Scars

DISCLAIMER: I…I…I can't find my Rumiko Takahashi costume! IT DISAPPEARED! (Starts balling her eyes out) (Rumiko Takahashi: hoozah! InuYasha's still mine!) Damn lucky bitch, I mean…gall darn it! He belongs to her. (Left eye starts to twitch involuntarily) Enjoy while I try to find my Rumiko Takahashi costume! (Rumiko Takahashi appears: not unless I burn it!)

:D

Reviewers from last chapter and for those anonymous ones out there who I see cannot review for some reason (I thought I turned the anonymous reviewer on?): Okay, so I lied. Well…not partially, anyway it appears that I CAN juggle doing a large project, actually TWO projects, all of my homework, and still update:D YIPEE! So, you guys don't have to worry about having to wait so long. :P Am I nice or what?

Chapter 7: Where The Journey Begins

Kagome could be found lying on the soft tuft of vegetation in the middle of the tall grassed field that she had accompanied the children the day before yesterday. Kagome looked up into the early morning sky, dusk already showing signs of appearance as the stars started to shy away from wandering eyes and in came the pink and lavender clouds.

Almost reminds me of the day I left Sengoku…

Earlier, waking up at four in the morning, she had wandered through the village taking notes of how it still looked the same and yet not, stopping by the horses and giggling back at how cute the colts looked as they snuggled towards their mother in their sleep. InuYasha's forest was ever the same, full of luscious trees and lakes, even if it did take a beating two days ago. With a little help with Keade-baba, they both were able to preserve the trees back to their original state before InuYasha and Sesshomaru had castrated them. And when she came into the fields, she was ever so surprised, saddened, yet happy at the same time when she saw what happened to be her grave site.

She had noticed how the last month's flowers were wilting, but she yet could still see the beauty within them. Unable to resist, she had just given each flower a gentle touch and they were rejuvenated back to the form they once were once placed on the stone flab that read her name. How could I have been so selfish? Leaving Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Keade-baba, Rin, and Kirara, all of them in the dark and deserting them when I shouldn't have.

She felt forbidden tears bite in the back of her eyes.

It wasn't fair for them to care and worry about me and all of a sudden just drop out of their lives when something went wrong, no matter how rough it was. If I had stayed…maybe Naraku would be gone right now and everyone would have been happy after the wish from the Shikon no Tama, rather than still fighting for the innocent and hunting for the jewel shards on their own.

She shook her head and stood up quietly, swiping off any dirt on behind her dark blue jeans and simple red Aeropastle polo shirt, a pink butterfly on the left side. Bending over, she picked up her marble bow and her white leather quiver that held the metal arrows. Slinging it over happily, she ventured forward into InuYasha's forest while humming to 'One Day, One Dream' by Tacky and Tsubasa. I just love the forest!

The eerie mysterious, yet beautiful and calm forest surrounded her as she traveled to her personal stream; the one she hoped was still unnoted by the others. The fresh and crisp cool air pierced in her lungs in every short breath she gave. (A/N: Mio had taught her to regulate her breathing to keep youkai from noticing her presence.) I haven't been here for so long…only in my dreams and memories…She couldn't help but smile at the piece of clothing that was wrapped tightly on one of the highest branches of the tree underneath the canopy. It was lacy pink and seemed to be slightly wrinkled and dirty form the sap of the tree, but it was still there, long drooping lace bow and all.

From there she took a right through some bushes, easily jumping over them. As she traveled into the forest toward her favorite spot, she couldn't help but to feel like she was a young child again. It took every ounce of adult maturity that she had to keep her inner child from peaking through and making her run around laughing and twirling out in the open. Without a doubt she would be targeted by many demons with the jewel shards now backing her possession (And strangely felt complete with its drumming magic) and if InuYasha found her hurt (Which was highly unlikely by any odds) before the journey even started, he would without a doubt have a temper tantrum.

She almost giggled out loud at her mental picture of him with his cheeks puffed out in anger, steam coming out of his still cute ears. Pushing it aside, she let out a happy sigh as she entered the oasis with the small stream that slowly went around the forest into the lake near the village. Softly hopping, she spun around a few times before standing still, her eyes closed. She breathed in deeply, loving the scent of the Cherry blossom trees that they radiated. Home sweet home…

"Up so early, Lady Kagome-chan?"

