***I know, I know . . . sorry for the lateness!!  And I'm sorry it's so short!!!  Please don't hate me!!!!!! :0(!!  I've been so busy with my kid and the holidays and writing the books/stories that I've neglected for so long . . . plus this.  I hope you enjoy this . . . please review!!!  Please Please Please Please Please!!!!!!  Thanks!!!  Enjoy!***

Spiraling into the Realm of Hatred

Chapter 13

     Inu-Yasha felt his heart leap within his chest as Kikyou's cold, dead lips came close to his.  No breath came from them . . . no breath but the foul stench of death that corroded his scent . . .

     The iciness that was now Kikyou . . .

     His hands gripped her white shirt tight but still, it was not the same. 

     There was no warmth there to spark the same memories of the love he felt towards her, only the pity of what she has become.  The dead woman seeking to fill the void within herself and seeking the souls of lost young women to do so.  Consuming them into herself, digesting them into the falseness that was now her.

     But he held on anyway.  She had tried so hard to kill him since her resurrection and yet there she was, bidding for his love once more.  Her eyes never lost that loving glow and yet still they seemed empty.

     Dead . . . just like her . . .

     A piece of pink soul floated before his amber eyes like a plea of the lost, fading into the oblivion that was the woman he held.  Kagome's life was passing back into the vessel from which it had come from at the time of her birth and there was nothing he could do to save her . . . not this time . . .

     Not against Kikyou . . .

     "You can't do this." He pleaded with her, afraid to argue . . . afraid to fight . . .

     She could beat him.  He knew she could.  Her bow was left in the other world aside her quiver and arrows, but she still had the Miko powers deep within her soul that could vanquish his half demon blood if she so desired.

     Yet she chose to spare him.  To be with him for eternity . . .

     At the cost of a single young woman's life . . . Kagome shivered behind him, yet he seemed not to notice her . . .

     All he saw was Kikyou.  The touch of her slender fingertips against his cheek as he held her in her eyes the way she did . . . her pitiful dead eyes . . .

     Another sparkle of soul dust glinted before him, disappearing into Kikyou.  "I'm so glad you decided to stay . . ." she crooned, still stroking her cheek.  "You and I will now be together . . . so long have I wanted this . . ."

     He said nothing to that touch, fought not against the beauty that was Kikyou before him.  The way her hair fell before her face, the sweetness that was her lips . . .

     Cold, but still her . . .

     The first woman who had ever loved him for who he truly was . . .

     And now no one would ever love her for what she truly had become . . .

     It saddened him . . . hurt him as she pulled him close to her . . . his heartbeat against her chest where they beat no living heart . . .

     Loneliness began to creep into his heart once again, nibbling around the edges until he had to notice it . . . the crying of the dying perked his ears as the spell that had befallen him lifted hazily about his thoughts . . .

     "K . . . Kagome . . ." he barked, trying to push Kikyou from him, but she refused to relent. 

     "That girl is dead, Inu-Yasha . . . there is only me!" the Miko roared, her claws drove into Inu-Yasha's flesh as fire consumed them and the last sparkle of pink fluttered and disappeared before his frightened eyes . . .

     "Kagoooomeee!"

***You know I can't end a story on chapter 13, sorry.  I guess I'm just a superstitious nutcase.  I know it's been a while and I knoooooow you guys are probably mad at me but, please review.  Let me knooow that I'm doing a good job and give me the inspiration I need to finish what could possibly be the last chapter!!  Could Kagome be dead?  Could Kikyou have revived for real?  Could the soul have finally chosen its vessel?

Stay tuned!!!  AND REVIEW PLEASE!!!***