New and improved third chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha!

As I stepped into the darkness of the castle, I felt as if every step and every move I made was being watched. It felt as if there were eyes following me from the shadows.

Lightning flashed through the windows of the castle, illuminating the interior. The flashes of lightning were muted by the heavy red drapes that covered every window.

From what I was able to see of the castle, I saw that it was considerably tidy. I thought that it was off that there was no dirt or dust, and everything was in place. I wondered if someone actually lived here, or if the castle had only just been abandoned.

In front of me I saw a large, regal staircase. As the stairs went on, they branched off and led to different areas of the castle. The steps of the stairs were carpeted with red velvet, just like the drapes.

I wondered who could've possibly lived here.

Far off to my right, under a balcony looking down on the first floor, there was a large stained glass door. It held my attention in an odd way. I walked towards it slowly, trying to perceive what could be on the other side.

I was so interested in what lay on the other side of that door, that I wasn't even bothered by the rain drizzling down on my head. All I saw when I walked out the door was a field of dead flowers. Brown grass and wilted petals littered the field. The only other objects that could be found were a large tree in the center of the field, and two headstones that sat underneath it.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled my hood over my head and walked amongst the flowers.

'How could they all be dead?' I thought. It was springtime. The flowers should be blooming and thriving.

I walked among the dead flowers, gently running my hands over them as I passed.

I walked towards the headstones, curious about what they said. As I got closer, I bent to a knee and read the names engraved on the headstones.

"Izayoi and Inutaisho" I said, running my fingers across the names.

I suddenly felt myself snatched back by the back of my coat and thrown to the ground several feet away from the headstones. I whimpered when I hit the dirt, landing on my stomach.

I gasped as the pain from my stomach wound flared up. I gripped my side and felt tears stream down my face.

'He's found me.' I thought, absolutely terrified.

"Who are you?" A deep voice snarled. Although I was relieved it wasn't my father, I realized I was trespassing on this person's land…and he was angry.

I trembled with fear and continued to grip my side. When I turned to look at him, I saw he was a man about my age. His hair was long and white, reaching past his shoulder-blades. On top of his head were small white dog ears.

'A demon…' I thought, noticing that I was in more trouble than I'd thought.

His stance was rigid and his eyes, dark and menacing were glaring at me.

I was still gasping for air, stunned from the impact of being thrown to the ground. He walked closer and I put my hand up in an attempt to shield myself.

"Please…I thought this place was abandoned." I whimpered, waiting for him to grab me, hit me, take out his anger on me. But nothing ever came.

After a few moments, I looked up at him from the ground and tried to gauge his reaction. As I looked up, several things happened at once. My hood fell from its place on my head and it was then I saw his eyes. I saw them widen momentarily as he surveyed my face. I couldn't be sure if it was from the bruises, the blood, or simply the fact that I was a woman.

I realized that blood still stained my hands, my dress, my face. I still wasn't sure whose blood it was.

I was stunned when I really saw his eyes. They were gold…like someone had mixed the sun's rays and all things beautiful into a glimmering liquid. So entranced I was with them, that I almost didn't hear the next thing he said.

"What happened to you?" He asked, his voice less angry this time.

I continued to grip my stomach and looked at the ground.

"My father…" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

I could feel his gaze on me and was shocked when he grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet. I squeaked in fear, not knowing what his intentions were.

"What are you doing?" I asked, panic in my voice. I stumbled after him as he dragged me by my arm back towards the castle.

I tried desperately clawed at his fingers, trying to free my arm from his iron grip.

He said nothing as he pulled me into the castle and led through several doors and hallways.

"Kaede!" He barked. I looked around nervously, realizing that he wasn't the only one who lived here. After a few moments, an elderly woman appeared down the hallway. The man still hadn't let go of my arm, and I was still stubbornly trying to get him to release me.

"She's been injured." He said, pushing me towards her. I grimaced at him, rubbing my arm. I looked up at Kaede, noticing that she had a patch over her eye. I briefly wondered what had happened to her.

"Take her to the healing room, and when you're finished, find Sango and tell her to prepare a room." He ordered, turning to walk back the way we came.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. I had no idea what this man's intentions were.

