Thank you for the great reviews! I'll update as rapidly as I can. (which shouldn't be hard considering I'm currently laid-off from work). Neko Celes, I know all about that paragraph thing. I've struggled with it for every story I've uploaded on ff.net. (and I've uploaded many!) Unfortunately- there is nothing I can do about it. This site reformats everything, no matter what ya do. All I can say is, I'm sorry if it bothers you, but I can't fix it. Anyhow- I hope it doesn't ruin the reading experience!
Now- ON WITH THE SHOW!
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Chapter 2
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A low murmur disturbed him. Inuyasha shivered with cold as he sat up, glancing about himself. He was still in the hut. "Damn, I knew this wouldn't work!" He yelled. He was about to stand when he remembered he was still bound to Kagome. Turning to undo the wrappings, he stopped cold. Kagome was unmoving, her chest stilled beneath her school clothes. Baring his teeth in fear, Inuyasha leaned forward. The smell of death clung to her like a cloak. "K- Kagome?" He whispered. His free hand brushed her cold face, then jerked away as the flesh disintegrated with his touch. "No! Noooooo!!" He cried, leaping away as her body burst into flames. "KAGOME!" In moments, nothing remained but a scattered drift of ashes. Inuyasha spun at the sound of a footstep behind him. A shadowed figure stood in the doorway. "Inuyasha, what have you done!" His mouth went dry as the figure stepped into the light. "Kagome?" The girl walked towards him and Inuyasha's nose wrinkled at the sight of the open sores covering her skin. Dried patches of flesh flaked from her body as she advanced on him.
"No, this isn't real!" He cried, backing away from her. Kagome's mouth pulled open in a smile, stretching the tissue-thin skin, causing it to split open- revealing rotted stumps. Inuyasha backed in horror. "You failed me Inuyasha." She said in a sing-song voice. She raised a wasted limb to stroke his face. "I trusted you." Inuyasha jerked away from her vile caress, placing a hand to his cheek. "No- I- I..." Her body shivered, rippling like the surface of a pond. "Inuyashaaaaa...." In a rush, her body sank through the floor, vanishing from sight. The half-demon raced outside of the hut, retching at the smell that assailed his nostrils. A decayed yellow mist filled the forest around him. Peering through the murk, he decided to retreat back to the hut. Turning, he stopped dead. The hut was gone. Whirling, he found himself standing in the middle of a clearing. A blazing blue sky filled the meadow with a soft warmth. At the center of the meadow stood the well of time. Glancing about himself warily, Inuyasha approached the well.
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Kagome woke slowly, sitting up in bed. Pale light filtered through her curtained windows, reflecting off the dust motes that hung suspended in the air. Rubbing her eyes, the young woman gazed about the room, her eyes filled with confusion. 'Was that all a dream?' She pondered thoughtfully, swinging her legs to the floor. She rubbed her eyes as she gained her feet. A warm breeze from the open window at her back caressed her shoulders. Wrapping a blanket around herself, Kagome leaned on the sill to observe the morning. 'It's so quiet.' She thought in wonder, watching the clouds scud across the perfect azure of the sky. Shaking herself from her inner reflection, Kagome donned her uniform and strolled down the stairs for breakfast. Entering the kitchen, Kagome felt a flutter of unease. "Mom?" Her voice fell strangely flat in the airy room. "Sota, Grandfather? Hello?" There was no response to her calls. 'Where the heck is everyone? It must be later than I thought- maybe they're in the garden.' Stepping out into the courtyard, Kagome was again struck by the emptiness around her. Looking up into the sky, she realized the only movement she could see was caused by the clouds; no birds crossed her vision. As she stepped across the stone flagging, Kagome's heels echoed like gunshots on the concrete. Every other sound she was accustomed to hearing was missing- not even the sound of distant traffic could be heard. Her heart began to hammer in her chest. A sudden sound behind her made her let out a gasp of relief. "Mom, where have you..." She finished her turn only to find the breath leave her body in a rush. Her mother WAS there, as well as her brother and grandfather. However, they were lying on the ground in twisted heaps; thick blood oozing from terrible wounds. Kagome felt her throat tighten, cutting off the scream that erupted from her soul. The only sound that emerged was a shaky squeak. A pincer-like hand rested on her shoulder.
