InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Snowy Love ❯ Inuyasha's Horrible Mistake ( Chapter 7 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter 7
It was a sunny morning, the birds chirping, a light snow was falling, and in the peaceful harmony of nature came a nice crisp scream of a girl in the log cabin---wait a minute--I mean a bloodcurdling scream from the cabin broke through the morning! It was Kagome and Miroku quickly rushed from his bedroom to find her cringing in fear and staring at a bug. "Eeww! It's so GROSS!!" She squealed.
"Aw man!" Miroku whined. "I thought you and Inuyasha were going at it!' Kagome glared at him. Everyone in the room was waking up. Kaede came rushing in from a different room.
"What troubles ye?" She breathed, clearly having ran across the cabin.
"Kill it--hurry---squash it!" Kagome cried. Kaede looked surprised.
"A bug? But I thought ye was in great peril," she said blankly.
"Yes, and I thought Inuyasha was doing her," Miroku replied, his head hung low. They both sighed at once.
"How disappointing..." they both said simultaneously.
"How could you think that?!" Kagome demanded angrily.
"Yeah! We haven't done anything like that, creep!" Inuyasha shouted at Miroku. "But you just let me know when we're gonna," he whispered to Kagome.
"Really?" Miroku laughed. "If I had a girl we would have done it at least ten times before the first day we were together was through," he bragged. Sango looked at him from where she lay in a 'yeah, that's why we haven't at all' manner. Sango stood up and walked over.
"I'm sure no girl would be dumb enough to go with you Miroku,' she told him flatly.
"Wow, they're actually acting...normal!" Inuyasha cried in awe.
"Aw come on, Sango," his hand found it's way on her bottom. "You know you can't resist me" *slap!* Inuyasha sighed happily.
"Ah, it's been so long since I've heard that sound!" He cried joyously, as if it was the most wonderful thing to him to wittness Miroku in pain.
"Wow...they've gone back to normal!" Shippo exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah, I thought you loved Miroku, Sango," Kagome said, looking thoughtful and somewhat confused.
"I do?" Sango inquired blankly. Inuyasha looked at her in a cross way.
"Don't even try to hide it, we saw you guys in the kitchen!" he cried. Miroku laughed nervously.
"Heh...heh..."
"I don't remember that, Miroku," Sango said in a false angered tone
"I sort of figured out this incantation that um...made her...yeah..." Miroku was managing a very well preformed fearful expression Sango's way.
"You--" Sango began angrily, but she was interrupted.
"But then why were you refusing her?" Kagome inquired suspiciously, not seeming to buy the act. The two were silent for a moment.
"Well...she was sort of going too far..." Miroku lied, sheepishly.
"Too far? Is that possible for you, Miroku?" Inuyasha asked.
"I started feeling kind of guilty and I didn't want her to do anything she'd regret," he said, turning to smile lovingly at Sango.
"Well...that's good to know, I forgive you," Sango returned. "Sort of," she added. Both stared at each other for a long while with slight smiles on their faces.
"*ahem*," Inuyasha said, crossing his and smirking victoriously at the two. "Is there something you two want to tell us?"
"What? Oh my god, you're not saying I'd love that perv?!" Sango shrieked.
"I mean...I wish!" Miroku exclaimed. "Sort of...but only for child bearing purposes..." he added, looking at Sango with a hopeful expression. She frowned, looking disgusted.
"Dream on!" She shouted indignantly.

"You know, what's strange?" Miroku asked after eating some of the fish. It had been sometime afterward. Kaede had been cooking, but it had still taken time fro breakfast to get throne together, "Inuyasha went out last night to find food and took an awful long time and returned with not one crumb." Inuyasha spat out the tea he was drinking and went in a small coughing fit.
"Huh, that's right," Kagome said thoughtfully. "It must have been rather desolate out there, huh, Yashi?" She said, laying her head on Inuyasha's shoulder.
"Yashi? How unbearably sweet," Miroku remarked dryly. Inuyasha coughed in an embarrassed manner and Kagome kissed him.
"Ugh! Don't tell me you're one of those couples that's always constantly kissing! That's the fifth time this morning!" Miroku exclaimed in disgust
"The seventh," Kagome responded, rubbing noses with Inuyasha.
"What?" Miroku asked, not understanding.
"The seventh time," Kagome corrected. Miroku was in disbelief.
"They're beyond sweet now. They're just revolting," he said, shaking his head and sipping some tea.
"I think they're cute," Sango said curtly.
"Cute?! Cute?!" Miroku shouted. "They're so sugary they're giving me cavities!" Kagome giggled at this and nestled into Inuyasha warmly. Miroku's reaction to her and Inuyasha's behavior didn't seem to bother her in the slightest. Neither did it seem to bother Inuyasha who smiled down at her and kissed her head.
"If I had a beau I'd want us to be the same way," she said, looking at Miroku in a victorious way, now making her hidden meaning known to him.
"Ph!" Miroku laughed disdainfully, drinking some tea. He muttered something, his voice muffled and unhearable inside the tea cup.
"Whoa, Shippo, you've been so quiet, what's wrong?" Kagome inquired all of a sudden. She turned to Shippo.
"I walked outside this morning to work on my snow man and Byanou didn't come," he answered, in his tone a mix of sadness and worry. He sat very still, staring down at the table hopelessly.
"Aw...you look so cute when you're sad..." Kagome replied, smiling. Shippo frowned at her.
"So? Your girlfriend ditch you?" Miroku asked casually. "It happens to the best of us, my little man." Shippo sighed in a depressed manner. Kagome glared at him she then turned and looked at Shippo eyes filled with concern..
"You should eat something, Shippo. Right, Yashi?" Kagome said, then turning to Inuyasha.
"I'm not getting into this," he returned, looking away.
"Come on and give Shippo some man to man advice," Kagome commanded. Inuyasha shook his head.
"I'm not good at that..." he replied. Kagome grabbed on to his hair and pulled it.
"Come on!" She said forcing hi m to the ground.
"Ouchy!" Inuyasha cried, falling to the ground in front of Shippo. "Uh...look...if the girl won't come to you, go to her," he said slowly. "Hunt her down and if she won't go with you and refuses her just threaten her and make her," Inuyasha finished smartly, with far more confidence, nodding as if thoroughly sure of the wiseness of this statement.
"Don't tell him that!" Kagome snarled, grabbing the back of Inuyasha's robe and throwing him aside. She kneeled in his previous spot.
"Like you know what to say!" Inuyasha shouted.
"Shut up!" Kagome roared. "Look," she said firmly, "we'll give him advice together, as a couple."
"Oh great, you've become one of those extremely annoying couples that thinks they know everything about relationships and can't help but help everyone with their romance issues," Miroku muttered sarcastically.
"We are not!" Kagome shouted. "You're just saying that because you're jealous and want the same sort of thing we want.," Kagome told him with a vexed but determined manner about her, "You're lonely and need someone in your life. You need to get out there and meet someone!" Kagome finsihed cheerfully.
"Yeah! I know just where you can go to find someone!" Inuyasha said in realization, eyes widening at the sudden and rare occurence of an idea.
"Oh! me too!" Kagome cried, smiling at Inuyasha and they both smiled at each other excitedly.
"They're definitely the real annoying type," Shippo remarked in a fed-up tone. "Hello! What do I do?!" Shippo cried desperately, on the brink of hysterics.
"Whoa, don't be so demanding! That'll get you're girl real mad," Inuyasha warned Shippo. "As I've learned," he added happily, looking at Kagome.
"Mmm hmm!" Kagome said in agreement, snuggling up to Inuyasha's shoulder. "You have to learn some things together and pull through, isn't that right, Yashi?" Kagome squeaked cheerfully.
"'Couldn't have said it better myself, sweetie pie," Inuyasha replied, and he pinched Kagome's nose between his thumb and knuckle. Kagome giggled. "I got your cute little nosey!"
"Oh you're so tricksy!" Kagome said, in a suddenly sexually interested tone, leaning in to kiss Inuyasha passionately.
"Wait! " Kagome stopped and both she and Inuyasha turned their attention to Shippo. "Before you go on a make-out marathon help ME!!!" Shippo exclaimed. "What do I do about Byanou?"
"Wait, this is about Byanou?!" Miroku asked, a tone of importance in the question.
"Uh...yeah," Shippo replied in a 'duh' tone. Both Miroku and Sango looked at each other in alarm.
"We just spoke wih Byanou's mother...last night..." Sango answered a sound of strong urgancy in her tone.
"More like were nearly killed by her!" Miroku exclaimed. Shippo then looked guilty.
"Yeah...she said something about that..." the kitsune responmded quietly.
"What?!" Everyone else returned at once.
"Who said something?" Miroku asked.
"They both did--Byanou and her mother. Her mother said something about making you guys pay the price if I didn't come when she called. She just ordered that I be the one who played with Byanou. Byanou told me not to worry, that after she told her how she likes me --"
"Ooh!" Miroku exclaimed, Sango elbowed him. Shippo continued, his face somewhat red, but his expression all the more solemn.
"...that after she told her how much she likes me she wouldn't...I'm so sorry...I should have told you guys..."
"Yeah you should have!" Inuyasha shouted, tryign to emphasize on the obviousness of the fact.
"She said she wasn't going to hurt us, but since we trespassed that she would have to..." Sango put in, looking thoughtful.
"That's no excuse to kill a person," Kaede said fiercely. There was a short intense silence.
"Why did you trespass?" Kagome inquired suddenly as the thought came to her.
"Well...I sensed a great evil presence...I uh...woke Sango up on my way out and she insisted on going with me..." Miroku answered, a slight unease to his voice at the small white lie he told at the end. No one seemed to notice.
"Why didn't you take us with you?" Inuyasha asked his tense gaze only becoming more so.
"We should've..." Sango returned, looking guilty. There was another silence.
"We gotta go exterminate her," Inuyasha said all at once, getting to his feet.
"No!" Shippo exclaimed. "There's no reason to! We just shouldn't go over there anymore! Byanou--"
"Look, she's a danger to anyone who comes here..." Inuyasha returned solemnly. Kagome looked at him in an upset fashion. She lightly touched his shoulder.
"No...there has to be another way!" She cried. Inuyasha shook his head gravely.
"There isn't...she nearly killed Sango and Miroku. She's probably angry. She'll come here...we could all be next..." There was another harsh silence. No one could speak, they were thinking. Shippo was almost at a loss for words deep within his own upset.
"But--she's really a good demon! Byanou told me that after her father died she was just really sad! That her emotions control the weather! She's not bad! She just needs some talking to...she always does what Byanou says! That's why she made me play with her and threatened me! She spoils her! She's just trying to make Byanou happy--she might be a little over-protective, but--" Shippo cried, desperately.
"It seems to me this demon is insane..." Inuyasha said, quietly. "there's no reasoning with her. We can't go over there without her trying to kill us...there's no other way...I" Inuyasha turned to Shippo, there was true sympathy in his eyes, he looked truly saddened for his sake, "I'm sorry, Shippo." Despite this, Shippo didn't feel better in the slightest.

