Hinochan: Good Day to you all. We are now in the homestretch. Only a few more chapters to go! You're going to be there all the way, right? Terrific!

Kittychan: 'in British accent' Yes, we've been working on this story for quite a while now, and we're... very proud of our work. We will continue to work on many other stories, but for now, we're happy with where we are.

Inu-Yasha: 'whispering to Kagome' They're up to something. We need to escape.

Kagome: Yeah. You create a temporary distraction while I make a mad dash for the window. You follow.

Inu-Yasha: Got it.

Hinochan: Before you continue with the story, Kittychan and I would like to let you all know that we do not own any of the Inu-Yasha characters and they are property of Sunrise.

Kittychan: Yes. So, please don't sue us. We're just cute widdle kittens that don't have anyfing of valoo.

Inu-Yasha: 'whispering' Cute is one way of putting it.

Kikyo entered the shrine and carefully took the Jewel from its resting place. She quickly hid it in her robe as she ran out of the shrine. Kenshi was slowly walking up when she came out. "Mistress Kikyo!" he cried, breaking into a run.

"Kenshi!" she smiled at him. "Ohayo!"

"Ohayo! You wanted me to guard the Jewel for a few hours?" he asked to be sure.

"Yes. I have something I need to do. I will see you when the sun reaches its zenith." She said turning to walk away.

"Hai!"

Inu-Yasha woke at the light of the rising sun. He stood and stretched his clawed fingers before shaking slightly. He yawned broadly and was about to go meet Kikyo when an unfamiliar and clearly unwelcome scent reached his nose. He turned around and looked for the source. However, none could be found. His dog-like ears twitched, picking up the sound of the slightest movement. His keen orange eyes sweeping the trees and ground for any dark form. He relaxed as nothing came at him. He dismissed it as a passing animal, when something swooped down upon him and pinned him to the ground. Whatever-it-was was straddling his stomach... and it was heavy. He looked up to see a fairly large demon bearing down on him, however, unlike most of the demons he had come into contact with, this one was female! She was tall and disgustingly thin with a deathly pale face. Inu-Yasha had to say that she was one of the most ugly things he had ever come into contact with.

"Where are you going, Inu-Yasha?" she asked in what Inu-Yasha had to guess was her husky voice. It was high pitched and almost reflected the screech of a crow demon.

"None of your beeswax. Will you get off me?!?" he yelled, trying to get up. However, there seemed to be something more than just her holding him down. But what? "What is your problem whatever you've got holding me down, get it off! I've got to meet someone. And believe me, if you make me late for this, I'll make sure you regret ever meeting me!!!" he screamed, squirming under her.

She rested her elbow on his chest and put her head in that hand. She took one wiry finger and twirled a few circled on his chest. "Oh, now you're no fun. Well, sorry to break it to you, Sweety, but I'm canceling your date with Kikyo."

Inu-Yasha's eyes widened. She knew about Kikyo? "I swear, if you do anything to her...!"

"Why would I do anything to hurt her? I have no intrest in her." She mused, not moving her elbow.

"Then why bring her up?"

"Because, I've been watching you. I know about you and that dumb priestess. I just want to have a bit of fun, too!" she said.

She is really freakin' me out. Now what? Kikyo's going to think I stood her up if she doesn't get off of me soon. Inu-Yasha writhed around with all of his might. Eventually, he dumped her off and continued to strain against whatever was still binding him. The girl stood and gave him a pouty look that made her ugly face, if possible, even uglier. Oh, man! If looks could kill...

"Why don't you like me? I made my hair all pretty for you, and now look! You messed it up! You're mean!" she said, stroking her hair as if it were a pet.

Inu-Yasha looked at her as if she had two heads. What is wrong with her? She's acting like some kind of mentally disturbed human! He strained against the binds with all of his might, but nothing he did seemed to work. "LET... ME... GO!!!!!" he screamed.

The demon looked at him and stuck out her lower lip. "Why, you cute little doggy? I'm gonna keep you forever, and I'll hold you and sqeeze you and take you for walks, and we'll be happy forever! Yay!!" she walked up to where his head was and grabbed one ear. "Look at these. Aren't these just adorable!" She preceded to grab his other ear and tweaked them both over and over again. Inu-Yasha let out a deep and angry growl.

"Will you let go of my ears?!" he growled dangerously.

