It Begins

Another lonely night,

You said you were just going out with your friends.

I'm waiting up this time, I hope you didn't lie. -Last Kiss Goodbye by Hinder

-X-

Kagome sighed as she stared into the fire. She couldn't sleep, so she gave up trying. It has been a long day, for they had once again found Naraku. Inuyasha informed them that tomorrow is the day Naraku falls. Kagome shook her head because Naraku almost has the complete jewel. It just seems impossible to defeat him now. He just needs her shards and that's it.

Kagome felt tears beginning to form in her eyes. He killed off Kouga a few months ago to obtain the two shards he had. When Kagome heard the news, she had been devastated.

Kirara sensed Kagome's distress and padded over to her. She mewled and licked her hand.

Kagome smiled down at the little demon before petting her. Kirara purred in delight at the attention she was getting.

Kagome lifted her head and looked around the camp. Sango was asleep in Miroku's lap, while he was propped up against a tree asleep as well. Kagome gave a sad smile at the sight of the two. They looked so happy and perfect together... the tears came back.

'Why can't that be me and Inuyasha...? It's not fair...' She let her gaze settle on the tree he was in. Wait... Kagome's eyes widened. He was gone. 'Wha...? Where did he...?'

Memories of her stumbling across him and Kikyo popped into her head. 'Do I dare go searching for him...?' Kagome sighed. 'Well... what if he's in trouble? I should go... just in case.' Right now she wished Inuyasha left her at home. He came back to her time and threw her over his shoulder before coming back. 'I just wanted to relax for once... jerk.'

She got up from her spot on the ground and looked at Shippou who was snuggling in her sleeping bag. She bent down and gave him a kiss on his little head. 'I'll be back, son...' She then turned her attention back to the little neko demon.

"Kirara... can you smell out Inuyasha?" The kitten nodded and turned her nose towards the sky. Kirara then jumped onto Kagome's shoulder and pointed to the west with her paw.

"Thank you, Kirara." Kagome rubbed one of the neko's ears before picking up her bow. Kirara jumped off of her shoulder and ran over to Sango.

"I'll be back!"

Kagome set off into the forest with a feeling of dread in her gut. 'Oh God... this is a bad idea.'

-X-

Sesshomaru landed in a open field. He just lost the scent of Naraku. He gave out a small growl of annoyance. It seems that Naraku had chose to make a base in the west. On his lands. Bad idea. He narrowed his eyes as he caught the scent of graveyard soil and clay.

'What is she doing here...?'

Another scent drifted into his nostrils. Inuyasha.

He growled before setting off towards the scents.

'What are they doing on my lands?'

-X-

Inuyasha was sitting in a tree that overlooked the camp. He leaned against the trunk and closed his eyes. Memories of Kikyo went through his mind.

'Kikyo...'

He opened his eyes and looked down at Kagome's peaceful face. Her lips were slightly parted as she slept. Her pale skin glowed from the fire making her look enchanting.

'Kagome...'

His eyes swept over the camp. His head snapped to the left as a familiar scent hit his nose. Looking over the camp once more to make sure everyone was asleep, he took off.

'Forgive me, Kagome...'

He ran through the forest until he came to a little clearing. There, in the middle, was Kikyo. He cautiously walked over to her.

"Inuyasha... you came." Her cold gaze sent chills down his spine.

"Kikyo... what are you doing here?" She smirked and walked over to him. Her arms wrapped around his waist as she rested her head on his chest.

"What, I can't see my love anymore? I missed you so much." Inuyasha hesitated before wrapping his arms around her. He was worried to do anything because Kagome always caught him. He remembered seeing her asleep before he left camp, so he relaxed. 'She's fast asleep... there's nothing to worry about.' Pushing those thoughts aside, he focused his attention on the woman in his arms.

"I missed you too..." He buried his face into her hair. She pulled away and stared up into his eyes. Inuyasha leaned down and captured her lips with his. He kept his lips on hers for a few minutes before licking her bottom lip. Kikyo opened her mouth instantly and he slipped his tongue in. A twig snapped behind him and he broke the kiss. He turned around with wide eyes thinking it was Kagome. His facial expression changed when his eyes landed on eyes like his own. Inuyasha let out a snarl.

"Sesshomaru! What are you doing here?" He got in front of Kikyo protectively.

"I could ask you the same thing." Sesshomaru glared at his half-brother.

"Huh?"

"You're on my lands. Get off, and your lives will be spared." The demon lord turned his back towards them before walking off into the darkness.

Growling, Inuyasha turned around back to Kikyo... who wasn't there anymore. Confused, he looked around before shrugging and heading back to the camp. 'Guess she had to go again...?'

Red eyes watched as the half-demon disappeared from his sight. He laughed before going out into the clearing. 'My Kikyo clone worked! Now that I got Kagome away from the camp, and the half-demon away from her, my plan can be set into action! The demon lord was a surprise, though. I'm lucky he didn't spot me. Oh, how I love my potions!' The fox demon smirked and swished his tail behind him. 'Now, I wait for the little miko to come!'

-X-

"Ugh! I should've stayed at the camp!" Kagome was lost.

She huffed angrily before continuing west. Was she even going west anymore? Groaning, she plopped down on the ground and pulled her legs towards her. She burried her head into her legs. 'Inuyasha... where are you?' She suddenly felt like she was being watched. Her head shot up and she looked around. Nothing.

Before she could lay her head down again, she heard snickering. Her eyes widened as a figure slowly emerged from the darkness of the forest. 'Fox demon...?'

The demon had beautiful red/brown fur. On the tips of its ears was black fur; as well on the legs of the creature. The tip of it's tail was white and so was it's belly. What really caught her interest was it's eyes. The glowing red eyes caught her in a daze.

As the fox demon made his approach, Kagome snapped out of her daze and pulled out her bow. She mentally slapped herself as she reached for air on her back.

'I forgot the freakin' arrows...' Groaning once again, she braced herself for death.

"Kagome... how nice it is to finally meet you!" She stared dumbstruck at the fox.

"H-How do you know my name? Who are you? Why-" The fox growled at her, shutting her up.

"I've been watching you for a while now, Kagome. Who I am is none of your concern." He began to circle her making her nervous.

"Yes... a strong soul indeed! Maybe you'll be the first one to survive..." He pounced and clamped his jaws onto her neck. Kagome screamed as the pain shot through her frame. The fox let go and took off back to his den. 'Now, I watch!'

Kagome kept screaming as the pain grew more intense each second. 'Wha-What the hell's happening to me?' Her body felt like it was on fire. 'Inu... yasha...' The last thing she saw was two golden eyes staring down at her, then black.

-X-

A/N: Thank you for the reviews.