Nighttime - Dark Forest

Inuyasha stops by a river, out of breath.

"Is this the place that the monk spoke of?!" Inuyasha asks himself before he notices something and picks it up. "A hair cord... Kikyo... Are you really alive?"

...

With Kimiko And Kikyo

"Is Kikyo asleep? She seems a bit sad." Kimiko ponders walking up to Kikyo, thinking.

"You were able to break through my barrier?" Kikyo questions a little surprised she could once she woke up and noticed Kimiko.

"Barrier? Was there anything like that?" Kimiko asked a little confused not having noticed anything. A Soul Collector flies to Kikyo. "Are you the one who has been luring women's souls away? If so, please let them return!"

"Isn't he with you?" Kikyo asks ignoring Kimiko's question and asking one of her own.

"Huh?" Kimiko says before she looks down. "Inuyasha set out to find you." Kimiko begins to think melancholy. "I see... Inuyasha is trying to come here."

"What are you to Inuyasha?" Kikyo asks a little jealous.

"Huh?" Kimiko questions surprised.

Kikyo puts a finger on Kimiko's forehead and she freezes.

"My body...can't move!" Kimiko thinks shocked becoming a little frightened.

"You are in the way." Kikyo states.

...

With Inuyasha

Inuyasha runs in a forest. The Soul Collectors fly past him.

"T-that's...! The demons who were gathering the dead souls!" Inuyasha says and sees them enter the barrier, thinking. "A barrier... Kikyo is behind this... Kikyo, is it really you?!"

...

With Kikyo And Kimiko

Kimiko is tied up to the tree with the Soul Collectors enveloping her.

"I can't move." Kimiko thinks worried.

A Soul Collector brings a soul to Kikyo.

"Inuyasha is here." Kikyo informs.

...

With Inuyasha

The barrier dissolves in front of Inuyasha.

...

With Kikyo And Kimiko

"Not to save you. He's here to see me." Kikyo explains but then frowns. "I won't allow any interference."

"Interference? You don't still mean to kill Inuyasha?! No, Kikyo! Someone purposely set you two at odds! It wasn't Inuyasha who killed you!" Kimiko said exasperated trying to defend Inuyasha defensively not wanting anything to happen to Inuyasha.

"You look as though you expect me to be happy." Kikyo scoffs.

"Huh?" Kimiko says startled.

"The one who caused my death... If that person dies, will I be resurrected?" Kikyo questions.

"T-that's..." Kimiko stumbled out not sure what to say.

"The dead wish for one thing... To live once more. Hah! A wish that cannot come true. However, the dead can wish for one thing which can come true. I want to steal his heart from the one I will never forgive if he dares to forget me." Kikyo explained her plan.

"Never forgive if he forgets you? Do you mean Inuyasha?" Kimiko inquiries becoming more confused.

"He wishes for my death. That is good. That means he has regrets about our fight." Kikyo comments and laughs. "Regret all he wants. I shall never let him forget...about me. Time will not go forward. Then I can exist in the time that is frozen. I will be able to continue living in his heart."

"Even now, Inuyasha thinks about you! Isn't that enough? Inuyasha loves you! He always has! Isn't that enough?" Kimiko demands.

"Inuyasha and I parted despising each other. The love you speak of is but a shallow emotion which only served to deepen the hatred. Nothing is stronger in strengthening revolve than bitterness. If he must love, then love my consuming hatred. As for me, I will love his heart which is about to fall into deep despair." Kikyo tells her.

"No! Your hatred is pointless! It makes no sense!" Kimiko denies.

Inuyasha appears. He stares at Kikyo in disbelief.

"Inuyasha! Talk to Kikyo! Tell her how Naraku deceived you both!" Kimiko pleaded knowing Kikyo would be more likely to believe Inuyasha then her.

Inuyasha walks to Kikyo.

"Inuyasha?" Kimiko calls.

"Kikyo..." Inuyasha says softly.

"Inuyasha can't see me!" Kimiko gasps, thinking.

"So it is you who's been gathering the souls of dead women." Inuyasha states.

