Author Note: Thanks for the reviews! I am so greatful for them! And to clear up some things, in this story, no matter how much Kagome and Kikyou look alike/act the same, Kagome is not her reincarnation. And yes, I know Kikyou is OOC. But this Kikyou isn't following the one in the series. She's not cold/unemotional like she sometimes can be, unless Tsubaki takes over. Then that's different. Hope this clears up a few things!

Disclaimer: If common sense is common, then you should know that I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 3: Forgiving

Kikyou's eyes went wide, when she saw a red blur jump right in front of her arrow's path. 'Inuyasha...!' Inuyasha's eyes went wide, as he felt the arrow pierce his arm. Blood began to leak out of the wound, as his eyes became half-lidded. Slowly, he dropped to the ground, slipping into unconsciousness. Kikyou dropped her bow, and knelt down beside him, with tears streaming down her face.

"I'm so sorry, Inuyasha...", Kikyou mumbled out between sobs. She felt horrible. He had tried to protect her, and instead got rewarded with an arrow going right through his arm. Kikyou was about look up at Naraku with the most hateful glare ever, until she noticed that he had made his escape, during the confusion. 'That bastard...', she thought darkly.

Kikyou tried to lift Inuyasha up, and drape his arm around her shoulders. Slowly, she began to walk, being careful not to let go of him. His blood began to stain her white miko top. Fearing he would die from such blood loss, she began to quicken her pace, hoping she'd make it back to the campsite in time.

After fifteen minutes of struggling, she finally reached the campsite and was about ready to collapse. Kagome quickly got up from her seat next to Sango, and helped Kikyou and Inuyasha up. Kagome didn't even question Kikyou's prescence. She helped Kikyou up and sat her down gently on her sleeping bag she had brought with her.

"Are you alright?", Kagome asked with concern. Kagome had no clue who she was, but was aware that this lady looked kind of like her in a way. As quickly as the thought came, she dismissed it, and went back to making sure they were okay.

Once Kagome got done tending to Inuyasha's wounds, she turned back to Kikyou, with a warm smile. "I'm really glad you were there to help Inuyasha. It was kind of you." Kikyou looked up at Kagome, shocked. Here, the very girl that embraced Inuyasha, was being kind to her. Not treating her as some rival. But, then again, she never did see her, so she wouldn't have known.

"It..It was nothing.", replied Kikyou. Kagome gave another small smile. "You are welcome to stay with us you know..." Kikyou looked up at her. If she stayed with this group, she'd just cause Inuyasha and Kagome pain. It'd also be awkward, being with them, standing there looking like an idiot.

"No, it's alright...I'm just a drifter...I never really can stay in one place for long.", she replied. Even if she said those things, they weren't true. She wanted to join the group, to be reunited with Inuyasha. Just after meeting so soon, she'd have to depart. If she stayed any longer, it'd be ten times harder to leave.

"Oh...well...don't you want to spend the night at least? It's the least we can do for your kindness." Kikyou really couldn't refuse her. She was trying to be nice, and it'd seem mean to reject her. Kikyou nodded her head, and Kagome grinned.

"Oh, before I forget, this is Sango, Miroku, Shippou, and Kirara.", she gestured towards the group who smiled back at them. Kikyou studied each one of them, while Kagome prepared the food called,. 'Ramen'. Sounded odd, but smelled good.

Kagome walked up to Kikyou with her usual warm smile, and handed her a steaming bowl of ramen. "It's ramen...I'm not sure if you know what it is...but it tastes great, I promise!" Kikyou took the bowl from her, and tried some of it. She had to admit it was good, but a bit weird. Oh well, she was greatful for the free meal anyway.

After Miroku, Sango, Shippou, and Kilala had gone to sleep, Kagome and Kikyou were still up, unable to sleep.

