When Naraku attacked Yan Luo, she accidentally released Kagome. Kagome seized the chance to escape, and Inuyasha rushed over to shelter her in his arms. Even after Yan Luo and Momiji left, Kagome remained there. This was the first time she had faced almost certain death. If Naraku had not intervened-though saving her had never been his intention-her life truly would have hung by a thread. Even with Yan Luo gone, Kagome still trembled in Inuyasha's arms. The wound on her neck stung, and she had yet to recover from the shock. But what hurt her even more was the unspoken understanding with which Inuyasha and Kikyo protected one another. They had done nothing yet, but simply standing there, they seemed so perfectly matched.
"Kagome, are you all right?" Inuyasha held her shoulders and asked anxiously.
"Yes." Kagome tried to hold back her tears, but she could not control herself. She nodded faintly through her sobs.
"I'm sorry, Kagome," Inuyasha apologized quietly. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, Inuyasha." Kagome buried herself in his arms again, her answer trembling. She could not shake the feeling that unless she drew a little closer to him, he would leave her and return to Kikyo.
Kikyo's clear gaze swept over the embracing pair before settling silently on Naraku. She had not expected it-no one had expected it-that Naraku would suddenly attack before his body had finished transforming. This had to be his weakest moment. Kikyo tightened her grip slightly on her bow. But destroying his body now would accomplish nothing. As long as his soul remained, he could be reborn endlessly. Only that method could destroy Naraku.
Naraku stared fixedly at Kikyo. They stood only a short distance apart, yet a strange atmosphere lingered between them. An observer like Han could clearly see