Hi guys:

Sorry it took so long for this chapter to get up I tired really hard to get this up sooner but both me and FMG have been really busy, you know end of school and all. So sorry again but here it is and I hope it was worth waiting for.

Thank you to all those who have read my story so far and I hope you continue to read and enjoy my story. Thanks to the people who added me to favorites and alerts it brightens my day to get a lot of emails telling me that people actually like what I'm writing.

A special thanks goes to my reviewers since I enjoy very much hearing from readers:

xXAngel AlliXx: I would love to answer your question but I don't want to give my plot ideas away.

AMUTOforever305: Thanks a lot I'm glad you like it and I've gotten a lot more reviews for this story than my other ones, but then again I'm working harder on this one. Thanks for reviewing it's appreciated.

xxHeartless Girlxx: Thanks for reviewing I'm glad you like it.

princess of the western lands: Thanks again for reviewing. I enjoy them so much you ask a lot of good questions and that makes me think a lot more about how I want this story to go, I hope you keep reading.

Once again I apologize for the wait and I hope it was worth it.

Disclaimer: I don't own the character's from the show but the other character's mentioned so far and other character mentioned in the future are mine.

Chapter 5:

"I shouldn't have agreed," it wasn't a great conversation starter but it was something, "You shouldn't have gone to him. This shouldn't have happened."

They didn't look at each other and Kagome didn't answer right away, she was staring straight a head of her. Not sure if she wanted to tell her that her 'freedom' –as her mother put it- was sacrificed. Her mother was devastated and didn't understand how important she really was, and how much she was needed in this world. A life was important, and she was willing to give anything so that her mother would live and had she been given the choice again she wouldn't change what has happened. Her services to the demon was the least and last thing she was expecting, she didn't know why but she wasn't about to question the youkai.

"I knew what I was getting into," her voice was dull; she was tired and could feel the first pangs of a headache coming on. Now was not the time for this conversation, "What I had to give up in return is little to what I had been expecting."

"What are we supposed to tell Inuyasha when he comes looking for you?" Kagome flinched, nothing was going her way.

"You won't have to worry, Inuyasha won't be coming to look for me," Kagome could feel her neck heating up under her mothers gaze; "I sealed the well so he wouldn't be able to get through. In retaliation he destroyed it so I'll never get through again."

The shock that emanated from the other woman was almost palpable, and her mouth fell open with no sound coming out. She closed it, only for it to fall open in a ridiculous manner and had it not been a serious topic with serious repercussions Kagome would have laughed at the fish like appearance.

"Will you ever go back?" it was quite and hopeful and Kagome narrowed her eyes as she thought of the best way to tell her mother that she wouldn't be going back and was doomed to live her live in almost complete misery. She knew her mother would feel worse about the situation and so opted to leave the entire truth out.

"No," it was simple and it wasn't a lie. There was no explanation and there was no need for one, her mother wouldn't be happy about it but at least she'll have time to get over it. Despite everything she would not regret her choice, she would not change it, and her mother would live longer.

Mrs. Higurashi was a stubborn woman but so was her daughter, and knowing the wilful Kagome she would not say anything else on the subject. She was normally open especially about things in the past, but lately she rarely mentions her relationship with Inuyasha and focuses on the rest of her friends. it was obvious something was up but her daughter would say nothing no matter what, and it eventually became pointless to ask. There was no doubt that this would be the same, so it was better to save the headache.

"Kagome," her mother started and was impressed when the bold girl waited for her to finish before saying anything. The past really had changed her in many ways, "Thank you, and I'm sorry."

Kagome only nodded she didn't want to say anything, couldn't say anything thanks to the lump in her throat that threatened to dissolve into tears if she tried. After that the car ride was done in silence, they had a day before they would return. That was when the change would happen, and after they had a week together before Kagome left. It was short but at least they had time together and that was all that really mattered, and they were sure to have more time in the future.