Everyone was getting ready in silence. They all put on warm things in a somber manner and Kagome gathered her bow and arrow. Kaede insisted on going and the truth was, they all felt a little better she was. This strange demon seemed very powerful, after all, she had nearly killed both Sango and Miroku. As a cold whistling, dead sort of wind blew out of doors all around the cabin, they all stood still, in thought. It was as if some sort of enchantment was placed on them that prevented them from moving at all.
Finally Miroku said something, "I suppose we must go now..." he sighed, "we might as well get this thing over with," he finished softly. As silence again fell over the cabin and it was then they all heard soft crying behind them. They all turned. It was Shippo.
"Shippo--" Kagome began, taking a step toward him, but Inuyasha put out his hand to stop her.
"I'm not going," Shippo informed them as he walked away, sniveling. Kagome looked at him with a very worried and upset expression. Shippo was finally out of the room. Everyone in that room knew he was still crying, and that he would be the entire time they were gone.
"I hate this..." Kagome ululated quietly. She looked as if she was going to begin crying as well. Inuyasha took her in his arms.
"It's going to be alright," he whispered. "I hate it too, but there are so many people that could die if she lives..." Kagome sniffed rather badly. Several tears quickly streamed down her cheeks. "Don't cry..." Inuyasha said, pulling away from Kagome to look at her, but he still held her arms. He brought her closer and lightly kissed her forehead. 'I know I love her...so why am I so afraid that I don't?' Inuyasha thought. He then let go of her entirely and walked ahead to the door. The remaining slowly followed. No one liked this situation.
Snow was falling all around them as they struggled through thick snow. The snow was falling slowly and gently around them, but it was very abundant and the air was thick with it. No one could see through it without focusing carefully and squinting as they walked through the white stuff flying at them in the wind. The wind was getting colder, Inuyasha felt the cold strike his bones in an icy fashion.
Kagome held onto the back of Inuyasha's robe even though the wind wasn't nearly powerful enough to sweep her away. Inuyasha soon stopped. "Miroku, where is she?" he inquired. Miroku was quiet and walked up ahead of Inuyasha. He pointed ahead.
"Just keeping walking straight ahead...it's going to be a long journey," he replied. And it seemed like Miroku had been truthful. All five of them walked for what didn't seem like very long in their perception of time, but what was certainly quite a bit of time. Each one in the group dreaded what was coming and time wasn't being merciful by going slowly for them.
Though Inuyasha had been thinking hard about what would have to be done soon enough, he soon felt his concentration thinning. Again, he was starting to ponder about his love for Kagome. Why couldn't he be convinced that what he felt for her was true love? Why did what Kikyo say to him bother him so much? It was a very long time ago when he had loved her...and he was unable to hurt Kagome... He and Kikyo were of the past...but then...why was he so afraid? Why was he so unsure of he and Kagome's love? How could one thing make him so unconfident about it?
As they all walked on the wind was beginning to become more forceful against them. Quickly snow was flying at them and the quiet snowing was beginning to turn into a rough blizzard. Kgaome's grip on Inuyasha's robe intensified, as they traveled through the storm. Everyone began feeling their feet lifting from the ground, the wind was starting to carry them off. Kaede suddenly stopped and Kagome grasped even tighter onto Inuyasha, who was trying to hold Kaede down. Miroku grasped onto Kagome, but quickly went around to hold Sango so he could keep her between two people and it would be harder for her to blow away in the strong winds which were becoming far more fierce.
Kagome's grip was slipping, suddenly it slipped almost all the way off his clothes. "Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed through the screaming winds.
"Hold on, Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted back.
"Let go of me, Inuyasha. Kagome needs to be held on to," Kaede told him.
"No, I can't let you get carried away!" Inuyasha cried in return through the wind.
"I'll hold on to ye by myself. Now, hold ye loved one!" Kaede exclaimed. Inuyasha let go of Kaede with his right and firmly put it on Kagome's back and slowly let go with his left and held Kagome from in front of her to his back. Kaede grasped his robe also from facing the other direction. But the winds only continued to worsen, and Sango lost her grasp of Kagome. Suddenly Inuyasha's grasp slipped from Kagome to her shirt and his nails only ripped through, he had lost all grip of Kagome. He stood helplessly as she hurtled off in the wind, into slashing bits of snow.
"Help!!" She cried and she then let out a full fledged scream. At that moment she fell onto the snowy ground with a thud and began rolling down a very steep hill.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried. He was posed to go after her when a very thick fog settled in, blinding them all. Sango was next to get carried off by the wind into the bliding shield of fog closing in on them.
"Oh no! I've lost Sango!" Miroku shouted and it was then he lost his footing, as well. It wasn't long after when Kaede was brought off the snow by the blizzard and Inuyasha was too.
Kagome continued rolling, she screamed as loud as she could, feeling disorented by her tumbling and the roaring wind. "Does anyone hear me!!? Inuyasha!" In that desperate moment she felt as if she'd been careening down the side of that hill for hours and almsot didn't notice the pain. The sharp pain at the back of her skull when her head collided against a jagged rock and pierced her deeply. Out ofbthe cold numness she felt it and saw the snow around her turn blood red, she fell unconscious in a daze and continued rolling on. Her ragdoll body tumbled farther when finally she stopped just at a cliff's edge.

"Sango!!" Miroku cried. "Kaede!!!" He shouted, unable to see a foot in front of him. He suddenly tripped and was too exhausted to get up. "Inuyasha!" Where are you?!" He screamed, clutching the snow covered ground with his numb, purple fingers. He squinted against the flying snow, he had used the remaing of his energy in that call.
"Miroku!?" Miroku heard Sango's voice cry. Miroku suddenly regained some life.
"Sango! I'm here!!! I can't get up!!!" He shouted desperately in reply. It was then he saw Sango's faint figure walking in another direction. "Turn around! I'm over HERE!!!!" Miroku cried with all his power. Sango then turn and began running toward him. "Wait! Watch out!" Miroku warned her, but the same fate had befallen Sango that did he, and she tripped over whatever Miroku had. She fell right on his back, causing much pain for him. "Aarrgh!!" Miroku screamed.
"Oh no! There you are!" Sango exclaimed worriedly and she slowly got of of him and kneeled at his side. "Where are the others?" She inquired hastilly.
"I don't know..." He replied hoarsely. Sango looked up anxiously through the fog "How are we going to find them in this? And you're hurt...and weary... What are we going to do...?" She murmured face contorted with concern.
"Well," Miroku said propping himself up. "Since I'm not really able to move we should probably wait for someone...but in the meantime...how about you come down here and kiss me?" Sango rolled her eyes but turned around and leaned down and gave Miroku a quick kiss.
"There, now you happy?" Sango inquired, smiling. She was sitting up when Miroku pulled her down and kissed her long and passionately.
"There, looks like I out did you," Miroku returned softly, smiling. "You can't top that, can you?" Sango laughed.
"Watch me." And with that Sango began performing a juicier more passionkiss and that was when Miroku pulled her down toward him.
"Hmm?" Came Sango's muffled voice. And it was then Miroku began opening her coats. Sango broke away from Miroku and sat up.
"Nah ah-ah," said shaking her head and closing up her jacket. "You need your rest and you're injured."
"I'll be fine if I stay laid down..." Miroku returned carelessly.
"No...that sort of thing takes energy..." she then looked at him with a reprimanding face. "Something you don't have much of." Sango then stood up. Miroku took this time to trip Sango causing her to fall next to him. "Ouch! That hurt!" She shouted.
"Sorry...but I felt cold...and lonely..." he returned a pitiful voice, rolling on his side to face Sango "I just wanted to look into your beautiful eyes...." Sango blushed slightly.
"Well....alright..." Sango replied, bashfully.
"And...I'm cold..." Miroku added, moving closer to Sango.
"Miroku..." Sango began in a warning tone. Miroku wrapped his arms around Sango who did indeed feel warmer and snuggled closer. "You better not try anything," Sango said sharply almost laughing at the sheer irony. First that used to be her token line, then she found Miroku saying it more and more when she was trying to be with him, now it was hers again!
"I won't," Miroku assured her, smiling warmly. There were a few moments of silence, then Sango felt Miroku rubbing her back and his hands traveling lower.
"What are you doing?" she asked sharply, knowing all to well of Miroku's infamous butt rubbing first hand.
"Feeling to make sure you didn't get any snow in your kimono or jackets." His hands reached her rear-end and a growl escaped Sango. "Alright, better check the front."
"Mir--" But she stopped, he wasn't doing anything out of bounds...yet... His hands touched her breastsand stayed in that area for some time.
"Miroku...."
"Nope...nothing..." Miroku said, presently and his hands traveled lower and lower until...
"Miroku!!!!"
"Hmm...I think I found some snow..."
"Get your hand out of there!!!'

