Author's Note: Please bear with me as I write this. I have a very busy life and it's hard for me to find time to write. If you like this and enjoy reading it, then please feel free to email me. ^^ I'm trying to weave a somewhat complex story, so please bear with me as I will reveal and explain everything in later chapters. Please continue on.

I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters. I'm only borrowing them for my sick fantasies.

Speaking: " - "

Thoughts: ' - '

Author's Comments: ( - )

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Chapter One: The End of a Journey and the Beginning of the End

By: Andrea Burkeen aka Yuki-hime

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It seemed like all of their dreams had come true. When she woke, the morning was warm and inviting. The sun was shining, birds were singing and there was a slight breeze that took the heat off your shoulders for a moment. Naraku had finally been defeated and they had won the long, hard battle. Over the last four years, Kagome had come to doubt their ever defeating the half-demon that tormented her fellow companions. She had come to doubt completing the Shikon no Tama, as well. There seemed to be so many shards that the thought of the jewel being complete began to become a dream. Shaking her head slightly, she let her mind wander away from those dark thoughts. Now was not the time to dwell on such matters. Now was a time for celebration! They all had a lot to celebrate. Life was so precise and short.

She headed towards the village garden in search of Kaede. She wished to speak with her about a pressing matter that had been on her mind for some time now. The elder miko would give her advice and support her decision, regardless of the outcome. Reaching the small clearing near the bank of the river, she spotted the red and white dressing of the woman and saw the plain colors of the kimonos that belonged to the children in the village. Descending, her movements caught the children's attention which caused them to rush to her in excitement.

"Kagome!" the children squealed as they huddled around her legs. A couple of the girls handed her yellow wild flowers picked from the garden. She smiled as she accepted them and thanked the girls, and they followed her down the rest of the way, chattering happily about their recent adventures.

"Kagome, did ye sleep well?" the old woman asked as she picked up her basket filled with herbs and vegetables.

Kagome nodded warmly and smiled at her, "I need to speak with you about something before the others awake, Kaede." Kaede looked at her and nodded in understanding at the urgency in her words. The elder motioned for her to follow as the children shouted their good-byes.

The two climbed the sloping hill. Kagome waited outside the small hut for the woman to come out and the duo started towards the edge of the woods. The young woman waited until she was sure that no one could hear her speak. "Kaede, this has been bothering me for a long time, and I think that I may have finally come to a decision."

The woman looked at her for a moment before speaking. "I do not think that bringing my sister back will help ye current situation with Inuyasha."

Kagome sighed in frustration. The woman had spoken the words she knew to be true but yet, she could not bring herself to do that to Inuyasha or to herself in the long run. If he truly cared for, even loved the dead miko, then who was she to get in the way? Their bond was created fifty years before she even met Inuyasha. She had no claim to him, at least not the claim that Kikyou has.

"I understand why ye feel ye must do this, but Kikyou will never be like she was. What Inuyasha remembers is but a dream now. Her heart has become hardened with hatred and bitterness. Naraku's death has not changed that. Ye should know."

"I know, but I cannot bring myself to be the one to take her away from Inuyasha. I know how he feels, even if he doesn't. I know how it would affect him, and I can't do that to him." She took the stone out from under her shirt and stared into the jewel's depths. 'Maybe Inuyasha will pick me,' her heart sang. She believed that he would see her actions and see her love for what it was, finally-untainted. But as always, her senses came to and she mentally kicked herself for giving in and giving herself hope. 'Once he sees Kikyou, you'll fade into nothing, Kagome!'

"When are ye planning this ritual?" the miko asked, jarring the woman from her deep thoughts.

Heaving, she spoke heavily, her words rushed. "Now. I want to do it now, Kaede. I'm ready. I've already prepared myself," she said staring into the other's eyes.

The woman nodded, but spoke quietly. "Let me gather the herbs from this morning. I will return shortly." Kaede paused, staring at her. Her emotions were swirling in her heart and her soul. She felt so much pride in knowing Kagome. She loved her sister, but doubted that Kikyou would ever do what this child was about to. "Kagome, ye truly are a great miko." Kaede turned, leaving the younger priestess to her thoughts and emotions.

