Memory's Shadow

To Introduce

A/N: Wow. Thanks to all those wonderful people who reviewed last chapter! And sorry about making it such an evil cliffie. Don't worry though, I might have more in store for you. Muhahaha… But I don't know yet. I'm torn between leaving at such a horrible cliffie that you'll shout 'WHAT THE HECK? I'LL KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T UPDATE IN THE NEXT TEN FREAKING SECONDS!' or being a nice author who won't give you so much suspense that you'll be jumping in your seat. Lol. Ah, choices. But then again, I'll let you guys decide! ;) Tell you how at the end of the chappie.

Anyway, the poll has closed and Kikyo will be in the story. Don't expect anything big though. Well, maybe. But I just don't see her being a major, major character in my story. Don't get your hopes up. But Kikyo WILL be in it, sorry for those who didn't want her to be. The poll decides all!

Lol, anyway enough of this chatter and onto the story!

Dialogue:

Hanyou - Half-demon

Miko - Priestess

Onegai - Please

Hai - Yes

Kitsune - Fox

Gomen (nasai) - Sorry

Demo - But

Watashi wa (insert name here) desu - My name is…

-x-x-x-x-x-

'I'm torn between two people.

Two people I love to no end.

So who will I kill, for one to live again?'

-x-x-x-x-x-

"Well, don't expect me to feel bad about it. They deserved to die!"

"-…"

"… Feh."

"-… I do understand."

Time seemed to have stood still. The four stood motionless as well as the rest of the world. It was like someone hit the pause button, not one single thing moving or making a sound. The entire world seemed to freeze. No wind, no birds, no life, nothing. Just an endless silence that I could not break from. An endless silence that was attacking my soul.

The only thing that seemed to move was my rapidly beating heart. I didn't know if I was breathing, didn't know if I was even alive anymore. All I did was stand there, staring into those oh so familiar golden eyes of the young hanyou beyond me. He too stood there motionless, his eyes never leaving mine. The silence was deafening and I felt my heart beat faster with every passing second.

I completely forgot who or where I was. All I saw was this young man in front of me and everything else was black. They didn't exist at this moment. Only him. And me.

And just like that, the silence was shattered as the young man unsheathed his sword angrily, his eyes harder than diamond and directly glaring at me. I was taken back at the immense rage I saw storming deep beneath his golden hues. Suddenly, I was scared of him. Suddenly, I knew he wanted to kill me.

The sword he had unsheathed was rusty, I thought it was a joke for a split second. But then, it immediately transformed into a large fang. Almost larger than himself and I wondered how he could be caring it with such an ease. But the thoughts immediately ceased as he leapt towards me, a murderous glint in his eyes.

Before I could even scream, a secure arm was tightly wrapped around my waist and I was suddenly out of the range of his large attack. My eyes were wide with a mixture of fear and awe as I saw the ground break just where the sword had landed. Would you even call it a sword?

"What the hell are you planning?" the hanyou, Inuyasha, yelled furiously at my savor. His eyes glared at him for a split second before they returned to mine. But something about him didn't make me back up in fear. I found that extremely odd since I knew he hated me to the bone. "That's a pretty lousy imitation you're doing, bitch!" he growled, directed towards me. "You are nothing at all like who you're supposed to be!"

My heart rate quickened even more if that was even possible. What did he mean? But before I could voice my thoughts out, Sesshomaru had already spoken up. "This is no imitation, brother." He said as he hissed with the word 'brother'. Hmm. I didn't know they were brothers (although their appearances did give out a hint). I would have to speak about that later but right now, I was too much in a shock to say anything. "This is the miko wench you failed. Now you have another chance to redeem yourself." He stated coldly, venom dripping from his voice.

Failed? What the heck was that supposed to mean? I briefly noticed his hand still around my waist. "What kind of shit are you sprouting?" Inuyasha growled angrily. "This is not Kagome." his eyes flickered to me with so much disgust that I felt a part of me break. "This, this, is some sort of imposter! Who set this up? Naraku? You traitor!" he yelled with a spit, his sword up high, ready to attack at any moment.

