Konnichiwa, minna! I didn't take so long this time, did I? It's gonna be another long one this time! All I want to say is, I ONLY write happy endings! Please trust me that things will work out one way or another. I promise. You can hold me to that if you like. You'll see. On to the chapter!

Disclaimer: Me don't own. You don't sue. Thank you.

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The inu-gumi flew onward for the next three days. The third day, Kagome looked up sharply at lunch. "How many days has it been since we left?"

Sango answered first, "Three days."

Kagome frowned in thought for a moment and jumped up, startling the rest of the group. "I need to get home!"

Inuyasha frowned at her, "Why?"

"It's New Year's Day in two days!" she nearly yelled. "What will my family think? They'll think I forgot about it!"

Sango stood up and put a comforting hand on her hyperventilating friend's waving elbow. "Deep breath, Kagome. Why do you need to go home?"

Kagome took a deep breath. "It's New Year's Day in two days. It's a tradition for my family to spend it together, and every year I make sure I'm home. We stay up all night and eat snacks."

Sango nodded, "Alright. That's fine. Tomorrow, you can take Kirara back with you."

Inuyasha stood up in defiance, "No way. We have work to do. You can't go home!"

"I have to, Inuyasha. Besides, I want to go home for a bit."

Inuyasha clenched his fists. "So you choose having fun with your family over avenging your friend's death?"

Kagome was taken aback by Inuyasha's quick fury. She took a step back in fear. "Inuyasha, I…I didn't mean it that way! It's just I have to be back for my family! Not only is it a family tradition, but I can't leave Souta alone! He's just a kid! He's had too many holidays without a complete family! What happens if I lose touch with them too? It's hard enough for me to go home like this as it is! If I were still a human I wouldn't have this problem!" Tears graced her eyes, though these were not the now-familiar tears of grief, but tears of anger and hurt.

Inuyasha stepped down. He hadn't realized the nerve he had hit. Or rather, he hadn't really meant to hit it. "Fine, go."

Kagome blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected Inuyasha to give in so fast. "Oh, ok." She wiped her tears from her eyes with the back of her hand and sat down quietly.

Inuyasha closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The one thing he hated more than anything was the sight, or smell, of Kagome's tears.

Lunch finished quietly, a hint of tension still left in the air.

Afterwards, while Kagome was washing the dishes in the stream, Inuyasha walked away from the campfire on his own. Sango jogged after him until she caught. Inuyasha looked curiously to his right. "Sango?"

She smiled, "You know, you were really good back there."

"Huh?"

"I know you're frustrated about…you know…but Kagome's in no less a situation. She's also got a family to worry about. If she didn't go back, they would worry. Problems arise with their anxiety. You did well in letting her go."

"Feh."

Sango's smile broadened a tiny bit. "She's still a little hurt by your comment."

At this, Inuyasha dropped his guard slightly. "She…she is?"

"But you know what you can do to make her feel better?"

"What?" He cleared his throat, "Not that I really care or anything."

Sango nodded, unconvinced. "Ask if you could go with her. To celebrate with her family."

"How will that help?"

"She would love to have you with her, and if you asked first, she would be really happy."

"I promise you, she would like it."

Inuyasha smirked, "Thanks for the idea, but I'm not gonna go around asking to follow her everywhere. She can go on her own."

Sango smiled and nodded. Which of course means he'll do it.

Inuyasha took a deep breath and walked over to the streamside. He watched Kagome hum to herself as she worked for a moment in silence. Remembering what he was there for, Inuyasha cleared his throat.

Kagome stopped humming. Inuyasha was a little disappointed. She was a good hummer. The girl turned around. "Inuyasha?" Her expression at first was pure curiosity. Then, the hurt crept in and the memory of her tears stabbed his heart.

"Uh…I…well, about you going home."

Kagome's face dropped instantly. "Yeah?" He's gonna say I can't go.

Inuyasha frowned slightly. What's the matter with her? "I just wanted to know if…if I could, uh, go with you." He said the last part as fast as he could. His cheeks turned pink and he looked away.

Kagome's face lit up. "I'd love it if you would come with me! You really wanna go?"

Inuyasha was surprised to say the least. "Yeah, I do." He said slowly. A smile crept onto his face, too. The two of them stared at each other for a moment, Inuyasha's face bright with embarrassment, and Kagome's bright with happiness.

The next morning, Inuyasha roused Kagome and they climbed onto Kirara, waving to Sango, Miroku, and Shippou as they flew off. It took a couple hours to reach the well. Once they had hopped off, Kagome turned to Kirara. "Thank you, Kirara. Do you mind coming to pick us up tomorrow night?"

"Mew," Kirara answered happily.

Kagome patted her neck before jumping into the well. Inuyasha was right behind.

They reached Kagome's house and, opening the door, called cheerily into the house. Mrs. Higurashi greeted them. "Kagome! Inuyasha! How are you?"

Kagome hugged her mother, "I'm great, how are you? I hope you don't mind that I brought Inuyasha for New Year's."

Mrs. Higurashi shook her head with a knowing smile. "Not at all. Luckily, we celebrate New Year's privately. Hopefully, though, you'll be a legal part of the family." She winked at him.

Kagome groaned and blushed, "Mom!"

Inuyasha didn't know what 'legal' meant, but he got the gist of her joke and blushed as well.

Kagome took Inuyasha back up to the attic again and opened the 'magic stairs'. They climbed up together, and Kagome pulled the chain on the old light bulb. "Let's see," she muttered. "Christmas, more Christmas, White Day, even more Christmas, found it!" She lugged out a big box that was labeled in black permanent marker 'New Year's Day'. Inuyasha grunted and gently pushed Kagome aside, lifting up the box effortlessly. He did just so they could get down faster, but he didn't mind the open look of admiration on Kagome's face. With a smirk, he climbed down the 'magic stairs', Kagome in tow and proceeded to carry it down to the sitting room as Kagome put the stairs up again.

