Oh, How Easily Our Plans Go Awry

Disclaimer: All characters found in this fanfiction belong to Rumiko Takahashi.

Summary: (Warning: Minor spoilers) When Inuyasha, Koga, Sango, Miroku and Kagome all come together to plan the defeat of Naraku, their plan goes terribly awry. Kagome tells them all of her plans to stay in her own time when the Shikon no Tama is restored, devastating the hearts of Inuyasha and Koga. While both race against each other and time to win Kagome's heart and convince her to stay, Naraku attacks. Caught off guard, the allies struggle to defeat the great menace. As friends and shards fall into the grasp of the evil demon, Kagome strives to keep those she loves free. Fleeing with a mortally wounded Inuyasha, she makes her way to her own time in hopes of finding safety. Safety is found, but Inuyasha has yet to wake up, and now Kagome keeps hearing footsteps following her wherever she goes. Is Naraku's evil influence reaching into the future?

Chapter One: Oh, How Easily Our Plans Go Awry

Kagome looked over the group, worry and resignation resounding deep in her heart. Her friends – all of those strong enough to fight – stood before her, scattered in little groups. Not too far from her waited Koga, his eyes periodically glancing over at her with concern. Kagome knew that he desired to destroy Naraku anyways, but he had jumped at the offer to do something for her, even if it meant working alongside Inuyasha. Sango and Miroku stood close to each other, talking quietly, while Sango's hand absentmindedly stroked Kirara's head. By Sango's expression, they were probably talking about Kohaku, who was still under Naraku's control. Miroku's expression was pained as well. Inuyasha sat nearby, Tetsusaiga resting against his shoulder. His head and eyes were bent down in thought. He was still hurting from Kikyo's death, still unable to forgive himself for not saving her. His eyes flicked up and met hers, and Kagome looked away. It was too hard to meet his gaze, too hard to think of what would be lost when she finally returned to her own time. She sighed. This would be the only chance to tell them.

"Everyone…" Kagome began, breaking the stillness of the little glade where they waited. Six pairs of eyes turned to her, all in varying degrees of interest. "Everyone, I just wanted to tell you all that I… when this is all over, that is, I won't be coming back." Sango's mouth dropped open in a silent cry and Miroku looked stricken. Inuyasha face only darkened and his clutched his sword tighter, the pain evident through his body.

"What?!" Koga exclaimed, rushing to her side. He clasped her hands in that oh-so-familiar way, holding them to his heart. "Kagome, you can't be serious!"

"I am, Koga." Kagome glanced over at Inuyasha, who wouldn't meet her gaze. "I don't belong here. I'm from another time, another world, and I have a family and friends I never see or visit anymore. My brother is growing up without me; Grandpa's getting old and in the hospital and Mum's so tired all the time from doing everything herself. I'm needed back home, and…" Kagome glanced at Inuyasha once more. "I won't be needed here anymore, once the Shikon Jewel is restored."

"Kagome, that's not true!" Koga attempted to assure her, trying to meet her eyes.

"No, Koga, please!" Kagome choked. "I just need to be alone right now." She pulled her hands from his grip, turning away.

"Kagome…" he begged. She turned and fled. She had to get away from the clearing, away from everyone, away from the accusing eyes they laid on her.

She sat on a fallen log, her body shaking with her sobs. Why did it have to be this way? Why did she have to choose between one life and another, her family and her friends? If only grandpa wasn't sick, if only Mum wasn't so tired… if only, if only. They were just dreams, nothing more. They wouldn't help her stay.

Kagome looked up at the sky, the stars peeking out between the tops of trees and the moon partially hidden behind that same green curtain. She gave a shaking sigh, letting her tears run down her cheeks unchecked. A twig snapped behind her and she whirled around, eyes wide with fright.

"Kagome?" came an uncertain voice. Kagome spun around, sitting again as she did so. She quickly mopped her eyes, roughly pulling a sleeve across each cheek before answering.

"Y-yes, Koga?"

Koga quietly stepped near, his face worried.

"Kagome," he began, his voice husky. He paused, mouth open, then shut it, looking down. There was a moment of silence, and then he looked up at her again. "Kagome, if you leave, I will miss you."

"Koga, please," Kagome sniffed. "It's hard enough as it is. I… I don't know if I can do this if I think about it anymore."

"Then don't think about it anymore, just stay here!" Koga pressed, kneeling down in front of her. Kagome glanced up at him, her chin trembling. Suddenly she looked down and started crying. "Kagome," said Koga, flustered and unsure of what to do. "Kagome… don't cry." Kagome just shook her head and wept, unable to stop. Koga looked at her softly, brows drawn up together. Slowly he placed a hand under her chin, lifting her face to his. Tears glittered on the ends of her eyelashes, framing her pretty eyes like jewels. She was so beautiful. Slowly he bent forward, his lips brushing hers. He felt her stiffen, but he kissed her anyways. He had wanted to do this for so long, so long. Breaking away, he clutched her close to him, his head on her shoulder.

