Crusade Against the Moon

Chapter Two : Settling In

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor the characters from the show.

Last Chapter::

She hummed pleasantly against his back, "I've missed the sound of-" she inhaled deeply, her heart becoming more steady with each step he took, "-of your voice."

Inuyasha stepped to the edge of the tree line of his forest. The village slumbered peacefully below. Closing his eyes, he sighed, and like a prayer, whispered her name into the night.

The smell of food woke Kagome from her slumber. She opened her eyes slowly, blinking a few times before the fuzziness of her vision cleared. Kaede sat hunched in the middle of the hut, attending to breakfast with a hum and a small wrinkled smile. Kagome sat up slowly, rubbing at an eye before she stretched her arms up high, willing the rest of her body to wake with her semi-groggy mind.

"Good morning my dear."

"Good morning Kaede," she mumbled. She scrunched her shoulders, bumping up the circulation in her arms before finally getting out of her borrowed futon and blankets. She took her time folding them, listening to the sizzling of the food, and neatly put them away. Her heart felt light, just knowing that she was here in the past with the old woman, where she felt at home, rather than in her own time, where she felt like a stranger... it was bittersweet.

Pushing her dark thoughts away, she knelt next to Kaede and asked, "would you like any help with that?"

The old woman turned towards her, "If ye don't mind, we'll need a few more eggs." Her voice lowered to a whisper, "There might be a great deal of company this morn."

Kagome blushed, knowing that part of the reason was because of her presence. She bowed low, "thank you, Kaede." She heard the old woman cackle sweetly before lifting herself off the floor to look at her again. It felt so strange, actually being able to see her, after all that time. The image before her was real. No apparition, no dream. With a shy smile, Kagome grabbed a rag from her pile of borrowed things and walked towards the door, covering her mouth with a few fingers, "I hope you don't mind," she smiled sheepishly, "I'll only take a minute to freshen up and then I'll bring you what you need."

Kaede waved a playful hand in her direction, "worry not child. I shall be here upon your return."

Turning from the hut, Kagome stepped outdoors and took her time walking down to the village river. She eyed the trees expectantly, hoping to catch a glimpse of Inuyasha along the way. Once there, she brushed her teeth and washed her face. Shortly after she patted it dry with a hand towel, then sat back and took in the scenery. Everything felt so surreal. Almost like the first time she fell through the well. She could hardly believe it.

Where there should have been asphalt roads, convenient stores, her old high-school, and multi story houses and buildings, there were huts and dirt paths instead. Large fields full of rice stalks hummed with a sway from the wind, little fuzzy critters chased each other through the grass and twirled up around thick trees. The morning chill tickled her arms and made her shiver. She rubbed at them, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath of fresh air.

This time lacked the rush of life that the future plagued on its people. That, she wouldn't miss. She smiled, her body relaxing as tranquility slowly washed over her.

This was home.

Not capable of getting a wink of sleep, Inuyasha had stayed up most of the night. It wasn't because he was worried, there was no inherent danger around. It also wasn't because anyone had disturbed him, those fools knew better than that at least. No, it was because he just couldn't stop thinking.

Thinking of what, he had no idea, but thinking of who...

Before he knew it, the sun had graced the sky, the scent of food rose up shortly after, then a very chipper Kagome walked out of the hut, her head steadily wandering in every which direction while on route to the river. He followed her quietly, keeping back just enough to stay out of her peripheral, and watched as she cleaned up for the morning.

How many times had he seen her do this? The memory was there, but it had grown fuzzy. Something he'd never paid much mind to, never gave much thought to. It wasn't as if this routine of hers was something important enough to stay fresh in his mind. But now, as he watched her dry up and sit beside the river, he realized he wanted to know more, remember more. Not only the big important things she did, but the small things too, things everyone else would miss about her; her small ticks and habits.

Leaping from his perch, he landed behind her. He took a few steps forward and noticed her start to turn.

'Crap.'

He was hoping to be silent enough so he could watch her a bit longer. Well there went that.

Kagome's heart skipped happily at the feel of Inuyasha's presence. "You're up early." She couldn't help the giddy smile on her face. Being able to hear his voice was wonderful, she was so grateful that she didn't have to retrieve it from her muddled memory – though deep down she knew she'd never forget it. Even with that thought, it still felt like meeting a person and hearing their voice for the first time all over again.

