InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Throw Caution To The Wind ❯ Re-Living ( Chapter 3 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

AN: Ok, first of all, after the first chapter, I realized I had kind of…boxed myself in. So, to make it short, I've almost completely changed the whole storyline. It's not bad, I just decided to have other things happen. Because of this, I've found that my plans for the first part of the story story focus more on what happens in general to Kagome, and less than on the Sess/Kag relationship than I had originally planned. I will though, work out a way for the two to come closer. I mean, how can I resist a little Sesshoumaru x Kagome action?! How could anybody?! Heh heh, long chapter…

Disclaimer: I don't own them. You know who I'm talking about. You know, those characters. But, I do own those other original characters. You know. The ones that show up in three of my stories. Yeah, those ones.

THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND_*CHAPTER 3*_RE-LIVING

Some people don't believe in miracles. And I can understand that. In fact I understand completely where they're coming from. When people think of miracles, these days, they believe miracles to be, more often than not, related to religious happenings. But what if miracles are just things that would not normally, under the circumstances, usually occur. What if they are freak happenings. Like 'wow, I just missed getting run over by the Hell's Angel on that bicycle' or 'I just missed being decapitated by that septic tank that flew over my head'. Ok, those aren't great examples, but still. What if miracles are just accidents or something, like a little kink in fate?

Would Sesshoumaru's last-second asking me for help and me accepting be considered a miracle. Or even more, me actually helping Rin live? I don't know. No one does. And I'm ok with that. But sometimes fate is plain screwed up. It may have its best intentions in store for you, but often in takes the scenic or very bumpy road to get you there.

Rin, thank the gods, was getting better, and quickly. By the next morning, her temperature had broken, her pulse was back to normal, and she was sleeping soundly. I love modern medicine. I had stayed by her all night, watching her sleep. Now I had slowly let the light into the room through open windows. It was amazing what a difference it made. The flowers littering the room in their mocking vases joined with the new found light, creating a splendidly warm and cheery ambiance compared to the once sullen room.

I sat, reading my history book, studying for the test which, thanks to much experience in Sengoku Jidai Japan, I already knew most of. That didn't happen too often. But I studied anyways. I was, after all, on my way out of high school. I had curled up in a corner with the book and was dropping in and out of sleep, my body playing a kind of hide and seek with my brain, trying desperately to stay awake. I don't think I had gotten more than three hours of sleep…

There was a rustle of bedding and I heard a small yawn. The covers moved and I watched as a small hand emerged from the web of cloth, like a clueless baby spider. There was a faint whisper.

"Kagome-chan…are you awake?" It sounded so cute, the way she said it. As if scared that by talking the world would be sucked into oblivion.

"Good morning, Rin-chan." I said, placing my history book to the side and pulling myself up. The girl seemed so shy and only too…cute. That's the only way I can describe her. Absolutely cute. Her hair was pulled off to the side in a half ponytail and was disheveled, yet beautiful and shiny. It fell a little ways past her shoulders, not far. She looked to be about ten years old, but was small for her age. She had big, puppy dog eyes that looked at you and made you feel like you were the only thing in the universe. I could already tell she had a happy and quiet demeanor.

"Oh good! Kagome-chan is awake!" I nodded and walked over to the bed. I assumed that the quiet girl would be too drained to get up for a while. I sat down beside the bed, responding to the great smile she was giving me.

"Kagome-chan?"

"Yes, Rin-chan?" I turned my full attention to her, smoothing the bed sheets.

"Can I ask Kagome-chan a question?"

"Of course." I gave her my most genuine smile, wondering what the quiet little girl could want from me.

"WhydidyoucometohelpRineventhoughRinnevermetKagome-Chan before?WhydidSesshoumaru-samaleave?HowoldisKagome chan?DoesshehavefamilyandfriendslikeJakenandSesshoumaru-sama?IsKagome-chang oingtostaywithRin?"