In the sitting room, Mrs. Higurashi, Inuyasha, and Kagome gathered about the box. Inside were mostly fake wreaths of pine with bright colored streams wrapped around them. There were also three door-length bamboo curtains and two knee-height fake plum trees, complete with plastic plums. Kagome pulled out the pine wreaths and together, she and Inuyasha hung them about the outside of the house, also hanging two inside around the stair banisters. Then, they got out the bamboo curtains. Mrs. Higurashi took a stool and hung one up in the kitchen doorway. Inuyasha hung another in the front doorway. Kagome took the last one and grabbed a stool to put it in the back doorway. It was a wider doorway than the other two, and she had trouble hanging it. As soon as she hung one side up, she had to jump off the stool, rush to the other side, and quickly try and pin it up before the first side fell down. She never made it in time. Inuyasha, who had finished putting his up, watched her amusedly for ten minutes before going up to her and pulling the end from her hands. Right on cue, the first side fell down. He nodded toward the side that had just fallen down and Kagome climbed up to put it up. Inuyasha then tacked the other side up. "Thanks, Inuyasha," Kagome smiled.

Inuyasha smiled at her kindly, "No problem. I could see you were having a bitof trouble."

Kagome wrinkled her nose at him, "Sorry if I'm not as tall as you."

Inuyasha shrugged, "It's what makes me so cool." He posed for a moment, causing Kagome to laugh. The sound brought another smile to Inuyasha's face.

"Kagome! Inuyasha! Lunchtime!" Mrs. Higurashi called.

Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's arm and pulled him toward the kitchen. "I'm so glad you came with me, Inuyasha." He blushed slightly, but squeezed her hand in return.

They spent the rest of the day tidying the house. When Souta came home, he helped out. Grandpa came back much later from a shrine convention, but Kagome and Inuyasha had already gone to bed. He helped Mrs. Higurashi finish it all up. The house and the shrine were spotless. Exhausted, Kagome and Inuyasha went to bed.

The next morning, Kagome woke up early to find Inuyasha dozing off in a sitting position, leaning against the foot of her bed. I have got to find him something more comfortable to sleep on when he comes around. Filing away this note in her fairly large mental to-do cabinet, Kagome crept out of bed and changed into jeans and a tight lime green ribbed turtleneck. That down, she started to brush her hair. Inuyasha had not woken up when she finished, nor after she had done brushing her teeth. He must be exhausted. I'm sure he gets a really good break coming here. Deciding to let him sleep, Kagome went downstairs to help her mother with breakfast.

Mrs. Higurashi smiled at her daughter. "Good morning, Kagome. You'reup early!"

Kagome smiled sleepily, "Yeah. I just sort of woke up. Maybe it's the excitement?"

"Is Inuyasha up yet?"

"No, he's still sleeping. I figured I'd let him sleep in. He rarely gets to do that."

"That's good of you." Mrs. Higurashi stopped as Kagome interrupted her with a loud yawn.

She blushed, "Sorry."

Her mother shook her head. "It's fine. Though, I think that means you should get a little more sleep. It's still early, and you won't be sleeping tonight. Go on, I'll wake you in a couple hours."

Kagome sighed, "That's actually probably a good idea. I'm not that tired, though. I guess I could get in a catnap, though." She stifled a giggle. "Wake me up at…" she looked at the clock, "Ten?"

Her mother nodded. "Ten it is. See you then."

"G'night, Mom. Er…G'morning…whatever." She stifled another yawn and climbed back up the stairs. Once inside her room, she plopped down next to Inuyasha and smiled into the air. "I'm not really tired, you know?" she spoke to herself. "It's just that feeling when you're still tired when you first get up. But, for Mom, I'll try and get a little more rest. Maybe it'll do me good, and then I'll definitely be able to stay up longer." She leaned her head against the bed and smiled at Inuyasha. "Poor you. You never get to sleep in like this. You know, you look really peaceful when you're really asleep. I think I prefer you like that, than when you're all stressed and alert." She closed her eyes and let herself drift off.

Four hours later, Inuyasha woke up, yawning widely. The first thing he noticed was a weight on his shoulder. He turned his head to find Kagome's head leaning against him. She was dressed in her clothes, but fast asleep. Wonder what happened. He suppressed the urge to jump up because he knew that would earn him a 'sit'ing. He relaxed after a moment and just sat there comfortably. Unfortunately, his moment was ruined by the sound of Mrs. Higurashi knocking on the door lightly.

"Kagome? Time to get up, honey." She started to open the door, but Inuyasha spoke up, stopping her.

"It's all right, I'll get her up."

"Thank you, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha listened for the 'click' of the door closing before he bent down and whispered in her ear, "Wake up, Kagome."

A mixture of the sound of his voice and the feeling of his warm breath so close to her stirred the young girl. His proximity registered immediately and she froze for a moment before relaxing as she realized it was only Inuyasha. "Mmm," she moaned quietly. "What time is it?"

"Ten," he answered, his face still next to hers.

She nodded, "Ok. Wait, when did you get up?"

"Just now. Your mom woke me. She asked me to wake you up too."

Kagome nodded again, "Alright. I'm getting up." She noticed her head on Inuyasha's shoulder and sat up quickly, rubbing her eyes. "Sorry," she muttered, her cheeks pink.

Inuyasha smiled, "Why were you sleeping on the floor? In your clothes?"

Kagome blinked, "Oh. Well, I got up earlier at like six and decided to let you sleep because…" She stopped and blushed, "Just because. Anyway, my mom said I should probably try and get a few more hours of sleep. I sat down next to you and was just sort of…" She stopped and blushed again, "Just sitting next to you, and I guess I must've fallen asleep. I didn't really mean to."

Inuyasha smirked, "I see. What are you blushing about?"

"N-Nothing," she squeaked.

"What?"

"Nothing!"

