I know... I've been a bad writer... I haven't kept up with the updates... I'm sorry... PLEASE DON'T HATE ME!

What can I say? Life guys. Life got in the way, I'm sorry!

I will let you know that there was actually suppose to be another chapter uploaded today, but sorry to all those who would prefer the un-edited version, I decided to get rid of it. Honestly, it just felt unnecessary and useless, but here is a summary in case you were curious. Basically, it was an add-on into this chapter that would have taken place right before the "decision" was proclaimed, where Sango and Kagome were going to go bathe so that Kagome could tell Sango everything that had happened between her and Sesshomaru the night before, with Sango giving her two cents as well as some additional info on demons. It was unnecessary because I plan on touching those points again later on anyway, so there was no need for it. There was also a cute moment between Kagome and Inuyasha... Now that I feel like I NEED for the sake of the story, so I will integrate it into the next chapter because, yikes. The next chapter is a big one guys. (i'm already working on it in case you can't tell).

Also, I can't remember if I told yall that Kikyo would be in this chapter or not... but she's not. Sorry guys! Next one she will be though.

One last thing before we get started! (drum roll please...) YOUR GIFT IS HERE! For all you wonderful readers, I have provided a hand drawn fan-fic illustration made by me as the cover! I hope yall like it! I'm thinking about making more fan art that goes along with this story but I haven't decided, and if I do, i'm pretty sure that would mean that I need to make a Deviant art page... I don't know. If enough people say I should than i Probably will.

Alright! Lets get this ball on the roll! I hope yall enjoy!

Chapter 5: The Past and a Decided Separation

Streams of sunlight poured in through the bamboo curtain door, casting amber streaks onto the wooden floor and onto the inhabitants sleeping mats. Dawn was at its rise, and Kaede had risen with it, rolling up her mat to put away while remaining as quiet as she could to not wake the slumbering Kagome. Today would be a day full of stress for the girl and her companions who would be tasked with determining the appropriate course of action in response to the daunting demonic aura which seemed to have draped the whole village last night with no demon in sight before suddenly disappearing. So she wanted to let Kagome rest and let her enjoy the last bit of peace she would have in the prospective future. The name which she called out, however, unsettled Kaede, and given the tone in which it was spoken Kagome was not having a nightmare. She spoke Lord Sesshomaru's name with drowsy admiration and was content with her dream of him.

Kaede stepped out into the cool morning, a draft of fresh air flowing into the hut and causing Kagome to snuggled deeper into the confines of her mat with a half worded sigh.

"Sessho…" and then she returned to her deep sleep and mumbles.

Kagome slept soundly, her dream being a recollection of a memory almost forgotten. Visions and images played out before her mind's eye, replaying the events of a day shortly after her return when all the fantasies and marveled infatuations of her and Inuyasha's relationship had begun to rot with its malodorous smell stirring the third large fight amongst the couple since their short reunion. Her senses were alive in her vivid dream, and the sting from the pounding rain radiating across her body that swayed with the pushing wind was as real as any rain storm.

**FLASHBACK**

Thunder shouted loudly at the stupid girl who hand wandered too far into the dense forest, losing her way home without any bread crumbs to follow. Drowned out by the drumming of the rain and the crackles of thunder echoing across the sky, the calls from her dried, hoarse voice were left unheard and unanswered. Feeble arms held up across her face did little against the racing raindrops that slapped her in all directions while the swirling currents of rushing wind threatened to push her down onto the muddy ground. With heavy steps weighed down by her waterlogged school shoes, her feet carried in a zigzag motion as she fought against the forceful wind to stay upright.

The path that would have led her home was hidden beneath the inches of murky rain on the ground, and she stumbled through the gray veil of the rain where only a foot of visibility was given. With no bearings of where she was, she continued forward, forcing her shaking limbs that ached to the bone from the suffused cold to do as she commanded while at the same time stifling the heavy cough that brewed in her moistened lungs. Without a doubt, this venture would be repaid with the consequences of a cold.

With bitter indignation, she cursed Inuyasha's name, placing full blame of her current predicament solely on him. His selfish and discourteous remarks towards her were what drove her out to the well in the first place! He was the spark that led her to where she was now, caught in the storm on her way back from the well and unable to find her way back to the village. She was not foolish enough to believe he would come after her; not immediately. He would dwell in the warmth of the hut, letting the others argue against him while he would profess how this was exactly what she deserved. By the time he would relent to the will of her friends, her scent would be too difficult to find, and she would be left on her own just as she was now.