"But they're soooooo cuuuuuute!" she squealed like a little child. She suddenly stopped. That is enough, Nikui. You needn't continue. It is done. Nikui put on another pouty face and stood. "And we were having so much fun. Well, I regret to say that I have to go. Bye!" she called as she disappeared.

Inu-Yasha stared after her, a look of utter confusion and embarrassment painted on his dog-like face. Well, that wasn't normal. He thought. He scratched his head in confusion and then realized something. He'd come untied! "Well, now that that's over. I guess it's time to go meet Kikyo. Strange."

Kikyo walked up onto the grassy hill and looked around. She pulled the jewel from her robes and looked at it for a brief moment before looking back at the empty hill. Nothing.

He'd better not stand me up. If he does I'll kill him. She thought, annoyed. She was about to call Inu-Yasha's name when something caught the edge of her senses. She began to turn around, but didn't make it as something sharp slashed across her shoulder and down her back. She gasped. There was no screaming in pain now. This was beyond pain. She had never felt anything like this before. The shoulder that had been cut was the one that was holding the jewel. She hit the hard ground and reached for the jewel. Inu-Yasha... please! I need your help! This demon has wounded me, and it will steal the jewel if someone does not stop it!!

Kikyo looked up. Just as her fingers were closing around the jewel, a foot slammed down on her hand. She gasped and stared at the pant leg that she could see. Red. No! It couldn't be!! Her assumptions were confirmed as a familiar voice reached her ears.

"Fool! I have absolutely no wish to become human!!" it cried. Inu-Yasha!!!! No! I was so sure he loved me! That... that traitor!! His voice was unlike she had ever heard it. It was rough, and had no warmth to it. Far from it. It had more of an evil tint in it than she had ever heard in any demon or human. Inu-Yasha stooped and picked up the jewel, not letting Kikyo see his eyes. When he straightened, he spoke again, sending shivers of anger down her spine. "The Sacred Jewel... I sure appreciate this. This Jewel... it needs to absorb more bitterness and ill will." He turned and began walking away, leaving Kikyo lying in the grass that was quickly being dyed red from her blood. "Those villagers... I'll kill them all." were his last words.

Kikyo couldn't believe what she was hearing. Inu-Yasha had been tricking her all along. He didn't love her!! He hated her enough to try and slaughter her!!! She closed her eyes in pure fury. "You... I HATE YOU!!!!" she screamed with all her might. She gripped her shoulder and picked herself from the ground. She took her now bloody hand off her shoulder and grasped the bow and arrows she had dropped. She strapped the quiver to her back, not even wincing at the pain that shot through her entire body. I swear on my own life that I will see you dead before I pass on, Inu-Yasha. I will see you dead for betraying me! Kikyo ran off with all her strength, dashing in the direction of the village.

Kikyo ran into Kenshi about half way back to the village. "Kikyo-sama! I heard you scream!! What is wrong?" he cried. Kikyo turned so that he could not see the wound on her shoulder.

"Do not worry. Kenshi, I want you to gather the men of the village. Take a net and capture Inu-Yasha, the half breed demon! Once you catch him, call to me and I will slaughter him for taking the jewel." Kikyo replied before once again taking off. This time, however, she ran into the forest, so that if he tried to escape, he wouldn't get past her. As she turned, she shouted a warning message to Kenshi. "He is headed for the village! Be sure to be on your guard!!"

Kenshi nodded. "Yes, Kikyo-sama!" He took off to warn the villagers.

Inu-Yasha rubbed his head where it had contacted the ground when the girl had tackled him. Good thing I'll have the jewel. Then I won't have to worry about things like that ever happening again. He headed toward the grassy hill where he was to meet Kikyo. He took it slow, just walking, pondering how many ways this was to change his life.

THACK THACK THACK!!! Inu-Yasha stared at the three arrows imbedded in the tree in front of him. They were meant for him. He turned to see who would dare attack him in the middle of nowhere. He met the angry, rageful, brown eyes of Kikyo. She held another arrow fitted to her bow, ready to slay the hanyou. Inu-Yasha's eyes narrowed.

"Die, Inu-Yasha!!" she yelled as she prepared to launch another arrow at him.

"Kikyo! What are you doing?!" he yelled.

