Rating - PG-13 (although may change at a later date to R...I don't know yet for.) for Inuyasha language (geeze, go figure) Fighting (now that is unusual for Inuyasha right?) and all that other stuffs.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha and company...but I keep searching for him on E-bay. Maybe one day I will get lucky! (You know, come to think of it, I don't know if I could afford him anyways... *sigh*)

Like I said, tis my first time, so be gentle, that doesn't mean go easy, but it does mean, be sure to explain something if you don't like it. Don't just flame… explain! But don't forget to let me know if I am doing something right. :P

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Whispers of a Well and The Fate of Them All

Chapter Four ~ The Voices Of Reason

Floating through the normal blue haze the group suddenly finds themselves on Kagome's side of the well, inside the well house. Suddenly Kagome releases a breath she didn't even know she had held. "Well, I am glad nothing happened." Looking down at the little Kitsune who is looking up at her in return. "Welcome to my time, Shippou-chan," she says with a gentle smile.

Jumping out of the well, Inuyasha walks with the two over to the house. Shippou takes his place back on her shoulder, after giving back the Tama. Looking around quickly he is amazed with what he sees and of course starts asking questions right away. "Is that your house? What is that noise? What is that smell? Where are all the lights coming from?"

"Oi, Shippou! One question at a time, Kagome isn't feeling that well, so give her a break." Looking over his shoulder he gave an annoyed glance to the fox.

"Baka, I know she isn't feeling well." Reaching over and patting Kagome's cheek, "Sorry Kagome."

"That is ok, Shippou-chan. If it all right with you, I will answer as many questions as I can tomorrow. And I know you could ask Souta a bunch of questions tonight." Nuzzling the kitsune again. "Inuyasha, can we go in through the door? I need to talk to mama, and I am sure she is probably in the kitchen."

"Feh, whatever." As Inuyasha goes through the door, Kagome calls out. "Mama? Where you at?"

"In the kitchen, Hun." Is the reply.

Giving a small chuckle, she tells the hanyou, "See, told you." Which receives another "Feh."

Walking into the kitchen Mrs. Higurashi looks over and gasps. "Aw, Shippou-chan is it?" and proceeds to walk over to the group and grab him gently off of Kagome's shoulder and gives him a big hug. "You are just the cutest thing. I am so glad to finally meet you! I am Kagome's mama. You can call me Higurashi-sama, or just grandma. Since I already think of you all as part of the family." With a quick wink to the little youkai, she continues. "I have heard soooo much about you." Glancing over at the other two she sees Kagome and how tired looking she is. "Dear, are you alright?"

Inuyasha helps Kagome off of his back and onto a chair by the table. He takes the chair next to her.

Kagome sighs and replies, "Hai, mama. I am fine, we had a little trouble with the well going back to ask the others to come to dinner. I will be better with a good sleep though." She gives her mother a warm smile to calm any fears she may have. "The others have said they are looking forward to coming to dinner tomorrow. I am thinking that maybe we will go get them at about noon so they may get to know everyone before dinner. Kaede-baachan, Miroku-sama, Sango-sama, Myouga-jichan, and Kirara are all looking forward to it. We can leave Shippou-chan here while we get the others."

"That is wonderful dear. I am so glad." Giving Shippou another hug (because lets face it, he is to cute not) she says, "Would you like to meet Souta? I know he would love to play with you. But are you hungry? Did you have dinner?"

"I would like that a lot. I already had dinner," Shippou gave her the 'I am so cute' face, "but do you have chocolate?"

Laughing she walks over to a drawer that has all Kagome's stash for her pack when she fills it before going back in time. "Well, since you have already had your dinner. I am sure it is alright for you to have one candy." Handing him a chocolate bar, she continues to hold him.

Looking over at Kagome, after he is done with the chocolate. "Is it ok if I go play?"

Smiling she replies, "Of course Shippou-chan. That is why you are here."

With that her mother and the little fox go off to find Souta.

"Feh, your little brother will be annoyed with him in about five minutes." Looking over at Kagome with a small smile.

