Author's Note: I'm not killing off Kikyo because I hate her (well... Actually
I do). But that's not why I am removing her. In a way I can sympathize with
her. How her life was abruptly ended by a cold hearted murderer. The new
threat of a prettier girl slowly stealing the heart of your once lost love;
your only love. It's enough to make a girl go mad. So don't ask me if Kikyo
is going to be killed off quickly. She'll be gone in about one more
chapter. God I sound cruel.
And this is not supposed to be a fast romance. I'll stretch out this whole love fiasco as long as I want to...Evil aren't I?
Disclaimer: Not even close.
High School Reunion
Chapter Eight
Surprise, Surprise
It had been a week later and the memory still lingered in Kagome's head. But it was slowly beginning to fade. Not the memory itself but the pain of the event that had happened.
It was beginning to lessen each day. She smiled as she entered her home and could smell the lemony smell of cleaning products fill up the air of her house. Her cleaning maid was here. She came twice a week for the last ten years.
At first Kagome was hesitant about hiring someone to clean her house but her mom insisted.
Especially after that one incident on Christmas when her mom unexpectedly showed up at her penthouse. Her mom saw how messy the house was and the next day gave Kagome a card saying that she should call Kaede because she did miracles with cleaning houses. Her mother was right as usual.
And Kagome had yet to see any reason why she should fire Kaede. The house was always perfect when she came home from work. And Kaede never complained about the mess and the extent of it. Not even once.
Unlike most cleaning maids, Kaede knew better than to cross over the boundary lines. She didn't even falter near them. She minded her own business and Kagome did the same.
She followed the sounds of the vacuum cleaner and saw Kaede cleaning the drapes. When she saw Kagome she turned off the vacuum and came off her little step ladder. "Hello Miss Higurashi." Kaede said as she started packing her cleaning products. Kaede was finished.
Kagome sat down on the couch exhausted from work as well as other things. "Kaede how many times do I have to tell you that you don't have to address me by that name. It's too formal, just call me Kagome."
Kaede smiled and had finished packing her stuff. Kagome pulled out her checkbook and pen out of her purse and scribbled down the amount for Kaede's weekly work.
"Here you go." Kagome handed Kaede the check, Kaede took it graciously.
Kaede looked at the check and her eye grew larger than usual, since the other was covered by an eye patch. It was from an car accident years ago as Kaede claimed. "I couldn't take this, it's took much. Much more than what I am usually paid." She started handing back the check when Kagome put a hand up and shook her head. "No Kaede, it's okay. I want you to have it, you deserve it."
Seeing that Kagome would not take the check back she put it away safely in her pocket. "Well then I'll give you some advice, because it's the least I could do for what you've given me."
Kagome sat up straight on her couch and eyed Kaede curiously. Kagome decided to listen since Kaede usually gave good advice.
Kaede sat down next to her on the couch and put her hand on top of Kagome's. "Child, your eyes carry pain. A pain that only a man could've caused. Now before you fuss about it, listen to me first. I've worked for you for many years. And every time you came home from work on the days I was working here you've always been happy. A smile on your face each time. But looking at you I don't see that same smile. I only see a false copy of it. I may be old but I know that love can be a fickle thing. It can make or break your heart in the end. Don't make it any harder on yourself. Call him or move on. But if I were you I would call."
Kagome watched Kaede rise from the couch, grabbing her cleaning supplies, and headed out the door. Kagome sat there dazed.
She looked at the phone that sat on her table next to the couch. It was tempting... She shook her head and headed to her room. She would have to move on.
She couldn't call him. No matter how much she wanted to.
She just couldn't.
Inuyasha walked up the steps of Kikyo's house. He was nervous. It had been a long time since he had seen her. He didn't know what to feel about her.
The last time he talked to her was a week ago. The day that he arrived back from Japan...
His hand slightly trembled when he rang the doorbell. He waited only a few seconds when the door slowly opened. He was about to gasp out loud but kept his mouth shut.
The Kikyo that he had known was different now. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail revealing every inch of her face. There were large heavy dark circles under her eyes. They were also slightly swollen. The color of her skin was unusually pale. It seemed as if she had no life in her.