"This is not one of Naraku's puppets, Inuyasha." He said in a monotone although I saw a small glint of anger in his usually calm eyes. "I assure you that this is the real miko in the flesh. She did not die."

Before this Inuyasha person could attack once more in his rage, another man stepped up, putting his hand on the hanyou's chest. His violet eyes staring at me skeptically and I gripped Sesshomaru's clothing tighter, my knuckles turning white. "Do you have any proof of this?" the man questioned the demon lord. He was wearing an odd pair of purple and black robes and in his other hand he held a golden staff. Was he some kind of monk? I couldn't remember all their names.

Sesshomaru eyed the man coldly as he let his hand drop from around my waist. I almost snatched his hand back. I was both nervous and scared and I needed all the support I could get. Even if it was from Sesshomaru, someone who didn't give out support. Ever.

"I do not have to prove anything to a human like you." He said in mild disgust. "A demon's instinct is hardly ever wrong. Only a fool will ignore them and chose another direction." He said while casting a heated glance at his brother.

"Ha!" said brother suddenly shouted, his other empty fist balled in fury. "How do you know this isn't just some trick Naraku set up?" he growled. "For all we know, you could be in leagues with him! You can't even provide us evidence! Why in the seven hells should we trust you?" he almost barked.

I saw Sesshomaru's eyes narrow and I felt a growing yet small rage inside of me, I barely even felt it. Even if I hardly knew the guy, I was absolutely sure that he did not lie, no matter the situation. Why would he need to lie? He was proud, arrogant and honourable. What would he gain if he was to lie?

"If you are so idiotic to think such thoughts I wonder if this is just a waste of precious time." he said calmly. "What's wrong with her Inuyasha? Do you see anything abnormal about her?" he tested him. I frowned. They were treating me as if I wasn't even there.

"Yeah, I do!" Inuyasha snapped. "She's freaking alive!"

"Indeed she is." Sesshomaru stated rather icily. "But tell me this. Why was it, when you believed the other miko, Kikyo, was dead, you did not hesitate to change your mind after you saw her? Was she more of value than the miko beside me? Did you want her to stay dead, so that you could go running off to your other human miko?" he spat in great disgust, not literally of course. "Did you care of Kikyo so greatly that, even when made of soil and clay, you believed she was still alive and not this one here that actually wore flesh?"

And with every word, even if it wasn't directed at me, stabbed me in the heart. I didn't know why. I had never heard of this Kikyo person. Had no idea what he was talking about. But for some odd reason, my heart ached when he said those words, as if driving a knife through it.

I saw Inuyasha grip the handle of his sword tighter, his knuckled turning pale while the other bled slightly because of his claws. His eyes were dangerously narrowed and I practically felt the anger that was coming from him in waves. "Don't you dare speak about that." he growled, more feral than usual. "How the hell should you know? You've been trying to kill me all this time!"

"You are missing the point." Sesshomaru suddenly snapped, growing impatient. "Answer the question, Inuyasha. Why did you so easily believe that your other miko wench was brought from the dead and not this one before you?"

A tense silence befell on us and I felt like crawling under a rock and cry. I had no idea what they were saying but with every word my heart quaked. It seemed as if the world was dead again with a deafening silence. But it wasn't just me and this hanyou this time. It was everyone, all tense and rigid for an answer from him.

Suddenly, he frowned as he showed his fangs warning. "I'll cut you to-" he started with a snarl before he was interrupted.

"Onegai, Inuyasha." The monk suddenly said, his hand firm on the hanyou's chest, stopping him from lashing out. "You cannot just leave the answer be." he said gravely. "You know that you have to give her a chance. Look at her. Do you see any deceit?" he asked seriously.

