Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha as its the property of Rumiko Takahashi. I also don't own the song, which is the property of Taylor Swift.

Chapter 1: Death

"That's it Naraku, you're dead this time!" Inuyasha shouted as he ran towards the half demon. It was the final battle, everything they had all worked for, all the pain and suffering everyone had gone through, the things that Naraku had done to each and every one of them, it had all built up to this. And it was in this moment that they all lived and worked together to bring him down.

Kagura had long ago given up on trying to survive. She knew she'd die eventually and she knew Sesshomaru was out of her reach, hell out of her league, she didn't stand a chance with a demon like him, especially since her scent was so similar to Naraku, his only desire for her would be to kill her. Giving up on that hope, she fought as instructed by Naraku, not to the best of her abilities, not for survival but just to show as if she were really fighting. She no longer cared anymore. Her opponent this time was Koga, she held him off a few miles away from where the actual battle was taking place. Until Naraku either died or killed everyone else, she'd have to help him with his plans.

Meanwhile Kohaku stood beside Naraku, his sister the target. Sango was in tears, trying to keep her composure as he jumped into the air and swung his chained scythe at her. She used her giant boomerang to block his attack and trying her best to keep him alive until he would be freed from Naraku's clutches.

Miroku was busy fighting with a demon puppet of the evil half demon's while the real Naraku faced Inuyasha and Kagome. He chuckled darkly as he had them all right where he wanted them, the kitsune was of no threat but if need be Kanna was there to stop him. It was a beautiful sight, as Inuyasha swung the Tetsusaiga down to use the wind scar, Kanna stepped in and sent it flying back at him. Naraku took this as his chance. He had sensed her close by and she had finally arrived just in time. "Naraku, are you finally prepared to die?" Kikyo asked as she notched an arrow to her bow.

Kagome too had hers ready, she looked at Kikyo as the dead priestess did her, both on opposite sides of Naraku, they nodded in agreement and fired their arrows. Doing so the arrows flew straight towards his heart, Naraku's eyes widened and at that instant Inuyasha got to his feet and used his backlash wave. Narrowing his eyes, with great speed before the attacks could hit him; he sent tentacles flying straight towards the two females at the same time. Inuyasha's eyes widened in shock and on first instinct rushed to Kikyo, lifting her out of the way of the attack.

A loud scream echoed through the air as his tentacle was plunged straight through Kagome's chest. She gasped out in shock. At that instant Naraku had been hit by the two sacred arrows and backlash wave and as if to ensure his death, from in the distance, Sesshomaru walked through the battlefield, using his dragon strike, Naraku was sent to oblivion. The last thing Naraku saw as his body disintegrated along with the entire castle and the rest of the demons he had created, was Sesshomaru's final attack. He had been foolish and careless to believe they wouldn't have been able to touch him, taking back his heart was his fatal mistake.

When the smoke cleared and miasma dissipated from all around them, everyone froze. Kohaku fell to his knees, coming back to his senses. "S...Sango?" he called in a weak voice. "Oh Kohaku! I'm here," she said and dropped her weapon, holding her brother closer to her. Miroku stood there blinking a few times in shock, he looked at his hand and slowly, carefully unwrapped it, stunned to see that this time, it was really gone. The wind tunnel was no more.

Kanna and Kagura were now dead; Inuyasha stood holding Kikyo, relieved he had been able to save her. However, as Koga rushed into the scene his eyes immediately scanned the area for Kagome and he rushed to her side, she lay there, coughing up blood, feeling her body drifting off into nothingness, her last words were, "Koga...Inuyasha..." she called for the two males as her eyes closed.

Sango stood, her brother as well, being held tightly beside her as she walked forward to Kagome's now lifeless body. Dropping to her knees beside her best friend she began to cry. "No Kagome, come back...you can't die!" she cried out.

Miroku made his way to Sango, a hand on her shoulder as he kneeled beside her. She turned to him and hugged him, crying into his chest. Shippo who had been knocked unconscious from one of Naraku's tentacles woke up to find his adopted mother dead, and couldn't stop the tears as he clung to Sango and Miroku who both tried to comfort him.

Sesshomaru simply watched the scene, for some reason he had taken a liking to Kagome, but this couldn't be helped. Or rather, he just didn't care too. He looked over at his brother though and was disgusted by the half breed's idiotic choice. Saving a dead woman from her rightful place in the underworld, over a woman who had still been alive and could have remained so.

Koga picked up Kagome's body in his arms, his body shaking with sorrow and rage. He turned to Inuyasha, a dark glare coming over his features. "YOU FUCKING IDIOT, YOU CHOSE TO PROTECT THAT DEAD BITCH OVER KAGOME?! AND I TRUSTED YOU TO PROTECT HER! I don't know who's more of an idiot, you for saving a dead woman or me for even believing you'd be smart enough to protect Kagome!" he growled out in anger.

Inuyasha felt bad, he was holding back tears now as he put Kikyo down. He looked at her then at Kagome, "I...but...I didn't mean...Kagome..." he whispered.

