The transition back to her previous life was surprisingly slow for Kagome.

She had been hoping that the first few weeks in college would flood her mind with equations, theorems, professor names, and a host of other data that would wash away or at least numb her memories. Yet, despite taking a good 15 hours of course work in chemistry, biology, government, art, and geology her wish was left unfulfilled. Her mind stubbornly refused to give up its hold on the warring states era and she still had the most vivid dreams from which she would awaken with some frequency expecting to find herself looking in to a pair of golden eyes. She mostly thought of all the times she spent with Inuyasha, and how she enjoyed his company. She sighed depressingly as she pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind and steeled herself for the long school day ahead.

Irritatingly, she got to the light right before the entrance to her school as it turned a mocking shade of red. Mocking? Since when do I give personality to light fixtures? She once again heaved a depressing sigh and waited for people to cross at which she felt was a snail's rate. As she watched the ambling forms a slight warmth came over her, almost like cheer. Having premonitions was not unusual for her, she had plenty of them in the past and chalked it up to being a miko. Trying to pinpoint where this welcome feeling was coming from, she noticed one particular young man. A young man with long silver hair pulled back into a pony tail, dressed in a polo shirt and black pants.

She blinked and he was from her sight.

The light turned green and impatient drivers honked at her to go. Bite me, Kagome mentally thought at the driver to her rear. Upon actually entering the school's parking lot that feeling of cheer had upgraded to a feeling of giddiness and she could barely contain herself around her friends. Ayumi and Hitomi both waited for her at a fountain waving to her as though she could somehow miss them even when they were so close.

Ayumi, who was odd to put it mildly called out to Kagome "Oh look, it's our little permanently sick friend, Kagome. Hitomi and I have been planning to go on a safari in the jungle of clubs looking to find a rare super stud specimen. You coming?"

Hitomi who had been putting up with her oddness on since picking up Ayumi that morning decided to put an end to it. "Give it a rest Ayumi. We're trying to find love not lust."

Ayumi gestured rudely at her and said petulantly "You're no fun."

"Anyway, Kagome" Hitomi continued with an amazingly straight face "we were thinking of doing just as Ayumi said. Now I don't know if this is being too subtle for you but we think you could use a break from your solitude and form a meaningful relationship with someone of the opposite sex. Hint hint, nudge, nudge, wink, wink."

"Only one?" Ayumi said aghast while winking to a blushing Kagome "Give me two or three."

That comment caused Kagome to blush even harder as Hitomi elbowed Ayumi away from their friend. "Ignore her. You're coming with us whether you like it or not. And we will get you a boyfriend whether you like it or not."

"Do you two fancy yourselves government agents trying to prevent the depopulation of Japan?" Kagome asked in mock seriousness.

"Just two people who know a lonely friend when they see one." Hitomi said in a voice that would brook no argument. After a short discussion, an intense argument, and perverted insinuations from Ayumi, the girls decided that they needed to argue some more but would have to wait until later to do it.

"We'll meet at the law building since it located in the rough center of the campus and is almost equidistant from all of our last classes." Kagome declared much to the surprise of Ayumi and Hitomi who had never really known Kagome to be all that assertive. All Hitomi said was a simple yes, while Ayumi felt the need to bow deeply before Kagome and intone in an obsequious voice "I live to serve thee, Queen Kagome!" And then quickly rose and ran off to her class before Kagome could retort.

"She is so weird." Hitomi commented before leaving an annoyed Kagome to herself to start her day. As far as Kagome was concerned the day was twice as long as it should have been. The labs she had to participate in seemed tediously simple and the lectures long winded. Near the end her mind began to drift toward Ayumi and how to control her...

Kagome was rudely awakened from a fantasy of a bound and gagged Ayumi by the final bell of her class day which marked for her the time to once again enter into negotiations with someone whose mind was as perverted as Miroku's. Don't think of that. Focusing her mind on places she would consider going and the outfits she had available, she managed to keep herself distracted from unwanted thoughts until she entered into the law building. Seeing that she was the first to arrive she decided to stand near the water fountain since it offered an excellent point from which to observe the three entrances of the building. Lets see, I think that I've always looked damn good in red but if one of them has the same idea the last thing I need is to...

"Excuse me," A cultured voice startled her out of her fashion reverie

Kagome turned around and stared into a face that she had tried to block out of her mind. A face whose aristocratic lines could never be forgotten by her no matter how hard she tried. No, it can't be. A face attached to a young man with long silver hair pulled back in a pony tail, golden eyes and a fair complexion. A man for whom she both yearned and was terrified. She stared at him at him in uncomprehending shock as one thought raced like a freight train through her mind. YOU'RE DEAD!

Whatever expression he saw on her face caused him to lean closer which consequently caused her to nearly collapse under the weight of her memories as they slammed into her and hammered the past into the present.

*****

"Inuyasha, I hope you don't take this personally, but I'm going to have to kill you."

"Kagura, I can't count the number of times I've heard something like that. Notice that I'm still around?"

"Your blade and its windscar were the cause for your victories. But we both know that you won't be using that with me. Not with that child so close."

"I gave you too much credit, I didn't think you would sink to using a child as a shield."

"I haven't, Naraku has, and I don't have a say in the matter. But enough of this," Kagura's crimson eyes glittered dangerously "DANCE OF WIND BLADES."

As razor winds slashed at Inuyasha but failed to inflict any real damage, Kagome turned to face the rest of her group. Inuyasha has to hold back as long as Rin is in danger. "We need to find Rin and get her out of here."

Miroku nodded at her "Lady Kagome is right, even if she is Sesshoumaru's ward, Inuyasha won't put her in danger by using the windscar. We need to find her and get her out of here before we can fight at our full strength."

Sango who had yet to take her eyes off of Inuyasha and Kagura asked "And what do about Inuyasha? Do we leave him on his own?"

Kagome's dark eyes flickered momentarily before answering, "he can handle himself while we do this. No more talking, we need to get this done."

The light of inspiration burst forth momentarily in Sango's mind as something occurred to her. "I have an idea. We might be able to use the jewel aura to find her. She's probably being guarded by my brother like last time. Kagome do you think you can sense his jewel shard and lead us to it."

"Uhhh..." Kagome let the dangerous distractions of the world around her melt away as she refined her perceptions to look for it. On the edge of her senses, a small fragment of the jewel tugged at her attention. The energy pouring forth from it was being channeled into to tendrils like the arms of a 5 pointed star. Arms? 2 arms, 2 legs, and a head? Yes, the energy used to animate his body would spread out in a star pattern from the shard in his back!

"Over there in the east wing. It's him."

Bursting into the darkened castle wing, they tore through the corridors at break neck speed racing through the torch lit halls like lunatics through an asylum for the damned.

