Another few months...another chapter . Sorry for the long wait, but I haven't had the energy to write. I know it's summer and summer means free time to write, but for me (who doesn't have to worry about work or school) summer means hot sweltering heat that zaps any and all free energy I have. That and I've been reading a LOT of Naruto fics. The stupid manga got to me again.

Any who back on topic, the heat zaps all of my energy (even with the AC on). For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, I DO live in TX...south south Texas, and it gets INSANELY hot, and unfortunately for you it's not September, or better still October yet, when it starts to cool down to a more manageable low 90's. So until then, try not to expect too many updates. I REALLY am sorry for my many delays in updating.

Disclaimer: Don't own them, no matter what the voices in my head say.

Recap-

"Does your family live far from here?" he asked. The question caught Kagome off guard. She stared, blinking into space before it registered in her brain.

"They live in Texas...why do you ask?" Trepidation reared it's ugly head and gave a salute to Kagome.

"How do you feel about paying them a visit?" Kagome felt like she was going to throw up

(CHAPTER 18)

Kagome reached up to idly massage the kink in her neck. Four hours on a plane wasn't so bad, but coupled with the lack of sleep and recovering from an illness that had her out of commission for the better part of a week was taking its toll on her already overtaxed body. Not only that, but she distinctly felt the beginnings of a migraine hammering behind her eyes. She vowed to kill Inuyasha when she returned home. It was he, after all, that insisted that Kouga accompany her on this little excursion.

Speaking of Kouga, he was presently ogling a giant man dressed to the hilt in cowboy attire. His ensemble consisted of a bright red button-down shirt tucked into a pair of skin-tight wranglers, accentuated with a pair of alligator skin boots, and a bright shining belt-buckle shaped like the state of Texas. All of this was topped off with an off white cowboy hat that had a red bandana tied around it. He was darkly tanned but not overly so, but it clashed with his sun-bleached locks and baby-blue eyes. Apparently, he'd noticed the staring and wasn't taking to it too kindly.

Sensing the rising tension coming from the man, Kagome grabbed the arm of her 'companion' and lead him to the 'rent-a-car' counter. She'd called ahead to make sure they'd have one prepared for her, as well as rented two hotel rooms. All of this spending added up, and she wasn't rich. Lucky for her, Inuyasha had pulled a few strings and managed to help pay for everything; especially since he was making her bring Kouga along.

When they reached the counter, Kagome pulled a tourist guide pamphlet off a stack and shoved it into Kouga's bewildered hands. She hoped it would keep him occupied at least until her business here was done. The woman behind the counter was chewing rhythmically on a piece of pink bubble-gum, only stopping her incessant smacking on the rare occasion that she felt the need to blow a bubble. When Kagome finally got her attention, the woman had the grace to look surprised.

Once their business was done, Kagome once again dragged poor Kouga to a nondescript car of an older make and a bland color. As soon as she stepped outside, the heat hit her like a tidal-wave. It'd been too long since she'd experienced the all encompassing, steal the breath from your lungs while searing your insides , heat from her childhood. With a grimace, she realized that it was a September afternoon, and that this temperature was considered cool. She swore inwardly when she came to the conclusion that her few years spent in New York had de-climatized her. Kouga too, seemed to be affected by the heat but was trying to hide it as best as he could. Kagome couldn't blame him for almost falling flat on his back...at least she was semi-expecting the blast. He had no warning.

Once inside the car (and the AC had been set to max), Kouga went back to his pamphlet, clearly immersed (that is...after a ten-minute rant about the heat and how she could have warned him). Kagome turned the radio on and tuned in on a local rock station. She dragged up a warn-out mental map of the highways and roads and tried to remember which one to take. When she was pretty sure she was heading in the right direction, she listened to the radio and let her thoughts drift away.

(20 minutes later&)

"I thought you said they lived in Texas," Kouga asked, clearly worn out from so much car travel.

'Wuss,' thought Kagome.

"They do...About an hour drive from here," she answered instead.

"I knew Texas was big, but this is ridiculous," Kouga whined.

"Let me help you put this into perspective then," Kagome intoned. "You can start at the lowest tip of the state and drive for 12 hours in a straight line, non-stop, and you'd still be in Texas." Kouga's look of shock was almost priceless. "And before you ask...the reason we landed in San Antonio is because it's the closest airport to our destination. So just relax and enjoy the ride."

Kouga seemed to take her advice...until a few moments later when he started making a raucous in his seat. Curious, Kagome took her eyes off the road to see what had him so excited...and groaned internally. Apparently seeing a herd of about thirty cattle was new to him.

"Do you see them?" he asked excitedly. "There're so many!"

Kagome snorted, "That one's small. The ranch I grew up next to had over five hundred heads of cow, and even THAT was considered modest." Kouga suddenly turned to her, a manic gleam in his eye.

"You think they'll notice if one's missing?"

"If you're hungry for beef, I know a number of steak houses I can take you to. Just try to be civil ok?" Kouga's blue-eyes darkened into predatory glee as he considered his soon to be devoured prey. Kagome groaned once more, while bashing her head lightly against the steering wheel. Luckily they were at an intersection, and the car was stopped.

