Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I was a little disappointed to see less than the first chapter but I guess it shouldn't be a surprise. My last story wasn't that big of a hit and so I wasn't really expecting much from this one. But anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha...


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Chapter 3: Memories

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The darkness was a comfort, stirring from the depths of the black hole that the creature was trapped in. Blinking golden eyes, movement brought some pebbles and rocks to fall to the floor beneath his feet. He took a deep breath in and smelled the fragrance of the earth, taking in the dirt and the rocks. 'Life.' There was no space for him to move around in, but a long tunnel high above led to a beautiful white light. Stretching his neck up, the creature stared with his golden eyes into the blinding light high above him. With a deep breath, a howl reverberated out of the deep hole in the earth that the creature was buried in and into the night sky of the full moon above.

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Kagome awoke with a start. Instantly, she flinched and had to relax back on her bed to stop her back from aching. 'I guess I went too hard this time…' she thought with a sigh. She blinked a few times and let the sleepy haze leave her body. Her mother had accompanied her in her dreams and the two had sparred in the Maboroshi Kokudo. Kagome was thankful that she could get back to sharpening her skills. After three years of living with her mother in the Maboroshi Kokudo, she was used to training and fighting every second of the day. The dead never slept and they were never tired. So she had a lot of time to train with her mother.

Getting to a sitting position with her legs hanging off the bed, Kagome looked around at her room. The picture frames that once dominated her room was now gone. No more smiling faces to wake up to. She had a life now, one that she could live with no regrets or worries. And this time, Kagome was going to live her life. Standing up, she stretched and walked into her bathroom to do her morning duties around the shrine. The sun had not yet risen, but it was showing its life against the sky. Kagome walked out of her bathroom having finished her morning rituals and then put on her miko robes. The fabric ruffled against her skin as she felt the gentle robes settle against her body. Kagome pinned her hair up with her favorite butterfly clip that her father had given her and looked at herself in her mirror. 'Well… this is as good as it gets, Kagome.' With a frown and a shake of her head, Kagome walked out of her room.

Heading downstairs, the kitchen brought voices floating to her. Kagome smiled as she noticed her mother and brother eating at the kitchen table.

Kira turned and smiled at Kagome. "Good morning, dear. Come join us before you head outside." Souta turned with his mother to look at his sister, already dressed up.

Kagome smiled and shook her head, but walked towards the head of the table to get closer to her family. "I don't usually eat before I do my morning rituals. It dirties the soul. But I'll come back and join you guys, if you're still here," she said as she glanced at their plates. Souta's plate was almost finished and her mother's was halfway. Kagome shook her head with a smile.

Souta smirked and chuckled. "Maybe I'll save you some food then." Kagome glared at her brother playfully, and the two laughed together. Kagome then excused herself and walked towards the door, as she headed outside to do her duties around the shrine grounds before the sun rose.

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The sun glared on the white statue in front of the Goshinboku. Kagome meditated to the side of the statue, giving room for the people who wanted to make prayers and offerings. Her straw hat covered her face as incense burned, one on both side of her. Kagome was calm as her eyes were closed in content and her mind was clear. She could hear footsteps around the shrine from the guests. A few pairs of footsteps came closer until they stopped, and a few presences were beside her. The chants that came from their mouths were prayers of guidance and protection that they asked from her statue. But Kagome didn't say a word as she continued meditating. The sun finally was high enough to shine its light down on to the shrine grounds without having any obstacles but the shadows made by some of the tall objects.

The sounds of the wind rustling against the Goshinboku gave peace as Kagome meditated against the stone ground. Her mind was in peace, in a place where no one could get her as she remained sitting comfortably on the ground.

"Kagome?"

Snapping her eyes open, Kagome peeked through the holes on her hat to look up at the person standing in front of her. She was shocked to hear her name being called by a person, which brought on confusion and uneasiness automatically. Kagome looked up to see a woman standing above her. The woman wore jeans pants and a light blue tank top. But the face of the woman started to come into view and Kagome gasped as to who called her name.

"Rin?" she asked, shocked. The woman nodded her head with a smile. Placing her hands on her hips, Rin looked down at the straw hat with an arch of her eyebrow.

"Are you going to show me your face?"

Kagome blinked and made a face, unsure if she should reveal herself. She looked around hesitantly, making sure that no one was around. She had already spoken and Rin knew that it was her, so there was no getting away from this. Slowly, she brought one hand up to her hat and drew it down to the side. Kagome blinked as the sun glared down at her exposed face, waiting for Rin to reply.

Rin nodded with a smile. "I can't believe you're back," she said, now showing confusion and surprise. Kagome smiled, looking down at the ground as she placed her hat to the side of her. Rin took a deep breath and went to her knees, her hair falling over her shoulders. She looked at Kagome with a critical stare, and moments passed before Rin said anything.

"Are you really alive?"

Kagome smiled, uncertain as to how to react to Rin's changing attitude. Though Kagome knew that Rin always acted like this, or at least she did before. Rin had a changing personality, one time she was happy and then the next she was sad. She was like water, always changing. But that's what she loved about Rin. The girl always surprised her. "Yes, I am. I'm really back, Rin." Kagome watched as Rin looked her over, taking her time to process things in her mind. Then, without any notice, Rin just threw herself around Kagome. Kagome's eyes widened and she gasped at the sudden movement, but Rin had her in her arms and she was being squeezed in her hold. It took a moment for Kagome to smile and wrap her arms around Rin. The two held each other for a bit, Kagome letting Rin get into holds with her being alive. 'How does she know that I'm alive?' she thought, now that she was getting comfortable with Rin's knowledge.

Rin let Kagome go and smiled. "I can't believe you're alive," she said again, her eyes moving over Kagome and taking in every detail. Kagome smirked.

"Why are you here?" Kagome watched as Rin smiled at her, her eyes shinning with the same light she remembered.

"Sesshomaru told me that you had come back." Rin smiled tentatively at Kagome's surprised look. "Don't worry. He only told me because we're mates and we can't keep secrets from each other." Rin watched as Kagome turned from her, her face looking up to the sun in silence. 'She's thinking about it…' Rin frowned and then turned towards the Goshinboku. "You didn't want anyone to know?"

Kagome turned back towards Rin, hearing the sadness in the woman's voice. "No, it's not that." Kagome sighed and looked down at her straw hat. "I just… don't know how I'm gonna tell everyone… you know?" Kagome looked towards Rin, seeing the woman nod. The concerned look on Rin's face made Kagome want to talk more. She missed talking to her friends about drama or about her problems. It was a daily thing for girls to do that, and Kagome missed what it felt like to have her friends listen to her as she confided in them. "I don't know if I want to tell the others. I brought gifts for all the families, but I gave them to Inutaisho to give to the everyone."

"Gifts?" Rin asked, her eyes curious as she looked at Kagome.

Kagome nodded. "Yeah. Just gifts for the families as thanks for their help. Inutaisho was supposed to tell them that he was giving them a reward, or so, for helping his family and the Higurashi family with such a hard time." Rin nodded her head and looked back down at the stones. She couldn't believe that she was talking with her dead friend, but she was. Kagome was back, and she felt her love for the girl rise again. Rin felt the connection they had, now stronger as she remembers what it was like to have lost Kagome. Memories came flooding back into her mind of the days when they were just teenagers and worrying about boys or about schoolwork. Life was easy back then, or at least for her it was. Kagome's life was a different story, but what Rin remembered the most was how Kagome always had a smile on her face with anything she did. Rin's feelings were stronger now that she was sitting next to Kagome, talking with Kagome, having Kagome back in her life again. Rin looked up at the sky with a smile and nodded.

"Well… are you going to show me your dress for Wednesday?" she asked, getting up to her feet to look down at Kagome.

Kagome looked up with a dazed expression, wondering what Rin was talking about. 'The concert…' She was starting to regret telling Izayoi that she would go. There would be too many people there and too many eyes to notice who she was. That's what she was afraid of. Of being noticed. If someone were to notice her, then others would flock around her and make a big scene. It would be worse if she bumped into her other friends. 'Old friends now…' she thought, pushing back all of the emotions that were threatening to consume her. Kagome looked up at Rin and blinked. "I don't know if I want to go anymore," she confessed with a sad look.

Rin just turned her head to the side. "You're going and that's that." She reached her hand out to take Kagome's. "Aunt Izzy wouldn't like it if you didn't go." Kagome looked at Rin's outstretched hand and she sighed. 'She's right…' Even though it sounded like a bribe thing, she knew that Aunty Izzy really wanted her to go to this concert. Kagome grabbed onto Rin's hand and the two went into the house for breakfast and to talk like old times.

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"Welcome to Café 100." Kagome smiled as she looked at a woman who walked up to the counter. The woman had lots of makeup on and she was dressed in a business suit, so she was obviously on her way to work.

"Can I have a tall mocha?" the woman asked, her voice as sweet as her black eyes.

Kagome smiled and nodded her head. "Whip cream on it?" she asked, reaching for a sharpie and the tall cup. The woman gave her answer and Kagome left the register to head to the espresso machine. She made the woman's drink and came back in less than three minutes. Kagome smiled as she offered the drink across the counter. "Here you go."

"Thank you," the woman said with a smile. She took out a bill and placed it on the counter. With a wink, the woman grabbed her drink. "Keep the change." That said, she walked towards the doors without a single look back.

Kagome watched as the woman walked away and then grabbed the bill with a small smile. 'Wow…' She smiled to herself as she placed the bill in the register and took out the necessary change to place in the tip jar. She closed the register and looked back behind the counter. The place was clean. Most of the time when she was bored, she would just tidy up the place and mop the floor. Now she understood why the place seemed so clean. The Café was packed during morning time when people wanted their early morning coffee. But after that, the huge crowd would die and she would have free time here and there to clean up or make more bakery food.

Kagome turned around and walked towards the soup pots. She opened the cover for each, making sure that it was still kept warm. The Café served a lot of food. There were scone breads, bagels, cheesecakes, soups, sandwiches, and even muffins. There were also a lot of drinks like espressos, teas, juices, frappucinos and coffee. Kagome smiled as she closed the lid to the pot and went towards the fridge where they had backup in case their fridge display ran out of food. She nodded her head and turned around at the sound of the bell ringing to signal a customer's entrance.

