InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Twisted Moon ❯ For Kagome... ( Chapter 3 )

You know I was just going through the final touches of this chapter and I had to pause in shock. I remember asking myself “Silver, what have you done?”

As usually this chapter has not been edited, I'm working on the next chapter but it will be a while before I put it up, that's kind of crazy to put up a chapter a day. I got some really nice reviews for this story so I thought I would go the extra mile, it's not nearly as complicated as No Such Thing as Fate so that helps.

This chapter…is one of the strangest brain babies that's come forth yet. Please give me your opinion on this if you have the time...Enjoy.

Please review, I got a couple hundred hits and 4-5 reviews per website, obviously that doesn't add up. If you see anything wrong just point it out okay ^____^

Disclaimer: If you think I would steal such a wonderful story as Inuyasha you need to stop sniffing nail polish. I hear it melts your brain.

Chapter 3: For Kagome…

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“You know this is really starting to get weird.”

“Really?”

Kagome turned the tips of her feet in toward each other and stared through the little shape they made between her and the ground.

“Yeah. I've never had anyone pull me up onto a roof for a question.”

“A question?”

Kagome looked at Aneko, “Every time we talk, the conversation is about making a wish.”

“Oh.”

Kagome laughed but quickly stifled it with a hand. She looked at Aneko, “Did you forget or something you stupid girl” Kagome repeated in a deep voice in what she assumed was a good impression of the older woman's voice.

Aneko shot Kagome the strangest smile and Kagome immediately felt dread.

“I have a curse that can turn Miko's into seagulls,” Kagome choked on her snicker and Aneko smirked.

“Why is being on the roof so strange?” The witch asked finally.

Kagome shrugged and glanced at Aneko who was crouched beside her balanced on the tips of her toes on the main beam that ran across the roof. It amazed her how youkai could do such amazing things that humans had to train many years to do.

“Maybe that's not the strangest part but the fact you snuck into my room, past Sango who didn't budge, then somehow teleported us both to the roof through the ceiling or however the heck you did that. That is strange.”

Aneko was still smiling in amusement. “How do you think I get around girl, walking is for humans.”

Kagome nodded indulgently, “You're human too.”

“Witches are considered demons,” Aneko pointed out.

“Oh, that's pretty cool I guess.”

“Cool? Your terminology confuses me. I'm rather warm.”

Kagome shrugged and took the comment in stride, “You aren't the first person I've confused,” she assured.

Aneko looked out over the village a nasty grin on her face and her gaze considering.

“You don't get to sit and talk to other people often do you?”

The witch jerked and looked at Kagome in confusion. Kagome was staring at her, eyes wide and interested.

Aneko snorted, “Who speaks to a witch but those who absolutely have too. Many of us aren't kind loving creatures.”

Kagome laughed, “I think you are very kind Aneko-san. You sit and talk to me about all kinds of things and you really help me. You even want to give me a wish when I don't want it.”

Aneko sniffed and looked away, “You are the first human I have met that has gone out of the way to avoid a wish.”

“Well I think that has to do with who I am. I may be Kikyou's reincarnation but the jewel was in my body when I was born so I guess I just instinctually know not to mess around with things like wishes. I was also raised to be a do it yourself kind of person, getting something through a wish just seems too easy. I know that a wish can be bent to the wish casters will especially if that caster doesn't like the person making the wish.”

Aneko nodded slowly, thoroughly impressed with her explanation, “You are one of the smarter humans I have come across.”

Kagome rolled her eyes at the comment.

“Besides, isn't it very dangerous to ask a wish of a witch?”

Aneko grinned in delight, “That is very true but most people desperate enough to come to a witch are past that point of worrying about the dangers and it only gets dangerous when the client makes it so. I give out medicine to anyone who can trade something or pay for it, on the other hand someone wanting me to remove a curse or to cast a spell can expect trouble if they don't do exactly as I tell them. It also depends on my mood. If they want to make me angry...well more accidents happen to clients when I'm in a bad mood.”

Kagome shook her head at Aneko.

“You on the other hand, you helped me and so I would give you a wish with no strings attached. It wouldn't happen immediately because I don't have power over some item like the Shikon jewel but my job would be to do everything in my power to make sure this wish is granted.”

“Oh.” Kagome stared at Aneko a moment, “that seems like a lot of work. I just fired at the demon because he was chasing you. Now that I think about it, you didn't really need my help. You ran so fast and kept your distance from the other guy then you held him off with your magic.”

Aneko glanced at her cooly, “Like I said we aren't considered human. Witches usually have enhanced speed and strength along with other skills such as magic. We don't transform into massive beast like other demons or develop poison or attacks like that. Of course demons think we are on the weaker half of the scale when it comes to being a demon but we do pretty well against stronger demons even if they don't acknowledge us.”

“So basically you actually were in trouble?”

Aneko sneered at Kagome.

“I needed a moment to cast a spell”

Kagome nodded, “And I gave you that moment, I understand now.”

