Kagome stood in front of the well. It had been two weeks since she had sealed the well. She had realized awhile ago that she had only sealed Inuyasha's side of the well. Her side was still open and she'd be able to pass through. She had realized it as soon as she had woken up after sealing the well. She just hadn't been able to bring herself to go through the well.
'Today's the day. I have to go. I have to see Inuyasha. I miss him too much. I just have to be careful. He'll smell my scent as soon as I'm at the bottom of the well.' Kagome climbed onto the lip of the well and sat there, her legs dangling into the inside of the well. 'This is it.' Kagome used her hands to push herself into the well. 'I'll just have to be careful.' Kagome's feet hit the bottom of the well and the bottom of the well glowed.
Kagome climbed out of the well and looked around for Inuyasha. She didn't see him. 'I think I'll head to the village.'
Kagome stood in front of Kaede's hut and went in. She was relieved, yet sad, that the only person in there was Kaede. Kaede turned and saw Kagome. "Kagome! What are ye doing here? I thought the well was sealed!" Kagome said, "It was. On Inuyasha's side. Not mine. I couldn't bring myself to seal my side as well. I came here to see if I could catch a glimpse of Inuyasha." Kaede said, "Inuyasha and the others left three days ago to hunt for jewel shards. Why only a glimpse?" Kagome replied, "I can't stay here. I can't endanger their lives! If I stay here they're all in danger! I can't let that happen! That's why I left and it's why I sealed the well." Kaede didn't say anything but was looking thoughtful.
Kaede said, "There's a festival coming up. It's in four days. Everyone wears disguises and costumes at it. I'm sure you could go." Kagome smiled for a second then frowned. "Inuyasha and Shippo would smell my scent." Kaede said, "There's a spell you can use to hide your scent." Kagome asked, "Really?" Kaede said, "I'll teach it to you now."
Inuyasha stopped in his tracks. He felt something but wasn't sure what it was. Miroku asked, "What is it Inuyasha?" Inuyasha shook his head and said, "Nothing. Let's get on with finding the jewel shards." Inuyasha and the others continued on their journey.
Kagome lay resting on a mat in Kaede's hut. 'That's hard work! I know I can do it though. I've mastered it.' Kaede said, "Ye have done well child. Ye mastered it in such a short amount of time. Ye truly are amazing." Kagome smiled and said, "Don't let me fall asleep here. I don't want Inuyasha coming back and seeing me here." Kaede said, "All right child. However, ye do need to rest." Kagome nodded and relaxed on the mat.
Kagome stood, feeling rested enough. She turned to Kaede and said, "Thank you so much Kaede. Don't tell anyone I was here." Kaede said, "Ye are welcome. I won't tell a soul." Kagome smiled and headed to the well.
Inuyasha stood at Kaede's hut. They had been gone for a week. The others had wanted to come back for that stupid festival that started tonight. The village was decorated for it. Inuyasha followed the others into Kaede's hut. Kaede sat on a mat, sorting herbs. Inuyasha said, "Oy Kaede. Are you going to be at that stupid festival tonight?" Kaede smiled and said, "Why yes I am. I suggest ye go as well." Inuyasha scoffed and said, "Not likely." Sango said, "Come on Inuyasha, it'll be fun. You never have any fun anymore." Kaede smiled and said, "I guarantee there will be many a maiden there that will catch your eye." Inuyasha looked at Kaede like she was crazy. He noticed that Kaede had an odd sparkle in her eye. He said, "Whatever. I'll go but I won't do anything the humans are doing." Kaede smiled and said, "Perfect."
Kagome looked at herself in the mirror. The festival was tonight. Inuyasha would be there, Kaede was making sure of that. 'I can't believe I'm going to see Inuyasha tonight! I have seen him in weeks. I..I've missed him.' Kagome kept gazing at the reflection in the mirror and wondered if the yukata looked like one that would be in the Sengoku Jidai. It was beautiful. It was dark blue with white orchids on it. It had a white obi to go with it. Her sandals she had gotten from Kaede. Her mother was going to be doing her hair later. Kagome smiled at the thought of seeing Inuyasha again.
