A/N: Here's the fourth chapter of my brain baby and once again I must say that I unfortunately do not own Inuyasha or the cast. I hope you enjoy!


Chapter 4:
To Return


No one talked as they moved about the camp and she noticed that there seemed to be no happiness amongst them. There was no joking, no laughter, and no smiles; had her absence really caused this much of a change? She thought to herself as she continued to watch her friends wallow in what she thought, or on some level knew, was grief for a friend they thought dead.

Feeling even guiltier for not coming back sooner, she was torn between going to them and staying where she was.

Stuck in her thoughts she almost missed when Shippou seemed to perk up and start to look around. Curious as to what he sensed she remembered that her scent was still hidden and that he probably recognized her aura.

Proud that he noticed, she took a closer look and saw that Inuyasha was not amongst them; swallowing her fear for him she unblocked her scent and saw Shippou look directly at her.

"Okaa-san?" She heard him whisper and smiled in shock at her new title.

Unconsciously she moved forward and opened her arms to the disbelieving little boy; she laughed as he blinked a few times and actually rubbed his eyes before taking a hesitant step forward.

The sound of her laughter had drawn the attention of the others; there dull eyes brightened in disbelief and hope as they saw her.

"Come here baby, I've missed you," Kagome called softly as she moved to bend down and caught the kit as he launched himself into her arms.

She listened as he cried into her shoulder telling her how much he missed her and that she was to never leave him again. She laughed at him and reassured him that she wouldn't do that to him again and that she was very sorry that she had left him but that it couldn't be helped.

"Kagome?"

Looking to the sound of the voice she saw Sango looking at her hopefully, tears in her eyes; Miroku looked just as wary, but just as hopeful behind her. Laughing, she turned to them and opened one arm while the other held Shippou.

"I'm not a ghost guys, so you can come over here and give me a hug; I've missed you both."

Sango didn't waste a second as she ran towards the girl she had deemed her sister and gave her a strong hug. Miroku moved slowly but seemed just as eager to give her a hug to make sure this wasn't a trick.

Soon after they separated themselves, Sango and Miroku convincing themselves that she was indeed the real thing, they moved to sit by the fire so that their questions could be answered. Kagome followed them slowly, her limp still there as it would always be, and came to sit near Sango who had watched her the entire time and she knew there would be questions about her leg.

"Where have you been Kagome?" Sango asked breaking the silence as she went about making tea for everyone.

Allowing herself a moment to gather her thoughts, she moved Shippou to her lap and smiled when he curled closer to her stomach and sighed in happiness. She smiled at him as she continued to think about the best way to explain everything that happened.

"Believe me when I say that my memory about that night is foggy; I believe I had taken a hard fall that severely damaged my leg as you can tell by my limp. I made it to a small clearing while looking for you guys and I think I passed out from the pain; I can't really remember what happened after that until the morning after.

"The next morning I awoke and met the one that saved me and had bandaged my wound. Her name is Omnimaru and she is the only demon I have ever met that didn't want to kill me for my jewel shards other than Sesshomaru."

"Excuse me Kagome, but did you say Omnimaru?" Miroku asked looking a little surprised as well as excited.

"I did Miroku; does that hold meaning to you?"

"Indeed, I have heard of the demon healer and her kindness towards humans."

"She heals humans?" Sango asked; incredulous.

"Yes Sango, she healed me and we became friends. When I had awoken, we talked some and she offered to teach me all that she knew in the healing arts as well as help me with my miko powers. I wanted to come back to you guys, I really did, but my leg was so badly injured that I knew that Inuyasha would only make me go home and I knew I would never have another chance like this. So, I stayed and I learned and I have grown much stronger in the time that I have spent in Omnimaru's company." She finished, still feeling guilty at the pain she had caused all of them.

"Why didn't you at least let us know you were still alive? Inuyasha found your blood and a torn piece of hakama; we assumed the worst!" Sango accused angrily, still hurt that her best friend, the one she considered her sister did not think that she could confide in her.

