Author's Notes: Hello, everyone! So, did you all think I'd died or something by now? Sorry about taking so long, but if it makes you all feel any better, I've given you all a nice long chapter to make up for it. I hope it doesn't seem too chopped up, but there were pieces of the chapter that I just couldn't save for chapter nineteen, do you understand? It all fit together, so bear with me in all the page breaks, okay? I don't think it's too bad...but then again, I'm the author, so maybe I'm a little biased.

Anyway, I won't bore you all with the details of why I've taken so long, you can find all that information on my updated profile page, but I will tell you this: for those of you who have been waiting for my updated version of the 'Confessions Trilogy', I want you all to know that while I will post the revamped version of 'Confessions of a Broken Heart' on the set date of November 9, 2004, the other two will be coming later. They'll all be posted about ten days apart, so that, by the end of November, I'll have everything posted, okay? Sorry about that, if you were all looking forward to everything being posted at once...but know that it wasn't because I didn't want to. Reality just caught up with me, as did homework and college application stuff. So again, I'm sorry.

This chapter has some action, a tiny bit of fluff (though more drama than anything), and Kagome and Inuyasha come to some realizations about their relationship. Well...at least, Kagome does. Inuyasha's always a little slower at the switch then we'd like, but he's getting there, I promise! Thanks for all your reviews, and all your support! I'll try to have another update out within a week, and get back on schedule! Enjoy!


Valese: I just wanted to say thanks for all your reviews and comments. I really appreciate it when readers take the time to let me know what they think of each chapter, even if they're a little behind and having to play catch up, so to speak. Thanks so much, and I hope you continue to like the story!

Speaker For The Five Year: I'll try and work on the age thing. Sometimes it gets so complicated with all the characters that I confuse myself! But I will make more of an effort to be clear about things. Just to tell you what I'm thinking, at this point Inuyasha's seventeen, Sesshoumaru's twenty-four (seventeen when Naraku invaded), Kagome's sixteen, and the others, well, I haven't really decided, but figure they're all about the same, okay? I hope that helps, and I apologize if that doesn't quite jive with what I've written before. Thanks for the review!

Crystaltears41090: I absolutely love that song! And it does kind of fit Kagome and Inuyasha, doesn't it? I might try and incorporate it, though we'll just have to wait and see. Songs in stories have to be done the right way, or else it's just words on a page that take up space, you know? Thanks for the suggestion!


Title: Impossible Dreams

Author: dolphingirl0113

Chapter: Eighteen

Rating: PG-13 (rated for language, violence, and implied sexual situations)

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.


DEDICATION: For Ted Dorsey, the greatest coach I will ever have, the most wonderful and patient mentor I will ever know, and the best friend I could have asked for. Thank you for everything you did for me in my life.


The six shards glowed with evil and malice, dark as the night against her palm, and Kagura tried her best to not think about each demon who had once been an owner of those shards, because to think about them would be reminding herself of the fact that they were now dead...and that she was their murderer.

The wind sorceress sighed and leaned her head back against the stone wall, closing her eyes and desperately trying to shut out the images of blood and death that were burned into her memory. But it was no use...it would seem that she was doomed to never forget, and she cursed the fact that she still had a soul at all, and the ability to regret attached to it. Things would be so much easier if she never felt any semblance of regret.

All six had died the same way; they'd all escaped from their masters and were wandering aimlessly about the country, only to meet a surprising end when Kagura came to claim their shards.

"What...? Who...?" They had all sounded equally bewildered, and Kagura could still recall the way she'd covered her face with her fan so they wouldn't see her hesitance, but instead only hear her sarcastic voice. "I am the wind," she had stated simply, "And I have come to take your life."

Kagura opened her eyes to stare down one of the many empty hallways of the castle, a deep sigh escaping her lips. It was the same line she'd used every time she'd ever killed someone, and the familiarity of it always made what she had to do easier...but never enjoyable.

"Sister..." The wind sorceress turned to see Kanna approaching, her voice lilting and seemingly out of place in such a dead hallway. "Sister, Naraku wishes to speak with you."

"Hm," Kagura looked away, "He does, does he?" She wondered what the dark lord could possibly want now. Perhaps he had another name? Another demon for her to kill in order to obtain their shard?

