Author's Note: Wow! Look I'm back so soon! :) I'm so proud of myself.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha...


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Chapter 6: Meet Raige; Meet Kagome

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Time must have been moving slowly or it must have stopped altogether, for the days have gone and blended in together to become one long journey through life. Time was not the problem here, though. No, it was not time that was tormenting the lost souls. It was not time that countered faith in this matter. It was death and evil. For time was trying to slow down for the souls who needed more time, for the souls who needed to live just a few moments more for the essence of their High Priestess.

People were dying here and there as the monks and priestesses could do nothing but lessen their pain to the eternal sleep and guide their spirits to Buddha. Some of the wounded monks and priestesses could not be saved as they had lost too much blood or had deep internal injuries. No one blamed her, though. No one thought little of her when she had let so many die because of her inability to heal faster. No, no one thought she was weak.

Kagome let the sobs escape her as she walked out into the sunlight of the day. Her whole body shook with her pain, her legs were too numb to carry her anywhere but she found herself moving. Her name was called a few times but she couldn't hear anything behind her as she went towards… anything else but what lay behind her. Kagome couldn't feel her feet move, she couldn't feel her body shaking with the cries that came out of her mouth. Her eyes were flooding with tears that streamed their way down her cheeks that she couldn't feel. Suddenly, Kagome collapsed, hitting the pavement with her dead weight.

The monks cried her name as they ran towards her, calling each other for more help. Monk Kiyoshi was the first to reach Kagome, swooping her into his arms as he went to his knees. He cradled Kagome close to his chest, feeling the quick rise and fall of her own. He glanced into her eyes to see weariness and pain. Monk Kiyoshi flinched and turned to his Brothers as they all came to help her.

"My Lady…" Monk Nobu said, holding Monk Kenshin's arm through the quick actions they took. His face was in deep concentration as, though he couldn't see her pain, he could feel it through her aura. Kagome's aura radiated with sadness, pain and exhaustion. "She must get some sleep."

Kagome shook her head but wondered if it was really moving against Monk Kiyoshi. "No," she said, closing her eyes against the rays of the sun that nearly blinded her.

"Kagome…" Monk Kiyoshi said, holding her tighter as a priestess brought water for her. "You must rest. You have done enough now."

"No…" she said, trying to shake her head again. "There is more to be done. There is much more to be done…"

Monk Kiyoshi looked up at his Brothers with a worried look. For three days Kagome has been healing the wounded. For three whole days Kagome hasn't gotten any sleep whatsoever, determined to heal every single soul in the Ise Shrine. They watched as Kagome healed one person after the other, only taking breaks to eat because they continued to insist and force her to. Monk Kiyoshi looked down at Kagome within his arms and saw how broken she was. There were dark spots under her eyes and she was as pale as he's ever seen her. Her body was cold, shivering in his arms and wracking with sobs. She was tired, that he could see from a mile away. She was probably delusional from the lack of sleep and the loss of lives around her. But most of all, he knew that Kagome was hurting. She was hurting not because of her weariness, but because of her inability to save every single soul in the Ise Shrine.

"Kagome… you tried. Do not blame yourself for not being able to save everyone," he said tenderly as Monk Minoru took the offered cup from the priestess. The Brothers all nodded their heads but Kagome shook hers, her eyes still closed against the rays of the light.

"No… I should have been able to save them. I should have been able to heal everyone." Kagome felt her heart in pain again. She wasn't able to save everyone. As she was healing one person, somewhere in the shrine another one died. The shrine house she had just left was the last of the wounded, the last of those who tried to hang on for her. Because they believed in her, that she could heal them, and so they waited for her. They remained in their bodies, wracked with pain and blood because they trusted her to heal their spirit and flesh. But she hadn't reached them all. She hadn't been fast enough to heal everyone so that another wouldn't die waiting. Kagome swallowed past the lump in her throat, her exhaustion driving her insane, and with the lack of sleep she has gotten she was losing her sanity.

Monk Kiyoshi took the cup from Monk Minoru's hand and placed it against her lips. Though Kagome fought for a bit, she gave up. "Drink," he said, and the water flowed into Kagome's mouth. "You need to sleep. You are in no condition to do anything." He took the cup away and gave it back to Monk Minoru. "Go to sleep Kagome. We will begin on rebuilding the shrine."

Kagome shook her head, her eyelids closing against her permission. "No… I need to help you guys." But she couldn't seem to open her eyes and the darkness was all she saw.

"You have healed so many, Kagome," Monk Kenshin said, his eyes filled with worry and concern as he watched Kagome fight her sleep. "So many of the wounded are alive because of you…"

"And so many has died because of me…"

"No." Monk Arata said, his voice stern and powerful when he was such a quiet and reserved person.

Kagome's head turned to the sound of Monk Arata's voice. Though he rarely spoke, when he did, everyone listened intently at the sound of his voice and wisdom he contained.

Monk Minoru nodded as he looked at his Brother who kept his head down, not wanting to speak anymore. "So many died because of Raige." He looked towards his Priestess and a smile broke on his face. "Do not blame yourself for what he has done. Everyone is thankful for what you have done, My Lady. Now… it is time for you to think about yourself and get some much needed rest."

Kagome sighed, listening to her Brothers all agree. Though she felt the total opposite, Kagome just resigned. She couldn't fight her Brothers like this. She couldn't even open her eyes to glare at them. So she gave up fighting and went right into her mother's arms.

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"Damn!" Inuyasha said, slamming his phone against the table.

Kikyo jumped at his side while Miroku and Sango across from them jumped as well. "Dammit Inuyasha," Miroku said, feeling the table vibrate with the force of the impact. He quickly looked around to see that some of the guests were looking at them from the commotion. Miroku just nodded his head with a small smile and they began to shake their heads and look away. He looked up to the counter to see Ary glancing at their booth. He gave her an apologetic look and then looked back at his best friend with a glare. "What the hell?"

"Kagome's not picking up her phone," Inuyasha said through gritted teeth. He knew he was squeezing his phone and it could break any second, but he didn't care. "This is the third day that she hasn't called ever since she left for Ise." His eyes glared holes into the table while the others looked at him with worry.

Kikyo placed her hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. "Don't worry, Inu… I'm quite sure my sister is safe." She watched as Inuyasha didn't answer her and knew that he was deep in his thoughts. He was so worried about her sister that sometimes he would tune her out when he was captured by his thoughts for Kagome. Kikyo sighed and took her hand back. "My sister is strong… she can take care of herself."

Inuyasha turned to look at Kikyo and nearly glared at her for saying that. Sango noticed his new anger and her eyes widened, opening her mouth to stop him.

"Wh… why don't we leave?" she proposed, trying to think of something else to talk about. "Get some fresh air, hmm?" she asked, looking at Inuyasha with worry. She hoped that he wouldn't make another seen in the Café but knowing Inuyasha, he didn't care what anyone thought of him. After a few tense moments, Inuyasha nodded his head with a sigh.

"Fine," he said harshly. Miroku got out of the booth and went to Kikyo to help her get out. Sango then scooted out with Inuyasha. The four of them walked out of Café 100 and began to walk down the sidewalk that was not as crowded during this time of day.

Kikyo held onto Inuyasha's arm and tried to comfort him. "Let's go to the shrine…" she said, hoping to ease his worries. "Maybe my mother has heard from Kagome." Inuyasha nodded his head and she had to smile up at him. Kikyo kept to herself about his feelings for her sister. Though it pained her to see how much Inuyasha was worried about Kagome, there was really nothing she could do about it. Miroku and Sango agreed to go with them so they all walked to the shrine.

"Are you sure you should be walking, Kikyo?" Sango asked next to Miroku's side. She squeezed Miroku's hand, expressing her worry to him as the two of them looked at her.

Kikyo just waved them off with her free hand. "I need the walk. I've been cooped up in the house for so long that I forgot what walking was like." The others laughed and continued to head for the Higurashi shrine.

The shrine stairs came into view and they all ascended, stopping every so often so Kikyo could catch her breath. Inuyasha then turned his attention to Kikyo as all thoughts about Kagome ran out of him. He was worried about her now, making Kikyo smile at the attention she was given. Her man was back again. Though he was pestering her about carrying her, Kikyo just shook him off and continued to head up the stairs, listening to his grumbling about her stubbornness. It was good to have her fiancé back.

At the top, they made their way to the house and knocked on the door. Kira answered after a few moments, surprised with a smile on her face at the visitors.

"Oh. Well hello," Kira said, looking at the four who stood outside her home. She gestured for them to come in and everyone headed to the living room. After they all took their seats, Kira offered them anything to drink or eat which they declined.

"We just came from the Café," Miroku said with a thankful smile. Kira smiled back and nodded her head, going to sit on a recliner near the fireplace across from everyone. She looked at Inuyasha and Kikyo sitting on the couch and then at Sango and Miroku right next to them.

"Is everything okay?" she asked after the few quiet minutes, wondering why they had come to visit.

Sango sighed, and nudged her head towards Inuyasha. "Inuyasha tried to get in contact with Kagome but she hasn't been picking up her phone for the past three days."

"We were wondering if Kagome had contacted you, mother," Kikyo said, watching her mother's expression go slack. Kikyo frowned, seeing her mother's worry as well.

Kira shook her head, her eyes going to the floor as she thought about her daughter. "No. Kagome hasn't called. I tried calling the Ise Shrine but no one picked up." She sighed and looked up at the others across from her. "I know that whatever happened was something bad, but I haven't heard anything from her."

Kikyo could see and hear her mother's worry, and so she too became worried. Of course something had happened, but she just hoped that nothing happened to her sister. The others were deep in their thoughts as well as they avoided each other's gazes. After a few minutes, Sango sighed and looked up.

"Why don't we go to Inutaisho's house?" she offered, wanting everyone to cheer up. Sango looked towards Inuyasha. "Is that okay, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha nodded his head, thinking that he needed to clear his mind. "Sure." Maybe if they all got together and talked about something else then they could get things off their mind. Kira nodded her head and stood up.

"Okay…" she said, taking her apron off and heading into the kitchen. The others got up as well and Kikyo took out her phone as Miroku and Sango went towards the door.

"I'm going to call Keisha," Kikyo said, taking her phone out and already dialing her home. Inuyasha remained by her side and nodded his head. He looked up as Kira came into the living room to grab her purse and checked herself. He smiled at her and she urged them to the door. The two followed and Kikyo began talking into the phone as they all walked out of the house. Inuyasha placed his hand around Kikyo's waist as they descended the stairs.

