There you were. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of you both…together. It was a beautifully clear mid-summer's night. I was … surprised to find you so far in the woods. You had taken up camp near a large lake overhung by the graceful green branches of the thick forest trees. I watched you…an odd assortment in truth, but the closest of friends. You all argued in playful ways…you readied a fire for nightfall but I could tell you wouldn't need it. But maybe I was wrong…it did not seem cold to me, but I probably had grown used to it by now. I was cold in more ways then one… Yet as night drew near and the clouds parted to reveal a ravishing moon…you pulled her aside. She was pretty, I will admit. She had that sparkle of life in her eyes that just made you stare… I think my eyes must have looked like that too, before… Her hair had a natural curve to it where as mine was straight and long. She seemed a few years younger then us…well then we used to be. And she was cheerful. She looked at you with an innocent glow of curiosity. You smiled shyly. I dragged my eyes down. You used to give me that smile… Now you led her away from the others…out to the beach. The moon shone protectively over the water, the breeze was cool and soft, and the fireflies hovered around in the darkness. I drew in a gasp. My, how the world was still so beautiful. I guess I had forgotten.

I hid in the trees, far out of sight. I had been following you with great distance…I know I shouldn't of. I should have gone far away. But I just couldn't! You were my everything then, and you're all I have now. It couldn't be changed; believe me I'd tried. Now you take her hand up in your own. I remember those hands. So menacing to the eyes, with their deadly claws, yet no matter how strong, they were gentle. I rubbed my own hand…I could sense how cold it must be…how dead. But I forced my eyes back on you. You were speaking to her. I moved slightly closer so I could catch your words. "Kagome, I just want you to know…that what happened last time won't happen again." I frowned. Last time? What was he talking about? I leaned in to make sure I heard correctly. "I should have been watching you better. That demon could have killed you! I was too worried over the dumb shards." He looked down with guilt. "No, Inu yasha! I'm ok, don't feel bad." She comforted him. He smiled slightly and brought her closer to him. "But I promise, from now on, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I'll protect you always…" If my heart had been beating in my chest it would have surely stopped now.

I closed my eyes and tried to block out the world. He had said those same words to me…. oh how long ago it had been. The tears began to slip slowly down my face. No, no, no…how can this be? How can you say that? How can you promise your protection to her after swearing it to me? How can you give your love to her so freely when I died for it! I wiped the tears away half-heartedly and drew my sad eyes back to the couple on the moonlit beach. "Oh, Inu yasha. Thank you." They held each other close. I remember when you held me like that. You had leaned in and whisperer to me, "I'll hold you until the day that I die". But here you were. You were still alive! And I was alone. But then…I was dead, wasn't I. And who would give their love to the dead. I turned from the scene that tore so fiercely at my soul and disappeared into the shadows.

On the outside I was a wreck. The tears just would not stop, no matter what I did. But inside a flame was igniting. Anger. Pure and justified rage. He promised me his love. He swore he would always be there. I pounded my fist on the tree and my sobs broke loose from inside. "Why, why Inu yasha?" I cried into my fists. Silently and stealthily the soul stealing demons drew near in the cooling night. They wound their way beside me and I sighed in small comfort. I let them lift me into the strong branches of a nearby willow. They gracefully swooped and swirled around me and I smiled shakily. I had to keep it together. I still had purpose in this cruel world. I struggled to find sleep, and even when I did, dog demons and jewels haunted it.