They all, but Sesshomaru, turned to me and stared. I looked back at them nervously, gripping Sesshomaru's sleeve for comfort. It didn't give me any. A few minutes ticked by and I noticed the intense stares/glares they were all giving me. Then, the hanyou gave me one last welting glare, sheathed his sword and crossed his arms. "Feh." Was all he said, looking away angrily.

The two humans stepped in front of Inuyasha, as if assuring me that he wouldn't leap out of the blue again. "Arigatou, Sesshomaru-sama." The monk bowed, as did the other human woman. When they stood up straight again, the woman's eyes made contact with mine for the very first time. Something small inside me ached but it past a few seconds later. She stared at me for awhile and then I saw the sadness and regret in her brown eyes before she looked away.

Sesshomaru nodded and fear washed over on me. Was this it? Was he going to leave me behind with all these strangers? "She is your responsibility now." he stated coldly, masking his emotions (if there were any, anyway). "For now on, she is no longer in my hands."

Seeing the two nod, he turned and began to float away on his cloud, not even bothering to give me one last glance. I felt like falling, screaming out to him to come back. But my legs were like jelly and my throat was dry like sand. All I did was stand there, watching the only one I trusted with my life as he began to disappear from my view.

I wiped my eye with the back of my hand before I let the tear fall. I was more depressed than angry. Didn't he even care? What if they suddenly turned and attacked me or something? The one in red seemed all too eager to do it too. Didn't he want to stay to make sure I was all right? My head lowered as I fought the urge to cry. Now, I was alone once more. He didn't care about me. He never did. I was sure of it. But even with that thought, I couldn't bring myself to hate him. He saved my life, saved me from depression and sadness. If it wasn't for him, I'd probably be dead.

"Kagome-sama?" a small, masculine voice said softly behind me. It was that monk's. The name I couldn't remember.

I turned slowly, my body tense as if they were about to jump me any second. I looked at them nervously as I stood there, rather awkwardly. Darn. I hate it when I rhyme unintentionally. "H-Hai?" I stuttered.

Their eyes widened a bit in slight shock. I didn't have a chance to register it though since something fluffy suddenly hit my chest. I screamed, thinking that they had sac a hairball at me. But the screaming stopped and I grew confused when I felt the fabric over my chest dampen and little claws hang on to me as if for dear life. "I-I missed you, Kagome!" a muffled voice cried loudly. "I-I thought you were dead! Everyone did! But I kept hoping, you know? Kept hoping that you somehow came back!" he cried as his grip tightened on my shirt.

Unusually, yet in a familiar manner I couldn't place, my chest began to warm and cry out for the… demon. It was that kitsune cub that Sesshomaru had talked about. But, he hadn't told me his name since he didn't know himself. Awkwardly, I lifted up my arms and pried him off gently, although it pained me much to do it. Why was that?

He reluctantly let go and I held him arms apart, looking at him in an apologetic tone. "Gomen nasai." I whispered quietly to him. "Demo… who are you?"

His chest-fallen and utterly shocked and pained look made me want to take the words back and stuff them back into my mouth. He was right in front of me, limp in my hands, as his large emerald eyes began to refill with tears. But he didn't pull away, which was the opposite of what I was expecting. Instead, he held out his arms to me and I immediately reacted, bring him close in a sorrowful hug. I felt my own tears fall quietly one by one.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw that the woman wanted to hug me too but held back. Especially after what I had said. "Y-You don't remember us?" the woman stuttered in disbelief, pain obvious in her eyes. And experience. Had she been through this before? "Demo, how did you remember Inuyasha's name?" she asked, small hope in her cracking voice.

I gulped. I knew I was going to say something that smashed the hope right down. "Sesshomaru told me before." I whispered just loud enough for all of them to hear.

Her expression saddened and she looked away. But the other man, the one in monk's clothing, walked up to me, a small yet sad smile plastered on his young face. He bowed lowly. "Then, if you have forgotten, I believe introductions are necessary." He said with a kind but pained face as he straightened up. "Watashi wa Miroku desu." He said solemnly although he tried to hide it.

