SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1"Freeze this moment a little bit longer.

Make each sensation a little bit stronger.

Experience slips away.

The innocence slips away.....

Time stand still."    

Time stand still, Rush

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha......but he owns me.....

Time Stand Still

            "Wh...what?!" Inuyasha grabbed Kikyo into his arms and jumped to his feet beside Kagome. Upon landing he released her, pausing to let an awkward moment of silence slip away before Kagome spoke.

            "Kikyo what are you saying?" The figure in the center of the garden began to pulsate, softly at first, but gaining strength and energy with each pulsation.

            "The person you are killed by, Kagome, is her!" Kikyo pointed frantically, aware of her time constraints.

            "Then why can't I take care of her now?!"

            "Because Inuyasha," Kikyo calmed and started to meditate. She motioned for Sango and Miroku to make there way over. "She will be reincarnated in the future, when people have the ability to travel through time. I know it doesn't make much sense now, but she knows everything about you. Including that you and Kagome live in the feudal era. Get in closer to me." Suddenly a small barrier went up around them as Sango, Miroku and Shippo ran to the group. They stood huddled, waiting for Kikyos next move.

            'I don't know if I like that she is in charge.....' Inuyasha wondered, and decided to keep a better eye on her. He pulled Kagome a little closer to him and placed his arm around her waist. She gave him a confused look, but leaned her head against his shoulder in compliance.

            Kikyo shut her eyes and her short hair began to dance with the demon wind coming from the pulsating figure. Miroku stood next to her, also with eyes shut trying to strengthen the barrier.

            "When her future self goes back in time, she tracks you down. That is why you don't recognize the demon that kills you Kagome, but she knows you very well."

            The glowing light coming from the figure suddenly centered and shot out, heading straight for Kagome.

            Instinctively Inuyasha pushed her behind him and drew Tetsiga. The blast instead hit the barrier they were inclosed, illuminating the entire bubble. Kikyo and Miroku groaned and cringed, but kept in their position.

            "Your challenge, Inuyasha is to figure out a way to get rid of her, but not kill her." Kikyo groaned, flinching again as another burst hit. "And you better hurry....she's only going to get stronger."

            "I uh....ok." he focused all his attention on the glowing figure in front of them. "Wait a sec Kikyo" he paused and stood in front of her, raising his voice so as to be heard over the now raging demon wind. "...you mean the Gods went through all the trouble of reincarnating you with memories of your past life and setting you in the right time period and making you find us, and they didn't tell you how to beat her?"

            Kikyo silently cursed. "Inuyasha, its obvious that you don't trust me, but I hope the rest of you believe me when I say that no, they didn't tell me. This is your second chance at love, but that's all it is; a chance. There are no guarantees here." She smirked, eyes still closed in concentration. "You are more than welcome to just kill the damn thing and let the chips fall where they may. Who knows...now that you are aware of what will happen hours after your child's birth maybe you can prevent it."

            "Maybe that's what I should do then Kikyo...Im tired of this figuring it out crap." He stepped outside of the barrier and headed towards the figure.

            "Inuyasha no!" Kagome ran out after him, nearly getting blown away by the sheer force of the wind outside the bubble. A determined look crossed her face as she ran out after him.

            "Kagome go back!" He paused and placed both hands on her shoulders, turning his back to the demon. "I don't want anything to happen to you. Please go back!"

            "Like hell Im going to let you fight alone!" Kagome screamed back. They looked into each others eyes for a chaotic moment, finally understanding how much of a partnership they really had.

            Suddenly Inuyashas entire body seemed to glow. Lightly at first, then stronger and stronger. A beam. And the world crept into slow motion.

            "No!" Kagome screamed just as Inuyasha turned his head and shoulders. His vision was blinded by the intensity of the light, but it suddenly went partially dark. A figure blocked his view just as the beam hit. Tumbling, three bodies were sent flying backwards into some trees and brush. Each landed with a soft thud, but one stood quickly. She placed her hands in front of her and screamed, her raven hair tossing as a bright white beam shot from her hands at the demon. It howled and seemed to be paralyzed for a few moments. The figure turned back around and fell to her knees beside Inuyasha, who was attempting to sit up but clearly with much effort.

            "I absorbed most of the impact honey, so just relax." The women placed Inuyashas head in her lap and stroked his hair softly for a moment before he came to his senses. Without even pausing to look at his savior, he turned over and gathered Kagome into his arms. She groaned and opened her eyes, smiling slightly and then looking past him.

            "Who....who are you?" Kagome whispered, and then gasped, feeling the women's sheer power. He turned his head to look the her straight in the eye. She smiled and blinked away tears.

            "My name is Kagome-sama. Well I mean that's my formal title. Obviously you don't have to call me that!" Kagome-sama blushed, embarrassed. But the couple knew she wasn't lying. She looked just like a slightly older Kagome...her hair was longer, bust bigger but otherwise not much different. She wore a nightgown that looked as if it had been repaired, and blood washed out of it. Following their eyes she pointed at the nightgown.

