Ok, patient peeps- I combined two into one for y'all- ok at one time it was going to be three chapters but I decided shorter was better. This is the last chapter before the epilogue. Please forgive me for taking so long. I may have pneumonia and I've had some writer's block… but here it is and it's almost done! One epilogue and this will be finished! I can feel the excitement!

IMPORTANT- please read! I would like to comment on Kagome's actions in that last chapter that I wrote- yes, I think that she is stronger than that, too. So therefore the question becomes- why on Earth did I write it that way? Here is the partial answer that I will give you now- I will give a more complete one after this chapter and another after the epilogue- hopefully these explanations can make my intentions clearer to everyone...

When I have seen Kagome react to these difficult situations, she usually fights, but it is not an immediate reaction. This was her immediate reaction- not her complete reaction, so don't just assume that was it- of course I would not leave it there- Kagome is much stronger than that. Think about it this way- you think that you've been trying to kill the guy you love! It's a rather deafening psychological blow- and it's not like she has had time to think about it at all. Too much information and no time to think- she only has time to react. She's in pain; she's in turmoil and is not thinking straight- she just reacts.

Pt 18- To Live

"Schmendrick- All the unicorns of the world will remain prisoners forever - except one, and she will grow old and die. Lady Amalthea (says to Prince Lir) - Everything dies. I want to die when you die. I am no unicorn, no magical creature. I am human, and I love you. Do not let him. Schmendrick-Very well - let it end here, then, let the quest end! I doubt I could turn you back if you wished it. Marry the prince and live happily ever after. Lady Amalthea-Yes. That is my wish. Prince Lir- No...My lady, I am a hero, and heroes know - heroes know the order of things. They know that things must happen when it is time for them to happen...Quests may not simply be abandoned - prophecies may not be left to rot like unpicked fruit. Unicorns may go unrescued for a long time, but not forever...The happy ending cannot come in the middle of the story. Molly-But what if there isn't a happy ending at all? Schmendrick-There are no happy endings. Nothing ends."

- The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle (coming out in a new live-action motion picture in the fall of 2004! Check out website http/ Kagome's depressed spirit submits to the huge psychological shock imposed upon her by Kikyo, the others stare silently at the scene before them as if they don't believe their eyes. Kikyo looks triumphantly at Inuyasha, who simply examines the still body as if he expects it to suddenly stand up and look at him with beautiful, wide-open eyes. Like all the rest, he currently exists in a state of shock. More than that, he also doesn't remember exactly what happened between the two women that he has ever loved.

His little shoulders slumping, Shippo begins to cry hot tears as he runs towards the body. As he gets close to Kagome, he throws somewhat unthreatening death glances at Kikyo. Meanwhile, Sango, with her mouth open in surprise, shakes her head and manages to pull Shippo away from Kagome's body and then takes the little, sad kitsune in her arms and comforts him with a hug. Miroku walks over to Inuyasha and helps him stand up and walk over to where Sango and Shippo patiently wait.

As the hanyou looks at his supportive friends, his eyes finally clear and so he turns to face his first love whose spirit still hovers over the silent body. His face hardening into rage, he glares at Kikyo. "Kikyo," he spits out, "What the fuck have you done to Kagome?"

She blinks. "Isn't it obvious? I punished her for leading you on. She distracted and confused you, Inuyasha, and it was not fair. She simply got what she deserved."

"She distracted me from what, exactly, Kikyo? How could she have gotten what she deserved? What the hell did she ever do to you, Kikyo? How could you do this to my sweet Kagome?" His eyes flash partially red and he clenches his fists almost to the point of drawing blood.

"She distracted you from your promise and your love for me, Inuyasha. She can never be with you and so she would only have hurt you. Listen to yourself- your sweet Kagome? It has gotten worse than I had thought. Darling, don't be so sad and defensive- you know that she didn't belong here, not like you do. It is as I told you before- you belong to me." Elegantly, she shakes her head. "Sadly, she just couldn't bring herself to let you go and so I had to make it occur. I know that you are slightly angry at me, but believe me- this is for the best."

He growls and throws acidic glares at her. "Angry? If you were anyone else, I would not hesitate to rip you to shreds for being such a heinous bitch! My relationship with Kagome is none of your damned business! More than that, I can make my own choices- it is not your job to run my life for me. At least I am still alive, unlike you, you fucking zombie! You have no right to make those decisions for me! You aren't even half the woman that Kagome is- literally!"