"Sango, my dear, Inuyasha would have dogged her every step (no pun intended) so that she wouldn't overexert herself and she wouldn't have been able to learn like that. I would have done the same to learn under the famous Omnimaru; I'm glad to know that she was well taken care of and I'm glad that she's back safe and sound."

Sango still seemed angry, but the fact that Kagome was back and in one piece was enough to diffuse it slowly.

"Speaking of Inuyasha, where is he?" Kagome asked while she looked around.

She paused in her search once she saw the look that passed between Miroku and Sango; she knew that that look meant he was with someone else and it broke her heart.

"Inuyasha has left more often to see Kikyou since you disappeared."

Kagome hung her head; hurt that she could so easily be replaced by someone who was dead and was only around because of the stolen part of her soul. A small meow from Kilala distracted her thoughts from him while she made room for the Neko on her lap. Sighing, she ran her fingers through Kilala's fur while her other hand stroked Shippou's hair.

"What have I missed since I've been gone?"

Smiling, she half listened when they went in detail about the fight they had been in and that she hadn't really missed out on all that much. She nodded in all the right places and was slightly surprised when she was told that they had had no luck in finding any jewel shards.

Tiredly, she tried to hide the yawn that wanted to escape, but she failed in the end. The others laughed and told her to sleep and that they would keep watch for the night, whether it be for demons or Inuyasha.

Sango handed her some blankets and gave her a small smile telling her not to worry and that everything would be alright.

Kagome gave them her thanks and settled the sleeping kit next to her and smiled when Kilala curled up with her as well. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but she could hear Sango and Miroku talking about her story and tried to tune it out. When that didn't work she let her senses spread out and search for demons that may cause a problem to her and her friends. What she found was that Inuyasha was not that far away from camp and that he was, indeed, with Kikyou.

No matter what, he could always damage her heart even when not trying; the fact that he hadn't smelled her yet was proof that he was highly distracted. That thought did not sit well in her stomach and caused tears to come to her eyes unwillingly. Thinking back to what her friends had told her about believing her to be dead; she thought that if she died her soul would go back to Kikyou. If it did, wouldn't Inuyasha have noticed? She had been told that since she 'died' or 'disappeared' he had been with her a lot. Was he only going to see if Kikyou had changed so that he could confirm that she had died? Was he hoping for the change or dreading it? What would he think when he finally came back and saw that she was alive and kicking, would he be happy or disappointed?

What worried her most though was that he would pretend that nothing ever happened and he would continue to treat her the way he always had: as a Possession: his Shard Detector. Blinking back the tears she decided that she wouldn't be able to sleep no matter how tired she was at the moment; her thoughts were too chaotic and she needed to find some peace before sleep would come to her.

Getting up, she extracted herself from the death grip of Shippou and whispered to Kilala that she would be back in a little while and to take care of him if anything happened. The feline bobbed her head before wrapping herself around Shippou and going back to sleep all the while purring. She smiled at the scene they made and knew that the others had stopped talking and were looking at her and what she would do next.

"Is everything okay Kagome?" Sango asked worriedly after waiting for Kagome to do something.

"Everything is fine Sango, Miroku; I just can't sleep right now."

"Is there anything that I can do for you Kagome-sama?" Miroku asked a glint in his eyes.

"Hentai," Sango whispered half-heartedly seeing the smile it brought to Kagome's face while trying to hide her own.

Kagome laughed at his attempt to make her feel better, but she thanked him and said that there wasn't anything he could do at the moment. She told them that she was going to clear her head and that she wouldn't be gone long.

"Would you like any company?" Sango asked hopefully.

"Sorry Sango; I'll only be a little while."

She stood and headed to a small hill she saw; it was bathed in moonlight and seemed to call to her. Once she made it to the top she settled herself comfortably and let her mind wander for a little while.

Her senses extended themselves, uncurling around her like a great snake and headed off into the distance to see if anything would cause harm to the small miko and her friends. Occasionally she would encounter small, slumbering life forms, whether demon or animal; others would be sleeping humans in some village. So lost in her senses she didn't notice the rather huge amount of youki until she was right upon it; gasping slightly she cautiously reached out with her aura to touch theirs.

