Thanks to everyone who's been patiently awaiting next installments. It would have come out much faster had I not written most of it in a notebook while camping, then had to transfer and edit it all on the computer. (Hey, maybe someday when I'm famous those hard copies may be worth something more than a laugh at my raw ideas) Anyways, I fantasize. Submitted for approval of all Inuyasha fans everywhere...

I should also restate that while I wish I owned all the Inuyasha characters, alas, I do not and use them only with the greatest of respect for those who do. But Kanota, bastard that he is, is mine. I guess that's something to be proud of.

Kagome sat rather stunned at the reflection of herself and wondered again how she had made it to this point at all after all that had happened. The week's activity had been playing in a continuous loop in her mind, added to bit by bit as events had transpired. But no matter how much she tried to avoid thinking about it, her mind always returned to the point when she had seen Inuyasha again, and the fight between them had ensued, along with all the anger and adrenaline that had gripped them both during the whole ordeal. And always accompanying that memory came the memory of that evening and the gripping sadness that had possessed her for the rest of the night.

"How could this all have happened?" she wondered every time the scene passed through her mind. "Why right then? It would have been better if I could have told him myself. Not that he needed to know anything at all, it's really none of his business." But despite her mind's arguments, she was never quite able to convince herself to believe it, and now the fear that gripped her even more was that after all this Inuyasha wouldn't ever come for her again. She could just see him stewing in his anger for the rest of the time she was stuck finishing cram school, which incidentally was going to be a total waste of her time since the thought of having to concentrate on algebra and European history now was a complete joke. That first night she had laid in bed wide-awake brewing over that afternoon and everything that had happened during it. Because even more surprising than Inuyasha's appearance, which she had been eagerly hoping for since her return from the Feudal Era, had been Kanota's confession and subsequent kiss which still sent a faint but pleasant chill down her spine as she thought about it.

Kagome still wasn't totally convinced that Kanota hadn't been stricken temporarily insane by some kind of mega cosmic flair, but his affections towards her did seem to be genuine. Since that afternoon, Kanota had made it a point to do something special for her every day, from showing up at the shrine to help her study, to bringing lunch to her at school, to leaving a flower on her desk one day before class. As usual for her school, word had spread through her classmates about the two of them becoming a couple before she had even made it to class Monday morning, and for some reason as a side note, it seemed to make people want to be around her more than before. Eri, Yuki, and Ayumi were especially quick to approve.

"He's so much more sophisticated than your last boyfriend," Eri had gushed.

"Not to mention extremely cute AND popular," Yuki nodded eagerly. "Your popularity has skyrocketed in just the last two days. Do you know how many girls are wishing you would suddenly relapse with whatever was making you miss so much school before?"

Kagome had shifted uncomfortably, but a small smile still seemed to find its way to her face. Kanota's attention had by no means been a bad thing, in fact it was really quite nice to be the object of someone's affection for a change, with the added bonus that the boy in question didn't happen to be a letch. And she was coming to find that she really did enjoy his company. It was pretty obvious why he had gained popularity so fast. His relaxed nature never seemed to be disturbed by anything. No matter who approached him, he always seemed to have time to spend and some common ground to discuss, and was happy to do so. Above everything, he had been a perfect distraction this week. In fact, the only times she seemed to be able not to think about Inuyasha were the times she spent with Kanota.

Since he had asked pretty much at the last minute, trying to get everything ready to go to the dance had been slightly frantic and rushed, but her mother had come through for her, having happened to spot a suitable dress at the local trade store just the day before. At first glance when her mother had brought it home, Kagome had been certain from the slender cut and low neckline that she wasn't going to be able to breathe while wearing it, much less dance or do anything else for that matter. But her mother had assured her that it was quite fashionable in America and that she could make some quick alterations if necessary, so while silently cursing American taste in formalwear, Kagome had tried it on. It was an instant relief to discover that not only did it rest comfortably against her body, but it also wasn't quite as scandalously revealing as she had first anticipated. The deep red satin layers piled thinly on top of each other for the length of her torso, then separated to flow out in many individual layers around her legs, creating a multi-leveled petal effect around her lower body, ending just above her ankles. On the outermost layer, delicate beadwork had been done to arrange small pearl-like beads into a flowering vine design that wrapped itself around her torso and back around again to end in front as the dress sat at rest. To complete the detailing, the straps were made of three strands of the same beads, each one loose from the other so they could sit together as a group or separated as they may.

