Is this, Chapter three, the final chapter? Maybe. In fact, I think so. But I'll know when I'm done with it. So read on to find out.

Third Chapter Disclaimer: Trust me: you don't want me to own InuYasha. This chapter will prove it…I hope.

By the next morning, almost all of the miasma had dissipated on the wind. The villagers were optimistic, knowing that soon they would be able to leave the confines of the barrier. Others were far from sharing that happy outlook; namely Sesshomaru, Kagome, and Kikyo. The tension between the two girls was rising as the miasma was disappearing. Some sort of argument or fight was bound to break out, and tears were inevitable.

Sesshomaru, however, was in a far worse position. Rin hadn't made any progress toward recovering, and it filled him with terror. He did his best not to show it, but there were moments of weakness when that fear showed through. Kagome and Kaede had both tried to reassure him, but Kikyo's words had a far greater effect on him. How he hated her, with that cold laugh, those harsh predictions of Rin's imminent death. He would kill her for it…but he couldn't leave Rin. Not now, when she needed him most.

InuYasha was lost in his own thoughts for much of the day. He knew Kikyo and Kagome were about ready to kill each other over him…again…but that was at the back of his mind. What he was most preoccupied with was Sesshomaru. He hated seeing his brother so torn up, and in all actuality, he admitted to himself, he preferred Sesshomaru being a cold, stoic pain. And then there was Rin. He believed there was still hope for her, though Sesshomaru seemed to have just about given up. Sighing, and reluctant to do what he knew must be done, he left the rooftop he'd been on and went to see his brother.

InuYasha hesitated only a second before entering the hut. He instantly felt a change from the outdoors; everyone out there was so happy, but inside, Sesshomaru's aura was radiating grief, and it practically choked him. "How is she?" he asked, keeping his voice level.

Sesshomaru's eyes never left the girl sleeping in his lap. "No better." His voice was hoarse; he sounded…beaten. And it pained InuYasha.

"Listen," he said. "So she's not getting any better. She hasn't gotten any worse either. That means she's fighting the poison. She can still recover. There's still hope."

Sesshomaru looked up at him. "Don't give up on her," InuYasha urged. "If you do that, then there's no reason for her to go on living."

Slowly, he nodded, as if coming out of a daze. InuYasha turned to go. "InuYasha." The half-demon paused, looking over his shoulder. "I needed to hear that."

"Feh. That's why I said it." And with that he was gone, making his way back to the rooftop. But he stopped, looking around in amazement. The barrier had vanished. Villagers were cheering, gratefully making their way out of the confines of the little town.

A thought struck him, and he quickly sought out Kagome. As he had feared, she and Kikyo were facing off, both of them bristling with anger. When he approached, they ceased glaring daggers at each other long enough to look at him. It was Kikyo who made the next move. Casting one more wicked glare at Kagome, she turned to InuYasha, mustering the sweetest smile she could.

"I've made a decision, InuYasha," she said happily. "I'm not going to leave. I want to stay here, and help my sister protect my village." She effectively ignored the icy look she was getting from behind.

"No."

She blinked in surprise, caught completely off guard. "What?"

"I won't let you stay," InuYasha growled. "You don't deserve it, not after the things you said to Sesshomaru. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. I heard every word you said to him. You're just as bad as Naraku in that way; all you know how to do is mess with people's emotions, twisting things around until they're lost in despair. I won't let you do that anymore, Kikyo. Go, now, and I won't kill you. I'm sure Sesshomaru will get around to it later. But I'm warning you; keep the hell away from my friends and my family." His voice had gone cold, leaving Kikyo trembling and pale. As soon as InuYasha broke eye contact with her, she walked away, steadily and purposefully.

"InuYasha," Kagome whispered fearfully. Never before had she seen him like that, and to be frank, it had terrified her.

He looked at her, all his anger forgotten. Replacing it was a deep sadness. "She had no right," he began quietly. "She had no right to strip him of his hope like that."

"I've never seen you mad at Kikyo before," Kagome said shakily.

"She isn't the woman I was in love with. And I think I'm just now realizing it."

Kagome smiled sadly at him, and took a step toward him. But she collapsed before she got any farther. Instantly concerned, InuYasha caught her as she fell. "I'm sorry," she said weakly. "I'm just a little tired."

"You can rest now," he whispered. "You did great, Kagome."

She smiled and fell asleep in his arms. He picked her up and carried her inside, his thoughts still troubling him.

OoOoOoOoOoO

InuYasha awoke to sounds coming from Kaede's hut. Something had happened, and it probably concerned Rin. And it was probably important. He listened as intently as he could, considering he was still half-asleep. Kaede and Sesshomaru were conversing in hushed whispers. A moment later, he heard a small sob, and it definitely wasn't the old hag.

He considered getting up and going over there to make sure everything was alright. But one look at Kagome, sleeping peacefully in his arms, made him reconsider. He was too tired to get up, not to mention lazy, and he didn't want to wake Kagome. No, he could find out in the morning…

I know it's short, but I'm tired, and I wanted to stretch it out a bit, build up suspense, and the likes. So, this isn't the last chapter after all! Hooray! Let me know what you think about how I handled the Kikyo situation!