A miracle, they said. Some how, some way, her body had managed to hold onto itself just long enough for the healing process to begin. Kagome had survived, and healed. At least, the physical part of her did.

It had been weeks now, and no word from Inuyasha. Not hide, nor hair. Had her foolishness angered him that much?

She sighed, and began one of two french-braids that were to be in her hair. She was going home today, the stitches in her back and chest removed days before, however she felt it hard to be happy. Why hadn't he come to see her? She knew he was the only one who could have gotten her to the hospital. If nothing else, she wanted to at least thank him. I'll go back, but the thought caught her brain. She really shouldn't. If she were needed, he would have come for her.

Kagome stood, gently pulling on a black hoodie, after rubber-banding the end of her second braid. She turned to look at the white hospital bed, and grabbed the dark jeans that were thrown over it. She put them on. They were too big, by inches. How much weight had she lost? She shook her head, and picked up her worn black shoulder bag, and gave one more look to her white room. Empty, save a TV, and a mirror next to the window.

"Kagome?" she heard her mother's voice, and turned to the door. Yes, her mother was there, waiting with a wheel chair for her to sit in, and a joyous smile on her lips.

"Ready to go?"

Kagome smiled back at her mother, and for a split moment was overcome with delight for being alive.

"Yeah, mom. Let's go home."

Kaede wandered through the village as she did each afternoon during the setting of the sun. These weeks, exactly two months and three days, to get technical, had been strange, for even she was feeling the loss of sweet Kagome. The village felt empty, as it did after the loss of her elder sister. A feeling she had hoped for never again.

Kaede sighed as she reached the border of the village, a certain tree waiting ahead of her. She had seen very little of the hanyou, in these long weeks, there was nowhere else for him to be, so she began the trek towards him. He had been alone far to long.

Kagome stood in front of the well, rationalizing to herself. Okay, I'll deliver the medicine, hug Shippou, and say thank you to Inuyasha. That's all, then I'll leave, and move on with life. I need to move on with life. Kagome took a step closer to the well, slinging her messenger bag over her shoulder. She had to hurry, and get back before her mom found out she was gone. She climbed onto the wood frame around the well, and stood up on it, looking into the black abyss beneath her. With a heavy breath, she hopped in, her braids flailing behind her ears.

Before she knew it, Kagome was climbing out the well with all the effort she could muster, and all at once, it hit her. She was back. She was home.

"Inuyasha!" Kaede called up. She watched, rather amused as he pulled his leg up on the branch, and out of sight.

"Inuyasha, I know 'ye is up there. Come down, and talk with an old woman." She listened carefully to the silence, a light 'keh', the only sound besides the wind in the tree.

"Inuyasha!" she called, now irritated. "Sit!"

It was amazing how fast he came down, red with anger even though he hadn't been 'sat'. The simple mention of that word made him shudder.

"What's the big idea, you crazy old quack!?" The hanyou demanded, hands in the air, and eyes fierce with frustration.

"It was time you come out of that tree." She nodded to him, "Come. Walk with an old lady?"

Inuyasha said nothing, but folded his arms, and followed her with an aggravated glint to his eyes. Into the forest they walked, with many moments of silence. It was old Kaede who was the first to speak.

"Have 'ye seen Kagome?"

Inuyasha stopped walking, and tilted his head down, "What would make you think that, old woman?"

Kaede sighed, and shrugged her shoulders. She had known he hadn't gone to see her, Sango had told her of Inuyasha's discussion with she and Miroku, the day he had returned from the modern world, without Kagome.

"It was just a question, boy." She said evenly.

"I have." He said gently, afraid the wind my carry the news. Kaede was taken aback, and turned to look at him, night quickly falling, though some light still sat in the western sky.

"You have? How is she?" Kaede's eyes were nearly pleading, as she looked to Inuyasha for an answer.

"The last time I saw her," he began, but suddenly he stopped. There was a smell in the air. A faint smell, but it was still there. It was a scent he would no anywhere. Inuyasha suddenly began to sprint, leaving Kaede in his wake, curious, and worried.

Kagome stood in the clearing, taking a moment to admire the vibrant colors of the setting sky above her. She smiled. She was going to miss coming here.

Kagome adjusted the bag on her shoulder, and began to walk forward, one more quick glance to the well, her eyes leaving the empty space in front of her for only a split second; however, it was no longer vacant, when her eyes returned.

There, in the slight distance before her, he stood, the wind picking up his hair. A strange sense came over her. Was she happy, sad, hurt? Seeing him, what was it she felt? Kagome went to take a step forward, and she found that she couldn't move.

"Kagome." Inuyasha whispered, as he stared at her, across the clearing. The setting sun lit her hair with pink highlights, and made her face glow, and with awe, he watched her, watching him.

"Inuyasha." He heard her say so softly; he had to strain his heightened sense just to make it out.

"Inuyasha!" she suddenly shouted, and with all her strength and energy she began to sprint forward, like he would disappear if she didn't get to him in time. Inuyasha...

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night,

Take the sunken eyes and learn to see.

You were only waiting,

For your moment to be free."

A/N: Sorry for the delay! Really, I am. I was moving. BLECK! Anyway, the story took a crazy turn in this chapter. It's becoming NOTHING like intended. Oh well.

Oh, and thank you guys, for all the great reviews! Let me know if you have any thoughts or ideas!