InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Suffer The Fray ❯ The Sacrifices Made ( Chapter 25 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I hold no claim to the characters of InuYasha...Rumiko Takahashi does. I only claim ownership of Shunsoke, and I make zero profit from writing this.

A/N: As always, I apologize for taking so long to update this chapter. I didn't anticipate having a car accident and a sick horse to nurse...but who does? I'm happy to say that everyone is doing fine, except the car, which had to be unfortunately totaled. Anyway, the fireworks really get going with chapter and will likely continue on through the end. A lot of drama and fighting are coming, along with a few deaths O_O. I'll leave you to surmise that on your own. I sincerely hope you enjoy this installment, so read on and enjoy.

Oh, and please overlook any errors that I may have missed. Normally my betas go over it with a fine-tooth comb, but I've had trouble getting a hold of them. I hope I did a good enough job. To my betas- if you see this before getting the one I sent you, I'm sorry. I usually hear from you by now, but since I haven't, I'm posting this on my own. I hope you enjoy it.


There was nothing to debate over.

There were no pros or cons to be weighed.

There was only one thing for her to choose and that was to act. The only other alternative was to stand back and watch as Akago slashed open Rin's throat.

Kagome dove those few meager feet to where Rin knelt with tears coursing down her cheeks, a thin ribbon of blood snaking its way along the smooth column of her throat from where the blade was pressing. She snatched the girl's wrist in her hands and attempted to pry the wakizashi from the possessed fingers that were clutching it, but the damage to her own wrist made her strength useless. Changing her tactics, she let go with her right hand and lifted her left foot, pressing it against Rin's sternum in an effort to gain more leverage.

She saw Rin wince when she started to push off that leg. "I'm sorry."

The girl squeezed her eyes shut. "It's...o-okay."

Pulling the sword from Rin's neck was profoundly easier now that she had an advantage and unlocking her arm was relatively easy. She held on until it was nearly straightened and used her right fist to hit the delicate network of tendons nestled inside the girl's wrist. On her third try the hand sprung open, Sango's wakizashi clattering to the floor.

Rin's arm instantly went limp and the tension in her spine faded to leave her in an elegant slump on the floor. Kagome quickly dropped her foot and knelt in front of her. "Rin, are you alright?"

The girl's caramel-colored eyes smiled as she caught her breath. "Thank you, Lady Kagome. I don't know how I'll ever be able to-"

Kagome frowned at Rin's painful grimace. "What is it?"

She blinked rapidly and snagged a handful of her kimono above her heart, her voice a ragged whisper. "I can feel it in my chest. It's moving."

"What do you mean?"

Panic began to creep its way into Rin's face. "It's alive. I can feel it moving inside me." She started to claw at her chest. "Ah! Get it out! Get it out!"

Kagome took her face between her hands and forced Rin to look at her. "Rin, relax. You need to calm down. I can stop it. I can get it out, but you have to relax. You have to trust me."

"Please..." Rin whimpered as shudders wracked her body. "Please get it out."

"Do you trust me?"

Her chin quivered as she nodded slowly. "Y-yes."

Kagome released her face and slid her hands down her arms to grab Rin's frantic fingers. "Then do exactly as I tell you."

The miko took a deep breath and closed her eyes, opening the well of power deep within her. She pushed all the unnecessary thoughts from her mind and focused solely on the girl trembling in front of her. Kagome used the connection of their hands to transfer her power into Rin and set about locating the tiny aura responsible for the possession.

She kept her eyes shut as she spoke. "I need you to lie down."

Rin stared at the still woman warily. "Al-alright."

Kagome waited until she was prone on the floor before letting go of one of Rin's hands. "You're doing great. Now, I have to put my right hand against your chest. I just need you to stay still."

"What do I do with my other hand?"

"Put it together with your other one to hold mine, okay?"

"Okay."

"You're going to be fine, Rin." She cracked open her left eye to meet her trepid gaze. "I promise."

Rin sucked in a shuddering breath and nodded in response, willing herself to relax.

Kagome turned her attention back to the task at hand. Her first obstacle turned out to be more formidable than she had originally thought, coming toe to toe with the massive strength of Rin's aura. It was like she was standing at the foot of brick wall so high the top disappeared into the clouds and extended from horizon to horizon when she glanced to her right and left. It was no small wonder that Akago had managed to penetrate it at all.

Every living entity had an aura. Most of the time it was nearly undetectable, but there were some that were naturally more developed and Rin had one of these. It was an untrained aura, raw and untamed in its size and power. She hadn't been far off the mark when she'd noted Rin's seemingly close relationship with nature. The young girl had an enormous spirit that with steady training could be manipulated and used to influence the environment around her. It was apparent that her defenses were more advanced than any other aspect of her aura, but only in an involuntary manner. Her subconscious was controlling her aura's actions, fueled by her fear and natural instinct of self-preservation.

That ignorance reminded Kagome of someone else she knew...namely herself.

She doesn't have powers like Miroku or me, just an abnormally strong aura like Sango's.

Kagome squeezed Rin's hands. "I know you're scared of what's inside you, Rin, but you're blocking me from getting to it. I need you to really try and relax your mind. I'm not going to let him hurt you, so there's nothing to be afraid of. I'm going to kill Akago's aura and then I'm going to help you get to Sesshomaru."

She heard the girl's soft sob. "That's where you were going, wasn't it? You were trying to find him."

Rin let out an anguished little groan, tears slipping from the corners of her shut eyes. "Yes."

"It doesn't matter to me if you still do, but you used to trust him with your life. Nothing could touch you when you where with him, right?"

"Mhm."

