Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Inuyasha or any of its characters.

IMPORTANT AUTHOR NOTES PLEASE READ:

*For those of you who do not know…the reason it took me so long to update was because a few weeks ago I burnt my arm starting from my wrist almost down to my elbow. It's a second degree and hurts like hell even after it healed a lot. So my apology for taking so long but it was hard to type with a burn on the bottom part of my arm.

***This chapter probably has a long more grammar/spelling mistakes than usual due to the unique way I had to type to keep my arm off the desk. But I did try to catch them as I reread through the chapter.

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From Friendship to Love

Chapter Seventeen: Goodbye

Kagome walked slowly across her dark room towards her desk. No words could describe how much her life sucked. She felt like a drone: no emotion, no spirit, just doing what her life required of her and then she would sleep. She would have never realized how much she depended on him being a part of her life, if he had not been torn from her. For four years, Inuyasha had been her best friend, her counselor, her strength, her playmate, and her happiness…

She cursed herself as the sting of tears pricked painfully at her eyes. She needed to stop thinking about him. Everything is over. No more talking until the wee hours of the morning, no more arguments and pranks, no more smiles…or hugs…kisses…no more 'I love you's. Kagome gripped the sheet of paper in her hand, crinkling the edge.

'It's over! Get over it! You have a plan, now stick with it!' her mind screamed aimlessly in her head.

Yes her plan.

She gently placed the acceptance letter on top of the scatter of schoolbooks on her desk. Without turning the lights on she reached past the lamp and pushed the button to her stereo. As a gently melody began to spill into her bedroom, Kagome allowed her eyelids to fall closed.

It was Saturday; graduation was a mere four days away. Kagome trekked towards her bed, and stretched her long body across the soft comforter. Since Inuyasha and her last spoke, she found herself in what had to be hell. On top of losing the most important person in her life, for the first couple of days afterward she had the unbearable stress about the possibility of being with child. She had thanked her lucky stars that her monthly cycle came when it did because if it had not Kagome concluded that she would have suffered a mental breakdown.

How would she have told him? What would she have done? But the worse question of all was…how would she have handled raising a child conceived from her and Inuyasha's love? Having that constant reminder of 'what things might have been.' Watching the child grow up without its father, and seeing Inuyasha in everything he or she did.

She softly chuckled to herself; their child probably would have been more like him than her. Strong-willed, a loner some times but extremely loud at other times, arrogant, cocky, loyal, kind, loving…amazing. She wanted to have his child but only under the condition that he could be with her and the baby, but that was impossible. No. She was not ready to have a baby; she was too young and had so much still ahead of her, which was why it was relief not be with child. It hurt too much without him, and the pain and heartache would only intensify with a child.

Kagome knew her life from this point on had to be Inuyasha-free. The major part of that idea had begun. Neither her nor Inuyasha could bear to look at each other at school or any other times their paths crossed, she avoided him and he did like wise. Rin and Sango knew better than to mention him. But living in the same town or in the neighboring city where he would take over his father business in a matter of years, Kagome knew she was bound to run into him and his wife at one point or another. So to solve the problem, she decided to leave right after graduation.

The thought of Kikyou being his wife, living with him, sleeping in the same bed and doing God knows what else was enough to drive Kagome almost to insanity out of the anger she felt boil inside her. Which was another reason she had to leave.

A few months after her senior year had started she applied to a college in England. She never thought she would get accepted. But alas after winter break she received an acceptance letter, but it came after her and Inuyasha's level of friendship took a drastic change. So she brushed the thought of attending the school aside and concentrated on finding a school so she could be closer to Inuyasha.

Why the hell would she want to be closer to him now? She loved him. Okay that is a plausible answer but it was no longer practical. If she stayed the pain would never subside. It would never go away, she understood that much. Inuyasha would own her heart till the end of eternity but her heart could not move on without him unless she was away from him, then and only then could she begin to glue and tape the pieces of her shattered heart back together.

The past week she had solely concerned herself with making sure the school in England had all the required documents so she could register and sign up for classes in June. After that she had to book a flight, which would depart a few hours after the graduation commencements. Sango, Miroku, and Rin knew she was leaving and had expressed their opinions and advice about her hasty decision but Kagome ignored their protest. Her mind was made up.

Kagome laid stretched across her bed, humming softly the song playing on the radio, when Rin busted in her room, nearly scaring the unsuspecting girl to death. Rin smiled as Kagome sat straight up, her hands clenched at her fast beating heart. Rin was glad that it was at least alive unlike Inuyasha's heart.

