Chapter 5

Kikyo smiled, barely able to contain the vas amounts of bliss in her heart. Feeling her palm becoming warm, she glanced down at her hand. Purple light trickled out between her fingers from the Shikon no Tama. Closing her eyes, Kikyo took a deep breath and said, "It is time Inuyasha."

She heard Inuyasha sigh heavily and say confidently, "Alright." At those words, Kikyo cleared her mind and concentrated her whole being on the jewel now gripped tightly in her hand. A tingling sensation overcame her fingers and slowly began moving up through her arm and pouring out into the rest of her body. After a few minutes, Kikyo could feel the power of the jewel pulsing through her body.

Walking over to Inuyasha, she gently placed the jewel in his hands and smiled up at him, tears glimmering in her eyes. "Finally Inuyasha...after so long..." She cleared her throat and took a step back, then said loud enough for the other three to hear, "Inuyasha. The Shikon no Tama is ready for you to make a wish...whenever you are ready, concentrate on the jewel and say your wish aloud. Do you understand?"

Inuyasha nodded slightly, only giving Kikyo part of his attention. His main focus was on the glowing jewel he had grasped tightly in his hands. He could feel its warmth and power coursing through his body. Inuyasha took a moment to collect his thoughts. Then he took a deep breath and readied himself to state his wish.

Sango leaned over to Miroku and whispered anxiously in his ear, "Do you think...would Inuyasha really wish to be a human with Kikyo?"

Miroku sighed and whispered back, "That's what he's wanted from the beginning, right?"

Sango's eyes widened. "No...but what about Kagome...?"

"She's...not here anymore Sango. Her soul is with Kikyo."

"Yes...but I thought...after all those times...didn't Inuyasha feel anything for Kagome?"

Miroku turned and gave her a sad look. "Maybe. But Inuyasha loved Kikyo long before Kagome came along. People's hearts don't charge just like that. Even if he had loved Kagome...he now has the chance to be with Kikyo...if I were him..." he shook his head and trailed off.

"What...Miroku..." Sango tugged at his sleeve.

"...If I were given the chance to be reunited with the one I loved them most...who wouldn't go for that?"

Sango suddenly let go of Miroku and gasped "Look at Inuyasha! He's glowing!"

The group's focus turned to Inuyasha, who was glowing with the power of the Shikon no Tama.

Inuyasha took a deep breath...a picture of Kagome's smiling face appeared in his mind. Kagome...thank you...for everything you have done... He then turned to Kikyo and gave her a slow smile.

"Kikyo...I do love you...and I do want to be with you..." he trailed off and took another deep breath, "but if that means Kagome has to die..."

"She's not dead!" Kikyo said hastily. "Her soul lives on in me! Inuyasha—"

Inuyasha cut her off with a smile. Then his expression turned serious and he said, "I wish...that Kagome's soul would return to her body!" Kikyo stared at him in shock and he softly whispered, "I'm sorry Kikyo..."

Kikyo screamed in pain and fell to her knees. Grasping her hands to her chest, she felt as though someone had stuck their hand inside of her and were ripping her heart out. She struggled with all her might to keep the soul inside of her body, but the power of the Shikon no Tama was too great. Turning to Inuyasha, she managed to say to him, "So...you love her this much? You would choose her over me?" At the look on his face, Kikyo knew the man she loved was no longer hers. With tears staining her cheeks, she watched powerlessly as her soul was pulled out of her body and the world went dark.

The remaining four watched in amazement as a bright, glowing orb came out of Kikyo's body and hovered above her. Then, without warning, the orb shot off into the woods. Inuyasha's gaze followed the flying orb then he glanced toward Kikyo's unconscious form and back again. He jumped at the feeling of a hand on his shoulder, only to turn and find Sango staring at him with a warm smile on her face.

"Go on Inuyasha."

"But Kikyo—" He started.

Sango cut him off. "Miroku, Shippou, and I will take care of her. Now go, Inuyasha." Inuyasha nodded his thanks and took off at an all-out sprint after the fast-moving orb. Sango turned and smiled triumphantly at Miroku as she began to pick Kikyo up. "What was that about choosing Kikyo over Kagome?"