Aneko gave Kagome a look that would have made Lord Sesshomaru pause had he seen it. Kagome merely smiled, already comfortable with the knowledge that Aneko probably wouldn't kill her over something trivial.

She chuckled and grinned at the other women. “What else can you do?”

Aneko went quiet her gaze bored.

“I'd rather keep that information to myself, it gives me an advantage in bad situations.”

Not one to be deterred Kagome stuck up a finger as if to point out a fact, “I know witches can control the elements.”

Aneko seemed amused but she said nothing.

“Hey, do you have to be a demon to be a witch?”

Aneko stiffened making her neck move in a strange way. She looked at Kagome, “Well, no but-”

“Can I be a witch?”

Aneko's mouth snapped shut and she stared at Kagome in disbelief.

Kagome blushed embarrassed and looked down at her feet again. “I was just thinking, since I'm a Miko I have a type of magic but it's focused on fighting against youkai. Maybe if I trained myself to do something else with my power…”

She glanced up and licked her lips nervously.

Aneko stared at Kagome a long moment before looking away, “No”

“Why, I would try really hard and-”

“Could you live with being rejected by both humans and considered the part of the lower rungs of demon? They don't care what you say you are, you're different and they want nothing to do with you if you can help it.”

Kagome chuckled quietly, “It's not much different from what's happening now, though I have to say I brought this partly on myself.” Kagome hugged her legs to her chest, “I wear clothes that are considered indecent in this time and so no one wants anything to do with me. I travel with demons and so people are scared, at the same time I am a Miko and I also travel with a demon exterminator and a monk. I don't want to be a Miko anymore and there's not much training I can do now that can fix the issues I have with my Miko abilities.”

“You don't know what you're getting into girl.”

“Then teach me. I have nothing else to look forward to after the fight with Naraku. This is something I want to do. What do I have to do, make this into my wish?”

Aneko swallowed and looked back out over the village.

“You couldn't do it. You would quit halfway through the training.”

Kagome bared her human teeth angrily at the woman, “and who are you to decide that for me. I can do it!”

“You're loud, aren't you worried about waking that hanyou of yours.”

Kagome glared at her, “Don't change the subject!”

“Where is that hanyou?”

Kagome huffed and crossed her hands over her chest angrily. “He's with Kikyou, I made a deal with her that as long as I don't see it they can do whatever they want.”

“Ha that's so funny.”

“What?”

Aneko grinned viciously at Kagome, “So if you decided to wander where they might just happen to be kissing or something, according to the agreement Kikyou would have to get up and move.”

Kagome's mouth hung open in shock. Her face slowly twisted into one of amusement “Oh wow, you love working with loop holes don't you”

Aneko only smirked.

“But you also told me you wouldn't tie any strings to my wish. I really think I want to be a witch and I need a great teacher if I do this. Would you be willing to help?”

Aneko looked outraged and opened her mouth to respond but Kagome continued, “I mean if you can't do it then that really stinks because you said you have to follow me around until I make a wish and I can't think of anything else. What about your clients what will they think. I know Aneko-san is very trustworthy no matter what she says but the other people…”

Aneko's jaw hung slack as she stared at Kagome with wide disbelieving eyes, “You know you might actually have some potential, at twisting people's requests at least.”

Kagome grinned brightly.

Aneko did not look amused and Kagome's smile faded.

“You're going to lose a lot Kagome.”

Kagome stiffened, she couldn't recall another time when the witch had called her by name.

“I've lost a lot already. I think I can handle losing a bit more.” Kagome promised with a serene smile.

Aneko sighed deeply, “If this is your wish, I can grant it. There's a test you must pass, I can get you started but I can't tell you what your test will be and I can't tell if you will pass it.” Kagome stared at the witch.

“I'm afraid Aneko-san because I don't know what to expect but I realized a little while ago there was a limit to what you were going to tell me. I have to learn as I go.” she stared directly into the older woman's eyes.

“I want to do something with myself. I'm tired of being the weak link in my group. I'll be alone once this is over with. If I have to be alone I might as well be alone on my own terms with something to look forward to the next day.”

“And what will you do after your training? I won't waste my time training a girl who will probably kill herself after her training because she has nothing better to do with herself.” Aneko sneered standing up to tower over Kagome.

Kagome wasn't intimidated, in fact she felt more at peace then she had ever felt, with herself and with her decision.

Somehow, she knew everything would be okay.

There was a moment of silence before Kagome responded. “I will have something to do with myself. I can make medicine using the skills I pick up. I can cast spells and if I really feel it's necessary I can cast a curse that doesn't kill people. I want to be of use somehow and I'll really be dead weight dragging my friends down soon. I don't want to be like that and this is a good way to get what I want.”

Aneko stared at Kagome a moment.

She finally turned fully to face Kagome, “You'll have your wish, but there is much you have to do before I will even consider teaching you. You will go through much suffering and it can't be helped after I begin the process.

