" Please .. spare me .. " Kagome whispered, as her body collapsed onto the ground. She knew .. this was where her path to go on with life, will end.
Curling up into a ball, Kagome squeezed her eyes shut. Then, she waited for the piercing pain the will seep into her heart.
But as moments past, Kagome didn't feel a thing. Slowly, she cracked an eye open. Fear poured into her stomach, as Kikyou, the miko standing over her, was giving her such an evil smile. Kagome would never guess, what would happen next.
" Get up. " Kikyou ordered, her sweet sickening smile still pasted on her face.
" W-why ? " Kagome demanded, her voice shaky.
Kikyou took her foot on Kagome's off of her lower abdomen, and glared. " I said .. get up. "
Quickly, Kagome scrambled up, backing away from the older miko. Suddenly, the miko's smile disappeared, her lips now in a down curve, her eyes flashing.
" Inuyasha had always said you were pathetic, but I never knew you would be this sad. " Kikyou then narrowed her eyes at Kagome, a smile creeping onto her lips. " It wouldn't be much fun to kill you just by pulling an arrow into you. All the pain you caused me, is much more than that. " Kikyou stepped up to Kagome, flashing a confident, yet passive expression. " You will fight me. "
Kagome then stumbled back, suddenly choking with fearful laughter. " How dare you bring up Inuyasha at this time ?! You killed him ! And I won't fight you .. I have better things to do ! "
Kikyou then frowned, her confident look disappearing. " We will see. "
With a flash of lightening, Kikyou fired right at Kagome from the tips of her fingers. Kagome gasped, as she darted, but was too slow. The lightening grazed Kagome's face, leaving an open wound on her cheek. Kagome choked, as she quickly placed her palm on her bleeding cheek. " K-Kikyou .. "
Kikyou threw her head back, and gave a victorious laugh. " I will fight until this body's no more. But by then, you would be long gone. I will kill you, with my own hands. Not with some arrow. But with my own hands. " Kikyou gave a roar and charged at Kagome.
Kagome squeezed her eyes shut, as a heavy impact weighted her body down, causing her to crash to the ground. Kikyou quickly scrambled up and darted three steps back. Then, she lunged at Kagome again, her hands reaching in front of her. Kagome's eyes widened.
She's going to burn me alive ! With a gasp, Kagome rolled away, letting Kikyou fire to the ground. Quickly, Kagome rushed to a good distance away from the angry miko. Kikyou pulled herself up, and stood firmly to the ground. Kagome winced. The ground that Kikyou touched, wasn't there anymore. A crater took its place, and it would happen to Kagome, if Kikyou touched her.
I have no choice. I have to run ! Turning around, Kagome dashed to the well behind Kikyou. But that was a mistake. Reaching out. Kikyou grabbed Kagome by the arm and squeezed. Kagome panicked, and jerked her head up, coming face to face with Kikyou. The older miko's usual passive expression, was twisted with ugly thoughts about Kagome. To despise. To hate. To destroy.
" Like I said, Kagome. With my own hands, " Kikyou whispered as blue light engulfed her fingers.
Kagome let out a cry, as the blue lightening shot up her arm, wounding her good arm. Crying in pain, Kagome stumbled back, falling down. This was an opportunity. Leaping into the air, Kikyou fired her fist into Kagome's face, causing it to fly backwards. Kagome fell on her back, gasping in shock and agony.
" Had enough, Kagome ? " Kikyou hissed, as she stepped towards Kagome. She wasn't even tired !
" YES ! YES ! " Kagome screamed, as she tried to get back up. But then minute she got on her knees, she collapsed.
My arms are broken. My face is shattered. I can barely see with my left eye .. the side Kikyou had sent that lightening bolt. Not good. I have to leave, before she kills me ! Swallowing her pain, Kagome darted to the well. It was so far, but she had to try.