"Inuyasha, you know that isn't true. Heck, he put up with you longer when I asked him to deal with you when I was trying to study." Thinking back, 'Although, you only lasted about 10 minutes before you came flying back into my room covered in bubbles and naked and I had to chase you back out again.' Giggling at that thought still, "But then again, I don't think Souta will try to have him take a bath with him. I think he learned his lesson on that idea."

Blushing slightly, due to his remembering the whole episode he turns away. "Feh"

Turning serious she looks at him, "Inuyasha"

"Nani?" Glancing back.

"Do you think if we take everyone through the well at one time, might trigger something in the well. It seems in an odd way, that is exactly what those voices want. If that is so, then maybe if we take them over individually at first and as a group at the end it might be better."

Thinking about what she says, "I don't know. I think in a way you may be right. If this is so, then I think we should have them be ready for battle when they come."

"I believe you are right. We can have them store their weapons in the well house while they are here. But I do believe we should be ready for anything." Looking away but at nothing in particular she reflex on all that has happened so far. While she is thinking her mother comes back into the kitchen.

"Well, Shippou-chan is just a happy one now isn't he? He is too adorable for his own good and he knows how to use it. He and Souta are getting along very well. I am sure they will be good friends. Please be sure to bring him over more often when you come home. I was going to suggest putting a sleeping bag in Souta's room but Shippou said he wanted to sleep next to you. I think due to him being in a strange place, having something familiar to him may be a good thing. Eventually he will feel safe enough to sleep in your brother's room. Although he was surprised to find out that we each had our own room. Said something about usually all sleeping together when you where not out looking for the Shikon no Tama." Glancing over at the two she continues, "Ok, well now that the little one is settled. Out with it. What exactly happened, and why are you so tired dear?"

Looking at her mother she sighs, she then tells her about all about the dealing with the well. She also tells her that something big may or may not happen when we leave here tomorrow night. With a frown she adds, "Inuyasha and I have just been discussing that while you where taking care of Shippou-chan. Mama, if something does happen, I don't know how long I will be getting back here."

Going over and giving her daughter a hug, "Don't worry dear. I know you are going to try your hardest getting back." Patting the hanyou on the shoulder as she continues, "I know Inuyasha and the others will help keep you safe. I have always had faith in that. It is the only thing that helps make it easier with you going back into the past like you do."

'She has faith in me keeping Kagome safe?' Looking up at Kagome's mom with an uncertain eye. "I don't know what I can do to keep her safe from the voices in the well."

"I know that dear, I just mean that I know you will keep my daughter from physical harm to the best of your abilities. Even you can't help with things that go on in ones mind. But don't worry about it tonight. Get some rest, the both of you. I am sure you will both have a busy day tomorrow."

"Hai, mama. I am going to take a bath first. My body feels like it could due with a good hot bath. Inuyasha, if you want, why don't you keep Shippou from annoying Souta to much," she adds with a giggle.

"Feh, great. Instead of one annoying runt, I get to deal with two of them." He gets up and goes off to find the two playing in Souta's room.

"Mama, thank you for letting Shippou spend the night. He had gone through so much and I like to let him be a kid still whenever we get the chance."

"Dear, I must say. He is a bright little one. You have done a great job trying to let him grow up as best as you can give, with what you all go through. He sees you as his adopted mother you know."

Which gets a sudden gasp from the Miko, "Nani?"

"It is true Hun. Didn't you notice he asked your permission to go play with Souta? He was also on your shoulder when you came in, and he sleeps with you at night. You are his comfort. I know that is a big responsibility for one as young as you. But I have seen you mature much quicker since the dealings with the past. I know you will do your best when it comes to that and him. But if you have any problems or questions, please, do not hesitate to ask. I will be more then happy to help you in any way I can. Maybe since he sees you as his mother, he will see me as his grandmother. I would be very happy if he did. He is just too cute to not want to have him in the family. But enough of this, you need your rest. So go take your bath and then off to bed with you."

"Thanks, mama." With that she gets up slowly and gives her mother a big hug. "You know you are the best."

"Of course dear."