Kagome paled but wasn't going to let Aneko frighten her into retreating.

“Okay,” She responded quietly, suddenly not so sure about her decision.

“Lift the back of your shirt.”

Kagome looked at her strangely but turned and did so timidly. There was shuffling and Kagome shivered and arched when something wet and cold touched her back. Aneko grunted and poked her side in warning. Kagome forced herself to stay still and the cold liquid was returned to her back. She sat fidgeting uncomfortably as Aneko worked slowly as if to irritate her. It didn't make her feel any better that she was sitting on the roof of the villages' biggest building, in the dead of night, under a full moon.

Aneko finished and a warm hand was pressed to her back. Kagome grunted uncomfortably when a shock shot up her spine and her limbs tingled sharply.

“You can pull your shirt down.”

Kagome did so uncertainly not wanting her shirt to be ruined by whatever had been used to draw on her back.

“For the next three days, you will do everything in you power to get to me, I must add more to the spell on your back, more so than usual because you have demon companions and they must not smell what I have done.”

Kagome frowned, “Why?”

“You need not worry about that however don't show anybody your back and don't mention my presence here. If you have told them about me, don't tell them what we have spoken of. If you want me to take your request seriously, follow those simple rules and you will have your wish in the end.”

Kagome nodded a frown set on her features.

“I can do this, I won't disappoint you.”

Aneko considered her statement a moment then nodded, “I must go and you need to sleep am I right?” Kagome nodded and stood slowly. She kicked her legs a few times to shake out the numbness.

She smiled at Aneko, “So how are we getting down.”

Aneko rolled her eyes and grabbed Kagome's arm. Kagome nearly yelped as she was dragged off the roof in one graceful leap.

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“Inuyasha Sit!”

Inuyasha howled and Kagome dropped her bag and stretched. She glanced at the white haired male pinned, strangely enough, on his back instead of on his stomach as per usual.

“I didn't do anything!” he screamed angrily at the sky.

“I'm tired of walking and your being an asshole.”

Shippou snickered and Inuyasha was able to turn his head and glare at the kit. Kagome walked over to Inuyasha. “You keep being a jerk and see if I don't s-i-t you again. We all happen to be human and marching for 18 hours a day is not the way to keep us alive.”

Inuyasha blew his bangs from his face and crossed his arms over his chest with a bit of difficulty.

“The love birds have enough energy to go jump each other in the forest.”

Kagome looked around and sure enough, Sango and Miroku had gone missing. Shippou looked around and fell out on the ground laughing when he found the hanyou's observation to be very accurate.

Kagome rubbed her temple; it just seemed like their little group kept getting stranger and stranger. Okay, so Sango and Miroku were in the forest having unsavory relations, which in Kagome's language meant cuddling, as they had both decided that sex was for after marriage, go figure. Inuyasha was pinned to the ground for another few minutes and Shippou was laughing hysterically at the whole situation.

The kit was rolling on the ground and Kagome rolled her eyes when she realized she would have to give the boy a bath later. Kikyou was about a mile away stalking the group and had been stalking them for the last three days. The only person missing from this scene was Kirara.

Kagome looked around and paused when she spotted Kirara with a stick in her mouth drawing circles in the dirt in a fit of boredom.

The Shikon Miko rolled her eyes skyward and said a prayer for strength and patience.

“Sango! Miroku! Get out here we have to set up camp.” She bellowed hefting her bag onto thin shoulders.

Inuyasha made sure his opinion was known.

“The hell we are wen-”

“If you say anything about those stupid jewel shards my foot is going down your throat Inuyasha!” Kagome snarled irritably before marching in a random direction hoping to find a campsite. There was actually an old campsite nearby they had used almost a year ago and Kagome planned to use it again. The campsite was literally three minutes from the road and she would be damned if she let Inuyasha bully her into passing it up.

Shippou bounded from the forest with a flustered and messy looking Tajiya and Monk behind him. Inuyasha had managed to pull himself from the subjugation spell and mosey into the camp after them.

He growled some curses but Kagome ignored him. Sango and Miroku sat within an arms length of one another looking as if they hadn't just jumped one another in the forest not five minutes ago.

“Guys can I get some wood?”

Sango and Miroku stood as one, “Of course Kagome-sama”

Kagome frowned at them, “Shippou go help Miroku get the wood, Sango you go fetch the water.” Sango and Miroku looked embarrassed and Shippou made sure to make it worse by pointing and snickering. They both went about their assigned chores and Kagome shook her head amused.

“Inuyasha I want fish for dinner.”

“We're eating ramen,” he snarled.

“I'm tired of Ramen and eating it constantly is bad for you, now go get us fish or you don't eat at all.”

Inuyasha stomped around a bit and growled but he eventually took off into the forest to go fetch her fish. Kagome sat back against a tree and shook her head amused.