Inuyasha's face suddenly split into an evil grin. He reached his arms over to her and began tickling her sides. Kagome immediately erupted into screams of laughter. Inuyasha's ears flattened against his skull, but he didn't cease his torture. Kagome squirmed and wriggled, desperately trying to escape his fingers. Inuyasha laughed, "Spit it out, or I won't stop!"

Kagome managed to gasp out between giggles, "Never! I will not bow to you!"

Inuyasha increased his tickling. "You asked for it!"

Kagome laughed harder. Finally, she bit out between her laughs, "Alright! Alright! I'll tell you!" Inuyasha stopped. Kagome jumped up and ran for the door, still laughing. Inuyasha grinned and got to the door before her. He blocked it with a smirk.

"You know, that was not a good move." His hands moved to her sides again. Kagome dodged them, looking for a hole in his barrier. She couldn't find one in time and Inuyasha caught her sides, bringing her to the floor in shrieks.

"I'll tell you for real this time! I swear! Just…stop!"

Inuyasha's grin widened, "And why should I trust you? You tried to run off last time."

"I won't this time! I swear! Stop! Stop it!" she laughed, curling up.

Inuyasha stopped, leaning over her happily. "Tell me, or I'll tickle you again."

Kagome ceased her laughter and took a deep breath. Her face was flushed pink. She looks so beautiful like that… This time, Inuyasha was in too good a mood to reprimand himself for such an uncharacteristic thought.

"What do you want me to tell you?"

"Why were you blushing? You were just about to tell me why you let me sleep in."

Kagome's face turned pinker from her blush. "It's just that…you look so peaceful when you sleep. Like you have no care in the world. You never look like that when you're awake. You looked like…like you knew you were safe."

Inuyasha looked at Kagome in silence for moments after. "And is that a good thing?"

Kagome smiled, "A wonderful thing." Her hand twitched and moved toward his face slightly before flopping to the floor again. She sat up, still smiling at Inuyasha. "Come on, let's go to breakfast. I'm awake now." They stood up and Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's hand. He tensed before squeezing it back. Together, they walked down to breakfast.

The rest of the day was spent inside, watching TV and talking. Outside, they could sometimes spot small groups of people visiting the shrine, as was traditional for New Year's. Evening drew closer and the tension and excitement built. As night fell, Kagome and her mom pulled the snacks and sodas out from the cupboards and he refrigerator. They poured potato chips and candies into bowls to eat later. For dinner, both women laid out hot platters of mixed sushi, rice, ozoni soup, and cups of sake and juice for Souta. They brought them into the sitting room with chopsticks and they all sat in front of the TV, watching the pop stars of the year perform in concerts. Inuyasha didn't care too much for the modern-era music, but Kagome seemed to really like it, swaying and singing along to some of the songs.

Grandpa came home halfway through dinner. "I'm sorry," he apologized, "The buses were packed and there was an incredible amount of traffic. He stopped. "Kagome! You're home!" He had got over Kagome's transformation. "Inuyasha?" In an effort for Kagome, he treated the hanyou politely for the rest of the evening. The night went on and on. Soon, the clock struck ten. Mrs. Higurashi got up and grabbed the many bowls of potatao chips and various candies. She also brought out cans of Coca-Cola. The family snacked on the caffeinated and sugary snacks to keep awake as the night wore on. The clock soon struck eleven. The concert was entering its final part. Kagome looked up. The clock read 11:30. Souta was yawning, but determined to remain awake. Grandpa was periodically dozing off and waking up again. Soon it was 11:45. The concert finished and a news reporter came on.

"The dawn of the New Year is approaching, and we are all awaiting its arrival with baited breath. The Nihon Recordo Taisho has just finished. It was truly a spectacular performance, one of the best yet. What did you think, Kazuma?"

The man sitting next to the woman nodded with a smile, "It was definitely an extraordinary show. They just keep getting better every year, don't they?"

The woman nodded, "If the pattern continues, then I can't wait for next year's. But the Nihon Recordo Taisho isn't all families will be watching tonight. The traditional ringing of the shrine bells will commence in just five minutes. Here's Miyoko at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. Miyoko?"

"It is five to twelve here in Tokyo. I'm standing right in front of the Meiji Shrine where over a million people are gathered inside. As you can see, it's completely packed, and people have been waiting all night outside as well as inside. It's a frosty night, but many are dedicated to the tradition of watching the ringing of the bells. Luckily for many more, we will be broadcasting it on national television." Miyoko glanced at her watch. "The bells should be due to toll in just two minutes. It is now 11:58. This year, the shrine has put up more lights so visibility is easier for the public. Two new spotlights have been positioned to focus solely on the actual bells. As you can see," the camera swung up to the bells, "they are much easier to see than they were last year." It focused again on the reporter. She looked at her watch again. "It is 11:59. The crowd has gone silent as they await the bells. Everyone has stopped moving. The monks should be in the tower now. It's almost time." The reporter fell silent, too, and turned sideways to watch the bells. The camera swung up again to train on the bells. At the bottom of the screen, a digital clock began counting down from twenty. The Higurashi family began chanting with it loudly. By fifteen, Inuyasha had joined in.

"Eleven! Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! THREE! TWO! ONE!" The bells rung out, killing all sound with their clear tolls. No one bothered counting. Two minutes and 108 rings later, they stopped and the family jumped up, cheering and hugging each other. The house filled with cries of 'Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu!' Kagome hugged Inuyasha and he hugged her quickly back before she released him to hug Grandpa and Souta. Finally, the noise subsided and Souta let loose a loud yawn.

"Time for bed!" his mom noted.

Souta nodded sleepily and tramped upstairs. Grandpa bid everyone goodnight and also went up. Kagome helped her mom clear up and sat down on the couch with a smile. "This was a good New Year's."

Mrs. Higurashi smiled at her daughter. "It was. I'm going to bed. Could you put the bowls in the sink as well? Turn off the lights when you go. Goodnight."

"Sure, Mom. Goodnight." She watched her mother climb up the stairs and got up to put the bowls away.

