No Life Flower!

Chapter Twelve:

Within Thorns of a Trapped Soul!

~|~

He couldn't believe it. As soon as that arrow grazed his cheek and he saw who did it, he knew it had to of been a dream…what else could it have been? Definitely not truth, she would never try to hurt him willingly, Kagome would never try to hit him intentionally. Something wasn't right.

He smiled mentally in his heart-throbbing pain…I know what you were doing Kagome…you were aiming it at Koichi, not me…I know that's what you were doing…right? He glimpsed at Koichi who seemed to be smiling and then stood from him, turning to face Kagome with a weak smiled. "Kagome…you promised to stay where it was safe…what are you doing here?" He questioned, as he walked towards Kagome, extending his hand outwards towards her.

*

Miroku, Sango, and Shippo all watched from afar in amazement. "What is Kagome doing here, I thought she promised Inuyasha she'd stay at the hut with Kaede?" Shippo reminded in wonderment.

Sango nodded. "Yeah but I wonder why…she shot that arrow with such terrible aim, and more than usual?"

Miroku narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Something wasn't right here. Sango was right; Kagome's aim was absolutely terrible, as it seemed to him that she deliberately tried to hit Inuyasha, but why? He wondered. It was then that he recalled something, a situation somewhat like this one seemed to be turning out. I have seen those dead eyes before…Kagome…are you being… His eyes widened as he saw Inuyasha going forward to her while he came to his realization.

*

None of this made any sense. His eyes squinted in hurt as he saw her dead-like eyes…what was wrong with her? She didn't look the same. "Kag-." But before he could finish the sentence, Kagome quickly pulled out another arrow, aimed and shot it, landing it straight into his arm, almost tarring it away from his body. Inuyasha screamed in pain as the force of the arrow drew him backwards into the ground. Sitting halfway from the ground, Inuyasha starred at her in shock but more so in concern. "What's wrong with you Kagome…what did I do…are you even…" But before he could finish it, his head had collapsed to the ground.

Rolling to his side, he pulled the arrow, from his arm slowly. Blood in a quick rate oozed from the laceration but he paid the stinging pain no mind and just stood from the ground, heading towards her once again. As he headed towards her he placed his sword back into its sheath as he would no longer use it against her…ever. It didn't make any sense why did she attack him? This couldn't be happening, Kagome would never hurt him, he assured himself.

He would soon eat those words as she drew her bow once more but before Inuyasha or Kagome could do anything further, Miroku shouted. "Inuyasha! Kagome is being controlled by that Incarnation of Naraku, she has no idea what she is doing. I have seen this kind of thing before…notice how Koichi looks like Kouga, how is that possible? Well, it is because he is a identity shifter: A Youkai, who attacks and steals its victims, identity as well as their personality traits. They also are know for being able to possess a person by splitting themselves into two parts. Also you have seen this power before in Naraku, although this one is somewhat different." He explained, recalling an old folk tale told to him as a child and the story of what happened between Kikyou, Inuyasha, and Naraku.

Sango and Shippo gasped. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed with what looked like anger.

*

A sadistic laughter emerged from behind Inuyasha, and he quickly turned to see Koichi on his feet. His eyes were glowing red, his body pulsing with a dark energy. What the hell is he doing now, Inuyasha wondered. "So you finally figured it out…" Koichi began, and then his body melted into a purple energy and as quickly as it liquefied it had wrapped itself around Kagome, merging with her. From this, Kagome underwent a transformation. Her eyes became a purplish blood-red color, her hair lengthened and her fingernails grew into claws. "Now you die!" He said within Kagome's body.

Inuyasha's eyes widened in horror, No, Kagome…what has he done to you? Inuyasha wondered but then again he already knew he just couldn't accept it. "He's merged with her…Koichi and Kagome are one now." Inuyasha explained.

Sango put Shippo to the ground patting him atop the head. "You stay here where it is safe Shippo…" She ordered as she swung her boomerang over her shoulder. "I am coming Inuyasha, Kagome…I'll help you…" She Informed.

About halfway there to Inuyasha, Sango was suddenly put to a halt by Inuyasha's loud alarming shouting. "Stay back Sango! This is between me and Kagome…this fight is mine…you just stay and protect Shippo." He explained and she obeyed but not without sharing a frown of understanding with Inuyasha first.

He didn't want anyone's help, this was his fight, and this was his failure. He was a failure in the one thing he strived to be the best at, and that was to always protect Kagome. He had done this too her. By letting her out of his sight, he had paved the way for Naraku to attack her…Naraku would pay for this. Kagome was sick, very ill and from what he learned about her disease, this kind of strain couldn't be good for her.

Kagome pulled out her claws, and ran at a fast pace towards Inuyasha, dragging her claws across his body, tarring open his red haori as he did not fight back. He had drawn his sword to block her attack and then he planned to attack her in recoil. But when he remembered whom he was fighting and her being sick, her being weak, how much one attack would strain her, he could no longer follow through with it. Resulting from this decision to evade fighting her, Kagome was able to slash her claws amongst his stomach as she went after him a second time.

Stinging sensations engulfed his body as her attack was executed but Inuyasha made no sounds from the pain never letting his straightly concerned countenance falter.

Stumbling backwards slightly, Inuyasha's brows drew together, as he walked up to him, shaking his head. "Come on Kagome this is not you…you're not going to let a meager bug like Koichi control you so, snap out of it and fight him." Her ordered slightly but more to the point just wanted to inform her from deep inside that she was stronger than Koichi as he thought her so.

A deadly sadistic smirk cascaded across Kagome's visage as Inuyasha spoke those words. Her smirk sent relentless shivers up Inuyasha's spine but he didn't let her be aware of that factor. The tip of her lip curled as she retorted in a drone voice, "Ah yes I am strong Inuyasha but not even Kagome could break through that and besides she likes it this way…she told me so…she's in pain and the loves the numb feeling she retains with me apart of her." But it was actually Koichi talking through her.