Her skinny skeletal-like hands waved him to come in. Inuyasha stepped inside her house. It was small and home-like. He sat on the couch that Kikyo pointed him to sit on.
He sat down and watched her sit down across from him. "Hello Inuyasha." Her voice was monotone. There was no life and rhythm in the way she spoke. It was dull and dry like a crackling leaf on an autumn day.
"Hi Kikyo." Inuyasha responded. She smiled very little and then gestured him to have some food that was on a platter on the coffee table in front of him. He took a cookie and popped it in his mouth.
Even the cookie was stale. But he managed to swallow all of it down. "So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Inuyasha said as he grabbed a glass of water that was also on the table.
He took a sip and then put it back down and watched Kikyo. She held several documents in her hand and set it on her lap. She wouldn't let Inuyasha see it just yet.
"During the time that I distanced away from you. Was around the same time I began to get sick. Extremely sick, at times it was so volatile I would end up in the emergency room... When the doctor told me the next day I was diagnosed with untreatable leukemia for over several months now..."
Inuyasha looked at her and saw the hurt in her eyes. He could feel the pain too. Kikyo looked outside of her window and continued to talk. "I guess in some way I knew that I was dying... But what hurt me even more was that I wouldn't be able to grow old with you. I couldn't have you any more. It wouldn't be fair to you. So that's why I returned the ring. I'm so sorry for all the pain I caused you and everything I put you through. But then wasn't the right time to tell you."
Inuyasha gently bit his tongue back from asking her harshly 'Why?' but waited patiently instead and let her continue. "I have several months left in me still. Those months will be spent in Tibet. They have a quiet monastery there in which I can live my short period of life there in peace. They have let me stay there for that duration of time. But in the next few weeks I am leaving to Japan. To say goodbye to my family, to let them know."
Kikyo saw the emotions flicked through Inuyasha's eyes. From pain to anger to sadness. "So you're leaving me? After all we've been through... It's over? Just like that?" Inuyasha whispered.
Kikyo's eyes started to get teary again. "Inuyasha, you know that I'll always love you. But I can't be with you here. Maybe in your heart. But in the end you deserve to be happy, to have someone to grow old with you. A partner that will be here with you for many years to come. That's something I can't offer. Please let me go. Let me be free. I couldn't bear to live with this burden in my heart or leave you with the same."
Inuyasha nodded and went over to Kikyo's side. "Okay I'll let you be... And thank you for giving me a chance too. I'm glad that you understand." He kissed her on the side of her face. It was a kiss of goodbye.
The hardest goodbye to say. Because he was leaving her, and vice versa for her.
And she was dying. This woman who had so much to offer in life was dying. It wasn't fair, but there was nothing he could do but give her what she wanted.
Kikyo gave him the papers. His eyes briefly scanned through it. It was her will.
"I want you to have the very first ring you gave to me. The ring you gave to me at prom in high school." Inuyasha saw his name and the possessions he would be receiving.
He shut his eyes to hold back the tears. It was so painful to see all his years of love and commitment spent on her, being given back. It wasn't because she was heartless. It was because she had to give back all the things that he had given her. So he could move on.
And so she could move on.
On the list was also a diamond bracelet, a car, a black dress, a pearl necklace, and the silver ring that he gave her on the prom night. She was returning everything that he had given to her as a gift, back. All of it.
Inuyasha put the will on the table and hugged her. They cried together. For one last time. It was the only time he would have with her. Before she left him for good.
They cried for the pain and for happiness. For all the years they had together and for all the years they wouldn't have together. For the friendship they endure to the fights.
They would have each other in the end, in their hearts. And that's why they cried together.
Kagome coughed and threw up again in the toilet. She flushed her stomach's content and stood up. She washed her face in her bathroom sink. It had been a month now. And lately Kagome had been throwing up. She had a feeling that she knew why.
And it scared her. The doorbell rang and it was Sango with the results. Kagome had gone the hospital the day before and had a check up. Sango entered the house and waved the envelope in front of her casually.
