Inuyasha collapsed on a skinny tree next to Kaede's hut. He didn't want to go inside, he just wanted to be alone. He sighed and closed his tired eyes. So many things hadhappened in the last few days.He hasn't even slept in four days already, but he couldn't sleep at a time like this. He just sent Kagome home and Kikyou would be back soon to force him on his decision. Why is this all put on me ? Why not that perv Miroku, he deserves it .. Inuyasha growled and stretched his leg out onto the tree branch.
Suddenly, he sensed a familiar aura near him. What is this ? Gods ! It's Kagome! Inuyasha quickly jumped off his branch and listened attentively. He could hear in a distance somebody running. It got closer and closer until a distressed looking Kagome appeared from the woods.Her face wastear-stained andred but she didn't seem to care. Worry radiated off her body and she was looking around frantically. And when she spotted Inuyasha, standing there looking at her strangely, she ran to him crying his name in desperate sobs. "Inuyasha!"
" Kagome ? Wha .. ? " Inuyasha grunted in surprise as Kagomebolted into his arms,crying uncontrollably. " What .. happened .. ? " Inuyasha asked uncomfortably. What happened when he .. oh. Sent her home. Inuyasha felt a wave of guiltcrash on him.He wanted her home so she wouldn't get hurt, but here she was, crying in his arms. I hurt her. Again. Damn. Inuyasha hated himself, and wrapped his arms around Kagome, hoping it would comfort her a bit.With all of his efforts, he tried to speak softly, but itonly came out constipated." What's wrong .. Kagome .. ? "
Kagomesniffled and looked at Inuyasha, whose face was marked with guilt. Kagome smiled sadly, noddingin understanding. I know he didn't want to send me back. I just know. His face says it all. Kagome sighed and buried her head into his chest, her worries disappearing. " Inuyasha, I don't want to go home. I don't want to leave you. I want to feel safe .. "
" What the hell, Kagome ! Are you stupid or something ? You are in the most dangerous situation in your life right now ! Kikyou could be back any moment and you are here ! I can't let you get hurt ! " Inuyasha yelled with protectiveness evident in his voice. At that, Kagome couldn't help but widen her smile.
" Inuyasha, you won't. I'm sorry if I'm making this hard for you, but Iwant to feel selfish.I don't want to leave you. I've never felt so safe in my lifeand I don't want to lose this feeling.. " Kagome closed her eyes in his arms and thought. I know Inuyasha will choose Kikyou when the time comes. I should tell him how I really feel now, before its too late. Before I leave this world forever .. " Inuyasha .. listen. I need to tell you something before I go .. "
Inuyasha pulled away abruptly. " Who said you were going ? You just said you wanted to stay .. " Inuyasha flinched and mentally kicked himself. Now it would be harder for her to leave if he let her knew he wanted her to stay.
Kagome grinned more cheerfully at that, " But you told me to go home, remember ? "
" Uh .. " Inuyasha blushed furiously, quickly tucking his arms in his sleeves, and lifting his chin high into the air. " Yeah, so ? I just didn't get why you said you were going to leave when you said you wanted to stay, even though I said .. " Kagome shushed Inuyasha, and he stiffened, unsure of what she was doing.
" Inuyasha, I know you're going to choose Kikyou over all this and .. "
Inuyasha interrupted again, " Who said I was ? "
" Well, aren't you ? "
" Uh .. what the hell Kagome, asking me all these weird questions ! " Inuyasha looked flabbergasted, and Kagome had to giggle.
" What the hell are you laughing at ! " Inuyasha burned up, his face looking as red as a tomato.
" Nothing. It's just .. you're so cute when you're confused .. " Her smile softened, and her mind was made up. I guess I will tell him ..
" Wha .. ? You think I'm .. cute ? " Inuyasha's eyes widened the size of tennis balls. What the hell is wrong with her ? What is she...
" Yeah Inuyasha. I do. And I feel a lot more than that too. I .. " Kagome started but Inuyasha squeaked and backed away three feet instantly.
