Fallen Souls 20/25

[paxbanana]

Fallen

BY: CASSANDRA


Warning: This chapter contains lime and is rated R.



Chapter 20

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??????????? Kouga sniffed slightly and suddenly lifted his head, a frown crossing his face. That scent was familiar. He had just smelled it not too long ago, soft and floral. He rose from his crouch and over the heads of his fellow villagers he saw Kagome, standing a bit far off. She wore the dog turd?s haori and, from the way the wind played with it, nothing else.

??????????? Kagome looked at him, seeming a bit out of place. Wordlessly, and keeping her head bowed, she floated closer. The others slowly looked up as she came toward them and several broke into wide smiles.

??????????? ?Kagome nee-san!?

??????????? She paused outside their circle, smiling gently. ?Konban wa,? she said quietly. ?I?m sorry to suddenly appear like this, I didn?t plan for this-?

??????????? ?Kagome,? Kouga said in his rough voice, and he came around, scowling. ?What are you doing here? And where are your clothes??

??????????? She motioned over her shoulder blindly, not bothering to even look to where she was gesturing. ?It?s a long story, Kouga-kun, and I would really like to speak to you about something if I could??

??????????? Kouga stared at her for a moment, almost suspiciously. And then he looked at his group as they all stared at Kagome?s semi-nudeness. He barked at them and took hold of her arm, yanking her after him as he led her off. She followed, staggering along, and looking around blankly but purposefully.

??????????? ?What happened?? he asked impatiently and she glanced up as they entered into a dark and cool cave embedded inside a wall of rock and dirt. She felt a shiver pass through her and she glanced over her shoulder. They had left the group of wolves outside, still bustling about or lounging around. She hesitated, wondering if they would suddenly decide to come in after them for any reason but none seemed to be really remotely interested. Looking forward once more she found Kouga staring at her and she managed an innocent expression. ?What??

??????????? Kouga frowned. And slowly, very slowly, his eyes narrowed and he also looked around. Suspiciously. He searched the entire cave with his eyes before looking back toward her and she blinked at him questioningly. He hesitated another moment, and then finally faced her directly.

??????????? ?Where?s Inuyasha??

??????????? She stared at him, her lips parting to speak. And she felt them. The shards. She suddenly felt them as she hadn?t been able to for what seemed like an eternity. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to float on the power they radiated and they gave off warmth around her legs. He had them in his legs, she remembered. She wanted that warmth, to hold it in her hands, cradle it to her heart. She felt so cold these days, so lonely.

??????????? Imagine he had silver hair? wouldn?t that be nice?

??????????? She lifted her head to open her eyes but he was still speaking to her and she realized that his voice was not the voice she wanted to hear. Just as rough and proud but not the same voice. She kept her eyes closed because of it.

??????????? ?Kagome, where is Inuyasha??

??????????? Yes, that?s his name, isn?t it? Inuyasha?

??????????? She felt heady. The shards seemed to be reacting with the Shikon no Tama she had hanging around her neck and they both sent off so much power. It almost tickled, sweeping along and buzzing. Conflicting. A hand took hold of her wrist and yanked at her and she went dizzily, floating on the fumes of power.

??????????? ?Oy! Kagome!?

??????????? ?Inuyasha?? she whispered, opening her eyes slowly. And he stood before her, his hand wrapped around her wrist, a frown on his face.

??????????? ?Falling asleep on me again?? he asked her mischievously. And he released her and backed away, long silver hair slipping along his shoulder and down his back like a shining curtain.

??????????? ?Inuyasha?? she said again and she reached out as he turned from her. Her hand caught a thick lock of his hair and he hesitated, turning his head to look at her over his shoulder with an impish expression on his face. Teasing. She stared at herself, holding his hair in her hand, and it was so smooth, so glossy. Soft. She trembled for a moment before slowly lifting her eyes to his face and he was arching a brow at her. ?Inuyasha?are you real??

??????????? ?Of course I am, baka,? he growled at her but as he spoke there seemed to be a shadow of an image moving with him and the second image was darker, both in skin tone and hair color. But the first image superimposed over, the image of Inuyasha, was now crossing his arms over his chest and he lifted his head haughtily, closing his eyes. ?What else would I be?? And he turned to continue walking once more.

