Okay, I'm truly very sorry for the long delay, but I had terrible writer's block. But, I got to reading this terrific story, by Crystal Echoes called Wash It All Away, omigod, the best story out there, in my opinion. So if you want to check it out, I highly recommend it. Anywayz, it really helped me out and now here's my update! Umm, but see, it's not really an update, it's my last chapter revised. I really didn't like the way I wrote it, and I decided to rewrite it, and I like this one way better. So the first part is still pretty much the same, but then the ending is different, and help's me write the storie's ending, sniff. Okay then, well, don't worry, thsi won't be my only update, so just be a little patient today, okay? Alrighty then, love you guys so so so much, and thanx for all of your support!! MUAH!

Sorry, but no replies today, but don't worry, I'll give you something very special, don't worry! Love you guys!

Chapter 26(revised)

Cheeks damp, eyes red, and anger boiling, Kagome ran out of the house desperate to just get away. Her heart was practically choking her, caught in her throat causing her to choke up broken sobs and cries. Her hand went up to her mouth, palm out, trying to calm herself down. Fresh tears streamed down every time she thought about his stupid promises and his lies, which seemed to be the only thing he could say. Running aimlessly across her grounds, she slowed down, and looked up only to find the God tree towering over her. This tree that seemed to hold so many memories, and secrets, it's enchanting branches swaying in the light breeze, and their leaves, casting shadows on the ground, sunlight escaping through them in specks. It was truly magical. Kagome seemed to have calmed down, only hiccupping now, her hands still stayed by her mouth. She just stood there, staring up at the grand tree, enjoying its shade, and the breeze that seemed to flow down to her. Closing her eyes, she saw memories flooding to her, of her mother, her family, her friends, Inuyasha, and Toshio.

"Toshio." Kagome's voice was filled with nothing. Empty and cold, she didn't show any emotion. Only her eyes showed her inner turmoil and battles that were tearing her apart. Silent tears flowed freely, splattering on her hands and those who didn't reach her hands fell down to the floor, imprinting spots of water before her. She seemed to be lost, as if she couldn't find her way out of this nightmare, all she wanted was to be alone with no one to hurt her and no one to lie to her. Suddenly she ran to the tree, falling on her knees on the little bench beside the tree. Sobbing uncontrollably, her shoulders shuddered with every new cry.

"How could you do this to me? You insensitive bastard! I Hate you! I hope your plane crashes down and you burn!" Kagome was trying to think of new ways to curse him dead, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Surprised she turned and saw the worried face of her mother standing over her. Kagome just gazed up at her, and then stood up, throwing herself into her mother's open arms. The two just stood there, rocking away, Rumiko speaking soothing words to her hurting child.

"Honey, its okay, just calm down. I'm here, don't worry, but sweetie I need for you to calm down." Kagome was lying on the bench, legs tucked up to her stomach, and her head lying on her mother's lap. Stroking her hair, Rumiko managed to calm her daughter down so that she could say something. "Kagome, I know how you must feel, but don't run to conclusions, just hear me out okay?"

"Mm-hm" Was all that Kagome could say, afraid that if she opened her mouth, a furry of words would come out telling her to not defend that despicable man. Rumiko continued to stroke her hair, but tenderly urged Kagome to sit up. Reluctantly she complied and was sitting up facing her mother. Emotions clashed between each other's eyes, and Kagome could see that her mother was not with her on hating Toshio.

"Kagome, yes Toshio did leave, but you haven't heard the rest. I don't think that I'm in the position to tell you this so here read this. He gave it to me to give to you. Just promise me that you'll read it, okay?" Rumiko's pleading eyes stared into Kagome's, until finally she nodded.

"I promise." Her mother smiled gratefully, kissed her on the cheek, and then embraced her into a comforting hug.

"I love you, and I love you more with every passing day." Kagome smiled and watched her mother get up, squeezing her shoulder as extra reassurance, and then turning to walk back to the house. She could feel the light envelope between her fingers, but she didn't have the strength to look down at it. She wasn't sure if she should read it or just rip it up. Why would she need to read something from that...man? Remorse crept up into her and she decided to shove the paper into her skirt's pocket, she would read it later. Just then she saw the figure of a little boy walking towards her. She smiled, realizing it was Souta, and then thought about how selfish she had been. She thought that for sure this was taking a toll on Souta as well. She hastily wiped away her tears, and put on her best smile. The young boy timidly sat down taking the empty seat next to Kagome. Staring at the ground for awhile, he said nothing, allowing silence to ease in between the two. Kagome looked at Souta, her head a bit sideways, trying to catch Souta's expression. Her hair hanging to the side of her head, Souta avoided making eye contact.