"Poor Kagome." Whispered a well-known voice in her ear. "I pity you- I really do." She bit her lip, staring resolutely forward as Naraku chuckled at her distress. "I wish you had woken sooner, I wanted you to see the terror in you mother's eyes when I cut your brother's throat. I wanted you to feel the horror your grandfather experienced when I crushed your dear mother's spine with my bare hands." Kagome shut her eyes, shaking as hot tears slid down her cheeks. "You are pathetic!" Cried the demon- shoving Kagome towards the bodies. Finally turning, Kagome faced her nemesis. "W-why! Why would you do this!" She screamed brokenly, falling to her knees. Naraku began to laugh, his body shaking within the cloak of baboon fur. "My sweet girl- I do this because it amuses me!" His laughter grew, blotting out Kagome's screams.
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She came to at the bottom of the well.
"What... Naraku!" Standing quickly, Kagome hauled herself to the lip of the well. At the top of the well, Kagome saw the shadowy form of the well house roof. Fighting the thudding panic in her chest, she rushed to the house and threw open the door... to see her family calmly eating dinner. "Mom!" Kagome launched herself at her mother, wrapping her arms tightly around her waist. "Kagome, what?" The girl shook with released fear. "I- I thought... I thought..." She couldn't finish her sentence, but continued to cling to her mother. Her grandfather and Sota shared a confused look before the older man muttered something about 'women's troubles' and led the young boy into the other room. When Kagome calmed down enough to speak, her mother sat with her at the table and pushed a mug of hot tea into her hands. "Now, tell me what happened. Did you and Inuyasha have another fight?" Kagome's eyes widened. "Huh? Mom, no! No I..." Biting her lip at the horrible images that rose up in her mind, Kagome shook her head. "It wasn't, it wasn't like that. I just..." Looking at her mother again, Kagome felt like kicking herself for her distress. ' I must have bumped my head it the well and fallen asleep, it was all just a bad dream!' Shaking her head at her thoughts- she looked at her mother again.
"You're right mom, Inuyasha and I just had a fight." She smiled shakily. 'No use worrying mom after all.' She thought- shrugging mentally. The older woman looked on patiently. "Kagome, I know this must be very hard for you- but you must keep trying. I know you have feelings for Inuyasha, but does he know?" Kagome bit her lip. "Well- he..." She stifled her words with a yelp as the object of their conversation stepped into the room. "I know exactly how you feel wench!" Kagome wrapped her arms around herself as Inuyasha's gaze swept over her coldly. "You really are a fool aren't you!" He cried, yanking Tetsusaiga from its sheath. "Inuyasha!" She felt her jaw drop open in horror as, with a single jab, Tetsusaiga ripped into her mother, nearly cleaving her in two. "Mom! No!" Rushing forward, Kagome caught the shattered body as it fell. "Mom?" Warm blood ran across the floor, puddling on the polished wood. At the cries, Sota and Grandfather came running. Seeing the look in Inuyasha's eyes, Kagome stood quickly. "Sit!" The half-demon didn't even twitch. "Sit, sit, sit!" With a slow smile, Inuyasha calmly turned his face to regard Kagome. Reaching up his hand, he tore the necklace from around his throat, scattering beads across the floor. Chuckling, he turned to face the two individuals on the other side of the room. "Grandfather, Sota, RUN!" Cried Kagome, lunging into the path of the swooping blade. As the polished blade fell, Kagome saw her remaining family run to her aid. As the thick metal bit into her back- she turned betrayed eyes, seeking the amber ones of the man she had once trusted, called friend, even... loved. The eyes looked back with endless pleasure, gleefully shining, as Tetsusaiga cut into her skin and parted her spine.
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Within the lamplit darkness of Kaede's hut, Shippo continued to bathe both Kagome and Inuyasha's face with a damp cloth. Both had now broken out in a heavy sweat, their bodies shaking as they faced the unknown horrors of their own minds. As Shippo wiped off Kagome's forehead, he leaned in close as something caught his eye. "K-Kaede!" The miko rushed to his side. "Kagome, something's happening!" Cried the kitsune. Kaede knelt down, placing a hand over Kagome's heart. "She grows weaker. Her soul cannot endure much more! Inuyasha must find her quickly.... or she will die."
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Inuyasha sniffed the air around the well. 'Certainly smells normal.' He thought as he jumped lightly onto the lip. Peering inside, he crossed his arms. 'Well, I'm not gonna find Kagome just sitting here!' Glancing about the clearing once more, Inuyasha leaped inside.
