Care for the Fallen

Usually, this might be seen as a dark song (just look at the chorus and you might understand.) however, I thought of it the Inuyasha way and came up with this story.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Apocalyptica's I Don't Care

I spot the enchanting Soul Collecters as they lazily carry the white orbs back to their mistress. I continue walking through the forest, not in a rush because I know I'll get to my destination all the same – whether I'm fast or slow, Kikyo will still be there when I arrive.

However, this time, I need to break some news to her.

I try to make it through my life, in my way, there's you
I try to make it through these lies, and that's all I do

Kikyo, I'm sorry, but I feel like I can dare tempt fate and be happy with Kagome. I haven't said anything to her yet, but I'm sure she feels the same about me.

Of the two obstacles blockading us from each other – the threat of Naraku and my infernal promise to Kikyo – One of them, I can change.

And then Kagome and I can live happily together… if she accepts me…!

As I near the source, my own nervousness over Kagome brewing in the pit of my stomach, the number of Soul Collectors increases and it appears as if I'm swimming in a sea of them – there're so many. The foliage becomes so thick, I have to get my arms out of the sleeves of my robe and force the intruding branches back.

I wonder how Kagome will take the news? Wait, Crap… How am I gonna confess to her? Damn, should've thought a little more…

At that moment, Kagome's scream pierces my ears. My stomach drops and my blood runs cold. For half a second, I stand still, my legs too shaky to carry me on. I knit my eyebrows together as my mouth hangs open shock apparent on my hanyo face.

"Wha…" I whisper, shock stealing my voice.

What is she doing all the way out here?

I come to my senses and jump out of the thick undergrowth, running in the direction I heard her scream.

"Kagome!" I yell, praying I'll get a response.

Silence.

Shit!

Just then, I run smack into a Soul Collector, then another, and another and realize: we're all going in the same direction.

I ponder on this fact and land in a small clearing. The scent of Kagome's blood invades my nose and makes my eyes burn as the cold feeling of guilt – guilt that she got hurt – settles like lead in the pit of my stomach.

I look around and find Kikyo on one knee with her back to me. I start to walk towards her.

"Kikyo," I call out to her. She slowly rises, still not facing me. "Have you seen Kagome? I heard her and-"

No…. Gods, no… Not her…

When Kikyo rose to her full height, the folds of her priestess attire retreated to reveal Kagome, her face paler than ever, on the ground with an arrow in her chest. I feel sick to my stomach, but force myself to walk forward. My eyes are locked on her unseeing ones, her once warm eyes still full of fear. Her mouth is parted slightly.

I can see it now: how Kikyo had cornered her, the fear that consumed her body and all the while she was hoping I'd come to her rescue.

And I was a Baka who decided to stroll my way through the forest. Idiot! If I had even walked a little faster, I could've-

I lower my head avert my gaze, but the image of her body lying on the cold ground… it burns behind my eyes until it is forever branded. A failure branded in my heart to remind be for eternity what I've lost. I clench and unclench my fists – reveling in the way that when my claws pierce the rough skin of my palms, the image fades just a bit. Soon, my blood trickles through my white fingers and over my knuckles to make small pools in the dirt.

d-damn it! Why? Why?

"Inuyasha?" Kikyo's voice wavers over to me, reminding me of her presence.

Reminding me who took Kagome's life.

Just don't deny it,
Don't try to fight this ,and deal with it
and that's just part of it,

It's not until I lift my head to look at her that I notice how badly I'm shaking. Whether it's from rage or utter sadness, I'm not sure; but with one glance at Kikyo, I'm positive it's the former setting my heart ablaze.

"What. Have. You. Done?" I bite out through clenched teeth. By the way Kikyo lets her façade drop and allows a sliver of fear slip through her mask of indifference, my eyes must be smoldering.

She doesn't answer me right away, so I take a step forward, claws poised.

"I-inuyasha?" she stammers, a single hand raised to ward me off. "W-what are you doing? I thought you wanted to be with me - to go to hell with me?"

My face sobers as my shoulders slump, my hands fall to my sides. I shake my head at her slowly, not able to look her in the eye.

"No…" I whisper. "In fact, I was coming to tell you goodbye."

But then you had to go screw everything up! Right now, even if you had the breath of life flowing in and out of your lungs, your cheeks flushed pink with warm blood, I still don't think I'd follow you in your new life.

If you were dead or still alive
I don't care, I don't care
Just go and leave this all behind
Cause I swear (I swear),I don't care

I flatten my ears and turn away from her. As much as it hurts me, I walk towards Kagome's broken body. I take four steps when Kikyo comes back to her senses.

