Okay, so here is another addition to my chapters of my crazy story. Just a warning this chapter might be a little angsty...

The song that inspired me to write this chapter was:

"Be Human" By Scott Matthew

Chapter 4: Liberation and a Nostalgic Past

Another week had passed since Kikyo started to stay at Capsule Corp and she came to know Bulma for her nature to be persistent while being persuasive. As the days had passed, Bulma had taken quite a liking to Kikyo for her wholesome personality and selflessness as a person. When Kikyo helped remaining surviving refugees throughout the city, she would often volunteer to assist doctors with patients who had severe injuries. And at the same time, Gohan and Trunks helped out as well by providing clean water and food for refugees of other towns and cities; provided they were not training.

In the midst of all that was happening, Gohan felt that during all his years of suffering, he was in a coma for at least a decade's time. And he was just now waking up to remember what it was like to be human again. Instead of living only to be able to fight and kill, such as his past was. Truly, in the longest time, Gohan had never felt what it was like to be more free than what he has been for the past number of days. Since he came to know the one woman who made this life-long fantasy of his a reality.

Gohan was sitting on a chair in Bulma's living room, with his elbow on the arm of the couch and his head resting in his palm. He watched with a pleased gaze on his face, while he admired Kikyo as she and Bulma were talking. This however, did not go unnoticed by her.

"Gohan..."

"Gohan? Gohan?" Someone was calling him...

Gohan snapped out of his daydream when he noticed a hand being waved in front of his face. He then looked up to see Trunks.

"Yeah Trunks, is something wrong?"

There Trunks stood beside him, who bore an impatient look on his face because of how his mentor seemed infatuated with Kikyo. He vaguely wondered if she was into witchcraft.

"Can we go and train now?" Trunks asked impatiently.

"Sure! Why not? Let's go get some training time in!" Gohan suggestively replied.

Before they could leave the living room, the radio they were listening to suddenly beeped with an urgent message.

"We have an urgent message, the androids are now attacking Gingertown near West City! Those who are in the city evacuate while you can! Some citizens of the city are fleeing on foot! Will anything in this world stop their horrid reign of carnage?" The reporter on the radio station exclaimed in an utmost dire voice.

Gohan hastily got up off his chair. "Let's get going Trunks!" Gohan exclaimed.

Trunks nodded, "Gotcha!"

Bulma immediately ran over to grab Trunks' hand. "Trunks! You are not going anywhere! I will not allow it!" She scolded.

Kikyo walked at a quick pace to her room, coming back with her bow and arrows in hand. Gohan looked at Kikyo wondering what she was thinking, "Kikyo? What are you doing?"

She looked at him stern-faced, "Most likely the reason this disturbance is being caused, is because that android is stooping to such depths just to lure you and me out... I am positive that he still damaged from our last encounter. If that android wants me, I shall go find him..."

Gohan set his eyes on her like as if she was crazy, "But you can't go out there! You'll get hurt!" Gohan feared.

Kikyo turned her back to him before saying, "I am not going to debate with you on whether I should go or not. I have made my decision. And Trunks you are to stay here, only Gohan can come with me," she stated with an authoritative tone.

Trunks shook his head wildly, "No way! You both can't go fight that android alone!" He objected, disagreeing with her.

Kikyo whipped her head back in fury, "TRUNKS! You are to stay here! Do you understand?" She demanded.

Trunks didn't know what to say, he had never seen this side of Kikyo before since he had known her. He had always known her to be pleasant natured. He never seen her become so serious.

Bulma put her hands on her son's shoulders, "She's right Trunks, you will only get hurt. And I don't want that," she spoke softly, hoping to calm Trunks.

Kikyo kind of regretted yelling at him, she placed her hand on his shoulder, smiling softly, "Trunks, I know you wish to help and I know you have been training hard... But if you die, you have nothing. For now try to avoid fighting and build a future for yourself. We will be back soon, so stay with your mother," she advised.

Trunks sighed with his head lowered, like as if he was being placed out of the loop, "Fine..."

