We are fast approaching the end of my pre-written chapters. I'm hoping that sometime soon I'll be able to type a few out so I can keep up my weekly update schedule. Regardless, I'm really excited because we're heading towards the end of this story. Thanks so much for your continued support guys, you're the best!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.

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Chapter 54 – Conspiracy

"I just don't understand Kikyo. Why would she choose him? Even that mangy wolf Kouga would be better than him!"

After watching Kagome and Sesshomaru being all buddy-buddy for another day, and watching Kagome act like she was suddenly the leader and not him, he was royally pissed. So much so that he'd thanked the Kamis profusely when he caught wind of Kikyo. And after rutting with her, he'd felt so much more relaxed. Until she brought up Kagome that is.

"Is it really so wrong for Kagome to move on? You know she can't pine after you for eternity. Besides, now you don't have to choose. She's done that for you." Kikyo tried to keep her inner bitterness from leaking into her words. Truthfully, she was tired of Inuyasha being so indecisive. It was clear that he had chosen her, not her pitiful copy. Why was he so dense that he couldn't see it too?

"Yes, it's wrong! She's not supposed to love my brother!"

"So, if she loved someone else, you'd be fine with her moving on."

"Yeah I guess so."

At Inuyasha's soft admission, the gears in Kikyo's head began to turn. It was clear that Kagome had begun to move on so that was no longer a problem. Now she needed to try and get rid of Sesshomaru without Kagome latching back onto Inuyasha. 'This would be so much easier if I could just kill her.'

"Do you think there's a way you could get Kagome to stop liking the bastard?"

"I don't know. Was there a reason she didn't like him before the truce?"

"Well he tried to kill me for Tessaiga… tried to kill her too."

"Hmm. Perhaps there is a way we could ignite her old fears."

"Yeah, but how. The bastard swore to protect her during their truce."

'This is perfect.' Kikyo conspired. 'If I could somehow manipulate Sesshomaru into killing Kagome, then I won't have to get my hands dirty. Inuyasha will think it was just an accident, and I get the rest of my soul back.'

"How did Sesshomaru try to kill the two of you?"

"Well first he sprayed Kagome with his poison, but Tessaiga must have protected her. Then after Kagome gave me Tessaiga, he transformed and tried to kill me that way."

'His bestial form! It's perfect. Just the right amount of unpredictability.'

"So, do you think Kagome could still be afraid of his beast form?"

"Yeah! She had nightmares for weeks after that. That's perfect! But wait… Sesshomaru is like the king of perfection, no way is he gonna lose control that easy."

"Don't worry, I can take care of that. All you need to do is make sure Kagome is there when he loses control."

"Alright, but she's not gonna get hurt, right?"

"Of course not, Inuyasha," Kikyo lied through her teeth, "she'll be perfectly safe with you there to protect her."

She neglected to tell Inuyasha that she'd be there as well, and he would have to choose just which woman he would protect. And she knew without a doubt, he'd choose her. Within a month, both Inuyasha and her soul would be in her possession.