A Promise to Fix

Chapter 3

Hello, my Inu-fans! Remember when I started this short series a month ago? Yeah well, here's the thing: I started to write this computer at that time, but my computer completely crashed before I could save any of it. AND I WAS NEARLY FINISHED TOO! Having all that work wasted broke my heart – but here I am, giving it another go.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Coldplay's Fix You.

-~*CFTF*~-

"Hang on, Kagome!" I yell against the wind. The trees loom over my head like demons watching and waiting, just waiting to pounce. Each branch reaches out as if protruding through the darkness to grab me and yank Kagome out of my arms.

This isn't right! I shout in my mind. This wasn't supposed to happen! Damn! How'd I get it so wrong? Kagome's alive, but I need her to live.

I trip on a low root jutting up from the black earth, but I roll across my back and launch myself in the air – landing on my feet. I don't even pause to congratulate myself and break into a run. Nothing, nothing, was going to stop me from getting Kagome to safety.

Kagome…

I glance down at the girl in question and my heart thuds painfully in my chest. Her hands are clasped tightly against her chest, either to put pressure on the wound or hold back some pain – I don't know. Her eyes are screwed shut; sweat covers her pale forehead. Her breathing comes and goes in quick, short pants. I can tell she's trying to hide her pain from me, to lessen my worry by minimizing her soft cries – but I only worry all the more.

This can't be right! I've worked too hard to get you back from Death's grip to have you slip away from me now!

A grunt passes my lips as I kick and bound my way up the steep hill. It's the quickest way to the village, but it doesn't do anything to help my out physically. From running to Sesshomaru to racing to Kaede's, I've done everything but rest. Even my demon blood is wearing out.

But I can't let Kagome down – I refuse to let her die again!

When you try your best, but you don't succeed

When you get what you want, but not what you need

When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep

Stuck in reverse

I see a light in the distance, but notice that it only comes in blurs. It's then that I feel the sharp whip of the wind on my cheeks, wet from my tears. I twist my head to my shoulder and rub my face on the worn fabric of my white undershirt.

Finally, I feel the girl in my arms go limp – the pain too much for her frail, human body.

I shake my head furiously, the yellow-orange lights whispering closer to us.

No, don't think that way. Kagome is strong – she'll get through this, yeah. Yeah!

And the tears come streaming down your face

When you lose something you can't replace

When you love someone, but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?

Could it be worse? Hell yeah! I could have never come to the clearing at all and then Kagome would still be.. s-still be-

Reaching the summit of the everlasting hill, I pause to look down at the village's torches burning brightly against the inky black of night. Now, I can easily avoid every obstacle preventing me from getting Kagome the medical attention she needs. I feel that fickle feeling called hope rise in me – but do I even dare?

I tighten my grip on my sleeping miko – a growl of defiance against death, against the odds, ripples through me as I stare down at her.

I swear to Kami I'll fix you, Kagome. I'll fix you.

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you

I run past all of the bewildered villagers and head straight to Kaede's. Soon, I see her just in time to step out of her hut. I land right in front off her.

"KAEDE!" I shout, not intending to – I'm just so scared for Kagome and-

"I'm not yet deaf, ye half-demon. What ails ye?" she asks, casting me a wary eye.

For a moment, I simply stare at her.

How do I explain everything? Well, start at the beginning, I guess…

As I enter the hut to lay Kagome down, Kaede immediately examining her body, I say, "Well, it started earlier this evening. I was going to say goodbye to Kikyo, but I heard Kagome's scream. At first, all I could think of was, 'what is she doing all the way out here?'"

The elder nods, her hands checking various spots on Kagome's body. She casts me a look that clearly reads go away, but I narrow my eyes at her.

I'm not letting Kagome out of my sight!

I hear the old hag sigh heavily as she proceeds to cut what's left of the young miko's school uniform. Two things happen: I feel my blood rush up to my face at the sight of so much skin, but I wince at how grotesque her wound mares her ivory flesh.

