Well, as a start off to one of my older fanfictions, thoroughly revised/edited (I canÕt believe how shitty it was until I pulled it up today to try and update) for easier readingÉ I would like to instate this previous-monstrosity-now-slightly-better as an insight to the end of the series, or what I would like to call an extraction from the clichŽ Inuyasha Òwhat ifÓ collection. In lamest terms, this will be my own personal twist on the plausibility of KagomeÕs absence in InuyashaÕs lifeÑor what he would do without her presence; i.e. her guidance if they were to defeat Naraku.

This said; this would most certainly not be an Inuyasha/Kikyou fanfiction. However, this does NOT mean that IÕm going to kill Kikyou off or toss her to the side, because Kikyou is a very important character in this story (YouÕll see what IÕm talking about later on), and it also means that I canÕt ignore Inuyasha and KikyouÕs love for each other to make way for Kagome. ThatÕs the platform that Rumiko Takahashi-sama set and thatÕs what IÕm working with; Kikyou will actually, while sill reflecting Rumiko TakahashiÕs insanely twisted plot line, be aiding Inuyasha and KagomeÕs relationship. If youÕre looking for Kikyou bashing, you will not find it here.

The beginning will most likely scare you a bitÉ because I decided to create a gripping opening to this (will be) angst/serious drama, I throw the reader head-first into a death scene. Since I am a sod for plot twists, I should very well inform you that there is a reason for everything.

Disclaimer: Hopefully, for your own sanity, this is a no brainer. *turns to a class of preschool students* Now, children, do I own Inuyasha?

ÒNo!Ó

Well, then, who owns it?

ÒRumiko Takahashi-sama! The master of all manga artists!Ó

*wipes tear from eyes* You make me so proudÉ

~***~

~***~***~

Trapped In Between

Chapter 1: A Terrible Loss

By: Kaji-chan

~***~***~

~***~

The sky was dark, and the distant rumbling of thunder was heard on the horizon. ÔIt's going to rain...Õ he thought to himself. The repressed half youkai stared out into the distance, straining to see through the darkness of the night. ÔWhere could she have gone this time?Õ

~*v*~

ÒInuyasha! Where have you been? I have been looking all over for you!Ó Kagome called to the hanyou, her blue-grey eyes a lined with a startling sapphire of clear irritation, as they always did with frustration. ÒHurry up, unless you don't want anything to eat!Ó

Inuyasha suppressed a smile. She looked so funny in that silly little apron she was wearingÑKami knew why the Hell she had gone through the trouble of dragging it through the wellÑwith all that frilly shit. He walked over to where Shippou and Miroku were eating their dinner and took a seat on the forest floor. "SoÉ what did you make? Ramen?" he asked curiously, leaning over to pick up the lid off of the pot simmering over the fire. Suddenly, a disgusted look over came his face and he shrunk away from the pot, a weary expression on his face. ÒYou didnÕt make curry, did youÉ?Ó

She slanted him a dirty look. "Hey! I worked hard on dinner, so eat it! BesidesÉ" she made a pouting face, ÒYouÕre a big, tough guyÉÓ Her expression hardened as she hissed, ÒFood a little on the spicy side shouldnÕt hurt youÉÓ She wore a dry expression and cocked her hip to one side, daring him to challenge her.

It took him a few seconds to think of a good way out of that one. ÒI'mÉ not hungryÉÓ He stated simply, backing away from the food. Kagome pursed her lips but didnÕt say anything more, turning back to whatever she had been doing before. Inuyasha sighed in relief and stretched his weary muscles, scratching the back of his head with his claw. His eyes were dull and fatigued, showing every hint of drowsiness. Moving onto the next subject, he replied, ÒSo, any luck with the last of the Shikon shards?Ó

ÒNo, not yet. We've been waiting for you, Inuyasha,Ó Miroku stated plainly before resuming to his task of digging his chopsticks into the bowl of spiced ramen noodles at hand. Kagome quirked an eyebrow from where she now stood behind Miroku, untying the sash of her apron and folding it to drape over her arm, raising an eyebrow at his conversation.

Inuyasha arched an eyebrow. ÒWhy? Kagome can find the shards. I would imagine that you and Sango would be able to take care of any demon that possesses one,Ó He said nonchalantly, pointing to the highly irritated Kagome standing behind him.

Kagome turned slowly to face him; her narrowed eyes a sure inference of her aggravation by his implications. ÒI am not a shard detector, InuyashaÉ You can point me in one direction and expect me to beep.Ó When he raised a finger to reply, she quickly added, ÒAnd no, you may not try.Ó she said, her voice so calm that itÕs Òdead-panÓ nature was making the small hairs on InuyashaÕs neck stand on end.

Inuyasha blinked and scooted back a bit, replacing his discontent with a flat stare. ÒI didnÕt say that, bitch.Ó Her expression faltered, and she began to acquire a guilty look, opening her mouth to apologize, but Inuyasha continued, his tone taking on a gruff edge. ÒWhy do you always take little things so fucking offensively?Ó he asked, a growl of challenge hidden beneath his inquiry.

