~*~Hi all! Sorry for the long wait. I've been really busy lately. The curse of a freshman in college. *sigh* Read!~*~

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Inu Yasha ran as fast as he could to get to the small hut he considered like a second home. 'Please, let Kagome be alright.' He could tell that wolf was behind him, keeping a small distance for some odd reason. Shaking his head, the hanyou kept going until the old miko was in his line of vision. Coming to a stop in front of her, Inu Yasha looked at her with intensity and desperation. "How is she?"

Kaede smiled. "She's alright, Inu Yasha, still asleep from all the work though. Best not wake her."

A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he visibly relaxed. "Can I see her?"

A nod was all he received before the hanyou went right into the hut. Kouga remained outside, not asking or demanding to see Kagome first for some reason. Inu Yasha didn't care at the moment. He walked into the room and saw the raven haired beauty laying on a futon, looking somewhat weak. She was practically covered in bandages, but alive.

The hanyou walked over and sat by her side, taking her hand in his. 'I am so sorry, Kagome. I should have done something to protect you. None of this would have happened if I hadn't have said those things to you that day. It's all my fault.'

That same small unnoticed spark came at their skin contact. A small squeeze of his hand was what Inu Yasha felt at the moment. It was if she was trying to reassure him she was alright and that she forgave him. 'Please come back to me… Kagome…'

~*~

"Hoshi-sama?"

Miroku continued to walk into the forest, turning his head to look at her. "Sango, please come with me. I wish to speak with you in a more private area." When she gave him a slight glare, he put up his hands. "I give you my word they will not wander while we talk."

After a brief moment, Sango nodded and followed the perverted monk deeper into the forest. It wasn't long before she realized where they were headed. "Hoshi-sama? Why are we heading for Goshinboku? Inu Yasha's tree?"

The monk didn't answer but continued on his path, only stopping when his destination was reached. Without a word, Miroku sat at the base of the wise and ancient tree, indicating for the youkai exterminator to do the same. Sango chose to stand instead. With a sigh, the hentai spoke. "Please sit beside me, Sango. I will not have the courage to say what needs to be said if you are so distant."

With a slight nod of her head, she did as he requested. Her legs were up to her chest and she wrapped her arms around them, directing her attention to the ground.

"Do you remember back before we all met, Sango? How we lived our lives?"

It took a moment for the woman to recall those times, with Kohaku and her father living in the exterminators' village. "I remember carefree days, but also times when I had to fight. But I felt at ease, knowing I would go home to the people who loved me."

Turning slightly away from her, Miroku stared off into the sky. "I can remember the people around me, how they tried to comfort me after my father's death. My whole life had been plagued with Naraku, knowing that someday, a demon I had never crossed would cause my death. There were many happy times, but the days I remember most are the ones filled with worry. When would my curse take my life? How long did I truly have on this earth?" Lowering his head, Miroku went on. "I made a vow, Sango."

"To destroy Naraku and free yourself from the curse."

A small smile formed on his face. "A different one. You see, I vowed if I ever found a woman who-"

Sango shot up. "A woman who would bear your child?!?!? Damn it, Hoshi-sama! You dragged me out here to tell me that?!?!?!"

For some reason, Miroku remained calm. "A woman who made me feel as if my world were shattered if she ever got hurt, I would tell her how I felt about her before it was too late. A woman who made me put her life before my own. Sango," the monk turned to face her with this weird look in his eye as he continued, "all that has happened to Kagome… I don't think I would be able to handle it if that happened to you. My whole world would indeed crumble. I never realized it before and for that I'm sorry. I love you, Sango. I know now I always will."

The youkai exterminator was in a state of shock as she absorbed all he had just said. 'He… he loves me? But how?' A thought struck her, causing her to back away from him. "Gomen, Hoshi-sama. I wish I could believe you."

Miroku stood and looked at her, pain in his eyes due to the fact she didn't believe him. "I would not lie to you, Sango. I do love you, with all my heart and soul."