Pushing the hair away from her vision, she saw him between the strands and took him in from the ground up. His feet, his wide red pants, his relaxed arms resting by his side, his ashen locks swaying against his frame, his perfectly angled face, and his eyes – those eyes she would just never get over.

She smiled bashfully, looking down at the ground again, hoping the blush she felt wasn't showing up on her face, then gathered her courage and looked back up at him. This was so new, this strange feeling suddenly taking over whenever he was around.

She was so nervous.

Even so, she forced it away, "I was wondering where you were." Her smile remained as she patted the spot next to her and watched as he walked towards her.

"Been here the whole time," he replied gruffly, kneeling down and washing up as well. She handed him her towel once he was done, their hands touching for only a second before he sat back and dried his face, relishing in the feeling jolting up his skin. He handed it back to her and leaned back on his elbows, enjoying the scenery, and more importantly, her.

This was the way it was supposed to be.

Kagome fidgeted the small towel between her fingers, rubbing at it here and there. Inuyasha glanced at her, noticing that she'd sucked in part of her bottom lip, worrying it with her blunt teeth. 'There,' he thought triumphantly, 'that's one.' The first thing to add to his new list of "Little Things Kagome Does".

Her tender voice broke him from his thoughts, "how are you, Inuyasha?"

"What?" He asked dumbly, his eyes going back to hers.

She turned more to get a better look at him, leaning over him only slightly since he was laid back. "All this time... I'm always wondering, and now I'm here. How have you been?" He noticed her tug at her skirt, then scratch at it with her blunt nails. 'There,' he thought, 'another one.'

His ears swerved atop his head in embarrassment. "Uh.." he blinked a few times, now noticing how close their legs were to each other, a closeness they'd always shared, but somehow now was acutely aware of. He looked back at her, trying desperately to school his features. He managed a half hearted disgruntled look, one she saw right through, her smile growing wider, and he looked away, noticing a strand of grass being assaulted by an insect. He squashed it between his fingers. "As good as I have been, wench."

"Ah." She responded. Reading his body language and letting the silence stretch. He was extraordinarily bright under the morning sun. His outfit a radiant red, his hair and eyes almost glowing. They seemed to always be that way. How hadn't she noticed that before? Or had she forgotten? Time did strange things to a person's mind, including robbing them of their memories, especially little detailed ones, regardless of how much you wanted to remember.

Reaching out, she grabbed at his forelock, not needing to tug since he immediately turned to look at her. She leaned close, a mischievous grin on her face. "Don't think you're getting out of this one so easy 'dog-boy'."

Watching her with baited breath, his heart leapt up his throat, nearly chocking him. He swallowed hard. "What are you talking about?" Sure he was confused, as well as flustered and a hundred other emotions he couldn't really focus on because they were rushing through him so fast.

She released his hair and leaned on that hand, tossing the other one away from her, "out of everyone in the group, you're the only one that hasn't talked to me!"

He rubbed the side of his temple in an exaggerated manner, really just doing that to get rid of the jitters in his hands. "We've been talking!" He defended, "we're talking right now!"

"Oooooo," Kagome pursed her lips in frustration.

Inuyasha watched her incredulously as she changed her position as fast as her current mood swing. With her legs tucked under her thighs, she slapped them with closed fists and was now turned fully facing him. "What'd I do now?!" He couldn't read her at all, what did she want? Crazy woman..

Kagome was beyond irritated. How clearer could she possibly be? She wanted to grab him and shake him till he understood. She reached out with out thinking, letting her frustration get the better of her. Fisting her hands in his haori, she tried to pull him towards her, but his heavy body didn't budge, so her body leaned in instead. "What does 'as good as I have been' even mean?!"

He stared at her wide eyed, trying to keep track of the conversation they were having as best as he could.

"Sango and Miroku got married, had kids. Shippo has been training and going to school. But you, what have you been doing?" She tried to shake him once but ended up swaying herself instead. She could feel her eyes burning as she stared at him, waiting for him to answer. In the few seconds that passed, she was immediately filled with dread. 'Open up to me, Inuyasha.' Her mind begged. Was she going to have to start the whole process over again? Did he build another wall while she'd been gone. But why for her? What had she done?

