Chapter Three: Pain, Pain go away

Inuyasha ignored Kikyou's question, his heart torn in two.

Stay with Kagome...or...Go to hell with Kikyou.

'I don't really care anymore...they both probably hate me in reality.'

'I just want the pain to go away...'

Kagome stood up wiping away the tears. 'That's it, I'll just go and tell him I'm not coming back anymore, give him the jewel shard then seal up the well.'

She stood up straighter with the thought of finally being free from the pain.

She packed her backpack for what she thought would be the final time and headed towards the well house.
Kikyou's smirk was replaced by a frown when Inuyasha didn't answer her.

"Well what will it be, Inuyasha? Go with me or stay with my hideous reincarnation?"

For the first time Inuyasha noticed the hate dripping from every word she spoke to him and the cold glares she always gave him.

Inuyasha let out an angry sigh, "Kikyou if you hate me so much then why do you insist on taking me to hell? Why not just go there yourself and leave me here?"

A look of pure rage crossed Kikyou's normally calm form. "Because you stupid half breed, as long as you are free to live your life my soul cannot rest in peace!"

Inuyasha had a look of surprise and then, realization.

"Well then Kikyou I guess there is no reason to go to hell with you, especially since I'm just a stupid half breed." He spat.

With that he turned and ran, his heart threatening to burst with hate for Kikyou and the love for Kagome he had never noticed before.

Kikyou watched after him in shock.

She quickly shook the feeling and formulated a plan.

"Well then Inuyasha," She said bitterly, "If you won't go willingly, then I'll cause so much pain for you and that girl that soon you'll be begging me to take you to hell!" She laughed coldly and disappeared into the night.

A slight glow remained after her presence vanished, casting just enough light upon a figure hidden in shadows.

"So Kikyou has plans does she? Well I won't let her enterfer with mine." The figure hissed.
Kagome climbed out of the well, an almost real smile plastered on her face.

'Just tell him no, give him the shard, and go. Just tell him no, give him the shard, and go.'

Kagome kept repeating it over and over, trying to keep her mind clear so she could focus on her task.

'C'mon girl you can do it. Don't let him shoot you down with insults or let him tell you that you could never measure up to Kikyou. To his Kikyou...'

Kagome hardly noticed the tears streaming down her face as she recalled all those times she found him with Kikyou, talking with Kikyou, hugging Kikyou, kissing Kikyou.

Kagome threw down her bag and let out a frustrated sigh. 'Kikyou this! Kikyou that! She's all he ever thinks about!'

Then she realized what she was doing. 'This is why I should never come back, all he causes is pain, distrust, and now...' She realized, 'Hate...'

Kagome took several deep breaths to calm her self and picked up her bag.

'I hope he's at Kaede's so I can get this over with and say goodbye to everyone.'

Kagome entered the hut and was greeted by several shocked, but happy faces.

"Kagome! I thought we wouldn't see you for a while yet!" Sango stood up and hugged her friend.

"Yes, we thought you'd still be angry with Inuyasha." Miroku added

"Kagome!!!!" Shippou howled with joy as he threw himself into Kagome's arms.

Kagome smiled happily but was rather hurt on the inside.

'So they think I'm weak, they think I can't live without him. Well I do love them like family but I will soon prove them very wrong.'

Kagome didn't hint that anything was going to change, instead she asked about Inuyasha.

"Hey where's Inuyasha?"

A look of confusion crossed Sango and Miroku's face. "We thought he'd be at the well waiting for you?"

Kagome shook her head no. "Well I'm going to go look for him." She said grimly. Sango and Miroku looked at her questioningly but she ignored them and walked out of the hut towards the trees.

'He's probably with Kikyou.'