To Protect the One I Love

I Will Be Right Here Waiting For You

Song Fic

Our beloved hanyou sat in his perch high upon a tree. He was so wrapped up in his own thoughts he hadn't noticed Kagome's absence- otherwise he'd be with her, keeping a close eye out for her safety.

The human girl had done more for him than he would ever allow himself to admit. Just recently he had gone up against a princess with the power of the moon at her fingertips. He had been overcome and restrained to a tree-an all too familiar feeling for him.

Kagome had attempted to save him, using her improving miko abilities to protect him. The feeling was a strange one- being protected by another. His actions to oversee her safety came by instinct. His heart refused to see her hurt.

But when the princess had fired Kagome's arrow back at him, she did something he never expected.

She jumped in front of him and received the arrow straight through her heart. He thought her dead when she stayed there limp- eyes closed as if sleeping- very much like he had once been.

A coldness crept into his veins and into his heart at the scene. He never wanted to see her hurt and now she was probably on the brink of death and it was all his fault.

He was her protector.

Not the other way around.

He would gladly die for her, but this?

He remembered called out to her and without getting a response, screamed her name out to the heavens- trying to call her soul back to its body so she could remain with him.

He never wanted her to leave.

Oceans a part…day after day

And I slowly go insane

I hear your voice on the line

But it doesn't stop the pain

Wrapping his arms around Kagome, Inuyasha pulled her into his chest and squeezed as much as he dared, bringing a gasp from the crying girl. "Don't go." He said in a choked voice. "When this is all over, don't go back. I want you to stay with me. If you leave, I'll be alone again and I don't want that."

Kagome felt the tears continue to fall down her cheeks but she stopped hiccupping and began listening intently to his heartbeat. It was going so quickly she knew everything he said was true. He felt the same way she did. She didn't want to leave, but was that all or was there more to it?

"You know, what? I don't think I've ever thanked you for saving my life. You've done nothing but protect me while I tried to fight by your side and risked your life countless times for mine. I don't know what I can do to repay you." Kagome said into his haori. The scent he carried with him always soothed her. Made her feel at peace.

"How could I do anything less?" The hanyou replied. "You've saved my life too and if anything were to happen to you…" He stopped. He didn't even want to imagine it. "I don't know what I'd do."

Kagome gasped again. Inuyasha was openly admitting that he never wanted to see her hurt and would protect her always. The admission was more than Kagome could ever hope for, but she couldn't help but admit to herself that she dreamed of being more to him. More than a shard detector and more than a friend…

Kagome felt Inuyasha's body shake once and for a second could've sworn she heard him sob. Was he that afraid of loosing her? If so, then maybe Kagome's dreams weren't far from reality. Maybe she could make her dreams come true. Inuyasha's heart seemed one step closer to her own and it made Kagome happy inside.

If I see you next to never

How can we say "forever"?

She sat down on the wide branch and leaned back against the trunk. This was something that never changed. She always felt comforted by the tree's magical presence and it was the same in both times. Perhaps it was because Inuyasha had been sealed here for so long. Or maybe the reason was more ancient than that.

Whatever it was, Kagome needed it badly because although she was composed in front of everyone, inside she was scared to death. She talked big, but could she convince their one-time enemies to help them? And if so, would she be able to purify the jewel and bring Inuyasha back?

Inuyasha, I don't know how you did it. Hide your fear and anxiety from us when you needed to be strong. I'm no leader, I never have been. I wasn't even a good captain for summer volleyball. But now, these people are turning to me to lead them into a battle even I'm not sure I can win.

I feel like crying, but I know that won't help right now. Even though she thought this, tears still formed in her eyes. I want you back more than ever, Inuyasha! I want to go back to the way things were.

"As long as you hold onto the courage inside you, there's nothing you can't do."

Gasping, Kagome looked down at the base of the tree and saw a translucent figure of none other than Inuyasha himself. His dog ears and silvery hair were exactly like she remembered. "I-Inuyasha!" She gasped.

Quickly climbing down, she looked at him. There was one time before when she had seen him like this and it was when Kikyou had convinced her to go home after Kagome had shot Inuyasha and pinned him to Goshinboku a second time. The mystical tree had been able to connect the two times and made it possible for her to see him and him her. "I-is it really you? I'm not imagining it this time."

He smiled fondly and pulled her into a hug, just like he had that one time. She felt his body against hers as he crushed her close. "I'm not free yet, but I had to come see you. Somehow I knew I'd find you here."