Cold air rushed into her lungs, and Kagome shivered once more mid walk. Oddly enough the cold suited her fine this time as it eased the bubbling throb that rose from her stomach to her shoulders; she felt so alone, so abandoned, and the sting from the cold rain help to hold back her own droplets of tears. With her face turning bright red from the rains assault, Kagome shut her eyes as she pushed forward through the storm and the sorrow that grew within her.

She kept her arms high in defense against the many bullet-like droplets, only to have her forearm shields used against her when she rammed her whole being into a hard surface.

"Ow!" She exclaimed, rubbing her hand against her throbbing nose. "Way to go Kagome, you ran yourself into a stupid tree. I should really watch where-"

She took a step back. With wide, unblinking eyes she gawked at the surprising figure before her that she had just run into. Soaked, white clothing latched onto his figure, outlining the shape of his body. The usually soft fur of his boa was doused and matted down with frequent drops of water falling from its fur tips. Silver hair danced gracefully with the wild and erratic wind while stray wet strands from his bangs hugged the frame of his face. Even in a storm, his demeanor was calm yet powerful as he stood there with no inclination to pay the falling water any attention; he reacted as though he were standing out in the middle of a dry, sunny day. As always, he bore the expression of a scowl, and given the circumstances, Kagome fancied that he looked remarkably similar to a wet dog getting ready to shake off the water that drenched him. It was an image that stirred a giggle from Kagome the type of which she could not contain.

"Running into me amuses you, priestess?" He spoke with aggression.

"Haha, Sorry. I didn't mean to. Really. I thought you were a tree."

The sound of his growl could still be heard over the rain, and Kagome subconsciously bit her lip, chastising herself for not thinking before speaking. She took a step closer to him, relieved at the subtle protection his towering form gave her against most of the rain.

"What are doing out here, Sesshomaru." Kagome asked while lifting one arm up in defense to any stray droplets that had managed to pass her human-demon- shield. "I'd figure you would have gone home before the rain hit."

"Would you have preferred I left you to wander in circles?"

With a huff she pouted, her lower lip jutting out in annoyance to his crude answering-a-question-with-a-question response. As soon as she did, however, the rough pressure of air she had withheld in her lungs came out in a sputter of coughs with a few sneezes in the mix. She had gotten a cold.

Sesshomaru observed the priestess as she regained her composure and suffered shivering tremors. He almost barked at her for the skimpy outfit she wore, a high brow irritation burning behind his scolding eyes. Drenched and transparent, her white top clung to her figure like an extra layer of skin, revealing the curves of her body beneath. Laced, white fabric cupped and covered her bosom, a peculiarly alluring article of clothing that he was unfamiliar with that intensified her already fine physique. Her skirt which he always thought of being too short, swirled relentlessly with the channels of the blustering wind, revealing much of her upper thigh and providing peeks to a matching laced under piece that paired with the strange fabric at her chest. Visually exposed like a naked form before the Demon Lord, Sesshomaru shut his eyes and irately groaned his frustration. Unwillingly, he began to remove his duo armor and kimono.

Kagome continued to shiver, her eyes shut while she clasped at her arms in an attempt to halt her incessant trembling. She could feel the build up of another cough within her chest, as well as the fog of sickness that fell upon her mind. Amidst her internal grumblings of her growing cold, she felt the gentle draping of fabric falling onto her head and covering her face from the rain. Kagome peeked out from underneath the kimono that covered her, gazing at Sesshomaru who had just clasped his armor back on over his han juban. He refused to look at her, but his annoyance was clearly marked on his face.

"Sessho-"

"Put it on priestess. Your clothing is ill suited for this weather."

Kagome looked at herself through squinted eyes, seeking refuge beneath the kimono while the storm swirled around her. She was soaked with her bra clearly visible beneath her transparent shirt and her skirt flashing hints at her underwear. Blood rushed to her face, a deep blush coloring her cheeks before she quickly maneuvered the kimono around herself. It was specially tailored for ease of fighting that Sesshomaru frequently participated in, so it was shorter than normal Kimonos. Even so, it was long compared to Kagome's short skirt, the length of the Kimono reaching to her knees. It too was wet, but warmth from Sesshomaru's body still radiated from it, and its fabric was thicker than Kagome's school outfit. She felt much better in this against the storm.

