Miracle

Chapter Seven

The Hut.

Kagome looked over at Inuyasha wondering what he was thinking looking so content; a small smile was placed his lips and his hand gently holding her hand, his golden eyes suddenly looking at her. She was mesmerized by the gold as always, it looked like hot, melted, pool of gold, glowing with the heat of desire and she smiled at him and then looked away feeling her cheeks once again get warm in the matter of seconds. The baby moved and her attention was on him; he turned in his nap and his head was pressed up against her breast. She blinked in surprise, but smiled down at him altogether though.

As the hut came into view, she saw Shippo leaning in the doorway looking their way, smiling, Kasumi sitting had Kilala in her lap her tails swaying as Kasumi gently ran her fingers through her fur. Kagome suspected Inuyasha to release her hand and she almost choked up when his grip tightened, she smiled and looked up at him, his smile soft like his eyes.

Then they were noticed by Kasumi she stood quickly with Kilala in her arms and she ran to them, smiling ear to ear. Shippo was right behind her and no so much in a hurry, but a knowing smile or rather smirk was playing on his lips. Before Kasumi got five feet in front of Inuyasha and Kagome, Kilala jumped and landed perfectly on Kagome's shoulder, purring and meowing in excitement. Kagome giggled as Kilala's purrs tickled her cheek, "She was pacing through out the hut waiting for you to get here and I finally had to pick her up to keep her still." Kasumi murmured the excitement in her voice undeniably there.

Kagome felt Inuyasha slip his hand away from hers and missed the contact immediately, but managed to continue smiling as Kilala purred in her ear causing her to giggle more. Her hand reaching up to rub her in-between her ears and under her small chin and Kilala's purrs grew. Then a giggle she didn't suspect to hear surprised her and everybody looked down to see the little one and saw his golden eyes and smile wide, Shippo stood beside her suddenly and said, "So this is the guy everyone is talkin ' about." Kagome could tell he was shocked by the color of his eyes, but he wasn't surprised by the pair of dog ears on the top of his small, black head.

Kasumi poked her head under Shippo's arm and then moved in front of Shippo to get a better view of the smiling baby. Kagome heard her gasp, "His eyes! They're just like Inuyasha's!" Kagome glanced at Inuyasha, his eyes were already on her and she quickly looked away, and whispered, "Yeah, they are beautiful." It was quiet as she finished her truthful phrase. Shippo stole a glance at Kasumi who was smiling contently at Kagome and Inuyasha. She felt Shippo's gaze and she looked over at him smiling and then tilting her head indicating they go inside the small hut.

Shippo cleared his throat and said casually, "We should get inside; I can smell the rain storm comin'." Inuyasha nodded and took Kagome's hand in his and pulled her to the hut, Kilala jumping down off her shoulder and lead the people to the warm hut. Shippo and Kasumi right behind them, Shippo taking Kasumi's hand gently, smiling at her.

As Kagome entered the hut it felt more like home with Inuyasha beside her, holding her hand… and she smiled at the feeling. Kilala sat and lied down on a cushion that Kagome assumed was rightfully hers. She looked down at the baby who was slowly falling asleep against her chest, he turned toward her and his small face was pressed up against her breast causing her to blush, but smile at his innocence. The baby's golden eyes traveled up to her face and just before he closed his beautiful eyes, his lips pulled up in a silly smile. Her smile wavered when she felt Inuyasha's hand release hers; she immediately missed his warmth and contact and reached for his hand as soon as he released hers. As their hands met and molded together again his expression was surprised, but he tired not to show it and he was almost succeeding, but she could see a smile lifting the tips of his lips, but he quickly looked away from her, concealing his expression.

He pulled her toward the unlit fire pit; he sat down crossed legged like she remembered against the wall, pulling Tetsusaiga from his hip and settling it on the other side of him. Kagome's eyebrows pulled together, normally he would place it in his lap and wondered why that gesture changed, but she knew once she sat down next to him; he pulled her closer their sides and shoulders pressed together.

