A/N: Yippee! Over fifty reviews! I love you people!! Huggles and smooches to everyone! Now enjoy the next chapter to Mark! :)

Disclaimer: Sole rights go to Rumiko Takahashi and her brilliant mind.

Inuyasha's worst fears came true. The entire cavern was falling in on them, large boulders falling around and upon them. Kagome was whimpering and quivering in fear on his back, her hands almost painfully digging into his shoulders. With shard in hand, he ran through the tunnels almost blindly as they fell in around him.

"Hold on, Kagome, just hold on!" He yelled, his voice slightly begging

.
His attention went forward after he felt Kagome's nod on his back and he pushed himself even harder. The cave in was right behind him, no more than three steps away, and he felt as if he was dangling across the blade of a knife. If he even so much as missed a step...or double stepped...

He pushed the thoughts away absently. No, he couldn't think of that, he had to protect Kagome. Protecting Kagome had to come first, he told himself as he ran, hands tightly clamped on her legs to keep her on his back. When he reached the chamber with all the tunnels, he sniffed his way quickly back the way he came. Through the tunnel with the cavern falling behind him. He then took off until, quite suddenly, he came to a dead end.

"SHIT!" He cursed out loud, a sinking feeling starting in his chest. This was it, the cave in was right behind them, they were as good as dead.

Inuyasha cursed again, then quickly took Kagome off of his back and made her face him. His eyes bore into his and both his hands cupped her face fiercely, but gently. He could hear the rumbling of the rocks falling behind him, oh so close, but still he forced a sad smile for Kagome. This was it, this was the end.

"Kagome...I...I just wanted you to know that....I love you." Without waiting for a response, he kissed her gently, feather-lightly on the lips while the boulders collapsed around him.

As a last instinct, Inuyasha stopped the kiss and covered Kagome's body with his own as a last attempt to protect her from the rocks.
"Inuyasha...I love you too..."

-The Others-

Kirara stopped suddenly at a large caved in tunnel, growling and pawing at the rocks. A few rolled down, but she knew that if she kept it up, the rocks would land on her and the occupants on her back. She had to wait until they strategized a way of moving them, and that was if Sango understood.

But there was no need to worry, Sango understood perfectly and with perfect horror. Inuyasha and Kagome, caved in! She thought, eyes widening. And Yume, where was Yume? Miroku, seemingly to be a good guy this time, placed an arm around Sango.

"Don't worry, we'll get them out, and that's even if they're in there," he said reassuringly.
Sango nodded, then shook her head. "I know their in there. Kirara knows, but are they all right? That's my worry!"

Miroku grasped her firmly by the shoulders. "They're fine! I don't want you to loose your head, stay calm! We'll get them out!"

Sango nodded and Miroku let her go with a small, tilted smile. For a moment, Sango's heart fluttered and blood flowed freely to her cheeks. She actually thought something might happen, she actually wanted something to happen, then shook her head. Wrong time, wrong place, wrong situation. She thought to herself, though, unknown to her, Miroku was thinking the same thing.

"We'll have to move a few of these boulders, but we can't start from the bottom; we might cause another cave in on ourselves." Sango looked over at Shippo, who looked teary-eyed. "Don't worry, we'll get them out."

Shippo nodded and, unexpectedly, assumed a form with a little more muscle using one of his tricks. "And I'm going to help."

-With Kouga-

Kouga landed hard on his feet, jarring both knees and neck, though paid no attention to either of them. The stench down here was enough to knock him unconscious, but he had to take the chance.

Yume was lying on her back, deathly still, her chest barely rising and falling. She was pretty messed up, bruised and broken with two serious gashes. One seemed to be at least a day old on her leg, the other fresh across her side. She was literally lying in a puddle of her own blood and more blood continued to pour forth, though now a tiny trickle compared to the earlier river.

Kouga was horrified and enraged at the same time. Sure he had wanted to see her, but not like this, definitely not like this. Carefully and very gently, he scooped her up and brought her to the river's edge, taking her away from the snake's body. Once there, coughing slightly at the stench, he submerged her in the cool water until only her face was above the water.

