Chapter 4

Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippou, who was on Kagome's shoulder, and Kirara were walking back to the village on a dirt road. Inuyasha, still fuming, was trying to get Kagome's attention, but she was busy talking to Shippou. When they all saw Miroku and Sango limping ahead of them, hand in hand.

"Aw, that's so sweet! I wonder when they'll decide to have their wedding now that Naraku's gone", Kagome said wistfully.

"Probably soon, if the Monk can keep his hands to himself", added Inuyasha. Shippou smiled before saying, "Yeah, and if they want to have those 10 or 20 kids like Miroku had said."

"I'm so happy for them", Kagome squealed.

"Let's just hope the pervert really cares for Sango as much as he says he does and doesn't cheat", Kagome turned and gave Inuyasha a dirty look for the comment he had just made.

"Wha-what? Why're you looking at me like that", he said hiding behind Kirara. Suddenly, they heard Miroku sneeze and both, he and Sango, turned around to look behind them.

"Kagome! Inuyasha!" Sango cried out with her arm waving high above her head; which was probably the one part of her body that wasn't too badly injured. Kagome picked up speed and ran toward her with Kirara right behind her. Inuyasha's wound still caused him a whole lotta pain so he just decided to walk.

"Hi, you guys! How are you", Kagome had the biggest smile she could find.

"Fine… We were actually talking about you, Kagome", Sango answered.

"Me", Kagome turned red. "they should be talking about each other and their future. What are they doing talking about me", she thought to herself.

"Yeah", Miroku said as Inuyasha finally walked up to the group, "We were wondering if you were going back to your time soon?"

"Um, well, I hadn't really thought about it yet, but I guess I should go home soon."

"Have you had any thought about the chance of leaving this time and not being able to return", Miroku's face became as serious as the topic.

"Or maybe not being able to return to your time to begin with", Sango added.

Inuyasha had a pit in the bottom of his stomach. Would he lose Kagome, too, after everything that's happened?

Shippou dug his face into Kagome's neck and hugged her as hard as he could. Kagome smiled and tried to play off the fact that she was worried out of her mind now that she knew she might get stuck somewhere.

"Oh, I don't think any of that will happen. I was able to cross over before Naraku got his hands on the Shirkon no Tama and I think I'll be able to cross over after, as well." She smiled warmly again while she gave Shippou a hug and began slowly walking back to the village.

"I don't think she really realizes that she could be stuck here or never be able to come back", Sango assumed as they watched Kagome walking away.

"No, I think she knows, but you can't blame her for trying to convince us otherwise", Miroku stated. Sango agreed before calling out to Kagome to wait up and limping her way over to her. Miroku gave a long, wistful sigh as he watched Sango walk away.

"Hey, Miroku", Inuyasha started, "you don't really think Kagome could never come back, do you?"

"Why? Are you worried about losing her?"

He turned to look at him quickly and bonked him on the head before angrily yelling back, "What are you talking about, you idiot! You should be worried, too! She's you're friend, too!" Inuyasha clutched his fist and shook it in front of Miroku.

"Of coarse, of coarse", Miroku calmly began, "I'm just as worried as everybody else. But to answer your question, there is always the chance that if she goes down the well, she could never return and we would never see her again." Inuyasha became silent and deep in thought. "Hey, by the way, what are you doing here? We thought you'd be gone a few days after-" Miroku stopped himself from saying anything else. He didn't want to upset Inuyasha any more than what he was already. But Inuyasha didn't say much. He just looked down to the ground and was silent for a few seconds.

"I can't say it wasn't sad to lose Kikyo, but I don't think that I could've buried Kagome…"

Just then, Sango's voice interrupted as she yelled from further back on the path near the village, "Hey, you guys! Are ya coming! Dinner should be ready soon!"

"Yeah! Yeah! We're coming", yelled Inuyasha. And with that, Inuyasha and Miroku began walking back to the village.