"In there!" Kagome shouted while Sango pulled free her kitana and sliced through the final partition. As it clattered to the side, the group prepared itself for an arduous battle but found nothing of the sort waiting for them. Instead Kohaku stood silently with his back to a bound and gagged Rin, his head tilting to one side as though he were hearing a voice.

"Kohaku...?" Sango started but received only a blank stare from her battle clad brother.

Kagome's concentration, which had been focused narrowly to find Kohaku, suddenly started straining against the self imposed limitations she had placed on it as the awareness of a huge collection of jewel shards started pressing in on the periphery of her consciousness. That can only be one person.

"We have a problem. Naraku's coming. Fast." No sooner had she finished the sentence than she felt his sinister presence behind her.

"No, Naraku is here now."

Out in the castle's courtyard Inuyasha had seen the telltale white baboon pelt that Naraku always wore but was unable to take action against him. The moment he had turned his head Kagura had nearly sliced it off with one of her wind attacks.

Flipping away from the attack and bringing the Tessaiga up in a guard position, Inuyasha stared daggers at the wind sorceress.

"Don't look at me like that, your fight is with me right now. Now pay attention like a good doggy." Kagura commanded in an taunting tone.

"You are such a bitch." Inuyasha snarled.

"Do I remind you of your woman then?"

That remark set Inuyasha's blood burning in his veins and filled him with renewed vigor and determination to hack Kagura to pieces and then to send her master to hell to join her.

That master was currently facing the rest of Inuyasha's group and smiling inwardly at their foolishness.

"I must apologize for being late to greet you all." Naraku said in a silky voice laced with contempt. "However, there was another coming whose progress I had to delay. I wish to deal with him separately."

"Naraku, you bastard. Release my brother. Now." Sango hissed as her eyes filled with venom.

"You want your brother? Then have him. Kohaku show your sister your brotherly love for her."

A whisper of sliver sliced through empty air as Sango narrowly avoided her brother's weapon. Sango unsheathed her katana just time to parry her brother next chain blade attack. Wrapping the chain around her blade to stop its return, she fell into close quarter combat with her brother, trying to incapacitate him. Seeing that there were now no obstacles between her and Rin, Kagome closed the distance between them and started to work on the bindings. Struggling with the elaborate knots Kagome, keenly aware of the dangers surrounding her, grew frustrated quickly at her lack of progress. Damnit, was this person in the scouts or something? Wait, I know.

Grabbing one of the lanterns, Kagome extinguished the flame inside and then smashed it into the ground. Picking up one of the sharp edged pieces, Kagome thought to herself nothing like desperation to fuel inspiration. Trying to work quickly but with care, Kagome started severing Rin's bonds.

"Are you here with Sesshoumaru." Rin asked while Kagome picked her up and searched for an exit that didn't include going past the combatants in back of her.

"He's coming." Kagome spared in a quick reply, even though she didn't really know what the youkai lord was doing.

The hell with it I'm going to make my own exit. "Rin get behind me." Kagome ordered as she brought out her bow and arrows. Charging the arrow with power, she let it fly and like an errant bolt of lightning, it crashed into a wall and blew it outward with a satisfying explosion of sound and shrapnel. Not even waiting for the dust or smoke to clear, Kagome grabbed Rin by the hand charged through the newly made exit.

Naraku who had been toying with Miroku, letting him believe that he was actually capable of posing a threat, shifted his attention as an explosion resounded in the wing and the suns rays began to pour in while his captive ran out. I can finish with this one later.

"Little monk, play with this doll while I deal with the Kikyou replacement." As Miroku regrouped for a fresh attack, Naraku threw a wooden figurine on the floor which flashed briefly with unholy light before it gave birth to one of the tentacled golems that were so familiar.

"NARAKU!" Miroku shouted as the real Naraku gave chase to Kagome and Rin.

Kagome didn't really have a plan in mind when she emerged into the castle's courtyard where battle between Inuayasha and Kagura still raged. All she knew was that she had to get Rin out of danger and fast. As the air rang with the sounds of Inuyasha's and Kagura's clash, Kagome decided that any direction that took her away from their confrontation was good.

"Come on." Kagome urged as she tugged Rin in the direction of relative safety. But before she could do more than run a few meters a white blur flashed in front of her and resolved itself into a baboon pelt.

Turning his attentions toward Kagome, Naraku asked "So then, lesser Kikyou, did you really think that you and your pitiful band could enter into my castle and defeat me? You poor deluded fools."

Despite the imminent danger that Naraku represented, Kagome couldn't help but stiffen as she heard the words "lesser Kikyou". No matter what she did couldn't seem to escape comparisons with Kikyou or rid herself of the nagging doubt consuming her that all she really was in the end was replacement. Just a shadow of another life. He just loves to play on the emotions of others. Might as well give his own methods a shot."

Although it was not in her nature to be spiteful, Kagome purposefully schooled her face to reflect nothing but disdain and spoke with as much contempt as she could muster. "I remember defeating you in the past on a few occasions. As I recall you ran from us whenever things got hot. With that kind of bravery I suppose it should come as no surprise that you would try and use a child as a shield." Kagome retorted as she stood in front of Rin in a guard position.

Naraku, much to Kagome's satisfaction, stood silent for a moment in surprise at her words. He had always known her to be protective of her friends but never had he imagined the eternally gentle and ever forgiving woman-child capable of such venomous words.

"When Sesshoumaru decided that he had grown annoyed enough with my existence to offer aid to your group in eliminating me, I had to take action against him. His young ward was his most apparent weakness so she was obviously the avenue of attack against him that I would choose. If Sesshoumaru were really the tactician he would like to believe he is, he would never have such an obvious weakness."

Kagome was about to respond, hoping to buy more time for a savior to step forward, but broke off as she sensed the subtle shift in Naraku's attention. His violet eyes had been drawn toward something in back of her. Turning around, she didn't know whether to give praise to God or curse her fate. Like a silver blade gleaming in the light, Sesshoumaru descending from the back of his dragon Ah-Un. As always Sesshoumaru's face was impassive, but his blood red eyes were focused on Naraku and held within their crimson depths the promise of an agonizing death.

"I see that my most recent child has fallen before Sesshoumaru's rage. I underestimated him." Naraku said in a tense voice.

Looking at the enraged taiyoukai Kagome repressed a wince. Well the good news is the cavalry has arrived. The bad news is its not the one I was hoping for. I'll have to take what I can get I suppose.

"Sesshoumaru-" Kagome started.

"Quiet fool! I have no interest in your words," Sesshouarmu snarled at her while never taking his burning red eyes of his true enemy. "Naraku, your life ends here."

"Really Lord Seshoumaru? Somehow, I think not."

Sesshoumaru did not bother with a reply as with the speed of gods he unsheathed the Toukijin and sent blue-green bolts of power lancing from it. Kagome felt like cheering as she saw chunks of Naraku rained to the ground but knew that it was uncalled for. Despite the impressive display she knew that it had not been a fatal attack to Naraku and that he would swiftly regenerate.

