Chapter 29: Tough Road Ahead

The darkness was a welcome solace and she was reluctant to leave it behind, but regardless Kikyo's mind pushed her into wakefulness. Aside from feeling sore all over she was warm and there was a soft humming in the room. It was a lullaby. One she used to sing a lot in her last life to the little children who needed attending to. She'd sing while she bandaged them up to take their mind off of the pain.

"I see ye are awake now sister."

'Kaede...'

"It may be hard for ye to speak. I am surprised that ye are awake so soon. I expected at least a few days of sleep at the least." Kaede said while grabbing a small goblet of water. "I have some water here. I'll be lifting thy head to help ye drink it."

After taking several sips of water Kikyo felt the nausea swimming in her head lessen tremendously. Thanking her little sister, she closed her eyes and tried to determine what to ask first. She didn't have to think too long because Kaede took the choices away from her.

"I know that ye must of been through quite the ordeal. I wish to know what happened sister. First, I shall bring in some broth. The sun has barely crested the horizon so no others are awake. Ye shall not be disturbed. I will return."

Kikyo took this moment alone to try to compose her thoughts. How'd she end up in Kaede's hut? Had she truly made it back to Edo? Flashes of memory sparked in her minds eye and she remembered just what happened. She made it back, but passed out before she made it into town. The last thing she remembered was hearing Inuyasha's voice, seeing his eyes. It wasn't a dream.

This could be bad. Did he know anything? Did he suspect? Could he even tell she wasn't a golem anymore? The former priestess had no idea. Right then the elder woman entered into the small room once more with a small bowl of warm broth. The smell alone had her stomach rioting against its emptiness and her mouth filled with saliva.

A thought occurred to her at that instant. How did she know that she could eat food? Or drink water for that matter. Just how much did she already know?

"I see that ye have a lot on yer mind, and yea I can tell that ye are now made of flesh and bone. I have my suspicions of all else, but first you must eat. Then we can speak of what's happened." Kaede said softly.

Nodding her head, she carefully was helped into a seated position. Then she ate her first helping of real homemade food since her death. It was delicious. In no time flat she was already done with her bowl and wondered if when they were done with their essential conversation that she may have another. That is if there were any left.

"Kaede, I thank you for the meal. It's the most delightful thing that I've tasted in over fifty years. I also thank you for taking care of me. You were always trying to do that though, weren't you little sister? I admit, perhaps I needed you more than I ever needed anything else. I assume you've gathered I am once again alive."

"Ay."

"And you of course remember of a time when we spoke of such a circumstance."

"Ay sister, of that I do."

"We will start from there. I told Inuyasha I knew of a way..." she began.

It took he the better part of the morning to relay the happenings of her journey. By the time she was finished explaining everything all of the houses inhabitants were already stirring from the other side of the shoji screen.

It was with a heavy heart that Kaede informed Kikyo of her unfortunate fate. The former priestess was indeed correct in her assumption about her lack of powers as well as her infertility. The revelation took a toll on her, and her younger sister noticed.

"I wish that these be better circumstances for ye, elder sister. However ye mustn't forget that the Kami remember all of ones deeds. Though ye are changed now it wasn't so long ago that ye stole the souls of the unfortunate innocents to remain on this plane. It is a hard task to bear ones consequences, but fret not, for however cruel they may seem to ye, it could have always been much worse." Kaede said.

"I am grateful for the Kami's mercy. My only true concern is..."

"Inuyasha. Yes. He was rather upset in seeing you in such a way, and even more befuddled when he scented ye. I thank thee for telling me of thy circumstances however I can't help but feel an explanation is better suited for that one."

"Yes, of that there is no doubt."

When Inuyasha and Kagome reached the hut both Shippo and Miroku had just woken up. The priestess went straight to the kitchen to start preparing for their meal, whispering to Shippo to go catch some fish for their breakfast and for Inuyasha to fetch fresh water. Miroku tried to get up, but his efforts were being thwarted by his beloved. Sango decided that he was her pillow, and she absolutely refused to allow him to rise. Smiling sheepishly at Kagome, he admitted defeat. She was much to strong in her sleep. Snorting at him Kagome rolled her eyes.

"Why does lover boy get to sleep in and the rest of us have to slave away. I'll help his ass get up." Inuyasha grumbled retrieving the large pail from Kaede's pantry. Shippo laughed while grabbing an empty fishing net on the way out.

"Oh zip it will ya. He'd get up if he could, but he'll wake up Sango if he moves and she really needs to get rest right now." Kagome said, flicking Inuyasha's ear when he passed by her.

"Always the fucking ears..." he trailed off rubbing his abused appendage as he left the hut.

"I see that he is well. Your influence lady Kagome?" Miroku said softly while stroking his sleeping wife's head.

"He was so upset Miroku. I don't think I've ever seen him that way before. But then again he was always more worked up when it involved...her. I really want him to be happy, and this, well I just don't know how its all going to turn out." She replied.

"You know, I must say you're holding up very well. I think we all assumed you'd have a harder time with all of this." The monk said with questioning eyes.

He didn't quite ask her, but his damn perceptiveness was definitely making an appearance and she didn't know quite how to answer him. Thankfully she didn't have to because at that very moment Sango began to stir into wakefulness. She sat up and rubbed her tired eyes with a large yawn.

