Chapter Nine: New Life in Old Times

I was cold. The first snowfall had come at last and I couldn't go back home to get clothes.

Which reminded me, I had to go meet Sota, Mom, and Grandpa at the Well later today.

I shivered visibly. InuYasha glanced at me, concern flickering in his gaze, and wrapped his arms around me. "We've got to go find my family," I told him quietly. In the background, I heard a sharp scream from Sango – "HENTAI!" – and several thwacks and Miroku whimpering. I couldn't help but giggle softly.

"I know," he sighed. "Look…Kagome…about your family…"

"What?" I demanded.

He withdrew his arms suddenly. "They-they aren't…safe…"

"What do you mean?" I hissed. "Unsafe?"

"Yes…Takahashi…Ai's brother…he knew your name. He can find them, Kagome. He's not the type to give up easily…" InuYasha wouldn't look at me, kept his amber orbs fixed on the whitened ground. "I'm sure he'll try and find your family, and in turn hurt them in hopes that you'll come back and try to save them…and if he gets you, he gets me." The hanyou let out a sigh of defeat. "He's smart, Kagome, and he knows Naraku's ruses. He might use them to get to us."

"Oh," I gasped, realization flooding my mind, along with horror and fear. "We've…we've got to hurry! We've got to get to the Bone-Eater's Well! They might be there, and they might be in trouble. InuYasha, we've got to hurry!"

He shook his head, muttering furiously under his breath, pacing back and forth, but didn't start running to the Well.

"What?" I demanded.

No response. Just more aimless flailing and frantic mumbling.

"SIT!" I screeched, beside myself with terror and frustration. "Sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, SIT!!!!!"

He didn't say anything this time. When the necklace wore off, he peeled himself off the ground and looked at me briefly. I didn't like what his eyes were telling me; guilt, sorry, pain, and love swirling around, all trapped inside him. "What's wrong?" I asked. Suddenly, I had to force every word out of my mouth. I dropped to my knees beside him and wrapped my arms around his waist. "What's wrong, InuYasha?"

He pulled away from me. I sat there, feeling a wave of panic and abandon sweep over me. My arms, and my heart, felt empty, useless. "InuYasha, please…"

"Don't you get it?" he growled, every syllable reeking of anger and guilt. "I'm the reason they're in danger! It's my fault you can't go back home, my fault you're stuck on this quest in the first place, my fault that you're having problems at that school thing, my fault that you were almost killed, everything that's happened to you since you fell through the Well that day has been my fault, Kagome! And I won't let it happen again! I swore to protect you…and if I can only do that by leaving you, I will."

"No," I gasped, the feeling of panic increasing. "No, InuYasha, please! I love you, I need you! You can't go; please…I'll die without you." Tears were streaking down my face, spilling onto the ground. I felt colder than ever, empty and broken, like someone had torn my heart right out of my chest, ripped my spirit in two.

He reached out with a clawed hand, wiping away my tears. He pulled me into his embrace and I clutched him with all my strength. He wasn't going to leave me; I wouldn't let him. I couldn't. He leaned down and kissed me tenderly, ever so tenderly, on the lips. "I love you too, Kagome," he whispered. "But I've messed up your life enough. You made a mistake when you decided to trust me. Look where that's gotten you. If it hadn't been for me, you would still have your old life…"

"But what if I don't care?" I hissed defiantly. "I don't care what my life is like, InuYasha, as long as I have you in it."

"It's too dangerous…"

"It's not. I'd rather die at your side than live my full life without having met you," I told him, and every word was true. I loved him. I needed him.

He shook his head. "Kagome, I love you…"

"Then stay with me," I pleaded. "Please…"

Slowly, finally, he nodded. "Then let's go get your family."

I agreed. "Sango! Miroku!" No response. "Sango! Miroku!" Unless there was supposed to be some sort of code hidden in the way Sango beat the monk over the head, they still weren't listening.

InuYasha let out an irritated, "Feh," and took over: "OI! LECHER!" Miroku turned in our direction.

I laughed softly. "Doesn't it say something about his personality that he answers to 'lecher' and not 'Miroku'?" InuYasha cracked a smile, shaking his head ever so slightly as the monk and slayer approached.

"What is it?" Sango asked. "Sorry I didn't answer…I had to…take care of business."

"I'm telling you, Sango, the hand's cursed!" Miroku insisted. She glared at him, and he instantly shut up, rubbing a spot on his head absentmindedly.

"We've got to get Kagome's family before that idiot Takahashi shows up," InuYasha spat out, capturing their attention. "Kagome's coming with me. Wait for us outside the Well." Sango nodded her assent, I clambered onto the half demon's back, and he took off.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

It was only a few minutes before we arrived at the Well. I rolled off and stared down into it, wondering what was waiting on the other side. "Do you think they're okay?" I whispered.

He wrapped an arm around my waist and pressed a kiss into my hair. "They're strong, Kagome. They'll wait for you. It should have taken Takahashi longer than this to find you. Come on."

I grasped his hand, squeezing tightly, and together we took the leap into the future.

The customary flash of blue light escorted us into the well house. InuYasha tugged lightly at my hand, lifting us both out onto the ground.

There, waiting for us, was my mother, grandfather, and Sota. I dashed forward, enfolding my little brother in my arms. "Sota!" I wasn't sure why, but somehow the sight of him symbolized that my family was okay, and that nothing was going to happen. I hugged him tightly.

