Note: The second segment of this story is a memory; so don't be confused when it gets to the third.

No Life Flower!

Chapter Thirteen:

Dilemma!

~+~+~+~+~

The room was dark. Shoji doors were tightly shut. The only breath of light, emitted vaguely through the screens of doors. The room was basically empty, the only life exited in the center. On a small futon Kagome laid unconscious with Inuyasha by her side.

Outsu's temple was a rather nice place; aside from the smell it was quite peaceful. The lord of this temple, Outsu, was a very nice old man; he didn't even stare at Inuyasha with contempt and hatred because he was a half youkai. He treated Inuyasha like a normal person and was very kind to Kagome, helping Inuyasha take care of her. He soaked her lacerations in a very strange medicine, and stitched up some of her major wounds. Inuyasha was truly grateful towards Outsu.

This room was a room given to Kagome and Inuyasha for as long as it took for them to heal. Kaede was right, it was better that they came here. He just hoped it would do Kagome some justice, being here.

In a dead silent trance, Inuyasha sat dog-style starring down at her, the one he had failed. Why did this happen Kagome, what did I do wrong? He was in complete shock, he could barely comprehend what had occurred only hours ago. Kouga had come out of nowhere pleading with him for help in taking down Naraku, when in actuality he wasn't Kouga. He was just an incarnate of Naraku doing his biding, there was no Naraku to find and take down. Why couldn't he have sensed this in the beginning? He didn't understand, somehow he had overlooked his scent, never expecting the results of his mistake.

He left her alone, thinking it would be better for her. Maybe it'd release some of the strain that's been clouding her since the beginning of this whole ordeal. But that one little decision had almost cost him the life of the one person who was still living, the one person he still cared about.

With that he left with Kouga to finally rid the world of Naraku forever. But instead as he came to the burnt village where Naraku supposedly resided he was met with utter disaster. Just as he went to kill the false Kouga known as Koichi, Kagome had come out of nowhere and tried to shoot him with a sacred arrow. She had tried to kill him.

At first he was in disbelief. Inuyasha just couldn't accept the fact that she'd want him dead, but then she shot at him again. It was like his worst nightmare had come to life and there was no way to escape. He could still feel the blood exiting his arm like a small waterfall while he jerked the arrow from his shoulder. After that he had found out the truth about her. She didn't want him dead only the poison that held her soul did. Luckily for him that poison couldn't penetrate through her soul, to take her over completely.

The whole world of her heart was an odd experience for him. He still didn't really know what to think about it, was it a real place or just a nightmare created by Koichi? If it was real, could Kagome really have an area of her heart that dark? He could still remember the shock he felt when he saw her strung up against a brick wall by may thorn coils and before that when he had met with her fake soul who said she had accepted death. In his heart he knew those words were false. He knew the real Kagome wouldn't want to die without saying goodbye and without fulfilling her promises- but he'd have to admit there was a moment that he doubted her words false. Then he realized something, the real Kagome would trust him with her life to know he'd save her in the end. So, he knew the true Kagome would move heaven and earth to stay alive.

The fact he knew she trusted him to save her -trusted him with her life- was enough to burn his heart into tiny meaningless ashes. She trusted him and he had failed her completely- if he hadn't she wouldn't be in the condition she was in. She would be safe.

Freed from the induced sleep within the coils, Inuyasha pleaded with her to shift back into her body but she was too scared. She couldn't see, she thought she was dreaming within the world of the dead. He tried to convince her that she wasn't, tried to tell her if she didn't listen to him and return to her body that they were going to die. She struggled with him on the facts for only a moment until an arrow pierced through him, almost taking away his life for good.

It would've been his deathly end if not for her. Inuyasha owed her his life.

Kagome had gained control of her body, and healed him with the powers of her own heart, but that didn't mean it was over, for Koichi still held a tiny part of her. Koichi fought for control, he fought with her to shoot Inuyasha but she refused and in a moment of desperation turned the arrow she had created with her own energy onto herself, letting it loose through her heart.

"I will never forgive you Kagome." He said those words to her while she healed him falling onto death's door once again. When those words left his lips he meant them, he'd never forgive her for not letting him save her from the reapers clutches but now he knew she wasn't dead- not completely anyway.

There was a faint pulse within her heart, and when Inuyasha brought her back to Kaede's with the help of Miroku, Sango, and Shippo he had found out something completely jarring. Kagome had not sacrifice her life to save him- she just knew something he didn't. She knew of away to save them both but the stakes were high and one wrong move and she would've been dead.

~+~+~+~+~

Flinging the tatami matt open, Inuyasha entered Kaede's hut clutching Kagome tremblingly. Kaede, who was formulating some medical herbs, glanced up at Inuyasha, and in that moment he could see the stinging horror jolt through her. "What happened to Kagome?" She questioned.