" What are you doing, Inuyasha ? " asked Kagome, a littlehurt that she was going to tell him something really important and here he was, backing off on her.
" I .. I don't know. " Inuyasha bit his lip. She's going to tell me something she'll regret in a long time. I can't let her do it. She knows I'll choose Kikyou so what is she getting at ? No way. Too risky, I cant let this wench hurt through her whole life anymore. " You better leave Kagome. Go back to your own time like I said. I don't .. " Inuyasha gulped, " .. want you here. " There. He finished. Now what does Kagome .. Oh.
Inuyasha winced. Aevident painedlook flashed across Kagome's face, and Inuyasha just wanted to punch himself. He clenched his hands into a fist and sunk his claws in his palm until it bled. But he didn't care. He wanted to do more to himself. He wanted to throw himself against a tree until he was unconscious. This was the last thing he wanted to tell Kagome. He didn't want her here anymore. But he knew he had to say it. For her safety. If only she knew ..
Kagome was so still and the pained expression on her face grew. There she was, trying to the person she always wanted to tell her first three words she had never ever said to anyone, and he didn't want her here. He knows I'd tell him I like him more than a friend. He knows. I know he knows. I can see it in his face. And he doesn't want to hear it. But why ? Is it because ? Oh my god. How could I be so blind ? He doesn't love me ! He'll never love me ! He loves Kikyou ! How could I be so stupid ?!
" I see. " Kagome manage to saywithout a tremor in her voice,though tears had already began to form. " .. but what if I never told you what I just said ? Would you .. you let me stay ? "
Inuyasha stiffened at Kagome's ready-to-cry state. He hated doing this but he knew he had to. " No. " Inuyasha breathed in confidently, " No I wouldn't. Go home Kagome. Please. Stay there .. I .. " Inuyasha needn't to go on though. Kagome had fled away with the scent of her tears lingering in the air.
" Damn this .. " Inuyasha muttered as he trudged back to Kaede's hut. He pushed through the entrance and jumped in surprise to see Kikyou
" K-Kikyou .. " Inuyasha's heart felt love and hate at the same time, he narrowed his eyes at her, " What the hell are you doing here, Kikyou ? " Did she hear everything Kagome and I talked about .. ?
Kikyou was sitting down on Kagome's sleeping bag and peered at Inuyasha with expressionless eyes. " Do you not wish to see me, Inuyasha ? "
Inuyasha ignored her and looked around, " Where the hell are my fr .. the others ? "
" Why must you care about them so much Inuyasha ? It is, I, that you secretly desire, is it not ? " Kikyou stood up and inched close to Inuyasha. Her breath caused him to stiffen, but she ignored it and remained close to him.
Yeah Kikyou, you are. But not now, I just sent Kagome home, I have to think .. Inuyasha thought to himself. Kikyou looked at his face. As if she could read his mind, she cleared her throat, " Inuyasha, why are you thinking of that Kagome girl ? She is nothing but a mere detector, no ? "
Inuyasha surprisingly jerked away from Kikyou, " She isnot a MERE jewel detector .. " Inuyasha's cheeks blushed a obvious red.
" Is there more than that, Inuyasha ? " Kikyou demanded, her eyes narrowing into menacing slits.
" NO ! " shouted Inuyasha, furious for no reason. He stomped away from Kikyou, but she grabbed him by the sleeve.
" Inuyasha, now that you have disposed of that girl, when shall we go to our destined future ? " Kikyou slided up to Inuyasha and leaned on his back. Inuyasha uncomfortably stood still. " I don't know, Kikyou. " Inuyasha answered honestly.
" I thought you loved me. " Kikyou said all of a sudden, which surprised him.
Inuyasha sighed and looked at the wooden floor with furrowed brow.s I DO love you Kikyou. More than you can imagine. But .. somehow I don't WANT to go back right now. I just .. feel like theres something I haven't done before I go to Hell.Gods, youwouldn't understand. " I do love you Kikyou. More than you can imagine. " Inuyasha answered half-heartedly and turned around to embrace her. Suddenly, all the good memories fifty years ago flooded back to him, bringing warm feelings back into his heart.