(30 more minutes later&)

As promised, Kagome had stopped at a quaint little steak-house about ten miles from their destination. Country music could be heard blaring from an old juke-box while couples danced and drunks lined up at a bar on the far end of the restaurant talking animatedly to each other. Kouga had already torn into his t-bone steak that took up most of his plate. Kagome, on the other hand, had barely touched her burger; opting instead, to pick at her fries and stare out into space.

'I wonder how mom and everyone's doing. Souta's probably already out of school by now, and Sis's more than likely found a job around here.' She sighed, 'I doubt they'll be happy to see me. We didn't exactly part on the best of terms...' Kagome rested her face in her hands. 'Damn it, when I left I had no plans on ever coming back, and now here I am. What does he expect me to do, just waltz up to them and say, "Hey remember me? I'm the daughter who ran out and swore that she'd never speak to you again. Well guess what? I'm back!"' Another sigh, 'Damn you, Sesshoumaru.' A particularly vicious cramp twisted Kagome insides making her wince minutely, 'AND DAMN MOTHER NATURE!'

"You all right?" Kouga's concerned voice snapped her out of her inner rantings.

"Yeah, Kouga, just thinking about things," she answered monotone.

"You worried about seeing your family again?" he asked, surprising Kagome with its accuracy. He obviously caught on to her surprise and hastily explained. "Sesshoumaru warned Inuyasha about how you and your family don't get along. That's the main reason I was sent with you. To make sure you were okay, physically and emotionally." Kagome smiled gratefully.

"Thanks for the concern. I'll be fine. It's just that I didn't exactly leave under the best circumstances, and now I'll be showing up on their doorstep completely out of the blue." Kouga's eyes became sympathetic, and he rested his hand over hers to stop her from nervously fidgeting with the steak-knife.

"You want me there with you when you visit?"

"No, thank you, I'll be alright. Honestly, I'd rather do this by myself." Kouga nodded and retracted his hand, but not before pausing briefly to enjoy the small amount of contact.

Kagome nervously cleared her throat. "When you're done with your cow-fix, I'll drop you off at the hotel."

"You're going tonight?"

She chuckled softly, "No time like the present, right?" Kouga nodded firmly.

(Later&…)

Once Kouga was finished with his food (never even touching the mashed potatoes or beans), Kagome paid the bill, and they were off again. It only took a few minutes to get to the hotel and get checked in. Kouga and Kagome's rooms were right next to each other, and both walked simultaneously into their respective rooms. There was only one bed, a TV set, a mini-fridge, and a bathroom. Kagome dropped her luggage on a small table that was next to the bed and swiftly left the room.

She knocked on Kouga's door to tell him that she was on her way out, when it suddenly opened. Apparently it hadn't been closed securely in Kouga's rush to get inside. When she peaked her head behind the door, Kagome was hard pressed to suppress the girlish giggle that threatened to break free. Kouga was laying sprawled hazardously across his pristine mattress, fully clothed, and dead to the world. The excitement and jet-lag had taken another victim. As quietly as she could, Kagome shut the door, making sure it was closed securely, before continuing on her way.

After a few minutes of driving, Kagome reached her mother's home. It wasn't much; it never was. There were a number of trees surrounding the structure, a well tread path leading from the driveway to the front door, and (what shocked Kagome the most) children's toys scattered helter-skelter around the front lawn. This was a new development.

Kagome made her way to the front entrance, dreading each step that brought her closer to her fate. When there were no more steps to be taken, Kagome gingerly reached out and lightly knocked on the door. One could hear a children's show blaring loudly on the other side. So loudly, in fact, that Kagome was hoping the viewer was unable to hear her timid knock. Her hopes were dashed when the door was suddenly wrenched open. Kagome gazed in utter shock at the sight before her. There stood her baby sister, no more than seventeen years of age, dressed in maternity clothes, while bouncing a bubbly baby girl on her hip. Her sister pulled her dirty blond locks out of her eyes to level a glare at the older sibling.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

(End Chapter)

I know, I know, ugly evil vile demented cliff-hanger. Contrary to the usual, though, I DO have the next chapter started. Not too far in though. . Usually this is where I'd put in my coveted review responses, but thanx to a new edict by I can't do that anymore. (hmph, stupid poo-poo heads)

I CAN say however, that I HAVE read and deeply cherish each and every one I've gotten; from the very short "update soon"'s, to the demented (you know who you are), to the lengthy in depth ones. I'd probably say that I even enjoy the flames, but I've never gotten one (much to the suprise, and maybe chagrin, of my buddy BelleDayNight). For those of you who require an answer to your review, make sure you're logged in so I can e-mail you the response (or just add it to your message).

Despite popular believe, I will (I repeat) I WILL NOT ABANDON THIS STORY. I will see it through to the end...however long that may be.

Thank you for reading and tolerating my poor updating predictability and my chapter's short length.