A/N: Woo! I finally saw Inuyasha movie 4! What I thought would be a weird-ass movie, turned out to be really good! The little kids were soooo cute, especially Ai! I think I liked the oldest girl best, but the other girl with short hair looked like Kanna mixed with the girl from the bat youkai episode.

And then the villains! I think the animators REALLY liked the Shichinintai arc of the series, because we have the Bankotsu incarnate with the two uberpowerful swords, then the Jakotsu incarnate with Tomo's (from FY) voice, then the Sukotsu incarnate in a miniskirt, and then some turtle/snake thingy. Speaking of Fushigi Yuugi, I realized that the "Four Gods" are actually the same! The red man/woman with fire powers one was Suzaku, the weird Sukotsu incarnate with the white and black striped skirt thing was Byakko, the Bankotsu guy with the dragon claw armor stuff was Seiryu, and then the turtle/snake was obviously, Genbu. (Didn't they use Suzaku, Seiryu, Byakko, and Genbu as IY villains in some filler before?)

Anyway, my favorite part was the Kongou-Bakuryuuha thing at the end. I am a BIG fan of Kongoushouha (LOVE the way Kappei screams it) and seeing it mixed with Bakuryuuha in the movie made me a very happy otaku. :D

I'll put more of what I thought of it on my website, so I don't waste any more space here.

Chapter 22: Torn Love

Kikyou rested against a tree, hugging her knees to her chest as she looked into the water, an expression of sadness on her face. In her mind, she recalled the words of Naraku. You cannot help but feel jealousy over Kagome, and her place now in Inuyasha's heart.

A smirk plagued her face as she thought, To think that my and my reincarnation's roles would be reversed…now I am the one rejected, the one jealous over the other.

Don't you enjoy seeing Inuyasha under that curse? Naraku had said. It keeps them apart, punishing them for their emotions. That's why you made no move to put them out of their misery.

She sighed, It's true…I am the key to their future. I could have told Inuyasha the truth…but… The tragic miko's eyes lowered as she recalled a scene from memory…from a happy time long ago…


Inuyasha and Kikyou were in a boat, floating along the river by the village. It was sunset, and the world was silent as they disembarked, Inuyasha coming onto the dock first. Kikyou followed, but with one misstep, she tripped, bumping into Inuyasha by accident.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, she looked up at Inuyasha, and he returned the gaze with those curious amber eyes of his. Their eyes locked, and they glanced at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

Finally, Inuyasha dropped the long boat paddle with a clatter, and took her in his arms, whispering "Kikyou…" As she melted into his embrace, unable to do anything, the hanyou hugged her tighter, whispering, "Kikyou…I'll become human."

She gasped, hearing his words as he continued, unwavering, full of purpose, "I don't have any regrets. I will become human."

Hardly able to believe what she was hearing, Kikyou looked up at his reserved face, murmuring, "Inuyasha…" she knew how hard this was for him, yet he had agreed.

He glanced back down at her, saying, "And since you've been lonely all this time, I could—"

"That's enough." Kikyou backed out of his embrace, feeling as if her heart would burst with love. She looked back up at this wonderful hanyou, whom in so short of time, could melt her heart of stone. "You don't need to say any more."

Inuyasha pressed on, his amber eyes sparlking, "Kikyou…I want you to know…"

She didn't let him continue. Standing on her toes, in a bold move, she gently pressed her lips to his…her first kiss… Kikyou could feel Inuyasha stiffen in shock, but slowly he relaxed, kissing her back in a slow embrace…a promise of their future.


The tragic miko slowly raised fingers to her lips, remembering that one kiss fifty years ago…that happened the night before she died. She was so sure then…so sure that Inuyasha had come, to give her a happy life as an ordinary woman, other than a miko who would walk the path of bloodshed for eternity.

And then Naraku destroyed everything…He had ruined her only chance at happiness because of his sick desires…


Kikyou stood in the field, with the first light of day, glancing around for any sign of a flash of red and silver. Where was Inuyasha? Hadn't he promised her that he would come today?

The shikon no tama felt heavy in her hand…but she couldn't help but rejoice and think that after today, she wouldn't have to look after it anymore. She would be a free woman, able to do what she wanted. Smiling to herself, she remembered Inuyasha's gift, the small shell full of rouge that had once belonged to his mother. She took it out, remembering the smile on his face when he gave it to her. She opened it, thinking maybe she could give him a surprise when he finally showed up.

