Author's Note: Sorry, sorry. I know it's been over 2 months. But here's the thing: I haven't been in the mood to write this story. I think I'm losing my inspiration and imagination on this story. But I know how many of my fans love this story, which is what is helping to keep me going with this. I think I might end this story at chapter 20 or one or two less. I'm not going to rush it where the story seems too fast, I'm making it at a good pace, but I just won't overexaggerate things because my imagination is falling short for this story. My characters aren't talking to me anymore, so I don't know where I'm going to go with this story. But I just wanted to give you a heads up on why I haven't been updating quickly. Don't worry though, I will finish this story, even if I have to bleed to get it done. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha...


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Chapter 12: Leaving You Behind

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The threat to her family was more than she was willing to bet on. Kagome slowly let go of her son, praying to the Gods that he would be safe. Kazuki, frightened from this new stranger, grasped onto his mother's legs and hid behind her. Kagome relaxed her hands at her sides as she looked past Inuyasha's shoulder to view Raige and Kaya.

"What business do you have here?" she asked them, her eyes defiant.

Raige smirked, his eyes flashing with mischief and wonder. He took in Kagome's figure dressed in her miko robes, making her seem all the more elusive and all the more forbidden. "I thought my intentions were obvious." He smirked, and his eyes went to the hanyou at her side, standing in front of a miko as if he had more power over her. "And I see that my intentions are the same as others."

Inuyasha smirked, his eyes glaring at the Inu-taiyoukai, itching for a fight. "I don't think our intentions are the same." Inuyasha watched Raige warily, every twitch Raige made he would notice in less than a second. Inuyasha worried about Kagome. Raige had obviously come here for her, he could tell in Raige's eyes, and Inuyasha was worried now that his son was here. Kagome could probably take care of herself, but he wouldn't bet on leaving her to go with this damn demon. Raige just had that aura that ticked him off.

Raige snorted and disregarded Inuyasha. "So… may I say that I have come to take you with me?" he said, reaching out a hand to Kagome. "I want you by my side, Kagome. You… intrigue me," he said with a small purr, as if he couldn't help himself.

Kaya, at his side, quickly glanced at him, her eyes showing him her disapproval at his shocking action. She gazed at Kagome, taking in the woman's figure, immediately disliking her for what she was. 'You'll be surprised.' Kaya held in her growl. She didn't think that Raige would have surprised her with this, let alone fall for someone like this. A miko. A miko and a demon? Kaya smirked with a snort of disgust. But Raige paid no mind to her as his whole attention was on that one woman. 'We'll see who'll be the surprised one in the end…' Kaya remained silent as she watched the scene unfold in front of her, her claws itching to be used.

Inuyasha growled, his face in a dark snarl at Raige's threat of taking Kagome away from him. "You'll have to get through me first, bastard."

Raige arched his eyebrow and nodded. "No problem." His hands relaxed at his sides and the air seemed to tense around them.

Kagome, seeing the tension, quickly looked down to her son. Kazuki was hidden behind her, her miko robes making him unnoticeable to the demons in front of her. She thought quickly as Raige began to walk forward, making her heart beat faster. Inuyasha turned to look at her, sensing her sudden dread and fear, as his eyes laid on her worriedly. But Raige had moved so fast that Kagome didn't have time to warn Inuyasha, but the hanyou sensed the demon. Inuyasha brought his hands up as Raige appeared in front of the hanyou for a split second and pushed back to land a few feet in front of Inuyasha. Kagome suddenly kicked into high gear.

"Mama," Kagome said, urging Kazuki towards Kira. The older woman reached down to grab the frightened child and brought him to her chest. "Go inside," she said strictly, frightened for her family. Sounds broke her out of her thoughts, making Kagome turn around to see that Inuyasha and Raige were now exchanging blows.

Kagome whipped her head back to her mother and brother. "Go!" Kira and Souta didn't waste any time as they turned on their heels and headed back for the shoji door.

Kaya smirked and began to run towards the fleeing humans. Kagome gasped and followed her family, running between them and Kaya as she waited for the neko to get closer. Kira and Souta were both looking towards Kaya as they continued to run, fear and worry in their eyes. But Kagome ran with a focus next to them and then she made a sharp stop. Kaya's eyes widened as a bright blue light beamed straight towards her in less than a second. She nearly dodged the attack, getting burned on her right arm.

With a snarl, Kaya looked at her damaged arm with a death look. "Bitch!" she sneered towards Kagome. The miko stood unmoving, her hands in front of her where her attack had come from. "You'll pay for that," she said, just as Kira and Souta made it into the house.

"I don't appreciate the fact that you would attack my family," Kagome said, walking towards the neko with no hesitation. "Your fight is with me."

"Indeed it is," Kaya said as she ran towards Kagome.

Raige chuckled as Inuyasha hit his forearm and the two pushed against each other, landing a few feet back. He sniffed. "Pathetic…"

"I could say the same thing about you," Inuyasha said with a smirk, flexing his claws in front of his face. "I'm just getting started."

Raige arched an eyebrow and spared a quick glance at Kagome to see that she was in a battle with Kaya. The neko couldn't get close to Kagome without being purified and having to back off. It was obvious that the two women would have a long fight ahead of them so Raige would leave them alone. He turned his attention back to the hanyou in front of him, intrigued with his relationship with Kagome. "So… you have the nerve to mate with Kagome?" he asked.

Inuyasha smirked. "Kagome is my mate," he said matter-of-factly, irritated at this arrogant jackass. 'He's almost worst than Sesshomaru.' Inuyasha watched as Raige took in his answer, seeing the rejection in the demon's eyes. Inuyasha could hear the women fighting but he couldn't help Kagome so he would leave her to it, and get this damn Inu-taiyoukai off the face of this earth.

"If she is truly your mate, hanyou…" Raige said, irritated as to what Inuyasha said. "Then why is it that you have only claimed her now that I am threatening your claim over her?" Raige smirked as he saw Inuyasha's confusion. "It's obvious that you mated Kagome because you didn't want me to take her with me. You saw me as your threat and now you're trying to keep Kagome from me."

"She was never yours to begin with!" Inuyasha growled angrily as he watched Raige bloat over himself and the fact that he thought he figured it out.

Raige shrugged. "Whatever the case… Kagome comes with me," he said, bringing up his arms, ready to duel with the hanyou.

"Try and take her from me," Inuyasha challenged back, getting into his fighting stance as Raige ran towards him.

Kagome sent out another beam of light and sent Kaya flying onto her home, the neko landing as graceful as a cat on top of the roof. Kagome ran towards the side of the house as she glared up at Kaya.

"What is that?" Kaya asked, her eyes glaring at Kagome through confusion and disdain. She straightened out on the roof and gazed down at Kagome. "I feel a huge spiritual aura… like it's centered in you," she said, confused as to what it was. It couldn't be the woman that was this powerful. But it was obvious that this miko was talented, one that she has never met before with this kind of power. This young woman was no ordinary miko, and Kaya was starting to find that out. The miko had skills and Kaya couldn't get near the miko without being purified. But there was something that the woman was hiding, something powerful, pulsing beneath the surface of this miko. She could feel a pull, a call, towards this woman. 'What is she hiding?' she wondered.

Kagome frowned and brought her hands out in front of her as she shot at Kaya again. The neko had to jump to avoid the blast that shot just above the roof. Kaya flipped in the air and landed on the ground, suddenly taking off towards Kagome again, trying to get a hit on the miko. The two women moved to avoid each other's attacks, trying to get a hit and trying to stay in one piece. Kagome blasted Kaya with her spiritual beam while Kaya used her claws, wanting Kagome's blood spilled on her hands. But none could get a hit.

"What is it that you're hiding, miko?" Kaya asked as she settled a few feet away from Kagome, her body relaxed like a domesticated feline.

Kagome noticed Kaya's posture and relaxed as well, her hands going to her sides as she noted Kaya's interest. "Something caught your interest, neko? Who is it that I have the pleasure of fighting with?" she asked formally, seeing that the neko was well past demon adolescence. The demon wore a brown, loose fitting hakama that ended at her knees and a black haori. The demon's femininity could clearly be seen past the plain clothes that she used. She was old and wise, but Kagome could see that there was a part of her that was burning with a dark need, something that Kagome knew the jewel was attracting.

The neko flicked her tail in interest and it came to wrap around her leg, teasing her skin. Kaya smiled, showing her fangs in the process, as her hands came up to cross against her chest. "My name is Kaya."

Kagome was surprised and taken aback by the name, but didn't show it. She remained impassive as she regarded Kaya. "You are the demon that was bound in Fukui." She had known of the 'hidden' shrine deep in the mountains of Fukui. Her Brothers had told her that there was a neko demon that was locked away, had been locked away for four decades. It shocked her to know that this demon was the neko and that Raige had found the 'hidden' shrine. 'Interesting…'

Kaya nodded her head, keeping her smile. She was willing to play with this miko, no matter how much the woman's presence irritated her. "Yes. You seem to know much about me."

"I am the High Priestess," she reminded Kaya, seeing that it ticked the neko off. Now it was Kagome's turn to smile as she took comfort in seeing Kaya show signs of anger. "You seem so sure of yourself, Kaya."

