I've been slipping away and nobody knows. I see Inuyasha go to Kikyo every night and I slip away. I see Sango and Miroku grow closer with each passing day and I slip away. I see Shippo growing up into a strong independent young man and I slip away. I can't go home anymore. I have no home. I try, oh how I try to go home. But I grow restless quickly. So I slip away. Every night I leave to be myself and nobody knows. They don't notice how much stronger I grow. They need to feel like I still need them to protect me. So I let them. But every night I slip away. Every night I leave and find it harder and harder to return. Soon I don't think I will. But for now I return for they need me for just a little while longer.
The dawn was slowly awakening and not a soul stirred as a lone shadow slipped into the camp. Practice makes perfect. Nobody noticed as it made its way to a sleeping bag and quickly curled up as if it had never left. Slowly the camp's occupants began to stir to wakefulness. The hanyou returned from his nightly rondevouz. The monk and demon slayer began to untangle themselves from the nights cuddling. Nobody seemed to notice the dark circles under one companions eyes. No one seemed to notice the wild look still lingering. They just broke up camp and started the days journey without a word.
She hated the summer days. She hated the way the slightest movement just seemed to make her temp spike another notch. She only tolerated the summer days for the cool summer nights. Oh how she loved the summer nights. They just begged for her to run and enjoy the breeze as she listened to all the night creatures. "Oi wench snap out of your daydreaming and find some shards already". Squashing her irritation at the name calling the young priestess closed her eyes and concentrated her powers. "There's one just north of us. About a days journey as the crow flies". That was all the motivation the rest needed to pick up the pace.
"Inuyasha duck!" "Duck?! What are you screaming about a duck for woman?!" "No you idiot I mean move!" "Oi don't tell me what to do!" Growling in frustration Kagome just let the arrow fly towards the current demon they were battling hoping her companion would have enough sense to dodge out of the way. They had caught up to their prey sooner then they had hoped and immediatly wished they didn't have to deal with the ugly bugger. It seemed to be a boar demon on steroids that had gotten a few too many wacks to the face. Fortunatly it didn't take long to separate it from its prize. It seemed almost a disapointment. "Now what was all that shit about a duck?" The valley seemed to reverberate with sounds that seemed suspiciously like
That evening with the campfire dancing merrily in the pit, the group found themselves unwilling to depart on their nightly rituals. It seemed as if just one of them left then there was no guarantee of their return. Though this did not stop Kikyo from sending her summons. "You should go Inuyasha. She's probably wondering what's taking you so long." "Huh? Who what in the where now?" was his oh so cunning reply. "Brilliant. However could I have learned your secret with evasion tactics like that." "Eva what now?" "Just go. I'll see you in the morning." "What's your hurry for me to leave?" "Are you fishing for a reason to stay?" "Are you in such a hurry to get away from us?" Startled blue eyes were his only reply. "Yeah that's right. I've known about your walks for a while now." "Have you been spying on me?" "well somebody has to protect you." "Has to?! Has to?! Is that all I am to all of you? A burden to keep an eye on?" They say silence is the loudest. This one screamed with a thousand unsaid words. None of them could look her in the eyes. That was all the answer she needed. The shame they had shared was now hers to bare. "I see. I think I should leave now." Without another word she packed up her belongings and left. But not in the direction anyone expected. "Lady Kagome the well is in the other direction". "Oh I'm not going home. I broke the jewel so it is my duty to finish collecting it." "Don't be stupid wench. Don't get yourself killed just to prove something to us." "You flatter yourselves" Came the cold reply. "This has nothing to do with you traitors. I'm doing this for me. I want to know that if something like this happens again that I can look them in the eye with pride. Because I know what I'm capable of even if you don't. I'll return when the final battle has come at last. Until then I wish you luck on your journeys."