InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Bear Witness ❯ To Get You Back Part III: Shared Powers ( Chapter 33 )

Disclaimer: Can you guys believe I almost didn't put one? Duh SF! Oh, um, anyway, Inuyasha and the others don't belong to me. If they did, I'd be gray-headed and senile.

Chapter Thirty-Three: To Get You Back Part Three: Shared Powers

Inuyasha boarded the chopper, all eyes cast on the unconscious youkai in his arms.

"Is she alright?" Rin asked as Inuyasha sat down beside her. He shrugged in answer, his brow creased in concern as Sutaasafaia boarded the helicopter.

"What happened?" she asked and once again Inuyasha shrugged in answer. "Oh, well then. Where are-"

"Where's Kagome-mama?" Shippou asked from the cockpit. Sonia turned as well, glancing around the helicopter to affirm Kagome's absence.

"They haven't returned yet?" Miroku asked in disbelief. Sonia shook her head. "Nope. We thought you all were still together."

"We were, but we separated when Katrina found us. Where could she be?" Sutaasafaia wondered, her gaze flickering to Katrina's still unconscious form. 'And when are you waking up? It's not like you to be out for so long.'

"Should we go back for them?" Miroku asked anxiously. Inuyasha shook his head. "No, I don't think they need us."

"Are you sure?" Rin asked. "Sesshoumaru-sama could be in big trouble."

Inuyasha cast a wry smile in her direction and rolled his eyes. "And when have you known him not to be?"

*

Kagome stepped forward, Naraku in her focus as she stood beside Sesshoumaru.

"You're late," Sesshoumaru muttered softly, secretly relieved to see her despite the distraction she would now serve to be. Kagome glared at him from the corner of her eyes, then shrugged.

"What can I say? We can't all run on your clock." She walked past him slowly, pressing her back to the far left wall before raising her bow and nocking another arrow. "I won't get in the way unless I have to. Oh, and Naraku?"

"Yes miko?"

"My ass is not flat, nor is it any of your business. You may proceed."

Sesshoumaru shook his head in amusement, his swords blocking Naraku's wild swing as the battle began anew. Tentacles shot from underneath Naraku's pelt once again, streaking through the air shrouded in black miasma. Sesshoumaru stepped back, parrying the tentacles as Kagome threw separate shields around them, effectively blocking the poisonous gas so they could breathe.

"Nice try Naraku," Kagome said as she began to purify the miasma. The scent of thunderstorms and heavy rain quickly replaced the toxin until nothing remained. Naraku glared angrily at her, realizing that it would be wise to focus more on Kagome than Sesshoumaru.

'She could be a great hindrance to my plans,' Naraku reasoned as he reset his game plan. 'So perhaps it would be best not to underestimate her.' He glanced at her once again, the violet glow of Kagome's shield as it shimmered around her triggered a long forgotten memory of another.

~

"I sense you up there Onigumo," she whispered softly, glancing up into a nearby tree. "Come down."

"How many times do I have to tell you?" Naraku snarled as he landed in front of her, startling her at his closeness. "My name is Naraku, not Onigumo."

"You will always be Onigumo to me," she replied, then turned and continued gathering herbs. "So there is not much you can do about it."

Naraku growled angrily, reached down and jerked her to her feet. He shook her lightly, never truly intending on hurting the dark-haired miko before him in favor of convincing her to see things his way. "I can slit your throat wench."

>Slap!<

Naraku stumbled backward, the fact that the blow happened more startling than the blow itself as he glared at her. "What was that for?"

"How many times do I have to tell you Onigumo?" she snapped angrily, her brownish-blue eyes glimmering with an inner fire. "My name is Midoriko. Not wench, not human, and certainly not bitch!" She lightly shrugged at his questioning stare. "Just in case you decide to add that one to your list of things to call me."

She turned her back on him then, reaching down to retrieve her basket of forgotten plants before walking back to her village. Naraku glared at her back, then leapt to the tree limbs and followed her.

"You know miko," he called down to her as her village came into view. "You wouldn't have to worry about me if you gave me what I wanted."

Midoriko stopped then, her eyes downcast as she weighed his words. "You do not know what you ask. It is not meant for the likes of you."

"And it's meant for you?!" Naraku snapped angrily. "You-You made it, yet you're afraid of it!!"

"You would do well to fear it hanyou. It only brings trouble to those who seek it." Midoriko moved to say more, but shook her head and entered the village, leaving nothing but her scent and her words of warning behind."

~

'She should have gave it to me,' Naraku thought angrily, his crimson eyes darkening the longer he glared at Kagome. 'She should never have tried to stop me. She should-'

"I am your opponent, not her," Sesshoumaru growled as he slashed forward, effectively breaking through Naraku's thoughts as his left sword slashed through yet another tentacle. Naraku grimaced, then flexed the appendage before regarding his foe. The tentacle grew back instantly, shooting for Sesshoumaru again with many more in pursuit.

Sesshoumaru dodged them again, regretting not slitting the hanyou's throat as an unseen tentacle crept toward Kagome. He sliced and hacked his way to Naraku himself, readying himself for another blow when a shriek pierced the air from behind him.

A tentacle wrapped around Kagome's waist lifted her into the air, then squeezed tightly as she struggled to wiggle free.

"Ew-ew-EW!!!" Kagome yelled in a panic, her bow long forgotten as she kicked at the appendage. "It's cold!" She gasped breathlessly when Naraku gripped her tighter, slowly applying more pressure until Sesshoumaru heard bones begin to creak together.

"Oh no you don't!" Naraku called when Sesshoumaru began to charge toward her. "You're staying right here!" The tentacles began their assault anew, Sesshoumaru once again slicing and hewing his way through kudzu-like projectiles.

