A different path Chapter 15: C15: Kagome returns, an inuyasha fanfic

So after much pestering from reviews (please stop) here is Kagome's chapter

I came up with the idea that compared to Naraku tearing Kikyo and InuYasha apart like he did in the original, he wipes out Kagome's family but Souta is the lone survivor. But he lives in isolation due to the trauma and bitterness towards InuYasha. So in canon Kagome did accept InuYasha's full heritage, but I see Kagome's fears being abandonment, her mortality and the strain of responsibility. She was only 15 in the original series. A fear of never living up to expectations of others, of InuYasha leaving her behind, and never being able to act as a teenager due to caring for her family and the village. Naraku preying on her insecurities, her resentment and loneliness

Also the kiss scene was inspired by the backstory episode between Kikyo and InuYasha

InuYasha ran through the darkness like a bullet, the devil on his heels as he gripped the jewel in his hand like a vice, he knew he was being hunted and he couldn't allow them to catch him. He had to escape while he could, if he gave up he would undoubtedly be killed

"INUYASHA!" a voice screamed angrily

InuYasha blinked, a piercing pain striking his chest as an arrow pierced just below his heart, feeling as though he had been stabbed by a burning hot poker iron. Frozen in place by pain, his body trembling as he bit back screams of agony. InuYasha coughed, gazing down at his body as the arrow gleamed in the light, the spiritual essence binding him to the tree. Who would dare such an act against him, a cruel fate of being trapped to this cursed tree for eternity "A… A binding spell… but… who…" he trailed off

Kagome stood, gripping her bow tightly, biting her lip and scowling hatefully, tears spilling down her cheeks, blood pooling from her shoulder as she panted heavily. The same bitter expression she had worn the day she had turned against him. InuYasha's eyes widened in awe "K… Kikyo…" he stammered, no this was the past, Kikyo didn't exist in that time. "No… it's not her… Kikyo is too pure, too kind….that deceitful bitch… the one who bound me fifty years ago… Kagome…"

InuYasha sat up in a panic, his heart in his throat, his chest heaving as sweat dripped from his brow, he cupped his face in his hands and rubbed his face awkwardly. He hadn't had nightmares that lucid since he was a pup, waking up sobbing from the visions created from his own mind. The past returning to haunt him even now, wishing he could be free of the damn memories. Kikyo was laid curled up in a sleeping bag which she had brought from home, keeping her safe and warm from the dangers of nature. Soft snores escaping her lips as she dreamed peacefully, awaiting the return of a new day. Kaede curled up with Shippo in a smaller bag cuddled up with Shippo, the latter having found comfort by sleeping next to her to ward off his own nightmares. InuYasha sighed, climbing down from the tree to approach Kikyo cautiously, gazing down at her sleeping face. He didn't want to wake her in fear of scaring her by appearing ominous. Sometimes when he watched Kagome sleep she would awaken suddenly, slapping him while half asleep as a defence mechanism, leaving his face sore. They had the same gentle eyes, so soft and loving, the deep pools of brown that were filled with passion. The same warm smile and same tender heart "They are so alike and yet so different, like gazing in a mirror" he reflected. The same soul in different bodies, the same woman who loved him but in a different body from a different time.

Kikyo stirred sleepily, mumbling softly in her sleep, her body shifting slightly as she began to stir. Kikyo's eyes opened slowly, her eyelashes fluttering as she came to hazily, noticing InuYasha watching her sleep cautiously. She smiled sleepily, sitting up from her sleeping bag to acknowledge him, her fringe tousled and her hair ruffled from sleep, but she still appeared so angelic. "Kombanwa InuYasha…" she trailed off sleepily, wondering what he would be doing up so late. She knew some demons were nocturnal, but she didn't know whether that equated to InuYasha, she didn't know enough about his species.

InuYasha shifted, feeling guilty for breaking her peaceful slumber "Did I wake you?" he apologized. It was rare they had a moment of peace in this era, finding themselves facing a new danger every other day. She deserved rest to recover and prepare for a new battle that would await them. He had simply found himself restless after facing a nightmare. Since meeting Kikyo the dreams had become easier to negate and sleep easier, but he had the feeling the dream was a premonition of some kind.

Kikyo hummed, she remembered during a storm during her childhood after her parents died, she would hide under the blankets until it came to an end. She had faced enough sleepless nights of her own so she understood his feelings. "iie, I've been a restless sleeper since I was a child" she confessed, he needn't feel guilty for anything. If he wishes to talk about whatever was plaguing his mind she would gladly listen now that they were both awake. InuYasha smiled, Kagome would have slapped him for surprising him then nonchalantly apologized leaving him annoyed, but Kikyo showed no sign of rage or surprise. Instead she simply greeted him familiarly and soothed his spirit. "Are you troubled? I suppose sleeping comfortably must be unusual for you?" she soothed kindly. InuYasha had lived alone for many centuries, having a nomadic lifestyle until he met Kagome and her family. Upon being released from his seal after fifty years he was adapting to a new homelife. Kikyo and Kaede treating him as family and welcoming with open arms, having somewhere safe to sleep. InuYasha shook his head, somehow gazing at the face of the woman who died seemed strange to him. A woman whom harboured a sense of maturity and wisdom that exceeded her years. But he felt as though he could tell her anything without reservation.

Kikyo and InuYasha stiffened, the overwhelming aura of a demon flooding the area in a ghostly wave. The whole night air filled with an ominous feeling that made their skin crawl, as though a ghost would jump out from somewhere. Kikyo had formed a barrier around them to prevent a surprise attack, but they would still be able to sense a demon nearby. They averted their gaze to see a wrinkled demonic-looking woman carrying a basket on her back, the scent of blood hung from her in a polluting smoke. "Akuma…" Kikyo muttered cautiously, they were coming into a contact so soon after the spiderhead nest at the temple? Something in her instinct told her that this meant trouble. Her skin was crawling and the women harboured a aura that went beyond malicious, into pure apathetic evil. InuYasha glared cautiously, the scent of blood clung to the woman like death, it was unnerving, to say the least, hoping she wouldn't notice them.

Kikyo gripped InuYasha's back tightly as they raced towards the village in the empty silence, she hadn't slept comfortably following the demonic encounter last night. Her glowing red demonic eyes, her silvery grey hair, her haggard face and the scent of blood that clung to her. She'd heard tale of hags from fairytales but she had only every believed they existed in imagination, but then anything in this era was possible, no matter how strange. InuYasha had been silent and reflective the entire time, harbouring a steely gaze, she knew something was bothering him. Though InuYasha had faced many demon enemies before, from how he was behaving last night, being plagued by nightmares. Something was eating away at him and causing him to sulk about something.

Kaede was being carried by Shippo, floating close beside him with a concerned look, gripping to him tightly. She knew something was troubling InuYasha and Kikyo wasn't touching the subject. Something had happened last night between her sister and InuYasha but she knew it didn't involve a fight. She didn't want to intrude on their personal business but she couldn't ignore the gnawing in her gut "Are… are we going home?" Kaede stammered timidly.

InuYasha shook his head "iie, we are going back to the village" he explained calmly, he had to make sure his dreams had been incorrect and that demoness had simply been passing by. But he knew better, something had happened which meant trouble for the rest of them.

Kikyo gazed around the village in awe, the whole place was a wreck with blood, fire and chaos, wounded villagers, cries and sadness, fear and worry. She had much work to do, healing the injured and attempting to help with the repair work. There were so many in need and she didn't doubt that there had been many losses during this attack. "Lady Kikyo, Yokatta, you've returned" someone responded, she was a welcomed face at a time like this. If only she had been around to protect them from the demon and ward her off. But she was here now and she would be able to help them through this.

Kikyo approached the villager in concern, her new jewel necklace hung around her neck "What happened here? Was it a demon?" she asked in concern. She knew demons were capable of senseless violence, but it seemed they had been seeking something here. Perhaps they heard tale of the jewel and hoped to find it here despite her being missing. When it came to rumours, demons would happily take what whispers they could get, no matter how small the possibility, the urge was too powerful. The resilience of this village was admirable, that despite the numerous attacks on their home the community came together. Rebuilding their homes, replanting and restoring their crops and looking out for each other.

"Twas my sister's grave, though we had protected it all this time" an elderly voice responded. An elderly man approached, he had short grey hair with a curled fringe, a wound wrapped in bandages and a sling around his arm. This village had been attacked by many demons over the years, but since a woman resembling his sister had shown up, demons had known to stay away. But since her travels, a sly demon had taken advantage of her absence to enact its scheme. He felt relieved to have her here, as they would have some form of protection for now, hopefully she could form a barrier to protect this village from further attacks. It would be greatly appreciated for they couldn't endure another attack so soon.

InuYasha stared in awe, could it be? Was it? He would always remember him as the tearful brat who clung to his sister hopelessly and always got into trouble. The crybaby who was shy, cowardly but kind hearted. It seemed he'd grown up since he had last seen him, life had passed him by so quickly. "Souta… you're still kicking?" he scoffed, the guy had to be pushing at least 70, wondering if he had a wife, kids and grandchildren around to keep an eye on him. He was the last known living member of the Higurashi clan, a family of priests of which Kagome was the only known female member who inherited powers. Though he harboured no spiritual power of his own as it remained recessive, it was possible his descendants did. Souta would have lived a much easier life than his sister had he not lost his family, though prone to demon attacks. He would never have to worry about the responsibility Kagome had been shouldered with. But thanks to what happened, he had suffered a broken heart and forced to mature at a young age.

Souta scoffed, this wasn't a reunion he was expecting. "I haven't aged well nay, I had hoped after my sister passed I would live in peace and leave you behind" he responded. InuYasha had once been someone he admired as an older brother figure, someone he hoped to show wisdom to him and help him learn life lessons. Instead he ended up tearing his family apart, breaking his sisters heart and supposedly being responsible for massacring his entire family. Seeing him again was indeed painful but there was nothing he could do about it now. InuYasha was merely a ghost from his past that he had crossed paths with all these years later, a long lost memory.

Kikyo approached cautiously, she believed the entire Higurashi clan was deceased. But this sole member from the main family survived, wondering if he had passed on his heritage to others. Though a reincarnation of his sister, she did harbour some familial bond to him as weak as it was."You… you are Lady Kagome's brother?" she asked curiously. Perhaps she could learn some stories of his sister life before her passing, better understand her as a person. Hoping to learn from her and show further respect for Kagome. To have lived in this village all these years alone, it must have been very difficult for him.

Souta's eyes widened, the rumours were indeed true and frightening to behold in person, it was as if he passed through time to his childhood to see his sister in the flesh. Despite being older in age and mature, Kikyo was indeed a haunting image of his older sister. It brought a sense of bittersweet nostalgia to him, making him wish he had appreciated his sister more. "Souta Higurashi, the last remaining member of my family…" he trailed off politely, hoping to not seem rude. Though he had indeed fallen in love and married, he had never bore a child. After what had happened to his family, he could never endure the thought of his own child being ripped from him the same way his family had. He was happy to let his bloodline die with him, simply living a quiet life.

Kikyo approached politely, hoping they could befriend Souta during their time here. "Ohaiyo Souta-kun, my name is Kikyo Himura, this is my younger sister Kaede. It is an honour to meet you" she responded bowing lightly. His family had protected this village before Kagome's death, though she sensed no spiritual aura from him. Meaning it must have passed down through another family member. Possibly his paternal side rather than the maternal, meaning their father may have harboured the gift also. She hoped in the future they could become friends, perhaps Souta acting as a mentor to her for he better understood this village than she.

Souta smiled warmly, she carried the same kind soul that his sister had "I believe you should both follow me, tis best you see for yourselves" he explained. He couldn't describe the damage done in person, the blow of how devastating the act was emotionally and generally was too much. This was a personal incident, the demon had been after something in particular.

Kikyo's eyes widened in horror upon approaching the crevice like hole now engorged into the earth, someone had ripped it apart and desecrated it. A small shrine sat in disarray, a vase of spilled cherry blossoms having fallen inside the grave. This once peaceful resting place had now been destroyed by the cruel acts of a demon against the village. A holy place of worship and respect had been ruined out of spite and hatred. Many people came to her family shrine to ask for blessings, some even left tokens for their dead relatives, friends and other such relations. Burning incense and such to ease their souls. For someone to have torn up the earth, ripping her remains from the ground and abandoning it, it was truly a selfish act. Souta turned to Kikyo with a solemn expression "This was my sister Kagome's grave" he responded coldly. He would come by when he could to clean it and leave offerings to his sister. Reflecting on their brief time together on the earth, but now he didn't even have that. Many villagers came to pray at the shrine to honour her memory, for she was dearly loved in this village. But now a demon had taken that shard of light from their lives to do god knows what to his sisters remains. After her death, this was the closest he could be to seeing her again. Kikyo stiffened, gripping her hand to her chest in conflict, this was the grave of the priestess whom she had been reborn from. This was the resting place of InuYasha's previous lover. Her life had once been here in this village among the feudal era, but she was reborn into the modern world which was familiar to her. Her resting place tarnished and disrespected in such a terrible way, it broke her heart to see. She would have loved to have found this place sooner to help clean it and leave offerings out of respect. She knew that regaining Kagome's remains wouldn't just bring the villagers peace of mind, but it would soothe Souta's mind to have his sister safely returned to him.

Souta sighed, wincing from the pain of his wound "Last night a demon sorceress named Urasue attacked our village. She stole the ashes of my sister's bones and graveyard soil" he explained. His sister had many enemies during her time as a priestess, not many knew she had perished. Others who were aware of her death had rejoiced at Kagome's interference coming to an end. But he couldn't think of why someone would rob his sisters grave of her remains, what use were they to a demon? Kikyo's expression darkened, a demon had tainted this sacred ground of Kagome's resting place to steal her remains? How wicked, Demons didn't even have the respect to ignore a grave of a human, surely there was no use for the remains now she was deceased. Their enemy had fallen, she could no longer combat them. Unless this was a personal grudge in which they desired to seek payback. "Though your power greatly surpasses my sisters, she harboured immense spiritual power and healing powers, as well as immunity to demonic influence" Souta explained. Kagome had been a powerful priestess in her own right, but she had still many years of training to go. She was adored and respected by all, but in the end she had still perished.

