Title: "Conditional"

Author: King Cobbler

Warnings: Angst, Romance, Kikyou/Kagome comparisons.

Summary: Kagome decides Inuyasha isn't ready to move on, so she pushes him towards a resistant Kikyou.

Pairing: Kagome/Inuyasha/Kikyou, Sango/Miroku, Kikyou/Sesshoumaru (eventual).

Disclaimer: I manipulate anime characters for amusement, not profit.

The only reason I'm here in the feudal era is to gather the shards of the Sacred Jewel and restore it to it's original form. It doesn't really have to be me though, Kikyou could find the shards. The real reason I'm here is...

He stared at her, sometimes, out of the corner of his eyes. It was only occasionally and most usually after a run in with a certain undead priestess, but it was still disconcerting. It wasn't as if the covert glances themselves offended her. In fact, she'd probably feel flattered if it weren't for the way in which he looked. He didn't see her, but seemed to be staring past her at some long dead phantom of who she could be, or who she once was.

He wasn't seeing Kagome, friend and companion, but a world of past regret. Her presence alone seemed to remind him of mistakes made long ago. She'd caught his gaze a few times and he'd flinched. Actually flinched. She felt guilty, even though she couldn't understand why. It's not as if she could suddenly turn into someone else, and for that matter, she shouldn't have to.

She'd wanted for the half demon to realize her sincerity–to come to appreciate her distinct Kagome-ness so much, that she'd gradually lost herself along the way. No longer was she the carefree girl of her past. She was burdened by her unlikely quest for the jewel shards and the torch she still carried for the half demon. Even more disturbing was her growing animosity towards the woman who really held Inuyasha's heart—Kikyou.

Her jealousy wasn't due to the woman's interference in their relationship, for indeed it seemed to lessen every day. Their rag-tag band rarely ran across the miko, and when they did, she usually avoided them. Inuyasha was the one who just had to go see her. If she were to be completely honest with herself, it seemed to Kagome that Kikyou had decided not to pursue the silver-headed youth any longer, for vengeance or otherwise. The grave priestess seemed to be focusing all her energy instead on destroying Naraku and finally gaining some measure of peace. An admiral goal, no doubt, and Kikyou was an admiral person, but Kagome couldn't seem to help the seeds of jealousy that sprung where she was concerned.

She also knew, without a doubt, that Inuyasha would always remember Kikyuo and her ill fated death every time he saw her. Their physical resemblance, if nothing else, would always serve to connect them. There was a time when she hadn't minded being so tied in to Inuyasha's past (she used to think it was romantic), but the closer they became, the more his nostalgic stares broke her heart.

"Kagome?" Sango questioned hesitantly, waving her hand in front of her friend's face in a bid to get her attention.

"Huh?" Kagome muttered, suddenly snapping out of her thought induced dazed. "Oh, sorry Sango . . ." The girl blushed, ducking down further into the hot spring.

The demon slayer shook her head. "It's fine, Kagome." She waved her hands in a 'no foul' gesture. "Thinking about Inuyasha?" She intoned, smiling secretively.

The younger girl groaned, laying her head down on the rock they were positioned against. "Was it that obvious?" She murmured disappointedly.

The taijiya laughed behind her hand. "Nah, lucky guess." The woman paused, suddenly becoming serious. "Are you okay, Kagome?"

The girl in question blanched, laughing nervously. "I'm fine, really!" She looked away. "Just a little cranky is all!" She waved her hands spastically in front of her.

Sango again shook her head, though this time it was more out of sympathy than humor. "Kagome, you know you can tell me anything. Bottling your feelings can't be healthy."

Kagome sighed, inwardly cursing her decision to inform the woman about therapy. "Oh no, Sango, I'm fine, I swear!" She tried again, shaking her head rapidly.

Sango leveled her most intimidating of gazes at her friend, much like the one she used to ward off a certain lecher, and Kagome crumbled. It's not as if she wanted to lie to her best friend and talking about it probably would make her feel better.

"I was just thinking about . . . " The girl began cautiously. "Kikyou and Inuyasha and their . . . history together . . ."