Her ears picked up the sound of something moving fast through the grass, and a low, malicious laugh. Kikyou stopped, hearing the sounds of laughter and movement grow louder as they came closer. For some reason, she felt a sharp pang of fear in her heart until—

There was a triumphant cry as razor sharp claws sliced through her right shoulder. The moment seemed to last in eternity, as blood burst from her body, and the shikon no tama and the rouge flew from her hands.

Kikyou landed on the ground, pain racing through her as she tried to comprehend what happened. She clenched her teeth against the pain, hearing someone come up behind her, speaking in a low, amused voice, "So, here I find you like this…your true nature hasn't changed at all."

Her ears knew that voice…but it wasn't possible… "Wh…what?" she asked, not wanting to look up and see what she feared she would.

The cold voice held the shell in its hands as it said, "This rouge is an eyesore. The blood from your slain youkai is good enough for you." They crushed it in their hand, the pieces falling scattered on the ground.

Kikyou didn't want to cry…not now… she didn't want to show him her weakness now…But, she surely felt her heart break along with the rouge. "Inu…yasha…"

She knew what he was here for. Reaching out, she tried to grasp the shikon no tama, but Inuyasha's foot stepped on hers with a cold laugh. "Keh. Baka. I have absolutely no intention of ever becoming human." She gasped, hardly able to believe what she was hearing.

Inuyasha picked up the shikon no tama with a cruel smirk and said "But I'll take the shikon no tama as thanks." He started walking away, continuing, "This jewel needs to absorb even more bitter blood. I think I'll slaughter everyone in the village!" And with one final laugh, he was gone.

Hardly able to keep the angry tears from her eyes, Kikyou muttered, "Damn you…Inuyasha…" She glanced at the spot where the shikon no tama had been, continuing, "You had been planning on deceiving me from the start?" Her dark eyes filled with hate. "So all of your words were lies?"

She remembered the sweetness in his voice when he said, "I have no regrets, I will become human."

"Damn you…" After one more cringe of pain, she burst out, "Damn you!"


"Inuyasha!" Kikyou's bow drawn as she saw him, the hateful hanyou whom she was ashamed to have loved. He jumped through the air, the shikon no tama in hand, after attempting to slay the village.

With her voice, she saw him turn, and look back at him, both of their eyes locked in hate. With one final bubble of spite coming to surface, she yelled one more time, "Inuyasha!" and released the sealing arrow.

Almost in slow motion, the arrow flew through the air, to pierce its mark—Inuyasha's chest, pinning him to Goshinboku. He yelped in pain and surprise, his eyes turning to shock as the shikon no tama flew from his hand, despite his attempts to grab it. It landed on the ground with a plink, Inuyasha's eyes following it…and then seeing her.

Kikyou still glared at him, the bow still in her hand, as her eyes were locked on him in malice. "Ki…Kikyou…" he reached a hand out to her, whispering in shock, "How…how could you…" And then he fell limp, under the spell of eternal sleep.

Looking away from him, her undying hatred of him the only thing keeping her from crying, she looked back at the shikon no tama. Kikyou fell to her knees before it, picking it up in her hand, knowing, at least, that it was safe.

The villagers gathered around her, most gasping at the bloody wound on her shoulder. Kaede, still with the bandage on her eye, ran up to her. "Kikyou one-sama!" she cried, kneeling beside her. "Onee-sama, those injuries—"

Kikyou glanced once more at the hanyou, now under the spell, and then back down at the jewel. "The shikon no tama…it was all for this…" she cringed once more at the pain in her shoulder, knowing the wound was fatal.

Glancing once more at her sister, she held it out to the young girl. "Listen Kaede…the shikon no tama…you must burn it with my body…So it won't fall into the hands of evil again…"

Her vision was fading…Kikyou knew her time had come. And so, she held the shikon no tama to her chest, and closed her eyes, cringing one last time, and then feeling herself fall…her last thought was on a silver haired hanyou…


After that, our love was never the same. Kikyou sighed, remembering how she and Inuyasha had grown apart. I can no longer feel for him as I once did.

