Written by Victoria Thompson

Note: This is a fanfiction; I do not own Inuyasha or anything in that anime show.

Chapter 1

It's been a week since Kikyou dragged Naraku to hell; a week after the dead priestess's arrow shattered the sacred Shikon Jewel of four souls. (I can't believe it's been broken again!) There have been losses on both sides. Naraku's minions Kanna and Kagura have lost their lives betraying their evil master. Sango's little brother Kohaku took his own life, surprisingly Kikyou herself was the one who stopped the madness by dragging Naraku to hell with her. That left Inuyasha's group to gather the shards of the shikon jewel once more.

Kagome sat alone under a Feudal Era willow tree. An autumn wind bit harshly at her bare legs. Wearing her school uniform had its disadvantages in cold weather like this. The girl shivered, deep in thought. 'I'm relieved that my journey in this era isn't over…but what happens now?' Footsteps signaled the approach of a certain half demon Kagome knew all too well. "Hey, Kagome, you're going to get sick out here. Come inside, and get some rest." His order was gruff, with an undertone of kindness only those who knew him would have heard and understood.

"I will Inuyasha; just…now that Naraku is gone, do you still want to help my find the jewel shards?" She asked quietly, looking up with him with half sad, half hopeful eyes. Inuyasha perked his dog ears forward, catching every word with his excellent hearing. He shifted his weight from one foot to another uncomfortably. "Yeah…I helped you before we knew about Naraku. Someone's got to keep you from getting yourself killed."

Inuyasha answered after a tense pause. He was wary about why she asked it was in his nature to be cautious. 'Does she not want me around anymore? Does she want me to stop traveling with her? Stop protecting her? I know I've been avoiding her lately, but surely she understands why, right? Kikyou just left me here, after all those times she demanded I go to Hell with her. She died because I wasn't there, and didn't trust her enough to see through Naraku's plot. I would have done it after we killed Naraku; I was honor-bound to. Yet she left me here, releasing me from the duty. I cannot kill myself that would be a coward's escape, so I'm free to live. I just need to mourn her death before looking upon your face again. I don't want to look at you and see only Kikyou's face; it wouldn't be fair to you.' He thought sadly to himself. He masked his feelings by keeping a scowl on his face.

Kagome wasn't fooled, her stomach twisted at the sadness in his eyes, hidden there. Kikyou still held Inuyasha's heart prisoner. She hated when he looked at her like that. He only did it when he was thinking about Kikyou. Kagome was called Kikyou's reincarnation long ago, and she did look like Kikyou, but it hurt. It hurt when she is thought of as a replacement, always standing up to everyone's expectation. Everyone expected her to be as skilled and as strong as Kikyou once was. She nodded her head at him. "Thanks." She mumbled, getting up and walking past him without another word. 'If you're going to keep seeing Kikyou every time you look at me then I won't let you see me either.' Kagome thought bitterly, slipping away back into the village.

Inuyasha sniffed the air for a moment then sighed. Kagome's scent was laced with her emotions. Emotions gave off a specific scent. She was angry and depressed. "Why can't we talk anymore without her reading my thoughts like a book?!" He wondered out loud, growling in frustration.

"Are things not going well, my friend?" The monk, Miroku walked up to the hanyou. 'More than you know…' Inuyasha thought miserably, of course he'd never admit it out loud. "I'm fine!" The half demon huffed, sticking his nose in the air stubbornly. "That's not what I meant and you know it. I mean between you and the Lady Kagome." Miroku explained patiently. "I don't know why you're concerned, we always fight and nothing happens." Inuyasha said. "She's not going to leave you, you know. She promised to stay by your side. Lady Kagome keeps her promises." Miroku reassured him. The two sat cross-legged under the same willow tree Kagome sat under moments before. The monk watched as Inuyasha's ears drooped low and his shoulders slumped. "You…sound so sure." He half-heartedly grumbled. "She knows me too well; she knows what I'm thinking half the time. She's been so upset lately." Miroku nodded in understanding. "She's just scared." He said. He noticed the sharp glance Inuyasha sent his way and shook his head no. "No, she's not scared of you, she's afraid she doesn't have a place in your world anymore. You may not realize it but she listens to every name you call her, and every insult you throw at her. Everyone holds a lot of responsibility and expectations over her head, being the reincarnation of a strong miko. You make her feel unworthy of her place in the group, not good enough to collect the shards and guard the Shikon Jewel. Now with Lady Kikyou gone Kagome doesn't want to be a replacement in your eyes." Miroku explained. Inuyasha looked down at the ground sullenly. "You know how I am; I get mean when I'm uncomfortable." Inuyasha commented, he was glad he wasn't the only adult guy around in the group. Without Miroku, he'd only have Shippo to talk to, and that Kitsune can be downright childish and rude. "True enough, I notice you two haven't been talking much lately." Miroku pointed out. Inuyasha growled angrily and glared at the man. "Were you spying?!" He asked. "Even Sango and Shippo know it's hardly a secret." Miroku informed. Inuyasha looked away again. "Well, what am I supposed to do, huh?" He asked, hoping for advice. "Show her she's still special to you. Making her feel afraid of loosing you is a dirty trick to keep her here." The monk accused, giving the half demon a disdainful look.

Inuyasha twitched one ear, guilty now that he'd been found out. He knew he wasn't being fair, making Kagome upset all the time. He just didn't want to loose her, and if she thought herself too good for him, he was afraid she would leave him. The hanyou sighed tiredly. "I just want things like they were before. Back when we could talk, back when she would smile. When she was happy, everyone in the group seemed to cheer up." He admitted grudgingly. Miroku clapped his hand onto his Inuyasha's shoulder. "Not to worry my friend, it may take a while but things will return to normal. You can always help it along…" "How, what do I do?" The hanyou interrupted, ears perked forward in interest. "Get her a little gift, perhaps?" The monk suggested. Inuyasha frowned and crossed his arms across his chest. "I don't know anything about gift giving." Inuyasha admitted. Miroku stood up and brushed dirt off his robes. "Come with me, my friend, I can help you out." The two walked off in the forest together, plotting.