Disclaimer: I know u guys know that I don't own Rumiko's works.

Last chapter: She was disappointed, but if Ranma can live with it, so can she.

Ch 11: Old memories and New adventures

Kagome sighed, looking up into the mid-night sky. The conversation with Kaede that afternoon gave her hope. But she wasn't confident that she'd be able to lift the curse from herself.

She was sitting on a root of the Goshinboku. Though the canopy of leaves blocked most the view she was able to see some of the dark sky.

It was night now, and most of the group was sleeping. Ranma was restless so he decided to roam around the place a bit. Inu-yasha was somewhere brooding, Kagome guessed.

After a moment, Kagome felt a strong youki approaching her. She tensed her muscles, ready to grab her bow and arrows beside her. In an instant she recognized the youki belonging to Sesshoumaru. Kagome relaxed, she closed her eyes remembering the time when Sesshoumaru saved her life.

~*~*~*~*~*Flash back~*~*~*~*~*

The Inu-tachi, were going to the western lands of Japan in search for a Shikon shard rumored to be there.

In the beginning Inu-yasha refused to go there, because of Sesshoumaru ruled over the land. But he gave in, with the promise of a new Shikon shard to add to their collection. Inu-yasha sighed, he was in a depressed mood.

The night before they journeyed to the western lands, Kikyo showed up. Inu- yasha remembered the scene in his mind's eye. He was sitting under the Goshinboku -[god tree]- waiting for Kagome to come through the well.

Anyways she showed up. Her Soul Stealers illuminated her pale face. Inu- yasha only glared at her.

"Inu-yasha." Kikyo whispered. Her brown eyes holding no emotions, starred at Inu-yasha.

"Feh. What do you want?" he said gruffly.

"I came here to see you Inu-yasha."

"What for?"

"Sesshoumaru."

"What bout him?"

"I was in his lands. I nearly died. Again."

"You what? How? And what does it have to do with Sesshoumaru?"

"He nearly killed me. I don't want to say how but he nearly did. I'm asking you to help me get back what is mine."

"What he took something from you?"

"Yes. Something precious to the both of us. I know I can't defeat him on my own. I'm asking for you to help me."

"What makes you think that I'll agree?"

"Because, Inu-yasha, Sesshoumaru possesses a Shikon shard."

"What?! But, but, he doesn't have any use for one! You're lying!!!"

"No. Your older brother, has a shard. He nearly killed me for it."

"And why should I believe you?!"

" This."

Kikyo pulled her right sleeve, revealing her arm. It was a nasty sight. Pieces of her flesh were hanging, and blood was dripping down the skin.

Inu-yasha smelled Sesshoumaru's poison, all over her arm, but the surprising thing was that he couldn't before. Then again he saw blood dripping from Kikyo's arm.

"Inu-yasha. Please believe me." Kikyo said revealing sadness in her eyes.

Inu-yasha couldn't refuse her. But he couldn't agree to help her either. The only thing or person standing in his way from agreeing to Kikyo was....... Kagome.

Kikyo began walking towards Inu-yasha. Her eyes were filled with hope. Hope that he'll agree to help her.

Inu-yasha watched Kikyo approach him. He saw the hope in her eyes. He looked deeper in those eyes, lost in the memories it held. That did it. He snapped.

" I......will."

*****

Kagome watched Inu-yasha stare at the ground. She knew what he must have been thinking. The reason was, she was there that night.......

Kagome looked up into the night sky, filled with glowing stars. She smiled to herself. But she came crashing down to reality, in a second. Kagome began climbing the wall of the well. After a minute filled with heaving and lifting she made it to the edge of the well.

Kagome set her backpack down on the ground, and sat on the rim of the well. She wiped her brow with her uniform sleeve, and looked up.

Kagome sighed with content, beholding the beauty of the sky. But something was wrong. Something was misplaced in the perfect little clearing. That's when she felt Kikyo.

Kikyo's soul stealers were there besides her, giving her a stronger aura. But Kikyo didn't notice Kagome.

Kagome gulped and slowly walked to a spot that Kikyo won't see her, and Inu- yasha..... Kagome knew that Kikyo was there to see Inu-yasha, that's why she always came to these parts.