****

SF: For those that have no idea what kudzu is, it's this really tenacious plant in the south that no matter how much you cut it, it keeps growing right back. Quick stuff too, so that explains the analogy. And yes, there is someone somewhere that has no idea what kudzu is.

****

Kagome continued to squirm, both friend and foe ignoring her completely as she fought to stay calm. 'Nasty-nasty-nasty,' she grumbled to herself as she gathered her power. 'Got to get free from this-' Her eyes widened as something cold, clammy and slimy crept up her pant leg, it grasping the denim tightly as it wound its way around the junction of her thigh and pelvis. Her brain went into shock as it tried to reach beneath the bullet-proof vest and her blouse to her stomach, her breath coming in short pants as one thought ran laps around her mind, then passed from her mind to her mouth in one giant

"EWWWWWWWW!!!!!! GET IT OFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!"

Purple ki burst from her hands, it slowly purifying the tentacle into ash as Naraku howled in agony. He tossed her across the room with the last of the limb's strength, ash raining down upon her as she collided with the large panel windows behind her and dropped to the floor with a thud.

"Ow…." Kagome groaned softly, her eyes closed and her movement slow when she began to sit up. "That kinda hurt…"

"Are you alright Kagome?" Sesshoumaru called to her as he and Naraku continued their battle. Kagome nodded slightly, then realized that Sesshoumaru would never see it with his back turned to her.

"Yes," she answered back. "I'm fine. Slightly pissed off, but fine." She stretched out her hand, her bow reappearing in her palm before she reached to her back for another arrow. Another tentacle shot from Sesshoumaru's attention, this time it smacking Kagome square in the chest and shoving her back into the windows behind her before wrapping around her torso and slamming her to the concrete floor, where it released her.

Sesshoumaru's eyes began to bleed red, his blood boiling at the sight of such mistreatment to his 'possession'. He quickly clicked the swords back together, then gripped the nearest tentacle with his free left hand.

"What have I told you hanyou…" Sesshoumaru growled darkly, the blue crescent casting his face under an indigo glow as green poison began to flow from his hand. His claws dug into the tentacle skin, the poison entering Naraku's bloodstream as more wrapped around Sesshoumaru's muscular frame. He flickered an annoyed scarlet gaze to them, then casually raised his right hand. His sword sliced through the rows and rows of slimy bondages easily, each falling to the floor before turning into dust and flying to another corner of the room.

"You will pay for that Sesshoumaru!" Naraku snarled in agony, tentacles once again snaking their way around Sesshoumaru. He released a massive dose of miasma with them, forcing Sesshoumaru to release his left hand's hold on Naraku's person to cover his nose.

"Kukukukukukukuk!" Naraku cackled evilly as he slowly applied an anaconda-like grip on Sesshoumaru torso, forcing the air from the inu youkai's lungs. The red left Sesshoumaru's eyes instantly, the lack of oxygen forcing him to greedily gulp the miasma around him in putrid gasps and pants.

"You will die," Naraku told him as Sesshoumaru's vision blacked around him. "And to think, a hanyou will kill you. Isn't that hysterical?"

"No…"

Both Sesshoumaru and Naraku turned to Kagome, watching as she raised herself to her hands and knees. "It's not funny," Kagome answered weakly, her head downcast, bracing herself against the window when she finally stood on her own two feet.

Her aura flickered around her steadily, the pink, blue and purple swirling around her as vibrant golds and deep emerald greens streamed among them. Naraku and Sesshoumaru stared in shock as her power seemed to increase considerably under their watchful stare. Only Naraku recognized this power surge, and the determined look in Kagome's eyes as she stared at him in pure hatred.

"I've always thought that there was some good in everyone, including you," Kagome whispered.

~

"I've always thought the best of you, in spite of what evil you've done in the past," Midoriko whispered, her arrow nocked and ready as Naraku stared her down.

~

"But you've proven me wrong. There is nothing good inside you." Kagome's aura flashed once again, the purple slowly engulfing the other colors.

~

"A total absence of the good; you're soul is nothing but evil." Midoriko's arrow glowed purple instantly, the bowstring taunt and ready to fire.

~

"The world hasn't done a thing to deserve you," Kagome continued as the glow moved to the center of her palms.

~

"And so, it would be better to take your leave," Midoriko said sadly, her eyes hardening in determination.

"I'm so sorry to do this, but today…"

~

"…you must pay with your blood…"

"You…." Naraku took a cautious step toward her, ignoring the warning growl from Sesshoumaru as he nonchalantly dropped the taiyoukai on his behind and walked away. "You….you're….Midoriko?"

Sesshoumaru gracefully rose to his feet, nonplussed about being handled so disrespectfully when he heard what Naraku uttered. For all intents and purposes, Kagome seemed completely unaware of the faux pas, but Sesshoumaru knew the name, remembered it and realized why Onigumo Naraku seemed so familiar to him from the first moment he stepped foot into Sesshoumaru's office.

"You're the sealed hanyou, aren't you?" Sesshoumaru said, glaring at him in contempt. "The one that sought the Shikon no Tama and was killed-"

"I wasn't killed!" Naraku snarled back, spinning on his heels to face him. "That bitch-" he pointed an accusing finger at Kagome, who emotionlessly watched the entire scene. "sealed me to that fucking tree like some kind of dog!"

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed fractionally, but he remained quiet as Naraku raved on.

"All she had to do was give me the fucking jewel!" Naraku hissed angrily. A tentacle shot toward Kagome, instantly grabbing her by her upper arm and dragging her to Naraku's waiting grasp. "But she wouldn't! She thought she had me, didn't you you little wench?" he growled in Kagome's face, his breath dancing across her cheeks. Sesshoumaru thought to step between them, but the glowing violet bleeding into Kagome's eyes caused him to take a cautious step back instead.

