Watashi no Musume
Chapter 13- Sacred tree

Everyone was surprised to see Inuyasha carrying Kagome back too camp. What was most surprising was that the two seemed to be getting along.

"We thought you were in trouble Kagome!" Shippo sat on Chiharu's shoulder as they both jumped for joy to see her back. The miko fell asleep on Inuyasha's shoulder during the walk and it took her a while to gain consciousness.

"Kagome what did you think you were doing!" She was sitting in her sleeping bag sipping on a cup of tea as everyone nagged like a headache that wouldn't go away. If it wasn't for the calming tea Kagome would be screaming her lungs out. When everyone had their say the miko instantly when't to sleep.

When she woke up in the morning Kagome was in happy and cheerful. This freaked Inuyasha out and he kept his distance. Everyone else just looked at her oddly. Despite the fact that it was already past noon, she insisted that they continue traveling. No one seemed to stand in her way. Especially when she started walking in the wrong direction.

"Kagome! Were are you going!" Instead of stopping the miko just turned around and walked backwards.

"I need to go to the Goshinboku!" She called out. The group didn't know what to do but fallow her. Inuyasha was especially annoyed since they had spent a month at Kaede's Village and she could have gone to the tree any time she wanted. Now they were traveling again and the last thing he wanted to do was turn back.

"But we were only there two days ago!" The hanyou complained. No one argued with him like they usually did. Everyone just secretly nodded in agreement. Kagome ignored their sulking faces and just happily walked down the road.

"Hey Inuyasha" Sango leaned over to whispering to Inuyasha. "What wrong with Kagome. Did something happen last night?"

"Feh. What makes you think that?"

"You and Kagome haven't started fighting yet." The monk watched Kagome and Chiharu walked side by side and Shippo happily joined in.

"She seems really….Happy." The monk continued.

The trip back was a lot faster since Kagome didn't ask to stop so much because of her leg. Though you could see a slight limp in her walk after a hour. Kagome helped herself up on Kirara's back and instantly Inuyasha rushed to his post beside Kagome incase the miko were to fall. Of course she never did, but Inuyasha wanted to be there just in case.

They stayed the night in a forest as usual. At this rate they should reach the Sacred tree by noon the next day. Kagome was feeling extra generous and allowed Inuyasha and Chiharu to have thirds of their favorite meal.

The next day Kagome was awake before everyone else and by the time they all woke up, most of camp was packed and ready to go.

"Kagome? why are you in such a hurry to get to the tree?" Sango rubber her eyes awake while Kagome gently placed Chiharu and Shippo on Kirara so they could get their sleep. Kagome felt bad that she had to rely on Kirara all the time to carry everyone so she cave the cat some treats from her bag. The two-tail ate the treats happily and was careful no to bite Kagome with her sharp teeth.

"I need to look at something."

"Is it so important that we have to wake up so early?"

"The early bird gets the worm, Sango!" Kagome sang out. Sango had no idea what this meant but reluctantly got out of her warm blankets and into the fresh cold air.

Kaede greeted the group halfheartedly wondering why they were back so soon. The second they got there Kagome put her pack down and made her way to the Goshinboku, motioning for Chiharu to come. Inuyasha followed behind while the others decided to stay behind and rest.

Chiharu wanted to run to the tree but Kagome had limited strength and tried her best to keep up at a fast walk. Eventually the Miko had to call for the child and ask her to not run. Chiharu listened to her mother but you could tell how much she wanted to go see the tree.

Chiharu felt a big connection to the tree. She felt that she owed it something and sensed an enormous power call to her as she drew near. When they child looked up into the Goshinboku's branched she could almost see it smile. It was a silly thing to think that a tree could smile but whenever Chiharu felt lonely she knew that Goshinboku would welcome her into its branches.

When the glittering leaves rose from behind the other trees Chiharu could wait no longer and began to dance around it. Inuyasha sat down on the ground as Kagome continued to walk to the tree.

"Chiharu." Kagome smiled as the child stopped to look at her mother. Kagome knelt down so she could look at her child face to gace.

"Chiharu, if you ever need help just come to this tree and wish. Wish all you can and Inuyasha and I will be here for you." The girl didn't know what this meant and looked puzzled. The miko seemed to be speaking in code a lot lately and she was hard to understand.

Kagome touched its bark with her hands and lifted her head so she could smile back at the tree. Chiharu mimicked he mother and gently touched the tree. Shinning glitter rained from the branched above them. Kagome looked down to smile at the child and could slowly see Chiharu's appearance fade away as if she was never there. Kagome could almost feel the tears run down her face.

The miko turned around and motioned to the hanyou that she was ready to go. However the hanyou wasn't there. Kagome didn't remember him mentioning anything about leaving. She walked out of the forest and found the gang walking over to meet her.

"Were have you been!" Inuyasha groaned.

"I was saying goodbye to Chiharu of course!"

"Who's Chiharu, Kagome?" Kagome paused for a moment. No one seemed to remember the girl who had spent so much time with them.

"No one. Just a memory."

A:N Yea so. One more chapter left. First week back to school so I was a little busy. Also I didn't want to finish the chapter because that would mean that the story is nearly over : (
Oh well. As I was writing this chapter a sequel began to work in my mind. You know how I was mentioning that Chiharu felt she owed the tree something? Well what if she owed the tree her life? What do you think? That was just a thought. I don't expect it to go anywhere but if you readers like it then I might make it into a story somehow.