Author's note: Sorry for the lapse in updates. That's what RL'll do to you sometimes...=)
Kagome peered through the thick wall of mist that suddenly surrounded her. She was lost, separated from her friends by an unnatural fog that had closed in around the small group. "Inuyasha?" she called softly. When no answer came, she called again. "Sango? Shippo? Miroku? Anyone?" Silence filled the air, and the mists seemed to thicken around her.
Unable to see anything but grey, Kagome stumbled forward blindly. Finally, on the verge of tears and convinced that she would never again see sunlight, Kagome broke through the end of the miasma. She found herself in a dark meadow, only faintly illuminated by a partial moon. At the center of the little meadow stood an ancient tree, its heavy limbs bowed with age. Upon the thickest of the branches lounged a shadowy figure that was surrounded by small, luminescent demons.
Kikyo!
Kagome was preparing to approach the deceased miko when she sensed movement behind her. "Inuyasha!" Kagome cried as he emerged from the mists behind her. She longed to run to the hanyou but something in his eyes warned her to keep back. Settling for a sigh of relief, she called over to him. "Inuyasha! Over here! Inuyasha?"
The half-demon looked around, searching. "Where is she, Kikyo? What have you done with Kagome?"
Oh no, she thought, he must not be able to see me!
Kikyo moved slightly on the branch. "Forget about the girl, Inuyasha. She is nothing but a cheap imitation of what you really want."
The youkia stepped forward. "Tell me where she is!"
A cold laughter escaped Kikyo's ruby lips. "She's right where I left her, Inuyasha," Kikyo waved her pale hand toward the base of the old tree Both Inuyasha and Kagome shifted their attention to the pile of tattered rags that lay in a heap amidst the giant roots.
"Kagome!! NO!"Kagome started as Inuyasha screamed her name. A look of horror spread across his features as he ran forward. Why is he screaming? Kagome wondered as she moved toward the tree for a closer look.
Then she saw it; the scrap of green cloth, covered partially by a piece of a red bow...Kagome's legs turned to lead as she forced herself to stand behind Inuyasha. The distance closed all too quickly, and soon she was right behind the hanyou. He was kneeling now, gathering something into his arms. Leaning over his shoulder for a better view, Kagome was able to see the tattered remains of a person cradled against Inuyasha's chest.
No...! Every part of Kagome's body screamed when she realized that the ruined body was her own.
"Kagome, no!" Inuyasha sobbed as her held the lifeless body close, burying his face in her bloodied hair. After a moment, he laid the still form gently onto the earth and stood to face Kikyo.
Kagome stepped back in shock. What was happening? She wasn't dead...was she? Was that why Inuyasha couldn't see her?
"Kikyo, is this your doing?" Inuyasha growled; a low rumbling sound that made the hairs on Kagome's neck rise.
The miko, still lounging in the tree, shrugged. "I was merely eliminating your worldly ties, Inuyasha. Now you are free to join me in Hell." Cold laughter spilled from her lips, filling the meadow with its eerie sound.
"You're going to Hell all right, Kikyo, but it won't be with me!" Inuyasha drew the Tetsusaiga with a yell as he prepared to strike her down.
Kagome stared down at the mangled body; her body. There was dried blood everywhere, and her eyes were locked open, left wide in disbelief at the killing blow. The girl forced herself to look away, reassuring herself that it couldn't be real; it had to be some kind of illusion. Instead, she focused on Inuyasha. His golden eyes had reduced to slits, but Kagome could see a tinge of redness to them. Was he crying for me? She wondered suddenly. As Inuyasha lowered into a battle stance, the girl shifted her attention to Kikyo.
Kikyo, who had barely moved during the entire encounter, suddenly raised her head. Icy brown eyes locked with Kagome's, and the girl realized that the priestess could see her. Suddenly the world began to spin, and Kagome fought to keep from falling. She reached out a hand to steady herself, grabbing onto the first solid object she could find. When she looked at where her hand lay, she noticed that she had somehow gotten into the tree. Wait, how did I get up here...?
Oh no! with a growing feeling of dread, Kagome realized that she had somehow just switched places with Kikyo.
"This is for Kagome!"
Kagome stared down at the hanyou in horror as leaped into the air, already bringing the great sword down in a deadly arc.
"NO! Inuyasha, wait!!" Kagome screamed, too late, as the sword swung toward her...
