Inuyasha paced in front of the well, racking his brain on how to locate Kagome. She had ran off a few days before after having a huge with him and Sango. Her scent has disappeared at the well. Admittedly, he had not gone after her right away because he had to calm down his soon to be mate, Sango. By the time he had went after Kagome, her scent had begun to fade. He had only been able to track her to the edge of the well clearing. Thinking that she had went home, he had jumped into the well to see. He tried not to alarm her family, but Inuyasha worried that his friend was gone.
"What has you in such a state, little brother?" Sesshomaru said quietly from behind Inuyasha's pacing form. Inuyasha jerked with surprise. He turned and glared at his brother.
"What do you care?" Inuyasha snapped. He could have swore that he briefly saw amusement glint in Sesshomaru's eyes, but it was gone so quickly.
"I care, Inuyasha, very much. Now, why were you pacing so?"
"Well, if you must be so nosy, Kagome is missing." Inuyasha ground out in frustration.
"Missing? How does a half-demon misplace a human?" Sesshomaru asked in amazement. Inuyasha glared at his brother.
"She does have powers that she can use to conceal herself when she wants to badly enough."
"I thought you said she was worthless as a miko and didn't know how to use her powers?" Sesshomaru asked.
"She is, most of the time. But she did help defeat Naraku. And I think she trained her skills while she was away in the future." Inuyasha tried to explain.
The well had closed after Kagome and the gang had defeated Naraku three years earlier. Kagome had been sent back to the future. After she had finished school, the well had opened up again a few days before and had allowed Kagome to past through once again. It had stayed open so far. Kagome had come back expecting that she and Inuyasha would finally be a couple, but things had changed for Inuyasha while she had been gone.
"So what happened to make you lose your miko this time?" Sesshomaru questioned, settling against a tree to hear the tale.
"Why are you so interested?" Inuyasha eyed his brother suspiciously.
"I love stories that make you look like an idiot." Sesshomaru answered easily. "And maybe I can help figure out where she would have gone, but I need to know the facts first." Inuyasha sighed.
"Fine. Several days ago, I felt Kagome's presence for the first time since the battle with Naraku. I went to investigate and found her walking towards the village. She seemed happy to see me..."
Kagome smiled when she felt Inuyasha approaching.
"Good afternoon, Inuyasha." She greeted the half demon as he stopped in front of her. " Nice to see you."
"Kagome, I am surprised to see you." Inuyasha stated. He didn't pull her into his arms for a hug or even really smile at her. "What are you doing here?"
"The well finally opened again and I am finished with my schooling. I am back to stay." Kagome explained. Inuyasha's face took on a confused expression.
"Why do you want to stay in the past? You family and life are in the future." Inuyasha countered.
"Because I am much more comfortable in the past and you're here." Kagome answered. "Do you not want me to stay?"
"No, of course not. I just don't know what you are going to do."
"We will figure that out. Is everyone still living in the village?" Kagome asked, trying to remain cheerful and change the subject.
"Yes, for the most part. Shippo and Kohaku left a few months to further their respective training. Miroku and Sango still live in the village. Sango is living with Kaede and Rin. Miroku built a house that he shared with Shippo and Kohaku until they left." Inuyasha explained as they began to walk back towards the village.
"Why aren't Sango and Miroku living together? I thought they would have married by now." Kagome commented.
"Things have changed since you have been gone." Inuyasha said evastively.
"What does that mean?" Kagome insisted sharply. Inuyasha was saved from having to answer her question as they reached the edge of the village. She spotted Sango and Rin right away. They were in Kaede's herb garden. Sango looked up when she sensed Inuyasha and started when she saw Kagone standing beside him. She smiled hesitantly at Kagome as she stood up. Kagome noticed the hesitation in her friend, but tried to hide her worry. Sango hugged her readily enough and seemed genuinely glad to see her.
"I am surprised, but happy to see you, Kagome." Sango stated as she pulled back from their embrace.
"That is what Inuyasha said, but without the happy part." Kagome replied. Rin came up to stand by the women then. Kagome reached down to hug the girl. "You have grown so tall, Rin!" The girl giggled.
"That is exactly what Lord Sesshomaru tells me every time he visits me. I am glad to see you again, Lady Kagame."
"Are you enjoying living in the village?" Kagome asked the girl.
"Very much. I am learning much from Lady Kaede and Lady Sango." Rin answered excitedly.