With an arch of her eyebrow, Kaya brought her hands to her sides as she began to walk in a small pace, her legs dancing underneath her. "I know that you are hiding something, miko. And I intend to find out what. I know you can't be an almighty priestess, or else you would have purified me already."

"Maybe I want to play with you," Kagome offered, seeing Kaya smile. "Just like how you are playing with me." Kaya thought about it for a minute and nodded her head, seeming to understand and agree with Kagome on that one. "You don't seem to be an almighty demon yourself, Kaya." Kagome smiled, playing with the neko, as Kaya looked at her with a glare, daring her to continue. "If you had gotten captured by a few monks, what makes you think you can defeat me?" Kagome saw she had made progress.

A vein in Kaya's forehead seemed to tick and she glared at Kagome, wishing that she had never heard those words fall from the miko's mouth. "You'll wish you never said that, miko," she growled, and then attacked Kagome. The movement was so swift that Kagome placed a barrier up to prevent the demon from hitting her. Kaya hit the barrier, causing the opposing energies to shock against each other, and Kagome found where Kaya was. Immediately, she sent out her aura, making Kaya submit to her will as she pushed Kaya to the ground.

The jewel pulsed. Kagome gasped, but didn't release her hold on the neko, as she felt the first signs of life from the jewel. But then her senses were brought back as Kaya began to struggle, pushing out her aura against Kagome's one. Kagome strengthened her aura, purifying Kaya's one, and the neko screamed in pain as her body was pushed into the ground by an unseen force. Kagome glared at the demon and put more of her power into the effort of forcing Kaya to the ground, easily making the demon succumb to her. Kagome watched as Kaya screamed at the pain of what felt like a thousand boulders crushing her, her face in pure pain. But then the neko's eyes flew wide open, those orange orbs glowing daggers at Kagome.

Just as Kagome was going to kill Kaya, she felt movement beside her, a demon's aura connecting with her own. She didn't have time to brace for the attack that came at her from the side, but Kagome saw a flash of silver come in front of her and she inwardly sighed. 'Inuyasha.'

Raige growled as he slammed into Inuyasha's claws, the hanyou pushing against him to protect Kagome. Inuyasha charged at Raige.

"Your fight is with me!" he said, advancing on Raige as the demon continued to move back, avoiding Inuyasha's sharp claws.

That one attack gave Kaya the opportunity to leap to her feet and back away from the miko. Kagome got back into her fighting stance as she regarded Kaya, watching the neko warily, waiting for retribution. She could see that Kaya was angered at the fact that she was wrong, that Kagome could put her down with her aura and hold her against her will.

Kaya fumed, her eyes nearly glowing like an orange-licked fire. She was breathing roughly, trying to piece what just happened with her and the fact that she had been pinned to the ground so easily and quickly. And the miko hadn't even lifted a finger. Her spiritual power was the only thing that bound her against her will. 'Again! Another fucking miko can hold me against my will!' she screamed inside. The fact that Kagome was not even harmed only angered Kaya even more. The miko was definitely a match but she was on Kaya's list, and the neko definitely had her eyes set on killing this woman. Kagome would be a match, but the woman would go down by her hands.

"What's wrong, Kaya?" Kagome asked, seeing Kaya's silence and hesitation. "Afraid that I might keep you against your will again?" She knew she was playing with fire, but she had her family to protect, and she wasn't going to let Kaya hurt her son or her family. She trusted that Inuyasha could hold his own with Raige, but she secretly knew that Inuyasha could never beat him. But she trusted Inuyasha could match Raige's moves and not come out of it dead. So Kagome needed to get rid of Kaya first, and soon, before she turned her attention to Raige.

Kaya growled, a snarl on her face. "Fucking miko!" she yelled. "You'll pay for what you did to me. I swear, I'll make sure that you pay!" Kaya felt her hands twitch in anticipation, but she needed to plan her next move before she ran blindly at Kagome.

And this, Kagome realized. She knew that Kaya was thinking of a new strategy and wondered how cunning this feline really was. But something brought her out of her concentration. Kagome blinked in confusion and shock as she got out of her fighting stance, her body tense as she felt the newcomers enter the shrine grounds. It seemed that Kaya noticed it too as her nose went up to scent the wind, realizing the new enemies. Kagome turned to see that Inuyasha and Raige had stopped fighting, both of them taking in the new scents but keeping a wary eye on each other. Kagome turned just in time to see Inutaisho and Sesshomaru strolling leisurely towards them, their auras exuding strength and command. Kagome nearly smiled in relief.

Raige growled, seeing the new additions to Kagome's party. He could smell the bloodline between the hanyou and these two Inu-taiyoukai. 'So… they're related. And they're like me.' Raige had to smirk, seeing that he found someone like him. But these demons were different, he could tell. Though they radiated menace and force, they didn't seem to have the darkness and desire that he had. Raige took a step back as the two Inu-taiyoukais stood in front of Kagome.

"It seems like we have interrupted something," Inutaisho said, his eyes glancing at Kaya for a second and then remained on Raige. The Inu-taiyoukai intrigued him, another one of his race that he hadn't known about. "You are Raige."

Raige smirked and stood his ground, regarding the older demon. "Yes. And you must be Inutaisho." He saw the demon's eyebrow quirk up and he had to hold in his chuckle. "You are indeed in many legends, Inutaisho. And I have heard of your… skills in many places." Raige watched as Inutaisho understood and remained relaxed between the two pairs that were once fighting. Kagome and Kaya kept their eyes on the two new additions while Inuyasha and Raige did the same.

"Well, it is nice to know that you know of me. We can skip the introductions, Raige, because I know of you as well. And I see that you have some business here." Inutaisho glanced at Kaya again, sizing up the neko to see how much of a threat she was and to get a clue as to what they were dealing with. Sesshomaru stood motionless at his side, his son's demeanor suddenly changing. Sesshomaru may not say much, but he did show it in his aura and appearance, at times. Inutaisho knew where to look on his son, and he saw that something ticked off Sesshomaru and the Inu-taiyoukai was angered. Inutaisho looked back towards Raige to see the demon sigh and scratch the back of his head.

"Well… I was having fun," Raige said with a small whine. His eyes shined as he gazed up at Inutaisho, regarding him with casualness. "But now that you two showed up, I really don't want to play anymore." Raige then looked towards Kagome, a smile lighting his face as he took in her figure. "I'll come back for you," he vowed.

Inuyasha growled, just as Raige leapt onto a shrine house and disappeared from the shrine grounds. Kagome whipped her head towards Kaya to see that she had leapt onto the Goshinboku and out of the shrine. Their auras were gone, making Kagome suddenly feel a lot safer and relaxed. Her eyes danced on Inutaisho and Sesshomaru for a bit, curiosity filling her orbs.

"Papa?" she asked, going to stand next to the two. Even Inuyasha moved towards his family as Inutaisho turned towards Kagome with a smile lit on his face, happy to see Kagome was well. "Why are you guys here?" she asked, looking over at Sesshomaru as well. The demon was emotionless as always, but Kagome could see something was wrong in his eyes. She took a note of it and decided to ask him about it later.

"Your mother called me at my office," Inutaisho said with a smile, seeing Kagome's eyes widen. "She was worried and so Sesshomaru and I came down to give you two a hand," he said, gazing at Inuyasha as he placed his hand on his son's shoulder, proud of the boy.

Inuyasha snickered and looked away from his father's proud smile. "I was handling it just fine until you two showed up and ruined it."

Inutaisho laughed as Kagome just smiled and shook her head.

"Kagome!"

Kagome turned around to see her mother running out of the house, following her son who was already near her. Kagome dropped to her knees as Kazuki ran into her arms.

"Okaa!" Kazuki said, burying his head in his mother's wealth of hair. "I was scared for you and Otou."

Kagome rubbed Kazuki's back comfortingly. "It's alright, sweetheart. Your father and I had everything under control. None of us got hurt," she pointed out, knowing that he could already smell that there had been no blood spilled. Kazuki nodded his head against her and Kagome smiled, pulling Kazuki against her as she stood to face the three demons.

"What are we going to do about Raige now?" Kagome asked, watching as the three tried to think about it. Kagome was sure that Raige would keep his promise and he would be coming back for her. And at a time like this, when she was just leaving for Ise. Kagome sighed, bumping Kazuki up so that she could support his weight easier. The four of them stood in a circle so they could all see each other, as Kira and Souta came up behind Kagome.

"I believe it is best if you, Kira and Souta come to stay with me and Izayoi," Inutaisho said as he regarded Kagome. He saw her shock and continued on. "I do not believe that it is safe for you and your family to remain in the shrine without any one of us to be here when Raige does come back. And I believe that he will."

"Of course he will," Inuyasha said, crossing his arms across his chest. He looked at Kagome when he saw her worried glance. "I think my father is right, Kagome," he said, believing in his father's words. "It's not safe if you guys stay here," he said, taking a quick glance at Kira and Souta, noticing their worried faces as well. "If you guys stay with my father, you'll be a lot safer."

