If I had only known that things would be this way,

If I had only known we'd be pent against each other in this never ending conflict,

If I had only known that life would turn out like this today,

If I had only known about the crime they'd soon convict,

If I had only known that our love would be muddled with such grime,

I would have made far better use of our time.

If you had only known that I'd never harm you,

If you had only known how perfect we were as a duo,

If you had only known that every word I'd spoken was true,

If you had only known how badly it hurt for this to be matsuo*

If you had only known that I cared before you commited that crime,

I would have lived for a longer amount of time.

*Matsu-"the end" in Japanese.

- Written by me especially for the occasion.

*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X

The breathing of Kagome and the beeping of the heart monitor were the only sounds heard in the room. Sesshomaru sat worriedly and guiltily in the chair just beside his mate's bed. He growled softly to himself as he rested his head on her chest, listening to her heart beat. 'Damn this hospital for not giving her the proper attention she requires.' He lifted his lids a bit when he heard the door open. As his family filled in, he sniffed the air lightly, then perked up a bit, though it couldn't be seen. He stood slowly and nodded his head at Katashi ever so slightly.

"Whoa, no one told me it was Kagome." Katashi sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I knew you were the type to attract trouble, Kag." He wiped the sweat from her forehead carefully, then looked to Sesshomaru. "You cut her arm off, huh? She piss ya off that bad?" He smirked.

"Not now, Katashi."

"Alright then, Fluffy. Jeez. Anyway, where the limb?" He took it when Sesshomaru offered the arm to him. He'd preserved it the best he could. "You did good with preserving it, but I don't think it'll reattach." Katashi lifted the remaining stump of Kagome's arm. "Nope. It won't. Best bid you got at her getting her arm back is regeneration."

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowened, and he lowered his gaze to Kagome, then lifted it to Katashi. "Which will take?"

Katashi then frowned. "Well, she's human with youkai blood and miko powers. I'd say a few centuries. But hey, you said that after your brother chopped off your arm, she regenerated it in about 10 minutes. Maybe she could do the same for herself."

"Perhaps." His attention was snapped right back to Kagome when he heard her whimpering. 'Is she in pain?' Tears were streaming down her face. When Kagome cried out and clawed at the bed, he knew something wasn't right. Grabbing her shoulders, he called out to her. "Kagome. Kagome, awaken."

She shook her head. "You wouldn't understand. You wouldn't understand."

His eyebrow lifted on his forehead. "Show me what pains you, mate."

Kagome stiffened in his arms, then released a bit of her miko energy.

Sesshomaru laid Kagome's motionless body on the bed and noticed that a movie seemingly hung in the air. "What is this?"

Ken spoke up. "Her memories, from all of her past lives."

*****In Kagome's memories*****

A young girl ran frantically for her life as demons chased her. "Get away! Stop it!!"

"Come now, little onna! Your running only excites me more!" The large, reptilian demon raced after her, stumbling to a stop when a rock hit his head. "Who did that?"

"I did." A boyish voice said as a young demon stepped out into the clearing. "You shouldn't pick on humans. My papa says it's cowardly because they aren't nearly as strong as us." He found himself falling over when a rock was tossed at his head. Whipping around, he glared at the human girl he'd helped. "What's wrong with you?! I'm trying to save you!"

"We humans are not weak! I'll have you know that my father has slain thousand of demons in his lifetime, and he's only 30 something!" She remarked, a hand on her waist.

The boy growled furiously. "Ugh, you're all the same, so ungrateful!"

The girl's face turned red. She was going to shriek at him when a sharp tongue darted at her. Squealing, she tumbled backward in a luckily succeeding attempt to avoid him. "Y-you tried to kill me just now, didn't you?!"

"You idiot, of course he did!"

Annoyed, the reptile youkai dashed at the girl. His tongue wrapped around her ankle, and he tossed her into the air. But before he even had a chance to catch and swallow her, a kusarigama (chain and sickle) flew through the air and severed his head.

The young youkai ran and catched the girl, smirking down at her. "You can open your eyes now."

"Can I really?"

"Yes."

"You saved me?" She asked, looking at him with wide, grateful eyes.

He didn't know why, but it made him blush. "N-no. I caught y-you, but-"

"Release my daughter, demon." A man, seemingly an older, male version of the human girl, showed himself.

"Father!" She giggled, running to him.

"I told you to remain just outside of home."

"Well, I'm just outside of the village, which is home."

