Just a Necklace

christielea54

Naraku was dead.

Kagome had imagined that somehow everything would be perfect once he was gone, but things were still the same as ever. The only difference was now that their all-consuming two-year long mission had been completed, they weren't sure what to do next. She'd assumed that all their problems would be solved with the culmination of Naraku's defeat. But this was reality.

Kikyo was still as undead as ever, still out and about, and still tormenting Inuyasha by her very presence.

Miroku's Wind Tunnel was gone, but it had left him feeling slightly defenseless. He had no home to return to, no family waiting for him.

Sango's revenge had been exacted, but her brother was still missing in action. She didn't even know if he was still alive.

The well would still work as long as she had the jewel, but would she be allowed to keep it? Did she even want to continue traveling time now that she'd fixed what she'd broken? What with happen to Shippo if she left?

And did Inuyasha still want to use the jewel to become a full-fledged demon? There was no way of telling what was going through his head.

An old saying came floating back to her: The only thing constant in this world is change.

But she didn't want things to change! These people that she'd come to know and love over the past couple of years had become a second family to her! They'd been through so much together. Were they all just going to go their separate ways now? It wasn't fair!

A tear slid down her cheek. She felt awfully cold for it being such a warm day. She'd come out here, to the river, to be alone and have some time to think. So far though, she'd only depressed herself. She took off her shoes and slid her feet into the cool water.

What would she do?

She heard someone walking up behind her. It was Inuyasha. He sat down next to her in his usual Indian-style fashion.

"Hmph! I thought I said I wanted to be alone."

He rolled his eyes. "So you could cry and be miserable all day until you run home again? What's wrong with you anyways? You've been so weird the past few days."

"He's dead Inuyasha! Gone forever! It's over!" she yelled.

"Yeah?" he said slowly. "That was kind of the point."

"But now things are going to change!" she wailed.

"Change?" he asked, bewildered.

"Yes change! I mean, will Sango and Miroku get married after all, or not? And what about the jewel? Do you still want it to be a full demon? And what will happen to Shippo if I leave? And-"

"Whoa! Who said anything about you leaving?" he demanded.

She sighed. "What if the well, and the jewel, and everything was only because of fate and now that it's over-"

He snorted. "Don't you dare start throwing around 'fate' and 'destiny.'"

"Why not?" she asked, giving him a funny look.

"Because they're our damn lives and we can do whatever the hell we want with them, Kagome."

"I've… never thought of it like that before."

"Well you should have," he accused. "Feh. If Sango and Miroku do get married then good for them, you know, whatever, and if they don't, why would you want them to do something they don't want to do?"

Inuyasha was actually making a lot of sense.

"Besides, I'd take care of the brat if you ever left- which you are not going to do," he commanded.

"And… about Kikyo?" she asked softly. Hope and dread flared up in her side by side as he stared off into the distance.

He didn't speak for a long time. "I have to talk to her," he finally replied quietly.

"Right, of course," she said, looking away.

As he watched her, every nerve in his body told him to console her, but he couldn't. Not yet. He didn't know what would happen with Kikyo. He still needed to straighten things out with her.

Kagome turned back to him with a smile. She was always smiling, even when she shouldn't have to. "Come here," she whispered.

Cautiously, he leaned towards her.

She put her hands on his shoulders, and ever so slowly eased the beaded necklace over his head and soft ears.

Shock registered on his face. "But-"

"It's okay," she cut him off. "You don't deserve these. I can't keep them on you any longer."

Inuyasha was… strong. That was the first word that came to her mind when she thought of him. Not just physically, but strong of mind. He didn't let anything get in his way. He was independent, a free soul. She couldn't keep him chained to her forever. He was like the bird in that stupid old bitter-sweet story. She knew that if she let him go, and he came back, he did it because he wanted to, not because he had to.

She placed the old necklace in his palm and closed his fingers over it.

Inuyasha felt an odd weightlessness on his shoulders as she lifted the bead off. It felt like a part of him was missing now. Like he was naked without them. Like he wasn't connected to Kagome anymore. But that was just plain stupid! Especially after having wanted them gone for forever and a day! An old necklace didn't mean anything!

She watched as the shock on his face ebbed away, to slowly be replaced with a grin.

At least he wouldn't be sat anymore! He closed his fist over the beads and looked up at her. "Thanks Kagome," he said warmly.

It was so unlike him to say that! And then he was gone, dashing of into the distance, to find Kikyo no doubt.

But this time, she didn't feel so bad about it.

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Review!

Oh, and the part about Miroku and Sango maybe getting married after the whole ordeal was in episode one-hundred-thrity-something.