As Inuyasha woke up, he let out a low growl. His body ached, but that was not what he was concerned with – where was Kagome? Said hanyou sniffed the air, and his ears perked up; she was right here. He turned his head around, and saw her standing against a nearby tree. His expression fell; she was paler than before, holding the tree to keep standing.

"Kagome -", he started, but was silently interrupted as Kagome raised her arm, slowly.

"Don't. Releasing you took most of my strenght", she whispered, slowly falling to her knees.

Inuyasha stood up, and ran to her, grabbing her waist. Raiden let out a loud growl, transforming. However, the hanyou paid no thought to the apparent danger, his eyes fixated on the miko in his arms. He lifted her, and carried her into the clearing. Raiden roared at the hanyou, crouching into an attack position.

Inuyasha turned his head slightly towards Raiden, "Listen, you runt. I am not leaving Kagome. Not like this. So, instead of grrring at me, why don't you help me?"

Raiden whined, but walked over to the hanyou and miko. He lay down on the ground, and Inuyasha put Kagome leaning against his fur. Her color seemed to return slowly.

"Kagome…", he said, slowly caressing her cheek. Her eyelids fluttered opened, and the hanyou drew in a breath.

"What keeps us united?", she whispered, speaking out her thoughts to him.

Inuyasha smiled, "My love for you".

Kagomes brow furrowed, and turned her head away from him, "No; please, just stop lying."

"I am not lying", he answered, putting his hands on her cheeks to turn her head towards himself. The miko protested slightly, and Inuyasha released his grasp on her.

She let out a dry chuckle, "Yes, yes you are."

"No, I am not. Why would I lie to you?", he demanded, staring at her face.

"Hm. Why wouldn't you lie? Oh, I heard about Kikyo. Why would you do that, by the way? You know that I, the reincarnation, would never match up to her", she said, turning towards him.

Inuyasha's expression fell, "I didn't love Kikyo."

"Hah", she managed to say, and drew in a few deep breaths. She closed her eyes, her breathing starting to even out.

"Kagome; I am sorry. What I did was horrible, but I cannot take it back. However, I couldn't just…end everything that I had gone through with her like that."

"She was already dead, hanyou".

Inuyasha flinched at that, but continued, "I know". His ears flattened to his head, which caused Kagome to look away; she couldn't resist the face she knew he had on.

"But I do not love her. I didn't go to Hell with her. Kagome, dammit, I love you! What do I have to do to prove it to you?", he half-shouted.

"Mm. You know, our child was a girl", she said, almost talking to herself as she stared off into space. "I didn't even have time to think of a name – I lost her that quickly."

Inuyasha's jaw fell slightly open, his hand dropping to his side.

"I was a horrible wreck for half-a-year. I don't think that I ever truly recovered", she continued.

"Kagome…"

"I only came to this era to complete the jewel. I will give it to you; you are at liberty to do what you wish with it. Transform into a full demon, I just don't have the strength to care anymore", she said, "So, I would appreciate it if you would stay away from me. I would like to complete the jewel as soon as possible and return to my time", she added, falling quiet.

"Kagome, you know I cannot do that", Inuyasha whispered.

"Please", she said, tears starting to stream down her cheeks, "It hurts to be near you. You have broken my heart, my spirit, my soul."

"You don't think I feel the same way?", he demanded.

"I don't know. All I know is that it hurts being around you", she answered.

"Please, Kagome. I now that there is a way for us; I still believe we belong together", he said, reaching out towards her chest, feeling her heartbeat. His eyes diverted toward the golden necklace around her neck; it was his necklace. He lifted it with his hand, holding it in between his claws, and said "And so do you. Why else would you keep this pendant?"

Kagome looked away, blushing slightly, "It reminds me of my old life; Miroku, Sango, Shippoo".

Inuyasha looked up at her, "It doesn't remind you of me?"

The tears started flowing once more, "It reminds too much of you".

Inuyasha wrapped his arms around the miko, holding her small frame to his strong one. He started gently caressing her back as she sobbed into his hakama. Her sobs quieted gradually, resulting in her silent hiccups.

"I think I still love you", she whispered, and the hanyou brought her face to his.

"I love you; now, and forever", he answered, grabbing her chin. He slowly pulled her face towards hers, and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

She kissed him back, her hands twisting into his silver hair. She broke the kiss to breather, and then looked deeply into his eyes.

"How do I know you won't break my heart again? I am just a mere human", she said, glancing behind herself. Raiden had left for the time being – poor creature.

"You aren't a mere anything to me, my love", he said, embracing her tighter.