Inuyasha journeyed blindly through the thick fog, "Kagome!!!" He cried desperately. "Please...be alright..." he pleaded aloud. 'See...I love her...I've never worried more about anyone.' He continued searching. "Where are you! Kagome! PLEASE DON'T BE GONE!!!" He screamed. 'I know I love her...how could i think this was when she could be gone!' he thought, feeling as if this was all his fault. He felt as if he was the lowest being on the earth to let someone as beautiful and angelic as Kagome be fated to a storm like this--all alone--in the freezing cold. He continued walking worrying profusely if something awful had befallen Kagome and if he truly loved her, he wished he couls top being so afraid of something like that, especially at a time like this, when Kagome's life could be on the line...but his mind was stuck on it.
It was then he saw a door through the fog right in front of him and the a wall surrounding it. "The cabin!" he cried joyously. "Maybe Kagome's here! I smelt her around here!" he quickly entered the cabin a new hopefulness alight on his face.
He looked around curiously, but there didn't appear to be anyone there. Something was...different. It was then he heard someone coming. Kagome? But it didn't smell like her...it was then the person entered. Inuyasha's face formed into a frown. What was she doing here?
"Kikyo?! Why are you in our cabin!?" Inuyasha demanded angrily.
"What do you mean, your cabin, this is mine," Kikyo returned, stone-like. Inuyasha surveyed her with a glaring expression for a few moments. "You must have wanted to see me," Kikyo said, with a slight grin. Inuyasha stared at her with a perplexed expression.
"I didn't, I was looking for Kagome," Inuyasha argued. Kikyo's smirk only widened to Inuyasha's surprise.
"You must have wanted to see me or you wouldn't have come to this cabin. Why else would you let yourself be so misled? I know you can tell my sent for miles, if you were looking for Kagome you wouldn't have come here..." Kikyo stated with a dark smile. She smiled. "You must still have feelings for me." Inuyasha's shocked expression melted away and he again frowned at her.
"I wanted to know that we're done at the back of my mind. All I wanted was closure. Nothing more," Inuyasha returned fiercely. Kikyo was looking on at him with a doubtful air.
"Why can't you admit you have feelings for me still, and that the love you supposedly feel for this Kagome is nothing more than some--"
"Quiet!" Inuyasha roared. There was a tense silence. "Now, I want to make it clear. We're done. I'm sorry, but I love Kagome."
"And what about the love we shared, Inuyasha?! What about that?! Does that matter to you at all?!" Kikyo demanded in a very upset manner. Inuyasha was quiet for a moment.
"That was a long time ago," He returned, looking to the ground. "Now...I'm too in love to come running back to you, Kikyo. To keep thinking about you. I didn't always think about you lovingly. Sometimes you haunted me, Kikyo. The very memory of you killing me...shooting that arrow in my heart..." Kikyo's eyes were filling with tears. "Kagome...she has never haunted me before...she would never--"
"Don't say that! Naraku!" She sobbed. "He was the one who created that dispute! Remember that I died as well! Remember, Inuyasha! And even if someone who looked identical to you made me bleed until I was near death...and I followed you through death and discovered you to not even be there...after I found you never did that...that you loved me...it didn't matter anymore!" Inuyasha was again silent. Kikyo stared desperately into his eyes.
"That's not the point. I fear my love for you has left and now....now I love Kagome. I want you to be alright, but I can't be with you. I can't hurt Kagome. I'm sorry." A short quiet sob escaped Kikyo.

Shippo sniffed badly. He had finally stopped crying. He slowly stood up. He had been leaning against the wall in the room where the food was stored. Angrily and roughly with his fist, Shippo wiped the tears of his face away, his face that was streaked with other dry tears. Why did things have to be the way they were?! Why did Byanou's mother have to be insane? Now, she would die and Byanou would be all alone and so sad...Shippo couldn't stand all the hurt they would inflict on her. But he couldn't DO anything...
Shippo sighed as he watched the window, despairing. It wasn't right. Children are supposed to be happy. Not glum. Not knowing their friend's mother is going to be killed by their other friends. Shippo then sighed again, all his life he had felt so lucky to be around, so happy for what had happened. Now life felt awful. He needed a rock to crawl under. To crawl under and cry until he died!
As Shippo was thinking these unusually depressed thoughts, he heard the door open. He quickly looked over, but saw nothing. 'Weird...' Shippo thought. Finally he decided to forget about it, when he felt a strange wind pass him. He looked over to the direction it blew and right before his eyes Byanou appeared. Shippo smiled at seeing her but quickly felt saddened again, remembering what he'd have to tell her.
"Hello Shippo...what's wrong?" Byanou asked, looking slightly concerned, but carrying on her normally unaware and cheerfully prescence. Shippo sighed and looked up at her in a pained way. He was silent for a moment,
"My f-friends...well, two of them were almost killed by your mother..." Byanou gasped. "And they think you're mother's a crazy demon that's going to kill people so they've gone to kill her! I'm sorry! I tried to stop them!" He paused studying her, trying to read her, she suddenly came from her upset and opened her mouth to speak, Shippo interupted, "I know what you're going to say...that we have to do something...but we're only kids..." Shippo said in a hopeless manner.
"Well, I saw almost all of your friends separately journeying through the fog and blizzard outside. Two of them, Sango...and...and Miroku I believe were together...they looked injured..." Shippo looked very alarmed.
"Oh no! Why didn't you help them?!" Shippo cried.
"When people are a danger to me, they can't see me. I suppose it's because they were going to kill my mother...so I was invisible to them," Byanou replied.
"They won't hurt you! Come on! We've got to go find them if they're hurt!" Shippo exclaimed getting a coat on as he ran. Byanou followed. Shippo wincing in the chill of the icy wind that crassed into his hot, flushed, teary, face once he opened the door. "Well...at least they haven't killed your mother..." Shippo said quietly as they both walked out. There was a visible trail in the air, where the fog had been cleared.
"I can clear the fog," Byanou informed Shippo as they walked. Shippo nodded solemnly, simply glad at least one obstical was rid from their mission...

"You know, Sango, this is rather boring," Miroku said in an annoying voice.
"Well, you're not in any condition to do the sort of thing you want to," Sango returned stubbornly, looking away from the monk.
"You just want me tosuffer," Miroku said, pouting and crossing his arms. Sango smiled.
"Do you call this suffering?" She asked, leaning over to him and kissing him. She made the kiss rather long, but soon pulled away, she didn't want to give the monk a chance to touch her in unwanted places.
"Yes, it is sort of suffering. Reminding me of what it can't lead up to," Miroku replied, curtly.
"Fine," Sango replied, rolling away, smirking. "That I won't do it any longer."
"Well..." Miroku laughed nervously. "...it's better than nothing." He turned to her. Sango rolled over to face him.
"Thought so," she responded, smiling and wrapped her arms around his neck and they both began kissing once again.
"Do you two want help back to the cabin or should we leave you alone?" A voice inquired. A giggle filled the cold air. Miroku looked up to see both Shippo and Byanou smirking at them. "I mean, we see you're in the mood in all, but it might be better to continue in the warm cabin." Shippo was grinning broadly. Miroku cursed under his breath and Sango sat up.
"Byanou? Do you know why we're out--" She began,
"Yes," Byanou cut in, in a pained manner. "You're trying to kill my mother...but please don't, I know she almost killed you...but...I can't lose her..." Sango and Miroku looked at her with saddened faces.
"We'll sort that out later," Miroku finally said, propping himself. "For now, let's get to the cottage...have you seen, the others by the way?"
"Yes, but let's get you to the cottage for now, you don't seem to be reacting to the cold very well," Byanou replied. Sango helped Miroku to his feet and the four of them began their slowed journey for shelter.

"I don't know why I'm still here," Inuyasha said, bitingly. "I'm not going to go back to you no matter what you say to me Kikyo." Kikyo looked up at him pleadingly.
"I can't believe you could just break my heart like this..." Kikyo said, sadly. Inuyasha sighed
"Look, I'm sorry it has to be this way...but it's how everything turned out," Inuyasha told Kikyo. Tears were no longer in her eyes and her expression was unreadable. Inuyasha wanted to leave, but he couldn't help feeling sorry for her.
"I just don't want you to leave when you still love me."
"I don't have feelings for you, how many time do I have to say it?" Inuyasha returned softly. "We're done...I just can't do this anymore...I have to find Kagome...she could be in some sort of trouble..." Kikyo was shaking her head.
"Stop living in denial. A love like we had can't just disappear. Don't you realize that? Our bond is stronger than that of yours with Kagome. You came here because deep down you still love me. You may not know it in your mind. In your mind you may have not wanted to come...but in your heart...you did...your heart brought you here, Inuyasha," Kikyo told him softly. Inuyasha shook his head and sighed with a mixture of upset and exasperation.
"I only came here to settle things between us," Inuyasha returned in a hardened tone. There was a fairly awful silence for a few moments. Finalyl he let out a small sigh and he turned to leave. "I'm going to leave now, I'm sorry." He took a step toward the door.
"Alas...I was going to let you feel my lips against yours once again," Kikyo returned in a false overly saddened and disapointed manner.
"Kikyo..." Inuyasha began angrily.
"To let you feel the true love between us. To know once and for all what your true feelings are concerning me...." Kikyo said softly, her mouth twisted up in a slight smirk. Inuyasha turned to face her.
"I'm not kissing you," he replied firmly, his golden eyes trying to burrow through the piercing gaze of her cold chestnut colored ones.
"Is that because you're afraid of what feelings will come of it? And if you're not, then why aren't you leaving?" Kikyo inquired. Inuyasha took in a breath and then froze finding himself unable to take in another. Kikyo was walking toward him. Why wasn't he moving? he wanted to get out of there, but then there was the part of him that wanted to prove to him self that he no longer felt anything for Kikyo by letting her kiss him. Inuyasha wanted to stop having the thoughts at the back of his mind wondering if he truly loved Kagome.
'You know what,' Inuyasha thought, 'This is stupid. I love Kagome, I'm not letting Kikyo kiss me, I'm outta here!' But it was then Kikyo lunged up and firmly kissed him fully. Inuyasha pulled away very quickly. Kikyo didn't seem pleased. "I didn't feel anything," Inuyasha said, sternly and turned to leave. Kikyo looked down at the ground, she had lost, that was it, her last resort. She was counting on him swooning after that, haviung that old flame between them relighting thanks to that kiss, no, he was leaving, she knew whatever revenge she could inflict on him now she could bever muster up out of her sadness at the moment, she stared sadly at the floor. Inuyasha's mind was in a jumble he had nothing on his functionas at all. He was as surprised as she was when he suddenly spun around and shot toward Kikyo and kissed her with a lot of force, his hands almost touching her face, cupping around it.
He pulled away an expression of shock on his face. "Wh-wh-why did I do that?" he asked no one in particular. He stared unable to blink, unable to speak after those words, his yellow, orange eyes open wide.
"So you felt nothing, did you?" Kikyo inquired, smirking. Inuyasha was staring, still not over his surprise with himself. His hands were still in the same position as before, he was completely frozen, he couldn't get over it. What had he done? How could he do something like that when he loved Kagome? He slowly turned and looked at Kikyo, still staring vacantly in utter shock.
Kikyo stood up on her tiptoes and kissed Inuyasha, but it wasn't long before he pulled away. "I love Kagome..." he said quietly, in an upset voice. He felt hollow inside, trying to find one single reason, just one, slightly rational reason for what he'd done...
"You may love her...but what we have is stronger...our love has lasted us this long..." Inuyasha was studying Kikyo worriedly. He didn 't know, he just didn't know.
"I can't forget her," he whispered.
"You can't forget me either," she whispered back. "I don't think you ever loved Kagome in the first place." Inuyasha was scanning the situation worriedly. No...he couldn't hurt Kagome...but...if he loved Kikyo...that was all that mattered. He then kissed her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, she weighed about the same as Kagome, but she felt so different. Immediately after he had begun kissing her, he was thinking unexpected things.
'This doesn't feel right...' he thought. And it didn't. Something was wrong and he ended the kiss. 'It's just not right...maybe it'll take some getting used to...that's all...' He felt his heart pounding, but he didn't feel love sick, he felt alarmed.
"Inuyasha?" Kikyo asked, looking slightly concerned, "What is it?" He didn't answer for a moment and finally he sighed in a pained manner. He didn't want to hurt Kagome. But he couldn't be with her if he loved someone else.
"Nothing," he finally replied, he kissed her again. But Inuyasha continued getting the nagging feeling that it wasn't right. It would feel right. He knew it would, after they continued for a while...it would... Kikyo was cold. Still. With he death. Her body remained so damn fucking icy cold. But that wasn't it. What was it? What was this red flag that kept going up, that kept warning him, telling him to stop? Inuyasha decided to ignore it.
But it just as he pushed the feeling away Kagome popped into his mind. He saw her, clear as day and that was when he pulled away from Kikyo. "Inuyasha?" She said. He was thoughtful for a moment.
"I'm sorry, I just--"
"How about we sit by the fire," Kikyo cut in. Inuyasha nodded distractedly. The two walked up to the fire and they both sat by it. "I'm so glad that you're here now...I tried to go by death with you...I wouldn't want to have all of this wandering be in vain like that was..." Kikyo said softly. She lye her head on his shoulder. Inuyasha was again deep in thought. Kikyo studied him for a moment and decided to kiss him to get him out of his thoughts.
Would the feeling go? How long was it going to take getting used to Kikyo? He had to pull away again. Kikyo looked disappointed. Inuyasha wouldn't take it any longer. He was going to be with Kikyo and it was going to feel right. He quickly lunged and kissed her passionately. It surprised Inuyasha when Kikyo began laying down, and Inuyasha, who was still kissing her, followed.
What was she doing? He had kissed Kagome like this before...but was Kikyo trying to do something else? Inuyasha once again ended the kiss he and Kikyo were involved in and surveyed her. Kikyo looked at him with a questioning face. Kagome had never wanted him to do something like this before. Inuyasha probably should have been thinking this was a sign Kikyo was committed, but the horrible feeling was strengthening in the pit of his stomach. Again, Inuyasha pushed it out of the way. Why was his mind always bothering him? Only before, with Kagome, it had purpose, Inuyasha was sure, it had been a warning that he didn't love her. Now he was probably just being afraid. 'Well, Inuyasha isn't afraid of anything,' he thought. And he would prove that to himself.
But it wasn't fear. Unfortunately, Inuyasha didn't realize that at the time, and began untying Kikyo's belt.