But Kagome…Her eyes glinted as she thought of her reincarnation. She and Inuyasha both had a tragedy happen to them, and despite that…it never ruined what feelings lay between them.

With one last look at the moon that was barely a sliver, Kikyou asked herself, What should I do? Because if I step aside…there's a chance history will repeat itself…


The main camp was silent this late at night, no one had spoken for a long time. Most had gone to sleep, not wanting to stay awake and think about what dawn would bring. Miroku and Sango were the only ones awake in the camp, since Inuyasha had gone to help Kagome get a drink and they hadn't returned.

The youkai exterminator finished rubbing a cloth down Hiraikotsu, just making sure it was ready for battle. She had already checked her katana twice…just in case. It wasn't so much a matter of being ready for battle as it was a distraction against thoughts that she didn't want to think.

Miroku was leaning against a tree, watching the embers of the fire die while occasionally glancing back at his beloved. Sango was strong, trying not to show her suffering, but he knew, she must be suffering inside; he had never seen her fidget so much. "Sango?" he asked casually, glancing over at her. She stopped what she was doing and looked up at him, slightly surprised.

"What is it?" she asked, leaning Hiraikotsu against a tree, in a ready position in case they were attacked. "Is something wrong, Houshi-sama?"

He paused, glancing away for a moment, as if deciding something, and then glanced back at her. "Yes, there is." He walked away from his position and sat down next to her, taking her hand and looking in her eyes. "There is something wrong."

"What?" she asked, curious to his actions.

Pausing, the monk scratched the back of his head nervously. "Sango, you…you know, in the year we've known each other, you haven't once called me by my name."

With his words, Sango gasped slightly. He was right, after all. When she first met him, she called him that as was appropriate, but even after their relationship had progressed, she continued to call him 'Houshi-sama' out of habit. She turned away, not wanting to look him in his eyes. "I…I never knew a name meant so much to you, Hou—uh, I mean…" she glanced back at him as she said, for the first time, "Miroku."

His name rolled off her lips as if it had been spoken by angels. It caused the monk's heart to soar like he had never felt before. "Say it again." He begged.

"What?"

"My name." he whispered, putting a hand on her cheek, guiding her face to his. "Say it again."

Sango breathed, "Miroku…" feeling a happy tear in her eye.

"Again." He asked, drawing closer, her heart pounding.

She could feel his breath as she murmured, "Miroku…"

"Once more," his roaming hand lay on her back, pulling her closer. "Please."

"Miro—" The youkai exterminator was cut off as the monk pressed his lips to hers, and she responded without any other option. It was just perfect, what it seemed they had waited a lifetime for…only to realize that this may be the only time before their deaths.

When Miroku finally pulled away, both of them breathless, he held her to his chest, explaining, "I'm sorry Sango, but…I just wanted to…before we died…"

Without any regrets, Sango looked up at him, with a smile on her face as she whispered, "Do it again, please…"

And with a small chuckle, Miroku wholeheartedly obliged.


"So, tomorrow we finally fight Naraku, huh?" Kagome asked, her eyes cast downward as Inuyasha held her.

"Yep" he replied, "After so long…"

Kagome gave a small chuckle as she hugged him tighter, saying, "But it's nothing to worry about, right? We'll survive, right?" Though, the sinking feeling in her heart told her otherwise.

How much Inuyasha wished he could assure her…but… "I don't know, Kagome." He buried his face in her hair, her beautiful scent winding around him. "Kagome, don't you know, tomorrow night is…"

She gasped as she recalled, her heart dropping even more, "The new moon…"

"If we don't defeat Naraku before sunset…" he didn't need to continue, she knew what it meant.

"Then this is our last night we know we're alive." Finished Kagome, her eyes full of tears as she looked back up at him, as if coming to a decision.

Inuyasha's silver ears drooped as he told her, "Kagome, I'm sorry…I wish I—" He was cut off as suddenly, Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, and hungrily covered his mouth with hers.

The hanyou's amber eyes were wide open in shock when she pulled away, her eyes full of longing as she whispered, "Inuyasha…I love you." His eyes only grew larger at that statement, knowing what it meant.

