Inuyasha abruptly broke away from Kagome, causing Kagome to jump. Her face flashed a pang of hurt, as she stared at Inuyasha with questionable eyes.
" W-what's wrong, Inuyasha ? " Kagome asked, wishing he hadn't broken that roman .. peaceful scene.
Inuyasha's face hardened, and his ears twitched. His eyes clouded over, and his lips curled downwards. Seeing this, Kagome quickly put on a straight face and stood firmly to the ground.
There's something here. It's incredibly hard to feel, for it is soundless and scentless, but there's something there. Kagome thought, her eyes narrowing. W-what is it ?
As if to read Kagome's mind, Inuyasha quickly drew out his Tetsuisaga, and stood protectively in front of her. " Who the hell is out there ? " Inuyasha hissed under his breath, as his amber slits darted back and forth around them.
Instead of playing his patience, a voice sounded in the river, " Inuyasha, "
The pair quickly turned around, cautious and alert. They watched, as the calm water at the center of the lake, began to ripple. Soon, a white, silver figure appeared over it.
The figure was just way too familiar.
" Kanna. " Inuyasha hissed, his amber orbs narrowing even further.
" What are you doing here ?! " Kagome demanded, panic rising within her. I thought she was gone. She was suppose to be gone. She's free ! What's she doing here ?
The small white figure, floated above the surface of the river, sending waves out in all directions. In her hands, was the soul sucking mirror, and she glanced at it with her dark doll-like eyes. " I've been watching you. " she spoke in her soft, child-like voice.
" What the hell do you want from us ?! " Inuyasha demanded, ignoring Kanna's comment.
The girl looked up slowly, letting her white hair flutter in her face. " I've been watching. And I know everything. "Inuyasha growled, but Kagome's widened her eyes fearfully. What does she mean ?
Quickly, Kanna's dark eyes shifted onto Kagome, as her eyes widened more. Why is she staring at m ..
As if Kanna read her mind, Kagome's body shot into the air, sending her face to face with Kanna.
Inuyasha's eyes widened, and he quickly jumped to grab Kagome. But all he got, was a fistful of air. Landing on his face, Inuyasha growled. " Let her go, Kanna ! The only opponent you have to deal with is ME ! "
Kanna did not answer, but used her mirror to bring Kagome closer to her. " Kagome. "
" W-what ?! " Kagome squeaked, as she tried to sound bold, but failed miserably.
" Inuyasha doesn't need you anymore. " Kanna said softly, her dark eyes boring into Kagome.
Suddenly, Kagome snapped to attention, as she narrowed her eyes. " What ? "
Kanna ignored Kagome and laid her eyes onto Inuyasha. Inuyasha glared at her, baring his fangs. " Let her go, Kanna ! "
" Why ? You already have Kikyou. " Kanna spoke calmly, as she continued to dangle Kagome above the river surface.
At the mention of Kikyou's name, both Kagome and Inuyasha stiffened. They never got to talk about that, and Kanna had arrived exactly on the worst time. Kanna cocked her head slightly at Inuyasha, her face still as passive as ever. " What's wrong ? "
Inuyasha glared at her dangerously, his fists clenching. " If you saw everything, Kanna, then you would know that Kikyou's already dead. Now, unleash Kagome or I'll have to .. "
" Inuyasha. "
Inuyasha whipped around and glared, " Stay back, Kikyou ! " Turning around again, Inuyasha set his eyes onto Kanna. " Or I'll have to .. " Then, Inuyasha froze.
K-Kikyou ? Slowly, Inuyasha turned around again, his eyes widening at the figure standing before him. It was her. And she was alive.
" Kikyou .. "
===
What ??! K-Kikyou ?!?! Kagome's mind screamed, as her eyes widened into tennis balls.
Inuyasha was in the same condition as Kagome, his face shocked and his eyes unbelieving.
" K-K-Kikyou ! " Inuyasha gasped, as he backed away from the pale miko standing before him.
She looked as monotone as always. She was still dressed in that white and red kimono, her raven black hair still tied into that same loose ponytail by a lace, her grey eyes dull and expressionless. Nothing was different about her, except her stomach. It had a hole in it.
A hole ?! Kagome's shocked expression deepened, as the scar from the Tetsuisaga remained in Kikyou's stomach. She .. wasn't dead ?
" I was dead, Inuyasha. " Kikyou spoke, answering Kagome's question .. her voice still eerie and calm as always. " But it is a simple task to take somebody back from the underworld. "
" B-but .. how ?! " Inuyasha sputtered, his eyes still wide.
Kikyou narrowed her eyes at Inuyasha, " Why must you know Inuyasha ? And why would you care ? You killed me. "
Kagome watched painfully as Inuyasha winced. Dipping his head low, he spoke in a low whisper. " I .. had no choice. "
" Choice, or no choice, Inuyasha .. I decided to give you another chance. " Kikyou interrupted, her eyes cold and unreadable.
Inuyasha's head snapped up, " W-what ?! "
" NO, INUYASHA ! IT'S A TRICK .. IT'S A .. " Kagome shouted, but could not finish.
