Chapter Two

Kagome and Inuyasha held hands as they made their way through the forest. Flecks of golden clouds hung freely over the horizon as the warm sun sunk lower in the sky and the night's stars began to peak through the light. Everyone was happy…that is, accept for Kagome. Not that she wasn't proud of herself for killing Naraku, but something was bugging her. The jewel she wore around her neck pulsed lightly against the fabric of her shirt in pure innocence and it troubled Kagome somehow. The question was, why?

Sango and Miroku held back behind Kagome and Inuyasha, celebrating their own victories and holding each other close for comfort and recuperation. Sango's brother was now at a long awaited peace. His body had been buried in the village and nothing could harm him ever again.

The jewel shards that Kouga had possessed were in Kagome's possession now. Naraku tricked Kouga into giving him the shards and now Kouga would have to coup without his fast legs. Kagome persuaded him to leave them alone, which he finally listened, though it wasn't easy.

But there was one person that still did not have peace…Kikyou. Kagome knew what was going to happen once they encountered her. She would immediately try and take Inuyasha. But Kagome wasn't about to let that happen. Although she knew that Kikyou did deserve a life with the man that she once loved. It was only fair. This wasn't Kagome's time and she had to let Inuyasha go eventually soon. But it was hard to even admit it to herself that her time in this era was becoming greatly limited.

Kagome lowered her head down to the path and sighed sadly. Inuyasha looked over at her curiously and frowned. He knew what was bothering her. It was Kikyou. He wanted to stop right there and take her in his arms just to make her feel better, but he knew that would only make things worse. So he continued walking while holding her hand. He had to spend as much time with her as he could.

When the gang finally made it to the village, they separated to collect their thoughts. Inuyasha and Kagome went over to talk with Kaede and Miroku and Sango went to see Shippou and Kirara.

Before they entered the hut, Inuyasha pulled Kagome to the side and held her to the wall. Kagome didn't fight him. As her back made contact with wood, she looked up in his beautiful golden eyes. "I take it you know what's wrong with me?"

Inuyasha grasped her shoulders and leaned down to pressed his forehead to hers. "I won't let her take me away from you, Kagome."

Kagome smile sadly at him. So he really doesn't know everything, it seems. "She needs you Inuyasha. Kikyou needs you to die with her. You know that and you can't stop it. I know you still love her." Inuyasha could tell she was fighting with herself to cry or not. She was strong and wouldn't give in that easily.

He hated seeing her like this…too strong to give up, but too weak to hold herself together any longer. "Kagome…I love you and only you and..." Kagome silenced him with a trembling finger to his lips.

"No, Inuyasha. You love Kikyou and I know it. It's time for me to give you up. I can't keep fighting for you anymore when you were never mine to begin with. We are connected to each other, Inuyasha because of our hearts. I love you too…enough to know who you truly should be with."

"Kagome, don't..." She silenced him again.

"I don't belong here, Inuyasha. You know that for a fact. We're young and we both know what's going to happen if I stay. The future as I know it will be corrupted with my foolishness and I don't want that. You need to be with Kikyou. The jewel belongs to her and that's who I will give it too." She bowed her head and let several tears fall from her eyes. Her voice carried out from behind her shielded face. "The choice is hers, not mine…Hey, maybe one day in my future; we'll see each other again."

This time, Inuyasha couldn't hold it in anymore. His eyes began to shimmer with rare tears. He knew that what she was saying was right. But he didn't want to believe it, refused to believe it. But the way this woman before him spoke, he had to accept the cold-hearted truth. "Kagome, please don't leave me just yet. I want to be with you one last time before we separate forever."

Kagome looked up at him and smiled while tears slide down her red cheeks. "Not forever, Inuyasha. Maybe I will see you sometime in the future. Who knows?" She leaned up slightly and kissed his lips, showing him her pain, love, and sadness for him.

Their kiss only lasted a few minutes. By the time it ended, they were both deeply sadden. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Kagome's lithe form and held her warmly to his chest. His hand came up and he traced the young woman's cheek tenderly. "I will always be with you."

Kagome clung to his kimono for dear life; afraid that this moment would be taken from her and she would wake up to find all her adventures were just corrupted dreams.

"You there, Kagome!" An angry voice shouted. Kagome clenched her eyes closed and then opened them to find another pair of eyes almost exactly like hers staring back at her. Kikyou had found them.

Kagome separated from Inuyasha and walked slowly toward the bitter priestess.

Miroku and Sango finished replaying the whole story for Shippou, which caused him to bounce off the walls with excitement. "Is every one alright? How's Kagome? Did Inuyasha live? Are you going to Have Miroku's children?" He was off the wall with questions. The last one made Sango blush, which caused Miroku to grin slyly.

"I think I'll go for a bath." Sango announced aloud. She rose from the ground and the second Miroku got up to follow, she turned on her heals fast to halt him in his tracks. "You are not coming with me. I want to be alone and I don't need someone watching me like I'm some kind of possession! Now sit!" She pushed him back down and stormed out of the hut.

Shippou turned to Miroku and smiled. "Are you going to after her again?"

Miroku looked at the little kit offended. "Shippou, you really think I would betray Lady Sango's trust?" Shippou nodded. Miroku laughed. "Good. Excuse me." He got back up and walked out of the hut to follow. But he didn't make it anymore than a few feet outside when he ran into none other than Sango herself.

The young demon slayer didn't even realize Miroku was there. Her body was immobilized, staring horrified at the sight before her. Miroku glanced over to where Sango's eyes were and he froze as well. The sight that befell his eyes was enough to take the speech right out of his throat.

Kagome was handing the Shikon Jewel to none other than a stunned Kikyou.