Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own Inuyasha

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Chapter 5 - Where the Stars Come From

After his first visit, Inuyasha hadn't tried anything else with Kagome. She wasn't sure what to make of his new actions, but decided at least his company was something. On the night he would come to see her they would talk of all they could remember. It seems that Inuyasha couldn't remember anything before coming to the palace either. In fact, no one in the palace knew their histories, all they knew were their names. He understood how she felt about not being able to remember her past. His first night in the palace had been just as terrifying, except his had been alone.

In-between guard rotations he would sneak her out of her cell and walk her around the palace. She was greatly relieved to be away from that stuffy room, and even more relieved to be by his side.

Inuyasha gulped nervously when Kikyo spoke the word "tower." He was hoping this would never come. Kikyo was advancing far more quickly than he expected. He had to do something soon, or even Kagome wouldn't be able to save him. Kagome couldn't help but notice that Inuyasha was shaking as he grabbed her arm and led her through a passage they never walked before. When they reached a door he stopped and whirled around to face her, and quickly wrapped his arms around her. He was shaking more fiercely now causing Kagome's heart to race even faster. What could be beyond this door?

"Kagome… I … you… you just can't go in there," was all that he was able to stutter. "Once you enter that room, you'll be bound to her too. Once you're bound, it's over."

She remembered him saying previously that he was bound to Kikyo, and had always wondered what he meant by "bound." She looked up into his eyes and couldn't help but notice they were shimmering with unshed tears. Was being bound that terrible? He looked okay to her. Why was she the one being quiet? Shouldn't he be consoling her? She brought her hand up to his face and brought him down to her level. She had missed his taste since that night. If something terrible was going to happen to her, she wanted something wonderful to happen first.

He was startled by her actions, but quickly swept her up into his arms and kissed her with a passion he hadn't been able to release in months. The feel of her lips against his caused his courage to come back into his heart. She had to know the truth, and why she couldn't go into that room. He broke the kiss and sat her down on the floor in front of him. Once seated beside her, he began to speak of the true horror of this place.

"Kagome, I know you don't understand the meaning of the word bound. It all has to do with that damn Shikon of Kikyo's. When she once told you that beauty came with a price, she wasn't kidding. In order for her to appear the way she does, and to control the amount of power that she has, she must keep the Shikon alive. The only way to do this is to give it energy. However, it is only a temporary fix, and the process must soon be repeated. Only the light can permanently power the jewel and giver her supreme power."

He paused a moment to let her take in all he had told her. He hadn't gotten to the worst part yet, and wanted to make sure she was ready.

"This energy for her Shikon, is the energy of souls. She takes the soul out of her victim and gives it to the jewel. Once the jewel is finished with it, the light enters the lair, and becomes a star. Have you ever wondered where the stars come from in the night?"

Kagome nodded as he spoke. She knew of some scientific theory, but never truly believed it.

"The light of the stars in the sky is the light of the souls that have passed on. When a person dies they go to heaven and leave their soul to guide those left behind. The souls in the Lair of the Stars belong to everyone in this palace, even me. That is what being bound means. Once she has your soul, you're hers."

He paused again to gage her reaction. She looked at him sadly and nodded with understanding. So this is why Inuyasha needed her help. He couldn't leave without his soul.

"I'm actually not quite sure why she didn't take yours as soon as you arrived. Usually that's how it goes around here. Once you enter the palace you go straight to the tower. She seems to think that your soul possesses 'the light.'"

"Maybe that's why I have dreams with memories. I still have my soul."

Her statement startled him. So that's why she had been crying earlier. She remembered something, and was upset to see what she had lost. He had to help her find what she had lost. It was the only way he and everyone else could be saved. He didn't want to lose her, but losing her was the only way she could find herself.

"Do you remember the night I brought you here?" he questioned her.

She nodded in response, remembering the way he had looked in that carriage.

"Well, I remember where I took you from. You need to find your memories. Find out who you are, and then come back to me."

She realized what he was implying and immediately began to protest. He placed a finger on her mouth to quiet her.

"I know you don't want to leave me, but it can't be helped. If you don't leave now, you'll have to go through that door, something I'll never allow. If we hurry, we can leave without being noticed. No one will find you, only I know your origins."

Without another word he stood her up and motioned for her to get on his back again. Once she was secure he told her to brace herself, and jumped straight up through roof. Once outside he turned south and took off into the night sky. He had two days to get her home before his change. He prayed they would make it in time.