Chapter 15

When her eyes opened again, she was staring up at the stars as they whizzed past overhead; a mosaic that she could only stare at dumbly for a long moment. There was a cool breeze lifting her hair and rushing across her skin, sending chills rushing down her spine. The moon hung heavy above her as she slowly came back to awareness; her eyelashes fluttering when she realized she was being held in a pair of very strong, very broad arms, and she had no idea who they belonged to.

Slowly, her eyes came into focus, traveling up from the expansive chest that was swathed in a fine silken kimono, up to a long slender neck and sharp jawline. He looked like he'd been carved from marble. Her heart was pounding against her ribs as she finally lifted her eyes to look into the face of the person who had her cradled against them protectively.

Impossibly dark eyes immediately captured her own. Ancient eyes that swirled with purple and black like the cosmos above, twinkling and sparkling with something that Kagome couldn't quite identify. All at once she could feel all the breath in her lungs rush out of her and for a moment it was like time stopped.

The man's full lips curved upwards in a smile, his teeth pearly white and perfectly straight, with two neat little fangs poking out from under his top lip. His skin was a true, pearlescent white, and it conjured up images of the moon in her mind with its purity. Midnight black hair billowed around them both, hair that was the same color as her own.

"W-who-" Her mouth was so dry. Her throat was on fire. She could feel the soreness, and she knew that it must be bruised, at the very least. Bankotsu had been squeezing so hard… She could barely form the word and even then, it came out stuttered and broken. She expected to feel that familiar prickle that told her she was in danger, but she didn't. His aura was calm; a cool blue that spoke of the sea as well as the sky, pulsating with a power she couldn't even being to grasp.

"Hush." His voice was low and serene, washing over her like a wave lapping gently at the shore. "Do not worry, no harm will come to you in my care, child."

As crazy as she knew it to be, she believed him. Those eyes held no lie, no malicious intent and for some reason, she felt safe for the first time since she'd be taken. Her eyes drifted away from the sculpted perfection of his face, looking down for the first time to realize that they were flying.

They were leagues above the ground, soaring as high as the lowest of clouds. The landscape rushed by in a muddled mess below them, painted in the cold light of the moon. She had a moment of instant panic that had her squirming in his arms, one of her little hands coming up to grip at the collar of his kimono. A deep chuckle emanated outward from his chest, the sound rumbling pleasantly through her.

She was sure her eyes were as wide as dinner plates as she looked up at him fearfully, a question waiting on the tip of her tongue.

Am I… dead?

Had Bankotsu killed her? Was this man really just a figment of her own mind as her soul ascended to the next plane? He was too beautiful to be just a man, of that she was certain; his eyes held wisdom and power that she couldn't even comprehend, and she wasn't convinced that any of this was real at all.

"No, you are very much alive, sweet one. Rest now." He said gently, obsidian eyes looking down on her with softness held there.

The words died in her throat, and she just looked back at him with stark disbelief as he shifted his gaze ahead.

Did he just… read my mind?

The corner of his lips turned up in a smirk, and that was all the confirmation she needed. They didn't speak again while they flew through the cold sky. She hardly dared to even think, scared that her every thought was being looked in on and she was confused beyond belief at the same time.

It was a long moment before she could feel them descending; the wind rushing in her ears as their hair mingled and whipped around them. She screwed her eyes shut, hands gripping onto the strange man, stomach rolling slightly at the abrupt loss of altitude.

He touched down lightly onto the grass, with an ethereal grace that amazed her as her eyes snapped open again, taking in her surroundings. They were atop a large hill, overlooking a forest of dark trees that rose high into the sky. It felt familiar like she'd been here before.

Het set her down gently, guiding her to stand on shaky legs. The grass beneath her bare feet was soft, the moon illuminating the outline of the man. His face was composed, completely serene as he looked at her with those large, encapsulating eyes, framed by thick lashes.

"You have questions?" He asked, taking a step back from her and letting his arms hang at his sides, the sleeves of his kimono lifting in the slight breeze.

There were so many thoughts running through her head, so many answers she needed. But her brain was still fuzzy and clouded with pain that lingered around her throat and jaw, from where Bankotsu had battered her. She could feel the cold chill of the crisp night air that ghost along her skin from where her kimono had been tugged askew, and she hurried to tug it back into place with shaking fingers.