"Come with me," Kanna commanded after several minutes of silence, and the older woman found herself merely nodding and following her sister's silent footsteps, resisting the urge to swipe a stray strand of hair from Kanna's eyes. It would not do to show such sisterly affection in front of her master.

Naraku was sitting at the end of a long dining table...a table that was always empty, save for him...casually drinking what looked like wine out of a refined glass. One leg was crossed over the other, and as he eyed Kagura from the top of his wine glass, his red eyes full of cunning and malice, the wind sorceress thought he had never looked so intimidating in all the years she'd known him. Perhaps it was because, at long last, he held the hope that he had found the way to overthrow the Inutaisho sons for good and forever and truly claim the country as his own. After all, such hope, in the hands of a cruel man, could be dangerous.

A long silence stretched between them as the master and the servant eyed one another with mutual dislike while Kanna moved to stand beside Naraku, prepared to show him anything he desired in her mirror at a moment's notice.

What a strange relationship they had, Kagura mused, trying to avoid feeling uncomfortable under his penetrating stare. Naraku knew that she hated him, and she was well aware of the fact that he didn't trust her any more than he trusted Inuyasha or Sesshoumaru. Actually, she thought ruefully, he probably trusted the brothers more, because at least with them he knew they hated his guts and had no regrets when it came to attacking him and avenging their father. But with her...he couldn't possibly know how long his hold over her would last, or when she might finally snap, say to hell with protecting Kanna, and betray him.

Of course, the wind sorceress never had any intention of abandoning her sister to a fate of death, but Naraku didn't have to know that...which was why she tried, with great restraint, to always show as little affection for her sister as possible when in front of him. The more he thought that her affections for the child were waning, the more he might become uncomfortable with her. It was the only way she could think of, at the moment, to get back at him for all the horrible things he'd made her do...though it was a small consolation.

"Kagura, show me the shards," Naraku finally commanded in a cool voice, swirling the wine in his glass and downing the final few drops. Obediently, she opened her palm to reveal the six glimmering diamond shaped shards, and he nodded. "Very good."

She sighed. "Do you have my next assignment?" By assignment, of course, she meant the next person she was supposed to kill, but at that moment she lacked the heart to phrase it so bluntly.

"Yes."

"Who am I to kill next?"

He chuckled. "Are you so anxious to take another life?"

Kagura blanched inwardly, but somehow, miraculously, kept her face straight and masked, even managing a slight smirk. She'd be damned if he knew how much she hated the work he made her do. "It was merely a question, my lord," she replied, allowing a slightly seductive tone into her voice.

"I see," He regarded her again carefully for a moment, as though he would read her soul like an open book, and then simply looked away, almost like he'd found what he'd needed to know. The thought disturbed her. "I have no one else for you to kill at the moment, Kagura."

She sighed softly in relief, not having realized until that moment that she had been holding her breath. "Then why...?"

"I have a different assignment for you."

"Yes, my lord?"

"It is time to bring Kagome to me."

"What?" Kagura couldn't quite hide her surprise at that. "But, my lord...I have not yet gathered all the shards."

He nodded, looking somewhat annoyed. "You think I don't know this? I have my reasons, Kagura."

"And I suppose you don't wish to tell me, as always, is that it?" Why was she suddenly being so cheeky? Kagura had no idea, but she found herself crossing her arms to accent her point, her deadly fan dangling loosely out of one hand.

Naraku smirked. "Would you like to know, Kagura?"

Now he was mocking her, and she wanted desperately to rip the smirk from his face. Instead, she merely regarded him coolly. "I always wish to know, Naraku."

"Of course," He glanced at Kanna and nodded subtly, to which the girl turned and revealed in her mirror the group comprised of Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, Sango, Miroku, the old woman Kaede, and, of course, Kagome. "As you can see, Kagura, their numbers are growing, as are their list of powerful allies. The brothers are now united, which is something I have feared from the start, but more then that, they now have the added alliance of the old priestess, Kaede."

Kagura smirked at that. "What, that old hag? What could she possibly do to you...to your plans? She looks like a mere brush of wind could blow her over."