I should have known. Quiet and shy. Right. Ha. I'm not always the best judge of character, but I know when I see a pure heart.

I stared at the girl in wonder as she remained perfectly silent, waiting for my reply. How on earth had she gotten all that out in one breath?! It wasn't possible! But, despite my overwhelmed feeling, I laughed. For the first time in days, I had truly laughed. Sure, this girl wasn't the quiet, shy thing I had expected and sure, I didn't know any thing about her. But she had trusted me from the beginning and I realized later on that day that I was slowly falling in love with her. Her spunkiness and lively character was not what I had suspected, but I loved it nonetheless, if not more for it. She asked me so many questions, I soon found that I was learning things about myself that I had never known.

At about noon that day (she had woken up very early) and repeated doses of medicine, she was looking so much better that I couldn't help but be proud of myself. So, when she practically worked herself into a anxiety attack, begging to go outside "It's ok if Kagome-chan comes with Rin, right?", I couldn't resist. After all, she seemed to be nearly back to normal. Not that I knew what normal was for her. Heck, I didn't know anything about her. I just adored her.

So, when the toad sidekick of Sesshoumaru's was out of sight, I hoisted the girl up on my back, which was not an easy thing, mind you; ten-year-olds are heavy, and headed into the halls.

"Ok, Rin. We have to be very quiet so no one will hear us." I whispered, trying to plaster the best Mission Impossible look on my face as possible.

"Yes!" she squirmed, rearranging some of my vertebrae.

"Um…Rin-chan…do you know how to get outside.

"Oh, it's quite easy, Kagome-sama." a voice spoke in a soothing voice from behind me. I must have jumped three feet, even with Rin on my back. It was the servant from the day before. Maki…I think.

"Oh, um, if it's not too much trouble, could you show us how to get to the gardens.

"Of course. Although Sesshoumaru may not approve of Rin being outside so soon after her sickness, I say what you did for her and I think a breath of fresh air would be good for both of you." she smiled a happy smile, her eyes squinting, laugh lines bunching at the corners. She looked like the picture perfect grandmother. Her silver hair was tied in a long braid that hung to her thighs and she wore a loose fitting kimono of blues and grays. Her eyes were a light blue-white as if all the color had been drained out of them, yet held a friendliness to them that I could not explain. I immediately took comfort in the woman, well, demon, I guess. She reminded me of a happy Kaede and my respect for Kaede seemed to seep into this woman too.

"It's this way…" she turned left down a hall and walked onward. I followed, scooting up Rin every so often when she began to slip down. "It's really quite a simple house." Maki was saying happily as she turned another way. "The whole house basically centers around the various small gardens. You'll get used to it once you're here for a while."

I didn't say anything. I didn't want to tell her that I was leaving the next day. I didn't want to tell Rin.

We were just making another left when I felt the sensation nagging at my stomach. I sensed a jewel shard. It was unmistakable. What was I supposed to do? I could go search for it, but I had no business sneaking around Sesshoumaru's home. But then again, what would you call what me and Rin had been trying to do? But still, was Sesshoumaru even aware that there was a shard near? Was it his? What would he be doing with a shard? After all, he didn't need a human arm to hold tetsusaiga anymore, right? After all, he had toukijin… What am I supposed to do?! Then I figured it out. It's not my problem. Not at that moment anyway. Right now, I should be focused on Rin. After all, I couldn't just throw her down and bolt off, could I? Perhaps I'm being a little dishonest. The truth was, well, I was tired of the whole shard thing. I wanted a small break, that's all I asked for, and it had literally offered itself to me. To go outside and not be worried about attacking demons or looking for pieces of the shikon no tama. To sit down and watch Rin. That's all I wanted at that moment. Perhaps that was a little weird of me. But it wouldn't be the last of weird changes.

