A/N: Holy hell it's been a really long time huh. I wonder if anyone still even wants to read anymore of this story. (Thinks to herself) Anyway your faithful Sky Maiden has returned from the beyond to write once more. – Hold applause- lol I'm just kidding. Here is the next chapter long over due.

Kikyou and Inuyasha continued on to the village. Although he didn't want to admit it he was feeling rather nervous. He could just imagine the kind of response they would receive from everyone. No matter how respected and admired Kikyou was in the village it wouldn't change anything. The plain and simple truth was that he was a half demon. No one would approve of their friendship anyway. Once the couple was directly outside of the village he stopped. Slowly Kikyou turned to meet his gaze. She of course could tell that he was reluctant to enter the village. Inuyasha of course had more than enough reason to be uneasy.

"Inuyasha I promise you it will be okay. We're not going to hide or pretend anymore." She smiled for him. For some reason seeing her smile gave him an extra boost of courage. That somehow everything would be okay just because she promised him. Taking a deep breath he managed to smile a little too.

"Yeah." He nodded. "And if those bastards have anything to say to hell with them right?" Inuyasha asked hopefully. The raven haired teenager chuckled lightly. She wouldn't have used those words in particular. But leave it to Inuyasha to sum things up perfectly. She then clutched his hand a little tighter.

"Well those are not the words I would have used but they shall do." Without saying anymore the couple walked into the village hand in hand. Almost immediately villagers were staring at them. It was as if they had nothing better to do than to stare at the two of them. Yet Kikyou did not waver she held on to his hand. She could feel the pairs of eyes now staring at her and Inuyasha. Of course they had questions. They would want to know why she was holding hands with a half demon, while she was supposed to be protecting the sacred jewel no less.

It was then when reality hit her once more. Her job, her duty; No her responsibility was for that jewel. Guarding and purifying it so that it wouldn't fall into the hands of evil. This had been her task for years now. But could she really continue this work now especially after what just happened with Inuyasha. Kikyou immediately stopped walking as these thoughts were on her mind. Inuyasha looked at her with a concerned look.

"Hey are you alright? What's up?" he wondered.

"Lady Kikyou what is the meaning of this? Why are you in the presence of this half demon?" One of the villagers finally decided to ask. Naturally once the first question was asked more whispers started up as well. Slowly Kikyou turned to look at everyone. She had meant what she said to Inuyasha they were no longer going to hide their relationship. Or pretend that they didn't love each other just so they could accommodate to the wishes of others.

"Everyone I know you have questions. I understand why you would all be concerned. Yet this half demon as you called him has a name. His name is Inuyasha also he will be staying here. I promise that he is not dangerous and he will not harm anyone."

"But Lady Kikyou surely you must be mistaken…." Before the man could continue a few of the village children came running over to the group of adults.

"Hello Lady Kikyou. Who's your friend? Will he being staying with us. Look at his ears their so cute." Kikyou couldn't help but smile as the children continued with their questions. She loved the fact that these children were so innocent and carefree. They would ultimately accept Inuyasha for what he was. They were children and thankfully they were not at all judgmental.

"See how easy it was for your children to come over to speak to him. Inuyasha will not hurt anyone you have my word. Also don't you think its time to leave all of those silly prejudices in the past? Perhaps you should take a lesson from these children. Inuyasha lets go alright."

"Huh? Oh yeah sure." He nodded. Inuyasha didn't say anything about it but he really admired Kikyou at this moment. The way she calmly but firmly approached the situation. Also she had remained by his side never wavering. She stood up for him when no one else had in his entire life. Kikyou was the most important person in his life he knew that. Soon the two of them were sitting down Kikyou decided that she needed to talk to him first. Then she would also have to talk to Midoriko. She almost dreaded that upcoming conversation. How would she even begin to tell her exactly what was going on?

"Alright Kikyou what's going on? Don't tell me nothing either I know you." He started. The raven haired woman nodded slightly. There was no point in not telling him what she was thinking. Because things were definitely going to start changing that much she knew for sure. The same could be said for Sango and her situation with Sesshomaru.

"Inuyasha you know that as a priestess I was supposed to be guarding the sacred jewel. I had always believed that this was my fate, my destiny." She added. "Only now things have changed because of the incident between us. I' am afraid that I can no longer protect this jewel. A miko must remain pure in order to fully devote herself to her task." The silver haired hanyou immediately understood what she had meant by all of that.

