And the verdict is in….  I still don't own Inu Yasha.  It's a shame really…  Oh well, back to the drawing board.

"Is Kagome-chan, okay? Nothing happened to her, did it?" Sango could feel fear building in the pit of her stomach.

               "No, she's okay. Stop worrying. Nothing is wrong…" Inu Yasha answered growling in irritation.

               "Oh… Will she be back soon?" the taiji-ya asked lightly. Something is not quite right and I intend on getting to the bottom of this.

               "I doubt it…" Inu Yasha grumbled a bit.

               Sango's brow furrowed, "Kagome wouldn't just abandon us…"

               "She can and she will. It's not like we need her. You know as well as I do, Kagome can't defend herself. She gets in the way of this mission…" the hanyou's hardened voice cut through the air like a knife.

               Ever since that conversation with Inu Yasha, Sango frequently found herself thinking about it, trying to discern its meaning.  From her perch on the back of Kirara as they journeyed back to the village, Sango watched Inu Yasha closely.  I wish I could have talked to him more about that whole thing but he's been so quiet lately.  These last few days he's been keeping to himself or going off on his own.  I wonder if it has anything to do with Kagome.  He's been very sullen since she went home.  I tried to question Miroku but he has been as close lipped as Inu Yasha. Sango looked below her at the monk riding on Kagome's bike.  He chose that moment to look up at her and she looked away quickly, a blush rising to her cheeks.  Her lips curled into a smile. 

 When we get back to the village I hope Kagome-chan will be there.  I never considered that she would leave us.  She vowed to complete this mission and Kagome is my close friend and sister that I never had.  I miss our conversations already.  I cannot blame her, however, if she wanted to leave.  She does have life on the other side of the well.  I also know that being here in Sengoku Jidai is a trial in itself, the constant fighting and death can wear on anyone's soul. If I know Kagome as I think I do, I know she would not leave without saying goodbye at least. 

               For my own selfish reasons, I hope that Kagome is not considering leaving the group even though Inu Yasha can be such a pain sometimes.  She befriended us all without question despite all the things that transpired before we joined her and Inu Yasha in the fight against Naraku.    

               Sango turned slightly as she felt someone tap lightly on her back.  Shippou, who was seated directly behind her, was looking up at her with wide green eyes.  "What is it Shippou-chan?" 

               "Do you think Kagome will be with Kaede when we get back?" Shippou asked, yelling over the wind.

               Sango looked down at the young fox youkai.  Shippou would be the most affected if Kagome did decide to leave.  They have grown so close over the years and I know he thinks of Kagome as his mother.  She's become such an important part of our lives without even trying.  "I am sure she will be.  I bet she just needed to cool off.  You know how she and Inu Yasha fight."

               Shippou nodded, but Sango could tell that he was not pacified.  Even Shippou notices that something is wrong.  He has always been a very perceptive child.  "Don't worry so much Shippou.  We'll be at the village in no time and then we'll see if Kagome is there waiting for us.  Who knows, she may have more candy for you too."

               Sango knew that the sweets Kagome always brought with her from her land cheered Shippou up immensely.   Sango shifted her stare back to Inu Yasha.  He was dashing and gliding over the treetops in his usual fashion.  But, it seemed he was going a bit too fast, not even stopping to look back at the battle injured group.  I bet he's anxious to see Kagome too.  That boy cannot seem to get it right when it comes to her.  I know he cares about her lot but even after all this time, he doesn't know how to show her.  I guess that's the way of youkai or men in general.  Miroku is no exception.  Being with him can be so nice and comforting sometimes and then he goes and ruins it by being a lecher.  I never quite figure that houshi out.  I don't know what could possess him to ruin almost every nice moment we have together.  Men…  Sango sighed and pet Kirara as the demon flew smoothly through the skies.  Kirara roared in response and surged forward. 