"W-who are you?" She finally managed to stutter, watching as his eyes flickered away, back up to the shining sea of stars that lit the heavens above them.

What are you?

There was a long, quiet moment.

"I have many names." He finally murmured; his voice soft. "But you may call me Tsukuyomi. "

Tsukuyomi…Where do I know that from?

She wracked her foggy brain and she suddenly recalled her grandfather telling her about the Shinto gods one evening over dinner. He had rambled on as was his way, nearly boring them all to tears but she did remember one thing that had stuck out to her.

He had told her the story of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun… and Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon.

Her eyes went wide, her jaw going slack as she realized just who was standing before her. His dark hair hung down to his calves, thick and the blackest of blacks, his face perfect and unmarred by any sign of age or even a scar or a freckle. There was a katana sheathed at his waist, but his feet were bare and clean, and he was free of any armor. His build was strong, that of a warrior; though he had the air of an emperor about him, imperial and perfectly composed. But he wasn't either of those things; he wasn't even human.

He was a kami.

She could feel herself sway a little as her vision swam and she lost her balance, feeling like the world was snatched out from under her feet. But he was at her side in an instant, catching her before she could hit the ground.

"Let me heal you, little one, then we may speak." His features were etched in concern. His cold hands pressed against her lightly as he held her.

"Yes." She replied quietly after a long moment, knowing from all her years growing up on a shrine that when a kami offered you something, you accepted it without question.

He nodded slowly, lowering her to sit on the grass as he knelt beside her.

"Lie back, child." He instructed softly.

She did so hesitantly, looking up at the vast expanse of the cosmos above, eyes trained firmly on the constellations that she knew by heart. She could feel his aura pulsating, growing, enveloping her completely in the swell of inconceivable power. His hands hovered over her, his lips chanting words she couldn't make any sense of. A twinge of anxiety twisted in her chest, but it was quickly brushed away by the gentle thrum of his voice as it rushed over her skin.

She could feel the exact moment his energy was shot into her, coursing through her bloodstream with a nearly electric shock of power. It was nothing even comparable to reiki, or Yokai, or any other magic she'd ever experienced. It was tranquil, soothing like dipping into a cool lake in the middle of summer. It washed over her, buzzed along every nerve and every cell, repairing the damage as it went. Her body was stitching itself back together; she could hear the clicking of her jaw as it snapped back into place, could even feel the bone mending.

Her eyes drifted shut and a long, relieved sigh escaped her as she sunk back into the softness of the lush grass. The pain was gone. And she knew without a doubt that if she were to look at herself now the bruises would be gone, too. The evidence of how close she came to death all but erased. But even his awe-inspiring power could do nothing for the psychological damage that Bankotsu had caused her.

She could feel the divine energy leaving her, seeping away and leaving her body feeling refreshed. She was tired and thirsty, but she was alive.

She sat up slowly, coming face to face with Tsukuyomi, who was still knelt beside her in the grass.

"Thank you." She said earnestly, her voice filled with emotion as she stared deeply into his black eyes. The kami looked back at her, almost fondly, his lips quirked in a small smile.

"Think nothing of it." He rose to stand, and he offered her his hand.

She took it, hesitating, letting him help her up. His long slender fingers were cool to the touch, his grip firm. His hand fell away when she was firmly on her feet; they stared at each other for a long moment.

She didn't know where to start… what to even think. Her brain was still a jumbled mess and she just couldn't make sense of any of it. What she did know was that this man, no, this kami, had saved her from something horrible, and had even gone as far as to heal her. And not that she wasn't grateful, but what the hell was going on?

"So… you're a… Kami?" She licked at her dry lips nervously, fingers worrying at the edge of her sleeve. It was a stupid question. One she already knew the answer too, but... she needed to hear him say it.

"Yes." He answered, a small smile curved at his full lips as he nodded sagely.

She took a deep breath, attempting to settle herself as she trembled. She was having a hard time wrapping her mind around the fact that she was literally three feet away from a freaking kami! It wasn't everyday she was put in this situation; she wasn't sure how to act or even what to say when she was faced with those mystic eyes of his. They seemed to know her, to see right through to her core and the feeling was unfamiliar.

She took no notice of the way the darkness seemed to wane, the stars fading with every passing moment as it neared sunrise.

"Why did… why did you save me?" It was the question she most wanted to ask, but if she was being honest, she was almost afraid of the answer. Did she really want to know? Nothing in her life was ever black and white; there was always a catch.

