I don't own InuYasha never have, never will.

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated this for a wee bit but it's the spring holidays here and people keep showing up, like this one.

: Hello!

Everyone…. my sister Andromeda. (Laugh at her funny name)

My name's not funny and don't call me Andromeda, it's Rome.

Whatever. Anyway She's the reason I didn't update sooner. She's annoying.

I am not.

r2

am not

r2

Am not

r2 Excuse us. This might take awhile.

Shadows in the Sunlight

InuYasha looked down at the sleeping woman and gently lifted the hair away from her face. She was so beautiful. His finger skimmed along her smooth cheek, her skin was like the purest snow emphasizing her red lips, still slightly swollen from his kisses and her long lashes as black as ink. He traced her lips and they parted, a slight smile tilted the corners of her mouth as if she was greatly pleased by his touch. He had dreamed of her here with him, of being able to hold her and touch her. He would never let her go again.

I love you Kagome, the words slammed into him. He knew she needed to hear those words as much as he needed to say them. His eyes slipped to her naked shoulders above the bedding, letting his fingers trail along her skin, he touched the mark he had given her. Kagome was his, no one could ever change that, but without love he had done nothing but claim her body and he wanted more than that… much more.

She sighed and rolled over seeking his warmth.

"InuYasha," she murmured in her sleep. He smiled and bent to gently kiss her.

"Shhh," he hushed and she snuggled deeper into his side, sleeping peacefully. I love you; his heart whispered as the early morning sun broke through the windows bathing them in light, I always have.

Kagome sighed as sleep slowly deserted her. Snuggling into the soft pillow, she tried to cling to that incredible feeling of peace but sunlight crept under her eyelids, forcing her into awareness. Wriggling her toes under the warm blankets she rolled over and buried her face in the other side of the bed ignoring the slight pinch of pain in her arm and the strange ache in her body, she spread out her arms and legs, luxuriating in the softness. Despite the slight discomfort of pain she smiled to herself, she felt so good, so right, and so content. Taking a deep breath, she was engulfed by a wonderful scent that wrapped around her making her feel…her thoughts were overtaken by the images that suddenly flashed through her mind. Golden eyes looking down at her with tenderness…. lips on hers….strong hands gently touching her ….a warm hard body above her…. Cutting her thoughts off, she blushed furiously and sat up, her hands coming to cover her cheeks.

Had that been real? Had InuYasha really been here… with her? 'Kagome, are you in pain?' Sliding a hand down her arm she felt the cloth there. She opened her eyes and looked around at the fresh bandage. Well, that was definitely real and she usually didn't sleep naked, she thought as she pulled the sheet up to cover herself. Raising her hand to rub the ache in her neck, her fingers stilled as they touched the tender bite mark there. 'You're mine' The memory of his words sent a bolt of lighting through her.

"Oh goodness," she whispered and her face turned bright red. Pulling her knees up she lent her chin on top of them and couldn't help the small smile of delight that curved her lips as the dawn's activities played out in technicolour through her mind. It had been real, all of it. Not a dream. He had been here and he….and he…he was not here now. Lifting her head she looked down at the bed beneath her. She was alone now, but the indentation in the other pillow told of another presence through the night. It also told her something she had yet to notice, this was not her bed.

Her head swung quickly around the room looking at the shiny wooden floors and crisp white walls of an enormous room the size of her entire flat. This was not her room. Kagomes eyes roamed over the antique furniture mixed with the latest designer pieces that dotted the room making the it look extremely expensive and upmarket. No, this was definitely not her bedroom.

On the wall to the right of the bed were two doors, on the one straight in front of her was another door and to the left of her was a wall of large windows, two of which stood open allowing the warm morning breeze to drift in. Staring out of the window, Kagome realised she could see blue sky and nothing else. This room must be at least on the second story. Was she in a hotel? She listened for the sound of traffic but heard nothing but the gentle sounds of nature. Where was she? Where was InuYasha?

Looking around she tried to locate her missing clothes without any luck. Glancing at the two doors to the right she decided one of them must be a bathroom, her clothes might be in there. Scooting across the bed she dragged the sheet with her and swung her legs over the edge, standing up, only to stop as the door in front of her opened. She clutched the sheet tightly to her, as a beautiful woman with big brown eyes walked into the room a smile spreading across her mouth as she saw Kagome.

"Oh good you're up. I thought you might sleep the whole day away," she said merrily as she closed the door and walked toward Kagome.

"How do you feel? Is your arm still painful?"

" No, I…I'm fine," Kagome got out. "Um…who are you?"

"Kagome don't you remember me?" the woman exclaimed.

Kagome looked at her in confusion "I…um…no," she said shaking her head "I'm sorry,"

"It's me," she gestured to herself as if that would somehow help but Kagome shook her head again.