The woman nodded, but spoke quietly. "Let me gather the herbs from this morning. I will return shortly." She paused, staring at her. Her emotions were swirling in her heart and her soul. She felt so much pride in knowing Kagome. She loved her sister, but doubted that Kikyou would ever do what this child was about to. "Kagome, ye truly are a great miko." She turned, leaving the younger priestess to her thoughts and emotions.

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Kagome watched Kaede retreat into the distance. She sighed and moved to sit on the log nearby when she came face to face with the topic of her thoughts. She briefly wondered if they had been overheard when she realized the intruder had spoken.

"How noble to wish for me a soul, Kagome." The woman spoke with sarcasm lacing her words. "Especially on the Shikon no Tama. However, I'll have to decline your offer." She moved around Kagome, causing the girl to turn to face her. She could not see Kaede in the distance.

Her words shocked her. "Kikyou, do you not wish to be human? To be with Inuyasha?" she asked franticly. The woman laughed at her questions, sending shivers up Kagome's spine.

"No, I do wish to be human and to be with Inuyasha. After all, that is much better than hell I think." She smiled menacingly at her. Kagome looked on in shock, unable to make her legs run like her mind was screaming for them to do.

"But I do not want a new soul, Kagome. I want my soul back." It was then that Kagome realized that the undead miko had put her under a spell. She was unable to move or resist as the hand of her executioner tore the precious gem from her neck, leaving a stinging sensation at the nape.

"Thanks to you, I actually have a chance at happiness. But unfortunately you'll have to die for that to happen." She grabbed Kagome by the neck, holding the Shikon no Tama in her hands as she kissed the life out of the woman, drawing on the power to help her subdue the miko powers within the victim.

Kagome could feel the life escape the body. Her skin became cooler and paled to a china white before Kikyou dropped her hold. Kagome fell to the ground, her body sprawled out, lifeless and cold. The miko sighed in relief. The feeling of having a complete soul tasted wonderful. She examined her body. No longer the cold hard clay, it was replaced by warm soft skin. She inhaled the fresh air deeply, feeling her lungs expand and contract.

She was alive again.

Kikyou turned to see Inuyasha staring at the scene before him, his eyes wide with shock and despair. Frozen in place, he howled his grief at what he saw. The screams and scent of death immediately drew Sesshoumaru's audience, for he was there in a flash. Kaede was coming into sight with Sango, Miroku and Shippou in tow. The demon lord rushed past Inuyasha and the miko, to Kagome's still body. He picked her cold form off the ground, grabbing for her hand. He growled low. "What has happened?" He spoke softly, the anger showing in his voice. His stare bore through the woman standing in front of him. He glanced at Inuyasha who was examining the woman in his arms. He growled again at his half-brother's lack of action. His hand slipped to Tenseiga's hilt, elegantly removing the sword from the sheath just as the others arrived in time to see the situation.

He placed the sword over her form and watched as the demons of death brought the woman slowly back to life. He paid no heed to the miko as she collapsed on the ground, much of the misplaced soul returning to Kagome. He stood, holding Kagome close to him. The actions did not go unnoticed to Inuyasha. He stiffened and took two steps forward before Sesshoumaru's right hand knocked him flat on his back. The full demon growled low, warning him to not come near.

Rage flew into Inuyasha's eyes. He stood yelling, "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" The sight of Sesshoumaru touching her made him sick. 'She is not his to touch,' his thoughts screamed.

"Saving Kagome's life, as it was apparent you were not going to take any action," he stated. "If you do not wish to be hit again, I suggest you stay out of my way." His tone was dripping with venom, daring the half-demon to challenge his unspoken claim.

"Where are ye taking her?" Kaede asked in concern, staring at the woman.

"Somewhere safe. She will return as soon as she is able," he uttered briefly before turning to go. Inuyasha stared, numb, at their retreating forms on the horizon. Kikyou coughed on the ground, her body back to the original clay form. The half-youkai turned to stare at her for a moment, then disappeared into the thicket.

The others were left standing there, staring at one another and the form of mud on the ground, left to wonder if there would ever be happiness.

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Don't start freaking out, k people? I have everything under control. * looks around at the scattered mess of papers, pens, cigs, water and food on the computer desk * I need to take a break! Grrr...... but it's too addicting to stop writing! Oh, the agony! What will I do?! * looks at clock * 4:00 a.m. -- O.o I think I may be a little obsessed.

And before you go, I haven't forgotten about the Shikon no Tama, k?