Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

I'm actually going to put review thingys….Weird huh? I started too late, so I'm only going to answer 5 of them, I'd say something to everyone, but I'm FAR too lazy!

SailorKagome~ I love you! ^_^

Pruningshears~ I don't like Kikyou, so I wasn't going to have her in *MY* fanfic. In my mind the chick is dead, hehe. I might throw her in for conflict. And I would be a TERRIBLE author if I ended the story there! Thanks for the reviews! They make me happy!

LilNeko~ HAHAHAHA! Your reviews made me laugh! Don't worry…you might see tears…

SleepyHead~ What torture do I have planned? *Evil cackle*

LadySarah~ I LOVE your reviews! Throwing Brad in a closet…very creative. *Hope takes Brad out of the closet and hugs him.* LOL! I felt bad for him!! This chapter is JUST FOR YOU!! ^_^

Thanks to EVERYONE for the reviews!! They are the main reason I'm writing this fic!

Warning: Confusing chapter!!!! If you have questions…ask!! I read it to my anime-hating editor, and she understood it, so I have hope for it!

Letter from the editor: C'mon now, I don't HATE it! It's not so bad… *hides in corner*

On with the story!!

Laughter rang out from the hut. Kagome changed her mind, things HAD changed. Sango and Miroku were perfectly happy, Shippo was less needy, and there was a child to care for. But she only gave the place a greater source of joy. There were no evil auras or worries that lingered over the companions' minds. Indeed, things had changed, but for the better.

There sat the same group as three years ago (adding a new Kagome of course) retelling events, laughing at past occurrences, and reliving "The Great Battle"; their victory over Naraku. Kagome told them about her book and how she planned to get it published. She described her home in America, her friends, and her stepfather. Everyone was high in spirits...life was good.

"Yaya, bath." Little Kagome tugged on Inuyasha's sleeve.

Inuyasha looked at the child, then back at Kagome. He didn't want to leave her, even for a moment. "Do we have to tonight, Kago?"

"Bath…pwease!" The girl tugged harder, staring at him with pleading eyes.

Inuyasha melted and scooped the girl up in his arms. "I gotta' go. I'll be back." And then he left.

"Well that was weird. Where did he go?" Kagome asked.

Sango snickered, "It's a ritual. Inuyasha takes Kago to get her bath every night. She won't let anyone else take her. Its strange, I've gone with them many times and he just sits on a rock and watches out for her. Every now and then, they'll get into a water-fight, but usually it's Inuyasha sitting silently and Kago playing in the water."

"Inuyasha?" Kagome started, skeptically, "My Inuyasha? Inuyasha, the hanyou, the defeater of hundreds of youroki? Inuyasha, the victor over Naraku? THAT Inuyasha takes a tiny girl to the springs to bathe every night?!"

Sango and Miroku looked at each other, then nodded at Kagome. "Hard to believe, isn't it?" Miroku said.

"Uh… Yeah! What happened?"

Miroku let out a sigh. "When you left, he was devastated; didn't eat, wouldn't sleep. He went through the well numerous times but couldn't find you anywhere. The thought of your death had crossed our minds. When Kago was born, we didn't name her immediately. We had been expecting a boy, you see, and were not prepared with a female name. When Inuyasha saw Kago, he whispered your name, and that confirmed our suspicions. You were…er…it's really hard to say this TO you without looking foolish…you were dead."

"Okay… But what's this have to do with Inuyasha taking Ka--…your child to bathe."

Sango decided to continue. "You WERE Kago to him. He found comfort in her face. He took care of her the way he longed to take care of you. To him…she WAS you, or else she was your daughter."

"No, my dear," Miroku interrupted. "Kago WAS Kagome, not like her daughter."

*~*~*~*~ Flashback ~*~*~*~*~

I had just caught Kago throwing a rock at a young village child.