He seemed to ponder her words for a long moment, his face pensive, dark brows drawn in deep thought.

"I did not want us to meet this way…" He sighed finally, looking her square in the eyes, his mouth set in a morose line. "I wish it would have turned out differently."

Her brow quirked in confusion, but before she could ask, he was continuing.

"There are many reasons why I saved you… many reasons indeed." He was cryptic, pink-tinged heavens reflected in his dark eyes as the night ebbed away. "I am not sure if it is the right time…" He murmured the last part, almost as if he was talking to himself.

She wanted to scream in frustration.

What the hell was he talking about? Many reasons? Right time? She didn't care, she needed answers. Her gut was telling her that this was important, and her gut was never wrong.

"But…why me? Please Tsukuyomi, I need to know." She implored softly, her voice sounding meek even to her own ears.

He seemed to think it over for a long moment, those mysterious eyes never leaving her, filling with emotion that she couldn't place. He almost looked as if he was going to speak, but then his gaze flickered back to the horizon again, and she saw his eyes widen a fraction, surprise evident there.

"I am sorry, but I must go now." He said apologetically.

"What? No! we were just…" Kagome sputtered in confusion; disbelief etched clearly onto her features. But he was already floating up into the sky, his impossibly long hair billowing around him, lifted by the breeze.

"We will meet again soon, Musume."

He reached out a long, pale hand to her, the wide sleeve falling away to reveal a strong, pale wrist. Before she consciously knew what she was doing, she was reaching out; her fingers grazing along his own much colder ones as he hovered in midair. He looked to her so much like a true god right then, if he hadn't before. His seafoam colored robes seemed to undulate with invisible currents, his skin glowed pure ivory in the light of the sunrise.

"I will come to you in a dream."

His lips hadn't moved, but she'd heard him clear as day inside her own head. He smiled knowingly as he drifted away, his hand slipping out of her own as he disappeared up into the heavens.

She stared after him for a long moment, unable to wrap her head around anything that had just happened. She felt her legs give out and she sunk to the ground. Her mind was a tumultuous sea of emotions and questions. So many damn questions she felt like her head was going to burst.

He had called her… Musume.

Daughter

Kagome turned and looked out over the land, her vision suddenly blinded by the bright dawn light as the sun finally crested over the mountains that rose far off in the distance; the sky painted in pink and blue watercolor. A gentle breeze rushed by, lifting her hair and carrying with it the sweet smell of the forest.

The sun was rising.

And she was free.

Kagome sat on that hill for a long time. She couldn't make sense of anything that had happened to her. Tears slid freely down her cheeks, and she wasn't sure why she was crying. Partly, it was out of relief. She was free, Bankotsu was far away, and wouldn't be coming for her any time soon… if he was even still alive. And partly the tears came because she was so damn confused. Nothing made sense.

Tsukuyomi…

Her gaze lifted up to the heavens, the sky now brilliant and beautiful as the sun had fully risen.

"We will meet again soon, Musume."

Daughter, he'd called her, but… what did he mean? Surely it was impossible for her to be the actual daughter of a kami, right? He must've been speaking figuratively. Or at least, she hoped so. She didn't know what it would mean for her if… No, it was too ridiculous to even think it.

As her emotions wracked through her she could do nothing but let herself feel them, knowing that she had been practically knocking on death's door only a few hours ago. If Tsukuyomi had not intervened when he had, she was sure that Bankotsu would have killed her without a second thought.

All she could think about was how weak she was. How she had been helpless when it came time to defend herself, how easily she had given in. The memory of his hands molesting her, wandering over her skin and his lips, cruel and punishing. She couldn't stop the bile as it rose up in her throat, didn't try to hold back as she turned to retch onto the grass; big heaving coughs heaving through her chest as her body rejected what little nourishment it had received.

She wiped at her mouth with shaking fingers, doing her best to just take deep breaths and calm the wild beating of her heart.

That man had touched her… had very nearly almost done something much worse… and she had been powerless to stop him. her body had given out on her, completely betrayed her. Tsukuyomi was the only reason she was even alive.

She had finally realized why this place seemed so familiar to her; The kami had left her just outside the village, no more than a mile or two beyond its limits. The well was not far from here, either. She was torn. Half of her wanting to run off back to her own time, and the other… it wanted to stay, to find InuYasha and run into his arms and never leave.

