**AN: Hey! Check it out! Another chapter. Thanks again for all the nice words. I'm still working on Chapter Five/Six and I know you're anxious to read Chapter Four. Seeing as I told you it was good. Again, my opinion. I hope you enjoy it.**

Kagome collapsed into the down of her comforter, atop her velvety bed. She was completely exhausted. She didn't stop to think of the difficulty she'd find when she had come through the well to her time; and have to climb up the well with a slightly injured arm. She tried shouting to a member of her family for help, but her screams went unanswered. It was when she stepped into the house that she would discover its vacancy. Her family had gone on a short trip to visit relatives and would return in two days. She figured it was only fair, seeing as she spent most of her time 'away'.

She rubbed her left shoulder. It was still sore from climbing up the well. She knew it would be impossible to make the climb with just one arm and her already heavy backpack. She had to take her arm out of the sling. Her arm was fine until she had to actually use it. That's when the pain came. Kagome had to suffer through it to get out.

She rose from her bed and walked into the bathroom. She knew she had been unconscious for few days, but she had never gotten a chance to see how she looked. She could feel a few sores on her face and her chest, which usually made for cuts and bruises. She didn't look forward to explaining that to her mother. It would just worry her incessantly. Not that she didn't do it before. Her injuries would just add to it.

She turned on the bathroom light and walked over to the mirror. She was a little nervous to look at her own reflection. She was right. There was a small bruise on her right cheek and scrapes across her face, but nothing like she imagined she would have had. On their walk to the well, Miroku had told her the extent of damage inflicted on her. From his details she had expected to be near death.

The thought of if sent shivers down her spine, 'Dead.'

She paused on the word for a moment. She knew something about that thought had seemed familiar. When had she had that thought before? Sure, in battle there were times she thought they were at the end, but it never really sunk in. Inuyasha always managed to save her.

She touched the bruise on her cheek, 'Inuyasha…'

She couldn't help but wonder just where he was. Sadness cascaded all over Kagome's body when she thought of him. Why had he left her? She closed her eyes. She could still see the look of horror on his face, just before she had been hit. He looked so worried; so terrified. Where was he? Didn't he care? Kagome sighed deeply and retreated back into her bedroom, before turning off the light in her bathroom.

The lamp on the nightstand next to her bed, lit up the room. Below it was her bag. She reached for it with her right hand. She sat on her bed and opened it up. Tomorrow was school and she had a some work to catch up on. Her test was coming up and she wanted to be ready for it.

As she pulled out her book, her eyes fell upon a small pouch. She recognized it as the one Miroku gave her. Kaede had sent it with her. The medicine was made of herbs and tea leaves. It was suppose to help with her wounds.

'Take it with hot water,' she could hear Miroku's voice. 'Before you go to bed.'

She glanced over at the clock. It read, '3:23 AM'. She was still wide awake. She thought of the scars on her face and the bruise on her cheek. She shrugged and headed downstairs. She figured she would take the medicine while doing some homework.

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"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried. "Look out!"

A heavy blow fell across her back, sending her flying into the grass. The rocks and dirt scraped the side of her face. Then everything went completely dark.

She looked around the dark abyss. She could see absolutely nothing. Why was this so familiar to her? Had she been there?

Suddenly her surroundings changed. Though her vision was somewhat hazy, she could see she was near a fire; sitting up; facing the fire.

'What's that?' Her voice echoed in her mind. Something was moving to her face. It was long and slender. It had a point at the end of it.

'A finger,' she thought as it came into view. It grew thicker, 'It's two fingers.'

It got closer to her face. She could feel it run itself over her lips.

'What's going on?' She tried to speak, but couldn't find her voice.

Like before, everything went black. The fire was gone. The fingers had disappeared. And she was in the darkness once more. She tried to find the fire again, but like before, she saw nothing. Nor heard nothing.

