disclaimer- i dont own inuyasha. you should know that by now... but i DO own Yukana and Kaori...oh! and the plot too. and the story. anythng else? nope, i think we're done here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another dream that will never come true

Just to compliment your sorrow

Another life that I've taken from you

A gift to add on to your pain and suffering

Another truth you can never believe

Has crippled you completely

All the cries you're beginning to hear

Trapped in your mind, and the sound is deafening

(Disturbed: Prayer)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't Fall Away

Chapter Seven: All Too Soon

Kagome was roused from her nap by the sound of people entering her room. She felt someone gently shake her shoulder. Kagome groaned and pulled the covers over her head, successfully signifying that she didn't want to be disturbed.

"Kagome, you need to wake up now." Sango whispered. "It's time for dinner." Kagome knew who it was, but what they were saying never really registered.

"I'll give it a shot." Kaori offered. "Kagome! Your hair is orange!" Kagome suddenly appeared out from under the blankets and tumled out of the bed. She sat up and glared at the three of them. Kaori and Sango giggled.

"Dinner is ready, Kagome." Yukana stated, casually examining her claws. "You should change before we go down to the dining hall, though. We'll wait outside."

Kagome groaned again, but still got up and walked over to the wardrobe. This time she chose a white silk kimono with lavender flowers placed randomly throughout the fabric and a lavender obi. Kagome combed her hair and splashed her face with some cold water.

Kagome, Sango, Kaori, and Yukana entered the dining hall at the same time, but all eyes seemed to be on Kagome. InuYasha was staring at her with his mouth slightly open and Sesshomaru seemed to be in his own little world. His eyes were glazed and there was a softer look in his eyes.

Kagome took he seat between Yukana and Sango and started biting at her finger nails.

"Kagome, if you were a demon, that habit of yours would get you into trouble." Yukana told her. Kagome looked at her.

"Well, I'm not a demon, so it doesn't matter!" Kagome said brightly. "Besides, if I were a demon I also wouldn't just join random groups as they walked by."

"Hey, Sesshomaru's my cousin. It's different when you're related to them." Yukana said defensively.

"You weren't realated to me, though, were you?"

"Hey, that's cheating!" Yukana complained.

"No, its not cheating." Kagome said. "I like to think of it as-"

"Kagome!" Sango exclaimed.

"What? I'm not doing anything!"

"Just cool it. You're gonna scare her away!" Sango laughed.

Sesshomaru quietly listened to their conversation. It as absolutly ridiculous, but also slightly amusing. Kagome was smart, he would admit that, but she was still human.

Kagome suddenly stopped laughing. She could sense that something was wrong, so she excused herself, using the idea of needing fresh air as her alibi. She stood just outside the gate, listening and waiting for what she know was coming.

'So soon?'

Kagome glanced behind her at the castle. It was time for her to leave. This was earlier than she had expected. She said a silent goodbye to her companions and walked out the front gates.

"Where are you going, Lady Kagome?" one of them asked.

"I'm going to the village. I'll be right back." Kagome assured them.

"Isn't the village the other way?" the guard whispered. The other demon shrugged.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kaori burst into the dining hall looking both upset and panicked at the same time.

"What is it, Kaori?" Sesshomaru asked quickly.

"Lady Kagome has left the castle grounds!" Kaori exclaimed.

"What!" InuYasha ran over to Kaori. "When? Why didn't anyone stop her?" Sango gave Miroku a worried glance and bolted out of the dining hall.

"I'm going with Sango." Miroku declared. He rushed after Sango, followed by InuYasha, Yukana, and Shippo. Kaori glanced at Sesshomaru.

"I'm going, too." she said, and raced to catch up with the others. Sesshomaru inwardly sighed and also followed. 'I hate to admit it, but the miko is growing on me.' he thought as he walked out of the castle.

"Hurry up, Sesshomaru!" InuYasha yelled impatiently. "We have to find Kagome before something else does!"

"I doubt the miko will not be able to handle it." Sesshomaru said calmly.

"She won't be able to handle it! She's weak." InuYasha declared. Sango and Yukana both slapped him in the back of the head.

"InuYasha, right now Kagome is stronger than Kikyo ever was, dead or alive!" Sango screamed. "So, shut your mouth and quit complaining about how 'weak' Kagome is! If you have a problem with searching, then you can stay here!"

"Hey! I-"

"InuYasha, let it be." Miroku advised. "Sango is not emotionally stable at this point in time. It is safer to not argue."

"Come on! Hurry up you two!" Yukana said impatiently.

"Okay, okay, keep your socks on!" InuYasha said.

Sango and Miroku jumped onto a transformed Kirara while Sesshomaru, InuYasha, Yukana, and Kaori ran. Sango had already decided that she would not give up until she found Kagome. She would never give up...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kagome sighed and walked into the clearing, following the soul stealers that had appeared around five minutes earlier.

"So, Kikyo, have you come to try and take InuYasha to hell again?" Kagome asked shrewdly.

"Oh, no. Not InuYasha, dear." Kikyo said with a smile. "It is you that I'm after. I want my life back. InuYasha just happens to be an added bonus."

"So, you've resorted to picking on people younger than you to satisfy yourself. That's just what I'd expect from a coward like you." Kagome retorted. Kikyo glared at her and got ready to fire an arrow at her.

"What, so now you're going to shoot me?"

Kikyo's expression turned livid and she shot the arrow directly at Kagome...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

All done! theres that chappy fer ya. cant wait fer the next one can ya?