I have returned?!

Bet you guys weren't expecting an update after *checks date* over 3 and a half years! I'll be honest, neither was I. First off, thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who loved this story enough to leave a review and request me to continue with it. Your words are a big part of why I didn't end up leaving it as a oneshot. Truth be told, I did already have ideas for how this story could potentially continue. But since I initially only intended to create a oneshot, and I thought it worked so well as one, I figured I should leave it as that. But while you all agreed it did indeed make for a swell oneshot, so many of you wanted to see more of it, and for that I am honored. Thank you again for so much love on my first ever Inuyasha fic.

I have to be honest and say that I don't know how often I'll be able to update this story. There's a very good chance that a LONG time will go by between now and the next chapter again, and that's a big reason why I didn't update it sooner. The last thing I want is to disappoint readers or leave you hanging. But, if you're still game to read, then no harm done! All of that to say, thank you so much again, and hope you have fun reading!

Enjoy.

It was a dewy, pleasant morning when Kagome was gathering herbs by the Bone-Eater's Well. She'd risen early, before anyone else, as she was meant to do. Today, the villagers would all come to the shrine to collect blessings and sacred sutras to protect their homes, and Kagome wanted to get a head start. Especially since she was due for her morning rounds of the village in a few hours.

She knelt by the well, inspecting and picking the plants contentedly. She chose them for their usefulness, but they were also very pretty, their blue, white and purple hues dotting grassy mounds. The air was clean and fresh today, peace was in the atmosphere. No indication that anything would go awry. Then, she sensed a presence that was becoming somewhat recognizable. She cleared her throat.

"I know you're there, Inuyasha," she called, hoping her tone was calm. "Come out."

She waited with bated breath. Rustling of trees sounded, then silence. And then-

"Took you long enough to notice."

Kagome looked up to see the demon laying on one of the thick, stout branches of the Sacred Tree. He was almost reclining, his back propped against the trunk, legs stretched out lazily before him. She sighed.

"What are you doing here?" she said. "You know you're not supposed to be this close to the village."

"I'm just minding my own business. Can't I sit in a tree without it being a problem?"

"Not by yourself, you can't. It has to be-"

"-only when you or the old lady are around, I know. And here you are. So we're good."

"I'll bet you were here before I showed up," she muttered knowingly.

"No way to prove it. And besides, that rule was for roaming the village. You guys didn't say anything about the outskirts. No one lives here."

Kagome sighed again, and turned back to the plants she was gathering. There was no use in arguing, not when she could begrudgingly see that he had had a point. She and Kaede hadn't specified what he could do on the outskirts of the village when he'd shown up that day a few weeks ago at the shrine. It had been the first she'd seen of him since the first time. She felt foolish for not having thought of these loopholes, but more than that, she was rather surprised that he remembered the rules so well, and was actually abiding by them. But what else had she expected? He had ears, sharp ones. Of course he hadn't missed a thing they'd said.

She thought back to that morning. She'd been descending the shrine steps by herself. It had been a week after the attack on the village, when she'd first encountered Inuyasha. She hadn't forgotten how he'd said that she was going to see more of him from then on. But in the days since, there had been no sign of him. Kagome was beginning to wonder if, in her exhaustion, she'd imagined that whole episode. But she didn't let her guard down just in case. She was halfway down the steps, when she sensed a disturbance in the air and a strong youki. She looked up, and her breath caught in her throat. There, perched upon the archway that at the top of the stairs, was the silver-haired demon. He was sitting in a squatting position, balanced impossibly on his feet, and staring down at her with an inscrutable expression.

Kagome had barely had time to react. "Good lord," boomed Kaede's voice behind her.

She'd whipped around, heart hammering in her chest, and saw, with alarm, that the old woman was stringing her bow, looking horrified.

"Kaede baa-chan, wait!" Kagome said, rushing forward with her arms out. "You mustn't shoot him."

The High Priestess looked at her as though she'd gone mad. "Are ye in your senses, child?" she said hoarsely, her face as ashen her grizzled hair. "Ye stop me from shooting a demon?"

