Inuyasha leapt and caught Kikyo. As soon as Naraku disappeared, the barrier was lifted and he sighed with relief as the soul collectors brought her souls.
"Is Kikyo okay?" He glanced down at Kagome who was looking at Kikyo with concern.
"She will be. Kagome I need to go find her a safe place. I will be right back." He didn't miss the hurt look as her eyelashes swept down hiding her expression.
"Wait Inuyasha. Return her bow and arrows to her." Her voice was low but he heard her. He placed Kikyo down the ground and leapt to where Kagome was standing.
"Kagome damn it I promise. I will be right back!" After another look at her, he grabbed the bow and arrows, jumped up and left. As he started searching he heard his name from above him. Miroku, Sango and Shippo were riding on top of Kirara.
"Hey Naraku was here with Kikyo and Kagome. Kagome is down on a shelf made out of rock down below. I need to find a safe place for Kikyo and I will be right back." He called up at them and then left before he could hear anything from them. He needed to sort this out himself. He almost lost both of them today, however it was Kagome's actions that shook him up. As he ran, he realized how badly he wanted to get back to her, just to see her and know that she was okay. She was closer to the ground then he even wanted to think about. If he was a little bit slower….
"Inuyasha?" he heard and glanced down at the woman in his arms. For so long he was obsessed with her but now he just wanted to help her and keep her safe. He almost failed in that today too. He found a safe meadow and placed Kikyo down but kept a hand on her shoulder.
"Kikyo. You are safe." He smiled down at her.
"Kagome?" her strength was slow in returning but as the souls returned, she did feel somewhat better. She stared up into the face that would always be beloved to her. She knew without a doubt though that Inuyasha and Kagome loved each other and needed to be together. She felt some peace but also some jealously as well. She also realized that her death caused Kagome's birth. Kagome was most likely born to be with Inuyasha. Fate can truly be cruel.
"She's safe. She destroyed her tentacle so that I wouldn't have to choose. I uhh jumped down to get her and put her somewhere safe. Naraku had moved you inside his barrier and Kagome and I together destroyed it. He then let you go so he could escape like the coward he is."
Kikyo nodded and stood up. "Easy, Kikyo. You almost died." He said and kept a hand on her arm to steady her. He stood with her and presented to her, her bow and arrows.
"Tell Kagome thank you." Kikyo responded as she glanced around her. It was time to continue her search.
"Kikyo, where will you go now?"
She smiled slightly at him before reaching out to her soul collectors. As they started bearing her away, she glance back at him.
"Some place safe to get my strength up and then after Naraku. Goodbye Inuyasha."
"Goodbye Kikyo."