But something had to give.

She couldn't keep doing this… putting the people she cared for in danger and nearly getting herself killed at every turn. She had to finally do something… no matter what, she could never allow herself to get that close to death again. Not just for herself, but for everyone else, too.

I don't want to be weak anymore.

The tears stopped and she knew what she had to do.

I have to get stronger… for me, for InuYasha, for everyone…

She rose on unsteady legs, wiping at the glistening tracks on her cheeks. She'd made up her mind.

With a bleak feeling in her heart, she headed towards the village, instinctively knowing where to go though it was not marked by any path.

Inside her heart was breaking, her mind weighing heavy with the dark thoughts that were swirling there.

InuYasha… I'm so sorry…

She didn't want to hurt him, she never wanted that, but she knew that would be the inevitable outcome.

She wondered how long she had been gone, what had happened while she'd been held by the Band of Seven. He hadn't found her…but he'd been looking, right? She wanted more than anything just to see him, to kiss him and hear his voice again. But she struggled to know if it was the right thing to do… she was hurting, torn and all she wanted to do was take a hot bath, crawl into her bed, and sleep for a week.

It wasn't long before she could see the buildings of Edo in the distance, the great red torii of the shrine rising from the terrain, guiding her. Her bare feet picked over the rocky path carefully, already sore and knowing that she'd probably be dealing with a few cuts and blisters for the next week or so. But she did her best to ignore it, walking at a steady pace as the village grew closer and closer.

It was early still, but the morning was in full swing in the village. Farmers were working the fields, a few merchants had already set up and were selling their wares, and there were a few women milling about, starting on the day's chores. It all seemed so perfectly normal to her, almost idyllic. Simple.

She walked through the streets, keeping her eyes cast low and her head down. Her feet hurt and she was sure she was standing out like a sore thumb; she could feel the stares. She hurried to Kaede's hut, breathing out a long sigh of relief when it finally came into view, choking on a sob a half sob that erupted from her throat.

She broke out into a dead run, her heart leaping in her chest. Last night… she hadn't been sure that she would ever make it back here.

"Kaede! Sango!" she called out, her voice sounding hoarse as she scrambled to lift the reed curtain and rush inside the small wooden structure. It was shadowed, lit by the weak, early morning light that filtered in through the one small window.

It was Sango who stood there, a woven basket settled onto her hip and her mouth hung open and shock as she stared back at the girl.

"Kagome?" She whispered, almost disbelieving, and the Miko could see the taijiya's eyes fill up with tears as her name passed her lips.

She nodded, feeling the hot tears slide down her cheeks freely. "It's really me, Sango."

All at once the girl was dropping the basket and rushing over to crush Kagome to her in a desperate hug. They both wept openly, grasping onto each other, almost as if they couldn't believe that this was real.

"Kagome," Sango sobbed, pulling back to look her in the eyes, her lip quivering pitifully as fat tears fell from her watery eyes. "I-I- I thought you were dead…" Her voice broke on the word; Kagome could feel her hands shaking as she held her at arm's length. Her eyes raked over her in utter shock, mouth agape.

Kagome couldn't hold it in any longer; she broke.

She sagged heavily against Sango, clutching onto her now as the dam inside her burst; hot, salty tears slid down her cheeks in a torrential flood.

"Sango… It was so close… I almost- I almost didn't make it." She bawled; big, ugly, heaving cries as that had her shaking and gasping for air. Her eyes were screwed shut; her heart clenched painfully in her chest as her stomach rolled with nausea at the vivid memory that replayed in her head. She felt Sango's slender fingers cradling the back of her head in a motherly way, as she just let Kagome feel the pain.

She cried until she felt like she was going to be sick; until she was gasping for air.

"Kagome… what happened?" The taijiya asked in a broken whisper.

She didn't know if she had the words, or the will to even begin to explain. So much had occurred in such a small window of time, her head was muddled, and she still hadn't really processed it herself. But there was one thing she had to know first before she could answer any questions.

"Wait, Sango… Where is InuYasha?" She could feel her breath hitch in her throat as she took a step back, out of her friend's arms to look her in the eyes.

The slayer's brow creased, furrowed as she shifted her gaze to the floor and back up again, thinking.

"I'm not sure. He… He hasn't come back since you were taken." She said, worrying her lips between her teeth.

Kagome released a long breath that she hadn't known she'd been holding. "What about Shippo, and Miroku?"

