Disclaimer: I own no one or nothing.

Author's Note: Ah, finally. The climax is here. At least I think it's the climax. I'm not really sure.

Kagome: How can you not know?

Inuyasha: You're the author!

SilverRose88: So what if I am! In your own show, you don't even know where Naraku is!

Inuyasha: That's different!

SilverRose88: No it's not!

Inuyasha: Yes it is!

SilverRose88: No it's—

Sesshomaru: Will you two shut up? The readers would like to read.

SilverRose88: AH! Sesshomaru! grabs and hugs tightly, while the demon tries to pull away Yay! You're finally mine! evil gleam in eyes

Inuyasha: Get off of him! Have you no shame?

Kagome: sigh Sorry, readers. Please, continue downward. There's a lot that happens in this chapter, and hopefully, on behalf of our rather insane author, you'll all love it! Please review, too! Goodbye!

SilverRose88: still hanging tightly onto Sesshomaru, who was slowly losing breath Bye!

Chapter Three

A month slowly passed by during which many things went on that it was too much for Kagome to handle. She was studying everyday for her entrance exams, always at the library and reading books whenever she could. Kagome wasn't too busy to notice how much time Inuyasha seemed to be spending with Kikyo instead of her. He was with her during lunch, when out on dates with her every weekend and had missed more movie nights than he had missed days of school in his entire life. Kagome didn't know why she felt that his being with Kikyo made her angry, but it did. She grew frustrated that she couldn't figure out why she hated it when he was with her.

They were still best friends. They still talked a lot and hung out, but it seemed to Kagome that things were different. Inuyasha spent all his time with Kikyo, and he truly seemed to like her and Kagome was happy for him, but there was something tugging at her heart. Kagome spent time studying with Hojo a lot and he was great. They'd gone out a fair number of times as well, which always succeeded in making Kagome flustered and Inuyasha extremely angry. He had no idea what Kagome saw in that loser and he hated knowing that they spent every evening studying for the entrance exams to the toughest college in the area.

Inuyasha knew that he liked Kikyo. He liked her a lot. Kikyo was wonderful, nice and smart, interesting and he loved spending time with her. He knew his feelings for her ran much deeper than just liking her, but he wasn't sure if what he felt was love. (A/N: Don't worry! Everything works out in the end. This is definitely a InuKag fic!)

Kagome sighed and walked into the school, Monday, the week after taking her entrance exams. She was so glad to finally get them over with. The test had been tough, very challenging, but she felt she had done well. Classes wasn't to start for another half an hour, and Kagome made her way to the library to kill some time.

"Miss Higurashi!" called a voice, making Kagome stop and turn around. Her sensei was walking over. "I'm glad you're here. Come into my classroom, I have something important to tell you,"

Confused, but intrigued, Kagome followed her teacher into the classroom. Her teacher went to his desk and began sorting through some papers then held out an envelope for her. "What's this?" Kagome asked, taking the envelope.

"Open it and find out," he said with a smile.

Kagome tore open the envelope and read the first line, Dear Miss Higurashi, The College of - (A/N: I don't have a name…But, the college is in Tokyo. Where they live.)-would like to inform you of your perfect score on our entrance exams. Due to your current GPA and extra curricular activities, and of course your terrific score on the test, you are excepted into the College of -. Kagome stared then looked up at her teacher, who nodded still smiling. She reread the paper and then shrieked. "Oh my GOD!" she cried. "I-I got in?"

"Yes, congratulations," her sensei said.

"Thank you, thank you!" she said, with a bow, and then dashed out of the room to find Inuyasha. They usually met in the foyer at the front of the school, so she headed there. However, she stopped abruptly when she saw Inuyasha talking intimately with Kikyo. Kagome wanted to be angry, wanted to stomp over there and drag him away, but she couldn't. She felt more hurt and betrayed than anything else. The way they were talking so passionately, staring so intently at each other, made Kagome cringe. She bowed her head and turned on her heel, heading back the way she came.

"Hey, Kagome! What is up?" Miroku greeted her at her locker a few minutes before first period. "You look pretty happy about that,"

"Actually, I just got my acceptance letter. I got into the college!" Kagome said.

"Really? That's great!" Miroku said, hugging her.

"Get your lecherous hands off of me!" Kagome said.

"Tsk, tsk. Have you no faith in me? Its your day today, I wouldn't do anything wrong!" Miroku said.

"Yes you would," Kagome said flatly.

Miroku sobbed. He was about to say something but was cut off when Hojo called Kagome's name.

"Hey! Did you get your letter?" he asked.

