Kagome was up before the sun, and apparently most everyone else. She saw Dale up on the top of the RV, but no one else was around. With a quiet nod between her and the older man, she slipped into the mobile apartment to use the bathroom. Carol and Andrea were asleep in the back; not surprisingly, Andrea had her hand under the pillow, no doubt on a gun or knife. Shaking her head, Kagome shut the door to the small bathroom. After she felt better, teeth brushed with her new items and all, she headed back outside. Looking around she saw Hershel standing out on the porch, and began to walk towards him.

"Good morning." She said lightly. She didn't want to wake anyone prematurely.

"Morning, I trust you slept well." Hershel replied back politely.

"Yes, thank you." She smiled gently. She liked him, he was a generous man who just wanted to protect his family, and she could respect that.

"You haven't been with them long, have you?" The question caught her off guard. She didn't remember saying anything of the nature, unless one of the others had then it made sense.

"No sir, how did you know?" she asked.

"It's not too hard to tell, but the way the big one acts when you're mentioned says enough." Hershel looked from Kagome to the cluster of tents a distance from the house. Kagome glanced over to see Shane and Rick were up and talking. Kagome instantly narrowed her eyes, 'Shane, I should've known.' she thought.

"Oh yeah?"

"He seems to disapprove of you being a part of their group, and has no qualms stating so." Hershel said as he leaned against the railing and focused back on her face. "I don't want them to stay here, mainly him, but I don't like this many people being around." He said. Kagome knew this was coming, but she hadn't thought he would talk to her about it. She assumed that he would bring it up with Rick, like he had in the show. Apparently, her presence was messing with the order of things.

Sighing, she replied. "I know, and some of them are going to fight and argue to try and stay." She replied. She couldn't say too much, and it was getting harder and harder to keep from impacting her surroundings.

"I am aware, but it's what's best for everyone." He stated.

"I have no argument, this is your home and I completely understand wanting to keep it safe." She smiled and then turned to leave. Then thought of something, something that might soothe things a little later. "Sir…" she started.

"Hershel, I appreciate the respect but I think we're past that these days." He smiled back, he liked Kagome. She was very different than the others and because of that he didn't mind her presence.

"Hershel then. May Daryl and I borrow a couple of horses a little later to search with?" She remembered him having a problem with Daryl not asking in the show, so she might as well take care of that while she was there.

After he thought for a moment, "As long as you don't grab Nellie, the one at the far right. She spooks easy and isn't too used to riders." He motioned with his hands as he talked, and then smiled again. "Thank you for asking, instead of just taking." With that said, he turned and walked back into the house. Smiling, Kagome headed back to her tent to start getting things together.

About an hour later, after the sun was up and everyone was awake, Kagome saw Rick coming towards her. Standing, she waited until he was close.

"Hey, we're lining out sections for people to search. Thought you'd like to join since you're going with Daryl." He nodded to where several of the others were gathering by one of the trucks.

"Ok." She replied as she followed him. Coming up next to Daryl, she made a point not to look at Shane, even though he wasn't shy about staring at her. 'I swear, he keeps it up and I'll…' her thoughts were cut off by Rick talking. She didn't pay much attention to the conversation, and instead allowed her mind to wonder. She contemplated about her situation, for what seemed like the thousandth time. She still had no clue how to get home, she didn't even know if this was a dream, an alternate reality, or what. So, she was stuck. With a man she was quickly getting close to, and another who she wanted to get as far away from as possible, things just weren't going her way. She was contently lost in her thoughts; until she felt an elbow nudge her side, and she lightly glared at the offender.

"You ok?" Daryl asked.

"Yeah fine, umm, Hershel said its ok for you and me to use a couple of horses." She said while shaking off his concern.

"Good, it'll make thangs easier." He nodded his head, then cut his eyes slightly behind her. She didn't have to look to know he was keeping an eye on Shane. Kagome felt her chest swell a little, but quickly squished the feeling and turned to head towards the barn. Her heart was going to get her in trouble again if she didn't watch it.

It didn't take long to saddle the horses, and be on their way into the woods. Kagome tried to let the silence around them not be awkward, and she was sure that Daryl was oblivious to it anyway. Shaking her head, she focused on her surroundings. It was calming, in a way, being in the forest again. Aside from having to keep an ear out for walkers, the natural sounds in the trees was a welcomed thing. Birds chirped, squirrels scurried above them, no doubt keeping a safe distance from Daryl's crossbow. Kagome smirked at her thoughts, and with a deep inhale of the scents around her, smiled again.

"You're doin' it again." Thankfully she didn't jump this time, but she instantly cut her eyes up to her companion.

"Doing what exactly?" she asked. Did he have to watch her so closely?

"Smilin' for no reason."

"But I do have a reason." She replied. "It's quiet, and I hear nature."

"And that's why you're smilin'?" he turned slightly in his saddle to look at her. With a slight nudge, Kagome brought her horse closer to his.

"Yes it is. Haven't the simple things ever made you happy?" she asked as they slowed their pace a little, but still glancing around every now and then.

"Hadn't ever thought bout it I guess." He replied. "Home life wadn't much." He left it at that and rode a little ahead. Kagome easily caught up, but was reluctant to push for more conversation. She knew about his past, but of course, couldn't say anything.

"I'm sorry to hear that." She settled to say, and she meant it. Once again silence encompassed them, this time it was comfortable. Until Kagome's ears picked up a small rattling sound from beneath the horse she was riding.

Sorry it is short, aaaaand it's a cliff-hanger. But I'm in college now and don't have a whole lot of time to write, though as I have promised I WILL finish my stuff...it just might take a while. Thank you for the reviews, I love reading all of them and knowing that this is going well. Hope to read more, and don't kill me please! lmao