Closing her cell phone, Kikyo looked up at Inuyasha. "Dai's coming here first, he said. Then, we'll pick up Kazuki and head to your parents' house." Inuyasha nodded his head with a smile and they all walked down the shrine stairs to wait for Dai.

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Blinking her eyes, Kagome opened to see the light that penetrated through the clouds above. She smiled, feeling the grass tickle her cheeks and the flowers that sprouted on the side of her face. She took a deep breath, drawing in the wonderful fragrance of grass and flowers, releasing the breath with a long sigh.

"Kagome…"

Turning her head, Kagome looked to the side to see her mother lying down next to her with purple violets around her. Kagome smiled in welcome, smiling at the pain that she couldn't feel anymore. "Mother…" she said, her voice with gratitude and love.

Midoriko smiled, now only wearing a white kimono with white stitching of flowers along the chest. Kagome wore the same thing. Midoriko looked at her daughter, taking in the serene appearance she held now when she had seen Kagome so weary and in pain. "You did a wonderful job, Kagome," she congratulated.

Kagome then frowned, being remembered about what had happened. She turned to look up at the rainbow that formed, not being able to bring a smile to her face. "I didn't do enough."

Midoriko chuckled softly and turned to look up at the rainbow as well. "Now why do you say that?"

"Because I didn't save everyone…" Kagome said, her voice soft and quiet. She didn't want to admit it so brashly. It pained her to know that lives were lost around her while she was healing only one life.

"Well… you can't heal everyone in this world," Midoriko said, her mind being patient. She knew Kagome's thoughts and knew how she felt. She had been with Kagome while she was healing the wounded and she had been with Kagome through the hardship of healing. She had seen what Kagome saw, felt what Kagome felt and understood it all. "You can't expect time to stop for you so that you could heal everyone who was dying."

Kagome shook her head, pressing her lips together. "But this is different. The monks and priestesses were hurt because of me. Because Raige had come for me and vented out his rage against them. I should have been there for them…"

"But you wasn't," Midoriko said, finishing her sentence.

Kagome chuckled. "Yeah. I wasn't. I should have been able to heal everyone who had gotten hurt because of me…"

"But you couldn't," Midoriko said, again finishing her sentence. Kagome turned to look at her mother with a glare.

"What's your point?" Midoriko asked, her eyes still up at the rainbow as Kagome glared at her. She could feel her daughter's anger but she didn't care. She would tell Kagome what she thought about Kagome's inability to heal everyone. Her daughter was such a strong-minded person that she truly believed she could do whatever she set her mind to. Sometimes the impossible was what she worked towards.

"My point," Kagome said, getting up and placing one hand down to lean on as she stared at her mother, "is that I should have been able to heal everyone, mother." She watched as her mother didn't move and so she continued, wanting her mother to understand. "I should have been able to heal everyone because they had gotten hurt over me. Is that not enough to feel guilty for?"

Midoriko then turned her eyes to look at her daughter and smiled with a shake of her head. "No." Midoriko got up, sitting on her butt while bringing her knees to her chest. She rested her arms on the top of her knees and looked ahead at the falling water. "Kagome… you blame yourself for what was out of your control. You believe that you can save the whole world…"

Kagome chuckled and turned from her mother. "I thought that was why I was made," she said sarcastically.

Midoriko turned to glare at her daughter. "No." Kagome arched her eyebrows, not believing her mother, but remained quiet as she stared at the waterfall. Midoriko sighed heavily and turned to look back at the falling water. "The Fates had allowed you to be reborn because they knew what Kano had hidden from the world." This drew Kagome's attention and she looked towards her mother with wonder and interest. "The Fates had seen Kano create a demon. With the help of his most trusted demon lords, Kano had created a demon inside of an egg. They kept the egg in secret within the underground chambers on Hokkaido Island." Midoriko watched the water fall and heard Kagome change her seating position. "When the egg hatched, the demon that emerged was an Inu-demon." Kagome nodded her head, putting pieces together, though her mother didn't look at her. She watched the waterfall with her mother, listening about what had happened and what backed up her theories.

"The baby was then placed away in Mizuko's holding. Mizuko was a water seer and she could create different worlds through a water portal. Here, she sent the demon, Raige, to spend three years into a world by himself. But within the world he was sent in, he grew old faster than just the three years that he was locked away in." Midoriko nodded her head to herself, remembering the words of the Fates. "Raige grew to be three hundred years old."

Kagome gawked as she looked at her mother, stunned. Midoriko turned to nod at her, answering the question in her mind. Kagome turned to look back at the waterfall, shocked at how fast the demon had grown and what was now in her hands.

"It seems like Mizuko had made the mirror to work in a speed of one hundred years within the water portal whereas the real world only went by for one year. The Fates were indeed worried and shocked at what had been done and therefore began to plan on the better action to take." Midoriko watched Kagome who continued to look at the waterfall. She frowned, knowing that she should have told Kagome sooner but didn't have the heart to break her daughter's dreams. "The Fates sent you back to destroy the demon." Kagome nodded her head, knowing the answer already and Midoriko turned to look at the ground. "The Fates had seen the demon coming back and wanted to bring you back to destroy him. When they told me this, I was happy for you because you would be able to go back to the living. I saw how unhappy you were here with me," she said, her eyes sad as she looked at the ground. "I knew that I couldn't make you happy here. And the Fates provided another option… so I took it. Even though it meant that you would have to fight again, I knew that it would be better than you remaining here with me." Midoriko sighed softly to herself. She knew that her daughter would have been unhappy here, though she always smiled and tried to be happy, for her. But Kagome was never happy here. Kagome wanted to be with Inuyasha, and Midoriko understood. At least now Kagome was alive to fulfill that desire within her. At least now Kagome was alive to be with her family and friends and she could be happy. That was all Midoriko asked for when she took the Fates' offer.

Kagome turned to look at her mother, reading her mother's thoughts and feeling bad for being mad at her mother. "Mother…" she said, drawing her mother's eyes towards her own. "I don't blame you for what you did. I'm thankful that I was sent back, and you're right. I am happy now that I'm with my family and friends," she said with a genuine smile. Midoriko smiled back and Kagome felt right. She threw away her thoughts of being angry at the Fates and at her mother because now that she was back, she realized she had something to fight for. Again. "Even though I'm a bit… disappointed…" she said with a frown. Kagome turned to look at the waterfall. "I'm glad the Fates sent me back. It's obvious that this demon is powerful and whatever he did within that water portal has made him to be a very powerful Inu-demon. And it seems like I'm the only one who can stop him," she said, now believing that it was a good idea that the Fates had brought her back. Kagome sighed, feeling trapped and confused.

Midoriko tilted her head with a smile on her face. "Kagome… I know what you thought the Fates did was wrong. But… you really are the only hope anyone has." Midoriko watched as Kagome turned towards her with a look that begged her to continue, to give her hope. "You were made to become the High Priestess, and you were made to protect. But you were also given a gift." Midoriko smiled as Kagome looked at her with confusion and skepticism. "You were given a heart, Kagome. A huge heart…" she said with a loving smile. "And with that… you were able to obtain many friends who love you, your family who loves you and so many ordinary people in Japan who respect and adore you. You were given a chance to live this life with the huge heart that you have." Midoriko turned back to look at the waterfall, remembering about the task ahead of Kagome.

"But I am going to tell you this. It's not going to be easy. This demon, Raige, is powerful. I believe," she said, her eyes sorrowful as she looked at the pond where water fell and rippled, "that Raige could even be stronger than Kano."

Kagome sighed heavily, keeping her eyes straight ahead with a blank expression. She had a new task. Yes, she had a meaning in life now and she had to live for it. Kagome felt a bit weary already just listening about Raige, but inwardly she was trying to prepare herself for defeating him. If Raige was indeed powerful and strong, stronger than Kano, then she would have to train even harder to match him. Kano had taken all that she had three years ago, and more. With the help of the jewel she had defeated him. If it wasn't for the jewel then she would have lost.

"I can't beat him without the Shikon no Tama…" she said, rubbing the soft fabric of her dress against her calf. She sat on her side with her legs to the right of her. Kagome kept her eyes forward as she nodded her head. "I wasn't able to beat Kano without the jewel. I'm going to have to use it again."

Midoriko closed her eyes for a second, taking in a deep breath that cleared her thoughts and filled her lungs. She knew what Kagome meant. If the jewel was needed, she would have to extract it from her heart where it was buried in. Midoriko shook her head, a frown on her face. "The Fates said nothing about you using the jewel."

"It doesn't matter," Kagome said, not caring if the Fates had said she would die again. It was inevitable that she would. "I was born to protect and I am only strong because of the sacred jewel within me. If it wasn't for the jewel I would be an ordinary priestess."

"No, that's where you are wrong," Midoriko said with a smile on her face, though she knew she should have been mad at her daughter for thinking that. "You are powerful in your own right, in your own abilities. The people you healed today weren't healed by the jewel, Kagome," she said turning to look at her daughter. She could feel Kagome's hopelessness starting to sink in as she told herself that she was weak. "The jewel had nothing to do with the fact that you had saved so many lives. It was your power, your will and determination that allowed you to heal them." Kagome frowned and looked at the flowers at her feet.

"And I'm so proud of you," Midoriko said with so much love in her voice. Kagome slowly turned to look at her and a smile lit her face. Midoriko smiled back, watching the glow emitting off her daughter's smile. "Now get some rest. You deserve it." Kagome nodded her head and leaned towards her mother, going to her mother's lap as she felt Midoriko switch her seating. At once Kagome was hit with fatigue from the three days she had been healing. Her eyes closed and her breathing became even to the strokes of her mother's hands on her hair.

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The Five Monks ordered monks and priestesses as they carried on with the rebuilding of the Ise Shrine. Monk Kiyoshi stopped his pounding of nails and glanced up at the bright sun. He shielded his eyes and sighed, sweat leaking down his cheeks as the heat waves hit him full force. Monk Kiyoshi wiped the sweat off his brow and looked ahead at the monks rebuilding the archway into the Naiku Shrine. He smiled as he watched two monks climb on ladders on each side of the archway while others passed them nails and wood. The priestesses were busy with cooking, bringing food and water to the men and tending to the garden. Monk Kiyoshi shook his head with a smile and grabbed his hammer.