"Oh, Kagome," started Sango softly. "You know that Inuyasha cares about you."

"I know," The girl fiddled with the jewel shards around her neck. "but I'm not sure if that's enough."

Sango's eyebrows scrunched in mild confusion. What had changed? "Kagome, what do you—" Sango was cut off.

"He looks at me sometimes . . . as if he can't remember who I am." The girl chanced a desperate glance at her friend. "Like I'm her." She looked away again. "I'm not."

The demon slayer touched her friend's shoulder. "Kagome," she frowned in consideration. "I'm sure that Inuyasha-"

"Doesn't do it on purpose," Kagome finished for her, barely restraining the urge to roll her eyes. "But he still does it. He compares us, you know, sometimes . . . I think he forgets I'm not her. Or wishes I was . . . " The girl took an insecure peek at her friend. "I-I've always said that I would stay with him no matter what, but . . . How can I do that if I know all I do is remind him of a painful past? It doesn't seem like I'm helping anyone. I can't be Kikyou, I accepted that a long time ago, or at least I thought I did, but lately I find myself trying."

Sango was at a loss for words, amazed at her best friend's thought process. "Kagome . . ." She whispered, half in shock.

At the sound of the taijiya's voice, Kagome seemed to abruptly snap out of her melancholy. Her shoulders sagged once before relaxing completely against the stone, her eyes closing as she finally enjoyed the warmth of the spring. The raven haired beauty tardily opened her resisting eyes, a small defensive smile crossing her face.

"I'm sorry about unloading on you like this . . ." She scratched her head self consciously. "But don't worry, really, I'm fine." She nodded to herself. "No need to worry at all."

The demon slayer's eyes softened in admiration. It seemed only natural that a person as soft hearted as Kagome wouldn' t want her to worry. She decided she'd indulge the teenager's denial, for now. "I know, Kagome, but if you ever need to talk . . ."

The girl smiled. "I know who to come to." She paused briefly before a mischievous glint appeared in brown irises. "So, how've have things been going with Miroku?" She interrogated teasingly.

"Miroku?" The exterminator blushed."H-He's the same lech he's always been." Her arms crossed. "And always will be."

Kagome giggled. "Sango, you know he likes you, he's just got an interesting way of showing it."

Sango gave a sigh. "If you say so . . ."

The rest of their much appreciated bath time was spent in a similar manner. They talked and laughed about light things and avoided the topic of Inuyasha like the plague. It was enjoyable, but a cloud of potential disaster seemed to hover over the exchange, waiting its turn. It was in this manner that the females returned to their camp site; freshly washed, much relaxed, and obnoxiously content. Their good cheer proved so contagious that even their resident half demon caught the bug. The group was awed when Inuyasha made no complaints at their early stop. They sat down to a homemade meal courtesy of Kagome, and stayed up late into the night discussing Naraku's potential whereabouts.

While the others would be blessed with pleasant dreams, Kagome would be troubled by horrible nightmares that, upon waking, she could never quite remember. Snuggling into her comfy sleeping bag and giving Shippo a squeeze, she'd spend many hours trying to ignore her pounding heart, ashamed of her fear. After all, dreams weren't real, so there was no reason to be afraid of them, right?

She left for her own time the next day.

"I don't know why you put up with him." Yuka admonished, absentmindedly taking a drink from her WacDonald's shake. "I mean, you could do so much better," she informed.

Eri, sitting towards Yuka's right agreed. "You know she's right, Kagome. You may think this guy is a real catch, but he doesn't sound like he's good for you." She fixed her friend with a concerned gaze. "From what I hear he's got a crazy ex-girlfriend, who he's still hung up on, and a bad attitude. Not exactly desirable traits in a boyfriend."

Yuka held up a finger, her eyes sparkling. "On the other hand, there's the kind, sensitive, and polite Hojo-kun who'd be more than happy to worship the ground you walk on."

Eri nodded again, moving in for the kill. "Most girls would kill to have someone like Hojo in love with them!"

