A/N Hey everyone I found this story the other day and couldn't believe how bad it sounded lol. So I'm going to go back and to some major editing to it. I'm going to try and fix a lot of things. I will begetting rid of some things and adding others in to take there place to make things clearer. Also I will be using a new account because I can no longer access my old one. So please R&R even if you don't like it tell me why just don't be an ass about it. No everyone is perfect and this site is about free expression.
Chapter One: A Broken Spirit
Kagome couldn't believe this was happening how could he just go off and abandon them again. This was the fifth night in a row that InuYasha had run off after he thought that everyone was asleep. His stupid reckless behavior was going to get them all killed! There was only so much that Sango and Miroku could do and she was useless against demons right now. Kagome's priestess powers hadn't been working right all week and she felt as though she was getting weaker and weaker. That was the reason they were heading back to Edo to see if they could find any reason as to why this was happing. Kagome was so frustrated she couldn't thing clearly. Glancing over at Sango and Muroku she could see that they were fast asleep under the watchful eye of Kirara and her sour expression softened just a bit. She was happy to see her two best friends finally cuddling together especially as the nights were getting colder.
'I wish I could have someone to keep me warm at night like that. But I will never have that. Who in there right mind would want me?' Kagome thought as envy and sadness shot through her heart. 'I cant think like that.' Kagome scolded herself for such sad thoughts. Sitting up from her sleeping bag she shook her head. "I need to get away for a little while." Kagome whispered to herself as she began to pack her bag. She would go home tonight, they were only a days walk from Edo and if she didn't stop Kagome knew that she could reach the well by mid afternoon.
She felt so guilty for leaving so suddenly, but she deeded time to sort our her feelings. Five nights ago she had fallowed InuYasha as he had asked her to. It was then that he told her that his heart would always belong to Kikyo it was a moment that had shattered Kagome's world. From that moment on Kagome was pulled between two emotions anger and depression. Kagome spent most of her time trying to had it from her friends, she didn't want to worry them.
'Maybe that's why my powers wont work.' Kagome thought as she bit on her bottom lip. 'I have been bottling up all this pain and heart ache for so long. Maybe its beginning to show in my powers.' Kagome just shook her head, her powers really didn't matter in the end any way its not like she could really use them to begin with. Even if she could change InuYashas mind somehow she doubted that they would magically return as fast as they had left. No that Kagome would try and change his mind, InuYasha had made his choice. In the end Kagome had somehow known that he would choose her and she had been preparing her self for it for a long time. However it still didn't help the pain like she thought it would. She had thought that if she was ready for it that the pain would never come. That she could look at him every day and life would still go on as normal. Boy had she been wrong.
'They would have married if it hadn't been for Naraku.' Kagome reminded herself. 'So I cant really blame him for wanting this chance for the life he never had.' Kagome could feel the tears beginning to form in the corners of her eyes. 'Not now Kagome. Why do you always have to be such a cry baby?' She scolded herself for being so weak over her emotions. 'This is why he chose her over me. I'm just to weak.' Kagome just couldn't hold it back any more. Forgetting the rest of her supplies she grabbed her yellow backpack and began to walk away from camp. Stopping breafly to leave a note for Sango explaining that she would be back in a months time. Leaving he note where she knew Sango would find if she set off on her way home .
To tell the truth Kagome didn't even know if she would come back. The reality of it was that she didn't belong here, this wasn't her time. She was so confused right now and her heart felt as though it had been shattered into many small shards just like the jewel had been. The only difference was no one was looking for the shards of her heart. No one cared enough to help her pick up the peaces on her own either. She knew Sango and Miroku cared but they had there own worries and InuYasha needed them to stay with him, they were of more help to him then she was.
As long as she remained in this time she could never heal her heart, not the way it needed to be. It was in that moment that Kagome decided that she would never come back to the Fudel Era, it had caused her nothing but pain in the five years she had been here and they were still no closer to an end. She wasn't needed hear and Kikyo could find the shards and unlike Kagome, Kikyo could fight. Kagome decided it would be best for everyone if she was gone for good. It would finally give InuYasha the opportunity he had been looking for to be with Kikyo guilt free, Sango and Miroku wouldn't have to protect her any more and would be hurt far less in battle. And she would have the time her heart needed to heal. She knew that it would probably never heal completely but that was okay. It was something that she could learn to live with a bleeding heart.
