My Heart Will Go On

Chapter 15: Kill Or Be Killed

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About seven months passed since Kagome and Inuyasha had become mates. They just kept getting closer, as did Miroku and Sango. The other two weren't exactly a couple yet, they hadn't even made it official by having their first kiss. Kagome was frustrated, why wcouldn't they just go out and do it already?

They were close to Naraku's castle now, and they were all prepared for the final battle. Souta had learned archery and had quite a good shot, and Kagome was even more powerful than she had been before. Both now knew how to keep their powers under control so they wouldn't hurt anyone by accident, which was a very good thing when it came to battling.

"I can smell it," Inuyasha commented as Kagome's grip tightened on his arm slightly. She was scared, but not for herself, for him. They were heading straight for their deaths, she just knew it. "He's close."

Kagome suddenly gasped, her head snapping up as she looked around. "I can sense two jewel shards."

Inuyasha growled, knowing what that meant. Kouga.

Just as he suspected, moments later a whirlwind was seen and then it was gone. Kouga was standing right in front of Kagome, holding both of her hands in his. "I thought I smelt your lovely scent around her, Kagome. How is my woman doing?" he gave her a charming smile, making her inch closer to Inuyasha.

Inuyasha noticed this and smirked. "Che! She ain't your woman, Kouga. Can't you smell it? She's mine."

Kouga growled. "Says you!" he then took a sniff of the air to see if he was bluffing or not. His eyes widened when he smelt their scents mixed together. "No..." he growled and suddenly pulled Kagome away from Inuyasha. Kagome gasped and her eyes widened.

"K-Kouga?" she asked, frightened.

"You were mine! I claimed you as my woman!" Kouga growled, tightening his grip on her. She let out a yelp of pain, and this pissed Inuyasha right off, not to mention everyone else.

Souta looked up, confused. Why was that wolf demon hurting his sister!?! He had heard little about Kouga, other than that he was a full wolf demon and the leader of his own tribe, and that he had a crush on Kagome. But from what he saw here, it was more than just a simple crush.

"Stop it, Kouga! You're hurting me!"

Inuyasha growled angrily and unsheathed Tessaiga, pointing it at Kouga, the point of it right at his nose. "Drop her right now, Kouga, or I'll chop of your head."

Kagome whimpered softly in pain as she felt him tigten his grip more. It hurt...more than it should. She thought Kouga was her friend...why was he doing this?

"You'll have to take her from me, mutt," Kouga smirked, beginning to run. Inuyasha's eyes widened. "Kagome!" he called.

"Help me, Inuyasha!" she cried out.

Inuyasha didn't need to be told twice. He ran off after Kouga, Tessaiga still in his hands as he did. Hang on, Kagome! he thought as he heard another yelp of pain.

"Souta, get on Kilala," Sango told him. Souta blinked a few times but nodded, jumping on top of the two-tailed cat demon. Miroku and Sango did too, and the cat flew off after Kouga and Inuyasha.

"Can he really mark her even though she's Inuyasha's?" Miroku asked, looking over at her.

"No, since she doesn't love him, he can't do anything," Sango replied, and Miroku sighed in relief. At least that was a good thing...right?

"But..." Sango paused, and Miroku frowned. "If Inuyasha dies, he can mark her, using force if he has to. Because if Inuyasha dies, she will too soon after him."

Miroku's eyes widened. "You don't think...?"

Sango nodded. "We have to stop them. Now!"

When they got to the others, Inuyasha was already fighting with Kouga. Kagome was behind Inuyasha, clearly he had rescued her before he hurt her too badly.

"Lady Kagome!" Miroku exclaimed, relieved when he saw her uninjured. Kagome blinked and looked over, running over to them when they landed on Kilala. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, don't worry about me," Kagome smiled faintly and stayed by their side while she watched the battle, fearing the outcome.

"KAZE NO KIZU!" Inuyasha yelled, sending the attack towards Kouga. It hit Kouga, but not much because of his speed. The jewel shards were increasing his speed... if only he could get them out.

Kouga delivered a punch to Inuyasha's face, making Kagome gasp. "Inuyasha!" she cried out worriedly.

"Don't worry, I'm fine, Kagome," Inuyasha told her, wiping some blood from his chin. "That was nothing."

Kagome nodded, but she was still worried. "Please stop this Kouga! Please, don't hurt Inuyasha!" Tears welled in her eyes as she watched them fight, nothing she could say stopped them.

A few minutes later, Inuyasha had a broken arm, a few punches to the face, and he was bleeding heavily. Tears were streaming down Kagome's face as she saw the state of her beloved hanyou. Kouga was much worse, because Inuyasha had hit him with another Kaze no kizu, but he was still able to move and fight.

When she saw where Kouga's next move was headed for, Inuyasha's chest, and that he had a sword in his hand, Kagome took action. She immediately ran foward, making the others gasp. "Kagome no!"

But it was too late. Kagome stood in front of Inuyasha, her hands wide open, as Kouga struck her in the chest with his sword instead of Inuyasha. She winced but didn't cry out, and she fell limp to the ground, the last thing she looked at was Inuyasha's shocked face.

"Kagome..." Inuyasha whispered softly, looking down at his fallen mate. She knew he would have died had she not taken this hit, and she was glad that he was still alive.

Kouga was completely still. He had hurt Kagome...the woman he supposedly loved. Not looking back, he turned and left in a whirlwind once more.

Inuyasha bowed his head, falling to the ground. He gently picked up his mate, making sure not to make Kagome's wound worse. He first listened for a heartbeat. It was faint, but it was there.

"Inuyasha, we need to get her back to Kaede's hut, now," Sango said, helping the unconscious girl on Kilala. He said nothing, but he nodded, his head still bowed.

Sango placed a hand on the hanyou's shoulder. "She'll be alright, Inuyasha. We won't let anything happen to her."

The hanyou just nodded again and this caused Sango to sigh heavily. She knew he was worried about Kagome, but this was ridiculous.

Souta, on the other hand, was doing worse than Inuyasha if that were possible. Tears were forming in his eyes at the sight of his sister, bleeding from her chest. She let out a whimper, and he closed his eyes tightly, looking away.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Miroku looking down at him. "We won't let anything happen to her, Souta. She'll be just fine."

"I lost my mother and grandfather," Souta whispered softly. "I can't lose her too."

Miroku blinked in surprise. Though he was right... should Souta lose his sister, he would really become an orphan. He knew what that was like... to lose all of your blood family.

"Don't worry, Souta. She'll be fine."

They flied towards Kaede's hut with great speed, hoping it wasn't too late to save her.

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A/N: Are you all plotting to murder me now? Mwahahaha...review please!