"Kikyou no one has a bigger heart than you. You're not evil do you honestly think that now the jewel will be tainted. Just because of what happened between us." Kikyou simply sighed to herself she really didn't know what to think anymore. Maybe things really do happen for a reason. Deep down she truly didn't wish to guard the sacred jewel. She only longed for a normal life. Was that really such a bad thing to hope for?

"Inuyasha I truly do not know. Who's really to say what could happen while I continue to hold on to this jewel. Honestly I see this thing as my curse. I would probably still be continuing on believing my fate was already decided, until you came back into my life. Also being with you made me realize that I was in control of my destiny. This is why I must talk with Midoriko. She deserves an explanation for what I'm about to do."

Slowly he placed a hand on to her shoulder. This contact caused the young woman to look up at him. Listening to her speak now made him feel the need to do something. He hated to see her in any kind of pain. There just had to be something that the two of them could do.

"Kikyou what if we just get rid of this stupid thing huh. I mean even if you stop protecting it demons would still want it right? And you're the best priestess there is. If you quit well then we're all screwed." He laughed a little. Inuyasha then leaned back against the tree placing his hands behind his head.

"So I say we find a way to get rid of it for good. Then you can live your normal life. The life you were always meant to have. That life with me." He soon added. Upon hearing this Kikyou turned to look at him giving him a brave smile. For some reason Inuyasha always seemed to make her feel better about things. He was more than just her love he also happened to be one of her closest and dearest friends.

"Midoriko had told me something once years ago I believe. A wish that is unselfish will purify the jewel. But only one that is unselfish. Someone who would wish for anything evil well that would only make things worse. I really need to talk to her about this." She finally decided making up her mind for good.

"Alright then I'll go with you." Meanwhile a young demon exterminator was sitting alone by the river. She enjoyed the peace besides she really needed to think. Would she really see Sesshomaru again? Would he really make it back to her safely without being harmed? Sango then shook her head forcing a brave smile. She had seen him in battle he was more than capable of taking care of himself.

"Yeah there's no way he would allow himself to get killed. He's too stubborn to die." She thought to herself. She leaned up against the nearby tree. Her thoughts still on Sesshomaru and what he had said to her. Something about returning with him to the Western lands. "Wow I went from demon exterminator to Lady of the Western Lands overnight." She laughed a little. Slowly reality began to take over. Could she really pick up and leave everything? Then again did she really have much of a choice? She would eventually have to live with him anyway, seeing as how they were now mated and bonded forever.

The dark haired woman paused as she heard footsteps. Thinking quickly she held on to her boomerang. Out of the shadows stepped Bankotsu. Only he was clearly injured. "Bankotsu!" she got up coming over to him. The young man paused sinking to his knees blood everywhere. "Oh Kami Bankotsu who attacked you? Listen don't worry okay let me help you to the village." Slowly she helped him up the dark haired man trudging on slowly. She had no time to retrieve her weapon she would of course come back for it later.

"Sango…." He muttered.

"Shh. Its alright don't speak I'll get you back to the village I promise." In the village Kikyou was now sitting with Midoriko. The elder priestess gazed at her former apprentice she could see that there was something on her mind. She poured some tea for both Inuyasha and Kikyou.

"Kikyou please introduce me to your friend. It's always nice to meet a new face." She spoke. Kikyou nodded thankful that Midoriko was being so polite. She wasn't expecting her to be rude or impolite. That just wasn't how Midoriko was. Kikyou felt lucky to have had such a wonderful mentor who she had thought of as a friend. Even in some ways Kikyou saw her as the older sister she never had.

"Midoriko this is Inuyasha. Inuyasha this is my friend and former teacher Midoriko."

"Well then it's certainly nice to meet you Inuyasha." The silver haired hanyou nodded slowly. Not really knowing how he should approach the older priestess. She definitely seemed nice enough which, was more than he could say for other humans. Midoriko then took a sip of tea coughing slightly. Clearly she was not well.

"Are you alright?" Kikyou asked her mentor. The dark haired woman simply nodded. She had been feeling rather ill lately. But decided not to mention her predicament to Kikyou, only because she didn't want her to worry.

