JennyTheWhiteWolf: Ok I have the second chapter out. I had several things slow me down like my Starbucks spilling all over my notebook making it impossible to read my own writing. You know little things like that plus working grave yard shifts. Any who it's out and I hope you enjoy and know as you read this I am continuing ton write the next chapter.

Also the usual I do not own Inuyasha as much as I may want to.


Miroku sighed as he witnessed another argument between Inuyasha and Sango. Sango wanted to go to the slayers village to do some minor repairs and maintenance as well as restock on some supplies. She could also visit the Graves of her loved ones to pay her respect. Inuyasha didn't want her to go alone as she would be vulnerable to any of Naraku's devious plots.

"I told you that Kirara will be with me so I wouldn't be alone. I need to do this Inuyasha." Inuyasha huffed and turned his nose up.

"And I told you that it wouldn't be enough. What if Naraku were to show up and we weren't there to protect you?" Miroku having enough of the back and forth banter decided that a compromise had to be reached.

"Inuyasha what if the two of you with Kirara were to go? I can wait here for Kagome's return and explain where the two of you have gone. I have well fortified this village with sutra so you need not worry for our safety. Kagome needs time for her studies anyway. I remember she was quite concerned about them when she left." Both Inuyasha and Sango seemed to contemplate Miroku's words carefully.

"I feel better about it, but if we decide to do this I want you to go around and check those sutras of yours before we go." Sango seemed relieved and nodded her ascent.

"I will go and prepare for the trip." Miroku watched as Sango walk towards Kaede's hut with Inuyasha following just behind her. In the meantime Miroku decided to appease Inuyasha by checking on the sutras that he had placed around the village. In the end he decided that a couple more couldn't hurt. It wasn't long before he was waving goodbye to the pair. As he watched them go his gaze lingered on Sango. There was a time where he would have offered his own services instead of Inuyasha's. Though ever since their talk things have been different between the two of them.

FLASHBACK

Sango was working hard in a clearing with her katana paring against invisible enemies when Miroku made his presence known. When Sango saw him she sheathed her sword and held a firm stance, waiting for him to make the first move. The two of them have recently been in a huge fight that escalated over something trivial.

"I have come to clear the air between us. I know the reason that the argument we had before had nothing to do with me flirting with the village girls, but rather something else. I believe we should discuss it before either of us says something that we may regret. What do you say?" Sango studied him closely before relaxing her stance and pointed towards a nice shady spot beneath a tree. Miroku followed and sat beside her.

"Instead of shying away from how we are feeling. I want to come straight out and say it. I want to avoid any misunderstandings between us. You are very precious to me Sango, but not romantically. With all of our travels and hardships that we have endured together combined with both of our desires for family it seemed as if we are suppose to be together. I cherish the bond that is between us, but I don't wish to force it to become something it's not. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?" Sango nodded as she brought her knees up and circled her arms around them.

"Yes I believe I have known that for a while now, but I didn't want to believe it. The more I denied what I felt the angrier I became and why I have been so aggressive. Part of me believed that if you weren't the one then that meant I was alone and I didn't want to admit that. Looking at it now and hearing you say that, I can admit I wanted you to be that something or someone I was missing and the more it wasn't working the more I took that out on you. I'm sorry for that." Miroku nodded in acceptance.

"Your don't need to apologize Sango I understand. In the end we have some similar goals, but ultimately wish to lead different lives." Sango gave Miroku a small smile.

"Thanks for coming to talk to me like this. I don't think I could have done it myself. I guess if we continued as we had we would have been settling for each other and that's not fair to either of us. We will just have to be patient and wait for the right person."

"I suppose we will." The two continued to talk idly with one another as the previous tense atmosphere lifted and a much more secure and friendly one settled. They talked of the little things that happened in their day and before they knew it, the two had been talking for hours.

END FLASHBACK

"Miroku?" Somehow Miroku's feet had guided him towards the well just in time to see Kagome sit on the lip of the well with her bulging yellow backpack by her feet. "Where are the others?" Miroku walked over and helped Kagome to her feet and placed her pack on his back.

"Sango, Inuyasha, and Kirara have left to the slayers village just a little while ago. Sango needed to take care of a few things and Inuyasha didn't want her to go alone. So a compromise was reached where Inuyasha were to go with her." Kagome smiled over at Miroku.

"Let me guess they argued about it for hours until you came in with this compromise?" Miroku chuckled.

"Yes I was afraid it just might have come to blows if I didn't, as entertaining as that might have been. Now shall I escorts the lovely lady to the village?" Miroku offered his arm to Kagome with a mischievous smirk and a wriggle of the eyebrows. Kagome laughed and took his arm.