Lying her down amongst the woodened planked flooring Inuyasha immediately went into an explanation. Behind him Sango, Miroku, and Shippo slowly watched from the now opened doorway. "Kagome shot herself to save me, you have to help her Kaede. If you don't I'll kill you!" Inuyasha threatened hysterically.

Blinking a few times in confusion, Kaede replied, "Inuyasha will ye calm down and explain why Kagome had to shoot herself?" Her tone was cracked and very dry due to her elderliness.

Inuyasha bowed his head as he gaped down at her slowly cooling form. He was a little hesitant to explain what had occurred only hours ago, but if he didn't than Kaede wouldn't know how to save her or what happened to make her so sick. "I thought I was going to finally destroy Naraku and sack my revenge. Kouga said he had found his hiding place and he needed my help to destroy him for good. I didn't want to help him at first but Kagome made me." He paused. I shouldn't have listened. "I forced her to stay behind because I didn't want her to strain herself anymore than she has already and after a brief struggle she stayed. I shouldn't have made her stay. Kouga brought us to this smoldering village, but there was no castle, no hideout, and I called him on it. He started attacking me and then I smelt it, I smelled Naraku all over Kouga-"

"Ah I see. He was another incarnate." Kaede cut in. Inuyasha hadn't noticed it -he was too captured in the retailing of what had happened- but Kaede was forcing some of her already made medicine onto Kagome's open flesh wounds. He prayed that they would work. "Go on." She urged.

Behind Inuyasha, Sango and the others eagerly awaited him to finish speaking about what had occurred as they had vague memory of the situation. "Yeah he was an incarnate. I went to kill him but before I could…Kagome…she shot at me with her arrow." He had thought he'd never have to utter those words, never have to acknowledge the in a million years being true and that caused him to choke slightly. Once the words were free and he went on in his explanation. "The incarnate brought me to another dimension, a world in the eye of Kagome's heart. He told me she had accepted death. I knew it wasn't true, I knew the soul that he created of Kagome was a lie and so I sought the truth. I found Kagome strung up by many thorny coils against a brick wall. I freed her. She went back to her body. Koichi the incarnate sought to control her once more, by making her kill me with a magical arrow created of her own energy. They fought. She turned the arrow on herself and released it." He was a little choppy on the detailed ending but he just couldn't stand talking about it.

"I see," Kaede mumbled. "I will have to inspect the area where the arrow pierced." She explained. Inuyasha had not explained where the arrow transfixed but it was clear to him that Kaede had a good perception of the area in question. Slowly, she ripped her school uniform down the centered area of her heart and surprisingly Kaede found no pierced flesh. There was no blood; only a small scar starting from the end of her left lung straight up passed her bra stopping at her collarbone. The scar was about an inch deep, very dark, and he couldn't help but wonder how she had healed so fast, she was only human?

"What is this? Where's the puncture wound from the arrow? How'd she heal so fast?" He mumbled in astonishment.

Pointing close to the scar, Kaede informed, "Look closer Inuyasha, this wound has only begun to heal. One slight tap against the marred flesh and it will break open."

As he looked closer to split flesh, Inuyasha could see the skin had only begun to interlace together in a steady healing process. It was strange to him, how could an arrow tear her flesh so far up- it reminded him of how a river of ice would split when heavy pressure was applied. He just couldn't understand. "What happened to her? This just doesn't seem right." He said in confusion.

"Inuyasha did ye say that Kagome shot herself with an bow and arrow created up with her own miko energy?"

Inuyasha nodded. "That's right?" He didn't get why that had anything to do with this but he was sure by that grin on Kaede's mug that he would know soon.

"Kagome is a smart girl. Smart indeed, she saved herself as well as ye, ye dolt! And ye can't even ask your brother to save her…but she'll put herself on the line for ye?" Kaede mouthed angrily.

Surged with rage and silent regret, Inuyasha huffed, "Shut up you old hag!" Calming down a bit, he went on, "Now, tell me what happened? Just what do you mean?"

Sighing while rolling her eyes, Kaede prepared a well thought out reply. "Well, Inuyasha the arrow she used was made up of purifying energy -energy used to purify evil. By shooting the arrow directly at her heart the source of her whole existence -where Koichi had poisoned- she was able to destroy him completely. The energy spread throughout her body purifying it of all evil." She explained.

"Really…" He trailed off musingly, Smart Kagome…he thought with a soft smile. "So, does this mean that she'll be all right?" Kaede frowned abridging the small amount of joy that had entered Inuyasha into basically nothing. "What is it?" He demanded.

"Inuyasha, although Kagome was wise using her own arrow against herself, she took a large gamble. The wound is healing quickly with the help of the wide amount of pure energy she was exposed too but the strain was a heavy one. I will try to do what I can for her but judging by what ye have told be about her sickness, I don't think the chances of her surviving this are good." She informed.

