My sisters and I didn't understand Kimura-sama's motive for having us leave so quickly, especially after the wedding. We didn't concern ourselves too deeply into the matter; however, as we found ourselves only given a few minutes to say our goodbyes before we were to depart.

Although I was relieved that Sango was to come with me, I couldn't help the moisture that sprang to my eyes as I watched Kikyou and Rin ushered into a carriage. Clinging to each other we wept, as sisters should, bidding good health and a safe journey. As Sango and I watched Sesshoumaru's company leave, we felt our own dreading in our hearts as our own husbands gruffly escorted us into our own stuffy ride.

I sat in silence for the better half of the morning. I did not know when I would see Kikyou's graceful smile or hear Rin's infectious laughter again. Neither my sister nor I knew how far we were to be separated—being torn from our Father was one thing, but having the family split in three parts was another.

As I watched the familiar sight of the city disappear from my eyes, I clung to Sango's hand, forcing back the tears as we looked towards our future. The men we had been united with no more than a day before rode in front. I had barely been able to exchange two words to Inuyasha before we were ushered into the carriage; for some reason now, more than ever, I wished for his company.

I can only wait, wait and pray to Kami that there was a purpose for all the sorrow in our lives.

xOx

"This heat is more than unbearable."

Kagome tugged on her obi, desperate to loosen it. Sango, following suit, muttered a few unladylike words under her breath that would make even Inuyasha stammer. Irritable and soaked to the bone in sweat, the two women slumped against the hard, uncomfortable wooden seats.

"Is it any cooler outside?"

Sango thrust a hand through the small window. "Only slightly, but it is much better than this fire we are forced to cook in."

With one motion the carriage lurched dangerously to the side, frightening the horses that pulled it. Hearing the commotion, Inuyasha and Miroku looked back, nearly falling off their high steeds at the sight of the royal woman sitting precariously through the small, window-like openings on the doors of the carriage.

"Hello," Kagome smiled cheerfully as Sango gave a shy wave.

While Miroku gave his wife a dumbfounded wave in return, Inuyasha gaped openly at the sight of his wife dangling on the creaky wood. Through his shock he could smell the sweat on her skin; no doubt she and her sister had been frying in the pot they had them ride in.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, wench?"

Kagome stiffened, but let the name slide off her back. Bickering with Inuyasha was more enjoyable than being thrust back into the sweltering shade. "Sitting, of course," she answered nonchalantly, the smile never leaving her face as she watched her hanyou husband sputter a few incoherent words. "What was that?"

"Get back into the coach before you break your neck, you insubordinate woman!"

"But it is so much more pleasant out here," Kagome returned innocently, letting her eyelashes fall and rise in a flirtatious manner.

Inuyasha, unused to the coy banter she enticed him with, shifted uneasily atop his horse. Nearby Miroku chuckled, steering his own steed closer. "Such extraordinary women we have married, Inuyasha, that they prefer to ride in the sun rather than in the shade of a carriage."

"The heat is nearly intolerable inside!" Sango blurted, all reservation lost. "Kagome and I would rather ride horseback."

The monk frowned as he fell back with the pace of the women's ride. Bidding Sango to sit inside momentarily he thrust his head through the opening, only to emerge with glistening beads of sweat. "Kami, it is true! It is a virtual stove in there, Inuyasha."

Kagome pursed her lips as Sango climbed back to her perch. "Are there no spare horses we could use? By the time we arrive, my sister and I will be baked to the bone!"

Inuyasha glanced around, eyeing the samurai that accompanied them to his mother's home. Each was suffering in their own body heat beneath their armor; forcing two to swap places with the women would be cruel, not to mention inhumane.

With a slow grunt the hanyou prince raised his hand, halting the entire caravan. He motioned to one of the samurai to retrieve the women, who materialized with damp kimonos and relieved faces. Maneuvering his horse he dismounted, handing the reins to the elder Higurashi sister, who openly thanked him.

Kagome watched as her sister swung onto the horse with ease. With an eager face she gazed at her husband. "Which horse shall I ride?"

"Keh, you're not riding a horse."

"Nani?"

The noblewoman watched in astonishment as her husband crouched before her, his arms curved behind him as if he was holding something—or someone.

"Get on, Kagome."

"You…expect me…to ride…your back?!" Kagome took a step backward, her face a mixture of horrified and embarrassed. Throwing a glance at his general, she pointed at his huddled form. "Please tell me he is only joking!"