Shaking her head, Sango backed away more, wrapping her arms around herself. She turned so her back was to him, unable to look into his eyes anymore. "Hoshi-sama, I cannot believe what you say. You are a lecher, a hentai through and through. What am I to do if I believe your words and you betray me with someone younger and prettier, one willing to give you a child?" Without her realizing, tears had begun tumbling down her face, showing her just how much pain she would go through if that were to happen.

Two arms snaked around her waist as she was pulled against Miroku's strong chest. Leaning in, he spoke directly in her ear. "You are the only woman for me. There is no other that is prettier. The most beautiful woman in the world is right here."

Turning so she looked him in the eye, Sango questioned him. "You're words flatter me, but I can't help but wonder if that's all they are used for. How do I know if they are true?"

Looking into his violet eyes, Sango saw an emotion reflected in them, one she felt she shared. While she looked into his soul, Miroku drowned in her chocolate orbs. He saw a flicker of hope in them, wishing so desperately that his words were truthful. Before he lost his nerve, the monk leaned down and placed his lips onto hers, kissing her with all the love he had flowing through him. To his surprise, Miroku felt her arms snake up to his neck as she returned the emotions he was giving to her.

Eventually, they needed to part for air, neither stepping out of their current position. Sango's eyes sparkled as Miroku's looked sincere and full of joy. The female leaned her head on his shoulder, bringing herself even closer to him as his hold on her tightened. "I love you too, Miroku."

~*~

Kouga sat with his back against the hut, keeping watch until the others returned. The old hag said something about herbs while the two humans went off into the forest for a moment. It wasn't like he cared anyway. He needed time to think. 'Even without her memories, she ran to Inu Yasha. She didn't even know he was here, but felt the need to go to him.' That thought bothered the wolf youkai greatly, finally realizing the bond between the girl and that dog face was indeed very strong, something he could not break.

Sighing, Kouga got up and began pacing, trying to get his thoughts in order. 'I know what I need to do now. I'll have to wait until mutt face gets out of there though. He won't like it, but he'll just have to deal with it.'

"Have ye finally decided what you wish to do involving Kagome?"

Kouga looked over at that old miko with an annoyed glare. Before answering, he began heading to a different part of the forest. "Tell them I shall return tomorrow morning to check in on her."

Kaede was indeed shocked. "You will not stay to see her?"

"I don't belong here. I know now I never will." With that, the wolf youkai took off in a whirlwind, probably back to his cave and pack.

Kaede sighed. 'I know you still fancy Kagome and will protect her as much as you can. It takes a lot to step out of the way and let her love someone else. You would not do it if you knew Inu Yasha could not step up to the task. Young wolf prince, you are indeed wiser beyond your years.'

Smiling, the old woman went into the hut with the herbs she had gathered.

~

Kaede had come in and gone after checking up on Kagome, who was still asleep. Inu Yasha sat there, not leaving her side. Her breathing was even and he could hear her heart beating in her chest, confirming she was still alive.

For some reason, the hanyou felt exhausted, so very tired. It was very odd to him, considering he was, in fact, a hanyou, but the sleep overwhelmed him and Inu Yasha slowly let his eyelids drop, never letting go of Kagome's hand in the process.

Inu Yasha was met with a grassy hillside and a clear blue sky overhead, a soft breeze blowing, greeting his face. The grass felt soft and warm under his bare feet as he walked around. Ahead of him, the hanyou spotted a very familiar site. 'The well?'

Someone seemed to be sitting on the edge of it, as if waiting for something. Curious, Inu Yasha walked closer and was shocked at who he saw. 'It can't be.' Getting even closer, until he was only ten feet away, he stopped. "K-Kikyo?"

The woman turned her head and smiled at him. "Glad to know you still recognize me, Inu Yasha."

"What are you doing in my dream?"

That smile stayed on her lips as she got up and faced him fully. "You have really changed, Inu Yasha. I hardly recognize you anymore. And yes, that is a compliment. Before, you lived for the sake of surviving. Now, you live for a purpose, for her."

