Author's Note: Forgive me for deleting You Chose Me and Love Through Insanity, but as you can see, it is not permanent. My computer is finally fixed, but while it was broken I happened to read over both of these fanfictions and realize that they are greatly in need of editing. So, I've decided to delete the two (I saved the files so there will be the same basic story) and begin them anew. I have notified all of my reviewers (who were not anonymous and had email addresses listed) of this change, and this is to remind those of you who didn't have a way for me to contact you. Well, I hope you enjoy the improved fanfictions. Please review to tell me what you think, and as always, new reviewers are welcome. Finally, as is my custom, on with the fic!


In wounded silence Kagome watched the scene playing out before her. How could such a heartfelt moment hurt this much? The whole clearing seemed to vibrate with love, and yet none of it could penetrate her heart. Silent tears slowly slipped down her pale cheeks, but never did she notice their salty taste as they ran across her dry lips. Those lips trembled ever so slightly, as if struggling to keep something in. The sudden empty feeling that had entered her made her want to retch, but she felt no bile rising in her throat, only sobs building up, just waiting to be set free. But why, and on such a happy day as this was supposed to be? This day, this very moment was the one she had been waiting for since the day of their fated meeting. Those words—spoken with such warmth ad feeling—those were the words she'd longed to hear. But this was all wrong. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Those words...those lovely words...shouldn't end in... Kikyou.


Ten Minutes Earlier


Today was the day, the day she'd finally tell him her secret. Yes, the secret she'd hidden from him for so long, of the whirl of feelings that hit her whenever she was with him, the reason she was so hurt by some of the things he said, and the feeling that fueled her anger towards him. He needed to know what joy his smiles brought her and how she longed for his touch. She didn't care if he returned her feelings; he needed to know what kept her with him through all the hard times. He needed to know of her love. Such a colossal thing it was to her that she could contain it no longer. She'd wanted to blurt it out so many times, to kiss his soft lips, or even just hold his hand. All of her friends had noticed these feelings long ago; she was amazed that he had not. To the others it seemed those feelings practically radiated from her, but somehow he had not caught the glow. But now that didn't matter, if he wasn't going to notice what was obvious to everyone else, then she would just have to clue him in. Yes, a clue of the most obvious sort—a bold confession.

She'd been awake when he'd left the camp—thinking they were all asleep—and she had followed him, though it was still so dark that she could hardly see. Through dense brush and damp soil she crept after him. She ignored the wet leaves that slapped against her thighs and the branches that caught in her hair. The bugs that always came out to bother her so early in the morning didn't receive so much as a slap. Her hair was tangled, growing damp from the morning dew, and she was still wearing her wrinkled school uniform from yesterday, but she didn't care. All that mattered was telling Inuyasha that she loved him. If she didn't utter her confession she felt she would burst. Nothing could stop those words from passing her lips. The chill morning breeze crept up her skirt, causing her too shiver and rub her arms to dispel the chill the air brought her. In her distraction, she only narrowly avoided tripping over a fallen tree branch. She stopped, listening for Inuyasha and wondering if he had heard her. She was trying to be silent as she followed him, but as clumsy as she was and with his amazing hearing she was surprised he hadn't noticed her yet. However, the sudden sound of his voice told her that he had finally noticed.

"I love you," came the words so confidently from his mouth.

She felt like laughing for joy. He must have known she was there all along, leading her into the forest only to spring his own confession on her before she could say a word. The gods must be smiling at the good-hearted trick they'd played on her, but she was so happy that she didn't care! She and Inuyasha would finally be together—the very thought brought a smile to her face. She saw him several feet ahead of her. His back was turned to her, but she was sure he was just waiting for a reply. Warmth filled her as she thought of how he would smile when he learned that she loved him back. She opened her mouth to say the words. . .

"I love you, Kikyou," he slowly breathed the words again with as much passion as before.

...and her jaw went slack, her confession turning to cold iron on her tongue. This couldn't be. Had he mistaken her for Kikyou, even in her school uniform? How? Then, she saw the ivory hands slipping over his sides to rest on his back, embracing him fondly as Kagome looked on. No, this was the real thing. He'd confessed his love to the real Kikyou. He didn't even know she was there. How could he not know? Or did he just not care? The warm feeling inside her turned cold, freezing into ice, then shattering into a million tiny slivers, which quickly worked their way into her heart. This inner coldness left her numb; so that even the hot tears that spilled down her frozen skin went unnoticed.


Present


Kagome saw Kikyou's face moving towards Inuyasha's, his own turning to meet hers. That face—that perfect porcelain face—was the one Inuyasha saw when he looked at her, and that face was all he'd ever see. Their lips met and the ice fully encased Kagome's heart. Neither of them noticed or cared that she was there. Their minds remained focused on each other. Kagome fought to keep the sobs at bay, and tried to turn away from that hurtful sight, but Kikyou's eyes opened...and met her own. Kikyou pulled back, a hand now resting on Inuyasha's shoulder as she stared silently at Kagome. Those cold, dark eyes told Kagome the truth. She would never be with Inuyasha, because he did not love her. Kagome's frozen heart cracked, and the sobs came pouring out.

"I-I love you...I-Inu-yasha," she choked out, and as she had predicted, a large pressure was lifted from her heart, only now it was replaced by another, more painful one. This pressure encased her very soul, making it easy for her to flee from this place, which had caused her so much pain.

These words and sounds of anguish caught the hanyou by surprise, and he cursed himself for not realizing Kagome was there. His ears flattened in guilt as he turned, calling out Kagome's name, but she had already disappeared into the greenery. There was a confused look in his eyes, but that was quickly replaced by one of pain as he realized what he had done. Kikyou's hand tightened on his shoulder, sensing what he was about to do and warning him not to leave, but he shrugged it off without a thought and went speeding after Kagome.

Kikyou's last angry words trailed after him. "Forget her, Inuyasha! Remember, you chose me!"


Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed the first redone chapter of You Chose Me. I am now working on the second chapter. As I've said my computer is fixed, so aside from preparations for a new school year and role-playing with my friends, I probably won't be doing much except for working on this. Sorry to say, I may put the other fanfictions on hold for a while. Please forgive me and post a review to tell me your thoughts, maybe even suggestions on what you might like added to this fanfiction. Til the next chapter, I bid you farewell. --Malachite