Kaede clung on briefly to a rock in the rough winds. Where was Kagome? Where were the others? She trudged on through the snow. There was an indention in the snow down a steep hill he had walked up to. She approached it and looked down. Someone was down there! Bravely, she marched down the hill las if she were a soldier in war. She stopped midway. "Can ye hear me?!
Slowly, Kagome opened her eyes, a slight ringing in her ears. She felt light headed and dizzy. "Huh?" she said, drowsily.
"Can ye hear me?!" Kaede cried again.
"Huh?! Kaede!?" Kagome said in surprise. She tried to get up, but fell back down. Things were spinning slightly all around her. "Yes, Kaede!" She shouted.
"Kagome!" Kaede cried in alarm and she went further down the hill. "Oh! Ye head! 'Tis bleeding!" She knelt down and lifted Kagome in her arms. "We must return to the cabin and tend to that wound," she told Kagome in a determined voice.
"Well...alright," she replied, not quite sure what Kaede had said. "Oh...I don't feel good..." She groaned as Kaede carried her toward where she thought the cabin was.
"We shall be there soon,' she assured her, but she was very worried. She hadn't the slightest idea where she was going in all the fog and all the instense storm all around her. She looked around wild eyes, trying to keep her cool, but she was carrying a Kagome who was dazed and muttering incomprehensingly and who wa sbleeding from the head, lost in a viscious storm, not having the faintest idea where to go. It was then when she saw the fog suddenly disappear and caught sight of both Shippo and Byanou. They started running toward her, faces of alarm and concern,
"Oh no! Kagome!" Shippo exclaimed worriedly as he ran up to Kaede and Kagome, his face etched with extreme concern and heart-breaking fear.
"Yes, we must get her back to the cabin," Kaede informed them, feeling ever so relieved at finding another living soul. Byanou nodded solemnly and created a wind that blew the snow away from them. Shippo then transformed into a horse and Kaede carefully laid Kagome down on his back. Quickly, he galloped off.
"Follow me, Kaede," Byanou instructed her, holding her hand out as if it was a guiding torch, Kaede nodded over-graciously, trudging through the snow afetr the fair demon.

It didn't take much time for Shippo to reach the cabin and get Kagome inside. "Help! Sango! Kagome's hurt, badly!" Shippo shouted, galloping up to Sango. WHo was sitting with Miroku quite peacefully, not quite hearing these words.
"Huh?" She said, approaching. "Oh, Shippo." She gasped. "Kagome! Oh no! Are you alright!?"
"Yes...but I've been better..." she laughed in a slight weak voice
"Well...I'm not expert on tending to injuries...if only Kaede--"
"Alright," Kaede said, bursting in, she took Kagome and lay her down next to the fire. "I may need help, Sango," she said, turning to her.
"I'll try," was her reply.
"Well guys, in my back pack is a first aid...I can use some hydrogen peroxide and cotton balls to disinfect and clean in up...hand me my back pack," Kagome told them. Kaede handed it to her. Kagome unveiled her first aid.
"We should probably do it," Kaede told Kagome.
"Okay...just do what I tell you...and be careful..."
It wasn't long before Kagome's cut was cleaned and bandaged, but she had to rest with a ice pack at her head and some herbal tea Kaede had insisted she drink. Fortunatel, to the others' relief within less than a half hour, Kagome felt very much better and was only left worrying about Inuyasha. "Oh I sure hope he's alright, why isn't he back? I have to go find him!" She tried to get up, but Kaede, Sango, and Shippo forced her down.
"You're in no condition to go out there!" Shippo cried in a panicky manner, fearful at the very thought.
"Yes, ye need ye rest!' Kaede agreed sternly. Kagome sighed and lye back down.
"I'm sure he's fine Kagome," Shippo assured her. There was a short pause.
"I sure hope so," Kagome returned with anxiety, looking out the window into the blizzard trying her best not to imagine the worst.
"Yes, Byanou is searching for him," Kaede informed her. "Inuyasha is very strong, he can fend for himself." but this didn't stop Kagome's worrying.