A soft mew drew her attention again and Kagome looked to see Kirara staring at her looking rather lost. Kagome giggled and scratched the fire cat's ear, “You have your chores too. I want you to go fetch your dinner and I'll cook it with some herbs for you. Then I want you to go help Shippou and Miroku out.” Kirara nodded eagerly and rushed off into the forest.

Kagome leaned against the tree and waited for one of her comrades to return, preferably Miroku and Shippou first.

“You have no chores?”

Kagome glanced to the side as Aneko stepped from the tree behind her, “I'll be performing my chores for the rest of the evening, thank you very much,” Kagome smiled.

“I didn't expect you to show up so soon. My friends will return any moment.”

“I'm tired of waiting to finish this little game off, I might as well do it now.”

Kagome stood and dusted off her clothes. She tilted her head toward the forest and they both stepped into the bushery.

“How do you feel?”Aneko asked her dark eyes flashing in the shaded forest. Kagome rubbed her shoulders and gave a shrug.

“Fine really, a little sore and tired. I had a fever yesterday night so everyone was worried.” She responded.

Aneko nodded to herself, “I expected as much. The spells I drew on you are causing your issues.”

Kagome smirked, “Well I figured that but I'm glad I'm not getting sick or something.”

They both stopped at a safe distance from the camp and turned to each other. Aneko eyed Kagome who stood patiently awaiting her instructions. Aneko pulled out a small box and opened it carefully to reveal the now familiar ink kit.

“It's the third day, after I put these last spells on you we can't turn back. Are you sure you want to do this?”

The motherly tone only made Kagome smile. She nodded, “I thought about it more and this is what I want. I really appreciate what you've done.”

Aneko nodded, “In about a day or so, you should start feeling tired and ill but nobody can help you. Just let things run their course. I wish you luck.”

Kagome nodded and Aneko eyed her thoughtfully a moment, “Now lift your shirt.”

Rather used the routine now, she did so without hesitation. Aneko eyed her stomach carefully then shook her head; finally, she looked a little higher at the strange contraption over Kagome's chest. She looked at Kagome who blushed under the scrutiny.

Curiously, Aneko grabbed the bra between Kagome's breasts and pulled it. She released the contraption and it popped the embarrassed Miko.

“Cut it out! Just do what you're going to do!” Kagome demanded her face a flaming red.

“I want to use this scar.” Kagome looked at the paw prints that were still trying to heal on her chest. “This can be you're sign, your calling signal. Right now I'm just going to write the last part of your spell on here.”

She tapped the deepest paw print on the younger woman's breast with the end of a paint brush. Kagome flinched. “Can you not poke my chest,” she pleaded.

“Fine fine, I'll write one of the symbols here and the rest will be on your stomach.”

Kagome ground her teeth, “That's fine just hurry up before everyone comes looking for me.” The familiar feel of a brush drawing on her skin came and not a minute later the finishing touch; a symbol on her chest that burned something fierce. Kagome got the signal to pull her shirt down and she did so quickly.

“I have to go, I'll come for you when it is time,” before Kagome could question the short woman she was gone in a burst of wind.

Scrambling back to camp, she found Miroku and Shippou starting a fire.

“Thanks guys I needed to use the bathroom.”

Sango choose then to step into the clearing with the bucket of water in hand and not a minute later Inuyasha made an appearance. Kagome rolled up her sleeves and got to work with dinner for the night.

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Kagome blinked lethargically and opened her eyes. She frowned at the way her skin stuck to her sleeping bag and how hot it was. She felt as if she were laying in an oven. With a moan, she reached for her water bottle and after a few tries she was able to grab it and take a long drink.

When she was free of her sleeping bag, she stood a moment just enjoying the morning air. It was still dark but she knew that the sun would be rising soon. Kagome looked around the camp and was surprised to find everyone still asleep, including Inuyasha. Grabbing her water bottle and a rag, she stepped behind a tree where she went to wiping the rivets of sweat from her skin.

“You okay?”

Kagome jumped and looked around frantically. She spotted Inuyasha up in a tree watching her with curious amber eyes. She blushed and looked away, “Yeah I'm fine. My sleeping bag just got hot. I couldn't stay in there anymore.”

He nodded and vanished back into the trees to give her the bit of privacy he knew she would ask for. When she returned to camp she found Miroku half-awake but simply enjoying his rest before Inuyasha came yelling for everyone to get up.

Kagome used the extra time to open up her sleeping bag and clean it out. Kirara and Shippou had slept together and both were currently awake, like Miroku, enjoying the peace before their group leader made them all get up and start the day.

It turned out to be a lazy morning. Inuyasha left everyone alone and was content to lounge in his tree and for that, Kagome prepared him two packs of ramen at once. Miroku and Sango talked quietly while Shippou drew on a small child's chalkboard she had brought from her time. Kirara tried to make her own art by pawing at the kitling's chalk drawings. Shippou didn't seem to mind and in fact liked the paw prints. This led him to make handprints and soon he was a mess of colored chalk.