It turned out that the castle I guess you would call it, did primarily center around a large garden which seemed to be in the very middle, a courtyard, of the whole establishment. Maki led us out of the corridors and into the garden. I was immediately fascinated with it. Beautiful plants and trees that I had never seen covered the landscape along with artfully placed stones and soft green moss. There was a patch of grass beneath what looked like a willow tree who's braches dipped softly into a koi pond. Japanese maples lined beautiful white stone walls and multitudes of fruit trees spotted the garden. It was breathtaking to see the least. And, that was only part of it. The entire grounds around the castle had been made into one large castle also.

Seeing as how Rin would hyperventilate if I didn't put her down soon, I kneeled down, letting Maki help her slide off my back. After a moment, Maki excused herself, saying she would have Kaji come for us when tea was ready.

For the next twenty minutes, Rin pulled me around the garden showing me every single detail she could, all presumably from memorization. Future Botanist in the making! For a girl that had just been deathly sick the night before, she wasn't looking to bad, especially considering I was having a harder time keeping my eyes open than she was. She had though, I reasoned, gotten quite a bit more sleep than me and I did carry her some of the time.

After my very spirited tour de la garden, Rin took me out a bit farther to what seemed to be a large meadow that had been incorporated into the castle grounds. There, I sat in the tall grass, making flower chain jewelry for the toad servant, Jaken. Most of the time though, I dedicated to studying every move the child made, her expressions, and infectious smile. I knew Sesshoumaru to be a, well, from experience, a heartless, cold bastard, yet he kept this young girl around and even called her his ward. But, I had to admit, for once I understood why the demon lord was doing something.

Rin had just relayed to me the time that Ah-Un, Sesshoumaru's dragon had sneezed when she gave it a daisy necklace and had sent Jaken, who was riding onto its back "SPLAT into the tree" in front of it. A very loud "SPLAT". "And Jaken-sama didn't stand up for a long time, and when he did, he wobbled like this." Rin did an uncanny impression of one of those weighted, blow up punching bags that rock back and forth, finally falling backwards and returning to the clover bracelet she was constructing.

I can't explain it, but a happy, easy feeling came over me, sitting there, talking to Rin. I didn't even know if the little girl had a last name, but I enjoyed her happiness so much, I didn't want to leave her ever.

"Rin-chan…why do you stay with Sesshoumaru-sama?"

The girl looked up from the stems of the small white flowers like lions' tails between her fingers.

"Oh!" she exclaimed happily. "Rin-I- was hurt by the wolves and Sesshoumaru helped …me… He fixed Rin even when she was broken!" She added with a triumphant smile as if that explained it all.

So Sesshoumaru had saved her and now she was living with him. It seemed sensible enough. But not for Sesshoumaru.

"Where is your family, Rin-chan?" I questioned, knowing I shouldn't go there, but so interested.

"My family is all gone now. My mommy and Daddy are gone, but now I stay with Sesshoumaru-sama and Sesshoumaru-sama protects me!"

"Oh. That's great, Rin-chan!" I watched he face shift back into a great smile. She held up her flower bracelet for me to see and I critiqued it playfully. The girl was nearly ten, yet acted still very young. It was a refreshing change.

I held up a small necklace which she immediately loved and I tied it around her neck for her, admiring her new look as I stood back.

"Kagome-chan?"

"Yes, Rin?" I set back to work creating another necklace of grass and clover.

"Can I call you Nee-chan?" the girl looked up at me, eagerly waiting for a reply

"I would be honored if you called me your sister." I smiled graciously. Rin shouted happily, ran around once, then collapsed again, back to the flowers.

"What do think you are you doing." a smooth voice called from behind. I recognized it at once to be Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!!" Rin jumped up and ran over to the taiyoukai. For a moment I thought she would throw her arms around him, but she stopped and just beamed up at him as though his very presence was a joyous occasion.

"Rin, go pick flowers by that tree with Jaken. I believe he is hiding over there, camouflaged in the green grass…" he patted her head once as he said this, the whole while, his eyes never stopping there mission of boring into my soul.