ÒO-offensivelyÉ?Ó she stuttered, shaking in fury. ÒLi-little thingsÉ?Ó She seemed to cap her anger with a few deep breaths, the quivering of her fists lessening to a reasonable blood pressure-happy level. Barely managing a calming breath, she jabbed a finger at Miroku, who tensed nervously, obviously uncomfortable with the prospect of being dragged into their fight. Fortunately for him, anyway, she said, ÒYou should be more like Miroku, so sweet and generous to the women!Ó She paused in thought. ÒWellÉ when he isn't groping them, of courseÉÓ

Sango looked up from her meal, setting her bowl to balance on her lap as she appeared to be visibly intrigued by their verbal battle. Miroku was too busy poised in a shocked expression to notice the taijiyaÕs piqued interest in his distress. ÒIÕm scandalized, Kagome-sama!Ó he protested, putting on his well practiced, emotionally hurt face at her blatant accusations.

Sango smirked at the monkÕs expense, deciding to toss her two cents into the argument. ÒIt's true, houshi-sama. You hold the most questionable morals I have ever found in one who is supposedly studying the Holy Scriptures.Ó Miroku laughed nervously, finding his bowl of ramen suddenly interesting. ÒActually, I'm not sure if you even are a monk, to tell you the truthÉÓ she added with a skeptical quirk of the eyebrow.

Inuyasha smirked and pointed to the retired youkai taijiya with his thumb. ÒIsnÕt that rightÉÓ

Kagome raised her finger to say something, but sighed and lowered her hand. ÒThis is not helping me prove my pointÉÓ she said, shaking her head in dismay.

Inuyasha looked up at her. ÒWell, you were never very good at proving your points,Ó he said pointedly. Kagome shot him a death glare that could have wilted a brick wall, in which he shrunk back and turned his back to her in hopes of deflecting the fire.

Inuyasha looked towards the horizonÑmainly because that was the general direction he was facing in his attempt to avoid KagomeÕs mortal glowerÑwatching the wind blow over the fields below and create soft waves in the green ocean. He was silent for a moment, pretending to contemplate an earth-shattering prospect to save his ego. It wasnÕt working very well, not with daggers in his back. He blurted the first thing that came to mind, covering his flinching with a serious frown. ÒI wonder where that bastard Naraku is.Ó

Miroku shrugged, setting down an empty bowl, ÒPerhaps planning our demiseÉ?Ó

Inuyasha snorted, crossing his arms. ÒWe should be looking for the shards, but Kagome wonÕt get off her lazy ass toÉÓ

His sensitive hearing picked up Kagome's soft sniffling, and whirled to gaze up at her bowed head and shaking form, his expression immediately one of guilt. She raised her head, and Inuyasha gulped as he found her blue-grey eyes lined with shimmering tears, holding out his hand as if it would make her stop crying. Seeing her silent weeping caused a small bit of culpability to tug at his consciousness. ÒAhÉ donÕt cryÉÓ She usually didnÕt take offense to those kinds of thingsÉ

WellÉ if ÒusuallyÓ counted for Òclose to neverÓÉ

Maybe that hadnÕt been the best thing to say. Inuyasha flinched.

Kagome swiped her sleeve roughly across her eyes to brush the tears away from her eyes, glaring at him as she threw her apron down at his feet. He recoiled back; this was not good. ÒFine, then!Ó she yelled at him, and he flinched at the possibility of eating dirt. ÒGo find the rest of the damn shards yourself!Ó she screamed, whirling on her heel and storming out of camp, into the brush.

Everyone stood there, shocked by her sudden outburst. Inuyasha stared after her, completely dumfounded, a long silenced stretching over the group of four companions, mildly regarding the fact that Shippou had been silent throughout the entire expanse of the fight. ÒWhaÉ?Ó Inuyasha still couldn't take his eyes off of the spot in which she had run, the brush long since settled from their state of unrest in result of her furious ÒstalkÓ out of camp. ÔWas this my fault?Õ

Before anyone in the camp could say anything, Inuyasha stood, knocking over his bowl of noodles in the process, and tore off after Kagome, leaving behind only his confused companions and a long trail of dust.

~*^*~

Inuyasha slowed his run a bit as he processed his thoughts, a small sigh reaching his lips. That was the second time he had made her cry since his second encounter with Kikyou. He would never be able to fully express his terms of regret to Kagome, nor would he be able to ignore them. It seemed like a cruel twist of irony, coming sharply into focus for only a glimpse of the reality before fading into a muddled confusion again. Would he ever be able to choose between Kagome and Kikyou? Between his past and his future? Or would he forever be pinned to that cursed tree, unable to wander and unable to be free?

He could almost sense a strange absence of the shaftÕs spear through his heart, almost feel the burning lurch of his heart as it tried to beat weakly around itÕs woundÉ the wood splintering and causing a thread of pain to lance through him with every pulseÉ just as every glance of Kikyou sent pain coursing through his veinsÉ

Just as every moment with Kagome sent a delicate fluttering and sharp throb through his heart in the same instantÉ

His thoughts scattered at the feeling of a light drop of water land on his shoulder, sinking through the soft material of his haori to lightly dampen the skin beneath it. ÒIt's raining. How perfect to fit my moodÉÓ he muttered to himself.

His reminiscence seemed to disappear with the clear sky as it clouded over-head, resuming to his previously irritated mood. He was about to give up and just apologize in the morning. If she was going to be bitchy, then she could find her own damn way homeÉ

Inuyasha couldnÕt seem to force himself to go back, though. He was getting worried, more so with every passing moment and droplet of the stormÕs waning collapse from its burden of water. A downpour of rain was about to commence, and he could smell by the heightened muddling of the forest scents, blurred by the damp air, that it was going to be a bad storm. He felt a sudden vibration in the still night air, as if the trees had given a strong pulse, noticing that it was coming from a path deep in the woods. A sense of purification swept over his body, and he recognized the aura almost immediately.