"Silence!" He commanded suddenly, his voice deadly and full of meaning. She bit back her next retort, though it was like holding back the tides of the sea. "Do not underestimate our enemies merely because of their appearance, Kagura. That old hag, as you would have it, happens to know more about the Shikon no Tama then even I do. She could aid the Inutaisho sons in ways we haven't even foreseen yet." He narrowed his eyes, and for a moment seemed to be lost in memories before finally shaking his head and looking up again. "And that is why I need Kagome brought to me now. I cannot have her freeing every demon they come across, causing their numbers to grow. It would be more to our advantage to have her here, under my watch and purifying the shards, while you go out and kill the rest of the demons before they have the chance to regain their full strength."

It made sense, and Kagura nodded. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. After all, this way she could meet Inuyasha's mysterious older brother, Sesshoumaru. Her face softened slightly at the thought, and she focused on his handsome face in the mirror, his features stern, his posture full of strength and purpose...

"Where can I find them?" She finally asked, purposefully trying to steer her mind away from such thoughts, at least while in front of Naraku. That's all she needed, for him to know she might have yet another weakness. Then, as punishment, he would probably send her to kill the demon lord.

"They are moving back to their encampment," Kanna replied for Naraku, her voice lilting as her eyes continued to stare straight ahead. "It is the cave of the old demon exterminator clan. That is where you will find them."

"Kanna..." The wind sorceress couldn't resist the slight catch in her voice, but quickly covered it, and the rest of her face, with her fan, and bowed. "I shall do as you command."

Naraku eyed her suspiciously for a moment before smirking himself. "Excellent, but before you go," He held up the now empty glass. "I should love some more wine."


The day was pleasant, with no wind and blue skies filled with puffy white clouds. The temperature wasn't exactly warm, but at the same time the rays of the sun fought off the chill, and overall it was a very livable atmosphere, for which the travelers were grateful as warm clothes weren't exactly easy to come by any more.

For three days they had been traveling, and for three days Kagome had made it her personal mission in life to avoid Inuyasha at all costs. The humiliation of her sudden declaration still burned fresh in her memory, and whenever she thought of it or someone brought it up, namely Sango, her cheeks would flame red as the sky at sunset. Dear God, what had possibly prompted her to say such a thing...and in front of him, no less? It was one thing to admit it openly to Sango, but for Inuyasha to hear it...well, it was just too much to bear.

Thankfully, the hanyou seemed just about as uncomfortable as she was, because he purposefully didn't offer to carry her anywhere, like he had when they had previously been traveling, and seemed to desperately try and occupy himself in conversing with Miroku, or, more often, just walk alone at the front of the group.

The tension between them could have been cut with a knife, and the other travelers were starting to feel very uncomfortable, except for Sesshoumaru, who didn't seem to care about much of anything. Sometimes it was almost like the man's very soul had been sucked out of him somewhere in his life, leaving him with a heartless, empty shell for a body. But he was strong, and at the moment they weren't in any position to turn down an ally, so no one made any issue out of it.

Finally, just as the humans in the group were starting to feel their legs give out, the familiar sight of a mountain with a boulder covered by shrubbery came into view, and Kagome felt herself sigh in relief. They had made it back at last, and now she could rest again for a few days. After all, her body was still weak from their previous fight with Kagura, and even though she was far better than before, she still had a long way to go before she would be back to normal.

"Ah, we're home at last," Miroku breathed in relief, his voice cheerful, belaying his own exhaustion. "Aren't you all happy?"

"Keh," Inuyasha grunted from where he was walking at the front of the group. "It's no home to me...it's just a place. Besides, I could walk like this forever and not feel the least bit tired. So speak for yourself, monk."

Miroku just grinned even more and winked at Kagome and Sango playfully. "Well forgive me, Mr. Invincible, but if you had so much strength to spare, then why did you not offer to carry us and move us along faster?" He glanced at Kagome meaningfully. "I'm sure Kagome is quite tired at this point. Why haven't you at least carried her? After all, she is the one who was wounded."

At that Kagome turned beet red, and Inuyasha turned to glance over his shoulder with a slightly guilty expression, though he hid it well with an arrogant expression. They stared at one another briefly before the hanyou broke the tension and turned back around again. "Keh, why would I want to carry her? I've already said before that she's too heavy, anyway."

