As Kaida had predicted, most of summer had passed before her samurai at last announced that the village restoration was complete. After several months living out of cloth tents, subjected to every breeze and being soaked with every rainfall, the level of excitement at this announcement raced through everyone like an electric current. The samurai had restored as many huts and buildings as they could, a difficult feat considering that they didn't want to use up what little of the nearby forest that hadn't been decimated, but with the help of nearby villages and with Lord Yasashiko's supplies they had managed to finish it.

The buildings were sturdy, all the village needed for complete restoration was the return of its people.

The camp's numbers had dwindled as the summer had passed, the samurai Taisuke and Chikara had been the first to depart. Having done their duty to assist in the battle against Naraku, they had left as soon as they had the energy to do so; staying in a camp run by a rival lord's samurai was uncomfortable at best, to say the least. They had quietly left in the middle of the night, not wishing for any grand 'farewells'.

Koga and his men were the next to leave. The wolves had been inseperable during the aftermath of the battle, Hakkaku and Ginta never more than a foot away from their leader, asking each day how well his hand was healing. Koga usually huffed at them to give him some space, but there was no true anger in his voice. The wolf demon had seen his two closest comrades die, the haunted look in his eyes showed just how much pain he had suffered knowing that he had almost lost them forever, and he never drifted far from their sides. The three grew impatient to return to the rest of their pack, and on the day of their departure their only goodbye had been to Kagome and Inuyasha.

"I hate to leave you in the arms of this stupid mutt, Kagome-"

"Oh, you think she'd want to go with you, fleabag?"

"-But I'm afraid I don't have any choice," the wolf held the miko's hand, but for once kept her at a respectful distance, "My bride's waiting for me at home, it's probably time I went and married her."

"Ayame's a sweet girl," Kagome smiled and squeezed his hand, "Tell her I said congratulations to you both, you'll make wonderful couple."

Koga, finally accepting the futility of his unrequited feelings, bid them a final farewell and took off with his men. Inuyasha was not sad to see them go.

A few weeks later the three ninja, Fuko, Keiji and Noruto set off for home. They had a long distance to travel, and Keiji was eager to return to his expectant wife. They made sure they paid their respects to everyone before their departure, and to their surprise were joined by Yugao and her two companions, Kaori and Taji. The three hanyou were headed in the same direction and offered to escort the three ninja home. The events of the past month had burned away any animosity they'd held for each other, all that remained between the two parties was honor and respect.

Others left the camp here and there as well, a good portion of the villagers were unable to cope with what they'd just experienced and decided it was best to seek out family members in neighboring villages. By the end of summer though, many of them remained. They were ready and eager to return to their former home.

It was a bright morning sun that greeted them on the scheduled day of departure, and for the first time in ages birds were singing in the trees. Tents were disassembled, belongings were packed, horses were saddled; the villagers were quickly gathering near the center of what once had been the camp, impatient to be escorted home by the samurai, yet insisting that they all leave as one.

Inuyasha and Kagome approached the gathering alongside Kaede and Shippo. Both priestesses walked with a limp, one due to injury and the other due to age, but their eyes were alight with joy. The two women had worked endlessly for weeks, healing their injured friends and neighbors, they were perhaps the most excited to see everyone return home.

A few moments later another large group approached. Sango carried Ryu while her brother held Aizou, between them walked Ronuku. His steps appeared sturdy, but the large staff that was being used as a temporary cane was visible to everyone. Every so often Sango or Kohaku would glance at him to make sure he was progressing well without fatigue; Kirara walked behind them in her large form, ready to carry any of her family members that needed it. Risu and his dray followed closely behind the demon cat, a group of young boys following close behind them.

"You're doing great, Baka-sama!" Recca cheered to the bushi ahead of him.

"Yeah," Domei agreed happily, "A few steps down, and a bajillion miles to go!"

"Augh, is the village really that far?" Ronuku called back to them, his voice light with laughter, "Oh well, if I have to walk all that way, then so do you!"

"You think you can do it, old man?" Recca taunted.

"Maybe," Ronuku answered, his mood too great to take offense at the comment, "If you're walking with me I think I just might make it." The words had been a response to the boys, but Ronuku's smile in that moment had been for his wife, and she happily returned it.

A sudden lowing alerted them all of the approached of Ah-Un, the two headed dragon being led into the clearing by an agitated Jaken. The imp had not enjoyed living in such close proximity to so many humans for so long, and he appeared eager for this journey to be complete. Rin walked near the dragon, ensuring that their belongings remained safely in the saddle, but continually glanced behind her.

Sesshomaru followed behind, his pace slow as he escorted his wife into the clearing. Kohana clung to him with her good arm, her steps weak and unsure, though she faced forward with a look of determination. Futeki, a ball of energy, circled his parents excitedly as his tail wagged in delight.

The groups all greeted each other as they converged; Ronuku, Kohana and Kagome all making eye contact at the same time. It was the first time the three of them were together since the destruction of the jewel. They became deaf to the chatter around them as moment passed between them, silent yet charged with the knowledge that only the three of them held. Three souls, brought from another time, united in the destruction of the ancient evil that had brought them all together.

"I'm glad you're here," Kagome said after what felt like a long time.

"Yeah," Ronuku agreed, "Me too."

"As am I," Kohana nodded.

As quick as the moment came, it evaporated like mist. They became enveloped in the energy of their loved ones around them and could not keep themselves separate. There would be time later for the three of them to talk. Everyone was joking and laughing with one another, Sesshomaru even smirking slightly as he listened, they existed as one giant family.

A family that wasn't entirely complete. Inuyasha's ears twitched, and he suddenly glanced behind him.

