InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Just A Break ❯ I Can't Live Without You...And I Don't Want To ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: I'm not that worried about getting my butt charged (what are they going to take anyways? You want my stinky socks? Go ahead, have `em! Lol). I am worried however, about the impending midterm that's threatening the very future of my post-secondary life. Hehe…talk about over dramatic…

 

 

 

 

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Inuyasha's heart seemed to be growing fainter, yet thundering louder at the same time. The hanyou tried to tear his eyes away from the site of his battered mate, but his pained orbs refused to look away. The rancid bile creeping up his parched throat stilled. Every organ in his slumped form rejected the command to function, unconsciously releasing their owner from the bitterness of life.

 

Inuyasha stared. That was all he could do. He wanted to free Kagome from the confines of the grey branches, to leap up and cradle her cold body, to do anything but sit and stare.

 

The unearthly site of Kagome's awkwardly twisted limbs seared its image into his brain, forever branding itself behind his eyelids. Her head hung limply on her chest, the black veil of hair obscuring his view of her fragile face. Suspended in the air, her body swayed in the light wind, eerily rocking back and forth. Inuyasha reached a violently shaking hand into the empty space before him, searching for his mate. Dazed, and barely breathing, the hanyou sat atop the hard ground as the shock settled in his system. His mind was racing a mile a minute. Grief he had never known before ripped into his soul and slashed at the dull orb. Inuyasha swiped at the invisible cloudiness blanketing the space around him and let out a bone-chilling roar of despair.

 

 

Without casting Leiko a spare glance, he carefully stood up. The entire center of his body seemed to be off, causing him to wobble as he tried to find his balance. Inuyasha knew he should turn and run his talons across the demoness' throat, or embed his fist into the chamber of her heart. If she had one. Misery over flooded his system as all logical reasoning shot to hell. Kyo and Saaya's teary eyes and heart wrenching sobs fluttered across his mind. It would break their spirits to find out that their mother had died. Selfish as it was, Inuyasha couldn't muster up the courage to continue without his other half. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he had to find the strength to live for his children. But at this moment, while he watched the corpse of his mate sway in the wind, Inuyasha couldn't find that strength.

 

“Kagome…” he whimpered.

 

As his soft cry of despair ebbed into the wind, the hanyou dug his toes into the soil and sprang up, soaring into the sakura tree…to his mate. Leiko smiled wickedly and jumped up as well, joining Inuyasha at her rival's temporary grave. A dizzying rush of power surged through the demoness' veins as she watched the proud warrior wither away to a pitiful excuse for a demon. `tsk tsk…my poor Inuyasha seems to be in pain,' she smiled to herself, `I guess it's up to me to cheer him up after the devastating loss of his human companion…poor thing…' Leiko peered at him through the corner of her eyes as she sailed up beside him. She watched in sick fascination as his jaw quivered, and nearly laughed as his voice cracked.

 

“Please…” he whispered, “It can't be you…”

 

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

 

 

“And this one goes…ah! Right here!”

 

Shippou stood back and smiled proudly at his work. All the herbs he had collected were now sitting in glass jars and aligned on the shelves in Kaede's hut. The kitsune cub's green eyes scanned the rest of the house. Everything was in order and he had finished his day's chores. The small demon let out a happy sigh and stretched his tired limbs out. He pushed the straw mat aside and walked into the cool refreshing air.

 

 

Shippou began a leisurely pace towards the headman's house. He knew Kagome and Kaede were there tending to the pregnant daughter. The kitsune walked along the worn dirt paths of the village, passing by the working families. Men tended the rice paddies while the women nursed the vegetable gardens. A few children ran around their parents, but most had gone to join the group in the clearing. Shippou's gaze landed on a young girl of his own age. He smiled shyly at her, and she returned the timid gesture. The small demon scratched the back of his head and jerkily advanced his way towards the girl. Before he was able to properly greet her, Shippou's keen hearing picked up on a loud, anguished scream.

 

 

The kitsune's head snapped towards the source of the cry. A cold chill settled in his veins as he realized the owner of the voice. The demon boy dropped to all fours and dashed towards the forest, leaving a puzzled human girl behind. Running at top speed, Shippou whispered to himself,

 

“What's happening, Inuyasha?...”

