InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome's Return (sequel to Kagome! Where are you!? ❯ naraku part 1 ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Kagome returns chapter 7: Naraku part 1.


Kagome nods. "I want to return to my house. Please."

Go-Shin-Boku-kami nods. The holograms vanish.

Kagome vanishes . . .


Outside the tree . . .


Kagome appears.

Shippo, Sota and Rin are playing around the base of the tree. Kagome's mother is watching the
tree, standing next to Sesshomaru. Kagome's Grandfather is watching through a window, as he
stays in the house.

Sesshomaru is watching the tree. His fingers are extended and his claws are sharp . . .

"Kagome!" her mother, Shippo, Sota and Rin yell. Her mother wraps her up in a huge hug



Kagome hugs her mother back. "Mother!" Shippo, Sota and Rin gather around Kagome, touching
and hugging parts of her body.

"Kagome?" Sesshomaru growls. "Was he the one?"

Kagome, looking over her mother's shoulder, nods. "Yes. He is."

"And?" His growl deepens. Shippo, Rin and Sota put Kagome between them and Sesshomaru.

"And I've got things to tell you." Kagome says, her voice low and hard.

Sesshomaru glances at the God tree. Kagome, trying to prevent him from acting on the spur of
the moment, says, "He is the power source of the well, Sesshomaru. Without him, the well will
not function."

Sesshomaru spins, putting his back toward the God Tree, he growls, "What else did you learn?"

"Other than my life was never mine to begin with." Kagome says. Her disgust is obvious.
Kagome's mother's eyes widen, but she doesn't say anything. "Not much that really is important,
here and now."

"In the future?" Sesshomaru asks.

A pause.

Kagome looks at Shippo, her mother and Sesshomaru. "In the future? Yes, I learned things that
will be important. But, anything about what's happening on the other side of the well? Or Inu-
yasha?" She shakes her head. "I did find out that my idea about my blood is correct, but that's it."

"And that's not important?" Her mother asks.

Kagome shrugs. "For here and now, yes, mother. But, compared to everything else, no."

Her mother, Shippo and Sesshomaru exchange puzzled glances.

Kagome sighs, deeply. "Sesshomaru, I think we need to get to the other side of the well, as
quickly as possible."

"You expect a fight?" he asks.

"Don't you?"

Sesshomaru nods. "Then we should be prepared." He says, as he slides the backpack off his
shoulders. He starts to dig through it.

"Kagome?" Shippo asks, just before her mother can say the same thing.

She looks at him, "Shippo." She pauses, then bites her lips. "From everything I learned, it's my
guess that this will be the final fight against Naraku."

"I'm coming." Shippo declares as he jumps out of Kagome's mother's arms. He stands, his fists
on his hips, talking to Kagome.

"Shippo." Kagome pauses again. "Please. You're safe, here. Please. Stay." She bends down so
that she is on her knees as she says that. Tears begin to well up in her eyes. Sesshomaru looks at
her and Shippo, and gives a soft curse.

Shippo shakes his head, no.

"Kagome?" her mother asks.

Kagome, still crouched down, looks up at her. "Mother."

They stare into each other's eyes.

"Which do you want to use, Kagome?" Sesshomaru asks, interrupting that stare. He is holding
her machine gun in one hand, and her star wars blaster in the other.

Kagome looks over. "Oh. The star wars blaster."

"Star wars blaster?" Mrs. H asks.

Kagome blushes. "We visited the Star Wars universe, mother." She smiles. "We were on Endor,
just before the final battle in the movie Return of the JEDI."

"Oh!"

"Really!" Sota cries in delight as he runs up to Kagome.

"We'll leave the backpack behind, Mom, in it is my camera and film. If you could, please, take
them and get the pictures made." Kagome smiles, "There are pictures of some magnificent
scenes, and some of the wonderful people that we meet."


She reaches out and ruffles Sota's hair. "Including pictures of the star wars cast. And pictures of
dinosaurs."

"Dinosaurs!" Sota cries, smiling. "Really!"