He watched as the water ran over and around the wounds, taking away some of the gore and blood and saliva clinging to her still form.
When he saw that she was a little cleaner, he took her out of the water and held her close to him. It was a long way back up to the cliff's edge, a long trip. But he did not mind, he didn't mind at all, as long as the trip would not be in vain and Yume would come out alive.
Slowly, he started his accent.

–With Inuyasha-

Inuyasha opened his eyes slowly and painfully. He couldn't remember much except that he had been fighting a demon...a rather nasty demon...and then a cave in...After he told himself that, the rest came back to him rather quickly and he quickly stood up.

What he saw shocked him. Mercifully the cave in had stopped a few feet away from where they crouched, leaving a good-sized space for them to sit and even walk around. He looked back down at Kagome, fear welling in his chest, and found her unconscious but still alive. That sent a wave of relief through him. They were both all right, even if they were buried beneath stone.

Kagome stirred slightly and started to wake. The first thing she did was jump up and look around, making herself dizzy and her only reward for that was falling back over. Inuyasha was there in a flash to catch her before she hit the ground, telling her to take it easy.

"What happened? Where are we?" Kagome asked slowly, looking around though it was in vain. She still couldn't see.

"We're still in the caves, Kagome. There's....there's been a cave in, " Inuyasha told her hesitantly, remembering her claustrophobia.

He watched her face turn from wonder into blank acceptance. She quietly drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, placing her chin upon her knees. Inuyasha started to grow very worried about her state, since she hadn't responded and was looking rather far off into the distance, and waved a hand in front of her face. He then cursed himself for being so stupid, she couldn't see an inch in front of her, how could she see his hand?

"Buried alive..." she whispered, then collapsed into sobs.
Inuyasha instantly reached out to comfort her, but she seemed to have felt him coming and shrank away from his touch. He drew his arms back slowly, unsure of what to do now, and sat down next to her.

"Kagome..." He started gently, but her sobs just continued to worsen.

-The Others-

Four hours into the night, Sango and the others were still heaving boulders. They were huge and very heavy, but, with a little muscle and a little help from Kirara's eyes, they were able to move a few of them. But it didn't seem to be enough, more rocks and boulders continued to block their way. Miroku finally leaned against a boulder they were trying to set tumbling and sighed. "We're seem to be getting no where.."

Sango sighed heavily also, though not in defeat. Her entire body ached from the strain she had put it through, pushing and shoving the huge rocks with the help of Shippo. She was breathing heavy and her heart felt like it was about to explode in her chest.

About an hour ago she had suggested he use his Kazanna, his air-rip, but he had declined instantly. A lot of the rocks were unsteady as it was and, if he moved a few of them, they might cause another cave in and kill the two they were trying to help. Kirara growled at that response.

"I know we're not getting far, but at least we moved a few...we have to at least make a small hole for them!" Sango exclaimed heatedly.

Miroku placed his hands into the air as a sign of peace, though he couldn't see where Sango was anyway. "I did not mean we should stop, Sango. Maybe if we made a fire...at least we'd be able to see."

Sango nodded. "Alright, a fire it is. Shippo?"

Shippo instantly straightened his tricked form and smashed his head on an overhanging rock, hard. "OW!" he yelled, grabbing the lump. "Er...I'm right here, Sango."

"Do you think you'd be able to go out and get some fire wood? Oh, and Kagome's back pack? I believe she still has that lighter thing in there."

"Sure."

Both Sango and Miroku listened as Shippo jumped down, small rocks and pebbles skidding in his wake. They then heard him take a deep breath and guessed he had made it down safely. Smiling, Sango waved slightly where she had last heard Shippo's footfalls. Hurry back, Shippo!
"I'll be right back, don't move!"

Meanwhile, within the cave-in, Inuyasha's mind was reeling. For four hours Kagome hadn't moved, hadn't spoken and it was all starting to scare him badly. He didn't dare leave her side, but he also didn't make a move to try and comfort her again. That only seemed to make matters worse.

Kagome felt whatever control she still had left weakening and her panic rising higher. In her shoes, her toes were twitching. From her neck to her lower abdomen she couldn't feel a thing, she had gone dangerously numb.