A gasped flew out of her mouth and Kagome whipped her head back around. 'Miroku and Sango!' Her heart began to beat erratically at the knowledge that she would have to talk to them to take their order. Kagome shook her head, closing her eyes to block out the world around her. She had to think. Miroku and Sango couldn't find her like this. Not like this. 'I don't want to meet them yet…' she thought desperately, trying to find another way out of this. Kagome suddenly opened her eyes as she heard Sango making conversation with Miroku. 'That's it!' Kagome walked fast towards the back where Ary was having her fifteen minute break. Walking into the small break room, Kagome smiled as calmly as she could when Ary looked up at her from the table.

"Is everything okay?" Ary asked, her eyes worried as she looked up from her phone in her hands. Kagome nodded with a smile, her eyes worried.

"Sorry for bothering you… but I really have to use the bathroom. Do you mind if you watch the front for me?" she asked, her voice as calm as a river.

Ary smiled and nodded with a giggle. "Sure. I know how you feel." She did a quick text and then closed her phone, throwing back on her apron as she went to put her phone in her purse and back in her locker. "At least now we have each other to switch off with." Kagome nodded, giving her thanks.

Ary walked towards the door, passing Kagome with a smile. "And we can talk to somebody when we're working." Ary turned around quickly with a giggle, as Kagome nodded her agreement. Ary closed the door behind her and Kagome waited for a second before she leaned against the door. Her breath came out of her in a huff and she felt like slumping to the ground at the sudden loss of energy. At first, she was all energetic with the need to get away from Sango and Miroku. Now, it felt like she lost all her energy at trying to do just that. But at least she succeeded. Now, she had to wait a bit to see if they were still in the café. If they were… 'Well… then I'm stuck back here…'

Sure enough, Sango and Miroku remained in the café, in the same booth as that day when she had asked for a job here. Kagome watched from behind the counter, trying to stay as unnoticed as possible. She placed more food on the plates within the glass fridge that displayed all of the food choices. Trying to conceal herself while working was hard, but she kept telling herself that she could get through it. Ary was at the register with a customer now.

"One blueberry muffin," Ary called with a smile down at Kagome. She nodded and grabbed a plate, placing a blueberry muffin onto it. Kagome then walked over towards Ary and handed her the plate while trying to use some of the displays and stands on the counter to hide her face. Kagome glanced towards Sango and Miroku's booth to see that they were laughing together. She turned away and went to check the soup again. The smiles on their faces were real, and Kagome couldn't help but feel sad that she wasn't included. She immediately wiped that thought from her mind. Kagome bit her bottom lip and went to the espresso machine to wipe up the spills. Anything to keep her busy and hidden.

"Kagome?"

Kagome jumped as she heard her name. She turned to see Ary with wide eyes, frightened.

"Jeez… Kagome. Are you okay?" Ary asked, one hand on her chest as she looked at Kagome with worry.

Kagome shook her head and smiled, erasing all the traces of her worries behind. "I'm fine. Don't worry, Ary. I was just thinking about my family…" she said, which was kinda the truth.

Ary arched her eyebrow and placed her hands on her hips. "You're lying, aren't you?" Kagome looked surprised as she watched Ary. "Every time Miroku and Sango come in, you get so… frightened." Ary tilted her head to the side, trying to understand Kagome. The girl's beautiful eyes never changed, though. But Ary thought that she was hiding something. Kagome seemed shy, at times, but she was a really nice person. Ary just couldn't understand why Kagome would be so afraid when one of Mayonaka's members comes into the café.

"It's not that…" Kagome said, looking over at the table. Sango had just slapped Miroku on the arm and the two continued to laugh together. Their empty plates lay waiting on the table that they sat on together.

"Then why are you looking at them like you want to join them?" Kagome turned her head from the couple's booth and walked back towards the soup. Ary watched as Kagome lifted the lid of both pots and stirred the contents inside. She sighed and rested one hand on the counter. "When you first came here for a job, Miroku and Sango came in. I noticed your expression and how you quickly got out of the store. I know that there's something between you three. Do you know them?"

Ary waited for an answer. She watched Kagome's back, from the bow of her apron on her waist to her hair pulled up in a ponytail. Ary saw Kagome shake her head as she placed the lid back onto the pot, keeping her back towards her.

"No."

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Kira tapped her foot impatiently as she waited at the bottom of the stairs. Kagome was getting into her dress upstairs and she was taking a long time to do so. Kira sighed and turned to see Souta on the living room couch. One of his legs hung over the arm of the couch as he looked bored, staring at the wall. Kira smiled with a giggle.

"Go call your sister, Souta."

Souta made a face. "Eww… I don't wanna go in her room and find her naked or anything."

Kira rolled her eyes at her son's imagination. "That's why you knock on the door."

Souta shook his head and looked away from his mother's gaze. "No thank you." Kira sighed and leaned back onto the wall to continue waiting for her daughter. Tonight was Mayonaka's concert. In about one hour, the concert was supposed to be starting. Kira looked over at the television as they had the station on the broadcast of the concert. Since the cameras couldn't go inside the stadium, they were only allowed to shoot the before and after of the concert. Mayonaka already had their grand entrances earlier on in the broadcast. Kira smiled as she remembered her daughter and the dress that she had on. Kikyo had looked so beautiful in that black dress of hers. Inuyasha wore his same attire whenever he sang in front of a crowd. Dressed in Mayonaka's jacket, their symbol in gold on the back, the black leather of the jacket fit Inuyasha's look perfectly. He had a white tank top underneath the jacket and his black, baggy pants with silver chains hanging on the side made him an object to drool over for the girls. Kikyo had looked beautiful with her curly hair in locks around her figure while the black dress gave her body movement to accommodate the growing belly. Kira sighed.

Just thinking about her two daughters was hard on her. Images of Inuyasha and Kagome together always flooded her mind, ruining those images of Kikyo and Inuyasha. In a way, ever since Kagome came back, she's been seeing Kikyo and Inuyasha's relationship as something wrong and forbidden. Though it wasn't. The two had moved on. It was better for them to do so. They had the right to move on. But Kagome was back now and that was bringing more problems. Kira just didn't know which was good and bad, but she knew that things were a lot more complicated now. With two of her daughters both in love with the same man, there was a huge problem. 'I don't know what to do…' she thought with a sigh.

Kagome appeared at the top of the stairs, checking her dress to make sure that she didn't look like an idiot. With a nod, she steeled her nerves and walked down the stairs with grace. She was molded and perfected to be a miko, so she knew how to walk like a princess. Kagome looked down at her mother, noticing the woman look up at her with awe. A smile graced her mother's face, bringing one of her own. Only thing, hers was of embarrassment. 'Oh my gosh…'

Kira gasped as she looked at Kagome walking down the stairs. She was beautiful. The red dress hugged Kagome's curves perfectly, though it was loose to allow her movement. The dress went down to her knees, so it wasn't anything that formal. But Kagome had on white high-heels with the straps crisscrossing at the front to end at the back above the ankle. The white high-heels matched the white outlining of the dress perfectly, helping to make it stand out against all the red. Kagome had her hair down with a red headband behind her bangs, allowing it to cover her eyes when she needed it to. The white hoop earring she wore was beautiful and her simple clear lip-gloss made Kagome look outstanding. Kira smiled as her daughter came to the last step. She hugged Kagome, smelling the scent of roses, and then pulled back to take one last look at Kagome.

"You look so beautiful…" Kira said, admiring her daughter's beauty. Kagome smiled at her, appreciation in her beautiful orbs. Kira sighed and brushed back her bands to the side. "I hope you have fun tonight." There was desperateness in her tone that Kira couldn't hide, and Kagome's eyes told her she had heard it.

Souta smiled as he came up to the two women and he opened his arms. "Can I get a hug?" he asked, looking at his sister with a smirk. Kagome tilted her head with admiration and nodded her head. She walked into her brother's arms, feeling them encompass her. She smiled as she hit his chest. 'I remember when his arms couldn't even wrap around me,' she thought with joy. Her brother was becoming a fine man and he would make someone a fine husband one day. Kagome took in his scent and released it as they let go of each other. "Don't go having too much fun though."

Kagome arched her eyebrow as she noticed Souta's frown. "Why? Do you go to their concerts?"

Kira nodded her head. "Your brother usually goes. Izayoi usually takes him along and he hangs out with your sister and Sango." Kagome nodded her head, not changing her expression at the names. She smiled at Souta.

"Why aren't you going this time?"

Souta frowned and looked down. "I told Aunt Izzy that I didn't want to go when she asked me. I have a test tomorrow and I needed to study. But I would have gone now… that you're going." Kagome smiled kindly at her brother's care.

"I'd rather you stay and do your homework. I think I can have as much fun as if everyone knew I was alive," Kagome said with a nod of her head.

Souta looked at Kagome with doubt as he placed one hand on her bare shoulder. "I would have gone if I knew that you were going. I don't want you to go alone."

Kagome placed her hand on her brother's and smiled. "I won't be alone. Rin, Papa and Aunt Izzy will be there."

"Where are you going to stay?" Kira asked, now worrying about her daughter. If Kagome didn't want to be known, then going to this concert was definitely not the way to do it. Though she knew that Kagome was only trying to be nice to Izayoi, it was foolish of her to go to Mayonaka's concert and think that she wasn't going to get noticed by anyone.

Kagome smiled as she looked at her mother. "Aunt Izzy got me a seat in the first class," Kira gasped, and Kagome had to calm her mother down. "Don't worry, mama. The front row has five rows on four sides of the circle. I'll be in the back on one side and Kikyo guys will be on the opposite side. I told Izayoi that I'll only go if I could have this as my only request." Kira seemed hesitant at first, but then she nodded her head, trying to place positive thoughts in her mind about tonight.

"You sure that Inuyasha, Koga or Miroku won't notice you?" Souta asked, still thinking that things could go wrong.

Kagome shook her head with a smile. "I'm going to use my aura and create it into a barrier to help conceal myself so that they can't feel my presence. But I doubt they can scent me through all of the people in the stadium, and through my barrier." Kagome was certain that they wouldn't find her. She remembered when the boys had their first concert. Inuyasha never took his eyes off her. He would always sing to the crowd, but he would look back at her as if all of the songs were dedicated to her. Kagome smiled, though her family didn't know for what. 'They were for me…'

Kira sighed and turned so that Kagome had room to head to the door. "Well you better go. Don't wanna keep Izayoi waiting." Kagome nodded her head and walked towards the door with her mother and brother right behind her. At least she had them with her. They would always be there for her, that Kagome knew. That was the reason why she was fine the way she was. Though she didn't have Inuyasha, she had a life, and she was living it happily. Thanks to Souta and her mother. She wasn't alone in this world. She had people who loved her and needed her, and that was all that she asked for. Kagome smiled as she turned around and waved her family good-bye. Kira and Souta watched as Kagome walked towards the stairs and then headed down towards the road.