"Why but of course good sir." The two laughed at that and enjoyed the small walk towards the village. When the two had arrived at the village an orange ball of fluff ran full speed into Kagome who caught him with her free arm and brought him into her chest.

"Hey there Shippo. How are ya?" Shippo smiled up at Kagome.

"Good I was playing with some of the village kids while Inuyasha and Sango were arguing." Kagome smiled at Shippo and Miroku released her arm so that she may embrace the little kit.

"Miroku was just telling me how they were arguing for hours." Miroku smiled.

"Technically you were the one to say so while I on the other hand confirmed your theory." Kagome gave a little wave of the hand towards Miroku with a smile.

"So I didn't get the chance to ask, but how was your day other than being the ever so humble monk who goes around solving everyone's problems." Miroku chuckled at that.

"It was rather uneventful. I did a little light training followed up with some easy meditation. It was then I heard the beginnings of Inuyasha's and Sango's arguing. I spent the rest of my time handling that." The three stopped in front of Kaede's hut and after asking for permission they walked inside. Beside a fire Kaede was stirring what looked to be stew. As the three made their way over she welcomed them with a warm smile and a curios glance in Kagome's direction.

"Kagome child what are ye doing back so soon? This one thought ye had much to do in your time. Ye seemed upset even." All eyes turned to Kagome who chose a comfortable spot to sit knowing that the explanation will take a little time. Shippo still in her arms looked at her expectantly and Miroku set her bag by the door and made his way over the room to sit by her side.

"I do and that is partly why I am here." At the confused looks sent her way she began to explain further.

"Back in my time my most amazing mother had arranged a tutor to help with my studies. I was upset because I didn't believe I could finish my work in time, but my tutor Akira, told me that not only can I finish, but if I work hard I can finish early. I'm going to meet her once a week at least to do tests and in between that time to do all the other assignments. So the sooner I finish the sooner I can be able to spend more time with you guys."

"Can you work while looking for shards or is it that you need to stop for a while for your studies?" Kagome had spent a lot of time thinking over what to do since meeting Akira the previous day. The way that Akira had explained things made the material so much easier to understand and she found her work progress triple the usual rate. With her understanding she hesitated far less and she didn't need to stop out of frustration. Before she knew any better a couple of hours had passed. So if her progress were to continue the way that it has then she could finish within a month and wouldn't that be amazing. Then when her studies were finished she could focus more time on the jewel. Her focus wouldn't be split and she wouldn't have to try and juggle two separate lives. That is where her dilemma took place. That if she did this she won't be able to go after the jewel and she felt as if she would be letting her friends down who depended on her sense and sight of the jewel.

"That is part of why I came over today. If I really focus and get this work done we will have uninterrupted time to go after the jewel. The cost is the time it would take for me to finish. As it was we were nearing the end of the year with about two months time. Though if I do as I believe that I can we can cut that time in half. I don't want to let any of you down, but I really need to do this." Kaede gave Kagome a comforting look.

"Child ye do not need to worry your friends will understand and ye do so much I am sure that they can find a solution." Kagome gave Kaede a very grateful look before she felt Shippo jump out of her arms. What she saw nearly broke her heart. Tears were threatening to run down his cheeks as he looked at her pleadingly.

"Your can't leave. Please don't go." Miroku watched as Kagome pick Shippo back up trying to console him. He too did not want Kagome to leave. The thought of her leaving for an extended amount of time did not sit well with him and he found himself already trying to find a way for her to do her work and continue being with them.

"I'm not going to leave, but I won't be out hunting for the jewel either. When I decide to take break I will head over here to be with you guys. And who knows maybe I can bring some work here. I couldn't stay away too long, I would miss you all too much. Shippo gave Kagome a small smile before being content to simply be in her arms. Part of Miroku wanted those last words to be directed solely at himself however he dismissed the feeling and made himself content in the feeling that she wasn't leaving and didn't want to.

"Then it is good that Inuyasha is not here. He is not going to like this." Kagome groaned already predicting the future headache that conversation would bring.

"I know and I am not looking forward to that, but the payoff will be worth it."

"If this is what you need and can make you happy then you can count on us to be there for you. After all you would do the same for us. As Kaede said we are your friends even if that means going up against an irrational and angry hanyou then, so be it." Kagome practically beamed in Miroku's direction.

" You are the best Miroku. I wish I could just bring the two of you with me. That way Inuyasha couldn't yell at you." Shippo looked up with big and hopeful eyes.

"Do you think we can?"