"I have to, baa-chan! He saved my life. During the attack last week. An oni had charged me, it would have had me if he hadn't intervened. I owe him."

Kaede was blinking, baffled. Kagome didn't blame her. She wouldn't have believed it herself. "This demon saved you?"

"Yes. That's why you can't fight Inuyasha-"

"'Inuyasha'?" Her eyes were bulging in their sockets now; she looked concerned that Kagome knew his name.

Kagome made an exasperated sound. How on earth could she explain without it sounding bad?

"You know I can hear you," came his voice. He spoke in a drawl, a lofty, unbothered tone. Before they knew it, he'd jumped down from the archway and landed between them in a flash of red. He faced down Kaede, his back to Kagome. Bizarrely, the way he stood between them looked like he was using his body to protect her, even though Kagome knew that was a ridiculous thing to think. Kaede gave a strangled gasp, staggering backwards, her hand clutching a stitch.

"Kagome, child, beware!" she said.

"Keh."

Inuyasha turned his head to the side, and Kagome could see him looking at her from the corner of his eye.

"You heard her," he said, and Kagome realized that though he was looking at her, his words were meant for Kaede. "I saved her. So that should tell you I ain't here to cause trouble."

"Then why are ye here?" Kaede said, refusing to back down. She had been a powerful priestess in her own right, although age had dimmed her brilliance and skill considerably. "Why else, if not to pry the Shikon Jewel from its rightful miko?"

Kagome's hands were covering her mouth up until then, but now, she spoke. "Kaede's right," she said defiantly. "I'm grateful for your help. But even you as good as admitted that you were there for the Jewel. Just that alone should be enough for us to attack you here and now."

Although I'd really rather not, she thought silently, but didn't say it. It was a combination of being doubtful that she could exterminate him, even with Kaede's help, and also being loathe to hurt someone whom she knew she owed a debt to.

Inuyasha seemed to ponder this silently. One of his canine-looking ears twitched. Then, he stepped off to the side so that he could face them both at the same time.

"Here's the deal," he said abruptly. "We're on the same side here. Whether you believe me or not, you're both in way over your heads with protecting this Jewel. I saw you that day. You put up a good fight, but you could have died, and you know it. You've had the Jewel only a short time yet. You were able to hold your own until now, but it's just gonna get worse. I don't want those yokai to get their hands on the Jewel any more than you do. So I say we help each other out."

Kaede looked stunned. "Ye want us...to let you stay here and protect the Jewel?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "I'm good at killing demons," he said nonchalantly. "You saw for yourself. You could use me around here."

Kagome swallowed hard. She wasn't altogether surprised, because he'd already said something to this effect before he'd left the first time. But it would be irresponsible of her to not do her due diligence. "But... but how do we know you won't turn on us and just snatch the Jewel for yourself, then?"

"You don't, I guess. But at least you know it won't happen so long as other yokai keep coming for it. And besides," he turned those golden eyes on Kagome fully. "That's not the only reason I'm here. I'm pretty sure I told you there was something else." His eyes bore into hers intently, as though willing her to remember.

And suddenly, they came to her, the last words he'd said at their parting: Let's just say there's someone I haven't finished repaying...

She swallowed again. She still didn't know what he could have meant by that, nor how much she could take him at his word.

"What?" Kaede said, looking from one to the other of them. "What was the other reason, Kagome?"

Kagome took a deep, shuddering breath. "Kaede baa-chan," she said finally. "I don't think we have much of a choice. If he wanted to, he could try and take the Jewel right now. We'd be a match for him, but you can sense his youki just as well as I can. His chances of taking us both down aren't slim."

"I don't wanna do that," Inuyasha said quietly, and his tone was suddenly serious. "Not if I can avoid it, anyway," he added. "All I'm askin' is that you let me stick around for now. There's something I need to do in this village. And in the meantime, I'm ok with helpin' the two of you with keeping the Jewel safe."

