(A/N: Sorry I haven't updated this story lately. I've got a lot of homework... and most of it is due tomorrow! I'm so dead... but I really didn't want to do it so I'm online updating! or writing... though I'm not supposed to... my business course is harder than it seems... and this is only the second week! I don't even want to imagine was the middle of the year is. I know I should have updated this, but I'm enjoying my other story more but I'm kind of stumped on that one too... Well I'm going to stop. Now please R&R! I don't mind some, and I stretch the word 'some', criticism.)

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho (though, I haven't really gotten to the part yet)


"It's so good to actually see other colours than white!" Kagome stretched her aching arms over her head and turned around to where the jewel was located. She was currently in a small, wooden temple that she assumed was where Kikyou kept the jewel when she wasn't praying. And right in front of her was the jewel glowing a shade ofpink. Brushing her fingers on it, the jewel reacted to her touch and glowed a bright pink almost white light and shot into her chest.

Looking the small packages to her side, curiosity got the best of her and encouraged her to find out what they were. Looking at the Kai's package, Kagome slowly undid the knot in the black silk. Sliding the components out, she could see that Kai had gotten her a replica of his armour but this one was as surprisingly light and it fit her perfectly. Beside that was a katana. This blade crackled with power as she brushed her hand along the black sheath. Gently sliding the blade out, she could clearly see the moons reflection on the smooth silver surface. Neatly imprinted on the blade was the words 'shadow warrior' or KageMusha.

Shifting her gaze to the silver package, Kagome slid off the silk cloth like she did the previous one. The cloths lid off to reveal a beautiful set of silk black miko garbs. On the haori there were golden threads that wove around the body in the design of a dragon. The hakama also had a dragon woven around the legs as a design but those were made from silver threads. Like the previous package, wrapped inside was also another katana. But unlike the previous katana, this one radiated pure energy. The blade was a nicely polished silver and on it was engraved the word 'Protector' or Hogosha. Carefully, Kagome slid the blade back into its black sheath.

Shedding her previous clothing, Kagome slipped on the black garbs. It took extra time with the armour but she got it on with few problems. Carefully fastening the obi, Kagome slipped both blades on either side of her hips. So in total, she had 4 blades and a few daggers hidden in her sleeve. Satisfied Kagome pulled her hair into a braid and tied it with a piece of the silver clothe mindful of her ears. After she was finished, she quietly folded her previous clothing and wrapped it in the black silk before hauling it over her shoulder and onto her back.

Kagome exited the temple and notice that it was around 3 in the morning. Her ears twitched trying to pick up any unfamiliar sounds but found none.In less than a second, Kagome had melded and shifted into the dark shadows of the night. She had learned from Kai that shadow kitsune are able to meld into shadows making them almost impossible to detect hence the name shadow kitsune. It was a great way to travel and very efficient too. The only ones who were able to detect where they were would be holy beings such as miko's or houshi's or other youkai powerful enough to learn to travel through shadows. But Kagome being a miko herself, is able to hide from both the holy beings and demons making her virtually impossible to detect.

Casting a quick barrier around herself, Kagome sifted through the shadows without a care. Once Kagome reached Inuyasha Forest, she stepped out of the shadows and scanned the surrounding area. 'Hmmm... I wonder where Inuyasha is...' Finding him no where near her, Kagome shrugged it off and headed to the cave Onigumo occupies.

From the field that the cave outlooked, Kagome could see and hear the flicker of a fire and some whispered conversations. Quickly melding back into the shadows, Kagome made her way towards the cave.

"Onigumo-san, how are you feeling?" the calm, serene voice was clearly from a female.

"Fine," his voice was coarse, "what brings you out here at this hour?" By this time Kagome made it further inside the cave and stayed in the shadows of the many crevices while she listened to them converse.

"I'm feeling an ominous aura tonight. And the intention this aura holds seems to be directed to you." Kikyou was sitting there stirring the roaring fire with another stick. Kagome would have snorted at that comment if it wouldn't give away her location.

"I'll be fine Kikyou-sama. So what about your relationship with your hanyou?" Onigumo said the last word in utter disgust while Kikyou thought nothing about it. 'This guy really fell in love with her...'

"At the moment, Inuyasha-san is off doing something. He didn't tell me exactly what but he said that I would find out soon enough." 'Aw... how sweet! I think Inuyasha's getting Kikyou a present!'

"Onigumo-san, I need to be leaving soon, dawn is approaching," as she said that, Kikyou gathered her basket of herbs and was starting to put out the fire.

"Farewell, Kikyou-sama." Without even looking back, Kikyou left the cave. When they were sure she was gone and out of hearing range, Onigumo started to mutter.

"Inuyasha! It's always about Inuyasha! Kikyou is mine! How dare she fall in love with a worthless half breed! Inuyasha, you'll regret taking Kikyou away from me!" Having heard enough Kagome stepped out of the shadows and into the small amount of light that filtered through the entrance and purposely made some noise with her feet.

"Who goes there! Show yourself!" Once Kagome's face was in the light she heard a small gasp coming from the crippled form. "Kik-... Kikyou? You're a demon?"

