~Chapter one~ ~Inu-Yasha's realization~

~Although the path through life may lead you to different hearts, only one of those hearts, will become truly yours, and yours truly theirs. That heart, which will be the one that you love most, you will not realize is yours, until a day of truth comes your way, but until then, look around you. The heart that you are searching for, is also searching for you. If you take a view on the world among you in a different way, you may just find that the one you seek, is the one that you had all along.~

~The warring states era, Japan~

Inu-Yasha trudged through the forest floor in a slow way. He starred to the ground, and his mind was wondering in a far off place. All he seemed to see was Kagome around him. All he could think of was Kagome. And all he could feel, was Kagome. *Last night…..I realized something that I didn't know I could realize. I didn't even imagine that I would find it…..in another.* Inu-Yasha thought to himself. He looked up to the tree tops above him. *All the same, I have to find Kikyo. I have to tell her….about my choice.* He stated in his mind, then continued to walk silently through the trees. Many lives were about to change in less then a nights time.

~The night before~

Sango, Miroku, and Shippo slept soundly under the star filled sky. Kagome slept, but not in a sound way. She tossed and turned in her slumber, and couldn't seem to find her dreams, only nightmares. Inu-Yasha had been out in a tree, sleeping, but he had heard Kagome's cries in her sleep, and decided to return. A feeling twisted inside of him, and he didn't know how to explain it, but all he could say to himself, was that he had to be near Kagome, for some reason. He walked up to the group of sleeping companions, and the restless Kagome, surrounding a slightly blazing fire. He stepped over Sango and Shippo's sleeping forms, and sat down beside Kagome's trembling body. He sat for a long while, not seeing anything but the fire in front of him, but suddenly, as Kagome threw her arm up over her head, looking as if she was covering her eyes from something in her dream, she began to somewhat sob, and call out softly. "Inu-Yasha, don't leave me!! I need you!! Please!! I'm afraid!!!! INU-YASHA!!!!!!" Inu-Yasha didn't know what to think. As Kagome settled down a bit more, he gazed into her sleeping face. Her slumber bound expression made his insides soften, and a smile to creep over his lips. As he starred, a thought came to him that he had never had before. He had always thought of Kagome as his companion, his friend, and nothing more, but now…he wasn't too sure! A more deeper feeling came to him when he looked upon her. He bit his lip through the sensation of it. He had never felt something more passionate in his life! Even with Kikyo! In an instant, Kagome began to fuss over her horrid dream again, and Inu-Yasha suddenly had the erg to comfort her. To hold her. To tuck her away in his heart, and keep her safe from all that was around her, and inside of her head. Without thinking, he placed his hand over her cheek, and she slowly calmed. "Kagome…." Was all he could state gently to the air. All of a sudden, he realized what he was doing and lifted his hand from her skin. *What am I doing!? I can't possibly be…….in love with her….can I?! NO! I've….I've already made….my decision on who I want to be with…..I made a promise to Kikyo!!* He explained to himself. As he looked away from Kagome's expression though, and heard her soft cries for help in her sleep, he couldn't stop his eyes to move back to her face, and stare tenderly to her sleeping figure. *I…..I am in love with Kagome……..not Kikyo….now. But…..what am I to do? I…..* His thoughts were abruptly stopped when a voice from no where stated to him, *Trust your heart, and follow what it pleads for. Kikyo may not have been the one….she doesn't even love you anyway! But Kagome….she may.* It exclaimed, then faded away, back to wherever it had aroused from. Inu-Yasha's mind was more then confused. He had always thought that the only one for him was Kikyo….but then again…he could recall times when he had thought otherwise, that perhaps…maybe….there was someone else out there, that loved him more then he dreamed of. He looked back to Kagome's face again. She seemed to not become easy minded yet. He placed his hand over her cheek once more. She almost instantly returned to her normal breathing patterns, and her thoughts restored to rest and peace. He smiled in affection. Never before had he EVER come to a choice as deep as this one he was about to make now. He had always followed what others told him to do, but now…..he wanted to trust his heart. Trust what he really believed inside. All he could think of was Kagome.