"Ok!" she said, giving me an almost, if I'm not imagining it, knowing smile, than running off. I could hear "Jaken-sama!! Where are you Jaken-sama! Let's pick flowers!" as she bolted towards a row of bushes.

"Again, what are you doing."

"Well, we were making jewelry for Jaken-sama until we were interrupted." I looked at him pointedly.

"Is that so?" he cocked an eyebrow at me. There was a sort of interrogating air about him always. As if he was waiting for me to screw up like he expected. Or like I was nothing compared to him. Both were probably true.

"Well, you see," I hated how I had to explain myself to him. He wants explanations, I'll give him one. "I thought that this shade of green on the clover flower stems would match beautifully with Jaken-sama's natural coloring and perhaps accentuate his better features." I knew that he had wanted me to tell him why I had taken Rin outside without permission or even why I was outside in his garden without permission. But still, I thought that my cover was pretty witty myself.

"Indeed." he said in a half bored tone. But I could swear I sensed an underlying humor there.

"Well, Rin was a lot better, almost perfect, and she was dying to go outside. You know, that girl won't stop talking for a second about something she wants to do." I said, smiling.

"I am aware of this."

"Oh. I mean, of course you are. After all, you do watch over her, don't you." I more mumbled to myself than told him. I stared out after the girl who had been so sick the previous night and was now galloping around, chasing a toad youkai. It was odd, I had to admit, that she healed so quickly and so well, but I wouldn't complain. If she died, I would have to start over again all from scratch. The pain, the guilt. This girl was becoming, unconsciously, my sign of salvation.

"Do not get involved with Rin." The smooth voice sounded cold now.

"What?"

"Must I always repeat myself? Do not get involved with Rin. You will most likely never see her again, and I do not wish her to develop a relationship with a human who travels with Inuyasha.

"What are you talking about?! It's not like I choose to be with Inuyasha!" Ok, so that was a bit of a lie, but still… "The girl obviously needs friends! A toad with a flame-throwing stick isn't going to cut it for a decent companion for a little girl. And you, from what I've seen, you don't pay half as much attention to the girl as you ought to and you're never around! You spared her some time when she was deathly ill, sure, but that's not nearly enough! She needs someone!" I was mad now, I was taking it as a personal insult. How could he refuse the girl a friendship? How could he refuse me one! He didn't control over our lives! Well, I don't know about Rin, but he damn well had no control over me!

Why was I arguing? I couldn't be the one to help this girl. That would mean staying with her. And Sesshoumaru. And I had the shards to look for and Inuyasha. I couldn't do anything more for the child than what I had already done. Perhaps there was nothing I could do. I had saved Rin, so why wasn't I satisfied with leaving it at that?

I stared at the ground, then up at Sesshoumaru. A flicker of shock had shot across his face followed by anger after my last words.

"Do not speak of what you know not, girl! Rin is in fine hands with Jaken when I am gone. She needs no friends. Rin is not weak like you humans." his eyes were narrowed, and he growled out the sentences in between.

"How can you say that! Us humans! Have you forgotten Sesshoumaru, that Rin is a human too?! Humans need care and love. We die without it!" I realized my voice had risen again, along with my body. I was standing face to face with him, glaring into his eyes as best as I could, him being so tall. I realized that this was probably not the smartest position in the world and adverted my gaze, but kept it narrowed, nonetheless.

"Can't you see…" I felt the unforgiving pull of a shikon shard somewhere near, but tucked it into the back of my brain as an issue to address later. It obviously wasn't going anywhere. "she adores you, Sesshoumaru. She idolizes and cares for you above all else. She sees you as her father figure. She loves you." I said whispered, self awareness spreading through me. I was certain of so much after spending so little time with them, I felt as if I understood Sesshoumaru's household to an enormous extent. Just listening to Rin rant and rave about 'Sesshoumaru-this and Sesshoumaru-that' was enough to justify my argument.

