Kagome stood facing the doors that would lead her back to the feudal era. When she announced that she would be going back, it caused quite a stir. Her grandfather threatened to drug her until she regained her sanity. She asked him how was she going to accomplish that if she was drugged and therefore not in her right mind how would she be able to judge what was right or not? Her brother begged her not to go. His tears made her hesitate. Her mother said nothing. Hojo came to her defense saying that if she didn't confront this, she would never stop having nightmares. Her mother put an end to the conversation by clearing the table. Out of habit Kagome got up and helped her.

While they cleaned the dishes her mother spoke her feelings about the entire situation. " Kagome, we all understand more clearly than you give us credit for. I understand how hard this must be for you. Can you understand how hard it is for us to see you go?"

"Mom, if I could do this any other way, believe me, I would be doing it. I'm not sure I want to go back. But it's not exactly about what I want. There are others there who need me, how can I turn my back and pretend that they don't exist?"

"We aren't saying that you should ignore your responsibilities."

"That's what it sounded like Grandpa was saying."

"No it was not. You've spent so much time there in the past year; we've been so worried. I know that it was violent in that era. I was fully aware that you could be seriously hurt or killed. If you hadn't made trips back to restock on your supplies, would we even know about what happens to you? I don't know what scares me more about all of this; the fact that you came so incredibly close to dying or that none of us have any means of knowing how you are doing until you return."

"Mom, I never realized… Until I was attacked by this demon, all the other times, Inuyasha and the others they helped to make sure I was okay. We're family there. I have powers too. I've learned to defend myself. Mom, I have a full-blooded wolf demon in love with me and a hanyo whose almost, if not more, powerful also stuck with me. I never really had to give it any thought. Kouga, he always seems to show up at odd moments, so much that he's like insurance if Inuyasha can't do it."

"Kouga? Is he this wolf demon?"

"Oh, um yes." Kouga muttered.

"Was he there when this other demon attacked you?"

Kagome squirmed. Her whole argument was getting ready to swan dive out the window. "Yes." she quickly continued. " But I had him take me to the shard, if he had been a bit slower in catching up to the demon, Inuyasha would have had time to meet us to maybe none of this would have happened."

Her mother shook her head. Her daughter was just as stubborn as her father. But it was one of those weird quirks that endeared him to her in the first place. She realized this was going to happen. The fact that her daughter put so much effort in regaining her mobility was a clear sign. As she placed the last of the dishes away in the cabinet, she reached a decision. Turning to her daughter she smiled a bit sadly, " I'm not going to forbid you from going back. But I am going to give you a condition to be able to go. You must come home every three days without exception. If you don't do this next time you come home I will personally seal the well. You aren't the only girl in this family with miko powers young lady."

Kagome looked at her mother with mixed emotions. Part of her was relieved that she was able to get through this without too much of an argument. Another part wished her mother had forbidden her from going. She was scared and if her mom would have said no, she most likely would have never gone near the shrine again. She felt disgusted with that part of herself.

So now here she was, gathering her courage just to open the door. Taking in a deep breath, she placed her hands on the aged wood and pushed it to the side. It smelled like blood to her and she took a step back. Taking quicker breaths, she forced one foot in front. Sweat began to form on her forehead. No, it couldn't still smell like blood, her blood that was just in her mind. Roadblock one.

I can do this.

Kagome are you sure you don't wasn't me to go with you?

Hojo had stayed late that night. He asked if he could do anything for her. He was letting her know he would give her his strength for as much as she was willing to take it. She told him no. She had to do this herself.

Wish I hadn't been so cocky then.

She noticed she still had a death grip on the door and she let it go. The backpack on her seemed to grow heavier the longer she stayed there. She angrily took another step forward. There aren't any demons here damnit! And then took another, anger at herself fueling her. She hadn't even noticed that she walked down the steps and was at the well's lip until she placed her hands on it. She was preparing to just leap into it like she always had done before, and then she just fell down beside it. Her heart was beating so fast in her chest. Her erratic breathing causing it heave. She looked down to her lap and saw her hands blur before her.

Great! Just perfect! I haven't even made it back yet. There isn't anything here that could possibly hurt me and here I am Ccccrying like a baby!

Try as she might, she just couldn't seem to bring herself up. Well no use in fighting it. She thought. She let allowed herself one last cry. She didn't know why exactly she was crying. But it felt right. And when she was finally done, she felt her mind clear. For that brief time there was no doubts, no fear, just the need to jump through the well. Before she could question it, she jumped and when the lights changed and greeted her, taking her back to the feudal era, she felt as if she was finally going home.