Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha and more importantly his brother. Sigh.

…

Threads of dull silver pooled at his feet glittering in the moonlight. Inuyasha had tried to save her, he really did even after Kikyo was thrust in his arms, and yet he fell short. With her body no longer in sight he dove in the miasma river despite the burn.

It was only after he was forced out by his traveling companions that he realized the damage that was done to his body his skin shriveled, discolored. His hair butchered by the miasma as well as his kimono. Sitting a ways outside camp he vowed to never fail anyone ever again.

This was his entire fault. If only he would have been sensitive enough to detect Makyoh's presence, or fast enough to catch her when she had Kagome, or smart enough to wait for his pack before confronting Naraku, or was simply strong enough to choose neither, or when Kagome fell if he were a better demon he could had caught her, and when Naraku and company tried to thwart him from saving Kagome he would have been strong enough to get pass them.

Watching his skin slowly heal he felt shamed what was he going to tell her kind mother? How was he going to keep his pack together when that which bound them was now gone? And more importantly how could he make himself tell them the truth. As far as they were concerned Kagome was dropped the moment he got there and Kikyo did not correct him.

"Kagome," he whispered softly, "I'm so so sorry. You disserved better than this … better than me."

Inuyasha vowed then in her name that he would become stronger. That he would protect the rest of the pack and he would avenge her when the time was right. And only when Naraku's lifeless body rested at his feet would he tell his friends the truth.

For now he would train and to start he decided to give tensaiga to Totosai. He loved the fang dearly, but it held him back. Why train when you had a sword that could slay a hundred demons in one swing? No, he will exchange the fang for a simpler sword with no magical capabilities that had the general shape of his fathers.

With the new blade in hand he will spar with Kikyo, Sango, and Miroku on the daily basis until he became the demon that … that he is not now.

"Inuyasha?" Kikyo glided to him, "Do you wish to talk?"

"About what," he refused to make eye contact as he spoke, "How I failed?"

"No," cold fingers reached to cup his warm chin, "How you tried."

"Trying was not enough. 'Sides I told Naraku to drop her. That is not trying."

Sitting more comfortably, "Naraku only made you realize where your heart truly lies. He wanted you to make a choice and you made one now whether that choice was made in error or no you must make the most of its consequences."

PLEASE REVIEW

[OK THIS CHAPPIE WAS SO SHORT I THINK I MIGHT POST THE NEXT TODAY OR TOMORROW]

shesshybabe123: He does and thanks for reviewing!

1kenshinlover: Rin won't be able to do too much. Right now Sesshy is teaching her a life lesson.