Still Here

A story by FanFictionNet author v-kun.

Rated PG-13 for language throughout the story, and extreme violence towards the end. There will be no sex scenes in this story, just so you know. However, I will be focusing on the romantic pairing Inuyasha/Kagome, as well as hinting to Miroku/Sango.

I do not own any characters in this story, nor intend to break any laws. The only thing I take credit for is the plot and actual writing.

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"It's all your fault, you know," spoke a beautiful, yet haunting, voice. The words seemed to bounce off the walls of Kagome's mind, they had echoed so many times. Kikyou's eyes narrowed at Kagome's face. Kagome's eyes were wide and distraught. "So, now you're upset? Better late than never, I suppose..." Kagome made an attempt to block the priestess' words by covering her ears with her hands. "Serves you right, after all. If it weren't for you," Kikyou continued loudly, making sure Kagome could hear her clearly. "Nothing bad would've happened, you know. Inuyasha would still be sealed to the sacred tree, without a care in the world. The Shikon Jewel would've never been shattered, nor even brought back into this world. Things wouldn't be in such havoc. Naraku wouldn't be in such an uproar right now. Need I go on, or do you get the gist of the misfortune you bring?" Kikyou paused coldly.
"You should have never come here. You don't belong here. Go back to your own time!"
Kagome closed her eyes, desperately trying to find comfort within herself. She had heard words of the same kind of context said to her before, but for some reason, this time it was really getting to her. She could feel Kikyou's stare burn into her body. "I'm sorry," Kagome said quietly, her voice shaking. "I'm so, so, sorry." She opened her eyes and looked at her body double with eyes of honest regret.
Kikyou said nothing.

Kagome's body jumped and her eyes opened with a start. Looking around rapidly, she saw a bright campfire and her friends sleeping around it. Sango, Miroku, Kirara, Shippou, Inuyasha - they were all there. Kagome sighed quietly and sat up in her sleeping bag, slowly realizing that what she just experienced was a dream. Even after comprehending the fact, she still felt very low. For some reason, she was convinced that what Dream Kikyou said was the absolute truth. She had never felt so sure of something else before. The fifteen-year-old schoolgirl began to wonder if her whole time here had simply been a lie - she was really a burden to the rest of them. She didn't belong here; she belonged at home, back in the present.
She listened to the crackling of the fire as she glanced up at the moon to determine the time. It was about one in the morning. She turned her head to the left, looking at the battered Inuyasha, finding more proof that Kikyou was right. Inuyasha's red robes were ripped and bloodstained, bandages from Kagome's time on his arms and chest. Inuyasha had gotten such horrible injuries from saving her from a very strong demon earlier in the day.
If she weren't there, it would've never happened.
As quietly as she could, Kagome grabbed her bow and quiver full of arrows before starting into a nearby forest. She soon came to an area where there were about five rows of trees, almost perfectly aligned. Kagome sighed quietly at the lovely sight and pulled an arrow from her quiver. Pulling the bow's string back, she aimed at the first row of trees and shot. The arrow immediately shined brightly and went through one tree after the other, leaving a single, small hole in them. She had gotten much better at archery lately, considering she had now spent almost a year shooting for her life. Kagome kept her bow in her left hand, and walked over to the first tree that was hit. Running her index finger over the small hole, her mind was overtaken by her dream's words again.
"Who's there?" A female's voice called out. Kagome jumped and turned around quickly, with fright in her eyes. There stood Sango, in her day clothes, her Hiraikotsu in fighting position. "Kagome?" Sango relaxed and lowered her weapon. "What are you doing out here so late?"
Kagome took her hand off the tree and put a friendly smile on to shield her distraught. "Just blowing off some steam, I've been feeling a little stressed because of my schoolwork back home... Sorry to wake you!" she said brightly as she walked towards Sango.
The pretty demon exterminator smiled and started walking with Kagome back to camp. "Oh, that's nothing to be worried about. Perfectly understandable! We were just worried something might've happened to you."
"We?"
When the two girls came into view, they were greeted by the loud shouting of a silver-haired hanyou.
"Where did you run off to, stupid?" Inuyasha scolded protectively. "You can't be going off by yourself at night, Kagome! Don't be such an idiot!"
Miroku sighed and shook his head at Inuyasha's unnecessary words. He shot a glance at Shippou, who did the same.
"I'm sorry," Kagome said weakly. He wasn't helping her feel any better at all. "I won't do it again, okay?"
Inuyasha scoffed and crossed his arms. "As long as you keep your word, I don't care!" His face was slightly flustered.
"Kagome was just relaxing, Inuyasha," Sango chimed in, trying to defend Kagome, who was seeming even more broken than before. "It's nothing to get upset over."
"It's alright, Sango. I just need to... clear my head. I've been over here too long, I need to go back home." Kagome lied; slightly proud on how believable she made it sound. Kikyou's voice lingered in her head, urging her to leave.
"Kagome, nooo!" Shippou protested, high voice high and whiny.
Miroku placed a hand on Shippou's shoulder and shook his head. "Now, don't be childish," he said profoundly. "Kagome does seem to be very distracted, and she would probably benefit from going back to her time." Sango tried to hold back a giggle, Miroku always sounded a little 'off' when he was actually acting like a monk.
"Feh!" Inuyasha scoffed roughly, turning his head away. "Just leave the pieces of the jewel behind, just in case. You do sound weirder than usual, so hurry up and fix yourself." His face turned a little redder. Sango noticed, but didn't say anything.
Kagome smiled at the people she had been with for so long, getting a good look at them. Her heart really didn't want to leave them, but she couldn't be selfish. She had to leave, so they could be happier. That was fact; there was no other way.
Why was she thinking like this? It was only a dream. But that didn't matter. Her dream was right.