"Forgive me for waking you, go back to sleep beloved. The sun has barely but risen." He said.

Shaking her head at him she arose and went to go relieve herself. By the time the slayer got back Miroku had rearranged her bedroll so that it functioned as a small cushion for her to sit upon while he made her some tea.

The morning went by quickly after all of that. When Inuyasha and Shippo returned they all had some breakfast and Kagome told them that she was taking a trip to the well for some supplies. After a short while she had her list:

Shippo

- Fabric (orange, cream, green)

- Candy

Miroku

- Paper

- Quills

- Ink

Sango

- Maternity kimono

- PreNatal Vitamins

- Nausea medications

Kaede

- Teas (she didn't ask but she was running out)

Inuyasha

- RAMEN

- RAMEN

- RAMEN (Pork preferred)

NO SURPRIZE THERE

The young priestess was just preparing her backpack for her trip to the well when Kaede opened the shoji screen that led to the only room in the hut. She and Inuyasha shared a look, then he arose and headed in the room. Closing the screen behind him Kaede took a seat near the center of the room.

"As Inuyasha is about to find out, all that we assumed seems to be true. She fought with a powerful dark before she died the witch projected her soul into Kikyo's body. She knew the secrets of Kikyo's existance in our world and used that to her advantage. She knew that Kikyo would loose her powers. She also sought to shame her further by cursing her woumb with infertility. My sister traveled a whole fortnight and travailed in her travels greatly. She is now an average mortal."

Everyone was silently taking in the information when Kagome decided that she would take her leave.

Her suspicions were confirmed so why stay? Besides, she had some shopping to do before sunset.

"Alright, well, I'll be back before long. It should only take me a few hours to get all of this stuff. Is there anything you wanted to add Kaede? I added teas to the list for you already cause we drink so much of yours when we're here."

Nodding politely Kaede said, "No child, that is enough. I thank you."

"Of course. I'll see you guys later." Kagome said as she left the hut. Within minutes she was well on her way to the future and her friends were still in thought in the hut.

"Do you guys think that Kagome is acting weird?" Shippo said running his claws through his hair.

"Well she does seem to be more upbeat these days. Strange considering her recent prediciments, so I would have to agree with you there." Miroku said.

"I don't think its a bad thing though. Who knows, maybe with as much as her and Inuyasha have been talking she's just back to her normal self again. Only without the one sided affection." Sango said softly. She truly wished her sister friend was ok.

"Worry not, she is a strong young woman. Ye know that Kagome has an unquenchable fire within herself, and given time ye will see that she is well." Kaede said with wisdom.

All of them knew she was right and decided that they'd just have to wait and see how everything would go.

While in one room the remaining members of the Tachi talked of all sorts of things, in the small outer room a couple sat in awkward company with one another. Kikyo had told Inuyasha everything and the truth was taking its toll on him. The once priestess sat with her eyes downcast wondering what would happen after this. Would he leave? Would he decide that he couln't love her anymore? He hadn't spoken since she started her confession and worried that he may never even speak to her again.

After what seemed like an eternity he finally raised his head to look at her.

"Kikyo..."

Her head shot up as she wasn't prepared to hear his voice anytime soon.

"Y-yes Inuyasha?"

He didn't say anything to her at first. He took his time studying her features. She looked just like she used just like she used to. Her little nervous habit she had in life of rubbing her hands together was back. This was with no doubt the Kikyo he knew all those years ago. The one that he'd lost. The one that died. His ears were moving furiously atop his head as he tried to process everything. But he had to ask.

"I need ta ask you something and I need you to be honest with me." He said with a frown.

"Of course...what is it?" Kikyo asked while simultaneously dreading the question.

"Why did you lie to me? You've told me you loved me. Even said that you trusted me. So why?"

Holding back her tears she tried to answer him without her voice quivering.

"B-because if you knew the truth, all of it, I felt that you'd be disgusted with me. You'd no longer want me. I know it was selfish, I do. I just couldn't bring myself to tell you for fear that you'd leave, and my only true reason for living would be all for naught and I was so scared..."

The sound of her words began to taper off into the distance and the scent of salt in the air made him close his eyes hard. He always hated when women cry. He hated it more when it was women he knew. More when it was ones he cared for. Even more so when it was from one he loved.

He had two choices.

He could damn her and cast her out of his life for her lies, deceit and everything else. Let her suffer for the decisions that she'd made. Allow her to grieve alone for what she's lost because of her choices.

Or he could forgive her and shoulder all of those burdens with the woman that he never stopped loving.

It was honestly an easy decision. Sure, it was helped along with that talk with Kagome, but in the end he would always choose her. Whether it hurt him or not. He loved her long after her heart stopped beating the first time, and now that its started again there is no way he'd leave her alone.

So it was easy for him to get up and silence her in the best way possible. He took her face in his hands and kissed her with all of the love and understanding that he could muster. He picked her up and held her close and didn't stop when he felt her tears wet his haori, not when she shook with her cries, not when she wailed for fate. He let her grieve, and he grieved with her. When she was finally spent he put his forhead against hers and looked into her beautiful eyes promising her that he would never go anywhere. That no matter what, they would get through all of it together. Cradling her into his chest he lay down next to her and they both fell into a deep healing sleep, one that they would desperately need for their troubles to come.

A/N: HOLY COW! THIS IS FOUR IN A ROW!

MINDLESSMINA