-1Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha and most likely never will…..Darn….O well

Chapter Twenty-Two: Returning

"I wanted to get a shower and get dressed. I also wanted to make breakfast before my mother decides that it is time to check on her daughter," Kagome answered. InuYasha gave her a look. "I'm not lying. InuYasha, it would mortify me if my mother found us like this." InuYasha sighed and gave Kagome a kiss. He released her from his arms and went back to sleep. Kagome quietly took a shower and got dressed in some clothes she found in the room that had to be her mother's old clothes. InuYasha woke up while she was making breakfast. She showed him how to get a shower and which shampoos to use. After that along with InuYasha's clothes being found, they sat down to eat.

"Kagome, we have to go back. Today is the day we must leave. I don't know how long it will take before we return. You might want to explain to your mother what is going on before saying good-bye. She would worry otherwise," InuYasha said between bites of scrambled eggs. Kagome nodded, finishing off her food. She put her plate into the dishwasher. Then, she left the room. InuYasha looked after her. Then, he heard a door shut and knew what was going on. Kagome was comforting her mother about what was going on.

Kagome walked into the house. Her mother was up like always, making breakfast for Sota and Grandpa. They were still asleep. "Kagome, what is wrong?" her mother asked.

"We need to talk," Kagome answered taking a seat at the table. Kagome's mom nodded in understanding and beckoned for Kagome to continue. "You see. InuYasha and I don't know when we will be able to return here. Ginta is going to be a difficultly to destroy. He is stronger than Naraku. I wish I could stay here away from him. That would result in a snowball effect and turn our world upside down. Mom, I don't want to be near him at all." Kagome began to cry. Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Kagome, do what you need, but avoid the bruises. If it continues, tell him I have fallen ill yet again and bring me with you. I'll teach him a thing or two," her mother joked. Kagome stopped crying and laughed. Her mother smiled. She had missed Kagome's laughter. "Now, you better get going. I want to make sure that you will be able to return. Stay out of trouble." Kagome nodded and went to her room. Lying on her bed was her outfit and InuYasha's kimono. She picked them up and carried them to the guesthouse after writing a note for Sota and Grandpa. InuYasha was trying to figure out how to work the dishwasher. Kagome sighed and helped him out. She handed his kimono over.

"It is time. I left a note for Sota and Grandpa. They shouldn't worry too much. Ginta is going to be pissed," Kagome said, her eyes filled with sadness.

"Kagome, it is ok. We'll get through this like we got through with every thing else," InuYasha insured. He hugged Kagome and she looked up at him. "We will get through this. Trust me." Kagome nodded and was silent. InuYasha had a feeling that she believed him and he released her. "Let's get packed. We have to leave. Miroku, Sango, and Shippo will want to know our plans. Little Kikyo will want to see you again. She really admires you." Kagome left the room and found her yellow bag. She restocked her first aid kit and her other supplies. InuYasha poked his head into the room she was in and watched her pack everything with speed. Kagome was done within minutes. She turned and saw InuYasha staring at her. She flinched. "What's wrong?" Kagome glared at him. "Where is your voice? You are so silent."

"I'm just thinking about how to avoid Ginta. You scared me." InuYasha smirked. He started to head out the front door. "Wait a minute. You are forgetting something." InuYasha looked at her with a funny look. "Come here." He walked over to Kagome. Kagome smiled her devilish smile. InuYasha chuckled. He kissed her.

"There. Happy now?" Kagome shrugged.

"I'm fine. I'm not happy, but I can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen when we return."

"Well, who knows what will happen. Let's go see our friends and tell them good-bye." Kagome nodded and ran ahead toward the well. InuYasha caught up with her within seconds and they jumped down the well with their hands enlaced.

Once out of the well, Kagome looked around. InuYasha began to walk toward the village, but Kagome just stood there. InuYasha turned around and beckoned for her to follow. She ran to him. "This is going to be hard." InuYasha nodded in agreement. They soon reached Sango and Miroku's hut. Little Kikyo was chasing Shippo. Sango was hanging laundry while Miroku was tending to a garden of sorts. "Hello. We are back. Did you miss us?" Shippo and Little Kikyo ran over to Kagome. Little Kikyo jumped up into Kagome's arms as soon as Kagome knelt down on her knees. Shippo tried to hug both Kagome and Little Kikyo, but ended up tackling Kagome to the ground. Little Kikyo giggled. "May I please get up? Lying on my back isn't a wish at the moment." InuYasha pulled Shippo off Kagome.

"You don't need to be doing that. You are eleven years old. Start acting your age," InuYasha snapped, his words cutting like knifes at Shippo's heart. Shippo started to cry.

"InuYasha, I never said anything about doing that. I said that lying on my back wasn't my wish at the moment. Shippo is still a young child. He doesn't have to act his age until he is my brother's current age. SIT BOY!" Kagome yelled. She stood up with Little Kikyo in her arms. Kagome glared at InuYasha as he narrowed his eyes at her. Kagome brushed him off and turned to Sango. "Sango, I wish to speak with you." Sango turned and saw Kagome. She beckoned for Kagome to come to her. Kagome put Little Kikyo down and walked over to Sango.

"What is it, Kagome?" Sango asked.

"I just want to know something. Should I come back if I find out I'm pregnant? I don't want Ginta to get a hold over my children. Besides, he knows everything. He put a scroll on me. It said control and sleep. I thought I was dreaming. I wasn't," Kagome answered. She glanced at InuYasha who was talking to Miroku. "I don't want him to worry anymore than he already does. I just don't want Ginta to hurt him or hurt InuYasha's children. I won't be able to bear that." Sango nodded.

"You better come back before you have the child. Tell Ginta that it was a promise to your mother. Go with only Kilala. Speaking of Kilala," Sango said. Kagome looked around and saw Kilala coming out of the bushes. "Kagome, if and/or when you find out that you're pregnant, don't tell InuYasha or Ginta. It might make one of them want to know which one does it belong to." Kagome nodded. InuYasha walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulders. "InuYasha. I understand that you must leave as soon as possible. Kagome, I shall miss you and Kilala's presence. Good-byes." Kagome hugged Sango and InuYasha picked her up.

"I love you all," Kagome shouted to the small family as she waved to them. Soon, she couldn't see them and Kilala was whimpering. "I know that you will miss Sango. You have been with her for years. It will be hard." Kilala nodded her head and InuYasha placed Kagome on Kilala's back.

"When we get close to the castle, we will decide whether or not I shall come with you," InuYasha said. Kagome's eyes widened.

"No, you are staying with me. I can't stand Ginta and refuse to be near him without someone I trust and care for near me," Kagome argued. InuYasha smiled. "I mean it. You are staying with me. I don't want you hurt."

"Kagome, what about Ginta? What if he wants me to die? What then? I wasn't only considering me. I realize that it is going to be hard, but trust me. I'll visit you every night except on the night of the new moon. Kagome, Miroku and I came up with this plan of action," InuYasha explained. Kagome hugged Kilala tight and closed her eyes tight.

InuYasha was sure that she was whispering, "I wish that I had never went against InuYasha's wishes of me not following him." His smile faltered as his heart felt like ice. InuYasha was silent as Kagome finally went to sleep.