Kagome.

With lightning speed, he sped off towards the well, knowing all too well that she would be there.

~*~

Kagome reached the old well, a tear slipping down her face and sliding from her chin to splatter soundlessly onto her school uniform. ÔI don't care what happens, I'm going back. Inuyasha just doesn't understand how I feel right nowÉÕ Kagome shook her head free of the guilty thoughts running though her and allowed another tear to slip from her eyes and cascade down her cheeks. She was being selfish, just running off like that. Inuyasha didnÕt even know what she was mad at him for.

She couldnÕt explain it. She just looked at him, and was overcome with a horrible feeling. Maybe everything from the past month was just now beginning to weigh down on her shoulders.

After walking in on Inuyasha and Kikyou again, there was no telling how much more her heart could take from its constant abuse. She was basically holding it out for Inuyasha to either take or refuse. Though he wasnÕt meaning to, to her, it seemed as if he was smacking it right out of her hands and watching it fall to the ground with the least caring of expressions.

So why did she keep picking it back up and holding it out for him?

ÒIÕll justÉ go back for a little while to calm downÉ heÕllÉ understand,Ó she whispered to herself quietly, her breath haggard from running and rough from her own, self-impending emotional stress. Kagome felt a drop of rain fall onto her hand, splaying into a small array of tiny droplets as it burst from its fall; KagomeÕs face collapsed into a sad expression, reaching over to lightly brush off the little beads of water. ÔIt's raining. How perfect to fit my moodÉÕ she thought to herself.

ÒGoing back, I see?Ó an icy voice whispered from behind her.

Kagome seized in fear. She hadnÕt expected to run into anyone, but she hadnÕt really been thinking when she bolted from camp in a distressed rage. She slowly turned to face the voice, finding herself staring at the looming figure of a priestess. Her long, black hair was blowing freely in the wind, and her dark blue-grey eyes, an eerie reflection of her own, shone with a hollow doubt. KagomeÕs eyes traveled down to the lower fold of the womanÕs billowing sleeve and found the miko's hand clenched onto a bow, an unsusceptible fear coursed through her. ÒKikyouÉÓ Kagome whispered. If her frightened state wasnÕt visible in her stature, it was obvious through her shaken and panic-stricken tone of voice.

It was Kikyou, her previous incarnation. The original protector of the Shikon no Tama. The miko who had died protecting that jewel. The priestess who sealed Inuyasha, and who once attempted to drag him back to Hell with her. The one he loved, the miko who was the sole reason for the hanyouÕs stinging refusal of her own love.

Kikyou.

The mere utterance of her name formed waves of uncomfortable dread to slither down the back of her spine and cause shivers through her body.

Kikyou.

She felt that horrible churning in the pit of her stomach. Perhaps that was why she ran off? Because she was over-run with feelings for Inuyasha that she knew he would never return. Because he was with her. She let go of the well and turned to completely face the priestess.

It was time she faced her fears and had a talk with Kikyou.

~*~

Inuyasha had almost reached the well, when the presence of a very familiar woman crept up on him, and he faltered his steps in shock as her aura completely surrounded him. ÒKikyou! What the hell is she doing here?Ó he hissed, his toes curling and digging into the ground as he dropped to a crouch. Frowning, he sprung forwards, just about to clear out of the brush, when another familiar presence assaulted him, and he shot his arms to grab the ground and skid to another abrasive halt.

ÒKikyouÉÓ

InuyashaÕs ears perked, hearing her delicate voice drift softly to him, as the wind blew through the area and unseemly dissected the faint tones of her voice to where he could barely read the emotion in her voice. Clenching his teeth, he ducked behind a tree, his eyes wide. Kagome and Kikyou?! What were the both of them doing hereÉ?

He pricked up his ears and listened intently, hearing two voices. In shocked curiosity, he quietly inched closer, not wanting to interrupt their conversation in hopes of hearing what they were disclosing to each other.

~*~

Kagome could almost see her lips twist up into a smile. ÒIt was Inuyasha, wasnÕt it? Who caused your distress?Ó Kagome turned her face away and quickly wiped away the tears on her rain-soaked face. There was something funny about Kikyou's voice. Whenever she had spoken with her, it had been hollow and a devoid of emotion, which was restricted from her due to her resurrected inconvenience. So why was it that he voice was full of the emotion denied of her?

Kikyou chuckled to herself, bowing her head and allowing the rain to slide down her face and pool at her feet, framing her unnerving smile. ÒWell, it looks as if we have more in common than I thought. We both hate Inuyasha, that obtuse, cold-hearted foolÉÓ

Kagome gasped quietly before shaking her head, locking her eyes on Kikyou as they burned from her relentless tears and trembling anger. ÒC-cold-hearted? HeÕs never cold hearted!Ó she cried, her face soaked from the rain and her tears. ÒAll he ever does is care about youÉÓ she faltered a bit, ÒÉand his friendsÉÓ Then, her voice shaking slightly, she whispered, ÒHe always talks about how much he loves you, Kikyou.Ó

The miko showed no sign of caring, her face stoic and flat as she stared at Kagome through her low hanging bangs, her lips twisting up into another oddly curved smile. Kagome felt another shudder travel through her body as tears began to form behind her eyes, this time for Inuyasha. He loved her so much. How could she ignore that?