"Damn it, Rin! Can't you knock? How the hell did you get into my house, nobody in home but me?" Kagome all but yelled at her intruding friend.

Rin plopped merrily down on Kagome's bed. She was determined for Kagome to have some fun today

"No I can't knock. I let myself in because your front door was unlocked. If I had listened to Sango I would still be downstairs pounding on your front door waiting for you to hear us. And why are you yelling at me? I thought you had forgiven me?"

Sango entered the room as Kagome spoke, "I did. I am not yelling at you because of…I was yelling at you because you scared the shit out of me."

"Sorry, Kagome. It's hard to contain Rin, especially when she's on a mission." Sango said as she sat on the opposite side of Kagome.

"Heaven help us all." Kagome exasperated; lying back down on her bed with a thud.

"C'mon Kagome, its not all that bad. Only a pool party I am having for the senior class." Rin whined.

"Wonderful," Kagome responded sarcastically.

"I told you, Rin. No force on this earth will make her go to something she doesn't want to attend."

"Sango, work with me. Kagome is going to my party." Rin responded leaping from the bed and heading directly towards the dresser.

Kagome groaned, "Do I have too?"

"Yes"

"No"

Rin and Sango responded instantly.

"SANGO?!"

"RIN?!" Sango mimicked her friend.

Rin shook her head and opened drawers until she found Kagome's bathing suits. After picking a suit to her satisfaction, Rin returned to the bed.

"Kagome you can't be sad forever. Besides your leaving in a few days and we need to be spending as much time as we can together while there is still time."

Sango sighed. Rin was desperate, but the guilt trip was a successful tool when it came to Kagome's conscious.

"Fine." Kagome answered in defeat, "Where is it?"

Sango gave Rin amused look, corking an eyebrow in the process. She listened very curious as to how Rin was going to get Kagome to go after she found out where Rin's pool party was being held.

Rin bit her bottom lip and meekly whispering, "Sesshoumaru's house," which equaled to Inuyasha's house.

"HELL NO! Forget it."

Kagome threw her pillow over her head smashing it against her face; Sango chuckled.

"Kagome pleaseeeee," Rin whined again, her lower lip poking out slightly.

Kagome moved the pillow from her face just enough to take look at Rin's pouting mask, "Rin that may work for Sesshoumaru but not me."

"What does it matter if it does or not? You have to come. You can't hide from him forever."

Kagome glared at her friend but she was right, "Fine."

Rin squealed happily as Kagome sat back up taking the bathing suit from Rin's hand. Kagome glanced over at Sango who just shook her head at the hyperactive girl.

"Sango, if I survive this party. Remind me to kill Rin afterwards."

Sango laughed, "Will do."

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Sesshoumaru sat squarely in the large leather chair of his home office and drummed his fingers on his desk. His gold-sharp eyes stared coolly at the screensaver of his expensive laptop.

The woman was infuriating. He had beckoned her to his office three times and she failed to comply on all three accounts. Time was running out. From what Rin had told him, Kagome was leaving in a few days, and Inuyasha had to make his public announcement about the engagement at graduation. What was the use of discovering the location of Naraku's eldest child if she refused to meet with him?

The dark haired, red-eyed female worked at the coffee shop a block from his massive office building. Kagura Blade had been born to Hoshi Blade a month before Naraku's precious Kikyou came into the world. Hoshi had died a few years after her youngest daughter Kanna was born. Naraku had fathered Kanna as well. Kagura worked to support both herself and her sister, under the threat of their father. Naraku kept them close so that he could keep his control over them.

Kagura needed to sign a legal waiver stating that she did not wish to marry Inuyasha and that he may marry whom he chooses. She would also have to undergo a blood test to prove Naraku is her father and that she is his oldest daughter. Sesshoumaru understood she would not just do these things because he told her too. He knew little about Kagura; only the vague information that Naraku held her pinned to a wall and that she possessed no great love for the man that had donated the sperm for her existence. She would have to be convinced and swayed to betray her father, for he held a knife to her throat.

The sound of his office door opening pulled Sesshoumaru from his thoughts.

"Shall I assume she did not meet you?" Sesshoumaru's mother made her way across the dimly light room and sat in one of two chairs across from his desk.

Sesshoumaru merely nodded in response, his gaze moving from his computer to his mother.

Mrs. Tama sat silently for a few moments, portraying a look of deep thought, "She might have some issues with the male population particularly those of great power and wealth. May I ask for you to send a woman instead?"

"Are you suggesting that you speak with her?" Sesshoumaru asked, his voice not revealing the interest he possessed in the question.