"huh!" He exclaimed as he felt loving arms wrap around his shoulders. He froze for a bit, but then slowly melted into them, so that soon, he was leaning into her sister's arms, head on her shoulder. He had to admit, it felt good. Realizing that this was all that he needed, he giggled.

"What's so funny?" Kagome asked a light smile on her face. She squeezed Souta while asking her question, and he squirmed underneath her firm embrace.

"Hey! It's just, I needed someone to comfort me, I guess, and I thought that you were the least likely person to be doing it." Kagome got red at having her actions toward her brother thrown into her face.

"Guess I am kinda hard on you sometimes, huh?"

"Kinda? Try very hard!" He giggled at her sisters fingers tickling his side.

"Oh, you mean like this." She tickled his stomach and sides, until he was gasping for air, laughing his head off. She stopped, and he took long breaths in between giggles. Smiling up at her, his eyes suddenly became sad and timid again. Frowning, she looked at him as if asking him what was wrong. He just shook his head and looked away. "What's wrong Souta?" He didn't answer at first, but then a faint whisper reached her ears.

"He left, didn't he?" At first she didn't know what to say, but then decided that that bastard had done enough damage, and she grimly nodded. He hugged him tighter, hoping that she could absorb his pain, just so that he wouldn't suffer.

"It's okay though, because you've got me and mom, and even Grandpa, though that might not seem like the best support right about now, or come to think of it anytime, but he's still there for you, and maybe even Inuyasha." Souta's eyes sparked at the mention of Inuyasha's name, but the spark quickly went out.

"But you know, I don't hate him." Kagome's surprised look, made Souta feel uncomfortable all of a sudden. "Am I supposed to hate him?" His timid and uncertain voice made Kagome realize how fragile Souta's feelings were right now; she couldn't force him into anything.

"No, you don't have to...just because of me." She added the last part, knowing that he asked because of her feelings towards Toshio, which weren't quite a secret. He eased up a bit, and then sighed.

"I really didn't get to know him very well, but from the little times that we did talk, he was so nice to me, and he was funny too. He had all of these American jokes, some that I didn't get, but I laughed anyways because he laughed, and some that were really funny. He told me stories too! Some stories about evil monsters that eat little children, and some that were about a curious little monkey that always got into trouble, he had a whole book about stories just about him! I just loved to sit there hearing, whenever he had the chance though." Kagome looked down at him, curiosity in her eyes.

"When he had the time?" How long was he here before I got here?" She asked him.

"Only a day, but he was gone for most of it. Mom said that he was looking for something, but I wasn't really interested so I just left it at that. But when he got back, he started to talk to me, but I was shy so I really didn't talk back unless mom was there. But then when you left, I opened up some more, and I got to talking to him." Souta looked proud at himself for being brave enough to talk to him, and Kagome smiled. At least he hadn't ruined his life, yet, Kagome thought to herself.

"Hey sis?"

"Yeah?"

"Toshio wasn't all that bad as you think. He might have left us, but he came back, right? Plus, he said that he loved you a lot. He said that he would always be near us, but guess that doesn't matter anymore, huh?"

Kagome laughed a dark laugh, eyes flashing anger. "No, not anymore." Souta twisted in her arms, and got up. Looking down at her, he smiled.

"Kagome? Don't tell anyone I said this, but...I ...love you." He whispered the last, part, and Kagome smiled. She pulled him down and gave him a huge wet kiss on his cheek. She could feel him squirm and just went on. Finally feeling that she had gone on long enough, she let him go. "ACK! That's so gross! You can bet that that was the last time I'll ever tell you anything, yuck!" He wiped at his cheek, until it was red, and stomped off. Kagome giggled, and then looked up at the sky. It was so bright and peaceful; she just stared at it, thinking about Souta's words.

"Hey." Startled, Kagome jumped. "Calm down, it's just me!" Inuyasha's soft voice calmed her down, and she glanced at Inuyasha's face. She smiled and then went back to staring at the sky. "So...what are you thinking about?" She smiled again. He was trying very hard to be supportive without sounding stupid. Inuyasha seeing her smile, felt a bit more confident. Kagome stood up, and faced Inuyasha.

"I don't know. I can't really think straight right now, and I'm not going to beat myself up just because he left, no! I'm not gonna cry for weeks, just because of that. This is behind me, and I don't care anymore. I'm tired and just not in such a good mood today, so I want to forget and move on." With new determination in her eyes, Kagome stretched out her hand to him smiling. Taking it, Inuyasha was pulled to the well house, and dragged down the steps. "Let's go see the gang, I feel like I haven't seen them in forever." She sat down on the edge of it, and pulled her legs to the inside of the well. Looking back, she winked and jumped in. Inuyasha just stood there, dumb-struck at Kagome's changing mood swings that he could never predict.