"Rin, why don't you go inform Kaede that Kagome has returned and take the herbs we gathered into her as well?" Sango suggested. Rin nodded, picked the basket full of herbs, and skipped off to Kaede's nearby cabin.
"How long has Rin been living in the village?" Kagome questioned, trying to fill the awkward silence that followed the girl's departure. Inuyasha had moved away when the women had begun talking.
"A couple of years. I guess Lord Sesshomaru felt she needed to live among her own kind to grow up properly. He checks in on her often and brings her supplies." Sango explained. "She has done very well. I am teaching her to defend herself and Kaede is teaching her about herbs and healing."
"I am glad to hear that." Kagome hesitated for a moment. "How are things with you?"
"Couldn't be better. How about you? Did you finish your schooling?" Sango deflected.
"Yes. I had always hoped the well would open again so I could come back to stay."
"Kagome, child, welcome back!" Kaede exclaimed from behind her. The older miko pulled Kagome into a tight hug.
"Thank you, Kaede. I am glad to be back, as I was just telling Sango. It seems though that I am interrupting your work. Perhaps we could have a nice chat over dinner?"
"Of course, child. And you must stay with me and the girls until other arrangements can be made. It will be a bit cramped, but we will manage." Kaede kindly offered.
"Thank you, Kaede. I believe I will seek out Miroku and see how he fares. I will be back to help you with dinner." Kagome smiled and hurried away before Kaede or Sango could protest. She located Miroku's new hut on the other end of the village with little trouble. Miroku was outside, chopping wood when she approached. Miroku felt her aura and turned to great her.
"Kagome, I thought I felt a familiar aura. How are you?" Miroku asked cheerfully after putting down his axe.
"I am just fine, Miroku. Do you have time for a chat?"
"But of course! Let's find some shade."
After they had settled under a nice shady tree, Kagome got straight to the point.
"Miroku, I apologize for being blunt, but what is going on around here?"
"What do you mean?" Miroku looked genuinely perplexed.
"When I left three years ago, you and Sango were talking marriage. I thought you guys would be married and starting a family by now. And Inuyasha seemed anything but happy to see me. I thought if I ever was able to come back, he and I would mate. Sango seemed a bit more glad to see me, but she is hiding something. So, again, I ask, what is going on?"
"I forgot what good instincts you have. To answer your questions as simply as possible. Soon after you left, Sango and I broke off our engagement. She couldn't look past my previous behavior in the end. I know for awhile, Inuyasha had hoped you would come back as we all did, but as more time wore on, he lost hope. Recently, Sango and Inuyasha have become close and I believe that are planning to mate after the next full moon." Miroku finished and watched Kagome's face as she absorbed the information he has just revealed. After several minutes, she finally spoke in a quiet restrained voice.
"So after promising me that he would wait for me, he is now planning to mate with another? And not only another, but with a woman I see as a sister?" Kagome whispered. "Do I have a right to feel betrayed as I suddenly do?"
"Kagome, I can't tell you how to feel. I know when I first found out about their relationship, I also felt a bit betrayed because of my previous relationship with Sango. It is not a easy thing to overcome at first. But I believe that Inuyasha was never truly right for you." Miroku said seriously.
"Is the part where you tell me that you believe that we were destined to be soul mates all along?" Kagome asked, trying not to chuckle in case that was indeed what Miroko believed. He gave her a look that said 'Really?'
"No, Kagome. My destiny is elsewhere. Sorry to break your heart twice in five minutes." Kagome burst out laughing at his statement.
"Do you have a girl picked out?" Kagome commented. Miroku blushed.
"I have actually recently started courting Ayame since Koga has still shown no interest in claiming her. Her clan is happy at the possible union." Miroku answered shyly. Kagome smiled at her friend, happy for him.
"That is wonderful, Miroku. I think she would make you very happy."
"Thank you, Kagome. That means alot to me."
"So what should I do about Inuyasha and Sango? I came back fully expecting to live with and marrry Inuyasha. I didn't plan on anything else. What do I do now? Where do I live? I can't stay with Kaede forever." Kagome fumed.
"I would suggest maybe trying to talk Inuyasha and Sango. Inuyasha owes you an explanation if he made promises to you before." Miroku replied.
"Yeah, that explanation will be interesting." Kagome rolled her eyes. She stayed and chatted with Miroku until it was time to help fix dinner.
Kaede invited Miroku to eat with them to celebrate Kagome's return. It was late when everyone settled in to retire for the night. Kagome didn't fall alseep until the early hours of the morning. She rose with everyone else, despite having little sleep. Sango and Rin went to check in a couple of elderly neighbors while Kagome helped Kaede clean up the breakfast dishes.
