Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Inuyasha.

Author's Note: This part should be a little bit more exciting. Please enjoy!

Kikyou's breath was harried as she made her way towards the sounds of a battle. Something is taking my energy, she thought wearily. The sounds of the cursed monk that traveled with Inuyasha met Kikyou as soon as she stepped into the dimly lit cavern, open to the stars.

A feeling entered her soul that felt as if every part of her was being sucked out. She tried to use her miko strength to keep the dead souls inside of her, but that only was draining her more. She surrendered to the swooshing feeling long enough to look down and see Inuyasha battling a giant youkai that looked as though it had sucked in other parts of demons. Suddenly she realized the reason why her souls were leaving her.

"Kodoku," she whispered, referring to the spell in which a demon would battle all other demons in the area until it was the last, and strongest. To this demon, her dead souls were something not of this world, so they were now involved in the fray.

Hearing a whisper, Miroku turned. "Kikyou-sama," he mumbled, knowing her immediately. The monk could see that a strong bluish aura was radiating around the priestess, looking as though it was trying to branch off towards the demon.

Below him, fighting the creature, Inuyasha suddenly looked up.

His heart lurched.

Kikyou… His eyes met hers.

His heart pounded. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Inuyasha," she said. Although barely more than a whisper, her voice reached his.

"Kikyou," he cried out softly, ignoring the dangerous beast. Kikyou looked as though her dead souls were trying to leave her. Damn it, he thought, his body tensed in terror. He didn't even stop to think, to question, why she was here. If this had something to do with Naraku, and Inuyasha himself was here, then why wouldn't Kikyou be here?

"Miroku!" He yelled. "Do something, help Kikyou!" Inuyasha wanted to help her, to stem the flow of souls leaving her. If they left her, then that would mean… He didn't even want to think about what that would mean.

Kikyou felt a soothing feeling as her souls flew into the demon. She felt like she was in a trance, and walked blindly towards Inuyasha. Inuyasha, she thought. I'm coming to you. Please wait, don't leave me. Her steps led her closer to him. Every step.

"Kikyou-sama!" Miroku called out finally. "Don't go any further!"

He was too late.

"This is…" the miko muttered, the majority of her souls gone from her body. She felt dusty, old and ancient. Only one thought entered her mind as she stepped from the cliff. "Inuyasha," she cried out.

"KIKYOU!" Inuyasha spun around to see her lifeless form falling to the ground.

Miroku reached out, only to run his fingers through a handful of silky hair that disappeared between his fingertips like sand as she fell.

Please come to me, Kikyou thought, feeling a thump in the darkness of the body as she hit the ground. She was too weak, she didn't care. Was this where it would end for her?

Sensing more dead souls, the enchanted demon yelled. He would go after that clay body full of souls. It was easy pickings. Then he would finish off that hanyou.

Inuyasha sensed what the creature was thinking, then ran over to where Kikyou lay, motionless. She had to be alive; she just had to, if the creature still thought she was a threat.

"Inuyasha, get away from there!" Miroku was yelling. "You'll be killed! This is Kodoku! You can't kill him anyway!"

"I HAVE TO PROTECT KIKYOU!" Inuyasha screamed. What was it that the idiot priest didn't understand? He had failed her before, he couldn't do it again. She was all-important to him. As the silver-haired half-demon looked up to berate the monk, a surprising sight met his eyes.

Kagome was peering down into the cave.

Inuyasha felt as though he had been caught. As he met eyes with the girl, something flashed between them. He felt as though she had just realized how important Kikyou was to him, and Inuyasha felt very guilty about that.

Somewhere, in a dream, Kikyou could feel cool, dim darkness all around her. Is this a dream?

Inuyasha was calling her. Kikyou felt like she was smiling. Then she saw him standing before her.

She hated him. He had abandoned her. She wanted to kill him. It wasn't fair, it wasn't fair that she was wandering the earth alone, while he was finding love with her reincarnation.

"Inu…Yasha," she cried out weakly in her mind. Somewhere deep down, she was trying to fight. Trying to stay alive.

What's the point? She asked herself. He will find love with that other girl. He used me, he only wanted to consummate his love for me, and then he moved on with her. It was a mistake, he didn't love me, and he didn't want me. To him, I am inside her, and by moving forward with her, he can still be with me.

Her heartbeat weakened.

If she makes him happy, then I should let him be happy. I already caused him his sadness and pain, for not believing him. Kikyou's throat burned. But Naraku.

I must kill Naraku, I must survive this.

She summoned all her strength.

"Kikyou…" A voice was calling her. It was pulling at her soul, pushing and prodding her. She opened her eyes. A scene of the flat, rocky ground turned sideways greeted her. Kikyou fluttered her eyes and felt gentle female hands around her.

"You fool," the miko muttered. "Don't you realize that by coming here, you risk him losing you?"

"Huh?" Kagome said. "You mean Inuyasha? I had to come help you. Otherwise, he wouldn't give up trying to save you."

Interfering girl.

Kikyou stood up, remembering her objective.

"Inuyasha's trying to kill that monster," Kagome continued, as if she was talking about the weather or deciding a shopping list.

"What? No, he can't." This new incentive propelled Kikyou to her feet. Horrified, she realized that the hanyou was about to deliver a fatal blow. Everything that Kikyou suspected, everything that she knew, rushed to her head and made her dizzy.

Kagome looked over at Inuyasha, not knowing whether or not he should kill the beast.

"Huh?" An arrow hit Tetsusaiga, reversing its transformation.

Everyone looked over to Kikyou, who was now standing strongly, her bow in her hand. The string still quivering. She looked on determinedly at Inuyasha, whose stomach gave a sudden lurch that didn't have anything to do with the miko's arrow.

He looked at his katana in amazement. One arrow by her, just one, reversed the transformation. Again, Kikyou's power had astounded him. But what did she do that for? He wondered. I was about to kill that monster!

Kikyou's purifying arrow had flown up to the top of the cave, where it shone down purple light on everyone.

I hope I did the right thing, Kikyou thought behind her cool façade. Come out, Naraku.

Author's Note: Don't worry, there's some R-rated stuff coming up soon. I was also actually thinking about possibly some ahem interaction between Kikyou and Naraku in the following chapter, but I won't do it unless I get some feedback. And please review as soon as possible because I'm itching to write the next chapter, lime or no lime! And thanks again for all your support!