Forming her hand into a sharp blade, Kagome agilely drew herself forward to Inuyasha, stabbing the clawed blade through his stomach. Blood immediately ejected from Inuyasha's mouth and even his stomach as her claws dug through his gut. Leaning forward into him, claws still transfixed in his middle, Kagome uttered softly more then a few words into his ear. "She doesn't want to come back…she likes the darkness…do you really want to deny her happiness? You should just let me kill you and then you both can be happy together in hell." Koichi offered within Kagome.

Quickly Inuyasha retorted snidely, "Heh, that's a good one…Kagome is too stubborn for to accept death that easily…she'd fight the devil on that one first…and so hell would not be an option." Inuyasha explained hoping that somewhere inside, Kagome could hear him.

Growling angrily that Inuyasha would not accept his proposal, the tainted Kagome jerked her claws out of Inuyasha's stomach forcing him to scream this time as she punched him in the side of the cheek. "How dare you not accept your fate!" He screeched but easily he returned to his normal dead state. "No matter…why don't you just ask her for yourself…then you will see that she'd rather accept death then live here for one more second."

Inuyasha's eyes widened in horror…that couldn't be true…could it?

*

Kouga had never experienced a pain quite like the one he had just indulged in as Koichi forced his fist into him. It took a while but finally, he peeled himself away from the crater, which had been made his almost permanent bed. Leaning up against a tree, he took a deep breath before opening his eyes to everything and when that action took place, he fell into a deep shock. "K-Ka-gome?" He uttered in astonishment. "What's going on?"

"Koichi is controlling Kagome from the inside." Miroku informed, quenching Kouga's curiosity.

Standing from the ground in a bit of anger, he retorted, "No Kagome…" And then glared at Inuyasha. "Damn it you pitiful mutt-face, how could you let him take Kagome!" He screeched, but Inuyasha just ignored him, making Kouga rather angry.

Sputtering forward towards Kagome, his shouts directed at Koichi. "Damn you Koichi, get out of Kagome now, don't make me come in there!" He yelled, arrogantly.

Turning away from Inuyasha for one moment, Kagome glared at Kouga with a deadly calm yet irate demeanor, while raising her hand at an angle. "Stupid insufferable wolf…how dare you try to interfere, I've told you…. You have no part in this so, you might as well be dead." Koichi explained and then Kagome slashed her hand through the air, as a sword would cut through its prey. Soon after Kagome's hand, movements took place through the air, a strong purple energy sent Kouga throttling through the village until his back collided into a nearby smoldering hut.

He screamed in agony as if someone had ripped his body in half and was burning the remains, while he was still living-if that was possible. Inuyasha gasped, starring back at Kouga in confusion, but quickly returned his eyes to her. "What did you do to him?" He questioned seemingly concerned, which was a strange thing to see since Inuyasha practically hated his guts, one would think he would have been laughing at his pain.

Kagome smirked. "He was getting in they way don't you think?" She paused, moving closer to him, putting Inuyasha off guard as he only gaped at her with the pain of twelve crying babies or brutally dying men. "Now where were we? Oh…yes…she doesn't want to come back Inuyasha and I'll prove it to you, then you both can die together." Koichi explained.

Lying amongst the shambled hut, Kouga struggled to open his eyes, moaning from the pain searing through his body. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself away from the hut into a forward sitting position. "K-Ka-gome…actually…a-attacked me…" He whispered in hurt. He couldn't believe it. It was the last thing he expected. In his mind he had this perfect picture of what would happen, how this all would turn out. What Kouga saw was he gallantly fighting Koichi to free Kagome and she within him saw this and fought to free herself and then suddenly Koichi's control over her would end. After that, she'd proclaim her undying love for him and ditch that dogface for good but that was not what happened.

He'd thought she'd grown to love him by now, enough that she'd fight herself not to hurt him but now he guessed it was safe to safe that wasn't the case.

*

This offer to prove to Inuyasha that Kagome didn't want to live anymore and had accepted death, really scared him. Although, deep down he never took it as a reality as he knew her too well…she wouldn't die without, fulfilling her promises and saying goodbye. Inuyasha shook his head mentally; He's just trying to yank your chains Inuyasha…don't listen to him. Inuyasha smiled. "I don't believe you, and never will…the Kagome you seem to think you know, is completely different from the one I know…for she'd never attack me blindly, she has more common sense and style then that." He mocked.

Koichi narrowed his eyes. "You are a hard one to convince Inuyasha but once you talk to her…you will see that I am telling the truth." Kagome snapped her fingers.

Darkness shrouded everything around, causing time itself to freeze. The only ones able to move, the only ones seeming alive within the shadows were, Kagome, Koichi, and Inuyasha.

"What happened?" Inuyasha wondered, as he looked around the village. The smoldering buildings seemed to have frozen, as you could see the fire no longer flickering, but just standing on air. Miroku, Sango, and Shippo seemed to be frozen in there actions. "What the hell has happened to them!?" Inuyasha growled in wonderment but as he turned to Koichi within Kagome for the answer, he gasped at what he met with. What's happening to Kagome? He thought curiously in concern.

A purple energy outlined Kagome's body as what looked like her soul, out stepped from her body, leaving behind Koichi. "We are in a dimension outside of time, in the heart of Kagome, where she's been, since I've been…" Koichi explained. "Now speak Kagome, tell Inuyasha that you like the darkness. Tell him how you feel better, no longer in pain. How the numbing feeling of already being dead, is more then you could ask for…tell him you've accepted death."