Kagome looked away from the miko and stared back at the well. She closed her eyes and let her slowly brewing aversion to pass through her in deep, calming breaths. Her hand reached out to touch the lip of the well, but she drew it back, holding it to her chest. Why couldnÕt she see? This wasnÕt like Kikyou to so blatantly refuse InuyashaÕs concern for her. Nor, as the uncanny feeling rolled down her spine again, was it for her to carry such an evil auraÉ

Unless she had never really known her well enough. At least not until now. Was this the side of Kikyou she merely chose to ignore? That Inuyasha chose to ignore?

How could she play with his heart like that?

How could sheÉ?

Kagome shot an angry look at Kikyou, her attempts to suppress her anger proving to no avail, her hands fisting at her sides and beginning to faintly glow a light purple hue. ÒHow can you be so blind?!Ó she cried, trembling the disbelief of KikyouÕs prejudice, fueling her anger and making the light glimmer of her hands slowly grow brighter.

~*~

Inuyasha stepped back. His amber eyes stared unblinkingly towards Kagome in utter shock as he watched them from around the side of tree trunk, his claws digging into its bark. For some reason, Kagome had run off into the woods after swearing at him, and now she was defending him?

And why was she telling Kikyou that he loved her when every time his relationship with Kikyou was brought up, she would get angry at him?

This thought made him even more confused. Why was she standing up for him when he had been the original cause of her pain?

Inuyasha turned his gaze from Kagome to KikyouÕs still form, his eyes narrowing in a shocked speculation. Why was Kikyou acting so strange? He had never seen her act like this before, and it was beginning to concern him. He had never seen either of them act this wayÉ

~*~

Kikyou snorted at the Kagome's stubbornness to see her way, gazing cautiously at her glowing hands. This girl was being careless with her powers. ÒYouÕre a fool. Only I see what he truly is. That bastard of a half-breedÉ all he does is lie and deceive. He just wants is the jewel for himself,Ó she said flatly, not the hint of caring in her voice.

Her tone, however, was riveted with the purest malice.

She took a step forward, her smile widening as Kagome took a frightened step backwards, towards the well. ÒDon't you see?Ó she said, a sickening sense of persuasion, ÒHe is only playing along with youÉ until you restore the jewel. Once all the pieces of the jewel have been collected, he will only kill you and steal the Shikon Jewel so he can become a full youkai. What makes you think he would treat you any differently than he did to me in the end?Ó

She slanted her gaze as Kagome bowed her head, refusing to meet the mikoÕs cold gaze. ÒDid you think that he loves you?Ó She chuckled to herself; a cold, shuddering chuckle, watching Kagome shiver with a perverse humor. ÒHe loves me.Ó

~*~

Inuyasha forced back the impulse to run to Kagome and grasp her arms, to forcefully shake her shoulders and shout that he would never hurt her, as if shaking her would rid her of the terrible insinuations Kikyou was feeding her. That she would never again doubt his oath to protect her from any harm, if that meant protecting her from himself.

But what about his dream to become a full-blooded youkai? Didn't he want that? Wasn't that his goal? To be the strongest youkai in the world? ButÉ he didnÕt want that. He had always known that he had never wanted that.

What was this insanity?

Yet, he had always known, from the moment he had made the decision to seal up his youkai blood, that he would never become a full youkai for KagomeÕs sake. He was afraid of loosing control and harming her, afraid of shedding her innocent blood, afraid of disgracing her sacrifices. When it came to Kagome, he always set aside his own desires for her own sake.

Then, what did he want?

Inuyasha's head was spinning out of control. What the hell was wrong with him?!

But then againÉ why would he want to be a full-youkai, when he was content to remain in his present state, traveling with his friends? When he wanted nothing more for his quest to go on forever, just so that he could keep the excuse to stay with Kagome?

KagomeÉ

~*~

Kagome shook her head; there was now a consistent flow of tears from her eyes as the true harshness of the priestessÕ words sunk in, stabbing her deep within. The glow completely faded from her hands.

He loves me.

Her chest contracted painfully from sobs, and she felt herself double over from the physical and emotional pain which clenched her stomach into a painful not, KikyouÕs voice repeating in her head. Every word seemed to pierce her with the reality she chose to ignore.

Did you think he loves you?

ÔYesÉÕ Kagome thought to herself, her hand reaching up to grasp the material of her uniform. ÔBut I know that he doesnÕtÉÕ Her hand twisted the fabric, faintly hearing the sharp abrasion of noise as the cloth tore.

He doesnÕt love me.

ÒButÉ IÉÓ she whispered, surprised by how small her voice sounded compared to the forceful words that Kikyou spoke.

Kikyou narrowed her eyes, cutting off her pathetically cracked voice. ÒHeÕs only lying to you. You are the one who is blind and unable to see.Ó

Yes.

KagomeÕs blood boiled with anger. How dare she insult him! After all heÕd done for her. After all heÕd sacrificed for her. After all sheÕd sacrificed so that Inuyasha could be with Kikyou without being burdened by her own imprudent love.

