Title: Leaving You Behind

Author: inuyashagirl5

Rating: M/NC-17

Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance/Some Angst

Pairing: Eventual Kagome/Kurama, Yusuke/Keiko, other pairings will appear in later chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. InuYasha is owned by Rumiko Takahashi and Yu Yu Hakusho is owned by Yoshihiro Togashi. I only borrow thier characters for my own amusement and for the amusement of my readers.

A/N: Edited: 5/23/07

Chapter Three: Goodbye

Kagome sat silently with her arms around Souta as friends and family stopped to pay their respects to their late grandfather. Souta, worn out from the day's long events, had fallen asleep in his sister's arms. Kagome smiled weakly at everyone who knelt before them and bowed. She was surprised at how many people had come. It had been several hours since the first people had arrived and now it was way into the night. Kagome was getting sleepy. She leaned her head onto her brother's.

"Hello, Kagome." She looked up and noticed Yusuke kneeling before her with a young girl.

"Hello, Yusuke." She replied quietly.

"We're gonna stick around a bit. I want to talk to you." Yusuke and the girl both got up and walked to the small memorial left for her grandfather. They knelt again and bowed their heads. Kagome sighed and rested her head back against Souta's again. She closed her eyes as tears welled in them for the hundredth time that day. She lightly kissed the top of her brother's head. He had been so strong and brave for her lately. She wanted to make it up to him somehow. He was the brother every sister wished they could have. She nodded to Yusuke as he walked by. Her mother's hand touched hers.

"Honey, why don't you put Souta to bed and check on Shippo?" she suggested. Kagome nodded again and shook Souta gently.

"Souta, come on. Let's get you up to bed." She whispered. He opened his eyes and gazed at her. He gave a nod and rose to his feet. He walked sluggishly as Kagome helped him along.

She tucked him in and he fell right into a deep slumber. Kagome smiled and kissed his forehead. She silently snuck away and checked into her own room to see Shippo. Shippo was already snuggled under her covers. She kissed his forehead too and he stirred just a bit.

"I love you, Kagome." He yawned, "Like a mom, I mean."

"Oh, Shippo!" she scratched his head and he made a little content growl, "You are my son, Shippo. You always have been."

"Goodnight, mommy." He yawned again and drifted into sleep. Kagome wiped a few tears off of her cheeks. She looked out of her window and stared at the ever present Goshinboku. Brief thoughts of InuYasha passed through her mind again. She pushed them back and left to rejoin her mother downstairs.

Rei was waiting at the bottom of the stairs with Atsuko. Atsuko took Kagome into her arms and hugged her tightly. Kagome gave another small smile and looked around. The place was empty.

"I think Yusuke and Keiko are waiting for you out front." Atsuko pulled back, "He's been worried about you and I think he made Keiko worry too. Then again he's always making that girl worry."

"Thank you." Kagome bowed and walked outside.

The weather was cool and clear. A few stars twinkled across the night sky. She heard Shippo scurry out the door and she turned and caught him as he jumped into her arms. She gave him a confused glance, but giggled as he snuggled into her arms. He really was her son now and she would raise him with as much love as she could give.

"There you are." Yusuke was leaning against the side of the house with Keiko. Kagome walked over to them, "Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine." She answered. She had said that often lately, but she was lying.

"It's nice to meet you, Kagome. I am Keiko." Keiko bowed to Kagome and looked to the sleeping creature in her arms, "He's so cute!"

"This is Shippo." Kagome said and shifted so Keiko could see his face.

"Yeah, I was wondering about this little guy." Yusuke patted the top of the Shippo's head, "He's a demon."

"Yes, he's a kitsune." Kagome revealed and watched their expressions warily. She was surprised that Yusuke was aware of demons. "He's important to me and apparently I'm very important to him."

"He's certainly very attached to you." Keiko chuckled and pointed to the small claws clinging to her dress.

Kagome was going to question them about their obvious lack of concern for what Shippo was, but her mother interrupted before she could ask.

"Kagome?" Rei and Atsuko had come outside, "Oh, good there you are. I want to talk to you about something."

"Yes, mom?" she could tell her mother was thinking of how exactly to say what exactly she had to say. It was either bad news or well, bad news. It had been like that lately. Kagome looked to her mother with a hesitant expression and Rei found the courage to speak.

"Kagome, we can't stay here any longer. We have to move." Rei lowered her eyes from Kagome's as the young girl let out a soft gasp, "I know it'll be hard leaving everything behind, but I cannot afford to run the shrine alone. I hope you understand."

"I do." She answered with a whisper and turned to face the well house. Rei frowned and bowed her head. Kagome would miss the shrine most and her daily routine of stopping by the Goshinboku to think of the first person she had ever loved.

