Chapter Three:
Inuyasha was the first awake the next day. He went outside and watched as the light of dawn started to reach the horizon. It had only been a few hours since he saw Kagome and he already missed her. 'Don't worry Kagome. As soon as I kill this bastard I'm coming to get you. You can sit me as many times as you want, as long as you can forgive me.' That night he decided that after this demon was gone he was going to let Kagome know he loved her. He would ask her to be his mate and wife. He would do whatever it took to gain back her trust and love, he would not lose her. He wanted a future with her, he would build her a house bigger than anyone in the village. He wanted to have pups with her, grow old with her. Hell, he'd even let SHippo live with them and be a father figure to him just for her. If she wanted to stay in her time? He would say goodbye to the world he knew without a second glance and follow her. He'd follow her anywhere.
As he heard the others start to wake he made his way back into the hut. After a quick breakfast and saying goodbye to a still angry Shippo, they made their way to Inuyasha's forest to meet with Kikyo. He could tell that Miroku and Sango were uncomfortable being around the dead Miko, hell, HE was uncomfortable, but the sooner they started the faster they could get things back to normal. After a quick and awkward conversation on where to start their journey, the new gang was off.
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500 years in the future, Kagome woke hopeful that last night was just a very bad dream, but she knew it wasn't. After a long night of crying, Kagome now felt determined. She decided she didn't need Inuyasha(or at least that's what she told herself) she was going to keep hunting shards and she was going to ask Kaede to train her. She felt she needed to prove to him she could take care of herself she was NOT weak. She was 18 now, an adult, it was time to stop relying on others, she WAS strong dammit.
She didn't let her family know about what happened with Inuyasha. She knew if her mother found out she was going back alone she would not allow it and she didn't want to worry her family. Mind made up Kagome decided since she would be gone awhile she might as well take a long hot bath before she left for the feudal area.
Once the water was cold, Kagome brought out her backpack and started to pack. Deciding against her normal uniform (knowing she would need something better to train in) she packed some jeans and tank tops along with some short sleeve and long sleeve shirts for colder days. Now that she didn't need to pack so much ramen for Inuyasha she was surprised how much room she had in her bag. She also packed some dried food and medical supplies. She was ready.
"Sis! Breakfast is done!"
"Coming Souta!" Kagome grabbed her bag and came down for breakfast. She had a nice meal with her family and told her mother Inuyasha was waiting on the other side of the well and she wouldn't be back for a while but she would still make sure they knew she was safe.
"Be careful dear. Make sure you stay by Inuyasha so he can protect you."
"Of course mom!" Kagome forced a smile. 'Oh mom, he will be too busy protecting the woman he loves to care about me. BUT! I DON'T NEED HIM!' Kagome's screamed in her head. She hugged everyone and started for the well.
"I can do this! I can protect myself! I don't need a man to save me! I am KA-GO-ME!" She yelled as she hopped down into the well.
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Shippo stared sadly into the well hoping Kagome would come back for him. He still couldn't believe Inuyasha believed Kikyo! She doesn't care if Kagome dies! She's tried to kill her! "Baka Inuyasha.." He murmured. He didn't believe for one second what Inuyasha said. Kagome would not just leave without at least saying goodbye to HIM!
"SHIPPO!"
Shippo looked down into the well thinking it was Kagome, when he didn't see her he turned around to see a young girl running toward him.
"Rin?! Is that you?"
Rin ran up and hugged Shippo laughing. "Hi Shippo! This Rin has missed you! Where is Lady Kagome? Do you have any candy?" Rin has grown since Shippo saw her last but she is still a kid at heart. (I'm gonna say she's around 11 now)
"I missed you too Rin! I don't have any candy until Kagome comes back..." Rin missed his sad look. "So what are you doing here?
"OH! Lord Sesshomaru is looking for Lord Inuyasha. My lord says he felt Naraku around this area lately and wanted to see if his half breed brother knew anything!" Rin said with a smile as Shippo sweatdropped.
"Rin"
"Oh! Lord Sesshomaru! Look it's Shippo!"
"Hn. Kit where is this one's brother."
"HN! Stupid Inuyasha! He's run off with Kikyo! They left a few hours ago. I don't know which way." Shippo crossed his arms looking more sad than angry.
Sesshomaru actually raised a brow at the kits words. "Where is my brother's mate?" Surely she would not have gone with the dead one.
"Who? Kagome? They ain't mates... HE chose Kikyo over Kagome and you can't mate a corpse." Shippo was confused why would Sesshomaru think Kagome and Inuyasha were mates? "I'm waiting for Kagome to come back from her world. I don't know how long she'll be this time."