Kagome got some studying in while the morning meal cooked. Once everyone was fed, Inuyasha went back to his usual demanding and barking. Soon they were all marching off down the road…

The final battle came without warning, that morning it had been peaceful and warm and everyone had been feeling good about the oncoming day. The trouble had started when Inuyasha had sensed Kikyou again and according to him, her scent had been panicked. They had unanimously decided to find out what had spooked the usually aloof Miko.

Kagome got on Inuyasha's back and everyone else on Kirara's. They had been moments from Kikyou location when they saw the light of her arrow. It lit up the clearing like a beacon and a crash had echoed through the forest. Like glass, a barrier had appeared reflecting the image of anything around it and, like the item it was modeled after, it cracked before collapsing in a magnificent display of magic.

The tainted Aura that had been unleashed had thrown them all for a loop. There was a moment's hesitation as everyone realized what they were getting into. That was all that was needed before they were rushing for the ominous dark castle that had been revealed in wake of the shattered barrier.

Upon arriving, they were met with a horde of youkai going for Kikyou and she took them down with machine like efficiency. Naraku and his closest subordinates were up near the castle, all except Kagura, who was giving Kikyou hell. Everyone had jumped into the horde and Kagome and Inuyasha launched a combo attack at Naraku directly.

A angry red crack appeared in the barrier protecting him and Kagome saw red eyes focus on her before she too was thrown into the horde of youkai to fight. It had been a rather simple fight against the youkai horde, both Kagome and Kikyou could fire arrows well enough while Sango Miroku and Inuyasha proved to take out the most of the hordes with what Kagome like to call `tank' attacks.

The real battle had started when Sesshomaru decided to make an entrance. Anyone within a 200-mile radius had felt the release of the tainted aura from Naraku's castle. For the first time Kagome could remember, the brothers had shared a look on the battlefield and they'd both launched a full-scale assault against Naraku with backup of the Shikon hunters.

A few attacks from red Tetsusaiga and Tensaiga and the barrier around Naraku had collapsed yet again. The air was filled with purple miasma and the hordes returned full force. With Naraku's puppets, Kana, Kohaku, Kagura who was already on the hunt, and Naraku in the flesh and blood, it had all gone downhill from there.

The field had burst into a mass of tentacles and Samyosho. Naraku seemed to pull another 30 hordes of youkai out of his ass. He didn't hold back and that helped him immensely in the long run…

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“Come on Inuyasha you have got to stand up!” Kagome pleaded trying to drag the bloody hanyou to his feet.

He coughed, blood coming up black instead of red.

“I hate that bastard.”

Kagome snorted in half-sane laughter and wiped a mud caked lock of hair from her eyes, “We all do Inuyasha, we need to move back so I can try and get some of that miasma out of your lungs.”

Inuyasha moaned and let her help him to his feet. This was no time for pride and he knew it. He stumbled and fell again, dragging Kagome to the ground with him. Kagome yelped and ended up with a mouth full of dirt for her trouble. She gagged and pushed soggy mud from her mouth with her tongue. She would think twice about sitting the hanyou from then on.

Grabbing his wrist, she hefted the hanyou to his feet. A few steps and she had to paused and gasp for air.

“You weigh a ton Inuyasha,” She growled.

He was fading in and out of consciousness therefore oblivious to what she'd just said. The weight on her shoulders suddenly lessened and she blinked when Inuyasha was lifted completely from the ground. She stepped back and was stunned to see Sesshomaru holding Inuyasha by the back of his shirt like one would a whelp.

“Sesshomaru-sama?”

He glanced at her fleetingly before walking quickly in the direction she had been trying to drag him. Kagome didn't bother to try and understand what had come over the youkai lord, instead she raced after him. It wasn't long before he stopped and dropped Inuyasha.

Kagome heard Inuyasha moan in pain. Rushing to the Hanyou's side she rolled him onto his back. Pressing a hand to his chest, she closed her eyes and concentrated on healing the damage done by the miasma in his body.

“You can heal Miko?”

Kagome's eyes fluttered open and she looked up through her mud-caked hair. Sesshomaru stood glancing around alert and wary. His hair was tangled and there was a splotch of red on his pristine white horai. Upon seeing that, she noticed that his armor had been destroyed.

“Yes, it took a lot of practice but I eventually worked up the courage to use this on Inuyasha, Kirara, and Shippou.” She looked at her glowing hands and saw Inuyasha was already breathing easier.

“Sesshomaru-sama, have you seen my companions.”

He shot her a look.

Naraku had unleashed his miasma and the whole area had gone black, they were all near fighting blind and in a cloud of poison at that. However, he hadn't become a Taiyoukai by luck.

“I caught a glimpse of the Monk and the kit, I suspect the Tajiya took to the air.” Kagome nodded.

Sesshomaru's sword twitched and his grip on it tightened. He turned suddenly and pointed Tojikin into the forest. There was a pulse of air before the sword shot an orb of air and youki into the trees.