"I just got it. Did you get in?" she asked.

"Yeah! You too?" Hojo said.

Kagome nodded. "Yep, me too,"

"That's great!" Hojo said.

Miroku watched them talk as Inuyasha came up beside them. "What's going on?" he asked Miroku, staring curiously, suspiciously, and angrily at Kagome and Hojo.

"Big news!" Miroku said. "Kagome just got her acceptance letter. She got in!"

"Seriously?" Inuyasha exclaimed, surprised. "She got in?"

Miroku blinked and looked up at him. "You didn't know? I thought she would have told you right away," he said, equally surprised.

"Yeah, that's what I thought…" Inuyasha said. He strode quickly over to Kagome's side and grabbed her forearm. "Hey," he said to her as she turned to him. "Can we talk?"

"S-Sure," Kagome replied. She excused herself from Hojo, the two boys glared at one another, and then turned to Inuyasha.

"I heard you got into the college," Inuyasha said.

"Yeah. Sensei just gave me my acceptance letter," Kagome said.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.

"I-I was going to, but I couldn't find you anywhere," Kagome lied.

"But we always meet out front," Inuyasha said, eyeing her directly.

Kagome shuffled on her feet. She couldn't tell him it was because she was jealous of seeing him with Kikyo that she-wait, did she just say jealous? I'm not jealous of her! I-I'm not. Kagome thought silently. She shook her head, clearing her mind. "You weren't there when I looked for you," she lied again.

"Oh," Inuyasha said, and Kagome was hurt to notice a bit of doubt in his voice. "Well, then, I guess congratulations are in order? Miss Kagome Higurashi, ladies and gentleman, has obviously made it into the school. I mean, there were never any doubts, were there? Kagome's just so wonderful,"

Kagome smacked him.

He grinned. "I knew you'd get in," he said. "No one's smarter than you,"

Kagome blushed now, looking down. "Well, thanks, I guess," she said. She looked up, about to say something else, when Kikyo walked over and linked her arm with Inuyasha, leaning close to his ear and whispered to him. Kagome cringed, recoiling, and tried not to punch something when she kissed his cheek and walked into class. "You two seem to be getting along," she noted.

"Getting along?" Inuyasha repeated. "Well, yeah. I really like her, she's great,"

"That's nice. So is Hojo," Kagome said, and then walked into class, meeting up with Hojo on the way.

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and glared after their backs. Miroku looked at him curiously and then the two walked in after them as the bell rang.

Another few weeks passed by and Kagome was in high spirits after getting her acceptance letter. She was finally free of the pressures of the entrance exam, and got letters to many other colleges too, but Kagome was sure she was going to the College of -.

There was only one thing that was bothering her: Inuyasha. He was always with Kikyo. Even when he wasn't, he talked about her constantly. Kagome seemed to know more about Kikyo than she ever wanted. What Kagome couldn't figure out is how annoyed, how upset, how angry she got when she saw them together. Inuyasha was always so happy with Kikyo, and Kagome wanted him to be happy, but she wanted him to be happy with her, and that scared her. It meant that her feelings ran deeper than friendship, but she had never given the idea of her and Inuyasha ever being romantically involved a thought before. And now, she wondered how these feelings had just so suddenly came up. She knew she didn't love him, exactly. That was just crazy talk, but what else could it be?

No. No, I'm not in love with him. There's no way. Kagome told herself stubbornly. He's just my best friend. And that-

"What's up?" Miroku asked, interrupting her thoughts. "You look upset,"

"Hmm?" she said absently. "Oh, no, I'm fine. Just thinking," Kagome gave him a smile and then turned her head to find Inuyasha sitting down next to Kikyo at another lunch table, quickly kissing her cheek as a greeting and watched her beam. Kagome felt something tug at her heart. She suddenly felt cold.

Miroku glanced at his friend and then turned his attention to where Kagome was looking. His eyes narrowed and he shook his head. No, wonder…

"Do you have a best friend?" Miroku asked Inuyasha a few days later when he was finally able to talk to him. It was Wednesday after school, and Inuyasha usually went out with Kikyo, but she had some family business to take care of.

Startled, Inuyasha replied, "Yeah, of course I do. Kagome. Remember her?"

"I do remember her. I wanted to know if you did," Miroku asked.

Inuyasha stared at him. "What's that supposed to me?" he asked.

"I think you know what I mean," Miroku said. "Kagome's your friend, and lately she's been really lonely,"

"She's told you this?" he demanded, sounding hurt.

"No. But it's written all over her face," Miroku said.