Collapsing to the ground, near her soul, Inuyasha found himself, at a loss for words. He couldn't understand what was going on. If Kagome's soul could escape her body, to tell me she's accepted death… but…I just don't get it? His thoughts came to a halt, as the soul of his lover spoke. "Inuyasha…I am sorry but I couldn't take it anymore…all the pain of me dying, of having to leave all of you behind, I couldn't take it anymore but now none of that matters anymore. Since Koichi took me into the darkness…. All that pain no longer matters, because it's gone and I don't have to care anymore because I am dead." She informed.

Inuyasha shook his head in disbelief; a single droplet of a tear fell from his face freezing in the air within time. "No, don't say that! You can't give up…I promised I'd save you…didn't you trust me?" He wondered dejectedly, his voice sounding a little angry at the same time.

The soul smiled. "Of course I trust you but you know that there was nothing you could truly do…but let me fade away right before your very eyes but now that doesn't have to be. Still though, I could never let you go, so, why don't you join me in death Inuyasha…we could be together forever, without pain or suffering."

None of this was real and she was not speaking the truth, only what Koichi wanted her to say and nothing more. If she was truly the soul of Kagome, then she would have never said those words to him…she'd never force him to end his life for the sake of her as she had told him so once. Also, the Kagome he knew would have never doubted him when he made a promise. Then he recalled something said something important that had escaped Koichi's lips through Kagome. From that he knew where the truth lied, We are in a dimension outside of time, in the heart of Kagome, where she's been, since I've been, Inuyasha thought, repeating Koichi's words over in his mind and then his eyes widened as he realized something from his words. This is all fake. That soul isn't Kagome…if she were dead, her soul would've already faded from this world. Even so that soul is just an illusion created by Koichi to convince me to let him kill me, and if this world we are in is a place created when Kagome was taking over that means…He trailed off in thought as he stood from the ground.

The fake soul looked up at him in surprise. "Where are you going Inuyasha…don't you want to be with me forever?" She wondered, tilting her head to the side.

Inuyasha smirked, as he gaped down at her. "Why would I die for something that doesn't even exist…you are not Kagome," He whispered. "Which means that the real Kagome has to be locked up somewhere in here since this place was created when Koichi took her over." He explained beneath his breath, finishing his thoughts in the open.

The soul gawked at him with what felt as hurt and loss but Inuyasha knew it wasn't real, it was only a false emotion created by that incarnate of Naraku. Therefore, he ignored her pain as he went on in his thoughts.

However, the soul and even Koichi would not let him get away with not accepting his fate. Secretly without Inuyasha's knowledge, Kagome's soul, the false soul was sucked back into Kagome's body and they stood from the ground as one.

Within the same spot at which he stood, he moved his eyes to search the frozen darkness in the center of the village, where he had been trapped. Completely ignoring the mergence that had just occurred between the soul and the body, as all he could think of was setting the true Kagome free.

But sadly, he only found sheer nothingness….

No Kagome…

No light…

No soul calling out to him for protection…

Nothing, it was as if his guess was incorrect, but deep down inside he knew he wasn't. This image of a darkness overlaying the village was nothing more than an illusion to cover up the reality of this warped place where Koichi had brought him. Somewhere within this place, Kagome's soul was bound, locked away, waiting for him to find and set her free. That was what he planned on doing, there was only one problem, which was he had no idea where she was being held. Considering his problem carefully, he came up with a solution, it wasn't an easy one either, but it was, the only way he could think of to reach her within the darkness.

Not really paying attention to them still, Inuyasha moved away from the false soul, the emptied body of Kagome, still baring Koichi, and began to search through the blankets of darkness, where Kagome was trapped. "Kagome…can you here me?!" He called out. "Kagome where are you?!" He shouted.

He received no reply just a slight brush of the wind, which was strange, since everything had been forced to still. Although that feeling of the breeze was odd, he paid it not an ounce of attention and just kept his search, ignoring everyone and everything around. "Kagome…Please answer me!!" He yelled and just as he went to speak some more, he was suddenly forced to the ground, as a purifying arrow pierced through his back, almost to the other side. Koichi had taken a cheap shot at him and would pay for it.

"I gave you a chance Inuyasha, to accept death, and die side by side next to the one you love but you refused so now…you will pay." Koichi explained viciously.

The pain was real, it seared through his back like sharp claws as they tore through a Youkai or even worse of pain as a human was torn apart. He screamed from the agony as lay amongst the ground. Pushing himself slightly from the ground, he turned to see what had happened; a large arrow was neatly transfixed into his shoulder blade, and he could feel the bone had shattered.

The strange breeze that seemed to haunt him a moment ago grazed its presence amongst him once more. As he went to pull the arrow from his back, he found when pulled, no blood fell and that the pain was gone too. It was like something had healed him, and as he remembered where he was- in the center of Kagome's heart, he began to smile. "Thanks Kagome." She had saved him…wherever she was, she could hear him…there was still hope.

Standing from the ground, he turned to face the livid Koichi inside Kagome's body with a smirk. "That was cheap shot you pulled their Koichi…what, you couldn't take me down normally so you had to resort to trickery. I know that soul wasn't Kagome…it was an image you created to trick me into death. I also know that Kagome, the real Kagome is hidden in here somewhere and once I find her…your dead." Inuyasha threatened, arrogantly, and that was his first mistake.

