A/N: a reviewer mentioned they started reading this story because they recognized the title from a TV show. They didn't mention the show's name, but I know it was Buffy, because not only is that one of my favorite episodes, I have the soundtrack. I was more than a little nervous naming this fic "Once More With Feeling" because it's really nothing like that ep. (Although after I read the review, I kept getting flashes of char.s like Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru breaking out into song as they started fighting. ) I named it OMWF because Kagome is starting all over again - but this time, she's going to try to do everything right, instead of stumbling along blindly... or at least she's going to try. So now, on to the story.

"Stew?" Kaede handed Kagome an earthen bowl filled with stew, which Kagome took eagerly. She wasn't sure when the last time was she'd eaten. It was now just past nightfall, and they were in Kaede's hut. Kagome had been freed from her bonds, though her wrists still ached from the rope.

"Bear us no ill will, child," Kaede said. "For though I now see ye mean us no harm, in these troubled times of war, no stranger may be welcome among us without deep distrust."

Kagome nodded in understanding. "I understand. But I'm not a youkai, and I have no interest in the wars."

Kaede gave her a shrewd look. "What WERE ye doing in the Forest of Inuyasha, girl? Jounichi said they found you with the hanyou, looking as if ye were about to pull out the arrow pinning him."

Kagome bit her lip. "Well, the thing is..." Ooh, how did she explain this? "I'm not... I'm not from here."

Kaede nodded. "So ye are a foreigner."

"Well... not exactly. I actually live by the Goshinboku and the Bone-Eater's well... just, five-hundred years in the future." Kagome could just see Kaede thinking that she'd been right in thinking this oddly dressed girl was a half-wit. Certifiably insane. Kagome sighed. "I know it sounds insane, but... the well is actually a portal, between my home in the future, and here. That's why I'm dressed so strange-this is what girl's wear in my time, when they go to school. I'm not crazy, really."

Kaede extended a hand. "Calm yourself, girl. Though your story seems farfetched, in these times I have learned to take every tale seriously, for there is always at least a grain of truth within."

Kagome sighed with relief. She knew she could convince Kaede eventually, but she didn't want the old woman to look down on her, thinking she was stupid.

Suddenly, the peace of the night was disturbed as they heard crashes outside, and people yelling. Both women jumped up and headed to the door. It was clear as soon as they looked out that the village was under attack. Kagome's eyes widened as she saw the green, many-legged body of Mistress Centipede, coiling and writhing in the streets, demolishing huts. The humanoid torso of the youkai appeared above them, a horse locked between her jaws. When she saw Kagome, she dropped the equine. "Where is the Shikon no Tama? I must have it!"

Kaede's eyes widened. "Did she say... Shikon no Tama?" She turned to look at Kagome. "Bear ye it still?"

Kagome's hand instinctively flew to her neck, where her vial of shards always hung - but her neck was bare. Her breath hitched and caught in her throat as she remembered with crystal clarity - Mistress Centipede sinking her teeth into the flesh of her hip, then tossing her into the air, tearing her flesh apart and pulling the jewel out of her body.

"Spears, arrows-nothing works!" One of the villagers was saying to Kaede.

"We must lead it to the dry well," Kaede replied. Kagome nodded. "I'll distract her, you can follow!" She turned and began running toward the light eminating from the forest, and the well.

But Mistress Centipede was right behind her, weaving back and forth in the air and gaining, ever-gaining, and she wasn't going to make it to the well. I'm not going to make it! "Help!" she cried, running as fast as she could. "Please, someone! Help me! InuYASHA!"

Deep in the forest, resting against the Sacred Tree, Inuyasha's energy pulsed. Then, his ears twitched at a loud crash. His energy pulsed again-

-and golden eyes snapped open.

"Give me the Shikon no Tama!" Mistress Centipede yelled at Kagome.

"Never!" Kagome yelled back, turning to race up a hill. "You're ugly enough as it is!"

Mistress Centipede seemed to take exception to this, diving to burrow into the hill directly beneath Kagome, flinging her up and making her slide to a stop directly in front of the Goshinboku.

"Having fun?"

Kagome blinked and looked up - to find Inuyasha gazing back down at her. Her face lit up. "Oh, thank goodness you're awake!" she cried. "You have to help me!"

Inuyasha cocked an eyebrow. "You don't need my help against that wimpy little hanyou. Just kill her."

"I can't kill her!" Kagome cried, climbing onto the root surrounding Inuyasha again, so she was eye-level with him. "I don't have any arrows, you moron! I'm barehanded!"