Kagome's hair was up in an elegant twist that she'd seen women in the Sengoku Jidai wear on special occasions. She had dark blue ribbons in her hair to match her yukata. Kagome grabbed the white mask that she had bought and put it on. It looked like something someone in the Sengoku Jidai would wear. It was a plain mask made of wood that was waxed and painted white. It had no extra things on it. It was just the mask. It covered the top half of her face, leaving her jaw exposed. Kagome didn't even recognize herself. Kagome smiled at herself in the mirror then left for the wellhouse, putting up the shield of magic that hid her scent as she went.
Kagome pulled herself out of the well, careful not to get her yukata dirty. She smoothed her yukata out then walked to the village.
The village was beautiful. They had strung paper lamps up everywhere and it made the whole place look enchanted. Kagome spied Sango and Miroku standing together, talking. Miroku reached out a hand and groped Sango's butt and received a slap from Sango. Kagome couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. 'Things are the same as always.'
Sango and Miroku both heard beautiful laughter after Sango had slapped Miroku. They both looked over in the direction where the laughter had come from. They saw a young girl in a dark blue yukata. She had black hair and wore a white mask that covered the upper half of her face. On the lower half of her face she wore a smile reminiscent to their friend Kagome. Sango and Miroku shared a look and walked over to the girl.
Kagome saw Miroku and Sango walk over to her. 'Guess I laughed a little too loud. Good thing I already had a story planned out in case I ran into them.' Kagome said, pitching her voice an octave higher and remembering to use the older version of her language she had heard in the Sengoku Jidai. "I beg your pardon for laughing like that, but do you two always act in such a way?" Sango gave Miroku a dry look and said, "Unfortunately, yes. You look quite familiar. What is your name?" Kagome smiled and said, "Higurashi Suteki. And you are?" (AN: Kagome's made up name means "Beautiful Sunset.") Sango blanched and asked, "Your name's Higurashi?" Kagome smiled and said, "Why yes it is. Why do you ask?" Sango said, "I knew someone by that name. She must be a relative of yours. I'm Sango and this idiot is Miroku." Miroku took Kagome's hand and gave it a kiss. He grinned charmingly and said, "It is a pleasure Suteki-sama." Kagome smiled and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you Houshi-sama." Miroku grinned that charming grin and said, "Please, just call me Miroku." Kagome said, "All right, Miroku-sama."
Miroku asked, "Would you like to dance Suteki-sama?" Kagome smiled and said, "Should you really be dancing with me? I wouldn't want to intrude on Sango-ch...sama's husband." Miroku grinned and Sango turned red and shouted, "He's not my husband!" Kagome thought, 'At least no one noticed my little error. I had almost called Sango, Sango-chan.' Kagome smiled and said, "Then I would be happy to dance with you Miroku-sama, so long as you are a gentleman." Miroku grinned that charming grin again and said, "I am always a gentleman." Sango snorted in disbelief and Kagome had a hard time keeping her laughter at Miroku's statement under control.
Miroku held Kagome's hand and took her over to a clear area where they shared a dance. Kagome could feel Sango's eyes on them. When the dance was over Kagome curtsied and said, "Thank you for the dance Miroku-sama. I dare not dance another lest poor Sango-sama's head might explode." Kagome smiled and curtsied again, and walked away from a laughing Miroku.
Kagome went over to where they had the food and grabbed a dumpling. Right next to her was Shippo. 'Shippo-chan—Shippo looked over at her and grinned, saying with a full mouth, "Aren't these dumplings good?" Kagome swallowed and said, "I suppose." Shippo looked at her strangely and said, "You're scared of me, aren't you?" Kagome thought, 'Well, I think most people would be so I should pretend to be scared of him.' Kagome said in a shaky voice, "No, not at all." Shippo glared at her and said, "Liar."
