Hi all… ummm … new fic… I hope its good… keep an open mind from beginning to end… and, ummm… just know it's not like me to write a story like this… yea…

DISCLAIMER! I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters! Don't sue!

Here it goes! I got the idea for the name in a +44 song… its good you should listen to them… here it goes…

Summary: Though everyone knew there was a chance of the final battle ending this way… there were still unprepared… Naraku was defeated, but at what price?

Won't Upset the Pace on Distant Stars

It was a beautiful day in the Feudal Era of Japan, perfect, in terms of weather. A girl in clothes not matching the period she inhabited sat beneath a tree that, like herself, defined time itself..

"Hey wench, what are you doing wandering off like that?" A boy not much older than herself (well kind of) jumped to a branch above her, crossed his arms and sat impatiently.

"You actually noticed I was gone?" The girl was in a way surprised. Usually he would only keep her around if there was either danger near, or jewel shards to purify. And today, she sensed, there were neither. The only shards left were in Naraku's possession or under his control… Even Kouga's shards were retained.

"Keh, I got hungry. And the runt started whining 'wheres Kagome, she's been gone awhile, I miss Kagome, blah blah blah…' all he does is cry and whine. So I decided to shut him up and come get you… You know you could get hurt wandering off like this…" The silver hared half-demon had an undetectable trace of worry etched in his voice.

"Inuyasha, after a year of being here, I think I should be able to handle a short walk on my own… A girl needs her alone time ya know…" Kagome flashed her distinct smile in his direction, which unknowingly to her instantly softened the half demons heart solid heart.

But his external guard remained, and he replied with a simple…

"Keh."

Kagome sighed, "well lets head back to the village then. Shippou must be getting hungry.

"Bout time"

After a few yards of comfortable silence Kagome ushered Inuyasha into conversation.

Inuyasha, it's been awhile since there's been much trouble, why do you think Naraku has left us alone for so long with only our part of the jewel remaining?

At the mention of the Sacred Jewel of the Four Souls that hung around her neck, Kagome wrapped one of her long delicate hands around their half completed portion.

Inuyasha glanced at her from the corner of his golden eyes.

"Calm before the storm." He stated simply. "He's preparing for us. I mean who wouldn't? Its completely pointless though, its not like its going to do him any good. No matter how strong he gets, Im gonna rip his head off and feed it to his incarnations." Inuyasha gave a tiny smirk at the thought of shoving spoonfuls of Naraku's dismantled body into the mouths of Kagura and Kanna.

Kagome's eyes shone admiring his confidence. She believed every word he just said. Inuyasha had long since gained her faith in his abilities, and when he spoke of how the battle would unfold, she believed in him even more. She knew everything would be ok. "It's just so strange," she confessed, "Its coming up so soon, I can feel it. I cant believe this whole thing will be over all at once. I don't know how I'll handle it or what I'll do after everything. The girls eyes were intently focused on the familiar dirt path to the village.

Inuyasha didn't respond…

"Kagome!! Your back!" As they reached the village after what seemed to be an eternity of thought filled silence, the young kitsune, Shippou bounded out the hut they were staying in and immediately latched on to Kagome's leg. "Where did you go?"

"Just for a walk Shippou" And she flashed a genuine smile to the kit. "Where are Sango and Miroku?"

"Welllll… Sango went to the hot spring to take a bath and Sometime shortly afterward Miroku simply vanished." The small kit talked a million miles a minute as the story was told

"Humph, wonder where he went…" Inuyasha snorted sarcastically. He knew along with every one else present exactly where the monk had gotten off to."

Kagome inhabited a blank look… "Sango needs to get Miroku some prayer beads so she can 's-word' him when she catches him watching her bathe or groping her!" Shippou rolled with laughter at this statement, and Inuyasha sighed with relief very thankful that Kagome chose her words carefully. He didn't want to be reacquainted with the ground anytime soon especially for nothing! Kagome smiled, as she saw his look of thankfulness in his eyes. "Well then, I'm going to start some ramen for dinner! Sound good?"

"YAY RAMEN!! Yes please Kagome will you make me some?!?"

"Of coarse Shippou. Inuyasha would you like some?"

"Keh, no thanks, I'm gonna go take a walk."

"Kagome eyed him suspiciously, you're turning down ramen?"

"I don't know, you can take walks why can't I wench?"

"I guess its just, not like you… do you want me to make you some for when you get back?"