Kagome helped her mother up the steps of the shrine, she wasn't sure if it had been the day or a sign her mother was getting sicker but she seemed to have been getting weaker. She sagged tiredly in Kagome`s arms and only gave a weak smile in a return greeting to her family. It was entirely possible that she had less time than Kagome had originally thought. She settled her mother in and closed the door silently before heading down stairs.

She avoided her grandfather, who looked like he wanted to ask her a few questions especially the ones she didn`t want to answer. So she grabbed Sota and headed down to the park. He didn't say anything worry was clearly written all over his face, there was no pretending that their mother wasn't getting sicker and there was no avoiding telling him the truth.

"Sota," Kagome began as she kicked Sota's soccer ball, "I assume you noticed mom's weakness today, right?" Sota nodded as he kicked the ball back, "I want you to know that I found a way to make her better, she won't be like this anymore."

The young boy stood in shock his favourite ball left forgotten under his foot, he knew Kagome had wanted to talk about something. It was a ritual with them; if something was up they'd come to the park and kick around the ball a bit before addressing the issue. It was one of the few times they actually spent alone and although he'd never admit it he loved this and had missed it when she had started traveling to the sengoku jidai. This wasn't how he wanted to spend his time, but it was only a matter of time before Kagome addressed the issue.

"How?" Kagome almost missed the question it was so quite, she knew he was trying not to sound to hopeful just so he would be to crushed when her idea turned out to be stupid and there really was no cure. He remembered the ball suddenly and passed it absentmindedly.

"In the past where demons are common it's well known that their bodies can withstand a lot more than human bodies. They don't get sick and it takes an impressive amount of damage or holy energy to hurt them," Sota wasn't sure where she was going with the topic, but listened attentively as the ball passed between them, "So they don't get things like cancer, their bodies would instantly attack the cancer cells."

"Ok-ay, but what difference does that make to mom?"

"I met a demon here and she knew me from, then, and she told me about a demon who can grant anyone's wish. I asked him to cure mom and the only way he can do that is to make her a demon, in a way."

Once again the ball was left forgotten at the boy's feet, he just stared at his older demon battling sister. For so long she had been sure that no demons made it to this time and now she was talking about how she knew two, and for a moment he briefly wondered about her sanity. However from what he had gathered from Kagome and their grandfather demons can hide their presence so it's entirely possible that she just never sensed them before now.

"Her appearance won't change and she won't get any demon abilities, but her immune system will change so that it can handle the cancer until she decides otherwise. We don't have to lose her."

He contemplated it for a moment, and under his shock he found that he was happy and excited. However something was bothering him and he realized it when he looked back at his sister, she was hopeful and nervous and he knew her well enough to know that she only got nervous when she was trying to hide something.

"Okay, but what aren't you telling me?" Sota said and sent the ball flying in the air toward his sister who smiled and avoided the ball only to run after it a moment later.

"There is a price," Kagome said huffing slightly as she slowed from her run, she kicked the ball back to him and waited for his nod to continue, "I have to serve at the demon's house for a year an-"

"What!" Once again Sota rested his foot on the immobile ball.

"All he asked for in exchange for saving mom's life is that I serve at his house for one year." Kagome paused and studied her brother a moment, "There was another effect that had nothing to do with the demon."

Sota waited and passed Kagome the ball, for a moment she studied her feet and the ball resting between them, she gradually dribbled the ball. She nibbled on her bottom lip which was a dead give away of her trying to think, her stance and facial expression told him that whatever she was trying to say was a lot bigger than serving a demon.

"When I went to the hospital with mom and the doctor said she would die in maximum a year I had decided not to go back to the past for a year, so I could be here with you and grandpa when she left this world. When I came back Inuyasha was waiting for me and I told him I'd be staying for a year, he flipped and yelled and attacked me," Kagome looked down at the palm of her hands, something that slipped by her brother, "and I managed to knock him out, I don't even know how," here she laughed a little and forced her hand back down to her sides, "I left him a note and dumped his body back in the well.