"I'm sorry," she apologised

"It's me…. Rin,"

"Rin?" Kagome stared in amazement at the lovely woman standing before her. This was Rin? " But how….I don't…."

Rin laughed, "It's been a long time Kagome. Don't worry; I'll explain everything while you take a long soak. Then we'll get you into some fresh clothes and get you something to eat," she said

Kagome nodded still shocked that this woman was the little girl she had known but then, while it had only been three years for her it had been far longer for the one's she'd left behind. What else had changed, she wondered. InuYasha didn't look any different but had he changed in other ways? What had he been doing all this time? Why hadn't he come for her sooner? Where was he now? She had a thousand questions to ask but the thought of a long soak sounded like heaven to her right now, her body was beginning to ache in places she didn't even know could ache. Rin said she would explain everything, and InuYasha must be here somewhere, she thought as Rin ushered her through one of the two doors she had noticed earlier.

Over an hour later Kagome sighed inwardly in frustration as she followed Rin through the large house. So much for getting answers to her questions, she thought. All she knew now was that Rin had married Sesshomaru, they had three grown children, and this was their home. The only information she could get out of her about InuYasha was that he lived here with them and that he had asked Rin to take care of her until he returned, which should be soon and 'no she didn't know where he was only that he and Sesshomaru had to take care of something'. She got no answers to the other questions she asked, Rin simply telling her that InuYasha would explain everything when he returned.

"We can have some lunch in here," Rin said as she opened a door to an incredibly bright room. "I'll get us something from the kitchen," she left leaving the door open.

Kagome walked to one of the huge windows that went from wall to wall and looked out at the most incredible gardens she had ever seen. The perfume of a hundred different flowers drifted through the air to enfold her letting it sooth her, she smiled in delight and looked at the rest of the gardens. White gravelled paths shot off in all directions winding through ancient trees and garden beds before disappearing out of sight, begging to be followed. The sun illuminated the many large trees and as the wind blew the leaves of swayed to one side and she could glimpse water glistening in the distance. A lake.

Hearing a noise behind her she turned as a young man entered and stopped in surprise at the sight of her. No, not a man. A demon. She looked at the redheaded demon's pointed ears. She could see the fangs in his mouth and a foxes tail behind him. Fox tail? Her eyes flew to his face. Could it be…?

"Kagome?" he asked in a hesitant voice.

"Shippo?" she asked equally unsure.

"Kagome! It is you," he cried as he launched himself at her grabbing her in a bear hug.

"I missed you so much," he said pulling back and looking down at her.

"Shippo. I can't believe it's you," she looked him up and down in shock "You're so tall,"

"I've grown up now. I guess I can't jump into your arms anymore," he laughed.

"Oh, I've see you found each other," Rin, said coming into the room carrying a large tray of food. "He's grown up into a handsome man, hasn't he Kagome?" Shippo blushed and moved to take the tray from her, setting it on the table.

"Yes, he has," responded Kagome shaking her head in disbelief "I can't believe how grown up the both of you are,"

"It's been along time," Shippo said quietly. A melancholy silence descended, only to be broken by Rin's cheery voice.

"Ok let's get some food into her and then you can both go for a stroll in the garden," she said smiling as she unloaded the food onto the table. Kagome missed the meaningful look Rin shot Shippo over her head.

"Come on then let's eat," Shippo said, " There's someone I want you to see,"

"Kilala!"

Kagome cried out in joy and hugged the cat to her as she jumped into her arms. She laughed as the youkai licked her face and purred rubbing against her.

"Be gentle Kilala. Kagome's been injured," Shippo told her. Kagome glanced down at her arm. Thanks to the ointment Rin had given her she hardly felt anything.

"What have you been doing all this time Kilala?" Making a mewing noise the cat jumped down and rubbed herself against Shippo's legs.

"Kilala and I live with Miroku and Sango's descendants,"

Kagome's eyes flew to his. "Their descendants? Then they…"

A huge smile spread across Shippo's face "They had eight children,"

Kagome gasp "EIGHT?" she shook her head and smiled "Poor Sango,"

"Poor Miroku! Sango made him change every diaper. She said it kept his wandering hands busy,"

Kagome laughed as she pictured Sango making Miroku change diapers. Her laughter faded though as she thought of the friends she had left behind. The things she had missed.

"I'm glad they were happy," she said her smile tinged with sadness.

"They were," Shippo assured her as he took her hand and led her down one of the paths she had seen earlier, Kilala ran around them chasing butterflies in the early afternoon sun.

"You know I cried for a whole week after you were gone," Shippo said suddenly. Kagome stopped and looked at him a deep regret in her eyes, bowing her head she whispered, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Shippo. I just couldn't stay. I couldn't,"

He took her hands "It's ok Kagome. I understand now," he smiled at her "I didn't blame you then anyway, I blamed InuYasha,"

"Oh no," she could just envision the trouble that had caused. An ache grew in her chest, she hadn't wanted to hurt anybody, she'd only wanted to do what was right. Had she been wrong to do so?