Kagome's lips curved up into a malicious smile, and Koichi spoke through her in compliance to Inuyasha once more. "So, Inuyasha…you are not as stupid as you look." Kagome raised her hand, moving it about the air, as a tour guide would show a new area or a home. "This is the inside of Kagome's world Inuyasha…the world were she dreams, the world were she wishes, and the world were she dies. All her innermost secrets are kept here. Unlock a door an you will find them." He paused, and Kagome snapped her fingers once more. The darkness overlaying the village grew to devour it all. Inuyasha couldn't even see the others anymore. It was as if they had stumbled upon a hallway, lined with an eternity of doorways. Inuyasha's eyes rose open in awe at the sight before him, but easily enough the astonishment died away with Koichi's voice. "But sometimes the heart does not wish to remember, and so it puts up traps to separate the mind and body from the soul and heart. Inuyasha, Kagome doesn't wish to be here in the living anymore. I never lied to you about that as I know it as fact for I surpassed one of those traps and entered the door to that secret…She wants death, she embraces it whether she acknowledges it or not, and therefore, I wont deny her what she so badly desires." Koichi explained.

It was as if someone had stabbed a dagger in the center of his heart and then proceeded to pull it downwards. He didn't even it feel it coming, and even the pain afterwards wasn't so excruciating as he might have imagined. His body had become numb as Koichi's explanation expelled from Kagome's mouth. The numbing sensation wasn't one of bodily or mental pain, like the pain that forces someone to suicide; it was more of a heartbreak, shock, or spiritual pain.

The skin around his eyes tightened as he took a step backwards. Kagome wants to die? I don't believe that is true and yet maybe it is. Koichi seemed so serious as he spoke those words…maybe somewhere deep inside Kagome wants death. Inuyasha bit his lip, drowning in thought. Is this what you really want Kagome? Kagome is this what you desire, to die before we could even… He traveled away from that thought as suddenly a realization formed within him. He could recall the words spoken by Koichi of what this place was, this place of darkness truly was, This is the inside of Kagome's world Inuyasha…the world were she dreams, the world were she wishes, and the world were she dies. All her innermost secrets are kept here. Unlock a door and you will find them. He could recall those words and from that retention, his mind formed an idea.

Turning away from Koichi, he starred at the door filled walls with a look of uncertainty. I don't want you to die Kagome; nobody wants you to die… not even you. Maybe somewhere, inside you wish for it but you don't in reality want it because you know I'll save before the scythe can even land upon you. I'll catch you before you fall…and most important I'll find you…wherever you are. Taking a deep breath and exhaling it slightly, he prepared himself to execute his plan.

"So now do you understand Inuyasha… that is why I am here…Naraku knows she is dying, he could smell death all over her that day with the spider head and from that day he spent his time creating me so I could kill her, quelling her pain. So you can either die with her painlessly or mess with my set goals and I will kill you little by little using the body of the woman you love." He smiled sadistically. "It's your choice…really."

Not paying Koichi much attention and regarding his statement about Naraku with a little tightening of his fist, he proceeded to walk away from Koichi down the halls of doors that went on for eternity. Every door leads to apart of Kagome's world of life, thoughts, and secrets. One of these doors leads to another place and perhaps one will lead me to the cell where Kagome is being held. Splaying his fingers amongst the wooden-splint door, he considered by how poorly made it was compared to the others that maybe it was created quickly without a thought to sculpt its look.

"Well…what will, it be Inuyasha 'cause personally I'd like to get this all over quick and painlessly." Koichi explained, expelling a slight yawn.

Inuyasha's lip twitched slightly into a smile. This door is so warm…I can smell Kagome all over it. His eyes narrowed, Strange…I can smell her…when I talked to that soul and since I've been in here, I haven't been able to smell straight…that could only mean… His smile grew as he looked over his shoulder at Kagome's possessed body, starring straight through her at her possessor. "Painlessly huh? Well…I don't think so…why would die when everything I want is right through this door."

Kagome's eyes shot open in shock- the first real emotion the so-called dead body had made. Kagome extended her hand outward. "W-what are you doing?" Koichi asked nervously.

"Setting Kagome free." Inuyasha whispered, as his hand agilely fell over the knob, while twisting it open at the same time.

"No don't do that!" Koichi shouted. It was too late, the door had been opened and a new world was created.

A bright light expelled from the opened door spreading all over the shadowed hallway of doors, replacing it with grass fields, a blood red sky, and a murky mist that fogged up everything around. Inuyasha gasped at the new foundation upon, which he stood. He turned around to face Koichi who was starring at him darkly through the eyes of Kagome, he seemed to be very irate, and then he spoke. "Inuyasha why'd you open the door…now I have to kill you…why couldn't you of accepted death?" He said as if he was upset that he had to kill Inuyasha without his permission.

Inuyasha sparred him an irritated glance as he turned away from him, to pick up his search for Kagome. One step forward was all it took. On step forward through the foggy mist was all it took to break his very soul. To make him want to cry painful tears that he dare not ever let lose. These tears unlike the feeling of loss ones he experienced after finding out Kagome was dying were filled with complete terror and horror.

For when he looked up from the grassy fields, he saw far off into the sky Kagome's very soul strung up onto a brick wall by many thorn coils. She was wearing a priestess kimono, and her hair was partly covering her slumped over face but Inuyasha knew she was deep in pain, even though he couldn't see her countenance. Also even from where he stood he could see the thorns impaling through her skin…her soul was bleeding. From this image, Inuyasha's breathing began to extenuate to unhealthy lengths as he turned to look at Koichi, a tear falling from his eyes. His countenance appeared dead, frozen within the image he had just witnessed. "What h-have y-you done!!" Inuyasha growled. "What did you d-do to Kagome!"

The empty shell, which was Kagome's body, began to lick her lips, gaining a sadistic smirk. "She's a beautiful piece of artwork don't you think? A bloody soul has so much beauty and deserves to be admired…so admire your pained love before I kill you too." Koichi cackled.