"What?" She yells at my back. "Is my copy more important to you than the original, the authentic? Do you only want an illusion to love instead of someone who could return it to you?"

At her last insult, I spin around and yell right back at her, "Kagome can love. She has a heart to give love. Everywhere we go, she's always giving it away willingly – no matter who it is and asking nothing in return. If anything, Kikyo, the one who can't love is you."

Her dark brown eyes, so dark they're almost black and as lifeless as she, stare right through me as her own anger boils.

"That's not what you truly think, Inuyasha!" She cries, her rage affecting her voice. "Before she came along, you promised that I would become your woman! Do you take that back and dishonor your name?"

I rock on my heels and wonder what course of action I should take next.

Damn you, Kikyo. I might have promised those things, but that was to the Kikyo who lived and had a life, who sheltered kindness close to her heart… when you came back, all you had was hatred. That's not you, that's not you at all.

And that's why I can't keep my promise.

I try to make you see my side
Always trying to stay in line
But your eyes see right through
That's all they do

I glance between Kikyo, mad and fuming, and Kagome, lifeless in the corner of our dispute. This realization ticks me off.

You even talked me out of seeing Kagome right away, you wench!

With even strides, I walk until I'm beside Kagome's side and get down on my knees. From here, I can see the blood pump out of her wound, her heart still trying to pump life into the spirit-less body. I bit my lip and reach up to brush her black bangs aside, to better see her beautiful face Kami gifted her with. But her eyes…

I look away as I sweep my hand over them, releasing the eyes from their unerving gaze. I reach over to grip the miko arrow in my hand. I easily snap it in half, her precious blood staining my skin as I pull the treachourous object out. Then, I scoop Kagome's upper body into my arms, cradling her small frame against my chest. I don't even care that her blood is staining my haori, but I feel that her scent will haunt me for several weeks, reminding me of what I've lost. Still, I cling to her.

"I'm so sorry…" I choke out, not realizing the tears were already spilling into my voice. I hold her tighter to me, "So…So sorry-"

"What about me?"

My eyes snap open to glare over Kagome's black hair and send daggers at the priestess. She stumbles back from the hatred overspilling from my demeanor.

I'm getting buried in this place
I got no room, you're in my face
don't say anything just go away

"You?" I scoff. I gently lay my chosen on the ground in a more natural position and stand. "I want you," I point a finger at her. "To dissappear. I never want to see your face again."

"But-"

"No buts!" I snap.

If you were dead or still alive
I don't care, I don't care
Just go and leave this all behind
Cause I swear (I swear) I don't care

"I swear, right now – I don't care what happens to you. To me, you're already dead and resting in Hell. Turn around and leave us alone."

Kikyo stands fixed to the spot.

"Now!" I bark, barely containing my rage.

She jumps, but doesn't move.

love changing everything
You won't be left for me

You won't be left for me

Not satisfied in her lack of action, I turn my back to her and pick Kagome up bridal style.

My footsteps into the forest seem to wake the former priestess from her revere.

"W-what are you going to do with her corpse?"

I stop cold.

Over my shoulder I call, "Shouldn't you be worried about yours?"

If you were dead or still alive
I don't care, I don't care
Just and and leave this all behind
Cause I swear(I swear)I don't care

"Besides," I yell in a louder voice since I reverted back to walking with my back to her. "I know someone who can help us out with this little problem you gave us."

Seshomaru should be able to help us out, right? But what if he says no?

On the edge of the clearing, I pause to gaze down at Kagome. Her once white shirt is now crimson. Her plump lips are cracked. Her face is still pale, but I wouldn't change any of that if it meant I could hold her again, alive and well.

He's missing an arm, surely he wouldn't be too pissed if I offered him mine… anything if it will convince him to revive Kagome.

"Why didn't you call upon this 'friend' to bring me back to life, Inuyasha? Did you want to see me suffer as one of the living dead?"

If you were dead or still alive
I don't care(I don't care), I don't care(I don't care)
Just go ahead and leave this all behind
I don't care(I swear), I don't care
At all...

"Because," I say, knowing full too well I'm too far for her human ears to hear. "Even in the beginning, Kagome meant too much for me to sacrifice her soul for yours."

A/n: Is the ending too sudden? I didn't want to go on and on and on and such, but…

Ne?

Let me know if I have changed the meaning of the song for you (if you heard of it before) or if you will never hear this song the same way again!

;3

Till Next Time