Author's Note: This is the beginning of my next chapter. I know it's been a long time since my last update to this story. But I just haven't had the time lately. Remember this is only a rough draft. The finished chapter might start a bit different. Enjoy!




He looked down and noticed how long his shadow had become. Soon they would stop for the night. ‘We’ve covered a lot of ground today. We might be able to reach the next town by mid-day tomorrow. Once there…’ He looked up and found Mayumi. She was quietly walking by Sango’s side. Feeling his gaze on her, she turned to look at him and smiled. He returned the smile. After a second she returned her attention to the road ahead. The group continued to walk in silence until Inuyasha stopped.

“If you girls want to take a bath tonight we better stop here.” He had turned to face them.
“I could really go for a nice hot bath.” Kagome looked at Sango who nodded in agreement.
“There should be a hot spring near by. The air is warm and humid around here.”

Inuyasha sniffed the air for a moment. Soon he led them into the forest. Once they located the hot spring they set up camp a small distance away. The chores that needed to be done were quickly completed.

After a light dinner, they sat around the camp resting. Mayumi sat silently next to him. He had called her over to him intending to ask her about tomorrow. He wanted to know what she had decided to do. Would she take a new family or continue to live by herself. Those were the only options open to her. At least those were the only options she knew about. There was a third option that he had come up with. ‘How should I go about this?’ He turned to look at her.

“Mayumi?”
“Yes?” She looked up and smiled.
“Tomorrow we should arrive at the next town. Once there… I’ll keep my word and let you decide your path. Have you decided yet?” Her smile faded and she looked down at her hands.
“If it’s ok I want you to decide for me.” There was a moment of silence
“Will you accept my decision even if its something you don’t want?” He looked at his friends that were paying close attention to them.
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll decide for you.” He smiled.
“Arigato Miroku-chan.”

She bowed to him and went over to where the girls were. While the girls congratulated her for making the right decision, Miroku walked into the forest to think.

“Where did Miroku-sama go?” Kagome asked Inuyasha.