I cough to clear up my throat and continue, "I found her behind Kikyo, the miko's arrow embedded in Kagome's chest. I… I told her that I never wanted to see her again and rushed to find my brother. He revived her, but the wound is still there."

I see the woman's brow furrow as she narrows her one eye. Lady Kaede reaches around Kagome to cover her up in my Robe of the Fire Rat, hiding her body from unwanted eyes.

"Will she be okay?" I dare to ask.

The look Kaede tosses at me sends that little hope I had falling and smashing into the boulders of cruelty.

"Inuyasha," she addresses me. "Kagome has lost too much blood and her rendezvous with death has drained her of her strength. I'm sorry, but I don't think-"

I drone the rest of her words out- refusing them, rejecting them.

I fall to my knees and shake my head.

"No… Kaede, don't tell me that. I love her too much to let her go now." I bow my head, but snap it up with a sudden thought. I call her, "Kaede!"

She turns my way, raising an eyebrow.

I feel myself smiling softly as I confess, "She loves me too, she told me herself…"

I knit my black eyebrows together as I break our gaze.

I know you have the strength to survive this, Kagome. I know it's there.

An ides pops into my head, but I try to push it away. I can't imagine doing that to her – can't even think about using my fangs to-

One glance Kagome's way and I know I have no choice if I want her to live.

I don't like my shitty options – to hell with them all! But… If I don't try this, how will I know if it might save her life?

And high up above or down below

When you're too in love to let it go

But if you never try you'll never know

Just what you're worth

"Kaede," I whisper. "Please leave us alone, you might no like what you see…"

For a minute, she remains there, near us, and the air becomes thick with anxiety. Finally, I hear her shuffle out of the hut. I take a deep breath and force my eyes to rise off the floor, drinking in every candle illuminating the small room. My eyes roam until my amber gaze falls upon a Kagome basking in their unearthly glow.

She looks completely… Breathtaking.

I come back to my senses and step over the tiny flames until I'm in the inner makeshift circle with the sleeping miko. I lay down next to her and gently stroke the side of her face.

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you

"Kagome?" I draw out softly. "Kagooommeee….."

Her slender black brows knit together as her head lolls from side to side; a moan escapes her lips.

"Kagome?" I ask a little louder, hoping to draw her further out of unconsciousness.

Her lips press firmly together, "Mmmm… Whaa?" she manages to utter with her eyes closed.

I close my eyes to gather my bravado. I take a deep breath and say, "Where do you want me to bite you?"

She stirs and mumbles, "Bite me? Why do you wanna…"

I look at her.

Because this might be the only way you can live…

"You trust me, right?" I ask instead, ignoring her question – for now.

"Yeah."

"And you love me, right?"

"O-of course."

"Will you stay with me forever?"

I can see the wave of sadness cascade upon her shoulders as she digests my words.

"Inuyasha, I-"

I clasp both of her petite hands. I feel panic rush through me as I sputter out, "N-no, Kagome! D-don't t-think that w-way! Listen: If I could find a way for you and I to live together, would you let me try it?"

She stills and I can smell the tears brewing beneath her eyelids. She squeezes my calloused hand and nods.

Tears stream down on your face

When you lose something you cannot replace

Tears stream down on your face

And I...

After I biter her, I'll have her swallow my blood. Kagome will more than likely over-react, but the healing attributes in my demon blood should close up her wound and heal it… hopefully.

"Where?" I ask timidly.

"Anywhere you like…"

I nod to myself and release her pale hands. I hear her heartbeat quicken as I position myself over her. I brace my knees on either side of her thighs and lean on my hands on the floorboards near her head. The subtle candle glow eases the stress marring her features. Her shiny, black hair perfectly reflects their orange hue. My left hand reaches down the tug the collar of my robe around her neck. But she catches her breath, causing me to pause.

