Summary: The jewel is finally complete after a long hard battle. Kagome is more than ready to be done with the jewel and settle down with the love her life InuYasha. But things don't always go as planned as Kagome is forced back into her time by the man who was supposed to love her. Now heartbroken and no idea what the future may hold Kagome is given a letter from her father dated shortly before he died. A letter that will change everything.

AN: Alright everyone after a lot of setbacks and new upsets in my life I was about to take down all my stories. But as I was reading through the reviews on both this site and another I realized that some people enjoy my writing. So, I have decided to re-write this and put the effort into it that it deserves. I will be changing a lot of things but the initial plot will be the same. So, I am slowly going to be adding the re-written chapters and taking down all the one's that have not been revised. I hope you enjoy the re-write.

Love Red_Miko23

Chapter One: New Beginnings

Kagome couldn't keep the smile from her face as she stood amongst the destruction. Her stormy blue eyes racking over the fallen trees, the various craters that had been created and the scattered bloody corpses of various daemons that now littered the ground. Her eyes landed on the fallen bodies of both allies and foes. Amongst all this chaos she could finally smile as her hand tightened around the completed Shikon No Tama. There journey was finally over and the world was finally free of Naraku and his evil. That was why as she stood in the center of it all Kagome could finally smile as the weight of her mistake was now lifted from her shoulders.

The jewel was finally whole. She was free, her friends were free, they were all free. Free to live normal lives as best they could. Kagome's smile grew even wider as tears of joy threatened to spill from the corners of her eyes as she looked over Miroku's tattered body as he leaned against Sango. He was limping as blood poured from a gash on his thigh and his face looked to be caked in a mixture of blood and mud. Various other scratches and scrapes littered his body but he would live, Miroku would live. Kagome's heart filled with overwhelming joy at the thought that the man who she had come to love as her big brother would live. Miroku had been only a few short days from death and his wind tunnel threatened to consume him where he stood. With Naraku's death the curse on his hand was now lifted. He and Sango would have a true chance to be happy now.

Kagome attention turned to Sango as she smiled warmly at the older woman. Sango could now live her life guilt free knowing she had finally avenged her family. Sango and Miroku would be able to start their new lives with a clean slate. Something that both deserved more than anything. The two of them had fought and earned every smile, every peaceful day and all the years they had together. The future was so bright and clear for the two of them full of endless possibilities. 'I won't let them sacrifice any more of their time.' Kagome thought as she brought the jewel to her chest. This curse was hers to bear from this day forward and she would make sure to do a better job than she did the first time.

Kagome's smile soon fell as her eyes landed on the silver haired man clad in red who stood only a few feet away. She could feel his golden eyes on her and Kagome couldn't help but shiver. So much of the light they had once held had diminished and it felt as though he was staring straight through her. It was as if he didn't see her at all any more. 'InuYasha.' His name echoed through her mind as her heart began to sink deep in her chest as the joy she had begun to feel faded. If things had gone the way they were supposed to he would be embracing her right now. Maybe even daring to kiss her as he over flowed with joy just as the rest of them did. If things had gone the way they were supposed to she and Sango would be planning a double wedding when they returned to the village of Edo. Sadly, nothing in Kagome's life ever went the way it was supposed to leaving her in a confused mess as she looked at the man she loved.

Things had been going so well between the two of them as Kikyo appearances became fewer and farther between they had stopped fighting and began to spend time alone together. InuYasha had finally started to open up after two and a half InuYasha had finally began to trust her enough to express his feelings. Kagome hadn't known exactly what triggered the change in InuYasha but she hadn't cared at the time, it was a step forward in their relationship, but Kikyo's death had ruined it all.

With Kikyo's second death came all InuYasha's unresolved feelings for Kikyo, as they were once again dragged to the for front of his mind. After that night InuYasha had begun to withdraw from her as they feel into old habits. With every fight, every harsh word, every degrading insult it all tore Kagome apart more and more each time they fought, but she would not give up on him. Kagome just couldn't abandon him after all they had been through. No, she and InuYasha were destoned to be together. There would never be anyone that could even come close to the love she felt for him. So, through it all Kagome stayed. Through every foul word and every insult that cut to her very soul she stayed just like she had promised so many years ago.