"We are going to be staying with Atsuko and Yusuke for awhile. They have a place not too far from the city. Is that okay, Kagome?" Kagome only nodded. She'd have to leave her friends behind, not like they really cared much about her anyways, unless they were trying to set her up with Hojo. There wasn't really anything she could do.

"I can introduce you to some of our friends." Yusuke put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. The motion jerked Shippo and he woke up with a huge yawn, "If anybody crosses you, I'll kick their butts."

"Yeah right." Shippo yawned again and curled himself back up. Kagome giggled and Yusuke decided not to argue with the kit. Instead he pet Shippo again and sighed.

"He's a tough one, eh?" Yusuke raised an eyebrow.

"After everything he's seen, yeah I guess he is." Kagome looked to her mother, "It's okay, mom. If we have to move, then we have to move. It'll be hard to leave, but how hard can it be to start over?"

"We should get home now, Yusuke. Keiko's parents are probably worried since it has gotten so late." Atsuko stated, giving Yusuke a look that said she clearly had something she wanted to talk to him about, "Call me in the morning, Rei. We'll talk more then."

"Of course, Atsuko." Rei answered.

"Well, goodnight, Kagome." Yusuke pulled back and stepped next to Keiko, "I can't wait for you to meet our friends. Well, some of them anyway."

"Goodnight, Yusuke." She replied, "It was nice to meet you, Keiko."

"Yes, you too, Kagome." Keiko followed after Atsuko who was walking to her car.

"Really, Kagome. Things will be just fine. You can think of me as a pesky brother." Kagome giggled again, "Now see, I like it when you smile. You should do it more often."

"Come on, Yusuke!" Keiko called.

"Yeah, yeah! I'm coming, Keiko." Yusuke rolled his eyes, "Girlfriends, I don't understand them. Goodnight ladies."

After they left Kagome followed her mother into the kitchen and sat down. She yawned and held Shippo close to her. He was snoring softly. Rei sat with her and handed her a cup of water.

"He's so adorable, Kagome." Rei touched Shippo's nose.

"He called me mommy earlier." Kagome sighed, "It was so sweet and I think I really needed to hear it from him."

"Just wait until your baby says its first word, Kagome." Rei smiled and released a soft, wistful sigh, "I guess I'm a grandmother already if Shippo calls you mommy."

"How do you know Atsuko and Yusuke?"

"I met Atsuko in high school a long time ago. We've kept into touch since then. She's a bit of a drunk, but she said she's trying to pull herself together. I hope I can help her with that and Yusuke is her son. The two of you will probably be in the same grade." Rei gave a tired yawn and looked over to the clock, "It's late, Kagome. You should get some sleep."

"Okay goodnight, mom."

"Goodnight, Kagome."

Moving Day: One Week Later

Kagome knelt before the well and leaned her head over. This was the last time should would be here. The last time she could say goodbye. Tears fell into the dark well and Kagome prayed that they would reach Sango and Miroku and bring them comfort. She knew they had to be worried. It had been so long since either of them had seen her, InuYasha or Shippo.

A sob escaped her lips and she buried her face against the wood of the old well. Her body shook as her crying grew louder and louder. She was tired of feeling miserable and now she was breaking down, yearning for the one person she knew that could make her feel better. She missed InuYasha's beautiful amber eyes and the softness they had when he would stare at her. She missed his arrogant laughter when he came upon an enemy that he was confident he could beat. She missed just being near him and having him hold her close.

She never heard anybody enter the well house and was startled when she heard a soft voice behind her, coaxing her onto her feet. Her body refused to move and she was lifted into strong arms. She buried her head into his shoulder and cried harder. The person holding her sat on the steps leading out of the well and held Kagome to him. He knew all too well the terrible pain that followed the death of someone close. He stroked her midnight black hair and rocked her gently. Her sobs had quieted slightly and she looked up to see who held her.

"Yu…Yusuke?" she whispered his name and he gave her a small, sympathetic smile.

"It's alright if you want to cry, Kagome." He said softly. She leaned back against him and tears still leaked onto her tear stained cheeks. She wiped them away and tried to stand, Yusuke helped her up.

"Thank you. I'm fine now." She was lying again. He knew, but again he avoided continuing the subject.

"Can I ask why you are in here?" he motioned to the well and she sighed.

"Not yet." She said with sad, apologetic eyes, "I should go and help my mother now."

"Here let me walk you back. You can sit and relax with Keiko. Besides, there's a guy that wants to meet you. He's a bit ugly, but the guy has a thing for kittens." Yusuke led her out of the well house, "He's like my own personal punching bag."

"Hey, get back here you!" a tall guy with weird, orange, Elvis-style hair was chasing after Shippo, "Get back here you little runt!"

"Mommy!" Shippo spotted Kagome and Yusuke. He leap into Kagome's waiting arms and scurried onto her shoulder to hide in her hair.

