And so it begins...

"Inuyasha…Hey Inuyasha, where have you been?" Miroku asked as he made his way through the bushes and back towards Kaede's cabin.

"Um…out," he said softly. "I had to think about some things."

"Hmmm…well we just saw Kagome running this way but she did not stop. She kept running and I could have sworn she was crying about something."

"Oh?" Inuyasha just stared at the ground. He really didn't know what to say. He wanted to go comfort Kagome but at the moment he wasn't sure what he could possibly say to make her feel better.

"Inuyasha, did…did something happen between the two of you?" Miroku asked softly. "Come on, you can tell me. I promise not to tell Sango."

"Huh?" Inuyasha wasn't really paying attention. He was still thinking about Kikyo and how she was out there traveling all alone. The thought was just ripping his heart in two.

"Inuyasha? What is the matter with you?"

"Miroku…I'm…sorry but I just don't know what to say right now," he replied softly, eyes still focused on the ground. "I saw Kagome…we sort of had a fight but it's not what you think. She was the one that ran off you know."

"Ok. I get that, but she went looking for you when she got back from visiting her family. We told her that you were probably off looking for her…or sulking somewhere."

"Uh…yeah, I was going to go look for her, but I saw…something and went to check it out." Miroku paused for a minute to study Inuyasha.

"Something caught your attention. Was it a demon?" he asked curiously.

"Uh…at first I thought it was a demon, but it wasn't. There were…lights in the sky and they were hovering over the forest. I just stood there watching when…I thought…I caught whiff of a familiar scent. I turned and saw…" Inuyasha paused as his throat went numb. Just thinking about how she was hurt brought tears to his eyes.

"Inuyasha, what's…" But Miroku stopped talking. Inuyasha looked up and they immediately had an understanding. "I see," he said softly. "So you saw Kikyo." Inuyasha nodded his head just as Sango came around the corner.

"INUYASHA! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU! WHY AREN'T YOU GOING AFTER KAGOME?" she asked hotly.

"Well, now…what's all the fuss about?" Kaede came out of her hut and was walking towards them.

"Why don't you ask Inuyasha," Sango said angrily.

"Inuyasha, what's going on here?" Kaede asked. Then she looked at all three and it dawned on her. "I see…so I take it you saw my sister Kikyo." Inuyasha only nodded before looking up at her.

"Kaede, tell him that he needs to go after Kagome! He knows we can't find the jewels without her!"

"Sango, listen, why don't you try to get Kago…"

"Miroku, you know she only listens to that Inuyasha. I don't know why in the hell she listens, especially since he's a two timing…"

"Oh shut up. I'm not two-timing her and besides I never said that we…" He stopped talking and looked up. Sango was glaring angrily at him while Kaede and Miroku looked shocked. "Oh forget it. I'm going for a walk."

"Inuyasha, wait. Please stay. I would like to have a word with you if that's alright. Miroku? Sango? Could you give me a minute alone with Inuyasha?" Kaede asked.

"Sure. Maybe you can talk some sense into his thickness," Sango said hotly. "Miroku, let's go!"

"Damn…I'm coming. Inuyasha I'll see…" Sango grabbed his arm and pulled him away. Kaede turned to Inuyasha and spoke softly. "So how is my sister Inuyasha?"

"Kaede…she was hurt and so I…I mean, a thing was after her...a giant soul collector. I destroyed it and waited while her soul collectors healed her body. Then…we…talked…alone and I sort of…I still love her Kaede."

"Inuyasha, what you did for my sister is truly wonderful. However, you do realize that she is not who she used to be. Her body is no longer real."

"Yeah, so? What's your point?"

"My point is, Inuyasha, is that you and Kikyo can never be together in this world. She is not the same."

"Her body may not be the same but her soul is. I know she still loves me Kaede and I love her. I am going to find a way. I will not abandon her Kaede."

"But do you not remember what happened the last time you saw Kikyo? She tried to drag your soul with her to the underworld."

"Yeah, well I'll follow Kikyo to hell and back if I have to," he said nonchalantly. Kaede just laughed. "Why are you laughing? Don't you want your sister to be happy?"

"I did and I do, but she is dead Inuyasha. She cannot exist in this world for it is her destiny to die. How long she'll be in this world I cannot say but in the meantime don't you think you ought to reach out to Kagome? The poor child loves you and…"

"I am ending things with Kagome. I can't…I care for her but not like…I just…I've made my decision and I have chosen Kikyo. I'm sorry Kaede."

"Well, now Inuyasha, if you're sure…but you still need Kagome whether you love her or not. She's the only one who can sense the sacred jewel shards. I suggest you go and do some major begging. I am guessing she witnessed the ordeal between you and Kikyo?"

"Yeah, she saw me…hug and kiss her," he said nervously while kicking dirt around.

"Well, now…you just made things harder for yourself. Go to her Inuyasha and quit being stubborn. I respect your decision because in the end, it is ultimately yours." Inuyasha sighed as he made his way up the path towards Sango and Miroku.

"So…Inuyasha what are you going to do?" Miroku asked.

"Um…I'm just…"

"You're going to get Kagome and make up with her right?" Sango asked.

"Uh…something like that," he said dryly.

"Whadaya mean?? Inuyasha?!?!"

"Look Sango, I am going to get Kagome and try to talk to her, but if you must know, I am not going to 'make up' with her." He could feel his anger boiling over and his voice came out in deep, threatening way. "I have made my decision and I have chosen Kikyo."

"Inuyasha, have you lost your mind? Every time Kikyo is around you do this. She's dead. Why can't you just be happy with her reincarnation? She looks just like Kikyo and she's just as sweet. What is the problem? Is there something I am missing?" Sango asked angrily.

"Sango, Inuyasha just…"

"Shut up Miroku and let him answer."

"I love Kikyo and always will. Nobody and I mean nobody can replace her…even if they do look like her. Kagome is her own person. She may look like Kikyo but she is no Kikyo and if I were you," he said softly and yet threateningly, "I wouldn't DARE insult Kikyo around me. Understand?" He glared at the two of them sending chills down their spins. Miroku nodded feverishly while Sango just turned and walked off. Inuyasha sighed. He was sorry that it had come to this but this is just how it is. His heart couldn't…wouldn't…he loved Kikyo and that was that.

AN: Well, from this point on, don't expect me to follow the anime as much. I am changing the story to fit my ending. Bwahahaha Anyway, I know this chapter was somewhat shorter than all my others but it's a start. I've been super busy and so I hope you can forgive me. Enjoy and don't forget to review.