The other woman, silent for a few minutes, then looked up and walked towards me. She gave me a sad smile, just like the other man's. "Watashi wa Sango desu." She introduced without a bow.

The small kitsune cub looked up to reveal his sad emerald eyes. But even then, he managed a small smile. "And I'm Shippo." He said quietly. He detached himself from me to sit on my shoulder as if it was normal. "I'm gonna make sure you never forget it again." he said with a weak grin.

They all seemed nice enough. I smiled in return. But this one was weird. I didn't have to force it. It just came out naturally. "Hey, watashi wa Kagome desu." I laughed softly. "But then again, you already knew that, didn't you?" I said sadly.

They all nodded sadly but the tense air around us lifted slightly when they heard me laugh. But it turned all serious again when all heads turned to Inuyasha. I was the last to turn to him though. He stood there, crossed arms, looking stubbornly away. But even though he looked to be sulking, I saw his figure shake slightly with unreleased rage. My eyes softened at the pain I saw him try to cover. "Inuyasha…" the monk, Miroku, started.

But he was cut off by the angry hanyou. "Leave me out of this." He growled at us, his glare directed at me. "I don't want anything to do with that fake." He spat as he turned once more, walking away.

His words had hurt me. Really they did. But I tried not to let it show. Miroku sighed from beside me. "Well, we might as well follow him." he said reluctantly. "We are, after all, traveling together." He flashed me a rather convincing grin. "We will fill you in with the details while walking. Or, would you rather have us tell you when we camp?" he asked.

I shook my head, careful not to hit the cub on my shoulder. "It's all right," I told them softly. "Sesshomaru told me a few things about it. We're looking for shards, right?" I asked, digging for the pocket around my neck. Once I had a firm grasp, I pulled it over my head, releasing it from around my neck. Opening the pouch and let the two shards fall freely into my open palm. "Here." I said as I held it out to them. "We got it off some demon when it attacked Sesshomaru's castle." I glanced at each of them carefully. "Do we have any more?"

They all stared down at the two pure fragments in my hands. While I watched them, I saw something shine in Miroku's eyes and this time, his smile became more freely although it was still a sad. "You should give that to Inuyasha." He said. "After your unfortunate… leaving, he was the one who cared the other shards we had collected." At the mention of the event, I saw everyone flinch, including me. "Once we set up camp, I suggest you give it to him." he smiled warmly.

I smiled back. I guess it wasn't so bad here. So, for the rest of the day, we traveled with Inuyasha in front of everyone else. He never spoke to me, only to the others. And he never looked at me either. Except when he was glaring at me or casting me suspicious looks. Sango told me to ignore it but I also found the two humans suspecting me. The only one that seemed free to talk to me was Shippo. I figured I liked him a lot. He was so cute with his emerald eyes and dark amber hair.

So, on we marched, the air still thick with tension and the only loose voice was the one of the kitsune's.

-x-

I arrived back at the castle between midday and evening. It had taken me slower to arrive at the castle, which was odd, since I knew that the miko had slowed me down. When I had arriving, I saw everyone going about their normal business. Except with hardly any enthusiasm.

The servants that Kagome had grown to known were going multiple chores around the castle, more solemn than usual. Rin was out picking flowers with Jaken but even she seemed a little quiet and reserved. Jaken wasn't a talker but he too seemed like something was stolen from him.

My castle held an eerie silence that I was not fond of. When I entered my study, trying to ignore the haunting silence, I was greeted by my aunt. She was standing there, as if she was expecting me. Her arms were crossed and her eyes were narrowed. I narrowed my own, accepting her silent challenge. "Why are you back so soon?" she asked, the challenge starting.

"I merely dropped her off like planned." I said coolly, heading for my desk.