 

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

 

 

Leiko intercepted Inuyasha a fraction of a second before he was able to reach the body of his mate. The demoness stood defiantly between the hanyou and Kagome. Anger overtook sorrow as Inuyasha sneered dangerously at the obstacle before him. Both perched on branches a few meters away from the swinging female body. Leiko smiled innocently at the enraged hanyou and reached forward to caress his cheek. Before her hand was able to make contact, it froze midway in surprise. The demoness looked on entranced as the golden eyes of her prize flashed red. Jagged purple strips began to pulse on the hanyou's cheek bones, only to disappear half a second later.

 

 

Inuyasha stepped back and jumped to the ground beneath. He felt the change in his blood and heard the calling of his inner demon. He turned his palm towards him and saw his claws begin to elongate. His anger halted as his transformation began to take over. Inuyasha shook his head violently and ran towards the embedded tetsusaiga. `Kagome wouldn't want me like this. She wouldn't want me to turn into a mindless killer. That bitch will feel the wrath of my true hanyou being…'

 

 

The inu hanyou's palm touched the cloth-wrapped handle of his sword. The roaring and crying demon inside his mind slowly retreated. A suppressed howl vibrated within his chest and begged to be released. Inuyasha refused to show weakness towards his enemy and steeled all his nerves. He pulled the sword out in a wide arc and transformed the fang into a shining asset. The hot tears that pooled behind the stubborn brim of his eyes leaked forward and streaked down his cheeks without his permission. Inuyasha let out a horrifying scream and tore into the sakura tree.

 

 

Leiko avoided the attack and jumped to the ground. Inuyasha flipped mid-air and began his descent to his prey. His empty laugh filled with desperation rang out as he swung his sword and sliced a section off Leiko's platinum hair. Her eyes widened as she ran her hand through the short locks of her silvery strands. Narrowing her cold spheres, the demoness retreated a few paces and hastily retied her sash. Inuyasha snarled at her and ran forward again, rapidly swinging tetsusaiga. With each sweep he took another portion of her flowing hair. Leiko stared at Inuyasha murderously as she caught stray strands floating in the wind.

 

 

The hanyou heaved in gasps of air, trying to will away the burn in the back of his throat. His greatest enemy stood a mere five feet away from him. He never felt such sheer, white hot hatred towards a single being before now. Hell, at this point Naraku would have been pleasant company for an afternoon brunch. The wind picked up as Inuyasha readied his final blow. Colors swirled before him and electricity cackled. The auras of their youki clashed and sizzled, refusing to touch. Leiko sped to the west of the clearing, traces of fear beginning to set into her bones. Inuyasha followed her lead and ran, his clothing whipping in the pace of his movements.

 

 

“You'll fucking pay for this you bitch!” he hollered.

 

Leiko drew her own sword in defense. Inuyasha nearly laughed at her pitiful weapon and sped up his movements. He brought tetsusaiga down in a wide arc and yelled in a deafening volume,

 

“Kaze no kizu!”

 

Leiko held her katana up and pushed against the energy of the attack. Kaze no kizu consumed her efforts and sent her ricocheting back. She slammed against the trunk of an ancient tree and heard several of her ribs crack upon impact. She sucked in a painful breath and slipped to the ground beneath. The twenty foot fall to the grass did nothing to alleviate her pain as a small dribble of blood leaked from the corner of her lips. The scarlet liquid blended into her dark mouth but stained her pale chin. The demoness' lips curled in disgust and she swiped the offending crimson with the back of her hand.

 

“You really are quite angry aren't you, mate?” she asked daringly, her voice the only sound disturbing the silence of the forest.

 

“Angry is the fucking understatement of the year! Prepare to DIE!” Inuyasha roared as he swung tetsusaiga once again.

 

 

His sword ripped against the thin layer of skin covering her neck. A rush of blood poured from the wound and left Leiko gasping in surprise. She lifted her hand to cover the gash but failed to stop the river of liquid that seeped from the cracks between her fingers. She sprung up and ran from the hanyou. Inuyasha chased her and they battled savagely in the middle of the clearing. The sharp clang of swords sounded repeatedly as the wounded female struck a defensive pose to fight off Inuyasha's increasingly powerful strikes. Her sword stopped tetsusaiga a millimeter away from her neck. Leiko pushed the metal back with all her strength, using both arms and leaving her wound to bleed freely. Droplets sprinkled over Inuyasha's hand and burnt his skin, but he paid it no attention. A sadistic twinkle sparkled in the hanyou's honey eyes as he pushed the weapons closer towards the female's body.

