Chapter 1

Kagome walked through the forest on her way to the well. Behind her Inuyasha continued his usual tirade on why she couldn't leave. She didn't listen; she'd heard all his arguments before. It would be nice, she thought, if for once he'd say something new. She knew that wouldn't happen, after two years with no change there was not likely to be anything she hadn't heard before. She made a turn and the well came into view. She continued towards the well and stopped at it. She shifted the gigantic almost empty yellow backpack to the other shoulder and turned to face the still fussing hanyou.

"Inuyasha," she said calmly. "Today is Souta's thirteenth birthday and I plan on attending my little brother's party. I'll be back in the morning." Kagome looked at the clawed hand encircling her arm; the grip was firm yet gentle. Just enough force to hold her there. Since the one time Inuyasha had grasped her arm tightly then seen the bruise the next day, he had never used any of his considerable strength to hold. He was always extremely careful. As she jerked her arm away, he released his hold to prevent her being injured by his claws.

"Kagome, Naraku is out there and you know he's hunting shards." He argued, trying another old point.

"Have you ever wondered why Naraku is after the same shards as us?" She questioned. "He always steals shards from us or gets them after we arrive where they are. Did you ever consider that we might be leading him to them? That if I'm not here to find them he can't find them." She bit back the smile at his puzzled expression. "Now, I'm going to Souta's birthday party and I'll be back in the morning."

"You promise?" He growled.

She dropped the yellow monstrosity and took his face in her hands then threaded her fingers through his hair and he lowered his head. "I promised I would be by your side as long as you want me there. Do you still want me there?"

"That's a stupid question," he groused.

"Then I'll be back in the morning." She removed her hands and climbed up on the lip of the well. "Unless you want to come with me?"

"Keh."

"I'll take that as a no," she chuckled. "Ok I'll see you in…"

"Kagome."

"What now Inuyasha," she sighed.

"You're forgetting your pack," Inuyasha told her holding up the backpack.

"Thank you," she said as she took the pack from him.

"Keh, just don't forget the ninja food," he snorted folding his arms in the sleeves of his hiori. "Or bandages."

"I won't. See you in the morning." She turned and jumped into the well.

When she'd first jumped through the well, fear had kept her from realizing the wonder of it. Sometimes she was in such a hurry that wonder was forgotten as well, but times like this she could enjoy it. The rush as gravity pushed her down until the magic took hold catching her, slowing her fall until she was weightless to float through time surrounded in the brilliant comforting blues of the magic. As suddenly as the trip began it ended, depositing her gently at the bottom of the well. The only bad thing was having to climb back up lugging the yellow monstrosity.

At the bottom of the well, she thought for a moment on Inuyasha allowing her such a physical demonstration of her feelings. Inuyasha's usual gruff personality prevented such displays and she treasured each one for the gift they were.

The backpack was shouldered and she climbed the ladder up into the modern world. After two years hunting jewel shards in the past, the modern world was becoming more jarring each time she returned. The last time she'd been home all that her friends could talk about was the latest movie, the newest technology and their latest boyfriend. When they discussed technology Kagome found herself lost and nodding as if she understood.

A short trip across the courtyard of the shrine, past the few tourists that were taking pictures and she entered the house she'd grown up in. Shoes were kicked off and placed in the cubbyhole that more often than not was empty. The backpack was carted into the kitchen and placed at the end of the table in the kitchen. Souta's cake on the table decorated with what must be an anime character and thirteen candles sat in the center of the table.

"Welcome home, Kagome," Kaiya greeted coming into the kitchen from the den area. "You're early; I didn't expect you till moments before the party."

"I thought I'd help you set up."

"No need, I just finished," Kaiya told her, then moved to sit at the table. "How are things going with the quest?"

Kagome sank into a chair across from her mother, "Same as always. Spend weeks hunting shards and fighting youkai. The shards are getting harder and harder to find."

"Have you had to fight Naraku?"

"Not lately. Mostly it's been his incarnations. He's created new ones… again. I almost miss Kagura." At her mother's questioning look she explained, "Kagura always seemed to not enjoy the jobs Naraku sent her on but there was some reason she had to do them. Sometimes she actually helped us. She would lead us to Naraku or give us a hint that would save us."

Kaiya nodded, "What about your friends? Inuyasha, Shippou, Miroku, Sango and Kaede, how are all of them?"

"Kaede is getting older. The winter was very hard on her. That reminds me, I need to pick up some more of those heating pad things. She said they really helped her joint pains. Shippou is getting taller and he's outgrowing coloring books and crayons. He still enjoys drawing, so I thought I'd get him a sketchbook and some charcoal pencils. Sango and Miroku are so cute. They are very committed to each other; of course Miroku is still Miroku." Kagome stopped and took a breath, "Inuyasha is still gruff, but he's growing up. He's less likely to charge in without thinking now. In fact, last time we ran into Sesshomaru he actually talked to his brother instead of screaming insults."

"Sounds like everyone is doing well."

"Yeah. So how is everything here?"

"I turned in your assignments last week and got your new ones. They are due in three weeks and when you turn those in you'll have to go into the councilor's office and take the test on the material." Kaiya stretched. "Souta's voice started cracking the other day and he's had another growth spurt and is as tall as you were at fifteen."

"I can't wait to see him. Guess I won't be able to call him a little twerp much longer," Kagome laughed.

"I don't think so."

"I'm home," Souta's voice floated into the kitchen and Kagome bit back a laugh as his voice cracked.

"We're in here," Kaiya called.

"We?" Souta asked walking into the kitchen. "Sis! Is Inuyasha with you?"

"No," Kagome answered as she stood and gave her brother a hug. "Wow! Mom wasn't kidding you have shot up. Soon you'll be as tall as Inuyasha."

"Souta! What is that on your hand?" Kaiya stood up quickly. The chair screeching as it was pushed back. She came over and grabbed his right hand, examining the bandage.

"It's nothing," Souta told her, snatching his hand away. "Just a little sore in my palm."