Kagome placed the baby in her lap and pulled her sore arm free and stretch it and then placed it beside the baby's head her fingers slowly combing through his hair and gently rubbed his ears. The baby twitched and moved a tiny arm came up to land on her hand, she smiled at this. Inuyasha watched her gesture and then glanced at her; a smile and a contented sign escaping her lips. Inuyasha leaned his head back and watched her with the baby. Their hands still intertwined.

Kasumi came in and then Shippo and sat facing the other two and Kilala. Inuyasha's eyes widened when he saw their hands intertwined also, but then Shippo's arm wrapped around Kasumi. When he noticed everyone's calm reaction toward this new development, he quickly resolved that Kagome was behind this. He examined them again; Kasumi's light blush along with Shippo's smile was amusing. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders, her head leaning against his chest. They looked content with each other, but his attention was switched to the woman beside him. Her hand squeezed his gently and smiled at him; he blushed and looked away trying to hide the excitement and the rising blush on his cheeks.

He cleared his throat roughly and said, "Is there anything else I gotta know?" Kagome's eyebrows went together and looked over to Shippo and Kasumi, Didn't they tell him everything? If not, what didn't they tell him? She saw Kasumi look at Shippo and Shippo look at her, his expression serious as he spoke, "We thought you should tell him the important details." And right off the bat Kagome knew what important details he was talking about; her scar and her memory loss of Kikyo. She wondered if he would be glad she if she could remember her past life, his first love, and her heart stilled, but it was pounding when Inuyasha blurted, "What important stuff?"

She chuckled sheepishly, closing her eyes and murmured softly, "You would think after 75 years you would have learned to be a bit more patient." They were silent at her statement, but she could picture Shippo smirking and Inuyasha turning red and about to explode. She opened her eyes finding Inuyasha looking at her, his expression confused her; it looked like he didn't know if he should be angry or happy with her statement, but he didn't say anything instead he stayed silent and waited for her to say something, say anything for that matter, he just wanted to hear her voice.

She licked her lips and took a deep breath, "I don't remember everything-" she was caught off. "Yeah, Shippo and Kasumi told me that." Inuyasha looked in the direction of Shippo, when their eyes met; Shippo's gaze hardened and it shock Inuyasha, but of course Inuyasha didn't show that he was surprised. He looked back at Kagome and seeing that she wasn't finished so he inclined for her to continue. Kagome saw this and sighed amazed that he has learned some patience… it scared her.

Knowing other things had changed and she wasn't here to see them caused her throat to tighten, but she cleared her throat and continued, "I couldn't remember how…" She struggled on how to explain that she couldn't remember who killed her, Yeah, I didn't remember that you first love killed me isn't that something, she thought and rolled her eyes at that. She licked her lips and suddenly Inuyasha's eyes were too much to look at and she quickly lowered her eyes and then whispered, "I couldn't remember who killed me…" Once the words 'who killed me' escaped her lips Inuyasha's eyes widened knowing exactly what she was saying; she didn't remember Kikyo.

He couldn't decide if he was overjoyed or disturbed by this. He was glad that she didn't remember how she felt every time she saw him leave to see Kikyo, every time he would catch her scent he would go off, but he hated how she didn't remember that she was always there for him. How she didn't remember his abandonment. He didn't know if he should be grateful or not with this news. He didn't realize how she truly felt about him until she was gone, he didn't realize how much he needed her to have this "normal" life that was perfect for him with her in it.

He was torn both ways.

Kagome didn't know how he felt about this and it scared her even more when his face was blank, so she quickly said something, anything, "Shippo and Kasumi told me about her… they told me everything that they know." His reaction to this wasn't what she thought it was going to be; his eyebrows pulled together, his eyes darkening, but they quickly softened as he looked at her and said quietly, "Good." She blinked at his response multiply times before realizing she was rubbing her scar and getting a confused look from Inuyasha.

The other two in the room were quite invisible at the moment and would remain that way until this conversation was over so they exited the hut taking Kilala with them quietly and quickly as possible. They knew it was getting a little personal between the two and wanted to give them the space that they needed at the moment. Kasumi insisted they get away from hearing distance to give Inuyasha and Kagome more privacy. He smiled at her and went along with it… he would be able to hear the whole conversation even if they were five miles away.

