Inuyasha Wake Up!

Koga led the way. There was a clearing ahead just like the old flea said. He was there. Of course he'd been able to smell Inuyasha for a while now. This barrier was nothing like Naraku's, which could block scents. He hadn't said a word to them but led silently. Koga knew that finding Inuyasha would help Kagome but he would have preferred for the mutt to remain missing. Those pictures of him and Kagome continued to flash in his mind and he was irritated by the whole situation. He didn't care what happened to Inuyasha but if that priestess – if Kikyo didn't release Kagome, he would kill her and nobody was going to stop him.

It wasn't a large barrier, just big enough to cover the two of them. They were like a couple in a fairytale asleep under a spell. Inuyasha was flat on his back with Kikyo tucked close to his side, her head on his chest. Koga moved forward until he was only a few steps away from it. Miroku and Shippo standing beside him. Sango and Kagome were bringing up the rear on Kirara.

Kagome knew they had arrived but she didn't look. She knew that seeing him would be the worst pain yet so she was going to wait until she had no choice. Kirara stopped and Sango got off then helped Kagome to stand. Finally they were all there, all together.

"Look!" Shippo noticed soul collectors suddenly appearing and flying above their heads.

"Yes, I'm sure she's using them as lookouts." Myoga said. "They chased off my crow the first time. Lady Kikyo knows we're here."

"Good. Then she can get up and fix Kagome." Koga said before kicking the barrier. Unexpectedly it warped almost collapsing.

"The barrier almost came down. If she's had Inuyasha under there the whole time, she may be getting weak. The barrier must be draining her power."

"Then we should break it down." Sango said. She wanted to do it herself.

Miroku was just about to do that when Kikyo opened her eyes and sat up. She stared at them all scornfully. "No need." She waved her hand and the barrier disappeared. Silently Kikyo stood to face them.

"Inuyasha!"

"Inuyasha, wake up!"

"Lord Inuyasha!"

They all called to him believing he would wake and help them deal with Kikyo. He did not. Not one muscle moved, nor did and ear twitch. Inuyasha was as still as death.

"What are you doing to him? Haven't you done enough?" Miroku demanded gesturing at Kagome who had still not looked at Inuyasha.

"I am doing what must be done. She and Inuyasha do not belong together. I am only helping them to realize it." Kikyo stared at Kagome. The girl looked awful. She could barely stand, her limbs trembling. Kikyo felt no pity.

"Look witch, I don't care about Inuyasha, do what you want with him but I demand you take the spell off Kagome." Koga stepped closer. "If you won't do it willingly, I'll turn that body of yours back into dust." He was angry and some of it was for Inuyasha and that made him angrier. The fool was no more than a puppet to be used for her whims; even the mutt didn't deserve that.

Kikyo looked at the wolf demon as if he were no more than a fly. "You could try." She looked back at Kagome. "What's the matter Kagome? Don't you have anything to say?"

Koga growled and would have moved forward if Miroku hadn't blocked him with his staff.

Kagome finally lifted her head but she stared only at Kikyo. Kikyo whose face was a near twin to her own. The other woman who loved Inuyasha, who apparently was willing to let her die to get him.

"Has he chosen?" When Kikyo only lifted an eyebrow, Kagome asked again. "Has Inuyasha chosen to be with you? Isn't that why he's here so that you can convince him to be with you?" She'd forced Sango to tell her about the situation with Kikyo, she'd needed to know why Kikyo wanted to her hurt so badly. "I know you don't care about me. You just wanted to cause me pain or maybe you just didn't care at all what happened to me as long as I was out of the way." Kagome stopped to take a breath.

"Hmm, so you figured it out. Why didn't you just put him out of your mind? You wouldn't have had to endure any pain."

Kagome let out a short, humorless laugh. "Have you been able to forget Inuyasha? Isn't that why all of this is happening?"

Miroku spoke up; Kagome was being propped up against Kirara now, unable to stand any longer. "Look at what you've done to her just because you both love the same man. Kagome is not your enemy. Inuyasha is not your enemy. All you ever had to do was ask Inuyasha what he wants! Kagome is the type of person who would back away and wish you well if Inuyasha chose you. All of this was unnecessary! End this spell, this curse! Your actions make you no better than Tsubaki. Have you become and evil priestess, Kikyo?

These words shocked Kikyo. She couldn't believe that Kagome would just give up on Inuyasha and she was not Tsubaki! Kikyo stood taller not showing any emotion. "If Kagome would give up Inuyasha so easily, then she doesn't deserve him."

"You don't get it at all!" Sango could stay silent no longer. "If it would make Inuyasha happy, Kagome would give him up. It would hurt greatly but she would do it for him because would it make him happy and in that she would find some peace. Never would she deliberately hurt another to get what she wanted and you've caused her a lot of pain." Sango turned pained eyes to Kagome, "Look at her! She can barely move - every little thought of the man she loves causes her physical pain! Kagome could die. Do you want to tell Inuyasha that in order to make him love you that you killed the woman he cares about?" Sango asked softly.

