Disclaimer: I don't own Inu-Yasha. My wish goddess doesn't like me. She never grants me any wishes.

Flashback: Sango sighed. "You'll have to find a way, Inu-Yasha. You know the consequences if you don't."

"Feh."

Tainted

Chapter 8

I know the consequences. I know them too well. It has been two days since Kagome had her outburst. We ignore each other these days, and I am running out of time as well. Well, she ignores me, even though I try to talk to her. I can't forget the fact that she doesn't believe me, nor can I ignore it. I don't know what to think, with only three days till my deadline. What would happen then? I would be called back to Sengoku Jidai and will remain there until Kagome comes. Chances are unlikely, though, since her memory would be sealed away again, her choice or not, along with the Shikon. Basically, I am her last hope.

I sigh and lean back against the coolness of the tree trunk. I groan and close my eyes. I could not think anymore. Jumping down my favorite oak tree, I run back to the house, determined to try one last time.

Upon reaching the house, I slam the front door open and run past Kagome's startled mother, hopping up the stairs with an air or urgency. I knew where she was. Without knocking, I open the door to her room, somewhat preparing for her "Knock before you enter" speech. There was none. She did not look at me at all. I dangerously take in a breath of air and tries to contain the anger that has built up within me. There was still no response. I huff loudly and stomp over to Kagome, spinning her chair around so she could face me. She looks away. That was it. That was the last straw. I explode.

"Damn it! Will you just look at me?!" I yell, frustration churning within me. I swear, Kagome will always be this stubborn no matter how much she changes. I realize I am desperate for her to believe me, as well as how hard it is for her. I twitch my ears, a movement of familiarity to Kagome. She glances towards me and catches my eyes. I cackle inwardly. She has never been able to pull away once we make eye contact. As of my expectations, she stars frozen to the spot, helplessness engulfing her eyes.

"I know this is hard for you, but everything I've said is true." I probe her gently.

"How…?" The words are soft, but I caught them.

My ears give a twitch. "I have one change left…I want to see you again, so please comeback with me." I pause, carefully choosing my next words. "Sango and Miroku are waiting, Shippou is there as well, and Kaede… we can help you remember…" I trail off, mind blank as for what to say next.

"Why didn't you tell me you could talk?" She ignored my speech. My ears twitch annoyingly.

"I didn't know, you idiot!"

"If you are Inu-Yasha, prove it."

I stare at her. Prove it? That was the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. "Fine."

"Fine. Tell me why you're here."

I oggled. Swallowing, I licked my lips and proceeded with my upcoming speech. "When I… when you thought I had died, you kept shaking me. I don't remember much, just waking up at Kaede's. When I awoke, I was told you left in a daze. I wanted to go after you, but I couldn't move much."

"Too weak huh?"

I glare at her. "I don't remember much after that, just waking up and falling back asleep. When I regained most of my powers, I asked to go to your world. They told me I couldn't, because it had been five years and you had forced yourself to forget, sealing the Shikon with you. I told them I would force you to remember again, and they finally let me go. They put me in this form, allowing me to sneak through the portal without being detected and accomplish my task. Sango was put in charge of checking up on things. I was prevented from talking, because there wasn't enough power to enable me to do so. The only reason I can talk now is probably because I have barely three days left to bring you back, and that eases the power used a little. Damn it Kagome, come back with me." I squeeze my eyes shut before blinking them open again.

"What the hell are you talking about? I don't get it! Go with you to where? Why can't you just leave me alone?" My confidence collapses at those words. Everything I said had no effect on her. She gives a slight jolt and her eyes dim. From past experience, I realize she is having another spasm of memories. I ignore it and follow my instincts.

"Because I love you!"

Her eyes widen along with mine. I want to slap myself for saying it. Out of the corner of my eyes, I notice another jolt.

"That's not true!" She screams.