She could feel her legs a little, but not much. Another sign of panic. No...I have to control myself.. She thought savagely. I have to! But.... it's so cold...and there's no way out..
Her breath caught in her throat. The words 'no way out' seemed to ring horribly in her mind and a cold sinking feeling started in her chest. She'd never see her mother again, or her annoying little brother, or her grandfather, or her friends...on both sides.

Tears welled up in her eyes and she started to cry again very softly and with her head buried in her knees. This wasn't how it was supposed to end.... it should end in the battle with Naraku!

"K-Kagome...please...please don't cry..." Inuyasha begged when he smelled the saltiness of her tears and heard the barely audible sobs.
Inuyasha reached out again, but didn't touch her. She was shaking badly and her sobs made the shaking worse. He didn't know how he was going to help her unless he could get them out, which made sense since he had been the one who put them in this position. But.... if he hadn't...

He stood up suddenly and walked over to the wall of crumbled stone. There had to be a place he could hit, a place that would cave in slightly and leave an opening in it's wake. If not...his Kagome was sure to go into a comatose state or have a heart attack in her panic. Both thoughts made his own panic well in his throat. No, he wouldn't let that happen.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome suddenly cried out. "Where are you? INUYASHA!"

In a split second, Inuyasha was back at Kagome's side. He placed both his hands on her shoulders and shook them lightly, almost lovingly. Kagome's eyes were wide and panic filled with tears continuing to slide down her cheeks.

She was staring a little too far to the right, away from Inuyasha's face, though she thought Inuyasha was where she was staring. She reached out a hand and touched air, then let it fall back down to her knees.
"I'm not going anywhere, Kagome. Just stay calm." Inuyasha spoke softly. "I'll always be with you."
"I-Inuyasha...I...I can't breath..." She gasped out suddenly, her eyes widening and her breathing becoming even shorter and more ragged.

"Kagome! Kagome, look at me! Kagome!"

-With Kouga-

Kouga neared the exit/entrance of the cave and gazed out. The moon was a sliver now, shining as much light as it could shed. The stars twinkled at him and he was reminded of a million eyes, all winking at him secretly. The night was beautiful; there was a slight breeze and maybe two wisps cloud disrupting the velvety sky.

His eyes slid down from the sky and towards the body he had in his arms. The wind stirred Yume's rebellious bangs and slid them across her face, only to have them fall back into place when the wind died down. Kouga smiled a tilted, sorrowful smile and clutched the girl tighter to himself. When he reached his den, he would have to take care of those wounds.

"Eh..K-Kouga..." A voice spoke behind him and he whirled around.
His bright blue eyes landed on the small form of Shippo. The fox-kit's eyes were wide and they became wider when they fell on the form of Yume in Kouga's arms. In one hand, Shippo held Kagome's book bag while in the other he held a small bundle of sticks.

"Hello, fox-boy. Where's everyone else?" he asked with eyebrow raised in suspicion.
Shippo fingered Kagome's back pack strap before answering, looking forlorn. "Kagome and Inuyasha are caved in...everyone's helping trying to get them out."

Kouga's jaw dropped almost comically and his eyes widened until Shippo was sure they'd fall out of his skull. "Kagome's caved in?" he asked again, disbelievingly. His hold on Yume tightened. "Where are they, what tunnel?"

Shippo pointed, dropping all the sticks he had hooked under his arm. "That one, about four meters in."

He then gazed at Yume. "What...what happened to Yume?"

"A snake got to her."
Now it was Shippo's turn to look comical, eyes bulging. "S-Snake? It's n-not still around, is it?"

Kouga shook his head. "She killed it, but it took a lot out of her." He then eyed the little kit and Shippo blinked slightly under the intent gaze. "Can I trust you with something, fox-boy?"

"Erm...it...depends."
Kouga thought for a moment. If he sent Shippo to his den to grab Ginta, they might kill the fox. But...if he just left Yume here while he went to help pull the rocks apart...she might be ravaged by a demon who could smell her blood and see her as an easy picking. Growling slightly, his gaze turned back to Shippo.

"I want you go to my den and grab a wolf-demon named Ginta. Tell him I sent you and give him this," Kouga took off the sword tied around his waist and handed it over.

