A/N: :slams head on computer desk: I know I know!! I havent updated in months... but i have a lot going on... Highschool isn't fun ( ... but I finally overcame writers block... This is a VERY important chapter. lol just giving the heads up... and once again thanks for the reviews and onto the chappie! AR ACCEPTED )

DISCLAIMER: though I would love to own Inu-Yasha for Valentine's Day.. I sadly don't.. and Rumiko Takahashi still does...

Inu-Yasha, Stay With Me!

Chapter 7

After multiple times explaining the situation to the group, Kagome was sure she had thought of the answer, however Kaede immediately shot down any of her hopes that she has put in the medicine Rin had given her. Frustrated and with a lump in her throat, Kagome sat on her floor putting a hand to her eyes.

"Isn't there any possible answer to this?!" She cried out in frustration.

"Aye, child, there is. Ye have just yet to find it. If this whole mess is truly a spell caused by Naraku a simple bag of herbs won't help, there's just no way."

"But I've thought of every thing I could..."

"That is why ye must not keep punishing yourself so hard, Kagome." Kaede went over to put a hand on the girls shoulder. "Kagome go home for a little while."

"No! I-... I can't leave Inu-Yasha here what if he wakes up? No one can come and get me!"

"Kagome, Kaede's right. You're pushing yourself far too hard." Miroku spoke in a soothing tone. "Inu-Yasha wouldn't want you to fuss over this and stop your life either."

"..."

"Am I right?" The monk finished his statement. Kagome stood up obviously holding back the salty tears that stung her eyes noticeably.

"Alright, you're right. He wouldn't want me to suffer along with him. But I'm coming back before nightfall."

"Take your time, Kagome." Sango called as the girl slowly made her way out of the village.

XxXxXxX

As Kagome walked through the woods to get to the well, she felt moister in the air. The combination of that and the sky darkening by the second called for rain. She held her arms to her chest after the cool wind wrapped itself around her tiny form. Kagome shuffled her feet along the pathway, stirring up dirt and small pebbles, some of which ending up in her shoes, making it even more uncomfortable to walk to the well. She couldn't believe how far away that well was. Every five feet she walked, the same thought crossed her mind.. Turn back. She ignored the nagging voice in her head and continued to push forward, as the sky opened up, but with only pin sized holes, the first tears of rain trickling down to fall on her head.

As she made her way painfully passed the God tree and through the last bit of forest, she came across the clearing where the old well still stood strong, one leg pulling her in the direction of the well, the other behind her, pulling her to go back.

"I can't go back... I just can't.." Kagome turned around to walk into someone. Looking up slowly, her eyes fell on the face of Kikyo, standing behind her with her same emotionless expression, and soul collectors surrounding her.

"I see," The miko had a soft glow around her, Kagome couldn't tell if it was because the rain was messing with her eyes or because the light of her soul collectors surrounded her. "You have yet to find a cure, am I correct?" Kagome nodded, too embarrassed to look Kikyo in the eye and tell her that she really didn't find a cure in words.

"I've... I've tried to think of everything..." Kikyo looked at the girl and half chuckled. Kagome, confused at what could possibly be so amusing about the whole situation cast a look of distress to the woman.

"I will give you what you need to cure Inu-Yasha but as I've said, you are the only one who can figure out how to heal him and the one to do so." Kikyo looked at her reincarnation now with her brows facing down, making seriousness noticeable. Kikyo reached an arm back to her arrow caddy and pulled out one of the long shafts in between her index and middle fingers. She handed the arrow to Kagome he stared once again in confusion on the message the older priestess was trying to send.

"This is all you need." No sooner had Kikyo's words hit her ears, Kagome's glance shot from the arrow back up to Kikyo's eyes.

"You don't mean... I have to shoot Inu-Yasha for.. For him to be healed!?!"

"I cannot say."

"But you know the answer obviously if you gave me this in the first place!" She clutched the arrow hard and got no response from the un-dead miko. "Kikyo are you even listening!?!"

"There is a reason why you are the one who must heal him."

"There is?"

"Yes," Kikyo moved towards the well while still talking to Kagome. "You are the only one who can help Inu-Yasha because of the feelings you hold for him. Because of the love you feel for him, you are the one who will hold the purest intentions of making him well and not taking advantage of his state."

"But you could have easily done the same, and Inu-Yasha doesn't love me anyway.. I think he would be more happy if you did it." Kagome said looking at the arrow she still clutched.

"I do not love him. I cannot love him. My very being is merely existing because of the hatred I am forced to feel. And because of that I am not able to perform this, you are the only one." Kikyo reached out and ran her hand gently across the wood's grain and pulled her hand back to turn and look at Kagome. "Do you understand?"

"Yes. I have to purify the evil that's in Inu-Yasha."

"And you can only do it with that arrow. You have one shot nothing more, so use it right."

"What if I-"

"You wont hurt him as long as you hold feelings for him." Kikyo continued to the other side of the forest. "And as for not loving you I wouldn't be so sure."

"What?"

"He holds so much compassion in his eyes when he looks at you, something I never saw. Now go back to him, he should be up soon." Kikyo left with that and without explaining how she knew how he'd be up. Without much thought Kagome turned back around and headed through the woods as the sky's pinholes spread and the sky leaked dry.

XxXxXxX

Kagome had run all the way back to Kaede's hut and wasn't sure if she was soaking wet from the rain or from sweating. She gripped the arrow at her side the whole way, careful not to drop it. As she walked into the hut, sure enough Inu-Yasha was awake and responding as if nothing was wrong.

"Kagome, you're back awfully early." Miroku said.

"I never went home." Kagome responded back to Miroku and sat by Inu-Yasha ringing out her hair.

"I'm glad you came back, I thought you weren't going to come back in time." Inu-Yasha looked at her, his bright eyes shining. Kagome never realized how much she missed those eyes until now.

"Inu-Yasha, I have to talk to you. It's urgent." Kagome said still panting from the lack of breath she had, she figured if she had to run another 10 feet she would collapse unable to move any further. Inu-Yasha put his palm on the ground and tried to force himself to sit up, only lay back down, the pain from Naraku's magic still gripping him.

"Dammit.." He mumbled. "But, w-what is it?"

"Inu-Yasha, I've found your cure."

"Kagome!?" Sango yelled surprised.

"How did you-" Not letting Kaede finish stating her question, Kagome pushed on.

"I don't know if you're going to like it though.."

"I don't care, what is it!?" Inu-Yasha had all his old passion back from before he was hurt again in that one moment.

"Inu-Yasha... I'm going to have to shoot you with this arrow... In the same place Kikyo did 50 years ago." Kagome held the arrow up to Inu-Yasha's gaze as his expression dropped. Everyone took a hushed tone in the room, and in fact, they all could have sworn the rain stood silent too.

XxXxXxX

A/N: I'm being kicked off the computer guys sorry... But a lot happened this chapter with Kikyo ... so yeah. let me know what you guys think ok?? Sorry it couldn't be longer but please review! Thank you all for being patient!!!! Happy Valentine's Day!

'Till Next Time

A Friend in Words,

--KB