"Right. I need you to trust me like that, Rin." She pushed at the wall and it refused to yield. "I won't be able to help you if you don't."

The girl trembled as the aura inside her moved. "I can't remember what that was like...it was so long ago."

"I still need you to try."

"I don't know if I can."

"This isn't the time for self-doubt, Rin!" Kagome allowed her boiling frustration to get the better of her tongue. "I need you to be that little girl again and let me save your life!"

She held her breath and clenched her fingers in the satiny feel of Rin's kimono. "I'm not mad at you, Rin, but I can feel Akago moving closer to your heart. If you don't let me in, he'll kill you. I don't want that." Kagome rested her forehead on their conjoined hands. "I want you to be able to see Sesshomaru again."

Rin bit back another whimpering sigh. "I want that too."

"You love him, don't you?"

Rin looked up at her and met her sympathetic brown eyes. "Yes, I do."

Kagome smiled. "I know the feeling."

That simple smile snapped the last string making her hesitate, making her doubt someone that had never before broken her word. Rin thought of the looks shared between Kagome and Sesshomaru's hanyou brother Inuyasha. She knew Kagome understood and tightened her hold on the miko's hand, managing a shaky smile of her own. "I hope I didn't offend you."

"No offense taken." Kagome grinned. "Now, let's kill ourselves a rat."

This time when she came up to the wall, there was an archway cut out of the impenetrable brick and she was able to move right on through. Kagome stilled on the other side and found that Akago had suddenly gone to ground. He was trying to stay alive by hiding.

Prick. It's just too bad you left a trail...

If Akago's little bitty aura was a lost child, then she was the bloodhound following his scent. The aura's tail was similar to a lingering wisp of smoke and it was only a matter of following it to the source.

Kagome latched onto the string and followed it until she stumbled upon that sinister knot of energy tucked up tightly to Rin's heart. She approached it cautiously- one wrong move could literally stop Rin's heart- and had to stop from instinctually attacking the dark aura. She tried to reach out and grab it...

Akago lashed out at her like a cornered alley cat, hissing and spitting in a vain attempt to scare her off.

She pursed her lips in disapproval and ignored his threat. Her spiritual powers howled to be released on the evil it sensed, but Kagome waited until she knew she wouldn't miss. She literally snatched him in her power's grasp and opened the floodgates. The tiny aura screamed defiantly for a few seconds, fighting viciously to stay alive even as she began to suffocate it. The warm energy latched onto it like virus, eating away at Akago's aura until there was nothing left.

Kagome lingered only a few moments to make sure she'd gotten every last bit of him before slowly withdrawing her power back into herself. Sighing deeply, she removed her hand from Rin's chest. "Are you alright?"

Rin brushed a hand over the spot Kagome's hand had been in bewilderment. "You got it out."

"I said I would, didn't I?"

"Yes, but..." The girl slowly sat up, shaking her head as if changing her mind. "Thank you, Lady Kagome. You saved my life...again."

"Don't worry about it, Rin." She stood up, flexing her injured wrist and offered her good hand to help Rin up.

It took a moment for her soft brown eyes to focus on it, but Rin shook off her daze and simultaneously took Kagome's hand and picked up the discarded wakizashi. She stared at the blade and then turned her gaze to the lighted doorway. A single bead of sweat slid down the side of her face as her eyes suddenly widened.

Kagome gently touched her shoulder. "Rin?"

"They're coming for you." Her voice was muted and fast. "We have to leave now, before they trap us here."

"Wait, Rin-" She tried to stop her from running out the door, but the girl slipped away. Kagome darted after her and spun her away from the doorway before she passed through. "Rin, who's 'they'?"

The girl blinked blankly before focusing on the miko's face. "Akago and Kikyo."

Kagome thought her heart might have skipped a beat. "What are you talking about?"

Rin explained as she poked her head out the door to scan the dusty street. "Kikyo came here with Kagura and Kohaku not long after Koga disappeared. She came with a plan to capture you and bring you back to Naraku, using the others as a diversion for your friends."

She turned away from the street and bowed her head as if she were confessing a sin. "They knew you were wounded."

"What?"

"Kikyo sent Kagura to spy on you." Rin turned the sword over in her hands. "They knew you were vulnerable, especially if you somehow got separated from your group."

Kagome reached out and laid a hand on the nervous movement of the girl's hands. "How do you know all of this?"

Rin looked up at her. "When Akago wasn't making use of his control over me, I was left alone. I was in the room when he and Kikyo were talking."

"They didn't suspect anything?"

She snorted softly. "Akago didn't consider me as anything other than a means to an end." Rin turned to stare out the doorway forlornly. "I think Kikyo knew I was listening, but she didn't say anything to Akago."

The miko stepped up beside her. "Did she say why she was helping him?"

"Kikyo said you were their biggest threat."

Kagome's head swam and the confusion stirred the beginnings of a massive headache. Their biggest threat? Who? Naraku and Kikyo? Is that why they're working together? She pressed a closed fist to the pain radiating in her forehead. When Inuyasha finds out about this, I doubt I'm the one they'll need to be worrying about.

"So what was her great plan?"

Rin took a deep breath and moved out onto the hut's dilapidated steps, looking up and down the deserted street. "Kikyo was going to lure Inuyasha away from you so that Akago could get to you through me. She was going to have Kohaku occupy Inuyasha once she'd managed to get him far enough away and Kagura was to attack the monk and slayer."

"Kikyo was going to come back for you and take you the Western Lands of Inu no Taisho."

"Why there?"

Rin shrugged. "I don't know."

Inuyasha's father's territory? Would Naraku really be so bold as to shack up there?