Kagome caught in a moment of uncertainty, stood staring at the chunks before watching in horror as they started to twitch. Ughh! That's disgusting. Whatever other thoughts she was about to have, froze in her mind when the pieces flew back together again as though the world had suddenly gone mad and time ran backward.

When Naraku had finished reattaching the severed parts of himself, he stared at Sesshoumaru and then, unbelievably waggled a finger at him, and in a dark humor said "Now if you can't be a good dog, I'm going to have punish you."

Sesshoumaru, the epitome of self-control, faced the hanyou with nary a crack in his compsure. "Better than you have tried."

"We will see." Naraku's body began to metamorphosis, beginning to reflect the multitude of youkai that he had been birthed from. Like some hideous flower blossoming, huge leathery batlike wings emerged from his back, while horns erupted from Narakus shoulders and forehead. A second, and third set of arms with wickedly shaped claws appeared from his torso.

Before a wide eyed Kagome could even blink, she felt a vise like grip close around her and Rin, as Sesshoumaru whisked them away from the transformed Naraku.

When she was set upon her feet again, she turned and bowed to Sesshoumaru with a thanks.

"Save your gratitude. I did it for Rin."

Before another word could pass from their mouths, Kagome heard Rin scream. And Kagome knew why. She sensed Jewel Shards from behind.

"Naraku," she whispered.

****

Like a life preserver reaching out to prevent her from drowning in her own memories, Kagome felt strong arms catching her, bracing herself as best she could she opened her eyes and looked into his.

"Are you alright?"

Alright you ask? Why of course I am! I'm just suddenly in my own version of the sixth since seeing dead people. What could possibly be wrong besides infringement on international copyright? Placing a hand on the wall to steady herself, Kagome managed to regain some amount of composure. And tried to come up with some plausible explanation for her behavior. Ironically her experiences with her grandfather's ersatz illnesses, which had always bothered her before, came to the rescue now.

"Yes, I was just experiencing a touch of vertigo because of I received some damage to the inner ear in my youth." Ha! My fake illnesses are way more believable than the ones from gramps. Looking into the eyes of her companion, she then thought. Of course I am seeing a dead person. Maybe I do have something wrong with me.

"Uh right. Listen, I don't believe I've seen you around here before. Are you new?" He asked in a voice that was surprisingly filled with both curiosity and concern and not a hint of the imperious tone that she expected.

Having regained most of her composure, she stepped slightly away to so as to not be in such close proximity to the youkai doppelganger.

"New? No, I was meeting some friends over here to discuss some things." Ah yes, nothing like good old ambiguity.

It was unfortunate that Kagome had not been paying closer attention to her surroundings, otherwise she would have noticed the presence of her two friends. Since she wasn't however, Kagome found herself jumping slightly when she heard Ayumi's voice.

"More specifically we were going to try to hook Kagome up with a hot guy, but she seems to have managed that on her own." Kagome turned bright red and turned around to find Ayumi and Hitomi clutching each other in barely suppressed laughter. I'm going to kill them both. A lot.

Hitomi apparently didn't want to miss out on Kagome's torment and added "Yes, please relieve Mrs. Higurashi of her loneliness. We implore you, take mercy on the poor girl, even though she's a bright red ditz." Kagome, whose cheeks were impossible red, was about to retort but was cut short by the Sesshoumaru look-alike.

"Kagome Higurashi, is it? That is a lovely name, perfect for one as lovely as you. My name is Sess Ryusaki and although I have to meet with a teacher now, I am certain that we'll meet again." With that promise, the look alike smiled dazzlingly and walked off.

"Wow Kagome. Can you attract some studs for me?" Ayumi asked while fantasizing wildly.

"For us," Hitomi corrected while entertaining herself with similar fantasies.

"I'm sure he is just as charming with all the women. Besides he was obviously a law student. His father is probably just a rich investor who wants to use him to get him out of any legal troubles." Kagome answered tartly, but she was secretly glad that for the encounter no matter how unnerving it had been. Unnerving? It was down right bizarre.

"Still an quite a catch, Kagome. I'd love to have a wealthy investor as my father in law and a hunky lawyer as my husband. Anyway about going out, I've been meaning to visit Roto's for a while now since draws a lot of college students like us, so it can't be too bad. This Saturday good for everyone? Meet up about 10:00?" Hitomi asked.

"Works for me. Lets bring Eri and Yuka though, don't want to leave them out of the hunt."

"Jeez, Ayumi sure you don't want to get some tranquilizer darts and just drag them back to your lair? There you can mate with them and bite there heads off in the privacy of familiar surroundings."

"No Kagome, I don't need the darts and I don't mind being watched, or recorded for that matter."

Kagome stood silent for a moment trying to think of some witty banter to beat Ayumi at her own game but just didn't have a mind dirty enough for the task. "Umm...alright then. Saturday at ten. Hitomi since you have the biggest car you get to drive."

When Saturday night arrived Kagome, had decided upon the perfect outfit. One that was tasteful and elegant, but also eye catching and suggestive. It was a simple short black skirt with slits on each side, knee high black boots and a red top that highlighted her alluring curves. Time to make my debut she thought to herself when she heard the doorbell's chime. Flinging open the door she was greeted by Hitomi, who was wearing a strapless white dress that stopped a few inches from her knees.

"Kagome, I thought I could count on you not to try to steal the spot light like Ayumi always does" Hitomi pouted.

"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful."

"Too Late," Hitomi said as she led the way back to the car. Approaching it they heard a high pitched whistle and some suggestive remarks from Ayumi who declared something to the effect that she always knew Kagome had a bad girl side trying to break out. Behind Ayumi, Eri and Yuka both complimented Kagome's taste in fashion with much less graphic innuendo.

Well its good to know I look as pretty as I feel, now if I could just get Ayumi to use less obscene language.

Getting into the car on the driver's passenger side, Kagome asked "So where exactly is this Roto's."

"About 20 minutes west of here." Hitomi answered while getting into the driver's seat. Once the ignition started it was like an unspoken signal had been sent out to begin gossiping about their weeks and all their problems and each others' private affairs. At first Kagome participated actively, complaining about teachers, projects, annoying family members and a cornucopia of other things. But then the topic veered towards boys and she made a silent withdrawal from the conversation.

"You have suddenly gotten awfully quiet, Kagome." Eri observed in a sly voice

"Your not hiding something from us are you?" Yuka asked innocently. Kagome instantly became convinced that she had been set up and the hammer was about to fall.

"Funny you should mention that Yuka," Hitomi chimed in with barely suppressed glee. Here it comes Kagome thought to herself while wincing inwardly. "Kagome has attracted the attentions of a super stud lawyer. One that promised to see her again."