Kagome smiled nervously, moving her hand in a nonchalant gesture. "He's really not as bad as all that. Inuyasha's rude and a little rough around the edges, but he's a sweet guy underneath it all." She smiled winningly. "I'm sure you guys would like him."

Yuka and Eri cast unbelieving glances at one another. "Hojo is definitely the better choice!" Yuka finally replied for the both of them.

"I'm sure he seems like a nice guy, Kagome." Ayumi inserted timidly, finally picking her nose up from her most recent library acquisition.

Kagome smiled in thanks as Yuka tossed a disapproving glare her way. "Don't encourage her," she admonished. "This 'Inuyasha' guy sounds like nothing more than a violent thug."

"He's really not that violent . . ." Kagome interjected half heartedly, already knowing where the conversation was headed.

"Oh?" Questioned Yuka sarcastically. "So I guess all that stuff about him fighting with that 'Kouga' over you was just a lie?"

"Well actually-" Began Kagome, stopped mid stream by her overbearing friend.

"And what about this old girlfriend of his, hmm? I suppose they're 'just friends'?"

Now, Kagome could usually ignore her future friend's disapproval. She knew they had her best interests at heart, in the same way she knew they had no idea what was best for her, but this particular comment tweaked a sore spot. She'd been thinking about her situation a lot lately and the strain had worked on her last nerve. She didn't retort, seeing as she couldn't very well explain Kikyou's complicated history to her class mates. Instead, she stood to leave.

"I've got a lot of makeup work to do, I'd better go get started," she excused politely, slapping on a fake grin.

"Kagome . . ." Yuka groaned grudgingly. She stood beside her 'misguided' friend. "I'm sorry, okay? I just–I just don't want to see you get hurt."

The jewel shard holder nodded slowly. "I know, thanks, but I'm fine and . . . I'll be fine."

The exuberant Yuka smiled in return, enveloping the time traveler into a hug, which soon became massive as Ayumi and Eri joined in. A few seconds later they separated, seeming to realize for the first time how distant their relationship had become.

"I should be heading back, Mom's planning a big dinner," Kagome admitted, disturbing the awkward silence.

Eri and Yuka both nodded, but Ayumi was the one who replied. "I made sure to take extra notes for you, Kagome, and my house is in the same direction as the shrine . . . I thought maybe we could walk together. I could quiz you on the way?"

Kagome grinned despite herself. "Thanks, Ayumi, you're a life saver."

"Kagome," the diminutive girl scolded. "These are just warm up questions, you should be able to answer them correctly." She wagged her finger at the frustrated girl. "We went over these last year!"

"I know . . ." Kagome laughed nervously. "I guess I'm really behind, huh?"

"At this rate you'll never graduate," Kagome bowed in dismay. "If you don't have my help, that is," the girl amended. The crumpled Kagome was not impressed.

"Even I can't cover an entire school year on a walk. Do you think we could meet up at your house tomorrow? We'll do a cram marathon. Just in time for that big test, too," Ayumi thought out loud.

"Test?" Kagome squeaked.

The bookworm nodded. "Mrs. Yukimana's annual, famous for it's high failing rate. It's coming up after the weekend. You'll need to ace it to pass the semester."

"That's not good. . ." Kagome whined, head drooping. Inuyasha wasn't going to like this.

"Don't worry, Kagome," the brunette consoled. "We'll have plenty of time to prep!"

Kagome managed a small whimper of thanks.

"Well, this is my stop," Ayumi jerked a thumb backwards. "See you tomorrow!" She threw over her shoulder.

Kagome waved, already dreading a certain half-demon's reaction. Inuyasha was upset enough when she'd left for supplies, he'd undoubtedly throw a fit when he learned she'd have to stay for the better part of a week. She sighed. He just didn't understand, this was her future. As much as she wished she could hunt for the jewel shards 24/7, she needed to be able to take care of herself when, and if, she got back. Who knows what would after the shikon completed. She might be stuck in the future permanently, or she may never be able to come back home. In either case, she needed to be prepared. High school drop out didn't look good on any application. Her mom would be devastated.

"Kagome, do you need anything before you go back?" Maybe devastated was too strong a word.

