A/N: Hey, thanks for all the good comments on the last chapter. And, for the last time…KAGOME IS NOT DEAD! I keep trying to explain that to ya'll and you just don't seem to get it. She'll be back, and she and InuYasha have a lot of catching up to do. So, that's something to look forward to.

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.

"Where is my daughter?" Mrs. Higurashi asked again. "Please tell me she's alright."

InuYasha turned away trying to avoid her prying eyes, debating with himself about how he should give his answer. On one hand, he could give the short she's-gone-and-she-ain't-never-comin'-back sepal. Or, he could simply give the condensed version of what really happened, sparing her feelings. "To be honest," he said finally. "I really don't know where she is." He slowly managed to tell her exactly what happened that night, emphasizing the more important details. He glanced toward Mrs. Higurashi to see her reaction, only finding small tears idly caressing her cheeks.

"So that's it, then?" she said in slight squeaks between sobs. "I'll never see her again?" She stared at InuYasha, who seemed intimidated by the intensity of her questions. She knew full and well what the answer to them would be, though she was not keen on the idea.

Once again, InuYasha's gaze was altered toward the floor. "I don't see how you ever could," he admitted, deciding not to mention that Kagome still spoke to him, clearly trying to alleviate his perplexity with her vague intimations. "I wish I could've saved her then, or even save her now, but I guess it's impossible." He glanced up to meet her stare. "I'm sorry."

She placed her hand on his shoulder, giving it an avid squeeze. "It's alright. I know you did everything in your power to try and save her, and I know you would have given your life if it would've helped her." She smiled almost painfully at him, still shaken up. "I also know that she loved you and wouldn't want you to blame yourself for what happened. She would want you to move on with life and to just be happy."

He sighed. "You would think."

"What do you mean, InuYasha?" Mrs. Higurashi questioned him, intrigued.

He ignored the comment. "I should get going now," he said quickly. "My daughter is waiting for me to return."

(00000000000000000000)

"Takara, huh?" Kiana stared at the girl curiously. "If your father is supposedly 'the most feared demon', or whatever, how come I haven't heard of him?" She smiled wickedly. "Do you just like to brag to make yourself seem more superior than other people, or do you really think you are?"

Takara spoke calmly. "Of course I'm superior to you, you're a mere half-breed. I, on the other hand, am of a much higher status. Not that you would know anything about it, of course, being that you're so young and all. Now if you'll excuse me, I have more important matters to attend to." Takara strode past Kiana, head held high, giving her a princess-like stance.

Kiana rolled her eyes. This girl sure needed to get a life.

"Takara," a deep voice said suddenly.

Kiana turned around, seeing a tall man, his long silver hair streaming far down his back. His amber eyes seemed to pierce through the brisk afternoon air. He wore a very defined kimono, making it obvious that he was of a high stature. She glanced toward the rather soft looking, long puff draped across his shoulder. She couldn't help but have the sudden urge to touch it.

"I'm coming, Father," Takara responded, ambling closer to the man.

'This must be that Lord Sesshoumaru she was gloating over,' Kiana figured.

Sesshoumaru's gazed wavered to Kiana, who seemed to be making it a point to glare profusely at him. He knew this was his impertinent half brother's daughter, whom he did not want his own daughter associating with. "Come Takara," he said.

(000000000000000000)

(A/N: Ok, ya'll really need to read this part. Trust me, it's important.)

Remember my blood, my life, my salvation.

Though Kagome had said so much more than that to InuYasha, that was the one phrase that never evaded him. It was the only thing that brought him close to remembering anything. 'Does she want me to remember the day I lost her?' he asked himself, already feeling a wave of pain sweep over him by just mentioning it. 'That's the one day I want to forget.'

Kyo toddled along beside him, along with Miroku, who had waited for the two of them by the well, toward Sango and Miroku's hut. InuYasha continued reminiscing, hoping to find some clue no matter the simplicity of it. What had happened that day that was so significant to her revival?

It's part of the spell, which has been put on you and Kagome. After tonight, you will find that there is no escape.

That's right. Kikyo had said that to him that night. Could it be possible that they were still, even after all these years, ensnared in her trap? But, why would that be true? Kikyo had gotten what she wanted. She had been able to push Kagome out of the picture. But, what was the point of that? She had not, in fact, tried to suede him to go to hell with her. That didn't make any since at all. Wasn't the whole thing about getting him back?

Your red palms will be her saviors in the end. The descendants will see to that.

Her saviors? Kagome's saviors? InuYasha looked toward his hands. Kagome's blood had been on them that night. 'Is that what Kikyo meant by red palms?' InuYasha rationed in his mind. His thoughts drifted back to the first time Kagome had spoken to him since she disappeared.

My blood was on your hands, but have you kept it there? Do you remember? My life was yours, but is it still?

'Have I kept her blood on my hands? Does she want me to remember what Kikyo said, so that, maybe, I could save her? How will her own blood save her, though?'

The descendants will see to that.

'Descendants, as in Kyo and Kiana? Are they supposed to aid me in saving Kagome? If so, then how?' InuYasha glanced at his small son. He knew that he couldn't just endanger Kyo or Kiana like that. 'The only person that would know anything about all of this is Kikyo. I don't want to see her, though. Everything, Kagome's disappearance, Kyo and Kiana being motherless, and my loneliness, is all her fault. How can I face her after that. Besides, I doubt she'll be willing to tell me what the hell she meant.'

"InuYasha."

He turned to Miroku, who was calling for him, motioning him toward the hut they had finally arrived at. They proceeded inside to meet the face of a very anxious Sango.

"What's wrong, Sango?" Miroku asked, seeing her expression.

"Oh, good! You found Kyo!" she exclaimed nervously, completely ignoring his question.

"I think it's a fair question for me to ask where my daughter is," InuYasha said, unable to see Kiana anywhere inside the hut.

Sango broke down. "I'm sorry, InuYasha! She wanted to go outside, and I told her to wait until you got back, but I guess she must have snuck out while I was talking to Shippo! He's out looking for her now, though! I'm sure she's safe, so there's really nothing to worry about!"

"It's alright, Sango," Miroku reassured her, pulling her body close to his. "InuYasha understands." He raised an eyebrow at the half demon, hinting his reasoning. "Right?"

InuYasha scoffed. "The hell I do! You lost my daughter!" He gave a long, exaggerated sigh. "I'm getting too old for this."

A/N: Alright! That's chapter twenty! However, I am very sorry to tell you that the next chapter won't be up for at least another two weeks. I am off to Georgia for a family reunion, then I'm headed toward Valdosta to go to Wild Adventures theme park, and after that I'm going to these beautiful springs to relax in. Finally, I'm going to my grandmother's house for a week to spend time with my cousins. So, I'm booked for a long time. I promise I'll update as soon as I get back, though. REVIEW! I'm finally at 200! It's time to celebrate! Keep it up!