"Don't wait up for me… I don't know how late I'll be."

"Well…" Kagome sighed "Ok, if that's what you want… be careful"

"Keh, wench, I don't need your worries, I can take care of myself…"

"Ok then… bye, have a nice walk"

"Kagome… his voice suddenly serious, "I'll be back…" He contacted his eyes directly with hers and Kagome saw the sincerity mixed with seriousness in his golden orbs.

"O-ok Inuyasha… and tell you what, I'll save some ramen just incase ok?"

Inuyasha actually smiled at her… "I'd really like that… thanks" With that he turned and walked out.

Shippou stared at the whole incident with wonder… "What's gotten into him?"

'Why would he tell me he'll be back, where would he be going where he might not return from?'

Kagome didn't say anything as the thoughts that something was wrong tugged at her heart. She couldn't put her finger on it… but something serious was about to happen.

If she would have gone outside, she would have known exactly what was going on, and why Inuyasha was acting so strange.

Kikyou's soul collectors were lingering outside. Inuyasha felt their presence, and left for his meeting with the girl from his past.

After following the scent of soil and bone, he came to a small clearing and stood facing the back of the undead priestess Kikyou.

"Hello Inuyasha… Its been awhile"

"I've been busy…" he stated.

'Why is she here'

"You probably wonder why I've come… I'm here to give you a message" as if reading his thoughts Kikyou spoke out about her visit…

"And what would that be?"

"You feel the battle coming do you not? Naraku's miasma has been growing stronger over the last few days. Somewhere off to the North I believe. Shouldn't you be preparing?" Kikyou turned and looked at Inuyasha with her lifeless eyes.

'Her eyes that used to shine with life and a hope of freedom, now… theres not even a trace of what used to be…. What used to be…'

"I'm ready as I need to be, he just needs to quit being a damn coward and come out of hiding." The boy scoffed and turned his back to his old love. He couldn't face her when talking anymore… all he could think about is the old days when he looked at her. Days he knew he would never have again… and the thought of that hurt a piece of him deep inside.

They were silent for a while as the sun started to set.

Inuyasha was the first to speak.

"Was that your message? To prepare for someone who I'm more than ready to take on? I don't need your worries Kikyou, I can handle myself."

"That was not the reason I came, but it's in the same regards…. I'm here to tell you to prepare your mind and heart, not your body and strength."

This caused Inuyasha to turn around, no matter how much it pained him.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"A decision must be made no later than the battles end. That time is swiftly is approaching. Inuyasha… You need to know what you are going to do with the jewel, and what you will do in terms of me and my reincarnation. I hope that decision is already made."

Her last sentence made the half demon once again turn away from her.

"Why do you think my decision is already made?"

Kikyou was unfazed by this "Because the girl doesn't care for you Inuyasha. I assumed you knew that. She leaves you enough for her time as it is. What makes you think she will stay with you when her duties are fulfilled?"

The boy had no comment…. She was right… Inuyasha flinched and turned to look at her again and his voice had a sudden emotion filled quality.

"Kikyou, I have only one question for you… its going to affect my decision, so really I have to ask it… 50 years ago, why was me being a human over a half demon so important to you."

"Just know that that was the way it had to be. You wished on the jewel, gained the ability to be looked upon without disgust and I gained the ability to be a normal woman without such important duties."

"It could have been different. I could have wished for something else, and we could have been happy. Me as a half demon and you as a priestess who had no burden of guarding the jewel."

"Inuyasha, it had to be done the way we planned. Do realize how I was looked down upon for even associating with a half demon, imagine how it would have been for me marrying one. But it's over and it doesn't matter. What does matter is that we were in love, doesn't that count for anything?"

Inuyasha winced as her words stung that little part deep inside and he looked in her eyes. Those eyes that at one time were the only ones that would look directly into his without fear or disgust. They were so different now. "It counts for everything… Thanks for the explanation."

"Just be thinking Inuyasha, remember I expect an answer no later than the end of the battle against Naraku… It will be your final battle to regain the shards."

She turned to leave when Inuyasha's words stopped her.

"I don't need to wait, I can give you answers now…" His eyes were swimming with uncertainty as he spoke. "I can end all of this for you now Kikyou… I know what I'm going to do…"

Kikyou smiled… "Good…" and she took a step toward the hanyou in front of her….

The end of Chapt. 1… YAY! R&R… I think I might like this story…

-Firebug29-