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There were swarms of cameras outside of Swan Lake. The huge dome looked like a crystal sticking half-way out of the ground. The outside layer was metal which would glare off the sun in madness. But the sun had set now, and all there was were two huge beam-lights on both sides of the entrance of Swan Lake. Sakura trees played around the dome on the only shown soil in the area, right against edges of the dome. Swan Lake was known for its comfort of having AC within the stadium. The whole place was AC powered, making it a nice place for a huge crowd to remain without baking to death.

A few limos pulled up to the side of the curb where the red carpet began until the entrance through the glass doors. There were red velvet ropes on the sides of the red carpet and a few security guards to help keep the public back. But only the rich and famous walked down the red carpet. Everyone else went through the other doors that didn't have the grand entrance of the red carpet. People flocked the ropes to see which famous person would be coming to this concert. Mayonaka was known for attracting many people, especially the important ones in this world.

A black limo pulled up to the back where five security guards waited in a group. They all turned at once when the limo came around the corner, stopping right in front of them. One security guard opened the door and a hand was outstretched. Another guard grabbed the woman's hand and pulled her out of the car.

Izayoi smiled as she nodded her head to the guard. "Thank you." She clutched her purse closer to her dark blue dress, and turned to look down in the open door. Kagome scooted towards the door and the same guard reached in to help her out. Kagome smiled at him, earning an awkward smile and a quick turn of the head from the guard. Kagome looked at Izayoi and smiled. The woman was beautiful in that dark blue dress that went down to her calves. She had dark blue high-heels on to match her dress and her hair was let down with a few skinny braids to make a nice crown around her head. Izayoi also had dangling silver stars earrings and her red lipstick made her lips look luscious. Kagome walked forward towards Izayoi's welcoming smile, allowing Inutaisho to get out of the car. The male wore a deep blue tuxedo to match Izayoi's dress, and his shiny black shoes clicked against the pavement. His hair shined in the dark and his eyes sparkled with energy.

"Ready my ladies?" Inutaisho asked, getting between the women to open his arms to both of them. Kagome smiled and giggled as she linked her arm with Inutaisho's with Izayoi on the other side. Inutaisho then led the two women to the door as the security guards surrounded them, doing their job. One opened the door and the three stepped inside to be greeted by a cool breeze and the sound of the concert starting already. Miroku's voice could be heard as the crowd screamed with excitement. Kagome marveled at the beauty of hearing the shouts of the crowd and the excitement that pumped through her veins. She missed this. Times when she would go out to Koga's club or just to have a swarm of people around her. It was thrilling and exciting.

The three came around the corner where there was a velvet rope set up to stop people from going backstage. There were two security guards already standing on guard. One unhooked the rope to let the three pass, and the other five security guards remained with the two when Inutaisho nodded his head, not having to say anything. Inutaisho led the women to an elevator and escorted them inside.

Kagome sighed as the sound of the crowd disappeared. "I can't believe I'm here."

Izayoi smiled and looked around her mate. "Don't worry, Kagome. Everything will be okay." She watched as Kagome looked back at her and smiled, nodding her head. Izayoi knew that Kagome was worried about being noticed by the boys or by the girls. But since Kagome had wanted to sit on the opposite side, there was no way that anyone would notice her. Although Izayoi worried that maybe something would happen to Kagome if she sat by herself, Kagome said that she would be fine. The elevator dinged and the doors opened to a lighted and bright hallway.

The carpet was soft under her heels as Kagome walked alongside Inutaisho towards the glass doors that led into the stadium. The muffled sounds of the band's instruments and voices showed how strong the walls were. Since Swan Lake was a dome, the halls went around the top floor. The stadium was inside the walls, basically underground. The floors went down into the earth until the stage remained in the middle and the music would echo onto all sides of the dome. Kagome thought about the carpet under her as she continued to walk down the lighted hall. 'I remember…' The memories of this place flooded back to her. When she was pregnant and had come rushing back from the Naiku Shrine to see the concert. Inuyasha had wanted her to come. He needed her to be there. So she came, even though she was tired from fighting Kano Mitsuhada that day and had given her prayers and blessings to millions of people. She had come. For him.

The glass doors were finally in view and people were finally within the area. People were walking into the doors, the sound of the band's song now reaching into the hall. Kagome could feel her feet getting heavy now and her heartbeat accelerating. Inutaisho noticed as he tightened his arm around hers, letting her know he sensed her distressed.

"Don't be afraid, Kagome…" Izayoi looked up at her mate as he said the words. He was looking ahead, not wanting to call attention to Kagome. Izayoi understood and just looked forward instead of counseling Kagome. The girl needed to get herself together before they walked into the stadium.

Kagome took a deep breath. As she let it out, she steeled her fears and thought about just having fun. 'It'll be fine… Besides… I want to hear what kind of songs the boys are singing now…' Yes. She was ready. Kagome nodded her head and the two security guards by the glass doors held it open when they saw the three approaching. Other people waited as Inutaisho led them through the doors. Immediately, Kagome was enveloped in a rush of excitement.

The stadium was darker than the halls but it was pumping with excitement. The lights on the roof played to the song that Mayonaka played. Kagome looked up in awe as she took in the stadium, remembering how it was before, but still shocked at its grand size. The four plasma screens hung from wires on the ceilings, which wasn't that high, considering that the stadium went down. The four plasma screens hung in the air, showing the crowd a closer view of the band playing and each member as it switched camera views. Kagome smiled as she took a step at a time, heading down towards the first-class area. People were on the sides, dancing on their levels and not caring about hitting anyone. Each level had fencing to keep the crowd from falling down onto the next level, therefore leading to an avalanche of human bodies. She could feel their adrenaline and excitement as it fueled her own. Kagome smiled, suddenly hearing Inuyasha's guitar playing. She looked down towards the stage and saw the band like little ants. She looked up to the screens and noticed Inuyasha playing his guitar, the sound echoing throughout the room. The crowd went wild once Koga's voice came on and the camera view switched to show him.

'Wow…' she thought, looking at Koga's face. Koga looked handsome and very hot in his band attire that he always wore whenever they had to be Mayonaka. He closed his eyes as he sang into the microphone above his keyboard. The girls went wild as they screamed his name and hands flew in the air. Kagome arched her eyebrow and smiled, looking around at the drooling girls. 'Wow Koga… nice job.'

The stage came closer before Kagome realized and she could see the boys easily now. They had their back towards them, thankfully. But Kagome unlinked her arm with Inutaisho's. That earned a turn of his head and his eyes were filled with confusion. Kagome smiled up at him.

"They'll probably see you two walking with someone…" she yelled, knowing that it was a bit loud. Inutaisho smiled and nodded. Izayoi turned around with an encouraging smile. Kagome smiled back and nodded, hoping that Izayoi wouldn't worry about her. Izayoi turned back around and the two walked ahead of her. Kagome looked down at the ground as she made her way to the first-class area. Inutaisho said something to the security guards and the velvet rope was lifted. She walked in and immediately went to the first row behind the velvet ropes. Izayoi turned around, watching as Kagome sat down in the seat. She had a frown on her face, fearing the worst for the young woman.

Kagome smiled back happily, encouraging Izayoi more than encouraging herself. The woman just smiled and turned around, letting Inutaisho lead them right to the edge of the stage where more security guards were lined up around. He led Izayoi around the stage and the two left her sight. Kagome took a deep breath and sighed. Suddenly, she jumped as the girl next to her screamed, cheering on the band. 'My gosh…'

The place was pounding with Inuyasha's guitar and Miroku's drums. But the beat was one that Kagome never heard before. After a few minutes, Kagome began to relax back in the seat. They were like movie theater seats so it was comfortable to sit in. Situating her dress, Kagome crossed her legs and patted her knee to the beat with one hand as she nodded her head. 'This isn't that bad.' Kagome smiled as she watched the three boys sing and dance on stage. She watched as they sang and smiled, their faces so familiar, yet so strange to her. Kagome couldn't help but feel sad that she was watching them, yet not knowing them. But this was what she wanted, and she didn't want them to know that she was alive. It was nice and a blessing just to see their faces again. Kagome made sure that her barrier was still up and then continued to relax as a new song came on and another rush of screams flew from the audience.

The people never ran out of energy as they kept screaming. Throughout the whole time, Kagome took everything in. From the feel of a thousand people around her to the emotions that swarmed her at having to see the boys again. She kept looking up at the screens to see the closer views of the boys. That only brought pain to her heart to see them, especially Inuyasha. But… 'He looks so happy…' Inuyasha looked the same, only thing Kagome could see how he aged throughout the three years. His looks were more masculine now and she could see his body had grown as well. Kagome felt flushed all of a sudden. 'Oh no… not this… uh…' She reprimanded herself for thinking about Inuyasha's body. Her body was tuned to his, and she still found herself wanting him. But she could never have him, so Kagome knew that she had to keep her feelings in check. She listened to all of their songs with a keen ear. All of the boys sang their own songs, and though she didn't know why, because she wasn't in their lives to understand where the inspiration of the song was coming from, she knew that every song had a special meaning. Kagome smiled as she nodded her head to Inuyasha's voice. The three boys then sang together and ended the song.

The crowd screamed and their voices were louder than the band now that no instruments were playing. Inuyasha chuckled into the microphone, making the girls scream out his name at the handsome voice. Inuyasha looked out at all of the people, taking in the crowd that they had tonight.

"Wow. Thank you, all of you, who came out tonight and are here right now at our concert." The crowd screamed as Koga began to play a soft tune to give Inuyasha some music. Inuyasha looked down in front of the stage, spotting Kikyo quickly. She smiled up at him as he smiled down at her. "I want to play this last song before we call it a night." The crowd began to moan their disagreement and Inuyasha walked around the stage while looking up at the crowd. "I know you don't want to go. But hey…" he said, stopping to place his free hand on his hip. "It's about a thousand dollars a minute if we go over the time limit." The crowd laughed as Inuyasha smiled, his face seen on the huge plasma screens. Inuyasha smirked and waved his hand, placing it on his guitar that hung in front of him on his neck. "So… as our last song… I'm dedicating this to my fiancé, Kikyo Higurashi." The crowd went wild at the dedication. Inuyasha looked down at Kikyo. The camera changed views to get a closer shot of Inuyasha's face. His eyes showed his love as he looked down at Kikyo, though the camera couldn't include her face. Inuyasha smiled lovingly at Kikyo, watching as Kikyo looked up at him with the same love in her eyes.