"Here you go." Kagome opened the envelope and pulled out her results. Her fears were confirmed. She was pregnant.
The paper was brightly decorated with the words across the pamphlet saying 'Congrats! You're A Mommy Now!' and the test results right behind it. She closed her eyes and leaned back against the couch.
Sango looked at the paper and gasped. "Oh my god! Kagome... Is it? Are you?" Sango sat down next to Kagome and held her hand. "Kagome is it his?" Sango questioned.
Kagome looked down at her flat belly and put her available hand over it. A baby was slowly growing inside of her. She was carrying life. She gulped.
"Yeah... It's his, there's no other way it could be anyone else's. It was my first time." Kagome admitted.
She looked at Sango who looked concerned for her. "Kagome what are you going to do?"
"What else? I'm going to keep it. I couldn't take away it's life. It wouldn't be fair." Kagome whispered, as if she was afraid someone else would hear.
"I wasn't suggesting that. I meant are you going to tell him, Kagome? Are you going to tell Inuyasha?" Sango asked firmly.
Kagome thought for awhile looking at her stomach. "No, I can't interfere with his life. His life is on the other side of the world. A world that we could never be a part of... But that's okay. I've always wanted a family. It'll be me and the baby. And my family and friends."
Sango looked at her, speechless. "Kagome, you can't... Oh! What am I going to tell Miroku? To not tell Inuyasha? Our wedding is in twelve months. Inuyasha is going to be invited and so are you! Hello!? That spells uh oh, right there."
"Sango calm down. We have time, we'll see from here. Please don't tell Miroku. Not yet anyways. Okay?" Kagome looked at Sango with her puppy eyes. Sango finally gave in and smiled. "Okay I won't tell him yet... But when the time is right I'm going to." Kagome nodded agreeing with Sango.
Sango put her hand on top of Kagome's stomach. "I guess I'm going to be your auntie huh?" She said to the baby that was developing. Kagome smiled.
For her, this wasn't a set back. It was only the start. And she could feel it. It was a good feeling.
It was midnight but Kagome could hear a loud pounding on the door. She dragged herself out of bed and went closer to the source of the sound.
It was soft and rapid. She gasped when she saw who it was through the eye hole of her door.
She turned on the lights in her living room and opened the door to let the person in.
She was frozen as she watched the person that stood in front of her.
It was Kikyo.
Kagome was at loss for words. Her mind raced with questions. 'Does she know?' and 'Why is she here?' Kagome put on a faint smile unsure of what to say or do. It was Kikyo.
Kikyo stepped inside and smiled at her. "Lets sit down Kagome." Kagome nodded and followed her to the couches in her living room. She sat down on the couch next to Kikyo waiting for her to say something.
Kikyo got the message and started first. "I know your wondering what am I doing here? Well I guess I wanted to see you Kagome. You've become very successful here. I passed by at least a dozen billboards of you on my way here."
Kagome continued to keep the smile plastered on her face. "Oh, thank you." Kagome said politely.
"I must admit I was jealous of you back then. You were the new girl in... When was it? Oh yes, junior year. You were the perfect schoolgirl. Your face was always flawless, your smile could light up the whole room, and it seemed like nothing scared you." Kikyo paused for a moment watching Kagome. She continued seeing that Kagome wasn't feeling threatened; instead she clearly saw confusion written on her face.
"The perfect new girl. I must admit you survived our high school pretty well. It's rough when you're the new girl, but even harder when your in a vastly large school. It is overwhelming. But that's not why I'm here. I'm here to tell you that I know."
Kagome tensed when she heard the words. She pulled herself out of the trance and said "Know what?" Trying to play dumb as possible.
Obviously it didn't work.
"That you love Inuyasha." Kikyo said as if it had unaffected her. As if it didn't bother her.
"You've loved him for a long time Kagome. And I know that he loves you too. The day he came over and we had our... Chat, he said 'Goodbye Kagome' not Kikyo but you. And I knew right then and there, that in Japan, his heart was smitten by someone else. You, Kagome, it was you."
