Yes, I am back. Nothing much to say on my part, just sorry that it always takes me so long to update, but I am working on a bunch of other fics, which, if you like my stuff and you are bored, feel free to check them out on my profile. I own nothing, please enjoy.

English/Regular

Emphasis/Thoughts

Japanese

"Once I had destroyed the Jewel, I had nothing to anchor me in the past, forcing me to return to this time. I've just been working at my family's shrine, since I had been expelled from school. You know the rest." Kagome finished her tale.

It had taken her an hour and a half to tell the story. She sat in the library, surrounded by the Manhattan Clan, who were scattered throughout the room, Goliath leaned against the wall by the fireplace, the Trio, Bronx, Claw, Souta and Angela sat on the floor, looking remarkably like children during storytime (though Souta could be excused since he had never known the full story before and he was only 11), and Hudson sat in one of the armchairs. Fox (who had returned from a visit with her father), Xanatos, and Alex sat on the couch, all looking interested, even baby Alex, who gave Kagome an odd feeling that he understood much more than he let on. Elisa and Matt had left to return to work, although Goliath had promised to visit Elisa later to tell her the story. Puck had also disappeared to God knows where, most likely to go have a little fun with his returned powers.

Fox had surprised Kagome with how fox-like she truly was, and everyone had been amused to find out that her coloring matched that of a kitsune. Both Fox and David were rather like foxes, Kagome observed. Although they were much more manipulative than most foxes, they were intelligent, cunning, mischeivous, and with a sense of humor.

"Kagome, you know, we probably have to decide where we're going to stay." Souta piped up suddenly. Everyone turned to look at the young boy, who looked a little shy under all the stares. "I mean, we could go underground with Claw and the other mutates, or we could stay up here with the clan. I think I already know where I'll go, but what are you going to do?"

Hardly a moment after Jaken had left, and the Fae were still snickering over their youkai cousins' weakness. There was a loud noise, similar to a firework's whistle, and Puck shot into the room, skidding to a stop in front of Titania and Oberon's thrones. Everyone was speechless. Just because his powers were no longer restricted, Puck still should not have been able to set foot on Avalon ever again. He smirked at Avalon's king and queen, bowing as he did so. Who would have thought it possible to be both mocking and respectful at the same time?Well, somehow, Puck managed it.

"My apologies for my lateness for the Gathering, but I was otherwise occupied. In fact, I only came for a moment, for I am afraid I must return to my charge." Puck explained, an impish smile in place. "I only came to pay my respects to my lord n' lady." Finished with his speech, Puck vanished in a puff of smoke.

Very quietly, a young-looking man with light red hair held back in a ponytail, leaned over to speak into Sesshomaru's ear. "I like him. He's funny."

Sesshomaru imperceptibly rolled his eyes. "You would, kitsune."

"Yeah." the boy/man murmured before raising his voice to normal volumes. "Hey, Sessh, did you remember to tell Jaken that spell to control the Mists of Avalon? That's the thing about these Fae, they always have to rely on words to do stuff, how inconvenient. Also, why didn't you let Jaken take Kilala or Ah-Un? He could be back faster that way." The red head stopped babbling then, an amused look coming across his face. "You don't want him to back soon, you just want to be shut of him for a few days."

"This Sesshomaru does not require the aid of such tricks." Sesshomaru replied stiffly.

Suddenly, everyone in the hall, who had resumed their chatter now that Puck was gone, heard the distant screech of "LORD SESSHOMARU!" There was a short pause before everyone resumed talking.

Shippo snorted. "Of course you didn't, when dealing with Jaken, all one has to do is wind him, point him in a direction, and he manages stupid all by himself. It's such a shame you weren't born a fox, you wouldn've been great."

Kagome took a deep breath. The clan and the Xanatoses had graciously left the library for the siblings to use.

"Souta, I don't think I can live underground. I-I need to feel really useful, I need to see the stars, and sense all of the people here, in the city." Kagome decided.

"I thought so, sis. But I don't think I can. I need to get used to this on my own, with other people like us. I'm not ready to stay in the city after so long, I was okay in Tokyo, but this isn't Tokyo, or the shrine. I have to adjust in my own way." Souta said before giving Kagome a serious look. "You are going to come and visit me, right? You only visited once a month or so when you were with Inuyasha. I want to see more often than that."