Inuyasha was left to lye awake as Kikyo slept. He wasn't feeling happy. He wasn't feeling sad. He wasn't feeling much at all. He was numb. It was as if he was frozen in time and he couldn't think. What was happening? What had happened? But his thoughts were slowly coming up to speed. Kikyo. Why hadn't he felt wonderful with her? Why did it not feel right? Why now, as he lay beside her did he feel as if he lye by a stranger?
Suddenly it came to him. It wasn't entirely that there was something wrong with him. Though, that obviously had something to do with it. She wasn't the same. How could he have been so blind? How could he? What was so wrong with him? How could he sleep with one woman when he loved another? And now. Now it was going to hurt Kikyo like a knife in her heart. Now. Now of all times he figure it out. He figured out he did truly love Kagome. Not Kikyo.
It was true once he had loved her. But now everything was different. Why had he been so against admitting it? Something so special was shared with someone he didn't even love. Inuyasha had never felt so entirely horrible in all his life. He was going to have to break Kikyo's heart entirely now. And on that candle lit night with Kagome...it wouldn't be as good as it could be. Because he had done the same thing with someone else before her, he had ruined such a precious future moment between Kagome and he. But it would be different. He loved Kagome. Eventually he would have to tell Kagome what happened between himself and Kikyo. How could he do that? Inuyasha was in despair. The more he thought about how things would be now, the more pained he was.
He was feeling queasy as he looked over at Kikyo sleeping. His agenda didn't look too good: item one: break Kikyo's heart, item two: pay for what he had done in Kagome's relationship for years to come, item three: tell Kagome what had happened. Inuyasha seriously didn't feel well. To his horror Kikyo awoke. She looked over and smiled at him. Inuyasha was crumbling under a very horrible feeling, one that resembled being clawed right through his gut by his half brother Sesshomaru. Only worse.
"Kikyo..." he began.
"Yes?"
"I....I don't love you...." Kikyo was apparently shocked, but soon her uncomposed manner was replaced by a fed-up and weary one.
"Not this again..." she sighed.
"No...you've changed, Kikyo. I realized, you're not who I used to love...and..."
"Stop there, what do you mean I have changed?" Kikyo inquired, in a somewhat angered tone. Inuyasha swallowed hard.
"You...you used to be so kind...so pure....now...you're heart...you stole the souls of woman...even if it was to sustain life...you wouldn't have done that fifty years ago." Kikyo was silent. "And you hurt Kagome, an innocent girl...one of the kindest girls I know..."
"So because I changed a little you can't love me?" Kikyo asked, looking confused. Inuyasha took a deep breath.
"That's part of it...look when we were together it hurt so badly in my heart...it's not supposed to be like that. It doesn't feel right. And I loved you as I was then, not now...and Kagome...I just can't and don't love you..." Inuyasha said quickly and it all hit Kikyo quickly as well. She was in disbelief. What he had said left no gaps for her to point out, nothing to argue with, nothing to put doubt in Inuyasha's mind. He stood before her, his feet firmly planted in what he said, his voice, calm and one of truth. The truth stung much like a dagger through the heart, it was hopeless to fight. Inuyasha saw her eyes were getting sleek. "I'm so sorry...I'm such an idiot...I should have realized before--"
"Get out." Kikyo said through her tears.
"But--"
"Get out!!!" She screamed. And Inuyasha stood up and began to walk away. He looked back at a softly crying Kikyo. 'So this is what it feels like to want to die...' Inuyasha thought. Even if he didn't love Kikyo anymore...to be the one at fault of her crying like that...it was among tone of the worst feelings he had ever felt in his life.
And he soon exited the cabin and began journeying through the fog and blizzard once again. It wasn't long before he noticed a figure before him. "Could it be Kagome?" he whispered. He ran up ahead through the fog and soon hit something. 'Ow!' He thought as he fell over.
"Friend?!" A voice called. Inuyasha gasped as he looked up
"Is that you Byanou?!" 'It's gotta be,' he thought. She soon ran up to him through a trail of no fog.
"Friend!" She cried joyously. "I am so glad! Kagome has been worrying so much about you!" Inuyasha frowned at her as she stood up.
"I'm just going to pretend I didn't notice the fact you called Kagome by her name and me friend," Inuyasha said, frowning.
"Come on!" Byanou commanded and he began following close behind her. He was very glad she had found him. After all, being able to see and not have snow flying at your face was a great privilege. He wanted to go to Kagome as fast as his legs could carry him. he wanted to hold her in his arms and kiss her and kiss her and kiss her and hold her forever! And it wouldn't matter if Miroku started preaching about how Inuyasha was on a short doggie chain and by all means Kagome could control him. He wanted to make it up to Kagome so badly. He would everything and anything she asked him.
Finally Inuyasha could see the cabin and Byanou glided over gracefully. "I guess I shall take my leave now--"
"Byanou!" Shippo shouted running toward her. "You're alright!"
"Mmm hmm," she replied, nodding in agreement, Kagome then basically did the same thing only Inuyasha got to her first and smothered her with kisses (and as Inuyasha predicted, Miroku had something to say about it) It was just after this Shippo gasped in realization then smirked.
"Oh! I forgot to tell you--Miroku and Sango were--"
"Shut up!!" Miroku and Sango screeched towering over Shippo menacingly. He whimpered.
"They were what?" Kagome inquired, Inuyasha's arms.
"Well..." Byanou began, smiling broadly.
"Stuff it!" Miroku commanded loudly.
"What? Kissing?" Inuyasha joked. He began laughing. Shippo was nodding eccentrically. Miroku glared at him and he quickly shook his head.
"What?!" Kagome cried in surprise. "Really?!" She asked, grinning at the two.
"No, really! He's lying!" Sango shouted, looking frantic.
"By the way, how did Byanou's mother try to kill you? And how did you escape?" Inuyasha asked, thoughtfully.
"Why?!" Miroku and Sango demanded blushing, wondering how on earth and why he had thought of that as such a random time.
"Well...it could be important--"
"Please don't kill her!" Shippo begged, his statement as non-sensically placed as Inuyasha's.
"Can you shut up?!" Inuyasha shouted. He turned back to Miroku.
"So, what happened?"
"Well, she trapped us in this unbreakable ice prison," Sango replied shifting nervoucly.
"Those are impossible to get out of!" Byanou cried. "You must have been saved by the geysers...the only flaw to mother's plan of defense..." Miroku and Sango quietly nodded. "What I wonder if how you kept warm long enough...unless...unless you kissed..." Both Sango and Miroku froze.
"What? How would kissing keep them warm enough to keep them alive?" Kagome inquired. Inuyasha was smirking broadly.
"For some reason, during those times when the air is being cooled by magic, kissing--or other romatic involvment...seems to warm people significantly..." Byanou explained,
"How do you know?" Miroku demanded, smartly.
"Wait..." Inuyasha said, stopping Byanou from saying what she was going to say next. He and Kagome kissed all the time, he hadn't always felt extremely warm..."Every time people kiss?"
"But it has to be a kiss of true love," Byanou repeated.
"What?" Kagome asked, looking saddened. 'Doesn't Inuyasha truly love me?' She thought.
"Plus it either has to be the first time you kiss or it has to feel new...it's hard to explain..." Byanou answered.
"Again...how do you know?" Miroku inquired again.
"Because, I've been around here quite awhile and I've seen it before. People tend to fall in love here. I suppose it's rather romantic..." She smiled at Shippo who blushed.
"You can't prove that!" Miroku shouted triumphantly. Sango sighed aggravatedly.
"Why would she lie Miroku?" Sango inquired in a n irritated tone.
"To make our lives miserable," Miroku replied angrily, making a fist. Sango rolled her eyes. There was a short pause.
"Well...I suppose if you need proof I can...well..." Byanou closed her eyes and began leaning toward Shippo, who looked nervously at the others and held her back.
"Uh...what are you doing?!" Shippo inquired, nervously. The others could see her and Shippo's hair getting visibly more icy, Byanou was cooling the air with her magic. Byanou only laughed in reply to Shippo's nervous outburst and unlike the last time, Byanou didn't simply press her lips against Shippo's, she actually lipped them gently and Shippo had never been more embarrassed in his life, yet he had never felt so wonderful. Indeed, the ice in their hair and on their lashes melted almost instantaneously.
'Oh well,'Sango thought. 'They were bound to figure out about us eventually.'
"Looks like Shippo's in love!" Inuyasha said, smirking broadly. Shippo was redder than what could be thought possible.
"Shut up..." he grumbled frozen with embarrassment. Suddenly Inuyasha felt Kagome shivered in his arms.
"It's cold out here...let's go in..." Kagome said, shivering. It was then everyone forgot about Miroku and Sango and they all went in. Shippo waved Byanou goodbye and it was then Miroku began assaulting him with a ton of teasing.
"Oh, what happened to your head?!" Inuyasha exclaimed worriedly, analyzing Kagome's forehead which was bandaged.
"I hit it on a sharp rock...but I'm okay..." she assured him cheerfully. She then frowned slightly. "I was worried about you, what took you so long?" she inquired. Inuyasha took in a deep breath and tried to push away the guilty, but it was apparent on his face.
"It's all my fault...I was looking for you...but then I got...distracted..." Inuyasha replied, looking ashamed. Kagome smiled at him.
"It's alright. I hit my head probably before you even started looking for me...I'm fine now aren't I?" Kagome inquired brightly, and Inuyasha wondered how he could have betrayed such an angel like her...
"But if you died...I'd have to kill myself..." In uyasha told her softly. Kagome hugged him.
"I wouldn't want that..." Inuyasha wasn't so sure. If Kagome knew just what had distracted him...
"I love you...so much Kagome..." Inuyasha told her softly. And it was true. He knew now.
"C'mon guys, you're getting just too mushy!" Shippo cried. Kagome smiled at him.
"Maybe, but you truly love that Byanou girl, that's why the ice melted and you know it." She then laughed. Shippo blushed once again. Miroku rubbed Shippo on the head.
"You dog!" He laughed.
"Hmph!" Shippo said, crossing his arms moodily. It was soon the two broke into the argument, in which Sango joined in on. Kagome watched, smiling, but Inuyasha had other things on his mind and tapped Kagome on the shoulder and led her to the room they commonly ate it in. He was going to have to tell Kagome about Kikyo. The guilt had been eating him alive, from the inside. His stomach lurched painfully as they entered the room. Kagome was smiling, thinking they were going to do something romantic. Inuyasha knew, soon that smile was going to be wiped clear of that beautiful face.
Would she break up with him? Would she leave him? He hoped she'd believe him when he told her that he truly loved her and no longer had feelings for Kikyo. Finally Inuyasha took in a deep breath...he didn't know how he was going to do it... "Kagome--" But Inuyasha was cut off by Kagome kissing him passionately. Did she have to know? Maybe she'd be better off not knowing? But Inuyasha couldn't help feeling that he should tell her, Kagome slowly pulled away.
"I didn't get a chance to say that I love you too, before..." she told him her eyes sparkling like Inuyasha loved them to do. He couldn't believe he ever thought he didn't love her. At that moment he wouldn't rather be anywhere else. He smiled softly.
"I know...and I'm so lucky..." Inuyasha replied. He held Kagome close. He closed his eyes as he held her. It didn't matter if it was colder in that room than the rest of the cabin, Inuyasha could stay right there, in her arms for eternity.
"I wouldn't trade anything in the world for this..." Kagome told him softly. Inuyasha buried his face in her hair. It smelled so wonderful. No. It didn't matter what happened between him and Kikyo. It had only proven to him that he truly loved Kagome. If he told her...that might just make things strange between them. Kagome might not trust him...what if she never forgave him? What if she thought he didn't truly love her? He couldn't risk losing her. As much as he felt she should know...he couldn't tell her...
Inuyasha looked deep into Kagome's brown eyes, he leaned in and nosed her playfully. Kagome giggled, but suddenly she stopped laughing and looked deep within him. Inuyasha wondered how Kagome could just make him feel like she could see all of him, everything he was thinking, straight into his soul when she did that. She began gently rubbing Inuyasha's face with her nose and lips just barely caressing his face sensually, closing her eyes. Suddenly Kagome stopped and quickly licked his cheek and the two laughed. Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck, continuing to giggle playfully. She laid her head on his chest and nestled in warmly.
Suddenly Inuyasha started he looked down at Kagome. "Hey....what guy did you say was it that dream you told me on truth or dare?" Inuyasha inquired smirking. Kagome laughed softly and squeezed Inuyasha tightly.
"It was you..." Inuyasha grinned.
"You know...what dream isn't such a bad idea..." he said, grimace becoming wider. Kagome pulled away somewhat and lightly smacked Inuyasha playfully on the shoulder, it wasn't the first time, as she giggled. She shook her head.
"You..." Kagome scolded jokingly.
"Me..." Inuyasha said grinning. Kagome laughed again. Everything always felt right with her. He felt so much better now. Happiness was filling his heart. Things were going to only get better. 'Kikyo will soon be long gone in the past.' Inuyasha thought.

