~ * ~ Chapter Seven: Decisions to Make ~ * ~

The road to the west had taken them almost a week. It took Inuyasha's group almost another week to search the entire area (A/N: the same day Kagome woke up).

Inuyasha announced, "I'm going to take a bath, be back."

Yeah right. Someday, pigs will fly.

It wasn't that Inuyasha doesn't take baths.

No.

It was the fact that he was using it as an excuse to cover up the 'scandal.' He must have taken the kitsune for a fool. Shippo knew what he did almost every night when Inuyasha took a 'bath.' It was a downright dirty shame, and no one could do a thing about it. Shippo would have already mentioned his surrogate mother, but he already knew the hanyou's reply.

'Well, she ain't here, now is she?'

So, obviously, it was pointless.

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He and Kikyou had been in touch at night throughout the whole journey. They'd promise each other to meet near a river. He was now there, with his shirt off, wading in the water.

Kikyou had already been there, she watched him take his shirt off, then decided it was a good time to show herself.

Inuyasha wasn't surprised when she jumped into the water with him, he had sensed her watching him.

When she resurfaced, he pulled her to him and kissed her passionately. She quickly responded by pushing her tongue into his mouth licking his fangs.

He eventually broke it off to breathe. Inuyasha hugged her to his chest, and took in a deep breath.

'One thing I don't like is that she smells like death'

She sighed, "Any news on my reincarnation?" She tried her best to hide the harsh sarcasm in her voice.

"Kagome, Kikyou. Her name is Kagome, and no."

She let a few moments pass before she responded, "Inuyasha, you have already taken me, made me your mate. Why do you still search for - Kagome? It's obvious she's in love with you, but you know you can't give yourself to her."

Kikyou paused to see his reaction, but couldn't find one.

Then, he slowly whispered, "But what about the shards?"

(A/N: That ass!)

She paused before answering, "Inuyasha, I'm a miko! I used to be the protector of the Shikon no Tama. Why not you, me, and those friends of yours continue the search?"

Inuyasha thought about it for a while before nodding his head.

He'd made up his mind.

They would go on.

Inuyasha smiled at the now, half - naked Kikyou. He began to suckle on her nipples. She moaned loudly and let him take her for what seemed like the hundredth time since their first.