"What!" Kagome marched over and smacked him hard across the shoulder. "You say that again and you'll regret it, Inuyasha, whether you're a prince or not!"

He visibly winced at her reference to his royal heritage, but quickly pushed it aside and rolled his eyes. "And there you go getting all sensitive again, wench. I don't understand what the big deal is."

"You don't...?" Kagome suddenly felt a knife twist in her heart, and she slowed down so that she was no longer walking by his side, instead settling for observing his back, his silver hair swishing as he walked. It was the first time they'd spoken since she'd opened her big fat mouth, and now he'd gone and insulted her by calling her fat...again...

Even if he didn't love her, that was heartbreaking enough; he didn't then have to proceed to stomp on the pieces of the organ until it was absolute mush.

Oh Inuyasha...

The hanyou could smell her tears, and sighed, wanting to kick himself for having been so rude to her again. She didn't deserve that. All he had to do was think about the way she'd slept with her head in his lap that night in the hut, or the way she'd curled up against his chest after he'd allowed her to wear his red jacket while her clothes dried, and he felt warm inside. So why was he so rude? So cruel in what he said?

Her confession still rang loud in his ears, and he kept replaying the scene over and over again. It had been no lie, though he could tell it had not exactly been a secret she'd wanted him to know by the way she'd turned and ran away seconds after she realized what she'd said. Still, Inuyasha couldn't ignore the fact that hearing her say those three words had caused a warm pocket to form in his heart, and ever since it had been growing so that now, every time he so much as looked at Kagome Higurashi, he felt the organ would burst with emotion.

Damn women, he cursed, and damn their stupid emotions and needs when it came to love. But more then that, he wanted to damn himself for being so sensitive and, frankly, weak, for surely he must be a meek person to desire her love in the first place. Wasn't he?

Not that he really wanted her love, he convinced himself. He just...well...the hanyou made a face as he tried to come up with some sort of explanation. He'd never been loved before by a woman other than his mother. Frankly, he'd never been loved by anyone but her. Period. So that must be why he was so affected. Yes, that was why, he was sure of it; it was a new experience, that was all...the feelings he had would fade with time.

But...why then, if this was only temporary, did he feel like he was dying inside whenever he hurt her, or when he thought he might lose her?

Kouga appeared in the entrance to the cave and rushed to Kagome's side, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her close. The hanyou growled. And why, he added to himself, did he hate it so much when that wolf touched her? Why did it feel like, somehow, the demon was encroaching on his territory?

"Kagome!" Kouga exclaimed excitedly, picking her up and spinning her around. "You're safe! I'm so glad!"

Kagome swallowed her tears and tried to smile for him as he set her down, stepping out of his embrace as quickly as she could. "Hi Kouga, it's good to see you. How have things been since we left?"

He smiled. "They've been just fine, Kagome, though I've been pretty bored without you around." He winked. "The only exciting thing that happened was when Shippou..." But his voice trailed off, and he suddenly started sniffing the air loudly, moving closer to Kagome's body, much to her discomfort.

"Um...Kouga...? What are you doing?"

He stepped back and growled, instantly turning and sending a glare in Inuyasha's direction. "Dog breath, she smells upset and I can tell that she's been crying. What the hell have you done to her this time?"

Inuyasha sputtered, completely caught off guard as he had been so lost in his own personal thoughts, and barely had time to formulate a reply. "What to you mean, what have I done to her? Who says I did anything? Why are you assuming it's my fault?"

The wolf man rolled his eyes as though that were a pointless question. "Because you're always the one who upsets her, baka! What have you done to her now?"

"I haven't done anything!"

"Did you have another argument?"

"No!" Well, he admitted silently, he'd snapped at her, though she'd done nothing.

"Then why is she so upset?"

"How the hell should I know?" Inuyasha snapped, throwing his arms up in the air. "She's the one who's spouting random confessions of love, not me! I sure as hell don't understand, and am not interested in understanding, either!"