"Thanks, Sess-"

"You will return my clothing when we reach the village. Do you understand, priestess?"

"Uh… Yeah. Okay." You don't have to be such a jerk. Didn't even let me say thank you.

Sesshomaru walked away, and Kagome was immediately ransacked by the rain that had been held back by the demon's body.

"Gah…" Kagome whelped, the sting of the rain hitting her at full force, causing her to lift her arms up in defense. Just as before, she strode forward with her eyes closed before crashing once more into Sesshomaru's chest, afflicting her nose with pain again. "Owww…"

"How dense are you, priestess? It was my understanding that holy women were wise."

"Grrr." Kagome slammed her foot down with a slosh, anger building inside her. "Don't give me that! Excuse me if I can't make my way in this storm, but how else am I supposed to find my way to the village unless I try?!

Sesshomaru raised a brow. This woman was completely oblivious.

"What? What is it?"

"This Sesshomaru does not walk in the rain willingly priestess. If it is a guide you seek, then I suggest you follow me."

Again he took stride, leaving a dumbfounded priestess behind to defend herself against the rain. It was but a short moment for the momentary shock to subside to the need to escape from the rain, and Kagome ran towards her savior, favoring his right side where there was slight coverage from the rain. She was slower than he was, and she struggled to keep pace with him until, much to her surprise, he slowed his gait to match hers. It astonished her, and though she greatly wished to express her gratitude with a subtle "thank you", they remained silent in the rain. There was no other word to describe how she thought of the scenario other than perplexing; it was as though he had come out here solely to find her. Curiosity ebbed at her boggled mind, unable to comprehend the demon's actions, and unable to hold it back any longer, she broke the silence.

"Sesshomaru? Can I ask you something?"

Amber eyes caught her gaze, and she took it as a sign to continue.

"Why did you come out here? I mean, I doubt you came just to find me-"

"I did."

"W-what? You did?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Rin asked it of me."

"Oh, Rin did. That makes sense." Way more sense than him coming to find me out of his own volition anyways.

The pitter patter of the rain eventually begin to lighten, the storm easing into a drizzle though Kagome stayed firm to Sesshomaru's side. There was no doubt that he disapproved of her clinging action but other than a scowl with a brief growl, he made no effort to push the priestess who grasped at his arm away.

Carrying on like a blind child, Kagome ducked her head beneath the borrowed silver Kimono so it dressed her like a hoodie while at the same time keeping her head down low so she had little visibility of where she was walking. Thinking of Sesshomaru as her seeing-eye-dog, she wanted to snicker but held back her laugh for fear of the demon's retaliation; she was already crossing the line as it was.

Either way, Kagome was content beneath the kimono's shelter, which maintained her body's warmth beneath its folds. It was rather marvelous, and Kagome's gratitude towards Sesshomaru increased. Gradually, the ground became more even, and she presumed that they were reaching the outskirts of the village. All too abruptly, Sesshomaru halted in stride and Kagome scarcely avoided running into him again. Beneath her shelter, Kagome peeked out, viewing the layout out of the village before them. The closest hut to them was lit with light smoke escaping from its roof opening; it was Kaede's home, warmed with a fire inside. With glee and earnestness, she jumped exuberantly and made to give chase towards her new home excited for its promise of shelter. But before she could take off into her sprint, she was pulled back with such force that she nearly fell had that hand not kept her up.

"Hey, what's the big idea?!" Kagome shouted at Sesshomaru, one hand holding onto her while the other was held in front of her, palm up.

"You're obliviousness is outstanding, priestess. Return what is mine."

"Huh?" She mumbled, her mind stumbling to catch up what belonged to him before realizing she still had his Kimono draped over her. "Oh. Right. Eheh. Sorry."

In an effort to keep the warmth as long as she could, Kagome slowly removed the Kimono before the drizzling rain hit at her back, and she placed the clothing into his hand. In a speed faster than she had expected, Sesshomaru quickly had his kimono back on. Talk about supernatural speed. Immediately, Kagome heard the call of her name from a familiar voice that shouted loudly with a quick dash out of the hut. Inuyasha ran towards Kagome, his outrage growing with every step.

"Kagome!"

"Inuyasha?"

"Kagome you idiot!" Inuyasha shouted once he stood before Kagome. "Where the hell do you get off-"

"Kagome!" "Kagome!" "Lady Kagome!" Multiple voices shouted out from the hut as everyone ran out. Sango came running out first with Shippo and Rin behind her, each of them with a look of relief on their faces.