Kikyo gave no answer, but to fire another arrow at him. Inu-Yasha could feel anger bubbling up inside him. She took advantage of me just like everyone else! How could she?!? How could I have let myself be drawn in and tricked like that? I was such a fool to think that she was different from everyone else!! I'll show her! Inu-Yasha took off in the direction of the village, angry beyond anything he had ever felt before.

He ran and ran, coming closer and closer to the village. He could almost see the village. His body was jerked out of the air when a thick rope wrapped around his wrist. He made hard contact with the ground, and lay there on his stomach, stunned. The rope on his wrist was soon followed by ones wrapped around his other arm, his ankles, his waist and one around his neck. His hands were yanked behind his back, and his legs drawn together where they were tied. Inu-Yasha growled loudly and jerked his body back and forth, trying to rid himself of the binds. None of them budged. A net was thrown over him and some of the men jumped on his body to keep him from moving. One jumped on his back and held his face to the ground. Inu-Yasha opened his eyes as a voice screamed at the men to stop.

"What are you doing?! Get away from him!!" it shouted.

Kikyo? No, it couldn't be! She tried to slay me! Besides, it's too young. That couldn't be.. her younger sister?

Kaede entered the area where Inu-Yasha was being held. She gasped at him. "What are you doing?! Get off of him!" she yelled, running and trying to move the one on his back off. "Kenshi! Get off!"

Kenshi did so, and stood. He looked down at Inu-Yasha before grabbing the rope attached to his neck and roughly pulling on it. Inu-Yasha's head was forced up to look at Kaede. "Kaede-sama, I'll do no such thing as letting this monster go. He is half demon! Inu-Yasha must be slaughtered to keep the Sacred Jewel safe. The order to restrain him until she could finish him off was given by Mistress Kikyo herself to me. Personally. I cannot take orders from you."

Kaede froze. "Kikyo... gave... the order?" she stammered.

"Yes. Apparently he had attacked her to obtain the jewel and must be stopped." He answered.

"What?! Attacked her?! Why you Yarou! I did nothing of the sort!! I haven't even seen-" Inu-Yasha was cut off as Kenshi yanked on the rope, choking the words back.

Kaede looked mournfully at Inu-Yasha. "You... you broke her heart. How could you have done such a thing?" she said slowly and quietly.

Inu-Yasha opened one pain-filled eye to look at her. Kaede's eyes were filling with tears. Inu-Yasha tried to defend himself. "What is going on? I haven't even seen her this morning except for when she shot at me! How could I have-?" Inu-Yasha was once again cut off by Kenshi yanking on the cord.

"Shut your horrible lies up, beast." Kenshi growled.

"Leave him to me." Came a feminine voice from behind the group. All heads turned to see Kikyo standing nearby, tears in her brown eyes. She motioned to the men. "Go back to the village. I will deal with this half-man myself."

"Hai!" the men turned and ran back to the village. Kaede, however, remained.

Kaede spoke softly as Kikyo drew an arrow to her bow and pointed it at Inu- Yasha's head. "Sister... what happened? Why are you attacking him?"

Kikyo ignored Kaede. She stared at Inu-Yasha. His eyes. Those eyes she had fallen in love with. The eyes that she so often fell into. It had all gone wrong when he had let his desire for the jewel get the better of him. The beast. The heartless beast. Kikyo stood, the arrow fitted to her bow, staring at Inu-Yasha. His eyes were filled with confusion, hurt, anger, sadness. All mixed into one pool of orange. All pooling into one emotion. Hate. He hated what she was doing to him, but at the same time, he still loved her with everything he was. Kikyo did not see this though. Her hate for him was so strong, it blocked out everything else. An all consuming hatred. She sat there for what seemed to Inu-Yasha to be an eternity.

Why can't I finish him? I must kill him, so why am I holding back? He has betrayed me and taken the Sacred Jewel. It is my emotions. My hatred cannot banish the love I once felt.

Inu-Yasha smirked smugly. "If you're not going to do me in, I'll be taking my leave!" he jumped up and curled into a ball, preparing to cut open the net, listening to the screams of the village below.

"IT'S INU-YASHA!!!" Panic ensued on the ground below as men and women retreated into their homes or grabbed spears to throw them at him. Inu- Yasha ripped the net apart, evaded all their attempts to capture him and plunged his body into the small shrine. He looked up to see the small jewel sparkling in all its glory, hanging from a necklace made of string and stone. He grabbed it and turned to run. But the exit was blocked by many men holding spears and ropes. They launched the spears at him, hitting some of the torches in the shrine, causing them to fall and light the shrine on fire.