               Far ahead of Sango, Inu Yasha sped over the trees, blazing a familiar path through the air, unaware of the taiji-ya's unwavering stare.  He traveled through this forest many times in the past few days and knew well the way back to the village.  His body moved with natural grace although his thoughts tumbled through his mind. 

               I am going to have to tell Shippou and Sango about Kagome.  What should I say to them?  I've never been very good at long speeches or conversations.  I know Shippou is going to take it the hardest.  No matter what I say to them they will blame me, I already know that.  I wish I didn't have to tell them anything.  However, they'll eventually figure things out and come after me anyway.  Kagome better be in the village when I get back.  I need to see her one last time.  I need…  I mean we need the Shikon no Tama to complete this mission.  If that baka decides to be spiteful and not return the jewel shards then I will have to go after her and wring her neck.  Then again, I can't really blame her if she doesn't want to be near me.  I said some pretty harsh shit; harsher than necessary…  She looked so broken and I left her there.  Like a coward, I ran and didn't even look back.

               I wonder what she thinks of me now. Inu Yasha shook his long, white mane in frustration, trying to clear his head of his forlorn thoughts.  I really shouldn't be thinking about this…  I did what I had to do, didn't I?  I saved her from wasting time hanging around me.  Besides, I showed her the real me, didn't I?  I'm harsh, I mean, I'm cruel, I'm self-centered, I'm selfish, I'm an all around bastard.  She's better off elsewhere.  I can't even take care of her.  I have nothing to give her and when this mission is done, I would have to walk away from her anyway.    Wouldn't it have been wrong of me to keep her around, loving me under false pretenses?

               Inu Yasha blasted forward, moving so fast he would have been not but a blur to the human eye.  His red haori and hakama clung to his body and his silver-white hair whipped and tangled in the wind.  He wasn't really trying to put so much distance between him and the rest of the group although it may have seemed that way.  In truth, he was trying his best to escape himself, his thoughts, his emotions, and his conscience:  an impossible feat.  Even though he soared through the skies with reckless abandon, leaving his companions far behind, he could not escape the inevitable.

 I can't stop thinking about her…  Her smiles…  Her laughter…  The cute face she makes when she's pissed off…  The feel of her in my arms…  The way…  Hell, anything she does makes me want to pull her close and never let her go. But, it's not supposed to be like that, I wasn't supposed to feel about her the way I do now.  I wasn't supposed to love anybody at all.  Not after Kikyo…  Even now, Kikyo is out there alone and suffering because I failed her multiple times.  All that is left between us is bitterness, heartbreak and sadness.  It's hurts to be near her knowing that I am the cause of her pain. 

               And here I am again hurting Kagome.  I always do but this time around I'm trying to save her from a greater pain.  She's given up her life and all that she knows just to be by my side.  Yet, I can give her nothing except misery…  That's all I have…  That's all I know…

               Inu Yasha sighed and slowed his pace, looking behind for him for any sight of Sango and the gang.  To the human eyes, they would have been small dots.  However, Inu Yasha's keen amber eyes picked them up clearly.   I guess I was moving too fast for them.  I don't want to push them too hard or else they will be worse for wear when we get back to the village.  They are still trying to recover from that demon's attack a couple of days ago.  That whole ordeal worried me almost as much as the day everybody almost died at the hands of the Shichinin-tai* (Manga, Vol. 25) Inu Yasha felt a familiar lump in his throat.  I don't even know why I get so emotional abut that shit.  Everybody is okay now.  I didn't lose any of my friends and Kagome wasn't present this time around.  It's just…  That day, seeing everybody lying on the ground so lifeless and cold, I thought that my heart was going to burst.  I failed them that day.  I failed them all…  And Kagome… seeing her so pale…  Even now, I wake up in cold sweats thinking about how close to death Kagome was.  Another reason why it's for the best that she stays put in her own world.

               Seeing that it would take some time for the rest of the group to catch up to him, Inu Yasha perched himself on a treetop and waited albeit a little impatiently for his friends.  When Kirara flew past, the hanyou followed keeping in stride with the transformed youkai and her mistress, Sango.  Shippou was the first to notice Inu Yasha's presence.