 

 

“I'm going to cut your legs off so you can't run.” he whispered maliciously, “Then I'm gonna tear your arms off one by one so you can feel a fraction of the pain I feel. You'll wish I killed you now when I'm fucking done with you.”

 

Leiko twisted into a crouching position as Inuyasha bore down on her. He kicked her feet from underneath and sent her tumbling to the unforgiving ground below. With a snap of his wrist, he dislodged her thin sword from her grasp and left her completely defenseless. Leiko sat back on the soil with one arm stretched out behind for support as the other hand held the slit across her throat. Inuyasha stepped forward and stood on her legs, resting all his weight on her slender limbs. The demoness visibly winced at his heaviness, and only then did she truly acknowledge the utter power and dominance that radiated off the hanyou. Leiko licked her lips suggestively, yearning to control his being.

 

 

Inuyasha's body trembled rigidly and his eyes narrowed darkly. He lowered the sword to her heart and pushed the sharp tip into the cloth of her kimono. Leiko felt the cold press of metal against the skin of her breast as tetsusaiga pierced her robes. Inuyasha's lips quivered even though he fought to control his body. With a strained voice he quietly whispered,

 

“Why?”

 

Leiko smiled at him and lifted a delicate eyebrow. Inuyasha snarled at her confident demeanor and pushed his sword a little deeper until the edge melted into her flesh. The demoness took her eyes off Inuyasha and settled them on Kagome's body. The light sakura petals caressed her cold skin and framed the background. A mere two seconds crawled by before she answered without returning her attention to Inuyasha.

 

“She really was quite pretty wasn't she? I mean, for a human I suppose.” she mused.

 

“I asked WHY!” Inuyasha roared ferociously. Leiko shifted her gaze and locked eyes with him once more.

 

“I had to get rid of her. I'm your true mate, not the human.” she answered simply. Inuyasha applied more weight to his fang and sunk it deeper into her chest.

 

“She's my mate. My only mate!” he growled tensely.

 

“But think about everything you could have without her holding you back Lord Inuyasha! She's the one who asked you to remain a hanyou, but dangled the ability to become a full demon in front of you. You could recapture the western lands and live as a KING. Everyone would be under your command and you'd want for nothing!” her voice intensified with each passing word, power hungry syllables echoing in the private clearing. Her dark blue eyes stared into Inuyasha's and glowed happily. “You could have and be everything! And I'd be right there beside you…your mate…who helped you to realize all the power you truly have!”

 

“You're not my mate and you never fucking will be!” Inuyasha roared at the highest volume yet, sending crimson leaves tumbling to the forest floor. “She doesn't hold me back, she never asked me to be anything I didn't want to be, and I don't want the disgusting western lands! I want for nothing NOW! I have everything I ever wanted, things beyond my wildest imagination! She was everything I ever dreamed of! But you,” he seethed, “YOU took it all away!”

 

“Wrong my Lord. I'm giving everything to you…or rather…the ability to gain everything by freeing you from that human wench.” she answered confidently, her voice unconsciously begging him to seize the power.

 

 

Inuyasha pulled back and kicked Leiko across the face, leaving three deep cuts on her pale complexion. The demoness remained seated and brushed her fingers above the slit skin. Inuyasha pointed tetsusaiga at her chest again with a trembling hand. His bloodshot eyes hardened, and Leiko watched uneasily as the thick veins in his neck pulsed rapidly.

 

 

“I'll kill you.” He stated simply, “I'LL KILL YOU!”

 

 

The hanyou pushed his sword forward, intending to imbed the metal deep within her chest. Leiko managed to roll from the brunt of the attack and stole away with a gaping laceration sliced across her back. The demoness swore under her breath and ran towards the infamous sakura tree. Inuyasha howled in the center of the opening and flew forward to catch Leiko. The full demon breathed harshly, the leaking blood taking a toll on her body. With her final splurge of speed, she soared to Kagome's corpse and hid behind the dead miko. Inuyasha halted at the base of the tree, twenty-five feet beneath the most cherished, and most hated, women of his life.