Inuyasha pushed her back down. "I'll do it," he offered gruffly. He balanced all the bowls on top of each other dumped them gently in the sink. When he came back, he found Kagome asleep on the couch. "Silly girl," he muttered fondly. After a moment of hesitation, he picked her up bridal style. She instinctively curled inward and her hand grabbed the front of his haori. A smile lit her face and she snuggled into his warm frame. Inuyasha blushed pink, but continued carrying her up to her room. He pushed open the door with his back and pulled her covers back before laying her gently on her bed. Her hands, however, wouldn't let go of his haori. He tried to pry them off. Damn! She's got strong hands! Despite this small issue, he smiled. Inuyasha stood there for a moment in thought before slipping out of his haori. It fell onto her bed and she clutched it closer to her, pulling it into her embrace. Inuyasha pulled the covers over her body and sat against the foot of her bed, quickly falling asleep.

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That night on the other side of the well, life was not so peaceful.

Miroku, Sango, Kirara, and Shippou spent the day resting and building up the energy that would be needed when Kagome and Inuyasha returned. It was a cold night, and after much innocent persuasion on Miroku's part, the four of them cuddled up together by the fire and fell asleep. The fire burned brightly, sending out strong waves of heat. The snow around the pit had conveniently been melted, and although it was still slightly damp, it was much more comfortable to sleep on. Kirara and Shippou huddled together, curling into the crook of Sango's arm. The tajiya was facing Miroku, keeping her two younger companions in between for protection, both from the outside and Miroku. Once she was asleep, though, Miroku dared to drape his arm over her. Their heat was contained within their circle, and all fell soundly asleep not long after retiring.

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Naraku turned to Kagura, the room pitch black, save for a few sparsely placed candles that cast numerous shadows flying across the room in all directions. "It is time."

Kagura's voice bounced off the walls in hooded whispers, though she had only lowered her voice a little, "Isn't it a bit early? Shouldn't we wait longer?"

Naraku answered confidently, "No. It is good timing. If we wait too long in between, the effect will not be as great. In order for her to break, we must throw everything upon in at once." Kagura nodded and walked out. She flung her confusion aside and focused on her mission, her blood racing. The only thing that excited her in life anymore was killing, especially those that annoyed her. And that monk was certainly in that category.

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Later that night, Miroku awoke to a strange sound. It was like someone was rustling their robes right near his ear mixed with the distant cry of a distressed bird. It registered eventually through his sleepy mind that someone had disturbed the birds from their nesting perch. What would do that? It was rare that they were scared so easily. Probably just a demon. It took a few minutes for him to remember that there were no demons in the area. Not native ones, anyway. The village priestess had driven them all off. Any demons would be newcomers. That was what Miroku classified as 'Trouble'. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes, sitting up. It was still very dark. Minutes later, his eyes had adjusted to the dark and he stood up. He prayed that no one had noticed the removal of his arm, but one particularly light sleeper had. As Miroku turned and walked away, Shippou's eyes cracked open. All they found was Kirara and Sango. Shippou immediately awoke himself. He could just catch Miroku's robes entering the forest. Shippou jumped up and followed the monk. Something told him not to call out his name, for the noise would attract whatever had roused the monk.

The two walked for a few silent minutes, Miroku oblivious to the kitsune's presence, before they could make out a vague dark shape. Miroku remained calm, but Shippou had to struggle to keep from panicking. He faithfully followed Miroku, no more than four or five feet behind.

The shape grew and grew until they realized it was a person. Miroku slowed down when he realized this, cautiously stepping closer. Soon they could see that the person was turned away from them. Both let out almost silent sighs of relief. Five feet closer, and they saw it was a woman. Three feet closer and they could see make out her outline. Her hair was piled on her head with a feather sticking out, and she was wearing a long kimono. This information struck the two sharply and they froze in fear. It was clear who it was. The woman didn't move, and Miroku slowly began stepping backward. He had moved back six feet, and was moving faster now. Suddenly, the quiet 'crack' of a delicate twig being stepped on filled the clearing. Miroku froze and Shippou's breath caught in his throat. It was all over. Kagura turned around with a smirk in place. It widened when she realized who it was that had made the sound. "Good evening, Miroku."

Miroku's voice held a slight tremor that, try as he might, he could not hide. "Wh-what do you want, Kagura?"

"Your head," she answered lazily, as if discussing the weather. "May I?" She opened her fan and swept it across her body with great speed. Before Miroku could react, he had been flung back by a huge gust of wind. Shippou was also sent flying, but his wail was eaten up by the rushing of the wind. He landed on his back and rolled head over heels a few times before coming to a rest on his bottom. He jumped up and scrambled to hide behind a bush.

Miroku caught his balance and stood firm as the wind died. "Not this time," he yelled. He ripped the beads off of his arm and huge sucking void opened up in the palm of his right hand. "Die, Kagura!" The wind sorceress was immediately pulled forward with a force ten times as strong as the wind emitted from her fan. She dug her heels in, but it only slowed her down. Miroku's ferocious desire to defeat her had strengthened the wind tunnel; something neither Naraku nor Kagura had counted on. The woman's hand fumbled in her kimono, desperately searching for something. Anything that could save her. Her body drew closer to the hole. Her scream echoed throughout the glade, but was quickly swallowed up before it could reach the others. Her clothes pulled away from her body and pointed into the hole. Kagura's hand moved faster. Where was it? Finally, she grabbed hold of it. She pulled out a brown spherical object with diagonal ridges running all along it. As she stood on the brink of her doom, the wind sorceress thrust the object into Miroku's hand. It held for a tentative moment, caught by the rim of the void, before being sucked in. Immediately, everything stopped. The wind ended and Kagura fell over forward, still poised in her position to resist the pull. Miroku's hand shot skyward and he fell to his knees, clutching his wrists, his cries bouncing off the trees in every direction. They were blood-chilling and haunting. The hackles on Shippou's neck stood rigid. Tears of pain ran down Miroku's face. He rarely cried, but the agony was consuming him. Now I know how Kagome felt, he realized bitterly. His eminent death didn't even conern him anymore. He welcomed it with open arms. The pain was too great to survive for. Life was too terrible to live any longer. The houshi pleaded for his death. It just couldn't come fast enough. His arm was burning and searing and twisting; his flesh was falling off and his fingers were being pulled apart. The veins and arteries in his hand were being sliced to strips. It was agony beyond anything he could have imagined to be burdened upon anything. Miroku, in a hungry desire for death, slowly began to turn his hand toward himself. Suddenly, he felt himself pulse and the image of a young woman with brown hair and a tajiya outfit filled his mind. She spoke words no one could hear. He wasn't even sure if she had spoken at all, but he understood her message all the same. Goodbye, Sango. I love you. Miroku turned his hand to the sky again. It took forever this time. His life energy had almost completely fled. His breathing became laboured. One great shuddering breath later, Miroku's eyes closed and the power in his hand shut down. He became just another dead monk.