"So to someone like a demon, Lady Kagome's remains could be very dangerous" Kikyo reflected. If warped enough with demonic influence, a priestesses holy power could be used as a weapon against those they were supposed to protect. But then there were those with spiritual power who could use it for evil intentions, much like Tsubaki. But for Kagome whom had been regarded as a kind soul by all to have her memory tarnished like this, it was unacceptable. She could understand why Souta would be so upset, he had admired his older sister greatly and not just for her abilities. His memory of her was being ruined by a demon.

InuYasha scoffed, Souta had always been in his sisters shadow due to feeling inferior at his lack of spiritual powers. But in reality he'd dodged a bullet of a short and miserable life. "Yare Yare, it looks like even in death Kagome is getting into trouble, guess nothing changes there" he huffed. She never listened to anyone no matter the harm she was putting herself in, stubborn and hot headed to a fault. But she had deserved a better life than the one she was handed. Kagome had been bullied by village kids from a young age due to her spiritual power and other abilities, making her very lonely. But it was too late to undo what had happened. Kagome was gone and whatever flaws she harboured had gone to the grave with her, Souta had done well to survive all this time. Maybe if he kept his head down and avoided this conflict he would continue to live longer.

Souta frowned at InuYasha, he knew that InuYasha had loved his sister once. They had been inseparable for a time but their love was not to be, but to deny his once strong feelings for her was cruel. "My sister was close to you, you owe her the respect of retrieving her ashes" he scolded. Kagome had been but a girl who fell in love for the first time and trusted InuYasha with every fibre of her being, which cost her life. But they had shared a strong bond and InuYasha had been accepted in his family. He owed him this much, he owed him the last remains of his beloved older sister.

InuYasha froze and glared at Souta, among the entire family slaughtered, grandfather, mother and Kagome, Souta had been barely alive. He had remained relatively quiet his entire life and lived peacefully, harbouring no spiritual power unlike his sister. He married, had children and now he merely watched over the village, a wise choice to make. But it seemed that he had inherited his grandfather's senile idiocy of forgetting the flaws of his older sister. Her selfishness, her bad tempers, her jealousy, wearing her heart on her sleeve for all to see. She was very opinionated and stubborn, constantly failing to accept when she had lost an argument and begged for others to see her side. She never apologized for her mistakes and never seemed to see her flaws. "I think your memory fails you in old age kiddo unless you forgot Kagome and I despised each other" he scoffed. Kikyo watched in silence as InuYasha stormed off bitterly leaving them behind, she knew Kagome's memory was a touchy subject for him and hoped that he wasn't suffering too badly from this step into the past.

InuYasha sat under a tree in reflective silence, his amber eyes filled with pain and longing, it had been fifty years since he last saw Kagome in person. The days in which he sat by a log fire stove surrounded by her family while her senile grandfather harped on about another myth. Kagome sulking about how annoying her grandfather was before she and InuYasha would patrol the village or sneak off together to talk. He had loved her he wouldn't deny that, but he was younger then. He was 150, still a child back then, naive and foolish, after fifty years he had become a different man. Their bond had indeed been strong but he had forged a new life during the time between her passing. The face of the woman he knew now, the woman whom was now his companion. He sniffed the air, sensing her approaching before she even spoke, her instinct bringing them together like magnets "You're always a worrier" he chuckled. Much like Kagome, Kikyo could perceive his moods instantly, but while Kagome would always chase after him and pester even when he wanted to be alone. Kikyo would give him the space to cool off but come looking for him when she believed he may be in trouble. She trusted and respected him to do the right thing, that he would approach her when he was ready.

Kikyo approached silently, sitting beside InuYasha and simply reaching out to squeeze his hand to comfort him "I was talking with Souta-kun, according to reports, not only was Kagome's ashes stolen but the damp earth of her grave" Kikyo responded calmly. This demon had been intent on leaving no stone unturned, gathering every residue of Kagome they could get their claws into. It was starting to feel as though it was a personal grudge more than anything, that they intentionally attacked Kagome's grave with a reason. She could understand why InuYasha would feel conflicted by this, the remains of a past lover who wronged him yet he still cared for. It would leave anyone in a mess of emotions. InuYasha's ears twitched, damp earth alongside the ashes of Kagome's bones had been robbed? Kikyo bowed her head bitterly, her eyes pained and glassy "Gomen, I sense you wish to be alone but I couldn't repress my concern for you" she admitted. She could see the pain dancing behind his eyes, the anger that flashed like a wildfire. He had finally found peace within himself and was maturing from his past experiences which were now haunting him. InuYasha shifted, Kikyo's empathy was as strong as Kagome's had been, she couldn't ignore someone in need, no matter how dangerous it may be. She had an innate calling to heal those who were suffering, be it from illness, physical injury or emotional suffering, to heal the broken. "Souta wishes to journey to rescue his sister's ashes, I worry his old age may make him vulnerable so I offered to join him. He deserves to have his sister back" she responded calmly. They had found horses in which they could use to travel, some food for the journey and some weapons for protection. They were all prepared to go, they simply needed to make sure they had enough.

InuYasha shifted, he knew that Kagome had been dead for years and he had only just been healing, coming to terms with everything and letting go of his hatred. Learning to love again, learning to live again, learning all about Kikyo's life, this amazing woman who came from another world. Realising his loneliness, that he wasn't a monster, that someone could accept him no matter how much of a freak he felt. But now she was being unearthed, literally and his feelings became conflicted and bitter, hateful to what Kagome forced him to endure and angry that she kept reappearing in his life. She was like a curse that kept haunting him. "You must hate me InuYasha… at a time like this, your accumulated memories of her. My presence must be unbearable for you" she confessed, he had been avoiding her gaze, seeking space and yet last night he had felt so warm. She heard the mutters and rumours of villagers discussing her likeness and connection to Kagome. The people muttering about Kaede and her relationship to Kikyo. The people that wondered if Kikyo was a ghost of Kagome who still watched over the village. Most just tried to leave offerings to her and begged for her help and guidance. But she cared not for their opinion of herself, she wouldn't allow them to frighten her sister either. But what she cared for was the hardship this would bring InuYasha and what it would do to his soul. Finally making peace with himself for a time only to be faced with nightmares from his past.

InuYasha stiffened, he hated that this mess was taking a strain on Kikyo's psyche and forcing her to acknowledge that she would compare herself to Kagome. People praising Kagome relentlessly and then ignoring the good that Kikyo had done since her arrival. How could Kikyo believe that because Kagome's grave was being unearthed, that because kagome's memory was being brought up that he hated her. If anything Kikyo had acted as a comfort to him all this time, he was able to connect with her in a way that was never possible with Kagome. He'd reminded her over and over again that she wasn't Kagome, she was a unique soul, that though they harboured similarities this didn't make them identical. She was a skilled, intelligent and admirable woman in her own right, her inner strength, devotion and compassion for others. She shared Kagome's soul but she wasn't a replica in every way. Kikyo's connection to Kagome was a ghost thread that was barely visible, but her inner light shone brightly. She would forge her own path with the confidence she was able to muster. He gripped her hands, pulling Kikyo close to him to close the gap between, their noses nearly touching, his face looming over her slightly, his golden eyes filled with pain and longing. He could feel her trembling, smell the faint hint of salt from the tears that threatened to fall.

Kikyo's cheeks darkened, she could feel InuYasha's heartbeat, his breath tickling his cheek, the scent of a man who yearned for her. He was treating her as his lover, his mate and a woman, making his feelings for her clear. His accumulated passions swirling around in his chest, driving him mad like an oncoming storm. She knew he was thinking of Kagome, but this pain, this conflict, he loved Kagome but he was in love with her. He had chosen her, he had chosen to devote himself to her, that she was irreplaceable to him. She blushed, leaning forward to capture InuYasha's lips in a kiss, closing her eyes a tear spilt down her cheek, hoping her love, her empathy, her worry and devotion to him would be made clear. She was frightened, afraid of where this path would lead, what would become of them and what the past would reveal to them. But she needed InuYasha by her side, she couldn't afford to lose him now. She hated to see him suffering the same way he hated to observe her going through the same thing. She just wanted to be close to him, to forever feel this comfort of being loved by someone. InuYasha blushed, this was the first real kiss he and Kikyo had shared since their meeting, he never expected her to be so bold as to take the initiative. Admittedly Kikyo behaving dominantly was somewhat sexy to him. Her lips were so soft, so warm and so sweet, her hands were trembling and her heart was shaking, she was nervous, she was gripping his hands tightly, hoping to comfort him. He closed his eyes, leaning into the kiss and releasing one of her hands to wrap it around her back, pulling her closer to him.

Kaede helped Souta gather weapons for the journey, making sure they had plenty of medicine and food just in case, who knew how long the journey would take. They may run into rogue demons along the way while trying to reclaim Kagome's remains, so long as Kikyo harboured the jewel shards they were a walking target. However, it felt strange to see another child in the same place he had once been before Kagome had passed away. Souta was stunned that someone as young as Kaede was a trainee priestess, not much older than he had been when Kagome had died. However, she was much more equipped and experienced at coping with demons than he had been at her age, fearless and intelligent, which was admirable. "I want to help save Lady Kagome's ashes, she may be connected to my sister, but I can still respect her" Kaede stated proudly. If not for Lady Kagome, her sister never would have been born. She had led to her sister and InuYasha being able to meet and creating the life they now lived, she was grateful for that.

Kikyo and InuYasha approached awkwardly, both of their cheeks adorning a slight blush, a warm smile on their faces. Showing no signs of fear of the mission they were about to partake in. Kikyo had a quiver of arrows and a bow in her hand, prepared to fight, resembling Kagome further, wondering if he would ever adapt to it. Kikyo was prepared to put her life at risk to save his sisters remains, InuYasha following her obediently without hesitation. Souta sighed, it was best not to dwell on the past for it would only unearth further unpleasant memories. "Let us be off, the longer we waste, the more time we lose" he explained. The village was rest easier knowing Kagome's remains would be brought back to the village where it belonged instead of lost in demon territory. Kaede climbed on the front of Souta's horse, gripping Shippo in her arms tightly, eager to see where this road would lead. Kikyo climbing onto InuYasha's back quietly as they headed into the distance towards Kagome's kidnapper, both intrigued and afraid of what she would face.

Demonic smoke poured from the chimneys as Urasue paced around her hideout deviously, everything was finally falling into place. After she had perished at the same time the shard vanished she had lost all hope. But now that the rumours of the jewel coming back into existence had begun to arise, what better use could she have of this power? She continued to throw logs repetitively over the fire, grinning maniacally "Come dear girl, don't leave an old woman waiting" she cackled. She couldn't allow the shards to fall into the hands of another demon, no other creature was as worthy.

"Oh my daughter of bones and clay, the tasks I have for you"

Kikyo brushed her finger across her lips bashfully, the lingering feeling of InuYasha's lips on her own, her heart was fluttering and her skin was prickling, yet she felt so light and happy inside. She had always heard that a first kiss was a treasured moment of women and an experience one never forgot, after experiencing it for herself she truly understood why. The passion behind those golden eyes had been palpable, never wanting the kiss to end, eager to enjoy the feeling of his lips a moment longer. But she wondered, had he felt the same passion for Kagome? Had they shared the same desire for one another or had she been shyer? Had he loved her the same way she adored him? Had her feelings for InuYasha been so strong she bound him to the tree for she couldn't bring herself to kill him. They had clearly shared a strong relationship which had ended badly on both sides. To have such a volatile hatred of one another, they clearly had loved one another. The true reality of their relationship would continue to remain a mystery to her. She wondered what kind of woman Kagome had been, what connection their souls had in common and whether she inherited any of her traits. She could have killed him, but instead, she bound him to the tree for fifty years, freezing him in time while the world passed around him. She gripped InuYasha's shoulders tightly, pushing these intrusive thoughts from her mind. She had sworn she wouldn't compare herself to Kagome anymore, for it would make them both unhappy.

InuYasha raised an eyebrow but spoke not a word, they were all on edge due to the tension of the situation. It was expected for her to be afraid, this was unknown territory for them all. But he wouldn't allow her to share this fear alone, he would ease her spirits as much as it took to soothe her anxieties. He knew he had to protect her no matter what, this mission involving Kagome put her at risk too. But at least Kikyo would be able to purify Kagome's remains with her powers when they were finally retrieved. They could return to their ordinary lives and finish the mission Kagome had left in disarray.

Souta peered at InuYasha and Kikyo curiously, a sense of confusion and yet wonder in his eyes. The Hanyou had truly changed since his time that Souta had known him, he was less hostile, bossy and stubborn. He was visibly softer, gentler and kinder around Kikyo than he had been his sister, he'd grown up and become a new person. He remembered the arguments, the jealousy, the bitterness, often about the most ridiculous and mundane of matters which were often frustrating for both parties. Blame being thrown in either direction with insults being thrown. Suspicions of unfaithfulness or even possibly flirting with another person. How Kagome would become angry should InuYasha suspect her, despite InuYasha having eyes only for her while she had numerous suitors. When he refused to eat her cooking for being too spicy, complaining that it burned his tongue or tasted strange leading Kagome to sulk and use the beads against him. When he sulked that she hid secrets and wandered off on his own, not returning until his mood improved. But around Kikyo, he had matured greatly, it seemed Kikyo had helped him heal in ways Kagome never could.