"You sick'o…"

His breathing still choppy and thick, Inuyasha turned to look at her stringed soul once more in disbelief. K-K-Kagome…no…no…no! Inuyasha shook his head. "What have you done Naraku…I will kill you for this." Inuyasha threatened his voice sounding cracked and dry. I am sorry Kagome…sorry I couldn't save you…I've failed you too…like everyone else. Inuyasha thought as he lowered his head to the ground and then his legs buckled underneath him forcing him to collapse into the grass. In somewhat of an anger fit, Inuyasha began to pound the ground with his fist repeatedly. "Why! Why! Why! Why!" He screamed repetitively. "Why couldn't it have been me." Kouga was right…I am a damn pitiful mutt-face who couldn't even protect her from Naraku's clutches.

He looked up at Kagome, who was strung miles away from him. "You and me Kagome…you and me Kagome are one in the same we both do not belong in this world…remember when you said that…I was so happy when you said it. When I am with you Kagome…the pain that has engulfed my heart since I was a little kid doesn't seem so bad and now I will never be with you again…I can smell your soul fading…wait a minute…" He trailed off as he took a big whiff of the air and then came to a realization. "It's still there…" He began to smile brightly. "Kagome's soul is still alive…barely." He whispered to himself, so no one could hear.

"Now since you know that she is dead…let me take your life now so you can join her." Koichi offered coming up behind him.

Inuyasha stood weakly from the ground, wiping the tears that didn't have to be from his eyes and then looked over his shoulder with a smile. "I decline…as there is no one to join." With those words, Inuyasha took off at top speed towards the brick wall and Kagome's soul.

Meanwhile he left Koichi behind in an unsatisfied manner. Koichi within Kagome's body moaned as a child did when it didn't get what it wanted. "Damn it Naraku you said once I showed Inuyasha, Kagome was dead that he'd let me kill him so he could join her but that is not happening." He groaned, stomping Kagome's foot. "Now I have to stop him from getting to her soul before things get worse." He growled as he took off.

~|~

The blood red sky began to rain down upon him the pain that Kagome was feeling as the needles intertwined inside her body. The red rain sent shivers up Inuyasha's spine but he did not let that stop him from moving any further. The illusions the foggy mist created made it seem as though Kagome was far away but as he traveled through the fields of mist, he found that it wasn't as far as he had thought. I am coming Kagome…I'll set you free…I promise… and I never break a promise! Inuyasha thought as he starred at her attentively.

The sky's blood rain began to mix within Inuyasha's open skin and kimono, making it look as though he was drowning in blood. Although this fact scared him, he ignored it completely.

After a few more consecutive minutes of running, he stopped deadbolt in front of the wall of thorns, starring up at Kagome. The wall wasn't as far way as he had originally thought but she was higher than he had expected. He could jump to her easily, but at how high she was, he'd doubted he could make it up all the way. Considering his options carefully, he decided on the safest easiest way. Jumping halfway up the wall he began to climb up the thorns. As he did so he was sent into a whirl of painful sensations as the thorns dug into his skin, peeling the flesh backwards, as it dug while releasing tiny droplets of blood. Within the thorns was poison, and the poison began to make him delirious as his vision blurred. Still he climbed, never letting his pain stop him from saving Kagome from hers.

Ignoring his pain finally paid off as he had reached her. He hung besides her, still holding the coils of thorns within his clutches. Starring at her with concern, Inuyasha took away one of his red hands to her face stroking it slightly, and as he let go his eyes widened at the thin trail of blood that he had left behind on her face. Her soul was real in this world of Kagome's heart so everything she felt would show as a reality. In this world, Kagome was her own, even though Koichi had her body. "Kagome…I am here, wake up…please?"

No answer fled her pale lips. Just the sounds of a soft breeze took place as all the other times he called out to her. This caused Inuyasha to bit his lip. She wouldn't awake to anything he did, he mused for a moment and then smiled at an idea that came to mind. It probably wasn't the brightest of his ideas but he knew it would work. Clearing his throat, he said to her, "Kagome I am going to seal up the well for good and you will never go back to that stupid time of yours again."

After those threatening words took place, Inuyasha found the results to be most satisfying. At the tip of her straightly strung up arm, her fingers began to move. Inuyasha heaved slightly as he saw this action take place, and the he looked at her face as her lips twitched forming a few words. "Inuyasha…sit…" She mumbled.

Inuyasha smiled but easily regretted what he had done as he the incantation began to take place. He shut his eyes awaiting the inevitable as a wind placed through him and as he reopened his eyes wondering why he hadn't impaled into the ground, he fell into bewilderment. "I didn't fall…" He said in his stupor.

Instead, he found that he was floating within a strong current of wind, the same current that had passed by when Inuyasha had pulled the arrow from his back revealing no wound or pain. The same wind that had passed by many times as he found himself saved in an odd way, just like now. From these encounters Inuyasha put together a conclusion stating since he was in the center of Kagome's heart that this place had to be made up of her feelings and desires. He knew well that Kagome never wanted him to hurt; as she had shown to him on numerous occasions, so maybe this was her saving him from pain. He smiled. "Thank you." He whispered.

The lids of her eyes began to twitch insanely, but they never opened. This concerned Inuyasha greatly as he denoted the action. "Kagome! Kagome…are you there…are you waking?" He wondered, as he watched in the wind that still carried him but he quickly changed that as he pulled himself back onto the coils of thorns.

Flowers began to develop in the world of her heart, they fell like a blizzard around them, replacing the bloody rain. The grassy field reformed into fields of wildflowers, but the thorny coils that bounded Kagome did not seize their existence, Inuyasha noticed as he watched the changes. Quickly after that, he returned to gaping at her.

Chocolate brown eyes cracked open slightly, slowly met his amber one's as he starred at her joyfully. "Inu-Inuyasha…where am I…why do hurt so bad…am I dying?" She wondered somewhat panicky.

Inuyasha shook his head. "No…you're going to be just fine…I am here…you'll be fine." Inuyasha explained.

