Disclaimer: No, I do not own Inuyasha! So don't even go there!

Author's Note: Eh… This chapter's not that great, but it'll do! At least you have another chapter to read!

.:Reviews:.

Akana – Thanks! Your stories are still a lot better than mine, though!

RodIldKitsune – Thank you for your honesty. I don't mind constructive criticism, because I want to able to do better in the future with my writing.

trekker4life – Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

wanda1994 – Well, here it is! The next chapter!

.:End Of Reviews:.

Now… On with the chapter!

.:Chapter Two – Completely Uncalled For:.

Kagome shot upright in her sleeping bag breathing heavily, the memory of her nightmare still fresh in her mind. She'd been having a lot of them lately, due to fact that there were only a few jewel shards remaining, but none of which that could compare to the one she just had. As the girl's breathing slowed to a normal rate and finally was able to calm down, she slowly took a look around at her surroundings.

She barely made out her friends' sleeping forms, shadow swallowing pretty much everything, but could see just enough to know their placements. Inuyasha, as always, was leaning up against the wall by the door, Sango somehow ended up leaning on Miroku's shoulder with him holding onto her, and Shippou was lying snugly against Kirara. If the schoolgirl wasn't so shaken up about her dream, she would've smiled. Inuyasha… Kagome glanced over at the resting hanyou and crawled over to him without thinking, leaning her head on his shoulder.

Although aware that he still loved Kikyou, at the moment, she didn't care. When she was with him, all of her worries and fears were cast away into nothing. He was her protector… Her savior… Sleep soon claimed her, but this time it wasn't interrupted by nightmares.

When morning came along, Kagome decided to go back to her era in the present, despite Inuyasha's regular protests. Seeing Inuyasha and Kikyou together the other night still bothered her. Many times did she wonder what he still saw in the former priestess. She was dead. She didn't even belong in the world of the living. And she also wanted him to die for her! If you love someone, shouldn't you want them to be happy? Happy… That's right… He'd be happy if he was with her… Kagome thought solemnly to herself.

Trees dotted the area, towering into the sky, letting only a few rays of golden sunlight filter through their branches and onto the life forms below. Birds perched themselves in a couple of the friendly trees while furry little creatures on the ground darted to and fro, side to side, playfully chasing after their siblings as butterflies fluttered about. The schoolgirl couldn't help but smile in delight. If there was such thing as paradise, this place seemed to be it.

In a matter of no time at all, Kagome reached the well and swung both legs over the side, allowing herself to drop and be engulfed by a familiar light that she knew would take her to the present era. She then quickly climbed up the ladder her grandpa had left there for her and made her way outside, expecting to first see her grandpa doing his usual activities. But instead, she saw her mom and her younger brother, Souta, huddled close together on the bench by the God Tree and knew immediately that something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong. What could've happened?

"Mom?" Kagome rushed towards them, instantly noticing their tear-streaked faces which made her worry even more. She wasn't used to seeing them like this. They were always so cheerful and happy…

"Kagome…" her mom started, looking up at her daughter. "While you were gone, Grandpa passed away… He had a stroke late during the night and we didn't find out until early this morning…"

"N-No way… T-That can't be…"

"I'm sorry, dear… I know it's hard to accept… But…" Mrs. Higurashi stopped talking so she could control her tears, wanting to be strong for both of her children. It was her job as a parent to do so. Kagome sunk to her knees, feeling a lump rise in her throat and couldn't help but throw herself into her mother's arms, sobbing. She just couldn't believe it. One minute he's fine and the next he's… Her mom did her best to comfort her by holding her and stroking her hair, but nothing seemed to lessen the pain. There was too much. Pain from being heartbroken and pain from losing a loved one. Everything was going wrong in the girl's life right now, and nothing seemed worth living for.