Chapter 17

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Author's note: Sesshomaru's grand entrance to the story. Not exactly grand but I decided to put him into the story as my friend requested for it.

Wait Kagome! Inuyasha ran as fast as he could to the Bone Eater's well. He could not believe what he had done just then. Suddenly, he felt like a total jerk. How can he agree to leave Kagome to Kikyo? Inuyasha mentally slapped himself and hundreds of thoughts were running through his mind like what he was supposed to do now.

Kagome. Wait for me.

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Kagome pushed away some bushes and there it revealed, the opening to another dimension, the Bone Eater's well. She ran towards it naturally. In the midst of running towards it, she was held back by a voice.

"You decided to leave, don't you?" A cool voice came in her ears. Kagome turned in the direction of the mysterious voice and stunned to find out that that voice belonged to Inuyasha's half-brother, Sesshomaru.

"Since when do you appear?" Kagome asked with sarcasm.

Sesshomaru smirked and said, "Let's just say that I am quite interested in killing Naraku which I believe you all shared the same ambition."

"Which means to say that-" Kagome's voice trailed off.

"Yes. I have been following your group all along." He replied with such calmness.

Kagome doubted his words however and replied, "That's weird. I could have sensed your aura if you are nearby. Inuyasha would have smelled your scent. No it's impossible that you have been following us." Kagome shook her head to emphasize her point.

"You are so naïve, priestess. Haven't you heard that a taiyoukai like me will be able to hide our scent and aura as and when we like?" Sesshomaru taunted. Kagome obviously did not like Sesshomaru's teasing and protested against him. "Why are you following us then? You could have easily kill Naraku yourself."

"That is because I will very much like to kill him myself so I could not let that hanyou get to him first. I have been following your group to find out how much have you all gotten in tracking down Naraku so that I can beat you to it." Sesshomaru said.

"Why you, despicable thing!" Kagome frowned. She did not realized that they were being used all along. Forever, she did not have the time to argue with Sesshomaru as she heard Inuyasha's voice screaming in her mind to tell her to wait. Irritated by that, she held her hands to her head.

"He's coming, isn't he?"

Kagome looked up at the taiyoukai and then said, "Whatever you do now to Inuyasha is none of my business." She walked towards the Bone Eater's well and flung her legs over it. Sitting on the edge before plunging into the well, she had her very last thought.

"Goodbye, Inuyasha"

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Inuyasha panted as he knew that he was nearing the well. When he finally made it, he saw the familiar blue light coming out from the well and fading out fast.

No no.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha screamed loudly as he reached towards the well. She was gone. Gone forever.

"Kagome." Inuyasha then started to think on what to do now. Ah! I could jump into the well to the another world so I can apologize to Kagome. As he was about to jump into the well, a voice was heard.

"It's no use."

Inuyasha's ears were managed to pick up the sensitive sound. "Who's there?" He said loudly as he turned around with his hand on his Tetsusaiga. He soon saw someone he never expected to see, his half-brother, Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru appeared from the shadows and said, "How are you, hanyou?"

"Better than before." Inuyasha said as he drew out his Tetsusaiga.

Sesshomaru eyed the fang Inuyasha was holding and peacefully said, "It's not about the swords that I have come to talk to you."

Inuyasha could not believed what he had heard and could not decide whether to put the sword back into the sheath or to hold it in his hand, prepared for the attack from Sesshomaru.

"You can put the sword down. Like I said, it is not about the swords I have come for." Sesshomaru spoke as if he could read Inuyasha's mind. Inuyasha had this confusion as in how Sesshomaru managed to know what he was thinking.

"This is one of your weakness, Inuyasha. The looks on your face always give you away on what you are thinking. That explains how I always managed to defeat you easily."

Inuyasha growled and retorted back, "Feh! I don't need you to tell me of things I not wish to know of. I know that you are not here to tell me my weakness do you?"

"Looks like you are not totally dumb." Sesshomaru said. Inuyasha had to fight to resist the urge to ran up and attack Sesshomaru so he had to suppress the growl within his chest.

