X Chapter 2 X

Thanks for the positive feedback! This is my first fanfic, so…

"No," Inuyasha whispered. "No."

Kikyo blinked. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha."

And she let the arrow go.

"Damn! Where is Inuyasha? He has gone off for so long…" Shippo muttered, roasting a marshmallow. "It has been half an hour already!"

"Kagome too." Sango said, petting Kirara.

"Well, they're probably having—' Miroku hadn't finished his words when Sango whacked him. "You pervert!" She scolded. "It's none of your business, Miroku!"

"Hey, did I even say anything perverted?" Miroku protested, rubbing his head. Then, after some thought, he added, "You're the one who's pervertic…"

That earned him another whack.

"No!" Inuyasha closed his eyes. He couldn't believe it. He was going to be killed, and he can't even move his legs.

He closed his eyes, waiting for the arrow to come.

It didn't.

"What…"

Behind him, some rocks collapsed. Kikyo had hit the rocks behind him.

"Kikyo?"

Kikyo's head was bent down. Her whole body was trembling.

"Kikyo!"

Inuyasha rushed over. "Kikyo! Are you okay-'

Suddenly, Kikyo reached out and hugged him again.

"I… don't want it to end, Inuyasha. But this is causing me so much pain. I… I'll still have to return my soul to Kagome… The dead only want to live again- But it is impossible…"

This time, Inuyasha hugged her back.

"I'll protect you. I'll find a way… For you…"

"No."

A figure was at the opening of the cave, watching them.

It was Kagome. She covered her mouth with her hands. It was a close call… Inuyasha had nearly been killed.

She forced herself to stop crying. She knew she was none of her business. She knew she was just Kikyo's reincarnation. If there wasn't Kikyo, she wouldn't have been born in the first place. She knew she was the third wheel, and a busybody… But…

"I am such an idiot. I shouldn't have followed Inuyasha in the first place. I knew I would see something that would break my heart… But I…"

Suddenly, a sob escaped from her mouth. "Oh no-'

She quickly stood up and ran, covering her face.

Sango was still screaming at Miroku for calling her a pervert when she heard rustling in the bushes.

"Kagome?" Sango gasped.

"Don't go after me!" Kagome choked, running off.

"She's crying!" Miroku observed, shocked. "Maybe Inuyasha did something to upset her!"

Kirara let out an angry hiss and Shippo accidentally burned the whole of his marshmallow up. "That idiot!"