"Look Kikyo I never meant to..." Kikyo cut her off and said "I'm not mad Kagome; in fact I'm happy for you. You deserve each other. He needs someone like you to keep him stable. You're the perfect one Kagome, can't you see that he loves you."
"But Inuyasha loves you too, Kikyo." Kagome fought back.
Kikyo smiled and eyed Kagome curiously. "Yes he loves me, as a friend. He loves me because we've been companions for a long time. Love like what you have for a friend. Not love like he has for you."
Kagome let the words rerun in her head over and over. 'Was Kikyo suggesting that Inuyasha...?' Kagome shook her head vehemently. "No Kikyo, he loves you. Not me. You. What we had, it was brief, and it was a mistake."
"Kagome look at me. I know for a fact that you don't believe that. Don't cloud your heart. It's okay now. I'm letting you know that you can have him now. I can't... Because I'm dying Kagome, I don't have much time here. And I can't give Inuyasha what he wants." Kikyo blinked back her tears and let her genuine smile through instead.
"But you can. And I don't hate you for that, I'm happy that he's found somebody. You guys can have a life together now. He doesn't have to grieve when I'm gone. And I'll know that I'm not leaving him behind sad and alone."
Kagome's heart drooped in sadness. She couldn't believe it. Kikyo was dying. The last thing she would ever expect to come out of her mouth.
"I feel so wrong though. You're his first love, and I can't take that away."
Kikyo let out a soft short laugh. "Kagome I want you to know that I love him and yes, he loves me too. But it would never match to the strength and passion that you and he have for each other. And yes, I might've been his first love, but he has the right to move on. It's the best thing to do."
Kagome felt a tear slide down her cheek. "Oh Kikyo I'm so sorry, it's all my fault."
Kikyo shook her head. "No it's not your fault that I'm dying. I... I think it's a message that the big guy up there sent down to me. I guess it is my time to go. Kagome thank you for letting Inuyasha into your life. He deserves a strong-willed and determined woman like you."
Kagome didn't know what made her do it but she hugged Kikyo. She understood now, Kikyo came here to let her breathe a little easier. Kikyo wanted her to be happy.
For both of them to be happy. Her and Kikyo. It was as if she was a long lost friend delivering her a message.
"Kagome take good care of him and the baby. Goodbye." She stood up and winked at Kagome and gently closed the door behind her.
Kagome watched the door. She was expected it to open again and Kikyo would come in and explain to her how she knew. But she never came back.
Inuyasha watched as the little silver metal pendulums clashed against each other. Swinging side to side. He was in his office alone. It was late at night.
He didn't want to go home, it was only a painful reminder. And he couldn't go back to Kikyo.
Kikyo was since long gone.
Her house was sold. She was gone. She was no longer near him. She was on the other side of the world. Without a trace.
Inuyasha sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He didn't understand it. Why he felt sad at the same time.
Sure Kikyo was dying but she wanted him to be happy, so she leaves? Instead that left him even more confused.
And Kagome...
He hadn't stopped thinking about her. He felt ashamed that he had left her. He should've gone back.
But he couldn't, because of Kikyo.
And now he was losing that too.
Everything seemed to be crumbling beneath him. Nothing was going right for him anymore. He looked at the picture on his desk. The one that was taken a year ago.
Kikyo and him were having a picnic that day. She was sitting next to him on the blanket, smiling at the camera. He too, was smiling at the camera with his arms encircled around her.
They much in love back then. He sighed again.
It wasn't fair. Nothing ever was. Anyone that he ever truly loved enough would be gone. His mother, Kikyo, and Kagome. It was as if everything in life spited him.
And all the money that he had was nothing. Nothing at all without them.
What good was anything if you were sad, depressed, and alone?
He dialed a number and called Miroku.
It was the one person he could trust and talk to.
After the operator connected him to the other line he was relieved when someone answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Sango?" Inuyasha said.
"Oh! Hi Inuyasha. Miroku isn't here right now."
"Oh..." Inuyasha was disappointed. But then suddenly a thought popped up into his head.
And before he knew what he was doing he asked Sango "How's Kagome."
There was a pause at the other end of the line. Sango didn't know what to tell him.
