A/N: So...after that chapter, I have to work really hard to make this one good, I suppose…:sweatdrop: But I did say this was going to be a dark fic…a really, REALLY dark fic, after all. So…yeah, there is still a sequel, and I promise things will…reconcile themselves at the end of this chapter. Go read.

(Who saw ep. 132 last night? GO MIROKU! Of course, the episode sounded better in Japanese, but that's just my opinion…)

Chapter 30: Doomsday's Lover

Kagome stared, wide-eyed, at Inuyasha lying on the ground, motionless. Her hands started to tremble and her eyes started tearing up as she realized what she had just done. "In-Inuyasha?" She asked, her voice shaking.

He didn't respond. Inuyasha lay facedown on the grass, his white hair fallen all around him, covering up the left side of his face. The worst part of his figure was his right hand, which was stretched out in front of him, as if he had been trying to reach her moments before.

Biting her lip as she blinked away tears, Kagome crawled over to him, hesitantly touching his shoulder. She repeated, "Inuyasha?"

No reply. By now, her friends had recovered from the attack. Miroku watched her with a solemn face, his arm wrapped around Sango, who looked to be on the verge of tears. Shippou stood behind them, with a confused look on his face, as if he couldn't realize what had happened.

A single tear escaped Kagome as she grabbed Inuyasha and turned him over, looking at his face. He was back to being a hanyou, with all features of his youkai side gone, but his eyes were shut, and a peaceful look was on his face, he looked to be sleeping. "Inuyasha, please! Wake up!" Kagome cried, starting to shake him, but he didn't wake.

More tears began falling from her eyes as reality sunk slowly in. He's sleeping, just like he did when we first met…Please, Inuyasha, I can't live without you …if you could wake up then— Kagome cradled his head in her lap as the flow of tears came unstopping. "Inuyasha, I need you! Wake up, please wake up!"

A lonesome tear fell onto Sango's cheek as she whispered, "Kagome-chan, he's not…" feeling her pain. A sob escaped the youkai exterminator as she buried her head into Miroku's protective embrace.

"Inuyasha…" Kagome said weakly, looking down at him, looking like he did the day they defeated the Numa-eki. He was asleep, wasn't he?

Suddenly, to her surprise, there came a cough and a gasp of breath from Inuyasha. His eyelids flickered as he started breathing once more. Kagome gasped, "Inuyasha!"

His gorgeous amber eyes opened, and he looked up at her, smiling, "Kagome," he said, softly. "I told you, I'd never leave you."

Her shocked face had turned into an uncontrollable smile of happiness. "Inuyasha!" she cried, pulling him into a fierce hug—

Kagome kept expecting, wishing, hoping that any second, that scenario would occur, but the seconds passed, and turning into minutes. And Inuyasha continued to lay still, no breath passing his lips. She felt her heart sinking deeper and deeper in her chest.

Though she had tried to deny it, reality was crashing down upon her. "Inuyasha, please, wake up…" she sobbed, holding his body close as she lost all control of her tears. "H-he's not asleep…" cried Kagome, through a wavering voice, her tears falling on to Inuyasha's peaceful looking face.

As she poured out all of her pain in her tears, it suddenly hit Kagome, like a knife through her chest. I…I did this…

Giving a small gasp, Kagome pulled away and looked down at him, her former lover, his face content. I did this, she thought, more tears forming in her eyes. No…but I…I didn't mean it…

A hand fell over her face as she thought, I…killed him.

And then her heart broke, shattering into irretrievable pieces.

I killed him…I killed him! I didn't want to, but…I killed Inuyasha! Kagome's brown eyes were wide in shock, her mouth open as she stared at Inuyasha, slowly loosing control. I killed him, I did it, I was all me…

Kagome didn't know what to do, all logical thought was lost. She only knew her pain, which was torturing and twisting her heart, making it feel harder and harder to breathe. She couldn't take a breath without feeling complete pain, her heart feeling ripped out of her chest, her soul feeling dead. There was nothing to live for anymore, now that Inuyasha was dead. He's dead, I did it…I did it…

Her stomach was turning, knowing the awful truth, in her mind, I killed him! was repeated over and over, swirling around her, making her dizzy, until finally, she couldn't take it anymore. Looking at Inuyasha's body made her stomach squirm so violently, that she had to turn away sharply, throwing up.