"Naraku, that's not the miko of which you speak," Sesshoumaru said calmly, the claws of his free hand balling into a fist when Naraku grasped Kagome's neck and squeezed. "That miko is dead. You killed her, remember?"

"Of course I do," Naraku glared over Kagome's head and into Sesshoumaru's eyes, the red orbs glinting in barely hidden malicious merriment. "But this is her reincarnation. Don't you recognize her?"

Sesshoumaru glanced to Kagome a moment, then back to Naraku with a stoic glare. "They bear some resemblance, but I doubt-"

"Do you remember you're last moments, Midoriko?" Naraku cooed into Kagome's ear, his fingers lovingly stroking the back of her neck as his hand squeezed tighter around her throat. "I do. They're what kept me alive. I remember how wonderful it was to feel your rapidly cooling blood flow down my claws, and the ripping sound when I slit your throat. Oh I had fun with you my pretty miko, and to think that you were stupid enough to come near that tree."

"Naraku stop it," Sesshoumaru ordered, the affection in which he regarded Kagome, the eerie calm that said miko seemed to have slipped into and the dark bruises forming on her throat unnerving him somewhat. "She is not your opponent. I am. Fight me."

"You can wait," Naraku growled. "You can all wait. It's she who deserves the death I promised her so many years ago. The death I gave. " His smirk deepened into a wide grin, fangs glinting in the afternoon sunlight as he raised Kagome above his head and shook her fiercely.

"And the death I will give again. Goodbye, pretty miko."

A white light flooded the room suddenly, and when it faded Naraku lay beneath a hole in the wall on the other side of the room, semi-conscious. Sesshoumaru glanced back to Kagome, who seemed to have come out of the stupor she was in and stood shivering a few feet beside him.

"Kagome?" Sesshoumaru said aloud, reaching a hand out for her. She turned frightening eyes to him, her gaze pleading him to help her out of whatever abyss she seemed to have tumbled into. "Kagome, come here."

She took timid steps toward him, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she came closer to him. She was like a frightened child to him, the strong, independent woman gone to the four winds as she stopped directly in front of him.

"Kagome," Sesshoumaru said softly. In spite of this Kagome jumped, the nervousness and fear in her scent heightening to nearly suffocating levels. 'We do not have time for this,' Sesshoumaru reasoned with himself as he reached out for Kagome's hand. She jerked backward stiffly, avoiding his touch like the plague. 'Whatever that light was, it drained her considerably. I must get her out of here, then I will deal with Naraku.'

"Kagome, come here," Sesshoumaru ordered gently. "I'm not angry with you. Just come here."

Kagome did so reluctantly, her tiny fingers reaching out for his when she shrieked in agony. She dropped to her knees, her eyes snapping shut as Sesshoumaru glanced from the tentacle in her side to it's deliverer.

"Naraku…." he growled, his eyes instantly becoming red, his fangs lengthening and his claws extending as she sheathed his sword and attacked the hanyou head on. Naraku dodged what blows he could, but pieces of him were still ripped and shredded into while the tentacle inside Kagome raised her from the floor to the ceiling above.

Kagome shrieked again, this time caught between the pain in her side and the pain she would no doubt suffer if she fell from such a height. The tentacle plummeted to the floor instantly, it stopping with Kagome's nose a mere inch from the concrete before jerking itself out and away from her. Kagome fell heavily, fading in and out of consciousness as Sesshoumaru and Naraku fought in front of her.

"Oh man…." she groaned painfully, her eyes still closed as she grasped her side. "This is so bad. This is so very-"

>Tink!<

Sesshoumaru and Naraku stopped at the sound, both turning to Kagome as a small bloody stone rolled from her to them, leaving a scarlet trail behind it. It stopped between Naraku and Sesshoumaru, both youkai glancing at each other, then it before registering what it was.

"The Shikon no Tama," Naraku whispered in amazement, the power from the little pink bead glowing from it's confinements. "It's….beautiful."

'It came out of her," Sesshoumaru thought over and over again, mystified for the first time in his entire life. 'How…why…when?'

Kagome glanced up, her eyes widening in horror as she groaned a desperate "Oh no…."

"I must have it!" Naraku pounced, Sesshoumaru pouncing a second later as the Kagome jumped up and scrambled after the jewel. Each landed on top of one another, with Naraku at the bottom and Kagome on the very top.

"Sesshoumaru," Kagome called beneath her. "Tell me you have it."

"I do not."

"Just great," Kagome muttered as the floor below them began to glow a dark midnight plum. Dark ki surged around them, engulfing them in miasma before blasting them off Naraku and back…

…You guessed it…

Into the windows along the outer wall. Sesshoumaru landed first, with Kagome crashing down onto his back moments later. They both sat up, glaring at the powered-up hanyou before Sesshoumaru cast Kagome an accusing glare.

"Talk about keeping a secret," he muttered sarcastically. "Was there something you forgot to tell me?"

"Um," Kagome said sheepishly. "Can this wait?"

"No."

"Great…" Kagome took a deep breath, glanced at Naraku, then said "I was born with the Shikon inside me. They tried to take it out when I was a kid, but said that if they did it would've killed me. That's why Ji-chan trained me to be a miko."

"So you're the guardian?"

"Yeah."

"And Midoriko's incarnation?"

Kagome scratched her head thoughtfully. "Probably. Never gave much thought to that idea."

"Kukukukukukuku!" Naraku cackled happily, lovingly stroking the tainted jewel in his hands. "Finally it's mine! I've waited so long to have it, and now nothing can stop me!"

"Sesshoumaru! You have to get that from him!" Kagome shouted as the floor began to rumble beneath them.

