Here's another chapter for all to enjoy! Hope you like the last one!

Chapter 23

Kagome's P.O.V.

I don't know whether permanently staying a half-vampire for the rest of my life is a good thing or bad, but I guess I'll have to deal with it since we can't find a way to change me back.

Yesterday wasn't exactly the best day of my life, and it all came back in flashbacks.

I woke up at home lying on a couch with my friends surrounding me. My vision was really foggy and my head swam like a bee swarm. A migraine attacked my temples.

The moment I sat up, I locked eyes with a mirror hanging in my living room wall. I took my vampire form in. In a way, I was terrifying, but at the same time, kind of cool. But then I smelled the scent of Inuyasha's blood. Lifting my hand, I could see faint traces of blood on my fingers and long - but not extended - claws. Then I remembered running this hand through Inuyasha's stomach.

I faced him. "I'm really sorry Inuyasha, it's my fault you're hurt," I said in a rush.

He sternly said, "Don't you dare say that! It's not your fault at all. You were being controlled by Naraku."

I stayed silence but it still didn't change the fact I'm guilty for stabbing him in the stomach. And even though I was controlled…that darkness in my heart was entirely my fault. I should've believed Inuyasha would never do something like that to me. It was because of my gullibility that Naraku was able to use me.

"Is there any way to change Kagome back?" Sango asked Hikara after some silence.

She shook her head. "Sorry. I don't believe there is. The vampire blood now circulates with Kagome and has changed her DNA. She'll be half-vampire for the rest of her life."

"It's not likely but it's possible that there is a solution to change her back. But it's unknown to any of us," said Natsume. "In our life, we've never heard of it before but we can keep looking."

"In the meanwhile," said Hikara while moving to sit next to me, "you'll have to wear this."

She held out a necklace with a cross pendant and handed it to me. I quickly put it on and immediately began to feel the power I once had fade away.

My claws shrunk and my hair and eyes went back to their normal colors. But then, my original body almost felt strange to me.

Hikara smiled kindly. "Even though you're back to your original body, you'll feel kind of strange since now your 'original' body is your vampire form. But you'll get used to it eventually; to both bodies," she explained.

Suddenly, she grinned at me. "Oh and Kags, welcome to my family!" she laughed, hugging me.

Natsume giggled. "Hikara, stop squeezing her like that, she may be half-vampire, but she probably won't survive long with you squashing her."

It didn't take long for things to get back to normal as Miroku made his way towards us. "Kagome, you look wonderful as a vampire, if I may say so myself." Then his hand roamed to where it wasn't supposed to be.

I slapped him. "No, you may not say so. But I say, leave your hands off of me."

"Miroku you perv!" Sango yelled. "I can't believe you! The moment Kagome gets back to normal you start your perverted mind up again."

"Damn cursed hand. It must be possessed by a demon!"

I looked over to see Inuyasha being held back by Hikara. "Miroku, you'd be dead and in your goddamn grave if I wasn't being held back!"

Hikara gave Miroku a look. "You can thank me later, you pervert."

I couldn't take it anymore. Before I knew it, I was doubling over in laughter. That caused everyone to stare at me.

I chocked out, "M-my god, you are all so funny!"

Then Sango got an evil glint in her eyes. "Funny, are we Kags?"

I stopped laughing at the tone her question took. Oh no. I know that look.

I instantly started running around the room. "No! Sango, don't do it! Please!" I laughed while running away with Sango hot on my tail.

"Get back here Kags!" she laughed.

I ran all the way up into my room but tripped on my own two feet, collapsing into by bed. Damn!

Right before Sango pounced I looked up and said gravely, "So this is my death." I feigned hurt.

Then Sango jumped on me and started tickling me.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" I screamed. "Noooooooooooo! Sango, stooooop!"

Sango laughed in triumph. "Not until you say 'San is my best friend that I'll love forever.'"

"Never!" I cried.

But it only took a few more seconds of torture until I gave in. "Alright! Alright! San is my best friend that I'll love forever! Just stop with the tickling!"

Sighing in content, she got up, pumping her fist up in triumph and did a little dance.

We both burst out in laughter and stared at each other in happiness.

"I'm just glad you're safe now…and back with us," Sango smiled.

"I'm glad too," I replied. Although I silently thought to myself how part of my hate of Inuyasha's betrayal was partly true.

Speaking of Inuyasha…what's going to happen to us? It hurt thinking back to our break-up, but even though I know it's not real…how can I help but doubt him?

"Earth to Kagome!" Sango interrupted my thoughts. Did my worries show up on my face?

"Yeah, sorry."

"What were you thinking about?"

"Hm? Oh…nothing special." Then I changed the topic. "You know, I'm going to get back at you one day for tickling me so mercilessly."

Sango grinned. "And when's that?"

I smiled innocently as I reached under my bed. "How about…now!" I ripped out the half-filled water gun my brother put under my bed a few days ago and shot a stream at my best friend.

Screaming in laughter, she raced downstairs to grab another one from our closet full of them. I could hear her warning everyone else in the process.

I giggled evilly as I filled up my weapon, silently hoping my friends wouldn't gang up on me.

But at the same time, I was also silently praying that I could gather the courage to trust Inuyasha again.

Sorry for the wait! My internet shut down for a few days.

See you soon,

bee1313 (author) + WanderingDreamer4Ever