Finally, I'm Back! No, I'm not dead! I can give this story a proper ending now. And if you were wondering, life's going great for me. I'm what most people would call a 'nerd'. But, in my own defense, it's not my fault the work comes so easy to me. Hell, even learning a second language comes easy! Anyways, enough bragging. You guys have waited long enough. Let's begin!

~:~

Kikyou cursed softly in the quiet and miasma-ridden room. Naraku had left her in this room to rot. He had said that unless she act like a 'lover' would, she would be treated as a prisoner. Since then, she had been trying to communicate with her reincarnation. Kikyou groaned as her connection broke again. She hoped that the girl could at least feel her triggering the connection between them.

Kikyou inhaled deeply and focused again. A few seconds later, she gave up with heavy gasps for air. She had been able to connect that time, but briefly. She could see through the girls eyes. She was with Inuyasha and the others. She couldn't recognize where they were, unfortunately.

Inhaling deeply and clearing her mind, Kikyou tried the connection again.

~:~

Kagome walked along the path with Inuyasha's hand in hers. Miroku and Sango were discussing something ahead of them that initially seemed important, but the monk quickly changed the topic.

"I think our children would take after you, my dear Sango. They'll be the most beautiful children any era has to offer!" Miroku boasted. Sango blushed a cherry red and jagged him in his ribs playfully. Kagome giggled lightly and looked up at Inuyasha. He looked down at her and raised an eyebrow.

Kagome had a question on the tip of her tongue, but was hesitant to voice it. She had been with Inuyasha for less than a week, why push it? 'Who will our kids look like?' Kagome looked away. Who said he wanted kids? Kagome sighed.

Just then, it went black. Instantly, the Miko began to have a panic attack. It was as if the sun went out. She yanked her hand away from Inuyasha quickly and began checking her face. What was wrong!

"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked. Sango and Miroku turned back to them and stopped. They looked at Kagome as she went down to the ground.

"Inuyasha! Where are you!" Kagome said with her left hand on her eyes and the right reaching out for him. Inuyasha squatted in front of her and held her face in his hands. She placed her hands on his and squeezed. The hanyou was shocked. Her eyes were glazed over, just like those of a blind person. She blink several times and on the last blink her eyes went back to the brown pools he knew. Sango and Miroku were at his sides and watching the Miko worriedly.

"What happened?" Sango asked. Inuyasha still hadn't let go of her face.

"I don't know myself. It was as if some shut off the lights. I couldn't see anything at all," Kagome said and rubbed her eyes.

"Maybe we should set up camp for lunch. Just to keep an eye out for anything else," Miroku suggested to no one in particular, but everyone could tell it was voiced toward Inuyasha. The hanyou didn't reply, but helped Kagome to her feet and led her away. Sango and Miroku followed suit with Kilala on her master's shoulder.

~:~

It was getting late now. Kagome had lost her sight a total of five times today. Inuyasha was watching her carefully, his suspicions pointing to Naraku. Miroku was advising her to block out the invaders with a barrier on her mind. Kagome sat by the fire place in a fetal position. How was she supposed to do that?

'It's one thing to make a barrier but, to make one around my mind? Who's to say that it's not even a demon doing this?'

"Kagome, you want to get going now?" Sango asked from her seat next to the Miko.

Kagome picked up her bag and nodded at the girl. Sango began to leave the clearing with Kagome walking behind her. Almost out of sight, Kagome stopped and looked back at the men-Inuyasha in particular. "No peeking," she said with a teasing tone and left with a laugh.

"Oi! What the hell's that supposed to mean!" the hanyou barked.

'Face it half-breed. Our mate knows us well.'

'Yep. I'm so ashamed.'

'Keh, I'm not. She should think of it as a compliment. It means we're attracted to her body. At least it's not some other bitch.'

'You asshole. How are you a part of me?'

'I'm a part of you-the good parts anyway.'

'And I'm the Emperor. Give me a break you horny dog…'

'Woof.' There was a cocky tone to the full-demon's last thought as the connection closed.

(^.^)

Kagome leaned back in the lake with a sigh. The water was cold and the wind was chilly tonight, but she didn't mind. It was a nice chill.

"Are you gonna relax all night or are you gonna start talking?" Sango said and scrubbed her arms. Kagome sat up and raised a brow.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Don't play dumb. Start talking. I know what you did. I want details," Sango said. Kagome furrowed her eye brows together and crossed her arms. "Well? You and Inuyasha have been very cozy lately."

"Is that what's this is about? Seriously Sango? What's there to talk about? You and Miroku are with us all the time. If anything, we should be talking about you and Miroku. Don't act all innocent. You're already talking about children," Kagome said and reached for her shampoo. Sango blushed and looked away. "Quiet, aren't you?"

Kagome lathered her hair quietly and let a small tune play in her head. Eventually, she started to hum aloud. Just as it had before, everything went dark. Instead of calling for Sango, Kagome kept calm and tried to block out her intruder.

'Don't push me out!'

Kagome kept still. It sounded like Kikyou. But, why?

'I have been trying to reach you all day. I've finally got a good connection. I am with Naraku. He has me and is coming for you next. Stay alert. Stay with Inuyasha.'

Just like that, her sight came back. 'When did my life stop being normal?' Kagome looked over to Sango to see her washing off her suds. Kagome bit her lip. Could she trust Kikyou? The woman had stolen from her and tried to kill her. But why else would she do this? Why would she tell her to stay close to Inuyasha? Had Kikyou given up on him? Kagome continued to toss around different scenarios in her mind, but couldn't come up with any reason not to believe Kikyou. For now, she would have to trust her.

Now, what to tell Inuyasha? 'If I tell him, his demon won't be happy. It would complicate things. Maybe I could just not tell him? But, I don't wanna keep secrets.' Kagome sighed.

~:~

Well, here's your Word of the Day:

Keratitis noun

inflammation of cornea: the inflammation and swelling of the cornea

Sentence: That guy has keratitis! EWWW!

Now, go out and use this word!

Hey, has anyone noticed that Shippou has disappeared?