Chapter 18

"You know, I never thought the hat would work," Miroku commented as he glanced up at Inuyasha's new hat. "I'm surprised by everyone's ignorance to his other features."

"Anyone can make up Inuyasha's appearance using aesthetics," Sango replied as she leaned back in her seat. "The moving ears attached to his head would cause some problems though."

"Who would attempt to dress up like me?" Inuyasha asked with furrowed brows, adjusting his stolen cap.

"Cosplayers, most likely." Sango's gaze shifted around the train they sat in. The car they chose was mostly empty; sitting in the back gave her a full view of everyone. The few other occupants hardly gave them a second glance- choosing to sit far away from Inuyasha, though that was reasonable since he almost twisted a guy's arm off for shoving Kagome to the ground on accident in the busy station.

Shippo jumped on Inuyasha's lap next to Kirara, who had magically transformed into a kitten. "This is so unfair! No one can see or hear me!" he whined, disturbing Kirara's catnap.

Inuyasha shook his head. "Just deal with it, kid. Kagome's getting better, so you'll be solid in no time."

With a disheartened groan, the kit stepped onto the empty seat next to him, plopping down on his butt. Noticing Kagome's absence from his side, Inuyasha glanced up, watching Kagome stare out of the window a few feet away from their group, as she's been since the train started moving. Her misery was palpable since leaving the station.

"You should go to her, Inuyasha," Miroku murmured, catching him in the act. "You're all she has now."

Nodding, Inuyasha stood, transferring Kirara to Sango. If Kagome noticed his presence, like she always did, she didn't show it. He hesitated for a long while, watching the scenery roll past them. Even though she wholeheartedly agreed to Miroku's plan to get as far away from Shikon Inc. as they could, he knew she wanted to go back to her mother, her grandfather, and home. This was as far from the normal life she wanted.

Finally, he sat down next to her, glaring at a man who eyed them strangely, watching him quickly turn away. "It'll get better, Kagome," he told her.

Kagome sucked in a shuddering breath before turning away from the window to sit down properly. "I hope so," she murmured as her hands gripped the sides of her seat anxiously. "Though, I'm still wondering about these 'neighborhoods' Kikyou was going to transfer us to. It couldn't be bad, right? I mean, it'd be isolated from the rest of society, of course, but there would be other people like me and we could probably have visitors so that Mama-"

"It was a lie," Inuyasha said gruffly. "Miroku said that no one leaves that building. The subjects in there were dying slowly- losing their sanity. That could have been you. If we hadn't left, they'd be drilling your ability until you were just like them. Just drop it- we ain't going back."

Kagome's hands tightened as her head bowed. Even though he hated seeing her upset, he had to get it through her head that they couldn't go back. What could they do? Get on their hands and knees and beg forgiveness? Inuyasha would rather keep running.

When her frame shook with contained sadness and grief, Inuyasha had to glance away, unsure what to do.

"Idiot," he heard Shippo mumble and didn't exactly argue. He felt like a bastard.

Guiltily, he slid his gaze back to Kagome. "Look, I'm sorry I made you cry, but that's just how it is, Kagome. Maybe we can visit the shrine in the future- I'll admit that I kinda miss your crazy grandfather- but it's too dangerous right now."

Kagome pushed her hair back from her face. "I'm not crying," she told him and, for once, she wasn't, though she was close to. Scooting closer to him, she all but forced his arm around her shoulders, leaning into him. "You promise? We can visit our family later?"

Shaking off his surprise at her actions, he nodded as his arm assumed a more comforting position around her shoulders. "Yeah."

At once, her tension eased and her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. "They'll finally see you," she smiled softly.

"Keh. The old man will finally stop soaking you with 'holy' sake, at least," he replied, "I swear, I could still almost smell it in your hair."

"No, you can't," she muttered defensively. Inuyasha chuckled. "You'll still be with me, then... right?"

He didn't have to think about it. "Yes. I made a promise to that, too."

Kagome was silent and it made him wonder what she was thinking.