"You spying on Nee-chan and InuYasha?" Kaede asked casually, they did make an adorable couple and they were suited for each other. She hadn't seen her sister this happy before in her life. InuYasha was more welcome in their home than he ever had been in the feudal era, they were his true home.

Souta blinked, despite her young age Kaede was very educated. She sensed the blossoming love between InuYasha and her sister thus supported it, showing no fear or suspicions that normal humans in this era would. "Does it trouble you, knowing your sister is the reincarnation of my own? That once we were siblings many years ago" he asked solemnly. It was a strange information that would cause anyone to become confused, yet Kaede had not spoken a word about it. Knowing that they both had a connection to Kagome in some way. Though Kikyo was his sisters reincarnation, where did that leave Kaede?

Kaede blinked, shifting before shrugging casually "They may share the same soul, but Kikyo is Kikyo. The only thing she harbours mutually is the same power, from what I've heard they are nothing alike" she stated bluntly. No matter how many people praised Kikyo, no matter how many people idolised her for being Kagome's reincarnation. She would always love her sister for herself. Souta sighed but smiled, the love Kaede felt for her sister was unwavering and he admired that, her pure love for both InuYasha and Kikyo. But he couldn't help but worry if they didn't gather his sisters remains, something terrible may occur.

Urasue gazed upon the moulded form of the body she had created, stroking it with pride, through blood, sweat and tears everything had fallen into place. She hadn't believed it to be possible but she was able to fulfill her plan with succession "Heh, heh, heh, I must say, my dear, you are coming along perfectly. Earth and bone coupled in harmony, their union blessed by my kiln" she grinned. The villagers had been so foolish to leave it unguarded but it saved her a lot of hassle, for she was the only one in her clan with such immense power. The weaklings who also carried her blood hadn't harboured the innate talent she needed. She raised her scythe wickedly "Now my girl…." she grinned flashing her white fangs, before slamming the weapon downwards. She pierced the clay mummy, cracking the shell of the body, shattering the casing. A brown eye peeked out from the form, gazing at the cave with a blank expression behaving on the will of her creator obediently. A peachy arm raised slowly, shattering the residual form of the clay sculpture in which she was trapped. A slim yet curvy form appearing from the clay, black wavy hair tumbling past her shoulders to reach her breasts, slowly sitting up, her doe eyes empty and staring into oblivion. Her body radiated with an aura that filled the room, the scent of graveyard soil filling the air like smoke.

"Welcome back Lady Kagome" Urasue grinned, she felt so honoured to finally meet the respected priestess whom was once an enemy to someone such as herself. Now she would act on behalf of the demons, becoming the enemy of those she had once protected dutifully. Kagome gripped the plant in her hand silently, holding it close to her chest. "Milady Kagome, when you last roamed this earth, you were a beloved yet feared priestess who slew many demons. Yet was slain by the very demon who stole your heart, now you will gather the Shikon jewel for me" Urasue grinned. A demon had managed to seduce Lady Kagome, using her naivety to his own means and destroying her soul and killing her clan. But in doing so the jewel had been sealed away as wished by Lady Kagome before her death. Now she would be able to undo the mess caused by her death and regain the jewel for herself. Kagome slowly got to her feet, raising her body from the ground and pacing lazily around the cave in a daze, like a newborn taking their first steps. However, this came to an abrupt halt, her body instantly collapsing to the ground, the weight of her body collapsing beneath her. She lay still and lifeless on the ground, unresponsive to further commands. Urasue approached, yanking Kagome's hair to stare into her eyes, a boiling rage filling her veins "Mochiron, curse you girl, your soul has not returned, you are but an empty shell. My sorceress net could not have let your soul slip through. Meaning it must have been reborn in another" she growled.

Kaede gripped to Shippo, focusing her gaze ahead than allowing herself to look at the endless drop beneath them. Neither of them were fond of heights and this bridge didn't seem at all stable, weathered from storms, damp, mould and time, no longer sturdy for passengers. To be rebuilt and replaced was a much more satisfying idea for such a passageway. However, they had come too far to give up and somehow they would pass through unscathed. Kikyo gripped InuYasha's shoulders tightly as she refused to allow her gaze to lower, the demonic aura in the air was so sharp you could cut it with a knife. She was a rational person and with the pull of gravity at their height, it would undoubtedly end perilously for them all. As they drew closer to the demons den, the demonic aura grew stronger and she realised there were enemies approaching with weapons in hand. "InuYasha! Tatakau" Kikyo blurted in a panic. If she had been able to fixate their location sooner she could have immobilized them in order for them to pass over safely without hindrance.

InuYasha fixated his gaze ahead to notice figures approaching from the mist, soldiers began to stagger towards them with blank stares. Was this the welcoming committee sent by that ogress whom had stolen Kagome's ashes? She was truly covering her tracks to make sure her plans went undisturbed. She had to have been plotting this for weeks in order to think things through this clearly. Though he and Kikyo would be able to defeat them no problem, with how unstable the bridge was, Kaede and Shippo would become a hindrance. The unbalance would cause them to topple over indefinitely. Kaede gripped Shippo tightly, perhaps she could borrow Souta's arrows to use to attack, she didn't want to be useless and she had faced monsters worse than these mannequin type beings. Kikyo gripped her bow and arrow tightly, prepared to fight, her legs were shaking and she knew the ground in which she stood wasn't fully stable. But she had come too far to give up and she had people relying on her to fulfill her mission. InuYasha growled, lowering Kikyo to her feet, if he sensed she was in even the slightest hint of trouble they would back off and find another way around. Though with enemies this weak it wouldn't take him long to beat them "Watch your stepping, it's going to get shaky" InuYasha warned. This bridge wouldn't last much longer and with his demonic strength it may cause them some issues, but he would attempt caution for their sake. Kikyo nodded as InuYasha lunged at the creatures, swiping at them with his claws, shattering upon impact, his eyes widened as he realised the soldiers were made of clay, hollow and empty. "What the hell?" InuYasha muttered in disbelief. These enemies were hollow, empty and shell like beings, no soul, no flesh and no will of their own, they were puppets. But there seemed to be an endless amount of them approaching from somewhere. Did their enemy truly think they could ward them off with this pitiful bodyguard collection?

Kikyo aimed her arrow, focusing on the demons approaching, she would be able to slay these creatures without any issue whatsoever. She would be able to purify any demonic residue and prevent the oncoming barrage that seemed neverending. However, InuYasha was within her line of fire and she didn't wish to harm him by mistake "InuYasha, duck" she warned. Shooting her arrow to pierce through the oncoming soldiers, cutting them down instantly, their bodies crumbling into dust. If this was what Urasue was able to conjure with her magic of normal remains, just what was she capable of with the remains of a fallen priestess? She shuddered to consider the thought.

Urasue peeked from over her cliff to acknowledge the chaos outside her cave, she had sensed a strong spiritual aura just now, purifying the air around her hideout. But how could that be possible? Though many priestesses existed in this time none of them knew of her hideout and it was rare one was even able to surpass or even match the power Lady Kagome harboured. "What could that be?" she reflected curiously, how could her clay minions prove to be inefficient at being able to take care of intruders? She peered downwards, her eyes widening in awe, was this an illusion? A hallucination of some kind? Wielding a bow and arrow, her steely gaze focused ahead was a young woman, her steely gaze fixated ahead at further oncoming clay soldiers. Though taller than Kagome had been by 2 feet, though mature in appearance, she harboured a ghostly resemblance to Lady Kagome. She was dressed in strange clothes and appeared older in age, without a doubt she carried the same soul as the deceased priestess she had resurrected. "Her face, no it is not merely a coincidence, this is fate"

InuYasha swiped at more clay creatures, slashing and tearing them down like grass, he was getting rather frustrated at these decoys withholding them from pursuing further. This had to be a trick caused by Urasue to prevent their entry into her cave. Suddenly Urasue appeared, hovering before them with a manic grin, so she had finally decided to come out of hiding and face them in person. InuYasha glared at her fiercely, this was the demon who destroyed Kagome's grave, she would pay dearly for the damage she had caused, tarnishing a precious memory. She swiped at the bridge, slicing it in half with her scythe, destroying it from under their feet swiftly. Kaede shrieked as she felt the bridge collapsing underneath her, the horse whinnying as it collapsed to its death, none of her spiritual abilities allowed her the gift of flight or levitation. Souta gripped Shippo and Kaede close to himself protectively, he was prepared to die it if meant preserving the life of a young child.

Suddenly, Kikyo felt arms wrap around her waist, yanking her into the air, watching helplessly as her lover, sister and her friends plummeted towards the ground. So she had been the goal of the demon all along, had she planned on luring her out here and then killing of her companions? Or was this all fortuitous to the demon and she was merely doing away with those she saw as pests? "Kaede! InuYasha! Shippo! Souta-Kun!" she cried helplessly, she glared up at Urasue, clawing at her captor's arms defiantly, prepared to wield her powers against the demon. "Release me now!" she demanded, she would not aid this demon in whatever despicable plans it had concocted and she wouldn't forgive her for sending her loved ones to their death.

Urasue cackled, she was putting up a fight indeed, she could sense the power emanating from her. It was best to seal her as soon as possible or she would become problematic to her plans. "Ye need not worry about those pitiful fools, their fates are sealed", they would be silenced soon enough, how easy they were to defeat. Kikyo glared, praying they would survive, she needed to escape the demons clutches.

Kikyo struggled bitterly, her hands bound by rope and soaked in a medicinal oil that rendered her immobilized, she knew of many medicinal tonics due to her innate skill, but none had paralysed someone before. She questioned if perhaps she had blended poisonous plants into here to cause such an effect, causing her to be drugged into a state of paralyzation. The demon had concocted this plan efficiently to ensure there were no loose ends when it came to enacting her scheme. But what scheme could she possibly believe to be use her as a pawn to accumulate her previous schemes. The remains of Lady Kagome, now her? The more she reflected on this matter, the more unnerved she felt. "Zettai Makenai, you cannot keep me trapped here!" Kikyo warned coldly, she wouldn't give in to the demons commands and she would keep resisting her, struggling until she was able to free herself or be rescued.

Urasue huffed, pouring more potion into the bath "What a sharp tongue you have girl, urusai". She was continuing to put up a fight and refusing to accept defeat, for whatever reason her powers weren't working on the girl. No being had ever shown resistance to her powers before. Kikyo winced, the scent of the herbs was intoxicating, despite having tended to them in her own garden. The scent was so overpowering it was making her nauseous, she was so weakened by the scent she couldn't form a barrier to protect herself. She feared soon she would pass out, but she had to keep fighting for the sake of InuYasha and her sister, those waiting for her. "Come hither Kagome" Urasue beckoned, how proud she was of her creation, how perfect she had turned out thanks to her doting care.

A figure appeared from the darkness of the cave, causing Kikyo's eyes to widen in shock, she felt as though she was looking upon a ghost. All of the stories and myths she had heard of Lady Kagome didn't do her justice, the strong and powerful priestess who people claimed her to be. Looks could be deceiving, she had indeed been just a girl, nay even a child. Kagome was far different than she expected in person, She was shorter than Kikyo by 2 feet, putting her around 5'1. Small in stature but great in power was the best way to describe her. She had a rounder heart-shaped face and doe-like eyes, shorter curlier hair that fell in waves with a curled fringe that tumbled down to her chest. Her figure was slightly curvier than Kikyo's and her breasts were slightly larger. She was wearing a priestess attire, her gaze blank and lonely, she was but an empty husk with no life behind her eyes, dead and empty. It broke Kikyo's heart to know her body had been dragged from the grave and forced to walk like a puppet. "Nani? How can she be moving? How did you…" Kikyo stammered, without a soul to animate her, she was but a shell.

"This is Lady Kagome in the flesh, I hate to say the flesh merely for the time being. The potion you bathe in will draw your soul from your body. From my suspicion you share the same soul, then soon enough it will return to its rightful owner" Urasue grinned. Kagome was indeed an honoured priestess whose power would soon become hers to control, her rightful duty as priestess would return to her. Only this time she would be locating jewel shards instead of protecting them. Kikyo's eyes widened in a panic, Kagome merely staring down at her with an expressionless face. Her soul would be placed in the body of this zombie like doll? What did this demoness hope to achieve by using Lady Kagome as a pawn?

InuYasha gripped Kaede close to his chest protectively, plunging out from the rubble and breathing in the fresh air of the outside world. At the last minute, he'd pulled her to his chest to shield her from the fall. He could at least take a hit and a fall like this wouldn't kill him, but Kaede was merely a human and thus susceptible to a fall such as this one. He'd get revenge on that witch for trying to kill him, but more so for trying to kill Kaede. Shippo had transformed into his orb-like form to capture Souta to block his fall, having to think fast and transform at the last minute to prevent him from being hurt. He gazed down at her in concern "Kaede? Daijobu?" he asked sternly, he couldn't see any visible injuries on her nor could he smell any blood. But not all injuries were visible to the eye, so it was best to make sure just in case.

Kaede nodded timidly, she had thought that was the end for her "H.. hai…" she stammered. It had all happened so fast all she saw was Urasue surprise attack them before slicing the bridge in half. The last thing she saw was Kikyo being ripped from them and kidnapped like a bullet, leaving them to their fates. But surely she would have been able to fend off the demon without a problem. Soon he saw Shippo land nearby, dropping Souta to the ground safely before approaching. Kaede gazed around in a panic, "Doko ni… Kikyo…. What happened to Kikyo Onee-san?" she pestered. Something had happened to Kikyo during the attack, they had to save her sister. Any demon willing to kidnap a human after stealing grave remains was up to something wicked. She didn't want to wait around to see what would happen.