??????????? ?Inuyasha. Iie-? she cried and she flung herself, almost flying on the waves of power that seemed to radiate from him and she caught him from behind, throwing her arms around him and clinging to his chest with shaking fingers. ?Inuyasha!?

??????????? ?Nani-? he said, caught by surprise, and he looked down at her over his shoulder. ?What?s wrong with you??

??????????? ?It was such a bad dream,? she whispered hazily, squinting through a misty wall of pink smoke, ?I thought I had lost you. I dreamt that you had turned from me, that you still loved Kikyo and you had gone to her. And I killed her, Inuyasha! I killed her because then that would mean she couldn?t have you. It would mean you couldn?t go to her anymore-?

??????????? Inuyasha turned in her embrace, frowning down at her, his amber eyes narrowed. ?What?? he asked in a hoarse whisper.

??????????? ?I?m sorry! I?m so sorry! I killed her. I killed her to keep you from her and I was scared and so lost. I was so lost-?

??????????? ?Kagome-? he said and he pulled free of her embrace, taking hold of her face between the palms of his clawed hands. ?Kagome, shut up for a second and make some sense. You?re rambling-?

??????????? ?But it?s a dream. It?s a dream, oh, it?s a dream?? she whispered and she felt tears rise in her eyes and fall down her cheeks, run into his thumbs.

??????????? He stared at her, an eyebrow raised as she settled into silence. And she gazed at him through blurred vision, feeling the remnants of Shikon shards. ?I feel them,? she murmured to him, her eyes caught by his. ?I feel them again. The Shikon shards. I feel them again-?

??????????? ?When did you stop?? he demanded. And his face turned almost impatient. ?Oy, if you?re losing your abilities-?

??????????? ?I?m not,? she said with a shake of her head, her vision becoming pink once more. ?I?m not. I feel them. The shards. I feel their power. It?s making me warm??

??????????? Inuyasha cocked his head at her thoughtfully before nodding and he released her to look down at her. ?Hey! Why are standing there half-naked?? and he sprang backward, crimson staining his cheeks, a hand automatically lifting to his neck.

??????????? Kagome looked down at the haori and she didn?t understand why she wore it or what she had done before. She looked around and she didn?t even know where she was, only that it was close to sundown by the rays of sunlight streaming in. She looked toward Inuyasha once more and he had turned his back on her, his hand having lifted to the back of his head.

??????????? ?I want the haori back when you?re done with it,? he called to her, his frame stiff. ?Where are your clothes anyway??

??????????? Kagome looked down at herself once more and she consciously lifted a hand to close the haori over her chest modestly. ?I don?t?know,? she murmured. And she lifted her head to look at him, at his back and then his hair. So long and glossy. ?But it doesn?t matter anymore??

??????????? Inuyasha glanced over at her, his lips parting, his hand hesitating limply at the back of his head. And his eyes widened as she moved forward, her hands reaching out and forcing him around once more. He stared down at her, stiff, and looking very uncomfortable, to the point of almost being comical.

??????????? ?Oy, Kagome-?

??????????? ?You know you?ll have me always, don?t you? You know that?? she asked him frantically, clutching his white haori at the collar with shaking fists.

??????????? His frown deepened.

??????????? ?Please tell me you know that,? she whispered, and she pulled him down toward her, kissing him breathlessly, shutting her eyes. She didn?t want to see the expression on his face. She just wanted him to feel her, all of her, and to feel her love for him. He didn?t need eyes for that and neither did she. He just needed a heart.

??????????? He broke the kiss, recoiling, and he seemed almost angry. Her eyes snapped open to look at him and there was suspicion on his face as he studied her silently, swallowing. And then his tongue flicked out, running over his bottom lip as his eyes floated down to her own mouth.

??????????? Her eyebrows turned upward as he merely stared at her.