He didn't know what to say to the dead miko before him. Her smile only grew. "Don't even think about it. I understand now what went on between us was only so you would find her, your true soul mate. She may be my reincarnate, but she is so much more than that, something I could never be. What happened with us was tragic, but it had to be done."

It all made sense now. The pain and sorrow he went through was all so he would realize just how much Kagome meant to him. She chased away his sorrows and pain, but he just didn't see it soon enough. Was this all some test?

Kikyo's gaze went to the forest, as if sensing something. "Inu Yasha, time is precious, always moving. Things are constantly changing around us, whether for the better or worse. Don't let the better pass you by. You deserve only the best."

"What will happen to you, Kikyo? It doesn't seem like you had a fair hand in this."

Turning her head back to him, the miko smiled again. "Not all of my soul is in Kagome. I realized that after I ran away from her when I came back to life. Her soul is large, a combination of mine within hers. In other words, her soul as well as mine was transferred into me that day, but my hatred gave out first, overpowered hers. That's why she was able to call herself back. She gave me part of my soul back that day, leaving it behind. She wanted me to live, but didn't realize I would use my second chance to take you away from this world. I know this is all confusing, but my point is my whole soul has been returned to me during this ordeal. I might be reincarnated again, but I am not sure. Maybe this life wasn't for me and my true life will begin later." Seeing him try to comprehend this, Kikyo sighed. "In other words, my destiny in this time was to bring you to your soul mate. Now that it's over, I can be reborn and live my life again in another time, with a new destiny."

With a nod, Inu Yasha smiled at her. "Arigatou. I wish only the best for you, Kikyo."

"Inu Yasha?"

A voice called to him from the forest, causing him to turn his gaze to the trees. He looked back at Kikyo, at her smiling at him. She was finally a free woman, happy. That was all he could ever wish for. "Go. Go to your destiny, Inu Yasha. This is the last thing I can give you. After this, you probably won't see me again. Just know, even after everything we went through, I don't regret meeting you."

Before heading into the forest, Inu Yasha came around and hugged the miko he had cared for so long ago. "Be at peace, Kikyo." With that, he sprinted off to the forest, taking one last look back to see she had disappeared.

Racing into the forest, Inu Yasha felt as if he was being led in circles. The trees raced passed and soon the exit came into view. Slowing down, the hanyou saw the well in front of him again, but it felt different this time. Coming closer to the well, Inu Yasha heard something inside of it. Looking over the side of it, a woman with raven hair sat there curled up into a ball in the corner. "Kagome?"

The woman looked up, chocolate eyes gazing up at him, tears falling from them. Confused, the hanyou jumped down to crouch in front of her, looking at her with concerned eyes. "What's wrong? You've been crying."

Kagome continued to just look at him. "I don't know which way to go."

"What do you mean?"

"Which way should I go? Do I belong up there, with you and the gang? Should I go back to my time and go on as if none of this ever happened? I feel so lost. I don't know where to go."

Shaking his head, Inu Yasha reached over and placed his hand on her cheek. "Kagome, no matter where you go, you will always belong. No matter which time you pick, you won't be alone. I'll go with you, be by your side, no matter which you decide."

Deep brown orbs focused on his amber ones, as if trying to see if his words held truth. Taking her into his arms, Inu Yasha held her close to him, trying to show her how he felt. "You know I am no good with words. I can't show what you mean to me. Please, just know you are everything to me. I'll go with you anywhere."

He felt Kagome shifting in his arms, trying to look at him. "Take me home, Inu Yasha. Take me to where my loved ones are, where the world is safe and where I am protected by my friends. Please?"

With that, Inu Yasha shifted and waited for her to get on his back. When he felt her tight hold on him, the hanyou jumped out of the well and into the feudal era, to the same field he was in with before. Letting her down, he gazed into Kagome's eyes and smiled. All he saw was her, no traces of the former miko. "Welcome home, Kagome."

~*~That seems like a good place to stop for now. I think there might be one more chapter left, not sure yet. Reviews are wonderful. Hopefully I can finish this fic within two weeks. Ja ne!!!~*~