Consumed by Leloi Her body crumples against mine and I hold her to me.  I feel the wild beating of her heart as her eyes stare up at me, uncertain and afraid.  "Kagome."  I whisper her name.  I feel hot fluid flow over my fingers and down my wrists to my elbows.  I know what it is… Her blood.  The air is strong with the scent of it.  "Kagome…" Her mouth opens as her eyes try to focus on mine.  "Inuyasha, I love you…"  I want to scream at her, tell her not to say it… because I want her to tell me later, when we're both safe.  But I know there won't be a later.  The blood that flows out of her back and down my arms takes her life with it.  There's nothing I can do to stop the bleeding… or keep her with me.  Pulling her face to mine, I kiss her.  Her lips are already cool from the lack of blood as my tongue tastes them for the first and only time.  With a shivering sigh, I feel her leave her body… leave me behind.  She takes my life with her.  What else can I do but hold her body, whisper words she'll never hear.  "Kagome, don't leave me.  I love you." "How quaint."  His words grate in my ears.  And I remember why I'm here, holding her dead body in my arms.  Still cradling her against me, I look to where the voice comes from.  Naraku stands, with an amused look in his eyes.  "Looks like she's gone on without you again, Inuyasha."  Taking a few steps back, I gently place her body on the ground behind me.  When this is over… if I win… But looking down at her pale, still face… I know this battle will be my last.  Even if I win… I'm lost.  Let others finish what was started.  I want no part of it.  My bloody fingers find their way to my mouth and I taste her spilled blood.  I savor the metallic taste that overwhelms my senses.  Without thinking my other hand smears bloody fingers across my forehead and cheek as I stare down at one whose blood I make a part of my own.  I can feel the change in me and I embrace it.  Before I would fight it off, desperate to keep my humanity.  But now I go willingly to the other part of my soul.  It overwhelms me.  I am lost.  I am… Claws.  Blood.  Rip, tear… gouge!  Destroy.  Protect.  Myself.  I stare up at the darkened sky, fighting to take breath.  My whole body aches and there is a painful ripped sensation near my stomach.  I can't move… but I don't think I want to.  The stars twinkle above me, their tiny pinpricks of light seeming to grow larger with each strained breath.  "He's alive!"  I hear Sango's words as she leans over me.  Miroku appears next to her as he stares down at me in concern.  "Barely.  Do you remember anything, Inuyasha?" "Kagome."  Her name escapes my lips.  The monk stares down at me with a look of pity mixed with sadness.  "She's dead, Inuyasha.  Naraku killed her and then you…" I stare up at him, watching the starlight dance behind his head.  "Is Naraku…?" "Your demon side killed him." "Kagome… Bring me… Kagome."  It's hard to catch my breath.  My lungs ache and it's hard to focus on anything but the stars.  The monk disappears a moment before I feel a soft body placed against my own.  Sango's sobs touch my ears, but it sounds as if several people cry with her.  With the last of my strength I roll over to take Kagome in my arms.  "My grave… with hers…"  I whisper, hoping someone will hear me.  I close my eyes and feel the world wash over me. ^.~ "Inuyasha, why are you here?"  Kagome stands before me, beautifully radiant.  This place… must be the land of the dead.  It has an eerily peaceful atmosphere to it.  Everything seems to glow… the landscape, Kagome… but not me.  I seem a bit too real.   "Take me with you."  I answer, stepping forward to wrap my arms around her.  "Please." Pulling back a little, she reaches up a hand and rubs my cheek.  "You're covered in my blood."  Her eyes seem a little sad. "Naraku killed you… and I let myself lose control to defeat him.  Your blood… I wanted to die with your blood inside of me."  For a moment she stares up at me in confusion, then her look melts into a warm smile.  "You'll always be a part of me, Inuyasha.  With or without my blood."  I can sense her pulling away as if this is some dream and I'm awakening.  I don't want that.  "Don't tell me I have to go back.  Don't send me away, Kagome.  I have nothing back there.  Kikyou has been set free… The others can take care of themselves."  My arms hold her tightly.  "Let me stay." I feel her arms around me and I feel at peace.  There is no past or future… there is only now and her arms around me, giving me peace.  For the first time since birth… I have found peace. ^.~ The firelight dances across the monk's features as he stares at the funeral pyre.  Beside him, clasping his naked right hand with entwined fingers stands the demon slayer.  At his feet a fox demon cries.  There is nothing he can do but watch the two bodies become one smoke as the fire claims them both.  "There's nothing we could have done."  The demon slayer whispers, wrapping her arm around his waist with a familiarity born from years of companionship. The monk nods and gently rubs at the demon slayer's ass… perhaps for comfort.  "I just wish… they could have had more.  Then maybe Kagome would have known how much he cared for her." "She knows."  The demon slayer replies.  "I believe she knows." --End Back to the Gallery