            "Not the most stylish choice I know, but when the demon attacked I wasn't....wearing....much....Inuyasha was cleaning me.....", she turned a darker shade of red. "This was the gown I gave birth in, and it was the closest thing when I ran out the door. But your probably wondering why I am here."

            "Uh yeah....." Kagome sat up fully and looked into her eyes. "Im so sorry."

            Kagome-sama seemed to understand, despite the fact that Inuyasha was very confused for a number of reasons, first of which being why in the world was Kagome sorry.

            "I don't want you to go through that." Kagome-sama took Kagomes hand. "That's why Im here. I figured it out. How to get rid of her and not have her come back." She paused and suddenly looked up. "Kikyo!"

            Kikyo was still straining with her barrier but she opened one eye. Her face was a serge of emotions, but she finally stopped on one; relief.

            "I suppose you figured it out then?!" Kikyo yelled. "Wonderful to see you again Kagome!"

            "Same to you Kikyo." She lowered her voice and her eyes pierced onto Kagomes. "You must purify her Kagome. That is the answer."

            "That's it?!" Kagome stood. "How do you know that will work?!"

            "Just before I died, I sensed something about this demon....she thrives on evil. The evil in peoples hearts. That's why she chose Eri as a host. You see while you were in the feudal era, Eri and her boyfriend-"

            "What?! She had a boyfriend?!" Kagome squealed. "She never told me that...or I guess us that...."        

            "No kidding! I was so mega upset! But anyway he broke her heart and thus she had negative feelings in it. That's why she was picked as a host. She was close to you and there was a place for the demon to hide until the time was ready. So if you purify her you can save Eri and get rid of the demon."

            "Do you really think I can Kagome-sama?" Kagome asked. "I know you are way more powerful than me."

            "And I know you can do it." she smiled and motioned to Inuyasha. "And so does he."

            Inuyasha was still trying to get a grip on two Kagomes at once. His senses were knocked into overload, but he smiled, finally kind of understanding the situation.

            "I...I believe in you Kagome."

            That was all it took. Knowingly she squeezed his hand and began to walk towards the figure. She seemed to have an extraordinary glow about her as she walked. Failing beams shot out from the demon but missed her completely. She paused, closed her eyes and let her unconscious mind take over the actions of her body. Her hands wove and made odd patterns in the wind, trailing after one another. A radiant glow ignited from her fingertips and she spread out her hands towards the demon. Closing her eyes she muttered a guttural chant, and a burst of pure white light sped towards the creature.

            "Live, Eri." She whispered as the beam hit its target. A sudden explosion and the dying call of a demon dulled the senses of everyone in the vicinity. Kagome fell to her knees and covered herself from the debris flying all around her. Suddenly she felt a warm body cover her own. As the explosion passed and the dust settled, Inuyasha helped Kagome to her feet. They stood, hand in hand observing the scene. Eri lay in the center of the garden, singed but otherwise unharmed. Miroku mumbled something and Shippo ran to her side, picking her up and taking her to the nearest table. Kagome turned around to face herself.

            "So now what?" she called as Kagome-sama approached.

            "Now I go back and see what happens." She smiled. "I don't know if what happened here is going to effect my time at all, but it sure effected yours Kagome. Have fun with your life. And never leave him.....not like I really need to tell you that!" She laughed slightly and turned to Inuyasha, standing in front of him. The two looked at each other, Inuyasha perplexed and Kagome as if she had something she needed to do. Reaching out a hand, she placed it on his cheek.

            "If something ever happens to her," she began, tears forming in her eyes, "Know that she will follow you. To the end of time. Because I did." Silently rivers poured down her face. She smiled slightly and brought her hand back down.

            Inuyasha suddenly grabbed it and pulled her close into an embrace. Kagome-sama's eyes widened, but she calmed and settled into the groves of his body, almost as if they were puzzle pieces, perfectly formed to fit only each other.

            "Thank you Kagome." He said gruffly, then softer. "I love you."

            " I love you too Inu-chan." she cried a little harder onto his shoulder for a minute, then she pulled away. "But you are her Inuyasha....so take care of her ok?"

            He nodded and placed an arm around Kagome. "I will."

            "Thank you Kagome-sama." Kagome leaned forward and hugged herself. Kagome-sama paused as they pulled away and whispered. "Good luck tonight."

            "Wha?" Kagome asked, but Kagome-sama placed a finger to her lips.

            "Shh....you'll see!" She winked and suddenly faded away, leaving no trace that she was ever there besides the collective stares from whence she came.

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Stay tuned for the last chapter....its going to be a LONG one.....should be up before Friday. Please review...I now accept anonymous reviews.....

Inuyasha: What are you trying to do Kaagome!?! There's too many Kagomes!!!!!!

Miroku: Doesn't sound like a problem to me....*nudge nudge*

Inuyasha: Shut up baka monk!!!!*shmack*