"Kagome, please try to be careful." her mother called out as a farewell to the two as the headed down the steps of the shrine to the well. She still was not comfortable with the fact that her daughter was traveling back and forth to an obvious dangerous place. She was strongly tempted to forbid Kagome to go, but she realized that it would have been useless. Kagome had to accomplish this, and she had to let her do it. Kagome turned and giving her assurances and good-
byes as well, slid over the lip of the well and began yet another trip to the past.

By now Kagome had accepted the fact that she had gotten seriously injured. She also survived it, so although she would be more careful, there was no reason to dwell on it. They had to try and still collect the jewel shards, not to mention confront and defeat Naraku. If she couldn't let it go, she would be no good in this time. So she put it out of her mind. The well returned to normal signaling their return to the warring states era.

"Hey Kagome," Inuyasha began. When she didn't seem to respond he repeated himself. This time she looked at him. " There's some things I think I should tell you about before we go any further." She didn't say anything. It made him uncomfortable her silence. He remained quiet as well studying her.

"Well? What is it Inuyasha?"

"Shippo, he's changed a lot since you left." He didn't mean to blurt it out like he did.

"WHAT do you mean? Is he hurt?" she pictured all sorts of injuries that could have befallen the little kitsune.

"No. I mean, he's..." Inuyasha hesitated. " He's gotten bigger since you left. He doesn't look the same. So try not to be too surprised when you see him. He's just, he just looks older."

Kagome looked at Inuyasha, but what she was really trying to do is picture Shippo. Images of his cute face stretched out over Sota's filled her mind. And when one began others soon came. Kagome soon had a face of admiration on her. "I bet he turned out even cuter. Is he cuter than before Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha gave her a look of confused disgust. How was he to judge if Shippo had gotten cuter? He looked the same to him. "I just wanted you to be prepared that's all. Are you ready to go then?" he asked her. With a nod of her head, he carefully got her by her waist and hefting the infamous yellow backpack over one shoulder, they left the well together.

They had just pulled themselves from the well's lip when Kouga arrived. Inuyasha immediately went into the defensive. Kagome placed a hand on Inuyasha's arm, stopping him from attacking Kouga. When she didn't move any further Kouga came closer to her.

"I've waited for you like you asked me to Kagome. I'm glad to see you've come back safely." Kouga said shooting Inuyasha a look of disgust. Inuyasha stiffened beside Kagome but didn't move further.

She looks okay. So dog-turd hasn't done anything to make matters worse.

"Kouga." she said stepping towards him a small bit. It was all the encouragement he needed. Quicker than the eyes could follow or Inuyasha react, Kouga swept Kagome into his arms and held her close to him.

"I've missed you terribly Kagome." He said. He inhaled deeply taking her in by her scent. He rubbed his nose against her cheek then trailed it to her neck. He inhaled again, closing his eyes so to delve into her scent deeper.

"Let her go." Inuyasha said simply. Those words may have been said easily enough but the threat was real and clearly heard.

"It's okay Inuyasha." Kagome said.

"I said let her go." he repeated himself.

Kouga took another deep breath and slowly pulled his face away from Kagome. But he didn't release her. Kouga turned to Inuyasha giving him a deep look. "You had your time with her in her era. It's only right you let us have that same time as well." Kouga's words also soft but the threat was just as real as Inuyasha's. Inuyasha stiffened, but refused to back down.

It was Kagome who ended the stalemate by removing herself from Kouga's hold. Kouga looked down to her in surprise. She shook her head slowly. "Please don't start this right now. I haven't seen the others and I'm not in the mood for this now." With that said she began to walk towards the village. Inuyasha and Kouga looked to one another then fell in place behind her, following.

Shippo lifted his head up and scented the air. Inuyasha and Kouga's scent alerted him. He took in another breath and quickly lost it when he noticed it. She's back! He brought her back! He ran to Kaede's hut to get Miroku and Sango. He found Killala instead. "Kilala , go get the others. Inuyasha's come back and he's brought Kagome with him!" The firecat mowed her acknowledgment then went in search of the two missing members of the group. Shippo rushed to meet them.

