He gently brushed his lips against hers, surprised to see her respond by putting her arms around him and pulling him closer, deepening the formally innocent kiss.

Sad brown eyes watched the two before closing the blinds and returning to his self-appointed task of cleaning the kitchen.

Souta walked into the kitchen watching the doctor wash the same dish for several minutes before speaking, "Hey, Houjo, don't you think that plate is clean enough?"

He blinked and looked at the plate before sheepishly putting the plate away, "Gomen, I was lost in thought."

Souta stood beside the older man looking at the view the man was looking at before allowing his mouth to drop, "That wouldn't have anything to do with it, ne?"

Houjo sighed, "Am I that obvious?"

Souta nodded, "Yeah."

They both turn back to the window to see Kagome and Hatori come inside. The miko walked into the kitchen and looked at Houjo and Souta, "Hey guys why don't you go and watch TV or a movie. I'll clean up."

Houjo tried to protest but Kagome just shoved the two out playfully, "Have fun you guys, ask the Mabudachi Trio about some high school stories and such nonsense. They also know a lot about my travels and you can question them to your heart's content. I'll come out when I'm done."

They reluctantly went to the living room leaving the girl to handle the clean up. Kagome pulled out the broom and swept up all the flour before she threw it out. Her attention then turned to the dishes. She began to mechanically wash and dry each dish her mind thinking on events that occurred over five centuries ago. Her hands began to clench at the thought of having to face Naraku again. She winced when the cup in her hand shattered from the force of her grip. She threw the cup shards in the trash, pulling out the slivers from her hand and running her hands under the water to rinse the blood off from the small lacerations. Shigure poked his head into the kitchen, "Hey, Kagome-chan, we're about to start the movie. Are you going to join us? We have all the sleeping bags unrolled and waiting for you."

Kagome nodded and finished the last dish before running her hands under the water to clean her hands and taking the towel she was using to dry the dishes and meaning to toss it into the dirty clothes hamper she brought it with her. The inu noted the splotches of red on the towel but figured it wasn't anything serious by the amount. Kagome smiled when she noticed the bleeding had stopped. She noted with slight amusement the one open spot was being situated by a very pleased Shigure, who was patting the spot beside him. Kagome sat down gracefully her gaze straying to the opening previews, "What are we watching?"

Shigure smiled mischievously, "Well you can't hit me but we thought something you can relate to…the film's called The Ring."

Her eyebrows furrowed, "Is this film scary?"

He smiled again, "Wait and see."

She turned to Souta, "Will you be fine watching this film?"

Souta flushed, "I'm not eight years old anymore I can handle a scary film."

She smiled sadly, "No I suppose your not."

The movie began and Kagome kept an eye on everyone her gaze landing on Tohru who was sitting stiff her fear radiating off of her body. Kagome rolled over Houjo who was on her left and put her hand on Tohru's shoulder, "Hey are you alright? I was thinking of popping a Disney movie upstairs and I don't want to go alone…we can come back when the film finishes."

Yuki sent Kagome a thankful smile, he knew Tohru was terrified but was acting brave so as to not bother the others. Tohru stood up and joined Kagome, Momiji trailing them as they went into Kagome's room and opened the drawer under the TV to see what movies were under there. Kagome scratched her head, "I don't recognize any of them can you pick one for me, Momiji."

Momiji nodded and dug through the movies, "How did you get all these movies if you weren't here?"

Kagome smiled, "I think Mama thought when I come back I would like to enjoy the movies. But pick one already; I trust your choice."

Momiji puffed up and pulled out The Corpse Bride, "I heard this movie is supposed to be good."

Kagome shuddered lightly at the thoughts of a reanimated corpse brought thoughts of Kikyou. No one caught the shudder and they sat down to watch the film. Kagome sighed, her eyes tearing up when she drew some parallels to the film to her life. She wiped away the tears before anyone could notice. Halfway through the movie the door to her room opened and Hatori entered the room his gaze going trailing to the screen, he sat down beside Kagome silently reaching for the popcorn the group managed to steal from downstairs.

Kagome jumped when the door suddenly opened again and she smiled when she caught sight of Yuki and Kyo standing there. Kagome slid away from the TV and allowed the cat and rat to occupy her spot. She headed downstairs to see that the guy's movie had finished when the phone rang causing the group to shriek. Kagome rolled her eyes and picked up the phone, "Moshi Moshi, Higurashi residence, Kagome speaking."