Kikyo could tell from the sound of voice he was using, she assumed he was lying to her face. Could it be their drive to fight? In any case, she did have something planned so he could not leave if that was his motive. Then she abruptly turned to the older half Saiyan, "Gohan, it is time to leave," she declared as she proceeded to amble to the front entrance.

"Right, we'll be back soon Trunks, that's a promise!" Gohan said as he ran to follow her outside. He knew Kikyo was making the right choice for the best of all their interests. However, now he wanted to end this android crisis once and for all. For that, he was going to help Kikyo in return. Personally he felt he still owed her.

Once Kikyo and Gohan made it to the outside, Kikyo stopped in the front yard and began holding her two fingers up.

"Kikyo? Aren't we going?" Gohan asked eager to stop the android.

Gohan was startled when he saw a huge energy dome erect itself over Capsule Corporation and noticed Kikyo stopped chanting.

She opened her eyes before saying, "The barrier should keep them safe for some time, also Trunks will not be able to leave. It might be underhanded of me, but this should prevent him from getting involved, should he try to leave," she predicted knowing all too well that Trunks would not be able to pull a fast one and try to join the fight.

She looked up to him, "Now let us go."

Gohan nodded, picked her up off the ground and took off into the sky, towards Gingertown...

Deep in the heart of the destroyed town, buildings were in shambles as a vile black-haired android was mercilessly ending one life after another. Those who were in his path were trying to flee, only to be wiped from existence before they could move any further.

"That foolish human! If I come across her again, I will repay everything she did to me with death! I will have revenge for my humiliation and that of Eighteen's! There is no turning back from this!" Seventeen thought callously.

Seventeen fired a blast to send another 'innocent' man into hell however, before the blast could reach its target, his blast was intercepted by a pink radiant light, allowing that innocent man to escape unscathed and to live. Seventeen turned his head to the interference. There Gohan and Kikyo stood side by side, Gohan in his Super Saiyan form, in his fighting stance prepared, while Kikyo, with her bow at the ready. Seventeen maneuvered his footing towards the 'Pitiful Humans' and proceeded to stalk towards them, glowering at them menacingly.

Gohan shifted his eyes to Kikyo for a second, "Kikyo, I have a plan to end this quickly," he said in a hushed voice. Kikyo glanced at him for a split second, inquiring him to speak, "I'll try to get Seventeen at the right moment by grabbing him by his arms so he is wide open. The rest will be up to you. So back me up."

Kikyo nodded as she kept her bow and arrow drawn towards the synthetic being.

"THIS TIME, I'LL KILL YOU!" Seventeen screamed as he began to do a rush attack towards Kikyo. Gohan went in front to charge and land the first hit. And the two started landing a barrage of kicks and punches.

"I WILL TAKE MY REVENGE AGAINSTS THAT HUMAN! MY HAND WILL BE PLAYING WITH HER INSIDES!" Seventeen yelled enraged as he continued to try to attack back.

"Keep dreaming, cause that's never going to happen!" Gohan spat back, gaining the upper hand against the vile synthetic being.

Seventeen was somewhat at a disadvantage due to the loss of his arm in his earlier fight, so he could not block most of Gohan's attacks and was shortly after overwhelmed. Gohan managed to kick Seventeen in the jaw, he then used his speed to reappear behind his opponent and managed to successfully hold Seventeen by the arms. Seventeen's back against his chest in an arm lock.

Seventeen's eyes widened, his worst fears realized when he took notice to the human he had come to despise so much, had an arrow pointed towards him. "NO! LET ME GO! RELEASE ME AT ONCE!" He yelled in a demanding voice, as he tried to struggle loose from Gohan's powerful arm-lock.

"Kikyo! Do it now! I... I have him!" Gohan yelled in exclamation, struggling to hold Seventeen in place.

"Right!" Aiming for Seventeen's wide open chest, she released her arrow with all its force.

The arrow penetrated her target just as Gohan released his hold on Seventeen. He made it to the ground just in time to see the androids' tragic demise when he looked up to see the energy of the arrow almost nearly engulf the sky.

"Awe! Incredible!" His face contorted to that of awe, as he beheld the site he took in.

"What?" Seventeen screamed, thereupon the arrow of pure light pierced a hole through his body, "Why? Why couldn't I have at least killed that pathetic human?" The android thought in his final moments, as he met his end.