Kagome's tears now flowed freely. "I'm scared, Inuyasha. I want to be with you so badly, but I…I…"

"Shhh." He stroked her hair softly. "I know it's hard, but we both have to be strong. A lot of people are depending on you. I'm one of them. But I know you won't let me down because you're strong. I'm sorry I've called you weak before, but you're not. You've overcome things I don't even know if I could do. You're a strong willed human and a wonderful miko. You are whoever you want to be and you can do anything you set your mind to. Remember that."

She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder. "When everything's back to normal, will you…will you hold me like this again?"

Smiling, Inuyasha closed his eyes. "Anything you want."

Kagome smiled and closed her eyes but when opened them again, she was alone. She looked up at the tree and as the night air blew the leaves and branches, she could almost see Inuyasha's smiling face. "Wait for me. I'm coming."

In the darkness of the castle, Inuyasha laid against one of the stonewalls. His eyes were closed in sleep, but his ears twitched as he heard her words and a smile crossed his face. Kagome…

Wherever you go, whatever you do

I will be right here waiting for you

Whatever it takes or how my heart breaks

I will be right here waiting for you

"K-Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted as the demon ran his claws through Kagome's stomach and out her back. She neither cried out nor made any sound whatsoever.

Shock was written all across her face, but the only thing Human Inuyasha could see were the faint, see-through tears that ran down her face. When Demon Inuyasha pulled his arm back, saturated with Kagome's blood, Human Inuyasha took a fearful step backward.

Demon Inuyasha smirked triumphantly and lifted his hand in victory. "I am never weak and humans should learn when to keep their mouths shut." He said.

Kagome…

Kagome fell slowly to the ground, a pool of blood surrounding her unmoving body.

Kagome…

FLASH!

"Inuyasha…do you have something you want to protect?"

"Protect?"

"Something you never want to go away?"

I do…

"Then let's never say goodbye. Promise?"

I promised…

FLASH!

"When everything's back to normal, will you…will you hold me like this again?"

"Whatever you want."

FLASH!

Kagome…

Human Inuyasha didn't even notice the tears on his own face as he glared defiantly at his other self. "You bastard!" He lunged forward with a punch, but the youkai confidently caught it and held it firm.

"Without me, you have nothing. You are as weak as the five year old everyone picked on. Get rid of me, and you will never taste true power again." The youkai leaned in and licked his lips. "Getting rid of every last human would be so much more fun than protecting one pathetic girl, don't you think?"

"NOO!!" Human Inuyasha, his right hand still stuck in his youkai form's fist, ran his left hand forward and drove it deep into Demon Inuyasha's chest. He found the Shikon no Tama, and as the youkai's mouth fell open in shock, he stated, "I am stronger being myself than giving up to you. So go away!" He pulled the jewel free from the demon, who immediately let go of Inuyasha's other hand and fell to the ground next to Kagome.

I took for granted…all the times

That I thought would last somehow

I hear the laughter I taste the tears

But I can't get with you now

There lay Kagome, just as he remembered her but asleep. He twisted towards her and lifted her head into his lap. "Kagome. It's over. Wake up." No response.

"Kagome-sama!" Miroku shouted.

Kouga suddenly got mad and glared at Inuyasha. "What did you do to her, Inu-koro!"

"It wasn't me!" The hanyou shouted in protest. "She tried to protect me from…" What would you call it? My other self? Me? Another demon? He shook his head, skipping the rest of the explanation and gently shook the miko, trying to stir her from her sleep. "Kagome, please wake up."

When she refused to open her eyes, Inuyasha himself began to get frantic and pulled her close, his body shaking in fear. "No, no, I won't believe it! You have to come back! You're stronger than I ever was, so you can pull through this!" His emotions caught everyone off guard. "I still have my promise to keep to you! So, please don't leave me!"

A quiet moan came from her lips and Kagome spoke with eyes still closed. "I'll never leave you."

Everyone gasped and shouted the miko's name, excluding Inuyasha. He remained frozen, his eyes wide with shock. "You…" He said slowly. Finally catching himself being so openly emotional in front of so many people, he scoffed. "You damn right you better be because if you didn't I'd have to go to the other world, wasting all that time and trouble just for you, and drag your sorry ass back here for being so stupid."

Keeping her eyes closed, Kagome spoke again. "Inuyasha…when I open my eyes, will it really be you?"

Inuyasha had to stop short and looked at her worriedly. Then he smiled and nodded. "I'm right here waiting for you." His voice going back to being so gentle, just like she remembered.