Those words were not the one's Inuyasha wanted to hear. He slammed his fist against the ground. "No!" He growled. "Y-You are wrong." He mumbled.

"Kagome, no!" Shippo cried as he jumped from Sango's arms to Kagome's side.

"Shippo, wait!" Sango called after him. Their sharp screams stung Inuyasha's eardrums forcing him to become startled. Shippo and the others had been severely quiet through this whole scenario, completely listening, and hanging on every word said. Inuyasha could recall slightly hearing them talk about having no memory of what occurred after Kagome attacked Kouga, which meant they had not seen the world of Kagome's heart, and everything that had taken place there. They were lucky. He wished he could forget that awful place. He was sure beneath the darkness her heart was beautiful, but that dark place made his stomach curl.

"Inuyasha, we need to take Kagome to Outsu's temple. He is a good friend; he will look after her, and knows more about medicine than I do. Besides the temple is better suited for her, she needs room to heal." Kaede explained. "While she stays there I will look for some rare plants that can help her wounds heal, although I am sure Outsu has plenty."

Standing from the ground, Inuyasha nodded. "All right but, I'll make the journey alone." He informed.

"No! I want to come too, Kagome is my friend and I want to make sure she is all right!" Sango objected, as she rose from the floor.

"Yeah I want to come too!" Shippo squealed.

Lowering his head, Inuyasha whispered. "This is my failure and you all would do yourself right to stay put."

Sango inhaled lightly. "But-"

"But nothing!" Inuyasha growled and then shifted his gaze to Kaede. "Now tell me where Outsu is?" He ordered harshly.

While Inuyasha yelled at Kaede for directions, Miroku broke his silent streak to comfort and calm Sango. Agilely he brushed his hand amongst her shoulder. "Ssh, it's okay Sango, I can understand why Inuyasha desperately wants to do this on his own. You have to understand Sango how Inuyasha feels right now, it would be how I'd feel if something like this happened to you." He whispered into her ear. "You can see it on his face, his heart and soul are bleeding. You can see the failure written allover his countenance, you can see his feelings plain as day. If I were in his position, I would have a deep whole in the center of my stomach, my body would've run cold and my heart would've died with you." He informed in a low repressed tone.

Jarred emotions range solid in Sango's cinnamon brown orbs. His words had drawn her to a dead silence and a loss for words. In a way Miroku was telling her, his feelings without actually saying he was in love with her. Too bad Inuyasha couldn't have told Kagome what he felt for her before this whole catastrophe.

The words Miroku had spoken into Sango's ears were meant to be subtle and not heard by others. Inuyasha knew that was what he was going for but it wasn't what he'd gotten. Miroku was an idiot if he thought for one minute that Inuyasha had not heard his words, his thoughts on the way he felt. Inuyasha's heart began to pulse and burn while he replayed the words spoken by the monk. He had hit it on the nail. That was exactly how he felt.

Weakly, Kaede stood from the wooden ground. "It's at the very edge of this village, leading into the mountains." She explained.

Inuyasha nodded, "All right."

~+~+~+~

A warm tear streaked down Inuyasha's cheek, fizzling on top of the cold cheek it landed upon. Kagome's body was numbing. She was fading. Inuyasha collapsed forward, landing his face onto her chest. Closing his eyes, he could hear slight life inside of her, her heart pitter-patter weakly slightly giving way with each beat. She was giving up; he could feel her slowly slipping out from under him. "Kagome, Kaede was right, you put everything on the line for me but I can't even ask my brother for help to save you."

Sitting up, Inuyasha lifted her flimsily body into his arms clutching it tightly. "I am not going to let you fade, I made promises to people, including you, I won't let you die."

With that said, he stood from the ground walking towards the Shoji doors. Before he slid the doors open, he whispered, "You and me Kagome, you and me…"

A gentle rift of a breeze glided slickly through his hair whipping it in all directions. The summer was coming; this steamy current of wind assured that. He could recall around summer time the humans held a festival, a cherry blossom festival. Kagome had told him the day before she announced her untimely deathly news that she wished to go to one with him one day. That day he told her that they would someday.

At this moment, he would put jewel shard hunting to a halt, just for a day like that. Heck he'd give up years of his life just to spend a one-day at a festival with her. If he could get Sesshoumaru to help him, then maybe that day would be sooner than he could ever hope.

"Inuyasha is that you?" A voice questioned from his right side.

Inuyasha shifted his gaze to the right. Before him stood a gray hair, brittle boned man. "Yeah it's me Outsu…I am leaving for awhile…take care of Kagome. If anything happens to her, I'll kill you." He threatened.

Outsu nodded. "Yeah…sure."

With that understanding made Inuyasha soared through the air heading for the mountains. He could smell his brother's scent mildly in that direction.