"No, mom," Kagome answered. "I won't be going back for a while."

Her mom's head tilted. The knife she'd been chopping vegetables with stopped abruptly. "Oh? Did you and Inuyasha have another fight?"

The spitfire blushed. "Actually, there's this big test coming up. Ayumi is going to help me pass it."

The woman's head bobbed in understanding. "That's good, dear, though I'm not sure if Inuyasha will like it."

Kagome set her backpack down. "Don't I know it." She rolled her tense shoulders. "I have to do this though, I don't want to fail."

The knife resumed chopping. "I'm sure Inuyasha will understand if you explain it to him," she smiled. "You should go get some rest, dinner will be ready soon."

Kagome shook her head. "No thanks, I've still got a ton of homework to do." She glanced at her mother's cook pot. "Do you need any help?"

"No, you just get started on your school work. Don't stay up all night."

"Thanks Mom, you're the best!" Kagome cheered.

"I don't get it . . ."

"You're not trying hard enough, Kagome-chan. If you just read the passage a few times, you'd understand."

The girl picked up her text book and laid it over her face. "It might as well be in gibberish. No matter how many times you read gibberish it still doesn't make sense."

"C'mon, Kagome," her friend encouraged. "This is only the first chapter."

"The first chapter of advanced physics," Kagome bit out. "Why am I in advanced physics, anyway?"

"You signed up for it?" Ayumi offered meekly.

Kagome groaned again.

They'd been at this for an hour and Kagome had yet to learn anything. She was more than a little discouraged. The fact that Inuyasha would probably come barging in first thing in the morning, demanding she return, did nothing for her mind set. Being a teenage time traveler had definitely come at a price. How would she ever graduate?

"Let's start with something easy," Ayumi sighed. "Memorizing the periodic table of elements." She leaned forward conspiratorially. "I have it on good authority that it'll be the bonus question." She moved back to her original place, crossing her arms. "Plus, you never know when knowing all the elements, by name, will come in handy. Now it's very easy if you say them in order: Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium, Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Fluorine, Neon, Magnesium, Aluminum, Silicon, Phosphorous, Sulfur, Chlorine, Argon, Copper, Zinc, Gallium . . . ." The genius was reciting them in some parody of 'hot cross buns'. Kagome stared on in awe. No way she'd ever remember all that.

"C'mon, Kagome," Ayumi coached. "It only gets harder from here . . ."

The girl in question began reluctantly. "Hydrogen, Helium, Beryllium . . ."

"It's Lithium then Beryllium." Ayumi critiqued.

Kagome closed her eyes, wishing she had stayed in relative safety behind the well. "Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium . . ."

"Kagome, Kagome, wake up . . ." The gentle shaking roused the girl from slumber.

Kagome sat up, a paper still sticking to her cheek. She blinked lazily. The books were all out, spread across the table, but where was Ayumi?

"Your friend left late last night . . . you'd fallen asleep." Her mother interjected. "I'm afraid you'll have get up now, I doubt Inuyasha will be quiet for much longer."

At this, the adventurer sat straight up. "Inuyasha is here!?" She questioned in a panic, not waiting for her mother's nod. "Where?"

"He's with Souta," replied the older woman confusedly. "Is something wrong, Kagome?"

Kagome's head moved back in forth rapidly. "No, I just-just don't want to see him right now." She leaned against the table. "I have so much to do and no doubt he'll want me to come back and I can't . . ." The girl ran a hand through her hair.

"I could tell him you're not here?" Suggested her parent.

"No," Kagome decided, calming down."He'll find out eventually. I better just go now."

She stood straight, brushing the nonexistent wrinkles out of her uniform and tangles out of her hair. She absentmindedly straightened up the Kitchen, separating notes and tests into piles on the left and right, respectively. Looking around, she nodded to herself, fists clenching in determination. Inuyasha wouldn't know what hit him.

"Um . . . Where are they, anyway?" She questioned suddenly, realizing she had no idea where to find the temperamental half breed.

Her mother's lips twitched in amusement. "He's in Souta's room. They're playing a new video game."

