All I Want Is Another Chance
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any related characters.
Inuyasha dies after a battle with one last wish on his lips: to be reunited with Kagome in his next life. He returns, but can love bloom…yet again?
Chapter 1: Maryaghu Strikes, Inuyasha Dies
A mysterious demon watched the hanyou from afar, waiting for his chance to kill the much-hated half-breed. Naraku had a price on this young one's head, and Maryaghu, the hunter, had his own reasons for destroying Inuyasha…
He waited until he knew the hanyou almost better than Inuyasha knew himself. It was a very long wait, but a demon lives forever, even if a half-demon does not. He could afford to wait. And so he did, month after month, as Inuyasha grew stronger. Finally, he realized that he must strike soon, or be destroyed. He challenged him out of nowhere, and, as he predicted, the hanyou's pride would not allow him to refuse…
"Inuyasha! No!" Kagome ran towards her friend as he fell. Maryaghu smiled as he withdrew his poisoned blades from the hanyou.
"Don't bother, woman," he said. "That poison's strong enough to take out any full demon. I knew another half demon, and I know what happens to them. He won't last longer than a month, 'cause once he turns human…" He drew his finger across his throat, then vanished, laughing harshly.
Inuyasha groaned, calling Kagome's attention. His wound had stopped bleeding already, but the skin around it was stained a nasty yellowish-green color. He had a fever, too. Kagome lifted him up and carried him to a nearby cave.
She hardly left his side for the next week, nursing him to the best of her ability. They were too far from any village to get help, nor was Kagome willing to leave Inuyasha alone for too long. The days dragged on indeterminably. One week left.
As the night of the new moon approached, Inuyasha's condition grew worse and worse. Kagome felt helpless, unable to even ease his pain a little. Two days. He now spent most of his time trying to sleep, reserving his strength. Only a few hours of life, and both of them knew it.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha's voice was so soft she could hardly hear him, though he was right next to her.
"Yes, Inuyasha?"
"I…have a confession to make. " He glanced towards the entrance. Less than an hour…not much time left. Kagome was so close to him… He raised his hand and laid it on her cheek. She grasped it as if afraid he would vanish.
"I love you, Kagome. I've loved you for a very long time, but I've never felt quite…ready to let you know. I'm sorry now had to be the time, perhaps if I'd said something sooner—"
He was cut off by Kagome kissing him. "I love you too, Inuyasha," she said quietly. He smiled as the sun fell below the horizon. A few more moments, that was all… But maybe, just maybe he could gather enough strength to fight the toxins when he changed. Maybe there still was a chance that he would survive.
"Do you think…we could live together?" Inuyasha murmured.
"What are you talking about?"
"You really don't think…this'll kill me…do you?" Suddenly, he cried out. In an instant, his hair washed black, his eyes went dark blue, and his demon blood vanished. The poison attacked him mercilessly from within, completing the job it had started less than a month ago. Inuyasha tried to fight it, but he was too weak. He only had time to mutter a quick prayer, then…he was gone.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome squeezed his cold hand. "Wake up! Please!" There was no response. Inuyasha's eyes remained closed. "INUYASHA!" Holding her friend's body close, Kagome wept.
I know I haven't been a very good person, but I don't care for Heaven. Just please, Kami…let me be with her again. All I want is another chance to prove my love…
You guys have no idea how emotionally draining this is to write. I mean, one chapter and I'm exhausted already! And Inu's like a brother to me, so it makes writing this harder. But a good idea must never be denied, ne?