Old Feelings Die Hard
Chapter One

(this takes place before Final Act, and I realize this is an over-used theme, sorry)

Her feet slapped the ground as she ran, the soles of her feet hurt from the effort already, but her mind was else where. She ran with adrenaline, her heart beating hard in her chest. Finally slowing down, then stopping and doubling over, hands on her knees, as she tried to catch her breath. Her lungs burnt and her feet ached. She sat down on the side of the dirt road, stretching out her legs as her muscles started to ache as well. 'Why does he have to be so stupid,' she thought 'Why can't he just leave her alone?' She huffed, then her eyes dimmed as she remembered, 'He still loves her. I can't expect him to simply forget his feelings, even after all we've been through already.' She felt her eyes mist over, and a tear slowly made a damp path down her cheek. She lifted her hand to her face, and used her index finger to catch it. Bringing the tear drop close to her eye, she sighed. 'I just wish I knew what to do.' Her mind kept playing the moment over and over.

Kagome was feeling refreshed and ready to go. She had spent a week-end away from her friends, to re-coop and just relax. She wasn't supposed to be back 'til tomorrow, but she figured the sooner she got back, the less angry InuYasha would be. After packing a lunch for her friends, with plenty of ramen for InuYasha, she hopped into the Bone Eater's Well. As she clamboured out on the other side, she caught a glimpse of a soul stealer. 'Kikyo.' she thought, and started towards the Tree of Ages. As she continued towards it, the concentration of soul stealers became greater. 'She's here. I know it.' Kagome was determined now, to tell Kikyo to just leave them all alone. It wasn't her time to be here any more, she was dead! As Kagome came into view of the Tree, her step faltered and she gasped. 'InuYasha?' she thought, taking a small step forward.
Entwined beneath the limbs of the Tree were InuYasha and Kikyo. Embracing. And 'They're..they're kissing?' Kagome's eyes widened, and she felt her stomach turn. She reached out and braced herself against the nearest tree, but even as she felt the bile rise in her stomach, she couldn't bring herself to look away. She reached out her free hand tentively, "Inu..InuYasha?" his name was a tortured whisper, rising from her throat. InuYasha gasped, pulling away from Kikyo, just in time to watch the remainder of Kagome's breakfast free itself from her stomach. InuYasha started walking towards her, looking confused and worried, "You..Kagome, you weren't supposed to be back 'til tomorrow." his tone was soft but anxious, and Kagome straightened up, wiping her mouth on her sleeve. She was finding it hard to breathe, and she noticed the soul stealers had disappeared. "Stop.." she said, though it didn't sound as commanding as she wanted it to. She couldn't look directly at him, but she could see his slight blush, and a look in his eyes told her he had been enjoying himself. InuYasha stopped a few feet from her, "Are you okay?" he asked, wanting to reach out to help her. His hand started to lift, but Kagome backed away. She laughed, but it came out choked. Dropping her knapsack, she gestured to it. "I brought lunch for everyone. Ramen too. I forgot..something, back at home. I'll be back later. Get Kaede to boil your water for you. And, don't worry about me. I'm fine." Kagome flashed a fake smile. Then turned and ran.

Kagome sighed again. 'I wonder where Kikyo went.. and I wonder if he went after her... Is this what he does when I'm gone?' she wiped the tear off her finger and stood up, dusting off her skirt. 'Maybe I really should go back home. InuYasha doesn't need me. Kikyo could finish collecting the jewel shards, and they can be together.' More tears spilled down Kagome's cheeks, landing in the parched dirt beneath her. 'Maybe..he'd be better off without me.' Kagome started to slip off the necklace with the vial containing the sacred jewel shards, when she heard her name.

"Kagome!" it was Shippo, running along behind her, "Kagome, you're back!" Shippo flung himself into her arms as she turned, giving her a big smile. "I picked this for you, Kagome!" he handed her a tiny yellow flower, and she smiled. "Shippo! Thank-you, it's beautiful." she replied, and set him down. "Why don't you go put it with my knapsack back with everyone at Kaede's?"
"But.. your knapsack isn't there, Kagome."
"Nonsense, I gave it to InuYasha to bring back."
"InuYasha didn't come back! Come to think of it, I haven't seen him since this morning." Shippo looked closer at her face, "Kagome, have you been crying?"
"No, silly. Now let's go find my knapsack." Kagome said, and headed back towards the one place she didn't want to be.

When they reached the Tree, Kagome found her knapsack right where she had dropped it. "Oh, here it is. I must have left it by accident." Kagome picked it up, but it felt lighter. Opening it, she realized all the ramen was missing. 'Hm. That jerk.'
"C'mon Kagome, let's go! You always make yummy lunches!" Shippo had grabbed her sock and was starting to tug her towards Kaede's hut.
"Oh Shippo, I can't go right now. I.. I left something back in my time. Could you bring these lunches to everyone for me? I'll be back soon, I promise." Kagome handed Shippo her knapsack, and Shippo nodded.
"Right. See you soon, Kagome!" he said, and started to drag her knapsack away. She laughed a little at him, his tiny body dragging her giant knapsack, but her laughter soon died as she looked at the Tree of Ages. She walked towards the worn-off spot, where InuYasha had been dormant for so many years. Rubbing her hand over the smooth surface, she sighed. 'Oh, InuYasha. Why can't you just move on already?' She turned and surveyed the forest in front of her, then sat down on the large root she'd been standing on. "You're so stubborn!" she said aloud, clenching her fists. She looked up at the sunlight shining through the trees, and found two amber eyes watching her.
"Oh, InuYasha." she gasped, and stood up. "I-I didn't know you were still here. I thought you would've.. went after Kikyo by now."
"Feh. What purpose would that have served? You're here now, so we can get going and find the rest of the jewel shards." InuYasha hopped down from the Tree and landed infront of her, making her jump backwards a little. He steadied her with a hand on her shoulder, and his eyes met hers. He looked away, "Let's get going." he said, but Kagome didn't follow. He turned back.
"What're you waiting for?" he asked, and she narrowed her eyes at him.
"Where'd all the ramen go?" she asked, and he shrugged.
"I hid it for safe-keeping." he grumbled
Kagome smiled a little 'Of course. He always thinks with his stomach. Well, when he's not thinking with his heart..' Kagome shook her head, and sighed. "Alright, InuYasha. Let's get going." She started towards Kaede's hut, but this time InuYasha was the one not moving. She stopped, turning to face him. He was looking at the dirt, and then he looked up at her. Her heart started to thud hard in her chest again.
"What is it?" she asked softly.
"It's just.. I didn't want you to see me and Kikyo like that.. again." he replied, looking down and kicking at the dirt a little, like an embarrassed child.
"It's okay, InuYasha. Old feelings are hard to forget, I guess." Kagome replied. She knew she wasn't just speaking about his heart, but her own as well. 'But.. are my feelings for InuYasha really real? Or were they reincarnated within me as well?' she wondered.
"No Kagome, it's not okay. I.." InuYasha started to walk towards her, reaching out his hand again. 'Why is he acting so nice all of a sudden?' Kagome forced a smile.
"No really, it's fine! Now, let's go have some lunch and then we'll head off, okay?" she turned, and continued towards Kaede's, without looking back.