"This body, molded from earth and bones, needs to be nourished with human souls, else I cannot move. Inuyasha...you must despise me. Driven by my hatred towards you, I have gathered the souls of the dead to remain in this world." Kikyo tells him.

"How stupid! You may hate me, but... never a day went by without my thinking about you!" Inuyasha shouts.

Kikyo look at Inuyasha sadly.

"I thought so... Inuyasha has never forgotten Kikyo... Of course! But I feel a bit sad. Inuyasha's been taken from me. Oh, what am I saying?! Inuyasha's not my boyfriend or anything!" Kimiko thinks becoming frustrated with her thoughts.

"No matter what your appearance, I would never hate you or think less of you..." Inuyasha admitted.

"Is that true?" Kikyo questions as she touches Inuyasha's face. "Even if I were to kill you with these hands?"

Kikyo kisses Inuyasha.

"Huh?! W-wait...!" Kimiko blushes feeling embarrassed and a little hurt.

"Inuyasha...after meeting you, I stopped being a priestess. I became a mere woman. This is what I longed for when I was alive." Kikyo also admits hugging Inuyasha.

Inuyasha hugs Kikyo back.

"Inuyasha... You're going to accept her... I guess...it's only to be expected. What am I doing here anyway? I'm such a fool! Cripes...what?!" Kimiko said heartbroken but still kind of understandingly.

"This nostalgic scent of her... It's just like back then. The only difference is that she has no warmth. Her body died...so it's cold...and sad...and lonely." Inuyasha thinks feeling sad for Kikyo.

"We cannot return to that time. So I want to stay like this a little longer." Kikyo says.

"I can't save you... If I cannot do anything for you...to stay like this... How I wish time would stop!" Inuyasha's confessed.

"Is that all right? If time would stop?" Kikyo asked.

"Yeah...I don't care...if I'm with you." Inuyasha said closing his eyes.

"Oh, I can't watch this anymore! I won't interfere, so release me! I'll go far away. Hey, are you two listening?!" Kimiko shouts to Kikyo because she can't standing to watching this any longer.

The ground below Inuyasha and Kikyo suddenly cracks and souls are sucked into the hole. Kikyo and Inuyasha sinks into the ground slowly.

"Inuyasha...I will never let you go. Come with me to hell." Kikyo kind of requested.

"He's being dragged in! Inuyasha, what're you doing?! You must get away!" Kimiko tried to warn Inuyasha before thinking. "No! He's unconscious!" She then shouts to Kikyo angry but also trying to persuade her from killing Inuyasha. "Kikyo! You can hear me, I know! You coward! Inuyasha said he wants to be with you but he never said he wanted to die with you! Unlike you, Inuyasha must go after Naraku who tricked him fifty years ago! More than anything, Inuyasha wants to live to fight! Inuyasha is determined to avenge your death as well!"

Kikyo looks at Kimiko fiercely annoyed.

"You understand?" Kimiko asks a little hopeful.

Kikyo sends a current at Kimiko for interrupting.

"Kikyo..." Kimiko softly says shocked sliding into a sitting position.

"Will getting revenge bring this body back to life?!" Kikyo asked Kimiko before saying to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha... Rather than live with my memory, come with me." Inuyasha and Kikyo sink lower into the ground. "You and I have the same wish."

"How dare you! If Inuyasha were conscious, he would never follow you! No way! Get away from Inuyasha!" Kimiko shouts clenching her fists angry and becoming fierce. "Do...not...touch...Inuyasha!"

Kikyo's heart suddenly throbs faster and louder. She gasps her chest in pain while souls rush out of her body.

"This girl... She's taking my souls once again! Before this body is completely emptied..." Kikyo thinks staring at Kimiko, thinking a little afraid before saying to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha! Come!"

"No! Wake up, Inuyasha! Inuyasha! Inuyasha!" Kimiko pleaded becoming desperate.

"Kimiko's voice..." Inuyasha thinks after awaking and speaks slowly. "Kimiko...is...here?" Inuyasha notices Kimiko and becomes worried. "Kimiko? Kimiko!"