??????????? And then, softly, he said, ?I know,? and his hands lifted to her face to grasp her and he pulled her into him, returning a kiss almost as desperate as hers had been. She found herself pulled off balance and she fell against him, staggering. He caught her with his own frame, trapping her face between his hands and she breathed into their kiss, clutching at his sleeves to regain her balance. He barely allowed her time, tilting his head a bit and deepening the kiss, his chest rising and falling heavily. She felt his breathlessness, the way he seemed to almost gasp against her, and she straightened against him, lifting her hands to her face and taking hold of his fingers. She pulled them from her face, breaking their kiss, and he didn?t seem to want to pull away, resting his cheek against hers, his breath hot against her lips. She lowered his hands away, releasing them to wrap them around her hips and he swallowed a heavy breath, panting silently, winded. She was just as winded from that second kiss and they breathed the same air, nuzzling each other as she lifted her hands back up to wind around his shoulders.

??????????? ?Is this?right?? he asked her faintly.

??????????? It has to be right. I need it to be right?

??????????? ?Does it feel right?? she asked him reluctantly, almost afraid of his answer, her eyes shut to his, her cheek grazing his as he brushed his mouth against her jaw, dragging across her skin. He had such smooth skin, his hair just as soft, his caress light. She tilted her head upwards, pulling him closer, ever closer, and as she did so he wrenched her hips against his, his mouth creeping toward her mouth. She felt him through the haori, even through his pants, most especially as he trapped her against him, his hands hard on her hips.

??????????? ?It?s always felt right-? he said in a hoarse breath and he met her lips once more, forcing them open under his. His tongue swept hers once and then again, bringing a small moan from her and she realized he was slowly dragging them backward, moving them both. She was forced to follow as he had her ensnared with his clawed hands and as they moved they brushed together, hips to hips, their lips breaking and reuniting with each movement.

??????????? Inuyasha?s legs came up against a large rock protruding from the wall, exhaling on contact and she leaned into him, forcing him to hold her weight against his frame as she claimed another kiss. The caress seemed almost feverish, frantic, as if it was the only kiss they would ever be allowed, and she ground her hips against his, wanting more, more skin, more contact. He seemed to want the same thing, fighting against her as she tried to mold herself even more into him. But he also fought for balance, barely maintaining any even as she pushed against him even more.

??????????? And then a small cry came from him as he finally lost his balance and he fell backwards onto the stone, barely managing to break their fall with a hand. She also gasped, staggering once more, and she landed against him as he held himself upright against the stone. Her eyes came open wide and he was below her, one arm clutching her to him reassuringly, the other helping to regain his balance over the stone that rested between his parted legs.

??????????? They both stared at the stone for a moment, wordlessly, heaving, all else silent except for their breathing. And then as Inuyasha lifted his head up once more their gaze met. And it was all it took. With a faint breath Kagome clutched him once more, dragging him up toward her for a possessive kiss, and he went with a low groan, slowly settling himself down upon the stone before wrapping his arm back around her waist. Beneath her he was all hard planes and angles, and she straddled him a bit, bending to him to maintain their frenetic kiss.

??????????? This time? Will it happen this time?

??????????? He broke their kiss even as she thought it and she felt her heart go cold, her insides suddenly shivering. Fearfully she opened her eyes just as he asked, ?Kagome?? And he was gazing up at her, hesitatingly. She sent him a questioning look, a frown slowly crossing her face as he merely stared at her, his amber eyes wide.

??????????? ?Nani?? she asked him quietly.

??????????? He didn?t respond to her question, his gaze caught on her face. But slowly, he released her waist, one hand lifting to the haori, and then the other hand. She bowed her head, watching his movements wordlessly, her throat dry. And he untied it, the folds falling open around her. She stiffened a bit worriedly as he did so, afraid, but he seemed oblivious to her reaction, shifting a bit to hold her above him better, and he lifted his gaze once more to her face, his arm sneaking under the haori to wrap around her waist.