"So, child, what do you plan on doing?" Kaede questioned. Kagome knew what she meant.
"I have to speak with Inuyasha because he won't bring up the subject."
"That is probably for the best so you both can move on with your lives. And I hope you do not hold this against Sango for too long." Kaede responded.
"No, I won't, but I am a bit angry with her as well. I get Inuyasha not saying anything to me because that is just how he is, but Sango should have said something as soon as I arrived yesterday." Kagome insisted.
"I understand, child. Sango and Inuyasha have been only been seriously courting for a few weeks. They seem happy together." Kagome sighed at Kaede's comment. She didn't wish to cause a rift between the couple or dim their happiness, but she still needed some closure.
"I do not wish to come between them, Kaede, but I still need to speak to Inuyasha at least." Kagome finally answered.
"Why don't you go speak to him now while Sango is occupied? I will finish the washing."
"Are you sure?" Kaede just nodded and shooed her out of the hut. Kagome looked around for Inuyasha, but didn't see him. She lightly flared her powers to see if she could sense him. Almost immediately, he jumped out of a nearby tree. "Good morning, Inuyasha." Kagome greeted him cheerfully. Inuyasha just grunted in response. "Would you like to take a walk? There are some things we need to discuss." She tried to say gently.
"We can talk just fine right here. I am waiting on someone." Inuyasha answered gruffly. Kagome tried not to wince when she knew he was talking about Sango.
"All right. I guess I really only have one question. What changed between us in three years? You had told me you would wait for me." Kagome asked, a little sharper than she had originally intended. Inuyasha noticed it and it put him further on edge.
"Who told you?" He countered, instead of answering of her question. Kagome sighed inwardly. She had hoped for a nice easy conversation, but Inuyasha would always let his temper get in the way.
"I knew something was wrong the moment you come up to me yesterday. Plus, even Sango acted strange. You should have told me as soon as you saw me, Inuyasha." Kagome scolded, all gentleness gone.
"Was I supposed to wait for you forever?" Inuyasha demanded. "Waiting is very lonely, Kagome. How was I supposed to know if you would even be able to come back?"
"By having a little faith, Inuyasha!" Kagome gritted her teeth to keep from screaming at him. "I understand waiting is lonely. What do you think I was doing all this time?"
"Apparently becoming more of a bitch than you were before!" Inuyasha snapped. They both heard the gasp that came from Sango behind them. Kagome turned to look at her friend, who had tears in her eyes.
"Inuyasha?" Sango managed to say before her eyes drifted to Kagome's furious face. "Kagome, what is going on?" Inuyasha just shrugged and continued to glare at me.
"Oh, just trying to sort through my feelings of hurt or betrayal." Kagome answered flippantly. She was too angry to care about sparing anyone else's feelings at that point in time.
"Betrayal?" Sango squeaked. She couldn't seem to form sentences.
"Yes, Sango, betrayal. Inuyasha made promises to me three years ago and I to him. I kept those promises, but he did not." Kagome explained.
"Its been three years, you stupid wench!" Inuyasha exploded. "How long did you expect me to wait?"
"For as long as it took!" Kagome turned back to him. "I am curious, Inuyasha, how long did you actually wait until you secretly started desiring Sango when you realized she had broken things off with Miroku? Weeks? Days? Hours?"
"Kagome, I am so sorry." Sango tried to say through her tears.
"Please, Sango, just save it. Yes, I am angry at you for not telling me, but you are not the one at major fault here." Kagome told her friend and then she turned back to Inuyasha. "You, on the other hand, are to blame." When Inuyasha started to protest, Kagome put her hand up to stop him. Inuyasha closed his mouth. "You made promises to me and broke them without informing me of the change as soon as you could. I am sure I would have felt hurt and betrayed either way, but you made the betrayal much worse because I had to learn what was going on from someone else. I do hope you grow up a little and learn from this experience, Inuyasha. If you are going to mate Sango and have a family, you need to learn some responsibility first. All I wanted when I first brought up the subject to you was an explanation and some closure, but you immediately became defensive. Grow up, Inuyasha. Sango, I hope you know what you are getting yourself into." Kagome finished and turned away. She heard Sango start sobbing harder and Inuyasha gathered her into his arms to comfort her.
"Once Sango had finally calmed down enough, I said farewell to her and left. I searched nearby villiages for Kagome, but I couldn't find her. It's like she fell off the face of the Earth." Inuyasha finished explaining the story to his brother.