He let out a deathlike scream as his body was vaporized by the light from the arrow that illuminated the sky. In the end, no remnants of his being remained when the light dissipated...

Gohan had been gawking at Kikyo for some time. Hence, he began to scrutinize how Kikyo could be so formidable. She had the appearance of a mere woman, who could barely throw a punch, according from his own impression of her. Yet, still to him, she just appeared fragile despite all of the things he had seen her capable of doing.

After some time, she placed her bow to her side. She soon after discovered how different he appeared to her eyes, "This is the first time I have ever seen you up close while in this form you spoke of?" She asked astonished, "You called it Super Saiyan, is that right?"

"Um... Yeah this is it," he stated as his hair later faded from light blond to black, and his eyes from turquoise to black once again. He grinned while he kept his gaze on her, "I have to say you're an amazing person Kikyo, you changed the world with what you did," he said brightly.

She was delighted at the compliment and shook her head, "No, it was a group effort."

She then acknowledged the few scrapes on his face. "Are you injured Gohan?" She asked concerned.

Gohan rubbed the back of his head, grinning, "Nah, I'll be alright. Just a few scrapes."

She was also amused at his carefree nature. Even though they lived in such a dire world, he seemed to have such a positive glow. "Let's go back to Bulma's now, okay Gohan? There I shall tend to any wounds you may have," she decided.

"Yeah, we'd better get back, I'm sure they are both counting on us to come back in one piece," he assumed.

Kikyo was about to walk back to the direction of Capsule Corporation. However, before she could, Gohan gently took hold of her hand and she gazed curiously at him, "Uh... Kikyo. before we leave, there is something I have to tell you..."

"Yes, is something wrong?" She asked unsure from his tone of voice.

Feeling an overflow of joy, Gohan came closer to her with a passionate smile on his face and wrapped his arms around her in a warm, friendly embrace, "I just want to say thank you for being by my side. I am glad you were by my side," he softly spoke to her honestly.

Kikyo stayed in his unexpected embrace, his joy was infectious to her. "I'm glad as well," she began as she smiled, "Because we were both able to make a difference in this world. Now, I might be able to live the life of an ordinary woman," she admitted with hope.

A few minutes later he gracefully picked her up into his arms and flew back to Capsule Corporation.

When they made it back to Bulma's, Gohan put Kikyo down onto solid ground again and watched when she took down the barrier she erected over the dome-shaped building.

They walked inside and Gohan nearly got toppled over by Trunks, when Trunks jumped on him. "Gohan you're back! And Kikyo too!" Trunks exclaimed.

Gohan grinned with enthusiasm. "Yes we are little bro!" he declared as he hugged Trunks back.

Kikyo looked on, delighted at the scene. "Those two have such a close-knit bond, that it seems to be almost unbreakable. They are just like as if they are brothers of the same blood," she thought while watching Gohan and Trunks being reunited again.

Bulma came walking to where Trunks ran to and took note that they had returned. "You're back... So how did it go? Is everything all right now?" Bulma inquired.

Kikyo smiled wholeheartedly, closed her eyes and responded honestly, "Yes, there shall be no more wrong doing from those accursed androids ever again."

Said scientist face beamed brightly, "Oh... Thank goodness!" Bulma replied happily with tears beginning to come down from the corners of her eyes. What she heard was the best news of her life. The world could finally go back to being normal after such a long time of strenuous hardships and suffering... Well at least somewhere back to being normal...

Trunks saw that his mom was crying, "Mom is... something wrong?" He asked worried.

"No... everything is alright, I'm just really happy is all." Bulma replied as she sniffled, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Bulma eyed up the young priestess who brought salvation once again to the world, "Young lady, you truly must be an angel."

Kikyo was taken aback by Bulma's comment. Then she closed her eyes flattered by it before replying, "I am no such thing, although it is nice that you think of me as such. It truly is flattering. However, you should thank Gohan. He was the one fighting most of the time. I just finished what was started," she said honestly while giving a gracious expression to Gohan. He just grinned his usual cheesy grin.

