Hatori got up from the ground where Akito was sitting. Akito dismissed him and settled back, he was deteriorating quickly. Hatori sighed as soon as he left the room, 'Perhaps I'll visit Tohru and the others.'

Walking out of the main house he got into his car, driving towards the direction of Shigure's house.

Kagome turned from her post and removed the seal on Kyo, "Good job, Kyo."

Shigure stepped forward rushing when Kagome dropped to the ground, coughing. Kyo stepped forward hiding his worry. Kagome wiped her mouth wincing at the blood accumulated on her hands. Tohru and Yuki couldn't see the blood so they asked, "Are you okay, Higurashi-san?"

Kagome nodded and stood up, Shigure turned to Kyo, "Call Hatori."

Kyo headed for the phone trailed by a concerned Tohru. Yuki came up to Shigure who had picked up Kagome, ignoring the blood that got on his kimono. "You aren't fine, 'Gome, and don't deny it."

Kagome sighed and relaxed against him, "But it's nothing really. I guess I injured myself when the demon possessing the last Shikon no Kakera threw me against a tree."

He carried her into his futon and set her down, "There, you aren't Wonder Woman, you should have allowed yourself time to heal, before you came and visited me."

She let a wince at the movement, "Yeah well, I noticed that I was in front of our old school. So I walked to your place but, I got lost, sad I know, but then I ran into your cousins and Honda-san. It wasn't that serious so I kinda forgot about it, I guess that was the Shikon no Tama's doing."

Shigure nodded and Kyo appeared at the door, "The maid said he's was already on his way here and she sent someone with his medical bag."

Shigure nodded and knelt by the miko, "Now, that we are waiting, what have you been doing those three years you didn't return, I remember your grandfather, thought of some rather funny illnesses."

Kagome groaned, "Do I want to know?"

He nodded, "Yep apparently he got to the STDs chapter in his medical text."

She muffled a cry and buried her head under the pillow. He pulled it away, "What are you trying to do, Kagome?"

She snatched the pillow back, "Trying to kill myself so that I don't have to face anyone. What was Ji-chan thinking, when I get home; I'm killing him after mama stops hugging me."

Shigure shook his head, "Your grandpa died a month ago with your mother in an automobile accident."

She paled, "What? What about Souta?"

Shigure shrugged, "Last I heard he was taking care of the shrine."

She sat up, "I've got to go to him; he'll probably do something stupid like drop out of school or something."

He glared at her, "Or try to leave when injured."

She 'eep'ed and laid back down, "You can give Sesshomaru-sama a run for his money with a glare like that."

Shigure ran a hand across her forehead, "Well, I worry about you."

Kagome nodded and closed her eyes allowing her breathing to even out. The door opened and Hatori stepped in, "Oh, Kami, is this who I think it is?"

Shigure nodded, "Yes, and she is apparently injured, she was coughing up blood just a short while ago."

Hatori sighed, "I don't have my stuff but I can see what I can do."

He lifted her shirt and winced it was a combination of green, blue, yellow and purple. He felt her ribs, "They aren't broken"

He turned to look at her face surprised to see her open her eyes, "Hatori-kun, I never took you for the pervert of the group."

He blushed, "Kagome, what have you been up to?"

Shigure snickered, "Hatori blushing; I need my camera."

Kagome turned to her abdomen, placing a hand over the injuries she concentrated healing the bruised flesh, the two watched amazed as the colors disappeared; turning to the normal color of her flesh. Kagome turned to him, "Hatori-kun, what happened to your eye?"

Hatori flinched, "Nothing is wrong with my eye."

Kagome sat up, "Don't lie to me, Hatori-kun, I can tell."

She pulled up to him and settled a hand on the eye that has lost most of its sight. Her hand pulsed with a purple light and the damage reversed itself. "There, now where is Kana? You two were very much in love. I hadn't seen you that happy since high school, when you watched as Ayame and Shigure played 'torment Kagome'."

The dragon pulled away and walked away, "It was the past, I rather the past stay there and not interfere with the present or the future."

