Chapter 3
Kagome headed to Kaede's hut so that she could patiently wait for the Inu group to arrive. It will give her time to settle the gloomy mood she was in. How could Inuyasha invite Kikyo into the group without at least talking to her about it first? She was willing to work with Kikyo sure, but couldn't he have some form of consideration for her feelings. Yeah he made his choice to be with Kikyo but that doesn't mean he has to flaunt it in her face first chance he gets. Not to mention he had the nerve to get mad at her for Sesshomaru kissing her. Like seriously what gives? Now anger was replacing her sadness, agh if he can't even think about my feelings why should I care when another man chooses to kiss me. The next time the opportunity appears and she is placed in a position where Sesshomaru kissed her again. I will refuse to be stuck in guilt. Not saying it will happen or that she wants it to happen, but she's not going to beat herself up for someone who has no thought towards her feelings.
On her walk towards Kaede's Kagome didn't notice she walked through Inuyasha's forest pausing in front of the Goshinboku. She looked up noticing the roots poking out of the ground, gazing at the tree her heart broke all over again. Tears threatened to come forth, but she refused to let them fall. Images of Inuyasha floated in her memory when Inuyasha held her closely the time they fought Menomaru. Menomaru took possession of Kagome's body and turning her against Inuyasha. When she was forced back to her time by Kikyo and couldn't return. Inuyasha embraced Kagome convincing her she had to come back and he needed her by his side. Flashes changed to when she jumped off Kirara while Inuyasha caught her, holding her tightly calling her stupid and reckless. She couldn't help but laugh at the memory, Kagome was so angry with herself. She shook her head and smiled sadly even though my heart is broken, I could never hate Inuyasha, or Kikyo. They loved each other way before she was even in the picture. They deserved happiness no matter how much this hurt, I cannot feel bitter towards these two.
Kagome sat down by the tree seeking its comfort while the leaves and branches blew in the wind. It's warmth embrace her aura comforting the Miko who thought of everyone other than herself. The tree of ages blessed Kagome in that moment with more spiritual power that she was unaware of. But it also blessed Kagome with something else that wouldn't come until she was ready. The Goshinboku shed a leaf that floated down to Kagome's hand filling her with warmth she couldn't explain, but she knew it was the tree. It always gave her comfort when she was hurting. Like it was meant to be planted for her, she smiled up to the tree wrapping her arms around the bark. Whispering "Thank you" she wasn't sure what happened in that moment for the sacred tree to respond to her feelings, but she knew one thing the tree of ages was special. Kagome knew it was reaching out to her. Closing her eyes she turned around running off to Kaede's village. Kagome's heart felt somewhat lighter she smiled brightly enjoying her run in the sun.
Sesshomaru stood hidden in the tree witnessing the display in front of him. His heart beating rapidly watching the young female glow with power unknown to her. He walked up to the tree placing a hand against the bark feeling the warmth it gave to the Miko. "What is your plan for her?" he asked quietly. Whistling flew in the air shimmering gold running up is arm singing a song of new beginnings. He stepped away from the tree unsure what he just witnessed. "I will join her when the time is right if that is your wish." He didn't know why he made this secret promise, something about this moment planted a need to protect the young Miko. A Protectiveness being born that Sesshomaru couldn't explain to himself. A vision of his father asking him "Do you have someone to protect?" Sesshomaru smirked at the memory not understanding why he remembered such a thing. "We shall see Father" was his silent reply. He left the tree but stay close to the area keeping an eye on Kagome.
Inuyasha and the others entered the village Shippo playing tricks on the hanyo throughout their journey. Shippo threw a walnut at Inuyasha's head Miroku watching in amusement at the fox kits display of revenge for his adoptive mother. As they approached Kaede's hut "Shippo you little pest stop with your antics" Inuyasha growled jumping towards the kit ready to strike him, before he got the chance however "INUYASHA SIT BOY! SIT SIT SIT SIT SIT BOY!" Inuyasha creating a giant crater to the earth. Kikyo stood there shaking her head at their interactions. Well she thought at least it will be an interesting journey. Kikyo walked up to Inuyasha helping him up from the hole that was made in the ground. With Inuyasha whining "Kagome… Why…" Kagome shook her head looking to Sango who walked up to her embracing her tightly "Are you okay Kagome." Kagome smiled at her gently "We will talk later about it. Right now we have more important things to discuss." Sango nodded "Alright whatever you choose Kagome we will respect your wishes and follow." Kagome hugged her friend tighter "Thank you Sango, but I'll be okay. Eventually."
