This is my first story please be kind! This idea came to me and I was going to ask someone to write it but decided I would give it a shot!

"Talking. 'thinking

Chapter one:

For three years Inuyasha has been waiting for this day. Staring down into the bone eaters well he couldn't help but smile a truly genuine smile. Sure Naraku was still in hiding and they haven't found a jewel shard in awhile, but none of that mattered today.

The day Kagome finally graduated.

No more did he have to stop in the middle of a mission or wait around in Kaedes village while Kagome took a test or had to study. It was finally over now she had no excuses to need to run off all the time back to her world in the future. She could finally focus solely on hunting jewel shards and chasing leads on Naraku.

His smile was instantly wiped off his face when he heard a voice he wished he didn't.

"INUYASHA! Is Kagome back yet! I want pocky!" Shippo came and jumped onto his shoulder tugging on his hair.

"Shut it runt! Do you see her! No! She should be back tonite and if she's not I'm gonna drag her ass back here kickin and screamin if I have to."

"Bet you you won't because you know she'll just sit you till your back breaks baka!" Shippo ran off just as he seen Inuyasha raise his fist. Finally left alone Inuyasha had time to think about the last three years and how this strange girl from the future changed his life. He would never tell anyone, but she was his best friend. She made all the years of loneliness and hate disappear with just a smile and her kind words. Never in his life had he ever felt happiness and love like he did when he was with her.

Sure, he loved his mother and at one point loved Kikyo, but with Kagome it was different. He was devastated by the loss of his mother. For years he carried a heavy heart with her death, but knowing that since she mated with his father they were together in the afterlife it eased his pain. He would always miss her but knew she missed his father so much it helped to think that now she was happy and with her mate.

With Kikyo, he was just so happy someone actually wanted to be with him. He would have gladly turned human if it meant his years of loneliness were over. He knew no one would ever accept a hanyou as a mate or husband, so when she told him she would marry him as a human he immediately agreed. He never really got the chance to love her fully. Sure he loved her or the idea of what they could have, but their love never had the chance to grow into true love before Naraku ended it right before it began. Now, having her returned is bittersweet. The only way to be with her is through death, and the love he felt has turned into guilt and honor. Guilt over her death and honor-bound to die with her if that is what it will take for her to find peace.

'Sometimes I wish she was never brought back. What does that say about my love for her..'. It took a long time for Inuyasha to admit that although he had love for Kikyo and what they shared, he no longer wished to be with her in life or death. He had a feeling that Kikyo was aware of his change of heart but she never said anything about it. Recently she has been saying she missed him and even hugging him! Guilt would always make him go to her and do anything to make her happy. 'But, she is dead. I need to stop feeling so guilty when I'm not the one who killed her!'. He had to be there to protect the ones he cared about who were still alive. He would not survive losing anyone else he loved...not Kagome.

If he were a stronger man he would send her home and seal the well. Every day she was with him she was in danger. Why couldn't he let her go? He has almost lost her so many times now. He needed to keep her safe, he needed to protect her. "I can't live without her." He would die without her, and he would die for her. He loved her enough to let her go home...but she loved him enough to stay. Oh, he knew she loved him. She has told him a few times, but until Kikyo was laid to rest and Naraku was rotting in hell, he would keep his love for her a secret for her safety. If his enemies knew he loved her she would have an even bigger target on her back than she already had. "Keh! Wench is a magnet for trouble as it is!"

"Inuyasha..."

So caught up in his thoughts he had missed the soul collectors above his head and the smell of death and dirt. He turned around to see his ex-love looking at him sadly.

"Kikyo...W wwhat are you doing here? Is everything alright?"

"Am I not allowed to just want to see you Inuyasha? There was a time when you would be happy to see me...Tell me, do I mean so little to you now?"

'Oh great, here comes the guilt' he thought. "Of course I'm happy to see you Kikyo. I was just making sure you were ok." He slowly made his way to her. Kikyo met him halfway and embraces him, he lightly hugs her in return.

"Although I did miss you Inuyasha, I'm afraid I have heard an unsettling rumor about Naraku." Inuyasha stiffened at her words. "I have heard that he has been busy creating a new incarnation that will be his strongest yet."

That definitely caught his attention. "Do you know anything about the new incarnation?"

Kikyo backs up to look at his face. "He created him solely to destroy the one he believes is his biggest threat. My reincarnation." Inuyasha felt his heart stop and he growled. His eyes flashed from red to gold so fast Kikyo didn't see it.

