AN: Oops, sorry, was I late again? Really though, sorry about that. I took the time to really nail down the ending. Hopefully it'll be worth it :)
Evelyn: Thank you! I've been working on writing better limes. And of course there's a happy ending for some of my characters! We're just not there yet. Thanks for reviewing, as always :)
Anon: Awwww, thank you! And thanks for the review
Adam: Oh, you'll find out what happens to Kag's heart. And trust me, I have a lovely ending in mind for Kikyo. Though your ideas are awesome and I'm reconsidering them for the end. :)
Blank: Oh good! That's what I was going for. :D Thanks for reviewing!
Gamehead64: LOL! :) Really, thanks for the review.
CookieTheif: Lol, there's a few things different about Kikyo. We'll get into it soon enough. Teehee, just watch what where you're going so you don't roll into a chair or down the stairs. Lol! Kag wouldn't mind sailing on the SS Inuyasha, I bet. :)
Aquafire: Thanks so much! And don't worry about being rude; I was rude to deny you this chapter for so long.
Sorryforgetlogininfo: You're fine, I didn't really take it as a flame. And since I am nearing the end of the story, I am scaling the funny stuff back a bit since I want to build the climax up to be more dramatic then humorous.
Redbull16: Glad you're all caught up :) Thanks for reading and reviewing!
More: Well, here you go!
Meow: Oops, sorry. Hope you're still alive for this update! Thanks for hanging in there!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and I make no money off this story.
November 17
Kagome sprawled on the edge of her bed so she could kick her legs lazily back and forth, smiling like an idiot at the ceiling. She laced her fingers together over her stomach, simply relaxing while Inuyasha took care of whoever was at the door. She couldn't wait for him to come back to her. She had plans to ambush him in the shower, lesson plans be damned.
This last week had been a dream. Like a happy, rainbow-filled, Taylor Swift song inspired, fairy tale come to life. The world was brighter with him around. The sunlight seemed warmer, the birds chirped louder, and colors looked more vivid. If her gaze slid over him accidentally, she didn't want to stop looking. Just gawk senselessly and smile like the earth's luckiest girl.
Things with her family could have been better, but Inuyasha was absolutely perfect. Nothing could stop them from winning his trial, and going on to live happily ever after.
Shivering when a sudden chill racked her body, she dragged a sheet over herself. She sat up, her smile tugging into a frown. Something felt...off. Her power stirred uneasily, making her skin feel stretched, tight and uncomfortable over her form
She wrapped the sheet around her and stood up, pacing slowly. It was probably just nerves from the thought of finally taking the lead with Inuyasha. He was so experienced and she was...not. She'd hate to do something unpleasant, or unarousing, but she was going to try anyway. How else would she learn?
Feeling vulnerable all of a sudden, she dropped the blanket and pulled a shirt and a pair of jeans on. Inuyasha could tease her about being shy later, after he had reassured her that everything was alright.
Keeping her arms crossed over her chest, Kagome tried to peer out her window, wondering what was taking him so long. The overhang blocked any view of the steps she had, and there was no reason he should still be dealing with whoever came to the door.
Holding herself tighter, she closed her eyes, searching for calm. She was overreacting. There was nothing wrong. How could there be? Everything was perfect only minutes before.
Inuyasha?
...there was nothing...
Where normally she would hear that reassuring click, and feel his warm presence on the end of their connection, this was totally blank. Nothing.
Inuyasha!
She tried again and again, beginning to get panicked. He wasn't there. She was just mentally screaming his name, the syllables rattling around in her head and going nowhere. There was a block at the end of their ties, and she couldn't get through it him.
INUYASHA!
She gasped in pain and stopped trying to break though when she felt the block push back, like a spike driving itself into her temple. Something was wrong, very wrong. She yanked her socks and shoes on, her power spiraling down her arms to rest at the tips of her fingers, ready for her to use.
She lurched towards the knob just as the door swung open, Inuyasha on the other side.
Relief instantly poured through her at the sight of his beloved face and the lack of blood. He was here, and he wasn't hurt, so they could deal with whatever was wrong together.
"Inuyasha!" It seemed like she couldn't stop saying his name. She threw herself at him, face buried in his shoulder and arms holding tight. "Somethings wrong with us."
"You're right...something is wrong."
Kagome frowned. He was right here with her but something was still...wrong. His body was stiff, his arms far away from her so he couldn't hug her back. His voice sounded off. Slowly, she raised her head off his shoulder, looking up at him.
