Do I have to say it? I mean, really, what's the point in stating the obvious? SighAlright... I don't own Inuyasha—grumble—do own Walk of—never mind. You know.

Walk of Destiny

By angelwings1

Edited by Kelli G

Chapter 11—Compass

Fate had dropped her at yet another intersection, and, as always, all eyes were on the time traveler. Fear wriggled through her tight veins as she clutched at the fabric of her red pants.

"That's quite a mouthful to swallow," Kagome whispered.

Inuyasha wasn't exactly sure what all this meant to her, but he could smell the fear that was pouring off of her. What the priest had said was upsetting her.

The hanyou scowled, surprised she could respond so calmly.

His gold eyes squinted through the rapid dance of the flames, carefully watching the priest. Once again, life was proving that demons and humans were never meant to live in the same world. Curse the god who had mixed his blood! This filthy mutt's body was keeping him from everything he wanted.

His blood was separating him from his happiness. Even when he could almost taste it, he was again reminded that he was cursed to live miserable, alone.

"I agree, that is a lot to consider," Sango spoke up in her sister's behalf. The slayer detangled from her brother and love's arms, stealing everyone's attention as she stood. She glared pointedly at the priest. "I think this is enough for one day."

Rashu refused to rise, even with her obvious dismissal.

"Lady Kagome and I are not finished here," he insisted through clenched teeth. He was irritated at being addressed by someone other than the young miko.

"You are for tonight," Inuyasha hissed, following Sango's move. He didn't want this man here anymore, and his naked fangs were a quick reminder of just whom the priest was dealing with.

Rashu leaned back slowly, carefully watching the dog-demon who stood over him, twitching impatiently. "Maybe it would be prudent to continue this tomorrow morning."

Inuyasha kept his eyes planted on the man, a blunt command to get out. Rashu stood gradually, bravely holding his gaze with the demon. Even after he had risen, the man made no move to leave. Sango nervously watched the men exchange the silent challenge, waiting for the other to yield in the staring contest.

The tension eased only when the time traveler rapidly got to her feet. Inuyasha instantaneously forgot the priest. "Kagome?"

Her name didn't slow her feet as the miko walked, without a word, straight out of the hut. The rice paper door swung closed behind her, securing the wall she blocked them with.

Sango immediately went to follow her best friend, drawn by the miko's unsaid troubles, but her brother's gentle grip pulled her back. The huntress looked over at him and saw his intense stare lingering on the door.

Her stubborn will broke as the woman realized her brother was pleading with her to calm down. Rationally, she reminded herself that she was older and had known Kagome longer. She was the one who knew best.

She needed to go after her.

Yet, in dim revelation, his sad eyes spoke a volume of confidence in his decision she presently lacked. And that was what stilled her.

Her footsteps slapped down the stone steps, stealing away the silence. Her own rasping breaths deafened her ears as she scrambled down the hill.

The room had been too hot, almost suffocating with the intense heat exchanged between the occupants. Kagome was a little ashamed that she had ducked out so abruptly, but she had finally had enough.

'This is too much.'

Reaching the bottom of the steps, the time traveler tearfully faced her sleeping village. The empty streets were a comfortable silence, with the cattle lying asleep in the dirt. Even the distant silhouette of the caravan was still as a grave, faintly glowing with the holy powers of its occupants. The only real movement was the half a dozen guards walking alongside the barrier, their torches burning brightly on top of their tall staffs. Nothing appeared out of place.

'But everything isn't alright, is it?' Her fists pressed against her sides. 'Else I wouldn't feel so bad.'

Unbidden tears pressed through her lashes and dripped from her shaking chin. She had forced the entire day into the far corner of her mind, bearing it like a true soldier.

Now, she crumbled helplessly. It finally crashed out of her throat in a broken sob. Kagome frantically slapped both of her hands over her mouth, fearing someone had heard. Her brown eyes darted to the hut above, waiting several frantic heartbeats for the door to fling open.

The barest flick of a leaf in the wind rattled the miko, driving her away from the cold stairway. Kagome inhaled deeply, trying to calm her jitters. 'I need to get away.'

Her wild eyes snapped onto the dark forest, immediately thinking of her quiet sanctuary beneath the God Tree. Her prayer spot was holy, calm, and perfect for bringing peace to her racing heart. Yet, the strung-up fence of white paper swung between her and the tree. Even if she could easily pass over the line, she would be forsaking her protection and, in the process, abandoning her village. The very temptation turned her stomach.

'No way! Got to be somewhere else to go...'

White zipped out from the corner of her eyesight, instantly turning her face. Kagome squinted in the dark. 'What was that?'

Another flash of white swiveled her head towards the right, directly at the grove The miko nervously eyed the dark trees that covered her view of the graves. 'Was it a demon?'

