AN: Oh my god! 7 reviews?! This is the most I've ever gotten :D Thank you so much to all of you~ you guys are the best! I hope you continue to enjoy it! As for Sesshy's entrance, don't worry! It'll be soon! I'm just gonna get Kagome settled So maybe in the next chapter or the one after. But it'll be soon, promise XD
And on an offnote, I'm soo sorry about the name mix up in the last chapter! I've fixed it now, but I'm sure some of you were wondering who the hell Ayame was! Ayame was the original name I had for Airi, but my friend pointed out there was a filler character in the anime who was kinda the same, I don't know because I don't watch it, but I changed it to Airi. It was annoying, because I had to edit all my chapters before posting
but I promise it won't happen anymore :D !

Disclaimer: the usual...I don't own Inuyasha. I own something much better...Sesshomaru!! Nah, just kidding. *sigh* I wish :S Inuyasha (and Sesshomaru) belong to Rumiko Takahashi.

Ran and Airi stared at Kagome in surprise.

"You have Shikon fragments?!" Airi exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement. Kagome smiled and nodded, slipping the vial back inside her bag. Ran looked at Kagome thoughtfully, her dark grey eyes boring into Kagome's brown ones. She frowned and tipped her head slightly, then flashed Airi an amused glance.

"Incoming", she breathed. At that moment, Hayato stumbled into the clearing, closely followed by Daichi and the rest of the coven. Hayato looked relieved, but Daichi wore an expression of cold fury, one that Kagome was surprised he could even muster. It was so different from his usual serene smile, that it made butterflies flutter in her stomach.

"What on earth was that?" he snarled.

The clearing was totally silent, and with several people watching the exchange with interest, Kagome felt like she had been called up by a teacher in class for misbehaving. Unable to reply, she found sudden interest in her footwear. Airi shuffled in discomfort, and Ran looked blank.

"I had to get something important", Kagome said in a small voice. Daichi's eyes narrowed.

"Something...important?" Kagome could tell she had worsened the situation, but there was no turning back. So she nodded.

"More important than your life? Or Airi's life? Or Ran's?" His voice was deathly quiet. Kagome flushed. There really was no reply. She had been so selfish...to risk everything like that. What if they had been overwhelmed? There had only been one sword between them, and only one with the ability to wield it. Kagome felt absolutely wretched.

"I'm sorry. And I know that doesn't even cover it, but I..."

"I said to get out fast for a reason! Just one stupid little girl running off to fetch a bag?! Of all the foolish, superficial things! It's worse than stupid!" Kagome flinched at his sharp words, and nodded ashamedly.

"Daichi-sama!" Airi gasped. "Of all the cruel things to say-"

"Don't interrupt! You're just as bad!" Airi looked shocked. Ran rolled her eyes and spoke up.

"Is anyone dead?" She sighed. "If they are, they obviously weren't very important, because no one mentioned anything to me." Daichi's eyes snapped over to Ran.
"Don't take such a blasé approach. This is-"
"You should have expected it! You were the one who bit her! You were the one who dragged her into this! Did you ask? I don't think so. You can't just expect people to adapt straight away! That is stupid."

Her words were met by absolute silence. Kagome hadn't thought Ran was capable of talking for so long. And she was astonished that Ran, of all people, had defended her. But grateful nonetheless. Daichi seemed just as amazed, but the expression was soon wiped away. He turned, without a backward glance and began to head west, followed by his unsettled coven. Ran crossed her arms and breezed off. The other two hurried to keep up. Kagome struggled to find suitable words.

"Ran, I wa-"

"Don't."

Kagome flushed again, feeling embarrassed. Ran seemed displeased. "Thank you", Kagome murmured quickly. Ran didn't reply.

They walked for what seemed like hours, when Kagome felt a stab of recognition. She knew this place...of course! Kaede's village was just beyond the trees ahead! Matching her stride with Airi, she muttered " where are we going?"

"To our village. It's not far now. Just around the next hill. We'll be able to get food, water, clean clothes and all that stuff there", Airi replied. Kagome nodded and bit her lip. She had tried to purify the Shikon fragments, but it still wasn't working. She didn't have any options left, and decided to do the sensible thing. She wove through everyone to reach Daichi. He didn't meet her gaze, staring straight ahead. It made her uncomfortable.

"Um, Daichi? Sama...I ahm...I wonder if I could have permission to run a small errand? I won't take long, I just want to...return something." Kagome didn't think he would answer, and blushed as she prepared to fall back with Airi and Ran.

"Where?" he asked quietly. Kagome looked at him, startled.

"This village, just up ahead", she replied hopefully.

"Take Airi with you. Don't be too long."

Kagome nodded and couldn't help but smile. "Of course! Thank you! Thank you so much, Daichi. Sama", she added hastily. She wasn't used to speaking to people with such an honorific. But she supposed it was something she would have to get used to.

"Kagome?" Kagome glanced back, wondering if he had changed his mind. He hesitated before speaking. "Be careful."