"Ye mean to say ye expect us to let ye roam about in this village as ye please?" Kaede exclaimed, affronted. "No chance of that. The likes of ye cannot be allowed near the villagers!"

"Well then, how am I s'posed to protect them from anything, ya old hag?" he shot back. "Y'think demons are gonna politely knock on your door to let you know before they decide to attack?"

Looking furious, Kaede raised her bow, and Kagome sprang in front of him again. "Maybe we can work out something around that," she said hastily. "Kaede baa-chan, what if he could only come into the village if he was accompanied by one of us? That way, we could keep an eye on him, and even if we were ambushed by other yokai, we could all act quickly."

She glanced at Inuyasha, anticipating a rebuttal. But to her surprise, he looked rather placid, as though he approved of this idea. He folded his arms. "If it's going to be one of you two, I'd rather it wasn't this half-dead old crone."

Kaede glared at him. "Loathe though I am to spend even a second in this mongrel's presence, Kagome, I cannot allow ye to take this on by thyself. Come into the temple with me, and we shall discuss this thoroughly."

Kagome had complied. As she walked past Inuyasha, she was aware of his eyes on her again. It was discomfiting, but also assuring in a way. She couldn't explain why, but she was flattered that he'd outright chosen her to be the one to monitor him. But maybe it made her naive to think this way, because for all she knew, this could just be a way for him to get her to lower her guard.

She and Kaede had discussed the matter while he remained by the archway. But as she'd suspected, neither of them had been able to come up with an alternative. They realized that they would have to grant his request, not that he'd "requested" it so much as demanded. And while they were still deliberating, as luck would have it, a few villagers who had risen early had spotted the demon and raised an alarm in panic. It was all Kagome could do to rush outside and yell that there was nothing to fear, that this demon was not here to cause harm, that he had saved her life and that she and Kaede would ensure that he would never be able to come and go here freely alone.

"We're going to make use of this yokai's strength to protect the Shikon Jewel and this village from further attacks," she said clearly to all those who had gathered with their rakes, sickles and pitchforks. "You all remember the brutality of the attack last week. We were lucky to not have lost any lives. We would be wise to accept all the help we can get to keep every one of us safe."

The villagers had looked incredulous, but to Kagome's relief, as she'd suspected, they did not offer resistance to her words. Kagome was beloved by all the villagers. Kaede, though revered, was aging and would not be able to drive back an ambush of that caliber on her own. It had been a close shave for Kagome that day, and the villagers would have rather taken a chance on this demon than risk losing her again.

"Please spread the word to your loved ones," she went on, "that the demon Inuyasha is not to be harmed. Should he ever break our pact and act out in aggression towards any of you, I will take him down myself."

The villagefolk murmured their assent. Miraculously, the panic subsided and there were no more incidents that day. When Kagome turned back to Inuyasha, she saw that he hadn't moved from his spot. He arms were still folded, and in fact, he looked rather bored as all the hubbub had transpired. It occurred to her that he was probably used to being treated by humans this way. It almost made her feel sorry for him.

After that day, she'd seen Inuyasha somewhat often. He appeared once every few days or so. Never at night, that was one notable thing about his visits. He only showed up when the sun was out. Silently, Kagome was grateful for this. He was easier to spot and keep an eye on this way. And he almost always only showed up at or near the shrine. Kagome figured that this was because he knew that it was where the Shikon Jewel was kept, albeit away from anyone's sight. But it might also have been because he knew that was where Kagome and Kaede spent most of their time during the day. He was abiding by the rules they'd set, and though this was surprising, it was also gratifying.

"So what are you doin' here anyway?" came Inuyasha's voice, jolting her back to the present.

"Can't you see?" Kagome said serenely. "I'm gathering some herbs for the shrine. The villagers are going to come by to receive our blessings. It's going to be a busy time."

"Then how come it's just you out here? Shouldn't the hag be helping?"

"Don't call her that, it's rude," Kagome said, nettled.

"Keh. Seems ruder to have you do all the work to me."