Inuyasha pushes Kikyo away and leaps to Kimiko. Kikyo looks at Inuyasha sadly and feeling a little betrayed.

"Kimiko! What're you doing here?" Inuyasha demands frantically slashing the Soul Collectors enveloping Kimiko protectively.

"Huh!? What about you?" Kimiko asks Inuyasha not wanting to answer his question.

"Me? Well...err..." Inuyasha stumbled out feeling strangely guilty.

The Soul Collectors rush to Kikyo.

"Kikyo!" Inuyasha calls turning to Kikyo.

"Is that girl more dear to you?" Kikyo inquired a little curious.

Inuyasha is lost for words. Inuyasha and Kimiko look at each other, both blush and look down hurriedly both embarrassed.

"Huh...uh..." Inuyasha tried to answer.

Kikyo floats up into the sky with her Soul Collectors.

"Wait, Kikyo! I...!" Inuyasha starts to say.

"Inuyasha, do not forget. My feeling when my lips were against yours...was real. Do not forget." Kikyo kind of orders cutting Inuyasha off.

"Kikyo..." Inuyasha softy replied.

Kikyo floats higher up and disappears. Kimiko gets up and walks off stiffly.

"H-hey!" Inuyasha says and walks after Kimiko.

"Don't come!" Kimiko demands of Inuyasha.

"What're you so mad about?" Inuyasha asked confused.

"You know, Inuyasha, do you think you can find the Sacred Jewels alone? I...don't think I can help you anymore." Kimiko quietly confessed becoming depressed.

"What're you saying?! You're the only one who can see the Jewels. Of course, you have to help!" Inuyasha replied trying to cheer her up.

"That's all, right? That's all you need me for. What a thing to say. Sorry! Forget I said that. Maybe it's because I'm alone in this strange world. I'm feeling lonely." Kimiko said trying to pass off her feelings for the moment.

"I'm here! You have me, don't you?!" Inuyasha said trying to comfort Kimiko.

"Inuyasha... I get it. You couldn't see me, could you?" Kimiko states realizing something.

"Huh?" Inuyasha asks.

"I'm sorry, but I did see it all." Kimiko apologized feeling a little guilty.

"See it all?" Inuyasha repeated.

"From the start to finish. So, please leave me alone for a while." Kimiko answers and requested before walking off.

"H-hey! What's this about... Start to finish?! Kimiko! What did I do?" Inuyasha questions not realizing it yet confused and chases Kimiko. "Hey! Kimiko! Tell me!"

"Start to finish means everything! I saw everything! From a front row seat! I'm leaving." Kimiko fiercely told Inuyasha making him freeze finally realizing what she meant as Kimiko walks off.

Shippo and Miroku appear a distance behind Inuyasha.

"What? You found her?" Shippo asked walking over to a frozen Inuyasha. "Inuyasha? What're you doing here? Have you seen Kimiko?"

"I've seen that pose before. It must mean that Kimiko is just fine." Miroku answers Shippo who looks at Inuyasha who's been 'frozen'

"And that Kimiko is full of energy to scold Inuyasha." Shippo added amused glad Kimiko was alright.

...

Village - Kaede's Hut

Kaede wakes from her sleep and notices something. Kikyo enters the hut.

"Sister Kikyo!" Kaede said getting up.

"What's the matter, Kaede? Are you afraid of your own sister?" Kikyo questioned her.

"N-no... Since the day you fell from the cliff, I thought..." Kaede explained.

"Yes, I am a dead woman. But I guess I still long for this world." Kikyo answers.

"Do you still seek Inuyasha's life?" Kaede asked a little worried.

"I just met Inuyasha moments ago. And I barely missed killing him. Tell me, Kaede." Kikyo informed before she sits down. "Tell me everything you know about this Naraku."

...

Flashback

"My rotten spirit has some use after all. Doesn't it look good? Don't you want to devour me? I want a body that moves freely. In order to possess the Sacred Jewel and Kikyo. Now eat me! And pass on power...to me!" Onigumo says.

"Everything started from the evil designs of Onigumo. He called forth the demons and was eaten by them, thus was born the demon Naraku." Kaede's voice is heard explaining.

