A/N: Okay...short chapter this time, but the scene that I had planned after it didn't seem to fit, so I cut it and saved it for next chapter.

So, I saw Pirates on friday! It was fun, but the plot was kind of hard to follow at times. And if you are a Will/Elizabeth fan, STAY AFTER THE CREDITS! It's the only way to understand how it ended happily. And even then, I reccomend looking up about the scene they cut that explained what the hell was going on near the end to define it better.

For Robin Hood, yay season finale! Much XD I love him now. And I wish I had seen it before I wrote this story, because I think it would have been awesome to make Kagome punch Naraku at the altar instead.

And as for fanfic news, The Protector of Her Heart has won in the IY fanguild! It won Third Place Best Inuyasha/Kagome romance of the 1st quarter 2007, so thanks for all your support on this story!

Chapter 33: Responsibility

The destruction that Ryuukossei had done to the palace of the Human Lands could not be so easily cleaned up. Even when Kagome and Inuyasha came back, weeks later, riding together slowly on the horizon on the horse he had stolen, there were still buildings in need of repairing, wounds that needed healing, and several conflicts that needed to be resolved.

Kagome gasped slightly at seeing the damage done to the ancient castle that had stood for a thousand years, her eyes misting, imagining the lives lost…hoping none of her friends had been hurt. No word had come at all since they started back, and she was left weeks in fear for many lives she left behind. As she rode to her old home, her eyes lowered, as did Inuyasha's, knowing that they were going back to what they wished to never see again.

Naraku may be dead, but their responsibility to their roles in life was replaced now that they had gone back.

A soldier directing a group of men to clean up a pile of rubble that had crashed on the castle lawn turned to see them, riding slowly towards the gate. Though the princess was covered in dirt and wore nothing but a peasant's dress, he recognized her. The man instantly turned and ran through the gate, into the castle where he called for the dowager queen.

The gate opened automatically for Kagome, and though she heard the shouts and cheers begin for her safe return, she hardly felt them. Fear of being reunited with everything she selfishly left behind flooded her. For his part, Inuyasha was tense as well. Once everyone learned of what had happened in the Midlands, how would they take it? Where would he stand in Kagome's life in their regard? Would things be any different, or worse off then they had been before?

When the princess's dark eyes looked up towards the giant, wooden doors to the palace, her home for so long, she saw them open, and out came the one person she had missed more than anyone. The queen looked shocked when she saw her daughter, who she thought she would never see again. So much that her eyes filled with tears, while Kagome, overcome with emotion, jumped of the horse and ran to her mother, feeling herself engrossed in safety from fear after all this time, hugged her. Her mother hugged her back, feeling glad that she was safe after all this time.

As more and more people came out of the castle to hear that their princess was back, including Miroku and Sango. Inuyasha merely jumped down from their horse, unnoticed and not caring. As all the people came to check on Kagome, he knew he wasn't wanted and began to lead the horse away.

Miroku, who was on the steps, caught his eye, but the hanyou merely shook his head to the silent question. Though he loved Kagome, and she loved him, he had known all along that they never belonged in the same worlds. The admiration for her that came now that she was back proved it. Their attempted elope was nothing more than foolishness, as long as she remained in her world and he in his. Soon, he wouldn't even have a single tie to her world as nobility; they heard a rumor on the way back that after Naraku's attempted rebellion, King Sesshoumaru resolved to be more careful, and take a wife come spring to produce an heir. Inuyasha would no longer be the default prince to the Demon Lands, and would be a hanyou knight forever more…

As Kagome pulled away from her mother, the sun catching her face, she turned to see Inuyasha walking towards the stables, their white spotted horse in his hands. For a brief moment, their eyes met, but he turned away. Kagome wanted to get away from all these people; to run to him and tell him that no matter what happened here, she still wanted to be with him.

But she knew, it would be better to let all these people that worried about her know she was all right…it would be cruel to do otherwise. She knew it was cruel to have run away on her friends and family when they worried about her, at the time, Naraku pursued her, and she thought she had no choice. But now…

She knew leaving her family and friends again would be cruel. She had a responsibility to them and her country, one that Kagome knew she could not walk out on and leave again.

I'm home…Kagome thought, running her hand along the stone wall of her bedroom, remembering all the crevices in the rock after years. This was where she had grown up, where she belonged, and yet… I don't feel at home anymore…

Passing by the mirror, she saw herself, dressed as a princess once more; with a gown of pale pink, long sleeves and usual, and red and white flowers embroidered all over the low bodice. As usual, her hair hung down around her shoulders, though now to have it in that way, the symbol of a virgin was a lie. She thought running away with Inuyasha would make everything different…and even though some things were different, her status in her land had not changed at all.

