I don't own Inuyasha or any of the supporting characters.

In this world, Kagome and Inuyasha have finally defeated Naraku, but there is still one woman standing between their happiness. But what happens when Kagome has had enough? What happens when she finally tells Inuyasha she has to let him go? Will he let her go and be happy with another man, or will he finally make a choice?

If You Set Them Free…

Chapter 1

"You left again last night," she said softly, keeping her eyes averted, not wanting to look at him.

"Kagome," he said, his voice pained and filled with remorse. "I had to see if it was her," he said the last part softly.

"I know. But it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt." Slowly she looked up to see his eyes, golden orbs of pain and conflict. It hurt her to see him in so much pain, knowing he was torn between her and Kikyo, the woman who would always be the one that came first. "Inuyasha, we defeated Naraku months ago, you avenged her for what he did to you both so many years ago. Somehow, she still lives through the piece of soul she took from me, but even though we defeated him, it's still not enough. I don't think she can ever be at peace until she has you too. When you came to save me," she slowly looked down, her cheeks pinkening a bit with her shyness, "you kissed me. I thought that meant something-"

"It did!" he immediately answered, grabbing her by the shoulders. "Kagome, you have no idea what you mean to me, I just can't leave Kikyo alone. I feel responsible-"

"But you're not responsible! How many times do we have to go through this? You. Are. Not. Responsible. Naraku was the only one to blame for everything that happened. You two were victims to his twisted mind." She looked down with her eyes closed and took a deep breath. Opening her eyes slowly, he noticed a resolve in her stare, his skin tingled with trepidation, he feared the look in her eye. "I can't do this anymore. When I made the wish to destroy the Shikon Jewel, I was given the choice to go back to my time or to come back here. I chose you. But no matter what I do, I will never be your first choice."

His eyes widened with fear, "Kagome, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying," Her voice cracked a bit as she tried to get the words out, "I'm saying I have to let you go, you made your choice. I don't want to see you so torn, constantly feeling guilt for leaving my side to go to her. I choose your happiness, even if it means you are no longer with me." She took a step back from him, making him relinquish his hold from her shoulders. He felt as if there was a gaping hole being made in his chest. This could not be happening; he thought to himself. But her next words made him feel ten times worse, "I will always love you Inuyasha, but I have to move on."

His eyes widened as he immediately said, "what does that mean? What do you mean you have to move on? You can't go back to your time, the well has been sealed."

"I know, but it means I can't sit around and wait for you anymore. I chose to stay here in this time for you, but you made your choice, so I have to figure out what to do with my life in this time. I gave up my future to live in the past with you, but I have to live now and think for myself and about my new future. Maybe even one day fall in love again, maybe I'll find the kind of love and devotion you have for Kikyo, the kind even death can't erase."

The more she spoke, his eyes and facial expressions changed, going from sadness, to anger, to guilt, and to a raging jealousy. He couldn't accept what she was saying, just the thought of her with someone else made his blood boil. "No Kagome, you can't do this. You can't just give up on me, you can't just replace me."

Though her heart was breaking, she felt an anger rise within her, "No! You can't have it both ways! For years I let you keep me on a string, hoping that I would be enough for you, but I'm not! Kikyo will always be there and will always be the reason we can't be together. If I choose to move on, I have every right to. I have the right to meet someone and fall in love. I have the right to be someone's love. I deserve to be the one someone chooses over all others."

"Kagome-" his voice was so broken, and his face was so lost. He knew he was losing her but had no idea what to do to keep her. He knew he wasn't being fair to her, he knew he had to let Kikyo go, but he felt so much guilt knowing she was out roaming the world without a purpose, without anything to keep her going. He was her only connection to the world.

Placing a hand on his cheek, she smiled sadly, "it's okay Inuyasha." He closed his eyes and pulled her into an embrace. He could smell her scent, the scent that was uniquely hers, the scent he would recognize a mile away. Kagome. His Kagome, the woman he loved, but had hurt so much these last few years. She was right, he had to let her be happy. So long as Kikyo was around, he could never truly make Kagome happy. He wished Kikyo would be at peace and move on to the afterlife, she deserved to finally rest in peace. He would be free of guilt, free to love Kagome with all his soul, give her the love and devotion she sought. "I can't make you wait for me, can I?" he said into her neck as he held her close.

Hugging him tighter she said, "I can't anymore Inuyasha. You're a demon, you don't age and can live for centuries or more. I'm human, I only get to live a small portion of your lifespan, and I'm already twenty years old. Let me enjoy the years I have alive. Let me live." Her words were like a knife to his heart. Hearing her say she wanted to move on was one level of pain, but the thought that she would one day die, leaving him to continue on living was pain on a whole other level. That was torture. If she ever died, he didn't think he could ever move on, he couldn't live in a world where she did not exist. As the thoughts entered his mind, he realized the difference between the love he felt for Kikyo and the love he had for Kagome. Where one he wished to rest in peace, the other, he wished to live forever. He could live without Kikyo, but he couldn't live without Kagome.

Slowly she pulled away from him and offered him a soft smile. "I'll always be here for you Inuyasha, you will always be my best friend. That would never change between us. Now, let's get back, the others must be wondering where we are." Nodding sadly, he walked alongside her as they made their way back to the village. He had to figure something out, he couldn't lose her. He would give her the space she needed to think and live, but he would be damned if he let another man take her love away from him. Kagome was his, she had to be.

More to come... :) Please leave a review, I'd love to read your feedback.