Disclaimer: Still don't own Inuyasha, not like it'll ever happen

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Chapter 6 - Home is Where the Heart Is

Kagome winced as she heard her father scream her name. She looked towards her friends to find identical grim faces. They both knew Kagome's father was a kind man, cross him however, and you'll probably end up fainting in fear.

Kagome sighed and turned back towards the palace. This wasn't going to be a fun conversation…

After what seemed like hours of yelling, Lord Higurashi finally calmed down and demanded an explanation from his daughter.

All she could reply was that she didn't love Kouga.

"Love? Kagome there's more at stake here than you realize," the old king began. "I only received word yesterday that there is going to be an arranged marriage between the daughter of the North and the oldest son of the West. We need to join with the East in case these two sides decide they want to control all four lands."

"Let them then," Kagome stated angrily, "I refuse to be a pawn in your game of politics. I don't understand why a marriage is necessary for peace. If you and the East want to be friends, you can easily do it without my participation." With that said, Kagome gathered all the courage she had and turned on her father, and left the room.

Kagome sat up and realized she had been dreaming again. She was still flying with Inuyasha in the direction towards her home. As her past slowly came back to her, she wasn't completely sure she even wanted to face her father again.

Inuyasha landed in a clearing to take a short rest. He couldn't afford to stop for too long. If he transformed while still trying to protect Kagome, they could easily be overcome.

"Did you dream again?" he asked her.

"Yes, more memories. I don't understand why I only remember when I dream."

"I do," he stated nonchalantly. "When you're asleep your mind is completely at rest. You have none of the fears, worries, and emotions that occupy your mind when you're awake."

Kagome thought about what he said, and decided that it made sense. Before she could add her input he stood and reached for her hand. Within moments they were airborne again.

"So the girl is gone," Kikyo stated to her captain of the guard.

"Yes my lady, it seems that they never reached the tower."

"No matter," Kikyo shrugged, "She will return. She thinks she needs to save Inuyasha's soul. In the meantime, what is the status on the other one?"

"He was hard to get, but we got him." The captain gestured towards the entrance of the throne room where a bound figure could be seen trying to escape the two soldiers that held him.

"Perfect," Kikyo cooed. "Follow the same procedure we used for Inuyasha. We want to make our young prince feel at home. Welcome Kouga."

The next day passed by uneventfully. Kagome knew she was almost home. She still didn't remember most of her life. But she remembered enough to know who would be waiting for her. Inuyasha had been silent for most of the trip. He kept having the weirdest senses of de ja vu as they neared the palace. He figured it was because this is where he took her from, and left it at that.

They reached the palace right before night fell. He placed her down on the ground just as the transformation completed. She looked upon the man she fell in love with, and felt a twinge in her heart. She grabbed his hand, and headed towards the gate. She didn't know what lay on the other side, but she didn't want to see it alone.

She pushed upon the gate, only to find it locked, and that it made a lot of noise when disturbed.

"Who's there!" a voice cried out in the darkness.

"Uh…it's Kagome," she answered timidly.

At the reaction to her name, feet could be heard running around behind the gate. Gears creaked as they turned slowly, opening the massive doors before them.

Kagome stepped into the light of the torches and gasped as she saw the leader of the group.

"Kagome… it really is you!" Wood clattered against stone as a torch was dropped and a figure ran up and embraced the confused girl. Kagome looked at who was hugging her and named her friend.

"Hello Sango."

The rest of the night passed by in a blur. Kagome and Inuyasha were immediately ushered into the lord's chamber, where a father hugged his daughter with all the strength he had. Lord Higurashi's spiritual advisor observed the scene, and couldn't help but wonder why the princess' companion looked so familiar. He walked over to her companion and motioned that they should leave the pair alone for awhile. Inuyasha nodded and followed Miroku out into the hallway.

"It is truly wonderful to have Lady Kagome within our walls again. I'm not sure who you are, but I believe I am correct an assuming her return is because of you."

Inuyasha nodded and looked at the monk before him. The de ja vu feeling came back again, and he knew that it didn't have to do with Kagome's kidnapping. Why did he recognize parts of this palace he had never entered before. And why were so many faces familiar to him. He simply could not understand it.

"Come, I have something I want to show you." Miroku grabbed the arm of the man next to him, and began to head for the shrine. He had a hunch who this figure was. It was a long shot, but it made sense the more he pondered it. The pair walked silently in the darkness until they reached the God Tree. Miroku sat down beneath it and motioned for Inuyasha to do the same. When they were both settled he spoke.

"Your name is Inuyasha isn't it?"

The question startled Inuyasha. How did this monk know who he was?

"Your reaction clarifies it. As to why I didn't recognize you at once, I've never seen your human form, only heard rumors about it."

Inuyasha glared at the man besides him. It bothered him that this man obviously knew who he was, and he had no memory of him.

"Your glares didn't work on me when we were four, and they're not going to work now."