Chapter ten - Lovelorn

Chapter ten - Lovelorn.

As they headed on, each with different thoughts twisting and turning in their head, Inuyasha could only think of the upcoming events. How could he really sit by and let this happen? Why couldn't Kagome leave it all to him and let him figure out a way to get through it all without having to re-kill Kikyo? And how would Kikyo feel when she knew Inuyasha would do nothing but sit back? Torment slithered into his gut as he thought of her face, flushed with hurt and betrayal, like so long ago.

Inuyasha bit back a shudder and turned to see Kagome walking with Miroku and Sango. She smiled at something the monk said and then glanced at Inuyasha, holding his gaze for a second before looking away again. Was it going to be like this from now on? He couldn't help but feel an almost one-eighty from the feelings he had just a second ago of Kikyo. It was like when his mind traced one's face, he could do nothing but think and care for that one. Until he saw the other, that is.

By the time the group had finally reached the outskirts of a village, the sun was nearly set in the mountains. Quietness had cooled over the skins of each person, the feeling of anxiousness obvious; As they walked on, Miroku noted Inuyasha's increased tenseness. He toned into the earth and let his mind relax, reaching out for the reason his friend was becoming so distraught.

Out of nowhere, He stopped. "I can sense Kikyo, Kagome. Are you sure this is what you want to do?" His face turned towards hers, acknowledging her sincerely. "It will be a rough battle." Kagome gulped and nodded, a little too shaken for words.

"Are you sure you're not too tired, Kagome?" Sango tried. "We could always rest before this confrontation."

"You guys don't have to be so easy on me you know. I know I can do what's right." Kagome smiled and brushed her bangs from her heated face. They had spent the entire day walking, and the lashing anticipation was rattling her.

Inuyasha silently studied her. Could she really do what she had intended to do? His heart and mind were whirling like a hurricane, the calamity inside slowly leaking onto his calm composure. Every passing second seemed to smother him, his stomach was in knots, and finally he had to stop and turn to Kagome.

She paused patiently as soon as his need reached and caught her attention. She had wondered for the past day now how Inuyasha was feeling, and she had to admit to herself that he looked a little green.

"Inuyasha…" She began. He watched her as her face showed all of her emotion, for him, for the future, for herself.

"Kagome."

"Let's just camp out right here for tonight. We're all a little tired." She smiled gently. The others agreed, Shippo the happiest considering the distressing day.

By nightfall, everyone's mood had slanted into a more cheerier feel. Miroku and Sango sat together with Shippo and Kilala by their side and a fire in the front. Kagome sat to herself with a smile on her face, her eyes like oceans lost in the sky. Inuyasha sat near her, his face almost mirroring hers. They both knew inside what this would do to the other, and secretly wondered if they had it in themselves, if the other even had it in themselves.

The half-breed curled in on himself quietly. Still feeling every bit as crazy as earlier, he had no idea just how he would survive the next day. But he did know one thing, he did not, as a being, have it in himself to just sit back and watch the two beautiful mikos go head to head. Beautiful and so sincere Kagome, utterly innocent. Kikyo, her jaded laugh scorching him. She was so much wiser, so advanced in her powers. This battle would not be fair.

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