Hey guys, here's another chapter. I've noticed that the last few chapters, I've put the song in between the story. Why? Not for you guys to read through the lyrics (although, if you want, go ahead.) I just kind of wanted to set a mood, so when describing stuff, there's a background song/tune to go with it.

Also, many of you asked exactly what Kikyo was doing in her car, when she was supposed to be marrying Inuyasha. Well, although it's not a very "astonishing" thing that makes her take her car out, it will have to work. However, you will not find out the whole story this chapter.

Alright, I don't think there's anything else you guys need to know, so enjoy the story!

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Crawling in the Dark

Chapter Twenty-Three

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"I open my eyes,
I try to see but I'm blinded by the white light.
I can't remember how,
I can't remember why,
I'm lying here tonight.

"And I can't stand the pain,
And I can't make it go away,
No I can't stand the pain."

The nurse left. Kagome sat there, her mind lost in her own thoughts.

Her parents had always told her that they were the happiest parents ever because of her. When she was in elementary school, he father died of an illness. His last words to Kagome were, "I'm so proud of you Kagome, and I always will be. I love you."

After her father's death, her mother took on two jobs, coming home very late, working everyday of the week. Kagome told her mom to stop tiring herself out, but she would always smile and reply, "You're worth it." She continued to support her and even agreed to an expensive out of state college.

Her mother had never given up hopes on her, even at the toughest times, she would just say, "you're going to grow up and change the world." And at that moment, as she sat on her bed, all she could think of were her parents, especially her mom, who had never give up or lost hope on her.

But now, she had failed them, what was she worth?

Just then, the nurse came in, "Kagome, you have a call, it is your mother."

&

"How could this happen to me,
I made my mistakes,
I've got no where to run,
The night goes on,
As I'm fading away,
I'm sick of this life,
I just wanna scream,
How could this happen to me."

Inuyasha looked at the delicate face of Kikyo. How could this have happened? Everything in his life led up to this. And now, it was shattered, broken, and gone forever. It was all his fault. If only he didn't let Kikyo drive by herself; if only he didn't let her go; if only he drove her; if only…

With tears gathering in his eyes, he banged his fist on the bed and screamed, "Why?" She made no movement. He let a tear slip down his face. "I love you," he whispered.

Just then, the door opened with a bang. Inuyasha quickly wiped the tear off his face. He turned around; it was the man he met at the wedding. As if not noticing Inuyasha, the man ran up to the bed and held Kikyo's hand. "Kikyo!" He cried, "Oh Kikyo! How could this have happened to you? We had such a bright future ahead! We were going to marry after you inherit Inuyasha's money!" He paused to take in a breath and continued to weep, "We had this all planned out! All worked out! And now…" He took a good look at her and put his head down on her hand.

Inuyasha was silent; he couldn't register what this guy just said. Marriage? Love? Money? What was this about? "Excuse me," he said as loud as he could sum up, "Who are you?"

The man jumped at the voice, "oh, I'm sorry. I didn't notice anyone else in the room." He then turned around. His eyes widened, it was Inuyasha. He stuttered, "I'm…Naraku." Well, it didn't matter anyways, Kikyo was already dead, he might as well let the truth come out, so he added, "Kikyo's lover."

Inuyasha scrunched his eyebrows and just stared, he didn't say anything.

After a few minutes of silence, Naraku stood up. "Well," he said, trying to harden his voice, he took in a deep, long breath, "looks like we both lost something today." Inuyasha still didn't know what to say, his mind was racing. "Let's make that bitch pay," Naraku stood up, his voice was more stern.

This time, Inuyasha responded. "What?" was all he could say.

"Kagome Higurashi, the bitch that killed Kikyo. Let's make her pay."

&

"Everybody's screaming,
I try to make a sound but no one hears me.
I'm slipping off the edge,
I'm hanging by a thread,
I wanna start this over again.

So I try to hold onto a time when nothing mattered,
And I can't explain what happened,
And I can't erase the things that I've done,
No I can't."

"Kagome!" Ayame cried, followed by Sango, as they ran into the room, "we just heard the news, is everything okay? What happened? We were so worried!" The two came by her bed.

Kagome attempted a smile and nodded, "I'm fine, you guys shouldn't worry, minor injuries."

They sighed in relief, "Well, that's good." Ayame smiled back, then turned to Sango, who was staring down, consumed by her own thoughts. She took in a breath and asked Kagome, "did you…hear about Kikyo?"

Kagome didn't know what to say. "I killed her?" yeah right. She didn't want to be reminded of what happened. Couldn't she just have some time by herself? She needed to think and get her thoughts and act together. Kagome simply shook her head.

