InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Changing Hearts? ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

Changing Hearts?

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DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inu Yasha and company. I do however own this story idea... I think.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks for the reviews, I thrive on them. As I said before, I think that the end is in sight for this story... if my imagination lets me go. Keep letting me know who you want Kagome to end up with... although if the results remain as one sided as they have been, perhaps I will only have to write one ending. I am glad that you all are enjoying this, I am too. This chapter is a little shorter than the others, but it seemed like a good place to stop. Enough from me, as always, read and enjoy!

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Chapter 7

Inu Yasha spun around as soon as he heard the gasp of pain. He found Kagome on her knees, holding her stomach as if she had been struck. Sango and Miroku glared at him as they tried to comfort the girl. Behind him Kikyo cold laughter made him shudder again. She had done this on purpose. He whimpered softly.

His friends were helping Kagome back to her feet. He saw her flash a smile at the monk, but when she looked at him, he couldn't believe the change in her. Her face was pale and her eyes were emotionless. What bothered him most though was her lack of tears. What could that mean? He hated her tears, but he knew that they were part of what helped her forgive him. She shed her anger, pain and frustration in them. Did this mean he was beyond forgiveness.

He just watched in shock as she drew her bow and placed an arrow to the string. She leveled it directly at him. He flashed back to the day that Kikyo had sealed him fifty years ago. Hadn't she looked exactly like this? This time he knew that he deserved it. He really had betrayed her. He had basically said that he wished that she had never existed. Kikyo was still laughing. He saw her mouth something... I'm sorry. He hurt her and yet she was apologizing to him. That was so like Kagome that he just had to smile even as her arrow left the string.

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Kagome had felt the pain of his words shoot through her heart as if they had been on fire. It had literally driven her to her knees. Sango and Miroku had been at her side instantly, but neither one knew what to do, but to take her hands in their own and wait to see what she would do next. Sango was whispering something, but Kagome didn't really hear it. She shook her head, trying to tell Sango that she couldn't listen to her right then. She was lost in her own thoughts. Apparently Inu Yasha didn't even think of her as a friend. He thought of her as... nothing. All he wanted was to go back fifty years to the woman that he loved. She could feel the tears wanting to flow, but she fought them back. She would not cry. She wouldn't give either of them the satisfaction.

"I am fine. Could you help me up please?" she whispered to her companions. Their gentle hands steadied her, and she felt Miroku squeeze her hand again before letting go. She looked up at him and smiled. She was glad that he was there.

Now it was time to take care of business, later they would have to talk. She willed herself to go blank, she didn't want Inu Yasha to see what she was feeling or thinking. Finally she looked up at him and saw confusion and then panic flash in his eyes. She drew her bow and placed an arrow to the string. As she raised it, one thought flashed through her mind, and she mouthed it without realizing it. I'm sorry. His eyes widened in shock and then a small smile flitted across his face, as she let the arrow fly.

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They had reached the clearing in time see and hear Kikyo's questions. Miroku had braced himself for Inu Yasha's answer, but couldn't stop the anger that welled up from his very soul when he heard it. The bastard had basically wished that Kagome had never existed. How could he say something so crass, even if he thought that they were alone. He saw Kikyo's expression change to one of malice and victory. She had known what she was doing. She had probably waited for them to arrive.

Then Kagome had gasped in pain and dropped to her knees. All thoughts of the others left his mind as he went to her. She was so pale. He felt helpless, he didn't know what to do to comfort her. He took her hand and covered it with both of his, trying to convey his emotions through it. Sango had taken her other hand and was whispering something to her, but it was so low that he didn't hear what it was.

"I am fine. Could you help me up please?" She asked in a whisper so low it was barely there. They did as she asked. He gave her hand a squeeze and she looked up at him and smiled. His heart did a flip. He saw gratitude, warmth, and a promise in her eyes. They would talk later.

Then Kagome turned to face the two that had caused her pain. He did the same. He was trying to figure out how to get the half-demon to move so that he could suck the priestess into the void. He had warned him that it was going to happen. If it was just him, he would suck the hanyou in as well. But he knew that Kagome wouldn't forgive him for doing so. He risked a glance at the girl who now owned his heart, and his jaw dropped. She had an arrow aimed directly at Inu Yasha's chest. He saw her say I'm sorry. Just before she let it go. He turned back just in time to see a smile cross the hanyou's features.

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Sango couldn't believe what she had just heard. Damn them both, but especially the miko. She knew that she had planned it. She had watched her expression change the moment she stopped speaking. Kikyo had been looking directly at Kagome the entire time. Sango, her anger raging like a caged animal, was reaching for her boomerang when Kagome had collapsed with a gasp.

She dropped to her knees beside the girl and took her hand. She saw that Miroku had done the same, covering her small one with both of his.

"Let me take care of her Kagome. I will end this once and for all." Kagome shook her head distractedly, but didn't say a word. She just sat there for a few more minutes in silence.

"I am fine. Could you help me up please?" She steadied her friend, and didn't miss the small moment that passed between Kagome and Miroku. She smiled and then turned her attention back to her prey. The miko would not leave this clearing. As she was reaching for her boomerang, she saw Kagome move out of the corner of her eye. She turned and was amazed to see arrow pointed directly at Inu Yasha. Her eyes widened and she returned her gaze to Inu Yasha. She saw his panic, his shame and lastly a smile, just before Kagome's arrow began its flight.