He glared down at her, then at the demon. "Prepare to die, demon."

The girl gasped. "No, please, father. He didn't do anything. In fact, he saved me."

Though unsure, the man nodded, then turned, walking away silently. "Come, daughter."

She waited until he had disappeared before saying, "Thank you for saving me, urm..."

"Norio."

"Oh, well, Norio, I'm Izumi."

"Izumi!" The deep voice of her father called.

"Coming! See ya round, Norio-kun?"

He blushed at the nickname and rubbed his neck. "Um, yeah, I guess."

She smiled. "Good." Blowing him a kiss, she ran off in her father's diretion, leaving a confused, flushed youkai to wonder about the strange girl.

............................................o..........................o............................................

Izayoi sighed and yanked the flowers and jewels out of her hair. "I refuse." She looked into the pond she sat in front of. "I refuse to marry that man when he doesn't love me, and I don't love him. You should never marry someone without love."

"Words spoken like a true human." A baritone voice spoke as it's owner landed beside her.

"Words spoken like a wise woman." She retorted, cupping a hand then dunking it into the water. She scrubbed her face to rid it of the make up she'd worn for her arranged marriage. "Are you not gone yet, man?"

"Demon." He answered simply.

She looked up at him and cocked a brow, smirking, "And your point being?"

He glared at her. "Demon Lord. Whom you are in the presence of."

Rising, she cast him an empty look. "Can you even speak in complete sentences?"

Though a part of him was angry, the other part was highly amused. "Why yes, I can."

"Good for you. I'll be going then."

"Why so soon, ningen? Afraid?"

She scoffed. "Afraid of you, of a man- sorry, demon, who wastes his time harrasing ningen? No. I'm sorry. I am not."

He stiffened, his cheeks tinting a light red. "I like you."

"So do a lot of people. I'm very likeable. What's your point?"

"Your fiery attitude is most interesting. And your scent is as well."

"Well, dogboy, I suggest you find another dame to sniff." She turned away from him and started to walk away.

The male sighed. "If I stop teasing you, will you stay?"

Izayoi froze, then chuckled, "You are most rude."

"M-me? How?!"

"You never bothered to ask my name."

"Neither did you, mine."

She smiled secretively at him. "Why, I already know your name, Inutaisho. Here's a little advice. Know as much about you kingdom, or in your case, land, as possible. I will see you here tomorrow."

Inutaisho frowned as he watched her go. "Wait! What's your name, woman?"

"Izayoi." She disappered through the trees.

He grinned to himself. "Well, it was nice to meet you, Izayoi."

-x-

Inuyasha lounged in the tree, looking back when he heard a thud and smelled blood. 'Oh, that priestess.' He said, spotting her, lying nearly unconcious on the floor. 'She looks familiar. Almost like...mother.' Unable to stop himself, he jumped down and walked over to him. "You're hurt."

She looked up at him, then closed her eyes. "Are you going to take advantage of that and kill me?"

"Keh, if my old man taught me one thing, it was never to hurt someone who ain't did nothin' to ya."

"I've tried to kill you on several occasions."

He shrugged. "Not today."

"You are truly a fool, Inuyasha."

The hanyou stiffened, his ears twitching. "How do you know my name?"

She sighed. "I make it my mission to know." Pushing herself up, she cringedwhen she felt Inuyasha's hand on her shoulder. "What are you-"

"Don't be stupid. You're bleeding pretty bad."

"I will be fine." She pushed herself up on her boy and began to walk away from him, sending over her shoulder, "My name is Kikyo."

He looked away from her. "Feh, I didn't ask."

She smiled softly. "But you wished to know." With that, she left the area.

Inuyasha sniffed for her, then smirked. "Kikyo. Eh. Sounds weird."

-x-

(I dont't rememer exactly. Don't blame me for improvising. :))

"Grandpa? Mom? Sota? Buyo?" Kagome sat on the lips of the well, looking around at the beautiful forest around her. "Where am I?" She stood and walked in the direction that seemed to be calling her. She gave a small gasp when she came to a large tree, someone seemingly stuck against it. "Is that a boy?" She crept toward him, climbing up the vines that had grown around him. "It looks like he's sleeping." Reaching up hesitantly, she grabbed his ears and tweaked them. "So soft. But why does he have ears like that? I guess they do make him cute. I-"

"Witch!" A cry as arrows were released.

