Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha . . .

ROCK ON!!!

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The sun was shining brightly when Kagome and Inuyasha returned to Kaede's hut. Everyone was expecting to hear the two fighting; Inuyasha yelling some random insult at Kagome while the young girl "sat" the hanyou for all he was worth.

Kaede, Shippou, Miroku, and Sango were surprised to see the two enter the hut together, with no indications of a fight. Something happened, the others were sure of it. Kagome was unusually quiet, her face pale with dark circles under her eyes, while Inuyasha had a dazed look, as if he couldn't comprehend something. The two sat side by side, lost in their own thoughts. It was Sango who finally broke the silence.

"Kagome?" The young girl broke out of her trance and gazed up at the older girl. "Ye-yeah?"

"Are you alright? You don't look well." Sango asked gently, pushing a stray strand of hair out of her friend's face.

Kagome gave her a shaky smile. "I'm fine, Sango-chan. I just had a bad dream last night." She sighed, running a shaky hand through her midnight locks. "I must look awful, huh?"

Sango smiled at the young miko. "Just a little!" she teased, poking her gently in the ribs.

"Aieee, I thought something bad happened to you, Kagome!" squeaked Shippou. An evil look crept onto the kitsune's face.

"I know!! Inuyasha was in your dream, wasn't he!! No wonder you look exhausted, anyone with Inuyasha in their dream would be scared to dea--"

Shippou was stopped short from the growling beside him. "Shippou. . ." Inuyasha growled. The young demon bounded away as the angry hanyou leapt after him, swinging blindly.

"OWWWW!!!! Kagome!!! Inuyasha hit me again!!!!" The fox cried, running around in circles as one of Inuyasha's punches made contact with his skull. His eyes were large and tearful as he jumped onto Kagome's lap, a large bump protuding from his head.

"You deserved it, you little pest!" Inuyasha snapped, creeping closer for another quick hit.

"Inuyasha, osuwari."

Kaede, Miroku, and Sango barely winced as the familar thud of Inuyasha's body kissed the floor.

"Ka. . go. .. me. . .!!!" Kagome sighed and stood. "Sango, let's get breakfast started." Sango just nodded, looking in amusement at the dog-demon who was currently pasted to the floor.

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Breakfast went smoothly, with the regular insults Inuyasha and Shippou threw back and forth.

"Meanie!"

"Midget!"

"Dog breath!"

"Fox turd!"

"Weirdo!"

"Basta--"

"OSUWARI!" Inuyasha yelped as he fell face first into his ramen. "Kagome. . ." he growled, his voice menacing as he lifted his head to glare at the young priestess.

"Oh Inuyasha. . ." Kagome sighed.

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Bandages and wounds were treated after the meal. During the last battle with Naraku, Miroku's kzaana had been destroyed, but not without a scar. To leave an imprint of his curse, Naraku had left a large slash mark where the kazaana once was. It would heal in time, but the slash was deep.

Sango had a few minor cuts and bruises, nothing serious. The real wound was in her heart.

Kagome watched her friend as she tended to Miroku's hand, her pain still apparent on her face. You will heal, Sango . . . in time, you will move on with your life . . . Kohaku is in peace.

Kagome turned her attention back to Inuyasha, where she was nursing his hurt arm. The explosion at the end knocked the hanyou against a tree, fracturing his femur. She glanced at his face. Although he won't admit it, it hurts . . . but he's half-demon . . . he'll heal quickly.

She finished the wrap around his arm and glanced at her own body. A few cuts and bruises . . . Sango and I were lucky enough to remain unhurt . . . physically anyway. The young miko stood and gathered her medical supplies, returning them to her bag. Looking out the window, she watched the children playing outside. Everything's back to normal . . . it was as if our journey was all a dream. "Ouch!"

"Kagome? What is wrong?" asked Kaede.

"Something bit me!" Kagome pulled back her hair to reveal a flea feasting on her neck. "Greetings and salutati--EEP!!" the flea was cut short as the young miko's hand squashed him flat.

"Well if it isn't Myouga the flea," Miroku wondered as the insect fluttered to the ground, "What are you doing here?"

"Ahem," Myouga said, straightening his clothing, "I have to come to congratulate your victory, and to tie up some loose ends."

"Oh sure, now you come after the fighting is over, old man, " The hanyou snarled, adjusting the bandage on his arm. "What loose ends?"

"Loose ends that concern the Shikon Jewel," Myouga replied unfased, "and the fate of it's keeper." Turning his attention to Kagome, he asked, "Lady Kagome, have you decided what is to become of the Shikon Jewel?" She stared at the flea.

"M-me?? Decide?" she stammered confusedly, her eyebrows shooting to her hairline.

"Well, naturally," continued the flea, "you are the Keeper of the Shikon Jewel."

"Oh, yeah, forgot about that," Kagome flustered, "no, I haven't decided."

"I see. Good, it seems as though I arrived at just the right time. I have things to say that might influence your decision, Lady Kagome," The flea announced, jumping onto Inuyasha's shoulder. The whole room was quiet, waiting to hear what Myouga had to say.

"First off, Lady Kagome, the jewel must be used before you return to your time." Myouga explained seriously. "Returning to your time with the fully-complete Shikon No Tama will eventually cause choas. "

"What?" everyone exclaimed. Myouga ignored the outburst and continued. "Even though the Shikon No Tama is complete, there is still an ongoing war inside, good against evil if you will."

As you know, if the jewel is used for good intentions, it will be purified. But, if it falls into the hands of evil, the Jewel will become even more corrupt." Myouga met everyone's gaze in the room. "There are still many demons still wishing to claim the Jewel as their own, hoping to obtain it to become stronger and more powerful. Demons such as those will kill anything and anyone who will get in their way. "

Turning to Kagome, he pressed, "Now, from what you have told me, demons are no longer seen by people in your time."

"Well, I have never seen them, but I guess there could be a few in hiding . . . but what does that have to do with the Jewel?" Kagome asked, puzzled.

"It has everything to do with the jewel. I have come up with a theory that demons in your time have learned to live peacefully with the humans, sort of as equals. Now, if you bring the Shikon No Tama back with you, the peace that took years, decades, maybe even centuries to enforce might fall apart."

There was a pregnant pause before Myouga continued. "If a demon from your time senses the jewel, chaos will ensue for sure. Demons with all sorts of evil residing in their hearts will come after the Shikon No Tama, and you." Kagome stared in horror at Myouga, her thoughts on her family. Mom, Grandpa, Souta. . .I can't put them in danger.

"Seeing as there are 'no more demons'," Myouga further theorized, "people in your era no longer practice the art of demon slaying, am I correct?"

"That's right . . . no one practices the art anymore."

"Ah, it is as I presumed. . ." Myouga stared intently at Kagome, frowning with concern. "Lady Kagome, if you bring that jewel into a time where demons are allowed to roam free and demon slayers no longer exist, it will be like walking into a lion's den. You have no protection but yourself from creatures with evil in their hearts." He paused a moment, enforcing the importance of the matter.

"If a demon senses the Shikon Jewel, there is a very good chance you will be hunted down, and even killed."

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AN: next chapter . . .