"Good morning Kagome,"

"Morning Sango, how are you feeling?"

"Ahhh fine I suppose. You?" Sango walked beside Kagome

"Tired, I didn't sleep well last night," Kagome admitted

"Well I'm not surprised, the rain and wind were awful," Sango looked at Kagome smiled

"No that's not why I couldn't sleep," Kagome felt the tears come, but she managed to hold them off.

"Oh, I see. Inuyasha keeping you awake?" Sango said

"Ya...I just cant shake the feeling that he might die, and I wont be there, I wont be able to help him...at all. That's the thought that scares me the most." Kagome couldn't believe she was telling Sango this.

"Kagome, how could you think like that? Everyone, especially Inuyasha, knows that you have helped him in every way possible. You were there to heal him, to comfort him, to listen to him, to protect him on the moonless nights, to promise to remain by his side and to give him the strength to put his past behind him and start anew. You are his friend Kagome; never think that Inuyasha has forgotten that. He thinks of you as his lover. He demon side wants to have you because it loves you," Sango stood and put an arm around Kagome shoulders. Both girls remained quiet. Soon they saw Kaede walked up the path, her old body bent forward. Kagome and Sango looked at each other. The priestess wanted to them something. Kagome could feel it.

"There ye are..." Kaede huffed

"What is it Kaede?"

"Well I heard a rumour that Naraku was seen by different villagers in the next town, two miles to the North. I thought that that might interest ye,"

"Thanks Kaede, any word on what he was up to?"

"Nay, but the woman I was talking to said that she saw a man dressed in a strange garment that resembled a baboon," Kaede explained

"Thanks Kaede, we'll head out as soon as everyone is awake," Kagome said "Sango maybe it be best if you stayed here."

"No, I'd feel lonely and useless," Sango, replied

"Well maybe you should talk to Miroku then Sango," Kagome saw Sango frown.

Inuyasha opened his eyes again. Still grey. He jumped down from the shady Oak and stretched his stiff muscles. He walked slowly to the base of a stream and cupped his hands. He began to drink the cool water. After the fifth dunk he got up and yawned. What was he supposed to do now? And why could he smell Kagome? Was she near? Was she looking for him? He began to tree hop as he sniffed out her scent. Shortly after he heard voices.

Quiet at first, but they grew louder. He spotted her, right behind the monk. Bow and arrow slung over her back, the small kitsune kit on her shoulder. The cat demon walked on steadily behind Kagome carrying the monk's bitch. She looked angry. Where were they going? Inuyasha jumped to another tree branch and edged closer.

"Miroku how much further?"

"I'm not sure, maybe we should ask someone the next time we see them,"

"But what if the rumour of Naraku turns out to be false?" he heard Kagome's voice. So were they going to hunt Naraku? Not without him they weren't. Besides the monk couldn't even lead the small group by himself. He restrained the urge to jump out of the forest and lead them. But with Kagome there, he wasn't sure if he could keep control. He would follow them

"Then it will have been in vain, come on guys lets get out of this forest,"

Inuyasha followed them for the entire day, still they had not seen anyone nor and hint of a village. Inuyasha could see that Kagome was getting tired. Usually he would carry her and they would talk, but he couldn't trust himself with her alone and she didn't know he was following them...her. After a while the stone grey of the sky began to grow darker telling Miroku that it was time to stop and rest. As the group unburdened themselves Kagome got a fire started. I really hope it doesn't rain. Kirara was fast asleep and would soon be joined by Shippo, who was trying to fight the one-sided battle of sleep. He was going to lose to it. Sango sat on the ground and sighed. She felt so useless.

Kagome unrolled her sleeping bag and laid down in it. After awhile everyone began to grow sleepy. Miroku had wandered over to Sango and allowed her to rest against his shoulder. Her eyes were closed and her breathing even. Miroku watched the fire for a bit then closed his eyes. His head rested on Sango's.

As Kagome brushed her hair and laid down onto her sleeping bag she felt something poke itself into her neck. Thinking it to be a mosquito she smacked her neck absently. It wasn't until she heard the small squeak that she looked down. There breathing heavily was Myoga the flea.