In the Demon Lands, Inuyasha would be her recognized mate; her husband, in the Midlands, they were lovers, but here, they were what they had left behind…a human princess and hanyou knight.

What does everything mean now?

The door to her room opened slightly, revealing Hannah to her sight. The maid had been happy when Kagome returned, and even happier when she saw Inuyasha at her side. But she could see the struggle on her mistress's face even now, knowing that the choice to come back must have been hard on her. "My Lady," she asked, coming closer to her. "Is everything all right?"

Naraku is dead, and I am back in my homeland, free of him. Everything should be all right, yet… "I do not know."

Hannah knew only what could be the struggle her mistress was going through. When around her hanyou lover, Kagome seemed a bit tense, as did he. It was strange, that they had thought all of this was over in the Midlands, only to come back and know nothing was different than it had been before. "Perhaps…if you are worried about…about him, you should speak with him about it."

The princess shook her head, turning herself away from the mirror in which she had been staring. "He will not answer. Inuyasha doesn't like to talk about things that are hurting him willingly."

"But he does talk to you," Hannah pointed out. "If you try, then you could listen to him, and sort this all out."

For a moment, Kagome did not reply, her hands clenching the material of her silk gown nervously, lost in thought. Finally, she decided. Turning towards her maid, she asked, "Hannah, where is Inuyasha?"

White, fuzzy ears twitched at hearing the voice of the dowager queen speak in low tones as Inuyasha walked through the halls, trying to collect his thoughts. By now, the whole palace knew of his relationship with Kagome, but now that they had come back, most chose to think that they had given up on this silliness. People ignored him in the halls, and he heard muted whispers about the councilmen trying to arrange a suitable marriage for Princess Kagome as soon as possible to erase the stain on her reputation because of him. But when he heard the queen council speak low about this problem, he couldn't help but stand and listen.

Leaning close to the closed door, Inuyasha could hear clearly every word going on inside…

"You are being cruel, Lord Renkotsu," the dowager queen protested, seated at the far end of the table as they met in the council room. "My daughter has just returned, and I do not think it is the appropriate time to start pointing accusations now."

"Accusations?" the man just laughed at her comment. "I am merely stating what is true, Your Highness…you cannot pretend that you think the girl is of any proper virtue any more."

"And you cannot pretend to ignore the facts. The knight you speak of has been loyal, and saved her life many times. He risked his own life to protect her, and Kagome's already had her heart broken once before, because of Naraku. You cannot ask me to watch her go through all of that again."

Now, Lord Bankotsu stood up from his position at the opposite end of the table, sighing as he mulled over this confusing proposition. "And you are suggesting we forgo our duty to the crown and country, just because you feel guilt over your daughter's broken heart, is that it?"

"The knight has proven himself loyal," the queen repeated, "Doesn't that count for what a worthy husband to the future queen should be?"

"Out of the question!" Lord Renkotsu shouted, standing sharply up and banging his fist upon the table. "Her Highness must marry well; it was agreed that—"

The queen glared back at him, "I thought it was agreed that it was impossible for her to marry well now, with this 'stain on her reputation', as you put it."

"Besides that," Bankotsu cut in, his voice commanding, making everyone turn to him. "You are forgetting the laws of the Human Lands, set down years before our time, ones that cannot be altered. We were a country created when humans wished to live separately away from the demons, and so, there is a law that no demon could ever take the throne of the Human Lands. The princess can only marry a human."

The queen shook her head, "Surely—"

Lord Bankotsu cut her off. "I understand your concern, and the knight has proven himself, but the fact remains Princess Kagome may only marry a human, or no one at all."

Not wanting to hear anymore, Inuyasha turned away from the door, his heart feeling heavier than ever. He had known before that their dream of being together was too good to be true. Kagome could only marry a human; never him. They weren't destined for each other after all.

As he slowly walked away, feeling dejected and wanting to be alone, a distinctive scent caught his nose as the sound of feet coming closer came to his ears. Even though he didn't feel at all happy about this, Kagome's scent still caused his heart to race slightly. "Inuyasha?" she asked softly from behind, approaching slowly. "Are you all right?"

Unable to keep himself turned away, Inuyasha looked back at her for a moment, looking stunning as always. Though, her eyes looked as troubled as his own. His instincts told him to fix whatever was the matter with her now, to hold her and make everything all right.