~Out of the flash back of the night before, and back to Inu-Yasha walking through the forest~

As the memory of the previous night left his thoughts, Inu-Yasha couldn't help but smile. He was a little afraid to hear Kikyo's words about his decision, but he also knew that in the end of it all, it would turn out okay, because there was light at the end of this tunnel, and that light…..was Kagome.

~At Kaede's village with Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kagome~

Sango, Miroku, and Shippo all sat around a camp fire and ate Sango's special dish that she had fixed up for them. She had been figuring out how to cook with simple things, and had discovered that she was quite good at the hobby. Shippo and Miroku couldn't help but agree as they chomped down into the meal. Kagome still slept peacefully in her sleeping bag. Sango looked to her and sighed. "Geez! She's been asleep almost the whole morning! Shouldn't we wake her already!" She protested. Miroku shook her head. "I don't think that's such a grand idea, if you ask me." He explained. Sango starred. "And why, I may ask?" She snapped. Shippo butted in. "Well, for one thing, when Kagome wakes up, she'll notice that Inu-Yasha's gone, and when she notices that Inu-Yasha's gone, she'll wonder where he went, and we'll have to say, Well! He went out to find Kikyo! And she'll have a fit!!!!!!" The little fox demon explained. Sango thought for a moment, then replied with a, "Ohhhh! Then I guess that's a pretty good reason not to wake her!" Miroku looked to Kagome and hesitated, then spoke. "Too late." Sango and Shippo flipped around to find Kagome slowly opening her eyes, and adjusting to the light around her. The two immediately jumped back from her and behind Miroku in fear. Shippo pocked her head out from behind the monk and made a big "Gulp" sound. "Oh no! Now what! I don't want to be around when Kagome finds out about Inu-Yasha!" He whispered. Sango sighed. "Oh!! Why'd Inu-Yasha have to go to see Kikyo in the first place! He seemed so egger this morning bright and early too!" She protested. Kagome sat up and rubbed her eyes, then looked around her. She smiled when she saw Miroku, but was confused once she noticed that Sango and Shippo were huddled up behind him. "Um….is it safe to ask why you two look so afraid of me?" She teased. Sango and Shippo both just stayed still. Miroku sighed. Kagome then started to look around herself. She looked off to the trees around the camp site, then in the camp site. Not a sign of Inu-Yasha anywhere! She turned back to Miroku worriedly. "Hey! Where's Inu-Yasha?!" She questioned. Miroku seemed to become nervous too, but then held out his hand to her calmly. "Come with me. I'll tell you over there." He explained, seeming to do Sango and Shippo a favor, for they gave him a thanking look and crawled out from behind him cautiously. Kagome starred in confusion, but was soon pulled up by Miroku, and led to a treed in area of the forest surrounding the camp, away from Sango and Shippo. After Kagome and Miroku disappeared into the bushes, Shippo turned to Sango. "Do you think he can stand the yelling and screaming once he tells her?" He wondered in worry. Sango shrugged, and both their attention went back to the still trees where they soon expected a WHOLE bunch of noise to soon come forth into their ears.

