Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters from the series. But I own Ritsuko 'cause I made her up.

A/N: Sorry it's taken a while to update but as I said last time, I just moved back to the States after having lived elsewhere for the past three years. Anyway, I tried to make this chapter a bit longer. Also, there is again a bit more of Sango and Miroku in this chapter than in previous chapter. The next chapter should be big time Inuyasha and Kagome. Also I know part of this is repetitive but it kind of has to be for the story.
A Glimpse Ahead

Chapter 10

Sango slowly approached her friend, reaching out a hand to place on Kagome's shoulder. Shippo tried to run to Kagome but Miroku stopped him, "Let Sango try to get through to her first, Shippo. We don't know what will set her off at this point and we're here to help her not to hurt her remember?"

The little kitsune's eyes widened and he paused to let what Miroku had said sink in before nodding his agreement. The two turned their attention back to Sango and Kagome.

Sango reached her friend, "K-Kagome? Daijoubu?"

Kagome looked up with tear-filled eyes and shook her head, "No. I'm not okay. How could I be? Inuyasha attacked me. When his demon instincts took over, he slashed at me. That means he chose Kikyo. How can I be okay with that? I can't ever go back and face him now."

"But that's not true!" Shippo cried out from behind the girls.

Kagome turned toward Shippo with eyes wide in surprise, "What does he mean, Sango-chan?"

"Well, um, Inuyasha didn't mean to attack you. Naraku set up a trap. Inuyasha tried to attack Kikyo when his demon instincts took over."

"Except Naraku made you guys switch places," Shippo finished.

"But," Kagome began, "I didn't feel myself move. How am I supposed to believe what you've said, when everything I remember is just the opposite?"

Miroku answered, "To be blunt, if Inuyasha had meant to attack you, we wouldn't be able to talk to you right now because you would be dead."

"That's right!" Shippo exclaimed, "Cause now Kikyo's dead."

Kagome gasped in shock, "N-Nani?"

"After he was tricked into slashing you, Inuyasha battled and defeated Naraku. Then, when Kikyo tried to stop him from getting to you, he attacked and killed her," explained Miroku, rather calmly.

"Then, he turned back into his hanyou form while he was walking over to you. He's been really upset since then," added Shippo.

Sango continued, "He's in here somewhere as well."

Kagome dropped her head. The others watched as her shoulders began to shake. But when she lifted her head and, although there were tears in her eyes, she had a smile on her face. Then she spoke softly, "Just one more thing. Miroku, show me your hand. Show me that there is no more air void. Then I will believe everything."

Miroku lifted his right hand so she could see it. Then a brilliant light surrounded the group. When they could open their eyes again, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo found themselves back in Kaede's hut. Kagome still lay unconscious and Inuyasha and Ritsuko were nowhere to be found.

"What happened?"

"Why isn't Kagome awake?"

"Where are Inuyasha and Ritsuko?"

Kaede found herself bombarded with questions from the newly returned members of the group, "Let me try to explain. I believe that Kagome split her subconscious into various parts. You have managed to free one part of her being. However, she will not awaken until all of her being has been set free. It is now up to Inuyasha and Ritsuko."

Sango, not fully aware of her actions, sought comfort in Miroku's arms. After everything, Kagome wasn't awake yet. She just needed to help accepting that. Miroku, in an uncharacteristic manner, simply wrapped an arm around Sango's waist and allowed her to cry into his shoulder.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BACK IN THE DREAM FOREST~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inuyasha took a step toward Kagome but stopped and flinched as she recoiled in fear. It hurt him more than he would admit to anyone to see her afraid of him. He turned a questioning glance to Ritsuko.

She nodded, "Let me talk to her first." With that, she approached Kagome.

"Why are you here?" Kagome asked.

"I'm here to explain a few things to you," Ritsuko replied, "First, you don't need to be afraid of my father. He will not hurt you. He didn't mean for you to get hurt before. That was Naraku's doing. He's here now because he's worried about your. He cares about you."

"No, he attacked me. He chose Kikyo."

"No, he killed Kikyo. He injured you, and only because he was tricked into it."

"He still won't choose me though," sighed Kagome.

Ritsuko gave her a bewildered look, "What makes you say that?"

"I don't have a sister," replied Kagome.

"Okay. Now I'm confused. What does that have to do with anything?"

"You said," Kagome started," At the hot springs. You were talking about your aunt."

Ritsuko laughed, "Oh, wow! Now I understand why you ran off. I wasn't talking about either of my parents' sister. Neither of them have one. I was talking about Uncle Sesshomaru's wife, Aunt Rin."

Kagome's eyes just about popped your of her head, "Oh! Wow! That is definitely not what I thought." Then she actually giggled.

"Well, not that you're feeling a little better, I thing that you should talk with father. I have a feeling that it's tearing him apart to not be able to talk to you. How about it?"

Kagome nodded and turned her gaze to Inuyasha.

Inuyasha, who had bee staring at the ground, glanced up at the sound of Kagome's laughter. When Kagome looked toward him, his breath caught. The fear was gone from her eyes. What he now saw looked more like hope. She nodded for him to approach her. And he did so, with caution. At the same time, Ritsuko snuck away from the couple.

As he approached, Inuyasha softly called out her name, "Kagome?"