I greatly aplogise for not updating last week at all, once again my homework and sudden massive amount of coursework caught up with me...

Oh well, I guess that's how it's gonna be for me for the next year and a half, I'd better start getting used to it really. GCSEs are more urgent that fanfiction, I'm sorry to say.

Still, on a brighter note, I'll have the summer hols to udpate my stories! I will have some coursework to do over the summer, but nothing that's gonna pose too much of an issue with my fanfiction.

Slightly sad but still brightish note - the InuYasha manga is about to end! The last chapter comes out next week! I couldn't stop myself - I read the spoilers (My will power isn't all that great). I won't say what happens, only that I'm very satisfied with the ending.

Metamorphisis

Kagome's eyes slowly fluttered open against the sun's morning rays seeping in through the hut window. She noticed she was laying against something warm and deep red. Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, she gazed upwards and gasped when she saw InuYasha's calm, sleeping face resting with his chin on her head.

Kagome's heartbeat increased further when she realized he had his arm snaked around her waist, holding her possessively close to him. She could have sworn they'd only been sitting next to eachother earlier! She hadn't even noticed when she fell asleep!

The young miko could only remember feeling so tired the night before, so exhausted and worried...

And InuYasha's shoulder had looked more than appealing. He'd even offered it too her to rest her head on and sleep for a little while. Kagome had refused however, stubborn as she was. She had had her mind set on watching over Kikyo for the night...

Kagome's body stiffened.

" Kikyo! "

" The young half demon truly loves you, doesn't he sister? "

Instantly the startled miko's gaze snapped to the resting body of her older sister. She felt herself fill with utmost joy when she saw Kikyo staring back at her, a small but weak smile on her face.

" Oh Kikyo! "

Gently as she could, Kagome moved InuYasha's arm from around her, moved off of his lap and moved to kneel beside Kikyo. He didn't stir from his peaceful slumber.

Kagome clasped Kikyo's hand tightly in her own, tears od happiness and relief falling down her face.

" Kikyo I am so, so sorry I left you all alone in that clearing! It was so stupid of me! If I hadn't have left Naraku wouldn't have - "

" Shhh Kagome, it is alright, please do not blame yourself for what happened. It is I who should be apologising..."

" Huh? For what? "

Kikyo frowned up at her.

" Do you not remember what I did? When you ran into the clearing and found me and InuYasha..."

Kagome's eyes saddened with recognition, knowing what her sister was refering to.

" Oh... that. "

Kikyo's eyes softened once more.

" Kagome please, please forgive me. I swear I had no idea what I was doing! It was as if I had no control over my body! Naraku's voice was in my head, telling me to - ! "

This time it was Kagome who intervened.

" Naraku was controlling you? I knew it..."

" Ka...gome? "

Kagome looked down at her sister, giving Kikyo a small but sad smile.

" When I saw you and InuYasha... kissing... in the forest, I was blinded by the hurt and pain I felt. I couldn't comprehend anything, or even think straight, so I just ran. Running was the only thing I could think of...I didn't stop to think things through properly... If I had done, then I would have realized that my dear, older sister would never do such a thing to me... Don't blame yourself either Kikyo, because I know I don't. However, if it helps... I do forgive you... But Kikyo, all I really want now is for you to recover, that's far more important. "

Kikyo sighed, glad that Kagome could see the truth, even though she still felt bad about the whole ordeal.

There was still more Kagome needed to know about Naraku though.

" Kagome... Naraku, he was behind it all. It was his plan all along for you and Koga to meet, to fall in love... so he could have Koga betray you. He did it so he could see myself suffer, he caused all of those horrible things between you and Koga to happen so he could get his revenge on me..."

Kagome's eyes widened.

" So, all along... the reason for me meeting and falling in love with Koga... being betrayed by Koga... Kikyo being forced to kiss InuYasha... it was all down to Naraku? So he could see Kikyo suffer for what happened between her and Onigumo so long ago? "

" Kikyo... I'm so sorry... "

The older priestess was taken aback.

" Kagome... you are apologising? Again? Do you not see?! It was me! All along it was me and Naraku! I had no idea, but it was me who caused you so much pain! If only Onigumo and I had never met! None of this would have happened - ! "

" But then...if I had still met and fallen in love with Koga, I would never have met and fallen in love with InuYasha... With Naraku's interference, I was able to see what Koga was really like... because of that betrayal, I suffered great pain, yes, but still... I met InuYasha, and he healed the scar Koga had left on me...he made me feel whole needed in a way Koga never had done... my love for InuYasha is far greater than the one I held for Koga... "

Kikyo raised an eyebrow.