"Kago, what have I told you about throwing rocks?" I asked, as I grabbed her by the arm, forcing her to look at me. I hated being stern with her because her eyes always showed such remorse, but Sango and I had decided a long time ago to make sure our children were raised properly.

Just as I was about to continue with my lecture, a figure fell from the sky, and pulled me away from my daughter.

"Kago, go play," he said firmly. As soon as Kago was out of view, he continued to me, "Would you have ever yelled at Kagome?"

"No," I stated, half afraid, half confused.

"Then never yell at Kago. They are the same person." Then he turned and walked away from me, leaving me not a moment to intervene.

~*~*~*~* End Flashback*~*~*~*~

"WHAT?!" Kagome yelled.

Miroku continued, "I tried to explain it wasn't like that. Even if Kago was your reincarnation, you weren't the same person. You were different."

"That's true, Kagome," Sango began. "It was difficult for us to believe that we were raising you and that Kago would grow up to be you. We just couldn't swallow that."

"But…but he believed it?" Kagome stuttered.

"Yes, but feel honored. No one could love that child more, besides Miroku and I of course. He thought he was loving you." Sango laughed.

"You mean Kikyou," Kagome spat out. That name still had a bitter taste on her tongue.

"No. We mean you," Sango said, not following the reason for Kagome's statement.

"No. Kikyou. Think about it. If Inuyasha believed Kago was ME, not just my reincarnation…then I'm nothing more than Kikyou. He believed I WAS Kikyou. It's always been Kikyou. Damn! Just when I think everything's wonderful, some awful truth comes forward! Your child is not me, nor my reincarnation, thank gods. At least Brad doesn't THINK I'm anyone else."

"Kagome? Who's Brad?" Sango asked, raising an eyebrow.

'Smooth, Kagome. Good job.' she thought. She looked at Sango. 'Then again, I've always told Sango everything. She would never betray my secrets.'

"Sango? Let's go on a walk."

Sango caught her idea and smiled. "Alright Kagome. I would say let's go to the hot springs, but they're occupied at the moment." Sango winked at her.

Kagome giggled and followed Sango out of the hut. She turned back around and called to Miroku, "Don't tell Inuyasha anything I've said!"

"Alright, Lady Kagome. But why not?"

"You'll get in trouble for telling me things you shouldn't. Inuyasha hasn't changed THAT much. And I wouldn't want to come back to have to see a dead Miroku, and I'm sure Sango wouldn't like that much either."

~*~*~*~*~

Kagome and Sango walked along through the darkened forest, silent. Sango knew Kagome needed to tell her some things. She figured she would wait until Kagome was ready to tell her. As if on cue, Kagome began, "Sango? You were always like a sister to me. I'm hoping you will still advise me, but keep my secrets."

"What a foolish thought, you know I will."

"I'm here for a purpose. And it's not a friendly visit."

"Okay…continue."

"I'm here so I will not be able to ever come back," Kagome let out far too quickly. She looked at Sango's blank face and figured she should elaborate. "I met someone. His name is Brad. He knows I had a boyfriend named Inuyasha…whom I'm still in love with. I want to be with him, but as long as Shikon no Tama is in my possession, I'll never be rid of this place. Please understand Sango. I love you and everyone else here, but it's impossible."

"In all honesty Kagome, I knew you would leave. I've been preparing for it since the day I met you. Just…promise me you'll say goodbye to ME this time. I need that." Sango looked at Kagome with a reassuring smile. Kagome nodded in reply. Another silence hung over them. "You really love him, don't you?"

"Sango… You know I love Inuyasha."

"No, not Inuyasha. I'm talking about this Brad guy. You must really love him to give up all this, INCLUDING Inuyasha."

Kagome stopped dead in her tracks. 'Do I love him? I know he loves me but…maybe I do. I am doing all of this for him, right? No… I'm doing it for myself, too.'

"No Sango. I don't love Brad."

~*~*~*~*~

"Miroku, where did Kagome go?"