The sun had fully risen, and the wind was blowing peacefully. It was a beautiful day, though it only made Kagome even sadder, knowing she would never see days like this again.
Kagome removed the clear glass bottle of Shikon fragments that was strung around her neck. She looked at the small, pink jewels inside of it for a while before handing the bottle to Sango. Miroku inched close to the demon exterminator, as to look at the bottle.
Kagome slung her yellow pack around over her shoulder and started toward the well. Placing a foot on the edge of it, she looked back at her friends and smiled.
"You're just going to leave without saying anything?" Inuyasha shouted, running toward her.
"I'm sorry," Kagome said nervously, feeling her body being urged into the well. "What do you want me to say?"
"When you are coming back, of course! Really, now!"
Kagome looked down the well, her heart wrenching. She was really hoping nobody asked this, because she wasn't sure if she could muster up another lie. "Just..." Part of her was screaming for her to forget the whole idea, but the sight of Dream Kikyou made up her mind. "I'll come back when I'm ready. Don't come to get me."
"What kind of shitty answer is that?!"
Noticing that Kagome distracted Sango, Miroku slipped an arm around Sango's waist. She turned her head sharply and gave Miroku a very stern look, she meant business. He laughed nervously and waved his hands in a 'Sorry!' fashion.
"Well, hurry back, Kagome! And, bring back some of those tasty foods from your time!"
Kagome smiled pitifully and nodded, not being able to look at anyone directly. She could feel her stomach turn and tears rushing to her eyes as her throat tightened. She wanted to stay so badly, but she couldn't be selfish, no. Now was the time to go. But, there were so many things she wanted to do with them, so many things she wanted to experience. So many feelings she wanted to be let known...
Inuyasha scrunched his face and turned away, his face looking flustered again. Kirara rubbed against his leg, noticing his discomfort.
Kagome placed her other foot on the edge of the well and waved as happily as she could. Her voice was obviously upset, but she did her best to hide it. "Bye, everyone! Thank you! Oh, and one more thing..." Kagome couldn't hold it back any longer. She had to do it, one last time.
Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, and Shippou looked a little puzzled by her thanks, but no one had time to react.
"SIT!" Kagome shouted, her voice breaking, jumping in the well. For a split second, she felt as is she had been pushed, but ignored it.
Inuyasha's fanged rosary shined and he was plunged down on the ground. "What was that for?!"

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Mini-Preview for the next chapter:

"Please, seal this well back up."

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So... what did y'all think? This is my second fan fiction ever, the first Inuyasha one. Any comments or criticism is encouraged and welcomed!

So, if you liked it, have no opinion, or even absolutely hated it, I'd love to hear from you! Please rate and review!

Thank you for reading the first chapter of

Still Here

Love, v-kun