The passage through time seemed to take longer than before. In fact, Inuyasha began to grow worried as the whirlpool of light seemed to slow. Then, before his eyes, the time-stream stopped. Inuyasha stared as his body literally halted in mid-fall, hovering gently within the bluish time corridor. Carefully lifting his arms, Inuyasha was relieved to see he still had mobility. "Well this is great!" He cried, pushing out his arms in a swimming motion. No good- he couldn't move from his position. Then he noticed something. "Huh?" Tilting his head, he sniffed cautiously, then gulped. Something was wrong with the air! With each breath, the amount of breathable air grew less. Coughing, Inuyasha began pawing madly, desperately hoping to catch ahold of something, anything with his claws. As the air grew thin, his breath began to rasp in his throat, constricting painfully at the lack of oxygen. Sparks flared across his eyes, and shadows started to play around the edge of his vision. "Kaede, help me!" He whispered as his body started to shiver. His flailing hand swung out in one final, desperate lunge, and struck the edge of the well.
Shaking, Inuyasha pulled his weakened body from the depths of the well. Like a sack of barley, he toppled unceremoniously to the ground on the other side. Pulling cold air into his starved lungs, the hanyou squeezed shut his eyes. Then, feeling a sliver of his former strength returning, he grasped the stone sides of the well and lurched to his feet.
The house stood like a black sentinel in the starless night. No lights shined from the windows; no movement interrupted the smooth line of the courtyard. Reaching up to rub his forehead, Inuyasha stopped in shock. His nails were blunt. Reaching up slowly to the top of his head, the half-demon ran his hand over the crown of his smooth head. Smooth head! "Oh great." He muttered, closing his eyes. 'Just what I need, to be human on top of everything else!' Sighing heavily, the dark-haired Inuyasha squared his shoulders and strode towards the house.
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Kagome bit her lip as she struggled to stand. It was useless, her legs wouldn't obey. From the other side of the room, she heard coarse laughter. "Feeling a bit tired Kagome?" Whipping her head around, she glared at the face of the person she had once trusted with her life. "Inuyasha, why?" Inuyasha threw back his head, laughing cruelly. Stepping forward, he knelt by Kagome's face. "You actually thought I cared about you? You are stupid!" Looking over his shoulder, he smiled softly at the figure that approached. "Kikyo." The undead miko stepped fully into view, placing a possessive hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. With a nod from the half-demon, Kikyo reached forward and tore the jewel shard free from around Kagome's neck. Regarding the partially completed jewel with glee, Inuyasha reached into his kimono.... and pulled out a handful of the remaining shards! Looking into Kikyo's eyes, he passed the fragments to her. Watching, tears streaming down her face, Kagome gasped as a rose-colored glow emanated from Kikyo's cupped hands. When the glow faded, a perfectly restored jewel rested in Kikyo's palm.
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Inuyasha grumbled to himself as he stumbled through the dark house. 'How in the hell do humans find their way around!' He bit back a flurry of curses as he stubbed his toes on something solid. Muttering venomously, he suddenly paused. There was a strange light ahead. Placing a hand on the useless Tetsusaiga, Inuyasha crept towards the glow.
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"No!" Whispered Kagome brokenly as Inuyasha and Kikyo embraced each other. With the two of them distracted, Kagome pushed herself up on her elbows and began to drag herself from the room. A clawed hand reached out and casually grabbed her hair in an iron grip. "Let me go!" Inuyasha chuckled. "What for? I'm having a lot more fun keeping you here!" Standing, he dragged Kagome to the middle of the room. The girl bit the inside of her cheek to hold back the screams of pain. Dropping her hair, Inuyasha turned to face her again, his eyes blazing red. "You know what I wished for Kagome?" He asked, his voice deepening, growing rough. Kikyo stepped to his side, placing her hand on his chest. Without looking at her, the demon Inuyasha stuck his claws through her chest. Grinning at Kagome, the he threw Kikyo's body across the room. The shattered form dropped in a bloody heap near the bodies of Sota and grandfather. "I don't understand..." Said Kagome, still trying to reconcile the image of the Inuyasha she remembered with the one that stood before her now. Inuyasha bared his fangs. "I grew tired of you! Your constant whining, your dependence on those weaklings you called friends... and those DEMON, CURSED, SIT COMMANDS!!!" Inuyasha's face was scant inches from her own as he screamed this last. Kagome paled at the rage she saw in his eyes. Seeing the look she gave him, the demon smiled softly. "Do you fear me?" Kagome licked her lips, shaking. Not receiving a response, Inuyasha shot out his hand and squeezed her throat. "DO YOU FEAR ME!!"