"Kagome… If you really are going, I'll wait for you."

Kagome's eyes widened in surprise, and she tried to break away.

"Koga," she croaked. "I-"

"Kagome, don't say anything," he cut in. "I just want to stay here for a moment. If you are going to leave, I… I just want to hold you here, once."

"But Koga..." she sighed, and let herself go limp again. She couldn't bring herself to break his heart just yet. Seeing something out of the corner of her eye, she glanced up. There he stood, his eyes clouded in pain, an utter look of betrayal on his face.

"Inuyasha…" she whispered, and then he fled.

Sango was cleaning her boomerang as she sat in the clearing, waiting for Kagome, Koga and Inuyasha to return.

"Do you think she'll really leave us?" Miroku suddenly asked, voicing Sango's thoughts perfectly. She put down her boomerang, looking up at the sky.

"I don't know," she said, a small tremor in her voice.

"Sango…" said Miroku, turning to look at her with concern. "Are you alright?" Sango looked down, her face full of pain.

"I… I just always had this thought that Kagome would always be here with us. Just like Kirara, or Shippo, or you," she murmured. "The thought of never seeing her again, of losing her like so many others… It hurts." Sango drew her knees up, wrapping her arms around them. Kirara gently nuzzled her arm, and she looked down and smiled fondly at the little two-tail. Her smile faded, and she gazed up at Miroku again. "I'm also worried about Inuyasha and Koga. I don't want them fighting with each other, and both of them looked devastated by Kagome's news."

"Yes, you're right," said Miroku sadly. Kirara gave a squeak and suddenly ran to the edge of the clearing, where Inuyasha suddenly appeared. His shoulders sagged, his ears hung limp, his eyes were downcast… he looked defeated, in body and soul.

"Inuyasha, what's wrong?" Sango cried, jumping up. Miroku came to stand beside her, worry on his face. Slowly he looked up at them. Sorrow swam in his eyes, amber and glistening in the moonlight.

"I'm going to fight Naraku" he said quietly. "Don't follow me." Before she could say anything, the hanyou leapt into the trees, darting away.

"We have to stop him!" Sango cried, snatching her boomerang. "He'll get himself killed!" With a burst of flames, Kirara transformed and she bounded onto her back.

"Sango, wait!" Miroku called. Sango looked back. "We don't know what's happened here. You follow Inuyasha and make sure he doesn't hurt himself, but I'll stay here and wait for Kagome and Koga." Sango nodded and rode off, hair flying. Miroku sighed and shook his head. He, too, was saddened by the thought of Kagome leaving, but surely it would take more than that to make to make Inuyasha do something so out of character as this? He had never seen the hanyou look so sad.

Suddenly Kagome burst into the clearing, hair in disarray and breathing fast.

"Where's Inuyasha?" she panted, gazing with desperate eyes at the monk.

"He ran off in that direction, but Sango went to find him so you needn't worry. Tell me, what's going on?"

"I have to go!" Kagome called, vaulting onto her bike and peddling off.

"Kagome, wait!" Miroku stood in the clearing, hand stretched out after the departing girl. Whatever had happened, it had made a real mess of things. Grabbing his staff, Miroku glanced around one last time and followed after Kagome.

Koga sat on the log where he'd found Kagome, gazing at his hands in disbelief.

"Inuyasha…" she whispered, her head lifting. Koga looked up, turning to see where her gaze led. Through the trees he could just see the disappearing ends of a firerat robe and a lank of silver hair. He tightened his grip on Kagome, but she stood and pushed his arms away.

"I have to go after Inuyasha," she said, not even looking at him. She started to run after him, but Koga caught her hand, causing her to look at him.

"Kagome, please stay."

"Koga, let me go!."

"You don't need Inuyasha. You have me!" Koga almost shouted, the hurt over her feelings for Inuyasha turning to anger inside him. "I'll protect you, I'll be there for you, I won't run off with other women… Kagome, I love you!" Kagome stopped trying to escape, looking over at him with pain-filled eyes. He stared at her in anguish, waiting for a response.

"Koga…" she whimpered, looking away "please, just let me go."

"You love me, don't you?" he half-asked, half-begged. "I've saved your life, I've saved the mutt's life, I've done everything you ask of me, what more do you want? Why don't you love me?!"

"Koga…"Kagome sobbed. "Koga, I'm sorry, but I love Inuyasha!"

Koga gazed up at the spot where he had last seen her, disappearing through the trees.

"But I love you, Kagome," he wept. "You can't… leave me." With a sense of utter loss, Koga let his head fall in his hands.