"I still talk to her and everything. I haven't deserted her," Inuyasha said. "I've been with Kikyo. She is my girlfriend, you know,"

"I know. But I thought Kagome meant more to you than your girlfriend did,"

"Miroku, I really, really, really, like Kikyo," Inuyasha said. "I've never felt this way before about anyone,"

"Well, it's none of my business. I just wanted to tell you what I've been seeing. But then who am I to say anything anyway? You know Kagome better than me," Miroku said. Then, with a wave he took off, leaving Inuyasha to his own confused thoughts.

A moment later, Inuyasha took off abruptly, looking for Kagome. Thinking that she'd be in the library, he checked there first, and found her in the back. However, he stopped in his tracks when he noticed who she was with. Hojo. That bastard.

Inuyasha quickly walked over, but stopped again when Hojo put an arm around Kagome's shoulders, leaning closer to her. Lonely? This is lonely? he wondered, feeling angry and hurt at the same time.

Just then, Hojo leaned closer still, whispering in Kagome's ear, which made her laugh, which made Inuyasha cringe. Then, before Inuyasha could stop it from happening, Hojo quickly kissed her on the lips.

Kagome, not expecting this, was startled into kissing him back.

Inuyasha stared, so angry he felt the blood boiling in his veins. He wanted to break them apart, but couldn't. Instead, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the library. That-That creep! That bastard! He kissed her! Kissed her! In the library! And…she kissed him back…

Inuyasha shook his head. It really didn't bother him that much if Kagome was with another guy. It's just that she never had been before, and that more than anything made him protective of her. She was his best friend, after all. It wasn't like he had romantic feelings for her or anything. He knew he didn't, because he was sure he only had feelings like that for Kikyo.

"We should have a congratulations party for Kagome," Inuyasha said to Miroku a week later, after school.

"Oh! That's a good idea. You come up with that all by yourself?" Miroku said.

Inuyasha glared at him. "Yes, I did. Are you in, or not?"

"Of course I'm in! I love parties!" Miroku said enthusiastically.

"Good,"

"So, who're we inviting? You, and me, obviously. Oh, I should ask Hojo to come too," Miroku said.

Inuyasha twitched. "No, you will not!" he said furiously.

"And, why not? Kagome deserves to have her boyfriend there to celebrate with her!" Miroku said. "You can bring Kikyo along, then you won't be so lonely,"

"What about you?" Inuyasha said.

"Oh, I'll probably be able to find someone," Miroku said with a wink and Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

"Whatever," he said. "I'll tell Kagome to come over to my place Saturday night. I'll just say that we're having our movie night at my house, that way she won't suspect anything. And, that'll give us a week and a half to work out all the details. Good?"

"Fine with me. It'll give me time to find someone to bring!" Miroku said and took off.

Inuyasha shook his head and took off to find Kagome, but remembered that he had to meet Kikyo for a quick date. Uhm…I can just call Kagome about it later, he decided and then turned around to meet Kikyo at her locker.

"Kagome, dear, what's wrong?" Kagome's mother asked a few days later, in the evening after dinner. "You hardly touched your plate tonight, and you seem very depressed about something,"

Kagome lifted her head off her pillow as her mom sat down on the bed next to her. "It's nothing, Mom," she said. "I'm just tired,"

"Why don't you talk to Inuyasha? He usually helps your mood all the time. My, I haven't seen that boy around here for a long time. What's going on?"

"Mom, I don't want to talk about it. Nothing's going on," Kagome said, wincing at the mention of Inuyasha. She was lying. She knew she was lying, and she didn't like lying to her mom, but she didn't want to tell her all of her problems. How could she tell her mom, when she, herself, had no idea what was wrong? Kagome felt that she should be happy. She got into the college that she'd been working years to get into. She had a really nice boyfriend who really liked her, and everything else at school and with her family was going great. But, she was missing something-no, someone-and that one thing made all the difference. She missed Inuyasha.

Sure, he hadn't gone anywhere, but to Kagome it felt as if they had drifted apart. He was always with Kikyo. They went out on dates almost every day, and she knew that they called each other and talked for hours on the phone, too. (A/N: Lets say, Miroku told her.) Kagome hadn't really seen him, or talked to him for weeks. She felt alone, even when she was with her other friends.

"Kagome, if you love him, you should tell him," her mother said.

Kagome looked up quickly. "H-How?"

"Oh, honey, I'm your mom. I can tell," her mom said. "You love him, don't you?"

"I-I…don't know…" she replied.