She hasn't said that since…in fact, Inuyasha couldn't remember the last time she said that. "Kagome…what is—"

She silenced him by coming closer, so close that he could see the tears forming in her eyes. After four months, she couldn't take it anymore. Kagome had tried so hard to stop, and put what was right before what she wanted, but now…that they were going to die, she didn't care anymore. "It's our last night alive, Inuyasha…" she whispered, nearly shaking in need. "And I just couldn't…I couldn't last any longer without telling you…I want to spend my last night alive with you, Inuyasha."

Though he knew what he wanted, he couldn't let this continue, before… "Kagome, I thought you said that we had to stop ourselves…because of the curse."

Kagome's eyes reverted to their tragic form as she looked downward, her hand curled over her heart as she told him, "I know what I said, Inuyasha, but…I don't care anymore." Her fingertips traced his cheeks as she continued, "You were right, Inuyasha. I don't feel anything from the curse at all…Maybe, it's a sign that it's okay for us to continue, and at least, be happy the night before we die."

"Kagome…" he didn't have time to continue before she leaned up to kiss him once more, and he kissed her back, feeling as if all care had been thrown out the window. Two hearts beat as one, and their own passions mixed as the kissed deepened, going farther than they had dared to taken it since that day…

It was going too far…Inuyasha felt himself start to lose control. He pulled away, saying, "Kagome—" but she only pulled him back, her eyes so full of love as she nodded, telling him it was all right. An instant later he recaptured her lips, feeling his heart want to burst with all his love.

All thought of the curse, and what was right or wrong faded from their minds as they continued kissing, touching, only wanting to care about each other this night and no one else…For the first time in four months, they were mates, and nothing more.


Naraku had watched how the scene had progressed, through Kanna's mirror in his castle. A deep cackle escaped him as he watched Inuyasha continue to kiss Kagome, her arms wrapped around his bare back, moaning as he continued to love her.

Clutching the tainted shikon no tama as the image faded, Naraku grinned, "And so, Inuyasha, you seal your own doom." With that, he clenched his fist, feeling the tainted aura pulse within his palm.


Inuyasha, who had just whispered to her how much he loved her, suddenly pulled away from her, a look of shock on his face.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, looking up at him with a puzzled expression on her face, "What is it?" A minute ago, there wasn't a care in their minds, but…what was wrong now?

Closing his amber eyes, as if something was bothering him he whispered, "No…"

Her eyes grew wider. "What?"

The hanyou pulled away from her, pushing himself up into a sitting position. "This…this is wrong, Kagome."

Still looking confused, Kagome also sat up, her black hair spilling over her exposed chest. "What…what do you mean?"

Glancing back at her, with troubled eyes, he explained, "It's wrong of us to be doing this, even if we both can't take it anymore. Kagome…no matter how much either of us want it, we can't, not until the curse is lifted."

Kagome glanced down, feeling like she was going to cry once more. "I…I know." she whispered, continuing, "But…after I kept pushing you away…I just wanted you—"

"Don't worry about me, Kagome." Inuyasha cut in, tossing her clothes at her while he searched for his own. "I'm fine, but…Kagome, even though I lost control for a minute there…If the curse happened to appear again, and you got hurt…I'd never forgive myself."

Kagome hugged her blue shirt to her body as a tear slid down her cheek, "I'm sorry…but I just wanted to spend my last night with you…"

He had his hakama on when he turned and said to her, "We will. Let's get some sleep Kagome, I'll hold you all night." With a grin, he added, "We'll finish this later, once Naraku is defeated."

After a pause, asmile appeared on her face, and she nodded. "Deal."


Later, Inuyasha and Kagome lay in the grass, both clothed, with his haori laying over them. He was in his white shirt, with Kagome's back to his front, his arm protectively around her waist. She was asleep, he wasn't.

Over and over he cursed himself for nearly loosing control when she had suggested they mate before. After thinking about it, Inuyasha knew all too well what had caused them to suddenly want it like nothing more…

And that time…he recollected on when he had pulled away from her at the last second, telling her they couldn't. I felt it. Amber eyes fell as he remembered, Though just barely, I could feel the youkai still there, waiting to get out…If I hadn't stopped myself…then…

Inuyasha sighed, leaning back towards Kagome, closing his eyes. Am I ever going to be free of this curse?


