Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha and I never will. If I did, Kagome would just fall into Sesshomaru's arms forever. Or Kouga's for that matter.
Chapter one: The Falling Rain
Kagome stood there in the rain, allowing the falling water to soak her body, and blend in with the tears running down her face. That’s all she could do at the moment; just stand there and wish that the rain would take away more then just her tears, but her sorrow and her pain as well. The temptation to just jump back into the well was there, but at the same time, she knew that she couldn’t just run away from this. She knew that Inuyasha would always run back to Kikyo. Its not like she hated the dead miko, on the contrary. She was only jealous of the women’s talents and her ability to take Inuyasha’s heart.
Kagome had found the two when she went to search for Inuyasha. He had gone missing for an hour and Kagome had decided to go find him. What she found, instead, was the hanyou in the arms of Kikyo, whispering that he loved her and how he never wanted to leave her again. She felt her heart being crushed and she quickly fled the scene. Even when thunder sounded in the distance, Kagome still ran. She kept this up until her legs screamed for her to stop until she finally did. Now the rain poured upon her, leaving her drenched to the skin and with an empty feeling inside her.
Inuyasha wouldn’t need her anymore. After all, she was just a shard detector for him; nothing more then that. Now that Kikyo was with him, she could just leave the shards and return to her home. She would start her life again. She owed nothing to the half dog demon, and she owed nothing to anyone else here. After all, she was a girl from another time and she didn’t belong there.
With that in mind, Kagome slowly began to return to their camp. She would tell the others goodbye for the last time. As well as Inuyasha. Surely, he would understand.
**
“Kagome has been gone for a long time.” Sango said out of concern. It had been pouring down rain for a while, and Kagome still hadn’t come back. Though with Kikyo in the room now, the demon slayer could only guess why Kagome wasn’t back yet.
“Maybe I should go find her…” Inuyasha whispered. He knew Kagome saw him and Kikyo together. He knew that she fled when she saw the scene. But it was about time that the miko joined them.
Miroku looked outside once more before a relived smile crossed his lips. “There she is.” He sighed softly and stood to open the cabin door for the sopping wet girl. “Where have you been Kagome? You must be cold. Come, sit by the fire.”
“I’m not staying long…” Kagome whispered, her voice slightly cracking, pain apparent in it.
Sango’s eyebrow’s knotted together in her confusion. “What are you talking about, Kagome?” She asked.
Kagome’s almost dead eyes looked over to Kikyo an Inuyasha. “I’m sorry Inuyasha.” She whispered once more. “I’m not going to help you search for the jewel shards anymore. Honestly, your battle with Naraku has nothing to do with me. I’m just a girl from another time, meddling in things that have nothing to do with me. So, I’m going home...for good. Anyway, Kikyo is much better at fighting then I have ever been. However, I’m not going to give her back the rest of her soul, but only because I would die. As much as that would seem like a blessing at this moment, I’m not going to.” The raven-haired girl took the shards from her pocket and handed it over to the stunned Inuyasha. “I don’t owe you anything Inuyasha. I just hope that you one day kill Naraku.”
“Kagome, don’t do this…” Inuyasha whispered. “I mean, you’re still a good friend to me.”
Kagome shook her head, tears running down her face once more. “I don’t think my heart can even stand being just your friend.” She grabbed the beads around the hanyou’s neck and lifted them off. “Bye, Inuyasha.”
“Kagome?” Miroku and Sango said softly.
“Miroku, don’t you dare break Sango’s heart.” Kagome snapped, sounding like herself somewhat. “So you better shape up!” With that she hugged her good friend before turning to Sango. “And you better tell this perv how you feel before it’s too late. Also, can I borrow Kirara once more? I don’t think I can get to the well without here in this weather.”
Even though Sango wanted to say no, she nodded her head slowly, tears slowly coming to her eyes as well. “We’ll miss you Kagome.” She said softly.
Kagome hugged her friend tightly as well before turning her attention back to Shippo. “Grow up and be strong, Shippo,” She said, hugging the kitsune tightly. “Be the strong Kitsune that I know you are.”
“I…I will Kagome.” Shippo cried as he clutched Kagome tightly.
Kirara waited outside in the rain for Kagome to say her good-byes. Finally, she walked once more out in the rain. Tears fell down her face once more as she climbed on top of the neko and was once more heading off to the well.
**
Kouga stooped not to far away from the Bone Eater’s Well. He had heard the stories about how Kagome goes from her world to theirs though this one well. Looking down the pit of the well, it didn’t seem like there was a lot to it. Just how magical was his woman? And how did she cross-worlds though this seemingly ordinary well? Jumping into the deep and narrow pit, it didn’t seem like anything special. Just some bones at the bottom and that was all. Some how, this just seemed like a sick joke to him.