It was night now and the stars were glittering up above the stormy clouds that hung over the icy Hills of No Return. Inuyasha had gone out to get food. The fog had since cleared and the storm had died down considerably, it didn't seem as if it would take him very long. The remaining that had been left at the cabin sat by the fire in the room most of them slept in. Almost everyone there were questioning Shippo about he and Byanou, to Shippo's dislike, but Kagome tried to defend him (a little).
"Why do you guys even CARE?!" Shippo demanded, pouting.
"We're just curious about the little furry kitsune in our team!" Sango replied, cheerfully, grabbing one of Shippo's cheeks and pulling it. Kagome laughed. Shippo was miserable.
"Can you guys lay off?" Shippo asked, grumpily, rubbing his sore cheek. They all couldn't help laughing and Shippo pouted some more.
"Shippo, it's sweet you have a little girlfriend. She seems like a very nice little girl," Kagome told him smiling restraining the extreme desire to pat him o nthe head whiuch she knew would only make him in a MORE sour mood.
"Shut up," he grumbled.
"Hey I was paying yo a compliment!" Kagome shouted defensively.
"Oh, I thought you were being sarcastic!" Shippo cried in surprise.
"Hmph!" Kagome said grumpily.
"Aw, you're only in a bad mood because your beau isn't here," Miroku teased Kagome.
"Yeah, so don't mess with me," she snapped as she picked up a bag of potato chips and opened it.
"Uh..." Miroku said, standing up. "...I'm going to go get something to eat," he motioned Sango toward the food storage subtly.
"Oh..." Sango said slowly. "I'm hungry too..." She then stood up and walked up to Miroku The two looked behind them at Kagome and Shippo wondering if they seemed suspicious, but neither seemed to notice. Kagome was eating her chips viciously and Shippo was fuming, muttering things to himself under his breath. They then walked off and entered the the room. Almost straight after the two began kissing out with a very fiery passion. It went on for a few moments when Sango slammed Miroku against the wall behind him.
"Whoa! Did you hear that?!" Shippo exclaimed, looking startled.
"Yeah...hey! Are you guys alright over there?!" Kagome called.
Miroku and Sango quickly pulled away, both breathing quite heavily, gasping for air. "Yes! We're fine!" Sango shouted. She stepped backward away from Miroku. "I'd better go out there with some food to rid of suspicion...but..." she told him, a smirk forming on her face, her breathing beginning to become normal. She stepped back up to Miroku, so her nose was touching his. "...we'll meet later...in your room...the one with the futon..." Sang told him seductively. She gave him a slow butterfly kiss and strolled off as she grabbed an apple.
Miroku watched her leave. "And that, my friends, is how the the cookie crumbles," Miroku said, looking rather pleased with himself. He sighed happily and also took an apple. Were those unsightly spots on it? Miroku tried to scratch them off and analyzed it as he walked toward the door. "Oh, hello Kikyo," he cheerfully chimed distractedly. He suddenly froze. "Kikyo!" he cried. And he quickly spun around. "What are you doing here?!"
"I have something to ask you," was Kikyo's quite emotionless answer. But Miroku could tell, it rang with anger. He stared in utter shock and alarm. What did she mean by that? Something to ask him? Why? Whatever it was Miroku was sure it wasn't good. Not good at all. And judging by the vibe he was getting from her... "Something to ask...me?!" Miroku said in surprise, mirroring his thoughts.
"Yes," Kikyo replied, stepping closer to Miroku, a smirk was forming on her face as she approached him. "I do, my young monk..." Kikyo continued, a tone of seductiveness in her voice, as she stepped even closer to him. She began tracing a finger down his chest.
"I thought you loved Inuyasha," a voice said sharply. Both Miroku and Kikyo looked over to see Sango glaring at Kikyo from the doorway. Reaching back she took her hyraicotsu from behind her and slipped into fighting stance. "Or are the dead, women who have indecisive minds and find pleasure in seducing monks?"
"Inuyasha," Kikyo uttered scornully. "What a fool. He means nothing to me. But...this lecherous monk apparently means something to you, how cute," Kikyo teased her, coldly. Sango took a step toward him.
"So take your hands off him, bitch!" Sango snarled. Miroku looked from both Sango to Kikyo, who took a step backwards from him.
"Ooh, that hurts," Kikyo returned with almost no emotion. "But I have no interest in him. It's Kagome I seek."
"Why? What are you going to do to her?" Miroku inquired sharply. Kikyo rapidly turned to him. "Kill her?"
"Why would I want to? When I could cause so much more pain and sorrow with her alive," Kikyo replied, smirking. Both Sango and Miroku stared at her as if she was mad.
"What are you going to do to her?!" Miroku asked again, louder now. Kikyo laughed.
"I simply need to talk to her. Now, where is she?" Kikyo inquired, turning to look around the room.
"Right here," Kagome replied fiercely from the door way. She too ka few steps nearer to the half dead priestess. "Who are you?" She inquired. Kikyo stared at her intensely for a moment then rolled her eyes and sighed with aggravation.
"What? Kagome what are you trying to do?" Sango inquired sharply. Miroku looked rather shocked as well.
"Don't you know who this is...I mean...she was your toughest competition for Inuyasha," Miroku said blankly, wondering if Kagome was trying to trick Kikyo into something.
"What?" Kagome asked, clearly confused.
"Not this again..." she mumbled quietly. She sighed. "Kikyo, remember?" Kagome's eyes widened.
"...how....could I have....so many...memories..." she said, putting her hand to her head in an almost pained manner, "...how did I forget that?" Kagome asked no one in particular.
"That has not one ounce of importance," Kikyo returned forcefully. "Come with me, I have some things to speak to you about that concern you." Kikyo turned with that and set off toward the door. After a couple of moments of uncertainty and shock, Kagome slowly followed. Miroku started after them but Sango held him back.
"No...I have a feeling this is a matter these two need to settle," Sango told him solemnly.
"But, what if Kikyo wants to hurt her?" Miroku inquired.
"That's not what she wants with her...she doesn't have her arrows...she has no weapons...if she wanted to kill her, she'd have tried already, you know her type, way too cocky and full of herself not to do it right in front of us," Sango growled.
"Not her number one fan, are you?" Sango glared at him.
"You're not her arch-nemisis, EITHER, or is it common that people let their enemy's flirt with them shamelessly?" Miroku held his tongue.

