Inu Yasha slowly sat down on the lip of the well, his face buried in the palms of his hands as he let out a frustrated sigh. He couldn't believe the words that he had just heard from the mouth of the woman he had come back to reclaim...to apologize..to tell..so much.

As the words had entered his mind, he could feel his heart slowly breaking into thousands of tiny little pieces..much like the way the Shikon No Tama had shattered on that faithful day so many months ago. Inu Yasha slowly pulled his face away from his hands long enough to look down to the necklace which hung loosely around this neck, the shimmering piece of glass sparkling right back at him in an almost ironic manner. So many years had he fought for this jewel. Countless people harmed at his claws, and most importantly, one heart broken. He stared at the jewel for the longest time, realizing that what he had wanted all this time was finally in his hands, and..he didn't want it. Infact, now that he thought about it clearly, he hadn't wanted it for the longest time. He very gently held the half jewel between his thumb and forefinger, turning it over slowly, examining it as though it would spell out the reason for his sudden lack of intrest in it. And then suddenly, it hit him. "It..it was because of her..." All those months together with Kagome, Inu Yasha had always used the Shikon No Tama as an excuse to keep Kagome in his time. The whole reason he was always chasing after her, yelling at her, dragging her back away from the well was because he wanted her to stay..with him, and the only way to convince her to stay was because..."I need you to help me finish this jewel.." He looked back down at the jewel, its faint shimmer casting a light spectrum off the gold at which it hung around. "When I found out she was going to be leaving for twice as long as she usually did..I couldn't..I couldn't stand not seeing her for that long..I yelled at her..I used the jewel's sake..but I needed her to stay with me...I needed her by my side.." Images of those three days ago flashed over and over again in Inu Yasha's mind as he buried his face back into his hands, fighting back the tears that had begun to sting his eyes.

"Kagome...gomen...gomen.." Inu Yasha's shoulders began to shake as his salty tears slowly slid down his cheeks and against those soft pink lips. All his built up anger and sadness had begun to take their toll on him as he slowly stood up, wanting to break anything, something to take the tension away. He looked around quickly, finding an old crate in the corner. He walked over to it and with one quick movement, his fist was through the crate's side, shattering it into tiny pieces. He looked down at his folded fist and sighed deeply. The tears continued to fall as he tried to shake the feeling off, but it was of no use. He always found a way, in his most stubborn and idiotic manner, to mess things up between him and Kagome, and now this was the worst of it all. "We need you..I..I need you Kagome-chan..." he softly whispered as he turned and looked out the window of the mini shrine towards where her bedroom window lay. He could still hear the faint laughs and giggles of her and her friends as he climbed up onto the lip of the well and jumped back into the welcoming darkness.

As he pulled himself out of the well, he was suddenly greeted by a so unwelcoming grin and furry face. He sighed deeply, shoving Shippo out of his way as he started walking back towards the village. Shippo fell off the lip of the well and quickly hurried after Inu Yasha, growling and jumping up and down, mad.

"Baka! What was that for?! Where's Kagome?? What did you do with her?! WAAHH! Inu Yasha! If anything happened to her I'm going to knawl your head off!"

Suddenly Shippo had transformed himself into his huge pink bubble monster and began to knawl on Inu Yasha's head. Inu Yasha stopped in mid stance and with one quick swipe, Shippo flew around the forest like a popped balloon until finally coming to rest on Inu Yasha's shoulder.

"Shippo, leave me the fuck alone!"

"Not until you tell me where Kagome is! She's been gone for close to a week! Where is she?!"

"She's not here." He continued his walk with Shippo right behind him.

"Well no shit she's not here! What did you do to her?! Inu Yasha? Inu Yasha! Tell me!!"

Suddenly he stopped again and he turned around slowly, giving the little fox one of those "I'm going to rip your head off looks," and with the most sly grin he licked his fangs and whispered,

"I ate her." And upon that, continued his walk back to the village. Shippo had stopped in mid track, his jaw agape and his eyes as big as saucers.

"You...you....you did what?!?! WAAAAHHHHH!!! Inu Yasha!!!!" Shippo suddenly broke off into a heated run right after the Hanyou, yelling and screaming curses as he jumped onto his back, bonking him on the head over and over again as they both headed across the bridge over the stream and into the village.

"You stupid fox! I was kidding!"

"That's not funny!"

"I found it hilarious!!"

"I hate you Inu Yasha!!"

"The feeling is mutual kid."

Inu Yasha watched the the fire crackled against the timbers in the fire. He sat in his usual stance, arms folded over his chest and his face stern yet with a focused look. He watched the flames dance back and forth like a sensual mating ritual and he sighed gently. He glanced slightly over to the corner of the hut where the fox demon was curled up against Sango while Miroku was in the other corner, sleeping with his back up against the wall. He turned back to the fire and looked up slowly to the old woman before him, as she poked through the logs to continue the fire blazing. She carefully set her stick down and cleared her throat, looking up towards the demon with a gentle expression. Inu Yasha turned his gaze away slowly..he couldn't bare to feel pity from others..let alone a look of concern or care..not after what he had done.

