Chapter Two: I Lost My Head

Closer. She could feel his presence coming closer, and her heart was beating so quickly and violently within her chest that she was certain it would explode with massive fury.

"Don't you know how much I need you, Kagome?" Amber eyes burned holes into her soul, searching for something that he knew only she could provide him. A tiny, excited gasp betrayed her as she tried to turn away from him, but she could not will her feet to move from the spot that held them fast. Silently, she pleaded with him to stop, but she was shivering with anticipation as those words formed in her head. The shaking only increased as he drew nearer--near enough for her to feel his warm breath on her cheeks. She sighed happily, and he smirked. "You know how badly I want you. I want to tear your clothes off with these claws and mar your pale skin with these teeth. I can't deny myself any longer." Hands gingerly trailed down her sides, making her choke on air. "I need you now." He pressed her to him firmly. "Say it."

Say what? How much she loved him? How it would be enough for her to simply stay there in his strong embrace forever? Or how she wanted him to see her and not some damned long-dead lover? How she wanted to make him forget that Kikyou had ever existed, but she lacked the courage? How she was brave in the face of danger, but she ran from the face of love? What should she say?

A soft kiss to her lips was all she needed for the last of her composure to slip. "Say that you are mine."

"I'm yours, gladly."

Was that even her voice?

"I love you, Kikyou."

"I love you, Inu-Yasha."

Iie!

Dammit, was she not herself anymore?

An ethereal image of Kikyou appeared behind Inu-Yasha, taunting her. The ghost grinned maliciously as inwardly, Kagome screamed. "Who are you? That's what you ask yourself every day. Why are you here? Why do you breathe? Who does he love? You know these answers. You cannot deny your true self. You are me. There is no Kagome, nor was there ever."

"That can't be!" she shouted, but her voice sounded so weak, even to her, like she was fading into nothing.

"Hai, you are me, in heart, in body, and in spirit."

Her feet needed no coaxing to carry her far from there, even if she didn't know where they were taking her.

A faint voice from behind her beckoned, "Kagome! Don't leave me!"

Her mind kept whispering to her that it was too late for this; he'd always love Kikyou, never her.

"Iie! Inu-Yasha, osuwari!"