Chapter 2-Never Again

Kagome lay in her bath tub crying. 'Why? Why am I not good enough?' She asked herself for the millionth time. Yes, she had known of Inuyasha's secret meetings with Kikyou. They started two months ago and now Kagome was finally feeling all the pent up emotion ebbing out of her.

Flashback

Kagome had finally had enough, her curiosity burning inside her. Where did Inuyasha disappear to every night until the early hours of morning? Tonight she would follow him. Kaede had taught her much the past three years so when Inuyasha left, Kagome masked her scent and followed quietly.

Inuyasha entered a clearing and there she was. Kikyou.

"Kikyou, I missed you." Inuyasha said.

"And I you, Inuyasha. Please Inuyasha be with me tonight as life never allowed us to be. Make love to me Inuyasha."

Kagome felt her heart tear out of her chest. Inuyasha had chosen Kikyou.

End Flashback

'I always knew it would be her. After all she gave her life for him. I wish I didn't have to see him all the time. I never thought love would hurt like this.' Kagome shut her eyes trying to block out all the painful memories. Getting out of the bath, Kagome stared into the mirror. 'I won't cry anymore. Inuyasha is with Kikyou not me. That's not going to change. I have to get over him.' She thought sadly.

Getting dressed, Kagome wandered down to the sacred tree. She remembered the first time she met Inuyasha. She remembered all of it. Inuyasha had increasingly made stupid excuses to leave the group to see Kikyou. 'But how is that new? He went to her even from the beginning.' Kagome was so wrapped up in her thoughts she didn't see her mother walk up.

"Is everything alright dear? You came home so early this time…" her mother said gently touching her shoulder.

"I don't know mom…"

"Is it Inuyasha again?"

Kagome nodded and sighed. She wanted to talk about it, but she just couldn't. Not to her mother, or Sango, or to kind old Kaede.

Her mother hesitated. This conversation had been long in coming; maybe it was finally time.

"Kagome…" The woman hesitated.

"Mom, what is it?"

"I love you honey." She hugged her daughter tightly. Talking could wait for another day.

"Dinner will be ready soon ok?"

Kagome nodded, contemplating what she should do. 'If I go back I'll have to face him…and if I don't, the Shikon Jewel will never be whole again. I'd let everyone down…' Leaning against the sacred tree, she closed her eyes for a moment enjoying the silence of the night.

-x-

Kagome had been gone for six days. The argument between Inuyasha and the group had left all feeling tense. They were just outside the village and had been for the last few days. Sango finally decided to break the deafening silence.

"Do you think Kagome is ok?" Sango asked Miroku.

"I hope so. I think after what Inuyasha has done we will be lucky if she even wants to come back at all."

"I miss Kagome." Shippo pouted.

"We all do Shippo. None of this would have happened if Inuyasha had simply respected Kagome. She might not have run off." Sango said with a glare at the inu-demon.

"It's not my fault Kagome is so damn emotional!" Inuyasha retorted.

That wasn't what he felt however. 'Damn it how did she know about Kikyou? So what if her leaving is my fault. She told me to leave her alone. Either way I'll get yelled at. I'll only hurt her more here. Kagome....I'm sorry.'

"Inuyasha…" Sango started slowly, "Just go get Kagome."

"Feh."

"Inuyasha. Go." Sango said trying to keep the seething anger at bay.

"She told me not to follow so shut up Sango."

"Since when has that stopped you? You didn't tell me that! Did you even tell us the truth?"

"None of your damn business." Inuyasha snapped.

Sango walked over to the tree Inuyasha was leaning against and slapped him across the face.

"Kagome is like a sister to me, so yes it is my business. If we are to EVER defeat Naraku, then yes it is my business. We can't do it when you chase her away all the time. We can't do it when we can't even work together anymore."

Sango, annoyed, hopped on Kilala and went to cool off.

Inuyasha sighed, he should have known Sango would figure out his lie.

Flashback

"What did you do?!" Sango yelled.

"You saw it all. She just up and left!"

"No she left because YOU insulted her!"

"She'll get over it."

"Is that all that happened Inuyasha?" Sango asked sensing he was hiding something.

"Well…no."

"What else then?" Sango asked exasperated.

"Well Kagome saw Kikyou's soul stealers near the bone eaters well."

"What?! You went to Kikyou right in front of Kagome? How stupid are you?!"

"Feh. I am not stupid wench."