Kikyo sighed, "What's done is done, she didn't belong in this world and should have stayed in her era, none of this would have happened, let us go Inuyasha," she said putting a hand on his arm.

Sesshomaru at this point turned around and began to walk away. Suddenly Inuyasha, seeing his brother got the idea, "no wait, she doesn't have to stay dead, Sesshomaru, give me the Tensaiga!" he shouted and ran over to him to grab the sword from the sheath.

The demon lord turned and arched a brow, grabbing his brother's hand from his sword, he pushed him back. "You don't have the power to wield the Tensaiga," he stated coldly.

"Fine, then save her!" he yelled.

"Hn, I have no reason to do so," he stated and turned again, heading towards the direction he came from. But as he started down the path he turned and paused at a nearby rock, "Rin, I thought I told you to stay behind with Jaken," he said waiting for a reply.

"I was Lord Sesshomaru, Master Jaken was leaving me to come here though so I had to follow...Lord Sesshomaru, why won't you save Lady Kagome?" she asked in a sad voice, her eyes showing her sadness, tears coming to her eyes.

He was clearly irritated now, Jaken had disobeyed him and put Rin in danger, but that wasn't the most annoying part. He was now stuck in a situation where Rin may not forgive him if he didn't save the human female. Though he'd never admit to doing it for Rin, he turned around and walked to her, Tensaiga pulsated in response. "You wish me to save her too Tensaiga?" he questioned. With a grunt he withdrew the sword from the sheath, narrowing his eyes he could see the demons of the underworld gathering around her in Koga's arms. Looking at the wolf then at the girl, he didn't bother saying anything, he swiped the sword, slashing the demons in half and re-sheathing his sword he turned around and began walking, leaving. Rin stayed behind for a moment to see if it worked.

For a moment, it seemed like nothing happened and no one dared to question Sesshomaru at all, after all, he did what they wanted, saying anything more and he may have not done it or would probably kill her again just to be a jerk. Now all eyes were on the female in the wolf's arms. Suddenly she began to move, shifting and turning her face to hide from the brightness of the sunlight before raising her head to face towards Koga. Slowly she opened her eyes and blinked a few times, the light from the sun, blinding her for a moment. She felt as if she had fallen asleep, with the brightness of everything around her.

In the distance, a voice called, "Rin," now that she knew Kagome was alive, she smiled happily and dried her tears before running off in the direction Sesshomaru had gone in, knowing if she didn't go when he called, she'd be in trouble. She promised herself though that later she'd definitely see if Kagome was alright.

"W...what...K..Koga? Where...am I?" Kagome asked, as she now fully regained consciousness. "Oh Kagome, my sweet Kagome, you're alive!" he said hugging her tightly.

Sango stood up, sniffling, she rushed over and Koga put Kagome down to stand up, but allowed her to brace against him as Sango hugged her. Shippo immediately jumped into her arms as well and Miroku joined in. Everyone was so happy and relieved and it was all thanks too...surprisingly, Sesshomaru. Inuyasha too wanted to hug her, but he wasn't too sure if that was a good idea or not right now, knowing that everyone was angry with him and that she too was probably mad as well. He quietly slipped off, towards a nearby river, Kikyo following him.

He sat by the river, Kikyo beside him, washing her face. Glancing back at Inuyasha, she hated seeing him in so much pain and wondered just what was going through his mind right now. He was confused, shocked by his careless actions and in disbelief over his stupidity. He loved Kikyo, she was the most important person to him, but she was already dead, he should have saved Kagome, that injury wouldn't have killed Kikyo, she would have been injured yes but her body was made of clay, she would have still been alive. Kagome though, she was fully alive and his neglect killed her, how could he face her after the decision he had made in a split second of choosing? What would she do? What would she say? He didn't know and he was afraid to find out.

It was getting dark now and the group set up camp a bit further from the battlefield, not wanting to be around the area. Kagome sat close to the fire, Sango hugging her tightly. Koga was seated on the other side of her and Shippo in her lap. Miroku sat beside Sango, each of them didn't say a word, not quite sure how to address what had happened, they were simply happy they had her back. The priestess sighed, she knew what happened, she knew his choice, he had saved Kikyo and that's all there was too it. That one gesture had made it loud and clear of his true intentions, he had promised to go to hell with her and that was the promise he was going to keep. She meant nothing to him, while Kikyo had his heart, mind, body and soul. How could she fight or compete with his first love? He felt guilty for what happened in the past and she knew that, so what more could she expect from him?

Kagome knew that it was now time to go home. As she thought this, silent tears ran down her cheeks, she didn't make a sound as she cried, not wanting to alarm her friends but she knew they could already see the tears for themselves.

Shippo looked up at Kagome and couldn't help but start crying himself, Inuyasha had just ensured he'd lose his mother, from the look in her eyes, the young Kitsune knew what she was going to do.

Sango and Miroku too could both tell what would happen next. They didn't want her to go and never come back, they loved her like a sister, Sango had her brother back but she knew Kohaku would have to give up his life in order to complete the jewel, all she had left other than Miroku was Kagome, the closest person she could have to having another sibling.

