A mild breeze teased the soft petals of the sakura trees along the rough path. The breeze was so refreshing on that particular spring day, that Kagome stretched her hands behind her head and twirled. The red haired fox kit who was on her shoulder, shrieked with laughter at the sudden movement.

"The weather is so awesome today!"

The rest of the group could not help but agree with the girl's sentiments. The rings from Miroku's shakujo jingled as he set his staff firmly into the ground and closed his eyes, murmuring, "To think it had started off as such a hot morning."

Sango smiled, "I wouldn't mind taking a short break to relax-"

Inuyasha immediately cut Sango off, looking thoroughly irritated, "No way in hell! We're not stopping just 'cause all of you want to act like pansies and lay around."

Miroku gave his friend an amiable grin, "Come now, Inuyasha. Live a little. Besides, " He added with a wink, "I'm sure Kagome-sama has some treat for us."

At the word treat, Inuyasha's ear swivelled and his gaze landed on the girl from the future. His eyes narrowed, contemplatively and then he huffed as he came to a decision, "Fine. But we better be fast. Naraku isn't exactly sitting around waiting for us."

Kagome rolled her eyes and set down her heavy bagpack. Dragging it to corner under the shade, she started rifling through it. She pursed her lips, and grumbled, "Great. We're running low on supplies as well." Her eyes brightened somewhat as she spotted the sealed bento boxes. Taking them out, she announced, "All right. Found it. Someone start the fire."

It took a few minutes, a few thumps and arguments for everyone to finally settle down. Miroku watched curiously as Kagome unsealed the five boxes and removed their lids. To his surprise, the food looked cold and completely unedible. Hesitantly, not wanting to upset the blue eyed priestess, he ventured, "Pardon me, Kagome-sama, but are you sure that you brought the right bentos."

Kagome stared at him for a second, confused and then gave a sly grin, "Just you wait, Miroku-sama. Just you wait."

The all watched on as Kagome placed a strange metal contraption onto the fire and then placed the boxes on it. In mere moments, a sizzling sound could be heard and a most delicious aroma circled the suddenly ravenous travellers.

As they slowly finished their lunch, Sango asked, "When will you need to return, Kagome? You said your supplies were running low?"

Kagome thoughtfully removed the chopsticks from her mouth, "Probably in a day or so."

Inuyasha immediately bristled, "But you just got back a week ago!"

Kagome glared at him, "And I immediately returned because of the construction going on."

The half demon scowled, "Keh, not my problem." Crossing his arms across his chest, he looked to the side, making Kagome roll her eyes. Shrugging, she resumed her meal, "All right. I'm sure we can survive without ramen for a month or so."

"A month?"

Inuyasha's horrifed question was answered by a grim nod, "But it's okay. We have fish, don't we? And some fresh vegetables. We'll make do."

"No ramen for a month?" The mournful query made Kagome fight the urge to smile. Indifferently, she poked her bento with the chopsticks, "Yeah. I probably shouldn't go back. I mean, it's not like Naraku is just sitting around, waiting for us to catch up to him, right?"

Inuyasha spluttered and made a face. If he let Kagome go back, that meant more Ramen, but if he didn't, then-"

"How long will you take?"

Kagome smiled cheerfully at him, "Nah! I changed my mind. I don't want to go back home so soon. We still have a lot of shards to find."

Miroku surpressed a grin at the way his poor friend was being manipulated. The group watched on as Inuyasha now tried to find excuses to send agome back home, trying with the ("Two or three days won't make such a damnable difference") and ("We haven't found a shard in weeks now. You weak humans probably need your break.")

Kagome gave him a wide-eyed innocent look, "But Inuyasha, what if Naraku decides to show himself when I'm gone?"

Miroku could tell she was enjoying herself too much. Even Shippou was muffling his giggles. Sango studied the pair of them with a grin.

"You're going and that's final!" Inuyasha's growl made Kagome raise her eyebrows in disbelief, "Why are you so insistent upon me leaving?" Her eyes narrowed and she pointed a finger at the half demon accusingly, "You want to go see Kikyo, don't you? That's why you're kicking me out!"

The bewildered half demon spluttered indignantly, wondering how the hell Kikyo had been dragged into this argument. Taking his silence as an affirmative, Kagome crossed her arms across her chest, smugly, "Ah-hah! So I was right!"

Taken aback by how lightly Kagome was taking Kikyo and Inuyasha, the monk wondered if she had gotten over Inuyasha. She certainly didn't seem upset or frazzled.

"I'm not going to see Kikyo!"

Kagome shrugged, drawling, "Sure. That's what you say now. But," She let out a long suffering sigh, "I suppose I'll go. I have to go see Mama about my shots anyway."

Inuyasha looked on, completely frazzled, and then his brain caught on, "What the hell is a shot?"

Kagome started packing her bag, "It's kind of like medicine of my time, injected into me." Inuyasha growled, "You sick or something?"

