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Chapter un-beta-ed.

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Chapter 2:

She is back

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InuYasha and the whole Inutaishi was walking back towards Edo in silence. Unfortunately, the hunt was not successful. No additional shard found. Again. But it was not why the group was unusually silent this time through. The absence of their Miko friend was a heavy weight to carry along.

Sango sighed. Inuyasha's ear twisted in her direction but he didn't turn around, completely lost in thoughts. He hasn't said to them what happened when he went on the other side of the well the last time. He still couldn't believe it. Again, for the hundred time, he thought to that infamous day. The images of what happened still fresh on his mind but seemed like ages ago at the same time.

Flashback on that day…

They have been looking everywhere and the morale of InuYasha and his group was lower than ever. They still haven't found Kagome.

The reunion of the young hanyou with his friends had not been an easy one. He was still angry at them for what he saw as a betrayal and for Miroku's words against Kikyo. At the same time the humans had been less than welcoming at first, making their little reunion really tense. In the end, they ended up agreeing that now wasn't the time for division but for unity instead.

At first, InuYasha's intentions were to gather his friends and join back up with Kikyo towards the South, as he promised her, but, call it instinct of preservation or something, he realized that it was better to let things settle down before bringing back the problems they have. Now wasn't the time to fight; InuYasha might not be a thinker but even he realized that. So he followed them and didn't voice what his thoughts were, and didn't ask them to follow him, yet.

He was ashamed to have lied to the dead miko. Well, it wasn't really a lie when you believe it when you say it, right ? At the time, he had every intention to get them to follow him and even force them to offer him an apology for their words against Kikyo. However, those days alone trailing his friends had helped him calm down and realize that, as she confessed to him later, she didn't know if Kagome was in the South or not. So he decided, to follow the rumors in this area first and if they don't find anything, he will bring up the information the dead miko had given him again and they would then go South. He just hoped that Kikyo will forgive him for the delay.

And now, after days of following any possible rumor for the whereabouts of their miko friend, they were getting desperate. Weeks went by since they last saw Kagome and they still hadn't had any clue of what happened to her. At the same time, they didn't see hide or hair of Naraku either. The atmosphere was tense. After much discussions, and yes disputes, the young hanyou was convinced they needed to go back to Edo, even if it was just to get supplies and inform Kaede of their progress or lack of thereof.

They were walking in silence when suddenly InuYasha stopped in his track, making Miroku almost run into his back. The hanyou didn't even react and kept scenting the air.

"InuYa—" The monk stopped mid-sentence, worrying Sango at his side. "Houshi ?"

"Something dark is coming."

"A new reincarnation of Naraku's?" She asked, reaching for the straps of her Hiraikotsu. Kirara jumped down from her shoulder, transforming as soon as she touched the ground, hissing violently towards the trees in front of them.

"I don't know." He answered, also preparing himself to battle. "I'm not sure but, it fells more like…"

"Naraku!" Growled out InuYasha.

A dark laugh echoed around them.

"Show yourself you coward!" Yelled out InuYasha, grasping Tessaiga, transforming his sword as soon as he had it in his hand.

Suddenly, the dark hanyou was there, floating just in front of them. "Always so… welcoming InuYasha." He said, mockingly.

As the wind blew towards them, Miroku watched his growling friend's countenance abruptly change. He had never seen him blanch like that and he could have sworn that a strangled whine had escaped his throat.

"InuYasha ?"

InuYasha was livid. His brain had difficulties to accept what he was scenting coming from Naraku, who was fixing him with a smirk on his face. When the scent of blood had reached his nose, his mind rebelled against what it meant.

"What, InuYasha ? You seem unwell?" Naraku asked with fake concern.

"You… you bastard! What did you do to her?!"

