Chapter Twenty: Love is Suicide

The old woman laughs and shakes her head, " Your love will suffer the curse just like you."

Kagome stares at her, "He has nothing to do with this!"

"Oh but he does dear child, because of his love for you he will be condemned."

"What did my mother do to you to make you hate us so?"

The spirit of the woman slowly moves to her, "Your mother bound my soul to a spinning wheel to seal my evil. Before I was completely sealed, I swore to her I would have my revenge on her and her whole family. Many years have past, I waited forever for someone to find me. When Serenity did, I wanted to keep my promise to your mother. Since you are her daughter, the strongest, eldest, child she has; I will begin the curse with you." she pauses, "Besides, you will be easy to destroy... Kikyo almost had you dead, but she failed me."

"K-Kikyo?"

"Yes, Kikyo. I gave her a powerful gem that would give her life once you were killed. She was foolish, she didn't know how to kill you. She didn't know that you must destroy a person's heart before you can destroy them."

Kagome backs away slowly toward Sango and glares at her, "I will not let you hurt me or any of my loved ones. You will not win!" Tears sting her eyes and force themselves out.

The spirit starts to fade and laughs, "You are already becoming weak! Foolish girl! You will forever burn in the flames of love! Your heart will grow weak and you shall die!" she disappears.

Nobuo snaps his fingers and Sango is now able to move. She runs over to Kagome and throws her arms around her. "Kagome, I'm sorry.. I wanted to say somethi-"

"Sango... it's fine... you couldn't move. It's not your fault, I got myself in this mess, and I dragged all of you with me.."

Nobuo walks over to them and kneels before them, "I know how to break the curse Kagome."

"Yes, but you will have to pay the price."

They look to him then to each other. Kagome speaks softly, "What do I have to do?"

He smiles and takes her hand, "Marry me." Both girl's eyes widen in shock. Nobuo pulls Kagome up to her feet, "Marry me and I shall remove the curse from you."

"No, I can't marry you. I love Inuyasha. I can't." Kagome tries to pull her hand away but he holds on to it tightly.

"You will. Don't make me kill him. I'm not afraid to do so." he looks into her eyes and sees her fear. He slowly wraps his arms around her and holds her, "I love you. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you. Please just marry me so I can remove the curse." She begins to cry and nods her head yes.

Nobuo opens his mouth to speak but is stopped when he hears the door crash to the ground. There stand Inuyasha and Miroku holding their weapons tightly, ready to fight. Inuyasha sees Kagome and Nobuo and his heart stops, "Kagome... what's going on?" She bites her lip and tries to stop herself from crying. He starts to approach her, "Kagome?" he looks to Sango, "What's happening?"

Nobuo grins, "She is going to become my bride. Isn't that right Kagome?" she nods her head. "You see, she no longer lovers you. You should just leave."

Inuyasha growls, "No! It's not true! She doesn't love you she loves me! Don't force her to say things that aren't true!"

"Oh but it is true. Tell him Kagome, tell him you love me and we are to be married."

Kagome looks up to Inuyasha with tears in her eyes. "I-I..." she chokes on the words and begins to sob. "I l-love him... and I'm g-going to marry him..."

Inuyasha's heart suddenly shatters. He stops breathing, his body becomes weak. "Kagome..."

Sango runs over to Inuyasha, "Please don't listen! He is making her say that! She loves you Inuyasha! She wants to be with you not him!"

Miroku stands beside Inuyasha and Sango. He glances up at Kagome, "It can't be true Inuyasha. There has to be a reason why she is saying this."

Kagome bites down on her lip then yells out, "Go away Inuyasha! I told you I love him and I am going to marry him! Just leave and never return! I don't want to see you ever again! I hate you!"

He stares at her in shock, then he removes the locket from around his neck and throws it to the ground. "Fine. Do what you want. I never loved you anyway. You were just another Kikyo." He turns and slowly walks away with tears in his eyes. Miroku and Sango chase after him. Kagome cries and drops to her knees.

Nobuo puts his hand on her shoulder, "You made a wise choice."

She pushes his hand away and glares at him, "Get away from me you monster."

Serenity waits for the spirit to arrive. She paces back and forth chewing on her lip. When she sees a glow coming from her mirror, she turns and smiles. "Hello. What news do you have for me?"

"The curse has been set and begun. She already broke Inuyasha's heart and he broke hers. You will not have to worry about him trying to save her now. Oh and ask for Nobuo, he will die soon. The curse is going to effect him now too."

Serenity smiles wickedly, "Good, you have served me well. Hopefully you will be able to complete this curse without messing up."

"I shall my Queen. You have no need to worry." the spirit disappears from the room. Serenity walks over to her window and looks outside.

Yumi walks into the room and smiles, "What should I do about our other guests?"

"Kill them." Yumi bows her head and skips out of the room.

Sesshomaru sees Inuyasha walk out of the hole in the wall with pain on his expression. He asks softly, "Where is your love?"

"I no longer love her. She is dead to me."

Shippo jumps on Inuyasha's shoulder, "What do you mean?"

Inuyasha pushes him off, "It means what I said! I don't love her and she doesn't love me! Leave me alone!"

Miroku and Sango run in front of him. Miroku glares at him, "Inuyasha you fool! Kagome is protecting you from getting hurt thats why she said that. Sango told me the whole story on our way here." He grabs him by the collar, "She loves you damn it! She loves you!"