He just needed time, Kagome told herself time to grieve Kikyo properly, it was the only hope that Kagome had left. And Kagome clung that that small hope even now as his eyes bore into her that they could still go back. That they would one day be able to rebuild the relationship that had been shattered by Kikyo's death.

'I know he's comparing me to Kikyo.' Kagome frowned at the thought as she tore her eyes away from him. Kagome could feel the pain in her chest as her heart began to ache once more. 'Will I always live in her shadow?' Kagome asked herself. There was a time before Kikyo's death that the fear that InuYasha didn't really see her had almost vanished. A time when he would talk about how different she was from Kikyo. How warm and caring how kindhearted she was. All traits that Kikyo had struggled with while she was alive, afraid to show any weakness at all.

But now the fear was once again in the fore front of Kagome's mind. Shaking her head to drove away the unpleasant thoughts Kagome placed a smile back on her face. These were all feelings that could be dealt with latter, things that Kagome at the moment didn't necessarily have the strength to handle. Making her way slowly over to InuYasha, carefully avoiding the huge holes and puddles of blood that littered the battlefield. The last thing she needed was to step in any of it. Being forced to listen to InuYasha complain the whole way back to Edo about how bad she smelled was not something that would help their relationship.

"Kagome, you were amazing! I can't believe you had that much power packed into one arrow." Kagome watched Shippo eagerly make his way over to her. Kagome couldn't help but giggle at the little fox kit. He had so much energy and in his eyes, she could do no wrong.

Even though Shippo had never voiced it aloud Kagome knew he viewed her has his adopted mother, and she loved him just like any mother would. It was their unspoken bond that had allowed him to comfort her thought the weeks as her relationship with InuYasha began to decline. It was as if the little fox always knew when she was sad no matter how hard she tried to hide it. Most nights he would cuddle up with her in her sleeping bag as he pressed himself against her stomach, but on those nights when her emotions seemed to run almost rampant across her mind. Shippo would work his way up until he lay in the crook of her neck with his hair just under her cheek. It was a small comfort but one that Kagome cherished.

"Feh. Whatever brat. It was my wind-scar that made the killing blow. Not her wimpy arrow." InuYasha's gruff voice brought her attention back to him as he crossed his arms over his chest. Kagome couldn't help but sigh. Even after a victory such as this when they should be celebrating he was in a foul mood.

"If it wasn't for Kagome's arrow Inu-backa you wouldn't have stood a chance. Naraku would have turned you into dog food." Shippo teased as he perched himself onto of InuYasha's head. Kagome didn't mean to but a small giggle slipped mast her rosy lips as Shippo began to tug on InuYasha's ears. The look of surprise on the half demons face was priceless.

"Why you little brat! Wait till I get my hands on you!" InuYasha barked as he made a grab for Shippo's tail. Shippo narrowly escaped InuYasha's grasp as he made his escape into the air, taunting InuYasha with various faces until he landed safely on Kagome's shoulder before leaping back into the air trying to put as much distance between himself and the angry half demon. Kagome was happy to see at least some things never changed as Shippo and InuYasha's relationship seemed to be stable for the moment. InuYasha had never been the kindest to the little fox but he had accepted him and sometimes even taught him.

"InuYasha I really wish you wouldn't pick on Shippo so much you know he looks up to you." Kagome stated as she placed her hand on InuYasha shoulder forcing him to look at her. She could see the conflict within him shining deep in those golden eyes. He had always thought he could hide things well but his eyes had always betrayed him at least to her.

Kagome had always been able to see the conflict that raged deep within InuYasha's soul as she tried desperately to calm the storm for him and for a short while she had been able to calm most of the storm. But now he kept shutting her out keeping his pain locked away as it consumed him from the inside. Pulling her hand away as fast as she had placed in on his shoulder. It was a gamble every time she touched him now. Never knowing if she would be met with anger or a simple shrug as he quickly moved away from the contact she offered him.

"You're lucky the brats not worth the energy wench." InuYasha snorted and Kagome simply shook her head. That had been the nicest thing InuYasha had said to her in weeks. But Kagome decided that it would be best to let the comment go for the moment. No, she would not argue with him now. Not when there was so much to celebrate.