??????????? Uncertain, she settled on him once more, her hair falling down the sides of her face as she straddled him once more. Beneath her he shifted a bit more before finally pulling her down to him to kiss her, nipping at her gently. Such a small kiss. She sighed, tilting her head to him, and she arched against him, feeling his clawed hand as he dragged his fingers across the skin of her ribs achingly. The caress sent a shiver that bordered on delicious pain and she lifted her hand to his, moving his own hand upward to her breast. Kissing her gently, he cupped her, his tongue flicking against her mouth as she exhaled tremulously. His claws dug into her flesh, drawing a small whimper from her and his other hand rose also, shoving aside the folds of the haori to clasp her as well.

??????????? Is this?

??????????? She dropped her hands to support herself above him, clutching surfaces of the stone beneath him, and he bent at the waist, rising to claim her mouth with a small moan. It was a breathless kiss, always, and it made her feel just as frenzied, her shoulders and limbs stiff and languid at once. She stretched as he touched her, as he kissed her, reveling in the feel of the air on her bare skin, the feel of his hands on her.

??????????? The power of the Shikon shards hanging around them. It was intoxicating. The waves of power lifted around her, with the same warmth of heatwaves, and she lifted her head away from him, throwing it back and leaving him to brush his mouth against the underside of her chin, his hands clutching her achingly.

??????????? Is this?real?

??????????? Inuyasha dropped away from her jaw, yanking her upward across his frame, across the folds of his clothes, and he turned his face to her breast, his tongue flicking out to taste her. She clenched, her lips parting, her thoughts a whirl of pleasure and disbelief. His breath was hot, his hair cool and silky, and her own flesh was flushed crimson from his caress, her frame nearly trembling. She wanted to stay like this forever, knowing it was him doing this, pleasuring her in this way. She lifted her hands to his shoulders, his hair, her hands tangling in his hair and holding him to her.

??????????? This is real.

??????????? The sound of metal rang around her suddenly and she recognized the noise. It was the sound of a blade being drawn. Her eyes came open and she turned her head in the direction.

??????????? Inuyasha stood at the mouth of the cave, his frame trembling, and he had the untransformed Tetsusaiga in his hand, pointed to the floor. Kagome stared in disbelieving confusion, her frame stiffening, and beneath her was movement. She whirled back around and looked down and below her lay Kouga, his eyebrows drawn together in a furious frown.

??????????? The world tipped and spun.

??????????? What?

??????????? ?So?I was right from the beginning?? Inuyasha asked from the mouth of the cave, and he came forward, swinging the rusty sword in what was probably meant to be an offhand gesture. But his shoulders were much too stiff, his frame brimming with too much anger. And pain registered as well as he looked away from them both, eyes shifting to his swinging sword. His eyes narrowed, wounded, his gaze averted.

??????????? Kagome quickly stood away from Kouga, shaking. And she looked from Kouga to Inuyasha and back again, the hairs on the back of her neck rising eerily.

??????????? What is this..?

??????????? ?I was right when I said what I did. About you and him,? and he spat the end of his sentence, ?when I said that you went to him because he would give it to you.?

??????????? Kouga rose menacingly, a small growl coming from him as he straightened.

??????????? Kagome took a step back, lifting her hands to her head, tangling her fingers in her hair.

??????????? ?Because it really didn?t take you long?? Inuyasha whispered dangerously. And his gaze was fixed on Kouga, his hand tightening on the blade.

??????????? ?You have no right to be here!? Kouga shouted. ?She came back to me even after she left with you! Get it through your thick skull, dog turd, she doesn?t want you!? And he reached out and took hold of Kagome?s wrist.

??????????? Everything blurred in the next moment. Tetsusaiga instantly transformed, the thick blade coming to life. At the same moment, as Kouga?s hand wrapped around Kagome?s wrist, she screamed, her eyes squeezing shut, tears streaming down her face. And a moment after that, as Inuyasha swung the Tetsusaiga, black power broke from Kagome in one powerful blast. Pure force flung Inuyasha backward, Kouga easily flying into the nearest wall as well. Inuyasha landed across his back and slid, the Tetsusaiga slipping from his grasp and Kagome shrieked again, another powerful wave of black light breaking from her form. The force cracked against the walls of the cave, breaking the surfaces and littering chunks and stones to the floor.

??????????? Inuyasha rose first, shaking pebbles and dust from his face and hair, and he lifted himself into a crouch weakly, looking up. To the side, Kouga slid out of the hole he had made in the wall with his body, and he fell to his knees, his frame trembling.

