~ Author's Note: My goodness! So many followers and Favorites I'm flattered! And thank you for the reviews they're a real big help! The next chapter will be up much more quickly than this one since I already have it planned out and how things are going to go down in the next chapter. Disclaimers of course I don't own Inuyasha, and in addition since I may or may not get hate, I don't hate Kikyo, and I do have a good plan for her that I think some people might appreciate. I'm super excited with this and I hope you guys continue to enjoy and follow and of course leave me more reviews! ~

With dinner cooking over the fire and Kagome's blade properly repaired and taken care of with great help from Sango, the group calmly lounged in the living area, enjoying the peace and quiet as the sky darkened outside.

"Lady Kagome?" Miroku said suddenly, checking the rabbits and fish that were roasting. He waited for Kagome to look at him before continuing. "Have you sensed any jewel shards nearby?" Kagome blinked at him then shook her head. Usually if she did sense them she stated it immediately, but she was still grateful for Miroku keeping his eye on the prize when he wasn't focused on Sango's behind.

"Not so far no…. We slightly backtracked from where Inuyasha was headed, but at the same time I feel like this is where we need to be… Ya know?" Kagome's brows furrowed as she said it, thinking she sounded strange even to herself. Channeling her powers was one thing, following the pulse of instinct they gave her was something new. Entirely different than letting her outbursts take over, being in the slayer's village gave her a sense of purpose and direction.

To her surprise, three of her companions nodded, Kilala simply mewling in contentment. Her eyes widened, her mouth falling open as she looked at the understanding Gazes of her comrades. Shippo was the first one to speak.

"You wouldn't lead us wrong Kagome." He stated matter-of-factly, grabbing a fish and biting into it with vigor. "It's better following your instincts rather than chasing Inuyasha around not knowing where we're going." Shippo continued with a mouthful. She continued to stare at the young kit, pleasantly surprised with his statement. Then again, being a Youkai, following your instincts to them must seem much more logical.

"Though, with Inuyasha we usually just chased rumors after Naraku or exceptionally strong demons." Miroku offered, obviously playing devil's advocate. Sango however apparently wouldn't hear of it.

"You mean he terrorizes towns and villages and you one up it with some fake exorcism and when Kagome feels something we head for it." Her eyes narrowed at the Monk next to her who just chuckled nervously.

"Ah my dear Sango that's only so we may eat and sleep comfortably! I do enjoy a good night's rest." Kagome grabbed one of the rabbits that appeared done, closing her eyes as she bit into the meat, not surprised when a second later she heard Sango's scream and the signature slap. Waiting for the excitement to die down, Kagome spoke again. "Thanks you guys…. for trusting me." She gave them a warm smile, comforted by their confidence. "I think we should stay here for a day or two, rest up, make sure we have the right weapons and make our way west to find some place to get some more transportable food."

"You…. you're not going home anytime soon Kagome?" Sango asked hesitantly, her thin brows slightly furrowed in confusion. Kagome smiled in her direction and shook her head. "I already took my final exam and passed. All that's left is my college entrance exams but I decided to wait to take those until we're done." Sango's mouth opened in a small 'o' and she nodded, secretly glad that she would have more time to spend with her best friend.

"Speaking of learning…" Kagome's eyes widened, and she looked to Shippo, who had another mouthful of fish. "Shippo, would you like to start training with other things? Maybe daggers or your own bow and arrows?" The little kitsune's eyes widened into gigantic green saucers.

"REALLY?!" He cried, hopping up onto his feet with fish still sticking out of his mouth. "You'd let me train with you guys?!" Kagome grinned and nodded, Sango and Miroku smiled as well. The miko had confided with Sango about her desire to help Shippo however they could since they couldn't teach him fox tricks. The slayer had agreed and told Miroku as well, who also thought it was a good idea to help the youngest of the group become a stronger fighter. Especially when they had an enemy like Naraku.

"Horray! Thank you! I can't wait!" Shippo cried in delight, throwing himself at Kagome and hugging her tightly, she laughed and patted his back happily. "No problem Shippo, you've been getting braver, and older. It's about time we started treating you like it." Sango smiled warmly at the two of them. "She's right you know."

"Hey what the hell you guys?!" Inuyasha's voice rang clear through the night in the slayer's village, just moments before he came charging through the door, his dark brows furrowed and a scowl on his face.

"Nice of you to join us Inuyasha." Miroku said, leaning against the wall in a relaxed position, his cheek glowing from another recent slap a-la Sango. Inuyasha shot his glare at Miroku and scoffed. "Whatever Monk! What the hell's the big idea leaving me behind and back tracking all the way over here?" Inuyasha was gritting his teeth, baring his fangs for the whole pack to see. Causing Kagome rolled her eyes.