Evening had rolled around. After Kikyo patched up any wounds Gohan had, he told Bulma and Trunks how Kikyo and him destroyed Seventeen with every bit of detail as they had dinner. However, Gohan left out the part about him hugging Kikyo, otherwise he would not stop getting teased by Bulma. If his mother was there, that would make her day for sure...

"...and that's how we destroyed Android Seventeen." Gohan finished.

Bulma looked at Kikyo wide-eyed. "Wow girl, you're really something else!"

"Yeah, no kidding!" Trunks said in the same fashion.

"I don't need any thanks. I wanted to do it." Kikyo chuckled earnestly.

'Just wait until Chi Chi hears about this! And speaking of chichi...' Bulma thought plotting something sinister.

"Gosh Gohan, with such great news I thought you would have told your mother about it. Why don't you go see her tomorrow morning. She must be very worried about you Gohan, besides it has been awhile since you have last went to see her." Bulma said thoughtfully.

Gohan nodded, "You're right, I should go and see how she is doing." Gohan then glanced happily at Kikyo, "Hey Kikyo, would like to meet my mom?"

Kikyo smiled back softly, "Yes, I would not mind that at all."

'He is fortunate... to still have family.' Kikyo thought sincerely.

"Great! Then tomorrow morning we'll go to Mount Paozu!" Gohan exclaimed ecstatic with a grin.

Kikyo was taken by surprise before she thought in coincidence with a dazed look, "Mount Paozu? That's near the village I grew up in... The village itself must be abandoned by now, considering people fled from there... It is such an irony... that after all this time, I am going back to the place where I was brought up."

Gohan glanced at Kikyo for a second, and saw her far-away expression, "Is everything okay?"

Kikyo raised her head to look at him, with a confused face, "Huh? It's nothing. I heard of Mount Paozu, and that it is beautiful in that region." Kikyo lied, half smiling to act convincing.

His eyebrows knitted together, what he heard from her did not sound convincing before thinking to himself, "I don't know if what you say is true Kikyo... Something is troubling you, that much I can tell..."

The next morning, Gohan and Kikyo were preparing to set off to Mount Paozu...

Gohan turned his focus onto Kikyo, "So, are you ready?"

Kikyo nodded, "Yes."

Bulma grinned at Gohan and Kikyo, "Well we'll see you soon Gohan, be sure to tell Chichi I said hello," Bulma said.

Gohan waved his hand Laughing, "I'll remember that."

"See ya, Gohan! Come back soon! Bye Kikyo!" Trunks exclaimed.

"See you later, kid!"

Kikyo smiled, "Farewell Trunks and Bulma."

Gohan lifted Kikyo into his arms and held her as they took to the sky. Bulma kept her head to the sky where Gohan and Kikyo were flying, finding pleasure in discovering that Gohan finally found solace in life... That he was free from his own turmoil.

"Just look at those two," Bulma mused, "I think that remarkable young woman is probably the best thing to have ever come Gohan's way... Just the way Gohan looks at her, I can tell something is beginning to form between them... And they seem ignorant about it... Well Kikyo is maybe playing ignorant, she's smarter than meets the eye. Her intuition is sharp. I suppose only time can tell though," she surmised.

"Hey mom?" Trunks asked.

"Yeah Trunks?"

'Can we go inside? I want to know what's for lunch.' Trunks stated.

"Sure... Let's go inside." Bulma sighed tiredly.

"Don't they ever stop eating?"

While flying with Gohan, Kikyo gazed down to look at the ocean and terrains as they passed by them at such speed. She never knew that there were those who gifted with such possibilities.

"Gohan?"

"Yeah, what is it?" He asked.

"Every time you fly, I sense that you use your energy to do so," she assumed.

Gohan glanced curiously at her before replying, "What are you getting at Kikyo?"

She looked at him expectantly, "Is it impossible for others to fly?" She asked.

Gohan moved his head to stare in front to where he was going again, "No, it's not impossible. Actually you are very well capable. What strikes me as curious, is how you have so much strength, but you can't fly." Gohan observed while grinning.

She chuckled at the observant speech he had pulled off, "Well do not forget, I was trained in the ways of a priestess. You were trained vastly different from myself, as well with the fact of not being entirely human," she responded.

