AN/: The summer has been distracting me so I might end up only updating every other week for a while but I will not give up on this story.

Disclaimer: To find out who owns Inuyasha look at the book jacket of one of the manga issues or the opening credits of the anime, I'll give you hint you won't find my name there.

When Good Miko Go Bad

Chapter 18 Reports

"Grandma Keade!" squealed Shippou as he jumped off Inuyasha's head and onto the old priestess's shoulder.

The old woman chuckled at the young kitsune, "Tis good to see ye as well child." She greeted, turning to the others she took a mental roll-call, coming up short. "Has Kagome returned to her own time?" Sango and Miroku exchanged nervous glances and Inuyasha was glaring at the dirt as if it had insulted him, none of which went unnoticed by the one-eyed miko. "Have the two of ye had a fight Inuyasha?" The addressed hanyou growled and stormed off to his usual sulking haunt. Turning back to the houshi and taijiya Keade caught on, "What trouble has befallen ye on ye travels?"

Miroku sighed heavily, "We have much to tell you Keade-sama." The old woman nodded solemnly as she ushered the group into her hut.

There was no sound save that of the soft padding of feet against grass and the wind ruffling leaves overhead. Inuyasha continued to pace before the well, knowing he had to go through, yet procrastinating the task in hopeless pursuit of a loop-whole that would get him out of it.

Drawing in a breath Inuyasha pushed himself into the air over the well and forced himself to let gravity bring him down. Be a man. He mentally ordered. What's the worst they could do? The thoughts and mental images that answered weren't nearly as reassuring as he meant them to be. Damn, I think I'd rather be sat by Kagome. Was his sorrowful thought as the magic of the well enveloped him.

He knew the instant he entered Kagome's time; the air as dense and stuffy, full of scents he only connected to this era. Sluggishly Inuyasha dragged himself out of the well and across the cement walk-way to the front door. It smiled at him cheerily, mocking the task he was here for.

Out of the corner of his eye Souta saw a splash of red through the window. Going to investigate Souta realized the color was Inuyasha, standing dumbly in-front of the door. Instantly Souta's face brightened, if Inuyasha was here Kagome had to be here too.

Pocking his head into the kitchen Souta said casually, "Hey Mom INuyasha's outside staring at the door."

Mrs. Higarashi smiled warmly, "Its been awhile since they've visited, well don't let him just stand out there. If those two have been fighting again he'll want to come in." she spoke from past observation.

Souta nodded and a few seconds later pulled a guilty looking Inuyasha into the room like a misbehaving puppy. Smiling at the hanyou she had come to consider as family Mrs. Higarashi chastised lightly, "It's about time you came back for a visit. I know what you do on the other side is important, but would it kill you two to visit more often?" she joked, but at the young man's expression her humor faded.

Oblivious to the sudden tension Souta piped up, "Hey Inuyasha where's sis?" the kid was smiling and peering around as if to find his sister hiding just out of sight.

Inuyasha didn't answer but his silence was enough for a mother to understand. "What happened Inuyasha?" He stared at his feet in shame refusing to meet the woman's eyes. "She's not dead is she?" Mrs. Higarashi's voice shook slightly as she fought off tears but she didn't stutter in her question.

The salty tang of her tears made Inuyasha's head snap up to look at her. "No!" he protested vehemently, both Higarashi's present looked confused so he hastened to explain before he lost his nerve. "Kagome's fine…we think. We got separated-we thought she was, but she isn't-we just don't know where she is…" it was hasty and hard to follow but it was out there.

Despite the gaps and questions surrounding the hurried explanation Mrs. Higarashi looked considerably more relieved. "Oh good" she breathed out. At which Inuyasha fell over in shock, as if sat. Kagome's mother laughed lightly at his reaction. "Kagome will be fine, I wouldn't have allowed her to keep going off with you if I didn't believe that."

Inuyasha stared at her warmth with disbelief. "Inuyasha I trust that you care for my daughter and I have never doubted you would bring her home safely, I won't start now." She embraced the bugged-eyed, red-faced hanyou who had always protected her daughter. He hesitated before returning the hug.

"Well then," Mrs. Higarashi chirped after releasing Inuyasha, "would you like to stay for dinner?"

Still trying to figure-out if he was hallucinating Inuyasha only managed a small "sure?" that came out more question than answer.

The whole time Souta tried to follow the conversation with little success all he got out of it was Kagome wasn't back yet and Inuyasha was invited for dinner. Whatever works he went with it, taking out the dishes and setting the table for dinner.

"I see…" Keade contemplated the report of the gang's latest adventure while she continued to stir the stew for dinner. "Ye think Kagome is in hiding searching for ye and the remaining jewel shards."

"It makes the most sense." Sango tried to defend their theory, "Kagome's smart she'll have realized the demons on the cliff were after her, and she would never risk facing Naraku alone, so she had to hide, since she knows coming back here is too big a risk she'll be out there looking for the shards, thinking we'll run into each other." Her voice was growing frantic.

"With what knowledge we have concerning both Naraku and Kagome this is the only logical conclusion which excludes Kagome's capture." Miroku added as he attempted to calm Sango.

Nodding Keade focused on spooning out stew into bowls, "Ye believe that I shall be able to direct ye to a jewel in Kagome's absence." Shippou nodded vigorously hope shinning in his bright emerald green eyes. Keade smiled at the young boy "As it happens there have been rumors…"

Passing quietly over the sleeping form of Tari and avoiding Kagome and Shiri huddled against a log, Marianne slinked her way out of camp. When she felt she had given the camp sight a wide enough girth Marianne sent out her spiritual energy in search of the elder's.

Almost immediately Deichi-sama's energy reached out to her own, 'knocking' lightly on the customary mind guard shielding her thoughts. Lowering the barrier to allow the elder miko easy access Marianne wasted no time for pleasantries, I have implemented the plan; she believes her memory to have returned.

Excellent, the word slithered across their link, will she be loyal to us?

She is determined to restore the jewel and is reluctant to do so alone.

Lady Deichi nodded through the connection That shall have to do for the time being. Keep me posted on the situation.

Hai Lady Marianne committed pulling back slightly from the contact.

Deichi-sama halted the retreat and Marianne…make sure her former companions come no-where near her.

It shall be done.

Author's note as I said earlier my updates will be more irregular after today. Ja ne, review.