A/N: Alright, here's Ch. 35...I'm sorry Ch. 34 took so long to be put up...I got a bit of writer's block...which sucked...Anyway, please tell me your thoughts in your reviews...should Sesshy and Hana get together? I've gotta know what you all think. Ok, now to answer my wonderful 3 reviewers...Angie, yes, Inu-kun is rather retarded...oh kuso...he's doing the disclaimer today...he might hear that... (Quickly looks around with shifty eyes) Alright, I'm in the green! I'll continue, Dragon Man 180, lol...you and Angie agree with each other...lol...but even if we try and knock some sense into Inu-kun, I'm sure that afterward he still won't get it and he'll just be really pissed off...lol...yes, Tenseiga is a sword with amazing powers...don't we all wish that Kikyo would die? But unfortunately she has to stick around until the end of the story...but even if it won't help, I'll try and coax Mei Lhi into giving Inu-kun a few bumps on the noggin in this chapter...(grins evilly) Sanosa, you so can write stories! I love your stories! Yes, the chapter title is excellent. But on another note...just to wonder...you called me 'kamisfire' in your review...I'm sure you've just been overloading your brain with great fan fiction today as I have...thankfully all that reading wasn't for nothing...it inspired me and gave me good ideas. And if I can find that stupid idiot, Inuyasha will read the disclaimer...I know Angie's been waiting for him to show up...

Me: Oi! Baka kusotare Inuyasha! Where the hell are you?!

Inuyasha: (whacks me on the head) I'm right here! Kuso, anata baka woman!

Me: Ow! That hurt you know! Don't make me have to call in Kagome early! I'll have her say the word so many times that by the time she's through with you, you won't be able to walk for a week!

Inuyasha: (gulp)

Me: Now read the freaking disclaimer!

Inuyasha: (shaking with fear, pulls out a piece of paper from his haori and clears his throat) Aki doesn't own me. Or my kick ass series. As much as she wishes she did, it's not going to happen. But she does own this story and all new characters. So please enjoy chapter 35. The chapter title idea is credited to Sanosa and Aki put in a little bit too. Oi! Aki! Where's my ramen?

Me: (pulls out a giant pot) Here you go! (Smiles warmly and hands Inuyasha a pair of chopsticks) Now, while Inu-kun stuffs himself full of yummy ramen, I give you, Ch. 35...

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Soul-Draining Shard and A Visit Across Time

Hana watched as the youkai lord retreated into the trees, her eyes following him, until finally she saw him no more, her eyes now focused on Kagome.

"We're going to need to break the jewel and purify the shard within. Kikyo told me that it would be the only way to destroy it and remove the draining spell completely." She said finally.

"Why'd she tell you?" Shippou asked.

"She figured I was about to die...but Sesshoumaru-sama saved my life..."

Unfortunately, to two hanyous in particular, Hana's words never did penetrate their minds. They were too immersed in a conversation of their own.

"You baka, Nii-chan! Are you that stupid?!" Mei Lhi said at him in annoyance.

"What?! I'm not the one who's stupid, stupid!!!" Inuyasha yelled at her.

Mei Lhi's ears flattened to her head as her brother's shouting hit her fully in her very sensitive ears.

"For Kami's sake! Everyone, and I mean everyone, was looking at you!"

"But I don't get it!"

"You're so damn retarded!" She screamed finally, giving him a taste of his own medicine.

Out of frustration and annoyance, she hit Inuyasha on the head several times.

'For the sake of all that is holy, may that knock some sense into his puny little brain!' She thought.

"Kyo!" Hana called, attempting to make herself heard over the two fighting hanyous.

"Hai, Hana-chan?" He asked.

"Since you managed to do it once before, perhaps you could transform and get us back to Musashi's domain..."

"Hai."

In a burst of wind, Kyo stood before them as the magnificent white dragon. Inuyasha and Mei Lhi still fought, oblivious to his transformation. The ryuu youkai moved in between the two, looking at each of them with pleading eyes. They seemed to say, 'Please, do not fight anymore...' Mei Lhi nodded, Inuyasha sighing.

"Inuyasha, go make yourself useful and carry Kagome." Hana said irritably, rubbing her temple.

Inuyasha picked up the now-unconscious miko girl, carrying her bridal style. Hana tucked the jewel shard away into her kimono and stood, approaching Kyo, motioning to Sango and Miroku to get on. The houshi and taijiya got onto the ryuu youkai's back after the miko, Kirara jumping up onto Sango's shoulder. Shippou jumped onto Mei Lhi's shoulder.

