"I'm not a monster then?"
"." Kagome blushed.
"A mere human against Naraku. You'll only place yourself in danger and get in my way."
"Don't worry about me. I'm not just human, I do have some powers so I'm coming and that's that." Kagome had an insane urge to stick her tongue out at the youkai but managed to resist. Sesshoumaru just watched her without moving a muscle, making Kagome feel awkward as he just stared. After an eternity, Sesshoumaru turned away from her and started walking, leaving Kagome to chase after him.
"Suit yourself, wench."
* * * * * *
Meanwhile, Naraku's tide of youkai had suddenly retreated, leaving the group standing in the mess that was the battle ground, littered with the remains of many youkai, filling the air with the stench of death. The small group wondered why they had been attacked. Naraku, a master schemer, did not do things without a reason. It was possible that Naraku was trying to get their pieces of the Shikon no Tama as all the shards were now accounted for. Naraku, Kagome, and Sesshoumaru each held a portion of the shards with Naraku holding the largest piece. But, although it had taken them some time to destroy the large number of youkai Naraku had sent, all the youkai had been weak ones. There had been no doubt that they would defeat the youkai sent and Naraku was sure to have known that. As they tried to figure out the motive behind the attack, Shippo finally noticed the missing Kagome and shouted her name frantically, alarming the rest of the group.
The group searched the carnage, not really wanting to find the girl among the corpses but needing to reassure themselves that she was not dead. Out of the corner of his vision, Miroku saw a flash of light. An arrow lay on the ground, its tip reflecting the midday sun. The arrow did not seem to belong to the carnage. There was no one present that had used arrows except Kagome and had not had a bow or arrows with her. Grimly, Miroku picked up the arrow.
"Inuyasha. I think something has happened to Kagome-sama."
Miroku held the arrow up in plain view, careful not to touch the tip of the arrow. "There's blood on the tip of the arrow." Shippo scampered quickly over to Miroku wanting to smell the arrow. Miroku bent down to let the kitsune smell it and after a quick sniff, the Shippo raised wide frightened eyes to Miroku. "It's Kagome's blood." The houshi put a calming hand on Shippo's head and then rose slowly. Handing the arrow to Inuyasha, the houshi watched as the dog demon slowly smelled the arrow. Inuyasha's face revealed his shock at what he had just discovered. The arrow was saturated with the stench of clay and bones, the scent of Kikyo. Reluctantly, Inuyasha sniffed at the blood still fresh on the arrowhead reeling at the scent that unmistakably belonged to Kagome. His heart clenched with the ramifications of what Kagome's blood on Kikyo's arrow meant.
"It's Kikyo's arrow. The blood on the tip belongs to Kagome."
"So. It was a diversion then. That's why Naraku suddenly attacked with such weak youkai, knowing we would not lose. He just wanted to distract us while Kikyo killed Kagome."
They all turned at Sango's tone. The youkai exterminator was facing Inuyasha, her face closed and a fist clenched in anger. Her eyes were cold and accusing as she opened her opened her mouth to give Inuyasha the set down he deserved for letting this happen. He trusted her. Even after Kikyo's repeated attempts at his life he trusted her. He had hurt Kagome by choosing Kikyo, trusting that the dark miko still had some good in her. Inuyasha trusted that in the end Kikyo would help us destroy Naraku. It's obvious that Naraku was helping her distract us why Kikyo went after Kagome. I don't know what Kikyo's plan is but plotting to kill Kagome is unforgivable. But before Sango could get a word out, Miroku's hand covered her mouth, preventing any accusations she would have made. Glaring angrily at the houshi she was surprised when he whispered in her ear.
"Sango, look at him. He's hurt by this too."
The youkai exterminator went still at the quiet words. Inuyasha stood, a silent figure with eyes shadowed and unmoving. Sango shook off Miroku's hold and spun around. She understood that he suffered from Kikyo's betrayal and, like her, he was worried about Kagome's disappearance. But still, she couldn't completely let go of the feeling that Inuyasha was partially at fault. For, if not for Inuyasha, would Kikyo really hate Kagome to this extent? Inuyasha was in pain, yes, but Kagome could be dead. Confused by her conflicting emotions of anger and sympathy she didn't want to look at Inuyasha at the moment. Picking up Shippo, she comforted the kitsune cub, her actions calming her also.
Inuyasha stood with confused shock, unable to move. Kikyo tried to kill Kagome? Kagome is missing, possibly dead because I believed in Kikyo? If it was anybody else that threatened Kagome's life I would have torn them to shreds without hesitation. But Kikyo Could it be a plan to gain Naraku's trust? Inuyasha shook his head in confusion, frustrated by his churning thoughts. Kikyo and Kagome were two manifestations of one soul. They were different, yet they were one and the same. Who do I choose? Although in the past I was prepared to be with Kikyo, I know that in order to be with her I would have had to become human using the Shikon no Tama. She would accept me no other way. And now, in order to be with Kikyo I also have to give myself up, give myself up to death. Kagome She accepts me as I am. She doesn't seem to care whether I'm hanyou or human. Kagome has never told me what I should be, only asked me if becoming a full youkai would make me truly happy. How can I choose? The two of them are one and the same, just shaped differently by circumstance. If not for me, Kikyo would not be what she is today...
The clearing was covered a by a somber blanket of quiet, tongues held in check by dark worried thoughts. Finally, the grim silence that seemed to last an eternity was shattered by a loud snap. Startled, all watched as the pieces of the arrow fell slowly as Inuyasha opened his clenched fist. The decision had been made. It's time.