Here With You
Inuyasha stood by the God Tree, staring at the spot where he once lay. Kikyo pinned my with her Sacred Arrow here, and Kagome freed me. He loved both so much, cut now he had to choose. A life with Kagome or going to Hell with Kikyo for eternity.
A rustling around in the trees drew his attention. "Oy, who's there? It better not be you idiots again."
"You think me an idiot, now, Inuyasha?" The cool, melodic voice of Kikyo sliced through the air as she stepped out of the underbrush.
"Wha…what are you doing here?" he asked. Why didn't I catch her scent? Thoughts raced through his mind, and he couldn't sort them out.
"I am cloaked with the smell of the forest," she said, as if she'd read his mind. "Soon, though, you will no longer feel all these things. Soon, you will be in Hell, with me."
-
"How could he? How could he?" Kagome repeated the phrase over and over again. Sango sat next to her on the cot, consoling her saddened friend. "But, I thought… him and me…she…I…" Her voice faltered. This is only a nightmare. He isn't going to do it. He couldn't. He loves me.
"Oh, honey, it'll be alright. We'll take care of you. I can't guarantee how much help I'll be though." She gestured toward her stomach, which was rounded from her third child. "Miroku, come inside and help me."
He rushed inside and help her up, putting his arm around her waist to steady her. "Kayami, Sakura!" he called. Two young girls appeared at the door. "Go to the old miko for your training." They scampered off, their small voices carrying on the wind.
"Miroku, if Kagome needs to, could she stay here, until a hut is constructed for her." Sango gave her husband a look that told him to say yes. But before he saw her face he answered.
"Of course Kagome-chan can stay with us. All friends are welcome." Kagome could no longer go home, seeing as how she had sealed the well.
Naraku had found a way into her time, killing her family and all within a mile of her home. As soon as she found out, she sought him out and killed him, ridding Miroku of the Kazaana. This was shortly after Sango and Miroku had been married, both in her time and in Sengoku Jidai. She had since lived in Inuyasha's house, though she could no longer live there, since his trip to Hell was pending.
Kagome suddenly sensed Kikyo and went to the door. She and Inuyasha were walking out of the forest, slowly toward the well. Kagome walked out slowly, following behind slowly, as if in a trance. The remainder of the Inu Gumi came next, heads bowed in respect of the two mikos.
Inuyasha stopped and threw a handful of flowers into the well, paying his respects to Kagome's family. Then all but Kikyo bowed in front of the small shrine constructed in their memory.
They were the only ones who had come. The rest of the village still deemed Inuyasha as a hanyou unworthy of their trust. Sango and Kagome were seated on the ground, Kagome's arms wrapped tightly around her legs. Sango tried comforting her, because the poor girl was sobbing uncontrollably.
Kikyo threw the girl a disgusted glance. "Inuyasha, are you ready? I have only this one chance to leave." She reached for his hand, but he moved away when he saw Kagome stand up.
"I really wanted to do something special for you, so here is my parting gift." Kagome stepped toward him and began to sign a soft melody.
It would be nice if we could throw away – Everything but what is most important – Reality is just cruel – But whenever I close my eyes – You're there smiling – I wish that smile will – Be there forever
Everyone but Kikyo clapped. Inuyasha bent down and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. Before he moved to join Kikyo, he whispered in her ear. "Kagome, I love you."
"I love you, too," she whispered back.
"Don't forget me." And then he backed away towards Kikyo. She ran back to Miroku and Sango, who wrapped her in their arms, letting her cry on them. She turned around and watched as Kikyo prepared to go to Hell.
She was kneeling on the ground, hands palms together. She was meditating, gathering her full power. Everyone stared at her, watching her prepare the area. She had taken a packet of magical herbs with her, which she now scattered around her in a circle. She stepped of circle and grabbed Inuyasha's hand.
She began chanting words barely audible to the rest of the group. Kagome knew what she was saying. Kaede had taught her those words as a last part of her training. "I call upon the gods to open the earth and let Hell come forth. I call upon the gods to open the earth and let Hell come forth." Kikyo repeated this over and over until the wind began swirling around them, enveloping them in a cloud of flying dirt. The ground moved under their feet until the circle of magical herbs broke open. Hell had surfaced.
Kikyo dragged Inuyasha to the edge of the hole. Above the noise, Inuyasha shouted to Kagome, "I love you!" The young miko watched, horrified, as Kikyo pulled Inuyasha into the gaping hole. Everyone watched as Hell receded back into the earth, the ground closing up. Kagome ran to the edge of the herb barrier, hoping to see Inuyasha's hand there, him waiting to be pulled back up.
But he wasn't there. All that remained of him were footprints and the prayer beads that had been flung out of the hole before it closed. The miko knelt down the herbs and cried. Her love was gone. She didn't have anything anymore. He was really gone. Her friends came up to console her, but she just pushed them away.
-
Two days later, Kagome still knelt by the ring of herbs, watching for some sign that he would be coming back. Her friends came and pulled her away. She let them, becoming limp and lifeless.
She sat in a dark corner of Sango and Miroku's hut, rocking back and forth, whispering, "He's gone. He's not coming back," over and over again to herself.
The villagers came to visit her, but she didn't even look up when they spoke to her. She just repeated the same thing. She became thin, and was almost a ghost. When she did leave her corner, her friends barely even recognized her.
-
About a week after, she finally ventured outside. She went to the God Tree, running her fingers along the indentations of where the Sacred Arrow that had pinned him used to be. She sat down and rested her head against the tree.
I first met him here, she thought. She slowly got up and walked out of the forest to the well. Picking some wildflowers, she threw them in and bowed in front of the shrine.
Sota, Jii-chan, Mama. Look down on me and help me, she prayed, resting her forehead on the edge of the well. She stood and tipped herself over the side. I hope I die from the fall.
But she didn't. The flowers at the bottom cushioned her slightly. She only broke her right arm. "Kagome? Kagome, where are you?" a familiar voice asked. I know who that is! she thought. But how can it be? The questions in her mind lured her away from thinking of the pain.
"I'm down here!" she called, looking up to the top of the well. A face appeared. Long, silvery hair. Golden eyes. Dog ears. It was him! "Inuyasha!"
He hopped down to her and cradled her in his arms. She winced when he caught her arm. "C'mon, let's get you outta here." He jumped out of the well, carrying her in his arms.
"How did you come back? Why not sooner? Why did you even go?" she cried, falling against him.
He wrapped his arms around her. "I wasn't meant to be there. I am meant to be here with you."
The End
A/N: Be sure to check out the alternate version, titled 'Goodbye'!