Chapter 6

Kagome starred at the well as they all walked up slowly to it. Shippou was not the only one with tears flowing down his cheeks, Sango, too.

"Kagome, be careful, and try to comeback as soon as you can. Please", Shippou cried as he hugged onto her.

"Yeah, come back soon or you'll worry us all to death", Sango added.

"Don't worry, Sango. This probably won't be the last time we'll see them", Miroku smiled as he squeezed Sango's hand; trying to comfort her.

"We'll be back as soon as we can", Inuyasha said.

"Don't worry, we'll be back", Kagome smiled to the group. Everybody said their good-byes trying to hide the fear that this might be the last time they saw each other. Except Inuyasha, who knew more than what he was saying.

Kagome turned around and walked closer to the well. Inuyasha was behind her holding her backpack. She got to the well and stopped. He walked up behind her and whispered over her shoulder, "What's wrong?" His voice unexpectedly calmed her fears about returning. She felt sure that whatever happened, it would be alright because Inuyasha would be by her.

"Nothing anymore", she said as she reached for his hand. He looked down to see her hand wrapped in his and he blushed. She cocked her head back to look at him over her shoulder, "Nothing at all." She smiled warmly at him before letting go of his hand and just jumped into the well. He glanced back towards Miroku, Sango, Shippou, and Kirara and smiled before jumping down the well, too.

Kagome had closed her eyes before jumping and now, once she opened them, saw she was back home. The rope latter that she had climbed so many times before was right in front of her.

"Come on", Inuyasha said, startling her. He picked her up and with one leap, jumped out of the well. I'm home, she thought. He set her down once they had landed on solid ground and she ran toward the house.

"Mom! Sota! Grandpa! I'm home!"

Kagome walked into her room after taking a bath. Inuyasha tried to not stare while laying on her bed relaxing, but her t-shirt and shorts clung to moist skin. Sota, who was at the end of the bed, asked, "How long are you gonna be here?" Inuyasha shrugged and said, "I dunno"; finally ripping his eyes off of her.

"Sota? Can you do me a favor and go check if dinner is ready", she asked. Sota nodded and ran off to the kitchen. She began to take the towel on her head off when he stood up and walked up to her. She stopped and looked up to see the Shirkon no Tama swinging in front of her face.

"Are you gonna want this? You haven't asked for it." She hadn't asked him to give it to her after they killed Naraku. She was astonished at the fact that she had forgotten. She just assumed it would be safe with Inuyasha. She took it in her hands and just starred at it. What do I do with it now, she thought.

"What do I do with it? Am I suppose to protect it like Kikyo? Inuyasha, I don't know what I should do with it."

"Keep it for now. We can figure what to do with it once we get back and talk to Kaede." She just smiled. That is if we get back, she thought.

"You don't want it", Inuyasha could see that she didn't. She looked him in his amber eyes and answered, "No. After all the trouble and problems it causes, I wish there was a way to make it disappear." He took one step closer to her and took the Jewel in his hand.

"I know you remember that Kikyo said that you could use the Jewel to turn-" Her eyes grew huge and she put her hand over his mouth and said, "Don't even think about it. There's no way I'd let you do what you're thinking." The thought of him becoming human for her made her stomach turn. "I already told you that I", she stopped for a second and looked away to hide her blushed face, "I l-love you the way you are." His face turned red and flushed. He wanted to reach out for her, but he stopped himself.

"Kagome", Sota smiled as he opened the door.

"Hey! Don't you knock", she hissed at her little brother.

"Sorry. You asked me to find out about dinner and I was just gonna tell you it's ready."

"Sorry, Sota. Yeah, thanks."