Her smile wavers for a moment at his harsh words and she closes her eyes to calm herself. "That was harsh, love. She got deeper into you than I had thought. Don't be silly- of course I have the right. You gave your life to me and I will do with it as I please. I know what's best for you. You are mentally incapable of making a logical decision in your condition."

He spits at the place where her feet would be. "You can take your ideas and shove them up your murderous ass! You are out of line, Kikyo!"

She puts her hand to her sternum in surprise. "Oh my, my, my- aren't we feisty? Calm down, Inuyasha. Don't you trust me?" He glares at her without response. "I see. Well, come and look- I've brought you a little present, don't you remember?"

"What present? All you've done is hurt Kagome and make her go away… or something- whatever the fuck you did to her! How do you expect me to forgive you for something as low as this, you calculating bitch!"

With a smug smile, she responds, "Just as long as I can be your bitch, love." Kikyo remains silent to watch his face contort as he tries not to lose control and attack her. He manages to calm himself a bit and so after a minute, she sighs sadly. "You really do not remember what happened, do you? Well since you were too busy pouting over that little baby girl, you didn't pay attention. I had not realized that you had become quite so oblivious to what happens around you."

"I am not fucking oblivious, dammit! She is not a baby girl- she is her own person, a wonderful woman who I happen to love! Damn you to hell, Kikyo!"

"Only if you come with me, sweetheart." She smiles disturbingly before continuing. "Oh well, enough tossing playful insults back and forth…"

He interrupts, "Who says I'm just being playful!"

She ignores him. "Listen carefully to what I say. I came here to offer you your deepest dream- to become a true youkai. You tried to get the Shikon no Tama all those years ago and since it was my duty to protect the jewel, I couldn't comply- certainly not to allow you to become a youkai. Now, that is not the case. This girl," she gestures to Kagome, "is now responsible for what happens to the jewel- this is her fault. She recklessly shattered it and now she must pay the price. As for you, you must do only one thing and in return, I will give you everything your heart desires." She pauses for emphasis. "All you must do is forget that girl, Kagome." He glares at her. "Oh be still- she is alive for now… unless you do as I say. Yes, I now have complete control of that body since she has decided to hide in the recesses of her consciousness."

Inuyasha's eyebrows plunge downward and he looks at Kagome's body. "She's hiding? I'm not sure that I understand. Explain now!" He holds out his claws threateningly.

"Oh, don't be so naïve. She couldn't withstand the psychological shock applied to her system." He still looks puzzled. "Fine, I will explain further. She, Kagome, has an amazing capacity to feel- when she feels, she feels very strongly. This is a great strength, but also a frightening weakness. Knowing this, I couldn't allow her the time necessary to confront the heart-wrenching pain- it is a natural reaction. The mind is works in amazing ways, but you even so should be proud of her for her efforts. She managed to keep me at bay much longer than I would have imagined- considering that she didn't know what, or rather whom, she was fighting. Now, she has shut down, just as I had predicted- it is not a matter of strength really. Her spirit is quite strong to tell you the truth- you should not doubt that. But with explanations behind us, we must return to the task at hand. Inuyasha, you cannot have both of us; you must choose now, Inuyasha- her or me?" His mouth drops open. "Yes, you heard me. She isn't dead- she has put herself into a deep sleep, but eventually she will try to reawaken. Only one of us can survive in that body and so you must condemn one of us to save the other, so decide or have neither of us. Do not be hasty, because remember what I offer you- your precious dream is only a few feet away." She tauntingly holds up the Shikon no Kakera that is almost complete. His golden eyes focus on the jewel and he can't hide his longing. "Yes, Inuyasha, let me give you this gift. This possesses enough power to fulfill your dreams. I ask for so little really; all I ask is that you forget her."

As Inuyasha wrestles with his feelings, Kaede appears silently and mysteriously. With a few quick movements for someone her age, she comes up behind Kikyo and swipes the jewel from her older sister's grasp before Inuyasha can make a decision. She nods to Miroku to come next to her and they nods to each other. With a simple spell, they seal Kagome/Kikyo and freeze the two of them in time just until they decide which course of action to take. Kaede gestures and they move Kagome's body with Kikyo's soul still attached back to Kaede's home.

(Kagome's spirit…)

Kagome curls up in fetal position with her eyes tightly closed in a space of total darkness. I feel cold, but the air that touches my skin does not feel frigid- in fact, it feels strange, almost as if was not air, but something without substance- nothingness. That sounds strange, but nothing else comes close to explaining the true feeling of this… place. That's right- where am I? Why am I here? Where is my family? Where are my friends? When I open my eyes, surely I will find them nearby, waiting for me with huge, warming grins on their faces.

