Chapter 4

July 14, 2006

INuyasha7777777kit: Does that mean you like the new story? I hope so, I will go check out your account as soon as I can get on here longer than five minutes… but I am looking forward to it! Thanks for your review, I hope you enjoy chapter four.

Catbuddy: Thank you so much, it's reviews like yours that keep me motivated… even if my muse decides to leave… (growl) Anywho, yes, I had to have the little brawl between Inu-Yasha and Koga, it just wouldn't be them without it. Here is chapter four for you, hope you enjoy, let me know!

iNuQTpIe: Lol, I tried not to make it too rough for Inu, but there had to be something in there, after all, they are rivals still, well, sorta. Yes, Koga will help, he knows what it's like to have a daughter now, and he wouldn't turn down Kagome anyhow, am I right? Lol, well thank you for the review, and I hope you like chapter four too.

Angela: Well, welcome back, and I know what you mean about busy, so please don't worry about it. I'm glad you give my fic a 'good', it makes me happy. (Insert smiley face here X ) Lol, please enjoy chapter four, and hope your busy schedule calms down, I know we could all use a break every now and again. Thanks for your review!

Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns Inu-Yasha and his gang, and I own the others, so please don't steal or sue, thanks!

Myst

I turn to glance at Inu-Yasha as we slowly make our way up the road leading to the Taijiya village. He wraps an arm around my waist comfortingly and pulls me close to his side. I smile and breathe a soft thanks for his ears only.

"Who goes there?" A young male voice calls out as we reach the gate. Inu-Yasha's arm drops as we stop at the gate and lift our heads to look at the guard.

"We are here to see the Heads of the village." I call back.

"What is your business, is that not two youkai you travel with?"

"Tell Sango-sama and Miroku-sama that Inu-Yasha and Kagome are here and wish to see them." I nod to my companions slowly, keeping my eyes on the guard. The boy glances down into the village and there is silence from his end of the conversation for a second.

"Well?" Inu-Yasha asks, getting antsy.

"Hana-sempai is coming." The boy snaps back down at us. My mate shows his fangs in a threatening manner. I rest a hand on his shoulder and squeeze lightly. I feel him calm and turn to look at me. My eyes are locked on the woman who has appeared next to the guard who has been our informant.

"Why do you come here?" The woman speaks. Her ink black eyes stare into mine as I look up.

"We wish to speak to—"

"So I was told." She cuts me off. I swallow my anger at her rudeness.

"It is me Hana, Kagome."

"You vanished for seven years, your point?" Hana snaps. So the sharp girl has grown into an even harsher woman.

"Please, I need to speak with Sango." I can hear the pleading tone in my voice. We have a minor stare down before the younger woman sets her jaw and vanishes from the wall.

"Where'd she go?" Inu-Yasha growls at me. I don't answer, instead tracking the sudden opening of the gates of the village. Hana stands there, her back straight, her eyes locked with mine yet again.

"Leave, you are not welcome here." The woman walks toward me as she speaks. My mate snarls again and moves to get in front of me, but I motion for him to stay still.

"What has gone on here, Hana?" I whisper as she stops inches from me.

"When you left you destroyed Sensei. Why would you think she would want to see you now? You are a selfish bitch." Hana spat out. I don't even realize what happens until I feel the sting on my palm.

"Don't you dare call me a bitch." I snarl back.

"Do you want to get into it right here, miko?" She asks, turning her face back to me.

"What is your problem, Hana?" My fists clench at my sides.

"You left with a hanyou—"

"Is that what this is about?" I cut her off this time. She glares at me and I glance at Inu-Yasha. Twice in one day has my mate been isolated because he is a hanyou. "We don't have time for this." I say and push past the woman, Inu-Yasha at my side.

"You handled that well." He breathes in my ear. I giggle silently for a second before I sober.

"I don't understand what—" My words are cut off as something wraps around my legs, tripping me to the ground. "What the…?" I look back to see Hana holding onto the end of a metal chain that connects to my legs.

"You. Are. Not. Welcome. Here." Her voice is rough, each word with its own venom. I stop Inu-Yasha's advance once again, and this time Hokori's as well.