It only took him a few seconds to realize what he'd just said, and how it had sounded, and Inuyasha became suddenly, painfully aware of the way Kagome's face blanched white, her body jolting as her hands went to clutch her stomach like she'd been kicked in the gut. He could see the hurt in her eyes, and the scent of tears wafted over the air to his nose. God damn it all, now he'd made her cry again!

Silence permeated the air, though only Kouga seemed oblivious to the sudden tension, his eyes having gone starry as he gazed at Kagome. "Kagome," he stammered, "You've been telling people that you...love me?" He went over and took her hand in his. "I can't believe...I mean, I never could have hoped..."

But Kagome wasn't listening. All she could do was stare at Inuyasha, wishing she could die of shame and heartbreak. But more then that, she wanted to run him through with one of her arrows for making a mockery of her feelings like that. How dare he!

Behind her, Miroku was desperately trying to hold back Sango, who appeared to be winding up her arm to deliver a solid punch to Inuyasha's face, and the hanyou took a step back, not liking at all the hostile stares he was receiving from any of his friends. Not that he blamed them...that had been a cruel thing to say. No, scratch that. What he said had been crushing, and he knew it because he'd received many such comments in his young life for simply being a hanyou.

"Kagome..." He started to move toward her, but she suddenly seemed to wake from a dream, because her eyes narrowed and she hugged herself tightly as she backed away roughly from Kouga. He felt his gut clench at the look of betrayal and hurt in her eyes.

"Don't you dare," she hissed, and he knew it was a warning to stay away. He froze. "Don't even think about it, Inuyasha." And with that she turned and ran away, her direction apparently being the stream where they'd had such a wonderful evening together only about two weeks earlier.

Kouga stared after her, his eyes still dreamy, and he crossed his arms in satisfaction. "So, after all this time, she's still embarrassed to admit that she loves me."

At that everyone still in the vicinity wanted to fall flat on their faces at his stupidity, though Sango was the one to speak. She walked up and bonked him soundly on the head, for no better reason then the fact that she wanted to hit something, and he turned to look at her with a hurt expression, rubbing his head tenderly. "What was that for?"

"Ugh," She rolled her eyes and stomped off towards the cave, deciding that she'd find Kagome later but recognizing that the girl needed some time alone at the moment. "You are the dumbest person I know, Kouga, on my honor!" She froze and turned to glare at Inuyasha. "No, scratch that...you are!" And with one final jab of her finger in the direction of the hanyou, she whirled on her heel and disappeared, muttering something about insufferable men.

Kouga was still rubbing his head when he turned to Miroku. "What was that all about? And what does she mean when she says I'm stupid? What did I say?"

Miroku just sighed and crossed his arms. "If you can't figure that out on your own, my friend, then there is no help I can give you."

"Huh?"

"Never mind."

Kouga finally just gave up, but then started slightly when he came face to face with Sesshoumaru's menacing eyes, and both demons went rigid. "And just who the hell are you?"


Kagome didn't know how long she'd been sitting there on her knees, but she did know that her eyes were sore from all the tears, and her stomach was clenching like it wanted to heave anything and everything she'd eaten in the past twenty-four hours. But beyond all that, and much, much worse, was the fact that her heart felt like it was breaking in two over and over and over again.

Every time she replayed in her mind what Inuyasha had said, it was like someone took a dulled knife and stabbed it through her chest, twisting it painfully. It had to be a dull knife, because sharp blades didn't hurt as much...it didn't take them as long to cut into you. Just like it would have been if he had merely rejected her, like men did on occasion when they didn't love you. But this...this was just too much to bear.

"I sure as hell don't understand, and I'm not interested in understanding, either!"

Kagome squeezed her eyes shut as his words replayed in her mind for at least the millionth time since she'd stormed off to be alone. Insults, like his implication about her weight, she could handle. It was all part of the tension that had been between them since the day they had met, but now Kagome knew that it had only been her who felt more than just sexual tension. And, unfortunately for her, she felt much, much more.

"Inuyasha..." As his name escaped her lips, she slammed her fists into the ground as hard as she could, trying to imagine what it would feel like if she had the strength to shake the entire world. She wanted that strength right then, so that she could smash mountains and split the ocean in two. But more than anything, at that moment, all Kagome Higurashi wanted to do was curl up in a tiny ball and never get up again.

