I would once again like to point out that I do not own InuYasha.

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Kagome did not really feel like going to the well, where she knew Shippo would be waiting, after her argument with InuYasha. She was still crying tears of frustration, and she would rather not have someone try to sympathize. Instead, she went to go sit by the river. She figured watching the water might calm her down, and there would be a ready supply of water to wash her face, once she stopped crying. She sat down on the bank, and pulled her knees to her chest, staring out at the running water. She let her mind drift to those first few days with InuYasha, when he still hated her for being Kikyo's reincarnation. A slight smile twitched at her lips.

He always tried to do something stupid to get the jewel from me. Or the jewel shards. It never worked, thanks to the beads. I love those beads. I can actually make sure he doesn't do anything too stupid. I wish he wouldn't yell at me for it. I guess I understand why, but I'm trying to keep him from doing something he'd regret later! With a sigh, Kagome rested her chin on her knees. That was InuYasha for you. No gratitude, and a refusal to admit he might be about to do something stupid. She had stopped crying by now, and was trying to ensure that she did not sit InuYasha about seventy times when she saw him again.

He's a jerk! I don't know why I like him so much. I mean, all he ever does is make fun of me, and order me around! She told herself. Then her eyes widened. What do I mean 'like'? I don't like him anymore! I like Hojo! She nearly screamed at herself

Really? A nasty little voice in the back of her mind said sweetly, Then why do you have to keep reminding yourself of that?

"Because I'm so used to being in love with InuYasha, that I just say it in the present tense. And because we're still friends..." Kagome muttered quietly, hoping to get the voice to shut up.

About that, if he's such a jerk, why are you still friends with him? Why stay anywhere near him at all? The voice continued in the fashion that all evil voices in the back of people's minds do.

"Because he isn't always a jerk. When he isn't, he's really nice. He cares about me-"
Kagome tried to explain herself, but was cut off.

That's funny. Whenever you try to justify being with Hojo, you never seem to remember the times he's a decent person. Why do you suppose that is, hmmm? Kagome was finding herself hating this voice more every second.

"I don't know! Maybe because they're so incredibly rare..."

Oh really? And just how many times has he gone out of his way to save you from whatever demon you were caught by?

"Ummm, well... That's because..."



And how many times has he gotten angry with you, because you didn't listen to him and get out of danger?

"Wouldn't that be a point for how much of a jerk he is?" Kagome asked, feeling most of her arguments sliding through her fingers.

And how many times has he nearly gotten himself killed because he gave you some part of his armor?

"Uh, well..."

And how often is he there for you when you really need someone?

"What are you doing, trying to make me feel like a horrible person, so I'll get a self-esteem coordinator?" Kagome asked the voice. She was feeling guilty, as though she had been caught in a lie. She did not appreciate it.

The voice was silent for a moment. No. I'm just here to make you realize that you're acting like a child who has been told she has to share. It said finally, adding insult to injury.

"Yeah, well, you're doing a very good job of it." Kagome muttered darkly. At this point, Kagome was tempted to bash her head on a rock if it would just get the voice to shut up.

Thank you. And by the way, bashing your head on a rock won't do any good. You'll only get a headache. I'd just be back once you regained consciousness. The voice sounded smug. Kagome rolled her eyes.

"Thanks." She said flatly, running through plans in her head to get rid of this stupid voice.

Don't mention it. By the way, none of those plans of yours will work. I won't go away until you do what I tell you to, or you beat my arguments. The voice said cheerfully. Kagome started to rub her temples.

"You know, there isn't really enough room in my head for anyone but me."

That's what you think. There's lots of space in here! You should use some more of your brain! The voice sighed. But then, you are Kikyo, and she never used that much of her brain either...

"I am NOT Kikyo." Kagome said flatly.


Ohhhh, yes you are. Same soul, same brain capacity, same facial structure... the voice trailed off. Kagome pounced on this break. The voice had touched a nerve.



"I don't act like Kikyo." She hissed. "I can't use my abilities as a miko unless I'm in such serious danger it isn't funny, I don't want InuYasha to go to Hell with me, and INUYASHA DOESN'T LOVE ME!" She started in a low whisper, and was almost yelling by the time she finished. In fact, the only reason she was not, was because she realized just how bad it would look to a passerby if she was yelling to absolutely no one that someone did not love her.

That's somewhat true... I suppose. About not acting like Kikyo, and not wanting to go to Hell to InuYasha. The rest... that's mostly because you've never bothered to find out.

"What do you mean I've never bothered to find out?"

Think about it. You've never trained your abilities. How did you expect to use them, hmmmm? The only reason you can do as much as you do is because you have so much power. And you never bothered to ask InuYasha how he felt about you. Kagome laughed bitterly.

"I don't really need to. He loves Kikyo, not me. Besides, do you honestly think he would tell me the truth?" The voice snorted.

Probably not. I hadn't thought it was possible before I met him, but InuYasha's dumber than you are! Kagome was not sure if that was a compliment, or an insult. The she stood up abruptly.

"I think I'm going to ignore you now." Kagome said calmly, and started walking to the village, still avoiding the well. The voice snickered.

Go ahead and try. It's amusing. Oh, I'd recommend getting your hands on a bow. Fast.

"Wha-" Kagome asked, slightly confused.

Just find a bow. The voice said in an exasperated tone. You'll understand later.

"Whatever." She said, and started to walk faster, hoping that her speed would dislodge the extra person in her head.

Sango's fingers had been inching towards hirakosu for the past five minutes, wanting to take it and throw it at Hojo.

Does this guy ever shut up? She asked herself, as she was treated to random chatter about how important maintaining health was. Shippo and Kirara looked just as disgusted, especially Shippo. Hojo had informed him that his candy loving habits were not very good for his teeth, and that he would talk to Kagome about cutting off his supply of lollipops. Shippo's explanation of "I'm a demon, I don't need to worry about it." had only made him laugh and say



"You'll stop thinking that, once you get a cavity." Shippo's eye was twitching. Sango recognized danger signs. She would not be surprised if Hojo found himself blasted by fox fire before he left. When she was certain Hojo was too absorbed in his good health speech to notice, she leaned over, and whispered in his ear.

"Shippo, take Kirara, and go find Kagome. Tell her I need to talk to her. Now."

"Should I mention Hojo?" He whispered back. She shook her head.

"No. Let's surprise her." Shippo nodded, and headed back to the well to catch Kagome's scent.

Sango suffered a few more minutes before she saw Kaede heading for them. She looked worried.

"Kaede, is something wrong?" Sango called, and Kaede nodded briskly.

"Aye. Some spider demons have come to the village. They have some of the children, so Miroku cannot use his wind tunnel. I am looking for the rest of ye. Where are Kagome and-"

"I don't know." Sango cut her off quickly, shaking her head and pointing surreptitiously at Hojo. "Shippo's out looking for her. He'll bring her to the village. I'll see what I can do to help." She turned to Hojo. "I'm sorry, I have to go help Miroku handle this. You should probably keep your distance..." Hojo shook his head.

"It probably won't be that bad. Besides, I'm interested." Hojo explained with a smile. Sango just barely managed to contain her stunned amazement.

How can he be so... so stupid ! She asked herself.

"Trust me... it will be." And she ran towards the village, hoping she got there in time to help.