The torrent of questions that followed left Kagome dazed. What is he like? How well do you know each other? Does he have a brother? When can we meet him? You mean he's the son of a wealthy investor? Are you willing to share? That last one, posed by Ayumi, shocked Kagome back to reality.

"Look I just met him in the hall of the law building. His name is Sess Ryusaki and thats all I know about him." Oh and he also he looks like a clone of a merciless youkai that has tried to kill me on numerous occasions, but no need to mention that.

"Don't forget to mention that he's hot and he wants you," Ayumi added.

"Are we here already?" Eri asked with a smile in her voice as they pulled up to Roto's. "How time flies when your having fun. Especially if its at Kagome's expense."

"Anyone who expresses an interest in you, Eri I'm going to steal away. And then I'm going to laugh."

"Bad Kagome, Bad!"

Climbing out of the car and entering Roto's, Kagome once again felt an inexplicable good cheer steal over her, almost as though she instinctively knew that inside someone was waiting for her. Stepping inside, Kagome silently complimented Hitomi's choice of the evening. The low key atmosphere and the calming music unconsciously encouraged anyone who entered to speak quietly to avoid disturbing others.

"There are plenty of fish in the sea and its time to catch some." Ayumi proclaimed from behind. Although Kagome didn't turn to look at her friend, she knew that if she would have seen hunger lighting Ayumi's eyes.

"Think I'll get a drink." Kagome said parting from her friends. Sitting at the bar, staring at an untouched drink, she finally allowed herself to muse over the disturbing encounter from earlier in the week. I know I saw him die. It CAN"T be him. Could he have had an heir? I know they have a long life span just in general. A taiyoukai's child might survive to this era and look relatively young, couldn't it? Somehow the idea of Sesshoumaru having an offspring that survived to this period and studied law just felt wrong to her. As her mind played over the information she had on Sesshoumaru she began to wonder what to make of him. It was true he had been a heartless killer but in his role as Rin's guardian had proven to be fiercely loyal, responsible, and even fatherly in a way. In the last moments before his death, Kagome had understood the nature of Sesshoumaru's imprisonment and his wish to be free. With that in mind, what should she make of her this Sess character? If he was somehow Sesshoumaru (unbelievable as it might seem) could she safely get to know him better? Could she give him a second chance to live a different life? Was it possible for something good to come out of this? So caught up in her thoughts was Kagome, that she didn't even notice when a certain someone sat next to her.

"I told you we would meet again." An amused voice said from beside her.

Kagome, startled out of her reverie, whipped around to find a pair of amber eyes looking straight into hers. Well speak of the devil. I guess now I will see what he does with his second chance.

"You know a person will lose themselves in your eyes, Kagome."

Kagome smiling decided to play his game, "Try looking into your own eyes, Golden Boy. They're mesmerizing."

"Is that so? Well its good to know you won't be leaving me anytime soon."

At a distant table Hitomi felt a tug on her sleeve. "Hitomi check it out. It's the super stud from before and he's after Kagome. I have an idea."

Hitomi glanced back at her friend. A wicked smile had appeared on Ayumi's face."We're listening." Hitomi answered while she indicated both Eri and Yuka.

"Forgive me for interrupting you Miss, however I was told to give you this note." The bartender said as he reached over and handed Kagome a slip of paper. Opening it, Kagome instantly recognized Ayumi's handwriting.

Kagome Higurashi, your mission, and you have no choice but to accept it, is to spend some alone time with your new friend. Toward that end you will find your usual means of transportation missing. Along with us. We did it for your own good, and only slightly for our amusement. Bye now.

Sess who had been silently waiting for Kagome to finish reading the note, immediately noticed a wave of irritation come over her and heard dark uttering about finding better friends.

"Something the matter?" He ventured.

"I've been ditched here by my ride. My friends, as they call themselves, ran off somewhere."

Sess immediately promised silently to give thanks to Kagome's friends if he saw them for giving him this opportunity with her. "So you need a ride home?"

"Uh well I don't want to be a bother..."

"I would gladly be willing to offer you a ride. Where do you live?"

"Well go down to Winter Road past the high school and turn right. Drive about a few blocks and I'm on the left," Kagome answered. Polite, handsome, generous...whoever Sess is he knows how to make a good impression. For a moment Kagome heard an annoying salesman voice in her head saying new and improved but she silenced it quickly.

"Well then, did you want to leave now? It doesn't appear that drinking holds that much interest to you."

Kagome smiled a bitter smile. "You're right, I was just looking for an answer to a question. Let's get out of here."

Stepping outside, Sess guided Kagome to his car.

"Which one is it?"

"The Mazda millennium right there." He said while pointing.

"Not bad" Kagome said while examining the car's exterior. Its silver paint job had been polished to a fine sheen that made its sleek lines seem unearthly. Must spend a lot of time on it.

"Not bad at all. Some fool wrecked her and I got it for a bargain price. I knew that with a bit of hard work and dedication I could resurrect it again and treat her properly."

Kagome climbing into the driver's side passenger seat, continued when the doors were shut. "Her? You've fallen in love with your car?"

"I may be a loner, but I'm not that alone. Having spent so much time with repairs though, I see her as a kind of surrogate daughter. If I could put this back together again, I'll have plenty of patience with future children."

As Sess started the car and it purred to life Kagome asked "Aren't you a little young to be thinking of children?"

Turning to her with a devilish smile, Sess answered "You never know they might be closer than you think."

Kagome blushed at that, which Sess found very endearing. "But enough about me, what about you? Anything, anyone interesting in your life?"

Sess's question, while non specific, could clearly be understood and for a moment a pang of heart ache resonated in her heart.

"Being a shrine maiden isn't all that interesting. Usual duties you could expect from having to support one. Awhile ago my last boyfriend decided that he couldn't get past his previous girlfriend and went away with her."

Sess was silent for a moment as emotions warred within him. On one had he felt guilt at having reminded her over what was apparently a heart rending experience for her, but on the other hand he felt elation at knowing that the playing field was empty except for him. As Sess was opening his mouth to try and find some consoling words Kagome cut him off.

"No, don't. He couldn't give his heart to me completely and so couldn't love me fully. He would've have always been held back by his ties to her. It's for the best this way."

Sess knew she was fighting back tears and was relieved when the shrine presented itself in his sight so he could change the topic. "So this is your shrine? It's funny I've passed it by some many times but I don't think until now I've ever fully appreciated its beauty."

Kagome smiling in spite of her reawakened memories looked at his thoughtful eyes. Damn he's good. "Sess would you mind walking me to my door."

Sess smiled "Nothing could make me happier."

"You silver tongued devil you."

"Silver haired you mean to say."