??????????? And Kagome leaned against the opposite wall, her eyes still shut, her hands yanking on locks of her hair.

??????????? ?This isn?t real?this isn?t real?this isn?t real??

??????????? ?Kagome!? Inuyasha shouted at her and he rose to his feet, lunging for her. ?Wake up! Snap out of it-?

??????????? ?Leave her alone!? Kouga ordered from where he crouched and he also dove forward, rising up before Inuyasha and landing a swift punch in the hanyou?s jaw that sent him sideways.

Inuyasha slid across the dusty cave floor, tasting blood in his mouth, and he whirled back around, fuming. ?You have no idea what the hell is happening!? he yelled at the wolf and he moved once more, easily dodging another blow and ramming his shoulder into Kouga?s stomach. And even as Kouga bent over with a wince Inuyasha was rising, the hilt of Tetsusaiga crashing against the corner of Kouga?s mouth.

??????????? The wolf crashed to the floor, blood streaming from his lips, fury glinting in his eyes.

??????????? Inuyasha straightened, jaw clenching, and he slowly looked over at Kagome, his grip on Tetsusaiga tightening. She still crouched against the wall, her face hidden by her hands and her hair, and he hesitated, uncertain, merely gazing at her.

??????????? ?Inuyasha-? Sango said and he looked over his shoulder to see Miroku and Sango at the mouth of the cave. The exterminator stood silently, Miroku beside her hunched wearily.

And he shook his head at them. ?No?? he whispered, amber eyes flashing.
Sango stared at him, her face strained. ?Inuyasha-? she said again, her voice cracking.

Kouga looked over as well and then back to Inuyasha, his eyes widening. ?Inuyasha, yamero-? he cried, a hand reaching out.

??????????? With a pained look Inuyasha whirled, lifting Tetsusaiga, and he moved, bringing the sword down over his head toward Kagome.

??????????? And then he froze, his eyes wide, as Tetsusaiga suddenly morphed, power seeping from the blade as it returned to its rusty counterpart. Inuyasha looked up, stunned, and the sword was still, tarnished. He came to a stop, lowering the blade to his face and slowly, he looked toward Kagome.

??????????? Kagome lifted her head, her face dark under her hair.

??????????? His lips parting, Inuyasha backed away a step, Tetsusaiga falling at his side. And then he released it, allowing it to fall to the floor with a resounding clang.

??????????? ?You still can?t kill me, Inuyasha,? she whispered and she slowly rose to her feet, releasing her hair, her tear tracks drying on her face. ?No matter how dangerous I am to you, you can?t kill me with a sword sworn to protect humans.?

??????????? Inuyasha felt a shiver pass through his frame and he backed away another step, his teeth bared and glinting through his parted lips.

??????????? Kouga stared at Kagome, his eyes wide in disbelief.

??????????? She looked about, nodding to herself as she took in the cave around her. ?I fooled myself?didn?t I?? she asked quietly, rhetorically. ?I allowed myself to believe?? and she looked down at Kouga where he was still sprawled on the floor. ?I allowed myself to believe??

??????????? Inuyasha remained silent, merely staring at her.

??????????? Kagome?s face saddened, her eyes dropping wearily. ?It doesn?t matter anymore, any of it. I can allow myself to believe it but I know the truth.? And she lifted her gaze once more, turning it on Inuyasha. ?And no matter how much she would have me believe I can still do right?I know I can?t. Because it would mean I would go through everything again, the exact same way.?

??????????? Inuyasha gazed at her, his face stricken with sadness.

??????????? Kagome looked back down at Kouga, her eyes slowly narrowing. And suddenly, she moved, flinging a hand up at Inuyasha. A pure blast of blackness swirled from her hand, almost like Miroku?s Kazaana in its darkness, but instead of pulling him in it thrust him back. Inuyasha managed a growl before he was flung backwards once more, shoved to the ground and tossed away.

??????????? ?Inuyasha!? came Sango?s voice.

