"Yeah, Kagome, it's me."
Staring, she lifted a strand of dark hair and furrowed her brows, "why didn't you ever tell me about this?"
"Why do you think? I was embarrassed, alright?! You've always seen me as this strong half-demon…you fell in love with me as a half-demon. I never wanted you to see me like this. So weak and human."
She surprised everyone by rearing her arm back and slapping him across the face.
"You idiot! How could you think I would care about a thing like that?! Half-demon or human, you are still InuYasha to me."
Without warning, human InuYasha leaned his head down and claimed her lips, thankful that she was alive, and so accepting of him. Kagome melted like molten lava under his touch as every nerve ending screamed for more, but she had to remember where they were and what was going on. Pulling away from the kiss, Kagome steadied her breathing.
"Later, my love. Right now, we have to find a way out of here."
Sesshomaru crossed his arms, "that's not our only problem anymore. Kagome, Kikyo has your mom and brother."
"What?!"
Standing up, she paced back and forth, "what are we going to do?"
Staring at the ground, InuYasha sighed heavily, "she said she would release them if I agreed to go to her."
"No! You can't!"
Kagome rushed over and held tightly to him, "please, don't! We'll find another way."
Being with her meant everything to him, but her life and the lives of those she loved meant more than his happiness. He held her close and whispered in her ear.
"There is no other way. I have to do this to save your family from the crazy bitch that will kill them and not think twice about it."
Unbidden tears fell as she realized he was right…there was no other way to save them.
"We're going to save you as soon as we can. She won't have you."
Smirking, InuYasha trailed his hand down to her plump behind and gave it a good squeeze. Reflexes kicked in and Kagome slapped him on the arm.
"Did this really seem like a good time to do that?!"
"Yes, because I may never get another chance to."
"Don't talk that way! We're gonna have a future together and there will be ample opportunities to fondle and grope me, okay?"
"Yeah."
Lifting his head up to the ceiling, he yelled, "alright, Kikyo! You win! Now come down here and get me, so you can let Kagome's family go!"
One of the stone walls of the maze opened up, and a she-demon (the same one that attacked Miroku) came out.
"Come with me, InuYasha."
Miroku lunged for her, but Sesshomaru held him back, "Let me go! She's Kagura, the wind sorceress demon that tried to kill me!"
Sango squinted her eyes, "guys, I have an idea. Kagome, can you blast her with your spiritual power?"
"Sure, piece of cake."
"Okay then, when InuYasha gets to her, blast her and we'll make a run for the new exit she opened."
Kagome grinned, "great idea Sango."
Without InuYasha's power, you would think it a difficult task, but their planned worked perfectly as Sesshomaru distracted her in a heated fight, long enough for Kagome to release her spiritual beam at her, purifying the sorceress. InuYasha grabbed her by the waist and ran into the opening with the others.
"If you thought it was hard for me to resist joining with you before, you have no idea how bad it is now. Watching you fight got me all hot and bothered."
Rolling her eyes, she grinned.
"You're really thinking of that right now?"
"It's hard not to think of things like that when it's you."
They found themselves inside the mansion and Kagome heightened all her senses as she searched for Kikyo's presence.
"She's there (pointing to the stairs) down the stairs and through the second door on the left… along with my mom and brother."
They raced down and Kagome forced open the door to finally face her enemy.
"You must be Kikyo."
The sadistic woman smiled coldly at her, "and you are Kagome, but I already knew that. After all, I'm the one that ordered the demon worm charmer to defile you, so InuYasha wouldn't want you anymore."
Growling low in his throat, InuYasha moved to stand next to his love.
"Fat chance of that ever happening. Even if you did succeed, it wouldn't have changed anything about the way I feel. You lost before you even started this, Kikyo."
Looking the now human InuYasha up and down, she licked her lips.
"I much prefer your silver hair, but this will do. Come to me, InuYasha, or I'll kill these two without a second thought."
Kagome put her hand out to keep him from moving.
"You want InuYasha, then let's fight for him. Winner gets him, and loser dies."
"What?!"
InuYasha grabbed Kagome's shoulders and shook her, "are you crazy?! Don't do this! What makes you think she'll play fair, huh?"
"Because if she's dead, then I've saved you and my family."
"Kagome (he cupped her cheek) you should not be burdened with someone's death on your hands. It isn't right."
"I'm willing to, if that means we get to be together."
Pulling her in, he held her close, cradling her petite frame to his chest.
"I love you, and that's why I can't let you allow a shred of darkness in that pure heart of yours."
With that, he pushed her away and slammed the door on them.
"Alright Kikyo, we're gonna finish this, and you're going to let her family go and never interfere in our lives again, deal?"
The leering woman got up from the chair and walked over to him.
"What do you mean by finish this?"
"You know exactly what I mean!"
"In that case, (she hid Kagome's family behind a trap door so they would be alone) let's get started."
She cupped him and he sneered in disgust. The last thing he wanted was to lose his virginity to this vile woman, but he had to do what he could to save them.
Just as Kikyo was almost finished undressing him, the door burst open, or rather it exploded.
"InuYasha! I won't let that tramp have you! If you weren't willing to sacrifice my innocence then what makes you think I'm willing to sacrifice yours!?"
Blinking at her, InuYasha didn't really think about that part. Kagome felt intense rage as she looked upon the woman on top of her man and him almost completely naked.
"Get away from my man, you vindictive manipulative whore!"
Suddenly, Kagome started to radiate a purifying light, and Sesshomaru, Sango, and Miroku were all beside her. Kikyo was angry and frustrated as so many foes stood against her.
Looking all around, she grabbed an envelope opener and pointed it over InuYasha's heart.
"What makes you think I'll let him go so easy!? He will be mine!"
InuYasha shocked everyone as he leaned up and kissed Kikyo! Turning away, Kagome felt her heart being torn out and collapsed from the pain.
Even Sesshomaru was sickened by the sight, until he saw something shiny in his little brother's hand. Without pause, InuYasha plunged the same letter opener Kikyo dropped from the kiss, into her black heart.
"I was never going to be yours, Kikyo. That was a farewell kiss, now leave this world and our lives forever."
A few chocking sounds later, and Kikyo fell limp onto the desk. Putting his shirt back on and doing up his pants, he rushed over to the fainted Kagome. Holding her, he was so relieved to see her open her eyes.
"InuYasha?"
"Kagome."
She slapped him with every bit of strength she had, and wobbled over to the trap door, letting her family out. Sesshomaru leaned down, "you should have known that was going to happen." He walked past, as did Sango and Miroku.
Looking up, InuYasha was glad to see Kagome reunited with her mom and brother, but when she looked at him there was so much hurt and pain in her eyes. He did what he had to do, but there was no point in explaining that to her now. She needed time to stop being angry.