When I got up the next day, I felt so much better. I was half-demon again and my heart felt like everything was back to normal. I sat up and saw Inuyasha standing on the outside of the cave. He was holding the Tetsusaiga and the sun shone off of him as he smiled. I flashed back to last night and the first time I listened to his heart. I got up and walked up to him.

"Inuyasha…" He looked to the side, "C'mon, let's go."

"Go where?" I followed close to him. "I'm taking you back home."

"But, the training? I haven't mastered the Wind Scar or anything."

"You know what, you don't need the Tetsusaiga." He drew it back into its sheath. "Not everyone can master it like I have and even so, it took a long time. It could take you longer and it's better not to detain you too long from doing what you should be doing."

"Oh, and what should that be?" I challenged him.

"Protecting your tribe. You're their princess, but as far as I'm concerned, you're a warrior."

"You don't mean that," I looked away, blushing.

"Look, I wouldn't have let you go if I didn't think you were ready." I whispered, "My wish came true."

"C'mon, we're burning daylight." Kagome and I hopped on while Sango, Miroku and Shippo followed on Keilala. When we arrived back, it was pandemonium. Everyone was so happy to see me return and it felt great to be back among 'family'. Although we're not related through blood, they sheltered me when I needed it. All of the cubs came out and they buried me. I laughed so hard that nothing else seemed to matter. I knew that my purpose was to protect all of these cubs in hopes that they will be able to be the tribe's future.

I spent most of my time with the two cubs I saved from the fire. They had grown quite a bit since then. I sat on my rock with one on each side of me. "So, what have you been doing?"

"Learning how to fight. I've seen a lot of action… but I felt like I was getting disconnected." I laughed, "I guess I spent so much time away from home that I was starting to forget things."

"Did you forget about us?"

"I did… for a little bit, but Inuyasha snapped me out of it."

"Do you like him?" They leaned closer.

"Very much… but we agreed that it was better that we not see each other anymore after today. We were starting to change into completely different people and didn't like what we were turning into. Being away from home changes people, I guess." I laughed. I looked to my far left and saw Inuyasha exercising with the sword, working on different slashes and such. "There's so much to admire about him… I'm going to miss that."

He withdrew his sword as Kagome came to see him. She put a hand to his shoulder and he smiled before they disappeared into the woods. I was curious how he was dealing with this. I mean, I know he cares about me, but would he actually miss me if we stopped seeing each other?

At the end of the day, we had a bonfire and pretty much shared stories. We took turns talking about all of the demons that we fought. The only thing we didn't go into was the personal details of the things that went between me and Inuyasha. Naturally, those were too private to discuss. I stepped away from the bonfire a few hours later to think things over. This was going to be my last night with Inuyasha, the last time I'd ever see him.

I sat on my rock and a few minutes later, he came to join me. "Mind if I sit?"

"Sure." I shifted over a bit and looked up. "Look at that moon… it's so… beautiful. And all of the stars…"

"I wanted to tell you that I don't plan on leaving until sunrise tomorrow. Maybe before that, but I'll spend the night with you if it makes you feel any better."

I shoved him, "You're too nice, Inuyasha. I mean, what's your deal?"

"You did this to me, but I'm kinda grateful. It helped me heal from losing Kikyo and I feel closer to Kagome. I don't think I could have gotten where I am without you. It's helped sort of my feelings nonetheless." I leaned my head on his shoulder. "I feel so back to normal… I'm afraid that… I might forget if…" He took a hold of my hand, "You won't forget me; it's impossible to forget me!"

He put an arm around me and I felt better. "Part of me wishes that we can stay like this forever, but it's just not gonna happen."

"Yeah, I guess with the time we spent together, we developed the true definition of having 'too much of a good thing.'" He laughed and I laughed too. I grabbed his hand and held it in mine. I sighed, "I'm gonna miss this so much. I wish I hadn't lost track everything recently… I could have enjoyed being with you a whole lot more."