Kagome smiles, "Even one with me riding a Triceratops."

"Ohhh!" Sota wordlessly moans in delight.

"Your sword." Sesshomaru says as he walks over and hands Kagome, Jaa Kalpa. Kagome stands
up and belts her sword around her waist.

"Sword?" Shippo asks. "You've never . . . "

"I had to learn, Shippo." Kagome replies. She pulls her sword from its scabbard. "This is Jaa
Kalpa, Shippo." She smiles. ‘Hopefully, Naraku will be very shocked. Between the blaster and
Jaa Kalpa, I should be able to surprise him.'


Shippo looks at the sword. He frowns. "It's not in Tetsusaiga's class." He says. He shivers at the
cold breeze that circles him.

"Shush." Kagome says to her sword. "He doesn't know you." She sheaths the sword and swings
the blaster over her shoulder. Sesshomaru hands her a couple of extra power packs, as well.

Shippo's eyes widen . . .

"Your camera and film." Sesshomaru mentions as they appear in his palm. (His speed comes in
handy, no?)

"Please give them to my mother, Sesshomaru." Kagome says in a distracted voice. She looks at
Shippo, again. She sighs, "will you stay and be safe?"

Shippo shakes his head, no.

Kagome purses her lips, and glances at her mother, as she is accepting the camera and film from
Sesshomaru. Mrs. h sighs, "Shippo. I would like to get to know my grandson." She announces.

Shippo spins, staring at Kagome's mother. "That's cheating." He hisses.

Mrs. H nods. "It is, isn't it." She replies.

Shippo's head swings back and forth between Kagome and her mother. He, finally, looks at
Sesshomaru.

"You wish this Sesshomaru's opinion?" Sesshomaru rumbles. "Your mother will be worried
about her son. That could cause her to make a mistake. And, you are a potential hostage."

"I am not a wimp." Shippo growls as he puffs himself up, growing taller.

Sesshomaru's eyebrow raises, "I did not state that. Your mother will want to protect you, and that
could be a mistake. You could be as powerful as myself, and out of her concern, she would still
make that decision."

"Ha!" Shippo points. "I've got you, Sesshomaru! Kagome cares about you!"

"And she knows that I can protect myself." Sesshomaru glares at Shippo.

"So can I!" Shippo shouts as he glares back.


Kagome steps in-between Shippo and Sesshomaru. "Stop. You two, stop it, right now." She
extends her hands spreading them apart. She turns to Shippo. "Shippo."

"No." Shippo interrupts. "I'm going." He declares.

Kagome bites her lips. "Shippo. Please." She looks at Sesshomaru. "Rin will be staying."

Sesshomaru nods. "There is no need to throw her into a major fight. Naraku has made attempts
on her life. There is no reason to give him the chance to make another."

"Sesshomaru?" Rin quietly asks. "Please?"

Sesshomaru bends down and looks Rin in her eyes. "This Sesshomaru saw you and Kagome's
brother playing. You are having fun. This Sesshomaru wishes you to continue to have fun. I will
return and you will be with me."

Rin quickly hugs Sesshomaru, then lets go. "Missed you." She whispers. A tear begins to fall
down her cheek.

HE reaches out and wipes up the tear. He pauses. "This Sesshomaru missed you, as well."

Shippo looks at Kagome, his eyes wide with shock.

Kagome nods, smiles, and mouths the words, ‘See, he is not a monster.'

Sota, after his mother whispers in his ear, walks over to Rin. "Rin, please stay." He says. He
looks at Shippo. "You too, Shippo."

Rin looks at Sesshomaru. She looks at Sota. She nods her head, yes.

Everybody looks at Shippo.

He shakes his head, no. "I'm going." He growls.

"Shippo." Kagome begins to say, "Sesshomaru and I, before we arrived home, had problems
getting home. People will be looking for us." She licks her lips, "And, I know that you can
pretend to be me. Can you stay on this side of the well, and pretend to be me? That would help
my mother and myself out."

