*laughs insanely* I'm back, and I'm in a better mood (for the moment I have a bone to pick with all of you in a minute) but Moon Step my new favorite person in the whole wide world has claimed me as a 'reviewer muse' *beams with pride* yes I inspire her to write! I had to share. I only hope she updates sooner!! I love her story!

Thanks you for the reviews. *pouts* okay 5 reviews, that's 'unacceptable' and I would love to punish you all by not updating, but that would leave the 5 sweet reviewers out in the cold. So I'm only updating for them!! The rest of you *snickers* should feel ashamed! (There's the bone I had to pick with all of you!!) ^__^

KenshinOtaku you are too close to the truth that it's uncanny! I'm not telling what you are correct about, but I am quite shocked that someon- no I said too much. And *sarcastic* ha ha Miroku can't pack up, but Sango can pack him up ^_^

LoupeyLady thank you so much, I was trying for a different style, -.-;; and it's so hard but I'm extremely glad that I made your grade. My beta reader says I can do better sarcasm with dialogue, and she's right. Hey, it's better to have tried and failed at something then to have never tried at all. My next story (after this one) is going to be a revenge fic, see still trying new things....and the muses are happy about this. But you didn't want to know, *shrugs* I told you so oh well. I do have some dialogue in here, but it can't really be avoided. *another shrug*

This chapter is dedicated to my 5 reviewers, Eeevee my beta (and a b-day present although late) so enjoy!!

"On the mountains of truth, you can never climb in vain; either you reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow." - Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Chapter 11

***LAST TIME***

So a bath, and an unconscious monk later, the group packed up things for the night. It seemed weird not having Inuyasha to watch over them, so Yukiro offered to assume that responsibility for the night.

***NOW***

DAY 4

The whole group was asleep when Yukiro smelt the foulest odor. He saw a bunch of soul sucking demons float around someone that looked much like Kagome. All she did was watch, and he in turn went to watch her. This must be the dead priestess he sensed before. He cloaked himself so that she would not be able to detect him.

He had a feeling that this was the Kikyo that the forest demons told him was about to die. He knew from the forest demons that the person that stole Kagome's shards and betrayed her was not alive. He never met her, but he knew that she was the one and only Kikyo.

She did smell like a cadaver, or he assumed that was what one smelt like. There was no way that 'dead animated object' was going to get a hold of Kagome's shards; especially on his watch. Now he really wanted her to die so the smell would go away, it was making him nauseous.

He watched her until sunrise when she took off. He wondered what she wanted, but he didn't want to get close to her to ask. He could smell her a mile away, and now he suspected was going to needed a bath to get rid of her stench. He didn't know why Inuyasha was in love with that thing considering how sensitive his nose was.

Once she was gone, he jumped from the tree and inhaled a breath of fresh air. The clean smelling scent rid him of the taste of rotting flesh he had in his mouth.

He stayed as silent as he could and let the group sleep for as long as possible. He went into the forest and gathered some berries and nuts for breakfast. He loved ramen as much as the next demon, but even he was in need for a change.

By the time he got back with enough food for the whole group, they were starting to wake. He made a mental note to tell Kagome to go to her time and find something that Kikyo would think was the sacred jewel of four souls. For now it could wait.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Kagome woke up to a pleasant smell. Her stomach growled its agreement. She saw Yukiro cooking over an open fire. He was mixing something over the fire in a pot. Shippo perked up and asked what smelt so good.

Kagome looked at the reaction of her friend's faces. It reminded her of a Folger's commercial. Everyone seemed to be waking up in such a cheery mood because of the heavy and aromatic smell of coffee, or in case breakfast. This was much like that, only better because they were living it.

Yukiro told them that he was making breakfast consisted of a berry paste and nuts. It didn't look as good as it smelt, but it was tasty; and that's all that mattered. While everyone was shoving the jam like substance into their mouths, Yukiro told Kagome about what happened last night, and asked what she should do today with the shards.

She came up with an idea.

She asked Miroku to help her later to transfer the aura of the jewel to something that she would get from home. The monk tried to question her antics, but Kagome asked him to believe in her. The monk nodded and gave his vow to do his best.

