Frozen Sakura Blossoms by Jennifer

Dying Petals

Chapter One

Dying Petals

The night was dark and the fire was warm against their faces. Fire flies danced around the fire mischievously, making the moment look warmer. Kagome looked at him, remembering what she had said to him today. The words, "I love you", played in her head over and over. 'Why hasn't he spoken to me yet?' she thought as she turned back to her previous task of staring into the fire, consumed by her thoughts.

Inuyasha turned to her, as she stared into the burning fire. Her expression seemed calm and warm and her long ebony hair blew playfully in the soft breeze. Her blue eyes held the notion that she was in deep thought. The flashback played back in his head...

"Inuyasha," Kagome screamed at the top of her lungs as he uncontrollably felt the demon in him take control of his body. His eyes turned bloody red, and the youkai blood in him flared. He remembered the feeling of his helplessness. He was helpless to protect Kagome, to help his friends in a great time of need. The stench of acid flared into his nostrils making his throat burn. His now longer claws clutched Tessaiga with a powerful grip, feeling the urge to kill. Suddenly, he felt the warm hands hold his body in a tight hug, and a warm, peaceful sensation eased through his body, "Kagome..."

He heard Kagome's soft words come out of her mouth, barley more then a whisper, "I love you Inuyasha." He couldn't say more, and he didn't need to think twice about his next action. "Hold on Kagome," his voice was strong and demanding. He couldn't loose her, not like he lost Kikyo. "KAZE NO KIZO!" He yelled at the top of his lungs as he swung Tessaiga with all his might. "We're free Kagome, we made it," He said. She was still holding on tightly to his waist, "I'm glad, Inuyasha," he remembered her whisper before catching her in his arms.

The memory slowly faded away and he saw Kagome silently get up and walk away. He didn't know what to say to her, how to react. He still loved Kikyo with all his being. He too walked away, deep into the woods. A new scent filled his nostrils, this time, it was Kikyo.

Kagome didn't know what else to do but walk away and be alone. Sango stared at her with worry, "Kagome, where are you going," Sango asked. Kagome tried to smile, her eyes downcast. "I just need to be alone for awhile, sorry guys." Shippo and Miroku watched her look away. They knew they couldn't do anything to ease her pain, so they let her walk away. Kagome walked deeper into the woods, the trees consuming her in darkness, and the feeling of pure sadness was heavy on her heart. Kagome looked ahead where a nice clearing lay. A beautiful tree in full bloom blew softly in the night breeze. She walked to the tree, and sat down, gazing at the glorious night sky. 'I wonder how many people have felt as I do now? How many people feel as alone as I am right now? How many people are gazing up at the night sky, watching as the stars glow brightly feeling the beauty that lies ahead?' As much as she wondered about the answers to those questions, there surely was somebody else who was also gazing up at the night sky, watching the stars glow brightly. Kagome's thoughts stopped dead when she saw Kikyo's soul collectors moving to a certain location, not far from where she was sitting now. Kagome got up, feeling the need to see Kikyo, wondering why she was so close to the camp. She walked carefully and quietly through the thick trees, she could hear the insects making their nighttime noises, and light breaths of animals fast asleep in their nests. Kagome looked up, and saw the soul collects fly down near the ground, right in front of the tree she was hiding behind right now. Kagome held on to the tree, her nails digging into the thick wood. What she saw made her heart stop, her breaths slowly fade away, and her head spin. The voices further broke her heart, and the words that were spoken smashed it into final pieces.

"Kikyo, stay with me, don't leave again. I can protect you Kikyo! I'll always protect you!" Inuyasha said fiercely as he held Kikyo close to his body in an intimate embrace.

"I want to be with you Inuyasha, but as long as I know that you feel for that girl, Kagome, I can't stand alongside you. I can't fully have you as my own." Kikyo whispered back, her hands clutching Inuyasha.

"I don't love her Kikyo! I LOVE YOU! Why can't you understand that dammnit? I LOVE YOU! I want to be with you, I want to die with you Kikyo." Inuyasha said as he pulled her into a kiss.

"Then come to hell with me, my love. Burn in the eternal flames of Hell with me, and we can be together for all eternity." Kikyo whispered in his ear softly, as the kiss ended."

Kagome watched wide eyed, as Kikyo wrapped herself around Inuyasha, holding him tightly. Kagome's body pulsed, as she felt the Shikon Jewel shards near by, along with the sound of Naraku's swarm of poisonous insects. Kagome felt light breaths on the back her neck, slowly inching to her ear, "Watch your lover die, Kagome, for this is the end. It seems all that you have believed was false; all that you have dreamed has been shattered. This is where your journey comes to an end my love, this is when Inuyasha dies." Naraku whispered before he was behind Inuyasha, stabbing one of his tentacles right through his heart. Kikyo slightly turned her head in Kagome's direction, a small smile on her lips, and her eyes alight with flames of joy.

Well ladies and Gentlemen, this is the end of the first chapter. It's a cliffhanger, I know. I thought I'd torture you guys a bit.