Just then Sango and Miroku showed up, Miroku with a red handprint on his face. Kagome said in a sweet voice, "Miroku-sama! Whatever happened to your face?" Shippo and Sango laughed at her "innocence" and Shippo said, "He tried to grope Sango, that's what happened to his face." Kagome looked at Miroku and asked, "Did you really?" Miroku said, "I did nothing of the sort." Kagome shook her head and said, "And to think I had thought you were a gentleman. I'm lucky that you didn't grope me." Sango and Shippo laughed at that. Shippo hopped on Sango's shoulder and whispered in Sango's ear.
Sango said to Kagome, "Suteki-sama, you have no need to be frightened of Shippo-chan, he's harmless." Kagome asked skeptically, "Are you sure?" Sango smiled and said, "Positive." Kagome curtsied to Shippo and said, "Please forgive me, Shippo-chan." Shippo grinned and said, "There's nothing to forgive." Kagome smiled warmly at Shippo and said, "You are quite adorable." Shippo beamed at that.
Sango and Miroku grabbed a dumpling and Miroku said, "I wonder where Inuyasha is. He said he'd come." Sango reminded Miroku, "He said he'd come but wouldn't do anything the humans were doing." Kagome thought, 'Typical Inuyasha.' Kagome asked with curiosity, "Who's this Inuyasha?" Sango replied, "A grumpy hanyou who desperately needs some fun." Kagome asked, "What does he look like?" Miroku said, "You can't miss him. He has silver hair, gold eyes, fangs, claws, and dog ears on the top of his head." Kagome said, "I'm going to go try and find him. Everyone should have a chance to have some fun tonight." Kagome turned and left and heard Miroku call out, "Wait Suteki-sama! I don't think that's such a wise idea!" Kagome pretended not to hear him and went off in search of Inuyasha.
Kagome saw Inuyasha sitting on the outskirts of the village, gazing in the direction of the well. Kagome bit her lip and tried to will her heart to stop pounding so hard. She slowly and surely walked over to Inuyasha. Kagome said, "Why do you not join in the festivities?" Inuyasha growled at her without looking, "Beat it bitch!" Kagome smiled and thought, 'Always the stubborn one. I want to dance with him and I'm going to get it.' Kagome walked around so that she was in front of him and said, "You didn't answer my question." Inuyasha growled, and said, "Beat it—" and cut off as he looked up. Kagome wondered, 'Can he tell it's me? No, the others couldn't so why should he?' Inuyasha stood up and looked her in the eye. Kagome tilted her head and asked, "Is there something wrong?" Inuyasha stared for a moment then said, "No." Kagome almost sighed in relief. 'If anyone figures out it's me, it's going to be Inuyasha.'
Kagome said, "You never answered my question: Why do you not join in the festivities?" Inuyasha growled, "Because I don't feel like being around those stupid humans." Kagome smiled and said, "There aren't only humans down there. There are a few youkai. There's this cute little kitsune named Shippo. I was afraid of him at first but then Sango-sama and Miroku-sama told me there was nothing to fear from him. Miroku-sama is quite the gentleman." That got the desired effect out of Inuyasha, he laughed long and hard at that. Kagome smiled at hearing it then said in an annoyed tone, "What's so funny?" Inuyasha said, "You. You think Miroku's a gentleman! In fact, he's a total lech!" Kagome said, "But he's a monk! I danced with him and he didn't do anything lecherous to me." Inuyasha said, "That's probably because Sango was watching. Was she?" Kagome smiled and said, "Like a hawk." Inuyasha grinned at that. Kagome decided to try and get another laugh out of Inuyasha and said, "I told Miroku-sama I couldn't have any more dances with him because I didn't want to his wife, Sango-sama. He grinned at me and Sango-sama turned the most interesting shade of red and denied it." Inuyasha laughed and asked, "You said that?" Kagome nodded.
Kagome asked, "Won't you please dance with me, Inuyasha-sama?" Inuyasha looked at her and asked, "How'd you know my name?" Kagome smiled and said, "Miroku-sama and Sango-sama said they were worried about you. They told me what you looked like and I decided to find you and see if you would like to dance with me. So, won't you please dance with me?" Inuyasha growled and said, "All right, but only to prove Sango and Miroku wrong." Kagome beamed and thought, 'Perfect.' Kagome took Inuyasha's hand and led him to the village.