"I sealed it with an arrow so that he couldn't come through, and I knew after I had done it that he was going to destroy the well in anger. I don't know how I knew, but for a moment I could see him doing it as clear as if I was standing there. He wanted to make sure I could never return, so now I can't."

Kagome finally passed the ball back to Sota who returned it wordlessly he looked a lot like his sister as he glanced down at his feet thinking. It continued like that in silence for a while, neither one saying anything but letting the heavy topic dissolve into the air. It was out in the open and like all major conversations it altered the relationship slightly. Sota was aware now of how selfless his sister could be and Kagome understood that he actually cared about her feelings enough to be silent.

Kagome suddenly stopped the ball and smiled at her brother, who looked up slightly surprised before smiling, "It's getting late we should head back," Sota nodded his head and the walked back to the shrine in silence, both feeling a little better about their situations.

Kagome made dinner and cleaned the shrine for a bit before cuddling down into her bed and watching a movie, and gradually she drifted asleep.

.0.

Sango groaned slightly as she lifted and tossed her weapon cutting through the demon's arm. She had been attempting to wound the demon seriously for a while now and it hadn't worked out great. She had gotten too accustomed to working with Inuyasha and Kagome the Hanyou took the majority of the battle onto his own shoulders and she really hadn't noticed it until now. She lifted her arm into the air and caught the returning weapon in what in anything but ease, her shoulder popped and the muscles in her arm protested.

Miroku wasn't having much luck, his sutra's were slightly less effective without Kagome's holy powers as an aid and the demon was to big to suck into the wind tunnel. In fact he had stopped using it altogether, which Sango found a little odd. it was an asset and one of his main attacks, but he had stopped using it.

Sango shrugged it off and attacked the demon once again this time aiming for the demon's neck, Miroku did the same and they connected in a blinding flash of light. Out of habit the two walked toward the remains and were surprised to see a small shard of the jewel embedded in a chunk of the demon's remains. Miroku picked it up and stuffed it into the small pouch used for magical items; it blocked its aura and effects there for making it convenient in battle and for avoiding a battle.

With a quick glance around the battle field Miroku and Sango headed down the path heading north where there was a rumour of a Jewel shard. Their search was going to take a while having no actual idea if it was merely a rumour, but the turned their thoughts away from their lost companion. It had only been a few days, three days, and they were trying to avoid thinking about her as much as possible. It was painful and distracting and they knew that Kagome would never want to be responsible for their emotional or physical pain.

It couldn't be avoided through and their thoughts had strayed and whenever they seemed to stray the ended up in some kind of danger, as if fate was making up for Kagome not being there to walk head on into disaster. Whenever it happened in their thoughts they would blame Inuyasha, any pain they were in was a direct cause of his actions. Not that they hated the half-demon, no they understood his reasons well even if he didn't and they could never hate him. They only pitied him, which was a lot worse in some ways.

Sango was enjoying the soft breeze that blew her hair out of control and the way at that moment she could forget exactly where they were and what had happened. She was brought back into reality as Miroku's hand connected with her backside and in an instant her fist had connected with the back of his head knocking him forward.

She looked down at him momentarily before huffing and sitting beneath a tree Kirrara joining her a moment later. The situation was so familiar that thought that Kagome would bend down and attempt to help Miroku up, only to smash his face back into the ground. There was no Kagome, no giggle from Shippo, or grumble from Inuyasha there was only silence as Sango eyed the pitiful heap on the ground.

Miroku lay in a heap of groggy pain as he attempted to here his companions, he was glad Sango hit him in the head first it seemed to dull the pain from hitting the ground. It didn't prevent him from tasting dirt, he felt like Inuyasha again. It was that unclear and detached thought that made him realize that he had forgotten the recent events. He groaned in pain and at his own stupidity, he probably caused Sango pain. He attempted to move his arm, but only got a twitch of a finger.