Inuyasha and Kagome were quiet as the two exited the hut and waited until it was silent outside before Kagome said anything. Inuyasha knew Shippo would hear everything, but the thought was pushed away and forgotten as Kagome turned toward him fully and kept rubbing her chest, a habit that she picked up in her absence he figured. He watched her take two deep breaths before she looked at him fully.

Kagome pulled her hand away from her scar and whispered, "While at the hot springs… Kasumi found out how I didn't remember her-" she stopped talking causing Inuyasha to grid his teeth as she stood up and walked near the low table to gently place the sleeping baby on a cushion and then turned toward Inuyasha again who was now standing; his stance somewhat anxious or rather unsure. She slowly walked in front of him and stopped when she was just a few feet from him and for both of them, it was too far.

She looked away from him and repeated, "Kasumi found out how I didn't remember her because she…" Kagome didn't know how to explain it and the thought of showing him caused her to blush furiously, but she didn't know what else to do. She closed her eyes and she could sense him getting impatient, she didn't know how he would react with the scar and that scared her, too. She had to show him there was no second choice. She swallowed up her fear and raised her hands to the obi, gently tugging at the fabric.

Inuyasha's impatient look replaced it with the one of confusion and then he froze in place as he watched her loosen the obi and as the fabric was released from its hold he saw scar tissue, it was a two shades lighter than her normal skin tone… he sucked in a breath as he saw the shape, a hand… Kikyo's hand. It was from the last battle, her last battle. His chest ached as he examined it further; it was rough looking, it didn't looked like it was healed properly, but he knew no matter how properly it could have been bandaged and given the proper care it probably would still look the same as it looked now.

They stood there only a moment before Inuyasha took a step toward her and now he stood less than a foot from her, he raised his hand and saw Kagome's intake of breath as he traced the outline with his clawed hand. His touch was barely there, Kagome could hardly tell he was touching her, but as she watched him move across the scar she knew he was touching her. He stopped at her collarbone and slowly looked into her eyes and whispered, "I… remember this." Kagome was unnerved when his voice cracked, "You were already…. The place was burnt to a crisp; there was no sign of Kikyo. So we all thought and decided that she was destroyed in the blast. I…" He turned away from her and until all she could see was his sliver mane and back. He took several deep breaths as he calmed himself down and he closed his eyes when he heard fabric brushing against her skin. His thoughts were of her death and living without her, he was getting used to not having her be here. His body shook with anger, his blood boiled at the Gods, that they tortured him when they took her away and now that he was finally coping with her absence they sent her back, destroying his last confidence.

Kagome took the opportunity to fix her loose kimono and cover herself. His words tore at her heart and she tired to erase his helpless voice from her memory, but she knew that it was stitched deep inside her mind. She reached for him and placed her face against his wide back, her hands traveled up as well one resting on his arm the other on his back, her grip on the Fire Rat was tight. She could feel him shaking, she didn't know if he was sobbing or crying… she preferred neither. She would rather have his anger rather than his sorrow, she knew who to deal with his attitude and fiery stubbornness.

They stood there motionless, it seemed like hours, but it was only minutes. She didn't know what to say or do, so she just held onto him.

He moved suddenly and then she was in his arms, being held like the world was coming to an ending, being treasured until the last moments until the darkness would come and separate them forever. She rather liked that feeling being wanted and loved. Inuyasha's hands moved up toward her face both of his palms cupping her cheeks and then tilting her just so and seizing her lips with his. She was stunned and then she gasp as his lips moved over hers so smoothly. But as quickly as the embarrassment came it ended replacing untold love and desire. He slowly took his tongue and brushed it along her bottom lip asking, wanting, and needing. As she slowly move her lips he grew giddy and his hand moved to the back of her neck bringing her closer to him the other moved to her waist holding it tightly enough that bruises could form, but Kagome didn't feel the pain she didn't even mind the pressure, she wanted more, she felt her body grow warm and stir with want. She blushed at the thought, but continued to kiss me as fervor as he was.