Kagome blinked back a few tears at the cold tone. Shigure put his hand on her shoulder, "It's a sore subject."

Kagome nodded and stood up, pulling a shard out of her pocket pulling out the nearly completed Tama from around her neck she joined them together, 'There, that chapter of my life is over.'

Shigure looked at the jewel, "Is that the Shikon no Tama?"

She confirmed it. He reached for it touching it slightly, "So much trouble for something so small."

Kagome tucked it under her shirt, "Yeah, now I get to spend my life guarding this marble."

Shigure turned to her, "I thought you could make a wish to get rid of it?"

Kagome sighed, "An unselfish wish …there is no such thing as an unselfish wish, and with my luck it will just enter my body again if someone wishes on it."

She went to the door, "I'll return as soon as I can to begin to work on locating the focal point."

Shigure watched as she eased her way out of the house through the back. Kagome straightened her back and continued on her way.

Hatori watched as Yuki and Kyo began to argue then he noted Kyo's bracelet wasn't on his arm like normal. "Kyo, what happened to your bracelet?"

Kyo looked at his wrist, "I don't need it anymore thanks to Kagome. Where is she?"

Shigure appeared in the doorway, "'Gome's gone."

Tohru eyes widened, "Did we offend her in anyway?"

He shook his head, "Don't worry, Little Flower, you've done nothing for her to be upset about. She has a little brother she hasn't seen in three years to take care of and her shrine duties. She promised to return as soon as possible."

Tohru nodded and entered the kitchen to make the dinner. Shigure turned to Hatori, "You hurt her, Hatori. She didn't need you to snap at her the way she did.

(This sucks! I'm alone at my dorm room with no internet and preppy cheerleading type roommates who are busy flirting with the RA and drinking)

She did nothing wrong, she hasn't seen you in three years of course she wouldn't know what was going on."

Hatori turned his gaze away from the dog and towards the window, "I believe it is none of your concern what I say."

Shigure slapped the table, "Shit, Hatori, she is going to break the curse, she doesn't need you to treat her like that, that half-breed did enough of that, he would act like he cared for her to then turn around and treat her like shit."

Kyo was being uncharacteristically silent listening to the argument. The door opened and Ayame was standing there holding Hatori's medical bag, "Okay, where's the patient?"

Yuki eyebrow twitched when Ayame noticed him, "Ah, my little brother have you decided to submit to me and worship the steps I take?"

"No."

Shigure turned to Ayame, "Our patient is gone but, she has promised to returned, after all I hold her to a sleepover."

Ayame gasped, "Shigure, have you been cheating on me?"

He looked at Ayame guiltily, "I must say I rather enjoy this woman's warm embrace, perhaps you wish to join us?"

He brightened, "Kagome's back! Why didn't she want to see me, it's been three long years."

Shigure sent a glare at Hatori, "She perhaps didn't get the warmest feeling with a member of the Trio."

Ayame glanced at the dragon, "What happened between you and Kagome?"

Hatori shook his head, "Nothing is going on."

Shigure leaned across the table, "Perhaps she misconstrued your words, 'I rather the past stay there and not interfere with the present or the future.' I don't see how she could possibly be offended by those words, after all she is from your past and to me it sounds like you want nothing to do with her especially after she went and healed your eye and restored your vision."

Ayame shook his finger at Hatori, "That isn't how the Mabudachu Trio treats their honorary member."

Hatori turned to them his level gaze forcing them to stop their antics, "She understood what I meant. She knows I would never want to hurt her."

Shigure and Ayame look at each other, then at the same time replied, "Are you having untoward thoughts towards our Kagome?"

Hatori sighed, "I'm not dignifying that with a response."

Yuki stood and walked out of the room dragging Kyo out, "I believe that this is one conversation we should keep out of."

Kagome reached the top of the stairs and watched as her now 16 year old brother swept the shrine grounds. "Souta!"

Souta turned towards her, eyes widening, his sister was back. Kagome tumbled to the ground at the force of the hug, "You're back, Kagome-nee-chan."

