They were saved from the continuing awkward silence, felt for the past five minutes, when Higurashi Shrine came into view.

Kagome ran out and up the steps.

"Mom! Grandpa! Sota! Buyo!"

Reaching the top, her big smile faded the instant she saw a demolished building in front of her. It was as if a war was waged on the grounds. Walking around, she saw the sacred tree and ran up to it, hugging it like an old friend.

"What happened here?"

InuYasha came up to stand in front of the tree.

"Five-hundred years ago, a gifted clan of priests and priestesses lived here. Some demons rose up and were able to overpower them, and thus began the reign of demons."

Letting go of the tree, Kagome stood in front of him.

"How did the demons come to reign over humans?"

"It's a long story, but the nutshell is demons were tired of being considered the uncivilized predators. A half-demon named Naraku started the revolt so he could steal the Shikon No Tama, Jewel of Four Souls. It was the Higurashi Shrine priests and priestesses guarding the jewel, but their defenses were meant to keep demon out, not half-demons. Naraku thwarted them, took the jewel, and ordered the other demons to devour everyone, alive and dead so the Higurashi clan would be wiped from existence forever. Once he had it, he wished for demons to rule over humans in all the land."

A tear fell down her cheek as she could hear all the pain and agony that seemed to resonate on the grounds, it was noxious fumes in the air, it was permanently branded in the ruins of their home. Clasping her hands over her ears, she tried to dampen the phantom sounds of screams, growls, bones crushing, blood gushing.

"Take…me away…from here."

Not understanding, InuYasha did as she said, and picked her up bridal style. Running down the stairs, he found himself worrying about this human, this Kagome.

Each step InuYasha took was further and further from the voices, and Kagome finally relaxed.

"Thank you, InuYasha."

"What happened back there?"

Setting her down, he looked on her inquisitively.

She shrugged, "I've never had that happen before. I mean, my brother and I were always told that we come from a long line of powerful priests and priestesses, and that the power was handed down, but I never experienced spiritual power before now."

Staring into his eyes, she frowned.

"There was so much pain, so much blood, and screams. Something very strange happened…it went from hearing things to seeing things. Naraku tricked one of the priestesses into falling in love with him, all so he could gain access to the jewel. She wasn't here when Naraku stole it, but she came upon what we just saw; rubble and no semblance of a single person ever being there. It wasn't long after that when she died, alone and brokenhearted."

Looking up the stone steps, InuYasha had a far-off expression on his face.

"What was her name?"

"Kikyo."

"She wasn't alone."

Jerking her head to him, she tried to understand.

"How would you know?"

He sighed, "my father would speak of a priestess from time to time. He said her name was Kikyo and she was beautiful, but her heart had turned to cold hard stone. He fell in love with her, but she could no longer see demons as anything other way than evil. So, my dad gave her distance, and guarded her, knowing of the massacres of humans with spiritual powers happening everywhere. Naraku's plan was in full force."

Kagome felt so connected as she saw everything happening before her, like a movie in a theater.

"How did she die?"

"Dad never told that part. Just that, he held her close and kissed her forehead as she took her last breath and her heart stopped. He buried her under a cherry blossom tree and marked it with her name carved into the trunk."

Kagome was going to say more, but was interrupted by a humanoid demon that preceded to shake its head at them.

"You should keep her on a leash when outside, otherwise some demon may think she's fair game."

Grabbing Kagome's hand, he tucked her behind his back.

"Well, she ain't fair game, you got that?! I'll have the leash next time we go out, but I had better not see you eyeing my property again!"

The other demon, put his hands up as a 'white flag' to the situation.

"Take it easy, I was only kidding."

He walked off, and Kagome crossed her arms, glaring at InuYasha's back. Property huh?! Kagome may be stuck in a weird parallel universe, but she was not anyone's property!