Gomen! Gomen, I'm finally back!! Thank you, loyal readers, for keeping up with this fanfic! Here's your prize!

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"I'm sorry Inuyasha; your Tetsusaiga alone won't free her. And yet, although your Windscar and Backlash Wave would do the trick, I'm afraid while slicing her bonds, they would slice her too." Kikyo said calmly.

Meanwhile, Sango, Shippo, and Miroku had been following the conversation carefully.

"Oh no... He's not going to pick Kagome, is he, Miroku?" Whimpered the little fox demon, starting to cry.

"It look's like it's all over for Inuyasha or Kagome, one may get dragged into hell and the other may die... and there's nothing we can do..." Voiced Sango, her words laced with sorrow and regret.

"Maybe not... isn't Kikyo a lot stronger in her clay body? She can't get killed by a wound to the neck or heart so easily... That means she's bluffing! If Inuyasha chooses Kagome, Kikyo can't kill herself with the dagger, and she has already declared she must get revenge on Naraku first! That's what she meant! If Kagome if chosen, nobody will die!" Miroku deduced, then shouted to Inuyasha, "INUYASHA!!! Choose Kagome! Kikyo is jus- " The tail of the soul catcher binding him went around his mouth, keeping him from speaking further. The mouths of Sango and Shippo were also covered, to prevent them from finishing Miroku's sentence.

The dog ears upon Inuyasha's head twitched, having heard the conversation of his companions. He dropped his face towards the ground, using his bangs to cover his eyes, making a dark shadow loom over his facial features.

'A bluff is it?' He thought as a small smirk came to his lips. He looked up, hearing Miroku shout his name. Turning his head to the direction of his friends, he saw Kikyo's soul catchers silencing them. Even though Miroku didn't finish his sentence, Inuyasha already knew what he would have said.
He shifted his gaze back to Kikyo, giving her a glare. He glanced towards Kagome, taking a moment to note the glassy look of her eyes, which worried him. He knew who he was going to choose. It wasn't because of Miroku telling him to choose Kagome because he had figured out Kikyo's bluff. It was his heart who decided on the choice.
Inuyasha took a deep breath, before stating his answer. "I choose..." He took another breath, seeming as if he struggled to get the words out of his mouth. "I choose Kagome." He said finally without taking his eyes off her.

Kikyo smirked. "Well done Inuyasha, you figured out the trick, you should have known that I cannot be killed so easily anymore. Still, you had your friends to help you, and I wonder if you would have figured it out on your own. I think your human form would have been quicker with his wits. I think I definitely prefer you in your human form, Inuyasha." She waved a hand in the air and Kagome's bonds disappeared, allowing her to fall on her front on the hard ground.

Kagome groaned slightly, her eyes shut, one hand curling weakly around a handful of grass, trying to grab onto something solid. She felt so... cold... like she'd never be warm again. She didn't want to move; her limbs felt like lead.

"I will take you to hell with me, Inuyasha, if not today. I must rid this world of the Shikon no Tama and Naraku first." She held up Kagome's bottle of Jewel Shards in her hand for all to see, the light of the moon causing the shards to glitter. "I promise you that. And promises are not to be taken lightly." Kikyo called her soul catchers to her, setting Shippo, Kirara, Miroku and Sango on the ground, if a bit roughly. She disappeared in the night sky, leaving the small company on the ground.

Inuyasha narrowed his amber eyes at Kikyo, giving her a short glare before he shifted his gaze over to Kagome. He hurriedly rushed to her side, kneeling right next to her.
"Kagome? Are you ok?" He said in a rather soft and quiet voice as he gently put one of his hands on her shoulder. He looked her up and down from head to toe, searching to see if she had any injuries. Seeing that she didn't have any wounds, he exhaled a deep breath of relief.
"How about you guys? Are you all right?" He asked the others without taking his eyes off Kagome. Slowly, he brushed Kagome's hair out of her face with his fingers.

Kagome shifted her head slightly, opening her eyes slowly and looking at Inuyasha, a serene smile overtaking her lips, bringing grace to her features. "... Inuyasha... thank you for... choosing... me..." Her eyes lingered on his face a little longer then a small breath escaped her and her eyes closed, body going limp, her head shifting back to its original position.

The others ran over, Sango restraining Shippo from jumping all over Kagome by holding him tightly in her arms, both of their faces shrouded with worry. Miroku knelt by Kagome too, holding her wrist in one hand, taking her pulse in the other, finding it, although it was faint and weak. Kirara was back in her small form and had leapt onto Inuyasha's shoulder, a question like sound issuing from her throat.