Inuyasha arrived later that day, and before anyone could ask where he went, or how it went he told Kagome that they should be getting to her time.

Kagome told Yukiro to keep an eye on Shippo while she was gone. Inuyasha took her on his back and they went to the well. On the way there, Inuyasha told her that he had spoken to his brother, and they had settled their disagreements.

He told her that his brother was impressed with her because Inuyasha told her that Sesshomaru suspected that she had put him up to it. Of course, the letter was a 'duh' as her response.

Kagome could not disagree; so she had pushed both of them in the direction of peace and acceptance. Inuyasha told her that his brother would fight against Naraku and in four days, he would join them with his personal guards.

Kagome was delighted to have united all four Lords for one 'noble' cause. This time they would defeat Naraku. Inuyasha asked her if she knew how his arm regenerated, and Kagome told him. Instead of getting mad, he nodded his head in acceptance.

The rest of the way was spent with Inuyasha telling her of all the things that were misunderstandings and envies that each brother had against the other. This made Kagome's heart soar. She was flying higher than Inuyasha ever could.

Once they reached the well, they jumped in hand in hand. In one leap, Inuyasha pulled both of them out of the well.

She opened the door to her house and was bombarded by her mother's hugs. She had only been gone a few days. She had one thing to do first.

She went into her brother's room and took out a marble. It looked the same size and color as the jewel, and she went into the kitchen and grabbed a screwdriver and hammer from the drawer. Everyone sat in silence as Kagome placed it on the table and went to slice it in half.

With one precise hit, the marble sliced in two. It looked just like the jewel. She explained to them how she suspected that Naraku would try to steal the jewel, so she'd wear the marble around her neck so that the demon would take it instead of the actual one. It looked like the jewel, now all she needed was Miroku's help with an aura spell, and she would be set. She placed the real jewel in her pocket.

Her mother though she was a genius and Inuyasha hoped that it would fool the half demon. Kagome spent the day relaxing with Inuyasha at her house. She wanted everyone to remember their last days with Inuyasha as special and stress free.

The day was going perfectly. Souta came home from school and he taught Inuyasha how to play a new video game. The pair was playing the game for hours, and why not? Souta thought of him as a hero. She wanted her brother to remember Inuyasha as he was: a hero.

Supper that night was not ramen, to which Inuyasha was disappointed, and Kagome relieved. Once supper was over, she felt a demon's presence, and went outside to see who it was. She was surprised to see that it was Hiei and Kurama. She asked them why they were here, and they told her that Koenma sent them because of the dog demon.

Kagome understood and asked the pair if they would like to join her in the kitchen for some tea. Inuyasha only gave them half a glare until Souta started to beat him, and the dog demon placed his full attention back to the game.

Sitting down at the kitchen table, they wanted to know how her progress was going and how the dog demon was under her control. That's when Inuyasha came in and scoffed like he was offended. Who wouldn't be offended at that comment? No one likes to think they are under another person's control, even if it was true.

He demanded that they return in case Naraku decided to attack. Kagome told him that leaving now would be pointless. His time was coming and she wanted to make sure that Naraku didn't plan anything.

They would go back during the day, but they would come here at night to be safe. The Feudal Era could be so cutthroat some times: literally.

She knew the idea was ludicrous, but she was willing to give it a try. It worked! Inuyasha went back to playing with her brother. She wanted to spend time with him herself, but she wanted to make her family happy first. They were important to her.

Instead of wailing in her despair, she asked Kurama, "How are you feeling?"

Smiling politely, he told her, "I have recovered perfectly, and I am able to rejoin my team members."

"Good, I'm happy to hear that. And how is Youko enjoying his transformation?" She asked like this was a normal occurrence.

The two demons that were sitting at her kitchen table gawked openly at her. She forgot that they weren't there when he was transforming. Kagome laughed at their expressions and told them that while she was healing Kurama's wounds, his demon side was trying to break free. Instead of doing any good, the demon was actually doing more damage.

She went on and told them what she did, and they continued to stare at her in disbelief. She became a little freaked by their posture and their facial expressions, and decided to ask Hiei how he was fairing. He shot her the look, one that said, 'you will not say anything or else'.