Stepping around to Kagome's side of the car, Sess opened it and offered his hand to her. As Sess helped her out, Kagome started giggling at the unreality of the situation. A seemingly long dead human-hating youkai was treating her with the utmost chivalry and was even trying to win her heart. Heaven must have marked her for a source of amusement.

Sess of course was somewhat confused by this asked "Are you sure you didn't have anything to drink? You seem a little tipsy."

Kagome broke out into real laughter at this which, while warming Sess's heart, confused him even more. Well Sesshoumaru or not, he certainly knows how to make me feel good. Maybe there is a chance here. "No Sess, I guess you just make me feel like laughing."

"Umm...thanks?"

Kagome still smiling, gripped his hand and led him up the steps of her shrine. For the first time ever, Kagome felt gratitude for whoever had placed these many steps on her shrine. Taking the steps slowly, she took advantage of her remaining time with Sess who easily understood her unspoken desires.

"So Kagome, mind if I ask you what your into?"

"Well I'm a big fan of anime, archery, and the outdoors. Along with the usual things like eating, shopping, so forth."

"Anime huh? got a favorite?"

"I like Cowboy Bebop the best."

"Really? Seen the movie yet? If not can I interest you in going with me?"

"We really don't know each other too well."

"The way to fix that is to spend more time together. And I promise I won't bore you with legal jargon that could make even my father's eyes glaze over."

Reaching the top of the steps and the entrance to her house, they both knew what she was going to say. "Well how can I pass up such a tempting offer?"

Sess's smiled radiantly in the pitch of night, and took hold of one of her hands with both of his. Leaning in, he placed a chaste kiss on her right cheek while pressing something into her hands. His whispered breaths tickled her ear. "Thank you Kagome. I look forward to seeing you again, just call me when you have picked out a time that suits you. My number is on the slip of paper."

Kagome watched him disappear down the steps and slip out of view. She remained on the steps contemplating the warm feeling he gave her when a sudden chill came into the air around her. The atmosphere seemed to come alive and crackle with an angry force while the wind picked up and howled in an incomprehensible and violent protest. As the night around her whipped itself into a rage, Kagome knew that someone was coming. Retreating into the house, she slammed the door behind her and locked it. Trying to convince herself she was just imagining it, she stepped into the kitchen, hoping to calm herself with some tea. Her eyes skated across the table looking for the tea bags but skid to a halt when they fell upon something else instead. A set of prayer beads rested on the table, the dark beads of the necklace seemed to suck in all light and she felt them calling out to her. Kagome became frozen in that hideous instant of eternity, feeling and loathing the urging of those ebon beads. In the next second, that frozen moment of time shattered like ice under a hammer when the phone rang out nearly causing Kagome's heart to stop its beating.

It rang again and Kagome turned and stared at it with horror. The most primitive part of her mind, the part that was left over from dangerous eons long past, the part that innately knew when it was being stalked, was screaming at her WARNING! WARNING! SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT! GET THE HELL OUT!

The phone rang again, insisting, demanding to be answered.

Like some puppet be manipulated by invisible strings, she felt herself take a faltering step toward the light beige phone. And then another. And then another. As her body lurched forward by some unknown compulsion, dread flourished within her like an abominable plant. That phone which she had used so many times in the past now seemed like the most hateful thing she had ever seen.

The phone from hell rang again and fearful tears slid down her face as her shaking hand reached for it.

3 inches

RING

2 inches

RING

1 inch

RING

And her hand, controlled by some implacable force seized the phone and lifted it to her ear.

A sea of silence greeted her as the cool plastic touched her ear. Then it happened, a soft and familiar voice, one that sounded as though it were an impossible distance away shattered the silence.

"Kagome...I'm sorry"

No, don't be him, don't be him for the love of God don't be HIM

Kagome shivered and fell to the floor.

"Its not over...He's coming back...He wants you...have to stay away...You know who he is..."

The line went dead and Kagome instantly released the receiver. Her mind simply refused to accept what had happened and went blank. If an observer had been present, they would have seen a deathly pale Kagome rise from the floor, clutch the prayer beads, slowly walk to her room with unseeing eyes, and lay down on her bed where she promptly fell into an unconsciousness in which dreams of the past waited for her.

****

"Get out of the way!" Sesshoumaru growled as he swept Kagome and Rin to the side with a clawed hand. Reaching out, Kagome grabbed hold of Rin and started running as a deafening blast exploded in the place she had been. Although the attack missed, the sheer force of its explosion threw Kagome off balance and she tumbled into the ground with Rin still clutched protectively in her arms.

Scrambling to her feet with Rin in tow, Kagome knew another attack was about to hit and this one would not miss. Turning her head around so she could at least face her own end bravely and look death straight in the eye, all she could see was blazing red light that blocked out even the sky.

"I'm sorry Rin!" Kagome shouted as the red wave of destruction roared toward them. Even as those words left her mouth however, a shadowed form appeared in front of her and raised the dark silhouette of a sword toward the hellish light. Power pulsed out from the dark blade and the sea of crimson light parted in front of them as though some invisible wedge had diverted its flow.

"Ah-Un," A voice Kagome recognized as belonging to Sesshoumaru called out. "Take them to safety."

"Sesshoumaru saved us?" Kagome muttered dumbly to herself as a two headed dragon landed on her right. Rin, acting with remarkable clarity of mind for someone in her situation, grabbed Kagome's hand and pulled her to the waiting dragon.

As the dragon lifted off, Kagome saw Naraku emerge from the smoke of the battlefield and approach InuYasha's half-brother with what appeared to be an enormous smirk on his face. The look of sheer smugness on the hanyou infuriated Kagome and snapped her partially dazed mind back to reality.

"Let us off at the tree," Kagome demanded while pointing toward a massive oak.

Preparing her bow and arrow Kagome assessed the situation. InuYasha was at a stalemate with Kagura and was unlikely to reach a resolution soon. On the side of the battlefield closest to her, Sesshoumaru and Naraku were tearing into each other with indescribable viciousness. Yet despite the undeniably fury of Sesshoumaru's attack, it was growing apparent that Sesshoumaru was just barely holding his own and might even lose.

I know he's tried to kill me a few times, but I still prefer him to Naraku Kagome thought as she loaded her bow and pulled the bow strings taunt. Focusing on Naraku, she felt the power fill her veins and then suffuse the bow and arrow with its holy energy. Releasing the arrow, she saw the whitish-pink nimbus that surrounded all her arrows fly toward its mark.

"Getting tired Lord Sesshoumaru?" Naraku taunted as he reached out with a giant claw to strike at his enemy. Before Sesshoumaru could respond, the giant claw arm that had been about to attack suddenly disintegrated in a blinding flash of light. Both combatants were so taken with surprise that they stopped and stared at the bloody stump that Naraku now possessed. An instant later they both realized what had happened.

"Clever isn't she," Naraku growled.

