Chapter One: Kagome's Resolve.

"Are you still thinking about Kikyou's death..?" Kagome's soft voice broke the silence of the chilly night. The gang was camping out this night as they had not passed by any villages. The orange flames crackled, breaking a log in half, as it hungrily devoured the wood.

Inuyasha's expression could not be interpreted, as it was dark. Kagome thought she saw sadness flicker briefly through his eyes, which stared deadly into the fire. He seemed to be lost in thoughts, but he had heard Kagome's question.

"Mm."

"I see…" Kagome struggled to keep the despair out of her voice. Ever since Kikyou's death, Inuyasha had been withdrawn, and had refused to sleep each night. Kagome was devastated. She had cried the first few nights after Kikyou's death, when she saw Kikyou's soul float up into the sky, vanishing forever. She felt despair, but knew that Inuyasha was in even greater pain than everyone else. They all mourned for her quietly.

"Kagome… Don't ever leave my side. I don't think I can bear to lose you too. Maybe it will be better if you returned to your world. It seems safer there," Inuyasha said quietly, his expression once again unreadable. But when he looked up into Kagome's eyes, she could see his struggling soul, his despair over losing the woman he loved dearly. Kagome's breath hitched, and her own soul felt crushed. She couldn't help feeling jealous, but she had to accept it. Kikyou and Inuyasha had shared a very strong bond, which was broken by the evil Naraku who yearned for Kikyou himself.

Kagome managed a watery smile, and leaned against Inuyasha's shoulder. She gave a reassuring pat on Inuyasha's back.

"I will be fine," she whispered. She stared at the sleeping trio opposite her, all huddled together to keep warm. She tried memorizing their faces, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou, not forgetting Sango's pet, Kirara. She suddenly felt a new resolve welling inside her, and it bubbled through her body like stinging acid. She will defeat Naraku once and for all, to relieve her friends of their hate, their despair. She glanced at Inuyasha, who was now sleeping soundly. His lethargy has finally kicked in, and it helped to strengthen Kagome's resolve. She have to leave now, or else she will find her resolve crumbling with every second that passed by.

Kagome felt ready to die, to sacrifice her own puny life to save a million more lives which had been plagued by Naraku's existence. She slowly got up, afraid she would wake Inuyasha, and lumbered over to her bag. Her legs felt heavy, her heart filled with lead. Kagome felt a tear escape her eyes, which cascaded down her cheeks. They will have to get over it, she thought. She picked up her bow and quiver, which was loaded with arrows. She slung them over her shoulders and smiled. Kagome gave her friends one last glance and quietly ambled over to where Sango slept. She gave a light kiss to their foreheads, before she went over to Inuyasha. She bent down, and gave one last lingering kiss on Inuyasha's lips. She breathed in Inuyasha's scent, hoping she wouldn't forget it ever, even if she was reincarnated. Slowly, she got up and ran away from the campsite, unable to handle the grief over what she was going to do the following morning.

AN: Thanks guys, for reading. Truthfully, I started writing with no idea in mind at all. I was just watching the episodes of The Final Act, and one random sentence popped into my mind, which set me writing. Unfortunately, I don't think it turned out great. I wish to improve this short little story further, and I need your help, readers xD Leave me a kind review, it's alright to criticise, though I might feel bad xD but really! It is alright, so go ahead. Hehehe.

#UPDATE#

I will post a new chapter :D