Kagura smirked and pulled her feather out of her hair, hopping onto it and flying off. Her laughter carried away until she was nowhere to be seen.

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Sango sat up abruptly at the sound of cry that chilled her blood. "Miroku!" she cried. She looked around. Miroku was gone. Kirara was awake, too. Sango flung her blankets off and ran into the woods. It registered in her anxious mind as she was running that Shippou was also gone. Oh no! What's going on? She pushed herself to her limits, brushing aside all vegetation. Branches and thorns cut at her, but she took no notice. What will I do if you're gone, Miroku? She ran and ran, her breathing becoming harder and harder. Minutes later, she stumbled onto her worst nightmare.

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Miroku was kneeling with his back on the ground. His arm lay across the ground, the beads pulled off, but the void was not doing anything. Sango had to look away. The hole as gaping and fearsome as ever, but there were great rips running out of it and his hand was a sickening purplish-green color. The color spread up past his wrist, and his fingers were coal black and swollen. His face was white and his mouth stretched into a grimace, though his eyes were peacefully closed, as though he had been in the process of accepting his death. Sango bent down, crying and touched his cheek. She could feel his cold body and his still-wet tears. Nothing could penetrate her sorrow, and she knelt there obliviously, wishing that he were only ill. A sound made her turn around. "Wha…?" she whispered to herself. A small black shadow tumbled out of the bushes. As it came into the moonlight, she realized it was Shippou. He was oving very slowly and his eyes were wide and unfocused. Sango jumped up and ran to him, burying his face into her cest. "Oh, Shippou. Shippou…" she murmured. Kirara nuzzled his cheek. Sango pulled him away and realized he still had not noticed her. "Shippou?" she asked. He remained unresponsive. Kirara licked his face, but did nothing either. Sango began to get scared for her kitsune friend. He was definitely alive, but she could not figure out what ailed him. Finally, she carried down to the stream and dunked him halfway into the stream face-first. He came up coughing. "Shippou?"

"San…go…?" he asked slowly.

"What's the matter? What happened? Are you ok?" Her questions flooded out in relief.

She could see that he was struggling to keep up, and this worried her. "I'm…ok. And…and…I…" Words failed him and he burst into tears. Not his usuall loud childish wails, but a river of silent grieving tears. Sango hugged him close.

"It's ok, it's ok," she soothed. "Get some sleep and you can tell me in the morning. Come on." She brought him back to the firepit and lay down, hugging Shippou close. The young youkai fell asleep immediately, though he twitched in nightmares for the rest of the night. Sango could not fall asleep. Images and memories of a certain monk would not let her drift off.

The next morning, Sango woke up at sunrise. She never fell asleep and the bright sun rising roused her fully. She was just warming some water in Kagome's 'pot' when Shippou screamed. "Shippou!" she cried. Sango ran to where he was asleep to find him sitting up, clutching his head.

"No! No! NO! Stop! Don't!" he wailed.

Sango stroked his head. "Shh. It's all right. It was only a dream."

Shippou's eyes finally came into focus and he blinked. "Sango?"

"Good morning," she smiled bitterly. Shippou buried his head in the crook of her arm. She was surprised to feel tears in her elbow. "Shippou?" He didn't speak at first. "Why don't you eat some breakfast?"

"I'm not hungry," he mumbled.

"You really should. It would do you some good. Come on; eat this. I need to go do something. Stay right here with Kirara." She handed him a bowl of rice and a pair of chopsticks, set him down by the fire, and set off into the forest. His sniffles followed her until she was further in. A few minutes of walking later, Sango came upon the body of a man she knew very well. "Oh, Miroku," she whispered to him. "Why did you have to…to die?" The last word was something she had been unwilling to admit before. But the truth was hard to ignore. Sango knelt beside him and laid her head on his chest, crying. "Come back. Please, come back. I need you, Miroku." His body was still cold. He would never come back. Sango stayed her for at least half an hour, though it seemed like ten minutes to her. Finally, she decided she had to get back to Shippou, who needed her more. Sango sat up and slid her arms under his body. Heaving, she lifted him until he was almost sitting upright. She pulled him over her shoulder and stood up unsteadily. After a couple steps, she found her balanc and slowly made her way back to the campfire. It took longer coming back, but eventually she did. The sun was much higher in the sky by now. She leaned Miroku's body against a tree where Shippou would not see it and walked out to see him. "Feeling better?"

Shippou nodded, eyes downcast.

"Feel like telling me what happened?"

He did not say anything, but shook his head very slightly.

"Alright. I won't press you."

The day pushed forward. Noon came all too soon, and lunchtime went by just as gloomily. Afterwards, when the dishes had been washed, Sango tried again. "Are you ready now?"

Shippou gave the same silent response.

Sango nodded, "Take your time. This is hard for all of us." Shippou did not respond.

The sun began to sink and dusk was approaching. Sango stood up from her set by the river. She checked her reflection in the river. Luckily, all the tearstains were gone and her eyes were no longer so red and puffy. She went over to Shippou and sat down next to him. "Are you hungry?"