Kagome, startled, almost jumped a foot into the air at the mischievous yet innocent voice that radiated throughout the isolated clearing. Turning around sharply, Kagome let out a breath of relief before giving a radiant smile at the flirtatious monk that was now leaning against one of the trunks of the Cherry blossom trees. He looked oddly handsome when she saw him.

Midnight black hair that was pulled semi-loosely into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, a tall and lean figure hidden behind the same monk robes since the last time she saw him, his tan skin matching wonderfully with the rising sun that set a glow to his two looped earrings on each ear, and his violet indigo eyes reflected the clouds and the soft orange-yellow glow of the sun as if they were mirrors themselves. His staff shined briefly now and than as it leaned against his shoulder.

"Good morning, Miroku-kun! So how did you escape from InuYasha?"

He chuckled.

"The same as you. Got up, got my staff, and muffled his ears with those…ear plugs?"

She laughed lightly and smiled nodding her head.

"I couldn't sleep really, so I decided to have some alone time before we go shard hunting again." Kagome watched as he walked passed her and sat before the small stream, his eyes smiling gently at her like an older brother would do for his baby sister before patting his cursed hand beside him, signaling her to take a seat beside him. Smiling, she complied and sat down swiftly, setting her bow and arrows on her lap. She watched with awe as he calmly closed his eyes, a smile on his face…he looked like the embodiment of calm, serenity, and tranquility all put together. Mio should take lessons from him.

She watched the ripples in the crystal waters. Oh how she missed this place. She could remember all of the times after all of the fights she and InuYasha had, no matter how trivial they were and coming here, hoping to calm down and maybe have her frustration at the hanyou be rid of her system. This placed had always worked its magic with her, through the times InuYasha and her fought over the fact of him treating Shippo so rough, about her going back to her time to take her exams, to him not appreciating her cooking, during the times he would criticize her on all of her weak points and comparing them to a certain dead yet undead priestess, through the times she got frustrated with InuYasha's jealousy after Koga left, and lastly, the times where she could cry in heart broken sorrow over the unrequited love that she held for the hanyou, despite the fact he still went to his first love. (A/N: grumbles under her breath; ever heard of moving on?)

Sob.

The sound felt strangely foreign and yet familiar at the same time to her as she walked through InuYasha's forest towards her secret 'hiding' place. Her arms hugged around her tightly, as if she was once again five years old holding onto her teddy bear afraid and lonely. Tears built up into her dark eyes of suppressed emotion, her nose and cheeks red from her crying and the slight drizzle as she proceeded through the forest, following her path and the trail of bright moonlight that accompanied it. That…jerk. She finished lamely in her mind. She didn't even have the strength to think up of all those colorful words that she regularly heard every day.

I feel so pathetic…I know he can never love me for myself, but why does he have to feel he has to lie to me? Can't I at least be his friend? No matter how much it hurts that I can't have his heart?

Crying out, she fell in front of the stream in her secret place, hiding her tear stricken face into her arms, it seemed it didn't matter to her that they were now soaked from staying out in the rain, no matter how light it came. Hair sticking to her forehead and down her back, she felt herself shiver when the light chilling breeze sweep over her, her clothes sticking to her like a second skin didn't help.

After what seemed like hours in that uncomfortable position, now stiff and sore, she sniffled a few times as she sat up grudgingly. She tried to ignore the limits put to her muscles. Great, I guess my eyes are puffy and red, now he'll never change his mind in his perspective of me… Leaning forward, she stared into her blurry complexion in the water from the slight ripples of the light raindrops. She could see a girl not yet developed, with a stuffy nose, red eyes, cheeks, and nose, and all dirty. In disgust, she slapped her reflection in the water before putting her face in them, her shoulders shaking.

No wonder InuYasha prefers Kikyo over me, I'm nothing compared to her…

Standing up, albeit shakily, she grimaced at the mud and grass stains on her white socks, mud covered her brown school shoes with blades of grass and leaves clumped in the mud. Mom's not going to be happy when I arrive. Swiping her hands over her soaked skirt in vain hope in trying to dry her hands, she brought them up and took the water from the stream and splashed it over her face with a more brighter hope that InuYasha wouldn't be able to sense her tears through the rain and intercept her before she reached the well. He would surely see her red and puffy eyes, her runny nose, and the sadness in her scent. Then he would find out that she had caught him again with Kikyo in the forest near the camp they had settled in far away just yesterday after gathering just three jewel shards.