"This song is called 'My Girl'." The crowd went wild, knowing the song, and with good reasons. Inuyasha smirked at the loudness of the crowd as he broke eye contact with Kikyo and looked up at the rows of people. "This song has been number one on the Top Hits List longer than 'Let Me Be The One'. It's obviously the best I've written so far." Inuyasha looked back down at Kikyo, watching her as he spoke to the crowd. "I got the inspiration from Kikyo. She was the reason why I wrote this song." Inuyasha placed the microphone to his side as he nodded, allowing Koga to start the beat to the song. Inuyasha watched Kikyo until Miroku started his part. He smiled and then turned around, looking around at the crowd so that everyone could have a good view of him as he sang to them.

Inuyasha placed the microphone back on its stand and began to play his guitar. His fingers played with the chords as the tune of the song made the crowd cheer for the number one hit. Inuyasha smiled as he brought his face closer to the microphone.

"Looking in your deep brown eyes

They shine with a beautiful light

You have shown me how to love again

My baby"

Kagome listened to Inuyasha's words as he sang into the microphone with such feeling, and the crowd sang along with him.

"I will be there for you

And anytime you want my love

Just let me know my girl

And I will be there to give you love"

The crowd cheered as Inuyasha went into the next chorus. Kagome watched the plasma screens above, watching Inuyasha's face as the camera remained on him the whole time he sang with the boys' voices echoing his own. She frowned, listening to his words.

"Beautifully mysterious

My heart has been broken once before

So heal me and love me

Let me know you'll always be there for me"

Kagome scrunched up her face in pain. 'He's talking about me…'

"Cuz I will be there for you

And anytime you want my love

Just let me know my girl

And I will be there to give you love"

Miroku and Koga then played their parts, overpowering Inuyasha's guitar as he kept strumming to the beat. The two boys both tried to out power the other as the cameras turned to zoom in on them. Kagome looked down at the stage, staring at Inuyasha's back as if she could see his face. But he was facing away from her, looking at her sister instead. Kagome looked down at the aisle that remained empty.

The music then softened until only Inuyasha's guitar could be heard strumming and the drums and the keyboard faded away. Inuyasha's voice floated into the stadium, his voice deep and beautiful.

"I'm not the kind of guy

That'll bring you flowers everyday

I'm not the kind of guy

That'll tell you I love you in many fancy ways

But my girl I gotta tell you this

I love you, I want you

I love you, I want you

I think I proved myself to be worthy of your love"

The strumming ended on a low note, vibrating within the quiet stadium as everyone ended with Inuyasha. After a few seconds, the stadium filled with screams once again as the crowd cheered for the wonderful ending of the concert. The cheers were deafening, but Inuyasha never took his eyes off Kikyo. He smiled as he watched her smile at him and began to clap with the audience. All he knew was that Kikyo was happy and proud of him, and he was happy. He then turned around to look at Koga and Miroku, seeing the two smile and nod at him for a good show. The three then looked up at all the rows and began to wave, only emphasizing that the show was over. Some people were already getting up and leaving before the crowd left and it became a mad house just to leave the parking lot.

As the crowd kept cheering, Kagome got up and waited for the security guard to unhook the rope. She quickly made her way up the stairs, not looking back. There was nothing for her back there. All she had was the future, and she was going to spend it happily. 'I can do whatever I want to do now…' she thought, trying to strengthen herself as she was halfway up the stairs. Though she should have expected this, it was still painful to hear Inuyasha make a song of his love for Kikyo. But that wasn't what she was most pained in hearing. The inspiration he got to make the song was what hurt the most. 'I was the inspiration…' What she had done to him inspired him to write a song about his broken heart that she left for him, only for Kikyo to mend back together. Kagome took deep breaths. 'Not yet… Kagome. Not yet…' she chanted to herself as she finally met the glass doors.

Walking through them, the hall wasn't crowded since people were still inside, cheering for Mayonaka. 'Inuyasha…' Kagome placed one hand around her abdomen as she rushed towards the front door. Izayoi had told her to wait in the back for her, but she just wanted to get home. She was going to walk. It would also give her some time to think. Kagome broke out into the open air and took a deep breath to get sense back into her mind. She was breaking again, though she told herself that it wouldn't happen. But it was. She was supposed to be having fun tonight. Kagome walked on the sides of the velvet ropes that waited for people to walk down the red carpet. She paid no attention to anyone outside. The paparazzi remained by the front doors, waiting to pounce on all the rich and famous, especially Mayonaka. Kagome looked down as she thought about the band, unable to get them out of her mind. Inuyasha had definitely made a grand finale. It was stuck in her mind now, his words, his song.

"Excuse me! Ms! Ms!"

Kagome turned around when she felt a hand fall on her shoulder. She squinted her eyes and regretted turning around when a bright light shined in her face. She was momentarily shocked and taken aback as the camera's light shined bright in her face.

"Ms! You're Kagome Higurashi right?" The cameraman stuck the camera at Kagome's face, making her move back at his closeness. But the reporter kept advancing on her, being the insistent media that he was. "Amazing. I thought it was you. I saw you walking out of the stadium but I thought I was making things up. But it is you. It truly is you, Kagome Higurashi."

Kagome looked at the reporter, stunned and dazed. 'Oh no.' A reporter, doing a shoot on her. This was what she feared the most, and now that she was known, all of Japan would know as well.

"Please… tell me… what happened? How are you alive? How did you come back? I thought you died in that war three years ago…" Kagome stepped back, turning around to give the reporter her back. But he never backed down. He kept following her, the lights following her moves. The other reporters remained near the red carpet where they thought the real news was going to happen. But Kagome was thankful that only one was following her like this and pestering her. Maybe it'll be easier for her to escape. Her mind kept playing with ideas on how to deal with this situation. "Is it possible that you have come back to life to start over again? Ms. Higurashi? Please… how did you come back?"

Kagome huffed as she continued to head towards the sidewalk. She needed to get away from this reporter. Just then, he ran in front of her and stopped her in her tracks. The cameraman followed the man's move and the bright light blinded her again.

"Ms. Higurashi… please, give me a statement. Anything. Are you really Kagome Higurashi? The known High Priestess Kagome and the Shikon no Miko Kagome?" The microphone waited in front of Kagome as she looked at the reporter with an irritated look. She didn't look at the camera, but knew that it was futile now to try and run from what already caught her. Everyone knows now.

"I am Kagome Higurashi…" she said, and pushed the reporter aside. Thank goodness that shocked him because the cameraman didn't turn around and the reporter remained frozen in his spot. Kagome didn't look back as she ran towards the street and hit the sidewalks, passing by people and thankfully lost within the crowd of Tokyo. She slowed her pace a few blocks away and found a brick wall along the sidewalk. People passed by as Kagome went towards the wall and leaned back against the solid substance. 'Everyone knows now…' she thought terrified. It couldn't be helped. Although that was the worst thing that could have happened tonight, it did. Now, she just had to deal with what was coming for her. The people of Japan would know that she was back now. People would be flocking to her home for prayers and blessings or to just get a glimpse of the priestess who saved Japan. She was famous. She was well known. 'I'm screwed…' Kagome hit her head back against the stone wall, feeling the pain but not caring at all. She looked up at the starry sky, its light overpowered by the skyscrapers and buildings that were filled with lights. With a prayer to Buddha, Kagome found the strength to continue walking home, wishing that she was back in the comfort of the Naiku Shrine.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

"Tadaima!" Kagome closed the shoji behind her, ready to tell her family the inevitable. She felt terrible, already feeling the weight of having the world know that she was alive against her shoulders. Things were going to get worse. That she knew.

Kira came from the living room with a smile on her face. "Kagome! Welcome home, sweetheart." She walked closer, seeing Kagome's face. Her face then became worried as she wiped the smile from her face and showed her concern. "Kagome? What's wrong, honey?"

Kagome smiled with a heavy sigh. "I think you should get Souta. I need to tell you guys something." Kira turned her head slowly towards the stairs, and then her whole body. She went upstairs to get her son and the two walked downstairs to meet Kagome in the kitchen. Kira walked in first and saw her daughter sitting down at the kitchen table. Kagome had one hand on the table and her face resting on her palm. She looked exhausted as her figure slumped over on the table. The dress was still beautiful on her, but Kira could see Kagome's weariness in her body.

"Kagome… what happened?"

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

The sun shone brightly in the huge room. The king size bed remained on the side, next to the wall, as the sun shone from the opposite side of the room from the door. The curtains hadn't been pulled down, forgotten from the night before. A figure stirred first as the sun's rays poured onto her side of the bed, lighting her face with morning awareness. Kikyo moaned and scooted further back, deeper into Inuyasha's embrace.

Inuyasha took a deep breath and moaned, tightening his hold on Kikyo. He began to rouse as he snuggled his nose to the back of Kikyo's neck, hiding his face from the sunlight.

"Inu…," Kikyo said, smiling as she felt his breath tickle her neck. She placed her hand on his arm and squinted as she opened her eyes. "I need to use the bathroom." The two were entwined together on their huge bed. The dark blue comforter hid their bodies from the world. Kikyo tugged the comforter off their bodies, making Inuyasha moan at the loss of the warmth. She smiled. Inuyasha had his arm under her breast, over her growing belly. His right leg was over her left as her left leg remained out in front of her. Kikyo moved, feeling Inuyasha's arm slide away as she sat up. Her light green pajama dress was big to accommodate her stomach.

Inuyasha opened his eyes, growling at the sunlight. After a few seconds, he looked up at Kikyo, seeing her looking down at him with a smile. Her eyes held love, but they were also urgent. He smiled and sat up. "Sorry…" Kikyo smiled and shook her head.

"I don't mind. I would tell you to carry me there if I really had to go." Inuyasha smirked as he helped Kikyo off the bed and the two went into the bathroom. As Kikyo did her thing, Inuyasha went to the sink to start brushing his teeth. He washed his face and dried off before Kikyo was finished. After he helped her to the sink, Kikyo then began to get ready as he walked out and went into their bedroom. Inuyasha shuffled his way to their walk in closet and picked out a comfortable dress for Kikyo to wear while he changed into jeans pants and a black tank top. He came out of the closet to see Kikyo sitting on the bed already waiting for him.

"Hey sexy," Kikyo said, watching as Inuyasha walked towards her. She smiled as he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Like what you see?" he said, his voice teasing and childish. Kikyo giggled, remembering how they were when they first started dating. Inuyasha smiled as he threw Kikyo's dress on the bed next to her, forgetting about the whole thing. He went straight to Kikyo, bend down to meet eye contact with her and trapping her with his arms on both sides of her against the bed. Kikyo smiled as his face came right in front of hers, their breaths gracing each others' cheek.