Kagome found a spot near a tree and bushes, surrounding the Goshinboku, and hid behind them.

(to lazy to write the thing from her view. She saw the things in the flash back with Inu, so no point in writing it again.)

When the last two words came from Inu-yasha's mouth, Kagome's heart ripped again. It happened to her so many times, that you'd think that she'll be use to it, but she wasn't. Holding back hot tears, from escaping her eyes, Kagome fled to the village.

*****

Kagome sighed and continued to stare at Inu-yasha, with deep sad eyes.

"Daijobu?" Shippo asked, peering down Kagome's shoulder.

"Hai." Kagome answered, she didn't really hear Shippo. She was lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and memories, her sub-conscience answering for her.

Shippo nodded, not wanting to press on with that subject. He turned his head to face the road they were taking to the Western Lands. They took the forest road, so they wouldn't be in the wide open, for any demon to spot them. And so Sesshoumaru would have a harder time tracking them.

With each thought or memory of Inu-yasha her heart cracked a bit by bit, until......... there was nothing of it. She had recovered from each time Inu-yasha and Kikyo met, but this time was in a way to her special. Inu- yasha agreed to help her, agreed to protect her, agreed to..........

Kagome couldn't come to admit it. Each time Kikyo had been with Inu-yasha, she felt like Inu-yasha was betraying her, betraying her trust, and betraying her love to him. Kagome had never admitted it, but she loved Inu- yasha, the moment he announced that he'll protect her. That moment stood out in all of her memories of their time together.

"We're here!!" Sango shouted. Everyone stopped.

They finally made it. After the weeks of journeying, they had reach their destination: the Western Lands.

"Let's search for the shard now!!!!" Inu-yasha said with brightness in his voice.

"No. It's getting to dark." Miroku said, looking up to the sky.

The sky was in its twilight stages, having a mix of shades of gold and red. You could barely see any clouds, against the sky. But as the group looked up out-lines of clouds were visible. Something was in the air that made the group feel uncomfortable. Something was crawling in their skin, not letting them relax. But they had to ignore it for the time being.

They found a spot in the forest, not to close the edge. But Kagome could still see the village down there.

"I'll get the firewood. Be careful, we don't know what is in the woods." Miroku said. He turned away and walked off in search for some firewood.

Sango had been feeling tired for the day, so she took a nap before dinner was served. Kirara curled up by her side and slept too. Shippo was bored so he and Inu-yasha were in a heated argument of who gets more food for dinner.

The argument didn't last long, when Inu-yasha hit Shippo's head, causing a bump to rise. And like all the times Shippo ran to Kagome for comfort and revenge. He had a evil smile on his face, and stuck his tongue out at Inu- yasha when Kagome said the magic word.

"Osuwari." Inu-yasha's rosary glowed a pink light, and pulled Inu-yasha to the ground with a smash.

Soon Miroku came back with the firewood. So they lit the fire and began cooking dinner. Kagome's most supplied food was ramen so the group had a cup of it. Inu-yasha on the other hand had at least 3 cups when the group was finishing their own dinner.

"Let's get some sleep." Kagome said. Shippo and Miroku were yawning. Sango was nodding her head off to sleep with Kirara. And Inu-yasha was somewhere.

Kagome shrugged. 'Must be with Kikyo.' she thought. When she thought that, she didn't really feel any emotions like she usually do, but emptiness. 'I guess there nothing left of my heart.' Kagome thought bitterly. She let out a sigh and got her sleeping bag out.

*****

Right after Inu-yasha finished his supper, he whisked away with out any one noticing his disappearance. He was jumping tree from tree to get to a certain spot in the woods. He had smelled Kikyo's blood, and wanted to check on her.

Kikyo had been following the group from a safe distance, so Kirara and Shippo won't be able to smell her. And so the group couldn't sense her. She had to keep her Soul Stealers low, only stealing a few souls, just enough to sustain her, but not enough to give the Inu-tachi any suspicions.

She and Inu-yasha had been seeing each other from time to time, each time discussing about what to do with Sesshoumaru, and how to get back the Shikon shard.

