Arrows and Tears

Kagome looked up into the face of Shikara. "What do you want this time? And please explain to us what has happened, and the power of those arrows you have!"

"Ahhh, you want to know about my bow and arrows? Well, I'll explain them to you. I have black and red arrows. If I shoot two black arrows into someone, then they will hate everyone for the rest of their life. If I shoot two red arrows into someone, then they will love only me for the rest of their life. The arrows leave heart marks on the body it has pierced. Kagome, you have a black heart. And Inu-Yasha, you have a red heart."

Thousands of thoughts raced through Kagome's mind. Her life, and Inu- Yasha's, were in grave danger. Kagome was one shot away from hating everyone for the rest of her life. And what if that came back with her into the real world? She would hate her family and friends there, too!

"So, if you don't mind," continued Shikara, "I would like to finish my work." She held up her bow.

"No," Kagome thought, but she was paralyzed again. "No, you can't do this. NO! I HATE YOU!"

Even though Kagome's mouth did not move, she heard someone speaking the words. As Kagome looked around her, everything seemed to move in slow motion. She saw Shippo crying and trying to get away. She saw Miroku taking the bandages off his wrist. And she saw Inu-Yasha, running towards her. He was the one who was shouting the words.

Inu-Yasha fell on top of Kagome, blocking her from the black arrow flying through the air. Kagome gasped as the arrow pierced Inu-Yasha's back.

A scream of horror came from the tree. Red mist circled around Shikara. Out of the mist came the form of two large hands, which grabbed Shikara's bow and snapped it in half. The arrows rose into the air above Shikara. Another scream, this time from pain, came from Shikara as the arrows came down together and stabbed her. The red mist engulfed her and she vanished. And something told Kagome that it was for good.

Kagome came to her senses. "Inu-Yasha, are you okay?" There was no reply. "Inu-Yasha?!?"

Miroku came and kneeled by them. "I don't know what happens when a red arrow and a black arrow pierces you. But you're very lucky, Kagome." He smiled at her. "If Shikara had shot Inu-Yasha with another red arrow before she tried to shoot you, then he wouldn't have loved you enough to save you. The two red arrows would have made him only care about Shikara." Miroku's face became grim as he looked at Inu-Yasha. "However, I don't know what will happen to Inu-Yasha. I am doubtful that the red and black arrows together will leave him as he was."

Kagome really felt guilty now. Inu-Yasha had risked his life to save her, and now…

After Miroku and Shippo walked away, Kagome began to cry. Her tears glistened in the darkness. They trickled down her cheeks and dropped onto Inu-Yasha's chest.

The tears fell on the red heart, and as if by magic, washed it away. Kagome stared in awe. Then she hurriedly turned Inu-Yasha over, wiped her eyes, and spread her tears over Inu-Yasha's back. The black heart also vanished within seconds.

Now Kagome cried with joy, because perhaps Inu-Yasha would be okay.

WARNING: This section is extremely out of character, but I DON'T CARE! I want a romantic ending!!!

Almost as in response, Inu-Yasha opened his eyes. Without giving Inu- Yasha a chance to say something, Kagome smiled at him and whispered, "Thank you for saving my life, Inu-Yasha…is there anything I can do to express my gratitude?"

Inu-Yasha closed his eyes and asked, "Kagome, Shikara told me before she shot the red arrow at me that you loved me. Is that…true?"

Kagome looked at the ground. "Yeah…but I doubted that you loved me back." She glanced at him. "…Do you?"

Inu-Yasha blushed. "You remind me so much of Kikyo…"

Together, they looked up at the stars, and sat gazing at them for a long, long time.

~*~

The next day, Kagome, Inu-Yasha, Miroku, and Shippo continued through the forest. Everything was going peacefully until…

"Hey! What's that?" Shippo cried as he stared up into the trees.

Before the others looked up, they knew that it just had to Shikara, returning to bring them trouble. BUT- they were wrong.

Kagome looked up and saw something strange about one of the large branches. She squinted her eyes and saw that there was writing on it. "I'll be back," it said, and next to the writing was a small drawing of an arrow dashing through the air.

ThE eNd!!!