Sorry about the long wait. I was on spring vacation. And boy…I left ya'll with a cliffy too…cough sorry about that! Well, now for the thanks!

Puppylove18: Bah! Don't worry, you'll find out along the way. Lol, the last few chap's have been kinda lame- they'll get longer when there's more action, which'll probably be the next chapter.

Topazchic08: lol thanks! Definitely plan to, I was gone for so long though, so sorry about that!

Sandrah: Heh yeesh! Well thanks! I'm glad you're into it, that's a really good sign :D you'll find out soon enough. Inu's coming in soonish…maybe

Jess: BAH! I WILL! GEEZE! Lol SPRING BREAK '06 BABY! That's why :

Disclaimer: I o w n n o t h I n g a t a l l

Summary: Why on earth does Miroku think Kagome died eight years ago?

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"What?" I demanded, appalled at what my old comrade had just told me.

"Her name was Kagome, a friend to us all," Miroku stated, his grin quickly fading. "He told us she'd been murdered by our foulest of enemies."

I held my breath. Who had told them I'd died? Had they looked for me? What was going on?

Miroku looked pensive, as though I was no longer in the room. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I decided to speak once again.

"Who…" I began hesitantly, "Told you I-she died?"

He looked up, suddenly remembering my presence.

"My old comrade. He was-"

Shaking his head, Miroku watched me carefully.

"I'm sorry, what did you say your name was?"

"Miroku…" I mumbled, my eyes stinging with tears, wishing his would be full of recognition as mine were. "It's me, Kagome…"

Inhaling quickly, a sharp, soft gasp of something I couldn't quite place escaped from the monk. For a moment, his eyes met mine, and he knew.

"K-kagome-chan!" he breathed in shock, relief and happiness tracing his handsome features.

He hugged me tightly, breaking into a huge smile I'd seen him only deliver to Sango on some occasions.

"Miroku!" I cried, surprised. A blush slowly crept up my cheeks, tinting them a light rosy color. I returned the embrace, allowing him time to recover from the shock of seeing his long gone friend alive.

He spoke into my hair, "We'd thought you perished…eight years…"

"I'm fine, though…" I cooed quietly, hoping he would calm down. It was hard for me to see Miroku so…sentimental…towards me anyways.

He released me, his eyes bright like they used to be, two shining orbs of violet. This was the Miroku I remembered.

"Kagome-chan it's been far, far too long," he continued, a child-like grin plastered on his face. His hand somehow found its way towards to bottom, earning him a smack.

He smirked, and I did as well, much to my dismay. I'd missed the not-so-holy-monk.

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After common casualties, we'd fallen back into serious business. His eyes, though still bright, regained a sense of world wear that made him look so much older and wiser. I'd forgotten that, although they lived in the past, they would age as well.

He was now a young man of twenty seven, meaning Sango would be twenty six, Inuyasha twenty seven as well, and Shippo would be seventeen. This was getting to be a bit much…

"Kagome-chan, I still find it so hard to believe you've returned."

I shook my head, "Just 'Kagome,' Miroku." Confused, I continued, "Why? Who told you I'd died?"

Sighing, he replied, "Inuyasha."

Looking away, I found my heart throb slightly. Why on earth would Inuyasha tell them I'd been murdered?

"I-Inuyasha told you I died? Why would he say-"

"Kagome," Miroku cut in, "I haven't seen Inuyasha since the day he'd told us you'd gone. He left us without so much as a word."

I looked away in horror. "You haven't heard anything from him? Nothing about a half-demon from anyone?" I pleaded

"There have been rumors…but as to a location not so much as a peep." He watched me, concerned.

"And Sango and Shippo?" I asked, my voice cracking slightly.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, poking at the small campfire before us.

"Sango," Miroku began, "married that young Lord we met so long ago. Shippo left a while back as well, nearly two years after Sango and Inuyasha had gone. He'd stayed with me for a while."

"Do you-" I started, being cut off once more.

"Keep in touch?" he questioned, smiling a bit, "Yes, we do. He's found himself a mate, though. Something I'm sure he'd be glad to inform you about."

My head was spinning, faster than it had when I'd come out of the well.

"Shippo's got a mate? Sango got married?" I gawked for a moment longer, snapping back to reality in time to close my gaping mouth.

I was nearly ready to question Miroku more when a village man burst into the hut.

"Master Miroku, a horde of demons has invaded the village!"

Staff in hand, Miroku stood strong, nodding to the man.

"Get women and children into the huts and gather the town's men," he commanded. The man vanished from the hut. Miroku looked at me.

"What is it?" I questioned, standing as well.

"Demons. Tell me, do you plan to stay in the hut or can you help? The choice is yours. I'll not force you to fight if you don't wish to do so."

"Help?" I questioned. Mentally slapping myself, I thought about it. Of course! He wanted me to use a bow!

…but

But doing that would mean I was accepting this world…that things would change all over again. I wouldn't be able to forget any of this if I chose to help. One little arrow would decide the rest of my life.

From outside I heard roars and deep, scratchy voices, accompanied by the cries of women and children alike.

The choice was obvious.

I grabbed a nearby bow, a quiver full of arrows and sprinted out of the hut.

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Bah, sorry they're short! And apologies for not having updated in a while! Bleh reviews please!

-thanks-