Prologue

The Arrow of Sealing

~?~

I felt a warm summer breeze blow against my back. But that wasn't enough to douse out my worry... And my irritation. "Damn it! What is taking her so long?" I muttered, tapping my finger on my leg.

Sango sighed as she sipped a steaming cup of tea. "She only went out for a walk, Inuyasha", she reminded me patiently. She laughed softly and gave me a smile.

Her husband, Miroku chuckled along with her. He was holding a small tea cup and sipped from the steamy brew. "You should try to be more patient".

"I don't know if he ever will, Miroku", chuckled, Shippo as he swished his fox tail back and forth. "Kagome is probably somewhere with a guy... Koga maybe?"

Irritation boiled in me and my fist slammed down on his head. "You idiot! Koga's married remember?"

"Ow! What was that for?" Shippo cried out, rubbing his head. He glared at me but said nothing.

"Calm down Inuyasha", Sango told me. "Stop being so irritating all the time!" A smile crept to her lips. "Don't worry, it's not like Kagome went to go cheat on you", she teased me.

My face flushed bright red and I felt like boiling lava. "Shut up Sango!" I stood up and said, "I'm going for a walk!" I leaped out the door and towards the forest.

Damn it! Why the hell are they always so annoying? But... Where are you Kagome?

Then my blood turned cold as a scent filled my senses. It smelled sweet and yet it gave me a headache. It was familiar so familiar... My eyes widened when I realized what it was. That smells... blood? Kagome's blood? How?

I quickly leaped into the air and headed in the direction of the scent. Why am I getting such a bad feeling? Kagome is fine... she has to be right?

~Sango~

I sighed and pat the soft fur of Kirara who lay on my lap. "Even though it's already been at least four years since Kagome came back, he still hasn't matured completely yet", I mused.

Kirara purred in agreement and I chuckled. I petted her underneath her chin and she purred louder.

Miroku laughed softly. "Well, I guess some things will never change will they?"

I smiled at him. "I guess not", I say in a soft voice.

Shippo's laughter filled the air. "Inuyasha still has a long way to grow up", he says with a mischievous grin.

"You're one to talk Shippo", I laughed but then I gasped. I froze instantly. "Guys... Do you feel that?" I whispered.

Miroku, Shippo and Kirara all stopped cold. They're eyes all widened with shock.

"A... demonic aura?" Shippo gasped, leaping to his feet.

I felt like someone just splashed cold water on me. The shock was so overwhelming and it scared me. "That can't be right...? It feels so dark and full of so much... Hatred?"

Miroku's eyes narrowed. "It's hard to say really", he muttered.

"You don't think this has anything to do with Kagome or Inuyasha right?" Shippo's tail seemed to bristle as he said those words. But it instead of anger, it was of fear.

I clenched my fists. "Guys, I'm... getting worried". I stood up and headed for the door. "I'm going to go see if they're okay". Without saying another word, I ran out the door.

"Wait Sango!" I heard Miroku shouting. But I didn't stop. I couldn't. If I did, the fear would grow worse and I would be sick to my stomach.

I felt like something was wrong. But I denied the truth. Or I at least I wanted too. I knew something was wrong. I knew that something bad was going to happen. And it did.

~Inuyasha~

I landed in the clearing with a soft thud. My eyes widened when a sweet yet nauseating stench filled the air. The smell of blood was sickening to the core.

I heard rustling far back of the clearing and I put a hand on my sword. "Who's there?"

Fear somehow tightened around my heart. The scent of blood is making me dizzy... Kagome, are you hurt? Why do I smell your blood?

Then I saw her. Sitting there collapsed on her knees and staring blankly at the ground was Kagome.

There was blood spattered all over the ground.

"Ka-Kagome...?" I managed to choke out.

She turned her head and my eyes widened instantly. Her eyes looked like a mirror. Cold... Lifeless. No emotions. "Inuyasha..." She stood up slowly but then she swayed back.