It was a few hours before dawn when Inuyasha awoke, his ears twitching at the sound of movement in the grass. He sat up, careful not to disturb Kagome. His nose sniffed the woods, picking up all the normal scents…but then he smelled something else…Something that shouldn't be.

Standing up, Inuyasha hadhis hand on Tessaiga's hilt. "Who's there?" No answer. "Come out before I make you!" he roared, gripping his sword tighter.

Only a chuckle responded, as it tossed something into the clearing. It appeared to be a small ball, but the instant it hit the grass, a powerful, enveloping scent wrapped around him. Inuyasha covered his nose, but it was no use, the scent was so strong it gave him a headache, making him sick to his stomach.The hanyou fell to his knees, both hands covering his nose, while his vision blurred.

He glanced back at the sleeping girl. "Ka…gome…" he whispered, before he fainted dead away.


When Inuyaha stirred, he knew he was no where near where he had fallen. He was lying on stone…and all around him was a terrible jyaki. He didn't need to open his eyes to know where he was.

Yet he sprung up, glancing around. He was lying in a courtyard, in a castle surrounded by a deep purple aura. Inuyasha put a hand on Tessaiga, yelling, "Naraku!"

A chuckle responded. "So, Inuyasha, how do you like my castle?"

The hanyou growled as he whirled around, facing his archenemy as he stood upon a wooden roof of the castle. "Where's Kagome?" he glared, his voice deep and threatening.

Smirking, Naraku replied, "Don't worry, Inuyasha. I have not laid a hand upon your lover, and speaking of her…" His red eyes flashed in amusement. "I was surprised you could not bring yourself to mate with her tonight. Your will is stronger than I thought."

A growl answered him as Inuyasha gave him a glare that could definitely kill. "I have something to show you, Inuyasha." Naraku continued, holding out his clenched fist. "Something that I have wanted to show you for a long time."

"What?" Inuyasha snapped, still growling as he reached for his sword.

Naraku opened his palm, holding out the shikon no tama, in its deep tainted hue, the malicious power radiating around the jewel.

In an instant, those red eyes appeared in Inuyasha's mind, and the youkai's snarl rang in his ears. The hanyou cried out as he clutched his head, falling to his knees as he felt the youkai within him fighting to get out. Kagome…I can't let it hurt Kagome… he thought, his nails biting into his skin as he fought to keep himself under his control.

Laughing cruelly as Inuyasha struggled with his other self, Naraku explained, "I have waited for this, Inuyasha. Your frustration with the girl caused you to feel anger, and I intensified it only yesterday. When you tried to mate with her, your youkai-like urges began to seep through. And now, with the power of the tainted shikon no tama, it's jyaki can force you to your other self."

Inuyasha lay on the ground, curled into a ball, while one hand was digging a gash in his arm, pain keeping him in his mind, the other gripped Tessaiga so tightly that it was straining his muscles. He clenched his eyes shut, his lip bleeding from where he was biting it with fangs that grew and shrunk, the purple scars on his cheeks pulsing, trying to be accepted. Inuyasha's voice would change from grunts of struggle, to deep snarls, and back again. And every so often, that one word would escape his lips, "Kagome…"

Jumping down closer to him, Naraku laughed, "Your lover will die, Inuyasha. And it shall be a death by your own hand. Accept that, and be the form you long to be!" And bending down towards the hanyou, he extended his hand with the shikon no tama, its power surging as it came near him.

Suddenly, Inuyasha opened his eyes, and they took in the tainted jewel, reflecting it back out. His eyes flickered from amber to red, and the longer he stared at the jewel, the more he fell to the curse. He shut his eyes once more, a single tearescaping them as he whispered with his last ounce of strength, "Ka…go...me…"


A/N: How come my evil chapters turn out to be the longest? It was originally just the important stuff, but I just added more and more until…well you get the picture.

My evil side was suffering from withdrawl, and I had to let it out before it went ballistic. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the cliffie!

(Also, I just HAD to put Kikyou in there. Those flashbacks were from episode 147 and 148, which I just LOVE, and those were the episodes that really got me into liking her. I'm thinking of using stuff from those episodes in a Inu/Kag fanfic, so I hope everyone's seen them by then!)

Stay turned (for a much smaller chapter and) to see what happens!