His mind might rebel against it but he knew what he scented. Naraku was talking. Saying how much fun he had with Kagome but InuYasha didn't really hear it. For his ears it was just whispered blah blah blah, as if it was far away, his brain having short-circuited. Because, on Naraku, InuYasha could scent Kagome's blood. His brain supplied that Sesshomaru's blood was also present, and in quantity, but it didn't record in his mind.

With a scream mixed with rage and pain when she realized what it was all about, Sango sent her Hiraikotsu towards Naraku, who dodged it easily and disappeared in a cloud of miasma and laughter.

For hours, they frantically looked around, to see if they could find where the dark hanyou had come from and went. The blood had been fresh on him, InuYasha confirmed, so he didn't come from far and that meant that Kagome must be around there. However, they couldn't find their friend. It was as if Naraku had dropped off out of nowhere.

When they realized that they couldn't find anything, panic and anger rose in the group. In the end it was Miroku, the voice of reason more often than not, who said that if Naraku came to taunt them like that it could only mean that Kagome must have been kept around here and if he came himself maybe Kagome succeeded in getting away. If she got away, she would have gone directly to Edo. InuYasha wanted to look around more but after hours of nothing they decided to go towards the well just to be sure. They never ran so quickly before and upon arriving, InuYasha was elated to smell Kagome's scent in the clearing. He was confused by the presence of Sesshomaru's scent again but finding Kagome was more important.

InuYasha didn't stop. He ran and jumped directly into the well. Sango looked down the well, anxious, and Miroku put a reassuring hand on her shoulder...

Once he was on the other side he didn't stop. He jumped out of the well, got out of the wellhouse and was in the direction of the Higurashi's household in seconds.

It was just when he realized that his missing friend wasn't home that he crossed path with Kagome's mother who was sweeping the front of the house. He didn't have the time to open his mouth to ask where the young Miko was that he was dodging a hit from the broom that Kagome's mother sent towards him with the rage filled cry.

« What the- » Started to say InuYasha before dodging again.

« How dare you !? » Screamed Mrs Higurashi, while getting ready to try to hit him again. « How dare you show your face here after what you have done !? »

« You were supposed to protect her! »

InuYasha's ears flattered on his head. He didn't react to the attack and kept dodging.

« You promised to protect her, but you fail! Where were you ?! »

The young hanyou hesitated for a second at her words and the broom succeeded in hitting his head painfully.

« You..you fiend ! You failed! you promised to protect her, but you failed. You didn't keep your promise. » She dropped on the ground on her knees.

« You are not welcome here anymore. I don't want to ever saw your face. Do you hear me? Don't you dare to ever show yourself to here. »

InuYasha's breath caught in his throat. Not acknowledging the tears filling his eyes, he whirled around and run back towards the well house, leaving wailing Mrs Higurashi on the ground. From the corner of his eyes, he saw the grandfather of Kagome looking towards him with hatred-filled eyes from the side.

Those eyes haunted the young hanyou during his travel back to the past.

End of the flashback.

That's how he ended up back in the Sengoku Jidai Era, looking for shards without Kagome and wondering if they would ever see her again.

He still could not believe the reaction of Mrs Higurashi. Of course, he feels guilty because he hadn't been able to save Kagome. She had to save herself for pity sake. And also, it was true that he was with Kikyo when Kagome came back and was kidnapped. But at the same time, he couldn't have guessed that she would come back early for once. She was always late and usually he was forced to go on the other side of the well to get her back. It wasn't his fault really that she was kidnapped. Mrs Higurashi didn't even let him the time to explain. For a woman so nice and calm, what must have happened to kagome-

He heard someone sighed again behind him, interrupting his thoughts anew. He whirled around, growling. Sango and Miroku froze.

InuYasha turned around again and started to walk again, but quicker.

"What was that about?" Sango asked. Miroku shrugged and followed the young hanyou.

They were seeing Edo now. InuYasha stopped suddenly then started to run towards Edo after saying their missing friend's name, shocking his traveling companions.