The group entered Kaede's hut Inuyasha growling at Kagome "Why did you have to do that Kagome sheesh." Kagome glared at her hanyo friend, it still hurt that he didn't talk with her before inviting Kikyo, but didn't feel like making an issue out of it at the moment. "Grow up Inuyasha he's just a kid. He was just playing with you and if he threw something at you it must have been for a good reason. And I see Kikyo is with you. You didn't even talk to me about it first. You deserve more than a damn acorn thrown at your head Inuyasha." Inuyasha's ear drooped flattening to his head. "Look Kagome she will be good for the group and you know that. This isn't just about us." Kagome shook her head at him "That's not the point Inuyasha you should have talked to me before making that kind of decision. I'm the alpha female and I have the right to agree or disagree." Inuyasha huffed at her "well you're here now." Kagome was so angry she didn't want to act like this, but it was all still new to her. She knew what the right decision was, but it still hurt like a blade slicing through her heart. "I know that Inuyasha, but you could of thought about my feelings. Did I mean nothing to you at all?" Inuyasha looked to the ground "we should go for a walk and talk about this. It's no one else is business but ours." Kagome sighed feeling defeated "Fine." As they exited the hut everyone looked to Kikyo making her feel nervous.
Inuyasha kneeled down in front of Kagome, but when he looked towards her Kagome shook her head. This was hard enough as it was, and she wasn't about to treat things like they were before. If she rode on his back it would just create longing and she wouldn't let herself long for him anymore. Inuyasha looked hurt by this but brushed it off. "Well" he said awkwardly, Kagome sighed "we can walk" they walked towards the river just outside the village. Kagome softly kicked a pebble on the ground throughout their small journey. Inuyasha sighed "Kagome I do love you okay, but it's not the same love I feel for Kikyo. If we were to end up together you would always be wondering if it is her that I see and it would be." Kagome couldn't say anything she didn't trust her voice in that moment.
She just nodded and continued to listen to what he had to say "I couldn't do that to you Kagome that would be worse than this. I still need you by my side Kagome you were the first real friend I ever had. The first one to ever fully accept me the way I am. I'm sorry it didn't turn out the way you wanted, but Kikyo is my choice. I'm sorry."
Tears burned her eyes she knew this had to happen, yet it didn't stop the feeling like she just got punched in the stomach. She took a deep breath sobbing while the tears dripped down her face falling in the grass. She wished that things could be different. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her as she clung to him sobbing in his shirt. With a shaken voice "I understand Inuyasha, you of all people deserve to be with the one you truly love. But you could have waited for Kikyo to join us you could have given me time to get use to all of this.
He brushed her hair with his hand to give her comfort with the unavoidable truth "no Kagome it would have just kept us living the same lie, with the same out come only for it to be ten times harder for both us. We can't keep up with that charade. You know as well as I do if we did that the outcome would be ten times harder. You would have fallen harder and there would be no way I could live with myself seeing you suffer. I'm sorry Kagome but there's no avoiding it. "
She sniffled calmly pushing away nodding her head still with a shaky voice "I know your right Inuyasha I can't help the way I feel. I love you and I want you to be happy. I'm going to need some time to myself; I can't go back to the village like this. But Kikyo will make a great asset to our group, so you have my blessing... Be happy Inuyasha." Kagome whispered the last part. Inuyasha clung to her tightly letting his own tears fall, but he knew this had to be done. He too knew it would hurt, so he said nothing. Inuyasha held her tightly crying with her.
She gently pushed him off looking up into his eyes wiping the tears off his face. He was going to return the gesture, but Kagome shook her head "Don't it will only make this harder. You should head back to the others I'll there in a while." He brushed his lips lightly above her head. His heart hurt as much as hers. He loved her more than she would ever know, but everything he said was true. He started walking away until he started running at a rapid pace, not to the group he too needed time to himself. He wasn't ready to face the others just yet especially Kikyo, he wouldn't hurt her too.
Kagome fell to her knees curling up in a ball fighting the urge to cry. She looked up to the sky wishing this could have been easier. Kikyo came to check up on her convincing the slayer she wouldn't cause trouble. Sango was unsure, but agreed she would check on her friend a little later.
The sun was setting with the first star peeking out into the sky. Kikyo walked up to Kagome looking at her with sad eyes. She never thought she could feel compassion for the girl in front of her. But after watching the display her heart felt touched that the girl would toss her feelings to the side for Inuyasha along with herself. To give them both a chance to claim the happiness that was robbed of them. She sat down Kikyo stayed quiet sitting by the girls head petting her hair comfortingly. "I'm sorry my happiness comes with a price of your pain. Thank you for this opportunity." Kagome looked up to the woman sitting beside her, offering comfort. She stayed silent watching the breeze run through Kikyo's hair. Kikyo was beautiful Kagome understood what caused Inuyasha to fall in love with the older Miko. "Kagome I wish for us to be friends. I know I have wronged you in the past, but I would like to make up for my mistakes."
Kagome sat up wiping her sleeve across her nose sniffling "It couldn't be helped Kikyo. It wouldn't be right for me to get in the way of what you two have. I can't do something like that." Kikyo's eyes softened brushing her fingers across Kagome's tears drying her face. "Kikyo I forgive you for the past. I know it wasn't easy for you either, I know it must have been hard for you to see me with Inuyasha, I'm sorry too." Kikyo couldn't help herself she drew the girl into a tight hug thanking her. She held Kagome "I promise to be there for you when you need me." Kagome hugged her back. Sango and Miroku watched from the sidelines, Shippo back at the hut sleeping soundly. They stood there watching the two Miko's smiling lightly. Sango felt a little jealous of the outcome, but it warmed her heart how much Kagome could change people for the better. By just being Kagome.
