I Am Me; No One Else

Chapter 1: Goodbyes

Kagome arrived out of the well and climbed the old wooden ladder to the top while heaving her old yellow bag with her. She smiled as she reached the top and then frowned when she opened the well house's door.

This would be the last time she would be able to see her oka-san, jii-chan, and her otouto.

Kagome stood inside the door of the well-house for the next few minutes as the world around her seemed to be spinning and then she smiled and stood straight. She went over to the well and sealed it. This was so Inuyasha could not come through. If she was going to leave here for good; he was damn well not ruining it for her by rushing her out.

Kagome then walked across the lawn and observed the shrine she had grown up on. It had been a quiet place. Full of love and laughter. Her mother always did what she could and Kagome knew she owed much to her after she began foraying in the past. Midoriko's words echoed in her mind; her mother knew of her destiny and prepared her for it in the only way she knew.

She entered the house, "Mom, I'm home."

"Kagome dear, is that you." Sayuri called

"Yes oka-san, it's me." She said

"Can you please come help me with lunch?" She asked

Kagome smiled, "One minute."

She quickly took her shoes off and sat her bag down before she entered the kitchen. Her mom was at the stove and humming some tune or another.

"Mom, I-I need to talk to you." Kagome said nervously now

Sayuri eyed her daughter speculatively and then said, "Well, let's finish this first and then we can talk over our food. Grampa is at his usual card game with the neighbor and Souta is over at his friend's today."

Kagome nodded and smiled, "What should I do?"

"I want you to chop those vegetables over there and then to begin making some bread dough for tomorrow." She said and then turned back to her pot

Kagome's heart sank. She wasn't going to be here tomorrow or for a long time if ever again, but she picked herself up and reminded herself that if she wallowed here and decided to stay; Naraku would destroy the world and her future would not even be here.

She then began chopping and dicing as she carefully avoided making mincemeat of her thumb. Her body language was tense and her overall demeanor was sad. Sayuri had noticed this though she had not commented on it in fear of what Kagome would do if she did.

It was obvious to her that her daughter who was now eighteen had recently been crying heavily and been distressed greatly if it had led her to tears. She wasn't sure what happened, but she knew Kagome rarely cried ever. Unless something truly horrific or emotionally moving had occurred, or something that had forced her to emotion; Kagome wasn't one to cry for anything other than that.

Even as a baby, she was always calm and rarely cried. She was and had been one of those children who until they got unbearably hungry or uncomfortable with a wet diaper; they would sit in their crib and play with toys or be amused by scenery there.

Sure, her tears could be brought out if emotionally provoked by something...but it took a great deal for them to come out in the first place unless her daughter was already overwhelmed and at a breaking point. Sayuri meant real and genuine tears that poured down her face; not sniffles or crocodile tears.

Perhaps that was also a part of why her daughter was a miko in a time where none were needed. Sayuri didn't assume to know the answer, and she doubted she would ever know the truth...but she loved her daughter just the same; even if she had to let go of her soon enough.