InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Light amongst the Darkness ❯ The Four Items of Darkness - Part II ( Chapter 17 )

A/N: Sorry about not updating sooner. My mom broke her ankle and I have been helping her out. But now I am by myself and I can write this chapter. Thank-you all for reviewing.

A/N: With that here is the next chapter. Please R&R!!

Chapter Seventeen

The Four Items of Darkness Part II

Inuyasha had fallen into a light slumber. Yuki-chan was still refusing to open up the kekkai and now Sesshoumaru was grinning at the children playing on the ground. This was all too much for Inuyasha. He had finally confessed his love to Kagome and she loved him back. And now all this shit is happening and he can't be with Kagome. Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest as he let himself fall into a deeper sleep.

~~~~

Inuyasha opened his eyes and looked around. He was in a strange room that was totally dark. He could hear someone breathing and the clanking and clashing on metal on metal. Inuyasha strained his eyes and could barely make out the form of something or someone lying on the ground. Their leg was bent at a strange angle and their breathing was quick and choppy.

Inuyasha heard a familiar cruel laugh and then he smelt it. It was Naraku! And he could smell fear coming from the person on the ground. The scent was mixed with something that he recognized but for the life of him he could place the scent. "I was starting to wonder when you were going to wake up my dear Kagome. I was starting to think that you were not going to wake until the sun came over the horizon."

Kagome?! Inuyasha tried to move from where he was sitting but couldn't seem to get any closer to Kagome. Inuyasha could smell the fear coming off of Kagome in waves but when she spoke her voice was strong. "Where am I?"

"You are in the Mountain of Darkness and it is the last place you will ever see." Inuyasha watched as Naraku turned Kagome to look at him and cringed when she screamed out in pain. Inuyasha watched as her broken leg was turned even further at the weird angle it was already at.

"You are quiet beautiful Kagome. You look so much like Kikyo." Inuyasha inwardly cringed at the name. Kagome is nothing like Kikyo! Inuyasha yelled in his head as Kagome voiced out loud her thoughts on that. "I am nothing like Kikyo. I never was like her!" Kagome stiffened as Naraku ran a clawed finger across her cheek.

Inuyasha was growling now. How dare Naraku touch MY Kagome! She is mine and mine alone!

Inuyasha was in a blind rage. Naraku and Kagome were once again talking but their voices were muffled or he was just to mad to hear what they were saying. The room lit up and Inuyasha could feel his youkai blood trying to take over. Naraku was straddling Kagome's hips and was wearing almost nothing. Even though the room was now lit up the scene behind Inuyasha was becoming blurry.

Everything was beginning to go dark and Inuyasha heard Kagome scream again and the laugh of Naraku. The room started to spin in a whirl of colour as the scene before him started to vanish. "NOOOOOO! Kagome! Kagomeeee!!!"

The room completely vanished and Inuyasha was left in the darkness. "This can't be happening! If Yuki-chan would just have opened the damn kekkai and I would have gotten Kagome back before any of this could have happened."

Inuyasha covered his eyes as a blinding light flashed before him. He blinked hard a few times trying to get his eyes to adjust to the light. It was slowly diminishing in its brightness as Inuyasha watched it form into the shape of a woman.

"Aneue?"

"Yes Inuyasha I have come to you. I do not have long before Kagome calls out to me."

"Kagome is going to call out to you?! Why doesn't she call out to me?"

Inuyasha watched as Sorano glided over to him. He felt her warmth on his cheek and Inuyasha melted into the feeling. He remembered his feeling. "She has been calling out to you Inuyasha but the bond you two shared is now gone. She can no longer feel you and you can no longer feel her."

Inuyasha's face paled at what Sorano was saying. "Oh Inuyasha do not look like that. It was destiny that Kagome was going to have to go through this and through this alone. But Kagome will remember that she is not alone and that I will always go to those who call out my name."

"Kagome is going to call out to you? But you are but a memory. How can you save my Kagome if you have no physical form?"

"Since Kagome has an item of Darkness I am able to have a physical form. It is not nearly as strong as what I would be if I was unsealed but it is enough to protect Kagome. Inuyasha listen to me and you most do as I ask."

Inuyasha looked at Sorano with a raised eyebrow. "Inuyasha when the sun raises you most not ask Yuki-chan to remove the kekkai."

"WHAT!" Inuyasha was about to keep yelling when Sorano placed a hand over his mouth.

"As stubborn as ever my little Inuyasha. Listen to me Inuyasha. I will protect Kagome. But if the kekkai is removed in the morning then all will be lost. Ryuzaburo knows that I am not using all of my powers to keep his seal in place and as such he now has more power over the Tsunio. This means that they will be able to move in the light of the sun.

`If you ask Yuki-chan to remove the kekkai the Tsunio will kill everyone in the village and no one, not even you, will be alive. The kekkai of Yuki-chan is the only thing that is protecting everyone right now. Please Inuyasha for the sake of Kagome do not remove that kekkai."

"But Aneue…"

"I must leave now. Please Inuyasha do as I ask. One more thing Inuyasha," Inuyasha nodded, "Tell Sesshoumaru to ready the lines. He will know what that means. Good-bye Inuyasha."

"Aneue wait!" Inuyasha reached out and grabbed onto Sorano's wrist.

"Inuyasha trust me as you once did as a child. I know that I promised to come back to you and I never did but I am now. Kagome needs me and you need rest. You will awaken at dawn. When that happens you must tell Sesshoumaru what I told you."

Inuyasha nodded as Sorano leaned forward and gently kissed his forehead. Inuyasha instantly felt a warmth wrap around him. He remembered this feeling as well. Inuyasha closed his eyes and let the darkness take him.

