We had been walking for a while, and had stopped for a break. I managed to get Sesshomaru to let go of my leash and went off to find some berries and water. I didn't intend to stray too far. As I gathered some berries, I noticed the sound of a waterfall. It had to be nearby since I could hear it in human form. I followed the sound, only to find out that it was farther than I thought. I wanted to go back, but I had lost my sense of direction amidst to forest scenery. I decided to go to the waterfall and get water, then wait for Sesshomaru.

When I finally arrived at the waterfall, I was relieved. After I noticed the two little girls standing near the edge of where the water was, I realized where I was. I walked toward the water and saw Kagome sealing Kikyo's wound with pink light and soil. The water was becoming murky as Naraku's miasma leaked out of Kikyo's wound. I definitely don't want that water right now…

"Who are you?" one of the little girls asked.

"I'm a friend of Kagome." I said without lifting my eyes from the two women's figures. "She's such a kind-hearted person, don't you think?" I asked.

They didn't answer my question. I watched without worry as the water became opaque and impossible to see through. A pink light soon shone through, getting rid of all the miasma that was once there. Kagome laid against Kikyo's body as Kikyo's eyes opened. I took off my kimono, and dove into the water with my under layer on. I swam to the bottom of the surprisingly deep lake, and helped Kikyo and Kagome out the water. I sat with Kagome's head on my lap as Kikyo fixed her clothing. She stared at Kagome, and then at me.

"She's so selfless, that it might just get her killed." I kidded.

"Who are you?"

"Just a friend of Kagome."

"You have a demon presence."

"That may be Sesshomaru's or mine."

"You are not a human?"

"I'm both."

She made no other comment, but rather walked away with the little girls behind her. Shortly after, Kagome opened her eyes. I had made a fire, and was warming our bodies up with it.

"Good afternoon, Sleepyhead!" I greeted with a smile.

"Kazumi?" She asked.

"That's me."

"When-"

"I was here as you healed Kikyo. She left already."

Kagome didn't say anything, but instead looked quite sad.

"Is it InuYasha?" I asked, knowing what was on her mind completely.

"Yeah, he's still in love with Kikyo…"

"And you're in love with him." I finished. She held her head down. "Well, I'm still not sure about Sesshomaru either."

"What?" Kagome asked, snapping her head up to look at me. "Of course he loves you!"

"I haven't really thought about it, but I don't know how he feels toward Kagura." I admitted. "I know it must sound weird. 'Kagura and Sesshomaru liking each other? Is she crazy?!' I bet that's what you're thinking."

She blushed at my words. I had hit the nail on the head.

"He does all these nice things for me, but does he really, honestly, love me?" I asked.

"Even if you say there might be something between him and Kagura, I'm absolutely positive he loves you! He might not know that it's love since he's Sesshomaru, but I know he feels that toward you."

"The same goes for you and InuYasha, don't you think? The only difference is that he and Kikyo did have a thing. What I don't understand is why the idiot doesn't understand that it was in the past and that Kikyo is dead. I understand he was trapped on that tree for 50 years, but he has to move on, and be with the one that he loves now." I ranted. "Sorry, I ranted."

Kagome giggled at me before falling silent. She took out her jar of jewel shards, and unscrewed it. She took one of them out, and handed it to me.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I want you to hold it." She said.

"I'll lose it."

"No, you won't. Here…"

She tied it onto a necklace and slipped the necklace around my neck and into my kimono. She placed her hand on my chest, and I could feel her energy wrap around the shard.

"There. I made it so it would never leave that necklace without it being intentionally removed."

"Are you sure about this?" I questioned.

"Yes. You're always near Sesshomaru, so both you, and the shard will always be protected. Just don't tell him about it. It'll be our little secret." she said as she screwed the top back onto the jar and put it back in her pocket.

"Okay, if you think that's best." I gave in.

Kagome suddenly looked toward the forest.

"There was a barrier up this entire time?"

"Yeah. I guess."

"Well, it's down now."

"Are you ready for the Inus to come pick us up?" I asked.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Kagome replied.

Not even five minutes later, Sesshomaru and InuYasha and his crew arrived in that order. I waved at Sesshomaru from where I sat. When InuYasha came, there was no sign of relief from him. Instead, he gave off a "Kagome." There was only a tinge of worry in his voice, the only other emotion I could hear was disappointment, and that made me a little upset.

"If you're looking for Kikyo, she already left. Go find her if you really want to see her that bad." Kagome told him bitterly.

"Now I understand your pain Kagome. I'm sorry you're stuck with that idiot." I commented to her.

I glared at InuYasha as anger filled his eyes.

"Are you angry at me for speaking the truth? It's not my fault that you're so damn dense."

"Kazumi, you don't have to say that." Kagome told me.

"If I don't, who will? You spoil him, Kagome. Show some backbone sometimes! If you don't, you'll just end up as his stepping stone."

I stood up and went over to Sesshomaru.

"And what makes you think that you know everything? You don't know anything about me!" InuYasha yelled at me.

"You think I don't? Your father died protecting you and your mother. When you lived in a small village with your mother, you were constantly bullied and harassed by humans and demons alike. Soon, your mother died, and you were left all alone. You eventually started to seek out the Sacred Jewel in hopes to become a full demon. Through your attempt, you met Kikyo. She-"

"Shut up! You don't know how it feels!"

"Really? I think you don't know anything about me." I was already angry, but now I was 100% pissed and had snapped. "You think that you have the most miserable life story in the world. Guess what, YOU'RE NOT ALONE! You always think nobody knows your pain. You want to know the truth? My brothers and sister aren't even related to me. I KNOW that YOU didn't know that my biological parents were killed in a car accident when I was seven. YOU DIDN'T KNOW that I was in an orphanage for three years of my life. YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT I CONTEMPLATED TAKING MY OWN LIFE WHEN I WAS 9. I CAME DAMN WELL CLOSE TOO. IF IT WEREN'T FOR GOD, I WOULDN'T EVEN BE HERE RIGHT NOW! YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT, NOW DID YOU?! You want to say I don't know how it feels? Try watching your parents bleed and suffocate to death as they desperately try to protect you from shattered glass, bent metal, and the burning heat of gasoline on fire, hearing their breathing turn into frantic wheezing, and watching their bodies tremble as their lives are slowly and obviously painfully taken from them!"

I was going to continue yelling out what he didn't know about me, but Sesshomaru covered my mouth with his hand. I was still angered, but I quieted down when I saw the surprise on their faces clearly written out. I didn't even realize I had started crying. Not wanting them to see me cry, I turned and walked away, leading Sesshomaru for once.

A/N:Wow, bet you guys didn't expect that.

Anyway, I have finals and then I'm done with the school year! Wish me luck! Hopefully I can keep my grades at straight A's :P ... See you soon, not over the weekend probably, but on Thursday for sure!