Chapter 3: Vanished

Thank you to everyone who is encouraging me in this process. I know I haven't updated in a while, I've been busy with college and family stuff. I recently got a new laptop so that should help a little bit with updating a little quicker. Again, thank you to all of my followers who are excited to read the next installments in this story, I hope that I will not disappoint you. Your encouragement means a lot to me!

Well, on with the story!

~ArtemiaNight~

"..."- talking

'...'- thinking

*...*- beast talking

The day moved along quickly as I wove in and out of trees and through open fields as I made my way to the Slayers Village. I was anxious to see my friends again. Part of me wondered if they would accept me now that I was a demon.

You worry too much,* my beast kept telling me.

I knew she was right, it would be more of a shock to find me alive than to realize I had turned into a demon. I really did worry too much.

Are you going to tell them the full story about how you turned and the conditions your new form gave you?

"No, they don't need to know. This is my business. They would worry if they knew and I can't have that. They need to focus on their mission to destroy Naraku, I have my own mission to attend to."

The sun was starting to set when I approached the village. I could sense Sango, Miroku, and Shippo in one of the huts, I knew that Kirrara and Shippo could sense me as well. I waited by the entrance as the two smaller demons came to welcome me with Sango and Miroku in tow. The two human looked confused as they saw me, but Shippo bounded into my arms.

"Kagome, you've returned! I missed you so much!" Shippo cried as he snuggled into my chest.

If I could feel any emotions and express them, I would've started tearing up, but I held him closer to console him.

"Kagome? Is that really you?" Miroku asked, his staff raised with caution.

I gave him a smile, "Yes, it is me. A lot has changed and I came to tell you that I've returned," I replied.

Sango ran up and hugged me tightly. "Sister, I missed you so much," she said, embracing me closely.

I could never forget that Sango and I had participated in a ritual to make us sisters many, many moons ago.

"Why don't we go inside and talk, I have much to tell you." I said.

We went into the hut and sat down as Sango passed around cups of tea to everyone. I wrapped my hands around my cup, but I couldn't feel it's warmth. I wondered if my touch was making the tea cool quicker.

"Have you found leads on Naraku?" I asked.

Sango and Miroku shook their heads. "We haven't seen no hide no hair since you left. He vanished into thin air." Miroku explained.

He was right, I couldn't sense his presence or the Sacred Jewel. There wasn't another Fuyouheki to mask his location. 'So where is he?' I wondered.

"Kagome, can you please tell us how you've made this enormous change?" Sango asked timidly.

I told them the same story that I told Inuyasha. How I changed because of his betrayal to me, how I didn't know why I was marked for royalty. I felt terrible for lying to them, but the less Inuyasha, Kikyo, and Naraku could find out, the better.

The sun was almost fully set when everyone started to get ready for bed, I would take the first watch, I was grateful that they fell asleep early as I snuck away for the night, but my beast kept her senses open for possible dangers.

They mustn't know the truth.