~~~~

"Sorano the youkai of Naraku! They are coming after us!" Kagome yelled.

Sorano turned and saw the youkai coming at them at an intense speed. Kagome held onto Sorano tighter. "Kagome hold on this is going to get difficult."

"Hai!" Sorano turned around and ran to the exit. The light was getting stronger and stronger. Kagome closed her eyes as they exited the cave and were now standing on the edge of a very high up cliff. A path to the right lead down the cliff.

"I hope your ready Kagome!"

"Sorano… AHHHH!" Kagome screamed as Sorano ran to the cliffs edge and dived, head first, off the cliff. Kagome tried to keep her eyes open as the wind whipped her face. They were falling so quickly. How is Sorano going to stop! Kagome couldn't keep the fear out of her thoughts.

"Do not be afraid Kagome I will not let them have you!"

Kagome calmed down a little but she was still worried about crashing into the ground. The trees that covered the ground at the bottom of the cliff were getting bigger and bigger as they descended towards the earth. Kagome yelped as Sorano rolled herself over so that she was now falling feet first. She raised her hand and two of her claws started to glow a sakura colour.

Sorano whipped her hand around and a sakura coloured whip extended from her two claws and grabbed onto a think branch of the nearest tree. Kagome screamed as they were a mere ten feet from hitting the ground. Kagome closed her eyes as she felt a jolt and the wind change directions. Kagome opened one of her eyes and watched as Sorano, using her whip, swung through the air and barely missed the ground.

Sorano arched herself forward and launched herself once again into the air. Kagome felt Sorano grab onto her legs as she tucked her own legs under herself and flew through the out stretched limbs of an oak tree. Sorano landed gracefully on the ground and released Kagome's legs. Kagome was about to climb off her back when Sorano's voice stopped her.

"Kagome I will be running the rest of the way back to the village. I need you to hang on tightly and whatever happens do not let go!"

"Ha…hai!" Kagome looked over her shoulder and could just make out the darkness that was descending upon them. It was the youkai of Naraku but this feeling Kagome was getting. "The Tsunio are coming! But the sun is shining! How are they able to come after us?"

"Now that I am in this realm I am not protecting Ryuzaburo's seal and he is using his youki to give new power to the Tsunio. They will follow us all the way to the village. Hang on!"

Kagome opened her mouth to reply but was stopped as Sorano shot forward and started to run through the forest. Kagome was amazed at the speed and agility of Sorano. She was running through the forest as if she was apart of the forest itself. Never once did she lose her balance and never once did she look back at the youkai and Tsunio that were following behind them.

The ground shook as Sorano leapt into the air. She landed on a thick pine branch and stopped and looked over her shoulder. The Tsunio were running along the ground and were gaining speed on them. The youkai were following above the trees. Kagome watched as Sorano extended her arm and the claws once again started to glow. She whipped her hand around and the whip wrapped its self around Kagome and Sorano.

"Kagome I am binding us together. If the Tsunio get close enough they will grab at you and I will lose you. No matter what you must hold onto me even if it means that we are pulled to the ground."

Kagome nodded and locked her ankles around Sorano's waist. She then wrapped her arms about Sorano's shoulders and laid her head on her shoulder. "We will get there together Sorano."

Sorano smiled and leapt forward just as the Tsunio attacked the branch that they were just standing on. Sorano stayed in the trees as she made her way through the forest. She was zigging and zagging as to avoid the Tsunio that were moving through the shadows of the trees.

Sorano smiled as the trees started to thin out. "Kagome we are almost out of the forest. There is a plain ahead of us that leads to Lake Motosu. After that lake there is a path that leads into the very heart of Mount Fuji. That path leads to a secret tunnel that goes into the heart of the village. We will make our way that way. That way Yuki-chan can keep the kekkai intact."

Sorano cleared the forest and landed gracefully on the soft cool grass. She shot forward and started to run with a new found speed. Kagome leaned in closer to Sorano's ear and whispered, "What if the Tsunio and youkai follow us? We will be leading them into the village and they will have no way of defending this sort of attack."

"I need you to seal the entrance to the tunnel Kagome. You must use your miko to stop the youkai and Tsunio from following us."

"I don't know if that will work Sorano. There are hundreds of youkai and the Tsunio can travel through shadows."

"Trust me Kagome the youkai and the Tsunio will have plenty to worry about once we reach Lake Motosu."