"Hey, guys-"

"Hey! Don't interrupt me! Where the hell were you! You did that on purpose, didn't you?! Getting yourself stuck out here in the rain just for some attention and to make me worry about you, huh?!"

"If you were so worried about me, why didn't you come look for me…?" Kagome mumbled, a skeptical look on her face as she dismissed his rant with a glare. Startled by the coldness in her tone, Inuyasha took a step back, one of his eyebrows twitching while he struggled to come up with a response.

"W-well…"

"Kagome, you're back! We were so worried!"

"Kagome!" Shippo jumped into her arms. "I was so scared you had gotten lost once the storm hit."

"Well, it's funny that you mention that."

"Lady Kagome! You've returned! Oh! Lord Sesshomaru! You have returned as well!" Rin exclaimed embracing her Lord with a hug. "Thank you so much for finding Lady Kagome, my Lord! I knew you would find her!"

"Er… what is Rin talking about Kagome?" Sango asked.

"Hehe. Um… Well… Sesshomaru came and found me after I did get lost."

"You're joking? Geez, are you really so stupid that you couldn't find your way back to the village on your own-"

"SIT!"

"Oomph."

Though a comedic scene, Kagome's sudden coughing generated concern from the surrounding audience, with Sango as the first to vocal her worry.

"Kagome, are you sick? We should get you inside before you get worse."

"Kah, Kah…. yeah okay." Everyone walked before her, and she followed stopping after only a few short steps when she realized certain someone's had not followed. She turned around, witnessing Rin saying goodbye to Sesshomaru. "Sesshomaru?" She called as she walked back to them.

"Hn?"

"What's going on? Are you not coming too?"

Disgusted, he scowled. "Don't be ridiculous."

"You're kidding! You can't be seriously thinking about heading out in this kind of weather!"

"Weather does not impede me, priestess."

"Oh trust me, I know. The great and powerful demon can withstand all! You know, you'd think you could be grateful for once! I'm inviting you to stick out the storm with us!"

"What?!" Inuyasha shouted. "Kagome, what are you thinking! How could you possibly think about letting this icicle prick stay with us-"

"SIT!"

"Oomph." Inuyasha crashed with a splash.

"You'd think he'd get that I'm angry at him…" Kagome mumbled before the wind quickly picked up, shoving against the priestess and making her lose balance. Mentally, she prepared herself to feel the smack of the muddy ground she was falling towards, but thankfully a clawed reached out towards her and steadied her. She half expected that Inuyasha had caught her, as inconceivable as that was, and yet it was a magenta striped arm that held her up, his long demon claws barely grazing her skin.

Her nerves came alight, a tingle coursing up her arm from where she was held causing her to shiver as she looked up towards her savior; whether she felt the thrill of a cold chill or the scalding of an ember based fire, she could not tell. Peering into his emotionless, freezing eyes, she was leaning towards the former, yet the heat at her cheeks protested against her belief.

"Thank-"

"Your invitation is unwanted."

What! Why you interrupting, self-presumptuous, demeaning jerk! Kagome's mind fumed, chanting various insults and insinuations at the dog demon. "Grrr."

"Did you just growl at me, priestess?" His grip tightened around her arm.

You threatening, arrogant… "Yes, I did! And I'll do it again! You and your attitude are coming in whether you like to or not!"

"You do not command this one!" He growled, taking a step forward to accentuate his position while also pulling at Kagome's arm causing her to step closer as well to ease the discomfort his force was inflicting, but she did not flinch.

"Then stop acting like a stubborn outside dog!"

A venomous growl escaped his snarled mouth, and those eyes that were known for their impassibility and empty expressions were lined with a dangerous red tint. Sounding just like the thunder that clashed in the sky, his growl resembled more of a bark from a dog ready to attack. Anger driven, he paid no mind to the fact that he had shortened their proximity so that their bangs meshed together and their breaths lingered on each other's cheeks. His only thought was to bring about her submission through fear.

Kagome trembled, the tingle that radiated from her forearm increasing to electric sparks that flowed to every nerve ending in her body though his grip on her arm remained light. I won't back down she thought to herself as if the sparks were evoked by fear though she felt no fear herself. She became uncomfortably aware of how close they were together, but instead of backing away, she prompted a glare of her own to combat the reddened eyes that looked at her as if she were something to maul to pieces. With stubbornness at either end, they would have remained like that throughout the storms bout had it not been for one subtle distraction.