"I don't know Shippo, so far it has only been Kagome and Inuyasha who have been able to go back and forth through time." Kagome contemplated Miroku's words. She was only thinking of wanting to shield the two from a very angry Inuyasha. After all why should they be punished for her choices? The more she thought about it the more she wondered why not? No one other than her and Inuyasha has ever tried. She didn't count the time Inuyasha shoved that tree through the well because that would obviously limit the well's power. Since the jewel came from her it only made sense for the way to work for her with or without them. So if someone were to have a piece of the jewel and travel with her why could it not work for them?

"Kagome?" Kagome blinked to see Miroku looking at her questioningly and Shippo waving a hand in front of her face.

"Sorry I was just thinking. When I said the bit about taking you with me I wasn't serious, but what if I could? There would be so much I would love to show the both of you. I was thinking what if the both of you held a piece of the jewel and we all went down together. I just don't see how it wouldn't work." Miroku seemed stunned at first. It never occurred to him to try to see the future, with the way that things have been looking it didn't seem that he had very much of one. He never wanted to look to far ahead lest he give in to his anxieties. As for the theory he too didn't see anything wrong with it.

"We can test it if you would like." Kagome looked from Miroku to Shippo with a smile.

"Would you like to try Shippo?" Shippo nodded his head quickly.

"Heck ya I do." Kagome laughed at his enthusiasm.

"Ok then I guess we'll try. At least we will know it is possible but if it does it also worries me too. What if it is the Tama that is needed to pass? Could Naraku find out about the well and go through himself?" Kagome instantly realized that she put a damper on the mood since the smiles fell and their faces became worried and concerned.

"I suppose we would have to be extra careful in the future. Now I am glad that I had put up those sutras since the whole Tsubaki incident." Kagome hadn't known about the extra sutras and was surprised by them, but also happy knowing her safety was a priority.

"Oh Kaede I will leave my bag here for you. It has extra supplies so it should come in handy. Also if Inuyasha and Sango come by and we are not here can you send them my way?" Kaede smiled and nodded.

" Of course child this one shall see ye soon." Kagome smiled and waved at the older woman as she, Miroku, and Shippo walk out the door. The walk to the well took no time at all. Shippo was bouncing with excitement as Miroku and Kagome smiled at him. Once in front of the well Kagome handed Miroku and Shippo a single piece of the shikon no tama.

"Ok here goes nothing." Kagome still held Shippo in her arms and then held her hand out for Miroku to take. He smiled at her and took it. On the count of three they jumped into the well. Kagome knowing what to expect was happy to see the familiar space like surroundings alongside her friends. Both Miroku and Shippo had a look of wonder on their faces as their bodies landed softly upon the cool earth. As Kagome looked up she was happy to see a very familiar roof above her head.

"Welcome to the future guys! We made it!" Kagome smiled and was about to head up first, but thought better of it with her small skirt. Miroku looked at her mischievously knowing what she almost did.

"Why after you miss Kagome it is ladies first isn't it?" Kagome gave a playful smack to the monk's arm who just continued to chuckle.

"I almost did, but lucky for me I caught myself. You can go first." Miroku took hold of the ladder and began to climb. He was about a third of the way up before he stopped and turned to Kagome.

"Now Kagome as tempting as it is you must refrain from looking." Kagome chuckled at the joke.

"But that was part of my whole masterful plan, why should I stop now?" Miroku stopped to look at Kagome with a suggestive eyebrow raised.

"Stop? So you've been looking the whole time hmm scandalous." Kagome not wanting to give so soon retaliated.

"What can I say you caught me. I should work on being sneakier in the future." Kagome threw in a wink for an added effect. It was that which sent the two of them into full blown laughter. At this point Shippo was getting rather impatient jumped out of Kagome's arms and onto Miroku's shoulder.

"Come on hurry up, I want to see already." Miroku finished making his way up the ladder with Kagome right behind him. The three stood in front of the double doors after walking up the stairs that led to it. Before Kagome opened the doors she hesitated and looked back at her two friends who gave her a questioning look.

"I was just thinking that once I open the doors that you will both encounter a bunch of new things. I was thinking that maybe we should go over a couple things." Miroku smiled at Kagome a little knowingly.

"I think it would be easier if you explain as we encounter anything new and besides even if Inuyasha disregarded your talks on the future didn't mean that I had. I like to know how far man has gone in the five hundred years. I may not have much of a future myself, but to know and see it firsthand will really be something." Miroku had a far off look in his eyes toward the end that concerned Kagome and she instinctively took a step toward him. The sound of her footfall must have snapped him out of his mood. He smiled at Kagome once more as he stepped past her to the doors. Kagome could only watch Miroku's back questioningly. That statement had seemed rather dark and sudden. It forced her to wonder about how much Miroku really thought of his own future and how often he fell to despair over it.