The sound of pounding was loud within the shrine grounds as everyone helped to rebuild the destroyed. Monk Kiyoshi thought about the past four days that had come and gone so quickly as if it was all a blur that never happened. That demon, Raige, was definitely strong. He remembered fighting that demon with his Brothers as they tried to stop him from entering Kagome's shrine house. He could still picture the smirk on the demon's face as he entertained himself with them. One thing was for sure about that demon, he was powerful and evil. The look in Raige's eyes was one of pure evil and his demonic aura was full of evil that suffocated him. He remembered what it was like to touch that demon's aura, as if a million of spiders were crawling under his skin and biting him from the inside out. Monk Kiyoshi shook his head, getting rid of the thought and images in his mind.

He sighed, grabbing another nail to resume pounding again. They have had many visitors and frantic people wondering what had happened to the shrine. There were crowds that would gather at the gates of the Ise Shrine, shocked and horrified at the destruction of the entrance of the shrine. So, he had ordered a handful of monks to stay at the entrance to the Ise Shrine and stop people from entering or gathering. Monk Kiyoshi didn't want the media on this matter. It was a matter for the shrine, not the media. The first archway they finished was the entrance into Ise Shrine so that no more people would flock in horror. But as visitors came for blessings, they were stopped and turned away by the monks.

"Brother?"

Monk Kiyoshi turned around, forgetting about his hammer and nail, as he quickly got up. "Kagome! What are you doing up?" he asked, going over to her to see if she was in any condition to walk around.

Kagome smiled at him with a nod. "I'm fine, my Brother." She looked over him with a frown and concern in her eyes. "You haven't been sleeping," she said with worry. She looked at her Brother and saw that he was wearing a different kimono instead of his usual one. He wore the same kimono as the others which meant that his kimono was washing or in repair. Kagome frowned. She could see the wrinkles on her Brother's face, see the weariness in his eyes. His true age was appearing underneath all his hiding. "I want you to go rest."

Monk Kiyoshi smiled and shook his head. "I am not tired. You should be resting. You were only asleep for one day."

"That's all I needed. My mother was with me and helped to heal me," Kagome said, placing one hand on his cheek with love. "I want you to get some rest. You have been pushing yourself too hard, old man," she said with a giggle.

Monk Kiyoshi's eyes widened and he moved back, stunned at Kagome's choice of words. "Old man?" he asked, watching as she began to laugh, her laughter floating within the shrine grounds. Everyone nearby stopped what they were doing and turned to watch Kagome laugh for them, making their hearts lighter. Monk Kiyoshi smiled and giggled. "Okay… okay. I'll give in this time." Monk Kiyoshi placed his arms within the sleeves of his kimono and gave her a firm look. "But if I go… you must order my other Brothers as well," he bargained.

Kagome quit her laughter, nodding her head as she looked at him trying to calm down. "Yes, I will." She smiled at her Brother and watched as he bid his farewell and walked towards the inner shrines to his shrine house. Kagome shook her head after him and turned to find her other Brothers. After Kagome ordered her Brothers to take a nap, she went to the Geku Shrine to check on the monks and priestesses. The walk to the Geku Shrine was what she needed to clear her mind of all the racing thoughts and duties she had. The wind caressed her face ever so softly as it dared to blow again, making the hanging leaves and branches of the Willow tress sway in the soft breeze. The sweet smell of the trees and the forest comforted her nerves and soul. The streams below her trickled with water and the pebbles clashed with one another again in their game. Kagome smiled to herself, feeling the comfort that the forest offered her.

Reaching the Geku Shrine, Kagome smiled and said her blessings to all the monks and priestesses. Everyone stopped whatever they were doing and gathered around her to bow at her feet. Kagome gave everyone her blessing and wished them well as they thanked her for her what she has given them, another chance at life. Everyone was so thankful that she had healed them that they wept as they kept their head down. Kagome took a few minutes to tell everyone to take care and to continue working hard, and so they did. She walked towards the bridges connecting to the entrance of the Ise Shrine and saw monks standing guard. She scrunched her eyebrows together, wondering what this was all about.

"Monks?" Kagome called as she gotten to the last step of the bridge. The monks all turned around and their eyes all widened together as they all took in a sharp gasp. At once they fell to their knees, placing their heads against the ground and began to thank her. Kagome smiled sheepishly and looked around to make sure no one was nearby to witness this. "Thank you…" she said, nodding her head to everyone as they continued with their prayers and thanks. Kagome rushed forward and everyone quieted as she came closer to them. "Now… rise to your feet." Everyone did so, keeping their heads down so not to look into her eyes. Kagome felt relieved, nervous that someone was going to walk by and notice what was happening.

"Why do you stand here?" she asked, looking at each forehead of the monks dressed in the same brownish-orange robe as every other monk in the shrine grounds, even her Brothers.

"My Lady…" the monk right in front of her said. "We were told by Monk Kiyoshi to remain here to stop anyone from entering."

Kagome blinked and smiled to herself. 'Of course…' she thought, wondering why she hadn't thought about the word that would spread over Japan if everyone found out what happened to the most holiest shrine in all of Japan. She nodded her head. "Then you may carry on. I must leave for a bit to make a phone call. But I shall be back soon." Everyone nodded their heads and made a way for Kagome to pass. She left the Ise Shrine, heading for the nearest telephone she could find.

Walking down the quiet streets of Ise was comforting rather than the busy streets of Tokyo. It was such a big difference. Then, she just remembered her motorbike and was surprised she didn't see it at the entrance. 'Uh-oh… now I have to find it. If not… I have to pay Inuyasha back,' she thought, wondering where her bike could have gone. Kagome sighed and continued forward through the brick roads with food vendors on either side. Japanese merchants were selling their goods on the sides of the roads in Ise, where they still had a chance for profit. Kagome smiled at everyone and only a few had noticed her. Even though she was dressed in a deep purple kimono, people still noticed her face because she was known now and there were statues made of her. And when they did, and fell to their knees, people walking by noticed and, so deep in knowing their traditions, fell to their knees as well. Kagome was stopped so many times when she had to give her blessings those who fell to their knees. 'Why is this such a tradition?' she wondered as the last couple got up and nodded their thanks, keeping their eyes avoided, and left. 'I need to tell my mother to take this damn tradition away,' she thought. Kagome finally found a payphone and took out the loose change she brought with her.

The first ring came on and Kagome looked around her to make sure that she met no eye contact with anyone. She faced the stone wall in front of her and waited as another ring came on. Then, she heard a very gruff voice.

"Hello?"

She smiled, hearing Inuyasha's irritated voice. 'He must be wondering who's calling him,' she thought with a giggle. "Inuyasha…"

"Kagome?!" Inuyasha yelled into the phone, making Kagome flinch and yank the phone away from her ear.

"Inuyasha! Don't yell," she said into the receiver angrily, hearing a buzzing sound now in her ear.

"Kagome! It's Kagome!"

There were some shouts in the background but she couldn't make out any words. "Who's that?" she asked, wondering where he was.

"It's everyone. We're all at my parents' house. Why didn't you call before? Did you get my calls?" he asked frantically, his voice filled with worry and concern. Kagome frowned but inwardly she smiled.

"I'm sorry for worrying you guys but I couldn't get to a phone. I was too busy." A bicyclist rode by, ringing his loud bell.

"Who's that? Kagome, where are you? Are you still in Ise?"

Kagome nodded. "Yeah. Listen Inuyasha… I need to tell you something." The other end was silent and she could picture him giving her his full attention, his ears flattened in submission. Kagome smiled just thinking about it. "Something bad happened to the Ise Shrine. Was there anything on the news about it?"

"No," Inuyasha said. She heard him take the phone away from his mouth as he talked to the others and heard many voices. 'Who's there?' she wondered, hearing a lot of people. Inuyasha then came back on the line. "There wasn't anything on TV. Why? What happened? Are you okay? Should I come get you?"

Kagome shook her head. "No… no. I'm fine." Inuyasha sighed and she continued. "It's just… Inu… the Ise Shrine was attacked." There was a silence as Kagome composed herself, wishing that he was here to hold her. She still felt the heavy weight of the shrine on her shoulders.

"Kagome…" Inuyasha said softly, "do you want me to come? I'll come and help you."

Kagome smiled and closed his eyes, taking in the sincerity of his voice. "No. It's just… that's why I haven't been able to contact you guys." Kagome then told Inuyasha about what happened at the shrine over these past four days. Inuyasha listened and every once in a while interrupted with angry shouts for what happened and the pain and suffering she had to go through. But she didn't reveal too much to him. Knowing Inuyasha, he had too much to deal with and didn't need her emotions to burden him even more. Kagome sighed, getting the explanation out. "Right now we're repairing the shrine so I won't be coming back for a while. Can you tell my mother?" she asked, hoping he didn't get mad.

Inuyasha was silent for a bit and she wondered if he had heard her. "Yeah," he finally said. "She's right here so I'll tell her." Kagome nodded her head and smiled.

"Thanks, Inu."

"No problem." Kagome frowned, hearing the sadness in his soft voice. She wondered who was there and what they were doing. They were probably watching him and wondering what she was saying. That was probably why he was speaking softly whenever she heard his emotions come out. Kagome sighed.

"Well… I need to get going. I'll call you when I can. I promise."

"Okay…" Inuyasha said, not wanting to hang up the phone.

"Bye, Inu."

Inuyasha closed his eyes, taking in the sound of her voice, praying that she'll be safe. "Bye, Kagome." He remained on the line until he heard the click of the receiver and the phone went dead. He sighed, closing his phone and placed it in his pocket. Inuyasha turned around and looked at his family. Everyone was here. Koga and Ayame had come when they heard Izayoi had wanted to make a barbeque since they were all over the house. Sesshomaru, Inutaisho and Rin had come from work and were in the living room with everyone. Souta came after his baseball practice now that the afternoon was over and the sun began to reach for the horizon. He had to tell them about what happened as everyone looked at him with expectant looks, waiting for him to start. But he took a moment to think about Kagome and what she was going through. He wanted to be there with her. He wanted to help her out, knowing the things she had to do that would tire her. He didn't know what was going on, but she told him that a demon called Raige was on the loose and had attacked the shrine. Now, they were rebuilding it and burying the bodies. Kagome would have so much to do. He knew she wouldn't be coming back for some time and wondered if he should just go to see her and make sure that she was okay.

"Inuyasha!" Koga called, wondering why the hanyou was silent. He opened his hands wide and jerked his head to emphasize his curiosity. "So… what happened?"

Inuyasha sighed and told everyone.