"What do you mean?" Kagome shrieked as Sorano leapt into the air and narrowly dodged as one of the Tsunio flicked up and tried to grab at them. Kagome whispered sorry to Sorano as she shook her head. I keep forgetting that youkai have such excellent hearing.

Kagome never got her answer from Sorano as she was now concentrating on getting them to Lake Motosu alive. The Tsunio were gaining on them and the youkai were following over head so Sorano couldn't leap that high out of the way or she would jump right into the fangs, claws, or yjaki of the youkai.

Trees were starting to appear on both their sides as Sorano started to run down hill towards another forest. Kagome could just make out the sound of running water. We're almost there! Kagome thought to herself as a smile spread across her face.

Suddenly Sorano was skidding to a stop. Kagome looked around and saw that ahead of them was a crescent shaped shadow that was blocking their path into the forest. Sorano side stepped to go around the shadow but the shadow moved and followed her every movement. Kagome could feel a very strong youki and looked up to see that the sun was slowly being completely blocked by the youkai.

"Kagome this isn't going to be easy. The youkai that are above us are creating shadows so that the Tsunio will be able to attack us more swiftly. I can handle the Tsunio but the youkai are what I am worried about."

Kagome reached down and touched the whip that was binding them together. It slowly disappeared and Kagome climbed off of Sorano. She raised her hand as Sorano made to protest. "Sorano I can not fight the youkai if I am on your back. I will handle the youkai you just need to handle the Tsunio. I will not be defended here. I need to see Inuyasha again and I will kill all these youkai to do it!"

Sorano smiled and nodded. "I will watch your back Kagome. I just wish that I had Otoru with me."

Kagome held her hand out before herself as a streak of fuchsia light appeared before her. Kagome grasped onto the light and it changed in her katana. Kagome reached her other hand up and a blinding white light appeared. Kagome grasped onto it as it changed into her ivory white bow. Kagome smiled as she handed Sorano her katana. "I know it is an item of light but you can still use it. I know that it is nothing like Otoru but it will still be of use to you. I like my bow and arrows better anyways."

Sorano grinned as she bowed and took the katana from Kagome's outstretched hand. The katana pulsated and Kagome could feel the power radiating from it. "It seems to remember the one that forged it."

Kagome was about to comment when the Tsunio arced and launched at Sorano. Sorano grasped the hilt of the sword and in one swift movement drew out the katana. The blade flashed fuchsia as it sliced the attacking Tsunio in half; purifying it instantly. Kagome could feel the power of her katana steadily getting stronger as Sorano sliced it through the air and killed off the Tsunio.

Kagome reached over her shoulder and felt a new weight added to her back. Kagome grasped onto the feathered end of an arrow that had appeared and notched it to her bow. "Let's do this Sorano!"

***

Sesshoumaru sat on the ground and watched as Shippo taught Rin and Yuki-chan a strange game that had the children laughing. Sesshoumaru couldn't help but notice that Yuki-chan was slowly starting to dim. It was as if her light was vanishing. He was so deep in thought that he didn't even notice that Yuki-chan was now sitting in front of him and was staring at him.

"Maru-chan what is wrong? You look very deep in thought."

Sesshoumaru blinked and quickly regained himself. "I was in deep thought Yuki-chan. What is wrong? Did you need something?" Sesshoumaru reached up and brushed away a stray hair that was in her face. Yuki-chan giggled as she reached over and tried to tickle his side. Sesshoumaru smirked as Yuki-chan's eyes widened as she reached his left side.

"Maru-chan where is your arm?!" Sesshoumaru looked into her cool eyes that were full of concern.

"I lost it in a battle Yuki-chan. It is nothing to worry about. I am just as powerful now as I was sixty years ago. Having one less arm does not make me weaker in battle."

Yuki-chan shook her head and slowly replied, "It is not in battle that I am worried about. You always gave Sorano-sama a hug when you two would see each other and now you won't be able to. I could fix it for you Maru-chan. It won't hurt."

Sesshoumaru was taken back by this. She is more worried about my ability to hug Sorano than my ability to fight with one arm. My ability to hug Sorano… Sesshoumaru was interrupted from his thoughts as an echoing slap was heard and Sango's voice filled the air.

"Houshi-sama I told you stop touching me!"

"Sango my love I could not help my cursed hand."

Sesshoumaru watched as Yuki-chan walked over to Miroku and took his hand in hers and looked at his Kazana. "Miroku-chan, you have a Kazana in your right hand. Is that why you touch Sango-chan?"

Miroku was slightly taken off guard by this. Sesshoumaru smirked inwardly as the monk tried to think of a way of explaining his actions. "You see Yuki-chan… Well I think that you are too young to understand this…"

Yuki-chan cocked her head to one side and looked strangely at the monk, "Too young? I am much older then you are Miroku-chan. I think that to touch Sango-chan the way you are is not because of your Kazana but because you are attracted to her. I can smell it on you."

Sesshoumaru coughed as he tried to hold back his laugh. Yuki-chan was always so painfully honest that it was amusing. Here she was telling the monk to his face that he was attracted to the slayer and he was going seven shades of red in the process. Mean while Yuki-chan was looking at him with a look of pure innocence.