"Way to leave everybody, Inu Yasha."  Shippou yelled over the wind, leaning out from behind Sango.

               The hanyou, in true Inu Yasha fashion, yelled back belligerently, "Keh!  Pipe down brat!  If I left you behind, I wouldn't be right beside you now, would I?"

               Shippou turned his nose up at the half dog demon, "You are moving way too fast.  Everybody is injured you know."

               "Like I don't already know that.  It's the only thing keeping me from putting a couple more knots on your head." Inu Yasha growled loudly in response.

               Shippou squeaked, cowering behind Sango, "Help Sango!  Inu Yasha is trying to kill me again."

               Sango looked over at the hanyou striding swiftly from treetop to treetop close by, "Oi!  Calm down you two.  We still have a ways to go before we reach Kaede's village.  There is no need to reopen old wounds before we get there."   Sango then looked down at Miroku and back up at Inu Yasha, "I propose we make a rest stop.  We have been traveling for far too long in our condition."

               Inu Yasha looked over at Sango, seeing that she was still too pale and he could still smell the salty sweet tinge of blood wafting off of her.  He grumbled and dived to the ground below. 

               Sango sighed, "I guess that means okay…" She followed suit, guiding Kirara to the ground below.  Once there, Shippou leapt happily from Kirara's back while Sango slipped off of her loyal companion wearily and into the arms of a waiting houshi.  She froze in shock as it registered in her mind that Miroku was embracing her and that his hands were not anywhere inappropriate.  She looked up at him, her cheeks growing redder by the minute.

               Miroku merely smiled, "You looked like you were wilting.  I did not want you to collapse to the ground." 

               "You don't look so well yourself, houshi-sama." Sango replied concern seeping into her voice.

               The monk shrugged and then winced, "I may not be."  He released the taiji-ya slowly, his hands lingering on her waist.

               "Don't even think about it." Sango warned through clenched teeth.

               Miroku smiled again and sat down leaning heavily against the gnarled trunk of an ancient tree. 

               Sango turned away, tending to Kirara.  Shippou and Inu Yasha watched the whole exchange in amusement.  They both knew that the pair was growing closer to each other.  It was obvious enough but, they were waiting for something else, something they knew was coming.

               Sango carefully relieved Kirara of any supplies that the cat-like youkai bore and whispered to her, stroking her wind-ruffled fur.  The still transformed youkai purred in response, reveling in the attention she received.  The taiji-ya froze suddenly, ceasing her display of affection.   It was then that she realized that a hand was definitely moving over her backside in a wayward caress.

               "Hentai!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Sango yelled cuffing the offending monk on the head, "I turn my back for a minute and you're groping it.  I can't believe you!"

               Miroku rubbed his head a bit, a lopsided grin on his face, 'I couldn't help myself…  Your ummm… well it was so enticing…  I just…"

                 Sango whacked him again and stomped off to stand before Inu Yasha and Shippou, who were grinning ear to ear at the moment, obviously amused.  "What are you looking at?" Sango fumed, hands fisted at her hips.

               The hanyou and the fox youkai sobered immediately, replying in unison, "Nothing…"

               The taiji-ya huffed, stomping off in another direction to cool off, leaving everyone else to stare at her retreating back.

               "Still a lech, eh bouzu?" Inu Yasha toothily grinned.

               Miroku ignored his question, still rubbing his head; "It should not be long before we arrive at the village.  We should be back long before nightfall."

               "I can't wait to see Kagome.  I bet she has some candy waiting for me.  I miss her so much." Shippou exclaimed before sighing, "It's all your fault that she left, Inu Yasha.  You can be such a bastard sometimes."

               Inu Yasha growled swiping at the kit with his claws, "Little brat…" 

               Shippou deftly avoided his swing, moving close to Miroku.  "You won't always be able to beat up on me.  One day I will be big and strong, you know.  Then, I will be the one beating up on you.  Kagome said so."

