Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Wow…it's been so long since I've updated this story. I am truly sorry for that. Life has been keeping me very busy and, also, the contest that I'm entering is now over, so I will have more time to write fanfics. The only thing I'm worried about, however, is that when I continue writing this story, I might…be a bit off theme. I haven't updated this story in a long time, and so, I sort of forgotten what my ideas were. Well…just, please, bear with me. Even so, I believe my writing has been improving. When I read chapters in this story over, I was…shocked; my writing was horrible! I couldn't believe it! Anyway, I just want to say thank you to all the readers out there. I've been a terrible writer and I hope you guys forgive me. I just hope that you review, though Thanks, everyone!

Sakura

Chapter 13: Decisions

Inuyasha had finally come to a conclusion. Still sitting on the tree branch, he sighed. What conclusion had he come up with, you ask? Well, it was only day since Kagome had left to her time, and during that time, he had been thinking.

Kagome had said that it was Kikyo who had placed the curse on her, yet, Kikyo denied it. The only way to solve this problem, or so Inuyasha thought, was to confront Kikyo. He didn't know how that would actually help, but it was worth a try, right?

The next thing he had concluded was that he should apologize to the girl in the future. She was right; why would she have lied about something like this? He should have known, but he couldn't help but feel a tad bit doubtful. It was his former lover against his present one. Kikyo wasn't trustful; being her mysterious, sly self and that was another reason why he now believed Kagome's words. Even so, he decided to confront her.

Kagome prepared to return to the federal era. She carried her large, yellow backpack, and entered the well house. Walking towards the well, she sighed. She hoped everything was going to turn out fine between her and the hanyou. A few seconds later, she jumped in the well, letting the blue light surround her, taking her to the past she knew too well.

As if she had read his mind, Inuyasha watched as Kikyo now stood before him, yet again.

"…I sensed you wanted to speak with me," she stated. "…And you do, don't you?"

"…Yeah…" Inuyasha replied. What was he going to say? He hadn't exactly planned out what he was going to say to her, and so, he remained quiet.

"…Well, what is it?" she questioned. "I don't believe I have much time."

"…Kikyo…tell me the truth…you really did hurt Kagome, didn't you? You cast that curse on her, didn't you?" He looked her straight in the eye, waiting for a response.

"I thought we established this already…I did nothing."

"…I don't believe you."

"…You don't?" she repeated with awe. "…That's a shame. That girl is influencing you with lies."

"…Tell the god damn truth already, Kikyo! You did it and you know it! Kagome wouldn't lie, but you, you would! Just say you did it!"

Abruptly, the dead miko began laughing. Her laugh was strange; it had a dreadful jingle in it and it didn't sound so pleasing to the ears.

"…Alright, I admit now, I did hurt her, and curse her," she suddenly confessed. "…And what will you do about it, Inuyasha? She will die in a matter of time, but if you want to save her…you will have to do the unthinkable…"

Inuyasha became silent. Kikyo had just admitted it…she had hurt Kagome…had cursed her…and she had also lied to him. That made him feel rage, yet at the same time, sadness. "…And…what would that be…?" Now, he definitely had has mind made up; he was going to do whatever it took to save Kagome, no matter what it was…however, the next phrase the woman in front of him said made him freeze.

"…You have to kill me." She secretly smiled when hearing no reply. "And are you able to do that, Inuyasha? Kill me for the girl…or just let the girl die…and have me?"

He wasn't able to answer. It was like his voice had died in his throat, but inside his head, a million questions raced through. What would he do?

"Well, Inuyasha…I have to be leaving now. I will meet with you soon." She slowly disappeared with her soul-catchers, leaving him to stare in utter confusion.

He stood there, for what seemed like eternity, but soon, he sniffed the air, smelling a scent too well-known. Running in the direction the scent came from, Inuyasha gradually slowed down when reaching the well. '…Kagome…' was all he thought.

Kagome smiled her brightest smile, saying, "…Hey…Inuyasha…"

"…Kagome…what are you…doing back here…?" Boy, his confusion only grew. Why was she back? Wasn't she angry with him?

"…Well…I just wanted to apologize…for yesterday. I...I'm sorry for running off like that…and saying what I said…I didn't mean what I said…I was just upset is all…"

Inuyasha stared at the girl, his brows slightly furrowed. She was apologizing? And when she did nothing wrong? It was supposed to be him apologizing! Not her.