...

Present

"I see... That wild robber." Kikyo said.

"Yes. He used to say that the Sacred Jewel grows in beauty when it is tainted." Kaede thinks remembering.

"He caused hatred between myself and Inuyasha, then stole the Jewel that had been sullied." Kikyo says.

"My sister...Inuyasha was seriously wounded by Naraku again. So..." Kaede tells her sister trailing off.

"I just thought I should know the circumstances of my death." Kikyo explains walking out of the hut but stops and turns to Kaede. "By the way, Inuyasha has changed. His face had a softness. Back then, he trusted no one...his eyes were cold."

"Kimiko is a strange child. She has been able to slowly heal Inuyasha's heart." Kaede answers.

"That girl again... She's the one who changed him." Kikyo says before thinking a little bitterly. "If I had lived, I would have been the one to heal his heart."

"My sister...are you not able to break away from the past?" Kaede questions.

"We shall meet again." Kikyo said instead of answering and walks out.

Kaede looks down. Kikyo is now standing in a boat, the Soul Collectors flying next to her.

"How long will you linger... Sister?" Kaede's voice is heard asking.

...

With Inuyasha's Gang

Kimiko walks towards the Dry well, in a daze. She trips over a rock and is about to kick it angrily, but suddenly stops and walks off. Inuyasha, Shippo and Miroku look at her from behind a log. Kimiko jumps into the well.

"She's gone. Inuyasha, Kimiko wasn't her usual self. Just what happened with Kikyo?" Miroku asked interested.

"What you always do with women..." Inuyasha grumbled out.

"Huh?!" Miroku gasps before continuing shocked. "You! You participated in such an act in front of Kimiko?!"

"Whaddya usually do?!" Inuyasha exclaimed.

"Huh?" Miroku inquiries.

"Will Kimiko come back? She seemed to be quite troubled." Shippo asks concerned for his surrogate mother.

Inuyasha looks down, deep in thoughts.

...

Flashback

"Never a day went by without my thinking of you!" Inuyasha admits.

"I spoke the truth." Inuyasha voice is heard saying not understanding why he suddenly felt extremely guilty.

Kikyo kisses Inuyasha.

"My feeling when my lips were against yours...was real." Kikyo' voice is heard saying.

"And my words were real." Inuyasha's voice continued to be heard.

"Is that girl more dear to you?" Kikyo questions.

...

Present

"Now then, what will you do, Inuyasha? Kikyo could not have gone far. Will you go after her?" Miroku asks Inuyasha.

"Hey! Isn't Kimiko more precious? Inuyasha, hurry and make up with her!" Shippo demanded Miroku.

Inuyasha doesn't reply. At the bottom of the well Kimiko appears.

"What's the matter with me? I was in such a daze, I forgot all my things back there." Kimiko asks herself before shouting. "Hey, is anyone there?"

The gang doesn't hear and their conversation can be heard in the well.

"What will you do, Inuyasha?" Miroku asks.

"Who will you choose?!" Shippo demands.

"Now then!" Miroku exclaimed.

"Well?!" Shippo asks.

"I can't choose between them." Inuyasha admits.

"You..." Shippo mutters.

"Well, it often happens with men. However, no matter what happens, she must not find out. If what you just said should ever leak out..." Miroku reassures patting Inuyasha's shoulder understandingly.

Kimiko appears in front of Miroku and slaps him surprising the three males.

Miroku crashes on the ground.

"Inuyasha's already chosen." Kimiko tells them not looking at Inuyasha.

"You totally deserved that." Shippo tells Miroku amused.

"Kimiko..." Inuyasha starts to explain but pauses at the look she gives him and the unshed tears in her eyes.

"It okay Inuyasha I totally get it." Kimiko cuts Inuyasha off giving him a small smile before grabbing her stuff and running back to the well and rushing to her mothers awaiting arms in front of the open front door and silently crying a few tears worrying her mother since she hadn't cried since her fathers funeral. What the two didn't now was that Inuyasha was watching to the two looking pensive and guilty for making Kimiko feel this way.