"You two are walking then?" Hana asked.

The two hanyous nodded.

"I wouldn't call it walking, Hana-chan...more like running and leaping into the air..." Mei Lhi said.

Hana smiled slightly.

"Let's go." She said at last.

One ryuu youkai and two hanyous shot into the air. Kyo remained flying in the air at a high speed, Inuyasha and Mei Lhi running below him, jumping skyward, landing, then running again, and taking off into the air. Kyo was surprised that the two could keep up with his speed. Mei Lhi looked up at him and smiled, Kyo winking an eye in acknowledgement.

It was a matter of minutes before they reached Kaede's village.

"Hey there, Kaede-baba! Did you miss us?" Mei Lhi asked, entering the hut.

Hana, Sango, and Miroku got off Kyo. The ryuu youkai transformed back to his human form in another rush of wind. Then followed Mei Lhi inside, Inuyasha coming inside last, laying Kagome on the futon she had been occupying earlier.

Kaede surveyed them all, a relieved expression crossing her elderly features as she saw Hana.

"Hana-sama, ye have returned." The old woman said.

"Hai, Kaede-bachan." She replied, bowing.

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Two hours had passed, and Hana finally finished telling Kaede about what had happened since she left the group to search for Sesshoumaru. The others had secretly listened in on Hana's recollection of events, thoughts stirring in their minds.

"I must destroy the fake jewel and purify the shard." Hana said finally.

"You will do this by yourself?" Miroku asked, surprised.

"I believe I can do it. Kikyo underestimates me."

"You won't be able to do it alone! Let Kaede-sama and I help you."

"I will be fine...if anything, I'll succeed and just be resting for a day or two..."

Miroku sighed in defeat, and then nodded reluctantly. Hana took the shard out and held it in her open palm. Gathering her miko energy in her free hand, she touched the jewel with her index finger, the pink glass shell shattering. The broken jewel hovered in the air above Hana's hand. The pink glass fragments orbited around a single black shard. Hana took the shard from the air, grasping it between her thumb and forefinger. The broken fragments crashed to the tatami mat, the Shikon shard surging with dark power. Hana gasped from the sudden rush of energy.

The evil of the shard was so intense that everyone felt it. Even Kagome shuddered in her sleep.

Clasping both her hands around the shard, she prayed as she started to glow her miko aura becoming brighter and brighter.

'Midoriko-sama...please...lend me your strength...' She prayed.

Hana surged with power, and fell limp against the hut wall. Her hand opened, revealing a shining pink shard. Hana lay still, trying to catch her breath. She closed her eyes from exhaustion, small beads of perspiration at her brow. The others were stunned. The only one who wasn't frozen in shock was Kyo...although his facial expression did show that he was interested.

"Hana-sama...how-how did...?" Miroku tried to ask, breaking off.

Hana was silent for a few moments and then steadied her breathing.

"Heh..." She replied, a grin forming at the corners of her mouth. "Kikyo underestimates me...and I guess you all do too...I called upon Midoriko...as you know, the jewel itself was created from the demons she sealed within her own heart. I called upon her spirit in the shard and asked for her strength. Not many can do this...I am one of the few that can..." She stood and took a calming breath before she continued. "I am one of Midoriko's direct descendants...she was my grandmother."

"Just who the hell are you, Hana-baba?!" Inuyasha inquired.

"I have many secrets, but no one other than yourselves may know my lineage. If anyone were to find out...it would not bode well..."

"Keh! That still doesn't answer my question!"

"Inuyasha must you be so damn loud?!" Mei Lhi interrupted.

"What the hell is your problem, mesuinu?"

"Don't call me that."

"What? It's true! You are one!"

"Can you just shut your fucking trap for five seconds so I can tell you what I wanted to say?!"

"Feh."

"As I was saying, don't be so loud...Kagome looks like she's waking up."

"Hm?"

"Kagome's waking up, teme!"

"Don't yell in my ears, mesuinu!"

"Well if you'd actually listen to me for a change, then I wouldn't have to, BAKA!!!!"

"Osuwari..." Kagome's voice said annoyed.

Both crashed into the tatami mats, and Kagome sat upright on the futon.

"Both of you need to shut up..." She said.

When the 'sit' wore off Mei Lhi got up in a flash.

"Kagome-chan, can I go to your era? Please? Kanemori-sensei's going to have loads of tests for me! I don't want to be so far behind! And don't you have finals this year?" She begged.