It was so hurtful…to find them locked in a passionate embrace, lips never pulling apart from the other as they touched the other lovingly, as lovingly as it could get with a dead corpse. She closed her eyes in tight vain to get rid of the image of seeing his large, but skillful clawed hand expertly slip through the front folds of Kikyo's priestess robes.

She fleetingly wondered how close they truly were those past fifty years ago than Keade-baba was letting on.

She didn't notice the scrapes she was getting from the twigs sticking out or the blood that lined them, but never fell as she continued towards the direction of the Bone Eater's Well. She may not have her bag, but she could make an excuse for the hanyou, just like all of those excuses he gave her and the group.

Each step she took she felt her heart break loudly within her chest. She wondered if anyone would listen hard enough they would hear it breaking like a vase again a marble floor…or ironically like the Shikon no Tama she accidentally broke. When reaching the clearing in the forest, she finally looked up, her puffs of breath formed short crystallized clouds in front of her lips, almost covering them with light frost.

Her eyes widened slightly when she found a figure sitting on a light blue plastic layout, the very same one she used for picnics while holding a light pink umbrella that held the small picture of a happy duckling in one corner, her yellow backpack was behind their back. Her orbs widened even more in shame and fear as she saw that it was Miroku that was waiting for her. The moment their eyes clashes, Kagome felt her heart clench painfully within her chest, it was as if she expected him, the only first true friend she made in Sengoku other than Shippo who turned out to be her adoptive son would belittle her just like the hanyou she had found herself falling for. The pity and concern in his eyes were almost enough to make her start crying all over again.

Instead, she clenched her tired and semi-frozen hands by her sides, above the scratches adorning her mid thighs; her head bowed causing her thick bangs to cover her eyes. She bit her lip. She expected the usual, 'You're so weak it's pathetic!' 'Stupid girl, the only worth you have is to find the shards!' 'Hmph, you're nothing like Kikyo! Kikyo wouldn't hesitate! Kikyo wouldn't be falling around needing protection all the time! Kikyo wouldn't make that mistake!' But no, she found herself surprised to be enveloped in the warm and slightly muscular arms of the houshi. Eyes wide, she peered over his shoulder into the air. When she didn't respond at first, she felt the arms tighten around her, rather than feeling his hands wander among her just like the first time she met him…the only time InuYasha ever truly cared for how she was handled among men.

"I already made an excuse for you; InuYasha won't come to the well for at least four days. Just please, heal. We need your help more than he lets on, Kagome-chan."

Her eyes widened as she felt him put his chin on her shoulder. She felt the dam that was weakly built only ten to fifteen minutes ago start to crack slowly but surely. He…didn't compare me to Kikyo…Tears slowly built into her hollow eyes. He…didn't push me away…She bit her lip, hopelessly wanting to keep the tears at bay, afraid her friend's affection would turn to the hate she was now being accustomed to. H-He…said that they need me…It was almost as if Miroku could hear her thoughts and feel the struggle within her. He only held her tighter and whispered,

"Let it out, Kagome…cry." He softly commanded. The dam shattered with the words. Sucking in a painful breath, it seemed as if the sound within her echoed among the forest around them. Tears spilling over the brim of her eyes, she buried her face into his broad shoulder, the shoulder that was now slightly damp from the rain; her small dainty hands clutched to the front of his robes, her body racking with the powerful sobs.

Miroku didn't pull away at all as he felt her cling to her as if he was a vital life line to her existence. He softly rubbed the small of her back, whispering reassurance into her soaked hair.

How could I have been sp stupid…? Oh Miroku…you're the only older brother I could have ever wished for…

"Do you regret having to go shard hunting with us again, Lady Kagome-chan?"

Kagome jumped slightly out of her flood of memories to find Miroku staring at her intently. She smiled reassuringly at him, sensing the slight quiver of dark navy blue within his calming violet aura. (A/N: fear)

"At first, I was a little upset to tell you the truth, having to leave the life I finally pieced together…" She felt her heart weaken at the sadness within his brilliant lively, yet wise eyes. "But, the more I thought about it, made me realize that I myself sometimes have to have a break from a life of peace. A little adventure back into my life is what I need, I will after all, have my heart tied next spring." She grinned widely at the happiness that reach his eyes at first, before astonishment and happiness spread even more like wildfire. He turned sharply towards her, immediately picking up her hands, looking quizzically at each of the rings on her fingers, wondering why she had more than the one signifying she was reserving herself to one man. Could she possibly be taking more than one?