Her mind shifted to her planned abduction. How the hell do they think they'll be able to take me anyway? If I'm that big a threat, did they really think I'd just throw up my hands and surrender?

She thought of how easily Inuyasha had fallen for Kikyo's little game and worried her bottom lip with her teeth. Why does he have to be so predictable? Kagome frowned.

Why does he always have to go after Kikyo?

Kagome stared off into the distance and worked to ease the clenched muscles of her jaw. She clearly remembered the hanyou telling her that he wouldn't go chasing off after Kikyo anymore, but it seemed that was one promise he had no intention of keeping. The hurt stiffened her back until the muscles along her spine were squalling. It was painful and she told herself to stop, but even after mentally relaxing each muscle in turn, the strange tension remained. It was then that she realized the tension wasn't stemming from her churning emotions.

It was a shard of the Shikon Jewel.

And it was close.

Kohaku.

"Lady Kagome?"

"Huh?" Kagome blinked and looked over at Rin. "What?"

Rin watched her curiously. "Are you alright?"

"Oh, yeah." She glanced back in shard's direction and found Kohaku stagnant. Wherever he was, he wasn't moving and was likely doing exactly as Rin had said- occupying Inuyasha.

"Good." Rin stepped out into the street. "I don't see anyone. I think we should try to make a run for the woods."

Kagome followed Rin's intended path and felt something raise the hairs on the back of her neck. A heavy presence pushed at her senses and the strength of the evil swirling within it stole her breath.

"No. It's too late for that."

"What are you talking about? We can make it if we run."

"No, we can't."

Even as she spoke the huts at west end of the street began imploding, sending splintered wood flying in all directions as that evil sent the earth shaking. Kagome was pretty sure her heart really did skip a beat as she watched Moryomaru rise from the rubble, a small lavender-haired boy perched on his shoulder like a pirate's parrot.

Rin gasped and began to backpedal. "Akago!"

Kagome didn't need confirmation to believe her. She dashed down the steps and grabbed Rin's hand, pulling the girl in Kohaku's direction. "C'mon! It's time to go!"

"It's..." The shock seemed to have robbed Rin of her wits. "It's Akago."

The girl's kimono made it nearly impossible for her to run. She flailed alongside Kagome, sputtering incoherently as the miko sprinted in what she prayed was Inuyasha's direction. It was the only thing she could think to do. There was no training available for such a situation. There weren't any lessons to fall back on for guidance. She had to rely on her own instincts and quick thinking to get out of this one.

Kagome knew she couldn't possibly be any match against the giant with her bare hands, even with her powers to help her. If she engaged one of them, there was a good chance the other would get past her to Rin. She wasn't about to let that happen because although Rin wanted to fight, it was apparent that she wasn't exactly equipped for it.

She wasn't equipped for running either and when she fell; she took Kagome down with her.

The ground was hard on her knees, scraping her skin through both the tattered jeans and leggings. Kagome tried to break her fall with the hand she wasn't gripping Rin with, but the impact sent pain stabbing through her wrist and up the rest of her arm. The limb buckled and her chest was left to impact the ground at full force. The swift disappearance of her breath and the knock her chin took stunned her into a cloudy daze. She lay still for a moment, trying to discourage the sudden constriction of her chest.

A fierce cough erupted from her throat when she pushed up onto her knees and turned to check on Rin. The girl was sprawled out on her back just a few feet away and for all appearance sake, seemed to be unconscious.

Kagome blinked the tears from her watery eyes and realized that Rin was just lying prone, staring with wide eyes at something obviously terrifying. She moved her head slowly, just enough to see past her shoulder and froze when she saw Moryomaru hovering right above them.

Shit!

The tightness in her chest vanished as she sucked in a hissing breath and jerked her gaze back to Rin. The younger woman was trembling, but bravely facing her demons and it was up to Kagome to make sure she didn't fall victim to them again.

What the hell am I going to do?!

She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and when she turned to look, was blinded by a brilliant flash of light. Shielding her vision, Kagome focused on the item reflecting sunlight into her face.

That's it!

"Give that to me!"

Kagome lunged and tore the wakizashi Rin had lifted to defend herself from the girl's grip. She whipped around and stared into Akago's soft, lavender eyes as she stabbed the blade into the earth, channeling her power through the weapon. Bolts of energy arched off the ground, lashing out to sting Moryomaru's outstretched hand as the barrier formed around them. A snaky grin played at the corners of her mouth as the beast bellowed painfully.

Rin jumped in response to the sharp crackling of the energy and pressed close to Kagome. "What did you do?"

"Put up a barrier. It'll purify them if they try to pass." Kagome watched Akago's face tighten with frustration, the sweet taste of winning even such a minor victory filling her as she nodded in the demon child's direction. "Puts a cramp in your style, doesn't it?"

The boy's lip lifted in a muted sneer. "That may be, but in your vain attempt to keep me out you have also succeeded in trapping yourselves. You have nowhere to go."

The reminder dashed the sweetness and left her feeling extremely bitter. "We don't need to go anywhere. All we have to do is wait."

"Wait?" Akago lightly touched Moryomaru's shoulder and the enormous creature crouched low on the ground. "For who? Your precious Inuyasha?"

Kagome crossed her arms under her breasts defensively. "You're a fool if you believe Kohaku is capable of taking on Inuyasha long enough, especially when he's ticked off."

"Oh," He grinned knowingly. "I have the utmost confidence in Kohaku's abilities."

"Is that so?"

"You don't believe me? That's a shame."

Rin slowly crawled to her feet, using Kagome to steady herself. "What are you talking about?"