But Kikyou didn't let her. Pushing her back, she stomped on her stomach. The air was forced out of Kagome's lungs, as Kikyou pounded her feet in her stomach over and over.
Kikyou breathed, as Kagome struggled to get free. " I am tired of you running away. Fight me ! "
" I WON'T ! " Kagome shouted, as her lungs screamed in pain.
" Then, I will have to finish you off. You are pathetic. " Kikyou muttered, as she pulled her arm back.
Kagome's eyes widened. " K-Kikyou .. "
She's gonna burn me alive. She won't let me free again. No .. Kagome's mind screamed at her, telling her to fight. But Kagome knew, she would be no match for the powerful miko, standing before her. Ready to roast her alive with her lightening.
Kikyou's fingertips burned with blue smoke, raging itself to maximum power. She hates me so much, that she would free me if she could not kill me with her own hands. She hates me so much.
" This time, Kagome, I won't be so nice. " Kikyou narrowed her grey eyes at Kagome, her lips curving downwards. " So like I said, ' See you in hell '. "
Then, she fired.
===
A scream erupted into the peaceful morning sky. Birds charged out of the trees, ground animals scurried to their hiding places. Things would never be the same anymore.
Kagome's face was pale, her face smothered in blood. So much blood.
Her eyes were widened, her lips parted. Her body felt weak as it trembled violently. Her body, was covered, with a thick layer .. of blood.
But .. it wasn't her blood. H-has she lost her mind ? Is she .. dead ?
Kagome blinked, swallowing. Bright light, descended onto her pained body. She could see nothing .. but pure white. W-where am I ?Am I in .. Heaven ?
As if on cue, her eyes focused, and the blue sky was in view. The scream .. that sounded .. so bloodcurdling .. so .. scared. It wasn't hers.
Forcing herself to look up, Kagome gasped. Kikyou, her supposed assassin, was frozen. Her eyes dropped to her stomach, and Kagome let out a squeak. A blade, beyond the word ' big ', pierced through her stomach, causing her to bleed. Bleed so .. much.
Kagome's eyes wearily widened, as she tried to focus, on who had swung the blade in the woman's stomach.
Then, she saw it.
That flash of silver white hair, the large portion of red. And those unforgettable amber golden eyes. It was him. He was .. alive.
" Not .. if .. I .. can't help it. " The voice of her savior breathed.
" I-Inuyasha !! " Kagome's voice found her place, as she called out passionly to the man she thought was dead.
The hanyou, covered with blood, turned his head to her. Immediately, he released the grip on the blade and rushed to her. " Kagome ! "
" Oh, Inuyasha ! " Kagome cried, as the two embraced tightly. Tears poured down Kagome's cheek, stinging the wound.
But she didn't care. Nothing cared in the world right now. Her wounds, her pains, her fear and confusion, melted away. She wanted nothing, but to be in the arms of someone she loved. Inuyasha.
" Inuyasha .. " Kagome whispered, as she buried her head into his silky silvery hair. " I-I thought you were dead .. "
The hanyou stroke Kagome's hair, and smirked in her hair. That smirk. That unforgettable smirk. " A slice in the chest can't kill somebody as powerful as me, Kagome. You should know. Besides, I was wearing my fire-rat kimono. It protected me. I fell down, shocked, and Kikyou just left. In my weakened state, my dog senses felt that you were in danger. And I had to be there. Because I promised. " Speaking incredibly soft, Inuyasha pulled Kagome closer to him, and buried his face into her raven hair.
" But .. " Quickly pulling apart, Kagome stared into Inuyasha's amber eyes. " Y-You .. killed her .. "
Surprisingly, Inuyasha did not push her away, scream or shout at her. Instead, he pulled her back into his arms, and he sighed. " Kikyou wasn't the same was before, Kagome. She lived to kill and hate. Kill me. And you. And anything she believed hurt her. But I couldn't let her harm you. You didn't do anything, but live the way you are. You can't help but be her reincarnation, and I won't allow it. Her body doesn't belong to this world, Kagome, and I had to make peace for her. " Inuyasha smiled, as Kagome laid her head on his chest.