~+~+~+~

"So, how do you think Kagome and Inuyasha are doing?" Sango wondered kicking her feet into the air, as she sat atop of a splinter consumed wooden fence.

At the bottom of the fence, Miroku crouched against the wood, embracing his knees. His bleak expressions sent shivers up her spine. Clearing his throat, Miroku replied. "I am sure they're fine."

His simple stated words slightly annoyed Sango. Pushing herself from the fence, she stomped her feet aggressively amongst the dirt infested ground. "Kagome has heart problems, she was possessed by Naraku's incarnate Koichi, according to Inuyasha they were taken to some strange dimension outside of time in the heart of Kagome, where he found her true soul strung up by many thorny coils, Inuyasha got her to return to her body where Koichi tried to control her and make her shoot Inuyasha who was wounded badly by a prior attack. In a last ditch effort to save Inuyasha and her Kagome shot herself. Kagome could be dying and who knows how Inuyasha really feels, and you say they are fine!" She growled irefully, "If they are fine than I don't care when you grope me." She said sarcastically.

A bright smile adorning Miroku's lips brought Sango to easily regret her last remark. "Really!" He said joyfully as she stood from the ground, his wiry hand making its way towards her posterior. "You don't know how happy that makes me."

Cheeks becoming flushed, Sango's mouth dropped, as she brought her hand across his face. "Ewe no! I was being sarcastic you idiot. As in I do care that you grope me and Kagome and Inuyasha are definitely not going to be okay." She hissed, "Now. I am going to see Kagome whether Inuyasha likes it or not." She informed.

Sprawled out on the ground from the force of Sango's slap, Miroku quickly at her words replied, "No don't do that." as he stood up from the ground once again.

Stopping dead in her tracks, Sango sprung her head over her shoulder, starring him down with a disgusted look. "Aren't you worried about Kagome in the least? She is your friend or am I mistaken?"

Smiling softly, Miroku headed towards her, placing his cursed hand onto her shoulder. "I am dying with worry for Kagome, just as you are. Deep inside I am scared and fear for her life for she is my good friend. However, Inuyasha needs time to stitch up his scars, he needs time to think, he needs time alone with her. I can't deny him that, can you? Can actually tell me you would deny a slowly diminishing soul what he so wishes for, can you deny Inuyasha time. Please, just give him a moment or two." Miroku pleaded.

His heart filled words brought Sango to a standstill; she wanted to see Kagome more than anything but Miroku's words forced her down a different direction. She could recall in the hut when Miroku explained how Inuyasha must be feeling, how failing the person he cared most for had damaged him. How could she deny him time to stitch up the wounds in his heart? There was an easy answer, she couldn't. She wanted to, but couldn't for she had forgotten how this whole scenario must torture Inuyasha body and spirit. She smiled warmly. Pulling away from Miroku, she retorted, "Fine. I will give him a few moments before I come." She agreed.

Miroku nodded. "Thanks," He said. "You won't regret it."

"I know."

A strange violent breeze struck at them as she spoke, the wind blew there clothes, and hair in all directions. Sango brought her arms to her face blocking the powerful currents, and Miroku pulled his loosely placed monk clothes over his face. Turning around to the side, they came face to face with Kouga, as he left the safety of his tornado. "Where's Kagome?" He asked.

"She's not here Kouga, so why don't you go back to tending your wolfs." Sango hissed.

Rolling his eyes, Kouga began to cackle. "Sango, Sango now that's not very nice." He muttered. "I only came here because before I left the village I caught a sift of death coming from Kagome and it wasn't because she shot herself, it was different, more natural. So, I had to come and see if she was okay?"

Surprise clenched Sango's heart at the fact that Kouga actually knew her name but more importantly, how did he know Kagome shot herself? He wasn't there and he didn't hear Inuyasha explain it. Miroku had already stepped ahead of her as he questioned him. "How did you know Kagome shot herself, you weren't there?"

Kouga smirked. "I am a youkai, I have very perceptive eyes." He said jeeringly.

Miroku nodded wide-eyed. "Ah I see, interesting."

"So now, will you tell me where Kagome is? I need to know she's okay."

Miroku raised a brow. "Can't you just use your sense of smell and track her down?"

Kouga's countenance became very sheepish. "Well yeah, but her scent his dying away, and because it is so weak I can't separate it from all the others."

"All right, but if I tell you, you have to wait until Inuyasha is gone or asleep because I don't think he'd like it much if you were there." Miroku warned.

Crossing his arms amongst his chest, Kouga bobbed his head in agreement. "Agreed, besides I don't feel like fighting with Inuyasha, all I want to know is if Kagome is okay."

