"K...Kagome," Inuyasha called out softly.

Kikyo's eyes saddened, but she braced herself for the inevitable. She was silent as her stolen body was jerked suddenly, releasing a great blue aura. Kagome gasped as her borrowed body did the same.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha screamed. "What's happening?!"

Kagome's eyes widened in fear as she felt herself growing faint, and the blue light clouding her vision. She fell to the ground in time with Kikyo, whose eyes had become lifeless.

White orbs sprung forth from their bodies, moving from one body to the other.

The others stared in amazement. Miroku broke the silence.

"Their souls are returning to their rightful owner," he said matter-of-factly.

"Souls?" Inuyasha repeated. "I don't understand, I thought there was only one..."

"Watch," Miroku said, nodding ahead to the figures ahead, who were beginning to revive.

Inuyasha redirected his gaze toward Kagome and Kikyo. Where Kikyo once lay in the guise of Kagome's body, now lay the true Kagome.

Kagome shook her head clear and gazed around, hoping to find the face of the person she trusted most.

"Inu...yasha?" she whispered, her vision still somewhat fuzzy.

"Kagome," he whispered back, and then raced toward her. "Is it really you?"

Kagome chuckled. "Yes, it's me. I am Kagome, and nobody else," she said with conviction.

Inuyasha smiled. "Glad to hear it," he said softly.

Kagome gasped as Inuyasha's arms reached around her shoulders, pulling her into a tight hug.

Kikyo finished sitting up, seemingly unaware of anyone around her. Inuyasha gently let go of Kagome and stood to face Kikyo. Kagome stood up, too, but kept a respectful distance. She had learned long ago not to interfere between the star-crossed lovers.

"Kikyo, we can't go on like this," Inuyasha said softly, but firmly.

Kikyo continued to gaze off into the distance. "I know, Inuyasha," she said simply.

Inuyasha stared at the side of Kikyo's face quizzically. He wanted answers, but as usual she was cryptic; however, for some reason he now preferred it that way. He didn't want to know why she did what she did. All he wanted was for her to have peace, so that he could rest easy as well.

"Kagome," Kikyo said, her voice betraying some emotion.

Kagome's eyes widened. She picked her face up from staring at the ground and looked toward her incarnation.

"Y-yes Kikyo?" she asked shyly.

"I am sorry," Kikyo said.

Kagome could only nod her head and provide a muffled response, "Um-hmm!"

She scolded herself inwardly for not having more to say. There was so much she wanted to say to Kikyo, to ask her—but perhaps she would eventually find the answer within. Besides, she was the priestess' reincarnation. Somewhere inside her still lay remnants of her Kikyo's soul.

"I must go now," Kikyo said calmly, and began to walk.

"Wait, Kikyo—where...what are you going to do?" Inuyasha cried after her.

Kagome laid a firm hand on Inuyasha's arm. He whirled around angrily.

"I can't just let her leave like this, Kagome! I—I..." Inuyasha sputtered.

Kagome gazed into Inuyasha's eyes sympathetically. "You are not responsible for her anymore, Inuyasha. You don't have to save her. Can't you see? I am her legacy. She wanted to be with you in death, and she will be. But for now, you have me. Her death allowed me to be here for you. Yes, she's made some mistakes along the way, but there's one thing she did absolutely right. She kept enough of her love for you to allow me to be born, and for us to be together."

Inuyasha nodded at Kagome's words, but his eyes remained on Kikyo's retreating figure. Finally, he sighed and mentally said his goodbye to Kikyo. Slowly, he turned to face Kagome.

"Let's get outta here," he said with resignation.

"What about Sessh..." Kagome trailed off as she realized that Sesshoumaru had disappeared.

"What the..." Inuyasha growled, baring his fangs. "Sango, Miroku—did you see where my beloved brother went off too?!"

Sango and Miroku shook their heads vigorously.

Inuyasha swallowed his unease, but the feeling just settled lower into his chest. Kagome studied his face, concerned.

"What is it, Inuyasha?" Kagome said anxiously.

"He's after Kikyo," Inuyasha said, his eyes flashing. "I have to stop him!"

Inuyasha prepared to bound, but Kagome stopped him with a commanding "SIT!"

"Leave it alone, Inuyasha," she warned. "There might be more to those two than any of us realized."

"I know—that's what I'm afraid of!" Inuyasha cried, his words somewhat muffled by dirt and grass.

Kagome shook her head. "Maybe...if they get together, we can..."

She sighed, and looked off into the direction that Kikyo had walked. For a moment, Kagome considered going off, too, but she was already in too deep—and she had vowed to always be by Inuyasha's side.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha called gently, standing up to dust himself off.

"Come on, let's go," Kagome said, forcing a smile.

"Where you want to go," Kagome said, sighing, believing that Inuyasha still wanted to go find Kikyo.

"Good, I could use some more ramen," Inuyasha said, slyly.

Kagome abruptly stopped walking. She turned around, her face alit with happiness.

Inuyasha smirked.

"Then it's a date," Miroku said, his eyes twinkling.

"Shaddup, monk!" Inuyasha snapped.

Walking off, Miroku and Sango laughed and whispered amongst themselves. Kirara followed.

"Come on, Inuyasha," Kagome said, holding out her hand. "Shippo's probably worried himself into a fit!"

"Yeah, probably, stupid kid!" Inuyasha snickered.

He took Kagome's hand—but not before making sure Miroku wasn't watching, and they were off.

Kagome took a moment to gaze at Inuyasha's profile.

I can never take the place of Kikyo, but I can pick up where she left off. I can love Inuyasha and give him a happy life. There is only one who can do that...and that one is me.

THE END?