A/N: I still can't believe how long it's been... Oo Er, hope you people liked chapter four. It was drastically changed from the original draft, and it still surprises how short these chapters turn out after all the edits. But some stuff is just stupid, and shouldn't even be in the story, since it doesn't help move it along at all.

Heh, and I bet you were all waiting for this chapter, huh? Yes, now the frequent inquiry is finally being answered. "How did Kagome die?" Read on to find out...

Screw it, it's a reflex. I must say: On with the story!

Chapter Five- "My Last Breath"

"Inuyasha... How did Kagome... You know..." Souta looked up at the hanyou expectantly. He had wanted to know long ago, when he had first heard the news of his sister's death, but he was too shocked to have asked. Then, came the accident, and he couldn't be bothered with anything besides the well-being of his mother. But now seemed like the time to get answers. And Inuyasha was the ony one who could tell him. And the only one he could bear to hear it from.

Inuyasha gulped down a lump in his throat. Why had this boy always looked to him for answers? Could he even handle this? What was he going to tell him? His mother had already been told the whole story, but was Souta ready to know the truth?

"Inuyasha?"

He still remembered that night, imbedded in his mind, clear as crystal. The night when he had lost all that was dear to him.

Hold on to me, love... You know I can't stay long.

There was a blinding flash that illuminated the night, the whole forest glowing with a bright pink light. It enveloped everything around it; there was nothing but light; no sound, no feeling.

"Kagome!" he called out, but the words that escaped him were not heard. There was only silence. All at once, the light diminished, and he saw Sango looking over at something, but it was impossible to tell what.

"Did she hit him...?" she asked, darting over to where her gaze had been fixed.

"She...did..." Miroku said, astonished, yet a puzzled look was evident on his face.

"Sango," Shippou said, appearing from behind a bush, "Where's Kagome at? Naraku's dead, and there's her arrow in him, but where's Kagome...?"

That was when Inuyasha spotted her. The limp form lying on the ground at the foot of the trunk of the go-shinboku tree. His eyes widened, as he made his was over to the tree, afraid of what he may find. "Kagome..."

She was soaked in dark crimson blood, eyes closed. Inuyasha stooped down next to her and gingerly took her in his arms. She coughed, blood spilling from her mouth. He held her close, blood staining his skin and pure silver hair a deep red.

All I wanted to say was I love you, and I'm not afraid...

"Kagome, please... Say something. Anything..." He whispered into her ear, not sure if she could hear him or not. "Kagome..." There was nothing but silence as he waited in anticipation. He could feel her shallow breathing. "Kagome, you're still alive... Just tell me you can hear me..."

"Ai...Ai shiteru... Inyusaha..." She said softly, almost forcing the air out of herself to be able to tell him that much.

He was dumbstruck, and just stared at her pained expression. "Kagome... I..." She struggled to move, and slowly brought her lips to his.

Can you hear me?

"I... I love you too..." The girl's breath became even more shallow as she slipped out of consciousness. She collapsed, her head resting on his shoulder.

"No... Kagome... Wake up!" She gave no response as he shook her furiously. "You can't die on me..."

Can you feel me in your arms?

"Inuyasha..." She tried speaking, but no words came out. She could feel the rising and falling of his chest, more than the pain of the wounds inflicted by the power of the Shikon No Tama. There was nothing else but the feel of his body against hers. There was no more sight, and no more sound. Darkness had enveloped all her senses, and there was only him.

"Kagome..." She struggled to open her eyes at the sound of his voice.

Holding my last breath, safe inside myself are all my thoughts of you...

"Inu...Ya..." She forced the sounds out.

"Kagome, it'll be okay..." He looked as if he was holding back tears.

No, don't do this to me... Don't cry over me, she thought, you don't have to tell me it's going to be okay... You don't have to comfort me. It's not going to help... You're wounded, too... Go save yourself, and the others... It's not worth it to be so hurt over me...

Sweet rapture, light, it ends here tonight.

"You... Don't... Have to pretend..." She coughed again, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "I know... this is it..." She drew in a sharp breath, and flinched from the pain. "I'm... dying..."

I'll miss the winter-- a world of fragile things.

"No, Kagome...You're not... It's all going to be fine..."

"I'll miss you," she said, resting her head on his shoulder and nuzzling his messy hair. "And... Being together, like this..." She was using all of her strength to tell him this. He held her close, never wanting to let go. He didn't care about all the blood, though the almost metallic scent of her life spilling forth from her sickened him. All that mattered was that moment. Nothing else. "Will you miss me...?" she whispered.

Look for me in the white forest, hiding in a hollow tree (Come find me)...

"Hai... Of course I would... But you're not going anywhere! I won't let you..." he replied, almost in desperation.

"Maybe we'll meet up again, in another life..."

"Don't talk like that! You're going to live!"

I know you hear me; I can taste it in your tears.

"You can't give up..." He kissed her gently. "After all we've worked for... Damnit, wench! Don't let go... We've defeated Naraku, and you just give into death this easily?" He sighed heavily and wrapped her arms around her weak figure; she was becoming cold.

Holding my last breath, safe inside myself are all my thoughts of you...

Sweet rapture, light, it ends here tonight.

"I'm sorry.. I'm too weak.." She said, once again collapsing against him, unable to hold herself up any longer.

Closing your eyes to disappear, you pray your dreams will leave you here.

"I want... My soul... I'll stay here with you..." She wasn't sure how much longer she had left.

But still you wait to know the truth:

No one's there...

"Inuyasha!" Miroku called, "Is she all right?" Shippou and Sango followed close behind him. The air seemed thick and heavy as Inuyasha drew in a deep breath.

He gulped down a lump in his throat. "She's.. She's not gonna..." He closed his eyes, trying to prevent the tears from flowing out. "She was right..."

Say goodnight; don't be afraid...

Calling me, calling me, as you fade to black.

"Don't... Cry for me... I love you, Inuyasha..." she whispered, closing her eyes, never to open them again.

"She wasn't afraid..." He said, avoiding eye contact with the boy, glancing past him at the wall. "She died, saving us all, and she had no fear... Even in her last moments, she was braver than I ever was..."

A/N: Still sorta tied up on what to change the title to... Don't really like what it is right now... Had to cahnge it, though. Chapter six isn't actually a song off the "Fallen" CD, so I decided that the title can't stay... Got any suggestions, tell me.

Now, go review! P