As if reading his thoughts, her eyes grew wide, a flash of blush splattered across her face.

"Oh, in my time it's kind of a fashion to wear rings on your fingers. But this one…" She wiggled her ring finger that held that violet stones and white pearl, "Is the one he gave me for our engagement ring." He looked down at the ring with such curiosity that it made Kagome find herself remembering Souta going all gaga over a new Play Station Two game that she started laughing before she could stop herself. Miroku followed with her, taking up on what she was laughing about. But could you blame him? The jewels on the ring...even the ring melded itself was amazing! A treasure he had never seen before! Surely many people fought for this ring. (A/N: Yeah, a ton of women if it weren't an engagement ring. --;;;)

"I surely had hurt you guys…for my stupid mistake all of those years ago. It may be ten years for me, but it's only been three years for you, surely it's still fresh in your mind. Why don't you hate me, Miroku-kun?" Miroku sighed and softly put her hand back on her lap before facing towards the sun that was now just a little above the mountains in the West.

"I just…couldn't bring myself to hate you, imouto-chan." Kagome felt the memory before become fresh in her mind, unshed tears pricked at her eyes.

"Buddha knows I've tried to be selfish and hate you for what you caused us to go through, but it was as if my heart knew that I shouldn't, as if for once it won the battle with my mind. Ever since that day that we found that the Bone Eater's well could no longer uphold a portal thanks to you sealing it, I could always remember you. Smiling…laughing…joking…caring…playing…singing…dancing…those were the most happy of times that I would remember you, the part that made me sleep and endure another day. But there were times I would remember you crying in this very spot, the day where we found out that InuYasha and Kikyo were becoming more…intimate with each other. I couldn't stand to see you cry like that, over a hanyou who can't let go of the past and yet can't just let the future live its life to the fullest. I would sometimes even hallucinate you. I tried not to, but it couldn't be helped."

Kagome stared at him secretly awed at the emotional hold he had. Sure he couldn't bottle them up, it was unhealthy to, but rather let them flow from his being and still keep intact with sanity and still think about his friend's concerns…it amazed her. She had tried to do the opposite, trying to shut everything inside her for the sake of her friends, and yet she still ended up hurting them, even herself.

Kagome blinked confused at first to find herself being pushed to a chest of monk robes. The scent of herbs, magic, and his own natural scent of the forest and blue berries made Kagome calm and safe. She smiled into the chest before wrapping her arms around her older brother's waist. Miroku hugged her to him and whispered into her hair,

"But I warn you, if you do that again, I myself will have to find a way through the well and bring you back, got that?" Kagome giggled at the humor in his voice before standing up with him. Miroku sighed dramatically as he swiped off the non existent dirt on the back of his robes,

"Shall we enter with our dignity intact and expect the worst to come milady?" Kagome laughed again, happily taking the hand offered to him, letting him lead the way back to Keade-baba's hut,

"Why of course, milord!"

As they reached the outskirts of the forest, after playing a good game of tag towards the direction they were heading, the two adoptive siblings were nearing the outline of the last trees when they heard InuYasha's roar,

"WHERE THE HELL IS SHE! SHE BETTER NOT HAVE GONE BACK TO THAT DAMN TIME!"

Kagome heard Miroku laugh nervously. Turning slightly towards him curiously, Kagome gasped in surprise when Miroku shoved her into the open,

"Heh, heh, how rude of me! Ladies first!"

"MIROKU!" Kagome turned around heatedly to find that the monk was all ready gone within the forest, probably finding a different route to the village. So much of an older brother he turned out to be! She thought sourly.

"WHERE. HAVE. YOU. BEEN?"

Kagome looked back behind her to find InuYasha all ready behind her glaring at her suspiciously, arms folded underneath the newly reformed rosary. The white prayer beads gleamed against the sun. Struggling to not roll her eyes, she sighed and maneuvered around him and walked towards the hut to find Sango smiling happily at her, a grin spreading from ear to ear that Kagome was sure that it would split while catching the almost crying Shippo ("I thought you disappeared again, okaa-san!") before replying,

"I only went for a walk InuYasha, no need to fuss over about it." InuYasha stared blankly at the back of the woman that entered the hut. What happened to her? Where was the defiant screaming that always came upon confrontation? Where was the fire in her eyes that always came alive when a fight was being given? Shaking his head, he made way towards the hut, all the while thinking of the new behavior forming around the girl he pushed away.