She didn't stop me as I sat down on my chair. She walked forward, in front of my desk. "Did you just leave her there? Just like that?" she asked calmly although her golden eyes suggested otherwise.

"What else could I have done?" I asked coldly, meeting her aged eyes.

"You could have stayed a day or two, just to see how it goes." She told me with a deep frown. "Even if the people she is with now are her supposed companions, you don't know what they'll do. You haven't had contact with them in over two months. What makes you think they haven't changed and won't hurt her? Any intelligent person would suspect someone who was supposedly dead. They might have done something, or worse." She informed me gravely, concern etched into her voice.

But I had already known this. "They will not harm her, Shemeshoua." I told her calmly, never once breaking eye contact. "Although, my idiotic brother had tried to. The two humans kept him in place and I am certain she is safe with them."

"Inuyasha tried to attack her?" she suddenly asked in disbelief. "I thought my nephew was fond of the girl." she said with confusion.

I resisted the urge to sigh. How little she knew. "I cannot say whether or not he cares for the miko." I told her in a bored tone. "All I know is that he was to inflict harm on her before she does on them."

"But she couldn't hurt a fly." She defended. That wasn't true, I knew for sure. I still remembered the day she chased and swatted at the flies that circled around her on that hot day.

"But he doesn't believe that." I said, nonetheless. "He believes she is yet another imposter posed by Naraku. I had assured him that she isn't but he is stubborn. Either that or has hearing problems." I said calmly. It wasn't the first time I thought of that.

She glared at me. "I bet you did a good job in trying to assure him." she said sarcastically. How was it that such an old demon like herself still be sarcastic? "But it just proves my point. What if Inuyasha tries to harm him when the other humans aren't looking or are away? He may be too deep in his own conclusions that he hasn't fully thought everything out."

"What else is different?" I asked, a deadpan look on my face. The day Inuyasha thought his actions out was the day I praise Jaken. Not going to happen.

She sighed tiredly. "I know you care about her, Sesshomaru." She stated matter-of-factly. "You act differently around her and you let her off way too easily." A familiar smirk had spread across her face. "You even went into her room without knocking."

It was hard at that moment to not roll my eyes. Instead, I pulled off an impassive look and glared at her. "You know nothing of these things." I told her coldly. "Now, she is no longer inside this household and therefore not my responsibility. I had done what I could. If it wasn't for me, she might as well be rotting by now." I reminded her icily. "Do not order me around to do anything more when I've already sacrificed my space and time just to help that pathetic miko."

She gave me a disappointed look, her smirk clear off her face. "The way you left, I would have thought you didn't care at all." She told me in a slight scolding manner before she departed and left my study.

I sat there for awhile, thinking. Just thinking. I did leave rather abruptly. But I had done my job. There was nothing more I could have done. I looked down at the scrolls for a long time. Even if I did want her to stay, which I didn't, she didn't rightfully belong here. She belonged with my half-brother.

A scowl appeared on my lips as I glared angrily at the scroll. It didn't matter now. She was out of my hair. I had no regrets.

-x-

"-, you've got to give - to him to calm him down! I don't want to keep seeing him with that expression on his face!"

"N-No."

"You had a younger brother, Sango-chan?"

She nodded sadly. "Hai. And he was just like you." She said quietly.

We were sitting around a small campfire. It wasn't all that big. Just a small flame on top of a few gathered firewood. Shippo was sitting comfortably on my lap. It seemed as if he never left my side today. Sango was opposite me when Miroku was beside her. I seemed to have gotten used to their names rather quickly. Maybe it was because I knew them before. I don't know. Inuyasha was somewhere else. He said he didn't want to even sit near me. Even those words felt like knives to my back.

"Really? How?" I asked, completely interested. The sun had gone down and now a few stars made themselves visible for the world to see. A few small clouds hovered up high, hiding some bright stars behind them.

