Chapter Seven

Inuyasha's POV

It's been several days since Inuyasha discovered Kikyo's absolute hatred towards Kagome. After his run in with Kagome's grandfather, who explained where his granddaughter was and how long it would take for her to return home, the half demon didn't see any point in wasting time in a different era. The kind old man saw him off with a smile and kind words.

'No need to worry, demon,' he had said, watching as Inuyasha balanced on the edge of the well. 'My daughter is strong. However, I believe seeing you here upon her arrival would cause more harm than good.'

'Right.'

'Can you promise me one thing?'

Inuyasha couldn't say no to the old man who has shown him such kindness, even though his heart was aching for his granddaughter. 'Yes.'

The old man's eyebrows lowered over his stormy dark eyes. His posture straightened, and the air around him shifted slightly. 'Do not return.'

And what could Inuyasha say to that? Of course he would ask this. It was perfectly reasonable. Because of Inuyasha's inability to let go of Kagome, of the past, she had been thrown into the line of danger once again. Three years ago he believed he made the right decision, protecting her from his world. The half demon knows Kikyo did this out of revenge for refusing her. What could he have done to stop her from coming back and finishing the job? Inuyasha needed to stay away from Kagome, and make sure nothing like this can happen ever again.

Agreeing to his terms, and promising to never return, Inuyasha jumped down the well. When he came out on the other side, the sun was beginning to set. It was unusually cold. Glancing down, Inuyasha realised he had forgotten his jacket. How stupid. Sighing, he spun back around, almost jumping back down the well before coming to a complete stop. His promise to the old man...

'Dammit!'

Sango's soft voice came from behind him. 'Everything alright?'

Inuyasha turned to see her and Miroku standing side by side, each of them carrying a large basket of fruits and berries. 'Sango, should you really be carrying that? Miroku, you need to take better care of her.'

'I'm pregnant, not injured!'

Miroku sighed. 'She insisted on helping.'

The half demon sauntered over to them and grabbed the basket from Sango, speaking before she could complain. 'I'll be going away for a few days.'

'So, it didn't go too well, then?' Sango's eyes saddened. 'Is Kagome alright, at least?'

Inuyasha knew Kaede would have told them everything. That old hag can't keep her mouth shut, so her questioning wasn't a surprise. Maybe it was a good thing they knew. It showed Kagome was still cared for by everyone, even though she has been absent for three years.

'I didn't get to see her. I spoke with her grandfather who said she was in the hospital.' Inuyasha glanced up at the fading blue sky. 'She'll live.'

'And it was Kikyo who did this,' Miroku stated.

'Yeah.'

Sango softly asked, 'Is that why you're going away for a few days? To find Kikyo?'

'Yeah. I need to speak with her.'

Placing his basket on the ground, Miroku gently put his hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. 'Don't do anything rash.'

'I know.'

After replacing both baskets in Miroku's arms, the half demon walked into the forest, heading away from the village.

Five days later, and he was still wondering the forests in search of Kikyo. The conversation Inuyasha and Kagome's grandfather had continued to play out in his mind. How could he make such a promise like that? Inuyasha could never see her again, but perhaps that was for the best. Sango and Miroku would no doubt agree that the old man's request wasn't too demanding. He was only looking out for the welfare of his granddaughter.

Inuyasha often wondered in the days that past how Kagome was fairing. Was she in pain? Was she back home? Was she being taken care of? Was she being questioned, held under suspicion? Was her brother alright? But no matter where his mind wondered, the main focus of his mind was on one question; did he have what it took to stop this from ever happening again? And that entailed making sure Kikyo would never enter Kagome's era again. There was two ways to make sure that never happened, so Inuyasha was hoping Kikyo could be reasoned with. He didn't want to hurt Kikyo or Kagome, but it was either one or the other. His mind had been made up a long time ago.

It was six days later when Inuyasha caught wind of Kikyo. She was close by. He followed her scent up the side of a steep mountain until he spotted a small cave. It was dense and void of any daylight. Inuyasha's eyes adjusted quickly enough to see the arrow flying towards him. He ducked, glaring over at the priestess sitting on a large boulder at the end of the cave.

She smiled sweetly. 'What a lovely surprise, Inuyasha.'

'You knew I was coming.' It was a statement.

'I caught word of a silver haired boy tracking me down. Come to finally agree to my terms?'

'No.'

Her smile vanished. 'Then to what do I owe this pleasure?'

Inuyasha took a threatening step forward, baring his claws. 'You hurt Kagome. You tried to kill her again after three years! Why? She no longer causes threat to you.'

'Don't you understand?' She jumped to her feet and closed the space between them. 'It's because you fell in love with her!'

Inuyasha faulted for a second. But that was long for Kikyo to confirm her own theories.

She turned away from Inuyasha. 'We are done here.'

What was he to do? Inuyasha knows Kikyo well enough to know that she wouldn't stop until Kagome was dead. And he could only blame himself. It was because he couldn't let Kikyo go; even now she still had a place in his heart. It was because he didn't make a decision. It was because, that now he had made up his mind, it was too late. Kagome didn't deserve any of this. All she ever did was try to help Inuyasha and the others. And for that her brother and Kagome were injured.

