"Inuyasha! Sesshomaru!" Sango frantically called over, standing at the school gates, waiting for the brothers. Her expression wasn't withdrawn sorrow – like it had been before. It was shocked, stricken and confused. The two silver-haired brothers sped up. Something was wrong.

"What's up, Sango?" Inuyasha asked eagerly as they stopped in front of her. Miroku stood behind her, his expression guarded and deep in thought. Kouga was just arriving, barely in earshot to hear what Sango said next.

"I found out that Kagome told the principal she'll move, a day before she disappeared. That's why our homeroom teacher didn't worry when she disappeared."

"But she hadn't know those people would come and take her..." Kouga threw in. He had been given some rough details by Inuyasha and Miroku. He only knew that someone pressured Kagome to leave them. And he was furious.

Sesshomaru nodded, already thinking that the priestess must have been planning something.

Inuyasha grumbled. "Damn wench. She has some serious explaining to do."

Sesshomaru suddenly understood. Then he made a sound none of them heard from him before, alerting everybody. A deep sigh.

"She planned to disappear."

All looked at him with wide eyes, things suddenly making sense. Suddenly Sango shook her head, gently, disbelief clear on her face.
"No." she whispered, nearly inaudible. "She wanted to stay with you, she wouldn't go."

His eyes widened a slight fraction. What-
"Stay with him? What do you mean, Sango?" Kouga asked, his brows furrowed.

She shook her head. "She wouldn't leave." the black-haired girl simply repeated, not looking away from Sesshomaru, making sure he understood. "She wouldn't want to."

"You're saying she was forced to? With greater force than we thought?" the younger Taisho brother murmured. "Makes sense. She wouldn't go without a fight."

Sesshomaru looked at Kagome's cousin, seeing the hidden meaning. She knew he had heard their small discussion about Kagome's crush. She was trying to make him understand that he had been Kagome's crush – no, not even crush, but love. He understood and was shocked to the very core. But he didn't show it. He knew his brother and the wolf would throw a fit and don't believe it. Better keep it locked inside his heart, keep the precious feelings under control until she returned. A nearly unseen nod showed Kagome's best friend that he had understood and thanked her for informing him.

The sorrowful smile – accompanied by a very deep sigh – of Sango stopped the small bickering between the boys. She had a bad feeling, a bad premonition. Something was going terribly wrong and Sango feared for Kagome. Miroku had seemingly the same feeling by the glance he sent her. Both prayed for the missing girl with their whole heart.

…

Kikyo carefully watched Kagome as they ate breakfast. In the ten days Kagome hadn't done much. Most of her time was spent in the holy room, meditating. Other than that, she slept, ate and read some books that Naraku had provided. She was calm, silent and far too content. As if she had wanted to come with them out of her own will. Not like she had come with them because they were threatening her family and friends. Was she planning something?

That's what at least Kikyo thought. Naraku was very sure to have bent Kagome to his will. He had made sure to sometimes remind her that he still had power of the lifes of her beloved, and Kagome would only nod, telling him she was aware.

But his thoughts also were on Kikyo. She was too apprehensive, too ready to see Kagome make a mistake. It irked him. He knew that Kikyo envied Kagome. But it shouldn't go so far. They – or better: he – was still in need of Kagome's power. He would be able to work without Kikyo, and if the dark priestess would take a wrong step, he would be ready to strike her down. She wasn't there to make problems. She was there to control the spiritual aspect of Kagome. He now knew everything Kikyo knew about the hidden power and the prophecy. Perhaps he would dispose himself of Kikyo earlier than he had thought. He had no need for her anymore.

..

Kagome rose from the table, bowing slightly and leaving the dining room to go back to meditating. The constant meditation helped her distance herself from the world enough to not break down every time memories overwhelmed her. What Naraku and Kikyo didn't know was that she had a connection to the outside world. Kagura, Naraku's driver, had been his slave for quite a long while and was ready to help her, if Kagome would also help her escape Naraku's clutches. They never interacted, but underneath the holy room was a hidden cellar room her kidnappers didn't know about. But Kanna, Kagura's little sister did and helped Kagome and Kagura exchange messages. Kagome only hoped to not bring Kagura into any trouble, and Kanna too. The little girl was shy, and almost mute. She and Kagura had several scars, both on mind and body that had been inflicted by Naraku. Kagome felt for them and was determined to help in any way possible.

Today was the day Kagura had some free time and was trying to bring a message to Touga and his sons. Kagome sat down and with ease fell into meditation. She reached out with her spirit, her soul and easily slipped into another lesson from the gods. She had decided that she would sacrifice herself. She knew she probably won't turn back to herself, won't live, but it was worth it.

If her happiness was the price for the happiness of everyone else, she was more than ready to pay that. Her life? Just a minor thing compared to the world.

What pained her most was that all her friends, her family, Sesshomaru and also Touga would stop her. They didn't want to lose her – which she understood. She also didn't want to leave them. But she had to. Her existence was something she was going to give up. They would live on without her, even better if she sacrificed herself. Her life had to be given, her soul, her happiness, all were just something minor in face of what she would sacrifice them for. The world, everyone's happiness. She just wished they won't mourn her for long and go on with their lives, they deserved the happiness.

A sigh left her soft lips and she returned to the physical world, stretching her limbs. Life went by different in the spiritual realm and her muscles and joints always kinda hurt when she came back down.

An invisible hand ghosted over her head and then her back and she smiled. "Thanks Midoriko." she murmured with a soft smile, her muscles hurting not anymore. Midoriko was with her all the time, it probably had to do with the power sealed inside her. The priestess from long ago said she had been in heaven, but decided to help Kagome out and accompany her, give her mental strength and motivate her to stay strong.

...

Kikyo watched with narrowed eyes as Kagome came out of the house into the gardens. She had become even more beautiful and serene. With every meditation she did, her beauty was enhanced, her grace improved. Her eyes shone more brightly, her power roared stronger around her. She was radiating the power Kikyo was seeking, but not only the power. Also the serenity, the calm, the control, the inhuman beauty of a goddess. Opposed to Kagome, Kikyo had been trained as a priestess. She had been prepared to bear that immense power. But it passed her and in her anger and jealousy she had taken Naraku's offer of a longer life, to get the power that truly belonged to her and not that girl.

Kagome had a firm mask on her face when she was around Naraku and Kikyo, but in the gardens the mask slipped a bit and soft smiles shone in her eyes, even if her lips didn't move. Naraku appreciatively watched the young girl stroll through the gardens, the girl was growing beautiful, now Naraku was thinking of making her his. She thrummed with the power he wanted, and if he took it by force, it may end her life. And that was a thought Naraku more and more didn't like. To waste such beauty? No, he wasn't that stupid. Maybe he could make her an offer. He would live by her side, love her and give her everything she wanted – even let her friends and family live, not that she would be able to see them often – she only had to share her power with him and stay by his side. Maybe he could charm her. Yes, that was a good plan. It was time to dispose of the trash called Kikyo and charm the goddess called Kagome.

…