The monk was opening and closing his mouth trying to think of an answer when the door opened and in walked Aiko. Sesshoumaru turned his gaze from the monk to Aiko as he stared across the room. Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow as he looked at what Aiko was staring at.

"I thought she was here." Aiko entered the room and walked over to Inuyasha.

Sesshoumaru couldn't believe it. Inuyasha was sitting against the wall asleep but he was glowing a very faint sakura colour. His aura was fluctuating as if he was having a really bad dream and the sakura aura was calming him down. Everyone's attention was now on Inuyasha.

"Who is here Aiko-sama?" asked Sango as she looked over at Inuyasha.

"Sorano is here my dear Sango. She is within Inuyasha right now. I felt a very powerful aura coming from this room that felt like Sesshoumaru-sama's and I came to see what it was. As I came closer to the room I realized that it was actually Inuyasha's aura and the aura of someone I had not felt in a very long time. It is the aura of Sorano."

Yuki-chan ran over to Inuyasha and climbed onto his lap. Inuyasha didn't make a single movement as the little kitsune did this. She laid her head on Inuyasha's chest and closed her eyes. A small smile spread across Yuki-chan's face as she whispered. "She is coming."

Sesshoumaru, in a gracefully fluid motion, arose from his spot on the ground and walked over to Aiko. "Aiko I wish a word in private with you." Aiko nodded as Sesshoumaru walked from the room. They walked down the hall and out into the courtyard. Sesshoumaru glanced at the horizon and noticed that day brake was not that far off.

"Something troubles you Sesshoumaru-sama?" Aiko asked as he stopped beside the great lord.

"Sorano is getting more and more powerful by the day and what Yuki-chan said in there makes me think that we will be under attack soon."

"With the great kekkai back in place there is nothing to fear Sesshoumaru-sama. Yuki-chan's kekkai has protected us before and it will protect us again."

Sesshoumaru looked at Aiko, "Yuki-chan's kekkai will not hold. Her light is diminishing. Her kekkai is already getting weak and once Inuyasha awakens in the morning he will be telling her to remove it all together."

"Her light is diminishing? How can this be? Yuki-chan is a very powerful youkai. She has trained since her birth with Sorano." Aiko lowered his head and gently shook it, "I do not understand."

"Nor do I but I will not allow the kekkai to be removed in the morning. It will be the downfall of this village if the kekkai is taken down. Aiko I want you to get the men and youkai ready for battle. I do not think that Sorano will willingly bring a war to us but she may not have a choice in the matter."

Aiko bowed, "As you wish." He stated as he walked off towards the village huts.

"What are you doing Sorano?" Sesshoumaru glanced once again at the horizon as the wind whipped his silver hair about himself.

***

Kagome and Sorano stood back to back in the forest. Kagome could still hear the water running from the lake, though she could no longer see it. She and Sorano had managed to push their way about half way into the forest. Sorano had a few cuts and bruises on her from the Tsunio but other then that she was fine. Kagome had so far managed to remain unharmed. The youkai weren't attacking as much as before now that they were shielded by the trees.

Kagome notched another arrow to her bow and fired it off at four youkai that were coming straight at her. The arrow pulsated and evaporated the four youkai instantly. Kagome could hear her katana slicing through the air and the shrieks of the Tsunio that were destroyed from the blade.

"Sorano we can't keep this up forever. How are we going to get to the tunnel and have time for me to seal it once we are inside?"

"We just need to get a little further into the forest and then we will be safe."

Kagome glanced over her shoulder and saw that Sorano was breathing heavily and she was slowly fading. "Sorano are you okay?!" Sorano looked at Kagome from the corner of her eyes and grinned.

"I'm grand Kagome and yourself?"

Kagome giggled and replied, "Just peachy but I wouldn't mind it if the youkai and Tsunio were just back off."

"Kagome we need to get about two hundred and fifty feet into the forest. There is a pillar in the forest that I must activate and then we will have more then enough help."

Kagome notched another arrow to her bow and fired it off at a patch of Tsunio that were creeping up on her. The Tsunio just barely pulled out of the way of her purifying arrow as they shrieked at her. "What pillar? What help are you talking about?" Kagome asked as she took a few more steps back as Sorano started to walk forward.

"This forest is full of earth youkai. During the War of Darkness Hitomi, Yuki-chan and I saved this forest from being destroyed by Ryuzaburo and his Tsunio. The earth youkai swore to us on that day that they would forever help us in our time of need. Thus the pillar was placed within the forest to act as a beacon to call the youkai forth. I just need to get to it and then they will keep the youkai and Tsunio busy while we make our way towards the tunnel."

Sorano leapt into the air and came crashing down upon a rather large patch of shadows. She thrust the sword into the very heart of the shadow and chanted something in an unknown language as waves, like Inuyasha's Kize no Kazu, shot out of the sword and was sent rippling through the shadows. Kagome quickly followed after Sorano as they made their way further into the forest.

"Sorano if you call out these youkai they will be killed by the Tsunio and the youkai. They would most likely be going to their death. We are barely able to keep them at bay as it is."