"I am," Mrs. Tama answered while her legs crossed and her fingers entwined in her lap, a slight curve apparent on her lips.

"And you think Kagura will respond to you."

"It is my hope."

"Very well, I'll have my limo take you to her apartment later this afternoon," Sesshoumaru confirmed her request as he reached for his cell phone inside his suit jacket.

Mrs. Tama smiled in victory while she rose to her feet, "Thank you."

She walked out of the room allowing the door to gently click shut behind her.

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Inuyasha laid on his bed staring blankly up at his ceiling. Rin's party had started ten minutes ago and he had only managed to change into his swim trunks. The entire senior class was swimming in his pool. He did not want to see any of them. Especially not Kikyou, and if Rin had her way Kagome would be present as well. He missed her like nuts but he did not want to face Kagome either.

He concluded that if the very influential, small, dark-hair girl wanted him at her party then she would come and get him. Until she did, he refused to move from his place of despair and loneliness.

"Maybe she got the clue earlier that I did not want to go and just leave me alone," he hoped.

The pounding of his door and Rin's muffled voice destroyed that dream. It was within moments, Inuyasha had found himself in full-blown argument with his brother's fiancée and then just as quickly complaining up a storm as she dragged him downstairs.

Inuyasha squinted his eyes when he stepped out onto the pool deck. After they had adjusted to the bright light of the sunshine, he scanned the surrounding area. He knew every person in attendance.

Rin let go of her tight hold on his hair not long after they walked outside but Inuyasha grabbed her wrist before she could leave him to mingle. He jerked her to obtain her attention and once he had it, Rin gave him a questioning look.

"I do not care if Sesshoumaru will mutilate me, but I guarantee you will not live to see another minute once these fucking people get off my property," his eyes looked almost dangerous, his voice was low.

After a few seconds of searching his face, Rin gave him a bright smile and a quick kiss on the cheek before twisting out of his grasp and going in search of her friends. Inuyasha reached into his pocket of his trunks and pulled out his darkly tinted sunglasses. He grumbled to himself before weaving between the crowds of people. The class president politely greeted his friends and acquaintances as he passed and his body involuntarily cringed when Kikyou's voice shrilled out his name.

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For at least an hour he listened to Kikyou and Sakura go on and on about graduation. He was just simply thankful she did not know about the engagement yet or he would never have a moment's peace. He was more than relieved when his girlfriend and other annoying female left his presence to go 'take a dip.'

Inuyasha relaxed in his lounge chair and closed his eyes. He knew exactly where Kagome was, she had not moved from her spot on the other side of the pool. His heart twisted in agony knowing she was only a few feet away and in the same pain that had immobilized him since he broke it off with her.

Beads of sweat began to form on his exposed skin as the sun beaded down on his reclined form. Inuyasha just wanted to retreat back to the safety of his room. He hated everything and everyone. His entire soul had been ripped from him and part of him wanted to fight till the death to get it back. But Inuyasha understood there was no fighting the legal system, and it was his fault alone he had lost everything.

Kagome would never be his. She would find someone else and be happy…without him. He would marry Kikyou, and live out the rest of his life without his heart. He loved Kikyou but not like he loved Kagome. Aside from being an annoying bitch, he had no reason to not care for his girlfriend. Kikyou had been loyal to him the last four years and she would make a fine wife and be a good friend. But the passion of life would cease to exist, and he was going to have to deal with it.

Inuyasha snorted as water splashed from the pool and soaked the lower half of his body. If he left, Rin would never notice.

"See its not so bad, Inuyasha," Rin said as she sat on the edge of his chair next to his knees.

'Fucking spoke too soon,' he thought.

Rin face lost her smile, she knew neither Kagome nor Inuyasha wanted to be near each other, she knew it hurt to acknowledge each other's existence. She didn't want them to sulk around like they had been the last week or so. Besides she could not let them shut each other out because there was still hope for them even if they didn't know about it.

Inuyasha did not respond, hoping she would give up and leave him alone. Rin was already on the top of his hit list, right next to his father's and Naraku's names.

"She's leaving right after graduation," Rin did not know what made her tell him especially after Kagome asked her not to say anything to him. She bit her bottom lip as guilt flooded her conscious; her chocolate eyes fell upon her friend standing next to Sango like her life depended upon it.

Inuyasha's body stiffened at the comment, "Maybe it's for the best," he tried to hide the pain in his voice.

"Inuyasha…" Rin began to protest, her gaze never leaving Kagome. She watched her intently as Kagome's brought her hand to rest on her abdomen like she was...!

"No. If she stays, she can't forget. To be happy, she has to forget. I want her to be happy," Inuyasha cut her off, sitting up in the process.