"On a walk, I think," Miroku stated, trying to sound indifferent.

Inuyasha sighed and plomped down on the ground beside Miroku. It had certainly been a crazy day. His mind wandered to the day's events, all-the-while picturing his Kagome. He was lost in his thoughts, oblivious to where he actually was. The initial reaction to the intrusion of Miroku's voice penetrating his thoughts was a growl. As soon as he heard what he asked, though, he softened.

"Where is Kago?"

"She's in bed. I put her in yours and Sango's room."

"Okay, thanks." There was an awkward silence between them, although neither of them knew why. "Inuyasha… She's mine. You act like she's yours, but she is Sango and my own child! We appreciate your help, but you're not the only person who loves her."

Inuyashed stared, flabbergasted. 'Where is this monk getting off telling me I'm taking his child?'

"Monk. She IS mine, she's Ka--… Oh…" Inuysha realized his big mistake. She WASN'T Kagome. Everything he believed true was a lie, but that was alright. The truth was much better; Kagome was alive.

Miroku watched the emotions play across Inuyasha's face. "Inuyasha… We let you care for Kago because we believed you. You were alright around Kago. But she is not a cheap substitute for the real thing. I'm glad she isn't Kagome's reincarnation for two reasons: One, naturally, because Kagome is alive. And two, because my daughter would have been forever compared to her by you. She loves you like a father, and she'd grow up miserable, knowing she could never live up to your expectations. Do you know why Kagome was always miserable?" Inuyasha who had been silently and intently listening shook his head 'no'. Miroku moved away slightly. "Because she couldn't live up to Kikyou," he said quietly, half hoping he heard and half hoping he didn't.

Inuyasha flew up, his eyes dancing with a new fire. "SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!" Inuyasha jumped away from Miroku, but not before shouting over his shoulder, "And just for you, oh mighty know-it-all Monk, Kagome was MUCH better than Kikyou!"

"How can she be if they are the same?"

Inuyasha stopped, obviously lost. They were the same, weren't they? No. He felt stronger with Kagome than he ever did with Kikyou. Maybe it's because he spent more time with Kagome. They were the same. They had to be the same. No…no…no…No. "NO!!!!!!!" Inuyasha bellowed, causing Miroku to jerk in fright.

"NO! They are not the same! Kagome's better. How could you be such a moron to think Kagome and Kikyou were the same?!"

Miroku smiled. His plan had worked. He wasn't worried about Kago being in Inuyasha's company, but how else could he explain the situation? Now Inuyasha knew they were two different people. He stood up and patted Inuyasha's back. "Well, you've convinced me Inuyasha, I see it now. Kagome is Kagome."

Inuyasha smirked. "Good, I'm glad you see it my way."

~*~*~*~*~

Kagome couldn't remember the last time she had to sleep on the floor. She also forgot how uncomfortable it had been, not that she could sleep anyway. Inuyasha was asleep while sitting upright, holding her head in his lap. When she was around, he was touching her, whether it was pinkies, hands, or feet. He was miserable if there wasn't any physical contact.

She recalled praying once for nothing more than to be in Inuyasha's arms again. Now that she was here, every time he touched her, guilt consumed her.

~*~*~*Flashback*~*~*~

"You have to tell him."

"Why? Couldn't I just give him the Shikon no Tama, then say goodbye?"

"No! When you left the first time, it ripped him apart. Luckily, Kago's birth kept him alive. If you leave again, it will kill him."

"If I leave without saying goodbye, then sure. But what if I tell him I'm leaving, then promise to come back one day?"

"Kagome. You're more sensitive than that. He'd live to hope, then all his living would be in vain. Tell him about Brad. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Him jump through the well, kill Brad, and terrorize future Japan…"

"Kagome…"

"Okay, okay, you're right. I'll tell him…tomorrow."

~*~*~*~*End Flashback*~*~*~*~

'Kagome, your world's not going to end. You knew when you came that you weren't going to stay.'