Chapter 4

They gathered in the clearing where the sturdy wooden well sat, vines creeping out from the interior like hands grasping for the light above. Shippou stood tall lip tremling in an attempt not to cry, to prove he was no longer a child but a man to be respected. Sango had no such inhibitions, and she wept, tears running down her face as she embraced her sisterly figure for what was to be the last time. Miroku, with no preves intentions swept the two women into a hug. Further away stood InuYasha, aloof with an annoyed scowled marking his face, but still his eye were tear bright and even his rapid blinking did nothing to hide it . When the recently married couple released her, Kagome knelt down opening her arms, Shippou needed no more encouragement as he threw himself at his mother, His small body trembled as he sobbed , his clawed fingers clenching her shirt as she dropped kisses on his head whispering promises to find him.

It was as she released the fox kit that the final member of their group made an appearance. Kikyou stood regal at the edge of the clearing where the tree line dispersed into an open field dotted lightly with end of summer flowers. In her hand was not the jewel but a scroll.

A rather familiar scroll.

The very same scroll Kagome had tossed aside after a meeting she had had with King Enma. The same meeting which had ended with an argument and her refusal to split the world.

Fear twisted in the pit of her stomach as the afore mention deity materialized beside her other half.

"Do it priestess, do it and your end of the bargain shall be fulfilled, do it and you shall be whole once more." Kikyou seemed to hesitate as she lifted the scroll, and Kagome, her son, her companions, they could do nothing but watch as she unraveled the scroll, her fingers dancing with a blue light.

"Forgive me." And for the first time Kagome saw true emotion from her other half, true regret, true sorrow. "But I cannot continue to go on so incomplete... please understand." The proud priestess pleaded her eyes locked onto her future.

Before Kagome could respond pain tore through her body, but she had felt pain, survived pain, always coming out whole in the end, this time she wasn't sure she would. Because in that instant she lost herself, she couldn't remember her name her age, couldn't conjure her mother face, her brother's voice, did she even have a brother? A mother? Was her name Kikyou? Or was she Suuki?

In that moment she was everyone of her previous lives, she saw their joy, their sorrow, their private moments they had shared with no one else, triumphs, and defeats, everything at made a person who they were.

As suddenly as the terrible pain had started it stopped... everything stopped.

Weeks tumbled into months rather quickly for the pair who had reformed a quick bond. Often they could be found in the company of each other. It was on one such evening when their schedules had finally aligned and permitted a meeting that a leather bound book caught the interest of Kurama. His eyes flickered to where he could hear the sound of running water signaling that Kagome was still showering. So it was with a deft hand he lifted the book from the end table and opened it feeling a twinge of guilt as he leafed through her personal memories.

The guilt was quickly squelched with practiced easy.

It was photo album he quickly discovered, a multitude of photos depicting her little group in various activities and scenes- the first few where the most amusing as more often than not her feudal era friends were capture trying to attack the offending object, until eventually they managed to get used to the random flashes.

As he continued to flip through the book a sheet of paper suddenly tumbled out from between one of the pages, picking up he noted that it was a letter probably from a child if the messy script was anything too go by. As he scanned the note and idea took root in his mind, quickly flipping to the end of the book he found the most recent picture of the fox kit and pocketed it before replacing the note back into the book and setting on the end table.

The background noise of the shower had silenced itself while he had been flipping through the album. Several moments later a fully clothed Kagome came out glowing with happiness. "Ready?"

"Whenever you are." He answered distractedly as he followed her out the door either ignoring or simply taking no notice of the worried glances she was sending him.

I will need to get in contact with Yusuke as soon as possible. Was his final though as he brought his mind back to the present granting Kagome a winning smile before opening the car door for her so they could proceed with the evening, which he tried to tell himself was not a date.

But he could hope.

Try as she might Kagome couldn't stop herself from fidgeting, couldn't stop her giddiness over their… outing, though she had longed to call it a date, she refused to get her hopes up, it was at times painful remembering were that had landed her.

But she could hope.

And pigs can fly… and I'm not talking about demonic pigs.

Their outing had been nearly a week ago and the high she had been feeling due to its success was still with her even now as she should have been working, she couldn't help taking a private moment during the lull in between rushes.

