InuYasha stood in the protection of the trees as he watched Sango near the river. He had finally caught up with her and found her unfettering her anger upon the trees with her katana. As he stood, he watched her dancing with her sword with such grace and poise. Every slice was clean and careful – he was amazed that after everything that had happened she was still in control.

He had never been in control, not once. It was never something he could do well. InuYasha always let his anger smudge his skill and would blindly attack whatever was in reach and for this he envied her. He wished for her self-discipline and aspired to develop more restraint. The hanyou watched the slayer transfer her pent up hurt onto the trees and was suddenly thankful he left Shippo with the bakeneko.

This was never something he was good at; feelings, emotions, etc. He had passed through life without discussing his fears, concerns and worries and by bottling up his feelings on the inside – hell, he had talked more with Sango over the past two weeks than he could with anyone else! Unfortunately this method of protection soon became his downfall, and is what caused the initial break-up of his family.

InuYasha was never good at comforting people, and he was well aware of that fact, what worried him was how important this woman was to him and he feared that he would mess something up. Sango had become the most important thing in his life – she was his best friend. Suddenly, his stomach began to flutter and he became... upset?

'Sango is more than my best friend...'

InuYasha couldn't lie to himself; he knew she was more than a friend but just how much more? Did he like her like he did Kagome; like a sister? Or was it more like he felt for Kikyo? Truthfully, InuYasha didn't know the answer for this was a feeling much unlike the others. He let out a small sigh, just above a whisper. "Oh, Sango..."

THWACK!

InuYasha found himself on the ground, eyes wide with terror. He looked above him to see a ninja star planted in the tree where he had been standing a mere two seconds ago. Even InuYasha knew he was lucky to be alive and uninjured as he barely dodged the weapon at an already unnatural speed.

"SHOW YOURSELF!"

"SANGO! TAKE IT EASY! IT'S JUST ME, INUYASHA!"

Sango watched as InuYasha emerged from the trees walking with his hands above his head. She let out a quick sigh of relief.

"You know better than to sneak up on me InuYasha." Sango commented sternly.

"I'm sorry but I had to make sure you were okay and that you didn't do anything too crazy." InuYasha carefully contemplated his words while he spoke, "But I see I didn't make it in time, you've already massacred these trees."

Sango let out a small laugh and flashed a sincere smile – 'A good sign,'InuYasha thought.

"Yeah well, you know me and my psychotic blood lust."

The two starred at the ground for a moment in an awkward silence and then both went to speak at the same time, relieving some of the tension as they both smiled.

"You first."

Sango exhaled and then sucked in another breath before she spoke, "I was just wondering if, uhm, you would mind... sparring with me?"

InuYasha heard the hope in her voice when she asked the question and simply couldn't refuse. He walked over to wear a fallen and mangled tree had landed and picked up two wooden sticks that resembled Bokkens. He tossed one to Sango who caught it with ease.

"Bring it."

Sango lowered herself into a fighting stance and smirked at her incredibly worthy opponent.

"You shouldn't have said that."

And with that they charged.

Kagome lifted herself up over the well. The familiarity of the forest surrounding it seemed welcoming. She inhaled the fresh air and the smell of the Feudal Era and sighed.

Kagome couldn't smell anything.

She wasn't a dog.

A rush of memories flooded her mind and she remembered why she came back.

'InuYasha.'

It had been over two weeks since she was here.

'Had it been two weeks?'

It had for-sure been at least two weeks since she was here. Kagome began her trek down the path towards Kaede's village with her eyes to the tree tops searching for a red clad figure. To her dismay, she saw no one. Now, seriously concerned for the hanyou, she sped up to find someone who could tell her what was going on. Soon she was in viewing distance of the small community and with what appeared to be a change of luck, she saw a woman walking and a small cart being dragged behind a horse in the distance. From what she could tell, it was leaving so she began to run on instinct. As she got closer she yelled out to get the blond woman's attention who in response stopped the cart and waited for Kagome to catch up.

When Kagome was close enough she slowed to a walk and began to approach the woman. From what she could see, the woman with bright curls had tear stains down her cheeks, but a bright smile on her face.

'Tears of... Joy?'

"Hi! I'm Ka-"

Suddenly cut off, Kagome was startled from what sounded like a loud moan coming from the cart. She jumped back slightly when a hand dropped over the side of the cart and stared wide-eyed at it. As soon as the shock wore off slightly she saw it; the blue beads wrapped around a purple sleeve.

"MIROKU!"

Kagome rushed over to the monk who slowly started to sit up.

"San... go?"

"No! It's Kagome! Are you alr- OOF!"

Kagome suddenly found herself on the ground. She looked up to find the blond woman gushing over Miroku, flushing him with questions like the one Kagome was trying to ask before being RUDELY interrupted. Kagome huffed and her cheeks puffed out. She got up to give this woman a piece of her mind when Miroku's voice caught her attention.

"Kagome! I'm going to be a dad!"

All thoughts of malice; instantly forgotten.

She grabbed his hand and gave him her biggest smile, "Congratulations! Sango must be thrilled! Where is she?"

Kagome watched as the joy instantly disappeared from his eyes which were now slightly clouded over. His smile faded to a frown as the guilt washed over him.

'Oh no.'

Miroku noticed her confusion and slightly shook his head, and then looked upon his new fiance. Kagome gasped and quickly withdrew her hand, clutching it to her chest. Miroku looked devastated as he kept his hand outstretched towards her. He stared into her eyes and realized he could no longer hold on to the last person from his old life and dropped his hand. His gaze shifted to the ground while Kagome took another step back.

"...I'm sorry."

She barely heard it for it had came in a whisper, but it was definitely there. There was no mistaking it. Her eyes filled with tears that she struggled to retain, but to no avail.

"...Come on, Miroku. We must leave." Kagome heard the blond woman who she suddenly felt compelled to hate speak and watched as one of her old best friends nodded.

Her world was quickly crashing to the ground around her. She couldn't wrap her head around any of it.

She couldn't understand why. Why this woman? Why not Sango? Endless lists of questions poured through her head but she did not speak. Miroku sat at the end of the cart as they began to walk away; the blond chattering aimlessly.

"Goodbye, Kagome."

It was whispered into the wind but had fortunately found its mark. Kagome lowered her head and shook it sadly. In response to the wind, she spoke quietly, "Goodbye, Miroku."

Kagome slowly turned her back to the lecherous monk she grew to love and began walking to find Kaede so she could figure out what was going on - completely unaware that her whispers were delivered as well.

If only she had turned around to see the lone tear roll down Miroku's cheek.

Hey Guys!

I am so, so, SO sorry I haven't updated for a while!

I got in an accident some time ago and was condemned to the hospital for a while there,

the good news is that I'm trying to get back on track with writing while re-cooperating, and that the doctors say I'm recovering fast - at least a month faster than they guessed!

So please bare with me for the next little while!

I'll update as fast as I can!

P.S. Yes I'm aware Kagome is OCC and I apologize,

I'd perfer no reminders of that fact ;P

See you soon!