She would be fine, as he had promised he would protect her. So, she would be okay.

~|~

Koichi within Kagome had made it to Inuyasha. He looked up at his masterpiece with slight anger. He has awoken the soul of the real Kagome…this could very well mess the whole plan up. When I took her over, I sent her soul deep within the darkest part of her heart where she would not want to awaken as it would be to painful but…somehow he has awoken her…Damn it Naraku! Your plan to make Inuyasha surrender his life to you was not only moronic but very empty. You should've just let me kill him when I had the chance. He growled slightly. I will not be subjected to your inartistic plans anymore…I am going to kill him and paint my own picture. "Goodbye Inuyasha." Koichi laughed.

~|~

"Inuyasha I can't see…everything is so dark…and I hurt so badly, are you sure I am not dying." She cried. A slight tear making it's way down her cheek.

"No you are fine."

She struggled to rip her arm out of the coils but sadly failed and her soft breaths turned into fretful heaving. "Inuyasha I can't move my body. I want to feel your face so I know I am not dreaming but I can't move…can't move any part of my body…now I know I am dead and dreaming of you where ever a soul goes after it fades…that means you are not real…Inu-Inuyasha." She sniveled.

Inuyasha blinked a few times but quickly shook his head in response as he placed his hand to her face. "No Kagome you are not dead…you are not dreaming, I am really here." He explained.

"Then why can't I see you or move?"

Smiling jubilantly at her awakening while ignoring her question, Inuyasha remembered Koichi and at that point, the smile faded into a frown as he readied for the next phase in his plan. "Kagome…I need you to do something for me." He explained.

"I don't think I can…I can barely move."

"Yes you can…I need you to return to your body now…so I can save you." He replied, brushing her hair out of her face, placing it behind her ear.

She shook her head- the only part she seemed to be able to move. "I don't understand why would I need to return…aren't I already there? You said I wasn't dreaming…" She trailed off in confusion.

"You don't need to understand all you have to do is return to your body…if you don't than you will die." He informed.

Her breathing began to extenuate into a panic again. "What do you mean I will…what's going on."

He hushed, trying to calm her. "Shh…everything will be okay, calm down remember your heart, it can't take anymore, and you are lucky you haven't died yet. But you won't ever if you return to your body." He explained.

As he waited for her reply, he suddenly felt that wind again, and looked at the ground below just in time to see Koichi's next attack. He watched as Kagome's body's hands began to move about the air forming with her energy a bow and a magical arrow, pulling back the energized string she aimed it at Inuyasha. Seeing this, Inuyasha began to grow into a panic as he bit his lip turning back to Kagome. "Kagome, you need to hurry time is almost up…you need to return to your body." He explained.

"I can't do it…I can barely move. How can you expect me to even find it when I can't see let alone move!" She cried.

Irritation began to swell within him as he growled, "Damn it Kagome just do it! If you don't were both dea-" He suddenly stopped at the end of his sentence, his eyes growing wide with agony.

Lowering his head, he found that Koichi had shot his arrow. It had pierced all the way through him, a few inches away from where his heart would be, any closer and he would've been dead. But that didn't mean he wouldn't, this arrow was made up of pure energy and that energy began to inhabit his body like a virus tearing him apart from the inside. This time the pain was real and even the blood…the wind this time had not saved him. His breathing began to expire as he fought to keep it, heaving like a lunatic. "Ka-Ka-Ka…" He gulped not able to finish as his body began to pulsate.

Hearing his pain within his breaths, Kagome began to freak. "Inuyasha-Inuyasha-Inuyasha! Answer me, are you okay?"

Inuyasha grasped one of his hands around the arrow, feeling his last breath release from his body. "Ka-return to your body…" He groaned and then choked as his other hand let go of the thorny coils.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome shouted as she felt his release but her scream didn't last long as she realized what she had to do to save him. "Okay Inuyasha I'll try." She informed, shutting her out of use eyes.

Soon after this action took place, a purple light surrounded the soul of Kagome and as quickly as that happened, she had disintegrated out from the coils, which bounded her. Her soul turned into a liquid and shot towards her body and Koichi.

Koichi within Kagome widened his eyes. "No…no! That dog hanyou got her to her before I could…if she returns to me then…" But he couldn't finish his sentence as her soul merged with her body, and now he'd have to fight for control.

The battle easily was decided, raising Kagome as the victor. Her eyes opening to this world, she got see everything from the flowers in the sky to fields. She smiled at its beauty but that smile slowly faded into a frown as she recalled Inuyasha. Spinning around, looking in all direction, Kagome sought to find him. "Inuyasha! Inuyasha where are you?"

From the sounds of a loud cough caused Kagome to go running. She ran over to the wall she once was strung amongst, into a ditch beneath it, and there she saw him, drowning in his own pain…his own blood. She shook her head in disbelief, as she ran to his side. "Inuyasha…no…Inuyasha are you okay…please answer me." She pleaded.

Loud breathing sounds began to escape Inuyasha's blood ridden mouth, coughing slightly, Inuyasha turned to look at her with a smile. "Ka-Kagome…you-you're alive." He laughed. "Funny how I am now dying…" He laughed as his head slumped backwards.

Kagome shut her eyes as she went on to explain to him, "Inuyasha I know where we are and what happened…I can see it all through Koichi's eyes…he still fights me for control…" She smiled. "Thanks for saving me Inuyasha but now I need you to save me from Koichi's control…so you can't die…this is my world and you will never die in it." She informed, opening her eyes as she looked down at him.

She placed her hand over the wound where the purity arrow had pierced through before it burst away into tiny sparkles. Tightening the muscles in her hand, a purple energy surrounded Inuyasha's body and the hole and all the blood vanished before her very eyes. From the strain, she placed upon herself to revive him she began to heave slightly. "Inuyas-sha…wake up now." He pleaded.