Kagome wiped her mouth with a shaking hand, the feeling of being sick to her stomach not leaving her as her teary-eyed face looking back at her beloved. He's dead…I did it… With every time that phrase went through her mind, it was another clang like an anvil in her heart, another horrible feeling. I killed, the only one I ever loved…

The pain kept coming, the tears kept flowing, and reality was sinking in harder than ever. She couldn't take it, knowing this feeling right now. How could she ever live like this? How can I live day after day, minute after minute knowing that I—

Kagome clenched her eyes shut, begging that this wasn't all happening, that the pain would just go away, but knowing that it wasn't true made it all worse. Inuyasha, I'll never see him again…because he's dead…She opened her eyes, and she noticed the sheared off half of Sango's dagger lying nearby. And I killed him!

All rational thought had left Kagome's mind long ago, and she gazed at the dagger, her thoughts flying by. I killed him…I'll never be able to take the pain away…I just want a way out…I don't want to live without him.

She gave a slight shudder at the thought. No, I couldn't…

I killed Inuyasha! Her other thought said.

But…

Flashes of her happy life with Inuyasha before came through her mind, flashes of his kisses, his touch, his murmurs of "I love you", and even of that night, yet instead of giving her happiness, each one gave her sorrow. At the memory of hearing his laugh, her heart hit rock bottom, knowing she would never hear his laugh again. Her eyes flew to the mating scar. It was always my fault…because I mated with him, all this happened…everything's my fault…

She lifted her head up, tears flowing like a river from her eyes. I can't live…knowing what I've done… Almost hesitantly, Kagome's shaking hand reached for the dagger.

Closing her eyes against the spike of fear in her heart, she only thought of Inuyasha, his warmth, his love, and…seeing him once again. That calmed her anxiety. Inuyasha…I love you…Forgive me… Another tear fell from her eyes and landed on Inuyasha's cheek as she touched the blade and wrapped her fingers around it, not caring that the sharpness of the edge was biting into her skin.

But her friends had noticed her actions and had guessed at what she was going to do. Sango and Miroku jumped up, running towards her, "Kagome!"

She turned around, and yelled with misty, yet fiercely determined eyes. "Don't come any closer, or I swear I'll do it!" They stopped immediately, not sure what to do, not sure if she was serious.

Kagome looked back down at Inuyasha, her breaths coming surprisingly calm as she saw his peaceful face. Things must be…okay in death…A small smile came to her sad face, but it soon faded. I'm sorry Inuyasha…Sorry for everything…

Her eyes drifted back to the dagger in her hand, and slowly, almost in a dream-like state, she wrapped her left hand around it as well, but not before gently touching Inuyasha's mate mark with hers.

Sango gasped, starting towards her. "K-Kagome-chan! Don't—!"

Kagome cast one last look at them, one of complete sadness and despair, empty, blank eyes, dead looking ones, those of one who would never be happy again. She turned away and looked down at Inuyasha. "Inuyasha…" she whispered, her voice breaking, a tear escaping her eyelids as she closed them.

She raised the dagger above her, silently thinking, I always loved you…and at least now, I'll see you again… Time seemed to stop as Kagome heard the sound of her friends running fade, and instead, another sound filled her mind. It was the sound of sunshine on a bright meadow, the sound of wind whistling through the tall flowers and grass, the sound of Inuyasha, calling her name…the sound of happiness. Joy once again.

And then, her friends screamed, "Kagome!" as she plunged the dagger into her flesh.

Inuyasha walked through a world of darkness that stretched on forever and ever. "Where am I?" he said out loud, since no one was there to hear him. "Last I remember was…"He remembered exactly what had happened. All memories had flooded back to him when he became a youkai, and he knew what he had done before.

And Kagome, she was forced to…he thought, sighing. He didn't blame Kagome, he knew he was too dangerous in that form, by the look he remembered in her eyes, it had to be the hardest decision she had ever made.