"He died once." She said, repeating her tale. "We didn't know about Naraku then and it was a long time ago. Anyway, Naraku had some sort of control over my brother, Kohaku, and he made him kill everyone on this mission we went to. Including our father." She said through clenched teeth.

I didn't miss the reassuring glance Miroku sent Sango's way. "Anyway, he died soon after while I still lived. Later on, we found out that he was still alive because of the Shikon jewel implanted in his back. If we took it out, he would die instantly. But we found out that it was Naraku who had inserted the jewel in my brother. He wiped off all his memories, making him a mindless puppet, and used him for whatever purposes he saw fit." Sango's breath deepened and she paused for a moment, letting the anger she felt cool.

"Then one day, he returned to us completely innocent. He still had his memories erased but we had believed that he was finally out of Naraku's grasp. But, after we had trusted him to take care of you, he ended up trying to kill you by Naraku's orders. Of course, we arrived in time to stop him."

She then offered a grim smile. "Then, after I found out that he had hurt you, I went to chase after him, wanting to kill him myself. Just to set him free from Naraku's grasp." She looked at my shocked face and nodded in confirmation. "But before I could do it though, Inuyasha arrived and stopped me. He said that Kohaku still had some humanity in him. Because, he could have killed you. Could have but didn't even though Naraku ordered him to. He was still Kohaku under all that mess. After that, he escaped."

There was silence after that and everyone was still. But the crickets kept on making sounds and so did the crackling fire. I understood now, why everyone was so wary of me, especially Inuyasha. I knew there were bits that she left unsaid but I really didn't want to hear it right now. "So that's why… you guys…" I said, letting them fill in the gaps.

They all nodded except for Shippo who just kept on eating his fish. "You see, we don't want that happening again." Miroku said calmly. "You're in the same state Kohaku was when we encountered that day. He didn't remember anything, he didn't know he was under control of Naraku. It could still be the same with you."

I looked down. "Oh…" I said quietly. It didn't take a genius to see that I was sad.

"But." Miroku suddenly said. "The shards you showed us before. They were purified even though they were in a demon, correct?" he asked. When he saw me nod he continued. "Well, that does prove that Naraku doesn't have any control over you. In order for a miko to purify these shards, they must be pure without any negative desires." He smiled at me warmly. "There is a chance that you really aren't being controlled by Naraku,"

I smiled at that but unlike the other one, it was forced. They still weren't sure because of the doubt I saw still hidden in their eyes. Plus, they didn't even know if I really died that day or not. I unconsciously touched the two shards around my neck. "I… I'll go find Inuyasha." I said slowly, standing up carefully as Shippo hopped off.

The others looked at me in shock for a moment before they nodded solemnly. "Should I come with you?" Shippo suddenly asked. "He might try something, you know." He said with a frown.

"Don't worry about it, Shippo." Miroku said with a faint smile. "Inuyasha wouldn't hurt Kagome-sama. I'm sure of it." he said this with so much confidence that I believed it.

Casting them a grateful smile, I started my way towards the hanyou. I didn't know where he was. I just let my senses lead me. Sooner or later, I found him sitting on a rather large rock within the trees. His ears tweaked, hearing me approached and he sharply turned, growling warningly with his eyes narrowed. His hand immediately went for his sword, Tetsusaiga (I found that out from the others). "What the hell are you doing here, fake?" he asked with a growl.

I flinched at his words. "Look." I said as calmly as I could. "I heard the entire story about Kohaku-kun, okay?" I asked pleadingly. "And now I understand why no one here except for Shippo-chan trusts me. I can't blame you if you hate me but I-"

"Damn right you can't." he suddenly snarled, interrupting me. "You're nothing more than a puppet working for Naraku. I can see right through you. Waiting until we're all nice and comfy and then you'll strike, slitting our throats." He growled. "But I won't let that happen. You are not Kagome. The Kagome I knew was nothing like you."

I frowned. "How so?" I challenged.

"Because she isn't a fake." He stated plainly as if that explained everything.