Kagome took a moment to think everything over. Raige would come back, but if her family was at Inutaisho's home then they would be safe if he would go looking for them. And if he was as adept to her as she thought he might be, then he would follow her scent to the Ise Shrine again. Hopefully, he would follow her when she left and leave her family alone. Kagome sighed as she frowned and looked towards Inutaisho, unable to watch Inuyasha's shock.

"I think that it is best if my mother and brother stay with you," she said as Inutaisho frowned at her words, knowing that she had left herself out. Even Inuyasha arched a confused eyebrow and waited for her explanation. "Actually, I'm leaving for the Ise Shrine."

At this, Inuyasha's arms dropped to his side and Inutaisho looked at Kagome with a shocked expression. Sesshomaru remained quiet and impassive, listening to the conversation and learning of Kagome's intentions. Kagome sighed as Kazuki brought his head up and she brought him to her side as she gazed at Inuyasha with a frown. "I need to get away from here." At this, Inuyasha's ears drooped as he understood why she was leaving. But Kagome quickly tried to ease his pain, and she even took a step towards him but then stopped herself. "Something happened last night. Something that could have been the reason why Raige and Kaya had shown up to begin with."

Sesshomaru smirked as he looked away. He knew Kagome was hiding something. The girl was pulsing with some kind of power, a heavy pressure that increased the closer to Kagome he was and Sesshomaru had wondered what it was. But he had kept his mouth shut, knowing that his father felt the presence as well.

Kagome placed Kazuki on the ground and he went for her leg, hanging onto her hakama as he gazed up at her. She reached into her miko robes, exposing a bit of her skin and Inutaisho didn't miss the mark made by Inuyasha. He took in a sharp breath and looked away quickly, seeing as how he had been right about the two mating. Kagome was covered in Inuyasha's scent and Inutaisho could tell they had lain together, but Inuyasha's scent was stronger this time. As if he had left himself forever on Kagome, which he did. Inutaisho closed his eyes as he frowned. 'Kagome… you must be running away from him.'

Kagome pulled out the cloth containing the jewel and glanced around to make sure that no one was in the shrine grounds. She nodded and unfolded the cloth as the three huddled closer to see what it was that pulsed beneath the surface. The Sacred Jewel glowed in all its power as it was revealed. Inutaisho gasped, his eyes wide in shock, as he took a step back. Inuyasha scrunched up his eyebrows as he remained confused and in awe while Sesshomaru stared at Kagome, his eyes burning holes into her.

"Why has the Shikon no Tama surfaced?" Sesshomaru asked, his voice holding its strict authority as it called Kagome's attention. Kagome glanced nervously at Sesshomaru. Though she wasn't afraid of him, she saw him as an older brother and knew that Sesshomaru cared about her. She bit her bottom lip as she spared Inuyasha a quick glance, seeing that he was paying close attention to her, not the jewel.

"Well… after Inuyasha and I mated," she said, now catching all of their attentions, except Kira and Souta, "Something had gone wrong." Inuyasha's ears twitched on his head and he frowned, his body suddenly losing its tension. He glanced at the ground as Kagome looked at him, but she smiled encouragingly, making him feel that he had done something right when he knew that he had hurt her.

"Apparently, the demonic fluid that Inuyasha had marked me with was conflicting with the Shikon no Tama within me." She glanced down at the jewel as it caught her attention. "My mother had insisted that she take the jewel out. It was the only way that I could live." At this, Inuyasha's eyes were wide with fear and shock as he gazed at Kagome still looking down at the jewel. 'I… I almost killed her?' he thought, still shocked as to what he had done.

"The jewel was being corrupted by the demonic fluid and it was slowly losing the battle. Because of the ties with me and the jewel, I was dying along with it. That was why I was so weak when we had come back from Okinawa," Kagome said as she gazed at Inuyasha to see his shocked expression. She saw fear in his eyes which gave her pause. 'Inu…' Kagome frowned, wanting to reach out to him, wipe away his fear and pain that flooded his eyes. 'He thinks it's all his fault that I had almost died…' Now she understood, making Kagome take a step towards him.

"Inu…" she said, reaching out to him. Kazuki remained at her side, walking alongside his mother as he held onto her hakama. Kagome stopped in front of Inuyasha as he bowed his head, not wanting to look at her. "Inu… it's not your fault." She placed a hand on his shoulder, running her fingers up his neck and onto his cheek. She grabbed his chin and forced him to look at her as she smiled lovingly at him. "It's not your fault."

Inuyasha drowned in Kagome's eyes, disbelieving at how big her heart was. She wasn't blaming him when she should be. It was all his fault that he had nearly killed her. He shouldn't have mated with her. But then, just as that thought flew in his mind, he found himself rejecting that thought altogether. Kagome was all he had, she was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he knew that he would have taken Kagome as his mate anyways. But still, knowing that he had caused Kagome's pain and almost-death, he felt terrible and like a monster. Someone who doesn't deserve Kagome's love.

Kagome saw that he didn't believe her words and she frowned, her hand going to his cheek. "Inuyasha… I don't regret becoming your mate."

Inutaisho sighed, making both of them look his way. He smiled at them, but still held disappointment and fear in his eyes. "I'm assuming that Kikyo doesn't know."

Kagome and Inuyasha both turned to look at each other and then back at Inutaisho, shaking their heads at the same time. Inutaisho sighed and placed his hands on his hips as he gazed at Kira. "And you're okay with this?"

Kira gazed firmly back at Inutaisho, seeing that he was seeking her council. "What I agree with about their lives is not my decision, Inutaisho. Plus, I know from experience what these two share that can never be compared to any other. That is what I base my agreement on." Inutaisho smiled at Kira's cunning words and nodded his head in agreement. He wouldn't lecture the two on what they have done because he was quite sure that they already knew. Which was why Kagome was leaving for Ise.

"So… you intend to go to Ise to try and keep the jewel safe?" Inutaisho asked, wanting Kagome to tell them why she was going back there when she had always wanted to stay in Tokyo with them.

Kagome nodded her head and turned to face all of them. "I know that this jewel will attract many demons," she said, gazing down at the jewel in her hand. "And I'm not about to place my family in danger because of it. The jewel had once been inside of me, and now that it is not, it is my duty to protect it. And so I will return to Ise to do my duty as the High Priestess and the Shikon no Miko." Kagome gazed up at the three demons and kept her head held high, knowing that she was already wavering in her decision. Kazuki tugged on her hakama, but she didn't look down at him. She couldn't bear to see his sadness amongst his childish features. And she couldn't bear to look at Inuyasha to see his disapproval as well. But she knew that she would hear it.

"I don't see why you have to go there for," Inuyasha said, crossing his chest again as he glared at Kagome. "Raige went there once. He'll find you there again, and then what, Kagome?" he asked, seeing that she was thinking about her options. "At least here, you have all of us plus the others to protect you and the jewel."

Inutaisho nodded his agreement but Kagome smiled at Inuyasha apologetically. "I can't take the chances. Raige has proven to us many times that he is something that we have never dealt with before and I fear that he truly is even more powerful than Kano. He's just not showing it yet. And I know there will come a time when he will show his true nature and I will be the one to blame for my family's endangerment. That is a risk I will not take… again."

"But you don't even know if the jewel is attracting demons," Inutaisho pointed out. True, he hadn't even felt the jewel until he had come into a few miles of the shrine. And then, he had thought that the power had been coming from Kagome, which made him fear that something bad had happened, making Kagome use her powers. But when he had arrived, the power was centered in Kagome.

Kagome wrapped up the jewel and placed it back in her miko robes. "It proves that Kaya had known. Her desire for revenge against mikos and priests was evident when she fought against me. And I think she will be coming after the jewel for its power to fulfill her wish." Kagome sighed as she looked down at Kazuki. His eyes were gazing up at her with sadness, and he had a pout on his face. His free hand lay slumped at his side, listening to what the adults were saying and knowing what was happening. His mother was leaving him. Kagome looked back up at Inuyasha, trying to will him to let her go. "I have to go back to Ise. It's the only way to keep the jewel safe," she said, trying to persuade him.

But Inuyasha still didn't believe her words as his stubbornness set on his face and Kagome could tell that he wasn't going to give in.

"Is that the only reason why you are going?" Kagome turned to view Sesshomaru. The demon was stoic but she could hear the censure in his voice. She frowned, confused as to what he meant. "This Sesshomaru has reason to believe that you are leaving for Ise because you do not want to be my brother's mate."

Kagome's eyes widened and she could literally feel Inuyasha's growl reverberate out of his chest as his growl began to challenge Sesshomaru's statement. Inutaisho raised his hand at Inuyasha and regarded his eldest. "Sesshomaru… you know that Kagome loves Inuyasha." Kagome looked down.

"This Sesshomaru knows that Kagome loves him," Sesshomaru said, now regarding his father. But then he looked towards his brother behind Kagome, seeing the anger on Inuyasha's face as to what he had said. "But Kagome is running from being his mate. She doesn't want to be his mate because of this love triangle they are stuck in." Sesshomaru waited for the tense moment to pass, and it did. Inuyasha suddenly quit growling as he gazed at the back of Kagome's head, silent and still.

"Kagome… you don't want to be with me?" he asked, afraid of her answer.