Kagome squealed and buried her face into the boy's chest, holding him tight.

"Hold ye fire!" An elderly voice called. She watched as Kagome plucked her face from Inuyasha's chest. 'She looks similar to- no, impossible.'

"Look, It's Mistress Centipede!" A man cried, beginning to shoot arrows at the large beast.

"The girl!" It called. "I want the girl." It raced at Kagome.

"Help!" Screaming, she running away from it. Something sharp struck her side and she fell to the ground, wincing. Standing up, she touched the wound. 'What's this?' Sticking her finger inside, her eyes grew wide as she withdrew a jewel. "What the-AH!" She screamed when the gound shook beneath her, causing her to fall and the jewel to fall out of her hand.

Mistress Centipede caught the jewel with ease, swallowing it and relishing in the feel of power.

Kagome winced again as she tried to pull herself up.

The boy, whom was still stuck to the tree, looked down at her with a sneer. "You look pretty stupid, Kikyo. Why are you wasting time playing with lesser demons? Just kill em like you did me."

"Kikyo?" Kagome stood and marched up to him. "Look here, boy, I don't know who this Kikyo is, but I'm not her. And I'd appreciate it if you called me by my name, Kagome."

"Kikyo, you're being stupid."

"My name is Kagome. Ka-go-me, got it?!" She felt something wrap around her legs and yelped, gripping the boy.

Mistress Centipede laugh. "I'll have you soon, girl!"

"Nooo! Let go! Let go! Let go!" She cried out.

"Gah, you let go!" The dog boy screamed at her as she yanked his hair. (Inuyasha couldn't help but blush as he watched the scene. Especially with Sesshomaru looking so jealous.)

Kagome groaned as she was pressed deeper into Inuyasha. 'Never imagined my first time against a boy to be like this.' "Stop it!"

Inuyasha looked down at her. "Look, human, can you pull out this arrow?"

She looked up. "Hm?"

"Do you want to live or not? If you do, pull out this arrow."

"Ne, child! He be decieving ye!" Kaede called.

"Your choice." Inuyasha told her calmly.

Kagome looked around, then closed her eyes. 'It feels so right to let him go. He doesn't feel evil. So-' "I chose to live!" She gripped the arrow tightly, disentegrating it instantly.

Inuyasha grinned and cracked his knuckles by spreading his fingers. "Feels good to be back." He made quick work of the lesser demon once Kagome had pointed out the jewel.

Kagome reached a hand into the demon and grabbed the jewel. 'Stupid demon. I have go to get out of here.' She watched with fascination as the demon returned to a pile of bones.

"Now, hand over the jewel or I'll have to use you as a scratching post."

"Huh?"

"Alright, then I'll have to kill ya!" He ran at her.

Kaede yelled, "Run, child. Inuyasha will show no mercy"

Shocked, Kagome looked at her. 'So, you mean, he isn't the good guy?! Agh!" She jumped back when Inuyasha lashed out at her. Pivoting, she ran as fast as she could, sliding down a small cliff.

Kaede grabbed her prayer beads and whispered a soft cantation, the beads flying to Inuyasha's neck. "Whisper the word of subjugation, child!"

"What word?!"

"Think of one! It be your word."

She ran out onto the bridge, only to trip, sending the jewel rolling.

Inuyasha jumped over her with a smirk. "You lose, human."

Kagome panicked. 'Okay, he's a dog. Maybe...maybe-' "SIT BOY!" She pointed.

Inuyasha cocked a brow. "Sit boy?" Immediately, he found himself slammed down, breaking through the wood of the bridge, and falling into the stream below.

-x-

Kagome watched in something akin to shock and amazement as she stared at the youkai sitting on the shoulder of a large demon. When she heard a growl, her eyes darted to Inuyasha. "What's wrong with you? Who's he?"

He growled again. "My no good half bastard of a half-brother, Sesshomaru."

"Se-ssho-ma-ru?" She repeated, then shook her head. 'Surely someone so beautiful couldn't be so evil.'

"M-mother?" Inuyasha whispered when he saw the chained woman look out of the carriage.

'Well, um, maybe he is a bastard.' Kagome thought, her eyes wide in shock, then narrowing in anger as her body cringed of it's own accord. 'How dare he? Can't he see that Inuyasha is confused?' (Sesshomaru exhaled softly, feeling slightly remorseful.)

"Keh, shows what you know, my mom died ages ago!"