As shocking as it was, he was smelling Kagome's scent in the air. He saw Kaede waiting on the path towards her hut as if she was there for them. However, he decided to not wait. The scent was coming from the old miko's hut. Nothing will stop him from seeing Kagome again immediately now she was back. Or so he thought.

He ignored Kaede when she told him to wait. He was passing beside her, and, to his surprise, she extended her broom. It was too close to avoid it and he tripped on it, making him fall and roll on the ground for a couple of meters in a cloud of dust.

He came to a stop, groaning. Unmoved, she said "I told you to wait, InuYasha." She scowled towards his falling form, shaking her hands. The impact was so strong that it broke her broom. It was at this instant that the others arrived in front of Kaede.

"Teme, why did you do that, baba?" InuYasha said, climbing back on his feet.

"You should have listened to me the first time, stubborn hanyou. Look at what you have done!" She said, looking forlornly down to her broken broom.

"Is it true? Is Kagome back?" Asked anxiously Sango.

"Yes she is but she is resting now so don't any of you dare to wake her."

At her vehemence, the whole group froze, not used to hear the old miko speak such.

She sighed. "Let's get over here so she doesn't hear us speaking. Where is young Shippo?"

As she made her way to sit down at the feet of a tree, Sango followed immediately with Kirara.

Miroku, sensing that InuYasha would still try to go towards the hut, he put an hand on his shoulder. "No, my friend. Let's see what Kaede-sama needs to tell us before rushing in and wake up Kagome-sama."

"Feh." The young hanyou answered, slipping his hands in his sleeves before walking towards the sitting women.

"Our young friend is at the kitsune's school." The monk answered the previous question of Kaede.

The old Miko nodded in his direction, feeling suddenly tired.

"It's better that way."

She stayed silent as the others also sat down under the shadow of the tree.

"So, what is it, old hag?" Asked InuYasha, getting impatient.

Kaede sighed again seeking what would be the best way to share what she knows, without reveling too much of Kagome's secrets. How much should she tells? How to start?

"Yes, Kagome is back. But you need to know a few things before jumping on her." She hesitated before continuing. "She had a horrible ordeal and she isn't the same anymore."

Her voice catching, Sango voiced what all of them wanted to ask.

"What do you mean, Kaede-sama?"

"From what I gathered, she was captured by Naraku and stayed there in his hands for three weeks."

Tears filled Sango's eyes. "Oh my…is she…is she ok?"

"Difficult to say, exactly." Answered sincerely Kaede. "Physically, she will heal with time even if she is really weak right now. But mentally…" She trailed off.

"You have to understand something. Her captivity was really difficult, and she was hurt, repeatedly."

Sango sobbed. Miroku closed his eyes, a pain filled expression on his face. Then he opened his eyes and looked towards InuYasha. The hanyou was frozen in place and so white that Miroku thought that he was about to pass out. Because, even if the word hadn't been said, it was on the mind of everyone. Torture.

"I won't go in details, and I probably don't know half of what was done to her there. I will just insist on this : physically she is still really weak but she should get back on her feet in a short time. But mentally, it will take much much longer. What was done to her in that place and to the other prisoners, because apparently, she was not alone, was really traumatic for her. It changed her, on more way than one. So I would ask you to not question her and be patient with her. She will share with you when she is ready and not before."

"Of course Kaede-sama." Miroku said, taking Sango in his arms as she cried for their friend.

"Another important thing. It plays a big part about why she is still recovering really slowly. She-"

She was interrupted by a scream. It was coming from her hut… and it was Kagome's voice.

In a flash, InuYasha was gone.

"Wait, it's nothing…" Started Kaede, but the hanyou was already gone.

"What I was going to say," she started while coming back on her feet with difficulties. "is that she isn't sleeping well and it is preventing her to get the rest she needs in her condition."

"What-"

She turned to look at them and fixed them with her good eye. "Nightmares".

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End of the chapter.

Thank you for reading.

Brooms, the arch enemies of InuYasha! ;)