Inuyasha could feel her small hands roam on his chest, his neck, and to his chin, and then her fingers slowly moved to where their lips were joined, he shivered as her fingers traced up to his cheek bones, then to his eyebrow and back down where their lips moved softly yet needy, and he hummed with delight. He never got to taste her like this before and he wanted to have a taste of her if she had to leave… he wanted to be sure he had something more to remember her by. She tasted just like she smelled, sweet rain, but there was something tangy hidden behind the sweetness.

He was surprised that she let him kiss her like this; he thought she would push him away. Being so pure, she was probably so unsure and embarrassed, he loved that about her. He loved how her face would turn red. He loved her little gestures. He loved the looks she would give him when she thought he wasn't paying attention. He loved the way she treated others as if they "normal" beings. He loved her bravery. He loved her voice. He loved her little habits. He loved her kindness. He loved her undying love for others. He loved everything about her. He lived without her for 75 years and… he still wasn't over the fact that she had been dead and knowing that the Gods kept her for 75 years and knowing that everyone who knew and loved her was broken, crippled from her death.

Her cheeks were red, as he opened his eyes to catch a peek at her face; it was glowing as he kissed her, the knot in his throat disappearing quickly along with the unshed tears. She was so soft, warm, and small; he squeezed her tighter and his ears twitched restlessly has he heard a moan that nearly drove him to the edge.

Kagome didn't know they had moved, but apparently they had because she was being pressed up against a wall kissing Inuyasha… holy crow she was kissing Inuyasha… they had shared one kiss when she was alive the first time she remembered that, and when she was alive a second time, two kisses, this one making three in less than three hours.

A sudden urge to touch his ears nearly became an excruciating want. She gradually eased up and inched toward his ears until she finally had one in her grasp, rubbing with the rhythm of her heartbeat. Her mind went blank as she heard his sensual groan escape from between her lips and his, loving the sound he made she rubbed harder hoping to get the same response and was rewarded with more, "Kagome," he moaned against her mouth. His hold on her tightened as his moaned out her name.

They kissed passionately until it slowed it soft brushes and then they stood there simply looking at each other. It was full of gasps and moans, their names on each others lips; it was suspenseful and agonizingly wonderful. Inuyasha's forehead rested against Kagome's and she smiled at him, "I missed you so much, Inuyasha..." He closed his eyes and whispered, "Say it again." She licked her lips and took a deep breath, "I missed you." He didn't open his eyes as he smiled and murmured, "My name. Say it again." He played with strands of her hair as she looked at him seeing him so peaceful almost brought tears to her eyes, but she slowly whispered, "Inuyasha." His smile widened, he opened his eyes slowly and gazed at her and then he said, "I lived without you for 75 years. Shippo and the others probably told you I was miserable… but the truth was I was worse than miserable, I was broken." She cupped his cheek as he spoke, she never thought he would do this, be so open with her. It made her happy more than happy, but she didn't know a word for something more than happy, but it scared the hell out of her. So many things have changed and she wasn't here to see anything happen, feel anything, grow with anything… She knew if he had died instead of her… she would be in the same state as he was… synthetic.

She leaned forward and kissed his nose and then his lips softly, and pulled back to see he closed his eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I-" She stopped mid-sentence; her eyes widened something pulled at her. There was so much pressure. It suffocated her and she struggled to catch a decent breath. It was dark. It was evil. A demon, she thought.

Inuyasha grew distraught as her silence, and the fear in her eyes, and when she gasped for a breath, his heart dropped and the thought, she's being taken away, rang through his mind. He roughly grabbed her shoulders and shouted, "What is it? Kagome!" She looked at him and breathed out, "Demon." She gasped for another breath and whispered, "A Demon… is here." Then it hit him square in the face. The heavy pressure and his instincts made him bristle his teeth grinded together. His ears searched for a voice a noise, but it was deathly quiet expect for the wind. She was suddenly out of his arms and rushing to the baby, quickly grabbing him and running to the other room and placed him in a futon and ran out to the other room and saw Inuyasha standing outside. His ears moved restlessly around and his nose twitch searching for anything. The pressure was building and it was getting harder to breath, but managed to get out the door.

