Kirin aimlessly walked around after Sesshomaru had left her. She then realized that her whip was not at her side, and considered going back to the village to fetch it. Kirin sighed heavily. She really did not want to return to the village, and there was danger there for her now. She decided that she needed her few belongings and set out, once again, towards the village which she had called her home. It took her a while longer to reach it because she was only human. Also, she was fatigued by the events that had taken place earlier. Kirin finally reached the village. She hadn't really thought about much on her long walk over to her former home. Dusk was finally settling over the destroyed village, and for the first time, Kirin saw the amount of damage that she had done. Kirin tightened her hands into fists. "If only you wouldn't have done this to me," she said quietly to someone who she hadn't thought about in quite some time. "If only you had……," she paused, choking on the words. She shook her head and then slowly made her way down to the village. She came up around the side of the road that led to her house when she heard people talking. "Man, didn't have much, did she," an unknown voice asked someone. Another voice answered, "No, but remember, she hadn't been here too long." Kirin realized that they were talking about her, and she listened intently. "Well, better bring this stuff over to the picking pile," the first voice said. Kirin had learned about the picking pile during her stay at the village. If a person moved or passed on, anything that wasn't taken by family members was brought to the center of town and placed in a pile. Then anyone who wanted to could take one thing for themselves. Kirin wondered what to do, and then formed a plan. She opened the small pouch that hung on her belt, and pulled out a long piece of material. She then tied it over her head, masking her facial appearances with a shadow. She then casually followed the men to the center of town. Many people had already gathered there to get the best items. Kirin knew that she would have to be quick. The only really personal belonging that she had in the pile was her whip. She could see it poking out from under a pot and some bedding sheets. The men place the things down and the headman cleared his voice and said, "Okay, on my go then. One…Two….Three….PICK!!" With that, a mad rush of people ran to the pile and began sifting through everything. Kirin finally nudged her way through, but her whip was no where in sight. Her blood went cold at the thought of someone taking it. She sadly backed out of the group. Kirin turned to walk away when a little boy walked up behind her and asked, "Miss, why are you sad?" "Because," Kirin answered half-heartedly, "I didn't get what I wanted." She gave the kid a small smile and turned the leave again. "Oh, I'm sorry," the child said, "I know what it's like to not get something." He ran up and placed something into Kirin's hand and she lifted it to see what it was. "I grabbed that all by myself, but you can have it if you want. I know it's probably not what you were looking for." Kirin looked onto her hand and realized that she was holding her whip. A huge smile spread across her face in disbelief as she tuned and bowed to the young boy. She then knelt down and embraced him in a hug. "That you so much," she said, almost laughing with joy, "This is exactly what I wanted!" She stood up, letting go of the boy, and he returned the smile and said, "No prob. I didn't even know what it was anyways. Have fun with your….whatever it is!" With that he turned and left. Kirin one again looked down at the whip in her hands, then hooked it into it's special holdster on he rbelt and turned to leave. As she disappeared from the town, Saji, a local villager overheard a young boy tell his mother about the gift he had given. And he smiled, because he knew.

Now that Kirin was all set to go, somewhere, she walked. She kept on walking, wondering when she would return to her normal, demon self, and wondering whether or not she should stop for the night. "Man, the last time I slept was…..," Kirin frowned. Actually, the last time she was asleep was because she had been knocked out. She thought again of Sesshomaru and his parting words. "I do not wish to talk to those of dirty blood like you. Get out of my sight!" Kirin wiped away the tears that were forming in her eyes. She had to get away from this place, it held memories that she wanted to forget. "Sesshomaru, why did you have to say that," Kirin screamed at the top of her lungs. "Didn't you care about how I felt?" Kirin now started running with tears streaming down her pretty face. She wondered why it mattered to her so much what her said. Was it because she thought him a friend. Or maybe…… ":No, he was a selfish and putrid man and I HATE HIM," Kirin screamed again. She ran faster and faster into the night, and disappeared into the darkness. From the other side of the river by the village, a young girl named Rin sat up. "Did you hear that Master Jaken," she asked, shaking him to see if he was awake. "Huh, what are you talking about you silly girl," the annoyed imp asked, not really caring for an answer. "A voice, I heard a voice call out just now," she said, recalling the moment. "It was just you dreaming," Jaken said rolling closer to the warm fire, "Go to sleep." Rin shrugged, knowing the he wouldn't listen anymore and lay awake listening to hear if the voice might cry out again in the night. But it was silent, and she soon fell asleep. Kirin had been running for days, only stopping now and then for a sip of water from a river or stream. Her still-human feet were cut and sore from running, but she did not stop until all the energy was gone from her. Finally, she stopped in the middle of a clearing in the woods. There was a field nearby that she could see through the scattered trees. Kirin simply just sat with her knees pulled against her, and her head resting face-down on them. She could not move another muscle, but heard the distant rumbling of thunder not to far off. I wasn't long before it started to rain, drenching Kirin in as cold, wet blanket of sorrow as she sat, motionless in the mud.