But everything wouldn't be all right now.

He shook his head, "It's nothing, Kagome," and began walking away. But, he heard her run for him, and he felt her arms wrap around him from behind, her head resting against his back in the dark corridor, her actions begging for his understanding.

"Inuyasha, tell me what's bothering you."

The hanyou strained with his own thoughts for a moment. Kagome's touch made him want to respond; want to tell her and share his pain, but she had her own problems now, too. How was he ever going to tell her that every hope they ever had, every dream they wanted was now futile?

His hand came to grasp her own as he turned, looking in to her eyes with longing like no other. "Kagome…I can't…I can't tell you."

"Why not?" her voice was not challenging, but worried—she didn't like it when he bottled up his own emotions and wouldn't even let them out to her.

"You'll know soon enough," the hanyou grunted, glancing away, unable to meet her eyes. "But right now…"

Her hand came up to touch his cheek as she made him look into her eyes, pleading, "Please, Inuyasha…"

He didn't give her what she asked. The hanyou turned away from her, speaking softly, "Kagome, just let it go." She could do nothing but watch in silence as he left her, and her comfort, wanting desperately to be alone.

I don't want to hurt her, but…now that I know there is nothing to be done, every minute I spend with her will hurt…both of us. He stopped for a moment, to lean against a wall, far below in the castle to think. I shouldn't be around her…a memory of the 'stain on her reputation' as they say…I should just leave…

Morning's light had just broken as Inuyasha went to the stables, packing up his horse, preparing to leave. It would hurt him, and Kagome, but with this law intact, they were never meant to be together…why couldn't he have seen that before they fell in love? They had survived near-death, Naraku's tyranny, war…yet they could not survive simple politics.

She belongs here, with her people, Inuyasha knew, though it hurt. Not with me in some dirty hut in the Midlands. It's the right thing to do. He had reminded himself that, over and over, yet he never felt it.

Though it was his home, he would not go back to the Midlands. That was their place now…the memories would be too great if he attempted to go back there to leave her. No, he chose a different course—he would head east, perhaps to the coast, find a boat heading to the lands to the west, and sail away from all memories of Kagome, never to return.

He couldn't help but turn, and glance up toward the balcony of Kagome's room—where he first saw her, all those months ago. It would be hard, but he would have to endure it. For her sake.

Kagome, however, didn't know a thing about Inuyasha's plan. She sat in her room, talking with Sango, both shaking their heads in thought about Inuyasha's sudden moodiness. "He didn't even give me a hint of what it was that was bothering him, Sango!" Kagome exclaimed. "I don't understand…he's always told me before."

Sighing, her friend replied, "Maybe you just need to wait a bit. He might open up if you ask him later. It's nothing to really worry about."

"I don't know, though," the princess thought out loud. "Something seemed odd about the way he refused me…like he was holding back because he didn't want to hurt me…"

Just as she was thinking, the door to her rooms burst open, to reveal Shippou. The little fox looked like he had scampered all the way up to her room from a great distance, and was panting a little, worn out. "Shippou, what is it?" Sango asked, getting up and going over to him.

"It's…Inuyasha!" he panted, a look of worry on his face.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome instantly ran over to him. "What is it? What's wrong with Inuyasha?"

"He's leaving!" Shippou cried, while Kagome's face drained of color. "Hurry! Stop him! He's in the stables!"

Kagome didn't waste a moment as she bolted out of her room, practically flying through the halls, green gown billowing out behind her, as her heart raced faster and faster. Inuyasha, what are you doing? You can't be leaving now!

She dashed through the corridors, dodging confused courtiers as she ran, hoping beyond all hope that Inuyasha had not left yet—She burst through the great doors of the palace, into the open sunlight, startling the horses as she threw open the doors to the stables nearby. There, at the far end, she saw a horse and a lone rider prepare to leave, blocked by the glare of the light. But Kagome knew too well who it was.

"Inuyasha!" she cried, running towards him. As she came closer, he turned towards her, looking surprised that she had come. "Please, Inuyasha, don't go!"

For a moment, the hanyou cursed however she had found out that he was leaving, but he did turn away from her and said softly, "I don't have a choice, Kagome…I heard the council talking yesterday—they said only a human may be your husband in the end."