A hand suddenly slapped over her mouth, muffling her cries and shouts. Then, Kagome watched as she and Kanna sank beneath the river's surface.
Inuyasha jerked around, and gasped as Kagome began to sink away from him. " KAGOME ! "
" She will be fine. Why must you worry about her ? " Kikyou pondered, as she took a step towards the startled hanyou.
" I don't understand, Kikyou. Why are you back ? Why are you coming to me again ? Do you .. want me back ? I murdered you ! " Inuyasha looked away, his face confused and full of guilt.
" Inuyasha, " Kikyou took a step towards Inuyasha, who flinched and looked away more. " I never said I wanted you back. I came to claim your promise to me. And Kanna just wanted to help me, for she is a confused void that does not know where to go, since Naraku is finally gone. "
" Hell yeah .. Kagome killed that bastard with one shot of her arrow. " Inuyasha blurted out, his voice etched with obvious pride. Quickly, he looked down at his feet.
" Inuyasha, are you in love with Kagome ? " Kikyou demanded out of the blue, as she eyed Inuyasha suspiciously. Casually, she took another step towards him.
Inuyasha quickly looked up, his amber eyes wide. His lips parted, as if to say something, but his face was scared. Scared to say the wrong thing. Again.
" She's more than a friend .. " Inuyasha muttered, then mentally kicked himself. " No. "
Kikyou smiled at the response, " Not .. in love ? "
" Never was ! I told you before ! " Inuyasha yelled, as anger suddenly appeared in him.
" Why are you so tempered Inuyasha ? All I did was to mention Kagome. " Kikyou said boredly, taking another step towards the hanyou. Soon, she'd be right next to him.
Inuyasha sighed under his breath and looked away again. It's obvious why I'm angered when you mention Kagome, Kikyou. When I go to hell with you, I won't see her again ..
" Is there more you must say ? " Kikyou asked, examing Inuyasha's face.
" Where's Kagome ? " Inuyasha demanded forcefully. " I don't have time to answer your questions. You can ask me in hell. Right now, I want to see if Kagome's alright. "
" Kanna took her back to her own time. I suggest you not to see her, or it would be more difficult for you to come with me happily. " Kikyou said, as she laid a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder.
Inuyasha jumped. When did Kikyou get so close to him ? Inuyasha flinched, as Kikyou wrapped her arms around his shoulders, resting her head on his chest. In a merest whisper, Kikyou spoke sadly, " I'm sorry that we always fight, Inuyasha. And that things never turn out the way they did. I'm sorry. "
Inuyasha raised his eyebrows. Kikyou was never so .. sensitive. What happened ?
" When you killed me, I went to hell. And I saw bloody terrible things that I would never forget. And it made me realize, how much more worse it was, compared to what Naraku did to us, making me also realize, that it was stupid of me to hold grudge against you for that. And I ask for your forgiveness, Inuyasha. " Kikyou breathed on Inuyasha's neck, causing goosebumps to appear all over his body.
But Inuyasha dared not to move. Kikyou was asking for his forgiveness, and it would be so rude to push away, even though it was every intention of what Inuyasha wanted to do.
Instead, Inuyasha wrapped his arms reluctantly around her and nodded. " I forgive you. "
" Alright. " Kikyou nodded and took his hand into hers. " Shall we depart ? "
Inuyasha hesitated. C-can't I at least say goodbye to Kagome first ?
Kikyou studied Inuyasha's face, and frowned. He cares for her more than I thought ..
" You will see her everyday in your life when she joins you one day, Inuyasha. And I have a feeling it'll be soon. " Kikyou reassured, squeezing his the hanyou's hand.
Instantly, Inuyasha gave her a suspicious look. " Why would you have a feeling she would join me in hell so soon ? She's still so young. "
Kikyou shook her head sadly. " Inuyasha .. we are about to go to hell. Why would I want to harm Kagome now ? There wouldn't be much point to it anyways, " Turning her head to Inuyasha, Kikyou gave Inuyasha a small smile. " What I meant, was that Kagome would probably be miserable without you. So I think she would give up on life very soon .. "
Watching Inuyasha stiffen in regret, Kikyou nodded at him." She would definitely miss the insults, fights, and battle wounds you caused her. It would be something memorable. "
Inuyasha stiffened even more, but sighed as Kikyou squeezed his hand reassuringly. Yes, this is the best for all of us. Kagome could go back to her own time and go to .. what's it called ? Oh yeah, school. She won't have to get hurt anymore, physically and mentally, and she would be a normal girl. Yeah. It's the best for her.
Kikyou watched silently at Inuyasha's face. It was clouded over and it seemed to be in deep thought. Kikyou narrowed her eyes. This hanyou is caring for the stupid girl more than I want him to. There has to be something done, or he'll never come to hell with me.
" Inuyasha, let me show you something. " Kikyou waved her hand, snapping Inuyasha back from his reverie.
