Kagome had made her way through the woods finally, and she sighed deeply as she finally slung her woods and bow on her shoulder once more. She as safe now; it was odd to her how insecure she felt alone. However, she would continue no matter what. She had to. It was her fate, until the jewel was restored.

'Is this Kaede's village?', she thought, a smile appearing on her face. 'I hope she is there, I would love to see her!'

She broke into a sprint, running quickly towards the village. Just a few ten feet away from the village, she slowed down and let her hair fall back onto her shoulders from the ponytail. She was determined that the villagers would not ask her questions which were out of the ordinary; she was hoping to only get "What is your name, miko?" or perhaps "Could you help me?". She entered the village, and was glad that she didn't draw much attention. A few villagers turned their heads to see the newcomer, but turned soon back as they saw she was just a human. Before long, an old man came up to her, his arm in bandages.

"Are you a miko, girl?", he asked, looking up; the man was fairly small.

Kagome smiled warmly and answered kindly, "Yes I am, kind sir. My name is Kagome."

The old man looked at the miko, asking her, "Could you help me, Lady Kagome? It is my arm, as you can see. It aches terribly, and the doctor of this village says there is nothing can be done", as he gently rubbed his left arm.

Kagome nodded, and took the old mans arms gently into her hands. Examining it, she reached and grabbed a jar from her bag. She opened the lid, and a dark green liquid resided in it. She opened some of his bandages, applying the mixture onto his aged skin. The old man winced slightly, but stopped as Kagome looked into his eyes affectionately. When she had covered his whole hand, the mixture had sunk into his skin, giving it an oily effect.

"Your arm should be fine now, sir", she said, wrapping the used bandages neatly.

The old man looked from his arm to Kagome, unsure, "Are you sure, Lady Kagome?"

"Yes, I am, sir. Not only is the pain gone, but you should be able to move your arm, too", she said smiling, as she put the mixture back into her bag.

The old man gently moved his arm, ready for the shooting pain that was about to come. As nothing came, he dared to move it more, bending his arm and moving his fingers.

"Lady Kagome, thank you. I am in your debt", he said happily, before turning around and starting to slowly walk.

"Hold on, sir! Could you tell me where Lady Kaede is?"

"Of course. Her house is near the shrine of the miko Kikyou who, sadly passed away many years ago", he answered, before walking off.

Kagome slightly cringed at Kikyou's name, but ignored it. How did she forget where Kaede lived? Her mind had probably been focusing too much on school work, her part time job at the hospital and the hanyou.

She started walking forwards, seeing Kaede's house. She smiled to herself; she would be glad to see the old woman once again. As she reached the small hut, she slightly knocked on the wood before entering the small premises. Kaede looked up, puzzled by the visitor.

"And who might ye be?", Kaeded asked, standing up.

"Kaede, it's me", Kagome answered, hoping the old woman would remember her. It hadn't been that long of a time, had it?

"I know ye?"

"Kaede, it's Kagome", she said, smiling at the old woman.

"Kagome?", she said, before walking hastily towards Kagome and embracing her in a tight hug. "It has been such a long time; ye have changed a lot, Kagome", she added, letting go of her. "Inu-"

Kaede stopped talking as Kagome put a single finger on her lips and shook her head. At first she looked baffled, before remembering what had happened between the two individuals.

"Are ye going to stay here at this village?", Kaede asked, sitting down once more.

"I'm afraid I can't. Kaede, I have returned to this era only to collect the remainder of the Shikon shards. After that, I will be giving the completed jewel to him.", she said, sitting down next to Kaede.

"Ah, I see. What if he uses it to become a full demon, Kagome? I thought ye didn't want that."

"I don't mind anything that he does anymore, Kaede. He hurt me so badly, the hardest part will merely be giving the jewel to him. Before I forget, Kaede, would you have any arrows for me? I want to be prepared for my journey, and I wasted a few arrows on some demons on the way here", she asked.

"Yes, I do, Kagome", Kaede answered, looking outside. "It is already dark, child. It would be safest to stay in the village. Would you?"

Kagome rested her face in her palms, thinking. 'It would be the safest option, I guess. It does slow me down, and if my former companions are using Kikyou they might find it before I do. Wait, are they using Kikyou? '

Kagome smiled warmly and answered, "I guess I will, Kaede. However, can I ask you if my former acquaintances using your sister to locate the shards?"

Kaede looked at the sizzling fire next to her, sighing. A lot had changed while Kagome had been gone, and Kaede wished it wouldn't be her who had to tell her.

"Kagome, Kikyou died."

Kagome's eyes widened, and she let out a small gasp. Sucking in a little air, she managed to say, "How? Did Naraku do it?"

"No, Kagome. Inuyasha killed her."

This chapter is dedicated to the few reviewers who were eager to find out what had happened between Kagome and Inuyasha. I am sorry it wasn't figured out in this chapter, but you guys are a little closer to solving it out now. You reviewers inspire me to write, so thank you TiffanyM and SilverApocalypse.