Souta approached wearily "InuYasha, I believe that girl, Kikyo. She is the reincarnation of my elder sister Kagome is she not? The likeness is too uncanny to be merely chance" he questioned patiently. Their likeness was too similar to be mere chance, their souls were indeed one in the same, but how could that be possible? InuYasha nodded quietly, he would have found out sooner or later so there was no use denying it. Souta sighed "InuYasha, it has now been 50 years, 50 decades since my family has passed. I beg you now, please tell me what happened between you and Kagome Onee-san" he pleaded. After all these decades past he wished to know the truth of the tragedy which befell his family during his childhood, of what led his loved ones to be murdered.

InuYasha frowned, they didn't have time to reminisce about the past. They were running out of time and the longer they delayed, the more anxious Kaede became. "I don't have time to reflect on the past Souta, I'm not about to dig up old history" he huffed. What happened between himself and Kagome had long since passed, his romantic endeavours were not the business of others.

Souta glared "You owe me that much InuYasha, I may lack the spiritual essence of my grandfather and sister. But if I am correct, we will soon be reunited with my older sister" he yelled spitefully. He was never born with the spiritual gift his grandfather and sister were burdened with, but he was no fool to what Urasue had planned. They needed to prevent this otherwise they would be facing a dangerous foe. InuYasha stiffened, what did he mean by that?

Kikyo bit her lip, her body rigid and numb, the effect of the potion having paralyzed her entire body, praying to whatever gods she could think of in hopes they would save her. Her strength was slowly being sapped from her body, she couldn't muster her spiritual energy, her shields, nor any other of her powers. It was becoming harder to breathe, her chest felt tight, digging her nails into her palms. She deeply suspected that Urasue used poisons in her medicine on top of demonic power to cause such an effect on her body. Would she die here in this place? Would she be reunited with the souls of her parents? Would she be leaving Kaede and InuYasha behind? Urasue grinned, she was indeed putting up a strong fight for a mere mortal, she'd never seen anyone struggle as much as this girl. Though it had taken some time given her immense spiritual power. "Soon Kagome, your soul shall be drawn from this fleshy prison" she grinned. This pest would be no more and Kagome would rise again, then she would be free to cast aside this girl to do with as she wished. Though she had caused her a lot of trouble.

Kikyo glared venomously at Urasue "Witch you be but a fool to believe I share some connection with this corpse. How dare you to destroy her shrine to form this creature. I am no reincarnation of anyone" she threatened coldly. She would not reveal her soul's connection to Kagome, that she was reborn in the modern world yet tragedy had still followed. That she had once lived in this world as Kagome and found herself falling in love with the same man in a new life "How will you hide your failure if this scheme fails to follow through?" Kikyo scoffed. Perhaps she could manipulate this witch and distract her from being able to follow through with her schemes, she had to use what little strength she had left. Throwing insults at this witch to show her displeasure for the heinous crime she had committed. How did she even believe this plan would work?

Urasue glared, she was becoming impatient at this girl running her mouth "How is this maiden still able to speak. My mystic smoke and the potion should have frozen her voice" She reflected. The shard necklace gleaned from around Kikyo's neck delicately, causing her eyes to widen in delight "That light, your harbour shards of the Shikon jewel, how fortuitous" she grinned. She had already saved her the trouble of a scavenger hunt, now she need only gather these before finding the rest. She reached out to steal the shards from around her neck with a bony clawed finger.

Kikyo glared, she had not fought, travelled and endangered herself all for the sake of having the shards stolen from her "DAME!" she screamed angrily. She would not hand them over to this sorceress, she would not allow this witch to abuse the jewels power to make more demonic dolls. A shield formed around the casket protecting her from the witches grasp, prolonging her safety. She didn't know if it was formed from herself at will or subconscious, but she felt relieved, her powers still remained in tact.

Urasue glared, her hand burned from the shield surrounding the casket "Douyatte, a shield? It holds her? Encasing the soul within the shield" she muttered in disbelief. This girl had formed a barrier around herself preventing her soul from being removed? No, perhaps the soul itself had formed this power to prevent such a thing. A innate shield born within the mortal.

InuYasha wandered up the cliff, carrying Souta on his back while Shippo and Kaede followed closely behind, reflecting upon his affair with Kagome and their previous romance with one another. Their love had truly been a whirlwind romance, too soon, too fast and too naive to know where the future would lead. Drawn to each other and yet never thinking of what would become of them, all they cared about was the here and now. What a fool he had been, reflecting back it had been a mistake from the start.

"I love you as you are, but I merely wish to spend a long life with you"

"All I'd ever wanted was to finally rid myself of my cursed human blood. That's why I hunted down the jewel in Kagome's care, but she had a sixth sense to my presence…"he reflected. He'd been mocked for his mortal genes since his birth, seen as the bastard of his family line, never knowing a day of peace. All he wanted was to belong in a family.

InuYasha struggled against a tree, pierced in place by arrows fired by Kagome, but as per usual she had missed the heart. He didn't know if her aim was crap or if she was doing it intentionally. But he wasn't the only demon that mocked her for her weakness, baiting her in hopes of distracting her "For crying out loud would you just kill me already! Why do you always avoid the last shot?" Inuyasha growled. He was tired of Kagome playing these mental games with him, teasing him and tormenting him. Just what was she trying to achieve?

Kagome frowned at him in a bored expression, he was always chasing around the village and causing trouble "Geez, I have my little brother to babysit aside from my studies, could you quit being a pain in my ass already?" she groaned. She had better things to do that chase after his antics and keep him occupied until he snooped around again.

"I'd hounded her for the jewel endlessly, but I never attempted to slay Kagome. She in return never attempted to harm me either" InuYasha mused. He could have killed Kagome easily if he so wished, his DaiYokai bloodline made that easy. However, he saw no reason to kill her for simply existing and Kagome had never seen him as enough of a threat. So instead they simply continued to play cat and mouse for years.

Kagome laid on her back in a field, a warm smile on her face as she stretched out like a cat and enjoyed the feel of the sun on her skin and the wind blowing through her hair. These moments in which she was able to steal time for herself before being pulled back to reality were the best. Able to reflect on her life, her future and what would become of her. Though it was rare priestesses ever married or harboured relationships, she knew she would be expected to pass down her power to the next generation. For they would be responsible for the jewel and this village someday too. "Are you gonna keep sulking up in that tree or are you going to come down?" she huffed, she could sense him watching her and it was becoming tedious. InuYasha hesitated before climbing down from his hiding place to sit nearby, watching her in confusion as she laid in the grass. She had her bow and arrow nearby but didn't attack him despite having the upper hand. Was she trying to trick him or was this another game of hers? "You always avoid me, unless you cause me trouble you always act like a stranger around me" Kagome reflected suspiciously. She wondered if he was wary of her spiritual power or saw all priestesses as his enemy? He always ran and hid whenever she was around, watching from afar. Simply harassing her for the jewel but otherwise ignoring her.

InuYasha huffed, this girl was really a fool, humans and demons had always been enemies with a mutual hatred of each other. The demon blood in him would never trust humans and continue to hate them. So why would he treat an enemy who killed his kind positively? "Nani? You expect me to act all chatty?" he growled. If she was expecting to learn of his weaknesses and goals then she was mistaken, he owed this girl nothing and she better get used to that.

Kagome sighed opening her eyes slowly to gaze at the sky, never-ending blue full of white clouds that stretched on forever. She had always felt confused as to whether or not she was doing a good job as a role model and performing her duties correctly. She had an image to maintain as the protector of this village "InuYasha, do I look mature to you?" she asked casually. Priestesses usually learned of their power at a young age forcing them to mature early via training, but she had learned of her powers late, not till she was 12. It took her 2 years to be able to perfect her powers, while for many others it took mere months. She felt like a child in comparison, a weakling child who was still so far behind.

InuYasha stared at her in confusion, just what kind of crap was she spouting? Had she developed feelings for a hapless fool in the village and felt she wasn't good enough for him? Whatever boring human problems she was suffering from he couldn't care less "Did you hit your head or something? You're acting weirder than usual" he scoffed.

"I'm the priestess who's supposed to protect this entire village, not just the jewel. I feel like sometimes people forget I'm just a kid, I'm only fifteen" Kagome reflected. Most girls her age were in school, enjoying make up and perfume, flirting with boys and living a carefree life. Working in the fields, helping their family but otherwise kept out of the way of battle. While she worked on the front lines, tending to the village and getting lectures from her ailing grandfather. "I'm supposed to be mature, everyone expects so much of me, I can't be a human, I can't be weak. You wear a mask too, to hide your vulnerability" she hummed.

InuYasha clicked his teeth, "You want me to pity you? Stop acting like such a kid" he huffed. Life was never fair and it as just a painful fact. It was a cruel place in which you had to fight to earn respect or prove you belonged. This girl who was born into a loving family with everyone looking out for her would never understand that. She was so selfish and spoiled of course she would complain.

Kagome smiled in amusement "Gomen, I do sound like a brat don't I?" she laughed, her expression surprised yet on the verge of uncontrolled laughter

InuYasha had always known Kagome was far too young for the responsibilities expected of her, younger than Kikyo had been when she was chosen, living with her family while balancing a normal life and battle. Her ailing grandfather had been in his 70's at least and harboured a few health issues, meaning Kagome was pressured further into taking over from him. She was robbed of her childhood and carried resentment for it, which she felt comfortable venting to InuYasha. Her conflict, childish naivety and warmth had drawn him in like a flame, of course he fell for her. He'd wanted to protect her, allow her to appreciate the positive things in life rather than sulk. "Kuso…" he huffed quietly, all these memories were leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

Souta sighed heavily, he remembered from his youth that whenever InuYasha was upset he would always sulk. He hated to admit when he was to blame and he hated to admit his weakness to others. Withdrawing into himself and waiting for his problems to dissipate so he could move on from them. "Has been some time since I saw you sulk like this" Souta chuckled. Despite being older than him in many centuries, InuYasha still behaved as childishly as he remembered during his boyhood. "Could it be your reflecting on your relationship with Kagome Onee-san?" he mused.

InuYasha huffed, he would never return to that part of his life and it was best forgotten. Though a flame still lingered in his heart for Kagome, his gut was gnawing for Kikyo, his thoughts scrambling through potential dangers she would currently be facing. "It was a whirlwind romance, nothing more" he growled, he would never see her again and their bond was severed long ago. She was but an unpleasant memory that had been part of his life briefly, nothing more.

"We can be together forever, I won't ever lose you"

"Your sister accepted me as a half breed, the only other person aside from Kikyo and Kaede. But I worried about our life together…the strain it put on her until…". He had truly believed that he and Kagome could have a life together, live in peace and start a family. That someone understood his loneliness and frustration at being an outsider. Childish dreams, nothing more. They were never meant to be and he had accepted that long ago.

"How… how could you do this? Naze… I thought… Aishiteru…" Kagome stammered, blood pooled from her onto the ground, spilling down her robes as blood leaked from her lips. It hurt so much, her body hurt everywhere, she could barely bite back the sobs as her body screamed in agony. She felt dizzy from the bloodloss, the wounds burying deep into her shoulder, severing her flesh and arteries. She looked pale and weakened, gasping for breath as if she was suffocating. Souta laid in the background, heavily wounded and whimpering in pain, his eyes pooling with tears, his eyes wide with fear as he clung to life. Kagome's grandfather and mother laid motionless on the ground, succumb to their wounds and blood loss. The stench of blood filled the air, death looming all around them.

InuYasha's eyes widened in awe, all the blood, how had this happened? What had happened here while he had been absent, he had come here to confront her on her actions, yet she had been in danger yet he remained unaware. Kagome had attacked him in the woods with a bow and arrow, chasing him like prey and mocking him for his fear and cowardice. Mocking that his half breed stench polluted the air making her sick, to come and play with her instead of hiding like a child. Hunting him down like it was a game of cat and mouse, revelling in his fear.

"I still have no idea of what happened that night, I was chased through the woods by Kagome like a madwoman, swearing she would kill me and skin me alive" InuYasha scoffed. He had truly believed she would kill him, the psychotic rage on her face, the wicked smile on her face, the arrows following him like bullets until he was far enough away. "I came back to your home to confront her, thinking it was a sick joke, only to find your family attacked. Then your sister sealed me to the tree and the rest is history…" InuYasha trailed off. He'd followed the scent of blood to Kagome's home, wondering if she had been hurt or possibly fertile. Instead he was met by her family's bodies and Kagome's eyes filled with conflict and rage, the wound on her shoulder. He then fled after Kagome cursed at him in hatred before she sealed him away. Souta frowned, the day his sister and family died, the way he remembered it felt very different, the day he was made an orphan and the reality of how cruel life was befell him. His lonely childhood as an orphan, being raised by villagers until he came of age to care for himself. InuYasha claimed Kagome hunted him through the woods, attempting to slay him with arrows. Yet he recalled that night of bloodshed and fear, a surprise attack from someone familiar that nobody could have predicted to happen. Everything happening so suddenly, nobody had time to escape or run for help, everything torn from them in an instant.

InuYasha entered the home as usual, welcomed by warm smiles and affection, his mother explaining dinner was just on the stove but would be served shortly. But his gaze had been cold, apathetic, like that of a demon, peering them down like prey. Without a word he raised his claws and tore down his family in cold blood, Kagome had fought him off while cradling her family members tearfully. She hadn't noticed Souta coming to, his coughs and whimpers, begging for help through his choked tears. Still in shock and running on autopilot after it all happened, her duty as a priestess kicking in, the village needed her, she had to preserve more lives. She unknowingly left Souta who had passed out from shock to perish alone crying out for his sister. After slaying InuYasha, she succumbs to her wounds, one of the villagers finding Souta crawling out from the hut. He had been told the news of his sisters passing that same night, villagers bringing him food, cleaning his wounds and bringing him food. His home had been so empty that he felt like a ghost, less than a person. But it made no sense, how could Kagome hunt InuYasha down yet have spent the night at home with her family? There were pieces missing to this puzzle.

