Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Lady Death. I do own this story. Some of you familar with Lady Death's story might notice some continuity discrepancies in timeline and/or objects. Some things were changed in order for this story to come into being. Enjoy!

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Chapter 5.

Kagome's Return

Kagome arose on the morning of the third day, the eve of the New Moon. Well, she called it that, because according to her almanac wall calendar, the sun set at 6:00 that evening and the New Moon would "rise" one minute later. If I'm delayed, that's not enough time to make sure Inuyasha is okay before he transforms to human, she thought. She made a mental note to herself to come straight home from school, get what she needed and go. She didn't like the memory of how worried Inuyasha had been before she left. What was he worried about? It was so unlike him. She also had to remember the treats for him and Shippo in her packing. She can bring something for everyone as well, come to think of it. But especially she would have to remember to pack some chocolate for her. She found it kept her calm when Inuyasha got snippy, right around this time. Like when is he not snippy? She kidded herself.

School seemed to drag all day long. The only time it was exciting for her was when she finished her finals in each of her classes ahead of everyone else. Wow, and I didn't even think I'd gotten in enough study time! She marveled. She finished ahead of everyone else by about ten minutes. It gave her plenty of time to make a mental note of what to bring back with her. Let's see, I'll need at least a week's worth of clothes, because I never know how long I'm staying it seems… shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush and paste, hairbrush—hey maybe I should bring the pet brush and see if Inuyasha will let me brush out that mop he calls his hair? I'll bet it would look so pretty and soft once it's washed and brushed out… hmm, what else? She let her mind drift off so much that she barely heard the bell ending her day. She gathered her books and supplies and set off towards home.

Her friends stopped her on her way out. She didn't even get far off school grounds. They invited her to go to their favorite burger place for a sundae.

"I really can't, guys. I have to get home and pack up for a trip. I'm leaving as soon as I'm ready to go."

They asked where she was going, to which she stammered,

"Uhh… to… the country! I'm going to the country. You know, finals are over now, it'll be summer soon… oh!"

She had just realized that during the warmer months there was more daylight, especially during summer. She thought for a moment. It has been staying light for about 45 minutes for the past two weeks now… She smiled at her friends.

"Of course I'll come along. I can spare a short time before I have to go."

The burger place was filled with her entire school it seemed. Standing in line waiting just to order a sundae took forever. When she finally got to place her order, there was yet another wait. Geeze, did they not schedule enough people today? She started to fidget while glancing at her watch. Finally, her sundae was ready. Chocolate fudge (extra on the fudge), and chopped peanuts on top. Her favorite! She sat down with her friends and just reveled in the smell of it before she dug in. Oooh, the fudge is still warm! as she inhaled the aroma deep into her nose. Her friends stared at her in slight disbelief—you think she'd never had one before!

"What?" She inquired back, noticing their stares.

"I've just been craving chocolate a lot lately. And this hits the spot!" She scooped up a large glob of ice cream, fudge, and nuts. The fudge threatened to drip all over her uniform, but not before she was able to get it into her mouth.

"Mmmm! Oh this is so good!" letting it slowly dissolve on her tongue. Her friends continued their stares, glancing sideways at one another.

"So, Kagome?" a familiar male voice said to her right.

"'ai?" she said. She couldn't get out the "h"—she had fudge stuck to the roof of her mouth! It was her friend, Hojo. One of the cutest boys in her school. She blushed slightly after realizing that she still had the spoon in her mouth as she was savoring her sundae. Oh geeze, how embarrassing! She quickly took out the spoon and grabbed her napkin, wiping her mouth before anyone might notice the aftermath of her savoring.

"How are your knees?" Hojo asked.

"My wha? My knees?" She blinked.

"Yes, I ran into your grandfather and your brother the other day, and when I asked them where you had been, because I noticed you haven't been at school a lot lately…" Hojo paused.