"Mmmph," he said. Or at least that's what it sounded like. I loosened my grip somewhat and he pushed back, gasping for air. "Leggo, sis, you're strangling me."

I smiled slightly and pulled away. "Mom!" I embraced her, and then Gramps also. InuYasha just stood there, looking impatient.

"Hi, InuYasha!" Sota beamed, and the hanyou revealed a reluctant grin.

"Hey, kid," he replied. "Are you all ready?"

Mom looked at him and nodded slowly. "I…suppose you want us to come to the feudal era with you?"

I sighed softly. Suddenly this seemed so hard. I was pulling my family away from their lives; what right did I have to do that? InuYasha was suddenly beside me, slipping his hand into mine. "Yes, Mrs. Higurashi," the half-demon admitted. His voice was strong and had a respectful edge that was rare. "You aren't safe here. We need to get you back where you will be."

I nodded, squeezing his hand briefly before pulling away. "Have you heard from a man called Takahashi?"

Mom frowned at me, cocking her head to the side. "Yes, we have. He actually said he'd like to meet with us later. I said I was busy today with my daughter; but that I would be glad to talk to him sometime…but how did you know that?"

I paled. "Mom, don't talk to him. Hang up on him. Don't ever mention me."

"Kagome," InuYasha hissed urgently. "We've got to go."

"Why?" I was in no hurry to leave my home forever.

He grabbed my arm tightly. "I can smell Takahashi. We've got to get out of here now."

I understood. "Sota! Grab hold of my hand!" My bewildered brother did so, and InuYasha seized his other one, holding his free arm to Gramps. I reached for Mom, and even as I did so, I could hear someone fumbling with the lock at the door. "We've got to leave. Now!"

"Get me in there, Akako," Takahashi's sleek voice instructed with a bite of impatience. "That's what you're paid to do, isn't it?"

"I'm working on it," came the sharp reply. "It does take more than ten seconds. And I had better get full payment for this, Takahashi. I don't like it – going up against a young girl like that."

"You will get your money," Takahashi answered him with a warning tone. "I have told you already, Akako: You are not being paid for your brains. Just get me in there and I will give you your salary."

I tightened my grip on Sota and flung my legs over the side of the Well. InuYasha assisted Gramps and soon we were ready to go.

I wasn't. I didn't want to leave. But at that instant, sunlight flared behind us, and I had no choice but fall into the Well for the last time. The flash of blue light saddened me this time, instead of filling me with a sense of determination or happiness. I wondered if I would ever see that comforting brightness again.

InuYasha hoisted all of us out of the Bone-Eater's Well with ease, which provoked a slight smile from both Sota and me. I was always amazed by his strength. Letting go of Sota and Mom, I wrapped an excited Shippo up in my arms.

"Kagome!" he squealed.

"Hey, Shippo," I laughed. "I've only been gone a few minutes!"

He didn't answer, just jumped down. "Hi Sota!"

While he and Sota began to talk, I asked, "Shippo, where are Sango, Miroku, and Kaede?"

"Down by the river," he answered, distracted.

InuYasha wrapped his arm around me and I leaned into him. "Come on," I said softly to my family, and they followed obediently – all except for Sota, who scampered ahead with Shippo. It was a short walk to the riverbed, and sure enough, Sango was sitting there with the monk on one side and Lady Kaede on the other.

"Sango! Miroku!" I yelled, raising my arm. The slayer looked up, a smile spreading over her face. She leapt to her feet and hurried forward, embracing me and grinning warmly at InuYasha.

"So this is your family?" she asked softly, her voice welcoming and secure.

"Yes…" I hesitated, wanting to wait for introductions until Miroku was there. Kaede had reached us, but the monk was still near the river.

"Oh," my friend sighed, following my gaze. "Hang on…MIROKU! GET YOUR PERVERTED BUTT OVER HERE!"

Mom let out a little laugh, and I flushed red. Then again, they would have to get used to it sooner or later; the pair fought on a daily basis.

Miroku came over at a run. "I'm sorry, my dear Sango. I was…erm…enjoying the lovely weather. I beg your pardon, Lady Kagome," he added to me.

I shrugged it off. "Mom, Gramps – Sota! Come here! – I'd like you to meet two of my best friends, Sango and Miroku, and Lady Kaede. Sango, Miroku, Kaede – this is my mom, Akira Higurashi, and my grandfather, and my brother Sota."

The two groups met cheerfully enough, shaking hands and Sango gave Mom a hug. That made me feel better more than anything else (except for maybe the way InuYasha held me) as it showed that everything was going to be okay.

TWO HOURS LATER

"I love that kimono, Mom!" I sighed, as my mother entered Kaede's hut in her new outfit. Sota dashed in behind her, carrying a bowl of ramen that he held up to InuYasha cautiously. The hanyou took it with a grunt.

I glared at him.

"Thanks, kid," he muttered.

"Everyone's settling in so nicely," Sango whispered in my ear. "Sota and Shippo get along great, and your mom's a wonderful cook. It's hilarious how Miroku is trying to teach your grandpa how to make real spirit wards."

I giggled. "Yeah…" Maybe things will be okay.

XOXOXOXOXO

MORE APOLOGIES!!!!!! WILL BE UPDATED ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!! Any ideas, oh-wonderful-reviewers-that-I-love-to-death? Suggestions are always appreciated!

And when you review, yell at me. It gets the story updated more quickly.

Until next time!