Betrayed

Chapter 13

Expected Troubles

'Inner voice'

"Talking"

Warning: short chappie.

'Why does she bother me so? This feeling I get when I'm around her is quite annoying, and even pleasurable. To some point. But I must be more cautious around her, having her directing my plans in a different direction is not what I want. Kikyou has too much power over my wavering emotions. "Love…Ha"

'He's making my life a living hell. The touches the flirting, touching again, more flirting, and then the fighting, as if I don't have enough problems to deal with. Now Inuyasha is in constant guard against Bankotsu, and keep giving her these I-know-that-you're-not-the-type-to-cheat-but-I-have-to-keep-my-guard-up looks. It was getting annoying.'

"Hey beautiful" the said pest muttered, his eyes below her neck, locking on to her breasts. 'Kami, she has beautiful breasts.' Bankotsu, seemingly couldn't resist, reached his hand out…………..

Rolling her eyes at his not so subtle compliment she muttered a grave yes to her harasser. They've been traveling for the better part of a month, and while it was amusing at first, the continuous cycle of this was past ridiculous.

"Three…..two……one" she muttered, knowing exactly what the out come would be.

Kagome step sided Bankotsu just as a fist flew by her face. "Keep your hands off my woman!"

Sango, Miroku and Shippo, now so used to Inuyasha and Bankotsu's fights just kept on walking.

"Inuyasha's more violent with Bankotsu than Kouga." Sango stated.

Miroku understood why. "That's because his 'affection' for Kagome is more blatant and physical."

"Someone is going to get really hurt before this is over" was all Shippo muttered, thinking that it might be both Inuyasha and Bankotsu. Kagome is getting really upset. But that wasn't the reason.

'Inuyasha, you bastard'

Kagome didn't bother to be concerned that they were pummeling each other, she had more important thing on her mind. She knew everyone can feel it too; the lapse in her inner light could no longer go unnoticed. Her smile never really reaches her eyes, her laughter, that brought a smile to everyone's face, now slightly chilled them. She kills her enemies without emotion, and a sinister smile given for those that pose a challenge. It all comes back to the souls. The souls that are making her cold inside. But nothing could be done, for he hasn't decided.

'Bastard'

Their first time was their last. They kept growing further apart. So while Inuyasha was warring with his inner emotions, Kagome made her final decision. She could wait not longer, nor can she take back the piece of her soul that Kikyou now has in her possession.

She touched her neck where Inuyasha marked her, the demon mating dance incomplete. Kagome wondered if it was the fact that her soul was slowly dying that held him back form finishing the ritual or was it Kikyou. She refuses to take Kikyou's soul, she knows now what it feeling to love with only a small part of it, but once you're loved back, you feel complete. 'Does that mean you no longer love me Inuyasha?'

Soon the mark would disappear, the mating ritual stopped. Besides the consummation of her souls, mating is the only way to keep her alive, it might also keep her in this era; she didn't know for sure, she was the Golden One. But manipulating time was one power she wasn't too sure about.

His scent was fading. The scent that he imprinted on her as his claim, as his mate-to-be was fading. Fast. But to remark her is to wholly abandon his first love, and it was that fact, that was holding him back.

He loves Kagome. Of course he does, there was never any doubt. There was no one he'd rather be with, no one he'd rather spend his life with. But that face; Kikyou's face. Inuyasha knew if he didn't make a decision soon, he'd lose Kagome, just as he lost Kikyou.

"Enough." She muttered so quietly, that no one can actually hear her over the fist cuffs going around. "Enough!" Every one turned to look at her, surprised.

Kagome shook her head. "I've had enough. The fighting needs to stop Bankotsu, that isn't going to work with him."

Bankotsu now looking mildly amused asked. "I have no idea what you're talking about darling."

"Of course you do, and so does Inuyasha. You cannot pressure him into this; he has to decide on his own. Plus who would actually want to mate with someone who is dieing." She said with a sad smile.

Inuyasha moved towards her. "Kagome…."

"I've had enough, of everything. You don't want me, that's fine. Just don't make me wait around and wallow in self doubt. But all that matters not, for I've made my decision." Kagome moved purposely towards Shippo, knowing without a doubt that whenever in trouble he won't hesitate to call on her.

"This is for you Shippo" she gave him an earring. Using her spiritual powers she pierced his ear, and placed a small diamond. "Just call my name and I'll be here in a jiffy. Ok"

Shippo merely nodded, tears streaming down his face as he came to the conclusion that she was leaving. "Could I call you anytime? Even before I go to sleep?"

Kagome shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid it only works when there is danger around." Shippo hung his head in disappointment, his shoulders shaking silently. "Don't cry my baby, everything will be just fine in the end, you'll see. I'll make everything just how it was." Without me

She looked at each one of her friends, even Bankotsu. Saying good bye to them would just be too much to handle. I won't be able to pull it off. I can't break down now. "I'm no longer an official part of this group, and I'll be leaving now. Naraku is our enemy, but if you stand in my way to destroy him, you will become my enemy. The things that I once called feelings no longer matter for they will be extinct in a few days. The consummation of souls has made it impossible." Looking directly at Inuyasha she said. "I thought that love would be strong enough, and it some what is, but that love it self, your love wasn't strong enough, that love was never meant for me." With that said Kagome drew her power into her, acccepted it, and the fact that she no longer belong among them, those who she once had the honor of calling, friends.

Sango made as to move towards her, tears streaming down her face. 'Kagome, please, we can work something out. I'm sure there is something to be done about this."

Kagome's hair flared into the air in mild frustration, her eyes a golden hue, while her soul collectors gathered around her, lifting her into the sky. "Your insolence shall not be tolerated!"

With a quick shake of her head, Kagome glanced at her friends, feelings of hurt and shock all over their faces. "I'm sorry Sango. But there is nothing to be done. If there was, I would have found it a long time ago. I am after all the Golden One. Healer extraordinaire."

"Then I shall come with you." Bankotsu said. "The only reason I'm in this group, is because of you. You'll need someone to watch your back."

Kagome laughed, it came out harsh. Directing to her soul collectors she simply replied. "I have eyes all around me Bankotsu. But come if you wish, follow if you can." And in a gust of wind Kagome was gone. Bankotsu's eyes bulged.

"This is certainly going to be an interesting journey."

Somewhere in the depth of the surrounding forest, a demon lord looked on with growing interest, smiled, and then took of to follow the miko.

"Perfect"