The shield around Kikyo grew vastly, wild volatile power shrouding her while retaining her soul "Masaka? How can this shield grow so vastly? Yet this girls soul binds it so" Urasue pondered. By now the soul should have been ripped from the body and flowed into Kagome without any issue. But it was fighting within her, attempting to remain bound to its fleshy prison. This woman's spirit was immensely strong, most humans would have already grown weak and passed out by now. But she kept fighting, resisting, struggling to get free.

Kikyo winced, gripping her hands tightly and squeezing her eyes shut tightly, she felt sick as the power surged through her and the potions affected her body. But she focused her power, concentrating on keeping it sealed and the barrier in place "I... I cannot hold out much longer.. my body… I feel sick…" she whimpered. She felt tears spiking her eyes, she had never felt such rage within her before, this feeling didn't belong to her. Was this Kagome's soul affecting her? The rage she felt before she had died? To have endured such suffering must have been tragic, but what happened to her? She wanted to go home, back to her medicinal garden, her soft warm bed, back to InuYasha's loving arms, instead of this cold stone bathtub and the stench of demons.

"Why would her soul feel such ominous rage? Unless in a past life she suffered such tragic deceit" Urasue reflected. The soul reflected a person and what they felt in their last moments, Kagome's soul was volatile, such rage flowing from her. The truth of how Lady Kagome passed was never revealed only that it involved a half breed. Perhaps the mystery of her death would reveal the behaviour of her soul, if she was able to calm the soul perhaps it would become more obedient and easier to control. Kagome sat nearby overlooking with a blank look, staring into the distance apathetically.

"InuYasha…Hayai….I cannot…" Kikyo winced, she didn't know how much longer her soul could hold out. Her body was growing weaker, the strength she used to focus her spiritual power while under the influence of demon magic was draining her. Even with her immense power her body could only handle so much. As soon as she was back in his embrace, his warm arms around her, she would be safe again. She would be away from this place, she would know comfort again.

"KIKYO!" InuYasha roared, he'd caught onto the scent of herbs immediately, the poison mixed in and Kikyo's tears of fear and pain. He would make this witch pay for what she'd done. Kikyo raised her head weakly, a look of relief on her expression, tears of relief spilling down her cheeks as she caught sight of them approaching. She would soon be able to escape this place. She didn't know how much strength she would have left in her body, but she had to try.

Kaede rushed forward frantically, clinging to InuYasha's leg, a look of horror appearing on her face as she acknowledged her sister's capture "What have you done to my Onee-san?" Kaede demanded. She had abused the power of medicinal herbs to concoct a wicked spell, imprisoning her sister and keeping her paralysed. Kikyo was clearly attempting to resist, holding out until they arrived. She didn't have to feel afraid anymore, they would soon rescue her from this frightening place and return her home.

"What have you done to Kikyo? Release her witch!" InuYasha demanded, if she had laid a hand on Kikyo she would breathe her last. Whatever scheme she had in mind for Kikyo was now over, she would answer to him. She'd come close to slaying them all on the bridge but she underestimated him. They'd climbed the mountain and managed to find her gloomy hideout.

Souta's gaze wandered, his face becoming pale as he noticed the shape of his sister sat in the background, her youthful teenage babyface having not aged a day "K... Kagome…" Souta whispered in awe. Her gaze was blank and empty, her skin pale and cold. The endless sadness behind her eyes, reflecting the loss she endured that day, leaving him behind. So many things he wished he could have told her, stories of what became of him after their family passed, but it would be talking to a shell, not his sister. InuYasha stared at Kagome, this felt like a dream, stepping back in time to before she became his enemy. How could she possibly be here? This went beyond the laws of nature. He could feel himself shaking with nerves and fear, wondering if his eyes were tricking him. Unable to form the words from his lips.

"Yamete! InuYasha, don't say it…" a voice begged

Kikyo stiffened, that voice, could it be…

InuYasha felt himself wilt slightly, his legs becoming shaky, the words forming in his mind before he could stop himself, his instincts taking control. "K… Kagome?..." he stammered weakly, forcing the words out. It had been fifty years since they had seen each other in person, since they spoke or were in the company of one another. It was like looking at a ghost pulled out of time. There was so much he needed to say to her, to apologize, to reveal the truth of what happened between them, but nothing he said would make a difference.

Kikyo froze, her body becoming rigid, her heart-stopping in her chest, her soul turning cold, it felt like ice ran through her skin and the world around her fading slowly to black. As if the world around her was dragged underwater, unable to scream or call out for help, her voice frozen in her throat. The seal upon the shield breaking, Kikyo's eyes turning empty and blank, the bright shine of her eyes turning dead. The shield surrounding her pouring out the souls wildly, shooting through the sky like stars, pouring from Kikyo's body like snakes. Her hair flowing wildly in a demonic breeze, her body lurching slightly as her body was forced upwards by the pull of her soul's escaping. "At last, the shield breaks!" Urasue cackled, she had indeed fought a bitter argument, restrained and yet she refused to give in. But now it was over and she would cause her no further trouble.

"KIKYO ONEE-CHAN!" Kaede sobbed frantically, her voice a piercing scream. She was too late, they had been so close to saving Kikyo, getting her out of the witches grasp and getting home. But whatever she had done worked, Kikyo screaming in silent agony as her eyes turned hollow and cold. She didn't know what she could do to prevent this, all she could do was watch helplessly. This is what this woman had planned all along by destroying the village? To bring back Kagome as some sort of weapon to claim the jewel? She'd kidnapped her sister as some sort of pawn? This went beyond sadism for a demon, this was inhuman.

"Nani… what… what have you done?" InuYasha demanded angrily, what was happening to Kikyo? He could feel her pain, her helplessness, her silent scream piercing from her mouth as the souls were ripped from her. Begging for help as she lay helplessly under the control of Urasue's magic. If he had arrived just a moment earlier he would have been able to save her, but instead she succumb to the magic. He didn't understand what was happening, but he knew this wasn't looking optimistic.

Urasue cackled "Tis the maiden's soul, it battled freedom from this fleshy prison with a shield of formidable power. But upon hearing your voice call Kagome's name, it went aflutter and broke the seal" she teased. It seemed the half breed had proved useful to her plans, perhaps making an attempt at his life wasn't such a good idea. For he was the demon who wronged her and led to her death fifty years prior. He had been the key to unlock the soul bound into her reincarnation this whole time. The heart was truly a fragile thing, imprinted with memories that would impact heavily on the soul, it seemed this half breed had a strong connection to Kagome. Kaede's eyes widened, her sister had her soul ripped from her because Kagome recognised his voice? InuYasha had unknowingly cursed Kikyo to this fate? This witch must have known this all along and led them here in hopes of shocking them. InuYasha would never knowingly hurt Kikyo, he wasn't that type of person. The giant orb loomed towards Kagome, sucked into her flesh and bound within her form like a whirlpool, her face warping in pain as the souls filled her body. Shock forming on her body as she recognised her soul returning to her after all these years. "Hah! As I suspected, the souls absorb into her" Urasue cackled, she had merely needed the push to make the connection. The souls breaking free and returning to Kagome where they belonged. Now her plans could truly blossom and she would be able to take the shards for herself.

Kaede rushed towards her sister sobbing frantically, dragging her sister from the stone bath desperately "Kikyo… Kikyo Onee-chan…. Onegai…. Wake up…" she begged in a low whimper. Kikyo couldn't be dead, she couldn't leave her alone in this place. They were all each other had, their parents were gone and she couldn't return home alone. Her knowledge on demons, about the world, she was a fool compared to Kikyo. She never needed anyone but her sister, how was she supposed to survive? She was a child, she still needed protection, she still needed nurturing and family. She prayed to Buddha, she prayed to whatever gods could hear her to bring her sister back, she prayed someone was listening.

Urasue grinned, her cries would go unheard "Foolish brat, tis merely a shell you cling to. I shall consume her and yourself soon enough" she mocked. She could sense the spiritual aura though weak ebbing from the child. Though she would inherit more from the older sister, she wouldn't neglect a free meal.

InuYasha hesitated, backing away slowly. He knew Kagome was nobody to be trifled with, she had a temper and she was a dangerous woman. As brave and loyal as she was, her spite and jealousy were just as strong. He didn't want to return to his past no matter his feelings for her, he'd closed this chapter long ago. Kaede needed him, she was the only other person she trusted, without Kikyo she was an orphan just like Souta had been. He knew how lonely it was to grow up without anyone to provide or watch over you. He'd raise Kaede himself if that was what it took. They needed to hold off Kagome for as long as possible until they were able to figure out how to get Kikyo's soul to return to her body.

Kagome slowly slid up the wall, gripping to the rocks for stability as she staggered to her feet, the world was so bright and fuzzy. Her vision becoming stronger as she made out the faces of the voices that surrounded her. Piecing together what had occured since she had perished due to the blood loss of her wounds. Souta stared in disbelief, Kagome was a mere zombie able to walk due to her souls. Without it she was a sin against human nature, she had been ripped from her peaceful grave. "Witch… you forged my sister's bones…" he stammered. He hated to see his sister like this, it was wrong, sickening even. She belonged in heaven with their grandfather and mother, she deserved to know peace until they were reunited in death. Kagome slowly wobbled towards them, her head bowed so her bangs hid her face from them, her expressions, her feelings, her personality, all shielded from them like a mask.

"I am her mother, father and master. She is my puppet do to with as I wish" Urasue grinned. She had rebirthed Kagome's body, her soul, her very essence and given her new life, for that Kagome would be eternally grateful. Now she would raise Kagome to steal back the shikon shards so that she may know power. InuYasha growled, this woman had forced Kagome from the grave to use her as a shikon shard detector? She'd destroyed her shrine and broken Souta's heart simply to manipulate her as a puppet? "Now Kagome, finish off these pesky invaders…" Urasue demanded eagerly. Kagome slumped against Urasue, her face rested on her chest in silence, her body growing limp and restless once more. Urasue blinked in confusion, was she still adapting to the souls being returned to her body? Surely the souls would have adapted to her new body by now? Kagome shifted, placing her hands upon Urasue's chest, blasting out a spiritual aura burning the witch causing her to scream in pain. "Baka... Kagome, not me… I am not your enemy" she protested, she had given her life, she had brought her back from death into the world once more. How dare she repay such generosity with such a cruel betrayal.

Kagome fell to her knees hugging herself for comfort, this was wrong, her body felt cold, her skin felt empty. Her body was not her own, this ugly shell in which her soul was housed. Everything felt dead, empty and torturous, she hated this. Why had she been brought back to this world? "Hai… you are my enemy… you tore my soul from the afterlife… away from that peaceful life with the family torn from me…" Kagome hissed. Away from the loving arms of her mother's embrace, from the peace her soul had known away from this miserable world. Kaede stared up at Kagome defiantly, this was the woman who had been reborn as her sister, she was both terrified and intrigued. She lacked the empathy and kind gaze that her sister always showed, the patience and inner strength. This woman was burning with rage, bitterness and loneliness. Perhaps all her soul was capable of was anger due to the bitterness she harboured upon her death, Urasue hadn't predicted the state of Kagome's soul, assuming she would be obedient.

"Kagome… Onee-san" Souta trailed off quietly. Her sister's power was still as fearsome as he recalled, but she never would have attacked anyone blindly like this. Even in battle she had been rational aside from reckless. Why would she merely kill a demon in blind rage and then ignore the others, regarding them as strangers. But then the last thing her soul had known was the death of her family, why would she behave familiarly or warm?

"Is she… is this… Kagome?" InuYasha trailed off in shock, this hostile, empty and sad woman was the priestess with whom he had shared an emotional relationship? These bitter words came from the same woman? This had to be a lie, Urasue must have gotten the spell wrong, she never behaved this way. Her scent was cold, like dead flowers and the scent of death. Winter had come and brought the iciness of Kagome's soul with it.

Kagome raised her head, staring up at InuYasha with wide eyes, climbing to her feet and staggering towards InuYasha with a look of disbelief "InuYasha…" she trailed off. This had to be hell compared to the peaceful tranquility death had brought her. Her grandfather and mother were no longer here, now she was faced with her traitorous lover. Why was she being punished like this? She hated this feeling, being tormented with new bitter surprises. Her powers hadn't been strong enough to bind him, she had focused the last of her strength into that arrow in hopes of sealing him away. Making sure every villager knew to stay clear of the tree and make sure he was never disturbed. InuYasha hesitated, keeping his ground but staring down Kagome in silence, refusing to show cowardice. She was owed his respect which he still felt for her, but they were strangers now. Seeing her now felt wrong, like she didn't belong. Kagome's expression warped into fearsome anger, her dark eyes filled with bitter rage "Bakemono! How are you still alive?" she roared. Gripping his sleeve to focus spiritual energy on him, his body burning as he pushed Kagome away in a panic, panting as the pain washed over him. While Kikyo's power was warm, comforting and protective born of her love and acceptance of him. Kagome's power was volatile, bitter and defensive, her rage and hatred towards him burning him. She couldn't bear to look at him, like a horrible nightmare she was forced to relive, being reminded of the loss she suffered that day. To make sure no demon ever got hold of the jewel, she had burned it with her body to take into the afterlife. He just perish for the senseless cruelty he had inflicted upon her family and possibly the villagers.

InuYasha scoffed, nodding towards Kikyo "She broke the seal you cast on me, she freed me so you never had a chance to kill me" he mocked. Kikyo was more of a priestess than Kagome had ever hoped to be, she truly accepted his love and his existence. Their lonely souls drawn to each other, gave him a family and hope. He would bring her back from this and assure her soul returned to Kikyo where it belonged, so they could continue their lives in peace. Kagome had wanted him dead, Kagome had lied to him and lured him in so she could kill him like she did every other demon. Whatever happened to her family would never be his fault.