Kurama had caught the look and was curious. "Hiei, what have you and Kagome been up to? I think it's weird how you are cold to people, but yet you treat her as if she were your friend. I think you should explain." His emerald green eyes bored into Hiei's demanding an explanation.

The fire apparition knew he was in trouble. Before he was forced to tell him the truth, Kagome saved him.

"It's my warm and sunny disposition, not to mention that I have a thing for demons warming up to me. Call it a 'calling'." She didn't know what else to call it. She didn't really want to explain it either. Besides, she was placed on the spot. She was never good at lying, and both of them knew it.

Kurama wanted to know who else had warmed up to priestess, and decided to ask changing the subject. "Who else, Kagome, has warmed up to you?"

Kagome smiled. "Many people. First off, we have Inuyasha. He tried to kill me many times when we first met, but that was because he wanted the jewel for himself. Now he's a big puppy dog." She knew that Inuyasha could hear her in the next room.

"I resent that Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted from the other room, and Kagome laughed at him.

Continuing with her story, she told them about an orphaned demon Inuyasha and herself picked up early in their travels, to which Inuyasha called him an ungrateful mongrel. She also told them about Sango and Miroku. Although they were not demons, they were very powerful allies.

Both demons were impressed, but both silently wondered how come they have never come across them before in battle. Kagome was keeping something from them and they knew it. The question was what.

They tried to pry more information out of her, but Kagome told Hiei telepathically that if he were to going continue with the interrogations, then she would be forced to ask her concern for his sister aloud.

Hiei took her threat and backed off. Kurama was going to ask a question, but he saw Hiei shake his head and backed off as well. Kagome smirked to herself. All in all this was a good day.

Instead of ending it on a bad note, she enquired as to the mission that they had received just before she left. Kurama was the one that filled her in since Hiei was nowhere near there.

There was a break in the barrier, and a demon got lose and was pillaging a village when they arrived and took care of it. A simple search and destroy. Kagome nodded her head in understanding.

Kurama asked her a question before Hiei could stop him. Kagome saw Hiei slightly tense up, but Kagome figured that the question was harmless, and decided to answer. The question was about Naraku. They wanted to know what was so special about the demon that had everyone on edge.

She explained to them that Naraku was an evil half demon that possessed almost half of the shards. Hiei asked why she didn't just go and kill him. She reminded him of the battle a few days ago with the worm, and its five shards. She told them that half of the jewel would make him thousands of times stronger.

Both detectives sat in silent awe. It was almost time for Kagome to tell her guests that they had to leave, when she felt a violent stab in her stomach. She lurched violently. The duo was at her side in an instant. She shoved them aside and she staggered outside holding her stomach.

The god tree was pulsating and crying for her help. Weakly she called for Inuyasha to help her. The dog demon left the video game and rushed to her side with his face was full of concern.

Kagome weakly told them that the others were in trouble. He demanded to know how she would know that, and she could barely whisper Yukiro's name before another wave of pain flew through her. She stumbled and fell against the tree.

Her vision went white as she saw Yukiro and the others battling against Kikyo and her soul stealers. Kagome's vision returned to normal. This truly was the start of the betrayal, and of the beginning of the end.

With all the strength she could muster, she told Inuyasha that it was imperative that they return. He could only nod as he picked her up and ran to the well. Before he made his way to the well house, she told him to stop. She took the jewel out of her pocket and tossed it to Kurama who had to run and catch it.

She told him to keep it safe for the moment and that she would return to take it back. Inuyasha was about to protest, but she told him that he could be trusted to hold on to it for now.

Inuyasha looked at her with uncertainty and told her that she better know what she was doing. Kagome told him that she did, and forgot about the others as she went and rushed to help her friends in the past.

She knew that the two demons would now demand an explanation from her, but in four days; if she lived that long, she would give them one. For now they would have to trust her. Considering all she had done for them in the past few days, it was a little favour to grant. With that last thought, they jumped into the well.

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

AN: Day 4 is not finished yet, and the only way I will write faster is if you review, or if I feel inspired.