The girlish shrieks on the other line caused her to pale, 'Oh kami no.'

"KAGOME! YOU'RE BACK!"

Kagome pulled the phone away from her as she struggled to recall which friend was on the phone her mind drawing a blank. 'I deserve to go to friendship hell for this.' "H-hey, how have you been?"

"I've been great, when did you come back? I heard the shrine was attacked, was anyone hurt?"

Kagome laughed, "I've been here around a month and I'm fine healed up and everything."

"WHA! YOU'VE BEEN HERE THIS LONG AND YOU HAVEN'T TOLD ME? I thought we were friends…"

Kagome winced, "Gomen ne, I haven't been feeling well. Maybe we can meet up one day. But, who did you want to speak to?"

The person on the other side laughed nervously, "I was hoping to speak to Akitoki, I guess I should hang up…"

"No-no, I'll get him."

Kagome then covered the speaking end of the phone and motioned Houjo to come over, "For you…"

Houjo took the phone, "Hello, Houjo Akitoki, speaking."

"Hey I was going to ask if we were still going out for our monthly get-together but, if Kagome's back I guess you'll want to cancel."

"No, that's fine I'll come tomorrow, I haven't heard from you for a while, I can't wait to hear what Ayumi and Yuka have been up to with their families."

Kagome had retreated when she gave Houjo the phone. When Ayame asked what was wrong, she moaned that she was going to friendship hell. Ayame set the girl on his lap and hugged her, "Its fine you have been busy saving the day to remember the little people."

Kagome sighed sadly, "I still…it's inexcusable…I remembered you guys but…"

Ayame laughed, "We are special you couldn't forget us because we are memorable."

Kagome laughed, "True, true…"

Houjo walked in, with Ayame and Kagome looking at him expectantly. He broke down and explained he was going to eat dinner with Eri tomorrow."

Kagome pounded her fist in her hand, "I should have known…"

She grinned slyly, "On first name basis, huh, Houjo-kun…so you and Eri huh…"

Houjo blushed, "It's not like that we meet up monthly to catch up…"

Kagome stood up and patted him, "I'm teasing…I'd rather not hear all the sorrid details of your relationship."

Ayame laughed, "Well let's just get ready for bed."

At the word bed Shigure appeared and snatched the miko, placing her in the sleeping bag beside his, while Houjo settled into his on Kagome's other side. Hatori returned to his bag. The group settled to go to sleep. Houjo was awoken to his pager, Kagome woke up as well her breathing frantic and her wide eyed gaze scanning her surroundings. She panted slightly her body slick with sweat, Naraku was haunting her dreams and the fact that she knew his soul was still out there ready to corrupt anybody he can, increased the fear she felt.

Houjo took in her pallor and he wanted to stay and comfort her but he was on rotation and he need to leave, "Go back to sleep Kagome, I'll be back in the morning."

Kagome nodded trying to calm herself, "Ja Ne, Houjo-kun."

He whispered his good bye and left.

Kagome calmed down enough to go back to sleep and when she did her nightmare came back with a vengeance particularly the time when Naraku captured and tortured her; she tried to claw off the tentacles from around her body.

Shigure awoke to the thrashing in the bag next to his. Kagome was moving around and he could smell the faint scent of blood. He tried to wake her but he couldn't get close enough due to the thrashing. He woke up Hatori who could tell that whatever was bothering Shigure was serious because the normally cheerful inu was clenching his fists and appeared pale and stressed, "It's Kagome, she's having a nightmare."

Hatori sat up and got out of the bag noting the girl was tossing and turning. Whispering to Shigure he told the dog that they were going to wake her but he was going to have to hold down so she doesn't hurt anyone. Hatori held the top part of Kagome down so that Shigure could get on her and pin her down. The dragon then covered the girls mouth and gently slapped her awake.

Kagome awoke with a jerk panting and peering into the concerned faces of Shigure and Hatori. Shigure got off of the miko allowing for her breath easier. Hatori gestured towards the kitchen so that they could talk; when Kagome stood she winced her hands were sticky with blood. When they entered into the lighted kitchen they noted the damage Kagome inflicted on herself. Kagome pulled up her shirt and noted that long scratched ran from the just below her sports bra stopping at her navel. "Hey Shigure in my bathroom there's a first aid kit, can you get it for me."