On the way there, Inuyasha asked, "What is your name? You seem oddly familiar to me." Kagome looked at Inuyasha and smiled, then said, "Higurashi Suteki. It's a pleasure to meet you." Inuyasha stopped walking, turned around and grabbed her shoulders, and asked intensely, "Higurashi? Your name is Higurashi?" Kagome gulped under his gaze and replied in a shaky voice, "H-hai. W-why do you want to know? Everyone I've met so far has reacted to my name strangely." Inuyasha said, "That's because we all knew a girl with the name Higurashi." Kagome smiled and said, "I think I must be a relative of hers or something." Inuyasha murmured, "You must be." They were now at the village.
Miroku and Sango stared in disbelief at seeing Inuyasha walking with the girl name Suteki. They shared a look and Sango said, "She actually got him to come? Wow." Miroku just nodded in amazement.
Kagome and Inuyasha were now in the area that was for dancing. Inuyasha murmured, "I don't dance." Kagome said, "That's ok, I'll teach you." Kagome's heart fluttered as she put her hand on Inuyasha's shoulder and her other hand in Inuyasha's hand. Inuyasha looked at her strangely and for a moment Kagome thought he had figured out it was her, but she relaxed when she realized he didn't know. The music started and they began to dance.
Kaede watched the whole thing. 'Kagome, child, I hope ye know what ye are doing.'
Kagome hadn't felt this happy in weeks. She was with Inuyasha and that was all that mattered. They had already danced many dances together. They were now taking a break. Kagome gazed at the sky and saw it was starting to get lighter. 'We danced that long?' Kagome couldn't stifle the yawn that came after that thought. Inuyasha looked over at her and Kagome smiled, then said, "Guess I'm pretty tired. I think I should be going." Kagome stood and everyone else stood as well.
Miroku kissed her hand and said, "It was a pleasure meeting you Suteki-sama." Sango said, "Yes, it was a pleasure meeting you." Shippo beamed and said, "You're really nice. Will you be coming back?" Kagome smiled and said, "Yes, I'll be back for the next two nights." Shippo shouted, "Yippee!" and Kagome smiled at his antics. Kagome turned to Inuyasha and said, "It was a pleasure dancing with you Inuyasha-sama. I hope we can dance more tomorrow night." Inuyasha nodded in reply.
Kagome started to walk away when Sango shouted, "Wait!" Kagome turned around and Sango said, "The nearest village is pretty far and I'm sure your feet are sore. Why don't you take Kilala?" Kagome asked, "Kilala?" Suddenly, Kilala appeared in front of Sango in her small form. Kilala transformed into her big form and Kagome pretended to jump back in surprise. Sango said, "Don't worry, she won't hurt you. She's very gentle. Go on, climb on her back." Kagome cautiously went forward and climbed on Kilala's back, riding side-saddle because of her yukata. Kagome smiled and said, "Arigato, Sango-sama." Sango smiled and said, "Please, just call me Sango-chan." Kagome repeated, "Sango-chan." Then Kilala took off in the direction of the nearest village.
Sango noticed that when Kilala was a respectable distance away, Suteki leaned forward and whispered in Kilala's ear. 'I wonder what she whispered.' Then Sango turned back and went back to the festivities.
When Kagome felt she was far enough away, she leaned forward and whispered in Kilala's ear, "Kilala, go to the village then circle around to the well." Kilala turned her head and looked at her. Kagome whispered, "Yes, Kilala. It's me, Kagome. Just don't tell anyone it's me. I only came to see them one more time." Kilala nodded then headed to the nearest village.
Once Kilala was at the village she turned and headed to the Bone-Eater's Well. Kagome hopped off Kilala, patter her on the head, and whispered, "Thanks Kilala. Can you take me here tomorrow night too?" Kilala nodded. Kagome smiled and said, "Remember, don't tell anyone it's me." Kilala nodded again and Kagome jumped into the well.