-oOo-

"So where are we going?" Airi chirped. She seemed to have recovered from her earlier scolding. Airi didn't seem like the type to irritate her superiors often, so it was probably a shock for the poor girl, Kagome mused.

"Just up ahead. I have to return something." Airi looked inquisitive, but didn't pry.
They finally reached the outskirts, where the well was. Kagome brushed her fingers along the wood, resisting the urge to shudder as memories flickered in her mind.

I could jump in now. Go home...pretend nothing happened.

Kagome sighed. No...there was no going back, no pretending. This was a new life now. Nothing could be the same. But she missed her family. She missed the warmth and security. She missed her grandfather's ranting, she missed her brother loitering around her room asking her questions and just being annoying....Kagome smiled slightly. She missed her mother's hugs and reassurances.

If only Okaa-san would come now and tell me everything would be okay...

"Ka-go-me?"

Kagome snapped out of her reverie. "Sorry, Airi", she laughed. "I just was...thinking...about stuff. Never mind, c'mon", she pulled slightly on Airi's cuff and they both headed out of the trees. A few villagers glanced up at their arrival, but Kaede was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Inuyasha. Kagome wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed.

"You wait here, I won't be long." Kagome ran off before Airi could object.

The village was bustling, which was handy. Kagome ducked and weaved, trying to be inconspicuous. Though, in her clothes, it was probably a futile effort. She hoped Inuyasha was somewhere else. It would be difficult to explain. She barely understood herself.

Kaede's hut bobbed into view, and the miko herself made no appearance. Kagome reached into her bag and drew out the fragments. They were still coal black. The last threads of hope left her. With a shaky sigh, she walked over to the door. There was no noise inside, so she ventured in. As she suspected, it was empty. With a heart like lead, she reluctantly deposited the vial on a shelf of herbs, partially hidden so it would be invisible to anyone who happened to come in. But Kaede, being a miko, would sense its presence.

She turned to leave. But it was too soon, she wanted to sit down and have tea, chat with Sango and Miroku and Kaede, while Inuyasha and Shippo sat there annoying each other...Kagome realised she was crying. It's not fair...

Willing herself to walk out, she half hoped they would arrive, and demand she stay...but Airi! Kagome dashed out, and saw the other girl sitting down against a tree trunk cooing at a cabbage butterfly. Kagome smiled affectionately. Airi really was a sweet girl.
The latter noticed Kagome coming, and jumped to her feet in a blur of incredible speed.

"Kagome!" she exclaimed in delight. "Did you finish your errand?"

Kagome smiled and nodded. As they walked, Kagome decided to ask the question that had been bothering her since their narrow escape.

"Airi, are all vampires as fast as you?"

Airi laughed. "No, silly, it's a personal talent. Like Daichi! And Kat...Katsu..." she trailed off. But Kagome was too interested to let it slide.

"Daichi?"

Airi nodded. "Daichi-sama can...I suppose you would call them illusions...to make you feel or see things that aren't there...but it's limited." Kagome recalled that fateful evening. She had felt tired, and his voice had sounded almost musical. Was that the illusion?

"What about Katsu?"

Airi shook her head, looking afraid. "It was a bit like Daichi-sama...he could....see in your head, what scared you the most...and he could show it to you, like it was real...I could feel pain and smell everything..I...it was terrifying. And you could never get used to it. It could drive you to insanity. To escape that, I would have taken my own life", she finished solemnly.

Kagome looked in Airi at disbelief. She couldn't imagine Airi in such a situation. She found it even harder to picture someone who would do something so cruel.

"He used to do it to you? To...his coven?" Airi hesitated.

"I'll tell you about the gifts! Please don't make me think about it...I don't want it in my head anymore", Airi pleaded.

Kagome felt disturbed. "Okay, look don't worry, tell me all about the gifts", she said as soothingly as possible. Airi nodded furiously, auburn hair bouncing.

"Some vampires have extra special talents, but it all depends on the vampire who bites them. The more potent the youkai energy, the more likely it is that the bitten vampire will have an ability! Like Katsu-sama turned Daichi-sama, their abilities are similar!" Airi paused, then her eyes widened. "Kagome! Daichi-sama bit you! You might get an ability!" she sounded ecstatic. "I can't believe I never thought of this! Of course!" Airi squealed in delight. Looking at how quickly her moods had changed, Kagome vaguely considered the possibility of Airi being bipolar.

"Is there any way of knowing?" Kagome wondered, if she did have an ability, what it would be. Hopefully nothing like Katsu. Kagome shuddered at the thought.

"Time will tell", Airi shrugged. "Come on, we best get back to Daichi-sama and make sure Ran hasn't picked any fights."

Ah...end of chapter four did you guys enjoy it? Hope so! Please review! And the next chapter (is already written) will probably be out tomorrow. After that, I have no more left! Nasty exams are coming D: so I don't have time to write! But in the next chapter, Sesshy's coming *squeal* I'll probably be obsessing over it for hours, making sure he isn't OOC or anything :S
Bye~bye