"Well, if you really want me to have help," Kagome said without thinking, "why don't you come and do it."

Not even a second after the words left her mouth, Inuyasha had leapt from the tree, and in just one bound, landed a couple of feet next to her. It was all Kagome could do to not let out a yelp of shock.

"Sure," he said, grinning. Something told her that, composed as she was, he could tell that this had jarred her. "What d'you need?"

She inched back from him a little. "Just... just pick the plants that look like the ones in my basket," she said, rattled. She hadn't banked on being this close to him.

"Why do you have to get them from here?" he asked, doing as she'd said. "Why can't you get 'em from inside the village?"

"The ones here are more potent, and plentiful," she answered. "It's because they're growing so close to the Sacred Tree. The soil around its roots is rich and fertile. The herbs are all of much better quality because of it."

Kagome cleared her throat, and glanced at him from lowered lids. Although he'd been coming around for a few weeks now, he hadn't said much when they were in each other's presence aside from maybe asking a few questions or making some remarks, quite a few of them snide ones. This was the most they'd actually conversed since the day at the shrine. Looking at him now, she could see that he didn't look as threatening now as he did then. But he also didn't look any less impressive.

It was quite astounding just how silky and thick his hair looked, and just how much of it there was. It wasn't just that it was long, she'd seen plenty of men with long hair, even if his was unnaturally so. But the way it looked so strong and shiny, Kagome found herself wondering what it would feel like to touch it. And that wasn't the only thing she wanted to touch, she thought, as she looked over at his ears. She was positive that they would absolutely feel like dog ears. She wasn't too familiar with dogs. All she'd had in the way of pets was Buyo the shrine cat. As her eyes moved down to his face, her heart gave a funny little beat. He was very handsome, there was no doubt about that. So handsome that she couldn't quite grasp how a demon could look so. She'd only ever seen monstrous ones, even those who were somewhat humanoid. Daiyokai were indeed a different breed altogether, she mused. She wondered how old this demon was. From the looks of it, he seemed like an adult in his early to mid twenties. But she wouldn't be surprised if he were in fact many times older. She tried to remember more she'd learned about daiyokai: they had assuredly been covered in her training over the years, but not as extensively as other sorts. The reason for this was because the chances of her encountering one was lower than it was for other types. Daiyokai tended to be powerful enough to not crave enhancers like the Jewel.

Or perhaps they hoped that they would be. Even back then, she knew that few priests and priestesses could stand a chance against these most powerful of demons if they had killing intent. Even now, she could gauge just how robust Inuyasha's demonic aura was.

"Why would you want the Jewel anyway," she murmured.

He lifted his head and stared at her, his eyebrow raised.

Kagome cursed under her breath. She kept forgetting about those ears of his. His hearing was no doubt super-canine. "I just meant, you're already plenty strong as it is," she said, flushing. "You can move faster than I've seen any demon move. And I saw how quickly you were able to kill that oni. What do you even need with the Jewel that you don't already have?"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, not as though he was annoyed, but as though he was weary of having to explain this. "Don't worry about it," he said.

"And what business do you have in the village, anyway?" she pressed. "What are you even supposed to do? You've said you need to repay someone. I didn't say anything in front of Kaede, because it didn't seem like you wanted her to know. But who is it? Is it someone who lives in the village? I know just about everyone, and no one's ever mentioned helping out a demon before."

He itched his ear with a foot. "You sure ask a lot of questions."

"It just doesn't add up. Just like how you want to help us slay demons who are after the Jewel. If you want it for yourself, wouldn't it make more sense to join up with them against us instead, and then fight each other for it once you have it? Why would you want to kill your own kind just to help us?"

"What makes you think all demons get along?" he asked. "Just because we're demons, you think we'd naturally ally against humans no matter what, or something?"

"It's how it's been so far," she mumbled. But she felt a bit abashed. This conversation was beginning to make her feel a little like she had six or seven months ago or so. It looked like she still had much to learn.