"Kiss me," Kikyo said breathlessly. She felt her heart beating erratically as she smelt Inuyasha's musky scent from the closeness of their bodies. Inuyasha did as he was told, their lips locking together in a passionate kiss. Kikyo moaned as Inuyasha thrust his tongue into her mouth, pushing her back onto the bed. He straddled her so not to crush their child. But Kikyo wrapped her arms around his neck, her desire for his body overpowering her desire to be careful now. The smell of Inuyasha's body was intoxicating.

Kikyo moved her head to stop kissing Inuyasha. "Make love to me…" she whispered, her eyes looking up into Inuyasha's. His eyes were like molten gold. That's what she loved so much about Inuyasha. His unconditional love and desire for her, and her alone. Kikyo smiled as Inuyasha smiled at her, his eyes showing his lust. That alone, only by his eyes, made Kikyo wet, and she knew that Inuyasha could smell it. His ears tweaked on his head for a second, and then he was back on her mouth as she forgot all about breakfast.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Keisha hummed to herself as she flipped the pancakes over. The stove was being used efficiently. All four of the burners had a frying pan on it, while the other two stoves were left unused. Keisha hummed a tune as she checked the eggs in the other pan, the bacon in one and the Portuguese sausage in the other. She took out the cooked ones and placed it on their according plates waiting on the side. She sniffed and her stomach rumbled, the smell of the food making her mouth drool. 'I think I have to make more…'

"You should stay for breakfast."

Keisha jumped, thanking Buddha that she didn't have a hot frying pan in her hand. She turned around to see Inuyasha walking in towards the kitchen table. There was the counter of kitchen necessities against the wall, and the island remained between the huge kitchen table and the counter. There were stools on the other side so that people could sit down at watch whoever was cooking. But the island also held the two stoves that weren't in use and pots and pans hung above it.

"You shouldn't do that Inuyasha…" Kikyo said, walking in as Inuyasha hopped on a stool. She watched Inuyasha turn to look at her innocently, that look not matching his attire, which was his black tank top and jeans pants that he wore before taking it off and putting it back on again.

"What? I could hear her stomach growling." Inuyasha turned to Keisha, leaning his arms on the counter. "You're staying for breakfast."

Keisha giggled as she placed the cooked eggs on the plate. "I like how you demand it of me." She shook her head while turning off the stove for the eggs.

Inuyasha shrugged and sniffed. "This is my home. I can do whatever I like. And I want you to eat before you do anything else around here." Though Inuyasha seemed so rough, Keisha knew, from living with him, that he was really a nice guy underneath it all. Plus with his looks, it wouldn't be a shock if he had many girlfriends. Keisha smiled and placed the pancakes on the plate. She turned around and walked towards the island with the pancakes and eggs.

"So what do you guys have planned for today?" she asked, looking at Inuyasha. Kikyo had gone to the refrigerator to get her a cup of orange juice. Inuyasha looked over at Kikyo and shrugged as he looked back at Keisha.

"Kazuki wanted to go to the park. But I have to go see David first to see how much we made last night."

Keisha arched her eyebrow and leaned her weight on one elbow against the island. "I heard it sold out again." Inuyasha beamed at her, his chest puffing out.

"Of course. We always sold you baka," he said, his face in a smirk. Kikyo scolded him from the sink, making Keisha laugh at having someone on her side. Inuyasha just shrugged not looking at Kikyo. "After we left the stage people started to clear out of the stadium. I like Swan Lake…" he said with a nod.

Kikyo nodded her head in agreement as she came to sit by Inuyasha with a cup of orange juice in her hand. "I like it too. I like how it can hold a lot of people and it's very cool in there."

Inuyasha looked over at Kikyo, watching as she took a sip of her orange juice. "Not only that. But it's cool how the stadium goes underground and the rows are above the stage." Kikyo and Keisha nodded their heads in agreement. Keisha then left the couple to turn off the stoves for the bacon and the Portuguese sausage. She placed them on their plates and turned around to place it on the island. Grabbing a few plates from the cupboard, Keisha came back to the two and placed the plates down on the island.

"Do you want me to go wake up Kazuki?" she asked, looking at the two. Inuyasha shook his head as he got off his stool to stroll towards the living room.

"I'll wake him." Inuyasha walked into the living room and went towards the stairs that led to the second floor. One thing that he loved about this house was that it was made the same as his parents' house. He had told the architect that he wanted his house just like his parents'. So they had done the blueprints, copying that of his parents' house, and made Inuyasha and Kikyo's house the same. Though some of the furniture and colors were different, showing where Kikyo's taste and touches were, it was still the same layout. The only difference was that there was no third floor. He didn't want a library, and Kikyo didn't really want a library as well. So they only had a two story house for the three of them.

Inuyasha reached the top of the stairs and waked down the hallways. Pictures and paintings of him and Kikyo lined both sides of the wall. Pictures of Kazuki as a little baby and then growing up were also included. There were pictures of their family together, and then of his family and of Kikyo's family. Inuyasha smiled as he reached Kazuki's room, opening the door to be greeted by the twin size bed on the opposite side of the room. The curtains above the bed were pulled down as not to disturb the boy, but the two floor to ceiling windows were shinning with sunlight beaming through. The see-through curtains did nothing to help stop the sun from shinning in. Inuyasha walked into the light baby blue room. The paint on the walls was baby blue and the carpet was a rich sapphire. For some reason, Kazuki loved the color blue. But what he loved the most was the color of sapphire. Inuyasha smirked, a sad smile playing on his face as memories flooded his mind. 'Just like his mother…'

With a sigh, Inuyasha went to the side of the bed and sat down. Kazuki's face was all that showed from the blankets. His bed was another deep blue. The comforter was deep blue while the sheets were baby blue and his pillows. The headboard for the bed was the only thing that was brown against the blue because of its wooden structure. Inuyasha smiled down at his son, his heart filling with love at the sight of Kazuki sleeping. Sometimes, he loved to just sit on Kazuki's bed and watch his son sleep. It was a blessing to have such a wonderful treasure. Kazuki looked and acted like him, showing the resemblance at times. But when Kazuki slept, Inuyasha could see another side of Kazuki. The side that was hidden during the day from strangers. The side of his mother's. When Kazuki slept, he looked so comfortable and peaceful that he reminded Inuyasha of Kagome. 'So much like Kagome…' There were so many things about Kazuki that Inuyasha could match with Kagome, but most of the time he was like his father. Inuyasha shook his head and cleared his thoughts, thinking that the food downstairs was going to get cold if he kept staring at his son.

"Kazuki…" Inuyasha said, reaching down to brush back the child's hair from his cheek. Kazuki scrunched up his face, rousing from his sleep. Inuyasha smiled tenderly as the boy rolled onto his stomach and opened his eyes, showing the dreamy state they were in. "Good morning, son." Kazuki just moaned, or more like groaned out his hello. Inuyasha chuckled, pulling back the covers to reveal Kazuki's black kimono and hakamas that he slept with. The boy said that it was comfortable to sleep in, so Kazuki always went to bed with a hakama and kimono. Sometimes he wouldn't even want the kimono, so he would sleep with just the hakama.

"Breakfast already, daddy?" Kazuki asked, his ears tweaking on his head.

Inuyasha nodded, smiling down at Kazuki as he picked up the boy and let Kazuki rest his head on his shoulder. "Keisha just finished cooking." Kazuki moaned again, wrapping his legs on Inuyasha's left side while he held Kazuki up with his left hand. Inuyasha walked towards the door and headed back down towards the living room. "How's your ears, son?"

"Good…"

Inuyasha knew how hard it was for a pup to get used to the overwhelming noises in this world. His mother had taught Kikyo how to make the medicine to drown out the sounds of the world. It helped Kazuki when they went in town, especially when they were at Mayonaka's concert. Kazuki always complained things were too loud, and Kikyo always had the medicine with her. She would bring it with them wherever they went to help Kazuki with his hearing. Though Inuyasha doesn't use it anymore, he knows that it really helps with drowning out the overpowering sounds of Tokyo.

"Before we leave for the park, be sure to put some on." Kazuki nodded, his cheek moving against his father's shoulder. Inuyasha walked into the kitchen to see the two women still talking, but now they were at the kitchen table. Inuyasha walked over to Kikyo as she smiled up at him, looking at their son in his arms.

"He doesn't want to get up yet?" Kikyo guessed. Inuyasha smirked and shook his head. He went to Kikyo and placed Kazuki in her awaiting arms. Kazuki just moaned as he was brought into his mother's embrace.

"Okaa…" he said, snuggling into his mother's arms, trying to get comfortable with her growing belly. Kikyo giggled as Inuyasha sat down a seat away from her so that Kazuki could sit between them. She moved Kazuki to the empty seat and smiled as he began to rub his eyes while trying to get a good look at the food. Kazuki took in a deep breath and a toothy smile graced his face as he began to wake up faster now. "Pancakes!"

Kikyo giggled and grabbed a plate while Inuyasha grabbed the pancakes. They made Kazuki his plate and then Kazuki was able to eat. The adults then began to make their plates and soon were eating the delicious food that Keisha had cooked. Keisha sat across of the family so they could talk easier as they ate. Inuyasha talked about the concert last night as the girls listened to how exciting it must be to be on the stage with over a thousand people screaming out their name. The way Inuyasha described it was like a wonderful experience.

Keisha smiled as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Well… I'm gonna start cleaning the living room. Just leave the plates in the sink and I'll wash it later."

"Thank you, Keisha," Kikyo said, lucky to have Keisha as their maid. Keisha nodded with a smile and went to the sink to place her plates in. Though she didn't see Keisha as a maid, she knew that Keisha liked to clean things. Ever since they moved, Keisha had asked if she could clean Inuyasha's house as well. Of course Inuyasha didn't turn her down. Besides, it was a good two jobs for Keisha. Cleaning Inutaisho's house and Inuyasha's house would be two easy jobs, and it was something that she loved doing so it would be easier for her. Kikyo watched as Keisha left them in the kitchen.

Keisha smiled as she grabbed her equipment to help her clean the living room. Grabbing a vacuum from the closet, she walked back into the living room and began to tidy up the place. Humming to herself, Keisha smiled as she worked. She enjoys working for Inuyasha. He was a good guy and he treated her nicely, making her feel welcome and like family. Of course, Inutaisho makes her feel like a daughter to him. Though he is an Inu-Taiyoukai, he is the nicest and kindest she's ever met in her life. Her family has been their loyal servants for years so she was just continuing their legacy. But now it felt more like a family thing than an actual "job". She pushed the vacuum under the couch as she continued to vacuum in the living room. Keisha passed the television and grabbed the remote to turn on the television. The station that showed up was the news and she placed the remote back down on the television. Suddenly, her eyes widened and she gasped as she looked down at the TV.