"Kagome." She was torn from her thoughts by her mother's voice and her brother's laughter. "Is something the matter?" She asked with a knowing smile that set Kagome on edge.

The two of them had come in for a late lunch, or an early dinner depending on how you looked at it. "Fine mama."

"Dreams keeping you up at night sis?" Her not so little, little brother snickered.

She narrowed her eyes and gave a vicious grin debating on whether or not to stuff his face into the slice of pie he was happily munching on. "Constantly. Come morning I'm just so restless and In need of a cold shower. They're just so-"

"Ack! Stop! Stop! Stop! I get the point I'm sorry!" He made a show of gagging and pushing his plate away.

This time Kagome snickered.

"Children." Her mother said in amused exasperation. "But your brother is right Kagome, you seem… different." She paused. "Happier. You've got a glow about you much like you did during your… journey."

She mulled over her mother's words, and found she was right, she hadn't been miserable per say but she felt… like something had been returned, like something that had gone missing had suddenly clicked into place. She felt happy. Weightless. Like she could fly, like nothing could or would hold her back.

She felt…

Oh God.

A horrified look came over her face as her mind settled and knowingness suddenly hit her.

Her heart thudded.

She plopped into a vacant chair. "Mama, I… I think your right, I… I think I'm in…" Her mouth closed rather suddenly as though forming the words would curse them, ending the fledgling relationship before it truly started.

"Love?" Her mother finished for her, that knowing smile blooming across her face once more.

She opened her mouth to reply but before the words had a chance to even form the words Vincent, the American owner of Match, looking as clean cut as always with his slightly long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail and tailor made slacks and silk shirt, approached with a wide grin splitting his face. "Good afternoon Ms. Higurashi, Mr. Souta." His muddy eyes swiveled to Kagome, that large rather obnoxious grin never wavering. "Kagome, there is a male here to see you." Her family gave her encouraging looks, or at least she thought Souta shoving a chop stick up his nose and giving her a thumbs up was suppose to be encouraging. Never the less she followed obediently behind him, waving too her family.

She stared at the young man standing there, disappointment flashing across her face for the briefest of moments. "Break time Kagome." Vincent whispered in a sing song voice as he made his way back to the service isle.

Somehow she just knew they were all watching her with interest as her love life, or lack thereof, had always been a topic of discussion.

She approached him slowly, the gruff looking man straitening as she came closer, his familiar face stoking memories in her mind she couldn't quite grasp. "You Kagome?"

"I am."

"Good I've got some stuff to ask you."

"Oh?" Her eyes narrowed, even without full usage of her holy powers she could feel his aura lashing out in annoyance.

His eyes shifted to the counter where several women watched the two with interest that wavered only when they had been caught staring. "You got somewhere more… quiet?"

"Sure." She tilted her head in indication for him to follow as she made her way outside.

He studied the women his friend was enamored with as he shoved his hands into his pockets and shuffled his way behind her. As he had pointed out upon their first meeting she was certainly a looker, and she seemed kind enough, if the stories Kurama often told were any indication. But she seemed to bring with her a whole slew of problems.

I hope she's worth it Kurama.

And that was what he was here to find out.

They ended their stint next to a dumpster near the back side of the brick building. The stagnant smell of cigarettes filled the air wafting from a well used ash tray on the cracked pavement.

She leaned up against the wall practically bubbling with curiosity. She remembered him now, he had been at Match the first night she had met Kurama, he'd been the one celebrating an engagement… the one who reminded her greatly of InuYasha. "So you know my name, perhaps you wouldn't mine granting me the privilege of knowing yours?"

He hesitated for a moment before replying gruffly. "Yusuke."

"Well then Yusuke, what is it I can do for you?"

"Answer a question for me."

"…okay."

"Are you worth it?"

She furrowed her brows in confusion. "W-what?"

"It's a simple question. Are. You. Worth. It?"

"Worth what exactly?"

"Are you worth the time and emotions Kurama is investing in you? "

She stiffened at that . "I… I suppose it would depend on the sort of… feelings he has for me." His annoyed glare made her sigh. "It's complicated." He snorted. "Due to… circumstances in my past … I…" She paused to gather her thoughts as they raced about her head. "Look I'll just put this in simple terms. For all intention purposes I'm dead."