I ran forward to catch her. "Kagome! Are you alright?"

I shivered instantly. Her brown eyes seemed lifeless almost like she was just an empty shell.

She turned her head and her eyes widened when she saw me. Then they filled with an emotion. Hate. Her hands gripped around something and then I realized it was her bow. When I realized what she was doing it was already too late.

She drew an arrow from her bow and she notched it. Then she let go of the string. I managed to dodge it but I winced when I realized it had cut past my waist. "Ugh!" I collapsed in pain as my waist throbbed.

What the hell is going on...? I couldn't help but feel shock. "Kagome what's wrong with you?"

Her eyes were full of hatred. But why?

"Kagome, snap out of it!" I shouted but then winced, clutching my wound. Blood poured out between my fingers. Ugh... what's wrong with her? Is she... is she being controlled? But by who?

I immediately had a hunch but then shook my head. No... Naraku is dead. Kagome made sure of it.

With the remaining strength I had left, I leaped forward and grabbed her hands. It made her let go of the arrow but not the bow.

She swung it forward, intent on stabbing me but missed and instead, stabbed the tree. It made her bow splint, cracking it through the middle, making it pointy.

"Kagome! Snap out of it what's wrong with you?"

Kagome suddenly shuddered and her eyes widened. Her hands shook as they held her head. "I... what am I...?" Her voice cracked and tears slowly filled her eyes.

What is going on with her? Who is controlling her? But whoever is must be pretty powerful to control her.

Without another thought, I ran forward and wrapped my arms around her. I knew the dangers of what I was doing but I couldn't stop. "Kagome... calm down and remember who you are", I whispered in her ear.

Her eyes widened and the tears spilled but then they changed. They became full of hate again. The grip around her bow tightened and before I could stop her, the bow pierced through my chest.

My eyes widened and I choked out blood. The pain was overwhelming but the shock hurt more. "Ka... gome?"

I couldn't help but feel betrayed, even though I knew in my heart that this wasn't her. Or was it?

Kagome pushed my back and the bow went through my, piercing the Sacred Tree. She stared at me for the longest moment and then muttered something. A bright light filled the air and the bow began to change shape, curving until it surrounded me. Trapping me.

Blood spilled from the side of my mouth, dripping down my chin. "Ka-Kagome...?"

The world around me began to spin. The darkness was beginning to take over me. I tried to fight it. But I couldn't.

Why...? Kagome!

Then everything faded to black.

~Kagome~

I heard nothing. All I felt was pain. It was like I was a marionette and someone was pulling on the strings, making me bleed.

What is going on with me...? The last thing I remembered was the darkness. And the pain of my flesh being sliced. Then came the light. The hatred.

I thought I had moved past all of that hate. But maybe somewhere, deep inside my heart, I never got over the pain I felt when Inuyasha loved Kikyo.

When the light cleared, I heard a voice. "Kagome...?"

Who...? Next thing I knew, I had notched an arrow and aimed it at Inuyasha.

I knew this felt wrong. Who... is doing this to me...?

"Just give in to the darkness Kagome", a voice seemed too whispered in my ear.

Who are you...?

"I am you", the voice continued. "The darkness, the hate, the jealousy..."

Stay... Away from me! Get out of my head! Don't hurt Inuyasha!

"Oh, that is all you, not me", the voice murmured.

My eyes widened when the voice said that. I couldn't stop myself. Even when Inuyasha grabbed my hands.

His mouth was trying to tell me something but I couldn't hear it.

The pain grew more and more. My vision began to blur. Tears? I stopped for the briefest moment. "I... what am I...?" I gasped out.

Then I felt numb all over again. I swung my hand back, the bow in my hand and pierced Inuyasha's chest.

He choked out blood and my eyes widened. What am I doing...?

I pushed the bow further into his body and it pierced the tree.

"Now everything begins", the voice whispered.