"InuYasha! I see you are finally awake!" Scowling deeply, he turned to the overly cheerful monk who was waving at him, a basket of eggs in the other along with his staff. InuYasha stopped him from entering the hut.

"InuYasha…?"

"What the hell were these doing in my ear?"

There, lying in the middle of his palm were cushiony soft yellow ear plugs. Miroku paled slightly at the growling hanyou,

"Heh…H-Heh…" He laughed shakily.

Inside, Kagome smirked within her cup of coffee that she just made from her coffee maker at the sound of a loud hollow thump and the growling of InuYasha. (While Sango and Shippo marveled at the contents within her cup – Kagome made no movement to let Shippo have a taste, not until he looked like he was seventeen years of age) InuYasha walked with a huff into the hut, making Sango, Shippo, and Keade-baba wonder mildly what set him off. Kagome only smirked even more within her cup.

"Here." He said gruffly, gently shoving the basket of eggs into the old miko's hands. Kagome shook her head amused. I'm getting used to this all ready.

-

So…the human wench is back. A deep chuckle echoed throughout the dark castle.

Naraku sat on his futon amused at the scene being presented before him at the breakfast table. He took in the smirking miko that was now serving Shippo some food while sitting within her lap. The kitsune's pleased and comfortable expression as he readily accepted the food being served to him humored the dark hanyou. She has certainly changed. No longer was there any trace of the scrawny young child that dared to defy him with every battle, but rather a woman who most preferably still defied him. She had many obvious curves, thanks to her odd clothing that hadn't over the three years changed. Her hairstyle was different and unique, not once when he looked at her did he image Kikyo for once.

Her strange parted shirt, the deepest of red – his favorite color, showed to the extent her breasts could be, yet hid them away. Her strange hakamas looked sturdier than most of the material made in kimonos and more durable and fitting to her figure, showing her long legs and hips. He licked his lips when he came in range to her face just in time to see her lick her own lips as if she had imitated him, taking away the strange substance.

"Okaa-san, can I try some?" Okaa-san? He stared intrigued. So she had adopted a youkai child as her own son…

"Not until you look as if you're seventeen or older." He smirked. The kit would be waiting for quite a long time before that happened. Kitsune children age much slower in appearance compared to any other youkai on the planet, thanks to their happy youth and tricks. It took a normal youkai to age just like humans until reaching to look as if they were twenty three before staying like that until they aged just like kitsune themselves.

His smirk widened as he saw InuYasha glare heatedly regularly at the kitsune every five to ten minutes. Without taking his eyes off of the mirror, he said in a voice as if the host was welcoming his guests,

"It appears your sex toy is now being drawn back to your reincarnation, Kikyo." The dead yet undead priestess didn't answer him, only gave him her usual cold façade-like mask that she had in place, not allowing anyone like Sesshomaru did, to read off her emotions or her aura.

"I wonder…" He inquired coyly, "What will you do this time to keep him in the palm of your hand?" Kikyo turned away from him as if unaffected by his chilling words.

"He still loves me, I can feel it. I will only enforce that 'love' unless it is needed by. He did after all make love to me, most hanyous such as inu ones are very sensible on that subject. He wouldn't have done what he did all of those years ago if he hadn't felt love for me." Naraku took this time to look up from the mirror, an eyebrow quirked.

"Did he take you as his mate? Or was it just a fluke to get your reincarnation away from the one thing you still desire? Or possibly that you figured if you had mated with the disgusting hanyou that you would be given the rest of your soul? The soul that you relinquished from your hold when you burned with the Shikon no Tama?"

Kikyo simply took out a slim vile and tossed it over her left shoulder before walking out of the room, not even bothering to close the shoji door, knowing full well of it being one of his pet peeves. Naraku though shrugged as he casually caught the capsule. Peering down, he stared at the two jewel shards within and frowned with a grim expression. The dead priestess is losing her touch. He made way to put them within his inner pocket so it would meld with the rest of the jewel that was near completion. Well, at least there are only ten more to go. But he stopped.