She was pushed back roughly, but was not harmed in anyway and that made her extremely curious as to who she had found. Spreading her senses even farther, she barely distinguished three more life forms around the being and could tell faintly that two were demon and one was human.

Thinking about it made her realize with huge eyes that she had stumbled upon Sesshomaru and his entourage; she wondered idly if he would react to her aura or leave it be.

Deciding that it was time to pull her aura back in she left Sesshomaru and sped back to her body where her other senses were starting to wake up from the trance like state she had been in. A slight breeze and the feel of cool steel against her throat jerked her completely back into her body where she looked up and saw the cold amber eyes of Sesshomaru.


Sesshomaru stopped his gazing at the moon when he felt a presence come closer to his camp and his self. He was slightly surprised when it brushed up against him but he didn't see or hear anything; he could feel the curiosity it exuded and felt when it moved from him to his companions. His eyebrow rose up when he felt the recognition through the aura and his interest and curiosity were spiked; he sensed when it started to pull away and head back to where it originated.

Wanting answers, he left his sleeping entourage and followed the receding aura, before coming upon the one that harbored it.


"How have you come to have so much control?"

Kagome gulped and looked into the glowering gold eyes of Sesshomaru and then at the blade he held. Sighing slightly in relief, she let herself relax once she saw it was Tenseiga in his hand.

"If you want to know Sesshomaru-sama, can you please put away your blade and sit next to me; I would like to be able to see you eye to eye instead of craning my neck."

Glaring at her request he put the blade away and promptly sat in the lotus position across from her.

Surprised by her own gall and that he had actually acquiesced to her request; she took a deep breath to calm herself. Once she had calmed she looked at Sesshomaru and found his stare a little disconcerting; she ignored it and told him what had transpired in the past two months or so.

Once she finished her tale she waited for any sign from the silent Taiyoukai that he had listened to her story and was satisfied by what she had told him.

"Hmm…" was all she got from him; a little disappointed, but not sure why, she observed the quiet youkai and came to the conclusion that something was distracting him.

"Sesshomaru, may I ask you a question?" she asked wanting to distract him from whatever it was he was thinking about so he wouldn't frustrate himself in the process, though why she cared she did not know.

A nod of his head told her that she could and that he would actually listen to what she asked of him.

"How has Rin-chan been doing?"

He seemed surprised by the question and wondered why she would care; he remembered then that Rin had met the Miko on occasion and had become fast friends with her.

"Rin is well."

"That's good."

Deciding that there was nothing else to discuss and satisfied with the answer he stood to leave having gotten what he had come for. Kagome stood as well feeling the exhaustion that had eluded her earlier; bowing slightly to Sesshomaru she turned to head back to her companions but stopped a few paces away.

"Goodnight Sesshomaru, I enjoyed your company; May your travels be safe."

He scoffed at her ending remark, but nonetheless bade her goodnight as well and headed off into the night.

Once he was gone Kagome breathed a sigh of relief and headed back to camp to finally get some sleep. She decided she would think on Sesshomaru's appearance tomorrow or she would never get any sleep.

As she approached she saw that the others were still awake so she wished them goodnight before climbing in next to Shippou and Kilala and promptly falling asleep.


Rustling woke her, yawning she stretched and looked around their small camp; Miroku was propped up against a small boulder with Sango not too far away. She smiled at the obvious attraction between the two and wondered what it would take to get them together.

Shaking her head she extracted herself from Shippou once more and got up to make breakfast. Looking around she saw that her yellow bag was nowhere in sight and wondered for a brief moment where it was. Sighing, she grabbed her bow and quiver and headed out to catch some game, she didn't want to kill anything, but they seemed to have no food around.

Several moments later she returned with three rabbits and a couple of eggs she had gotten from a low laying nest. She stirred the fire up until it was blazing and looked around for a large flat stone.

As she searched for one she came upon some herbs that were delicious to add to meat and gathered some before finding a stone that would serve for the purpose she had in mind. While she was out she broke some long sticks so that she could roast the rabbit on.

