Disclaimer: I do own it. I'm NOT insane…I think.
Story: Due to the jewel shards on their necks, the last four members of the Shichinintai were somehow able to travel to Kagome's time. Unfortunately for her, the well has sealed up. At least they don't have their weapons!
Set after Ginkotsu's death.
Spoilers: After Ginkotsu's death, no.
Warnings: Eh, maybe…this is anime after all…
Pairings: No telling! Secret, secret!
A/n: It's really starting to get OOC now…0.0
Eh, sorry y'all. This was supposed to have come out on Christmas...well, I hope everyone had a good Christmas!

Kagome Higurashi! No Need for Shichinintai
Chapter Four: An Order of Therapy Part One

On Friday, December 14, something happened that could be counted as a blessing or a curse. By then, of course, though none of them had need to go out except to go shopping again, all five of them had stayed in the Higurashi household growing closer with every passing day.

The truce had held up and all of them were used to each other's presence by now. Jakotsu had been alternating between wench and Miss Higurashi, Renkotsu had caught up to Kagome's level and now helped her out, Suikotsu came to silently sit with Kagome every night and Bankotsu actually spent his time learning a bit of the stuff required in school, not knowing what else to do. Each Shichinintai was starting to feel close to the modern day miko.

Somehow, that Friday should have been the 13th.

That morning, Kagome got up and did her usual routine but before she went ahead and cooked breakfast, she wanted to check up on the well. Humming, she got there rather quickly and she set off down the ladder. Poor, forgettable ladder. Most of the time she just jumps into the well.

Still humming, she climbed right back out of the well and was surprised.

The well wasn't sealed. Kagome found herself staring straight at the sacred tree, her body halfway out of the well. Dropping herself in, appearing in her time, she ran into her home. Startling the four men, she grabbed Renkotsu's hand and flew off towards the well, the other three chasing after her. Stopping in front of the well, Kagome faced the Shichinintai.

"The well's working," she breathed out. Why did she get the feeling they weren't happy about that? "I don't get it. I thought you four would be happy! Haven't you been wanting to go back?"

She didn't expect Jakotsu to grab the front of her sweater and pick her up so that her feet were off the ground, with one hand. "Look here, wen –Kagome! Maybe we don't want to go now! Are you trying to get rid of us or something?"

She blinked and then placed one hand on Jakotsu's arm. "No…I thought you wanted to leave. Even if we're enemies on the other side, you're always welcome here. Think of it as a sanctuary or a neutral ground."

The feminine man dropped her, looking away.

Suikotsu came and helped the fallen girl up. "I guess we should go back, huh?" the doctor asked quietly.

"Not exactly. We can have a last supper or something first. How about this whole day will be spent doing whatever you four want?"

The four grinned at her and Kagome found herself smiling back.

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There were several things they had agreed upon doing. After breakfast, they were to go to the grocery store one last time, then they were to finish the unfinished lunch they had at her school under the cherry blossom tree, and then go to a party that Kagome had been invited to with one last dinner at Kagome's house to end with.

Right now, Kagome was preparing the bentos for the lunch later. Bankotsu entered the kitchen and sat down next to her, watching her intently as she made them sushi, rice balls, dumplings and put in some rice as extra.

"Can you hand me my handkerchief, Bankotsu?"

He looked around until he spotted it lying on the counter behind him. He handed it to her and she wiped her hands delicately on it. He still had not spoken but he decided to change that, "Miss Higurashi, you don't mind if I keep that, do you?"

She looked startled for a second. "What, this thing? I guess if you want it…"

He gave her a weak smile and took the handkerchief from her. He walked away, clutching the piece of cloth tightly in his hand before he was out of sight and he brought it to his face. He breathed in the smell and then slowly breathed it out. It smelled of everything associated with Kagome. Her cooking, her rose scented lotion, and even felt like her skin.

He walked off, a smile on his face.

As Kagome finished up, she heard footsteps echo behind her. "Are we ready to go yet?"

"Just about, Suikotsu. Tell the others to meet me in the front yard."