He arched a brow incredulously. "You're dead. "

"In a way. I mean what else would you call someone without a soul? "

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Lady Death, the blue hair women who was with you that night at Match." He nodded for her to continue. "You remember she said I put the barriers in place?" Again a nod. "But as I said Kikyou was the one to complete the spell and split the worlds. But… it wasn't because she whole hearted believed in the evil of demons, she wanted what she thought was rightfully hers… something I was in possession of."

"…You had her soul?"

She scolded at his accusatory look. "Don't look at me like that; it isn't like I stole it from her in the first place. It was something we shared." The words that followed always hurt, and she supposed the always would. "I am her reincarnation. Kikyou…she died to protect… something, something I am in possession of. "

"Something Yoko wanted?"

Her head shot up in surprise. "I… yes. He sought out our group, who was in possession of the item. I was the weakest so he often found his way to me." There was an uncomfortable silence as she sorted through her thoughts and wondered in Yusuke had gotten his answer. "Look I don't know if you got your answer but… really worth is subjective. We all mean something to someone out there, we're all worth it–"

"Look lady I ain't here for you to go all mushy and shit on me, and I aint here to hear how shitty your life has been. I just wanna know if your worthy of my friend. What do you feel for him?" She didn't know whether to laugh hysterically in his face or yell, so she opted for a twitching grin.

"Look whatever I feel matters not; it simply would not be fair to bring him into such a relationship. Not with how… unstable I am. Now unless you have any further yelling to engage in with me," She paused as he angrily shook his head, "then I will be taking my leave." Pushing herself off the wall she made her way inside letting her own words sink in, they rang true, Kurama didn't deserve to be brought into a relationship with such an unstable person.

He deserves more... better.

Not me.

Behind her Yusuke punched dumpster cursing himself for stepping in. Cursed himself for his stupidity, his meddling.

Keiko was right I should have minded my own damn business, just done what Kurama asked and let them sort it out.

He hadn't been able to help it, Kurama, like the other member of his team, were like family to him, not that he would ever admit such out loud, and as such it was his duty to make sure the women in their lives weren't crazy psychopaths... like the last one.

And now there might not be anything to sort out.

He leaned back against the brick wall sighing in annoyance, running his hand through his gelled hair.

What else do you call someone without a soul!? Her words rang in his head.Perhaps he could call in a few favors of his own.

After all what was the point of having connections if one didn't use them once in a while.

It had been a week since Kagome had last answered any of his calls, or even been seen for that matter. When he had gone to Match the manager had informed him that Kagome had taken some personal time for the week. He had seemed worried for her as Kagome hadn't called out ill the entire time she had worked for him, forcibly sent home perhaps but never of her own free will.

He was worried for her, scared in a way he'd never felt before. And that bothered him.

His annoyingly scattered thoughts dispersed with the slamming open of his front door. In came Yusuke pushing a red headed male past the thresh hold. "Hey Kurama gift for you!"

"If I'd have know I was to be a present I'd have come in my birthday suit." The red headed kit dusted himself as he stood wearily taking in his surroundings. His vivid turquoise eyes narrowed at him. "Sooo... happy birthday?"

"You need anything else Kurama, 'cause I got places to be." Kurama narrowed his eyes in suspicion at the fidgeting ex-detective, but dismissed him with a wave.

"So whets an old fart like you want with little ol' me?" Kurama didn't answer, at least not with his voice as he tossed the... temporarily misplaced photo to the younger fox, who caught it with suspicion.

At least until he looked it over.

"How the hell did you get this." There was anger and panic in the young foxes voice, and in his aura Kurama could feel him readying to attack, to protect his mother if need be.

Kurama found he could sympathize.

"I... borrowed it." A growl rumbled in the kits chest. "I assure you I meant no harm-"

"No harm! I'm not stupid I know who you are! I know what you did to her!" Red seeped into his eyes and his fists clenched and unclenched in barely contained rage. "I know what you really wanted!" The last came out as an angry snarl, and Kurama felt his eyes narrow.

"You know nothing."

"Perhaps not about you but I know you hurt her before, and that's enough for me!" Kurama flinched internally, deflating his anger in an outward sigh.

"I know." There was silence as they stared one another down. Slowly the kits rage ebbed away.

" To have this... you must know where she is."