"Inu Yasha..where is Kagome..?" Kaede spoke quietly as to not wake the others. This was a personal conversation, the only her and Inu Yasha had ever had between themselves. She could sense the frustration and guilt that lay on his soul and was etched across his face. Now, was the time, to hear the truth from his own mouth, and not his face.

"Feh. Baba. She went home for another one of her "test" things."

"Inu Yasha..it's almost the end of the week..she never takes this long and you know it."

"How should I know?! I don't even know what the hell a test is! Now you expect me to know how long it takes her."

"If she is taking one of her tests then..why do you have the Shikon no Tama?"

Inu Yasha blinked and looked down, realizing that he still held the necklace around his neck, and even with her faint eyesight, she could detect the orb's glow from behind his kimono. His act of trying to hide the truth was beginning to wear thin. She may have been old but she wasn't stupid, and even after all these years of hiding his pain behind sarcasm, this of all times was something that could not be hidden. He sighed softly, looking slowly back up to Kaede with a hurt yet stern look upon his face.

"What I say old hag stays between you and I..do you understand?" he whispered. The old woman gave a soft nod as he cleared his throat and began softly. "Kagome was going to go back home for another test..I..I got angry at her for leaving so soon after her last trip back home and I told her..not to come back if she decided to leave. I was angry and didn't mean it..but she believed me and left..she gave..well..threw the jewel at me before she disappeared into the well.."

Kaede slowly nodded as she to whispered. "So that is where you disappeared off to this afternoon..?" Inu Yasha slowly nodded.

"I went back to apologize but..she..seemed much happier back in her time so..I left." he said.

"So you decided that there was no point in you apologizing to her if it meant she might have to come back to your time and become unhappy again..is that it?" He nodded. Kaede gave a soft smile as she picked her stick back up and began to poke at the dying fire. Inu Yasha's eyes returned to the dancing flames..and as he watched them..their dance reminded him of the way her hair would swirl in the wind..like a black curtain floating in the gentle summer breeze. He could feel his heart begin to ache once more.

"Oh Inu Yasha..so blind to the truth.."

"Nani? What is that supposed to mean old hag?"

"Do you honestly believe that she is happier back in her time rather than here with you?"

"She was laughing and told her friends that I was already forgotten in her mind.."

"And you believed her..?"

"Well..I.."

"Exactly Inu Yasha. Both you and her both think the same way. Kagome believed you when you told her that you never wanted her to come back. And now, you believed her when she said you were but a faint memory. Now, you tell me something. If you didn't mean what you said, what makes you certain that what she said was the truth?"

Inu Yasha stopped in mid thought as her words crept into his mind. Could it have been true? Or was she too trying to hide her feelings behind false emotions like himself? All of those times in the past when she would yell at him or tell him she were fine..were those times as well? They did think the same way..they were always hiding their true feelings from one another through lies..and both of them believed the other..and neither one could ever truly admit themselves because they believed...

"Tomorrow Inu Yasha...go to her..and this time..no more lies..."

"Hai...Hai..."

It was Friday afternoon, and Kagome was running back and forth within her room in a panic. The school had let the juniors out early to prepare for the Prom that evening, and Kagome had realized that she wasn't fully prepared for anything.

"Ah! I need shoes! How could I have been so stupid to forget shoes?! I don't have any shoes to match!" She quickly ran over to her closet and threw the doors open, dropping to her knees and quickly shoveling through pair after pair of shoes, trying to find one that could go with Amber. Her mother quietly opened the door to bring in her freshly pressed dress, barely dodging a thick soled black pair of pumps that came straight at her head.

"Kagome! Do be careful where you throw your things!" Her mother exclaimed, recovering from the near shoe-death experience. Kagome pulled her emerged self from the closet and quickly stood up before her mother, bowing in apology.

"Gomen Kaa-San..I..I was just trying to find a pair of shoes to wear to match my dress and I realized that I do not have any." Her mother smiled and gently patted her shoulder as carefully laid the dress out onto her bed.

"Not to worry..I believe I have an old pair of my shoes that would go perfectly with your dress. I haven't worn them in ages and I'm pretty sure they would fit your feet nicely." Kagome's eyes widened in surprise as a large grin appeared on her face.

"Really?! Oh wow! Arigatou!" Her mother nodded with a smile and left the room, returning in a few moments with a pair of golden colored high 3 inch heeled open toed pumps with diamond shaped rhine stones along the open toes. Kagome's hand slowly went to her mouth as she gasped in amazement. They were almost like the glass slippers out of the Cinderella story. Her mother smiled gently as she placed them into her daughter's hand, gently patting them.

"I wore these at my Junior Prom..ironic isn't it? I hope that they bring you as much luck as they did for me.." Her mother spoke gently.

"Ne..? Luck..? What do you mean mother..?"