Inu-yasha saw a small clearing like the one the group was staying at. He saw Kikyo sitting on a dead, rotted, hollow log. He saw that there was a small puddle of blood lying next to her feet. Kikyo was nursing her injured arm.

"Daijobu?" Inu-yasha asked worryingly. He didn't want to see Kikyo bleeding.

"Hn. I'm trying to heal it, but the farthest I've gotten is slowing the blood flow. I still need some herbs, and bandages." Kikyo said in a monotone.

"Will these help?" Inu-yasha asked. He took something out of his kimono, it was a plant. The plant had lavender, light blue mixed color, bell shaped flower. And a jade colored stem, with a leaf.

Kikyo was shocked. He had gotten a very rare plant that can heal many injuries and illnesses.

"Where did you get that Inu-yasha?" she asked still surprised.

"Kagome was talking about this, and how it is very helpful to injuries and sicknesses. And I saw her put some in her bag. So I thought you could use it."

Kikyo wanted to say thank you, but she couldn't. Not after what Inu-yasha no Naraku did to them. She still blamed Inu-yasha, and wanted Inu-yasha to go to hell with her. She kept on reminding herself that.

Kikyo reached out and took the plant from Inu-yasha's hand. She began to examine it more carefully.

"Inu-yasha, go get me hot water and more bandages." Kikyo said. She would need those things to clean and heal her wound, the rest of the needed supplies she already posses.

Inu-yasha quietly obeyed and got her, hot water, and clean bandages.

After a few hours, Kikyo cleaned and bandaged her wound.

Inu-yasha and Kikyo had already planned their next move, for that day. So Inu-yasha returned to his campsite where his friends were staying.

*****

Kagome heard Inu-yasha come back. She was lying in her sleeping bag, with Shippo asleep next to her. She didn't stir as she heard him approach. Silently a tear slid down her cheek.

'I hope Inu-yasha didn't smell that.' she thought hopefully.

Inu-yasha looked around seeing if any one was awake luckily they were all in deep sleep. He let out a sigh, looking up to the treetop to see when daybreak would come. It was still dark so he decided to take a nap. Inu- yasha jumped onto one of the lowest braches of a tree next to Kagome, and drifted off to sleep.

*****

The Inu gang packed up their stuff and began to the village. They decided to get some breakfast there.

Walking over the hill, Kagome and Shippo saw a market place.

"Mina -[Everyone]- , come here!!!" Kagome shouted.

"Nani?" Sango asked looking at Kirara. The little youkai mewed at the statement and shook it's head.

The group hurried to where Kagome and Shippo were standing. And looked at the very busy market place.

"Let's buy some food! Or we can go to a restaurant." Kagome suggested looking everywhere.

"Let's go to a restaurant!!!" Miroku said. Shippo, Sango, and Kirara were nodding their heads in agreement. Inu-yasha was in his own little world.

"Inu-yasha! Inu-yasha!!" Kagome shouted to Inu-yasha. Snapping out of his daze Inu-yasha tuned his head towards Kagome. He saw the group walking off to a restaurant, moving with the crowd. Kagome was trying to walk over to Inu-yasha but the crowd wouldn't budge a bit. Inu-yasha pushed his way through the tightly packed crowd.

Kagome smiled at him and began to walk towards the restaurant the group went to.

They entered the restaurant and saw their friends sitting at a table. They quickly sat there.

A waitress dressed in a orange and black stripe kimono came to them carrying a tray.

"So what would it be?" the waitress asked.

Miroku clasped his hands around hers. And was about to ask his famous question, when Sango hit him over the head with her fist. A vain popped out of her temple. Her mouth was a thin line. She was about to hit him on the head again, but stopped.

"Hahahahaha." Sango laughed nervously. The waitress was watching with interest written across her face. "Don't mind him."

"Fried Rice, and Rice balls!" Kagome said happily. Everyone nodded.

"C'min right up!" she said enthusiastically. (I looked it up in a dictionary! Go me!!)

They waited patiently for their food to arrive. When the food did arrive everyone was eating like wild animals except Kagome. She sweat dropped while watching them eat.