Kagome had just stepped into the village when she saw him. She stopped. He stopped. They stared at each other, uncertain of the next move. She took in the obvious changes. He had definately gotten bigger, his hair longer. He stood proud, a bit arrogant much like Inuyasha. She looked back to Inuyasha. Disbelief plain to see.

When she turned away Shippo's face fell. She's ashamed of me. His eyes began to tear up despite his efforts not to. He drew his hands into fist and held them tightly to his sides. He was about to turn and run when she spoke.

"Is this Shippo?"

"Yeah, I told you he got bigger." Inuyasha answered.

She turned back to the kitsune in question. She could hardly believe that the little boy she left was now this young man standing before her. She missed out on so much in the time she was gone. Her eyes filled with tears. "Shippo."

He stood there, his own eyes shimmering with tears. "Welcome back Kagome. We've all missed you a lot." One tear slowly fell.

She took one step then next thing she knew, her feet were flying. She took him up in a hug and held on to him as her tears fell as well. "Oh Shippo, I've missed you guys too. I'm sorry I was gone so long." she sobbed. He returned her hug and cried. They stayed like that until Miroku and Sango made and appearance.

"Shippo, let her go so the rest of us can greet her as well." Miroku's voice called out.

It was only when Miroku and Sango reached out to touch her that she flinched. They all looked at her strangely. Up until that moment all she could think of was how lonely Shippo must have felt. So when he touched her, it didn't affect her. But with Sango and Miroku it was different, and she hesitated.

"Lady Kagome, welcome back." Miroku said.

"Kagome, welcome back." Sango echoed.

Neither one of them gave any further signs of discomfort with her withdrawing. It made it easier to relax in their company. "Hi guys." she said in apology.

"Kagome, we'll spend a few days here in the village before we set out again." Inuyasha said.

"INUYASHA!" everyone else exclaimed.

"What?! With Kagome back we can set out for the shards again. Naraku has had over a year to collect them. There can only be a few left that he hasn't got yet. We can't let him get them." the hanyo stated.

"Lady Kagome has just returned. No doubt she would like some time to readjust herself to use once again." Miroku said.

Kagome thought on their words. Inuyasha had a valid point. They did have to start off. "That's okay Miroku. I've been coming and going for a few weeks already. We should get going if we plan on getting those last shards before Naraku. We can catch up along the way." she said.

"Kagome. I'm still here." Kouga said. Slightly annoyed at being forgotten.

"Kouga, I'm sorry but we do have to do this." Kagome said. "Maybe we can spend time together another time."

Kouga did not see it that way. He had already waited enough in his opinion. "Kagome come with me." he said.

"In case you didn't get it, she said get lost." Inuyasha said.

Kouga ignored the hanyo. Placing his hand out he said again, " Come with me."

She felt torn. Part of her wanted to go. But she just now had reunited with the group. He didn't wait anymore, taking the initiative once again, he took her hand in his. "Please, just a few moments." he amended.

The others stayed silent as they watched her walk. Kouga led her not far from them. He spoke softly to her. She nodded her head a few times. Her hand touched Kouga's arm and stayed there as they continued to talk. Then the wolf prince turned and left. Kagome rejoined the others. She gave them a smile. " Well then let's get going yeah?"

Inuyasha wanted to ask what was said. His hearing was acute enough that he already knew, as did Shippo. He wanted to see if she would answer him. But he hesitated, what would he say if she refused to tell him? No better to not press her now. "Okay let's go." he said, and they started out once more in search of the jewel shards.

Emptiness has filled my days . Life and light taken away, he said.

Come With Me.

I wanted to say no. I wasn't ready to confront the tension between us. I was afraid of regrets that would no doubt reach me if I followed. Still I couldn't keep my hands from roaming over the exposed skin on his arm. I felt the urge to touch him. I felt the urge to hold him. Just to feel the heat from his body merge with mine. I needed it, because I felt cold even though I knew I was also giving off heat. I didn't want to hear him say anything. All I wanted was the silent call and pull of our bodies coming in contact with one another.

What I wanted was soon becoming a need. I hate when things change like that. It makes me feel like I am powerless to control myself. I couldn't get carried away. I had to at least manage my impulses so no one would be hurt. And I knew no matter what, someone was already being hurt. Right now that was okay, because the only person in pain was me. That was acceptable.