Kagome shook her head, "Of course not. Ever since-" She paused and sat back down, plopping Shippou into her lap where he immediately curled up. "You know what, it's not important. The important thing is," She mused, "Just how am I going to get back home. We're far away from the well, right now."

"I'll take you."

Kagome frowned, rejecting Inuyasha's offer, "Then who's going to follow the rumor of this new shard? I'll just take Kirara. You, Miroku and Sango go check out the village."

Sango looked uncertainly in her friend's direction. As much as she wanted to find the shared, she was also concerned about letting Kagome go alone on Kirara. However, just then Miroku intervened smoothly, "I shall accompany Kagome-sama to the well and we can all meet up at the village."

Inuyasha seemed to like this idea, "That could work, but," He cracked his knuckles threateningly, "You had better keep your hands to yourself , bouzo. Or, I'll cut them off for you."

Miroku raised his hands in a peaceful gesture, "I am, but, a humble monk."

Inuyasha snarled, "Yeah. We know."

As Kirara transformed, Kagome grabbed her bag and climbed onto the huge fire neko. She jumped when a pair of masculine hands wrapped around her waist, familiarly. Sending a glare towards the innocent looking Miroku, she bit out, "Careful, Miroku. Be very careful."

Before, he could open his mouth, Kirara leapt into the air and they were off. Kagome remained silent, clutching onto the fire neko's fur. Although Kagome didn't mind travelling on Kirara, she always felt a little frightened being so high up in the air.

I always will remain a city girl, she mused, somewhat queasily.

Closing her eyes firmly, she ordered herself, 'Don't look down! Don't look down!'

She looked down.

Letting out a squeak, she pressed closer to Kirara, burying her face in the neko youkai's soft fur. Miroku was startled when he felt the girl's bottom pressing against one of his delicate areas. The lecherous grin which was starting to form, faded when he realized the way she was pressing herself against Kirara.

Hesitantly, he put his hand on her shoulder, "Kagome-sama?"

Kagome turned her face slightly, so that he could see only half of it. Gently, he asked, "Is something the matter?"

Kagome gave him a desperate look before motioning towards the earth. Curiously, Miroku looked down to see the flying landscape, and spotted nothing out of the ordinary. Fearing the girl's mental health, he murmured, "There is nothing there."

Kagome's eyes were watery as she squeaked, "Too high!"

Miroku frowned for a moment and then his eyes cleared as he realized the problem. Bhe bit his tongue, and wondered if he was insane for offering, but, "Kagome-sama, if you will, I could offer you a solution."

Kagome eyed him, not sure whether to be suspicious or grateful. However, she took one more peek down and closing her eyes, whimpered. That was all the answer Miroku required.

Prying her quivering fingers from Kirara's fur, who let out a grateful mew, he pulled her towards himself, and settled her in his arms. Kagome stiffened for a moment and before Miroku could wonder whether he'd be slapped or admonished, she relaxed and burrowed herself in his warmth.

Now it was Miroku's turn to be shocked. She didn't slap him. He grinned slowly. If she didn't mind this, she certainly wouldn't mind...His hand which had been slowly creeping in a southern direction stilled as he heard her soft and embarrassed whisper of 'Thank you.'

A little uncertain, he studied the profile of this wisp of a girl. Was she truly this frightened by heights that she allowed herself to cling to him. A frown marred his perfect features as he wondered since when this fear had been borne.

She has also stopped letting Inuyasha carry her. Something which irked the hanyou to no end and led to many arguments. Miroku leaned forward slightly, securing his cargo in his arms, "Kirara, would you mind travelling closer to the ground, please. Kagome-sama seems to have an affliction with heights."

The neko youkai purred and dipped slightly so that they were closer to the ground than before. Kagome peered at the ground and let out a sigh of relief. She looked up to see Miroku staring at her curiously and her face turned red, as she disengaged herself from him.

Awkwardly, she mumbled a 'sorry' and decided to stare ahead for what remained of the journey. However, Miroku was to have none of it. Pleasantly, he shook his staff to grab her attention and asked, "So, care to tell me since when you have been afraid of heights, Kagome-sama?"

Kagome laughed nervously, "Since forever?"

Miroku smiled amiably, "Now, now, Kagome-sama. You know better than to lie to me. You have stopped letting Inuyasha carry you. Did you honestly think I did not notice?"

Kagome grit her teeth muttering something about 'curiousity killing the cat', which amused Miroku, but did not deter him. Shifting uncomfortably, Kagome mumbled something. Raising a brow, Miroku spoke, "You will have to speak louder, I'm afraid."

Kagome sent him a vicious look and he just gave her an uruffled smile.

"It's a long story."

"It's a long journey," Miroku pointed out.

Kagome huffed, "Fine. But this stays between us." She eyed him and he nodded brimming with curiousity. Looking ahead, Kagome began, "Well, you know I don't have a father, right?"