Inuyasha fell to his knees, unable to bare that he had ultimately caused Kagome this grief. There was only two options, and he already tried to reason with her. Maybe his second option would work.

'I accept.' He waited for her to turn and see him grovelling on his knees. 'You have me. I'll die for you, Kikyo.'

For a split second he thought she looked happy, but then her eyes narrowed. 'No. You'll die for Kagome. Don't think for one moment I don't see through you, Inuyasha. It's your last resort. It's not what you want. You can't save Kagome. Not now.'

White lights spiralled over his head; hundreds of tiny, shiny soul takers. They circled Kikyo, lifting her into the air. Inuyasha watched in defeat as they whisked her out of the cave and down the mountain. He failed. None of his options worked. Kikyo wanted Kagome dead, and would stop at nothing.

Inuyasha would cause Kagome's death.

Kagome POV

'Kagome, you're going to be late for school!' There was a slight pause. 'Again!'

'Coming,' Kagome shouted back to her mother.

Sota appeared in his sister's doorway. 'Why are you two always yelling? It's so early.'

'Sota, ever heard of knocking?'

Raising his hands in innocence, he walked back down the hall.

Kagome sighed and sat down on the edge of her bed. It had been three weeks since Kikyo tried killing them. Her wounds where healed enough that the stitches had been taken out. Sota never said anything about that day. He seemed to want to forget it, but Kagome knew he would always remember. Now, whenever she saw that pink line on her brother's arm rage boiled in her chest; hatred so strong that it consumed her. His scar matched the three on her own body, marking the skin forever. And Kagome would forever hold blame over Kikyo and Inuyasha for causing her family so much pain.

Their mother kissed each of them on the cheek before they rushed out of the house, already late. Sota ran straight to the steps of the temple, but Kagome slowed when passing the old well. The shrine around the well was standing half completed, with only the roof constructed to keep the weather off.

'Grandpa!' Kagome spotted the old man walking on the other side of the well and waved.

He slowly walked over to her, a grave expression on his face. 'Kagome, I need to speak with you.'

'Well, I'm late for school, but-.'

He lifted his hand, unfolded his fingers, and showed her what was on his palm. 'I think it best if you skip today.'

Sota appeared behind Kagome. 'Are you coming?' He seemed to notice Grandpa a second later and smiled. 'Hay, what are you holding?'

'A sacred jewel shard...' Kagome's eyes were glued to the glowing pink shard.

Sota's eyes darkened and he instinctively moved to position himself in front of his sister and the jewel. 'We need to leave, or we'll be late.'

'Kagome, I thought you might want it.'

'Where...' Her eyes met her Grandpa's.

'I found it under the sacred tree, buried under some leaves.'

Kagome's mind began speeding up, putting two and two together. 'Kikyo must have dropped it when she came here to kill me.'

'I was going to give it to Inuyasha to take back when you were in hospital but I forgot-.'

'Stop!' Sota glared at his Grandpa. 'We aren't talking about this anymore. Kagome, let's-.'

'Inuyasha? He was here?'

'Came to make sure you were okay. A few hours after the incident, actually. I sent him back to his own time,' he added. 'Kagome, I know you're strong, but you don't have to pretend. We can all see you haven't moved on. Perhaps if you were to go back... Finish this yourself...'

Kagome didn't know what to think. Was her Grandfather really insisting that she travel back to the feudal era? To do what exactly? The last thing she needed was to see anyone from that place. Sure, she hadn't truly moved on in her heart, but at least she was where she belonged. And, in time, everything would heal.

But just as quickly as her mind told her it would be a terrible idea to go back, another thought came to life. If Kagome didn't settle this now there was no telling what might happen. Kikyo already tried to kill her once, so why wouldn't she try again? Was she going to sit here and wait for Kikyo to kill her whole family? Or was she strong enough to take the fight to Kikyo? Either way, this needed to end. And Kagome would much rather finish it on the other side of the well.

Sota glared at their Grandpa. 'You don't know what you're asking of her.'

'He is asking me to finally deal with the trouble I caused for myself all those years ago. Sota, I love you, but this isn't any of your business.'

'Who was shot by an arrow from a crazy chick? I was there! I felt the pain!'

'Exactly! That's why I have to go back and finish this,' she shouted with more power in her voice than she thought possible. 'You will feel that pain again if Kikyo returns. She won't stop until I am dead, and I am not letting her hurt you again! So I am going back down that well with or without you!'

He paused, quickly realising what she was saying. 'With or... You're asking me to come?'

'It'll be dangerous, but like you said, you were there. I can't ask you to stay behind. But only if you are willing...and knowing that you might not return. Kikyo is dangerous and evil.'

Their Grandpa gave a soft-and sad-smile as his two grandchildren began working together to stop the evil forces tearing their family apart. He handed the jewel shard over to Kagome, who looked rather powerful in the moment. Her eyes were focused, ambition and clarity written in their depths.

Her and Sota wasted no time in working out their plan.

Special thanks to HalfBreedMiko for the idea on where/how Inuyasha and Kagome should reunite. I was struggling with coming up with the perfect setting and wanted an outsiders opinion on how to proceed. So, again, thanks! Also, I'll try updating by the beginning Monday of every week.