"Oh, it was a tragedy; everyone was so surprised and shocked." She sounded like the nurse and Kagome didn't want her to continue. She already heard and knew enough. "Apparently, she had to go home all of the sudden to get something, I'm not really sure of the whole story. No one escorted her, not even Inuyasha. Just a few minutes after she left, we got a call; surprisingly, it was about you and Kikyo." She paused, "Kikyo however…"

Ayame knew she had said enough, the look in Kagome's eyes just told her to stop. Of course, she never knew Kikyo like Sango and Kagome. It must have been horrible to listen to her rant. "I'm sorry," she stared down."

Kagome lifted her head and looked at Ayame, "no need to be sorry." She then turned her head to Sango; she looked like she had been crying. It must have been torture to hear the news. "You okay?" She tried.

Sango jumped on her seat, out of her trance, "yeah, I'm just…shocked, I guess. Kikyo and I have been friends since high school. Sure, we grew apart in college, but…" she couldn't continue. Tears were filling up her eyes. "I…I need to go see her." She got up and left.

Ayame bit her lips, "poor Sango, two of her best friends here at once. I feel so sorry for her," she paused, "I'm going with her. She needs the support." Ayame got out of her seat, "I'll come back." With that, she left and Kagome was in the room all by herself again.

So her friends didn't know what really happened yet. What would they think if they did? Would they still be her friends? Her eyes wandered aimlessly out the open door.

There, right outside, stood Inuyasha. Their eyes met for a second. Neither could break apart. Neither could read each other's eyes. And then, just like that, Inuyasha broke the gaze and left her sight.

Kagome's eyes filled up with tears once again. Silently, she let a few slip down her face. Her life was over.

&

"How could this happen to me,
I made my mistakes,
I've got no where to run,
The night goes on,
As I'm fading away,
I'm sick of this life,
I just wanna scream,
How could this happen to me."

In the passed few weeks of her life, Kagome had felt every emotion possible; her ups and downs; from happiness to anger; from relief to regret. Now, after a few days, she was finally allowed to get out of the hospital and face the real world.

During her stay, many people came in to talk to her. The movie industries wanted to keep the catastrophe as private and quiet as possible, afraid if it hit the media, it would ruin the movie. Kagome didn't blame them.

And apparently, she found out that at the site of the accident, there was not enough evidence to take to court. There were no witnesses and the tire tracks were blurred together and very confusing to read. It will take a few more weeks to get the evidence; court would happen after the movie opening week.

Kagome was not looking forward to the opening night or court. She just wanted her regular life back.

As she was walking towards the door of the hospital, "Kagome!" her two friends called out from the car. Kagome smiled at them, walked through the door, and got in the back seat. However, it was not what she expected; both of her friends were dressed in black.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Oh, Kagome," Sango said from the passenger seat, "I forgot to tell you, Kikyo's funeral is today. You're going, right?"

Ayame started the engine. Kagome stared down at her hands. How could she not go? No matter how painful, she had to; she had to show some respect. Kagome nodded silently.

&

"I made my mistakes,
I've got no where to run,
The night goes on,
As I'm fading away,
I'm sick of this life,
I just wanna scream,
How could this happen to me."

- Untitled by Simple Plan

The mood was gloomy. Everyone walked slowly, no one said a word. Kagome searched around. Did anybody know what happened? She wandered if anyone was watching her, if they were pointing her out, or calling her name.

As she proceeded to the front, she could not find anyone that she knew. Sango and Ayame disappeared. She was alone.

Just as she saw the stone tablet with the engraving of Kikyo, she was pushed to the side.

"What are you doing here," Inuyasha grabbed her arm and took her behind a few trees. He stared down on her, eyes emotionless.

"I…I…" Kagome stuttered, not looking into his eyes. She didn't know what to say.

"Get out," he said softly.

Lifting her head, she looked into his eyes.

"Get out!" he lifted his arm and pointed to the exit.

Kagome bit her lips. "Inuyasha, I…I'm so sorry!" She meant it, from deep inside her heart. Tears overflowed her eyes, she couldn't help it.

"What did I just say," he said once again slowly, but this time his voice was bitter, "I never want to see you again."

"I'm sorry Inuyasha," she sobbed and shook her head, "so sorry…" With that, Kagome took one last look at Inuyasha, grabbed her bag, and left.

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Alright, so this chapter is not very satisfying, I know. And it was not as sad as usual (or is it just me), but it'll come. Thanks for all of you guys for keeping up with my story, and even reviewing when I take forever to update, I love you guys! You guys are awesome and what keeps my story together.