Kagome growled, all of her residual energy, all of the power she focused into binding him to that tree. Keeping him sealed away for murdering her family, protecting other villagers and the next generation from his influence to ease her soul. He'd been freed from his prison while she rotted, her ashes placed into a shrine and her home fell apart. "Naze…I bound you to the sacred tree to assure that you would never harm another human. That my family could rest in peace after you killed them!" Kagome raged.

Souta ran towards his sister, gripping her sleeve frantically, gazing up at her with a yearning gaze, he had to make her see the truth. Hoping he could appease her anger by allowing her to see his face again. Time had stopped for Kagome but it had continued for him, he was a different person than his childhood. But he would not allow his sister to fall into a blind rampage "Kagome Onee-san, Onegai, do not involve the innocent with these crimes" he begged. He was beyond happy to see his sister again after all these years, yet so full of heartache for he knew this wasn't meant to be. He had accepted his fate long ago to live alone. But this moment he would hold close to his heart for years to come, to see his sister as she once was.

Kagome stared at him in confusion, this old man spoke so familiarly with her, yet she didn't recognise him "Who… who are you?" Kagome questioned shakily. Why did he refer to her as big sister? Her only sibling had been slain the same day she died. Their bloodline had been wiped out before a single new heir could be born. InuYasha saw to it that their family was killed off, leaving their village unprotected these past fifty years. Yet when she looked into his eyes she saw something familiar in that shrivelled face, she saw something in him that pulled her back to her bygone life. But it couldn't be, there was no possible way anyone had survived.

Souta took a deep breath "Tis me Kagome Onee-san, after the day of the attack, I survived by mere chance. I dragged myself from the hut but it was too late, I have lived the lone member of our family in peace these past fifty years" he explained. He knew this would be difficult for her, given her soul was frozen on the night of her death. She could never move past the moment in which her life came to an end. She didn't belong in this world anymore. She deserved to know the truth of what happened to their family, the reality of what became of him.

Kagome stared in awe, Souta… Souta had survived? She had believed everyone to be dead and ran into battle to finish the job, on doing so she had left her brother an orphan, yet he defended InuYasha so willingly despite having matured. Her brother may have been a clutz and a coward but he followed his heart and carried a strong sense of morality. So why would he allow himself to be led astray by the same being who killed their family? This didn't make any sense to her, had he gone senile in old age? "Why…. Why do you defend him when he killed our family? Ouji-chan and Oka-san?" Kagome begged angrily. Their mother and grandfather would be disappointed to know this foolish choice he had made. Kagome glared at InuYasha coldly "I was going to be with you forever, I trusted you with my life. But you killed my loved ones, you stole the jewel from my temple!" Kagome jeered. She had been willing to live her life by his side no questions asked, to share her family home and protect the village alongside him. She saw a good in him that had clearly been a lie, using her naivety to believe he was capable of empathy or kindness. Using her blindness to rob the jewel from her and make sure she couldn't stop him. "I accepted your Hanyou nature, but in the end, you were nothing more than a beast. I waited in the hut for you all day, you promised you had something special to tell me. I soaked in oils, Oka-san made me a new kimono and Ouji-chan gave me a trinket for luck. But when the time came, you broke into our hut and killed them all with cold blood" Kagome hissed. She had ignored the warnings of others that half demons were monsters and incapable of humanity. But instead he assured that his demon blood was stronger than the human within him. She had waited in the hut all day for him so she could use the jewels power in the safety of her home, preparing for a wedding night. But instead she had been met with betrayal.

Kagome crawled across the ground weakly, sobbing bitterly as she clutched the bloodied bodies of her mother, grandfather and brother. Their bodies now turned rigid as the life had slipped from them, she knew there was nothing she could do to bring them back. She would never know the warm loving embrace of of mothers arms when she sought safety and comfort. Her mother's kind smile when she returned home from a mission to see a cooked meal. Her grandfather chiding her with stories of their family and her inheritance as the current shrine priestess. She reached out weakly to grab her bow and arrow to aim at InuYasha, she would kill him now while she had the strength to do so.

InuYasha gripped her by the hair, dragging her upwards to look him in the eye "Foolish brat, you think I would ever love such a naïve child? But thanks for giving me a free pass to the temple, I'll take this jewel and make a hunt out of the villagers" he grinned. Kagome shuddered as InuYasha released her causing her to drop to the ground, the last of her strength ebbing from her as blood pooled down her robe and onto the floor. The pain was unbearable and every muscle in her body ached, this was what the attack of a demon felt like? This is the pain InuYasha could have subjected her to all this time? Her heart ached with sadness, wishing she never knew this emptiness.

He was going to hunt down the entire village for sport? She had simply been his first target practice? He wanted to see how long it would take for her guard to lower so he could take the chance to destroy her home? Tears spilt down her cheeks as she dragged herself towards her Grandpa, cupping his face in her hands, stroking his wrinkled cheeks. Wishing she had never complained about his lessons, for her was truly wiser than she gave him credit for.

Kagome glared, gripping the cast aside bow and arrow Kikyo had been wielding beforehand "You betrayed me, you killed my kin… I can never forgive you…" Kagome snapped. Cradling her dead families bodies before staggering from the safety of her hut to face him, the night air becoming colder as she felt her life slip away. Her heart shattered into a million pieces, her first love turning sour and tainting her maiden heart. Realizing love was but a lie, wondering how different her life would have been if she had married Kouga or Hojo instead. If she cast InuYasha from the village and lived her life in peace seeing him as a mere memory. Perhaps her life would have been happier instead.

"Kagome Onee-san…" Souta stammered, there was no way to appease her soul. Not even seeing his face had eased her rage, truly what had been brought back was not his sister. But a vengeful specter that sought nothing but bloodshed, battle and death. It was better to have remembered her as she was than this being Urasue had summoned.

Kagome aimed her arrow in the direction of InuYasha angrily, shooting an arrow nearby blasting spiritual power towards him. The nearby cave shattering to pieces as debris tumbled all around them. Kagome slowly approaching with a menacing look "I will kill you this time, for the life of my family" she warned. She had nothing left to lose, she would fight until this body was no more, chasing him to the ends of the earth. She would be sure his life was ended this day and he would breathe his last. No longer could he continue to exist, her soul would be forever restless knowing he still lived. She wanted her life back, her innocence back, the happiness she felt before InuYasha tore that from her. Laying in a field of flowers watching the blue sky without a care in the world, when she had been her happiest.

"Kagome…" InuYasha trailed off in disbelief. How could she possibly believe he was capable of such a thing? He had felt more at home with her family than he had around his own brother. He'd been prepared to protect the village alongside of her. He could never kill an innocent life, he hated the bloodthirsty actions of others, demon or human. Now she stood here, an undead being prepared to kill him where he stood without hesitation, this woman was indeed not Kagome.

"I won't miss this time" Kagome warned coldly, her soul would finally know peace once her arrow pierced his heart and sent him to his death. This beast would no longer walk the earth, tormenting the living. He wouldn't manipulate her brother with his lies and he wouldn't tarnish her village.

InuYasha glared, the sweet and innocent girl Kagome had been was long gone, in her place was a bitter, hateful woman who wanted him dead. Any residual feelings he once had for her were now dead. Remembering all the times she used the beads of subjugation on him to win a fight, all the times she threw a tantrum when she didn't get what she wanted. The spoiled brat she was raised into being due to her over doting mother. Nothing like the empathetic, gentle woman Kikyo was, full of patience, modesty and inner strength. "Tch, you hate my guts don't you" he scoffed, the feeling was more than mutual.

Kaede cradled Kikyo in her arms, brushing the damp hair from her face "W… what's going to happen to Kikyo Onee-chan?" she whimpered. She would give anything to hear her voice, watch her eyes open, anything. Seeing Kikyo this silent, this dead, this numb was frightening. Was this how Kikyo felt on the day their parents died? This helpless? She didn't know how to reverse this, how to make it better but she couldn't allow Kagome to kill InuYasha. She didn't have enough power to compare to Kagome but she would try. She couldn't sit around and do nothing while InuYasha endangered himself.

Souta sighed sadly, he hated that Kagome had been torn from her peace in death to this bitter existence. Kaede had met his sister in the worst way possible, this woman they had heard great things about was a cold and bitter woman now. There was no place for her in this world, it was best to destroy her while they had the chance. "My sister's soul is full of resentment, the anguish of losing her family will not fade easily. Unless her soul heals from its vengeful unrest, it will never return to Kikyo's body. Your sister will never open her eyes again" Souta explained. Kikyo had been the best replacement to protect the village in his sisters place, carrying the wisdom and experience Kagome had lacked. A new generation to fight demons and purify the jewel. They couldn't undo the events of the past but they could still change the future.

Kagome shot another arrow at InuYasha angrily, attempting to pin him so she could finish the final blow, he kept dodging her attacks making it harder to hit him. He'd gotten stronger since they last met? Preparing for when he would meet her a second time to destroy her again? InuYasha wielded the tetsuigha, protecting himself from her power, so long as he was protecting Souta, Kaede and Kikyo, the blade would respond to him. He sliced Kagome's arrow in midair, shattering her spiritual arrows aura instantly, as powerful as Kagome was, compared to Kikyo she couldn't hold a candle. He was sick of fighting her, of being blamed for a crime he never committed. Of listening to her whine and bitch at him like she used to. Her soul had truly been frozen in time, the same petty teenager she always had been. Kagome stared in awe, when had InuYasha obtained this weapon? She had never seen him wielding such a weapon when they were together. When had he forged this weapon? When had he levelled up as a demon? Had he wished for it upon slaying her village for the shikon jewel?

InuYasha huffed, resealing Tetsuigha in his sheath, storming towards Kagome with a cold expression. They were going to talk, vent it all out, the words they daren't say and the feelings he had been withholding. He was tired of dancing around the subject, so if she wanted to talk here it was. All the good, the bad and the ugly out in the open for all to see. Souta blinked in surprise, he was concealing his weapon and backing down? "InuYasha Onii-chan?!" Kaede called in panic, this could be a trap. Kagome was behaving unpredictably and without his weapon she could kill him with her power if she so wished. She trusted InuYasha but this could get him killed.

InuYasha gripped Kagome, wrapping his arms around her protectively, this was the only way he could make her understand, make her listen and stop fighting him. Feeling her immediately tense and struggle for dear life, refusing to back down "Dame! Release me now!" she snapped angrily. She wouldn't be swooned by him, he wouldn't charm her into obedience like he did before. She wouldn't allow his sweet lies to make her believe he was innocent. He was a deceitful liar and she would never forgive him. She would scratch, bite and claw at him until he released her, she refused to back down and submit in a battle.

He pulled back glaring at her coldly to which Kagome winced fearfully, a look of hatred mirroring the same one that night. InuYasha felt cold suddenly, pushing her away, like he was yelling at a stranger. This wasn't the same InuYasha she knew "Damare! I don't give a crap about trying to fix anything with you! The jealousy, the fights, the pettiness. But I won't let you blame me and attempt to murder me for a crime I never committed" he growled. Now that he was able to reflect after maturing and meeting Kikyo, he was able to see clearly how unhealthy their relationship had been. How mismatched they were for each other, how they never belonged. He didn't learn this until he had moved on from Kagome's death. Kagome was a part of his past that helped him experience love for the first time, he found a home and family who loved and accepted him after a life of neglect and loneliness. But Kagome formed insecurity in his heart by allowing Kouga and Hojo to enter her house when he wasn't home, welcomed their flirting and was aware of their attraction to her. Her home had fed him, given him a roof over his head and somewhere to return to, something he lacked growing up. Allowing him to trust people again and realise how much he craved emotional stability. But Kagome had never truly loved him, he knew that now, otherwise she would have never allowed her gaze to roam. Kouga had been a wolf prince from a mountain tribe who loved to hunt on the outskirts of their village, stealing food and killing stray cattle. Kagome caught his eye and he sought to make her his bride. Though Kagome brushed him off she still accepted his company and treated him kindly. Despite Kouga hounding her for her hand in marriage. Until near her death did Kouga eventually back off but swore he would steal Kagome from him. Hojo had been a local villager who's family also made medicine and relics, pottery by trade. He was a kindly and polite guy if not oblivious who also harboured an attraction to Kagome. The locals were constantly attempting to usher them together in hopes of combining families, but she had been blind to her feelings for InuYasha. Though a clueless fool he had indeed been smitten with Kagome. They always argued about Kagome putting herself in danger and InuYasha wandering off. Arguing post battle about their decisions before Kagome would use the spell on him or he would storm off. Her lack of appreciation for her strong family support that he lacked most of his life, her indecisiveness. But that was young love, it was always messy and always fragile. But he was older, he finally found a healthy love with someone else, but he would never forget Kagome.

"You never….. ENOUGH LIES!" Kagome snapped angrily, she was sick of him denying his crimes and acting as though he was blameless. "You tore apart my family like a wild animal hunting its prey, then you turned to me, leaving me to die alone. Stealing the jewel from my family shrine!" Kagome yelled. That day would forever remain on her mind, plaguing her till the end of days.

"You think I'm different?" InuYasha questioned. He'd always known he was an outsider,humans hated him and demons despised him, he could never belong in either world. He was a plague against either race and seen as a freak. But when Kagome said it, it didn't sound too bad at all.

