Disclaimer: I do not own the original story of Inuyasha or any of its original charactgers. I do however own the entire plot of this story and any new characters I decide to create!

Sango yawned.

"Thank you for the lovely meal, Arkon." Luphin said.

"You are most welcome sister." He smiled.

He opened the door for his guests.

Sango turned around to follow Luphin and Mirani out the door, and Arkon tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around and looked at him puzzled.

"I do hope to see you again Sango. Do you think it would be possible?"

"I don't plan to stay here much longer."

"Oh? Why is that? Don't you like Forcadish?"

"It is not that at all. I just was not planning on a long stay to begin with."

"Well, will you wait a moment? I have something to say."

Sango turned to see if Luphin and Mirani were waiting for her, and to her surprise they were already gone. She sighed.

Arkon blushed and didn't say anything.

"Well are you going to say something?" Sango folded her arms.

Arkon cleared his throat. "Would it be ok if I walked you back to my sister's place?"

Sango was not sure of his intentions, or why he was so eager to walk her home.

"I would be alright by myself, but thank you for the offer."

"I know you would, but is it ok if you have my company?" His dark brown eyes stared into hers with sincere anticipation. She couldn't resist his adorable sincerity.

"Ok if that is what you want."

Arkon excitedly shut the door behind him with a smile reaching ear to ear, and the two of them started on their way.

"So when you leave. Where will you go?"

"I am not sure if I will go back to Inuyasha's forest, or go somewhere else. Maybe I'll just be a permanent nomad."

"Inuyasha's forest? I never heard of it."

"It is just a forest, but I call it Inuyasha's forest because a half demon that I know was bound to a tree by a spell there. The spell was of course broken though, and he walks unharmed."

"Do you love this half demon?"

Sango burst out laughing at the assumption.

"No way, I would have to be mentally unstable for certain."

"Well who do you belong to?"

"Belong? I do not belong to anyone!"

"I didn't mean to offend you, I only wonder who has your heart."

Sango looked into his inquiring eyes.

"Well… don't know what to tell you Arkon." She thought about Miroku and Kagome, and how so many things had changed so suddenly. She remembered when Miroku outwardly demonstrated his affections towards her. There was a time she genuinely thought it was possible for the both of them to have a future together, and even have children like he would always joke about with her. She pictured Kagome and Miroku together, and recalled the moment she saw them sleeping in each other's arms with her own eyes.

"Are you alright Sango? I hope my question is not too bold."

Sango looked into his eyes, and appreciated his company. Being in his presence was almost as if a small haven had been created just for her.

"Yes, I am alright. I was just thinking of something suddenly. Your question was not to bold. I just do not have an answer for you."

"Very well Sango, no need to gather emotions that run out the clarity." He shook his head and sighed. "For now though, lets take advantage of what fate has done for both of us.

"What do you mean Arkon?" Sango blushed in a whisper as Arkon took her hand and peered down into her eyes.

"I mean for now there is not a worry in the world. It is just you and a complete stranger. There is no web to untangle or no memory to decipher. There is only the beginning with us."

"The beginning?"

"Yes! The best thing about a stranger like me is that I have a chance to show you good company. I hope I get more chances before you go. You are a beautiful woman Sango."

Sango shook off his hand, and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I have no intentions of leading you on Arkon, you must understand that it is best to be straightforward."

"Oh but-" He started.

"It might be better that we do not get involved. I am assuming what you aim to do."

"Are you cutting me off before anything begins? What are you assuming I'm after?"

"You are a very nice man. I am able to see that. But I must make a bold line that stops at friendship. I'm all locked up right now, and my heart really isn't…."

"You're heart isn't what?" He was now looking away from her and was a bit taken aback by the sudden rejection.

"My heart, it is not ready."

"Just like I said Sango. There are no worries. I am only a stranger. I only want to be more than that and become a friend. Can I at least have that pleasure for now?" He cheerfully attempted to take the conversation to a new mood.

"Ok Arkon, you do drive a mean bargain. I might see you before I leave, but I can't make any promises."

The man blushed in obvious gratefulness.

"Oh I will look forward to seeing your enchanting face at any moment that you choose."

Sango and Arkon had made it to Luphin's home at Mirani's room, and stood outside the entrance. The wind was cold and Sango shivered. Arkon didn't say anything more, but gave her a gentle wave and disappeared along the path ahead. Sango quietly walked into Mirani's room and laid on the soft huddle of blankets that was prepared for her. She didn't bother changing her clothes. With her eyes closed she replayed her walk with Arkon in her mind.

INUYASHA'S FOREST

Kagome lied awake in the shelter alone. She stared at the ceiling. She sighed, as her insomnia could not be helped. She did love Inuyasha she was sure of it, but her reflection was telling her something different. It no longer could be helped; she had to get away from the others if just for a little while. A dip in the cold spring with no distractions would surely take away her confusion for a flicker of peace.

She snuck quietly out of the shelter and tiptoed past her sleeping companions. There was something about the night sky that made her remember the feeling she felt when she had first met Inuyasha, as an arrow through his chest had him bound to that old tree. When she looked at him, it was if she was living in a fictional story. She was enchanted and a connection was created immediately between them, as if fate had it planned all along.

The hot spring was warm and inviting as expected. Kagome placed her dry clothes on the hanging tree branch near the spring so they would be in plain view. She listened intently for any surrounding sounds that might give away a peeping Tom. There was nothing of warning that she could hear. She closed her eyes and relaxed. "I wonder where Sango ran off to. I wish things were not the way they were. Why can't Miroku just love Sango like he used to? There would not be any confusion in that case."

"My eyes must be deceiving me." Kikyo revealed herself from behind the tree as if she had been hiding the whole time.

Kagome shot up out of the water and wrapped her towel around her.

"What business do you have here Kikyo? I never see you in this part of the woods!"

"I don't need any business to go anywhere now do I? Can't I just go wherever I please?"

Kagome rolled her eyes and grabbed her clothes from the tree.

"I'm not staying here with you! You just go ahead and enjoy the hot spring all to yourself."

"I didn't come here for something so trivial. I was on my way to see you Kagome."

"HA! You conniving witch, were you on another scheme to kill me again?"

"I am simply wanting to help you."

"How, pray tell, can you help me?"

"I know what is after you."

"…and your point is?"

"I know how to destroy her, and I may give you this useful information if you do something for me."

"I can't trust you, I will find out how to destroy my reflection on my own. Besides, if you helped me then you would also be helping Inuyasha be with me, and you and I both know that is not what you want."

"All you have to do is come with me." Kikyo whispered menacingly. "I will simply show you what has to be done.

"Show me right here if you must."

"Oh no Kagome, I can't show you in just any place."

"Well fine by me priestess, I'm going back to camp. Keep your information."

Kagome turned around and begin walking back towards the others.

"You wretched girl. I don't care about your trust. Such things do not matter when I can bring you down." Kikyo shouted as she shot an arrow through Kagome's lower back.

Kagome rammed into the ground and lost consciousness. Kikyo laughed as she dragged her limp body away from the hot springs.

"I have to take her away from this place, before she comes to. A wound like that is only going to stun her for awhile."

Jessy notes: Thanks everyone for reading. Please review. Happy holidays.