The two traveled into the front room of the cabin, in silence. Kagome was pretty sure what Kikyo was about to talk to her about it had to be something to do with Inuyasha. Kikyo was most likely trying to get her to leave Inuyasha so she could be with him. Maybe she'd even threaten her to get her to leave him. Well, it didn't matter to Kagome. Over her dead body she was letting Kikyo be with Inuyasha. Even if that was what Kikyo was intending to do, kill her in order to be with Inuyasha, Kagome wasn't afraid in the least.
"I felt as if you had the right to know that you and Inuyasha stand no chance together. It isn't as if you've even had the bravery to admit your feelings..." Kikyo trailed off. Kagome's eyes widened in surprise.
"What do you mean?" Kagome inquired, in a confused manner. There was a short pause, but finally Kagome brightened with realization, "You musn't know about us...Inuyasha and I...we're together..." Kagome replied blankly. Kikyo had a look of surprise on her face, but it quickly became a grimace. Worry was beginning to replace Kagome's feelings of triumph. 'What's she so happy about?' Kagome thought.
"What a nice fantasy...or perhaps a mistruth. It is so sweet how you're trying to cling onto Inuyasha by fending me away with your little story that you two are together," Kikyo returned in a mocking manner. Kagome was quickly becoming angry,every ounce of tolerence for this woman was quickly evaporating.
"I'm not making it up! Inuyasha loves me! And I love him!" She shouted with fury. She hated Kikyo's mocking smile and her still, cold eyes, she felt millionms of negative emtotions inside her ather prescence, extreme rage. Yet, gladness was taking anger's place. "We've kissed about a million times. The number is still rising. And how many times have you kissed him, Kikyo? Once?" But a cross expression was again etched on her face. "I'm sorry, but we're in love and this time, you're not going to take him away from me!" As Kagome was catching her breath from her emotional outburst Kikyo was silent. She seemed somewhat upset, but besides that she was very unreadable.
"I...it can't be true...how could Inuyasha...."
"Kikyo," Kagome began, eyes softening, "me and Inuyasha we're truly in love...I'm sorry, but--"
"It doesn't make the slightest difference," Kikyo cut in, her voice mingled with anger. Kagome stared in shock. "Inuyasha still loves me more than you."
"What are you talking about?" Kagome inquired in an awed tone. "He told me he loved me...countless times...Kikyo, you're going to have to face reality--"
"Inuyasha never told me about you...he never said he loved you...but it doesn't matter if he's trying to have the both of us."
"What?" Kagome inquired truly confused and angered.
"I never imagined when he came to my cabin...when he said he loved me that he loved another...but it doesn't matter...for if my theory is correct...he doesn't love you nearly as much as he loves me," Kikyo told her, looking up from her anger and depression, smirking up at her, a smirk cold and lifeless, dark and empty.
"You...you...you witch...you..." Kagome was shaking with rage. "You liar!!" She screamed. Kikyo only laughed under her breath. She couldn't believe Kikyo. What she was trying to pull? Lying to her like that. She was sure going low to get Inuyasha. Kagome was starting to feel intense vexation toward her. "Why are you doing this!?"
"Doing what? I'm only speaking the truth."
"Shut up! You're just a frickin' zombie whose jealous! Step off!" Kagome roared. But Kikyo didn't seem put off by this at all.
"Don't be angry...I feel as if I am rage-filled as well...but soon Inuyasha shall choose me over you..."
"Don't waste you're breath!" Kagome shouted. "He hasn't even seen you this entire time! He doesn't even know you're around!"
"Inuyasha went to my cabin..." Kikyo returned emotionlessly, almost looking a bit bored with Kagome.
"Oh even if i began to believe you there, so what! That doesn't mean he's in love with you! Inuyasha probably thought it was our cabin...if he knew you were in it he stayed away!"
"Inuyasha may have kissed you," Kikyo began, "But is that all he's done with you?" Kagome let go of her anger momentarily and felt her cheeks warming up quickly. She couldn't believe she had been asked such a personal question! By Kikyo none the less! Her rage returned, she had only been caught off guard.
"I don't think that's any of your business, Kikyo!" Kagome cried, turning away to hide her red cheeks.
"I see that it is all he has done with you." Kagome turned and growled at Kikyo. "Then it's obvious that he loves me more than you."
"What are you talking about? Look, you have some nerve, I can't believe you're doing this. Inuyasha loves me. Why are you acting this way? How could you think he loves you when he hasn't anything to do with you for fifty years other than what you forced on him!" Kagome knew that that wasn't entirely true, Inuyasha had let Kikyo kiss him...but Kagome knew Kikyo just wanted him back...and she'd most likely do anything to get what she wanted. Kikyo smiled, a smile Kagome loathed.
"Oh Kagome, how naive you are, thinking that you could compete against the woman Inuyasha loves. Inuyasha made love to me. He loves me."
"Oh..." Kagome growled. "You are getting me real mad...cut it out, Kikyo! Do you really expect me to fall for your tricks?!" Kagome shouted. "Well I wouldn't believe you for a second!" It was then Kagome heard the door open behind her and quickly turned, it was Inuyasha. Kikyo smiled.
'Say good bye to happy ever after, Inuyasha, with your sweet little Kagome,' Kikyo thought. Inuyasha's eeys flashed with the most unpleasent surprise thinkable in them, and a gasp escaped him, at the sight of the eerie priestess standing before him.
"What the h**l are you doing here?!" Inuyasha demanded with a mixture of shock and fury. Kikyo frowned now.
"Why don't you try explaining to me why you're with Kagome when you told me you loved me!" Kikyo demanded in a highly upset tone, pointing at Kagome, demaning her to be explained things, as if she were a small child.
"What?" Inuyasha said, looking very confused.
"Oh don't play dumb Inuyasha you--"
"Stuff it Kikyo! Enough with your lies!" Kagome cried, interrupting her. "Can't you see that me and Inuyasha are happy together?" There was a short silence. Inuyasha was very tense. Why was Kikyo here? And why was she pretending that Inuyasha hadn't told her about Kagome? What was she trying to do?
"But I'm not lying! Inuyasha came to my cabin and he didn't tell me anything of loving you!" Kikyo cried, hysterically. "He said he loved me and...he made love to me..." Kikyo said softly, looking very hurt and saddened. Her eyes subtly narrowed with dark ridiculing loathing, however.
"See the story she's telling?! Isn't she ridiculous?!" Kagome shouted, looking at Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha! Admit it! You were with me, in my cabin, just today!" Kikyo exclaimed.
"You're lying," Inuyasha relied, angrily. Kagome was by his side in full agreement, looking at Kikyo with fury as Inuyasha was, but Inuyasha had guilt in all of this. Of course he had told Kikyo of he and Kagome! Of course he had told her he loved Kagome! He did sleep with her, but what Kikyo was telling Kagome was all wrong!
"Leave, Kikyo, I can't believe you're telling all these lies about Inuyasha! I would feel sorry for you, but now I see how low you really are!" Kagome cried, restraining herself from causing physical harm on the priestess' part. Kikyo only shook her head looking as if she felt pity for Kagome.
"It's so sad, how you think your little Inuyasha is perfect. Well he's far from that! He's been lying to you and me! To the both of us! Don't you see he has been cheating on you? Playing you like a fiddle?!" She shouted at Kagome, who only looked disgusted by her. Kikyo turned to Inuyasha. "Don't you feel one ounce of guilt, Inuyasha? Were you going to hide it forever from her? What you did to the both of us?"
"What?" Inuyasha asked, vexation in his tone. Why was Kikyo pretending he had lied to her?
"Poor Kagome. Poor Inuyasha, who will always know in his heart what he did with me today in my cabin, but he will never admit it, will he?" Kikyo smirked at him. "He doesn't have the will. He couldn't. Too low. Too afraid. Too...cowardly." Inuyasha's extreme shame and guilt were starting to seep to the surface, they were beginning to become evident in his eyes, in his face, in his entire presence was the slowing of time and the sad, sad sound of a dirty past resurfacing and making a once broken man, broken again.
"Shut up!" Kagome shouted, but Kikyo ignored her. Her gaze was fixed on Inuyasha.
"What's wrong? Guilt getting to you? Are you going to continue lying? Inuyasha, are you going to hide it forever, let it dig within your heart? Yes, Kagome will never know, you thought, but perhaps you were wrong. Of course she won't believe me will she? So you'll get away with it.?" Kagome was staring at Kikyo with a bewildered expression.
"What are you trying to do?" Kagome asked puzzledly. "trying to make Inuyasha guilty with some lie?"
"Kagome..." Inuyasha began, through his sadness and shame. He had been staring at the ground since he had begun feeling the intense bruning feeling of disgrace run through him, he was wary with the struggle to keep it all inside, in his self-condemnation he knew when justice had to be served and his normal bright, flaming eyes slowly moved up, dead and hollow, sad and torn. Now he was looking at Kagome hoping she would understand...he was ashamed, Kagome could tell.
'It can't be," Kagome thought. She was frozen. 'No...' Inuyasha's eyes could no longer meet her. He was like a sad dog who had killed the cat and was being screamed at by its owner. Only millions times worse. And he wasn't even being shouted at... Kagome took a few steps backward away from him, her head shaking in the doubt, the inability to accept... "No..." she whispered.
"I..."
"What?" Kagome demanded angrily. She laughed under her breath, she was angry, upset, but she was in denial. It couldn't be. "What? What are you going to say? What is it? That...Kikyo's lies are true?" She laughed, but her smile was quickly fading noticing the expression on Inuyasha's face.
"It...It's true." Kagome couldn't....she wouldn't believe it. She was staring at Inuyasha. She couldn't move, she couldn't speak. Tears were filling her eyes. Again, she began shaking her head once again, trying to repeat mentally it wasn't true, so that maybe it would be false if she made herself only believe so. But she wasn't looking at Inuyasha, she was staring, in pure despair at the floor. She clenched ond of her fists, trying to rid of her pain, her anger...her emotions, clenching it so hard, her nails were digging into her flesh. She looked up.
"What?" Kagome said, hoarsely, not understanding how, how could be possible. How could it be possible that he could do something like that? Had everything..every sweet word he had whispered to her, every kiss, every loving look--had it all bee some retched, twisted, worthless lie? Inuyasha stepped forward toward her.
"Look, it's not what you think--" Kagome took a step backward away from him.
"Oh I'm sure it isn't," Kagome replied sarcastically, her head again shaking, but she was no longer shaking her head in denial. She was shaking her head in disgust and the disbeleif she had been held in the arms of the man--kissed by the man--that she had loved--was in love with the man--who had caused her to endear the greatest pain in all her life. Tears were falling down her cheeks.
"No...Kagome, see I thought--"
"Enough with you're lies," Kikyo cut in crossness lining her tone. "Stop talking. Neither of us want to hear you any longer." Inuyasha looked at Kikyo with pure hatred.
"Don't listen to her Kago--"
"I will be listening to who I want," Kagome replied with a shuddering sob. "And you aren't one of those people."
"Look, I may have done that, but I was confused--Kikyo tricked me into thinking I didn't love you and she--"
"Stop trying to pit us against each other. You really are shameful, Inuyasha," Kikyo interrupted him, with false anger.
"Inuyasha..." Kagome sobbed. "I thought you were a good person...I thought you loved me...I was wrong. Then you hurt Kikyo as well..." She looked over at Kikyo with a pleading expression, she seemed to now be guilt ridden at the thought she had so horrible wrongfully accused her.
"I don't love her, I love you--"
"Sure you do. And what are you going to tell me after this when you come back to my cabin?" Kikyo inquired nastily. "Tell me you've changed your mind and actually love me but stay with the both of us? Inuyasha, it's over. We're not going to be fooled by your antics any longer!"
"But--"
"Inuyasha, how could you do this to me?" Kagome sobbed. She sniveled trying to push it away, she couldn't feel all this pain for a lie! For a nobody! She couldn't--but no matter how much she tried...she did...
"Kagome..." Inuyasha said, his face covered in concern and pain. Hr reached out toward her but she quickly back away.
"Don't touch me," Kagome said in a hurt tone. Inuyasha felt like dying several times over now.
"Kagome, please listen--"
"Leave me alone..." Kagome took more steps backward another tear falling down her cheek. Suddenly she turned and ran sobbing out of the room. Inuyasha started toward her but stopped, nothing he could say would help now, he knew that with a stab of recognition. He watched her leave feeling as if his whole life was unraveling. A laugh sounded behind him, a cold, laugh that lacked much emotion. Inuyasha turned hatred fuming from within him--the disbelief and confusion gone--only loathing remaining.
"Kikyo..." he snarled with rage. He glared at her, he would never forgive her. Kikyo was smiling, and it only made Inuyasha's replusion of this woman strengthen.
"What a pity...now you have no one, Inuyasha," Kikyo sneered. Inuyasha wanted to rip her arms off and tare her to bits. He was keeping his raw anger, hardly containing it, inside with all his strength he had left, knowing hurting Kikyo would only worsen things.
"Why...WHY?!" He screamed. Kikyo chuckled.
"My gift...to you, she replied in a false cheerful tone, but her face was lined with pure malevolent ecstacy. She then smirked evilly, her whole prescence revealing her dark inner nature, "...enjoy," she finished in a malevolent tone and with that she left. Inuyasha wouldn't follow. He had had enough of her, if he saw her face again, he wondered whether he'd vomit or tare it apart, or if he'd manage both...his eyes stung again and he could no longer avoid the inevitable: Kagome. He slowly turned toward the door Kagome had ran through. How was he going to fix things? Kagome probably wouldn't even speak to him. Inuyasha felt as if he was having heart failure, his chest was screaming in agony.
He hurried through the doorway and into the food storage where he caught sight of Kagome, who was in Sango's arms crying pitifully. Sango was comforting her, murmuring to her quietly, patting her back. "Kagome..." Inuyasha began. Both Sango and Kagome whipped around to see him. Their expressions were filled with repugnance and displeasure.
"Kagome told me what happened," Sango informed him bitterly. "What's wrong with you?!" She demanded. Inuyasha felt his insides ache, Kagome was crying more than he had ever seen her cry...perhaps more than she had ever cried...all because of him...all for him...he was such a bastard, such a damn fucking bastard he couldn't even think of a good enough insult to label himself with.
"I didn't--" he felt like crying. Sobbing on the spot, he usually had a far too proud heart to consider something like that, but now he was so deep inhis endless shame there was no pride left. But he resisted crying. It would only make Kagome even more angry, he knew. For a few moments Sango and Kagome glared at at Inuyasha who had stopped speaking, and didn't continue what he had started saying and just stood still, helplessly.
"What do you want?" Kagome sobbed desperately. She didn't even look at him now.
"Can you please just listen? Kikyo wasn't being very truth--"
"Leave her alone!" Sango cut in harshly. Inuyasha fell silent. "I don't understand how you could do this when you two seemed so happy! But I guess you just can't stand a happy ending can you!?" Sango shouted. Inuyasha felt what he thought wass the deepest pain in the world, worsen all throughout his insides.
"I'm so sorry...but it's not as it seems..." Inuyasha replied pitifully. Sango's glare only deepened as Kagome continued crying softly. He sighed. "I feel so horrible..."
"Good," Sango replied, sharply. "C'mon, Kagome, we'll go where he can't bother us!" And with that Sango led Kagome away, Kagome looked back at Inuyasha with a very hurt expression then turned away as they walked. It was at that moment Inuyasha considered hanging himself.
'There really isn't much left for me anyway...she became all that mattered...' he thought, feeling as if he could never smile ever again. He would never ever feel Kagome in his arms again, never her kiss...the smell of her hair...he would never be happy...and she would loath him. As much as Inuyasha liked blaming Kikyo for this predicament, he knew it was all his fault. He had forgotten Kagome was all that was important to him. He had become so confused...so lost that he didn't think their love was true...
They would all hate him he suddenly realized. Knowing how hehad hurt Kagome...thinking he had hurt both her and Kikyo...they would all think him the worst of the worst...the lowest of the low. Inuyasha sighed. Not only had he lost the woman he loved and caused her some of the greatest pain she could endure, he wouldn't even have any friends anymore. Was there any hope? And if he did hang himself at least Kagome would know how much he had cared for her...he would know that was all that mattered to him...but what if after realizing that Kagome did the same thing Kikyo had tried to do? Join him in death?
He couldn't have that happen. He sighed in hopelessness once again. There seemed to be nothing that could relieve him of this agony now. Not death. Not anything. Inuyasha wasn't able to move for a long while, realizing this he felt stunned, so enraptured in the helplessness and thought of an empty and lifeless future ahead, drowning in the depression and anguish that was crushing him, his lungs, making him struggle for air--not evben struggle--almost embrace the lack of it, so he could let himself fall and die to relieve him of the unthinkable pain.
In a horrible gloom, Inuyasha slowly entered the room that everyone usually ate in, but Kaede wasn't cooking and it seemed what had happened had halted the dinner process. Inuyasha sighed in a depressed manner as he slumped onto a pillow by the table. He hit his head onto the table. "Stupid!" he shouted. "STUPID, STUPID, STUPID, STUPID! DAMMIT--FUCKING STUPID!!!" He hit it over and over finding the physcial hurt was something he was unable to feel. He felt his eyes becomind scalding hot.
"Are you alright?" Miroku inquired, having entered the room a few moments ago and sitting on the pillow next to him. Shippo bounded up from behind him and sat on the opposite of Inuyasha. "I heard what happened..." Miroku said quietly. Inuyasha looked away.
"Yeah, now everyone thinks I'm the jerk of the century... That I suck beyond reason..." He wasn't repared to disagree. He DIDN'T disagree. Oh, he DID, disagree, the jerk of century was a title that was not nearly foul enough...
"What do you mean?" Miroku inquired blankly. "Everyone makes mistakes, Inuyasha," Miroku told him gently. He laughed. "I mean...I should know!"
"You mean...you don't hate me?" Inuyasha cried with awe, almost forgetting the pain.
"Why would I? It happens to the best of us," Miroku replied. Inuyasha just stared at him for a moment in a pure amazement then suddenly came back to life and began hitting his head repetitively on the table. Shippo then stomped on Inuyasha's head as he leapt on it.
"Ow!" Inuyasha shouted.
"Stop it, Inuyasha! You're our friend! We couldn't hate you! Even if you do suck beyond reason."
"That's nice, but could you get off my head!" Inuyasha grumbled.
"Oh right!" And Shippo hopped off his head onto the table. Both Miroku and Shippo surveyed Inuyasha as he sat up straight. he sighed once again.
"Look," Miroku began, placing his hand on Inuyasha's shoulder, "that wasn't a great thing to do, but we're not going to stop being your friends because of it." Inuyasha was staring vacantly down at the table in thought. There was a short silence.
"I didn't do what you guys think I did."
"What?" Miroku said.
"Really!?" Shippo cried cheerfully.
"I mean...I wasn't trying to be with them both at once..." he sighed. "It's a long story...first I heard this song that I knew I had heard somewhere in the distance. but I couldn't remember where. I felt it meant something important and i kept on hearing it and searching for its source. I eventually found Kikyo. Unlike the story she told Kagome, i told her I loved Kagome and i walked away. But what Kikyo told me really bothered me. it really made me doubt my love for Kagome. I was afraid I didn't truly love her."
"FInally, when we were journeying through the fog to kill Byanou's mother I entered her cabin, thinking it was ours. Kikyo convinced me I truly loved her and not Kagome...but every time I kissed her it didn't feel right...I don't deny that I slept with her...but the entire it time there was a red flag telling me it was wrong. Finally, afterward I realized I didn't love Kikyo...I had to break the news to her...I knew I truly loved Kagome... Kikyo claimed that I didn't tell her this. To ruin it for Kagome and I...to get her revenge..." There was a silence.
"So...you don't love Kikyo...only Kagome?" Shippo asked, still a little unsure.
"Yeah...I love Kagome...so much...I didn't tell her about what happened because I was afraid I'd lose her...and she wouldn't understand..." Inuyasha replied.
"You should have told her before Kikyo told her the false story," Miroku said, solemnly.
"I know that now!" Inuyasha cried. "But she won't even talk to me..." Again, there was a silence.
"Well, we're going to help you get Kagome back!" Miroku said in a determined voice.
"Yeah!" Shippo cried, also determined. In all Inuyasha's pain he felt a tiny bit better.
"The women all think you're awful, Sango and Kagome still believe Kikyo's story..." Miroku informed them thoughtfully. He made a fist in an optimistic way. "It's up to the men!"
"This woman knows the truth," Kaede said, standing in the doorway.
"Aw man! Estrogen is interfering with our secret group!" Miroku whined. Kaede approached, she sat at one of the pillows.
"What shall we do?" She inquired in a business like manner. Miroku rolled his eyes, Kaede gave him a dangerous look.
"Fine...you're on the team..." Miroku leaned in and everyone else did as well. "Okay...so Sango has been comforting Kagome...if she knows the truth it will help a lot..."
"She nearly bit my head off, Miroku! How in hell are we gonna convince her?" Inuyasha replied, doubtfully. Miroku leaned back leaned back looking confident and conniving.
"I'll.....reason with her," Miroku returned, grinning.