"My dad's friends were human too. You know... maybe I could teach you." Gohan said positive that she would pick it up easily.

"Perhaps if it is possible." Kikyo agreed.

Their feet touched the lawn of the Son Residence and Gohan walked towards his home with Kikyo following. He opened the front door, gesturing Kikyo to go inside first. She walked with him to the living room and Gohan saw his mother sitting in a rocking chair, looking very worried. Her father was sitting nearby on a couch equally worried for his daughter, who had to worry for her own son's survival... Neither noticed their arrival.

"Mom?" Gohan asked softly.

Ox King gasped happy to see his only grandson in the world, "Gohan thank goodness you have returned!"

Chichi's eyes began to weld with tears when she heard his voice, she turned to glance at him instantly, "Gohan... you're back... and you're home!" She exclaimed shakily when she got off the chair, holding him tightly. Gohan put his arms around her comforting her as best he could.

"I'm home, mom. Everything is okay. I am here now." Gohan said soothingly.

"My baby boy is okay! He's okay!" Chichi muffled into his shirt as she sobbed openly, clutching onto him tightly more desperately, afraid he might leave and never come back again.

"Shh... it's okay... It's okay," he said consolingly, rubbing his mother's back gently, taking her fears away.

Ox King was very pleased to see his daughter have all that worry lifted from her shoulders. Kikyo was very much pleased as well, while watching from the sidelines at the entrance to the living room.

After some time Chichi had calmed down and her tears stopped, he pulled away and kissed her cheek, smiling softly before finally saying, "Mom, there is someone I would like you to meet."

He turned towards the door. Chichi and Ox King did as well, blinking to the sight of a beautiful young priestess at the doorway.

"I'd like you to meet my friend Kikyo."

Kikyo smiled and bowed politely, "Hello there, it is a pleasure to meet you both."

Chichi gazed at the priestess, "My goodness Gohan, she's a beautiful young woman! She is just the type of woman to be your bride!" Chichi exclaimed.

Kikyo stood there blinking a few times, perplexed at what his mother said before saying bemusedly, "Pardon me?"

Gohan's facial expression sported that of a red hue grazing his features when he heard that, "Oh Mom," he sighed tiredly.

"Great... She just meets her and she's already gushing about me getting married," Gohan thought out of embarrassment, as he recalled all the other times his mother would pester to him about settling down with someone.

"Alright, I'll drop the subject... But I still think she's just your type!" Chichi replied happily, whilst being optimistic.

"Mom... Please don't," her son begged.

"Okay, Okay," she complied.

Kikyo soon chuckled, and Gohan became embarrassed even more, "Kikyo what's so funny about it?"

She chuckled more, "Just over the time of knowing Bulma and now your mother with the way they come to such assumptions. I find it so funny, that it's ridiculous."

Chichi looked affronted about what she said, "It's not ridiculous, it's true!" She retorted.

Gohan just sighed out of embarrassment.

Later on at the dinner table, Chichi was so happy her son had come back, that she decided to make him a good home cooked meal. During dinner, Kikyo and Gohan explained how they met each other and how Kikyo saved Gohan and Trunks, by defeating the androids. Both Chichi and Ox King were astonished just as much as Bulma was after what they had heard.

"Hmm... That is interesting. You said sacred arrow?" The Ox King asked. Kikyo nodded to affirm what he said.

Gohan looked up from his dinner plate. "Why do you ask Grandpa?" Gohan asked.

The Ox King crossed his arms, "I heard of that technique through the grapevine, it is rumored that the arrow itself is made of souls which is meant to cleanse and purify all evil. I thought it was just a legend, but it seems that this young woman here, is the only living proof that such a powerful technique exists." Ox King said in thought.

Gohan was amazed at what he heard, "You mean to say the arrow she shoots is something of legend?" Gohan asked out of wonder.

Chichi was also bewildered, "Wow, this young woman is full of surprises. Those two have to get together!"

Then she turned her head to Ox King. "Don't you think father?"

"Whatever you think Chichi..." Ox King said unsure.

Gohan's sighed for the hundredth time again, "Mom..."