"Well, I don't blame ya for thinking that way," he said as he rose to his feet, the basket tucked under his arm. "But that doesn't mean I'm about to answer all your questions. So, this goes in the shrine, is that right?"

"Yes," said Kagome as she hastily rose to her feet. "But you don't have to carry it-"

He was already striding towards the shrine, so she just sighed and hurried along behind him. Thankfully, no one was out and about yet, but they would be soon.

"So what now?" he said after setting down the basket by the door of the shrine.

"Well, I have to do my morning rounds of the village," she said. "So I guess I'll see you-"

"I'll come with," he said.

Kagome blinked. "What?"

"I've seen you do them before. You just encircle the perimeter, right? Wouldn't that be easier with two sets of eyes? Plus, I can hear or sniff things out better than you."

"Well, I can just detect the youki without it," she said cautiously. She wavered about what she ought to do. He was standing there in silence, awaiting her decision. The longer she took, the more time they were wasting, so she realized it couldn't be helped. "I guess it'll be easier to keep an eye on you this way," she said at last. "Okay, you can come."

They walked along the perimeter in silence at first, she with her bow in hand and her quiver of arrows strung on her back. She walked ahead while he trailed a few steps behind.

The day was cool and a blend of overcast with the sun peeking out behind the fluffy pinkish clouds. Kagome breathed in the refreshing air. The sounds of birds twittering in the trees and the soft breezes were so pleasing. Although she'd been in a very tough and frightening bind a few weeks ago, what with the coordinated attack that the horde of demons had launched against the village, it was good to be alive now. She was still the Shikon Miko. It was her destiny, and she embraced it every day. She was honored to be the one who was chosen for an endeavor so noble, so important. She loved knowing that she was making such a difference in the world. She loved the prestige it brought her and her loved ones. Every time she could see the deference the villagers gave her, the gratitude they had for her, it brought her so much happiness.

Protecting the Shikon Jewel and keeping it pure was likely going to be a lifelong endeavor. There was no chance of it being destroyed, so demons would always seek it out. She often wondered how it had gone this long without ever falling into the hands of one that would create absolute cataclysm with it. After Kagome passed on, where would it go, she mused? There would have to be another priestess just as powerful as her, if not more, to take on the task. And then it would be handed down to another, and then another, and the cycle would go on and on and on, to a whole line of young priestesses who would be trained for the sole purpose of protecting the Jewel and living for nothing else, who went on sacrificing their youths and other desires and eventually their lives, forever and ever until the end of time...

"Why does it have to be you?"

Kagome froze in her tracks, and spun around. She'd forgotten that Inuyasha was there. Had he been reading her mind somehow?

"What?" she asked, distracted.

"Why does it have to be you," he repeated. "I've noticed how you're always the one doing all the heavy lifting around here. You make these rounds every morning and evening. You were the one fighting off all those demons that day. And you were picking all those herbs and plants earlier by yourself. What's the crone even good for? Why can't she ever do anything instead?"

"Oh," she said, relieved that he hadn't read her mind. "It's not that. She's just old, as you've clearly noticed. She's already done a lot for this village over the years. She was the one who first trained me. When I was little, she was able to discover my powers right away. I'm just the one who can take on the things that she can't anymore. And you're wrong. It's not that she doesn't do anything. Who do you think is blessing the sutras and sorting through the herbs in the shrine right now? And that day, when you killed that oni, she was with the villagers in the heart of the village. While I was on the outskirts making sure none of them got in, she'd erected a barrier over all the people so that they'd be safe, just in case any did. I rely on her for a lot."

Inuyasha was silent as he contemplated this, and they walked on.

"Still, her power isn't anywhere near yours," he said unexpectedly. "Even I can detect that. Your spiritual energy is off the charts. She can't hold a candle to you."

Inexplicably, Kagome felt her face grow hot, but not from anger or irritation. He was paying her a compliment? Not that he hadn't done it before, in a sense, but it was usually much more indirect that this. She realized that she was blushing, which perplexed her mightily.