The silence was quickly broken with the sound of thumping. The beats were swift. Each thump appeared to grow faster and louder. She covered her ears to drown out the sound. Soon the dark began to fade away. The shade grew somewhat lighter. She looked around and saw nothing but red. Her feet did not touch solid ground. It felt like she was floating. She tried to push her way through it, but the texture was incredibly thick. As her arms moved about she could hear a hollow sound echoing in her ears. The sound resembled a slosh, like water. She felt like she was swimming through a pool, filled with red dye. Then it hit her.

'It's blood,' she thought to herself.

The smell of copper invaded her nostrils, making her feel nauseous. She tried her best to hold back the turning of her stomach. But as she was fighting it, her insides erupted with flames. It grew hotter as she tried to move through the blood. It was difficult. The blood inside her boiled. The thumping grew louder and her nausea would not cease.**

The alarm on her clock blared completely out of control. Kagome ignored the annoying sound of the beeping and headed straight for the bathroom. Head first, eyes closed, she dove into the toilet. She released the turning torment going on inside her stomach. The smell of copper still occupied her nostrils, making her vomit even more each time.

After what felt like and hour, Kagome was finally relieved of the spinning and twisting within her stomach. Without even wanting to look, she closed the lid to the toilet and pressed down on the lever. The slush sound ringed highly in her ears.

She walked over to the sink and turned on the water. She continued to throw cold water on her face, soothing her already wet skin. She hadn't noticed, but her entire body was hot and dripping with sweat. Her breaths were heavy. Her nose was still sensitive to the smell. The breathing was helping to keep everything under control. As she dried her face off with the towel, she groaned at the sound of her alarm. It was still beeping.

She walked back to her room and shut it off. It was then she realized that she had been in the bathroom for over twenty minutes. She screamed as she thought about school. She still had to take a bath. She was going to be late. She ran around her bedroom and gathered her bath accessories. She was going to take the quickest baths ever. Despite the queasy feeling she woke up with, she was not about to let that stop her from going to school. She had missed enough days.

She fixed her bath water and immediately dunked her head beneath the surface, soaking every strand of hair. If she hadn't been running so late, she would have taken the time to enjoy the warm moisture caressing her body. She began to scrub her head with shampoo when she felt a sharp scratch on her scalp.

"Ow," she pulled her hands away from her head. She rubbed the sensitive spot gently and thought aloud, "Must have a scar." She shrugged and continued with her bath.

She hopped out and ran back into her room to change into her school uniform. As she got dressed she pondered on just what excuse her grandpa had used this time. She shook her head. She knew he meant well, but sometimes she thought he went to far. She couldn't see how the school could be so understanding. Still, it worked.

She ran into her bathroom and brushed her hair. She stopped, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Her cuts; her scrapes; the bruise on her cheek; they were gone. She was amazed. It looked as thought she hadn't even been attacked.

Then it hit her. She was so busy trying to get ready for school, that she forgot all about her shoulder. There was no pain. She moved her arm and rotated her shoulder; clockwise and counter clockwise. She felt a slight ache when she moved it counter clockwise, but it wasn't worth worrying about.

She smiled, "Wow. Kaede's medicine really worked."

She glanced back at her clock. She had less then ten minutes to be at school. She grabbed her bag and rushed out the door as quickly as possible. She had to admit. She was a bit anxious to see her friends again. And as she ran, she thought of the potion. The result of her speedy recovery, inclined her to want to take more later that night. That way she could heal up without anyone in the house ever knowing. With that last thought, she sprinted faster towards the school.

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Kagome sat on her windowsill, filing down her last nail, 'I let them alone too long. Now they've gotten too long.'

She put down the colorful Emory board, only to pick up her white coffee mug. It was filled more of old miko's medicine. She took a small sip. The contents were still very hot. After placing the cup down, she picked up a book lying next to her. The cover was dark blue with a center picture of a white unicorn, running through a waterfall. The book also came with a lock, which was already open. She picked up her pen and stared out at the night sky. It appeared just as it did the night before, 500 years ago.