Suddenly seeing clearly, she blinked back at his incredulous golden gaze. Her face flushed with shame. She'd just made a complete fool of herself! This was not the reunion she had waited for! How could she mess things up so bad so soon? After having such a wonderful run in the woods the night before, she just had to turn and freak out on him. Horrified, she took in a sharp breath, an embarrassed squeak escaping her lips, and went to withdraw her hands from him.

Before she knew it, his arms were lifting towards her, his red haori engulfing her vision. She caught a glimpse of his pained eyes before his body seemed to cocoon around her, and she fell into his chest. He pressed her close, she could feel his chin dipping down to her head. Her body shuddered involuntarily. The heartbreak she'd dealt with for the past three years surfacing with a will of its own. Wanting to escape, be free, and be melded back together. Her tears ran down on their own accord, and she tried hard not to cry out loud. She whispered his name softly, the syllables shaking on her lips, and she wrapped her arms around his torso, squeezing him as if her life depended on it. "I missed you so much."

He tightened his hold on her, whispering her name, letting it ghost over her hair tenderly. Where could he begin? So much had happened since she'd been gone, but so little and insignificant all the same. He'd waited for her helplessly and without abandon. Some days he thought she'd never return. Those were the most dreadful.

For a while he thought he'd lost himself. He couldn't bring himself to think, to feel. It was a numbness he'd never experienced before. He closed his eyes and squeezed her a bit tighter. She felt so real. How many times had he dreamt of something like this? Some dreams so vivid, that when he'd woke he lost all will to face the day. Only wanting to turn and sleep again, if only to have her near.

Lifting a clawed hand, he ran it from the crown of her head to the middle of her back where her hair ended, then he did it again, untangling the long dark strands. He could feel her holding her breath, trying to keep her tears at bay, but he smelled them none the less. After she couldn't hold it in anymore, she'd let out a trembling puff of air and start the cycle again.

That went on for a few minutes. He was content in comforting her, a strange tranquility settling over him as he stared out at the river and the distant mountains. He couldn't help but feel a little guilty. All she wanted was some conversation.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, cutting his train of thought. She tried to pull away but he squeezed with one arm, holding her in place.

"Don't be." He opened his eyes and blinked slowly, watching the river as it washed away their grief. "We can talk."

He heard her whisper his name again, the tears out of her voice this time. She squeezed him again and pulled away, he let his hands slide away and looked up at her face, cheeks rosy and eyes sparkling under the sun. He felt his heart tighten in his chest, and she smiled for him. That soft tender smile he'd come to realize only Kagome could give. "Thank you, Inuyasha."

Said demon felt his face heat up, then blinked rapidly, trying to push the embarrassment away.

Turning her attention back to the horizon in front of them, Kagome rinsed her face then got up, patting the wrinkles off her pleated skirt. "Kaede needs some extra eggs for breakfast. Will you help me get them?"

"Yeah.. sure." Dumbfounded, he got up and followed after her. Didn't she want to talk now? What was all that blubbering for then?

Reaching the crest of the small hill, he pointed out the chicken coop and helped her pick some eggs. He was in the middle of picking his last one when she crouched beside him.

"Hey," she smiled. "You ready to head back?"

He eyed her warily, not getting her deal, but mentally shrugged it off before replying, "yeah."

They were at the front of Kaede's hut when Kagome reached out and pulled on his sleeve. He stopped and turned to her, his arm hyper sensitive to the hand that was still holding him. "Kaede said we'd have company for breakfast, so I didn't want to keep everyone waiting." Her cheeks tinged pink, "can we still talk later?"

Inuyasha felt the blood rush to his head. He wasn't used to all this mushy quiet talk, especially since she was the only one he usually had it with. He eyed her form warily, the girl really knew how to get to him... in a good way. But really, he couldn't complain. She was back, and he missed her painfull. He mentally backpedaled and realized he had to count his blessing, because really, he didn't have much much to be thankful for.

"Keh! Relax already! I told ya we'd talk so we'll talk! Now lets go before they finish all the food! I'm starvin'!" He pulled away from her, his haori slipping from her fingers before he burst into the hut, boisterous and arrogant. "Oi!" Kagome chuckled, relieved he was relaxed enough to pump up his facade of an attitude, and followed in behind him, "you two talkin' about me already?"

