The next morning was quiet. Everyone was walking, but in dead silence, Kagome felt like she was missing something. She kept her thoughts to herself as she walked. This time, Sesshomaru was in the back, she and Lord Tashio in the middle, Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango up front. It was midday when Miroku, Sango, and Kagome looked to the sky. Everyone at this point had stopped walking.

"Kikyo," Kagome whispered. Lord Tashio looked down at Kagome. She had her hand above her eye to shield herself from the sun. Inuyasha looked back at his father and then at Kagome. Kagome looked at him, but she said nothing; she knew he wanted to go, and go he did. Miroku took this as a sign that they could rest and sat under a tree, Sango followed suit. Kagome slid the backpack off her shoulder and grabbed a jug. "Is there water around?"

She didn't look up, but both Lord Tashio and Sesshomaru knew she was speaking to them. Odd enough, it was Sesshomaru who spoke, "It is unwise for you to go alone."

"I can take care of myself," She snapped, holding on to her jug hard. "Foolish Miko, you are no good to us dead," Then he started walking. 'Yeah, use me up,' Kagome thought as she followed Sesshomaru. Lord Tashio watched as his oldest son and the young miko walked away.

Sesshomaru stayed near the trees as Kagome bent down and filled the jug, and sighed.

"Do not pin your heart on him," Kagome turned to see Lord Tashio standing; Sesshomaru was forgotten. She stood up and held the jug close to her. "I don't."

"You lie, girl," Lord Tashio said, folding his arms. Sesshomaru stood quiet. "I can't help I love him," Kagome spoke.

"Why, why do you love him?"

Kagome looked up. "I, I don't know."

"Then you do not love him."

Kagome was confused. "I asked the same of him if he loved you, but I got no response."

Kagome was growing a bit angry and feeling a bit hurt. Lord Tashio unfolded his arms and walked closer to Kagome. Kagome took in a deep breath as he reached his hand out and brushed her cheek. "I mean not to hurt your feelings,"

Kagome swallowed.

"You have to understand Miko," Miko; the way he said Miko made her think of Sesshomaru. They looked a great deal alike.

"What would you have me do? Feel?" Kagome asked him in a trance.

"Do not pin your heart on him; he made a promise to a woman who has returned; understand Kagome, he and his heart are bound to her,"

Kagome looked down; tears wanted to spill from her eyes. "He cares for you, girl, but do not waste your tears; they do not belong time him," She looked up; her tears didn't belong to Inuyasha.

His hand was now on her shoulder. "How do you think the other woman feels? She came back to find the man she died for caring for another woman and a man who promised to love her in life and in death,"

She never thought of it that way. But Kikyo didn't seem to be the loving kind. "The half-breed is foolish," Sesshomaru spoke. Lord Tashio let go of Kagome, and they both looked to Sesshomaru.

"It is not our say if he is foolish," His father spoke; he then turned back to Kagome, "The more you pin your hope and heart on him, the more you will hurt Kagome; you are a strong, loving, and devoted person,"

Kagome sighed, "Will you alright?" He asked, looking at her hard.

"Yes, im ok; I understand." She did understand, but it still hurt. Not as much as she thought, because deep down, she had been thinking about this for some time.

"Good," He turned around and began to walk away, "Your love and devotion belong to another; he still waits for you," With that, he was gone. Kagome had been stiff that whole time. Kagome let her hand drop to the side, she looked over at Sesshomaru and then back to the path, and then she began to walk, Sesshomaru followed.

When they came back, Kagome came to a stop. Kikyo. Sesshomaru stopped right behind her, and his eyes went straight to the dead woman. Even he did not like this.

"Kagome I-

Kagome cut Inuyasha off by putting her hand up. "No need to worry, Inuyasha; everything has been taken care of; we should continue." Her voice was colder than she meant for it to be, but his father was right. She didnt want to talk about it. She just wanted to rip off the bandaid and be done with it.

Inuyasha wanted to say more, anything, but he kept his mouth shut. Lord Tashio led the way Followed by Kikyo, Inuyasha, then Miroku and Sango. Sesshomaru and Kagome in the back.

That night, Kikyo and Inuyasha left the group; Kagome kept her eyes on the fire in front of her, and Sango Kept her eyes on Kagome. Lord Tahsio had told everyone that tomorrow, no doubt, they would run into trouble. Sesshomaru had also gone into the forest. A branch cracked, and everyone turned to see Sesshomaru; Kagome's eyes went a bit wide, and her breath caught in her mouth. There he stood, his hair in a ponytail, just like his father. Kagome didn't mean to stare. Lord Tashio went near his son and walked around him. "Taking after your father?" he asked, joking,

"I would not be so foolish," He said

"We shall see," His father said, walking away.

Sesshomaru looked at the group, they all quickly looked away and acted as if they were busy.