Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Inuyasha sat for maybe ten minutes, the lack of inspiration in the search for Kagome had led him to space out totally. His nose twitched at a familiar scent, and his ears flicked in the direction of a familiar voice. At long last, his brain caught up, and he whipped around to stare at the source. It was a girl that he had seen in Kagome's photo album, and even seen a couple of times at Kagome's house. She was with two other girls whom he also knew. She spared him an odd glance, then turned back to her friends.

"Hey, did you guys hear about that new exhibit at the museum? It's supposed to be really good. I think that we should go see it."

"That is so you, Ayumi. Only you would want to go see some boring old museum exhibit on a Saturday when there's so much shopping to be done."

"Yeah, Eri, you said it."

Inuyasha stood and began to follow them. Maybe they'd give him a hint about where to look for Kagome.

"Oh come one you guys! It's all about magic and myths and demons and all these amazing legends. I think it sounds cool. Besides, there's a part about the Shikon Jewel." Inuyasha nearly fell over in shock. "You know, that story Kagome told us once. We should really go see it so we can impress Kagome next time we see her. She's always so sick, that proving we take an interest in her interests would probably really cheer her up."

"Hey, you have a point there," said Eri. "Let's go. What do you think, Yuka?"

"I think that's a great idea. Besides, that story was really neat. I remember it."

Inuyasha's heart was racing. He had no idea what a museum or an exhibit was, but it was something about the Shikon Jewel, and that was all he needed to know. He was positive that was where Kagome would be.

Kagome wandered through the exhibit, reading all of the legends, and wondering how many were true. The creation of the jewel in the demon exterminators' village was there, and for the most part, accurate. It had been sensationalized over the past five hundred years, but that was probably a normal thing. Kikyo was mentioned, though not by name. She was described as the priestess assigned to protect the jewel, and how she lost the jewel and her life in battle with a demon. The entire ordeal with Naraku was summed up with a short story of a different priestess fighting an evil demon to retrieve the jewel, and that she was successful. Their rendition made it sound like it had taken three hours instead of three years.

The rest of the exhibit had profiles about specific demons and types of demons, and the heroes who destroyed them. Really, it was fascinating to see so many of the stories she'd experienced described from a modern perspective.

She sat on a bend in the last room of the exhibit, which featured artifacts from the era, and tried to wrap her head around reading about her life five hundred years in the past, when the events had literally just resolved days ago. That made her think too closely about Inuyasha, and tears clouded her eyes yet again.

"Kagome! Why are you here, and not at home getting dialysis?" A familiar voice behind her made her jump.

"Hojo, what are you doing here?" She asked in surprise, standing to face him.

"I came because I know you live at a shrine, and I thought that I would visit you afterward to tell you about it. Obviously that wasn't necessary. I really think you should be at home resting, though." His brow wrinkled in concern.

"Oh, don't worry about me, I feel great, the best I've felt in months," she waved her hand dismissively, trying to avoid lying to him.

"Do you want to get a snack at the café with me? I haven't eaten lunch yet." His eager expression was a little pathetic, and she gave in without a struggle.

"Sure. I need to find the washroom, and then I'll meet you there." She was genuinely looking forward to spending some time with Hojo. Inuyasha had always gotten in the way of that. Maybe it was time to actually give him a chance. He'd been so attentive, and patient.

"Great! Don't take too long." He smiled broadly at her, and left the exhibit. Kagome sighed, her optimism dissolving in her solitude, and stared blankly at a painting of a battle, supposedly over a jewel shard. In the foreground, soldiers and demons were busy slaughtering each other. A speck of red in the background caught her eye, and she moved closer to the painting. The person in red had silvery white hair, and a person with dark hair and green clothes stood next to him.

"Unbelievable," she breathed. Her eyes filled again, and she hurried out of the exhibit to meet Hojo before she had a nervous breakdown.

Inuyasha crouched doggy style on a roof top across from the museum. A man wearing a uniform had drug him out after he'd begun yelling at the guard that, no he didn't have any money, but this was really important. The girls had turned and looked at him strangely, and he gave in before he lost his hat and attracted even more attention.

Now, he was stuck out here until he figured out another way in. Dammit. And still no Kagome. His stomach clenched painfully. Dammit. He couldn't even blame her, gods knew he'd never wanted to be open about his feelings. If he'd died fighting Naraku, and Kagome had known exactly how much she meant to him, the guilt would have destroyed her. Or worse, she could have wound up doing something stupid and getting herself killed. And there had been Kikyo to consider. He'd loved her once, and he would never quite forget that. But Kagome was always so understanding, this time would be no different. He hoped.

Kagome sat with Hojo at the small café in the museum, trying to concentrate on her food and what Hojo was saying. But it was awfully difficult. Hojo was sweet, but a little boring. Her mind kept wandering and that painting kept popping into her head, accompanied by thoughts of Inuyasha.

Abruptly a cold, oppressive feeling hit her like a slap. She straightened and looked around, wild eyed. It was a demonic aura, a very powerful one, and very malevolent.

"Kagome? What's the matter?" Hojo asked, concern filling his voice. "Wow, did you feel how cold it just got in here?" He rubbed his arms and looked around.

"Yeah. Hang on, Hojo, I'll be right back." She stood and tried to locate where the aura was emanating from. It was coming from the direction of the exhibit, and she began walking as quickly as possible towards it.

"Kagome, wait. I'm coming with you. Something feels funny." He laughed nervously. "That probably sounds crazy to you."

"No, not especially." He gave her a funny look, and she bit her lip. "Forget it."

She followed the aura into the exhibit, but was run down by Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi. They landed in a heap, and when the three girls realized who she was, they all began talking at once.

"Oh my god, Kagome-"

"We've got to get-"

"Something in there-"

They were all interrupted by a resounding crash that shook the Plexiglas in the display cases, and then the demonic aura became overpowering. Kagome swooned and collapsed to the floor.

Five minutes earlier, the roof across the street had been vacated. Inuyasha had waited on the roof, tapping his foot impatiently and growling softly, thinking thatwhatever this exhibit thing was, surely it couldn't take this long to look at. He'd given up, deciding he would wait for her at her house, and jumped away across the roof tops.