"What do you care, you leave us behind all the time Inuyasha." Kagome barely glanced at him before returning to one of the blades Sango had found for shippo, they we're small but sharp and perfect size for him. After a bit of cleaning they would be shining like new, which was what held her attention now, while Sango had shown Shippo how to sharpen them, Kagome took care of polishing the first one afterwards.

"Feh! It's my my fault you… Can't… Keep…Up." Inuyasha's eyes widened when he not just looked at kagome, but really noticed her and her new apparel. Kagome paused in her work to look up at him again, a slimmer of curiosity in her eyes. Inuyasha swallowed, an unreadable expression on his face. Kagome wanted to laugh, feeling a surge of pride and resentment at the same time.

"Where do you think you're going?" Inuyasha's deep voice made Kagome jump in the doorway, her oceanic blue eyes widening in surprise, scanning the darkness for a moment before spotting his silver hair in one of the dark corners. She let out a soft sigh, her shoulders dropping before she stood a bit straighter. "I'm going to go meditate, I can't sleep." She responded simply, staring down his golden orbs.

"Feh, like that does any good, just lay down and close your eyes." Inuyasha closed his own, his sign of the conversation being over. Kagome bristled at his dismissal, her nose twitching and face turning red. If it weren't for the fact that Sango and the others were asleep, she would have raised her voice. Instead she forced herself to keep her voice low, but that did not stop the acid from dropping from every word. "Your lack of attention is astounding as per usual. I said I couldn't sleep, not that I didn't try you idiot. Meditating helps me practice and control my powers, and helps me relax, so buzz off alright!" Kagome bared her teeth at him, causing Inuyasha to blink and lean back a bit, shocked at her outburst.

"And what just crawled up your ass huh wench?! You've got me to protect your sorry butt so you don't need to train."

"Nothing is up my ass but I'd assume your cock is still in Kikyo's!"

She was sure that if a feather dropped, they would both be able to hear it. His eyes wide and utterly stunned, from what she could tell, Inuyasha wasn't breathing. Her skin felt like fire, her heart beating stronger than she had ever felt it. Something ignited, and she was going to keep it burning. "How can you protect me when you're always running off to Kikyo huh? Or are you too stupid to even spend more than two seconds on how flawed that logic is? I'm done relying on you Inuyasha, and I'm not waiting for you anymore so when I go train you can either help me or get the hell out of my way, you've already wasted four years of my education and relationship with my family, I won't have it wasted for nothing."

Without giving him a chance to reply or even take a breath, Kagome adjusted her bow and arrows on her shoulder and stormed out. Breathing in the night air to Hopefully calm herself, Kagome tried to think of a spot she had seen in the village that would be clean and comfortable enough to mediate. "I don't think I can sit right now…" She mumbled to herself, and decided to take a walk to clear her head first. It was generally useless to try and meditate when she was this fired up anyways.

The depressing sight of the half destroyed village in the moonlight was more than enough encouragement for Kagome to slip out through the gate and into the darkness of the woods beyond. The smell of dew on the grass and leaves and the gentle breeze was already calming her, but even so Kagome did not release her grip on her bow as she walked.

After several minutes, a soft glow caught her eye. A light baby blue bundle of orchids was nestled in the base of a tree, illuminated seemingly by the moon. Kagome's eyes brightened and a small smile graced her lips as she moved towards the flowers, kneeling before them to let their lovely scent fill her senses. They reminded her of the flowers her mother planted around the house just before spring, beautiful blossoms that and lilies and orchids that made the morning air sweet when she was leaving for school.

Smiling to herself, Kagome set down her bow and grabbed an arrow, using the head to cut off the flowers at the base and gently cradling them. 'I know where these should go…' She swept up her bow and draped it over her shoulder.

The only sound in the cave was the gentle scuff of her boots against the rock and stone floor, using her memory to get her to the back of the gravesite. Once she started to see a dim light, she moved a bit faster, eager to be out of the pitch blackness.

"Midoriko." Kagome sighed, the crystallized corpses coming into view. Such a sight used to give her the creeps. Once upon a time she was just a fifteen year old girl who had never seen a dead body or a demon. Now, such a sight was normal almost daily thing. But this tomb, these bodies, they were different to her. Something to be revered. History was made here, her whole life and future had been changed because of what happened here.

Gently she laid the flowers at the base of the crystallization, pulling a strand back behind her ear and away from her face, she smiled at the beautiful petals. "Right then." Kagome straightened her back and rocked back onto her heels before settling into a comfortable kneel. She clapped her hands together in a quick prayer, before resting her hands on her lap, taking a deep breath in to settle herself before preparing herself to meditate.

"Kagome…"