Her hands clenched into fists. ÒHe would never lie to me! You are the liar!Ó KikyouÕs frown faltered. ÒAll those times you've deceived Inuyasha, trying to make him believe that you still loved him, when all along you care nothing for him more than your own vengeance!Ó she screamed. Her now dark blue eyes were flashing with a powerful hatred, her hands beginning to glow a soft purple hue once more as her powers reacted strongly to her emotions.

But I want to be blind.

KikyouÕs eyes widened, barely noticeably, and her hand clenched over her bow. Kagome threw a surprised hand over her mouth, gasping in shock at her rude outburst.

How could she have said such things to her? Kagome had no right to step in between their relationship, for better or worse. Even though Kikyou may have been wrong about Inuyasha to her eyesÉ she was in no position to speak that way. Though Kagome bit her lip and bowed her head in the utmost apology, her request for forgiveness was fake. She had meant what she said.

I want to pretend.

Kikyou could insult her, yell at her, and physically hurt her, and she could not fight back. It had always been that way. She had never fought back. It wasnÕt her place, nor was it in anyway respectful to her, when she had sacrificed her life for Inuyasha. Kagome was still very much alive.

But nevertheless, she would not stand there to watch her insult Inuyasha, and do nothing. Quietly, she continued, but her voice was still forceful and direct, even as her head was bowed in a false act of contrition. ÒInuyasha has saved my life so many times I can't count them.Ó Swallowing, she gathered up her courage, feeling a prickling feeling in the back of her eyes, and raised her head to meet KikyouÕs bitter eyes with her own. ÒIf I can't trust him after that, I would be crazy, wouldnÕt IÉ?Ó

I want to pretend that he loves me.

~*~

Inuyasha had never realized KagomeÕs strong resolve, nor her forfeit, so that he could love while she could not. No. He knew. Was he so blind to not see it? No. He just never paid enough attention to her. He just ignored her. How many other times had she stood up for him? He never acknowledged her.

He didnÕt want to believe that Kikyou didnÕt love him anymore.

Why hadn't these thoughts ever surfaced before? Why hadn't he ever taken into account that she cared so much about him? That he cared so much about her? About Kagome?

No. HeÕd always known. They were thoughts that heÕd known all along, but he just pushed them away. And now he was going to face it.

~*~

Kikyou narrowed her eyes at Kagome's indirect insults, but she didnÕt seem to care. Her trivial invective wouldnÕt matter any longer. ÒYou have suffered long enough, Kagome.Ó KagomeÕs face seemed to fade to one of confusion, lightly touched by a frightened tremble, blinking and unconsciously taking a step back at her cold tone.

Kikyou reached back, sliding the slender shaft of an arrow from the collection in her quiver, setting it in between the string of her bow and setting it lightly on the grip of the taught wood, KagomeÕs eyes widening as she stumble backwards, tripping and crashing to the forest floor. ÒThere can only be one of us.Ó Kagome turned to face Kikyou, her hands reaching back as she searched for anything to aide her predicament, terror torn across her features.

The cruel smile returned to KikyouÕs lips, her unemotional expression quickly melting into a satisfying grin, one which committed the miko with mysterious resemblance similar to that of Naraku. ÒI am sorry,Ó she said with false pity.

KagomeÕs shocked face became indescribably pale as she watched the older priestess raise the weapon; the glistening point of the arrow aimed directly at her. ÒKikyouÉ you donÕt know what youÕre doing! Please stop!Ó she cried, only making the strange glint in KikyouÕs eye intensify.

Kikyou ignored KagomeÕs desperate pleading, the girlÕs desperation a mere annoyance to her eyes. As she spoke, her voice hardened into an icy tone, only adding to her. ÒAt least, with you out of the way, I will have one less problem.Ó Her eyes flashed red as she added, ÒDon't worry; you'll see Inuyasha in Hell.Ó

She released the arrow.

~*~

Inuyasha watched the arrow as it was released from its constraints in KikyouÕs bow to the still night air, racing towards the fallen figure on the ground. He didnÕt allow himself to think, his claws digging into the bark and splintering it, sending pieces of woods digging painfully into his cuticles, and shot off of the trunk, pushing forward to intercept the arrow. He wouldnÕt let her die. ÒNO!!Ó Inuyasha cried, bursting through the underbrush, his feet nimbly driving into the ground as he ran towards the arrow.

There was only one notion in his mind, his instincts pushing sane thought from the expanse of his mentality to overtake him. He became vaguely aware of the sharp twinge of pain as a rock dove into his heel, his senses filled with the pounding of his feet against the muddy forest floor, his eyes squared on the threat.

Kagome.

Inuyasha watched in horror as it came speeding towards him, knowing that he wouldnÕt be fast enough to stop it. He reached out his hand, his feet to slow. He stretched out his fingers to stop itÉ

Kagome!

His fingers ran down the smooth shaft of wood as it shot by him, feeling the rough edge of the rain-soaked feathers as the arrows escaped his reach, sailing past him towards its target.

KAGOME!

He missed.

~*~

Everything seemed to slow down as the arrow closed in on her, the silver tip glinting viciously in the moonlight. She saw for a brief moment as Inuyasha shot out of the forest, her surprise not fully registering as her eyes squared in on the arrow.

He missed.