The girl clenched her fists again, heading out of the room to a known destination. She wasn't sure exactly what Inuyasha's reaction would be . . . No, that wasn't true, she knew he'd be angry. They'd have an argument, she'd use the subjugation beads, and he'd leave in huff. It was the same old routine, so why was she so nervous? She came to Souta's door. It was decorated with various 'keep out' signs and drawings of demons, Inuyasha being chief among them. She could hear laughter inside. That, combined with various sound effects and an occasional frustrated curse confirmed what she already knew; Inuyasha was in there.

She knocked. "Souta, Inuyasha, it's me!" She called.

The door swung open immediately, and an irritated half demon marched out the opening. "About time, let's go." He moved past her.

"Inuyasha, wait!" The hero turned.

"Yeah?" He questioned.

"I'm not going."

"What do you mean you're not going?!" He asked, temper flaring.

"I mean I have a test coming up so I'm not going!" Kagome's voice raised.

"A test?" To Inuyasha, the idea seemed ludicrous. "Feh," He crossed his arms. "Who the hell cares about a test?"

Kagome's arms crossed too, imitating Inuyasha's pose. " I care about it!"

"It doesn't matter . . . you've gotta' help me fix the jewel that you broke!"

"I will, after I take my test!" Kagome challenged. Her arms uncrossed, as did his, both of them invading the other's personal space in a bid to intimidate each other.

"No, now!" Inuyasha yelled back. Their faces were now only inches apart. Lightning jumped between them.

"I'm going to take the test . . ." Kagome's voice was little more than a threatening growl. Her nose bumped against his.

"No, you're not!" Inuyasha growled back. He advanced on the girl, but misjudged the distance. Their lips bumped.

It was an awkward kiss, little more than an embarassing press, but the two were so surprised by this unexpected turn of events that they stood solid. Their eyes were wide and staring until, as one, they separated violently. They jumped to opposite sides of the hallway.

"Eww, you kissed my sister." Souta commented from the other side of his room. His faced scrunched in revulsion.

Kagome, covered in a bright blush, slammed his door closed before leaning against it. She looked to Inuyasha, who wouldn't meet her eyes. He finally turned towards her, devoid of the blush she'd expected. In fact, there was a certain sadness that hung around him. She stepped towards him, her hand raised instinctively, but his sudden movement forced her to retreat. Golden eyes met brown with an unmistakable message; 'stay back'. She wondered briefly, and sadly, if kissing her had reminded him of Kikyou. No, she decided furiously, Kikyou wouldn't have frozen like she had. Kikyou kissed Inuyasha all the time.

"Feh, do what you want . . ." Inuyasha broke the tension, disappearing almost immediately afterwards.

Kagome looked after him, a hand coming up to rest, shakily, on her lips. Had that really just happened? And had Inuyasha just taken off? She hoped it was because he was embarrassed, but he'd acted so strangely . . . What if–What if he was ashamed? Did he think he was betraying Kikyou? She shook her head in anger. There was no use in trying to figure out what Inuyasha was thinking. No, she resolved to look on the bright side: At least Inuyasha wouldn't bother her for a while. That meant she could get plenty of studying done . . . .

Oddly enough, this didn't comfort her in the least.

"Pencils down everyone, times up," Mrs. Yukimana's voice echoed throughout the room. The bell rung right after her request. "It's time to go, so turn in your tests before you leave."

The students lined up, shuffling slowly and putting all their papers in a disorganized pile on top of their teacher's desk. Kagome was last in line, right behind Ayumi. She'd taken advantage of every last second, but she was sure she'd done a good job. She had the headache to prove it. As Kagome stacked her paper on top of the pile her self appointed tutor gave her a thumbs up, which she returned with equal zeal. As her fellows slowly filtered outside the classroom, though, Kagome hung back.

"Mrs. Yukimana?" She questioned, watching the older woman look up from her grading.

"Yes, Higurashi?" The sensei questioned.

"I was wondering if you could grade my test now." She pushed a stray hair behind her ear. "I worked really hard on it–Ayumi helped me study–and I don't think I can stand the anticipation," the girl babbled nervously.