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"LET HER GO!" Cried a voice from the other side of the room. Demon Inuyasha turned... and smiled. "So, the mouse has finally shown himself."
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"This ends now!" Said the black- haired Inuyasha. The demon form smiled quietly. "Oh no, I'm afraid it's just begun."
Now- ON WITH THE SHOW!
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Chapter 2
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A low murmur disturbed him. Inuyasha shivered with cold as he sat up, glancing about himself. He was still in the hut. "Damn, I knew this wouldn't work!" He yelled. He was about to stand when he remembered he was still bound to Kagome. Turning to undo the wrappings, he stopped cold. Kagome was unmoving, her chest stilled beneath her school clothes. Baring his teeth in fear, Inuyasha leaned forward. The smell of death clung to her like a cloak. "K- Kagome?" He whispered. His free hand brushed her cold face, then jerked away as the flesh disintegrated with his touch. "No! Noooooo!!" He cried, leaping away as her body burst into flames. "KAGOME!" In moments, nothing remained but a scattered drift of ashes. Inuyasha spun at the sound of a footstep behind him. A shadowed figure stood in the doorway. "Inuyasha, what have you done!" His mouth went dry as the figure stepped into the light. "Kagome?" The girl walked towards him and Inuyasha's nose wrinkled at the sight of the open sores covering her skin. Dried patches of flesh flaked from her body as she advanced on him.
"No, this isn't real!" He cried, backing away from her. Kagome's mouth pulled open in a smile, stretching the tissue-thin skin, causing it to split open- revealing rotted stumps. Inuyasha backed in horror. "You failed me Inuyasha." She said in a sing-song voice. She raised a wasted limb to stroke his face. "I trusted you." Inuyasha jerked away from her vile caress, placing a hand to his cheek. "No- I- I..." Her body shivered, rippling like the surface of a pond. "Inuyashaaaaa...." In a rush, her body sank through the floor, vanishing from sight. The half-demon raced outside of the hut, retching at the smell that assailed his nostrils. A decayed yellow mist filled the forest around him. Peering through the murk, he decided to retreat back to the hut. Turning, he stopped dead. The hut was gone. Whirling, he found himself standing in the middle of a clearing. A blazing blue sky filled the meadow with a soft warmth. At the center of the meadow stood the well of time. Glancing about himself warily, Inuyasha approached the well.
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Kagome woke slowly, sitting up in bed. Pale light filtered through her curtained windows, reflecting off the dust motes that hung suspended in the air. Rubbing her eyes, the young woman gazed about the room, her eyes filled with confusion. 'Was that all a dream?' She pondered thoughtfully, swinging her legs to the floor. She rubbed her eyes as she gained her feet. A warm breeze from the open window at her back caressed her shoulders. Wrapping a blanket around herself, Kagome leaned on the sill to observe the morning. 'It's so quiet.' She thought in wonder, watching the clouds scud across the perfect azure of the sky. Shaking herself from her inner reflection, Kagome donned her uniform and strolled down the stairs for breakfast. Entering the kitchen, Kagome felt a flutter of unease. "Mom?" Her voice fell strangely flat in the airy room. "Sota, Grandfather? Hello?" There was no response to her calls. 'Where the heck is everyone? It must be later than I thought- maybe they're in the garden.' Stepping out into the courtyard, Kagome was again struck by the emptiness around her. Looking up into the sky, she realized the only movement she could see was caused by the clouds; no birds crossed her vision. As she stepped across the stone flagging, Kagome's heels echoed like gunshots on the concrete. Every other sound she was accustomed to hearing was missing- not even the sound of distant traffic could be heard. Her heart began to hammer in her chest. A sudden sound behind her made her let out a gasp of relief. "Mom, where have you..." She finished her turn only to find the breath leave her body in a rush. Her mother WAS there, as well as her brother and grandfather. However, they were lying on the ground in twisted heaps; thick blood oozing from terrible wounds. Kagome felt her throat tighten, cutting off the scream that erupted from her soul. The only sound that emerged was a shaky squeak. A pincer-like hand rested on her shoulder.
"Poor Kagome." Whispered a well-known voice in her ear. "I pity you- I really do." She bit her lip, staring resolutely forward as Naraku chuckled at her distress. "I wish you had woken sooner, I wanted you to see the terror in you mother's eyes when I cut your brother's throat. I wanted you to feel the horror your grandfather experienced when I crushed your dear mother's spine with my bare hands." Kagome shut her eyes, shaking as hot tears slid down her cheeks. "You are pathetic!" Cried the demon- shoving Kagome towards the bodies. Finally turning, Kagome faced her nemesis. "W-why! Why would you do this!" She screamed brokenly, falling to her knees. Naraku began to laugh, his body shaking within the cloak of baboon fur. "My sweet girl- I do this because it amuses me!" His laughter grew, blotting out Kagome's screams.
