Author's note: This is the chapter where I reveal what type of youkai she is similar to or turning into to. Her Miko ki and purity are becoming corrupted.

When It Hurts So Bad

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Flashbacks

Stressed Word

When the sun rose Miroku found Kagome leaning against a tree and watching the sunrise. He stretched and couldn't help but stare at her with questions. She was like a statue, and it scared him to know that the one he thought of as family was changing…for the worst. He had sensed something following her; it was safe to say that whatever Naraku had done had changed her. He stood up and walked over to a tree opposite of her and watched the sunrise. She could easily feel his lively and warm aura approaching and choosing to stay where she had chosen to stand.

"It is a warm rise," Miroku happily said as he looked over at her.

"That it is," Kagome whispered as she left Miroku and kicked the tree Inuyasha was in. Inuyasha opened one eye and yawned.

"What's got your ass in a stitch?" Inuyasha asked as he stared down at her.

'The thought of the way I have planned to kill you,' Kagome snidely thought back.

Miroku watched, as the temperature seemed to drop to a cool morning. Kagome glared at Inuyasha and the temperature continued to slowly drop. He was about to step in when it seemed like Kagome was considering punching the hanyou.

"The fact that there are two shards left with a wild wolf," Kagome grumpily replied.

Miroku made a note that the temperature change followed Kagome. He could feel the chilled air around her when she walked past him. He also noticed a flicker of something before it was blocked within Kagome's aura. Inuyasha growled and moved to follow Kagome and Miroku's speculations only grew when he noticed the ground behind Kagome. He began to walk where the Miko had stepped and watched as the ground slightly cracked.

'There is more to the story,' Miroku thought as he began to follow her.

The temperature had gone back to normal and they had managed to pass two human villages. In the last human village they had seen Ginta and Hakkaku trading some deer meat for fish. It was an odd sight to see. They all knew that Kouga was closer than knew at the moment. Kagome began to think to herself about how the wolf would take to her request to the shards. She couldn't kill him because his clan needed him…still. She wouldn't do anything that would degrade herself. She smirked at the thought of just binding him with her powers.

"I smell wolf," Inuyasha growled as he stood next to Kagome.

"Finally," Miroku mumbled as he yawned.

Kagome looked up and saw that it was noon and they didn't know if they had been walking slowly or if time was fast. That's when she looked straight ahead to see a dust tornado heading her way. She could sense the youki and knew that it must be him. Kouga appeared in front of them with a smirk on his face. He walked over to Kagome as took both her hands in his and smiled. Kagome did note that he was roughly handsome for a wolf.

"Kagome, how have you been?" Kouga asked as he noticed her skin felt cool. Kagome removed her hands from his and smiled while she laughed inwardly.

"Kouga, your clan has been avenged!" Kagome happily said. Miroku was surprised in her attitude, while Inuyasha growled.

"Is Naraku dead?" Kouga asked with disbelief.

"Yes, I was the one to slay him with the help of Kagura," Kagome explained.

"Kagura?" Kouga spat out with disgust.

"Naraku was controlling my alley and friend and now…now I need your two shards," Kagome finished.

"So your quest is over?" Kouga asked.

"Once I have those two shards then it is," Kagome answered.

Kouga led Kagome over to small hill where he sat with her. Miroku held Inuyasha back from rushing over there. Kouga dug out the two shards and held them in his fist. He looked over at Kagome and she gave him a true smile. He acted nervously and scratched the back of his head. Kagome couldn't help but wonder why he had to be nervous.

"Ever since I put the shards in my legs I felt this connection to you. I always wondered if I was going crazy when I feel pain, anger, love…and compassion for no reason," Kouga began.

"Kouga…"

"Let me finish," Kouga calmly stated.

"Fine."

"One night when I felt these emotions I looked down and saw the shards glowing. I think that they were sending me your emotions. I don't know why, but I do know that I am officially making you a friend and an ally," Kouga finished.

'Maybe he knows my intention with Inuyasha,' Kagome thought.

"Are you okay?" Kouga asked.

"So you're renouncing your claim?" Kagome asked. Kouga nodded and placed the jewel shards in her hands.

"Know this, for the past year I had felt pain, betrayal, sorrow, hopeless, and even evil from the shards," Kouga explained. Kagome grasped the shards tightly while thinking of a way to kill him so her mission wouldn't be put in jeopardy.

"I have a feeling this has something to do with Naraku. I also had a feeling this was your secret. I am here for you and will keep your secret," Kouga firmly said.

