Kagome approached InuYasha. At first she thought he was upset with her. However, he quickly pulled her to him and began crying softly. "Kagome, you're ok." She returned his hug, and then pulled back. There was pain in his eyes.

"InuYasha, I am so sorry. I didn't want to kill Kikyo but I couldn't stand there while she killed you." He bowed his head. It had hurt to hold Kikyo while she died. No matter what he would always love her.

"I know you didn't." As she stood there looking at InuYasha she realized that she still cared for him deeply but she no longer felt the love for him she once had. He would always hold a special place in her heart but part of her knew he would always see Kikyo when he looked at her.

"I couldn't believe the strength you had when you faced Naraku. Kagome, you were unbelievable. How did you do it?" She looked at him for a moment. She could never tell him that her power came from her grief. The grief of watching his brother die. Though at the time she hadn't realized it she meant what she told him. She did love him.

"My power just took over me and I knew what I had to do." Sango stepped up to the two of them. "InuYasha, Kagome needs to get more rest so that she doesn't become weak." He nodded at them and Sango lead Kagome back to Kaede's hut.

A short time later Sesshoumaru appeared. "Kagome, Rin and Shippou would like to see you. They have been worried very much." Kagome sat up and asked him to bring them in. She sat on the bed for quite some time holding the two of them. Listening to them talk incessantly. Finally Sesshoumaru told them it was time to go; and that he would bring them back the next day. Sango came for the children and Sesshoumaru went to Kagome's side.

"Tonight if you feel well I would like to take a short walk with you." She looked up at him, and could see that he had something that he wanted to speak with her about and she agreed. Sango again appeared and told him that Kagome should get some sleep. He nodded and looked back to Kagome. Sango could see that he wasn't going to leave without a moment of privacy so she stepped outside the hut.

Sesshoumaru sat beside Kagome and touched her face softly. The memory of holding her lifeless body swam through his mind. She had used her powers to save him even though he had nearly killed her in the process. He embraced her again holding her for a moment. When he pulled back he stared into her eyes before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. He then turned and left the hut.

Around dusk she awoke and he was again watching over her. She sat up and looked towards him. "You still up for that walk?" He gazed at her thoughtfully and nodded.

"Can you give me a couple of minutes so that I can get dressed?" He stood and walked outside. She found a beautiful blue kimono and brushed her hair out. She stepped out into the cool air breathing in deeply. The two walked in total silence until they were out in the fields. He was the first to speak.

"Now that the jewel is no longer in Naraku's possession will you remain here with my brother?" She stopped walking and looked up at him. "I think it would be best if I returned to my own era."

He contemplated her for a moment, "You can return to the castle with Rin and myself. Of course, Shippou is welcome as well." The thought tempted her very much.

"A part of my soul feels very tortured. Kikyo's life was cut short tragically by Naraku. If I returned to my own time you can bring her back with the Tenseiga." A pain washed through his very soul. "You love my brother that much?"

She came closer to him, "I do care for InuYasha and he has been an important part of my life. But I share Kikyo's soul. I can feel the pain she has felt. She deserves to live the life she was meant for." Tears where now flowing down Kagome's cheeks.

"I will probably leave tomorrow, staying only prolongs the pain." The thought of her leaving was almost unbearable to him but he did not show it. "If that is your wish."

That two walked back to the village in silence and he took her to her room. He gazed at her for a moment, "Tonight I will watch over you one last time." She watched him move towards the chair he had been sleeping in.

"Sesshoumaru, would you hold me until I fall asleep?" A feeling of sadness moved through him and he walked back to her. He sat on her bed with his back against the headboard. She hugged into him crying softly.

Sango was slightly taken off guard but oddly not surprised at the sight when she went to wake Kagome. Sesshoumaru was sleeping on his back, Kagome had her head rested on his chest her arms clinging around him tightly. His arms too were around her holding her very close. She decided to leave them to rest.

Kagome woke to the sound of Sesshoumaru's heart beat. How wonderful that sound was to her. She had not expected him to remain on her bed all night but was happy he did. She looked up and saw that he was still asleep. He had a content look on his face. His strong arms were wrapped around her so she simply laid her head back down. A few moments later she heard the sound of his voice.

"Have you reconsidered?" She bit back tears as she spoke, "I can't live between worlds my whole life. I would never have a chance to have a family or do many of the things I want to do." Her tears broke free for she did want to stay. He made no attempt to move; he just continued to hold her close to him. Sometime passed and she gave thought to the children.