"Ahhh Kagome I'm glad I found you,"

"Myoga? What are you doing here?" Kagome whispered

"I need to talk to you away from their ears," Myoga motioned the rest of the group. Kagome got up and walked a bit away from the group and sat down.

"Okay Myoga what's up?"

"I have smelled that Lord Inuyasha's blood has changed,"

"Its true, he became full demon," Kagome whispered

"Why? Whatever for?"

"It was a mistake. The jewel granted a thought that wasn't meant to be a wish," Kagome told him. "I'm trying to think of a way to save him, to banish the demon blood in him."

"Hummm I may have a way that would be of use to you," Myoga rubbed his chin. "What I would have to do is wait-..."

Myoga never finished his sentence because Inuyasha jumped out of the forest and grabbed Kagome in his arms. Kagome was surprised to see him in front of her.

"Inuyasha what are you doing? What's going on?"

"Be quiet! Wolves," Inuyasha hugged Kagome closer to him and studied the forest carefully. Then without warning a pack of wolves emerged from the forest, all baring their fangs and growling loudly. It was clear that they didn't want Kagome and Inuyasha on their land.

"Well, well, well if this isn't a surprise dog breath, seeing you hear, ha, what's the occasion?"

"I was about to say the same to you...so, what the hell are you doing here?" Inuyasha looked at Kagome and pressed her closer to him.

"This is part of my land," Koga also looked at Kagome and smiled. "Something is different though, you're blood is different."

"Keh, I was wondering how long it would take you to notice! I'm a pure demon now...you pathetic excuse for a demon." Inuyasha glared

"Pure demon huh? Like it will do you much good, you're probably still as careless as you always were! In fact you shouldn't even be holding Kagome, you'll probably kill her!"

"Leave her out of this!" Inuyasha spat

"Why? She's mine anyway, I claimed her as my mate long before you did!" Koga retorted

"You haven't marked her! So she can still be claimed!" Inuyasha shouted.

Kagome didn't understand what they were talking about. Marks? Being Claimed? Mates? It was all unfamiliar to her. Kagome looked up at Inuyasha to see that he was fighting with Koga. Inuyasha can't make the Tetsuisga transform! They both were evenly matched, though they both wouldn't admit it. Koga went to slice at Inuyasha's shoulder, but he flipped backwards so Koga's claws only caught his arm. Each was blocking the others moves. When Inuyasha went for Koga's stomach, he would twist so Inuyasha couldn't reach him. All the hits they seemed to land were either to the face or the arms. They were too evenly matched, there was no point it was a stalemate.

Kagome watch horrified as Inuyasha received another slice his cheek. Inuyasha wiped the blood from his eyes and cheek and looked. This stupid, there's no way I can land a single good hit, wait, why is he going after Kagome...no! He wouldn't kill her! But-but I cant that chance! Inuyasha ran after to where Kagome was standing frightened. She wasn't sure if she should run or do something else. She watched as Koga come closer and closer, and she watched and Inuyasha appeared behind him trying to throw him off. Then without warning, Koga turned and Inuyasha tried to skid to a stop, however Koga kept running and turned slightly so that he was facing Inuyasha on an angle. Inuyasha wasn't sure what he was doing, but it became clear when Koga threw the first good punch, right on Inuyasha's temple. Blood poured onto Koga tight fist as Inuyasha flew backwards and then stopped, he was motionless.

The dark soil grew even darker as the blood was absorbed and the puddle was formed around Inuyasha. His silver mane coloured crimson and his eyes closed. The purple streaks seemed to be a bit light to the one who cared to pay attention.

Koga unclenched his fist and walked towards Kagome who was on her knees with tears streaming down her face. She was trying to hold back the urge to cry out and scream. Koga bent down to her level and Kagome turned away. He turned her chin to face him and went to kiss her. Kagome felt disgusted and turned her head. Koga kissed her cheek and scowled afterwards.