After eating they paid and went to the market. Kagome saw a jade dragon statue, and just had to buy it. She haggled with the merchant making it a cheap price ad bought it. She carefully wrapped it in layers of paper and placed it into a box that was given by the merchant. She put the box neatly in her bag.

After few more minutes of shopping they began their search for the Shikon shard.

*****

They were making their way to Sesshoumaru's mansion, but Kagome and the rest of the groups were uneasy. The silence that hung in the air was unnatural. No birds were chirping and nothing stirred. The animals had run away for some reason and they knew it wasn't them that caused the strange behavior.

"Something's wrong." Sango stated looking around the area. Everyone didn't nod, but agreed silently. Immediately a hoard of various youkai ambushed them. The demons jumped out of the bushes and behind trees lunging at their prey.

Sango wiped out her boomerang, Hiraikotsu. She swung it at the demons cutting them in half. She heard few demons behind her running towards her. She would've blocked their attacks but the demons were in front of her making barrages of attacks, all ranging from hand to hand combat to slashes from weapons. Luckily Kirara transformed into her full size and covered Sango's back. The duo began to fight the demons around them, but there were so many that they thought it would take hours to finish killing them.

Miroku was having his own trouble too. He couldn't use his Kazaana (for those of u who don't know the Japanese version, Kazaana is translated as Wind Tunnel in the English version) being too afraid to suck in his friends. So the only thing he could do was use his staff, and the exorcism charms. But there were to many of them and he was getting tired.

Kagome luckily had her bow and arrows with her. Using her Purity Arrows against the demons. With each arrow that flew from the bow a pink light engulfed them, and totally obliterating any thing evil in its path. She turned around in circles firing her Purity Arrows.

'Good thing I practiced archery at school!' she thought as several demons were wiped out from her arrow. She had been working on her archery skills at the school's archery field. For some weeks now, hoping her aim would improve. Now all the hard work paid off.

Shippo was behind her. He used his foxfire occasionally helping Kagome out, as demons tried to attack from behind her.

Inu-yasha was slicing demons in half with Tetsusaiga. He was easily killing them, but there were so many. He couldn't use Kaze No Kizu. (Inn the English version it's Cutting Winds) Inu-yasha knew that it could totally destroy all the youkai in one swing but the others were out there to, and didn't want them to get hurt.

After 15 minutes of more hacking, slashing, and in Kagome's case piercing, there were only a few demons left. Finishing the last demons, Inu-yasha looked at the exhausted group. Everyone was panting from the battle, except Shippo who didn't really do that much. (Sorry to the Shippo fans!! Shippo's a kid en all but he doesn't do much in battle, and is sorta not important in the Inu gang.)

"Let's take a rest before we continue. I'm exhausted!" Kagome said. She inhaled and exhaled quite loudly, making it easy for Inu-yasha to here.

"Oi! C'mon!!! Don't tell me you guys are already tired from the fight!!!" Inu-yasha huffed out. But in reality he was a bit tired too, but didn't show it.

Sango, Miroku, Shippo glared at Inu-yasha. They were tired and wanted to rest. It wasn't like they were in a hurry to collect the shard or anything. But it seemed Inu-yasha did, Sango and Miroku noticed that. Shippo on the other hand was totally oblivious to that thought, the only thing he was thinking for the time being was Kagome.

"Feh!" Inu-yasha huffed. He jumped up into the highest tree branch of a near by tree.

Kagome sighed watching Inu-yasha jump. She slumped further down the log that she was sitting on. Depression took over Kagome, for a few seconds. After the brief emotion, Kagome felt empty.

Everyone decided to end the rest break. Inu-yasha happily jumped down the branch and resumed their journey to Sesshoumaru's mansion.

*****

They were approaching Sesshoumaru's mansion. It was just over few more hills until they reached the mansion. Kagome sighed in relief, they had been traveling non-stop for the past week, occasionally taking a small break, some time for rest, and meals.

The group was nearly there, when they spotted guards at the gate. They took refuge in a small area covered with trees, and began to plot a plan to get in. They had just finished plotting their plan when Kagome said something that shocked the whole group.

