Chapter 2

Disclaimer: No I don't own Inuyasha cause if I did I would have killed Kikyo off years ago…

Miroku spent three hours doing what he set out too. He buried the children, the women and the men. Young and old all laid side by side in six rows marked only with wooden crosses fastened out of sticks. The mounds were covered with rocks and some flowers were laid out on the women's graves. For the children, Miroku only made the distinction with the smaller mounds. Then whole thing disgusted him. How could such a thing happen for no reason? The ways of the demons always seemed cruel to him but why would he question something with no answer. He took his time with Koharu, making sure to say an extra prayer for her soul. Nothing should have come to this. Slaughter and murder was truly unnecessary.

Walking back to Kaede's village was something that he wished he could avoid. Slowly Miroku made his pace in the twilight hours, eyes on the ground ahead of his feet only. Some might thing this the stance of the normal, thoughtful monk. But this was different. The gleam in his eyes was vacant and only the steady blinking gave way to his life. It seemed upon his arrival that things weren't any better.

The people of the village all seemed to be gathered around Kaede's hut, trying to peak inside. Inside a faint light could be seen from the window but that was all. The blinds had been drawn and the door flap shut. The villagers parted for Miroku and he gave nods of thanks towards the villagers. Pushing the flap open he had a stream of glares sent at him for a moment before the gangs eyes turned soft. "I presume the burial of the dead went well? Sorry for leaving you to it alone."

Sango's voice was soft from the corner where she sat propped up by her elbows. She was beautiful as ever, even when she was sad, thought Miroku. His eyes searched the room and saw Inuyasha propped against one wall with his father's fang on his lap, Shippou on his shoulder, and Kaede bending over a lump wrapped in blankets.

"Why didn't you answer me Miroku?" Sango pressured, looking at him. Her tone took him aback and he glanced to the floor. Inuyasha looked up surprised and so did Kaede. Shippou looked at him with something different from wanting to know the truth. His eyes demanded a better explanation for before.

"I didn't bury the dead Sango." Her gasp was his only indication that he had in truth spoken. "Wadda ya mean you didn't bury the dead, that's why you stayed behind retard!"

Miroku felt his eyes close and open slowly to face the half-breed dog demon. Anger laced his vision as he took in a breath. "No one was actually dead. I merely stopped them from coming."

"I-I don't understand Miroku, how is that any different from burring the dead?" Inuyasha asked.

"That's why you're different from me Inuyasha. You understand nothing of the souls of mortals. Leave me be but let yourself be warned, I will return later for Kagome and I will not let her suffer any longer then necessary." Miroku stormed out and left several villagers stunned and more surprised. Inuyasha, Sango and Shippou didn't know what was the reason for his haste and harsh words so they looked to Kaede.

"Ye may not be quick to judge the actions of ye fellow companion. His words come from his training as a monk and ye know not of what that entails. The art of the soul is something ye never must become familiar with unless it is needed to ye." Kaede looked around at them and saw that they weren't letting her off the hook that easily. "Fine I shall tell ye but don't send ye glares at me." Kaede turned from tucking Kagome in with a blanket to face the fire and the three.

"What the monk meant is he must come to claim the body of Kagome and bury her." Inuyasha looked to object but Kaede held up a hand to silence him. "Ye must wait, Inuyasha till I am done speaking to fully understand. The body and soul together make a person. When one dies the soul leaves the body and the body has no choice to decompose so the soul can safely pass on. Without a soul the body dies. Kagome has no soul… her body has already started the process of breaking down itself so it can return to the earth. If her soul were to return after this has began then she would become the living dead, a zombie. That fate would be worst then death. Miroku's words mean that he won't let that happen to her."

There was nothing for Shippou to do but cry. Cry for Kagome and cry for what Miroku had to do.