"Kagome these youkai are youkai of the earth. They live within the trees, grass, and earth itself. They will be more then enough to stop the Tsunio and youkai of Naraku while we make our way to the tunnel. They will have a better chance of stopping the Tsunio and youkai then ourselves."

Kagome and Sorano made their way further into the forest. The trees started to thin and Kagome thought that they were about to leave the forest. But they were merely entering into a large clearing. Kagome shuttered as she felt a great power lying dormant in the clearing. Kagome quickly looked around and saw a very ancient looking weathered stone pillar standing alone in the clearing. It was covered in moss, vines and weeds from the many years that it was left there.

"Kagome that is the pillar. I don't have much time left and with using more of my powers to unlock it I will not be able to stay with you that much longer. I only hope that I will be able to lead you to the tunnel. From there I may not be with you."

Kagome glanced at Sorano. She, Kagome, didn't want Sorano to leave her. In the short time that they had been together she had felt that Sorano was not only a great warrior but was starting to think of her as an elder sister. "Sorano I…"

Sorano held up her hand. "Kagome I was never here to begin with. Remember that my actually body is sealed away very far from here. I am just a mere memory that, because of the items of darkness, was able to be with you for longer periods of time. We will be together again and then we will never have to say good-bye. But we have more important things to be thinking about right now."

Kagome let out a sigh as she walked over to Sorano. "What do I need to do?"

Sorano smiled and nodded at Kagome, "Alright Kagome this isn't going to be easy. I need you to keep the Tsunio and the youkai at bay as I make my way towards the pillar. Now once I activate the pillar the youkai will attack the Tsunio and youkai of Naraku immediately. That's when we make a run for it."

Kagome nodded as she reached into her quiver and grabbed onto another arrow and notched it to her bow. "Now Kagome when I say `now!' you fire the arrow straight at the pillar and I will be running in its wake. Follow behind me as closely as you can."

"Hai!" Kagome raised her bow and arrow and drew it back. The arrow started to glow a fuchsia colour as Kagome concentrated her miko into the very fiber of the wood. Sorano placed the katana back in its sheath which, was now resting at her side, and crouched low to the ground getting ready to run.

"Now!" Sorano yelled and Kagome released the arrow. The wind whistled as it sliced through the air. Sorano shot off right after the arrow and followed in the aftermath of the arrows power. Kagome ran after Sorano as she ran flat out towards the pillar. She wasn't as fast as Sorano but she pushed herself as hard as she could.

Kagome watched as Sorano slid to a halt at the pillar. She raised her hand and had it hovering over the surface of the pillar. Kagome watched as Sorano closed her eyes and started to whisper something. Kagome only wished that she could hear what Sorano was saying because the longer Sorano stood there whispering and letting her hand hover over the pillar the thicker the air seemed to become. It was as if the air itself was becoming charged with youki.

Kagome stopped a few feet behind Sorano and could feel Sorano's youki flaring out of her. Kagome was surprised that she didn't feel more of her youki as the ground started to shake. Then it hit her. Sorano's youki is going into the pillar. She is filling the pillar with her youkai that is why I am unable to feel more of it. The earth shook again and the Tsunio and youkai of Naraku shrieked and hissed but did not make a move to try and stop them.

Kagome looked around the clearing and saw that little golden lights were dancing around the clearing. However just as quickly as they appeared they vanished and more would take there place and then they too would vanish. "Sorano…"

Kagome looked back at Sorano and gasped. The pillar was now free of all the moss, vines and weeds and looked as if it was brand new. Kagome could now see that the pillar was craved to look a lot like Kirara. There were neko youkai wrapped all around the pillar and the same strange markings that were on her katana were also craved onto the pillar. The ground shook again as the markings started to glow a bright sakura colour.

Sorano opened her eyes and placed her hand on top of the pillar; as she did this all her youki that were swirling around her shot into the pillar and the pillar exploded, sending pieces of stone everywhere, as the shockwave of her youki waved across the ground and flew off into the forest. Kagome stood still as everything went quiet. Even the Tsunio and youkai of Naraku were silent. It was as if they were all waiting to see what would happen.

A low rumbling suddenly broke the silence. The trees swayed as a strong wind started and the earth vibrated as the rumbling grew louder. Out of the corner of her eyes Kagome saw Sorano fall to her knees gasping for air. Kagome ran to her side and fell beside her. "Sorano!?" Kagome gently placed her hands on Sorano's shoulders. She was cool to the touch and was breathing very shakily.

"I am alright Kagome but I fear that I will not be making it to the tunnel with you. I have used up all the youki that I have to stay here with you." Sorano lifted her hand and pointed towards Mount Fuji. "Head that way and you will find the tunnel's entrance. Once inside seal it closed and follow the tunnel. It will lead you to the village. Once there help them with the kekkai. I fear that the Tsunio and youkai of Naraku are going to be attacking it. Also Kagome please help Yuki-chan she is fading and needs the power of light to help her too stay in this realm until I am unsealed."

"Sorano I can't do this on my mine! I need you by my side."

