Zoey stirred from a slumber she really needed. She felt a mattress under her, and smelt food. She opened her eyes slowly, and the sun shone brightly into the room. She carefully propped herself upon her pillows, using her elbows. She looked around. Was it only a dream? She thought. She looked at her hair, which was streaked. "Uh... Guess not." Zoey sighed.

She looked around, and noticed she was in Kagome's room, and that a certain hanyou lay on the floor, next to her cousin. The sleeping bags of her other three cousins were still on the floor, signaling they had just woken up, too. Or they were just plain lazy. Zoey pulled herself up, and rested her back against the wall. Zoey heard talking, laughing, shouting, all from outside. "It's December still?" She asked outloud.

"Actually, tonight celebrates the festival." Kagome said, her words slurred from being half asleep. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, "You've been asleep for a week or so. Give or take a day."

"So it's December 31? Tonight is the longest day of the festival, then?" Zoey asked.

Kagome nodded.

Zoey stood up, wobbling. The world span faster than ever for Zoey, as she fell over, and crashed on Inuyasha's back. He wheezed as his eyes burst open, full of rage. Zoey sat straight up, and bowed in apology. It wasn't her fault she -- okay, so it was her fault for getting up too fast... Inuyasha sat up, glaring.

He only glared, because he was looking at the girl who defeated Naraku. Her and that energy blast. She even looked like she was happier now than before this all happened. He stood up and shut the door. He remembered something. During the battle, first Zoey passed out, and then Kagome. He wanted to know why.

"Um, yes, Inuyasha?" Zoey asked.

He sat on Kagome's bed, one leg folded, the other dangling. "Why'd you both pass out on me, huh?" He demanded.

Kagome froze. How could she ever say she and Zoey were in between worlds? That Lady Izayoi was protecting her? And that Kikyou helped Zoey during the battle? Could Inuyasha handle this, or blow them off and run home, scowling? Kagome took a deep breath, and risked it.

"We were... At the breaking point of life and death. Kikyou and Lady Izayoi summoned us." Kagome said, "That's all I know."

"I know more, then." Zoey said, looking down. "Kikyou knew I couldn't do it alone. So she helped me. But in order for that, Kagome had to release a bit of her spirit. Lady Izayoi... Who is she? How does she know you?" Zoey asked.

Inuyasha scoffed and said, "Kagome, ya tell her." In his angry, but sad voice. Zoey gulped. Did she say something wrong?

Kagome nodded. "Lady Izayoi is Inuyasha's mother."

"But she looked rich--"

"She was a princess of the Eastern lands. But, when she bore a child of a monster..." Kagome heard Inuyasha growling.
---
That night was a night they'd never forget. After the festival, Zoey, Kagome, and Inuyasha were sitting outside, alone. Snow fell gently from the sky, welcoming a new year, and carrying away the wishes of those who believed. Zoey sat there, in the middle of the other two.

How can I tell Kagome? Zoey thought nervously. She fiddled with her kimono (she never took it off), ansty. Kagome noticed. "Zoey, what's wrong?"

"..." Zoey sat straight up, "U-Uh... I-I wish to live in the feudal era. Is that alright?" Zoey asked.

"Who said you couldn't?" Inuyasha asked. Zoey smiled.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Zoy smiled.

"Will you be living with Inuyasha and me?" Kagome asked.

Zoey shook her head, "I'll be traveling. And I'm starting right now. I'm leaving. I'll visit you guys, okay?" Zoey asked. Kagome smiled and nodded. Kagome hugged Zoey and told Zoey she'd tell her mother, and Zoey nodded. Zoey hugged Inuyasha and ran to the well shed, and jumped in.

Upstairs, in Kagome's bedroom, they were finally alone. The Higurashi family left (not Mama, Souta, or Gramps). Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's hand, and led her to the bed.

A Final Note For This Story: The end of this! Tomorrow, chapter one of 'Miracleous Child' will be put up. It will be mainly about Keiko, and how she learns of her life... And someone from the past comes back. Will Keiko be able to handle it, though? After all, she's only five...