Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or anything like that

"Nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect"
(Richard R. Powell)


Wabi-Sabi

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Memories

Stressed


Two Years Ago

Her mind couldn't blink away from the beautiful scene that her eyes directed her to. No matter how hard she tired to blink, she remained unmoving. The mist surrounded the two people in the clearing. A lone tree shielded them from the moonlight with the few remaining leaves it held. Blue-gray eyes stared for what seemed like hours when in reality it was only a few seconds. This was a scene of life embracing death like it was meant to be. She could tell that even the dying tree comforted its death in some way. The woman pushed away from her hiding spot and stared at the couple in a bitter happiness.

Long ivory hair blew in the gentle breeze as the area was alit with the Hitodama floated in the area. Her ears picked up the soft gliding sound of the Shinidama-Chuu as they circled around the tree and night sky. Red clothing stood out against the light of the moon and hitodama. Silver hair took on the appearance of a ghostly white against the light. Living ivory flesh lay against the pale ivory flesh of the Miko. Her traditional Chihaya was lost in the cloth of the firerat fur. Both of their scarlet hakama's gently swayed in the wind.

She wanted to pull away from the scene she was watching, but she couldn't. Her mind compelled her to stay and make sure they were safe. Biting her lower lip she listened to their words.

"Kikyo," the man whispered.

"Inuyasha, we can not stay like this forever," Kikyo softly told him.

"I swear to protect you from Naraku," Inuyasha sternly promised.

The person observing wanted to cry, she promised herself not to cry.

"I do not belong to this world, time stands still for me. You can not protect me from death while I have already been dead," Kikyo carefully explained.

"I failed once, but while you still walk the earth I shall protect you," Inuyasha announced.

"I loved you once, and my heart still aches for us…"

"We can be together," Inuyasha interrupted her.

"Not while I'm like this," Kikyo softly sad.

"I don't care what your like…as long as we can be together," Inuyasha sincerely assured her.

The watcher backed away from her hiding spot with a small smile upon her face. Kikyo was no longer full of hatred. There was a chance for the Miko to live again.

'As long as he's happy…I'll be happy,' she thought as the smile took on a touch of true happiness.

She walked back to the village with her head held high. A woman with long black turned to stare at her with sad eyes. The woman's hair was pulled into a ponytail. Her dark brown eyes reflected the campfire. Gently she set her Hiraikotsu to the ground.

"Sango," the watcher greeted with a stoic voice.

"Kagome…are you alright?" Sango asked.

Kagome's eyes drifted to the Houshi behind her. His dark violet eyes stared deep into her blue-gray eyes. His eyes seemed to stare into her soul, and she knew that he knew what was wrong. His short black hair was pulled into a short ponytail, leaving a few bangs out on his forehead. Kagome turned her attention back to Sango and offered a small smile.

"I'm fine," Kagome softly assured.

"Lady Kagome," Miroku softly began, "where were you?"

"I was making sure history went right," Kagome answered with a bit more confidence.

Sango and Miroku's eyes turned to the forest. Both of their eyes widened when they noticed the Shinidama-Chuu float above the trees. Kagome followed their gaze and let a slight frown cover her features. The frown turned to a neutral look when she turned back to them.

"I'm so sor…"

"Don't!" Kagome harshly snapped at Sango. Kagome relaxed when she noticed Sango's face turn to a look of shock and hurt.

"Please don't apologize for something that isn't your fault," Kagome calmly said.

"If you need us we will be here training," Miroku offered.

"Thank you," Kagome whispered as she walked away.

Sango and Miroku watched as she vanished into the distance and soon into Kaede's hut. Sango sighed and leaned her Hiraikotsu against the wall of the hut they stood in. Her brown eyes turned to Miroku's pensive stare.

"Why did you let her go so easily?" Sango questioned. Sango knew that sadness and pain could turn into anger. It could even lead to worse things.

"I believe that Kagome is finally growing," Miroku answered.

"Growing?" Sango questioned.

"She's learning a new way of thinking," Miroku answered. Sango nodded and decided that she didn't want to train anymore.

Kagome took of her brown shoes before she entered Kaede's hut. Kaede poked at the logs in the fire pit before she turned her eye to Kagome. Kagome slightly bowed and sat across from Kaede. Flames cracked the wood and Kagome watched it burn. Her mind had come to decision that she thought she would refuse. She dwelled on the decision her mind made and found that it was the right choice.

"Have ye made your decision?" Kaede calmly asked. Her aged showed through her cracked voice.

"Yes, I have," Kagome thoughtfully answered.

"What is your choice?" Kaede asked.

"I would be honored to become the Miko of this village," Kagome honestly said.