But right about now, I was quickly losing my patience with him. My eyes narrowed naturally, fisting my hands to my side. I saw slight shock and recognition in his eyes before it was covered up with a heated glare. "Listen, you." I started, trying not to shout. "You can't just go around saying I'm a fake if you have no proof." I told him off angrily. "I could be in the same situation as Kohaku, I admit that. But you didn't call him a fake, did you?" I waited for an answer.

He said nothing, staying silent and I took this cue to continue. "That isn't fair. I could be Kagome, just like Kohaku-kun was still Kohaku-kun. He wasn't really a puppet, just a lost boy who couldn't find his way through all the lies and deceit. Why can't you just give me the same chance you gave Kohaku-kun when you saved him from Sango-chan?" I whispered softly. "Why can't you just give me that same small chance?"

He looked at me and I looked back, both of us staring at each other, searching for answers. Suddenly he spoke, softly this time. I was caught by surprise by his gentle tone. "But before that, I trusted him to take care of Kagome." he said quietly. "And then he just ran off with her, trying to kill her when we weren't around." He looked down, staring at the forest floor. "I was almost too late to save her. She was lucky to even come out with just a scratch. He could have killed her if he wanted. And it was all because I trusted him in the first place."

And then, he looked up, his golden eyes suddenly hard and glaring angrily into mine. "I will not make that same mistake twice." He growled at me furiously.

I stared at him, saddened beyond words. I was Kagome. Wasn't I? Then, when he spoke about her, why did he sound so gentle and caring and when he preferred back to me, it was hard and cold? Closing my eyes to force the tears back, I ripped off the pouch from around my neck and dumped them to the ground. "Here." I said as I opened my eyes again. This time, I didn't look at him and settled for the dying leaf on the ground. "Miroku-sama told me to give them to you." I said.

Without another word, I began to walk away. Back to the direction of the camp. I vaguely remembered where it was but I wasn't really paying attention. Why did it sadden me so much? Maybe it was because they were my friends and they didn't really trust me. Or maybe it was because of the way Inuyasha spoke of Kagome in such a tone that suggested something deeper than friendship. Or maybe it was because he still didn't believe I was that Kagome. And, after I had talked to him, I began to doubt too.

But I held onto what Sesshomaru had said. He said I really was Kagome, no one else. I trusted him even though I didn't show it often and probably would never admit it out loud to him. If he said I was Kagome, then I was Kagome. There was no other way.

I slowed down. But… if I really wasn't this Kagome person… I knew it would break me.

"Kagome-chan!" Sango's voice was heard.

I quickly snapped from my thoughts and yelled back. "Coming!" I called. Once I entered camp, everyone turned to give me concerned looks. I fought the tears that threatened to spill out. "What are you guys looking at me like that for?" I asked lightly, a soft smile on my face. "What? Did you think I was going to get eaten by a bear or something?" I laughed.

And they laughed with me quietly, even though I still felt the tense air around us. I walked over to them and just before I sat down, everyone turned to look at the new arrival, including me. It was Inuyasha and his hands were empty. He stared at everyone sternly, glancing at everyone until they rested on mine. With a hard and serious look on his face, he finally spoke.

"We'll go back to Edo. Back to the old bag, Kaede. Then we'll see if this girl among us really is the Kagome we know."

-x-

Muhahaha! Finished chapter! I've been dying to write the chapter where Kagome meets up with the gang again! I'm so happy. Yay! I updated in less than a week! Go me! Lol. Anyway, can anyone guess why going back to Edo will prove Kagome's really Kagome? I'll give anyone who guesses right another free imaginary cookie! ;)

Thanks to:

GothicVixenSesshy, kittyb78, mangadreams, Kittenn101, Sesshoumaru'swife123, iheartanime43, mochiseason, flirtymiyu, AngelofMist, inuforlyf, AJ, Finchette, lunarcat12, iRiD3SSA, Callie-yue Sesshy's Plaything, Destiny Writes, Twist in fate, ScarredHeart10, Raina Darlig, Kagome2691, nikki, Whispering Lillies, AwesomeHachi1521316, Echo Hunter, courtneykogalove, Nyokogem and all those I've forgotten. If I did then sorry!

