Title: A Darkened Heart

Author: inuyashagirl5

Rating: M

Genre: Angst

Pairing: Pairing Unknown
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or YuYu Hakusho. InuYasha is owned by Rumiko Takahashi and YuYu Hakusho is owned by Yoshihiro Togashi. I only borrow their characters for my own amusement and for the amusement of my readers.

A/N: Edited on June 28, 2010.

Chapter One: Heartbroken

"It's over. It's finally over." Kagome slumped to her knees and cried. She cried tears of relief and happiness. Naraku was gone. In a whirlwind of an epic battle, the dark hanyou had been reduced to nothing more than a pile of bits and pieces that had eventually been purified to ash. It had been a valiant group effort and she believed they never could have won without their last minute allies. She owed a lot to Sesshomaru and Kouga for keeping her and her friends safe as they also fought to destroy the evil that had been slowly consuming the land. It was over and it was time for them to begin their new lives.

She crawled to Miroku's side since he was the closest. He lay sprawled on his back staring up into the brightening sky. His eyes were glazed over with unshed tears, no doubt relieved that it was all done with and he was alive. Kagome smiled down at him and gently touched his cheek.

"Lady Kagome..." His eyes met with hers and he offered her a small smile.

"Take it off, Miroku. It's over. Your curse should be gone now." She let her fingers slip over the palm of his still gloved hand.

It was. He flexed the un-gloved, un-cursed hand and laughed. The tears contained in his amethyst eyes spilled onto his cheeks. He was free from the worry of death. Free to live a life that was normal and quiet.

Kagome glanced around at the humans and youkai around her. It was a bloody mess, but her friends and their allies were still alive. Kagome clutched the completed jewel closer to her chest. They would have to decide on a wish together. She'd wait until they reached Kaede's village and allow Kaede and Shippo to have a voice in the decision making as well. They had, after all, helped out on numerous occasions.

It was on the way back to the village that Kagome was starting to sense a bit of uneasiness coming from InuYasha. He had never approached her after the battle and he was definitely avoiding her on the walk back. It was upsetting her that he hadn't even asked if she was okay. She did have a lot of injuries from the battle, but only the others seemed to be concerned. The fact Sesshomaru was more concerned than his half-brother really brought more worries to her. Was InuYasha mad at her? Did she do something wrong? She wanted to know, but every time she got too close he'd walk faster or hurry ahead of the group to avoid her. The only person he wanted to be near was Kikyo and that scared Kagome the most. So she decided to hang back and walk quietly with Sesshomaru, who didn't seem to mind her closeness at all.

Kaede and Shippo welcomed them warmly when they returned, but that warmth was short lived when Kikyo and InuYasha spoke up. That uneasiness she had felt from him was about to be explained.

"Hand over the jewel, Kagome. We have already decided on the wish." Kikyo's voice was icy and it did send chills down Kagome's spine.

"It's not up to you to decide on a wish without the others opinions." Kagome backed away and stood in between Kouga and Sesshomaru. She was not liking the look in Kikyo's eyes. It screamed anger and hatred. Kikyo did not like her and she knew at least Kouga would protect her.

"Give it up, wench. We haven't got all day." InuYasha snapped and tears rose to Kagome's eyes. He hadn't called her a wench since he had said he loved her. Why would he do it now?

"InuYasha?" Her voice was timid and unsure.

"Come on, bitch! Kikyo and I have many things to do. Hand it over already!" He shouted, ignoring the set of growls coming from the two demons next to her.

"No, I can't do that. It's not right." Kagome frantically shook her head and backed away more, "Why are you doing this, InuYasha? I thought you said..."

"That I loved you? Feh, I lied." InuYasha grinned wickedly and Kagome's heart shattered. He had lied. "So hand over the sacred jewel, wench and let us get on with our lives. Kikyo and I want to start on creating a pup just as soon as she's alive again."

"Why you..." Kouga began, but stopped when Kagome turned from the hut and ran.

"Go after her. I will keep these two here." Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes on his half-brother and the undead miko. They would not get past him without a fight.

Kagome continued to run even as the skies opened up and the pouring rain drenched her. She didn't care. She should have known better. The moment InuYasha had said Kikyo was joining their group, she should have known it was only a matter of time before he betrayed her. She had been stupid to let her heart get deceived. It wouldn't happen again. When she reached the clearing leading to the old wooden well, she felt herself be turned and thrust into a strong chest.

"Please, Kagome, don't leave." Kouga said softly and held her close, "Don't let him do this to you. You're stronger than that."

"Kouga, I..."

"Please, Kagome, I don't want you to go. You can come stay with me. I'll protect you. I love you."

She scowled and grit her teeth. That one, little, four-letter word was what ruined her life in the first place. She had believed the guy who had said it first and she was made a fool of because of it. She would never love anyone ever again. She shoved off of Kouga and stepped away.

"No, no." She waved her hands in front of her and shook her head. She couldn't take this. This just made it worse. She looked up at him and saw Miroku not too far away from them. Putting all her strength into her words she spoke to Kouga, "No, you don't love me, Kouga! You loved what I was and now that the jewel is complete you need to snap back into reality! I don't love you! I never have and I never will!"

She saw it so clearly then; the emotions that passed through the wolf's icy blue eyes. He hadn't been lying and she had just broken his heart as InuYasha had done hers. She turned away from him with a sob. She needed to get away from here and fast. She turned and ran.

"Lady Kagome, wait!" Miroku called out, but Kagome didn't stop. She leapt over the rim of the well and into its depths. Miroku saw the deep red aura that engulfed her as she jumped and knew that something was different. The aura's color was not normal. "Damn it. Kagome, you shouldn't have left."

Kagome landed quietly on her side of the well. The well was sealed now. No one would come through to get her and she was certainly never going to return to them. She climbed from the well and stepped out into the bright yard. She slammed the well house door and yelled at it, letting all her frustration and anger out all at once. When she turned her mother and brother stood there watching her with worry.

"Kagome?" Her mother's voice was gentle, "Kagome, what is it?"

"It's over! All of it is over and I'm glad!" Tears spilled down her cheeks, "I will never, ever, go back there! Stupid InuYasha! Stupid jewel!"

"What happened? Why are you so upset?"

"He lied to me! He fucking lied to me!" Kagome screamed, "He used me just to get to the jewel and now that it's complete he wanted it! He made plans to wish on it with Kikyo!"

"Oh, Kagome..." Her mother reached for her and Kagome slumped into her arms, "Kagome, I am so sorry he did that to you."

"It's not fair! I thought he loved me!"

Her mother held her close while her body shook with the heavy sobs that escaped from her quivering lips. The glow from the jewel caught her attention. It's dark pink glow was strangely eerie to the older woman, but she shook the thought off as she led her daughter inside. She'd make some tea and let her sit down and explain everything that had happened. She could only hope that Kagome would recover with time.