Disclaimer: It's such a pity that Inuyasha isn't mine... *sigh* He belongs to Kagome. Which is fine with me. \^0^/

" " Character's talking

' ' Character's thinking

"Kagome." A figure standing at the main entrance of her school waved with enthusiasm. Kagome noticed the unique red hair and eyes. She smiled and jogged to him.

"Gojyo!" Kagome blushed as he hugged her right there. Students passing by whispered and some giggled at them. She saw her three friends huddling in a circle discussing rapidly about her 'boyfriend' with the corner of her eye and sighed. Looks like she would have some explaining to do tomorrow.

"Sorry, but I'm so hungry that I couldn't even stand upright." He took her hand without asking and guided her through the crowed street.

Kagome envied Gojyo, whose school holiday lasted much longer then hers. He had spent most of his time with her, helping her heal the old and new wounds in her heart. Gojyo took her to the amusement park, bought her flowers and little presents but what touched her most was that he had used his time to help her in her studies too. Because of his help, Kagome had finally caught up with her studies.

'Where can you find a guy like this? I still wondered why I've chosen that foul-mouth, rude, inconsiderate half-demon over such a great guy like Gojyo, I must be blind... Gojyo is better then Inuyasha in every way.' She knew she was lying to herself.

"America." Kagome only caught the last word coming out of Gojyo's mouth. They were eating inside a fast food restaurant. It was as crowded as ever. The customers were nearly all students, whom just finished school. Gojyo apparently was the main target for the hungry eyes of the girl students.

He wore a white sleeveless shirt, showing contrast with his healthy tan skin along with a pair of baggy long pants. His red hair was now untied and little messed up caused by the harsh wind outside. While his red eyes were...staring curiously at her.

"Sorry, what were you saying?" She lowered her head and sipped at her coke. She was starring directly at him just now! How rude of her.

Gojyo took her hand and Kagome received death glares from the overly jealous audience. "Come with me to America."

Kagome quit being bashful and jerked her hand away from him. She opened her eyes wide in surprise. "Gojyo, I can't....."

"Don't refuse me because of Inutaiko." That shut her up. "You've been doing great here and you could have done better. I've got to go back next week. And I was hoping that you would come with me. I'm sure Mrs. Higurashi would want her daughter to be more independent."

"But my school, my friends..." 'Inuyasha'. She started giving excuses.

"Kagome, those are not the reason why you don't want to leave. Inutaiko is." Gojyo pushed his hair away from his forehead as he placed his elbow on the table.

"I'm not asking you to forget about him and I know it takes time for a broken heart to heal. So I did not woo you." He saw the surprised look on Kagome's face. He guessed it right; she did not noticed that he still has feelings for her.

"I still love you, Kagome. I had given up on you because I thought you would be happier with him. But you aren't. He made you cry." Even if it was a month ago, he still can't forget the night he found her. Wet, cold and shivering. Like a puppy, who lost its way back. He never wants to see her like that again.

"Gojyo..." Kagome twirled her fingers nervously. She hadn't expected that Gojyo still loves her after she had ditched him for Inuyasha. 'Maybe I should really consider about going to America.'

She did not pull away as he set his hand on hers again. "Kagome, I don't mind being a replacement for him." He smiled so gently at her. It reminds her of something.

It reminds her of...herself. She had once smiled for Inuyasha that way, thinking that even if he chooses Kikyo, she was still willing to stand by him. Now, Gojyo was telling her that he don't mind to be Inuyasha's replacement even though he knows that the one she loves was not him.

How could she refuse Gojyo's offer when she herself had gone through the same desperate situation?

Kagome bit her lower lip and nodded. She pretended that she didn't hear his last sentence. "But you'll have to convince my family first."

She could particularly feel Gojyo's joy as he stood up and leans across the table to give her a peck on her cheek. If deadly glares were made of bullets, Kagome may have already turned into a beehive. She blushed bright pink and pulled Gojyo out of the fast food restaurant before his kisses gets her killed.



"Oh good Kagome, you're back." Mrs. Higurashi had a worried look on her face. She was sitting in the living room as if she had been waiting for Kagome a long time. Kagome threw her school bag lightly on the sofa. Gojyo greeted Kagome's mother politely.

"Mama, what is it?" Kagome sat down beside her mother. It wasn't normal to find her active mother sitting quietly in the living room instead of happily moving about, doing her daily chores.

"Your friend from the federal age, the polite young man with a tiny ponytail and carrying a staff?" Her mother can only remember Inuyasha.

"Miroku? Why did he come?" Kagome was aching to ask if Inuyasha had been here too. But she didn't say anything.

"He was looking for you and told me it was urgent. Something about Kikyo is threatening Inuyasha..."

