Chapter 16

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Author's note: I would like to clarify this sentence from Chapter 15 "Kagome smiled and said, "Do you guys want to sit down for a while?" Sango and Miroku nodded and they sat down and chatted." By right, Inuyasha will be sat down thus creating a loud thud. However, Inuyasha had chased Shippo very far away from Kagome and she could not possibly hear the sound. Anyway, on with the story!

The Inu gang began to set up camp nearby, as Inuyasha did not want to wear Kikyo out by traveling long distance to find a perfect site. Kagome helped Kikyo to dress her wounds and then, she frowned. Something is definitely not right about the wounds but why? She thought. Her thoughts were interrupted when someone touched her shoulder.

"Kagome, I am going to take a bath? Are you done dressing her wounds?" Sango asked. Kagome nodded and replied, "Why not we take this bath together?" "Good idea." Kagome smiled and put away her first aid kit, retreating herself from Kikyo's resting area. She walked to her bag and took out her shampoo and soap. Then she froze. Somehow she doesn't feel secure leaving Inuyasha and Kikyo alone. But then again, Miroku and Shippo are here, they will help her keep an eye on them right?

"Miroku, you are staying here and don't even harbour the thought of following Kagome and I." Sango's voice was heard loud and clear by Kagome, followed by a famous "Feh!" from Inuyasha. He was obviously eavesdropping but Sango's voice was loud so anyone can possibly hear it right? "Why Shippo is allowed to follow you then?" Miroku protested. "That's because firstly, he is just a kid. Secondly, he is not a hentai like you." Sango reasoned out. "But I am your fiancé. Sango dear." Miroku putting on a sweet voice. "We are not married." Sango cleverly replied. Shippo then stuck out his tongue at a fuming Miroku. Kagome then sighed, now she could not depend on Miroku and Shippo to keep an eye on Inuyasha. Suddenly, Kagome had an idea. She looked for Kirara and found her.

"Kirara, Kirara." Kagome whispered to get her attention. Kirara picked up Kagome's voice and started to walk towards her. Kagome smiled and then stroked the cat's fur while stating her request. "I need you to look after Inuyasha and Kikyo and make sure they don't, you know." Kagome said, hoping that Kirara will understand. Kirara mewed in agreement and Kagome praised it. She stood up and said, "So Sango, are you ready?" Sango nodded and turned towards Miroku and said, "Follow me and I make sure you won't live to see tomorrow." Miroku gulped and lowered his head. "Come on Shippo," Kagome said, extending her hand. Shippo gladly took hold of it and the threesomes started to head for the river.

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Inuyasha looked at Kikyo's resting body. She looked very peaceful when sleeping. Her breath was very steady and suddenly, he was not sure of himself. He then was reminded what he said to Kagome earlier.

"I have sorted out my feelings"

Inuyasha slammed his hand onto the ground. Why on the earth did he say such things to Kagome? He was still unable to confirm if he really felt nothing for Kikyo and yet he said that he had sorted out his feelings. What if he really still feels some love for Kikyo? She was after all his first love and it was really difficult to forget the feelings for being in love for the first time. Inuyasha hung his head in despair. He really hated to see Kagome being sad. Not that he was afraid of the painful sit command that was effective on him, but to see the tears she shed for him. Then he heard a rustle, turning his head, he saw Kikyo stirring in her sleep. Thank goodness he thought, I did not wake her up.

"What is wrong?" Miroku said, settling himself beside Inuyasha. "Nothing." Inuyasha said. "Trouble over the two girls again?" Miroku teased him. Inuyasha then got angry and said, "Why don't you just a get life?" "I wish but then the girls don't want me around and I am kind of feeling bored so I decided to come and talk to you." Miroku said innocently. Inuyasha turned his head to a side, obviously telling Miroku to back off. "You see, both girls are the same you know. Kagome is Kikyo's reincarnation and possess Kikyo's looks and miko power. Well, for the miko power may be not as strong but we shall rule that out shall we? Kikyo is dead by the way. No doubt you two have fallen in love in the past but if you think again. The love between you two can't withstand Naraku's scheme. In the end, you two have fallen out because you two don't really have the mutual trust. You get what I mean?" Inuyasha heard what Miroku said and hate it when he was right. Did they not trust each other? Inuyasha thought hard but could not find the answer. Miroku then got up and said, "I hope that you will consider my words Inuyasha. Whatever step you took now will hurt one of them."