On chance, his eyes landed on their companions, catching them watching with interest. His face heated up and he stood, pulling Kagome to her feet as well and dragged her back to their original seats. "How long is this metal contraption gonna take?" he asked, growling when Miroku kept staring. "You wanna start something?"

"No," Miroku replied, bringing his hands up in a measly way to protect himself. "It's just that I'm curious in your relationship with Kagome. For an illusion, you two are pretty close."

"He's not an illusion," Kagome stated. "He's real."

The former doctor lowered his hands but said nothing, though his mouth formed a thin line at that response.

Sango cleared her throat, her hands sifting through Kirara's fur. "We'll go as far as the train can take us. Shippo... acquired enough money to spend a night or two in a cheap motel, so we won't have to sleep outdoors." She glanced at Miroku before lowering her gaze, "After that, I think we should split ways. We'd have more chance of being unnoticed that way."

"Would be better," Inuyasha agreed.

"Do you know where you would go?" Kagome asked quietly. She was only seventeen years old, how could she live by herself?

"Well, I thought I would check in with my family, if they haven't moved in the five years I worked at Shikon," Sango frowned before shaking her head, "If they have, I can just pull money from my savings and work with that. I don't think the company will commit to chasing us down when their project is on the run. Miroku?"

"I go where you go, Sango," Miroku murmured, his hand covering hers.

Kagome glanced down at Shippo when she recognized his complete adoration to her. Must be nice... she thought, idly picking at her cuticles.

"So that's the plan, then," Inuyasha said, crossing his arms.

"What about you?" Sango asked, "What are you going to do, Kagome?"

Kagome forced a smile. "I don't really know," she answered with fake cheeriness.

"Shikon will undoubtedly hunt you down to no end," Miroku warned. "We best come up with a plan fast."

"Yeah..."

Kikyou sighed irritatedly to herself as she dialed her cell phone. As if she could catch Subject 643 by herself. What does Naraku expect of her? "She could be anywhere now," she murmured to herself as the phone rang.

"Hello?" a masculine voice answered.

"How is school life coming along?" Kikyou asked with a chipper voice. Honestly, some of these projects were completely useless. Project Shapeshifter certainly had it's uses, but the difficulty in taming them just wasn't worth it.

"I thought I was done with you..."

"Yes, well, there was some complications in the system. Your abilities can help me greatly in this situation." She tapped her long nails against her cherry-wood desk, adding a sultry purr for good measure, "Please, Kouga? I need you..."

"...What do I have to do?"

Kikyou smiled; Subject 105 was still so easy to order around. "A little bird we both know flew out of her cage. I need you to help me track her down."

A/N: Insert evil laugh here: BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Dwarg91: A lot of people use it, so it's not that special *shrug* Shikon Inc.'s secret won't come until like chapter 25 or something (I think)

ForeverxWeird: They were out last chapter, where were you? x)

okiedokeybunny: Even with my army trampled, I stand fierce. I grasp my long sword tightly as it glows a heavenly light. "You dare invade my kingdom?" With a mighty roar from my dragon, I swoop down to attack. On my own lands, my power greatly increases, ready to smite you and your army down in one blow back to Earth.

Warm-Amber92: Most likely Souta. Naraku called Seiko in to get her preggers, so we have to wait eight months xD

xXxAddicted2ChocolatexXx: Thank you for catching that ^-^' Fixed it!

InuandKaglove4Life & letsxgetxrecklessx: Nah, because that's what you all want :D

Deadman19: True, but if he were forced to by my authoress' will, he'd stick with them... for like five minutes before he left to hunt me down :)

HopelessRomantic: Even though Rin has been already put into the story, since people want her, I might warp the plot a bit to include her seventeen year old self as well. Maybe the next Dreamer? And are you saying I should make her make Totosai? xD (laughing cuz I totally forgot about the shock bracelet) I'll fix that next chapter.

alexischic: Well, Kagome was being forever alone sometimes in the anime, so it's just revenge :D Oh, Inuyasha came back when I got Kagome to threaten him, but he's eyeing the readers warily now.

vampireinu95: It's stressful for me, but I do it for you guys, so I'm glad you like it :)

Late again? This is unacceptable :(

FxA