Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or characters in this fic

Chapter 12 – decision

She knew, of course, what eternity had implied. Ever since the discovery of her talent, Kagome was able to look into the past and glimpse into the future; the idea of limitless time simply made her shudder.

Yet oddly, when Kikyou spoke that word, Kagome felt non of the fear and despair, she had even began to wonder what it had been like to be trapped inside the jewel.. inside that eternal darkness.. totally helpless, totally alone.

It must have been hard for Kikyou, too.

She understood now why she was drawn into the Shikon no Tama, why Kikyou had looked upon her with such hunger. It was her body that Kikyou had wanted all along. The shell of Higurashi Kagome that Kikyou would replace her soul into when she was released from her imprisonment.. so that she may live once more..

Inuyasha must have known it too, Kagome was certain that he would have set Kikyou free if he had know that she was trapped in this hopeless gloom for the past years instead of the eternal sleep that he had believed she was in.

Yet it was not too late to set Kikyou free now..

After all..

He had loved Kikyou..

She forced back tears, Kagome could not beg with tears, it was his choice..

And she would not blame him even if she was not the chosen..

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He was not looking at Kagome, which was suited her well, but what had anger Kikyou was that he was not looking at her either. The indecision reflected on his face mirrored the turmoil in him and it vexed Kikyou, why would he be indecisive, when the choice was obvious! That girl didn't even try to compete for the passage to the outside world, Kikyou decided, smiling inwardly. Kagome was no competition for her, Inuyasha merely needed more time to allow that logic to sink in.

And she had all the time in the world.

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The cold candlelight reflected a soft glow into his downcast golden eyes, he could not bear to look up, to look at either of them. Inuyasha had told himself with repetition that it didn't matter, it would be the same no matter whom he chose, that one of them would be lost and the other would walk out with him. He told himself that the one who will stay behind meant nothing to him..

Yet still he fought that notion..

"Inuyasha"

He looked up, almost with disappointment when he saw that Kikyou had spoken. Why hadn't Kagome said anything? Why was she not even trying to draw his attention?

"Inuyasha!" Kikyou had called him again, but instead of looking towards her, he found himself gazing at the other, who sat on the marble ground, knees draw up to her chest. She gazed back with a neutral expression, yet he could not help but to notice a faint flicker of sadness that emerged from the depth of Kagome's dark green eyes.

Had she really been a mere substitute before his eyes? Had he given the Shikon no Tama to her simply because of the resemblance of Kikyou in her? Or was it..

Was it because he truly wanted her to understand him? No as a substitute, but a new beginning and a new chance for himself?

Unconsciously, his hand moved toward the pocket where the Shikon had laid and was not surprised to find the hard, round lump inside the layer of red fabric. It grew warm as he enclosed his hand around the jewel's spherical form, sending a tingling feeling through his fingers.

He wasn't sure any more, the certainty was gone and he had begun to question in his mind. Was Kikyou really the only one that he had cherished..? Does he really love Kikyou?

Or had the emotion long died out that morning when he found her sprawled across the floor of her chamber?

Inuyasha sighed, both pairs of eyes were on him, waiting for the decision..

He must not keep them waiting..

"Kikyou.." he said.

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"Kikyou", she heard him say. It was the statement that she had waited for, but didn't she always knew that she was going to be the one?! It was about time too! Kikyou thought with triumph, glancing at the girl on the floor, She knew that girl was the looser. After all, Inuyasha cared only for her.

"Inuyasha," Kikyou said warmly as she strode toward him, this was going to be the day that she would finally be free! She slid her arm around his, a broad grin on her face. "Shall we?" Kikyou purred eagerly, her hand almost dragging Inuyasha.

It was several seconds later that she found that he was not moving, she tugged again, more forcefully this time and felt him resist against her. Yet the realisation did not dawn until she turned to him with a look of puzzlement.

The gaze from Inuyasha was sympathetic and filled with sadness.

"Kikyou.." He said in a hoarse whisper. "I am sorry.."

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End of chapter 12- decision

AN: Ok, I cheated. This was really suppose to be the second last chapter of this fic but I wrote a little more than what I originally planned and it'll be a bit long if I finished it , so I kinda split this chapter into two (that's the excuse anyway, it's also largely because I'm lazy + writer's block). Therefor, there will be about (hopefully) only two more chapters after this one. I'll update soon, so fear not!

Thank you to everyone that pointed out my grammar mistakes!

Dawnray (yugiohbeanies1@hotmail.com): thanks for telling me that, I appreciated it.

Anime Gurl16: ok, you type your fic on Microsoft word, then you go to save as and save it as HTML document, then you unload that HTML document onto ff.net.

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