Hello everyone! Thank you so very much for all the follows, favorites and especially the reviews! They make my day. Strangely enough, this chapter came to me so easily compared to the others. I finally seem to have a visual where I want this fanfic to go, and hope you will all continue to read along. Please be sure to continue to review and give me feedback. I really want to create an awesome storyline!

Chapter 4: Dreams of Far Off Places

When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of what I would be when I grew up. Would I be a dancer? Lets just say my natural clumsiness killed that dream at an early stage. My lack of coordination may have also had something to do with it...

Would I be a lawyer or a police officer? Honestly I think I watched too much tv at that time of my life when I was a kid because I never felt smart enough to be a lawyer and my temper certainly was not lawyer material, (lets just face it, my personality wasn't suitable for that job at all) and the idea of me enforcing justice with a pair of handcuffs was just laughable (maybe if they let me carry bows and arrows instead of a gun…)

Never, in my wildest dreams did I think I would be 500 years in the past, in a dark cave during what had to be the worst typhoon in my three years of time travel, fighting a bear demon who was more than a little pissed off that we had accidentally scared one of her young cubs who had snuck into our camp in search of food.

"Inuyasha! Don't kill her! She's just trying to protect her cubs!" I cried, at the same time protecting cubs of my own. Shippo and Rin were both clutching me tightly as we hid behind Ah-Un.

"Feh! What do you want me to do? Ask her to stay on her side of the freaking cave?!" An angered growl answered him with what could have been a lethal swipe of the paw. He quickly parried it with Tessaiga.

Despite his sarcasm, I could tell Inuyasha was trying his best not to kill the large bear. She stood at least 20 feet tall, having to slouch to fit in the cave, and though I couldn't quite see her clearly due to the lack of light, there was no way we could miss her dark red eyes, the blue pupils following every movement.

Looking around, I spotted 3 small cubs huddled into a crevice behind her. I could hear their tiny whimpers despite the howls of the wind behind me. Sango and Miroku were also helping in the fight. They were trying to push the bear back further into the cave but she continue pressing forward, no doubt focused on destroying the possible threat to her cubs.

"Kagome, what should we do? We can't go outside, it is too dangerous. I don't want the mama bear hurt though. She's only trying to keep her babies safe. If it were my mama I know she'd do the same thing," Shippo whimpered, his little body clinging to my neck.

Looking back at his big green eyes, I honestly didn't know what to say. Wasn't it a mother's right to defend her cubs? If we could only get her to see reason. When it comes down to it though, we are the intruders, uninvited guests using her cave for safe haven.

Looking back at the large demon, then back at the cubs, I couldn't help but feel useless. If only there was a way we could just scare them deep into the caves, at the very least until the storm was over.

A scream disrupted my thoughts, and brought my attention back to the fight. Sango was standing tall above a fallen Miroku, her stance subtly changing from defensive to offensive. Apparently the time for showing leniency was over.

"We've got to do something now!" This was not the time to be scared. This was the time to be brave…or incredibly stupid.

"Rin is there any way you can get Ah-Uh to start a fire?" He's a dragon right? They breath fire right?!

For a moment Rin looked at the two-headed dragon and then back at me.

"But Ah-Un is a thunder dragon. I don't think he can conjure up fire." I could have cried in frustration. I had no use for thunder and lightning inside a tiny cave. Come on Kagome think! What use was a thunder dragon…in a damp cave.

No way! It would kill everyone in here. He would need to hit something other than water. Something explosive enough to scare a pissed off bear. Looking at my bag, I could feel an idea coming to me.

Taking a deep breath, I clenched my hands and willed my legs to move. It wasn't an easy feat, especially not with two terrified children clinging to me but there was nothing that was going to stop me now.

"Rin I need to get to my bag, stay with Ah-Un ok?" If anything she clung on tighter, her doe eyes wide and scared.

"I'll go with you." I wanted to shake my head no, to tell her to hide and be a good girl but somehow I just knew she wasn't going to let me out of her sight. We had barely been separated since the moment we met yesterday at the stream.

I could only nod and grab her hand, Shippo stubbornly clinging to my neck as I began running back towards my bag which was hidden closer to the opening of the cave.

I could hear roars and panting behind me and any heroics I had planned would need to be done quickly. This world had enough orphans in it, we didn't need to be the reason behind more.

Reaching my bag, I turned it upside down and dumped all the contents without regret onto the floor.

"Where is it?" I screamed. One of these days I'd actually take mama's advice and organize my stuff. You would think after all these years I'd finally have this packing thing down pat.

Something rolled against the wall, its shiny red label just barely visible. I could have cried, I was so thankful! I grabbed the long cylinder, before standing up and rushing back to the fight.

"Ah-Un! I need you!" I screamed to him, grabbing one of his heads and pulling it to face me. His golden eyes blinked in surprise, his other head grunting, obviously not happy with my rough treatment.