"Well apparently you are! How long will it take for you to understand the way Kagome feels about you? You should have gone after her."

"…"

End Flashback

'What does she know anyways? Kagome can't possibly feel the same way about me Kikyou does. It's just not possible.'

-x-

Two weeks later

Kagome stood at the well debating. She knew she should go back. But could she?

'I can't run from my problems forever. Well here I go…'

Resurfacing in the feudal era, Kagome stepped into the clearing. Before she could take five steps Kilala appeared. Hopping onto the two tailed demon, she let her take her to the others. Sango stood wondering where Kilala took off to so quickly. Spotting them, Sango smiled warmly.

"Miroku! Shippo! Kagome is back!"

"YAY!!" Shippo yelled.

Kagome got off Kilala and smiled as Shippo tackled her.

"Kagome don't worry us like that again!" Shippo half scolded half cried.

"Sorry Shippo. I'll try not to."

"Lady Kagome how I missed you and your…"

"PERVERT." Sango yelled smacking Miroku before he could grab Kagome's ass.

"Why Sango are you jealous? I could grab your lovely ass if you would like." He asked innocently.

"Don't ruin Kagome's return." Sango said with a fierce blush.

"Are we ready to continue our search?" Kagome asked.

"We don't have to start-" Sango began.

"Let's go. Finish this once and for all." Inuyasha said.

"Are you sure Kagome?" Sango asked still concerned.

"Yes, but one thing first."

Kagome leaned down and looked Shippo straight in the eyes.

"Shippo, honey, I love having you around. Sometimes you even remind me of my little brother. Where we are going is going to be very dangerous. You have grown a lot, and I know you are learning to take care of yourself. However, this battle with Naraku will be fierce. You haven't had enough training for this. Please Shippo, please stay with Kaede. For me."

"But….Kagome…." Shippo whined.

"Please Shippo. It would be much easier for us to fight if we are not concerned for your safety."

"Promise you'll come back?"

"I promise. As soon as I can."

Kagome hugged the teary eyed kitsune, then stood.

"Ready."

'The sooner this is over the better.' She thought.

When they made camp that night Inuyasha and Kagome still had barely spoken. Sango and Miroku wondered at the oddity. Kagome had been withdrawn since her return. Almost…'almost cold' Sango thought to herself.

'Almost like Sesshoumaru.' A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of the cold demon lord.

There was still another hour of daylight left when Kagome asked Sango to go to the hot springs.

"You know I think you made the right decision leaving Shippo. I'm sure it was hard to do."

"It was…but a battle like that is no place for him."

"You're completely right. I would have said something, but I really don't think he would have listened to anyone but you." Sango said as they reached the spring. After a moment she spoke again.

"Kagome, I don't mean to pry but what's wrong? I want to help you."

"Oh Sango…I have to do this on my own."

"Do what Kagome?"

"I have to get over Inuyasha."

"Kagome he may not realize it but he does care."

"Not enough…"

"I'm so sorry Kagome, I know he went to see Kikyou the day you left."

"You…don't know yet do you?"

"Know what?" Sango asked suspiciously.

All was silent a moment. Then,

"It wasn't just that day. Inuyasha has been seeing Kikyou nightly for the past two months."

"That bastard." Sango's blood boiled.

"Sango, don't. It's not worth it."

Sango could see the pain that still lingered in Kagome's eyes. She wanted so badly to take it away.

"Why did you return?"

"Because…the Shikon Jewel is almost complete. I have responsibilities. I won't let everyone down because of him. Once the jewel is complete Inuyasha can go wherever he wants."

"You shouldn't have to endure this Kagome."

"It's alright Sango. I have learned my lesson. There are other things to live for besides love."

"Don't say that!" Sango pleaded.

Kagome stayed strong through the entire conversation with Sango. She had made up her mind. 'I will not cry over Inuyasha anymore. My heart is sealed shut. No more pain.'

Days passed and still the hanyou and the miko had avoided one another at all costs. Inuyasha's nightly meetings grew longer. Sango decided it was time to take action. They could at least be civil.

"Miroku I need to speak with Kaede. Would you accompany Kilala and me? We can visit Shippo and give him an update too."

"Sure Sango my dear. Shippo is probably already bored with Kaede." He chuckled.

As the three disappeared out of sight an awkward silence ensued.

-x-

Well that's the first two chapters. Everything else will begin to come into play as the story goes. Let me know what you think!