"You skills in Kyudo have vastly improved, you have learned how to use ofudas, all you need training in is how to fully use your powers," Kaede explained.

"I am sure Miroku could help me with some training," Kagome suggested.

"You do know that you can't be married as a Miko?" Kaede asked.

"I am aware that I would have to leave behind my duties in order to marry…or be intimate," Kagome assured with a small blush.

"Then we can begin training tomorrow morning," Kaede happily said. "Can you ask Miroku to come in here?"

Kagome nodded and walked out of the hut. Her eyes scanned the area for Miroku. Smiling when she found him, she walked over to where he stood. Kagome quickly told him Kaede wished to see him and he was off. Kagome sighed and walked over to her hut. She glanced at her watch and figured it wasn't to late to take a dip in the onsen. Grabbing her sleepwear, she traveled through the forest and to the onsen. She instantly relaxed when she saw the steam rise off the water. A soft smile turned the corner of her lips up once she stripped. Kagome sat in the water and leaned against a cool rock. She let the water rise up to her chin and cover her mouth. The air from her nose caused little ripples with each breath.

'Did I make the right choice?' Kagome worriedly thought.

She knew Kaede was becoming weaker as she continued to age. The months seemed to come quicker then before. The village needed a Miko, and she was the only one currently available. Kagome let her eyes close in silent contemplation. Being the village, Miko meant that she would have to give up her life in her era. Kagome's eyes opened and glared at the water. She had no future in her era. Kagome had managed to fail her second year of high school. Her friends had long since abandoned for other people. They said she wasn't around enough.

Kagome knew that this was not the only option left to her. This choice she chose to take upon herself. She had dropped out of high school and told everyone that she was moving to America. Kagome knew that her last trip home was a goodbye trip. Her life in the future was over and it hurt. The pain had stung her heart and numbed off something that she never knew existed. Her eyes watered at the thoughts and pulled back the tears. She wouldn't cry, she would never let her tears show. Crying seemed to show everyone that you had a weakness. If she was to be a Miko, she couldn't let herself have a weakness.

'No more tears,' Kagome firmly thought.

Her thoughts strayed to the events on Mount Hakurei. So far, Jakotsu, Renkotsu, and Bankotsu were the only ones left of the Shichinintai. Shippo and Kirara were becoming weak from the barrier. They were forced to leave the area for the remaining time. The group had traveled back to the village in order to rest and train some more. Kagome wondered what Naraku was really doing inside Mt. Hakurei. She also wondered about the band of seven, or should she say three.

Her eyebrow furrowed in thought as she pondered Bankotsu. The young man seemed to be weird in her opinion. She raised her head from the water and let it rest against the rock. Weird wasn't the right word she would use, she couldn't think of a word for him. One minute he acted like a careful boy and the next, he was a serious killer. He had an innocence to him that attracted her to him. Kagome's eyes darted around the area and she made sure no one was around. Relaxing once more, she sighed and closed her eyes.

'Stupid Naraku,' Kagome thought, 'doesn't he know better? The nerve of him! It should be against the law to resurrect cute guys!'

Kagome's face turned cherry red as she let her head drop. A frustrated sigh escaped her lips. She was sixteen going to be a Miko, never got a second kiss, and was utterly alone. Her current situation in her mind was a bit pathetic. She was sitting in an onsen thinking about how cute a killer was. Another sigh and she replaced her embarrassed look with one of determination.

"I don't need man…I can do it myself!" Kagome stated with firm determination.

A soft chuckle broke her out of her thoughts. She froze as the chuckle became full out laughter. Fearing the worst, she turned and her eyes widened in slight fear and embarrassment. Her face turned to one of shock with the man's first words to her.

"Don't need a man, eh? What exactly are you planning on doing yourself?"

Translations:

Chihaya- traditional dress for a Miko

Hakama- divided skirt

Haori- a long, wide sleeved kimono

Tabi- divided toe sock that came to the ankle

Zori- a flat sandal made with thongs

Hami-Yumi- sacred longbow

Yumishi- bow maker

Hamaya- purifying arrow

Tsuru- string of the bow

Ya- arrow

Hitodama- spirits of the dead, or a type of youkai

Kyudo- Japanese archery

Author's Note:
I couldn't resist an awkward situation. I love awkward situations.
Please remember to review!

Thanks to previous reviewers:

Skitzoflame, V.X.O, vi3tdream27, Bankostu-Lover, punkgoddess, Shadowed Rains, x0SilverFeathersx0, xxprincess-sakuraxx, Brok3nRagd0ll, Damned Angel of the Dying Light, Number 1 Miroku Fangirl, inudemoness247, gothic-ember