This takes about three years after Inuyasha and Kagome first met. I don't own anything, so don't sue me. Remember to read and review!

Desperate Measures: Chapter 1- Goodbye

It was a gorgeous day to say the least. The azure sky stretched for miles and the sun gently shone on the glamourous event that day. In an instant, a 'pop' could be heard and the wings of a hundred white doves transformed the sky of blue into a white one as they gracefully flew overhead, signaling the finale of the ceremony.

"I can't believe you two are finally married, it took both of you long enough!" Kagome squealed as she hugged Sango so hard that eventually the bride gasped for air.

Both girls were definitely dressed for the occasion, Sango wore a delicate flowing white floor-length dress and her hair was bound back by freshly cut water lillies. Her friend on the other hand, wore a simple blue dress and pieces of her black hair accented Kagome's facial features.

"Well, I for one would never believe that Miroku would give up hitting on random girls. I guess it was after our near death experience with Naraku that triggered the change." Sango shrugged as she looked around at the glamorous decorations, which surrounded her. "By the way, when can I expect your marriage?" she continued and smired mischievously at the look on her friend's face.

"My marriage with whom?" Kagome asked and with the shock nearly fell down on her butt.

"With Inuyasha of course. Also, if you keep on falling down like that, Kagome, you're going to ruin the lovely dress that Kaede made for you." Her friend replied in a light manner.

"I don't think we'll get married at all, even if he sent Kikyo back to hell it doesn't mean that he likes me." She sighed swaying slightly from side to side.

However she was shocked to find a dark haired man sneaking up behind the bride.

"Sango, my dear. Will you bear my child?" Miroku asked as his hand slid below her waist and grinned.

A loud smack could be heard and everyone suddenly turned to see a monk with a confused look and a rather red hand mark growing on his face. Kagome thought that Miroku looked rather unusual today. He wasn't wearing his usual attire which consisted of his purple robe, but instead he wore a suit from Kagome's time.

"What did you do that for?" he asked rubbing his left cheek.

"Erm, I guess it's a habit. You know, someday you'll have to stop asking me that question; Miroku, since we're married having a child is inevitable." She said looking into her newly-wed husband's eyes.

"Well, actually in my time couples get married but some people never have children." Kagome stated, but quickly shut her mouth as Miroku sent a warning glare at her.

"Oh really? So that doesn't mean that I won't have to go through with child birth? That's even better for me! Plus, since your cursed wind tunnel is gone we won't have to rush a thing." Sango joyfully squealed and ran off to tell Kaede her findings.

"Thanks a lot Kagome, after a year of resisting my -cough- urges to grope her, I thought my chances of having a child were finally here. You just had to ruin it didn't you?" Miroku asked in a sad tone and stared at the ground.

"Miroku-sama, I'll go talk to Sango. I'm sure she would love to bear your child in the future, but you really shouldn't rush her. It's a miracle that she gave up her stubborn ways and decided to marry you, I think the both of you should take it slowly." Kagome said as she patted the monk on the back.

"So how far have you and Inuyasha gone?" Miroku asked with a lecherous grin plastered across his face when he changed subjects.

"Not nearly as far as yourself and Sango. Speaking of which, I need to go talk to her about something important." Kagome replied quickly as she walked back towards Kaede's hut, however as she spun around a figure blocked her way.

"Sorry about that Kagome," the figure responded rather politely, which shocked the girl out of her mind.

"Inuyasha? Are you alright? You've never had such manners since, well never." Kagome joked as she rose back onto her feet with the help of the hanyou.

"Well, of course I'm alright. I'm just happy for Sango and Miroku, I knew there was something between those two all along." He said staring at the woman in front of him. 'God, what did I do to deserve someone like this in my life. She's definitely god-sent and it's amazing how so much innocence can be contained in such a perfect form of beauty.'

        "Inuyasha, I think we need to talk about something important." His "god-sent" being said in serious voice.

"What is it Kagome?"

"Can we go somewhere private? I don't want anybody overhearing, it would probably ruin the mood." Kagome asked as she held his arm and guided him into a lush forest with many deciduous trees and no demon nor human in sight.

"I have something to say before you get start though." The hanyou stated as he walked slowly beside the miko.

"Sure, what do you have to say Inuyasha?" She asked.

"Well. over the past three years. that we've spent. together, I-I erm. sorta.I think. I'minlovewithyou" Inuyasha stuttered, quickly rushing the last part, hoping that she wouldn't hear.

'Please Inuyasha, don't make this harder than it is on me.' Kagome thought to herself and pretended not to hear his last words. "What did you say? I couldn't hear."