Looking around that the nothingness, Inuyasha asked, "Is this death?"

Suddenly, a chilling voice said from behind him, "This is not death. Your soul was only expelled from your body through purification. This is the place between the worlds."

Inuyasha whipped around, staring at what he saw. Before him was the miko, the very miko that had cursed him in his dreams. Her dark hair whipped around even though there was no wind, her dark eyes were lit in malice. "So, here at last, hanyou? Finally, after waiting so long, the curse has taken effect." Shegrinned in relish.

The hanyou didn't know what she was talking about. "Curse…wait, you were the one that made all of this happen? You cursed me? You made me hurt Kagome?" He roared.

"It was only what you deserved." She spat coldly. "You set fire to my village and killed many from it, a century ago. You lashed out with no mercy at other mikos, seeking for any way to make yourself a youkai. You threatened me and my lover with death, unless I told you a way to make you into that monster, a killing machine with no mercy."

As Inuyasha looked at her with incredulity, searching his brain for any remnant that this story might be true. He had dreams…maybe his dreams were his past, that he had forgotten long ago…

The miko's smile widened. "Ironic, isn't it? That you finally got your wish, but it backfired, making you hurt the one you love. Do you feel the pain now, hanyou? Of seeing your lover threatened with death?"

I don't remember this, except in my dreams, but…His hand clamped into a fist as a growl escaped him. I know it's her. "Because of this curse," Inuyasha growled, not realizing a tiny tear was building up in his eye. "You almost made me kill Kagome! She wasn't even involved in our quarrel! I can understand those who want revenge, but this…this was too far!"

"My village was destroyed, my people killed, because I failed to protect it from you. How can I forgive you for that?" The miko said, sharply. "You expect me to accept an apology, a hundred years late, just because you have suffered, as I have?"

Inuyasha wanted to hate her, but in an instant, he understood. I get it…she blames herself. Because she took a human lover in secret, she lost her miko powers, and couldn't stop me, until the end. His heart sank in his chest. Just like Kagome…

The miko's dark eyes narrowed. "I will not forgive you, not even in death. I've waited between the worlds for a century to get my revenge, and I will have it." She raised her hands in front of her, a pink light glowing between them. "Here, I will send you to the deepest layer of Hell."

Inuyasha barely had time to raise an arm to protect himself, when he heard the light shoot from her. His last thought was, Kagome…

He heard the explosion, but he did not feel himself being hit. He opened his eyes. To his surprise, a pink barrier had encased him. The miko had noticed it as well. "Who?" she asked, looking around.

A figure Inuyasha knew well walked between the dueling miko and hanyou. "Inuyasha's life is mine. I will allow no one to kill him."

Kikyou glared at the miko as she walked towards her, bowing her head slightly in recognition. "So, I finally get to meet the famed miko of the Southern Lands. You are as powerful as they say, Miko-sama."

The miko stared at her. "Who are you? You are…" she scanned Kikyou quickly. "You are one of the dead?"

A small, tragic smile came upon Kikyou's face. "I was one of the dead. But now, I am one who can be neither alive nor dead, I wander the earth, waiting for the day when I can return to my precious death."

"But…" the woman asked, looking back at Inuyasha. "Why would you save him? He is a hanyou, he destroyed and killed several humans for no reason—!"

Replying quickly, Kikyou said, "I'm sure you have noticed, Miko-sama, that he has changed. The ice around his heart has melted. He is harmless, as a hanyou. You have gotten your revenge. Go now, and rest in peace."

Hesitantly, the miko looked back at Inuyasha, trying to decide the best course of action. Kikyou's words had soothed her vengeful spirit, she wanted nothing more than to rest, as she had wanted for the past hundred years, but she could not let go of the spite that drove her on for he revenge.

"Death is peaceful." Kikyou said. "There is no more worries of life. All anger is driven away. I am sure the one you love has waited for you faithfully all these years. Go to him, be at rest, and leave with the knowledge that you have avenged your village."