"Kikyou I'm fine I promise you. You on the other hand there is something on your mind. Please tell me whatever it is so that we may come up with a solution to your problem." Kikyou nodded but before she could continue voices were heard from outside.

"Kikyou, Midoriko- sama hurry its Bankotsu he's been severely injured." Sango's voice was heard. The two woman rose to their feet followed by Inuyasha. There was Bankotsu in very bad shape. His clothes torn, bruises and scars seemed to cover him completely. Sango even had some of his blood on her clothes.

"Bankotsu don't worry Kikyou and I will take care of you. Although these wounds seem rather serious you are young I'm confident that you will heal quicker."

"Midoriko- san are you sure I mean he's lost a lot of blood already." The demon exterminator started. The priestess shook her head agreeing with the young woman.

"Yes that's true but Kikyou and I will handle this in fact why don't you help us. Inuyasha you're more than welcome to help as well." Inuyasha didn't really know Bankotsu to well. He had only met him once before. Although they weren't friends or anything. That didn't mean he wanted the young man dead or anything. Obviously whoever attacked him had every intention of killing him. Once he was lying comfortably in the hut the three women began to treat his wounds.

"Bankotsu did you see who did this to you?" Kikyou asked her friend. He had always been polite to her. She only wanted to repay the favor by helping save his life. The dark haired man swallowed hard his eyes held a far off look in them. Almost as if he didn't know where he was or what was happening.

"Kikyou…." He managed to say. "Kikyou I… it was…I…." he was stopped as Sango placed a cool rag on his head. He was starting to run a fever. Kikyou decided that he should just have his rest. There was no point in causing him to relapse and get worse. She could always have him tell her what he knew later.

"Bankotsu it's alright for now you rest. You can tell us what you happened later alright."

Kikyou and the others left the warrior to rest. Right now the best thing for him was to get as much rest as possible. Midoriko soon gently took Kikyou by the arm. She wanted them to finish their earlier conversation. She could already tell whatever it was had some kind of importance.

"Well I'm sure there will be no further interruptions. Kikyou please continue with what you were going to tell me earlier. I really would like to help you if I could."

The young woman nodded gathering up her courage. Deep down she knew that she didn't have any reason to fear her. If anything Kikyou only felt that somehow she would be letting her mentor down. The elder priestess had always said she had high expectations for her. Kikyou could only imagine the look of clear disappointment on her face. It was something she really had no desire to see.

"Midoriko I have always respected and admired you. You took me under your guidance and allowed me to become the priestess that I' am today. Or rather the priestess I once was." She spoke. The dark haired woman blinked curiously at the raven haired teenagers sudden words.

"Kikyou you have natural talent. Please don't give me all the credit for your success. So what has happened to make you suddenly doubt your ability to protect the sacred jewel?"

"There is no easy way to say this so I will just come right out and say it. I have fallen in love and allowed myself to give into my desires. Although I do not regret what has happened between us. I completely understand the consequences of my choice. That is why I'm handing over my responsibilities to someone more qualified for the job." Kikyou finally got all of her feelings out in the open. There was silence for awhile as the older priestess stared at the young woman before her. She had watched Kikyou grow up into an exceptional priestess. She had always thought of her as a younger sister rather than just her apprentice.

"I understand." She spoke quietly. "Kikyou do you honestly think that you're the first priestess to ever fall in love? No many of us do or have at one point in our lives. So how could I possibly blame you for following your heart and making your own choices. I taught you to be independent did I not?" Kikyou simply nodded she had learned a lot from Midoriko over the years. "Kikyou there is no one I trust more with this task than you. Please continue with what you must do and then when the time is right I'm sure you will make the right decision. I have complete confidence in you. In the meantime no one has to know about what has happened. It shall stay between the two of us."

The raven haired woman watched as her former teacher began to walk away. She had been expecting something a lot more than those words. She knew her very well. Midoriko had never been the type to judge or condemn anyone.

"Wait please there is something I must ask you again. There is a way to cease the jewels existence correct. If so then please tell me. If I can make it so no other woman must endure a life of protecting it then I want to know. The elder priestess paused then turned around.