"I will handle this." I say calmly. My hand reaches down to unwrap the chain from my shins. "You two go inside and see if Sango and Miroku will see us." I get back to my feet, facing Hana again. Neither Inu-Yasha nor Hokori budge.

"I'm not leaving you, Kagome." My mate says. I smile slightly, I knew he wouldn't leave.

"What's going on here, Hana? Are you going to fight me?"

"If I have to."

"You will not win."

"I'd be willing to bet against that." She draws her scathes from her back. I draw my sword even with her. "You will pay for what you did to Sensei." Hana says before she attacks. I easily hold her off with my sword.

"I really don't have time to spar with you."

"This is no sparring match." The girl pushes off of me, twisting her foot around to kick at my head. My right arm easily catches her ankle and bends around to lock her limb to my side.

"You are not thinking straight." I say as I twist her leg, throwing her carefully to the ground. I watch as Hana gets back to her feet.

"Kagome, we don't have time for this." Inu-Yasha growls from behind me.

"Well what would you have me do?" I ask back as I block another kick to my face, throwing the girl backward this time.

"Knock her out." He replies.

"Hm." I nod slightly as this time Hana's scathes come at my face. "Do you have some fetish with my face or something?" I ask her as I grab both wrists in my left hand and thrust my sword under her arms, stopping the tip inches from her chest. The woman's eyes grow wide in surprise and the pressure I ensue on her wrists makes her drop her weapons. "Let us pass now, I do not wish to kill you."

"Filthy bitch." She snarls, and then a grin comes to her lips. "Do it then, kill me, miko."

My teeth grind together in anger. "Stupid girl." I come back with before flashing my sword hilt around to knock her on the back of the head. The woman crumples into a heap at my feet as I let her go. "Hmph." I mutter under my breath as I turn away from the form.

"Hana!" A much younger voice calls. This time my stare turns to meet a pair of bright green eyes. Any words of question stop in my throat as the young boy runs past me in a whirlwind.

"Uh…" I turn around again to watch the boy kneel at Hana's side.

"What did you do to her?" He accuses me. I pull back in shock.

"Wha—me? I didn't—" I stutter.

"She'll be fine, Aijou. We want to see Sango and Miroku." Inu-Yasha butts in. I turn to look at my mate.

"Aijou…?" I breathe. Inu-Yasha nods once, never taking his eyes off the younger male. I turn back to the now standing youkai.

"Miroku-sama and Sensei are inside." Aijou says, his eyes lightening slightly now that he knows Hana is alright. I smile softly and nod.

"Thanks. Are you going to be able to get Hana into the village?" I ask the youkai. He nods and easily lifts the woman into his arms.

"I'll have Kai-chan show you to their hut." Aijou says as he begins walking into the village. Inu-Yasha and I share a glance before following the young youkai.

"That was easy." I whisper. He nods again silently. We are met just inside by a now much older Kai and then led to the back of the village where I see Sango and Miroku working outside. Three children do a mix of helping with the work and playing outside. There is a fourth child swaying back and forth in a handmade cradle in the shade of a tree not far from the others.

"Sensei, Miroku-sama," Kai calls as we approach. My two old friends lift their heads and turn to look at the girl. I can see their eyes widen as they fall on Inu-Yasha, Hokori, and me.

I watch in what seems slow motion as Sango drops her hoe to the ground. Her hands move to cover her now open mouth. I can even see the tears fill her eyes and see her breath quicken in her chest.

"Inu-Yasha… Kagome…?" Miroku's questioned breath draws my attention for a moment. His eyes are as wide as Sango's and he has taken a step toward us. I smile slightly and nod before turning back to where the head Taijiya had been standing, only to find her gone. I turn to see her scooping the child up from the cradle and grabbing the second youngest by the hand before rushing into her hut.

"Sango—wait!" I try, reaching out a futile hand toward her vanishing back. Inu-Yasha catches me as I try to run after her.

"Wait." He whispers as I look up at him. I look to see Miroku walking up to meet us and understand. I turn to the hut once more and hide the sadness that I feel at my friend's rejection, but as Hana said: I had vanished for seven years, what kind of a welcome could I expect?