"Inuyasha!" Miroku exclaimed, happy to see his friend, who he had patiently been waiting for. "Well, well, look at what the dog dragged in! You two were gone awfully long. I was beginning to wonder-ah!" Inuyasha had stomped over to him and pushed his head down with his bare foot.

"Shut it monk! It's too early for your shit."

Kagome gasped his name, watching as Rin walked in who was closely followed by Shippo and Kohaku. It seemed that after her three year absence, Inuyasha's had lost none of his bad habits.

Miroku, used to the abuse from his wife and comrade, laughed it off comically. "Ahah, yes, you're right... much too early." The hanyou slid his foot off his so called friend before settling down around the fire with everyone.

After the food was distributed, Kagome, Rin, and Shippo hollered an appreciative, "Itadakimasu" and dug in.

Almost finished with his plate, Inuyasha glanced at Kagome from his safe place behind it. Her smile was lovely, and his nerves danced happily around his calm demeanor, like fish in a koi pond. She happened to flick her gazed at him in that moment and her face went red. Quickly, she turned away and pretended to focus on eating.

'Inuyasha,' her mind whispered.

Her Inuyasha.

Special first moments with him crossed her mind, and after her short day dream, she quickly realized how she couldn't pin point the exact moment her feelings for him had shifted from friendly to romantic. The thing she did remember though, was the moment she realized she loved him.

It was heart wrenching, and beautiful, and bittersweet all the same. As she walked through her mother's yard, the day seemed almost perfect, a complete contrast to her tormented heart. The tears that had burned down her cheeks paved a path to his fiery heart, entangling her forever. By then, it was too late, and she was in love. There was just no coming back from his tenacious soul.

Things were different now, weren't they?

Before, there had been too many factors against them. And although she had yearned for more, standing beside him had to be enough. Pursuing anything more would have been reckless for the both of them. But that didn't stop her from caring, from comforting him, fighting beside him, supporting him, and loving him in her own way. At times it had been hard, but being with him was all she could do, and for that she was grateful.

She dared to steal another look.

He caught her peeping and flashed her a self-assured fang before turning to Kaede. "You really outdid yourself today Kaede-baba."

Kaede nodded her gratitude, noticing that, yet again, he'd practically inhaled his meal.

Rolling his shoulders and stretching an arm, he leaned over a leg and regarded his old friend. "Whaddaya want bouzo? Sango finally smartened up and realized what a mistake she made in marrying you?" He smirked, snorting at his own bad joke.

Kagome shook her head, a small grin pressing against her cheeks. At least he waited to finish his food before opening that cursed mouth of his.

Miroku ignored the insult and finished his portion quietly. Kaede gestured towards the morning meal incase anyone wanted seconds. Miroku held up a hand while Inuyasha dug in for another round, "thank you Lady Kaede, but one plate has filled me sufficiently this morning. Anymore and I may risk the loss of my strapping figure."

Kagome couldn't help but laugh out loud at that. Inuyasha snorted, "stunning figure my ass."

Miroku leaned his staff over his folded legs, "now now Inuyasha, the color green does not suit you very well, my friend."

Aggravated, Inuyasha tapped a clawed finger on his knee. Miroku rarely made morning visits, he knew now was an exception because of Kagome, but he couldn't shake this feeling he got.

The few times Miroku did grace them in the mornings, it was for strict business, and urgent ones at that. Damn strange too, that he didn't leave things like that for a more reasonable time. If he was right with his theory, he'd need to find a way out of it. He could think of better things to do now that Kagome was here. Like go out for another run, and show her how some places had changed. And although he was not a big fan of talking, where other times he'd normally jump at the opportunity to get away from such a situation, she specifically brought it to his attention. It was clear that this was something they both needed to do. It was important to her. Reluctantly, he admitted to himself, that maybe it was important to him too. His eye twitched in annoyance, "cut to it monk."

"Right." Miroku slid his hands across his staff until they reached a comfortable resting position. He truly felt guilty, but this was out of his hands. If he could do this job alone and give his friend more time to catch up, he would. He closed his eyes dejectedly, life sure had a wonderful way of meddling with things. "We have a job a few days walk from here, and knowing that I wont be jumping on your back unless dying from some serious injury, I suggest the sooner we leave the better."