He nodded, not showing any pity, as he knew she'd hate it.

Somberly, Kagome gazed at her Kirara's ears, and continued, "After the fight Kagura last month, when she tossed me off her flying feather, I started having dreams, where I's fall from this high place but before I could hit the ground, someone cushions me, or something." She looked cautiously at miroku who appeared to have a completely blank look on his face.

"I spoke to Mama." Her voice held strands of bitterness and pain, "Apparently, my dad didn't die from some illness like I had been told since I was young. Dad was an architect. He took me to work one day. I think I was two or three. We were on the ground floor, and he kept me by his side all day long. I don't when it happened. I still don't remember clearly. All I have are some flashbacks. I somehow got intot he elevater shaft and ended up on one of the higher up floors. Dad followed me and I-I slipped somehow."

A lone tear rolled down her cheek as she whimpered, "It was all my fault. He jumped after me and held me close to his body. They say he died instantly. And that I forgot, or sealed that memory somehwere deep inside. Mama doesn't blame me, but-but"

Miroku clasped her hand, "Hush."

When Kagome turned to look at him, tears glistening in her eyes. Miroku felt a strong urge to take her in his arms and hide her from the world. She seemed so young, so lost that for the first time he wondered why she was even here in this time, with them, when she seemed so very young.

"You were just a child. Would you blame a child for something like that?"

Kagome gave him a sad smile and looked ahead, without answering his question, "So anyways, that fight triggered my memory and I just can't tolerate heights. They frighten me. That's why I don't let Inuyasha carry me."

Miroku pondered over something, and then asked, albeit hesitantly, "You seemed awfully casual when you accused Inuyasha of going to see Kikyo. Have you truly cast aside your feelings for him, Kagome-sama?"

Kagome looked over her shoulder to give him a small smile, "I don't think you can ever fall out of love with someone. But, I also don't think that you sit around waiting for your heart to be broken over and over again. I love Inuyasha, yes. But I know he loves Kikyo, whatever he may say. I want to move on, Miroku, not stay in the shadows waiting for him to love me."

Miroku noticed the lack of honorific, but didn't comment. "You are ready to move on then? What about your promise to stay by Inuyasha's side?"

Kagome laughed softly now, "I'll stay by his side, Miroku," SH elooked over in the distance as she murmured, "But if I get the chance to fall in love, I will. I'll fall in love but I'll never abandon Inuyasha."

"And what if it is Inuyasha who falls in love with you?"

Kagome was silent for a moment, "I don't think that's going to happen Miroku, and even if it does, no matter how much I care about him, I will not reciprcate his feelings. If someone loves me, I want it to be for me and me alone, not becuase they feel lonely or they look at me and see someone else." She glanced at Miroku, "I'm a young girl, Miroku-sama. What do I really know of love? But I want to find out. Maybe not today or not tomorrow, but someday. I want to be able to live my life to the fullest. I could die anyday. Today, tomorrow, next week. I don't know. Wjhat am I but a frail human?"

Miroku was silent. He was seeing a whole new side to Kagome. She wasn't like other girls. She was idfferent. And he suspected that even in her time, she was utterly unique. O have the maturity to give someone up knowing that your heart would be broken but still determined to find someone to love, to cherish. For a moment, his heart thumped loudly, wondering how it would be to be the recipient of this girl's affections.

They travelled on in silence and as he helped her carry her bag to the well, he wished her well and watched as she jumped into the well, just to be enveloped by the shimmering blue light. He stood there for quite a few moments, lost in thought until Kirara bumped her head against his back, eager to return to her mistress.

Smiling affably, he climbed back on, and started on the return journey.

500 years in the future, Kagome eyed the closed door with distaste and dropping her bag by the door, made her way to the Goshinboku. Resting on the bench, she leaned against the tree, wondering why she develged all that information to Miroku.

Because, it was easy to talk to him.

She grinned, the weight on her heart seeming lighter and rocked her feet back and forth. When her foot came in contact with something hard, she bent down to look and was surprised to see the edge of something poking out of the ground.

"Curiousity kills the cat." She mumbled, but made her way into the shed to grab a shovel. She didn't know how she did it, but somehow, a medium sized box sat in front of her. She eyes it, wondering if it was locked. To her confusion, it was very simple latch. Giggling with excitement, she opened the box to see...papers.

Lots and lots of papers.

They seemed faded and really really old, so she was very careful when she took them out and placed them on the ground. They were letters. Lots of them. They were written in very old kanji, but it was the signature that she recognized.

Miroku.

A.N: I have been reading a lot of miroku and kagome stories and somehow fancy them. Read Sandra E's Chasing Medusah or something like that. You will become a fan of this pairing! I swear. I know I haven't updated my other stories but I just had to start this one. My papers end on 15th June. Weekly updates from then. Cross my heart and all that.