She frowned. 'No, Miroku put the barrier up just an hour or so after the fight. If a demon had gotten in, someone would have noticed.'

She hesitantly stepped forward, stopping at a safe distance from the trees. 'Then what?'

Nervous as she was, Kagome continued forward, penetrating the foreboding abyss. Cautious of what she couldn't see, the time traveler used baby steps as she traveled. She hoped she was following the dirt path.

With each step, Kagome became more aware of the cold darkness pressing against her. The time traveler nervously wrapped her arms around her body, attempting to shield herself from whatever lay in wait for her. The miko warily honed in on every sound. Her eyes were wide open, but she could barely make out the trees in her path. She was helpless. 'Maybe this was a bit foolish...can't even see anything—'

The flickering red light ahead of her silenced her worried thoughts. Kagome happily closed in on the scarlet haze that pushed back the darkness. 'I'll bet that's the remains of the bonfire.'

Reaching the smoldering wood and ash, Kagome instantly felt the tension melting away. Didn't help her situation much, but at least now she could see a bit.

SNAP.

Her neck jerked left, eyes darting everywhere. 'What was that?'

White flashed to her right.

Kagome swung around, fingers curling in preparation. 'Is there more than one? Or is someone playing with me?'

"Don't be afraid, Kagome. It's just me."

The miko froze. 'That voice...'

Walking into the rosy glow of the cinders, Destiny smiled shyly up at her through white bangs. Kagome blinked. "Destiny?"

She wasn't imagining it. The girl had exchanged her black crown for one of pearl. "Destiny?"

"Yes?" The girl's face flushed pink as two white triangles twitched atop her head.

Kagome's mind went blank. "Are those dog ears?"

The child nodded. "Yes, but that's really not important."

"Is to me!" the miko insisted, directing her eyes pointedly at the top of the girl's head. "How did it happen?"

Destiny giggled, her yellowish-green eyes dancing with empty glee. "I already told you, Kagome. I am a shape shifter. My appearance is a choice I make continually."

'Why don't I believe her?' The time traveler scowled. 'It's the same face, always the same girl.'

The girl ran sharp fingernails through her angelic locks. "I favor this look, that's why I appear as this. You should know that."

Kagome shook her head. 'No, it's more than that. But why would she lie?'

"I'm sorry I have been away so long," the child apologized, attempting to ignore the harsh look she was getting from the miko. "I feared that if I came any sooner, I might foretell what would happen today."

Kagome's eyes widened. "Why didn't you?! Lives would have been spared!"

The girl barely flinched at the loud outburst. She had expected this.

"People die, Kagome," Destiny replied coldly. "It is a way of life."

"But she didn't have to die!" Kagome's yell raked through the air like a brittle blade. Tears flooded her cheeks as she balled both her hands. "If you had told me, I could have saved her!"

"And exchange your life for hers?" The girl's voice stabbed at her, her eyes hard on the miko.

"Without hesitation!" Kagome confessed, frantic, but without a single hitch of doubt to her voice. "I don't deserve to replace Kaede!"

"That's why I didn't come to you," Destiny whispered, her face haunting in the dying light. "If you had known, your flesh would now be ash instead of hers. I must uphold destiny."

"Liar!" Kagome hissed angrily, her shoulders shaking as she hunched over. She glared furiously at the grass, begging silently for it to wilt beneath her. "You said I could choose my destiny."

The child looked away with a scowl. Shadows tucked her further into the darkness, hiding most of her face. "I also told you things happen that fate alone controls. Today was one of those events. Fate intended for Kaede to die."

The miko ground her teeth together viciously. "NO! I should have died! That's why everything happened! Rashu and Neekal came for me, and I'm not even supposed to be here in this time! I was never meant to be here!"

Kagome's palms slammed into the dirt as her knees buckled. Her chest felt so empty, her heart so far. "Why...why did I ever meet you? If I hadn't, I would have gone back to my time... they never would have come to the village. She would still be alive..."

Her tears choked in her throat, rumbling out in hoarse sobs. The warmth of the cinders brought no comfort to her, her insides naked to the pain.

This was so unfair!

Miroku was right. He had said the Shikon Jewel always brought misfortune.

And it had, again.

"I'm sorry!"

Kagome slowly lifted her face. "W-What?"

A pair of grieved, sun-green eyes gazed back at the time traveler. "I'm sorry I did this. I'm sorry all of this happened. I should have kept out of your life as you said."

The miko stared back at the child's pleading face, unable to think of a single word to say. How could a goddess say a mortal knew better?

"Please, accept my apology!" Destiny persisted, wild tears rampaging over her cheeks. "If I could change things I would, but I can't! Let me leave you knowing that no hate lies between us."