"A job?" Kagome asked.

Miroku briefed her on their exterminations while Inuyasha mulled everything over. "I can make it on my own in a day."

"They still want me to perform a blessing," Miroku interjected.

"What if you ride on Kirara?" Kagome piked up.

"That could work," he responded, his staff rings tinkling softly.

Inuyasha could feel his temple start to pulse. This was just perfect timing! It was only Kagome's second day back and he already had to leave. He really didn't want to go, but he couldn't just say no, he didn't want Miroku to risk his life, especially now that he had three children to look after. Who knew what mischief that con-artist would stir up? He sighed. "What's the damage?" His voice by no means, hid the aggravation he was feeling.

"Eight injuries - five men, two women, and one child."

"How serious?"

"Asphyxiation."

"I thought you said no one died?" Kagome asked, worry creasing her brow.

Miroku glanced over at her, "not yet."

She chewed the inside of her cheek nervously, not noticing the way Inuyasha zeroed in on her doing so. A third little habit to add to his list.

"Do they know what's causing it?" She wondered out loud.

Miroku sighed, maybe bringing this up so early in the morning wasn't one of his brightest ideas. Such morbid conversation could really have an impact on how the rest of the day could go. "No one has really seen anything. They say that when they light fires, a short time passes before the smoke rises uncontrollably to choke them."

Inuyasha snorted, "so the idiots have a ventilation problem and think it's a demon?"

Kaede decided to take this moment to speak, letting her years of expertise guide her question. "Has anything else peculiar about the smoke been mentioned?"

Turning his head, Miroku looked at her with a thoughtful eye. After a moment of sifting through his memory, he finally spoke up. "The child... he might have seen something."

Kaede responded, "it might be wise to take Kagome with ye then. With her pure heart, she can see things that others may not."

"Like with Yura of the Hair," Inuyasha wondered out loud.

Kagome blushed at the complement, "I might be a little rusty, but I'd love to go!" Excited, she looked over at the two men of the group.

"Of course you're going!" Inuyasha hollered, then muttered as an after thought, "who knows what kind of trouble you'll get into here without us."

"Heeeyy!" She whined at the tease.

Rin's big brown eyes grew with curiosity, "what kind of demon is it?"

Miroku shook his head. "The villagers don't know. That leaves it for us to find out."

"Ooh." She replied in wonder, "if Lord Sesshomaru were around, he'd be able to defeat it."

"Aye, he would." Responded Kaede.

Inuyasha bent a knee and leaned towards the monk, a pleased chuckle escaping his throat. "Seems you'll be useless for this one bouzo."

The man blinked back, confused. "What ever do you mean?"

"You heard the old woman," he nodded his head towards her in acknowledgment, "a person with a pure heart can see the thing, and you, are far from pure my friend." His smirk was so big a fang poked out to taunt the man.

The two continued to bicker lightheartedly, filling Kagome with a completeness she hadn't felt in years. Noticing that Shippo had finished his breakfast, she leaned down and scooped him up for a hug. The happiness she was feeling was overwhelming her, but in a good way. Like the heat of a crackling fire on a winter's day.

"Feh," Inuyasha scoffed, clearly enjoying his banter with Mirkou, "she's overqualified compared to the likes of you."

Kagome blushed. "I haven't used a bow since I've been gone."

"You'll be fine," he responded gruffly. She rewarded him with a grateful smile, happy that his confidence in her was still strong after all this time. He returned the look with a cocky lopsided grin of his own before turning back to the monk. "Ya hear that? We'll be fine on our own."

"Oh." Miroku started, a rascally grin on his face, "and when you say 'we', you mean Lady Kagome and yourself?"

"Well yea, who else? It's not like we need you around."

Laughing nervously, Kagome broke their banter, drawing them to her reddened face. "Oh it's okay! Miroku you should come with us, really!" She cocked her head to the side, her hair tickling her cheeks softly. "I haven't used my abilities in so long, it'll be safer having some back up... plus, it'll be like old times!"

The monk grinned, "very well." He stood up and dusted his robes.

