Hey. Here's a kind of angsty one-shot. It's a songfic using Simple Plan's song, "Perfect." I thought these lyrics were pretty relevant to their situation, but.. You tell me what you think. -

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..e..d..i..t.. 07/07/05

Okay, well, I've gone back and changed the blocking on the lyrics so it doesn't flip every other line.. I know that was sort of annoying. Plus, I rewrote some of it and added to it a bit. Also, I plan on turning this one shot into a whole story.. Hopefully it will make it better. Thanks for reading. I'm thinking... Mir/Kag? How does that sound to ya'll?

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Simple Plan, these lyrics, or Microsoft Word. Too bad for me.

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"Why can't you ever do anything right? I know you're always screwing up, Kagome, but you BURNT my ramen! On top of everything else! I mean after everything else you've screwed up.. now this? What's your problem? You know, Kikyou would have done it right."

Kagome stared at Inuyasha, her hurt drowning her eyes with unwanted tears. She attempted to blink them away quickly, but the crystal droplets escaped in a mournful trickle down her embarrassment-induced red face.

He winced when he noticed her tears. He hadn't meant to make her cry, but she had misinterpreted where the next shard was located, accidentally made him sit, and then burnt their food, and he was hungry and frustrated. As he justified his attitude, he turned his head quickly away, refusing to fall victim to those eyes once again.

She couldn't help it. Kagome had tried to do what he had asked—really tried, but no matter how much effort she placed in everything, she could never amount to what Kikyou was to Inuyasha.

'Cause it hurts when you disapprove all along

And now I try hard to make it

She stood. It was just too much for her. After everything, it hurt too much this time

"I'm sorry, Inuyasha."

That was it.

I just want to make you proud

I'm never gonna be good enough for you

Her breaking point.

I can't pretend that

She turned.

I'm all right

She ran.

And you can't change me

She had tried. She had tried to be everything he wanted. She had turned the other cheek when he screamed at her and swore at her. It had been hard, but she had bit her tongue and excused him for it time and again.

'Cause we lost it all

Nothing lasts forever

It just wasn't enough.

She couldn't stay here anymore. It hurt too much.

I'm sorry

I can't be perfect

"I'm sorry, Inuyasha."

He stared blankly at her. She wasn't going to sit him?

"I can't be perfect for you anymore."

Now it's just too late and

We can't go back

There was no going back now.

And he wasn't coming after her.

I'm sorry

Deep inside, she knew he wouldn't. He loved Kikyou. He wanted Kikyou. It was never about her.

I can't be perfect

Kikyou was what Kagome could never be for him.

She had ignored his comments.

I try not to think

About the pain I feel inside

She pretended like he didn't mean it. Maybe he didn't.

Did you know you used to be my hero?

All the days you spent with me

The truth was, she looked up to him. He protected her and tried to be there when she cried. In the end, she had placed him on a pedestal. She had forgiven him simply because he was Inuyasha. Throughout it all, she wouldn't let herself take him off the pedestal. Until now.

She remembered how it all started.

Now seem so far away

Had he ever really been kind? Yes, he had. When she thought about it, he had been considerate of her before. But maybe it was only because he felt he had to.

Even that was gone now. He was nothing but irritable all the time. She knew it had something to do with Kikyou. Their whole group knew that's where he snuck off to at night.

And it feels like you don't care anymore

And now I try hard to make it

She had told herself that wasn't really the reason. That she was jumping to conclusions. And it had only made her strive all the harder to be better for him.

I just want to make you proud

I'm never gonna be good enough for you

Finally all thoughts and footsteps halted and she sank to her knees, her back against the well she hadn't realized she was running to.

She began to sob uncontrollably. Soft footsteps padded in front of her, but she refused to look up. She didn't want to know who it was. She didn't even care anymore.

"Kagome? Please, talk to me."

I can't stand another fight

And nothing's all right

"Go away, Inuyasha. You..You can't fix it this time, okay? Just.. Please, leave me alone."

Nothing's gonna change the things that you said

Nothing's gonna make this right again

"Kagome, please don't cry."

"Go on, Inuyasha. Kikyou's waiting for you."

Please don't turn your back

He looked uncertain. As if he thought she didn't already know whom he would choose. She refused to be naïve again. She wouldn't lie to herself anymore.

I can't believe it's hard

Just to talk to you

She wouldn't wait for him. She had spent much too long doing that. The decision had to be hers.

"Goodbye, Inuyasha. I hope you two are happy."

'Cause you don't understand

With these last words, she tossed the small vial of shards to him and leapt into the well, leaving behind a hanyou so lost and confused, and some of the best friends she had ever met.

As she left the well house that day, she resoluted to leave behind the past she had clung so desperately to, and prepared to embrace her future as it came to her, one thing at a time.

"Oh, hey, Hojou. Well, since you're here, want to go catch a bite to eat? I'm feeling much better, honest.."

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Better than before? I think so. Well please review and stay tuned for the upcoming chapters. Thanks much. -

Reiko