"Inuyasha!" Keisha only had time to shut off the vacuum before Inuyasha was in the doorway, looking at Keisha with a shocked look.

"What?" Inuyasha said, worried as to why Keisha had called his name so frantically. He looked towards Keisha, taking in her appearance to see that she wasn't harmed but was glued to the television. Inuyasha looked towards the television as he took in the news report that started. His eyes widened as he saw Mayonaka's symbol but what was strange was the report. He walked slowly forward towards the couch, standing behind it with his eyes glued on the TV like Keisha.

"Mayonaka's concert was a success last night," the news woman said, her red lips up in a smile. "Mayonaka had sure come out with another success as their concert was sold out on the first day that the tickets came out. Mayonaka had brought life back to Tokyo." The woman smiled. "Literally… brought life back." The view then changed to the camera moving fast by the cameraman towards a figure in a red dress. "Last night after Mayonaka's concert, a reporter had caught the glimpse of the famous High Priestess Kagome Higurashi." Just as the woman said the name, the camera had stopped the fleeing woman and Kagome's face appeared.

Keisha gasped and Inuyasha nearly fell over, but his eyes were glued on the television. 'What the fuck?!' Inuyasha's eyes were wide with disbelief and shock as he stared at the TV as if it had evolved into another species. Kagome's face was right there, the camera zooming in on her features as a microphone was brought up to her face.

"I am Kagome Higurashi…"

Inuyasha felt his breath leave him as he heard those words fall off of the lips of the woman in the television. 'It can't be…' But it was. The woman looked just like Kagome, though more beautiful than he remembered. It was Kagome. Her beautiful chestnut eyes, the ones that he missed so much for three years, looked into the camera for a split second and then she darted away from the camera's view. The news reporter then came back on, but Inuyasha couldn't hear anything that she was saying. His mind kept replaying the image of Kagome's face, her figure dressed in that red dress. Suddenly, Inuyasha's phone rang, making Keisha and Inuyasha jump.

Kikyo was there to grab the phone from Inuyasha's waist, as she was standing right next to him. Though Inuyasha didn't know when she got in the living room, he knew that she saw the news report because of her dazed expression. 'It's true… Kikyo saw Kagome as well…' Inuyasha just couldn't believe what he was telling himself. That Kagome was alive. That Kagome was at the concert last night. That… 'Kagome's… alive!'

"Hello?" Kikyo asked, dazed as to what she just saw on the television. She walked around the couch to sit down, feeling her legs getting wobblier by the second. As she sat down, her body just slumped as she felt her body give up on her. Her strength had left her when she saw her sister's face on the television. Her mind had just blanked out and she felt like she was dreaming as she watched her sister talk into the camera and acknowledge that she was actually her sister. 'Kagome…'

"Kikyo?" Kikyo blinked as she heard Miroku's voice coming from the speaker. "Is Inuyasha there?" She noticed his frantic voice and her mind began to put things together as she stared at the carpet in front of her. The phone beeped, signaling that there was another call, but a part of her was still shocked as to the turn of events.

"Hello? Kikyo?" Miroku asked, now sounding worried. "You saw it… didn't you?" Kikyo didn't have to see Miroku to know that he had a worried look on his face. Her eyes were dazed as she stared at the floor and nodded her head, as if Miroku could see her. The beeping on the phone stopped, but Kikyo still hadn't said a word.

"Kikyo…" Miroku tried, his voice soft. He knew that Kikyo and Inuyasha must have seen the news by the way Kikyo was acting. Miroku took a deep breath and kept his voice as calm as he could though his mind was reeling and he was so confused. "Kikyo… is Inuyasha there? Can I talk to him?" He waited for a minute and then he heard Kikyo whisper to him an answer.

"Yeah…" Kikyo whispered. Looking up, Kikyo turned to see Inuyasha still standing right behind the couch, leaning on it with both hands for support. She could see his weakness now, just by the way Inuyasha leaned onto the couch like a lifeline. His eyes stared at the television in front of them, though Kikyo didn't know what was playing now. She really wasn't comprehending anything that was going on around her, but Inuyasha's actions worried her. "Inuyasha…" Kikyo called out, not even stirring the dazed hanyou. Kikyo moved around so she could face Inuyasha better. "Inuyasha." Kikyo noticed that Inuyasha didn't even seem like he was there right now. His mouth hung open like he was still shocked and couldn't believe anything that just happened, and his eyes were glazed over from being wide open for too long.

"Inuyasha!" Inuyasha blinked and shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He looked down to Kikyo, seeing that she was handing him his phone. 'My phone?' he wondered, wondering why Kikyo was giving him his phone when he had just saw Kagome on television. He reached down and grabbed it, placing the phone by his ear to resume staring at the television just in case Kagome came back on.

"Hello?" Inuyasha couldn't even tell if that was his voice that came out of his mouth because it didn't sound like his own.

"Inuyasha! Did you see Kagome?" Miroku asked, though he didn't have to. Inuyasha didn't sound like he was taking this news very well and the hanyou didn't sound like he was himself. But he was frantic to know what the hell just happened. It was obvious that the news report was true. Obvious that they didn't make it up because they had all seen the news report. Something was wrong and something happened. Miroku just wanted to know what the hell the news report was.

"Yeah…" Inuyasha said breathlessly as he held himself up with one arm on the couch. His legs felt numb but surprisingly he was still standing.

"Sango's on the phone with Koga. He said he tried calling you just now but I told him that you're on the phone with me." Miroku took a deep breath and sighed. "We're going over to the Higurashis to see Kagome. She has to be there." At the sound of Kagome's name, Inuyasha blinked and he looked down to Kikyo automatically. Though he felt a stir within him whenever he heard Kagome's name, he still felt loyal and devoted to Kikyo. 'This is wrong… what's going on?' He needed to get some answers. He was going with Miroku guys to find out what was behind this news broadcast and he was going to get some answers. Even if it meant meeting Kagome in person again and seeing her after all these years. That thought brought him such pleasure and his desire to see Kagome only intensified like nothing he's ever felt before. He turned away from Kikyo so that she wouldn't see him acting so strange. For a split second, Inuyasha pondered on whether or not he should see if Kagome was truly alive. But the sane part of him, the part that still loved Kagome who had left him, desired to see her again.

"I'm coming with you."

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

The incenses burned strongly, leaving behind a musky scent. The trail of smoke led up towards the roof of the shrine house like a slithering snake, darker towards the end where the incense burned. Kagome chanted to Buddha, asking him for protection and guidance. She had confessed her wrong to him and now asked that he help her through this time of need. Kagome's face was calm as her lips slightly moved, her hands clasped out in front of her chest. Buddha's statue remained high in front of Kagome's kneeling figure, watching down on her as she prayed. Suddenly, Kagome's chanting stopped and her eyes snapped open.

Quickly licking her fingers to extinguish the burning sticks, Kagome got up and left her mat and incenses where they were. 'Visitors…' she thought, preparing her mind and body for this difficult time. Early this morning her family had watched the news about Mayonaka's 'Bringing to Life' news report. Last night when she had told Souta and her mother, the two had been shocked but confessed to her that they secretly had a feeling that her identity was going to get out. Kagome closed the shoji as she walked down the shrine stairs. 'I can't blame them… I thought the same as well…' She knew deep down that her secret was going to get out at that concert last night. With so many people there, how could it not. Although she wasn't expecting the media to discover her first, it would have been the same as one person discovering her and then a crowd coming to see her in the end. Kagome took a deep breath, clearing her mind and her emotions for what was to come. She wasn't ready for this, for the whole world to know at once. But now that they did, she was in for a bit more than she would expect, that was for sure. 'After living with Inuyasha… I should know that the media has many surprises.'

The sun shone into the shrine house as Kagome opened the shoji. She could hear the birds chirping high on Goshinboku's branches. She looked around and noticed a small group of people already by her statue. Kagome steeled her nerves and brought out her patience and serenity, the side of her that she always tucked away when she remained in the real world. The side of her that was all peace and reserved, the side of her that was molded since she was a child. Kagome took a deep breath and walked down the shrine stairs, heading towards her statue. The group remained in a circle, talking amongst themselves as their hairs played with each other. Kagome watched their backs as she got closer, a smile gracing her face as she reached out her aura to the group. They immediately felt the change in the air around them and turned around to find the source. Their eyes flew open when they spotted the miko adorned in her red and white miko robes.

Kagome smiled at the shocked looks on the girls' faces. "Are you looking for peace?" Kagome watched as the girls, who all looked like young women in their early twenties or just out of high school, looked at each other, confused as to what to do. She waited, watching as the girls looked flabbergasted and one stuttered as she began to speak.

The girl bowed her head, keeping it angled towards the ground a bit as she kept her eyes on the ground. "My Lady… Y… You are alive?" Her voice quivered, though Kagome couldn't tell if it was from fear or shock. But Kagome nodded as she realized that the other girls began to follow and brought their heads down in a bow and their eyes looked towards the ground.

Kagome raised up her hand. "Please… I have no need for you to avert your gazes." Kagome then walked forward, making the girls move back immediately, huddling closer together as they stayed clear of her. Kagome walked towards her statue and got to her knees, resting on her heels as she got comfortable under the shades of the Goshinboku. Her aura wrapped around the shrine grounds like a blanket as she remained alert for other visitors that would come to see her. These girls were just the beginning. And she would have to be prepared for the crowd that would come to see her. Kagome looked up and smiled at the girls as they looked timidly down at her, feeling like they should be doing something. "Sit," she offered.

Immediately the girls feel to their knees at her command, their heads bowed slightly, allowing their hair to drape over their shoulders. Kagome smiled with a nod. "I will offer you my blessing. I will offer you a sense of peace if you grant me my own. I wish for you to leave me be after your peace is granted." The girls bowed their heads simultaneously, understanding her words. Kagome nodded and gave the girls her blessing while touching each of their foreheads. Once she was finished, a gentle breeze floated within the silence between them. Kagome watched as the girls looked to each other secretly. The girl who spoke to her then spoke for the group again.