Souta helped her up, huffing at him, "You've gotten so tall; I guess I should stop calling you a squirt. What do you say, Squirt?"

He pouted, "I'm taller then you…what does that tell you."

Kagome furrowed her brows, "You actually ate your vegetables?"

Souta laughed, "Why didn't you come back, we waited for so long."

Kagome hung her head, "The well stopped working the day we defeated Naraku and when I finally got the last shard it sent me home. I'm so sorry I wasn't back when Mama and Ji-chan died, you must have been so lonely."

Souta eyes brimmed with tears, "I missed you I thought you were dead too and I was all alone in this world."

Kagome cuffed him gently on the back of his head, "Stupid, as if InuYasha or the others would let me die. I mean, don't you have faith in my abilities to survive?"

Houjo came up the stairs, "Higurashi, you're back! I trust that means your cancer is in remission."

Kagome nodded and greeted him, "Hey Houjo-kun, how has life treated you so far?"

Houjo came up to her and wrapped his arms around her, "It's good to see you again. I became a doctor and you what have you been doing while in America?"

Kagome shrugged, "The same as what I would do if I was here, treatment and rest."

Houjo chuckled, "You always were a terrible liar, Kagome. Souta told me those days you were gone with your illnesses; you were actually receiving secret training in the miko ways."

Kagome lowered her head, "Sorry I didn't tell you, but I thought no one would believe me."

Houjo tilted her head up, "It was hard to swallow. But what have you learned?"

Kagome started counting, "Making barriers, exorcisms, ofundas and wards making, purification, and healing slash curing along with actual training in archery and swordsmanship."

Souta smiled, "Can you show us something?"

She ruffled his head, "Ok."

She pulled out a small dagger and sliced her arm. Houjo stepped forward concerned. Kagome grimaced and put her hand over the wound, her hand glowed a soft purple and the blood and gash disappeared. Houjo looked at her amazed, "You would make an awesome doctor, healing like that, no scaring or anything."

Kagome nodded, "Mikos were the healers of a village during the feudal era. They used herbs and those lucky enough to actually master it used the healing like I just did. Now very few actually have spiritual abilities because there is no need for them."

Houjo nodded then the beeping of his cell had him dashing off. Kagome turned to Souta and they went inside the house. Kagome walked inside, "Souta, Ji-chan kept the scrolls in his room right?"

Souta nodded and trailed after his sister and watched as she stepped into his room and went to his chest rifling through the papers pulling out all the ones she could carry. Kagome trudged to the living room and opened the first one standing up she ran and grabbed a notebook to jot notes down. Returning to her spot, Souta decided to find out what was going on, "Nee-chan, what are you doing?"

Kagome looked up, from the scroll, "I need to research a specific curse and I was hoping it was in one of these scrolls."

He knelt beside her, "Perhaps I can help. Two heads are better then one."

Kagome waved over the pile, "Thanks, but you don't have to."

Souta just picked one up and began reading. Ten minutes later he chuckled, "This curse is kinda funny it has to do with the animals from the zodiac. What curse were you looking for again?"

Kagome went beside him and read over his shoulder, "Wow, Souta you found it. That's the one I'm looking for."

Kagome read the account, 'Poor Koharu, but to place a curse on Miroku that activated four hundred years later just because he married Sango is a bit harsh.'

Souta snorted, "Apparently, a woman scorned is a dangerous thing."

Kagome whacked his head, "You mean a woman in general is a dangerous thing, a scorned woman is worse then dangerous; she's lethal."

Souta nodded solemnly. Kagome read through the account, Koharu created the curse and placed it on the family who a century ago were residing at the main house. Kagome jotted that note down, "Perhaps the focal point of the curse is in the main house somewhere."

He looked at his older sister, "What are you planning?"

Kagome smiled, "I made a promise to help break this curse for a friend."

Souta stood up, "I guess I should let you concentrate, I'm going out now that you're here."

She smiled again and told him to have a good time. Souta looked at her, "Will you be alright alone."