With that Kagome goes up to her room slowly to get her robe and goes off to the bathroom. Passing Souta's room she hears the boys playing. Well more like Shippou is playing with Souta, asking him a million questions, which the boy is more then happy to answer. And with a few "Feh's" coming from the hanyou. Giggling as she goes into the bathroom thinking 'I hope we can have more peaceful times more often.'

Once done with her bath and brushing out her hair she slips on her robe and heads towards her room, she puts on her pajamas and slips into bed. She never hears the door open up as a sleepy kitsune and a nervous hanyou come in. Jumping up on her bed, Shippou curls up and falls asleep next to her with the speed that only he seems to have, where as Inuyasha sits by the window and glances over at the two asleep and starts to think.

'I don't understand this. Why is all of this happening now? We have been through the well countless times. What has happened to cause this now? I have so much yet unfinished to deal with. We have to complete the Shikon no Tama, get revenge on Naraku, and I promised to go to hell with Kikyou. The first two we must complete. But what of the 'pack' if I go to hell.' The word pack seems to fit the group more and more as he thinks of them. 'If they where already my pack before, did I really have the ability to promise to go to hell with Kikyou? Or do I really have the right to lead a pack if I am going to go to hell.'

Shaking his head. 'What about Kagome? Who will take care of her once I am gone?' Thinking about her being with someone else doesn't sit well with him, not well at all. 'Miroku is a lecherous bouzu and I wouldn't want him touching her. I don't know who this Hobo person is, but if he is from her time, I don't think he could protect her either. And it will be a cold day in hell before I let her become a mate to wolf boy. Wait a minute, who am I to say who she is to be with. I won't be here.'

From deep inside of himself he hears a voice, 'Because you protect that which is yours.'

'Nani, where the hell did that come from? She isn't mine. I am committed to another.'

Which the voice replies 'But you died once for her.'

'But I love Kikyou.'

'And she was asking you to change yourself to be with her. How does one love that which they wish to change? Kagome only asks you to be yourself for her. She doesn't ask for you to change. She accepts you for you. There is no greater love that which is given unconditionally.'

'But I promised.'

'When you gave that promise, you did so because you felt honor bound to do so because she was killed. She killed you because she believed you killed her. Was her faith in you so little that she believed the worst in you, and that you would actually do such a thing to her, the one you loved? Kagome came back to you time and time again, even though she knows of your promise to Kikyou. She stands by your side day after day knowing that in the end, you wish to honor your promise. But she doesn't ask you to change that promise. She just keeps the time with you safe in her heart and treasures what time she has with you. She treasures your friendship and doesn't ask for anything more because she thinks your heart belongs to another. But deep inside her own heart is the wish that you felt for her the way she feels for you. If you promised to go to hell with Kagome, do you think she would want you to come with her? Or would she want you to continue to live on, but just remember her fondly and with her memory in your heart so she would continue to live on.'

'How do you know what Kagome thinks, let alone what I think?'

'I know what has been going on. She has already come to terms with her feelings. But she will not give them voice due to the fact she wishes to stay by your side and not cause you more grief. She has resigned herself to her fate, if only being your friend. Although it is amazing she still wishes even that seeing as how you treat her sometimes. She only holds you in the highest of regards, which just shows how special of a person she really is.'

'Who are you? Does this have to do with what is going on with the well? What do you mean about that with Kagome?'

'I am you. I am the thoughts that you never give a voice to. Do not fear, for I mean you no harm. A gift, if you will, from the well. You will find that not only has Kagome been affected by the well, but all will have deeper understand of things they do not yet understand. You have a great many things you never give voice to. I have seen all that you have seen but with a critical eye of an outsider and then bring the conclusions with what I speak. You know as much as I about the well. There are more questions then answers at the moment, but you know Kagome is right. Something will happen soon.'

'And what I mean about Kagome is that think of me as an outside interest. I have seen all that you have but thought nothing about. She says so much but you refuse, or are to blind to see. We will speak more about this later, but for now just know, you mean a lot to Kagome. Any one can see that if they just watch. If you think her affections towards you are anywhere near that of Kikyou, think about your relationship between the two. How much more open is Kagome compared to Kikyou. Even in private Kikyou couldn't compare with how Kagome acts around you. Think hard before you resign yourself to a promise made to one so long ago. The fates may just have something else in mind.'