??????????? Kagome?s face morphed in fury and she dove at Kouga, taking hold of him by his armor and she opened her free hand to his face, her eyes swirling with black pupils. Kouga stared at her in disbelief, frozen. But then he grimaced and he craned his neck to look down, to see the shards in his legs glowing with a dark light.

??????????? ?Kagome-? Inuyasha growled hoarsely and he rose, lunging forward.

??????????? Kagome spun them both together, Kouga and herself, and Inuyasha found himself on the other side of them, Kouga blocking his way to Kagome. He glanced down as Kouga suddenly began to growl, the rumble hanging in the air and his shards were slowly being pulled from his legs, slipping little by little out of his skin.

??????????? ?Kagome-? Kouga hissed, wincing painfully.

??????????? Kagome ignored him, staring him in his face and slowly clenching her hand into a fist. She spun again as Inuyasha made to move around Kouga and she whispered, ?You had better be ready to kill me, Inuyasha, because you won?t like me when I?m angry??

??????????? Kouga stiffened, his eyes closing as he grimaced and he barked furiously, ?Inuyasha! Wake up! Don?t let her get the shards-?

??????????? Inuyasha hesitated, glancing back toward Tetsusaiga. And in a biting tone he whispered, ?Well, I never liked you anyway-? and he latched onto Kouga?s shoulders with bared claws, digging into his flesh. Kouga made a small muffled sound of pain and in front of them Kagome?s blackened eyes flickered angrily.

??????????? With a snarl Inuyasha yanked Kouga?s form, feeling blood well up as he dug his claws in further to maintain his grip and Kagome fumbled to hold him, her face blackening with rage.

??????????? A ward suddenly flew through the air, floating, before suddenly pasting itself to Kagome?s chest and she had a moment to gasp before power broke from the slip of paper, streaking down her figure and causing her to stiffen in pain. She shrieked angrily, releasing Kouga to recoil and she faltered as she lifted her hand to the ward to yank at it. It stuck on, a second wave of streaking power seizing her and Miroku shouted, ?Inuyasha!?

??????????? Inuyasha flung Kouga aside, hesitating and merely staring as Kagome fell to the floor, convulsing with forks of power.

??????????? ?Inuyasha!?

??????????? With a pained grimace he lifted a hand, baring his bloody claws. ?Sankon Tetsusou!?

??????????? Kagome turned onto her back, her frame stiff and his claws lashed into her stomach and chest, ripping open skin and spraying blood across the cave floor. She cried out, shrieking, and her hands caught his wrist as he made to pull away. He stopped, eyes widening, and beneath him she turned her head to look at him, tears streaming down from her slit eyes.

??????????? And she accused him with that glare.

??????????? He recoiled from the gaze, wrenching at his hand but she held on, refusing to release him. And he felt her blood on his fingers, his claws, feeling as if the liquid burned him clear through. He yanked again, feeling iciness passed the burning inside, and his heart began to pound as she stayed clutching him, her frame trembling.

??????????? ?Do you see?? she asked him in a whisper, her eyes nothing but blackness, obsidian orbs. ?I go through everything again. In the exact same way??

??????????? Inuyasha gazed at her, his own frame beginning to shake. Her blood hung around him, the scent. He tasted it on his tongue as if he lapped at it. She grimaced, convulsing, and a single drop of blood trailed from the corner of her mouth.

??????????? ?Inuyasha!?

??????????? He ignored the cry from behind, ignored the sound of Kouga suddenly shouting. Beneath him Kagome stared at him, battered, and he bent to her and kissed her then, tears flooding his eyes. She made a small sound, shuddering against him but surrendering herself to the kiss nonetheless, and he could taste her blood on her lips, on his tongue as he clutched her to him with his free hand, holding her as if he would break without her.

??????????? Be careful, hanyou. There is nothing left of her for you to claim-

??????????? The feminine voice brought him to a halt and, under him, Kagome turned her face away from his. He stared down at her, his tongue lapping away the stained blood on the corner of his mouth.

??????????? And her hand released his to crash against his chest. He had a moment to look down before a strong wave of dark power seized him and flung him off her. He let out a startled cry and he rammed against another body, slamming to the floor in a tangle of limbs and sliding. Grimacing he rolled onto his knees and glanced over to see Sango sprawled beside him, pain registering on her face.