"There you are," the hanyou called out, "I was wonderin' when you were gonna show up."

The soft jingling of his staff spoke of Miroku's presence before he appeared to everyone else. The monk was smiling as he greeted his companions, though his energy seemed greatly subdued compared to everyone else's. Kagome and Kaede greeted him happily, as did the children, Kohana, and Risu. He nodded politely to everyone, but almost made a point to not make eye contact with either Sango or Ronuku.

"The samurai said we are waiting on two more before we depart," he spoke quietly, ignoring the few impolite faces that visibly flinched at the sound of his voice.

As though given a signal, two samurai stepped forward, each leading an unsaddled horse. They bowed deeply, and everyone turned to see Kaida approaching, followed closely by a cloaked figure. The noblewoman walked with her head held high, she gave the samurai leave to rise as she approached.

"Is everyone here?" She called out to the large group, "If we are all ready to go, my men and I shall escort you back to your village." The people responded to her voice, but most were curiously staring at the figure behind her. When it became apparent that no one was going to offer her an affirmation until they received an explanation as to who her companion was, the figure stepped forward and removed their hood.

Naoe faced the crowd, and they stared back at him in horrified shock. The samurai had once been thought of as one of the most handsome men in Japan. His beautiful face was now covered in horrible scars, they ran and crossed over each other in every direction. It was as though something had ripped him entirely apart and then carelessly sewed him back together, as if he were nothing more than a rag doll.

"…He…he was revived," Kohana glanced at Sesshomaru, her voice the quietest of whispers, "By Tenseiga?"

"Yes," Sesshomaru answered just as quietly. His wife nodded, her expression melting to sympathy and sorrow.

Those scars would never fade or heal.

Kaida looked at Naoe, her emotions barely concealed beneath her level expression. She wanted nothing more than to cover her closest companion up and protect him from the unrelenting gazes of the crowd.

Naoe faced them all, his eyes holding nothing a look of calm acceptance.

"My lady," he said after a moment, turning to his friend, "Your horse is ready for you." Kaida pressed her lips together and nodded. The samurai nearby helped her onto her mount, and Naoe quickly took the saddle of the horse next to hers. Once upon the steed, he turned back to the crowd, refusing to pull the cloak back up and cover his face. Instead he called out to them, his voice full and proud.

"Let's go home."

"Are you certain? We can always wait until tomorrow."

"There is no need to delay for my sake. We have completed what we set out to do, your husband is likely eager for your return."

Naoe stood tall, patiently ignoring the look of doubt that crossed Kaida's face. He'd lost count of how many times he had assured her that he was physically fine; his body functioned just as it always had and he felt no pain. It was only the looking at it and the memories of how he got those scars that plagued his heart, and he knew that the darkness of death would haunt him for a long time. Seeing the sudden expression of shock and pity cross other's faces when they glanced at him would be hard to get used to, but he had come to an understanding that there would be no avoiding it. This was his life now.

If only he could prevent his appearance from causing others to worry for him after they had gotten used to the sight.

"My most honorable Lady," he bowed politely, bending low in a grand gesture "I assure you that I am fit to travel at your earliest convenience."

"There's no need for such heavy formalities," Kaida spoke softly, and Naoe smirked at the slight irritation in her voice, "You aren't my servant."

"Your husband is my liege lord and I have taken up service in guarding his wife. Does that not make me a servant?"

"Rise you fool," Kaida placed a hand on his shoulder, "You have done far more than any samurai in my service should be called to do, I'll not have you bowing to me like that." Naoe chuckled as he rose, happy to see Kaida's expression annoyed instead of sad for once.

"I'm not sure your husband, or the other samurai, will be pleased if I'm not seen showing you proper respect."

"Your friendship is respect enough. If anyone takes issue with it, then they can…what was that phrase our pupils were so fond of…kiss my ass?"

The two of them stared at each other. A moment of silence passed before their expressions broke, both succumbing to a sudden fit of laughter. It felt good to laugh. Despite what many believed, Kaida was easy to laugh with, at least for Naoe. Their bond was not quite as close as Kohana and Ronuku's was, social standing would always prevent that, but the samurai felt that it carried echoes of the sibling bond that Tsuneo and Hisae shared so long ago. He knew that his lady would always be his closest friend.

"Well," Kaida spoke after a moment, regaining her composure, "If you're certain that you're able to leave, I'll inform the men to gather their things. While they're preparing our mounts, we can say goodbye."

Naoe nodded, pushing down the lump that grew in his throat. He would be lying if he said he wasn't dreading this part, but there was no avoiding it.

Several minutes later, he and Kaida were walking through the newly reconstructed village. The scent of freshly cut wood hung heavily in the air, though that was slowly being overpowered by the smell of hearth smoke. All of the samurai had done a good job of construction, each of the solid new huts were filled with villagers and their families, happily chattering away as they cooked their meals for the day and adjusted to their new homes.

While many villagers had left to seek homes elsewhere, a good number of them had stayed. The samurai had built as many homes with the materials donated to them as they could, but as it turned out there ended up not being enough huts to accommodate every single family. Many were having to share homes with more people than they used to, but no one was complaining. A hut was vastly preferable to a tent.

The rice paddies had been completely decimated in the attack, but thanks to the generosity of several nearby villages, there would be enough food to last them through the fall and winter. By this time next year the fields would be fully replanted, rice would once more sprout from the ground and feed the people who worked so hard to tend it.

Many difficulties lay ahead for these people, but they had been gifted with a foundation that would sustain them and allow them to grow once more. They had their lives back.