Shippo's jaw clenches and unclenches. "You mean that, Kagome?"

She replies, "My mother can show a couple of spy movies." She nods her head to her mother.
Mrs. H nods back. "That way you'll know what to do."

"What will he need to do, Kagome?" Mrs. H asks.

"You told everyone that I'm home sick, right?" Kagome asks. Her mother nods, yes. "Then, all
he has to do is pretend that I was sick. And you can tell him about fingerprints, and such. I don't
think that they'll ask for it. Not the first time, but, just in case."

"Fingerprints?" Shippo asks.

"I can tell you about them." Sota says as he tries to show how knowledgeable he is.

"Please, Shippo, stay on this side of the well, and help me."

Shippo opens his mouth. He closes it. He sighs, deeply. He nods, yes, sharply, once.

Kagome hugs him tightly. "Thank you." She whispers in his ear.

"I hate this." Shippo whispers back.

"I know." She replies, still whispering. "But, this way, I won't be distracted."

Shippo sighs as he releases Kagome. He slowly, his tail dragging, walks to Kagome's mother.
She picks him up and whispers into his ear. "I am very proud of you, Shippo."

Shippo, his eyes wide, looks at Kagome's mother. "Huh?"

"It takes a real man to do that." She replies. "Would Inu-yasha do it?"

"Never." Shippo replies instantly.

"And, if you're smart, do you do the same thing that inu-yasha does, or do the opposite?"

Shippo opens his mouth . . . he leaves it open.

Sesshomaru begins to laugh.

Everyone looks at Sesshomaru.

He quickly stops laughing, and nods to Mrs. H. "Mother of Kagome, your wisdom is great."

She raises her eyebrow at Sesshomaru. "That, by the way, does not mean that your wisdom is
also great."

A pause . . .

"And yours?" Sesshomaru asks he growls.

"I'm wise enough to know that I'm not wise. Can you say the same?"

He raises his eyebrow and nods, respectfully, to her. "I have, in the past, always assumed that
humans, especially human females were, at best, power-hungry whores. Between yourself and
your daughter, I know, now, that I'm mistaken."

"Has it occurred to you, yet, that where there is two that break that prejudice, there might be
more?"

"It has."

"Has it occurred to you about what you are missing?"

Sesshomaru looks puzzled, and he doesn't reply. Mrs. H smiles. "Think upon that."

Sesshomaru looks at Kagome. Kagome smiles . . . a smile stolen from the Mona Lisa.
Sesshomaru growls, deep in his chest. ‘Females . . . ' he thinks. ‘Why must they always be
mysterious?'

Kagome bites her lips, then walks up to her mother. She hugs her mother, tightly. "I'll be back."
She whispers.

Her mother hugs her back, tightly. "I know you will."

Kagome releases her mother. She wipes her eyes and looks at Sesshomaru. "Let's go."

Sesshomaru nods, sharply.

They walk into the well house.

Sesshomaru is wearing his traditional clothes, his two swords at his side. Kagome is wearing her
normal school clothes. Her sword is at her side, and a star wars blaster is on her back.

Shippo starts to walk behind them, but Mrs. H scoops him up in her arms. He glares at her. She
stares back. "I hate this." Shippo whispers.

Mrs. H looks around and waves Sota and Rin to stand next to her. They do. She bends down onto
one knee. She places Shippo on her shoulder, like Kagome does. Her arms wrap around the two
children. "They'll be back." She says, her voice full of emotion.

The Well house glows blue . . .

The blue fades . . .

Shippo turns and looks at the God Tree. ‘He controls the well, hmm. That is useful knowledge.
Now, how to use it?' he thinks. ‘How do I get him to let me through?'


On the other side of the well . . .

Kagome and Sesshomaru arrive at the bottom of the well. They are holding hands. Blood is
dripping from their fingers. "That was interesting." Sesshomaru remarks as he lets go of her
hand.