She sighed while gazing out into the busy city of Tokyo. Though it was not a late hour, the city was still alive with activity. It made her miss the peacefulness of a small village. For after the sun sets, and a home cooked dinner is enjoyed, rest and relaxation are sure to follow. Though that era had its fair share of danger, the essence of security lingered. The simplicity of the early days was much needed in a fast moving present day, rather future. It needed more focus on the important things; family and friends.

'Friends,' she thought to herself. 'Shippou. Miroku. Kaede…Inuyasha.'

It's been a few days since the attack and thanks to Kaede's medicine, my wounds are healing much faster. The scratches on my face are gone and the bruise on my cheek is gone, too. My shoulder…

Kagome stopped writing and looked up at her dresser. It stood next to her open window. The mirror that sat on the dresser was fairly big; about half the size of the window she had been looking out of, while writing. She was amazed with herself. Her mind had been so wrapped up in other things that she had completely forgot about the laceration on her back. She had never taken a the time to look at it. She didn't even know just how bad she was scratched.

She placed the book down at her window and walked over to her dresser. She turned her back carefully towards the mirror, keeping her upper left shoulder in view. She slowly removed the top of her pajamas. She let her eyes rest on the now sealed gash. Though it was closed, the scar remain. It looked as though it happened years ago. She was in shock over how quickly it healed.

"Thank you Kaede," Kagome whispered and put on her shirt. "And Inuyasha."

She walked back over to the window and took another sip of her warm drink, then continued with her entry.

…is still a little stiff, but it's nothing to worry about. The medication I'm taking is working really well. I have to remember to thank Kaede and Inuyasha. If he ever comes around.

I also have to ask them about my injuries. Miroku told me about them and they way he talked, made it sound like I was out for some time. So out in fact that when I came back to school, it was the day of our test. I can remember studying for it and having a couple days too, but I don't remember how many exactly. I'm guessing I was out for at least two days. I don't remember any of it. I remember the beast, then Inuyasha coming to save me. His face, then everything went dark.

Kagome paused her writing a moment. Her mind raced through the past events that lead up to where she was. Something about what she had written sounded familiar.

Speaking of which, I had a dream that I was in a dark place. I couldn't move. Even though I couldn't see anything, I could tell I was alone. The dream itself wouldn't have bothered me, if it didn't feel so familiar. Then, I was near a fire and fingers. I saw two fingers. I felt them on my mouth. And again, everything went black. I was back to where I was. But not for too long. After being in a darkened world, I found myself in a red one. Only to find out that it's a pool of blood-a really deep pool. I hear a really loud thumping sound and the next thing I know I'm waking up sick. Throwing up. What does it mean? Well, I know what the throwing up means. The pool of blood. That would gross anyone out. I don't know.

School, another "huh?" for me. Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi kept pestering me about Hojo. I don't know what it'll take for them, or him for that matter, to understand I'm not interested. And speaking of Hojo, he gave me another gift. Aromatherapy candles. Maybe I'll give them to Kaede. He keeps sending me stuff for my 'ailments'. I don't know what grandpa has been telling everyone, but I may as well start picking out my casket. Everyone thought I was on my deathbed. Hell, with the stories they told me, he told them, I thought I was dead.

Kagome felt a chill roll down her back as she wrote down that word. An image of darkness flashed through her mind. She shook her head out of her thoughts, and took a drink of her medication. She thought of the large scar that ran from her middle back to her upper left shoulder. She knew with a scar such as she had on her back, she had to have been injured severely. Again, her body shivered.

Come to think of it, if it hadn't been for Inuyasha getting me to Kaede's, I would have died. I can't let that happen again. If I did…so much would have gone undone…unsaid. No one would know. He would've-forget it. I'm here and that's all that matters.

She finished off the rest of her nearly cold drink. She reread her words once more, like she always did when she wrote in her journal. After she finished reading, she closed and locked her journal and placed it in her nightstand. She tucked it safe, beneath her papers and accessories.

She walked back over to the window. She was set to close the panes shut, but thought otherwise. She pushed them open even further and stood there a moment. She stared out into the night. The city was still humming. The cars, the lights, the buildings. They were the stars that burned on earth. She smiled, then retreated back into her room. She crawled beneath the covers of her bed and as her head hit the soft pillow, she closed her eyes.