 

 

“Get the fuck away from her!” he snarled, baring his sharp fangs.

 

Leiko remained fully hidden behind the slim body of the priestess. The demoness peered over the naked shoulder of the miko and locked eyes with the livid hanyou. Keeping her smile hidden in the inky tresses, Leiko wrapped her arm around Kagome's torso. She gently massaged the taut flesh of her cold abdomen and trailed her hand higher. Inuyasha's enraged growls pulled her smile a little wider. She saw the hanyou crouch low in preparation to spring up to the branch, but stopped him with her voice.

 

“Uh, uh, uh.” she reprimanded, “I let you get away with far too much today as it is. You know…harming your intended is just as punishable as harming your mate.”

 

“Shut the fuck up!” he roared and jumped onto the same thick branch. Inuyasha's balance wavered and the grip on his sword slackened as he came face to face with Kagome's eternally sleeping expression. Her body dangled a mere four feet away, cradled in the evil hands of her murderer. The sakura flowers rolled in the breeze, dusting his hair with soft petals. Inuyasha bit his jaw together and pushed his emotions back. “Get away from her…” he warned quietly. Leiko pulled the body closer to her own and backed away a step. Her curious hands explored higher, coming to rest just beneath the miko's breast.

 

“You seem quite keen on the idea of killing me…” she sighed, “Don't suppose you'll change your mind will you Inuyasha?” Her answer was a snarl. Leiko shook her head sadly and continued, “I guess I'll just have to kill you too. Pity…I really did want you as my mate. We could have accomplished so much together.”

 

Her hand rose higher and cupped Kagome's breast. She gave it a slow squeeze and smiled daringly at Inuyasha. The hanyou growled and swiped with his claws, but missed and tore a thin line into his mate's body.

 

“Don't touch her!” he screamed.

 

“Ah, Inuyasha. Silly puppy…there's a reason I stand behind this woman. You wouldn't hurt the very being you claim to love so dearly would you? Surely defiling her dead body is unforgivable?”

 

 

Inuyasha couldn't think straight, couldn't move. The site of Kagome's body dulled all his senses and quieted the screaming voices of reason within his mind. Leiko's smile widened further as she stepped half a foot away from her shield.

 

“Sure you won't reconsider? I'm willing to forgive you for scarring my body…” she dangled. “Think about all you could have without this human. There's so much more out there for you to achieve. And I would gladly `take care' of those hanyou brats you sired with this female. I'll bear you true heirs.”

 

 

The hanyou's sorrow filled eyes blazed in anger as he tore his gaze away from Kagome. He took a careful step forward and seethed,

 

“Don't you dare.” he whispered with more animosity than ever before, “Touch my pups and I'll murder you…steal tenseiga and revive you…then kill you again. I'll slice away at your flesh until nothing but a mangled heap of guts lies beside my feet.” Leiko sighed loudly and flipped the short curtain of hair that remained. Her eyelids lowered in dejection before pouting.

 

“I did offer you a proposition…but you just have to refuse don't you? Alright…have it your way. I'll just kill you too.” she murmured more to herself than to Inuyasha.

 

 

Without warning, Leiko's red claws glowed hot and hardened. She flicked her wrist quickly and separated Kagome's head from her body. The bluish figure slumped to the grey branch and crumpled awkwardly while the head remained suspended with the rope still tied under her chin. Inuyasha didn't utter a word as he fell back to the trunk for support. A painful breath rushed from his lungs and left him dizzy with disbelief. One moment crawled by as the edges of his vision pulsed in time with his erratically beating heart. After the initial shock settled, Inuyasha fell forward and pulled the limp body into his arms. Only a small trickle of blood seeped from the separated flesh of Kagome's neck. The hanyou howled in pure anguish and crushed her body to his. Tetsusaiga fell to the ground unnoticed and reverted to its original rusty form.