"That's why you're the only one who can purify the Jewel," he went on. "She wouldn't be able to even if she tried. There's a reason they entrusted it to you and no other."

Kagome flushed again. She wanted to express appreciation for his words, but didn't know how. "Well, I had to undergo some serious trials to prove myself," she said in a small voice. "They sent me to a faraway village with a Holy Escort. They left me there in a forest that was known to be overrun by demons. I had to purify it on my own. I did what I was sent to do. And then..."

She trailed off, trying not to think of the cave, the rain, the moonless night, the mysterious handsome stranger who had occupied her thoughts every day since then. The silvery eyes, the warmth of his skin, the scent of musk and earth, the searing hot kisses that left tremors in their wake as he dragged them down every inch of her body.

"And then?" Inuyasha asked in a low voice.

She cleared her throat, giving her head a little shake. "Don't worry about it," she said shortly.

Behind her, she could hear him snicker. She bit her lips, thankful that he had no idea what she was remembering. It was bad enough that she'd even revealed to him, the first time that met, that she was spoken for. She hoped he didn't remember that, that he wouldn't ask about it now.

How it would have scandalized Kaede if she knew! Over the months, Kagome had agonized over it herself, utterly bemused by her actions that night. She wondered what could have come over her. It wasn't like her at all, giving herself over so fully to a complete stranger. It had been so reckless. So wanton. So unbecoming of a priestess. And yet, no matter how she looked at it, she had no regrets of that night. That man, the one she'd named Tsuya, had given her a gift that night. And it was more than just the beni. Her heart still sped up at the thought of him. She knew that this meant he still had a claim on it, whether he wanted it or not. Although she'd come to accept that she likely would never see him again, the thought didn't bring her any joy. Kagome forced herself to avoid thinking of all the nights she'd fought back tears as she wondered what had become of him.

"Looks like we're done," she said as the shrine came into view again. "Everything looks good in the village. It's time for me to go in and help Kaede with the sutras."

Inuyasha nodded. She allowed herself a small smile at him. "Thank you for your help today," she said. She was still surprised by all of his actions. She figured that the person he was supposed to be repaying was of no small importance to him, considering the lengths he was going.

"Don't sweat it. I ain't bothered or nothin'".

She laughed, and then paused. Strange. Something about the way he said that rang a bell. What was it? It wasn't that it was out of character for him, he'd behaved rather consistently since they'd first met. He was brash and rude, but it was clear he meant her no harm. He was a demon, but they had an understanding. And for now, she didn't sense any malintent from him. He even seemed to have a modicum of respect for her abilities. Those were as good of terms as she could ever hope to get on with a yokai. So why, when he'd said that, did she get a peculiar feeling like it could get better than even this? She shook her head again.

Stop it, she scolded herself. Just be grateful he's not out to get you.

The villagers had all assembled in front of the shrine, filing up to the doors one by one, where the priestesses stood to bestow their talismans, remedies and sutras onto them. A ways away from the shrine, Inuyasha lay casually over the archway. It was a bit bold of him to still be here, but since it was not yet nighttime and he was outside of the shrine rather than in, the people didn't pay him much mind.

Kagome was quite excited for this, for good reason. She looked forward to it every month. Scouring the crowd, she caught sight of the very people she'd been looking for, the ones she'd been hoping to see above all others.

As they drew to the front of the line, her heart sped up, and she began to feel giddy.

"Mother," she said shyly, in a high, clear voice. "Sota. I'm so pleased you've made it here today."

Higurashi-san enfolded her daughter in her arms. "It's so lovely to see you, Kagome, darling," she said, her kind, warm brown eyes taking her in. "You grow more beautiful every day. I hope you aren't forgetting to eat all of your meals amid all the fine work you've been doing for the village."

Kagome blushed, rubbing her face against her mother's pink floral-patterned kosode in delight, letting all the childhood memories of growing up in her arms wash over her. "Yes, it's all fine, Mama. Kaede baa-chan takes good care of me."

