Inuyasha carefully eased up to Kagome's window and opened it. The room smelled of Kagome's scent but she wasn't anywhere to be seen. Crouching beside Kagome's bed, he looked around curiously. He got up and started rummaging through Kagome's drawer for the Shikon shards, throwing papers around at random.
Meanwhile, Souta saw papers flying around through the doorway of Kagome's room. Peeking in he saw Inuyasha with his back to him. "Inuyasha nii-chan, what are you doing here?" Inuyasha jumped at the voice and tried to not look guilty for rummaging in the kid's older sister's room.
"Kagome isn't here right now. Actually, she left last night through the well. Why are you looking for her here?"
Inuyasha froze in shock. She hasn't been back? How can that be? Where can she go in my time? Doesn't that stupid wench know how dangerous it is? Not to mention she's running around in a place full of youkai with the Shikon shards. Inuyasha realized that the kid was beginning to look worried at his continued silence. Souta opened his mouth to ask about Kagome when Inuyasha interrupted.
"Don't worry about it, kid. I'm off to find your sister. Ja ne." So saying, Inuyasha leaped out of the open window and headed for the well house. Leaping into the well the hanyou went back to the Sengoku Jidai. Inuyasha headed for Kaede's village, hoping Kagome had returned there and wasn't lost somewhere like he thought.
Inuyasha ran through the trees as he tried to catch Kagome's scent. She had not been at the village and now Kaede was also worried about the girl. Where can she be? Why is that wench always getting into trouble? She hadn't been back to her time since she saw him and Kikyo together. The thought of Kagome seeing him and Kikyo kissing bothered him. When he saw her retreating back he felt as if he was losing something important but that was silly. She was just a girl who can help him find the Shikon shards. But then why did he get a dull ache at the thought of her never returning, of never seeing her again. Inuyasha growled to himself, frustrated by his thoughts. I'm going to find her and get the Shikon shards. Then I'm going to send her back to her time When she goes back things will be as they should be. Kikyo can help me collect the Shikon shards and we will destroy Naraku.
So distracted by his thoughts was he that Inuyasha did not really see where he was heading. Inuyasha suddenly realized he was getting closer and closer to a very familiar scent.
* * * * * *
Kagome woke slowly to the feeling that she was being watched. She opened her eyes a crack and then felt them widen with shock. Staring right into her face was a little girl who looked to be about 6 years old. Kagome rubbed her eyes in confusion. I can't really be seeing a little girl here, can I? The girl smiled down at Kagome impishly as she mimicked Kagome's actions and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands. In spite of her surprise, Kagome smiled as the kid giggled.
Then the girl seemed to see something else that interested her. "Sesshoumaru-sama, Sesshoumaru-sama, Rin made nee-chan smile." Then the girl began talking to Sesshoumaru about nothing in particular. "... Jaken fell and Rin laughed but Jaken got mad at Rin... Rin beat Jaken to Sesshoumaru."
Kagome stared at the girl with some wonderment as the child named Rin babbled on in front of Sesshoumaru about nothing at all. She's human, I'm sure of it. I don't sense any youkai energy about her. But then why would a youkai who hates humans tolerate a human. And he's actually listening to her and not getting mad at the kid for talking on and on. Kagome's thoughts were interrupted as Jaken burst noisily out of the bushes.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, I have lost the human girl." Rin giggled and hid slightly behind Sesshoumaru while he just looked at Jaken. "I am so sorry Sesshoumaru-sama, I have failed you. But I hope you will spare me as she was just a human girl and I have been your loyal servant for many years." Sesshoumaru back-handed the youkai into a tree.
"Jaken, I told you to look after Rin, do not fail me again." The toady youkai groaned and prostrated himself in front of Sesshoumaru in apology.
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama." Kagome was more confused than ever. Rin was definitely human and Sesshoumaru ordered Jaken to protect her. This is getting weirder by the minute.