Disclaimer – Inu Yasha belongs to Takahashi Rumiko-sama and all the wonderful people at Viz. :pauses: Think if I give them a shiny quarter they'll give it to me?

Wufei – No.

#3 – Choose

"Inu Yasha…" The expression on her face tore at his heart. Could he even remember the last time he had seen her genuinely smile? "Does… does she mean more to you than I do?"

He shook his head fervently, grasping her by the shoulders to reassure her. "Of course not." He exclaimed. "Don't you know you're more important to me than anything?"

She wanted to. She desperately wanted to believe him, but deep down she knew that his heart was torn between the two of them. No matter how much she dreaded the thought, she knew one day he would have to choose.

As much as it pained her, perhaps she could just help him along just a little.

"You don't have to worry," She started at the uncharacteristic softness in his voice. "I'll protect you. I won't ever let Naraku hurt you again."

"Can you really promise me that, Inu Yasha?" She smiled up at him, although it was somewhat strained. "I know you've said the same thing to her – can you really protect us both?"

Inu Yasha… he always tried so hard to be loyal. In his eyes, if you didn't have your honor, you had nothing. She couldn't allow him to sacrifice that just for her.

He paused, unsure of what to say. "I… K—"

She placed a finger over his lips, silencing him. "I love you, Inu Yasha," His eyes widened. "I know you want to protect me, to make up for all that's happened between us… but I will not hold you to a promise I know you cannot keep." He opened his mouth to object, but she once again silenced him. "No. I have already caused you enough grief." With that she began to walk away from him.

"No… wait..." His voice sounded weak, even to him. Would he just let her walk away without objecting? Was it his imagination, or was there really a lump forming in his throat? "K—" Another scent caught his attention and he turned to the trees behind him just in time to see the white and green colors of a certain school uniform before they vanished into the shadows.

Kikyo. She had witnessed the whole scene?

His eyes widened once again before deepening in sadness. Lingering for only a moment he turned back only to see that dead priestess had vanished from the scene as well. Had she sensed her presence and decided to leave on her own? Where did she get off…? Was she trying to make his choice for him?

Damn Kagome… always considering everyone else's feelings even before her own…

"Can you really protect us both?"

Could he? He honestly didn't know. He'd royally screwed up both their lives – he wanted to make things right. He'd already hurt them both with his indecision, he knew that, but he loved them both. He really did!

"Damn it! Why does it have to be so difficult? I just want to protect them – I don't want to lose them!"

But deep in his heart he had a sinking feeling that he already had.

End