Kikyo smiled amused by this display, "He has such a close-knit family," she thought while adoring the scene between mother and son.

Chichi glanced towards Kikyo gleefully, "Anyways dear, I would feel honored to have you stay here for a few days! Besides, you saved my son's life!"

Kikyo closed her eyes smiling, "I'll accept your hospitality. Thank you." Kikyo said as she opened her eyes once more.

'I have a feeling that she will be just as persistent as Bulma is, so there is no sense in trying to reject her offer,' she thought still smiling.

"I knew you would see it my way!" Chichi announced happily.

After a long conversation, Ox King went to sleep. It was already midnight and Chichi was starting to get tired. "Okay, I am heading off to sleep. Kikyo, you can sleep in the living room on the couch. There's a blanket and pillow for you."

Kikyo bowed her head, "Thank you Chichi, your kindness is very much appreciated."

Chichi smiled at this woman's behavior, she liked her a lot already, "You're welcome dear, Goodnight," she said walking inside to her room.

Gohan grinned. "Night' mom!"

Gohan soon focused his attention on Kikyo. "Sorry my mom got carried away earlier..."

Kikyo shifted her head to look at him, "It's quite alright, I can tell you mean a lot to her. She is only looking out for your well-being."

He sighed scratching the back of his neck, "I know she's trying to mean well..."

She smiled while watching his contemplative gesture, "She does those things because she cares for you. You saw how relieved she was when you came home..."

"I know what you are trying to say. And I understand," he replied honestly.

"And you are fortunate to still have friends and family who care for you. At least you know you can have someone to always be there for you," she advised with optimism .

He was starting to grow befuddled. Why did she feel the need to remind him of that when he knew he had family and friends that cared for him?

"You say that as if you don't have anyone close to your heart," he surmised, gazing at the twinkling starlight.

She became intrigued by his sudden insinuation, "Why do you think that?"

"By the way you told me, it may be a guess, but I feel you have no one to hold dear to your heart..."

Closing her eyes, Kikyo chuckled, "I see you are very insightful... and at the same time very thoughtful of others."

Gohan gave a nervous grin while scratching the back of his head, "You really think I'm all that?"

Kikyo nodded, "Yes, you are a very interesting man Gohan."

He rubbed the back of head again, "I'm glad you think so, I could say the same about you too."

Kikyo gazed to the stars before saying, "Perhaps I have someone close to my heart while not even knowing it... The sands of fate reveal all truth in the end," Shortly after, she went to walk inside.

Gohan turned to see her leave, "Are you going to sleep?"

She glanced back to him giving him a soft smile, "Yes. Have a good night Gohan," she stated as she began to walk inside.

When she left, Gohan was depressed about how Kikyo was acting. She was hiding something from him and she did not want to let him in on her feelings...

The next morning, the sun had yet to peak over the mountains, and Kikyo was sitting at the kitchen table alone, enjoying the quiet moment. Chichi later came to the kitchen rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Gosh, you're quite the early riser aren't you?" Chichi said groggily.

"I suppose I am. I prefer to get an early head start during the first morning's light." Kikyo smiled.

Chichi smiled at Kikyo's elegance, "I'll make us some coffee."

"Thank you."

"It's no problem, young lady."

Kikyo and Chichi were drinking a freshly brewed cup of coffee afterward while conversing with each other. Chichi talked about when she married her husband at the World Martial Arts Tournament and how they had met before even that. Kikyo was intrigued to say the least. From the way Chichi talked about her husband; Goku so highly, Kikyo knew that he was a very honorable and selfless man.

In the midst of the conversation, unshed tears formed at the rims of Chichi's eyes. "During Goku's last moments, I just held his hand close to my heart before he passed on... and so, I know he will no longer need to suffer." Chichi said sadly, while forcing herself to hold in her sobs.

Kikyo looked down to her finished cup of coffee, "To face reality of how life comes and goes must be very hard... We have all lost friends and family to that of disease, famine and tragedy. We live in troubled times even still, we live in a world of fear."

Soon Kikyo looked up and smiled at Chichi, "However, I believe the future will change. All is the will of the people who make the future."