Shippo took it with his eyes wide. "They won't kill you if you have this, but, if you lose it, I'll kill you. Now get going."
"But...I..I didn't say I'd go!"
"Just do it, or Yume is going to die!" He growled viciously and Shippo eeped. "Just hurry, I'll stay until you get back."

Kouga sat down gently, moving Yume around in his arms and then placing her down in front of him. Shippo stared at Kouga for a moment, then looked back at the bundle of sticks and the book bag.
"If I go get this Ginta, you have to hurry and bring Sango the sticks and back pack."

Kouga smiled at the fox-kit. "You're becoming the little negotiator." He nodded with the smile turning into a grim grin. "Fine. I'll bring what's needed, but you better hurry yourself faster."

Shippo nodded and ran out of the cave. I'll find this Ginta person, then I'll help Kagome and Inuyasha. At least now we have another demon to help....even if it is Kouga. But why's Kouga so set on keeping Yume safe? Shippo grinned to himself suddenly; a few of the clues had seemed to fall directly into place. So he did get over Kagome!

Inuyasha was desperate now. Kagome was quiet again, huddled near a wall, breathing rapidly. He had finally convinced her that there was enough air for them to continue breathing, that she could breath, that she was all right.

It took forever and he was afraid she was going to pass out, though it probably would have been best if she did, but she had finally took his word for it and continued pulling in rapid breath after rapid breath. At this rate, he was going to lose her mentally before he could find a way out.

He sat close by her, but she had shrank away from his touch again. She didn't want to be touched, held, or comforted in any way anymore. It made him feel hurt, but he knew Kagome was just trying to be independent, trying to keep herself from fully panicking.
For a while, they sat silent in the darkness. Inuyasha was staring straight ahead at the caved in wall, lost in his own thoughts. He had finally decided that the marking should go on; both had already confessed they loved each other before and that was another step in the marking.

Love and confession. After that, all Inuyasha had to do was visit Yume's home with Kagome...and probably finish it there.

"...I'm thirsty.." Kagome's voice, sounding strangely distant and hollow, spoke.
Inuyasha quickly came out of his thoughts. Kagome was staring straight ahead. Her tongue flicked out lightly and licked her dry lips.

Inuyasha wished horribly that he had some water to give her, he would have given an arm for just a handful. Resisting the urge to hold her close, he placed a tentative hand on her shoulder. This time she didn't pull away. "I'm sorry, Kagome, there isn't any water." He responded slowly.

Kagome stiffened. She could feel the rage build with the panic now, there was no denying it. She was going to burst and Inuyasha was going to be the victim. She only had enough energy and control left for the panic, so the anger was going to come out freely.

Except, something caused both of them to stiffen. They could hear voices and rocks rolling from the other side of the cave in, voices that made Inuyasha's eyes widen when he heard them.

It's the others! He thought wildly, suddenly grinning and jumping up. He instantly regretted jumping up for Kagome groped in the darkness and cried out, all anger forgotten and replaced by utter terror of being left alone. Inuyasha leapt down beside her and picked her up, hugging her tight.

"The others are pulling the rocks down to get us out!" He told her happily, squeezing her to him. "In a few hours, we'll be out of here!"

Kagome didn't respond. She allowed him to hug her, but her panic was getting a stronger hold on her. Sure, the others were coming, but what if they died before they pulled the rocks down?

What if another cave in started? She stared blankly ahead and felt Inuyasha's hold relax, then felt his hands bringing her away from him. After that, her body went numb again and all she could do was hear.

"Kagome? Did you hear me?"

"Yes, Inuyasha, I heard you." Her voice was cold now, cold, hollow, and distant.
Inuyasha shivered. The voice reminded him way too much of Kikyou. In fact, if Kagome spoke just a tiny bit deeper, her voice would have become Kikyou's. He grabbed her to him again and sat back down on the floor, taking her with him.

"Kagome."

-With Kouga-

Kouga greeted Ginta quickly and handed Yume over to him. He made a few orders, thanked his friend and pack comrade, then ran back towards the cave in.