Shigure wrinkled his nose in confusion, "Why don't you go and use your miko abilities."

Kagome shook her head, "I need to maintain my reserves and it's not that bad."

Shigure walked towards the miko's bathroom while Hatori turned to her concern reflecting from his eyes, "What troubled you so much that you hurt yourself?"

Kagome shuddered slightly in remembrance, "No one from the group knew what happened, I had managed to convince InuYasha with certain persuasive methods that I was going to stay in my time for a three weeks period, you know the week before finals, final's week then Golden Week which was right after, we had plans, remember to go to your summer house."

Hatori nodded recalling with a small frown that she didn't show up at all. Kagome's smile turned bitter, "I was walking to the well after a battle with Kagura so the area stunk of Naraku, which he used to his advantage and he came and kidnapped me. No one knew, they believed I was in my time safe, I spent seven long days being tortured and that's when I met Sesshomaru, he actually freed me and healed me bringing back to life literally, not that that was what he wanted to do.

"I gained his respect, how… I have no idea, but when he dropped me off at the well two weeks later he insisted on being allowed to visit me. We had agreed not to mention the Naraku thing, in other words I asked him not to mention it because I didn't want anyone to feel guilty. He permanently joined the group the following year and pronounced himself as my guardian. I trained hard each day the following four years so that when I slept I wouldn't have nightmares.

"I guess all the talk of Naraku brought those memories forth."

Hatori gathered the miko into his arms and tried to calm and assure them both that she was safe now. Shigure came in and presented Hatori the first aid kit. The dragon pulled out the rubbing alcohol and dabbed it onto a cotton ball noting the way her muscles contracted from the cold and the fact she was trying to hide a small wince at the sting. She grimaced after the ryu finished bandaging her stomach. Kagome thanked the pair, "You two should go back to sleep. It is not fair that all three of us lose sleep because of me."

Shigure shook his head, "No can do, I'd spend all night wondering what gave you nightmares." Kagome sighed and turned to Hatori who merely shook his head, "I wouldn't be able to sleep without knowing that you were fine."

Kagome sighed, "Perhaps if we sleep together? Kaa-chan's bed should be large enough for three people."

Shigure agreed to the idea and led the group upstairs and to the master bedroom. The miko gasped when she was swept up into Hatori arms and the dragon carried her up the stairs much to the miko's embarrassment. He ignored the girl's protests and carried her up and ignoring the playful ribbing from the inu. Once they reached the bed Shigure turned down the bed and Hatori slid the miko in before climbing in after her and Shigure taking her other side the two holding onto the miko both fearing that they may have lost her one knowing the truth and the other only able to take a stabs in the dark. Kagome managed to fall asleep and for the first time in the four years, she was able to dream pleasant dreams un-plagued by the nightmares from her past. Hatori watched her dream noting with a relief they weren't troubled ones and his gaze turned to Shigure who was sleeping curled up in a ball in connection to the inu spirit possessing him. Hatori himself slept better when he was near water or was able to hear the sounds of water and the ocean.

Souta woke up in the morning and saw that Kagome, Houjo, Shigure and Hatori's sleeping bags were all empty while Kyo, Tohru, Yuki, and Momiji as well as Hatsu-what's his name were still sleeping. Heading for the bathroom he passed his mother's room the door opened for the first time since she died. Peering in, he caught Kagome sleeping comfortable sandwiched between both the doctor and the writer. He went in to wake them and give them a verbal lashing for desecrating his mother's bed when Shigure opened an eye, "Shush, we just managed to get her to sleep; she had a really rough night, what with nightmares plaguing her."

Souta frowned but allowed them to stay and he quickly rinsed up and dressed his mind noticing that she didn't confide in him, her only brother but she confided to these 'strangers' whom she only actually knew for about eight years and he's known her for all his life.

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

Fin, hey did you know this story was originally going to have a tragic ending, but realizing the number of people who read my story and own shot-guns was alarmingly high I decided it will end happily-ish. Not because I'm scared of you people but my mamí will kill me if I get bloodstains on the carpet; I'm nearly 20 and fear my mother who nears her fifties, sad I know.