"We should probably start heading back to Edo now." Miroku spoke gaining the attention of the group. "I'm sure the villagers will all want to hear the good news. Besides Sango and I have a wedding to plan." Miroku was practically beaming from ear to ear as a deep blush made its way across Sango's cheeks. It never ceased to amaze Kagome how a girl like Sango who faced down demons her entire life could be so shy when it came to her feelings. It was so cute how someone so strong could be afraid of something as magical as her weeding night. Kagome could feel the smile creeping back onto her face as she looked up at the bright blue sky. Yes, her future was more unclear now than it had ever been but she had finally managed to set things right with the jewel and there would be so much happiness in the days to come for her friends. It was time to finally start living their lives.

"Then let's go! You two have put off this wedding ling enough." Kagome declared as she began to make her way off the battlefield and back to Edo.

"Hey stupid!" Kagome could hear InuYasha yelling from behind her. Choosing to ignore him she continued to place one food in front of the other. No, she would not allow InuYasha to destroy this moment for her. "He stupid would you listen to me!" He called again and Kagome just continued to move forward. "Stupid you're going the wrong way!" Kagome couldn't help the red that began to spread across her face as she turned to see the laughing faces of all her friends.

Two Weeks Later…

Kagome sighed in relief as the hot water hit her aching muscles. InuYasha had refused to allow them to rest any longer then he deemed necessary driving them back to Edo at a grueling pace. Kagome had never been so happy to see the village in her entire life. Between the walking and InuYasha's harsh treatment of her Kagome was thankful for the space and the chance to finally see her family. It had been so long since she had been home two months to be exact. School would be starting soon, her senior year and then she would graduate.

'What will I do then? Will I stay here? Or will I go to college? Will I the well still work? What if I'm stuck here?' So many questions danced around Kagome's mind. So many things were just left unresolved and Kagome could fell fear and panic begin to set in as her hand went play with the jewel that now hung from around her neck.

"Kagome." Snapping her head up at the sound of her name Kagome flashed a weak smile at Sango.

"I'm sorry did you say something Sango?" Kagome asked as a slight blush formed across her nose.

"I was asking if you and InuYasha are alright." Kagome couldn't help but feel nervous under Sango's hard stair. Kagome had known this conversation was coming. It had been coming for weeks now but each time Sango had tried to bring it up Kagome had somehow managed to avoid it. Right now, though there was nowhere to run. Kagome swallowed hard as she tried to think of an answer that wouldn't worry Sango.

"Yea were fine Sango." Kagome lied. Things were not fine between the two of them. If anything, they had gotten worse as Kagome's mind began to replay the trip back to Edo in her mind. It was as if InuYasha had become crueler. He had made it a point to make her painfully aware of all her short comings as they traveled. Every mistake Kagome had made had been pointed out at length.

"Kagome you're a tribal liar." Sango snorted. "Miroku and I see the way he treats you now and it has us worried." Kagome sighed at her words.

"He just needs time Sango. Kikyo's death… Its brought so many emotions back to the surface." Kagome couldn't help but defend him.

"Kagome that still doesn't excuse his behavior toward you." Sango declared angrily. She had never been liked InuYasha crude behavior.

"Sango he's grieving and if taking his anger out on me helps him then I'll take it." Kagome tried to reassure her friend.

"Are you sure Kagome? Because it sounds more like your trying to convince yourself instead of me." Sango questioned and Kagome couldn't help but flinch. How could she answer her when she wasn't even sure herself? "Kagome, I don't want to see you get hurt." Kagome wanted to cry as the weight of all the weeks began to crash down on her.

"I know Sango but I have to have faith. Time is all he needs." Kagome smiled as she pulled her knees to her chest resting her chin on top of them. "I love him more than anything Sango. When I'm away from him I feel so lost and alone." Everything Kagome told her was true. Her world felt so empty when she was away from him. Even now after all the name calling and harsh words Kagome longed to be close to him if only for a moment. To feel the warmth of his hand on hers, to hear the steady beat of his heart when he would pull her tight against his chest.

"Kagome just be careful." Sango sighed as she leaned back against the large rock.

"He just needs time." Kagome repeated again as she hugged her knees even tighter. 'He just needs a little more time.' Kagome thought as she allowed her eyes to slide closed as she took in a deep breath of night air. 'Just time.'

Three Months Later….