AN: So how was that guys? Now I have to update my other stories. After I come back from Hawaii, maybe my uncle will be nice enough to use his computer there (he's such a surf bum)? If so, I can update much more faster. I really hope so.
And this is not supposed to be a fast romance. I'll stretch out this whole love fiasco as long as I want to...Evil aren't I?
Disclaimer: Not even close.
High School Reunion
Chapter Eight
Surprise, Surprise
It had been a week later and the memory still lingered in Kagome's head. But it was slowly beginning to fade. Not the memory itself but the pain of the event that had happened.
It was beginning to lessen each day. She smiled as she entered her home and could smell the lemony smell of cleaning products fill up the air of her house. Her cleaning maid was here. She came twice a week for the last ten years.
At first Kagome was hesitant about hiring someone to clean her house but her mom insisted.
Especially after that one incident on Christmas when her mom unexpectedly showed up at her penthouse. Her mom saw how messy the house was and the next day gave Kagome a card saying that she should call Kaede because she did miracles with cleaning houses. Her mother was right as usual.
And Kagome had yet to see any reason why she should fire Kaede. The house was always perfect when she came home from work. And Kaede never complained about the mess and the extent of it. Not even once.
Unlike most cleaning maids, Kaede knew better than to cross over the boundary lines. She didn't even falter near them. She minded her own business and Kagome did the same.
She followed the sounds of the vacuum cleaner and saw Kaede cleaning the drapes. When she saw Kagome she turned off the vacuum and came off her little step ladder. "Hello Miss Higurashi." Kaede said as she started packing her cleaning products. Kaede was finished.
Kagome sat down on the couch exhausted from work as well as other things. "Kaede how many times do I have to tell you that you don't have to address me by that name. It's too formal, just call me Kagome."
Kaede smiled and had finished packing her stuff. Kagome pulled out her checkbook and pen out of her purse and scribbled down the amount for Kaede's weekly work.
"Here you go." Kagome handed Kaede the check, Kaede took it graciously.
Kaede looked at the check and her eye grew larger than usual, since the other was covered by an eye patch. It was from an car accident years ago as Kaede claimed. "I couldn't take this, it's took much. Much more than what I am usually paid." She started handing back the check when Kagome put a hand up and shook her head. "No Kaede, it's okay. I want you to have it, you deserve it."
Seeing that Kagome would not take the check back she put it away safely in her pocket. "Well then I'll give you some advice, because it's the least I could do for what you've given me."
Kagome sat up straight on her couch and eyed Kaede curiously. Kagome decided to listen since Kaede usually gave good advice.
Kaede sat down next to her on the couch and put her hand on top of Kagome's. "Child, your eyes carry pain. A pain that only a man could've caused. Now before you fuss about it, listen to me first. I've worked for you for many years. And every time you came home from work on the days I was working here you've always been happy. A smile on your face each time. But looking at you I don't see that same smile. I only see a false copy of it. I may be old but I know that love can be a fickle thing. It can make or break your heart in the end. Don't make it any harder on yourself. Call him or move on. But if I were you I would call."
Kagome watched Kaede rise from the couch, grabbing her cleaning supplies, and headed out the door. Kagome sat there dazed.
She looked at the phone that sat on her table next to the couch. It was tempting... She shook her head and headed to her room. She would have to move on.
She couldn't call him. No matter how much she wanted to.
She just couldn't.
Inuyasha walked up the steps of Kikyo's house. He was nervous. It had been a long time since he had seen her. He didn't know what to feel about her.
The last time he talked to her was a week ago. The day that he arrived back from Japan...
His hand slightly trembled when he rang the doorbell. He waited only a few seconds when the door slowly opened. He was about to gasp out loud but kept his mouth shut.
The Kikyo that he had known was different now. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail revealing every inch of her face. There were large heavy dark circles under her eyes. They were also slightly swollen. The color of her skin was unusually pale. It seemed as if she had no life in her.
Her skinny skeletal-like hands waved him to come in. Inuyasha stepped inside her house. It was small and home-like. He sat on the couch that Kikyo pointed him to sit on.
