DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but my thoughts and plot

For Kagome, it seemed as though time either stood still or moved faster than human comprehension. There was just no in between, no way to slow down and actually be able to just take it all in.

Was it too much for her to hope for a moment to stop and just exist?

The sun was halfway through making its decent as they continued the vigorous pace that Inuyasha set into place. The relaxing sound of the forest around them and the breeze were their only companion down the dirt road. Walking through the trees with the rest of the gang didn't hold the happiness that it once had, however.

Inuyasha had made sure of that when he invited Kikyo, the resident turncoat, to travel with them a few months back. Acting as though no one from their group actually had a say in the matter, and everyone would just miraculously get along in a blink of an eye.

Kagome snorted almost soundlessly to herself, 'Fat chance of that ever happening.'

Sango and Miroku were walking together, lightly bantering with each other. With them being so quiet and a few good paces to her left flank, she couldn't tell over what, but even they were more subdued than normal. Neither having not relaxed since Kikyo joined them.

Hell, Miroku hasn't even tried to cop a feel of Sango's butt since the night before Kikyo just showed up at there campsite like she belonged there. Sango was much the same, keeping her weapons on hand at all times and she always had a dagger up the sleeve of her kimono.

Kagome glanced over at them before returning her focus to the path in front of them, not wanting to trip over a stray tree root. Shippo was resting in her backpack, wanting to stay as close to her as possible. It had been a very long and hard day for them and he finds solons staying there.

Not that she minded, Shippo started calling her mom not that long ago and she loved that he actually thought of her as such. She had sat him down one evening to tell him how honored she felt, but to also let him know that just because he called her mom doesn't mean he has to let go of his former parents. Just because they were dead didn't mean she would take there place in his heart, nor did she ever want him to feel pressured to do so.

Glancing down to avoid a rather jumbled tree root, Kagome spotted the nekomata nimbly walking by her side, always keeping herself between them and Kikyo. She had been doing so ever since the morning of Kikyo's sudden arrival.

When she asked Sango, she simply replied, "Kirara does what she wants, she's always been protective of the two of you. I don't own her, she is her own master and she doesn't take kindly to anyone who thinks otherwise."

Kagome had been worried for weeks, thinking she had split up the rather fearsome duo. They had been together far longer than she has been in the feudal era, after all. Seeing the worry in her friend, Sango had talked to her during there bath after that nightfall.

Sango had explained that Kirara had been with her village for generations, as had her litter mates. Knowing at one point that Kirara would choose another partner at some point and she was perfectly fine with that. Sango was even happy when it turned out that she had picked Kagome. To her, it was as though Kirara decided to look after her little sister and she was more than excited at the prospect considering how often Kagome keeps getting kidnapped.

Tentatively, Kagome asked if Sango would be willing to teach her so she wouldn't be a walking disaster on clumsy legs and was overly relieved when she had agreed. She had also similarly asked Miroku for a few pointers or some lessons that would help Kagome grasp her spiritual powers better.

Most nights now filled with training, hidden from Kikyo and Inuyasha, not like it was really hard considering that they always disappear after camp was set up. Miroku stood guard for most nights, sometimes helping Kagome learn about either her spiritual powers or how to fight with a bow staff to help her balance.

Shippo, the ever encouraging son, would set up obstacle courses for her to practice or (on the occasion that Miroku also helped in her training) would set up traps in the outlying area to warn them if the troublesome duo came back early and was getting too close to camp. It had saved them a few times when everyone was so caught up in training.

It was like an unspoken agreement to keep the training from Inuyasha and Kikyo. Better to be safe than having Naraku knowing everything that goes on. Kikyo had a penchant for always telling him everything in her warped fashion of 'keeping your enemies close'.

Kagome sighed, thinking of the past always brought up questions for the future. Too many wayward thoughts always tried to be forfront and jumbled thoughts only leads to a headache.

Now more than ever, she couldn't help but wonder if putting her trust and loyalty in Inuyasha was actually a good idea.

Walking with such a divide in the group that felt more like a chasm than simple steps, she couldn't help but wonder how the future would play out for the days to come.

Not really sure if I should continue this, but it was rolling around in my brain for too long to not do anything with it. Hope you enjoy!

~Ja Ne~