A/N: I don't know how you guys can stand this stuff. I'm slow about updating and not a very good author. But since you guys are reading I might as well not let you down. I'll try to update more often. . . .or at least make the chapters longer. BTW, Inuyasha's really, really mean in this fic.

Previously: Kagome felt a tingle on the back of her neck. As she turned around she saw Inuyasha with Kikyo. They were kissing passionately. Just then, Kikyo pulled away from Inuyasha and grabbed an arrow. She picked up a bow off the ground and set the arrow to the bow, pulling it taught. Kikyo let the arrow fly, and it pierced through Kagome's heart, embedding itself in a tree - the God tree. Kagome was stuck to the God tree!

'No! This is just like what happened to Inuyasha!' she thought, struggling fiercely. Kagome was met with searing pain for her efforts.

Kikyo finally spoke. "Inuyasha is mine."

Inuyasha came up behind her and slipped an arm around Kikyo's waist. "I don't need you. I have Kikyo to find the jewel shards." Kagome tried to speak, but she found herself too weak. Her vision was getting dark. "I choose Kikyo. Just disappear."

Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi wouldn't really sue me. There is no value high enough that could be placed upon Sesshoumaru and cast. The only way justice would be done would be for me to hand over my paychecks whenever I get them. . .On second thought. . .Inuyasha and gang all belong to Rumiko Takahashi. . .and. . .I guess. . .Se. . .Sesshou. . .maru. grumble grumble

The Rules of Love and War

Chapter Two

Kagome woke up covered in sweat, the horrible memories flooding back to her. She had almost forgotten about the incident that had occurred five hundred years ago. . .actually, it had only been two years- but it had felt like she had relived the pain every day for five hundred years.

Kagome instinctively bared her shoulder and touched the place on her chest where Kikyo's arrow had pierced through her heart. Yes, despite what Kagome wanted to believe and what her therapist thought (she was very close to being admitted to the psycho ward), Kagome had been shot, and pinned to the God tree.

It was a miracle she had survived, really. Because Kikyo and Kagome had the same soul, they shared the same power. Thanks to that, Kagome hadn't been put into a coma-like state. If Sango hadn't been there, Kagome would have bled to death in a manner of minutes. Kagome just wished that she had been conscious to see Inuyasha's face as he was forced (by Sango) to carry Kagome back to her time and ruin the effect of his supposed-to-be-final speech.

Kagome had only returned to the Sengoku Jidai once after she had recovered- and that was to formally say goodbye. She could picture that day in her mind clearly.

Kagome stumbled out of the well, landing on the ground with a heavy 'plop'- she was unused to maneuvering in the well without her bulky, yellow backpack. The sky was empty except for a few wisps of cloud. How ironic that the day that was so perfect for their little group to go shard hunting was the day that their little group would be formally breaking up.

Kagome took her time walking to the village, taking in her surrounding for the last time. She paused, her eyes wandering to a lightly treaded path. She and Shippo would always sneak off to the clearing that was just beyond the path. They would play for hour, until someone finally found them, or until they were too tired to play anymore. Kagome finally moved on, realizing that if she stopped at every place that had a memory attached to it, she would be upturning individual rocks.

When Kagome finally reached the outskirts of the village she noticed a small, brown piece of fuzz. She realized, after a moment, that it was Shippo. Quickly, she ran to him, scooping him up in her arms and cuddling the young kitsune that had endured so much in the past. Eyes already puffy, Kagome began to cry for the who-knew-how-many-eth time in the last few weeks.

This is the way Sango found them, merely clearing her throat to grab their attention.

Kagome looked up at Sango before embracing her in a huge bear hug- and still managing to keep a hold on Shippo.

Sango's eyebrows went up in surprise. Her eyes, however, showed no emotion. There had been none since Miroku had died. "Kagome, how are your wounds? You won't re-open them with this activity?"

Kagome sighed in momentary contentment. She had missed her friends so much during her recovery. How had she ever managed without Sango and Shippo? "No, Sango. I'll be fine. I'm completely healed. See?" Kagome pulled down her shirt just enough so that Sango could see the neat, little scar that had once been a bit more than just a scar.

Once Sango saw that Kagome was okay she nodded her approval.

Kagome was about to resume her hug when she noticed a tiny pressure on her hip. Shippo was hanging onto her for dear life- afraid of losing another mother. Kagome's face broke into a warm smile. She brought the kit up to eye level before asking the question that would determine his whole future. "Shippo, do you want to come home with me?" Shippo looked at Kagome with confusion and then hope. "It'll be hard. You'll have to deal with my mother, who'll brush your tail and dress you up and feed you candy; and you'll have to get used to the ways people act and dress and talk; but if you're willing to deal with all of that. . .you can come with me."

Shippo was positively beaming. Kagome couldn't remember ever seeing him this way, so happy that he could ward ships away from shore. All Shippo could do was make grunting noises in delight.

Kagome couldn't help but giggle at the sight. "I take it that's a 'yes'?"

Shippo nodded his head vigorously.

"So the shrimp's comin' with ya', huh? That's better for me. Keeps the brat outta my hair," came a voice from a nearby tree.