"Don't beg like that. It makes you look like a-" Inuyasha began.

"Like what? A dog? That's because I am one. And so are you. That's what dogs do..." Mei Lhi interrupted.

"Alright..." Kagome agreed.

"Besides, you'll probably heal faster in your era. You've got all those herbs and potions over there..."

"It's called 'medicine', Mei...the herbs are pills, the potions are cough syrups and stuff like that..." Kyo said.

"Medicine?"

"Hai...medicine..."

Kagome agreed. Soon, all except Inuyasha agreed.

"You can't go back! Not yet! We still have shards to find!" He yelled.

"Ask Hana-chan to go with you...she can see them too, you know..." Kagome replied.

Inuyasha growled, and then followed the miko and his sister out the door. Kyo walked out after him.

"Just where the hell do you think you're going?!" Inuyasha demanded.

"Honestly, Inuyasha. I live over in Kagome's time. I've got to control the wind over there too...but while Kagome, you, and Mei jump in the well and go over to her time, I'll be waiting for you over there." Kyo replied calmly.

The ryuu youkai disappeared into thin air, Inuyasha's mood souring; he caught up with Mei Lhi and Kagome. The three of them jumped into the well and in a flash of color, they landed on the other side, in Kagome's time. The three of them climbed out of the well and exited the well house, just as Inuyasha turned to closed the door, he saw a boy leaning against the wall.

"Who the hell are you?" He asked.

"Baka Inuyasha..." The boy replied.

"Kawaii!!!" Mei Lhi exclaimed. "This is your form in Kagome's era! It's so cute, Kyo!"

Kyo blushed slightly and shrugged it off. Mei Lhi looked him over, seeing that now he had long black hair that went down the middle of his back. It was tied back, a few shorter layers of his hair rested on the sides of his face. His eyes were a deep smoky gray, and he wore a white button-down shirt with black pants and flip-flops.

The front door slid open and a small boy came running out.

"Nee-chan! Inunii-chan! Inunee-chan!" He called out to them.

"Hi Souta!" The three said in unison.

Souta stopped before them and noticed Kyo.

"Who's that?" He asked.

"That's Kyo. He's my friend. I've known him since I was a pup." Mei Lhi replied.

"Is he a demon too?"

"Yep, he sure is, Souta-kun. But he's not just any youkai...he's special..."

"Special?"

"Oh stop it, Mei...you flatter me..." Kyo said, sounding embarrassed.

"What kind of youkai are you, Kyo?" Souta asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Kyo casually waved his hand, a breeze picking up out of nowhere.

"Did you just do that?"

Kyo nodded.

"Do something else! That could've been a coincidence!"

Kyo grinned and stooped down so he was completely level with Souta. Kyo exhaled a short breath, one that someone would do to extinguish a candle, to be precise. Souta was knocked backwards, but Kyo's eyes flicked to where he would have fallen, and Souta was pushed back up into a standing position.

"Cool!" The young boy exclaimed.

"Show off..." Inuyasha muttered.

"But nobody beats Inunii-chan! Inunii-chan is the best!"

Inuyasha smirked at Kyo, the ryuu youkai smiling in return.

"Souta, go tell Kaa-chan and Jii-chan that we're home, alright?" Kagome said.

"Hai, Nee-chan!"

Souta ran back inside, Kyo stood up, Inuyasha making his way towards the house, Kagome following him. Mei Lhi started walking, and turned back to look at Kyo.

"You coming or not?" She asked.

Kyo walked over and together they went inside. Kyo respectfully removed his shoes at the door setting them down next to other pairs that were neatly lined up against the wall.

Mei Lhi waited for him to put his shoes away and then grabbed his wrist, running all around the Higurashi house, giving him a tour. When they were back downstairs in the living room, Kyo was catching his breath.

"Mei...promise me something..." He said.

"What?" She asked.

"Don't do that ever again...unless absolutely necessary..."

"Sure...no problem..."

Higurashi-san came from the kitchen with Kagome and Inuyasha carrying food.

"Hello, you must be Kyo...Souta ran in and told me all about you. We're about to have dinner, so please, feel free to join us." She said in a maternal manner.

"Arigatou, Higurashi-san for your hospitality. I will be glad to join you for dinner." Kyo replied politely, bowing.

"Kagome, your guest is so polite...the exact opposite of Inuyasha-kun..." Higurashi-san whispered in her daughter's ear.

Kagome nodded, giggling a little. The food was placed on the table, and Higurashi-san opened the back door, poking her head outside.

