Okay people, no excuses for lack of updates I'm just going to say they will now be starting up once again. For those of you who have been still faithful to me I praise you most highly for your diligence in sticking with this story. Chapter length will be varying from now on, with being anywhere from 2 to 15 pages... all depends on when I feel a chapter should really end. Mmm ok now with that over with here is the next chapter.
Recap:
Kagome's stormy grey-blue eyes watched the two across the way as she held up the hand that still held Kikyo's arrow pulsing with slight power. "Inuyasha, you now have the Miko you wanted by your side to search for the Jewel, I wish you luck. I hope one day to met you under better circumstances, but until that day comes may this arrow serve a reminder of this day."
With that said Kagome walked across the way to the hanyou and the Miko. Once facing the two, with a slight show of power, Kagome banished Kikyo's aura from the arrow, turned it black, and promptly snapped it in two. Silently she held the pieces out to Inuyasha and watched as he held out his hand almost as if in a trance. Kagome placed the broken arrow into his hand and kissed his cheek whispering "goodbye Inuyasha."
Kagome turned, walked to the group waiting for her, and once there continued walking with the rest of the group filing behind her.
Inuyasha could only watch as his friends faded into the darkness of the forest. He stood there for a few moments as if waiting there would bring them all back shouting that it was just one horrible joke. When another moment passed Inuyasha realized that they were truly gone.
Learning To Let Go...
All four of the Shikon no tama group watched Kagome with concern in their eyes as they got farther and farther from the glade where they had left Inuyasha and Kikyo. They were extremely worried about the silence that seemed to hang around the young miko and prayed that she would make it through this without too much harm...
They walked for about three hours in total silence, which was a record for Shippo at the time. The young kit desperately wanted to say something to his surrogate mother but every time he got up the courage to say something it died away at the look in Kagome's eyes. Finally he couldn't take it anymore and Shippo began to wail.
Kagome's head snapped up at the sound of Shippo's first cry. Smiling gently Kagome gathered the young kitsune to her and began petting his head while murmuring reassurances.
Kagome took a look at their surroundings, then nodded saying "we should make camp here."
Seeing that Kagome was slowly coming back to herself the others quickly agreed and began the chores to set camp. After one worrying glance Buyo sighed before heading into the forest to hunt something for their meal that night.
Kagome stood in the middle of the clearing, which was soon to be their camp, and watched as the others left to do their assigned tasks. Giving a sigh she snuggled Shippo to her and sat upon the log just behind her.
"Kagome, why are we here?" Shippo asked as he looked up at her with wide eyes.
Kagome's brow furrowed in slight puzzlement "what do you mean Shippo?"
"I mean why didn't we head back towards the village? Why are we heading this direction and not back towards home?
Kagome closed her eyes as if in pain and whispered brokenly "because Shippo, more than likely Inuyasha is heading that way and I can't deal with seeing him right now..."
"Oh. Mommy..." Shippo began to say.
At the word mommy Kagome's eyes flew open in shock to look at the little kit in her arms"
Seeing the look on Kagome's face Shippo realized what he had said and began to apologize "I'm sorry Kago"
Giving a gentle smile she hugged Shippo and said "no kit... there is nothing to apologize for. Now what were you going to say?"
Shippo squirmed a bit before saying "are we ever going to see Inuyasha again? I wouldn't mind never seeing Kikyo but..."
Kagome smiled through the pain the simple question brought her "of course we'll see him Shippo, I don't know when but I'm sure we will."
Shippo nodded and gave a smiling yawn "alright mommy" before he fell asleep in Kagome's arms.
Kagome gave a watery smile to the softly dozing kitsune "we'll see him little one, I just don't know under what circumstances though."
They were now both after the shards and out for Naraku's destruction, but with Kikyo in the mix what did that make them? Compatriots? Rivals? Possibly, even enemies? Kagome shook her head to clear it of such dismal thoughts 'Inuyasha made his choice just as we made ours.'
A rustling in the bushes ahead alerted her to someone's presence and she relaxed as soon as she saw Buyo walk into the glade with a brace of rabbits. Seeing her long time friend Kagome gave him a welcoming smile.
Buyo paused at the edge of the clearing to take in the scene before him. Kagome was sitting on a log holding Shippo like any mother would. The breeze was lightly playing with her hair as the setting sun lit up the smile she had and gave her a warm glow about her. Then he looked into her eyes and immediately wanted to go hunt down the bastard hanyou and rip his throat out. Kagome's normally vibrant sapphire blue eyes were now a dull grey like a sullen rainstorm. There was still a spark of life there and he knew the only reason it was there was because Kagome felt she owed her life to her friends. Buyo quickly shook his head to clear such thoughts away, well to at least shove them to the back of his mind. Striding forward he looped the free end of the rope that held the rabbits over a protruding branch and then went over to Kagome, smiling at the kit in her arms.
'Here is her main reason for her still being in this world, this small bright shining star.' Buyo silently held his arms out for the small kitsune and Kagome gently placed the dozing kit into his strong embrace. Smiling Buyo shifted Shippo to one arm and held the other one out to help Kagome rise from her perch on the log. After she got up from her seat Kagome kept one hand on Buyo's arm as she leaned in to smile at the softly dozing kit in the other demon's arm.
This was the scene that Miroku and Sango happened to walk in on. To the eyes of the Priest and Exterminator it was a warm family moment that they would remember for a long time to come.
A moment later Kagome looked up to see her two friends at the edge of the clearing and instead of breaking the mood she gave a gentle smile of welcome that seemed to encompass the two. Smiling Miroku and Sango walked forward and joined the small group. As one they huddled together to just contemplate the feeling that surrounded them all. Soon after the glow faded and all that was left was a simple sense of well being.
For a moment Kagome felt a stab of remorse that she should feel this way when the group had just been split, but then she realized that that there was nothing to be done now except to continue on. Straightening her back she gave a brilliant smile to the others and they all gave a mental sigh of relief Knowing that Kagome was going to be ok.
There we go that was the initial reaction of the group from Kagome's side. I know a lot of you are going to be like "hey she got over that fast!" but in reality she hasn't. All that Kagome has done is realize that she has to put herself aside and fight for her friends at the moment. The next chapter will be Inuyasha's reaction and then we will get onto the shard hunting views. Thank you all once again and I hope to see you in the next chapter!
