Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha...runs for her life. ahhhh.

To Save Another

Kagome walked through the forest with bow and arrows in hand. She was truly surprised that she was not upset or heartbroken like she thought she would be. No, instead she had a new found respect for those she called friends. "Right now all I need to worry about is finding Shippou." Kagome said as she realized the was talking out loud to her self.

Bushes just to the left of her started to move as she finished her thought. As the rustled, she smiled, the presence was way to familiar for her worry about whether or not she was in danger. She had memorized that youkai when she adopted him. "Come on out who ever you are. I've got a weapon and I am not afraid to use it." Kagome said while secretly laughing to herself. 'This is going to be fun.' she thought.

Just then a pink dragon about 8 feet tall appeared from out of the bushes along with some blue smoke. "Bah! You will give me that jewel around your neck and in return I shall spare your life!". The dragon was trying to look menacing but there was one flaw to the act... He had a green bow on his head.

Kagome giggled at her kits fox magic, or trick. "Shippou you forgot to hide your bow."

Shippou turned back into his kitsune youkai form seeing that he had be bested at the game. "Momma is that the only reason you knew it was me?"

Kagome thought for a moment about lying to spare his feelings but decided it would only hinder him in the future. "No Shippou, hun you forgot to cover your youkai. But you did startle me."

Shippou fell to the ground laughing. This caused Kagome to raise an eyebrow and sweat drop.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing oka-San. Just that I love your attempts to make me feel better. Nothing more."

"Oh" was all she said.

"Oka-San? Can I travel with you? I know I need to start fending for..."

"Shippou no. Not this time hun. I need to do this on my own. I need to find what is missing, and I can not do that if I am worried about your safety."

"But mom..."

Kagome looked at her son and memories started to come back to her

Flash back

It was her first time meeting him. Inuyasha stood next to her and Myioga (the flea) was perched on his shoulder. Shippou had used his fox magic to steal Kagome's jewel shards. She was only 15 at the time and had only been traveling back and forth from her era to the feudal era for about a month...or was it a few weeks? She could not remember. Inuyasha caught up the little fox kit running away inside the skull and commenced pounding the little kit's head with his fist.

Flash back

Kagome and Inuyasha, just moments after meeting Shippou, were arguing over who got to hold the jewel shards.

"HEY I'M TALKING HERE" Shippou yelled. He had been trying to tell his story on why he needed the jewel shards. His father had been killed by two demons notoriously known as 'The Thunder Brothers'. He was now seeking revenge, but he needed the jewel shards to do it because he was not strong enough alone.

Flash back

Kagome had just climbed out of the well when she heard a familiar voice sounding like it was going to cry.

"Kagome? Ka..go..me...!" Shippou leaped up into her arms and started telling her how mean Inuyasha had been to him and how Inuyasha had moped around since she had left. She laughed at her sons antics.

Flash back

Kagome had just climbed out of the well when she heard her son's all to familiar voice sounding out her name.

"KAGOME! I thought... 'sniffles'.

Shippou had leaped up into her arms and she held him tight. Her and Inuyasha had been in another big fight. (What else is new?)

"I thought you were never coming back."

"Why would I do such a thing like that? Besides who will protect you from Inuyasha's persistent beatings?"

End flashbacks

"KAGOME!" Shippou yelled from the top of his lunges trying to get his mothers attention. He know she had taking a walk down memoire lane. She was most likely remembering the past when he had been small enough to leap into her arms and stay there.

"I'm sorry what did you say?"

"Oka-San... I'm sorry."

"For what? You have done nothing wrong."

"Because I am not little any more."

"That is not your fault Shippou, so do not apologize for it. Okay? That is just life. Now run back to the village and tell Miroku and Sango that I will meet them by the well."

"But oka-San!"

"No but's! Just go."

Kagome looked her son over to estimate just how much he had grown. Shippou now stood about 4' tall and had to settle for hugging her waist or leg. She bent down and lightly kissed him on the nose then shooed him back to the village while she gathered her stuff to head back. Just before Kagome was out of ear shot she heard him whisper that he loved her. A single tear ran down her cheek.

Kagome now stood at the well with the rest of the gang, which now included Kikyo. She was sad now. She knew that she had to leave them. There was some one out there who needed her more, she just did not know who yet. But for some reason she could not bring herself to tell them about it. So she lied.

"Look every one. I feel empty and lost. Kind of the was Kikyo did when... any ways it is like that but different. I need some time alone and since the well only has enough magic for one more trip home, I am going to travel around feudal era and rediscover myself."

Kikyo looked sad, she knew that some of this was her fault. She had no idea that this would happen when Kagome made the wish on the Shikon No Tama. But nothing could be done now, and to top it off, even if something could be done, Kagome would not have it any other way.

"Kagome, can I talk to you for a second? Alone please?" Inuyasha asked.

"Um...sure...I guess."

They walked away from the group until they thought they were out of ear shot.

"Kagome I can smell your lie. Well half lie. You are only telling half of the truth. Why are you really leaving?"

"You would not believe me if I told you and even if you did believe me, you would probably try to stop me."

"Am I trying to stop you now?"

"No."

"Then tell me please. I need to know."

"There is some one I must save Inuyasha."

"WHAT! WHY? AND WHO?"

"I said there is some one I must save, why? Because that is what I am destined to do, who? I do not know yet but I do have and idea. And before you ask, no I am not telling you who I have in mind."

"Dammit Kagome, I can't help you if you don't let me!"

"I know Inuyasha. To be honest, you couldn't help me even if I did let you. I have to do this on my own."

"But how do you know that this is your destiny?"

"Remember after I made the wish on the shikon no tama?"

"Yeah how could I forget, you gave us all a scare Kagome."

Kagome was confused by that statement that Inuyasha had just made but decided to shrug it off and continue to tell him.

"Medoriko had come to me after I made the wish and said that Kikyo's soul was fused with mine so that I could save her. She was never meant to be tainted or be in hell Inuyasha. So they (the Kami's) chose me to save her. She is saved, and she has a second chance at life. Now I must save another."

Inuyasha just looked at her. They starred at each other for the longest time before he hung his head in defeat.

"All right just make sure you take care of yourself okay Kagome?"

"I will. I promise."

They hugged and walked back to the group. Kagome said the rest of her good-byes and then gave one final hug to her son.

"You behave and take care of Inuyasha and Miroku ok hun?"

"Yes Oka-San. Come home soon please."

"I will try."

With final good-byes, Kagome picked up her bag and weapons and headed west.