Kagome felt the sturdy ground beneath her and began to climb, but seconds later she felt the arrival of Inuyasha, and then strong pair of arms grab her and carry her out of the well. Squealing, she pulled on her skirt and held on the Inuyasha's neck. Landing safely, Kagome let go, and flattened her skirt, giving Inuyasha dirty looks.

"What?! I helped you up, is that wrong?!" Inuyasha defended himself. Kagome just gave him another dirty look. He just keh'd and crossed his arms, while Kagome was fixing herself.

"Kagome!" Just then an orange fur ball slammed into Kagome's arms. Regaining her balance, Kagome hugged the little child in her arms, and giggled when he kissed her and squeezed the life out of her.

"Oh, Shippou, how I've missed your warm welcomes!" She laughed and hugged him tighter, while he showered her with kisses and smug hugs from his little arms. Inuyasha just watched, annoyed as usual by the 'little runt'.

"Kagome, guess what? Mirouku and Sango kissed! Yeah, they try to deny it, but I saw them, and Sango wasn't putting up much of a fight, so her arguments aren't very persuasive. Mirouku just agrees with what he says, but I think it's because he threatened him, so that doesn't count either. He smirks every time she looks at him, and she always blushes. It's so funny." He said it all in a hurry, and Kagome could only nod her head and open her eyes in shock, and smile whenever he did. Kagome was happy for them, but knew that Sango wasn't about to go down without a fight.

"So where are they?" Kagome asked Shippou.

"Oh they're at Kaede's preparing dinner. It was almost ready when I left, so it's probably already done." Shippou answered, and Kagome looked over at Inuyasha and then walked towards the village, a young child chatting away in her arms.

"Honestly Shippou, how many things could happen in two days?" Shippou smiled and Kagome knew his answer. She laughed and kept walking, a grumbling hanyou behind her. Walking upon an all too familiar scene, Kagome called out to her dear friend.

"Things never change do they Sango?" Kagome smiled as Sango turned away from the unconscious monk on the ground with many bumps on is head, staring with wide eyes at her.

"Kagome!" Sango ran over to her, and embraced her in a sisterly hug, glancing over at Inuyasha standing behind them. Shippou, having no time to escape, was caught in a tight squeeze, yelping out. "Oh, I 'm so sorry Shippou! I didn't realize you were there, forgive me." Sango held the poor dazed creature in her arms, and gazed down at him in a very motherly way.

"It seems that I've already been replaced." She giggled at Sango's quizzical looks. After a very 'welcoming' entrance, they all went inside Kaede's hut and sat around, eating the delicious meal. Talking and laughing, the evening was the perfect get away for Kagome, and for a moment, she forgot her troubles and enjoyed herself as if not a care in the world burdened her. But of course, a miracle wasn't taking place, and not long before everyone was ready to get some rest, Kagome's problems haunted her once again.

"Kagome? Pardon me for asking, but if you don't mind telling us, how everything's been going for you back home?" Mirouku asked, not sounding as if wanting to pry, but genuinely concerned for her. Kagome sighed heavily, and bent her head for a moment. But then to everyone's surprise, Kagome's head shot up, flashing everyone a bright and overly dramatic smile.

"Oh, not very well, but I'm through with it all, and now I just don't think much at all about it." 'Well, it's really not a lie; it's just not the whole truth. But right now, I'm guessing that you're not doing a very good job of convincing them with this fake smile you're putting on.' She thought grimly to herself. Her eyes fell, and she bent her head back down, failing in her plan of deceiving them, which she knew would never work. They knew her too well, which would work in both good and bad ways, and in this case, bad.

"Kagome, you know that you can tell us anything. But we're not pressuring you into anything you don't want to tell us, so whenever you want to talk, we're here okay?" Sango's loving eyes, stared at the top of Kagome's head, which she stubbornly kept down, trying to avoid a tear fest from happening. Finally, she couldn't stand it any longer and looked up. Her eyes were boring into hers, showing her the concern of her adoptive sister. She hated to cause them such anxiety, but she couldn't talk to them yet, not until she had had time to...heal. Giving her a warm smile, she gazed at Sango, reassuring her she wasn't about to break down.

"Thanks. But honestly, I'm fine; just need time that's all. But thank you for your concern, but you really have nothing to worry about, okay?" Smiling again, she continued with her meal, eating in silence, only looking up occasionally to smile at them reassuringly before they had a heart attack of worry. Afterwards, they cleaned up, they meaning Sango, Kaede, and Kagome, while the other half of the group, the men of course, lounged casually talking about where to travel next. Going outside to wash the dishes, Kagome gazed up to the now setting sun, watching the many vibrant colors blend with each other in a painting no artist could ever capture. That was why she loved this era, because wherever you went, you could always see the sky in a clear view, not blurred by pollution or hidden behind buildings.