The miko finally made up her mind. "You shall take care of him." Sighing, she closed her eyes, and faded away into gold mist, allowing her spirit to be free and be peaceful in death.

Inuyasha watched the miko's spirit leave to finally be at rest, feeling regret at what he must have done to make her want revenge after all these years. Some of the things I've done…I deserve a punishment worse than death…

Kikyou turned back to Inuyasha, glaring. "You will never listen to my warnings, will you?"

That intended sting hit its mark, making annoyance flare up in Inuyasha's chest. He ignored the remark, asking, "Kikyou, why are you here? You didn't—"

"I am already dead, Inuyasha." Kikyou replied immediately. "I cannot go into death anymore, because my part of the soul would immediately go back to Kagome. I must content myself with this sham of death, which I am allowed to walk freely. My soul will wander here for a time while my body appears to be asleep in life."

Inuyasha felt a sinking feeling in his heart. Every time she mentioned she was dead, he felt the familiar pang of guilt for it. "How did you know I was here?" he asked.

"I've been watching you." Kikyou replied simply. "I knew that once youkai, it would be nearly impossible to turn you fully back into a hanyou. Not even all of Kagome's heart could bring you back, because the youkai blood was slowly warping your soul. I knew that she would most likely have to kill you. But Inuyasha…I didn't want this to happen." Her sad eyes were cast downward, in regret. "That is why I built up her defiance so she would try her hardest to turn you back. And that is why I angered you and led you to her. I knew your feelings for Kagome would keep you from killing her."

Inuyasha was silent for a moment. His ears drooped. "You told Kagome…that if I became too dangerous, she would have to kill me?"

"It was the only way, Inuyasha." Kikyou justified. "I thought for a moment, that she had succeeded before, but your youkai blood still had a hold on you. Now that you're soul's been purified, your youkai blood has been sealed once more. If she had not acted, you would have killed her and all of her friends by now."

Inuyasha's eyes found Kikyou, the woman he had loved before. That love affair had ended in disaster, Kikyou "killing" him and sealing him to Goshinboku. Now, yet another love he had with her reincarnation, Kagome, had also ended tragically. Kagome had to kill him for the same reason Kikyou did, because they both believed he would be a danger to others. He had been killed by two women he had loved.

A small snort escaped him, Ironic. "So, she killed me, huh?" he huffed and looked away, folding his arms. "Doesn't matter, as long as Kagome's safe." He had long before accepted his death and gotten over it.

"You were always the first one to jump to conclusions, Inuyasha" Kikyou said, shaking her head.

Staring at her, he demanded, "What do you mean?"

Kikyou's eyes narrowed at him, looking as if she would curse him for his stupidity. "Didn't I say that you were only in the place between the worlds? Your soul was purified and ejected from your body, Inuyasha, you were not killed. Your soul may be here, and your body may not be responding, but it is only without a soul, not dead."

Gaping at her, Inuyasha asked, timidly, "You mean…I can go back?"

Her eyes narrowed further. "There will be conditions, Inuyasha. One, you will never forget what you did as a youkai. Those memories are there, as punishment for all you have done."

The hanyou tensed up as one of those memories came back to him. Even in the short time he had them, they still were enough to make him feel guilt, sadness, and regret for everything he did when he was not under his control. Kikyou could have easily gotten rid of them, but she would never let him forget, just as she never let him forget her memory.

"Secondly," she stated, "You must defeat Naraku as fast as you can, without distractions." She heavily accented that last point.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Inuyasha demanded.

Kikyou's eyes glared at him. "Naraku is the most powerful youkai in existance now. He has power that you cannot compare. If he ever found out about your curse, he could turn you back into your youkai form, and endanger everyone once again. You have to defeat him immediately, or suffer the consequences."

'Consequences', that meant Kagome. And no matter what, he could allow nothing to happen to her. He nodded, "I understand."

"Good." Kikyou replied. "Now, come, Inuyasha, and I shall bring you back into life."

Kagome slowly opened her eyes, finding herself in an empty Kaede's hut, near sundown. She gave a small gasp as her eyes flickered across the roof hut. But…how? I thought I…she remembered plunging the knife into her chest, and then all becoming darkness. How did I survive?