'Great now I have more to think about then before.'

'No, you always had to think about this, but you where just to blind to see. Or to stubborn, which for you may in fact be the case. But you where going to go about blindly following what you though was right without giving it real though. I am here to make sure you don't commit to something before thinking it through.'

'I have a promise. It didn't require thought about what I should do.'

'But it does and you know it, think hard before you complete your promise. For many lives will be changed if that promise comes to pass. But until then, think well upon which we have discussed, we will talk again soon.'

'Feh, like I have a choice.'

Chuckling the voice replies, 'No, that you do not.'

Suddenly looking up at the Miko who moans softly in her sleep, he finds her sweating and opens up the window slightly to let some cooler air in to help her. Walking over he finds she doesn't have a temperature, just a bad dream. He gently moves a strand of hair away from her face and tucks it behind her ear. Softly stroking her cheek as he does so, she turns her head to where his hand is. Her body relaxes and goes back into peaceful slumber.

Thinking to himself before turning away, 'Many lives will be changed? What the hell does that mean?' With that the hanyou goes downstairs and finds Mrs. Higurashi in the kitchen sitting at the table.

She glances up at him and asks, "Do you need something to drink? I have a pot of coffee on. I didn't think I could sleep much tonight with all that has gone on, and all that might too." Without an answer she has already headed to the pot of coffee.

"Hai, um, thanks."

"No problem dear. I want you to feel home here. You are always welcome here you know that right?" She gives him a direct look. Then goes back and pours him a cup of coffee with some sugar. "From what my daughter says you like to think things out sometimes by yourself. But if it all right with you, I wish to talk about what is going on. I know there is more then my daughter is letting on or even knows about. Please, I wish to understand what is going on in my daughter's life. You know you are like a son to me. And I wish to help in any way I can." Setting the coffee down in front of him and sits down across from him.

'She thinks of me as a son?' The young man picks up the cup and sniffs it before tasting it. Finding it bitter but not bad at all he proceeds to tell her what Kaede said while Kagome was unconscious.

"Kaede though that she had her Miko abilities improved if you will. Usually it takes many years of training to become a Miko. It helps when one is born a Miko, like Kagome, it makes them more powerful, but it takes them years to master the power and abilities. Kagome also had the Shikon no Tama born inside of her body for her entire life. Kaede believes that it to has given her power beyond that of just a powerful born Miko. Whatever happened in the well, it seems that it gave her the expertise of years of training in a matter of moments."

"We believe that all that took a toll on her body and mind, and with some rest she should be back to normal. Well, physically so anyways. We don't know exactly what this will mean when she goes to use her abilities." Scratching his head, "we will probably test it out tomorrow before we come back."

"I see. May I ask, is Kagome really that powerful?"

"Well, I am not really the one to ask that. Kaede would know better then I. But from what I know, to be able to purify the Shikon no Tama, it takes the most powerful of Mikos. Kagome could do this without any sort of training. How she could accomplish this and other feats I have seen her do without much training is beyond me. I would have to say that she is one of the most powerful ones anyone has heard of. To have such latent abilities."

"I take it she doesn't know just how powerful she really is. She often speaks of being nothing more to the group then having the ability to sense jewel shards. It seems someone once called her a 'shard detector'." With that she gives him a smile as he shifts in his chair and his ears go down. "But that was long ago when you where first starting out. I do know that she thinks highly of you and the rest of them. And when she can she reads up on how to treat wounds and such, to try to be of more help to everyone. She often says she sometimes feels like more of a hindrance then a help to the group."

"She is very helpful to the group. She has saved both me and the others with her arrows more then once." He replies and takes a sip of his coffee. "Shippou misses her a lot when she is here. Sango thinks of her as a sister, and Miroku, well he has said that she was the one who brought the group together. Without her we would not be where we are today."