And of course Koga had no idea what she was thinking but he knew that after what happened, he had to convince Kagome somehow to leave Inuyasha and come with him. He could protect her and she deserved protection and being loved by someone who could put their whole heart into it, not just half. The half breed had made a big mistake, this meant he might actually have a chance for once to take Kagome away from here and finally make her happy.

A few hours later, Inuyasha finally returned to camp, everyone looked up to see the half demon, Kikyo in tow. Sango had nothing to say to him, fearing she'd say something she would regret. Koga however stood and walked over to him, punching him in the face.

Inuyasha's eyes widen and he glared at him, "What the fuck? Back off you stupid wolf!" he shouted.

"You idiot! How could you be so stupid, how could you let that happen to her?!" Koga growled.

"I made a mistake alright? It happens, now back off!" he said punching Koga back.

Koga growled and was about to take another swing at him when Kagome stood up, "Koga stop," she said softly. The wolf demon looked over at her and lowered his fist, standing aside as she approached them.

"You've made your decision Inuyasha...I can't do this anymore...tomorrow I'm taking the jewel and going home, besides, I can't compete with her, I hope you find peace when you leave with her," she stated.

He looked down as her words sunk into his mind, his ears lowered on his head, looking up, he felt even worse at seeing the sorrow in her eyes. "Kagome...I...I'm sorry, I know it's a lot to ask but-"

"Then don't ask because I can't," she cut him off and turned around to walk away from him.

He grabbed her hand and turned her around, his hands on her shoulders, "No Kagome please, I know I messed up, I made a huge mistake, please...I...can you forgive me? I didn't think in that moment, I didn't realize how stupid I was being, I'm so sorry, please..." he said pulling her into a hug.

Kagome narrowed her eyes as tears began to flow down her cheeks once more, she moved her hands between the two of them and pushed against his chest to push him away. "Stop it Inuyasha, I can't do this, I can't be here anymore, I can't stay where I'm not wanted. Don't you see? That wasn't a mistake, you reacted without thinking and even in your subconscious you saved her over me, despite the fact that she's dead. Its over Inuyasha, I'm going home tomorrow and that's the end of it," she was adamant this time, she wouldn't make the mistake of sticking around again like she did in the past. She loved him, she risked her life for him more than once and this was the second or third time when her life was in danger and he failed to save her, someone else had too. This time she didn't even get saved, she got killed and revived. She wasn't going to do this again.

"Kagome please, you have to give me another chance, please don't leave, please...I know I fucked up but I won't let anything like that happen again," he begged, trying to apologize and get her to stay.

She had, had enough. Kagome looked at him once more and yelled, "NO! Stop asking me to forgive you because I can't! I died today Inuyasha, I died because you promised to protect me and failed to follow through with your promise, you let me die and saved a dead woman. My life means nothing to you and I won't be a fool to trust you again!" she shouted and turned around, running out of the camp and as far away as she could get from the campsite for the time being. Once more she began to cry, the tears never ceasing to flow.

Inuyasha stood there, unable to follow. He deserved it, every word of it, stopping her wouldn't do him any good, she was right and he deserved to just go to hell. He remained silent and looked at everyone in the camp, they all stared at him, Sango and Shippo crying, Miroku's eyes filled with sorrow, Koga filled with anger at him and Kikyo just as blank and neutral as always. He turned around once more and walked off in the opposite direction from Kagome. Kikyo made an attempt to follow when he paused, "Don't...I just wanna be alone right now..." with that he took off leaping through the air to get away from Kikyo at the moment.

Koga growled at him before taking off after Kagome. But it wasn't long after he left that it began to rain. He skidded to a stop and cursed under his breath, he lost her scent now. Just what he needed, his beloved Kagome was out in the rain, hurting and in need of comfort and he was now stuck unable to find her.

At this moment though, she didn't want to be found. Despite the rain, she kept on running, she had no idea how long she ran or how far she had gotten, but at some point she had to stop, her legs numb from the pain of her running for hours. Her tears were concealed by the droplets from heaven and she cried even harder now, falling to her hands and knees she let it all out, a scream of despair as the tears kept on flowing.

Review Please: If you like this story so far and wish me to continue, please at least one review will suffice, without one, it makes me feel like my idea isn't that great and that I shouldn't bother. So please kindly review if you enjoy the story. I already have the second chapter written but unless I get some kind of feedback on the story, I won't even desire to update it. I hate begging like this or seeming desperate but as I've said in my other stories, your reviews are my inspiration to continue my writing and post the next chapters or new stories. Thank you.

A/N: I know what you guys are probably thinking, "how many songs are gonna inspire this girl?!" Well you know what? I'm quite pleased that they inspire me so. It gives me ideas on stories to write and gives me a chance to relax since I feel so much more at ease when I'm writing or have finished writing and story and posted it up. So despite it being yet again another songfic, I do hope you enjoy it :) Please review, no flames, without reviews its hard to post a new chapter. Your reviews give me the much needed inspiration and push I need to continue on, so please, I beg, yes I am begging, give me a review :3