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

Five days went by and the Ise Shrine was now rebuilt. With everyone fixing up the broken shrine houses by using the wood from the trees they cut down in the woods, the shrine was rebuilt quickly. One thing that was special about the Ise Shrine is that it was always rebuilt every twenty years. Most of the shrines in the Geku and Naiku were rebuilt, but the most sacred were kept untouched. Since the monks and priestesses were used to rebuilding the shrine, they knew how to work quickly and efficiently with the wood of the forest. And though the furnishings and paint for the shrine walls still needed to be done, no one worried about it. It was time to mourn the dead. Kagome ordered everyone to mourn for three days. One day was dedicated to citing prayers in the Garden of Naiku, which had been replanted with trees from the forest and seedlings of flowers and bushels. The garden was bare compared to the lush greenery and color it once held, but they were certain that it would soon thrive with nature again. The next day was dedicated to praying to the statue of Buddha in the clearing of the Naiku Shrine, and cleansing of the body would be done three times that day. While the last day was for feeding the dead and guiding them on their journey to the afterlife with food and offerings. Kagome was certain that everyone wouldn't protest because they would want their fallen brothers and sisters to have a proper burial. Though theirs were different, Kagome wanted their souls to rest when they had died so valiantly.

So the three days were spent as such and Kagome found that time was passing by before her eyes. She was weary of the days of prayer in the garden and in front of Buddha's statue, but she would endure. The fallen deserved it. After the three days were over, everyone began to detail the shrine again. Though things were fixed, basically, they still had to be designed and detailed to how they were before. Furniture and mats would have to be made and brought into the shrine houses. Things would have to be remade that were once in the shrine house.

Kagome walked into the inner shrines of the Naiku and went to the two story house to the side of the Naiku. She walked down the gray stoned pathway with pillars engraved with scriptures all around the stone. The atmosphere changed as she continued towards the stairs of the shrine house. There was one place in the Naiku Shrine that was hidden from demons and humans, and protected with many barriers. Kagome felt each barrier as she passed through them, walking down the pathway as she was shadowed by the shadow of the pillars she passed. The barriers didn't harm her, but instead welcomed her and let her pass through. She ascended the stairs and passed the last barrier, listening to the sound of the wood creaking beneath her feet.

The shoji doors were closed, hiding what was behind them. Kagome placed both hands on both doors and pushed them open, being greeted by the incenses that were lined along the walls. The room glowed with the sun's rays that poured through the windows along the walls of the shrine house. It was fairly big, the room's length long as the treasures remained at the other end. The stairs to the second floor remained to her right, a long sheet of cream lay covering the stairs from view. Kagome took in the smells around her and closed her eyes. She opened them to look at the treasures at the end of the room, seeing for herself what they were to protect within the Ise Shrine. Being the High Priestess comes with duties. But her utmost duty was to protect the Ise Shrine, which she has obviously failed. Kagome frowned, but her eyes remained on the three artifacts at the end of the room that was glowed by the sun.

High on pedestals, with three windows side by side that shone the sun's rays onto each pedestal, Kagome smiled at the three Imperial Regalia that the Ise Shrine contains, and she protects, the High Priestess. Taking a glance at each item, one of them being her Kusanagi, Kagome took a moment to look over all of the treasures. Movement caught her eye and she turned towards the stairs to see a priestess pushing back the curtain as she came down the stairs. At once she looked up and her eyes widened.

The priestess fell to the floor with her hands out in front of her. "My Lady…"

Kagome smiled and nodded her head. "May Buddha bless you as I have blessed you, my child." The priestess said her thanks for Kagome's blessing and Kagome turned towards the door. "You may rise and continue your work." She heard shuffling as the priestess got up and Kagome walked out of the doors, descending the stairs. The sounds of the wood creaking were followed as the priestess went to close the shoji doors and Kagome walked back onto the stone pathway.

Monk Kiyoshi sighed as he went to sit on a rock. "Good job, Brothers," he called as his four Brothers walked towards him. Everyone nodded their heads and smiled at each other.

"Where's Kagome?" Monk Kenshin asked as he looked down at his eldest. One by one they went to their butts to sit down for a break.

"She said she was going to check on the Imperial Regalia." The others nodded their head with acknowledgement and they went back to looking at the monks and priestesses moving about. Some were carrying furniture and long rolls of mats to be cut up and placed in the shrine houses. Some carried more objects used in each shrine house like vases, candlesticks and statues of Buddha. Kagome had instructed the Five Monks to use the gifts she received as offerings, telling them to try and use everything else before the golden gifts, and buy what they needed for the shrine. Some of the offerings and money used from the Ise Shrine was used as well and now all of the things needed were purchased and waiting to be placed in their spots around the shrine.

Kagome walked towards her Brothers, looking around the shrine grounds as they remained in the opening with Buddha's statue. Pillars guided the pathways that led to other places in the Naiku as the Garden of Naiku remained at the other end. Kagome's eyes saddened as she looked at the once beautiful garden. "How are you, my Brothers?" she asked coming to stand next to them with her hands clasped in front of her.

"We are well, My Lady…" Monk Minoru said, his hazel eyes soft as he gazed up at her. She smiled, looking at her other Brothers and nodded. Kagome looked up and gazed out at the other shrines that were rebuilt. The wood used was the same as the shrines that remained in tact so the new shrines blended in. She nodded her head and sighed.

"My Brothers… I must leave today. My family is worried about me and wishes for me to return." The Monks looked at each other with a knowing look, already figuring that she had to go back. Kagome has been here for about nine days already. It was in the middle of a new week already and the families would be worried. Monk Kiyoshi, however, was surprised that Inuyasha hadn't come to see Kagome. But he knew one reason why he wouldn't come for Kagome. "I told them to wait until the shrine is rebuilt and then I will return." Kagome turned to look down at her Brothers with a smile on her face. "I'm proud of everyone for rebuilding the shrine so quickly. Now I can return home. But… I will be on my guard and so that means you will call me when you feel a demonic aura nearby. You will call me when anything threatens this shrine right away. Understood?"

The Brothers nodded their heads and rose to walk Kagome out of the shrine. "Of course, Kagome…" Monk Kiyoshi said as he walked next to Kagome and the four Brothers behind them. "We shall call you if we really need you."

"No…" Kagome said turning to look at her Brother with a sharp look. "You will call me when you need me anytime, not when you 'really' need me," she emphasized, and Monk Kiyoshi nodded with an amusing smile. Kagome sighed with a smile and turned her head to look over the bridges at all the trees that surrounded them. The six of them walked over the bridges into the Geku Shrine, noticing the huge improvements it made over this past week. The shrine was rebuilt and now just needed touch ups, but the gardens within the shrines would take the longest. Now, all they could do was pray to the plants for life. The six then left the last bridge and was at the shrine house at the entrance of the Ise Shrine. A few monks were in there to keep watch at the entrance and Kagome nodded at them when they averted their eyes but didn't fall to their knees since they were in the shrine house. The Brothers showed Kagome where they kept her sports bike.

"Oh…" Kagome said as she followed Monk Kenshin to retrieve her bike behind the shrine house. "I was wondering what happened to it. I thought I would have to pay Inuyasha back," she said with a smile. Monk Kenshin laughed and walked her to the entrance with the motorbike between them. Lucky for her she wore the same clothes she came with, the blue shirt and jeans pants that went above her knees so it'll be comfortable to ride again. The Brothers lined up behind her and she placed the stand of the bike down so she could hug her Brothers.

"Take care, my Brothers," she said as she left Monk Kenshin and went into Monk Nobu's embrace. "And don't work too hard… all of you. Leave it to the young and able-bodies."

Monk Minoru snickered as Kagome left his embrace to hug Monk Arata. "Able-bodies? We are not able-bodies?" His Brothers chuckled with him at her humor.

"No, you are not," Kagome said as she entered Monk Kiyoshi's arms. "I've seen all of your ages this long week," she said, moving back to talk to all of her Brothers. "Don't push yourselves. I don't want to lose any of you." The Brothers just smiled at her heavy concern and nodded their heads to agree with her so she could feel safe leaving them. Kagome smiled and nodded her head, turning around to place her helmet on. "Farewell, my Brothers." Kagome got onto her bike as she heard her Brothers' farewell.

"Farewell, My Lady…" they all said, watching as Kagome jump started the bike with efficiency and fluency. Kagome then got comfortable and waved before she left the Ise Shrine. The Brothers watched in fascination at the new technology that Japan was creating these days. They all turned around and went back into the shrines, having a new sight to greet them now.

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

Kagome smiled, bringing her bike to a stop and leaned on one leg to look up at the shrine stairs on the side of her. She turned off the bike and took her helmet off, her hair spilling in waves around her as she shook it out. Kagome sighed with a smile and placed the helmet on the steering wheel. 'Well… it's back home and back to work…' she thought with a smirk. She was glad to be back, and she could see Kazuki and Inuyasha soon. Walking up the stairs, Kagome pulled out her phone from her jeans pocket and began to find Inuyasha's number. But as she got halfway up the shrine stairs, the hairs on the back of her neck rose and Kagome suddenly stopped. At once, her aura tingled and she flared it out, having being disturbed by something. And then, Kagome felt it. Her eyes widened out of disbelief and at once anger flooded her being. Her eyes looked up towards the end of the stairs and she quickly ran towards the top, thinking to herself about her family's safety. 'He's here… I can feel him… Raige…' Her whole mind was rimmed with excitement of having to fight Raige at last, having to meet him and see for herself the type of demon she was dealing with. Anger from what he had done caused her to attack his demonic aura with her own as she placed her phone back in her pocket.

Kagome got to the top of the stairs and suddenly a blur charged at her. At once, he was in her face, but all Kagome saw was a silver blur and then a real body in front of her. She didn't have time to take him in as she gasped and threw out her aura, making the demon move back to avoid the attack. Kagome drew in deep breaths as the demon moved towards her again, his movement quick but her eyes following him. She moved as well, wanting to get away from the stairs for her advantage. Kagome stopped in the middle of the shrine and turned to face the demonic blur that followed. There was a chuckle on the wind, making Kagome smile at the demon that finally showed his form.