Kagome kept her eyes on the ground and her back towards him. She slowly shook her head. "It's not that. It's just… I don't…" she sighed, turning to view him now. She would tell him the truth, even though it would hurt. "I don't think that we should be together."

Inuyasha took a step back as if he had been punched in the gut. His face stared dumbfounded at Kagome, begging her to take that back, but she had complete resolve on her face. He shook his head in disbelief. "But… I told you… Inu-youkai mate for life. And you are my mate, Kagome."

Kagome smiled sadly at him, tilting her head to the side. "Yes, I know, Inu. But I just don't think that we should be mates." Kagome bent to her knees to grab her son and give him a big hug.

The two Inu-taiyoukais both looked at the shrine stairs as a man appeared at the top. He wore the suit of a taxi driver. Inutaisho frowned as he turned to look at his youngest. Inuyasha had a blank look on his face as he stared ahead, still shocked as to what Kagome had said, as if his whole life was crashing before his eyes. 'My son…' Inutaisho thought sadly. Being rejected by one's own mate was more hurtful than anything this world could ever bring upon one person.

"Okaa?" Kazuki asked, scenting his mother's and father's pain. He could feel her sadness and thought that he had something to do with it. His small fingers tangled in his mother's hair as she held him against her chest for a few short seconds.

"Kazuki, my son…" she whispered against his head. Kagome felt her eyes sting and tears fell down her cheeks. She would see her son again, but she just didn't want to leave him. Again, when she had told him that she would stay with him. Kagome shut her eyes as more tears fell down. "I will call you every night, okay sweetheart?" She felt his nod and smiled. "I love you…"

Kazuki grasped onto his mother as she pulled away. "Okaa…" he whined, his eyes burning as tears threatened to fall. Kagome gripped his shoulders and pushed him back, making Kazuki frown and bite his fist. He went straight to his father, tugging on Inuyasha's pants as he wiped away his tears.

Kagome wiped away her own tears while turning her back on her son. She couldn't bear to watch him cry when she knew she hurt him. She smiled at her mother and brother as they gazed worriedly at her. "I'll call when I reach the shrine," she promised. Kira nodded her head with an encouraging smile. Kagome smiled back, and then began to walk to the stairs.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha called, seeing that Kagome was truly leaving and not turning back.

Taking a deep breath to steel her nerves, Kagome stopped and turned around. Inuyasha had Kazuki in his arms as the boy cried against his father's shoulder. She bit her bottom lip, willing herself not to cry and grab her son to bring him into her arms. Kagome gazed at Inuyasha, trying to remain as impassive as she could.

"So that's it? You're just going to leave again?" Inuyasha watched as Kagome stared at him with nothing more but a neutral expression. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. After those two nights they shared together, after he made her his mate and she wanting to be his mate, after all of that and what they had in the past, Kagome was just going to walk out on them. She was going to leave her son, again. She was going to leave him, again. And she didn't even look like she cared.

Kagome frowned then, seeing the sadness and disbelief in Inuyasha's eyes. "I'll come visit at least once a month. All I ask is that I see my son once a week, maybe more if you don't mind driving down to Ise. If not, I can always come up to see him." Kagome gazed at her son's back and then to Inuyasha. With that said, she turned back around and headed for the taxi driver, still waiting at the top of the stairs.

Inuyasha frowned as he watched Kagome leave him and their son. Kazuki cried on his shoulder, sad and hurt that his mother would leave him. And truth be told, Inuyasha was enraged that Kagome would do such a thing to Kazuki. To him. She had come back for them, right? Then why was she leaving them again? Inuyasha watched until Kagome left his sight and he remembered the look in her eyes just before she turned around and walked away. Kagome was in pain. He soothed his son as he turned to Kira.

"You're okay with this?" he asked her, trying not to take out his anger on Kira.

Kira turned to him and nodded her head. "Yes. What Kagome chooses to do with the jewel and her life is not up to me. Though I do have my desires and wants, I know she has her own too. And she has her responsibilities to uphold."

Sesshomaru turned towards Kira. "It seems that Kagome's responsibilities are all she has."

Kira frowned at the truth in Sesshomaru's words.

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

Night had fallen and the animals had scurried back into their dens for sleep and comfort. The forest was silent, the stream only slightly moving down the pebble-coated path laid out for it. And the miko sat nearby the stream, in a cross-legged position, as she meditated in the darkness and silence of the forest.

No one bothered the priestess through this process. Birds looked down at her with unflinching desire and the trees remained unmoving as the priestess sought for answers in her prayers. The ground beneath her began to shift as pebbles began to rise up off the ground, making the scene look like one from the moon. But the priestess was unmoving as her eyes were closed in peace and her face was smoothly carved of stone. Her body was relaxed as she breathed in and out. Then, the pebbles began to vibrate until one at a time they all began to fly out towards the surrounding forest. One by one the pebbles zipped by, flying into bushes, straight into a tree, everywhere. And then, the stream began to trickle again and the priestess opened her eyes, revealing a lovely glow.

Kagome sighed as she blinked into clear focus and gazed down at the stream in front of her. She frowned, remembering the day's events when she was trying so hard to find peace in this forest she loved so much. Kagome couldn't forget the look of Inuyasha's face as she left him, or her son's cries as she left him too. She was a terrible mother that was for sure. She left Kazuki once and she had left him again, proving to everyone that she couldn't even care for her own child. Kagome bit her bottom lip as tears fell down her cheeks and she angrily wiped them away, disgusted with herself. She got to her feet, dusting off her butt as she turned around and began to head back to the Naiku Shrine.

Reaching up, Kagome touched the jewel that hung from her neck. When she had arrived, her Brothers had presented her with a strand they had made out of pink diamonds found in Mount Fuji. Her Brothers had told her that, after the jewel had been pulled out of her body, they had sent a group of monks to the core of the mountain in search of pink diamonds. The monks had done just as the Brothers told them, picking pieces of pink diamonds off the walls of the underground tunnels in Mount Fuji. The tunnels are known by few as it remains in old legends of the great mountain and few modern day people know of them. After the monks had returned with pieces of diamonds, the rest of the priestesses and monks of the Naiku Shrine had fashioned the diamonds so it would shape into a flat, curved teeth. Kagome had been surprised when they all presented the strand to her, the diamonds placed on a sterling silver string. Her fingers played with the jewel as it rolled against her miko robes. Her spiritual aura was what kept the necklace together. Her Brothers had told her that the diamonds were so thinly carved that they would break if dropped, but if she strengthened it with her aura, it would withstand even molten lava. So Kagome had used her aura to fuse the jewel onto the strand and allow the diamonds to become like steel. Now, the jewel would always be with her and she would never leave it out of her sight.

The Naiku Shrine came into view and Kagome made her way towards the Garden of Naiku. She noted how well the plants have grown since they had replanted the garden. Though it wasn't as bountiful as before, the garden was growing beautifully thanks to the care of the priestesses. Kagome smiled as she headed for a stone bench, sitting on the cold stone as she gazed at the flowers along the ground. Moss grew on the trees that thickened their roots into the ground as flowers sprung up from the moss, using it as a rich fertilizer.

Kagome sighed. 'Inuyasha…' Unconsciously, her hand went up to the mark Inuyasha left on her as she rubbed the spot beneath her miko robes. Kagome gazed at the ground as Inuyasha came into her mind. 'I'm so sorry…' Everything had not gone the way she had hoped for the both of them, and for Kazuki. 'I'm so sorry, my son…' Kazuki. He had been so sad when she had left him that it tore at her heart to turn her back on her son. But it had to be done. They were only dreaming when they thought that they could be together. They were having high hopes for something that would crush them in the end. It was senseless to believe that she and Inuyasha could be together. It just wasn't like a happy-ending story that Kagome used to love when she was young. This was real life, and it threw so many obstacles at her that she just didn't know who she was going to hurt next. 'It seems like my coming back only brought everyone pain and hurt.'

"Lady Kagome."

Snapping out of her thoughts, Kagome turned to see her Brother Minoru making his way towards the bench. She smiled in welcome as he smiled back and took a seat next to her, ruffling his robes as he got comfortable. His Shakujo lay against a tree and his Ju remained wrapped on his left hand.

"Is there something that you would like to talk about?" Monk Minoru asked, his hazel eyes shinning with understanding and tenderness. Kagome smiled at him with a small sigh.

"I have been thinking about Inuyasha and Kazuki."

Monk Minoru nodded his head, knowing that she would be thinking of her family after she made the decision to leave them. Probably even for good. "Are you thinking about remaining here forever?"

Kagome nodded her head. "I must. It is for the protection of the jewel." She gazed back at the white flower that grew on the short tree. "If I remain in the Naiku, the jewel will always be protected. Plus, it needs to be kept in a pure environment."

"But the jewel is always with you. You are the purity that it needs. We are merely offerings to your purity," he pointed out.

Kagome shrugged her shoulders. "Your auras help a lot. At least here, there are no demons around the corner or near my shrine house. I can sleep knowing that no danger will befall upon me in my sleep. And I will know that the demons won't be driven threaten to my family."

Monk Minoru nodded his head as he gazed at the small pond that lay in the Naiku, its clear, glossy surface reflecting the stars above. "Yes… but is it wise to say that you will remain here for your entire lifetime?"