Sorano cupped Kagome cheek and gently whispered, "I will also be with you Kagome. I will go with you as far as I can."

Just then a deafening roar broke through the air. The sound sent shivers down Kagome's spine. It was a powerful youkai and it was heading this way. "It is the earth youkai. There are coming." Kagome jumped slightly as something brushed against her leg. Kagome looked down and saw a very small and very cute neko youkai rubbing its head against Kagome's knee.

"Oh you look just like Kirara!" Kagome reached down and petted the neko softly on its head. It did in fact look just like Kirara. It had the same markings but as Kirara was a tan colour this neko was grey and black. Its fur shimmered in the sun and almost looked silver.

"Shin my dear old friend I thought that you would not come to see me again." Kagome looked at the little neko as it purred its way over to the palm of Sorano. "I am in need of your help Shin. Can you help us?"

Shin meowed and sat looking up at Sorano. "Good! Now Shin I need you to help us get to the tunnel that leads to the heart of Mount Fuji. Can you do that for us?"

Shin once again meowed as it ran into the clearing a little ways and burst into flames. The neko youkai transformed into its larger self and walked over to Kagome and Sorano. Sorano got gingerly to her feet and petted his head. "Arigato Shin. Kagome climb on. We will get there a whole lot faster now. Don't worry about the Tsunio of the youkai anymore. They have enough to deal with." Kagome couldn't help but grin at the grin that was on Sorano's face.

Kagome walked over and climbed onto Shin's back. Kagome reached down and helped Sorano climb on Shin's back as well. Kagome couldn't help but feel guilty for Sorano. She was in a very bad state and now she was trying her best to help her, Kagome, get back to the village unharmed.

"Alright Shin, let's go!" Kagome grabbed onto Sorano as Shin shot forward like bullet being released from a gun. Shin moved a lot quicker then Kirara. But at the same time his movements were fluid and like a dance. He flew through the trees at a great speed and no Tsunio or youkai were following them.

"Sorano I think that we are going to make it!" Kagome hugged Sorano's back but Sorano didn't make a movement, "Sorano…" Kagome jostled her slightly, "Sorano! SORANO!"

***

Inuyasha awoke to the sound of people moving around outside. He slowly opened his eyes and stretched his sore limbs until the feeling had returned. That's when he heard it. It sounded like hundreds of people were moving around outside. Inuyasha looked around the room and saw that he was alone now. The scents of his friends were old as if they had left hours ago. Slowly Inuyasha got to his feet and looked out the window. The sun had be up for some time now.

"Aiko to me!" Inuyasha's ears twitched at the familiar voice. Sesshoumaru? What is he doing? Then it hit Inuyasha. Aneue had asked me to talk to Sesshoumaru and not to remove the kekkai. He couldn't be thinking of removing the kekkai… could he? Inuyasha didn't stick around to ponder his thoughts anymore as he ran from the room.

Inuyasha ran down the hall and out into the courtyard. There stood Sesshoumaru talking with Aiko, Sango, Miroku and Yuki-chan. Sango was in her exterminator out fit with her boomerang over her shoulder. Yuki-chan was leaning on Sesshoumaru's leg looking like she was about to fall asleep and Miroku leaning on her staff with a look of concentration on his face. Sesshoumaru was listening to Aiko as he was talking about something to do with a garden.

"Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha yelled as he ran towards his brother. Sesshoumaru glanced at Inuyasha and held up his hand to Aiko to silence him. "Sesshoumaru what the hell are you doing?! You aren't planning on letting the kekkai down are you? Aneue said not to do that!"

"Aneue…" Inuyasha saw the look of comprehension cross Sesshoumaru's face, "You mean Sorano. What did she say?" Sesshoumaru had advanced on Inuyasha but he stood his ground.

"She told me that if the kekkai is removed that the village will fall. She also said that I was to tell you to `ready the lines' whatever that means."

Sesshoumaru turned away from Inuyasha and looked at Aiko. "So I was correct then. Aiko I wish for you to gather the men and youkai on the plains in front of the village. Make the women and children move right into the gardens. They will be safe there. Board up the huts. I do not want any youkai or Tsunio that get inside to be able to hide in the huts. Sango."

Inuyasha turned and watched as Sango came and stood beside Sesshoumaru. She didn't even look at Inuyasha. "What I have been telling you all is about to happen. Sango you are to get to the armory and help get all the weapons ready."

"Hai Sesshoumaru. Kirara!" Sango turned as Kirara, in her fully transformed state, came flying at Sango. Sango leapt up and jump up onto Kirara's back and took off towards the huts that were on the east side of the temple.

"Sesshoumaru what do you wish of me?" Inuyasha turned and saw Miroku approaching Sesshoumaru. "And me Maru-chan!" Yuki-chan was now standing beside Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha couldn't help but notice that she looked extremely pale and was having problems focusing.

"Miroku I want you to head to the front with the other mikos and houshis. They will need you to help keep the kekkai intact as long as possible. The kekkai must hold. Yuki-chan I want you to go with the women and children to the gar…"

"NO! I fought beside you and Sorano-sama during the war and I am going to fight during this one as well!" Yuki-chan crossed her arms and glared at Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha couldn't help but smirk at the look on Sesshoumaru's face. It looked like he was torn between hitting her and telling her to go join the front.