It continued towards her in what seemed to be an elongated, deathly pause of a sincere, doomed elegance wrapped in a dark, swirling glow. She heard the soft patter of the rain against the ground, saw the dirt mixing with the water and creating small pools on the ground around her, felt the dampness of the rainwater as her clothes soaked through to press against her skin. A breeze blew through her thinned clothes, causing a shiver to run down her spine.

Inuyasha.

She felt the sharp tip of the arrow press against the smooth curve of her flesh, and heard a silent rip as it pushed through her sodden schoolgirl uniform, waiting in delay for the pain to reach her nerves.

Save me, Inuyasha.

Kagome let out a blood-curdling scream as the arrow pierced her flesh, her eyes snapping open and dilating as she was overcome by a fresh wave of pain. But the scream seemed to be far awayÉ as if had been absorbed by the damp air and consumed in the downpour. Her hand reached shakily up to touch her shoulder, feeling warm liquid ooze onto her fingers, but she did not look down at the wound, her eyes staring forward, blankly.

"KAGOME!" he shouted, his voice slicing through the darkness of the night, strangled by a horrifying fear. Fear for her. But his voice also seemed to die in the air, as if falling off and never reaching her, only brushing lightly against her ears so that it was a mere whisper of terror.

Padded footsteps ran to her, muffled by the sodden ground. He rushed to her side and her downcast gaze saw his knees as he dropped to the ground before her, his hands reaching out to grasp her. He took her in her arms; she felt the material of his haori brush against her face, her vision swamped with crimson, before he gently lifted her head up to look into his eyes. A pained expression was animate on his features as he looked at her pierced shoulder.

ÒInuyashaÉÓ she whispered, her face scrunched in an unreadable expression. Maybe it was pain. Her voice was once again far-off and weak. ÒMake it stopÉÓ

His strong, protective grip on her held her steady, and he leaned her unharmed shoulder to his chest, brushing his hand against the wound. She winced, her eyes sliding closed as he wrapped his hand around it, pulling the arrow out of her shoulder with a swift jerk, making sure to cause the least amount of pain. Kagome let out a choked grunt of pain as the shaft was wrenched out of shoulder, feeling a sharp twinge as it took a shred of skin and smeared blood with it.

Tears began to slide down her face as she reached over, her hand clasping her shoulder in a loose grip. She had not even noticed that she had started to cry.

Why canÕt you save me, Inuyasha?

A strong hand brushed over her limp fingers, interlocking over them and clutching her shoulder tightly, claws pressing against her skin. Her gaze moved towards the hanyou's concerned face, but she could not form an expression. ÒInuyashaÉÓ she whispered, but her voice was shallow and emotionless.

He looked back down at her, and his eyes were narrowed, as if he was unsure of what to say. She gazed back up at him, reaching her other hand up to rest lightly over his, her blood slowly pushing up through his fingers to coat both their hands in a dark red. He said nothing.

She screamed.

His eyes snapped away from hers, and she found herself gazing absently at cascading locks of silver in the absence of his amber stare. She felt a sharp throb of anguish pulse from her stomach. Was she in another entrapment of emotion so strong that she could physically feel her hurt? That he could gaze down at her and look away in choice, when she was doomed to be trapped in his molten eyes for eternity without end?

KagomeÕs eyes fell from the soft relation of his hair to her lower body, her vision swamped with more darkened crimson.

Another arrow was protruding from her side, and there was already blood seeping through the crisp white of her blouse, the blood slowly spreading across the fabric and smearing her skin as it went. Inuyasha once again grasped the shaft, his other hand wrapping around her waist to press against the small of her back as he swiftly jerked the arrow out of her side. He spread his fingers, his claws elongating and sharpening with a small flash of light, and he sliced her blouse, the bottom half of it easily falling away to reveal the ripped flesh beneath it. Sending her a brief glance of apology, he gripped her stomach, pressing the flat of his palm tightly against her wound to halt its blood flow, earning a small hiss from KagomeÕs throat.

She watched with a flat gaze, her grey eyes fading to a dark mixture of aching. But for what purpose was her longing? That she was wishing, in her last moments, that the brush of his finger against her skin were out of his love for her? A gasp paused on her lips in realization. She did not wish to be lying on this muddy forest floor, feeling a dark fatigue loom on her senses, realizing that her life may fade at a tender age of sixteen. She wished rather to be engulfed within a fantasy; the two of them confined within her room, wrapped within the soft caress of her sheets, exploring each otherÕs secrets within the quiet of the night. That his claws would brush against her cheeks, and trace patterns on her shoulder, and flutter gently over her lipsÑrather than clutching her stomach, blood smudged against her pastel skin and smeared up the length of his arm.

His attempts failed as blood pushed up from between his fingers, the coppery substance oozing silently down his arm to puddle at his feet. ÒShitÉÓ he hissed, his croaked voice sounding as if he was holding back the threat of tears, but as she glanced up to look into his adverted eyes, she realized that this was not such a rare instance of InuyashaÕs being.

ÒInuyashaÉÓ she whispered again in a raspy voice, her eyes squeezed closed as she suppressed the urge to cry out softly in pain. It was all she could speak. It was as if the only syllables her lips could form were those of his name, which seemed to spread through her with a warmth only provided with the utterance of the renown only spoken in reference to his unique being. The hanyou that she loved so much.

The hanyou who didnÕt return her love.

Why canÕt you love me, Inuyasha?