The response was less than favorable.

Kagura shot up above the tree with a horde of Samyosho. With a wave, her blades of wind were on a crash course with them and the Samyosho were the second wave of the attack.

Kagome left Inuyasha on the ground. Sesshomaru vanished and Kagome fired an arrow at the wind demoness. Kagura dodged right into Sesshomaru's claws. He appeared over the tree line and Kagome heard Kagura shriek and the shake of the trees as they both vanished.

The blade winds turned out to be half done. She was able to dodge easily but the Samyosho were a different matter. She shot down two and the others bum rushed her. Kagome gave a shout of frustration when she was knocked to the ground. The Samyosho fought frantically to reach her and she struggled to keep the giant bee at bay. She grabbed a rock and was prepared to stab it's eye out when a scream wretched itself from her throat.

Kagome smacked the bee in the head with her rock, frantically trying not to think about the stinger through her right side. A howl told her Inuyasha was awake. He swiped at Naraku's pet.

She whimpered in pain and Inuyasha quickly pulled the stinger free. Kagome cursed angrily and forced herself to stand. “Kagome! Kagome are you okay?”

Kagome rolled to her hands and knees and Inuyasha helped her stagger to her feet. “Kagome answer me!” She put a hand to her side and sighed in relief when she saw the hole in her side wouldn't be ending her life that day. It hurt and looked nasty but that was it. They would all get through this and they wouldn't have to worry about Naraku anymore.

She knew it.

Her eyes widened in alarm as she sensed the item that was indirectly driving this battle.

“I sense the jewel.”

She swayed and pressed a hand to the wound dripping blood from her side. Nothing else seemed to matter at that moment, not even her own life. Inuyasha wasn't sure if he should admire her or tie her to a tree somewhere so she could rest, “Take me there.”

He stepped away shaking his head, “No, you're bleeding everywhere. Damn it Kagome just sit down and let me protect you.”

She glared at him ready to yell but some part of her adored him for worrying himself. Kagome walked to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You're so sweet Inuyasha, you're an ass at times but you have such a big heart.” She murmured into his hair.

“Kagome?”

She stepped away and smiled, refusing to look at the stain of blood on her shirt.

“Inuyasha, we have to go. This has to end.”

He frowned.

“She is right halfbreed, now is not the time to worry about wounds. You are both warriors on the battlefield and you have a duty.” Sesshomaru stepped from the bushery flinging blood from his sword with a flourish.

“Go, before the puppets arrive.”

Inuyasha hesitated a moment before he turned and scooped Kagome onto his back. She grunted at the quick movement and when she was settled on Inuyasha's back she smiled back at Sesshomaru, “Best of luck Sesshomaru-sama and thank you.”

He looked back and stared as they both took off into the forest.

Kagome pulled an arrow from its quiver and set it to fire at a moment's notice. When they broke through the forest edge, they were met with a wall of miasma. Kagome fired into the thick purple clouds of poison and Inuyasha kept running. The thick purple smoke swirled around them before it began to fade.

Both Kagome and Inuyasha marveled at what the dispersing miasma revealed. Naraku was massive, a spiders figure covered in arrows. The hanyou easily towered over the trees and fittingly he had chosen a spider's form as his last transformation.

Kikyou's early initiation of this battle had done them all some good. Naraku had obviously been in the final phases of his transformation. His spider body was one seeping grey blob swathed in fierce little tenticles. Kagome could make out the sections of his body that would suggest a spider. The back end of this spider was twice the size of what was normal for any six legged creature and thin little legs were staggering under the weight and the onslaught of a fierce attacks. While, his six thin legs did nothing to help him move; he had what appeared to be fully developed poison dripping from his centipede like mandibles. It didn't help that he'd learned how to spray said poison.

Sesshomaru's poison whip looked like a flick of unwanted slime compared to the projectile of acid vomit Naraku was dousing his enemies with.

Said enemies came in the masses. There were Mikos, Monks and Youkai alike, fighting the massive hanyou, all working together to destroy Naraku.

For some reason it had never crossed Kagome's mind that Naraku would really go about harassing and ruining the lives of so many across all species. He didn't seem the type for stupidity and when he ruined someone's life it was disgustingly reasonable to go kill that person before they could prepare their revenge. Naraku had made a mistake, lots of mistakes it appeared, and he was paying for it. His ways had built an army of unheard of alliances all for the single united and untainted purpose of killing him.

“No way” Kagome whispered ignoring the taste of blood in her mouth. It was amazing to see the masses of people fighting against minions and puppets, trying to get to the hanyou who'd made a hobby of destroying lives.

Inuyasha kept rushing for Naraku, but they were noticed. The ground heaved and Tentacles shot from every creavice and every thrown aside piece of earth in their view. They leapt at Inuyasha who had already taken to the air. Kagome turned and prepared to launch an arrow at the tentacles following them but a familiar white boomerang decimated the projectiles. Kagome followed Hiraikotsu's return route with her gaze to see Sango in the air with Kirara. Not far from her on the ground, Miroku and Shippou were holding their own against demon hordes.