"This Sesshoumaru doesn't take orders from you."

"Bleeding saints…" Kagome fought the urge to shake some sense into him, opting instead of stroking his ego. "Look Sesshoumaru, you're right to mad. I should have told you. But I just thought that if anything happened, you could handle it. I know you can take him Sesshoumaru, but will you?" She cast puppy dog eyes in his direction, the adorable look melting even Sesshoumaru's fortress. "Please? You can yell at me all you want to later."

"Fine," Sesshoumaru said as he stood up and brushed himself off. "Once again, I'll take responsibility for something you've caused."

"Hey!" Kagome called as he walked away from her. "Since when did you ever have to take over for me?"

Sesshoumaru ignored this, the countless times he saved her life since knowing her being pushed to the back of his mind when he stopped before the hyped up Naraku.

"You're going to try to take it from me, aren't you?" Naraku hissed lowly. Sesshoumaru said nothing, merely dropping into his well used ready stance and motioning for Naraku to make the first move. Naraku fisted his hand, his left tightening around the Shikon as the two circled each other.

Naraku struck first, his sword slicing through empty air as Sesshoumaru ducked underneath his arm and fired a right jab to Naraku's right kidney. He punched him in the side again, then grabbed Naraku by the arm, flipped him over his shoulder and slammed him down. Sesshoumaru stepped back as Naraku stood up, a wide smile on his face as he rounded on the taiyoukai. "That hurt Sesshoumaru. Good for you." Naraku darted forward, grasped Sesshoumaru by the front of his lab coat and returned the favor, leaving a deep crack in the floor beneath them.

Kagome stood up gradually, watching as Sesshoumaru and Naraku attempted to get the best of each other. Naraku kept his eyes on her the entire time, narrowly dodging Sesshoumaru's blows as Kagome looked on.

"I have to help Sesshoumaru," Kagome said to herself, raising her hand as the remains of her power began to build within her.

"Ah-ah-ah," Naraku taunted, waving his hand in her direction before Sesshoumaru swept his feet from underneath him. An invisible force flattened Kagome against the glass behind her moments later, the windows groaning under the pressure as Kagome struggled to breathe. She sank to her knees when it released her, her breath coming in short puffs as one thought surfaced in her mind.

'He's toying with Sesshoumaru. There's no way we can stop him now.'

*

"Where are they?" Miroku said for the fifth time in the past 5 minutes. Sutaasafaia growled angrily as everyone else groaned around them. "Miroku, if you say that again, I swear I'm gonna ram your head into your neck."

"Sheesh," Miroku muttered as everyone else mumbled in agreement. "I just want to know. They've been gone for an awfully long time."

"Well, find something else to talk about," Inuyasha grumbled from the back of the plane. Katrina lay still in his lap, her face firmly pressed into his neck as he cradled the back of her head. "There are some of us that are trying to think."

"Alright then." Miroku thought a moment, then glared at Sutaasafaia. "You! Are you going to wash this thing when we get back!"

"Um," Sutaasafaia stuttered. "I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Yes you do! You up-chucked on my heli! How in the hell am I supposed to take this back with your guts all over it?!"

"My guts are not on it!" Sutaasafaia argued back. "I didn't mean to!"

"So you admit to it!"

"Yeah but-"

"Shut the FUCK UP YOU TWO!!!!" Inuyasha bellowed angrily. "Stop arguing about stupid shit and sit the fuck down. I'll wash the bloody thing, if it'll make you feel better!"

"That's not it," Miroku said quietly as everyone else sobered around them. "It's the principal-"

"I don't care if it's the president, shut the fuck up."

"Be nice Inuyasha, or you'll force me to zap you."

Katrina sat up groggily, rapidly blinking from the light streaming into the helicopter before flashing Inuyasha a weary smile. "Threatening others, I see."

"God, girl. You're crazy as hell." Inuyasha hugged her tightly, his relief flooding over his overly-stressed features as he nuzzled her neck. "Don't ever scare me like that again."

"I don't plan on it. Hey Houshi-sama," she glanced to the cockpit and the grinning hentai. "Where's my father?"

"Right here," Ra said from behind her, his form the form Naraku took when they were still inside the oil rig. Inuyasha stood her up reluctantly, reaching out when Katrina wobbled a bit before launching herself at the falcon youkai.

"Daddy! I'm so glad to see you!" she cried against him, her sobs muffled by his shoulder as Inuyasha and the others looked on. "How are you?"

"Waterlogged now." Ra smiled when she shook her head and punched his arm. "Seriously, I'm fine, but your friend is not."

"Who?" Miroku asked. "Who's in trouble?"

"I do not know her name, but there is trouble on the other side of the rig. It's a couple of floors up."

"Then let's go back inside," Sutaasafaia replied, reaching over for her forgotten weapon. Ra shook his head.

"No. We would only get in the way, and I'm not at full strength yet. This contraption flies, yes?"

"Yeah," Inuyasha replied as Miroku jumped into the cockpit. Shippou sat beside him, leaving Sonia and the others to buckle up in the back.

"Good. Go that way," Ra directed, pointing to part of the oil rig that hung over the gulf. "That is where they are."

*

Kagome winced as Sesshoumaru took another blow, sailing through the air and into the friendly windows once again.

"This is becoming tiresome," Sesshoumaru growled in annoyance. "Is there something I'm missing?"

"Not as far as I know of," Kagome answered back, she and Sesshoumaru standing to their feet and glaring at the cackling madman in front of them. "We've tried fighting him separately-"

"Which failed," Sesshoumaru interjected, eying the bruise underneath Kagome's eye.

"Right. We've tried fighting him together-"

"Which, again, failed."