The lack of foul nicknames for Inuyasha caused a slight gasp to escape Sango's lips. Kouga talked of Inuyasha as he would a normal person. He spoke his name in a friendly tone, where did all that charming contempt for Inuyasha go? Sango wondered. By the surprise glint in his eyes, Miroku seemed to have caught onto the tone as well, and the fact Kouga didn't call Inuyasha dogface, dog-breath or mutt-face. "Kouga, you basically breathe fighting with Inuyasha. I think the world would be upside down if you didn't. So, why now do you care if you get into a fight with him or not?" Sango voiced curiously.

Kouga seemed to ignore her question of him as he went on to say to Miroku, "So, will you take me to her now?" He questioned.

Miroku nodded. "Yeah sure, come on." Miroku gestured for him to follow, which he immediately did, and they left through an extended path through town leading towards the rocky mountain terrains.

Sango watched Miroku lead Kouga away without a word to her or an answer to her question. Irritation and anger boiled the blood in her veins, she wanted to go after them and say something cocky but then decided against it. Still, she wanted to see Kagome. Miroku said Inuyasha needed time but if he was bringing Kouga to see her, obviously his time was up. With that aside, she scampered along after them. "Wait up!"

~+~+~+~+~

An aurora of smells intoxicated Inuyasha's petite nose while he sniffed the passing breeze. Sesshoumaru was here. I still can smell him allover the trees, the Rocky Mountains, and even in the air. Sesshoumaru was here not long ago, which meant it wouldn't be that long before he'd catch up with him. With that noted, Inuyasha sprung into action, running at top speed through the mountain trail.

A serpent flew past him and not just any serpent but that of a soul stealer, one of Kikyou's youkai. Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks in disbelief, up ahead of him he saw Kikyou. A soft smile adorned her pale lips. Her raven hair rustled immeasurably in the currents, her eyes were filled with emptiness, and she was walking towards him at a slow pace.

Inuyasha felt his heart stop mid-beat; he didn't have time for her. Kagome's life hanged in the balance he wasn't about to fail her further, like he did to her standing before him. Kikyou could understand that, right? She wouldn't want him to make another mistake as with her, and with that he went to tell her he was in a rush and couldn't be bothered. "Kik-"

"Inuyasha, I heard about Kagome. I can feel her fading. Her life is over." She said in a cool and collected tone.

Inuyasha nodded. "Yeah, she's hurt badly so, I need-"

"It's good to see you Inuyasha, I've missed you and now that Kagome is dying, I fear you need me to mend you." She informed.

"Kikyou, I don't have time for this-"

Again before he could finish telling her that he was in a hurry she cut him off by ambulating forward towards him, pulling him into a seductive grasp. "Inuyasha, you loved me once didn't you?"

"Yes."

She smiled. "You said you would be with me for an eternity…there's nothing holding you back now." She whispered into his ear, her breath as cold as ice against his neck- it sent shivers up and down his spine.

His heart had begun to pound a mile per minute. He held her back mildly but deeply he wished to let go and finish his search for his brother, but that didn't seem to be what was happening. "Kikyou, I did promise that but I can't right now, Kagome is dying I have to save her. Don't you understand-"

"Inuyasha-"

"No! Listen don't cut me off," He hissed. Kikyou's excessive tries in cutting him off to buy time to persuade him into other activities for example, joining her in hell was beginning to annoy him. "Understand Kikyou, I failed you, and I will have to bear that fact for the rest of my life but…I refuse to fail Kagome the same way. I will not lose her as I have you." He explained.

"You haven't lost me Inuyasha, I am here." She informed. "All you have to do is be with me."

He shook his head. "You aren't understanding me," He moaned. "I can't be with you right now. Kagome is dying. You said you know this. I have to find Sesshoumaru I need his help. You are taking my time, time I have very little of, and so I have to leave you now." He said pulling away from her, but as he did he was met with angry bitter eyes. The once emptied eyes of Kikyou had filled with hatred. He gasped slightly.

Kikyou moved forward into him, as he backed away. Her eyes were narrowed; a sharp color of blood red scented her in a dreadful glow. She sharpened her hand, and one quick motion, forced it into the center his stomach. Not expecting her attack, Inuyasha heaved in agony, choking with every breath. Leaning forward into him, Kikyou whispered. "You and I are to suffer together in hell for eternity. I will not let a copy ruin that, she is dying Inuyasha and once she is dead, you will join me but until then…suffer." She said much like an order, and then yanked her hand from his stomach, releasing his crimson blood into the air within the vicious pull.

Coolness drafted up Inuyasha's spine, he could feel a numbing sensation form and spread from the wound wrapping around his body. "Ki-Ki…" He stammered, gasping within each breath he forced himself to take.

She looked him in deep in the eyes with a sadistic smile, "Goodbye for now Inuyasha." She muttered. Her words lightly glided over him, as his consciousness faded, and then she threw him off the side of the mountain. He hadn't expected her attack, he couldn't believe her, couldn't believe what she'd done.