" So... you are telling me that you're glad for what happened? You are glad that you suffered so much pain because of Onigumo and me? "

" Hn. The pain I could have done without... but still, that same pain is what brought me to InuYasha. It's sad, but he has suffered greatly in his own life aswell, and from the moment I met him, I wanted to heal that pain of suffering. We healed one another's pain. Without him... my scar would never have healed. "

" Then... I am glad you have him Kagome. He may be a half demon... but I can see how much he cares for you, and how much you do for him in return... You are both equally stubborn when it comes to expressing your feelings for one another... but you both know they are there. You... you have my blessing Kagome. "

Kagome blushed furiously.

" Ble - blessing?! We - We haven't gotten that far yet Kikyo! We haven't even th - thought about - ! "

There was deep amusement in Kikyo's eyes. Kagome huffed.

" I was merely telling you that wherever your relationship with the half demon goes... you will have my approval... not that you need it. "

Kagome sighed, happy that Kikyo had finally accepted InuYasha. As her friend. As her companion.

As her love.

" Kagome... before anything else, I must know... what has become of Naraku? "

Kagome inwardly winced.

" He... he got away. When we found you hurt in the clearing, InuYasha fought him off, and he injured Naraku... but Naraku still got away with the jewell. "

Kikyo's eyes narrowed and Kagome saw the familiar stoic expression creeping back onto her sister's face.

" Naraku... " Kikyo muttered.

Later that day, Keiko came in to check on Kikyo's condition. She declared that Kikyo was still weak and severely injured, but if she kept still and stayed inside for a few weeks she was capable of making a full recovery, much like Kagome had before.

Kagome still didn't want to leave her sister's side, but the others and Kikyo herself insisted that she leave and take a break for a little while.

So while the villagers came in to visit their resting miko, Kagome wandered out of the hut for some fresh air for the first time in days. She spied Miroku and Sango sitting together under some trees in the fields below her, and she smiled at the sight. The two of them were hopelessly head over heals with one another. Sango would slap the Monk regularly for his lecherous antics, and Miroku would frequently flirt with other women, but Kagome knew how much they truly cherished one another.

" What are you doing out here on your own wench? "

Kagome sighed at the familiar gruff voice and turned to see InuYasha leaning with his arms crossed against a tree.

" I'm allowed to go for walks on my own, surely? "

" Keh! That bastard Naraku is still out there you know! Not to mention that wimpy wolf! "

" Wimpy wolf? Oh! You mean Koga... "

" Who else?! What if he comes back and finds you all alone?! What if he tries to - ?! "

InuYasha was stopped in mid rant when Kagome came over to him, staring him straight in the eyes, her gaze serious.

" InuYasha? You know that Koga is a thing of the past for me, don't you? "

" ... "

" I did love Koga once, but he shattered that the day he chose to follow Naraku's demands... he could never have truly, truly loved me if he had done that. I know it must have been a horrible decision to make, but regardless... "

Tears came to Kagome's eyes. She didn't love Koga like she once had, but he had left his mark on her. InuYasha was healing the emotional scar, but still, the young miko could never completely forget Koga, not after all the pain he had brought her, and even InuYasha with that kiss.

InuYasha saw her tears and panicked. He was never outstanding when it came to words of comfort, but he hated seeing Kagome cry.

Slolwy, he enveloped his arms around Kagome's form and held her close to him, laying his chin on top of her head.

" Kagome... I... "

" Say something reassuring dog-boy! She's still in pain because she can't forget what that bastard did to her! Do something! Say something! You love her don't you! You promised yourself she would never be alone didn't you?! "

InuYasha thought to himself.

He did love Kagome. She needed to know that now more than ever.

His arms tightened around her. How this one girl had changed him so...

" Kagome... you know I will never do what Koga did to you right? You know that no matter what happens, I'll keep on fighting to be by your side? I'm no good at words and... stuff... like this but... you know you're... you know you're the most important thing to me right? That I'll never leave you? "

Kagome sighed happily into his embrace as he gently wiped her tears away with a clawed finger. She did know. She knew how much InuYasha cared, she knew how much she loved him in return.

It made her feel so much better, knowing she would always have him with her.

" InuYasha? I love you... "

" Me too, Kagome... "

From within the forest groves and trees, a lone figure watched the couple as they embraced. He had to look away when he saw them lean in, lips inches away from one another's...

Koga thought to himself. He still cared for Kagome, but after hearing her words, he couldn't but wonder...

' ...he could never have truly, truly loved me if he had done that... '

He had loved Kagome once, for that he was sure, and possibly still did. Had that love ever been enough though? Had it ever really been strong enough to withstand all InuYasha and Kagome had?

No. He supposed it hadn't.

He whispered to the wind.