Noticing that he didn't say anything about what he though, she decides to press him gently about his true feelings about her daughter. "What about you? How do you see her now? Is she still just a 'shard detector' or do you see her as more then that?" Watching the hanyou carefully she notices his ears once again moving around.

'How do I see her?' "Well, no, I no longer see her as a 'shard detector'. She said we where friends. I have told her more then I have told anyone else in my life, besides my mother. I have never really had a friend that I could talk to. I had grown up by myself, never relying on anyone, just trying to survive.

"That must have been hard."

"Feh, I survived. Now I have a, um, pack. Least that is what we have come to call it today. We sort of discovered it tonight while discussing things with the group."

Raising an eyebrow and sipping some coffee she then puts it down and asks, "A 'pack'? You mean like dogs and wolves, ni?"

"Well, I am a dog demon. Dog demons form packs or grow up in one. I was to young to remember my fathers pack because he died when I was very young. And because I was a hanyou, we were not allowed to stay. From what I know a pack consists of a lead male and female, pups come along, and then fellow hunters. There are older members in the group from where wisdom is gained in return for protection."

"I take it you and Kagome are the pack leaders then since you two started the group. Shippou is the pup. Miroku and Sango are the hunters and Myouga and Kaede are the older members? Where does Kirara fit in?"

"Kirara is also considered a hunter."

"Myouga is your retainer right? If I may, how did one receive a retainer if one grew up alone?"

"Actually he was originally my father's retainer. My father was a Taiyoukai (great monster) who ruled his pack in the Kyushu area."

"And your mother?"

Nervously shifting in his seat, he drinks his coffee. Talking about his mother was never easy; his ears droop while he thinks about her. "She was a Miko born human. She was never trained but had visions often. She died when I was about 5.

"That must have been very hard for you. Kagome said she looked very beautiful and seemed to have a gentle soul. She also said it must have been very hard for you both when your father died."

"I am a hanyou." He replied as if that would answer it.

"You mean half human and half demon?"

"Hai, humans fear me and demons see me as a lesser being and try to kill me."

"I understand people can be cruel. I don't like it at all, but humans are the same way to other humans as well. It is wrong to judge others by something they couldn't help. You can't choose the way you are born, but you can choose the way you live your life." Watching him look at her with a curious look. "Don't tell me you didn't wonder why Kagome was so open and understanding with you. Where do you think she gets it from?" Giving him a quick wink. "Although I think the ears also helped."

"What is it with everyone about my ears?"

"Because they are just so cute. Besides we have never seen anything like them. Do you want to know a secrete? Kagome will kill me if she finds out I told you." She leans forward over the table slightly and notices his ears pointing forward towards her. "When she first came out of the well in your time. She was lost and not sure where she was. She saw the Gods Tree and came across you sealed to it. She said you looked like you where asleep, and then saw the arrow and climbed up to get a better look. At once she noticed your ears. She couldn't help herself, she said. She rubbed them to see if they where real."

"She rubbed my ears when I was sealed to the tree?" Thinking, 'why doesn't that surprise me at all?'

"Hai, she said she likes watching them move when you are trying to listen for something, too. I think she wishes she had ears like that for herself. I know I wouldn't mind having ears like that." She added with a chuckle. "She also told me that you jump from branch to branch through the trees and over buildings in our time not to mention the fact that you run so fast, even with her on your back. She said it was almost like flying when she rides on your back when you travel. She sort of hated giving that up but took her bike to your time cause she thought you didn't like her on your back."

"Actually it is my demon strength, also to ride air currents, and my speed. I have never actually carried someone on my back like that until I met her."

"Well, I am glad you brought her home on your back tonight. I don't think she could of walked the distance with how tired her body is."

"When she got up from the hut, she was shaky. I figured it would be better if I carried her home."

"You truly do care about my daughter and her well being. And for that I am grateful, Inuyasha." 'He truly does care for my daughter. I know she cares greatly for him as well. Maybe a push in the right direction for the both of them wouldn't hurt.' "Inuyasha I know you have kept my daughter safe a number of times at great risk to yourself. I do not know how to repay you for all that you have done for her. Your mother would be so proud of the way you have grown up. I know I would be very proud of you if you where my own son. With all that has happened between you two, that is why I am proud to consider you like my own son. I know you have great honor and even greater courage."