The pain seemed to creep up on her senses, slowly building up until it made it impossible to breath. It seemed to close in on her, swamping her with a sudden and unexplainable claustrophobia, choking her with a deathly leisure. KagomeÕs hands fisted in his haori as she tried to make the unbearable pain disappear, turning and burying her face in his chest, surrounding herself in his scent, as if his presence was her drug. Her anti-pain.

Even though he was usually the cause of it.

She heard the sharp snap of a bow as another arrow was released, her eyes shooting open, turning from InuyashaÕs chest to stare upon her third death, streaming towards her and trailing the lethal darkness behind it in a shadow of glowing black which only her miko eyes could see. She heard a growl escape Inuyasha, his hand shooting from KagomeÕs slick stomach, reaching out to intercept it. The silent rain drizzling on his fingers and the smooth traces of blood had made them slick, and his claws slipped over the ends of the arrow.

She looked away from the arrow to his eyes, as he snapped his gaze back to her, terror streaked across his eyes; he couldnÕt save her. They seemed to hold each otherÕs gaze for a long moment, as if time has slowed to a standstill. Hers was remorse. His was fear.

The arrow sliced into her chest, but she was too numb with pain to feel the grief from the new abrasion in her flesh. She continued to gaze into his eyes, which were now ridden with a horror-stricken regret. She almost smiled at him.

I want you to love me.

KagomeÕs face turned pale, and she felt the color drain from her cheeks as blood was becoming of less abundance in her body. ÒKagomeÉÓ he whispered to her, and this time she smiled. His voice was raspy and broken, but she wouldnÕt have rather heard any other sound in the world at that given moment.

He tore his eyes away from hers, once again reaching down to pull the arrow out from where it was deeply imbedded just to the right of her breast, jerking her chest forward as he did so. She cried out, her hands clenching in his haori, Inuyasha snapping the wood in his fist and dropping the bloody remains of the arrow to the ground, reaching to cover the wound on her chest that began to bleed. The wound on her stomach was now flowing freely, and she absently regarded the smooth feeling of it trickling down her side and seeping through the material of her skirt to dampen her leg.

Kagome shook her head, staring up at him with dark grey eyes, tears welling in her eyes. She closed her eyes for and she swallowed thickly, feeling weariness slowly begin to overtake her, feeling as if her conscious was fading into shadow. ÒInuyashaÉÓ she whispered once more, her eyes twitching as the pain slowly flowed through her, ÒInuyashaÉÓ

His eyes softened, turning to look at her with a suffering gaze. It broke her heart. What could she say to him? What could she say that would lessen his pain?

Please donÕt leave me.

Her hands were beginning to lose their color and becoming colder than normal, clutching to his haori with a surprisingly strong grip. Her watery, grey eyes looked deeply into the amber ones above her, and tears began to slip silently down her blanched cheeks. Her heart wasnÕt breaking. It was already broken.

Now it was bleeding.

Kagome opened her mouth to speak, but it was becoming harder and harder for her to talk, and she found her body drained of energy. Suddenly, moving her lips seemed to be a vast task that was too exhausting to even begin to imagine. ÒInuÉ yaÉ shaÉÓ she choked out; barely audible through the sharp intake of breath she was compelling in between each utterance.

What would she say to him? There was no way to convey her feelings to him through words. There was no way she could tell him what she had held back for all of this time. How much she loved the feeling of him pressed up against her, how his hair glided against her cheeks, how his hands brushed against her skinÉ or how many more arrows she would endure so that she could spend just one more moment with him by her side. ÒWill youÉÓ She drew in a sharp breath. "HoldÉ meÉ?Ó

The hanyou did not give her request a second thought. Inuyasha lifted her up to his chest, sliding his hand from her wound to drape around her back, cradling her into his embrace. She heard a choked sob reach her ears as he buried his face in her hair, and she realized that he was crying. Tears continued to tail down her cheeks, soaking into his red haori, as she cried for not herself, but for him. She closed her eyes, memorizing the feeling of her body molded against his in a caring embrace. She never wanted to let him go.

A small trail of blood began to dribble out of her mouth, slowly trickling down her chin to drip leisurely into Inuyasha's lap, but she took no heed to it. She wiped her bloodied lips on his haori, halting the small trickle. Her weakened hands merely fisted tighter, and she pulled herself closer to him.

I want you to love me back.

Her body tensed, crimson leaking from her injuries and seeping through her white uniform, staining over the dried red stains with a darker burgundy. The color drained from her face, and she felt a shiver roll down her spine as her icy, wet clothes pressed up against her skin, which had begun to loose its warmth, growing colder with each passing instant. ÒKagomeÉÓ he whispered into her hair, and she felt her locks dampen from the mixture of rain and his warm tears.

She wasnÕt going to make it.

Her body trembled, and the fist in his haori was slowly loosing its grip, as if she had been plagued by a long expanse of time, deprived by sleep. Her eyes were pulling heavily one her. She wanted to rest. She was so tiredÉ

Kagome opened her lips to speak once more, but was only able to draw in a hoarse breath. She closed her eyes, as if to draw in her last bit of strength, pulling away from his warmth to look up into his eyes, Inuyasha reluctantly drawing away from her to gaze back. His eyes were fatigued, plagued by his anguish and blemished from tears as he looked down into her grey depths. She allowed her hand to slide out from under his and away from her bloodied shoulder, reaching up blotchy fingers to touch his cheek, brushing away a newly fallen tear, leaving behind a smear of red from her fingers. She opened her blue lips, whispering so faintly that the mere stroke of a breeze would have silenced it. ÒDonÕtÉ donÕt cryÉ InuyashaÉÓ

Inuyasha clasped her cold hand, his own bloodied fingers intertwining with hers, smearing red on the both of their hands, and held it to his cheek, his eyes closing, his lips slowly parted in soft breath. Kagome tried to fight off the looming fatigue that was slowly engulfing her conscious, finding she was too weak to do such a daunting task of strength. She let her eyes drift closed, feeling darkness swamp her thoughts as she felt herself slowly floating away from reality.