Kagome hummed "I love you as you are InuYasha, but I can't help but wish to spend a long life with you. The jewel has been guarded by my family for generations, my grandpa handed it down to me when I came of age. If a wicked demon laid claim to the jewel, it would only become more corrupt. It shall never be destroyed" Kagome confessed. She knew long ago a priestess named Midoriko harboured connections to the Shikon jewel but for whatever reason, it became involved in her family. She was the current guardian of the jewel until the next generation. "However, if you used the jewel to become human, we could live our lives together. We could live and grow out our mortality together in harmony, the jewel would be purified and no longer pose a threat" Kagome explained. She lacked the mystical legacy that Midoriko earned, there wasn't a living being that could compare to her. For she had birthed the jewel itself from her power alone. Somehow after Midoriko's death the jewel had been passed down until her family became its protectors. But her wish was so selfless the jewel would surely remain untainted, with such a pure wish, the jewel would hopefully disappear.

InuYasha shifted, this was the only life she had ever known "What… what would happen to you?" InuYasha shifted. Would she still retain her power if the jewel no longer existed. What would this village do without someone to protect it?

Kagome chuckled "I was trained to raise the jewel ever since I was a kid, it was all Ouji-chan ever taught me. But… without the jewel… I could finally be happy" she explained. The world would still know priestesses who would fight demons in her place, the battle would simply be over for her.

"You promised me I would become your mate! We could live in peace and I would no longer need to guard the jewel" Kagome explained. They would have been married, they would have lived their lives together in peace as humans. They could live and die at the same time, never worrying about leaving him behind. Her family could finally relinquish their responsibility for the jewel and live a peaceful life outside of war. But that dream had burned to ashes long ago, a fleeting hope that died with her body.

InuYasha's expression became pained "I meant it" he demanded angrily. At the time he would have given nothing more than to live out his life with Kagome, but he was a different man now. He knew he could never go back to that time, that Kagome could never become mortal again. But then he was able to heal thanks to Kikyo, he had chosen her. His heart and soul chose Kikyo, the string of fate led them to each other. Now he could have the life he always wanted, simply with Kagome's reincarnation. But he needed Kagome to know he cared, that he had loved her deeply, but their time together was over.

"Uso! You can't lie to me! I was a stupid teenager with hopes and dreams! I truly for one second believed you cared about me!" Kagome sobbed. She had heard enough of his tales and lies, she had heard enough of his excuses. She knew better now than she ever had as a girl, her naivety blinding her from reality. The foolish dreams of a happy ending with him had been ripped apart. How could she ever believe someone like him could possibly have a heart.

InuYasha gripped Kagome close to him, burying his nose in her hair, tightening his grip as though she may shatter like glass. This was the only way to make her see, to remind her of the shard of love he still felt for her, though small it still lingered. Once he would have had a mind to kiss her, to shut her up then and there. But he couldn't bring himself to do that, he couldn't bring himself to touch her, to cheat on Kikyo. "GIVE IT A REST!" InuYasha yelled impatiently, he hadn't lost his temper like this in years. Kagome stiffened, this warmth, InuYasha's soft hair and gentle touch, how she had missed it. Reminding her of what could have been, what used to be, before it all fell apart. "Kagome, I get it. You suffered just like I did, but what was centuries of hell for me. Because you're just a mortal girl, was twice as hard on you" InuYasha soothed. She suffered from a broken heart just like he did, she suffered with betrayal just like he did. Though he had to live with what happened after her passing, the last thing Kagome remembered was how their affair ended. The last moments of her life had been the happiest then all too sudden became the worst. Kagome's eyes spiked with tears, his gentle reassurance, the words she longed to hear. That voice he always used to use when they were alone, when she hugged him for comfort and wished to speak to him about her worries. He always knew what words to say to soothe her soul, she nuzzled against InuYasha's chest affectionately. Just when she felt her worst, he knew how to bring her up again.

"Is she… has she backed off?" Kaede pestered anxiously, perhaps now that her soul was calmed she could return to Kikyo. She couldn't waste anymore time, what if Kikyo never opened her eyes again. She wanted her sister back and she was slowly reaching her limit of asking.

"Onegai….your words mean nothing to me" Kagome muttered quietly, once she had a mind to give him her heart, she had a mind to trust him and believe in his words. But she was no longer that fool, she would not allow him to influence her anymore. The wedge between them had formed and nothing would repair it, from this day on they were enemies. Kagome pushed InuYasha away coldly, her gaze filled with hatred, forming spiritual power into her hands, much like Kikyo. She would end this battle now, she would rid him of the earth, he couldn't be allowed live a second longer.

"InuYasha Onii-chan! Hashiru!" Kaede warned. He needed to escape from this place before Kagome killed him, she clearly refused to listen to reason. This witch had brought back a monster not a priestess. She didn't want him getting hurt, there had been enough suffering. She could possibly form a barrier to keep him safe but compared to Kagome she was weak.

Kagome blasted spiritual power at InuYasha who yelped and shielded himself from the pain of the poisonous power burning him. He'd forgotten how much she could hurt him, not just with her words. She truly felt different than Kikyo, it didn't feel warm and gentle like Kikyo's protective power, it didn't make him feel safe. It felt like venomous barbs burning his skin. Her once healing and purifying powers had become burning and cold, like knives were digging into his skin. Kagome staggered towards him with tearstained eyes, the blood from her wound forming on her shoulder, replicating the moment of her death. "I died hating you! My soul is unmoving from the moment of my death, my soul cannot know peace until you have been slain!" Kagome spat.

InuYasha glared, for the briefest moment he had felt joy at seeing Kagome again, now all he could feel was disgust and anger. It was like watching some morbid puppet show with lies and poison spilling from her lips. He should have killed Urasue while he had the chance, to stop this from happening. He never should have called out her name, he should have dragged Kikyo from the bath while he had the opportunity. Maybe then they could have walked away freely. "InuYasha, you must destroy my sister" Souta begged, he couldn't bear to watch this a second longer. This battle of Kagome against InuYasha, Kagome revealing these secrets he never knew. The real killer of his sister had to be found, so they could get revenge on what befell her. But Kagome couldn't exist, this hateful woman was not the big sister he knew, she had indeed a fiery temper but it was merely teenage sulking. This woman was filled with a vengeful desire to battle to the death, this woman was not his sister.

Kagome glared at Souta, how could he think such things towards his kin? "Souta…" she trailed off in shock. He would ask InuYasha to kill her a second time? He would watch as InuYasha killed her? How could he say such cruel words so freely without hesitation? Had he come to hate her for leaving him all alone in the world? She didn't understand. To know he had survived made her happier than words could describe, but why would he suddenly speak such cold words?

"That body's a fake, formed from the bones of a dead woman. Free her, free my sister from that prison" he begged. It was forged of his sisters bone ashes and graveyard soil stolen by Urasue. The demonic influence and hatred of Kagome was all that kept her whole, she needed to remain dead for it was better that way. He hated to say goodbye but they were never meant to meet again.

Kagome's expression became hurt, even Souta wanted her gone, nobody wanted her anymore. She staggered backwards in shock, his words echoing in her ears. "You were always so stupid Souta, goody-goody. So long as I carry the hatred that InuYasha caused me, my soul will never return to that body" she warned. Souta the whimpering coward who hid behind her or their mother instead of standing up for himself. Now he was asking their enemy to slay her? He used the excuse that he wanted her to be at peace, yet he used underhanded means. She turned to InuYasha, forming new aura from her hands and aiming her hand at him "All that I want is to see you suffer!" Kagome growled. She wanted him to feel the heartbreak, loss and grief she had endured all these years.

InuYasha growled, bowing his head in anger and resentment, trying to block out her words "This isn't her, this isn't Kagome, she would never say this…" he trailed off. The Kagome he knew would never behave like this, it was better to remember her as she was than look upon the spectre she was now.

"InuYasha Onii-chan! Hayai!" Kaede begged, she intended to kill him where he stood, she couldn't allow that to happen. No matter their differences in the past InuYasha was no liar, he wouldn't commit such a terrible act against humans. It wasn't in his nature to do so. Kagome's soul had been tainted by Urasue's magic and whatever had occurred before her death involving InuYasha, there was no way he was guilty. He wasn't the type of person to lie about such things.

Kikyo's body stirred, her eyes snapping open and gleaming brightly as her body began to glow with an ominous spiritual aura. Kagome's body collapsed to the floor, her body instantly weakening, her body overcome with a sudden weight pinning her to the ground. The air began to vibrate with power, an electricity in the air, Kagome's soul glowing brightly like a star as the souls within her began to react. Kikyo's soul, piercing from Kagome's body and firing into the air like bullets, being ripped from Kagome's counterfeit body and began into the body of Kikyo once more. Kaede gripped her sister protectively, she knew somewhere inside herself she would never let this happen, she knew she was fighting to reclaim her soul. "I knew you were still in there Kikyo!" she sobbed happily. She had sensed InuYasha was in danger, that Kagome was intending to harm him, something Kikyo would never allow.

Kagome felt pain shooting through her as her souls were ripped from her body "That woman..she… she is stealing my soul from me". Kikyo hadn't been dead, merely unconscious and locked in a state of sleep. Her soul laid dormant inside of Kagome, watching from the outside while Kagome took control. Perhaps a part of her had been observing what Kagome would do, now she was tearing the soul from her in hopes of payback. If hearing InuYasha call her name was what allowed her soul to be returned. Perhaps InuYasha had been the key to returning her soul. Souta gazed at Kikyo in awe, upon sensing InuYasha in danger, his life at risk she had called back her soul? Her soul had allowed Kagome to communicate with InuYasha but upon sensing her true intentions had deflected her. Kikyo had merely been observing from somewhere within Kagome and immobilized her in attempt to regain her souls once more. Proving her formidable power even in death. Now she was restraining Kagome and returning her soul back to her body once more.

The souls absorbed into Kikyo, swirling and pooling into her like a storm, entering her flesh once more. Her body glowing briefly as the souls settled within her, her body collapsed to the ground. Her cheeks filling with colour once more, stirring weakly as a soft moan escaped her lips, her lashes fluttering as she comforted herself. "Kikyo Onee-chan!" Kaede sobbed, gripping her sister with relief, nuzzling her cheek against Kikyo's, her tears spilling down her cheeks. It was over, whatever wicked spell Urasue had used to rip Kikyo's soul from her body had ended and now it was back where it belonged. She wouldn't let something as awful as this happen to Kikyo ever again, she would be extra diligent with protecting Kikyo.

InuYasha ran to Kikyo in relief, stroking her hair affectionately, she was breathing, the colour was back in her cheeks. She would be out for a while due to the strain of what had happened to her, but she was alive nonetheless. He wouldn't let her out of his sight again if he could help it. Souta sighed heavily, he was relieved that Lady Kikyo was unharmed, Urasue's magic was finally broken. He peered up in shock, Kagome was still moving? Staggering away from Kikyo desperately into the distance. How could she still be alive? "Kagome!" InuYasha yelled in panic, what was she doing? How could she still be moving? She had merely been a puppet formed of clay, without a soul to animate the body she was in. She should have collapsed by now and returned to an empty husk. This nightmare never seemed to end, even after Urasue had been defeated and Kikyo's soul had returned, Kagome was still fighting.

Kagome staggered away in panic, her eyes wide with fear, she had thought the vessel in which her soul had previously been housed was dead. She was the true owner of her soul not that woman. Yet she had been beaten so easily, rendering her incapable of fighting back until she began to crawl away. That woman's power was frightening, more formidable than her own ever hoped to match up to, she had never felt such raw innate power in her life. She could feel her willpower, her words and strength being immobilised, Kikyo's voice in her mind, her power binding her to prevent her from escaping. The only person she had ever heard of such immense capabilities was Midoriko but she had passed centuries ago before Kagome was even born. Yet her reincarnation was able to muster such skills flawlessly. In all her years of training, Kagome had never been able to muster power like this, but Kikyo harboured such power within her in lesser time. That woman was truly her replacement, no wonder they had wanted her soul to return so enthusiastically, she had been forgotten instantly. She felt such bitterness, rage and jealousy, knowing that in reincarnation she had mastered the skill she never could in her past life.

"Does she… does Kikyo's soul still linger?" InuYasha questioned, could part of Kikyo still remain in Kagome keeping her alive, she was fighting to prevent herself from being sealed away. He knew she would find it unfair to know life again only to have it ripped away from her. But Kagome's time was over, her story had ended that night when she bound him to the sacred tree. But her memory lived on among the villagers who still admired her and passed on her legacy.

"Fools…" Urasue's head cackled "Most of the soul seems to have returned to that maiden's body". Kagome was indeed a stubborn girl, refusing to back down and clinging to life, but now she was fueled by the hatred of InuYasha her past lover.

"What are you talking about?" Kaede demanded, she was stunned this witches head still spoke, meaning it still held some demonic power. Had she been observing this whole fight?

"The dark vengeance, the unbridled hatred that child feels to her family being slain. But more so her bitterness towards Kikyo's volatile power that overpowers her own. Her conflicted soul seems to enjoy lingering in that clay body I formed for her" Urasue explained. To have lost her kin so abruptly, to have them torn from her traumatically at a young age would have imprinted deep seeded trauma onto her mind. But then to know her reincarnation succeeded where she had failed as a priestess. To know that her training was a pale comparison compared to Kikyo's innate talent. Kaede blinked, Kagome was jealous of her sister? But whatever for? Kikyo had shown nothing but respect towards Kagome even in death. "What an ironic fate, the once pure child is now a vengeful witch" Urasue cackled before dissipating. Kagome's once empathetic and healing soul had now become deadly, resentful and dangerous.

InuYasha growled, he couldn't leave it be like this, he knew Kagome always ran and hid when she was upset. She was trying to escape because even in death she couldn't admit the truth. Kagome had never been prepared to be a priestess, it was never the life she wanted but it was the hand life dealt to her. Her soul needed to return to Kikyo so she could finally cut ties with what plagued her as a human. He knelt beside Kaede calmly, noticing the glassy look in her eyes, this whole experience had shaken her to her core. She'd been undeniably brave and protected Kikyo's body during the whole fight. Kikyo would hear Kaede's voice and slowly come back to reality, she was the best person to protect her. "Kaede, I need you and Souta to watch over Kikyo, I promise you I will come back but I need to find Kagome" he explained.