"I said, I'm in love with you." He restated quickly, yet slower than the time before.

"Inuyasha." Kagome whispered silently as her eyes penetrated into his golden orbs.

"It's alright, I shouldn't have said anything. Sorry about that." he said slowly as he walked towards Sango and Miroku's wedding.

"Wait, you baka! I love you too!" Kagome screamed, hoping the half-demon would hear - and to her delight, he did.

"You do? Are you just saying that so I won't feel bad?" he hesitated in disbelief.

"Of course not, I mean sure at first you were a major jerk to me. However over the years, your companionship seemed to grow and evolve into something else. I've tried to deny it, but when you almost died… I couldn't." she explained as Inuyasha pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Was this the important thing that we needed to talk about?" He asked, never wanting to let go.

'Now this is going to be even harder that I wanted it to be. I just can't do it.' She thought as a single tear fell down her face.

"No, but it's really nothing. nothing Inu-kun, just forget that I said anything." Kagome said as she closed her eyes, cherishing the fragile moment they've shared together.

Finally, he pulled away. "Are you sure, if it's nothing, then why are you crying? You know I'll always protect you." Inuyasha asked in a slightly worried tone.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes, of course."

"Well, do you promise that you won't get mad at me for this?" Kagome asked him.

        "How could I ever get mad at you?" Inuyasha asked as he looked at the girl standing in front of him, his face was full of sincerity.

"Fine then. As you know I have a family back in my own time. I think it's best if I should go back there for-- a while" Kagome paused, "my mom's having a hard time paying all the bills right now and I really need to get my marks up for university applications."

"You can't go, I'll miss you too much." Inuyasha protested, but changed his mind as he saw the look on his love's face. "If I let you go, you'll come back soon, right?"

"That's the problem Inuyasha, I don't think. I don't think that I'll ever come back." Kagome concluded, her tears now escaped freely as she was pulled into another sweet embrace.

"You mean, you'll never come back? After all of this, everything that we've done, I'll never see you again?" Inuyasha whimpered slightly, but held it in. 'I have to hold it together, I'm part Inuyoukai and I won't let these pitiful emotions get the best of me.' He thought to himself.

"My family really needs my help and if I'm always here with you, it wouldn't be fair to them. They are my blood kin. Plus, you have everything you've ever wanted all of the shards are back together and you've avenged Kikyo's death. What else could you want?" Kagome asked.

"Only you." Inuyasha replied as he pulled his fingers through her silky black hair.

Those two words would've melted her heart, however at this moment it hit her like a hammer. 'He's so kind, yet so brave and so valiant, I can't leave him. Not to mention the fact that Inuyasha is my first and only love." Kagome thought to herself, as they drifted off into a sleep, with an overhead foliage canopy covering the lovers.

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The next morning Kagome woke up to find two well-defined arms wrapped around her protectively. 'Did we really fall asleep that easily? I'm surprised he didn't run off during the night.' Kagome thought as she quietly snuck off to find Sango.

"Good morning Sango and Miroku! Did you two have a nice night?" Kagome asked cheerfully.

"We could ask you the same question, you and Inuyasha were sure in the forest for a long time." Miroku grinned.

"Hentai!!" Kagome screamed and slapped him in the head. "We would never do a thing like that." She proclaimed.

"Are you sure Kagome?" Sango asked in a rather unusual tone and winked.

"I think you're becoming another Miroku! I think his traits are rubbing onto you my friend - of course he has other "attributes" that could be rubbing in you. I mean onto you." Kagome laughed as the newly weds blushed in embarrassment.

Changing the subject, Sango asked her friend, "Kagome, Miroku told me that you were looking for me yesterday. What's wrong?"

"Hmm. I guess since your married, I'll tell you both. Well, I'm leaving and I don't think I'll ever come back.I just wanted to tell you before I left. Sango, you're the best friend that any girl could ever have, thank you so much for everything you've done for me. Miroku, although you can be quite the lecher from time to time, you are a truly noble and trustworthy friend." Kagome sadly explained fighting back the tears.

"What!?!" Both Miroku and Sango screamed in unison.

After the awkward moment between the couple, Miroku finally spoke, "Have you told Inuyasha about this?"

"I did, but I don't think he truly realizes that I am going home. I don't blame him though, there was so much to take in yesterday." Kagome revealed.

"Oh, before you go, make sure you tell him. After everything we've been through together..." this time it was the eyes of Sango, which began to tear and she couldn't continue.