Poor Wench, I'd hate to have her suffer through more shit – but it has to happen if we want her to live…

As I continue to observe her silently, Kagome starts to shake from the strain of keeping up her own bravado. My gaze softens.

"I'll go first," I mutter without realizing it.

Tears stream down on your face

I promise you I will learn from my mistakes

Tears stream down on your face

And I...

I lean down to brush my lips over hers before daring to kiss her fully. I can hear her heartbeat quicken as I continue to lavish her with sweet kisses.

How I wish we could just stop here – to just keep our lips together like this, only stopping to breathe. But…

I probe her mouth open with firm lips. Wary of hers, I puncture my own lips with the tip of my fangs. I cover her mouth again and force the blood into her mouth.

Kagome, startled by the foreign substance, rejects the very thing that could save her life and tries to push me away. Her screams of protest are muffled against my lips, but they crash on my ears painfully all the same. However, I keep us lip-locked, one hand behind her head to keep her in place. Her hands slip between us and she pushes me away, thrashing and hitting my chest.

It's painful to have to do this. Not physically, but emotionally. I don't want to do this, but I'm selfish and want her to live.

To cease her thrashings without hurting her, I lower myself until I'm flush against the miko. I screw my eyes shut and force Kagome to accept my blood. After a while, her petty thrashings stop and she willingly swallows the life-saving cordial.

Behind my eyelids, the dozens of candles flicker in the darkness as we continue the ritual. Eventually, I stop bleeding and I feel her wrap her arms around my neck, reassuring me. I growl in approval, but pull away to check on her.

I suck in a gust of air at the sight below me. Not only is her wound healed, but the demon blood is already doing wonders to her near-death features. Gone is the prudent scent of death. The back of my hand grazes against her pink cheeks before I realize it. Gone is the paleness and lack of warmth in her skin.

I feel the heat flash across my face and Kagome laughs. Normally, I would scold her and walk away, but not after nearly losing her. No. For now, I will simply enjoy being able to be with her instead of mourning over a corpse.

I-I… I can't believe it actually worked! The thought whips through my mind and I find myself kissing her again. My eyes water again only to slip off my chin and spill onto Kagome's cheeks. Daftly, I kiss them away and find her crying as well. Crying tears of joy, of tears of happiness – just like me. I feel a small hand pressing against my chest and I ease up on my forearms to look down at her.

"I-Inuyasha?" She asks in a small voice. "What about me?"

I cock my head at her, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Weren't you going to…" her voice trails off and it dons on me.

"Ohh..." I look away, afraid of what her eyes will say with what I have to say next. "I… I'll do that another time. I don't want to force ya into nothin' ya don't want… "

She places her hand on the side of my face and I turn to study her. Her eyes are swimming with tears and I don't know why.

Shit! I told her I didn't wanna force her and-

The firm press of her lips against mine easily shuts those thoughts away. She pulls away, leaving me wanting more, and smiles at me.

"I love you," Kagome whispers, and my heart soars in my chest.

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you

I lean down until our foreheads touch and I just smile.

Right now, I can't imagine how life for a hanyo like me could get any better. In my arms, the girl I've fallen for loves me. She's alive and healthy. And just for an added bonus, her beauty is radiating off her in waves.

Well, I've kept one promise – I've fixed you, Kagome. But don't think I'll ever stop loving you-

Don't think I'll stop caring for what had fallen.

"Yeah?" I ask her with my eyes closed. I'd never be able to tell her this with them open. "I love you, too."

-~*CFTF*~-

A/n: Well? How was this chappie? I have little experience in the "Blood Ritual" field – so how did I do?

Do any of you feel I need to change the rating of the story?

One more thing!

I'm thinking of keeping this story going – however, it will be kind of like little one-shots. For instance, I'm thinking of having Kagome going into labor and Inuyasha is a wreck outside the hut (but I don't have a song yet so…. Any suggestions? Lol!)

You catch my drift?

;3

Till Next Time!