A slight cough caught the duo's attentions, and they peeked down at the small Rin who had been the owner of the little expulsion of air. Though she continued to beam as a merry child, seemingly laughing at the two of them for their bickering, it was nonetheless prudent on their minds that she would catch a cold if she stayed a single bit longer. It was at that moment that a spark of manipulative ingenuity was lit within Kagome's mind, and a plan to ensure her win in the bicker was unveiled.

"Rin." She spoke sweetly, hiding her mischevious thoughts well. "Lord Sesshomaru is going to stay with us while the rain passes. Isn't that exciting?"

"He is?!" Rin gleamed, irrevocable hope and excitement twinkling in her eyes at the prospect of her lord staying with them. "Yay!" She shouted endlessly as she danced and twirled in the rain.

Knowing that she had won, for Sesshomaru would never claim responsibility of crushing the young girl's spirit, Kagome gloated her victory with one raised brow. He appeared indifferent, but he could not hide the still visible red lining of his eyes that called for vengeance; it made her victory that much sweeter. With a wink, she gloated her success, and he scowled in response.

"Well, Sesshomaru?" She coaxed. "Shall we go in?"

"This one will stay. But I refuse to enter a human's hut."

"What?! How come?!"

"I have lowered myself to withstand this village as it is! I will not subject myself to dwell in the repugnant pigpens you call a home."

"Why you…." She growled. "So what?! You're gonna stay out here in the rain the whole time?! What's the point in that-"

Again, Rin's gentle coughs caught their attention, and although she continued to twirl around as if it were nothing, it generated worry from them both. Rin will catch a cold if she stays out here. And knowing her, she won't go in so long as Sesshomaru stays outside. Oh, that's it!

"Hey, Sesshomaru. You know, now that you're staying, Rin is going to stay by you no matter what."

"Get to the point priestess."

"She should get inside soon. If she stays out here, she'll catch a cold and get sick. But she won't go in- Gah!" A gust of wind swirled around her, her hair and clothing flailing with its current. When it passed and she searched around, she spotted the quick, silver figure that was Sesshomaru dashing into Kaede's hut with Rin in his arm. "Heh. Well, what do you know? It worked. Alright, everybody, let's go in! I think I'm catching a cold myself."

"Alright." Shippo and Sango called out, with Shippo jumping into Kagome's arms.

"Hey, wait a second Kagome! Where do you get off inviting my prick of a brother to stay with us-"

"Sit!"

"Oomph!"

"Kagome, I'm rather curious about that as well. Are you certain it's alright for him to stay?"

"Oh, it'll be fine Sango. Besides, at the very least he'll behave better than Inuyasha."

"I heard that!"

The hut was warmed by a fire that blazed at the center. Although the human scents that lingered in the air were overbearing, Sesshomaru had no choice but to admit that this was considerably better than standing out in the rain. It also sat well with him that even though his entrance was a complete surprise to the old woman and the monk and his children, other than a look of shock they gave him, they left him peacefully alone. At one point, the young twins toyed with the idea of conversing with him, but their father quickly diminished any form of those thoughts. Rin sat near the fire, hands stretched out forward as she enjoyed the heat and spoke to the old woman. The priestess and the remainder of her friends walked in shortly after with the slayer leading the way and Inuyasha falling in late as last. The women greeted the old woman and the monk cheerfully, while Inuyasha took the corner farthest away from where Sesshomaru sat. All did well to leave Sesshomaru alone, minus the priestess who gave him a passing glance and a victorious smile, to which he scowled at.

Endless rampages of savage contemplations on how to lambaste the priestess in a suitable manner for her contriving nature flooded his imagination as he watched her move about the hut. Along with the slayer and his young ward following her, she moved to the back of the hut where the slayer produced two towels and they sat in a linear fashion with the slayer at one end and Rin at the other, with the priestess in the center. In the midst of his wild thoughts, he briefly allowed attention to a curious conception of what those three were performing. He watched silently as the three giggled and laughed without reservations as they began to dry each others hair, and like a single droplet falling into a dark, abysmal pond, an uncomfortable realization hushed his other coursing thoughts as it rippled through out his mind in echoes; this was the only action of drying themselves that they were confined to, for if they were alone, with no men around, they would have no quarrel of changing into dry clothing. But since there were men here, he included, they could not; this only meant that they were subjecting themselves to higher chances of receiving a sickness to which Rin already seemed susceptible to; and he was a part of that problem. His fangs gritted against each other; it was not his place to be in this hut, nor did he want to be here.