It was finally time to close this chapter in her life. Yes life in her time would be boring compared to the time she had spent hear in the Era but it was time to start her own life, time for Kagome to go to college and just maybe, just maybe she would be able to find some small ray of happiness in her now dark world. A sad smile graced her lips as more tears fell and she began to feel her body tremble. Kagome knew she was on the edge of breaking down and when that happened she would not be moving for a while.
'No I have to make it to the well and then I can cry all I want when I'm back in my time.' Kagome reminded herself to be strong as she continued down the dark path. Thankfully the moon was full illuminating the path for her to see. She still had a long journey ahead of her hardening her resolve Kagome continued to journey down the dirt path still caught up within her thoughts.
Kagome however was jolted out of those thoughts by an a rush of air followed by a burning pain in her upper right arm. Looking up she noticed what looked to be an arrow wedged in the tree directly in front of her. Fear spread through her as she scanned the area for her attacker. Nothing she could see nothing even with the light the moon provided it still wants enough to see past the tree line into the dark forest.
'Shit!' was all she could think as she reached for the weapon that wasn't there. 'I must have left it back at camp!' Panic began to over take her as she tried once again to look for anything that may help her anything she could use to defend herself. 'What am I going to do? I'm still miles away from Edo and the well!' Kagome's mind was racing.
"Who's There?" Kagome called out with a trembling voice. There was no response just the howling of the wind and rustling of the tree branches. Then the sound of another arrow from a different direction this time it grazed her upper left leg. Oh the pain was horrific, she had never felt anything like this as it began to burn even worse then her arm. It felt as though the skin around where the arrows had cut her was beginning to melt away.
"Who's there!" Kagome called again with more force this time. Still no answer was given and again another arrow was fired this time grazing her side. Kagome cried out again as she fell to her knees this time. "If your going to kill me you could at least face me! Or are you that much of a cowered!" This time Kagome could hear the bushes behind her moving as she struggled to her feet. She She was beginning to feel light headed but she knew the wounds were to shallow for her to have lost that much blood this soon.
'The arrows must be coated with something. Some poison to ensure her death even if she did get away.' Kagome thought as she applied pressure to the newest of her wounds. Kagome heard the bushes move again and she snapped her to come face to face with none other than "Kikyo!" She gasped.
"Why do you look so surprised Kagome? You wanted to face me and hear I am, we both know I am no coward." The wicked smile placed on Kikyo's lips made Kagome shiver. "Surely deep in your heard you knew it would one day come to this." Kikyo's voice danced like ice across her skin. Sending shivers up the back of Kagome's spine. For the first time in a long time true fear began to take root in the pit of Kagome's stomach.
"What do you want Kikyo? Why are you attacking me like this?" Kagome wanted answers if nothing else. Kikyo could give her those before she killed her. 'I see no way out of this one!' Kagome thought.
"Our soul can not stay separated much longer. I know you have begun to feel the affects of it the past week." Kikyo paused as she stepped closer to Kagome out into the moon light. Kagome could see that the glow around Kikyo was starting to dim and even as her soul collectors danced around her Kagome could see they too were beginning to fade away.
"I don't know what your talking about I have felt fine! My powers have never been stronger." Kagome shot at her. It was a flat out like Kagome had been feeling worse and worse slowly as time went on. However she was not about to let Kikyo know that. If she was going to die here she would go down with some dignity. "Even if that was the case why don't you just give me the rest of my soul back. Its only because of me you get the chance to walk around like you are now."
"Do not lie to me you stupid girl. I know your powers are week mine are as well. It is the strain of our soul being torn apart for to long." She bitterly spoke out. "If it is not fixed soon we will both parish from the world. Unable to be reincarnated ever again."Kikyo took another step closer and this time Kagome took a step back.