"Actually," Miroku began, clearing his throat nervously as he felt his own wife's eyes on him, "Inuyasha is quite serious."

"I…I can't!" Kagome cried indignantly. "It is—"

"Indecent?" Inuyasha drawled, turning back to give her a skeptical look. "Nothing I haven't heard before, wench. Now hurry up and climb on, I want to at least get into the southern territory before sundown."

The hanyou sighed irritably as she continued to gape at him. "Look, we can go much faster now that that carriage is of no use. With you riding my back and Sango on horseback, we'll arrive much sooner. The samurai can divide up the belongings among them to carry on their own horses, so we can get rid of that confounded wooden box."

After a pause Kagome took a hesitant step towards her husband, placing a hand on his shoulder. With the contact Inuyasha swept her up, shrieks and all, and stood, grunting as his wife struggled to get a firm grasp around his neck. "Don't choke me, woman."

Mumbling an apology, the woman blushed as Sango, Miroku, and their accompanying samurai gave her sly grins. Settling her hands on his red haori, she stilled as Inuyasha gave his men orders to discard the carriage and carry their possessions in the sacks around their horses.

"Inuyasha," the general shook his head, "it won't work. Their kimonos are much too fragile to be stuffed away in sacks. They should remain in the chests."

The golden-eyed prince thought a moment. "Fine. Miroku and I will go ahead with the women, while the rest of you trail behind with the cargo. If two days pass and you haven't arrived at the estate, I will personally come searching."

The men bowed their heads in respect. Turning to leave, Inuyasha muttered a few choice words under his breath as he tightened his grip on his wife, only to have her squeak in his ears.

"Calm down, woman. Your kimonos are slippery; if I don't get a good grip you'll fall while we're traveling."

"Fall?" Kagome's eyebrows rose. "Just how fast do you walk?"

"Not walk. Run."

"Run—aiieee!" The young woman yelped in surprise as he sped forward, his speed greater than that of the gallop of a horse. In her staggered state she grabbed locks of Inuyasha's silvery hair.

"Ow! Watch it!"

"Must you go so fast?!" Kagome's heart that had lodged itself in her throat slowly slid back into place as he stopped, once again adjusting her on his back.

"Just hold onto my haori, Kagome." He glanced back, his golden eyes piercing her stormy blue ones. "I won't let you fall. You have my word."

Kagome stared, before nodding dumbly. Reaching forward she grasped handfuls of his clothing, leaning forward as she smelled the musky scent of his thick hair. Feeling the strong grip against her thighs, a wave of peace fell over her as she took in more of his scent.

"Ready?"

Feeling his wife nod against his back he glanced over at Miroku, who sat next to his own wife. Inuyasha no doubts that Sango would be just fine; she was, after all, trained in the ways of the samurai. Riding a horse would be no challenge for her.

Pushing against the hard earth he propelled himself forward, the wind blowing through his hair and face once more. Inuyasha heard Kagome gasp, but as time went on her rigid body loosened, her breathing becoming more stable. Smiling inwardly, the hanyou couldn't help but enjoy the rush that accompanied having a beautiful woman clinging to the back, the adrenaline rushing through his veins.

Kagome became more and more comfortable as time went on. Every now and then she would glance back, just to make sure that Miroku and Sango were still hot on their trail. The feeling of Inuyasha's muscles flexing beneath her still sent shivers up her spine, but as the minutes passed she felt herself relax against the steady movement of his feet against the ground. The air was pleasant around her, a pleasant change from the scorching heat she had felt hours before. It wasn't soon after that she fell into a fitful sleep against her husband's back.

xOx

When Kagome awoke, the sun had gone significantly down, and she was no longer clinging to Inuyasha's back. She stretched against the tree she had been eased onto, her husband's haori falling to her lap. Gazing curiously at the red material, she had found it to be surprisingly light, and yet it had kept her from the evening wind that began to rise from the west. Shivering, she brought it to her chin, Inuyasha's scent overcoming her senses.

"Put that on before you get a cold."

Startled at the sudden voice, Kagome found herself face-to-face with her husband, arms full of firewood. Nodding, she swung the haori around her shoulders. "Thank you. Where is Miroku and Sango?"

"They led their horses to the stream nearby." Eyeing his wife he dropped the firewood near the manmade pit as he settled himself on the floor. "You slept the entire way."