Ignoring their irritation, instead raising up the item in my hand to their eye level.

"I am going to throw this at the bear. I need you to strike it with your lightening. Can you do that?" For a moment they just stared at me, as if trying to comprehend what I had just said.

Dang it where was my dragon translator when I needed him! Oh yeah, fighting off the crazy mama bear. Honestly where the hell was his priorities?!

Ah looked to Rin, who had let go of my hand to lightly brush his mane with her tiny fingers. She pulled his head gently (so that was the way I was supposed to do that) to her face, and softly she placed her lips to his perked ears, mumbling something that only he could hear.

He pulled back, grunted to Un whom nodded back.

"Its okay Kagome. They will do as you ask. It might be safer if you climb onto his back though. His lightning can be deadly to any in front of it." Rin's voice was soft but firm, and her eyes shone with a determination too old for her face.

I could only nod before climbing as quickly as I could onto his saddle. Rin climbed in front of me, took the reigns, and honestly at that moment I could not have been more impressed. There was not a doubt in my mind that Sesshomaru must have seen this bravery in her. This must have been the true reason he was so fond of her.

She took control of the dragon as if she was born for it and in some way, I'm sure that did not seem so unbelievable.

We were moving quickly, and then we were in the fight before I could even think. Sango had haraikotsu raised, running toward her target as Inuyasha's blade started to gather wind around him.

"SIT BOY" I screamed as loud as I could.

It was like slow motion. I could see the large paw that was aiming for Inuyasha graze past him as Inuyasha dove into the ground, instead smacking into Sango and sending her back five feet, thankfully her weapon taking the brunt of it.

There was no time for apologies. There was no time for second thoughts. I raised the bottle of hairspray and threw it as hard as I could at the bear, my scream echoing through the caves.

"NOW!" Ah-Un did not hesitate. His lightning bright blue, illuminating the whole cave as it targeted the can, creating a large explosion, the bangs sounding like a loud firework.

There was a roar as the bear fell back, frightened whimpers of terrified cubs. Soon there was only the howls of the winds as she gathered them in her long arms and ran quickly to the deeper part of the cave, disappearing around a dark corner.

For a moment all I could feel was the shaking of my fingers as I sat there, my hand still outstretched. It was as if my whole body had gone numb from the adrenaline.

I could feel cold scales against my pajama pants. I could feel the warmth of Rin's little body in front of me, and feel Shippo whispering to me in my ear, though I could not hear what he said, my ears ringing loudly.

It soon became unbearable, and I covered my ears, trying to block out the sound. It was loud. It was absolute hell. Yet somehow, all I could think was that Inuyasha and Shippo must have been in so much more pain.

I wish I had thought of the noise my little bomb would have created. I wish I had thought to tell the kids to cover their ears. I really REALLY wish I had put in some ear plugs first.

It took several minutes for the ringing to go away, for me to hear what I had thought had been Shippo whispering to realizing it was pained wails, to understand that Ah-Un was going berserk under me and Rin was just barely holding onto the reins.

I reached around and grabbed Shippo, holding him tightly as he seized in my grasp, howls of torment erupting from him as he dug himself into my chest, attempting to bury himself from the pain as I struggled to stay on the bucking dragon, my screams barely registering as I closed my eyes tightly.

Then there were strong arms wrapping around me, roughly pulling both Rin and I off the crazed beast and slamming us into the stone wall.

I curled into the silver hair, the strong arms wrapping tightly around me, and I was back in the golden flower field. In a different place and time. In arms that told me that I was in the safest place in the world, and nothing could hurt me.

I don't know how long I sat like that, or when I realized that it was not in fact Sesshomaru who was holding me, but Inuyasha. It took an even longer time determine how I could have possibly confused one for the other. I was not entirely sure how I felt about that either.

Slowly I looked up to him, I could see blood leaking from his ears, staining dazzling silver with a dark red. Gently I reached for them, drawing back as he flinched away, the dog appendages obviously tender and in a world of pain.

Tears were falling before I could stop them, and though I could still barely hear the world around me, I could hear my hysterical apologies, could feel my throat clogging up as I tried to gasp for air, could feel my heart pounding so quickly I was certain it would stop from the sheer panic I was feeling.

Warm hands rubbed soothing circles on my back, claws just barely scratching through the cloth to help soothe me as I coughed and cried and gagged. There was a burned chemical scent in the air, and I dug my face into silver hair to try to escape it.

Shippo curled into a tiny ball between us, his tears dampening my shirt, his whole body shaking. Rin was trying to dig herself as deep as I was into Inuyasha's hair, her legs practically wrapped around his torso.

For a long time we were just a big bawling mess. I honestly don't know what happened to Sango or Miroku, or the other demons that were in our group. All I knew was that someone was telling me it would be okay, and I was trying with my very soul to believe him.