 

 

Leiko smiled sadly. She went through all this trouble and elaborate scheming…only to have to kill her prize. What a terrible shame. The demoness stepped back another few feet onto the thinning outreaches of the branch, and released her energy whip. The glowing green lash swirled impatiently at her side. She watched for another few seconds, impatience beginning to gnaw at her mind. The hanyou just cradled the dead body and rocked back and forth with her in his arms. Leiko swallowed hard as the headless miko churned her stomach. `How can he touch that vile creature, much less hold it?' The rivers of blood from her injuries slowed to a tiny flow of liquid. The painful burns of her lacerations demanded her attention and Leiko refused to wait any longer.

 

 

“Aren't you over her yet? You know…I'm here to heal the wounds of your heart, if you'll let me…” Leiko received no answer other than the slow breathing from Inuyasha's slumped form. “Alright hanyou. Get up and fight me so I can kill you properly.”

 

 

Inuyasha remained as he was, with his eyes closed against the pain consuming his body. Leiko circled her fingers and lifted the energy whip higher, threatening to lash at him. Inuyasha's only response was to tuck Kagome's body beneath his and protect whatever he had left of her. He curled around her defensively and left his back exposed to Leiko. The demoness rolled her eyes irritably and cracked the whip across Inuyasha's back. A thin line of crimson leaked through the layers of his haori and left a long stain of blood. Leiko cracked the whip again, harder, and drew more blood. Inuyasha still refused to move.

 

“Don't you want to fight me? It's no fun unless you do…you want revenge don't you?” she asked tauntingly.

 

“Kill me. I don't care.” was Inuyasha's whispered response.

 

“Fine. Less hassle for me. Those wounds you gave me earlier are beginning to smart a little.”

 

With her last words, Leiko cracked her whip again. Several more strikes drew more lines of blood across Inuyasha's back as he remained huddled protectively over Kagome's corpse. The hanyou drew in pained breaths but barely registered the physical sting while the mental sorrow devoured his conscience. Blow after blow, Inuyasha remained in the same receiving position. Leiko sneered in disgust and commented,

 

“I don't know why I wanted you in the first place. You're a lot weaker than I believed you to be my Lord. I'll end your misery today.”

 

 

Leiko drew the whip up high above her head, aiming for Inuyasha's neck. A few silent tears dripped onto the cold skin of his beloved as he waited for the final blow. `I'm sorry I failed you Kagome…I'm so sorry…' The rush of wind sounded in his ears as he tensed for the bitter end.

 

 

 

 

A loud shriek echoed in the forest as an arrow cut through the air. The pointed tip of the glowing spear buried itself into Leiko's left arm and shot cleanly through her limb. The feathered end poked out of the entrance wound while the sharp tip protruded from the exit. Inuyasha's hidden eyes widened as the final blow never came. The warmth of spiritual energy tickled his aura and pulled him from his sorrow filled depression. The hanyou lifted his head and blinked his tears away. His vision cleared and focused on the frazzled human on the other end of the clearing.

 

 

Kagome stood tall with her arm still hooked behind her ear after the twang of her bow sounded. The wisps of her black tresses floated back to place and she turned her attention to the slumped form of her mate. Inuyasha stared in amazement as Kagome ran towards him, her lips moving at a furious pace. The hanyou couldn't comprehend a single word exiting her mouth, but stopped breathing altogether. He let the body he was cradling fall limply to the branch.

 

“Ka…Kagome?” he asked softly.

 

The miko continued her desperate run to the south side of the clearing as the sun rapidly descended behind the mountains. She stopped a few feet away and nocked another arrow. The quill was engulfed with a pure pink light and raced forward to slice through the demoness' left thigh. Inuyasha turned wide eyes to Leiko as time sped up and a sense of sanity flowed back to the hanyou. Without a second thought, he flipped down to the base of the tree and closed the few feet between him and Kagome. Inuyasha crushed her small form to his chest and pressed his ear against the rapidly beating pulse in her neck. Relief he had never known washed through him and he nearly fell with the strength of it all.

 

 

Kagome grasped Inuyasha close to her, confusion registering on her features. The miko ended the abrupt embrace and pulled back to look into Inuyasha's face. His golden eyes were watery and bloodshot, and his body trembled violently.

 

“What…what happened?!” she cried worriedly. Inuyasha shook his head and whimpered before pulling Kagome to him again. He inhaled her sweet scent and curled his limbs around her form, refusing to let her slip away.

 

“I thought…” he choked, “I thought you died…”

 

 

Before Kagome was able to voice her concerns, Leiko's shrill voice ruined the bittersweet reunion. The demoness jumped from her perch and landed ten feet away from the embracing couple.

