Everything went in slow motion, something that Inu-yasha would never forget in the ten seconds that occurred, and something he would never forgive.

With him being distracted from the arrow, the centipede was able to react and snatch Kagome away from him with her one arm. But because his arm was around her waist so tight, the claws slid through her belly, feeling blood on his hand. Her blood hit him hard in that ten second event. It splattered on his shocked and horrified face.

The centipede bared its fangs at her prey. "Vile THING!" And jammed her fangs Kagome's side, the villagers and Inu-yasha could only watch as a round jewel was taken out of the flesh of the human girl. It glowed brightly despite the blood that still lingered on it. The human and jewel floated in the air but a mili-second, and then landed on the ground with a hard thud, the jewel being the only acception.

What horrified Inu-yasha even more was the fact that Kagome wasn't moving.

"Kagome . . . ." he whispered so silently, it was as if he said nothing at all. He couldn't believe what he had done. For all he knew, she could be dead because of him. Because of his carelessness. What had he done? His promise in protecting her from all harm has broken. All because of him. He can't change it. She's hurt. All because of his stupid carelessness. All because of- - -

Then he froze. He stared. Just bluntly stared at Kagome.

Her hand was reaching for the jewel.

Oh, how Inu-yasha wanted to smile. She was alive! She was ok! . . . . but she didn't look very good. Judging from her scent, she's loosing blood fast, but he also noticed that it wasn't much. He noted sadly that it must be painful for her. He couldn't not blame himself. He already did.

A russle on the ground caught Inu-yasha's attention to see the centipede's body slide by the ground, snagging Kagome and slamming her on the pinned hanyou . . . maybe a little too close. Actually, it was a lot closer. Kagome's face was inches from his and was pressed in a strange fashion that made them both blush as they faced each other. The turned to the evil laughter of the centipede, with how they can when the centipedes body was rapped around them, pinning them both to the tree.

"Heh heh heh. So YOU are the half-breed who almost succeeded in taking the jewel for your own. Such a foolish way to end, boy. I would say you failed miserably."

Inu-yasha growled and bared his fangs, Kagome hiding in the hollow between his neck and shoulder. "You should talk, hag. If I wasn't sealed to this stupid tree, I would have ripped you into little tiny pieces with a single stroke." Which would be true once he did get out.

The demon smirked. "How pathetic you look now, speaking quite large when you cannot move at all. Most amusing. But all you can do now is watch as I am to devour the Shikon jewel and become more powerful than all!" she bent down and grabbed the jewel with her long tongue.

Then she swallowed it.

"Dammit all!" So much for getting out sooner.

Instantly the changes began. Her arms reattached themselves to her, then suddenly the body started shaking. A crack split between her eyes, then the whole skin just shed itself off in an instant, revealing a hideous beast from what was once considered half human. Its teeth were as large as its mouth, and its skin giving of a more gruesome view.

"Ahhhhhh . . . what JOY . . . what POWER I feel through my body! The sweet power of the jewel is finally MINE!"

the centipedes body started squeezing the two pinned to the tree, making them cringe in pain, and could have sworn that kagome heard a snap on her arm. Realizing that the new position is a bad one she may end up breaking it if she stays for long.

Kagome gulped. Not good.

"Hey."

Her head jerked up to meet Inu-yasha's sideway glance. "Can you . . .pull out his arrow?"

Sorry but I gotta stop, my word is going weird on me and I need my moms help. Don't flame me. I had a horrible finals(fortunately I passed!) and now im in summer school . . .reason? cause I knew my mom would bug me about it. I had no choice. Its dreadful and its only been two weeks! Its horrible! Somebody send me a funny review, or something that will make me get through this nightmare!

Akida-chan