"What the-" Inuyasha sputtered, blinking at Kagome and not understanding what had just happened. He thought she'd want to be alone with him, and have that talk she'd been crying about earlier. Before he could confront his friend, the door mat flapped against the house, notifying everyone of Miroku's departure. "Hey!" He got up and ran to the door, pulling it away roughly, only to find that the pain in his ass was completely gone. "That damn monk," he grumbled, crossing his hands over his chest and leaning back against the doorjamb.

Squirming like he had ants in his pants, Shippo turned to look up at Kagome. "Can I go too?" His big green eyes shone with excitement.

Inuyasha was about ready to turn him down, but refrained himself when he turned to look at the cuddled pair, something in his chest constricted at the bittersweet sight. Hearing Kagome's voice whisper across the room, he relaxed his shoulders and closed his eyes. A calmness traveling through his being. "I would love that, Shippo."

"Yeah!" He hollered triumphantly, pulling his little fists in front of him in a positive gesture. Kagome couldn't help but smile at the child. "I can't wait to tell everyone!" Giving her arm a tight hug, he jumped off her and scurried out the door to let the village children know he'd be gone for a few days.

Now free to move around, Kagome got up to help Kaede with the dishes, the old woman nodded her gratitude. She reached out for Rin's and extended an invitation, "would you like to join us too, Rin?"

The young girl quickly looked up at Kagome, her face turning a bright red. Humored, Kagome gave her a big smile. The second Rin's plate left her fingers, she bowed low to the ground, stammering nervously, "thank you Lady Kagome! Rin is honored! But Rin- I have many things to attend to." Kagome continued looking on at her in wonder, the girl peeked up from her hands and noticing Kagome's eyes still on her, hid her face again. "Thank you!" With that, she bolted out of the room.

Finding the short exchange comical, Kagome looked on at a startled Inuyasha and then to Kaede. "What was that about?"

"Strange brat," Inuyasha shrugged.

Much to Kagome's protest, Kaede grabbed the dishes from her, "don't mind Rin, she's still settling in."

Kagome nodded kindly before the old woman left the hut with Kohaku in tow. Turning to her beloved hanyo, she asked, "can you bring me to Sango's? I haven't memorized where her home is yet."

Inuyasha opened his eyes to her sweet smile and drank in her vision like a parched nomad. It was still so surreal to see her there, standing in the tiny hut with the sun shining through the windows. A sudden urge to reach for her surged his body, just to make sure she was real. But as he stood there watching her, she seemed like a mirage. He almost had to convince himself that this was still really happening.

Just noticing how empty the room had gotten, and how very alone they were, Kagome's kind face changed to one of surprise. The atmosphere suddenly became intimate, and he watched with appreciation as her cheeks changed hues and her eyes grew wide. Grabbing a dark tendril of hair from her shoulder, he lifted it tenderly back towards himself. The staccato of her heart increased with his own, playing a beat only they could hear.

Eyes zeroing in on Inuyasha's clawed hands, Kagome watched as he slid it slowly down her loose waves, brushing them gently with the pad of his thumb. She wondered what he was thinking, what could have possibly crossed his mind to suddenly reach out to her. But at hearing his gentle voice past her thundering heart, she found that she couldn't care less for the 'why'.

"Get your things," he said softly, "I'll be outside."

Kagome blinked a few times, barely registering the empty space before her, then turned and gathered her things. Her heart was beating loudly in her ears, but in the back of her mind, it whispered warmly to her. Yes. This was the freedom she'd always craved for, the freedom to truly be with Inuyasha.

Arms full, she met him outside and offered him a sweet smile. Her heart still pranced delightfully inside her chest. Secretly, she hoped he'd continue this familiarity towards her.

Pushing off the hut, Inuyasha extended his hands to help her with her things, "you always did carry around a lot of crap." His voice was soft and gruff and familiar and she relished in it like a starved fool.

Kagome stilled his hand over her folded shirt, her fingers twitching on his skin. "It's okay," she reassured him, "I can carry this... thank you."

He regarded her cooly before shrugging and turning away. Inuyasha could hear her little ningen feet following him. She said nothing as he pointed at landmarks for her to remember, all the while stealing glances back at her with his quick eyes, making sure she was still there after each time he looked away.

Along their walk, random villagers began whispering amongst themselves, then after a moment of shock, everyone stopped mid action to gawk, murmur, and gossip. Then they were bowing and praying.