Various Review Replies:

GothicVixenSesshy – Lol. I counted your vote! And I can't tell you whether she's good or bad because… I don't even know myself! XD Lol. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!

mochiseason – Really? Wow, thanks a lot! I found it rigid and sort of jerky. Guess it isn't right? Lol. Thanks so much!

AngelofMist – Lol. Yep, it's perfectly legal! And I did it, got it within a week. I only did it because you requested it anyway. Lol. Anyway, she didn't remember who he was, like it said in the chappie. It's because Sesshomaru told her! Anyway thanks for reviewing!

AJ – Aw! Sorry if it was too mean but the chapter was getting too long and I thought it was a pretty good place to leave a cliffie! At least I updated sooner right? Lol.

lunarcat12 – Aw! You're so lucky! I can't sleep on the roof because A) it's too dangerous B) I'd probably fall off as soon as I fall asleep and C) There is no way I'll let birds poop on my head in the morning! Lol. And you should watch Black Cat. It's an awesome anime! In fact, I should add that to my bio… hmm… anyway, let me know if you like it or not! Or, if you want, I can just tell ya about it.

iRiD3SSA – Wow. You have a really cool penname. And I really think I made the right decision not to make Sesshy tell Kagome about his mother. Thanks for reinforcing me! It was way too early and it didn't really go with the flow. Anyway, thanks for reviewing! You really boosted up my confidence

Callie-yue Sesshy's Plaything – Congrats with the cookie! Anyway, random question time, do you go on theinuyasharpg. site? Just want to know. Anyway thanks for reviewing!

Destiny Writes – Muhahaha! Expect the unexpected! … I always hated that quote. Lol. Anyway, through thick and thin it is! Lol! Thanks for reviewing and hope you enjoyed this chappie!

ScarredHeart10 – Sesshomaru talks? (o.0) Lol, just kidding:D Sorry if it was a little bit too OOC but I really do try. Thanks for reviewing!

Kagome2691 – Hmm… I really don't know what I'll do for Kikyo. Don't know if she's going to have a sad ending or not but I'm pretty sure it won't be a sad ending for her. So I put your vote in the no column kay? Thanks for voting though!

nikki – Lol. It's okay. And like I said before, she won't be a major character so don't worry about it. X3

AwesomeHachi1521316 – Yay! You're the first person who actually mentioned the quotes! For that, I give you a free imaginary cookie! Lol. Anyway, it's okay if you don't remember the names. They were just minor side characters anyway so Sesshomaru's castle doesn't seem so desserted. Lol. And yes, Takkako is a demon. :) And it's okay if you didn't vote. It ended in a long shot anyway! X3

courtneykogalove – Lol. It's okay. Lots of people despise Kikyo. And I'm glad you haven't died! Thank goodness! Jeez, next thing I know there will be people at my door accusing me and my story for murder! Lol. Good thing you reviewed again to show that you aren't really dead:3

Nyokogem – Sorry! Kikyo has to be in it, the votes say so. But don't worry she won't be a major character that she'll pop up every single chapter! That's Kagome and Sesshomaru's area:D

Also, here's the new poll. For some odd reason, I like having them. Don't worry though! This will be the last one in a while.

Anyway, the question is: Would you like to have a cliffie or no cliffie in a climax?

Hehehe… tricky question right? If you say no, there won't by much suspense but if you say yes, you'll have to wait until I update again! Anyway, poll starts now and ends after a couple of chapters. I'll tell you guys when! ;) Anyway, don't forget to answer it because it's really important! Thanks guys! Until next time!

Poll results (the start):

Yes - 0

No - 0