The Dog Prince

By. DemonGirl-Setsuna

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DemonGirl-Setsuna: Hi there! Setsuna here!

I didn't want to leave you guys and girls hanging like that! So…

Here is Chapter 12!

Please Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or anything belonging to Rumiko Takahashi or 'The Swan Princess'.

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Ch. 12

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Kagome ran to the stable and mounted her horse, without changing out of her gown.

"If you hurry, Little Princess", Kikyo called from the castle door, "I'll let you see him one last time!"

But Kagome was not listening. "InuYasha!", she cried once more, urging her horse into a gallop.

The sharp wind tore against her as she rode across the castle lawn. The horse sped blindly into the forest, it's feet barely touching the ground.

The trees loomed around Kagome, black and dense. Through eyes silted against the blinding gale, she maneuvered her horse around them. All the while she shouted the name of her beloved.

Not once did he answer. Not once did the dog appear ahead.

"He's fading fast!"

Now Kikyo's voice was floating in the air like an evil spirit.

"No!", Kagome shouted, while the branches tore her gown.

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By the lake, Sakura slowly limped toward the stairs leading to the lake, leaning on her bow for support.

"Something's gone wrong", she whispers.

InuYasha walked towards her. His legs shaking and his body hung limp.

He heavily collapsed onto the stone floor by the lake, Sakura runs to his side.

At the edge of the woods, Kagome emerged from the thick darkness. She stopped for a moment, panting, hardly able to stand.

"Is he still alive?", Kagome asked.

"I don't know", Sakura replied.

His dull white form began to change. It started with a flicker of light that seemed to come from within. Then the light radiated outward, growing into a bright wash of red, white, orange, and blue.

Sakura backed off and watched.

When the light receded, the dog was gone. Now InuYasha was laying on the stone floor, completely human again.

With new strength, Kagome sprinted to his side and dropped to her knees.

"InuYasha!', she said, lifting his head into her chest, "What have I done to you? Forgive me, InuYasha. Forgive me".

Hearing her voice, InuYasha stirred. He struggled to open his violet eyes.

"Kagome…", his voice was almost lost to the wind.

Kagome looked into his face with hope, trying to catch his gaze.

"I feel so weak…", InuYasha murmured, "I think…".

"No, you'll live, InuYasha!", Kagome stroked his black hair tenderly, supporting him with her arms, "It's you I love. It's you! The vow I made was for you".

Kagome set InuYasha down gently. She stood up and raised her despairing eyes to the heavens. To wherever Kikyo might be, "I made the vow for him! Do you hear? THE VOW I MADE WAS FOR HIM!"

From behind her came a soft, grating voice, "No need to shout".

Kagome snapped around to face Kikyo, "Don't let him die!"

Kikyo smiled, "Is that a threat?"

Kagome stepped forward and grabbed the Enchantress by her cloak, "Don't you dare let him die", she hissed.

"Ooooh, it is a threat", Kikyo replied.

"You're the only one with the power. Now do it!"

Kikyo laughed, "Only if you defeat me".

A wave of her arm sent a blaze of light into the night air. It wrapped around Kikyo, pulsing and brightening.

A blinding flash made Kagome reel backward.

When she looked up, Kikyo was a towering, snarling beast.

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DemonGirl-Setsuna: Well? What did you think? Please review!

Catch you readers next time in chapter 13!