Destiny's knees struck the ground, and her pearly hair flowed over her rosy face. A small gasp filled Kagome's ears as the child pressed her forehead into the dirt. "Please! Forgive me."

Suddenly the barest whisper of the forest was a bomb in her ear. All logical thought raced from her head as the goddess bowed, begging for forgiveness.

It didn't make sense.

None of it did.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. Kaede was meant to be here, and she was meant to be five hundred years into the future. The well was to always be empty, and she was to be dating guys without doggy ears.

Kagome squeezed her eyes shut. 'My life is a complete mess...'

"Please... I don't know what I would do if you hated me..." Destiny clenched her teeth together, trying to force back her harsh sob.

The small wail was so full of need that even the time traveler had to believe it was real. Her brown eyes opened to see the broken form lying as if waiting on her bidding. Her mind blanked, and she unconsciously crawled through the cold grass. Maybe she didn't understand anything at this point, but she would let herself bend to the will of her foolish emotions, and do the only thing she knew she could. Kagome pulled the little girl into her arms.

"Don't cry..." the miko soothed quietly. "Don't cry..."

Destiny shuddered in the embrace, fresh tears flooding her eyes. "I'm sorry."

Kagome silently pressed her cheek against the girl's white crown, her own eyes growing wet again. "Shh... it's alright."

Whether or not Destiny was a mystical being or a kid, tears were all the same. Maybe it was irrational to think a goddess needed the comfort of a mortal, but it didn't matter. Kagome needed to cry, and she did so without resistance. She let every ounce of pain drip off her face, too tired to care if Destiny noticed.

It needed to get out. If it didn't, it would break apart the seams that held her together.

As she released each tear, another heartbeat was ripped from her bosom. Kagome tightened her arms, feeling as if she was slipping away from everything.

Only the call of her name jolted the time traveler back to the forest and the burning cinders. Her tears dried as Kagome lifted her face. The miko froze, listening to the quiet night.

"Kagome?"

Destiny instantly stiffened in her arms. "Someone's coming."

Kagome turned slightly, squinting at the direction she had first come from. "Sounded like Inuyasha."

Destiny hastily pushed out of the miko's grip, immediately putting distance between them. "I must leave."

But it was too soon. She wasn't ready to face them yet. She wanted to stay a little longer. Kagome panicked.

"No, wait!" Her hand latched onto the small girl, her frantic brown eyes meeting blank yellow-green ones. "Destiny!"

The child dodged the woman's plea and carefully unwrapped the fingers clutching onto her wrist. "I won't see you again, Kagome."

She didn't want her to leave. If she did... then she would truly be alone.

Destiny eased into the darkness as her dog ears twitched at the sound of approaching feet. "You have to do this on your own."

Kagome's insides twisted violently. "But I don't know what to do..."

"Trust yourself," the girl whispered firmly, stepping further into the dark.

"But I don't know what to believe anymore," the time traveler insisted.

Kaede and Rashu had both told her different versions of what she was meant to do as a miko. Neither perspective seemed right.

'My powers strengthen with love when Rashu says they should weaken.'

'Kaede said to love a demon would weaken me, but Kikyo was the strongest miko alive, next to Midoriko.'

'They both believed priests and priestesses were meant to protect this world, but for different reasons. Who should I believe in?'

Destiny shook her head sadly, new tears slipping down her face. "I won't tell you what to do."

Even though the child sounded cruel, Kagome believed Destiny was doing this because she knew something the miko did not. What lay in the future that could bring Destiny to tears?

"Kagome?"

The miko glanced fearfully behind her. 'No, not yet!'

Kagome froze once she realized her mistake. Spinning back, the time traveler found, as she knew she would, only shadows. Destiny had slipped away as she always did.

Now, she was alone.

"Kagome, are you alright?"

As always, his haunted voice grabbed her attention, pulling her gaze back. Her brown eyes instantly found his glowing gold ones in the darkness. She didn't even try to hide her tears. He would have smelt them by now.

Kagome could see his eyes darting at the shadows behind her, his nose crinkled. The miko's brow pinched together. 'What does he smell? A demon?'

Her eyes widened. 'Did he smell Destiny?'

Giving up on his search, the hanyou looked down at the time traveler once more. "Are you alright?" he repeated.

Kagome stared up at him, seeing the passionate concern in his eyes. Looking at him, the miko wondered if she was really alone.

"I-I'm fine," she mumbled as she shuffled to her feet. She smiled weakly as she brushed past. "I just needed some time."

He spun around, hurrying to keep up with her. He persisted, giving her a pointed sidelong glance. "You sure?"

She nodded stubbornly. "It's something I have to handle."

She couldn't fall on him for support this time, no matter how much she might want to. This was her mess, her problem.