"I do, or I did." Teal eyes snapped in attention to his own. "She's been looking for you for a long time you know. That's why I brought you here."

"Yeah well I've been looking too... but that bastard King Enma has us all watch. He's still bitter about 'the puny mortal who dare question what must be done!'" There was a frustrated pause. "Wait you said you knew where she was?"

"Indeed. It seems I may have done something to anger her, she has not been at her apartment in sometime."

"Casting her affection to the side again thief? Giving her no time to explain herself? Tearing her heart out and stomping on it like another before you? Trampling trust and friendship?" There was a viscous grin on his face, anger colored his aura in a way that was most unbecoming.

"I assure you I've no notion as too what I have or have not done."

"Humph!" He folded his arms in annoyance jutting his hip out and looked away from him, thinking. "You say she live in an apartment by herself now?" A nod. " But she's not there at the moment... have you checked her family shrine? That's where she would go when she was unsure or angry."

Kurama turned sharply to the other fox. Cursing himself for not thinking of it. " I have not."

"Then perhaps that's where we should start." The lanky red head turned to the door, cream colored tail and delicately pointed ears dissevering under a simple illusion as he turned back to the elder red head. "Well what are you waiting for?"

"So you got anything Boton?"

"Do you doubt me? Of course I do! Though I had to be extra careful, when I brought up Lady Kagome's name to Koenma he seemed to panic, for whatever reason." The blue haired women frowned as she tapped her chin.

"Well?"

"Oh yeah! Lady Kagome was as she told you Lady Kikyou's reincarnation and as she said Lady Kikyou completed the spell that serrated the world. However I searched records, for hours I'll have you know!"

"Get on with it Boton!"

Bubble gum eye glared, as she huffed. "Fine. Anyway records indicate that the shared soul is nowhere to be found. Not in limbo, heaven, hell, it's just gone!"

"How the hell do you lose a soul?"

"Well don't look at me! It's not as if I'm the only reaper employed! For all we know it could have been sold off!"

"Wait you can sell a soul?"

"Of course there a market for everything, you should know that, and with a soul like Lady Kagome's... well let's just say it would fetch a hefty price."

Yusuke sighed as his only chance a potentially repairing what he might have broke slipped away. "So tell me what exactly is so.. important about this Kagome women if she didn't make the barriers?"

Eye widen in surprise and utter disbelief. "You mean you don't know?"

"Feh, would I have asked if I did?"

"Well have you ever heard of the legend of the Shikon no Tama?" And with that Boton delved in to a sad tale of a curse jewel, an alive again priestess, a half demon, a time traveler, a fox kit , demon slayer, monk, and a fire cat all with the same goal- take out an evil half demon who had in some way hurt them.

It was completely unbelievable, even to the man who had on several occasions saved the world.

It had taken a hour or two by train and another fifteen or so minutes on foot to get to the base of the stairs of the Higurashi Shrine. Both males hesitated for a moment before beginning their trek, noticing with curiosity as he passed through a rather well hidden barrier about half way up the stairs.

The two must have picked up the same sent at the same time, as both stop with apprehension, different causes but same emotion. It was the kit who bond up the steps with demonic speed. 'Mama!" His yell of excitement easily reached his ears as did Kagome sobbing out her sons name.

Even from a distance Kurama could feel their joy.

He took a step back.

The kit, Shippou, was right, he had hurt her before left her before giving her a chance to explain herself, and obviously he had upset her again.

She deserves more... better.

Not me.

He turned and left the way he had come.

Kagome felt a tingle along her senses as two demons made it past the barrier she had place so many years ago. They paused, before one began heading toward her at a more rapid pace landing at the top of the stairs.

Teal eyes met blue.

"Mama!" Before she could register what was happening she found herself engulf in a hug.

Her instincts knew before she did who the mystery person was, already tears welled in her eyes. "Sh-shippou!?" She finally managed to sob out.

"Its me Mama, I promise." He held her tighter as she sobbed, and it wasn't long before he felt his own eyes begin to leak. She was so much tinier than he remembered, his body engulfed hers as he rested his head atop hers.

She pulled back, not far he wouldn't allow her to move too far, her hands reached up and flittered over his face in disbelief. "It really is you." She rasped. "I thought... it doesn't matter now." She dew back into his embrace.