"Miroku left at dawn with Kaede to perform a house call, and Shippo is still asleep..." The girl answered, her brow wrinkled with worry. Kagome knew that she must be confusing her because she was damn near confusing herself. She was split, two halves of herself warring with each other.

Her eyes fell on the little bundle that was curled up in the corner. She hadn't noticed him at first; She had been so consumed with her and Sango's emotional reunion. And He hadn't stirred in the slightest; He was a heavy sleeper. She could see his little tuft of his fluffy tail peeking out from his blanket, and before she knew it, she was crossing the creaky wooden floor, dropping down to her knees beside him.

Tears flowed anew as she looked down at his sleeping face, peaceful and snoring softly.

Shippo

She had come so close to never seeing him again, to robbing him of yet another parental figure in his life. She was all that he had left… and she was still somewhat of a child herself, but he was her son. In every way that mattered. And she had promised him.

"One day… I'll never have to leave you again."

And she intended to keep good on her word.

She fell over his little body, wrapping her arms around his sleeping form as she crushed him to her chest. She sobbed his name, her throat catching on the words as she felt him begin to wake up.

I promise, Shippo, I'm going to get stronger and then… then I'll be able to protect us both.

"Ka… Ka… gome?" the little boy mumbled sleepily, rubbing at his green eyes as they fluttered open.

She gave him a watery smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes, but the kit didn't care. She could feel his tears splash wetly onto her disheveled kimono as she threw his arms around her neck.

"Kagome, I'm sorry." Shippo sobbed, his face buried in the crook of her shoulder; He felt so fragile to her. "I-I- I couldn't… I couldn't protect you… It's all my fault…" The boy was near inconsolable; she could feel the heavy sobs wracking through his body as she held him.

"No, Shippo, I promise… you didn't do anything wrong." Her heart broke inside her chest; feeling immeasurable guilt and self-loathing as she looked down at him, brushing his bangs out of his eyes with trembling fingers. "I'm the one who should be sorry…" she planted a motherly kiss on his forehead as she gently disentangled his arms from around her neck. She wiped the tears from his cheeks, managing a watery smile for him as he looked up at her, his clover green eyes wide and bright with tears.

"Stay here and wait for Sango, okay? She won't be long." Kagome tried her best to make her voice sound soothing to the little kits' ears, even when inside her heart was shattering, clenched painfully in her chest with emotion.

"But… 'gome…" Shippo started to protest, but she shushed him quickly, laying a finger over his lips.

"Hush. I love you… be good, okay?"

She had never said the word to him before, though she'd felt it every time she looked at him. She could tell he heard it, and the effect was not lost on him, but… the kit knew a goodbye when he heard one. And there was no way for her to soften that blow.

She rose to her feet, turning back to the taijiya who was looking at her with watery eyes.

"Walk with me," Kagome said, her voice somber. She grabbed her yellow backpack and her bow and quiver which were placed conveniently by the door; walking quickly out of the hut before she could change her mind. When the reed curtain swung back into place behind her, she felt her own breath hitch as she held back a sob, knowing that the kit's sensitive ears would pick up on it if she wasn't careful. Sango stepped onto the dirt beside her, laying a hand lightly on her friend's shoulder as she could see she was struggling.

"Kagome…" She started, but the Miko quickly cut her off with a rapid shake of her head.

"No! not here." She slung her pack and quiver over her shoulders, her bow held firmly in her hand as she started walking.

Shippo didn't need to know anything that she was about to unload on the demon slayer.

"Hurry," Kagome urged, "We have to get there before InuYasha finds me." She knew that with his demon senses he would catch a whiff of her scent any moment now if he hadn't already.

"Where are we going?" Sango asked, exasperated, trying to keep up with Kagome who was walking quickly up the path.

"The well." She answered, not able to look her in the eye.

"But… Kagome…" Sango slowed, her brows furrowed, and her face etched in disbelief. "You can't mean… you're planning on leaving, without waiting for InuYasha?"

The Miko didn't stop walking. She kept her gaze trained firmly on the ground as tears stung at her eyes again. "It doesn't matter." Kagome shook her head. She couldn't explain herself. But she wouldn't be doing what she was doing unless she felt it was right.