The next few days I found myself falling back into routine. It felt good to be back in familiar situations. We traveled for three days before I noticed anything in their behavior. How I could be so utterly blind to it is beyond me. The odd looks they would give me I was used to getting. So maybe that's why it took so long for me to see it. When we would stop to rest, well, I was never alone. That's not to say they were crowding me, but still one of them would always be near.

At first it was comforting, but now it's become confining. The only true time alone, it seems I get, is when I go home to my own era. I know they do it because they worry for me. I can't really blame them when you stop to consider how weird I've been. But I thought they would understand. I guess they don't.

I can say I love them all. I'm drawn to each one of them and can't choose between them.

I love Inuyasha. He will always be my first thought. But first thoughts are just like that, first thoughts. They are followed by second and third, and so on. I always tried to be understanding when it came to Kikyo, after all they had a life before Omigunio's greed came between them. It has to be extremely hard to see what became of the one you loved first. So I don't interfere. I turn away because it hurts so bad, but only part of that pain is for me. I hurt for them and for what was stolen from them. I get mad too. And that is something I try really hard not to show.

Kouga. I fell in love with him when I wasn't looking. I didn't want to. I tried not to. I did everything I could to see him as I would see Miroku or Sota or Shippo. I guess I failed. He was so damn persistent. How could I keep from loving him? It just turned out to be a different type of love than the kind I was thinking of. If it was possible I would seek out a way to bring him to my time. I know he'd adapt easily. I could spend the rest of my life happy with him. I wouldn't ever have to worry about him cheating on me, because it's like he keeps saying; he mates for life. But I could never ask him to abandon his pack. They need him much more than me. He belongs here with them. And I.....I'm not so sure of where I belong anymore.

Hojo. Of all the guys, he was the one I never expected to want. Sure he is my friend and was there for me when I need someone. I kinda suspected he had feelings for me, but I didn't know he had fallen in love with me. If that whole thing with Inuyasha hadn't happened, I probably still wouldn't know. He is the one I should be choosing. We belong in each others world. We should be together. But, I can't do it. I can't ignore my feelings for Inuyasha and Kouga. I can't pretend like they don't mean anything to me. Because I tried. And it tore me up a lot worse than that demon did to my body. That wouldn't be fair to Hojo, to be lost thinking about another guy when I am with him. I care to much to hurt him like that. And it would slowly destroy any relationship we build. I just won't do it.

"Kagome, are you done yet? We have to get back to camp soon." Shippo's voice came carefully from behind a clump of bushes. She didn't jump when she heard him. She had gotten better at keeping reality in perspective when she dwells into herself. She didn't answer him. Kagome continued to look into the water passing by her. She had yet to fill the water containers. She spent the entire time lost with her thoughts. She heard the bushes rustle, signaling Shippo's presence moments before a pair of fox feet came into her field of vision.

"Kagome, are you feeling okay?" Shippo asked hesitantly. He didn't want to upset her. She got scary enough when she was mad but when she was really upset he had to leave as quickly as possible. Before her miko powers began to leak out from her body and into the surrounding area. He took a small step closer to her, trying to gage her mood.

"What Shippo?" she said turning to him.

"I came to see if you need any help." Shippo said. "With carrying the water containers back to camp." he quickly added when she gave him a level stare.

"That's very considerate of you." she said.

"Here let me help fill those." Shippo said as he carefully reached towards one of the containers.

Is he scared of me? Kagome asked herself. She watched him come closer but noticed he was very careful with his movements. He IS scared of me. Great, I've only been back a little bit and already I've terrorized my friends. What should I do to fix this? "Thanks Shippo, with your help we should be done in no time." She handed him a bottle.

He searched her face for signs of anger. When she smiled to him he felt his heart lighten. He smiled back to her. It may not be candy, but that's okay. This is better. Shippo thought.


Yay! She has come back from nowhere. Yes another long awaited update. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Life's obligations has made it a bit difficult to work on this. My apologies. My XMAS gift to you all, the story completed. I have roughly three more chapters to write and proof then post.