Kagome leaned forward and hugged her little brother tightly. "Of course I will. We're all we've got left, and someone has to teach you how to use your powers."

When the Higurashi siblings exited the library, everyone was interested in their choice. Talon had arrived to pick them up, since it was unlikely they would want to stay up here, and Claw couldn't be expected to carry them both back.

Those who had heard Kagome's story, however, would dispute that claim. They couldn't be certain about Souta, but Kagome did not give the impression of being a young woman who could hide herself away underground. The Manhattan Clan were fairly certain that they would be getting a new member before dawn.

Kagome took a deep breath. "I'm going to stay up here. If it's all right with you." the elder Higurashi sibling looked to Goliath, who smiled and nodded his agreement.

"I'm going underground." Souta said firmly. "I don't think I'm ready to take on the big city, I'd rather just play it safe."

Talon was surprised that the siblings were so willing to part, if they were the only family they had left. But what did he know, maybe they weren't that close or were much more mature.

"However, you are going to be seeing a lot of me. I'm the only one who can at least partially teach Souta-chan how to control his powers. Unless, of course, you want him to turn invisible or to accidentally shock someone?" Kagome asked with a smile, ruffling her younger brother's hair.

"Well, before you say your goodbyes, I think there's something we need to take care of first." Talon said, stepping forward with a smile.

The gargoyles watched interestedly as the mutates soared through the air. It made them all a bit envious, since their wings were meant only for gliding, not flying. It was always a bit annoying when they were asked about it by humans.

Kagome had taken to flying easily. Talon had first explained wing movements, how to move and hold your body properly for flight, before he Claw took them up in the air. It was thrilling for the two Higurashi's, flying hundreds of stories up in the air, seeing cars move around on the ground like tiny toys.

Kagome soared up, up, into the clouds, her fur thoroughly soaked by the moisture. If not for the adrenaline rush her first flight was producing, she would probably be freezing, but, hey, Kagome was going to have a bit of fun, the most fun she'd had in many months. Above the clouds, Kagome was able to see the moon and stars clearly, another thing she had not enjoyed in months, since her last trip to the feudal era. Laughing, she dipped back down through the clouds, not at all helping her in how wet she was getting. she noticed the worried looks some of the others were getting. Guess it's time to land. Kagome landed well enough, if a bit sloppily, as she stumbled on the ancient stone, nearly falling if not for Angela's intervention.

"Having fun?" the older girl asked with an amused smile.

Kagome nodded, grinning broadly. "Fun doesn't even cover it!" she laughed.

They were joined by Talon and Claw, who landed gracefully, as well as Souta, who lost control and almost landed on his head, had Claw not noticed and caught him.

Talon chuckled somewhat. "Well, Kagome, looks like you've got the basics down, just need to work on your landing. Look, it's going to be dawn soon, so we need to head back to the Labyrinth." Talon looked down at Souta with an inquiring look, to which Souta nodded.

The two siblings hugged each other tightly, speaking in low voices to one another. When they parted, Souta turned back to the elder males, approached the edge of the castle, and flew off to their home. Kagome watched until they were out of sight.

"You going to be okay?" Lexington asked the taller female.

"Yeah, I think so. He used to watch me jump down a well and not see me for up to a month. I think I can handle watching him fly off to live underground. He'll certainly be a lot safer down there than I was in the Feudal Era." Kagome answered with a smile.

"Dawn." Hudson stated, to which the gargoyles turned to their respective perches, and striking rather frightening poses.

"See ya tonight, Kagome." Brooklyn said with a smile, before turning to face the rising sun.

"Amazing." Kagome breathed, watching the gargoyle fall into their stony slumbers.

"I'm inclined to agree with you." David said, stepping out of the shadows and surprising her. "I have a room ready for you to stay in, if you're interested."

"Thats great, thank you. But I don't suppose it would be too much trouble if I made a phonecall to Japan first?" Kagome asked tentatively. She had no doubt in her mind that the Xanatos' would be able to afford it, but since they were allowing her to live in their home, it was always polite to ask first.

