Is it me, or does Kagome seem to cry a lot in this story? Is she supposed to....? I own nothing...although I wish I could....--'' FYI – I've decided to place small ' ( these things for thoughts and flashbacks as it seems that I can't find out how to make italic show on fanfiction.net

Chapter 9

Kagome stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying again, I promised myself I wouldn't cry over the past anymore. I promised myself, now I just seem weak. Rubbing her eyes she wiped away the tears and picked up her hair brush in the other hand. Running the silver brush through her hair she smiled at herself.

Even thought she didn't wish to be conceded, she had to admit that she looked damn good in her dress. Hojo had called earlier telling her that he'd be coming to her house soon to get her. Twirling around in her bedroom her sky blue dress looked as if it shone with radiance. Smiling, Kagome grabbed some lip-gloss and put it in her purse as she walked out. However, before leaving, Kagome ran back into her room and put on a pair of pants underneath the dress.

Hojo waited in front of her door with a large bouquet of flowers. As Kagome walked out the front door, Hojo felt his heart skip a beat. Her hair twirled around her face, giving it shape. The dress conformed to her body so nicely, and her lips shone in the sun. Hojo walked up to her with a smile, handing her the flowers.

"Higurashi; you look beautiful." He said as he offered his arm. Kagome felt herself blush furiously as she took his arm with her left hand and the flower with the right. Looking away from Hojo, she let herself be dragged along as he led the way.

"Ha ha ha, dog-turd. Can't catch up can you? Your emotions are making you soft; your laziness is making you slow." Kouga called out as he ran towards the well, at the speed of light. Soon both came to the well. Pieces fell to the ground as they approached the well. Kouga, taking the lead jumped into the well and disappeared. Seeing this, Inu Yasha jumped in; again he was repelled from entering and sprang back.

He slowly felt his anger rise as he pulled out his tetsusaiga. After it had transformed, Inu Yasha ran forwards jumped into the air and came down, stabbing at the well. Again he was bounced back and landed right in front of an old tree trunk. A small shuffle behind him caught his attention and his nose wiggled at the scent.

From behind a large bush, a young woman stepped out in a miko outfit. Kikyou's hair waved as she walked closer to the hanyou. Inu Yasha, taking no notice in the Kikyou, sat against the tree with his head down. Kikyou bent down so that she was at eye level with him. Inu Yasha looked up to see tears in the eyes of the dead priestess.

"Inu Yasha," She spoke gently, "do you miss her that much that you have forgotten about me?" He couldn't answer. "Inu Yasha did you only fall for her because of her resemblance to myself or did you fall in love with her – truly?" Inu Yasha remained quiet.

Kikyou looked at him again and sat down beside him. Wrapping herself around his arm she looked up at him to see his reaction, again nothing. Inu Yasha sat there, thinking about her words.

'Do I love Kagome? I can't, that just shows weakness...I can't love again. Not after Kikyou'. He turned and looked at Kikyou. 'She looks nothing like Kagome, she doesn't have her beauty...she's not Kagome.' Inu Yasha stood up.

"Kikyou," He grabbed her hands and lifted her up so that she stood before him. Wrapping his arms around her, he smiled. "I promised long ago to protect you, and protect you is all I promised you. Fifty years ago, I loved you. I will say this to you know, I did love you and for you – I would have chosen to become a human and live with you. Now, I see the truth. I can't be either demon or human...without Kagome, I can't be anything."

Kikyou felt her body shudder at his words. Closing her eyes, she placed her face into his shoulder; somehow it felt strange in his arms, not as comforting as it once had been. Fifty years ago, it felt as if his body was molded to hold her when she felt alone, now ... it only made her feel even more alone in the universe. He was made for Kagome now...no longer for her. As this thought passed her mind, she felt the anger rise in her.

The hate she once had for Inu Yasha began to rise again. Now that she knew he didn't betray, she still felt deceived. His heart no longer held a place for her. Slowly, Kikyou raised her hands onto his shoulders.'if he's not mine, no one will have him. I will take him to hell with me.'


Kikyou felt her hands turn hot and dug her nails into his skin. Power illuminated from her hands and shocked the hanyou. He let out a small yell of pain before pushing her back and staggering away.

"Kikyou," He asked puzzled, "why are you doing this?" Kikyou felt the tears form in her eyes.

"Don't you understand Inu Yasha!" She yelled, "I only stayed on this plane for you. All of this was for you, so that you could someday come back to my side. Now.." She felt her body and voice starting to get shaky. "You say that you need her! Aren't we the same person?"

"Kikyou." Inu Yasha replied comfortingly as he walked forwards.

"Aren't we the same?" She asked as she fell to the floor, crying. Although Kikyou knew she had no heart, she felt it break. Nothing could heal this pain she had and now that she was alone, she had no one. One hand holding her face, hiding the tears, she lifted her other hand and called her shini-dama-chuu. At once, hundreds showed up. Kikyou pointed her hand at Inu Yasha and her spirits charged, wrapping themselves around every inch of his body.

Inu Yasha struggled to move but found himself powerless. Kikyou walked over to him and looked him in the eyes. Reaching out, she grabbed the tetsusaiga from his side and pulled with all her might till it fell from his body.

"Inu Yasha, you will be mine and mine alone." She said with force. "And if I have to take you to hell with me to get you away from Kagome, I will. You WILL BE MINE!"

Kouga felt himself become enveloped with the bright blue light. 'Damn,' he thought to himself, 'is this what Kagome does every time she passes realms..hmm..' Not long after he landed on the other side and caught a whiff of a scent. It was Kagome's but she had covered hers up with something else...something that smelled toxic. Quickly, Kouga jumped out of the well and followed the scent. As he charged out of the doors of the well house, he saw her.

Kagome stood in front of him, shocked by his sudden presence. Kouga looked at Kagome, she looked beautiful. Moving forwards he wrapped his arms around Kagome when he was interrupted by a cough. Turning his eyes met with a scrawny boy with light brown hair. Kagome pushed herself from Kouga and blushed.

"Who are you?" Hojo asked, looking at Kouga's strange attire.

"Who the fuck are you?" Kouga asked. Hojo was shocked by his use of language. "Get out of here, scrawny brat."

"Excuse me!" Hojo replied, feeling very offended. Kagome, who was standing aside, walked in between the two boys. Turning to Hojo, she looked down.

"Hojo-kun, I don't think this could work out between us... I think this is over."

"But," He protested, "we hadn't even left for our date."

"Hey!" Kouga interrupted, "You heard the lady, get lost before I kill you." Kagome turned and gave Kouga cold look.

"Look, Hojo-kun, I don't think this could work out...so, please just leave." Hojo feeling slightly hurt gave her a smile.

"Higurashi – I knew you had fallen for someone else." Kagome jumped back at his comment. "I knew you weren't sick all this time, and I knew that you had fallen for someone else. I'm glad you can see him again." He said as he turned.

Kagome, getting what he was trying to say felt shocked at his presumptions.

"Hojo!" She called but he was too far to hear her. Kouga, seeing the boy had left wrapped his arms around Kagome again, making her blush.

"As I said before Kagome, you are my woman." He said as he moved in closer and gave her a kiss.