Disclaimer: Yes, Rumiko Takahashi owns Inuyasha.

I changed the summary again. But I realised that I am probably really bad at this- I am at chapter 10 already and yet, the "protected pain" part has yet to be seen. And Inuyasha hasn't returned to Kagome. But I promise that Inuyasha will rejoin the gang by the following chapter.

Uh. I guess my story is quite bad, since the reviews are few (but thank you, for all who reviewed before) and everything. I shall just do my best and finish what I planned to do, without dragging the story longer than required. For those who have favourite-ed Protected Pain, thank you very much. ^^

Chapter 10: Irrevocable Bonds

It had now been four months since Inuyasha left for Kikyo. In this course of time, the gang managed to gather a few shards, but had yet to encounter Naraku. Kagome's returns to modern Japan lasted slightly longer than before, when Inuyasha was with them, but the gang didn't begrudge her that. To the best of Kagome's knowledge, they never crossed paths with Inuyasha and Kikyo either.

That is, to the best of her knowledge.

It was once when Koga had ran Kagome back to the Bone Eater's well. Kagome had insisted that the gang need not waste the journey back, and she could always ask Kirara to bring her there, but Koga managed to insist on bringing her back himself. Within two hours of their departure, Inuyasha and Kikyo met the gang. Kikyo sat under a tree some distance away while they talked.

"How's everything, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked, as they sat down.

"We're fine, I guess,"- we being him and Kikyo rather than the gang now- "But I almost… lost Kikyo." Inuyasha proceeded to inform them on Naraku's transformation, that it was now impossible to smell him out. His audience frowned as they thought of a way to thwart that.

They couldn't think of anything.

"… Inuyasha," Shippo said. "What did you mean about Kikyo?"

"She almost died from Naraku's miasma," the hanyo replied. "But something… odd… happened."

Just as he was in despair for how to help Kikyo, he felt a sensation, both strikingly familiar and eerily odd, and suddenly Kikyo's wound was purified and healed, as if from his hand. They had no idea what to make of it, and it was a one off thing.

The gang listened in surprise- not only over the apparition but over something they knew that Inuyasha didn't. Kagome had told them of the exact situation, happening in her dream. She had been troubled by how real- yet how surreal- it felt. Up until now, they had no idea that it could, no, was, more than a dream. But they said nothing.

"You're looking around, Inuyasha," Sango observed, staring at the hanyo. "Are you looking for something?" Or someone? Sango added to herself.

"Merely that I smelt that mangy wolf. He's with you, then?"

Sango gave a nod, and continued keeping an eye on his countenance. His harsh tone had lain a mutual ban on Kagome's name. Sango suddenly wondered if it was a coincidence that the pair appeared only after Kagome and Koga left. She couldn't work out whether the hanyo wanted to see or wanted to avoid Kagome more.

Inuyasha murmured about not keeping Kikyo waiting, and stood up to go.

Shippo burst out, "You're not going to ask how Kaogme is, then?"

The hanyo stared into his green eyes. In that gaze, it was louder than if Inuyasha had said, "No."

He had chosen his path, and no one would stop him.

They left.

Having since heard that Naraku could not detected, though not told of its source or about her dream being true, Kagome had tried to train herself in sensing out energy pools. Theoretically, everyone had energy in them, and being able to sense the energy meant the ability of realizing the person's presence. Easier said than done, however.

Kagome only managed it once; since she began training a month ago. She almost had to cut off all her senses and meditate to achieve the intensity of her concentration enough to detect her surrounding energy. Yet the surroundings itself was very distracting- the plants held energy, the insects held energy, and even the wind had some form of energy. Although it was exciting that there was a possibility of harnessing energy from nature, it was so hard to achieve that it would be almost useless in a battle. And not to mention how vulnerable Kagome would become to do this is the middle of a fight!

Tonight, after defeating some monsters who came for the shards, they borrowed lodgings from a neighbouring village. The village had claimed that a wandering miko and a half demon had destroyed the petty demons which had plagued the village, and wasn't ken on taking them in without a fee until they heard that Kagome had healing powers.

"Have a good rest, miko-sama," the villager said, as he bowed to Kagome. She dipped her head, but could not miss the untrusting gaze he gave Koga.

"Yeesh," Koga muttered when he left. "It's like this in every village. Honestly, I don't mind sleeping out in the open. Maybe they'll pay the monk to cleanse this room since demons resided there."

"You know we wouldn't leave you outside, Koga-kun," Kagome said, smiling at him. "Furthermore, a storm's coming in."

Koga nodded and they practiced a moment on Kagome's absorption ability. By the time they were done, the monk and the exterminator had returned from a walk. ("Took you two long enough," Shippo said slyly.) Kagome took the usual position near Kagome- the spot Inuyasha used to sit and watch over the rest. The lamp was blown out.

Above them, the storm clouds began gathering.