" Let us go now, Inuyasha. " Kikyou whispered and began to lead Inuyasha towards the door.
The two walked out of Kaede's hut and bumped right into Miroku, Sango and Shippou. " Inuyasha, what's .. this ? " blurted out Sango as she saw Kikyou and Inuyasha together. " Where's Kagome ? " she asked a little too quickly.
Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak, but Kikyou spoke for him, " She is no longer here with us. " The others looked horrified, and Kikyou put up a hand and continued. " She is in no harm whatsoever. She is safely at home, probably sealed the well already. Now, if you excuse us, we must depart. " Kikyou looked at Inuyasha and continued to walk, but Miroku stopped them.
" What do you mean ? Kagome would never leave without an excuse. What did you do to her Lady Kikyou ? " Miroku clenched his teeth.
" YEAH ! YOU EVIL MEAN WITCH .. " Shippou wailed, surprised that Inuyasha didn't bash him on the head for that.
" Inuyasha, you love me ? Dispose these critters for me." ordered Kikyou, flashing her grey eyes at Miroku, Sango and Shippou.
Inuyasha snapped his head up. " W-why ? They're not causing any harm .. "
Kikyou stared at him for a minute. Then she left his side and stood away from the others. She raised her arms and motioned to the sky.
Suddenly, the same red dragon demon that had attacked them last time appeared from the sky. Everybody gasped except Inuyasha. He just looked mad. " Kikyou, what the HELL are you doing ?! "
" Inuyasha. It is obvious. I will give you a choice. Choose me, the others will be devoured. Choose them, I will be devoured. Who will you pick ? " Kikyou smiled evilly, her eyes calm and still filled with hatred.
"Damnthis Kikyou! They aren't even in the way ! Why are you making me choose ?! " Inuyasha screamed, then took a deep breath and continued, " They were with me for so long, even though I turned into the hideous beast I was, and they didn't have to give a damn but they did !Can't you look over this for once !? "
Inuyasha could hear the others gasp in surprise. He was surprised too. He would never express his feelings about Sango and the others. Never.
Kikyou just looked on boredly. " Yes. Well, then its obvious what your choice is. Demon, devour me. " The demon hissed and lunged at Kikyou.
Inuyasha screamed in frustration and used his Iron Reaver Soul Stealer and cut the demon in half.
" Stop this Kikyou, it's nonsense ! " yelled Miroku, as he started to unwrap his prayer beads.
" Nonsense yes, but you are still not strong enough to kill it. It will regrow and regrow and nothing can stop it. " Kikyou set her eyes to Miroku's hand he was unwrapping. " If you are wise enough, monk, the prayer beads will not kill this monster. In fact, it will suck it in your hole, along with everybody else. "
Miroku clenched his teeth and wrapped his prayer beads back on. Sango's eyes flashed dangerously at the dead priestress in front of her. She had had enough. First she takes away Kagome and now she will take away Inuyasha. One is good enough, she will not let Inuyasha go. Kagome wouldn't have want it ..
She reached for her Boomerang and flung it right at the demon who was regrowing. Surprisingly, Kikyou jumped in front of it and shot fire out of the tips of her fingers at Sango's boomerang, causing it to backfire and crash into Sango instead. " Foolish girl. Nothing can stop me from what I am set on. Nothing ! " Kikyou cursed and shot another blast straight at Sango. It hit her directly, sending her flying into the air once more.
" SANGO ! " Miroku and Shippou chorused and rushed to the motionless Sango a few feet away from them. Inuyasha just stood there, speechless.
" Demon, go and attack the remaining two. " Kikyou ordered, and the demon rushed to Miroku and Shippou, knocking them both out.
" No ! " Miroku yelled and looked at Inuyasha desperately. " Inuyasha ! Help us !Please, we're your friends ! Stop this madness !" he pleaded as the demon attacked again.
