-Disclaimer-
The characters of InuYasha are not mine; they are property of Rumiko Takahashi. I make no profit from this story nor will I ever.
Chapter 2: Moving Forward
"Mom! Have you seen my pink jacket? I can't seem to find it," Kagome called out down the stairs, only to see her mother standing there, with a small smile holding that very jacket. This was another bittersweet moment for Kagome but it was also filled with the feeling of adventure.
"Sorry, I know you're leaving soon but you still had some laundry to be done," her mother coddled the stack of clothes up the stairs, handing them to her daughter as she reached the top. Kagome smiled as she took the stack from her mother and headed back to her room. It was all packed up now, or at the very least, cleaned up. Suitcases were abound and large bags took over other available space,"Almost done? We have to be there in about two hours. Do you want me to drive you or do you want to take a taxi?" her mother queried, watching her daughter shuffle about waht use to be her room, zipping things up, opening bags back up to move things around.
"I want you to take me, of course. It will be some time before I come back here," Kagome piped, looking through a photo album that had been hiding in her desk for a few years now. She went through it quickly, seeing as it was just family and friends but she slowed down as soon as she spotted Sango. She had completely forgotten that day she brought a camera with her to the past. A faint smile curved around her lips. There were a couple of Sango with Miroku and then others with her and ShippÅ. Some pictures were just them being ridiculous, others of them looking happy and smiling at the lens. There was only one that Kagome truly cared about; InuYasha. He only allowed one of him, after her constant begging. In the picture, he looked rather annoyed and wouldn't smile under any circumstance. Kagome laughed a bit, a painful one but nevertheless she did so,"Mom, can you pack the rest up for me? I have some people to see before I head out," she closed the book and handed it to her mother who just nodded and smiled.
Kagome had kept a piece of the jewel with her. She wasn't sure why. It was possible fear of never seeing her friends again or her love but she had thought, after all this time that she grew past that. She had said her goodbyes three years ago and they, most of them anyway, accepted her choice. Before she trekked out of her room, she grabbed the little glass bottle from under her bed, holding it close. Flashing her mom another smile, the young girl ran out of the house, heading for the well that has been all but forgotten. This was not a reunion but a trip to feed her memories and heart. She about tore the door of it's track. Without much thought, she jumped into the well, felling that warmth of seeing her loved ones again. For one last time, she can embrace the people who have carved their names into history.
The ground began to melt as she moved through time, floating past the aura she had seen and been in so many times before. The ground was under her feet once more and the smell of open air hit her senses. The vines that had been her latter when she was in and out of this period, had grown some but she tugged her way up with a childish smile, so happy this girl was. It was almost clouding her mind.
With one last heave, she was perched out of the well. Nothing had changed. A gentle breeze made it's way across the small field and tossed Kagome's hair about. She let out a sigh of relief and of remembrance. The trees swayed in the wind, allowing the girl to sit there on the well and take in the sight she had almost forgotten about. She grew up in a city and was about to do so again once it was time for her to leave. With all her thoughts going about, she whisked herself away from the entrance to her world and tried to find her way back to the very village that started her journey three years ago. It was not that her memory had failed her but losing oneself in the woods was far too great. Then silently she thought to herself as she moved through the thicket. This would be my luck. To get lost here...
Her eyes had fell to her feet, not allowing her to see what might be ahead of her. With a large grunt and the girl falling back to her bottom, her eyes widened and she spoke out of embarassement, "Oh, I'm sorry! I wasn't looking where I was go-"
"Kagome?" the female voice spoke. The woman was also laying on the floor from the impact but Kagome knew there was no denying it. That voice, that face.
"Sango!" the girl cried out, quickly clambering to her feet and helping her friend up. Sango, almost in tears, grabbed onto Kagome, hugging her with a strong force,"Oh, Sango..." Kagome could feel the tears well up in her eyes, and here she told herself she wouldn't cry...too much.
"It's really you. It really is. You have to come back with me, they have to see you!" Sango declared, finally letting the girl go and grabbing her hands,"Its been far too long, Kagome," she spoke through the tears and then they both laughed at each other,"We must look a mess like this," Sango laughed, whipping her eyes as Kagome did the same.
"To be honest, I don't care right now. Its good to see you again," she smiled, hugging her friend once more,"I want to see everyone again but I don't have long. I'll be leaving soon and well...I want to see you all again, one last time," she wore a sad smile but knew Sango would understand like she had when she had left them last time.
"I understand. I was just heading back myself; I was in a nearby village so it will be a warm welcome for us both," she spoke in a painful way but her smile was genuine.
"Let's go then. I want to see InuYasha."
"Oh...Kagome, he isn't here. We don't know where he might be anymore. After you left, he wandered off. I'm sorry..."
"Oh...uhm, well I guess it was just meant to be this way. At least I get to see you and everyone. I needed this, ya know," Kagome giggled.
"I know. I did too, after all that has happened, I missed having some 'girltime'," Sango giggled, still holding Kagome's hand as the village came into view and at that same time, they both spotted a familiar sight. White dog ears.
Kagome held her breath, her eyes set on the half-demon. Sango was also stuck in place, having not seen that boy in the same amount of time her friend had. It was a shock but with a gulp and a nervous heart, Kagome spoke, "Hello InuYasha."