Slightly blushing he answers with his usual "Feh". 'She accepts me as a son because she is proud of my actions?'

"If I may ask you one more question?"

He nods while drinking the last of his coffee.

"Exactly how old are you? Kagome once said that youkai age differently then humans. I was sort of curious if this also included hanyou as well."

Scratching his head he replies, "Well, I was 15 when I was bound to the tree. I spent 50 years pinned to it, and then revived about a year ago. So 16 if you don't count the 50."

"Which you shouldn't. But as a hanyou, how old will live to?" 'He is the same age as Kagome, and yet has accomplished so much. Yes, his mother and father would be proud.'

"Well, that sort of varies. If something doesn't kill me, Myouga-jiji said I could live to be 600 or so give or take a few 100 years."

"600! My goodness, how on earth could your father take a human bride then since I am sure he would live much longer then her? I outlived my husband but that was not due to old age."

Now the hanyou was really red and his ears slightly back. "Well, Inu Youkai mate for life, and if their mate dies they do not take another. I asked Myouga-jiji how that would of worked since I have a half brother. Sasshomaru's mother I guess was his mate but she didn't stay faithful. As soon as she carried a child she left him. Since she left him I guess they where not considered mates. After many years he met my mother and fell in love with her. She became his true mate. He didn't care if her life would be shorter then his because he said he loved her very much. There wasn't any youkai/human mates before that anyone knew of, so they didn't know this. But I guess because of it, she lived longer then a regular human. After he died, she lived on because of me."

"Did he die of old age?"

"He was killed protecting his mate and me from a youkai who didn't like him taking a human mate." He said with a scowl, and his ears pinned down on his head.

"I am so sorry, Inuyasha."

"Why? It wasn't your fault."

"Because no one should have gone through what you did." With that she stood up and collected up the cups to put them in the sink. "I put out some blankets for you, they are on the sofa in the living room. Take them up to Kagome's room, since I am sure you would rather sleep there. Unless you wish to sleep in the God's Tree tonight."

"Feh, I think I will sleep on the floor in Kagome's room. To make sure the runt doesn't pester her in the morning." With that he gets up and walks towards the living room.

"Good-night Inuyasha."

"Night"

Watching the boy grab a blanket from the room and walk up to her daughters room she thinks, 'my daughter is right. One can actually judge his mood and feelings not just by his eyes, but by his ears as well. That poor boy has been through much in his lifetime, but he survived it all. Kagome saw something in him that no one else saw. I myself caught a glimpse of it tonight. He is very intelligent and very intense in his loyalties. Yes, I do believe he would be an excellent match for my daughter.' Giving herself a slight smile thinking that he would be an excellent choice indeed.

Inuyasha quietly entered Kagome's room and laid out the blanked by her bed. Going over to the young Miko once again before settling down for the night he brushes the back of his hand up against her forehead to check to make sure there is no fever. Looking down at her he thinks, 'you really are more then just a 'shard detector' to me. You are my first true friend. Someone who accepted me for me, and for that I am eternally grateful.'

And with that he lay down on the floor next to her and drifted off to sleep trying to figure out exactly what the young Miko meant to him.

*To be continued*

Banshee ~ Ok, I know Inuyasha is going a bit OOC here by talking as much as he does to Kagome's mother. But I figured that it had to be done. Besides, it is Kagome's mother. If he respects Kagome, like I think he does, it would only be natural that he would her too.

I also realize this chapter is longer then I normally post. I was thinking about stopping it before he went downstairs but I figured what the heck. Better to have it here. Plus it gives some groundwork for what lies ahead. Thanks for letting me play with this a bit.

Like I said, I love details to the point of being a goober. Actually I could of got into more detail but figured I didn't need to make this chapter longer then it already was. I mean really, so far it has taken 4 chapters just to get through one day here…LOL! Something tells me that it may end up being a book by the time I am done. ROFLMAO! Yup, I am a goober. :P