Inuyasha pricked his ears up at the sound of rumbling thunder in the distance. He sniffed the air, and he could smell the rain coming. He was lying on his side, hand propped up by his head, watching Kagome and Shippo color something or the other over in the corner of Lady Keadae's hut. He was bored. They had been sitting here fir three days already. Miroku was injured because he sucked up something poisonous in his wind tunnel yet again. "Idiot," Inuyasha muttered under his breath, "Because of you we've been stuck here for three stinkin' days," he said a little louder so that everyone could hear. Kagome looked up and over at him. "Inuyasha," she said, "Isn't it your fault for attacking that stupid demon in the first place. We could have taken him out in an easier way, but nooooo, you have to start showing off and waving your big sword around." She went back to her coloring. Inuyasha stood now, trying to think of a clever comeback for what Kagome had just pointed out. "Ugghh," he complained, not being able to think of a comeback right now, "I'm so bored stuck here with nothing to do. We should be out finding the pieces of the Sacred Jewel." Sango stood up from where she was sitting by Miroku. "Miroku's almost healed, just be a little more patient," she said calmly. "Like Inuyasha'a ever calm," Shippo said from the corner in his snotty little voice. "What'd you say," Inuyasha asked, balling his fist. "Uhh, nothing," Shippo answered, with fear in his little voice. "Oh yeah, I think you said something," Inuyasha said walking towards Shippo. Kagome sighed. "Sit," she said calmly, not ever moving her eyes from her drawing. Inuyasha went sailing face first into the floorboards with an "Ummph!" Shippo tried hard to keep back his laugh. "Kagome," Inuyasha said, peeling his face from the floorboards, "Why'd you do that. It wasn't like I was ganna hurt him or nothing." "Can't you just sit still for two minutes without staring a fight," she asked impatiently. "What if I can't," Inuyasha asked, then left out the door. "Are you sure it's wise to let him leave," Miroku said from where he was lying on the floor. "Oh, he'll be back," Kagome said with confidence. Sure enough, minutes later the gang heard the pitter patter of rain on the room, and Inuyasha returned wet and feeling sorry for himself. He sat down in the corner and didn't move for some time. Then Kagome perked up. "I sense a sacred jewel shard nearby, three of them," she said, standing. Inuyasha jumped up right away. "Where," he said. Miroku and Sango stood too. "Miroku, are you sure….," Sango started, but Miroku stated before she could finish, "I'll be fine. The poisons gone from my body." She nodded, and they ran outside, holding umbrellas that Kagome handed them as they ran out. Kilala jumped onto Sango's shoulder as she ran out, and Shippo onto Kagome's. Inuyasha was already way ahead of them. Inuyasha could smell the person now. "Human," he thought. He stopped as soon as he could see the figure sitting with her (at least he thought it was a her) head down and her back to him. "Hey, you," he called out to the person. She didn't move. Kagome arrived now with the rest of the gang. "Hey, hand over your jewel shards, now," Inuyasha said again, his hand on the hilt of his sword. The girl lifted her head, and reached into a bag at her side. Inuyasha readied himself for a fight. She pulled something out and tossed it over in his direction. It was a small pouch. He picked it up and reached inside. There were three jewel shards inside. "Uh, thanks," he said, turning to leave. "Inuyasha," Kagome whispered sternly, grabbing his arm to stop him from leaving. "Uh, excuse me miss," she said to the unknown stranger, "Are you all right?" The girl didn't move. "Come on," Inuyasha said stubbornly, "She's not ganna come!" 'please," Kagome said, trying one more time, "Won't you come and get out of the rain. We have some food if you'd like some. You are welcome to come." The girl now turned her head and looked back at Kagome. Kagome could see that she was indeed human. "That would be very kind of you," the girl said, "Thank you. I will join you." "Oh good," Kagome said. "Come on!"

