I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA OR IT'S CHARACTERS.

Chapter One – Agree to Disagree

"Can't you just give me five minutes, please! ...I need to think..." Kagome had just returned home from the feudal era having Inuyasha follow shortly behind.

"You know I can't leave you alone, you'll attract a demon in less than two minutes!"

"When will you learn? Our times are completely different, Inuyasha. There aren't anymore demons here."

"Feh, whatever! Don't come running back down the well screaming for my help when some demon tries to attack you!"

Inuyasha, you're so stubborn.

She needed time to think over everything the last few days had brought her. As she walked up the stairs from the well house she noticed the lights off and the doors locked.

Hmm, I wonder where they could be at such a late hour.

Kagome had looked under the mat her mother normally had left the spare key under for when she returned from the feudal era. She unlocked the door and took a step in and as she did she breathed a huge sigh taking in the sight of her home. Sure she had missed it, but back beyond the well she felt as if she truly belonged there. Her time was of course safer, but she wouldn't have her life any other way.

Throwing her bag down on the kitchen table, she walked up the stairs and headed straight to the bathroom. A relaxing bath was all she needed to help collect her thoughts. She ran the bath water and started to undress. Sinking straight under the water, she pondered two days prior to her state now.

Inuyasha how could you possibly betray me again... I've stayed by your side for the last four years and all I wanted was for you to choose me over her. I may look like her reincarnation but I'm NOT her. I'm not Kikyo! But how could I ask you to do such a thing? Choose me over her. You loved her so much, long ago. On the other hand she technically is dead. You think I'd be the obvious choice. I'm so tired of competing. I will never measure up.

Kagome sat deep in thought the duration of her bath. Her family had soon arrived after her bathing ended and she greeted them all cheerfully even as her heart was breaking. She had explained that she'd had a rather difficult couple of days and really was in need of some rest. She also informed them that she'd only be staying the night due to Inuyasha's annoyance with her absence. She gathered up everything in her yellow pack and crawled into her bed with nothing but the silence to comfort her aching heart. After ten minutes passed she wiped a droplet of water away flowing freely down her cheek. She hadn't even realized she'd been crying. Was all this pain from seeing Inuyasha with Kikyo?

Flashback

"Ugh, I shouldn't have followed him, I don't even know where I am!" Kagome continued to attempt to find her way back to a familiar village where her comrades slumbered. Upon hearing a crackling noise she preceded to the place of the unknown noise. Peering out from behind a tree, there in the clearing, Inuyasha stood in Kikyo's embrace, the top of his torso bare to her touch.

This cannot be happening...Kagome's thoughts were running wild. In the midst of the scene her heart started pounding, she saw Inuyasha lie Kikyo on her back and she couldn't take anymore. She ran.

How could you? I would have never betrayed you. You told me I was the one, and you would never hurt me again. You promised yourself to me! Never again. I'm the one to walk away this time... How am I to face you when you return?

As she had found her way back to the camp she immediately packed her belongings and headed toward the well. Before she left she woke only Sango to ask her to look over Shippo and she would return in only a day. She started to make her way to the well and suddenly heard Inuyasha calling her name.

He must have heard me... I'm almost there... just a bit more!

"And where the hell do you thing your going so late at night?" Inuyasha had barely caught her.

Kagome sullenly answered, "Home. I will return mid day tomorrow. Please, I just need a little time."

"What a quick decision, I'm coming."

"NO. I just said I needed a little time, time alone, time without you, Inuyasha."

"...Kagome... What did I do?"

"How could you possibly ask me that? You know what you have done, and instead of me firing a sacred arrow your way, as kikyo did, I will leave. Like I said, only for a day"

Kagome jumped through the well with Inuyasha, of course, ignoring her and jumping directly behind.

End Flashback

Why does it still hurt? This isn't the first time... I can't put up with this anymore. This may not be the first time but this is definitely the last time I will allow myself to hurt over this. It'll be easier this way, right?

Kagome asked herself that question repetitively till it became a statement. She slowly fell asleep and as she did, she murmured those words the whole night she slept. It will be easier this way.

The next morning Kagome awoke as slowly as she had went to sleep. She lay in her bed for two hours contemplating seeing Inuyasha upon her return. She began to smell breakfast meaning that mama would feed her well before she returned. Kagome walked downstairs to the kitchen stumbling upon her mother who was running around the kitchen like a mad woman.

"Mama! What are you doing?"

"Hi, sweetie! I'm gathering the supplies you forgot to pack last night. I didn't mean to go through your things I just needed to make sure my little girl is prepared for anything."