It wasn't long before they all met and headed to the grocery store. Kagome made it a point to get something for each of them and Jakotsu got Hot Cheetos, Suikotsu got a First Aid kit, Renkotsu got a geometry set and Bankotsu got a photo album.

Looking at what they chose, Kagome had to shake her head. What in the world…

"Jakotsu, as soon as we get back to the Feudal era, you're going to have to eat that within a couple of days. Those get stale. Suikotsu…no comment. Bankotsu, why do you need a photo album? You don't have any pictures to put in there."

"I saw those picture things in your room and you had copies. I could put those in here. And you're going to take pictures of today, aren't you? And hey, you didn't say anything about what Renkotsu wanted!" Bankotsu pouted.

"Because Renkotsu is going to use those to keep up with geometry and Suikotsu is going to borrow the set to do the same…Wait a second, geometry doesn't even exist yet! I take it back. Renkotsu, what the hell would need geometry tools for?"

He shrugged. "I have to keep practicing, right? So I won't forget."

"But it's not going to help you back in your time…"

"…"

Kagome sighed and headed towards the cashier. Whatever, as long as she got them something they wanted.

The raven haired girl had more problems to come. As they walked outside, a huge gust of wind blew at them and snow began to fall. The only girl in the group turned her face up and she could feel snowflakes hit her skin. It melted as soon as it hit her warm body.

"It's snowing," she murmured. This city always looked beautiful covered in snow. She wished the Shichinintai could've been able to stay a bit longer to see it.

"Let's hurry up and eat that lunch at my school before we go to that party. And then I'll make us some hot chocolate to warm us up…"

As they reached her school and sat down by her tree, Kagome grimaced as she saw her school burnt up and in ruins.

"Geez, Renkotsu. You really did a number on my school."

He coughed and a slight tinge of red spread across his cheeks.

The snow still fell gracefully around them, coating the ground and the naked tree behind them. Some landed on the blackened building, painting it white once again. And each of them ate the food silently, appreciating the silent beauty and enjoying the meal. Though no one spoke, everyone felt settled and comfortable in the quiet.

A few moments after they finished eating, they just sat there in the cold, not feeling anything but each other's presence.

"The party starts in thirty minutes. I…sort of bought something for you four to wear to it."

"You didn't need to go and do that, woman." Jakotsu said cheerfully. "It's nice and all but we're only going to wear it this once. We can't exactly go around in modern day clothing in our time."

Kagome blushed and looked down. "I know…I was hoping you'd let me keep it to remember you all…and I wanted to take a picture of all of us. I'll even make sure Bankotsu gets a copy."

"No problem, Miss Higurashi," was the soft reply from Suikotsu.

She smiled at them and suddenly, she couldn't wait until the party.

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Her mind was a bit torn when she actually got there. It was a formal party so everyone had to wear something nice. But really, couldn't Eri have made an exception for her? Kagome just knew she looked horrible compared to all these other people walking, dancing and standing around. She still hadn't of seen her friend.

She nervously stood near a table her anxious friend had reserved for her before she cracked and just sat down in panic. Of all the friends, Eri had invited only her because 'she was sensible and respectable and wouldn't make a ruckus at the party' to quote the other girl. And she was alone right then because she had shown the four men where the bathroom was at and they haven't come back yet.

She was starting to feel very insecure, though…

Kagome just felt very uncomfortable. There were so many perfect looking people around and she felt so embarrassed.

"You look very pretty tonight."

She found Bankotsu seating himself next to her.

"You don't have to compliment me. I mean, you don't have to tell me I'm pretty for me to know I'm beautiful. I do know." She looked away, glaring at her side. He could see her face soften a bit and he heard her mumble, "Thanks."

The others came back, muttering about how they had to wait and see how modern men used these so called 'urinals'. Bankotsu just shrugged and said he went into the –"They're called stalls, Bankotsu, not weird rooms…" –to use the toilet. Kagome shook her head at them but smiled.

They watched people dance around into waltzes and other such ballroom dances before someone young had gotten control of the music and put on some hip hop and R&B. The younger crowd hooted before they started to dance to the beats, careful not to stray into dirty dancing in front of the adults.

Finally, Kagome spotted Eri just as her friend spotted her.

