the make-shift weapon upwards and then slicing down at his opponent in a parody of the wind scar. He could almost smell the scent of the wind where the demon auras collided. He yelled, finishing the stroke and was astounded when he felt the familiar rush of power. Hiten could do nothing more than watch as the bright yellowish light streamed outwards and consumed him. The thunder demon's metal weapon clattered harmlessly to the ground.

"Tetsusaiga?" Inuyasha wondered blearily, exhaustion hitting him with the force of a tsunami. The stick fell from his grasp and he sank to his knees. He took a deep breath and sat back on his haunches. How could he have possibly performed the wind scar without Tetsusaiga!? He rubbed his face, wincing when he felt the skin of his injured shoulder pull tight.

Movement in the reeds caught his attention. Slowly Shippo stepped forward from the concealing vegetation. His face was flushed and his eyes continued to brim with tears, but his expression was fierce. The way his small body trembled told of his distress. "Tell me what you want, hanyou," the fox kit demanded.

"I don't want nothin'," he said, unable to hold the child's gaze. If he'd been paying a bit more attention, he might have been able to save the old fox.

"I don't buy that," Shippo shook his head. "What do you want? You can't touch my father, if that's what you're after!" His voice cracked with sorrow. "You won't touch my Daddy!"

Inuyasha sighed, feeling wretchedly old. "What should I do, Shippo? Do you..."

"And then there's that!" he interrupted, and boldly strode forwards, fisting his small hands. "How do you know my name!"

"Keh!" Leave it to the brat to start with the impossible questions. There was no way Inuyasha was going to confide in the runt the way he had to Kaede. "Magic," he said snidely, knowing it would infuriate the youngster. If his memory served him, annoyance was much preferable to grief.

"You'll answer my question, hanyou, or I'll..."

"Or you'll what?" he drawled, and the child's puffed chest deflated.

"Why'd you do it?" Shippo asked quietly. "Why'd you fight for us? You're only hanyou..."

"Watch it," Inuyasha grumbled, but his heart wasn't in it. Shippo fixed him with an expectant look that was only slightly diminished by the quivering of his chin. "If I'd been paying attention... I wish I had been here sooner," he haltingly admitted. Shippo looked down, towards the bloodied expanse of the river's edge where his father's body lay, defiled.

"Thank you," the child whispered. "Even if..." his voice broke and he fell silent.

"Let's put your father to rest," Inuyasha said gruffly when it became apparent the fox could say no more. Shippo stared at him for a long moment and then gave a resolute nod.

xxxxx

Kagome scuffed her shoes against the pavement, oblivious to the equally irritated and concerned looks she was receiving from her friends. She couldn't believe the mayhem her brat-of-a-brother had caused the previous morning. While she had known explaining her fantastic journey into the past would be difficult, she hadn't expected to be dismissed as a liar immediately. As soon as the word 'boyfriend' had left Souta's mouth, her grandfather had transformed into a raging lunatic. She had been counting on him being on her side. After all, he was the one who gave 'genuine' mummified kappa fins as gifts. It was difficult enough to tell a story involving demons, time travel and magical jewels without bringing romance into the mix.

Kagome nibbled her bottom lip, feeling a blush creep over her face despite her best efforts to remain stoic. It had been her first kiss, and although it had happened in front of her brother, it had been everything a first kiss should be.

Her breath caught in her throat. She was being absolutely ridiculous! What was she thinking?! I hadn't been perfect at all! Inuyasha was crude and...

"Earth to Kagome!" Eri grumbled, tugging at Kagome's sleeve. "You walked right past WacDonalds!"

"Hmm? Oh, sorry, guys." She hesitated, "I can't today."

"What?" Yuka demanded, hands on hips. "We go to WacDonalds every Monday! It's tradition!"

"What's up with you, Kagome?" Eri asked, at last releasing her. "You've been out of it all day." Her eyes twinkled, "Oh! I know! Hojo finally asked you out!"

"I knew it!" Yuka crowed, elbowing her side. Kagome couldn't smother a gasp of pain when her friend accidently grazed a healing talon mark left from her last demon encounter.

"Are you okay?" asked Ayumi, looking genuinely concerned. "You're not sick are you?"

"I'm alright," Kagome insisted, "I just have to get home. I'll see you tomorrow." And before her friends had a chance to continue grilling her, Kagome escaped down the road towards the shrine. Though she felt guilty for avoiding the topic so completely, she was relieved she hadn't been forced to admit to her friends that she was grounded. Her grandfather had been near apoplectic when he had declared Kagome would never leave the shrine again.

Mama had allowed Kagome to explain herself after Grandpa had stormed out of the kitchen. But when Kagome had finished her story, her mother had sighed. 'Kagome, I'm very disappointed in you,' she had said. Kagome winced at the memory. She much preferred Grandpa's straight-forward fury to her mother's sadness. 'I love you, dear, no matter what happens. I want you to be honest with me,' her mother had urged. When Kagome had began to protest her mother had grounded her. 'I'd like to trust you Kagome, but I can't do that until you trust me.'