Sango followed behind her in stunned silence for a long moment, her voice sounded so sad when she spoke again that it nearly made Kagome lose her resolve. "Kagome… tell me…what happened to you?" She could hear the sadness coated thick over her words, the way they sank right into her with the depth of the question. She stopped her with a gentle but firm hand pressing at her shoulder, looked her in the eyes.

So much she wanted to tell her, but she couldn't bring herself to relive the whole thing; it was still fresh on her mind.

But she needed to tell her something, and quick. The taijiya was looking at her with clear anguish written in her features, and Kagome wondered if her silence said more than she'd meant to give away.

"I-I can't, Sango. I'm sorry… it's just, it's too much… I-"

I came so close to dying… to leaving you all…

But she couldn't say it. It hurt too much.

"I'm sorry… just tell InuYasha that if Bankotsu's still alive… he'll be coming for him."

"Bankotsu?" Sango asked, her brow furrowed, and voice tilted in confusion. She didn't even know who he was.

"The Band of Seven, he's the leader… the one that took me." Kagome said quietly, hating the way his name felt as it sat on her tongue. She looked off into the distance, her eye on the forest around them. "Go back, Sango. Tell them all that I'm sorry… I don't know how long I'll be gone."

They weren't far from the well now, she could walk the rest of the way alone.

"And what of InuYasha, what shall I tell him?" Sango sputtered, her pace slowing to a halt. Kagome could see hurt reflected in her dark brown eyes and she knew that she had been the one to put it there.

"Tell him…" She thought it over for a long moment. There were so many things she wanted to say; her emotions swirled inside of her like a vortex, consuming her. "Tell him I'm sorry… and that I'll be back…" She trailed off.

Tell him I love him.

But that was something she was going to have to tell him herself. She knew that but… she couldn't face him just yet. She knew the second those golden eyes of his locked onto her own she would be running to throw herself into his arms. She was so weak when it came to him. too weak.

"Tell him not to come for me." She knew her voice was breaking; could feel her throat squeezing, tight with emotion. It was all she could do to just turn away, leaving Sango standing there, her lips parted in shock.

One foot in front of the other.

That was the only thing that she let herself focus on, chanting it like a mantra over and over again in her head as she drew closer and closer to the well, to home. Sango hadn't followed her any further, and she was glad. There was nothing else that she could say… maybe once she was in her right mind again, she would feel a little differently, but now… she didn't even want to think about it.

But InuYasha…the thought of him was the only thing that had kept her going… all she wanted, even now, was to fall against him and let the warm blanket of his protection settle over her. It would be so easy. It was a cycle they fell into easily… but this time, he hadn't been the one to save her.

The only reason she was even still breathing was because of Tsukuyomi… the Kami of the moon. It was still so surreal to her. And it didn't make a lick of sense.

Why does weird crap always have to happen to me…?

Briefly, her mind wandered to her friends in the future; how all they worried about was their grades and what they were going to have for dinner that night. But here she was…her feet sore and throbbing, caked in dirt and she knew that when she looked, she'd find deep cuts dug into her tender soles. This was one of those times where she just wished that she could be normal. Whatever that meant.

She ignored the sting of her feet, clenching her teeth as she stepped over a particularly sharp rock. The well was just up ahead when she sensed that all-too-familiar tingle across her six sense; that shiver that completely encompassed her and she knew instantly without having to turn around who was standing behind her.

She was frozen in an instant; her heart racing against her ribs as her lips began to tremble. She couldn't bring herself to turn and look him in the eyes, she already knew what she'd find there… and she didn't know if she could withstand the force of that molten amber gaze. She felt so small and broken, and so god damned stupid she couldn't bear it. She just wanted to hide her face in shame; to just pretend that it never happened… but she just couldn't. There was no forgetting what had happened… no erasing the guilt and self-loathing she felt, or the memories that would haunt her forever.

But it was a deep, gravelly voice that somehow pulled her out of her own mind and back to the moment. His voice.

"Kagome?"

AN: Hey everyone! I just couldn't resist! I didn't wanna leave you guys hanging for too long ;) And I know some of ya'll were a little confused about Tsukuyomi and the role that he plays in this story but I promise, all will be revealed in time :) Anyway I hope this one cleared things up a little, sorry for all the suspense haha but next chapter looks like we'll get a proper InuKag reunion after all. Thanks to everyone who reviewed & to any new followers, welcome! I'll be updating again probably next Friday. Thanks for reading!

Torii- the gateway to a Shinto shrine

Musume- Daughter