Miroku deepened the kiss between he and Sango and began pulling down on the collar of her kimono. Sango pulled the covers over them and threw her arms around Miroku's neck, who lie on top of her. It was then he remembered his obligation. He suddenly ended the long kiss and was thoughtful for moment. "Miroku?" Sango inquired blankly. She suddenly smirked. "You're not having trouble are you?"
"Uh...you know what happened between Inuyasha and Kagome?" A frown formed in Sango's face.

Miroku ran into the room, Inuyasha and Shippo turned in their seats to look at him. "Well, did it go well?" Inuyasha inquired.
"And take that!" Sango's voice shouted and a cup collided with the back of Miroku's head and shattered.
"Define well..." was Miroku's reply. They all stared at him.

Before much further scheming could take place, Kaede informed them all that it was time for bed. There was so much emotional chaos in the place that many of them found it difficult to fall asleep. Inuyasha, even though some hope had presented itself, was failing to feel much better, and his mood had scarcely improved. Miroku had been forced out of the room he had been sleeping in by himself and Sango and Kagome had taken it.
Inuyasha wished he could just explain to Kagome what had happened and prove to her that he loved her, but he knew that was a nearly impossible dream. Only in a world of sugar plums and mushroom houses was that going to happen. (and Inuyasha didn't know about most people, but to him a world like that would scare him.) It was perfectly pitch-black, Inuyasha rolled onto his sighed and stared through the darkness, and he exhaled again as closed his eyes. What was going to happen? How could he continue traveling with Kagome when she hated him so much? He had to protect her...was everyday going to be spent regretting what he had done with Kikyo?
"No..." Inuyasha said aloud, answering his musings. He sat up. 'But how...how am I going to convince her to even talk to me again?' He wondered. Quietly, he stood up. Kaede's snores filled the air as he crept soundlessly across the room. He was almost to the room Kagome and Sango were sleeping in when he stopped. 'What am I doing?!' Inuyasha thought. 'There's no way--' Suddenly the door slid open Inuyasha jumped in surprise and turned to see Kagome emerge. A yawn escaped her adn shortly after he saw her suddenly freeze and slowly turn to face him.
"Inuyasha..." she said in an upset manner, she frowned. "What do you want?" She asked angrily, turning away.
"I just thought you should know the truth. What happened between Kikyo and I..." Inuyasha replied.
"I don't want to hear the details" Kagome snapped angrily.
"No...Kikyo was lying about a lot--"
"Can you shut up!" Kagome suddenly, cried, facing him. "Can you leave me alone?! Do you have to make me suffer more!?" Inuyasha was silent for a moment.
"But--"
"I don't want to hear it," Kagome cut in, her eyes becoming watery. She turned and began walking away, but Inuyasha gently grasped her arm. Kagome stopped and didn't say anything, for a moment. "Let me go," she let out finally looking helpless and broken.
"Wait just--"
"Let me go!" Kagome shouted.
"Can you just listen?!" Inuyasha demanded angrily. Kagome was struggling against Inuyasha's tightening grasp.
"I don't want to hear your excuses! Your lies..." She replied, still trying to get away from Inuyasha. "Now let me go, or I'll screa--" But before Kagome could finish Inuyasha had turned her around and pulled her closer to him. Kagome was finding it hard to speak, their eyes locked. While she looked as if she'd fallen under the spell of her feelings that she still, there was also anguish in that expression, Inuyasha pushed his own pain her recieved from hers.
"Look...I have to tell you--" Kagome seemed to snap out of it then and looked away a tear spilling down her cheek.
"Let me go...stop it..." She whispered in a quiet, sorrowful tone.
"Kagome, I--" Kagome began pulling her arm away from him as hard as she could. But there was no getting away from his strengthened grasp. "We need to talk..." Inuyasha finally said, Kagome trying her hardest to wriggle free.
"No we don't!" And with that she smacked Inuyasha, hard. They were both stunned for a moment, Inuyasha let her go and Kagome soon looked at the ground her eyes filling with fresh tears. "Just don't talk to me..." And with that she walked back into her room and Inuyasha again watched her, unable to do anything to stop her from leaving. Inuyasha's eyes traveled to the floor. He slowly turned. And walked away.