"I've done my best to get all the blood out," Ms Higurashi explained to Miroku as she stood over her washer/dryer, "but there are still some spots that are going to take some work. I have a few methods in mind, but I dont want to fade these colors. Is Shippou feeling alright? I was worried about him, he was complaining about a headache when he got home."

"He's fine. He is sleeping on Kagome's bed for right now and after a good sleep he should be fine. Concerning my robes, if I travel back to my home I have one spare robe there," Miroku took the woman's hand in his, "I can't help but thank you for your kindness." He openly admired the body of the older woman, thin, firm, and still ready for childbearing. He rubbed her hand lightly and walked out before his hands wandered to places he shouldn't. The monk held a certain amount of respect for her, but in the back of his mind knew that he couldnt resist her beauty for much longer.

Marathon rested curled up on the couch, her head on a huge fluffy blue pillow. The cat hanyou reached down occassionally to scratch right below her bandage under her shirt. She would've driven herself crazy with boredom if it were not for Kirara, who batted both of her tails lightly against Marathon's leg and mewed softly.

"That's so cute.'' Marathon reached over and petted the firecat. Kirara pressed her head up against her hand, and padded closer to her, curling up in a soft little ball. She ran her finger against the dark angular shape on her head, then scratched behind the kitty's ears.

"This is relaxing, but I still need to smoke." She reached down into her bag and pulled out a pack of cigs and a lighter. Extracting one from the pack, she lit up and inhaled deeply, smiling and snuggling up against the side of the couch.

"That stench," InuYasha came into the room with ramen in his mouth waving his hand, "Damn woman. Souta told me you are going to kill yourself doing that."

"Souta told you?" Marathon asked surprised, since Souta was never the type of person to go back on his word for anything.

"Yeah. Don't worry, your aunt don't know." He pinched his nose shut and came closer, picking up the pack of cigarettes to examine them.

"I know I know. I'm going to blacken my lungs to charcoal and die an early death. I consider this a healthy lifestyle thinking about what I used to do. One little addiction should be my personal sin."

"Suit yourself, but doin stuff you know is going to hurt you is stupid," InuYasha said as he slurped up the last of the noodles in his cup. "If you wanna get over an addiction, replace it with something else."

"Its not that easy."

"Only because you don't want it to be. Be glad you are not Kagome because I would snatch that shit right out of your hands."

"Im not a weak human."

"Kagome was NOT weak, okay? Strong people get screwed over all the time, I should know."

Marathon rested her cigarette in her ashtray and thought about that. "I know, she wasn't weak. She was emotionally about the strongest person I knew. Yeah, I fought off a bully or two when I was younger, but she was there for me in other ways. Ways I won't forget. She always has a way of making people feel good about themselves." She glanced up at the pack that InuYasha was holding and looked past him, "Maybe I can try and quit again."

"When I have things on my mind I go out to run," InuYasha suggested, "Its a good idea." He sat down on the floor next to the couch and flipped on the television.

Marathon smiled and commented "You sure have gotten comfortable in this time."

"I adapt easy. Wherever you are you have to adapt." InuYasha explained as his ears twitched, "Keeps things interesting."

"Hope you don't get soft."

"What?" InuYasha turned his head to give Marathon an especially mean glare. "Soft?"

"Yeah. Television, ramen and chips whenever you like, transportation everywhere. Lift up your shirt and see how much fat you can pinch."

"You really love being a bitch, don't you?"

"A pleasure to serve you."

InuYasha turned back towards the TV, mostly to hide the smile on his face. Why in the hell am I smiling anyway? There is just something familiar, comforting about this. The smile faded. No, she is just being a moron. Only thing good about today was that they got this new flavor of Ramen.

Marathon shifted nervously in her resting place because of the silence. InuYasha is hard to read. He's a jerk, but he's someone you can live with. I can see how he grew on ... She shook her head. No, I don't need to make excuses for his immature behavior.

Sango sat down at the dinner table, sipping tea. She wore modern apparel, and felt more sensual and beautiful in her form fitting clothes. This made her feel good about herself, but if she noticed the difference so would Miroku, and then she would have to pry his lecherous hands off of him with Kirara's claws.

Miroku walked in and took a seat opposite Sango. "Thought any about what Marathon told us, earlier?"

"Yes," she responded, "Her attacker called her a priestess, even though she isn't one."

"Maybe because of her relation to Kagome."

"That is what I am thinking," She took another sip of tea, "Kagome was killed, and now Marathon is next on the hit list. The problem is we are still not sure about the motives behind Kagome's death, and why her resurrection could not be done."

"Its still extremly unsettling to me. I didn't say it before, but the aura I felt in the mall was similar to what we all experienced before. There is definately a connection. Marathon does not have any holy powers, so killing her seems pointless for them."

"There are many pieces missing to this puzzle." She finished off her tea and pushed her cup away from her. "I know deep down there is a lot more I should know, and Im worried that I will find out too late."

"No worries, Sango. We will prevent any more death for occuring."

"Tomorrow we were planning to go back home, remember? I needed to go visit my village and pay respects, plus there is another small village along the way that most likely needs my help."

"That's true." Miroku got up and grabbed a bagel, then sat back down, "I needed to return to my home too, for blood free robes, and a couple of other business measures that I need to be completed. I should pass by the same village where Shippou met that one girl.."

"The one who lost her brother in the war?"

"Yes. He wanted me to take him there as an excuse to see her again," Miroku chuckled lightly, "He's becoming quite the man. I am sure he has grown some since he first joined our group."

''I understand this, but after Marathon was attacked I don't feel comfortable leaving." Sango stood and put her cup in the sink, rinsing it out thoroughly. "Do you think its wise to leave so soon?"

"The jewel shards are still in our possesion. After we finish our business we can return and try to solve this. Until then, InuYasha will protect Marathon."

"Alright," she smirked, "but who will protect InuYasha from Marathon?"

Souta was upstairs in his room, fiddling with a lot of his old game systems. Seeing all the new ones at the mall had got him thinking, and he planned to start saving up for several new additions to his collection. His mother came up and stood against the doorway, examining her son's room.

"I see you have cleaned it." She nodded, taking another look at it, "Good job."

"Thanks mom."

"Planning to invite your girlfriend over yet?"

Souta blushed badly and covered his face. "Mooom.."

She gave him the same, gentle, loving smile that he had seen his whole life, and patted him on the shoulder. "Marathon told me of a couple of video games you wanted to get. Tomorrow I'd like to take you to the mall so we can pick those up."

"Really?" He spun around and hugged her tightly. "Thanks!"

"You've been wonderful for me these past few days" She brough him closer and rested her chin on his head, "I wouldn't have been able to get through any of this without you."

Souta remained quiet and curled up in his mothers arms. He slowly let go of the game he was holding in his hands, which happened to be the same one that he and Kagome loved to play on the weekends.