"Yes, you do know. What does your heart tell you?" (A/N: That line's from The Return of the King. If you're as big of LOTR fans as I am, then you'd know…)

Kagome sat up, hugging a pillow to her chest, and stared out the window. Did she love him? Was it really possible? She'd never thought of it before, but lately, these emotions couldn't be so strong if she didn't love him. Right? How could she miss him so much, hate it when he was with Kikyo, hate Kikyo, herself, if she didn't love him? "Yes," she said quietly. "I-I love him…"

"Then, Kagome, you have to tell him. Don't hide your feelings," her mom said, and then with a hug, she left.

Kagome knew what she had to do. Just as she picked up the phone, it rang, and Inuyasha's voice filled her ear. "Hey," she said. "Why-Why are you calling?"

"Oh, I have to talk to you about something. Can you meet me at the park in ten minutes?" Inuyasha said.

"Yeah! And, I-I have to tell you something too," Kagome said, heart racing.

"Well, then, let's meet at the park. See you in a bit," He hung up.

Kagome got out of bed, made herself presentable and then ran out to meet him. He was already at the park when she arrived, and stood up to greet her. "H-Hi!" she said breathlessly.

"Okay. I-I have to tell you something important," he said.

Kagome nodded, feelings herself blush. He was watching her intently.

"I-I love you," he said in one breath.

Kagome stared. "W-Wha?"

"I-I love you," he repeated, this time more urgently. "Damn, I really really love you,"

He-He loves me? "I-Inuyasha…" she began.

"Okay? Is that good enough?" he asked, and Kagome blinked, looking up at him, confused. "Do you think that's good enough?" he repeated, misreading her expression. "Damn. I never thought I'd tell this to anyone. But I really love her,"

Kagome froze. Her blood ran cold. "Her? Who are you talking about?" she asked cautiously.

He stared at her as if she were insane. "Kikyo, who else?" he replied.

With those words, Kagome's entire world came crashing down.

"All right, all right. Here, you pretend to be Kikyo, and-and I'll be me, obviously," Inuyasha was saying, but Kagome rarely heard him.

She felt so cold. Her heart had stopped. She didn't feel anything other than the cold. Did she even have any other feelings? Kagome wasn't sure anymore.

It started to rain. The cold droplets seemed like ice against her skin.

"I love you," Inuyasha said again, and he stared at Kagome, waiting for her to reply.

Kagome stared at him, the only emotion she felt was hurt. So much hurt, and pain. The feeling just pierced through her heart like a knife. She gave a slight smile, hiding her feelings. She'd never seen Inuyasha fall for any girl the way he had for Kikyo. She was happy for him, and only wanted to see him happy. If Kikyo did that, then who was she to stop it?

"I-I love you, too," she choked out.

Inuyasha smiled. "D-Do you really think she'll say that?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, I really do,"

"Thanks, Kagome!" he said, and hugged her tightly to his chest.

She hugged him back, knowing this was her last chance.

"I'll talk to you later," he said, and then ran off.

Kagome stared after him and the rain started to storm down. The droplets mixed in with her tears, streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks. All Kagome could think now was that the heavens were crying with her.

"Kagome, here's your mail. I think you got some more acceptance letters," Kagome's mother said two days later. Her mother looked sadly at her daughter who was laying in bed, the covers pulled up to her chin, facing the wall and stifling tears. "Honey, you can't just sit here forever. It's been two days. I've let you stay home from school for two days, but please, get up. Eat something, go out, talk to some friends,"

"M-Mom, I-I can't. It-It just hurts too much," Kagome said.

"Well, at least come down to dinner, okay?" she said, and then left her daughter to cope on her own.

Kagome turned slowly around and sighed. She knew she was being stupid, missing school, not eating, practically wasting away when she should be doing other things. But, it just hurt too much to think of doing anything other than cry. She hurt. The pain in her heart was unbearable. So much so, that it hurt even to think of Inuyasha's name. It hurt to even think of seeing him, talking to him, being with him, when she knew he loved Kikyo.

She sighed and reached over to the table where her mother had put her mail. She grabbed the top one and stared at it for awhile before realizing that it was from her second choice college. She opened it and found out she was excepted, with a full scholarship.

Kagome put the letter away and knew what she was going to do. She got out of bed and went to talk to her mother.

"Are you sure, Kagome?" her mom questioned. "It's so far away!"

"I-I'm sure. It hurts to be here, Mom. I can't take it anymore. Please, let me go,"

Her mother sighed. "If it's what you really want,"

"It's what I want. Please," Kagome said.

"All right then," she said, taking her daughter's hand. "But, wait until this weekend. All right? I'll talk to your aunt, and I think everything will work out."