Gina had been surprised that Kouga was asking to take a White wolf into they're lower pack, but he did not argue. He just went along with it and left, clutching Yume tightly. Kouga had been very descriptive of what would happen if something happened to Yume and Gina didn't want to dwell on it. Kouga could be a great person, but, when it came to a girl he could fall in love with, he turned into a...well...demon.

When Kouga neared Miroku and Sango for the second time, with Shippo at his heels, they cocked an eyebrow at him. He told them he was here to help and they shrugged. Working feverishly, they got as far as they could, which was farther than before since they had another demon to help.

After a couple more hours and with a fire being tended by Shippo, Sango gasped. Kouga thought she had pulled a rock not supposed to be pulled and another cave in was going to begin, but he didn't have to worry. Sango was jumping happily and pointing to the last boulder they had removed. A small tunnel, a very small tunnel, could be seen.

"Shippo! Come here!" Kouga ordered and Shippo scrambled up the rocks. "Do you think you can turn into something small and crawl in there?"

Shippo gulped. "Yeah, but what if it caves in?"

Sango smiled reassuringly. "It won't cave in. We just need to know if it leads all the way to Kagome and Inuyasha. They must be starving in there."

Shippo nodded and quickly used his tricks to transform himself into a small mouse. Sango then helped him into the hole and off he skittered. The others, including an untransformed Kirara waited impatiently for Shippo to reappear.

"What the hell? A mouse?" Inuyasha growled.

He raised his fist to kill the rodent when it suddenly made a small popping sound. Kagome almost screamed, but bit it back. Inuyasha hadn't let go of Kagome and Kagome hadn't moved away. The 'mouse' squealed in happiness before leaping at the clinging couple.
"Kagome!" it shrieked.

Inuyasha let one arm fall to his side so Kagome could catch the crying Kitsune. Kagome burst into tears the moment the fox-kit was in her arms and she hugged him tight.

Inuyasha was growling to himself at the show of affection the Kitsune was getting, and had to bite back the urge to strangle him. He was making Kagome feel better and that's all that mattered at the moment.

"Oh Shippo! How did you get in here?" Kagome asked, her voice normal though her breathing continued to be ragged and short.

"They made a small hole! We're coming, Kagome, don't worry! I'll tell the others your both okay and then I'll help push the rocks away, okay?" Shippo said, struggling in Kagome's tightening grasp.

Kagome nodded, gave the Kitsune one last squeeze, then let him go. She groped in the air for a moment and found Inuyasha's hand. His face grew a brilliant shade of red when she took his hand in both hands and clutched it close to her chest.

If Kagome noticed where she was holding his hand, she didn't voice her embarrassment nor did she let go. "Hurry, okay, Shippo?" Kagome asked after him, but got no reply. The Kitsune was gone.
When she was positive she wouldn't get a reply, she threw herself into Inuyasha's arms and hugged him silently.
Inuyasha held her lightly, eyes closed and his nose buried in her hair. She was terrified, he could sense it in her aura, smell it on her scent. He wished he could take away that terror, but he didn't know how. Then it clicked. If she could only see through the dark, maybe that would make her terror less pronounced.
The Marking...

"Kagome....listen very carefully..."

-The Others-

Shippo reappeared and popped back into his normal form with a smile on his face. He hadn't been so sure Kagome was all right, but now reassured in the best way, he was as happy as ever. Kagome was all right, even if she was scared. And Inuyasha was actually taking very good care of her.

"They're all right! They're alive at least, but Kagome seems to be very very scared, Sango," Shippo explained.

Sango had, at first, smiled happily. The tunnel lead straight to them! But, upon hearing that Kagome was terrified, her own fear and worry spread throughout herself. Kagome was claustrophobic? Or was she scared of the dark? Either way, those weren't good signs. She knew now that they would have to redouble their efforts to get Kagome and Inuyasha out of there as fast as possible.

"How far was it to get to them, Shippo?" Miroku asked hurriedly when he saw the expression on Sango's face.

"About two meters of stone, lots of stone," Shippo answered.

"Two meters...we can get through that. We just moved three meters in the last two hours," Kouga said, cracking his knuckles in a style that reminded them of Inuyasha. "We might even be able to get them out in the next hour or so!"

