Episode 151

Kagome could feel her heart beat in her chest as she stared down at Kikyo. At that moment, her heart twisted. Inuyasha had been so worried about her and now she has to go back to worrying if the other Priestess was the one that he wanted to be with. Pushing that out of her mind, she felt her determination rise and she waded through the water to reach the other Priestess. Part of it was for Inuyasha but most of it was because she didn't want anything to happen to her. It took her some time and a good bit of her strength but she was able to purify the miasma. After she awoken, she spoke with Kikyo; however, after refusing to thank Kagome and walking off regardless of her insistence that she stays, Kagome couldn't help but to feel violated. They told her that Kagome was the only one who could save Kikyo and then they made it seem like it was a choice. Like Kagome wouldn't have chosen to save her! How dare she! Did she really not think that I would save her because of Inuyasha? Because she was in my way! She really thinks I'm that awful? Kagome was shaking with anger. How long she was sitting there stewing in her anger, she doesn't know.

Watching Inuyasha approach, clearly sniffing for Kikyo's scent, Kagome could feel her anger and anguish both increase in her. She told him that Kikyo was here but left. Seeing the clear relief on his face that the other Priestess was still alive, caused Kagome to feel more pain. Her heart beat painfully in her chest as she willed herself not to cry and tried to make herself appear as small as possible. She was dimly aware of Inuyasha crouching down and she could hear the attitude in his voice but she didn't particularly care to hear what he had to say. She felt a surge of anger as she realized that she wouldn't have to hurt like this if it wasn't for him!

"Oh be quiet! This whole mess is all your fault! I hate your guts!" She snapped at him.

Whatever his response, was beyond her caring "Sit!" She snapped.

After being sat, he stood up angrily and went back to where the others were gathered.

After some time had passed, Kagome calmed down. She realized that she had taken her anger and pain out on Inuyasha. With Kikyo gone, she felt as though she could actually have a future with Inuyasha but with Kikyo back, she felt as though she lost him once again. Now on top of it, Inuyasha probably hates her because she snapped at him plus she felt as though she had been tested by Kikyo so she felt betrayed and violated. Sighing, she turned and saw that Inuyasha was sitting in front of her.

As the conversation went on, she was surprised that Inuyasha flat out refused to leave and when she was shocked when he told her to take back saying that she hated him. She said she hated him? When did she say that? She could tell that Inuyasha was hurt as he stared at her.

"I'm sorry." She said

"Keh, whatever!" He thrust his arms in his kimono as he moved to go sit once again with the rest of the group. Kagome sighed as she once again wrapped her arms around her knees. Although it was good to know that he didn't hate her, her sadness and anger felt like a deep hole that she was having trouble climbing out of. To think Kikyo felt as though she was so awful that she wouldn't help her had hurt her deeply.

"Kagome?"

Kagome lifted her head when she heard Sango's voice, "Come and eat."

"No thanks, I'm not hungry."

"Kagome, come and eat!" Inuyasha growled

"No thank you, I'm not hungry."

"Kagome!"

"Oh shut up Inuyasha! I'm not hungry! Leave me alone!"

"I'm tired of your att..."

"Sit!"

"AHH!" As he face planted, she stood and walked off into the woods that surround the clearing with the waterfall. She was walking the same way that Kikyo had traveled earlier. Her heart was in trouble, she now felt guilty once again.

Not caring where she was going, Kagome started to run until she tripped and landed on the soft carpet of the woods. It was there, uncaring about who heard her, uncaring of any demons or bandits nearby that Kagome cried her heart out. She could feel her body shaking with sobs as she continued to cry for all she was worth. Was she truly an terrible person for feeling competitive with Kikyo? It seemed as though her life has becoming nothing but a competition for Inuyasha's affections. The fact of the matter was that she lost! There was no place in Inuyasha's heart for her. She thought…she started believing that maybe he cared…maybe he loved her but she was wrong!

"I'M SUCH A FOOL! STUPID INUYASHA! WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME!" Kagome screamed out into the night as the pain became too much for her bear.

