The Heart's Desire

Chapter 2: The Past

Kagome headed off the campus as she finished up her last class of the day. The sun slowly set behind a group of apartments. While most students had dorm rooms on the school grounds, the young priestess preferred to stay with her mother and Souta.

Tomorrow was her twenty-first birthday. Yuka had offered to take her clubbing, maybe hit a bar afterwards, but Kagome turned her down. She couldn't help realizing that she would be stuck in a state of depression, as she was on every birthday for the past four years. The dark-haired student became deep in thought, once again reliving the past ...

She walked over to the place where Narraku once stood. On the ground, the almost completed Sacred Jewel shimmered with darkness. Kagome picked it up and, with her touch, the sphere faded to a pure pink once more. Miroku opened his right hand, feeling the suction from his wind tunnel. His face twisted in thought, maybe relief, as he gazed upon his former curse. Sango glanced over at him, concern flashing in her chestnut eyes.

"What's wrong, Miroku?" she asked, worried for the man she loved.

He glanced over at the demon slayer, surprise evident in his facial features. "Do not worry, my dear Sango, there is nothing to be concerned about." He held up his right hand for his friends to see.

"Miroku's wind tunnel is gone!" Kagome exclaimed as the demon slayer gasped. Inuyasha only grunted, slipping Tetsusaiga back into its sheaf. He crossed his arms behind his head and closed his eyes, walking towards Kaede's hut. Smiling, Sango and Miroku locked hands and followed, leaving their time-traveling friend to run and catch up.

When the group approached the old priestess's hut, a ball of fluff barreled towards his adoptive sister. He stopped just before running into Kagome's legs. "Did you defeat Naraku?" Shippo asked, hope glimmering in his cerulean orbs.

A smile blessed the student's lips as she nodded. The young fox kit grinned, happy that their fight against the devious half-demon had finally come to an end.

Kagome snapped out of her memories when she found herself at the door to her home. Bringing out her house key, she unlocked the door and stepped inside. She was greeted by the lavishing living room. A calming blue covered the walls as snow-white carpet blanketed the floor. Slipping off her shoes, she set down her purse and shuffled towards the kitchen. The carpet comforted her aching feet, tired from the constant walking. At least she didn't have any night classes.

Her mother had left on a business trip some time ago and wouldn't return for another week. Souta was off at soccer camp, his school year hadn't begun yet. This left the priestess alone in the house since her grandfather's death two years ago. She picked up the mail left on the table, quickly shifting through it all. A sigh escaped her lips as the bills piled up. Giving up on the sealed envelopes for the time being, she ambled over to the refrigerator. Kagome opened the door to reveal a near empty fridge, remembering she had to go shopping soon.

The young woman's heart lurched in her chest when she realized the only decent thing to make for dinner was Ramen. As if robotic, she took the container out and shut the fridge. She stared at it for a moment, memories clouding her mind. Shaking her head, she willed the unwelcomed feelings and thoughts to dissipate. Setting the noodles on the counter, she glanced at the time. Five o'clock. He'll be home soon. She went to her bedroom and rifled through her closet to find something comfortable, before making her way to the bathroom to take a hot shower.

The water beaded repeatedly upon Kagome's sore and aching back, allowing her mind to wander. Images filled her mind; born of happy times, sad times, and times that made her feel as if the world should swallow her whole. She didn't stop the onslaught of pain and heartache, nor the tears of regret. Crimson liquid streamed soundlessly down her lip as her teeth made contact, trying to hold back the sobs. Such terrible memories; ones she had tried to forget. The young priestess allowed her emotions to flow as the memory of that fateful day filled her mind.

Kagome pushed aside the door to Kaede's hut to see the early sun peeking over the horizon. She glanced back at the sleeping forms of her comrades and let the door fall behind her. Stretching her arms above her head, she breathed deeply and allowed the crisp morning air to fill her lungs.

Suddenly, the presence of a Shikon shard took hold of her senses. Grasping the fragment that hung around her neck, she turned on her heel to gather her slumbering friends. Before she could take a step, however, she stopped to rethink her actions. Shaking her head slightly, she chuckled at her own stupidity. Naraku was dead, what was there to be afraid of? Kagome didn't even bother to grab her arrows, sensing the shard was pure, and headed in the direction of the broken Shikon no Tama. An uncomfortable feeling crept up her spine when Kikyo's soul collectors began to show themselves as the student ventured forth.

The reincarnated priestess stopped as the trees parted; a clearing flourishing just beyond. Her former life stood on the other side, a Sacred Jewel Shard in her hands. Kagome took a step back, realizing who accompanied the undead woman. Inuyasha hadn't detected Kagome's scent and stood by Kikyo, gazing into her auburn eyes. The expression on his face mirrored one Kagome only hoped for: love, lust, happiness. He spoke to his beloved softly and the eavesdropper was able to catch the last few words.

" ... go to hell with you. But we have to complete the Sacred Jewel." He wrapped her into an embrace as Kikyo gribbed his kimono. "There are only three shards left, but I know who they belong to." Kagome's visage twisted in pain as the images of Kohaku and Kouga flashed through her mind. Taking the wolf demon's shards wouldn't be easy, but forcing Sango's younger brother to give his up ... it was sentencing the boy to death. His life was connected to that shard. If he were to lose it ...

"Kikyo, I'll always protect you. And when this is all finished ..." Kagome didn't stand by to hear anymore, her eyes stinging with tears. She quickly took off in the direction of Kaede's village, ignoring the wind whipping through her ebony hair. Silently, the heartbroken woman stepped into the hut and quietly grabbed her bag before making her way towards the bone eater's well. Tears dropped off her chin as Kagome tried to hold back the evidence of her pain.

"Oh ... I must look pathetic ..." She set down her bag by the well and took a seat on the edge, glancing around the clearing. The surrounding trees blew softly in the breeze as the forest seemed to come to life. Animals rustled in the brush as a flock of chirping birds flew overhead. A few puff of white dotted the sky as the sun shined down upon the land. Desolated by the bliss environment, she put her head in her hands and wept. She didn't notice the figure looming over her.

"Kagome?" he questioned, worry clouding his voice. Glancing up, she saw her beloved half-demon staring back at her, regret evident in his pools of amber. She knew what he was trying to tell her, that he chose Kikyo over her. Kagome smiled half-heartily and wiped away her tears.

"It's okay, Inuyasha, really." The young woman stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder. "I guess this is goodbye?" Kagome stared at the ground, her voice full of pain and heartache. Inuyasha doesn't love me, he loves Kikyo ... Inuyasha had no words to say, speechless at her sudden words of farewell. He watched as the woman he loved turned around and slipped her feet to dangle over the edge of the well into the dark depths below.

"Maybe I'll see you later?" Kagome smiled one last time, even though it pained her. The red-clothed man stared at her, meeting her chocolate brown eyes, and took one last look at her face. Her sunshine smile, rose petal lips, and velvet skin. She seemed to study him as well, but abruptly shook her head before jumping into the well, leaving the man she loved behind. When she reached the other side, she realized it was her seventeenth birthday ...

A/N: Sorry for the long awaited update, but there it is. Second story I originally wrote. I personally think its one of my favorites. Sorry some of the chapters aren't as long as I know you readers would like. Time is very precious to me at the moment. Please review!