"I came for you to help heal Rin. It is not your job to criticize the way I relate to Rin. She is not your responsibility, no matter how you would like her to take the place of the fox child. Because he is dead is no means for you to tell me how to care for Rin. You are not her guardian. You would do best to leave Rin out of the matters of your friends. She is not a mere replacement for a hole in a human's life."

I stood, gaping at him. He-he… "How?" I managed to squeak before my stomach churned.

"How, what. How did I know about the kitsune? It was obvious. His smell was no where to be found, and you acted as a mother would who had just lost a child. It was plain enough to read on your face."

I stood, unbelieving. Flashes of Shippou came back to me in a whirl. His bright smile, cute ears, messy hair. It all came back to me and I realized Sesshoumaru was right. All of my memories corresponded or showed similarities to my moments with Rin. Perhaps I was just playing out my fantasy with Sesshoumaru's ward. I felt empty and guilty consecutively. But Rin was more than a three day attempt to replace Shippou. She was like a much-needed wake up call of the world to me. I cared for the little girl, no matter if her father was Sesshoumaru or if he wouldn't let her get close to me.

"Why do you care for her well-being?" his voice snapped me back into attention. He reached down, a hand under my chin, lifting my eyes to his. "Why do you care for someone you have just met."

My heart was pounding out of anger than seemed to screech to a halt, jerking me with it.

"I care for everyone's well-being, Sesshoumaru. Especially childrens'. They do not need any more scars of life than they already have. Too many have lost too much in this time. Rin deserves all of the care she can get. You don't know when you may lose her." my voice was steady now, betraying the feeling that was wellling up inside of me. I couldn't help but remember Shippou. He had, in essence, been my son. our eyes locked. I didn't blink.

He stared at me for a long while, examining my eyes and face, searching for falsehoods, but I believe he didn't find any, for I held none. After a while, the hand under my chin dropped to his side. He turned back to the castle half way, and said, without looking at me directly, "I will take you back to your companions today." I nodded silently. I didn't question why then and not the next day, After all, this was only my second day, but Sesshoumaru had said he would have me back within three days. That required travel time, and that didn't mean I stayed for exactly three days.

In a disturbing way, I didn't want to leave. I liked the home and I liked spending time with Rin. But what was there to do? I couldn't hang around Sesshoumaru's home all the time, and I didn't belong there. I really didn't.

I watched as his figure disappeared into the walls of the castle then went to join Rin in making a small flower ring.

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"Don' t cry, Rin-chan. I'll try to come see you whenever I can, that is," I looked to Sesshoumaru. "If Sesshoumaru-sama allows it. Ok? Don't forget about me!" I waved at the small girl while Sesshoumaru and myself set off on our trip.

I had spent the rest of my time at Sesshoumaru's home that day playing with Rin and mocking Jaken. It was almost as if I were on vacation while I was there. I was able to forget the things that had been previously haunting me, if only for a short while. But now, it was merely and hour away from sunset and I found myself traveling in a dead silence that seemed to scream at me to make conversation, scuff my shoes on the ground, anything. I personally didn't mind so much, but the silence was a bit disorienting and, frankly, a bit creepy. But so was my traveling companion. Finally, I broke.

"Sesshoumaru-sama…why did you take in Rin?" It was a reasonable question. After a few minutes of no repsonse, I wasn't expecting one.

"When Inuyasha first discovered the scar of the wind and attacked me, I was…incapacitated for a short while. During this time, Rin came upon me and tried to save me. Rin's father and mother are dead, presumably killed. After I fully healed, her village was attacked by wolves. She was attacked also, but, for training purposes, I revived her. She accompanies me now to choice locations."

For some reason, I knew it was hard for him to tell me this. Perhaps it was the fact that he had been handicapped by Inuyasha's attack, or the fact that a human had tried to save him, but either way, his honor was at stake, and from what I know, Sesshoumaru is very keen on honor. Perhaps it is his nobility. I don't know why he saved Rin, but I think it ignited a change in how I saw the demon. Maybe it made him a bit more human.