"I think I have found you, Kagome…" Kagome tilted her head up and watched as the rays of the sun brightened the silver locks of the Inu-demon, Raige. She took in his appearance, his body as tall as the Takahashis and built with muscles. He wore a dark blue t-shirt that showed off his whole upper body nicely. He wore black pants that was loose but fitting and black boots. Kagome kept her focus on his eyes, which were a rich, melting blue. She was shocked to see such beautiful eyes on this demon. His face was perfect and smooth with the purple marks of the Inu-Taiyoukai on his cheeks. But his mouth was in a smirk, sinfully sexy. Kagome pressed her lips together and took in this demon's appearance. 'He looks just like the Takahashis…' she thought, watching the way Raige's eyes danced on her. He seemed amused, yet pleased, as to what he saw. "My name is Raige."

Smiling at him, Kagome tilted her head to the side. "I know what your name is."

Raige arched his eyebrow and smirked, one fang exposed to her eyes. He liked this woman. The aura she emitted was pure power and yet she seemed so fragile. Something about her was… mesmerizing. "You do? And yet, I am quite sure that I have never met you before."

Kagome glanced at him with a fierce look, keeping her aura to herself in case she needed to defend herself. Raige's voice was dark and deep, nothing like the "childish" ways that she had envisioned when her Brothers had explained to her about him. For some reason, he seemed like a child yet an adult. "Do you remember the Ise Shrine?"

Raige nodded his head, moving to the side. At once, Kagome shifted with him fluidly and he watched her beautiful body move with his. "Yes. If I recall, I visited there about a week ago. I was looking for you… Kagome…" he said, drawing out her name with a purr. Kagome arched her eyebrow but followed his movement, wanting to stay across from him but keeping a good distance between them. "I followed your scent there."

Kagome's eyes widened. 'My scent?' she thought with shock, wondering where he had gotten her scent from. Raige caught her momentary distraction and took advantage. Kagome pressed her lips together as she caught his movement but was a bit too late to figure out where he was going. At once Raige was right in her face, his smile illuminating his face with triumph. Kagome gasped and was going to through out a spell when he caught her outstretched arm and used his speed to pin her against a shrine house. Kagome flinched at the sudden impact of the wood and she heard the wood split behind her. Her eyes flared up at him, but something made her stop from using her aura to push him away. The look in Raige's eyes had stopped her from thinking.

Raige smiled at Kagome, pinning her body with his as he pushed against her. He heard her gasp at the contact of their bodies but she didn't do anything to push him away. "I like your scent…" he said, his body shaking with the intensity of taking in her smell. Raige closed his eyes and moved his head to her neck, feeling her body stiffening against him. He smiled and felt his eyes roll back in his head as he took a deep breath of her luscious scent. "I've never…" he said upon releasing his breath, hitting her sensitive skin of her neck and making her shiver, "smelt anything like your scent before."

Kagome blinked back her blurry vision as she looked up at the branches of Goshinboku. 'What am I doing?' she thought, wondering why she was standing here within this demon's arms and letting him smell her. 'Why am I not moving?' she asked herself, feeling Raige's hard body against hers. 'Why can't I move?' she wondered, feeling vulnerable with her hand pinned above her head and Raige's head against her neck. She shivered as his breath graced her sensitive skin and she heard his growl, her eyes widening. At once she felt his hard-on against her thigh and she gasped.

Raige felt the air around him still for a second and then Kagome's aura charged with electricity, crackling against his. He flew back with such force that he had to turn in mid-air to stop from being flown into the nearest shrine house. Raige looked up at Kagome and smirked, his entire being feeling alive and… needy. "Your scent is something I've never experienced before."

Kagome began to huff, feeling her body heated and flushed at his close contact. She was angry with herself for letting him get so close to her and didn't do anything about it. She let him pin her against the wall… just like what Inuyasha did to her. Anger swelled up within her and charged her aura, making Raige smile and straighten out his body. "How dare you," she said, challenging him.

Raige opened his arms, displaying his innocence. "I didn't do anything, Kagome. You simply just didn't push me away." He smirked as he saw Kagome's eyes change to anger and she was suddenly gone from his sight. He flared out his aura and moved when he sensed her attacking him. Kagome hit the empty air and disappeared again. Raige moved with her, the two flying around the shrine grounds, trying to blow a hit on each other. But not one made body contact. Their clothes ruffled as they moved with lightning speed and the sun was unable to make a shadow on the two figures. Finally, Kagome stopped right in front of her statue and Raige across from her, the two unfazed by what they had just done. It was as if they were in a game of tag and none of them were tired of it.

"How do you know my scent?" she asked him, getting herself under control. Kagome knew that emotions were dangerous and she needed to think. Raige was definitely something new and she was finding it hard to attack him like this.

Raige smiled and crossed his arms across his chest. "I was locked away when I was a child," he said, not really caring if Kagome knew about his past. He had nothing to hide but everything to gain. "I was placed in a spiritual holding. I stayed there for three hundred years and I was finally released" he said, opening his arms to encompass the area around him. "This world is much bigger than the world I was in. And… there are a lot of people here," he said with a pleasured smile.

Kagome's eyes widened and she quickly glanced at her home. She pushed her aura towards her home, finding no other being inside the house. Inwardly, she sighed, thankful that no one was home. Her family would be in danger if they were here. Her eyes were locked with Raige's ones. He was something that she's never met before. His demonic aura was strong, yes, but she could feel him holding back. His nature was different, really. She had thought he would be more vicious, since he was Kano's creation, and be intent on killing her. But Raige just blew her mind when he had shown her passion and hunger for her body just a few minutes ago. Kagome scrunched her eyebrows together, trying to figure him out. It would be easier for her to fight him if she knew some of his weaknesses.

"What's with the long face?" Raige asked, seeing the way Kagome changed her facial expression. "I found that humans are very… emotional…" he said with a small chuckle. His eyes studied Kagome's with deep concentration. "But with you… I find myself admiring your emotions instead of despising them." This intrigued him to no end. Not only was her aura something intoxicating, but her personality was something different as well. Raige smiled as Kagome took in a deep breath and he watched the rise and fall of her chest with great interest. His body was becoming alive.

"I'm surprised that you have no intention of hurting me," Kagome said slowly, wanting him to understand her. Though he had been locked away in a spiritual holding for three years, three hundred years within the water portal, he was indeed cunning and knowledgeable. Kagome studied his expression, one of a keen smile and watchful eyes. "You went to the Ise Shrine and destroyed everything. That I cannot accept." She straightened out her back and told her to kill him. She had been standing here this whole time, talking to him as if they were good friends. What shocked her to no end was her casual attitude towards Raige, which angered her even more. "I am the High Priestess. And therefore it is my duty to protect the Ise Shrine. I will receive revenge by destroying you, Raige, for you have killed many lives within the Ise Shrine." Raige just stood and smiled at Kagome, not really listening to her words but watching her with glee. Kagome switched her standing position and called upon the clouds to aid her in destroying this demon.

Up above the sky began to darken with ominous clouds. There was a movement in the heavens as the clouds came together and formed one large, dark cloud above the city of Tokyo. Thunder crashed above and lightning began to light the sky with light. Kagome called down the lightning and it crashed within her hand that she held toward the sky. There was a bright flash and then she felt the first feeling of solid weight. Kagome grasped her hand against a handle and held the sword at her side, the flash quickly disappearing as if it had never been. Raige watched in fascination as Kagome held a solid sword within the palm of her hand. But then she moved so swiftly that he moved as well to find her within the darkness of the shrine grounds. He caught her movement and moved when she struck at him.

Kagome swiped at the air but her eyes remained on Raige. She followed him and struck at him, trying to find his weakness but unable to read him. He dodged her strikes and he made no attempt to fight her. Kagome was so confused, but kept her thoughts clear as she concentrated on making him fight her. But he just wouldn't.

Raige bounded backwards and landed gracefully. "Well, I must say I did have fun." He smirked and turned to look at the shrine stairs. "But we have visitors coming," he said, turning back to smile at her. Kagome glared at him when she saw his eyes were soft. "Until next time… Kagome…" That said, Raige disappeared.

With a sigh, Kagome looked around the shrine grounds to make sure that everything was safe. She let go of the sword and it evaporated into thin air, as if it had never been a substance. The dark clouds looming above slowly disappeared, as if the wind pushed it away to reveal the sun peaking out through spots within the clouds. Kagome stared at the ground in front of her as she thought about this demon Raige. He definitely was something that she has never encountered before. His actions left her speechless and shocked. He didn't fight her. He didn't even raise a hand to her as she struck at him. Instead, he kept fleeing and dodging her attacks. He had come onto her with the intention of having sex with her, which enraged her altogether. 'I'm losing my mind…' she thought as she remembered how she had acted when he did have her captive. She hadn't moved at all. She just stood there and let him have his way with her. Kagome shook her head, dismissing the thought, and walked towards the shrine stairs.

Her mother was coming up the stairs towards the shrine grounds and no doubt knew she was here. Her sports bike was still at the bottom of the stairs. Kagome took a deep breath and then stopped, looking to the side to remember what had just happened. Raige had been fast on his feet but he never showed his powers. That was one thing she would have to work on. If her mother said he was even powerful than Kano, then he would have to show her how and in what way. Kagome sighed, thinking that this first encounter would definitely not be the last. And if she was going to see him again, she would have to get over what had happened here. Kira came up over the top of the stairs and smiled, noticing Kagome at once and waved her happiness.

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

David closed his phone with a huff and threw it against the wall. He leaned back into his chair and gazed up at the ceiling with a heated gaze. The sound of the band's song echoed in the studio room he was in but he was fuming about the phone call to notice anything.

Mayonaka kept singing, even as Inuyasha watched David vent out his anger on his phone. Miroku pounded the drums and pressed his lips together, feeling the vibrations run through his body with an adrenaline rush. Koga played backup guitar and strummed after Inuyasha, the two playing in harmony but on different keys, one higher than the other. The three sang and played until the song ended. Inuyasha sighed and looked behind at Koga and Miroku.

"Let's go outside." The boys nodded when they saw David with his elbows high in the air, palms covering his eyes in agony. The three walked into the recording studio and went to their chairs. Inuyasha sat on his rolling chair while Miroku got his recliner and Koga got his couch. The three looked at each other for a few minutes, looking back and forth between David and waited for him to say something. When he didn't, Inuyasha most certainly did.

"What's up, David?" Inuyasha asked, leaning back into his chair and turned to the side so that he had to lean his cheek against the back of his leather chair to look at the guy. "What the Hell's bugging you?"