Before I could say anything to him, he was gone. I huffed and turned back to Kaede. She shook her head in exasperation.

"You'll have to excuse him. He doesn't have the best of manners." Kaede said, gently taking my hand and leading me down the hallway.

"That much seems obvious." I agreed, still rubbing my arm.

As we continued to walk down the hallway, Kaede led me into a room on my right. There were several beds, all of which were empty. Glancing around the room, I noticed the numerous cabinets that held salves, herbs, and other things that I couldn't put a name to.

While Kaede wiped the blood from my hands and my forehead, I took a moment to assess my situation. Remembering the man's request to find me a room, I looked at the elderly woman.

"He intends for me to stay here?" I asked, disbelief in my voice. She hummed with a nod.

"Whatever has happened to you, it seems that Inuyasha has become sympathetic." She answered, beginning to feel around my abdomen. I gasped when she touched a tender spot.

"It appears you have a broken rib. It may take some time to heal." She said, further assessing the damage. When she found no other injuries, she simply held up a finger and excused herself from the room.

I sighed and stood up slowly, walking towards one of the large windows of the room. I pulled back the velvet drapes and peered outside, watching the rain come down in waves. Cracks of lightning and thunder shook the palace, so much that I jumped when the door opened loudly.

I turned to find Kaede and a younger woman stride into the room. The younger girl had dark brown hair and kind eyes. She offered me a small smile when our eyes met.

"This is Sango." Kaede said, gesturing to the woman. "She will show you to your room."

I nodded and walked towards her. "It's nice to meet you, Sango." I smiled awkwardly.

"It is nice to meet you too, ?" I heard the question in her voice.

"Kagome." I said, looking between Sango and Kaede. Sango nodded with a small smile and gestured for me to follow her.

As we walked, I didn't expect Sango to strike up a conversation as she did.

"If you don't mind my asking, what were you doing in here?" She asked, her voice curious instead of accusing.

"I never meant to intrude." I answered, lowering my gaze. "I was running from my father. I believed this place to be empty, and my curiosity got the better of me."

She nodded with a smile.

"I'm sure Inuyasha scared you a bit." She offered. I nodded awkwardly, feeling much like a child.

"Don't worry about him. His temper often gets away from him, but deep down he is very kind and caring." Sango assured me. I raised my eyebrow, skeptical about what she's told me. It was then that I remembered the small dog ears that had sat on top of his head.

"This…Inuyasha. He's a demon?" I asked. I hoped it didn't sound accusing. I had no trouble with demons. After all, Kouga was a full blooded wolf demon.

"Half-demon." Sango corrected, turning down another corridor.

I nodded, trying to take in this information while subsequently trying to comprehend the massiveness of the castle.

Finally, Sango stopped and pushed open a door at the end of a hallway. As we walked in, I saw that the room was gorgeous.

Against the wall sat a pink and yellow canopy bed, curtains flowing around it. Opposite the bed was a large wardrobe and wooden desk. The wall parallel to the bed held a towering glass window with a small sitting space built into it.

Looking around, I noticed that the walls were painted a pale yellow, with small, almost imperceptible roses dotted across the walls.

"Would you like for me to bring you some food, Kagome?" Sango asked politely. I was a bit disturbed by the question, it was as if she were a servant.

"No, thank you. I don't feel all that hungry." I lied, feeling my stomach growl in protest.

"I understand. I'll come to wake you in the morning. Have a good rest." She smiled as she turned to exit, closing the door behind her.

When she was gone, and I was left alone, I felt the weight of what I'd done finally settle in.

At the forefront of my mind was Koga. I'd left him with no more than a letter for an explanation. I knew he would look for me for days, but it would be useless. The rains would wash away all traces of my scent. I would most likely never see him again.

I reminisced about our childhood as I sat by the window. I thought about our friendship, and the future I could've had with him. I'd always loved him, after all. I didn't know if I loved him enough to marry him, but he had always talked about running away together. But I realized that was impossible now. I'd already run away, and I'd done so without him.

I felt the tears well in my eyes and spill over onto my cheeks. Watching the rain slide down the window, I began to sob, mourning the life I knew I never could've had. I mourned the loss of my best friend, even if he wasn't dead.