'Whatever may be in store in the future is a mystery, but one thing I do know is that we will find and stop Naraku at all costs. Miroku will have a future to look forward to.' Feeling determined she marched up next to Miroku and placed a hand on his arm to gain his attention.

"Don't worry whatever comes our way we will face it together." Miroku tensed by Kagome's touch, but quickly relaxed into it. He smiled at her words and was slightly disappointed when she stepped forward into the light. He shook his head and followed her stead. Shippo in the meantime could only stare at the two wondering what that was all about. Kagome had taken a few steps forward before turning to see the first reactions that her friends had upon seeing her home. Miroku stared incredulously while poor Shippo was overwhelmed by all the smells and became rather light headed and unfocused. Across the yard she could see Souta coming home from school. He didn't notice her arrival from the past and continued on to the house.

"Come on, let me introduce you two to my family." Kagome dragged Miroku by the hand towards her house while poor Shippo clung to Miroku while trying to cover his face from all the unfamiliar smells. Miroku looked up at the two-story house quite impressed with the structure. When they made it to the door Kagome dropped his hand and went to remove her shoes. Miroku ignored the pleasant warmth that was quickly cooling in his hand to remove his own sandals. Shippo didn't have to worry about that since he was always bare foot. Kagome opened the door and gestured for the two to walk inside. It was by that point that Shippo was beginning to regain his senses.

"Momma, Souta, Gramps? I'm home and I have guests." It felt a little like déjà vu saying that two days in a row. Like yesterday it was Souta who was the first to respond though she could easily understand since she watched him just arrive home himself.

"Hey sis- whoah who is that?" Kagome shook her head at her little brothers manners.

"Hi Souta this is Miroku and Shippo. They are some of my friends from the past." Souta recognized the names and his eyes lit up.

"Oh so he's the monk with the cursed hand?" Miroku rose an eyebrow wondering how much Kagome has told her family about him. He gave her a glance and noticed that she was making gestures to Souta to stop who either didn't see or was simply ignoring her.

"What has Kagome told you of my hand?" Miroku inwardly laughed as Kagome doubled her efforts to get her brother to stop.

"That you can't go a day without rubbing some girls behind and then getting smacked all the time." Miroku raised a brow at Kagome who only kept shaking her head with her hands covering her face.

"Anyway this is Shippo." Shippo jumped down from Miroku's shoulder at Kagome's desperate please to change the subject.

"Hi." Souta's eyes grew large at the sight of Shippo.

"Wow you have a tail, that is so cool." Shippo beamed with pride and his tail did a little shake for emphasis as is accepting the compliment.

"Hey Souta where is Mom and gramps?" Souta barely paid attention to the question being to enraptured by Shippo's more demonic features.

"Mom went to visit a friend, but gramps is in the kitchen. I believe he is making tea." Souta hesitated and looked at Shippo with a sudden realization.

"You should tell him about Shippo before he sees him or it will be an Inuyasha incident all over again." Miroku and Shippo's interests were peaked at that.

"What happened?" Kagome groaned and Souta was more than happy to tell the tale with such a captive audience.

"In the very beginning Inuyasha had come to get Kagome to look for the jewel and he was really mad. I remember we were all eating dinner when he comes storming in to drag Kagome away. Grandpa jumps up and starts throwing these very sticky sutras all over Inuyasha trying to exorcise him. I guess it was good that his sutras didn't work otherwise there would be no Inuyasha with how many ended up on him, especially his face and hair."

"It took hours to get them all off and the complaining that followed lasted for days." Kagome shook her head at the memory.

"Well you did sort of rip the last ones off." Kagome shrugged at that.

"He was yelling and I was tired and mad, besides his healing Factor took the sting away in moments. Still you are right about having to warn gramps. He can be a little excitable. How about you take Shippo up and show him your video games? Souta's eyes beamed and he took Shippo's hand to drag him off to the world of video games not being able to get there fast enough. Miroku watched the two run up the stairs before he turned to Kagome with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"So you told your family of my cursed hand?" Kagome groaned knowing that he wasn't about to let this go and also knowing how much enjoyment he was having at her expense.

"If it makes you feel better I only told that bit to my brother and told him not to tell Mom or Gramps." Miroku laughed at the expression of resigned defeat on her face.

"Don't worry it's not entirely false he seemed rather excited for these video games?" Kagome smiled both from the passing of an awkward moment and at Souta's fondness of video games.