"Thank you, Kouga," Kagome said as she hugged him. Guilt for the thoughts of killing him was one emotion she didn't want.

Kagome slowly walked over to where Inuyasha and Miroku stood. She smiled and held out the two shards. Miroku nodded and looked up when he saw a shadow overhead. Kagura landed next to the three, she ignored the growl she received from Kouga. Kagome smiled and embraced Kagura, when she backed away she gave Kagura a knowing look. Kouga snorted and chose to remain just in case she reverted to her old ways.

"So the wolf gave up his shards peacefully?" Kagura asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Kouga did," Kagome assured.

"So, it's finally finished?" Inuyasha asked.

"Why? Are you still planning to become full youkai?" Kagome bitterly asked. Everyone's eyes widened at her bitter tone. Inuyasha recovered and growled at her before he glared at her.

"At least I don't need your weak ass here anymore," Inuyasha growled. Kagome's eyes widened and that's when she stopped her tear from falling.

"At least I don't have to travel with a filthy hanyou," Kagome spat before she could stop herself. She then ran off leaving Inuyasha stunned at her words. Kagura disappeared from the scene. Kouga sniffed the air and noticed something off about her scent. Inuyasha then ran off after her.

"Shouldn't we follow?" Kouga asked the monk.

"No, not this time," Miroku, advised.

Kagome stopped in the middle of the forest and noticed a hunter's bow and one arrow. She hated the fact that he would always know her as weak. She noched an arrow and kept it facing the ground. She let the air drop around the area. She looked into the sky and noticed that the clouds were forming. Smiling she sent out the spark of youki that she needed, and soon white flakes fell softly from the sky. Turning her head around she noticed the snapping of twigs before he showed up.

She stood there like a statue knowing that she could easily kill him if she grew bored. He watched her with his amber gaze and tried to decide the best course of action. Inuyasha couldn't smell any sign of emotion off her. It worried him, he was happy when she came back to him, but he noticed the change in her personality. Kagome eyed him carefully and didn't except what happened next. It was a shock to her mind that confused her to know end.

"I'm sorry," he sincerely whispered to her.

She wanted to break down and embrace him, and soothe his soul by saying it's all right. Pushing that aside with anger she chose to respond with a bitter tone that had never been heard from her. He never thought that it was possible for her to hold such hatred in her words.

"Sorry?" She asked unbelievingly. "For what? Running to a dead bitch? Putting me down constantly? Or maybe for tearing my heart out!"

Shock had stunned him into silence and shame. He gazed at the forest floor and watched the snowflakes drift carelessly down to the ground. She took a deep breath and aimed the arrow at him. He looked up and closed his eyes knowing she had every right to be furious with him. She pulled the arrow back and stopped before she threw it to the ground and cursed it. She walked away warning him not to follow. Kouga had watched and had not liked what he had seen. He could feel the youki that slightly radiated of off her, and then he smelt Naraku. It was a faint trace, but he had to wonder why that scent.

'What is she hiding?' Miroku thought. He then let his thoughts wander to the thinking wolf leader next to him

Kagome traveled a good half of a mile before Kagura picked her up and they flew to a secluded place. When they had arrived Naraku was there within Kanna's mirror watching her movements carefully. She kneeled before him and bowed her head before he told her to stand. Kagura had bowed too, but she did not try to hide the disgust in her eyes. Kagome couldn't help but smirk at Naraku's displeasure. She soon thought of her freedom once she severed all her ties.

"Have you completed the jewel?" Naraku knowingly asked. Kanna stood there in her silence.

"Yes, but I haven't fused it together yet," Kagome answered without emotion.

"Why is that?" Naraku almost growled. Kagome noticed her manacles slightly glowing and decided it was in her best interest to answer fast.

"My Miko ki has been very weak thus limiting me," Kagome explained.

'So here youki blood is rising and her purity is changing,' Naraku thought with a gleam of pleasure.

"Make sure you complete it and finish your task," Naraku warned before him and Kanna vanished.

"Bastard," both her and Kagura muttered.

Before Kagura could form her feather and fly them off Kagome had placed a hand on her shoulder. Kagura gave the woman a confused look until she saw them in the distance; it was the Shinidama-Chuu. Kagome began to walk towards the area with Kagura following. This would be the second time that Kagome would come across Kikyo alone. Kagome also made a silent promise to the wind as she Naraku's hatred for the dead Miko burn within her.