"She may be, but your battle is with me." Sesshoumaru replied with a voice as cold as ice.

"Your anger with me is most surprising Lord Sesshoumaru, I thought you would have more gratitude toward me." Naraku replied in a silken voice. "After all I did you a favor."

"I think not, Naraku, you kidnaped Rin and that is unforgivable. No one takes that which belongs to the Lord of the Western Lands." Sesshoumaru growled.

"Now I see," Naraku said his voice taking a pitying tone that was almost sickening. "That human girl you brought back to life has made you weaker. You are no longer the warrior you once were. Like father like son I suppose."

Sesshomaru ignored the jibe and feinted to the left and then slashed at Naraku with the Toukijin. But Naraku was not taken in by the ploy and blocked the true thrust his opponent's attack, and then followed up with a counter of his corrosive miasma that sent Sesshomaru to the ground. Sesshoumaru covered his sensitive nose and looked up. Naraku sauntered nonchalantly through the dark cloud of miasma and called out to Sesshomaru, "Do not worry over much about your distressing weakness, I will help to liberate you from it. But first…" and with that Naraku stabbed through Sesshoumaru's stomach with a spear like tentacle.

Lifting the silver haired lord high into the poisoned air, Naraku then slammed him back into the ground with bone breaking force. He turned his back on the weakened youkai lord as though he were of no consequence and then faced Kagome and Rin with a hideous smile.

Staring at the young human girl, he said "You died and were mistakenly brought back to life by Sesshoumaru in a moment of pity. But now its time to correct his mistake. No, don't look to Kagome to save you, she is but a pale imitation of one long dead. Even Inuyasha would prefer to suffer with the original rather than accompany the copy." Having bestowed that black revelation on Kagome, Naraku was ready to attack and launched himself at the two humans, shaping his arms into deadly spears to impale them.

Facing certain death for the second time in her all too short life, Rin cried out for her master's two headed dragon, Ah-Un to protect them. She needn't have bothered. The fearsome beast had already realized the danger and positioned itself in front of the humans. Rearing back its two heads, the dragon opened its mouths and twin bolts of ardent white lightning poured out in a fierce display so massive it looked as though a god had decided to mete out its wrath on Naraku.

Against a lesser opponent, the attack would surely have succeeded. But Naraku was not a lesser opponent. A muscular tentacle slammed into the dragon from the side and bashed it away, leaving a path wide open to the humans. However, upon seeing what awaited him beyond the dragon, Naraku felt a tremble go through his body. This cannot be…

"Let us give you a hand with Kagura." Miroku called to a surprised Inuyasha, as he, Sango, and Kirara appeared.

I was concentrating so hard on Kagura I didn't even smell coming, Inuyasha thought embarrassedly to himself. That kind of narrow mindedness can kill a person on the battlefield. It's just dumb luck that they were on my side, he realized with sudden horror.

Struck with such an emotion, Inuyasha reacted the way he always did, he tried to hide it with aggression.

"Just stay out of my way." Inuyasha replied darkly.

"Always a pleasure." Miroku returned cheerfully.

"Well Kagura, seems you're suddenly outnumbered. I'd say your time is up." Sango called out to the wind user..

"You think so, do you human?" Kagura asked, her voice full of contempt. "Then think again."

At the wind sorceress' retort, a small girl with white hair, a white dress, and mirror held between her hands appeared at her side.

Damnit! Inuyasha thought angrily. Kana is the last thing we need right now.

Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango stopped in their attacks immediately upon seeing Kana. They all had seen what her enchanted mirror could do.

"Kana, be a good girl and do what Naraku ordered," Kagura said, in a surprisingly subdued voice.

Looking on in horror, Miroku and Inuyasha saw Kana draw the soul out of Sango with her enchanted mirror. A moment later Sango's body dropped to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.

"SANGO!" Miroku shouted in a terrified voice. Inuyasha growled but did not move, why didn't she just steal all our souls?" he wondered to himself

While the two heroes looked dumbly at their fallen comrade, Kagura held up her fan and danced the dance of the dead. As though invisible strings were being pulled, the body of Sango rose again with a terrible blank look on its face. A look that mocked all life with its ungodly emptiness.

"You bitch…" Miroku hissed in rage.

Kagura did not even bother to reply as she animated Sango's body and set it to attack the monk as proxy warrior in the fight.

Turning to face the hate filled eyes of Inuyasha, Kagura said "Now where were we? Let me see...Oh yes DANCE OF BLADES!"

The ensuing battle again reached a stalemate. Inuyasha could not harm Kagura but neither could she land any definitive blows on him. He dodged, ducked, and blocked wave after wave of deadly projectiles and showed no sign of tiring anytime soon. Miroku, while emotionally torn apart by having to fight Sango's nearly lifeless body, refused to let those feelings become the determining factor in his fight. Time and time again their weapons clashed but failed to produce anything but a draw.

A pale imitation am I? Kagome burned at the words. I am my own woman, I have my own dreams, my own identity. I'm not just a copy of her and damn anyone who thinks otherwise! Power unlike any before flooded through Kagome's enraged blood. Her entire body emitted a pinkish-white radiance that obscured her features and giant wings of light sprouted from her back. She looked like nothing so much as an angel of heaven's wrath that had marked Naraku for punishment.

Sesshoumaru was knocked to the ground by the foul Naraku's attack and lay momentarily stunned with his keen senses overwhelmed. Seeing the base hanyou emerge from his miasma, Sesshoumaru suddenly felt a bursting pain explode in his stomach as Naraku impaled him with a wicked spear like appendage. With a sneer on his face, Naraku then lifted him into the air and viciously body slammed him back into the ground. A dazed Sesshoumaru heard him say "Do not worry over much about your weakness, I will help to liberate you from it." With that promise, Naraku contemptuously turned his back on Sesshoumaru.

That filth is going after Rin Sesshoumaruinstantly realized. In that breathless moment Sesshoumaru's decision was made. It didn't matter that Rin was human. It didn't matter that she had already died once and should logically still be dead. All that mattered was that she was his responsibility and he could not allow harm to come to her. With blinding speed he chased after Naraku, heedless of the exquisite pain pounding through his failing body. In growing panic, Seshoumaru realized that he would not be able to move fast enough. I can't let that worthless hanyou do this…

Seeing Ah-Un blast Naraku with lightning, Sesshoumaru thought that perhaps the faithful dragon had bought him the time he needed to close the gap. But it was a vain hope, Naraku wasn't even slowed and simply batted the dragon away with a tentacle. In that brief but anguish filled moment of eternity when Sesshoumaru despaired that he might fail in his duty, he sensed an enormous power and immediately recognized its source. That annoying woman, but her power, it's never been like this…

Even as those thoughts formed in his baffled mind, Sesshoumaru saw Naraku come to a dead halt in front of him. The Inu youkai smelled fear permeate the air around Naraku and knew to get away from him fast. Veering quickly to the side, Sesshoumaru witnessed a sight that inspired awe and wonder in him. The annoying human female that always traveled with Inuyasha had somehow transformed into a winged angel of brilliant pinkish-white luminescence. Incredible, she's like a vision of heaven, but how? The power and fury radiating from her was palpable. As his struggling mind adjusted to this impossible development, Sesshoumaru saw Rin being shielded protectively by the heavenly creature's glowing wings. After everything I've done to her and tried to do to her, she still acts to protect Rin...