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She came to at the bottom of the well.
"What... Naraku!" Standing quickly, Kagome hauled herself to the lip of the well. At the top of the well, Kagome saw the shadowy form of the well house roof. Fighting the thudding panic in her chest, she rushed to the house and threw open the door... to see her family calmly eating dinner. "Mom!" Kagome launched herself at her mother, wrapping her arms tightly around her waist. "Kagome, what?" The girl shook with released fear. "I- I thought... I thought..." She couldn't finish her sentence, but continued to cling to her mother. Her grandfather and Sota shared a confused look before the older man muttered something about 'women's troubles' and led the young boy into the other room. When Kagome calmed down enough to speak, her mother sat with her at the table and pushed a mug of hot tea into her hands. "Now, tell me what happened. Did you and Inuyasha have another fight?" Kagome's eyes widened. "Huh? Mom, no! No I..." Biting her lip at the horrible images that rose up in her mind, Kagome shook her head. "It wasn't, it wasn't like that. I just..." Looking at her mother again, Kagome felt like kicking herself for her distress. ' I must have bumped my head it the well and fallen asleep, it was all just a bad dream!' Shaking her head at her thoughts- she looked at her mother again.
"You're right mom, Inuyasha and I just had a fight." She smiled shakily. 'No use worrying mom after all.' She thought- shrugging mentally. The older woman looked on patiently. "Kagome, I know this must be very hard for you- but you must keep trying. I know you have feelings for Inuyasha, but does he know?" Kagome bit her lip. "Well- he..." She stifled her words with a yelp as the object of their conversation stepped into the room. "I know exactly how you feel wench!" Kagome wrapped her arms around herself as Inuyasha's gaze swept over her coldly. "You really are a fool aren't you!" He cried, yanking Tetsusaiga from its sheath. "Inuyasha!" She felt her jaw drop open in horror as, with a single jab, Tetsusaiga ripped into her mother, nearly cleaving her in two. "Mom! No!" Rushing forward, Kagome caught the shattered body as it fell. "Mom?" Warm blood ran across the floor, puddling on the polished wood. At the cries, Sota and Grandfather came running. Seeing the look in Inuyasha's eyes, Kagome stood quickly. "Sit!" The half-demon didn't even twitch. "Sit, sit, sit!" With a slow smile, Inuyasha calmly turned his face to regard Kagome. Reaching up his hand, he tore the necklace from around his throat, scattering beads across the floor. Chuckling, he turned to face the two individuals on the other side of the room. "Grandfather, Sota, RUN!" Cried Kagome, lunging into the path of the swooping blade. As the polished blade fell, Kagome saw her remaining family run to her aid. As the thick metal bit into her back- she turned betrayed eyes, seeking the amber ones of the man she had once trusted, called friend, even... loved. The eyes looked back with endless pleasure, gleefully shining, as Tetsusaiga cut into her skin and parted her spine.
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Within the lamplit darkness of Kaede's hut, Shippo continued to bathe both Kagome and Inuyasha's face with a damp cloth. Both had now broken out in a heavy sweat, their bodies shaking as they faced the unknown horrors of their own minds. As Shippo wiped off Kagome's forehead, he leaned in close as something caught his eye. "K-Kaede!" The miko rushed to his side. "Kagome, something's happening!" Cried the kitsune. Kaede knelt down, placing a hand over Kagome's heart. "She grows weaker. Her soul cannot endure much more! Inuyasha must find her quickly.... or she will die."
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.
.
.
Inuyasha sniffed the air around the well. 'Certainly smells normal.' He thought as he jumped lightly onto the lip. Peering inside, he crossed his arms. 'Well, I'm not gonna find Kagome just sitting here!' Glancing about the clearing once more, Inuyasha leaped inside.