Kagome scowled at him, then sighed and shook her head. "I just can't seem to get an answer for it. Separately, I could handle the jewel and you could dice Naraku into teeny cubes-"

Sesshoumaru smirked mischievously at the thought.

"But together they're kicking our butts." Kagome shrugged at Sesshoumaru's growl. "Well, they are."

'Unfortunately, the little vixen is right,' Sesshoumaru said to himself as Kagome thought beside him. 'Together, they are stronger than us. Logically, we should be stronger than they if we work together, but we aren't.'

"What's the matter you two?" Naraku jeered from the middle of the room. "I want to play. Don't make me come over there."

'Logic is not working here, but why?' He studied Naraku intently, noticing nothing out of the ordinary until he glanced at his left hand. It glowed a steady dark purple that seemed to radiate up his arm to the rest of his body in tight waves.

"Perhaps…."

Kagome blinked as Sesshoumaru rushed past her, watching as he suddenly appeared in front of Naraku. He grabbed his glowing hand, Naraku instantly opening his palm and releasing an awesome wave of miasma directly into Sesshoumaru's chest. Sesshoumaru flew backward, Kagome erecting a shield to stop him from smashing into the windows. Sesshoumaru dropped into a crouch seconds later, the shield disappearing behind him as he processed the new information.

"Why did you do that Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked as she kneeled beside him. "I mean, that was really-urk!"

Sesshoumaru grasped her shoulder tightly, jerking her to her feet as he too rose and glared at Naraku from behind Kagome's head.

"Are you resorting to hiding now?" Naraku taunted darkly. "Are you that afraid of me?"

'Logic wasn't working because it was the wrong logic," Sesshoumaru thought to himself as he turned Kagome to face him. 'Naraku and the Shikon aren't working together. Naraku's using the Shikon. That's why Kagome and I are so frustrated. To defeat the hanyou, I have to use something other than my claws and fists.'

Sesshoumaru lowered his head to Kagome's shoulder; gently tugging the vest and shirt aside as the answer quickly came to him. He glared at Naraku from over her shoulder, Kagome's confusion coming off of her in waves when he licked the junction between her shoulder and neck.

"Sesshoumaru," Kagome said as she attempted to shove his head away. He wrapped an arm around her waist and jerked her closer to him, his movements leaving no room to argue as his hand cupped the back of her head.

"Awww…" Naraku sighed, a wide grin spreading on his face. "A lover's moment before the end. How very special." He dramatically clasped his hands over his heart, his grin wicked as Sesshoumaru ignored him. He pulled Kagome's hair free of the ponytail holder, his fingers running through the ebony strands as she began to tremble in his embrace.

"Sesshoumaru." She touched his cheek, pulling back when he growled into her neck. He continued his ministrations, mentally willing Kagome to relax as the answer to their problems lay before him.

'To beat the hanyou, I must use something that can handle the Shikon. Something like…' Sesshoumaru brushed a fang against Kagome's skin, her gasp tickling his ears before he extended his fangs and bit down fully.

Kagome gasped sharply, her fingers digging into Sesshoumaru's forearms as blinding stabs of pain left her breathless. Naraku watched this with widened eyes as Sesshoumaru drank, the first thing on his mind was the exquisite taste of the coppery liquid that flowed into him.

Sesshoumaru purred slightly, grasping a fistful of hair and violently jerking Kagome's head to the side to deepen the wound. To his surprise she held completely still, her eyes closing as Sesshoumaru's did beside her.

'Trusting little creature,' Sesshoumaru mused as the first burst of power coursed through him. He barely winced as the purity flowed from his mouth, down his throat and into his bloodstream, burning like a shot of strong whiskey before warming him completely. 'Even her blood accepts me. I must keep from draining her dry on my own.'

Kagome relaxed slowly, her grasp on his arms weakening as she slumped against him. Sesshoumaru could hear her heart struggling to beat, the few droplets providing it's limited supply of oxygen as struggled to stay conscious. 'No,' she told herself repeatedly. 'I must…stay…awak…'

Sesshoumaru released his mouth's hold on her reluctantly, his fangs receding into his mouth as he licked the wound clean. He then lowered her to the floor, leaving her to rest in the sunshine before wiping away the few remaining drops of her blood from his mouth. He closed his eyes as Naraku glared at him, then slowly approached him.

"Now that you've had your snack Sesshoumaru," Naraku growled, his hand absorbing more of the jewel as Sesshoumaru stopped in front of him. "Maybe we can get to business."

"Of course," Sesshoumaru whispered, his eyes still closed as Naraku waited for him to make the first move.

"After you."

"No," Sesshoumaru shook his head. "I insist."

"Very well then." Naraku's tentacles zipped forward, instantly wrapping around Sesshoumaru's waist and squeezing tightly. Sesshoumaru said nothing, nor made any move to free himself as the limbs constricted tighter around him.

"Are you in pain Sesshoumaru?" Naraku mocked, pulling Sesshoumaru toward him so they stood face to face. "If you are, I can stop…if you beg."

Kagome lay on her side, her breathing heavy and labored as her body struggled to heal itself and replace the blood Sesshoumaru drained from her. 'Why?' she asked herself as Naraku struck Sesshoumaru's left cheek. 'Why did he do it, and why isn't he fighting?'

"Come now Sesshoumaru-sama," Naraku growled angrily, striking the silent youkai again and again. "You will beg me, I assure you. There are worse ways to make you." He raised his left hand to hit Sesshoumaru again, the blow nearly connecting when Sesshoumaru grasped Naraku's wrist.

"Is this the response you were hoping for?" Sesshoumaru snarled, cracking every bone beneath his fingers before snapping the entire hand from Naraku's arm. He tossed it over his shoulder to Kagome, who quickly retrieved the Shikon no Tama and tucked it safely into her vest.