               "Stop talking about Kagome!" Inu Yasha barked out unintentionally.

               The impromptu camp fell silent.  Tension permeated the air like a thick blanket.  Miroku watched Inu Yasha silently, knowing exactly what was about to come.  I guess he can't keep it a secret forever.

               Shippou's wide green eyes narrowed as he questioned Inu Yasha's outburst, "Why should I stop talking about Kagome?  She's my friend and a part of this team…"

               Inu Yasha exhaled deeply, trying to not to become angry, "Kagome is not a part of this team.  She doesn't even belong here.  I suggest you learn how to function without her…"

               Confusion and fear washed over the young kit's face, "What do you mean 'without Kagome'? Where is Kagome going?"

               Inu Yasha took another breath, "She isn't going to be around that's all.  It's better that she stay where she belongs.  In her world…  I...  I decided that it would be better for her.  I told her that and she…"

               Shippou interrupted, shaking his head in denial, "Kagome would agree to no such thing.  You're a liar.  I don't believe you…"

               "Shippou…" Inu Yasha could say nothing to comfort the young fox youkai. 

               "You probably forced her to go away again.  You bastard! I hate you!" Shippou yelled and ran into the forest leaving tears in his wake.

               Inu Yasha rose to go after him but Miroku's voice stopped, "Let him be.  I doubt there is anything that you can do at this moment to make him feel better." 

               The hanyou sat back down with a grunt, "Keh!  It's not as if I care whether Shippou is hurt or not.  Kagome's job is done here and that's final."   He growled masking his own worry and self-doubt in anger.

               Miroku could only watch helplessly.  Inu Yasha fell silent, looking off into the direction that Shippou ran. 

****

The kitsune crashed through the bushes, his eyes blinded by salty tears. 

"I hate him…  I hate Inu Yasha…  Why does he always make Kagome go away…" he sobbed, still running through the forest blindly.  So absorbed was he in his grief that he was oblivious to his surroundings.  He could have easily been preyed upon by some wandering demon.  However, this was not to be his fate for instead of bumping into a hungry youkai, Shippou collided with a shocked taiji-ya.

"Shippou!" Sango exclaimed.  She frowned in confusion, "What's wrong?  Why are you out here by yourself?"

The little fox youkai hastily wiped the tears from his eyes but could not keep the sobs from erupting from his mouth while he spoke, "Inu Yasha sent Kagome away again.  He said she doesn't belong here.  He says she shouldn't come back."

Sango felt uneasy.  Kagome isn't coming back?  She knelt beside the sobbing child and embraced him, trying her best to bring him comfort.  "Shippou, are you sure that's what he said?"

Shippou clung to Sango and nodded.  His voice shuddered as he spoke, "He…  He said not to talk to about Ka… Kagome anymore.  But, how can I do that?  She's the closet th… thing to family I have…"

Sango lifted Shippou into her arms and sighed, "Well, we should go back to camp and figure things out.  There must be a reason for all this…"

The fox youkai's words were slightly muffled in Sango's kimono as he spoke, "There is nothing he can say to make me feel better.  I hate Inu Yasha…"

"Don't say that…  I know Inu Yasha has some kind of reasoning for this.  You know he does care about Kagome, even if he doesn't show it…"

Shippou remained quiet although his little body shuddered with sobs.  Sango sighed and walked back to the camp.  When she arrived, she found Inu Yasha sitting alone; he seemed to be lost in thought.  Miroku sat far from the hanyou coaxing a fire to life.  What a happy group we are…  Sango's thoughts dripped with sarcasm as she observed the solemn pair.  She felt Shippou little hands fist against her chest as she grew near Inu Yasha.  She spoke to neither Inu Yasha nor Miroku as she seated herself beside Kirara and leaned into the warmth of her companion.  For a moment, she sat in silence, stroking Shippou's back and watching the fire Miroku made.  The fox youkai fell into slumber eventually, obviously emotionally drained from the day's events and the battle that occurred several days before.  Sango lie Shippou beside down Kirara and he curled into her warmth.  Then, she moved over to the fire and sat.

