Breath

(A/N: This chapter is based on the song Breath by Breaking Benjamin. I do not own any of Inuyasha's characters!)

Inuyasha rose up from the Bone Eater's well. He sat on the edge and tried to catch his breath. He wasn't ready to have the last talk with Kikyo. He looks up and the night sky was clear, full of stars. Inuyasha sensed a presence inside the forest. He noticed a soft glow deep within the dark. Suddenly, a soul collector appeared.

"Kikyo," he whispered. He stood up from the well and made his way into the forest. Kikyo met him half way. More of her soul collectors floated around their surroundings. Inuyasha and Kikyo stayed silent, looking into each others eyes. She smiled, but Inuyasha looked away, closing his eyes.

I see nothing in your eyes, and the more I see the less I like. Is it over yet, in my head? I know nothing of your kind, and I wont reveal your evil mind. Is it over yet, I cant win.

"You seem strange Inuyasha. What are you hiding?" Kikyo asked, stepping closer to him, but Inuyasha backed away from her, scared to be close to her.

"This has to stop, Kikyo. I can't do this anymore...I dont know who you are," he whispered. Kikyo tilts her head to the side, confused. Inuyasha looks up at Kikyo, searching in her eyes if she understood what he was asking. A small wind blew shook the trees' branches ever so slightly.

"You can't change what was destined Inuyasha. We were meant to be together, to die together, to go to Hell together," she says walking up to him. Inuyasha continued to back away from her. Kikyo stopped trying.

"Look at me Inuyasha. What do you see?" she asks. Inuyasha stares into her eyes.

So sacrifice yourself, and let me have what's left. I know that I can find the fire in your eyes. I'm going all the way, get away, please. You take the breath right out of me. You left a whole where my heart should be. You gotta fight just to make it through, cause I will be the death of you.

"I see nothing. A wandering soul that doesn't want to let go," he says. Inuyasha finally stepped up to Kikyo, making her back away from him until her back touched a tree. Kikyo was scared of Inuyasha for the first time, but she didnt show this fear.

"You hurt me Kikyo. I trusted you, and you hurt me, betrayed me. Even shot an arrow at me," he whispered. Kikyo looked up at Inuyasha, into his eyes. Tears welled up in them. Kikyo leaned in for a hug, but Inuyasha stopped her hands.

"Please let me go Kikyo. Let me go. Die without me. Be in peace, but without me. I love you, but...I can't be with you," he said, looking to see Kikyo's reaction.

This will be all over soon. Pour salt into the open wound. Is it over yet? Let me in. So sacrifice yourself, and let me have what's left. I know that I can find the fire in your eyes. I'm going all the way, get away, please. You take the breath right out of me. You left a whole where my heart should be. You gotta fight just to make it through, cause I will be the death of you. I'm waiting, I'm praying, realize, start hating.

Kikyo dropped her hands. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Kikyo didnt betray Inuyasha, Inuyasha betrayed her, or so she thinks. Inuyasha said he would die with her, whatever it takes. Why is he breaking his promise?

"Inuyasha, do you want this to be over?" she asked quietly. Inuyasha nodded his head slowly.

"It would make me happy if you went on without me Kikyo. Dragging me to go with you when I dont want this, is killing me. I want happiness, but I cant find it with you. You need to find your piece alone. You broke my heart, I can never forgive you for it," he explained. Kikyo stayed silent in shock, "If I continue to be with you, and keep trying to be with you, to die with you is eating me inside. I cant deal with it anymore, no more, Kikyo."

The soul collectors glided against the wind. The wind swifly brushed against the leaves. There was silence. Inuyasha watched Kikyo, waiting for her response. He stepped away from her, giving her room to breathe.

"Inuyasha..." she whispered. Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her, keeping her close. Tears streamed down Kikyo's face.

"I love you, Inuyasha. I want you to be happy. I'm so sorry I hurt you," she whispered. Inuyasha brushed his hand through her hair. Kikyo broke the embrace, wiping away her tears.

"You should go on, Inuyasha. Please, just go..."she asked. Inuyasha gave a quick nod, turned around, and walked his away through the forest, not looking back. Kikyo fell to her knees, and held onto herself as if she was going to break into pieces. Her breath came in quick, short pants.

"Goodbye, Inuyasha," she said to herself. The soul collectors began to surround her as the ground began to glow from underneath. Kikyo held her breath as she sank into the ground, the soul collectors guiding her through. She watched Inuyasha walk away from her, forever. She closed her eyes before she became completely covered by the earth. Kikyo and the soul collectors disappeared, forever.

"Goodbye, Kikyo," said Inuyasha as he watched Kikyo fade away into the earth.

You take the breath right out of me. You left a whole were my heart should be. You gotta fight just to make it through, cause I will be the death of you.