"Of course she does," her mother said merrily. "And we couldn't be more grateful."

"Nee-chan, I found a turtle by the school the other week," piped up Sota, tugging on Kagome's long white sleeve. "I've been thinking of names for him, but nothing really sounds like it fits. Maybe you'll be able to come up with one if you come see him!"

"Maybe I can, Sota," she said eagerly. Reaching out a hand, she patted him on the head. "You get taller every time I see you. I still remember when you only came up to my knees."

"Hey, gimme a break, I was never that small!" he laughed in mock affront. In the meantime, Buyo the cat had come out to sniff his ankles; he'd always liked Sota and her mother. "Hey, Buyo," he snickered, reaching down to pet him.

"That's not a bad idea," Higurashi-san was saying. She placed a cool, comforting hand on Kagome's cheek, and turned to Kaede, who stood watching with a smile. "High Priestess Kaede, I've been wanting to take Kagome home, at least for a few nights. It's been so long since we all slept under the same roof. In fact, I don't remember the last time. And after the scare from that day, it only feels right that she be with us for a while, close by. Do let her."

Speechless, Kagome turned to Kaede with eyes shining, trying not to betray too much excitement. Her face pleaded silently.

Kaede's brows furrowed into a worried knot. "I am afraid I don't know, Higurashi-san," she said. "To have Kagome away from the shrine at night is just far too great a risk. And the attack only makes it all the more imperative that we stay vigilant. The yokai will no doubt regroup and target us once more. And having her in your home poses an even greater danger to ye."

Kagome's spirits fell. She lowered her eyes to the floor.

"I understand," Higurashi-san said in a soft voice. "Kagome, dear, I know that you are the Shikon Miko, and you can't neglect her duties. But, you're still just an eighteen year-old girl." She turned back to Kaede. "We've hardly seen her since she assumed the responsibility of the Jewel. And we never had enough time with her her before as it was. Our hearts ache without you, sweetheart."

Sota straightened up, Buyo cradled in his arms, and nodded resolutely, looking as disappointed as his mother sounded at Kaede's words.

Kaede nodded gravely. "These are among the many sacrifices that miko make," she said. "She and your family will be all the more blessed, many times over for it, Higurashi-san, of that ye can be assured."

"Of course. For all the trials she has endured, I can think of no one more deserving of blessings and good fortune than my child." Her mother carried on looking at her steadily, with warmth and tenderness in her gaze, and Kagome's eyes welled up with tears. A lump came to her throat and she struggled not to let them spill over.

"I-I just want you... to be proud of me, Mother," she said haltingly, doing her best to stay composed.

"I've been proud of you since the day you were born, my love," said Higurashi-san, holding her girl close again, and this time Kagome couldn't suppress a small sob. "You're my only daughter. I don't need to be any prouder of you than I already am. All I want is to someday be able to bring you home, cook you all of your favorite meals, and care for you as though you were my little girl again."

Kagome hid her face in her mother's shoulder, letting the fabric absorb some of the moisture from her eyes. She hadn't expected Kaede to agree to it, not really. But for a moment, she'd dared to let herself imagine that she would. To her right, Sota stepped closer to her, resting his head against her arm, and she reached around and pulled him into their embrace as well. The three of them stood together that way for a minute, stealing as much time as they could to be together, as they always did anytime they were allowed to convene in this way.

All too soon, they had to break apart, for the line of people, although gracious, would become less patient eventually. Kagome blessed their sutras, and handed them to her mother as Kaede gave them some fresh herbs they could use for ailments.

Eventually, the line thinned, and all the villagefolk were on their way home, Kaede accompanying some of them to show them how to put up the sutras. Kagome, tired from standing for so long after making the rounds as well, took the chance to sit down on the step in front of the shrine door. She leaned against the wooden banister. Soon, would soon go into the shrine to purify the Jewel again, and then she and Kaede would have dinner. Then it would be time for her evening rounds, and then, she would sleep. Perhaps tomorrow, she would practice her archery, although she was already a master shot.