Inuyasha's eyes opened wide. Whatever step he takes will hurt one of them. He clutched his head and wondered how he ever got himself into this state.

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"Whee! Do the bubble again Kagome nee-san!" Shippo squealed in delight. Kagome and Sango laughed. Kagome then said, "Okay, look closely Shippo. See how it is formed." Kagome poured a little soap onto her right hand plus a little of water and she closed and opened her hand. Then, she blew out a bubble. This invited a very loud laugh from Shippo. "Okay Shippo, why not you try to make a bubble yourself?" Sango said, smiling. Kagome passed him the soap and said, "Don't use too much of it, okay?" Shippo nodded in agreement before leaving to the other side of the river to play.

"I wonder if the hentai is somewhere around," Sango said, looking around.

"Do you want him to be here?" Kagome teased.

"No." Sango quickly said, hiding her blush.

"Seriously. You are a little too harsh on him, Sango." Kagome said.

"Really?" Sango questioned.

"Yeah. What's with the 'Follow me and I make sure you won't live to see tomorrow' " Kagome tried to imitate Sango's voice.

"That really sounds harsh." Sango said.

"You two are engaged too." Kagome continued.

"Yeah." Sango smiled. "Forget about me and Miroku. How about you and Inuyasha?"

As Sango had hit the raw nerve, Kagome move further into the water. She did not know how to reply Sango so she simply said, "I don't know."

"You are sure about you two's relationship until Kikyo appeared right?" Sango probed further.

"I…" Kagome's voice became silent. Am I sure of our love? Kagome thought. She sighed and silently cursed why she got into this situation.

"Come on, it is not like you to look so despondent." Sango encouraged.

Kagome looked at her best friend and continued saying, "Actually, I am never sure of our love. When I saw Inuyasha's reaction towards Kikyo, I am beginning to have my doubts already. Even though he said that he had sorted out his feelings, I don't think so. However, I don't want to pressure but asking if he really sorted out his feelings."

Sango then reached over to hug her friend and said, "All the best." Kagome returned the hug and said, "Thank you." However, Kagome's heart was still not at ease.

What could Inuyasha be doing now?

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Back at the camp where Kagome, Sango and Shippo had returned from their bath. Inuyasha was still sitting near Kikyo and Sango was actually complimenting Miroku for resisting the urge to peek at them showering. Kagome and Shippo were sitting by a side with Kirara.

"So they did not do anything, eh?" Kagome asked. Kirara shook her head diligently. Kagome smiled and petted Kirara on the head. "Thank you." She said as Kirara strode off to Sango.

"Kagome, you sure about letting Inuyasha by Kikyo's side? You won't know what will happen…" Shippo then started his rumbling. Kagome soon grew sick of it and quickly took out a lollipop from her backpack and shoved it inside his mouth. Shippo grinned and said, "Thank you!" before wondering off to finish the lollipop. Kagome thought about it. Am I ready to give Inuyasha up to Kikyo? No wait, I love him. But Kikyo is better than me in everything. They are lovers in the first place how can I be the third party? Am I being the third party? Kagome hugged her head between her knees and was distracted by Inuyasha's voice.

"Kikyo, you are awake." Inuyasha said. Kikyo smiled and nodded at him.

"I want to get up," She said and naturally, Inuyasha helped her. Then, she purposely fell into Inuyasha's arms and hugged him. Kagome saw all of this and was taken aback when she saw Kikyo's sinister look as she hugged Inuyasha tightly.

"Kikyo, are you alright?" Inuyasha asked with concern. Kikyo then got up and said, "I am fine." Inuyasha helped Kikyo to the fire. Suddenly a figure jumped out, it was Kouga. Everyone, except for Kikyo, was shocked by his sudden appearance. Inuyasha growled and Kouga noticed that.

"Quiet mutt, I am here to talk to my woman." Kouga snapped. Kagome's eyes widened as she knew that she was in for it. Kouga then walked to Kagome and said, "Can we go somewhere and talk?" Kagome nodded and then said, "Sure unless you atop calling me your woman because I am not in the first place." Kouga sighed and lead Kagome out. Miroku had to hold back Inuyasha from attacking Kouga. However, they were all focused on the drama that happened before them that they forgot about Kikyo. She was smirking all the way. She knew that she was going to get Inuyasha soon.