Finally getting the courage to look upon her Inuyasha, her real Inuyasha for the first time, Kagome's eyes watered up and she hide her crying face in his strong chest. "Oh, Inuyasha! Don't ever do that to me again!"

He hugged her back and apologized a million times in his head. "Kagome…you saved me and I can't thank you enough."

Oh can't you see baby?

You got me going crazy

Falling to one knee, Inuyasha's mind fought to find a way to get through to Kagome. The well was his only path to get to her world and Kagome herself was the one preventing him from passing through. "Kagome…" He lowered his head and almost gave in to the sorrow he felt, but then his head shot up and he roared to the sky, "KAGOME!!!"

Freezing, Kagome stopped at the sound of the now familiar voice and looked around. "Is somebody there?" This voice it's different than before.

Subaru felt the connection between Inuyasha and Kagome being reestablished.

In the other world, Inuyasha faced the sky as he heard Kagome's frightened voice. "Kagome? It's me Inuyasha!"

"I-Is it really you?" She asked. Part of her told her this man was her enemy, but the sound of the voice was so soothing, she was confused.

"Yes, and I need your help! I'm lost and I need to find my way to you again!" Inuyasha's heart was growing more hopeful by the minute. Maybe Subaru was loosing his control over Kagome after all. "Where are you!?"

"I'm here! Please find me! Inuyasha!"

Her voice sounded so scared and lonely. "Kagome!!"

Kagome finally let out her heartfelt scream as the tears came anew. "INUYASHA!!!!"

The hanyou's eyes widened as he saw his body start to dissolve. All around him the world swayed this way and that until it faded all together into darkness. As the feeling passed, Inuyasha saw his body rematerialize in a new area. This one was all dark except for overhead lights in the ceiling. "Kagome?" He asked.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome saw Inuyasha and smiled. He's here…He's really here…

Wherever you go, whatever you do

I will be right here waiting for you

Whatever it takes, or how my heart breaks

I will be right here waiting for you

"Shut up!" Kagome slashed with her claws and released four energy swipes at him. He dodged it, but one hit his face and he cringed. Then she came at him again, and he had his hands full trying to block the blows without counterattacking and hurting Kagome. Mortal combat would be easier than this.

"Oh, to hell with this!" The next swipe she took, he caught it and came up with a right hook that landed right on her cheek. The blow sent her down into the ground where she lay stunned. He landed a little ways away, but prepared for any retaliation.

Slowly she began to get to her feet. "You know, I wouldn't expect you to understand."

His eyes widened. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She glared at him. "You've killed youkai and humans alike in hatred before. Never stopping to think about their families or if they'd be missed. Hell, you even tried to kill me. Did you ever stop to think about the consequences of your actions? I bet that monster that killed hundreds back in my time didn't and he's getting away with it! Now get out of my way or I'll make you get out of my way!"

"First, I regret those times that I harmed humans and no I didn't think about the youkai having families because most of them were heartless monsters after nothing but power. And as for you, I didn't even know you back then! I would never hurt you, so don't make me now!" He cried out.

She scoffed. "I wouldn't put it past you, but that doesn't change anything. Get out of my way, NOW!" She challenged.

He widened his stance. "No. Even if you ran into Subaru now, he'd rip you to shreds and I'm not gonna lose you."

"Fine, have it your way." She charged at him and ran her shoulder into his chest, trying to bull rush him and throw him off balance.

He took the blow and picked her up. Jumping into the air he spun and threw her back down again. "I may not like it, but if you won't go down easy, then I'll have to bring you down the hard way!"

She flipped and landed on her feet and went at him again.

As Inuyasha dodged, he kept his eyes set on hers and saw them flash red whenever she took a slash at him. Is this what Sesshoumaru saw when he fought me? The others said I attacked him, but he did nothing but dodge. It's like she would keep fighting me until she couldn't stand anymore. He moved to the side and whipped out his foot, tripping her to the ground. "You have to see the light and snap out of it!"

She pushed off the ground and turned to him like a crazed animal. "I don't have to do anything but take you out, then Subaru's next!" She dug her elongated nails into her own thigh and brought up red soaked fingers. "Take this!" She slashed down and dozens of red hued swipes came straight at him.

"What the hell!?" He raised up his hands to block the blows and felt each razor sharp attack bounce off his powerful fire-rat robe. If it hadn't been for that, there wouldn't have been enough left to identify him with. This is getting more and more dangerous for both of us! I have to stop her before she does something she's really gonna regret!

I wonder how we can survive…this romance?