He started walking again pulling her along with him. They went a ways before his quiet comment broke the silence again.

"He was always there,"

"What?" she stopped.

"Every time I went to the well he was there, waiting," Kagome lips parted in shock as she looked up at him.

"I began to understand that he hurt far worse than I ever could,"

A look of intense pain slashed her face and she bit her lip as a vision of InuYasha waiting for her by the well filled her mind. She turned away and started to walk again not aware of where she was going, not hearing Shippo call for her to stop. Had InuYasha felt the same pain she had? That horrible emptiness that could never be filled? The memory of the many nights she had fallen asleep by the well, waiting for some sort of miracle flashed before her. Had he loved her then? Had she made the wrong choice and hurt him as deeply as she had hurt herself?

She stopped as the glare of the sun reflecting from water flashed in her eyes. The lake. She stared at it as if it had appeared from nowhere. Looking behind her she wondered where Shippo and Kilala had gone. Why hadn't they followed her? Her gaze whipped back around as something flashed in the trees of the small island that stood in the centre of the lake. A strange chill went down her spine. Making her way to the small wooden bridge that connected the shore and island she stepped across the creaking boards, stopping halfway to watch the huge red carp that passed beneath her. They seemed to be watching her every step. Telling herself she was being fanciful, Kagome walked the last steps to the small island and stepped through the trees.

A grave? She eyed the large rectangular stone that was capped by a small round roof. Shadows from the trees smothered it's surface making the stome seem almost black even in the bright sun. There were characters written on the stone but the moss growing across it made them impossible to read she stepped closer to smooth it away but a flash of light caught her eye. Looking up at the pointed top of the roof she watched as light bounced off what looked to be a small, perfectly round clear crystal that was connected to a delicate chain. She recognised it immediately. It was a chain she herself had worn only three years earlier. Kagome's already fragile emotions snapped. Her eyes closed in pain and she turned her face away as if she'd been slapped. She didn't need to see it to know whose name was written on the stone.

Kikyo.

The happiness that had begun to consume that aching emptiness inside her shattered like glass. Kikyo. Turning away she made her way blindly back across the bridge. The jewel; had he used it to be with ...?

"No," she cut herself off.

Yes. The nasty little voice inside her contradicted. He used the jewel to give Kikyo a living body so they could be together. What else could he have used it for? He chose her.

"No" her mind tormented her with visions of Kikyo and InuYasha together.

Yes. You don't honestly think he would have waited all this time for you. He loved her, he still does.

"No," she shook her head. "He…."

Yes. The only reason he wants you now is because he can't have her.

"NO!" she stopped and bent her head, her hands covering her ears, trying to muffle the sound of her own doubts. "He wouldn't…." her hands came to her face but she dropped them in front of her and stared in surprise at the tears that wet her fingers.

"He wouldn't," she whispered.

InuYasha had made no promises to her, had never said those three little words to her, he hadn't even stayed with her until she'd woken. He owed her nothing. If Kikyo and he had lived a happy life together, what business was it of hers? Hadn't she been the one to leave? To practically give him to Kikyo? He had done nothing wrong.

Then why do you feel as though you have been betrayed?

"Kagome!"

She looked up and saw Shippo standing in front of her a frown of worry marring his brow. She was back where she had left him. She hadn't even realised she'd still been walking.

"You shouldn't have gone in there," he told her.

"Why didn't you follow me Shippo?" she asked quietly. He wrung his hands; it wasn't the question he'd expected. He didn't know how to deal with this. Why wasn't InuYasha back yet? He should be the one to explain everything, not him. Realising she was waiting for an answer he swallowed hoping he didn't say anything he wasn't supposed to.

"There's a protective barrier around the lake," he looked away "No one's supposed to be able to get through," When she didn't respond he looked up, her head was bent, her arms wrapped around herself as if she were cold. He reached to take her hand.

"Kagome, InuYasha only wanted to protect Kik---,"

"Don't say that name," she pulled out of his reach.

"But it's not what you----,"

"Shippo," he stopped as she lifted her head her eyes pleading "Could you take me home?"

"Kagome? ….If you wait, Inu----,"

"Please Shippo. I just …want to ….go home," she whispered miserably. It was stupid and childish but she just wanted to go home to her mother.

He stared at her for a long moment, unsure of what to do. Looking back towards the house he wondered if he should get Rin.

"Shippo?"

He looked back at the woman who'd been like a mother to him and sighed in defeat. InuYasha's going to kill me, he thought as they climbed onto the transformed Kilala.

A/N: Well I finally got it typed (no thanks to sister no.3) but I think it came out a bit weird. Oh well, that's life. I hope it's not too bad.