~+~+~+~

Kouga walked silently at Miroku's side. While they walked, Miroku had explained Kagome's condition to Kouga, forcing him into a world of Jarring emotions.

Slowly they were approaching a widespread foundation. It was dark and gloomy, built up of many long platforms, and slender wooden planks. The angles of the ceiling, he could tell from where he walked, were mismatched, from the lines that went in all directions. Stone gargoyles and dragons adorn the outside, wrapped around a large field of dried grass, all in all it was a pretty ominous place. "Is this where she is?" Kouga asked, seemingly surprised.

Miroku stepped ahead of Kouga with a slight nod, as he called out a name, "Lord Outsu are you here?"

Curiosity juggled around in the center of Kouga's stomach. Outsu sounded like the name of an assassin, and that worried him, just who was Inuyasha trusting to oversee Kagome? "Who is Outsu?" He questioned Miroku trying to quench his thirst for knowledge.

"He is the lord of this temple and Kaede's dear friend. Kagome is staying here to receive a nice rest and all of medical know-how of Outsu." Miroku informed.

Enough said. Kouga nodded. "Understood."

"Yes, who is it?" A hard crackly voice mouthed from behind a pillar.

"We are friends of Kaede, and friends of Kagome and Inuyasha, the one's you are housing here for rest." Miroku stated elegantly.

An old gray hair, wiry boned man stepped out from behind the pillar with a soft smile. "Aye, so you must be Miroku, and the beautiful young lady behind you must be Sango. Mister Inuyasha said you might stop by." His eyes grew dim with suspicion as they donned upon Kouga. The old cougar's glare pierced Kouga's heart causing it to burn while relentless shivers shuffled throughout his body. "But he did not mention a lick about you, so, I wonder who might you be?"

Immediately Miroku jumped to the wolf's aid, "He is a friend of Kagome's and means no harm."

The old man nodded. "All right then, well, my name is Outsu. Are you all here to see the sweet Kagome?"

Sango ambulated past Miroku with a slight meek bow, "Yes, we are very worried. Would it be all right if we saw her for a moment?" She wondered.

With soft smile, the man known as Outsu gestured for them to follow. "Come on." He muttered.

The inside of the temple was mildly dark. Small shadowy figures moved spookily about the walls due to the medium amount of light given off by a column of candles hung against the walls of the straightly narrow passageway. Every so often while they walked, they'd pass a Shoji screen, leading into another room. Kouga wondered briefly what was in those rooms, and whether or not to quench his curiosity but alas he chose to remain quiet as he waited to see Kagome.

About halfway down the halls of the temple, Outsu began to speak of Inuyasha. "That boy Inuyasha just left the young maiden only moments ago, said something about having to be gone for awhile…I wonder where he was going off to. He was such a nice boy, the young girl is a lucky lady to have him caring for her." He said making casual conversation. Lucky? Kouga scoffed in thought, yeah right, she's only with him now because I am letting him have her. If Inuyasha put her in any more danger, then he would take her away. All Kouga cared about was Kagome's happiness, and if it made her happy staying with the dogface he'd allow it. That feeling of love for her still breathed within him but as of this day he could only think of her as a dear friend for her heart belonged to another. And he'd never compromise that.

Darkness blanketed them with its sheer brilliance upon when they made a right turn into a medium sized room. The floors were formed of shiny wooden planks, the walls were whitewashed, and the ceiling was slanted at the right. All in all it was a nice room, but in the dark it seemed like something a nightmare would contrive of. Kouga's eyes brightened from there dull feel as he saw Kagome lying on a futon, in the center of the room, quickly with the others, he ran to her side. "Kagome!" He called out in unison with the others.

From behind them, Outsu smiled softly. "She is such a petite thing, so beautiful, and angelic. I feel for her though; she must be in a great deal of pain, her wounds are severe. I hope some good rest will heal her. I've given her some medicine, and patted her wounds down with some cream made from a very special plant and then sealed them up with a rare sealant." Outsu's eyes widened slightly in surprise, "Some of the seals seemed to have broken though." The old cougar yammered on, his lungs never seeming to tire. It somewhat annoyed Kouga as all he wanted to do was be alone with Kagome.

A young fur ball scrambled across the floor, tripping over a gash in the wooden floors, landing harshly on his face. After a short lived groan, he picked himself up from the ground, moving closer to her as he laid his head onto her chest. "Her heartbeat is so slow…Kagome." He sniveled.

Sango stood beside Outsu with a frozen look of horror across her features. She didn't seem to want to go anywhere near Kagome, she seemed to be afraid to look at her up close. Kouga shook his head, as he moved further towards Kagome.