But in the end if I'm with you…I'll take the chance!

Struggling to his feet, he used the rusty form of Tetsusaiga as a crutch to make his way to Kagome. Her eyes were closed and the enchantment was the only thing holding her upright.

"K-Kagome." Inuyasha made it to her and reached up to her face. There were four puncture wounds in her stomach and they were bleeding profusely. Her skirt and legs were saturated with her blood. "Come on, Kagome. This…this is no time to joke." His throat was dry and constricted. "D-do you remember, when I told you if you were going to die, then die and if you weren't then don't? It was right after I defeated the thunder brothers. Well, I was lying. I'm even more scared to live without you then I was then." His eyes watered up like only one other time he could remember that involved the human girl. "So come on and opened your eyes. For me? Kagome?" When she gave no response, he clutched at her shirt and screamed, "Please, Kagome! Just open your eyes!"

Subaru batted Sango aside with his club and kicked Shippo away from him. When Miroku tried to hit him with his staff, he shoulder rushed him and knocked the monk to the ground. "See? No matter how hard you might've tried, you two could never have stayed together. You should be thankful I relieved you of such baggage." He laughed.

Inuyasha clutched the sword in his left hand and turned with tear brimmed eyes to glare at the monstrosity. "How dare you." He raised the sword up in his right hand and it once again transformed into the mighty dog fang. "I will kill you for what you've done."

"I'd love to see you try." The oni urged.

Oh can't you see baby?

You got me goin' crazy

Although Subaru no Oni was gone, the enchantments were slow to break. When their blue glow faded, Inuyasha was there to catch the body of his love as she tumbled to the ground.

When he held her in his arms, he lowered to his knees. Kagome's face looked like she was sleeping, but he knew her spirit was no longer there. With his demonic vision, he too could see the Shikon no Tama glowing within her.

Coming up behind the dog youkai, Miroku carried Sango and Shippo in front of him. "Inuyasha, when Kagome's grief consumed her, the jewel took control and that's why she didn't recognized you. Whatever you did to bring her back purified not only her heart but her soul as well. It was what brought her back to you."

"It was our love." He murmured sadly. And my love will always be with you, sweet Kagome. But as he held her tighter and tighter, he didn't want to accept the fact that she was gone. If only there had been a way for me to give her energy, she might've been strong enough to withstand Subaru's spell.

Do you feel for this miko, youkai?

Inuyasha's eyes widened. Inside Kagome, Demon Inuyasha could see the jewel glow with each word. I-I love her with all that I am and more.

Now that you have obtained your greatest desire, will you find the happiness you have always dreamed of?

NO! Inuyasha's mind screamed. Nothing will be the same without Kagome. She was as much a part of me as I was to her. I once thought being a true demon was what I wanted, but not anymore. I would trade it all if I could just have Kagome by my side!

Do you promise to protect her from harm as she performs her duties as Guardian of the Shikon no Tama? Do you promise not to give into your greed and seek its power for personal gain and see to it no evil ever claims it?

Inuyasha blinked in confusion. Can you save her?

Do you swear?

Yes! Anything, just please, don't let her die on me!

Then let it be done…

Inuyasha's aura began to flicker and Miroku knowingly stepped back. Inuyasha felt his heart beat throughout his entire body, but also felt his body drain of demonic energy. Slowly his fangs retracted, along with his nails, and his eyes regained their golden color.

The process left him breathing heavily, completely exhausted, and ready to pass out himself, but he had to see…

In his arms, Kagome's wounds slowly healed up and although scars remained, no more blood escaped her body. With a moan, Kagome opened her eyes weakly and looked up smiling at Inuyasha. "I knew you could do it."

Inuyasha's tears escaped maybe two at a time, but he buried himself in her hair and held her close. "Stupid idiot! Don't you ever do that to me again!"

She smiled and laughed lightly, giving him a hug back. "I'll try not to." But she was tired and weak and slowly closed her eyes again.

When Inuyasha pulled back, the tears were gone and he smiled. "I'm glad you're okay." Then he too closed his eyes and passed out.

Wherever you go, whatever you do

I will be right here waiting for you

Whatever it takes, or how my heart breaks

I will be right here waiting for you

Author's Notes: You know, on retrospect, I really put Kagome and Inuyasha through some trying moments, but then I also gave them very loyal and romantic moments. Many of you out there love the sequel, but somethings will never beat the original. Thank you for everyone who's been faithful to my series and supportive all the way. This is my way of saying thank you (And getting over my writer's block). Arigatou Minna-san!