Inuyasha heard it all and was appalled at what Kikyo had done. He tried to open his eyes, tried to move but he couldn't. Kagome! No, Kagome, what has happened to you! Inuyasha yelled or tried to. He could smell her scent. It filled his senses and he wanted nothing more than to hold and comfort her.But he couldn't move!

Kikyo had him under some sort of spell. Damn, she was responsible for the illusion too! What was she trying to do? He guessed she was trying to give him a taste of what might have been but those dreams had long been lost to Inuyasha. He no longer held that kind of love for Kikyo; it certainly explained why he didn't feel right touching her. It should be obvious to her that the illusion she'd created could never happen.

Naraku had taken something away from both of them but Inuyasha had managed to move on. Kikyo's death wasn't his fault and he no longer felt he owed it to her to die. He wanted to live now and be with Kagome. Kikyo shouldn't have expected his feelings to remain the same. What he felt for Kagome was more intense than anything he'd felt for Kikyo.

Inuyasha heard Sango saying that Kagome was in pain, suffering because of another spell of Kikyo's. She had purposely set out to hurt Kagome and possibly kill her! Somehow, some way he had to wake up and stop Kikyo!

Kikyo listened to Sango's words and knew that unless she was able to keep Inuyasha's friends away from him that he would somehow learn the truth. If Kagome died, she could loose any chance at making Inuyasha love her again. She turned to Koga. "You'll take her away? If I release Kagome, you'll take her away from here, away from Inuyasha?"

Koga was hurting. It pained him to be here watching this. Kagome shouldn't be in love with a jerk like Inuyasha. He was way better than that half-breed mutt. Just looking at Kikyo and her holy than thou attitude made him want to kill her. This whole situation was her fault. She and Kagome were almost the same person yet she could do this to the woman who was her reincarnation it - boggled his mind. Koga was just about act on his thoughts to take her out when she spoke.

"Hell yeah! I'll take her far away. She'll never have to see his ugly face again."

"No." The word was said quietly her head down. Kagome had been listening to it all. "No. Even if Koga takes me away, I'll come back. I'll look for Inuyasha until I find him again. Only when I hear it from his lips that he wants to be with you, will I leave. It must be his decision." Kagome got to her hands and knees and crawled over to Inuyasha and finally looked at him. Her gasp of pain echoed in the empty forest. One hand went to her lips before shakily touching Inuyasha's face. "I'll never forget you Inuyasha. I-I love you…" Kagome had more to say but the pain was too much; she slumped to the ground beside Inuyasha. It was a tragic picture as her fingers rested against his mouth as if awaiting an answer.

"Kagome!"

"Oh, no Kagome!"

"Wake up Kagome!"

"Damn you Kikyo! Release her before she dies!" Miroku had both hands wrapped around his staff, ready to swing if she didn't do, as he demanded.

Kagomeeeee! Inuyasha desperately wanted to wake up and take her in his arms but he still couldn't move. He could feel her light touch on his lips – a touch he might never again feel. What would he tell her family if he couldn't save her? Damn Kikyo!

Kikyo stared at them a moment. Did she really want Kagome dead? Kagome had been born in her own likeness. She had befriended Inuyasha and fallen in love with him. Was that a crime punishable by death? Would she forever haunt their steps if she let Kagome live? And what if she truly was the type of person to back off if Inuyasha chose her? All of Kikyo's problems would be over. She just needed a bit more time to convince Inuyasha that he belonged with her.

"Alright." She turned and placed her hand over Kagome's head. Seconds ticked by then Kagome gasped again.

"Witch, she'd better be well!" Koga said and moved closer. They were all next to Kagome who still lay by Inuyasha's side. Sango leaned close and breathed a sigh of relief.

"I think her pain is gone. The muscles in her body are no longer tight and her breathing is easier." Sango stared up at Kikyo. She did not like this woman but finally she had done the right thing. "Thank you."

"Hmph. You, take her and go. All of you leave!" Kikyo pointed at Koga then turned her spiteful gaze on all of them.

"No Koga. This isn't over yet. Do you really think we'll just leave Inuyasha here, alone with you?" Miroku wanted to know.

"Yes, unless you wish Kagome to suffer more." Kikyo threatened.

Myoga had heard enough. There was one way to wake Lord Inuyasha -in fact it never failed. He hopped off Kirara unnoticed and onto Inuyasha. Speaking low he said, "It's time to wake up master." Finding his favorite spot, Myoga went to sucking blood.

Can you feel the tension? Has Kikyo really released Kagome from the spell? Will Inuyasha finally wake up and have it out with Kikyo? Only the next chapter will tell. Stay tuned.