"Once Shippou awakes, we should be on our way.  There's no point in waiting until tomorrow to keep moving.  The village is only a few more hours away." Sango spoke nonchalantly, giving no sign that she knew anything out of the ordinary.

Inu Yasha grunted in response and Miroku looked up from the fire.

"It would probably be for the best if we did leave this place.  We should be able to reach the village before nightfall." Miroku sighed.

An uncomfortable silence fell upon them once again.  Sango shifted slightly, questions about Kagome's departure from the group formed on her lips but she hesitated.  Inu Yasha is not being very talkative, not that he ever is and Miroku is being so aloof. I'm not used to him being this way. At least he's not grabbing any of my body parts…  Sango grimaced at the blush that was beginning to form on her cheeks.  Enough of these thoughts, I might as well ask Inu Yasha what's going on instead of asking myself because I have no clue. 

Composing herself, Sango spoke softly, not wishing to wake the kit sleeping close by, "When we arrive, perhaps Kagome-chan will be there.  I hope that she is safe."

Inu Yasha stiffened visibly at the mention of Kagome. 

"It worries me that she may have arrived ahead of us.  The power from the shards of the Shikon no Tama attract attention wherever we go and Kaede's village is not invulnerable to attacks especially if Naraku or his cohorts decide to pay her a visit.  Without our protection, I don't think Kagome will be able to properly defend herself if she should be attacked." 

"I agree… Kagome-sama is a very powerful miko, but she is still untrained…" Miroku added.

"Despite that…  she does quite well." Sango sighed.

"Except when she's always getting kidnapped… or almost killed…. or running headlong into traps…" Inu Yasha grumbled, wanting the conversation about Kagome to end immediately. 

"Did you say something, Inu Yasha?" Sango questioned, hearing the irritation in the hanyou's voice.  If I push him just a little bit more, he'll snap.

The inu youkai responded, "Kagome can't defend herself at all.  Half the time, she gets into more trouble than she helps…  That's why…"  He trailed off into silence.

"That's why what, Inu Yasha? What are you trying to say about Kagome-chan?" feigning innocence once again, Sango questioned his words, trying her best to push him over the edge.

Inu Yasha took the bait.  "She's a fucking baka is what I am saying.  I can't trust her to do anything on her own like you and Miroku can.  She's a burden.  It's best for her to stay in her world…" the hanyou snapped.  He realized his mistake soon enough. 

"I was waiting to see how long you were going to keep this to yourself." Sango replied knowingly. 

Inu Yasha grew angry. "You guys always manage to trick me into to talking."

"You honestly thought it would be a secret?" the taiji-ya asked.

"Keh!" he snorted in reply.

Miroku smirked, " A clever girl you are indeed, Sango."

"Shut up you two!" the hanyou barked angrily.

Shippou shifted next to Kirara, whimpering slightly.

"Quiet down Inu Yasha.  Shippou has had a trying time already, you know." Sango scolded.

"He'll get over it…" Inu Yasha grumbled, looking away from Sango and stubbornly crossing his arms over his red clad chest.

"Why Inu Yasha?  Why after all this time are you pushing Kagome away?" Sango asked sadly. 

"…" Inu Yasha refrained from answering.  I really don't feel like going over all this again and I'm not going to sit here and pour out my heart like a wimp.

The hanyou's silence did not deter Sango from questioning him.  "Is it Kikyo?  Did you finally choose?"

Inu Yasha's amber glare snapped back to Sango's face, "No…  No…  It's not …  Look I am not going to sit here and explain every decision I make to you guys.  Kagome doesn't belong here and that's that."