 

 

“Damn.” she snapped her fingers, “Almost had him too.”

 

Kagome pushed Inuyasha away from her and nocked another arrow. The hanyou stumbled to the base of the tree beside them, and leaned his head against the cool wood. The multiple lashes on his back stung harshly and drained his strength. Kagome pointed the arrow directly at the demon's chest and demanded.

 

“Who are you?! What have you done to Inuyasha?!” Leiko smiled innocently at Kagome and ripped the arrow from her thigh. She proceeded to do the same with the arrow embedded in her arm and licked the wound.

 

“You know…you two have really cut me up today. Luckily, my youki will heal me in a few days and leave me as good as new.” Leiko smiled reassuringly, but her gesture had the opposite affect.

 

“What have you done to Inuyasha?!” Kagome demanded again as she pulled the string of her bow back further. The metal tip erupted in a pink light, threatening to purify the female demon.

 

“So full of questions…” Leiko sighed, “Your hanyou was a little distraught because that body up there has a splitting image of your face. I suppose he thought you were dead or something along those lines…” Kagome's eyes darted to Inuyasha, who was slumped against the trunk of the tree. His breathing was labored and only then did Kagome notice the blood on her hands. `He's injured…' she grimaced. Steeling her resolve, the miko pressed further.

 

“What do you mean it looks like me? A body?” she asked.

 

“Look. You pathetic human.” Leiko sneered. Kagome took her chance and glanced into the branches of the tree. There, hanging in the midst of sakura flowers, was her head dangling from a rope. Beneath it was her body hanging onto the branch.

 

“W-What the… Why does…” she whispered.

 

“Why does it look like you?” Leiko finished, “Dear Lord…are all you humans this SLOW? What better way is there to weaken Inuyasha than take away the person he holds most precious in his heart. You know as well as I do he loses the will to live without you…”

 

“Why would you want to weaken him you freak?!” Kagome interrogated. “I carry the jewel, not him!” Leiko clucked her tongue while running her fingers over the deep hole in her arm.

 

“It's not about the jewel you incessant bug. I wanted him to surrender…to give up and become my mate. I figured I'd nurse him back to health after your `death', and together…we'd take back his birthright.”

 

“Your mate?” Kagome stepped back appalled, “That's it you bitch, I'm going to purify your sorry ass!”

 

 

Kagome released the arrow between her fingers and let it fly free. Leiko's amazing speed managed to help her dodge the fatal quill and avoid the attack. Smiling evilly, the demoness closed the space between the two. Leiko clasped her strong fingers around Kagome's neck and squeezed, pulling a pained whimper from the miko's throat. Inuyasha grunted in the background and stood on his quivering legs.

 

 

“Kagome…” he whispered in a strained voice.

 

 

The miko let the sense of fear wash over her, luring Leiko into a false sense of security. The demoness smirked and flicked her tongue over Kagome's cheek. She licked the tender flesh and absorbed her sweet taste before pulling back to press her nose against the priestess'. In a quick flash, Kagome sliced her arrow across Leiko's abdomen. The demoness fell back and clutched her stomach as more of her life force leaked through her white kimono. Leiko struggled for breath and narrowed her eyes while Kagome stared the demon down. A gurgle of blood spewed from Leiko's mouth and her face paled as more surfaced. Kagome smiled triumphantly as the life faded from the demoness' eyes. She watched with a sense of accomplishment as the demon fell to the ground with a light thud.

 

 

In an instant the miko turned her back from the only true corpse in the field and ran to Inuyasha's side. The hanyou fell to his knees before Kagome reached him and hung his head low. She slumped to her knees in front of her mate and pressed his head to her beating chest. The miko wrapped her arms around his form, careful to avoid his wounds. Inuyasha whimpered again and closed his eyes, pressing himself closer to Kagome.

 

 

“I thought you…” his chest heaved.

 

“Shh… I'm right here and I promise I'm not going anywhere.” she comforted, tears blurring her vision.

 

“I'm sorry…for being so weak. I know I should have fought…but I couldn't. I just let her attack me...” he whispered, ashamed.

 

“Don't be sorry Inu-kun. It's not your fault. But please, we have to get you home. You're bleeding...” she pleaded.