"What did her family say when you showed up looking for her?"
"They were surprised that I could even still come through the well and then they were concerned for her safety. I reassured them that she would be fine. I am beginning to wonder if I will be able to keep that promise."
"Why are you so concerned about this promise when you didn't keep your other one to Kagome?" Sesshomaru asked. "It seems as if you should just accept her as lost and move on. If the miko is able to come back and wishes to, then she will. You hurt her, Inuyasha, she needs time to heal." Sesshomaru said.
"You act like you know for sure that she is still alive." Inuyasha said suspiciously. "Why are you even interested in Kagome?" Sesshomaru just shrugged.
"Perhaps I am bored." He suggested.
"Right." Inuyasha was not convinced. "So can you help me or not?"
"Not currently, but I will see if I come across any news of her in my travels. My advice, little brother, is to grieve the loss of her if you must, and then move on with your life. Mate your slayer. I must take my leave now. I will return soon." Sesshomaru walked away, leaving Inuyasha staring after him.
A few hours later, Sesshomaru arrived back to his home in the Western Lands. He asked a guard where his guest was and went to find her in the gardens. Kagome looked up from the book she was reading when she felt him approach.
"How do you fare this evening, my little miko?" He asked as she sat down on the bench beside her.
"I am well. How did things go with Inuyasha?" Kagome returned, closing her book.
"He is trying to find you. I told him to cease."
"Interesting." Kagome murmured.
"Apparently, he was able to go to the future through the well. He went to see if you had went home." Sesshomaru told her.
"The well is still open?" Kagome sat up straighter.
"Yes, from what Inuyasha said." Sesshomaru confirmed. Kagome seemed to hesitate in responding as she thought about something. "What is it?"
"I would like to go home to reassure my family that I am all right, but I am afraid that if I go back to the future and the well will close behind me again."
"You still want to live here? Even after everything with Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru sounded surprised.
"I am much more comfortable in this time. I can use my powers more freely and help more people here. I don't want my family to worry about me unnecessarily though. Could you take me to the well in the morning to assess the situation?" Kagome concluded.
"Yes, of course. I would suggest masking your presence in the area so Inuyasha does not complicate the situation. I will do the same."
"Thank you, my lord."
Sesshomaru watched from the tree top as Kagome made her way over to the well. She jumped inside and a bright light shined through the top, carrying her back to the future. They had said their goodbyes in case she couldn't come back. They had also set a time for Sesshomaru to pick her up if she could come back.
Kagome sighed with relief when the well didn't close behind her. She was only going to stay until the next morning. She was going to say a proper goodbye to her family and gather some personal belongings to take back with her. Before, the well had opened so suddenly that she had just told her family a quick goodbye and left, afraid it would close again. She climbed out of the well and made her way into the house. She heard her mother in the kitchen and headed that way.
"Mama?" Kagome called softly, trying not to frighten her mother. Mrs. Higurashi whirled around from the counter to face her daughter who stood in the door way.
"Kagome?" She said in disbelief. "How are you here?"
"The well is still open for the time being. I came back to let you know that I was all right and to say a proper goodbye. I know Inuyasha came by and that you might be worried." Kagome explained and went to hug her stunned mother.
"I am so happy to see you." Mrs. Higurashi sobbed. "Are you sure you just don't wish to remain here?"
"Mama, we have had this conversation. I can help more people in the past with my powers." Kagome sighed. "I don't belong here anymore. I will always love you, but this is what feels right."
"You can't blame a mother for trying." Mrs. Higurashi chuckled.
Kagome stayed her final night at her family home and was sad and relieved at the same time when morning came. Her mother walked with her out to the well house. She had two modest sized bags filled with clothing, pictures, and other personal mementos. Everything else, she find replacements for or could live without.
"Mama, I will try to extract a promise from either Inuyasha, Shippo, or Lord Sesshomaru to come and tell you about my life if they live long enough." Kagome tried to reassure her mother. Mrs. Higurashi nodded in understanding. Little did they both know that a figure waited in the shadows outside the well house to keep the promise Kagome had just made.
Kagome felt the well close up behind her this time when she landed back in the past. With her presence masked, she began to climb out of the well. As she reached the top, a clawed hand came down in front of her. Recognizing it as Sesshomaru's, she gladly took and felt herself being pulled out of the well. Sesshomaru set her on her feet and quickly whisked them away without a word.