Kagome nods. "The first time . . . " She smiles as she continues, "I was soo frightened. But
mistress centipede's attacks prevented me from dwelling on it. I had to react to her, not curl up in
a ball, like I wanted to."

He grunts. Sesshomaru frowns and looks around at the vine covered interior of the well.
‘Something's wrong' he thinks. He sniffs.

"Sesshomaru?" Kagome whispers, as she sees him tense.

"Naraku has been down here." Sesshomaru whispers.

"You're right. I have." Naraku yells from the top of the well. "While the villagers that I tortured
didn't know why this well was important, they did know enough to make me investigate it." His
feminine appearing face appears over the edge of the well.

Sesshomaru pulls his sword, Tokijin. He moves, fast, super-fast up the well. ‘Kill him, now. No
playing around.' Sesshomaru thinks.

CRASH!

Sesshomaru bounces off the magical shell sealing the entrance of the well and falls back into the
well. He lands heavily, partially stunned from the impact. Kagome rushes to him, and begins to
help him.

"And, I did prepare." Naraku smiles. "The seal is only one-way." He drops a couple of pottery
jars into the well. They shatter on impact. A black gas forms inside the well. It quickly expands
and obscures the interior of the well.

Two soft thuds are heard . . .

The Naraku puppet smiles . . . The puppets arms changing into tentacles. ‘Soon the gas the fade.
And I will take them to the village.'

Later . . .


Kagome opens her eyes slowly. ‘Argghh. My head aches.' She thinks. ‘What was that gas?' She
blinks several times, trying to focus her eyes. She tries to move, but nothing. ‘Tied up. Again.'

"Ahh, you're awake." Naraku's voice purrs.

Kagome's eyes finally focus. She can see that she's inside a large silk tent. Off to one side is fine,
but small, chest, and a pile of cloth, perhaps clothes or pillows. She is tied to the central post
holding up the tent.

She, except for the one person in front of her, is alone in the tent.

Sitting cross-legged, in front of her, is Naraku. Beside him is a silver tray with a pot of tea and a
couple of cups. "I would offer you some tea, but, you would decline it." He says. He
languorously waves to the tent. "The quality of the accommodations in Keade's village declined
noticeably as my army of demons conquered the village."


Kagome licks her lips, feeling their dry roughness. ‘No. I'm not going to ask him for anything.
Besides who knows what might be in that tea?' she thinks. She swallows a couple of times,
trying to clear her throat.

Naraku sighs, "I came, by the way, very close to killing you while you sleep. That probably was
the safest course of action."

"Why?" Kagome croaks out.

"Why didn't I?" Naraku finishes for her. He reaches into his robes and brings out the complete
Jewel of the Four Souls.

Kagome stares at it. She then ignores it and looks into Naraku's eyes.

"Killing you while you were asleep implies that I'm afraid of you. I am not afraid of you." He
hisses.

Kagome's eyes hard, she whispers, "My friends?"

"You will have the pleasure of seeing their deaths."

Kagome closes her eyes and concentrates. Her hands close into fists. They whiten from the stress
being applied. The veins at her temples pulse. ‘He's blocking me. Somehow.' She thinks. She
opens her eyes. The jewel of the four souls is glowing black.

"I will beat you." She hisses.

Naraku can see the spell scrolls that he pasted on her, before she woke up, glow and smoke.
Around her, on the earth floor of the tent, the mystical containment symbol glows, and a dome of
power forms around her. White sparks flow from her . . . they meet the glowing dome around
her and gets reflected back to her.

‘I never . . . ' Naraku thinks. ‘The scrolls, alone, would have contained all but the most powerful
of demons. The containment dome is unbreakable, designed to contain the worst creatures of
hell. And I can feel the jewel's power stopping her as well. All three are just barely doing it . . .
What is she?'

The glow of powers involved grow. Naraku covers his eyes, to protect them from the glare.

The glow fades . . .

Kagome slumps in her bonds, unconscious . . .

She did not break free . . .

