If You Love Me and Leave Me by Blue_Rose

Chapter One

She stared into the small clearing and felt her heart twist. She had been going after InuYasha after an argument only to come upon him in an embrace with Kikyou. He didn't even notice she was there. Tears stung at her eyes and she swiped at them. She should know better, she should have expected this. But the tears kept coming and the feeling of betrayal was still there no matter how hard she tried to reason with it. She sobbed and broke away. trying to run from her feelings.

If you love me and leave me,

Then leave me alone.

Her clothes tore on branches and she was scratched by the thorns. She tripped and fell at the feet of the tree where she had first seen him. It had always given her a sense of peace, but not this time. It's serenity had run out. She got up and started walking towards the well, her portal to safety.

I'll go away

To mend on my own.

Golden eyes gazed at her from the shadows. Eyes that had watched her for a long time. His heart felt torn and he wanted to go to her, comfort her. His indecision was solved when InuYasha suddenly broke out of the foliage. Sesshoumaru stayed where he was. Kagome turned and looked at the boy she had loved. "Why?" she asked him softly.

But you loved me and left me

So I'll say goodbye.

The shards of my heart

Just can't tell a lie.

He looked at her and couldn't answer. She started walking towards he well.

"Kagome! Wait!" he called after her. She stopped and sighed.

"I will stay" she said, "for no more reason than that I feel duty bound to finish the jewel."

"Kagome..." he whispered but she ignored him. The silent watcher in the trees softly withdrew and followed the retreating girl. She walked on until she reached the small stream. She looked up at the stars and it was only then that she let herself cry.

Someday I'll find someone,

Dropped out of dreams

He'll hold my heart

In all that it seems.

He walked toward her slowly, allowing her time to sense him. She did not stiffen in fright as he had expected. Instead she smiled faintly and held out her hand. He clasped it and pulled her into an embrace as she sobbed into his chest. She calmed slowly as he whispered endearments into her hair. She looked up into his eyes and he gently tilted her chin up and brought his lips to hers.

Love me and leave me,

Is yours to decide.

But I'll find someone

Who'll hold on for the ride.

She broke away slowly and laid a hand on his face. "One last goodbye" she whispered. he nodded and she slowly headed back to the camp. She did not tell her friends what had happened but as night darkened she looked sadly at them as they slept, trusting her to watch out for them. She looked across at InuYasha and saw the understanding in his eyes so similar to his brother's.

"Goodbye Kagome," he said softly, "I'm sorry."

When you loved me and left me

I found a friend.

I found somebody

Who'd stay till the end.

She smiled slightly as she walked away of the people she held dear and into the arms of the man who loved her as much as she loved him.

Love me or leave me

But let me go free.

Into the arms of he who loves me.