Sesshoumaru dug his claws into the remaining stump, his toxin flowing from their tips and melting the rest of the arm.

"You know what sucks worse than being poisoned?" Sesshoumaru growled lightly, his left hand grasping Naraku's throat and squeezing roughly. Sesshoumaru frowned when he received nothing but Naraku's pained gasp, then shrugged.

"I see you're incapacitated. Allow me to answer it for you." Sesshoumaru opened once golden eyes, allowing Naraku to drink his full of the rare, frosty blue gaze as Sesshoumaru broke into a rare grin.

"It's purification. Hurts like hell, don't you think?"

His left hand began to glow a violent purple, streaking down his claws and into the back of Naraku's neck. Purification began instantly, ash falling from Naraku's body in large gray flakes.

"No!" Naraku shrieked in outrage. "This isn't possible! How are you doing this?"

"Easy," Sesshoumaru answered, slamming the dying hanyou into the side of the master Tenseiga and pinning him there. He lowered his lips to Naraku's ear, whispering only for him to hear.

"She, and her power, belong to me. That means the Shikon no Tama is mine to do what I please with as well." He glanced up at the master Tenseiga a moment, his right hand gripping nothing but air as he looked back to Naraku.

"You know Naraku, I've been thinking. Since you so obviously want the Tenseiga, and the Dark Star, I'll make you a deal."

"Don't play games with him Sesshoumaru," Kagome gasped feebly, still unable to move as she reached out for him. "Just…please, just do it."

"What kind of deal?" Naraku asked, eyeing the blue-eyed taiyoukai as Sesshoumaru thought a moment. He jerked forward suddenly, pulling his sword from thin air and plunging it deep within Naraku's heart, through his back and into the master Tenseiga.

"Take it to Hell with you."

Naraku's eyes widened impossibly, him staring at the wound as his blood began to short the circuits of the Tenseiga. Sesshoumaru's hands still gripped his sword's hilt, the borrowed power that flowed within him combining with the natural ki of the sword as it attacked every cell of Naraku's being. Soon there was nothing left of the hanyou but the blood in the rapidly unstable Tenseiga and the ash that floated around him.

"You did it Sesshoumaru," Kagome whispered as he jerked his sword free and turned to her. A circuit popped behind him, the only warning sign before the Tenseiga and every other piece of electronics exploded around them.

They were instantly shoved through the windows, Sesshoumaru's tail wrapping around the edge as Kagome whizzed past him and plummeted to the ocean nine stories below.

*

"Holy shit!" Miroku cursed, directing the helicopter around the falling bits of broken glass as he hovered over the ocean in the back of the rig. "What was that?"

"What's that falling?" Rin asked, pointing to a black dot falling from the building. "And is that Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Inuyasha nodded, then focused on the black dot. "Hey, that's Kagome!"

"What?!" Shippou gasped, turning in his seat to see better. "Why is she falling? Why isn't she trying to save herself?"

"Her ki has been depleted," Katrina answered as she swung a leg off the side of the helicopter. Inuyasha grasped her shoulder and shook his head when she looked at him.

"No. This is Sesshoumaru's decision."

"What?" Miroku hollered. "Are you serious? We're saving Kagome!"

"No!" Sutaasafaia yelled over the helicopter blades. "Inuyasha's right! This is Sesshoumaru's decision!"

"Since when does that bastard decide if someone lives or dies! And won't he die if he jumps after her?"

"Doubt it," Inuyasha answered. "It'll hurt like hell thought. If he doesn't do anything in the next couple of seconds, Katrina-"

"I already know," Katrina said, jet black feathers replacing the hair on her head. Inuyasha nodded. "Good."

"You guys are so fricking cool!" Sonia exclaimed from beside them. "You're like a bird mutant, right?"

"Um, no," Katrina said with a shake of her head. "I'm not."

"Then what are you-"

Sutaasafaia turned her around swiftly, her hands gently clasping either side of Sonia's head as she said "Remember that little talk about what you shouldn't put on the internet or tell anyone else?"

"Yeah?"

"This counts."

"Awwww!"

"What do we do now?" Katrina asked as Kagome continued to fall. Inuyasha sighed heavily, glancing to the white dot still hanging onto the ledge of the building.

"Wait."

*

Sesshoumaru reached out as she sped past, his fingers barely brushing against the fabric of her pant leg before she dropped below him and out of his reach. His sealing spell reappeared the instant the window shattered, leaving his human appearance behind.

Sesshoumaru watched her fall, expecting any minute for her to disappear and transmit both herself and him back to the ground below.

`"So if another plane crashes…"

"Then I'd have to do it while it was level in the sky, before it started to fall. So we'd still be screwed, in a sense."`

'That is correct,' Sesshoumaru realized as he remembered that conversation. 'She can't transmit in mid air. She's too weak to do anything else. That would mean…' He glanced down at her once again, this time to find her looking up at him as sirens wailed in the distance.

'Don't do it Sesshoumaru,' she whispered in his mind. 'The police are coming, and anything you try to do will expose yourself and Inuyasha.'

'But you'll die if I don't,' Sesshoumaru told her, watching as she fell further and further away from him.

'Then I'll die for you. I'll be glad to. Goodbye Sesshoumaru.' She shut off their connection, closing her mind to him as well as closing her eyes. Sesshoumaru cursed, then decided as he dropped the sealing spell.

'Wrong answer miko,' Sesshoumaru growled to himself as he released the ledge.

*

'I'm…going to die,' Kagome thought to herself as she fell. 'I wonder if the impact will kill me instantly, or will I drown first? I guess it doesn't matter. Sango, Miroku, guys, I'm so sorr-' She stopped as something warm wrapped around her, curling her into a ball as it cradled her against something strong and solid. 'I'm…I'm dead,' she concluded. 'That's the only reason for this warmth…but why am I still falling?