He tried again and pushed himself on to his hip, and than to his knees. Pitifully and painfully he crawled to where Sango was sitting and was slightly surprised to find a hint of concern when she looked at him. He slumped against the tree trunk and looked off into the near mountains.

"I apologize my dear Sango. I forgot that we were alone, I didn't mean to hurt you, I forgot she was gone. . . I don't know why."

"I forgot too," Sango admitted and pulled Miroku to his feet. He followed her lead staring only at their linked hands, he didn't recall a time where she had ever led him by the hand. Shoulder, arm, robe, and ear yes hand, no.

She sat him down on part of a stream bank and dipped a cloth into the stream, she lifted it to his face, the slight stinging made him realise that there was a small cut. Kagome had often done this for him, especially after she had caused it. It was different when Sango did it; she wasn't nearly as gentle as Kagome had been but she was careful and fully cleaned the wound.

Sango shifted uncomfortably when she had finished cleaning the small cut, she looked away from him and back at the water, where she noticed for the first time the odd shapes that were swimming just below the surface. Something was wrong with the sight and she quickly stood and walked away, Miroku following behind her curiously.

Jogging slightly to catch up Miroku glanced at his companions face, her brow was furled in concentration, "Sango are you alright?"

"Yes," Sango answered absentmindedly, "I was just trying to remember why I wanted to leave so suddenly. I had thought about taking a bath."

"Well go back and I'll set up camp for the night, we're not going to get much farther than this today it's almost dark."

"I guess that battle took longer than I thought." Sango said absentmindedly as she walked back to the lake, it would be a quick bath. There was something in the area that seemed off, but she ignored it.

Miroku gathered the wood quickly and lit the fire, which was when he heard Sango scream and he quickly headed in that direction as fast as possible. He made it to the clearing with the lake just as Sango was being surrounded by Kappa demons. Her pale and fully exposed flesh standing out against their green and seemingly slimy skin, and Miroku didn't take the time to admire the smooth appearance of Sango's skin.

He noticed her hiraikotsu leaning against the bolder and made a leap for it, but was stopped as even more toad like demons came out of the lake. They were more aware of his presence than Sango was and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. They were both surrounded by the demons, and both pretty much defenceless against the demons. A sad way to die, pathetically killed by low leveled demons.

Miroku did have a choice though; he could save them for now. He glanced down at his hand where he could feel the pressure of the wind tunnel; just this one time and he'd stop. He had to stop it was growing larger with every use until it would consume his whole body. He closed his eyes as his hand seemed to throb as if aware of his course of action.

He gripped the beads around his wrist tightly and looked at the many demons surrounding them, he had to suck up the majority and they could take care of the rest. He just had to be careful of Sango, before he had a chance to rip the beads off several hands clamped on to his arm and several more arms clamped onto the other one. In an instant he was immobile, he glanced toward Sango who was looking back at him.

He didn't want to admit it was the end but the odds of them making it out a live were slim, it didn't look promising. More hands reached for him and he noticed that Sango was being dragged toward the water, drowning and becoming Kappa food was not his ideal way to die.

He struggled against the hands holding him and managed to escape a few of the hands, but they were replaced instantly, but he continued anyway. It was buying time and maybe Inuyasha was following them and maybe he'd be there soon. He could hope even though it was stupid to do so.

Suddenly there was a blast of power and a large section of the toads had been eradicated, there were several other different attacks coming from the same place. Two demon aura's flared out as they attacked the weaker youkai, Miroku's mind tingled as he attempted to recognise who the aura's belonged to.

End.

Okay there is chapter five I hoped you enjoyed it I hope to hear from you and I'm sorry that it doesn't answer the question about why Itoe-sama wants Kagome as a servant or any other question, but the answers will come just be patient I want to write this really well and that involves leaving you in the dark so you have my apologies. I however hope that doesn't stop you from reading my story, thank you to all who have read so far.

See ya!