A/N: I am doing a little re-write of this story, mostly to fix grammar, but also to better reflect my current (and in my opinion much improved) writing style. Since I began this story over nine years ago I have grown a lot as a writer. If you have already read the existing chapters of this story the plot line will remain virtually unchanged though there may be some minor differences. New material will begin at chapter 10.

The character development during my story will ultimately lead to some OOCness as has been mentioned to me in past reviews, but I think given the situations I create for the characters these changes are relatively natural and understandable.

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

Chapter One: The Confrontation

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The two priestesses stood, eyes and arrows locked on one another; bodies taut and minds alert.

The more reserved one was the first to break the silence, her gaze sharpening as she assessed the brazen young woman across from her. "You dare to challenge me, foolish girl?"

The other priestess was dressed in strange and rather inappropriate attire for the time-period and especially for a miko. Her thoughts ran wild even as her expression remained unchanged. 'Sure you may be better than me, but I cannot allow you to cause Inuyasha pain any longer!'

"That's right!" Kagome finally retorted, stretching her bow a little tighter and affirming her stance.

"Fine, your death wish has been acknowledged," Kikyo replied her voice as cold as Kagome's was emotional. With almost an expressionless face she continued baiting the girl. "Do you honestly think you can win against me?"

A vulnerable look appeared briefly on Kagome's face. "Honestly, I don't know." She shook off her uncertainty. "But I've got to try!"

The older priestess stared at her mockingly. "Why, because you love him?" She emphasized the word, her aim to show Kagome how inconsequential that was in this moment. "You fool. Your death will not help you find a place in his heart, except in the same place I reside; the part that regrets not being able to save the one he cares about." She watched as her words brought a look of shock and compassion in the eyes of her reincarnation, before the girl's eyes returned to her previous look of determination.

"Do not underestimate me!" Kagome yelled, a hint of a tear lurking in her eye. As much as she hated to admit it, Kikyo's words had gotten to her.

Kikyo could sense she was close to getting through to her, so she pressed on hitting as many insecurities as she could. "Oh, it's true you possess great powers. I would know seeing as how they are mine, but do not fool yourself. You do not have nearly as much training and discipline as I do." She allowed a small smirk to grace her features, knowing it would serve to further infuriate the girl.

The oddly dressed miko was about to respond when she heard a familiar voice call out in the distance. "KA-GO-ME!"

"Inuyasha," she whimpered. And with that utterance, her stance faltered.

A red blur could be seen streaking through the forest at inhuman speeds, that is if anyone were around to witness it. The hanyou paused long enough to sniff the air, revealing his long silver hair and the two furry dog ears sitting on top of his head. Upon finding the scent he was looking for and another he was not expecting, he sped off even faster.

The half-demon let loose another yell. "KA-GO-ME!"

Inuyasha had picked up on her scent and it was getting stronger. He had picked up another scent as well though; one that troubled him slightly. "…and Kikyo," he whispered, the words barely audible. He leapt through the forest at a breakneck pace concerned as to what he would find once he reached his destination.

"If you truly intend to do this, Kagome, you'd best attack now. If Inuyasha arrives we won't get the chance to finish this."

Kagome swallowed hard. Did she really intend to do this? She was definitely starting to have second thoughts. What was she even doing out here in the middle of the forrest like this? It all seemed so crazy to her now. Then somewhere deep inside, a darker place within herself, other thoughts rose up on their own accord. Kikyo was the main thing keeping her from Inuyasha. She gasped as the horrible thought entered her mind and her determination wavered even further. Was that really what this was about? Her insecurities went into overdrive, fueled by the hard truths Kikyo had spoken to her just before. Kikyo might not even be what's truly keeping her and Inuyasha apart. Maybe he just didn't feel that way about her. She shook her head clear of such thoughts. While her love for Inuyasha was the reason she was here, it was not so she could get Kikyo out of the way. Or at least she didn't think it was. Honestly she was beginning to wonder why she thought this was a good idea at all.

