Well, here's the second chapter.  Gee, I didn't think this would do so well, but it looks like I was wrong^.^

Anyways, onward!  And sorry to anybody who thought Miroku died.  I didn't mean to deceive you…uh…well…okay, maybe a little.

I love dream sequences.  You're probably sick of me talking though, so onward!

Disclaimer:  I don't own Inu Yasha.  I'm out of debt now, but I'll probably put myself back in soon.

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*Not many people like to think about fate, because when it all comes down to it, it's quite a depressing matter.  Just thinking that you have no control over your life is hard enough, but knowing that you can't change it is worse.  But people can't think like that, otherwise they'll lose opportunities.  Destiny may come and they may choose the path they never intended to take.  Every choice you make has outcomes, whether it being fate or destiny.  You must remember that there is never a wrong answer, just consequences.  So instead of thinking which is wrong and which is right, you should focus on the outcomes of each choice before making a decision.  But sometimes fate intervenes and you have to face what you never wanted to.  Fate often leads you to your destiny, and when you approach it, there are even more deciding factors that most can't even begin to comprehend.*

The group of 6 walked silently down the path in the forest.  They had been on this path for the past two days.  No one was saying anything.  These last few days had been silent.  No one seemed to have anything to say, which wasn't exactly normal.  Inuyasha, as always, was walking in front, Kagome behind him.  Shippo sat on Kagome's shoulder, relaxing along the ride.  Sango was walking behind Kagome, but wasn't quite close enough to really say much to her.  Kirara trotted beside her, mewing every once in a while.  And behind Sango was Miroku, who was being obscenely quiet.  He had been like this since two days ago when he lost to Inuyasha on which path they should travel.  Miroku had wanted to go right, while Inuyasha wanted to go left.  Since the village to the left was only about a two days walk, they decided to go left.  Since then, Miroku barely spoke a word.  He hadn't even tried anything perverted, which was even more unnatural.  He seemed to be in deep thought about something, but it was obvious that he wasn't about to say what it was.  Miroku probably would have gotten his way if Kagome hadn't been begging to stay in an actual room for one night.

Even so, Sango couldn't help but wonder what was going through Miroku's mind.  He just wasn't himself.  Suddenly, the forest ended and they were standing on a large hill.  Below was a village, surrounded by the forest.  It seemed safe, since the hills around it seemed to protect it.  Forests were also on the hills, but the one they had just gotten out of seemed thicker.

"Finally," said Kagome as she sighed in relief.  "I'll be able to sleep in an actual room!"  She was incredibly happy about this, but Inuyasha just gave his usual "Feh", and began walking towards the village, heading down the hill.  Everyone else soon followed.  Kagome had to hold onto her bike in order to keep it from rolling down the hill.  They walked to the town entrance and noticed that there were a lot of people there.  The town also looked fairly new, unlike the 20, maybe 40-year-old ones that they usually came to.  They walked into the crowds and began to look around.  They remained in their order they had walked in while traveling through the forest.

"Now, let's see," said Kagome, as she looked at all the houses.

"Just what, exactly, are we looking for?" asked Inuyasha with a slightly bored, yet also slightly annoyed, tone to his voice.

"An Inn of course," said Kagome.  "This town should have one.  I hope we'll be able to stay."

"I hope so too," said Shippo.  "They'll probably have tons of food for us to eat."  The Kitsune smiled at this thought.  Kagome just laughed quietly and kept looking around.  Sango smiled at their antics.  This would be a nice relaxing day for her.  Miroku walked slowly, falling further and further behind them.  He glanced around at the people in the streets.  'All of them…they're all kind of old,' he thought to himself.  'That's not good.'  He stopped walking and let the rest of the group get farther ahead.  'I have to get out of this town.'  He turned around and began to run through the streets.  'I have to get out before someone recognizes me.'  The entrance was getting closer and closer as he ran through the crowd.  'I'm almost there.'  People watched as he ran by, wondering what his hurry was.  A middle-aged woman with a bucket of water was looking towards him as he came by.  Miroku turned to look at her and noticed her eyes go wide as she saw him.  She dropped her bucket of water and turned and ran, her face full of fear.  She screamed as well.  Miroku flinched at the sound.  He was soon out of the town and he began to head for the hill.

******

"I think we're getting closer," said Kagome.  They were still looking for an Inn.  Suddenly, the scream of a woman caused them to stop.  The woman ran by them, yelling.

"He's back!  Beware!"  She continued to run down the street, screaming.  They just stared at her.  Inuyasha soon got bored.

"Let's just go," he said as he began walking again.

"I wonder what she was talking about," said Shippo.

"Same here," responded Kagome.  Sango just sighed.

"Let's go, Houshi-sama," she said.  She heard no response and turned around.  "Houshi-sama?"  He wasn't there.  Kagome stopped walking and turned to face Sango.

"What is it, Sango-chan?" she asked.

"Houshi-sama isn't here."