She left her bow and arrows at Kohana's and immediately ran out the door and ran past Inuyasha, he quickly grabbed her arm and without waiting tossed her around his back and she landed on his back. Kagome grabbed two handfuls of the Fire Rat as Inuyasha's jog turned into a sprint. They were in Kohana's doorway just a second later, Inuyasha set her down while she grabbed her bow and sheath of arrows. Kohana was at the table with a pissed off Kasumi, Kagome swallowed and gasp, "Where is Shippo?" Kasumi replied, "He left. He was bothered. Said it was a demon." Inuyasha quickly grabbed Kagome's hand and said, "Come on." She was out the door before Kasumi or she could say anymore.

She was on his back again before they were off the porch and then she heard it. A tortured scream. The blood drained from her face, she knew that scream that was his scream. Inuyasha tensed as he ran and pushed himself harder and then trees were whipping past them and then nothing. Tall grass swayed with an uneasy feel. Then she heard it again. A sickening scream. She whipped her head to her left and the blood drained from her face. Shippo stood he was leaning forward a bit and swayed; his arm gashed open, blood rushed from the wound. It flowed with a steady pace down his arm and dripped from his fingers tips. Inuyasha set her down in a flash and he pulled Tetsusaiga out and it transformed with blinding light. Kagome moved automatically, putting an arrow in placed and pulled the string back until it was taut. Shippo stumbled and his head whirled toward them and he shouted something Kagome couldn't make out. Then his attention was on the sullen quiet forest.

Trees crashed, spilt in half, and became splinters as a giant demon stalked through them. He looked normal, handsome even, but when his eyes landed on her, their brilliant green flashed a blood red which made waves of nauseating shivers creep up and down Kagome's spine. Then Inuyasha appeared in front of her Tetsusaiga pointed at the demon, his roar was deafening, threatening. His crouch was deadly as he leaned forward ready for any sudden movements toward them. The giant demon just looked past Inuyasha and grinned at Kagome. Shippo appeared beside Inuyasha, his growling just as frightening. Even though his arm was gashed open, Shippo looked threatening and she was taken back. Then the demon did something unexpected, he leaned forward and fell to his knees and then his hands. Kagome's eyes widened as his skin ripped and his skin was replaced with fur black fur that speared over his body before she could blink. A muzzle rose out of his face and his teeth sharpened and grew. His back raised high, his spine longing itself, made her stomach roll with each crack of bone. His eyes stayed on her and when his transformation stopped he spoke.

"Oh, I can feel it. It's so powerful. I want it." His voice was soft like velvet, but there was hunger behind it and shudders escaped Kagome's body. "You have it, Kagome." When the demon said her name the two demons in front of her, roared and tensed in front of her. The demon just licked his lips and said, "Hmm. I can smell it in you. So tempting." Inuyasha roared, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" The demon didn't look at Inuyasha, he didn't even bat an eyelash, but he responded, "I want it. I want what Kagome has." The giant wolf began to pace; left to right and left to right. The three followed and moved with the demon so he wouldn't have any openings. Then he edged closer to them, but Shippo and Inuyasha growled and he stopped moving and turned his giant head toward the left of them and his lips pulled over his teeth like an evil grin.

Shippo tensed and then Inuyasha as Shippo cursed. Then Kagome saw her, Aiko was running toward them. Her expression determined, but anxious. If there was any color left in Kagome's face it was gone. Shippo disappeared, but then so did the giant wolf. Within a matter of seconds there was a scream and then Shippo was thrown across the field, trees were thrown across the field with him and he disappeared into the forest, making a path of split trees. Kagome's heart stopped and then there was another scream. Inuyasha and Kagome tensed suddenly Aiko's body was thrown into the field, and before Inuyasha could respond Kagome was running to her.

