Chapter 23: Faraway Homesickness

(Memories are the most important things we can share. And a lot of memories are shared, we look at this stuff and we all think of the same things. That's important because it brings us together as friends. But can you imagine if we didn't have these memories? It would be like we had no past… and no friends. And the future would be just as empty and lonely.)

Kagome was sitting there staring out the window at the bright, silver moon over the darkened forest. For the first time in months, she had taken a long hot bath, changed into clean clothes, and ate at the table at a delicious home-cooked meal thanks to her mother.

Everyone had been so stunned to hear her story and Kikyo just started at the jeweled necklace in her hands—as if lost in thought.

Her father was especially torn up when he learned what had happened.

They all just held onto her and told her everything that had been happening since she left. After she disappeared, they called in a huge search party to search every square inch of the woods. They searched the whole of Areno Woods for days, but they never found a trace of her.

"We didn't know what happened," her mother said, as she ran her fingers lovingly through her daughter's hair. "It was like you just disappeared into thin air."

"I'm sorry," Kagome croaked out, still not used to using her voice after all this time. "But I just didn't…"

"No, we understand," mom said firmly. "How could anyone believe a story like this?"

"Yeah," Sota gasped. "If I didn't see you transform like that I never would've! Can you do it again?"

Kagome shook her head. "I don't know… I honestly don't know how it happened." She looked to Kikyo, who looked just as confused as she did.

"I don't know," she answered softly. "I found this necklace in a store and the woman who ran it, told me about wolves. I just gave it to you so that you would remember that hunting such beautiful creatures was wrong. Kagome, I swear if I knew then…?"

But Kagome shook her head. "No, don't," she said hoarsely. "I'm glad that you did. I learned so much…" Kagome then told them all about her adventures in the forest. How the wolves had taken her in, and how she had hunted with them.

Sota's jaw dropped. "You have got to be kidding!" he cried. "You hunted with wild wolves all this time?"

"You saw her turn from a wolf into a human didn't you?" Kikyo demanded. "How else could she have survived all this time out there? She couldn't have all alone!"

"You're right," Kagome smiled. "They were so kind to me…"

"But the wolves always disappear around this time of year," dad said hurriedly.

"They aren't dumb animals dad," she said firmly. "They're intelligent. I'm not saying that they'll be getting driver licenses anytime soon, but they aren't wild beasts like you always thought! They were kind and brave! And I can't tell you how ashamed I am to think of all the cruelty that humans have done to them."

She lowered her head and put her face in her hands. "Humans treat wild animals like they aren't living beings!" she muttered. The traps, the men chasing them, Shippo's parents… her father standing over her with that club…

"It was terrifying being hunted!" she cried out. She started shaking and she felt her mother's warm arms wrap around her.

"They climb the cliffs dad," Kagome croaked out. "They know that you guess are after them, so they had no choice but to go up where you can't follow them."

"But wolves can't climb," Sota said at once.

"I lived with them for months, Sota," she said. "They can't climb like cats, but they are so smart and kind…"

She raised her head and looked at her father.

"Daddy?" she asked softly.

He blinked and stared at her.

"You can't hunt anymore," she said looking at him through pleading eyes. "You think that they're just wild animals. And they are… but they're living creatures too. You know that wolf that you brought home? That was the mother of a young pup that I lived with for all that time. I can't tell you how guilty I felt! And the day that I became a wolf, his father was also killed. Daddy, something must be done. I owe so much to each of these creatures and I can't stand by and let them ever become stuff and mounted!"

Her father stared down at her and then he nodded. "I promise. I won't ever hunt again." He turned his back on her and walked from the room. "And I won't let anyone else do so again either."

Kagome stared at him as he headed to his coat and pulled out his phone. She watched as he dialed a number and held it up. "Hey," he said. "Listen… I need you to do me a favor. We're going to put an end to this hunting season."

Kagome blinked and suddenly she felt warm tears in her eyes. She moved from her mother's arms and ran to hug her father tightly.

*A few days later*

Her father was as good as his word. He had called the rest of his hunting buddies together and told them that they were going to create a national park. A park where it would be against the law to hunt the wolves here.

Predictably, they were all stunned at his words and were demanding to know what had got into him. Her dad then told them that he found his daughter—he didn't tell them about how she had been a wolf—but that he owed the wolves for keeping her safe all this time.

Hojo was among them, and when he heard that she was alive and well, he had to come and see her. She forced a smile as he came in carrying health products to help her recover.

"Oh, Kagome," he said with a wide smile. "I can't tell you what it means to see you again! It's like a miracle that you're alive!"

"I know," Kagome answered tiredly. Hojo had tried to ask where she had been all this time, but all she had to do was pretend that she was too tired to speak and he bought it hook-line-and sinker. But when she begged that he support her father on trying to turn this place into a national park, he was more than happy to do so.