Inuyasha remained still as the demon went after his three companions mercilessly, as they continue to beg Inuyasha to save them. Kikyou stood next to Inuyasha, smiling in amusement that Inuyasha did nothing to help his friends. Kikyou turned to Inuyasha, hugging him. " You have chosen well Inuyasha. We shall go now. " Kikyou said and walked Inuyasha away. Inuyasha just followed silently.
All of a sudden, an arrow shot out of nowhere, hitting the demon who was still attacking. The demon shriveled up and collapsed temporarily. Everybody set there glances at the direction from where the arrow was shot and gaped. Kagome !
" Kagome ! " Sango, Miroku and Shippou said in unison. Shippou immediately rushed to Kagome's arms.
But Kagome slid him off her arms and set another arrow into place. " Kikyou. " Shesimply said and drew her arrow straight at Kikyou.
" Foolish girl what are you planning ? Inuyasha will never come to you, no matter what happens. He has chosen to be with meand we are going to live together forever happily. " Kikyou glared at her reincarnation and clutched onto Inuyasha tighter, whose eyes were widened with surprise.
" K-Kagome ? " He stuttered in surprise. For a moment, he sounded relieved, but the next, his voice was as hard as ever. " What the hell are you doing here ? I told you to go back to your own time ! "
Kagome who was still staring at Kikyou, lead her eyes to Inuyasha. " Inuyasha, I don't care what you say, I will stay here with my friends whether you like it or not. " Kagome released her arrow and Inuyasha pushed Kikyou out of the way with him.
" Kagome ! What are you doing ? " Inuyasha demanded, confused at Kagome's strange behavior.
" It is obvious, Inuyasha. This is a duel between Kagome and Kikyou. " Miroku said from the side.
" NO ! " yelled Inuyasha, and he turned to Kagome. " Stop Kagome .. ! " But for once, Kagome did not listen.
Kikyou and Kagome stared at each other like hard rock, as Inuyasha desperately looked at both of them. Kikyou smirked at the girl in front of her and nodded at her beast, " Demon, destroy this girl. "
The dragon demon, who had finished recollecting himself, charged faster than ever towards Kagome, whose eyes widened in surprise. The demon neared her, but Inuyasha knocked him out of the way. " Kagome ! Run ! " Inuyasha commanded, as he swiped at the demon. The demon escaped Inuyasha grasp and suddenly stood still. Everybody watched cautiously and didn't expect what was going to happen. The demon split itself in two.
" Oh my god .. " gasped Sango, as she quickly put her hands over a protesting Shippou.
" What the hell .. " Inuyasha said, surprised himself as he drew his Tetsusaiga at the beast.
" Withdraw your sword now Inuyasha, there will be no point. I will send these two demons at Kagome and I. " Kikyou smiled at everybody's confused and frightened expressions. " There is no way you can stop them both at the same time. You will have to choose one of us to save. " Kikyou dropped her bow and arrows in a distance, and shot fire at Kagome's bows and arrows and sent them flying elsewhere. Kagome gasped. " Now, Inuyasha, we will see who you truly desire. " Kikyou laughed an empty laugh, before turning completely serious again. She raised her arm into the air and pointed. " Demons, ATTACK ! " she cried.
"Kikyou, don't! " Inuyasha leapt into the air, not knowing what to do. What the hell am I suppose to do ?! I told Kagome I didn't want her here, but she came back, no matter whatI said. I know I have these weird crazy ass feelings for her, but theres Kikyou ! She came back to life to come for me, my love again ! I can't just, just ...
" INUYASHA ! " Sango's voice pierced through his mangled thoughts.
Shippou cried out and Inuyasha could see Miroku closing his eyes.
Nothing the others could do could stop these attacking demons. Nothing. Only seconds to go, Inuyasha will have to make his choice. His only choice .. that could change his whole life.
A/N : Who doYOU think he will choose ? Stay in tune for the next chapter, 'Goodbye' ;) Thanks for reading !