"NARAKU!" The angelic Kagome shouted in a resonating voice. "FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE AND ALL THAT YOU ARE YOU MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!

And with that Kagome released the arrow of light she'd been holding taunt. Like any of her arrows it was suffused with holy power. But up until now, none of her arrows had ever held so much power. Just like a shooting star, it blazed across the field gouging meter thick striations in the earth as it approached Naraku. Staring insanely at his sealed fate drawing near, Naraku's mouth opened into a silent scream as the burning light ripped him out of existence.

The stalemate between Inuyasha's group and Kagura's was suddenly broken when a blinding light flooded their field of vision. So shocked and amazed were the combatants by this strange turn of events that their life and death struggles ceased instantly. Even the spell animating Sango's body was relaxed, dropping her lifeless to the ground once more. Staring in total bewilderment they saw what looked like a new born star blaze across the field of battle and envelope Naraku. As the light swallowed him, seeming to actually dissolve him, Sango and Kana heard a mental scream pass to them from their master. A moment later, they knew they were free from his grip.

Finally, Kagura thought to herself almost not believing it.

"Your master is gone and its time for you to join him." Kagura heard Inuyasha say. The loathing and glee that merged sickeningly in his voice made her tremble. I'm not going to have that dog chasing me all over the lands…

"That won't be necessary Inuyasha." Kagura replied calmly while making sure that Kana stayed by her side.

"Oh yeah and why the hell is that exactly." Inuyasha demanded.

"Because Naraku is dead. As you know I am-was-linked to him. I can tell you honestly that he will never bother you again.

"That doesn't explain why we shouldn't kill you." Miroku said in a soft, deadly voice.

"If you would stop interrupting me you would see that it does." Kagura said in an irritated voice. "To begin with, your entire group probably owes me their lives. Remember I found out that every new moon Inuyasha turns into a human. I could have told Naraku that and made your lives much shorter. But I didn't because I wanted Naraku dead, not all of you. All our encounters, including this one, have been ordered by Naraku. I was ordered to kill Inuyasha. Kana was ordered to take Sango's soul and let me use her body to fight with because Naraku knew how much it would hurt the monk. We could no more refuse Narakus bidding than your hand could refuse your orders. We never had a chance to decide for ourselves. But now that he is gone…Kana return the woman's soul."

With her characteristic expression of total disinterest, the youkai called Kanna held up her enchanted mirror and allowed Sango's spirit to return.

Sango's back arched and her body convulsed as her essence reentered her. Immediately sat up and started shivering as though she were in the midst of winter winds.

"I was so cold…and alone…" Sango said in a trembling voice. Miroku rushed over to her and held in his arms while trying to make her feel warm.

"Before we go you should probably know that the most of the jewel is over there in the east wing of the castle. I suggest you do something with it. It has already caused more than enough trouble," Kagura said to Inuyasha while pointing to a specific section of said wing. Inuyasha merely grunted in response but did not seem to be inclined to resume the battle.

"What about Kohaku?" Sango suddenly called out. She jumped to her feet, knocking over Miroku in the process, and rushed over to where Inuyasha stood. "Restore his soul as well." She begged in a voice of filled with desperation and despair.

"Neither Kanna no I have the ability to do that. Naraku had him under his control long before either of us came into being." Kagura then pointed toward the forlorn figure of Kohaku who had been bound with containment sutras by Miroku and now could only gaze into space. "Naraku wiped his memory out and made him a puppet with his magic. Even now he is waiting for someone to give him orders. Perhaps you can take him with you and find a way to retrieve his memories. But we can't do as you ask; the jewel shard in his back is his lifeline, not one of our spells."

After hearing this Sango again sank to the ground only this time with quiet sobs. I have my brother back and he is still lost from me. She cried silently to herself as Miroku tried to find some way to comfort her but was powerless for it. Alive but dead, why do the fates torture me like this?

Ignoring Sango and Miroku, Kagura faced Inuyasha and said, "It's time for us to go."

So saying, she and Kanna departed on a giant feather borne on the wind.

When the blinding light pouring from Kagome had faded, Rin opened her eyes, and saw her Lord standing in front of her and Kagome. Only Sesshoumaru's clothes were covered in blood and he had a large hole in his stomach that day light could be seen through.

"S-s-Sesshomaru," Kagome whispered

As the whisper left her lips, she saw that he had exhausted his strength and was about to collapse. Bracing herself, Kagome took hold of him and tried to guide his failing body smoothly to the ground. Although he was not light, her strength was enough to succeed in absorbing most of the kinetic energy from his falling body and lower him to the ground with his head resting in her lap.

"Kagome," Sesshoumaru said in a barely audible voice. The realization that fearsome taiyoukai had even bothered to learn her name shocked her. And that he actually used it instead of calling me woman or wench…

Staring into the golden wells of Sesshoumaru's pain-filled eyes she could see the armor over his heart falling off. For whatever reason, he was allowing her to look deep within himself. It frightened her to know she was going to see what he was truly like, to see what could have made a creature so emotionless. Unbidden images and unknown memories started flooding into her mind…the unbearable agony of losing his precious mother…the torture of see his father betray her to consort with a human…the burning shame of being passed over for the inheritance of the Tessaiga…and Inuyasha, a constant reminder of everything that had gone wrong…These are his memories, what is this?…don't be afraid Kagome…My blood is what is creating this connection…I just want you to understand…why I am the way I am…When my family was sundered, I blamed emotions and sought to extinguish mine..I was dead for so long, just like a stone, never feeling anything, never living, just enduring as time passed by...Rin rekindled emotions in me…and Kagome saw a wounded Sesshoumaru being tended to by Rin, the first act of kindness he had received in decades …even after I all I had done to you and your friends you still acted to protect my Rin no matter the cost…And Kagome could feel anguish well up with in him, remorse over his actions toward her and tears started to wet her eyes as she realized that only upon dying would his true self be known. And then only to her. Like some magnificent flower that blossomed only for an instant before dying, she had seen his glory but now had it slipping away from her. Just as the blood seeping through the cracks in her hands, his life couldn't be held in his body any longer.