Miroku smiled slyly as he helped her pick Kikyo up. "I didn't say anything about the other woman being Kagome. If that was the case, then I wouldn't even have to think about it."

Sango felt her cheeks grow red. "Oh really? You'd do that for Kagome huh?" With that she let go of Kikyo and let her fall on top of Miroku, pinning him to the ground. Crossing her arms across her chest, she stormed off toward the village, Shippou following close behind.


Inuyasha skidded to a halt in the all too familiar clearing, just as the orb shot through at Kagome. At the impact, the arrow binding her to the god tree exploded, sending her body tumbling down straight into Inuyasha's waiting arms. His breathing heavy and heart thumping madly, Inuyasha carefully laid Kagome down on the ground and waited for her to open her eyes. Time past and not even a single breath escaped her throat.

"Dammit!" Inuyasha yelled, slamming his fists into the ground. Tears sprung up in his eyes and he found himself unable to stop himself from letting them fall. Kagome...! I thought for sure this would bring you back...if you're not here with me...

"Why the tears Inuyasha?" Inuyasha stiffened as he felt a hand brush against his cheek. He turned and found Kagome smiling up at him.

"K-kagome? Is it...is it really you?" The tears continued to fall and Inuyasha, completed embarrassed, turned away from her and rubbed quickly at his eyes.

Kagome laughed behind him. "I told you! I knew it! You're getting soft Inuyasha!" Kagome stood shakily to her feet. "I dunno what happened...the last thing I remember is Kikyo—" she suddenly cut off and fell forward...right back into Inuyasha's arms. "Sorry about that...I just feel kinda tired is all...what happened? Where's Kikyo? Where's Miroku? Sango? Shippou-chan?" She anxiously pushed away from him and begin to walk toward the forest. "If something happened to them...! We've got to do something Inuyasha! Come on Inu—" she began to turn around and yell at him but cut off when Inuyasha suddenly wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"Kagome...I can't believe it! It's really you! You really are back!" Kagome blushed and pulled away from him.

"Inuyasha...what happened? Why are you...oh my god! Is that the Shikon no Tama!" Kagome suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the jewel that Inuyasha was still grasping tightly in his hand. "Where did you...when did you...how did you...?" Inuyasha laughed at her confusion, causing Kagome's eyes to widen even farther.

"It's a long story...but I got the jewel from Kikyo."

"Kikyo? You mean...she just gave it to you?"

Inuyasha nodded, "And she helped us summon its powers too."

Kagome gasped. "Are you serious! Well? What did you wish for..." Suddenly she trailed off. Feeling tears rising up inside her, Kagome hastily turned away from Inuyasha. No wonder he's so cheerful...he must have used the power of the jewel to be with Kikyo...

"Kagome? Is something wrong?" Kagome turned back and flashed him one of her best smiles.

"Nothing at all Inuyasha!...Now that the jewel is back together...and you and Kikyo are together...I should be heading back to my world..."

Inuyasha gave her a puzzled look. "What are you talking about? Why would you have to leave?"

"Why would I want to stay here!" Kagome yelled, unable to control her emotions. "If you're with Kikyo—" Kagome was cut off when Inuyasha suddenly pressed his lips against hers. When he finally broke the kiss, Kagome was speechless.

Pulling her into his arms Inuyasha whispered in her ear, "I didn't wish for Kikyo...I wished for you." Kagome stiffened in his embrace. Inuyasha held his breath, fearing that she would reject him, but when Kagome finally looked up at him, her expression was only pure happiness.

"Inuyasha," she said softly. "you've always had me." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. Inuyasha felt a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time...he pulled Kagome closer to him and returned the kiss with all his heart.


Shippou sighed and looked out the window at the darkening sky. "Where's Kagome and Inuyasha? Shouldn't they be back now?"

Sango snickered. "I don't think you'll see them for quite awhile Shippou-chan."

"But they've been gone all day already!" He whined.

Miroku walked over and rustled Shippou's hair with his hand. "Yea, well it's not everyday a half-breed falls in love."

The End