Kagome couldn't believe how breathtaking it all had been. The wedding and the feast that had fallowed had all been magical, the couple had chosen to wait until fall when the leaves had all changed before finally taking their vows. Filling the backgrounds with splashes of reds, yellows and oranges so bright it almost looked as though the forest was on fire. Miroku of course had not wanted to wait, but Sango had insisted. She had later told Kagome that in the demon slayer village it was considered bad luck to marry any other time except for the fall. In Kagome's opinion, the wait had been worth it everything had come together so beautifully in a day that Kagome was sure Sango would never forget.

The dancing had sake had flowed deep into the night as the villagers celebrated the union. Most had been happy for the couple but there were a few village girls who had been crying as the loss of Miroku's freedom and a few village men who had expressed their anger at such a lovely woman being forced to marry a pervert. But as all good things do the night soon came to a close as the night began to come a close as the bride and groom made their way to the new hut that the villagers had constructed for them as wedding present.

That was how Kagome now found herself walking down the old familiar dirt path back to the well that would once again transport her home. The slight chill in the night air brought a small shiver to Kagome as she wrapped her hands around her bare arms. Her mother hand warned her to bring a jacket now that the nights were getting colder, but she hadn't listened. Sango and Miroku would now have each other to cling to through the night and Kagome couldn't help but feel a pinch of envy work its way into her chest. Would InuYasha her be there to keep her warm at night or would she be left to freeze for the rest of her life. The thought left her feeling colder than the wind ever had.

InuYasha had been absent from the event which had brought a small amount of sadness to all of them. His absences had started off small at first he would disappear for a day and be back by nightfall. Then they started growing longer and longer sometimes he would even be gone for months at a time. Leaving Kagome to worry that he would never return and as a result Kagome had chosen to remain in the past less and less. InuYasha even avoided visiting her on the other side of the well and on the rare occasions he did come it was as if he wanted nothing more than to pick a fight.

Leaving her in a crying mess on the floor of her room from his harsh words. It was clear that he was pushing her even farther away and it hurt. Hurt more than any physical wound ever could. Kagome had begun to blame herself of the past three months as the what ifs plagued her every waking moment. Shaking her head Kagome tried to push the thoughts of InuYasha from her mind.

In an attempt to distract herself Kagome had begun focusing almost all of her energy on school and acclimating to life as a normal girl. It was a boring life and but she had been able to return to a somewhat normal life with minimal problems. Being home every night, getting a cell phone hanging out with her friends everything she had ever wanted, everything she had missed while she had been running all over feudal Japan was finally falling into place. 'All but one.' Kagome thought InuYasha began to plague her mind once more and she had to resist the urge to scream in frustration. 'Why can't I just forget the jerk.' Kagome questioned herself but she already knew the answer.

She loved him still after everything he had done. After all the lonely nights, after all the tears and fights. After all the harsh words and insults that had left his lips. Kagome knew that if he asked she would forgive them. Just as she had every other time. She missed him more than anything and as much as she wished she could deny it her loneliness had begun to eat away at her slowly zapping the life from her. Without InuYasha around to cause a fuss or worry where she was there was now a huge hole in Kagome's life. One that she didn't think anyone would ever be able to fill. Yes, she had settled into a somewhat normal life but that didn't mean it felt right. Not when her heart was still walking around the Waring Stats Era avoiding her.

Kagome felt her breath catch in the back of her throat as the well came into view. Kagome's chest filled with hope and dread at the same time as she blinked making sure she was really seeing him. Kagome began to bite her lip nervously as she approached the well that InuYasha now leaned on. His silver hair bathed in moonlight giving him another worldly glow.

"InuYasha." Kagome called as she moved to stand beside the well just a few feet away from him. They hadn't been this close in so long. "Where were you?" Kagome questioned and still he did not turn to face her. Kagome could feel the anger growing in her chest. "You know you missed Sango and Miroku's wedding. How could you? I mean eve Sesshomaru managed to show up and he hates humans." Kagome scolded him in hopes that she would finally gain his attention.

"Kagome." He spoke with his back still turned and Kagome froze. As her angry words were forgotten, it had been so long since he called her by her name. "Leave." Kagome's eyes widened as her heart sank in her chest as confusion began to overtake her. 'This isn't right. He's supposed to tell he how sorry he is! How much he loves me! He's not suppose to tell me to leave.' Kagome's thoughts were frantic as she tried to process his words.

