Chapter Two:

'This can't be happening! Is it really over. What am I gonna do now?' Kagome sat at the bottom of the well trying to get over the shock of the last ten minutes. She had been so excited to graduate and spend more time in the feudal era with her second family. When her mom asked her if she wanted Inuyasha to join them for their celebration, she had spent over an hour trying to look her best in hopes to get his attention.

When she was ready she was so excited to see his reaction to her new dress she bought with him in mind. Even though she knew he still loved Kikyo, over the last year she thought they were getting closer. She had hoped he would eventually realise that Kikyo was dead and he deserved to live and be happy. She wanted to be the one who made him happy, but as always he couldn't let the dead priestess go.

When she climbed out of the well she was not expecting to see Inuyasha and Kikyo embracing. It broke her heart and she knew she had to get out of there fast. But, what happened is not what she expected. 'He finally decided to stay with her. I was a fool to think he would ever see me as something more than a copy of the real thing.' She had lost him. Not only her hopes of a future with him but his friendship as well. 'He never cared, I was only just his shard detector.'

He had offered her to visit her friends, but how could she face him after this? She looked down at her jewel shards around her neck thankful that he didn't take away her choice of ever returning. 'Maybe I can wait till the new moon and sneak in and see everyone without having to see him.' She just couldn't think about it right now. Plus, Inuyasha was right she was weak and she just put the ones she loves in danger.

She tried to pull herself together so she can join her family. She would just tell them that she couldn't find him until she figured out what she was going to do. Maybe, she could just tell them she decided to just stay home for good. She didn't really know...

"Kagome dinners ready!"

She planted a smile on her face as her mother called out to her. Right now she would celebrate her hard work with her family. Tonite she could break down alone and figure out what to do.

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After he pulled himself together, Inuyasha decided to avoid Kikyo for the moment and deal with the bigger problem.

"Inuyasha! Has Kagome-sama returned yet?" Miroku was sitting near the fire in Kaede's hut sporting a red handprint across his face. "We thought you would go see her to 'celebrate' with her." The monk said with a smirk.

"HENTAI!" Sango came over and smacked him on the other side of his face. "Not everyone thinks like you monk..." Sango huffed and she sat back down. Turning to Inuyasha she narrowed her eyes. "Where is Kagome Inuyasha? She told me she would be back before dusk and that was a couple of hours ago."

"Keh! I'm not her keeper Sango!" Seeing her raise an eyebrow Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Listen there is actually something I need to tell all of you... and I need you to hear me out before you say anything got it!"

"It depends on what you have to say..." Sango started to polish her hiraikotsu. Inuyasha visible gulped.

"Look just hear me out ok!"

Inuyasha proceeded to tell them of what he learned from Kikyo. He explained how she had a plan to keep her safe. Everyone, including Kaede, looked a little skeptical but let him continue. When he started to explain what exactly that plan included...all hell broke loose.

"WHAT!" They yelled in unison.

"WE CAN'T SEND HER AWAY! SHE WOULD BE HEARTBROKEN."

"LADY KAGOME IS LIKE FAMILY WE WILL PROTECT HER!"

"YOU CAN'T SEND AWAY MY MAMA!"

Even Kirara hissed at him!

"SHUT UP FOR A SECOND!" Inuyasha yelled. When they finally stopped yelling he tried to explain again. "Look, guys, we need to keep her safe. We need her in order to defeat Naraku. If something happens were all dead!"

"Is that all you care about! What about Kagome's feelings! This would hurt her!" Sango spoke up. "What am I saying, you don't care! You're just happy that your precious Kikyo will be with you! You always put her first and hurt Kagome. This isn't just your decision. We are all in this we should at least sit her down and figure something out!" Sango was two seconds away from beating some sense into his thick skull. "Plus, how will Kikyo help defeat this new enemy if he is immune to purification?"

"Kikyo says that this new incarnation was made to specifically target Kagome. She doesn't believe he will come after her."

"Are ye sure that ye believe what my sister has told ye Inuyasha? She has always held nothing but hatred for young Kagome. Are ye willing to lose her on the word of my sister?"

Inuyasha looked at Kaede. He had already thought the same thing, but this situation was different. "I'm not willing to risk Kagome dying if it is true. This is the first rumor of Naraku we've had in a while. What she says explains why he disappeared and i will not risk her life even if it is just a rumor. As soon as this threat is gone we can go get her. I'm trying to do the right thing here. You guys need to cut me some slack."

Sango, Miroku, and Kaede seemed to think about what he said. If she is in danger, maybe this is for the best. But one little kit was not happy at all.

"YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS! You don't care about her you only care about Kikyo!" Shippo ignored Inuyasha growls. "It doesn't matter anyway! Kagome loves me! She wouldn't leave me even if you forced her!"

The group all looked at Inuyasha thinking the same thing. How could they make her understand? How can they convince her it was for her own safety.

"Shippo has a point. Lady Kagome will not want to go into hiding. She will want to fight this new enemy no matter what the cost." Miroku still looked like he wasn't sure of this plan.

"Ummmm actually I already talked to her. It took a while but she agreed to stay home till I go get her. That's why she isn't back yet." Inuyasha cringed on the inside hoping they would drop it. They didn't.

"You're saying she actually agreed, that she was ok with Kikyo coming with us as she stayed home? I doubt that. Plus, she didn't even come to see us to say goodbye, that's very unlike her." Sango knew there was more than what he was saying. She didn't believe what he said for a second.

"Look, she wasn't happy but she eventually agreed that it was best for everyone. She didn't want to put shard hunting on hold or put anyone in danger. She didn't come to say goodbye because she was celebrating with her family and she didn't want anyone to be upset. It's not forever, just until we kill this guy." Inuyasha said hoping to drop the subject.

"Hmmm that does sound like Kagome. Ok Inuyasha, I'll follow along for Kagome's safety. But, I'm keeping an eye on you." Sango still didn't believe him but she knew when this was over Kagome would tell her the truth. If Inuyasha was lying...he was gonna wish he was never born.

Much to Inuyasha's surprise, everyone agreed to let this go for now. They still looked unsure but they didn't want to lose Kagome. Shippo refused to travel without her and told the group he would stay behind in case she came back. Inuyasha was actually grateful, just now realising she still had her shards. He should go get them but after what happened he wouldn't be able to face her for a while.

The gang decided to get some sleep and meet up with Kikyo in the morning and head out. They hoped that this new demon would seek out their group or at least hoped they would hear any rumors about him.

Shippo cried himself to sleep on Kirara as Sango tried to reassure him that Kagome would be back in no time. Everyone prayed she was right.

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