Kagome just wanted to get the shard, not kill Sesshoumaru. At this statement Inu-yasha argued back.

"What!!? You don't want to KILL him!!!? He tried to KILL you more than once. And you don't want to KILL him." Inu-yasha shouted. It even hurt his own ears.

"Inu-yasha!!!!!!! I want to avoid all UNECASSARY deaths!!!!!!!!" she retorted shouting just as loud. Inu-yasha for a few seconds went death.

"Sh!!!" Sango urged the fight pair." Be quiet! If you don't the guards would hear us. I won't be surprised if they attacked us now."

"Feh. Fine. I won't kill him." Inu-yasha said looking at the guards, standing at the gate.

Inu-yasha rushed up to them and drew out Tetsusaiga and swung it at the guards. Just as they were cut in half more guards ran out. It looked like there was a mini army of them. Inu-yasha jumped back to their spots, and let Miroku handle it from there.

The plan was simple. Inu-yasha killed the two guards at the gate, and when the rest came go back to their spot. After that Miroku would use his Kazaana and suck them up. Leaving a clear space for them to enter. Inu- yasha fist refused that plan but it was quite an ingenious plan. And it worked like a charm.

*****

Sesshoumaru watched them from a far distance. He saw them first approach and head to a small group of trees. He definitely heard Inu-yasha and the wench shouting at each other, and so forth.

'What do they want from me? Trespassing on my lands.' Sesshoumaru thought to himself. He couldn't think of anything his little filthy half-brother, his wench, and the rest of the group would want from him. At that same moment he caught the scent of a certain dead priestess. 'The old wench' crossed Sesshoumaru's mind. It was the same smell of earth and decay that caught his sense of smell.

'They have no right to be in my lands. Especially that wench that came back from the dead.' he thought. No emotion crossed his beautiful face, as he thought.

Sesshoumaru walked out of the shadows and directly to the Inu gang.

*****

After Miroku sucked up all the guards through his Kazaana, he and the group ran to and past the gate.

*****

They were in front of each other now. The two sides unsure what to do. When a sudden thought hit the Inu gang, except Shippo and Inu-yasha.

Inu-yasha told them that the shard was in Sesshoumaru's procession. But the problem was how could he now? They only heard rumors that a shard was there, but didn't know the pacific place or town. And Kagome didn't sense a shard near, hell she didn't sense any shards but her own!

Just at that moment Kikyo showed up.

Sesshoumaru drew out his sword, Toujikin. And held it with both his hands. (In this fic Fluffy has both his arms and hands)

The Inu gang watched Kikyo wearily. They were to use to her occasional appearances. But Kagome on the other hand REALLY disliked her incarnation.

"What do you want?!" Kagome yelled at the dead miko. Kikyo's lips curled into a small smile. Inu-yasha getting the message attacked Sesshoumaru.

He swung his Tetsusaiga at him with all his might, but Toujikin blocked all his blows. It continued with senseless fighting between the two siblings for long enough for Kikyo to make her move.

In fact Kikyo lied about everything. She concocted an ingenious plan to get the two things she most wanted. First, she made a fake poison similar to Sesshoumaru's with his scent. Then, she had to gain Inu-yasha's trust, to fight Sesshoumaru in thinking that he'll actually get a shard from him. But actually, Kikyo planned that the half brothers would fight long enough to get her two items. Last, after the fight, she would have gotten her 'belongings' together and left. But the thing was her two items were, a precious crystal that belonged to Sesshoumaru and Kagome's soul.

Kikyo ran as fast as she can through Sesshoumaru's castle, looking or rather sensing where the crystal was. Finally coming around a corner she saw a small innocent looking child.

"Little girl what is your name?" Kikyo asked in her sweetest voice. The little girl looked up from the ground.

"Rin." Rin said her name softly. She would've been more enthusiastic, but she was afraid for Sesshoumaru-sama.

"Rin-chan, can you show me where Sesshoumaru keeps a pretty purple crystal?" Kikyo said again in the same tone.

"Why? Sesshoumaru-sama said never to let people see it." Rin said looking at the dead miko.

