DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I don not own Inuyasha. I just like playing with them.

Relinquished Destiny

Ch. 2

By: Lara Winner

"Where the hell have you been!?!" Inuyasha snapped.

The sharp scathing question assaulted her from the evenings growing darkness and drew Kagome to a halt in the small clearing. Blinking back hot tears, she welcomed his voice, even when it was angry.

"I was taking a walk." She sighed.

"By yourself?" He asked angrily. "Sounds like your brain’s broken again."

A soft thump sounded to her left as he jumped down from his seat among the trees. They were not far from the village, in the distance she could her the familiar sounds of the people preparing for the coming night. The ache in her chest grew stronger. She would miss this place.

Quickly she brushed at her eyes deciding that this moment alone with Inuyasha would be her last chance to be near him. Swallowing hard, she looked up and said sadly, "I don’t want to fight anymore."

Inuyasha blinked, his brow wrinkling at her subdued tone. He sniffed the air and his expression turned suspicious. "You’ve been crying, haven’t you?"

"Maybe." She shrugged. "I’m just tired of us always yelling at each other. Friends don’t act that way." She explained, purposely stressing the title of their relationship yet unsure if it was for him or herself.

"I won’t have to yell at you if you would stop going home so much! Ya know, we don’t have forever to find these damn shards! Naraku is growing stronger and I’m itching to get my hands on him!" The hanyou exclaimed.

Inuyasha’s innocent words only strengthened Kagome’s resolve. She would not let him go to his death. She would rather him live no matter what. Yet she couldn’t tell him her plans. He would try and stop her, not believing that Naraku would defeat him. His youthful hot-headedness would never let him accept otherwise.

"We have a little time Inuyasha." She replied soothingly. "Besides, I have a feeling all will turn out well."

Again the hanyou’s face scrunched up in thought as he observed her carefully. Shaking his head at a loss, he demanded. "Okay, tell me what’s wrong with you. You’re acting really weird."

"Can I ask you something?" Kagome inquired, ignoring him.

"Yeah.."

She smiled at the vexed look he sent her way. "Do you miss Kikyo?"

"Huh?" Inuyasha grunted, bewildered. She could see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to piece together where his answer fit in their conversation. And when he couldn’t he gave her a pleading look, "What the hell does this have to do with anything?"

"Just answer me. Do you miss her? Yes or no." she asked, her growing exasperation evident in her tone.

"Yes alright! I miss her a lot." He said looking away. After a moment of silence he asked, "Is this why you were crying?"

Kagome wanted to cry again but instead she shook her head and strived for a light tone. "No. I already knew your answer, I just wanted to make sure I was right. Can I ask you one more thing?"

Inuyasha nodded.

"If you could do this again, knowing how it would all turn out, would you?"

This time he stiffened, staring out into the darkness as if he could find the answer there. His golden eyes were becoming shuttered, trying to hide the vulnerability of his emotions. Finally a wane grin curved his lips. "How about I give you the answer to that after I kick Naraku’s ass?"

"Inuyasha?"

He sighed in frustration and something else. "Look, Kikyo is dead. She is not the same person she was and it kills me to see what is left of her. And I don’t know what the future will bring and I don’t know if I could do this again because I have so much to loose…"

His voice trailed off and Kagome viciously ignored the way her heart thumped with his words. "Present aside Inuyasha, if you could go back and have a life with her would you still become human and be with her?"

He closed his eyes as if he didn’t want to hear what she asked but she knew he would answer honestly. He was nothing if he wasn’t a closet saint.

"Yeah, I would."

That was all Kagome needed to hear. Her decision was set in stone and she could only hope that his happiness would be complete. Walking over to him she threw her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. He froze, neither holding her nor stopping her. There was no need to think twice about what she was doing. The silent cry of her heart whispered good-bye as she forced herself to sever the last ties that bound her to him.

When she pulled back she found him looking down at her with what looked like regret and dread in his eyes. "Kagome, I didn’t mean-"

Pressing a finger to his lips, she interrupted his words and smiled sadly. "Don’t. I understand." And then she did something she’d never done before. Leaning up she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and then left him standing in the middle of the clearing with a look of utter surprise and helplessness on his face.

****

Dawn came swiftly. The deep midnight sky turned gray as it gave way to the first tentative rays of the morning sun. With a heavy heart Kagome cast a glance over her sleeping friends. Shippo was whimpering softly, unconsciously seeking her warmth from where she left him. She hated to leave this way, without a goodbye or an explanation but Shippo would not understand her choice. It was better this way. Pretty soon he would not even remember her.

