Note: This takes place after Naraku is defeated and after Kagome wished away the jewel. She did not disappear back to her error.

Chapter One

I was in the middle of the forest, looking around wondering where she went, when suddenly there was a bright pink light surrounding me. It was so bright it lit up the night sky.

It was less of a light and more like an energy, palpable, warm and strong. It surrounded me like warmth from a fire. This light was my wish coming true.

I could hear the worried shouts of my friends as they ran to me, trying to reach me to protect me. But this time I didn't need protection. I was exactly where I wanted to be.

Like a barrier, the energy was too strong to pierce, too much to traverse, and all of my friends were held back at a short distance, all except one.

I couldn't hear or see him, but I felt him, felt his arms snake around my waist, determined to protect me from this - whatever this was.

Even in this moment where I was supposed to be the strong one, where I was supposed to be doing something selfless for my friends, he was still holding me up.

I can scarcely remember how I even even up at this moment. Only moments ago, me and friends were sitting around a fire, still reeling from the defeat of Naraku just the day before. We were celebrating with the villagers who threw a feast in our honor.

I was enjoying sweets, talking with Sango as we watched while some of the villagers dance to a simple melody. I couldn't help but to steal looks at Inuyasha, as I usually do when he isn't looking.

He was too preoccupied bickering with Miroku to notice me starting at him, so I just continued, until I felt a very gentle tug on my body. Not ominous, not malevolent, more like the gentle touch of an old friend. It called me. Beckoned me to the forest.

"Kagome?" Sango had questioned when I stood up. I assured her that I was okay, and that I would be right back. She didn't look convinced, but I still slipped away non the less. The celebration continued while I followed the pull all the way to the sacred tree, to Goshinboku.

On my way into the forest, the only thing I could think about was a moment during dinner when one of the villagers offered Inuyasha some sweet yams for his courage in the final battle.

He blushed, not use to anything but malevolent attention from humans, but still whispered a surprised thank you. I smiled at that memory, at him, and how far he's come.

For a while upon my arrival at the tree, there seemed to be nothing of importance happening. I could hear crickets dancing and I could feel the breeze doing cartwheels against the night sky, but that was it, nothing unusual. Mabey I was too lost in my memory of a certain half-demon that to notice anything, that is until I turned around to head back to the village.

My jaw dropped from sheer surprise as I came face to face with Midoriko, the original protector of the jewel. I had only glimpsed her once, years ago, but I knew it was her immediately. She was present, but also not at the same time. She looked translucent.

She didn't speak any words to me, but she still was able to make herself understood. I heard her in my mind.

She thanked me for finally setting her free, for making the one correct wish that got rid of jewel forever. I told her it was a group effort, but she disagreed, stating that only I could have made such a truly selfish wish. I thought she put too much weight on my role, but I still gave a gracious thank you. Agree to disagree, I guess.

With a smile, I prepared to head back to the village until she spoke again, asking me a peculiar question.

What would make you happy, Kagome?

I didn't turn around but I did stop walking.

I should know the answer to that, but I don't. I have no idea what would make me happy.

Naraku was gone, and with his demise the healing could begin. Healing for my friends and for so many others who had been hurt by him.

That should have made me happy. So, I was happy, wasn't I? Wasn't I? An image of a face with sad amber eyes flashed in my head. Silver hair, a seemingly permanent scowl, and shoulders carrying the weight of the world.

My heart picks up at just the thought of him.

Was he happy? He had been the first pawn of Naraku and he lost his first love because of it. Maybe his only love. And Kikyo suffered too when she was only trying to help Naraku heal, he had been Onigumo back then. A selfless act cost Kikyo her life.

What would make you happy, Kagome, Midoriko repeats to me.

What would make me happy?

What?

The only thing that would truly make me happy was for my friends to be happy.

I think they are now with Naraku gone. Sango has Miroku, and they can start a new life together. Kohoku has his own life to live, and Shippou and Rin are young but have the world at their feet.

It would seem everyone is able to start over, except him. Except him and her, they don't get the chance to start over, do they? They don't get closure or a happy ending.

Two people, one whom I loved, and one whom I envied, were at the front my of mind, their pain ricocheting across my brain. Two people I desperately wanted to make happy.

I wanted to give them a chance.

I wanted.

I wanted...

I knew what I wanted.

Midorku nods, hearing what's in my head, and feeling what was in my heart. Yes, I can do that, she tells me. but, it will be great cost to me.

She tells me that in order to grant a wish of that magnitude, she needed the energy from the well.

Once my wish was granted and I jumped through, I could never come back to the feudal era again.

I felt tbe air leave my body. I can never come back here? Never see them again my friends? Never see Inuyasha? I would have to give up the person I want most to get the thing I want most.

A deep shuddering breath leaves me, and hurt creeps into my skin. I am sad, but my resolve is strong. If that is the cost then so be in. I nod my head, unwavering from my decision.

Midoriko doesn't say anything. She just gives me a small sad small, and then, she was gone. I crane my neck to look around the forest for her, but she was gone.

Nothing happened for a while, and it's funny now looking back. I remember being slightly disappointed by the absence of some big bang or some huge display of her power. I felt let down, that is, I did, until the light started, spitting out from the ground right in front of Goshinboku like a giant pink laser.

I stumbled back and fell to the ground from the sheer might of it. I was no longer disappointed.

I was...scared.

What have I done?

And now here I am, sitting in the forest with Inuyasha's arms around me, my friends surrounding me, waiting for my wish to come true.

When the light finally began to wane, I push at Inuyashas's arms, sending a message to him to loosen his hold. I needed to do this as my arms are now full. Full of something I still can't see yet.

"Kagome?" I hear him say my name in a exhale, confusion in his voice.

When the light completely subsides and we are left in the darkness, I can hear all my friends surround me. I can hear their startled gasps and as they finally see what I'm cradling.

"Kikyo?" Sango is the first one to speak her name, her voice quiet and disbelieving.

She's laying in my arms, looking at peace for the first time since I've met her. The normal hard lines and determination on her face are gone, and only serenity is left.

"Is she-? Miroku trails off, not knowing how to ask the question that everyone else is thinking.

Was this another cruel trick? Had someone else resurrected Kikyo only to use her body to haunt us. Did someone else have plans to torture her already tortured soul?

I'm silent for a while, while all my friends wait for my response. Emotions ad feelings that I can't discern filter through my head. A small genuine smile finally graces my lips and I lift my head and look at Inuyasha. He's looking at me, eyes wide and confused, not knowing what is happening.

"No" I finally speak in soft voice, "She's alive."

Thanks for reading!

- V.L.