Kagome never thought she would see graduation. It was such a far fetch dream a few years back that when she had received good results from her final exams the high school student was shocked. Everyone was talking about going off to university and figuring out what they are going to do with their lives. Kagome even entertained the idea of going to Tokyo University, but she wasn't sure what to study. Ayumi would be majoring to become a teacher, Eri found an interest in environmental studies that would get her outside and active, and Yuka would be going into business. They would be going to different colleges and it was hard hugging them goodbye as summer came to an end. Even Hojo had left for the states, wishing her the best of luck.

Being left behind Kagome felt very alone for the first time in three years. Reading over programs to enter into nothing stuck as she lost interest quickly. The study of histories had her staring at the pamphlet long and hard. It was Akiko's major. She hadn't thought about her cousin in about a year looking up and out the sliding door to the backyard. Kagome needed air and found herself wandering into the shrine.

Standing at the top of the stairs, the wooden structure was below. Grandpa hadn't sealed it off, leaving it open as a reminder to what it once served. There were some cobwebs now around the hole in the ground from its misuse. The well, the Feudal Era had always been in the back of her mind. Her thoughts about it had never completely gone away. Sometimes she had dreams about the adventures she had been on. Inuyasha was there, along with Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kiara. Other instances Akiko would join them. And upon waking the former high school student would lock away those feelings before going about her day.

But with her completing school she couldn't find an interest going forward. Now that she could think about the future and what she really wanted in the back of her mind it was saying it wasn't here. It never was, Kagome realized. She didn't want a future here in the present. All she could now think about since graduation was returning to Inuyasha. Naraku and the Shikon didn't have to be there. She just wanted to be by his side again. That's where she belonged. These last three years though Kagome loved her friends and family dearly, the older teen felt like a stranger among them.

Returning back to the house, her family had come home. Grandpa was reading the paper at the table, her mom preparing dinner, and Sota was reading a manga in the living room. "There you are," her mom greeted. "We thought you were home. Did you go for a walk?"

"Something like that," Kagome said. The answer caused the older man to look up and see the expression on her face. Folding the paper he asked,

"Do you know what you want to do with your life?"

And without hesitation, she answered, "I want to go back to the Feudal Era." The answer caused the woman to look at her daughter, dinner forgotten. Even Sota looked up from his reading in interest. "I'm not happy here," she admitted in a thick voice. "I've tried to be by finishing school... but I just don't see a future by going to college. And traveling like some of my classmates doesn't interest me either."

Her mother smiled. "We knew it was only a matter of time," she admitted. "Though you smiled and had fun we could see something was still missing." Crossing the kitchen she hugged her daughter tightly. "Whatever you decide we will support. If you want to go back we won't stop you."

"You've only thought about us these last three years," Grandpa added. "You're eighteen now, Kagome, an adult in our eyes. It's time for you to think about yourself."

Pulling away from her mother, Kagome looked as her three family members before giving an answer, "I love Inuyasha. I always have these last three years even when I tried to stop. I want to be with him protecting people in need. I want to be by his side."

That was when she felt it, an aura that had her turning back towards the glass door and looking into the backyard. It was coming in the direction of the well. "What is it?" Sota asked.

"I thought I..."

"You sensed the well," her grandfather put together.

"I think so."

Standing, the old man rubbed his hands together. "Only one way to find out. Go pack your things."

"Right now?" Kagome asked in wonder.

"If this is what you want, Kagome, you cannot let this opportunity pass if it's open. We don't know if it will remain so. You making a decision may have triggered it opening."

Then that would mean that this was goodbye. She wasn't expecting it to happen so swiftly as her mom gave her an encouraging smile, "Go."

Kagome ran up to her room and began throwing various notebooks, pencils, and items into her yellow backpack that she believed she would need. Some books she liked reading, toiletries, medical supplies, anything that was important that would fit she brought. Tugging on some leggings, a plain t-shirt, and a hooded sweatshirt she knew that no other clothing from her time period would be needed. Looking at herself in the body length mirror the others would be shocked to see her not in her school uniform and smiled at the thought. If her gift were correct in sensing the well having opened she would be seeing them very soon.

Slipping her feet into sneakers, Kagome walked towards the shrine where the rest of her family waited. Grandpa had cleaned away the cobwebs so none would get caught on her. Meanwhile, Sota had a frown on his face with tears threatening to spill down his cheeks, while standing behind their mother. Kagome went to him first and held his hand in reassurance. He had grown so much since she had returned and no longer a need to bend down to his height to look him in the eye. "I'm going to miss you," he choked out.

"We don't even know if this will work," she reassured him. "I could be having dinner with you tonight."