"ARG! I'm not KIKYO! But you Onigumo, have lived long enough! Your life will end now before you start your evil rampage!" pulling out her two old blades, Kagome slit Onigumo's throat and watched as he died a quick and painless death but not before he made a loud blood curling scream.

Kagome felt bad about killing a human but reminded herself that is she didn't, she would have the death of countless innocent humans on her conscience. 'Aw... Kikyou's sure to come and find out about the racket! Sigh But he had to be stopped.' Getting up, Kagome found a spot where the earth was soft enough to be carved without destroying her blade. And she wrote 'To Kikyou-sama, Onigumo was an evil bandit. He had to be killed before he did something monstrous and wreak havoc among humankind. I would like to ask you to pray for his soul and wash away his sins so he may rest peacefully.–Kage.'

Just as she finished the message, soft footsteps could be heard. Melding into the shadows she saw the young miko enter the cave.

"Onigumo? Are you alright?" When she finally the dead corpse of the bandit surrounded by his warm blood she let out a little gasp. Quickly judging the situation she confirmed that he didn't die long ago and spun around ready for an attack. Kagome watched as she finally found the message that she had written. After Kikyou finished reading it she shook her head sadly. "Onigumo..." Kagome watched as Kikyou burned his body and gave a silent prayer to the dead and then left.

Shifting through the shadows Kagome silently followed Kikyou without her notice. Kikyou had made her way back to the village to the hut she shared with Kaede.

"Sister! You're back quickly! Have you finished your visit with Onigumo-sama?" Kaede was a cute nine year old with both eyes intact. Both her eyes held warm brown orbs as she regarded her older sister. Kikyou knelt down to eye level with Kaede before speaking,

"Kaede-chan, Onigumo-san died," the little girl gave a gasp of horror before curiosity got the best of her,

"What happened sister?" Kikyou shook her head sadly,

"I'm not sure. When I got there he was dead, and on the ground next to him was a message saying that he had to die or else he would create havoc."

"Oh... Are you going to the temple?"

"Yes, I have to check on the Shikon no Tama... I have to check if what I dreamt was real..." Once the two of them reached the temple and slid open the door there was only a gasp of surprise coming from the smaller figure while a sigh of relief came from the older girl.

"Sister... it's gone!"

"Yes I know Kaede-chan. Midoriko-sama had come to me in a dream saying that the jewel will disappear... I wasn't sure until now but... I am finally free of this burden."

"That's great sister!" a ghost of a smile appeared on Kikyou's face as she finally realized that she was truly free. Free from the burden of a cursed jewel and lived. For once in Kikyou's life she was happy and it didn't go unnoticed by Inuyasha.

It was evening and Kikyou sat by the river looking upon the villagers as they worked away on the fields. Kagome was still trailing after Kikyou and saw a flash of red that settled on the nearest tree to the river. A small smile appeared on her lips as she watched the events.

Inuyasha sat up in the tree and watched his beloved miko. At first he was only interested in her because she guarded the Shikon but gradually he fell in love with her. He would do anything to protect her. He would willingly give his life up for her safety. She was beautiful in every way. Both body and mind.The way she sat there peacefully as she gazed at the sunset... she looked like a goddess. But there was something different about her today. It almost seemed as if she was... happy...

"Inuyasha would you come and sit with me?" her gentle voice broke his chain of thoughts as he jumped down and landed right beside her.

"What is it Kikyou? You seem different today." He was caught off guard by her beautiful smile that was only directed at him.

"Inuyasha, have you wondered why I've never killed you?" at his silent she turned around only to see him nod, "It was because you reminded me of me. We were both outsiders unable to live a happy life and be an ordinary person. But as I have known you over the years... I've..." taking a big breath Kikyou prepared for what she was about to say, "When I've met you I became an ordinary woman. I fell in love with you. At first my duty demand that I shouldn't but... I have."

"Kikyou," Inuyasha sat down beside the lonely miko and wrapped his arms around her pulling her onto his lap. They held each other lovingly that Kagome had tears in her eyes. 'This is so touching!' "Kikyou, I don't care what you are, I love you. Will you... will you be my mate?"

"Inuyasha..." Kikyou brought her hand and brushed the side of his face seeing the complete honest words in his eyes, "yes, only if I'll be with you forever."

Their lips locked into a passionate kiss. Kikyou's arms found themselves around the hanyou's neck and into his soft hair. When they broke apart Inuyasha finally asked the question that he wanted to know the answer to,

"What had you so happy earlier, koi?"

"I can become an ordinary woman now, Inuyasha. I can be with you. The Shikon no Tama has disappeared, taken by kami-sama. My duty as the guardian has ended. Now I can be with you forever." Inuyasha had a genuine smile on his face as he kissed Kikyou. 'Okay... I think that's enough spying on my brother. Watching them make-out isn't something I look forward too. Let's look for... Sesshou-kun!'


(A/N: Sorry if some of you didn't like the happy ever after with Kikyou, but in this version she didn't really do anything wrong. So there's nothing to really hate her for. Would it make you readers happy that they won't be mentioned much? Well R&R!)