Naraku licks his lips. ‘I should kill her, now.' He looks down at his right hand. It changes into a
horrible razor-sharp clawed hand. He grimaces. ‘No. I'm not afraid, especially of a girl.' His arm
changes back.


Elsewhere . . .


Sesshomaru opens his eyes. ‘Fool.' He thinks. ‘Of course, Inu-yasha would never think that
someone would learn about the well. And he, of course, never protected it.' He blinks several
times, trying to clear his eyes.

"Look who's awake." Inu-yasha's familiar sneer focus Sesshomaru's eyes.

Inu-yasha is laying on the ground, on his side. He is tied up with metal chains, and attached to
those chains are spell scrolls. Sesshomaru's eyes narrow as he reads their magic. ‘Sealing
scrolls.'

Sesshomaru tries to move his limbs. He can hear metal scrapes against metal and the rustle of
paper.

"You're trapped, like us, Lord Sesshomaru." Miroku says.

Sesshomaru looks around. He, and others, are in a tent. He is tied to the central post. Around him
he can see, in addition to Inu-yasha, Kirara in small cat form, and Miroku. They are tied up, like
Inu-yasha. The scents of Keade and Sango are behind him.

Sesshomaru asks Inu-yasha, "Why are we still alive?"


"He wants us alive to use as hostages against Kagome." Sango says from behind him.

"Then why are we still alive?"


"He's got Kagome!" Inu-yasha yells. His chains rattle as he twists.

"Did you not smell her on me?" Sesshomaru asks.

Inu-yasha glares at him, but doesn't say a thing.

"Lord Sesshomaru was she still with you?" Miroku asks.

"Yes, Monk. Naraku trapped the well that she and Inu-yasha uses. Sleeping gas."

"Shippo and the child Rin?" Keade asks.

"Still on the other side of the well."

"Thank the gods for that." Keade replies.

"Yes." Miroku and Sango chorus.

"I am still awaiting an answer to my question. Why are we still alive?" Sesshomaru.

Naraku swings open the tent flap and enter the tent. "Because, Lord of the western lands, you,
your brother, and these humans will die at my pleasure."

"And when we that be?" Sesshomaru growls. ‘He'll have to move us. While that is happening . .
. Then, the protection spells will be at the weakest. Then, I can escape and rescue Kagome.' He
thinks.

Similar thoughts flash through the minds of the others.

"In a few hours, Lord of the Western lands. There are some things that need to be prepared."
Naraku replies. "Once it is dark, we will begin."

"Kagome?" Inu-yasha growls.

"Alive." Naraku replies. "And, still basically unhurt."

"Still?" Sango asks before anyone else can speak.

Naraku smiles, a bone chilling smile . . .

The chains and paper around Inu-yasha shake and rattle. "You goddamned mother fucker! I will
kill you! I will eat . . . " A piece of paper covers his mouth, stopping his screams.

Naraku sighs, as his fingers wiggle, "your language, Inu-yasha. I enjoy conversation, not
screaming."

"What will happen?" Miroku asks.

Naraku looks around the tent. "You will be tortured to death for the amusement of the demons
that follow me. All of you have made many enemies," he smiles, "They were all happy to come
to witness your deaths. Which is why there is a delay, some of them can't appear in sunlight, and
others won't arrive until nightfall."

"Torture?" Sango asks.

"Of course." Naraku replies. He holds up the Jewel. "Between this, your deaths, and Kagome by
the end of tonight, I will control most of the demon's in Japan. All but a few of the most
powerful or the weakest families will be here tonight." He smiles. "Tonight. I become the ruler of
demons of japan."

He pauses, then says in an amused tone, "I will be kind and allow you to see Kagome before your
deaths." Everyone, even Inu-yasha stops thrashing around, and looks at him. "She will be beside
me, watching." HE sighs, "Of course, that does mean that I'll be denied the pleasure of watching
your expressions as I kill her, but, occasionally you must give up something."

"You want to see her expression as you kill us." Sesshomaru states in his emotionless voice.