Chichi wiped the tears from her eyes with her hand, "Oh... Such a bright girl you are!"

Kikyo got up off her chair, "Thank you for the coffee, and for telling me your story," she bowed her head and walked to leave the kitchen.

"Where are you going Kikyo?" Chichi asked.

"I just remembered I have an errand to attend to. Can you tell Gohan I'll be back soon when he wakes up?"

"Well aren't you going to have breakfast with us?"

Kikyo shook her head, "No, I am fine. Thank you for your concern however."

Chichi smiled, "Okay, I'll tell him. Now you be careful alright?"

Kikyo smiled at the older woman's concern for others, "I'll be alright, I'll be back soon."

She then left the Son Residence.

The morning was misty outside as some time passed, Kikyo was walking throughout the terrain of Mount Paozu, nearing a small village that was all too familiar to her. It was just as she expected, what was left of the village was rundown and abandoned. There was a thin layer of mist, which blanketed the old village she remembered as once being home.

"The village is just as I remembered it to be... A mere phantom of the past."

Kikyo chuckled bitterly to herself while she thought, "It would be wrong of me to tell Gohan to forget his own harsh past whereas, I still dwell on my own. How ludicrous of me..."

Everything that remained of the village was in shambles, the grounds that surrounded it left undisturbed. It appeared to her, that the land around here had not been trodden amongst for the longest time. And She continued to press on as she ventured the village.

"I do not even know why I came back here... Was it because my memories of this place forced me to come back here?"

Back at the Son's Residence, Gohan came to the kitchen, waking up rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He noticed how he did not sense Kikyo's presence anywhere around the house. Chichi smiled at her son as she was making breakfast for him.

"Morning Gohan, did you have a good sleep?" Chichi asked.

Gohan grinned, "Morning. Yeah I slept okay."

Gohan's face gave a concerned look, "Mom? Do you know where Kikyo is?"

Chichi shook her head, "No, I don't know. She just told me she had an errand to take care of and left. She said she would be back here soon though."

Gohan was still concerned. For a while now, Kikyo had been acting weirdly since he brought her with him to Mount Paozu.

"I think I'll go find her after I eat." Gohan decided.

"You should go find her, something just feels off about her." Chichi added.

After Gohan quickly ate his breakfast, he had went out to go find her.

He arrived near a village which was familiar to him. During the course of fighting the androids, he had been to many towns, cities and small villages much like this one. All of them were full of life and some even of prosperity before the androids destroyed everything. He soon saw Kikyo who appeared to be standing in front of many tombstones as he walked closer to her. Kikyo turned around to see him staring at her full of concern.

"Kikyo... what are you doing here?"

Kikyo half smiled sadly before saying, "I do not know why I am here. I suppose my thoughts led me here for some unknown reason. Perhaps my memories had given me a lingering desire to be here."

"Kikyo... is this where you were brought up?" Gohan guessed timidly.

Kikyo nodded, "Yes, this is where I once resided. This is where my journey began," she said and looked onwards before continuing, "Once fate is set in motion, the threads of fate are tangled and they cannot be undone..."

Gohan gazed toward the ground and sighed, "I'm sorry... If I knew bringing you with me would've dredged up painful memories, I wouldn't have asked you to come with me."

She finally knew why she had come back to this place. It was a feeling of nostalgia. She shook her head slowly at his apologetic expression. There was nothing he needed to feel sorry for, "No, do not apologize... In a way I am glad I was able to see this place again. Even if this is all there is, I am happy."

Gohan looked at her confused. "You're happy?" He asked.

She smiled sincerely at him, "Yes, I am... The reason why I am happy is because I focus on the good memories. I take the bad with the good. I have no regrets on how things happened back then, and I still do not."

Gohan put his hand on her shoulder and smiled sincerely as well, "Let's go back, Kikyo."

Just one last time. She needed to see this place again, so that she could finally put the past behind her, and move forward. Soon after, she closed her eyes and nodded once more, "Yes, there is no need to be here anymore," she said as they began to walk back at a leisurely pace.

There may be many years of suffering to endure, only to believe you might not endure it, your fate's something else.

To Be Concluded...

I hoped this chapter kept your interest! XD!