Hello my loves! I am rewriting the fanfic, because I feel it is necessary! I promise the plot won't be changing, and Ch. 5 & 6 will be left alone. The first few chapters seemed too short, and not enough detail. So, I will make it better!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha and characters. Rumiko Takahasi does. I'm just borrowing her character for my plot. Enjoy, my darlings!

Standing tall was the Tree of Ages, the tree Inuyasha had been pinned to by Kikyo over 50 years ago. As if fate would have it, a young girl was pulled down the well by a demon five years ago from today. The girl had come upon the hanyou, curious as to why he was pinned there. Five years ago, Kagome had released Inuyasha from the spell Kikyo had placed him under. At the moment, they struck an odd friendship after she had accidentally shattered the Shikon no Tama. Which was mostly one-sided in the beginning. Then, she grew to love the hanyou, even though he still pined over his lost love, Kikyo. And they searched the lands for shards, killing demons that possessed a shard. They met a kitsune, a monk, and a demon slayer during their travels, and they all banded together against the vile hanyou Naraku.

Approaching out of the trees stood a young woman. Her long, dark locks brushed against her face from the breeze. Her calm brown eyes gazed upon the tree, memories flooding her mind. She placed her hand over the tree, sighing softly. She remembered when they had finally defeated Naraku two years ago. She had permanent reminder on her face. She grimaced, placing her hand over her scar.

Flashback

Kagome had collapsed to her knees in the dirt in exhaustion, wincing over the wounds she had suffered. Naraku was finally dead, not before he caused serious injuries to the group. She gripped her side, trying to stop the blood flow. One of Naraku's tentacles had pierced her side below her ribs. She had claw marks over her lips at the right corner from a demon trying to slash her to pieces. She had bruises forming in various places, scrapped up knees, and a broken finger. She could hear Sango crying over Kohaku's lifeless body, Miroku holding her in comfort. Kiraraa and Shippo were to the side, Naraku had knocked them unconscious. Kagome didn't know where Inuyasha was. The last she had seen him, he had just released Backlash Wave with Kagome's arrow. Naraku had been eliminated. All that was left was a deep crater, a large portion of the jewel laying where he once stood.

Standing, she made her way over to the crater and slid down it towards the jewel, stumbling for a moment. She regained her balance, then knelt down and picked it up, instantly purifying it in her hands. Taking the jewel shards from her vial, she made the Shikon no Tama whole again. She clutched on to it as she tried to ignore the pain she felt. 'All those lives, lost,' she thought. 'At last, there can be peace.' She smiled softly and placed the jewel around her neck, clutching it to her chest. Turning, she climbed back out of the crater and searched the battlefield for Inuyasha.

Just a hundred feet away stood Inuyasha and Kikyo, embracing each other. 'No, this can't be,' she panicked. 'He told me he loved me, that he would stay with me! He lied! Inuyasha... how could you?!' She shook her head, tears falling from her eyes. She couldn't believe it. He made her look like a fool again! Not saying a word, she picked up her bow, then picked up Shippo and her bag. Since she could control some of her powers, she masked her's and Shippo's scent, then took off, disappearing.

She ran and ran, not stopping. She didn't return to the well, Inuyasha would look for her there first. So, she went to the one place she knew he wouldn't follow. With that in mind, she headed north.

End

The gashes from the claws had healed, but the deepest one had left a scar across her lips towards the right corner. A tear fell to the ground as she sniffled softly. Her head lowered, bangs covering her eyes. Why had she come back? She should have stayed away, away from Inuyasha. She had no place here in his life, she never did. Determination hardening her chocolate brown eyes, she turned away and began to walk towards Kaede's village. She was here on business, nothing more. She hadn't come back to see if Inuyasha had mated with Kikyo. She hadn't come back for Inuyasha at all. She would do what she had to, then leave as if he meant nothing to her. Deep down, her heart knew she was lying to herself.

Inuyasha growled softly as he sat across from Miroku, Sango, Kaede, and Kilala in the hut. Ever since Kagome had disappeared with Shippo, his moods had been foul and everyone was afraid to anger him. He was hard and cold, almost like Sesshomaru. He no longer laughed or even smiled. He always yelled and cursed, even at the younger villagers.

