AN: So here is chapter two. I got it out a little faster than I thought I would, but I guess I just got into the writing mojo :) Please let me know what you think, the more you review the faster I'll probably be to update, so if you're liking this, the be sure to leave a review!

And I forgot to mention one thing; I have no editor or beta what so ever, so I apologize for any mistakes in the writing, and if you happen to come accross any, please let me know so I may correct them! Thanks you!

The Ties That Bind Us

Chapter 2:

They set up camp a little distance from a small stream that cut through the land towards the south, coming down from the western mountains so it was cold and refreshing. The days spent traveling had been hot, and InuYasha rarely let them stop to have a rest or refresh themselves. Kagome was glad that after diner she could properly wash off the days of travel and grime that she felt coated her skin.

There was no good game nearby for them to capture and eat, driven away by the fighting, so they relied on the supplies that Kagome kept on her for their meal that night. Cup ramen and some more of her so named ninja snacks were divided up amongst the group much to the others delight. They had not indulged in this in a while, trying to conserve Kagome's supply. With his change in behaviour InuYasha had been even more reluctant to let her go home than he had before Naraku's disappearance. So they couldn't help but savour the meal, and even indulge a little in the junk food.

After they were done eating, Sango and Kagome gathered their bathing equipment and made their way towards the stream to clean up. It had become tradition for the two women to bathe together first, then followed by them men if they felt the need. Sango had become accustomed to cleaning herself as much as Kagome did, feeling much better, and healthier even after getting into this routine. The young girls from the future had explained to her the many benefits of keeping clean over the years they had traveled together, and the taijiya had to admit that she had been right. Even when the process wasn't very pleasant due to the lack of warm water, being forced to bathe in a frigid lake some of the times.

Luckily for them the water that flowed from the stream was on the side of refreshing instead of bone cold, and the two women sighed in contentment as the waded into the shallows, their clothing and weapons folded neatly on the edge of the bank.

"This is exactly what I needed after these last few days," sighed Kagome contently, rubbing her washcloth over the aching muscles in her shoulders. Even in the deepest part of the stream the water only reached to the bottom of her chest, and even lower on her companion, barely covering her waist. "I feel like it's been months since we've been able to relax like this."

"I know what you mean," chuckled Sango, dipping her head forwards so she could soak her hair in the water. "It's been a rough few weeks, and it seems like it's only going to get harder if we don't find some good leads soon."

Kagome only hummed in response, looking thoughtful as she continued washing. The older woman couldn't help but worry about her younger companion. She wasn't blind, and she saw the way that InuYasha treated her, and how much his coldness hurt her. She wished that there was something she could do to cheer her up, but she knew it was not her affections that she wanted, and her words would only accomplish hurting her worse to know that her feelings were so transparent.

The taijiya sometimes envied the young miko. Although she wasn't the strongest person physically, her emotional strength was something she couldn't help but admire. To be able to put up with the antics of the person she loved, and be brushed aside again and again for different reasons took a strong person to be able to endure; and an even stronger person to stay by their side through it all. All she knew was that if Miroku had started to treat her with such callousness, she wasn't so sure she would be able to brush it off like Kagome did and keep moving forward.

"Kagome," she said softly, trying to choose her words carefully so she would not inadvertently make her even more upset than she already was. "Are you really okay?"

"Huh?" Kagome asked, looking up at her friend. "What are you talking about? Of course I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Please don't lie to me, Kagome," Sango said rather seriously. "I see the way he treats you, and I know that you must be hurting a great deal inside. I know I shouldn't be defending him, but I believe that his actions are not coming from a place of malice, but that still does not excuse him for taking his anger out on you."

"Sango," Kagome whispered, not too sure what to say to her friend.

"I know I don't have any advice to offer you, probably having even less experience in this area than you do," the taijiya confessed. "But if you even need someone to talk to, or even someone just to listen, please know that I'm here for you."

"Thank you, Sango," Kagome said, somewhat shocked. She had never taken her friendship with the demon hunter for granted, but that that moment she couldn't help but feel that she owed the older woman a great deal of respect and thankfulness for being there for her. "That means a lot to me."

"Anytime," Sango replied, her voice trying to be lightweight and happy, wanting to dispel the gloomy aura that had come about from their short conversation. The two of them finished their bath in silence, nothing else really needing to be said.

They got dressed quickly, the air becoming chillier as the sun fully set for the night. In the dark the distance between the camp and the stream seemed to be much longer, Kagome tripping over exposed roots and rocks that she couldn't see in the dim light of the moon. After tripping for what seemed to be the dozenth time she came to a stop, resting against the trunk of a tree as she rubbed her sore ankle. Sango didn't seem to be having to same trouble as her companion, seemingly floating an inch above the ground avoiding all obstacles due to her previous stealth training.

Looking up at the sky Kagome couldn't help but notice that it was a quarter moon out tonight. In just a few more nights the moon would be completely hidden, and InuYasha would be forced into his human form. She would have to make sure that they were close to a town by then so they wouldn't be forced to fend for themselves in enemy filled territory like the forest there were currently camping in. Letting out a sigh Kagome went to push off her tree and continue her way towards camp, but something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye, drawing her gaze back up to the sky.

Two bright reptilian shapes started to make their way over the canopy of trees below, illuminating the night sky with their faint glow. Kikyou's Shinidamachū floated above, heading in the direction of their camp. A lump formed in Kagome's throat, knowing that the dead priestess was nearby, and that she was calling InuYasha to her side. She also knew that without a doubt that InuYasha would answer her call and he would no longer be at the camp when they arrived. She suddenly didn't feel like going back to the camp.

