Author's Note: Okay so I have all the way up to Chapter 12 planned out and ready to write (Its going to be longer then 12 chapters though).. I just have to write them! I'm really excited about this story and if your not sure about it now.. just wait and bear with me it will get better lol :) As usual I'd like to thank everyone who reads my story for reading it and thank everyone who reviewed it! Especially FallenFan77, I am a fan of yours and I'm so glad you like my story! Well then.. Please review the chapter and let me know what you think! On with the story now!

Disclaimer: I do not, nor shall I ever own Inuyasha or any of it's characters. (Though I would like to) All original characters that did not appear in Inuyasha but do appear in this story are created solely from my awesome imagination and some with the help of my cousin Jessica Lowell :)

actions (slaps mostly)

thoughts

"mental conversations"

Journey to Midoriko's Cave: Day 1 - Shippo's P.O.V.

As the sun began to get lower in the sky, I noticed that we had been traveling all day without stopping. Probably because Kagome is always the one that wants to stop.. Miroku, Sango and I were flying with Kirara while Inuyasha carried Kagome. We had gotten almost half-way to Midoriko's cave by the time Sango suggested that we stop for the night. Luckily, Inuyasha agreed without too much stupid arguing. That's different.. While we were setting up camp, Inuyasha started growling and stood in front of Kagome. All of a sudden, a small tornado ripped into the clearing and hit Inuyasha into the side of a tree. When the dust cleared, Kouga was sitting by Kagome's side asking her if she was okay.

"Hey mutt-face! What did you do to my Kagome?!" the wolf-demon asked when he got no response from 'his Kagome'.

"I didn't do anything to her and she's not yours!" Inuyasha replied, standing up with Tetsusaiga in hand.

"Then why wont she wake up and why does she smell different?!" Kouga yelled back.

Those of us who were not acting like dogs fighting over a bone, looked at each other before resting our eyes on Inuyasha. He put his sword away and motioned for his rival to sit by the fire while I went to stay at Kagome's side. Someone has to keep an eye on her and I am the best person for the job.. Plus, I don't want to hear the story again. I looked over Kagome while the others filled Kouga in on what happened. The smell of rain is more intense now.. I heard the newcomer gasp a few times while hearing of the final battle with Naraku, and again when he was told of our friend's condition. When the group was done explaining, everyone sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Thanks for telling me.." Kouga said to Inuyasha as he stood. He walked over to Kagome and whispered something into her ear that even Inuyasha couldn't pick up. Once the wolf had said all that he needed to say, he brushed a kiss onto her cheek and left as quickly as he had arrived.

"Well that was interesting.." Miroku seemed like he was suggesting something to Inuyasha.

"Keh! Even if I hate the wolf, Kagome would sit me if she found out he was here and I didn't tell him." Inuyasha responded.

"That's true.." I muttered to myself.

THUMP!

"Ouch! Kagome! Wake up! Inuyasha attacked me!" I yelled to my sleeping friend.

"Heh.. Looks like she's too tired to help you!" Inuyasha smirked.

"SIT!" We both snapped around to see Sango glaring at us. "Well I tried.. Sorry Shippo.." she sat down again.

Journey to Midoriko's Cave: Day 2 - Kagome's P.O.V.

I'm here again?! Well it doesn't get much worse than dying so I should be okay.. When I found the ancient priestess sitting in the wet grass again, I sat next to her. Its raining harder than it was last time.. I noticed the woman's face looked older than before and she turned to me with sad eyes.

"Lady Kagome.. When you arrive at my grave, the spiritual energy should react to your presence. There will be a clear sign if it works. If it doesn't work.. nothing will happen." Midoriko informed me.

"Can you tell me how long I have?" I inquired.

"I'm sorry I don't know.. It all depends on the strength of your will." she stood and disappeared. Well then, I suppose I will just have to survive in order to thank you for the help you've given me.

"Your welcome" I heard her voice in my mind when I closed my eyes.

When I opened my eyes again, I was laying on my sleeping bag in a clearing and it was very early in the morning. The sun was just starting to light the world when I sat up. How long have I been sleeping? Sango and Miroku were sleeping nearby with Shippo in between them.