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A pair of golden orbs watched her as she almost closed the small doors to her window. She had stopped; changed her mind. She stood at the window and gazed out past him. The moonlight radiated off her soft face. He smiled at seeing her bask in the light. It was beautiful to see her at night. The beams from the moon bounced off her silky white skin. The light reflected off her jet black hair. The part of her lips, so small, let the gentle breaths flow in and out of her petite body. It was all so graceful.

He always liked to look at her by the light of the moon. Sitting up in his tree, he would play 'asleep', waiting for her to fall into the land of dreams. Sure, he would sleep, a little. Rest was always good, but he found more joy watching her sleep. Yes, he did stay awake to be on guard for enemies; enemies or anything that would dare disturb her. Her sleep was important to him.

However, he remembered the moment he thought her rest would become eternal. As wonderful as she looked while she slept; as much as her face exuded complete and total release of pain and torment; it was the one moment he wanted her to awake. Even if only to have her fighting with him. He didn't want her to go. So he did what he had to do, despite the consequences.

He could still hear the old woman's voice ringing in his sensitive ears, 'Inuyasha! Have you any idea what you've done?'

'I know old woman!' He could hear himself snap back at her. 'I had to! I wasn't going to lose her!'

'In doing so, you might have already,' Her voice fell in dejection.

The last four words played over in his ears. It stung with each echo. Like he had done hundreds of times before, he cursed himself. That was why he left. He could not bring himself to face her when she awoke. He could not bear to set eyes on her sweet, innocent face and know he had extinguished that special light about her. It hurt just to think about it.

He shook his head once more and kept his eyes on her. She smiled, then retreated into her room. If there was anything she could do to make herself shine more, it was by smiling. When she smiled, her dusty brown eyes held such a purity and tenderness. It filled him with a comfort and assurance, that the world wasn't entirely against him. Or at least one person wasn't.

He watched as the light from her room went out. He sat and waited, just like he did the night before. He had watched her as she moved all through her house. When she mixed the old woman's remedy; when she ate and Buyo ran his scent all over her leg; when she read her silly books and drank her remedy; then fell asleep; he watched her. Just like he did the night before, he had jumped from the limb he was on, onto her windowsill.

She had her back to him as he crept over to where she lay sleeping. Her peaceful form brought a smile to his heart. It also brought a cold rush of despair. It reminded him of the old woman's words. He closed his eyes, scolding himself.

He leaned in towards her and deeply took in her aroma. He had always been fond of it. He had told her once too. It was the first time he had become human in front of her. He had been poisoned by the leader of the Spider Heads. In his weaken state, she had let him lay his head on her lap. It was her smell that comforted him through the night. Just before falling asleep in exhaustion, he told her. Afterwards, she never brought it up, but he knew it was on her mind. He wanted to tell her that it wasn't the poison. He meant what he said.

Her scent still lingering in his nostrils, he thought, 'The monk was right. She seems just fine.'

"I hoped you'd come," a gentle voice broke the night's silence.

He took a step back, towards the open window. He didn't know if he should reply. He wasn't sure if he could face her. He didn't know if he was ready; if he'd ever be ready.

He turned to the window to make his quick escape, but her voice stopped him, "Don't go. Please."

He kept his back to her, ears twitching back, listening.

"I hoped you were there," she continued away from him.

Inuyasha closed his eyes and bit his lip, "Why?"

"I missed you," she whispered.

A silence fell between them. The unison sound of their heartbeats drowned out the noise of the city just outside. Both their breaths were held, waiting for the other to speak.

She finally sat up, with a few tears running down the side of her face, "Why did you leave me?"

"I had some things to take care of," he replied coldly.

Kagome didn't say any more to him. She just walked over to him and joined him at the window. He had always been like that. She knew when he was really trying to be distant. She could see right through him. He had been worried. But why he really left, she didn't care. He was there and that was all that mattered.