He sat down and watched her sit down across from him. "Hello Inuyasha." Her voice was monotone. There was no life and rhythm in the way she spoke. It was dull and dry like a crackling leaf on an autumn day.
"Hi Kikyo." Inuyasha responded. She smiled very little and then gestured him to have some food that was on a platter on the coffee table in front of him. He took a cookie and popped it in his mouth.
Even the cookie was stale. But he managed to swallow all of it down. "So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Inuyasha said as he grabbed a glass of water that was also on the table.
He took a sip and then put it back down and watched Kikyo. She held several documents in her hand and set it on her lap. She wouldn't let Inuyasha see it just yet.
"During the time that I distanced away from you. Was around the same time I began to get sick. Extremely sick, at times it was so volatile I would end up in the emergency room... When the doctor told me the next day I was diagnosed with untreatable leukemia for over several months now..."
Inuyasha looked at her and saw the hurt in her eyes. He could feel the pain too. Kikyo looked outside of her window and continued to talk. "I guess in some way I knew that I was dying... But what hurt me even more was that I wouldn't be able to grow old with you. I couldn't have you any more. It wouldn't be fair to you. So that's why I returned the ring. I'm so sorry for all the pain I caused you and everything I put you through. But then wasn't the right time to tell you."
Inuyasha gently bit his tongue back from asking her harshly 'Why?' but waited patiently instead and let her continue. "I have several months left in me still. Those months will be spent in Tibet. They have a quiet monastery there in which I can live my short period of life there in peace. They have let me stay there for that duration of time. But in the next few weeks I am leaving to Japan. To say goodbye to my family, to let them know."
Kikyo saw the emotions flicked through Inuyasha's eyes. From pain to anger to sadness. "So you're leaving me? After all we've been through... It's over? Just like that?" Inuyasha whispered.
Kikyo's eyes started to get teary again. "Inuyasha, you know that I'll always love you. But I can't be with you here. Maybe in your heart. But in the end you deserve to be happy, to have someone to grow old with you. A partner that will be here with you for many years to come. That's something I can't offer. Please let me go. Let me be free. I couldn't bear to live with this burden in my heart or leave you with the same."
Inuyasha nodded and went over to Kikyo's side. "Okay I'll let you be... And thank you for giving me a chance too. I'm glad that you understand." He kissed her on the side of her face. It was a kiss of goodbye.
The hardest goodbye to say. Because he was leaving her, and vice versa for her.
And she was dying. This woman who had so much to offer in life was dying. It wasn't fair, but there was nothing he could do but give her what she wanted.
Kikyo gave him the papers. His eyes briefly scanned through it. It was her will.
"I want you to have the very first ring you gave to me. The ring you gave to me at prom in high school." Inuyasha saw his name and the possessions he would be receiving.
He shut his eyes to hold back the tears. It was so painful to see all his years of love and commitment spent on her, being given back. It wasn't because she was heartless. It was because she had to give back all the things that he had given her. So he could move on.
And so she could move on.
On the list was also a diamond bracelet, a car, a black dress, a pearl necklace, and the silver ring that he gave her on the prom night. She was returning everything that he had given to her as a gift, back. All of it.
Inuyasha put the will on the table and hugged her. They cried together. For one last time. It was the only time he would have with her. Before she left him for good.
They cried for the pain and for happiness. For all the years they had together and for all the years they wouldn't have together. For the friendship they endure to the fights.
They would have each other in the end, in their hearts. And that's why they cried together.
Kagome coughed and threw up again in the toilet. She flushed her stomach's content and stood up. She washed her face in her bathroom sink. It had been a month now. And lately Kagome had been throwing up. She had a feeling that she knew why.
And it scared her. The doorbell rang and it was Sango with the results. Kagome had gone the hospital the day before and had a check up. Sango entered the house and waved the envelope in front of her casually.
"Here you go." Kagome opened the envelope and pulled out her results. Her fears were confirmed. She was pregnant.
The paper was brightly decorated with the words across the pamphlet saying 'Congrats! You're A Mommy Now!' and the test results right behind it. She closed her eyes and leaned back against the couch.