Sesshoumaru felt drops of rain fall on his cheeks and mouth, but found that they had a salty taste. They're not rain…they're tears, tears of sorrow? Brushing Kagome's mind with his own, Sesshoumaru could sense that she was crying for him. His throat swelled as he realized that once again he was causing her pain even if it was a sign that she cared for him. Losing his strength he broke the mental rapport. She must see something in me that she dreads losing….some treasure so valuable as to make her cry…If only I had known it was there…The endless solitude I've endured…My life could have been different…

Before allowing the darkness to claim him and swallow his sadness with its black embrace, Sesshoumaru made a silent wish. I want another life. A life with her and to escape this prison of ice…A chance to start anew and show her there is more to me….and those were the last thoughts that Sesshoumaru, feared Lord of the Western lands had.

After the Kagura and Kanna had disappeared into the distance, Inuyasha turned to Sango and Miroku. I'll let them alone for now. Kagome won't mind if I leave them to each other, he thought to himself.

Locating Kagome and Sesshoumaru, his mind at first refused to process what it was seeing. The image of Kagome gently cradling Sesshoumaru's head in her lap was simply impossible to accept. And when Inuyasha smelled Kagome's tears, he thought he that he must be dreaming. But then a red wave of envy swelled within him, how can she be crying for him? After everything he's done she wastes tears on my brother?

Fuming he rushed over there to demand an explanation and to tell her to stop crying. But as he arrived the little girl that followed Seshoumaru around, Rin, went to Sesshoumaru's side and started tugging on his sleeve.

He heard the small child urge her beloved lord and master to wake up, that he shouldn't sleep here. Only then did Inuyasha fully realize what had happened. His brother had died. The one he had hated and secretly admired for his pure heritage. The one he had harbored dreams of becoming like by using the Shikon jewel was now gone. As he looked on in disbelief, he saw Rin nearly pounding on her master's chest to rouse some sort of response from him. When the frightening truth had forced its way into her mind, he heard her wail. The wail contained such desolation and hopelessness, it brought to mind his own painful memories of when his mother had died. His mother who had always protected him…loved him when no one else would…whose sweet skin smelled like cherry blossoms…I don't want to remember…and when those cherry blossoms withered and fell under the caress of time…No…the flames consumed them, eating away all the love in his world...and the winds scattered the ashes as though she were but shattered dreams never meant to be. No child this young should have to bear this…

"Why isn't the Tensaiga reviving him?" Inuyasha heard himself say in a voice that was on the edge of cracking.

"He must have not wanted to continue on in this life," Miroku answered. Sango was leaning on him for support and Kohaku stood behind them with a blank look on his face. Miroku had once again managed to sneak up on Inuyasha, but this time the hanyou did not have the will to try and cover up for his carelessness.

Not have the will to go on? Inuyasha thought, What happened here? He has always had the will to survive. But then a new smell arrived on the wind and he felt the siren call of the dead enter into his own blood. The need to be free from this world and join with someone else in another filled him.

Sango releasing her hold on Miroku, walked slowly to Kagome and placed the almost fully completed shikon jewel into her hand. Miroku joined them and once more put his arms around Sango.

Inuyasha felt dark desire filling his blood. She died because of me of me. We wanted to be together so badly and I promised her that we would be. Its time to make good on that promise.

Inuyasha looked at Kagome, and Kagome felt her blood go cold as ice. She had seen that look before. Please whatever God there is, please don't let him do this. Haven't we already been through enough. But she knew what was coming. Even as she raised her head to look where Inuyasha turned stared, she knew what she would see. She stood there waiting, knowing what would come next. Like a twisted version of herself, the undead priestess Kikyou silently beckoned Inuyasha with her face of living death. He breathed deep and looked back at Kagome. As she sat there, tears streaming down her cheeks, he knew that he could not leave her in such pain. Yet.

Inuyasha looked at Tessusaiga and touched it. Then suddenly knelt down beside Kagome and looked deep in to her eyes. Eyes that were so full of life and meaning, everything he had decided to sacrifice.

"In time I shall return to you," Inuyasha whispered

Kagome looked up and stared at Inuyasha. He leaned down and kissed her on her lips. That single kiss held every thing he felt. The endless depths of the sorrow he felt over leaving her, infinite remorse for every time he had hurt her, but most of all, the responsibility he felt toward Kikyou. The responsibility that he hoped in time she would come to understand. Breaking the sweet but agonizing kiss, he then rose up to face Kikyou.

With his back facing Kagome he said once more, "I will return."

He then drew the Tessaiga and began walking toward Kikyou.

"Inuyasha," Kagome whispered, her heart breaking with that single name. Sango and Miroku looked at Inuyasha. He walked to Kikyou and met her half way, where he spoke his final words. Words that Kagome did not wish to hear but was powerless to stop.

"With all my heart since the day we met, I have not stop thinking about you. I grieved for you in silence even as I stayed pinned to that tree for fifty years. Now, I have chosen you. I promised that we would be together and now forevermore we will be," Inuyasha said

Kagome stared at him and felt a stab in her chest, the stab of betrayal at the end of love. She tried to avert her eyes, she did not want to remember the horror that was coming, but she could not. Inuyasha embraced Kikyou and kissed her lifeless cheek then held Tetsusaiga. He pulled away and thrust Tetsusaiga into chest, and fell to his knees. As the scarlet blood poured out of Inuyasha, Kagome thought she felt all of her hope and any possibility of happiness bleed away with the life draining from Inuyasha. Kikyou, with an unreadable expression, pulled Tetsusaiga out of Inuyasha and threw it behind him, right by Kagome. Kagome touched Tetsusaiga as it transformed back. Sango and Miroku watched as Kikyou knelt down and embraced Inuyasha.

"I will be with you Inuyasha," She whispered

Kagome, unable to take anymore, ran into the forest and Sango went after her. Miroku looked at Inuyasha as he breathed his last.

"That damned fool," the monk said.

****

Kagome woke from her dream of the past, covered in sweat but chilled to the bone. Shaking from the vivid dream, she breathed deep to try and sooth her nerves. Sitting perfectly still in the darkness of her room, Kagome felt fear creeping up her spine. Listening carefully to the sounds of the moonless night, she heard something call her. Something, no someone, called my name. Suddenly gripped with anger, she tore off her sheets, put her robe on and vaulted down the stairs and charged into the blackness outside. Running to the well, she looked at the wooden slats that now covered it, closing it off.

"I won't come back," She cried out to her invisible audience. Tears of rage and sorrow leaked from her eyes, "Do you have any idea the kind of agony you put me through. You loved death more than me; you had more loyalty to a hideous parody of a woman than to me. You can't just expect me to forgive you!"

She fell to her knees, exhausted by the sudden outpouring of her emotions. Kagome thought she had gotten over it. But no, she had simply sealed off the pain. But tonight that seal had broken and the impossible of ache of her heart consumed her completely.

"How could you do this to me Inuyasha," She cried.