Heading back to camp once more she came to the realization that she had no knife to clean the rabbits with.

"Damn it," she whispered to herself as she looked around for a solution to her problem.

A thought surfaced and she turned to her quiver in sudden inspiration and broke an arrow so that she had a makeshift knife.

She moved the flat rock next to her and placed the eggs and herbs next to it; grinding the herbs against the rock with a smaller one she created a fragrant and delicious paste that would be smeared into the rabbit's skin.

Next, she created the spits that the rabbits would be on before skinning and gutting them; she set the innards off to the side knowing that Kilala would love them. Soon she had the rabbits spitted and seasoned on the outside as well as a few extra herbs on the inside. She moved the flat stone closer to the fire so it would heat up and she could start to cook the eggs on it.

A grumbling sound behind her made her laugh as she saw that it was Shippou and he was waking up because he was hungry; she noticed the others starting to stir, but there was still no sign of Inuyasha. Letting her senses out there was no sign of Inuyasha nor of Kikyou, finding that out she feared the worst, but continued to watch their breakfast.

"Good Morning Kagome."

"Good Morning Miroku." She watched him stretch before the smell of food registered and she giggled at the look on his face once it did.

"Okaa-san?" Shippou called sleepily as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"I'm here baby," she answered before picking him up and settling him on her lap. She tickled him a little and let him snuggle against her before she once again picked him up, gave him a kiss on the nose, and set him beside her.

"Can you do me a favor Shippou?"

"Sure mama, what do you need?"

"Can you find four more flat rocks like that one for me?" She asked as she pointed to the one with the eggs cooking slowly on it.

"Sure mama, I'll be right back!"

She smiled as she watched him scamper off into the woods in his search.

"HENTAI!"

*SLAP*

Kagome sighed and wondered if he would ever learn as she turned back to rotate the rabbits; thinking on it for a moment she shook her head with a smile on her face as she determined the answer would be never.

"Morning Sango," she greeted without taking her eyes from the cooking food.

"Morning Kagome, did you sleep well?"

"I did once I got to sleep, what about you?"

"I slept fine...what smells so good?"

"I made breakfast," Kagome stated as she turned the spit once more so that the rabbits cooked all the way through.

"Hey mama, I found the stones you wanted!" Shippou yelled as he made it back to camp with large stones held in his hands, slightly out of breath, but very excited.

"Thanks Shippou."

Taking the stones from her kit she set them next to her and brought the rabbits closer to her so she could divide them amongst themselves. She equally dished out the meat as well as the eggs she had found and soon everyone has some on the makeshift plates.

They ate their breakfast in silence, the occasional 'yum' or 'hmm' of pleasure breaking it.

"This is delicious Kagome!"

"How did you learn to cook food this good?"

"Mama, you're the best at making amazing food."

Smiling at all the compliments she ruffled Shippou's hair before noticing that Kilala was still sleeping. Laughing slightly at the little demon she finished her food and put the innards on her 'plate' before waking Kilala so she could eat as well.

When Kilala saw what may have seemed a feast in her eyes, said eyes grew large and a very predatory smile spread across her furry face. Everyone watched as the little neko saw her 'feast' and again when she purred the entire time through her meal.

"Rabbit is her favorite Kagome; I've never seen her with that look." Sango said with a laugh.

"I'm glad she's enjoying it." Kagome said as she started to clean up the little bit of mess left behind. Once that was done they all sat in silence as they enjoyed the fact that they had full bellies and that Kagome was back.

"So, are we going to wait for Inuyasha or continue on with finding the jewel shards?" Sango asked as she looked to the trees for their silver haired companion.

"Wait a moment," Kagome suggested while spreading out her aura to try and sense Inuyasha's. She spread it out wide but found no trace of him and her worry for him grew bigger.

'Has he gone to hell as he promised or was something else keeping him?' she couldn't help the worry and anger flooding through her at that thought.

Scared, she pushed her aura farther and farther until a faint one touched hers; she almost cried out in relief when she recognized it: Inuyasha.