Can you love me back?

With the last traces of her soul giving her strength, she opened her eyes to smile sadly up at him, wanting to brush the long bang out of his face and wipe the tears from his cheeks blood smeared cheeks.

InuyashaÕs arm dropped from her back to wrap around her waist, pulling her closer to him and gazing down into her eyes, as if asking for consent for one last concession. Kagome felt her heart skip a beat as she read the query in his eyes. Could he reallyÉ? She tilted her chin timidly upwards, and he lowered his head slightly in return, pausing in hesitance before placing a warm, gentle kiss on her cold, parted lips. Kagome was surprised for only a moment, her eyes tearing once again, her eyebrows pinching in ache. The hurt, which had been plaguing her forever, was now filled.

A silent tear trailed down her cheek to mingle into their kiss as she weakly responded, tasting the salty remembrance of her sadness on his lips. Her fisted hand pulled his haori, tugging him forward and drawing in his lips as much as she could allow, feeling his mouth move hesitantly against hers, finding a bittersweet irony in his desiring kiss. She leaned into him as much as her frail body would allow, feeling his own tear slide down his cheek to mingle with their lips, tilting her chin up to sink into him as much as she could. She wanted to be drowned in him. ÔInuyashaÉÕ

I love you.

They both reluctantly pulled away, their breath shortened and their lips tingling with a lingering sensation, to gaze at each with saddened, mournful eyes. She smiled sadly. He returned her smile, his more pained and forced. ÒKagomeÉÓ

Was this the end?

Her eyes began to drift closed, his expression falling out of focus. She could still feel the tingle of his mouth on her lips, still feel his hands pressed against her. ÒInuyashaÉÓ she whispered. Her voice seemed far away, and she could no longer feel the pain. It was a deft, numb feeling that seemed to only linger in the pit of her stomach.

Or was she just ignoring her pain?

Do you love me back?

She softly, here eyes drifting closed and holding onto the memory of his only requited affections, before she gave in to the shadows, her eyes fluttering shut and her chest stilling with her last breath.

~*~

Inuyasha sat there, transfixed, holding her stilled body. Her hand fell limp from his face, but his hand, clasped over her cold one, held it to his cheek. He could no longer prevent the tears, and they seemed to overtake him with their intensity, spilling from his eyes. He had never cried like this before. ÒKagomeÉÓ he whispered to the silence, only returned by the soft pitter-patter of the rain against the puddles around him.

Inuyasha dropped his gaze to stare at the ground, watching a tear slip from his chin to collect with the rainwater at his feet. The small, murky puddles had mixed with her blood; the brownish water now a muddled, dark red. Inuyasha kissed her bloodied hand, tasting the sharp unease of copper on the tip of his tongue from the residue on both their hands. He lowered her limp hand and held it to his heart, swallowed up in a brief moment of despair, watching the rain and blood mix in small pools around him.

Inuyasha sat, motionless, holding her lifeless body in his arms, which had gone limp from lack of will. Lack of will to what? To go on? To continue living? His mind was clouded with remorse and he couldn't bring himself to think straight, his shoulders shakingÑwhether from the cold or his choked sobs, he didnÕt know. His eyes continued to move in and out of focus, not able to concentrate on the puddles at his feet.

ÒKagomeÉÓ he whispered again, in a voice so low that not even his own ears could hear it. ÒKagomeÉÓ He lifted up her body with a shaky grip, dropping her hand to wrap his free arm around her back, pulling her up to clutch her tightly to his chest, smearing blood on the front of his clothes. He hugged close to his chest, burying his head into the crook of her neck, her head lolling into her chest without the strength of her life to support it. ÒKagome!Ó he cried, his hands tightening on her body as he cried out desperately to her lost spirit, as if his pleading would bring her back, ÒDon't die! Ka-KagomeÉ don't die! DonÕt leave me alone again!Ó

His frantic shouts remained unheard by the miko tightly clutched in his arms, for her powers were now forever silenced by a dark, looming presence of non-existence. Inuyasha remained in that position for what felt like an excruciating eternity, clutching her protectively to his chest, until a distant voice interrupted the remorseful silence.

ÒHow very touching. It makes me want to retch.Ó

InuyashaÕs eyes shot open.

ÒA reincarnation of Kikyou would only get in my way. She deserved to dieÉÓ InuyashaÕs hands clenched around KagomeÕs limp form, his head bowing as an infuriated growl rose up in his chest, rumbling with ferocity. ÒAs do you.Ó

It wasnÕt KikyouÕs voice.

~***~***~

Okay, glad you made it so far as to chug through this twenty-one-page openingÉ And, as a reference, I had previously said that everything has a purpose. I stand by that statement. Everything has a purpose. So, thus said, can you move to chapter two?

Until next time.