Kagome turned to view her Brother, curiosity in her eyes with a mild amusement. "You do not believe that I will remain here," she pointed out questionably.

Monk Minoru shrugged his shoulders but kept his eyes ahead on the pond. "I do not believe that you can remain away from your family for a lifetime."

Kagome smiled with a snicker and looked away. "My family is better off without me."

Monk Minoru frowned as he turned to look at Kagome. Her face was sad as she gazed ahead at the flower growing lonely on the tree. "I know that my family was much happier and better off without me. When I was reborn, I brought so much turmoil to my family than I did happiness." Kagome tilted her head, her frown still permanent on her face. "I was so selfish, so into my own want and desires, that I didn't think about what my family would want. I hadn't even thought that maybe they had moved on and found happiness without me, like how I wanted them to. It was my desire to be with Inuyasha that brought me back and now look. I am here, instead of with him, and we will never be able to be together."

Monk Minoru listened as Kagome explained to him her situation and how she felt. He listened to her sad tone and the lost note of her far-off voice. She was lost as to what to do, have thought of things to try and make better for her family, but came up with only one way. Kagome thought to leave her family so they can be happy. Monk Minoru moved his hands around, the sound of the beads on the Ju hitting each other being the only sound.

"My Lady, maybe what you believe is right for your family is not actually what they believe is true."

Kagome turned towards him with confusion in her eyes. Monk Minoru smiled encouragingly at her, seeing that she wanted his explanation, probably to make her feel better about the choice she made. "I believe that your family loves you enough to see you for who and what you are and be able to live with it. They love you very much and I'm quite sure that they would want you to be with them when you were stripped from them three years ago." Kagome was about to object to his statement when Monk Minoru continued. "If you believe that your family hasn't been happy since you came back then you are wrong. I know that your mother loves you very much and so do your brother and sister." Kagome looked away at the sound of her sister loving her… after what she has done. "You had such little time in your first life that you can finally do the things you wanted to do in this life."

"Which is what I tried…" Kagome stated. "I tried doing the things I wasn't allowed in my first life in this life. But I just don't see any of those dreams coming to life."

"And it is because most of it revolves around a certain hanyou?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

Kagome smiled and nodded her head. "Yes."

Monk Minoru sighed, making Kagome want to sigh with him. Life had become so complicating since she came back, and it was all because of her. Monk Minoru rubbed his knees. "Well, I guess you have some thinking ahead of you."

Kagome watched him curiously as Monk Minoru got to his feet and grabbed his Shakujo. "What do you mean?"

Monk Minoru turned back towards Kagome with a smile. "You must figure out if you want to make yourself happy or if you want to make your family happy. Because if you cannot distinguish the difference between both, then maybe you will find that your family wants the same things you do." With that said, Monk Minoru excused himself and walked towards the entrance of the garden, heading back to his duties.

Kagome remained in the garden a bit longer, thinking about Monk Minoru's departing words. One thing she loved about that Brother, he knew how to listen and understand her problems. Kagome smiled for her Brother and shook her head, taking in the smell of the garden as she let it soothe her body's tension.

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

Lying in bed, Kikyo watched as Inuyasha remained outside on the balcony. With a frown, she laid on her side to watch him, placing one hand on her growing belly and the other underneath her head. 'Inuyasha…' He had been out there ever since they had settled into bed and he had found that he couldn't go to sleep. So he had left her in bed while he went outside to stare at the land. She frowned. 'He's been like this since they got back from the shrine.' When Inuyasha and Kazuki returned, earlier than she thought, she had found a crying child and a very angered Inuyasha. Kazuki had run straight for his room, dismissing her cries for him, and Inuyasha had gone straight outside for the rest of the afternoon. He had remained in the woods behind their home for the remainder of the day. And as sunset arrived and she began to worry for Inuyasha, he had come back to cook her dinner. But she could see that something was still on Inuyasha's mind and his run through the woods hadn't been able to settle his nerves.

Then, she found out. During dinner, Kazuki had come down to eat and Kikyo had asked what had happened. And Inuyasha told her everything. Kazuki had stormed out of the kitchen in tears as Inuyasha reminded the child of what had happened, and Kikyo tried in vain to get the poor child in her arms. Kazuki didn't want anyone's arms but his mother's, who Kikyo had learned had left for the Ise Shrine earlier on this day. So now, Kikyo watched as both her males were in pain as to Kagome's departure. Which only brought Kikyo pain.

Kikyo felt tears spring in her eyes as she watched Inuyasha's back, lighted by the moonlight. 'Why do you care so much about her?' she thought, asking him. 'Why do you love her more than me?' she asked him, wishing he could hear her thoughts. But Inuyasha wouldn't turn around to look at her. He remained out on the balcony, staring at Buddha only knows what. Kikyo bit her bottom lip as her heart ached for Inuyasha's arms. But it was obvious who was on his mind. She tried to go to sleep, which she failed to do. But a few hours later Kikyo fell into a weary sleep, alone.

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

The town was bustling as everyone talked about the performance that would be happening in a few hours at the concert for cancer awareness. Mayonaka would be playing at the concert, along with many other performers. And many teenagers were anxious to get to the concert and watch their short performance.

David sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "So I guess no one is going to tell me what's going on?" he asked as he stared out at the three boys, their reflections in the mirror the only thing he could see. The three were currently getting their hairs and makeup done by the stylists hovering over them. David watched as Miroku looked up at him apologetically and Koga just looked over at Inuyasha's reflection. Inuyasha gazed down at the brush in front of him, not wanting to look at anyone.

"Fine," David said, and threw his hands in the air in pure frustration. "Just… don't screw up in your performance," he reminded angrily and walked out of the dressing room.

Now that the three were alone, Koga and Miroku both looked toward Inuyasha, seeing that the boy still wasn't paying any attention to them.

"Inuyasha!" Koga called, trying to snap the boy out of his thoughts. "Inuyasha! I know you can hear me!"

Miroku tried a more subtle way. "Inuyasha… would you mind telling us why you haven't said a word since you got here?" But there came no reply from the boy.

Koga growled. "Hey, dog turd. What the fuck is your problem?" And much to their amazement, Inuyasha didn't even flinch a muscle as Koga called him names. Miroku and Koga both looked at each other in amazement and disbelief. For Inuyasha not to yell back at Koga meant that something was truly bothering him. They haven't seen him like this ever since Kagome had died three years ago.

Miroku nudged Inuyasha on his shoulder, making the hanyou blink, his golden eyes showing his confusion. Inuyasha looked up at his reflection in the mirror and then at Miroku, seeing who it was who hit him.

"Miroku? What the hell was that for?" he asked, though lacking the harshness in his tone.

Miroku arched his eyebrow. 'Only now he realizes that we were speaking to him?' Okay, something was seriously wrong with Inuyasha. "Inuyasha… we've been talking to you for the past minute and you haven't even heard a word we said?" Inuyasha blinked as he looked towards Koga, seeing the boy's disbelief as well. Inuyasha shrugged and shook it off.

With a groan, Koga slapped his forehead, making the stylist having to scold him for doing so. Koga apologized and leaned against his chair to talk to the hanyou. "Inuyasha… we've been trying to get your attention so you could tell us what the hell is up with you today."

Inuyasha frowned as the memory of yesterday came back and he looked back down at the hairbrush. "Oh no…" Koga said, "You're not going to daze out on us again."

Inuyasha growled and turned to glare at Koga, finally showing the 'normal' Inuyasha. "What the hell do you care?"

Koga blinked, not ready for that question or the tone. But Miroku tried to calm Inuyasha down. "Inuyasha… don't get mad at Koga. We're just trying to figure out why you have been so quiet lately. Even David was asking you about it and you just blew him off." Inuyasha didn't seem to even remember David talking to him, which made Miroku even more worried as to what had Inuyasha's thoughts. 'Maybe it's Kagome…' "Did something happen to Kagome?" he guessed.

And his guess was right. The pained look on Inuyasha's face was all Miroku and Koga needed to know that something indeed had happened to Kagome. Or maybe, something between the both of them. Miroku tried to ask him calmly, without having to ruffle him up. "What happened, Inuyasha?"

After a moment of silence, Inuyasha was ready to tell them, though he knew that he would be spilling out his feelings to his best friends. "Kagome left." Was all he could simply say. Koga and Miroku both exchanged glances and Koga let Miroku talk, knowing that the boy was better at emotional things than he was.

"She left Tokyo?" he asked, figuring that there would only be one place Kagome would go if she left Tokyo.

Inuyasha nodded his head and Miroku pressed his lips together in understanding. "She left yesterday morning." Inuyasha's eyes were pained as he gazed at the brush in front of him. "She left. She went back to Ise."

Miroku frowned as he listened to Inuyasha's lost voice, hearing the sadness that Inuyasha rarely showed to others. He gazed at Koga, seeing that the wolf demon was at a lost for words, and he decided to try and help the hanyou. "Well, it's not like you can't go and see her."

