Mistakes

So, to everyone's great shock, even his. Kagome chose to be its vessel. To return to the past, to be locked away from a future that was no longer set in stone and face all new challenges that she felt, no, knew, she would have to face alone. For as soon as the jewel set her down and her eyes met with Kikyo's, she knew the jewel had been right, had won yet lost. Its power was hers; it did not control her; she controlled it.

It had made a grave mistake in challenging this girl's heart. She had always been and would always be selfless.

She had been gone all but three days, yet when she returned, she returned as a new person. He could tell though she spoke no words and made no moves. Her eyes gave it away. The child-like nature was gone. She went in a girl and came out a woman. There was a calm about her, but he knew inside was a storm. His eyes glided to his brother.

Inuyasha sputtered in disbelief, "You, your here,"

Kagome looked at her hands and then around. "I guess I am," Did he still lack faith in her? Did he still think Kikyo was the better Miko? That was a mistake.

"Are you ok, Kagome?" Miroku asked,

"We didn't know what would happen," Sango added,

Kagome looked at them and then met his eyes. "You are still here?"

"Hn," He had planned to leave as soon as her choice was made, but the longer he stood there, the more changes he noticed with her.

Her hair was longer, her eyes had gone from green to blue, and her power had increased tenfold.

"Kagome," Inuyasha was for once at a loss as to what to say.

Kagome could see the struggle and knew what he was thinking. She knew that he was fighting. He had a good heart; he meant well. He loved her BUT.

Kagome smiled at Kikyo. "Your alive; call it a parting gift from the jewel,"

"I thank you, Kagome,"

Kagome grabbed her hands. "It stole from you the most,"

"I am as much at fault as Naraku,"

Kagome shook her head. "No, don't say that."

She looked back at Inuyasha. "You have a second chance, no, a first chance because it was stolen from you,"

Confusion was clear on Inuyasha's face as he looked at them both hand in hand. "What are you saying?" He asked,

She let go of Kikyo and walked up to him, and moved to take his beads off when he grabbed both her wrist "Kagome,"

"It's ok, Inuyasha,"

He looked down. She was giving him the easy way out.

"Can we leave them on?" He asked with a blush.

Kagome smiled, but she wanted to cry. She looked back at Kikyo. The woman had feelings too. She nodded, and Kagome let the necklace settle back around his neck and stepped back, and finally, they could say it was the end.

Naraku was gone, and the jewel was safe, but with every new ending, there was a new beginning.