"It really is amazing," mom said to her as she came into her room, carrying a tray of hot soup for her. "Your father is working hard and convincing everyone. It really wouldn't surprise me if we're able to get this pulled off in just a few weeks at most. Since hunting season is almost over, we have until next year to get if official."

"That really is wonderful," Kagome smiled as she looked out at the bright sky. "Ayame and her pups can grow up in a world without fear now."

"Ayame? That's the pregnant wolf that you mentioned before right dear?" her mother asked.

"Yes," Kagome said. "I wonder how she, Koga, and all the others are doing."

Her mom looked at her with a strange look in her eyes as Kagome swallowed the hot soup. "What about you?" she asked softly.

Kagome, who was halfway to her mouth with another spoonful, looked up. "What do you mean?" she asked in confusion. "I'm fine."

Her mom gave her a sad look. "No… you aren't… you're happy to be back with us, but you also seem to be sad."

Kagome put her spoon and looked at her miserably. Finally, she told her mom the whole story. She told her about how she had lied and said that she had come from another pack and everything else. "And when I turned back," she finished, "I know that Inuyasha saw me! I can't stand the thought of not being able to see him again and explain what this was about." She pushed her food away and got out of bed and paced the room. "I just gave up the hope of ever coming back as a human! But now that I'm back, I feel terrible! I don't know what to do."

She sighed, coming to a stop at the window and leaning on the sill. "I want to see him again, and let him know just how much I appreciate everything he's done for me… even if he hates me."

With her back to her mother, she couldn't see the understanding look flash in her eyes. "I see," mom said. "Well, why don't you get some sleep now? I'm sure that you'll get a chance to soon."

Mom gave her another hug and kissed the top of her head. "I'm sure that you'll figure it out."

Kagome watched her go, not sure she understood what her mom meant.

*That night*

Late that night, she sat up in her window, looking out at the dark grounds and forest. She wondered how the others were doing. Did Inuyasha tell them that she was a human all along? How was Shippo taking the news? Did they hate her? Was Miroku's injuries ok? Was Sango furious with her? Or how about…?

"Inuyasha…" she whispered sadly, staring ahead at the crescent moon in the sky. Below her laid the forest, dark, moist, and quiet. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the cool glass. "I want to see you…" she whispered. Suddenly, she heard it—in the distance she heard the callings of her pack. Was it hunt-song? No, it was pack-song. They're just singing to be doing it, not to celebrate the kill.

She wanted to run dive into the forest, go to them, be hunt-sister and one with the pack once again.

She opened her eyes and stared at the darkness, trying not to cry. Why should she be feeling this way? She was back where she belonged, and soon this place would be safe for them all… Inuyasha could find a new mate and raise pups in safety. Yet, why did her heart ache so?

That was when she saw something silver flashing between the trees just below her window. She gasped as the silver wolf that she knew and loved was standing there looking up at her.

She couldn't help it. She forced the window open and jumped down to the ground to join him. There was no obvious exit to be seen. The only tree next to her was the only one there. It was a tall, thin and scraggly tree, out of place here. It was only her and the silver wolf with golden eyes that were staring up at her.

"Inuyasha," she whispered, suddenly falling to her knees. "I'm so sorry… I know I should have told you…" she felt hot tears beginning to form, but she pushed them back as she looked at him.

"I know that you can understand me," she said, "And don't worry, all the traps here have been removed. I don't know what's going on inside your head at the moment, but before you leave, please let me explain."

Inuyasha didn't move, listening to every word she had to say as if fascinated.

She took a deep breath and told him everything. How she had come up here months ago with her family to hunt. How she got the necklace from Kikyo and it was someone curse and turned her into a wolf. How she had been chased out into the forest and met him.

She took a deep breath and finished, "But there's nothing to worry about anymore. I told my dad everything and he swore that he wouldn't let anyone else hunt here. They're working on turning this place into a national park so that no one will be able to harm you or any of the others. You don't need to worry anymore about humans."

She felt the tears rolling down her face as she raised her head to him. "I'm so sorry… I know that nothing I say can ever make up for what we've done to you. But please, understand that I never meant to hurt you. You mean so much to me… you and Sango and Shippo and all the others."

Inuyasha continued to stand there looking at her, and t first, she was sure that he would just walk away. But instead he slowly came towards her, as if worried that he would frighten her. Kagome didn't move… whatever he did, she would except it.

"Inuyasha?" she called hoarsely. Her voice was edged with fear and nervousness. Wishing that she could hear his thoughts again…

He stepped forward and rubbed his head against the side of her cheek. That was all it took for her to break down crying again. She wrapped her arms around his thick fur and let the tears soak his fur. Just having him here made her heart soar.

"I love you," she whispered to him softly. "I never stopped…"

And they remained like that for a long time, her arms wrapped around his neck as he sat there with her. With Kagome wishing that they could find some other way for them to be together again… but for now, she supposed that this moment was enough.

(I know that I've been taking a long time with this next chapter, but I've been busy in school. So sorry for the long wait, but the good news is that this story will be over soon. I really hope that you enjoyed it up till now.)