11

Kagome breathed in, but it suddenly seemed as though the air seemed much thicker making it harder to breath. Her mind registered only one action at that moment. Run. Blood began pulsing in her body as she turned on her heel, and darted off.

Her vision blurred slightly so she could just barely see the stairs moving beneath her feet. In a normal time, she'd never been able to even think she could run as fast as she did, and she even surprise herself. No one could honestly inform you of what Kagome was thinking at that moment, for as she reached the next floors landing, she darted off to end up at Sesshoumaru's door.

Perhaps she was thinking if she just could get away far enough, Naraku would disappear. Perhaps if she reached Sesshoumaru he'd tell her it was all a dream, and it was time for her to wake the hell up. Or maybe it was just the fact she wasn't thinking at all when she ended up in front of his door.

Though regardless of the reason, she instantly began banging on the door, and this is the exact moment she remembered something.

At first the memory was a foggy blur, no more than what seemed to be brain static. It slowly cleared up, so it was like watching a film without sound. Though Kagome knew exactly each word that was spoken, so the sound came without a doubt.

Another unanswerable question is why Kagome had even thought of this. Why it was resurrected after she killed it, and buried it deep inside her mind. One perspective might be that it was Naraku's face that forced those memories to come to the front. Or perhaps another perspective would be that she was dreading he would restate the truth on what happened that night. But once again, regardless of what these opinions, or perspectives might be, we will never honestly know the reason why.

However the reason why wasn't needed as the memory came either way.

*~*~*~

A younger Kagome was more or less huddled in the corner of a dim room, shaking either out of fear, or a desperate attempt to calm herself. The house was a mess, shattered glass on the floor, trash thrown everywhere. Signs there had been a struggle flooded the place, and the door, nearly off its hinges stood open.

Kagome never noticed the dark figure of Naraku slip into until he was up at her face. She was not anxious to look up, but she did as some part of her knew that it was not her father who had returned.

"You shouldn't let him treat you that way Kagome." The mere tone of his voice would give anyone chills down her spine.

Kagome felt those chills, and knew Naraku was leading up to something no good, but Kagome let him speak. She never moved much from her corner, she never made eye contact, and she never showed much attention as he spoke his plan.

"You can get rid of him Kagome. You can come live with me." He said pulling something from his coat. "Then we can forget him Kagome. Just get rid of him. That's all you need to do." He pushed forward something causing Kagome to have to look forward.

Her heart skipped a beat. and stomach did a twirl when she saw the mere gleam of light reflecting off the gun. Naraku wished for her to kill her father, and the part that scared her the most was she wasn't sure she wanted to refuse.

*~*~*~

Kagome momentarily snapped out of her thought as mind as she could hear Naraku pounding up the stairs as he ran after her. She smashed on the door with such force it nearly put a dent all the way through it. She could feel most tears streaming down her face, and she hit the door with more force almost going to knock it down, if Sesshoumaru didn't open it first.

~*~*~*~

Kagome's father returned an hour later, after Naraku had already 'evacuated'. Kagome had wished to go with him, but he'd told her 'you can only be with me once you get this obstacle out of your way'. 'It isn't that hard to murder' he told her 'I've done it, and plan to do it more than once. It's the best part when you get to hear them scream.'

Kagome had retreated behind the table, and into the shadows; she was nearly out of site. Though her father knew she was there as he cast a lasting glance in her direction. He took another jug of beer, and dropped the bottle on the counter. With slow strides he made his way over, and pushed the table out of the way with ease.

"Kagome." He commanded. "Come out."

Kagome didn't budge, she didn't want do, and wasn't going to.

He reached down yanking her up by her arm so she was standing. She glared at him with a dark look, but it didn't phase him. "You outta listen to me got it?!" He said raising his voice slightly. "You should have learned from your mothers mistakes." Kagome's hands shook. She couldn't help it anymore, she lashed out to loosen his grip, but he retorted with a hard slap. She hit the ground only moments after ward, landing with a thunk. That wasn't the only noise in the house though. The gun slide out of her belt, and hit the ground.

It didn't go off, but the noise did lead her father to set eyes on it. He grinned reaching down to grab it, but Kagome got it first.

Her heart was beating, and hands shaking. He knew she meant to kill him, and it just froze her blood to the bone.

She pointed the gun up, and he just laughed. She had no idea why, as the laugh sounded more evil than friendly. Her hands shook, and she stopped his laughing. Once and for all.

~*~*~*

She suddenly stopped the pounding as the door swung open, and Sesshoumaru was standing there with an unreadable expression on his face. She nearly fell into his arm, but stopped short when she heard Naraku arrived behind her.

"Don't run away from me Kagome." He reached out to grab her, but Sesshoumaru caught his arm before he could do it.

"I don't know what the hell is going on now, but it stops NOW." He almost had a tone of authority, and didn't notice Kagome disappear behind him.

"Do you think that wise? Get out of my way-" Naraku hardly finished as InuYasha arrived up the stairs. Sesshoumaru was unmoving, and InuYasha jumped in the way of the doorway as well.

"Why the hell are you chasing her, she's no one." He said at first.

"InuYasha, and you better move, or I'll have to make you." Naraku said in a more devises voice.

"You'll have to make us." InuYasha said at first, never getting a chance to finish when Kagome appeared back behind them with a bow and arrows.

"Leave Naraku." She said firmly, intent on shooting him if he moved.

Naraku smiled, but made no further moment toward them. Instead he turned and walked down the stairs. Kagome didn't lower the arrow until she was sure he was gone, and dropped to the ground with a sigh.

.She stood up instantly as she heard the door open, but when it was just Rumiko she was sure he was gone. Kagome dropped to her knees once he left. Sesshoumaru and InuYahsa both turned to her.

"Care to explain?"