"Not at all." David said with a smile, bringing out a cell phone. "Take as long as you need." He moved a few yards away, giving her a little privacy.

With a slight smile, Kagome began to punch in the number.

In Ishimura, Japan, Constable Hiroshi sat at his desk in the police department. Yama had woken up approximately an hour ago and had, just as he had every other night for the past two months, immediately asked about any progress made in Higurashi case. And Hiroshi had given Yama the same answer that he had given Yama for the past two months-none.

It was such a pity, too, that such a young priest and priestess had gone missing when they had had such a profound affect on Yama, helping him regain his honor. Hiroshi shook his head sadly. With the little progress made on the case, Hiroshi knew it would be unlikely for the Higurashi siblings to be found after the murders of the elder Higurashi's. If those children were ever found, it would likely be at the bottom of a river.

His phone suddenly rang. Looking at the caller ID, he found it was an American number. That's odd, Hiroshi thought, picking up the phone.

"Hello, Ishimura Police Department, Constable Hiroshi speaking." He answered automatically.

"Hello, my name is Higurashi Kagome, and I was hoping to speak to Yama." the voice of a young woman said on the other end.

Hiroshi tensed. "Miss Higurashi, where are you? I shall have to inform the Tokyo Police Department-"

"Sir, my situation is a little out of their depth. It's more in yours. I am in New York City, with the Manhatten gargoyle clan. I am safe, but I will never be able to return-" the girl's voice broke off for a moment, and Hiroshi heard a sob on the other end. "The way I am now- my own mother wouldn't recognize me. Please, may I speak with Yama?"

Hiroshi knew there was little he could do, the young lady had clearly been through much in a short amount of time and needed to talk to a friend. "I will get Yama, please wait a moment Miss Higurashi."

Several minutes later, Yama picked up the phone. "Miss Kagome, are you alright?"

"Yama, I have told before, you may call me Kagome, you don't need to be so formal. I am fine, as is Souta, although you would not recognize us."

"What has happened?" Yama demanded, concerned and upset by Kagome's evasive answers.

"It's a long story..."

David watched as Kagome returned with his cell phone. It had been a good 20 minutes that she had been on it, not that he minded, of course.

"I'm sure you're tired, I've had a room prepared for you." David lightly resting his hand on the Kagome's back.

"Yes, it has been a long night." Kagome agreed, allowing herself to be guided to large and lavish bedroom with an extremely large bed and a connected bathroom.

"I'm sure you'll find everything you need here. Sleep well." David siad, leaving Kagome to collapse on the bed.

Once David had closed the bedroom door, he looked at the long black hairs he held in his hand, as Owen appeared at his side out of nowhere- literally.

"Hello Owen, I half expected you to enjoy your regained freedom for a while longer." David greeted his aid.

"I am free from Oberon's spell, but I did make a deal with you, didn't I?" Owen replied with a faint smile.

"Indeed. Owen," he handed the hairs over, "I want these sent down to the lab. I'd like to know just how differently she was mutated, compared to the other mutates. And I want to find out why it was that Nightstone was so eager to buy the Higurashi siblings."

"Understood, Mr. Xanatos."

In her room, Kagome, despite being exhausted, couldn't sleep. Rising from the bed, Kagome crossed the room to the bathroom, which was stocked with a great deal of shampoo.

Stepping under the shower head, Kagome thought. Why can't I sleep? What's wrong with me? She thought back to what she had been doing when it hit her. She could never go home. She would never be able to see her friends again, not even Hojo. She would never be able to sit in a McDonalds with them, with them trying to set her up with Hojo for the umpteenth time. She would never see the Sacred Tree, or the Shrine again. She wouldn't walk up the steps of the Shrine again. She would never rush past Gramps to greet her mother, who would smile and welcome her home.

That's it then, Kagome thought dully, that part of my life is over. This is a new part of my life. But that's not all bad, now I can help people again, be wrapped up in some kind of crazy. Use my powers again.

She went back to bed, little less tense from the shower. I'll be okay.

Sorry for the wait, I hope you enjoyed it. Please review.