Mrs. Yukimana held up a hand. "I'll be happy to grade your paper now Kagome, seeing as you worked so very hard on it."

Kagome did her best to ignore the sarcasm. She hadn't exactly been a model student, so it was no wonder her teacher held a grudge. It was strangely gratifying to find that someone cared enough to question her constant illnesses. After all, hatred wasn't the opposite of love, indifference was. Mrs. Yukimana must've thought she had potential.

"Thank you," Kagome returned, relieved.

Mrs. Yukimana nodded. "Go take a seat while I grade your paper, Higurashi."

Kagome did as she was told, taking a seat at one of the front row desks. She watched as Mrs. Yukimana went over her test, checking it rapidly against her own answer sheet. When she was done, she motioned Kagome over.

"An A-, Kagome." She handed the paper to her student. "Just enough to pass you this semester . . . I'm impressed . . . " She congratulated.

Kagome sighed in relief, bowing several times in succession. "Thank you so much, Yukimana-sensei!!"

The woman laughed lightly. "I had nothing to do with it. Though, I do hope you'll thank Ayumi properly."

Kagome bowed again. "Of course, yes. Thanks again!" She called, heading out the door.

Mrs. Yukimana shook her head, still chuckling.

"Eri?" Kagome questioned. She hadn't expected a friend to be waiting outside for her, particularly not Eri.

Eri fell into step beside Kagome, closing her mouth for her. "Ayumi's been talking about tutoring you nonstop. I wanted to see if it payed off." She looked to the raven haired girl. "Did it?"

Kagome grinned. "Yep!" She held out her paper, showing off her A-.

Eri pouted. "I'll have to remember to ask for Ayumi's help on the next test."

"Have you ever asked him to stay?"

Kagome wasn't sure how they'd gotten on the subject, but while walking home, she and Eri had lapsed into a conversation about, who else, Inuyasha. Eri had always had strong opinions about her 'jerk boyfriend', but it now seemed that her thoughts had been greatly influenced by the presence of her 'leader', Yuka. Without her around she seemed slightly less bias.

"I couldn't do that. He has to go to her . . ." Kagome answered.

"Why?" Eri inquired.

"Well, you see Kikyo . . . . fell in with a bad crowd and sometimes she gets into trouble. If Inuyasha didn't go help her she could end up hurt," Kagome lied, attempting to come as close to the truth as she could without telling Eri everything.

"Oh," Eri's head bobbed. "That's sweet and all, but are you really telling me that he has to 'visit' her every time he does?"

Kagome thought it over. True enough, there were times that Inuyasha had 'visited' Kikyo for no other reason than to talk to her. "No, he doesn't always have to, but . . ." She paused. "They were together for years, split up unfairly, and they still love each other." She looked to her friend.

Eri rolled her eyes. "Excuses, excuses. It doesn't matter what happened in the past, he's with you know, right?"

Kagome shrugged. "Sort of?"

"Anyway," The brunette continued. "If he loves you, you should be his number one priority." She pointed a finger at her friend. "The only way to find out who he cares for most is to make him choose. The next time he wants to go off with that Kikyo, for no real reason, ask him to stay." Eri tossed her head in a considering fashion. "If he goes anyway, you have your answer."

"I guess it makes sense in an Eri kinda way, but I'm not so sure . . ."

"You should do what you think is best, Kagome. Your friends can influence you, but in the end it's a decision you have to make." Sango commented. "If you want my opinion, I don't think that a persons feelings are quite so simple . . . It's clear Inuyasha cares for you."

"I-I guess so, but a part of me still wonders. . . " The girl looked into the clear water of the indoor spring. "I'm just . . . afraid, that he'll-he'll choose her . . ."

They'd traveled hard for a few days and as a reward Inuyasha had allowed Miroku to con a powerful lord into allowing them to stay in his lavish home for the duration of an 'exorcism'. He'd gratefully accepted this offer and the group had preceded to stuff their faces and head to the lord's personal hot spring. There was a time when Kagome would have objected to this moral ambiguity, but at this point, so long as she got a nice meal and a warm bath, she didn't much care for the how or why. She and Sango had settled into the hot water, cut off from the boys by an impressively elaborate stone mural, and, as always it seemed, the subject had soon migrated to Inuyasha.