"Yes there is a way. A wish that is pure and free from greed. If such a wish was made upon the jewel then it will cease to exist forever. You of course know what would happen if someone corrupt ended up with the jewel. Kikyou like I said I trust no one else with this than you. Honestly I believe your love for Inuyasha is making you stronger rather than weaker." With that Midoriko said no more to her. Kikyou looked slightly surprised that she knew all of that. Then again this was the same woman who had taught her everything that she knew.

"Perhaps it is that obvious." She thought to herself. The teenager went over to both Sango and Inuyasha. She asked that they leave the village for awhile so that they could talk. The two of them happened to be her best friends. She of course had trusted them completely. There was no one else she would rather talk with than the two of them. The three of them sat down. Inuyasha and Sango waited for Kikyou to say something. They had seen her talking with the older priestess. Meaning she had probably come to a major decision about her life.

"Okay Kikyou what's going on? It must be pretty big if you wanted to leave the village." The demon exterminator said to her best friend. The priestess nodded then looked over to the two of them. She needed them to know what she had talked about with Midoriko.

"Sango we don't have to pretend that we don't have any idea what happened earlier." Sango suddenly got a confused look on her face. She really didn't have any idea what Kikyou was talking about. The raven haired girl smiled for her friend. "Sango we don't have to go into details. But I assume the same thing that happened with Inuyasha and I has also happened between you and Sesshomaru." The young woman now had a deep blush covering her face. Quickly realizing what Kikyou was referring to.

"Oh yeah well your damn right we're not going into details. Not with him around of course." She laughed slightly pointing to Inuyasha. The silver haired hanyou looked over to Sango a slight look of disgust on his face.

"Feh! Get real I don't want to even think about what happened between you and my brother. Geez I don't need that image etched in my brain forever." He spoke. Sango laughed again seeing as how Inuyasha had a point. Although Kikyou was her best friend some matters should just stay private.

"Yeah you're right some things just shouldn't be talked about. Anyway Kikyou please continue with whatever you were going to say before Inuyasha and I so rudely interrupted." The young woman nodded. She was glad to see that Sango and Inuyasha were getting along better. They were two very important people to her. She could never possibly choose between them.

"Right as you know a priestess has to keep herself pure in every sense of the word. Realizing this I decided that I should no longer protect the jewel. That is why you saw me talking with Midoriko. I needed her to know my decision. She deserved to hear it from me. Only she still trusts me with the task. She wants me to continue to purify the jewel.

"Well yeah Kikyou you're really one of the greats you know." Sango smiled for her friend. "If you didn't have the jewel in your possession well then I don't even want to think about what would happen." Inuyasha then nodded seeing as how he had said the same thing just a little while ago.

"Yeah see Kikyou told ya." He smiled for her. Kikyou was grateful that the two of them had such confidence in her. Especially when there were times when the young woman doubted herself. She knew that no matter what she drew her strength from the two of them.

"Well there is a way to get rid of the jewel permanently. A pure wish must be granted upon it then it will cease to exist. That is what I'm going to do I will get rid of this thing forever. That way no one else will have to take on the burden on this cursed jewel." Kikyou always said she saw the jewel as more of a curse than anything. It had ruined so many lives already. She just didn't want it to ruin anymore lives.

"Okay sounds like a plan to me. So who's going to make the wish?" Sango asked.

"I don't know I haven't thought that far." Kikyou answered. It was then that Inuyasha thought of an idea. If anyone should make a wish on that damn jewel it had to be her. Seeing as how she had spent so much time protecting it from the hands of evil.

"Kikyou you should wish on it after all you're protecting it. There see problem solved." The priestess understood his solution to the problem. Yet she somehow doubted that she should wish for anything. Or rather she just didn't know what to wish for. In the meantime she would continue to protect it for as long as she had to.

"For now nothing is decided. I will remain with the jewel for as long as it's necessary. Besides who said that I really have to be the one to make the wish, maybe one of you will make it." She said to her friends. Things became quiet as a strong demonic presence made itself known. The three of them stood up. Sango held on tightly to her boomerang.

"Whatever it is it's coming from over that way." Inuyasha spoke. Kikyou and Sango exchanged worried looks they knew that direction. "The village!!" Both girls exclaimed running off with Inuyasha now with them. Both girls only hoped that they weren't too late to help anyone. Yet Kikyou couldn't help but feel that something was horribly wrong.

"I hope that we aren't too late." The priestess thought to herself.