"I'd like to see the bastard try! I'll kill him if he comes near her!"

"Do you care so much for her? Do you care for her more than me?..." Inuyasha stopped his growling and looked at Kikyo. He didn't know what to say to her. The truth would just hurt her more and she didn't deserve it.

"Of course not Kikyo...But, she is my friend and I have to protect her. That doesn't mean I care about her more..." It hurt him to say this but Kagome wasn't there so at least he didn't have to hurt anyone else. If he could just appease her to make her happy he would do it. He hugged her tight to reassure her. "Did you hear anything else about this guy?"

"Only that he was made to be immune to a Mikos purification. I believe he will be a greater threat to her her than Naraku... I think we need to come up with a plan to hide her, she is not strong without her powers and you can not always be there to protect her"

Inuyasha was livid! He wanted to argue with her that of course he would always be there to protect her! But, wasn't he just thinking the same thing? If he was in the middle of a battle or if Kikyo called to him how would he protect her. Could he really risk her life like that now knowing Naraku was targeting her? He didn't know what to do...

"Kagome won't hide even if it was to save her own life, she's too stubborn."

"I am worried Inuyasha. As much as I hate to admit it, we will need her in the final battle. I am not strong enough to purify Naraku's evil alone. If she were to die, the battle would be lost."

"You don't understand! I've tried sending her away before! She just comes right back! How am I supposed to do it now!" Inuyasha flung around and walked a couple of steps away. What if Kikyo's wrong. What if this rumor is wrong. But, Kikyo never lied to him about Naraku. If she was worried then that worried him. Now he just had to figure out how to get Kagome to spend some time in her world till he destroyed this new threat. His great day sure turned into shit real fast.

"Inuyasha...that girl, she doesn't care for me am I correct?" Inuyasha looked at her wide-eyed. "hmmm that's what I thought. Well, if she is gone you will need help finding the jewel shards. If I were to join you to help that would cause her great stress. She might be more inclined to stay home if she felt uncomfortable around me."

Inuyasha didn't know what the hell to say! On one hand that would for sure make Kagome run home and not come back (at least until he came and got her and explained). But that would more than likely devastate her to the point where she would not want to come back. Maybe even hate him...Was it worth it? Could he risk her life so she wouldn't hate him? Or risk his own life when Sango found out! 'What the fuck am I gonna do!'

"I don't know Kikyo..."

"Do you not want me with you? Would you prefer that girls company over mine?"

'SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT! WHAT THE FUCK DO I SAY NOW!' "Kikyo that's not it, I'm just trying to figure out the right thing to do..."

"Inuyasha, this is the right thing, and who knows, it might only take a week to slay this demon. Then you can go get her back. But, you need to figure it out now. We do not know how long we have until Naraku strikes."

Just as Inuyasha was about to respond there was a light coming from the well. 'SHIT! Why now of all times does she decide to come back early!' Kagome hopped out of the well with a smile that quickly turned into a frown at the scene before her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll just head to Kaede's." Before she could run off Kikyo stopped her.

"Girl stop. There is something that we need to inform you of." Kagome turned around with wide eyes wondering why Kikyo would need to speak to her. Inuyasha put his hand on Kikyo's shoulder missing the look of pain in Kagome's eyes.

"Wait Kikyo, I'll talk to her about this alone."

Kikyo looked at him for a minute before nodding and walking off. "I won't be too far." With that, she was gone.

Inuyasha turned back to Kagome and notice she had a look of confusion in her eyes and smelled lightly of fear and sadness.

Kagome put on a forced smile "I'm sorry I came back so soon. I didn't know she would be here...what did you need to talk about?"

Inuyasha just looked at her. 'Gods shes beautiful. How can I send her away, how can I hurt her like this...but, can I really risk her life.' He noticed she was dressed really nice today. She had her dark black hair in soft curls and a long flowy dress that had thin straps holding it up. The dress was a deep blue that matched her eyes and light makeup that made them look so much brighter. The dress hugged her top to just under her breast and made him see just how much her body has matured from a young skinny girl to a mature curvy woman. He had to wipe his face to make sure he wasn't drooling.

"Inuyasha?" '

Shit! How long have I been staring at her chest!' His cheeks turned pink when he noticed she looked amused now. 'Oh yea, she knows exactly what I was doing...shit.'

"Ummmm, so anyway the reason I came back early is my mom is making dinner for my graduation and I wanted to know if you wanted to come?"