"You feeling okay?" I heard Inuyasha jump from a tree branch to land beside me.

"Honestly?" I asked with a warm smile and he nodded. "No.. I feel like i could sleep for weeks and my head hurts."

"Oh..." he seemed surprised at my truthful answer. "Your mangy wolf-boy came by last night.." he tried to change the subject.

"Kouga? What did he want?" I missed Kouga but I wasnt about to tell him that.

"Keh! Probably to take you away again.. Boy was he disappointed to find you dying and all that." Inuyasha was looking to lighten the mood.

"Well considering you still haven't been with a real man, I know I'll see you again. Come find me when you don't die my love." I heard Kouga's voice in my head all of a sudden and turned to Inuyasha.

"Did Kouga by any chance.. Say something to me?" I questioned.

"Uhh... Y-Yea but I didn't hear what he said.. Why? Did you hear it?" Inuyasha got anxious.

"No.. I was just wondering.." I lied. If I told you what he said Inuyasha, you would already have left to hunt him down..

Everyone started to wake up a few minutes later and for the first time ever, I didn't have to do anything but sit.

Inuyasha's P.O.V.

We are going to make it in time Kagome.. Just hold on were almost there. We were about 10 minutes from the cave when Kagome started to get worse. Her temperature got higher and she was groaning in pain. I felt her breathing change as we got closer to our destination.

"We need to hurry!" I yelled up to the others as the flew overhead.

"Is Lady Kagome alright?" Miroku replied.

"We don't have much time.." I said, almost loud enough for my friends to hear. We need to hurry..

Kagome's P.O.V.

"Kagome." I was stirred from sleep by Sango calling my name. When I opened my eyes we were waiting outside Midoriko's cave.

"Were here" Inuyasha put me gently on the ground.

"Let's go.." I struggled against Inuyasha while he helped me walk. "When we get in there.. It should react to my presence." I said in between breaths.

When we entered the cave the barrier was dispelled. "To allow your demon friends to accompany you." I heard Midoriko. Thanks. As we ventured further inside I felt weaker than any other time in my life. I could barely stand but Inuyasha's tight grip on me held me steady enough. Once I saw Midoriko's statue I let go of him and walked toward it on my own.

"How will we know that it worked?" Shippo asked me, arriving beside me with Sango.

"We will know" I replied.

A few minutes went by and I couldn't hold my own weight anymore. Inuyasha rushed to my side as I fell to the ground.

"Kagome?!" he looked into my eyes.

"Inuyasha.. It didn't work.." I whispered. At that moment, I felt cold and alone, as I lay in the arms of the man I love.

Inuyasha's P.O.V.

"What do you mean it didn't work?! It has to work!" I cried out as Kagome withered away in my arms.

Everyone gathered around her and started to weep. I held her as close to me as I could while her breathing worsened. No.. No this can't be happening. We made it here in two days! Why is Kagome still dying?! I struggled out of my head at the sound of Kagome's voice.

"Inu..yasha.. Stay friends with Miroku and Sango.. Don't hit Shippo on the head anymore." she said.

"Kagome.. Please.. Don't.." I couldn't finish.

"Sango, make an honest man out of the monk.." her eyes were blinking slowly. "Miroku, stop womanizing and take care of the one you already have."

"I will Kagome." Miroku wept and held Sango.

"Shippo, train to become the greatest fox demon that ever lived. I know you can do it." she patted Shippo's head when he cried.

Then she turned to me.. Her eyes digging deep into mine as she said her last words.

"I love you.." she hesitated. "...All.."

"KAGOME!" I screamed when she took her last breath.

We all sat around her lifeless body and cried together. Holding each other and helping each other stay alive even if our beloved friend wasnt. Shes gone.. My Kagome is gone.. How could this have happened.. We beat Naraku and made it out of jewel in one piece.. We were finally going to be together.. I looked up at the statue of Midoriko. I love you too Kagome.. Suddenly a blinding white light glowed in the center of Midoriko's solid body. Everyone lifted their gaze to look upon the holy glow. The light shot out and danced slowly around the room before diving into Kagome's chest. As we all stared at the woman in front of us, I heard a voice call out to me from deep within my own mind.

"Wait, and she will return to you."