"…I realized…that…when I'm not here…with you…I'm…lonely," she said. "…And…I know that…you're in love with her…and I understand completely…"

He continued gazing at the girl, whom still had a smile plastered on her face. He was so amazed at her sincerity and generosity that he had forgotten to speak. Although, even is he wanted to, he couldn't; it was as if his vocal cords had suddenly shut down out of the blue.

Miroku raised an eyebrow as he noticed the missing hanyou was…well, missing. While sitting inside Kaede's hut, along with everyone else, excluded Inuyasha, they sat around a burning fire, enjoying its warmth.

It was now becoming late and soon, too late. Kagome started worrying over a certain boy and stood up, about to exit the hut.

"Where are you going, Kagome?" Miroku inquired.

"Inuyasha…he hasn't come back since earlier this afternoon," she answered with a frown.

"…Go ahead and rest; I will go find him." He watched as she nodded slowly and went back to sitting down. By now, everyone was preparing to sleep, and so, Kagome also prepared.

Miroku stepped outside, thinking of where the missing Inuyasha could be, although, he didn't have to think much, because looking straight ahead, he so him sitting on the tree, gazing up at the sky.

Walking towards him, Miroku coughed loudly, attempting to get Inuyasha's attention. When he didn't, however, he realized Inuyasha was in a state of critical thinking, which made him curious. "Hey, Inuyasha!'

Inuyasha looked down and tried not to twitch. He hadn't wanted to be disturbed from his thoughts and an annoying, perverted monk was just what he needed at the moment. Jumping down from the branch, he asked irately, "What?"

"…You seem lost in thought, Inuyasha. What's on your mind?"

"None of you damn business," Inuyasha snapped.

"Oh? And why is that?" Miroku was just trying to get the silver headed boy to open up and he figured the best way to do that was to annoy the hell out of him.

"God, do you have to be so fucking annoying?! Why don't you go back into the hut like you're supposed to?!"

"…Inuyasha, I need to ask you something."

"…What?" He decided not to snap back again; his companion's voice had grown serious, and it sounded like an important question, anyway.

"…We have completed our mission… Naraku is no longer living and we have the Shikon Jewel in our possession. What do you plan to do with it?" That was correct; they had the whole jewel in their possession, but it was kept with Kaede at the moment. She had hid it, with a shield around it to protect it, also.

"…I don't know…"

"…And that reminds me…how are you and Kagome? I noticed she wasn't here yesterday…did you have another argument?"

"…Something like that…"

"What were you two fighting about this time? And, please, don't tell me it's-," he was interrupted.

"I know who cursed Kagome," Inuyasha stated unexpectedly.

"…You do…? Who then?"

"…Kikyo."

"…When did you find this out?"

"Earlier today…"

"You met with her then?"

"…Yeah…and that's not all…I…" he paused, but continued shortly, "…I found out how to break the curse, too…"

"...Well, isn't that something? I believe our luck has changed for the better, don't you agree, Inuyasha?"

"I have to kill Kikyo."

"I mean, a couple days ago we were struggling with this and that, but now, we can finally-," he failed to complete his sentence when the words Inuyasha spoke started to function in his mind. "…What?!"

"You heard me."

"…Oh…I see…" Miroku soon had a thoughtful expression on his features, but soon asked, "…What are you planning to do?"

"…I…I don't love her…"

"…You mean…Kikyo…?"

"…Yeah…" Inuyasha took a deep breath in, and then exhaled. "…And I'm...assuming you know who I…who I love now…"

"…I can take a guess." Miroku grinned as he heard the words he was hearing. Of course he knew who the hanyou was in love with. He had known since the day he had met him. It was so obvious.

"So…" Inuyasha started.

"…So…what?"

"…I'll kill her…I'll kill Kikyo…"

Alright, did everything make sense in this chapter? I hope it did, because if it didn't, please, tell me. Remember, I haven't written anything for this chapter over six months now and I may be off focus. I may have forgotten this or that, and it may have resulted in me writing something totally not based on the story. I hope you guys get my drift, because it's a bit hard for me to explain. Anyway, if this chapter did make sense, however, tell me what you think, please. If you have any questions, please, go right ahead and ask me. Thanks you to all!