Kikyo's vision wavered as she stared at the unoccupied tree. Thankfully, her tears did not betray her by falling. But her conscience was unapologetic.

Did you really think you could contain the girl? It is like waging a battle against yourself—no, a better version of yourself. Kagome's spirit is purer than yours because she does not harbour hate, she does not hold grudges. You are both two sides of one soul and you, lady Kikyo, are the bad side.

The tears plunged. Even in her mind, Kikyo could not find solace. Had she not suffered enough in her life? Deceived, dead, divorced from her first and only love. The separation from Inuyasha she could bear, but what she could not handle was her reincarnation picking up from where she left off. How could she stand to be buried inside the girl, endowing her with powers, yet not be able to live? If Kagome was as powerful on her own as the voice in her mind stated, then she didn't need Kikyo inside of her. Let her be Kagome, and nobody else.

Kikyo realized her mistake, but it was too late to change the course of her plan. The girl would not listen to her reasoning now.

"You are looking for the girl," said a deep, emotionless voice.

Kikyo calmly turned around, eyes narrowed. Inwardly, her heart fluttered at the sight of Sesshoumaru. A cruel demon, but beautiful nevertheless. She could feel his immense power, and it awed her. He reminded of her Inuyasha, but only because she knew they were brothers. Otherwise, he was an enigma to her, a seemingly male version of herself. But surely, she had not become as cruel?

Yes, the voice answered. You have refused your beloved peace from your death, and have refused Kagome a chance to live outside your dark shadow.

Kikyo blinked, fighting back a new onslaught of tears. She would not let the demon see her weak.

"I do not care what you intend to do with the girl, but if your scheme involves my brother, I desire to be a part of it," Sesshoumaru continued.

"No, you must not interfere in my revenge," Kikyo said firmly, although her resolve was weakening.

"Lord Sesshoumaru does as he pleases," the demon bellowed.

Kikyo's eyes widened slightly, but she did not cower in fear.

"Fine, do as you please, but you shall not do it with me," Kikyo hissed.

"I do what I want with whom I want," Sesshoumaru said, his voice lowered again, but deadly calm.

Were Kikyo a normal human, she may have blushed at the unintended insinuation of Sesshoumaru's words, but she knew that he had no sexual interest in her, nor would she break Inuyasha's heart by involving herself with his brother.

Ah, so you have not lost your better half after all, the voice jeered.

"What have you done with the gir—Kagome?" Kikyo demanded.

"Seek and ye shall find," mocked Sesshoumaru, his lips curling into a smirk.

He turned to walk back through the forest. Kikyo followed, her eyes once again narrowed in suspicion.

When Kikyo and Sesshoumaru disappeared into the forest, Kirara jumped out of the tree she was hiding in and ran off to find Inuyasha and the others. She had seen enough to confirm her suspicions. Kirara meowed in frustration as she wondered how to alert the others.

Kouga sniffed the air. He was certain that he smelled Kagome, but something was odd about the scent. Kagome's soft, floral scent was mixed with a mixed with a colder, earthier scent. Strangely, she seemed to be alone. Kouga frowned, wondering if the girl was in danger.

"I'm sure dog-boy will come running on all fours to save her," Kouga huffed, trying to convince himself that Kagome would be alright.

He sighed. How did a foul-mouth, obnoxious jerk like Inuyasha land a sweet, pretty girl like Kagome?

Ah, who am I kidding, I'm not exactly refined, either. Neither one of us are good enough for Kagome.

Kouga shook his head clear and walked back to his pack, resolving to not interfere this time. He had problems of his own to worry about.

Kagome laid still on a white blanket that Rin brought for her. She was in and out of consciousness, never saying much, just moaning and softly calling Inuyasha's name.

Rin stared at the girl curiously. She wanted her to stay forever and be her big sister, as Sesshoumaru was like her big brother. Rin ran her fingers through Kagome's hair and sang a lullaby she had made up.

"Sleep, my angel

Find your peace,

While you rest

I'll watch over thee..."

Kagome could hear the words, and so wished to open her eyes and see the face of the singer, but she was too weak. She almost felt at peace, but her spirit longed for Inuyasha.

When Kikyo walked into the room with Sesshoumaru, her eyes were instantly sorrowful at the sight before her. She was looking at herself, the clay abomination, but with Kagome's struggling spirit inside. She was never one to give up, but in that moment, she sought to free the girl and herself from her vengeful hold.

Kikyo walked over to where Kagome lay, and bent down to her level. She placed a hand over the girl's forehead. Kagome's eyelids flickered, and then her eyes opened. They widened in surprise at the face above her.

"Who are you?" Kagome said weakly. "Are you...me?"

Again, Kikyo fought the urge to cry. She wondered if being in Kagome's body made her so emotional, or if it was that she had grown weary of having to put up a strong front all the time.

"We have much to talk about, priestess," Sesshoumaru interrupted coldly.

Kikyo glared at him, but raised from her crouching position.

Cries from outside distracted Kikyo and Sesshoumaru.

"KAGOME, WHERE ARE YOU!" Inuyasha's voice shouted desperately.

"Inuyasha...," Kikyo and Kagome said softly.

Sesshoumaru laid a hand on Tenseiga.

"Well, this is turning out to be quite the reunion," he said, before exiting swiftly from the room.

Rin scampered after him, but not after giving Kikyo and Kagome one last confused glance.

Worried for Inuyasha, Kikyo began to follow him, but stopped when she heard Kagome's voice call out weakly to her.

"Ki-kyo, please. I have to be with Inuyasha right now. Sesshoumaru will kill him."

Kikyo was silent for a moment, and then she nodded. Again, she kneeled at Kagome's side.

"I no longer wish to take you from Inuyasha," Kikyo said. "And I no longer wish to be dead and vengeful."

Kagome looked up at Kikyo curiously, and with suspicion. Her eyes widened as Kikyo raised her hands over Kagome's chest, and a great blue aura beamed from her hands. The energy coursed through Kagome's body, feeding her with much needed energy.

Kikyo helped Kagome stand up.

"But what about our bodies?" Kagome asked.

"That will be up to Inuyasha," Kikyo answered, staring off.

"I don't understand," Kagome said, studying her stolen face.

Kikyo winced as she remembered the day she had been resurrected.

"We must make haste," Kikyo snapped.

Kagome nodded, and the pair fled the room.

What is going on, Kagome wondered. Is Kikyo finally giving up on Inuyasha?

Kagome was surprised at herself, that she was actually saddened at the idea of Kikyo being dead and gone, for real. Despite all that Kikyo had done, Kagome could not help but pity her, for it was not her decision to be resurrected. However, Kikyo could have ended it by returning to Kagome's body. Instead, she chose vengeance.

Kagome wondered if she could have done the same were she in Kikyo's situation. If she had died, and was given a second chance to be with Inuyasha, would she go back to the afterlife after seeing him with a new love? Her eyes watered as she realized that she could not. She loved Inuyasha too much to not hold on to a second chance at life, but she was sure that she wouldn't have been as cold and bitter as Kikyo.

When they were outside of Sesshoumaru's castle, Inuyasha was wiping blood off his mouth and struggling to get up. He saw his two loves together, and his eyes softened with longing for the both of them. He opened his mouth to speak.

Inuyasha, please don't say my name, not again, Kikyo thought desperately, or you shall lose Kagome as you know her, forever.

"K..."