She had her own room in the shrine, just as Kaede did. It was where she'd slept almost all of her nights ever since becoming a fully realized priestess. She'd spent at least half her nights there as a child, too, since that was when her training had begun. She wasn't complaining about that; she would never complain. The shrine was rather comfortable, her bed large enough, and her sleep was usually very pleasant there. But still... it wasn't the same as home. It never could be. Her mother had said that she hoped she would be able to take her home someday. Unfortunately, as time went by that only became less likely. Kagome hadn't the heart to say it to her mother and Sota. But something told her that they already knew.

"Tough break."

Kagome's eyes fluttered open, and looked up to see Inuyasha leaning against one of the poles. His knee was bent, his foot resting against the wood as he looked on. He looked nonchalant, as usual, but also somewhat solemn.

"Oh, she said helplessly. "You heard all of that?"

Grinning, he pointed to his ears. "Remember?"

She laughed, her throat feeling dry from having had to swallow all of her tears earlier. She hugged her knees. "It's no big deal," she said lightly. "I knew it would be like this, even before I took up the mantle of Shrine Maiden. I shouldn't feel upset, really."

"But you do," he countered. "Don't you?"

She looked away. "It could be worse. Much worse. If anything happened to them because of me, I'd never forgive myself."

He gave a grim nod. "Well, it won't," he said. "It took a while, but I'm here now, Priestess. It won't fall on just you anymore."

Kagome looked at him quizzically. "You're so strange," she said aloud. "Why does it matter so much to you?"

He shrugged, not meeting her eyes. "I'll be takin' off now," he said at last. "Be back tomorrow."

"Okay," she said, then stopped when she realized she didn't feel wary about that. Since when had she started feeling like seeing Inuyasha again was a good thing?

"Right, then." He turned, making as if to leap onto the archway and out of sight.

"Wait, Inuyasha," Kagome called suddenly.

He turned his head back to her again. "I... well, do you have a family?" she blurted out.

He blinked, and she felt sheepish. She had no idea what had possessed her to ask such a thing. She just felt that, since he'd seen hers and knew far too much about their dynamics now, that maybe it would be okay for her to ask about his.

"No," he said finally. "I did, once. But we didn't get enough time in the end. It was out of our control."

"Oh. Really?"

"Yeah. That's why I feel for ya. It's not fun, giving everything up just for the sake of others."

His words tugged at her sympathy. It was curious. The way he'd described his family, the way he was talking to her now, it was the way any human would. She felt even sillier for having suggested that all yokai would naturally be allies. Maybe she had more in common with him than she'd thought.

"Thank you," she said, and she had no trouble meaning it this time.

He smiled at her. Kagome was taken aback. It was different from his usual smirks. It didn't quite transform his face the way it would have had he been scowling the whole time prior. But it added a dimension to it that Kagome hadn't been expecting. He looked sympathetic, but also approachable. Not for the first time, she wondered how a daiyokai could be quite so informal, and dressed this modestly, while also being as handsome as he was. Before she could process this further, he leapt into the air and was out of sight in seconds.

Kagome sighed. Now that he was gone, she realized why her heart was feeling so heavy at his words. What he'd said before, about giving everything up, it had reminded her of Tsuya. It seemed that no matter what she did, things would happen that made her think of him. But Kagome couldn't kid herself. She knew she'd have thought about him anyway.

We are so back, y'all!

As before, all reviews are most welcome, and I will do my best to respond to them and answer any questions (as long as they aren't spoilers!). It means so much to me to be able to continue this fic, even for just one more chapter, and here's hoping I can do it for a while yet. I have literally *always* loved the idea of a story pairing up Kagome primarily with Human Inuyasha, at least at first, because while any Inuyasha is best (and he's perfect as a half-demon), Human Inuyasha just holds a special place in my heart for so many reasons. And I hope the differences between those two forms come through in this story too!

Speaking of, in case anyone was wondering, don't worry, because this is definitely not the last we've seen of him! ;)

Hope you've all enjoyed the read!