Inuyasha turned to glare at him and Miroku showed a sense of surrender with his hands. But the hanyou just shook his head and looked back at the brush. He could understand that his friends wanted to help, but he didn't want their help. There wasn't anything that they could do to help him now. Kagome was gone. She had left him and Kazuki behind, again, and she did it all because of her duty. 'Dammit Kagome! Why'd you have to go?' He knew he shouldn't be mad at her for going, but he cursed her. Kagome should have known what it would have done to him now that he had marked her and she belonged to him. Which was the hardest part. He would be away from her, far away from his own mate, which left it hard on him and probably even Kagome. It would be hard on the both of them for being so far away from each other.

"Inuyasha!" Koga called, getting the hanyou's attention. Inuyasha snapped out of it, his eyes going to Koga's eyes looking at him in the mirror. Koga glared at him, finally catching the hanyou's attention, and then opened his mouth to speak. "What about your mark? Didn't you mark Kagome?"

"You marked her too?" Miroku asked, disbelief and shock written on Miroku's face. Inuyasha glared at the both of them in the mirror, wishing that they didn't know any of his business. He glared at them for a few moments and then gazed down at the band's symbol on Koga's tank top. He sighed and frowned. The two boys both looked at each other and then turned their eyes away to give Inuyasha some room, knowing that the boy took some time to open up to anything.

Inuyasha sighed and shook his head, wishing that Kagome hadn't left. "I don't know what I'm going to do," he said truthfully. Everything had happened so fast yesterday that he didn't know how to comprehend anything. Kazuki was still sad that Kagome had left and he didn't know what Kazuki would think now of his mother. Kagome had said that he could visit her at least once a week, and if he didn't want to drive Kazuki to Ise then she could ask Dai, who would be more than happy to make the long drive just to get out of Tokyo. But Inuyasha knew that he would want to make the trips himself so he could see Kagome too. Truthfully, Inuyasha was dumbfounded as to what to do now.

There was a knock on the door and one of the directors stepped into the room to inform the guys that they were needed backstage. The show was starting. The three stood up from their chairs and exchanged knowing glances, pushing aside their conversation for the future. The three then walked towards the door and prepared themselves for their performance that was about to take fold.

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

Kagome smiled as she walked along the Naiku shrine grounds, watching as the priestesses bowed when she walked by, but she got used to it already. The traditional protocol for her was something that she had to get used to anyways now that she was living here. But the days had come and gone and she had gotten used to the sounds of the birds during the day and the way nature was at her feet. Kagome felt at peace and at home here at the Naiku Shrine, but she did miss her family.

'Kazuki…' A smile crossed her face as she made her way to the entrance of the Naiku Shrine. The priestesses all bid her farewell, knowing too well where their priestess was going, and went on their duties around the shrine. Kagome couldn't help but feel happy at the thought of leaving the shrine to see her son. Kazuki was coming down to Ise with Inuyasha to visit her, since it has been a week already. Truthfully, she hadn't noticed that the time had gone by so fast and she hadn't seen her son for seven days. But the smiling face of Kazuki was what she remembered now that she was so far from him, and was what got her through her sadness when she thought of him.

Kagome entered the Geku Shrine and was flocked by monks and priestesses who wished her a farewell and safe journey, praying for her return. Kagome thanked them all as she made her way towards the entrance of the Geku Shrine. It felt like a relief to leave the shrine, something like lifting a heavy weight off her shoulders by just leaving the shrine grounds. It also felt good to wear normal clothes as she was dressed in a pair of pants and a blue tank top, feeling human again without the huge robes on her body making her feel bloated. Kagome sighed inwardly, thankfully, and continued on her way, wondering what to expect once she saw her son and Inuyasha.

'Inuyasha…' The thought of seeing him again only made her even more anxious and excited. Kagome frowned as her emotions swamped her, making her confused about the thought of Inuyasha. Since she had gotten to the Naiku Shrine, Kagome couldn't stop thinking about him. The thought of him made her miss him even more, making her feel empty inside, which only confused her all the more. Kagome didn't know why, but she felt like a part of her was missing, and she didn't know what that part of her was. She just knew that she was feeling very different, and when she thought about Inuyasha the pain got worse, one time bringing her to her knees when she had been out in the forest walking around. Kagome frowned, not realizing that she had reached the entrance to the Ise Shrine.

"High Priestess," a monk called, snapping Kagome out of her thoughts. She blinked back her fuzzy thoughts as she looked in front of her to see the bowed, bald head of a monk. His hands were clapped in front of him and she wondered when she had reached the entrance to the Ise Shrine. "Would you like me to call My Lady a cab?"

Kagome smiled thankfully and shook her head. "No thank you, monk. I have a ride." The monk backed away with his head still down and then turned around, going back into the small shrine house at the entrance to keep watch. Kagome sighed and walked towards the road, going under the huge torii and looked down both sides of the road. She wondered where Inuyasha was but then smiled about it and knew better than to worry about him. 'Inuyasha just always has to be late,' she thought, amused.

Kagome frowned, feeling the same sensation when she thought about him. Not to mention the way the mark above her heart would tingle when she thought about Inuyasha, as if his mark still held his essence. Kagome sighed heavily. 'This needs to stop, Kagome.' Erasing all thoughts from her mind, Kagome clasped her hands in front of her and waited for Inuyasha.

The sun was high in the sky, signaling its peak in the day as it thankfully began to head down for the horizon. A red Honda sports car sped down the small streets of Ise as it made its way towards the Geku Shrine. Kagome smiled as she saw the car coming around the corner and she unclasped her hands, eager to see Kazuki and Inuyasha. This reunion with her son was also a way for her to see Inuyasha, which she secretly wanted. The car stopped right in front of her and Kagome got in and welcomes could be heard as it sped off to her favorite park in Ise. The park was small, but it held a children's playground and a lot of grassy areas to sit down with Sakura trees everywhere. A few people were lying around on the ground while some children played on the swings and playground.

Kagome stepped out of the car and popped the seat forward so Kazuki could get out. Her son was dressed in a red shirt with black shorts, his silver hair glowing in the sunlight. Kagome smiled as she extended her hand and he took it eagerly. She looked up to see Inuyasha waiting in front of his car with a smile on his face, and she couldn't help but smile back, feeling warmth inside of her. This was the family that she once could have had. This feeling of love and completeness only took over her when she had her son and Inuyasha alone with her, and only then did she think about 'what if'. Kagome smiled, forgetting about her thoughts, and lead the way into the park as Inuyasha took his place on the other side of Kazuki. The three walked to the playground, all the while listening as Kazuki told Kagome of his time at the concert that his father had been in and the things he'd been doing since she had been gone. Kagome had heard the sad note in his tone as he told her of how much he missed her, and she could only squeeze his hand in reassurance that she loved him dearly and missed him just as much. Kazuki's smile and happiness lit up when the playground came closer and he spotted some children playing on the playground set.

Letting go of her son's hand with a reassuring nod, Kagome watched as Kazuki raced with excitement towards the twin slides. She smiled at his back, watching with a mother's love as her son positioned himself at the top of the slide, sitting down with a child's excitement and then pushing off to feel the thrill of the wind flowing through his hair. Once Kazuki planted his feet on the ground, his golden eyes looked up to find hers and his smile widened to see her watching him. She waved at him, watching as he waved back and then turned around to have more fun.

Kagome sighed, her smile still unable to wipe away, and then turned to her side to see Inuyasha watching their son with the same expression. She watched him curiously, seeing the warmth and love in his golden eyes, those of which she had yearned for a week now. Inuyasha was so focused on Kazuki that he didn't catch her staring at him, giving her enough time for her mind and heart to take in the sight of Inuyasha. Kagome was breathless as she just stared at him with awe and love, something that was burning within her again.

Then, Inuyasha turned his head towards her and Kagome blinked back her shock and whipped her head around, a blush forming on her cheeks after being caught. Her heart was pounding and she was sure that Inuyasha could hear it, but she couldn't stop the way it beat frantically for him. Kagome placed a hand over her heart, willing it to calm down.

"Kagome… do you want to go sit down?" Inuyasha asked, spotting a bench nearby. He could hear her heart beating quickly and he wondered why. When he had turned around from watching his son fill with excitement, he noticed Kagome staring at him, but she had turned away from him. Now, her heart was beating too quickly, which made him wonder if she was embarrassed that she was caught staring at him or if she regretted it. Inuyasha's ears drooped, but then Kagome moved and he followed right beside her, silently taking in her scent and the emotions in her aura. She was confused and conflicted, but Inuyasha kept his mouth shut, walking alongside her until they reached the bench and sat down.

Kagome placed her hands on her lap as she sat up straight, still used to the formality of her status. When she recognized what she was doing, she caught herself and relaxed in her posture, leaning back against the bench to feel the breeze calm her nerves.

"So… what have you been doing?" Inuyasha asked, his voice soft as if he was unsure to even ask.

Kagome smiled sweetly as she looked up at the clouds in the sky. "Well, I've been busy in the shrine. We're still trying to patch up the shrine and get it to the way it used to be. It'll take some time, but I know that the Ise Shrine will recover." Kagome sighed and glanced next to her at Inuyasha, seeing his face emotionless as he gazed out at the landscape. One of his arms rested on the back of the bench while the other was on his thigh. Kagome pressed her lips together and gazed back out at the landscape. "It isn't much at the shrine, but the Shikon no Tama is protected there, and that's what matters."