After some time, she quieted. Her tears slowed and the pain lessened at least somewhat. Sitting up, she glanced around her. The beauty of the woods slowly started seeping into her soul and calming her even more. She truly loved the Feudal Era and the wilderness beauty that was lost in her time. She moved until she was against a tree, her hands on her knees

"Yo"

Kagome jumped at the quiet voice as she turned to the side and saw him approach. The man that affected her heart, that she was in love with, that could shake her very soul. She turned her head to the side but remained quiet. She did not particularly wish to talk to him.

"Hey!" This time he was louder as he walked over and knelt by her?

"Kikyo is probably still close. You should go talk to her. I will stay here for now."

"Kagome, I am not going after Kikyo!"

Kagome sighed. The fact of the matter was, she was too depressed to fight with him. She knew that Inuyasha wanted to be with Kikyo and she was in the way of their happiness. She gasped with realization. I am in the way, not Kikyo. Her body started shaking with the feelings coursing through her. She took a deep breath.

"Inuyasha, I thought I needed to stay by your side but I am just in your way. Please return me to the group and I will carry on with Miroku and Sango. You..You should go find Kikyo and be…be with her."

She glanced up to find Inuyasha staring at her. She couldn't read his expression but there was something in his golden eyes, almost as though something snapped in him. Taking a breath, Kagome sighed, trying to push down her emotions and climbing to her feet. Without another word, Kagome moved around him and went to try to find her way back. He probably wants to go find her now. She thought to herself. Before she could leave the clearing, he spoke.

"Kagome."

Taking a deep breath, she turned back to Inuyasha. He had also risen and was standing with his arms in his Kimono. She still could not get a reading from him, but she almost felt as though he was deeply hurt and sad.

"In.."

"You..you said that you would stay beside me. D…do you not want to be with me anymore?" His voice was soft but she could hear the fear and pain in his voice.

"I…I..No…I" Taking a deep breath, she turned her face to the side. "…I do want to be with you but….I'm in the way."

"In the way of what?"

"Of you and…Kik…Kikyo. She's the one that you want to be with, right?"

Kagome could barely believe that she asked that question. She could feel heart clench, as she was truly scared of the answer. She was even afraid to look at Inuyasha's face. She turned away, tears streaming down her face.

"Go…go be with Kikyo…"

"Kagome! You…You are who I want to be with. I need you!"

She felt her heart stop, this time in a good way. She turned back to him, her eyes rose to his face; Inuyasha's arms were crossed, with his face turned to the side, a slight blush on his cheeks.

"Inuyasha."

"I know…I know it hurts you when I go off to Kikyo but I just want to make sure she's okay. She is determined to fight and kill Naraku so I want to make sure she is safe. She died coming after me…I just don't want her to die again."

Kagome sighed. She knew there was a bond between the two of them but she always thought that she was second fiddle to Kikyo. She felt a weight being lifted off of her as she realized that this was not the choice. She had told him once that she was with him because she wanted to be and it hit her that he was with her for the same reason. Moving to where she stood in front of him, she smiled slightly at him.

"I understand." She whispered as she glanced up at his face.

"Do…do you hate me?"

Kagome was surprised by the question and stared up into his face. His ears were flat against his head and his golden eyes were down casted like he was afraid of her answer.

"Inuyasha." She whispered but he didn't move as he waited for an answer.

She went to reach out but hesitated and lowered her hand.

"No, of course I don't hate you."

He sighed and glanced up at her. Kagome met and was held by his golden eyes. He seemed intent as he stared into her eyes and she could feel her heart starting to beat faster. She didn't know what to say and all she could do was stare at him. He opened his mouth to say something but closed it and instead he engulfed her in his arms.

"Inuyasha" She said with surprise before burying her head to his shoulder and gripping his kimono in her hands. He didn't say anything but he held her tightly against him.

How long they stood there, neither knew but both were comforted with knowing that the other was there. Finally he pulled away and glanced down into her face, with his red cheeks.

"Uh…we…we should get back to the others."

With a smile in her heart, she met his golden eyes."Okay!"