Forever Never Forgotten, Forever Never forget

Kagome told them everything that she knew. Miroku rocked one of his girls to sleep as Sango poked the fire as the sun set, bringing with it more rain.

They sat in silence for a bit; they took it all in and tried to come to terms with the information.

"But you being here now, that book may no longer even exist," Sango spoke,

Miroku laid the child down.

Kagome looked down. "I dont even know if a future exists now,"

Miroku touched her shoulder. "Everything will be ok, Kagome,"

Kagome looked up at him. "But everything isn't ok," She looked at Sango. "Kikyo is dead, Inuyasha is missing, and we dont know anything about his child,"

She stood and turned from them. "I am going to outlive both of you,"

They came up behind her and hugged her.

"I have no future, and I'm stuck in the past," She whispered,

"You have right now Kagome and us," Sango assured her,

"Take in hour by hour, Kagome, but know you most certainly have a future, it's what you make it," Miroku added,

"Plus, Sesshomaru takes a mate and has a bunch of kids; that's, um, exciting?" Sango said, which made them all laugh.

"You guys are the best,"

"You are going to stay as long as you need to, Kagome," Sango and Miroku offered without hesitation, and while she didn't want to be a burden or third wheel in their family life, she really didn't have any other options. For now, this would be her home.

"Thanks, guy,"

Kagome watched them put all their kids to bed. "Im going to go take a short walk," The rain had once again stopped.

They smiled as she set off.

Though it had been some time since she had been back, it almost seemed like she never left. Though she tried to forget, it all came back; everything was new, yet not.

"Is your visit over already,"

Kagome jumped at the sound of Sesshomaru's voice. "Sesshomaru, you scared me,"

"You should not let your guard down, Miko,"

"What are you still doing here?"

"Are you staying with the slayer and her mate?"

Kagome looked back and then back at him. "I dont want to go back to Kaede's,"

He didn't blame her.

"But you are hesitant to stay here?"

"I was a third wheel for such a long time,"

"Then, do you wish to find my brother,"

She still didn't know if she wanted to do that either; he didn't come to see her, which meant he didn't want to.

"Know that I will not help you,"

She sighed. "He doesn't want to see me, and I think, I think its best I respect his wishes," Maybe one day she would meet his kid.

"I guess I could stay and help Sango and Miroku for a bit," Did she have much choice?

"If that is your wish, Miko,"

"I think I'm done with wishing,"

"Perhaps you should return with me then, I have no Miko on my council, and I will be visiting the one known as Kouga soon,"

"Kouga!" She said with glee,

"He mated with the red-headed wolf; it would seem he gave up on you ever returning,"

She laughed. "It's not that I didn't like Kouga,"

"You were infatuated with my brother,"

She gave him a flat look. But honestly, if Kouga was still single, she might have, just might have, given it a thought.

"Sango and Miroku are going to age so fast to me, aren't they?"

He knew instantly why they ended up on his land, and he was correct; it was become of her. She didn't want to miss a beat of their lives. He knew how that felt, he felt like that every day with Rin, but he also had to let her live her life.

"Yes and no, Miko, but if you wish to stay, I will not stop you,"

"But you dont think I should?"

"I think you should train, and educate yourself,"

She bit her lip. "So you want me to live, with you?"

"It is not a matter of want; you are immortal now, and you have been missing for six years; things have changed, though not to you,"

He thought he would like her silence, but he didn't.

He looked away. "And yet, even so," He looked back down at her. "Staying here with them will do nothing; you will not grow, you will not live, you will be stuck within a moment, trying to hold onto it; you must still live your life, Miko, figure out who you wish to be, and take a mate.

"First off, that was a lot of conversation for you,"

He wasn't amused,

"Second," She held up two fingers, "Say the guy who is, like what, 700 years old, unmarried,"

"Mated,"

"Whatever,"

"They do not have the room as it is, Miko; if you wish to stay close, then we should just do as the book states and move them within my domain; I will give them a farm. Large enough for their growing family,"

She eyed him. "Why do this for me? Why do you care all of a sudden?"

"Who said I did,"

She put her hands on her hips,

"You are a smart investment and the first of your kind,"

"Im not property,"

"I am offering you a home and a job, Miko; take it or leave it," Inside, he cursed himself for speaking so much.

He wasn't wrong; it was the first thing she thought about; their home was small, just a medium size hut with one closed-off room, a mini shrine house, and a chicken house, plus a storage building.

She groaned,

"I fail to see your hesitation. I have solved your issue."

"That doesn't mean they will agree just because you offer,"

"it would be unwise of them to decline,"

"If they agree, I will agree, but I'm still not property, mister,"

He raised an eyebrow,

"I can leave whenever I want," She could, but she wouldn't. After all, who would leave him?

"You are not my prisoner Miko,"

Kagome yawned and stretched and looked up; finally, she could see stars. "Does it ever get old?"

"What?"

"Looking up?"

He followed her line of vision,

"No," He answered truthfully.

Kagome knew right away this was the right plan, only he could guide her, and he was offering. She wasn't done questioning immortality; she still had a fear of it. Panic and anxiety filled her if she sat and thought about it too much.

She looked at him again; he was her anchor right now.

He looked back at her, she was finally calm, but he still had more information to feed her, but tonight was not the night; he had time, she had time.

"Go rest, Miko; I won't be far,"

She, content, turned and to go back but paused. "Thank you,"

He wanted to tell her not to thank him because his intentions were not completely pure. Instead, he said nothing and watched her return to her once and forever friends.