Miroku kneeled down beside Kagome, a gentle smirk on his lips. He brushed his hand up against her left cheek with a sad, devious look. "Are you going to wake up and slap me Kagome for being to close," He laughed weakly. "You should wake up before my hand does the obvious…I know you can hear me, and I know you are thinking about what my hand is doing. So, wake up and tell me not to try anything." He pleaded but to no avail.

Her cheeks were pale, cold, and sweaty. She was wearing a white bathrobe, and blood had mildly seeped through its thick texture. Her eyes were firmly shut, and a frown stole the bright tinge of rose that usually stood as a glow around her face. A rotting smell brimmed from her blood, and he could taste the flesh decaying around her wounds. It was sickening. She wasn't here, nowhere close. Kouga's heart felt like it had snapped in two, and was being boiled in a large bubbly pot. A tear slowly trickled its way down his cheek, landing slowly onto her nose. "Um guys,"

Shifting his eyes to the right, Miroku nodded for Kouga to continue. "Yes?"

Roughly biting his bottom lip, Kouga searched his mind for the right words- ones not sounding so harsh. Kagome had once told him that if he kept speaking nasty to people she cared about, it would break her heart. Once he found them, he went on. "Would you guys mind giving me some alone time with her before Inuyasha comes back…please?" He pleaded, bowing his head to the ground, daring not to look them in the eye.

A tense silence drifted through the air like a viper when it prepares to strike. Icicles breathed up Kouga's back, causing him to shiver as he waited their answer. The intensity of the moment broke, as Miroku stood from the ground, moving towards the door. "Sure…just don't try to kidnap her or anything…I know you are worried for her and her safety but so is Inuyasha. I know you don't particularly like him but if you take her now…there will be no saving her." Miroku warned.

Arching his neck at a right angle, Kouga smirked at him. "Wouldn't dream of it…um…thanks." He mumbled the last part but Miroku seemed to have understood by the smile that threatened to engulf his small head.

"Come along Shippo, Sango…we'll come back in a few hours or so."

Shippo stood from Kagome prior to draping a kiss on her cheek. "See you soon Kagome…you are going to be okay." He cried.

Nothing-escaped Sango's lips, she just gazed down at Kagome with emptiness, it was as if she did not want to acknowledge her friends pain. Miroku grasped her arm, pulling her out of the room. "Come on Sango, it will be okay." He promised.

Outsu nodded, as he followed gently behind. "Be careful not to put any stress or strain on her…I know she is unconscious but even an unconscious person can hear the soft whispers of the world around." He warned.

Kouga nodded. "Yeah sure."

Nodding in return, Outsu exited the room.

Silence once again accepted dominance over the room. After a few more minutes of waiting to make sure everyone had left, Kouga finally settled down. A soft flutter of a smile dissolved from Kouga's lips as quickly as it came into being. Swiping her hand from the floor, he clenched it tightly. She looked so fragile, making Kouga fear as he grasped his hands around hers that she might break or when he kissed her on the forehead that she might crumble.

He bit his lip before he spoke. "Kagome, I am so sorry I didn't see it sooner. Miroku told me about your illness. I am sorry I didn't feel you dying; I would've come to help you. I don't know if you could ever forgive for that…I know I won't." He said aloud to her, knowing full well that she wasn't anywhere near his voice, although the lord would like to think it possible for her to be able to hear in her state, he knew better. But he went on speaking, ignoring the fact that she probably wasn't listening. "So, can we still be friends…I know there is no room for me in you heart…you love Inuyasha and I've accepted that but does that mean we can't be friends?" He wondered in worry. He didn't want to lose her in death or as a friend.

Taking her hands up into the air, he brushed a gentle kiss against her soft smooth skin. "Before I was attacked by Koichi, I was coming to see you. I could feel something wrong in the wind, and also I wanted to see you again…I missed you."

He sighed heavily, eyes beginning to drift around the room. He didn't like it very much; the slanted roof, and the walls surrounding him made him feel as though he was being caged. Panic swelled like a whirlpool in the center of his stomach. He coughed slightly. Shifting his eyes back to her distaining form, he pleaded. "Kagome, do you think you could open your eyes, I feel so stupid talking to thin air…and I want to see your beautiful eyes, and to hear you speak again."

No movement took place within her, not even a twitch of the eye or lip. Breathing in the decaying smell, he exhaled quickly, slamming his eyes shut. "I heard from Outsu that Inuyasha left, I think it is safe to say that he is out looking for away to save you. I don't like him very much, but I know he won't come back empty handed…so you don't have to worry, you are going to be safe." He paused, recalling something he had seen on the way to visit her. Slight concern played his features. "But I've heard the story of Kikyou and Inuyasha once, from you, I think…and if it was true, than I fear his trip to save you will be short lived. I saw the soul collectors of that wench swirling above the mountains…I think she is looking for him." He said, though he deeply regretted it. He shouldn't have spoke of those depressing matters around her, she probably didn't want hear them. He didn't think she could hear him but just incase he didn't want to stress her.