How could she possibly face him now? How could things ever be the same again, now that he knew how she felt, and didn't return her love? For she did love him, she was certain of that now...otherwise his rejection wouldn't hurt so much. Unfortunately, she thought ruefully, it had taken his cruel words to tell her once and for all how she truly felt. Up until that point she had been able to deny it, but not now...

"Damn you, you stupid hanyou!" She cursed, wishing to god she'd never met him in her entire life. She wished he'd never come to her home in the first place, that he'd not had such handsome, tragic amber eyes, that he hadn't held her in his arms and comforted her. She wished...

Kagome felt herself gasp at the sheer thought.

Never know Inuyasha? Could she now, after all they'd been through together, possibly fathom such a possibility?

A tragic smile came to her face, and Kagome knew the answer before it even had time to finish forming in her mind.

No.

She could never imagine a life where she hadn't known him.

At the very least, Inuyasha had taught her to be strong. He'd shown her what it meant to not care what others thought, to damn their opinions, and do what was right. He'd helped her stand up to the slaves after they tried to kill her, some of them still wanting her dead. His voice had given her the courage to hold on just that much longer when she had been trapped in that hellish fire in her room, even though she'd been sure her time had come and the world was about to come crashing down around her ears. And, more than anything, his presence had fought away the loneliness that had settled over her heart after she lost her father and everything else about her life that she'd ever known.

"Inuyasha..."

His beautiful amber eyes...god, she loved it when he smiled. Even though the gesture was rare, when it happened, his whole face seemed to light up, and it was the most genuine thing she'd ever seen.

"Inuyasha..."

The way his strong arms enfolded her in a comforting, secure embrace. That night when he'd given her his jacket to wear, and how she'd been able to smell him on herself for the next several days. The way he'd told her once that she smelled nice, and then smiled when she returned the compliment.

His laugh, his frown, the way he growled whenever he was angry...

Kagome leaned back on her heels and raised her face skyward, allowing the breeze to chill the tears on her cheeks. "Oh Inuyasha," She swallowed, and her voice was barely a whisper. "I love you. God help me, I think I will always love you now." She smiled at the thought. "And I don't think I have the courage to leave you."

When had she fallen so hard for that strange man, that hanyou who seemed to be two people at the same time, at once caring and considerate while at other moments totally heartless and callous? Why did she have to love him? Why couldn't she have loved Hojo, or even Kouga? They were good men and they had both loved her. Yet, when the time came, she fell in love with the one man she could not have...the one man who did not love her in return.


"Mama, Hojo tried to kiss me today."

"Did he, sweetheart?" Izumi Higurashi just smiled patiently as she tucked her daughter tightly under the covers of her large canopy bed.

The seven year old made a face. "Yes, he did, right here on the cheek," she pointed to the offensive spot as though it were now contaminated with some horrible disease.

"What's so bad about that?" Izumi asked with a laugh that sounded like bells.

"Mama, you know why," Kagome replied with great patience, as though their roles were reversed and she was the adult. "Hojo's a boy. Boys are gross. Why would I want something gross to kiss me?" She grimaced. "It's as bad as if a frog tried to kiss me, and frogs are very gross."

The older woman chuckled and ran a hand over her daughter's forehead. "I don't think it's that bad, dear. After all, I love your father very much, and he was a boy once. Do you think he's gross?"

"Daddy? No!" Kagome shook her head adamantly.

"Then what's wrong with Hojo?"

"Mama, Daddy's different," Kagome explained, rolling her eyes and sighing in exasperation.

"How's he different?"

"He's daddy, that's why."

Izumi finally gave up and resolved the situation by kissing her daughter on the same cheek. "Well, that should make it less gross then it was before." She leaned back and acquired a gentle look. "But sweetheart, don't be too harsh with him. If Hojo tried to kiss you then he must like you very much."

"Of course he likes me, he's my friend."

The woman shook her head. "I mean in a different way, more like the way your father and I like each other."

"Oh..." Kagome leaned her head to the side, seeming to think for a minute, before looking back at her mother once more. "But if he feels that way about me, then shouldn't I feel that way about him? I mean, you and daddy feel the same way about each other, and that's why you kiss all the time, and why you got married in the first place, right?"