Kagome once again stood in front of her mirror. It was the second night and she was about to head to the Sengoku Jidai. She checked her reflection one more time to make sure things looked normal. Kagome smiled and headed to the wellhouse.
Kagome climbed out of the well and looked around to see if anyone was around. No one was. She breathed a sigh of relief, then headed to the village.
Little did Kagome know, someone had been watching from the shadows. Kikyo smiled to herself and decided that tomorrow night would be the perfect night to make her appearance and expose Kagome.
Kagome smiled at the sight of the village. It looked just as it had the night before. Sango, Shippo, and Miroku came up to her and greeted her. Kagome replied back, "Konbonwa, minna. Where's Inuyasha-sama?" Inuyasha's voice came from behind her and said, "Right here." Kagome turned around and saw Inuyasha standing there. Kagome smiled and said, "Would you like to dance?" Inuyasha grinned and said, "Sure."
Miroku asked Sango, "Do you think Inuyasha is falling in love with Suteki-sama?" Sango nodded and said, "I think so." Shippo wailed, "How could Inuyasha forget Kagome so fast? Doesn't he care for her?" Sango said, "Shippo-chan, Kagome-chan isn't coming back. She sealed the well and left her jewel shards here with us. We should let Inuyasha be happy. Besides, Suteki-chan is nice and she..reminds me of Kagome-chan." Miroku and Shippo nodded in agreement.
Kagome and Inuyasha were very tired from dancing so much. They both decided to take a break and eat dinner. After Kagome had eaten she saw Kaede was coming towards her. Kagome smiled and said, "Konbonwa. How are you priestess?" Kaede replied, "I'm fine, thank you. Ye can just call me Kaede." Kagome smiled and said, "All right, Kaede-sama." Kaede asked, "And your name is?" Kagome replied, "Higurashi Suteki." Kaede said thoughtfully, "Higurashi huh?" Kagome nodded. Kaede raised her eyebrow as if she were surprised. Kaede asked, "I'd like to test ye for miko powers." Kagome asked, "Miko powers?" Kaede nodded and said, "Come with me." Kaede said, "Inuyasha, I'd stay out of range of my hut and tell Shippo to as well." Inuyasha nodded.
Kagome followed Kaede into the hut. Both mikos sat on the mats Kaede had laid out. Kaede said, "Kagome, are ye sure this is how ye want things? Are ye sure ye want to leave forever after tomorrow night?" Kagome said, "Hai. I'm positive." Kaede asked, "Is your shield up?" Kagome said, "Of course it is. I'd have been found out if it wasn't." Kaede asked, "Are ye getting tired?" Kagome said, "A little." Kaede nodded and said, "Give me your hand." Kagome put her hand out to Kaede and Kaede took it in her hand. Kagome gasped as she felt a transfer of power from Kaede. Kagome murmured, "Arigato." Kaede smiled and said, "Just go out there and have a fun time." Kagome smiled and nodded, then went outside.
Miroku felt a surge of Kaede's power coming from her hut. Inuyasha was standing next to Miroku and said, "Kaede's testing Suteki for miko powers." Miroku nodded and said, "That would explain it." After a while Suteki came out of Kaede's hut with a smile on her face.
Kagome couldn't help the smile on her face. She was going to be able to spend a longer amount of time with Inuyasha. She stepped up to Inuyasha and said, "Let's dance some more." Inuyasha took her hand and they began to dance. Inuyasha asked, "Do you have miko powers?" Kagome said, "Yes, but don't worry, I won't hurt you. I'd never hurt you." Inuyasha smiled a little at that. Kagome and Inuyasha danced for awhile until Inuyasha said, "I want to take you somewhere." Kagome said, "All right." So Inuyasha took Kagome's hand and led her away from the village.
Kagome's heart pounded in her chest as she realized where Inuyasha was taking her. He was taking her to the Bone-Eater's Well.