"If… if I may ask?" Kagome nodded her head and the girl continued. "May we ask how you came back to life?" Kagome could hear the fear in the girl's voice this time. She was probably afraid of asking the question because it meant disrespect. And Kagome didn't feel disrespected, but she didn't feel like the girls should know. Or the rest of the world for that matter.

"No. You can leave now." Kagome turned her head, dismissing them from her sight. The girls quickly got up together and walked quickly to the stairs towards the road. Every other step they took, they kept looking back at the priestess who remained on her knees in front of her statue. Kagome Higurashi was alive. The High Priestess was alive, and her identity was known. That woman was a living God at that. The people of Japan would treat her with more respect than any royal person on the planet. The girls walked down the shrine stairs with a thought in mind as to boasting the fact that they got blessed by the High Priestess and saw her face.

Kagome sighed deeply as the girls left her sight. They were only a year or so younger than her, no more than right out of high school, and they had known who she was. It seemed like Japan's younger populations were becoming more informed on the sacred idols of their country. 'I guess this is going to be more of a challenge than I thought,' she thought with a smirk. Things were getting better and better.

The sun played against the ground as Kagome remained in her spot and another family came into the shrine to pay respects to her. The family was made up of a mother, a three year old son and a ten year old daughter. The mother had gotten to her knees first, scolding her children when they didn't follow her. Kagome then gave the family her blessings and the mother wept for the sorrow she felt from her husband's death. Kagome gave more blessings and prayers, giving the woman strength and courage for her children through this hard time. The woman was so thankful that she had kept her head bowed and her forehead touching the ground the whole time Kagome blessed her. The woman's tears stained the ground where she had remained above as she sat back up to wipe away her tears. Kagome had then excused the family as she wanted to be left alone. The mother nodded and told her children that they were leaving. However, the three year old boy had gotten to his feet and rushed to Kagome's side to place his palm on Kagome's cheek.

A series of events happened next. First, Kagome was shocked at the child's bravery and speed to rush to her and touch her cheek. But once the child laid his warm hand on her cheek, the mother screamed in pure panic and shame as she yanked her son back to her side. She only had time to pull him behind her body as she got back down to her knees and began to ask Kagome for her forgiveness. The woman began to offer Kagome anything that she wanted, that the woman would give her anything if she spared her son. Kagome looked past the woman as she continued to ask her for forgiveness. The boy looked so adorable that her heart throbbed painfully in her chest. His innocent face stared at her, his eyes wide with the knowledge that he had done something wrong but he didn't know what. This child was still oblivious to the customs and behaviors when in the company of holy people. The child probably didn't even know what a miko was. His eyes were so adorable that Kagome smiled and tilted her head to the side.

The woman finally stopped asking Kagome for forgiveness after giving a long list of offerings that she had for Kagome. But the woman received no answer. She looked up at Kagome in fear to see that the miko was smiling and looking behind her at her son. Kagome then told the woman that she was not offended and that the little boy didn't know any better. The woman was so grateful that she placed her forehead back against the ground and her hands on both sides of her head in deep respect. Kagome nodded and dismissed the family, watching as they too disappeared from her sight.

A few minutes later, her aura sparked with an aura that she knew too well. 'Inuyasha!' She couldn't miss it. It was Inuyasha's aura and he was here, coming up the shrine stairs. She also felt other auras with him, those of which she knew. 'Kikyo… Sango… Miroku… Koga… Ayame… Kazuki…' The memory of Inuyasha's son came back to her mind, flooding her with images of the boy's innocence and adorable features. He looked like the kindness that Inuyasha hid. There was something about him that reminded her of his mother, Kikyo. She could definitely see the resemblance in mother and child. But Kagome could also tell that the child was a hanyou instead of ¼ hanyou, which was another dilemma that she couldn't understand. But her thoughts were suddenly erased from her mind when her mother came out of the house. Kira had a huge smile on her face as she held a glass of water in her hand, walking towards Kagome.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Kira asked, looking down at Kagome's stunned face. She could see uncertainty in Kagome's eyes and knew that something was wrong. "Kagome?" Kira became worried and was about to fall to her knees when Kagome's head turned away from her and towards the entrance. Kira followed Kagome's gaze, her eyes looking at the empty top of the stairs. But her hand suddenly grasped the glass harder as she understood what Kagome's fear and uncertainty was within her beautiful chestnut eyes. 'Inuyasha…' The hanyou and his family were here. They were coming to see Kagome, and she wasn't going to run this time. Kagome couldn't run this time. Inuyasha was bound to see the news about Mayonaka and therefore stumble upon Kagome's appearance in the news camera on TV. Kira could only guess how Kikyo took it. With a deep breath, she turned towards the shrine stairs, standing a bit in front of Kagome but not blocking the girl's way. She was going to protect her daughter while also trying to get the two sisters to reunite in a happy reunion. But this first encounter would definitely stir some problems and questions from everyone. Kira only had time for one thought to fly into her mind before she saw Inuyasha and Kikyo making it above the stairs first with Kazuki right behind them.

Kagome felt her heart constrict painfully in her chest and she had to suppress the urge to show any emotion on her face. Her eyes watched as Inuyasha and Kikyo walked side by side towards her. She could tell they were looking at her for their faces were directed towards her and never once left her. Her beautiful sister was swollen with Inuyasha's child growing healthy in her belly. For some reason, this thought brought an undesirable feeling through her body. She envied Kikyo, thought that her sister shouldn't have been the one walking next to Inuyasha. Kikyo shouldn't be the one who was with Inuyasha's child, their second child at that. Kikyo shouldn't be the one who provided Inuyasha with a perfectly healthy child and another one on the way. Kagome knew that her thoughts were wrong but her feelings were strong and at that moment, she despised herself. As she sat under the Goshinboku waiting for the couple to reach her, she despised all of who she was. She despised that she was ever a miko and had lived her childhood locked away in a shrine house. She despised the fact that she couldn't provide Inuyasha with a child and a family that he wanted. But most of all, she despised herself for feeling such dislike and detest to Kikyo, her only sister. Kagome knew she was wrong and she tampered down her thoughts, allowing them not to encompass her and bring her to her tears that would flood her eyes for ever believing that her sister was wrong in all of this.

Kira looked past Inuyasha and Kikyo to see that Miroku and Sango were now making their way into the shrine grounds. She was shocked to see the couple here, but could understand why they all decided to come together. Kira's eyes widened even more when she saw Koga and Ayame coming up next. Everyone seemed shocked as well as they looked towards her and her daughter. But Kira didn't expect anything less from any of them. Her eyes then went back to Inuyasha and Kikyo who were now in closer range than she was ready for. Kira turned to look down at Kagome and saw how calm her daughter was. 'She has blocked herself off…' she thought, knowing how her daughter well.

With a smile, Kagome looked towards the little boy first. Kazuki stood behind his father's leg as Inuyasha and Kikyo stopped a few feet away from Kagome. Though she didn't look up at the adults, she remained looking down at the handsome boy. He seemed so innocent and cute hiding behind Inuyasha. His eyes peered around Inuyasha's leg and blinked, a small smile gracing his face.

"Well hello there, Kazuki," Kagome said. At once, it was as if everyone had gone into a shock. Kikyo had gasped and her knees gave out, making Inuyasha fall with her to catch her dead weight. But his eyes never once looked at Kikyo. Inuyasha stared at Kagome through shocked and bewildered eyes, eyes that were too wide for a masculine man like him. Eyes that showed so many emotions that once Kagome looked towards the couple who had fallen to their knees and locked her eyes with Inuyasha, she felt her barriers falling. Her heart was shattering again and her defenses were down. Kagome bit her bottom lip, finally showing a piece of emotion, and she ripped her gaze away from Inuyasha. For she was afraid that she had seen something within his deep, beautiful orbs. The color of honey gold that she once had drowned in through the heat of passion. She thought she saw within them… regret.

Kazuki came around to stand in front of his mother and father. "Otou? What happened?" he asked, his voice innocent as his eyes, so much as his father's, looked worriedly at his fallen mother.

Kagome looked up towards her mother, her eyes worried. "Mama… can you take Kazuki into the house? I think it'll be better if he doesn't stay around for this," she said, making her voice as soft as she could so that she didn't startle the young child. Kira nodded her head with a smile, agreeing with Kagome.

Kazuki turned around, looking at Kagome. He measured the way she sat on the ground, her legs tucked underneath her as she sat so still. He took a deep breath and the scent of the miko burned in his lungs, making him feel the same desirable need to run into this woman's arms. He turned back towards his mother to see her so weak and shocked on her knees, his father next to her. Something was happening, but he didn't understand any of it. Why was his father so shocked? Usually he would be helping his mother up and he would never let his mother fall down. But both of his parents had fell down and they didn't get back up. They just stared at the miko in front of him like she was the one who caused them to fall. Kazuki felt so confused as he stared at the miko in front of him, her appearance so beautiful though she showed no emotion at all. The sound of footsteps came closer behind him as he saw his grandmother move to pick him up. But Kazuki went willingly, still staring at the miko in front of his parents. The scent of her was getting weaker now and he found himself wanting to be enveloped in that scent again. But it was only the second time that he's met that woman, and he has come so needy of her. This brought a sense of helplessness and confusion that made Kazuki grasp his grandmother for protection. Kira tightened her hold on her grandson as she smiled at the two remaining couples who made their way behind Inuyasha and Kikyo and she walked towards her home.

The ground remained cool under the shades of the Goshinboku as the wind continued to blow, not enough to be furious at the guests but enough to give everyone a warning. The Goshinboku towered overhead, leaving darkness on the guests bellow. But the Goshinboku could feel the change in the aura that became more shocked and violent now, the electrical static of the two opposing feelings from both parties causing a stir in the wind. But no one dared to speak in fear of breaking the silence and the memorable moment that seemed like a dream. For a legendary priestess sat under her statue, as solid and as still as her statue. The woman looked exactly the same though the three years that she was dead was shown in her new appearance of a grown woman. The couples tried hard to keep it together while memories flooded their minds. Memories of smiling faces and laughing times intruded all of their thoughts, all including this one woman sitting in front of them.

With a soft movement of her hand, Kagome gestured for Miroku, Sango, Koga and Ayame to sit down. "Come." That one word she said made the four to jerk in their stands. Though they didn't fall to their knees like Inuyasha and Kikyo, it was obvious that they were also deeply affected from her rebirth. Kagome looked towards Inuyasha and Kikyo, blocking out her feelings and only thinking about what she had to do. Inuyasha held onto Kikyo's shoulder and arm, trying to support most of her weight as she leaned into Inuyasha. But his focus was solely on her. She could feel his eyes boring into her soul, her very being, and it was uncomfortable. She should have felt happy, relieved, maybe even aroused from his heating look. But she wasn't. It wasn't a heating look of arousal but that of deep confusion and shock. They all felt total shock and she could feel it as they emitted large waves of shock that her aura tried to calm and suppress.