Sango stopped and turned around when she realized that her friend was no longer following her. Looking questioningly at the young girl looking up at the sky, Sango asked, "Kagome?" When there was no response she followed her gaze and the taijiya understood what had her friend so enthralled. The resurrected priestess was the main point of contention in Kagome's and InuYasha's relationship, and she couldn't help but dislike her on her friend's behalf.

"I think I'm going to head back to the stream for a while," said Kagome, turning her back on her friend, not wanting her to see the expression on her face.

"You really shouldn't be walking around out here alone, Kagome," Sango protested.

"I'll be fine. It's not like I'll be going far, I promise."

The taijiya wanted to argue further, but she knew that Kagome was as stubborn as they came, and what she really wanted was to be left alone for the moment. "Alright," she relented, trying to sound firm. "But please don't stay out too long; it's dangerous out here all alone."

Kagome just nodded before she headed off, stumbling in the direction the pair had been coming from. Sango let out a sigh, watching as her friend disappeared back into the darkness. With one last glare up at the retreating shikigami, Sango made her way back towards the camp alone. When she arrived, InuYasha was nowhere to be found.

"Hey, where's Kagome?" Shippo asked, looking up from his colouring book that Kagome had given him a few weeks back on her last trip home.

"She decided to stay at the stream for a little longer," Sango replied, setting down her hiraikotsu by the bedspread Kagome had given her, a sleeping bag she had called it.

"Do you think that wise?" asked Miroku from his own perch against a tree, his staff resting between his arms and legs. Unlike Sango Miroku had declined Kagome's gift of a sleeping bag, preferring to sleep sitting up like InuYasha normally did, able to remain alert at the same time as sleeping.

"Not, really," answered the demon slayer, "but given the circumstances I wasn't about to force her to come back with me."

Neither monk nor kitsune had to ask what she meant by circumstances. They had both seen the shikigami and watched as InuYasha leapt off in search of Kikyou without a word to either of them.

"What are we going to do about them?" muttered Miroku, shaking his head in dismay.

"Unfortunately there is nothing we can do," replied Sango, her tone grim. "This is something they need to work out on their own, and I hate to say this, but I think that will be a long time coming. InuYasha cannot let go of his feelings for Kikyou, and Kagome cannot seem to let go of him either. InuYasha is trapped between his feelings for both of them. He's still dedicated to Kikyou and feels responsible for playing a part in her death, and the fact that he also loves Kagome is making him feel even guiltier."

"The only way that this could end happily for any of them would be if InuYasha finally chose one way or the other who he really wants to be with," Shippo, interjected, sitting back and crossing his arms. "And based off past experience, that's not going to happen any time soon."

"No, I don't believe it will," Miroku muttered, somewhat dismayed.

Kagome slowly made her way through the forest, not really paying attention to where she was going, letting her feet lead her where they wanted to go. Her thoughts were consumed by InuYasha and Kikyou, and what they could possibly be doing together. She knew that InuYasha had feelings for her, but she also knew that he had loved Kikyou much longer than she herself had been in his life.

The fact that he still ran off to her side every time she was near was proof enough for her that she would always be second in his affections, and she wanted to hate him for that, hate Kikyou for steeling him away from her, but in the end, she just couldn't do it. Many times she had thought that she had come to terms with their relationship that just being at his side would be enough for her, and in the moment she had even believed it; but now, she was not so sure.

The last few months had weighed hard on her. In the past, InuYasha would at least apologize, or take her feelings into consideration before he went ahead to be with the dead miko, but not anymore. It was like she was merely an afterthought, someone that he had to deal with instead of the friend that she used to be. And it was that thought that hurt worst of all.

No longer did she even think that he considered her one of his closest friends, his determination to find Naraku and have this journey over with was the only thing that consumed his mind now. Even Kikyou was considered a resource in his battle to complete the jewel, at that was the only solace she found in all of this heartache.

Determined not to allow herself to dwell on this anymore, Kagome shook her head and those dark thoughts away. Focusing on the forest around her, Kagome realized with a slight shock that she had no idea where she was. So lost in her head she had not been paying attention to which way she was going. She couldn't even hear the stream nearby, meaning that she must at least be a mile or more away from camp and the others.

Fear shot through her as she realized that if she was attacked now she would be left helpless. Sure she had how bow and arrows, but they were hardly enough of a defense against many of the yokai that lived in this land. Mentally kicking herself in her stupidity, Kagome turned and started making her way back the way she came, hoping that she would eventually be able to find the stream that would direct her back towards their camp. Good going, she scolded herself, why don't you just gift wrap yourself for the yokai.

The moon was high in the sky, and Kagome felt like she had been walking for hours. She was no closer to finding the stream that would be her salvation, and she doubted that her friends would be able to find her anytime soon. And to make things even worse, she was being hunted.

She had sensed the small group of yokai a while back, and had continued on her way, hoping they would pay her no interest, but their auras had been trailing her for the better part of an hour, and she knew they were biding their time, hoping she would tire out before they launched their attack. Based on the feel of them, they couldn't be any more powerful than one of the lower class demons, something that would not normally worry her so, but being on her own, and feeling that at least five of them hunted her through the night caused her pulse to pound in the back of her throat. Fear was a constant companion as she tried to lose them in the woods.

AN: So I probably won't be able to post chapter three for another day or so, but if you are liking where this is going, please let me know! And any criticism is greatly appreciated!