I am the one star that keeps burning,
So brightly,
It is the last light,
To fade into the rising sun
I'm with you
Whenever you tell,
My story
--Josh Groban

He inspected her neck, searching for blood from any wounds there. After insuring she was okay on her neck, he lifted her shirt and checked her stomach and back. She would be incredibly bruised, but there was no blood. Her legs were covered in blood and dirt. Some bruises were on her legs, but it was hard to tell what was dirt and what was blood and bruises. There was blood seeping through her once snow white socks.

Quickly, Inuyasha pulled her shoe and sock off. Blood trickled from a cut on her ankle. Gently, he wrapped his large hand around her delicate ankle, intent on checking it for any muscles or bones that slid around that shouldn't have been. None did, and he breathed a sigh. Her ankle was only bruised or sprained.

Sighing, Inuyasha removed his bloody haori and laid it to the side. He'd have to wrap her in it when he was done washing her. He had to cleanse her wounds. He had to find out how much of the dark spots were truly bruises and what was dirt.

He leaped towards the river, holding her close and the collar of his haori in the other hand. He would protect her, no matter the cost. He'd come close to losing her this time and he wouldn't risk it again.

He reached the shore of a fast flowing river and stripped her bloody clothing off and laid her in his haori. Slowly, he removed his creamy yukata and hung it from the closest tree.

Carefully, he lifted her and walked slowly into the river. He kneeled when he was knee-deep, allowing the water to run around her and cleanse her body. Cradling her with one arm, he gently rubbed her body clean, wishing he had some of her scented cleansing herbs to wash her with. He sighed, cursing himself for his incompetence and ignorance.

When he was satisfied all the dirt was off of her body, he quickly left the river and pushed the water off of her body with the haori. When he was satisfied with his work, he wrapped the short, creamy yukata around her and leapt into the trees.

He settled on a branch and cradled her limp form. He would not move until she woke up again. He would not let her get hurt; he would not let her suffer. He would not hurt her anymore.

As he watched her sleep, he couldn't help the thoughts of desire that swam through his head. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was, even if her face was marred with a swollen, discolored cheek. And he found that she fit almost perfectly in his arms.

'By the kami, I love her. I really, truly love her. But how could she ever love me? Especially since I'm the one that let this happen to her?' he thought despairingly.

As he lost himself in his thoughts, Kagome awoke. Her movement and sudden pained gasp brought him back to reality and he studied her face. For having been unconsciousness, her chocolate eyes were remarkably clear. She smiled a small smile at her hanyou protector and curled up against him.

That had been two days ago. Now, with Kagome's constant assurance that she was fine, they would set off for the castle in the morning.

"Inuyasha?" she whispered.

"Nani?"

"I'm afraid," she confessed softly. As she admitted her fear, she tightened her arms around his waist.

"Of what? I'll keep you safe."

"Hai, I know you will. But I'm afraid that once this is all over, we'll… we'll be alone again."

"You were never alone, Kagome. You have your friends and family. You're anything but alone," he murmured sadly. 'Unlike me who has never had any of those things until I met you.'

"You really don't understand, do you Inuyasha. I may have all those things, but I'm still alone. I'm so different from anyone else. Nobody else in my time is a true miko. Nobody else is similar to me. My friends and family may be nice, but they will never know the real me. You are the only person who knows the real me. Nobody else would ever be able to understand, to accept me as a miko. Do you realize I'm a freak in my own times? Nobody with true power ever comes out and tells everybody. Anybody! I don't fit in there. I'm not needed. I could never stay there and be happy," she finished slowly. She shifted so her forehead rested in the crook of his neck. "I'm only happy with you, Inuyasha."

"Ka-Kagome?" he stuttered. He didn't know the words to say to that. Without thinking, he tightened his grip on her and whispered softly, "I'm only happy with you, Kagome."

"Let's stop all of this. I want to spend tonight remembering you. Remembering everything. Can't we just do that?" Kagome asked softly.

"Kagome," Inuyasha said.

When she raised her head to look at him, he placed a quick, chaste kiss on her lips. A kiss so soft and loving that she would remember it, always. "Remember me. I'll always fight my way back to you. I'll fight against all the youkai from the hells to get back to you. And with this, I seal my promise," he whispered. Closing his amber eyes, he placed his lips in a more mature kiss, allowing everything he could to flow from his lips into her through her lips.

emerald ash and xox.:Mandie:.xox: thank you for the reviews!i hope you enjoy this chapter as much! arigato!