Kagome smiled sadly as she her gaze shifted to Sango and Miroku. The young girl was still fast asleep completely unaware the hentai monk had moved next her and placed his arm over her waist sometime in the night. How she wished she could be there when Sango awoke. Her anger was bound bruise Miroku this time.

Even Kaede looked peaceful in sleep. Gods help her, she was going to miss them. Tears were threatening to fall. It took everything in Kagome to make her way to the door. With one last glance she wished them all the happiness in the world. Then with her silent farewell a lone tear trickled down her cheek.

Closing the door quietly behind her, Kagome faced the gray sky feeling it fit her mood. A quick glance around told her Inuyasha was no where to be found and a tiny part of her felt relieved. It could very well be a blessing if she didn’t see him now. So adjusting her pack comfortably on her shoulder she began the short trek to Onigumo’s cave.

The sun was just peeking over the horizon when Kagome reached the cramped cavern. True to her word Kaimi was waiting. Upon seeing Kagome she held out a hand urging her forward. The creature’s black eyes darted around, almost nervously and Kagome realized just how dangerous this predicament was. If Kaimi’s betrayal was discovered by Naraku the girl would be killed for her crime. Kagome wasn’t sure what her own fate would be and she wasn’t too keen on finding out. Her mission was clear and she would not be deterred.

"Kagome, I was beginning to wonder if you would come." Kaimi greeted softly.

"I know what I must do," Kagome assured the ghostly young woman. "And it hurts so bad I can barely breathe." She added with a choked laugh.

"As all things do that are worth the sacrifice." Kaimi reasoned solemnly. "This is all you can do to set them free."

Kagome nodded yet she couldn’t stop the tears. Violent sobs began wracking her body and the cold presence of Kaimi was her only comfort. Vaguely she felt the girl try to touch her shoulder comfortingly but again there was no physical sensation, just heart-wrenching pity that the dead girl felt for her dilemma.

There was stern sadness in Kaimi’s whisper as she prodded, "Come now Kagome, the day grows light and we haven’t the time to delay."

Heeding what Kaimi did not say, Kagome wiped her eyes and set her mind on the task at hand. There would be time for tears later, for now she needed a clear head and a stout heart. Cold efficiency took control, guiding her actions and she rid herself of her pack. Her fingers trembled as she pulled an arrow from the holster on her back. Gripping the bow in one hand and the arrow in the other she faced Kaimi with determination glittering in her sorrowful eyes.

"I am ready."

Kaimi dipped her head in acquiescence and reached out her hands placing them through Kagome’s chest. The creature’s ghostly form began to dissolve and flow into Kagome. There was no feeling and Kagome felt herself relax as bright white dots started to fill her vision. Then out of the corner of her eye a flash of red caught her attention and her heart stopped.

Oh Inuyasha…

"Get the fuck away from her!" The dog-demon snarled as drew the Tetsusaiga from its sheath.

Inuyasha’s approach had been swift and silent like the natural hunter he was. The surprise sent Kaimi reeling out of her body. Golden eyes showed no mercy and Kagome reacted without thought, stepping in front of the demon girl and blocking Inuyasha’s attack.

"What the hell are you doing!?! Get out of the way Kagome!" He yelled, panic and fury controlling his voice.

"No! Don’t come any closer Inuyasha!" Kagome cried as scalding tears filled her eyes again. He couldn’t stop her. She was doing this for him. His happiness was all that mattered…

"Do it Kaimi. Now!"

This time Kagome’s body exploded in intense discomfort as Kaimi fused her form with Kagome. A feeling of falling began to overtake her senses and her vision began to fade in a bright white haze. She barely heard Inuyasha scream her name and all she could do was watch as he frantically reached for her, his face twisted in an expression of painful horror. Then his image was gone, washed away by a white light so pure and beautiful that it nearly hurt her eyes.

However, in the blink of an eye the light faded and Kagome collapsed to the ground as the world came back into focus. Bright sunlight bathed the land surrounding her and the song of birds struck her ringing ears. There was almost no difference she could place, except where Inuyasha had stood was now empty and void of the demon’s presence. Kagome bit her lip to keep her endless tears at bay. Fighting the pain that robbed her of breath, she rose to her feet unsteadily.

From the darkness of the cave a gravely, almost sinister voice called out sharply, "Kikyo is that you?"

Tbc…

A.N.- Uh-oh! I can see you guys getting ready to aim all your rotten tomatoes at my head. Um… I can’t promise anything about how the story plot is going to go without giving it away and I can’t reassure you that there won’t be a great deal of angst left to go before this story is complete but keep in mind what is said in the plot summary. Destiny will not be deterred. That is hopeful, isn’t it? *grins evilly* Although I didn’t say it was in a way you’d expect…

Thanks for reading and for all the wonderful reviews! Luv ya guys! *_*