Sango looked at the paper and gasped. "Oh my god! Kagome... Is it? Are you?" Sango sat down next to Kagome and held her hand. "Kagome is it his?" Sango questioned.
Kagome looked down at her flat belly and put her available hand over it. A baby was slowly growing inside of her. She was carrying life. She gulped.
"Yeah... It's his, there's no other way it could be anyone else's. It was my first time." Kagome admitted.
She looked at Sango who looked concerned for her. "Kagome what are you going to do?"
"What else? I'm going to keep it. I couldn't take away it's life. It wouldn't be fair." Kagome whispered, as if she was afraid someone else would hear.
"I wasn't suggesting that. I meant are you going to tell him, Kagome? Are you going to tell Inuyasha?" Sango asked firmly.
Kagome thought for awhile looking at her stomach. "No, I can't interfere with his life. His life is on the other side of the world. A world that we could never be a part of... But that's okay. I've always wanted a family. It'll be me and the baby. And my family and friends."
Sango looked at her, speechless. "Kagome, you can't... Oh! What am I going to tell Miroku? To not tell Inuyasha? Our wedding is in twelve months. Inuyasha is going to be invited and so are you! Hello!? That spells uh oh, right there."
"Sango calm down. We have time, we'll see from here. Please don't tell Miroku. Not yet anyways. Okay?" Kagome looked at Sango with her puppy eyes. Sango finally gave in and smiled. "Okay I won't tell him yet... But when the time is right I'm going to." Kagome nodded agreeing with Sango.
Sango put her hand on top of Kagome's stomach. "I guess I'm going to be your auntie huh?" She said to the baby that was developing. Kagome smiled.
For her, this wasn't a set back. It was only the start. And she could feel it. It was a good feeling.
It was midnight but Kagome could hear a loud pounding on the door. She dragged herself out of bed and went closer to the source of the sound.
It was soft and rapid. She gasped when she saw who it was through the eye hole of her door.
She turned on the lights in her living room and opened the door to let the person in.
She was frozen as she watched the person that stood in front of her.
It was Kikyo.
Kagome was at loss for words. Her mind raced with questions. 'Does she know?' and 'Why is she here?' Kagome put on a faint smile unsure of what to say or do. It was Kikyo.
Kikyo stepped inside and smiled at her. "Lets sit down Kagome." Kagome nodded and followed her to the couches in her living room. She sat down on the couch next to Kikyo waiting for her to say something.
Kikyo got the message and started first. "I know your wondering what am I doing here? Well I guess I wanted to see you Kagome. You've become very successful here. I passed by at least a dozen billboards of you on my way here."
Kagome continued to keep the smile plastered on her face. "Oh, thank you." Kagome said politely.
"I must admit I was jealous of you back then. You were the new girl in... When was it? Oh yes, junior year. You were the perfect schoolgirl. Your face was always flawless, your smile could light up the whole room, and it seemed like nothing scared you." Kikyo paused for a moment watching Kagome. She continued seeing that Kagome wasn't feeling threatened; instead she clearly saw confusion written on her face.
"The perfect new girl. I must admit you survived our high school pretty well. It's rough when you're the new girl, but even harder when your in a vastly large school. It is overwhelming. But that's not why I'm here. I'm here to tell you that I know."
Kagome tensed when she heard the words. She pulled herself out of the trance and said "Know what?" Trying to play dumb as possible.
Obviously it didn't work.
"That you love Inuyasha." Kikyo said as if it had unaffected her. As if it didn't bother her.
"You've loved him for a long time Kagome. And I know that he loves you too. The day he came over and we had our... Chat, he said 'Goodbye Kagome' not Kikyo but you. And I knew right then and there, that in Japan, his heart was smitten by someone else. You, Kagome, it was you."
"Look Kikyo I never meant to..." Kikyo cut her off and said "I'm not mad Kagome; in fact I'm happy for you. You deserve each other. He needs someone like you to keep him stable. You're the perfect one Kagome, can't you see that he loves you."
"But Inuyasha loves you too, Kikyo." Kagome fought back.