"That's not true," he sniffed. "Your powers have never been wrong before." Hugging her brother tightly, Kagome tried to not cry.

"You'll always be on my mind, Sota. I'll check in on you when I can."

"Give Akiko our love," their mom spoke up. "We'll be keeping an eye on her." The comment confused Sota, but knew now wasn't the time to question things as the mother and daughter hugged. "Something for your friends." And she held up a picnic basket filled with food.

"I'm going to miss your cooking." Walking down the steps she held the older man tightly. "Thank you for everything."

"Anything for my granddaughter," he managed out. "You're going to do great things over there. We hope you're happy and find everything you're looking for."

With a nod, Kagome swung a leg over the edge of the well, and then the other sitting on the ledge. Looking into the darkness below the older teen took a deep breath before letting it out. Glancing back at her family once more she gave them a smile, "Let's see if this works. I love you."

Pushing off she fell into the black hole expecting to feel the impact of the ground below. But it never came as a swirl of color engulfed her. With wide eyes the familiar sight had her smiling at the fact that this was working and her feet gently touched the ground. The first thing Kagome did was look up finding a bright blue sky. The vines were completely overgrown allowing her to easily climb up to the top, clearing the edge and standing on the grass. The shrine was nowhere in sight grinning widely at the surroundings of the Feudal Era. Everything remained untouched, which further proved that Naraku had been defeated. Now she just needed to find–

In the distance a figure came up over the hill that would lead someone to Kaede's village. Their silver hair was a dead give away, along with the red kimono they wore. He was walking at a leisurely pace, but upon realizing that there was someone standing beside the well, he paused.

Kagome laughed, dropping her backpack and picnic basket to the ground and rushed across the open field. He was running too as they met in the middle, the half-demon catching the human up in his arms and spinning them around. The older teen didn't want to let go, worried that this was all a dream and he would disappear. Pulling away slightly so the two could look each other in the eye they were both shocked seeing each other. "I thought Kaede was finally loosing it, saying that today was a good day to visit the well," Inuyasha said. "And when she kept going on about it I finally left and decided to check it out to appease her. She was giving me a headache." The half-demon was having a hard time believing that she was actually here cupping her cheek to be sure she was real. "How...?"

"The well opened again," Kagome stated. "And I took the chance."

"We were worried the jewel had made you disappear as well. Forever. And when I couldn't get through..."

"I tried getting back as well." But it didn't matter anymore. "Is everyone all right? Is everything–?"

Inuyasha silenced her with a kiss, something he had been longing to do the last three years. The half-demon had been kicking himself for not making it clear to Kagome what she meant to him all these years. And with her disappearance he swore to not give up the chance to express his feelings if he did find her. They had been beating around that bush for far too long as they pulled apart. "Whoa..." she breathed.

"You talk to much," he smirked. "And everyone is fine. They will be excited to know you're back."

Gathering up her items, the two walked back to the village, hand-in-hand. Coming to the top of the hill the streets below were bustling with activity. More so than the last time she was in this era. It was a pleasant sight to see entering the village and making their way to the familiar hut. "Oi, Kaede!" Inuyasha called out. "We have a visitor!"

The old woman finally came out to see what the half-demon was talking about when her eye widened before grinning. "Welcome back," she greeted.

"Glad to be back," Kagome greeted as the two hugged.

"Kagome?" The familiar voice had her turn, finding Sango and Miroku coming up the path, but the two had paused in shock upon seeing her. Shippo pulled himself up over the monk's shoulder with a wide grin on his face, shouting,

"Kagome, you're back!"

The greetings were filled with laughter and hugs, maybe even a few tears from Kagome at being so happy to see them all again. That was when the older teen realized that there was a child securely wrapped up on two backs sleeping, causing her eyes to widen before looking to the demon slayer and monk. "We may have gotten married while you were gone," Sango grinned.

"And had twins," Miroku beamed.

Kagome couldn't help but fawn over the both of them as they made their way into the hut to catch up. Kaede prepared dinner by warming up her mother's food as they conversed, Kagome telling them about her finally completing school, while Shippo shared that he was in training to become a full fledged fox demon like his father, Sango had retired as a demon slayer, Miroku was performing local exorcisms for any demons that were still causing a fuss since the war, and Inuyasha traveled with him on occasion if a job took him beyond their lands. It was nice, talking with them and hearing their voices. She was slowly beginning to miss her family as the gravity of the situation sunk in that she was here. For good, as far as she knew. And that was okay as she held one of the twin's in her lap, keeping her occupied with a toy.

With all the excitement around her, Kagome almost forgot to ask a question that had been on her mind for three years now, "Where's Akiko?"

And they smiled at the name. "She's been busy as of late," Sango answered. "Would you like to see for yourself in the morning?"