Naraku felt an odd jolt of anger as he saw Kikyo sleep in Inuyasha's embrace. One part of him refused to accept the idea of him being jealous of that hanyo, another part of him recognized the fact and resented it. That part of him hated his weakness in regard to Kikyo.

This time, he was determined to put an end to it. He was going to be the most powerful yokai ever lived. A miko wasn't going to stand in his way. And neither will that half breed.

"With your beloved woman dead, how will you fight? Inuyasha…"

She was in the clearing again. Inuyasha smiled at her, warming her insides. Only then did she realize that, always, no matter how hot the sun's rays were on her skin, she was cold. As if there was a block of ice surrounding her heart.

"Inuyasha…" she felt a surge of craving for the hanyo before her. She wanted to hold him, for him to hold her… even if it was just a dream.

He turned away, and ran off after a very familiar figure. Kikyo. "I won't be seeing you, Kagome."

He was leaving. Just like he did before. Kagome felt a stab of pain, immobilizing her.

"Inuyasha! Inuyasha! Inuyasha!"

Kagome jerked awake, crying. "Inuyasha!" She looked around wildly, before realizing where she was. And the tears ran down faster. Inuyasha!

Inuyasha fidgeted in his sleep.

In his dream, he was in Kaede's village again, under the sacred tree. So many memories from there.

Suddenly, he was aware of someone standing behind him. He turned.

Ah… Kagome. She was fine, then. So beautiful, as before. He couldn't help but let himself smile at her. He was satisfied just to see her in his dreams. As long as she was alive, and well, he'd be happy.

"Inuyasha…." Kagome whispered.

He allowed himself to stare into her lovely face. The features he missed, but was destined not to be with. The features he loved so much. Kagome…

In the distance, he heard Kikyo beckon him. He habitually turned to go after Kikyo. After all, in reality, his priority was Kikyo. And this… was just another dream.

"I won't be seeing you, Kagome," he murmured. Not until the next dream- I have to be with Kikyo. I owe her.

"Inuyasha! Inuyasha!" Kagome cried. He could smell the salt of her tears. But he didn't turn. It's just a dream.

"Inuyasha!"

His heart throbbed painfully, for causing the Kagome in his dreams such anguish. But he hardened his heart and continued on.

Koga awoke upon hearing Kagome mumble in her sleep.

"Inuyasha…"

He twitched. Even though Inuyasha left her, Kagome still dreamt about him? She still loved him? His eyes stung, but he forced the moisture back to its source.

"Inuyasha! Inuyasha! Inuyasha!" Kagome cried in her sleep. The salty smell of tears met his nose. Kagome woke up, and cried. Koga, his heart almost breaking, pulled her into his lap and hugged her tight.

"Kagome, it's just a dream. It's just a dream," he said, stroking her. He saw the monk peer at them through a half opened eye, the exterminator look at Kagome in agony, and the fox squeeze his eyes shut.

They all love her, as do I, he thought. Different loves; and we feel for her sorrow.

Inuyasha, you idiot!

Kagome sobbed herself back to sleep against his chest. "I'm sorry, Koga," she murmured, as she gradually returned to slumberland. Only then did the others loosen up, and drift back to sleep themselves.

Koga looked down at the fragile girl in his arms. I love Kagome. So much. So much I can't bear it. He felt his face heat up-

Then, the crushing disappointment when he knew it wouldn't work out. She loves Inuyasha. Still. And she's so cut up over him.

"Koga?"

"What, little fox?"

Shippo hesitated for a little. Koga let the silence continue unbroken. He ran his fingers through Kagome's hair, noting how pale she was compared to the time she was with Inuyasha, and eating less, too. And no matter how Kagome tried to smile, the pain in her eyes never deceived him. Stupid mongrel! He doesn't deserve her.

"You love her, don't you?" Shippo asked, staring at Kagome as well.

Koga nodded, wondering what the young fox was thinking.

Shippo pulled out a golden locket from his pocket and turned it round and round in his small hand. He toyed with it, before speaking with carefully chosen words.

"This necklace… was something Kagome gave to Inuyasha. When we found Kagome in shock- when Inuyasha left- I found this in the soil," Shippo said slowly. "I thought that… when Kagome was better… She may want it back. Like how I wish I could have something to remember my parents by."

Shippo popped open the clutch, and showed Koga its contents. A wave of jealousy entered Koga's chest, smelling both Inuyasha and Kagome's scent on the images.

"You want me to keep it? Why?" he asked through clenched teeth. It'd only hurt her to see it.

"You're the one helping Kagome recover," Shippo replied as a matter of fact. "I know you read her flawlessly. You'd know when to pass it to her."

"Flattery will bring you nowhere, runt." Shippo laughed, as Koga took the locket.

"And protect Kagome," Shippo added, as he slouched away into his blanket once more.

I'll do that without you telling me, stupid, Koga thought. Even if it means me my life.

Hojou peered into Kagome's class, to see if she was back in school. Her desk was empty.