"The life that once lived within this bow, awaken and bind this man to the end of time", I whispered, the bow glowing.

I didn't even know what was coming out of my mouth. But I knew this wasn't me.

Inuyasha's eyes flickered for a moment. Then finally, they closed.

I felt cold. So cold. Then the volcano erupted.

No! I screamed inwardly.

The voice began to laugh.

I hate you! How dare you!

"It's your own fault that you're not strong enough..."

The tears streamed down my face. Inuyasha... I'm so sorry.

I will kill you, I threatened inwardly to the voice. I will kill you if it is the last thing I do!

"Ha! Go ahead and try!"

I knew what I had to do. I glanced at the fallen arrows on the ground. I strained to pick them up but finally managed to snag one of them in between my fingers. I aimed the arrow at myself.

"Don't be foolish wench! Don't you value your own life? If you kill me you'll also perish!" The voice yelled.

"Well that's the idea!" I murmured and I swung the arrow at me. Instant pain surrounded my shoulder. Blood poured and made my clothes stained crimson.

How ironic. I knew I was nothing like Kikyo and yet I stabbed myself in the same place where her wounds were when she died the first time.

I didn't scream. I couldn't. I just collapsed to my knees, a pool of blood forming.

"No!" The voice began to fade and I sighed with relief when it did.

I looked up at Inuyasha and tears streamed down even more. "I am so sorry", I whispered.

"Kagome! Oh no!" A voice cried out in shock.

I turned my head and saw Sango, Shippo and Miroku with Kirara on his back.

Sango's eyes widened. "No... What in the world...?" She stared at Inuyasha and shock flared up in her eyes.

Her hand then wavered over the bloody bow.

My hand gripped her hand. "Please... Sango, Miroku... Shippo get it out please", I rasped, breathing heavily. Another wave of pain hit me and I shuddered. "Ugh!"

"Oh no... Sango pull it out for her!" Shippo cried out.

When Sango looked at me with uncertain eyes, I nodded at her. I closed my eyes and braced for the pain.

Her hand clasped the bow and I could feel the vibrations of Sango's body shaking with fear. Then she pulled it out. I bit my lip to stop myself from screaming. I tasted blood.

But a soft groan still escaped from my mouth. "Oh... Ugh!" I winced and put my hand on my wound. The blood wouldn't stop flowing. I felt faint and the world around me began to spin.

"Kagome...? Hey hold on!" Miroku yelled.

Next thing I knew, I was falling back. I'm not sure who caught me but all I knew was, everyone looked down at me with worried eyes.

"Everyone... I am so sorry for everything", I murmured. "Inuyasha... his eyes will open again soon but I guess I won't be here to see when he does", I laughed softly, my eyes sad. But I winced.

"Save your strength Kagome", Shippo cried out, tears forming.

I flashed a small but brief smile at him. I patted him on the head. "There... there", I murmured to him. "Everything will be fine, I'm sure of it".

Sango's eyes began to tear up. "Kagome..."

I smiled weakly and I made it stay despite the pain. I gripped her hand. "Please everyone", I whispered. "Please forgive me for all the things that have happened and be careful".

I narrowed my eyes. "I have a bad feeling something will happen and when Inuyasha awakens again-I'm not sure when that will happen, the darkness will be back to kill him".

"What?" Miroku gasped and everyone had the same shocked expressions.

"I'm sure of it", I breathed out, sweat dribbling down the side of my head. "And the rest of you so please don't ask about how I know because I know I am positive" I groaned in pain. "Ugh..."

The wind blew and I sighed. I turned my head and looked at Inuyasha. My eyes filled with tears. I'm so sorry Inuyasha, I thought. Please don't hate me...

I felt the pain once more. I swayed back again but I knew even if someone caught me, it would be useless. My eyes began to close.

Inuyasha... we'll be together again, I swear. But when you open your eyes once more, I won't be there to ease the pain. Someone else will.