The two of them approached Kaede's new hut, built slightly larger than it had been before, and weren't surprised to hear peals of laughter coming from within. When told that there was a shortage of huts Kagome and Ronuku had quickly volunteered everyone into staying with the elderly priestess until more huts could be built for them.

"Aye, is that so?" Kaede had asked, "Tell me, how am I supposed to get any sleep with all of you running about, hmm?" Despite her words, there'd still been a smile on her face. After everything that had happened, the priestess was happy just have everyone home and alive.

"How much work do you think they've actually completed?" Kaida asked, just before they entered the hut "Kagome said they would help Kaede arrange her home today before helping out with the other villagers, but judging by the sound…"

"Those kids can be workers when they set their mind to it, perhaps the results will surprise us."

The inside was surprising to say the least. Considering the fact that everyone had lost the majority of their possessions in the battle, it was amazing to see how much of a mess there was in unpacking what little remained. Clothes were strewn everywhere, barrels of rice and Kaede's herb collection sat in an unorganized mess. It was as though everyone had abandoned their unpacking efforts all at once.

And they had. Kohana, Sango, Ronuku, Kagome, Rin and Kaede sat in a circle giggling while Inuyasha, Sesshomaru and Kohaku stood nearby suppressing their amusement. The source of their distraction were the two baskets lain on the floor where Ryu and Aizou had been placed while everyone worked. The two infants, now able to sit up while gripping the edge of their respective baskets, were screeching and laughing as they both tried in vain to grab the white object that danced merrily between them.

"Slow!" Futeki laughed as he swatted Aizou's nose with his tail, "Too slow, too slow!"

"Futeki, be gentle with them," Kohana chided between giggles, "They're only babies, they're much smaller than you."

"Yes mama," Futeki answered, pulling his tail away from Aizou's hand as he faced his mother. Ryu, sensing his opponent's distraction, lurched forward to grab the enticing silver object, tipping his basket over in the process. Futeki jumped away from the sudden noise, only to yelp in surprise when Aizou's chubby hand yanked on a fistful of his fur, the girl squealing in delight of her victory.

"Demon slaying already?" Naoe asked warmly, "The twins must take after their mother."

The humans in the room turned in surprise, having not heard their entrance. Naoe and Kaida were greeted with warm smiles, both eagerly welcomed by this large strange family.

"Let's hope they take after her," Kaida laughed, "We wouldn't want them to as belligerent of students as their father was."

"Oh really?" Ronuku asked as he picked up Ryu and reset the basket upright, "So does that mean you're volunteering to teach them?"

Naoe and Kaida both visibly paled.

"Hey that sounds like a great idea," Kohana chimed in, "Futeki, how would you like to go spend some time at Kaida's castle? There's lots of fun things to play with there."

"Really?" The little hanyou's eyes lit up

"Come now, at our age?!" Naoe argued, "Shouldn't it be time to pass along the torch?"

"Oh come on, it'll be just like old times!"

"That's what we're afraid of!"

Another chorus of laughter rippled through the room, and a moment later Kagome stood to check a boiling pot suspended above Kaede's new hearth.

"We were just taking a break to eat lunch, there's plenty here if you'd like to join us," the miko invited. Naoe glanced to Kaida and saw the small sad smile that graced her lips as she shook her head.

"I'm afraid we must decline. My men are preparing for our departure, Naoe and I wanted to say good…we wanted to ensure you were settled properly before we left."

The mood of the room dropped so quickly, Naoe could've sworn it was palpable. Were it not for the bubbling of the heated pot, there would have been a long moment of absolute silence.

"You…you guys have to leave right now?" Kohana was the one to break the quiet, her voice thick with suppressed emotion.

"It's best if we set off before the sun begins to fall," Naoe explained calmly, "If we want to make it to the border of Lord Yasashiko's lands before night."

"My husband is eager for us to be home," Kaida's voice was quiet, "I have not seen him in many months." Kohana met her mentor's gaze, she glanced briefly at Futeki and Sesshomaru, before looking back at the noblewoman.

"Yes that's…that's a long time," the younger woman nodded and bit her lip, "I'm sure he misses you."

"Please tell him that our village appreciates all the assistance he has given us," Kaede stood and bowed to Kaida, "I don't know how we shall properly repay his kindness, but we are forever in your debt."

"Especially the two of you," Kagome said, "If it weren't for you, we…we might not have…" Her hand swiftly rose and began wiping the tears away before they had a chance to fall.

"We could have handled it!" Inuyasha huffed, "But…yeah thanks for the help…" Sesshomaru made a noncommittal grunt, which Naoe supposed was his way of expressing a similar opinion.

"Please, if there's anything we can do to repay you," Sango stood and bowed politely, "You have done far more for us than we can ever thank you for."

"This is all very flattering," Kaida responded airily, swiftly covering her emotions with a mask of civility, maintaining an aloofness by falling back onto the manners she'd been born and bred to, "But surely you don't think we could've allowed that beast to run rampant across the country? Naraku was a threat to us all."

"Yes," Naoe added, attempting to match her, "We were there simply there to support your efforts, nothing more than-"

"Cut the crap, would ya?"

Naoe blinked, and wondered why he was even surprised that Ronuku had interrupted him. The young bushi stood before him and the samurai sensed a storm brewing within his pupil's heart.

"There wasn't anything...simple…about what you did for us. Don't try and blow this off as nothing, you guys have been training Kohana and me how to fight for years, and…and when it looks like we might fail the two of you take us away and push us harder, and you kept pushing us. And then when we found Seiko you stayed with us to make sure that she knew how to train us, and then when we…when Kohana and I…"

Kohana visibly flinched at his words, but said nothing. Ronuku was obviously struggling with what to say, but Naoe recognized the pained and troubled look upon the bushi's face as he stared at him. His skin suddenly itched, and for a brief moment the scars that crisscrossed his flesh burned; as though the grotesque fleshy stitching were no more than a thin thread that barely held him together. One small rip and he would crumble into a million bloody pieces before their very eyes.