"Huh?" Kagome's heart skipped a beat. "Mama, what else did Miroku told you?"

"Erm...he said that you're in danger and you must leave the shrine immediately. Inuyasha will take care of the rest." This was what worried Mrs. Higurashi. What happened between Kagome and Inuyasha, her daughter wouldn't tell her. She had wanted to ask the young man in black robes, but he had already rushed off to look for Kagome before she could utter a word.

Without waiting another second, Kagome sprinted out of her house. Her mother calling behind her asking where was she going.

'Inuyasha! That stupid moron! Why must he face the dangers all by himself??' She almost reached the well when someone stopped her by pulling her arm. She snapped back her head expecting to see Miroku.

Gojyo was holding her arm. Kagome stood dazed. She had completely forgotten about Gojyo! Again! He heard the conversation and saw her face changed paler at the mention of 'Inuyasha'. He also had a blurry idea of what the pair of mother and daughter were talking about.

"Let me go. Please Gojyo, he needs me." Kagome tried to wriggle her arm free. Gojyo wasn't dumb, he knew the 'Inuyasha' she was going to was the 'Inutaiko' she'd told him.

"He needs you? What about me? I need you here too, Kagome." Gojyo just don't understand. 'Why would a nice and smart girl like Kagome couldn't get it that 'Inutaiko' is cheating her? Or 'Inuyasha', whatever his name is.'

"But I need him too!!" She yelled. Frustrated that Gojyo was holding her back. Who knows what danger might Inuyasha be facing now.

Gojyo was taken back by the sudden change of her attitude. Kagome realized her mistake and spoke in a softer tone. "I'm sorry I yelled at you. But Inuyasha is in trouble. Who knows, he might be at the edge of death as we speak."

Her arm was finally set free. She sat with her legs inward of the well and her back facing him. Kagome looked back to see a puzzled Gojyo. "I'm glad that you're willing to be his replacement." Her heart pounded at the thought of seeing Inuyasha again. "But nobody can ever replace him in my heart."

"Where are you going?" Gojyo was dumbfounded. Has his Kagome gone insane or is she going to commit suicide? He hoped that it was neither.

Kagome smiled. "I'm going to Inuyasha and 'sit' him a thousand times for leaving me." She pushed herself into the well.

"Kagome!" Gojyo hurried to the well and peer inside to see if she's okay. He was dazzled when he noticed that she was nowhere to be seen.

"Kagome-sama!!" Another voice came out from behind him.

"Excuse me, but did Kagome-sama just went inside the well?" Miroku remembers this red coloured hair/eyes boy. It was 'Kagome's human boyfriend'.

Gojyo nodded, unable to talk due to the shock that he had received. This man must be the Miroku Kagome and her mother had mention earlier. At first Mrs. Higurashi's description of Miroku hadn't make any sense to him. But after having a glance at Miroku in person, he had second thoughts.

"Damn it! She's gone without me! How am I going to get back? More importantly, how am I going to save my ass when Inuyasha finds out that I blew it?" Miroku mutters to himself.

Gojyo's red eyes glittered. He rubs his hands together. "I think you and I should have a little talk." He kidnapped poor Miroku back inside Kagome's house.



"Kikyo! You are NOT going anywhere!" Inuyasha was not surprise when he saw that she was already awake and making her way through the woods. It was a good thing that he had gotten Miroku to the other side to warn Kagome already.

Kikyo was flaming with rage after she awakens. 'How dare they pair up and fight against me? I'm going to kill Kagome whether they like it or not. They cannot stop me.'

Inuyasha tried to stop her. But she was a powerful and trained miko. He couldn't hurt her, as he couldn't 50 years ago when trying to get the Shikon no Tama, not to mention that Kagome will get hurt too.

He had no idea what he can do. He gave a last try to coax Kikyo when the well was in view. "I love you, Kikyo." He forced the words out. It was hard, but it stopped Kikyo from advancing anymore. "I never loved Kagome. She's not as pretty as you are. She's stupid, timid and she disgust me." Inuyasha made his eyes soft and tender as he imagined tearing Kikyo's heart out.

Kikyo looked at him with loving eyes. "I love you too, Inuyasha." Inuyasha thought he had won and let out an inner sigh of relive. "Since you hate Kagome so much, it'll be my pleasure to kill her for you."

Inuyasha couldn't believe his ears. After saying so many awful things about Kagome, this was her respond? That was the last straw! He took out his Tetsusaiga and decided to ruin the well.

He'd rather destroy the only thing that connects himself with Kagome then putting her in danger. The Tetsusaiga gleamed as he rose it up in mid-air. 'I don't wanna do this! I'll never get to see her again!' Next thing he knew, Kikyo shot an arrow at him.