The rest of our travel was for the most part in silence, excepting the travel by air times when I would mutter nervously under my breath and cling to Sesshoumaru's armor. I would ask the occasional question which would be occasionally shot down. Yet, he must have answered every question he deemed worthy, as he would, very occasionally reply. Even if it was only with an acknowledging grunt or an answer.

For some reason, I found this to be a big step. I had, somewhere in the back of my mind, come up with this absurd idea that I would get to the demon lord, make him as possible to actually tolerate as I could. Perhaps it was just the beginning of an idea, but I prayed it stay that way. Why go on a conquest for the impossible? I would probably never speak to him one on one again anyway, unless he was threatening to kill me while fighting with Inuyasha. Why should I even care if he was the biggest stiff I had ever met? Why should I want to make him more approachable? But, even more, why did I think it was possible?

"We are near that part of the forest." he stated, landing suddenly, yet smoothly on the grassy ground. I guessed he was referring to what Kaede had dubbed Inuyasha's Forest. The familiar feeling, the familiar look of the trees. The way the light filtered through them exactly as I and always would remember it. For some reason, it made me sick. The known. The predictable. Hell, it didn't matter. It's not like I had anywhere else to go, and I was betting that Inuyasha was getting suspicious even if I had told him I wouldn't be back for three days. I wouldn't be surprised if he was about to hop through the well to drag me back.

I nodded after he set me down (we had flown a good half of the way, much to my chagrin) and went to leave, before remembering something.

"Thank you Sesshoumaru…sama."

He said nothing, just stared at me, as if asking if there were anything else that might be worth his time.

"I was wondering…" I looked up at him; I was tired of playing the subservient Kagome. "I know you and Inuyasha don't get along…" I huffed, what an understatement. "but if you're ever around, and Inuyasha's not, I would love to see Rin. You don't have to come, or I can come find you, but I really would enjoy seeing her." I smiled at him, to aid my point further.

He stood, looking at me for a moment, considering what I said then nodded curtly.

"You do know she can not replace the kitsune."

My face dropped, but not to sadness. Instead, I was thinking.

"I know. You're right. But I'm not looking for a replacement. I'm looking for a friend." I beamed up at him. "You don't know how annoying it gets traveling with an pervert monk, a woman that won't admit her feelings for the pervert monk, and an immature dog demon. Sometimes a pure, happy person is a very valuable thing. And a relief."

I was amazed, but he nodded knowingly.

"Inuyasha will come, and I have important matters to attend to." Sesshoumaru said, looking at me pointedly, but not pushily.

"Right. I'm sorry. Thank you for letting me stay at your home. I know I was probably a nuisance." I looked up into his golden eyes and for a moment could swear there was something slightly different in them. Who knows.

He looked at me, his eyes burning into mine. I have to admit, it was very uncomfortable, but I held the gaze none the less. After a moment, he turned around.

"You saved Rin." he said, without turning around and disappeared, headed north.

I know this sounds odd, but I was pleased with what he had said. In his own way, I think that was as close to a thank you I would ever get from Sesshoumaru, and that proved very satisfactory. Hell, the fact that he hadn't killed me was satisfactory.

I sighed and took off into the forest, letting my feet carry me along the so well-known path. What had truly happened? I had just had the most controversial three days of my entire life. I had been asked, by Inuyasha's cold-blooded, murdering brother, to come to his home and try to heal his ward, which turned out to be a little girl. But not just a little girl, a human little girl. I had immediately loved the girl and had stayed for two more days in the murderer's home. I had had, get this, decent conversations, though few in number, with the lord of the western lands, none other than the cold-blooded brother. And, on top of it all, he would allow me to see his ward again.