Miroku stood in front of Kagome in a nervous way. "Okay! What's the problem! If it's so important, then say it!" Kagome stated in an annoyed voice. She calmed when she saw Miroku tighten up more. "Sorry! I'm just a little snappy in the mornings, so go on!" She explained. Miroku sighed, and waddled his staff around for a moment before speaking. "Well…..you're curious about where Inu-Yasha went, right?" He started. Kagome nodded. "Well…..please don't get all mad….but….." Kagome starred up at him in a strange way. "He's gone off to….see Kikyo…hasn't he." She interrupted. Miroku stepped back, and nodded. "Yes. That's right…but how…" He was silenced by Kagome's sudden chilling emotions that came from her. She turned and walked away from his side, and back to the camp where Sango and Shippo starred, still awaiting a scream, or yell, or something, but would never get one. Kagome simply walked out of the bushes hanging her head. Sango could see that her friend was hurt by the news. Kagome walked over to her sleeping bag, and rolled it up, then put it into her yellow travel bag, then hoisted it over her shoulders. Sango starred, along with Shippo, and Miroku. "Kagome? Are you leaving already!? But we haven't even gotten started off to the village where one of the shards is at where it was reported to be found!" Sango exclaimed. Kagome looked to her dear friend. The only other girl in the group except for her. She smiled warmly, but at the same time, in a sad way. "I keep forgetting that Inu-Yasha has already chosen Kikyo. I think it's best if I'm not around while he's out with her. It's actually better." She explained, then walked away from the group, back into the forest, and towards the sacred well. Shippo sighed. "Well, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but why is she sad about it? I only thought she could be mad when it came to Kikyo and Inu-Yasha!" He stated. Sango starred after her friend. Her best friend. "Anger is just a way to hide how she really feels. She's sad most of the time now a days. Who knows why Inu-Yasha chose to go see Kikyo today, but for some reason, I have a strange feeling that he's doing all this on purpose, just to hurt Kagome mentally!" She explained. Shippo starred up to Sango in confusion, then looked off to the disappearing Kagome. *I really don't know what Sango's talking about, but whatever it is….I feel sorry for Kagome.* He stated in his mind, as Kagome vanished behind the forest trees.

~With Kagome~

Kagome walked along sadly on the forest floor. The sun shown brightly through the branches above her, but she hardly noticed. She starred to the ground, and she felt like she wanted to cry. She sighed and made herself slow down and lean against a tree to calm her nerves. *Look at me! Why am I even sad about it! I…..I already knew that Inu-Yasha loves Kikyo….so….why am I so upset when he shows affection for her? Why am I even leaving to go home?* She questioned her mind. She looked back to her feet. She knew the answer to her questions. *I'm upset because……I love him. Inu-Yasha. I'm sad because I wish he loved me……not….Kikyo. And I'm leaving cause…..I don't want to see Inu-Yasha's expression when he returns from his visit. I don't want to hear him tell the others what he did. I don't want to admit to myself that he'll never be mine. That he's always gonna be Kikyo's." A tear slowly ran down her cheeks. She quickly wiped it away, and sat down onto the ground. She couldn't seem to calm herself at all! Thoughts of Inu-Yasha tormented her mind, and made her wish more and more that he could be hers, not Kikyo's. She pulled out her journal from her bag beside her, and began to write in it all that she felt. It was the only thing she could do to prevent going crazy, not literally, but somewhat (you know what I mean.)