"I will advise you not to go after the girl. You should know who I am referring to."

Inuyasha's ears twitched, "What you mean? You saw Kagome?"

"Indeed I have seen the girl."

"Why did you not stop her?" Inuyasha shouted.

"That's because of you." Sesshomaru said, maintaining his stoic face. Seeing that Inuyasha was dumbfounded, he continued, "You have to clear up the mess you have done. Nobody can help you in anyways." Inuyasha stood there, for the first time he actually listened to his brother. "I will not advise you to go look for her now. Let her cool down first before you try explaining anything." With that, Sesshomaru turned and left.

XXXX

Inuyasha stood on the same spot, reflecting on his actions, Sesshomaru's words and Kagome. Rain soon poured down from the darkened sky. Inuyasha looked up to the sky and could feel something watery flowing down his face.

Is this watery sensation my tears or the raindrops?

He left and headed towards the camp.

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Miroku was worried for Inuyasha. Where could he be out in the rain? They all have sought shelter in a cave, including Kikyo who apparently returned with Inuyasha. Sango was sleeping next to Shippo. Miroku remembered how hard he tried to convince Sango not to beat up Kikyo just then. He heaved a long sigh. Why exactly happened to them? They seemed to be breaking up. Kagome had just left them and Inuyasha was left despondent. What could possibly go wrong? He then turned his direction to the sleeping undead priestess. What on the earth is she trying to do now?

Soon, a figure entered the cave. Miroku snapped his attention back and saw Inuyasha.

"Glad that you returned safely. How did you manage to locate us?" He asked.

"Trust me, it was not easy." Inuyasha said.

"So where's Kagome?" Miroku asked. He saw Inuyasha's look and decided not to probe any further. "You can don't reply me if you don't feel like to."

Inuyahsa looked at Miroku and then relate to him what happened and his conversation with Sesshomaru.

"It seems to me that Sesshomaru is helping us." Miroku said. Inuyasha just shrugged and said, "I am not worried about whether Sesshomaru had a hidden agenda but I am more concerned with Kagome."

"I remembered having talking to you about choosing between Kagome and Kikyo but you did not make your stand firm. Now you have a crisis at hand, you must solve it now. I suggest we started heading towards Kaede's village."

Inuyasha lifted his head and wanted explanation on why Miroku decided on going to the village. Miroku then quickly added in, "I don't suppose you have the mood right now to continue with the hunt do you?" Inuyasha dropped his head. Miroku had a point. He was not in the mood to continue with the hunt now. He would have enjoyed killing demons as it might be a way to vent his frustration but it would not be the same without Kagome. Without Kagome yelling to him where exactly is the shard hidden, he had no idea where to slice the demon. Somehow, it did not feel right.

"Okay, we will set off tomorrow morning," Inuyasha said,

XXXX

Kagome reached out and tugged at the rope ladder in the well. She knew that she had reach home. Back to where she knew that there will be comfort. Back to where she knew that there will be nothing to remind her of Inuyasha. Kagome climbed out of the well and slide the door. Soon, she could feel the warmth of the Sun shining down onto her skin. Kagome then walked towards her home and stepped into her house.

"Momma, I am home!"

Kagome then walked around the house to look for her family members when she saw a note pinned onto the refrigerator.

Dear Kagome, should you be reading this, we have left for Hokkaido and will be back on the 22nd June.

Kagome slumped down onto the floor as tears began pouring out. Great! Just great! I am feeling down and nobody's at home. Kagome thought. She suddenly had a feeling of loneliness overpowering her. She held her knees to her chest and sobbed between them.

"Kagome?" A voice so comforting rang. Kagome looked up and saw the someone she had wanted to find comfort with.

"Momma!" Kagome cried as she hugged her mother. Little did she know that it was the 22nd today? Kagome let her tears flowed down on her mother's shoulder. She knew that her mother would not mind getting her blouse soaked with her tears. Kagome's grandfather and Souta decided to leave both mother and daughter alone by retreating to their room. After a few minutes, Kagome found herself sitting on her bed talking to her mother about what happen. She did feel better getting the burden off her chest but she could not keep her tears away. Mrs. Higurashi then comforted her daughter feeling helpless. She could not do anything but to lend a shoulder for her daughter to lean on.