"Kagome?" Sango walked up behind Kagome, watching her staring up at the sky. She was always puzzled at the girl's reactions to the simplest things here, like the ever changing sky that always seemed to bewitch her, making her pause whatever she was doing to just, watch. Kagome turned to face her friend, before looking back to the sunset.

"You know, you can't see the sunset like this back home. Everyone's always running around to busy with their hectic lives to pay attention to nature's beautiful gifts. Including myself, I'm always doing homework, or chores, or out with my friends trying to catch up with the pathetic teen gossip. Pathetic, but still necessary to know, that's for sure." Kagome giggled at her words, and then sighed. Sango didn't know much about Kagome's home, but she always wondered, soaking up any detail Kagome gave her, trying to picture it in her mind. She watched her friend close her eyes, a light frown showing on her lips, slight, but still very much there.

"Kagome, what's wrong?" Sango put her hand on top of Kagome's shoulder, concern evident in her voice. Kagome put her hand on top of Sango's, still facing away from her. Sighing once again, she couldn't keep it in anymore, she needed someone, and Sango was the there offering her support, so Kagome broke down, turning, and embracing Sango desperately crying into her shoulder. It was as if a dam had broken behind Kagome's eyes, allowing a flood of tears flow freely down her cheeks with no sign of stopping. Sango, at first surprised, quickly recovered, and brought her arms around Kagome's back, embracing her tightly as Kagome was, soothing her with comforting words.

"Sango. I-I I don't know, what to do." Kagome wept heavily, using Sango as her support, not just mentally, but physically as well. Sango was the only thing keeping her from falling to the ground on her knees. Sobbing inconsolably, Kagome clutched Sango with her last ounce of strength, her body trembling with each cry and shaky breath. Sango could do nothing to calm the girl, it was as if she was beyond console, only searching for support now, and Sango was doing her best, even though she still felt pretty helpless.

"Kagome, Kagome, please try to calm down, please. Kagome, its okay I'm here, but just please calm down for me, please? Come on, talk to me, tell me whatever you need to let out, but please you have to relax a bit. Kagome." Sango tried desperately to quiet down her broken friend, but she seemed like she couldn't do it, even if she wanted to. She couldn't control her tears, and her emotions weren't helping her calm down either. Sango couldn't hold her up anymore, and fell to her knees, Kagome still in her arms, weeping with fresh tears flowing down her already damp cheeks. Sango just kept stroking her hair, while Kagome curled up in her lap, clasped to Sango's neck.

"What's going on out-" Inuyasha came rushing out of the hut, wildly looking around until finally setting his eyes upon the heartbreaking scene on the floor. His eyes immediately went from alert to sympathetic, and his face went soft staring down at Kagome sobbing into Sango's shoulder. She looked up at him, pleading for help, and then looked back down at the young girl clutching to her. Inuyasha had heard cries and sobs, and immediately went out to investigate, followed closely by Mirouku. He had no idea that she would break down like this, and he didn't know how to deal with it himself.

"Hey what's-" Mirouku came up behind Inuyasha, and just like him, froze not expecting the sight before him. Finally Inuyasha couldn't support seeing Kagome like this, and walked over to her. Sango could only stare up at him, while he stretched out his arms, asking for Kagome silently. Sango nodded, and allowed Inuyasha to bend down, scooping Kagome up in his arms, adjusting her so that she faced his chest. Sango now just sat there on the ground too overwhelmed to move. Mirouku stepped in front of her and picked her up by her limp arms, having given all of her strength to comforting Kagome. He held her next to him, while she stood, not protesting, or moving at all, she just stared at Kagome now crying into Inuyasha's chest. She couldn't handle it, she couldn't bear to see her friend crying like that, Kagome who was so strong when everyone seemed defeated, she urged them further, and encouraged them in everything, her bright smile giving everyone a summer sun on a winter night. No, she wouldn't allow this, she couldn't, Kagome was broken and here she was just staring at her cry, she wasn't going to take it.

"Inuyasha take her inside, we'll take care of her." Sango's newly found voice called out to Inuyasha who was holding Kagome tightly to him. He sternly looked up at her and stared into her eyes. Thinking that she could take no more surprises, she was shocked to see his eyes glistening in the disappearing light of the twilight hours. He showed her a glimpse of his soul right at that moment. Being half breed, he held demon blood in his veins, dark blood, but why was it that while taking a look, if only for a moment, into his soul she saw the purest emotions coursing through him? Nodding, she thought to herself what had happened, and watched as he turned slowly walking away from them. "Inuyasha! Take care of her, okay?" He didn't stop, but Sango had gotten her answer, somehow, she had gotten it.

So what do you guys think? Better? Hope so, well please review, love ya bye!