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Kouga and Kagome soon arrived to a clearing and Kagome started to get uneasy.

"Say, what do you want to talk to me about?" Kagome asked.

Kouga thought back about the conversation he had with Kikyo and he knew that Kikyo wanted to hurt Kagome. He could not bear to see Kagome feeling sad over that stupid mutt.

"Do you really like the hanyou?"

Kagome felt confused all over again. Why is everyone asking about Inuyasha and her today?

"Yes."

Kouga got shocked and said, "Well, you can't like him."

"Why not?"

"Because you are going to get hurt soon."

"So what if I am going to get hurt soon?" Kagome said with anger. Kouga then panicked. He did not know how to explain to Kagome that Kikyo was going to hurt her soon.

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"I am going to look for that stupid wolf." Inuyasha announced after a period of some time. The rest did not stop him because they knew that nothing they say was going to stop him from going. Inuyasha then lifted his head to pick up Kagome's scent. He walked, getting closer to the scent. It was getting stronger and stronger. Soon, Kagome was standing right in front of him. "What does the stupid wolf want?" Inuyasha asked.

"It's none of your business." Kagome said.

"It's my business when it comes to you and the stupid wolf." Inuyasha said, holding Kagome's arm.

"Ouch! Inuyasha let go!" Kagome screamed. Inuyasha let go with an apology.

"Just go back to Kikyo." Kagome said, leaving.

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Inuyasha got stunned and looked at Kagome leaving. He wondered around the area, trying to digest the fact that Kagome wanted him to get back to Kikyo. Kikyo then appeared and placed a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder and then hugged him. Inuyasha shivered at her touch.

"Inuyasha, what happened?" Kikyo said with mock sweetness.

"Nothing." Inuyasha replied.

"Is it about the girl, Kagome?"

"Yeah."

"She just argued with you?"

"Yeah."

"She must have felt something for the ookami youkai." Kikyo said, hoping to dispel the remaining love Inuyasha still has for Kagome.

Inuyasha was silent for a while. Is this the truth?

"Leave her." Inuyasha nodded as if he was under the spell of Kikyo.

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Kagome did not go back to the camp after meeting Inuyasha. She decided that returning Inuyasha to Kikyo, both of them would be happier. However, will she be alright? Kagome went back to the spot where she left Inuyasha to see if he was still there. Her mouth formed an 'O' shape when she saw what Inuyasha and Kikyo were doing and heard their conversation.

"Leave her." Inuyasha nodded. He nodded? Kagome's eyes turned watery and ran back to the camp. Why? Her mind was full of questions. However, she knew she had to leave somehow. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Soon, without her knowing, she reached the campsite.

"Kagome, where's Inuyasha?" Sango asked. Kagome ignored her and started shoving things into her backpack.

"Kagome, what's wrong?" Sango asked, coming to her side. "Why are you keeping your things?"

"Sango, I got to leave. Inuyasha wanted me to." Kagome said with tears flowing out.

"No, you are not. You can't do this. You will be falling into Kikyo's trap if you do." Sango pulled Kagome into facing her.

"I am sorry I can't. I don't belong here in the first place." Kagome said as she zips her bag. She removed the bottle containing the Shikon shards to Sango.

"Hand this to Kikyo. She is able to purify it." Kagome said before getting up to leave.

"Are you sure she will be able to purify it?" Sango asked.

"Kagome, think twice before leaving." Miroku pleaded.

"Yes. Kagome nee-san. Don't leave." Shippo whined. Kagome got onto her knees and hugged Shippo. "I will miss you." With that, she left running for the Bone-Eaters' well.

"Kagome nee-san!" Shippo cried after her.

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Inuyasha soon returned with Kikyo and found that everyone looked despair.

"What's wrong?" He asked. Sango looked at him and was about to attack him but was held back by Miroku.

"Inuyasha, you baka!" She screamed.

Inuyasha was confused by what happened then, Miroku explained what happened.

Inuyasha then grew angry and Miroku said, "She just left. Quick, chase her."

Inuyasha quickly ran, hoping to catch up with Kagome.

"Kagome, wait for me."

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Run. Kikyo thought. You will never find her ever again. Everything is going according to her plan.

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Kagome is gone now. Kikyo's on the winning streak. Can Inuyasha catch up with Kagome? Will their relationship ended now? Is Kagome going to return? Find out in the next chapter.