"You see, how long Kohaku detains him is practically irrelevant to me now that you've decided to hide behind a barrier. By the time the hanyou gets here, you'll already be on your way to Naraku."

Kagome felt sweat trickle down her spine. "You can't pass the barrier!"

"Yes," Akago smiled so his bright white teeth shone. "But she can."

Kagome's brow furrowed with confusion until something, or rather someone, pulled at her soul.

Not her...

She held her breath and pivoted on her heel, the bottom of her stomach dropping out as she caught sight of her. The breeze fluttered the sleeves of Kikyo's haori and the long silken strands of her hair. She stood still as a statue, her posture demure and inviting. The sharp cut of her eyes, however, coupled with the long bow held tight in her grasp contradicted that gentle body language.

A smug grin lifted the corner of Kikyo's mouth. "Oh, don't tell me you're surprised, Kagome. I should think you would have seen this coming."

Kagome fought to loosen the locked muscles of her jaw as Rin took a tight hold of her mismatched haori. Just looking at the undead woman was enough to send her blood to the boiling point. It was on the heels of that thought that Kagome noticed the slight flush on Kikyo's face, a soft ruddy complexion painting her neck and cheeks.

She offered Kikyo a matching grin. "He made you feel it, didn't he?"

The older woman's eyes narrowed into tiny slits. "He did nothing."

"That's a lie and we both know it." Kagome reached out to grip the sword's hilt, strengthening the wall of the barrier. "You weren't able to railroad him this time," she flicked her gaze up and down Kikyo's rigid frame. "And judging by the size of the stick up your ass, I'd say he blindsided you for a change."

"Your vulgarity is shocking."

Kagome shrugged. "Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, Kikyo, but pretty little insults just don't get the job done."

The miko glided closer, reaching out a hand to brush the sparking barrier. Energy arched off its surface to connect with Kikyo's translucent flesh. Kagome felt a ribbon of nervousness worm its way into her belly when Kikyo rubbed her fingers together, as if gauging the power of the shield.

"I don't recall you having this facet to your personality before."

Kagome raised a brow. "And what was I before?"

Kikyo gave her hand a gentle shake, a gesture that looked as if she was trying to rid herself of something foul that was ardent about clinging to her fingers. "Meek."

"Ah..."

She let the word and its implication settle on her for a moment, debating whether or not she should take offense. And decided she didn't. "I would have to agree with you."

"Surprising."

"No, not really. I will readily admit to being a damsel in distress the majority of the time. I was unable to help myself, so that made it hard for me to help my friends." Kagome propped a hand on her hip. "It's a character flaw that I've dealt with and remedied."

"And yet you once again find yourself in another such situation."

"It wouldn't do well for you to underestimate me as you have in the past. I am no longer meek, regardless of the situation."

Kikyo didn't seem to hear her, turning her face away to stare off into the distance. It piqued Kagome's interest in a cautionary way; Kikyo would never normally ignore what was clearly an attempt at a quarrel. Her back stiffened when the miko lifted a hand to her brow, her fingers trembling as they pressed against her temple.

I wonder if she's got a headache... Kagome tried to convince herself that the behavior was normal, but there was a chill in her spine that told it was much more dangerous. Why can't it just be a headache?

Kaede's elder sister suddenly bent at the waist, clutching her knees for support as tremors wracked her fragile body. A lingering groan escaped her throat.

"Kikyo?"

The woman straightened slowly, tipping her head to the side as she looked up. The mad gleam in her bloodshot eyes had Kagome backpedaling and Rin gasping. The left eye twitched menacingly as she staggered closer.

"Enough..." Kikyo's voice slipped from her throat in a chilling hiss. "Enough of this..."

"Kikyo?" Kagome felt her heart accelerate, adrenaline flooding her veins. "Kikyo, what are you talking about?"

Before she could respond, Kikyo cringed again, gripping her head tightly and groaning with an almost enraged intensity. Her chest heaved up and down as Kikyo continued to groan her way through whatever mysterious pain was plaguing her earthen body. A sudden, wretched cough accompanied the groan and it was quite awhile before it subsided.

When she finally returned her gaze to in their direction, stark red blood was oozing from her delicate nose.

"Kikyo..." Kagome knew immediately the something was seriously wrong. "You're bleeding."

Kikyo lifted her weaponless hand and touched the source of the wetness drooling down her face. Seeing her blood coating the tips of her ashen fingers, somehow the knowledge that her body was dying managed to penetrate the wicked pain coursing through her head and she knew that now was the time for her to act. If she waited any longer, it would be too late to get the revenge she'd dreamed of these last few years.

She smiled and nodded to Kagome. "Yes, how very observant of you."

"That should be impossible. Your body's made of the earth." Kagome voice trembled ever so slightly from fear of the unknown, giving her words an un-intended sincerity. "Dirt doesn't bleed."

"Then your experiences here obviously haven't taught you anything..." Kikyo dove forward, dropping her long bow, and laid both of her open palms against the surface of Kagome's barrier. "You should know more than anyone that nothing is impossible!"

Kagome, much to her chagrin, cried out at the contact. She'd had an idea as to how this was going to go down, but she hadn't expected pain to be involved in a battle of wills. That strange pull she always felt in her belly when Kikyo tugged at her soul was nothing more that a twinge of her muscles. Now Kikyo was not only ripping at her soul, but also her power and it felt as if the crazed woman was trying to carve her muscles out from her still-living flesh.