She opened her eyes for a split second, then blinked as she stared back into eyes so much like her own. "Who are you?" she whispered, earning a smile in response.

"Yes, you would forget me," Sesshoumaru grumbled good-naturedly, shaking his head when she reached to hug him. "I need you to stay perfectly still, alright?"

Kagome nodded as he curled himself around her, his tail winding around them as he attempted to erect one of Kagome's weather shields.

"Sesshoumaru?"

"Yes?"

Kagome brushed her cheek against his, a warmth spreading through her when he returned the gesture. "Thank you."

They finally hit the ocean surface, sinking underwater before Sesshoumaru could respond.

*

"Yes!" Inuyasha shouted when they disappeared, giving Katrina a brief hug before stumbling back to his seat.

"What did we miss?" Miroku griped as he landed the helicopter on a nearby beach. "We may have to fish for two bodies."

"I doubt that Miroku," Sutaasafaia said, jumping to the sand when the helicopter landed. "We just have to find them."

"Found them!" Shippou exclaimed, pointing to something wet and fluffy floating toward them. It sank a moment before resurfacing moments later, Sesshoumaru's head breaking above water as he dragged Kagome on-shore with him.

"She's not breathing," he huffed as he collapsed to his knees beside her. "And she's cold. Where's the emergency crew?"

"A long way away from here," Shippou answered, anxiously hopping from one foot to another as Kagome's lips turned blue. "Isn't someone going to do something?"

"Yeah, I got it," Inuyasha said, kneeling on Kagome's other side and motioning for Sesshoumaru to do the same. "OK, this is how we'll do it; I'll breathe into her mouth-"

"I don't think so," Sesshoumaru frowned, earning a growl in response.

"I do, because you didn't take CPR! Every moment we spend 'debating' it is every moment we're closer to losing her. Do you want to continue?"

"Go ahead halfbreed," Sesshoumaru growled back. Inuyasha opened Kagome's mouth, pinched her nose and gently puffed air into her lungs, Sesshoumaru and the others watching for any sighs as her chest rose.

"Now Sesshoumaru, you push down gently," Inuyasha instructed, turning Kagome's head to the side as Sesshoumaru pushed the water from her lungs. They repeated this process twice before Kagome rolled to the side and spit up water on her own, her gasping for air as the police and ambulance finally arrived.

"What happened?" an officer asked as Sesshoumaru gathered Kagome's damp and sleeping form into his arms.

"I'll be more than happy to explain," Sutaasafaia said, flashing her CIA identification to the officer before she led him away from the others.

Inuyasha watched them go, groaning as more officers replaced them before glancing at his unusually quiet sibling. Sesshoumaru sat with his legs crossed underneath him, with Kagome huddled in his lap. He whispered something in her ear as his sealing spell returned to it's proper place, hiding his youkai features and the tail that Inuyasha would've bet money was still around Kagome as she slept.

"I'm proud of you Sesshoumaru," Inuyasha said softly.

"What?"

"I'm proud of you. I didn't think you would've saved her at first, but I'm glad you did."

"Of course I did," Sesshoumaru said, raising his head to look at him. Inuyasha started at the new eye color, opening his mouth to ask when Sesshoumaru said

"I couldn't very well let her die. She belongs to me, now more than ever before."

----

SF: For those that are prone to freaking out, don't worry. I'm not changing Sesshou's eye color. It changed for a reason.

Sesshou: For what reason crossbreed?

SF: Do you guys remember when Sesshou helped heal Kagome's mother's nose a few chapters back? {::cast nods::} Do you guys remember her eye color changing briefly?

Kagome: … … … Oh yeah! They did, didn't they?

SF: Exactly. Someday I'll explain it, but for now lets just say that it's one of the side effects of taking on someone else's powers. Oh, and as you guys can see, Sesshou's still an ass. He hasn't learned his lesson yet. You think he would with all the stuff she's had to do to be with him.

Sesshou: You dare speak ill of this Sesshoumaru! I shall tear you limb from limb. {::nearly pounces on SF when::}

SF: {::waves her hand in front of her::} Electric Avenue. {::lightening shield appears between her and Sesshou::} Tisk tisk. Bad boy, Dog Toy.

Sesshou: I was rather hoping you'd forgotten that name.

SF: I'm sure you were. Anyway, the next chapter promises to be quite interesting. Oh, and someone asked what Ra looks like. Have you ever seen the movie 'Stargate'? Not the tv series, the movie. The guy that plays Ra is who Ra looks like in this fic. The preview, review responses and the recommendation (Yay!) are below!

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Point of No Return

Kagome wakes up, Sesshoumaru's last, and the rest of a heart melts…

RECOMMENDATION: A Cup of Tea by DragonFly8246 Story ID#: 1531862

This story starts calmly enough, with Kagome being a temp for one of Sesshoumaru's secretaries. The secretary quits without further notice, something that shocks both Kagome and Sesshoumaru for different reasons. By chapter four, someone is being choked and Sesshoumaru is pissed. You guys know I suck at summaries, but this story is great! She has another one too, but I can't remember what the name of it is. Definitely check them out, and read and review!

Responses:

Familia-Ficz: Thanks a lot! Everything's clear now except for one thing: Sesshoumaru and his little plan. You know the one I'm talking about. Other than that, and the introduction of the Shikon, everything's right in the world.

Tessa3: What have you promised the devil? Silver Fox: That's between grown people SF. You're not to know. SF: WE jerk. You're only three years older than me. I doubt you'll be in much of a mood to give either one of us a surprise after the next chapter. You'll see what I mean.