Turning towards the mirror held by the still silent Kanna, he stared back at the jewel shards and back again at the mirror, and again before a smirk came upon his lips. He clenched the vile tightly to his hand. Hmm…how about a test, miko? Let's see how strong you've become.

"Kagura!"

Kagura appeared at the entrance of the opened shoji door, a deep resentment within her deep reddish-purple eyes. Her slim and slightly muscular body was hidden behind beautiful and well fit kimono that showed large dark maroon flowers reaching down to her ankles, just above her uncovered feet. On each pointed ear was a five jade beaded earring. The fan that she held within her left hand, held closely to her chest displayed a beautiful dark red Chinese dragon.

"What is it now, Naraku?"

Naraku relished in the resentment in her voice, knowing she could do nothing but listen to him; he absently tossed the vile back at her. Kagura looked down when she effortlessly caught it. She raised an elegant eyebrow,

"What do you wish for me to do with these? I thought you would rather keep them with you and not trust me with these." Skepticism was dripped in her every word. Naraku turned away from her dismissively, his long wavy obsidian locks swaying with the movement, his voice warning and taunting.

"You wouldn't want to do anything with those Kagura for I am as close to my goal now that I can practically taste it. I would get very angry if there happened to be any…slip up." To prove his point, a red orb appeared in his hand. He squeezed the orb with just enough pressure to make Kagura start gasping for breath, but yet still remained on her feet.

Kagura, cursing him any way possible within her mind, grunted as he finally released his tight clench he held on her heart that was now hidden within him.

"Understand?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"Understood." She admitted grudgingly.

"I want you to wait for InuYasha's group to start heading off. Give the shards to a lesser demon that has no control over his desire for the jewel and send him to the group. I wish to test the Shard Detector."

Kagura's eyes widened at that. She's…she's finally back! That means…Kagura kept from letting her pleased expression coming into view. Instead, she stiffly bowed, still having a deep hurt pride to have to bow before her 'father'.

"Yes." When she made way to straighten up, Kagura gasped in pain as a large clawed hand was wrapped rather painfully around her delicate throat. She swore that the wall would break behind her at the pressure. Naraku though looked unaffected as Kagura looked down at his face with a small amount of fear: her fan had been dropped thanks to the unexpected attack. He merely raised an eyebrow.

"Forgetting something, Kagura?" Kagura held in the growl that oh-so wanted to escape from her. She choked out as much as she could,

"M-Master!"

Air whooshed in as Kagura's knees buckled from underneath her. Raising a hand, she massaged the now bruise forming skin that was all ready a brutal red. Damn that hurts…

"You are dismissed." Kagura didn't say anything but ran out of there as fast as she could and out of the palace all the while thinking: I can't wait for the day when I'll get my heart back.

-

Why did she have to come back? Right when Naraku is so close to getting the full jewel and I would have been able to purify him and wish upon the jewel to take what is rightfully mine. That way, no matter if InuYasha is a half-demon, we can have a second chance together.

Cold, dark, and emotionless doe brown eyes stared out among the tops of the forest trees surrounding Mount Hakurei. Ever since St. Hakuseine was sent peacefully to heaven, the pure barrier had decapitated and she was able to walk among its tall formations. Her priestess robes floated side to side from the gentle wind, her once lively black-brown hair was still bound tightly to the white ribbon at the nape of her neck. A few strands of her bangs came above her eyes before being brushed back by the wind.

Her eyes narrowed at the setting sun. How she despised all objects that were happy while she was stuck in this semi-purgatory.

Kikyo didn't acknowledge her faithful soul collectors as they flew around her, all the while letting go dead souls to drift to her to be absorb, in order to sustain her. This was the one thing she hated the most, other than the girl who was dared even to be considered compared to her; taking away souls from dead women. They were to be sent to the gate of Judgment where the King of Hell, King Enma would be – the same man that had sentenced her to hell for her selfish actions, actions she still felt were pure and out of the heart. Now, they will be ultimately sent to hell along with hers if she had…'died' in this state. No matter if she was just a corpse out of her own ashes, she felt only one thing other than hatred, jealousy, sadness, and anger and that was respect. She had enough common sense within her to know who deserved what. She certainly knew that the women's souls that she was taken were being wrongly judged, but she wanted to survive, just long enough to wish upon the Shikon no Tama, than she would rectify this mistake.

