After its long wait, chapter 2 of The Only Way is finally up! -faints- I'm so sorry everyone! I didn't mean for it to be such a long wait, I just had major writer's block, and with school and all, I just didn't get a good chance to write when I actually did think of something. -frowns- I know! -nod- Gomen! Gomen nasai! -bows- But, I did get some pretty nice reviews on chapter 1, and that's what drove me to actually get this out at all. Arigatou minna! -hugs-

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha... That's kind of obvious isn't it? Rumiko Takahashi owns the manga, Sunrise owns the anime. Viz owns the dubbed versions. My name is Mari, so therefore, they're not mine...

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The Only Way

Chapter 2- Hasako

As the clouds parted, long silvery white hair shimmered in the moonlight, framing a slim face with warm brown eyes. The woman appeared to be the same age as Kagome, and the cool voice of hers didn't seem to match her appearance.

"Who are you? And how do you know who I am?" Inuyasha remarked in a stern voice, he wasn't quick to trust strangers.

"My name is Hasako," the young woman said, bowing, her voice lightening slightly. "I have been watching you for awhile."

Inuyasha lowered his eyes, "You... have been watching me? That still doesn't tell me who you are. Were you allies with Naraku?" He spat out the name with such hate, like it left a nasty taste in his mouth saying it.

"I, like yourself, detest Naraku. As for me watching you, it was required in order to learn what I've wanted to know for so long."

Inuyasha didn't like the fact of her watching him, but if she could help Kagome... "Tell me... Please... What can I do to save Kagome?"

Hasako's eyes returned to their cold, listless stare. Like Inuyasha, she used cruelty and anger to hide her feelings. "That will be a difficult task..."

The hanyou's eyes glimmered with sadness, "I'd do anything to save her, Hasako... I'd die if it would help her." He whispered the last part, lowering his head to stare at the ground. 'Kagome... I would do anything to save you. I couldn't live with myself if you died...' Bringing his gaze back up to meet Hasako's he swallowed the lump in his throat and spoke with more confidence, "Hasako, tell me what to do, I know I can succeed with whatever it is."

Hasako nodded, "Very well then... First, we should check and see how Kagome's doing."

Nodding, Inuyasha led the way back to Kaede's hut.

---

Inuyasha stepped into the hut and his heart sank. 'Kagome?...' This wasn't the face of the cheerful school-girl he knew. Her face had grown so pale she was almost transparent. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps, and she was still unconscious. Kaede walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder, "She is fighting for her life, Inuyasha... I'll leave ye alone in here for a spell." Inuyasha nodded and watched the older woman step from the hut, then rushed to Kagome's side, taking her small, fragile hand in his own. Absentmindedly, he stroked her hand with his thumb, staring at her lifeless face, completely forgetting about Hasako.

"Kagome..." the hanyou whispered, smoothing her ebony locks with the hand that wasn't occupied with her own. He continued to gaze at her ghostlike face, his hopes falling more every second. He then turned his gaze to Hasako, "Do you know why she is still like this? Normally it wouldn't take that long to recover from Kagura's attack."

"Hai," Hasako said sadly, "but did you happen to notice that Kanna stole part of her soul while she was being attacked."

Inuyasha averted his eyes to Kagome, "She- she stole part of her soul?"

Hasako nodded, "It is what gives her the will to live, without it she will perish... It is pretty much hopeless for her."

Inuyasha stood up and clenched his hands into fists so tight that his claws drew blood from his palms. "You said that I could save her!" He angrily stepped forward and grabbed Hasako by the front of her kimono. "Now tell me," he growled, "how the fuck to save her!"

A wistful look appeared on the girl's face. "Just stay by her side... If she manages to make it through the night, then it will be possible to save her... I will tell you once this is determined."

Inuyasha was about to kick her ass then and there, but knowing she was the only one that could tell him how to save Kagome, he released his grip and walked back over to Kagome's side and sat down, taking her hand once again. "I won't leave her... You don't have to worry about that."

Hasako stared at the couple, feeling her eyes become slightly moist. 'If only I could tell you how to save her right now... Gomen ne, if only I could tell you what to do right here and now.'

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After Hasako left the hut to 'take care of some private business' Inuyasha just stared at Kagome. So many feelings were hidden inside him, waiting to burst out as soon as Kagome left her slumber, but for now, they were forced to stay locked inside of him. 'Kagome... I'm so sorry, this is all my fault, if only I could tell you what I wanted to tell you before. I'm such a coward...' Inuyasha bowed his head, his bangs shadowing his eyes. He absentmindedly stroked her hand as he went over the current situation. Kagura's attack had severely wounded Kagome, and not only had that happened, but according to Hasako, Kanna had locked a piece of Kagome's precious soul in the depths of her mirror. He still hadn't managed to know how anyone could hurt his kindhearted, carefree, innocent Kagome. The hanyou looked down at her, and the tiniest of smiles appeared on his face, if only she knew how she made him feel. Reaching his hand forward and brushing her bangs off of her angelic face, his eyes shone with what couldn't be mistaken for anything else, but love. If only Kagome could see him at that instant, so full of concern, worry, and love, she would never doubt the chance that he cared for her again. 'You will survive this Kagome, I'll never forgive myself, or you if you don't. You have to live through this for me... my Kagome.'

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Kagome knew what was happening was a dream, but she couldn't stop the flow of tears or the rush of emotions as she watched what happened before her very eyes. Unable to speak her chocolate gaze followed Inuyasha's fall to the ground, as Naraku finally declared his victory. An evil chuckle was released by the sinister hanyou, "Goodbye Inuyasha, our little game was fun while it lasted... Now you girl!" Kagome shook her head and took a step back, finally ungluing her feet from the ground and regaining her voice. "No," it came out as a quiet whimper. "INUYASHA!!!"

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Inuyasha jumped slightly at the sound of Kagome's voice. Looking down, he saw her shaking her head back and forth, a cold sweat soaking her pillow. "Inuyasha... no!" Her voice was quiet, and hard to decipher, but Inuyasha was able to make out the words. 'Kagome... What's going on? I don't know how to help you... DAMMIT, SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!'

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Once again, I'm sorry this took so long to come out, but I'd really appreciate it if you reviewed. I know I don't deserve it, but please, review! Until next time... which should come soon!

-Mari