"My death troubles you, is that it?"

His words were blunt, though not intended unkindly. Even so, it had a similar effect as if he had slapped his pupil in front of everyone.

"I…" Ronuku's face flushed, and his fist clenched at his side, "I…thought you guys were gonna stay here a bit longer, and that we…we would have had a chance to talk but…" He swallowed, "Naoe I…there's nothing I can say that would ever make up for…for what happened…and I know it's selfish of me to even ask but, if you could forgi-"

Naoe raised his hand and gave Ronuku a look that silenced him. The samurai felt Kaida's gaze boring into him, as well as several others in the room, but he ignored them.

I suppose there's time enough for one more lesson.

"Your son," Naoe gestured to Ryu who gurgled and flailed within his basked, completely unfazed by the tense atmosphere of the room, "May I hold him?"

Ronuku hesitated, surprised by the request, but quickly nodded. The bushi reached into the basket and picked up the squirming bundle, gingerly passing him to his mentor.

The weight of the small infant in Naoe's arms wasn't very much, at the same time he felt with a sense of awe the weight of an entire human life. Ryu blinked and stared up at Naoe, almost as if his little infant mind were trying to assess the man before him. His brown eyes, framed by the echo of his father's massive eyebrows, were untroubled, a face that had never truly known pain or worry. His rosy infant skin was unblemished, a blank canvass that would one day bear the marks of a life lived.

"He's smaller than his sister," Naoe remarked, "But I can tell that there's as much of a fighting spirit in him as there is in her. Right now there's no telling who he will grow up to be; perhaps he might take up the life of a swordsman, or perhaps a scholar, a priest, or maybe something that we cannot at this moment fathom. What is important, is the fact that there are possible roads for this child to travel, that he has his entire life ahead of him. A life without constantly worrying about the danger of Naraku."

"The same goes for Aizou," Naoe glanced around the room, "And Futeki. Even if they somehow have even the vaguest of memories of the horrors we've faced, they now have the freedom to live a life without fear of Naraku or the Shikon Jewel hunting their every step."

"A samurai goes into battle prepared to surrender his life for the sake of his liege lord, death is inevitable for all of us," He looked back at Ronuku, "I entered that battlefield knowing full well what could happen, what did happen, and I would do it again. To die for the sake of ensuring the future of others? To me, the purpose of that sort of death outweighs how it happened. If I bear these scars so that Ryu, Aizou, and Futeki don't have to, then I shall do so gladly."

"Now the rest is in your hands," Naoe handed Ryu back to his father, "All of us here have worked very hard and sacrificed a lot to ensure that your children have a future. It is up to you to lead them there."

Once again Ronuku was at a loss for words. His jaw clenched, tears formed at the corner of his eyes, and he nodded slowly.

"I'll do my best," the bushi said quietly.

"Someone help me up," Kohana suddenly called out, struggling slightly to stand. Sesshomaru stepped forward quickly and got her to her feet. Nodding her thanks, Kohana let go of him and stepped forward on her own. Her steps were very uncertain, but she made her way forward until she was standing next to Ronuku, facing Kaida and Naoe.

"Kaida-sama," the young woman spoke, tears welling in her eyes, "Naoe-sama. For everything you've done for us, from the bottom of my heart…Thank you." She bowed very low, a student honoring their beloved teacher.

"Yes," Ronuku added, "I…I don't know where we would be without you. The both of you. Thank you, sensei." He bowed as well, matching his sister in gratitude. Moved by their gesture, Naoe returned their bow, the tightness in his throat growing.

"It was an honor teaching you."

"We could not have asked for better students," Kaida said, bowing slightly, her voice breaking with emotion. Suddenly, she stepped forward and completely dropping all pretense of nobility, she hugged them both.

"It's about time the two of you showed some gratitude," the noblewoman laughed through her tears and stepped back, both of their pupils wore a tearful expression that matched hers. Naoe blinked his tears away and stepped towards the door.

"My lady, your men should be ready now, I believe it is time for us to be off."

"Yes, yes it is," Kaida stepped towards the door but turned back to the room, "This is not goodbye. Someday, we will see each other again."

Naoe nodded in agreement, and knew that even if that day never came he would carry this odd little family in his heart until the end of his days. He'd earned his scars in protecting their future; he resolved to carry those marks of honor with pride into the tomorrow that awaited him.

It amazed Inuyasha how quickly the villagers could fall straight back into their usual annoying habits in only a matter of weeks. They were quick to complain: someone was using tools that didn't belong to them, the weather was too cold, the weather was too hot, someone needed to go to the next town over and barter for more supplies, someone was sick, someone was injured…the list kept growing. And the most annoying part is that most of them were demanding that Kagome be the one to fix it.

And she was letting them! The entire village was walking all over the young miko, she answered to their every beck and call no matter what hour of the day the complaint came in!

Just what the hell is Kaede here for then?! Wasn't it the elderly miko's job to be taking care of her village? Instead she spent most of her time either with Sango's brats or fussing around in her garden. The patch of stupid weeds the old bag liked to pamper had been destroyed in the battle. So it was really more of a mud pit at the moment anyway, there was nothing to garden!

"Kaede needs to rest," Kagome would interrupt him whenever he tried to argue with her, "I'll take care of it."

Kaede's not the one limping around everywhere with a damaged ankle.