Pixy-Misa-Misao-Amano, Skitzoflame, Badgerwolf, InuKagOnly, InsanexPsycho, Sukera and MoonlightPrincess: No problem. I'm coming as soon as possible.

Kagome: I'm sorry about your cold. You're cure is most...inventive. Nice. I'll have to try it when I get a cold.

Thesta: No, he didn't. I've turned Inu-chan into a full youkai once already, so he's stuck. You're close, but not exactly there. Yeah, one of them goes to the hospital, and there's a fuzzy moment, but I promise you that the fuzz won't last long. I have one more surprise to pull from my hat.

Snowy Day: I did leave them high and dry, didn't I? Oh well. Don't worry, because this entire chapter is dedicated to them!

Tenshi no Sin: Thanks a lot! Welcome to the archives!

Black-cat-on-the-wall: 0.0 I see. I get hyper like that too. Thanks for the review!

Reality: Sure, no problem...even if you'll want to kill Silver later. Silver Fox: Kill me?! It was your idea! SF: Yeah, but you don't have to go with it if you don't want to! Silver Fox: Whaaatt?!!!

AkxTp: I know. Wasn't that sad? I haven't the slightest idea who Naruto is. Could you exp.?

Stargirl: Thanks for the fight scene praise! I worry about them! For me, they're easier than lemons, which is why- Silver Fox: Which is why I'm the Lemon God! Muhahahaha! SF: 0.0 Ok...anyway, (now that Silver's snapped and all) thanks for keeping up with me!

HellzAznGrl: You can never imagine the mental picture I received from what you said. Something like a cross between Santa Claus and a Tonka truck. {::shakes her head::} Disturbing, I promise you. Um, be prepped to freak, but no beating on the author. That would suck.

Sesshybaby: Kagome, superior? Really? Wow, I didn't know. Thanks anyway though.

Sae-chan: Thanks! I'm glad I didn't confuse anyone! That would suck! Anyway, no more fight scenes for this story, but there's still plenty more to go!

Niamha: Sesshy is off the hook for the moment, but not even he can let sleeping dogs lie. Enjoy Hawaii!

Sesshyangel: Now don't start feeling nostalgic on me. You'll get sad, then I'll get sad, then we'll both start bawling, then the stage floor will get ruined because it's new from the last Inu-chan/Sesshou/Kouga fight (with guest star Vegeta) and it hasn't been sealed yet, then Sesshou will get mad and then...well, you get the point. You're the second person to ask me about a sequel. I'll truly have to think about it. It depends on the ending. For this chapter, we only have one fight scene (the last one for this fic!) but we still change around a little. Oh, and I'll just go ahead and give you your review for 'TES' here, instead of waiting. Don't worry about Sesshoumaru being OCC. He's cool just like he is. Oh, and I very much enjoyed the S/N knock-fest in the middle of the street. You know me; I'm a sucker for a good fight. If you truely need help, then (for the hundredth time since knowing you) ask me! I'm more than willing to be of assistance, as I'm sure you already know. But don't worry about the story. It's good for what you have. You just have to put out more. {::hint hint::}

Fire Phoenix: The only reason that's in there is because Silver, like a nut, said something stupid to me over that weekend, I clocked him with a pair of heels and scratched him. He called them dangerous and potential weapons and well, it just took off from there.

Gray Wolf Demon: No, I have Silver's laptop, which means that if he doesn't feel like playing nice, then I have nothing. Sucks to death, I swear. Anyway, thanks for the sunny side view of things.

Tsuki Yume: There's another story like mine? I had no idea. Oh, on to more important matters. Please don't be worried about what the ending will be. I'll let you in on a little secret (OK, it won't be a secret after this, but hey; what can you do?)...I'm a big fan of happy endings. I don't know why. It doesn't matter how dark the story is, so long as it ends in 'happily ever after'. I think it's because of the books I read as a kid. So no worries, Kay?

(MM):

Misery: Naraku is a typical male in this story. You know the one: The guy that insults what he can't have. I'd bet good money that if Kagome threw herself at him, he'd be all for it, flat ass and all.

Psycho Demoness: Sesshou is definitely my favorite character, but Inu-chan is a close second. My only gripe with Sesshoumaru is that he sounds a lot like the old 'Batman' cartoon. But I loved that cartoon too, so hey, I'm a happy girl! Oh, anyway, outside life is hard for me. It's a real trip, especially with Valentine's Day coming so quickly. I'm going to be so busy that day. I'm not entirely sure of what time I get off. I'll try really hard for a happy ending; after all, I am a sucker for them.

Fluffy'sLova4Life: I'm so sorry for everything you have to go through. {::to Kagome::} Look here. I plan to teach you stealth in a few weeks. If you keep it up, I won't and I'll stop your other training as well. Kagome: Poo. {::sits down and deactivates the speed trap::} Fine. I'll stop. SF: Good. Try to be a little considerate of who you abuse. Don't take everything out on CiCi.

IsisTheEgyptianGoddess: Don't be blue about it. I've been amazingly busy lately so it's hard to update when I should. So if you forgive me, then I forgive you.

Kitsune_Bi: Are you? That's great! I was wondering if anyone would! Yeah, it sucks about Shu, but maybe there's a surprise for Inuyasha and the others in the future. You never know.

Lunabelle: Yup, those are the swords. I'm rather fond of them too. My computer is feeling much better, so now we're ready to rock and roll.

Nan: Thanks! I'm glad you liked them! They were hard, especially jumping from one scene to another and keeping them straight.

Amerld: I promise you, that joke was all Ag. He's a real perv. I agree with you, Sesshou is a tad daft sometimes. However, there would be a lot of pissed off people if I turned this into an I/K pairing. I can send you a one-shot if you want it.