Kagome curled herself into a tight little ball on her bed, letting the tears flow freely from her eyes. It was always going to end this way. The moment Kikyo was resurrected, Inuyasha had been lost to her forever. She understood that, and still, it hurt so very much to actually see it in front of her. He would never have enough room in his heart for them both. Kagome glanced at the jewel shards sitting on her desk. She would have to bring them back - maybe say goodbye to her friends. She belonged on this side of the well, and Inuyasha had Kikyo for all his shard detecting needs. It was better this way.

It was a little past sunset - maybe if she did it now, she could sneak through the well without anyone knowing she'd been there. She could slip the shards to Kaede and ask that they be given to Kikyo for safekeeping. She hoped that Kikyo had abandoned her plans to give the shards to Naraku…

Kagome sat up in her bed, and let out a shuddering sigh. Yes, going back tonight was the right call. It would limit the pain. It would be her way of giving Inuyasha the freedom to return to Kikyo, like he wanted to. She could head back through the well again months down the line when she was sure Inuyasha was gone to say her goodbyes to the rest of her friends. Cowardly? Perhaps. But at this moment, Kagome did not have room in her heart for the pain of watching Inuyasha walk away. She needed to make a clean break, and would return once her wounds had had a chance to heal.

With her newfound resolve, Kagome dressed and grabbed the shards. The trip to the other side could be fast. She thought about writing a note to each of her friends, but decided against it. Her returning the shards would signal a finality that they would understand. She was always a weight around their necks as it was. Kikyo was a much stronger fighter. Her leaving meant that Inuyasha would only have one person he needed to protect.

It is better this way. Why did the words feel so hollow and heavy on her heart? She knew it was better this way, better that she not return and give everyone more headaches and heartache than necessary. She knew how much she would miss them - Kaede's wisdom, Miroku's wit, Sango's determination, Shippo's joy, Kirara's spirit and Inuyasha. Inuyasha. She would miss getting to see him grow, see him open up to people, see him fight for others. But this was the way it had to be.

As Kagome climbed through the well, she sighed. She half expected Inuyasha to be there. But why would he be? He had chosen Kikyo.

Kagome walked on leaden feet to Kaede's hut, making sure to keep herself hidden. She didn't think she had the emotional capacity to talk to anyone but Kaede right now. Not when she knew what she had to do. She was relieved to find that there was still soft light coming from Kaede's hut. She peeked inside, and was further relieved to see that the old woman was alone.

"Kaede?" Kagome entered quietly.

"Kagome, what brings you here tonight child?" Kaede studied Kagome carefully, her voice giving away that she suspected Kagome's intent.

"I brought over the Shikon shards that were on my side of the well," Kagome handed them to Kaede, "Please just make sure that they are given to Kik… the right person."

"I take this to mean you do not intend to return?" Kaede asked, not quite able to mask the sadness in her voice.

"I'm just a burden on everyone at this point," Kagome replied, not wanting to divulge further, "The Shikon shards would be much safer in more… capable hands."

"I am sad to have to say goodbye, but I do not begrudge you your choice child," Kaede spoke the words carefully, "Please be safe. And if you can, I know that we would all love to see you again. When the time is right."

"Thank you Kaede," Kagome bowed, mostly to hide the tears that were coming into her eyes.

Kagome left Kaede's hut and sprinted back to the well. She felt her throat tighten almost to the point she could not breathe, but she did not stop running. Only a few hundred more meters to go, and then she would be able to fall apart. As the well came into view, Kagome collapsed in tears. She knew she made the right choice, knew that if she'd stayed her broken heart would have consumed her completely. Yet, something inside of her pulled at her, told her that going back through the well would be a grievous mistake. That Inuyasha needed her. But that of course was not true. He had Kikyo. He did not need Kagome. Kagome was a useful Plan B - able to detect shards, but without the masterful skill and finesse of Kikyo. Everyone was better off without her carrying out the quest when Kikyo was able to. And yet, her soul kept trying to pull her away from the well, back into the village. Back to Inuyasha. Back to her friends.

She shook her head. No, she needed to go home. She did not belong in this time. Kikyo had returned, this was Kikyo's time, and it was Kikyo's fight, and Inuyasha's heart was Kikyo's. Kagome was just an inexperienced girl out of her place and out of her time.

So she jumped into the well and returned to her family's shrine. She managed to stumble back into her bedroom, and was careful to pull the blankets over her head before she cried herself to sleep.

When Kagome awoke in the morning, everything felt off, wrong. Her eyes were blurry, but she felt some sort of presence in the room with her. Inuyasha?! No. It was different. As it took form, Kagome recognized the long flowing black hair, the porcelain skin, the sad eyes and the miko outfit. Kikyo.

"Wha- what are you doing here?" Kagome looked at the form of the miko in her bedroom.

"Kagome, something has gone terribly wrong. You sense it too." Kikyo answered.

"Kagome?" Kagome's door opened, to reveal her mother. Mama Higurashi did not seem to notice Kikyo at all, then proceeded to walk right through her, "I heard you crying last night, is everything okay?"

"I… don't know Mama," Kagome tried to hide the shock on her face as she looked at the two women, now superposed atop one another, "Um, is there anyone here?"

"Not today, only family, did you expect someone dear?" Mama Higurashi simply shrugged, causing Kagome even further confusion.

"N-No… I suppose not. Maybe Inuyasha." Kagome said the words, looking at Kikyo's impassive face as she said it.

"I warned you not to bring him over here anymore, you know it is not safe," Mama Higurashi said severely, "You promised Kagome. I don't want him to get mixed up in… the trade."

What was she talking about? Kagome shuddered. That sense of wrongness washed over her again.

"Don't worry Mama, I don't think Inuyasha will ever come back," as Kagome said it, it felt completely true, "I need some time to myself today to… study. I'll probably just grab a snack for breakfast if that's okay."

"Okay dear. I love you," Mama Higurashi planted a kiss on Kagome's forehead and left her room.

"What is going on?" Kagome rounded on Kikyo, "Am I the only person who can see you?"

"Yes." Kikyo replied, "I'm the part of your soul that resided in the resurrected Kikyo until she died. I have returned to you."

This didn't happen… the first time. Why is it different this time? Kagome thought, only to be surprised to find Kikyo nodding. Apparently Kikyo could hear her thoughts.

"I don't know. But Kagome, something was done that I believe you need to rectify," Kikyo answered, "And I am here to help you."