Kagome awoke to the sounds of hushed voices, though unable to make out what was being said she fell into an uneasy sleep. An anxious something writhed about inside her, trying to escape. The edgy feeling had her twitching involuntarily and willing to do anything just so that it might go away. At last, with dawn, Kagome became fully conscious.

'... and I don't get it. How did I break through his barrier? I've never...'

'You're forgetting, Inuyasha, that you were in demon form,' Miroku pointed out.

Inuyasha paused to think on this for a moment, then, 'No, that's not it.' He stood. 'I'll be back in a while.' The hanyou disappeared into the treetops, shaking leaves down on the others.

Sango shook her head, then glanced over in the direction of the supposedly sleeping Kagome. 'Kagome, you're- um... awake.' She stared for an instant. 'So... you're okay?'

'What happened?'

'You got hit pretty hard with one of Naraku's attacks,' Shippou informed her casually. 'We fixed you up, though.'

Miroku advised, 'You should probably get some more rest.'

'No. I need to go home.' Kagome got unsteadily to her feet.

'But it's two weeks back to Kaede's village!' exclaimed Sango, also rising to her feet.

'Could I take Kirara?' she asked innocently.

'Only if I come too.' Sango stamped her foot down boldly. 'And you at least ought to say goodbye to Inuyasha.'

'He risked an awful lot to save you, you know,' Shippou started up again.

A perplexed expression happened across Kagome's face. She shrugged off her curiosity and joined a somewhat disgruntled Sango as she and Kirara arranged for departure.

'Kagome!' Inuyasha demanded when he returned. 'Where is she?'

'Sango is taking her home. I suppose we all agreed that she would be better off in her own time for a while. She needs more time to recover.'

'No she doesn't,' mumbled Inuyasha as he turned and made way in the direction of Kaede's village. 'Are you coming?' he asked Miroku and Shippou. The two blinked, sighed, then followed the half demon down the trail they had so recently travelled.

It took three days for the demon slayer and the miko to reach Kaede's village. Kagome looked better physically, but her eyes told another story. She still laughed and she still smiled, yet it never seemed to reach her eyes. Sango noticed this, though, and worried. 'You're sure you're feeling okay?' she asked on a daily basis. Kagome merely rolled her eyes, assuring her that she was just fine, however annoyed that she was forced to answer this question so often.

They arrived at high noon to find most of villagers going about the usual; tending the fields, minding the children, guarding the outer limits. The sky was a pure pale blue, the kind that says 'No rain for a while yet', and the wind was at rest.

'Kagome,' said Kaede, fairly surprised at their return. 'Where, may I ask, has Inuyasha gone to?'

'I don't know,' she replied bluntly. 'But if he does turn up, tell him I've gone home.' Kaede nodded, having come to the conclusion that the two had fought again. Kagome marched right on to the well just outside the village. She trampled daisies and buttercups without her usual regard.

'Um...' Sango started with her mouth half opened, ready to speak. A few moments passed without words and she decided that she really didn't have anything to say. I know I should tell her... about what he did. I would much rather have her yelling at him, though. Sango grimaced. No- I should... But Kagome had already made the jump, plunging into the well.

'WHAT!' Kagome's top half appeared over the edge of the portal. 'Why can't I go home!' A silent fire burned behind the girl's eyes. 'WELL,' she demanded in a harsh voice. Kagome clapped a hand to her mouth and gasped. What's wrong with me? That was not me. I've never snapped at Sango.

'You see, when Inuyasha saved you, he had to-'

'I don't want to hear it,' the schoolgirl cut in. Tears splashed down her front as she turned and ran away from one of the only people who might be able to help her.

Dusk approached and Kagome still hadn't returned to where she would find a baffled Kaede, an extremely upset Sango, or a furious Inuyasha. The hanyou had indeed come looking for her, but she had done well in hiding herself. I can't go home. Something is wrong with me. This is all HIS FAULT! 'Ooo, and he thinks it's all just fine and dandy.' Kagome paused. A graceful song came floating through the trees, a song that seemed to put the girl at ease. Motionless, she listened:

'Yama no naka.

Mori no naka.

Kaze no naka.

Yume no naka.

Sesshoumaru-sama doko ni iru.

Jaken-sama o shita niete.

Watashi wa hitori de matchimashou.

Sesshoumaru-sama omodoriou.' (A/N: I've fixed everything, so it should all be spelled right. Here's the translation: In the mountain, in the forest, in the wind, in a dream. Where are you, sesshoumaru-sama? With an ally like Jaken? I will wait alone until you come. Sesshoumaru-sama please return.)

As the tune began to fade, Kagome scrambled off to find its source. She haphazardly stumbled upon a girl, seven or eight, sitting on a large boulder and arranging a bouquet of flowers.

'You travel awful fast for a human.' What am I saying? I'm human. 'I mean that's to say... oh, never mind.'

'Hi. It is nice to see you again, Kagome. Sesshoumaru is well, though, and doesn't need anymore bandages. You look different.'

' I look-'

'Sesshoumaru-sama,' the girlsaid cheerfully as a long, silver-haired demon emerged from the trees.'Look! Kagome has come to visit me.'