Inuyasha grew tense at her close presence. His body twitched slightly as her hand clasped around his. Usually he would revel silently to himself at the opportunity to stand so close to her, with the moonlight shining on her face. But with all that was going through his mind, it left him feeling uneasy. He didn't know what to expect. It sent his heart racing when she reached for his free hand, with her other hand.

Her eyes moved over the half demon, half human's face, studying its contours. His lips; they tighten in pout and often curled with a sneer. His eyes; the color of the falling leaves in the autumn, they roared of impatience and annoyance. His entire face always projected a self assurance. But now, those features had vanished, showing a defenseless hanyou. It was heartwarming for her.

Her eyes finally locked on his own yellow-orange spheres as she brought their joining hands closer to her chest. She squeezed his hands as gently as she spoke, "Thank you."

Why was she saying thank you? Did she know? He didn't know what to say. She was standing right in front of her, looking into his eyes. And the look was so gentile; so caring. He had wanted to look upon her like this forever.

He did the first thing her could think of. He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. Her scent was so pleasant and delicate. The light was still there; her light. Just like before, he didn't want to let her go. He wanted her to stay like this. She would be safest this way; right in front of him; anywhere; but always with him.

Kagome was shocked at Inuyasha's move. She knew it was difficult for him to let his guard down and open up. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his strong body. Oh, how she wanted to break down and cry; let him know how much his presence meant to her. But she didn't. She just held onto him, not wanting to let go. She was afraid if she did, he'd be gone.

She laid her head against his chest and inhaled the musky smell of his kimono. She had never really noticed his scent before, but she liked it. That sent a memory rushing through her. She had been held like that before. She remembered the power in his arms, yet they were tender to the touch. She remembered feeling safe. It wasn't when he sent her back to her time after the fight with Sesshomaru. No. The memory was much closer. Vague, but closer.

She felt a small twinge in her shoulder. In ran its way down and through her left arm. A joining pain had made its way down her back. She bit her lower lip and let out a muffled cry at the tremor that ran through her.

Inuyasha felt her tremble in his arms. He knew that she had stifled her cry to keep him from hearing, but his sensitive dog ears had picked up on it immediately.

"You haven't healed completely," he let her go. "You need to lie back down."

"I'm fine," she took a step back from him. "It's just a little sore."

He eyed her carefully. Her steps were weak, like she could barely stand. He wanted to say something to her, but held his tongue.

She leaned up against her dresser, nearly knocking over her empty mug, "How's everyone?"

"Fine," he watched her fumble with the cup. "Is that the potion the old woman gave you?"

"Remedy," She corrected him.

"Whatever," he returned with a cold tone. "You might want to use less water."

She glanced down into the bottom of the cup. There was no residue of the powder at the bottom. Not like tea or coffee would leave.

She eyed him carefully, "How long have you been watching me?"

"What are you talking about?" He scoffed.


She set the cup down, next to her, "How long?"

"What makes you think I was watching you?" He turned his back to her. "I just came back to see how long it would be till you came back. They're still shards out there."

"Answer me," her eyes burned into his profile.

"Hey!" His cheeks flared a bright red. "It's not my fault you're taking your clothes off near an open window!"

She reached up and slapped him behind the head, "Pervert! I was checking my back!"

"Ow!" He jumped back from her. "So do it in the other room!"

"You should have looked away!" She yelled at him.

She stepped toward the hanyou, but dropped to one knee. Her left arm fell across her midsection, trying to comfort the pain in her stomach. It felt like her insides were being shredded to pieces. She placed her right hand on the floor to balance herself.

His eyes widened when he saw her fall to the floor, "Kagome!"

Her legs wobbled, as she held her stomach, "I'm fine!"


He tried to help her, but she slapped his hands away.

She walked over to her bed and sat down. The inflammation of the ache made her eyes water. She breathed in deeply, trying to contain the heat inside her

Inuyasha on the other hand, convinced that her injuries had not fully healed, "See! That's why I wanted you to stay here."

