Kagome stumbled over roots and rocks as Inuyasha dragged her through the woods, heedless of her stamina.  Not that she really minded.  They had to get away… had to live.  The woods were dangerous, full of their classmates.  A great many of them wanted them both to be dead.

Inuyasha stopped in a clearing and looked around.  “Someone’s here…”

Kagome blinked, looking around, unsure what to do or say.  Their last encounter with classmates had resulted in witnessing the death of Sango.  The girl’s blood stained both of their school uniforms.  

Sango had been found, crying over the death of Miroku.  Apparently Naraku had forced him into a danger zone.  The poor girl had witnessed his last frantic moments trying to cross the boundary of the zone before his neck exploded.

It wasn’t long after that that Naraku had turned his attention on her and got in a few fatal wounds before Inuyasha and Kagome had shown up to protect her.  Nothing they could do could save her.  Sango had died in their arms.

Inuyasha froze, staring at a swaying bush near the perimeter of the clearing.  Out stepped a tall, serious looking girl with an arrow aimed at them.

“Your weapons…?”  Kikyou whispered.

Inuyasha held up a pot lid.  Kagome held up the prayer beads she had received as a weapon.

Kikyou smirked and lowered her bow.  “I see I have nothing to worry about.”

“Kikyou, are you alright?”  Inuyasha breathed, moving towards her.

Kikyou frowned.  “What are you doing with HER?  Didn’t you swear to protect me?”

Inuyasha glanced back over his shoulder at Kagome before returning his gaze to Kikyou.

“Leave her… come with me.  Together we’ll get off this island.”

“I… can’t.”

“You CAN!”  Kikyou raised her bow and aimed the arrow at Kagome’s chest.  “No distractions!”

Kagome gasped, holding the prayer beads out before her as if she expected them to save her.

Inuyasha took a step towards Kikyou.  “Don’t hurt her.”

“I do this for US, Inuyasha…”  The arrow was released.

Inuyasha threw himself sideways and caught the arrow in his chest.  With a gasp he fell to the ground, clutching where the arrow stuck out of him.

“Inuyasha!”  Kagome screamed, crouching beside him, helplessly trying to assess the wound.  

Kikyou smirked.  “He will always be mine.”  Another arrow was notched and aimed at Kagome.  “Always…”

Kagome looked up into the other girl’s eyes.  “Why?”

Kikyou snorted in contempt.  

Out of nowhere someone jumped out of the woods with a frying pan and whacked Kikyou on the shoulder, knocking her down.  “BITCH!”  The boy cursed.  “Don’t touch Kagome!”

Kagome gaped up at the tall boy with long hair.  “Kouga-kun…”

Kouga turned and smiled at her, his face splattered with blood.  “I’ve been looking for you.”

Kagome looked down at Inuyasha.  His eyes were closed and his breathing was shallow.  “Help me get him out of the open.”

Kouga frowned but obeyed, kneeling down to pull Inuyasha’s inert body onto his shoulder.  “I set up camp around here.  You’ll be safe there.”  

Inuyasha groaned but made no other protest.  

^.~

It was getting dark.  Kagome glanced out the door of the shack Kouga and his buddies had claimed as their own.  The evening report had logged Miroku and Sango’s deaths.  It made no mention of Kikyou.  The other girl was still alive out there… somewhere.  The thought made Kagome shiver.  Next to her, Inuyasha stirred.  

“What time is it?”  His voice slurred, heavy with sleep.

“A little past six.”  Kagome whispered, turning her attention to him.  

“I missed the report?”

“Don’t worry… I wrote down the danger zones for you.”  

“Who’s dead?”

“Sango, Miroku and Houjou…”  Kagome replied.

“No mention of Kikyou?”

“No.”  Kagome’s eyes looked away.  

“I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“It’s my fault she was going to kill you.”

“Inuyasha…” Kagome whispered, still looking away.  “You need some food.  I saved you some.”  Hastily she picked up the bowl of rice Kouga had given her.  

“I’m not hungry… you eat it.”

“You need your strength.”  

His hand fell on her knee and he stared up at her.  “Maybe I don’t.”

Kagome bowed her head as large tears fell unchecked down her cheeks and into the rice bowl.  “Don’t say that.”

“They say only one can win, right?  I want it to be you.”

The girl shook her head, wiping tears away with the back of her hand.  “No.  We’ll find a way off…”

“Kagome…”  His hand tightened lightly on her knee.  “I need you to live…”

“Why?”  

His eyes closed.  “Because… I… love you.”  

Kagome covered her mouth with her hand.  “But you… and Kikyou…”

“Shut up… I… don’t have… time…”  A look of pain crossed his face and his body contorted.  “Please…”

“What do you want?”  Kagome whispered breathlessly.

Inuyasha opened his eyes briefly.  “Do you… love me?”

“Yes.”  Tears fell on him from her eyes.  “Gods… yes.”  Her body leaned forward as her lips touched his.  

Breathing out softly into her mouth, Inuyasha went still.  

Kagome broke off the kiss and rested her head on his unmoving chest, gazing up into his peaceful face as if committing his features to memory.  “I’ll live… for you.”
 
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