Sesshomaru tsked. "What a shame. A son who will stand by and watch his mother die." He looked toward the demon he sat on and nodded a bit. The demon clenched the woman in his hands.

Inuyasha's heart skipped a beat. "MOTHER!"

Kagome sat a comforting hand on his shoulder, glaring up at Sesshomaru. 'Just who does he think he is.'

*Gonna skip a section here*

"Pull the sword, Inuyasha!" Kagome commanded. "It'll be a huge bruise to his ego, you know!"

Inuyasha smirked. "Yeh. I guess it would." He grabbed the sword and pulled as hard as he could, groaning. After taking a deep breath, he attempted again, then allowed his arm to fall back to his side. He glared at Myoga. "I thought you said I could pull the sword."

Myoga grinned. "Yeah, well. Potato potahto." Quickly, he jumped off of Inuyasha's shoulder, just as he recieved a swift punch to the jaw from Sesshomaru.

Kagome bit her lower lip. 'I can't let him hurt Inuyasha.' She sprang into action, running toward the fight just as Sesshomaru was going to press his poison into Inuyasha's body. Her hand caught the sword before she could think, and she snatched it out. All seemed to freeze as both brother's looked at her, Inuyasha's face showing shock, and Sesshomaru eyes showing surprise. She gripped the sword, then swallowed, letting out a nervous giggle. "I'm going to die." She whispered to herself. 'Inuyasha's older brother is going to kill me. Wow, what a way to go.'

Inuyasha took an unsure step toward her. "How could you pull the sword, when I couldn't? Even Sesshomaru couldn't." He felt the urge to smile teasingly at his older brother.

"Ummm..."

"I suppose, since your father intended for the sword to be used to protect humans, only a human could draw it."

(Inutaisho glared at his sons. "You fought over that sword?"

Inuyasha grinned nervously. "Hey, it was mine to begin with. He wanted it. Almost killed Kagome to get it. Should've seen his face when he saw her get up like nothing had happened, then she-" He rubbed the back of his head when Sesshomaru smacked him, then looked at the screen to see where it was now.")

"You jsut tried to kill me, didn't you?!" Kagome screeched at Sesshomaru. 'Gods, if I could make this sword work I'd chop his head clean off!'

/Pause for Inuyasha's laughing- "HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAhAHAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHA!"/

............................................o..........................o............................................

"Just, ugh, go to Hell, Norio!" Izumi yelled, outraged. Pushing him aside, she stormed out of the hut, whipping around when he grabbed her wrist. "Release me!"

Norio grabbed her other hand when she raised it to strike him. "What are you so angry about? I didn't mean any harm by it. I often forget you're human. I'm really sorry, baby, I swear. I'd never say anything I even remotely thought would hurt you, you know that."

She glared at the ground. "No. I thought I knew, Norio. Now, unhand me before I behead you."

He growled at her. "Okay, I offended you, I get it.I should have stood up to my family after they said thost things about you. But I didn't. I hate that you are a demon slayer."

"Wrong. I come from a demon slayers village. But like an idiot, I gave up my entire life just to be with you. But now, I'm going back home! I'm not going to let you hold me back if you don't really-"

"I love you, Izumi!" He bellowed, taking a few heaving breaths afterward. "I love you more than anything. That's what I wanted to tell you today. I built us a hut, deep in the woods so no one can bother us. So you and I can live in peace, together."

"R-really?" She sniffed and grinned brilliantly at him.

He smiled and wiped her face. "Really."

She launched herself at him, hugging him tightly and kissing his face repeatedly. "Oh, I love you too! Come on! Let's go see the house!"

-x-

"Inutaisho!!!" Izayoi screeched as she ran out of the palace and jumped onto him, knocking them both to the ground. "Sweetheart, you'll never believe it."

"Then why tell me?" He joked, earning him a soft kiss. "Wow, must be good if you didn't slap me. What's the news?"

"There's another aura within me!" She jumped up, giddy.

Inutaisho stood and dusted himself off. "So, you're possessed?"

Izayoi deadpanned, then turned to leave.

"Moushiwake arimasen. Continue. I'll be serious."

"Fine. It means...that we're pregnant."

"Pre-pregnant?"

Her smile faded. "You don't seem happy."

He touched her cheek and kissed her lips. "Of course I'm happy. I love it already."

"He's not an it, Tai. He's a pup, a he."

"How do you know? For some reason, I can't even tell that you're pregnant."