Kagome hugged her mom. "Thank you," she said, and stood up to leave.

At the door, her mom asked, "What about, you know, are you going to-"

"No," Kagome cut in. "And, don't you either. It's better this way," She walked out.

Kagome's mom stared after her daughter sadly. "No, Kagome. This way, it's only worse,"

"You did tell her about her tonight, didn't you?" Miroku asked.

"Of course I did!" Inuyasha snapped. "I talked to her a few days ago that for movie night, she should come here. She said she was. So quit bugging me about it,"

Miroku shrugged and took off to talk to his date. Inuyasha sighed and glanced around the room. Hojo was sitting in the corner with a few others of Kagome's friends. Kikyo was in the kitchen, getting something to drink, looking a bit annoyed that she had to be there. Inuyasha smiled at her when she looked up at him. She smiled back. He'd told her he'd loved her after he'd talked to Kagome that day. And, Kikyo had said it back. He felt great about their relationship, but at the moment, shoved those thoughts away, thinking about Kagome.

Where is she? She said she was coming! Inuyasha thought worriedly. Kagome was usually very punctual; it came with the whole 'good girl' package. And, he'd thought that since she'd been on his case about missing movie nights, that she'd be here early. He checked his watch. Okay, sure, she was only ten minutes late, but when you're throwing someone a congrats party, it seems like much longer.

"No one's picking up at her house. She must be on her way," Miroku called.

Inuyasha nodded. Thank god, he thought.

However, that thank god soon turned into a-

"Where is she! It's been an hour!" Inuyasha demanded both angrily, and worriedly, pacing the length of the living room. "Sh-She's supposed to be here! Kagome's never late,"

"Calm down, Inuyasha," Miroku said.

"No! Damn it, I'm going over to find her," he said, reaching for his coat.

"I'm coming too," Miroku said.

"No, stay here incase she comes," Inuyasha said, and Miroku gave his friend a studying look before nodding in assent. Inuyasha headed out, when Kikyo grabbed his arm. "What?" he asked.

"Is this such a big deal? She's probably just late," Kikyo said.

"Kikyo, yes, yes, this is a big deal, okay? I've got to find Kagome. What if something happened?" he replied, surprised that she'd even asked such a question.

"She's just your friend," Kikyo said.

"She's my best friend," Inuyasha corrected. "Now, let me go," He removed his arm from hers and ran out, got into his car and drove at top speed to the shrine.

"Mrs. Higurashi!" Inuyasha panted when she opened the door for him.

"Oh, Inuyasha. How are you?" she asked.

"Is Kagome here?" he demanded.

"No, she's not," she said with a shake of her head.

Inuyasha gaped at her. "No? Then, did she leave already?"

"No," she repeated.

"What do you mean, no?" Inuyasha practically shouted. "Where's Kagome?"

Mrs. Higurashi gave him a sad look. "I'm sorry, dear, but Kagome left,"

"L-Left? Left? For where?" This wasn't making any sense to Inuyasha at all.

"She's gone," Mrs. Higurashi said. "She left for college,"

"WHAT!" Inuyasha yelled. "I don't believe that!" He then stormed past her inside, yelling, "KAGOME!" at the top of his lungs.

No answer.

He ran upstairs and slammed open the door to her room. "Kagome?" he said, expecting to find her. But, he saw nothing. Her entire room was almost stripped bare. The pictures, and posters were off the wall. Her closet door was open with only a few clothes still hanging on the rod. Her desk was free of the usual clutter of notebooks, folders, papers, and texts. Her bulletin board empty of post-its and pictures. There was nothing.

Inuyasha couldn't believe it. There was nothing. It was all empty. Nothing at all. He walked inside, trying to take it all in, but couldn't. "Kagome?" he breathed.

Then he noticed the piece of paper on her bed. The one thing that was there. He reached for it and found his name written at the top in Kagome's neat precise handwriting. He unfolded it and read, his heart racing:

Inuyasha-

You're probably really angry with me. Furious, I think is a better word, but please let me explain before you go crazy. I'm sorry. But, I had to leave. I'm not telling you where. I'm not leaving an address or number or anything. I'm leaving and that's that.

Thank you so much for being my friend for the last years. I'll never forget you. But, this was just something I had to do.

Please, don't be mad. This was my choice. I needed to leave. Thank you. You're still my best friend, and I hope that maybe someday you'll forgive me.

I'm sorry. I hope you have a good life.

Kagome

Inuyasha crumpled the paper in his fist and sank to the ground, putting his face in his hands. "Damn it," he muttered through clenched teeth.

Kagome…