Inu-Yasha jumped out the roof as the small building exploded in a burst of fire and smoke. He laughed. "That'll teach you!" He twirled in the air as he gloated in his victory. He held the jewel up to his face, admiring his prize. "With this in my possession, I can become a real demon! Hah!" Inu- Yasha landed on a bridge, ran the length of it, then once again sent himself sailing through the air, in the direction of the trees. A voice cut through the forest and reached his dog ears.

"Inu-Yasha!!" it screamed.

Inu-Yasha looked at where he was. He recognized the voice to be that of Kikyo. He didn't care. She could die for all he cared. However, his wish was not to come true just yet. Inu-Yasha felt a splitting pain in his chest. It went through his chest, out his back and into the tree that he was passing. He wined in pain, but then gasped as he saw the Sacred Shikon Jewel, the thing he had coveted for so long, fall from his grasp. He looked up to see Kikyo standing with a bow in her hand. An empty bow, the string still vibrating from the arrow she used to pierce his chest.

Inu-Yasha stared at her, anger and pain filling his eyes. "Ki...Kikyo." He managed to get out. He held out his hand as if the scratch her. "Why... you...!" Inu-Yasha trailed off as sleep began to overtake him. The eternal sleep of death. Just before his conscious left him, a scent caught his nose. Where am I? I recognize this scent! It's the scent of our tree! She pinned me to the very tree that we shared our first kiss. She... pinned... me to the... tree...

Kikyo stumbled toward the fallen Jewel. Blood dropping to the ground in her wake. She dropped to her knee as Kaede and a group of villagers approached. Kaede knelt next to her.

"Onesama!!" she shouted in anguish and fear.

A murmur passed amongst the group that now surrounded her. "Lady Kikyo!" "Kikyo-sama!" "She's badly wounded."

Kaede suddenly spotted the blood covering her sister's right side. "Onesama! How did you get hurt?!"

Kikyo picked up the Jewel and looked at it in a sense of sorrow. "My cowardliness... has resulted in this." Kikyo could feel death beckoning her body, and she knew she'd be joining Inu-Yasha soon. "And all for this... 'Jewel of the Four Souls.'"

Kaede put a hand on her sister's uninjured shoulder. "Sister, we must tend to your injury!" she cried, tears beginning to appear in her eyes.

Kikyo slightly shook her head. "I am beyond saving. So, listen to me Kaede." she turned to her younger sister and held out the jewel in her shaking, weakening hand. "Take the Sacred Jewel... and burn it with my body." The words were getting harder to say now. Her voice was getting caught up in her throat. She managed to continue, trying to communicate a sense of strength in her voice, with little result. "It must never get into the hands of evil-doers! The Sacred Jewel. I will take it with me to the other world." With that said, Kikyo breathed her last breath and her soulless body slumped to the ground. Kaede screaming in anguish as she did.

"Onesama! ONESAMA!!!!" Kaede did not hold back the tears as she mourned the death of her beloved, only older sister. One of the men from the village picked up Kikyo's lifeless body and carried it away to be burned that night. Kenshi stooped to help Kaede to her feet, but she pushed him away. "I will be along. I want to be alone for now." She choked out through her tears.

"Yes, high priestess Kaede." he said bowing deeply before leaving.

Kaede wrapped her arms around her torso and cried for what seemed to be hours. Finally, she looked up. The only thing she saw was the horrid picture of Inu-Yasha, hanging limply from the arrow stuck through his chest. She stood and narrowed her eyes at him. She kicked the tree where he was hanging. "How could you have done this to her? She loved you. You said you loved her. So why? How? How can you just turn traitor on someone?" Tears sprinted down her face. She was unashamed of her grieving, but ashamed that she had allowed her sister to get so close to this creature.

Kaede was about to leave when she heard Inu-Yasha's last words before the sleep of death took him. She turned to see his pupilless, glazed over eyes open. "Ki... Ki... Kikyo." His eyes closed for the last time.

Kaede looked up at him. "What happened? How could this fairy tale go so wrong? You were going to be so happy."

That night, Kikyo's body was burned. The Jewel nestled in her cold lifeless hands, never to be used again. Hopefully.

Kittychan: There is nothing left to write here, because we sat around all day watching Inu-Yasha. So, if you're good, we will come around again for the last chapter. Bye!