A.N. I do not own Inuyasha or Doctor Who.
Laughter echoed in the halls of the planetary station as Kagome and the Doctor ducked through a merchant's door and into the bustling bazaar. "Did you see his eyes when you corrected him on the history of kitsune? You are fantastic!"
Rosey cheeked, Kagome beamed. "Well, I couldn't let him say they were indigenous to some swamp planet that didn't even form until a millennium after Earth."
"Brilliant, you are." The Doctor grinned and their eyes met, a feeling of complete understanding and acceptance radiating between them. And suddenly, he looked inspired. "Give me twenty minutes-I want to put a little something together for us."
Watching him go, the priestess smiled and turned back to the many shops and stands. She let herself go wandering, knowing the Doctor would find her.
A striking woman with blond hair and blue eyes suddenly waved furiously at her from a tea shop. "Hello! Kagome, this way!"
Thunderstruck, Kagome looked about, wondering if someone else had her name.
"Stop looking around-I'm talking to you! Now come, let's get on with this-Very important. You only have a bit of time, now come!" the blond woman demanded, her features well suited to a sense of humor.
Caution entered Kagome's eyes and she made her way to the entrance of the shop, checking her belt for her knife to be safe. "How do you know me?"
"That's not important at the moment, but I'll tell you now that I'm known as the Noble, and you have a very important conversation to embark on. Life changing, go!" And the woman grabbed her shoulders and shoved her through the door and into a private tea room.
The woman that sat at the table was a beauty, olive skin and burnt copper hair in ringlets down to her elbows…. And sapphire eyes, the same as Kagome's. "Hello, Kagome. I remember exactly how confused you feel, so it's best you just sit and listen."
Senses going haywire, Kagome took a step back and shook her head. "This isn't possible. You… What are you?" She could feel the shikon no tama pulsing in this woman, and also the same sort of energy that fluctuated around the Doctor.
"I'm you. Well, your reincarnation, so of course we do have our differences. For instance, I really do not like dogs." Amusement colored her tone as she stood, walking over to take the shorter girl's elbow. "Come on, I have your favorite tea ready. Drink a cup with me."
Letting herself be lead, Kagome sat at the table, lifting the cup and smelling it. "How do I know you aren't lying?"
"Because everything you sense about me tells you the truth." Sitting in the spot she'd taken before, the copper haired beauty smiled. "It's a lot to swallow, but Kagome, when you got pushed back through the well, the jewel slipped right back inside of you. You subconsciously shield yourself from detection to avoid conflict. It's a trait that we all learn at some point in our many lives… Wow, this does sound exactly as insane as I remember."
"No, that's impossible. And why do you remember my life? Even reincarnated, you shouldn't have my memories," Kagome pointed out, eyes clouded with suspicion.
"Well, the shikon no tama likes us. It wants to be around in us. So, slowly, every life you've lead, I've lead, leaks into the mind of the current incarnation. It's a lot. But, it helps… And Kagome, I have to tell you something that you won't want to hear-You can't be with the Doctor." There was a sadness in her eyes, smile pained.
"I'm not with the Doctor. If you're me, you should know-" Kagome started, face red.
"Yes, I know. That's why we're having this talk right now, before it happens. Also, I remember it happening. Anyway, you have a life without contact with the Doctor after this. Because if you stay with him, his timeline will be ruined. All the Doctors you met, the companions he had… Well, it would make things very difficult to happen the way they should. So, you need to stop traveling with him." Her expression was stern.
"So, what, I just ask to be taken home and turn him down whenever he comes around?" Kagome asked, looking saddened at the prospect.
"It isn't that simple… Kagome, you have to hurt him. You have to make sure he knows he doesn't have a chance with you. You will have to break his heart." Sadness rolled off her in waves.
"How can you ask me to do that?! He's my friend, your friend if you're telling me the truth-" Kagome started, furious.
"His wife will pick up the pieces," the woman told her, tone sharp.
"Wife?" Kagome repeated, her voice quiet.
"River. Now, get out there and do what you have to," the copper haired incarnation ordered.
x~x~x
It was an hour before the Doctor found Kagome, looking at silky scarves rather listlessly. "There you are! I was putting together a meal for us and securing entertainment. You and I are going to have loads of fun!"
Silence greeted him and Kagome shook her head. "No."
Expression faltering, the Doctor frowned. "Are you not feeling well?" He rested his hand on her cheek, tilting her head back to look in her eyes.
Swatting his hand away, Kagome shook her head, fighting tears. "You're not my boyfriend. You can't just plan out dates and… Just stop."
"Well, then we'll just get back to the TARDIS, find something-" the Doctor tried again, clearly wanting to salvage the friendship.
"Take me home… My heart is broken. And you can't fix it. Just bring me back, find some other 'companion' to charm." Kagome pushed past him and darted back to where she knew the TARDIS was parked.