*

From within Kagome, Koichi still fought for control as he watched her heal Inuyasha's wounds. He gritted his teeth, Damn it, she's healing him…err…this is very irritating… He try to grip her soul for control but found it to be futile, I can control her body but I can't seem to take her soul all the way…this body is beginning to reject me…I will have to destroy Inuyasha and this girl quickly before my control is lost.

*

Inuyasha's eyes after she took her hand away from his chest opened half way. He fell into a surprise at what he saw and the fact that he was not dead. "Ka-Kagome what did you do?" He questioned as he sat up halfway, looking around. "Why am I not dead?" He wondered, recalling the arrow.

Kagome smiled. "'Cause I don't want you to die." She informed.

One would think that Inuyasha would've been confused by her words but he wasn't. He had learned from Koichi that they were in Kagome's world where what she wants happens and what she doesn't does not. Koichi held her in the darkest form of her heart- so he learned in time by himself- but now as he looked at the flowers, it didn't seem so dark. He could understand the darkness when he first came here, saw the dark foggy mist, bloody sky and rain that fell from it. Somewhere deep inside his own heart Inuyasha wondered where this darkness came from, what fueled Kagome to create such a place? He would never ask but still he wondered.

Lost in his own musings he didn't realize the change taking place in Kagome, but as he heard the sharp breaths coming from her, he snapped away from his thoughts, just in time to witness it. She was on her knees; her hands were placed out in front of her digging into the flower's bed. Sweat was leaking off her like bits of beaded of rain. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed, his brows connected in the center of his face above his nose as concern wavered throughout him. "Kagome what's wrong…are you okay…is it your heart!?" He yelled in question.

Taking one hand up, clenching her heart, she held herself from the ground with the other while shaking her head to answer Inuyasha's question. "No…no…it's not my h-heart…K-Koichi." She spat out, and then she began to heave for breath. "Inu-Inuyasha run…"

Confusion overwhelmed Inuyasha's senses as he gawked at her. "What…what! why?" He questioned. "What's the matter…what is Koichi doing?" He wondered as he sat up all the way, leaning forward to grasp her but before he could a dark energy released from Kagome's body, sending Inuyasha propelling into the brick wall, where Kagome once was strung. From the crash into the wall, Inuyasha was rendered unconscious.

The dark energy sweltered around Kagome's body, as she slowly stood from the ground- the blackish purple energy seemed to fade from her as she shifted from the flowered flooring. Her eyes were emptied, as they once were when Koichi controlled her; the only emotion that lay upon her countenance was a sadistic smile. "I am back Inuyasha…" Koichi trailed off, speaking darkly through Kagome's lips. "Now, I will kill you and this time…I will make sure you are dead."

Moving her hands about the air, Kagome formed a bow out of energy and then an arrow. Koichi would've had her used her real bow, had he not dropped it somewhere at the beginning of the doorway into this world. Therefore, he had to make a substitute. Aiming the arrow directly at Inuyasha's heart, Kagome prepared to shoot him.

Lying amongst the brick wall, Inuyasha slowly opened his eyes awakening from his unconscious state. Once his eyes and mind grasp somewhat of what was going on, his amber eyes filled with shock. "Ka-Kagome…" He shook his head as he recalled her saying Koichi's name. "You are not Kagome…" He moaned.

Kagome smirked. "You have a very keen eye Inuyasha…too bad as not even that will save you." Koichi explained, as Kagome readied her arrow.

Inuyasha shut his eyes awaiting the inevitable as he was too tired to do anything else…at least her soul is safe.

As Kagome went to release, the arrow she suddenly stopped putting Koichi at the doorstop of concern. The dead eyes of Kagome vanished as they became among the living once more. "Inu-yasha…. Run…p-pleas…e." The real Kagome pleaded.

Inuyasha's eyes sprung open at the sounds of her trembling voice. "Kagome!" He exclaimed as he saw her eyes…her beautiful chocolate eyes starring back at him. He bowed his head looking at his tattered body- the sword he had not been paying attention to was still strapped at his side- as he went to look at her again. "Even if I wanted to run I couldn't, my legs are completely out of commission." He explained. "But I will never leave you…fight him Kagome!" He cheered.

She shook her head at Koichi who was screaming from the inside, Kagome what are you doing! I am in control and I say shoot him no! "Go away Koichi!" She screeched. "I don't-wan-t-to-hurt Inuyasha!" She screamed, stammering with each word spoken. You will hurt him, now raise the bow and let the arrow fly! His voice commanded from the inside, trying to gain control again. Halfway his control overpowered her as she raised the bow but did not fire. "You can't make me…" I can make you do whatever I want Kagome…so…shoot him!

Inuyasha watched from against the wall in utter bewilderment. "Kagome…" He moaned. "Koichi leave her alone! Take me but leave her out of this!" Inuyasha ordered as he sensed the pain bleeding off her in waves.

A sharp cackle left through Kagome's lips. "Why when I can have so much fun with the both of you?" He wondered while still struggling with Kagome.

As Inuyasha witnessed the struggle take place between Kagome and Koichi, he slowly realized the sweat leaking down her brow and how her breathing was panting viciously. From this a realization donned upon him, All this stress in fighting him for control is really taking a major toll on Kagome's body…anymore of this and I think her heart will collapse…this can't be good for her. I won't her die if she doesn't have to and she certainly won't die trying to save me. With his decision made Inuyasha fought to sit himself upright against the wall and easily succeeded as he went to speak to Kagome. "Kagome…" He began. "Kagome all this strain…it can't be good for your dying heart. So…I want you to let go and shoot me…stop fighting yourself and kill me. I won't let you die saving me…so shoot!" He growled loudly.

