Kagome opened her eyes an hour later. Her side was killing her but at least it wouldn't reopen so easily. She turned and looked over. Inuyasha was sitting next to her, his back to her. "Inuyasha?" He turned and looked at her.
"I took a bit of time and I thought about it. And I am more calm than I was." Kagome sat up and she groaned as she did. Inuyasha turned and looked at her. "I am so angry at you Kagome. But I need to know. I need to know why."
"Why? Why did you keep this a secret?" Kagome looked at him. "I thought that I had enough time to defeat Naraku before the miasma consumed me. I kept it to myself because I knew you wouldn't act rationally."
Inuyasha looked at her. "When it comes to me you can have kinda a one-track mind. And I didnt want you to take any unnecessary risks. I just want you to be happy and free. And I thought that by keeping to myself it would keep you safe."
Inuyasha sighed deeply and looked away. "I just don't understand why you would do this to yourself and take that blow meant for me." Kagome sighed and ran her hand through her hair again.
"Why do you have to keep asking me that? What is so hard for you to understand? You have done the same for me. The same reason it was a few days ago."
"But you were stupid! How could you do that!" he yelled. He looked at her and he gasped. Kagome had a defeated look on her face and she had tears welling up in her eyes. "Can we please just accept it and drop it?"
Inuyasha gasped lowly. "I don't want to spend my last few days arguing with you. I want to spend them fighting by your side." Inuyasha put his hands on her shoulders.
Kagome gasped softly and looked into his eyes. His amber eyes were piercing her chocolate ones again. Only this time there was no hurt or anger in them. They were gentle, yet serious.
"These aren't your last few days Kagome. We're going to save you. You are going to live past this. Kagome nodded and he gently took her into his arms and he hugged her, burying his nose into her raven-black hair.
'I refuse to let the woman I love die. I won't let Naraku take you from me. We are going to get through this and we will be together. I won't survive it if I lose you too. If you died, I would die with you.'
They separated. "I think it's best if you rest for now, Kagome. You must be exhausted." Kagome shook her head. "I don't have time to relax Inuyasha. We need to keep going. Please." she said standing up. She grabbed her side.
"Is your wound bothering you? Is it time to put more herbs on it?" he asked, reaching for her. Kagome backed away. "It's nothing." Inuyasha glared at her and sighed, trying to stay calm. "Please Kagome. Just let me check it." Kagome sighed.
"Fine." She raised her shirt, revealing the dressage on her side. He gently undressed the wound and he gasped. Where it was cauterized, the skin was blistered and red. And there was pure black miasma oozing from her wound.
Kagome looked down at her side and Inuyasha's face. "I'm okay, Inuyasha." He gave her a look that said to her that he didnt believe her. He gently tried to dab at the wound and he spread the herbs on a fresh bandage and redressed the wound.
Kagome tried her best to not show how much pain she was actually in. He pulled her shirt down and they looked at each other. "You don't have to say anything. I know it's bad. But trust me when I say that I can keep going."
Kagome looked at him and she could see the anger burning in his eyes. She couldn't figure out if that anger was toward her or Naraku. "I still think that you should return to your time. There's a possibility that it won't spread as quickly."
She shook her head. "No, I am no coward. I'm not running from Naraku. He may not be MY arch enemy but he still needs to be stopped. Besides you need me. Kikyo said only I scare and threaten Naraku."
"I just have to figure out how to unseal my powers so I can purify him and destroy him before my body gives out."
"This has nothing to do with being a coward or not! This is about keeping you alive! You need to stay alive. What if we don't find Naraku in the next two to three days? Then what? You will be dead. Why are you being so damn stubborn!?"
Kagome rolled her eyes. "I'm staying here until Naraku is defeated. Then when he is, I promise I will sleep for a week." Inuyasha sighed. He looked at her in awe. "How do you stay so strong?" he asked.
Kagome shook her head. "I'm not strong. I'm just determined. And I follow through. I won't stop till it's done. I want to make sure that if it happens, I can die without regrets." He shook his head.
"You won't have to worry about dying with regrets because you aren't going to die for a really really long time."
Kagome sighed. "Inuyasha, we have to prepare for the worst I may not make it back from this battle. I want you to promise me something." She looked into his eyes. "If I fail, promise me that you won't let your anger take over and try to avenge me."
He looked at her in shock. "I want you to promise me that you won't avenge me. I'm not worth it."
"You are!" he yelled. He took her hand. "Don't ever think for a second that you aren't worth it, Kagome!" she looked at him in surprise.
"You matter Kagome…. You matter to me." The look in his eyes turned from fear to love. "Inuyasha…"
They leaned in and they kissed. Kagome could feel all the love and fear in that kiss coming from Inuyasha. He could feel the sadness and the fear in her kiss as well. They broke apart and looked at each other.
Inuyasha put his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. "I promise that you will live. These aren't your last days." Kagome closed her eyes and she nodded against his forehead.
"Kagome, I need you to promise me something." Kagome opened her eyes and they separated. "I want you to promise me that you aren't just gonna give up. I want you to promise me that you will keep fighting. Never stop fighting, Kagome."
She nodded. "I promise." Inuyasha leaned in and kissed the side of her head. "We're going to get through this. And after this battle, let's talk about our future." Kagome blushed and leaned into his chest. "Yes, our future."
'After all this, I will ask you to live with me in the feudal era.'
"Yes, Kagome." They looked over to Sango and Miroku standing in the doorway. "You are going to survive this. Who else is going to help me plan my wedding." said Sango with a smile. Kagome smiled.
'Yes, you will live in peace. You will thrive. I fear that no matter what, you won't be able to save me before I breathe my last breath. And I am sorry for that. But if it means that you live, then it's a decision I won't ever regret. I will keep fighting even if it's in vain.'
Suddenly a white-hot pain shot through her body and she pulsated. She cried out in pain. Kagome struggles to breathe. She shakes due to the amount of pain she was in. Inuyasha took the shaking girl in his arms.
"Hang in there, Kagome." He begged as she white-knuckled his haori. She screams in agony she feels the miasma race through her body like fire. Tears filled her eyes as she holds onto Inuyasha.
She goes limp. "Kagome! Kagome, wake up!" begged Inuyasha. Sango walked over and put her fingers on Kagome's neck. "She's still alive. I think she passed out from the pain." He picked her up and carried her over to her bed.
He laid her in her bed and put her head in his lap. He looked at the others. "Don't say a word. Any of you." They all smiled and looked away. Inuyasha took his glare from his friends and focused back on Kagome.
He could tell that she was in pain in her sleep. 'Kagome won't last much longer. I have to figure out how to defeat Naraku once and for all before her body gives out.'
REWRITTEN FEBRUARY 2024