"Alright then, lets get moving!"

They set about work again, heaving the heavy boulders with the help of Kouga and pushing the even heavier ones until they sent a small avalanche down. Two meters, that was all that separated them and their friends.

-With Inuyasha-

Kagome was listening, but she could hardly believe her ears. Inuyasha didn't have the slightest clue when instinct would tell him how to finish the Marking, but he knew it probably would be as hard as hell...and he probably would understand it as much as he did the time he first put his mark on her. What made it quite interesting, though, was that he had a feeling he wouldn't be doing much this time around.

"Do you want to continue the marking...and become...life-mates? This is all up to you now, Kagome, because my decision had been made a long time ago."

Inuyasha held her close to him while he spoke and felt Kagome's heart quicken, though this time not in panic.

This was a Dog's way of asking for her hand in marriage, she knew. And she also knew the consequences. She wouldn't be free to like anyone else, not that she would have in the first place for her heart seemed content with Inuyasha's love, she would be committed to him in every way, committed as a wife would be.

Because this was exactly like marriage! But, no matter how much her mind gave excuses, her heart continued to scream yes, yes she would become life-mates with him. There was only one thing even her heart had to listen to.

If she became life-mates, as Inuyasha had put it, with Inuyasha...she'd have to stay in his time. That was the conflict, but she knew she had made her decision the moment Inuyasha's teeth had bitten into her nose, the moment she had told Inuyasha she had loved him. "Yes," Kagome said simply. "Yes, I want to continue."

And so the acceptance was made. Kagome wanted to continue. Inuyasha felt a strange throb near his hip and reached down to touch Tetsusaiga.

Well, he had his father's permission. He thought happily and with a giddy smile. The sword itself was throbbing and Inuyasha felt cheer fly through him the moment he touched the hilt.

So his father had accepted his Kagome, his going to be mate, as his son's mate. Inuyasha probably couldn't have been happier or filled with more pride.

But he knew what lay next now, his instincts were giving him the details. No wonder Yume wanted him to head to her den to finish the Marking, for it was now going to be dangerous to Kagome.

He didn't want to hurt her, but this was what he had to do. As the pictures formed in his mind, and he held Kagome even tighter to him, he squeezed his eyes shut and ground his teeth together.

"Kagome, there is only one thing I have to tell you. You have to commit yourself to me, entirely, to finish this. Do you understand what...I'm telling you?"

Kagome understood, but her mouth had dropped open and her face had turned a crimson shade. Oh yeah, she knew what he was telling him and it made a large flare of desire speed through her body.
"Yes...Inuyasha..." she said slowly, pausing between words. "...Yes--I want to continue the marking."

Inuyasha nodded and let out a sigh of relief. As long as she said yes.... if she had said no he would have forgotten the idea entirely. All right then, but first, the mark. He had told her it was going to be painful, he had, but he knew she didn't really comprehend what he had meant.

"Keep your miko aura under control, that's all. If it grows too much, you'll end up killing me." Inuyasha warned yet again and Kagome nodded.

"I will."

"And I trust you."

Their lips met and in the darkness Inuyasha slowly pulled up Kagome's shirt. The bandages were a bother, but he had stripped them off as well.

Since she had been bandaged, she hadn't been wearing a bra and Inuyasha silent thanked her while deepening the kiss and drawing both of them down to their knees. This was it, the final mark, and then the bond along with the mark. The eternal bond.

While Inuyasha kissed Kagome, his hand snaked around to her back, claws out. Oh please, Kagome, don't scream. If you scream I'll have to stop. He prayed silently, eyes shut. His claws met her skin and he felt her shutter in his grasp.

"Shhh," He whispered to her, breaking the kiss slightly though their noses still touched. "This is going to hurt, but, please, don't scream."

"I won't, Inuyasha."

Her lips met his again and he kissed back firmly, his claws digging slightly into her back. He felt her gasp into the kiss, but she didn't stop.

Her hands were gently fiddling with the sash around his waist, keeping her mind occupied while Inuyasha's claws made the final mark on her back, the mark that bound their souls, while the mark that bound them physically would be made soon, privately.

Kagome kept her promise and didn't scream.