She tried to pull back, digging deep within herself to staunch the hemorrhage Kikyo's sudden attack had caused. Arcs of electrified energy crackled around them as the barrier shuddered, blowing their hair back from their matching faces of struggle. Kagome couldn't help suddenly doubting herself; she wasn't as proficient in the use of her powers as Kikyo. She'd learned to tap into them at will with the help of a carnival psychic.

Kikyo had had years of proper, supervised training with other priestesses and she was proven in battle.

The pain was swiftly moving to the unbearable stage and it was as if in accepting it that Kagome was able to recall a lesson from the early stages of her ju-jitsu training. Her sensei had told her many times that vocalizing one's pain often times helped manage it and allowed the mind to focus. As her knees began to wobble, Kagome began to do just that- vocalize her pain in an agitated groan.

That groan grew into something else entirely when she locked her umber gaze with Kikyo's. All of the pain, frustration, fear, jealousy, hatred, remorse, and pity she felt for woman were given a new life through her voice. It was similar to the angry growl of a cornered dog and very reminiscent of Inuyasha.

Reminiscent enough to catch Kikyo off-guard.

The older priestess's concentration shattered and she was blown back by Kagome's onslaught of power...and with nothing to fight against, Kagome's energy exploded outward without restraint. Both women were thrown violently to the ground from the shockwave let loose by the torrent of uncontrolled power. Kagome allowed herself to absorb the impact, her body loose and fluid and was able to recover faster than Kikyo despite the fact her reservoir of power was nearly spent.

Kagome lay on her back and rolled her head to the left to see what had become of Rin. Sango's wakizashi had been blown clear of the earth and was once again held tightly in the girl's hands. Slowly sliding her hands through the dirt, Kagome brought her arms up on either side of her chest to push herself into a sitting position. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, but the barrier's gone." Rin's tormented eyes barely flicked in her direction long enough to make true eye contact, training them instead on Akago's humanoid monster lest he decide to move. She just might have to skewer it with her toothpick-sized sword.

Where the hell does she think I went? Did she not just see what happened?! Of course the barrier's gone...I don't have the power left to maintain it. I'm not exactly the Energizer Bunny, you know!

Kagome's chest continued to heave up and down, but she left her mental frustration behind when she saw Kikyo stagger to her feet. It was in that moment that Kagome realized Kikyo really wasn't that much taller, she just appeared to be that way because of the way she presented herself. The younger miko mimicked Kikyo's move and got to her feet, watching warily as Kikyo tied back her hair.

Her mouth dropped open when she saw the blood that was running from Kikyo's ears. Oh gods, that isn't anywhere near serious...its terminal. She watched as Kikyo none too delicately spat more blood out of her mouth.

"You're dying."

Kikyo sent her a baleful look. "Don't tell me you feel bad. Isn't this what you wanted?"

"No, of course not. I never wanted you dead." Kagome pushed the hurt away, but she knew that Kikyo could feel it through the tether of their shared soul. "What I wanted was for you to acknowledge me as something more than a threat. I never wished you any harm. I've always looked up to you, admired you...hell, I even envied you. I wanted to be you."

Kikyo looked stricken. "Why...why would you want that?"

"Kikyo, you're strong and beautiful and an elegant fighter. You're an amazing healer and a fearless miko who believes in right and wrong, no matter what the circumstances are. You believe in fulfilling your duty down to the marrow in your bones. You're compassionate and merciful, always seeing the good in even the wickedest souls. You're also swift to punish those that do wrong and you'd give your life to protect a total stranger."

Kagome smiled somewhat sheepishly, a soft blush staining her cheeks. "You're someone I've always seen as worthy of Inuyasha's love and I'd...." She exhaled sharply. "I'd give anything to be just a fraction of what you are."

Kikyo's deep brown eyes stared at her in astonishment and awe, blinking with genuine surprise. She could feel the truth in the girl's words through their connected soul and it shook her to her very core. A sharp, needle-like pain jabbed at her head and the weakness gripping her body buckled her knees.

She rushed to the fallen miko's side, wrapping her arms about her shoulders and helping her sit upright. When Kikyo finally mustered up the strength to lift up her head, she gazed over her shoulder at the young woman gripping her tightly. There were tears in her eyes. Eyes that were filled with anguish and despair.

"I..." She tried to speak, but even the strength used to do that was taxing her body to its limits. Kikyo decided, instead, to channel what she wanted to say through the soul that they shared.

"I never intended to become what I am now. The state in which I exist is swiftly deteriorating and it is taking a toll on my mind. I find myself torn between aiding you and condemning you. I sought out Naraku because I knew that my power alone wasn't enough to combat you and now that I've come face to face with my desires...I cannot do it. Inuyasha created the fracture in my heart and you succeeded in cracking it open, but Naraku has a hold on me now...one I'm not strong enough to fight."

Kikyo shivered. "I sealed my fate by offering my hate-laden blood to a corrupted Shikon no Tama. I'm fated to fall under Naraku's command and because my body is failing, I cannot fight the bond."

Kagome grew more and more frantic with every word Kikyo whispered into her mind. She had no idea what to do, but she knew she had to do something. Where Kikyo lacked the strength to fight, Kagome was strong and she wasn't about to stand idly by and watch as Naraku killed her mentor. She tightened her grip on Kikyo's shoulders reassuringly. "I won't let him kill you, Kikyo."

A whisper of a smile graced Kikyo's lips. "I am going to die anyway."

"Then I'll figure out how to break the bond!" She gave Kikyo a shake. "There has to be a way to do it."

Kikyo looked as if she were about to respond, but a violent gush of wind slapped their faces as a shriek rent through the streets. Kagome turned to see Moryomaru clutching Rin, kicking and screaming after being caught trying to bolt into the nearby trees. Akago was no longer occupying his customary perch on Moryomaru's shoulder and a quick glance around found him stalking toward them like prey.