Suddenly, the air around them grew bright, and light engulfed their bodies. Inuyasha gasped, but Kikyou nodded encouragingly at him. A moment later, they were in a land of darkness.
===
" What the hell ? .. Where are we, Kikyou ?! " Inuyasha demanded, as he tried to see. Everything was so dark, it made Inuyasha a bit insecure.
" Relax, Inuyasha, " Kikyou's voice sounded next to him, and Inuyasha realized he was still holding her hand.
A bright light appeared in front of their eyes, and Inuyasha squinted. What's this ?
In his eyes, he saw somebody appear. It was a male, for he was quite masculine and tall. He had strangely long silver white hair, and wore a red haori all over. On his side, was a blade. Inuyasha's eyes widened. Is that me ?!
With the Inuyasha in front of Inuyasha, another figure appears in front of him. A miko, dressed in white and red, with long raven hair and pale skin.
The two stood face to face, as Inuyasha hid behind a tree. What the hell am I doing here ?!
Inuyasha tried to move, but found himself numb. He watched as the Inuyasha took a step towards the screen Kikyou, " I don't care how you feel about me anymore .. "
Inuyasha watched as the screen Inuyasha grabbed Kikyou's hand, " .. do you think I'd leave you with Naraku ? The only person that can protect you is ME ! " With that, the screen Inuyasha embraced Kikyou.
The screen Kikyou struggled forcefully, trying to push the screen Inuyasha off, " Let me go ! Let me .. "
But slowly, she loosened her grip, and wrapped her arms around the screen Inuyasha. The two former lovers, back together again.
Inuyasha watched behind the tree, strange feelings stirring in his heart. It felt like it was .. breaking ? Inuyasha furrowed his brows, feeling pissed. I don't get it .. I'm ..
As Inuyasha watched Kikyou and himself embrace, he felt as if his whole world as collapsed. Is this .. how Kagome feels ?
Suddenly, the scene switches when Inuyasha finds himself looking at himself directly. Kikyou had disappeared, and Inuyasha had seen .. er .. Inuyasha. Inuyasha watched himself, a calm look on his own face. His mind began to force himself to think. Why isn't he turning away ? Why is he looking at me directly ?
As the screen Inuyasha looked on, fear and sadness filled Inuyasha's heart. Turning away, he ran for it.
A bright light engulfed him, and now he was tied to a tree, with Kikyou's soul stealers surrounding himself. What the hell .. ?
He focused to see, then he saw himself and Kikyou in the clearing, talking. What the …
" .. I never stop thinking of you, not even for an instant ! You may very well despise me, but the feeling isn't mutual ! " The Inuyasha on screen yells, and himself and Kikyou collapsed into an embrace.
Inuyasha watched, horrified. Is this how it feels ? The pain and sadness ? What have I done ..
Inuyasha lifted his heavy eyelids and gasped. He saw himself, and the onscreen Kikyou .. kiss.
Then, everything turned black.
===
" Inuyasha, "
Inuyasha squinted to see who it was, and saw a female bent over him. " K-Kikyou ? "
" Yes .. you've finally come to. "
" What happened ? " Inuyasha muttered, as he scrambled up. As if to answer his question, a flood of memories of what he saw came rushing back like a tidal wave.
Inuyasha felt his head throb, guilt pouring into his stomach. I've hurt Kagome so much. There was probably more as well. And she stayed by me. She doesn't deserve me ..
Kikyou laid her hand over his shoulder, " It is better to leave her, Inuyasha .. and fulfill your promise to me.
" Yes, " Inuyasha swallowed and closed his eyes. I have to believe this. To go to hell happily, I have to believe this. " Kikyou .. I love you. "
Kikyou turned to him, her face a bit startled. But it immediately softened and she smiled. " And I to you, Inuyasha. "
The two walked off, leaving the river behind them. It was finally time, for Inuyasha to die.
===
Underwater, Kagome's eyes were widened, tears pouring down her cheeks. The invisible barrier trapped all the water outside, and trapped the victims in it. Nonetheless, Kagome made no sound. She had to show Kanna she didn't care, or she would be tortured with the pain she was holding.
Kanna stood in front of her, the mirror in her hands. In it, it showed the whole scene, of Inuyasha and Kikyou.
" .. Kikyou, I love you. " Inuyasha whispered in the mirror, and Kikyou turned to him. " And I to you, Inuyasha. "
And the two left.
He didn't even ask if I was gonna be okay. He didn't even want to see me before he goes. Why am I such a fool to him ?
Kanna peered at her, her face expressionless. Kikyou was right. Kagome cares for this hanyou more than I thought.
It's never to late to go back. " Kanna spoke, her soft voice cutting through Kagome's thoughts.
Kagome glanced at the pale girl standing before her. She looked so innocent and so little. She could not lie can she ? Even though she was Naraku's minion, she is now free to do whatever she wants. Taking a deep breath, Kagome looked at the ground sadly. " Then take me. "
A/N : Story's not done yet. I like these two reviewers : Kawaii Youkai Miko and KatFay. They are nice loyal reviewers ;)