"I must have been tired," Kagome remarked, turning as the bushes nearby rustled and revealed her sister and brother-in-law. In a similar fashion, Miroku's outer haori was wrapped around Sango to keep her from the cold.

"Kagome! You're awake!"

"Hai." Returning the smile Miroku sent her way, she stood. "How much farther to our destination?"

"Half a day's ride," Inuyasha supplied, throwing a rather large branch into the fire he had made. "Maybe less."

"I see." Pulling the haori tighter around her, Kagome moved towards the fire, sitting next to Inuyasha. "Where, exactly, are we going?"

"The Shindo estate near the west coast," Miroku answered, feeding the fire another branch.

'Shindo? Perhaps it belonged to Shindo Izayoi…' Kagome glanced at her husband, whose blank eyes gave away no emotion. 'I should wait until later…to ask him who Izayoi is.'

"Is it beautiful?"

"Kyushu is the most beautiful region the country," the general declared. "There is no better house in Japan. Inuyasha spent a better part of his years there, at that estate near the city of Fukuoka. Many memories, wouldn't you say, Inuyasha?"

"Numerous," the hanyou murmured, staring into the fire. Kagome watched as pain flickered momentarily in his eyes before disappearing again to the deep crevices of his mind.

Dinner was a quiet affair, as the group ate the fish the men had caught in the nearby stream. Without the samurai hovering around them the air seemed much more comfortable, but Kagome couldn't help the unnaturally silent disposition of her husband. In the entire month she had known him, nothing had sent him into such a mood, yet with the mention of the Shindo estate and Kyushu, it was if he had almost gone entirely mute.

With the moon reaching its peak the group decided to retire. With a few words and many blushes the Higurashi women agreed to sleep next to their significant other. Sango and Miroku slept on one side of the fire, while Kagome and Inuyasha slept on the opposite.

Hours later Kagome found herself wide-awake, thoughts spinning in her head. Inuyasha had left her side a long time ago, opting to jump into the branches of a tree close by. Although the fire kept her warm, she was slightly disappointed about her loss of company.

Her thoughts drifted back to the Shindo estate and Izayoi. Who exactly was this woman? By the pained look in Inuyasha's eyes, she played an important role in his life. A former lover, perhaps?

Kagome couldn't help the twinge of jealously in her as she thought of Inuyasha's heart belonging to another. Biting her lip, she mentally cursed herself. Why should she care who his heart belonged to? Their marriage was clearly political.

And yet, he was her husband, and the thought of Inuyasha wishing he had married another saddened her.

Sitting up, she snuggled further into the haori Inuyasha insisted she wear for the night. Glancing at the tree, she saw the hanyou lounging lazily against it on a low branch, his leg dangling. Even the dim light she could see his golden eyes, watching her every move.

Standing, Kagome slowly made her way towards the tree. It was no business of hers who Izayoi was, and yet if Inuyasha longed for another it was her right as his wife to know.

"What're you doing awake, wench?"

Kagome rolled her eyes at the familiar name. "I couldn't sleep. Could I…could I come up and join you?"

She watched as he paused for a moment, before silently slipping from his perch to the ground below. He gazed down at her with the same expressionless eyes as before, and with one swift motion carried her to the branch and set her down next to him. Kagome sucked in her breath, realizing how far off the ground they were.

"Something's bothering you. What is it?"

His statement took the Higurashi woman aback. She had no idea that her thoughts were written on her forehead clear as day. She watched as he tucked one knee under his chin in a boyish manner, his eyes half-closed as his ears twitched atop his head.

"Well…" she began, fidgeting with her fingers. "I was wondering…"

"What? Out with it, wench."

"Who is Izayoi?"

Inuyasha's eyes snapped open at the name. "Where did you hear that name?"

"Your father spoke of her when he announced we were to leave," Kagome explained, her fingers jerking even more. "When Miroku told us of the Shindo estate, I assume he also spoke of her."

When the hanyou didn't speak, Kagome continued. "I understand that our marriage is no more than a political bond, Inuyasha. If…if your heart belongs to another, it is fine with me."

"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha turned, blinking.

"If you love this Izayoi woman," Kagome repeated, "it is fine. I understand. All I ask is that you still treat me with civility, even though your heart belongs to your lover."