"Sango, are you all right?" Kagome asked and watched as Miroku whispered something in her ear and lightly kissed her lips.

"She'll be fine." Miroku stated as he smiled at his wife.

"Answer me this, why are you going back? You could come back anytime can't you?" Sango asked.

"My family is going through financial problems, first my grandfather has lung cancer and the treatment is draining our bank account and the fact that I'm going to be attending university, or at least applying, doesn't help much either. If am I going to get into university, I'll have to work on my studies full time and if and when I get accepted, I can't waste my tuition my money by skipping classes." Kagome explained and her voice faded.

"Kagome? I'm sorry, if you feel that I'm forcing you to stay here, then you should go." Inuyasha, spoke behind her.

"No, Inuyasha, I don't feel forced at all. I just don't know what I should do. It's so perfect here. While back at home, there's so much pain; so many things that I prefer to keep away from, yet I'm obliged to help my family." She said.

"If it's important to you, Kagome. Do what's right, go home to your family and help them out. No matter what you know that I'll always care." Inuyasha suggested kindly as he hugged Kagome one last time.

Thank you, Inuyasha. Thank you so much, not just for this, but for saving my life - and my heart. I want you to have the shikon jewel, as a promise from me to you that I'll always love you. Keep it safe, just like I would." Kagome offered silently as she gently placed the small jewel into his palm.

"I'll keep it safe, no matter what." He replied and placed the jewel around his neck.

Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Lady Kaede all walked together towards the well, with one purpose - to wish Kagome a final goodbye.

"Okaa-san! I'm going to miss you so much!!" the tiny fox demon exclaimed as he tightly hugged his 'mother'.

"I'll miss you too Shippo. I don't know what I'm going to do without you! Be good for Inuyasha and the others, alright? I know you'll grow up to be a gentle, yet strong demon when you grow older."

"Kagome, I wish ye the best in the future. Stay the same, for the world's sake." Lady Kaede stated solemnly, passing some exotic herbs into her hands. "These will protect you in the future."

"Thank you Kaede, that's nice of you to say that and I'm greatful for the herbs. Thank you for helping me out when I first arrived here, even if you did think that I was a demon." Kagome laughed slightly, however the tension around her was just too much.

"I can't believe you're going!! I don't know what we'll do without you." Sango burst out crying for she was going to lose her friend, not because of death but circumstances.

"I don't know what I'll do without you either, for once I finally felt comfortable with a friend. I've never had to worry about keeping anything from you. I'm going to miss you so much!!" Kagome began crying as well. Inuyasha and Miroku uneasily at the girls who were crying their eyes out, wondering if they should comfort them or let them be. Through experience, they both knew that females could be tempermental in times of depression and therefore chose to remain quiet.

"Miroku?" Sango asked, as she looked up at the monk.

"Yes?"

Don't you have anything to tell Kagome before she leaves?"

"Oh yes, we'll miss you a lot, I'm sure you already know that. I must say, aside from Sango of course, you are the most lovely woman I have ever laid my eyes upon. Thanks for being a sight for sore eyes." Miroku stated and received glares from both Sango and Inuyasha.

"Kagome?"

"Yes Inuyasha?"

"Could we take a short walk for a second? Before you go of course." He asked, his eyes pleaded with hers.

"Sure thing." She replied as the two walked so quickly that soon they were out of sight.

"I'm not going to say goodbye to you." Inuyasha stated in a cold tone.

"What?!"Kagome asked in a rather shocked voice.

"I know for a fact that I'll see you, not soon and maybe not even in a lifetime, but I will see you once again." He replied rather lovingly.

As if enthralled with each, the two lovers met in a passionate kiss and they never wanted to let go. However as minutes passed, Inuyasha and Kagome knew that they would soon separate, thus she reluctantly broke the kiss and they walked back to the well.

"Goodbye Kagome!" everyone except Inuyasha yelled as she prepared to step through the well.

However, as Kagome hopped through the hanyou finally screamed "Aishiteru, Kagome! Always." to the surprise of the others. Inuyasha had never been fond of displays of public affection before, but they understood the emotions that he was undergoing and decided to abolish their curious thoughts.

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Kagome fell through the well and landed gracefully back into her time to see Souta in tears.

"Nee-chan! You're back!" Souta cried out hugging his older sister.

"What's wrong? Souta, why are you crying?!"

"Mom. Momm. she's dead!" He screamed, sobbing violently and held tightly onto the only person left in his family.

To be continued…

How was that? I have the next couple of chapters planned out, so if you want me to continue then review. If I don't get any reviews at all, then I won't continue.