That is, if you considered a kindergarten-age demon capable of stalking.

He slowed to a stop close enough to be threatening, but distant enough to remain out of reach. The expression on his small face was one of bemusement. "This is all rather touching, but as Kikyo can attest, we are falling behind schedule." He pulled the small katana from the scabbard at his hip. "And we all know Father detests tardiness."

Kagome leapt to her feet and stepped in front of Kikyo's crumpled form. "Leave her out of this."

He snorted. "I didn't come for Kikyo. I came for you, and it is you I will be delivering into Naraku's lap."

She thoroughly ignored just how crept out that particular thought made her and took a fighting stance, legs spread wide and crouched at the knee. "If you want me, come and get me."

He grinned menacingly. "With pleasure."

Akago flew at her with freakish speed, slashing viciously at her abdomen. Kagome only had a scant few nanoseconds to keep her innards safely in, leaping backward and stumbling as she swerved away from Kikyo. She barely kept her footing as Akago continued his blitz attack, dodging the razor-sharp edge of his katana by the mere thickness of her green and white haori. The proximity he breached flared her temper and she threw up her hands, buffering his next slash with a shield of her remaining power. Akago landed softly, sword lowered as she glanced down at her ruined clothes.

The boy-youkai stood back amused as she ripped the bottom of the ragged haori away to bare her taut midriff, including the ties on the back to expose the soft hollow of her spine. She was left with just a scrap of cloth covering her chest- any movement on her part revealed the black sports-bra she'd worn since returning- and the long heavy, mismatched sleeves of her homemade haori. Kagome lifted her hardened mahogany gaze to glare at him more out of annoyance than defiance.

Kagome used her right bicep to wipe away the sweat on her brow. "Have I ever mentioned how much I detest you and your relations?"

"Without fail." He lifted his katana in her direction. "Now be a good girl before I have to beat you into submission."

Undaunted, she readied for him again. "Take your best shot."

He moved slowly this time, circling her until she had no idea from which direction he'd come. When he finally did, it was quicker than before and Kagome found herself on the perpetual defensive. The blade slashed from every possible direction and using her power as a shield as she dodged was quickly draining her energy.

Akago dove again and this time her response was too slow. The tip of the blade pierced the front of the same shoulder the bandit had stabbed from behind. Kagome jerked away fast enough to keep the wound shallow, but she bled down her arm anyway. Grimacing, she watched Akago crouch for another pounce.

"Kagome,"

She froze at the soft voice in her head and waited.

"Open your senses and stay where you are."

Kagome didn't bother to argue or question Kikyo's cryptic message and just did as instructed. Her eyes slipped shut as her mind opened to search the area around her. Her heart leapt into her throat at what she found, a giddy smile spreading across her face as locks of her hair swirled about her head after falling loose from their braid.

The smile had Akago skidding to a halt in the middle of his offensive. He glared at her warily. "What are you smiling about?"

She didn't bother to open her eyes, reveling in the sensations the aura was kindling inside her. "Just wait."

"Wait for what?" He looked around, eyes hesitating on Moryomaru before moving on. "What the hell am I supposed to be wai-"

"Kaze no Kizu!"

The air around them grew oppressive as the heat from Inuyasha's attack blazed closer. It carved three angry gouges in the earth as it streaked straight for Akago, whipping Kagome's hair across her face as it scorched past. The Wind Scar was perfectly placed, splitting both Kagome and Kikyo from the deranged child and taking a bead on Moryomaru's enormous bulk. The beast managed to avoid a direct hit by taking to the air once more with only a leg catching any damage. Rin stayed surprisingly mute in its grip.

Kagome ignored Akago and his pet, whirling around and searching desperately for Inuyasha. She almost called out for him due to the dust now clouding the street, but the brilliant red of his fire-rat haori emerged from the cloud and then she was running toward him.

She ran as fast as her legs could possibly carry her, pain be damned, and realized that she had tears coursing from her eyes. She didn't let up her pace, didn't slow in the slightest, but he caught her when she launched herself at him anyway. Kagome locked her arms around his neck like he was the buoy keeping her from drowning and sobbed into the crook of his shoulder. "Inuyasha, thank the kamis. I thought I'd never see you again."

His arms crushed her to him as he inhaled the scent of her hair, relief finally removing the constriction around his heart. Kohaku had let his deepest, darkest fear loose to fester inside him to the point he was nearly driven insane. He'd imagined all manner of horrific sights that would greet him when he finally found her. He gave a silent 'thank you' to whatever higher power had delivered her battered, but in one glorious piece.

Inuyasha didn't want to entertain the thought of what he'd become if it had been even the slightest bit worse.

"Kagome," he murmured softly, reaching his hands up to cradle her face and bring it into his line of sight. "Kagome, are you alright?"

She gazed at him as if he was the air she breathed. "Of course I'm alright. You're here."

The corner of his mouth quirked and he couldn't help himself- he had to kiss her. He dragged her lips to meet his and kissed her hard, making sure she felt just how scared and helpless he'd felt. She responded with full fervor, sliding her arms under his to snag his shoulders. It was a desperate kiss, filled with passionate reverence and love and fueled by the promise that they'd make it though whatever came their way together.

Inuyasha finally relented enough to let her breathe, pressing his mouth instead to her forehead and forcing his Inu-youkai to chill out. Volatile situations always made the survival instinct of his dog demon stronger and it took nearly all his self-control to relax his body before he embarrassed Kagome.