I look up at her and wince. She put a hole in my heart when I notice the tears flowing down her face. I open my mouth to speak, but she beat me to it. "You loved Kikyou, and you still do!"

My jaw drop as her thudding footsteps disappears from my hearing range, but the desperate look she had was forever etched in my brain. I groan and fall back on her bed. Since when did I love Kikyou? I think she much have not finished remembering. I clutch my head and stare up at the ceiling. I had screwed up my last change, and the hole in my heart is not helping.

Kagome sat at her desk and thought about what Inu-Yasha had said to her. Outside the rain poured as lightning flashed repeatedly, echoing her depressing thoughts. None of it is true. It's just a crappy coincidence that the hanyou she loved five years ago is visiting her now as a chibi and telling her that he had not died. It was just all a bad, bad dream. Right?

Part of her kept telling her it was true. Could it be true? She didn't think so. Her hand reached for the left drawer of her desk. She couldn't pull back her hand. If it were true, then the Shikon no Tama would be in there. Had she really sealed it away? Why couldn't she remember anything? Kagome bit her lip. She wanted to remember like Inu-Yasha tells her to, she really did. But she couldn't. There was a big hole in her memory that she couldn't fill back in. She pulled the drawer open, hoping for the answer to her lost memories. The jewel gleamed back at her as Kagome's mind blanked. Gaping, she cautiously tapped the jewel and felt the warmth of its dormant power spreading throughout her body. Visions made full impact on her mind as she shot up, taking in big gulps of air. It had been three days since she ran from Inu-Yasha's explanation. He had said he only had three days left. She hadn't seen the child all day. She groaned and bit her lip, drawing blood. Knocking over her chair, she ran out of the room and grabbed an umbrella, then rushing out into the pouring rain. Perfect weather for her mood. Just perfect.

She had to get Inu-Yasha back. She understood why Inu-Yasha could access her world now. Kaede had borrowed a fraction of the Shikon's jewel by taking advantage of the powerful bond between Kagome and Inu-Yasha. Woot, the power of love. She found herself laughing bitterly at the corny phrase. Tears flowed down her cheeks. Slipping and sliding in the muddy mulch, she screamed his name.

"Inu-Yasha!"

"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome screamed and ran blindly through the rain. "Wait!" She saw a shimmer of silver to her right and turned wildly, catching but a glimpse of a small form. It was heading towards the well. "Wait, no wait!" The rain blinded her vision and her heart was pounding in her ears. Pure adrenaline washed her over and she gasped, swallowing the unwanted rainwater that quickly flooded her mouth.

"Inu-Yasha!" She called again, squinting her eyes to keep her sight on the small, blurry figure. Blinking rapidly to keep water out of her eyes, she shook her head and took another step. She had to get to the well because Inu-Yasha does… before it sealed shut forever.

She could see the well now, and increased her steps, pulling her feet from the mulch that continued to pull her down. "Inu-Yasha!" Again and again, Kagome called, but there was no response from the child who was now lowering himself into the well. Finally, she reached the old wooden hole, and she leapt towards it, grabbing onto a disappearing hand.

"I love you!" Golden orbs widened and a light shined from the well. Kagome felt herself being pulled down. She couldn't help but smile. She was finally going home.

But as the rain continued to soak her, she realized she was losing her grip. Both hands were slick with rain, and both hands tried desperately to hold on to each other, but it was too late. Kagome cried out as the bright, devastated eyes shot her a look before disappearing among the darkness.

No… Her mind screamed. No… she was going home! What had happened? NO! Kagome's eyes filled with tears as she slid down the well and clawed at the muddy earth, desperate hopes now in vain. Sobbing, she leaned against the side of the well and buried her face in her hands.

She had lost him once again.

Yersh! I'm done! XD There might be an epilogue if you guys want one. Because if most people want it to end here, then I don't think there's a need to give it a happy ending... :) It's your decision, I'll be tallying. ;) Oh... and there will most likely be a PREquel. No sequels... nope.