Kaede nodded, she knew how much InuYasha loved her sister, but you never forgot your first love. Kagome's residual hatred what was fueled her to keep moving, but she couldn't walk the earth as a restless spirit, it just wasn't right. "you better come back" she warned wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

Kagome staggered through the mist, her dark hair tumbling down her chest like a matted pelt, fear and anger swelling inside of her soul. She could still feel the pull against her body, as if she was being ripped apart, Kikyo's will filling her every being and subduing her from being able to resist. Upon her claiming she wanted InuYasha to suffer, of how much she hated him, she had felt Kikyo awaken within her. Her previous dormancy breaking and pulling the souls back to her own body. "if… If I remain near that woman, the residual ghost of my soul will be drawn back to her". The longer she was around Kikyo the weaker she became, due to them sharing the same soul, they would always share a connection. She found herself slipping, staggering over rocks and tumbling down the cliffside, the mist blocking her vision of seeing the area surrounding her. Realising she was on a mountaintop. Scrabbling to grip to rocks and boulders desperately, knowing she would fall to her death.

InuYasha gripped her wrist tightly, clinging to her for dear life, a fall from this height would be deadly, there was no rational way she would survive. She'd done well to make it this far on willpower and stubbornness alone, but this needed to end. Kagome peered up at him in shock, then gazed downwards in astonishment at the chasm below her, he'd saved her? But why? "Kagome, you can't keep fighting like this, you need to return to Kikyo" InuYasha explained, she was fighting a losing battle.

A look of hurt flashed across Kagome's face bitterly, he truly preferred her reincarnation over her? He was happier, calmer, gentler and more mature towards Kikyo than he ever had been towards her. The lack of jealousy, the unending trust and tenderness he shared with Kikyo was something she longed for when she was alive. "Naze? I never asked to die…" Kagome responded coldly, she never got to choose her fate. A pained expression forms on InuYasha's face "To return to that woman means I will never have existed at all…" Kagome trailed off. She would simply be forgotten again, another memory that time would forget and her pain would be ignored. Kagome glared up at him hatefully, a shiver running down his spine "Yurusanai, my family will not know peace, my soul cannot know peace until you die!" Kagome screamed. Gripping InuYasha's wrist to burn him with spiritual power, InuYasha's grip weakening as he felt himself falling forward, gripping his free hand into the rubble. She wasn't making this easier, he just wanted her to accept her fate. It was a hard pill to swallow but Kikyo was who Kagome had become. His grip on Kagome loosening as she slipped through his fingers, her eyes widening with shock and fear as she tumbled down into the mist of the caverns below. A piercing scream of horror escaping her lips as she fell, the rapids of a waterfall to catch her shattered body when she finally reached the bottom.

"Damn it all, fifty years ago, a demon stole my face to slaughter Kagome's family. And hunted me down wearing Kagome's face. Someone had a grudge against us both, but who in the hell?" InuYasha reflected. He would find the one responsible for tearing himself and Kagome apart all those years ago, for ruining both of their lives. Kagome was owed that closure and so was Souta. By knowing who had hunted down their family with a vendetta would bring light to the true criminal. But they had gone to a lot of lengths to make him the enemy in her book but Kagome the villain in his.

Kaede ran at InuYasha frantically, tears pouring from her cheeks "You came back! You're hurt" she sobbed. She could see Kagome's handprint burned into his wrist with her spiritual power. She'd really wanted to do him harm even when he tried to help her? Perhaps her soul was irredeemable, making her a lost cause no matter how much they tried to convince her. It was a cruel fact but it was the reality.

InuYasha nodded, ruffling her head affectionately to which she clung to his hakama bottoms leg "How's Kikyo?" he asked calmly. Had she improved or worsened? Maybe she needed time to recover via sleep, which was understandable. None of them had ever witnessed anything like this, what her body, mind or soul had endured. They still had the shikon jewel fragment, they were still alive and aside from some slight wounds from Kagome he would survive. She would be bothering them no longer.

Souta sighed "She has still not awoken, pray to tell, my sisters wellbeing?" he questioned. Did he still have some remains he could take back to the village to appease the people. Or perhaps they would have to rebuild the grave without her remains, either way they had a lot of work to do. But the memory of what Urasue had done still remained.

InuYasha bowed his head, he knew Souta had expected him to bring back her counterfeit body and return her soul. At least then her ashes would be placed in a new pot. "Gomen, she wouldn't see reason, I lost my grip after she attacked me" he apologized. Kagome had refused to admit defeat, blinded by her own bitter rage. She'd resisted to the very end and she had chosen her fate.

Souta bowed his head, it was for the best "Perhaps in death, she can know peace again" he sighed. Kikyo stirred, her eyelids fluttering, her body shifting as she regained the senses to her body once more. Responding to the sounds of their voices. Souta shifted, making sure Kikyo was comfortable and supported after her ordeal.

"Onee-san!" Kaede cried in relief, she prayed Kikyo could hear their voices, that she knew she was safe. Kagome was gone, she would bother them no further, the demon who stole her soul had been exorcised. All she needed to do was wake up and everything would return to normal. Kikyo's expression became pained, warped in loneliness and fear, muttering softly under her breath. Kaede wishing she could do more to help her sister, but Souta had explained it was all up to Kikyo now.

"She appears to be suffering from nightmares of some sort" Souta explained, the hellish experience of being placed under a cursed spell by a witch and then having her soul forcefully ripped from her body. Such an experience would drive anyone insane, he wondered if she would be the same woman after this. Perhaps returning home would be safer for her after this to allow her body time to heal from the ordeal.

"But… but she'll still be my Onee-san won't she?" Kaede begged frantically, she would still be the sister and knew and loved. The same sister who protected their shrine and taught her everything she knew about being a priestess. The same kind and warm soul who kept her safe, she couldn't bear the idea of Kikyo becoming someone different because of this. She didn't understand why Kikyo would be different when she never had any control of what she was subjected to.

"No matter if the soul was called back to Kikyo's body, her soul was still dragged from the verge of death. If a sliver of Kagome still resonated within her, it would be dangerous" Souta warned. Kikyo's eyes fluttered open, her vision blurry but slowly forming back to normality, sitting upwards weakly as she gazed around the familiar faces surrounding her. She didn't know how much time had passed since her arrival at this place, the sun felt brighter than before, blinding her as her gaze remained blurry. Her body felt heavy as her energy had been sapped from this ordeal. "Lady Kikyo" Souta responded in relief.

"Onee-san" Kaede sobbed tearfully, clinging to her sister, burying her face into her chest and clinging to her for dear life. She knew Kikyo would return to them soon enough, she just had to find her way back. It had to have been so frightening, but she was safe now.

Kikyo gazed around, the demon's presence had dissipated, not a trace of demonic aura and Lady Kagome had vanished too. She never thought she would be able to find her way back, for Kagome's soul had been very thrawling. Pushing Kikyo back and taking control of the body, no matter how much she fought against her. "I… I was in a dark place, shrouded with smoke and no light. I… I could hear you all from a distance like I was in a bottle. But... But I couldn't reach you all" Kikyo explained. It wasn't until she heard Kagome yelling about how much she hated InuYasha and wanted him to suffer did she become angry, her soul desiring to protect InuYasha and bind Kagome. She refused to allow her soul to be tainted and used to hurt her lover against her will. Urasue's demonic power had influenced Kagome and she wouldn't allow it to continue. Whatever happened between them was now in the past.

InuYasha softened, reaching out to wrap his arms around Kikyo protectively, she was warm, soft and the scent of spring flowers and rain still lingered "Yokatta, don't scare me like that" he muttered. The nightmare of Kikyo being ripped from him would linger for a time, of how he'd failed to protect her against a demon. Of how scared he was to look upon her cold and empty face. But she was alive, she had returned to him, and he was beyond happy to see her again. To touch her and feel warmth.

Kikyo softened, burying her nose into InuYasha's chest affectionately, it felt like years since she had been able to touch him like this. Hearing his voice as though she was underwater and he couldn't hear her. She knew he would come for her, that he would rescue her from Urasue, she'd believed in him. But that didn't answer a question that was gnawing away at her. Kagome had been beside her, her counterfeit body walking animatedly, so what had happened to her? "Lady Kagome… is she…" she trailed off.

"She's gone, it's over Kikyo" she reassured her, she needn't worry herself over Kagome again. Kagome was long gone from their lives and she would know peace again. Urasue had pulled an ugly trick by manipulating Kagome's soul against her will, now she could return to her grandfather and mother. But he would get revenge on the one who slayed her all those years ago.

An arm dragged itself from the water, clinging to a rock as a body heaved itself from the water, the loud rippling and flow of the current echoing in the silence. Kagome clung to a rock, her body battered from the rapids and sharp rocks, her damp hair falling in front of her face, clinging to her cheeks as though she had roamed in from a storm. Her body ached all over from the beating of being slammed against rapids and rocks, weak from the souls drained from her, her soul willing her to move onwards. Her robes clinging to her like a second skin, heavy from the water. She staggered out onto the ground slowly, a manic smile forming on her face as the mist parted to reveal the skulls of the dead surrounding her "I'm alive InuYasha, I survived…" she trailed off. Her family would know justice yet, she would find retribution for their deaths and finally live the life that was robbed of her.

"Do you remember what happened?" InuYasha asked hesitantly, cradling Kikyo in his arms for she still felt too weak to walk. He walked ahead of the path, carrying Kikyo back to the village with an adamant expression. She would need plenty of rest to recover from this ordeal. As soon as she got back to the village, she was to eat something and sleep. He would watch over her all night until he felt at ease that she was healthy again. He knew Kikyo would feel like a burden for relying on him for help, but deep down she was grateful to have him watching over her. She spent his whole human night watching over him and shielding him from harm, now he was to do the same for her after Urasue's defeat.

Kikyo gripped his chest "iee, I remember observing Kagome appear from the cave before hearing a voice within me that sounded unfamiliar echo in my mind. But after you called her name, I blacked out. All I recall from then is the darkness I described" she apologized. Kagome had been so small, so childlike and frail, yet she had been capable of powerful spiritual abilities. Urasue had hoped to use the girl as a pawn to fulfill her plans to steal the jewel for herself. She had no idea of what had transpired upon her blacking out, but clearly Urasue had failed and Kagome was able to return to residing within her. Kagome and InuYasha were never to meet again, it was merely how fate decided, they couldn't argue against it. InuYasha softened, after having such a painful experience of having your soul ripped from you, who would want to remember it? He hated to think of the cold and lonely place Kikyo had been forced into upon her soul being forced into Kagome. What she may have seen or envisioned, maybe she had lived through Kagome's past using her own body. He daren't ask her to remember, for fear of what she would say. Regardless, he was simply content with having Kikyo back in his arms again.

"Your sister is a brave woman, most souls would have blacked out such an experience" Souta explained calmly. The human psyche and spirit could only handle so much pain and suffering before the body shut down in order to cope. Most would have broken under such circumstances and become a ghost of their previous self. Though shaken, Kikyo didn't behave any differently than she had before, the same resilience she had shown at the village.

Kaede smiled fondly "Onee-san is a strong person, she's resilient and kind" she responded admirably. Kikyo would help the villagers heal and recover after their ordeal against Urasue, as well as help to repair Kagome's shrine. They couldn't return her remains but they could at least mend what they could. They were the new priestesses of the village now, it was their duty to help those who needed them most.

Kikyo gazed up at InuYasha shyly, the entire time they had been travelling back he hadn't released her once, he had been holding her close as though she may shatter like glass, had she truly worried him this much? She had heard his voice from so far away, she had felt his soul nearby, yet she couldn't reach out for him. Now they were together again, nothing would rip them apart. She gripped his robe tightly "InuYasha…" she trailed off, there was so much she had to say, but she lacked the strength. InuYasha blinked, Kikyo pulling his collar slightly causing him to lower his head so she could kiss his cheek. With this she could reveal her feelings without speaking a word, showing her adoration for the half breed. "Arigato, I would have been lost if you hadn't found me" she smiled fondly. She would have remained in that cold empty place for eternity, but she knew she had to protect InuYasha and Kaede from Kagome's bitterness. She couldn't allow her soul to be manipulated for such wicked reasons. She belonged here in this world, alongside them. InuYasha blushed, Kikyo's smile always brought her comfort, seeing her eyes open again made his heart feel as though it would burst from the overwhelming joy. Leaning his head down to nuzzle against her head silently, his nose burying into her hair.

Souta observed Kikyo and InuYasha with fascination, after something so traumatic Kagome would have withdrawn into herself for weeks, sulking and avoiding the conversation until her mood improved. Often keeping InuYasha at a distance due to his overworrying making her feel incompitent and babied. But Kikyo's resilience refused her to allow herself to push away those she cared for and nurture those around her. Subconsciously clinging to InuYasha for support and comfort, bringing them closer together. "It seems Lady Kikyo is healing, but to have such power that she could sense what was happening even in death. To subdue my sister at will immobilising her spirit, a feat not even my sister could accomplish. Kikyo is not merely my sister's reincarnation" Souta reflected.

Kombanwa-Good evening

Akuma-Demon

Yare Yare-Oh dear

Mochiron-Of course

Tatakau-Fight/to fight

Zettai Makenai-Absolutely, won't lose/ I absolutely won't lose to you

Urusai-Noisy

Doko ni-where is

Douyatte-how

Kuso-shit

Masaka-No way/impossible

Hayai-Hurry/quick, fast

Yamete-Stop

Onegai-Please

Bakemono-Monster

Naze-why?

Damare-shut up

Hashiru-Run

Yurusenai-I won't forgive you

Yokatta-That's great/thank goodness

Uso-Lies/liar