Kagome's coterie, heavily armed with their lethal weapons, surveyed their surroundings. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo were constantly on the alert, staring at potential spying areas with a distrustful glare. Shokora and the children focused on looking ahead, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Akina and Hiroshi had major practice with fake demons set up by their parents, but very little experience to incorporate that practice in actual battle. Akina would accompany her mom and dad when they were slaying a less troublesome demon and Hiroshi, only engaged in one serious battle and that was back when he met Keiko for the first time.

Kagome could only think of the road ahead, that would inevitably curve into her determined destination. She gripped her bow tightly, preparing for a sudden ambush. Kisho walked alongside her, his hands to himself thankfully. At least he was judicious enough to know that this wasn't the correct opportunity to woo her. Even he bore the face of a grave hunter, sniffing the air to verify there wasn't any danger lurking around.

When they reached the cave, they were mystified when Kisho, Shippo, and Shokora declared they smelled nothing.

"Must be a barrier." Kagome said, already stringing the arrow into her bow.

"I'm not sure Kagome, I'm not detecting any ominous aura. In fact, it feels actually peaceful." Miroku said.

"A trap possibly." Kagome said and fired her arrow.

The arrow zipped inside the cave without any hindrances. Akina and Hiroshi dropped their stances, their faces befuddled and slightly disappointed. "They're… not here?"

"Damn, they must've relocated when Kagome and I found their spot earlier." Kisho growled.

"So, now what?" Sango asked.

"Go back?" Akina suggested.

Kagome strapped her bow over her shoulder and ventured inside the cave, heedless to the conversation her entourage were having. Her belly flipped uncomfortably at the repulsive stench of blood. The fact that it was so strong without demon senses left her to the conclusion that Saigen had slaughtered many just to feed himself.

Her resolution proved true at the sight of myriads of bones and skeletons scattered in a bloody disarray. She had to plug her nose to force the stench out. She heard insane laughter ricocheting from the walls. Laughter without mirth, she knew, belonged to one sinister bastard. She whipped out her bow, ready to strike until she saw a green flame flickering weakly in the back. She cautiously stepped over the skeletons, reaching the flame which steadily grew stronger and more vibrant.

The flames swirled, forming into a face she loathed so much. "Kagome, you're just a little too late."

"Saigen, you coward, why flee?"

"Because I have met someone of more interest," Kagome scowled when she concluded that Saigen had found the bearer of the jewel, until he completed his announcement. "in Kyoto."

"Kyoto?" Kagome whispered aloud, then lost strength in her knees. "Mama!"

"That's right, she was a beautiful screamer and her mate suffered as well."

"You killed my mother!"

"Perhaps I did, if you bring me the jewel, you will see for yourself."

"I won't give you the jewel if anyone in that house is hurt!"

"Then you best make haste."

Then, the flame died, leaving only green sparkles to dust the floor of the cave. She leapt over the skeletons, nearly astonishing her comrades into a battle stance when she bolted from the cave. The utter fury displayed on her face frightened her friends, especially Sango, Miroku, and Shippo who knew how hazardous Kagome's anger could be.

Kagome spoke to them without words that action was needed quickly. Though everyone wanted to inquire Kagome about her sudden haste, they held their tongues. When they reached the shrine house, Kagome nearly tore the door off the hinges. Her footsteps resonated as she thumped up the stairs. She threw open Sota and Hitomi's bedroom door, startling the passionate couple.

"Sota, I need subway tickets to Kyoto. You said you could get them for me." Kagome proclaimed.

Sota clumsily fumbled to put on his shirt while Hitomi sank underneath the covers to conceal her mortification and concern.

Sota went to his drawers, pulling out the money required to procure the tickets. "Do you need me to run down to the subway station now?"

"Yes, I need to leave as soon as possible."

Sota felt his heart drop. "Oh God, Kagome, what happened? Mama, is she…?"

"Sota, just hurry and get me down to the subway station so that I can see Mama and find out for myself."

Sota nodded and quickly shuffled into some random pair of shoes, grasped his sister's arm, and hurried downstairs. He swiftly yelled his bid of goodbyes to his wife and children as he dragged Kagome downstairs. The onlookers, the same ones who accompanied her just earlier, watched with mystified expressions. They were left in the dark as brother and sister hurried to the car.

Kagome didn't even bother buckling herself in, nor did Sota. The subway station was only a mere twenty minutes away, they hardly had the time to worry about potential car accidents. Sota whipped into a car parking lot, and Kagome busted out the door before he could even shift the gear into park. Sota secured his car and hurried after Kagome to buy a ticket.

"One ticket to Kyoto please, the earliest you have." Sota gasped, feeling sick as the courteous lady smiled and accepted the yen.

"Certainly sir, just tell me the time and date you wish to depart."

"The most earliest you have."

"Tomorrow morning at six, a subway will be leaving with Kyoto as one of their destinations."

"Tomorrow is too late!" Kagome snarled. "I need a subway to Kyoto sometime tonight!"

"Oh, but the tickets for 11:00 have all been sold."

"Please, let my sister on that subway. It's urgent."

"No can do, I am sorry sir."

"Come on, there has to be at least a little room for her to squeeze on."

"Well, there is, but it'll cost you more."

"Fine, fine, how much? I'm telling you, this is very important."

"Ten yen."

"Sold."