That seemed to snapped him out of his lust filled haze. "Umm actually Kagome, I need to talk to you." Kagome cocked her head and he almost smiled at how cute she looked. "Come on." Grabbing Kagomes had he pulled her back over by the well. When he looked at her again he looked angry and upset.

"Inuyasha? Did I do something wrong? You look like you're mad."

Of he was mad, but not at her at himself. He took a deep breath and tried to figure out how to get his words out. He knew he had to say this right. If he was too harsh to her he risked losing her forever, but if he was too soft, she might decide to stay... The only way he could protect her was by hurting her, and it killed him.

"Kagome, there's really no easy way to say this but...Kikyo has decided to join our group."

There...he said it quick and easy. Now she would sit him go home and in a few days he would beg for forgiveness.

Kagome looked at him with wide eyes. She didn't understand. "Ummm ok. I mean that makes sense." Inuyasha looked at her surprised. "I mean, now you can protect her better, and with two people who can sense the jewel shards we should be able to collect them faster right? I mean there can't be many left besides the ones Kouga and Kohaku have so it would be a lot easier. Plus, you wouldn't have to worry about her so much if she's with you right?" Kagome looked away not wanting him to see the tears that started to form in her eyes. She was heartbroken. Now she would have to witness them being all lovely all the time. Could she do that? She knew he loved Kikyo and she chose to stay but to see it all the time? It would hurt, but it was better than not being with him at all...right?

Inuyasha felt his heartbreak. He did not think she would react this way. He was expecting a sit at least!

'Damn wench! Why are you being so understanding about this! I thought you loved me huh?' Then he understood. She loved him enough to choose his happiness over hers. He felt like such a heartless bastard. He didn't deserve the love she gave him. And now he would have to hurt her even more, again.

"Listen wench...the thing is that with Kikyo here...ummm...we really wouldn't need you you know?" Kagome looked at the ground. "Plus, you know now you can have a normal life. It works out for everyone."

'Yep I'm a fucking bastard...please Kagome forgive me.'

Kagome was panicking. She was crushed knowing he cared so little about her. I mean she thought he at least liked her as a friend, but now, she felt like she was being tossed away like trash. Like she was just a stand-in till the real thing came back. Second best. Always second best.

"Bb but what about Shippo! He needs me to take care of him! And Sango and Miroku. What about them. They're my family I can't just abandon them!"

Inuyasha just looked at her "Sango can take care of Shippo. And when we come back to the village I'll even come and get you so you can visit with them...deal?" Inside Inuyasha was praying she would fight with him and storm off. This was killing him and he didn't want to hurt her anymore.

"But what if something happens to you? I'll never know..." She was trying so hard to not cry in front of him. She didn't want to leave. Even if he didn't want her, she still loved him.

Inuyasha finally decided he couldn't take it anymore he just needed to tell her to go, He would rather her be pissed than dead.

"Kagome...Listen I was trying to be nice but the truth is that Kikyo is joining our group and there is only room for one Miko. She is a better fighter and has more control over her powers. You will just slow us down. The faster this is over the faster Miroku's wind tunnel is gone, and Sango can have Kohaku back, and Shippo can be a normal kid. You put everyone in danger because they have to protect you. Do us a favor and just go home!"

Inuyasha knew by the look in her eye that he went too far, but he had to protect her and this was the only way. He just prayed she would be able to forgive him.

Kagome could not stop the tears now. He had NEVER hurt her this badly, but...he was right. That was the worst part. How could she be so selfish and put her friends in danger just to be around them...him. With one last look at Inuyasha she turned around jumping through the well with only the sent of tears left behind.

When Kagome had looked at him he just wanted to grab her and hold her and scream he was lying! Damn Naraku, damn Kikyo, damn everyone. As soon as she was gone he lept into goshinboku and let his tears flow. How could one Hanyou hold so much bastard? How would she ever forgive him? He just knew that he had crossed the line and lost the love of his life. He didn't mean any of it. She kept them all together gave them hope and strength. Made them a family.

He would deal with Kikyo and the others later, for now, he would pray that he made the right decision.

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Not too far away, a smile crept on Kikyo's face. "Your plan worked Naraku. The child is gone. She is no longer a threat to either of us. Soon Inuyasha and I will be together in hell like he promised me."

Next to her Naraku grinned. "kukukuku Yes soon we will both get exactly what we want."

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So...how'd I do? Any criticism is welcome!