“You stupid girl, stop asking Sesshomaru-sama stupid questions!” Squawked a voice from outside.
Instantly Kouga knew who was right outside the well. After all, Sesshomaru couldn’t mask all of his scent. The question was why was Sesshomaru near a human village like this? Curiosity getting the better of him, the wolf yokai lept out of the well and turned to face the tall, proud taiyoukai.
“What are you doing here?” Kouga growled, trying to hide the small sense of intimidation he felt.
Sesshomaru arched an elegant eyebrow at the wolf demon. “I don’t have to answer to you wolf.”
“Sesshomaru? Kouga? Why are you two here?” Kagome asked as she dropped down from Kirara’s back. She was sopping wet and her outfit clung to her like a second skin. The storm wasn’t too far away from them, but it died quickly. She planed on getting home as soon as humanly possible, but with the two youkai standing in the way, it would be a little harder than anticipated.
Kouga opened his mouth to speak until he realized the new scent coming off of the women he loved was that of despair, and the faint, salty aroma of tears. “Kagome, what happened?” He asked, his face contorting into an expression of complete concern.
Kagome bit her lip, agonizing over what to say to him. How could she tell them, or at least Kouga, that she was never coming back? She was sure that Sesshomaru wouldn’t care, but Kouga would probably try and stop her from leaving.
“What has that moron of a hanyou done this time.” Said the inuyouki, his face still remaining expressionless and unreadable.
Kagome blinked in surprise. She didn’t think that Sesshomaru would even care about what happened to her, or, to a greater extent, care what Inuyasha did. She shook her head slightly to brush away the questioning thoughts as she spoke to the taiyouki with a morose countenance gracing her tear stained face. “It doesn’t matter now, does it? He’s found happiness, and I’m going home.”
Kouga growled, shaking his head in disgust. “So its Inutrasha’s fault that you were crying. And why you’re saying your going home? Forget about that stupid mutt, Kagome. Just come home with me.”
Kagome shook her head, woefully touched by the gesture but at the same time not sharing the same feelings that he felt for her. “I can’t do that Kouga. Your sweet and all, but I just cant. I’m sorry.”
“Why not?” Kouga's face dropped into a disappointed grimace, “I love you Kagome. Why can’t you see that?”
All she could do was give him a soft smile. Nothing more then a soft smile that apologized to him. Kouga's eyes sadly tore away from her face; her smile telling him all he needed to know. There was a short and uncomfortable silence that was broken by Sesshomaru turning his head sharply towards the woods, and inhaling deeply through his nose.
“Show yourself, Naraku.” Sesshomaru growled deeply in his throat, showing that he was not intimidated by the arrival of the dark hanyou, “Stop hiding like a worm.”
“A strong nose as ever, Sesshomaru-sama.” Naraku said, coming into the clearing. Kouga instantly jumped in front of Kagome, blocking Naraku’s gaze on the miko.
“What the hell do you want?” A protective growl emitted through Kouga's lips.
“Nothing more then to take Kagome away from you both. After all, she belongs to no one and Inuyasha has left her for a better woman. But then again, I would love this jewel right here.” Naraku sneered.
“Don’t you dare touch her!” Kouga snapped his jaws fiercely at the dark hanyou, “I won’t let you or anyone else, take her away from me!”
Kagome wanted to laugh. It seemed like Kouga and Inuyasha were more alike then they would care to admit. But even though the thought itself seemed funny, the situation at hand was not. “I don’t have the jewel shards anymore, Naraku.” She spoke in honesty, “I have nothing of value.”
Naraku chuckled, his sinister smirk and penetrating glare becoming unnerving. “Your eyes can find me more shards.” Naraku's smirk only widened as he pointed out the obvious truth. “And with you by my side, Inuyasha will surly fall.”
“Your notions are beginning to disgust me Naraku.” Sesshomaru narrowed his gold eyes as he pulled out Tokyjin and prepared himself for battle.
Naraku laughed as, instantly, tentacles sprang forth from his body. He wanted Kagome, and he would crush anyone who got in the way of what he wanted. Kouga wouldn’t stand a chance. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, might be a problem. He had begun to strike out his tenticles towards Kouga to get to Kagome. The wolf instantly went on the offensive, trying to protect the love of his life. He didn’t see the trap that Naraku set up. Unfortunately for Naraku Sesshomaru did.
Kagome screamed out as a tentacle charged towards her. She didn’t have her bow or an arrow, so, she had no way of defending herself. Inuyasha’s name almost escaped her throat before she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her body. The first thought was Kouga, but the feel of fur on her right told her differently. Before she knew it, both Kagome and Sesshomaru began to fall downwards into the well, the purple light engulfing them both.
When she woke, the sound of rain was deafing…
TBC...