His face was cold, hard. His eyes stared straight ahead. He didn't look at her at all.
Her arms fell away from him and she took a step back from him before she even realized she had done so. "...Inuyasha?'
Shivers crawled up and down her arms, and she suddenly felt cold when he continued to look away from her. "Inuyasha, what's wrong?"
"Kikyo was just here." Inuyasha said, his voice casual, and Kagome's heart nearly stopped for a split second before fury overtook her.
"You let that woman near my home?" she snapped, fists tight. That woman was a sociopath, she didn't want her anywhere near her family, her home, or Inuyasha.
Inuyasha smiled tightly, the way her math teacher did when she said the wrong answer.
A place inside her started to shrink into a tiny little ball of shame and embarrassment. She'd never felt stupid with him before.
"I didn't 'let' Kikyo over anywhere, she tracked me down. She wanted to talk." Inuyasha paused, considering his words. "She wants me to go back to her."
Embarrassment was replaced by fury all over again. Hell. No. She was not letting Kikyo hurt Inuyasha all over again. She didn't know if miko powers worked on a another miko, but that's what fingernails were for. To claw off that bitch's face if she got anywhere near Inuyasha again, and it would be a lot more satisfying then just zapping her with a bolt-
"And I've decided to go with her."
...her entire world stopped. That was the only way to describe it. Her life, which had been progressing at its normal, suddenly country-song filled pace, stood still. She could only stare at Inuyasha, blinking, once, twice, three times. The words bounced around her head, but they didn't make any sense to her. She felt her powers rising up curiously, as if wanting a better look to comprehend it.
"You...want to...go with her." Kagome repeated, testing the order of words on her tongue. They didn't sound right together, in that phrasing.
Inuyasha was silent, steadily staring at her.
Kagome's brow's furrowed. He wanted to leave with Kikyo. ...this was still confusing her.
...huh?...
"I don't get it." she blurted.
Inuyasha jerked like she had hit him, looking confused for a spilt second. "What's to get?" he asked brusquely. "I want to go back to Kikyo. Seeing her again made me realize what I feel for her. She's my everything."
The words were strong, but his tone sounded flat. Like he was forcing every syllable through his lips.
Kagome scratched her head, feeling an ache develop behind her eye. Not like the stabbing pain from before, but the beginnings of a headache. "I don't understand what you're trying to do."
"I'm trying to leave you." Inuyasha snapped.
"Yeah, that's the part I don't get." Kagome tilted her head at him, checking points off with her fingers. "We were more then fine this morning and this last week, we love each other, and we've been through enough that even if we weren't bonded, we'd be connected for the rest of our lives. So really, what are you trying to do?"
Inuyasha stared at her like he couldn't believe her. He shook his head slightly. "Look Kagome, there's not much to be confused about. I-" He pointed to himself and spoke slowly, as if to a child. "-Do not want to stay with you. I saw Kikyo and realized I want to go with her. Seeing her again made me realize how much I want her, and how much I want to bond with her and have sex with her."
Her instincts rumbled at the sharp stab his words delivered. That comment hurt a little bit. "You were the one who suggested we wait. You didn't want me to regret it."
"Yeah, and now I regret it. I have needs only Kikyo can meet. I love her. Kikyo. I love, love, love her."
And now a hole had opened up in her chest and her heart was threatening to fall out. Each heartbeat pumped it closer and closer to the edges of the wound, spreading pain through her whole body. Did he really love-
...liar...
Abruptly, the wound healed. She was being dumb. Really dumb.
...!
Of course Inuyasha didn't love Kikyo. It wasn't like he was a masochist.
LIARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Loves you, loves you, loves you, forever and ever and ever and ever...
And of course Inuyasha loved her. How did she even doubt that for a moment? They had been through everything together. Crazy demon attacks, dates from hell, psycho ex's, crazy new powers, future in-laws that both scared and delighted her, and lessons galore. He told her he loved her forever. She had felt his love for her. And she had believed him then, and she would believe him now. Even if he was telling her he loved another woman.
Which she was incredibly pissed about.
So she shoved him onto her bed. Hard.
Surprised by the sudden move, he went down easily, and stayed down when she crouched herself over him, pinning him to the mattress with her hands on his shoulders.
"What the hell are you thinking Inuyasha..." she trailed off, realizing he didn't have a last name she could use. "Just what is going through your stupid brain?"
