In Pain

"So you found him?" Kagome asked quietly. She was relieved he was alright - Inuyasha. When she thought of him, only the pictures from her album came to mind but even that brought her pain. "And he's under a spell too? Protected by a barrier?" They had to free him and confront Kikyo. Kagome had never gotten used to the fact that she was Kikyo's reincarnation and now Kikyo was out to hurt her.

"Yes, it's my guess that while she's trying to make you forget Inuyasha that maybe she's trying to make him forget you. Or at least trying to endear herself to him." Miroku looked at Kagome noticing how run down she seemed. Even when she was under that curse by the dark priestess, Kagome hadn't looked this bad.

"Kagome? Are you sure you're up for this?" It was Shippo standing beside her looking worried.

"Whether I am or not, we have to go. I can't take this pain any longer. And…I have to see him." She finished quietly.

"Umm, Kagome, if you and this Kikyo woman have the same powers, how come you can't break the spell yourself? I'm mean if she can do it, can't you undo it?" Koga asked. It seemed like something she ought to be able to do. That way she really could forget about the mutt and be with him.

Kagome smiled weakly and shrugged. Yes, she had similarpowers but she didn't understand them at all. Sango sought to answer Koga's question.

"Kikyo was trained to be a priestess and we have to assume that coming back from the dead allowed her to learn other things to increase her power." She went to Kagome and helped her to stand. "Kagome's power is just there. Not once has she been taught exactly how to use it. Maybe she could break the spell or maybe she could make it worse. No, it's better if Kikyo does it or is forced to do it." She said quietly.

Miroku and Sango shared a look because if they weren't able to awaken Inuyasha, they might actually have to kill Kikyo if she wouldn't release Kagome from the spell. They just hoped they could do it if it came to that.

"We should go. Myoga, you'll lead the way?" The flea was sitting on Kirara.

"Of course, just follow me!" He hopped up into the tree where his crow was waiting. Everyone but Koga got on Kirara and they took off to find Inuyasha.

They were holding hands but it didn't make them feel closer to the other. Kikyo had hoped things would get better but now she had doubts. Inuyasha had seen the barrier even though he didn't realize what he'd seen and she felt as if time was running out. Either she'd have to let him wake up and try to get him to leave Kagome on his own or call this whole charade a failure. Her hand tightened on his – she just wasn't going to give up that easily.

"There! It happened again. Did you see it?" Inuyasha dropped Kikyo's hand so he could point out the shimmer in the sky. He did it also because he felt uncomfortable with the cold touch of her hand.

Kikyo sighed when he let go of her and looked up. The barrier had warped this time as a reflection of her feelings, of her desire to have Inuyasha choose to be with her. Quickly she thought up an excuse to tell Inuyasha. "Yes, yes I saw it. I think…it must be at trap to lure in victims. Such tricks are used by weak demons, we don't have to worry. More than likely it will soon show itself and I'll destroy it." When she turned to look at him, Inuyasha was frowning.

It was those words, 'I'll destroy it' that made him frown and brought his feelings to the surface. "Kikyo," Inuyasha was hesitant to speak but it was time, he was tired of pretending everything was normal. "I think I – I think I should leave. Go away and try to find a way to become a demon again." A wind seemed to swirl around Inuyasha picking up his dark hair and playing with the ends. Even though it was a beautiful day it seemed heavy with the storm of their emotions.

Kikyo opened her mouth then closed it again. Somehow she knew that if there had been a heart in her body that it would have stopped at those words. As it was despair began to fill her. "Why Inuyasha? Why would you want to go back to being a demon? And if you did, would you come back to me?" This she asked softly. Had that been the problem, having him become human? If he'd stayed a half-demon would they have been happy together?"

"I don't know." He answered her last question first, honestly. "I miss being a demon. I miss my claws, my senses and my strength! I don't like being weak, not able to defend myself or you or Kaede." He took a quick breath then spoke again, the words flowing from him. "I don't feel as if I fit in here! Kaede is the only real friend I have. I don't – I don't feel close to you, Kikyo. The feelings aren't the same and you're – you're cold. Your body is cold and it doesn't respond to my touch." Inuyasha turned away from her and put his hands inside his kimono. "Living here, like this I feel like a damned tamed dog! Tame and on a leash!" Inuyasha was breathing heavy now. After saying the words he realized that was exactly how he felt and how much he'd been holding in. It wasn't like him.

"I know you said I've been human for over a year now but it doesn't feel like it! Why don't I remember using the jewel to become human or us getting married! Something really wrong is going on here!" It finally crossed his mind that maybe this was all some sort illusion when Kikyo threw herself into his arms.

Kikyo did this to stop his painful words as well as to distract him. While she listened to him and felt hope slipping away, outside her soul collectors warned her that they were no longer alone. Inuyasha's friends had found them.

"Kikyo? What are you…?" He stopped when she hugged him close.

"Inuyasha, don't give up on us. We just need time, time to work it all out. Please don't go, at least not yet. Please." She begged to bring out, hopefully his guilt.

"I don't…" Inuyasha stared at her, at the face ofa person he cared about. "Maybe for a while longer but…" Her lips reached up and caressed his and as soon as he closed his eyes – he was unconscious.

Kikyo had needed to touch him in order to put him under. His friends may have found them but she didn't intend to let them have him and with Inuyasha unconscious he wouldn't know they were near. Besides if she woke him now after what he'd just said, she'd surely loose him.

Wow, it's getting kind of emotional huh?