Disclaimer: I am not Rumiko Takashi…I cannot draw nor did I create the plot for the INUYASHA series…I wish I did…*sigh*

Love Me as I Am

Chapter 14- Blood Tainted Ground

Kagome struggled to get up off the ground.

"I-Inuyasha…d-don't…"

"Don't leave you?" Kikyo hissed.

"Don't humor us."

Inuyasha glared at her.

"Kikyo. How can you be so cold?"

"You made me this way."

"What?! What are you talking about?"

"Forget it Inuyasha and protect the women behind you!" she screamed, picking up yet another wooden dagger from off the ground.

Inuyasha could afford to move. If he did, the dagger in his shoulder would most likely hit a nerve needed for him to use his arm. But what was the difference? If he didn't try…if there was even enough of a chance…he had to try.

He tried to remove the dagger from his arm as Kikyo charged him but couldn't do it. The pain was nearly blinding him.

He was prepared to die at the hands of Kikyo but the blow never came. Perplexed, he opened his eyes.

Kanaye, his own flesh and blood had taken on Kikyo. His sword was held high and poised. He took a perfect fighters stance as Kikyo backed away.

Inuyasha heard another scream from behind him. He wearily turned around.

Suki was panting like crazy and seemed out of breath. She had apparently gone into labor.

"Inuyasha…" came Kagome's distressed voice. She didn't know what to do. There certainly weren't any supplies for her to use around the forest. The only alternative was to get her back to the cabin but her being pregnant herself she could barely walk three steps let alone help Suki.

Suki screamed again as pain undulated throughout her body.

Inuyasha took one last look at Kanaye and then turned around to Kagome, kneeling next to her.

"Kagome. I need you to pull this out." He whispered, referring to the dagger lodged in his shoulder.

Kagome gulped and nodded, wrapping her fingers tightly around it.

She closed her eyes and pulled it straight out. Inuyasha winced as blood spattered on the ground and onto Kagome, but it hadn't hit the nerve.

"Are you going to be okay?"

"I'll live. C'mon." he said, taking her hand and helping her up.

"Climb on my back." Inuyasha ordered.

"But--"

"I'll carry her."

Kagome nodded and did as she was told.

Inuyasha hurriedly ran over to Suki and scooped her up in his arms.

"D-daddy…"

"Hold on." Inuyasha said, taking off. He knew Kanaye would take care of Kikyo any way possible.

~*~*~

Kunara sat at least a hundred feet away watching her mother, who was a little preoccupied at the moment dodging Kanaye's attacks.

"So…you're Inuyasha's son are you not?" Kikyo asked, though it was clearly obvious because of the dog ears protruding from his gorgeous silver hair.

Kanaye didn't respond and instead got behind her.

"Yes. And you're his ex-girlfriend. I've heard all about you. Every story my mother's ever told Suki and I made me want to kill you more and more. My father may not have been able to kill you…but…I have no feelings to hold me back."

~*~*~

Inuyasha was about a mile away from the cabin when Kagome screamed.

"What is it?" he wondered, thinking she had seen a demon or something and had been surprised.

"I-Inu…yasha…"

"Oh no…"

Inuyasha reached the cabin.

"SANGO!!!" he yelled upon reaching the steps.

Sango rushed out and almost bowled him over.

"Oh…" she breathed, seeing the two panting sweaty girls.

"Don't just freakin' stand there! Do something!" he yelled irritably, rushing inside.

"Thank God. Kaede you're back."

"Aye and a good thing too. Oh, Inuyasha…ye is bleeding."

"Forget about me ok?"

She nodded and began to set up.

"Sango? Is there any way I can help?" Miroku wondered.

She nodded.

"Dress Inuyasha's wounds then clean up the floor. He's getting blood absolutely everywhere.

~*~*~

Trinity stood outside staring up at the stars.

"Come back alive." She whispered.

"Trinity?" came a voice from somewhere behind her.

She turned around.

"K-Kanaye. You're here." She said softly, tears in the corners of her eyes. She rushed over and into his arms. He winced a bit because he had a lot of bruises on his chest now.

"I was so worried. W-where's that woman?"

"I killed her."