"Kagome. Where not you just go and take a shower while I prepared dinner for you?" Mrs Higurashi said with a big smile. Kagome smiled and agreed. With that, Mrs Higurashi left for the kitchen while Kagome took her towel and headed for the bathroom. As she enjoyed her bath, she remembered her times with Sango bathing and how they would talk about their life. Miroku will always tried to peek at them and always get it from Sango. Shippo will be there laughing so loudly while Inuyasha will be there yelling him to shut up. Kagome's smile faded when thoughts of Inuyasha came flooding back. No I must be strong. I will not cry. Kagome made up her mind and got out of her bath to get dressed.

After getting dressed in her pajama, she headed down to the kitchen for dinner. "Hey guys." She smiled cheerfully. Souta and her grandpa smiled awkwardly as Souta whispered to his Grandpa, "Kagome is smiling. Something's wrong." They regained their positions and they remembered what Mrs Higurashi had warned them.

Flashback

"No speaking of the feudal era, you get me?" Mrs Higurashi spoke in a strict tone.

"Hai." Both of them replied.

End of flashback

"Wow. These are my favourite food." Kagome exclaimed. Mrs Higurashi smiled and told her to eat more. Kagome nodded and began eating; she knew that her family was trying to make her feel better and she was grateful for that.

XXXX

Inuyasha and the rest began walking towards Kaede's village where it wasn't far now. Kikyo was eyeing the bottle hung around Sango's neck. Sango could feel that something was looking at her and turned towards Kikyo.

"How can I help you?" She asked.

"Pass the Shikon shards to me." Kikyo demanded.

"Do you think I will pass it to you?"

"You will not be able to keep it purified." Kikyo said, feeling challenged.

"I believe it will be safe with me. Thanks for your concern." Sango rebuked.

Kikyo knew that she was defeated while currently, trying to figure out how to get the shards out of the taijiya.

"If you are thinking of getting it out of me, I suggest you give up the thought." Sango said. Kikyo looked annoyed, mentally swore that she would get the shards somehow.

After walking some distance, they have finally reached Kaede's village. Kaede walked out slowly to welcome them and led them into her hut. She did not know whether to feel happy for her sister's presence or not. However, Kaede did notice that a being was not present there and it was Kagome. Kaede somehow could not get it why.

Soon, it was night. Everyone had finished dinner and was about to turn in for the night. Inuyasha walked out of the hut as he found it crowded. He deeply inhaled the air, letting it flood into his mind. Then, he ventured further into the forest and stopped before the tree he was pinned to 50 years ago. He raised his hand and touched the tree. Memories came rushing back from how he met Kagome the first time to how he broke her heart.

"I am sorry…"

XXXX

Kikyo managed to slip out of the hut when everyone was sleeping except for Inuyasha who seemed to have disappeared after dinner. She had had enough of the taijiya and decided to look for Naraku to continue their plan. Kikyo stood still for a moment, to sense for Naraku's aura and then walked towards the direction.

She walked into a small meadow and saw a familiar figure there.

"I see that you have found me rather easily."

"Maybe you should try covering up your scent." Kikyo smiled.

"I am sure you are here to reprimand me as I failed to accomplish what I am supposed to do." Naraku said, preparing for any attacks from Kikyo.

However Kikyo just smirked and said, "No, I am not. In fact, I just needed to kill the taijiya to get the shards. However, I need your help to kill her when the time is ripe."

"Then I get the Shikon shards?" Naraku bargained.

"No problem."

Naraku come forth to Kikyo and touched her face with his hand. "You know you look pretty." Kikyo smiled and pulled Naraku towards her. A warm lip was pushed against her and the night turned into a night of lust and love.

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Kikyo is betraying Inuyasha now. Urgh! I can't stand her. I can sense abit of ooc-ness. Will Inuyasha know about Kikyo's rendezvous? Will Kagome returned soon enough to battle with Naraku? Next chapter reveal it all.