The force of her purify arrow sent Inuyasha flying backwards and pinning him to a tree. Kikyo's arrow shot his arm that held the Tetsusaiga. His trustworthy sword turned back into its original rusty and worn-out form as he let it drop from his bleeding arm. Pain soared inside of him. This was no ordinary arrow. It was Kikyo's main weapon. He can't decide weather to curse Kikyo or thank her for saving the well.

Inuyasha's ears suddenly perked up and he took a sniff at that familiar scent he missed so much. Forgetting the pain at his arm, listening to his increasing heartbeat, he set his eyes at the well. "This couldn't be... She couldn't be back... I've hurt her so much, why is she back?" He realized he wasn't dreaming when Kagome heaved herself out of the well. Kikyo smiled wickedly. "Too bad. Guess I won't be visiting the future."

Kagome didn't expect to see this scenery. Inuyasha hurt and bleeding was pinned to a tree with an arrow. Her heart ached as she studied his thinner features. 'What happened to you?' She cannot take her eyes off him. He had a longing hunger look in his golden eyes, hunger for her. "Inuyasha...?"

She called his name. How long since she last called him? Her sweet voice brought energy to him. 'If that's the last thing I heard before I die, I will go with no regrets.'

Kikyo aimed an arrow at her. Kagome was so moved by seeing her love again that she did not notice her enemy getting ready to kill her. Kikyo's arrow was fast; it would have go through Kagome's chest if Inuyasha hadn't tear free from the tree and pushed her out of the way.

They rolled on the ground for a few turns. Inuyasha hugged Kagome to protect her fragile body from getting hurt or scratch by the huge rough rocks. Their rolling stopped with Kagome lying on top of Inuyasha. His breathing became raspy due to her sweet fragrant suddenly surrounding him.

Kagome's heartbeat thumped almost exactly as fast as Inuyasha's she pushed herself up so she could look at him face to face. Before she knew it, her hand was caressing his cheek. Still lying on his back, Inuyasha took her hand before she could pull away and rubbed it on his cheek.

"Kagome..." Inuyasha gave her such a look that she wanted to kiss him harshly and 'sit' him a million time for not taking care of himself.

"My, my, what have we here? A little desperate aren't you, Kagome? Didn't your mother teach you not to touch other people's husband?!" Their sweet little reunion was spoiled as a certain overly jealous miko, shot another arrow at them.

Inuyasha kept dodging Kikyo's purified arrows. He was carrying Kagome, jumping around like she weighted nothing but feathers. "Feh, since when did I become your husband Kikyo?" His confidence increased. With Kagome around, he can't afford to lose.

He was doing a great job until Kikyo stopped shooting her arrows. Inuyasha felt dreaded as he saw her holding an arrow with the sharp edge pointing at her neck.

"Inuyasha, come here before I 'hurt' myself." Kikyo said in a soft tone. Kagome stared as though the half-dead miko was a maniac. Not that Kagome thinks she wasn't.

Seeing the confusion in her, Kikyo gave a small smile and pressed the pointed tip lightly into her neck. Kagome winced at the sudden pain and cupped her neck with her hand. She was totally shocked at her small wound.

"Why should I keep it a secret anyway? I'll explain it to you, simple and fast. Just like your death." Inuyasha stood protectively in front of Kagome and growled. "I found a way to retrieve half of my soul. Like that example I've shown you, you will die if I choose to kill myself. Inuyasha had to obey me if he wants to save you're life."



Miroku and Gojyo sat opposite one another. Mrs. Higurashi was cooking up some food for the two waiting boys. Miroku had lied to her, telling her that there isn't any danger and it was suppose to be a surprise party for Kagome. With his charming attitude and good experience of dealing with elder woman, Miroku had soon won over Mrs. Higurashi's trust. Gojyo on the other hand, wasn't an elderly woman...

"What is Inuyasha like?" Gojyo turned the coffee mug in his hand. He was curious of this person that Kagome treasured.

"You really want to know?" The red haired boy nodded. Miroku cleared his throat and begin to tell the story of a bad-tempered, selfish, stupid demon-mutt and a kind, gentle and cheerful girl wearing weird clothes. Then, what happened when fate brought them together....



As the truth finally clear to her, fear of death suddenly burned into Kagome. 'Kikyo wants my life so she could be alive once again?!' She didn't want to die. There were so many things that would be left uncompleted. Cold sweat rolled down her forehead and she shivered. 'Does Inuyasha meant more then my future?'

"Come here right now!" Kikyo repeated. More determination added in her tone this time. Inuyasha looked at Kagome with worried eyes, wondering why his love was suddenly so quiet. He thought Kagome would talk back at Kikyo like she always did. "She is afraid of dying, can't you see?" Kikyo's word struck Inuyasha. He'd never considered if Kagome loved him that much to overcome her fear of death for him.