"That's an advantage to being me." She giggled when he rubbed his cold nose against hers. "So wet."

Inutaisho snapped his jaws at her, then smiled. "I love you, Izayoi."

She grinned and hugged him. "I love you too. And I'm sure so will Inuyasha."

-next-

"Sister Kikyo, what be that?" Kaede asked, observing the shell in her sister's hand.

Kikyo glance at her little sister, reprimanding, "Do not speak that way, Kaede. It is not 'be.' It is 'is.' And as for this, it is to paint my lips with." She opened the shell.

Kaede smiled. "Who gave it to ye, I mean, you? It was that half demon, wasn't it? That Inuyasha?"

"It is time for you to practice your archery."

"Fine." She grabbed her bow and arrow and left. "I hope you like him, Sister Kikyo."

Waiting until her sister was gone, Kikyo smiled to herself. "Yes. I like Inuyasha."

-x-

"I want your eyes." Hakudoshi said softly, wrapping his arms around Kagome.

"But I-" Her lids lowered and her eyes dulled.

"Everyone must have darkness in their heart."

Kagura shrugged. "I don't know, kid. I mean, this Kagome girl seems pretty pure."

Hakudoshi smirked and closed his eyes. "But there is darkness in her heart. Somewhere. I assume her sore spot is Inuyasha and Kikyo."

"Kikyo." Kagome repeated softly, holding the baby tighter.

"Bingo. Kagome, you know he's searching for her as we speak. He loves her. And you're jealous, aren't you?"

Kagome tightened her hold again. 'Jealous. I'm jealous of Inuyasha and Kikyo? That would explain why my heart aches so terribly when he ignores me to be with her. But that would mean that I wanted a romantic relationship with Inuyasha. But that isn't possible. He's my bestfriend, but he loves Kikyo.'

"Yes, Kikyo."

"Never me." She copied aloud. 'But I love him.' She gasped, then clenched her eyes shut, preparing to push Hakudoshi away. "I love Inuyashaaaa!" She tossed the baby away as Inuyasha crashed through the wall.

('She love me?' Inuyasha thought. 'And I realized that I felt the same too late.')

Inuyasha smiled. "Kagome!"

She sprang up, running to him and wrapping her arms around him. "Inuyasha, you came."

"Of course I did. Hey, are you alright?"

"Yeah."

"Kagura," Hakudoshi whispered, "I am done here. I've found the location of the last shard."

Kagura nodded, grabbed the babe, and escaped.

Inuyasha growled. "Get back here! Don't just think you can kidnap Kagome and run off unharmed!"

"It was not us, but your running after the dead miko."

His ears flattened on his head as they escaped. "They're right." He glanced at Kagome, who was staring at the ground. "Kagome, I-"

She shook her head and flashed him a fake smile. "Let's just go. I'm sure Sango, Miroku, and Shippo are busy and need our help." She took off.

"Kagome! Kagomeeeee!"

-x-

"I mean it, Shomaru. Don't you dare say that to me again."

Sesshomaru glared. "I say what I mean."f

Kagome touched his cheek affectionately. "Sesshomaru, you tell me that you love me, do you mean it?"

"Of course." He snapped quickly.

She giggled. "How un-Sesshomaru like you're behaving." A serious look took over. "Do you promise me that your love for me will last forever, but will not consume you?"

Sesshomaru didn't answer, only nuzzled the top of her head. He stroked her hip, then realized what she was wondering. The beautiful, pale blue kimono, though now splattered with blood. And that nearly transparent blue shawl. She'd worn it, a gift he'd given her ages ago, almost certain she would never wear it. "The kimono."

"Yup. Chose a crappy day to wear....it, huh? Got it torn and splattered with blood. How ironic. Now answer the question."

"I can not promise what is to happen in the future for I do not know."

Kagome sighed, coughed up a little blood, and snuggled closer, lying a hand on Tokijin. "Tell me you love me. I want to hear it from your lips."

He touched her mating mark, whispering, "I love you, Kagome."

She smiled. "And now I can surely say that I love you too, Sesshomaru. I love you so much. I lived for you. And now I die, and all for you. So just...just..."

"Kagome." He pled for her to be awake, to be alive. "Kagome." His voice rose. The desperation in it sounding out of place.

"Promise not to go crazy, love." Kagome drew her last breath, clutched Sesshomaru tighter, and set her soul free.

............................................o..........................o.............................................