He shook his head. Sango placed a bowl of rice and a fried fish in front of him anyway. He picked at it slowly, not noticing whatever it was he was eating. Sango had finished her seconds by the time Shippou was done. Sango stood up to clean the dishes. Without an invitation, Shippou began to speak.

"Sango. I…I…saw…it was…I didn't…" He burst into tears and could speak no more. Sango had frozen at his words, but at his tears, she dropped the dishes and picked hi up, hugging him close. Her own tears fell and fell and, together, they cried in each other's embraces. Sango dropped to her knees and curled into a fetal position, Shippou still crying into her chest. Kiara licked her face and curles up with the. The three lay in silence, allowing their tears to wash over them. Night fell and they fell asleep from grievous exhaustion.

&&&&&&&&&&

Kagome and Inuyasha left the house feeling full from dinner and content from a nice holiday break. The sky was dark, but the moon lit the path to the wellhouse. Kagome took Inuyasha's hand and pointed up. "Look at the stars now. When we get to the other side, I want you to look up again, ok?"

Inuyasha nodded, confused, but made sure to get a good eyeful of the dark sky.

They were much more comfortable in each other's presence now, more than they had been as friends. The atmosphere of the modern era kept either from thinking about it. They came out of the well on the other side, oblivious to what had just transpired in that time. "Look up," Kagome ordered.

Inuyasha obeyed and shrugged. "What?"

"The stars," Kagome answered simply.

Inuyasha nodded, "Oh. I see. There are so many more stars here than in your time."

Kagome smiled. "I love watching the night sky here. There are so many stars! It's beautiful. I wish Tokyo was like this… The sky is one of the reasons I don't mind sleeping outside every night."

Inuyasha shrugged again. "I guess I don't notice it because I'm so used to it. Now that I think about it, there are almost no stars in your time. But I'm used to the sky being like this."

Kagome nodded. "Same here. I was so used to there being only that many stars. Then, when I came here, I was amazed. There were so many stars! I couldn't get enough of it. I prefer it like this, than empty like in Tokyo."

"Me too," Inuyasha agreed.

"We should get going."

"Alright." Both looked around and sniffed the air, but Kirara was nowhere to be found.

"Where do you think she is?"

"No idea. Maybe she's just late. Or she forgot."

"She wouldn't forget. What if something happened to them?" Kagome began to get worried.

"Don't worry, Sango and Miroku can handle themselves. I'm sure they're fine."

"But what if they're not? If she doesn't come in five minutes, then I'm going by myself."

"Fair enough." Five minutes passed by slowly and still no Kirara. Near the end, Kagome was fidgeting like crazy. "Come on," Inuyasha said, helping her up. "You wanted to go, right?"

"Yea," she answered quickly. She made to jump into the trees, but Inuyasha took her elbow.

"I'll carry you if you want."

Kagome laughed, "It's fine."

Inuyasha frowned. "What's so funny?"

"Just that you used to ask before, but then you'd say you were only offering because us 'wimpy humans' were so weak that we had to be carried."

"What are you suggesting?"

"Nothing," she giggled, tweaking one of his ears. "But I'm gonna run with you. Now that I'm a hanyou, I need to act like one." Before Inuyasha could respond, she had jumped up into the trees. He shook his head and followed her, catching up easily.

It was dawn and they had not quite arrived yet. Kagome paused on a tree. "Could we stop for a bit?" she asked, panting.

"Are you alright?" Inuyasha asked in response worriedly.

"I'm just so…" she yawned, "…sleepy. Do you mind if I stop and catch a few hours of sleep?"

Inuyasha looked torn between answers, but finally gave in and nodded. "Ok. We can sleep up here." He looked down, but Kagome was already fast asleep. He smiled and jumped up a branch to catch his own few winks.

Inuyasha woke up a few hours later and shook Kagome awake, too. "We need to get going."

Kagome yawned and nodded. "Ok. Thanks for letting me sleep, Inuyasha." She stretched and smiled. "Ready!"

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow but did not comment on her sudden cheeriness. They set off and reached the camp about an hour later. "We were closer than I thought. I guess we could have just come here and slept."

Inuyasha agreed. "I misjudged the distance. Oh well. Hopefully, Sango, Miroku, and Shippou are awake."

"And Kirara."

"Yea, but if Sango's awake, then Kirara's awake."

"Oh. Right." They nodded at each other as they reached the top of the hill. Kagome and Inuyasha both fell silent and stared at Sango. She looked miserable and faint traces of tearstains could be seen on her face, not to mention its overwhelming smell. "Sango!" Kagome inquired anxiously.

The girl looked up. "Kagome! Inuyasha!" She hastily wiped her eyes and sniffed. "How was New Year's?"

"Great," Kagome answered absent-mindedly. "Nice to be home. Now, what happened?"

She looked about and sighed. "I…I mean we were just sleeping here…and then I woke up. And he was gone! They were both gone! And I went looking for him! And I found him, but…but he wasn't…he was…but I found Shippou! But he won't talk and I don't know what happened and now he's gone and…and…" She spoke faster and faster until her words were drowned out in yet another fresh wave of tears.

"Sango," Kagome soothed, hugging her friend. "Say it again slower."

Sango took a deep shuddering breath and began again. "We were all sleeping here to keep warm. Then, when I woke up in the morning, they were gone."

"Who were gone?" Kagome interrupted.

"Miroku and Shippou. I got worried and then I heard a scream."

"Whose?" Inuyasha demanded.

"M-Miroku's. It was the most awful sound I had ever heard. I ran into the woods. He was really far in. When I got to him, he was…was…"

"Oh god no," Kagome whispered.

Inuyasha's voice lowered, "He…he wasn't dead, was he?"

Sango nodded. "It was awful. His hand was all green and purple and black and swollen and his face was all pale. And his wind tunnel was open, but it wasn't sucking anything in!" She buried her face in Kagome's neck.