"Let's go get some sleep," she yawned, stretching out her limbs.

"So you decided?"

Kagome half-turned as she walked. "Huh?"

Inuyasha scowled. "I'm talking about Rashu."

"Oh," the miko mumbled, her thoughts flashing an image of her father's ancestor. "No, I haven't decided."

Something wild flashed in the hanyou's amber eyes. "What!? You mean you're actually considering fighting for him?"

She glared at him. "I have to, Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru came and attacked me because someone ordered him to, so I'm obviously a target for the demons. We had an entire fleet of demons stampede through the village, killing a good number of our kin. As protector, I have to at least consider putting some distance between myself and this village."

"You would help this man!" Inuyasha growled. "He doesn't just want to kill the Blood Four, he's intending to kill every demon out there. I'm a freaking target too, Kagome!"

Her heart stopped.

"You would help them kill me?!" he shouted, completely shocked she hadn't thought of it. A cold, familiar wind blew through his chest. 'Was Sakura right? Would she actually betray me? Just like Kikyo?'

Her face swung back to his, her brown eyes wide with guilt. "No, no! I would never do that, Inuyasha! Believe me!"

The air became foul to his nose, and he snorted angrily in disgust. Kagome stepped closer to him, desperate to clear up this mess before it grew even more. "You don't understand!"

Her father's innocent face flashed in front of her once more. 'I just don't believe my father would do the wrong thing. How could my dad—his ancestor—be wrong?'

"If you help him, you support his beliefs!" the hanyou yelled furiously. His eyes sparked dangerously. "Would you support all the garbage he said in there?!"

He was going too far, too fast, and her worn patience couldn't keep up.

"How dare you!" she snapped, glaring at him with lethal brown eyes. "How dare you think I would be so mindless as to agree with just anything. I never said I would help him. I said I was thinking, nothing more. So help me, I need to think things through. I'm only human!"

"And I'm a demon!"

The words slapped her in the face, and for a moment Kagome couldn't answer. "That doesn't change anything!"

"It should!" he yelled back, a blood vessel visibly twitching in his forehead. Frustrated, he whirled away, unable to stare into her eyes and see the answer he could not accept. "You can't deny what I am, Kagome! You can't deny there is a difference between us."

He heard feet marching forward, and suddenly her strong grip had ripped him back around. Their two angry glares locked in a staring contest. "Darn you, Inuyasha! We have been friends for over four years, and not once have I treated you differently from anybody else!"

"Because I'm half human!" he shot back.

"No, because you aren't any different, stupid!" she shouted. His mouth shut instantly once he saw her tears sparkling. "Darn it! I don't know what I'm supposed to believe in anymore. I know so much more, and I still don't know anything for certain."

Never breaking the heated glare, the miko stabbed a finger into the hanyou's firm chest. "But I won't let you walk away just because a man says you shouldn't be by my side. No matter what anyone says, Inuyasha, I'm your friend, and that's not going to change!"

His eyes pleaded with her as he once again felt that cold, wintery wind blowing hollowly through his chest. "Even when there is no room for me in your beliefs?"

She couldn't stop her hesitation as her thoughts ran wild. 'I did take the oath of a priestess. I chose this life as a miko.'

Her eyebrows pinched together, and Kagome grabbed a fistful of the hanyou's white hair. With a small growl she yanked his face closer, making sure he saw she was serious.

"My beliefs will not push you out of my life," she stated firmly forcing out every syllable with vicious sincerity. "No matter what they say, your heart is not evil, and I don't think someone would send me to stop a good person."

He teetered on the edge as she spoke, his heart drumming in his ears. With a small intake of air, his hand involuntarily wrapped over hers. He needed to feel her skin, to know for certain that her words were no dream.

"You mean that?" he whispered quietly, almost frightened to break his fragile hope. 'Please!'

His ears were tuned to her and her alone, golden orbs wide as he waited. Kagome smiled at the frightened look. He was worried she would take back what she said, and part of her was happy to know that he was so dependent on her approval. Once again, he had unconsciously proven that he cared.

Instinctively, she slipped her hand out of his and slid it around his waist, her other one following a mirror path. He stiffened for a short breath, and then tentatively hugged her back.

"Even when we first met and I knew you were dangerous, I never honestly believed you were the bad guy," she breathed, his prayer beads falling against her nose. "I don't know what's going to happen or what I believe, but I want you by my side."

His eyes squeezed closed while his arms tightened. His chest puffed out against her as he let out a deep sigh. "I promised you once that I would always protect you. I don't break promises."

Kagome smiled sadly as his cheek pressed against the top of her head. Kaede and Rashu's words whispered in her ears, but she shoved them to a quiet corner. 'They're wrong. I don't care what they say. This doesn't feel wrong.'