"I just said-"
She tried to shake him even though she had him flat on his back. "You just lied, which you will be yelled at over later once I figure out what the hell is going on! Do you really expect me to believe you want to be with Kikyo now? And even if I didn't realize how ridiculous that was, all I have to do is look at my hand." She almost shoved her palm into his face, her mark as beautifully blue as ever. "You love me idiot. Am I supposed to doubt that? Moron!"
She balled up her hand and smacked his shoulder, trying not to get angrier when his face didn't register any pain but her hand suddenly started to ache. "Start talking dummy before I regret throwing away your prayer beads."
Inuyasha stared up at her for a long moment before sighing. "...you know, you're making it really hard for me to be the good guy and protect you. Do you think I like saying bullshit like, 'Kikyo is my everything, yippee'."
Relief nearly made her collapse over his chest. At least he was talking to her. "Protect me from what?"
"I didn't lie much, Kikyo really is outside and wants me to go with her someplace. She's threatening your entire family if I don't."
A chill ran down her spine and her power flared up. "Screw that. Let's just grab her now if she's right here."
Inuyasha shook his head, "Mate, she's got your family. She either has people watching them, they've been poisoned, or they're tied up somewhere. Trust me, if I didn't believe it would endanger them, her throat would be at your feet right now."
Kagome considered his words, running them over in her mind. "So you weren't lying when you said you wanted to go with Kikyo." She said carefully, her heart speeding up.
"Can you think of another way to keep Kikyo from killing your mother, grandfather, and little brother?" Inuyasha asked ruthlessly. "For whatever reason, I'm what Kikyo wants. If it means Souta's safety, I'll play along with whatever fucked up game Kikyo's planning."
"And you have to risk yourself to do that?" Kagome looked down to find herself wringing her hands together, and forced herself to stop. To hide the trembling, she dug her fingers into Inuyasha's shoulders, needing to feel his strength. "What if you get hurt?" She couldn't think about him dying. It would shatter her apart.
"I'm demon, I've got a better chance then your human relatives. Trust me mate, I wouldn't touch Kikyo with the point of my claws otherwise. This is the only way to protect everyone."
"Except for you." She pointed out.
"I'll be careful, I promise." Inuyasha soothed. "You've only had a week with me, wench. This is the first of millions of weeks. We'll get rid of Kikyo, and be all set."
Kagome smiled faintly, wanting to look forward to those millions of weeks but didn't want to set herself up for a soul crushing disappointment. "Why can't you just rush us out of the house so we can track my family down?"
Inuyasha was shaking his head even before she had stopped talking. "Kikyo's speciality is long-distance attacks. Bow and arrow, energy balls, poison, ambushes. She doesn't get close to her prey, and always kills from a distance. I can't guess what she might have trained on your family. I'd never be able to save them all."
His hand covered hers when she dug her nails into his shoulder, hiding his wince. "If I go with her though, your family will stay alive, if only as insurance to keep me on good behavior."
...so it seemed like they had no choice.
Dread and fear struck Kagome hard, and for the first time ever she had a good reason to push her emotions away. She couldn't save her loved ones if she was having a breakdown."So then what's the plan?"
"The plan was to discourage you from getting involved. Now I'll have to improvise a bit." His grim look broke into a smile. "It's good to know you have faith in me. As you should. I'm not going to let you down." His hands bit into her arms, suddenly looking determined. "So new plan? Keep you far away from Kikyo while I save your family."
Kagome gasped in outrage. "You expect me to run and hide while my family is in danger? While you're in danger?"
"Yes." One hand cupped her cheek, Inuyasha staring at her intently. "I can't stop Kikyo if I'm worried about your safety."
Kagome jerked her head back. "Then don't. I'm the first miko in the Higurashi family since Midoriko and it's time I start acting like it. As awesome as you are, you're still a demon hampered by concern for my family. Kikyo's got the advantage here, which is why we need to work together if we finally want to stop her."
Inuyasha was shaking his head before she had even finished. "Kikyo's bat-shit crazy, mate. She has all the advantages. She's blocked our mind meld."
Kagome went cold, denial filling her. "No." She gasped, mind reaching for his, only for another spike to drive itself into her brain. Her head ached until she gave up, feeling alone and unconnected from him even though he was in her arms. "Is that why I can't meld with you?"
"I don't know what the fuck she did, but she's 'interfered' with it. She says it's not permanent, but I won't be able to know when you're in danger. As powerful as you are, I don't want you anywhere near her."