They were now at the Bone-Eater's Well. 'Why did Inuyasha take me here?' Inuyasha said, "You have miko powers. Can you feel the seal on this well?" Kagome said, "Hai." Inuyasha turned to her and said, "Can you unseal it?" Kagome almost gasped. 'So that's what he brought me here for! NO! I won't unseal it ever!' Kagome gazed at the well and said, "I don't think I can." Inuyasha asked, "Could you at least try?" Kagome looked over at Inuyasha and asked, "Why is this so important to you Inuyasha?" Inuyasha sat on the lip of the well and motioned for her to do the same. Kagome sat down next to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha said, "Did you hear the story of this well and what happened a few months ago?" Kagome said, "When the centipede youkai came out of the well. They say a strange girl also came out of the well. They say that she saw a youkai pinned to that tree over there." Kagome pointed to the Goshinboku and continued, "They say she pulled the arrow out and the youkai came back to life. He tried to kill the girl to get some jewel." Inuyasha just said, "Hanyou." Kagome asked, "Huh?" Inuyasha said, "It was a hanyou that was pinned to that tree." Kagome asked, "Were you that hanyou?" Inuyasha nodded. Kagome asked, "They say the girl that unpinned him disappeared. Do you miss her?"
Inuyasha thought, 'Kagome abandoned me! She lied to me! I'm not going to miss her, not ever!" Inuyasha answered Suteki's question with, "No. I don't miss her at all."
Kagome felt a stab of pain in her heart. 'He doesn't miss me? Not at all?" Kagome struggled not to cry and said, "I wonder if she misses you." Inuyasha scoffed and said, "Probably not." Kagome stood up too fast and lost her balance. She started to fall down the well when Inuyasha's hand grabbed her arm and pulled her up. Inuyasha grinned and said, "Careful. If you fell you might break something." Kagome smiled and said, "Thanks." Inuyasha said, "We should head back." Kagome nodded.
Once at the village, Inuyasha and Kagome continued to dance for hours until the sky began to lighten. Kagome said, "I need to be getting back to my home. Thank you for everything Inuyasha." Kagome couldn't help it, she kissed Inuyasha on the cheek.
Kilala came up to Kagome and Kagome climbed on. Kilala took the same route as the night before. They were at the well. Kagome said, "Thanks Kilala. I'll see you tomorrow." Kilala nodded and Kagome jumped down the well.
Inuyasha put a hand to his cheek. 'She kissed me. Could she be in love with me? I think I'm in love with her.' Inuyasha sat quietly and watched other people dance and some people go home.
Kagome sat on her bed, in her pajamas, crying her heart out. 'He doesn't miss me at all! How can this be? I thought he loved me!' Kagome lay down on her bed and cried until she fell asleep.
It was the third night. The last night of the festival. Kagome once again stood in front of her mirror to check that everything looked normal. 'It's the last night I'll get to see Inuyasha. I'll just have to hold tight to the memory of this night.' Kagome then headed to the well.
Kikyo smiled as she saw Kagome climb out of the well. Kikyo adjusted her mask and checked to see that her yukata looked normal. She made sure that her shield to hide her scent was up as well, then headed to the village after Kagome had left.
Inuyasha saw Suteki coming towards him. He ran to meet her and took her hand. He said, "Shall we?" Suteki smiled and said, "Hai."
Kagome and Inuyasha had had five dances together so far. They had stopped to eat and were now dancing again. Kagome smiled and just enjoyed being in Inuyasha's arms. Inuyasha suddenly said, "I've resolved never to take another mate but we can still be friends." Kagome thought, 'He resolved never to take another mate? That must mean he misses me, or at least still loves me. It's going to break my heart when I leave.'
Suddenly, Kagome felt something snap at the back of her head. It was the string of her mask. She tried to catch her mask before Inuyasha could see, but it was too late. Inuyasha asked uncertainly, "Kagome?" Kagome pulled out of Inuyasha's arms and tried to run to the well. She could feel Inuyasha was going to chase after her so Kagome yelled, "Sit!" and she heard Inuyasha fall to the ground behind her. Kagome continued to run until she reached the well.
As Kagome jumped down the well, she didn't notice that the seal she had put on the well was broken.