Rin had not been listening; her mind only flashed one word, pregnant. Before her mind could catch up to her body, she had left Inuyasha without a word and stalked towards Kagome. She shoved people out of her way in order to arrive at her destination. Upon reaching her friend, Rin grabbed Kagome by the arm and dragged her inside the mansion, Sango giving chase.

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Kikyou sensually step out of the large, exquisite pool, making sure she caught every male eye as she ascended each step of the shallow end. She smiled seductively at the male who handed her a towel. She recognized him from the football team, not half bad looking. Glancing back towards her boyfriend, Kikyou wrapped the long towel around her body and walked inside the house not realizing that Rin, Sango, and Kagome had entered only moments earlier.

Her mind continued to wonder about Inuyasha's behavior lately. Well she really did not have to wonder about it all that much. Inuyasha had been told he would marry her this coming summer and he had to tell his little whore that it was off. She knew he had decided not to prolong his secret relationship, his attitude proved her assumption. Kikyou's eyed narrowed. She was going to find out who Inuyasha had betrayed her with, and they both were going to suffer, the female worse than her future husband. Oh the possibilities of what could be done to the girl. Kikyou smirked evilly, closing the French doors behind her.

She made her way towards the guest restroom but stopped just before an open doorway when she heard voices inside. Distinguishing the voices, Kikyou decided to stay put and ease drop on Kagome's conversation with Rin and Sango.

"Are you?" Rin's loud whisper echoed throughout the room.

"Am I what?" Kagome asked, looking at her friend like she had some kind of illness or something.

"Are you?" Rin repeated herself.

Sango just as confused as Kagome spoke up, "What are you talking about? Is she what?"

"Pregnant!" Rin almost screamed.

Kagome paled. Rin gasped believing that was a confirmation. Sango's face faltered.

"Kagome?" Sango asked needing to hear Kagome to say she was.

"No, but I my period was almost a week late. I was so afraid that I was pregnant," tears began to form the crevices of Kagome's eyes.

Rin and Sango let out a breath of relief. Sango moved to comfort Kagome when the droplets of water escaped down her cheeks.

"What made you ask her, Rin?"

Sango rubbed Kagome's back, hugging the girl close.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to upset you. Its just you kept holding your belly like my mom did when she thought she was going to give me a sibling so I automatically assumed."

Kagome moved from Sango's embrace, her hands wiped away the fallen tears, "Its okay, Rin. Hey, things could be worse…" Kagome attempted a smile, "…I could be Kikyou."

Rin gagged soon followed by Sango's coughing.

Kikyou's nails dug into the wall she was leaning against, her eyes narrowed gravely. Kagome had taken her title from her, humiliated her in front of their entire senior class and has the nerve to insult her. No fucking way. It was time for pay back.

Kikyou turned on her heels and headed straight back out onto the pool deck. Kagome may not be actually pregnant but the best lies were truths with a minor misunderstanding. The bitch's 'perfect, goody-goody' reputation will be destroyed when she was finished.

Immediately after Kikyou walked back outside she glided over and turned off the booming music flooding the Tama's residences. All eyes fell upon her when their source of music was cut from them. Kikyou smiled mischievously and moved to stand at the edge of the pool before she spoke.

"I just wanted to make a quick announcement. Our prom queen seems to have a small dilemma," Kikyou mentally prepared for fake sympathy, "Well, she made a bad decision and now will be expecting a little bundle of joy. I wanted to ask you all to join me in giving her all the support we can. Having unprotected sex is risky. Let Kagome's example be a lesson to all of us."

Kikyou silently basked in the sight of her victory. She observed various people's reactions during her speech; some looked shocked, surprised while others were disgusted and disappointed. However, she failed to monitor her boyfriend's reaction to the news. She missed the discoloration of his skin, the widening of his eyes, and the gapping of his mouth.

Immensely pleased with herself, Kikyou turned her back to her audience unbeknownst to her that Kagome had come back outside just after her announcement began. Kikyou twisted to face a dangerously pissed female.

Kagome's anger was beyond words. It was uncharacteristic for her to be so angry but she didn't care. Salt burned her eyes while the tears gathered but did not fall. Inuyasha jumped to his feet, not knowing what to do. Kagome right hand balled into a fist and without thinking, Kagome punched Kikyou straight in the nose, sending the offending girl toppling backwards into the pool.

All present watched in astonishment as the irate girl knocked Kikyou into the pool and then fled into the house. It was an eternity before anybody moved to help Kikyou out of the water.

