Inuyasha and Kagome returned to the village shortly after dawn. The hanyou carried the miko to their hut, but before they were able to go inside, Shippou came running out of Kaede's home, waving his arms frantically.
"Kagome! Inuyasha! Where did you go? We were so worried!"
Kagome slid down off of Inuyasha's back, and bent down to hug the little kitsune. "We're alright, Shippou. We just had some things to take care of."
"Keh. And they got taken care of, alright," muttered Inuyasha under his breath.
Kagome shot him a look that clearly said "shut up" and turned back to Shippou. "We didn't mean to worry you, but there wasn't any reason to wake you."
Shippou's eyes ran up and down Kagome, making sure that she was truly unharmed, and then he turned to watch Inuyasha pacing back and forth. "What's the matter with him?" the kitsune asked. Then he noticed that someone was missing. "Hey! Where's Sango?"
The miko opened her mouth to answer, but she was cut off by the sound of the hanyou's voice. "Sango's gone, OK runt? I don't want to hear her name again. As far as I'm concerned, she might as well be dead."
Shippou's face fell, and he looked as if he was about to cry. Kagome picked him up and cradled him in her arms. "Sango is fine, Shippou, don't worry. She's just...she needed some time alone. I'm sure she'll be back with us soon."
"Well if you're going to tell the kid anything, at least tell him the truth!" Inuyasha growled angrily. "The stupid taijiya has decided that she's better off with my bastard of a brother. She's travelling with Sesshoumaru now." His eyes flashed red with anger at the mere thought. "So just forget about her, OK? We don't need her anyway. We can defeat Naraku on our own."
Shippou started to say something, but the look on Inuyasha's face kept him silent. Instead, he buried his face against Kagome and started to cry. Kagome glared at Inuyasha, but she too remained quiet. The hanyou threw his hands up in disgust.
"What? It was her choice, and she chose to betray us! Goodbye and good riddance, if you ask me. If she would rather be with a cold hearted, backstabbing asshole like my brother, let her. Who cares?"
"Inuyasha, you know that's not it! But he did bring her back from the dead, and you know how Sango is! She feels like she owes him something, now, and all she has to give is herself and her services to help him fight against Naraku! I'm sure she'll come back soon!" Kagome looked as if she were about to break into tears, too. After all, she and the taijiya were best friends, almost like sisters. Kagome wouldn't have anyone to talk to when Inuyasha annoyed her, now.
The sound of their argument brought Kaede out of her hut. "What are ye all yelling about? And what do ye mean Sango has joined with Sesshoumaru? Surely ye must be joking, she's smarter than that."
Inuyasha shook his head. "Nope, saw it with my own eyes. We asked her to come back, and she flat out said no. Said she was going to say with him. Idiot..." He sat down on the ground and turned his back to them.
"Kagome? Is this true?" asked Kaede, shaking her head in disbelief.
"I'm afraid it is, Kaede-sama. Sango took off on her own last night, and ran into Naraku. She was...she was killed, and Sesshoumaru brought her back with Tenseiga. Now she feels like she owes her life to him, and so she has decided to fight by his side, to repay him for what he did for her." Tears were welling up in Kagome's eyes again, and she set Shippou on the ground, then walked over to stand beside Inuyasha.
"Well, if that is the case, I cannot say I am surprised. Always very proud, that taijiya. Of course she feels as if she owes her allegiance to Sesshoumaru."
Inuyasha growled and got to his feet. "It doesn't matter what he did for her, or how proud she is! She doesn't belong with him, she belongs with us! We all started this together, and we should have finished it that way! Especially after what just happened to Miroku!"
The mention of the houshi's name finally broke Kagome, and she collapsed to the ground, sobbing into her hands. Shippou looked as if he were about to run over to her, but Kaede picked him up by the tail and turned to go back inside the hut.
"Hey, what are you doing? Kagome is crying! Let me go!" the little kitsune cried, kicking violently.
"Come inside and help me make breakfast, Shippou. Kagome and Inuyasha need some time alone," answered Kaede, and without waiting for a reply she entered her hut and closed the door.
Inuyasha simply stared at Kagome as she sobbed. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore, and he knelt down beside her and gathered her into his arms. "Hey, Kagome, it's gonna be alright. I'm sure he won't hurt her, and once we defeat Naraku she won't have any reason to stay with him, right?"
Kagome pulled her hands away and stared at the hanyou. "Do you really believe that?" she asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.
The hanyou nodded. "Sure. And if she doesn't come back after we kick Naraku's ass, I'll drag her back myself. No way I'm letting her stay with that rotten taiyoukai forever."
The miko did her best to smile, and leaned into him. "Thank you, Inuyasha," she whispered.
"What are you thanking me for?" he asked, truly bewildered.
"For knowing the right thing to say," she replied, staring into his eyes.
"Oh..uh..sure, you're welcome," he answered, his voice sounding slightly nervous.
Kagome tilted her head up, and leaned in slightly, but before she could complete the intended action, Shippou came running out of the hut. "Hey, Inuyasha! Kagome! Breakfast is ready!"
Inuyasha stood up quickly, pulling Kagome to her feet. She sighed softly, her cheeks flushed, but if he noticed, or had any idea what she was about to do, he didn't let on. "Hey, kid, don't eat it all before we get there!" he yelled, dragging Kagome along behind him.
Only Inuyasha would be distracted by something as simple as food, Kagome thought to herself, smiling softly. She had waited this long, what did it matter if she had to wait a little bit longer?