"It was at my Junior Prom that I met your father..he was so handsome in that three piece suit..he came over to me and said, 'I couldn't help but notice the sparkle of those shoes you are wearing..and I thought to myself..if those shoes sparkle..then it must not be because of those rhine stones..but that sparkling diamond that is wearing them..'"

Her mother quietly choked back a sob of happiness as a tear rolled down her cheek. Kagome frowned slightly and gently hugged her mother for support. Her mother smiled and returned the hug and then looking down at her daughter, she brushed her hair back from her forehead and kissed it gently.

"Ever since that moment your father and I were together..those shoes were my good luck charms..I hope that they bring you as much luck tonight as they did for me.." Kagome slowly nodded with a weak smile as her mother turned and went out the door, shutting it quietly behind her. Kagome turned towards where her dress laid ontop of her bed, and as she placed the pair of shoes besides the dress, she slowly walked over to her window and leaned her elbows upon the sill, cupping her chin in her palms. She enjoyed the feeling of that cool breeze upon her face, and as she looked down towards where the mini shrine lay, the realization had returned. One of the most important nights that she would ever remember was about to happen tonight..and the only person that she wanted to share this special night with..wasn't there. She closed her eyes and began to whisper to herself, her hopes and prayers to anyone who would listen..

"For this special night..I wish..I wish that I could see Inu Yasha one last time..even if it was just an outline..a faint image..a picture..anything..to see his face..and to tell him..," her eyes then fluttered open slowly as she gazed up towards the sky and sighed softly, "that I love him.."

It was almost nightfall when Inu Yasha finally got back from a wild goose chase when a mention of a Shikon Shard was rumored. He muttered all the way back to the village, cursing himself for getting off tract of going to go see Kagome. He was tense and frustrated. "I'm doing it for her..I have to finish the jewel too.." he whispered to himself. He headed to the well when something suddenly pounced him.

Inu Yasha struggled to walk with the semi large furball attached to his leg, that look of annoyance plastered all over his face.

"Iie Shippo! You can't come with me!"

"Nani?! Why Inu Yasha?! I want to see Kagome!!"

"Baka! You'll see her soon enough!"

"Oh..I see...you are her are going to get freaky, aren't you?!"

"NANI?!?!"

"You don't want me around because I'll cramp your style and you won't be able to make your moves on Ka-!"

"Waahh...my head..."

Inu Yash snorted in disgust as he looked down at the bumpy head of the fallen Kitsune, rolling his sleeves up and shaking his fist at him.

"I swear..if you ever say anything like that again I'll..!"

Suddenly there came a light chuckle from what seemed to be the canopy of the trees. Both Inu Yasha and Shippo stopped in mid glare, looking around quickly for the voice. Suddenly, Inu Yasha's nose caught a familiar scent and a deep growl from heard from his chest.

"Sessho-Maru..." he whispered. Shippo's eyes widened in fear as he quickly jumped up and hid behind Inu Yasha's legs.

The light chuckle was heard once again when all of the sudden, Sessho-Maru's image blurred right before them, his one good hand clapping against what seemed to be a new Orge arm, freshly killed because it had not begun to rot yet. Sessho-Maru's usual sly grin was plastered over that beautifully groomed face of his as he towered over the Hanyou, looking down.

"Well..well dear brother..how nice to see that as soon as you stop badgering your wench..you take up beating on a defenseless kitsune kit..bravo." he said with sarcasm. Inu Yasha growled and went to take a swing at him, but as usual, he was not fast enough.

"Temper, temper little half-breed..you know what can happen if you push me to far.."

"Shutup! I don't need you coming around here and starting something! Just go back to the rock you crawled out from under!" Inu Yasha took another swing at him with his claws, but they too missed. Inu Yasha growled as Sessho-Maru just laughed at him. It was bad enough that he was making him look like a fool..but no one called Kagome a wench other than him.

"Oh ho dear brother..no..I was just out on a nice evening stroll when I looked up in the sky and remembered something..." Sessho-Maru mused.

"What garbage are you sputering now?" Inu Yasha growled, ready to attack. Sessho-Maru only smiled and waved his hand towards Inu Yasha is a mock gesture.

"Why don't you look at yourself and you tell me..." Inu Yasha blinked in confusion when his eye slight slowly began to blur. He looked down towards his hands and saw that his nails had begun to retract and his long mane of white hair was now streaked with black. He paniced as he looked up to Sessho-Maru, who was laughing.

"That is what you half-breeds deserve!" Inu Yasha growled as his knees began to shake below him. Not now..of all times..why did tonight have to be the New Moon?! Shippo tried to help Inu Yasha but he only pushed him aside, motioning him to run. Shippo didn't think twice as he broke into a run towards the village. Sessho-Maru only watched as he descended back to his tree branch, chuckling. Inu Yasha struggled to run towards the well, he had to get there before his strength gave out. He had to get to Kagome...

Chapter 3: Final Chapter