" Inuyasha, I'm so glad you're okay. " Kagome sighed, as she squeezed Inuyasha's waist.
" Damn ! But you're not ! " Quickly scrambling up, Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's wounded arm. Well, wounded arms.
Kagome let out a squeal, as she pulled away from him. Inuyasha's eyes widened as he backed away. " I'm so sorry .. w-what did she do to you ?! "
" N-nothing much, Inuyasha. W-why did you have to bring it up. " Kagome squeezed her eyes shut, as the pain from a moment ago, came rushing into her body.
" I'm taking you to Kaede's, Kagome. You'll be okay. Just hang on. " Carefully lifting Kagome in his arms bridal style, Inuyasha gently but quickly leapt away from the well.
Everything was going to be okay now. Now that Inuyasha is here, and I'm okay. Everything's gonna go back to normal .. it's gonna be perfect. We destroyed Naraku, his minions disappeared, Kikyou is back in her world, and we're all safe and together once more. What could happen ? Kagome thought happily, as Inuyasha carried her to Kaede's hut.
---
" Though she wishes to be free, I will not be. " a soft voice sounded inside the deep forest.
" I will follow on my master's plan, and finish what he desired. "
" I will be loyal, and will be lavished with rewards when it's my time to join the underworld. "
" As he did. "
The figure trudged along the dark path of the forest, her steps soft and petite. She was nothing but a white blur, passing the night animals. Her hands dangled freely at her side, her feet taking her away.
" I will finish what we wanted, and will be the most powerful youkai living. "
" I will show them all, that I can do more, than be a shadow within him. "
" I will kill .. and kill anyone who stands in my way. "
" I am invincible. "
The figure suddenly stopped walking, and leapt into a nearby tree. Her delicate figure resting on a slim tree branch, as she closed her eyes.
" I will be coming for you. And you won't run. "
" Because I will have help. "
" Live what you have, before it's your turn to join my master into the underworld .."
Her usual emotionless expression, suddenly turned into something dark and disgusting.
" Inuyasha. "
===
" OW, OW, OW ! " Kagome squealed, as a sensational stingy feeling shot up her arm. She winced as the pain continued, not stopping by her cries. Then, she narrowed her eyes.
" SIT BOY ! " Kagome shouted at the top of her lungs, which wheezed with pain.
A thump sounded in the hut, shaking the roof violently. A pissed off hanyou, shot up, his amber eyes burning. " What the hell was that for, wench ?! "
" I was SCREAMING in pain, and you didn't do anything ! You could've stopped ! " Kagome shouted, as she crossed her arms. Then, she squealed, forgetting that they were broken.
" Well if I keep on stopping, then we won't even finish by the end of the damn century ! " Inuyasha seethed, as Kagome narrowed her eyes.
" Sit. " she muttered, as a surprised Inuyasha plummeted into the wooden floor.
Before he could open his mouth and scream at Kagome, a fury interrupted them.
A young monk, dressed in a black and purple robe stumbled in. He had a small ponytail at the back of his head, and a staff in his hand. The second figure, as long and lean. It was a female, dressed in a black and pink catsuit, with fine details sewn in it. Her hair was tied up into an elegant ponytail, and her eyelids were tinted with bright pink. The third figure, and the last, was a small one. It was a male, but you couldn't see who he was. The minute he walked in, he rampaged over to a surprised Kagome, and jumped inside her arms.
" Kagome ! Kagome ! I was so worried ! " he cried, his voice shrill and high pitched.