Pulling back to herself she saw the awe on her friend's faces and wondered what all that was about.

"What, what am I missing?"

"Mama, you glow light blue when you do whatever you just did." Shippou stated as he stared at her in awe.

"Yes Kagome, when you search with your aura you glow slightly." Miroku clarified.

"Oh," was all she could manage to get out, they laughed at her astonished face and asked her if she had located Inuyasha.

"Yes, he's a long ways away from here and I say that we shouldn't have to wait for him; let's start without him. If he wants to find us he can, I don't want to sit around and wait." Kagome said a little bitterly feeling that she had been abandoned by the one she cared for; she berated herself for caring knowing it would never be returned, but she couldn't stop her heart for loving who it did.

Sango and Miroku shared a look at the tone in her voice before sighing and gathering what belongings they had.

Kagome gathered the blankets together into a bundle that could be carried easily on ones back before putting out the fire. She hated to leave the flat stones that proved to be so useful, but figured that they would pass by a village. She supposed she would offer her services as a miko and a healer in exchange for supplies they would need if it came down to it.

They headed out, Kagome leading with Shippou holding her right hand and Kilala beside her on her left. Sango and Miroku took up the back, both wondering to themselves where Kagome had gotten her confidence, but glad for it.

They walked for some time before the smell of wood smoke reached their noses as well as the sound of many voices talking.

Coming up over a hill they stared down at the village where the smell and voices were coming from; relieved that they had reached a village, Kagome led her band of misfits down and towards the gate.

Sighing at the stares they were receiving, she ignored them and continued on, undaunted by all the eyes following her as well as the whispers. As they drew closer she saw that some people had gathered at the opening of the gate and looked warily at them as they approached.

"Ohayou, I'm Kagome, this is Sango, Miroku, Shippou, and Kilala. We've been traveling for a long while and wonder if you have any rooms we may be able to stay in for the night?"

"Welcome, I am Tsukay the headsman of this village; pardon my forwardness, but are you a Miko?" Glad that he recognized her clothing, no matter how strangely colored they were, she answered.

"Yes, are you in need of one?"

She watched as some of the stress wash away at her words and wondered what was worrying him so much.

"Yes, we are in desperate need; some of our children have fallen ill and we cannot determine why."

The mere mention of something wrong with children brought out her protective instincts and she was more than ready to help them out.

"I will help; may I ask that my friends get a room so that they may relax while I tend to the children?"

"Of course Miko-sama, Ayaku, have a room readied for them as well as the baths and a hot meal. Tsu, lead them there while I take Miko-sama to the children."

"Thank you Tsukay-sama," turning to Sango she handed the blankets off to her, "Thank you Sango, can you keep an eye on Shippou for me?"

"Of course Kagome, be safe."

"I will," looking at Miroku she whispered, "looks like someone's going to be out of a job." She and Sango shared a laugh at his expression before she moved to follow the headsman. A slight brush against her leg alerted her that Kilala was with her and she felt better now that she wasn't completely alone.

It wasn't long before they reached the hut where they kept the children and a tingling sensation went through her spine as they went inside. Stepping in front of Tsukay, she surveyed the room and all the children that lay on mats inside; she counted thirteen and wondered where the demon she felt was. A low growl drew her eyes down to Kilala and then to the corner that she was staring into; a shadow moved and automatically she dropped into a defensive stance as she watched it move across the walls.

"Tsukay, I need you to get sage and place a bundle in each corner, outside, and lit it. I will get rid of what is ailing your children, but I need you to do this for me and quickly." She whispered her eyes still glued to where the demon waited.

"Miko-sama?" He whispered back, but once he saw her expression he moved out of the hut quickly calling to others outside for help.

"Who are you?" She called out once she knew that Tsukay was gone.

"Does it matter little miko? You and these children will be dead soon enough and then the rest of this village will be mine to do with as I please," cackling laughter answered her as Kilala bristled next to her.

"Don't you dare harm these children," she whispered a deadly threat in her voice.

"What are you going to do miko? How are you going to defend against what you cannot see?"

