Sorry guys. I know I said this would be out a week ago but my stupid laptop crapped out on me ten minutes after leaving on my trip so I had been without a word processor or proper internet access. Not to mention a way to save or upload files. For about a week. I swear I am going to smash that bloody thing the first chance I get, or take it apart and try to fix it if I'm feeling charitable. Anyway, review responses. agent-doo: Dances with wolves strangely enough. When the old man, kicking bird was it, said that Dunbar was on the path of a true human it got me thinking. And there is a little real life experience in it but I would rather not get into that. JediK1: I'm going to leave her as a demon. There I answered it so no more questions about changing back or whatnot. YuniX-2: well then call me morally bankrupt cus I think both my variation and the real one is cool. Besides she was originally human so that moral compass is still there. And once again thank you to all the other reviewers.

Kagome had been totally silent for hours now. She just stood at the edge of the camp staring at the moon as if it would somehow magically reveal a solution to all her problems. She had cried and cried until it hurt and she couldn't cry any more. Everything had gone so horribly wrong.

Kagome could remember her dreams but the full weight of what had happened and what she had done had only sunk in upon seeing the faces of her friends. Kagome had betrayed them all, Inu-Yasha most of all. How could they ever forgive her? How could she forgive herself?

Terrible images had been burned into Kagome's memories. The images of what she had done.

People always heard of repressed memories. Memories so bad they were buried and forgotten. But when a memory was truly terrible it becomes a hole that lurks at the edge of ones consciousness forever changing them and haunting them.

The faces of those people Kagome had killed swam at the edge of her thoughts and one more tear ran down her cheek. They would probably haunt her forever. You deserve it thought Kagome sourly, digging her claws into a tree next to her.

"Hey" came Inu-Yasha's voice from a few feet to the side.

Kagome didn't look, she just nodded in acknowledgement and kept staring at the moon.

"The other's are worried about you, you know," said Inu-Yasha stepping up next to Kagome."

"I know" muttered Kagome, "I could hear everyone talking".

"Then why are you standing over here by yourself?" asked Inu-Yasha. When Kagome didn't answer Inu-Yasha continued. "They want to help you know" he said, "even the idiot fleabag is being half civil".

"I heard that mutt" called Kouga.

Kagome chuckled despite herself then sighed and finally looked at Inu-Yasha, pain clearly written on her face. So much had happened that it was a miracle anybody was holding on. Kagome most of all. "How can you forgive me?" she whispered.

Inu-Yasha blinked stupidly. "Is that it?" he said. Inu-Yasha walked around and faced Kagome who looked away again. "Look," said Inu-Yasha, "I would be lying if I said anybody could deny what happened". He paused, took hold of Kagome's chin, turned her face toward his and looked into her eyes. "But I said not to long ago none of us would leave you" he said, "me most of all. It tears me apart to see you like this".

Part of Kagome didn't want to believe it but she knew that what Inu-Yasha had said was true. She thought about how the old man had said nobody would leave this unchanged and she had begun to see the truth in that. A month ago Inu-Yasha would never have acted like this.

The pair stood in silence for a few more moments before Kagome threw her arms around Inu-Yasha. "I know" she whispered. Kagome backed away then and gave a weak smile. "I'll be over in a few minutes" she promised.

Inu-Yasha nodded. "Take as much time as you need" he said.

888

Inu-Yasha sat back down next to the fire a couple minutes later. "So?" said Miroku.

"Just give her a few more minutes," said Inu-Yasha.

The group sat in silence for a while before Sango said, "I can't imagine what this must be like for her".

"You think?" muttered Inu-Yasha. When he got several strange and or shocked looks Inu-Yasha shrugged and said, "Kagome is back. We should stop feeling sorry for her and start trying to help her".

The camp was silent for a few more seconds. "I suppose you are right," said Miroku.

"Right about what Miroku?" asked a voice. Everyone turned to see Kagome standing there with her head cocked to the side quizzically.

"Kagome" squeaked Shippo before anyone could respond. He hopped up onto Kagomes shoulder. "Feeling better?" he chirped.

Kagome frowned. "A little" she said sitting down next to the fire. When nobody spoke she continued. "It's just that…" Kagome trailed off and hung her head.

"I can't imagine what you went through Kagome" said Sango, "but if you need anything just ask".

"Thanks Sango" said Kagome.

"Oh please" snorted Kouga, "your acting like being a demon is automatically a bad thing". Everyone but Kagome, Ginta and Hakkaku stared at Kouga incredulously. "What?" he said.

Inu-Yasha began to berate Kouga for being so insensitive but Kagome cut him off. "He's right Inu-Yasha" she said as she raised her head. The sadness was gone and in its place hetred Burned in Kagome's eyes. "Becoming" Kagome trailed off for a second then pointed at herself and said, "this. Is not why I left. Naraku was the cause of that and I wont rest until he pays".

Inu-Yasha perked up when Kagome said this. "Wait" he said, "you know where his castle is don't you?"

Kagome nodded and said "yes".

"Then what are we waiting for" said Inu-Yasha hopping up and totally forgetting what the group had been focusing on.

Kagome let out her first sincere cuckle in a while. "Calm down Inu-Yasha" she said, "I don't think we should just barge in".

"What do you mean Kagome?" asked Miroku.

"Oh trust me" she said grinning at Inu-Yasha, "I have a plan".

"Uh Kagome?" asked Inu-Yasha seeming a little creeped out, "why are you looking at me like that?"

Author's notes

Ugh. It was a struggle to write this one for some reason. Don't worry, the next chapter will be longer and hopefully up tomorrow if I'm not to busy playing FFXI and/or Shadow hearts. Ciao.