Inuyasha felt Kagome grab at his sleeve and effectively pull him close. She muttered anxiously at him, "I can't believe they're doing this again!"

He had also noticed the villagers and chuckled. That's right, they had prayed to her the very first time she had arrived... that is, after capturing her and thinking she was a kitsune under disguise – something he'd learned from her after traveling for so long and exchanging tales. Not that Kagome doing most of the story telling could be consiered some sort of exchange.

Extending an arm, he wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled her in. He leaned his face close to hers, enjoying the way she fidgeted beneath him, the way their bangs twisted and mixed together, making a contrasting pattern of black and white. She looked up at him expectantly, struggling to match his strides.

He breathed her in, satisfied with his plan to tease her, but the seriousness of her being here in his time, with him, took him by surprise and made him pause. Right there under his arm, he knew what the villagers were thinking. Mouth suddenly dry with the bitter memory, he swallowed roughlt before responding, his voice low, hesitant, and he said quietly, "they thought they'd never see you again."

So shocked was she, the fact that they had stopped walking failed to register through her mind. The somber words seeped into her skin, crawling up her arms and grasping at her mind, making her think everything and nothing at once.

Kagome didn't notice Inuyasha step away before Sango called her and pulled her into a hug. "I hope you don't mind my children joining us, Miroku has a couple of runs to do." Kagome nodded dumbly, still distracted about her suddenly missing hanyou.

Next thing she knew, they were walking in the thicket away from the village, going through a path Sango's twins knew all too well. They skipped ahead, dancing around each other, the sun's rays peeking through in thin blurry slits and ushering the two women to walk faster. Sango wrapped an arm around Kagome's, her newborn cooing happily on the carrier on her back. The twins hollered, "we're here!" They undressed almost feverishly and sunk into the hot water, relaxing their little bodies.

Kagome laid back and watched her friend fuss over her children. She was so happy for her. Everything was how it should be. She gazed longingly after them, imagining silver haired children with fuzzy little ears in their place. "How does it feel?"

Sango paused from rubbing Kagome's shampoo in her daughter's hair. "Hmm?"

"You know, to be a mother?"

She continued to work it in, all the while filling her dear friend on the exhausting yet rewarding aspects of being a parent. They both laughed as the young girl made a face before ducking her head in the water and rinsing off. Sango moved on to the next one before continuing softly, "I never dreamed I'd be able to have a family of my own one day." She motioned for the other twin to submerge. "I worry a lot. I want them to have good futures. To be healthy, to be happy." She smiled wistfully as her daughter popped back up sputtering and wiping the water from her eyes, "but I can't let that distract me from the now. I cherish every day I have with them." She hummed happily as she switched her ministrations to her newborn, being delicate and careful with his head. She then turned him over and washed his back. Peeking up at Kagome, she inquired mischievously, "what are you going to do?"

"I'm thinking of asking Kaede to train me. After getting my powers back from Byakuya, I was immediately thrusted back home. I've never had any proper instruction." She broke the water's surface with her hands and looked at them curiously, "I want to help in anyway that I can.."

Sango hummed her interest. "I know you'll be great at it Kagome, you always have been. Even without any training." She leaned back against the rocks with her infant on her chest, making sure to keep him mostly out of the hot water for his own safety.

"Thank you." They both sat silently, enjoying the relaxing hot spring before Kagome started up again. She slid further into the water, twiddling her fingers and being mindful of the two girls swimming back and forth across them. "Inuyasha said you guys don't talk about the past anymore. I'm sorry for bringing it up."

A friendly smile calmed Kagome's nerves. "It's okay, I can only imagine how hard it was not being able to talk about it. We've had all the time to discuss it and move on. You on the other hand." A knowing look crossed her face. Sango stepped forward and gave her a warm hug, nuzzling their heads together. Looking to steer the conversation to a more positive note, Sango moved on to a different subject. "Have you talked to Inuyasha?"

Kagome nodded, splashing some water to her face. Then as an afterthought, added, "I guess we haven't talked seriously yet. He took me for a run yesterday, but it was late, so..yeah." She paused, thinking about the last exchange she had with him, "has he... has he ever talk to you or Miroku about me?"

"Well of course! But only briefly... around the time when you first went missing. After that, he kept mostly to himself." Sango lead her children out of the water and followed after them, getting them all ready to return to the village. Kagome noticed she still had Naraku's mark on her back. It seemed that was a scar that would never go away. It had lightened up a bit though.