As she turned to roll over, she felt a small pain in her left shoulder and felt a bandage wrapped tight around the spot under her ripped shirt. That explains it…In all her sorrow and inner pain, she had hit her shoulder, instead of her intended spot.

That was really stupid, she thought, reflecting on it, getting up slowly so she wouldn't disturb the bandage. After all, I'm not the type to do that, I just…lost control. But, I mean, Inuyasha wouldn't want me—

She stopped, her eyes wide and her mouth open, as she saw who was on the other side of her. Inuyasha lay on a wooden mat beside her, still in his sleep like state, the peacefulness still on his face. Tears once again formed in Kagome's eyes as a hand covered her gasp. Inuyasha…

Kneeling next to him, Kagome looked at his face. It was so peaceful, such contentment. He looks so calm…just like sleeping… Timidly, she reached out a hand to him, tracing his cheek, lingering on those lips which she had kissed so many times. Shivers went up her spine. He's cold…Kagome held back more tears.

With her left hand, she reached out and grasped his right, the hand with the mating scar. The scar made the night that started this disaster. That scar, which was supposed to have represented their eternal love, now represented death and despair.

Inuyasha…Kagome succumbed to her wave of tears , she lifted his hand up, holding the back against her cheek, sobbing, failing to notice that warmth was starting to return to his fingers.

She didn't even notice when Inuyasha's amber eyes fluttered open, his first sight was of the woman he loved crying over him. A sigh escaped him as a smile came to his face, he had expected as much.

"Kagome," he murmured softly.

She abruptly silenced her tears, but did not open her eyes. She could have sworn she had heard Inuyasha's voice…but she didn't want to believe it. His voice calling her name had woken her out of despair before, but it had all come to disaster in the end. It's can't be, this time…this time, I'm dreaming it…

Inuyasha wondered why Kagome wasn't looking at him. She acted like she didn't believe it was true. "Kagome," repeated, "Please, look at me."

No, it's not true! She thought. It can't be…it just can't! But…It sounds so real…so true…She couldn't help, but slowly open her eyes, and feel her heart and breath stop in an instant. Inuyasha was there, once again. A hanyou, smiling, and alive.

With this, another tear came, but she blinked it away. "Inu…yasha?" she asked, unbelievingly. He's alive! But…he can't be…I killed him…

Inuyasha turned his hand that was in her grasp to cup her chin, the smile never leaving his face. He gently wiped away her tears. "Why are you crying, woman?" he asked. "You know I hate it when you cry."

It is him! Kagome thought, feeling like her heart would burst from joy. He's really back, and alive! She recaptured his hand in hers, his hand still caressing her cheek. More tears, tears of happiness, spilled down her face. "You baka!" she whispered, a smile on her face.

"Emotional woman." Inuyasha muttered, his traditional smirk etching his face, sitting up to met her gaze.

Unable to wait any longer, Kagome launched herself at him and wrapped her arms around him, tears spilling onto his haori. "You're alive!" She cried, unable to stop the happy tears. "You're really…really alive!"

As he pulled her closer to him, resting his chin against her head, knowing all that she went through, all the pain she had suffered from him, everything she had gone through, for this moment of realization that the fight was over, and that they had survived. "Yes, Kagome, I'm here. And this time, I swear to you, I won't ever leave you again."

A/N: Woo! FINALLY done! So, how'd you like my ending? Pretty emotional, huh? Sums everything up for ya, before the SEQUEL!

NOTE: I will be taking a break to form the plotline of the sequel, but I should have it up before March. The sequel will pick up a bit after this one ended, so, you'll be able to understand it, at least.

Okay, and just want to thank all of my reviewers, but the top reviewer, who reviewed since chapter 1 and has reviewed every chapter since was: Kyoumi! (orangepencils, you get second, because you missed 1 chapter!)

But still, your reward is…virtual pocky! (Web cookies are out, web pocky is in!)

So thanks all reviewers, and all read the SEQUEL! You'll enjoy it!