For what felt like an hours I just laid there, wishing I had done something different. There must have been some other way. I had put that bear and her cubs above my own friends, and though I was happy everyone got out of it alive, I also felt unbearably guilty.

A warm blanket was wrapped around my shoulder, and for a moment, Sango's face came into view as she slowly pulled me out of the nest I had built myself.
My legs felt like jello as I stumbled with her to my sleeping bag. Sturdy hands tucked me in and soon Inuyasha came, tucking in the little ones as we all wrapped ourselves around each other.

I could hear whispers around me but I was past the point of consciously deciphering them.

My hairs raised on the back of my neck as I felt a hum of spiritual energy. Peaking over Rin's head, I could see Miroku, now awake, putting sutras against the floor and walls, effectively creating a barrier to keep the more deadly tenants of the cave away from our side.

I could feel my body sagging with exhaustion. If only I was strong enough to create a barrier to keep the demon away, this never would have happened. If only I had tried harder. If only I had let Inuyasha and Sango take care of it. If only…

Yet what was done was done. All I could do was wrap myself tighter in the blankets, bury my nose in Rin's hair and breath the familiar scent of my shampoo until blissful darkness carried me off.

For what felt like the first time in a long time, I dreamed of home. Of mama, Souta and grandpa. Of the shrine and Tokyo and school. It was a safe dream. Where there were no demons, no explosions, or pressure from life ending decisions.

It was about mama teaching me how to make omelette's because they were Sango and Shippo's favorite. Of how to make the the octopus sausages that Miroku was so fond of. Those fun times when Souta and I made catnip toys for Kirara as Buyo tried to secretly make off with them.

There was still a slight ringing sound when I woke up. In fact, I think I even heard it even while I slept. My head was throbbing and my mouth was dry. There was light filtering through the cave. I blinked slowly, trying to adjust to the sharp tone in my ears.

Looking around, I could see Sango and Miroku resting against the wall, their fingers gently holding each others as they slept. I couldn't help but smile fondly at the two. It seemed their relationship was growing stronger by the day. I couldn't even remember the last time Miroku had looked another woman's way.

Continuing to look over the cave, I saw Jaken resting closer towards the entrance, his back facing the rising suns determined rays. Eyes widening, I quietly crawled out of bed, Rin and Shippo barely noticing my departure, still claimed in the realm of dreams.

Inuyasha sat at the entrance watching the sunrise. The beautiful orange and reds reflecting on his silver hair. I sat next to him and stared at what was hopefully to be a gorgeous day.

The world glistened with yesterday's rain. The wind had changed into a charming breeze. Even the air smelled clean, as if the earth had only done a deep cleanse, washing away all the negativity with a ferocity only mother nature could create.

Looking at him from the corner of my eye, I wondered when our red string of fate had been cut. Would things between Inuyasha and I ever truly be over? Yet as I looked at the beautiful sky, it was as if all my doubts had been washed away.

Our love was as strong as the typhoon, great and powerful, but short lived. What I wanted was the gentle breeze, the comfort that even after the storm had passed, there would be more. I wonder if he was also looking for that gentle breeze. Would he find it with Kikyo? Or was she another storm that had come and gone from his life?

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" I questioned softly, not quite sure if I expected a reply or not.

For a moment, he seemed comfortable not answering, his gaze just following the path of the rising sun. His eyes then suddenly focused on me, and he gave me his trademark cocky smile, all boyish charm and purely Inuyasha.

"I've seen better," he teased and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Oh shut it you old dog," I grumped before leaning into him, just enjoying the peaceful morning and not letting his big mouth ruin it for me.

The morning seemed to fly by after that. We made quick work of packing our meager belongings, undoing the sacred barrier that kept the more demonic residents of the cave away, before pairing up and taking off.

My stomach growled angrily at the thought of no breakfast after not having any dinner the night before. I could only take deep breaths and pray that we made good time getting back to Kaede's village, or that food somehow magically fell from the sky.

I wasn't holding my breath for that last one.

It took a little more than half a day to reach the village, our detour to the cave had eaten a bit more time then we had originally thought.

Our arrival didn't exactly look promising though. The village was a mess. The typhoon's strong winds knocking over several huts, the crops drowning from all the rain. The men were in an uproar trying to fix as many homes as quickly as possible, as the women went out to the fields to harvest as many crops as they could salvage, up to their knees in muddy rainwater.

Miroku suggested that I go ahead and head home, but I only shook my head. These villagers had helped me many times throughout our travels. Always willing to portion a little of their rice our way, always greeting us cheerfully and wishing us well on our journey.

How could I possibly abandon them when they so desperately needed a helping hand? Instead, we walked deeper into the village, eventually finding Kaede caring for those unlucky enough to have gotten injured from yesterday's storm.