"No! There has to be another way!"Kagome cried out as she backed herself up against a tree for support. "There has to be a way that both of us can keep our lives. Then once that's fixed I will leave and you will never see me again. I wont let you kill me Kikyo." Kagome didn't want to die she had a life to live. Maybe not much of one but it was still her life. Even though Kikyo had hers ripped away from her tragically this was still Kagome's life. It was her turn to live.
"You would simply just leave this world? You would leave InuYasha behind? I find that hard to believe. After all you have followed him for this long. Why would you give that up now?" Kikyo questioned her as she moved even closer. Kagome wanted to run to try and escape with her life but she stood her ground. "You have never been so willing to give him up in the past. Thwarting all my attempts to have him by my side. Clinging to him like a toddler dose to its mother. So why this change of heart." Kikyo was taunting her with the questions Kagome could hear it in her voice. Kikyo knew the answer already. Kagome would give anything to cave the clay bitches face in right now.
"Things have changed Kikyo. He had made his choice and its you, that has been made clear to me this past week." Kagome paused for a moment as a wave of pain shot through her side. 'Dame what did she lace these arrows with.' Kagome thought as she ground her teeth together to keep from crying out in pain.
"Are you in pain Kagome? I can see it on your face plain as day. It's only going to get worse. The poison I used on the arrows wont kill you but it makes ever move you make more painful than the last." Kagome ignored Kikyo's words as she struggled to hide her pain.
"Abandoning us to go see you. Leaving the others in danger is not worth being able to come to this world." Kagome continued with her words letting Kikyo's fall on deaf ears. She was not about to allow Kikyo the satisfaction of knowing that she was getting to her. "That is why I'm more then willing to step aside and let you take my place in the group. I had planed on leaving tonight and never coming back." Kagome hung her head in shame. She was running away and she had to admit it to Kikyo of all people but if its what it took to save her life then its what she would do.
"Hahahaha." Kagome's eyes widened in shock. Kikyo was laughing at her. Kagome was willing to give her everything she wanted and she was throwing it in her face.
"What is so funny?" Kagome asked fire flaring in her eyes. She was ready to kill Kikyo if she could get close to her.
"You really think you will be ale to stay away?" Kikyo laughed out. "Even if you were able to find a way for both of us to stay alive, you would eventually come back. Your pull to this world is to strong." Kikyo's eyes grew colder as she spoke. "After a while you would return may be out of curiosity as to how your friends are doing. You would be compelled to return even if its just for a moment and in that moment InuYasha will begin to doubt everything. He would never truly be mine as long as you are alive." She paused as she looked over Kagome her eyes clearly filled with hate. "Pathetic, its hard to believe that you are the only one who has the power to break the spell I weave over him." Kikyo notched another arrow ready to let it fly. This one was pointed right at Kagome's heart. 'Looks like Kikyo is done playing games.' The thought rushed through Kagome's head before panic set in.
"Kikyo you cant do this!" Kagome franticly spat out.
"Oh and why can I not do this Kagome?" Kagome knew that she was enjoying watching her beg and plead with her. Kikyo savored the pain of others especially Kagome's pain.
"InuYasha will hate you if you kill me. He may have chosen you but he is still my friend and I know he would never forgive you." Kagome knew it was a long shot but it was all she had. There was a chance that Kikyo didn't even care for InuYasha any more. Kikyo was know for causing pain to others. She was grasping at straws but she had to try. Kagome watched as she lowered the arrow for a moment.
"Hahahaha." Once again Kikyo went into a fit of laughter.
"And what joke am I missing out on this time!" Kagome shot at her dragging her out of her laughing fit.
"Foolish girl. I was going to save you a little pain but you brought this upon yourself." Kikyo paused to make sure she had Kagome's full attention. The look on the girls face was going to be priceless, "There is a second reason I need to kill you my dear. A second reason that you begging for your life would have never worked even if we had all the time in the world left to live."
"And what is that reason." Kagome bit out. She was at the tree line now and it might just be possible for her to make a run for it if she timed it out right. No matter what Kikyo said to her Kagome would not go down without a fight.