"Mom..."

"I'm making breakfast before you leave and"

"Mom..."

"I packed your lunch for today and I'm making some extr-"

"MOM!"

"Yes, dear?"

"I'm sorry, your just... your over-doing yourself...again. You don't need to do all of this for me, I appreciate the thought but I think I'll be fine. I've learned a lot in the past, ya know? I can fish if I need to. Trust me mom, it's been four years... I'll be okay," Kagome replied as she was able to fend for herself and others quite easily now. She had gotten use to being in feudal times, whereas her mother had not. Kagome was still her little girl and she would do the best she could as she would be absent when her daughter would need her.

After breakfast was over, Kagome went upstairs to shower then change. Now that she had graduated (THANK KAMI!) She no longer constantly wore her school uniform. Scanning through her closet that was somewhat empty, from the clothes that were already packed away, she grabbed a pair of gray capri sweats and threw on a low v-neck light blue shirt. She was always a little uncomfortable in the shirt due to the fact that she was more developed but since she didn't belong to anyone why would it matter what she wore? She put on a pair on black sneakers and threw her hair in a very high ponytail, her bangs down as usual. She slung her yellow pack over her left shoulder and said her goodbyes to mama, grandpa, and young Souta. She headed down to the old well. When she arrived and shut the door behind her she stared and the well. Staring for a while, she ended up just sitting in front of it. She was there so long she even ate her lunch there. When she finally stood and realized she had procrastinated long enough, she jumped in, her yellow pack still hung on her left shoulder.

After being engulfed by a blue light she ended up back where she always did. The feudal era. She climbed to the top of the well and slung her yellow bag over. Looking back up is where she met Inuyasha's gaze. He offered her his hand for help and she reluctantly accepted it. She mentally kicked herself; she wanted no interaction except to hunt the jewel, the physical contact of their hands meeting was too far for her.

Maybe I should have stayed a little longer. I just hate leaving Shippo.

They walked in complete silence back to the camp. Sensing a demonic aura, Kagome turned to look over her shoulder and almost instantly the aura disappeared. Whoever or whatever it was did not want to be found.

"C'mon Kagome, what's keepin ya?"

"Nothing, I thought... nothing, it's nothing. Sorry."

After a few more moments they would be at the village. Inuyasha jumped in front of her.

"Why did you leave?"

"You know why I left Inuyasha, how could you even ask. I haven't said anything to anyone and I'm not going to. I'm just glad I found out before I did something stupid."

"Stupid? Like what? Kagome you know that I belon-"

"Stop it Inuyasha. Stop. I'm tired of this, I know that I'm not Kikyo and that I could never be her. But for the sake of our friends can we just act like nothing happened? Like my heart isn't broken? I was so stupid as to think that you were the right guy, to pursue more with you. But you already were taken with Kikyo. Look, all I'm asking is that you give me my space while we travel together."

"Kago- I'm so sorry, I didn't want you to find out this way..."

"Then you should've said something sooner, you jerk! Trust me cuz this sucks way worse than being denied to my face. You promised to protect me! You told me you cared for ME not her!...I'm sorry, so sorry... I just need some space."

Kagome ran to the hut to find all her friends waiting for her. She entered the hut consumed in tears.

"Kagome, whats wrong?" Sango was so worried for her friend.

"Nothing, I just...hate saying goodbye to my family."

"You never come back with tears like that."

" I told them I would not return until after Naraku had been defeated."

Sango slowly nodded her head knowing that Kagome was truly horrible at lying.

At that statement Shippo jumped into Kagome's arms. He had begun to see Kagome as his mother figure about two years ago and had been calling her so ever since. As quickly as the day came, nightfall came sooner. Inuyasha had run off, yet again and Kagome had just finished tucking Shippo in when she felt the same aura that she had felt earlier while conversing with Inuyasha. She grabbed her bow and arrows, of course her yellow pack as well and headed toward the aura. It seemed that the aura was trying to be masked...to be hidden... Something had to be wrong.

Kagome followed the aura until she had walked quite far from the camp. She stumbled upon someone that she had not expected... Sesshomaru...

What? "INU!-" At that moment she realized that she was in no harm. The Taiyoukai was completely unconscious and that would explain the attempt of hiding his aura. How could someone of his strength get taken down so easily... Kagome glanced behind her and in a split second felt that she should help, but that is of course her duty as a priestess...

But HIM of all people?... what am I suppose to do now?

End Chapter