Thus, he spent most of his time shadowing Kagome, making sure she was okay and walking well. Which often meant that he got dragged into whatever situation these whiny humans were too lazy to deal with themselves.

"Oh, Inuyasha, my back hurts, can you lift these barrels for me?"

"Oh hey, can you go with my son to purchase more farming tools in the next village?"

"Inuyasha, my cat is stuck up in that tree…"

It was irritating, and yet Kagome refused to let Kaede handle any of it. When a villager showed up in the dead of night asking her to remove a bleeding shard of wood from his palm that was when the hanyou decided enough was enough.

"Go home!"

"Inuyasha! You can't send him awa-"

"No, he can pull it out himself!"

"Please sir, it's so dark out, and I don't want to wait until morn-"

"NO!" The dog demon roared. To prevent any further argument, he grabbed the miko into his arms and leapt onto the neighboring roof before bounding away into the woods, ignoring the startled cry of the villager and the angry shouts of Ronuku and Sango as one of their infants started squalling.

"Inuyasha, take me back right now!" Kagome huffed angrily as he stopped in the boughs of a tree. One of the few survivors of the battle, the branches creaked beneath his feet but ultimately stood sturdy. He ignored the eerie feeling cast by the naked branches all around them and focused on the irritated woman in his arms.

"No," He argued, "You need to sleep! You barely get any with those two brats screaming every night, you don't need to be woken up because some stupid idiot can't handle a little piece of wood in his hand!"

"Don't call Ryu and Aizou brats, they're babies they can't help it!" Kagome shot back, though the bags under her eyes showed just how much of a toll sharing a home with two infants took on her, "And I can help that man, he was injure-"

"It was a splinter!"

"It looked like a pretty big one! He came to ask for my help, what if it gets infected?!"

"Kaede can handle it."

"Kaede needs-"

"To take care of it so you can rest. It's her turn to do something for once!" Without waiting for her response, he plopped down onto the branch and held her close against him, "We're not going back until you get some sleep!"

He was pretty confident that she wouldn't 'sit' him like this, not when he held her so close that they would both go tumbling to the forest floor if she did.

…Mostly confident.

He suppressed the urge to heave a sigh of relief when she finally relaxed against him, letting go of her anger. His relief was short lived though, a bolt of shock rippled up his spine when her anger suddenly gave way to tears.

"Kagome?" He asked, his voice much softer, "I-is it really that important? That guy will be fine until morning, but if you feel like you have to we can-"

"N-no, it's not him," Kagome spoke through her sobs, "We can stay here." Her tears wracked her body, she shuddered against him as the painful emotions ripped through her, and Inuyasha was at a loss for what to do. Anger and fear were easy, you just had to hit whatever was causing them and make it go away, but tears…you couldn't always fight someone's tears away. Her next words sent his mind into further turmoil:

"I-it's…it's Sango and Ronuku, and their babies. Kohaku. Kohana and Sesshomaru…Futeki and Rin. T-them. Everyone."

"What?" Inuyasha blurted, his mind drawing a complete blank. That didn't make any sense. Kagome loved their friends, she often took their side over his, and they were all very close to her.

"Did…they do something to you?"

"No!" Kagome, appalled at the suggestion, sat up and turned to face him, "No, none of them has done anything wrong!"

Inuyasha's ears swiveled and his eyebrows furrowed. None of the dots were connecting at all.

"I-it's just," she continued, "I'm trying to stay busy, to keep my mind off of it, but it's so hard to…to be around them when they have each other. I'm such a horrible person, I should feel happy for them, but their families are together…and I…" Another sob wracked her body and she bit her lip, a cascade of tears staining her cheeks.

"…I never even got to say goodbye."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. A layer of cold settled in his heart as he finally understood.

"Your family. Souta, your mom and the Old Man."

Kagome's face crumpled in sorrow and she nodded.

The last time they had been there, just before the battle, he and Kagome had been gathering supplies. Her mother was excited to hear about Sango's babies, Souta was had some story about 'school' so tell, and her grandfather tried to convince them that they needed some sort of talisman that he'd found. He and Kagome had agreed not to say much about Naraku, not wanting to panic them in case the worst should happen. It had been a nice visit, everyone had been smiling when they left, but Kagome was right.

"We'll be back soon!"

She hadn't said goodbye. Not a final one.

"The Well is…is dead," the tearful miko explained, "The jewel's magic is what allowed us to pass through, and it revoked that magic when we tried to hide Sango and her babies in my era…I thought that…that maybe the well had its own magic and it might open up again once the jewel was gone…but Kaede and I checked when we came back to the village…there's nothing there," her voice cracked and another spasm shook her, "…my family is gone."

She clung to him and sobbed, the pain of loss coming off of her in waves. Inuyasha's ears flattened against his head, but he held her close and sat quietly. He longed to do something, anything to take the pain away from her. How long would it take before her family started worrying about her? How long before they assumed the worst had happened because she never came back?

If he could he would jump down into that pit himself and punch the ground until the stupid well opened up again and let Kagome go back to her own time he would. Even though that was impossible, his stomach clenched at the thought of Kagome disappearing back to her own time for good. The mere idea of losing her forever was unbearable.

If that were the case, if the well wasn't broken and she could go back, he would be the one saying his final goodbyes to this era.

Because there was nothing, no force on Earth that keep him from her.

Wherever Kagome was happiest, that's where he wanted to be. She couldn't go back to her own time, he couldn't bring those people back to her, but he could do his best and try to make her happy wherever she was.