"InuYasha what's wrong? Please talk to me?" Kagome begged as she reached out to grab onto the large sleve of his robe. She was not prepared for the hate that radiate from his amber eyes as the clashed with her stormy blue. Kagome gasped as she took a step back from him as fear began to work its way into her chest. She had only seen this look on InuYasha one time, that was after he learned Kikyo had been tricked and killed by Naraku. 'How has he come to hate me so much?' Kagome asked herself as she began to cry.

"Don't you get it? Haven't I made it clear? Or are you just too stupid to understand?" InuYasha's words were harsh and they dug into Kagome like daggers. Each one piercing a different part of her already tattered heart.

"I don't understand." Kagome cried as she tried to reach out for him again. Hoping this was all just some bad dream that she would soon wake up from.

"Of course, you don't, you're too stupid to understand." InuYasha spat and Kagome couldn't help but flinch as he roughly smacked her hand away before grabbing her upper arms. Kagome was in a daze as his sharp claws tore into the delicate flesh of her arms. She could feel the blood that began to slowly trickle down her arms.

"InuYasha your hurting me." Kagome cried as she began to struggle against his grip. It was no use and his only response was to dig his claws deeper into the flesh on her arms. Causing Kagome to cry out in pain as the tender flesh tore like paper.

"I can't stand to look at you anymore. You just look so much like her. Like Kikyo." Kagome froze as the reality of his words hit her full in the chest. 'So, it always comes back to this.' Kagome thought as she allowed the tears to flow freely from her eyes. Hanging her head and allowing her bangs to cover her eyes Kagome couldn't bring herself to continue to look at him not when he was ripping her heart to shreds. "You're just a constant reminder of everything that I have lost. You look like her, have her power but you're not her. You're not even close to the kind of woman Kikyo was and you never will be." Kagome couldn't help but feel numb as he continued. "I tried to get you to stay in your time. I tried to make it clear that you went wanted here. I tried to ignore you but you just kept coming back like the dumb bitch you are!"

"You don't mean that." Kagome whispered and his grip on her arms only tightened before he shoved her onto the cold ground. The blood flowed freely from her arms now staining the light blue dress she had chosen to ware to the wedding. Looking up at him Kagome met her angry eyes she didn't care if he saw her cry now.

"Oh, but I do. I want you gone I want you to go home and never come back. I don't ever want to see your ugly face or smell your nasty sent ever again. The jewel is complete and Naraku is dead. Your usefulness died with him." Kagome's fists clenched at his harsh words as anger began to overtake her pain.

"I won't go." Kagome whispered as she pulled herself from her place on the ground. Her heart was in shambles but she knew he was grieving and now he was taking it out on her. No, she wouldn't let him push her away. She wouldn't let things between them end this way. Kagome pulled herself up using the lip of the well for support as she stood on shaky legs to face him.

"I want you gone. No one needs you. You're so worthless no one will even notice if you don't come back and I don't need a constant reminder of my pain looking me in the face." InuYasha spat at her again. Venom dripping from his every word as he spoke.

"No, I won't leave you InuYasha. I made a promise to stand by you. I won't break my promise to you!" Kagome shouted. InuYasha moved with such speed Kagome never saw it coming. The fist that made contact with her stomach forcing her to cry out in pain at the sickening cracks that fallowed. As Kagome slid down the side of the well and onto the cold ground she didn't need a doctor to tell her that several of her ribs had just been broke. Fear began to build up in her chest as the realization of what just accrued began to sink in. InuYasha has struck her he had physically hurt her, something that had not happened for so long. "Why?"

"Why?" InuYasha scoffed as he towered over her an angry scowl present on his lips. InuYasha knelt down until his face was only a few centimeters from Kagome's. She could feel his hot breath snaking over her skin as he grabbed a hand full of her hair forcing her to look up at him. "Just shows how stupid you really are. I'm sending you a message, leave and don't come back not ever or the next time I see you I'll kill you and then I'll kill your family just for the fun of it." Kagome's eyes widened in terror as InuYasha finally released his painful grip on her hair.

"Fine I'll go." Kagome managed to choke out between sobs as she watched InuYasha disappear into the forest. The rest of that night was like a bad dream that Kagome could only half remember. She wasn't sure how she had gotten back to her time or how long she had been back. All she could remember was waking up covered in dirt and blood at the bottom of the well. Another heart wrenching sob shook her body as all the memories came flooding as Kagome pounded her fist into the dirt.