Inuyasha cocked his head to the side, considering, and said, "Release me, and I'll kill her for you."

Kagome bit her lip. This isn't your Inuyasha, Kagome, she reminded herself. Once you release him, he'll go after you next.

Yes, another part of her argued, but then Kaede will put the prayer beads on him, and everything will work out.

Kagome let out a large breath. "I trust you, Inuyasha." Something in his eyes flashed, and he looked at her, puzzled. Then, his face softened, and he said, "You'd better. I'm always saving your ass."

Kagome looked at him, confused. "Inuyasha...?"

Inuyasha stared into her eyes seriously. "Just release me. I hate being stuck to this fucking tree."

But Kagome just continued to stare at him, one hand resting on his chest next to the arrow. "You haven't once insulted me yet. You're supposed to think I'm Kikyo, and tell me how much you hate me, and then-"

Inuyasha interrupted her. "How could anyone mistake you for Kikyo? Kagome."

Kagome's eyes widened. "Inuyasha!"

Mistress Centipede took that moment to appear before them. "Give me the jewel! Foolish child!"

Kagome locked eyes with Inuyasha as Mistress Centipede dove toward her-

The men from the village and Kaede arrived in time to see it all. Kagome wrapped her hand around the arrow in Inuyasha's shoulder, and with a burst of pink light, the arrow disintegrated. Instantly, Inuyasha wrapped an arm around Kagome and tucked her into his side. With the other arm, he extended his claws toward the still looming Mistress Centipede, and cried, "Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" His claws separated her directly down the middle, from her head to halfway down her body.

"Wow. That was anticlimactic," Kagome said, looking at the many pieces of the dead Mistress Centipede. Inuyasha nodded. Both of them were silent for a moment, neither mentioning the fact that she was still tucked snugly against his side.

"Kagome!" Kaede called to her from the path. Kagome and Inuyasha looked toward her, to find the two men accompanying her were pointing arrows toward them. "Child, move away from him! He is a demon!"

Kagome blinked in confusion. "What? Oh!" She looked at Inuyasha. "No, it's alright, he won't hurt anyone! Will you?" she asked Inuyasha, looking up at him innocently.

Inuyasha stared at her for a long moment. He wasn't wearing his subduing rosary anymore (or was that "yet"?), and if he wanted to kill them, he could. Kagome wouldn't be able to stop him. No one could stop him.

But the look in Kagome's eyes, that complete trust... Kikyo always saw him as a demon. She only got near him because she knew she could handle him if he got out of control. Kagome trusted him so much, she didn't even think he might revert to his old self, killing humans. She trusted him, and that look in her eyes was something he would never betray.

"No," he told her quietly. She smiled happily at him, unaware of his dark thoughts, and Inuyasha felt his heart squeeze, almost painfully. Trying not to blush at the feeling, Inuyasha turned and scowled at Kaede. "I ain't gonna kill anyone, baba. Unless they threaten me or Kagome, that is." He cast a speaking look toward the two archers.

Kaede stared searchingly at the half-demon for a moment before waving at the archers to lower their weapons. She had noticed the way the two interacted, and the fact that Kagome was still tucked against his side, and how comfortable they were with each other. "Let us return to the village," she called to them, before turning her own horse and starting back.

Inuyasha was about to follow Kaede, when Kagome held him back. Inuyasha turned to look at her questioningly. Kagome smiled at him and said, "I just wanted to tell you how glad I am that you're here. I mean, we've been through so much, I'm glad that I didn't have to start our friendship all over again." She glanced down awkwardly. "I can trust you, and I know you'll look out for me and protect me. We've come a long way from you trying to kill me."

Inuyasha stared at the top of Kagome's head. When he was silent for a while, Kagome looked up at him. He gave a bare raise of the corners of his mouth - a rare, genuine smile. "I wouldn't want to go back, either. Now, let's go talk to Kaede."

Kagome nodded, blushing and shy all of a sudden.

Instead of letting her walk, or putting her on his back, Inuyasha reached down and tucked his arm around her legs, so when he stood up, he was holding her bridal-style. Surprised and off-balanced, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. She was pressed against his chest, and her eyes widened in shock, even as she blushed with embarrassment. She looked into Inuyasha's eyes, only to see that they were sparkling with amusement. Even as she looked, a mischievous grin broke across his face. "I could get used to this position."

Kagome blushed even more at his wording, but merely shook her head. Inuyasha responded by tightening his arms and pulling her more securely against his chest. "Let's go," Kagome squeaked.

To Be Continued...

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