"But Sesshoumaru-sama told me to get it. He needs it to help him win the battle! We must hurry!" Kikyo stated.

Rin nodded her head vigorously. If it would help Sesshoumaru she'll do anything. She quickly led Kikyo to an enclosed room that let no light shine through the shoji screens. There were only a few candles that lit the room. There it was the crystal Kikyo longed for. It was a mixture of blue and purple but mostly purple, its shape was long, with pointed ends. It was carved so every side was smooth. Kikyo took the crystal from the stand from which it stood, she marveled at the beauty of the crystal before she knocked Rin out. She used some of her miko powers enough to knock the little girl out cold for few hours. After Rin fell to the floor Kikyo exited the mansion.

She headed outside to where Inu-yasha and Sesshoumaru were fighting. Inu- yasha was pretty injured, he had lots of cuts and bruises, but luckily his older half-brother didn't use his poison. Inu-yasha was spitting out blood from the next attack.

Sesshoumaru wasn't in a bad condition at all. He only had a scratch that barely bled, and sore spot Inu-yasha hit with his fist. Sesshoumaru was clearly winning the battle, but then again he had already won the battle. But his stubborn headed brother was too thick headed to realize that.

Kagome feared for Inu-yasha's life, they should've been helping him from the beginning but they couldn't bring themselves from doing so. They just watched as the brothers fought on and on, making it seem like eternity when Sesshoumaru won. But they continued to fight. Kagome was getting angry at Inu-yasha's pig headedness, so she raised her bow and aimed an arrow.

But before she released the arrow something hit Kagome hard in the chest sending her flying backwards. She let out a yelp of pain and surprise as she landed.

Kagome looked down to her chest to find what hit her so hard, but nothing was there. She shakily stood up with the help of her friends. Before she could stand properly something hit her again. But this time, the pain was everywhere on her body. Her school blouse where torn in the exact places as the pain. Blood slowly trickled down her wounds, when something made her nearly vomit.

Kikyo was standing before her holding up a purple crystal. She smiled venomously as the blood dripped down Kagome's skin.

"I'm taking back what is mine." She said in her monotone voice. Inu-yasha's hearing picked up her words.

"Kikyo don't!!" Inu-yasha shouted. He tried to stand up from his kneeling position, but his leg gave in. "Kikyo please don't! Don't!! Don't hurt Kagome!! I...... I.... beg of you."

Kikyo laughed at his plea but she didn't do what Inu-yasha asked. "Why should I? Tell me Inu-yasha why I shouldn't take back from my worthless reincarnation, my soul?" she barked at Inu-yasha. She laughed again and began to drain Kagome of her soul.

Sango, Miroku, Kirara, and Shippo watched helplessly as their friend's soul began to appear out of her body. They wanted to stop the bitch Kikyo from stealing it, but there was a force field surrounding them. So they were left were stranded on the outside looking in.

Shippo cried out Kagome's name in tears.

Sango was about to cry, she didn't want her best friend dead because of her fucking incarnation. After Kohaku became a mindless soldier for Naraku and tried to kill her more than once, she couldn't take a very close friend's death. Sango shouted Kagome's name and hot tears flushed down her face.

Miroku sat there stunned. He watched in confusion as Kikyo stole Kagome's soul. He never thought that this would happen. Miroku called out Kagome's name as her eyes faded.

Inu-yasha looked at the scene horrified by what was taking place. He had been tricked into helping Kikyo. He felt so ashamed of himself that he wanted to die. He shouted again his plea to Kikyo, when he got no response he cried out Kagome's name as loud as he could.

Sesshoumaru frowned. He didn't ever hear Inu-yasha begging, especially to a walking corpse. He knew Kikyo had taken the crystal from the room. He knew that Kikyo knocked out Rin with her magic, he had felt it. Sesshuomaru growled, he would not let a fucking corpse, steal a soul with his possession.

Sesshoumaru raised Toujikin and swung it at the dead miko. It burst trough her shield and hit her hard on the back. Kikyo let out a gasp of surprise and fell forward. It broke her concentration and the soul she stole went back into its body. She had not been counting on Sesshoumaru fighting her. He was supposed to fight his brother, but Inu-yasha's strength only held out so long.