Sota dug into his wallet, handing the lady the money. Kagome looked at the clock, seeing she would have to wait only an hour before the subway leaves. The lady printed out the ticket, handing it to Sota who lent it to Kagome.

"Stay safe Kagome, and come back this time." Sota smiled weakly.

Kagome nodded. "I promise little brother. Goodbye."

Kagome walked ahead, into the waiting area of the subway station. Sota watched his sister's back as she disappeared in the throng of the oncoming crowd. He sighed then, attempting to repress deterring doubts that she would return with alleviating news.

Asuka cringed as the bitter aftertaste of puke lingered in her mouth. She grabbed a napkin to clean off all substances splattered on her face. She exited the bathroom, feeling dizzy. The walls were spinning around her, dark splotches pulsated around her. She tripped over her own feet, letting out a squeak of fright as her face descended to the hard wood of the floor.

Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms grab her and hurl her into a warm body. She looked up, her eyes clashing with amber orbs. Inuyasha lifted her, growling at her for her clumsiness as he carried her into her bedroom. He gingerly laid her down on the bed and stepped back, letting her situate herself. She sat up, leaning against the headboard and closing her eyes. He felt uneasy as a lone tear cascaded her face.

"You alright wench?" He asked gruffly.

More tears collected behind her eyelids. "Y-ye… no. No, Inuyasha, I'm not alright. I hate this. Please…"

"No, stop asking me. The jewel's much more complicated than that."

"I don't care how complicated it is! I just want to live!"

Inuyasha growled then turned his back furiously. "I'm not sticking around for this again!"

He slammed the door and bolted downstairs. He wasn't heartless, he knew and understood Asuka's desire to live her life. But the jewel… his mistake of not correctly wishing on the jewel's destruction has brought life to a vengeful enemy and the resurrection of Kagome who bears the smell of the dead.

Not only did she smell of the dead, her demeanor was peculiar as well. He clenched his fists, looking outside the window, wondering if he should confront her. He swallowed hard, sealing away his insecurities and bounded for the Higurashi shrine. She must be there, it was the only logical place she would stay at.

The world around him contorted into blurry streams due to his wild speed. His leg muscles churned erratically as he leapt into the most revered tree, the one where he and Kagome first met. He clamped his hand around the branches, ignoring the prickliness penetrating his flesh. His eyes widened in absolute shock when he saw a familiar face, Miroku.

"Come out! I know there's someone here!" Miroku cried, his staff jingling as he lifted it threateningly. "If you won't come out peacefully, I'm afraid I'll have to go hard on you."

Then, he saw Sango cloaked in her demon slaying garb, accompanied by Hiroshi and Akina, his godchildren. He drew their attentions to the tree when he leaped out of it, causing the leaves to crinkle. Miroku was the only one who didn't buy the distraction, choosing instead to follow the source of demonic aura.

"Oi! If ya missed me, you sure have a funny way of showing it!"

"In-Inu- Yasha?" Sango asked bewilderingly, lowering her Hiraikotsu.

Miroku lowered his staff as well, just staring at the friend he thought he would never see again. "You're alive? But… how?"

"Long story." Inuyasha grunted. "I came to see Kagome. Is she here?"

"Kagome? So you know?"

"I saw her earlier today, but I was… doubtful about facing her."

"Doubtful?"

"I ran across an imposter portraying her a few days ago, and the Kagome I saw today smelled of graveyard dirt."

"Uncle Inuyasha… how are you alive? We saw you getting your butt kicked…" Hiroshi asked.

Inuyasha growled. "Watch it kid, my ass didn't get kicked by no one."

Sango and Akina giggled to themselves. Akina then smiled at her godfather and ran to him, encasing him in her lithe arms. "I'm so happy to see you uncle Inu."

"Yeah, me too." Inuyasha said, patting her shoulder. "Now, where's Kagome?"

Miroku shrugged. "We don't know, she took off without a word to us."

"Inuyasha, please understand that Kagome's not the same. She's… different, but understandably so." Sango added.

"What do you mean?"

"It's… a long story." Miroku smirked.

Inuyasha scowled. "Fine I get it, you ain't going to tell me what happened to her unless I tell you what happened to me?"

"That's right!" Akina laughed.

Inuyasha growled. "I'll tell you later, alright? Just, tell me where she took off to?"

"Only Sota knows I think, he's the one who took her away."

"Sota huh?" Inuyasha asked, dreading he was breaking his promise about dragging Kagome's family into a mess that solely belonged to him. "And where can I find him?"

"Just inside-"

"Hey! Is everything alright out here you guys!" They heard Sota yell and when they turned to look at him, his face was pale. "In-Inuyasha! No way!"

"Hey kid, do you know where Kagome is?"

"Uhh she's… going to Kyoto…"

"Kyoto! Why is she-"

"To see Mama, she thinks something might've happened to her."

Inuyasha nodded. "How long ago did she leave?"

"It's been about a few hours since I dropped her off. She's on the subway right now."

"Damn, I missed her."

"I can go on the computer and print out directions for you to Kyoto, and remember that Mom's new address is 16223 S. Kusabana Bara street. With your speed, I bet you can get there faster than the subway."

"No, your directions confused the hell out of me last time, it'll be easier for me to get to the subway station and follow her scent."

"That might be dangerous-"

However, Inuyasha didn't stay to hear Sota's caution. He was already running for the Tokyo subway station to find his beloved Kagome.