Oh, hell. Who was he kidding? He wanted to stop before he embarrassed himself.

His ears flickered at the sound of Kagome's soft hum and then drooped as his inner dog went completely calm. He pulled his head back after a soft kiss to her forehead and ran his Tetsusaiga-less hand through her hair. "Kagome, I saw you get stabbed. Are you sure you're alright?"

Her dreamy expression wasn't phased in the slightest by his anxious whisper, but she did manage to open those voluminous eyes of hers. "Yes. It honestly doesn't hurt all that much."

He reached over to just gently squeeze her shoulder, smirking at her grimace. "Liar."

Kagome slid her hands down to settle on his waist, smiling coyly. "Okay, you got me." She glanced at her wound contemplatively. "I think, since coming back anyway, that my pain tolerance has gone up. I can handle this no problem." Her eyes landed his cut cheek. "What about you?"

"Like I'd ever tell you."

She scowled. "Stop stereotyping. It's okay for the big, macho hanyou to say his boo-boo hurts."

Inuyasha laughed. "My 'boo-boo'? Yeah, sure."

"It's not funny!"

"Yeah, it is."

Her voice lowered to a dangerous tone. "Inuyasha..."

"Are you two anywhere near finished yet?"

The couple turned to see Akago glowered at them from across small valley Inuyasha's Wind Scar had carved into the earth. Inuyasha shifted Kagome out from in front of him and addressed the demon child.

"Whatever you had planned here is over. Kagome isn't going anywhere."

The boy seemed to mull this over, a small hand holding his equally small chin. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint you. These things need to happen and what you want just isn't possible." He flashed them an apologetic smile. "Sorry."

Inuyasha slid his eyes away from Akago and assessed the situation. Not only was there Naraku's incarnation to deal with, but also the enormous beast Moryomaru that Hakudoshi had given life to. He still didn't trust Kikyo, regardless of the fact that she was hovering on the edge of unconsciousness and on top off it all, Rin was an innocent bystander caught in the middle.

It was a hostage situation and he'd never been a very good negotiator.

He glared at Akago and issued his challenge. "You seem to be good against unarmed women, but how about you try taking on me?"

Kagome looked up at Inuyasha curiously, whispering out of the corner of her mouth. "What are you doing?"

"Taking control of the situation." He none-too-gently pushed her away from him. "I have to go to work now, so stay put."

She fell backwards, wind-milling her arms to keep her footing and shouted at him as he dove for Akago. "Damn you, Inuyasha!" The clanging of metal on metal rang through the dusty air and she felt like pulling out her hair. "This isn't exactly taking control!"

Inuyasha tuned out her ranting voice and focused all of his attention on Akago. It seemed that the brat had been merely toying with Kagome and was more of a threat than he'd originally thought. It felt ridiculous that this lavender-haired youkai kid and his little pig-sticker were actually giving him a run for his money, but he knew now to never underestimate an adversary by their outward appearance.

It was what his enemies did to him more often than he could keep track of.

He met Akago's offensive blade-to-blade and the squirt pushed off him to regroup. Inuyasha was surprised to find he was panting. He grinned as he whirled Tetsusiaga in his hand. "Not bad."

The child grinned. "If you liked that, then I'm sure this will be enjoyable."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and watched as he lifted his empty hand to snap his fingers. It took a moment for him to realize what was happening, but Kagome's shout had him whirling around. His blood ran cold as he saw Moryomaru advance on her, using his once paw-like hand-turned-razor-sharp-dagger-of-flesh to try to impale Kagome. His strikes missed her by inches as she ran in a zigzag pattern up the street until Kagome did what she always inevitably did...

And tripped.

He watched her fall and was moving before she hit the ground. He didn't get far. An arrow through the meaty flesh of his left calf had him falling to one knee much farther from Kagome than he'd intended. He turned to glare at Kikyo, but the miko gazed at him painfully and shook her head. His narrowed amber orbs dropped to her hands and found them empty.

"I'm sorry to rain on your parade, Inuyasha, but Kikyo seems to be useless at the moment." Akago's quiet laughter rang in his ears as he watched Kagome roll onto her back and raise her arms to somehow create a buffer between Moryomaru's dagger and her body. "And if you were paying attention at all, you would have noticed the lack of purifying energy."

The love of his life was fighting to stay alive and this prick had the balls to be making jokes?

Not if he wants to live.

A low, threatening growl erupted from his throat, silencing the soft chuckles behind him. Inuyasha reached deep inside and asked his Inu-youkai for assistance. The pacing creature licked its chops with pleasure, flooding his veins with power and fine-tuning his senses. He felt his fangs lengthen in his jaw, his claws galvanize at the ends of his fingers and his eyes flash red. Tetsusaiga reverberated in his grip and a golden amber glow shone from the blade as his rose to his feet, impervious to the hindrance in his leg.

He snarled as he advanced on the demon child. "Call. Him. Off."

Akago dropped Kikyo's long bow. "No. That's not how this game is played, Inuyasha. I'm the only one that gets to make demands here."

Inuyasha lashed out to snatch his neck in his grasp. "Now."

"I don't think so." Akago raised his katana and plunged it deep into Inuyasha's side.

Kagome turned her attention away from her impending death and watched with horror as Inuyasha staggered back from Akago, the child's katana lodged deep within his abdomen. She could see the crimson staining his eyes and knew he wasn't able to feel the wound. That was one of the disadvantages of using the power of his dog demon, it nullified his pain receptors.

He glanced down at the offending sword and took hold off it, jerking it free of his body with a sickening spray of blood.