"If he does go to her, even after you ask him to stay, will so much change?" Sango asked, bending slightly to meet the girl's eyes.

"No, no. I'd still stay with him, no matter what," Kagome whispered shakily.

"But you would finally know get some manner of closure, right?" Sango lifted her chin. "You could even move on. Unrequited love . . . isn't your only option."

Kagome shook her head. " You don't understand." She looked up, preventing tears. " I saw them once . . . and I was heart broken." Her eyes closed hard. "He told me, told me, that I'd always be second best and I decided to stay anyway." She glanced at the taijiya. "I don't have the right to ask him to choose again."

Sango touched her friend's shoulder. "That was a long time ago, Kagome. Things have changed. I don't like to see you like this. If it's the only way you can get some peace, maybe you should ask."

"Inuyasha . . . please, don't go . . ." The plea was made in shallow breath and the girl's eyes were wet.

The half demon turned. "What?" He questioned, surprised.

"I'm-I'm asking you not to go," Kagome reaffirmed, causing both Miroku and Sango to redirect their attention to the couple.

"Kagome . . ." He whispered. Kagome looked up. Inuyasha rarely used her name. "I've got to."

The words were said with conviction, but they dealt a powerful blow to the shard detector's morale. "No, no you don't . . ." Kagome looked up stubbornly. "I'm asking you not to."

"And I'm telling you I have to." Inuyasha returned.

"No you don't." Kagome was shaking, her head bowed.

"Who the hell died and made you my keeper?!" Inuyasha asked, his ire driven by her own hurt expression.

"You don't have to go to her, Inuyasha!" The girl exploded. She lifted her face to reveal a tear stained cheeks. "Why? Why?" She demanded.

Inuyasha looked away. "I caught a whiff of Sesshoumaru. She might be in danger." He defended.

Kagome shook her head, biting her lip in frustration. "You know very well that's not why. I-I can't believe you. I thought that y-you would . . ." She let out a strangled moan. "You know what? Never mind . . ." She turned from him and headed into the woods surrounding the path. She didn't look back.

"Inuyasha . . ." The taijiya murmured.

"What!?" The sword wielder was obviously upset himself.

Miroku put a restraining hand on the demon slayer's shoulder. "Inuyasha, you must go after her."

Inuyasha shook his head. He might've protested further, but his words seemed lodged in his throat. He let out a serious of groans and grunts, looking down the nondescript path Kagome had taken. He let out a noncommittal 'feh' before disappearing after her.

"He sure is a stupid one," remarked Shippo. He adjusted his place on Miroku's shoulder as the monk moved forward.

"I'm afraid I'm inclined to agree . . ." The monk nodded solemnly.

Sango stayed standing in her place, looking towards the forest, until she was gently prodded by Miroku. She protested, defending her right to look after her best friend, but the lecher held firm.

"Come Sango, we must allow them some manner of privacy," the houshi explained.

"Miroku . . . if he . . ." She didn't finish, but the monk understood.

"You shall have plenty of time to kill him after they get back." He soothed.

"Kagome . . ." The boy was reluctant.

"Go away, Inuyasha!" The girl commanded. She had stopped not far from the path, leaning against a tree.

"What the hell is your problem?!" He probed incessantly. If one thing could be said about the half demon it was that he had an easily sparked temper.

"You, Inuyasha, you!" She screamed, pivoting to yell directly into his face. "Every time, it's always her! Do you care about me at all?" The male was speechless. Kagome looked away, foot tapping.

"Figures, figures." She let out a bitter laugh. "That's it Inuyasha, I can't . . ." Her face looked scrunched, revealing wrinkles that could only be gained by someone who'd been through too much too fast. "I can't do this, it-it'll kill me."

Amber eyes softened as the half demon took hold of her upper arms. "What, Kagome?"

She met his eyes, her own tear filled and worn. "Love you, I can't love you Inuyasha."