Oh no! Grandpa's told another one of his stories! Trying to hide her wide-eyed expression.

He continued. "Well, I went home and found some really good herbs for your knees out of the garden that I have. Here."

He gave her a small brown bag that crinkled with something. It smelled of black licorice and peppermints. She blushed again as she smelled the bag. How wonderful!

"It contains anise root and peppermint leaves. The anise root is good for reducing swelling, and the peppermint is good for reducing pain. If you have the time, I can show you how to make it into a tea to drink or even a poultice to apply directly to your knees…" he let trail off.

"Time? Oh no!" Kagome quickly looked at her watch. It was 5:00. She had lost track of time already!

"Oh no! I have to run now! But thank you so much for this, Hojo. I'll see you guys later!" She quickly grabbed her supplies and bolted out the door, leaving her sundae, her friends, and Hojo in a state of confusion.

"Omigod,omigod,omigod! Now I have to rush! Inuyasha's gonna kill me! After I promised him I'd be there before sunset!" She admonished herself as she sprinted thru the front door of the house and up the stairs to her room. Buyo, the cat, who had been sleeping on her bed, was almost squashed by her flying book bag as it landed with a thud. She emptied out her book bag, threw open all of her dresser drawers and flung open her closet. Think, think, think! as she stood in front of her closet. She started grabbing clothes and tossing them towards her bed, not really looking. Buyo let out a scared meow and ran out of the room, lest he be stuffed into the bag when she grabbed the clothes together.

"I'll need this, this, and this. Oh—and my sleeping bag and a blanket. It's been getting cold at nights when you're in the forest." Kagome said aloud to herself. All things folded, stacked, and stuffed into her bag, and she was in the shower in a new record time of twenty minutes. After she had dried off, put on fresh clothes, and grabbed her bag, she ran down the stairs from her room. But she forgot one thing.

"Oh man—my chocolate! Mom, can I take some of the small candy bites with me?" She called over her shoulder to the living room from the kitchen. Her brother answered.

"Mom's at the store right now, sis. Are you going back to Inuyasha's time?"

"Yes, and I'm late!" She answered back, grabbing the rest of the chocolate bites and stuffing them in her bag. Bolting out of the door, she absently grabbed for her throat. Good, the jewel shards are still there. Running up the stairs of the shrine that held the Bone Eater's Well inside, she was thankful for the strip of leather Miroku had given her. She had fashioned a thong necklace to hold the container of jewel shards around her neck. As she stepped onto the top of the well's edge, she stopped for a moment. Glancing at her watch, the time was 5:30. That was just enough time to get thru the well and sprint to Kaede's shack. Whew! Barely made it! she thought as she fumbled the container of shards, staring into the darkness of the well. She stepped off and let gravity take effect. Down, down, down, it felt light she was falling forever. The light of the setting sun was now in view thru the top of the well as she came to rest on the ground below. She steadied her bag and grabbed the rope to climb up.

BING! Her head had hit something.

"Owh, what was that?" She held a hand up and was stopped by a barrier just above her reach. It swirled with rainbow colors at her touch.

"A barrier? Oh no! I can't get thru!" She started to panic a bit. She pushed against it, smacked it with her palms, even hit it with her fists. All to no avail. She stopped and sank to her knees, sobbing.

"I can't get thru—why? Oh, Inuyasha…"

She raised her head, tears streaming down her face, staring at the top of the well. As she sat feeling utterly hopeless, the last rays of the setting sun shone in and hit the container of shards around her neck, making them glow. Then she had an idea. She unscrewed the cap off the container and took out a shard. Holding it in her hands, she charged it with her miko powers. After a few moments, she opened her palms, holding a radiating shard. She tossed it straight up. The shard connected with the barrier, shattering it.

"Yes!" She cried. She quickly grabbed the rope and climbed out. Just in time to watch the last fingers of sun set. That's when she heard a familiar voice and took off at a run.

"INUYASHAAAA!"