There was a silence between them that felt like it stretched on for eternity. After those last uttered words, Inuyasha didn't know what else to say. Well, there was little left to say between them. It was obvious that Kagome didn't regret leaving him and Kazuki. She seemed content here in Ise, away from her family. But Inuyasha just couldn't let it go. His feelings for Kagome had come back, and he wasn't going to let her go without a fight. Not again. He would put up another fight for her and he would damn the Fates to Hell for what they had and are putting her through.

With his feelings beating at him and the sun's rays filtering through the tree above them, Inuyasha had to ask Kagome, for the sake of his sanity. "Kagome…" he said, putting his head down in defeat. "I miss you."

That simple statement brought a frown upon Kagome's face as she, too, bent her head in defeat. She felt the weight on her shoulders, the weight of having to leave those she loved behind, especially this one man, the one she loved so dearly and who treated her like a queen. It broke her heart just hearing those words leave Inuyasha's lips, let alone know that she felt the same way, and it was all her fault. Kagome sighed sadly, not knowing what to do, or what to say. They stayed silent for a few minutes, Inuyasha getting nervous that Kagome didn't feel the same way, or even cared, as she didn't reply.

"I miss you too, Inuyasha…"

Inuyasha's ears twitched towards the sound of Kagome's soft voice, and his heart pounded in excitement and disbelief as he listened to the words fall off her lips. Inuyasha turned to face Kagome, his face showing his thrill and wonder, as he looked at Kagome's turned face. He smiled at her, wanting her to look at him, wishing she could say those words again.

"Kagome…" he started, leaving a long pause for Kagome to turn her face to look at him with curiosity and wonder. Once her eyes met his, he felt his heart explode in his chest and for once, in this past week, he felt whole again. "Come back to me," he said softly, his ears drooping against his head as he admitted defeat and helplessness to this one woman, the only woman who he would bend over backwards for.

Kagome smiled sadly, her eyes becoming misty. She was speechless as to how Inuyasha looked right now. It broke her heart to see him like this, so helpless and lost. Those ears she loved so much were against his head in submission as his golden eyes swirled with sadness. But she knew that she would only fool herself if she told him that she would take away his worries. They couldn't be together, and as she thought that simple fact, Inuyasha's mark tingled and her heart squeezed in pain at having to break his heart again.

"Inuyasha…" she started breathlessly, unable to find her words. "I just… we can't go back to how it used to be." Inuyasha's face doubled in pain as he looked away from her, but Kagome willed him to look back to her, with no avail. "You know that my duty is here, with the Shikon no Tama. It was the only reason why I was born, Inuyasha," she said, willing him to understand her. "If it wasn't for the jewel, I wouldn't have been born… I wouldn't have been able to meet you and find love with you. This jewel, though as evil as it seems now for separating us, is the only reason why we ever met to begin with."

Inuyasha nearly growled. 'She's backing it up.' Kagome was trying to make herself feel better by believing that, but it wasn't working on him. Yes, it was all true, but it wasn't right. None of it was. Kagome shouldn't have been born to have spent her whole life in a dreadful shrine. Not Kagome. Her heart was too big and too pure to waste away in a shrine full of duties and protocol. It wasn't Kagome. His Kagome. Inuyasha wanted to tell her that, to tell her that she was more than this, that she could do what she wanted. He wanted to grab her and shake some sense into her. But there was nothing he could do, and that was what tore him to the soul, to know that he could do nothing but let Kagome walk out of his life.

"Inuyasha…" Kagome tried, calling his name as she placed her hand on his arm. She felt him jump under her touch and she nearly drew back her hand with hurt, but stopped herself. "You know that I love you," she said, noticing his ears tweak on his head. "But you know that I can't just forget about the jewel."

Inuyasha turned back towards her, his face in pain but in hope. "Then let me help you, Kagome. I can help you care for the jewel." Kagome bit her bottom lip as she saw the strong hope in his eyes, willing him to be strong. She averted her eyes to the grass as she listened to his words and thought about his option, the option of being with him and Kazuki, with her family. "You don't have to do this alone, Kagome." Inuyasha brought his other hand back to hers, grabbing her hand and holding it with both of his as he watched her think his words over, hoping that she will give in.

"You have all of us to help you. Miroku comes from a family of monks. He is fully capable of helping you with the Shikon no Tama. Me and Koga can make sure that no demons even come near the jewel. And Sango can help. Even Ayame." There was a heartbeat of silence as Inuyasha's heart began to beat frantically, his mind already showing him what his future would be like if Kagome would just come back to him. "We all can help you. We helped you before, and we will do it again, Kagome." Inuyasha frowned as time ticked on and Kagome kept chewing on her bottom lip, the same nervous gesture he recognized when she was nervous or unsure of something. He sighed, the visions of his future with her already diminishing again. His hold on her hand began to lessen in strength as his hope began to fade away.

"I just… don't know what I'm going to do without you, Koi."

That one word brought images flying back into Kagome's head. Times she and Inuyasha shared in the past when he would always call her that name, call her his love, which he meant full well. She had known what love was back then, all thanks to this one hanyou. And now, she had the chance of feeling it again. 'But… I don't know what to do.' Was it possible that they could help her take care of the Shikon no Tama? Could just the few of them be able to stop the demons that would be so corrupted and foolish to come after the jewel for power? Kagome didn't know, but her heart soared as Inuyasha's hope flew into her and she began to think of life with him again. It all seemed like a happy ending, something that she had thought she would have had last time, but it backfired on her at the last minute. What if it was the same this time? What if the Fates would throw something unexpected at her in the end and she would have to leave her family and loved ones behind again? Kagome couldn't do it, she knew she wouldn't be able to live with that kind of pain again. And she would live with it for eternity in the afterlife.

Inuyasha gazed out at the landscape and wished that he and Kagome could be like those couples sitting on the grass, too lost in their love to care of their surroundings. Then, he felt Kagome's hand move in his and he turned back to see her eyes, those chestnut orbs he loved dearly gazed at him with a glimmer of hope and love.

"I'll think about it."

A rush of love and happiness filled Inuyasha up as he grabbed Kagome and brought her into his embrace, his arms wrapping around her in a strong hold, wanting to keep her there forever. Kagome smiled with love and closed her eyes as she let her love for this hanyou overwhelm her and she snuggled into his embrace, feeling the strength of his arms keeping her safe against him. Inuyasha's chin nuzzled the top of her head and she felt him place a kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you, Kagome." She would give him his wish, and if she did, he would give her the world. He would give her everything he was and anything she wanted he would lay at her feet. She was his world, his mate, and he didn't know what he would have done if Kagome had left him in this cold world to live without her. But Inuyasha didn't want to think about it anymore, as his world was right here in his arms and he was happy again. The world felt right again.

The two remained in each other's embrace and talked about their week. It was as if they were catching up on each other's lives, like they had taken a small break away from each other. They talked until the sun touched the horizon and their son came back to them, satisfied and exhausted from playing. The family then left the park, driving down the streets of Ise to find a suitable place to have dinner as a family. Kazuki had picked out the restaurant and Kagome and Inuyasha only laughed as to the fast food place he picked. It was obvious that Kazuki didn't want to wait for his food, much like his father. The two had so much in common. The three ordered their food and enjoyed their dinner on the tables outside as they watched the sky change colors. Kazuki took the time to bond with his mother, taking in her scent as much as he could, knowing that he would have to leave her soon. Afterwards, Kazuki told his father that he wanted to see Ise, so they drove even more down the quiet streets as night fell. And as much as they knew that Kazuki was stalling, Kagome had to get back to the shrine. With a sigh and a whine, Kazuki gave in and Inuyasha made his way back towards the shrine. But he kept his hopes up in knowing that Kagome might come back to them soon.

As the Ise Shrine pulled up into view, Inuyasha grabbed a hold of Kagome's hand, squeezing it to please his sadness in having to give her up. Kagome turned to smile at him as he smiled at her, his eyes showing her how much he loved her. Kazuki only watched in the backseat as his parents seemed happy, which only brought him happiness as well.

The car pulled up to the gates of the shrine and it turned off, the silent engine quieting in the dark. The lamps on the street posts were glowing down on them as the doors opened and the two walked out. Kagome had said her goodbyes to her son and gave him a much needed hug and kiss, hoping it would last them a few more days until they could see each other again. With a promise that he would see her again, Kagome left Kazuki in the car and followed Inuyasha towards the torii of the Ise Shrine. There was no one on watch as nighttime was always the slowest, and little people came to the shrine to offer blessings and prayers.

Inuyasha stopped and turned around as Kagome came up to him, a smile lit on her face. His heart nearly stopped as she gazed up at him with love and sadness, mingled together. He felt the same way, and knew that it showed on his face. They would have to part, but he would get her word that she would think about what he offered, and hopefully come back to him.

"Thank you for coming down today," Kagome said as she clasped her hands in front of her. For some reason, she felt shy and nervous, knowing that she would have to say goodbye and watch Inuyasha and her son drive away. But it had to be done. And she was dreading it. She smiled and tilted her head to the side as she gazed up at him. "I wish you a safe journey back to Tokyo."