Kagome gasped at the sudden force, but leaned her head on the kitsune's head. " Oh Shippou, I missed you too. "
Suddenly, the kitsune jumped back, his eyes narrowing. " Why didn't you wrap your arms around me like you use to ? Are you really Kagome ? "
Inuyasha, who was watching the whole scene, hmphed and rolled his eyes. " No duh, stupid. Maybe her arms are broken ? "
The little kitsune's eyes widened, " What did you do to her, Inuyasha ?! The last time I saw her, her arms weren't broken. Then YOU come back with her, AND HER ARMS ARE BROKEN ! Why I ought to .. "
" Shippou, I think Inuyasha wasn't the one who hurt Kagome. " The female spoke gently at the raging little fox. Then, she turned her body to Kagome, and smiled.
" I'd rush into your arms, Kagome, but I think that wouldn't be the smartest thing to do. " The female winked, and Kagome smiled.
" Sango, I missed you so. It's okay, sit by me ! " Kagome insisted, and was knocked over by a even heavier force.
" Kagome ! You have no idea how worried I was ! Miroku, Shippou and I were searching for you everywhere. Then Inuyasha went off to nowhere, and we had to find him too ! We looked all over, and we thought you might be dead ! " Sango's lower lip quivered, as she squeezed Kagome fondly.
" Sango, don't say that. Look at me ! I'm sitting right here, maybe with a few broken bones, but definitely not dead. " Kagome laughed, as she tried her best to return her friend's gesture.
The monk watching the whole scene, cleared his throat. Kagome smiled, as she pulled away from Sango. " Miroku, how can I forget you ?! "Sango rolled her eyes. " He was so worried, Kagome, that he only groped me ONCE in one week ! "
Kagome laughed as Miroku embraced her. She quickly pulled away, before she felt that hand going down her back. " You guys, I'm okay ! "
Shippou, who was still seething with anger in the corner, bolted up. " Then why are your arms broken ? And your face is all yucked up, and your clothes are all ripped ! Who did this to you ?! Do we know them ?! "
After that last word was spoken, silence descended inside the hut. Miroku and Sango looked nervously at Inuyasha and Kagome, as they picked up Shippou and closed their hands over his mouth.
Inuyasha looked down, and he let his bangs fall over his eyes. Kagome noticed this, and nervously looked down at her lap. " Well .. you see .. it wasn't anything big. I mean, I just accidentally .. um .. "
" Kikyou did it, okay ?! " Inuyasha suddenly exploded, as he bolted up. " Dammit, you can say it Kagome ! "
Kagome quickly turned her head away from Inuyasha. " I-I didn't know if you wanted to .. tell them. "
Inuyasha hmphed and plopped back down. " It's not a big deal. "
" Inuyasha, " Miroku interrupted, clearing his throat. " You don't feel .. anything about what happened ? "
Inuyasha turned his head with a pissed off look, " Yes. No. Ah, who cares ?! " Then, he bolted up and stomped out of the hut.
Kagome sighed, as the little red figure disappeared into view. Sango stared on and sighed as well. She turned to Kagome, who was staring off in space. " Kagome, um, do you mind telling us what happened ? Inuyasha seems a little ticked off. "
Kagome sighed again, heaving her shoulders. " I-I don't know if Inuyasha would want me to tell .. "
" Kagome, " Miroku grabbed her arm, startling her. " Inuyasha told us that Kikyou hurt you, and told you to say it. I think, in his terms, he's telling you to tell us everything so he wouldn't have to tell us. Understand ? "
Kagome looked doubtfully at her two companions surrounding her with concern in their eyes. Finally, her head dropped to her chest and she spoke softly. " Kikyou attacked me. "
Sango nodded as Miroku muttered in approval. " Yes, go on. "
" She tried to kill me. " Kagome whispered.
Sango and Miroku stiffened, but didn't utter a word. The silence invited Kagome to continue, as she took a deep breath. " Then .. Inuyasha .. he .. "
" Yes .. ? " Miroku pressed, as he nodded encouragingly.
