A/N: Gomen nasai minna-san! Writer's block was being a bitch. –sigh- I just don't know how to start it!!! I'm sooo sorry!! Gomen!!!! Life has been kinda hectic. With hospital bills and shit. School just started too...grrr....evil school....And my cousin cleared everything off my computer!!!But I have not forgotten about this story!! And for some peoples...I'M NOT DEAD YET!!! Anywho, on with the story.

Tears of Blood

By Darkness Flames

The pounding rays of the sun beat down on the villagers as they tirelessly worked the fields. Kagome along with other women from the village were down at the wide, graceful river carrying straw baskets filled with soiled clothing. Shouts and laughter of small children were heard in the background as they quickly sprinted around the hills and playing with small toys.

Kagome sat at the bank of the river slowly submerging the miko clothes that Kaede had graciously let her borrow. Her hands seemed to move with its own rhythmic pattern as her eyes were covered in a far away daze. 'It has been two days already since the incident.' Kagome unconsciously cringed at the thought. ' I just don't know what do anymore!'

A sudden, small gasp escaped her when she felt a warm weight fell upon her shoulder. Her head turned only to see burnt golden eyes staring intently at her. They stayed like that for a while, only staring at each other neither knowing what to do. Finally words floated out of the lips of Inuyasha.

"Kagome, we need to talk." He simultaneously pulled at her arm, dragging her onto her feet. His eyes widened in surprise as he felt her arm being rapidly jerked away from his grasp.

"Inuyasha! Can't you see I'm busy!?" Kagome glared at him. It seems her comment had spiked his anger as a discontented growl left his mouth.

"That's the same thing you said last time I tried to talk to you, dammit!" He growled once again took her arm into his grasp. For the past two days it seemed she was avoiding him at any means possible, busying herself with any task she can find. Kagome tried once again to free herself but to no avail. The two stood rooted to earth each glaring daggers at each other.

"I have to finish washing these clothes!"

"You can do them later!" The pair never budged from their position as they relentlessly stared down the other. Neither of them was aware of the numerous pairs of eyes that belonged to village women at the riverbank watching them as if watching a kabuki.

Kagome felt sudden tapping on her shoulder as she quickly spun around, getting out of Inuyasha's grip to see one of the village women standing behind her. She stared at her shyly as she said in a quiet voice, "Kagome-sama, I would gladly wash the garments for you if you have not the time to do them yourself."

Kagome stared at her stunned for a while until she finally spoke with a smile, "Oh no! That's alright I'll do it myself-"

"Grrr! She said she'll wash the damn clothes so come with me!" Inuyasha growled in deep frustration. His hand once again grasped her arm and pulled her towards the forest that belonged to him. Kagome tried to break free but the strong hold on her arm just tightened all the more. With sudden defeat she tried to match the speed of the hanyou and his demonic powers as she yelled back to the villager, "Thank you! I promise I'll do something to repay you!!"

After what seems like an eternity of Kagome's dark glares slowly burning holes into Inuyasha's back, they had finally reached his destination, the Goshinboku. Inuyasha's grasp finally loosened as Kagome quickly pulled her hand away. A draft of wind blew in bringing silence with it as well. Neither knew what to say or how to start. They knew the time would come when they would finally face this dilemma that forever haunted them, though they tried to avoid it as much as possible.

Inuyasha nervously cleared his throat a looked towards Kagome. Her gaze was directed towards the ground as she made small circular movements with her foot. With a sigh, Inuyasha said, "Kagome, look at me." Her head did not move as she still stared down at the forest floor. With annoyance at her lack to face the problem, he snapped at her, "Kagome, look at me now! Don't you give a damn that I'm gonna die!?! Don't you even care that I'm doing this for you!?"

Inuyasha's eyes widened as they were abruptly met with Kagome's. A slow stream of tears steadily marred her face. "Inuyasha you fool!!" ­­­­

"Wha?" His voice left his mouth as Inuyasha stared at her blankly, amazed at the sudden show of emotion. Silence once again burdened them as Kagome's head fell.

Long, dreadful moments passed by until she finally spoke, "Just forget it Inuyasha. Forget I ever said anything." Her feet started moving, gradually dragging her in the direction of the village. Kagome suddenly jerked to a stop when a clawed hand rested firmly on her shoulder but she made no attempt to pull away.

"Kagome..." Kagome's head stared at her feet with a sad blank stare. Her eyes slowly moved to stare at the hand placed on her shoulder.

"Inuyasha, are you truly happy with your decision?" Now Inuyasha's eyes too stared at the rough dirt earth. Kagome spoke, "Do you really want to die with Kikyou?"

His molten amber eyes caught Kagome's as they stared directly at each other. "As long as you're alive and happy Kagome, I'll be happy."

Kagome let out a soft pained laugh, "You really are a fool, aren't you Inuyasha?" Inuyasha said nothing to the statement as Kagome went on, "How do you truly expect me to be happy without you around?" When no answer was spoken, Kagome turned around and faced him. She gave him a sad smile and said, "Do you know why I killed myself that time? It was for you! I wanted you to be happy even if it means that I have to sacrifice myself."