She feels partially suffocated by a mysterious tightening in her chest. Without opening her eyes, she puts her right hand up and when it reaches her bosom, she can feel a strange necklace around her neck- jewelry composed of beads. Her eyes snap open in surprise, but as she looks around, she forgets what she is doing.

Light shines around her and she can see all of her family, all her friends and Kisho in one place. Before she can look into his eyes, he takes her gently in his arms and she hesitantly returns the embrace without complaint. Oh that must've been a dream. Everything is normal. How silly of me to take some strange notion like that seriously in the first place! What was that nightmare about anyway?

She pulls away from Kisho with a sweet smile and takes his hand in her own so that they can both greet their mutual friends properly. They are standing in the area out in front of the Goshinboku; everyone is there to celebrate her birthday. As Kagome looks up into the branches of the Goshinboku, she notices some movement behind the tree itself. A couple of young people are standing there talking. Why am I glancing at them? I don't know if I know them- they seem slightly familiar.

She looks closer and realizes that there is a young man, a young woman and a cute little boy who holds a little white and black kitten close to him. They appear normal and of no consequence, but for some reason, Kagome can't stop watching them although they aren't even looking in her direction. Suddenly, Kisho yanks on her sleeve and tries to pull her into a conversation and she finds herself forced into looking away to answer Kisho's random question. When she looks back to further examine the trio, they have disappeared.

Uneasiness runs through her veins and tendrils of thought try to untangle themselves, but to no avail. I feel as if I should remember something, something important- but for some reason, I can't unearth the lost ideas. She shakes her head and sighs to vent her frustration. At that moment, Souta runs up to her and attempts to get her attention.

"Onee-chan… what are you thinking about?" She looks down slightly at him and watches him give her a cute smile.

"Oh, don't you worry about me, Souta. I just have cobwebs in my head- I wasn't thinking about anything." He leaps into her arms and she is unable to hold on to him. He accidentally grabs on to her necklace as he falls. The world goes into slow motion as he falls and the necklace breaks in a shower of dark red beads. Souta manages to land on his feet, but looks down at the necklace in shock for a moment.

In the resonating silence that ensued, Kagome's vision blurs and the tightness in her chest recedes, no longer to conceal the grief. The red beads bounce about on the concrete and she watches them as if in a trance. I didn't remember that I had a necklace like that… I wonder… The sun goes behind a cloud and the light of the scene diminishes considerably. The beads begin to glow a blood red color and reform the necklace, to Kagome's horror. As the enchanted object floats towards her threateningly, she responds totally by instinct and runs to the Goshinboku, for no reason at all. The beads follow her as she runs faster in hopes of escaping.

Back to reality now in Kaede's hut…

Miroku sighs in relief. "What are we going to do, Kaede-sama? Do you have a plan? That was extremely quick thinking, if I do say so myself."

"Thank you for your assistance. As for a plan, I do have one at present. I went and found something that belongs to you, Kikyo-onee-sama- your body so to speak." Kaede gestures to the shell that is slumped right behind her in one of the corners. "Oh stop trying to control yourself from this distance. I have put a blocking spell on the body, one that not even you can make or break- certainly not without a body. Now, I have the Shikon no Tama, excuse me, Shikon no Kakera. I have no comment as to your behavior, but this is ridiculous. I will use the power to put your spirit back into the shell. That is Kagome's body and you do not belong there. You do not belong here, Kikyo-onee-sama, but that is your choice. I cannot allow you to deny Kagome her body any longer. I had my suspicions but there was not any action that I could take until now, when you decided to show yourself."

"Kaede, you cannot do that. You would presume to use the jewel?"

"I can and I shall- I do not need the entire power of the jewel- using it will only expedite the process. I may not have your powers or those of Kagome, but I know enough to do this- it is related to saving someone from the possession of a demon. You underestimate me, Onee-sama." Without another word, Kaede closes her eyes and holds out the jewel over the body. Everyone holds their breath as she begins to mutter unintelligible words. After a few moments of concentration, the jewel glows and Kikyo's spirit is reluctantly flung back into her shell.

Kikyo's shell still has enough souls to move and so she sits up and glares at Kaede. "I cannot believe that you did that." The old woman shrugs. "Oh well, she is still under my spell and under the influence of her own shock." Inuyasha walks over the Kagome's body and puts a hand to her cheek, but Kagome doesn't stir at his touch. He doesn't move, but patiently waits. Kikyo walks up behind him and puts her hand on his shoulder. "I told you- this was for the best. You are mine, as you promised. I tried to give you your dreams, but you denied me. Instead, come with me, now, just as you promised. You owe me that much."