"Right."

"So I should like Hojo the way he likes me if he kisses me?"

"Again, not necessarily, Kagome. You don't have to like him if he likes you. I wish it were that way, but that's not how it always works out." The woman leaned back and acquired a far off, dreamy look. "You can never guess who your heart will choose in the end. Often times it's the last person you expect. You know that your father and I couldn't stand one another when we first met?"

"Couldn't stand one another?" Kagome furrowed her brow. "You mean you didn't like each other the way you do now?"

"No, not at all. We weren't even friends."

That seemed to upset Kagome. "I don't believe you. You and daddy have always loved each other."

Izumi laughed again. "I wish that were so, sweetheart, but the truth is we didn't like each other at all when we first met." She was talking to herself now more then anything. "I thought he was too bold, and he thought I was too liberal for a woman of my stature. But," she smiled; "Now you're here, and we're married. I wouldn't have it any other way."

She rose to her feet, but stopped when Kagome spoke up again. "Mama?"

"Yes, Kagome?"

"Just so you know, I won't ever marry someone I don't like."

Izumi laughed at that. "I see. And how to you plan on doing this? What if you really love the man deep down?"

The girl shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. "I'll just tell him no anyway."

Izumi nodded knowingly and walked towards the door. "Well, we'll see, Kagome. We'll see." And with that, she blew out the candle and the room went dark.


Kagome smiled at the memory, feeling herself grow calm as she heard her mother's voice in her head. Back then she hadn't really understood her mother's words, or the concept of love. She'd been too young. But now that she was older she realized exactly what her mother had meant, and realized it was true that the mind had no say over who the heart chose to love.

"And mama and papa hated each other for a long time before they got married," she reminded herself aloud. The thought gave her hope, even if it was faint, and it was enough to help her rise to her feet and straighten her raggedy old dress, fix her posture, and rearrange her hair using her reflection in the stream. Inuyasha may not love her now, but, she decided, so long as she was with him, she would be happy. She'd deal with the problem of what would happen once Naraku was destroyed when the time came. For now, she'd just enjoy his company.

Unfortunately, she was so preoccupied with her thoughts that Kagome didn't even hear the approaching footsteps until it was too late, and felt something push against the delicate skin of her throat.

It was a fan.

"Kagura..." She hissed, knowing exactly who it was without even turning around. After all, how many people carried a fan as their only weapon of choice?

"Kagome," the familiar voice mocked, deep and steady, "Are you having problems with Inuyasha? That's too bad, because now you won't get the chance to work them out."

The girl swallowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Kagura chuckled. "Obviously it means that I'm taking you with me right now. My master has taken a...shall we say...interest in you."

"Naraku?" Kagome couldn't believe it. Why would Naraku be interested in her? Wasn't it Inuyasha he was after? He didn't even know her! "I don't understand."

"And for now you don't need to," the wind sorceress interrupted. "Just get up slowly, and come with me."

"What if I refuse?"

"I will not hesitate to slit your throat."

There was no catch in her voice, and Kagome knew the woman was serious. This was someone who had killed hundreds without a second thought. One more life would not make that much of a difference.

"I could scream," She finally offered, almost like she were discussing the options casually, hiding the turmoil now within her breast, along with the immense amount of fear. Why did she always have to be so afraid of death? Why couldn't she be brave and face it courageously, like Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha did?

Kagura just laughed. "You could, but you would be dead before you knew what hit you. And then I'd kill your friends too."

Kagome thought of Inuyasha dying, and felt her heart clench. But more then that, she thought of what he'd believe if she didn't come back. Even if he didn't love her, he'd no doubt worry, and come looking for her. That could prove to be worse then having him face off with Kagura right here and now, couldn't it?

Making a split second decision, Kagome tried to recall the basics of self-defense that Sango had taught her. Kagura was a woman, so a kick to the groin wouldn't be as devastating, but what about...

She sucked in a deep breath and threw her head back as fast as she could, feeling the impact as she connected with her captor's nose, hearing something crunch, followed by a scream of pain, and Kagome felt her body fall freely to the ground. She screamed with all her might. "Inuyasha!!!"