Kagome smiled at them and turned forward again as Inuyasha landed. This time Naraku didn't bother trying to be sneaky with his attack. The wiggling things on his back that'd appeared to be hair before were in fact more tentacles. They raced toward Inuyasha and Kagome.

Inuyasha smirked and dodged easily.

“Curse you Inuyasha,” Naraku roared in a warped voice.

Kagome gave a bloody grin and let her arrow fly. Naraku's form shook and he howled in pain as thousands of his tentacles burned away under her power, He was only spared when her power tried to follow the tentacles and instead met with his barrier. Kagome heard a cheer but it was such a strange concept to her hazed mind that she ignored it for a figment of her imagination. However, blood loss or being dazed by her situation in no way stopped her from seeing the next wave of tentacles come flying at them from Naraku's underside.

“Inuyasha!” Kagome squeaked.

He ground his teeth and dodged what he could. An arrow disintegrated the tentacles that got too close and Kagome turned her head to see Kikyou fire another arrow at Naraku. Her attack fell uselessly to the ground upon meeting the barrier and Naraku had the gull to taunt them.

Inuyasha was cackling as he drew an already red Tetsuaiga.

He landed after his airborne battle and rushed the barrier. It shattered and another cheer went up. Sango's Hiraikotsu tore through the air and took care of the tentacles already rushing Kagome and Inuyasha. Kagome grinned and fired over Inuyasha's shoulder.

Naraku's tentacles came up moving faster than before. What he considered lesser warriors were doused in acid while Naraku seemed determined to grab Inuyasha with his tentacles. They didn't want to know what would happen if he succeeded but the tentacles smacked into Inuyasha and both he and Kagome went flying. She hit the ground with a gasp and was choking on blood caught in her throat moments later.

“Kagome!” Inuyasha was by her side in moments, helping her stand. She coughed up blood on his horai and he looked at her alarmed. She covered her mouth before looking to her close friend, “Get me up to his neck,” she whispered.

Inuyasha stiffened but gave a short nod. It was too late in the battle to tell her no, to beg her to sit down and be protected. She was bloody and the only person who could do this job. Inuyasha had to shove the costs of their actions to the back of his head.

If they lost one another, at least they could say they would never regret their last actions together to stop Naraku.

Kagome stood and her vision swam, Inuyasha quickly caught her. He swallowed nervously but helped her crawl onto his back again. She had an area she wanted to go and so Inuyasha's speed seemed to double. He crashed through yet another barrier with Red Tetsuaiga while Naraku was busy swatting the horde of enemies he had collected, Inuyasha cut through a wall of tenticles and other pieces of slimy quivering flesh. He landed on what appeared to be Naraku's shoulder.

Kagome saw her prize, “Let me go Inuyasha.”

Inuyasha obeyed and instead put up a defense for her. Naraku thrashed angrily but unable to move well, it seemed as if he was trembling in fear from Kagome's point of view. Detachment's of Naraku's flesh, little grey creatures that screamed and howled their names began to appear on Naraku's back; clawing their way from their masters flesh.

“Hurry up Kagome,” Inuyasha called warily wiping a bit of blood from his jaw.

Kagome stood and raced up the length of Naraku's back. Kagome was suddenly frightened. Her wounds had to be bad or she'd lost more blood than she'd realized because as Kagome ran, the majority of the jewel seemed to be jerking back and forth around Naraku's torso. It alarmed Kagome that her sight was so bad at such a crucial moment.

She fell ungracefully and slid across his back, her head swimming in confusion as she watched the jewel. The flesh under her hands and knees thrummed to the beat of the jewel's movements and Kagome vaguely realized it was his heartbeat. The jewel was caught in his blood stream moving to his pulse so it was never in one place at a time. It was probably the only thing holding Naraku up in this grotesque and foul form.

An ironic smile spread on Kagome's lips. For all the suffering and stealing Naraku had done to get the accursed jewel of four souls, in the end he couldn't use its full power. He was stuck using it for something as trivial as making an unusable body move. He'd fought and killed to get the power of the Shikon and in the end the three little shards around her neck and a mistake on Kikyou's part for actually finding him in such a state had kept him from getting his wish. It frightened Kagome that he was so powerful with 1/3rd of his power and a decaying body, but the heavens had moved in their favor and she wasn't going to question their luck when they were so close.

Ignoring the slime on her body, she dragged herself closer to the jewel. The little bead of power was jerking about on his underside but it was quickly coming around and would be in reach for her to grab in moments. Kagome took an arrow from it's quiver and waited.

She lifted her weapon and prepared to bring it down but paused as the jewel suddenly jerked back the way it had come. Kagome sighed in frustration and watched the moving jewel. It glowed fiercely, sensing it's mistress and being tainted at once in Naraku's body.