Inuyasha arched his eyebrow as Kagome held back her giggle. "Don't be so formal with me, woman." Kagome couldn't contain her giggle as Inuyasha chuckled his own and couldn't stand the coldness anymore. He brought Kagome into his arms, feeling her body against his as a comfort and a blessing on its own. He sighed and placed his chin on the top of her head, knowing that he would have to let her go and get back to his son. "Kagome," he breathed, taking in her scent one last time.

"I will think about it, Inu," she promised, knowing full well that was what he wanted to hear. She was also a bit excited to think about it as well, to be living with her family and him. She would really think about it and ask her Brothers for advice about it too. "I love you."

"I love you too, Koi," he said sadly, and moved back to gaze down at her. Kagome smiled sadly up at him as Inuyasha bent his head and captured her lips. His heart soared to be with her like this, and he would have to keep this kiss as a memory until he could come back to visit her again. With regret, Inuyasha pulled away, letting Kagome blink back her sadness of leaving him. He held onto her just a bit more, and time finally pulled them apart. Kagome walked towards the archway as Inuyasha walked towards his car, the two going their separate ways but their hearts remaining together.

Once she was underneath the archway, Kagome stopped and turned around, placing a hand over her heart. She smiled as Kazuki's face popped out from the backseat to smile and wave at her. She waved back, telling him that she loved him, and watched as Inuyasha started up the car. With one final look, the two shared their last goodbye. Inuyasha faced the rode and drove off before he couldn't do it. And Kagome watched as the car sped away, heading back to Tokyo safely. Kagome smiled sadly, her aura finally showing what she truly felt. Alone. Sad. Helpless. But most of all, tired. She was tired of living two lives. She was tired of being two persons. It was draining and her heart was continuously breaking. There had to be something that she could do to make it all stop, but it seemed like fate would always spring up and tear her in two again. Kagome frowned as her emotions clouded her and she turned around, heading back into the shrine to perform her duties before she went to bed, all the while her hand remained over Inuyasha's mark.

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

The night was calling to him as Raige made his way up the stairs towards the shrine grounds. Kaya remained behind him, right on his heels, and silent. But he didn't care much about her conversations. Kaya had been pressuring him about Kagome since they had left the shrine grounds last week. And he had been tired of her insistence. 'She's jealous.' Knowing that made Raige feel a sense of pride for a brief moment, but then the sound of Kaya's heels behind him snapped him back to the present. Raige slowed his pace and listened as Kaya continued to keep her pace, which made him notice that she wasn't paying attention to her surroundings. Suddenly, he stopped, and Kaya bumped right into him.

With a gasp, Kaya placed her hands on her chest and took a few steps back, looking at the back of Raige's head. "What's wrong?" she asked softly, wondering why he had stopped. She waited for a heartbeat of a moment and then Raige turned around, showing her his beautiful blue eyes and his sensuous face. Kaya nearly sighed with desire as she took in his manly face, etched with cruelty but every bit masculine. Everything within her wanted him, such a dominant man, but she knew that his heart and desire were somewhere else, with someone else, and it bothered her like no other.

Raige stared down at Kaya, taking in her luscious, black hair that remained tied up high on her head to fall down her back. She wore black leather pants and a white spaghetti strap underneath her black, long sleeve jacket. Kaya was beautiful, and yet dangerous, both combining to make a lethal combination of lust and desire within any man that would look upon her. But Raige held himself back, knowing that though Kaya was all feminine, his demon didn't want her. He didn't want her. However, he was sure that if he hadn't met Kagome, he would have fucked Kaya when he had found her in that basement of the shrine.

"What's on your mind, Kaya?" Raige asked, his eyes glittering with dominance and danger.

Kaya felt her breath leave her in a rush as Raige made that funny thing in the pit of her stomach and her womb clenched. She placed her hands to her side and looked away from his beautiful eyes, trying to calm down her body. "Nothing."

Raige took a step forward, closing the distance between them so that Kaya could feel his body heat. "You're lying to me."

Kaya gulped, fear clawing at her. She wasn't afraid of him. She was afraid of what she would do to him because of him. Quickly trying to pull herself together, Kaya steeled her nerves and looked straight into his eyes, showing him that she would stand up to him. "I was just thinking about the reason why we are here again."

Raige's eyebrow shot up, his eyes looking into her orange ones with interest. "What exactly?"

"Why you insist on pursuing a miko when you know that you will never be able to have her," Kaya said, keeping her eyes glued to his. She wasn't afraid of him, she would fight him if he threatened her, and she wanted to tell him exactly what was bothering her with this. She wasn't going to put her life on the line for him if he wasn't going to show her any respect for her feelings or any acknowledgement on how she would feel about all of this. Raige just wasn't thinking right if he thought that this would go as he planned in the end.

Raige's eyebrow sunk and his hard gaze stared down at her. He could see Kaya's rebuke in her eyes. "You have a problem with my desire for Kagome," he stated.

Kaya lifted her chin into the air. "I do not like the fact that you, a full-blood Inu-Taiyoukai, would fall so low as to desire a human miko at that." Raige's eyes glittered dangerously. "I do not like the fact that we are here again. I do not like that miko at all." Raige took a deep breath, his heavy chest lifting to stretch the blue, button-up shirt he wore as he listened to her thoughts. Kaya took a deep breath as well, feeling the tension in the air between the two, but placed a sly smirk onto her face. "However, I do like the fact that she holds the Shikon no Tama." Kaya thought about the jewel and its power, what it would do to her if she got her hands on that jewel.

There was a tense moment between them as Kaya waited for Raige's reply. She knew that she was pushing it when she told him about Kagome but she really didn't care at this point. If he wouldn't return her feelings and care about how she felt for him, then she wouldn't care about how he felt for that woman. She had her own thoughts about what she would do to Kagome when she gets her hands on the miko. If Raige doesn't beat her to the woman first, Kaya was going to rip out Kagome's throat, enjoying every minute of it, and walk away with the jewel.

Time seemed to move again as Raige turned around, making Kaya watch him with wonder as she stared at his back, and he began walking up the stairs.

"Your thoughts should remain within your mind, Kaya. They are more lethal than you think."

Kaya pressed her lips together, holding back her anger, and followed him up the stairs. Their footsteps were all that could be heard as they made it to the top of the shrine stairs and glanced around the shrine grounds, spreading out their aura to take in the beings present on the grounds. They could feel only three, and those were near the shrine houses. But there was no aura near the main house. Raige walked towards the main house, using his senses to figure out why there was no one present. As he took in the smells around him, he faltered in his steps. Kaya noticed his distraction and her eyes glanced around quickly as she flared out her aura, looking for potential threats.

'What is this?' Raige composed himself and continued forward, this time a bit faster to satisfy his curiosity. His senses remained alert but his nose was what he concentrated on the most. As he took in the scents in the shrine, his anger spilled out into his aura, making Kaya stop in her tracks as Raige continued closer to the house. She watched as his whole demeanor changed and he seemed like a killing machine in less than a second. Kaya's shocked gaze fixated on Raige as he stopped just a few feet from the front door of the Kagome's home, and she waited for his next move. She felt nothing, and she knew that he felt the same thing. There was no one in the house, and Kaya could barely pick up on Kagome's scent. It was as if she hadn't been within the home for days, which only meant one thing.

"She's gone," Raige said softly, deadly, his whole body becoming threatening as he realized that she had left him, or someone had taken her from him. Raige's eyes glittered as it flashed red for just a second, his demon enraged that Kagome wasn't here. He twisted his head on his neck, checking around him for any sign that would indicate she had left on her own or someone had taken her. But there was none. Nothing at all. No one was around, her family's scent was just as weak as Kagome's and he wasn't pleased at all by this.

Raige's deadly growl was all that could be heard as Kaya watched his back, knowing full well that there was a scowl on his face as his anger flared out into the shrine. Raige's fingers flexed at his side as a non-humorous snicker fell from his lips and his eyes glittered dangerously. 'So it has come to this.'

He knew now that Kagome had left on her own. As he remembered their last meeting, Kagome had been with her family and she had been dressed in her miko robes. Since people in this time wear different clothes from his era, as he was trying to get accustomed to their style of dress like his own clothes at the moment, he knew that she doesn't often wear her robes when she was at home. That hanyou whose scent was all over her protected her fiercely, and their child had been with them. And if he remembered correctly, before he had shown his presence, he could make out the faint scent of the child's tears and Kagome had been on her knees, hugging the child. Now that he thought about it, it was a farewell. Kagome was leaving her family, and she had indeed left. So had her family, which was lucky on their part because he was in a killing rage right now, and if they were here to assuage his anger, he would have killed them this second.

Raige smirked, his eyes darkening as his claws flexed at his side. If Kagome wanted to run from him then he would find a way to bring her back. And he knew a very good way of bringing her back. 'If she wants to run away… then I will show her what I will do if she runs away from me again.' Raige's demon trembled with excitement and he turned around to view Kaya, seeing her wide, orange eyes look at him with shock. "I have someone else I want to visit."


So now that you know about this story and my situation, don't feel discouraged to read the story. Hopefully I post the next one up next week. I'll really try. I promise. :)

-Kaleialohalani