"Its simple really. If I kill you and take back our soul I can be flesh and blood again. A real woman. Can you imagine InuYasha joy when I told him that I would be able to give him a child but only after he becomes human of course." Kikyo saw the reality of the situation begin to fully dawn on the girl. Oh she was loving this, tge emotional and physical pain the girl was in right now was a beautiful thing. "When I told him what had to be dose he didn't even hesitate. I had to stop him from rushing right into killing you so that he could keep his friends."
"No I don't believe you. I will not let you fill my head with lies about InuYasha. InuYasha is many things but he could never stand behind this. He would never be so cold. It has to be a lie." With her final out burst Kagome darted into the woods. Her arms and legs were being torn at by the branches and each small cut more painful then the last. Kagome knew that she was giving Kikyo a trail to follow but she didn't care. Then as if a ray of hope Kagome saw a flash of read and silver and for a moment her heart raced with joy. 'I'm going to make it home after all.' It was InuYasha hear to save her he had come in just enough time like he always had to save her. "InuYasha." She spoke ready to through herself in his arms and the safety that he always offered to her.
What happened after she moved closer was something that her mind still couldn't process. Something that she still couldn't believe that he would do. There was nothing but pain and for a moment Kagome thought she would pass out for a moment as his claws pierced her stomach. "Why InuYasha?" She asked as he hosted her up into the air throwing her the rest of the way through the trees. Kagome couldn't stop the scream of anguish as she slammed hard against the trunk of a tree. Kagome could hear the sound of rushing water behind her and she knew she must be close to a river.
"You ask why? Kami your dumber than I thought." Kagome didn't have the will to stand at this point all she could do was lay there. She couldn't believe the emotional pain that was weighing her down as his harsh words hurt more than any arrow Kikyo could ever shoot her with. "It really is simple you worthless wench. You are better off to all of us dead." InuYasha spat at her as he placed his foot on her side and pain so much pain as he pushed down grinding his foot. "You are so week so worthless. None of us ever wanted you around but we had to keep you alive. We were all forced to endure your constant need to be saved when we just wished you would die already. I mean come on you couldn't even find jewel shards correctly."
"I promise I wont come back! Kikyo can have my spot! Just pleas InuYasha don't kill me!" Kagome was begging at this point . She was already broken on the inside and she didn't care how week he thought that she was this time. Her world was already shattered. It was shattered the moment InuYasha dug his claws into her belly.
"Look at you your so pathetic. I cant stand yo look at your ugly face." InuYasha kicked her and Kagome knew that he had broken several of her ribs. She could feel them cracking and she could feel what little power she had left trying to keep her alive. "When I just think of the past five years if makes me so sick! It should have been Kikyo not you! If it had we would have ended all this by now. All the times Naraku got away, it was all your fault because you were just to week to stand on your own.. If it wasn't for the fact that you could see shards better than Kikyo I would have let you die sooner." Another kick to her stomach sen Kagome even farther back and the noise of the river became even louder. "I mean look at you why would anyone want your sorry ass I will never know. I'm sure even Sango and Miroku will be happy know you are gone for good." InuYasha knelt down and grabbed her hair forcing her to her feet. He slapped her leaving four claw marks across her cheek. "The only one who might miss you would be Shippo but that's only because hes to young to realize how week you are." Blood miked with tears as the ran down her face and she barely saw the punch coming as he broke her nose she was sure of it. Kagome felt herself fading in and out of conciseness as the pain started to overtake her.
"InuYasha you found her good, I almost got worried for a moment that I had lost her." Kikyo burst through the trees. At hearing her voice InuYasha tossed Kagome closer to the edge of the cliff they had been near. Kagome knew she was going to die her wounds were to great at this point and she would never make it to the well in time. "Even with the poison I used to slow her down she still managed to louse me. If you weren't there she would have gotten away." Kikyo smirked at InuYasha as she stepped closer to Kagome. "Any last words?" Kikyo asked her.
"Fuck you both! There is a special spot in hell for both of you." Kagome smirked as she used the last bit of her strength to throw herself off the cliff into the raging river below. 'This is a pain I will carry with me even into the after life and my next life time.' That was Kagome's last thought as the cold water rushed over her forcing her into darkness.