Kagome was now dressed and had just finished pulling her hair back in a thick bun secured with a pair of pearl white chopsticks with red ornamenting. Her mother had picked them out as well because of the small red ribbon that hung from the tops that was strung through two small pearls that swing against the knot of her hair as she examined herself. She had even pulled out the small bit of makeup that she owned and applied it to her eyes and lips, and now sat amazed at the fact that she couldn't seem to think of anything that was missing. In fact, it had come together almost too well.

"It's me, but it's not me," she thought towards her reflection, "but it's almost as if that's perfect for tonight somehow."

Her thoughts were interrupted by a quick knock at the door, and Kagome's mother peaked her head around it. "Honey, your friend just arrived to pick you up. Oh Kagome, you look just stunning!" She paused at the doorway to smile at her daughter.

Thanks Mom! I couldn't have done it without your help," she smiled back, turning away from the mirror. "Everything worked out perfectly." But Kagome's chatter caught in her throat as she noticed a strange expression suddenly cross her mother's face. For a moment she wavered, looking slightly pale and like she might pass out, then seemed to catch herself and shake out of it, although still a little stunned. "Mom, what is it?" she cried out, rising to her feet and watching her closely.

She was slow to respond, but still standing, and after a moment brought her gaze up to assure her daughter she was all right. "I'm fine, don't worry," she told her, but something in her eyes made Kagome question. Before she could ask anything further though, her mother began to speak again, as if she could knew the exact questions racing through her daughter's mind.

"You didn't get to know your grandmother very well. You were just a baby when she died. I never told you this, but she was the last official priestess to reside officially over this temple."

"Really?" Kagome was instantly intrigued, but curious as to why her mother was choosing this moment to tell her this.

"Her last official duty she performed as a priestess," her mother continued, "was assisting in your birth. I remember her best on that day. She was thrilled that I had chosen to have her perform the birth instead of going to the hospital. I had rebelled long before against the traditional temple lifestyle and learning priestess duties, but this was something I wanted to share with her. She was holding you just after you were born and had taken your very first breath. I was listening to you crying and giving thanks that you were healthy, when all of a sudden a sudden gust of wind rushed through the chamber. You went quiet for a minute, and I saw your grandmother go very still and a strange look cross her face. At first I was terrified that something was wrong with you, but then she handed you to me. You were cooing and wiggling and seemed perfect. I wondered what could have concerned your grandmother so much.

"Then she came over to where we were laying and placed a hand on each of us. I've never forgotten what she said at that moment. Her voice was so hardened and serious, and her facial expression was completely blank, as if she didn't know how she should feel about what she was saying. Without looking at either of us, she said, 'This child has a power that far exceeds the limitations of this world, and someday that power will be called upon in a time of crisis.' I was prepared to just brush it off as more of her temple ritualism, but at the same time when she was speaking, I could feel a warmth unlike any feeling I've felt before channeling through where her hand was placed on my shoulder. And somehow, without a doubt from the moment I first felt it, I knew that it was coming from you."

Kagome, who had sat listening intently through her mother's recollection, could now barely move. "Did my grandmother know what was going to happen to me? That the Shikon was inside me even back then?" she wondered silently.

"I'm not sure what I felt that day," her mother continued, "but I am sure that the feeling I felt was a power of good. It was so warm and pure, and while we were all connected through your grandmother's touch…" She broke off, and a wistful look seemed to pass over her. "You were so calm, and your grandmother seemed more at peace than I had ever seen her, as if a huge conflict had suddenly and amazingly been resolved. Even all my pain from giving birth was suddenly gone for that time and replaced with a comforting warmth."

She paused, lost in her memory for a moment, and Kagome slowly let out her breath after receiving all this lost family history. After all this time, after all her adventures in the past, after meeting Inuyasha and everything else that had happened since she first fell down the well, why had her mother never mentioned all this before? Even back when she and Sota were children and would laugh at their grandfather and all his silly charms and potions, why had she not said anything then, that he was in reality carrying on for her grandmother who really had watched over the people of the city just like Kaete did for her villagers. But as she looked up something still didn't seem right, and Kagome took a step towards her mother who almost at this point seemed to be fighting back tears. "But Mom, that's such a beautiful memory. So why do you look so sad?"