"Kagome what's wrong?" Koga asked. Kagome couldn't believe he had said those words. What's wrong? It was like those simple words echoed through her entire mind and she whispered:

"How dare you have the nerve to ask me a thing like that? You-you killed him!"

"It was a battle for supremacy Kagome, a battle to see who would claim you, he lost and I won, it's what we do Kagome, your mine now," Koga got up.

Kagome stared ahead at Inuyasha's lifeless body. She still couldn't believe he was gone. She thought he could withstand everything! I mean he survived a blast from Tetsuisga! But she knew in her heart that even a demon couldn't recover from a direct hit to the temple and still live to tell about it. Koga pulled Kagome up and began to drag her away. Still she stared at Inuyasha hoping that he would get up and be fine. She didn't want to go with Koga. She wanted to be with Inuyasha, just to curl up beside and maybe get a taste of what death was like. Still he didn't move and Kagome began to be pulled further away. She didn't have the strength to pull away from Koga, all she wanted was for Inuyasha to wake up and live.

"Kagome!" Kagome looked around the forest to see Miroku and Sango come running.

"Let her go Koga," Miroku warned.

"Or what? Stupid human, if I can beat Inuyasha then I can surely beat you weak humans!" Koga saw the brown haired girl look to where his formal rival lay dead. He heard her gasp.

"I am not joking around Koga, let her go!" Miroku warned again

"Or what?" Koga mocked

"This," Miroku unwrapped the prayer beads the closed the deadly wind tunnel off from the world. Immediately the wind began to suck Koga and Kagome both. Koga pushed Kagome forward and he jumped.

Kagome feared she would be sucked up but Miroku quickly put on the prayer beads and that sealed off the wind. Koga landed on the ground and stared at Miroku. Then he ran for Miroku and grabbed him by the throat. Sango screamed and Kagome beat on Koga's arms.

"Fox Fire!" a new voice called. Koga felt the fire ignite and he struggled to put it out. Once he did he stared at all of them and growled.

"This is pointless, I'll kill you all later, but I'll come back for you, Kagome," and he ran, his loyal pack not far behind. Kagome raced to Inuyasha and broke down crying on his chest.

"Why? Why? Why?!" Kagome whispered furiously and clutched Inuyasha's haori. She looked and his face.

His eyes closed, more tears fell. Blood was splattered everywhere. Slowly she raised her hand and placed it on his cheek. She gasped at how cold his cheek was, not to mention so was the blood that met her hand. Kagome looked around on her shoulder to see if she could find Myoga. She then laughed. He had probably long left.

"Kagome is he really...is Inuyasha really dead?" Shippo choked out. Kagome nodded deeply. Kagome once again looked at his face. The purple stripes seemed to be a faint purple now.

Was that a good sign? Not that it mattered. He had left her again. She had nobody now. At that though Kagome began to cry all over again.

"Sango maybe you should take Kagome away while I say a final prayer," Miroku said and Sango merely nodded. She walked over to Kagome and slowly pulled her up. Kagome looked back behind her and choked back another cry. She saw Miroku walk forward and bend down before Kagome's view was nothing but trees.

Miroku looked at Inuyasha with Shippo standing beside him. Oh Inuyasha what have you gotten yourself into now...? Still the fact that Inuyasha had really died hadn't sunk into his mind. Kagome was devastated, all of this felt like a dream. Yes he may be a full demon, but he was still their friend. Kagome would feel so lost without him. Shippo sniffled which caused Miroku to end his thoughts. Miroku folded his hands in prayer and Shippo began to cry.

He would have to come back later to bury the body. Opening his eyes slowly, tears threatened to fall. He moved his gaze to Inuyasha's chest and blinked several times to make sure he wasn't seeing things. He smiled. He couldn't believe this! Inuyasha had to be the luckiest half demon in the world! Full. His mind told him. Full. Miroku stood up and took a few steps back. Yes it was really true. He couldn't believe it. Shippo followed Miroku but he didn't understand.

"Sango, Kagome! You need to come fast! Hurry! It's Inuyasha! He's alive!"

Still going...Enjoy!