Sesshomaru knew the woman was from the future. He didn't know much(because he didn't care) but he knew it was possible due to this well. He was about to leave when he felt a strange power from the well.
"KAGOME!" Shippo ran back to the well jumping up and down. He did not think she would be back so soon, if at all.
Kagome was nervous when she heard Shippo. Was Inuyasha nearby too? Would he take her shards and send her back? Reluctantly she climbed out of the well and froze at the demon Lord before her. 'Why is Sesshomaru here? Did something happen to Inuyasha?' NO! She didn't care about him. He moved on and so would she.
"Hi Shippo! Hi Rin!" She called out as they ran and hugged her. Shippo cried that he thought she wasn't coming back and Rin cried for candy.
"Miko"
Kagome looked at Lord Sesshomaru. "Yes?" Why was he here?
"Do you have any information on Naraku? I have felt his presence in this area recently."
Knowing not to get on his bad side Kagome answered as politely as possible. "No my Lord, I have not seen or heard of him in about two moons now."
"Hn. It is unwise of you to stay in this world while you no longer have protection from my brother. If Naraku is in this area you will be an easy target." Sesshomaru stated bluntly.
Shippo hugged Kagome tighter. No one would hurt her while he was around. He would protect his mother even from Naraku.
Kagome was taken back. How did he know? Did Inuyasha tell his brother he dumped her? No, he probably already seen this coming. She was the only one who was surprised. "Actually my Lord, the reason I have returned is to train with Lady Kaede. Even though I am no longer with your brother, I will not give up my duty. I broke the jewel, I will help to fix it."
Even though he would never admit it, Sesshomaru respected this woman. He knew his baka brother planned on mating her and he approved of his brother's choice. Why Inuyasha has left her unprotected he did not know, but he believed it had to be a hell of a good reason. He would not leave her to be with the dead one. For this, he was certain. But, since he had it gave Sesshomaru an idea. With the Miko around she would be able to sense the jewel shards, and therefore sense Naraku. She could help him locate the half-breed abomination and destroy him. It would also help to have a woman around now that Rin was getting older...
"Miko. This Sesshomaru has a proposition for you if you accept."
Kagome did not expect that."Ummm Ok?"
"I will help you train. I am more skilled than the old one and have more knowledge. In exchange, you will travel with me and help with Rin and finding Naraku. I will protect you in my brother's stead until the time you are strong enough to protect yourself."
Kagome was shocked! She did not see that coming. She didn't know what to say. On one hand, she could learn and still search for jewel shards. On the other, this is Sesshomaru...hes tried to kill her before. Looking at Rin she realized that Sesshomaru has become a lot softer (though she would never say that out loud) since he has taken her as his ward. It would be good for RIn to have a woman around and it would also be good for SHippo to have another child to play with. Plus, she knew if he gave his word she would be fully protected who would go against a daiyouki?
"Would Shippo be allowed to join us?" She looked at shippo he looked a little skeptical but he trusted Kagome, and this was she would stay with him.
"Hn. That is acceptable."
"Then if you promise to protect us both, I accept."
"You have this ones word." At that, he started to walk away. Rin was jumping up and down. She was so excited to have someone to play with other than Jaken. And she was also excited to have a mother figure around! This was the best day ever!
"Soooo do we follow him or?" Kagome asked Shippo.
"I think so? Are you sure about this Kagome? What about Inuyasha?"
"Inuyasha chose his path Shippo. It's time for me to chose mine. Are you ok with this I'm sorry I didn't even ask you."
"I'm ok as long as I'm with you Kagome!"
Kagome smiled at her adopted son. She took one last look at the well and grabbed her bag and shippo. 'I hope I don't regret this.' Kagome took off with Rin to a new adventure. She just hoped they didn't run into Inuyasha on the way.
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"Naraku. It would seem that Inuyasha believed Kikyo. They travel together now and the girl is not with him." KAgura looked at Naraku with a stern face.
"Good. Keep an eye on them. If that girl returns I want to know. She is the only one strong enough to kill me and I will make sure she is dead before that happens."
"And what of your plan. What will you do when Inuyasha finds out that Kage is not immune to purification?"
"Kikyo will not fight him. He will not know. Besides, I just need him gone long enough for me to find the girl and destroy her. Without Inuyasha to protect her, it will not be long."
Kagura walked away with disgust. Inuyasha was a fool to leave the girl unprotected. They would not be able to hide her for long...
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***Kage is Naraku's new spawn it means Shadow