Asking an Enemy for a Favor

After speaking with Kaede, Kagome was starting to have doubts about leaving the feudal era for such a long period of time but she felt like she didn't have a choice. If she didn't help her family then they will most likely lose the shrine and go hungry. Kagome, you have a duty to your family and you heart first and everyone else second. I will not break my promise to you father. I will not let you down again. Kagome whispered into the wind, praying her father could hear her and guide her in the right direction.

That is why I must ask Kikyo to take my place. Once she is helping them they will probably wonder why they didn't ask her to join the group sooner. Kagome said to herself as she watched the sun drop from the sky to hide behind the trees.

Either way being in the feudal era is not going to help her family's situation. Deciding that she needed to go through with her plans, Kagome placed the charms on each side of the well. Closing her eyes she cleared her mind of all of her doubts and began to say the chant Kaede gave her.

You hold the power over time and space and you grant me the honor to pass through each day. Please enchanted well; I am in need of your assistance in keeping others in this time and place. Keep them from passing through to my time and only allow my blood and soul to erase this chant I placed.

At first, Kagome didn't think it was working but then she felt an intense heat spread throughout her body and leave her hands. Slowly opening her eyes, Kagome saw a pink glow fading from her hands. I guess that meant it worked? Sorry, Inuyasha but it had to be done. Please forgive me. Kagome thought, as she lowered her forehead to rest on the rim of the well.

"Girl, my sister said you wanted to speak with me. Have you finally decided to leave this place and return to where you belong"? Kikyo asked, as she stepped out of the trees and walked into the clearing.

"Hello, to you to Kikyo," Kagome said, as she slowly stood to face her rival. Since she stumbled into the feudal era this icon of perfection has been a shadow that she could not step out of and now she had to push aside her resentment to ask this zombie for help.

"I have decided to leave but only for a short time. There is something very important that needs my immediate attention in my time," Kagome said, as she stared into the priestess's emotionless eyes.

"Let me guess, you would like for me to help Inuyasha find the rest of the jewel shards while you are away," Kikyo stated coldly, looking at the women who has stolen everything that should have been hers Inuyasha's love, Kaede's loyalty, and her soul.

"Yes, I have placed a seal on the well so he can not come to my time and drag me back here before my task is completed. So what do you say Kikyo, can I persuade you to join the good side," Kagome said, trying to stay calm enough to convince Kikyo to help her.

"I really need you to do this for me Kikyo. I don't want to have to remind you that I saved your life. If you do this for me I will considerate a debt paid in full."

"Do you love Inuyasha?" Kikyo asked, her expression never changing just staring into her reincarnations warm maple color eyes. Eyes that almost resembled her own if she was still alive.

"What does that have to do with anything? Kagome asked confused as to where this line of questioning was going.

"Answer the question. Do you love Inuyasha?"

"You have nothing to worry about Kikyo. You have always held Inuyasha's heart. I recently come to realize that there are far greater things in life to chase after then a person who can not love you back," Kagome said, a little sad that her first love was not what she thought it would be.

She thought being in love would be all flowers and sunshine. That the person who you loved would hold and cherish you and make you feel special more then any thing or one in the world. Kami, was she so naïve. I guess with one-sided love none of that stuff tends to happen.

"He is my best friend and my passion for him as dwindled into a warm brotherly affection. I want nothing more then to see him happy even if that means being with you," but that doesn't mean I won't try to stop him from going to hell with you, you selfish bitch , Kagome thought as she smiled at Kikyo.

"It doesn't matter he will join me in hell soon enough." Kikyo stated as if reading Kagome mind. That may be true but how does Inuyasha feel about you, Kikyo wondered.

"I will help you girl on one condition. You will never become Inuyasha's mate or have any romantic involvement with him do you understand," Kikyo said, making sure that Inuyasha will belong to her and no one else.

"Did coming back to life affect your hearing? Did I not tell you that he does not want me! Kagome stated feeling infuriated, did she not hear me pour out my heart just now. I wish she had a subduing necklace on her because I would sit her to the damn ground.

"Fine Kikyo, you have a deal".

"I assume you are leaving in the morning so I will be back then," turning around Kikyo disappeared into the woods.

"Feh. Whatever." Kagome said, as she rolled her eyes and crossed her hands over her chest. Taking a quick glance at the well, Kagome headed back to the village.

Inuyasha ran as fast as he could to get to the well. Half way to his destination the gentle breeze brought with it the scent of dirt and clay and sesame and honey, which tickled his nose, as he got closer. That scent could only mean one thing, Kikyo is near and so is Kagome.

Heading toward the trees so Kagome will not see him, Inuyasha followed Kikyo's scent. It has been so long since he last saw her and even though time and death has changed them both, he could not help but still be in love with her.

Looking around, Inuyasha stopped where Kikyo scent was the strongest, which so happen to lead him straight to Kagome. Determined to find out what the hell was going on, Inuyasha began to walk into the clearing to confront the two women he swore to protect.