**A/N: Here's another addition to my short story. I want to clear some things up. I've only seen the episodes up to I believe it's #56. It's the one called, "The Demon's True Nature". Again, I've only seen the dubbed versions, save for "The Guy Who Fell In Love With Kagome." I've seen that in the subtitled version, which is cool as hell too! In short, too late, please disregard any future stuff that takes place after episode #56. So I ask that you please keep an open mind when reading this short story.

I know this chapter is really short, but I didn't want to make it too long either. I hope to update again, by the upcoming weekend. I wanted to this past weekend, but I got slammed with work and stuff. And it was Halloween. My second fave holiday, next to New Year's.

Lastly, I am working on "Dance…" Please don't give up on me. I'm just having a hard time deciding what to do with what. And thank you to those who read and review both my stories. I means a great deal to me. I really appreciate. Okay I've said enough. Enjoy.**

Kagome sat on her balcony, wrapped in her favorite blanket on her papasan chair. The canopy above her sheltered her from the gentle shower falling from the sky. Her own tears had dried by now. Though she sat alone, it was her thoughts and the tiny jewel in her hand that kept her company.

For a few minutes she stared out into the city. The sounds of cars had long since muffled out. She assumed the rain had brought many in from outside. The sun was starting to set. Through the thick clouds, she could see the red, orange, amber and pink shades that comes before night appears.

Like so many times before, when she gazed at the sun setting, its colors brought back memories. In the beginning, it didn't take much for him to invade her thoughts. Everywhere she went, she saw him. Every voice she heard, it was his. Every creak in the floor boards, late at night, she awoke from her bed, hoping to see his face. And every time, it was pure hell. The pain and the torment of being reminded of how much she loved him.

Kagome joined Inuyasha at the large tree where they had first met. He was staring out into the open terrain. She could tell that his mind was clouded with thoughts.

"Hey," she nudged him playfully. "Whatcha doin?"

He didn't take his eyes off the scene in front of him, "Just thinking,"

"What about?" She followed his gaze.

He didn't respond immediately to her question. She gazed up at his profile. The way he stood in silence, in thought, it always took her breath away. She watched as the wind pushed through his long locks of hair and his kimono. His yellow eyes always held such deep emotion, despite his need to hide them. It showed.

"It's taken us three years," he finally answered. "It seems so quick."

"I know," she agreed.

"What do you plan to do now?" He looked down at her. "With the Jewel?"

She looked up into his eyes. Her heart began to pick up its pace as she rubbed her hands together nervously. They were becoming clammy and her nerves pulled beneath her skin.

She shrugged, "I don't know. Kaede told me that the Jewel should be purified, so that no one will come after it, ever again. And in order to do that, I, well, someone needs to make a wish."

"But that would mean…"

"I couldn't travel back and forth anymore. I'd have to go back home…"

"Or you could stay here."

She could feel the blood rush to her cheeks, causing her to fidget nervously with her fingers, "I don't know about that. I mean, my family and friends are in the future…"

He kept his eyes on her, "You have that here too."

"Yeah," she tried to keep her cheeks from flushing anymore. "You're right…What about you? What are you going to do now?"

Inuyasha returned his eyes to the open fields around them. He took a deep breath, before answering, "I'm going to find Kikyou."

Kagome felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. She could feel her breath leave her, making it difficult for her to speak, "You-you're gonna do what?"

He turned to her once more, "I have to."

She stared up at him, confused. The words that were coming out of his mouth seemed to be in a foreign language. She couldn't understand what he was telling her, "What? Why?"

"Cause I know she's still out there," he told her.

"So?" Kagome could feel her lip quivering.

"As long as I know that she's still out there," the hanyou reached out to the girl. "I have to help her."

She jumped back, "How?! How are you going to do that? She hates you!"

"I know," he grabbed her hands, pulling her closer. "But I have to try."

"You did!" She was in such a state of shock, she hadn't realized that her entire body was trembling. "Too many times, in fact! Inuyasha she is beyond help. She wants you dead, with her. What are you going to do? Are you going to follow her?"

He wrapped his arms around her, "I don't know what I'm going to do…"

"And what about me?" She embraced him, tightening her grip. She didn't want to let go. She didn't want to let him go. She began to cry. "I know she says you owe her that…but you can't die…You just can't…I…I don't want you to…I…I love you…"

She could feel his arms tighten around her and through her sobs, she could hear him whisper, "Kagome, I have to try and set things right."

She buried her face into his chest. Her tears seeped into his kimono. She had to know, "Do you love me?"

"Kagome," he stumbled through his words. "I…I…It's not that simple…"

"Yes or no," she pushed against his chest, looking into his eyes, tears running down her cheeks.

"It's just…" he tried once more. "Well…I…"

Her eyes gazed upon the hanyou, studying his face. After all this time, all their travels, and how protective he had become of her and their brief, tender moments together, she thought, no, she was sure that he had felt the same way. She thought that if she had said it first, he would be able to say it. It took every ounce of courage in her to come out with it. She thought he had accepted the truth, she was the past and Kagome was his present. But it was nothing more then an illusion, her illusion. Her very own fantasy, that herself and the hanyou could be together; that he had gotten over her. Again, she was wrong. It always came back to her. It would never be Kagome.

"Right," she pushed his arms away from her. "Goodbye Inuyasha."

With one last look, absorbing his features, she walked away from the hanyou she loved.

The breaking sound of her voice as she told him goodbye, brought another rush of dejection through her. The feeling was just as strong as it was the moment she left. It angered her that it was still there. It wasn't supposed to be. She had told herself many times, not to look back. She had worked hard at convincing herself to let go; to forget. It was supposed to be gone.

She took in a deep breath and suppressed the emotion that was tearing her up inside. She glanced down at the tiny orb that was resting in her hand. Before he had left it for her, she had not laid eyes on it since the day she left. Although it lost some of its shine, it was still beautiful. It was supposed to be a symbol of hope, but its presence and desire for ownership had brought so much pain and suffering. With the most recent events, Kagome could still see its troubled trail.

"Damn it," she whispered to herself.

--------------------------------------------------------------TBC----------------------------

**Oh and pruningshears, thanks for the suggestion. I'll keep that in mind.**