"No!" Kagome kicked her feet with frustration, moving herself through the dirt in attempt to get away from Moryomaru. "Inuyasha, are you insane?!"

The hanyou ignored her shouts, throwing the katana across the street and into the rumble of a collapsed hut. He turned away from Akago and set his sights on Moryomaru. Lifting Tetsusaiga, he swung it downward with all his strength.

"Kaze no Kizu!"

The attack succeeded in pulling Moryomaru away from her and she scrambled to her feet. The violent energy met with the wooden corpses along the side of the road and exploded the remains into fine splinters. Kagome crouched and covered her head, fine particles of wood raining down on all in the vicinity. When it seemed to finally stop, she lifted her head to see what had become of Moryomaru.

The beast remained unscathed as did Rin and for which she was grateful. The girl had ceased her struggles and had gone quietly still and Kagome could only hope that she hadn't given up the fight for good. Confident that Rin would remain safe despite being in Moryomaru's clutches, she turned her attention back to Inuyasha.

His shoulders were hunched as he held his stomach, blood making a dangerously large puddle at his feet. Kagome felt tears clog her eyes at the sight of him. "Inuyasha!"

He glanced at her, the silver of his hair shimmering in the morning sunlight. His answering snarl nearly broke her heart. "Stay where you are, Kagome."

"No!"

"Stay back, Kagome!"

She set her jaw and staunched her tears, determined to reach him. The sharp twang of a bowstring, however, made her hesitate just long enough to keep herself from injury. One of Kikyo's arrows drove hard into the dirt at her feet, bringing her to a halt. She knew exactly whose eyes to meet when she looked up from the wooden shaft.

Akago lowered the bow only slightly. "You should listen to him. He knows what he's talking about."

She raised her chin indignantly. "No, he doesn't. Inuyasha's never had a single rational thought when he taps into his demon blood."

"I know what I'm doing."

Kagome cut her eyes to meet Inuyasha's. "Do you? You're willing to bleed to death just so you can continue to fight him? Akago's not worth it."

His red eyes held her gaze and when the growl retreated, his voice was normal. "I know he's not worth it, but you are."

He lifted the glowing Tetsusaiga so she would acknowledge it. "I am in control, not my demon. This is my choice, not my demon's blood lust. I refuse to allow Naraku to get his hands on you while there is still a breath in my body and blood in my veins."

Kagome couldn't bring herself to argue with him because she knew in her heart that she'd known all along. She knew that Inuyasha would give up his life for her if he thought there was no other way to save her. It was obvious that was the conclusion he'd come to considering he was bleeding out and pushing her away. He'd made a decision and was more than ready to follow it to the end.

It angered her more than she could explain in words. They were in this battle together and for him to go and make a choice concerning both their welfares without even consulting her was infuriating. Instead of screaming at him in frustration, she flexed her fingers to test the amount of power left in her body. Satisfied that she had enough, she took a deep breath and leveled a weighted stare in Akago's direction.

"Well, if that's what he wants, do I at least get to say goodbye?"

The question seemed to bring Inuyasha to attention and Akago lifted a brow curiously. The boy searched her brown eyes and grinned wickedly at what he found in her there. "Absolutely."

A small weight lifted from her shoulders and she turned her eyes to Inuyasha. The hanyou was fighting fatigue, but he still managed to be alert and ready for attack. She smiled softly as she strode toward him. His red eyes watched her cautiously as she stopped before him. "Kagome..."

"Please, just let me have this and you won't hear another word of protest past my lips."

He stared into her eyes and Kagome made sure to keep her true intentions hidden. After a tense moment, he gave an almost imperceptible nod.

She reached out tentatively to brush his cut cheek with her thumb. "I love you, Inuyasha." She blinked back tears and braced herself for what she was about to do and the consequences it would bring. "I just want you to know that."

Kagome stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him before he had a chance to balk, savoring the taste of him for only a moment before slamming him with what was left of her power. She felt his eyes snap open as he tried to pull away, but she gripped his upper arms tightly to hold him still. His body began to quiver as the pain from his wounds hit him full-force. Kagome pushed that knowledge away and continued to kiss him until all whispers of his Inu-youkai had been chased back deep within him.

A wave of dizziness hit her and she finally relented, pulling away from his ashen face. His body trembled as the agony of the stab wound swept through him. Still holding his arms, she helped him down to his knees and quickly stepped away to hide her own pain.

The look on his face...

"My, my, my..." Akago sauntered up beside her to nod impressively. "Only a woman could be so thoroughly wicked."

Kagome whirled on him. "Shut the hell up! This is what you wanted, wasn't it?!" She threw her hands out exasperatedly. "I'm coming with you of my own free will!"

"Only because you want his life to be spared."

Her burning eyes couldn't help returning to Inuyasha's heartbroken expression. "Inuyasha..."

He opened his mouth to speak, but a gurgling cough came out instead. He fought it down and looked up at her with confusion. "K...Kagome...wh...why?"

She hung her head, shame making her unable to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't watch you die for me." She watched his empty hand clutch his wound. "Not while there was a breath in my body."

Akago rolled his wrist, gesturing for her to hurry up. "Finish this."

She fought back a sob. "Please, Inuyasha. Just live. That's all I ask of you."

"Kagome..." He reached out for her.

She jerked back and pinched her eyes shut. "Just live."

"Wait...Kagome..."

She spun away from his fractured whisper and strode purposefully toward Moryomaru, crawling into his offered palm where Kikyo was already sitting. The beast took to the air and Kagome couldn't help looking down at her hanyou, an aching whisper on her lips.

"Please, forgive me."

A/N: Comments from the peanut gallery are warmly welcomed! ^_^