Naraku nods. "I wonder." He looks at Inu-yasha. "Will she, say, offer me her undying love to
save you?" even through the paper Inu-yasha's wordless scream is heard.

Naraku's eyes narrow, his head swings to Sesshomaru. ‘There was something. As I said that . . .
he reacted. Why? I know that they appeared together, but, why?' he thinks.


Sango growls, "You're going to try to corrupt Kagome tonight, aren't you? You'll offer to stop
our torture, if she follows you. If she binds herself to you."

Naraku bows to her. "My dear exterminator you are formidable. Did you know that your death,
especially for the weaker of my followers, is being highly anticipated? I've been given a large
number of suggestions about your torture. I do hope that you live long enough and scream loud
enough to please my followers."

Sango stares at Naraku. Hate shines in her eyes. "My dying breath will be to curse you, Naraku. I
will be reborn. So, even if I can't kill you, my reincarnation will."

Naraku nods to Sango, but doesn't answer her. He looks around, "Prepare yourselves." He
growls as he leaves.

Silence . . .

"Any plan?" Miroku whispers into the silence.

"I will rip off his dick, shove it down his throat." Inu-yasha growls. "I will rip out his intestines
and use them to tie his arms down. I will shatter every bone in his body."

"We get the idea, Inu-yasha." Sango says, wearily. "The problem is how to get free so you can do
that."

"I'm fucking trying to break these fucking chains, bitch." Inu-yasha growls back. "Let's see you
do that!"

"He's got a scroll on me that saps my strength." Sango replies. "Monk?"

"He is smart enough to make sure that my fingers can't reach anything."

"Keade?" Sango asks.

"I'm sorry, child, but, there is nothing that I can do."

"Lord of the western lands?" She asks.

"I will be free, soon." He states.

"How?" everyone in the room asks.

"My claws are, slowly, cutting the metal chains." Sesshomaru declares. "But, if he's going to
begin in a few hours. I am not have time to cut free."

"Do you know that I can see blood from your fingertips?" Sango asks.

"That is the other problem. The scrolls are weakening my claws. They are slowly separating
from my fingertips."

"Painful?"

"Insignificant."

"Inu-yasha?" Miroku asks.

"Working on it." Inu-yasha growls as he begins to twist around. "And when I get free, after I've
killed Naraku, you're next, Sesshomaru." His voice is low, hard and angry.

Sesshomaru raises an eyebrow. "You might wish to speak with Kagome before that."

Inu-yasha wordlessly growls as his claws begin to scrap against the metal chains.

"Kirara?"

Kirara meows . . .


On the other side of the well . . .

A small human-shape is next to the God Tree. Around it is some spell scrolls, some incense, and
all the other things you need to worship a Shinto deity.

"Please, God, this servant begs a favor of thou." The small human-shaped being bows to the tree.
"I will give thee anything, but please, allow me to use thy well."

Another, larger human walks up, and bows to the God Tree. "I, also, offer you anything."

Mrs. H raises from her bow, "Anything to be allowed to help my daughter."

Silence . . .

The God tree begins to speak . . .

Later . . .

Kagome groans as she wakes up. She slowly opens her eyes. ‘I hurt.' She thinks. ‘My body . . . '

"Here, Kagome. Drink this."Someone, with a familiar voice, tells her. A cup is pressed against
her lips.

Kagome blinks and shakes her head refusing the drink. "No. Naraku." She sputters.

"I'm not Naraku."

Kagome's eyes focus. "Kouga!"

Kouga, his face showing tremendous strain, nods. "Here, Kagome. Drink this. It's safe. It's just
water."

Kagome greedily drinks the cup of water. "You're free!" She spits out. "Free me!"

Kouga grimaces, "I can't." HE whispers. His eyes flick to the entrance of the tent. "I shouldn't be
in here. But, I wanted to talk to you."

"But, but?" Kagome sputters. "Why?"

"Why?" Naraku says as he enters the tent. Kanna and Kagura are trailing behind him. "Because,
Kagome, if he doesn't do everything that I say, I will destroy the rest of his tribe."

