Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters in it.
Summary: A love story. Inuyasha will not forget Kikyo, nor will he ever give up on her. And yet, he won't let Kagome go either. He must decide for any of them to have peace, and Kagome has been wonderfully patient with him, but she's starting to lose hope. What will Inuyasha do to win her back? Inuyasha/Kagome pairing, and later, Sango/Miroku. Will contain lemons. If you don't like it, go read a fluffy 'G' rated fic. This takes place after 167, when the only shard left is the one in Kohaku's back.
Author's note: I'm sorry if Inu and Kagome seem a bit Emo or out of character this chapter. They won't be for much longer. The reason I started this was because it's very similar to a love triangle in my life right now, so it will be following a pattern. PLEASE Read and REVIEW!!! Good reviews are what motivate me to update. The first chapter is just laying out the foundation for the story, it might be a little short.
"How are your feet, Kagome?" Sango asked, kneeling in front of Kagome and helping her remove the bandages which covered her ankles and feet, still burnt from the acid in the stone demon's stomach.
"I think they're a lot better. I should be able to walk on them now." Kagome said, standing gingerly. Sango tossed the bandages into the fire, nodding.
Miroku sat on the other side of the fire, staff in one hand while his other arm was draped across his knees. "It's strange that they took so long to heal." He mused, frowning slightly.
Kagome shrugged. "It isn't as though I have a lot of control over that, Miroku." She said waspishly.
Miroku's eyes widened at the venom in her voice. She had been slightly bitter all day, ever since Inuyasha had declared he wanted to be alone and had walked off into the forest. It was nearly night, and he still hadn't returned.
"It must have been something in the acid, keeping the wounds fresh." Sango said forcefully, looking over at Miroku with a warning tone in her voice. He seemed to catch on, and fell silent. Sango returned to her place by the fire as Kagome pulled on her socks and shoes in awkward silence. Kirara and Shippo returned, each carrying firewood. Or rather, several sticks which they tossed into the fire.
"He's still not back?" Shippo chirped, sitting down next to the warm yellow flames.
"No." Kagome said quietly. "I think I'm going for a walk, too." She said suddenly, walking from the clearing.
Miroku and Sango glared at Shippo. "What'd I say?" He asked.
Kagome walked until her feet started throbbing in pain, then she sank down onto a rock, tucking a strand of her black hair behind one ear. She sighed to herself, wrapping her arms around her knees. She couldn't blame Inuyasha, really. How long had she really known him, anyway? A year, maybe two? Where as he had known Kikyo for far longer. "But still..." Kagome said quietly, resting her chin on her arms. "It's not as though Kikyo hasn't made her feelings clear. She doesn't want him anymore. And yet, he still loves her."
Kagome stood after a few more minutes, walking until she reached a stream, the clear water running through the swiftly growing moonlight. She let her legs collapse underneath her, landing on the soft grass. "It's actually really poetic..." Kagome thought to herself, closing her eyes and leaning back against a tree. "What they have is so special." Kagome plucked a stick from the dirt, tracing it through the water. "To have so much history with someone...And to love someone in every way, knowing that nothing will make you give up. No force could stop Inuyasha. If someday, Kikyo turned around and wanted him again, he'd go right back to her. And I couldn't stop him."
Kagome frowned suddenly, tossing the stick into the water, where she had begun to see Inuyasha's face reflected there. It vanished in a ripple, the stick drifting downstream. "He doesn't love me." She whispered suddenly. "It will always be Kikyo. He will never choose me."
She looked up, standing as she heard the sound of leaves ruffling. At first, she thought nothing of it, then realized there was no wind. She saw a hint of red through the trees and hopped over the creek, wincing as she landed. Her feet still hurt. She continued forward until she saw Inuyasha leaning against a large, flat rock. His arms were draped over his knees, and he stared forward as if he saw nothing.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome said softly, moving over to him. He said nothing, as though he didn't hear her. "Get up, come on." She added forcefully. He didn't move. Didn't respond. She sat down next to him, and for a long time they sat in silence, then the sound of crying reached Kagome's ears. She turned to Inuyasha in surprise. He turned his face away from her, but she could still tell. Inuyasha was crying. Softly, yes, but crying just the same.
Kagome was so shocked, she wasn't sure what to say. She simply sat there, and after a while, he stood. At first, she thought he would say something to her, but instead, he walked away. Kagome took the hint. He wanted to be alone. Frustrated, she stood and walked back to camp. "Fine." Kagome muttered. "Fine." She repeated it. She couldn't wait for him forever. He was still hung up on Kikyo, depressed because she had left. "I can't anymore, I'm sorry." She growled to herself. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha."
She plopped down onto her sleeping bag, pulling it up to her chin. Miroku and Sango were already asleep, Kirara was curled up in Sango's lap and Shippo was next to the fire. Kagome closed her eyes.
She must have fallen asleep, for even though she opened her eyes what seemed like seconds later, the moon was high in the sky. But that wasn't the first thing she saw. The first thing she saw was an amber eye, gazing into her own. "GAH! INUYASHA!" Kagome squealed, scrambling to her feet and immediately wincing.
Inuyasha placed one finger on her lips to quiet her, his clawlike nail brushing her skin. "Kagome, come with me." He said softly, and turned, walking quietly from the clearing. Irritated, she followed.
"Look, I'm sorry about earlier," He started, but Kagome shook her head, interrupting him.
"No, I understand. I can't even imagine what you're going through..."
"You don't understand. I failed to protect Kikyo so many times-"
Kagome was starting to get angry. "I know why you were upset! The woman you love doesn't want you anymore, and she's leaving! You really think I wouldn't get that?!"
Inuyasha glared at her. "That's not true! That's not why I was upset."
"It is too! You love her, it's so obvious, there's no reason for you to deny it!" Kagome folded her arms, threatened to use 'sit' if he didn't cut it out. "But I love you too, Inuyasha!" It just slipped out. Silence fell over both of them.
"K-Kagome..I-I..."
"Don't. It doesn't matter anymore. You want to moon over Kikyo for the rest of your life? Fine. I'm done." Kagome stormed back to camp, tears clouding her vision.