" H-he .. killed her. "
Sango gasped, as Miroku raised his eyebrows. " He .. what ? "
Kagome sighed sadly, her brown eyes dropping dramatically. " Kikyou was bent over me, ready to finish me off with a blast of lightening. I thought I was a goner. " The memory flashed back into her brain, causing Kagome to wince. But a moment later, her facial expressions softened, and a small smile crept upon her lips. " Then Inuyasha came. "
" I didn't know though. Kikyou stood over me, ready to blast me away. Then a scream erupted. "
" I-I thought it was my very own, because I couldn't see anything after. Well, my left eye is still kinda blurry. "
" But when I finally opened my eyes fully, I saw Tetsusaiga through Kikyou's body. And I was so scared, yet .. confused. "
" Then I saw Inuyasha. And .. he came over .. and brought me over here. "
Sango nodded, a shocked expression on her face. " Wow. "
" Yeah .. wow. " Kagome imitated dully, sighing.
" Lady Kagome, why are you so sad ? Obviously, Inuyasha finally saw the light that Kikyou and him were not meant to be together. He, himself, killed her, and chose to be with you .. err .. you instead. " Miroku pondered, as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Kagome looked up painfully at her two friends. " W-what if he regrets killing her ? What if he wanted to be with her instead of .. me ? "
Sango and Miroku immediately exchange worried glances but kept a straight smile. " Don't worry, Kagome. Everything will be fine. " Sango assured, as they both stood up to gather herbs for Kagome's arms.
" I-if you say so .. " Kagome whispred as she lay in her sleeping bag. Then, she fell asleep.
===
Inuyasha sighed, as she chucked a rock into the river. It landed with a big puddle, and with such force, bounced back to him. For two hours, Inuyasha's been bouncing that rock over and over. He wished he could be like the rock. Strong, resistant. And able to come back whenever without any emotions in the way.
" Damn feelings .. " Inuyasha muttered, as he threw the rock forcefully back into the river. " Do I regret saving Kagome ? I .. killed Kikyou. "
Inuyasha's brain fuzzed, and the rock bounced back from the surface.
Absentmindly, he caught it, his eyes still in a daze. Do I .. regret leaving Kikyou ? Will I regret staying with Kagome ?
" Kagome .. " he whispered automatically. Then, he mentally kicked himself for saying it out loud.
" She means so much .. " he whispered again. Then he stood up. " I can't regret it. It's too late now .. "
" Inuyasha ? " a voice asked all of a sudden.
Inuyasha jumped ten feet, and drew his Tetsusaiga. " WHOSE THERE ?! "
Kagome jumped back in surprise, and landed on her rear end. " INUYASHA ! "
Inuyasha raised his eyebrows and smirked. " Oh, it's you Kagome. "
" Sit, boy. " Kagome muttered as she scrambled up.
" Stu .. " Before Inuyasha could finish his insult, his face was buried into the ground. Quickly, he scrambled up and stomped up to Kagome. " WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR ?! "
Kagome shrugged carelessly, " You surprised me. Don't do that. " She giggled mentally and plopped down in front of the river.
Sighing, Kagome peered out at the sun setting. It was always beautiful, and always had the power to calm her. As if Inuyasha read her mind, he sat down next to her. " It's .. beautiful. "
Kagome turned her head in surprise at the hanyou. But he wasn't looking at her. His face was set straight towards the sun, his face so peaceful and calm, with a small smile drawn on his lips. It was like the first time Kagome found him. Suddenly, she reached over and felt Inuyasha's ears.
He gave a yelp, but stopped as he gave Kagome a warning glare. Kagome giggled, and watched as Inuyasha tried his best not to purr. Giggling again, Kagome set her head on his shoulder. Inuyasha grunted, but didn't move. Then, the two watched the sunset .. together.
---
" So peaceful .. " the girl's voice sounded in the forest.
" It's too bad I have to break them up. "
" Now. "
A/N : Whoaaa, guess who Review please