Kagura staggered back, clutching her face, and her eyes turned deadly. "You little bitch! You'll pay for that with your life!"

Kagome somehow found the courage to stand still, preparing to meet her death, when suddenly she felt herself being shoved to the ground forcefully by another body, Kagura's attack flying over her head harmlessly. She smelled the familiar scent of pine, and looked up to see amber eyes full of worry. "Inuyasha!" She was delighted to see him, all previous anger and sorrow momentarily forgotten.

"Kagome..." The hanyou felt his breathing slow down slightly as the panic of hearing her scream slowly receded. She was alright. Now he had to deal with Kagura...not that that was an easy task.

"Hiraikotsu!" The wind sorceress was forced to move aside as Sango and Miroku came barreling into the fight, the large boomerang flying at her body. It barely missed and circled back around for Sango to catch skillfully in her left hand, the demon exterminator's posture rigid. Beside her Miroku held his cursed hand meaningfully, and it didn't take a genius to figure out what he intended to do.

But Kagura had other plans. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, monk." She pulled a familiar ball of poison out of her robes and glared at the man before her meaningfully. "You didn't think that I wouldn't remember the effect this had on you last time, did you?" Miroku scowled, but still allowed his hand to fall back harmlessly to his side.

By this time Inuyasha had risen back up to his feet, and was charging Kagura with his claws bared. "Why are you after me, bitch?" He growled as she dodged his charge and skillfully pulled her fan back in front of her face. "Why doesn't Naraku come for me himself?"

She smirked and fired an attack. "Because he has better things to do. But don't worry, little hanyou, Naraku will come for you soon enough. And when he does, you'll be sorry."

Perhaps it was because of the fact that she called him little hanyou, or perhaps it was the fact that Kagome had nearly been killed because he wasn't around to protect her, but either way Inuyasha felt himself fly into a rage, charging madly at the woman before him. Unfortunately, his anger blinded him to all else, and he did not see the side swipe of her fan until it was too late and blood was running from his shoulder down his arm. He stumbled under the pain and clutched the joint protectively.

Kagura just smirked again. "Still as feisty as ever, I see. You know, rage will never get you anywhere, Inuyasha."

The hanyou clutched his arm painfully, trying to stop the bleeding, feeling the hot, sticky substance on his fingers, its metallic scent overwhelming his nose. It was his blood...his life that was draining away. He was in danger, and he had to protect himself.

With that thought the air around him pulsed once, twice, and Inuyasha felt a familiar hot flash streak through his body as his eyes glowed red and his nails started to grow long. His cheeks began to flame where he knew the blue marks were appearing, and he felt as though someone had pumped adrenaline through his veins through a direct injection.

He was invincible!

Kagome watched, stunned, as Inuyasha transformed in front of her. Even though she'd seen it once before it still shocked her to no end, and she felt something in her bones ache upon seeing the man she loved so torn. So distressed. So like a monster.

Unfortunately, she was so focused on Inuyasha that Kagome didn't even notice Kagura until it was too late, and all she felt was a sharp tap across the back of her neck before she collapsed into darkness, not even having time to whimper for help.

The wind sorceress smirked triumphantly, but didn't stay to gloat. She knew very well what was happening to Inuyasha, and that any sudden moves would attract his attention. So instead she slowly pulled the feather out from her hair and pulled Kagome onto it with her, flying into the air just as the hanyou spotted her and made a swipe at her body.

But he was too late.

Kagura laughed as they rose higher into the air, Kagome's arm hanging limply over the side of the feather. "Perhaps next time you'll get a chance to use that demon strength, Inuyasha," she mocked, and watched in satisfaction as the hanyou leapt up towards her again, even though it was futile as she was far too high in the air.

As she flew away, Kagura heard the sound of a sharp thwack, and turned in time to see Sesshoumaru punching his brother into a nearby tree, knocking him unconscious and causing the hanyou to transform back to normal once more.

Her breath caught, and the wind sorceress felt a slight twinge of regret that she had, yet again, failed to speak directly with the powerful demon lord, the first born, pure bred son of Inutaisho. Why she cared, she could not say, but whatever the reason, she felt a slight ache in her chest as she flew further away, almost as though her instincts were telling her she was flying away from safety and into danger.