"Yeah he loves them I know he'll want to show you too so be prepared for that. There is so much technology here I will have to show and explain that I don't even know where to begin. It's actually kind of daunting and I really don't want to overwhelm you or Shippo either." Miroku placed a hand on Kagome's shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Do not overly worried as you said before any obstacle we face will be together. Now how about we meet your grandfather?" Kagome smiled and nodded.

"Hey Gramps I've brought over a couple friends. Shippo is upstairs with Souta playing video games and I don't want you overreacting as you did with Inuyasha, but he is a fox demon." Kagome's grandfather turned to her with a knowing smile and chuckled to himself.

"There is no need to worry Kagome that last time I was punishing a very rude young man who was disrespecting my granddaughter." Kagome's eyes grew large at that.

"Wait what you did to Inuyasha was on purpose?" The old man laughed.

"No one messes with my family and gets away with it." Kagome left herself and then stepped aside to reveal Miroku more fully.

"By the way gramps this is Miroku. He is the monk that travels with me in the past." The man's gaze drifted to the tall young man who gave a bow of respect to his elder.

"It is very nice to meet you Mr. Higurashi. As Kagome said I am Miroku and this is a very lovely home you have here." Kagome's grandfather smiled at Miroku, the kind that stretched from one side of the face to the other and his eyes stared at Miroku's attire With a sort of fondness.

"It is good to see that one of the ones traveling with my granddaughter has such good manners. That Inuyasha is crude and has the manners of a wild dog. I don't overly like how he treats my granddaughter." Miroku did not like it himself though getting to know Inuyasha he knows that he does not intend to do the amount of damage he does and his abrasive attitude is simply a cover for his insecurities.

"His heart is in the right place even if sometimes his brain isn't." The man took his words and mulled them over and in the end gave a shrug.

"Enough of him, there is a lot I would like to ask you and perhaps you can show me how to improve my sutras? I would also like to hear your point of view of the travels the lot of you go through on the other side of the well." Miroku gave a nod causing the old man to give a contented smile in return.

"I would be honored Mr. Higurashi." It was at that moment the kettle went of startling Miroku. The old man went to retrieve it, but Kagome made for it first.

"Gramps how about you and Miroku sit and I get the tea?" The man smiled appreciatively.

"That would be lovely Kagome, thank you." Both Miroku and Gramps sat at the table as Kagome prepped and served the tea. It was then that the front door could be heard and a feminine voice rang out.

"Dad I'm home. Is Kagome and Souta here yet? Gramps was the one to reply once he saw his daughter walk by the entrance to the kitchen.

"Riza we are in here and Kagome has brought home an eligible and handsome e young man home with her." Kagome blushed a bright red and Miroku seemed to sit a little taller with an amused smirk on his face. Risa had made her way fully into the kitchen and sat a couple bags of groceries on the counter before addressing the group.

"Well hello as you may have guessed I am Risa, Kagome's mother." Miroku stood and gave a small bowl to Risa as he had with Kagome's grandfather.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Higurashi my name is Miroku and I travel with Kagome in the past. I must say I can see where Kagome gets her good looks." Risa chuckled.

"My what a charmer you are. I'm about to make dinner. You are more than welcome to stay as long as you like." Miroku stood with a smile.

"Thank you Ms. Higurashi you are very generous. Please allow me to help you. After all it's the least I can do." Kagome watched as her mother began to guide Miroku through the kitchen and she couldn't help to smile at the wonder on his face at all the futuristic appliances that she had always taken for granted. She watched for a for a little longer before she decided to make herself useful as well.

"Hey momma I'm gonna get Souta and my other friend Shippo so that you can meet him and we can help set up for dinner."

"Alright dear and after could you set up the guest room please?" Kagome nodded her head.

"Of coarse." Kagome went upstairs to see both Shippo and Souta with controllers in hand with identical looks of frustrated concentration while trying to maneuver their guy on the screen to defeat the other.

"Alright guys we are going to set up for dinner so come on down." Kagome made her way down with the two boys as soon as they turned off their video game.


A little girl about the age of ten was very slowly making her way with no destination in mind. Her silver hair that went down to her hips swayed in the breeze. Her hair struck a great contrast to her tanned skin and bright red lips. Her bright purple eyes lined with tears surveyed the destruction below. Blood covered the ground soaking the earth to meet the waves turning the sea foam a sickly red. The huts were burning and dark smoke rose tainting the setting sun's visage. The girls small clawed hand clung to the other holding a previous wound. Blood flowed freely adding fresh blood to an already drenched garment. Her bare feet stumbled across some stones causing her to fall to her hands and knees. Fresh tears fell heavily down her face to the hard ground below.

"Momma I am so sorry…" Forcing her weakened body to move she continued her slow and weary trek to the woods.