It was going to be hard to try and talk with them, for they also would have many questions for her, but she would also try to fight her own questions for them. Kagome took a deep breath as the four sat down next to Inuyasha, all of them in a semi circle in front of her. She tried to smile, but knew that it was in vain. She felt happy to be with her friends again, old friends. She felt happy to see them again, to know that they were alive and so was she and they could laugh and smile together again like the old, happy memories they once had. But that's all that they had. Memories. Nothing more. And her thoughts of the future with her old friends was just a fleeting dream that she knew wasn't right. Everyone had moved on and she felt sad. But with that also came regret. Just like what she saw in Inuyasha. 'This is not going how I thought it would go…'

The silence stretched on until a branch from the Goshinboku creaked in protest from the wind. Kagome blinked, tearing her gaze from her sister and Inuyasha. She had to say what she needed to before she lost her strength and her barriers would fall to make her vulnerable to pain again. Pain that she felt when she had first seen Inuyasha and Kikyo together with a child already and one on the way.

"I came back about three weeks ago," Kagome said, her voice soft and firm as she tried to explain to the shocked bodies how she was alive to answer their questions in their eyes. She kept her gaze moving from face to face, taking in their new, grown appearances. "My mother, Midoriko, had asked the Fates to give me another chance. The Fates had agreed after much debate and my mother had given me the news that I would be able to come back." Kagome felt the breeze grace her face, giving her a tingling sensation as her nerves wracked her body. Her old friends stayed still and silent as their faces continued to ask her questions, questioning her existence right in front of their faces.

Kagome smiled and turned her head away from them, looking towards a shrine house to keep her occupied from seeing into their hearts. "When I came back, I told my mother that I didn't want anyone to find out that I was back. So I stayed here the whole time." Kagome paused, unsure of what else to say. She didn't want to give too much away but she didn't want to make them wait for an answer. So she remained silent, waiting for a reaction from them. They all looked at her as if lost in some kind of fantasy, torn between keeping their sanity and going insane.

The time passed between the two sides and by the time Kagome knew it, there was a crowd of guests behind her old friends in front of her. People were bowed on their knees, staring at her as if they were looking at a God. Kagome was shocked to see how much people had come to see her in such short amount of time. But what happened next was what shocked her the most and made her nervous and afraid. A few camera crews came to the top of the stairs, entering the shrine grounds and pointing their microphones her way as they found their target, her. Kagome's eyes widened and she quickly thought of a way to leave. The media was a bad way of getting noticed and she wanted nothing to do with them. They would pester her to no end. It would be the breaking news for days on how the legendary High Priestess Kagome Higurashi was back to life from some unknown miracle. Kagome felt her heart skip a beat and she resolved to leave. Her eyes went back down to the people in front of her.

"If you must know more, I will be here. All you have to do is come and I will give you the answers that you seek," Kagome said to her old friends. They all remained staring at her, unknown to the media getting closer by every second. Quickly getting to her feet, she noticed that the crowd behind her old friends had brought their foreheads to ground. She didn't have time to thank them but turned and left, quickly walking towards her house. But the media caught the retreat and detoured to the entrance into her home.

Kagome gasped when she realized that the media were following her and would get to her home before she reached there. She started to think of plans to get out of this situation, but the media was gaining on her escape route and she had no where else to go. Kagome knew that she should have felt trapped, terrified, but she felt helpless. The media would bombard her with questions and she didn't know if she had the answers to all of their questions. All she knew was that she wasn't ready for the whole world to know about her rebirth, nor did she have the will to tell the world about her rebirth. It was all too soon, too sudden, and it was too overwhelming for her.

The media all tensed as Kagome tried to beat them to the door where they waited. She finally came up to them and all of a sudden cameras started flashing and voices started yelling at the priestess as they walked towards her to meet her fleeing figure. Kagome's eyes were wide with panic as the media came towards her and she stopped, the microphones pushed in her face to get her answer. Questions flew all around her and she couldn't pick up on one of the questions. Her head kept jerking to all of the different people who called her name, wanting her attention and pushing the other reporters just to obtain her remark. Kagome didn't know how she was going to get out of it, but if she was, she would have to do it soon. They were starting to get pushy now and she was running out of ideas to escape as they continued to crowd in on her. Kagome opened her mouth to speak and there was another rush of questions that flew at her. Her breath left her body in a rush, taken aback by the new pushiness that the reporters showed. Some even was so close that they fell into her, pushing her back. Kagome took a few steps back and decided to turn around and run from them. Just as she did, Kagome turned around to see a very angry hanyou.

'Inuyasha…' Up close, Inuyasha looked so handsome and beautiful that he stole the breath right out of her lungs. Kagome stared up at his face, etched with cruelty and danger as he looked above her. But Kagome didn't care if he was giving the reporters a scary look. She was entranced by his masculinity, his big body that was poised a few inches from her own. He was all power and beauty, so close that she could touch him. But she was forever forbidden to touch Inuyasha. Kagome frowned and turned her head towards the ground as Inuyasha's rage unfolded.

"Kagome doesn't have anything to say right now!" Inuyasha said, trying his hardest to be nice to the media. He placed his hand on Kagome's shoulder, pushing aside the jitters that he got when he touched her. He couldn't pay attention to her now. He had the media to take care of because they were getting on his nerves by the way they treated Kagome. Inuyasha couldn't watch no more as the media had threatened Kagome's escape and then began to trap her. He couldn't leave Kagome helpless and lost. That's what she looked like to him. And Buddha damn him but he felt that deep need to do something and protect Kagome.

"Move!" Inuyasha urged Kagome towards the shrine stairs, feeling the reporters right on his heels. Every hair on his neck rose, feeling that deep desire to protect what was his. 'Woah! Where did that come from?' Inuyasha turned around, making sure that the reporters were not close enough to Kagome and then continued to push her towards the stairs. He shielded her body with his, at the same time bringing out his phone to call Dai. It only took him two seconds and Dai said he would be there in one minute. Inuyasha knew that it would only take them that long to get down the shrine stairs but he didn't want Kagome to be a part of this anymore. The reporters were still yelling at the top of their lungs at Kagome, trying to get anything from the priestess. Inuyasha felt a deadly growl come out of his chest.

Something was wrong with him. They were already taking the stairs down and the reporters followed. But Kagome was safe in front of him, not saying a word. But her aura was filled with confusion and he knew it was directed at him. Even he was confused as to what he was doing. He didn't know why he had gotten so mad when the reporters had cornered Kagome and bombarded her with questions. He didn't know why he had gotten so furious when the reporters continue to pursue Kagome. All he knew was that his whole body, everything he was, screamed at him to protect Kagome. And his demon was telling him to protect what was his.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

The limo was in sight and she knew her feet were moving on their own but she couldn't help it. A hanyou was pushing her towards the awaiting limo at the bottom of the stairs. She had no power over him. He was stronger than her, could break her and force his will on her if he wanted to and she could do nothing.

Or at least, that's what Kagome told herself. As Inuyasha opened the door for her and she half got in while half getting pushed, she told herself that she was getting into the limo because she was being forced. As she turned to watched Inuyasha get in and slam the door as the reporters came rushing at the limo, she told herself that she was stuck in this limo with the man she was trying to avoid because she was forced into this situation. As the limo began to drive and leave the screaming paparazzi behind, she told herself that she was only with the person that she had come back for because she was being forced to be here. She was being forced into this world, into this position, in this limo next to the person she'd longed to be with.

Kagome turned her face, staring out the window next to her as she heard Inuyasha dial on his cell phone. He remained next to the door, a huge space between the two. It was going to be an awkward drive that was for sure. Though she wasn't nervous, her heart was beating frantically. The close proximity that they were in only made it worse. Inuyasha's aura was like a punch in her gut. It reminded her of the past, of what they shared together, and it killed her as much as it brought her peace and a sense of love. Kagome smiled with a chuckle, mocking herself. 'Love…' She had given that up for them. She had given it up as easily as she had taken it and now it was only coming back to bite her in the ass and then laugh in her face.

Inuyasha's voice could be heard as he spoke softly to Kikyo. Kagome didn't dare look towards Inuyasha. She didn't know why he had saved her from the paparazzi and she didn't know why his body had screamed with possession when he had appeared behind her when the paparazzi were cornering her. All she knew was that she was stuck in this limo with the last person on Earth she wanted to be with, and that was more than enough to keep her busy for the whole trip to wherever he was taking her.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

The sound of running footsteps could be heard as the rustling of the trees tried to cover the sounds. The wind howled with anticipation, unaware of the feelings from the prey. The man ran, his bare feet digging into the soft Earth under him. He dared not look back, in fear of seeing the creature with the golden eyes and fangs like a demon. The vision was so clear in his mind that the man let out a whimper and pushed forward faster, trying to get to human civilization before the creature caught him. The wind around him rustled the leaves and branches so that he couldn't hear any footsteps behind him. Whatever he saw was definitely not a human. It was a demon. A demon that wanted to kill him and so the man ran. But he didn't know how long he had been running. His breath was coming out in big huffs and his lungs were starting to burn, signaling that he was getting tired. But his feet didn't hurt, for he continued to think about safety and reaching his destination before something happened.

All of a sudden, a dark figure dropped out of the trees right in front of him. The man gasped and let out a scream, skidding to a halt and falling back against his butt. He gulped, staring up at the huge, dark silhouette of the demon that he had encountered in these woods. All he could see was darkness, since the moon was hidden and the trees gave even more darkness. The dark shape moved closer, the rustling of the grass making the man's nerves jitter and his heart skipped a beat. He scurried back, as fast as he could with his arms and feet, still looking up at the dark silhouette. The demon didn't budge, just continued to walk towards him slowly.

The man gazed up at the dark silhouette with terrified eyes. His heart leapt in his chest and small whimpers came out of his throat. Then, the darkness revealed golden eyes that opened to look down at him with great intention. The man let out a scream and then the sound of broken bones could be heard before the scream only echoed in the now quiet forest.


This chapter was a bit of a flaw for me. I didn't know how much I wanted to give away and how much I wanted to leave unknown for you. But in the end, this is what I have agreed with. So I hope you liked this. I was glad that it was longer than the other two, which is how I usually prefer to write my chapters. The next one I'm hoping to draw on some emotions so come prepared for the next one. :)

-Kaleialohalani