"Stupid," he said quietly and held her closer, "You still have a family. It…it's not the one you lost, but Ronuku, Sango, Kohana, all those kids, they see you as part of theirs. And if they're too much for you to be around right now, you have me. You'll always have me. And if that ain't enough, then we can have brats of our own."

"What?" Kagome's eyes widened as she wiped her tears away. Inuyasha felt his face growing warm as she stared at him in disbelief, he glanced away in embarrassment but he wasn't taking it back.

"I-if that's what you want," He said, annoyed at the way his voice suddenly shook, "Not…not a whole pack of 'em, but we can let ours scream in the middle of the night and wake everyone else up, see how they like it…"

"Inuyasha…" Kagome's tone was scolding, but a glance back at her he noticed that the sorrow had lifted from her face, slowly being replaced with a hopeful glow. His blush grew even more heated.

"A-anyway, that's not the point! What I'm tryin' to say is that you can be sad that the well is closed, and you can miss them, but I'm right here! I'm not going anywhere! Maybe we can find a way to open the well again, maybe Kaede can teach you some sort of priestess magic that can help, maybe somebody out there knows something. If you want to try, we can keep trying for as long as it takes. But until that happens, even if it never happens, there's a place for you here, and I'll stay with you no matter what!"

Before her, Inuyasha's life had been nothing but loneliness. A despised half breed hated by everyone, it had been Kagome who had given him a place in this world. She taught him what real kindness was, what friendship could be, what happiness and acceptance truly felt like. Kagome had given him a place to belong.

She deserved just as much, and much more. He would do his damned best to give that to her

"You're not alone Kagome."

As long as he lived, she never would be.

"Thank you," Kagome swallowed. More tears came to her eyes, but there was a small smile on her face that was hesitantly growing, "Thank you Inuyasha." With a boldness that neither of them had possessed until now, the miko leaned forward and kissed him.

Inuyasha thought his heart might explode in that moment, and he could have died happy. Thankfully it didn't. He pulled his miko even closer and let her wonderful scent surround him.

They did not return to the village until morning.

Had there been any leaves on the trees, Miroku thought that they would be brilliant shades of crimson and gold by now. Frost covered the ground most mornings, the earth did not grow warm until midday. What few animals had returned to the forest were already burrowing away and preparing for the long cold snowy months ahead.

Autumn was a good time for departure.

"Are you sure you don't need one of us to come with you?" Kagome asked, the young miko looking worried as Inuyasha hovered nearby.

Miroku shook his head.

"Mushin's temple is only a few days journey by air," he croaked, ignoring the ever present twinge of sorrow and embarrassment whenever he heard the grating hiss that was now his voice, "Hachi should be waiting for me just a few miles north of here, I must leave as soon as possible if I am to meet him on time."

"Keh, and you trust that lazy coward to be where he says he is?" The hanyou huffed irritably.

"Lazy as he is, I would trust Hachi with my life."

Which is more than can be said of-

Miroku quashed the grossly uncharitable thought before his mind could finish it. He focused on the positives, like the fact that he had two very good friends who had come to see him off before he left. It wasn't that the others had chosen not to see him off, but rather Miroku wished to avoid any lengthy explanations or goodbyes. He'd thought about leaving in the middle of the night, but decided that morning would suit him better. Everyone would be too busy by then to stop and ask him questions.

Inuyasha and Kagome had been with him for a long time though, he'd come to depend upon their friendship and hospitality. They'd always been there to help him when he needed it, and Miroku knew that he owed them the same; couldn't bring himself to simply vanish without at least letting them know that he would be gone.

"Please stay safe out there. I'm sure Mushin will be happy to see you and know that your wind tunnel is finally gone," Kagome said quietly, the small smile not quite reaching her eyes, "But don't stay away too long, otherwise you won't get to pick where you want your hut built next spring when the village starts adding on."

"Yes I wouldn't want to miss that," Miroku responded, careful not to make eye contact as he spoke, lest his expression give his true intentions away. Even so, Kagome surprised him when she suddenly stepped forward and enveloped him in a hug.

"Thank you for everything you've done," her voice was thick with emotion, "You will always be welcome here."

The normally jealous Inuyasha surprised him even more when he stepped forward and took Miroku's shoulder in a firm grip.

"She means it," the hanyou's gruff voice was even, "We'll make sure there's a place for you."

Touched by their gesture, but still wanting to keep a reign on his composure, Miroku nodded to them and took a step back.

"Thank you," the monk nodded, "But there's no need to worry over me, I'll only be gone for a few months." The lie fell through his teeth easily; it was only his uncertainty that he had actually fooled them that abated some of the guilt of it.

"Come on," Inuyasha said, the hanyou quickly picking up on his miko's sorrowful expression, "We'll at least walk you to the edge of the forest." The gesture seemed to ease Kagome for the moment, and despite his urge to leave as hastily as possible, Miroku found that he couldn't turn them down.

One last journey, for old time's sake.

The three of them chatted amiably, the morning sunshine lighting the world in a cheery atmosphere. At times like these it was almost possible to forget the horrors that had occurred mere months ago.

Almost.

Miroku lightly tapped on his palm with his fingers, still in disbelief that his curse was finally gone. He kept his glove on out of life-long habit, but no more did he hear the howling wind growing steadily louder, hungrily threatening to consume him with each passing moment.

Not for the first time he wondered if death at the hands of his wind tunnel would have been worse than the one he actually suffered…

No. I mustn't think of such things right now.

If today was to be the last that either Inuyasha or Kagome saw him he was determined to leave them with a smile. He knew he could manage that much, as long as he got out of the village quickly, before someone else spotted him.

Fortune was not entirely on his side. He had picked this path thinking that it would remain empty, but just as they turned a corner he spotted Kohana, Sesshomaru, and their children walking towards them.