"Yuki-chan you are to stay with Aiko at all times. You are getting weaker and weaker. Help them with the kekkai and the battle against the Tsunio."

Yuki-chan grinned and nodded her head as her, Miroku, and Aiko all walked off. Inuyasha stood silent for a little while and watched as the villagers ran around boarding up the huts, leading the women and children towards the gardens and the mikos and houshis and warriors all making their war down towards the plains.

"Inuyasha come with me." Inuyasha was brought out of his daze by Sesshoumaru's voice. He was already walking towards the plains. Inuyasha growled and followed after Sesshoumaru.

"Oi Sesshoumaru! I am not some guy that you can boss around!"

Sesshoumaru stopped and turned around and faced Inuyasha. Inuyasha's face went slack at the expression on his brother's face. "Inuyasha you and I have not been able to get along it many years but now I need us to put our differences aside and work on saving this village."

"Keh! I didn't think that you would go out of your way to help a village that has humans in or has me in it for that matter. I thought you hated humans! I thought that you hated me because I was a filthy hanyou!"

Sesshoumaru, faster then any living being, was in Inuyasha's face. "Don't get me wrong Inuyasha I do hate you and the humans but I have my reasons for hating you and the filthy humans. I am only doing this because it is what my Sorano wishes to be done and I will do whatever it takes to make sure this village does not fall."

"Your Sorano? I never knew that Aneue was your mate. I didn't think that you took orders from anyone!"

Sesshoumaru growled at Inuyasha and Inuyasha growled back. "I do not take orders from anyone!" Sesshoumaru held up his right hand, palm facing Inuyasha, and showed him the thin white scar that ran along it. "Sorano is my mate. Her desires are my desires and my desires are her desires. If you were a true youkai you would know that."

Inuyasha stared at the scar on his palm. Sesshoumaru and Aneue were mates? But she didn't look any different. If they were truly different then Sesshoumaru would have some of Aneue's powers. "That is just a scar Sesshoumaru. I know the mating rituals of Inu youkai and a scar is just a scar unless you finished the mating. And telling by your powers you have not!"

Suddenly Inuyasha was being held in the air by his throat. Crimson was bleeding into Sesshoumaru's eyes. "Never question me brother! We have things to do and you are going to listen to me. Sorano is not out there risking her life for nothing or have you forgotten that she is trying to save your Kagome." Aneue is with Kagome… Inuyasha's eyes bugged for a moment and then he glared at Sesshoumaru. "Good now that I have your attention. The kekkai is not going to last. Yuki-chan is too weak to hold it if the Tsunio and the youkai attack directly, which they are going to be doing, and once they brake through I am going to need you to lead the mikos and the houshis in an attack on the Tsunio. I will handle the youkai. Do you understand."

Inuyasha growled at Sesshoumaru and Sesshoumaru released him. Inuyasha fell to the ground as he glared at Sesshoumaru. "Now the attack will be happening soon. The darkness is already coming this way."

Inuyasha followed Sesshoumaru's eyes and saw that the horizon was quickly changing into nothing but darkness. It was the Tsunio and they were coming fast and hard. Inuyasha looked at the plains and saw the beginning of ranks being formed on the grounds. Sesshoumaru had started walking down to the ranks and, sighing to himself, Inuyasha followed after Sesshoumaru.

***

Kagome looked down at the sleeping form of Sorano. Even in sleep she was a sight to behold. Her long white golden hair was like a hallow fanned around her head. Her armor was glistening from the little light that was in the cavern. That's where she was now and that's where she was staying. How she managed to get within the tunnel and seal it was beyond her and now Sorano was laying on the ground looking as if she was about to die.

"Oh Sorano I wish you would wake up. I have no idea where we are and I can still hear the Tsunio and youkai trying to get in here." Kagome jumped slightly as Shin brushed up against. "Shin I don't suppose you know which way to go?"

Kagome looked up at her surrounds. It still took her breath away. They tunnel was long and narrow and very little to no light was within it. After traveling along it for what felt like hours the tunnel slowly began to get brighter. Kagome had thought that they had reached the other side but the sound of running water, a lot of running water, hit her ears and she realized that the sound was that of water echoing off the stone walls.

But what Kagome was not ready for was the sight that she was about to see. Shin had slowed down as the floor of the tunnel turned from uneven stone to smooth jet black onyx stone. It was sparkling as if it was the night sky dotted with a sea of stars. The walls were made with the same material and were extremely smooth and formed a perfect arch. Shin came to a stop at the exit of the tunnel and Kagome gasped.

They had just entered a large circular chamber. Kagome didn't know how high up the ceiling was because it was made of the same black stone and looked as if it was the night sky. The chamber had six exits altogether. The one she was standing in was the only one that did not have water pouring from it. The other five exits were about fifty above from where she was standing. And each one had a waterfall of crystal clear blue water cascading down from it. In the center of the room was a prefect circular pool that the water was collecting in. The pool of water in front of her had a tiny whirlpool in the middle and Kagome guessed that the water was draining out of the pool through a tiny opening in the bottom of the pool.