Feeling only anger from Kikyo's attempts to entice him, Inuyasha sneers and shoved her away from him so that she can't touch him any more. He looks at her with pure contempt. " Do not touch me, bitch!" She tries to respond but he will not let her. "No, shut up, you freak of nature! You have spoken more than your fair five minutes and so now it is my turn to speak. So, corpse, listen to me now, will you? You owe me that much. No, actually, you owe me much, much more than that!" He begins shaking in his anger. "So it's understood. Kikyo, you had no right to do what you have done. Kagome is our precious friend… and my precious love. You have no right to interfere at all, and even less to tell her that all of our pain is her fault. If you respected me, you would've respected my right to decide how to live or die. You are such a presumptuous bitch!"

He stops for a moment, but no one has any words. They are all shocked that he would speak to Kikyo as he is doing now. Normally, he falls under her spell, but no longer… and no one in the vicinity blames him for his righteous anger. Kikyo looks down at the ground; she can't look into his eyes. "Kikyo, who the fuck are you anyway? What the hell happened to you to make you be so unlike yourself? You expect me to love you when you are not you? Don't you hate yourself like this? How can you stand it? Why can't you just return to the cold rungs of hell to where you belong, traitorous asshole! So, why don't you just stop existing in the past and get a life, as much as you can for someone who is dead? Can't you get it through that undead head of yours- you are only a part of my past, of my heart to be certain, but not a part of my present or my future! My heart belongs to Kagome now. Kagome and I will decide what to do, because our relationship does not, nor will it ever, concern you. You do not have that control over me. If you ever loved me, accept this."

Kikyo fumes at his ultimatum and turns away in frustration.

(Kagome's spirit…)

I can't seem to escape this evil menace. How strange that something like this would happen to me! Maybe someone's playing a sick joke on me for my birthday. They could've found a necklace of prayer beads around the shrine quite easily, if they had searched. Still, I don't remember having a red one, though. Still running around the platform, she escapes the persistent beads. Her vision blurs the farther that she gets from the necklace. As she runs behind the Goshinboku a second time, the trio of people that she had noticed earlier wait for her. This time, they pay attention to her every move… and their clothes are odd- old fashioned, so it seems from her hurried glance. At that moment, memories begin rushing back to her. Oh my gosh- Miroku, Sango, Shippo, Kirara! What are they doing here? She runs towards them, but as she gets nearer, they vanish with sad smiles on their faces. She slows down in surprise and the necklace fastens itself around her neck with a sickening click. The world appears stable again.

What was I just remembering? Her heart recalls the impressions that her friends have unknowingly placed there, within her soul. Pictures of her life in the other time, in the Sengoku Jidai appear and her head begins to ache. In response, the jewels around her neck grow warm, almost burning, and she realizes that she can't move. Shutting her eyes to block the pain, she falls to knees. As she opens her eyes to examine the burns on her neck, she can see that everything around her has faded except a light in front of her, almost as if a projector is running behind her. She reaches up a hand to pull the prayer beads off and her hand receives a shock. No, I need to remember! What- what is this warm, pain in my chest? Love… no you don't… what about Kisho- no, I love… Sengoku Jidai, Goshinboku- I love Inuyasha! Pictures of the hanyou flow through her head and also on the screen.

That's right- how could I have forgotten? Oh Inuyasha… Then she begins to recall what Kikyo said to her. Oh my gosh, I hurt Inuyasha. I hurt my friends. Tears travel down her face and she shuts her eyes in despair. I can't believe that I left like that. I didn't know what to say- I just gave in without a fight and took her words to heart without thinking. Still, I sometimes doubt myself and wonder how useful I really am. During those moments of internal self-deprecation, I could feel such things as true, but I know that my friends don't see that. They believe the best of me and I love them for it. She managed to hit a sore spot and so I simply shut down. That was the past, so surely I can do better if my friends are willing to forgive me. I should've asked them, but did I? But wait, if I go back, will I see Inuyasha submitting to her and holding her in his arms? I don't like that at all. I love him. How have I survived this long? A dry ache begins in her chest. Maybe he can forgive me… and if I love him, I must accept that which he chooses. I'm not forced to like it, but being his friend is better than never seeing him again. Yes, that's right. I don't care- I will be the best friend that I can to him, because I want to stand beside him… Oh Inuyasha, I want to see you again! The beads shatter from around her neck and everything fades.