He stared into the fire, his ears dropping and his gaze fierce. It had been two long years. The only reason he stuck around was because he hoped Kagome would come back. And he stayed for his friends. His eyes softened at the thought of his friends. They had stood by his side, even though he didn't deserve them.

Memories began to flood his mind as he thought about the last time he saw Kagome. His hands clenched into first, causing his claws to pierce his skin. He let out a soft growl, remembering...

Flashback

Inuyasha sheathed Tetsaiga and panted heavily, blood soaking his clothing. They did it. Naraku was dead, and the jewel would be complete. Now, he could finally mate Kagome and they would be happy. He turned, smelling Kagome's blood, and saw her purifying the jewel. A small smile appeared on his lips, but was quickly replaced by a frown as the scent of clay and soil reached his nose. He whirled around and saw Kikyo. There she stood, beckoning him to her. He knew Kagome might see them, but Inuyasha knew he had to say goodbye to Kikyo. He owed her that much.

Approaching her, Inuyasha embraced her in a friendly hug. Her arms slowly wrapped around his neck, burying her face against his haori. This would be the last time he would see her. He wasn't sad, he was happy for her. She needed peace. Inuyasha held her tighter and whimpered softly, "Kikyo... I-"

Kikyo dug her nails into his shoulders, whispering softly, "This is goodbye Inuyasha. I know you meant to say goodbye. Kagome, she is good for you, I realize that now. And I won't interfere any longer." She tilted her head up to meet his eyes and smiled sadly as she spoke once more, "There's no need for me to remain here. Naraku is gone, and the jewel is whole and pure."

He nodded and placed his forehead against hers, sighing softly, "I loved you Kikyo, but Kagome... I love her so much. I can't live without her. I want her as my mate, Kikyo..."

She smiled and lied her head back on his shoulder "Be happy."She looked back up at him and her eyes grew sad "Please. Tell Kagome that I'm sorry...for everything."

He kissed her cheek softly and murmured, "I will." He then stepped back from her, letting her go. Smiling at him for the last time, Kikyo began to glow, almost as if she was in flames. She closed her eyes, bowing her head as she began to turn into ash. Her ashes floated across the ground, then up and around Inuyasha, brushing against his cheek softly. A breeze picked up and carried her away towards the sky. Inuyasha watched and whispered, "Goodbye Kikyo."

Inuyasha smiled and turned, wanting to see Kagome. He couldn't wait to hold her, kiss her, tell her how much he loved her. His golden eyes widened as he cried out, "Kagome!" She was gone! Her bag, her bow, even Shippo! What happened, where did she go? She must have misunderstood what happened with Kikyo. He ran off in search of her, trying to find her scent. He whimpered, unable to find her scent, not even Shippo's. He came into a clearing and fell to his knees, digging his claws into the dirt. "No," he whimpered. "Kagome..." He raised his head and cried out, his heart breaking, "Kagome!" He howled his grief and didn't remember much after that...

End

Jerking to a stand, Inuyasha stormed out of the hut, leaving the others staring after him. He needed to go for a run, it always helped his pain.

Sango sighed softly and shook her head "Poor Inuyasha. Ever since Kagome left, all he does is go around yelling or slashing at trees."

Miroku nodded and stared into the fire "Kagome's disappearance has taken its toll on everyone. Sometimes I think Inuyasha misses Shippo too..." He shook his head as a sigh escaped his lips.

Sango lied her head on Miroku's shoulder and closed her eyes "Will she ever come back, Miroku?"

Miroku wrapped his arm around her shoulders and lightly rubbed her upper arm soothingly "I don't know Sango... Let us pray that she does..."

Little did they know, the miko was making her way down the hill to Kaede's village. They need not pray any longer for her to return, but for her to let go of the past and for Inuyasha to show her his love.

Alright! Done with this chapter. It's not too much longer than it was, but I'm kinda brain dead. I'm not sure when I'll have the other chapters edited, but it will be soon! Thank you for reading, my loves!