Author's Note: Here's the re-write to Sakura Blossoms and Vanilla. I told you I'd do it. :3

Sakura Blossoms and Vanilla
Chapter One: Prologue
Fairywings817

Time…

It was a precious thing when it came to Kagome Higurashi. A toy; something she would simply play with and bend, changing the future without fully comprehending it. She had all of the time in the world to go back and forth, experiencing things no normal human would be able to comprehend, let alone believe. Time would never end for her.

But, soon, it had begun to run out.

It had been two years since everything had happened; since she had made the worst decision of her life. Though, it seemed perfectly plausible at the time, if not indisputable. Yet, as that dreaded time had passed, her choice had slowly eaten away at her from the inside out. It had caused her more grief then relief, and she found that her sleep soon lacked. Memories faded in and out of existence and faces never fully disappeared.

Their voices would mock her at night; asking for a return which she knew would never come. And that one morning always seemed to play over and over again; a silent film set to loop its fading images for all time.

That day, the Shikon no Tama had been completed along with the destruction of the infamous hanyou Naraku. It wasn't how she had imagined it would be; shouts of joy and happiness while the sun shone bright above them, over the lack of destruction. No; it was no fairytale ending.

Everyone had made it out alive; much to her surprise after it was all over. Physically, no one came out unscathed. Emotionally, everyone had been pained. After all, that was the hanyou's game. Toy with emotions and mental stability, and win your prize.

After the battle had been won and the last shard was placed into that forbidden stone, there was no celebration. It was a moment of finality and anxiety. Everyone knew of the decisions they would soon have to face, and wondered if they were, perhaps, worse then the demons they had just defeated. Could they manage to slay the life-changing choices ahead, just as they had done so with Naraku?

Their uneven steps that had somehow managed to match each others, had led them back to the small village of Edo. And though the celebratory shouts and welcoming of the town's well known heroes had begun, none of them felt like smiling.

The slow ticking of the clock had begun, pounding loudly in their ears…

The night had soon shadowed over the lit town, embracing the warm music and firelight of each little home. Loud chattering and laughter could be heard, but it was heard on deaf ears.

Kagome had made her decision.

One little signal, a brief glance from her cobalt eyes had caused the hanyou InuYasha to follow her like a lost puppy. His ears were down, low to his head – the only sign through his hardened exterior that he was hesitant towards what she would soon tell him. He knew all too well, this would be the last night he would see her.

Her small steps had led him back to where it all began, to the sacred Goshinboku. Standing in front of its heavy roots, she offered a weak smile as a hand lifted to graze the small hole where an arrow once lay, pinning a mysterious boy to the trunk.

InuYasha…

"I can't believe it's all over…" The quiet sentence was whispered upon the soft summer's breeze, and InuYasha's golden gaze had dropped lower upon the ground. He could not find words, or the usual snide remark. It was almost as if he was cherishing every last breath and word she gave, making sure it remained, and would remain, in his memory for all time.

Her head tilted to look over her shoulder at him, and she gave a weak smile at the image he portrayed. No matter how tough he had tried to seem, she always could see through the stormy front. She would definitely come to miss her hanyou, the one who had protected her and betrayed her all the same. But, she could not hate him any more than she loved him. He had made her life wonderful for those few years.

"I want you to have this, InuYasha." Her voice continued to carry on the wind as her steps came to a stop in front of him. She reached out slowly and took his hand gently as she pressed her palm to his. Cobalt caught gold in the one moment, and she closed his hand around the small object left within it.

He did not even have to look, to know what it was. And his questioning gaze had evoked the smile on her lips to remain. "I promised you once, a long time ago." Kagome began as she did not look away from him. "It's yours now… I know you'll do the right thing." She spoke softly, before taking a step back.

"Just… do me a favor. Only one favor." She would not wait for his response, knowing full well that she had his attention. It was the last thing she would ask him to do. "Tell them I said goodbye, alright? And please… Please take care of Shippou for me." Her voice seemed to waver, but she held her shoulders back tall. She would prove to be as strong as she had wanted to be throughout the years. And yet, she had felt so terribly weak. "Tell them that… I love each of them." A pause. "And you too, InuYasha."

Those were the last words he had heard from her. His voice was caught in his throat as he watched her approach that old well, and soon disappear into its depths for the last time. "Kagome! Wait!" But, his shout was heard on deaf ears.

Kagome was gone.

Author's Note: Alright, this is a tad bit shorter then the original first chapter (I think). But, I'm making it more dramatic for your sake! I'm not quite happy with this, but oh well. I'm thinking of just changing the story around a bit. I was far too vague in the original copy, I noticed, and it wasn't emotional at all.

I would like to know if anyone (who has read the original) likes this better then that one…

Anyway, review please?

Next chapter should be out tomorrow, or later tonight.