"Then what?" Inuyasha asked roughly.

"I found Shippou in the bushes. He was just sitting there, staring into space. He wouldn't respond to anything. I had to dunk him in the stream to wake him up. Even then, he didn't respond to much. He's said barely anything. The only time he spoke was when he thought he was ready to tell me what happened. He could barely start the story. He started crying and wouldn't stop." Kagome stroked her best friend's back. "He hasn't spoken again since. He still isn't ready to say anything."

Inuyasha looked worried. "What's the matter with him, then?"

Kagome looked up at him. "He's in shock. Obviously seeing Miroku…die…had a much more disturbing effect on him than I would have thought."

"Why? Both his parents have died and Kaede. Why is Miroku so different?"

"Because he never actually saw his parents, or Kaede, die. Only the Thunder Brothers saw his father die, only I saw Kyoko die," she swallowed, "and no one saw Kaede die."

Inuyasha nodded. "I see. Will he be ok?"

"Eventually. He's young, though. It may take some time. We'll have to be careful with him. He'll be very fragile right now." She turned back to Sango. "Can we…can we see him?"

Sango nodded and stood up, wiping her eyes again. "He's over…here." She led them to a tree just inside the forest and pointed to his body leaning against a trunk. "I didn't want Shippou to see him," she explained.

Kagome nodded, "Good call." It was hard for her to see her friend like this, but the news hadn't quite sunk in yet, so she could bear it for the moment. Kagoe bent down and opened the cloth over his hand. The wind tunnel was indeed there, but as Sango had said, it was just a hole. The sickening greenish-purple was still there, spreading out to his swollen blackened fingers. His face was white with death. Tears came to Miroku's eyes and she could look no more. She stood up and ran off. Inuyasha took one last look at his friend and ran after her.

Inuyasha found her crying in a tree nearby. "Kagome?"

He heard her sniff. "Mm?"

He didn't say anything so Kagome sniffed again and looked down. "Inuyasha?"

"Mm?"

She giggled softly. "Stop that."

"Stop what?" he smiled.

Kagome hopped down. "I just can't believe it."

"Me neither. Why Miroku of all people? He's not even that much of a threat."

"Neither was Kyoko or Kaede."

"The only people he really has to worry about is…"

"…you, Inuyasha." She looked away. "So why pick on everyone else? Will I be next? Will Shippou? Or Sango?"

Inuyasha's heart clenched and his gut turned to ice at such a thought. He took a deep breath and calmed his racing pulse. "I don't know." He suddenly looked off into the distance. "Come on. I want to check something." They walked and walked until they came upon what Inuyasha was looking for. Kagome immediately clutched her nose. "Ugh! It's that god-awful stench of Naraku! I'd know it anywhere!"

"So would I," Inuyasha replied, his jaw clenched.

"So this means that-"

"Naraku did it. It's all that bastard's fault! The places where Kaede and Kyoko died also reeked of Naraku."

Kagome nodded. "I remember. We need to tell Sango. She has a right to know." Kagome looked toward the firepit sadly.

"What do you mean?"

"They were engaged, remember?"

"Oh yea. I see what you mean. I remember."

"Sango and Miroku were going to get married!" Kagome broke down crying again.

"Kagome?"

"Why couldn't they see it sooner? Now it's too late! They're so dumb…so dumb," she wept, hugging herself.

Inuyasha bent down and hesitated, wondering how to comfort her. However, Kagome did the job for him. She breathed in deep and stood up straighter. "I must be strong. If Sango can, then I certainly can. Besides, I'm a hanyou." She breathed through her nose and wiped her face dry. "We should be getting back for lunch."

Inuyasha did not move as he was too busy marveling at Kagome's back. She's so strong. Where does she find it? He hurried to follow her. Inside, he wept the tears that Kagome was now holding back.

That night, the only one who slept was Shippou, and even he was tossing and turning all night long, occasionally crying out to an invisible Miroku or Kagura. Sango and Kagome lay on the ground, hugging themselves. Inuyasha sat in his tree. He was wide awake. Dammnit! He thought, punching the trunk. I'm gonna kill Naraku! Kyoko and Kaede were bad enough, but Miroku is going too far! Nobody kills MY family! His train of thought stopped. My…family? It was a strange idea. He hadn't had a real family in 60 years. He smiled. That wasn't true. This was his family now. It was his own family. His very own family. His smile widened. He had a family. And nobody hurts my family and gets away with it! His smile turned vicious. The hanyou fell asleep to dreams of Naraku's dead body, courtesy of said inu hanyou.

The next morning came all too soon. Sango was the first to speak. "I want to bury Miroku's body next to his father's. I know where his shrine is."

Inuyasha nodded, "So do I. It would be a good place to bury him. We'll do it today."

Kagome picked Shippou up. "Why don't we go now?"

They all agreed and set off moments later. Inuyasha led the way with Kagome holding Shippou right behind him. Next to her flew Kirara with Sango and Miroku's body. It took them the rest of the day to reach Miroku's shrine as it was out of the way. Nobody minded, though. The inu-gumi landed in front of the building. The sound brought Hachi and Mushin outside. "Inuyasha!" Hachi called. "What a surprise! What brings you here?"

"Miroku's dead," Sango replied bluntly with no emotion.

"WHAT!" Mushin and Hachi both cried out.

"You heard her," Kagome answered tiredly. "I'm afraid it's true."

"H-How?" Hachi stuttered.

"Who did it?" Mushin asked dangerously.

Kagome stepped back so that Sango could answer. She felt Sango should do it. "We don't know how, but his hand is all messed up and the wind tunnel has stopped working. As for who, who else? Naraku." She said all this expressionlessly, as if by rote. Kagome took pity on her.

"We're here to bury him next to his father and grandfather."