" Farewell, Kagome... you won't see me again... "

With that, he turned and ran back into the forest depths. Kagome was no longer alone, she had InuYasha there with her, not that he really approved of the mutt, but Koga knew that InuYasha would protect her. He had taken his place in Kagome's heart, healed it in a way that Koga had never been able to.

There was nothing left for the wolf demon here.

But where would he go now? His entire pack had been slaughtered, he had no home any longer. Would he fare well on his own? Or was there another wolf tribe he could live with?

Deep in the northern mountains, he knew of another tribe. His tribe and theirs had been allies before. He had met one of them before, long ago, before he had known Kagome. A female...

Ayame.

He would be welcome there.

Back at the village...

Keiko, Kagome, InuYasha, Sango and Miroku all sat inside the hut in which Kikyo still rested. Shippo was sitting in Kagome's lap, having fallen asleep as Kagome rubbed his stomach gently.

Kikyo needed to tell them all something important. She began, sitting up against the wall, held up by a stack of blankets and soft pillows.

" As you all know, Naraku is still at large... "

They all exchanged solemn gazes.

InuYasha growled from deep within his throat, but was silenced when Kagome took hold of his hand and squeezed it gently.

Kikyo continued.

" He cannot be allowed to carry on the way he plans. He plans to use the Shikon jewell to become a full demon, and he will continue to corrupt it, adding to its malice and terrible power. If he is to become one with the jewell, and make his impure wish... the consequences could be devastating to us all... "

Sango nodded in understanding. Her village had guarded the jewell for many years before Kikyo. She knew all to well the terrible power that could be unleashed from within it.

" The only way to stop Naraku is to purify the jewell. If one with a pure heart makes a pure and selfless wish on the jewell, the jewell would most likely be purified and then cease to exist. The right wish must be made though. "

" What is the right wish? " Miroku asked.

" It is something the right person must figure out for themselves... "

Kagome intervened.

" So... our only option is to find Naraku and purify the jewell? "

Kikyo frowned slightly.

" I shall be the one to stop him and purify the jewell. It is my own fault that he now holds it in the first place... I won't allow anyone else to suffer because of my mistakes... "

" But Kikyo you are in no condition to go wondering off after Naraku! Your wounds have not yet fully healed! " Keiko protested.

Kikyo turned her gaze downwards.

" I must go, it is the only way to stop Naraku. I can keep the jewell pure, who else can go? "

" Me. I can go. "

Surprised, everyone turned their attention to Kagome, who sat with a determined expression on her face. InuYasha frowned at her. What was she thinking?

Kikyo looked at her in disbelief.

" Kagome... you cannot. I will not allow it! It is far too dangerous for one as young and inexperienced as you... "

" Kikyo I'm a miko in training! I've spent the better part of my life learning how to be a proper priestess! And not only that, but you are the one that taught me! "

" Kagome... it would be so dangerous... I really think I - "

" Kikyo, you still haven't recovered your strength yet, you'd be vulnerable. Naraku could easily hurt you again. My aim's not perfect, but I can shoot arrows well enough, and I know how to errect barriers project my energy. Please let me do this Kikyo... "

Kikyo still looked doubtful.

InuYasha was still staring at Kagome. Why did she want to do this? It could be very dangerous, and he'd sooner die than see Kagome get hurt. Still, from the look on her face, Kagome was completely set on the idea. She wanted to get her own revenge on Naraku. She wanted to stop him from causing any more people to suffer the pain that she had felt...

And for that, the dog half demon wanted his own revenge on Naraku.

InuYasha stood up.

" I'll go with her, " he declared. He wouldn't let her do something like this alone. Ever.

Kagome looked up at him in surprise for a moment, before standing beside him and nodding her head in agreement, thankful for InuYasha's support. Shippo, who had infact been listening to the whole conversation now jumped onto Kagome's shoulder.

" Me too! " He stated, in as final tone as his young voice could muster. InuYasha would have snorted had it been the right moment.

Sango and Miroku stood up aswell.

" And we would never leave lady Kagome to go on such a mission without us, " Miroku stated, Sango nodding her agreement. Keiko nodded her head to Kikyo aswell.

Kikyo still felt unsure, but she knew they were right. She could see the logic behind what Kagome had said. She was unfit for a such a mission on her current condition, and the villagers still needed a miko to watch over them. Kagome wasn't a little girl anymore. She could take care of herself, and with InuYasha, Sango, Miroku and even Shippo with her, she could even more so.

She sighed in defeat.

" Are you certain Kagome? This is what you have decided? "

Kagome nodded firmly.

" Yes. "

Kikyo sighed once more.

" Very well... "

--

Review please! I want to see how many I can get before the last chapter is up!

Last chapter preview: Ray of Light - The final chapter!