Her mother smiled, her eyes glistening. "You've always been so observant of people's emotions. You're right, there is something more. When your grandmother became ill, she made one more request of me. I was sitting with her in her room holding you on my lap, when she reached out and took you from me and held you next to her on the bed. I saw her reach up and slide a necklace from her neck and dangle the little pink jewel over you while you giggled."

That instantly caught Kagome's attention. "Pink jewel?"

"As she watched you, she told me again that there would be a day that you would be called upon in a time of crisis. Then she looked at me with such a hardened seriousness that I froze in my seat, and she made me swear that no matter what the circumstances, when you were called that I would do nothing to stop you, even if every fiber of my being disagreed with that decision. She was so serious about it that she made me swear the Oath of Generations at that very moment that I would let you go."

"The Oath of Generations?"

"It's a sacred oath between priestesses of the temple, reserved to only the most crucial of pledges between people. It was almost as if she knew something about what was in store for you, but she wouldn't say no matter how hard I pleaded. But nothing would deter her from her goal, so in the end I swore that when the time came I would let you go."

Kagome nodded, starting to understand. "When I fell down the well…"

"Oh Kagome, I had no idea, even in my worst imagination that letting you go meant you being five-hundred years in the past fighting demons, but I had sworn. All I could do was support you in any way I could. And tonight…" Her mother reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a thin golden chain, but it was what was dangling from the end that stole Kagome's breath. "After I swore the Oath, she gave me this and told me that when the time was right I would know to give it to you. She said that it holds the protective spirits of all the priestesses of this shrine from the last five hundred years. It was as if she was speaking to me all afternoon, telling me that the time had come, and that everything would be over soon. But I know it's not that simple. After all that you've been through in the past already, the fact that I've had to wait to give this to you now can only mean that the worst is still coming."

Kagome nodded silently, unable to deny it. She took the necklace from her mother and stared at it for a long time before speaking again. "It's beautiful," she whispered, staring at a perfect miniaturization of the Shikon no Tama, complete and perfect and sparkling with life. Kagome was now sure that somehow her grandmother was connected with all that had been happening in the past, and she wondered if her mother had any idea of the significance of her grandmother's gift, or how suddenly her two worlds had come crashing together at that very moment. Her mother helped her secure the clasp behind her back and gave her a small hug.

"I know I should have told you all this sooner, but I think a part of me always knew that giving you this would mean terrible things were coming, and I hoped that it never had to come to that. But after all this time, I'm not really afraid like I was before, when all this started. I trust in Inuyasha and your other friends; that they'll continue to keep you safe. And I know you Kagome. Whatever is needed of you, you'll accomplish it. You always have. But I just wanted you to know that despite all these grand adventures that I'm sure you're having through all this, I'm glad you at least got a chance to experience a few normal things during your childhood too. I know it's silly, but helping you get ready for tonight has meant a lot to me."

Kagome clutched the tiny jewel around her neck and knew exactly what she meant. "It means a lot to me too."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Kagome could hear her grandfather's voice trailing up the stairs selling the finer points of dogwood root for everything from stomachaches to cataracts, and she prayed that Kanota's tolerance hadn't finally found its limit and sent him running back out the door. But his smooth voice was quick to break in that his grandfather had used it as a salve for burns as well, along with mint leaf and some other ingredient that even Kagome had never heard of, and with a sigh knew she shouldn't have been concerned. The two were in fact so intently involved in their conversation of medicinal herb use that it took Sota's small voice from over in the corner to draw their attention away from each other and towards the doorway as she walked into the room.

"Nee-chan!" he breathed in amazement as she passed through the doorway. "You look beautiful!"

"Thanks Sota," she smiled back, but her attention was quickly drawn towards the other boy in the room. Kanota had gone instantly quiet as soon as he became aware of her presence, and his expression had set itself to that of enchanted amazement, which she was sure her own expression mirrored completely. Without surprise, he looked perfect for the engagement, stylishly dressed in a white sport coat over a jet black shirt and tie, black slacks, and black polished leather shoes. His white hair protruded in thick sculpted spikes in every direction, carefully placed and set with its usual understated effort. His blue eyes glowed bright against the colorless outfit, drawing even more attention towards them. Kagome saw them wander over her quickly, pausing only briefly at her neckline before meeting her eyes again.

"Kagome," she thought he heard his voice break just slightly, but he regained control quickly. "You look stunning."

Her cheeks pinked instantly, and it took her longer to eliminate the shake from her voice. "Thanks. You do too."

