Shout to ihavetoriblenews and Oddm4id for reviewing! After writing seven chapters and no-none reviewing I was beginning to think I might actually suck at writing romance stories. But now I feel the need to continue, even if only two people like it. I would be overjoyed if only one person read it lol.

Oh, and any suggestions or comments on my writing style, give me a shout. I do appreciate criticism. It's how we grow. Peace and love.

Chapter Eight

It was night time when Kagome and Sota emerged from the other side of the well. The stars were much brighter in the feudal era because of the low pollution rate. Sota couldn't tear his eyes away from the brilliant full moon, bathing everything silver.

'Where to?' He was staring into the dark forests encroaching on the small clearly, expecting something to jump out at them.

'That way,' Kagome said, pointing west into the trees. 'The village is a few minutes' walk.'

They set off across the clearing, Kagome taking the lead. She heard her brother curse under his breath when he realised he left a bag behind. She waited patiently for him to retrieve the bag and then catch back up to her.

'Uh, Kagome?' His voice held a note of panic.

She spun to see someone standing next to the well. A tall man with dark hair stared back at her, as still as a statue. Sota was slowly walking backwards, never taking his eyes off of the mysterious man.

'Who...?'

Kagome shook her head. 'I don't know. We should leave.'

Dragging her brother along as she walked backwards as fast as she could cause the stranger to pursue. Her heart started beating in her chest. This was going to turn into a fight, she could feel it.

Standing in front of her brother, Kagome lifted the bow that was slung over her shoulder and notched an arrow, aiming at the stranger. He stopped dead in his tracks.

She pulled the arrow against the string. 'What do you want?'

'It is you...' The stranger breathed, barely audible in the distance they were standing apart.

Sota, however, recognised that deep tone. 'Inuyasha.'

Kagome's heart stopped. Her head whipped to her brother and then back to the stranger. 'Sota, hand me the torch.'

He flicked the torch on before handing it to his sister, who then shone it towards the man. And, sure enough, it was Inuyasha. But at the same time it was not.

Kagome instantly remembered his physical appearance changed with every new moon. He was in his human form; brown hair and matching brown eyes. A far cry from his usual silver locks and golden eyes. But there was something else. His face was no longer that of a teenager. Where she remembered it round and chubby, it was now sharp and strong. His extra height meant that he towered over Kagome and Sota. Three years changed him so much. But then again, Kagome had changed as well.

'Kagome, is it really you?'

Inuyasha took a step forward. She looked exactly like the curvy, beautiful Kagome from his dream. A mature version of the girl he once knew. But when he looked into her eyes he saw the same hatred from his dream. Kagome did hate him. He never imagined it.

'Stay away from me.'

'Why are you here?' His voice became panicked. 'You need to leave before-.'

'Before Kikyo finds me? That's what I'm hoping for. I came here to settle this once and for all.'

He took another step towards her. 'You know that's impossible. Just go back to your own time and I will deal with her.'

'Oh, you'll deal with her, will you? You're the reason she shot my brother with an arrow! You're the reason I almost died!'

'I don't-.'

Tears began to flow down Kagome's face, and she was unable to stop them. 'It's because you couldn't let me go! Now my family has paid the price.'

Kagome stalked forward, catching Inuyasha by surprise when she stopped only inches from his face. He could see the same round eyes he fell in love with were now filled with determination and sorrow.

Kagome pitched her voice low so Sota couldn't hear from where he was standing. 'I've let you go. Don't think I'm here only to kill Kikyo.'

She left the threat to hang in the cool night air. Sota followed Kagome out of the clearly, making sure that Inuyasha wouldn't follow. But he never moved. Whatever his sister had said to the demon was enough to glue him to the spot.

Neither said a word and the village came into view. They crossed a small stream and walked down what Sota imagined to be the heart of the village. Not much to look at. Kagome lead them to one of the biggest huts, positioned on the outskirts of the village. It had light in the windows, flickering on the walls, casting shadows of those already inside.

Taking a breath, Kagome walked into the hut without a single knock. It was exactly as she remembered; wooden floors with a hearth lying in the centre, enough space to fit ten people. The roof hung lower than she remembered. It smelled like dirt, and sage, and everything she remembered. It smelt like her past.

She wasn't surprised when her entrance caused absolute silence to fall in the hut. But Kagome knew the scene surprised her more than she did them.

Sango was standing over the fire, tossing in some wood when she froze. Kagome's eyes flashed to her baby bump, clearly more than a few months growth. Miroku was chopping some vegetables by the window, knife suspended mid air. Kaede caught Kagome's attention lastly. The old women looked much the same, if only rounder and shorter. Age would claim her soon, and Kagome would see her life wearing thin in the old woman's dark eyes.

Sango dropped the last piece of wood into the fire before screaming and launching herself at Kagome. The two girls began laughing and hugging each other. Kagome was careful of her stomach and only applied a small amount of pressure.

'What are you doing here? How did you get back through the well? Has Inuyasha contacted you yet?'

Kagome chose to ignore the last question. 'I'm here for an important reason and I found a shard of the jewel at my house.'

'You found a jewel shard?' Miroku had walked over to them and given Kagome a brief hug.

Kaede met Kagome's eyes and raised an eyebrow.

'Uh, yeah, I must have brought one back by accident.'

Kaede nodded slowly. 'So why have you chosen to return?'

Kagome chose to ignore that question as well, instead gesturing to her brother standing awkwardly in the doorway. 'This is Sota. He wanted to tag along.'

Sota waved and gave a smile. 'Hello, everyone.'

And just like that, Kagome felt like nothing had ever changed. Kaede scolded her for not offering to help with dinner, even though she was the guest. Sango and Miroku argued over petty things, sometimes dragging everyone into the fight. Sota even laughed at their ridiculousness.

Dinner had been served an hour later, with everyone coming together around the fire in the centre of the room. Sango tried to dish out everyone's food, but Miroku argued about her not being allowed to bend over the fire with a heavy pot of soup. Kaede eventually told them to quiet down and asked Sota to handle the pot.

Once everyone was eating and the hut fell into a comfortable silence, screamed began to drift through the window. Everyone, except Sango, jumped to their feet. Outside on the street people were running this way and that, in a panic. A fire had started in a nearby hut, but that wasn't the source of the danger.

Thin silver spirits were flying overhead, zipping this way and that. Kagome and the others watched a few soul stealers duck down low, threatening to grab any number of the village people running about.

'Kikyo,' Kaede muttered behind them.

'Kagome!'

Inuyasha's voice. Everyone turned to see him running towards them. He stopped in front of Kagome and gripped her arms, staring into her eyes.

In a deep voice, he said, 'Kikyo knows you're here.'