A/N: Well, here we are, at part II! Many of you have already guessed what will happen in this part, and I hope you enjoy it! At least I can promise you that the angst filled chapters are coming to an end.

Part II

Chapter 8: The Heart's Path

Kikyou walked through the woods, the breeze causing her hair and her clothes to sway in the wind. Her dark eyes were downcast, half-lidded in emotion, the sad gleam fully in her eyes as she walked along, her bow in hand in case of any trouble. The trees around her swayed to the tune of the wind, leaves flying in front of her face.

Suddenly, the miko stopped, feeling something she didn't like. She turned slightly, a shiver going up her spine. "This jyaki…" she whispered, her eyes alert as they flicked back and forth between trees, looking for the source.

Hearing a slight buzzing to the right of her, she immediately turned, releasing an arrow. A second later in pierced through the saimyoushou that had been flittering behind her.

Kikyou's eyes narrowed. Begun your first move, have you, Naraku?


The group roamed on through the wilderness, silent as they marched, looking for any trace of Naraku. The usual quietness had come upon them, mostly because of the grave mood between Inuyasha and Kagome. The silence was so deafening, that sometimes, Sango, Miroku, or Shippou had to restrain themselves to yell "Cheer up!" at the top of their lungs.

However, the rest of them didn't know that things were beginning to rectify themselves between them. Ever since Inuyasha had comforted her in the hut, Kagome had felt more relaxed in his presence. That day, she had realized, the only person who could help her through this was him, and that she desperately needed him to help her past those awful memories.

Despite the resolution, fear still plagued her heart. No matter what distractions came about, she couldn't ever forget the pain she had felt when he was a youkai, and how much it hurt her that his heart was out of her reach. He was still Inuyasha, the one she cared for, but he was different. He was hurting her. And it had been her fault in the first place.

And then the darker memories would come, the ones that she would still jerk awake in the night when they appeared in her dreams. The pink light and the screams of Inuyasha in pain would be wherever she turned, always stalking her, unwilling to let go. And the dagger, falling, falling, before she felt it pierce her chest—

She gave a shudder as she remembered. I can't forget about those things. Ever. A tear came to her eye. I wish I just could forget…just like I know Inuyasha wishes he could forget what he did as a youkai, but we can't…Her eyes drifted towards her lover, and he noticed her gaze, his amber eyes turning to meet hers. We can't ever forget…

Kagome quickly looked away, afraid of what would happen if she kept his gaze. Being close to him, in that way, scared her now; she was always so afraid she'd have to re-live the time when he was a youkai. But there were more worries now. What if he didn't recognize her voice anymore? What if he didn't listen to her as she pleaded for the lives of her friends? What if she had no control over who he was?

And then the worst fear of them all; What if I have to kill him again?

"Oh, Look!" Sango yelled, pointing into the distance as they came to a cliff. Her exclamation drove Kagome from her dark thoughts, and she silently thanked her friend for it.

"It's the Exterminator's Village!" Shippou said, jumping up on Miroku's shoulder to get a better view.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and folded his arms inside of his haori. "Keh. I suppose you want to go visit, then?"

Sighing, feeling as if she had done this a hundred times, Kagome said in a warning voice, "Inuyasha…"

"Fine, I don't care." Inuyasha muttered, following as Sango, Miroku and Shippou led the way to the walled village.

Smiling as she looked upon her home village, Sango remarked, "We haven't been here in a while…Not since we saw Kohaku…" she stopped, the smile fading from her face as she remembered. The last time they had come to the Exterminator's Village, they had met up with Kohaku, who they had learned had regained his memory. Though the reminiscing of that was slightly happy, it was accompanied with sadness when Kohaku had run off again, ashamed to be with his sister after all that he had done before.

Noticing his fiancée's distress, Miroku spoke up, "I'm sure he's all right, Sango. Naraku no longer has him under his control."

Sango glanced back at him. "I know, but I can't help but worry about him. He's the only family I have now…" Her eyes glanced downward, as she remembered happier times, before Naraku came and turned their lives into a disaster. An instant later, she was up, with a small smile on her face. "But at least I know, wherever he is, he has his own mind."

She continued ob, with that smile on her face, as they walked past the wooden gate and into the empty village, now starting to deteriorate. As she looked between the empty buildings, she could almost see herself and Kohaku racing through the huts, like they used to do when they were younger. Kirara jumped into her arms and purred, while Sango scratched the nekomata behind the ears.

While Sango was lost in her memories, Miroku commented to Inuyasha, "At least the village remains undisturbed."

"Keh." Inuyasha remarked. "I bet it's because the youkai are still too afraid to come anywhere near here. They must have had some reputation."

Inuyasha and Miroku kept talking, and Kagome glanced over at her friend, who was walking towards the line of graves at the far side of the city. The only time I ever see that sad look in Sango-chan's eyes is when she thinks of Kohaku. Kagome thought, while Sango dropped Hiraikotsu on the ground and knelt before the graves. After all, Kohaku wasn't himself for the longest time…she must have been so afraid of what he might do…

That thought caused a chill to come up Kagome's spine as she remembered how similar it was to her own situation with Inuyasha. She was thankful that he was back to normal, but she always knew that there was a possibility that it could happen again. Kikyou had told Inuyasha that if Naraku learned of the curse, he could use it against them.