Mushin nodded, "I see. Thank you. Their graves are both here. But, before, uh, may we see him one last time?" Tears stood in the corners of the old man's eyes. Kagome and Sango nodded and turned to Kiara and pulled down his body. They lay him at Mushin's feet. "Miroku," Mushin murmured, touching the man's face. "My boy, my son." He cried silent tears. "Goodbye. I will miss you. You were so much like your father. He was a good man, as were you."

Hachi began bawling at the sight of his master's body. "Master Miroku! How can you leeeeave meeeee? Who will I serve now?" Both knelt before the man's body. Tears splashed across his monk's robes.

Kagome and Sango picked him up again and began to carry him to the back of the shrine. Neither spoke as they searched for the gravestones. They were not hard to miss and the girls set him down gently as Kagome began to dig. She did it slowly and deliberately, both out of respect and sadness. The hole grew until it was four feet deep. Kagome turned back to Sango and her tears fell. The two embraced over Miroku's body. "I'm going to miss him. He was like an older brother to me."

Sango nodded, her eyes closed. "He was like…like…he was everything to me. What will I do without him?"

Kagome smiled bitterly. "Your words are the only good thing that has come out of this. But it's too late now. How ironic." She shut her eyes tight. "Life is so cruel. Why can't it give you a break? I wish life would punish me, not you."

Sango shook her head, "No, Kagome. Do not wish such a thing upon yourself. You are my sister. We will bear this together."

Kagome hugged her friend tighter, "Remember, even though Miroku is gone, I will always stand beside you."

"Me too."

They remained like that until their sobs had stopped and they were only shaking, clutching each other. The others came up behind them. "Come on," Inuyasha sighed reluctantly. Kagome and Sango pulled apart, rubbing their eyes, and faced the group and Miroku. Sango and Mushin picked Miroku's body up and lay him softly in the hole. Everybody helped to smooth the dirt over his body.

Mushin stepped forward first and, his head bowed, eyes closed, and hands pressed together, murmured a prayer for Miroku's soul. "You were like my own son, Miroku. I love you. You were so much like your father. I'm proud of you. Goodbye, my son."

He stood back and it was Hachi's turn. The raccoon demon bowed his head. "Goodbye, Master Miroku. You were the best master a demon could ever hope to have." His uncharacteristic display of seriousness brought tears springing back to the girls' eyes.

Sango went next. "Goodbye, Miroku. I'll never forget you. You've done more for me than anybody. You've made a permanent mark on my life and my heart. I hope you rest in peace."

Then went Kagome. "Thank, Miroku, for everything. You were my big brother. I knew I could always count on you and usually look up to you for advice and as an example. Your letchery kept our spirits up, no matter what Sango may have said. I'll miss you. Goodbye."

Turning away, she looked at Sango, who was still crying. Inuyasha brushed her hand with his. "Goodbye, my friend. I'll miss you. You were my first friend ever, and I thank you for that." Although his words were short, they were filled with as much meaning as the others'.

Shippou and Kirara stepped up last. Kirara bowed her tiny head and 'mew'ed at the grave. Shippou bowed his head, too. "Bye, Miroku. You were like my uncle. I knew I could count on you for anything. You watched out for me when the others were away. I'll miss you." He sniffed loudly and rubbed one of his eyes, but held firm.

As they all walked away, Kagome commented sadly, "What a way to begin the new year. I hope this isn't a sign of more to come." They set off again, hearts heavy, praying it had all ended.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

I know, I know. Don't kill me. It will all work out in the end. I promise. Just trust me, ok? Please?

The tickling scene was inspired by my own recent experience. My older cousin had grabbed me from behind and started tickling me until I was practically crying. He's such a mean cousin! Just kidding. Of course, I added some InuKag just for fun.

I just finished seeing Hotel Rwanda. Wow. That's all I can say. It was very well done, though not accurate in depicting what actually occurred. Too horrific for a Hollywood movie. I'm going to have nightmares for a week, I swear. Even what they showed was horrible. If you're like me, I would probably not recommend watching it. (I had nightmares from watching Signs.) Otherwise, or if you want to take a chance, I would suggest watching it. I believe it is an event that we all need to know about. It's scary, though, I warn you.

Personal Reviews for Chap 12 (because I forgot…):

Mikkasura – I know, I know. Remember, we're still in the tunnel, but there is definitely a light at the end. Sorry if it moved too fast, though. Whenever I get a chance to go back, I'll definitely try to go back and fix that! I'm glad you liked my poem! Thanks for reviewing!

TaintedInuShemeeko – Thanks! I'm glad you liked it! I know it was sad, but it'll all work out. I'm glad you liked my poem, too! Thanks for reviewing!

BeccaPatty – Glad you liked my gifty ideas! I wonder what that flicker was… Maybe we'll find out soon! You ARE suspicious, huh? Hehe. Thanks for reviewing!

Anonymous (evilneved69) -- I know it's sad. Sorry. Please keep reading, though. It'll work out. Thank you, though. Hmm, I thought I had included Shippou's reaction to Kyoko's death. I'll have to look back at that! That wouldn't be good if I missed it, rite? Thank you for pointing that out and for reviewing!

sheenachi – Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you liked my story. Yea, it's sad, I know. Please stick with me, though! You'll like the ending! I hope… I'm glad you liked my poem, too.

Personal Reviews for Chapter 13:

Imperial Angel – Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like my fic! Does this classify as soon?

BeccaPatty – I'm glad you like it so much! Will you still like it now? Even though I've promised a happy ending? Cute idea, but I don't know if it will work with my storyline. Rest assured, you'll like the ending…I hope…hehe Thanks for reviewing!

LadySword04 – Woah! Long review! Doncha love those? Thanks! Hehe. I had so much fun writing that chapter! I'm glad you liked it! Mrs. H is amazing! Sometimes I wish my mum was like that, though usually I love her the way she is haha.

TaintedInuShemeeko – Yep, his plan is wicked. And we don't even know all of it yet. It's like a valley. For now, it's still going downhill, but it'll go up again. I promise. Hehe like my metaphor? Thanks for reviewing!