"Feh," said Inuyasha as he also turned around.  "He probably just ran off doing who knows what.  He'll come back later.  Let's just go."  Inuyasha turned around and began walking.

"Okay," said Kagome, a little hesitant.  Sango walked behind them.  'Where did you go, Houshi-sama?'

******

Miroku stood on the hill that overlooked the village.  He was breathing hard since he had ran the whole way.

"I never wanted to come back here," said Miroku.  He looked over the village.  'At least they were able to rebuild it.  I hope they aren't worried about me for disappearing like that, but knowing Inuyasha, I'm sure he doesn't care.'  Miroku stood on the hill for a while, taking in the scene before him.

"Maybe…I should go back," he said.  "Who knows?  Perhaps that woman just screamed because she saw a spider or forgot something important she had to do."  He nodded once, deciding that that was the reason.  He began to walk slowly back down the hill.

"Who knows?  Maybe they have forgotten by now."

******

"We're here!" said Kagome happily.  They arrived at a big house and then walked inside.  Sitting in the room was a middle-aged woman.  She looked up as they entered and her eyes went.

"Y-youkai?!" she said.

"It's alright, we're only here because we want to stay the night," explained Kagome.  "We don't plan on causing any trouble."  The woman calmed down a little and focused on her customers.

"Alright," she said.  "So what will it be?"

"Two rooms with two futons in each room," explained Kagome.  The woman looked them all over.

"Will the young one be having his own futon?" asked the woman, pointing to Shippo.

"Iie, there's actually four of us.  He'll be coming here later."

"Alright.  I'll get your rooms ready.  Oh, and if I were you, I'd be careful while you're in this village."

"Why's that?" asked Sango.

"There's a rumor going around that the person who destroyed this village three years ago is back.  Someone claimed they saw him today."

"Is this guy a youkai?" asked Inuyasha.

"Iie," answered the woman.

"Then this village must be pretty weak to be destroyed by a human."  Inuyasha smirked.

"Inuyasha," warned Kagome.

"What?" he asked.  Just then, a loud crash was heard outside.

"You scum!" cried one of the village men.  They all turned to face the door as they heard many more crashes.  "Get up!" yelled another angry voice.  The woman stood up and walked to the door.

"They must have found him," she said.  She walked out to join the crowd.

"What's going on?" asked Shippo.  Inuyasha just listened to the sound of the crowd and then sniffed the air.  His face grew stern.

"Inuyasha?" questioned Kagome.

"What is it?" asked Sango.

"I smell blood," he responded.  They ran out the door of the inn and found a huge crowd outside, standing in the street

"Back for more, huh?" asked one of the angry village men.  The sound of another crash was heard and a cry of pain came along with it.

"That voice," said Kagome, recognizing the painful cry.  They all seemed to recognize it.  They began to push through the crowd and eventually made it through to the middle.  They all stopped as they saw Miroku, covered in scratches and bruises, a bloody gash down his left arm and one on his back.

"Miroku-sama!"

"Houshi-sama!"  Sango and Kagome ran over to their fallen friend, while Inuyasha stood in front of them.

"A youkai?!  Are you friends of his?!" asked an angry villager.

"Just what the hell is going on here?!" asked Inuyasha angrily.

"That's right!" yelled Kagome.  "He's done nothing to you!"

"Shows how much you know!  Now step aside!" yelled another villager.  Inuyasha didn't move.  Instead, he moved his hand towards his sword to seem threatening.

"M-matte…" whispered Miroku.  Inuyasha glanced back at him.  Kagome and Sango were at his sides, helping him to stand.  "I…want you all to leave," he said.  They looked at him in disbelief.

"Nani?!" asked Shippo, completely unbelieving this.  "Miroku…"

"I said I want you to leave.  You wouldn't understand."

"Demo…Houshi-sama…"

"If killing me will bring their hearts some peace, then so be it."

"What are you saying?" asked Kagome.

"Three years ago…I destroyed this town…with my Kazaana."  All of them were in disbelief now.  They all stared at him, their eyes wide.  "So please…leave me."

"Demo…" started Kagome.

"I said go."  Reluctantly, Sango and Kagome let go of Miroku, who was now standing on his own.  The five of them left the ring of villagers, walking away from the crowd, and looking back at Miroku.  The lady from the inn was awaiting them.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you stay here for the night."

"Nani?" asked Kagome.

"Anybody who is a friend of his is not welcomed here.  I'm sorry."

"You worthless bouzu!" cried another angry villager.  There was another pained cry from Miroku.

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Well, wasn't that fun?  Okay, that's all for now, and no, Miroku did not die.  He just got beaten up badly.  That's all^.^

Why am I happy?  Cause I just watched up to episode 48.  That's why I'm happy.

And now I can watch more later today.  It's going to be a very happy day.

Oh, is how you say 'no' in Japanese 'Iei'?  I was just wondering, cause I can't remember.  I will go back an replace all the no's as soon as I find out.

Nani-what

Bouzu-insulting term for a monk

Houshi-monk

Demo-but

Youkai-demon

Well, bye for now!