"Hey...", Kagome whispered over to Kikyou. "Hm?" "I was just wondering what happened back there with Inuyasha and his wound. I was so worried, I forgot to ask...so, could you please tell me?", Kagome asked with concern. Kikyou took in a deep breath. She didn't want to tell Kagome that SHE had shot Inuyasha with the arrow. If she did, she'd feel like she betrayed Kagome in a way. Of course she didn't want to lie either...so she stuck with telling the truth.

"I...I accidentally shot him with my arrow. I was trying to shoot Naraku...but he jumped in the way...and I let go of the bow string a second too late."

"Naraku? You mean you saw him?!"

Kikyou nodded her head.

"No wonder....", Kagome said more to herself than Kikyou. "Well...I'll let you sleep now. I just felt like I needed to know...thanks...", she softly said. Kikyou said welcome and then turned over on her side, with her back facing Kagome. She felt sick inside. Really sick. When the words 'I accidentally shot him', escaped her mouth, she wanted to hurl. It just hurt her insde knowing she had caused Inuyasha pain. 'Is that all I ever do...? Cause people pain...?'

With those final thoughts, she drifted off into a restless slumber.

Kagome woke up to find the space that Kikyou occupied, empty. 'I guess she left...and I never did catch her name...' She quickly got up and packed everything up in her bag, getting ready to continue their journey. Sango and Miroku were already up with light conversation, while Shippou and Kirara continued their slumber. Kagome gave a small good morning to Sango and Miroku before going to check on Inuyasha. She found that his spot was empty too. 'Where did Inuyasha go?! Is he in trouble?', Kagome thought frantically. She searched all over, until she found him sitting up in a tree, with a faraway look on his face.

"Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha looked down and saw Kagome waving up at him.

"How is your wound Inuyasha? Is it better?"

Inuyasha nodded his head. Kagome looked up at him with curiousity. 'Why isn't he talking? I guess he's just not in the mood to talk right now...', she thought sadly.

Inuyasha watched her walk away, with a pained look on her face. He sighed. He felt so confused right now with all the events that had taken place. Kikyou was back now, but he loved Kagome too. Yet, he couldn't deny those lingering feelings for Kikyou. After all, she was the first person he ever loved. Now that he thought about it...Kagome and Kikyou were alike in many ways. They both did have some of the same features...but their kindness was what was so unique about them. They both excepted him for who he was. He felt calm around them. Like he could be himself. This thought brought back bitter memories of his childhood though. Of his older half-brother, Sesshoumaru, always looking down on him for his human half, while humans always looked down on him because of his demon half.

'Dammit!', he punched one of the branches on the tree with such great force, that it went tumbling down. Such memories always made him fume.

Inuyasha hopped out of the tree, and marched back towards the campsite.

"Let's go everyone! We have no time to waste!" Shippou and Kirara immeadiatly jumped up and the sound of Inuyasha's angry tone.

"Geez Inuyasha, what's wrong with you?", Shippou asked, while rubbing his eyes.Inuyasha shot him a glare and looked at the rest of the group. "We have to get moving now! You guys had your break so let's go!" Seeing as he wasn't in the mood to argue with, everyone got up with their things, and set out on the path with Inuyasha in the lead.

Kikyou had left earlier that morning, wanting to avoid Inuyasha. She really didn't know what to say to him if they came in contact with each other, so she thought it would be best to leave.

She gave a long sigh, and stared up at the sky, wondering what today would bring her. Seemed like unfortunate events tagged along with her everywhere she went. Sometimes she wondered if she should even exist in this world. All she seemed to do was cause pain anyways.

Not really wanting to think on the subject anymore, she began walking again, trying to clear up her mind.

"Stop, woman." Kikyou's eyes darted in front of her, leaving the scenery of the ground.

"You reek of a certain hanyou." Kikyou didn't know who this man was, but she sensed a great energy around him. She knew this man wasn't here simply to talk.

Well, I'm sure we can all guess who it is. I can't say I'm impressed with this chapter, seeing as I wasn't entirely in the mood...Oh well. -shrugs- review, flame, hate it, love it...I don't care. / And yeah, this was a shorter chapter..