I Forgot to Tell You: Catch My Breath Again

By Seabreeze

A/N: Now our two favorite characters must meet up again. 'Tis destiny, is it not? Take that, Kikyo.

Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing. "Breaking the Habit" belongs to Linkin Park, and man is it a good song.

*~*~*

I blinked at Sango wordlessly.

"But Sango. . . wouldn't Kagome have sensed the shard somewhere? And if the shikon wasn't whole. . ." Miroku seemed dumbfounded, as did we all. Sango stood, looking grim but determined.

"Kagome. . . I am sorry, but I must go get Inuyasha. You must help him find the last shard of the Shikon no tama." She said. It was like she sucked all the air out of my lungs. I lurched at her, unable to speak but begging her with my eyes not to go. Miroku laid a hand on my shoulder and looked at Sango.

"Sango, it is not fair to ask this of Kagome." He said, giving her a look I wasn't supposed to see. Not that it mattered, my brain wasn't sorting things out too well at the time.

"Of course it isn't fair, Miroku. I would do it, but I cannot detect the shards as she can. Only she and Inuyasha can find the last shard." She looked at me and before I knew it she was hugging me tightly. "Be strong, Kagome." She whispered.

"Please don't bring him back here, Sango," I begged once I had regained my voice. "Why can't we leave the shard as it is? It can't cause too much harm. . ." but I knew it could, so I let her go. She summoned Kirara, who grew to accommodate her friend, and we watched them soar off.

"Kagome, would you like Sango and I to accompany you in retrieving the last shard?" Miroku asked after a moment, resting his hands gently on my shoulders. I was touched by his kindness.

"Miroku. . . I don't want you and Sango to have to come along needlessly. Who knows how long it will take to find the shard? It could be months." I said, holding back the sob in my throat. I wanted them to come along more than anything, but as I said, I didn't want to waste their time. Then I realized that I may be spending a whole lot of time with Inuyasha, just the two of us- and my heart flew and crashed at the same time.

*~*~*

I almost cringed when I heard Kirara land. I was so apprehensive that I didn't realize that I had been holding my breath.

"Breathe," Miroku ordered in a whisper, and I did so.

'No matter what,' I thought, 'Inuyasha will NOT see that I am in pain!' I gritted my teeth and put all my strength in that thought, and waited to face him again. Sango entered first, holding Kirara, and then- him.

I felt my heart hit the roof of my mouth.

"Miroku. Kagome." He acknowledged us. Miroku forced a smile.

"Inuyasha, good to see you-"

"Cut the crap, Miroku. What am I here for? Sango wouldn't tell me." Inuyasha growled. This time Miroku didn't try to force anything.

"The jewel, Inuyasha. It is chipped." He said, glaring at his former friend. Inuyasha looked surprised, then doubtful.

"Really. Let me see it." He held his hand out to me, and I tossed it. I didn't want to touch him. He looked at me for a moment, as if he knew this, and then focused on the jewel. "Looks fine to me," he said, giving Sango a look. She glared at him.

"Looks fine. But feel it, carefully, all the way around." She said, coming over to stand by me. She put a hand on my shoulder as well, and Kirara leapt from her arms into mine. I could feel the strength the three of them were trying to give me, and smiled slightly. Inuyasha saw this and glared at me.

"Feh. What are you smiling at, Kagome?"

"Nothing. Do you feel the chip?" I asked. Amazed at my boldness, I congratulated myself inwardly. Inuyasha rubbed his fingers over it once more and handed it to Sango.

"I guess. So we gotta go find this shard? Are you sure you don't sense it now, Kagome?" he asked. I shook my head. Inuyasha looked away in disgust.

"Let's go then. Get it over with."

*~*~*

Clutching my cure

I tightly lock the door

I try to catch my breath again

I hurt much more

Than anytime before

I had no options left again

I don't want to be the one

The battles always choose

*~*~*