Yet as he readied himself to leave without so much as a goodbye, he caught the gaze of the priestess who had turned to look at him while she dried Rin's hair. For a moment they simply gazed at each other, and as his blood boiled to scowl at her once more, he witnessed her smile. It caught him by surprise, for unlike her smiles before; there was no gloating under message; she was claiming victory, nor boasting at the outcome; In her smile, he found sincerity. He should not have cared, for what did it matter to him whether her smile was one of genuine welcome and kindness? Yet it was so obtuse from what he expected from her that it graced him like the warmth of the fire, calming and tranquil. How could it be that from that single action, she managed to lift the heaviness that he had been feeling since he had arrived at the village that day? Suddenly, he felt as calm on the inside as he falsely expressed on the outside. It did not even bother him when Inuyasha began to chase the little fox kit around the hut, both of them keeping a wide berth from Sesshomaru. Her smile, which radiated sweetly with kindness and acceptance, had given him a sense of serenity despite the situation he found himself in. It was unexpected, to say the least, the way she managed to instill ataraxia while he was around her.

***FLASHBACK ENDED***

Kagome found herself waking up midday with streams of light pouring in through the slightly opened window onto her face. Outside, she could hear the mumblings of her friends who were most likely waiting for her to wake up; she was surprised that Inuyasha hadn't barged in yet to force her up.

Unwilling to relinquish the dream she had had, Kagome curled into herself, grasping at the fine strings of memory that still remained. That day had been of importance to her, since it was the first day that Sesshomaru had said goodbye to her before leaving, and it marked the beginning of him also greeting her when arriving at the village during his visits, something he had not bothered with before and had caused trouble for her amongst the villagers. She didn't know what could have caused the change, only that that day was responsible for it; she was certain of that.

Why she had dreamt of that day, she could not comprehend. Was it because, after the kindness he had shown her yesterday, her mind drifted to recalling the first time he had ever shown her kindness? Was it because he had yet again rescued her from her emotional turmoil that was Inuyasha. In any case, the logical portion of her mind scolded her for having Sesshomaru as the first thing on her mind when she woke up, especially after yesterday's strange events. Just thinking about it made her heart flutter.

Shaking her head she curled deepening into the mat, covering her face with it so that she was embraced by the comfort of darkness. But the captured warmth began to rise with heat within the confines and became too great; her skin began to dew with sweat, an uncomfortable prickling sensation stretching from her fingertips, down her back, and ending her toes scratched at the skin as her pores opened until finally met with the cool moisture her body produced. Overwhelmed and unable to delve back into sleep, she burst out from her coverage with a gasp, gulping in fresh cool air. Surrendering to the fact that her resting time was over, Kagome sluggishly reorganized her things, clearing away her mat and preparing herself for the day.

She took her time, settling on wearing her school uniform for the day and then combing through her long hair. She moved from a habit, a picture of normalcy, but even now she thought of Sesshomaru and battled with herself. Just three more days until he's back. Ugh, no I shouldn't be counting! Get a hold of yourself girl! Slipping on her shoes, she vowed to stop thinking about him for the rest of the day, though immediately after, even more thoughts of him intruded her mind.

Inuyasha sat cross-legged on top of the fence outside Kaede's hut, Sango and Miroku accompanying him.

"So Kirara was just sitting outside your door this morning, huh?" Inuyasha queried while staring off into space.

"Yes, that's right, with a note from Sango's brother, Kohaku."

"Apparently, Kirara was acting very strange and restless last night. He thought maybe she just missed and so he sent her off." Sango added.

"Do you think it has anything to do with that demonic aura we felt last night?"

"It's hard to say, though it doesn't seem she's improved since arriving here. She's been growling nonstop and refuses to transform into her smaller form. She's completely on edge.

"Agreed. It wouldn't make any sense that Kirara would come for that reason. If it was, then that would mean that the aura was large enough to have been felt from here all the way to the slayer's village, since that is where Kohaku is staying. That amount of distance makes it incomprehensible for the aura to have been the reason why Kirara is acting so strange. And even if it were possible, that doesn't explain why she hasn't calmed down. It's not like the aura is lingering around; it disappeared as quickly as it came."

"Yeah, I get it, Miroku. But as always you gotta go and over explain it, trying to make yourself sound all intelligent and whatnot."