David sighed and released his hold against his eyes, the light above him blinding him for a second. He blinked and looked down through the window into the recording room. "I just got a call from Riza." He paused for minute to sort through his troubles and then twisted around so that he was now facing the guys. He placed his hands on both arms of the chair and gazed at each of them. "She said that there was supposed to be an AAA party coming up in two weeks." The boys nodded their heads, remembering about the 'Artists All Around' party. It was usually a big event where all musicians, whether individual, band, unpopular, loved, came to this event and met other musicians from all over the world. David sighed and tilted his head back and forth. "Well… they're changing up a bit this time. They want to throw a party but dedicate it to Kagome."

The three just jaw-dropped, their eyes stunned as to what David had just said. He sighed, already foreseeing their reaction to this news. "The director wants us to give him Kagome's number so he can start setting everything up. He wants the musicians to all make a piece for her."

"What!" Miroku yelled, his face in pure shock. "But that's going to take forever if every single musician sings…" Koga and Inuyasha nodded their heads as they listened.

"I know, I know," David said while holding up his hands. "The director wants to hear each piece before the day so that he can choose the top to perform. He wants this to be dedicated for Kagome's sacrifice and her rebirth." The three looked at David as if he was growing two heads. But Inuyasha was the first to snap out of his stupor. David watched as Inuyasha shook his head.

"Kagome doesn't want all this fame…"

"I know Inuyasha," David said, looking apologetically at the hanyou. "I told the director this and he said that he really doesn't care. He has the board of the AAA party behind him and they all began to spread the word. It'll be on the news tomorrow. Since the party's in two weeks, he demanded to have Kagome's number by tomorrow morning." Inuyasha shook his head with a growl, not liking to be demanded by anyone.

"Look," Koga said, sitting forward with his elbows on his knees. "Why don't we tell the director that Kagome is busy with her duties? She's still at the Ise Shrine."

David sighed and shook his head. "I don't know, guys. You know him. He's a very strict and demanding man. He wants this done and he's still shooting for the same date. Even though it'll be grander than an AAA party, he's still calling it that but dedicating it to Kagome." Inuyasha shook his head. The director was crazy. Kagome wouldn't want it, but if the director had made up his mind and the whole world would know about it then she would have give in. It'll make her look bad if she denied. He sighed. This was not good. Kagome would gain fame around the world of who she was and what happened to her. Though some people on other parts of the world didn't believe in Buddhism and Japanese culture, they would be intrigued as to her rebirth. Kagome would have the light shine on her and he would have to watch her. It was bad enough when they had first gained fame and Kagome was placed with so much pressure. Even though she had been used to it, the paparazzi were the devils.

"I don't know, David," Inuyasha said, looking down at the ground in deep thought. "I don't want Kagome with that much pressure. The whole world is going to know."

"I know," David said matter-of-factly, though he had no power over this.

"Then we have to tell Kagome now," Miroku said, looking at Inuyasha as the hanyou looked up at him. "See what she thinks about it."

"Well… it's not like she has a choice," David said matter-of-factly. He shrugged his shoulders and sighed, relaxing back into the chair. Inuyasha sighed and felt his phone vibrate. He leaned to one side to take out his cell and glanced at the caller ID.

"Hey Koiishi," Inuyasha said. He looked down at the ground as Kikyo's voice floated in to greet him.

"Hi, Inu. Uh… you better come to my mother's shrine," Kikyo said. He noticed the frantic note in her voice as the other men stayed quiet.

"Why? What happened? Are you okay?" he asked, worried that something might have happened to her or the baby.

"No… I'm okay. But… my sister's back."

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

The night was a blessing when it came, taking the sun's rays from the Earth and replacing it with the moon's glow. The stars strived against the sky high above the towering buildings of Tokyo. But one lone figure walked down the lonely streets with a slow stride. His mind was in deep contemplation while his body moved on its own down the busy streets of nighttime Tokyo. The lights shined down on the occupants as they made their way through the streets, coming from work, trying to find friends or heading to work. But the man didn't care, not paying attention to the prey that didn't even know he was the predator.

'Kagome…' The miko just wouldn't leave his mind. She was always there, hunting him down, making her way into his mind and heating his core. He had never felt a desire like this before. She stirred something deep within him, something that he never knew was there, and he found himself wanting that desire she brought out of him.

Someone bumped into him. Someone smelled of sex. But he didn't turn to look at who had done such a thing to him, the predator. He would leave them alone tonight, leave them to think that they were safe. He smirked and continued walking, passing a green light.

'Kagome…' Damn her to Hell! He can't get her out of his mind. Her beautiful smile with her white teeth that reminded him of the white surroundings he used to live in within the spiritual holding. The water portal that he was kept in was an endless sea of white beyond the small garden, pond and structure where he would train by himself. The white horizons greeted him when he awoke and saw him off when he went to his dreams. It never darkened, the world was always white besides the small garden of green grass and blue rose bushes. The pond within it was small, able to accommodate his body when he needed to bathe after a round of training. The structure he trained on was a floor of white stone with four pillars in each corner of the square the ground created and held up the white stone roof. The roof was dome shaped and it was high, about three stories high. The structure was big, maybe fifty yards, he didn't know. But he could run quickly and work on his fast reflexes. But he could jump higher and higher until he touched the ceiling. When he trained he was always with another essence. There was something else, some kind of essence, not human or a living soul, but something between both worlds that helped him to train. Day by day he would train with this essence, it never once showing it to him, and it never once talking to him. All it did was throw obstacles at him, magic, fire, water, earthquakes, stones, anything at all to make him fight with any obstacles that might stand in his way. And day by day he grew stronger, fighting by himself, fighting with this essence. Day by day he found himself being drowned in a darkness that consumed him, a darkness that he found himself wanting every minute within that hellhole of a white world. Within that world he grew and grew, never once seeing any other living soul. But one day, he remembered waking up and able to talk fluently, though he never truly remembered the words that he said. He could talk and write, that he knew, though he never tried it before because there was nothing to write with. He knew what his name was, who made him, who brought him here and what "here" actually was. He knew when he would be leaving the water portal and he knew how old he was. This he all knew one day when he awoke from his sleep.

Someone yelled. A car honked its horn right next to him as he walked down the sidewalk. A couple was making out against the wall outside of a liquor shop.

'Kagome…' His body reacted as he looked at the couple that could have been him and Kagome. 'Damn!' He needed to relieve his stress. Maybe chasing down a few humans would satisfy his need for her. But damn her to Hell. He could still smell her scent, fresh in his nose. It was a scent he had never encountered before after he had awoken from beneath the Earth. The scent of roses and jasmines, combining to make a beautiful combination that kept him in its hold. He growled to himself, scaring some of the people out of his way. Good. He remembered that day he had awakened and found all of this knowledge within him. He had learned of a woman's scent, a woman that he was supposed to find and destroy. It was the reason why he was trapped within that world, the reason why he was made. He was meant to destroy a woman with a unique scent, none like he would ever experience and one that couldn't be compared to. That was all he knew of the enemy. Until now, he only believed so little of it. Now, he really believed in Kagome's intoxicating scent and the power it had over him. Now, he found himself wanting her for reasons besides killing her. He sighed, feeling his body pulse with energy needed to be put to use. He went into a dark alley and found his prey, a drunkard. 'Good… I need to stop thinking about her…' he thought, right before a sadistic smile lit his face and his eyes turned to red.

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

Kagome sighed as she went to refill her glass of orange juice. The others were at the table, all of them, here to listen to what had happened to the Ise Shrine and why she had been gone for over a week now. Kagome tried to leave out some information that might disturb her family and some that they would be better off not knowing, Inuyasha would be better off not knowing. Like her healing the people for three days straight with no food or sleep. Kagome turned around and leaned back against the sink. Inutaisho sat at one end of the table with Izayoi on his lap. Inuyasha, Kikyo and Kira were on one side of the table. Sesshomaru was at the other end of the table with Rin on his lap while Koga, Ayame and Miroku were on the opposite side of the table. Sango sat on Miroku's lap. Souta decided to stay in the living room with Kazuki since the child didn't need to hear any of this.

"I want you guys to know that this demon, Raige, is even powerful than Kano," Kagome said, her eyes looking around at everyone, trying to read their expressions. Some of them looked weary at the information they just received, understanding that there was a new threat in Japan, one that would surely finish what Kano started. Kagome sighed and mixed the orange juice in her cup.

"Kagome…" Rin said, her eyes looked down at Sesshomaru's tie. She played with it for a while before she looked up into Kagome's eyes and had the courage to speak her fear. "What if you were meant to die again?" The others at the table stilled, not really thinking about this, and their eyes were frightened. That Kagome could see clearly in Inuyasha's eyes, though he didn't look at her.

Kagome sighed and shrugged slowly, taking a sip of her juice. "I really don't know, Rin. The Fates didn't say anything about another prophecy." Kagome placed the cup down on the sink behind her and walked closer to the table, going behind Ayame's chair. "If that is true… then that means I would have to use the Shikon no Tama."

Miroku turned around to look at her, situating Sango on his lap. "Wait… I thought you already used the Shikon no Tama," he said with confusion. Kagome nodded her head, seeing that Miroku understood the legend of the sacred jewel.

"Yes… The legend states that the Shikon no Tama will disappear once one with a pure heart makes a pure and selfless wish."

"But… that's what you made three years ago," Kikyo said, looking up across the table at her sister. There was something in Kagome's eyes that told her there was more to this. Kikyo bit her bottom lip, worrying for her sister now more than ever.

Kagome nodded her head with a frown. "Yes… I did use the jewel during the war. The jewel was how I was able to defeat Kano. Because he could regenerate, and I was already weak after fighting him, I had to use the jewel." Kagome sighed and looked down to the side of Ayame's chair, her bangs moving to cover her face. "But there is facts about the Shikon no Tama that is not written in the legends."

"It's still alive," Koga said, his voice hard as he kept his gaze on the table. He moved to place his chin on his palm as he rested his head on his hand against the table. The others watched him with curiosity as Koga shrugged, his elbow relaxing on the table. "It has to be," he said, trying to back up his theory. "If this demon is more powerful than Kano… then the jewel has to be back."

Kagome smiled and ruffled his hair, making Koga smirk at her act of affection and Inuyasha glare at him. "Yes… it is."

"But how?" Miroku asked, hearing a few gasps and grunts from the table. Everyone seemed heavy with the burden of this new information now.