"I don't want you near her either." Kagome shot back. "But it doesn't look like we have much choice." She cupped his cheek and leaned down so her hair made a curtain around them, veiling them from the rest of the world so it was just them. "I love you, I love my family and I want you all safe. The only way that can happen is if we end this. Together. We'll be stronger than Kikyo because of it."
He still looked doubtful as his hands grasped her hips, keeping her tight against him. "I want your involvement to be as little as possible." He finally allowed. "Take care of things behind the scenes and let me be the one to handle Kikyo."
Kagome nodded, knowing exactly what he was saying. She didn't want to hesitate when it came to killing Kikyo, and knew Inuyasha wouldn't. "I'll get your brother and Sango and whoever they can think of to help. We'll do whatever possible. Do you have any idea what Kikyo's planning?"
"She still wants the jewel, and wants me to go with her to get it. But," He paused, still unable to believe Kikyo's words. "She says she doesn't need you anymore."
Kagome sat back up in surprise, almost dislodging Inuyasha's hands. She wished for the mind meld again, so she could see his memories of exactly what Kikyo had done. "But I thought I was the only one who could get the jewel. Did something change?"
Grunting at the sudden lack of contact, Inuyasha pulled Kagome down and forced her to roll over, nestling her in the crook of his arm. "I told you, she's insane. She's probably planning something to lure you down to the treasury later, though I can't figure out why she's not grabbing you now." He mumbled, keeping her tight against his side. They didn't have much more time before Kikyo would get suspicious.
Kagome tangled one of her hands in Inuyasha's, resting her head on his shoulder. "So what's the plan?"
"Make sure your family is protected while I bring Kikyo into the treasury. If she just has men watching them, Sess can send a few guards. If they've been poisoned, we need to know with what before she dies so we can find the antidote." For a miko, Kikyo had a strange affinity with potions and mixtures. One of her specialties had been poisons and venoms. She always claimed it helped with victims of demon attacks, but now Inuyasha wasn't so sure.
"How much time do I have to find my family?"
Inuyasha thought for a moment, wanting to give her an accurate answer, but really had no idea. "I'll slow her down long enough that you at least have a few hours. Souta and your mother should be the safest unless Kikyo has slipped something to them. Find your grandfather first." Souta would be safe in school, and then his therapy appointment, her mother was well watched over in a mental hospital. But since Gramps was always visiting his parishioners or working in the temple he would be more at risk to be grabbed.
Kagome nodded in understanding. "So then don't worry about my family. I'll take care of them. Watch out for yourself." She clung to Inuyasha's hand a little tighter. "We'll meet up in the treasury, you with Kikyo, me with back-up."
She squeezed his hand harder when he opened his mouth to respond. "And don't even think of arguing. You need a miko there and I'll be furious if you suggest finding a new one."
Inuyasha opened and closed his mouth a few times, looking visibly frustrated. "Damn it Kagome-"
"Let's stop fighting. We don't have much longer." Kagome let go of his hands to bury her fingers in his hair, holding his head still for a hard, desperate kiss. She didn't want to fight with him. She wanted to wrap herself tight around him to protect him from all that was bad in the world, not send him straight into danger. But this needed to be dealt with, for the sake of their future happiness and safety.
"You just worry about yourself." Kagome said fiercely. "We're over if you get yourself killed."
Inuyasha growled. "Feh. If you thought lesson 19 was bad, wait for what I'll do if you get hurt."
Not in the mood to banter or exchange threats, Kagome rolled back onto Inuyasha, devouring his mouth again. She couldn't find the words, so she tried to show him how much she loved him, how much she wanted his safety and happiness. Attempting to tell him would just make her fall apart, so she tried to pack an entire lifetime into one, frenzied kiss.
She only pulled away when the lack of air made her head reel, fiercely satisfied with how swollen Inuyasha's lips looked. When Inuyasha looked at her own mouth, half-lidded, she guessed hers looked the same. "We'll get through this, and lead incredibly boring lives after." She swore, making it more then a statement. It was a promise.
Inuyasha's brow arched. "Turtlenecks and bed before ten too?"
Forcing a smile, she smoothed her hands down his chest. "The turtlenecks sound pretty dull and safe, but I don't think bedtime for us will ever be boring."
The answering heat in his eyes made her want to bend down again, but with a quick glance at the window, the desire was gone and Kagome knew their time was up.
She wanted to hold him to her, not ready to let him go yet, but the time for that would probably never come. Instead, she swung her leg off him, kneeling by his side as he sat up.
