Author's Notes: Chapter 2 of a probably doomed story. :P I have one more chapter of this story before I abandoned it. It will go up tomorrow. I only own Tsuki.

Kagome's Gone
by Maia Serrelinda
Chapter 2

Inuyasha began to make his way back to the village. The sun was setting and it was getting dark - that meant Kaede would surely have a hot meal ready. He wished briefly that Kagome was there to make him some ramen, then squashed the thought relentlessly. I don't need her, he thought, then immediately knew it for the lie it was. I do need her. I hope she returns soon.

He stopped outside the door covering to the small hut. He could hear his small group of friends as they talked softly. He pushed aside the covering and stepped inside.

"Inuyasha!" the small kitsune cried. "Did Kagome come back yet?"

"She said three days, idiot," he shot back. He knew Kagome loved the kit but sometimes Shippou really tried his patience.

Sango helped Kaede distribute small bowls of rich-smelling stew, deftly avoiding the houshi's wandering hands as if she could anticipate his actions. She sat down across the small fire pit and sent a glare in his direction, as he, seemingly oblivious, began to eat hismeal.

Inuyasha took his portion from Kaede and sat down. He watched, privately amused, as Miroku tried to unobtrusively scoot closer to Sango. Sango was having none of this and glared again at him. Miroku grinned unrepentantly and settled back down.

"Kagome-sama has a test, she said?"

"Yeah," Inuyasha replied. "It's not for a couple of days but she said she couldn't get any studying done around here."

"We should take this opportunity to rest and mend our weapons," Sango added. "Kagome-chan needs her rest also, I'm sure."

Shippou nodded and agreed. "Besides, she said she would bring me some candy when she came back."

"Keh. You don't need any more candy, runt." Inuyasha sent the kitsune a slight scowl and reached out to bop him on the head.

"You don't have to be so mean! You're only doing it because you know Kagome can't 'osuwari' you!" the kit shot back.

"Keh!" he growled again.

This time Kaede sent the hanyou a glare. "Inuyasha, you should not treat the little one so rudely. He looks up to you and you do more damage than you believe."

"I do not! He's mean!" Shippou stuck his tongue out at Inuyasha and ran over to where Sango was sitting, launching himself at her and settling in her lap. Miroku shot the kit a slightly envious look and the kitsune smiled smugly and snuggled closer to Sango. Sango began stroking his head and he slowly fell asleep.

The rest of the group talked softly about other topics, mostly the subject of Naraku and where he'd gone. Kaede turned in first, saying something about her old bones not being what they used to be. The group fell mostly silent after that, not wanting to disturb the elderly miko. At least, Sango and Miroku did it out of respect for Kaede. Inuyasha was silent because he was thinking about Kagome again.

Miroku noticed the hanyou's blank gaze and nudged Sango softly,trying not to startle her.

"What?"

"Look, he's not even here. Wonder what he's thinking about?"

It's probably Kagome-chan, she thought. Out loud, she said, "I think if he wanted us to discuss it he would have told us." She turned away from him, careful not to turn her back completely to him and risk another grope. She unbound her hair and settled down on her futon.

"I'm going to sleep. You had better go to sleep soon, too. Just because we aren't traveling doesn't mean we don't have things to do tomorrow." She settled the sleeping Shippou next to her and closed her eyes.

Miroku waved a hand in front of Inuyasha, trying to get his attention. "Anyone home?"

Inuyasha came back to reality with a start and batted Miroku's hand away. "What's your problem? Sango hit you over the head again?"

Miroku sniffed injuredly. "Now, why would lovely Sango possibly want to do that?"

"Because you're a lech, that's why! Go to sleep!" Inuyasha turned and banked the small fire, preparing to take up his customary seat next to the doorway. He watched as Miroku settled on to his own futon, which was placed against a wall across the hut from Sango's. He looked from his futon to hers, obviously trying to decide if he should risk her displeasure and move closer. He glanced over at the hanyou, who was now in his customary seated position, Tetsusaiga leaning against one shoulder. Inuyasha sent the monk a warning glare and Miroku sighed and settled down for the evening.

******

Kagome found herself, unbelievably, drifting off to sleep as she was carried by her captor. She guessed it was the initial adrenaline rush subsiding. It didn't matter, really - this far up in the air she wasn't about to try anything. She wondered idly where they were going and if anyone had missed her yet. She guessed not - her family wouldn't have known she'd even been back at all unless they looked in her room, as she hadn't told them. Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha probably wouldn't suspect anything until either she didn't come back when she'd said she would or Inuyasha got impatient and went to her own time to drag her back. She allowed herself a small smile, thinking that even thought she chewed him out every time he did that, she was secretly glad that he'd at least missed her that much, even if he said that it was just because she could see the jewel shards.

She jolted out of her reverie as they bedan to descend. She could see a large estate that looked , overall, to be in fairly decent condition.

Tsuki was glad to see her home. She admitted that maybe she hadn't thought this through as well as she'd thought. The hanyou's mate (even though she denied it, she knew there was something going on there, for the miko carried the hanyou's scent) was heavier than she had thought, for all that she was slight of form and not overly tall.

She heaved the girl back over her shoulder and set her on her feet as they glided to a halt in the garden. "This is my home. Although you do not and will not see them, know that there are many here who serve me and they will prevent you from leaving. I do not intend to harm you but if you test me I cannot promise your safety." Tsuki gestured for Kagome to follow and started towards the rear entrance of the house. "Miko, what is your name?"

"Why do you care? I'm just a hostage." Kagome retorted, her eyes flashing angrily. Tsuki could tell she was winding up for another tongue-lashing and tried to head it off before it began.

"Hold, miko! Though I keep you here against your will I will not let it be said that I mistreat guests. I do not particularly wish to address you as 'miko', but if that is your wish--"

"Kagome." The single word barely registered against Tsuki's growing volume. Tsuki paused for a second, a questioning look on her face. "I said, my name is Kagome."

Tsuki smiled and Kagome was surprised at the way it lit her pretty features. The youkai, for she was obviously a youkai, stood slightly taller than Kagome herself. Her straight hair was a deep violet and hung down almost to her knees. She was dressed in a creamy linen kimono and black hakama, though they were closer fitting than Kagome had ever seen. They weren't tight by any stretch of the imagination, but Kagome imagined that they were probably more comfortable than her own school uniform. She lifted her gaze to the youkai's face only to be met with amused smile. "Do I meet with your approval?"

Kagome blushed as she realized she'd been doing exactly that. She glanced at the youkai long enough to see that she had deep violet eyes and followed her into the coolness of the house.

Tsuki led Kagome down a short hallway and into a large room. "This is the dining room. If there is a particular dish you desire, you have only to tell the servant assigned to your room. We dress for dinner. I was not prepared for a guest, but my servants can provide you with clothing. Follow me."