"The Shikon no Tama is connected to the Shikon no Miko. If the Shikon no Miko dies, then so does the jewel." Kagome turned to look at Koga as he rested his head against his hand. She smiled at his actions. "The Shikon no Tama cannot live without the Shikon no Miko. The miko gives it life and the jewel gives life. It is a mutual relationship." Kagome placed her hand above her heart, her eyes soft as she found Inuyasha's eyes. "The jewel still resides within me. Because I was reborn, the jewel was reborn with me. For the jewel is as much of me as I am of it. It was created and placed within me before I was made from my mother and I am its rightful owner."

The others sighed, hearing a new piece of information that no history or religion books ever discovered. Miroku sighed, though finding all of this new information fascinating. "So… you… will die then?" he asked, wondering if his theory was true. "I mean…" he said once he felt Inuyasha's hard glare on him, "the last time you ripped the jewel out of your heart. If it's in your heart… the only way to get it out is if you pull it out. That means… pulling it out of your heart."

Kagome nodded her head and turned away from the table, almost smiling at his explanation. "That is where I do not have an answer." She stopped by the sink and looked out at the darkness of the shrine grounds. The clouds blocked the moon's rays against the Earth, turning it to darkness. "My mother told me nothing about having to sacrifice my life… and she heard no new prophecy from the Fates. So… I'm trying to believe that I don't have to use it."

"We'll help you, Kagome," Ayame said as she turned around and looked at Kagome's back. Sango agreed, wanting to voice up her opinion when she felt useless and weak. Kagome sighed with a smile and turned around, leaning back against the counter.

"I know you guys will," she said with love and satisfaction. "But… I don't know what's going to happen. When Raige was here… he didn't seem as powerful as Kano. But looks can be deceiving, especially the first impression."

Inutaisho nodded his head. "I agree." He looked across the table at his eldest son and then to Kagome. "I believe that we must discuss this further, Kagome. Since Raige is an Inu-Taiyoukai, it'll be easier for us to take him on than you," he said, his protective side taking over. This time they would protect Kagome. He felt like this time… they won't let Kagome be consumed by the Fates' will and prophecies. Kagome deserves to live this time and he would be damned if she would die again because of some evil demon. "I believe Sesshomaru and I can find him and discover his true abilities."

"No," Kagome said quickly, her eyes wide with fear. Everyone looked up at her loud exclamation of fear but Kagome quickly settled, keeping her eyes averted. "Sorry," she said, visions of the Ise Shrine and the bodies that lay scattered on the blood red ground haunting her. "But I don't want anything to happen to anyone. Not now. Not after what happened at the Ise Shrine." Inutaisho blinked and nodded his head, understanding Kagome's position in this. He smiled at her and glanced next to him at his youngest son. Inuyasha had his eyes gazing at the table in front of him, making Inutaisho frown and wonder what his son was thinking about.

"I think it's safe to say that there's a new threat to Japan and I want everyone to be on alert…" Kagome said, looking at everyone. She didn't want anyone to get hurt because of her again. It was obvious that Raige was only after her and she would be damned if he went after any one of her family. "I don't know what he wants or how he's gonna get it, but I do know that his intentions are unclear." The others nodded their heads and thought about this new demon in their lives. After three years of getting pass Kano and the war, they had another war that would be coming up against Raige. It was inevitable that a huge battle would happen again. If this demon was indeed stronger than Kano then he would be harder to defeat, and if that war three years ago was hard on them, then this Raige would be even harder. The others mentally prepared themselves for the road ahead as they sat at the table and drowned themselves in their thoughts.

After a few minutes, Koga sighed and sat straighter in his chair, drumming his fingers against the table. "Well… now that that's clear. We have some news," he said, looking at Inuyasha and Miroku. The two just looked at him with 'what-the-hell-are-you-doing' looks and he just shrugged, figuring he'll tell Kagome. Minus well tell her now since the bad news already came out. "Kagome… David told us that there's going to be a party in two weeks thrown for you."

Kagome's eyes widened and she looked at Koga with a confused expression. "Me?" she asked in disbelief, wondering what kind of party it could be. 'David throw a party for me?' She remembered David, the band's manager.

Koga nodded his head and she listened to him intently. "Well… uh… you see," he said, looking at the other two. Miroku sighed, seeing that Koga had lost his courage after he already blurted out the news.

"Well," Miroku said, moving Sango so he could speak to Kagome. "David said that the director of the AAA parties said he wants to throw an AAA party for you." Kagome's eyes widened and she looked at Koga to see his acknowledgement and then at Inuyasha to see that he wasn't looking at anyone, but kept his eyes down at the table. Kagome frowned and looked back at Miroku. "The director has planned to make the AAA party that was supposed to be in two weeks to be dedicated to you. Now…" Miroku said, throwing his free hand in the air to accentuate his exasperation. "The director wants all the musicians to create a song dedicated to you and he will pick out the top ones to be sung at that night." Kagome scrunched her eyebrows together, thinking this was all a bit too much.

"He already told his board members to spread the word and David said it'll be on the news by tomorrow morning." Sango gasped with a small giggle, making Kagome turn to glare at her. "I'm sorry, Kagome," Miroku said, slapping his free hand onto his knee. "David tried to convince the director it wasn't necessary but he's a very insistent bastard." Kagome shook her head, shock still on her face. 'A musician party… for me?' she thought stunned and bewildered. What the hell was the point of throwing a party for her?

"Why?" Kagome asked, moving back a step to get her bearings.

"Because the director wants to thank you for your sacrifice before and now your rebirth," Koga said with an ugly face, trying to demean the director. "I don't know… he's fucking dumb and doesn't know what the hell he's doing. Obviously he wants the whole fucking world to know about you and how you died and then got reborn. Of course this is going to draw the media from all over the world."

Kagome felt her heart skip a beat and she placed a hand over her heart, taking another step back. No, this was not what she wanted. The whole world to know that she was some sort of prophet or something? Nope. Definitely not what she needed right now.

Inuyasha looked up, feeling Kagome's panic, and turned towards Koga. "Shut up, Koga," he said right when Koga was about to speak. The wolf demon just looked at him with a glare but kept quiet, seeing Kagome's emotions conflicted within her. Her aura was tinged with fear and panic at the new spotlight that would shine on her. Inuyasha sighed, looking up at Kagome with soft eyes. "Kagome…" She turned towards the sound of her voice, needing his voice and strong words. It felt like her world was spinning and she didn't know how to stop it. Things were getting out of control, out of her reach, and she didn't know where one new thing started and the other ended. It was as if her life was being planned for her again.

"I know this all sounds a bit too much, but there was nothing we could do," Inuyasha told her, though he hated to say those words. "David tried. The director wants it done in two weeks. The tickets and invitations have already gone out. He wants your phone number by tomorrow morning," Kagome looked up at him with shock, "because he wants to contact you if he needs any information."

Kagome shook her head with a smile. "Oh no… I am not giving him my number. What if he gives it away to the media or something?"

"He can't, Kagome," Miroku said. "Since we know that he has your number, we could always trace back to where the reporters got your number from. And if we find that he has given it away then he could be put in prison." Miroku shrugged and looked at Inuyasha. "He's sort of a business man anyways… so he wouldn't do that to ruin his reputation."

Inuyasha nodded his head but kept his eyes up at Kagome, seeing her agitation and shock. He waited, they all waited, to hear Kagome's thoughts about this. It was a big thing to be given an AAA party because they were big-time musician parties where celebrities like them go and enjoy themselves with cameras rolling outside, waiting for new reports. Inuyasha watched as Kagome turned around and looked out the window, hiding her face from them. He sighed, battling with himself to stay in the seat next to Kikyo. He watched her back though, waiting for a sign.

"Will it be bad?" Kagome asked, her voice soft. "Will… it be bad if I go and reveal myself to the whole world?" she said, emphasizing her fear on being known. The media wasn't her world. She was meant to be known to Japan, yet she was meant to be hidden. Her face was never to be shown so she was used to the spotlight, yet in a different way. She was always hidden and her identity was protected so she could live a normal life besides the priestess that she was. Now, the whole world would know who and what she was. They would pester her when she would try to live a "normal" life. They would know her every move, her every name and family member. Kagome closed her eyes and took a deep breath, steadying her fears and nerves.

"I don't know, Kagome," Koga said, looking over at Inuyasha to see his silence. "David thinks it might be… but sometimes, you know, other countries just don't really believe in our culture. So it might not make a difference to them," he said matter-of-factly. Koga looked towards Miroku and the two looked towards Inuyasha, trying to figure out what else to say.

Then, Kagome took a deep breath and sighed. She agreed with Koga. Her Brothers told her of the countries outside of Japan and how they are sometimes naïve of other cultures, only thinking of their own and not accepting others. It was clear that the world would see her and know her, but will they pay attention? 'Maybe they might not make a big deal about it,' she told herself, hoping that they wouldn't. But then again, like the boys said, it's not like she had a choice. The word was getting out tomorrow morning. Kagome sighed. "Okay."

Everyone looked up in shock at Kagome's back, wondering what was wandering through her mind to say that so quickly. "I guess so. If I can't stop it then I minus well accept it." Kagome nodded her head and turned around to smile at everyone, seeing their shocked and fearful expressions. "Besides… it's a musician party. At least there'll be entertainment," she said, trying to cheer up the situation. Kira smiled encouragingly at her daughter, seeing the fear in Kagome's eyes. This would be a huge leap of faith in the boys for them to protect her when the world would know about her. Kira just hoped that things wouldn't get worse for them. The media was not something that she wanted to remember dealing with. They were a demon from another world.

The families then talked about the AAA party and how it would be on Okinawa Island outside of Honshu Island. The party would last the whole weekend and they had to get there about two days early for preparations and practice. The others learned that it would be a competition for the musicians to create a song for her and play it at the party. Mayonaka would definitely fight to sing at the party since Kagome was their friend and family. But now, they had to prepare for the party in two weeks. Within that time Kagome had to prepare to leave with the band, just the four of them, and head to Okinawa for a five day "vacation", or so she told herself. Kagome just hoped that it wouldn't lead her to any trouble. With Raige on her hands, she needed to focus on him and getting him out of the picture. What happened today still bothered her but she never told her family about what happened, intimately, between the two. She just told them of how Raige was here and how he knows where she lives now. They had to take precautions and prepare themselves for so many things now that it seemed like their lives had now taken another path, one that they hadn't prepared for since they picked up their lives after Kagome died.