Kagome followed her example, turning to give her friend some privacy. "Has he ever... mentioned the thought of not ever seeing me again?"

Kagome was done dressing and drying her hair by the time Sango spoke up again. "Just make sure to talk to him. A lot of time has passed. I'm sure there are a lot of things you both still have to talk about."

"Of course," Kagome responded, turning fully and ready to head back.

Sango smiled brightly at her. "Okay then!"

On their way back, Kagome mentioned how she'd be leaving with the group soon. "I wish you could come!"

"These three are a handful," she mentioned, following the twins down the lightly worn path back to town. "Kohaku's heading out soon today. Maybe I'll have him babysit next time."

Kagome nodded, "so how is he? He came over for breakfast today.. didn't say much though."

Sango smiled warmly at her, "yeah, he's good, he still keeps to himself mostly. He likes his solitude." As they neared Sango's hut, her daughters ran in and disappeared from view. "Well this is it!" She turned back to Kagome, speaking to her sincerely, "take it easy on that trip, okay?"

"I will." Kagome held her clothes tightly to her chest. She suddenly felt like a sap, her eyes stinging only a bit, she blinked it away and then wrapped her friend into a hug. Sango returned it earnestly, both rocking a bit and squeezing tighter with affection. Kagome was over taken with a sudden wrath of guilt. "I'm so sorry," she chocked out. "I wasn't here for you, for your wedding, for the birth of your children."

"Hey," Sango pulled her tighter, swallowing the lump in her throat, but kept her composure none the less. "It's okay now Kagome. You're here now, that's all that matters."

Kagome nodded, "ugh!" She stepped back, wiping at her eyes and then laughing. "I'm such a mess!"

Sango laughed as well. "That's ok, it's to be expected." She rubbed her friend's arms before pulling away, "run along now, Inuyasha has never been known for his patience."

Kagome chuckled lightly, "see you later Sango." She turned to leave but stopped abruptly, surprised to see Inuyasha waiting for her a couple yards away. She walked up to him cautiously, noticing his flushed face. "Inuyasha?"

"Hey," he blinked, an ear twisting towards her, "you done there?"

"Yeah." She smiled, realizing that he had witnessed her and Sango's bonding moment, which explained his bashful expression. "So, where to?"

"We should get prepared and head out soon." She nodded, keeping an eye out for the landmarks he'd pointed out to earlier and recognizing their path back to Kaede's. The villagers were acting ridiculous, still giving them too much attention by bowing, and praying. But she noticed some giving them a quick and sour once-over, she hadn't noticed that before.

"Don't worry about them."

She looked away, not realizing that she had been staring right back. "I don't remember them," she admitted, confused.

He shrugged, "no reason to. The town's been growing. New people come and stay, others come and go."

"Oh," she replied, the gears in her head spinning. It made sense. She did live in Tokyo, so this place would soon become a bustling Edo. She was about to voice her thoughts when Kaede's hut came into view. Inuyasha nudged her with his arm, she squeezed it gently before he disappeared into the wooden shack, clearly expecting her to follow. Kagome nibbled her cheek, then turned to look at the villagers behind her. She recognized most of them. A few they'd help save, the other's just acquaintances that she came to know naturally from residing there for so long. But the others, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration, the others she didn't know.

Their eyes lingered on her, disapproving and judgmental. She felt something in her stomach churn unpleasantly. These people living so close, they were complete strangers to her, and although this was technically her home, longer than it had ever been theirs. They didn't know her. They didn't know that she had returned, or that she had lived here before, or that she had single-handedly defeated a demon heavy set on destroying village. To them, she was the stranger, and an unwelcome guest in their home.

Frowning, she turned away from their cold shoulders and lingering eyes. One thing she had learned about living in the Sengoku-Jidai, it was to always trust your instincts.

(A/N)

I hope you liked this chapter! I was finally able to spit it out! It has also been edited on 09/15/15, so if you receive notifications for this, that is why. I actually cut this a page and a half shorter. We'll be getting into some action soon! I just needed to make sure Kagome had her one on one time to catch up with everyone. :-D Critiques welcome, and thanks for reading!

~RUBELLA