??????????? Kagome rose onto her rear, her muscles trembling, and she suddenly gestured roughly.

??????????? The shards ripped from Kouga?s legs, bringing a cry from his mouth, and they flew to her hand, rippling with dark power. As they settled into her palm they darkened momentarily before vanishing, and the Shikon no Tama blazed as the shards were joined with the jewel.

??????????? Inuyasha laid a hand on Sango?s shoulder to check her but she motioned him on, slowly rising onto her hip. Lifting himself into a crouch he whirled to face Kagome and she was rising also, a hand lifted to her stomach. Miroku took a step forward, motioning with his staff, and the ward sparked once more, bringing Kagome?s gaze to rest on him. Growling almost like a rabid animal she took a hold of the ward, ignoring the streaking forks of blue power and she yanked it off her chest, crumpling it in her palm.

??????????? Miroku recoiled a bit, his teeth bared through his parted lips.

??????????? ?You humor me,? Kagome whispered and she plunged her hands into her gashes, staining her pale skin with the fluid. Inuyasha watched her, tasting the same fluid on his tongue still and suddenly nauseated by it.

??????????? With a single graceful gesture, Kagome flung her hand up. And blades of dark crimson power burst from her hand, darkening to shards of black light.

??????????? Miroku made a small sound of surprise, Inuyasha there with him, and he stabbed downward with his staff instantly, closing his eyes from the attack. But pure wind rose around him, a barrier against the shards, and they were deflected, spinning outwards and glancing off the cave walls, even nicking Inuyasha as he lifted a hand to guard himself.

??????????? The wind died away into nothingness around them, Kagome standing in cold silence, and with a faint sigh of weariness Miroku lowered his staff limply.

??????????? ?You can?t compete with my power, Miroku-sama,? Kagome said to him and for a moment she sounded mournful. He looked at her, frowning, and she stood still, merely gazing at him. ?None of you can. It?s better you not try-?

??????????? ?Kagome-sama-? Miroku said.

??????????? ?It will not end here,? she continued speaking, as if he had not interrupted her. And her eyes shifted to Inuyasha as he rose to his feet slowly, warily. ?Not now that I know how far you would go to stop me.?

??????????? The hanyou didn?t reply, Miroku glaring coldly.

??????????? With one last look she turned away from them and the dusty whirls of black power rose once more, enveloping her as she floated away. Her hair rose with the gentle breeze and she faded into that blackness, vanishing.

??????????? With a pained breath Miroku fell to his knees, his staff clattering to the ground beside him as he hunched forward. Inuyasha collapsed beside him just as weakly, and Miroku lifted his head to him, parting his lips to speak. And he froze as Inuyasha lifted his hands to his face, claws dragging across face.

??????????? ?Inuyasha-? Miroku questioned, eyebrows arching.

??????????? ?I tried to kill her?? he whispered from behind his hands, his frame shaking. And with a sudden, resounding growl he tore his hands from his face and brought them down in fists against the cave floor, punching holes into the rock.

??????????? Miroku moved as he went to bring his fists down again, reaching out and staying his arms. ?Enough-? he ordered, and the hanyou came to a halt, his eyes transfixed on the Tetsusaiga where it rested several feet away. ?It was for the good of it. With the Shikon no Tama black there is no hope, no chance of Kagome turning good. Not on her own. We need to help her, make her see-?

??????????? And the Tetsusaiga suddenly slid across the ground, coming to a stop at Inuyasha?s knee where he crouched. Miroku broke off, staring at the sword and slowly raising his eyes to the hanyou.

??????????? ?I tried to kill her?? Inuyasha whispered mournfully.


To be continued...


Okay, this is where "Chapter 18/25" goes. (I edited the chapter number though, so it reads 21. I hope everything makes a bit more sense.

I am such an idiot.

[Kaili Charmer]

Okay, this is where "Chapter 18/25" goes. (I edited the chapter number though, so it reads 21. I hope everything makes a bit more sense

It happens, don't sweat it! :razz: