Hey all! Here is the next chapter for you. Not much to add besides that I hope you like it!

Chapter 2: Bad News

Wincing at the breath-taking pain radiating from his battered body, Miroku haltingly opened his eyes. Staring foggily up at the ceiling above him he focused on drawing in first one breath, and then another, each movement he made increasing the pain in his chest to almost unbearable levels. Even blinking seemed to stir up some new agony. Biting off the groan that was rising up the back of his throat he turned his head to the side to survey his immediate surroundings.

He was lying on the plain, unpolished wooden floor of a one room hut that he recognized as being one of the houses in Kaede's village. In one corner of the room was a large stack of rice barrels and rolled up grass mats, which seemed to indicate that this was a place of storage rather than to live in. For a few moments his mind struggled to place exactly where he was, but then finally he recalled the events of the last few days. We fought Naraku. But I do not remember the end very clearly, the bastard thrashed me pretty good, but I remember Inuyasha getting in some good hits.

Frowning slightly at the blurry memories floating inside his head, Miroku felt his heart give a hopeful lurch in his chest. Wait…I remember Naraku vanishing at the end… evaporating really. But… but it cannot be true. It is too much to hope for. Taking a slow, careful breath Miroku rolled his head around to the other side, ignoring the pain that shot up from his torso with the movement. After allowing his eyes to travel over the undecorated wall he spotted Sango's sleeping figure lying a foot away from him on her own pallet, her still body buried under a mountain of blankets.

Instantly a spike of worry shot through him as he hurriedly took stock of her appearance. Though a clean white bandage was wrapped about her brow, and the fringes of dark bruising could be seen above the neckline of her kimono, Miroku saw a healthy blush pinking her cheeks. The worry that had flared settled when he realized that, yet again, they had both escaped any serious harm. With his mind turning back to simply dealing with the pain of his injuries he was content to watch Sango's sleeping face, making no further attempt to move.

She was unlike any woman he had ever met before. Blushing maiden one minute she could in the next be transformed into a fearsome warrior. The dichotomy was fascinating. Even injured as she was now, Sango still had the odd mixture of strength and beauty that had first drawn his attention to her; that had eventually made him fall in love with her. Miroku would have married her long ago if certain things had happened differently in his life, if he hadn't inherited the wind tunnel when his father died.

Without making the conscious decision to do so Miroku's mind once again drifted back to the battle with Naraku. And again the hope grew within him, becoming so strong that it momentarily blocked out the pain. If Naraku is dead… things can be different from now on. The curse should be over. If he is dead.

Flexing his right hand cautiously his lips tilted up into a hesitate smile. He would have to wait until he was better to remove the seal beads and find out for certain, but for now he could hope. Focusing back in on Sango's face, Miroku slowly drew his left hand out from under the blankets. Sliding his palm across the floorboards, he let it come to rest over where Sango's hand lay upon her pallet. Lacing his fingers with hers Miroku felt himself begin to drift back towards sleep. If he is dead…

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Sometime later, a few days after Kagome had suddenly appeared and then disappeared again; Miroku was able to leave his sick bed for short amounts of time. When he was strong enough he had made the trek to the bone eater's well and had tried unsuccessfully to drag Inuyasha away from it. Kagome had not come back and Inuyasha, for the first time ever, had not been able to follow her, and so the half demon had set up a constant vigilance over the well, waiting for her to come back. As of yet she had not and Inuyasha was almost going completely crazy because of it, oscillating between rage and silent depression with alarming frequency.

In the three years that he had known Inuyasha, Miroku had never seen the sort of barely controlled panic that now tightened the half demon's features. When he had come upon the well, Miroku had been shocked to see how utterly still and silent his friend was. Usually in constant motion, as if propelled by some unseen, almost urgent energy, Inuyasha was not the sort to sit in one spot for very long. So to see Inuyasha crouched over the well, every muscle taut and waiting, staring unblinkingly into the darkness beneath him, felt distinctly unnatural. And the look in Inuyasha's eyes, the barely restrained desolation, had nearly caused Miroku's heart to break within his chest.

In the end Miroku hadn't been able to say anything to bring the fire back to the half demon's gaze, and he had been forced by the weakness of his own body to return to the village without his friend. Since that first day he had taken turns with Kaede and Sango to try and get Inuyasha to leave the well, constantly reassuring the half demon that Kagome would surely come back soon. Secretely though, he doubted the truth of his own words. Would Kagome come back? Would she be able to? Since Inuyasha was now unable to travel to the future did that mean Kagome couldn't travel back either? These questions, along with the ones about Naraku's death, were nearly enough to drive Miroku mad.

Sitting up now, careful of his cracked ribs, Miroku quietly folded back his blankets and rose. Well at least I can answer one of those questions now that I am alone. Limping over to where his clothing was folded, he painfully pulled his usual dark monk's robes over his undergarments. Properly dressed now, even if he still felt like he would keel over and die at any moment, he headed outside.

A light sheen of sweat broke out over his forehead as he determinedly made a bee line for the woods. Weaving in and out of the thick underbrush he walked until he could no longer hear the lively sounds of the village behind him. Coming to a stop in a small clearing Miroku anxiously raised his right hand. Allowing his eyes to travel over the familiar sight of the seal beads wrapped around his wrist he couldn't seem to fully suppress the surge of panic that exploded within him. It is gone… it has to be gone!!

Clenching his jaw he reached out and tore the beads away. A split second of silence followed his movement, allowing the panic to recede, and then the unthinkable happened. The terrible wind that lived within the cursed hole in his hand roared to life, sucking leaves and branches off of nearby trees. Utterly shocked by this, having fully expected the curse to be gone, Miroku stood frozen. His mouth fell open in dismayed disbelief as he watched the nearest trees being torn up by the roots. The curse was not gone, if anything it was as strong as before, maybe even stronger.

When one of the trees the wind tunnel had been slowly wrenching out of the ground finally gave up the fight and was sucked into the roaring vortex, Miroku was finally able to force himself into action. Quickly wrapping the beads back around his hand Miroku cut the wind off in mid stream. Shaking from head to toe he slowly sank to his knees, his dark eyes fixated in horror upon his hand. One thought was able to push its way through the gut wrenching hopelessness that now blanketed his mind. This is a mistake. It should be gone. It should be gone!! It should be gone!!

Unable to process anything beyond that one thought he sat motionless in the clearing. Miroku could see his whole life slipping away from him, draining down into the bottomless void sleeping within his hand, and there wasn't anything he could to do stop it. Killing Naraku didn't work. It was all for nothing!! All his hopes and desires froze within him until his blood ran cold from the blackness of his disappointment, and without noticing the movement, his hands slowly clawed into fists until his nails stamped dark half moon grooves into his palms. It was all for nothing!!

Time slipped by unnoticed. After more than an hour of shocked silence Miroku was finally able to stir his mind back into motion. Though what he had just found out was the worst sort of news, he forced himself not to wallow in it, to think beyond the despair wrapping painfully around his heart. This isn't the end. All it means is that Naraku must still be alive. When I heal some more I will just have to convince Inuyasha to come with me and find him again. This isn't the end… we just have to kill Naraku. I still have time. I still have time…

Clinging to this rational desperately Miroku slowly relaxed his taut muscles. With a calming breath he got unsteadily to his feet and turned in the direction of the Bone Eater's well. I still have more time!

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Sometime later:

Opening her eyes groggily Kagome stared at the smooth earthen wall less than a foot in front of her face. The heady smell of warm earth washed over her as she took a deep breath. Blinking in confusion, her vision clearing with every second, Kagome pressed her hands against the dusty ground under her and sat up. Looking around at her surroundings she suddenly realized that she was sitting at the bottom of the Bone Eater's well. Remembering her latest near death experience with a grimace she quickly checked her body for any grievous injuries. When she found nothing wrong a wash of dizzying relief made her shoulders sag. Thank god!! I am alright. Feeling just a little bit giddy over her near miss Kagome let out a nervous laugh. But where am I now?

Raising a hand to shade her eyes she tilted her head back and gazed up the well shaft. High above her head puffy white clouds chased each other over the square of blue sky she could see. Obviously she had not ended up in her own time for if she had she would have seen the rafters of the shrine. I suppose that means I am still in the past, though it looks like I have been sleeping here all night. The sun is too high now for it to be the same day. Running her teeth thoughtfully over her bottom lip Kagome momentarily wondered what had happened. I didn't imagine it. It happened twice after all. Something must have happened to the well.

Completely confused but seeing no point in sitting in the dirt any longer Kagome shakily got to her feet. Taking her time she moved to the vines and, after a moment to catch her breath, began to climb upwards. Hoisting herself over the top of the well Kagome set her feet down onto the grass and took a hesitant look around. A few yards away the green trees swayed gently in the warm breeze and the sound of squirrels chattering filled the quite of the clearing with noise. Nothing appeared to be unusual and yet she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Frowning slightly Kagome took a second look around.

And then it hit her. The trees were green instead of the colors of fall. The air around her was warm, bordering on hot, instead of stinging with cold. Gasping involuntarily Kagome turned upon the well's edge and hastily scanned the areas behind her and to the sides. Everywhere she looked it was the same, green foliage and frolicking animals. Oh my god… it looks like it is summer!! What the hell is happening?!!

Jumping to her feet Kagome ignored the lingering ach in her muscles and set off towards the village. I have to find out what is going on. I am sure Kaede will be able to help… that is… if she is there. Stopping in mid-step Kagome's face froze into an expression of horror when a terrible thought flashed into her mind. What if I am not in the right time anymore? What if I went to far back… before Inuyasha's time... Or what if it is later… what if everyone has… if they have died? Closing her eyes against the fear that bubbled up within her Kagome forced herself to push the doubts aside. Gritting her teeth she moved forward, practically jogging the rest of the way to the village.

Brushing aside the last bit of greenery Kagome stepped out onto the narrow dirt road leading into the small group of houses that made up Kaede's village. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked around at the familiar thatched roofs and earthen walls with over-wide brown eyes. Nothing looks different at least… she thought hesitantly. A group of young children ran by at that moment, their light summer yakatas flapping about their knees. Spotting Kagome one of the children stopped and smiled at her.

"Lady Kagome! You came back! I am so glad!!" a little boy shouted happily. And to Kagome's utter relief she realized that she recognized the boy as the youngest son of one of the village's farmers.

Smiling in response to the child's greeting Kagome stepped out further onto the road. Now that she knew she was in the correct time many of her worries fled, leaving her feeling almost light enough to float off of the ground. "Is Kaede at home right now?"

"Yep. She sure is."

"And what about Inuyasha," Kagome asked as she started towards Kaede's hut. "Is he there? And are Miroku and Sango still there too? I bet they have both healed…" Pausing then she glanced at the summer scenery. "By now I suppose…"

"Actually they are all gone," the child piped up, his dark top knot bobbing as he shook his head.

"What?! Gone? Where did they go?!"

Raising a finger uncertainly to his lips the little boy thought for a moment. "I am not very sure. But I think the doggie boy, the hunter lady, and the little fox boy went to go visit the monk. He got sick you know… a couple months ago… the monk I mean. And so he left because he didn't want anyone else around if he got sicker."

Feeling all the color draining out of her face Kagome stared at the little boy in disbelief. "Miroku is sick? Sick how?"

Knowing this answer the child smiled slightly then thought better of the expression and fixed his face into a sad frown. "Because of his hand. Once he healed enough to check it they said that it had not gotten better like they thought it would. So he left."

"I have to talk to Kaede right away," Kagome murmured to herself. Forgetting to say goodbye she ran off at a sprint and burst into the old priestess's house.

Looking up from the small fire she was tending in the middle of the room Kaede frowned at the intrusion. "What is the meaning of…" Catching sight of Kagome the older woman dropped the piece of firewood in her hand and got awkwardly to her feet. "Kagome! It is you! You have come back, my girl!" Shuffling across the floor as fast as her old bones would allow Kaede caught Kagome up in a hug, displaying an uncharacteristic display of affection as she pulled back and grinned. "It is good to see you again."

"I am glad to see you too…" Kagome said hurriedly, wanting to get passed the niceties to a more important conversation. "Kaede… just exactly how long have I been gone?"

Blinking up at Kagome with her one bright eye Kaede slowly dropped her hands to her sides. "Don't you know, child? You have been gone for six months."

"Six months?" Kagome sputtered weakly. "That… that is impossible!!"

Seeing the shock bleaching Kagome's face an alarming shade of white Kaede quickly took the girl's arm and led her into the house. "Come and sit child before you pass out. I think we need to talk."

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Sitting with her feet tucked under her, Kagome sipped at a cool glass of water that Kaede had poured for her. A little less shaky now that she was seated and had had a few moments to collect her thoughts, Kagome looked over at where Kaede sat near the fire. "I think I am ready to hear what has happened," Kagome said as she sat her clay cup on the floor next to her.

Nodding slowly Kaede settled into a more comfortable position. "The last time you were here was the day you came back unexpectedly in the fall," she began, her voice dipping into a low storytelling tone. "If I remember correctly Inuyasha said something stupid, as usual, and you left. I thought it odd that you were confused as to how long you had been gone. You said that you had been gone for days but to us you had only left a few hours earlier. I mentioned this oddity to Inuyasha because I wondered if something was wrong with the well. Inuyasha went after you then…"

"Yes, he caught me just before I jumped in. I didn't know he was trying to warn me," Kagome murmured, a leaden feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. "I shouldn't have gotten so mad at him. It was stupid… because I was stressed out about school." Looking down at where her hands were folded in her lap Kagome felt regret for her hasty actions. It already happened. Now is the time to deal with the present. She silently told herself, though she couldn't shake off the feelings.

"Please… go on," she murmured after a moment.

Clearing her throat Kaede sat forward and prodded the fire. "The night passed and Inuyasha did not return. I went to find him in the morning. He was sitting on the well, looking down into it with a terrible expression on his face. At first he didn't even hear me coming, which is why I knew something was wrong. He normally hears so well. When I asked him what had happened and if you had left he nodded and said you had. He then said he went after you but that the well would not let him through."

"It wouldn't let him through?!" Kagome interjected, unable to hold back her shock.