Before Sesshoumaru had time to attack her again, Kikyo grabbed an arrow and plunged it down Kagome's chest!

Kagome screamed in agony as the arrow went into her tender flesh. She felt hot pain there, and she slowly faded. Before she completely faded out of existence she heard her friend screaming her name over and over again.

'Mina.' Kagome thought. She couldn't let her friends down, they needed her and she needed them. It gave her renewed strength and she fought the coldness surrounding her. The coldness was urging her to come with them to the other world. She refused their offer and fought off the hands that were pulling her down into a swirling back hole.

Sesshoumaru saw Kikyo stab the arrow through the girl's chest. He really didn't care for Kagome he just wanted back the crystal. As you could probably understand by now, that the crystal had huge power like the Shikon No Tama, but the crystal had the power to steal souls or youkis and change it to raw power. It had been a family heirloom that Sesshoumaru was given by his father.

He again attacked Kikyo. Sesshoumaru ran to her spot to take back the crystal, but Kikyo muttered a spell and the crystal disappeared. Sesshoumaru watched it disappear into the air. He growled again and attacked Kikyo. She let out a grunt fro the pain, but before he could do anything else, she muttered the same spell and disappeared too.

He heard a moan from Kagome and looked at her. He had heard Inu-yasha muttering 'Kikyo why would you do this to Kagome? She is your reincarnation.' and so on. If indeed Kagome was the reincarnation of the bitch then she'll be able to tell him where the crystal was. So he shocked himself by saving Kagome's life. He picked her up and carried her to his mansion.

The Inu gang didn't stop him or protest against him. They knew if Sesshoumaru would want to hurt Kagome he would've just done so, but they were carious to what he was going to do to her.

"Mi...Mina" Kagome muttered. And looked at her friends wearily. Sesshoumaru raced in his top speed to his mansion, before Kagome would die.

*****

The doctors finished healing Kagome, and left the room. They told Sesshoumaru and the Inu gang that she'll be okay but let her rest. The Inu gang decided on going back to Kaede's village for a while and coming back for Kagome. Sesshoumaru said that Kagome could stay. He didn't tell why, but the Inu gang didn't care as long he doesn't hurt their precious Kagome.

Inu-yasha decided but reluctantly that he'll go and tell Kagome's family the news and that she'll stay in Sengoku Jidai for few months until her wound heals.

*****

Few weeks had passed since Kikyo tried to steal Kagome's soul. She was currently playing with Rin in the meadow near the mansion. They were picking flowers for Sesshoumaru, and having lots of fun doing so.

Kagome was very grateful to Sesshoumaru for saving her life. So she wanted to do something for him.

*****

More time passed now Sesshoumaru and Kagome had gotten close to each other, but Sesshoumaru didn't want to admit it. They spent some time in the library, the garden and the meadow together.

That night Sesshoumaru would ask Kagome to help him find the crystal Kikyo stole from him. He heard her say that she wanted to repay him for his generosity and would pretty much do anything. So he decided to ask Kagome instead of forcing her, like he originally planned.

*****

Kagome agreed to his request. But she and Sesshoumaru would have to do that later. When the time came her friends came to pick her up and she wanted to go home to tell her family that she'll be staying in the era longer.

Sesshoumaru agreed. In two months he would go to Kaede's village and pick her up.

*****

After they arrived at Kaede's village, Kagome stayed there for the night, and she went back home in the morning.

(When she got home she met Ranma. That flash back is explained in the first chapter of my fic.)

After Kagome explained to her family that she'd be in Sengoku Jidai longer she left through the well.

*****

She and Sesshoumaru journeyed to Northern Japan. Sesshoumaru had heard rumors of a beautiful miko that steal souls. So he and Kagome were going there.

The Inu gang would be looking for more shards. Even though they don't have Kagome around doesn't mean they can't find the shards. The sooner they collect the shards the faster they will battle with Naraku.

*****

Kagome and Sesshoumaru found Kikyo in a forest.

"You think you can take back what is now mine?" Kikyo shouted. Rage gleamed in her dull eyes.