 

“I should have known…” he continued, “The body didn't even have your scent. But I couldn't think straight. As soon as I saw your face…and the blue on your lips…I just…” his throat tightened painfully.

 

“We'll talk about his at home okay? I want to get you home Inuyasha…we have to take care of your wounds.” Crystal droplets ran down her cheeks, her heart pained from Inuyasha's condition.

 

“Keh. It's just a couple scratches…” he countered. Kagome's sniffle broke into a small laugh and she clumsily pulled Inuyasha to his feet. He leaned heavily against her, more for the feel of her body than for actual support.

 

“I know my big, strong, tough-guy hanyou can handle a couple of scratches. But humor me and let me take a look at them anyways.” she joked.

 

“Always worrying wench…your face will freeze like that if you cry anymore…” he warned.

 

“I know… I just…thank kami you're okay Inuyasha. I don't know what I'd do without you…” she admitted, leaning her cheek against his neck. The cold feel of his skin shocked her warm flesh and a small tremor of fear shuddered through her.

 

“I felt the same way.” he answered, “But how did you know I was in trouble?”

 

“Shippou got me. He heard you scream from the village and came running for you. He turned around and got me though.”

 

“Keh. The brat got scared.”

 

 

Kagome smiled and readjusted their limbs so she could walk beside him. Her head was lowered in examination as she did a once over Inuyasha's body to find any other injuries. The hanyou snorted at her prodding but felt comforted all the same. With the pain of his injuries and the loss of blood, Inuyasha didn't notice Leiko's advancing form until it was too late. The demoness smiled and pointed her recovered sword at the couple as a ball of white crackling energy collected at the tip. A second before she released the attack she smiled while clutching her stomach,

 

“I don't go down that easily, my Lord.”

 

 

Inuyasha's eyes widened in panic. The hanyou hastily shoved his mate to the side and fell over her body. Kagome screamed and pulled Inuyasha to her form. In the precious seconds that remained, the miko attempted to roll their bodies so she could take the attack. Though he was severely injured, the hanyou held tight and continued to cling onto his mate from above. He wasn't going to allow to her get hurt, not now…not ever. The whistle of energy coursed through his ears as the electricity advanced. Inuyasha pressed his trembling lips to Kagome's for a moment before Leiko's charge crashed onto his body and threw him to the trunk behind. Kagome watched uselessly as his form collided with the wood. She heard a sickening crack as Inuyasha's head snapped back. The hanyou's golden eyes widened before slowly closing. His body fell to the ground.

 

“Inuyasha!!”

 

 

 

 

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R/R =) Reviews are greatly appreciated, *hint hint*, lol.

 

Oh. My. God. I freakin LOVE you guys! Honestly, there is no other way to describe it! For my last chapter I was aiming for like…three reviews, five was my ultimate goal. BUT HOLY CRAP! Seriously…I signed on the next day and saw like…fifteen reviews from you guys! *tear* Who wants a giant group hug?!! Your support is…(prepare for the corny stuff guys) TRULY inspiring! I think I seriously squeaked when I read your guys' feedback! THANK YOU! Oh gosh…it made me want to stay up all night and just write the next chappie! Unfortunately…it was mid-term week and I just couldn't! But now that it's over, I'm completely willing to damn sleep to hell and just WRITE! Oh geez…haha an entire paragraph of my squealing and praises, LOL.

 

Anyways…about the actual story…haha. I was going to stop at the part where Inuyasha was waiting for `the final blow' but you guys are just so gosh darn fantastic. And…is this Leiko character like the doll “Chucky” or what? She doesn't freakin DIE. Okay…I'm going to have to go back and re-edit this chapter because I just briefly skimmed over it. I don't have the time I'm sorry =(. What are the chances my English teacher will take in my Inuyasha story in place of my Shakespeare homework? …hmm…slim to none? Lol. I better get cracking on that! Until next time you BESTEST readers EVER! =)

 

Oh yeah, I changed the summary of this story... I didn't want to for a bit because I thought it gave too much away (HINT!). I've had the whole story outlined since I wrote the continuing third chapter…and this is still building to the main…err…climax? By the way, doesn't anyone else think it's time I wedged in another lemon in this story? LOL =)