"What?" Her breaths still heavy. "What are you talking about?"

"When I sent you through the well," he pointed to the shrine outside her window. "After the fight with Sesshomaru."

"Oh," she scoffed. "You mean when you shoved me?!"

"I did not shove-" He tried.

"Yes you did," she could feel the heat rising within her. "It was right before you held me, which I might add, confused the hell out of me?!"

"Wait," he put up his hand. "What?! Are you trying to confuse me? Besides, I sent you through the well to protect you!"

"What?!" She placed her hands on her hips. "You don't think I can take care of myself?!"

"No," he shot back. "I don't! Every time you come near a demon, I have to save you! You should just tell me where the shard is and get out of my way!"

That's all it took. The fire within her combusted, sending the flames through her veins. The heat rising to her head in anger, relaying messages to her hand. Inuyasha didn't have time to move. Her hand had come across his face before he could even take a breath from his last statement. The impact from her hand made him take a few steps back. Its force rattled his senses.

She was breathing heavy, "Get…out."

Inuyasha's jaw dropped open a few inches. His mind was in a state of shock. True, he had expected her to get upset, but that was not the kind of reaction he was prepared for. Not from her. He had pushed her buttons before, but it usually resulted in a shouting match. Nothing quite like this.

He continued to stare at her. His eyes, no longer in shock, studied her face. They could see anger and frustration written in bold letters. Still they did not withdraw themselves from the contours of her face. In fact they continued to travel all over. The purse of her lips; the sound of air passing through her nostrils; the fast and heavy motions in her chest region; the heat coming from her entire body. He moved his golden eyes all over her, finally resting on her now narrow and dark brown eyes. The flames roaring within almost made them appear a scarlet color.

"NOW!" Her voice thundered in her small bedroom.

The hanyou's sensitive hearing caused him to take a step back, breaking his train of thought. Her voice boomed, painfully striking his eardrums.

He winced, "FINE!"

"ARE YOU STILL HERE?!" She crossed her arms.

"I'M GOING!" He turned for the window. "AND I AM NOT COMING BACK!"

"GOOD!" She moved toward him, in hopes of getting him to move quicker.

He sat on the windowsill and turned back to her, "And that means you don't come back either!"


She stopped and put her hands on her waist, "Don't flatter yourself. I have no plans on following you this time!"

"Good!" He growled, then jumped out the window.

She walked over to the window and watched him soar through the air. Her rage was blazing as her voice called into the night, "Sit!"

She watched triumphantly as he fell, face first into the dirt. She could hear him curse repeatedly into the sand. She closed the window to hear him shouting more obscenities at her. She just rolled her eyes, ignoring him, until he mentioned something about being weak.

The storm clouds formed all around her, "Who does he think he is?!"

She stood before her mirror and looked at her reflection. She looked deep into her own eyes and told herself, "I am strong!"

She screamed at the top of her lungs. She couldn't remember having been that annoyed or angered in her life. Every breath she drew in was faster than the other. It was much like panting. The waves of heat coming off her face and her entire body caused her to sweat. The sound of her heart thumping out of control, echoed loudly in her ears.

Just then everything around her began to spin. She tried to walk in the direction of her bed. But everything spun so fast, her steps staggered. She could feel herself become light headed. It was a feeling she knew had before. It was happening so fast that she didn't have any time to really think about it.

She could hear her voice in the back of her mind shouting, 'No.'

Then, everything around her was swallowed up into a black hole. Kagome's eyes rolled into the back of her head. She never made it to her bed. Her legs went weak beneath her and she hit the floor.

**ANpt2: I wanted to put this note here, so as not to spoil the chapter. Regarding the Kagome's journal entry; I wrote it to where she's basically rambling thoughts down. You know what I mean, when you're mind jumps from one thought to another. So that's how it's going on in her journal; jumping. I wanted to let you know that, just in case it might get confusing. I didn't want to write this in the middle of the story. I can't stand to read notes like that. It kills the mood, sometimes. I try to avoid that, if necessary. Okay, I'm done. Thanks.**