Kagome shooed him away, "Go, you haven't had much fun, you deserve to get out. I'll watch the shrine. Don't worry, I'll just write this tale down and settle down and see what I've missed in the past three years by watching television."

He nodded and went to the phone asking if Hitomi wanted to watch a movie. Kagome decided to copy the entire account while in the margin writing notes on ideas of what the focal point could be and what she learned from her observations at the Sohma residence. Ten minutes later Souta came downstairs dressed nicely and sending a look at his sister went outside taking the car to get to Hitomi's house. Kagome sighed as she continued her self-appointed task. An hour into her writings she was interrupted by the ringing of the phone. Standing up she headed to the hallway to pick it up. "Higurashi shrine, Kagome speaking."

"Hey Kagome, it's Houjo, I just wanted to call and say I'm going to get home late. A man just came here caught in the middle of a gang war."

Kagome blinked, "Houjo, what do you mean, you're going to get home late?"

Houjo chuckled nervously, "Well, I've been staying in the guestroom for the past 6 months."

Kagome nodded, "Oh, okay well that explains the fact the room has stuff in it."

Houjo hung up after saying a quick goodbye. Kagome hung up and went back to copying the scroll. Finishing the copy with a flourish she turned on the television and settled down to watch the news. Kagome sighed, she genuinely missed the feudal era; it was a lot less noisy. She watched as the news was reporting that a man was breaking into the historical sites of Tokyo, the report then stated that so far only three people have been killed by strangulation, all women. Kagome turned off the television with a sigh, "Why would someone break into the historical sites of Tokyo and why kill the women, I would assume that if there were men there those would be the better target to eliminate. And why am I talking to myself out loud?"

Chuckling to herself she picked up her mess and brought the scrolls to her room to read through the rest. Kagome sneezed softly, "Stupid dust."

Kagome stepped to the shower and quickly cleaned herself. Stepping into her old room she dressed in pajamas and allowed her hair to cascade down her back she sat in her bed marveling in how soft it was, "This so beats sleeping outside."

Laying back she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Kagome woke up when the door opened, "Hey, Kagome, you here?"

Kagome stood at the top of the stair, "Yeah, Squirt, so how was the movie?"

Souta went up to her and twirled her around, "It was great. I didn't actually watch the movie but I enjoyed my self and Hitomi actually initiated the moment."

Kagome gagged, "I don't want to hear that. Oh and Houjo said that he would be late."

Souta nodded, "Yeah, sorry I forgot to tell you he was living here."

She ruffled his hair, "Its okay."

Going to her room she went back to sleep, leaving her brother to prepare for bed. At two in the morning Houjo got back from the hospital. Kagome woke up as soon as the keys jingle. Going downstairs she opened the door before he had time to turn the key. Houjo looked at her surprised, "Hey Kagome what are you doing awake?"

Kagome stepped back to allow him room to enter, "Well, I'm a light sleeper and I heard your keys."

Houjo apologized but, Kagome only waved it away, "No worries. Good night, Houjo-kun."

Kagome walked back to her room and went back to sleep for the third time. She woke up with the sunrise. Yawning, she showered then walked downstairs to make some breakfast. Souta and Houjo woke to the smells and came down. Souta looked at the food suspiciously, "You didn't poison this, right?"

Kagome took the plate away, "Well, if you don't want any I'm sure Houjo here will love the extra food."

Souta snatched the plate back, "I guess I'll suffer your cooking."

Houjo just watched the siblings amused before turning to eat his breakfast. Kagome while washing the dishes told them, "I'm going over to Shigure's place I'll be back as soon as I can."

Souta asked, "It has to do with yesterday, right."

Kagome nodded and went upstairs to grab her notebook. She pressed a kiss on Souta's head, "Be good, don't fall down any wells that I won't jump down."

Souta snorted while Kagome chuckled, "I'll see you later, Houjo-kun."

Kagome ran out and down the steps of the shrine and went on the path to Shigure's house. She looked around noting the streets were empty she began to jog the two miles to his place. Kagome paused at the door of the house. Tohru opened the door and stepped out, "Oh, hello, Higurashi-san, Shigure-san is in the living room with Ayame-san and Hatori-san."