The giant wolf threw her body like a ragged doll, she rolled until she came to a stop, sharp gasps of pain reached Kagome's ears and her feet pushed harder. She heard Inuyasha behind her, but she saw the wolf running toward her. Inuyasha's shout reached her ears, but she didn't pay any mind to them. Her gaze was locked on the Aiko's body and threw herself to her side. Then there was a shout, silence, and then a big bang shook the earth and Kagome turned in time to see the Wind Scar engulf the giant wolf. She turned to Aiko and the air rushed from her lungs; she was pale, a gash where the demon had bitten her to throw her across the field was a stomach wrenching sight, it started at her shoulder and then curved over her chest and ended at her waist, it was like a bit mark. Blood was pouring from the puncture wounds and Kagome took a deep breath and placed her hands over Aiko's wound and the light blue energy soon became the brilliant blue. The energy flowed easily to Aiko's body and her cries of pain became signs of relief. Aiko opened her eyes slowly and they moved over to Kagome's face, and her eyes widened, at first it was shock and then it was horror.

The pressure hit her in the chest full force. The wind was knocked out of her and she gulped and gasped for air.

She could feel the wolf's breath on the back of her neck and Kagome's body froze, her mind screaming at her to run, but then thinking that was a worse idea. Kagome shuddered as a slick, wet tongue licked her back all the way to her neck. Her heart pounded against her ribs that she thought that it would pound right out of her chest. Aiko propped herself up on her elbows and tired to move away, but the giant wolf growled and she froze, Aiko was stared at Kagome. Her mind and eyes clicking something together, but they were confused in a flash. A voice roared. Inuyasha.

"DON'T YOU TOUCH HER YOU BASTARD!"

A deep throaty laugh came from behind her, and licked her again. Kagome's small hands turned into tight fists and her knuckles were a pale white. Inuyasha's snarl turned to something vicious, something unlike Inuyasha. The wolf laughed again deeply and said, "Oh, sweet Kagome. I can taste it. So powerful and tainted." He licked her again. Where was Inuyasha? Why wasn't he here? Was he hurt? Where is Shippo? God, somebody, anybody save them!? Those thoughts swirled inside Kagome's mind. Kagome caught something, something that she was doing, subconsciously.

She saw the flicker of a field, her force field. She and Aiko were trapped inside. The wolf was inside with them. She could hear Inuyasha swinging and hitting the field with the Tetsusaiga trying to get in and to save them and she prayed he wouldn't be stupid enough to touch it. Even though he is half human, his other half is demon and it could kill him. "Inuyasha-" she gasped as the wolf's teeth nipped at her kimono and then she was on the ground. She turned her face and saw Inuyasha, looking helpless. She saw the terror in his yes. The panic that was seeping out as he banged on the field each swing burnt his hands, but they healed as he pulled back to take another swing.

She knew that the force field kept demons out or in, but not humans. She had to get Aiko out this minute. Her bow was beside Aiko and she turned toward Aiko and inclined her head, but her eyes popped open and her breath disappeared, Aiko screamed while Inuyasha nearly thrashed at the field. His snarl was malicious, merciless, but there was something else, something behind all the threatening noise. Teeth bore into her shoulder and she screamed and then whimpered, "Aiko run!" Aiko sat motionless, but then she was up and running and before the giant wolf could get her on the ground she was stumbling out of the force field. The wolf banged up against the wall and whimpered as it was shot backward. Kagome stood up clutching her shoulder, her knees were unsteady and she stumbled forward. Her hands reached out to grab her bow.

Inuyasha screamed her name, but she didn't have time to react. Her head bounced and landed back on the bloodied ground with a thud. The wind was knocked from her lungs and she struggled to get a breath. Her eyes went wide her heart stopped when white, pure, energy flooded her veins. The wolf's giant teeth snapped at her, "GIVE IT TO ME!" Kagome didn't even have time to get a good decent breath when his fangs sunk into her shoulder, but a scream escaped her lips none the less. Her hands pushed themselves up against the giant wolf's neck in self defense. She didn't summon it, she didn't ask for its help, but she felt the blue energy seep out of her being.