"Is it true, Kagome?" He asked her in a hurt voice. Kagome's eyes filled with fear told him the answer. He was in pain seeing Kagome, who had always been brave and strong now shaking lie a leaf and scared. Inuyasha wanted to wipe the fear away from her eyes. He knows what to do. "If I come with you, do you promise not to hurt Kagome?" To Kikyo he asked.

"I will. All I want is you, Inuyasha." Kikyo replied softly, taking the pointed arrow away from her neck as a promise.

Inuyasha smiled bitterly at Kagome. "I don't blame you, Kagome. Everyone's afraid of dying. Why would you want to die for some stupid dog demon, who had made you cry more then once?" He kissed her forehead lightly and whispered softly in her ear.

Kagome was still startled as she watches Inuyasha walking towards to Kikyo. Her mind suddenly thinking about all those times Inuyasha had almost gotten himself killed by protecting her.

'What are you doing? He risked his life to protect you. He gave up on the woman he loved because you came barging into his life, asking him to love you instead. He's willing to lie to you just so your life can be spared. Is this how you repay his love and trust to you? After all he has done?!" A voice inside her head hissed and scolded her non- stop. She opened her mouth to call him, to apologize for hesitating when he needed her.

Her voice was stuck in her throat as Kikyo's soul catching youkais wrapped Kagome tightly against the tree behind her. The same situation she had been in the first time she saw Inuyasha and Kikyo kissing! She had been helpless when she witnessed Kikyo pulling Inuyasha down to hell. This time, Kikyo was planning to send HER to hell. "Argh!! Inuyasha!"

"Kagome!!" Inuyasha snapped his head back to see Kagome struggling with Kikyo's youkais. "You promised not to hurt her!!"

"Humph, I promised not to hurt her. I'm just going to kill her." Kikyo aimed her arrow directly at Kagome's heart. "It's easier to shoot while your prey isn't moving. Ne, Inuyasha?"

Kagome closed her eyes and prayed that the pain would be over soon. Seconds passed by, she didn't felt any pain.

"Inuyasha! Get out of my way, so I can kill this bitch!" At the sound of Kikyo's stern voice, Kagome assured herself that she was still on earth. She blinked her eyes open. Kikyo's aim did not change its course. She was still aiming for Kagome's heart...only with Inuyasha standing in the middle of the arrow and herself with his arms spread open.

He shook his head. "I've made a promise to her that I'll always protect her."

Kikyo frowned. "Do not test my patience, I will not hesitate to kill you too."

Kagome gritted her teeth. It suddenly struck her; Kikyo is going to kill her because she wants to be alive. Not because she loves Inuyasha. He was an obstacle to her now. To think that Kagome had once left Inuyasha because she thought he deserves Kikyo. Boy, was she wrong.

"Kill me then." He said in a matter-of-fact tone. Kikyo had always wanted to bring him down to hell. He promised to go with her after the Shikon no Tama is completed. But he did not kept his promise. He wanted to stay alive because he had promise the girl that he loves that he will always protect her.

Two promises made to the two most important women in his life. He did not want to break either of it.

"Inuyasha, no!" Kagome found her lost voice. She struggled wildly with no successes of moving one inch. "I don't want you to die!" Hot tears welded at the brim of her eyes. "Please, I'm not worth it." She said with a shaking voice.

"Feh, stupid woman. Don't you know that you've mean everything to me?" He turned side ways so Kagome could see only part of his face. "I love you, Kagome." His words froze her heart still. He sounded like he was...saying goodbye?

"Enough talking! I will grant your wish since you're so eager to meet your doom." Kikyo released her grip and her purify arrow moved swiftly towards Inuyasha.

Kagome never felt so brave and loved in her life. She was going to do the thing that she never EVER thought she could do. He protected her long enough and she does not want to hesitate anymore. This time, she will be the one protecting him.

She opened her mouth. "Inuyasha, osuwari."

The pain was unbearable. She suffered the painful blast and everything around her went black as her breathing stopped. Her last thought, never to be told----------'I love you too, Inuyasha..'.

AN: AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Before you throw anything at me (Which I

hope you're still holding the hand grenades safely away from me), I, NigHtEyeZ apologize for killing

Kagome!! (I kinda sound like Sesshoumaru -_-;;)

The next chapter will be the last. I'm halfway through it. Actually I can't decide weather to end it in a

sad ending or a sappy one. So you'll be the judges. Tell me what do you hope the ending will be??

Cause I'd rather please my readers then please myself by torturing Inuyasha. Hehehe....

Please!! You have to waste time and review it for me!! I'm desperate to know if my stories are

readable!! Then again, I hope you enjoy the story so far ^_^ . Byez for now!