And now Kagome was sitting in front of this very pool wondering what she was to do next. There were five possible exits and if she took the wrong one she could end up getting lost or getting attacked by youkai that lived within the tunnel and caverns of Mount Fuji. Kagome sighed to herself as she once again looked at the sleeping form of Sorano. She was breathing pretty heavily now and she was starting to dim noticeably now.

"Sorano where do I go from here? I need to get to the village and help Inuyasha and the others but how am I to do that if I don't how to get out of this cave."

Kagome slowly stood up and looked at Shin, who was now lying beside Sorano and purring as he licked her face. "Shin I am going to look around and she if there are any clues on how to get out of here or where to go. I am leaving Sorano with you. Take care of her."

Shin meowed and laid beside Sorano. Kagome got to her feet and stretched. "Ok!" Kagome voiced aloud as she started to walk around the pool. I can't seem to place my finger on it but something about this place feels familiar. It is as if I felt this power before. But what is it. Kagome was so deep in thought that she didn't notice that whirlpool in the middle of the collecting pool was slowly starting to get bigger and bigger.

"I know this power! I know I do!" Kagome yelled out in frustration as she placed her hand over the jewel on her chest plate. Kagome was blinded as the jewel started to glow. "What the…!" Kagome closed her eyes as the light intensified. The sound of running water seized as the sound of churning water became almost unbearable.

The ground shook violently and Kagome was thrown off balance and fell to the ground. Kagome tried to open her eyes to see what was happening but the minute she opened her eyes tears started to sting them at the intensity of the light. The sound of churning water was slowly being replaced with the sound of crunching stone on stone.

Kagome covered her ears and just as she placed her hands over her ears everything stopped. The cavern went dark once again and then sound of stone and water all together seized. Kagome slowly lowered her hands as she opened her eyes. "whoa…" was all Kagome could think of to say.

The waterfalls had stopped and the whirlpool in the middle of the pool was now replaced with a large black stone dais. In the middle of the dais was a sapphire pillar that glittered from the little light that was in the chamber. Small round black stone stepping stones lead to the dais. Kagome slowly stood up and walked over to Sorano to make sure that she was alright. As Kagome got closer to Sorano she noticed that her katana was glowing slightly.

Kagome knelt down and pulled her sheathed katana from Sorano's waist sash and held it before her. "I can't believe it. This power… this power is that of an item of darkness. This chamber was home to an item." Kagome looked at Sorano and saw that she was glistening and sparkling slightly. "It has to be an item. If I unseal the item then Sorano should wake up… right?" Kagome looked at Shin and Shin meowed and kneaded Kagome forward with his head.

"Right!" Kagome stood up and walked towards the stepping stones. Water splashed and lapped over them. Kagome let out a breath as she stretched out her foot and stepped onto the first of ten stepping stones. "At least it's solid…" Kagome stated aloud.

Kagome walked along the stepping stones and finally stepped onto the dais that had the pillar that another item was sealed away in. Kagome unsheathed her katana and held it over the little slit that was in the pillar. Kagome closed her eyes as the marking on her katana started to glow.

"Koi maten Chenionaho Zein!" Kagome yelled as she thrust her katana into the pillar. The pillar instantly started to glow a beautiful sapphire. Kagome backed away as the pillar started to crack and splinter. Kagome covered her face as the pillar exploded, sending pieces of sapphire everywhere. The chamber once again was filled with an intense light.

A voice that sounded familiar once again filled the air. "The anklet of Water is an item of darkness and of light. It was created in the depths of the ocean where light can not reach however the waters of this world hold their own light and it is fused within these very items. These items will make you faster and more agile then any youkai, human, or hanyou. They are filled with the memories of life and the sins of death. They will forever help like water helps all who need it."

The voice echoed off the walls as the light diminished. Kagome opened her eyes and saw two anklets floating in midair. They were intertwined and made of the same material as the pillar. They were also covered in the same makings as her katana. Kagome reached up just as the items changed into an orb of sapphire light and shot into Kagome's chest plate.

"Excellent work Kagome! I didn't know that an item was sealed away here." Kagome jumped at the sudden voice and turned around. Riding on the back of Shin was Sorano. She looked pale and tired but she was at least up and moving again. Kagome grinned widely as she took Sorano's out stretched hand and climbed onto Shin.

"Now Kagome let's get to the village and stop the Tsunio and youkai!"

Kagome grabbed onto Sorano's waist and yelled "Hai!" As Shin shot forward and flew up to one of the exits, which moments earlier were filled with water, and flew straight through it.

***

A/N: That was a long chapter. I hope you like it. I'm really sorry about it taking so long. With work being a major pain in the ass, my mom braking her ankle, and rude reviewers I haven't been able to write. But this chapter finely came all together and the next chapter is going to be an all out war and finally some lemony goodness. With that said please review and please no flames. I don't think I could take any more flames. Huggles all!!! Tal ^_^