"I brought this for you," he said smoothly, "but it obviously pales in comparison."

Kagome broke her gaze to peer down at his offering and found herself inclined to disagree. Sitting in his outstretched palm was a pure white exotic lily set as the centerpiece of a corsage amongst an assortment of deep green leaves. She stared at it as he took hold of her wrist to slide it on. It was so beautiful, but somehow it seemed so familiar, even though it was nothing like anything that was sold in any local flower shops. She was about to ask him about it when her mother reemerged from upstairs, camera in hand, instantly snapping a barrage of pictures of the pair while gushing over them both. Grandpa also seemed to be into the moment, reminiscing of the day he had sent his daughter off to her first dance. Only Sota sat quietly in the corner, watching her sister's date with slight suspect. It didn't go unnoticed.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Higureshi, but if we don't leave soon we'll miss our dinner reservation."

"Oh, of course," she nodded, jumping off to get a coat as Kagome gathered her things.

"Now you take good care of our Kagome," Grandpa said coyly with a wink. "You never know who we'll send after you if you don't."

Kanota gave him a knowing smile. "Don't worry. I don't intend to let her out of my sight."

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Since returning from Kagome's time after their argument, the constant gnawing dread Inuyasha had been fighting to subdue had unexplainably ceased, as had the dreams that had been plaguing him over the last weeks. So when Inuyasha found himself once again suddenly wandering aimlessly in the dark mist, it was a surprise to him not only to realize that he was indeed dreaming again, but also that for once while he was here that his mind remained unclouded and his memories intact. Still, he walked cautiously through the haze, letting his mind trigger clues as to what was coming. By the time he came to the clearing, it was all clear in his mind, and he sat waiting for the rustling that signaled the coming attackers with his claws in the ready. This time he would not be caught unprepared.

A warm sticky wind blew from behind, sending a shiver down his spine, and he decided to draw his sword. "I know you're out there. You may as well start talking," he growled.

The wind blew again, harder this time, but no one answered. Around him the fog swirled viciously, as if something was holding it back from attacking as usual. Inuyasha made a quick survey of his surroundings again, then continued forward.

"I remember how this goes this time. Aren't you going to ask me about my purpose or something?"

Still there was no answer, but Inuyasha could feel himself being watched as he walked and it irritated him. "You could at least come out and face me for once instead of hiding behind the fog like a coward as usual."

The wind blew again, changing direction this time and coming from his right swift and hard. "You still have not learned," it seemed to say in his ear.

"Learned what?" Inuyasha demanded sharply, his muscles tensing.

"What is your purpose?" it asked, as if on cue.

The answer came as no surprise, but neither did his reaction. With a yell, Inuyasha let out a wave attack from the Tetsusaiga, parting the mist in front of him for a brief second to reveal a glow in the distance before it swelled in again.

"Why do you continue to hide what you already know to be there?"

He froze, but his eyes remained locked on the hazy glow that was still barely visible. He felt his stomach sink, remembering clearly what following the pinkish-red light brought with it. "What do you mean?"

"What you search for may not be as hidden as you seem to believe."

"What are you talking about?" he shouted wildly? "We've been looking for the Shikon's priestess for weeks now and found nothing! You can't blame me for not finding something that doesn't want to be found!"

"One's destiny does not run from the one to whom it belongs."

Inuyasha snarled at the truth of the statement, but he was not ready to give up the battle. "Well if it's so important, why hasn't it found me since we've been looking so hard? I haven't exactly been hiding from it either!"

"There is a difference between finding your destiny and accepting it." The mist in front of him seemed to swirl, and the glow flashed brighter for a moment, as if it was calling to him. Almost against his will, he began to walk towards it, giving in to its draw despite the anticipated grief he knew was there. "There isn't much time," the voice carried behind him.

His walk turned to a run, and for once the darkness seemed to part, revealing a set pathway for once instead of impeding his target. He saw the jewel's glow and the red and white robes against ebony black hair, and was determined to prevent what he knew was coming. "Kikiyo!" he yelled. "Run! You need to get out of here!"

Instantly he felt the miasma surround and grab him, stopping him instantly. He struggled with all his strength, but to no avail. In front of him, the mist creatures began to swirl around the priestess, excited to finally have been released from their holdings and looking hungrily at the jewel shining in her hand. He watched as she pulled the Shikon close to her, ready to protect it no matter what the cost. Still, she didn't move. His cries grew more and more frantic, knowing exactly what was coming.