"I only sound intelligent because I am."

"Yeah, whatever."

"What about you, Inuyasha?" Sango interjected. "You're not acting like your normal self either. Something on your mind?"

"Sango is right. Your acting much calmer than usual."

"I wouldn't say acting calm is in any way usual for Inuyasha."

"Ya know, sometimes the things you say really rub the wrong way Sango."

"Oh really? You've been acting so calm I hadn't noticed." She jested, causing Inuyasha to ball up a fist and growl with one eyebrow twitching above his closed eyes.

"Well, Inuyasha? Are you going to tell us what is the matter?" Miroku asked.

For a moment, Inuyasha went silent. Worried eyes became half lidded while his eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he recalled what had caught his attention last night. Like chains, it had latched onto his mind, gripping and holding his thoughts while infesting them with various versions of their own conclusions. He contemplated over it, twisting it around in his mind while he formulated the right words.

"It's Kagome."

"What about, Kagome?" They asked simultaneously.

"Last night, when I went to get her back from Sesshomaru, something was off about her."

"What do you mean, Inuyasha?" Miroku prompted.

"Well… how do I put it? She was acting… like she felt guilty. And what's even worse… Sesshomaru's scent was all over her. Like they had been hugging, or something."

"Really? you don't say." Miroku asked, over excited about the news. Sango, who took the news with only a bit of shock, asked calmly, "Does that bother you Inuyasha?

"What? Well of course it does, Sango!" How could it not!"

"I'm only asking because, if it did bother you, I'd imagine that you'd be throwing a storm, not acting as calm as you are."

"Yeah, well I'm a complex guy alright. So don't try to go analyzing me."

"Fine, whatever you say."

Inuyasha puffed. He didn't want to talk about this anymore, so the silenced that followed was fine with him. With his own thoughts, he repeated to himself that he was bothered with what had caught his attention last night, and truthfully he was. In fact, catching his brother's scent on Kagome had hurt him deeply, and it had placed a thorn in his heart that slowly oozed with grief. But that was all he felt. He did not feel the transition to anger that often came from his emotional pain; he did not feel the need for justification. Rather he settled with the pain he had gained, and was willingly letting it pass; he imagined this would be how it would feel like to break up with Kagome. With a deep inhale, eyes serenely shut, he vowed that he would spend every minute today by Kagome's side, not only to ease the loneliness she must be feeling to have found comfort in Sesshomaru's presence but to silence the gloomy thoughts in his mind that egged at him to leave her.

Opening his eyes, a new level of calmness ensnared him, and he could his body almost go numb with it.

Shippo joined the group before long before Kagome, and received many teasing comments from Miroku and Sango when it was discovered that he had spent the whole night marching outside of Rin's door repeating his mantra "I gotta keep it together" as if he were her bodyguard against whatever would have appeared possessing that amazing aura. Inuyasha remained silent.

A while later, Kagome appeared from Kaede's hut, clearly lost in thought as she almost tripped over her own feet. While the others joked at her clumsiness, her laughing along with them, Inuyasha pinned his ears back. What could be on her mind to make her so airheaded already?

"So I guess I'm the last one to join huh?"

"You slept in, as usual, Kagome." Shippo chimed.

"In any case," Miroku said, taking charge, "now that everyone is here, we should get right down to business."

"Right!... And what business is that again?"

"Kagome, are you sure you're awake?" Shippo said, hopping onto Inuyasha shoulder. "Its completely obvious! Tell her Inuyasha."

Vacant and with little emotion, Inuyasha didn't bother with explanations and to avoid participating in a long, drawn out conversation, voiced concisely; "Well, when are we leaving?"

"Huh? What do you mean? Leaving where?"

"Now hold on Inuyasha. We should at least discuss this before jumping into action. Sango and I have not decided whether we want to go or not."

"What's there to discuss! We all felt that large aura last night! Of course, we're going to go, so might as well skip all the useless chatter!"

"It's not useless to us!" Sango shouted sternly, her back becoming rigid as she stiffened, catching the attention of all her friends. "It may be no big deal for you or Kagome to leave, but Miroku and I have our children! Aimi, Airi, and Isas! We can't just abandon them to go on some noble quest again! We've already done our part in protecting the world against Naraku. It's time someone else does it because I refuse to leave my children."

"I agree with Sango. After everything, we went through with Naraku… I won't chance leaving my children as orphans after all we've accomplished."