Inuyasha ran through the forest not aware of his elder brother following. He stopped finally sensing his older brother's presence. He jumped to the side as Sesshomaru ran at him in attack mode. "What the hell Sesshomaru. I don't need your shit right now." The Lord of the west stood there staring at the hanyo with disgust. "I understand you left the Miko for the dead Priestess." Inuyasha growled "It's none of your fucking business Sesshomaru." Sesshomaru smirked "It is my business. So little brother do you know what that means?"
Inuyasha huffed rolling his eyes "I don't understand your stupid riddles asshole." Sesshomaru walked around Inuyasha sizing him up just to get a reaction "It means Inuyasha that you are no longer the alpha male. Any male who is more dominant than the Miko can claim her at anytime. Are you okay with this?" Inuyasha's eyes grew wide not liking where this was going "What do you mean?" Sesshomaru continued to smirk at Inuyasha stepping back looking down at his clueless half brother "You are now the Beta, which means any male can lay claim on Kagome. You leaving her unprotected, but not to worry half breed. I'm joining your team to make sure that doesn't happen. If she falls into the wrong hands and uses the pain you caused, against her. We all fail and lose what we are after."
Inuyasha glared at his older brother growling lowly "YOU CAN"T HAVE HER." Sesshomaru chuckled darkly, a shiver running down Inuyasha's back. Yeah that was creepy Inuyasha thought but didn't show it. Inuyasha just growled lower "It's no longer your problem Inuyasha, but I have no plans on taking her. So rest assured I just want to make sure no one else has her either. She has suffered enough because of you. I will not have her distracted with a petty thing like love." Inuyasha raised his eye brow at this "Why do you even care Sesshomaru. You never care about her feelings before." Sesshomaru looked into his brother's eyes with that stupid smirk on his face "I simply hold respect for her she has fought against me with no fear in her scent. She pulled our fathers sword from his tomb. She even pushed her own feelings a side for the likes of you to gain strength for her group. What she seen in you however I do not know. Nor do I care. She deserves someone who will protect her and not be distracted with a lowly half breeds love triangle."
Inuyasha glared at his brother once more "Fuck off! You wouldn't know a thing about it." Sesshomaru turns around to leave but replies "Nor am I interested to know. I will be joining your group wither you like it or not. If the Miko wishes it I will be the one to protect her."
Inuyasha stood there dumb found what the hell Sesshomaru. Inuyasha felt angry but knew he had no say in the matter, so he left back to the village.
Sesshomaru continued to walk in the direction of Kagome's scent he hated the smell of her tears. He preferred the smile that would grace her face. He wasn't planning to be with her, just to protect her from any more harm. The last thing anyone needed was for her powers do disappear over something so trivial. He would make sure no other male would seek her heart and tossing it a side when they got bored. Nor use her naïve kindness to their advantage he would protect her from all harm.
As Sesshomaru got closer he spotted Kagome sitting under the stars by the river. She was gazing at the sky not focusing on the dangers that could be in the area. His eye shined under the moon light. He took in Kagome's scent of cherry blossoms, while watching her long hair blowing with the wind. "Miko do you always leave yourself open to danger." Kagome looked towards him "I knew you were there Sesshomaru I sensed you coming." He smirked at her "only because I let you." Kagome rolled her eyes "What can I help you with Lord Sesshomaru I know you only come when you need my help with Rin. Is she ill?" She just wanted time to herself it looks like that's not happening tonight. Sesshomaru walked up beside Kagome sitting next to her in companionable silence before replying "Rin is well I have come to tell you I will be joining you." Her eyes shot wide open curious to why he had decided to aid her "You don't have to do me any favors Lord Sesshomaru. You don't owe me anything." Sesshomaru examined her facial expressions. Without thinking about his actions he pushed a stray hair, tucking it behind her ear. She blushed at the gesture "I do as I please."
Removing his hand from her person he continued "I must go and collect Rin along with Jaken, we will leave by dawn. You need rest". Sesshomaru got up from his spot holding his hand out to her. She grasped his hand and stood up. "You wasted enough tears on the Hanyo Kagome." Sesshomaru brushed his hand against her cheek comfortingly. "I will escort you back to the village and take my leave. Come." Kagome looked at him puzzled with his actions, but walk along side him. "Thank you" she said while blushing. Hn.
A/N: Awe I hated putting Kagome in so much pain, but break ups are never easy. Now she can get over Inuyasha though, I'm looking forward to writing the next chapter but for now I think it's time for bed. Hopefully tomorrow I can update. I'll be busy most of the day but I will update so I don't lose interest in writing. Thankfully I wrote my notes so I remember how I want this story to continue. If I didn't write them down I don't think I would have got this chapter done.