Kagome couldn't see him, but she knew instinctively that it was Inuyasha talking and pulled Shippo to her chest in a protective gesture. Inuyasha jumped down and Kagome flinched. "What are you doing here Inuyasha? Why aren't you with Kikyo?" Kagome spat out the undead miko's name.

"I was about to join her. . .but I thought I smelled something rotting. . .it was just you. Now I'm sorry I wasted my time."

Inuyasha's words stung, but not as badly as her verb would. Before he could utter another word, Kagome, very clearly, ordered, "OSUWARI!"

"Oh, no! Umph!" Inu ate dirt.

Kagome smirked at the cursing form of Inuyasha, blessing the fact that she'd decided not to take off the subduing necklace. "Well, anyway. . .I just came back to say goodbye to you, Sango-"

"Thank God! I don't think I'd be able to stand that scent of yours much longer."

"Sango, maybe we should sit down. I really think it's a good idea to sit. Shippo, do you think we should sit? Let's go sit over there."

"Damn, bitch!"

Kagome resumed talking to Sango normally. "I also had a tiny favor to ask you. If you see Kouga, could you tell him for me. I mean tell him everything. He deserves to know."

After that, Kagome, Sango, and Shippo cried, said their final good byes, and each went their own ways (except for Shippo who went with Kagome).

Kagome smiled sadly at the memory, all the while caressing her old wound.

Kagome's whole demeanor changed, though, when she saw the clock. "No, no, no! It can't be 8:30 already! I have a job interview at 9:00! Why didn't the alarm go off!

Kagome leapt out of bed and ran straight for the bathroom, clothes flying every which way during her sprint. She turned of the shower and then sprinted to her closet, picking an outfit while the water heated up.

Kagome decided on a plain black pants suit. It was simple, yet elegant. Just the thing for an interview. Besides, she couldn't wear a skirt because she didn't have time to shave.

Kagome ran back to the bathroom, dispensing the outfit on the bed and grabbing a towel. Kagome didn't even test the water temperature before getting in. She didn't have time. What she got for her efforts was a scalding hot shower. She quickly adjusted the temperature and planned how to get to the place she needed to be, Mirror Inc..

-

Forty- five minutes and one subway ride later, Kagome arrived at the eight- one story Mirror building. Kagome was still slightly damp from her excursions with the water heater, and she was very nervous about the interview. She was already twenty minutes late- but maybe the person who was interviewing her would understand.

Kagome was lucky enough to catch an open elevator. However, the elevator stopped at almost every single story before reaching her stop at the forty- sixth level.

When Kagome finally stepped into the office she was supposed to have her interview in, she was greeted by a cold looking older woman who appeared to be in her. . .I don't know. . .hundreds.

"Are you Miss Higurashi?" the older woman questioned.

"Yes, I a-"

Kagome was cut off by the older woman who then got up and walked over to her. She looked at Kagome's hair in disgust. "My name is Mrs. Ryoki. You would be wise to heed the advice I am about to give you. I have had many jobs in my day- and not one of them have I ever been fired from. . ."

Kagome was suddenly struck with the thought that this woman was a lot like her grandfather. She thought she new everything. . .and Kagome got the distinct impression that Mrs. Ryoki was going to pick at Kagome like a big, evil, not-so-motherly hen.

"Your hair is atrocious. I would never come to work with wet hair." This was something that Kagome had been expecting. "I have already thrown out your application form. If you are angry at me, you should really take a better look at yourself. . ." This was something Kagome had not expected.

Who did that old bat think she was? She didn't even give Kagome a chance. Well. . .if Kagome was going down, she would go down with a bang.

"I hope you've learned you less-"

"Shut up." Kagome said calmly, pulling her hair out of the bun it had been put in after it had decided that it wasn't going to dry in time.

"Excuse me! What did you just say!" Mrs. Ryoki looked positively flustered at the thought that her interviewee was acting in such a. . .irrespective manner.

"I said, shut up!" Kagome yelled it this time. "I'm tired of being so pent up and perfect all the time. I want to break free. I want to get wild." With that, Kagome unbuttoned her jacket, revealing a lacy, black bra. She flipped her hair while looking for something that would really drive the old bat crazy.

Kagome noticed a relatively good- looking man sitting in the corner watch this all take place. Since he seemed so interested, Kagome decided that he should participate. She strutted up to him, pulling her jacket back a little bit to show off her bra a little more. Then. . .she straddled him. Right there. In the office. In front of Mrs. Ryoki. Who was having a heart attack.

Kagome didn't really care, though. She was focusing on this man's lips. One good kiss should do it. One kiss, and then I'll walk out of this office and never look back.

The man looked at Kagome expectantly. She smiled, and then obliged him. She pressed her lips to his in a passionate, yet impersonal kiss. He responded immediately.

Just as he tried to make the kiss deeper, Kagome pulled away. . .entirely. She stood up and began to walk out of the office- but not before turning to Ol' Batty and saying, "By the way, I'm bi. If you ever want to hook up, my number's in the trash can." Then Kagome winked and exited the office.

She could hear the sounds of a sputtering old woman and and man diving for the trash can as she got into the elevator.

-

A/N: I know. You're probably asking, "If Shippo went with Kagome, then where is he?" Don't worry. More will be revealed.