Inuyasha's eyebrows rose to his hairline. "And you thought of all of this while you lay there, on the ground?"

"Yes."

The hanyou sighed heavily, running a clawed hand through his hair. "Kagome, it is not what you think."

"Spare me the details, Inuyasha. If you love her, then—"

"No," Inuyasha interjected. He gave her a amused, sadistic smile. "I love Izayoi with all my heart, but she is not my lover. She was my mother."

Kagome's lips formed a perfect "o" as the color drained from her cheeks. "I am sorry, Inuyasha," she stammered. "I didn't…I mean, I…"

"Keh, it's alright," Inuyasha snorted. Glancing at her, he flicked a leaf that hung over his head. "She died a long time ago. The estate was left to me when I came of age."

The noblewoman rubbed her arm consciously. "Would…would you like to talk about her?"

The hanyou gave her a surprised look. No one had ever offered to speak to Inuyasha about his mother, not even Inutaisho. It was an unspoken subject between father and son, about the human wife and mother who didn't have the capacity to live as long as they could.

"She's dead," he said blatantly. "She was human, but she was no miko, like you. She loved my father, but even her undying love for him couldn't bind his lifespan to her."

"I am so sorry."

"The estate was to come into my hands on my 100th birthday," he continued grimly. "In human years that is extremely old, yet in youkai years it is barely the age of a half-grown man. She passed on in my earlier years, and Father managed the estate for me, until I was ready to take it."

Kagome felt a lump in her throat as she heard of him speak of his age. Inuyasha must have realized this, for he added, "I'm 257 years old, even though I look merely twenty in human appearance."

Nodding, the woman ignored the faint feeling she felt. Clearing her throat, she asked, "Do you miss her?"

Inuyasha's lips set into a thin line. "Truth be told, I can't really remember her. I hear her voice in my dreams sometimes at night, but her face is a blur. But there is not a day where I don't miss her."

Silence fell between them, as they both gazed up at the half moon that lit their camp. "I lost my mother too."

"So I've heard." Inuyasha glanced down at his wife. "What was she like?"

"Strong, willful, beautiful…" Kagome trailed off as a sad smile crept onto her lips. "Sango looks exactly like her, Kikyou moves the way she did, and Rin has her contagious laughter."

"And you have her eyes," Inuyasha prompted. "Kasumi's eyes."

"So I do…" Kagome muttered, looking away. "More like Kasumi's curse."

For the first time since their initial meeting, Inuyasha finally understood the woman beside him. Though she didn't speak a word, he could sense the disgust associated with the name of her long-dead grandmother and the burden she carried because of the color of her eyes. As he was judged for being a hanyou, she was judged for being a piece of history, more like a figure than an actual person.

"It seems like you and I aren't that much different, wench. I'm cursed for being a hanyou, and you are cursed for the blue eyes you inherited."

Kagome gazed at him. "What are you implying?"

"Nothing. And everything."

His words were vague, and yet had so much meaning behind them. Kagome stared at her legs, which dangled dangerously from the limb. A month ago she despised the sound of Inuyasha's name, and now she was sitting in a tree, swapping stories about their long-dead mothers.

"Go to sleep, Kagome. We have an early day tomorrow."

Inuyasha watched as she fiddled with his fingers, a habit she had when something was bothering her. "What is it?"

"Will you not join me?"

Inuyasha nearly fell out of the tree from surprise and amusement. Blushing, Kagome waved her hands frantically in his face. "Not like that," she retorted. "I can't sleep all alone on the floor, and I can't exactly go sleeping next to Sango with Miroku—"

Kagome was interrupted when she was grabbed by the waist and pulled into his embrace. The haori had kept her warm, but the sound of Inuyasha's heartbeat against her back sent fire shooting in all directions. As he crossed his arms in front of her, he uttered one word. "Sleep."

Nervously adjusting her position, she found herself melding into Inuyasha's lithe form, his arms wrapped around her. His musky scent enveloped her once more as her eyes began to drift shut. The sound of Inuyasha's heartbeat was the last thing she heard before she fell into a deep slumber.

xOx

AN: I am really sorry that it's taken so long for this chapter to come out! College has been hectic, and I'm going to start working soon…aahhh! But through it all, I have to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for not haranguing me to hurry up and update…thank you so much for your patience!

I would post a thank you list of all the names of people who reviewed, but it's almost 2 in the morning…maybe the next chapter?

Please review!