She smirked at the shadows before closing her eyes and waiting to see what he would do next; she let her aura encompass her without letting the demon know what she was doing. Laughter rang about her, but she didn't move and only did when the demon sprang at her; she stepped to the side and grabbed his arm letting her energy course through him as her eyes shot open.

The scream that tore from his throat brought a grim smile to her face as she slammed him into the floor and pinned him. He was a shadow demon, and normally could meld into them without any trouble, but since her powers were pinning him he was stuck.

"What have you done to the children?" Poison laced her words as she twisted his arm further up his back.

"Why do you care, you are not from this village!" he yelled in pain as she jerked it once more.

"I care for every being, now answer my question, I won't ask again."

"They fear the shadows and now they plague their dreams, you won't be able to wake them. When they die, their souls shall become mine!"

"We shall see, for what you have done to these innocents, there is no forgiveness," she whispered sadly as she looked from the children back to the demon below her. As quickly as she could she poured her energy into the demon and watched as he turned into ash without a sound.

Standing, she noticed her limp was a little more pronounced, but ignored it as she made her way towards the children in front of her. Drawing closer to them she noticed how they were sweating in their sleep and that they tossed and turned, moaning in terror the longer she watched. A nudge from Kilala let her know that she could lean on the now large cat and rest her leg while she tried to figure this out.

"Thank you Kilala," Kagome said distractedly as she thought of what she could do to help them out of their nightmare induced dreams.

"Miko-sama?" Tsukay's voice drew her out of her thoughts and she smiled at him before turning back to the children.

"It's ok Tsukay-sama, I've gotten rid of the demon that was plaguing the children here, but I have to draw them out of the sleep that they were put into."

"Demon?" Tsukay asked his face draining of color as he looked around and spotting the pile of ash he moved closer to Kagome.

"I promise Tsukay-sama, there are now more demons. Can I ask that you have the children put into a circle with their heads in the middle and a space left so that I can sit?" He looked confused for a moment before he nodded his head and called to a few others that were standing outside waiting to see what was going on.

It only took a moment or so to move the kids before Kagome made her way to the middle of the circle and took her place there. Settling herself comfortably she nodded to Kilala who stood against one of the walls watching and then to the parents that were inside the hut. Closing her eyes she smiled when she felt the presence of Miroku before setting her mind to the task at hand. Holding her hands together she brought her power to the surface before laying her hand on each of the children's forehead's and pulling up drawing the left behind power of the demon out.

As she did, she purified it and slowly the children woke to the smiling, disbelieving faces of their parents before the rushed to them in happiness. Kagome smiled tiredly at all the faces before her as she stood shakily and headed to the door; thankfully Miroku was there to help her through the sea of people wanting to thank her for what she had done.

She leaned heavily on Miroku, tired, but happy at what she had accomplished with exercising the children one by one. Kilala followed them before coming to stand next to them and offering her back to Kagome.

"Thank you Kilala," Miroku stated as he helped Kagome onto her back.

Kagome sighed as she laid herself on Kilala and relaxed into warm fur as she let herself be carted to where they were staying for the night. The motion of Kilala's walk lulled Kagome into a semi-conscious state; she heard people talking around her, but ignored it too comfortable to let it matter at the moment. She let her eyes close and was bombarded with emotions that weren't her own; on set of emotions in particular stood out against all the rest.

Slowly she opened her eyes, careful not to lose the weird connection she had, and looked for the one that drew her attention. An inaudible gasp left her lips as she saw a figure she knew all too well; the one cloaked in red.

She saw the disbelief he held in his golden eyes as well as the small amount of hope shining in their depths; it was too much for Kagome, all the emotions she felt for him and from him rushed through her and she fainted allowing her mind to rest.

"Kagome?" Miroku whispered as he watched her eyes open and then close as her whole body relaxed. He followed where her eyes had looked and saw the figure not too far from them now and wondered what he would say.


A/N: Well there ya go! Kagome's back and in control, what's going to happen next? You'll have to review and I'll put up the next chapter... Remember reviews make me happy, I want them all!