"We'll be fine, but what about Kagome?" Asked Sango.

A worried look appeared upon Inuyasha's face. "Kagome?" He said softly, brushing her hair out of her face once more. He glanced to Kirara, giving her a small pat on her head before he gazed over his shoulder to Sango and Shippo. "I don't know... I hope she's alright..." He replied, returning his gaze to Kagome.
"Will she be ok Miroku?" Inuyasha questioned with a hint of worry in his voice. He put his hand on Kagome's forehead to check for a fever but she was the opposite of warm, feeling cold.
He gave a soft growl to himself, blaming this situation on himself. If he had hurried on choosing Kagome, she wouldn't have to suffer like this.

"I don't know; Kikyo's bonds must have taken a lot out of her. Did you see how strong and healthy she appeared tonight? It might have been because she was draining Kagome of her health and strength. She's so cold." Miroku pressed Kagome's fingertips to Inuyasha's hand, letting him feel the iciness of her hands. "She's too cold... she'll die like this if we don't get her out of here and get her warmer." Miroku started to pick her up, but hurriedly set her down again, his left arm unable to bear the weight.

Inuyasha's ears twitched, listening to Miroku's words. He gave a short growl at the mention of Kikyo's actions. He grasped Kagome's hand tightly, feeling how cold her fingers felt against his hand.
"Don't hurt yourself Miroku. You're already hurt as it is." He said glancing over to him. "I'll carry her." He added as he took off his red hoari. He wrapped the garment around Kagome before he picked her in his arms. "This should keep her warm until we get back." He said softly, bringing Kagome's head close to his chest for more warmth.

Kagome's face was no longer ashen, though it was stark white, a slightly more crème version of the moon's color, her raven black hair contrasting sharply with her skin tone. She remained oblivious to what was happening in the real world, mind lost in a dream where destiny was playing its part, and she watched Inuyasha disappear with Kikyo. She ran after them, only to switch to another time and place, where the same thing happened, again and again.

"Inuyasha, can you balance with Kagome on Kirara? She's slightly faster than your travel, though it would be more dangerous if either of you lost your balance..." Remarked Sango quietly.

Shippo had finally struggled from Sango's grip and leapt onto Inuyasha's other shoulder, placing a hand against Kagome's cheek. "Kagome! Kagome!!!! Please wake up... don't die!!!"

Inuyasha's ears twitched in annoyance with Shippo's whining voice. He would have pounded the little fox demon on the head, but he had both of his arms around Kagome, and he was too busy mulling over whether there was any truth in his words.
"Would you shut up? She's not going to die." He replied to Shippo in a bitter tone. 'At least... I hope she won't. I... Haven't told her that I-' His thought was interrupted when he heard Sango's question.
"Uh... Yeah. I'll be able to handle it." He replied, holding Kagome tighter and closer to him. "I won't loose my balance, Sango." He added in, giving her a small smile.

Kirara leapt down to the ground, transforming again, the flames at her feet hot and fierce in her worry over Kagome.

Shippo leapt down too. "I-I'll go back with Sango and Miroku, I-I can't let myself slow Kirara down. H-hurry Inuyasha!!" He said tearfully.

Miroku picked him up, patting his head gently. "He's right Inuyasha, you must hurry; we'll follow you. You must go, NOW!"

Inuyasha climbed on Kirara's back, adjusting himself into a more comfortable position. He held Kagome tightly with one arm, while holding onto Kirara's fur with his other.
He nodded to his friends, before also nodding to Kirara, who was looking back at him. "Right, I'll meet you there." He replied, taking one last look at his companions. "Let's go Kirara!" He told her, holding Kagome even tighter. Kirara leapt forward, a streaking white blur soaring over the forest as she flew towards Lady Kaede's, landing lightly on the ground in front of the hut, allowing Inuyasha to dismount.

Miroku held Sango back as she tried to run after Kirara, and kept Shippo firmly on his shoulder. "Making your injuries worse isn't going to help Kagome, Sango. We'll hurry, but we don't need to hurt ourselves in the process. Lady Kaede will know what to do, and we know of little that can save Kagome. She's in good hands right now."

Sango relaxed, shoulder relaxing slightly, though her face spoke of defeat. "Yes... We must hurry Miroku, even if we can do little to help; Kagome needs us to be there. Come on." She led the way through the forest, sticking to the faint dirt path that would lead them back to the village.

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Well, how do you like that? Reviews please! New chapter will come soon!