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

Silently, Kagome walked the grounds of the shrine. Her family was still inside the house, talking amongst themselves of the important events that would be happening soon. In the near future. Kagome sighed to herself, feeling the weight fall on her shoulders again. She would have to protect her family from Raige. Kagome stopped, her eyes in wide shock as she realized where she was. She stood in the middle of the shrine grounds, in front of the statue with the shrine stairs behind her. Kagome slowly turned around, her eyes thoughtful as she gazed at the ground leading to the shrine stairs. She saw Raige and herself, flying through the air with tremendous speed. She saw them talking amongst themselves as she turned to watch Raige talk and she listen, trying to figure him out. Even now, Kagome watched a figment of her imagination of him talk. Then, she saw them pinned against the wall, her body small compared to his. Her eyes turned from the sight, willing her mind to move on with the scene. For some reason, watching herself pinned beneath Raige gave her pain and anger. She was angry at herself for letting Raige keep his hold on her.

Kagome shook her head and sighed heavily, facing the two against the wall. She froze the scene with her mind, tilting her head to the side to watch the two of them. She didn't move at all. All she did was stand there. 'What the hell was wrong with me?' she asked herself, furious that her body was so close to his. She never let another man trap her like that. Like how… 'Inuyasha…' Suddenly, the vision disappeared and Kagome found herself in her sorrow and regret at what she had done. Her heart ached for Inuyasha. 'I still love him…' she thought with a smile, shocked, on some level, that she still would have feelings for him.

Then, her eyes looked to the side towards her statue near the Goshinboku. 'Maybe… that's why.' Her eyes became happier, trying to relieve the regret and shame that would weigh her down. Maybe she had seen Inuyasha in Raige, their similarities so alike with their silver hair and dog ears. Maybe that was why she was stunned and stood there, letting him pin her against the wall like what Inuyasha had done. But her body hadn't felt the same way his body felt when he reacted to her scent. That was what had driven her sense back into her, when she felt his hard-on. The scene unfolded again and Kagome watched as Raige was flown back, he tumbling through the air and landing gracefully on his feet. She tilted her head, her eyes in deep concentration as she gazed at him.

She needed to figure him out. Wanted to figure him out. He was a puzzle that she couldn't solve. His outward appearance was shockingly gentle and… humanly. He seemed like an average demon living in this human-dominant world. His aura wasn't threatening at all, though she did feel it. Even though he didn't show it through his aura, Kagome could feel it, the tainted evil that he was. Something was wrong with Raige, some kind of cruelty and evil that he held within him. There was something that he was hiding, his true nature, and she needed to see it before he hurt any one of her family. They would have to do battle for her to find his true power, and Kagome was more than ready to fight him after what he did to the Ise Shrine.

"Kagome…"

The two figures quickly disappeared and Kagome turned around to see Sango walking towards her. She smiled, the moon hiding behind the clouds above. The darkness only helped to illuminate Sango's beautiful, magenta eyes.

Kagome smiled in greeting, wiping away the thoughts of Raige. "Hey, Sango."

Sango smiled as she went right to Kagome, wrapping her arms around her best friend. "Kagome…" Stunned, Kagome smiled with a giggle and wrapped her arms around Sango. "I'm so happy you're back," she said, her head against Kagome's shoulder. Kagome smiled, placing her chin on Sango's shoulder and held her best friend. It felt like old times again and she felt her heart mending in places where she had thought they were healed. Places where she hid her feelings for her friends and family away. Places where she hid Inuyasha.

"Sango…" Kagome said tenderly. She stroked her friend's hair and felt the rise and fall of Sango's steady breathing. She smiled, forgetting about the world for just a minute as she remembered all of the memories she had with this one woman. Sango was her best friend who she confided in for so many things. Kagome sighed. "I missed you so much."

Sango chuckled and squeezed Kagome. "I know." She moved back and looked at Kagome, the two smiling at each other with knowing eyes. "I wanted to see how you were," she finally said, grabbing Kagome's hand and began a slow walk around the shrine. Sango let go of Kagome's hand and opened her arms out for a brief moment. "So… what's going to happen now Kagome?"

Kagome sighed and looked down at the darkened stones as they made their small walk around the shrine grounds. "I don't know." Sango watched Kagome in silence as the girl seemed to contemplate the next moves. "I don't want you guys to get involved in this one."

"Nonsense," Sango said with a smirk. She turned away from Kagome and looked ahead. "You know I can't turn down a good fight."

Kagome smiled and looked at her friend. "Yeah… well, this is not a good fight. If Raige is indeed stronger than Kano…"

"Then you will need all the help you can get," Sango said, turning to view Kagome and finish her sentence. Kagome's mouth hung open for a minute and then she smiled, letting Sango talk for her. "You know Kagome… whether or not you want us to be involved in this… we are."

Kagome sighed and looked up at the sky as they turned the corner of a shrine house. "That's why. I don't want you guys involved. Look what happened last time." This made Sango and Kagome stop. Sango looked towards Kagome with a confused look, concern in her eyes as she listened to Kagome. "Kikyo lost Onigumo…" she said, her voice sad and regretful. Kagome shook her head in sorrow at remembering her sister's grief. "I can't do that again to you guys. What if someone else gets hurt? No…" she said, looking to her friend, trying to find the strength that Sango held, and trying to make her understand her pain.

Sango smiled and went in front of Kagome to place her hands on both sides of the girl's shoulders. "Kagome… Onigumo wasn't your fault," she said, seeing the dismissal in Kagome's eyes. "He wasn't," she said more firmly, her eyes firing with love for her friend. "Yes, Onigumo is sorely missed. But I know Kikyo doesn't bare a grudge against you or anything because of his death," she said, her eyes sad as she began to see Kagome's side. "You can't protect everyone Kagome," she said with a small smile. "Life is about living it and then giving it back to Buddha who gave it to us. And look… at least he is happy now right? He is free of the pain."

Kagome nodded her head, sending a blessing to his soul, but still not convinced. She looked to the side, still locked in Sango's hands. "I still remember that day…" she said, her voice soft. Sango's eyes widened and her heart hurt for Kagome. "I still relive the war. When I was in the Maboroshi Kokudo with my mother… I lived it everyday. I looked at it over and over, replaying it in my mind… trying to find other things I could have done to keep everyone safe… to destroy Kano and his demons more easier and quicker." Kagome sighed, a frown on her face as she remembered the war. "I still remember the look in everyone's eyes." She looked up at Sango, seeing her friend's sadness and pain. "I see your faces lined with dirt and blood from those days. I see your faces in pain and exhaustion, tired and hungry. I see your faces on the brink of death… and I don't want that." Kagome shook her head and moved out of Sango's hands, walking a few steps away to take a much needed breath. The night was still dark and she held herself, staying within the embrace of the night.

"I don't want to see you guys like that again," Kagome said, her eyes closed in misery as the war replayed in her mind and the faces of her friends and family came back to haunt her. "I see how you guys are now and I'm happy for you all. I don't want to see you guys have all of this taken away from you. You all worked so hard for after the war." Kagome shook her head, again feeling regret for coming back into her friends' and family's lives.

Suddenly, Sango was in Kagome's face, her eyes enraged. "Don't say that!" she admonished, making Kagome widen her eyes in shock at the sudden outburst. Sango's eyes flared with her anger and pain, her beautiful eyes in concern and worry now. She frowned, seeing Kagome's pain and anguish. "Kagome… don't ever blame yourself for what we chose to do." Kagome looked at Sango, drawing on her strength and words. Sango sighed. "We wanted to help you, Kagome. You are our friend," she said with a smile. "You are our family… and we love you, Kagome." With a sad smile, Sango's eyes were pained, making Kagome look at her with concern and a frown. Sango sighed, her eyes glancing at the ground and back to her in fear. She finally had the courage to ask Kagome the question that has been eating at her.

"Kagome…" she started, her voice quivering. Kagome caught onto the note of despair and her eyes softened, the frown deepening on Kagome's face as she understood Sango was in pain. Sango averted her eyes, avoiding Kagome's beautiful eyes so that she wouldn't feel the weight of them. "Promise me that you won't die."

Kagome's eyes widened, her face showing shock and then understanding. She looked at Sango with a small smile as she placed her hands on Sango's shoulders. "Sango…" she said, willing the girl to look at her. But Sango wouldn't. Kagome sighed with her smile, tilting her head to get a better view of Sango's eyes. 'Oh, Sango…' "Sango… I don't know what's going to happen. I really can't promise you that."

"But why!" Sango said, her eyes in anguish as she looked up at her best friend, the best friend she had lost once. The best friend she didn't want to lose again.

Kagome sighed, her smile disappearing and her eyes full of turmoil. She understood Sango's pain, but she couldn't promise that she wouldn't die. Her mother didn't know as well, and she wouldn't want her mother to tell her anyways. Yes. Kagome looked at Sango and squeezed her shoulders, trying to will Sango to understand her. "Sango… I know that it'll be hard, but if I must die… then I'm going to need your support." Sango's eyes turned to anger, but her face was full of anguish. "I don't want to know if my life is needed," Kagome said, taking her hands off Sango. "I don't want to know that my life is going to end whenever this war ends…" Kagome turned towards the Goshinboku, Sango looking at the side of Kagome's face, trying to read Kagome's thoughts. 'Poor Kagome…' she thought, only imagining what the girl could be going through.

"I want to live this new life I have without any worries," Kagome said, her eyes looking up at the black shadows of the Goshinboku. "I want to do all the things I wasn't able to do in my past." Kagome smiled, her eyes seeing far off into the distance where her dreams of her future lay. "I don't want to burden my life with duties and worrying about a war that might very well take my life. And I don't want to miss every moment I have with my friends and family, especially Kazuki." Sango smiled, hearing Kagome's sincerity and hope in her voice. She watched Kagome's silent mouth, seeing the smile that lighted her face, and Sango smiled. Kagome was a wonderful woman. She would look to the future and not worry about anything that would hold her down from living the life she wants to live. This time, it was her life. This time, Kagome would live with no worries. Sango smiled, a small, happy chuckle leaving her mouth, and she turned to look up at the Goshinboku with her best friend, forgetting about the worries of her life for the moment.


I was surprised when I finished this chapter. It took me three days to write it and then I had to reread it. But it was in good time, don't you think? It's better than my one-week thing I had going on. But I don't know about fast chapters anymore. The reason why this one was fast was because I've been cooped up in my dorm since Wednesday so I had time to finish the last chapter and start on this one. Now, school started up again today and my classes are back so I don't know how I'll cope with that. But... of course... I'll keep writing. I have a new surprise for the next one. Or the next next one. IDK. :)

-Kaleialohalani