"I need to go see Rin and Shippou." He released his grasp and she sat up, looking down at him. He had a sad look on his face. She reached out and brushed her fingers over his beautiful markings. She then brought her fingers to her lips and kissed them softly before returning them to his cheek. She then got out of the bed. He too got up and left her to get dressed.

After spending some time with the children she went to her friends and told them of her intention to leave. Sango started crying and hugged Kagome. Miroku too had tears though he kept them in.

InuYasha waited until Sango released Kagome and took her into his arms. "I'll miss you Kagome. At least I know you will be safe now." Both had started crying.

She spent the rest of the day talking with them. She spent time with the children and tried to explain to them that she had to go away. They too cried. That evening she gathered her things and said her good-byes. Everyone cried and Kagome could bear no more. Sesshoumaru took her hand and they walked back to her well together.

"Please make sure Rin knows that I love her and that I am not abandoning her." Kagome had tears pouring down her cheeks. She grabbed him and held onto him for several minutes unable to make herself let go. He put his arms around her and he too did not want to let go of the only person he had ever cared for. Finally she pulled away and looked up at him.

"Thank you. You have done so much for me." His eyes were shining with tears but he could not reply. She reached up slowly and kissed him lightly on the lips and turned away. He watched her as she climbed into the well and disappeared. Sesshoumaru slowly walked to the well and looked down into its emptiness. Knowing now that she no loner possessed the jewel; she could never come back to him.

He returned to the village and sought out Kaede. He told her of his intentions to bring Kikyo back, for it was Kagome's wish and he would honor it. She was surprised and led him to where Kikyo's body remained. He brought the priestess back and immediately he could see the resemblance to Kagome though it was obvious to him that it was not her. Kikyo looked at him with intensity and then softened.

"You are a demon why are you here?" He turned to Kaede who explained his presence. He asked Kikyo to follow him. She sensed that his intentions were good and accompanied him. He went to Sango and Miroku's hut where his brother was. He asked Kikyo to remain outside for a moment. He stepped into the hut and gave his brother long look "InuYasha, come with me." InuYasha stood hesitantly and followed Sesshoumaru.

InuYasha could not believe his eyes. His Kikyo was standing in front of him. Not as a puppet to Naraku but as the live woman he had loved for so long. He rushed to her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Kikyo, I've missed you so much." There was a deep pain in her eyes. When he pulled back he began to explain to her what Naraku had done. She listened and tears began streaming down her cheeks. Again they embraced knowing that finally they could be happy together. Sesshoumaru watched the whole scene with both pain and oddly happiness. He turned and walked away. He gathered Rin and Ah and Un then left the village, unable to stay there any longer.

Weeks went by and Rin remained melancholy. Nothing Sesshoumaru did could ease the pain of losing Kagome. She was a mother to Rin and a human child needs a mother. Sesshoumaru too felt a void in his life. Kagome's scent lingered throughout his castle. Every time he took Rin outside to play in the fields he was reminded of the days when he had two humans he cared for to watch over.

One night Sesshoumaru was unable to sleep. He went to Rin's room and found her sleeping and moved down the corridor until he found himself in front of the room Kagome had used. He stood there staring at the door and finally turned back towards his own room. He immediately went to the table beside his bed, opened the small drawer and pulled out the beautiful sash Kagome had so lovingly made for him. He caressed the pattern slowly and again gave thought to Rin. She needed Kagome who, for all practical purposes, was her mother. The next morning he gathered Rin and returned to the village. Sesshoumaru sought out Kikyo.

"Priestess, I know you now possess the Shikon Jewel and you will not likely hand it over to a demon. However, I cannot watch this child suffer anymore. The woman that was your reincarnation was like a mother to her. The only way that I can ease her suffering is by taking Rin to her. For that I need the jewel." Kikyo listened to his words and could feel his intentions. He held love for humans, perhaps not all humans, but he did hold love for humans. She watched the girl who stared up at her in confusion.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, why does she look like Kagome?" The girl's eyes filled with tears. Kikyo turned from them and returned moments later carrying the jewel.

"I trust you will take care of this, demon though you are." He nodded then walked away. He stopped a moment and then headed towards the hut where Sango and Miroku lived. There he found Shippou.

"Shippou, I am taking Rin to Kagome. Would you too like to come?" The fox looked slightly weary and then jumped at him. "I can't wait to see Kagome again." He led the two young ones to the well. The jewel allowed them all to pass to the other side safely.

A/N: Sad Chapter...I know. Thanks again for the reviews.