He cupped her cheek, looking in her eyes intently. "As soon as I leave, lock yourself in the bathroom, call Kagura, and wait for Sess to come and get you. Do not go anywhere by yourself. You're a powerful miko, but I don't want you without back-up."
Kagome nodded wordlessly, not finding the request unreasonable. She didn't want to go running after Inuyasha only to get grabbed by Kikyo. And she wasn't stupid enough to try to single-handedly save everyone. No one was that strong outside of books or movies.
Which is why it made her sick to her stomach with the thought that Inuyasha might have to face Kikyo down, by himself.
No.
Instantly, the nausea faded. He wasn't completely by himself. She would do everything in her power to help keep him, and her family safe.
That didn't keep her from worrying though.
She tried to reach out to him, frustrated again by the block that kept her from connecting to him. If nothing else, Kagome wanted to hit Kikyo just for screwing with her bond to Inuyasha.
"Make sure your family is safe, get me back-up, and stay the fuck away from Kikyo. Ultimately, you're going to be the one she's wants, so be careful. That's what you can do for me. Understand?" Inuyasha continued, gaze hard on her.
"Got it." She wouldn't bother telling him again she'd be part of the back-up. Even if Kikyo did want her.
If it meant Inuyasha's safety once her family was safe to go up against Kikyo miko to miko, so be it. She might have a few centuries of experience on her, but Kagome would be stronger. When it came down to it, Kikyo didn't have anyone to protect.
Lingering for another for a few more precious seconds, Inuyasha finally forced his hand to drop away. "I'll come back to you soon, mate. I promise."
Blinking back her tears, Kagome nodded again. She didn't want his last image of her to be red and flushed from crying. "You better. It's going to take forever to use up the extra maple syrup I bought if you don't."
Inuyasha's lips quirked and his hand reached out as if to touch her again. But with another look at the window, his arm dropped.
Her stomach tied itself in knots, and it felt hard to catch her breath. "You better go." she said softly, wanting to snatch the words back.
The muscles in his throat looked tense, his jaw tight, and his gazed ran over her, greedily looking over her as if imprinting the sight into his mind.
He growled, and before she knew he had moved, his hard arms yanked her to him for one last kiss.
Before she could grab him back, she was abruptly dropped onto her bed, Inuyasha breathing hard. "Remember, I will be back. We might not be able to meld, but I will know if you use that syrup with anyone else."
Kagome let out a chocked laugh, but before she could promise that he was the only one she'd ever use it with, the bedroom door was slammed open and closed.
And he was gone.
She had to look down to notice she was trembling, her power drawing swirls and whorls on her skin as she watched through blurry eyes. A lump formed in her throat as she looked back at the empty space where he had been standing, not even an impression in the carpet left to show he had been there. He was really gone, off to fling himself into danger's way. Oh God, she might lose him. If something happened to him, there would be no coming back from it. They'd have to put her in the suite next to her mother, another broken Higurashi needing suicide watch-
Stop. Protect Inuyasha.
The voice settled her, redirecting her worry and fear into determination. Screw that. There would no reason for her to check into a mental hospital, because Inuyasha was going to keep her happy for the rest of their very long lives.
And she was going to make sure Inuyasha was alive to do that.
Her power lit up her room in shades of purple, a crown of light encircling her head as it began to work on the blocks Kikyo had thrown up. If she closed her eyes, she could see the petals begin to layer themselves over the long stretch of gritty powder that had compressed itself into a wall. It would take time, but they would wear the structure down.
Nothing would keep her from Inuyasha. And it was time to ensure that.
Kagome snatched up her cell phone, thankful Kagura had insisted on adding herself to her speed dial.
For any one else, putting herself under number 1 would have been arrogant and annoying, but for Kagura it just seemed natural. She pressed it as she ducked into the bathroom, heart pounding.
"Chickadee! I was just thinking about you while admiring the 58 new pairs of shoes I bought. I can't wait to show you them! So what's shakin', sister dear?"
Flipping the door lock, Kagome perched on the lip of the tub, willing her power to break Kikyo's wall down faster. "Kagura, there's been a change of plans..."
AN: Kagura thanks you guys for the 58 reviews from her last chapter ;)
About this chapter, half the reason it took so long was that I had planned the end a certain way for about two years, and within fifteen minutes of trying to write it, I realized how much it sucked. So this is the new version that I replanned. To be honest, I'm terrifed to post this chapter because of it, lol. Let me know if you like it!