Kikyo smiled and eyed Kagome curiously. "Yes he loves me, as a friend. He loves me because we've been companions for a long time. Love like what you have for a friend. Not love like he has for you."
Kagome let the words rerun in her head over and over. 'Was Kikyo suggesting that Inuyasha...?' Kagome shook her head vehemently. "No Kikyo, he loves you. Not me. You. What we had, it was brief, and it was a mistake."
"Kagome look at me. I know for a fact that you don't believe that. Don't cloud your heart. It's okay now. I'm letting you know that you can have him now. I can't... Because I'm dying Kagome, I don't have much time here. And I can't give Inuyasha what he wants." Kikyo blinked back her tears and let her genuine smile through instead.
"But you can. And I don't hate you for that, I'm happy that he's found somebody. You guys can have a life together now. He doesn't have to grieve when I'm gone. And I'll know that I'm not leaving him behind sad and alone."
Kagome's heart drooped in sadness. She couldn't believe it. Kikyo was dying. The last thing she would ever expect to come out of her mouth.
"I feel so wrong though. You're his first love, and I can't take that away."
Kikyo let out a soft short laugh. "Kagome I want you to know that I love him and yes, he loves me too. But it would never match to the strength and passion that you and he have for each other. And yes, I might've been his first love, but he has the right to move on. It's the best thing to do."
Kagome felt a tear slide down her cheek. "Oh Kikyo I'm so sorry, it's all my fault."
Kikyo shook her head. "No it's not your fault that I'm dying. I... I think it's a message that the big guy up there sent down to me. I guess it is my time to go. Kagome thank you for letting Inuyasha into your life. He deserves a strong-willed and determined woman like you."
Kagome didn't know what made her do it but she hugged Kikyo. She understood now, Kikyo came here to let her breathe a little easier. Kikyo wanted her to be happy.
For both of them to be happy. Her and Kikyo. It was as if she was a long lost friend delivering her a message.
"Kagome take good care of him and the baby. Goodbye." She stood up and winked at Kagome and gently closed the door behind her.
Kagome watched the door. She was expected it to open again and Kikyo would come in and explain to her how she knew. But she never came back.
Inuyasha watched as the little silver metal pendulums clashed against each other. Swinging side to side. He was in his office alone. It was late at night.
He didn't want to go home, it was only a painful reminder. And he couldn't go back to Kikyo.
Kikyo was since long gone.
Her house was sold. She was gone. She was no longer near him. She was on the other side of the world. Without a trace.
Inuyasha sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He didn't understand it. Why he felt sad at the same time.
Sure Kikyo was dying but she wanted him to be happy, so she leaves? Instead that left him even more confused.
And Kagome...
He hadn't stopped thinking about her. He felt ashamed that he had left her. He should've gone back.
But he couldn't, because of Kikyo.
And now he was losing that too.
Everything seemed to be crumbling beneath him. Nothing was going right for him anymore. He looked at the picture on his desk. The one that was taken a year ago.
Kikyo and him were having a picnic that day. She was sitting next to him on the blanket, smiling at the camera. He too, was smiling at the camera with his arms encircled around her.
They much in love back then. He sighed again.
It wasn't fair. Nothing ever was. Anyone that he ever truly loved enough would be gone. His mother, Kikyo, and Kagome. It was as if everything in life spited him.
And all the money that he had was nothing. Nothing at all without them.
What good was anything if you were sad, depressed, and alone?
He dialed a number and called Miroku.
It was the one person he could trust and talk to.
After the operator connected him to the other line he was relieved when someone answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Sango?" Inuyasha said.
"Oh! Hi Inuyasha. Miroku isn't here right now."
"Oh..." Inuyasha was disappointed. But then suddenly a thought popped up into his head.
And before he knew what he was doing he asked Sango "How's Kagome."
There was a pause at the other end of the line. Sango didn't know what to tell him.
AN: So how was that guys? Now I have to update my other stories. After I come back from Hawaii, maybe my uncle will be nice enough to use his computer there (he's such a surf bum)? If so, I can update much more faster. I really hope so.