"Oyaji, Souta!" She called. "Dinner's ready!"

Souta and Higurashi-jichan came in, taking their usual places at the table. Higurashi-san, Kagome, and Inuyasha all sat down, Mei Lhi and Kyo sitting down last. Food sat on the plates before them, and Mei Lhi grinned.

"Itadakimasu!" She cried, raising her chopsticks in the air rather victoriously.

Everyone started eating, happy chatter going around, until the meal had been consumed and the plates were washed clean.

Night had fallen, and the moon rose, shining brightly in the sky, stars twinkling overhead.

Kyo glanced at the clock and sighed.

"I should be going home..." He said.

"Home? Back to the Sengoku Jidai?" Mei Lhi asked curiously.

"Iie...my home here...in this era..." He replied. "It's starting to get late..."

"But can't you stay the night?"

"No...I have to go home..."

"Mei-chan, why don't you walk him out?" Kagome offered.

"Ok..."

Kyo walked to the door, put his shoes back on, and slid the door open. Mei Lhi followed him as he walked outside.

"Do you really have to go?" She asked.

"Afraid so, Mei..." He replied.

"Are you coming back?"

"Now what's all this for? You're not going to miss me already are you?"

"Yes...I will...I'll miss you very much..."

"Baka Mei! Of course, I'm coming back."

"When?"

"Tomorrow. And remember to go to school...I might show up..."

"Really?"

"Hai...It's a promise."

"I promise to go to school tomorrow!"

Kyo smiled. He lightly kissed her on the cheek then began making his way down the stairs.

"Bye Mei! See you tomorrow!" He called, as he waved goodbye.

Mei Lhi had frozen, and a deep red blush spread across her features. She touched her face with her fingertips, still feeling Kyo's kiss lingering. Finally, five seconds later when Kyo was halfway down the stairs her body started moving and her voice started working.

"Bye Kyo! I'll see you tomorrow!" She said a little too enthusiastically, waving so much that she thought her arm would fall off at any moment if she didn't stop.

She heard Kyo's laughter from the bottom of the stairs. And with a final wave, he walked out of sight.

Mei Lhi walked back inside, Inuyasha staring at her as she entered.

"What took you so long?" He asked bluntly.

"Eh...? Oh nothing..." She replied innocently.

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Kyo watched as Mei Lhi walked back inside.

"Ai shiteiru..." He whispered.
A/N: Awww! Yay! I finally got to squeeze in the first bits of fluff! Yay! I've been typing nearly all day! It's done! And most likely incredibly short! So this chapter's probably a big rip-off! Oh well...Somebody (cough)Angie(cough) wanted more to read...This chapter is dedicated to my readers and reviewers, my friends and my English teachers!!! Because this story wouldn't be half as good if I didn't have good English/Language Arts teachers! And of course, Takahashi-sama, who is probably one of the biggest influences of my life...anyway, I was reading some great Inuyasha fics yesterday...I recommend "Inuyasha's Inheritance" and "Time Will Tell". Both are very good stories...and I'm sure lots of other people will too...anyway...I'll shut up...Inu-kun's just about done with his ramen, and he's going to want more...and I apologize if any Japanese words are misspelled...my brain can't seem to remember the Romanji spellings...and for those of you who need translations...

Itadakimasu- said usually before eating a meal...

Ai shiteiru- I love you...

Mesuinu- female dog...literally means 'bitch'...

Teme- You bastard, Damn you...(Mei Lhi used it as 'You bastard') I'm not sure if this translation is completely correct, so if there's someone who knows more Japanese than I do (which I'm 99.9% sure there is) please correct me.

Oyaji- respectful way of saying 'father'...

Kawaii- adorable, cute...

Kami- God, deity...

Osuwari- sit...

Midoriko- (for those who have yet to see this episode) Powerful miko that created the Shikon no Tama from her heart. Let's just say she was fighting a whole mess of youkai, she had no other way, and so in order to make everything all better she sealed that whole mess of youkai within her heart, her heart fell out and it was the Shikon no Tama.

Yes, I realize my translations suck...and I'm ½ Japanese...blargh...I find that kind of sad...I wish I knew Japanese...I really do...hopefully I can get one of those computer programs that teach you languages...

Inuyasha: You're getting too random, now...why don't you just shut up already? I need more ramen!

Me: Please review, and don't forget to put if you want Hana and Sesshy to get together in there...now I'll go make Inu-kun another pot of ramen while you all stay tuned for Ch. 36...