Kouga's shoulders slump. His tail drags the ground. "Damn you, Naraku."

"You really should have asked to visit her, Kouga. I would have allowed it." Naraku replies. "As
a matter of fact, I'll go ahead and give you a short time with her."

"Why?" Kagome asks.

Naraku smiles, "because it will give you some false hopes. And destroying those hopes will be
enjoyable." He turns around and walks out, with Kanna following him. Kagura, after flashing a
smile to Kouga, also leaves.

"Kanna's watching." Kouga whispers.

Kagome slumps. "I know." She whispers back. "He's got your tribe? How?"

Kouga nods, glumly. "I was trying to find you."

"Don't say it." Kagome interrupts. "I can guess the rest." She slumps. "My fault." She whispers.

"No. It was my fault. I am their prince. I should have protected them better. I will protect them."
Kouga whispers.

"Everyone else?" Kagome whispers.

"Captured. He had to heal them afterward. They fought until they were all unconscious and
dying." His lips twist into a smile. "Even Inu-yasha."

"Thank you."

"He's going to torture them to death in front of you." Kouga whispers. "That's why he saved
their lives."

Kagome takes a deep breath. "The village?"

"Huh?"

"What about the human villagers?"

"Oh, them." Kouga pauses. "The ones that are still alive are slaves. He used his mental powers to
crush them. They all serve him."

"Anybody else?"

Kouga licks his lips and looks around. His eyes stare into Kagome. ‘He's obviously trying to tell
me something, what?' She thinks. ‘Who can still be free?'

"Are there any Tanuki demons around?" Kagome whispers. ‘Hachi, Miroku's companion is a
Tanuki demon. Maybe he is free and can do something.' She thinks.

Kouga smiles. "Some."

Kagome sighs softly. She licks her lips, "Kikyo?"

Kouga swallows, "She's been promised Inu-yasha."

Kagome takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Yes. I can see that."

Naraku reenters the tent. "Time's up, Prince Kouga."

Kouga spins, gives a low growl. Naraku's eyebrow rises. "There are still a couple of young pups
that I haven't killed, yet, Kouga. Would you, perhaps, like to eat them for breakfast tomorrow?"

"Damn you." Kouga whispers. He falls, heavily to both knees. "Lord Naraku." He bows his head
to him.

Naraku walks up to Kouga. He places his hand on his head and plays with his hair. He smiles at
kagome. "Teaching proper respect is such fun, wouldn't you agree?"


Kagome stares at Naraku. "Kouga. I forgive you. No matter what you might have done, or will
do." She states in a regal tone, borrowed from Sesshomaru.

Naraku nods to Kagome. ‘She's grown. Making her mine will be harder than I thought. But, I
will succeed.' He thinks. He removes his hand from Kouga's head. "Bring our guests to stakes
that have been prepared, Kouga. I will be along shortly."

Kouga slowly stands up, and after a quick glance at Kagome, he leaves.

Naraku looking at Kouga. "You know, my dear, Kagura has been dragging him into her bed. He,
of course, always protests, but, I wonder."

"I am not your dear."

"You will be." Naraku smiles . . .


Later . . .

‘The poor village.' Kagome thinks as she is carried out of the tent.

Keade's village has been destroyed. Ruined or burned out building are that remains. Human
bones are liberally scattered over the ground. Kagome can see rats and other scavengers running
around out of the corner of her eyes.

‘They died because of me.' She thinks. ‘If I wasn't here, this wouldn't have happened. How
much do I owe the survivors?'

A rat sticks his head out of an eye socket of a young human skull.

‘Who was that? Whoever it was, I played with them.' Kagome thinks as she watches one of the
demons following her step on the skull crushing it, and killing the rat. ‘Revenge is bad. I know
that. But, I will punish Naraku and all that follow him.'

Kagome is tied up with metal chains. She is covered in spell scrolls. Around her, about half-a-
dozen lesser demons are chanting spells, designed to prevent her from using her powers.