Several more minutes of standing about Shippou pulled away hands reaching for something around his waist. It was a letter. "It's from Kikyou, I think it's an apology."

She fingered the note hesitantly. "What happened to her?" Teal eyes looked sadly down at her.

"The golem who used Kikyou's name and appearance was certainly a pale imitation of the true Kikyou. It took weeks for the barrier to build itself up and even longer for demons to be wrangled up. She felt terrible for taking what was yours, she needed to be watched at all times else she might take her own life, InuYasha dedicated his life to make sure she remained well. It was before they were to bury you that I took the jewel." He shook his head feeling guilt over what had happened next. The wish he had made that had given his mother back her life, but at a price. And she hadn't even been able to remain with them. " In the end InuYasha was the only one immune to the barrier, because in your spell half demons remained were they were born. When he eventually returned to Makai, about twenty years later, he informed us that Kikyou had left the world of her own accord, taking her life after Kaede had passed on. But not before leaving a note, and something else." She looked so sad and guilty, he couldn't understand the last one, she had nothing to feel guilt over. "Go on read it."

Her eyes skimmed through it, tearing up at the emotion contained in it, Shippou was right it was an apology.

Kagome, my dearest reincarnation, forgive me for what I have done, for what I have become, for all that I have wronged you, you have been only kind to me. And it is with the last of my will and strength that I return to you what I so forcefully stole.

Please... be happy.

When she looked back up at him, to show she was finished, he handed her what looked like a wooden inkwell covered in sutras. "Go on open it." She did so hesitantly.

And in that instant she was everyone of her previous lives.

The days whizzed by for Kurama in a haze of sorrow he had never know till this moment.

Is this how she felt when I left?

Irony in ironic I suppose. He chucked humorously as he set about closing up shop for the day.

Once finished he made his way upstairs to his abode situated above his shop. So distracted was he that he didn't even notice the other in his house until they politely cleared there throat. On instinct his hand swept through his hair reaching for the seed he knew to be there, but retracted when he saw the tiny blue eyed women standing with her hands behind her back. There was both sorrow and joy in the eyes that refused to meet his own.

Then he noticed the pale pink jewel dangling about her neck.

The Shikon!

He approached quickly and placed a hand over her heart feeling is steady rhythm pulse beneath his hand.

After a moment he pulled away as if burnt when he realized what he'd done. His eyes searched her face, but other than the rosy blush, could see no indication that the touch had been unwelcome.

"...Kagome... I."

"Please Kurama, don't say anything." He jaw snapped closed. "I want to apologize, when I returned home I saw all the messages on my answering machine." He flinched slightly embarrassed.

"I was worried for you."

She smiled brightly. "I now, and I apologize for taking off like that, I was... unsure."

"Unsure of what?"

"After your friend Yusuke came to see me-"

"Yusuke? May I ask what he wanted to see you about?" His brow furrowed.

"Yes, he wanted to make sure I was good enough for you. I believed I was not."

"Good enough!? Your more than perfect, your-"

"I was in complete, not whole, and I refused to bring you into a relationship of any kind, where you might be hurt because I couldn't control the Shikon no Tama."

"Kagome-"

"Please Kurama... I no longer wish to continue our friendship." Hurt and pain swelled in him, even as she continued to smile. "I... I wish to be more." with deliberate slowness she brought her hands in front of her.

A single thorn less red rose.

"Kurama I love you."

Stunned was not something Kurama usually was, and he wasn't about to start now, as he swooped the woman up one hand went around her waist and another threaded itself through her hair.

He stared into her eyes for a moment longer. "I love you too." His lips hovered over hers for a brief instant before descending onto hers in fierce joy.

She was a simple creature who took pleasure in simple things, it was not what she didn't have but what she already posses that made her happy, content, and pure.

Even when the simple things were as complex as the heart.

End story.

Well there you have it.

I apologize for the terribly long wait, no depressing excuses this time. XP

A couple of weeks ago I notice a sudden ... explosion of fav/reviews/alerts and I'd like to thank all of you, past and present readers, you guys rock!

I know not the best ending.

Also no promise of updating Just Stop Pretending.

******Finally got my Microsoft word up and running, so I went back and corrected spelling sorry about that ! XD