The battle of her inner thoughts waged on. What if this made him hate her? After all, he loved Kikyo once, and obviously still had feelings for her. Even though Kagome would be setting them free—Kikyo's soul to where it belonged and Inuyasha to be able to love again—it was not her place to do so. Clarity finally reached the girl's thoughts and her bow lowered slightly. She couldn't understand what had gotten into her. She would never do something as cruel and stupid as killing Kikyo, no matter the reason.

Kikyo interrupted her thoughts. "I see you are faltering with your decision. Perhaps—". Just then Inuyasha burst into the clearing, stopping to stare at the two women. Kagome crumpled to the ground, looking distressed. Her bow was laying on the ground, but still gripped loosely in her hand; her arrow landed a few inches away. Upon seeing this, Kikyo lowered her own bow and returned the arrow to her quiver. It seemed her reincarnation had finally returned to her senses.

Inuyasha's glance switched frantically between the two women, trying to figure out exactly what he'd just walked in on. "Kikyo? Kagome? What's going on?!"

Kagome couldn't help but feel her heart sink. As always, Kikyo came first.

"You're late as usual, Inuyasha," Kikyo said cooly, shifting her gaze to him. Her usual indifference infuriated him this time and he growled slightly. "I'm not gonna say it again, what the hell is going on here?!"

"Inuyasha, I um…" Kagome began very quietly, avoiding his stare.

"What is it Kagome?" he asked softly. "Did you try to hurt her again?" he barked at Kikyo, his eyes flashing with rage. Kikyo had tried it before, but he thought that was behind them. How had Kagome gotten out here anyway?

Kikyo gave a strange smirk, one he'd only seen her wear a few times. It made him nervous. "How quickly you jump to conclusions, Inuyasha. Perhaps you should ask your helpless little Kagome why she sought me out."

"Ka- Kagome?" Inuyasha questioned, a confused look on his face.

"I'm sorry I left without telling you." She was stalling, searching for how to say it and still unable to look the half-demon in the eyes. 'There is no way to tell him; he's going to hate me for sure,' she thought as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Forget it," he said. "Now tell me why you came looking for Kikyo." His voice was stern, leaving no room for argument.

"Please don't hate me!" she wailed, bowing her head as the tears began to flow. "I don't know what I was thinking. I would never do what I came here to do, not in a million years!" If it was possible she sank even further into the earth, trying to hide from her shame.

Inuyasha's expression grew more worried, unsure what to make of what she was saying. "What exactly did you come here to do?"

Kagome looked up with sad eyes and a pleading smile. "Do you have to make me say it?" Her smile faded and a lone tear rolled down her cheek. "Can't you tell by what you saw when you got here?"

Kikyo slowly began to walk away, having seen enough of their interaction. She had barely left the clearing when a distraught Inuyasha caught up with her. She sighed. "What do you want with me?"

Inuyasha grabbed her arm, preventing her from walking any further away. "I want to know what Kagome did and…say I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions."

"Do not punish the girl for the actions of her heart. She only got as far as pointing her arrow at me. We exchanged a few words before her inner conflict intervened. Before you arrived she had already returned to the sweet innocent Kagome you know…" After a calculated pause she added in a hushed voice, "…and love."

Inuyasha stood mouth agape in shock. "K-K-Kikyo?"

"You look surprised," she said with a faint smile. "Is it really that unnerving for me to show compassion?" Before he could answer she continued. "The heart makes one do strange things, Inuyasha, like going against one's natural behavior or staying somewhere one doesn't belong." Inuyasha's eyes softened slightly. "Do not look like that. I am not referring to you. While my hatred for your assumed betrayal is what initially bound me to this world after my resurrection, my heart now longs to help people, especially children, as I once did when I was truly alive. My reincarnation is no different."

Inuyasha looked at her, confused. "What do ya mean by that?"

"Fool, she practically lives here in our time, but we both know she doesn't really belong. I think she knows it too. People can sense when they are out of place. One day when my heart accepts that I shall return to hell…Do you still intend to come with me Inuyasha?"

A/N: I often struggle with how I feel about Kikyo's character; sometimes I feel like I totally hate her and other times I understand exactly why she is the way she is. I tried to convey those same feelings here. She still has compassion in a lot of ways, but she also can't help the bitterness that comes through because of the way her past life was stolen from her.