She was such a fool for thinking that Inuyasha would choose to come along with her instead of Kikyo. Kagome stormed along the dirt trail along a large flower laden meadow. And what was even worse was that she had the hope that he would have come with her. She knew that he would choose Kikyo-he always does. She tucked back a piece of stray hair behind her ear that had wandered to her face with the slight breeze of an autumn wind. Kagome let out a huff of frustration-more so at herself than anything. "How could I have had any hope at being his first choice?" Kagome sighed "I knew he was going to go with Kikyo, so why am I so upset?"
     It had been months since Kagome had sensed any jewel shards. Probably because their most recent encounter with Naraku was almost their last. They were so close to his permanent destruction, but yet again he escaped. Naraku was more than likely hiding away, re-cooperating, and creating another diabolical plan to kill them all and complete the Shikon Jewel. It was all getting rather tiresome really. Kagome was getting bored of the same old routine: Fight Naraku, Loose in some way, Hunt shards, Watch Inuyasha run off to Kikyo, Hear Miroku grope Sango and plea for a child, Baby sit a clueless Shippo. She needed a change, a shake up...they all did really. But isn't that why they were doing this "mini vacation"? To travel while doing something other than fighting-perhaps relaxing? But it wasn't supposed to go this way. Kagome thought to herself, Inuyasha was supposed to travel with me, while Miroku and Sango went off, and Shippo stayed with Kaede... There wasn't supposed to be Kikyo in the picture ...
     Kagome let out another sigh, Oh well, maybe I can get some training done. But how? I have no instructor for neither my miko powers, marksmanship, nor hand to hand combat Kagome plopped down in the soft autumn grass. "Maybe I should just relax...or perhaps I should just go home." Kagome started to drift asleep in the open meadow, lost in her thoughts.

**********Meanwhile**********

Sesshoumaru had to make haste. The longer he took, the sicker Rin became. He had punished Jaken severely for not contacting him sooner. Though, he believed it might not have been severe enough. Sesshoumaru knew not the cures for human ailments, even Jaken's knowledge on the subject was more vast than his own. Even with Jaken's efforts though, Rin was still ill and getting worse. However, he knew one that was a bit more advanced in the art of healing-even for a miko. He must seek out his half brother's companion. As much as he despised his brother, Sesshoumaru knew that the miko he traveled with was the most capable healer, and more importantly the only one that Rin liked and trusted. Sesshoumaru came to a sudden halt in the auburn forest that he had been running through. There was no doubt that he had found Inuyasha, the stench of half-breed was overwhelming. However, he did not sense the miko he had come for.  He leaped with ease to the high branches of a golden leafed tree. He spotted Inuyasha a couple of tree leaps away, and with him the dead priestess Kikyo. This will not do he thought to himself while approaching the pair. Inuyasha and Kikyo seemed deep in conversation-so much so that Sesshoumaru went unnoticed in his closeness. Normally he would have considered eavesdropping below him, but it was intriguing to know what could possibly be so important or interesting that his presence was entirely missed and still ignored.
"Inuyasha, why do you torment Kagome so?" questioned Kikyo as she settled to the ground to prepare a fire.
"What do you mean?" replied Inuyasha in a confused voice, while still gathering more wood.
"You know as well as I do that she has deep feelings of affection for you. So why do you put her through these small tortures?"
"Yeah, I know she has feelings for me, but I still don't understand where you're getting me torturing her from"
"Are you so heartless and naive that you do not recognize when you hurt her?"
"What are you talking about?!" Inuyasha abruptly dropped the mound of dead wood he was carrying and whipped around to face Kikyo with an alarmed look upon his face. "I would never hurt Kagome."
"Yet you do so constantly." Stated Kikyo with her sudden sage like apparence. "Not all wounds are physical Inuyasha." There was a brief moment of silent thought where one could hear only the crackle of a fresh fire.
"Kikyo," Inuyasha approached the kneeling miko, "I don't know what to do."
Looking up, Kikyo sighed, "Inuyasha, I can not tell you what to do, but I can give you some insight and different perspective. How do you think Kagome feels after you constantly choose to be with me instead of her? And while we are on the topic, why do you choose to be with me?"
Inuyasha kneeled in front of Kikyo, his head still facing the ground, and voice filled with guilt, "I guess it is pretty painful now that I think about it. I didn't realize I was causing her so much pain. And I can't really explain why I always choose you..." He looked up and into the priestess' empty eyes. Putting his hand tenderly to her face and then reaching around her to gently pull her into his arms. "I still love you Kikyo" Inuyasha said with tears starting to form on the edges of his eyes.
Kikyo pulled away from his grasp, "Do you have no love for Kagome? Do you not realize what she has endured because of and for you? Inuyasha...please listen to me carefully, you must stop living in the past. Though you love me, I no longer feel that same love for you-It died with me long ago."
Inuyasha sat back, dumbfounded and with even more guilt, "I never said that I didn't have feelings for Kagome, but I also didn't expect you to no longer have feelings for me."
"I know it hurts, but it is true."
"But Kikyo...how?"
"My heart was filled with love for you when I was alive, but now I have no heart to love you with, and once we all defeat Naraku, I will cease to exist. My purpose in this world as a wandering soul will be fulfilled. You must understand that you are wasting your time and effort trying to woo me Inuyasha. Especially when you could so easily have a life with Kagome."
"I understand now, Kikyo. Thank you." Inuyasha leaned in and gave Kikyo a chaste kissed. "I must go see Kagome." He said as he arose.
"But Inuyasha, we have another visitor to address first."
Sesshoumaru gracefully stepped down the branches of the tree. "This was a waste of time" he stated highly annoyed.
"What the hell does this Bastard want?" retorted an irritable Inuyasha, who was now in an aggressive stance.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, what brings you to our camp?" asked Kikyo calmly, ignoring her companions insults.
"I am her seeking out the other miko. I require her assisstance." Sesshoumaru directed towards Kikyo, also ignoring Inuyasha's insults.
"What the hell do you want with Kagome?" sneered Inuyasha, being frustrated that he was being ignored.
"That is none of your concern. I hoped to find her here with you, however..." Sesshoumaru smirked, "I forgot that you prefer the dead miko."
"You Bastard!!" It's none of your business who I talk to or travel with!" yelled Inuyasha, not attempting to keep his temper in check.
"Hn. As if you could do anything if I did wish to concern myself with such a meaningless topic. Now, where might I find Kagome?"
"Pfft. As if I'd tell your stuck up ass"
Sesshoumaru growled, he was wasting precious time and needed to hurry, "I have no time for your games half--" Kikyo interjected, "She went North as we went East from my sister Kaede's village."
Sesshoumaru gave a curt nod towards Kikyo an was off before Inuyasha could protest and prolong him any longer.