"What the hell are you doing, Kuwabara?" Yusuke scolded the guy who was staring at Kagome, "Hey, dumb ass, I'm talking to you!"

"He was chasing me! We were playing tag and I guess I'm too fast for the big guy!" Shippo poked his head out and grinned at Kuwabara.

"He used some kind of magic and then there was a huge top! The thing knocked me over." Kuwabara confessed.

"Shippo, I told you not to do any kitsune magic here unless it was necessary." Kagome scolded the kit and turned to Kuwabara, "I'm terribly sorry about that. He's still learning."

"It's alright. He's fun to play with." Kuwabara nodded and Shippo leap onto his shoulder, "He's like a kid brother."

"Kagome, this is Kazuma Kuwabara. Kuwabara, this is Kagome Higurashi." Yusuke said and walked off a bit, "Come on, Kuwabara! We have a lot to move today!"

"It's nice to meet you, Kagome." Kuwabara smiled and handed Shippo back to her before following Yusuke.

"Momma, are you alright? You came from the well house. You weren't thinking about going back, were you?" Shippo nuzzled against her cheek.

"No, Shippo. I'm never going back there. I was only in there to say goodbye one last time before we left." She touched his cheek, "Let's go sit under the Goshinboku. It's the last time we'll get to do it."

They retreated to the tall tree that held a great many memories to Kagome and to Shippo. Kagome sat and Shippo hopped into her lap. She leaned back against the tree and brushed her hair away from her face. At least the weather was nice. It seemed to be the only good thing that had happened lately. Her eyes swelled with tears again and she fought to keep them back. She hated crying in front of Shippo. She saw his worried eyes gaze up at hers. She hugged him closely and whispered to him that everything was going to be okay.

"Kagome!" Rei called out for her daughter, "Kagome, where are you?"

"I'm right here." She answered. Her mother was standing in front of her, but hadn't noticed her until she spoke.

"Oh, she's over here guys!" Rei motioned and was shortly joined by Keiko and Souta.

"Thank you." Keiko replied and ushered Souta over to Kagome. They sat down with her.

"Hey, sis, do you think the kids will be nice at the new school?" Souta looked up at her with sad eyes. She smiled to give him assurance.

"I'm sure it'll be just fine, Souta. You'll see. We will be okay." She tousled his hair, "You're going to make lots of friends. You have a magnetic personality."

"She's right, Souta. You are a nice kid. I already consider you my friend." Keiko laughed, "I mean, if you don't mind having an older girl as a friend."

"Oh, no, I don't mind as long as you don't mind having a kid for a friend." Souta blushed and Kagome laughed teasingly. She poked his cheek which only caused him to blush more.

"I don't mind either, Souta." Keiko gave him a sweet smile and put her arm around his shoulder, "Besides, I think we'll be seeing a lot of each other. I am Yusuke's girlfriend, whether he likes to admit it or not."

"He admitted it to me last night." Kagome said softly, "He also said he didn't understand girlfriends, but you can tell he loves you a lot."

It was Keiko's turn to blush and Kagome felt even more depressed on the inside. She held herself together, refusing to let the girl see her sadness. Just because she felt miserable it didn't give her the right to make others miserable. It was best to let others have their own happiness.

"Well, Yusuke and I have been through a lot together. I hardly see him because he's off fighting so much." Keiko admitted, "He makes me worry about him all the time."

"Yeah, guys have a tendency to do that." Kagome answered. She stood with Shippo in her arms as Yusuke and Kuwabara approached them.

"Hey kid what are you doing with Keiko?" Yusuke raised an eyebrow then laughed, "I didn't know you liked them so young, Keiko!"

"Shut up, Yusuke!" Keiko jumped to her feet.

"Easy, Keiko!" he shielded himself from her attack, "I was only joking!"

"Is there something wrong?" Kagome interrupted Yusuke's assault.

"We are done packing everything into the truck." Kuwabara answered, "Your mom asked us to come get you."

"Tell her that Shippo and I will be over in a few moments. There is something that we need to do. She'll understand." Kagome turned and walked back to the well house.

"Its time to say goodbye now, huh?" Shippo had hopped onto her shoulder.

"Yes, but this time we're going to do it together." Kagome walked down the steps and stood before the well, "There will never be any chance to see Miroku, Sango or Kirara ever again."

"I wish they were here with us."

"Me too, Shippo, but they can't be with us and we have to move on now. Just know that I am here to protect you, Shippo. I promise in front of this well and hopefully this'll reach our friends, that I'll always protect you from any harm. You and I are all that is left of our group now. You hear that guys! Shippo is my son now and I will keep him safe! Please do not worry about us!"

"Yeah, and I'll protect Kagome too!"

They stood there in silence for a few moments. Neither of them noticed Yusuke in the background watching their odd display of yelling into the old well. He turned and hurried off as Kagome and Shippo reemerged and readied themselves to leave the shrine behind them for good.