Kagome's Heart

Well, this isn't my typical style, but I needed to write something like it. I like how it turned out. This is a one shot, by the way.-Akihanah

Naraku laughed. His tentacles shot out, narrowly missing impaling the badly wounded Inuyasha. He laughed again. The coldness of the sound echoed throughout the clearing. Sango was down. Miroui guarded her with his staff, his kazaana rendered useless by the swarming saimyoshou. Kagome was defending Shippo from the various youkai who had swarmed after them, following Naraku. She didn't look like she would hold out much longer.

Overall, Naraku was winning the fight. That is, until Sesshomaru appeared from the shadows of the forest, wielding Tokijin. As Sesshomaru distracted Naraku, Inuyasha attacked from behind with Testsusaiga, to no avail. Suddenly, another form materialized from the depths of the forest. Kikyo stood, observing the chaos, and raised her bow. She drew back the arrow, and fired. The pink purifying aura swarmed around it, and crove into Naraku.

The ensuing pink blast knocked Sesshomaru and Inuyasha back. The last they saw of Naraku was his jyaki vanishing into dust to be scattered by the wind. Everyone on the battlefield turned and stared in amazement at the dead miko.

Kagome woke with a start. Ugh, bad dreams. At least, I woke up in time. She did not have to bear seeing what followed the defeat of Naraku, Kikyo and Inuyasha's reunion, and Inuyasha's vow to live with her. Kagome had watched it all, and her friends immidiately glanced at her, but she gave away nothing. It was expected, after all.

I don't know why I hoped for so long.

It had been almost a month since Naraku's defeat. Kagome had remained to have her injuries treated, and to offer support for her wounded friends. But, now that she was healed, she planned to return to her time.

I can't bear to watch him anymore.

Inuyasha had not spoken to her since several days before the fight. He no longer noticed her presence. Her heart was torn every time she saw him and Kikyo together.

But they look so happy together. I can't blame them. I wish for them to be happy, even though I will be unhappy. Kagome smiled a bittersweet smile.

She looked around Kaede's small hut. Sango and Miroku curled up together, having come to terms at the end of the battle. Shippo was sleeping next to Kirara. Dawn began to break over the mountains.

Kagome knew that Kikyo and Inuyasha had long been gone, to wherever they vanished to. I will not let it drag me down. I may be hurt, but I will heal...I will heal.

The dry well. The place where it all began, and where it would end. She had come out of this well a exactly two years ago. Time to go home.

Without looking back, Kagome jumped, and left behind her the Sengoku Jidai, her friends, and Inuyasha.

Inside the Wellhouse, Kagome looked down the well shaft. She held the completed Shikon no Tama. All the shards had been gathered by Naraku, and he had formed the jewel, only to have it taken at his death. Kagome held it in her oustretched palm over the well.

We've been through so much together. So much, happy times, sad times. However, I cannot stay. I can't forget that I don't belong with you. Please, forget me, and be happy.

Sango and Miroku, be happy together. Have many children, and hold them dear.

Shippo chan, grow up to be strong, and be brave. Never lose your sweetness. Find another to love, to hold dear, and protect.

Inuyasha, may you and Kikyo live happily. I may have only created a ripple within you, but I want you to be happy. I want the hurt to be healed. Though I die a little when I say this, Kikyo is the best to do that. She is from your time, and she loves you. She can heal your heart. I will go on. Forget about me, and live happily.

The Shikon no Tama glowed as it absorbed the wishes, and it dissolved into pure power as it fled down the well. It passed through the time slip, and was sucked into each of her friends.

Kagome felt it all. She felt her friends awaken, with happiness and love filling their souls, their memories of her fading away. She also felt the time slip seal, forever locking her away from them, and sealing them to their time and happiness, and her to her time and despair.

Kagome stepped through the well doors, to a beautiful dawn in modern Tokyo. At the sight of the radiant sky, she felt her heart begin to heal.

It may take a long time, I may never recover. My heart will always be scarred from my meeting with you. But, I will go on. As will you.

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly,
Though its not easy to tell you goodbye.
Gotta take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun,
But I won't forget the place I come from.
I've gotta take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Break away, break away.
-Kelly Clarkson, Break Away