Her hand tightened on the bow that was on her shoulder. Her face set in a determined hatred.

She will not let her reincarnation to just simply stroll in and ruin everything she had so perfectly planned, had perfectly given up her dead yet undead virginity, that she had perfectly twisted among Naraku's orders and her own words. Just when things were starting to get to an end and that girl just had to come and make things complicated than they all ready were. Kikyo shook her head lightly. No I won't allow her to mess everything up, I've worked far too hard to just see it go into dust into the wind. She slowly started to descend from the mountain, her hair elegantly swaying around her.

When we cross paths Reincarnation, I will send you back permanently where no rosary can ever achieve. I don't care how powerful you've gotten; you're still no match for me.

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Hey guys! Thanks for reviewing and sorry I actually thought that I would have to postpone this for two weeks! God what was I thinking? All right, from here, the story has finally being started, took long enough eh? (--;;;) This chapter is kind of like the beginning and a little preview of what'll come. :P

THANKS REVIEWERS AND HAVING THE PATIENCE OF ACTUALLY WAITING THOSE TWO WEEKS! (Which would have sucked…)

Reviewers:

Yana5: (Smirks) Inu Youkai are VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY possessive, at least… (Smirks), in my story anyway. (Lol)

MusicIsMyBF27: (Gives her a pout/glare) Damn. You….JUST KIDDING:D Wow, I hope you have fun! SIMPLE PLAN! SIMPLE PLAN! DAMN YOU ARE LUCKY! (Goes into tears) Hope you liked this chapter!

Brenna8: Is it a bad thing that I made Sesshomaru a hero? (Miss Artemis looks at GoldenStar: I made him a hero…?) Well, I can't help but to just go gaga over Sesshomaru! (Squeals uncontrollably) Hope you liked this chapter!

Inuyasha'sChic: (Winks) You didn't actually think I let Sesshomaru go unscathed did you? Kagome had gone a long way; I couldn't help but have him get an injury that the others don't know about:P

demonpriestess07: Sorry I couldn't update sooner… (Pouts and grumbles about evil teachers and their obsession of torturing us poor students.)

InuKagPar4Life: Thanks! I'm happy to hear that!

lady KCassandra: :P I know, couldn't resist – but I made it up for the pride-injured Taiyoukai by letting him win. (Sighs as she turns to the expected looking Kagome and hands her fifty bucks for talking her in on going easy on Fluffy-kins.) Characters these days…

Lass: Guess you didn't have to wait long! Like I said earlier, I have some free time that it surprised me. (OR was it just because I'm a lazy ass and I wait until tomorrow morning to get it done? The world may never know…) Glad you liked the fighting scene! I love doing fighting skits, it comes natural to me. :D Hope you liked this one! There'll be more action in the next chapter!

nevergiveuphope101: Kagome never gets to kick ass in the anime, so I thought 'What the hell! I'll make her have some fighting ability seeing she's always calling for InuYasha helplessly in the anime no matter how great I think it is. (Kagome beams happily beside Miss Artemis) Thanks for reviewing!

hotdoginuyashaluv: Thanks!

xXFoolishXx: Who knows? (Starts picking petals off of a daisy) InuYasha and Kagome will be together. (Plucks off another) Sesshomaru and Kagome will be together. I have nine hundred more petals to go! (--;;;) Shit…

selenemallenmir: Yeah, another new reviewer! Thanks for the review! I have to agree, my most favorite character along with Kagome is Sesshomaru. When ever I see him I just lose myself! (Starts squealing uncontrollably before sighing) Oh boy, glad I got that out of my system. Glad you like it!

lady-of-tormentdeath: Glad you think so! Didn't have to wait long, neh? (lol)

Priestess Kag-chan: Glad you liked the fighting scene!

ALL RIGHT! Big news people. My favorite holiday is coming up: Halloween! And I just updated a new fic; it's going to be a short three chapter story, maybe even two. It's a Sess/Kag, but please consider reading it! It has a LOT of Shippo and Rin cuteness! Here's the summary:

Trick or Treat Sesshomaru! : Kagome's favorite time of the year has come: Halloween! She wants to take Shippo and Rin trick or treating and while Shippo is no problem, Rin is a different matter. There isn't too much for the Taiyoukai to destroy in the future, is there? WRONG!

HOPE YOU TRY IT :D – Miss Artemis