"No it would not," Kaede replied, before continuing on with her story. "The days passed and there was no sign of you returning. Inuyasha went to sit by the well every day. He didn't even care that we knew that was where he was going. When Miroku and Sango healed from the battle with Naraku they would also go and wait as well. But still there was no sign. That is when we started noticing that Miroku was acting… strangely. He was worried for you, to be sure, but he also began spending a great deal of time to himself. Something was bothering him but he wouldn't say what. Eventually we were able to pry Inuyasha away from the well for short periods of time. And then he took a few days at a time to go and look for any signs of Naraku… because he wanted to make sure the fiend was actually dead. Miroku and Sango helped him for awhile, but they never found even a whisper of Naraku's scent. They had to conclude that he was dead this time."

Sighing heavily as if the story she was telling pained her somehow Kaede raised a hand up to massage her temple. "That was when Miroku began to get worse. He pulled away from everyone here. He stopped talking… stopped joking around as he usually does. And then one day I found Sango crying by herself in the woods. Miroku had come to her and told her he would be leaving the village. He said that the curse on his hand had not disappeared with Naraku as he always assumed it would. He had been deceived. The curse remained. And so he left because he couldn't stand the thought of the people he loved most having to watch him die. Sango hasn't been the same since."

Shaking her head in dismay Kagome sat forward earnestly. "No, that cannot be true. That is not how it was supposed to end!"

"I am afraid that it is all true, child."

Raising both hands up to cover her mouth Kagome shook her head. "Sango must have been crushed!! And Miroku… to have waited so long only to find out that it didn't fix anything." Thinking about all the heartache her friends must have endured while she had been gone caused a wash of tears to gather within her eyes. Blinking rapidly Kagome looked up at the ceiling to keep from crying. I should have been here!

"I do not understand. This has never happened before. The well has always worked! This has never happened before!" Kagome nearly shouted out of frustration.

"You have never disappeared for six months either," Kaede murmured. Then pausing for a few seconds she took a deep breath. "Kagome… where were you? Why didn't you come back? You were needed here…" the old priestess questioned quietly.

Looking back at Kaede, her eyes large with surprise, Kagome clenched her hands into fists. "I do not know what happened. To me it felt like I left yesterday. I did not mean to be gone so long! I would never have left everyone," she said, her voice rising with each sentence.

Not usually the kind of girl to let things upset her Kagome fought the onslaught of rioting emotions blackening every cell in her body. But despite her best efforts to remain calm she felt the confusion and the guilt pressing ever closer to her heart, making it hard to breathe around the pain in her chest. Everything had just happened too fast. In little more than a few minutes she had found out that her best friend was losing the man she wanted to marry and that Miroku was going to die.

And then of course there was the huge emotional black hole that opened up within her when she thought about Inuyasha. He sat there everyday? That doesn't sound like him at all. The jerk usually is spending his time insulting me… but the way Kaede described it. It almost sounded like… like he missed me. Sucking in a great gulp of air when her heart gave a lurch Kagome raised a hand to her face. What are you thinking? Stop thinking about Inuyasha for Pete's sake! I have to figure out a way to help Sango and Miroku!!

Clucking softly in the back of her throat Kaede interrupted Kagome's line of thought. "It isn't your fault then. No use in thinking about what could have been, child."

Shaking off the last fibers of depressed guilt, Kagome straightened her spine and fixed Kaede with a determined expression. "You are right!"

Pleased that her advice had been taken so well for once, Kaede smiled and folded her hands in her lap. "Well, I am glad you agree. It isn't right that…"

Jumping in as if Kaede hadn't been about to speak Kagome clamored to her feet, her fists raised in a dogged battle stance. "I have to think up a way to fix all of this!"

Her smile falling into an open mouthed gawk, Kaede shook her head quickly. "No… no that isn't what I meant. I meant only that you shouldn't blame yourself and…"

Hurrying over to where Kaede kept her food stacked neatly in the corner, Kagome grabbed up an empty sack and began filling it with supplies. "I heard earlier that Inuyasha, Sango and Shippo went to visit Miroku," she stated with a clipped business-like tone. "Well I will just go and meet up with them. How many days do you think it will take to get there?" Pausing in her packing Kagome pursed her lips in thought. "Oh… and where exactly did Miroku go?"

Seeing that there was no point in arguing with the younger girl Kaede slowly got to her feet. "He went to the monastery where his sensei still lives. It will take you a day… maybe two to get there. Let me help you pack. Oh and…" Looking over Kagome's thick sweater and jeans with a critical eye, Kaede pulled an extra set of priestess's red and white garb from a small chest. "You will burn up in those heavy clothes. Change into these before you go."

Smiling gratefully over Kaede's understanding Kagome took the clothing. "Thank you."

"Just promise me you will be careful on the road. You have never traveled alone before."

"I promise," Kagome said hurriedly as she continued to pack.