Kagome had turned to Souta in desperation, ordering him to describe Inuyasha. Dog ears had to count for something, right? While her brother had admitted the guy had been wearing strange clothing and had disappeared rather quickly, he claimed the well-house had been too dark for him to see clearly.

Kagome trudged up the stairs to the shrine feeling oddly hollow. She had been lonely today, even surrounded by her friends. If her family thought she was a liar, what would her friends think if she tried to talk to them? "I wouldn't believe me, either," she sighed, looking up at Goshinboku.

xxxxx

Kagome stood before the bathroom mirror and examined the slow-healing gash just above her hip. If it hadn't been for the physical reminder, she might have been persuaded that her ordeal on the other side of the well had been a dream. But as incredible as the tale sounded even to her own ears, she couldn't ignore the truth. She had travelled back in time; she had seen firsthand that demons existed and that magic was possible.

"That's it!" she exclaimed, "I'm tired of this!" She had to go back. She'd bring something back this time so they'd have to believe her. She was tired of Grandpa's anger and Mama's imploring gaze. She wasn't going crazy and she wasn't a liar.

Kagome grabbed her toiletry bag and hesitated before grabbing the family's first-aid kit as well. She walked back to her room and began tossing items into her large yellow bag at random. She didn't intend to stay for long, but she wasn't sure what she might need.

When she was satisfied she had everything she could possibly want, she put her bag in her closet and slipped into bed fully clothed. She stared up at the darkened ceiling of her room and listened to the familiar sounds of her family's evening rituals.

Mama knocked on the door and peeked in on her way to bed. "Kagome, if you're in trouble, please, tell me. If that boy hurt you..."

"Mom!"

"Alright. I just wish you'd tell me the truth." When it became clear that Kagome would speak no further, her mother conceded defeat. "Goodnight, dear."

"Goodnight Mama," Kagome whispered and the door closed, leaving her alone in the dark.

xxxxx

Inuyasha awoke at dawn, stiff, but fully healed. The fox kit snored, curled up with his back against a piece of driftwood that marked his father's final resting place. He slowly got to his feet and stretched, giving a great yawn. He walked towards the riverbank and tugged off his fire-rat robes. Shippo would certainly appreciate breakfast before they went on their way.

Long shadows and golden light made the morning an excellent time to catch fish. Pockets of mist seemed to gather in the shade, yet to be chased away by the sun's warmth. It wasn't long before Inuyasha had several trout skewered and roasting over a small fire.

The smell of roasting meat roused the fox, but he stubbornly remained by the grave. His invitation hadn't been explicit enough, Inuyasha realized, after he had eaten two of the four fish. Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder at the child. He had held back too, after his mother had passed. He remembered the painful desperation that came from loosing family too early.

Shippo was proud. If Inuyasha left him alone, he doubted the kit would ask for help. But he also doubted the fox would accept what he believed to be charity or pity. Inuyasha quenched the fire, leaving the fish where they lay, skewered into the earth. "I'm going to a village not too far from here." Inuyasha said.

"So what?" Shippo snapped, jealously eyeing the abandoned fish. Inuyasha smothered a wave of irritation.

"So what are we doing sitting here, wasting time? You gonna eat, or what?" Shippo pounced, devouring the fish so quickly Inuyasha was sure he had swallowed bones.

Hunger sated, the runt's scepticism returned. "Are you going to a demon village? I didn't think that there would be any around this area with the slayers so close."

"I'm going to the taijiya village," he said, enjoying the runt's surprise. "I have something I need to return to them."

"Idiot!" Shippo drawled, rising to his feet and dusting off his clothing. "You won't stand a chance against them. I'm outta here."

"You're the idiot. I'm not going to fight them," he replied with a roll of his eyes. "I have something that needs to be returned there."

"You steal something from them, then?"

"Keh!" Inuyasha very nearly cuffed the kid. There was something about Shippo that just got to him. "I had a friend who was a slayer. She lived there." Not precisely a lie. "You too afraid to come along?" he asked with a grin. Shippo gawked at him. "That's fine," he said and shrugged, rising to his feet.

"I'm not frightened!"

"Yeah?" he asked, beginning to walk towards the forest.

"I am not!" Shippo insisted, a whine working its way into his voice.

"Coulda fooled me," he said looking over his shoulder and suppressing a smile. Shippo ran and bounded into the air, coming to rest on Inuyasha's shoulder. It was such a familiar gesture it made his chest ache.

"I'll show you, then. I'm not afraid."

"Hold on, runt, you're in for a ride," he warned. Assured that his passenger was secure, Inuyasha grinned and sprinted into the forest.

A/N: Thanks for the encouragement to keep writing! Hope you enjoyed reading so far.

Edited March 9th, 2010