The princess gasped slightly; she hadn't heard this. "What? But…why would that—"

"It's written down in the laws of your land," he explained sharply. "A princess must only marry a human…I have no place here if that is the case." Kagome remained silent, processing this new restraint on her own choice as he continued, "I did as I was meant to do, I protected you, and now that you are safe, I must go."

Her eyes lowered to the ground as she replied, "You protected my body from harm, that is true, but…" her gaze, now misty with tears, came back to meet his. "What about my heart, Inuyasha?"

He didn't respond. What was he supposed to say? He knew leaving would break her heart, but it would be better in the long run for her,not to have her hanyou lover still around when she was betrothed to another man, as she would be, in time.

She came closer to him, making him turn sharply away. He didn't want to see the despair on her face that was sure to be there. Kagome's gaze leveled at him, she continued, "In all my life there's only been one man I desperately wanted…desperately needed, and that's you, Inuyasha…"

Inuyasha pulled away before she could say anymore, busying himself with adjusting the straps on his saddle. "There's no point in it anymore, Kagome…not when we know this was just a stupid hope. It's your duty to marry a wealthy man to succeed to the throne…as it is mine to stand aside, and let you go."

"So, that's it, then?" Her voice became thick as angry tears filled her eyes. "You're just going to sit by and watch me marry another man, Inuyasha? Is that it?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Inuyasha cut in, his voice deeper with emotion, glancing back at her for the briefest moment. "Of course I couldn't just watch you marry another man, which is why I'm leaving…I'm not planning on coming back."

Inuyasha turned to mount his horse, while Kagome stared at the ground, her heart dropping in her chest. "I see…" I'll never see him again…never… Tears filling her eyes, she turned towards him and lashed out, "But what about what you said before? About making our own way and not caring what society was like? Is what you said all a lie?"

"It was foolishness, nothing more."

Kagome couldn't stop herself as she continued to rage, "You say this is foolishness? All of it? Then are you saying my loving you is also just 'foolish'? I gave you everything I am, Inuyasha, my love, my virtue, even my very life if I had to! And yet you will still toss me aside in the end? Does that mean I am nothing to you after all? You never told me you loved me, Inuyasha. Am I to believe that I gave you everything of mine to expect nothing in return?"

Oh God, woman, if you only knew…He loved her more than anything, but he had refrained from telling her because he knew it would be harder for her when he left if he had said it. Inuyasha had thought it would have been better to have her think he didn't love her, to make her angry so she would hate him, and eventually move on…but hearing her curse him and accuse him of using her was more trying than he could bear.

Faster than she could see, Inuyasha grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him, making her emit a little gasp as she was pulled forward. He leaned down so their faces were close enough to kiss…not that he made any move to do so. His amber eyes flashed in anger at her words, but soon they softened, until they glowed a gold deep enough to explain his passion. "Listen to me, Kagome," he began, his voice harsh, "I love you, goddamn it! I love you so much that I don't even know myself without you, you hear me? Without you in my life, I don't know where to go, or what to do! You've changed me into something I never was, woman, so that I'll never be the same anymore!"

Though he started out screaming at her, Kagome's eyes widened and her heart raced at finally being told those words she had wanted to hear for so long, but now, he spoke softer, gentler, and his next words hurt her so much more. "That's why I can't stay. I'll only be a hindrance in your life. I love you enough to know to do the right thing…to let you go."

Tears dripped from her eyes at the realization that nothing she could say would stop him. "Please, don't go, Inuyasha…" she murmured, though now it sounded like the words of a lost child, unsure of the haunting future. He shook his head in response, but their faces were still close; Kagome wondered if he would kiss her, one last time.

But he didn't, as he rose up on the saddle once more, turning towards the horizon and endless land in front of him. "Goodbye, Kagome…" he spoke softly, before kicking the horse into a gallop and riding away, into the distance, away from Kagome and all their lovely memories together…Away from the one woman he would ever love, and their past conflicts…away from the woman that had changed him from an uncaring hanyou to a man with a purpose, with a sense of chivalry and duty...The one woman that had become his life, he would leave behind, because it was the right thing to do.

Kagome couldn't help it—tears spilled from her eyes as she watched him go. She picked up the ends of her skirt, and attempted to run after him, but of course she wasn't fast enough. She sank to her knees in the grass, seeing him get farther and farther away from her as she yelled after him, her words picked up on the wind, "Damn you, you coward! You're too afraid to try so you won't even do it…Damn you, Inuyasha!"

Their fates had been entwined, but it seemed as if, in the end, their threads had been meant to separate. Only a miracle could bring them together once more.