"Things got weird, but I think I enjoyed it enough for the both of us." I knew he was smiling; I could feel it.

"Inuyasha…"

"Yeah?"

"This sounds a little out of place, but… do you think I'll ever find love?"

"Love? I'd better not hear you say you're not worthy of finding it!"

"No, it's not like that." I blushed. "Just saying… will I ever find it?"

"I don't know why you wouldn't. I mean, you're good lookin' and stuff. Plus you're a princess… that makes demons like you more desirable."

"Half-demon…" I corrected him. "I never thought I'd actually… it sounds like such a good thing. It's a little bit of everything. The strength along with the emotions. The fog has lifted, so everything is clear…"

"It's getting kinda late. Are you getting tired yet?" I yawned, "Yeah, but I don't want to sleep just yet. I know that the sooner I fall asleep, the sooner you'll leave."

"Well, don't get all sentimental on me…" He rolled his eyes. I thought to myself, 'Typical Inuyasha… I figured as much.'

"Maybe you should lay down, then we can look up at the stars."

"Sure," I leaned back and Inuyasha was beside me. The stars were shining in a way like never before. The one directly above my head was the brightest. It seemed to symbolize the wish I made for Inuyasha to live. That wish had come true. There was one right next to it, shining almost as bright; it was for things to be normal. That wish had come true. I saw a blank space next to that star, almost like there was supposed to be a star there. Or a star was going to be there. It was really interesting; could those stars symbolize my wishes? Will I make one last wish and what will it be?

"Chihiro…"

"Yes, Inuyasha?" I turned my head to the right and he was looking at the stars too. "Will you promise me something?"

"What is it? Anything?"

"Promise me that… you'll always think with your heart and that you won't change you who are. I mean, if we meet a few years from now, I'd like to be able to recognize you, at least."

I turned to my right, placing my left hand to his heart. "I promise." He put his hand on mine as I felt his heart pound under it. I laughed, "Just so long as you don't let your heart change too much. That's the only way I'm going to recognize you, whether you're half-demon or human. I wouldn't want to see what you'd be like a full-demon though… because I don't know what that could do to you. If you lose a piece of yourself with each transformation, repeated transformations could make you lose your heart. I'd hate for that to happen."

"Yeah, I've been doubting that I'd want to become a full fledged demon if it'll cause me to lose or even kill my friends. That's what terrifies me about it."

"I never knew you were scared of anything." I yawned, "Oh well, I guess this is it."

"Yeah…" His eyes shifted to meet mine and he smiled. I smiled back. "These past two months have been the best months of my life. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me."

"It wasn't a big deal…" He shut his eyes. "Inuyasha?"

"Yeah?" He opened them again. I looked down and smiled. "Good-bye, Inuyasha… I'll miss you and I'll never forget, for however long I live." He smiled. I focused on those yellow eyes as I closed mine, knowing that would be the last thing I'd remember about him.

As we slept through the night, I paid all attention to the lulling of his heart under my hand. At one point, I felt as if the pattern in it was disrupted in the slightest. I wondered if Inuyasha had some sort of feelings for me that he kept locked inside. I know that I had forbade myself from showing my true feelings to Inuyasha, but I felt like this was my chance. I blew it… but I suppose that was all right. It was better if he never knew. Still, I wondered on if the change in his heartbeat pattern meant something. Would he miss me and how much? I knew that I felt so warm and protected and I wanted to be that way forever.

Something in my dream convinced me that we would meet again in the near future. I came upon Inuyasha in a plain grassy field. He was standing alone, as if he was waiting for me. "I see you've gotten stronger. I'm glad you haven't ignored what I've taught you." He looked down, "I don't want to admit it, but someday, you just might be return the favor I've done you." The look in his eyes made me see that it was true. He'd need my help sometime in the near future. I asked, "How will I know?"

"You'll be able to smell my blood… but it's not quite as recognizable as it is now. You'll get your chance to be the big shot…" He then rushed off as it was nothing. I smiled, "Thank you, Inuyasha."