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Kagome began to run through the Tama mansion towards the front door. Her tears blinded her way, prolonging her departure. Turning a corner into a hall, she stumbled into Mrs. Tama, who had seen the entire scene from the living room window. Kagome muttered an apology and tried to step around the older woman but an arm prevented her from doing so.

"Go up to Inuyasha's room." Mrs. Tama ordered the distress girl. Inuyasha and Kagome needed to talk. She was going to give them the opportunity to do so before she left to try and save the couple from self-destruction.

Kagome stared at her in a full state of confusion. Why was she being sent to his room? She wanted to go home! Kagome opened her mouth to protest but Inuyasha's mother gave her a stern look and Kagome compiled.

Once she knew Kagome had done as she was told. Mrs. Tama intercepted Sango and Rin and told them both to rejoin the party but to tell Inuyasha he needed to run to his room. Both girls looked at her skeptically but like Kagome followed her orders.

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Kagome sat on the edge of Inuyasha's bed, memorizing each thread that made up his baby blue carpet. She was wrong. Things got worse. Now on top of all the other stuff that was going on in her life, the whole school will think she was with child. People can be cruel sometimes. Kagome anticipated on Monday she'd hear whispers behind her back.

She twisted her hands in her lap. She would survive; she was going to be strong. Only four days to suffer at school and then she could kiss this hellhole good-bye, hopefully forever.

Inuyasha entered the room but Kagome did not acknowledge his presence. Slowly he walked over to the bed and sat down next to her. She continued to stare at the floor as he tried to gather his thoughts. Minutes past before the silence was broken.

"Is it true?" Inuyasha's voice cracked just a bit.

Kagome hung her head, "No," she whispered and again they sat in silence as the minutes pasted.

"I thought I might have been. Kikyou must have over head Rin asking me about it."

Inuyasha moved his head, barely constituting as a nod, "What would you have done if you were?"

"Ran," the honest truth she spoke.

Inuyasha closed his eyes as a new wave of pain engulfed his body, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"Too late."

Kagome untangled her fingers and rubbed the palms of her hands together, she moved her gaze from the carpet to her hands on her lap, "I'm leaving."

Better to tell him, than to let him find out.

"I know…" he whispered devastatingly.

Kagome sighed and made a mental note to watch what she says around Rin. She loved the girl. But Rin could not keep a secret to save her life.

"Where?"

"England."

Inuyasha slowly inhaled a deep breath of air. So far away, he had to let her go. He felt like a tug-o-war rope. Half of him understood why she had to go and the other half went crazy with grief at the idea. It was tearing him apart.

Kagome's sniffle pulled him from his thoughts. He looked over at her gently shaking body. He hated to see her cry. Naturally his hand reached up to stroke away the trail of tears on her cheek. Her faced turned to him when their skin made contact, and her eyes locked with his.

His hand lingered on her cheek even after the watery stream had dried. No matter how hard he tried he could not look away from her. He was captured in time, as was she. Inuyasha never noticed the distance between them reduced with each passing second until he felt the brush of her soft lips against his own.

Instincts took over from there and he hungrily claimed her in one final passionate kiss. His arms wrapped around her waist, quickly pulling her against him. Kagome's hands tangled in his long silver mane. Their lips met frantically as if their very life depending upon it.

Love, passion, happiness, hope, fear, loneliness, pain, grief; all emotions burst from their hearts. Neither wanted to end their kissing, if they stopped they had to return to reality and let go of each other. They would have to say good-bye.

Eventually their body's need for oxygen over took their desire for each other, and their lips parted. Inuyasha pressed his forehead against Kagome's; his breath was ragged and paced. His eyes were shut tight together much like the female in his arms.

Kagome bit her lip in an attempt to keep her chin from quivering. She held him tight but their time was up.

"I'll love you forever, Inuyasha." Kagome choked out before she gently pressed her lips to his cheek.

Breaking from their embrace, Kagome ran out of his room, careful not be seen and made her way back to her house to start the rest of her life without him.

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Mrs. Tama cautiously walked up the four flights of stairs towards the floor she could find Kagura's apartment on. The building was old and not far from being condemned. The walls inside were stained yellow with ages and dark brown splatters and spots decorated them periodically. The stairs wobbled and creaked as she placed her weight upon them. She was thankful when she reached the last and final step.

She kept herself calm but walked swiftly down the rat-infested hallway. Her eyes searched each decaying door as she passed for the identification, D-23. When she found the correct door, she straightened her clothing, licked her lips, silently prayed for a miracle and knocked on the door.

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PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Final chapter will be typed when I get the chance to type it out. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

Until Next Time…