"Kagome, now you're the one acting like a fool." Inuyasha tried to put on his signature arrogant smirk, but it had something that just didn't look right, maybe because of the way his eyes seemed like liquid and had no hints of joy. "You say you can't live without me, then how do you expect me to live without you? Didn't I say that I needed you?" How could she forget? That was one of the few times that she felt hope, that maybe a miracle will happen and somehow, they could actually live their lives together, but...she knew all too well now that the hope was fake. Maybe it would've been better to live in that false hope than face the pain of reality.

Kagome finally spoke, "Of course I remember Inuyasha." And with a sudden tint of blush on her face she spoke with eyes of happiness for once, "Those were the times that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but by your side. I " Sudden a wave of bitterness swept over her entire body and the center of her heart felt sore with a throbbing pain. The cheerfulness engraved in her eyes shattered into that of hidden anguish. She remembered how that one person, so easily took that happiness away. Only that one person was able to warps her dreams into nightmares. The reason why her pillow feels her tears splashing on its surface was because of that one person, Kikyou. Suddenly she just couldn't hold it in any longer. The hatred and envy she possessed against her incarnation that she tried so long to restrain flared. No matter how much she tried to convince herself that she did not feel any loathing against that particular miko she knew that it was slowly devouring her very soul.

"Why must you always go back to her!?!" Kagome screamed. Inuyasha took an unconscious step back at the sudden outburst. Tears once again stained her face. Her hands clenched into fists as she kept screaming, "Why is it that every time you catch her scent you run straight to her?! You forget everything! You forget your duties, you forget the Shikon no Tama, you forget me..." Kagome stopped as she hastily caught her breath. Anger still smoldered in her eyes. "How am I ever supposed to believe you when you say you need me?! You were never there when I needed you!! You just don't understand how much I hurts when I know you left to see her!? Do you know how my heart aches!?! Do you know how many time my soul wrenches knowing that you're with her!?! I hate her!! I hate her!!! I HATE KIKYOU!!!!" Her hands suddenly shot to her mouth as the realization of what she had just said dawned on her. Her eyes widened in surprise, in self-loathing, and possibly fear. Fear that her true emotions just came out. The emotion she tried to vanquish for so long. Her knees suddenly went weak as she slid to the ground, her hands still clasped over her mouth. Blood slowly traveled down her chin caused of how hard she bitten her lip.

All those things she stated were slowly incised into Inuyasha's soul. He cringed at the twisting of his heart. It felt like he himself would collapse to the ground knowing that it was he who caused her such pain.

Kagome's hands slowly left her lips and entangled themselves into the mass of raven dark hair. Her eyes stared towards the ground, still wide. The hands around her head tightened. Her whole body shook feverishly. As Kagome spoke her voice quivered tremendously. "I'm...I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean it! Oh Kami. I'm sorry!!"

"Kagome..." Inuyasha gently gripped her arm and pulled her up.

"Inuyasha I'm sorry!! Oh Kami, oh Kami!" Her tears dotted the dry earth as she screamed a mantra of apologies. Inuyasha hands clasped her shoulders trying to stop her violent shaking.

"Kagome, Kagome come on. It's okay." Inuyasha tried pitifully to console her but it was not able to break the bulwark of screams of regrets.

"No, it isn't!! I'm sorry Inuyasha!!! I'm so sorry!! I don't want to hate her, I don't!! Oh Kami-sama!!" Her knuckles slowly turned a pallor of white as she gripped her head harder. Her eyes were red from the tears that carved rivers into her face.

Her eyes suddenly widened more if it was possible. Her screams were diminished and no new tears were shed. He no longer shaking body stood still in shock at the embrace of Inuyasha. His arms tightened around her fragile form as he buried his nose in her hair taking in her fragrant scent. Kagome head hesitantly rested on his chest. Time stopped moving, just for them. Inuyasha reluctantly spoke.

"Kagome I should be the one that is sorry." Kagome mouth opened in protest but Inuyasha went on. "I was the one who hurt you. I was the one who fueled your hate for Kikyou. It's not your fault so please, don't blame yourself." Inuyasha grip tighten around her as he said, "You have to understand. Kagome, I owe my life to her. She... She was the first one who actually...Partly understood me. And after she sealed me to the Goshinboku, she herself died so she could follow me in death. I'm sorry, Kagome. I never meant to get you involved in this." Inuyasha's head lifted to stare into Kagome's eyes, which could only stared back at him. A genuine smile graced his face as Inuyasha said, "But I will never regret meeting you." His hand reached up to rest on her cheek.

Kagome's eyes widened as she saw Inuyasha's face coming closer until she could you his hot breath on her cheek. His lips slowly touched hers in a sweet gentle kiss. Kagome's eyes slowly closed as she kissed him back. Her arms slowly wrapped around his neck as she leaned in closer. Inuyasha's arms tightened around her body, never wanting to let go. And the two stayed like that for what seemed like forever under the Goshinboku. The same place where they first met.

One thought ran through Kagome's head, 'Inuyasha, I understand. But why does it have to end this way?'