Nozomi's Story:

"It all started when I was about a year old. For some reason my father started hating my mother and me, so he tried to get us killed. He turned the entire village on us. I had two elder brothers back then, but they were both killed trying to protect me and my mother. But, thanks to them we managed to escape. We were running for 2 years until my mother finally fell. My father tried to kill me but my mother saved my life, by sacrificing her own. Thanks to her sacrifice I was able to get away. I was 3 when she died, but I remember it very well! Anyway, I ran on my own for 2 years and when I was 6 I finally accepted someone's offer to help. He really helped well and I was able to elude the people chasing me for ages! Then, about 2 months after he offered, he died. It looked like an accident but I knew that they killed him! I was running for another year without help until I was so annoyed that I allowed a village to help me. They stayed safe for 5 months and then they all died. The village was burnt to the ground until there was nothing left except ashes! It was at that moment that I refused to accept any help. Most normal people just accept the fact that I refuse and go away. But you wouldn't! Why is that?"

Kagome looked at Nozomi sympathetically and sighed. "We-I just thought that you seemed rather lost and scared. It looked like you needed some help but were too stubborn too accept any help!"

"People call me cold and stubborn all the time,"

"I didn't mean it that way!"

"I know, but it's true, that's the way you should've said it though,"

"Nozomi! You are not cold!" said Kagome firmly.

"I am, I haven't liked anyone other than my mother," replied Nozomi, looking as if she was going to punch a few trees.

Don't talk like that!"

"But it's true Kagome,"

"Just let her feel that way," butted in Inuyasha, "it's not like it affects us!"

"But it's a bad thing to think!" retorted Kagome.

"Why?"

"It just is!"

"But why?"

"Inuyasha..."

"Look, I am cold and stubborn, but that's me, I've accepted that long ago," butted in Nozomi, "don't fight about it,"

"Nozomi!" exclaimed Kagome before Nozomi cut her off.

"It's true Kagome! I can't help it, and neither can you!"

"Alright, well we should get to work,"

"Work?"

"Figuring out how to stop them from chasing you," said Kagome calmly.

"Oh," replied Nozomi, feeling rather stupid.

"Let's see...have you tried to talk to them?"

"Yeah, they nearly killed me,"

"Nearly?"

"I got away,"

"Right, well, what are we going to do?"

"How about seeing if there's a demon there," said Inuyasha sighing.

"How? You and Nozomi can't sense a demon presence," said Kagome, turning to Inuyasa.

"Yeah, but we could move the people and see,"

"How?"

"Kick them to the side,"

"Inuyasha!"

"What!? We won't be killing them!"

"It's just as bad!" exclaimed Kagome.

"But I haven't tried that before," said Nozomi suddenly.

"But it's still bad!" repeated Kagome.

"But if they aren't badly hurt it's alright!"

"I thought you were the one who didn't want to hurt them!"

"I don't, but if they don't get badly hurt, and we can stop whatever it is, then everything will be fine!"

"But Nozomi-"

"Listen to the kid Kagome, it'll be fine!" said Inuyasha smirking.

"I don't think so," replied Kagome with a sigh.

"Well you think that, the kid and I are going to stop them!"

"Why won't he call me by my name?" asked Nozomi as soon as Inuyasha jumped away.

"Don't take it personally; he didn't call me by my name for ages!" replied Kagome, "he called me 'girl' most of the time,"

"Really!"

"Yep, it was rather annoying,"

"Why did he start calling you by your name?"

"I don't know...but I was relieved when he did," said Kagome with a smile.

"Are you coming?" growled Inuyasha appearing in front of Nozomi.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming!" replied Nozomi rolling her eyes. Then Inuyasha left again, this time closely followed by Nozomi.

"I hope they don't decide to attack me," groaned Kagome, sitting down, "that would really, really suck...but Inuyasha would feel guilty..." Kagome smiled at the thought as she lay on her back and looked up at the sky, "I'm tired," she mumbled as her eyes slowly shut, "I might take a short nap..."

Then, Kagome fell asleep.