"Kikiyo!" Inuyasha cried out, growing more and more desperate. "Go! You're in danger!" But no matter how much effort he put into his struggle, his bonds never seemed to weaken, nor did the other respond to his frantic warnings. Once again he watched helplessly as the mist took shape, churning wildly around waiting for their opportunity to strike at their target.

"Damn it!" Inuyasha bellowed, sinking to his knees against his bonds. "Why! Isn't this my purpose? So why can't I do anything? Why can't I protect her?"

The warm wind blew softly towards him, and the tight grip on his body seemed to loosen just slightly. "Why do you continue to hide what you already know to be there?" he heard it ask again.

And not knowing what else to do, he looked up again, as if it was his punishment for being unable to fulfill his duty, taking every bit of it into his mind so that if he ever was to wake up from this nightmare he could remember it to keep him fighting to his last breath. He saw the swirl of the fog against the blood red cloth of the priestess robes. He saw the shaking fingers as they tried desperately to shield the Shikon's light from her attackers. His vision crawled over every part, burning it into his mind as he felt tears starting to well up and trickle down around his cheek. Then suddenly his eyes widened as he started to notice more and more of the details. Like the fact that her ponytail was just a bit shorter and curled up at the ends. And that her cheekbone was just a bit softer. And that her stance was not quite so hardened and confident.

And suddenly he understood everything.

"What is your destiny?" he heard whispered in the distance.

"Kagome!" he cried out with every bit of strength he had left in him, and this time she turned towards him, the terror on her face ripping at his heart, but her eyes shining with the tiniest spark of hope upon finally seeing him there.

"Inuyasha! Help me!" she cried, reaching towards him while he watched helplessly as the light of the Shikon was once again swallowed up by the darkness.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

His eyes snapped open instantly, and without even waiting for full awareness to set in took off running towards the Bone Eaters Well, every fiber in his existence screaming of one thing only. Kagome was in danger. If he didn't go now, she might not be there for him to save. As he ran, he cursed himself for not seeing it sooner, and wondered if Naraku now had the upper hand because of his ignorance to see what had been right in front of him the whole time.

"Kagome, hold on," he prayed to the night sky as he flung himself full speed down the well shaft. "I'm coming for you. Just please be safe."

Behind in the hut, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou sat staring at the door, stunned at Inuyasha's abrupt departure, and wondering what he could possibly be reacting to so fervently after the way he'd been sulking all week. "Do you think it has something to do with Kagome?" Shippou asked, unable to mask the concern in his voice.

"Anything that induces that kind of response from Inuyasha has to involve Kagome," Miroku nodded calmly. Beside him, Sango seemed to smile knowingly, and Shippou, glancing between the two, scowled at the fact that he seemed to be the only one in the dark about what was going on. In a huff, he took off out the door and out towards the edge of the village in the direction of the well, his irritation quickly rising. Why did only stupid Inuyasha get to go see Kagome? She had promised she would come back to visit, but so far only Inuyasha had been able to go see her, and judging from the mood he was in when he got back had probably gotten into a fight with her and ruined the chances of her coming back to see the rest of them. Now, after the group had sat around for almost a week waiting for Inuyasha's attitude to improve, he was running off again to see her and leaving them behind. In frustration, he drew back and kicked the well as hard as he could, which unfortunately accomplished nothing more than a throbbing toe. Dejected, Shippou flung himself into the grass, fighting back tears.

"Why am I always the one that gets left out?" he sniffed loudly.

Somewhere not far away, a small moan answered him, sending Shippou scrambling behind the stone well shaft in terror. "Wha- what was that?" he murmured, suddenly remembering that he had come out here completely alone and unprotected. Trembling, he peaked out, but saw nothing, and was about to fully emerge when he heard it again.

"That doesn't sound like a monster," he thought after a moment, coming out from his hiding place and moving towards the noise with caution. "Actually, for a minute there it almost sounded like…"

It was then that Shippou spotted Kikiyo's near lifeless body in the grass, and immediately ran back into the village to get help from the others.

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For those of you who were wondering when someone other than Inuyasha and Kagome were going to get some more of the action, the next chapter's going to be for you. It may even clear up some of those nasty questions that are plaguing your mind. Like why is Kikiyo such a bitch to everyone all the time? You'll just have to come back and find out:)

As always, reviews are appreciated!