" 'I should see the garden far better,' said Alice to herself, if I could get to the top of that hill: and here's a path that leads straight to it' "

"Here's a path! You were right!" Kagome cried as she dashed forward to reach out a hand and touch the dusty violet path that broke through the grassy hill to wind deep into the forest. "Maybe it leads to the way out!" When Inuyasha remained silent Kagome looked back at him and frowned.

"Inuyasha? What's wrong?"

"You see a path..." When Kagome nodded Inuyasha made a dismissing sound. "Then what are we waiting for. Let's go."

Kagome blinked at him silently a moment then nodded and walked into the forest, keeping her steps carefully at the path's center, afraid it might suddenly disappear. "Inuyasha."

"What?"

She hesitated a moment before speaking. "It's okay. To be sad. About Kikyou I mean. I know you loved her." He said nothing and the silence hurt. "I'm sorry she died."

And she was. Even if Kikyou had been her rival in a way...she understood Kikyou as well as she understood herself. Because despite all their differences they both did everything out of love for Inuyasha and usually, the reason is more important then the actions that result from it.

"Thank you." Inuyasha's voice was quiet and Kagome contemplated taking his hand again but then decided against it. Because no matter how sorry she was that Kikyou was dead she was even more grateful that Inuyasha hadn't died with her.

She turned her face away purposefully and it was that reason that she saw the figures standing on the edge of the path. She froze and stared. Her grandmother and her father-not her mother or grandpa or Souta, just the two-stood beneath the thick branches of a tree, her grandmother sitting on an upraised root and her father patting her grandmother's back soothingly.

Kagome stepped closer slowly and mouthed their names. Though she didn't put her voice behind the words they seemed to hear and both looked up. Her father smiled at her and opened his arms as if she was a little child again and he was waiting for her to jump up into them. And tears clouded Kagome's eyes as she took a step forward but her grandmother's face stopped her. Her grandmother's eyes were wide with surprise and her face was stricken.

"Daddy!" The cry escaped and out of the corner of her eye she saw Inuyasha turn and call her name but she paid him no mind. Her father was there. Just there of the path. And she moved closer to him slowly as he waited, just stood and smiled invitingly.

Kagome knew better. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew better. But she walked closer anyway, her steps becoming easier with each movement. But her grandmother suddenly rose and put out a hand, lips taking on that line, that firm line that was a clear sign of disapproval.

"Not here granddaughter. Never here." Her grandmother's voice was like sandpaper.

It was the gentle tones tied with the under hint of a command that caused Kagome to stop. "Grandmother...."

"Now then Naomi. Don't frighten the girl." Her father said kindly. "Kagome. It's been so long..."

Kagome sobbed faintly and moved closer again but this time Inuyasha's voice did break through her stupor.

"Iron Reaver!" And Kagome was knocked back as she watched Inuyasha leap forward to shear his claws through her father. She lifted hands to her mouth as her father's eyes turned to her for a split second and then his face twisted as 3 ling cuts blossomed across his chest and he collapsed. She screamed, stuffing her fist in her mouth to muffle the sound of it.

"Kagome." She flinched away from Inuyasha's touched and he drew back in surprise then reached out again. "Kagome. That wasn't your father. Listen to me!" He growled suddenly when she just shook her head in mute horror.

"He is right." Kagome lifted her eyes. Her grandmother still stood there, just of the path. "That was a memory. No more."

"Grandma..." She murmured again and her grandmother smiled.

"I'm just a memory to, but the women in our family are descendants of priestess and so in this realm I am a memory that cannot be corrupted." Kagome gripped Inuyasha's arm as he helped her to her feet quietly. "I will take you to where you must go so that you may do what you were born to do. Walk with me or walk beside me but do not touch anyone you see of this path. Nor can you step of it."

"Yes grandma." Kagome replied meekly. She blinked and remembered something. "Grandma, this is-"

"Yes I know. The half demon." Her grandmother smiled and looked at Inuyasha. "You cannot see the path can you Inuyasha?"

When Inuyasha growled Kagome looked up at him in surprise. "You can't see it? But you're walking on it!"

"He's trusting you to guide him." Her grandmother answered for him.

"And if I had stepped off of it...Inuyasha."

"It ain't nothin'!" Inuyasha snapped. "Just stay on the path and we'll be fine."

Kagome looked up at him then nodded once. He was counting on her; even if he wouldn't admit it he needed her to be strong now. Her hand tightened around the strap of her quiver. She wouldn't be tempted again. Because Inuyasha was depending on her.

"Memories hold tight to both of you." Her grandmother intruded. "Every memory. Every loss. Every death. You will see others as we walk. Those you know and those you don't."

Kagome froze. "I don't think I wish to see anymore."

"This path was your decision. You have no choice in the matter so you'd best prepare yourself for it."

Kagome's memories of her grandmother were all of sweet words and kindness but the sharp sting of the words was just as real and yet it reassured her more then sugared words would have and she nodded determinedly.

"Yes grandma."

"Good. Then shall we be going?" When the old woman turned and started walking Kagome did as well, edging closer to Inuyasha when he fell in step beside her.

"Inuyasha. Thank you."

"I'm sorry you had to see that Kagome. I tried to block you."

She wished he'd managed to. She wanted to turn her face into his chest so she couldn't see anything at all that they'd meet with but she wouldn't and couldn't do that. Because she wouldn't leave Inuyasha to face his memories alone while she hid.

"It's alright." And she slipped her hand into his.

And Kagome glanced back once, only once, and her father's body was still there. And she turned away to look ahead again. And her grandmother shook her head firmly.

" 'and here's a path that leads straight to it' "