The passage through time seemed to take longer than before. In fact, Inuyasha began to grow worried as the whirlpool of light seemed to slow. Then, before his eyes, the time-stream stopped. Inuyasha stared as his body literally halted in mid-fall, hovering gently within the bluish time corridor. Carefully lifting his arms, Inuyasha was relieved to see he still had mobility. "Well this is great!" He cried, pushing out his arms in a swimming motion. No good- he couldn't move from his position. Then he noticed something. "Huh?" Tilting his head, he sniffed cautiously, then gulped. Something was wrong with the air! With each breath, the amount of breathable air grew less. Coughing, Inuyasha began pawing madly, desperately hoping to catch ahold of something, anything with his claws. As the air grew thin, his breath began to rasp in his throat, constricting painfully at the lack of oxygen. Sparks flared across his eyes, and shadows started to play around the edge of his vision. "Kaede, help me!" He whispered as his body started to shiver. His flailing hand swung out in one final, desperate lunge, and struck the edge of the well.
Shaking, Inuyasha pulled his weakened body from the depths of the well. Like a sack of barley, he toppled unceremoniously to the ground on the other side. Pulling cold air into his starved lungs, the hanyou squeezed shut his eyes. Then, feeling a sliver of his former strength returning, he grasped the stone sides of the well and lurched to his feet.
The house stood like a black sentinel in the starless night. No lights shined from the windows; no movement interrupted the smooth line of the courtyard. Reaching up to rub his forehead, Inuyasha stopped in shock. His nails were blunt. Reaching up slowly to the top of his head, the half-demon ran his hand over the crown of his smooth head. Smooth head! "Oh great." He muttered, closing his eyes. 'Just what I need, to be human on top of everything else!' Sighing heavily, the dark-haired Inuyasha squared his shoulders and strode towards the house.
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Kagome bit her lip as she struggled to stand. It was useless, her legs wouldn't obey. From the other side of the room, she heard coarse laughter. "Feeling a bit tired Kagome?" Whipping her head around, she glared at the face of the person she had once trusted with her life. "Inuyasha, why?" Inuyasha threw back his head, laughing cruelly. Stepping forward, he knelt by Kagome's face. "You actually thought I cared about you? You are stupid!" Looking over his shoulder, he smiled softly at the figure that approached. "Kikyo." The undead miko stepped fully into view, placing a possessive hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. With a nod from the half-demon, Kikyo reached forward and tore the jewel shard free from around Kagome's neck. Regarding the partially completed jewel with glee, Inuyasha reached into his kimono.... and pulled out a handful of the remaining shards! Looking into Kikyo's eyes, he passed the fragments to her. Watching, tears streaming down her face, Kagome gasped as a rose-colored glow emanated from Kikyo's cupped hands. When the glow faded, a perfectly restored jewel rested in Kikyo's palm.
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.
.
.
Inuyasha grumbled to himself as he stumbled through the dark house. 'How in the hell do humans find their way around!' He bit back a flurry of curses as he stubbed his toes on something solid. Muttering venomously, he suddenly paused. There was a strange light ahead. Placing a hand on the useless Tetsusaiga, Inuyasha crept towards the glow.
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"No!" Whispered Kagome brokenly as Inuyasha and Kikyo embraced each other. With the two of them distracted, Kagome pushed herself up on her elbows and began to drag herself from the room. A clawed hand reached out and casually grabbed her hair in an iron grip. "Let me go!" Inuyasha chuckled. "What for? I'm having a lot more fun keeping you here!" Standing, he dragged Kagome to the middle of the room. The girl bit the inside of her cheek to hold back the screams of pain. Dropping her hair, Inuyasha turned to face her again, his eyes blazing red. "You know what I wished for Kagome?" He asked, his voice deepening, growing rough. Kikyo stepped to his side, placing her hand on his chest. Without looking at her, the demon Inuyasha stuck his claws through her chest. Grinning at Kagome, the he threw Kikyo's body across the room. The shattered form dropped in a bloody heap near the bodies of Sota and grandfather. "I don't understand..." Said Kagome, still trying to reconcile the image of the Inuyasha she remembered with the one that stood before her now. Inuyasha bared his fangs. "I grew tired of you! Your constant whining, your dependence on those weaklings you called friends... and those DEMON, CURSED, SIT COMMANDS!!!" Inuyasha's face was scant inches from her own as he screamed this last. Kagome paled at the rage she saw in his eyes. Seeing the look she gave him, the demon smiled softly. "Do you fear me?" Kagome licked her lips, shaking. Not receiving a response, Inuyasha shot out his hand and squeezed her throat. "DO YOU FEAR ME!!"
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"LET HER GO!" Cried a voice from the other side of the room. Demon Inuyasha turned... and smiled. "So, the mouse has finally shown himself."
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"This ends now!" Said the black- haired Inuyasha. The demon form smiled quietly. "Oh no, I'm afraid it's just begun."