She looked at Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Un for a moment, barely nodding her approval to their stay in her village before getting back to work. Without even bothering to ask, I got to work emptying my book bag, finding the medical supplies and array of over the counter medicines I had been saving for such occasions.

Rin and Shippo followed me, helping tend to what we could, listening avidly as I explained different herbs and treatments that we could use, and every now and then running off to go supply more herbs at Kaede's request.

Inuyasha and Miroku took no time at all finding work among the men, helping to rebuild homes as Kirara and Sango went off to help the women in the fields.

Ah-Un seemed quite content amusing the village children, apparently having a soft spot for the little people and Jaken was… well who knew what he was up to.

It wasn't until much later that day I learned from Rin that Jaken had spoken with Inuyasha, pleading for him to watch the young girl so he might start his journey to look for his Lord, promising to return one moon cycle from now if his adventure turned up empty.

Though Rin seemed content to be with her new group, I didn't need to be able to read minds to know the little imps departure made her feel lonely, as another of her small group disappeared.

I gave the children a few trail mix bars to eat, wanting so badly to find something more sustaining, but knowing that good men and women could very well die if not cared for, while a little hunger was only temporary.

It was late at night before the village was finally quiet. Wounds had been tended, houses mended, and food finally able to be put on the table after a hard days work.

Inuyasha came looking a little worse for wear, but still gently pulled me away from what felt like never-ending emergencies, telling me it was time to go home and rest. We were in a desperate need of supplies, and even Inuyasha would not fight the need for me to go home.

I looked at Rin and Shippo, I could not shake the guilt I felt for leaving them. Perhaps I should just do a quick pack run and return?

"Stop worrying and go home. I'll watch the runts. They'll be fine for a day or two. Just rest." Was this really the guy who used to drag me kicking and screaming from my time, saying jewel shards were more important than my education? Where was he when I was trying to cram for my math exam?

I bit my lip and looked at Rin and Shippo, both giggling while eating soup and rice that Kaede had been able to whip up for them. I had given them my portion, knowing I'd probably eat something when I went back home.

I still hadn't exactly told Rin about the whole I'm a time traveler thing. I didn't exactly want to leave without letting her know she would be on her own for the night.

The whole Sesshomaru being gone for 5 months thing had hit her pretty hard, I wasn't sure how she would feel about me abandoning her too, even if just for a day.

"Can we bring Rin and Shippo too. I just…I feel like I should explain it to her properly." What if she thought I was crazy. What if she hated me for leaving her, after she had finally found some semblance of peace? Was it normal to wonder how a 11 year old girl thought of me.

The children came obediently, not even questioning as we all walked towards the forest. Normally Inuyasha would just carry me down the familiar path, but the night was quiet and warm enough for a leisurely walk.

When we arrived at the well, Rin stared at the wooden structure for a moment, her head tilting to the side, as if considering it before turning to me.

"You are going away, aren't you?" she asked, and for a moment her eyes were wise, holding a knowing look as she looked up at me.

To say I was shocked was an understatement. I looked at Shippo. Perhaps he had mentioned something? His expression however, mirrored mine. He was as surprised as I was.

"How did you…" I questioned, watching as Rin lightly placed her small hands on the lip of the well, staring down into the dark passage.

"Rin sees Kagome in her dreams sometimes. Rin sees strange places and strange things. Rin sees Kagome's mama, brother and grandpa. Rin sees a lot of things when Rin sleeps."

I honestly don't know why I felt surprised. After all, had I not been seeing the same thing? Had I not seen far off places that I had never been, people in a light I had never seen? Was it really that hard to believe that in someway our dreams were connected?

Smiling softly, I sat next to her on the well, looking behind me to see the well's dark abyss.

"I see Rin's dreams too sometimes. I see Lord Sesshomaru through Rin's eyes. I've seen beautiful islands and trees of gold." Rin looked up at me and smiled back.

"Rin has many many more of those dreams. They are Rin's most precious memories. Rin is happy Kagome can see them as Rin does." I laughed and nodded, for some reason feeling incredibly relieved to know the things I had seen were real.

Somehow, some way, we were connected, and as I sat on the well that connected my time to hers, I found that such a thing was not so unbelievable.

I am not gonna lie, it was incredibly tough to stop writing here. I have so many ideas for this story and I just want to keep going, but alas I need to take a break. I know everyone REALLLLLLLY wants to know what happened to Sesshomaru, but your just gonna have to be patient.

I honestly don't want him to be arrive back in the story for a bit. I really love the growing relationship between Rin and Kagome, and feel like if I want to successfully bring him into the story without it seeming overdone and cheesy, that I should do it right and take my time.

Yes I know what happened to him, BUT I am open to ideas, so please review and leave feedback! ;) REMEMBER reviews are important. Reviews show that a story is good. Viewers will look at how many reviews a story has before even considering the fanfic. Please help by reviewing!