A Few Notes:

I'm thrilled to see so many people enjoying the story. HMPrune suggested some Sango/Miroku interaction and I would have loved to include that pairing. However, I didn't feel I could do both couples justice without adding too much length to the story and dragging it out endlessly. There is an indirect reference to their relationship in the next chapter, used to help Kagome see the light. Hopefully that will be satisfactory for my S/M readers :-)

On with the show!

Releasing Your Heart: Best of Friends

by arisu-the-pink

When Inuyasha found her, Kikyou was tossing a ball toward a small group of village children. She seemed to sense his approach before he spoke a word and shooed the children away, seating herself beside a gurgling fountain.

"You've decided." The little girls took their ball and ran off, leaving Kikyou and Inuyasha alone in the courtyard.

Inuyasha nodded, though Kikyou was still watching the youngsters. "I can't stop being who I am, Kikyou." He took a seat beside the miko and stared into the water beside them. "I used to hate being a hanyou – contemptible to humans and scorned by demons. Over the last few years though, I too have grown. To become human would be to deny my heart every bit as much as becoming a demon." He fell silent, nervously awaiting her response.

"Years ago, you and I were the same: two beings outside of our kind, seeking to belong and be loved. Now, we've both accepted ourselves and become better for it." Kikyou met the hanyou's eyes with a soft and bittersweet smile. "I release you, Inuyasha."

"Kikyou?"

"I can't hold your heart and life in my hands when I have no need of them. Instead, share them with someone who will appreciate the gift and honor it. I will always be your friend." She reached a hand out to him which he took in stunned silence.

A great weight was suddenly lifted from his shoulders. His passion for her had disappeared in the last year, replaced by something more pure and steady. Perhaps they were never meant to be anything more than friends. "As I will always be yours," he finally answered her, matching her smile with his own before releasing her hand.

"The Shikon-no-Tama," Kikyou began, "must still be purified. Watching over it in this state is a full-time job."

"Can't we exorcise it or something?"

"If that were possible, I would have attempted it years ago. As long as the Shikon-no-Tama remains here, tainted with even the slightest evil, those seeking its power will continue to pursue it."

An idea came to Inuyasha, one which he quickly debated in his mind before voicing. "What if the sacred jewel were hidden from demons; in a place where they don't exist?"

Kikyou followed his train of thought and nodded. "Yes, if it were taken away the village would be safe from its influence and," she added with uncharacteristic enthusiasm, "this particular Shikon jewel came from her time anyway. It's only right that it should be returned. Come with me, Inuyasha."

The pair, eager to resolve the danger the Jewel of the Four Souls presented, rushed toward the temple. Kikyou lifted it from its resting place and pressed it into her former love's hand. "I don't know what kind of barriers they have in Kagome's time but surely it will be safer there. Please tell her to use a ward on its housing, as extra protection."

Inuyasha's face fell into a frown. I can't be the one to tell her, he panicked. I can't see her now, not after so long.

Again Kikyou seemed to read his mind. "Your parting may have been cold but surely she has forgiven you. Was your bond with the girl that weak?" She turned the hanyou toward the door, leading him through it. "Go to her. She will need your guidance."

Inuyasha stood fast in the doorway. "It's not that," he began. "I hurt her deeply, Kikyou. I wanted her to be able to move on and if I succeeded, I can't take that peace away from her. No doubt she's fallen in love, is surrounded by loyal friends, and busy studying for those tests she always talked about. It would be wrong of me to pop back into her life as though the last year were a dream."

"You want to see her, Inuyasha, and you're only deceiving yourself if you deny it," Kikyou stated firmly. "The decision is yours. As long as the Shikon-no-tama is removed from our time, I am content." She brushed his arm with light affection and then left him standing with the orb in hand.

* * * *

"Sango! Where are you going?" Shippou bounded down the path Sango had made in the high meadow grasses. He caught up to her as she stood mere feet from the Bone Eater's Well.

"I've been sent on a mission," she answered the kitsune, revealing the precious cargo she held in her hand. "Inuyasha asked me to return the Shikon-no-Tama to Kagome's time for safe-keeping."

Shippou's eyes widened. "I thought he was going to become a full human or demon?"

Sango sat down on the ground to study the sacred jewel. "So did I, but we were wrong. He refused to tell me what happened, but I am certain he and Kikyou parted ways."

"They broke up?" The fox cub was thoroughly confused. "I thought he gave her his life? That's why he sent Kagome home, isn't it? If he doesn't want to be with Kikyou, then why doesn't he give her the Shikon-no-tama himself?"

Patting Shippou's head affectionately, Sango stood up again. "Because, Shippou-chan, Inuyasha is finally behaving like the man he wants to be." At his raised eyebrow, Sango laughed. "You'll understand when you are older, little one. Now return to the village and I will be back soon."

Shippou pouted. "I want to see Kagome, too."

"We can't both go, I'm sorry. But I will say hello to her for you, okay? Now go, before it becomes dark."

The little fox, though a full demon, was quite afraid of the beings who wandered the night so with no further argument he whisked off into the forest. Sango took a deep breath, fear of the unknown before her speeding her pulse and weakening her limbs. With eyes closed, she jumped into the well and disappeared.