She is brought to one of the fields on the edge of town. In the field, large stakes have been driven
into the ground. Tied up, with metal chains, and covered in spell scrolls, are inu-yasha,
Sesshomaru, Sango, Miroku, Keade and Kirara.

"Inu-yasha! Sesshomaru! Sango! Miroku! Keade! Kirara!" Kagome calls out as she sees them.

They cannot answer. Gags are in their mouths.


Off to one side, facing the stakes is a covered area. Carpets have been laid out on the ground.
Sitting on a large stool, is Naraku. He is dressed in very fancy robes. The Jewel of the Four souls
is hanging around his neck.

Next to him, on his left, is Kikyo. She is standing, her hands behind her back. She is dressed in
her normal clothes, and appears to be ignoring everything around her.

"Place her to my right." Naraku waves. A stake has been planted next to him.

Surrounding him is a huge group of various demons, demon lord, and other nameless creatures.
They are all looking at either her friends or her. They are all nodding they've approval of what is
about to happen.

Surrounding the field are more demons. Some of them are flying above the field. These demons
look like lesser, weaker, common demons. They are all chanting. "Death. Death. Death."

Kagome shivers.

She can see a few humans walking between the demons, they all have trays with either food or
drink on them. Naraku is forcing the survivors of the village to serve their conquerors. She can
hear, in the distance, screams as some of the demons have decided that they've waited long
enough . . . They are torturing and killing some of the survivors for fun.


Kagome is placed, roughly, she can feel blood flow from the scratches from the claws of demons
that are moving her around. ‘The spell scrolls, the chanting. I can't break them.' She thinks.

After a couple of minutes, Naraku stands. That is a signal for . . .

Silence . . .

Naraku speaks, his voice magically enhanced so all can hear, "Kagura, Kouga stand in front of
me. I wish to reward you."

Kagura and Kouga, they both had been semi-hidden in the crowd next the Inu-yasha and the rest,
walk toward Naraku.

They stop in front of Naraku.

Kagome's eyes flick to one of the humans near her. ‘I thought I recognized him, no, her? But the
dirt, the clothes, if I could see her face, than I'd know her.' She grimaces, ‘but, if I knew who she
was, won't I feel even more depressed?'

"Kagura." Naraku begins. "Kouga." He nods to both of them.

They nod to him.

Naraku waves to one side. A huge Oni throws a tied up Tanuki demons at the feet of Kagura and
Kouga.

Naraku smiles, "your plan to free my captives won't work."

Both Kagura and Kouga faces go blank from shock.

"I had expected treachery from Kouga. But, you, Kagura? Your lust for Sesshomaru will be your
death."

Kagura pulls out her fan . . . then crumples to the ground. Her heart flies into Naraku's hand.

Kouga freezes as a beam from The Jewel strikes him. "You will join your friends, tonight,
Kouga. Along with your friend Hachi." Naraku nods to the tied up Tanuki Demon. Who is, of
course, Miroku's friend/companion.

Kagome slumps in her chains. ‘Kagura was a surprise, but I thought for sure . . . ' she thinks.
Tears fill her eyes. ‘Unless he makes a mistake that was the last chance. And he hasn't made any
. . . '

Naraku looks out to the crowd of Demons. He holds up Kagura's heart, and shouts, "Let the
torture begin!"

The demons shout, "YES! Death! Death!"

The ground shakes . . .

"NO!" a shout from outside the field is heard.

A small path is made as the demons on either side move to one side.

A short human walks into the field.

"I will not allow you to kill my granddaughter or her friends!" Kagome's Grandfather, dressed in
the traditional costume of a Shinto priest, stands in the middle of the field.

The end . . .

How many times has he saved the day?

Authors' note: Due to scheduling problems, I will probably not be able to post on Thurs. this
week. I should, I hope to be able to post on Fri. (and then Sunday like normal.) And, yes, I did
not post on July 4th, since it was a holiday, I took the day off.



thank you for reading
jeff shelton