"Hey!" Rin called out to them cheerily, and Futeki mimicked his sister's actions. The two children raced towards them, leaving Sesshomaru to walk slowly with his wife who was still regaining the strength she had lost in her legs.

"Hi," Kagome greeted the children happily, "What are you guys doing out here?"

"Kohana suggested that she take her walk this way today," Rin explained, "Most of the villagers are working on the fields to the south; she thought Lord Sesshomaru would prefer walking with us where there were less people."

Miroku silently cursed them for having the same thought as himself.

"Glad to see you're keeping up with your exercises," Kagome praised the young woman as they drew closer, "How are your legs doing?"

"Still slow, but feeling stronger," Kohana answered, "These daily walks aren't always fun, but it's easier knowing that I have help with me." She smiled at Rin and Futeki, and her right hand very briefly brushed against Sesshomaru's. "What are you guys doing out here?"

"Miroku's on his way out of here," Inuyasha answered very bluntly. Kohana and Rin's eyes widened, and the monk shifted uncomfortably.

"It's been months since I've seen my Master Mushin," Miroku added quickly before Kagome could scold the hanyou or interject, "I need to tell him that Naraku has been defeated."

"Wouldn't a letter be easier?" Rin asked, "It's really cold at night, you won't have anywhere warm to sleep."

"It is cold, and a letter would be easier, but no one can be certain when Mushin will be sober enough to read one. I'd better go in person to make sure he actually receives the news," Miroku chuckled, trying to keep the mood light. He did his best to smile for them, but when he caught Kohana's gaze he froze. As quick as it had appeared, it had vanished, but Miroku hadn't missed the guilty hunted look on her face.

Kohana hadn't done it. She'd been nowhere near them when it happened. It hadn't been her hand behind the blade…but Miroku had heard that Kohana had shared a mind with Ronuku during the ordeal. Had she seen it then? Did she truly understand what had transpired?

"It's been a long time since he's seen his master, Rin," Kohana spoke to the girl evenly, though her eyes never left the monk, "I'm sure he'd much rather visit with his pupil than hear about everything that happened over a piece of paper. How long will you be gone Miroku?"

"A few months…perhaps until spring."

Kohana's eyes narrowed briefly, but in an instant the expression had vanished and replaced with a polite smile; Miroku was eerily reminded of Kaida.

"It sounds like a fun trip, tell your Master that we say hello," the young mother bowed slightly to him, her manner nothing but amiable, "Please stay safe on your journey."

With that she excused herself from them, saying that this morning's walk had exhausted her more than she thought it would and requested that Sesshomaru take her back to Kaede's hut. As the family walked off, Miroku thought that their pace seemed faster than it had been when they'd first approached. He shook his head and looked forward.

Almost there.

They made it through the rest of the village without any further interruption. When they arrived at the tree line, Miroku felt the tenseness leave his shoulders and he took a deep breath. With everything now behind him, he turned to face his companions.

"Thank you for accompanying me this far, but I believe this is where we part ways." It was perhaps the first time he was thankful for the hoarse voice, as it disguised the emotion that threatened to clog his throat.

"Please," Kagome said, struggling to contain her own emotions, "Write us a letter, or send a message with Hachi or…something. Let us know you got there okay."

"Rest assured, I will inform you when I have arrived safely."

A slight breeze billowed his robes, the wind beckoned him onwards. Strange that the wind should be a guide to him, but then again, it had always been howling air that had pushed him forward and let him know when it was time to go. He tapped his solid palm again. Why should now be any different?

He opened his mouth to say his final goodbye, but a voice from the sky interrupted him.

"WAIT!"

Time stopped in that brief moment. Kirara landed nearby, a very anxious Sango and Ronuku leapt from the cat's back and stood in front of him. Miroku felt as though his gut turned to ice.

"Miroku, what's going on?" Sango confronted him, panting as though she had been in a hurry, "You're leaving without saying goodbye?!" The pleading taijiya's gaze met his, worry and sorrow spelled out clearly in her eyes, and his heart leapt at the sight.

Would she ever not have that effect on him?

"Wait," Kagome's expression became horrified, "You didn't tell them?!"

"You knew?!" The taijiya's gaze switched to the miko.

"Only since this morning, but I thought he had already talked to you!"

"No he didn't," Sango's expression quickly turned to anger and hurt, "Miroku, I know you've been avoiding us lately. You don't stay in the same hut with everyone anymore-"

"Surely you must've noticed, it is a bit crowded in there."

"-You don't eat meals with us anymore," Sango gave him a glare that stopped him from interrupting her again, "And you've avoided me every time I've tried to speak to you, you won't even look at me! And now you're...you're just going to leave for good? Without a word?"

"Now now," Miroku raised his hands, trying to keep his expression peaceful, "I never said I was leaving for good…"

"Kohana did."

Everyone turned to look at Ronuku, and Miroku felt the ice in his gut spread to his veins. It was an odd picture to be sure, usually Ronuku was the angry and upset one while Sango kept her cool, not the other way around.

"Where would she have gotten idea like that?" Miroku asked calmly, his voice becoming low as he faced the bushi. The man's eyes were hazel, not clouded in darkness, but that didn't keep the glint of steel and the thick stench of blood from flashing through the monk's mind.

"She ah…said she could see it, in your expression," Ronuku started, though he couldn't hold Miroku's gaze and looked away, "She said you were running away and she could tell you had no intention of coming back."

Ah. Looks like I didn't fool her then.