"Keh. Bunch of cowards."

"Inuyasha!" Shippo was appalled. "How could you say such a horrible thing!"

"Shippo is right Inuyasha. They have a very legit reason why they don't want to leave."

"And what, I guess you think ignoring it will just make the threat go away, huh? What makes you think anyone other than us would be able to even handle that demon? If people like that existed, then they would have been alongside us during the fight with Naraku, wouldn't they? And say this demon or whatever does start to wreck havoc and ends up attacking the village, where your children sleep. Will you fight then, or will you just run away like cowards? In the end, I'd have enough of a hard time sleeping just knowing that something like that could be roaming around destroying things, and I wasn't doing anything to stop it."

"Inuyasha… Sit boy!"

"Oomph!"

"Honestly, try to be sensitive from time to time. This is obviously not an easy decision for them… and as if you'd ever be so noble..."

"Grr." Inuyasha plopped up from the ground, face covered in dirt. "I'm just saying what they know is right but don't want to face!"

"Enough Inuyasha!" Sango cried out, her face turning red from rage. "You don't understand-"

"Are mommy and doggy fighting again?"

"Doggy always does something to make mommy mad."

With cheerful smiles on their face, the twins road on the transformed Kirara's back, who also had young Isas hanging in a swaddled by her jaw. Though her eyes were still frantically wide, she carried the children calmly, putting much attention towards their safety.

"Kids, what are you doing here? Didn't your father and I tell you to stay at the house where Kirara could guard you? We still don't know if it's safe yet."

"We got bored."

"Super bored."

"And kitty wanted to take walk-walk."

"That's why kitty is so big, see?"

As Sango reached for her son, taking him into her arms, no one noticed Kirara's ears twitch and her gaze shift to a certain point in the sky. With each syllable spoken between the children and their parents, Kirara's fur began to rise, prickling around her neck as a low growl developed from her throat. It was Kagome who noticed Kirara's strange behavior escalating.

"Kirara?" She asked stepping forward towards the demon cat, and it was at that startling moment that Kirara suddenly jerked, twisting around so that her body was in a forward fighting stance against that point that she had been so fixated with, and nearly dropping the kids.

"Kirara!" Sango shouted while she quickly took the twins off her back. "What has gotten into you?" Though her shout was one filled with anger, Sango was genuinely worried for her feline friend. Disposing her children into Miroku's arms, who laughed as though the situation was simply a game, Sango stroked a hand through Kirara's hair, attempting to calm her. "Kirara…"

Kagome stood beside them, equally as worried as Sango. She studied the demon cat, whose body was rigid while a constant growl escaped her snarled lips. Fierce and ready for battle, but there was no one to battle. Attempting to deduce what was bothering Kirara so, Kagome followed her gaze which was fixed at the sky just a few feet above them, and yet nothing was there.

"Kirara? What's wrong girl?" She inquired, but only growls were returned.

"Keh. Hey Sango, I think your cat is broken."

"Inuyasha, this is no time to be picking fun."

"Pah, whatever. Just leave her alone. Whatever issues Kirara's got, she clearly doesn't want to share. She can work through it on her own anyways. Come on Kagome, we got to get ready if we're going to leave anytime soon."

"Huh? Already?"

"Yeah already. Ain't no point in waiting now is there. Besides," Inuyasha said, facing Miroku, "you two have already made it clear you're not going, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Well, then I guess we won't have to wait on ya'll. Be sure to hold down the fort once we leave. Come Kagome! I'm eager to get a move on."

"Er… Okay." Kagome moved away from Kirara, a look of worry on her face that mirrored Sango. Before leaving to follow Inuyasha to the fields, she placed a hand on Sango's shoulder. "I'm sure Kirara will be fine." She spoke sweetly, and after receiving a reassuring nod from Sango, trotted off towards Inuyasha's direction.

As she followed the trail, she heard the awed voices of the twins crying out to their parents:

"You're not going?"

"But you're heroes!"

It was an equally loud groan of their parents that brought a smile to Kagome's face as she giggled lightly.

That's it guys! How was it?

Some of yall are saying "Wow that flash back was great", while others are saying "What was the point in it?". There is a point guys, trust me.

Definition time!

Isas: Worthy

Aimi: Beautiful Love

Airi: Love, Affection with Jasmine/pearl

Alright, well I hope yall enjoyed! Favorites-Follows-and-Reviews are always appreciated! Thanks!