*** Sorry for the long time between updates, I've been working on my books and haven't had a chance for fanfiction.  But, here is the next chapter.  Please forgive me and give me lots of wonderful reviews.  I love your reviews – they really brighten up my mailbox!!! : ) and make me want to write more wink.  Hehe.  Please enjoy . . .

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Spiraling into the Realm of Hatred

Chapter Nine

     Kagome was so cold in his hands . . .

     So cold and still, her flesh against his fingertips chilled him.  Gently, Inu-Yasha pulled the jacket of his kimono tighter around her body, forcing away the despair that swelled within his pounding heart as he realized that he was holding the dead body of his best friend . . .

     The woman he loved . . .

     The words of Kikyou lingered in his thoughts for long moments, driving him in mental circles with trying to find meaning with them . . .

     But one thing was certain . . . Kagome was dying . . .

     He could feel her life draining from her body as he clutched her closer to his chest, trying to shield her from the rain.  Silvery hair fell about her as he brought her up close to him, trying his hardest not to cry himself, wiping away the mud that had stained her gray face. 

     It was hopeless, he worried . . .

     Darkness surrounded him as he felt his eyes close from his own exhaustion, clenching his fingers through Kagome's wet, muddy hair, his cheek resting on her forehead . . .

     It was almost as if it was the closest he had ever been to her . . . for so long . . .

     But why did it have to be like this?

     "Kagome. . ." he tried his hardest not to cry.  "Kagome . . . please . . . don't leave me!"

     He held her tighter to him, as if that were possible, hoping that perhaps her dying body could draw some life from his own  . . .

     "Kagome . . ." Inu-Yasha felt a hot tear slip from the corner of his eye, falling upon Kagome's face.  "Please . . . I do love you . . ."

**************

     He lied . . .

     Inu-Yasha could never love you . . .

     Kagome felt her heart slowing, her eyes flickered open into a dark, dismal presence . . . alone . . .

     So alone . . .

     Mist surrounded her, illuminated by some unworldly light and yet the night was consuming . . . frightening . . .

     Where am I? She tried to ask herself, but her own thoughts were cut short . . .

     He lied to you . . .

     Hates you . . .

     You don't deserve to live . . .

     Kagome realized she was on her hands and knees in mist that cradled her, like an eerie, silent cloud.  Am I dead . . .

     He lied to you . . .

     She forced herself to her feet, forcing her fists into her forehead as her thoughts echoed about her . . .

     Pummeling her . . .

     He doesn't love you . . .

     He wont come after you . . .

     You're just a shard detector . . .

     That's all you are . . .

     You don't deserve to live . . .

     The mist grew thicker around her, swirling like the center of a tornado but in slow, fluid motion.  It was her only light, the only presence that was there, other than the wordless voice that echoed about her . . .

     He's not coming back for you . . .

     How could you even think that he loves you . . .

     Tears began to stain Kagome's face.  The rain that had beaten her to the earth was no longer in her memories . . . Inu-Yasha was no longer there as well . . .

     What he told her anyway . . .

     How she almost killed him . . .

     But they were there, deep in her thoughts . . .

     Kagome forced her fists into her head, trying to force out some sort of coherence . . .

     Some sort of sanity . . .

     But there was none . . . just a jumble of thoughts . . .

     A torrent of worries . . .

     And cruel words like venom dripping from the fangs of a snake . . .

     How could you even think he loved her . . .

     Wench . . .

     Stupid girl . . .

     Bitch . . .

     Those weren't the words from her thoughts, Kagome suddenly realized . . .

     Those were Inu-Yasha's words . . . she felt her heart drop further, beating slowly in her aching chest as if it were a clock winding down . . . the words echoed louder than the others . . .

     Wench . . .

     How could he ever love you . . .

     Stupid girl . . .

     Bitch . . .

     How could you think that . . .

     You don't even deserve to live . . .

     Kagome ran . . . she ran as far as she could into the nothingness . . .

     She was dead . . . there was no other explanation for it.  No longer was there the forest.  No longer was there the village to run to . . . she was alone . . .

     Alone . . .

     Even that word seemed like the understatement of the century. 

     She was lost . . .

     He lied to you . . .

     She was hurt . . .

     He never loved you . . .

     She could feel Kikyou's eyes watching her . . . her selfish grin lightening the world around her as if she were watching her prey . . . watching her run to her death somewhere . . . run into a trap . . .

     Kagome gasped, stumbling over her own feet, sliding through the mist to a bitter stop, sobbing uncontrollably . . .

     You don't even deserve to live . . .

     Wench . . .

     Stupid girl . . .

     You don't even deserve to live . . .

     She was dying . . . she could feel her soul falling apart . . .

     There was a tender touch somewhere, a kiss of true love upon her lips . . .

     NO, Kikyou's lips . . .

     It was Kikyou's memory . . .

     See . . . he never loved you . . .

     He held Kagome's hand . . . his was so warm in hers that was so cold . . . he looked into her eyes with his so lovingly . . . sweet . . . caring . . . warm . . .

      NO . . .

     It was Kikyou's memory!

     See . . . none of his love belongs to you . . .

     Kagome clenched her fist, driving her fingernails into her palms until she felt as if she were going to draw blood.  No . . . that can't be right . . . The voice of reason screamed to be heart, howling inside of her heart . . .

     He liiiiiiiiied to you . . .

     You don't even deserve to liiiiiiiiive . . .

     Kagome weakened . . .

     Her soul began to grow slack, as if she had mentally held it together with tape and the tape suddenly snapped . . .

     Kikyou's smile radiated . . .

     But the soul never dissipated far . . .

     For there was another voice there too . . .

     Another . . . far fainter . . .

     But Kagome heard it . . .

     At the very edge of her conciousness . . . she had to strain whatever was left of her entire being to hear it . . .

     But it was there . . .

     "Kagome . . . please . . . don't leave me . . ." it paused . . .

     The sinister light darkened slightly . . .

     Kagome felt her heart flutter in her aching chest . . .

     "Kagome . . . please . . . I do love you . . ."

     But the voice disappeared . . .

     Kagome grew icy cold as she felt the mist grow tight around her . . . hatred began to flitter about like butterflies on fire . . .

     He lied to you . . .

     Claws tore into Kagome's shoulder . . .

     She fell to the ground as the jewel was taken from her . . .

     Kagome looked up to see Inu-Yasha standing above her, holding the jewel dripping in her blood . . .

     NO, it was Kikyou's memory . . .

     NO . . . it wasn't . . .

     Kagome clenched her fists as the words returned . . . from even further away . . .

     He lied to her, she thought bitterly to herself.  Who could ever love her . . .

*** Okay BIG SIGH what do you think??? PLEASE let me know!! PLEASE REVIEW!!!  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!  I really need your support in this one!  I know it repeats – but it's brainwashing!!!  Okay – please – I am BEGGING you guys to review!!  PLEASE!!!!  And again, I am so sorry it took so long to get updated . . . please crawling on hands and knees, bowing please forgive me and review!  Please!  Please!!!  Thank you! ***