"Return what you stole!" Kagome retorted. Kikyo gave a short laugh. Immediately the three were plunged to battle.

Quickly Kagome aimed an arrow to Kikyo's hand hoping to knock the crystal out of her grasp. But Kikyo was to smart for such an amateur trick. When Kagome released the arrow, Kikyo put up a shield blowing the arrow away from her position.

Sesshoumaru immediately formed a yellow whip with his youki. He lashed it at Kikyo, but again the shield saved her. After the barrier faded, Sesshoumaru ran towards the undead priestess and thrusted his clawed hand at her. Kikyo tried to dodge but still got hit, unfortunately for her Sesshoumaru had poison dripping from his arm. The poison got onto Kikyo's flesh and burned her.

Kikyo grunted from the pain, but refused to let her opponents have the satisfaction of hearing her scream.

But before either of them could take back the crystal or finish the battle Kikyo stabbed it into her flesh were her heart should be. Now it was inside of he dead miko. And no she didn't need her soul stealers anymore, she could take souls and youki to live on her own. She chanted the same spell from before and disappeared.

Kagome sighed in frustration. They were so close to get the crystal, but no Kikyo just had to disappear again.

"One thing's for sure. The next time I face her, it'll be the last bout." Kagome stated un-characteristically. Her tone was dark and filled quiet rage. The negative feelings were building up to the point she couldn't stand anymore.

Sesshoumaru didn't say anything as they left the area. Even though he didn't show it, he was seething with anger. He agreed with Kagome, the next time they face each other would be the last.

After a day of traveling and brooding, Kagome decided that they need a break, so she would go back to her own era. And Sesshoumaru agreed. He told her that after she came back they'd search again for the crystal.

*****

When Kagome came to Kaede's village, shard from a far off distance. After some planning, the Inu-tachi agreed that Kagome would go to China to search for the shard. Inu-yasha argued that he would come along, since there would be a huge chance she would meet a demon in the process. But Kagome refused, saying she already has a friend that knows China well and a great fighter that could beat anything. Inu-yasha was quite skeptical, that her friend would be able to face a demon. But Kagome argued that it would take to much time for him to come along.

Finally they came to a compromise. Inu-yasha and the rest of the group would be searching for the shards in Japan, while Kagome searched for the shard in China in her era.

When she went home, the first thing she thought of was getting to see Ranma again. After getting the necessary supplies for the trip she left for Ranma's home.

(That was explained in chapters 1-9 so I won't type the outline of those chapters in this one.)

~*~*~*~*~* End of Flash back~*~*~*~*~*

Kagome snapped her eyes open when Sesshoumaru was only few feet away from her.

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked. She wanted to ask him something that he'll probably disagree on. Sesshoumaru nodded his head to show that he was listening.

"Can my friend Ranma come?" She asked looking hopefully in his eyes. Before he said a word Kagome ranted on about Ranma. "He's a really good martial artist. And he's used to staying outside. So he won't be a bother to you. And he'll be able to help in battle." and so on.

Sesshoumaru knew that Ranma was a good martial artist. He felt his aura and observed him when Inu-yasha challenged him after he got out of the well.

After Kagome finished her rant he quietly agreed. She was so happy that she threw herself at him and gave him a huge hug. He returned it with a rare smile on his face.

_*_*_*_*_*Next day*_*_*_*_*_

Ranma, Kagome, and Sesshoumaru left Kaede's village and headed for the Western Lands.

Ranma agreed to help Kagome in any way he could, so he went wherever she went.

Kagome explained to him what happened before and after she met him while traveling to Sesshoumaru's territory. So Ranma knew what was happening.

"Now we need to get back the crystal." Kagome said. Ranma nodded.

_*_*_*_*_*Few weeks later*_*_*_*_*_

They were in front of Sesshoumaru's mansion.

End of Ch:11

***

Well, that was a long chapter! A lot of dialogue though. Sorry for any grammar and spelling mistakes!!!! I really hope you guys enjoyed the chapter it took me week to write it while doing homework. And sorry for the long update.

The contest is still opened so vote people!!! I'll be working on my next chapter now, so review!