This next chapter is a song-fic chapter. I do not own the song "If You Asked Me To," by Celine Dion

Yes, I Do Love You

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The next three days felt a little lonely. Kikyo had gone to the next village and had found the rest of the ingrediants. It would be another three days before she would get back to the others, so she decided to take one day and make the antidote. She camped out at the edge of the forest, in front of a large meadow of dafodils. She loved flowers...

"Isn't it beautiful, Kikyo?"

The thought just came into her mind all of a sudden. She was surprised with herself. That was what Sesshomaru said to her once. She just shook it off and went back to looking at the flowers...

"I promise... I will protect you, Kikyo."

Again with the thoughts! She shook her head and stood up, pacing around her camp site. She just couldn't understand this! She had met Sesshomaru before, when he wasn't under the influence of the love potion. She never thought these things about him before. In fact, she rarely ever thought about him at all. Why was she thinking of him now? And then, one final thought crossed her mind.

"Kikyo, would you love me...?"

She never did answer him. She didn't think that she would have to. After all, it should be the other way around. She should have been the one to ask him that question! At that moment, the wind blew through the air, moving the flowers a little bit. As Kikyo watched the flowers, she was reminded of Sesshomaru's long silver hair, blowing in the wind so majestically. She looked up at the sky to the sun, which reminded her of his shining eyes. As the wind blew a little harder, it got a little colder. Kikyo hugged herself to keep warm... and was reminded of Sesshomaru's loving embrace around her. This was crazy! Everywhere she turned, she found herself thinking of Sesshomaru!

Used to be that I believed in something. Used to be that I believed in love. It's been a long time since I've had that feeling.

I could love someone, I could trust someone.

I said I'd never let nobody near my heart again, darling. I said I'd never let nobody in.

... But if you asked me to, I just might change my mind and let you in my life forever.

If you asked me to, I just might give my heart and stay here in your arms forever.

If you asked me to.

o O o

"Kikyo's back!" Rin exclaimed when she saw Kikyo coming up the path. She grabbed Jakin. "This is great! Now, I can have a bridesmaid for our wedding!"

"Get off me, you little pest!" Jakin exclaimed as he struggled.

Sesshomaru stood up from the tree he was leaning against and met Kikyo half way. "Did you finish the antidote?"

She nodded. "Yes."

He looked away for a moment. "Good... Rin is driving Jakin crazy!"

Kikyo knew what he was really thinking. He was sad because he knew as well as she did that once he took the antidote, he would go back to his old self.

He wouldn't love her anymore...

Kikyo walked up to the cooking pot, which was over a fire and cooking a large amount of stew. "Hungry anyone?"

After supper, Jakin appeared to be the only one who was the most relieved. Kikyo had mixed the antidote in with the stew and Rin ate a whole bowl full. However, the effect would only kick in by the next morning. So, for the time being, she was still clinging to him like glue. Kikyo thought she would have to force feed Sesshomaru! He seemed very unhappy all the while he was eating. "Are you alright?"

He looked at her. "No," he replied as he stood up. "Kikyo, there is something I must tell you. Would you please come with me?"

Kikyo stood up and followed him into the woods, leaving Jakin and Rin all alone. She figured that this would only last a little while longer, so she might as well humor him.

For a moment, they just stood there in the woods, holding hands without saying a word. Sesshomaru finally spoke up. "Kikyo... I don't care if this is just because of the love potion... I feel so happy with you and... I want you to stay with me!"

She sighed and looked away. "I can't... I told you, I go wherever I please. I'm a free spirit. Besides, tomorrow morning will be different."

"And where will you go?"

"I don't know... I just wander around until I find someone who needs my help. That's what I've always done."

He grabbed her and took her in his arms, hugging her gently. "Kikyo, you can't leave. I--"

"--Sesshomaru, please don't!" She found herself crying, the tears pouring down her face. "Please don't say that you love me. This is hard enough on me as it is!"

"Why should it be hard if you don't really care?"

"How do you know what I'm feeling?"

"Because you never answered my question." He raised her chin up, making her look in his eyes. "I asked you if you would love if I wasn't under the influence of the love potion. You said that you needed time to answer. Well, you've had a whole week!" He leaned in to whisper, "I'll ask you again: Would you love me if it wasn't for this love potion?"

Kikyo inhailed, tears streaming down her face. Finally, she burried her face in his shoulder and let out a muffled answer. "Yes! Yes I would love you! Yes I do... I LOVE YOU!" She was greeted with a passionate kiss on the lips. She couldn't help herself. Love potion or not, she was in love for the first time in a long time. He broke this kiss for only a moment to tell her, "I love you, too."

Somehow, ever since I've been around you, I can't go back to being on my own. Can't help feeling, darling, since I found you,

that I've found my home. That I'm finally home.

I said I'd never let nobody get too close to me, darling. I said I needed, needed to be free.

... But, if you asked me to, I just might change my mind and let you in my life forever.

If you asked me to, I just might give my heart and stay here in your arms forever.

If you asked me to...