Within herself still struggling for power, Kagome gasped as she still held some control and heard his words. She forced herself to shake her head, as her body collapsed to the ground a few feet away from him. "No…I'll never give up…I'll never hurt you Inuyasha…not you." She explained.

Inuyasha grunted in shock still not able to breath well. His eyes squinted in hurt and guilt. "No Kagome! Shoot me! I will not let you die saving me!" He screeched forcing himself not to stammer as he spoke.

On the ground, still holding her arrow ready for shooting, Kagome began to cry as she held her eyes shut. "No…I WILL NOT HARM YOU!" She shouted shrilly, and to everyone's surprise especially Inuyasha's, Kagome snapped her finger and the energy reformed a new. It formed the bow so the arrow pointed at her heart.

Koichi began to panic within her, what the hell are you doing! He shouted in wonderment.

Still keeping her eyes shut she replied to him within her mind, destroying you. She explained.

Consternation overwhelmed Koichi as his true self began to tremble, wait you can't do that otherwise you might destroy yourself. He warned with a sly smile thinking that once she knew she'd die she wouldn't go through with it.

Kagome nodded, I know…and it is a chance I am willing to take. I will not let you hurt Inuyasha. She explained.

As those words escaped into her mind, Koichi began to fill with fear as he knew that once that arrow left it's bow he'd be gone forever and he'd be the loser of this scuffle. So, with this in mind he began to struggle for control once again.

Inuyasha threw himself forward, using his hands to climb up the dirt dragging his body behind him as he neared her. What is she thinking…she's going to get herself killed? I have to stop her! Inuyasha thought hostilely as he came into contact finally with her collapsed body. "Kagome stop this…you don't have to shoot that arrow at yourself…shoot it at me, and don't protect me that's my job. If you shoot that arrow at yourself then…then you'll kill yourself." He explained struggling with the facts but she just ignored him making him angrier as he shouted. "Don't be stupid Kagome! Drop the arrow!"

Opening her eyes Kagome gaped down at Inuyasha- tears fresh in her eyes- with a smile. "Goodbye Inuyasha…take care…" She said as she let the arrow fly, straight through her. The purple purifying energy spread over her body like skin cancer, engulfing her in a bright light…her last thoughts where of him, Inuyasha…I hope I see you someday soon Inuyasha! She would pray for eternity for that day to come. But before I go and the world of my heart fades I have to heal you…She explained as he body fell forward into the ground, her hand extending outwards, grasped his hands, pushing the last of her energy into him.

On his stomach, Inuyasha held his head and half his body up using his arms as a crutch, holding her hand back. His eyes were filled with terror and horror but most of all disbelief. "KAGOME!!!! NO!!!" He screamed loudly.

As she faded away so did the world of her heart as everything turned to normal. Nothing was frozen and he was back in the smoldering village, watching, as her body lay strung about in front of him. Surprisingly he found he could stand from the ground without an ounce of pain received but that surprise faded as he realized what she had done when she grasped his hand. "Damn it Kagome! I will never forgive you." He cried in dejection as he knelt to the ground taking her into his arms.

He could sense her heart was fading quickly, her life was hanging by a thread and from this a glint of hope warmed his heart. Maybe there is still a chance…I have to bring her to Kaede. He thought.

*

Unfreezing within their actions, Sango, Shippo, and Miroku fell into a stupor, as they had no earthly idea at what had just occurred. Miroku and Sango gaped at each other curiously- not yet noticing Inuyasha and Kagome. "What happened?" Miroku questioned.

Sango quickly replied. "It was like we froze…all I remember was heading towards Inuyasha again after he told me not to, so I could save him and Kagome. After that I don't recall anything though I feel like I have been asleep for hours." She explained.

Miroku nodded in agreement. "That's the same thing that happened with me…what does it mean?" He wondered.

Their thoughts were interrupted by the shrill scream of Shippo. His scream seemed to be interlaced with fear and horror. "Kagome!!!" He cried.

Sango and Miroku gasped in unison as they slowly looked away from each other to see Inuyasha holding her. She was soaked in blood as was he…what happened? Miroku wondered as he took off with Sango towards them. "Inuyasha what happened to you and Kagome!" He questioned.

"No…Kagome." Sango said in concern.

"Inuyasha what did you do to her!" Shippo whined and was going to speak further until Miroku gestured for him to be quiet as he saw the tears caked in his friends eyes.

"Inuyasha…what happened?" Miroku asked slowly.

Inuyasha only shook his head. "I'll tell you when we get to Kaede…she is the only who can save Kagome." He whispered while trembling.

Miroku nodded. "Lets get going then." He ordered and Inuyasha nodded as they took off. Miroku hopped on to Kirara as Sango called her and they followed behind Inuyasha as they quickly ran for Kaede's hut. However, before they had left Miroku had whispered to Inuyasha, "Everything will be okay."

*

Everyone seemed to have forgotten about his presence amongst the earlier in this game of life and death and he didn't mind it as it left him to think. Kouga stood slowly from the shambled hut that Kagome had made for him as she knocked the wind out of him. "Those human's may not have seen all that had taken place when the worlds aura changed, forcing us all into the heart of Kagome but I did…I could hear and see it all, although I could not move." He explained with a smile as he walked off down the forest.

When I watched it all take place I realized something, which is the simple fact that Kagome is, too far out of my reach that I could never attain her...I might as well as try to capture all the stars. She is so far away from me that all she can see is him. There is no room for me in her big heart. I love her dearly but why should I force someone to be with me when they don't feel the same way…

I hope you are happy Kagome with your choice…be happy with Inuyasha. He thought as he furthered his way into the forest but stopped halfway looking over his shoulder, oh and dogface, if you hurt her…I will kill you, He thought as disappeared into the wind.