There's always a chance that he might…Kagome gripped the yellow strap of her backpack tighter, her hand slightly shaking at the horrific thought.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked, coming towards her. Kagome turned, taking care not to look to frightened.

"Yes, Inuyasha?" she asked, noticing that Miroku had gone over to Sango, kneeling next to her as they talked in hushed voices.

The hanyou indicated with his thumb over his shoulder to Miroku. "The monk thinks we should stay here for a couple of hours, just to make that woman of his feel better, so we might as well get some food."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Whatever Inuyasha." She turned to where Shippou was starting a fire with his Kitsunebi. Some things will never change. She mused. No matter what happened to him, or me, he'll always keep food as a top priority.

But she couldn't help but notice how Inuyasha was watching her as she left, his arms folded in his haori, which, along with his hair, was swaying in the breeze. His amber eyes never left her, filled with longing as he watched her go.


Miroku sat down next to Sango as she prayed for the departed souls of the dead. "Sango?" he asked, making the youkai exterminator look up at him.

"Houshi-sama." She replied, glancing back at the graves. "I can't believe how much I've missed this place."

The monk wrapped one arm around her, pulling her against his side. Sango didn't jerk out of his embrace, but she leaned her head against his shoulder. "It's your home." He replied softly. "You're allowed to miss it."

They sat like that, in silence, gazing upon the graves of the slain villagers, while the wind whistled through their hair. While she leaned against him, Sango wondered how Miroku, the man whom tried to grope her so many times, could now make her feel so safe and secure. She trusted him now…to a point, that is.

"Houshi-sama," she asked, "You're not just being nice like this to get a grope, are you?" She eyed him suspiciously.

That question almost seemed expected, and Miroku chuckled. "Of course not, Sango. I wouldn't have to courage to do that in front of the grave of your father."

A smile came to her face at that, knowing that even Miroku had limits. "Then, Houshi-sama, you don't think that we could stay here…for a few more days, do you?" Looking at Miroku's puzzled expression, she explained. "I mean…I like it here. It's a nice break from hunting Naraku, and…" her eyes glanced back at Inuyasha and Kagome, who were sitting around the fire, trying to avoid each other's gaze. "I think we all need a break from reality."

The monk smiled warmly at her statement. "I'd like that too, Sango. But we might have to ask our impatient hanyou for permission. He might not like the idea of us staying in one place for very long."

"I heard that, monk!" Inuyasha yelled, coming up behind them as Sango and Miroku got back on their feet.

Miroku sighed, "As always, your ears never seem to fail you when you are being insulted."

"Keh. Got that right." Inuyasha muttered, while Kagome and Shippou came up next to him. "Now, what's this I hear about staying?"

Drawing Sango closer to him, Miroku replied, "Sango and I would like to stay in this village a little while longer, perhaps a couple of days."

The silver haired hanyou narrowed his eyes. "And why would that be, monk?"

Miroku pointed to Sango. "It was her idea! I have no hidden intentions…unless you want me to have them, Sango." His mouth formed a lecherous grin.

"Not a chance!" The youkai slayer said, elbowing him in the gut, feeling satisfied when the monk gave an "Oof!" of pain.

Inuyasha started in on his tirade. "Look, monk, we can't just drop everything just because we're here. We have Naraku to worry about!"

As the hanyou continued, lecturing on the importance of finding Naraku as soon as possible, Kagome looked at Sango. Her eyes were set on Miroku as he argued with Inuyasha, set in one emotion Kagome knew well, Longing. It was obvious to anyone (except Inuyasha) that she wanted some time with Miroku.

Kagome cut in to the argument. "Inuyasha, let them stay."

"Why?" he asked, looking back at her, surprised.

Sighing, Kagome figured that she would have to tell Inuyasha, since he didn't seem to be very good at figuring these things out anyway. "Inuyasha, it's only for a couple of days. It's not going to cut into our trip much. Besides…" She stopped, and met his gaze. "I need to go home, for a while anyway, to catch up on my homework. You know I can't afford to miss much this year."

Her eyes were pleading so forcefully, that Inuyasha couldn't help but give in. "Whatever. But they can't stay for too long, got it? One week at the most!"

With the hanyou's proclamation, Sango certainly seemed to brighten up. It cheered Kagome up to see her friend this happy, being able to spend some time alone with the one she loved…which brought her to another thought.

If Sango-chan and Miroku-sama are staying here…then that means and Inuyasha and I…her eyes drifted over towards the hanyou. We'll be left alone too…

She felt her heart give a slight jump at that, something that she hadn't felt in ages. Turning away so no one could see her, Kagome put a hand over her heart, feeling it fall back to its normal beat. No, I can't be…I'm not going to be happy about this…I should be happy for Sango-chan, since she gets some time with Miroku-sama, but I…

I can't let myself feel this way…I won't let myself feel this way.

But, as they left the village of the youkai exterminators, with Sango, Miroku, and Shippou waving as they departed, Kagome riding on Inuyasha's back as he wanted them to get farther away before nightfall, she couldn't help but feel slightly happy that she was back with him, like old times.

As they journeyed, Inuyasha could feel her heart beating against his back, and the times it would speed up whenever he held her closer. He made sure Kagome didn't see, but secretly, the thought brought a smile to his face, the first genuine smile he had in months.


A/N: So, yes, thus begins some fluff for you. But this story's not totally about fluff, so don't expect much of it, but I may throw in a bit here and there for you.