Sango's worry rapidly turned to anger, "The decisions you make don't only affect you, you know.  We are a team, just in case you didn't notice.  We all care about Kagome here.  Even if she isn't the strongest fighter, she's important.  And I, for once, would like to know what is going on between you two."

Inu Yasha found himself cowering before the angry taiji-ya.  He could clearly see that Sango was getting really pissed off.   I didn't think she would react this way.  I never really stopped to think about how the rest of the group would feel about Kagome not being here.

"The only reason I became a part of this group is because of Kagome.  Even though I caused all of you so much trouble, Kagome never doubts my loyalty.  She's my friend and the closest thing to family that I have now.  I just want to know why I am going to say goodbye to someone I have become so close to." Sango's voice wavered slightly but her dark brown glare did not.

It's no use for it, I guess.  I am have to tell her eventually or Miroku will.  Inu Yasha's shoulders slumped as he spoke, "I just don't want to end up hurting Kagome in the end…"

Sango sat back on her heels after seeing the change in his demeanor.  "Hurt?"

"Yes… by me…  She doesn't deserve that…  When we finish this mission, I have to fulfill my promise to Kikyo…  It's a promise that I can't break.  Just the way I promised to protect Kagome, even if it's from myself…" Inu Yasha sighed heavily and stared into the crackling flames.

Sango sighed as well, "I will not stand in your way if this is what you really think is best…  But will she understand?  It shouldn't be your decision alone…"

"Maybe in time she will…" It doesn't matter now…  She can't possibly still care about me. Not after that night…  Inu Yasha shook his head slowly, causing his silver-white hair to fall over his shoulders. 

"Well, we should start getting ready to move out then…  The faster we get there…" Sango did not finish her sentence.  The faster we can get this whole ordeal over with. It just doesn't feel right to say such a thing.   I don't want to say goodbye.  I know he means well but…  I don't know if he is going about things right.  Wouldn't it be so much easier if he told Kagome-chan what he really feels? He shouldn't just be deciding things for her.

 "Well, it would be a shame to wake Shippou.  He was really distraught earlier." Miroku interjected.

"He'll just ride with me then.  Kirara glides smooth enough not to disturb him much." Sango replied as she stood.  She walked over to Kirara and picked up the sleeping kitsune, cradling the fox child in her arms.  Shippou whimpered and burrowed into her warmth.  Sometimes it is easy to forget that Shippou-chan is only a child.  He's seen so many things a child his age, whether he is youkai or not, should not have to see.  Time and fate has forced him to grow up too fast.  His bravado and wise attitude is the only way he can compensate for his youth.  I guess not having anyone his age around keeps him from just being a kid.  It's sad…  but there is nothing that can be done for it now…

Kirara nudged her mistress, sensing that all was not well.

"Don't worry Kirara…  Things will be okay, I hope…" Sango absently stroked the youkai fur with one hand.

Miroku helped Sango pack their supplies onto Kirara's back and then they were off.  Moving as fast as their bodies would allow; moving toward the village where their story began.  Each traveler moved with a single minded purpose.  They all wished to know what they would find waiting for them.  Anticipation, fear, sadness, bitterness, and anxiety lay heavy on all the weary travelers' backs, each person lost in thoughts of what the future held. 

Even when the young kitsune, Shippou, awoke from his troubled slumber, no one spoke.  He too refrained from voicing his thoughts, opting to internalize rather than announce the obvious or make things more difficult than they already were.  There was not but thick silence and the wind; wind brushing past faces, over clothes, and the treetops, both hurrying them along and other times impeding them from reaching their destination.  Soon enough they arrived at very familiar green clearing, home to the Bone Eater's well. 

Inu Yasha stopped abruptly.  He sniffed at the air and then at the well.  He gripped its wall, staring down into the black void, searching.  His companions came to a stop beside him, their expressions somber yet expectant.  They too hoped that he would discover something. 