~Back with Inu-Yasha, who is about 10 miles away from the others, and Kagome~

Inu-Yasha continued to walk through the forest, trying to come up with something to tell Kikyo. Something that would make it clear to her about his final decision. He suddenly stopped, and felt as if he was being watched by someone. As his eyes turned around, Kikyo stood off a few yard away, her soul demons surrounding her. Her eyes narrowed on him, as his did her. "Inu-Yasha. I see you've finally come." She assumed in a stiff voice. Inu-Yasha sighed. "Kikyo. I haven't come to do what you think." He explained. Kikyo raised an eye brow, then walked closer to him. "You have not come to go to hell with me? Then what is your purpose? I am in no need for protection! I've told you that I need no help from the likes of you!" Her voice was sharp and hostile with Inu-Yasha's ears. This was one thing he hated about her. She hated him more than anyone else on the planet, but she continued to play with his feelings, and put pity on herself! And just so he would feel sorry for her too! Suddenly, Kikyo walked close to his face and starred up into his eyes with an evil glare. "What is it that you want, my Inu-Yasha?!" She snapped in a harsh tone. Inu-Yasha's fists tightened as he heard her call him, "her" Inu-Yasha. He knew he did not belong to her. He was never supposed to belong to her! He thought for the right words. He starred into Kikyo's eyes for inspiration. Although he felt sorry for her, he was filled with anger when his eyes met hers. In an instant, as her eyes again narrowed, and glared menacingly, he found what he needed to say. "Kikyo. For one thing, lay off the sweetness that you're trying to put on me, cause that shit won't work anymore!" He stated. Kikyo chuckled a bit before stepping away. Her smirk upon her lips infuriated him even more. "KIKYO!! THE GAME YOU'VE BEEN PLAYING WITH ME IS OVER!!!! I'M THROUGH WITH YOUR DAMN TRICKS TO PULL ME TO HELL!!!" He shouted out. Kikyo just chuckled more. "Where are you going with this, Inu-Yasha?" She wanted to know in a teasing voice. Inu-Yasha's teeth grinded and his anger rose. "Kikyo! I want out! I'm no longer yours! I don't wish to be with you!! All you want from me is death! You'll never truly love me for who I am!" He snapped out, trying to control his volume. Kikyo smirked once again. "This isn't just about "that" is it?" She quivered in a wicked tone. Inu-Yasha starred. Kikyo walked up to him again. "I guess I was right! This is not only just about me not loving you the way you want to be loved, it's also indeed about…..that girl that you hang around with. Kagome I believe her name is. My reincarnation, as well." She stated. Inu-Yasha leaped away from her. She laughed evilly. "Yes! That girl. You've found more love in her, then you'll even see in me! I even think that you don't even see me with your feelings as well as eyes any longer! You only see right through me, is that true?" She explained. Inu-Yasha spat to the ground. "You bet it is, you wench! You fooled my heart! You trapped my emotions! YOU'RE A BITCH!!" He snarled. Kikyo chuckled, again. "I suppose I'm not the one to be pitied now, am I? I think you're the one to be looked down upon. Loving a useless, and completely damned girl such as Kagome, you should be hanged for your out of arrangement feelings!" She hissed. Inu-Yasha flew towards Kikyo in an instant, claws opened wide for attack, although he didn't plan on hitting her. She dodged out of the way a giggled evilly. "My my! That made you enraged now didn't it." She stated with a grin. Inu-Yasha turned towards her again and gave her his hating glare. "YOU WENCH!!! CALL KAGOME ANYTHING SUCH AS WHAT YOU SAID AGAIN, AND I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD SERVED TO ME ON A SILVER PLATTER! YOU DON'T DESERVE TO LIVE! WHY DON'T YOU JUST GO TO HELL AND STAY THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He screamed out. Kikyo turned her face away from him and laughed through her anger. "I can see you no longer wish to be with me….so I'll leave…..but I warn you…..you didn't pay your debt to me. You told me you'd go to hell with me." "THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO!!! I'M NOT GONNA!!!" Inu-Yasha interrupted. Kikyo continued. "I will go to hell, alone, at my will, but I need a soul to go with me. You haven't seen the last of my presence, quite yet." She explained, then swiftly turned around and headed into the forest once more, into her dark shadows from which she arose from, her demons following quickly. Inu-Yasha stood and starred in anger as she disappeared into the trees. After a moment of being alert, just in case, he calmed himself, and his fists opened once again. It took another minute before he realized that it was over. He didn't really know what Kikyo meant by "he hadn't seen the last of her presence quite yet" but he didn't care. The burden of her pity had been lifted off of him, and he could breath easier. He could actually feel the guilt that he had carried with him, float away from his life. The hard thing that he dreaded to do all that morning, was over, and now all he could see was Kagome. Opened armed and awaiting him to return to her heart, in which he would be safe in. He sighed in relief that he could have what he had wanted all along. As he turned to head back to Kaede's village, he put his hand over his heart, and felt it beating calmly for the first time it seemed. His most powerful worry had been taken from him. His own heart had saved him from Kikyo's evil desires for his soul. If he hadn't figured out that he cared more for Kagome the night before, then he would have never lived to know what it was like to truly know what happiness felt. As he leapt off over hill tops, only concentrating on what his words would be to Kagome, his thoughts could never expect what was scheming in the back of Kikyo's mind at that very moment, as she sat in her shadows, and chuckled with wickedness.

(I hope you're liking it so far! I'm planning on going on for a while, go ahead and review me if the second chapter isn't on yet, but if it is, then keep on reading! It's sure to get better and better!! Thanks! ^.~)

(chibikagome1@yahoo.com)