I walked through the quiet forest, contemplating excuses just in case Inuyasha had gone back to my time to find me. Let's see. I…was sick. No, I would have been home if I was sick.. I…had to go to school…no, it was the weekend… Hojo asked me out….yeah, that just might work! I was on a date! The loser couldn't find me, 'cause I was busy going on a date to the movies! This proved fine. That way, I had a liable excuse, I was gone from my house. And, I could see if Inuyasha would get jealous. He's so cute when he's jealous! He sits there and pouts like a puppy. I wonder if Sesshoumaru would pout like he does? I caught myself there, shoving that thought out of my mind, instead focusing on my surroundings. I should have been very near Kaede's village by now. But, I didn't feel any closer.

The trees were taller here than I remembered. The forest ground was wilder, but very patchy in some spots and the tree tops blocked the light's passage into the area. Everything seemed a bit darker for it. I wondered where I had gotten to. Had Sesshoumaru dropped me off at the wrong place? No, he knew where he had found me, he wouldn't purposefully leave me in the wrong place, would he?

I didn't know where I was going, but continued straight on. If anything, I could always turn back the way I came and try to go from there. The only problem was, I didn't know where I had come from.

I continued on, monitoring carefully each step I took. It seemed as if the woods were only growing darker. An unsettling feeling was developing in my stomach as I wondered just where I had taken myself. Then, to my utter relief, I heard the flowing of water. It could be the river near the village that Kaede had taken to me the second day of my life in the feudal era. I ran towards the sound, hoping with all my heart that I would recognize it. I didn't want to admit it, but my instincts were kicking in. Reason was beginning to present itself to me. I had no protection, no weapon, and I was lost.

I ran, bursting out of a line of trees, to discover a narrow river flowing beside a rocky edge. I looked around, but could not recognize the area. However, attempting to calm myself, I kneeled by the river washing myself. When I did find Inuyasha, I couldn't have the scent of Sesshoumaru lingering on me could I. I spent a few minutes, rinsing myself. I didn't want to think about it, but I was in a bad position. It was nearing five 'o' clock. Wherever I was, I would have to get out of there soon.

I stared into the water, attempting to scour my brain for any navigational related topics. I stared at my reflection absently, when something orange streaked by behind my reflection. I turned sharply from the water's edge to see something disappear behind the rock wall.

My curiosity getting the better of me, I walked towards the stone, only to find that it wasn't just a wall of rock. There was a wide cave cut out of the side that continued on into darkness. I don't like caves.

Then I heard it. The unmistakable sound. Disobeying all instincts that were screaming at me not to follow, but to go on searching for Inuyasha, I stepped inside the entrance of the cave, a cold feeling of resoluteness taking control of me without my consent. My feet were carrying me forward and my head was concentrating on what I had seen in the water's reflection.

As I continued further into the cave, I strained my eyes against the growing darkness. I could hear scuffling noises, echoing off the walls. I went on, one step at a time, my mind bent on finding what it was I had followed. I held my hands out in front of me, to stop in case I ran into a wall, but my feet caught on something and I came crashing down onto the floor of the cave.

"Oww.." I moved, rubbing my scraped knees and elbows. I went to stand up and as I did so, a blinding blue light filled the cave, bringing out the forms of jagged rock walls and the shiny liquid upon the floor where I had fallen. I looked up, covering my eyes only to gasp.

This can't be…this isn't possible! Reason fought a fruitless battle with my senses. There's no way. .. Oh my God!! It is! It is!!

I choked, finding my voice.

"Sh-Shippou?"

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AN: Ok, how was that? Slight cliffy, eh? Heh heh. I love cliff hangers! So I assume you all know now who it was that Kagome couldn't save. And now, he's back! Well, please tell me what you think. I know this chapter mostly focused on Rin and Kagome's relationship, but I have reasons for that. Also, this story is based on Kagome. It will tell what Kagome feels and what happens to her. It's not a Kagome in love with Sess story. It's a what happens to Kagome and what builds a relationship between Kagome and Sess story. BTW, I'm sorry if this seems a little off. It's my first time ever writing something completely in first person. Also, if Kagome seems a bit edgier, it's because she's older, wiser, and has been through a lot. Well, please tell me what you thought!