"Looking for Kagome? Hojou-kun," the girl called Yuka asked, spotting him. His face heated up as the surrounding students turned to look at him. Kyle, who was speaking to his girlfriend, looked at him as well.

"Uh, yeah," he replied, scratching his head.

"She's absent."

"I see," Hojou said, returning to his class next door. He had been to the Hiragushi residence two days ago and Kagome's grandfather said something about "dengue fever". He sighed.

Hojou never before realized how much Kagome was the reason for his enthusiasm for school. He felt a longing to see her from the centre of his being, and whenever someone passed in the corridor, he would irrationally expect it to be Kagome. Was this what they call… love?

His shoulders slumped a little when he remembered that Kagome had a boyfriend. Two months ago, Kagome was absent from school a long while because she "had depression". Yuka, Eri and Ayumi revealed to him then that Kagome had a boyfriend- but it seemed as if she hadn't gotten over his rejection. Judging by Kagome's behavior when she returned, it seemed as though she hadn't forgotten the guy.

Hojou couldn't hope for his feelings towards Kagome to be reciprocated. But still… he wanted to stay Kagome's favourite guy friend.

He looked out of the window. Wherever Kagome was, she was looking up in the same blue sky.

Get well soon… Hiragushi.

I… love you.

Kikyo's eyes widened as Naraku's tentacles went through her chest. A large amount of miasma was pumped into her wound, and she gasped at the excruciating pain. She saw something flash through Naraku's face, but had no time to identify it- he flung her away, hard.

Warm hands caught her, and she heard her name pronounced in a strangled voice. The voice which belonged to the person she loved most in the world.

Naraku, I'll not just die like this. Kikyo pulled out an arrow and shot with all her strength at Naraku's portion of the jewel. For a moment, it seemed like the light would reign in the jewel again, but Naraku tainted it.

"You've lost, Kikyo. And Inuyasha- how will you fight when your beloved dies?" Naraku said, as he disappeared with his miasma.

Whether I've lost- Naraku, you'll understand the day you die.

She felt the wound of the miasma spread to the rest of her body.

They had fought so hard against Naraku, but in the end, Naraku managed to deal her a deadly blow. She looked up at Inuyasha and felt some joy seeing real emotion in his agonized face. As much as she wanted to be selfish and have Inuyasha forever, she had decided. For the greater good. For… Inuyasha's good.

"Inuyasha… Promise me one thing."

"Anything for you, Kikyo. You know that," Inuyasha said, a lump rising in his throat as Kikyo's breathing became harder.

"Return to… Kagome."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. "Kikyo!"

"Inuyasha, listen to me. This is my last wish. Return to Kagome," Kikyo insisted weakly.

"I'm not blind, you know. She changed you. She made you so much more gentle, into all I ever wanted. And you… Inuyasha. You are not complete without her. Those prayer beads," she said, touching them. "I could have taken them off in a second, you know.

"But I didn't. You'd be sad to have them taken away.

"You love her, Inuyasha. Don't hurt yourselves by staying away."

Inuyasha's eyes moistened again. "I'll always love you, Kikyo," he whispered, and kissed her.

She smiled.

"Thank you… Inuyasha."

Kagome's tears pooled over and ran down her cheeks, taking her by surprise. A huge wave of sorrow threatened to knock her down.

What was this overwhelming sadness she felt?

"Look out, Kagome!" Koga shouted, as he pulled her away. He was fast- but not quick enough. Just as he jumped out of the way with Kagome in his arms, the demon's claw tore the fabric at Kagome's chest. Two lines along Kagome's white uniform turned red with her blood.

"Finish it off," Koga yelled to Sango.

"Kagome, are you alright?"

"Did it get you, Kagome-sama?"

"You're bleeding, Kagome-chan!"

"I'm fine," she assured them, as she wiped the tears away. "There was this overwhelming sadness all of a sudden…"

Kagome saw Koga's eyebrows furrowed in concern. She pressed her palm on her wounds and let out a bright golden glow. Within seconds, it was healed. She then closed her eyes and focused on the crushing feeling which felt at once familiar but foreign.

"I think…" Kagome heard herself say, and yet was almost certain it was true, "Kikyo's dead."

A stunned silence met her words- everyone stared at her.

Self conscious, Kagome looked down. Suddenly, she realized that her torn uniform was quite… revealing.

She blushed, and everyone followed her eyes down. Miroku coughed, and Sango jabbed him. Shippo turned away. Koga blushed furiously.

Kagome fumbled in her bag for a change of clothes. Her other sets of clothing were dirty. She pulled out the hakama that Kaede-sama had given her, amazed at how she'd have known this day would come.

"I'm going to change," she said. "Sango, keep your eyes on them."

Koga flushed, if possible, even redder, as Kagome walked into the trees.

"You bet," Sango replied, as she pulled Miroku's ear, catching him stare at Kagome's retreating back.

A lot of POVs, and the last bit is not really "irrevocable bonds". But I had to put it in this chapter. Please review!