Kohana had run straight to her brother to tattle on him. Miroku sighed. He'd done his best to avoid this situation, and it had found him anyway. There was no longer any point in keeping up pretenses if his secret was already exposed.

"Kohana is correct, I do not wish to return."

He glanced around, gauging their expressions. Inuyasha looked annoyed, Kagome seemed sad, Sango looked ready to slap him.

Ronuku stared at the ground.

"That's it then?" Sango asked, "Miroku…does our friendship mean so little that you would simply disappear without saying anything to me?"

The monk's heart clenched at her words.

"That was not my intention."

"Then what was?!"

"Ain't it obvious?!" Inuyasha snapped, never one to understand human tendency to dance around a delicate issue "Miroku's trying to get outta here so he doesn't have to see Ronuku anymore!"

"INUYASHA!"

"That's it?" Sango asked, the anger in her voice suddenly deflated, "You're…you're still upset with Ronuku?"

Miroku answered her with silence.

"Please," Sango stepped towards him, and he knew she was looking at the scar on his throat, "Ronuku's apologized for what he did, but he…that wasn't him…what he did, Ronuku didn't do it-"

The bushi in question stopped his wife by putting a firm hand on her shoulder.

"No," his voice was heavy with guilt, but this time he met Miroku's gaze and did not look away, "That was me."

There was a long silence, the two men stared at each other as the world around them stilled. Miroku remembered the ferocious expression Ronuku had worn in those final moments, and it took him a long time to separate that from the man in front of him.

"I…I will regret what happened to you for as long as I live," Ronuku spoke again, swallowing the heavy lump in his throat "You didn't deserve that…you only came up that hill to try and stop me. You were trying to protect everyone…" He sighed heavily, closing his eyes briefly before he continued.

"But to say that some part of me wasn't…there…in that moment. That would be lying. Miroku you…Naraku showed you a vision…"

Ah yes. The future I could have had with your wife had you never existed.

"You saw that too then," Miroku responded quietly. He noticed the confusion on spreading on everyone else's face, but that didn't matter. This was only between the two of them

"…Yes," Ronuku answered, his face growing red with what Miroku hoped was shame, "I saw that. The jewel let me see that. I became angry, I was jealous and-"

"The jewel knew you would be," Miroku interrupted, "It allowed you to be lucid enough in that moment to see what was happening so that it could utilize your rage." Logically, he understood exactly why it had happened. Understanding why didn't make it any better.

"Yeah," Ronuku nodded, "The jewel used me to do something horrible, but those were my emotions it used."

"I see."

"A-and…I can't deny that that's what I felt. Nor can I apologize for it."

"It's only natural to feel possessive towards one's wife."

Sango's expression became startled at this, but she stayed silent.

"But, I swear to you," Ronuku continued, "I never…I never meant to-"

"To kill me?" Coming from his broken voice it almost sounded like a snarl. Ronuku at least had the decency not to flinch, but merely bowed his head.

"Yes. And there's nothing I can do to take that back."

Miroku surprised himself at the surge of anger bubbling up within him, melting the ice in his gut. Here before him stood the man who had killed him, who had robbed him of his voice, and yet karma had rewarded this man. Ronuku got to return happily to Sango and raise her children, as if he had done absolutely nothing wrong.

"You didn't deserve that," Ronuku continued, "I should be thanking you, you stayed by Sango's side when I couldn't be there. When she needed me most, you were the one there to help her give birth, and for the first month of their lives you helped take care of and protect my children."

"I suppose you hate me for that. For being there when it should have been you."

Ronuku's mouth snapped shut, and his jaw clenched. He exhaled through his nose, calming himself before he spoke again.

"It was my mistake that caused this situation," the bushi said evenly, "You did nothing wrong."

And yet I'm the one who died.

"I should have apologized to you sooner," Ronuku said, "But I knew it was hard for you to see me, to even look at me without thinking about what happened. I didn't know what to do. I let you isolate yourself from the group, and now you're going to leave because of me. I was a coward. I still am. But Miroku, please believe me…for everything that has happened."

He bowed low to the monk and held it.

"I'm sorry."

Miroku was quiet for a moment. He and Ronuku had been friends once. Their relationship hadn't started out on the best foot, Ronuku had been very hard to get along with, but eventually they grew to trust and respect one another. Their friendship had survived a lot, they'd protected one another in battle, laughed over dinner, worried about friends together…perhaps one day Miroku might even think fondly of him again.

But that trust had been horribly broken, even if neither of them were truly the ones to blame. It would not be repaired today, and it could not be repaired in this village. Miroku would not find peace if he had to spend every day being constantly reminded of the man who killed him, nor could he stomach an eternity of watching that same man be with the woman he loved.

"I cannot stay," Miroku said, the finality unmistakable in his voice. Ronuku did flinch that time, but Miroku looked away from him.

"Inuyasha, Kagome," the monk spoke to his friends, "I thank you for everything you have done for me these past few years. Your friendship means more than I can say, and I will remember it fondly no matter where I go. Though I will not return to this village, I am certain that we will meet again one day."

"Sango," Miroku's voice wavered and his heart skipped a beat, "You have been a very dear friend of mine. Perhaps more dear to me than I should have let you become. You are an excellent mother, and I know that your children will grow up strong and make you proud. I wish you every happiness in the world." His gaze held hers, and in that moment he hoped she saw all the love he truly held for her.

"Ronuku," He finally looked back to the bushi, "Sango chose you. There is nothing I can do to change that, nor do I wish to. I gave my life in the hopes that I could protect her happiness. My only request from you is that you do the same: give the rest of your life towards making her happy. Once you have completed that, perhaps then I can forgive you."

Miroku walked away from them that day.

He did not look back.