Kagome smiled, "Please its, Kagome."

"Ok, Kagome-san. I'm sorry I cannot stay and talk but I need to get to work."

Kagome bowed, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep you."

Tohru bowed and walked away while Kagome entered. Shigure looked up, "Ah, Kagome, you are early."

Kagome threw her arms around Ayame, "So, Ayame have you been cheating on me?"

Ayame huffed, "Never."

She turned to Hatori, "How have you been, Hatori-kun?"

Hatori smiled softly, "Fine, Kagome-chan."

She nodded and opened her notebook, "Well, I found out who cast the curse. It was Koharu."

Shigure's brow furrowed, "She sounds familiar."

Kagome closed her eyes, "I met her eight years ago she was a fourteen year old girl who Miroku asked to bear his child when she was eleven. She apparently took him seriously and fell in love with him and when he married Sango, she was crushed. She created the curse and cursed their family taking effect a century ago."

They gaped, "So you figured all this out in one night."

She shrugged, "Ji-chan kept scrolls on everything, I just happened to know the background of the people."

Ayame hugged her, "You were always the genius of the group."

She shook her head, "Nah, that role belongs to Hatori; after all he is the doctor of the group."

Shigure nodded, "True, so you have any ideas about the focal point."

Kagome reflected thoughtfully, "I believe if I know the facts correctly it should be an heirloom that you guys still have."

Ayame whistled softly, "Wow, Kagome, you seriously think you can defeat this curse; we've had it for 100 years."

Kagome struck an InuYasha pose, "Feh, I don't think it, I know it. After all you guys deserve some normalcy and happiness."

Shigure sighed, "And yourself, don't you deserve some happiness."

She shook her head, "No, I don't but I am thankful for the sources of happiness I undeservedly have."

Hatori stood and went to Kagome and pulled the petite girl in his lap, settling his head on hers, "Kagome, that's not true. You too deserve happiness."

The other two members of the Mabudachu Trio watched the interaction giving each other knowing looks. Shigure and Ayame broke in at the same time, "When's the wedding?"

Kagome blinked and turned to Hatori, "So is one of you guys getting married? I'll have to buy the lucky man a present, probably the original copy of the Kama Sutra written by my friend and pervert Miroku

(Before someone reviews with the actual writer, just pretend he actually wrote it and presented his first copy to Kagome to help her since he already has someone)

They looked her, "Have you read it, Kagome. I'm shocked you're supposed to be the virginal maiden of the group."

Kagome looked horrified, "No, I didn't read I just have the copy lying in my room…crap if they go into my room while I'm gone…don't want to think about it."

Shigure looked at her concerned, "Who's they?"

She turned to him, "Why Houjo-kun and the Squirt. If Souta finds it he'll probably want to borrow it then lock me up to keep me from lustful men. Houjo will probably blush and never look me in the eye again."

Hatori's grip subconsciously tightened around the miko, pulling her against his chest, "Why is Akitoki, staying at your place?"

Kagome shrugged, "Apparently he's been living there for the past six months and I don't mind just so long as he doesn't try to start something."

Ayame stood up, "You will stay with us tonight, no arguments.

Kagome sighed, "I'll have to go and get my clothes."

Ayame shook his head, "I have clothes you can wear for tonight and tomorrow."

She thanked him then tapped on Hatori's arm to tell him to let go. He does let go a bit reluctantly. Kagome settled on the ground beside him, "Okay off the topics of the Kama Sutra, our pending sleepover, and the men living at the shrine; I need to get access to the Sohma main house, so I can begin the search for the source of the curse."

Shigure nodded thoughtfully, "We'll have to clear it with Akito before you can."

She nodded, "Of course, but if he says no… I'm going in anyway."

Well here's the new chapter. I wish I could respond to the reviews I've received but, alas new rule…So I'll let you in on this tidbit Kagome will go with some one older then her, (She's 23)