He couldn't get to her a second time… useless. He pounded on the force field again and again; scorching his hands every time his skin came in contact with the field… he was going to lose her again. His heart stopped when her terrified scream reached his ears. He heard the bastard's teeth puncture her skin one tooth at a time and his heart stumbled each time. He didn't have time to react or to do anything for that matter when the white light engulfed inside the force field. The light was blinding, but he didn't shut his eyes still trying to see into the force field hoping to see her standing there alive at least. He felt Aiko grab his kimono when she ran through the field holding on for dear life. Turning her face away from the blinding light as it exploded inside Kagome's force field.

Then it was gone. The white light was gone. And she was laying on the ground panting hard and her eyes open wide… no sigh of relief escaped his lips. Aiko loosened her grip on the kimono and then was running toward her, but Inuyasha was already kneeling over her still form. She was fine, physically. No puncture wounds… only the crusting blood on the tattered, green kimono. Her body was stiff and rigid as Inuyasha grabbed her arms. Her face was pale, her lips a pale pink, and her eyes so distant. His breathing was sharp and fast as he gripped her arms tighter and shook her gently. A second past and he shouted her name, "Kagome!" Her hazel eyes blinked and then they focused on Inuyasha.

"You idiot." He shouted furiously, but she smiled knowing this kind of reaction from him. This was normal for her; this was his normal reaction if she did something reckless or plain stupid. His frown was deep, but her smile shattered his temper and he grabbed her to his chest. She giggled and whispered, "I'm fine." He pulled back to look at her and her smile was still on her lips, he shook his head and said, "You are you a complete idiot." They were close enough that their noses touched and they could feel each other breath on one another's faces. Her smile widened and she gasped when he brought his mouth down on hers.

It was quick, but passionate and Kagome felt the blush on her cheeks rise. This was so out of character for him, but it was growing on her. His nose twitched and his eyes grew serious and then she realized what he smelled, Shippo's blood. Inuyasha stood in an instant and pulled Kagome up. She pushed him forward and shouted, "Go! Go get him!" Inuyasha gave her one quick look before he disappeared into a red blur.

Kagome looked toward the direction of Shippo's beaten path and then her mind remembered Aiko. Her eyes searched the field, but found Aiko a few feet from where she stood. Kagome was taken back from her stance; her kimono was shredded and she held it to her slight form, there were no nicks or scratches on her arms, face or rather her chest. There were no scars left behind of what really happened to her body, her hands in tight fists. But what confused Kagome was the look in her eyes; distant, hesitate, rapturous and hopeful. She turned to see what Aiko was gazing at, but when she did she wished she hadn't. Inuyasha had one of Shippo's arms around his shoulders allowing Shippo to lean into Inuyasha for support. He was battered and bruised, but she could see his wounds healing magnificently fast.

Inuyasha. Aiko was looking at him. Kagome's frantic eyes went unfocused as she turned around to stare unbelievingly back at Aiko and her breathing ceased to nothing. She knew that look; she spent her first life giving Inuyasha that look, hoping he didn't catch her in the act. Her heart stumbled and then it went wild. Not this, she didn't want this to happen. How could this happen? She didn't want this to keep them apart; she didn't want to have anymore bumps in the road with him anymore she couldn't bear it. Her first life was painful enough and this had to happen, to her of all people?

Her mind replied everything Kasumi and Shippo said to her about her lost memories, every little detail that she could remember that they said. She went over everything they told her about Kikyo, every experience, every situation they had together. She was realizing something, something that made her choke on the upcoming tears that pricked at her eyes.

She had come back from the dead like Kikyo and finding Inuyasha begging to have her again, but what she didn't know was that someone else had fallen in love with the same hanyou.

Please forgive my long absence. I was reading over the story and found some major mistakes, with the whole jewel situation. I want you to know with the storyline that the Jewel is in the village and was not wished upon. It is guarded by Noriko, but it seems not anymore. You will have to read the next chapter and I am half way done with it so it will be up next week. Thank you for your patience.

-LadybugChild