"Kagome!"

"Eri!"

Kagome got up and embraced her friend.

"Such a formal party going on, don't you think?"

"Of course, my parents are meeting business partners and potentials at the same time. Oh, you brought those sexy men here! Heellooo, you four!" Eri waved cheekily at them before turning back to Kagome.

"Why aren't you dancing? You love to dance. In fact, you're a natural at it. Come on! This party needs to be spiced up. You're an excellent dancer, Kagome! Better than anyone here, too. Don't make me drag you to the dance floor." Kagome's friend warned.

A blush was starting to spread across the modern miko's face. "I don't really think that's –"

Before another word was said, Eri started pulling Kagome towards the dance floor. She looked pleadingly to the men being left behind but they just looked bewildered.

But when a really catchy song started playing, Kagome started to sway to it and for the first time at that party, she was starting to have fun. She laughed and giggled with Eri before she was swept up by an unknown man to do the tango. The floor was cleared and only Kagome and the man were left to conquer the dance. And then there was another waltz and Kagome switched partners before a rock song came on and everyone began just moving to the beat again. By the end, Kagome had proven to be one of the best, if not the best, dancers there, all attention focused on her movements.

As she headed home with the Shichinintai trailing after her, she began to somber up from her happy mood. They were going to leave soon and separate.

"Miss Higurashi, would you teach us to dance before we go inside?"

They were on the front courtyard, snow already piling up, and that question came out of nowhere from Suikotsu.

She was surprised and it showed but she just smiled and shook it off. "Sure, why not?"

For half an hour, she spent time teaching each one of them how to dance modernly. Soon, it got too cold, almost freezing, and they headed inside.

While she was getting the hot chocolate ready, she murmured to them, "Why don't we leave in the morning? You know, what's one more night…"

It was silent and Kagome thought she hit a nerve. She whirled around, "I'm sorry. I don't know what –"

They were sitting at the table smiling at her. About two weeks ago, Kagome wouldn't have thought it was possible. She would bet on it now.

"Why don't we head over to the living room?" She handed their cups to them and held hers. It was strange. In the beginning, she had been very reluctant to let them into the living room but after awhile she finally let the damages go and they were able to set foot in the large room.

Moving the couches and coffee table, they set down some pillows and wrapped blankets around themselves. Renkotsu saw that Kagome was still cold and moved closer to her. He shared his blanket with her and she started to warm up a little. One by one, the others moved to surround her and the cold bothered no one.

Everyone slept peacefully that night.

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It was a shame really to get up. Everyone was so comfortable and warm. Before and a little after they woke up was such a picture perfect moment. It was a shame there wasn't any cameras around.

Unfortunately, they all had to get up and Kagome forced the men to take a shower first so she could take a couple more minutes of sleep. After they were done she did the same and she was glad Eri had taken a picture of all five of them yesterday at the party but she really wanted a picture here at their home. So strange…their home

She set up the camera outside and forced the still sleepy men outside. She set the camera and then quickly moved to be in the middle of the four men, in between Bankotsu and Suikotsu. She knew that even if sleepy looking, the picture would be a happy one.

She took the camera off of the tripod and hung it around her neck.

"Ready guys?"

A little later, the Shichinintai had their last breakfast bentos packed and their gifts with them as Kagome got all the food the rest of the Inu-gumi wanted and some other needs into her backpack.

The Shichinintai went into the well first and then Kagome followed.

Renkotsu helped her out of the well and she stood in front of the Shichinintai.

"I guess this is goodbye," Kagome said uncomfortably. The mercenaries stayed quiet and she sighed.

"Bye." Smiling, she waved and then turned from them and started towards the village.

"You know, I miss her already," Bankotsu remarked, long after Kagome's form disappeared from view. "I miss her cooking."

"Shut up Jakotsu."

Suikotsu sighed and started walking. "Let's go find our weapons, guys."

The rest started walking except Renkotsu and they stopped at his words. "Now that she's gone, my heart hurts…" And at the entrance of the village, Kagome was thinking along the same lines.

'Why is my heart hurting now that they're not around?'

Started 11/1/05 –Completed 11/3/05