Slight pained moaning and groaning sounds disoriented the peaceful atmosphere of the room. A bubble of shock and surprise formed within Kouga's stomach slowly devouring his innards in a solemn sweep. His eyes shot open like quicksilver, as he glanced down at her. Kagome's arms began to quiver slightly, sharp breaths expelled from her pale lips, until finally her eyes cracked open. "Inu-In-yasha," She moaned. "I'm sorry." She whispered.

Kouga's eyes brightened, a smile donned his lips. "Ka-gome!"

~+~+~+~

"The wind is wounded, I can feel it. Inuyasha…" Sesshoumaru mumbled to himself as he stopped, in the center of the forest, gaping up at the cirrus clouds. "What is going on?" He could sense it, it was like a terrible ach in his heart- burning and riving it into nothing. Something was wrong, something was happening.

Jaken walked a little behind cursing beneath his breath in irritation as he gawked at Rin who was chasing after a swarm of butterflies. "Come here, Rin wants to play with you." She giggled. A purplish blue winged insect -the one she chased- spun around, landing gently on her nose. She gasped. "Oh!"

Grinding his teeth, Jaken narrowed his eyes, snorting in contempt, but in that process he had not been paying attention to where he walked, as he bumped into something rather hard. His eyes traveled up a white figure, the more his eyes moved upward the more his heart began to sink in his chest. His expression easily became pallid. "Master Lord Sesshoumaru!" He called out in shock.

"Jaken watch where you are going." Sesshoumaru said monotonously.

Bowing, Jaken replied. "My apologies Lord Sesshoumaru, it will never happen again." He promised.

Ignoring his servant's apology, as he didn't care to hear it, Sesshoumaru went back to starring socially at the sky. He could feel that wench of Inuyasha's, disappearing from this living world- he had for many days now, but never paid much attention to it. He didn't particularly care what happened to her. Still, he could sense his brother in peril. He could feel Inuyasha's tenseness rattling through his stomach as if a poisonous youkai tentacle had skewered it. The poison was getting to him. He couldn't help but wonder what was happening with Inuyasha?

"Ah!" Came a curdling scream from the delicate mouth of Rin.

Almost instantly as Rin's scream occurred, Sesshoumaru had darted his attentions toward her. "What is it Rin?" He questioned curiously. His voice carried a vague feel of concern, though he masked it entirely.

Rin's trembling hand extended outward, pointing towards something in the river. "There's a body!" She cried, and then took off in Sesshoumaru's direction, and once she had gotten close to him, she took refuge behind his leg, wrapping her arms around it. "Is it dead?" She wondered.

Jaken walked ahead of Sesshoumaru towards the river, his eyes widened as the body gradually passed him by. "My Lord, it is you're no good half-brother Inuyasha…strange I wonder what happened to him?"

Slowly Rin peeped from out behind Sesshoumaru's leg. "That's Inuyasha!" She said in surprise.

Sesshoumaru glanced down at his little ward with an indifferent look. "Rin let go of my leg." He ordered, and almost immediately as the order was given she had carried it out, taking her hands to her side.

"Yes." She nodded.

Jaken sparred her a quick glare before gaping at his lord, with a look of curiosity. "Shall we finish the job, someone has already seem to begun, and kill the lowlife half breed?" He questioned.

Sesshoumaru guided himself gently through the river, stopping his brother from heading towards the waterfall by placing his foot onto Inuyasha's back. Who has done this too you brother, who have you trusted, who has betray you now? A disgusted look overlaid his indifference, he bit his lip, I can smell the wench all over you, how could you let that Kikyou do this to you again…you are pitiful, maybe I should just let you die. You might be better off as a lifeless corpse.

"So what should we do master, are you going to kill him," Jaken cackled. "It would serve him right."

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Author note: I am terribly sorry for my horrible updating this past week. My family has been in turmoil for some time now and so I haven't much time for writing. I have been busy helping my family get out of the rut we've seem to have to fallen into. But every chance I've gotten, I've written a little more. Now I have completed this new chapter, I know this chapter wasn't that great and I am sorry for that. My family is a little better now, so I can write more than I have and so updates should come faster, and the chapter will be better.

I don't have anything against Kikyou- I don't hate her and I don't like her. I was in a very irate mood when I wrote that segment of the story, and so I took it out on her part and made her a witch. I don't usually allow my emotions to take control of my writing but I just couldn't help it, I was so ticked.

There is only going to be an estimated three chapters left of this story. Each chapter will be very long, and quite eventful. If you think Sesshoumaru is just going to lie down and give up his sword, you are very mistaken. It won't be that easy, and for all you know Kagome won't be saved by the sword…who knows…but to find out…just keep reading.

Thanks, bye!