Kirin stood and took a step towards the strangers. She took another, and another, but then weakness overtook her, and she fell forward. Kirin felt herself be caught by someone, and she looked up to see who it was. Shock overtook her, and she instantly flung herself backwards, landing hard on the ground in the mud with a "SPLAT!" She sat with a look of shock on her face, her arms and up turned away from the people before her. "Uhhhh, are you ok," the person who had caught her asked. "Yes……yes, I'm fine," Kirin answered after a minute. She looked up at the young man again. She had been so sure…….Kirin stood and walked over to where the kind girl stood with a puzzled look on her face. "I, uhm, I guess I slipped," she said with a small laugh. The girl laughed a little too, but still looked troubled by what had just happened. "By the way, my name's Kagome," she said, "and these are my friends Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kilala." Kagome pointed to the people around her. "Nice to meet you. My name's Kirin," Kirin replied. "Inuyasha huh," Kirin thought, "I was so sure that…" Inuyasha's irritated voice broke her away from her thoughts. "I hate to break up this happy little moment," he said sarcastically, "But I for one am getting drenched here!" Kirin looked at him. He was soaking wet, and water ran down his long silver hair onto the ground below. "That's what you get for not sharing my umbrella with me," Kagome said, not seeming to care that much. "Umbrella," Kirin asked. "Oh," Kagome said, "This things called an umbrella. It keeps you from getting wet in the rain." Kirin looked at the pink circular object that was over Kagome's head. Sango and Miroku had one too. "You should come stand under it too," Kagome said, "Your soaking wet." Now that Kagome said it, Kirin felt the cold of her wet kimono sink into her bones. "Thanks," she said, walking over to Kagome, then standing under the umbrella. "Can we go now," Inuyasha asked impatiently. "Yes, your highness," Kagome replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes. They all set out on their way back to Lady Keadae's hut. Kirin liked these people. They were kind. It was only that Inuyasha fellow who gave her the chills. He reminded her so much of Sesshomaru. His cold golden eyes, his long silver hair, and his stern way of looking at her. He glanced back at her, then turned his head back forward. He turned again a moment later, then asked, "what are you staring at? It's freaking me out!" Kagome threw a glare his direction, and he turned back forward. "Ignore him," Kagome said with a smile, "He's very…." "Temperamental," Shippo cut in. Inuyasha turned around and fully faced the two girls. Miroku and Sango sighed, and stopped to watch the show. Inuyasha quickly jumped over and pulled Shippo off Kagome's shoulder. "Why don't you say that to my face," Inuyasha said, stretching Shippo's face out so it looked like rubber. "Owww, stop," Shippo cried out. Kagome sighed. "Inuyasha….," she said. Inuyasha looked up quickly. "Kagome, wait! You know I was only kidding…..," he said pathetically. "SIT!!" Kirin watched as Inuyasha went face-first into a large puddle. Shippo ran over to Kagome and jumped up onto her shoulder again. "Come on," Kagome said, starting off again. Miroku and Sango followed, and Kirin went to, looking back at Inuyasha finally sitting up. "Hey," he yelled angrily, "You can't just leave me here!" "Just ignore him," Kagome told Kirin when she had caught up to her. "What was that," Kirin asked, her eyes wide with wonder. "I guess we have a lot to tell you," Kagome said. Kirin nodded as they reached the hut. They went in, followed by a not-so-happy Inuyasha moments later.

Kirin sat in the dark and quiet of the hut. Kagome had told her their entire story about their search for the jewel shards in hope to defeat Naraku. She sighed. She was bored. She decided that maybe she would go to sleep like everyone else. As the started to lay down, she noticed that Inuyasha was staring at her. "Ahh," she said aloud, startled. She thought that he had been asleep. "What are ya string at me for," she asked. "I'm deciding if I should trust you," Inuyasha said, nose in the air. "Hmph, well I'll let you know," Kirin said stubbornly, "That I'm a very trustworthy person." She rolled over and faced the wall, and attempted sleeping. A few moments later, Inuyasha broke the silence asking, "Why did you jump away from me today." "I didn't," Kirin said, "I told you, I slipped." "Sure ya did," Inuyasha said, "Tell me." "Because…..," Kirin started, then sighed heavily, "Because I thought you were someone else." Kirin's eyes narrowed, and she began talking to herself more than Inuyasha. "Because I thought you were a jerk that I ave been running from for a long time, but he won't let me escape him. He just keeps reappearing in my life, causing more problems. Look where I am now! Stuck in a hut with a bunch of…… Oh I wish I'd never met him. Now no more questions, I don't want to talk about it. Go to bed!" Kirin's words confused Inuyasha. What'd he ever do to her. "Woman," he muttered, then closed his eyes and fell asleep. Kirin had not fallen asleep yet. She was too busy trying to keep the tears from forming in her eyes. "It's not that bad," she thought, "I'll just stay with these people for awhile. They're nice. They'll help me forget." And with that, she too fell asleep. When she awoke in the morning, everyone was already up and moving. They were packing items here and there. Some, Kirin noticed, were from Kagome's time, something she had learned about yesterday. It was hard to believe, but how else could you explain her unique ways of dressing and interesting items and food. "Oh good, you're awake," Kagome said, trotting over to where Kirin sat and sitting down next to her. If you wanna help, we're going to be getting ready all day. "Sure," Kirin said getting up. Later that night, she sat with Kagome alone outside. They were looking at the stars. "Beautiful, aren't they," Kagome said with a sigh. Kirin looked at her, and wished that she could be that carefree. "Hmm," she said. Suddenly, a pulse overflowed through Kirin's body. "I'm finally…," she thought. "Ugghhh," she growled, as her claws pulled themselves longer and her fangs reappeared. She blinked, her eyes back to their normal golden hue. 'Yes," she whispered to herself. Kagome back away. "Wha…what's going on," she asked. As Kirin finished her transformation back to her demon form, Inuyasha ran outside with the others behind him. "Kagome, I smell a demon," he cried. Kagome looked over at Kirin's body, and Inuyasha followed her gaze. "What the….," he said. Kirin turned. Her change had been obvious. She smiled smugly, and said, "Guess that'd be me."