His acute sense did not pick up any sign that Kagome traveled through the well since they last argued beside it.  Anger rushed through him, numbing his body.  What kind of game is Kagome playing?  Is she openly defying me?  Does she not realize that she puts herself at risk as long as she has those shards? 

Inu Yasha turned to them, his amber eyes dull and cold, "Kagome hasn't returned here… her scent is faint and old."

Sango let loose the breath she was holding, "Perhaps, it rained while we were away… it may have…"

The hanyou interrupted her with a growl, "No… she has not come to this place since we last saw her…."  The anger in his voice was startling, his eyes glinting with cold rage and something else his companions could not begin to decipher.  His hands clenched into fist. 

Miroku sensed his anger, but didn't hesitate to question him, "What will you do?  Are you going after her?"

"No…"

"Then how will get the shards back?"  Sango asked softly.

"She will bring them…  The bitch will bring them as I told her to…  If I have to go through that well….The Gods help me… I'll…" Inu Yasha's voice trailed off and his fists clenched tighter.

Shippou dared not speak, fearing the repercussions.  He could smell the anger radiating off the inu hanyou in waves and he could smell salty tinge of blood wafting from Inu Yasha's tightly clenched fists.  What did he really expect?  Did he think Kagome was just going to comply so easily?  Or is there something wrong?  What if something bad happened in Kagome's time?  Inu Yasha is a baka.  This is all his fault…

"Go on to village without me….  I will wait here…" Inu Yasha barked out the command, turning his back to them all.

"But…" Miroku tried to reason with the seething hanyou.  If Kagome comes through the well with Inu Yasha this angry, things could definitely become ugly. 

"Go…" Inu Yasha's tersely growled a reply and his eyes flashed red as he turned to face them again. 

Everyone stepped away, fearing that Inu Yasha may lose control at any moment.

"Leave me alone…"

Miroku nodded, not wanting to enrage his friend further.  He gestured for the rest to follow and they did so hesitantly, casting backward glances at Inu Yasha.

"Are you sure if it's okay that we leave him there?" Sango whispered to Miroku.

"What would you prefer, go to the village as he asked or chance being ripped to shred in his anger?"

Sango could only sigh and then she paused when she heard an angry yell and something breaking.  Kirara's keen ears perked up and she stopped as well.  Sango turned to go back to the clearing  with Kirara in tow but was restrained by Miroku.

"Don't go.  Let him be…" Miroku warned.

 Shippou shuddered in fright, "He's really angry, I think…"

They all agreed and headed towards the village without another backwards glance. 

***

The minute they disappeared into the trees, Inu Yasha began breaking things in his rage.  He splintered a large boulder with his bare fists and shredded several unsuspecting trees to rubble.  Anger still coursed through him, fueled by the youkai blood bestowed upon him by his departed father.  His anger was unprecedented and perhaps a little irrational but he could not help himself.   All of his pent up emotions bubbled to the surface; self hatred, anxiety, sorrow, exhaustion, and anger all burst from him, resulting in this display. 

He was angry at Kagome, angry at himself, angry at the world, angry at his parents for creating him, angry at everything.   He felt more than a little betrayed by Kagome but he knew in truth that it was his fault.  The guilt and pain added to his explosion, culminating in a cry he let loose.  The anguished cry traveled through the air and could be heard for miles around.  It disturbed the forest animals, causing birds to flee and small animals and low level youkai to duck for cover.    It came deep from within his soul and drained him totally.  He collapsed in exhaustion by Bone Eater's well, the only object that had not been subjected to his wrath, raggedly taking in deep gulps of air.

What do I do now? I can't go there to see her.  I can't look her in the eyes and say the things I said before.  It hurts too much and for all I know, she may have sealed the well to keep me away.    

There is nothing for me to do now but wait….   This must be my punishment…

He put a little bit of distance between him and the well and sat in his usual position, his amber eyes boring into the rocky wall of the dismal pit. 

I will not move from here until she comes…

I must be the first to see her one last time…

Kagome…