The jewel took its good old time but it came back within reach; Kagome wasted no time.

She took an arrow and stuck it into his back. The spider Hanyou howled like a dying cat. His skin began to sink in on itself, taking Kagome and the jewel with it. Kagome reached frantically into the growing gap as the jewel seemed to get further and further away. She wasn't at all surprised when she tumbled into the hole with only her feet kicking above.

However, she was surprised when the hole began trying to close itself up around her. Crying out in alarm she clawed frantically for the little jewel piece. With a fierce kick she caught the jewel with uncertain fingers and gasped as Naraku's flesh began to squeeze her. The jewel purified itself on contact and Naraku began to howl more, his whole body trembling.

There was yellow liquid seeping from everywhere and Kagome screamed when her skin began to tingle then burn.

“Inuyasha!” she cried kicking frantically.

She wiggled and screamed watching as the clothing of her uniform began to melt away. In return the Jewel was trying to burn it's way from Naraku's body as she clutched the broken glass bead.

“Help! Inuyasha” She sobbed trying to push herself free and failing.

“Inuyasha! I can't breath, Inuyasha!”

Something wrapped around her ankle and she paused thinking it her savior. The feel of cold slime seeping into her socks told her otherwise. The grip on her ankle tightened and she shrieked calling her powers forth. Soft pink light burst forth from her body, it burned away the walls of quivering flesh that threatened to crush her and caused whatever gripped her ankle to release her.

Everything fell away and Kagome was stunned by the whiff of cool fresh air. Her body curled in the air and she found herself staring at a dark cloudy sky. A huge chunk of Naraku's flesh was falling toward the ground as the evil hanyou screamed bloody murder to the sky.

Kagome closed her eyes and let herself fall. She had collected the jewel and purified both parts, she couldn't describe the immense relief she felt but Naraku wasn't dead yet.

She fell into something hard. Forcing her eyes open, she was mildly surprised and eternally grateful to see Sesshomaru. The wind was playing in his hair and he was staring ahead showing her a very different angle of his features.

“Rest Miko, you have done your duty.”

She cradled the half jewel in her hands and allowed her mind to haze over as Sesshomaru carried her away and Naraku's howls and warped angry threats sounded behind them.

Water sprinkled her face and within moments, the fierce burning on her skin began to fade as she was drenched in rainwater.

Kagome was startled into awareness when Sesshomaru landed. She glanced up at him groggily and she found herself being laid against something soft.

He stared down at her a long moment his hair clinging to his face. Some part of her wondered exactly who he been fighting because he was covered in dirt, now mud, and his horai was bloodier than before.

Nonetheless, she smiled and his eyes narrowed.

“Can you heal yourself miko?”

Kagome's smile only brightened and when she tried to shake her head she found the muscles of her neck suddenly stiff and her head light.

She knew she couldn't heal herself. She'd lost too much blood and her power reserves were on empty.

Despite all that, she felt so damn good. Not in the sense of her body feeling good because she honestly couldn't feel even a toe, but something made her heart soar and her mind felt only delight and calm.

He sniffed and moved away, not at all aware of what was going on in her head, “What a useless ability if you cannot help yourself.”

She opened her mouth to retort but all that came up was blood. Kagome gagged and coughed to clear her air passage. As if a switch had been turned on, she suddenly realized how bad it hurt to breath, how tired she was, and how comfortable she was on whatever was under her. Her head swam and everything tingled as if she'd taken one too many Tylenol and it was catching up with her.

Letting her hand fall to her side she was surprised when her fingers met with soft as silk fur, then she realized she was probably bleeding all over it.

She looked to him in confusion and he didn't bother to acknowledge he had seen her puzzled examination of his pelt. He was instead staring at the gapping wound in her side and the bleeding that was now a slow trickle. Some part of the youkai lord wondered what had possessed her to get back up and fight with a hole in her side. He'd seen young youkai sit down and refuse to move when they had such wounds and now there was Kagome to compare them too…

Kagome blinked lethargically and reached for the jewel shards around her neck. A hand reached across her vision and Kagome felt her head being gently lifted and the chain being undone. Moments later the second part of the jewel was in her free hand.

Kagome couldn't see who was infront of her and so she only smiled in thanks. She closed her eyes and her energy did the rest. An eternity later, she was able to roll the whole under uncertain fingers

The jewel hummed softly in her grasp and Kagome watched her world fade to black…

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Kikyou looked around startled. One minute she'd been knelt next to her dying reincarnation which was disturbing in itself, the next she was standing in the same clearing except there was no rain, no howls of battle, no demons, just peace and nature.

She spotted Kagome standing under the tree she'd just been dying under. She looked as bewildered Kikyou did. They both wore clothes that were nearly falling off their bodies. Kagome's filled with burns and tears while Kikyous looked a little more decent but covered as much as Kagome's full and unblemished uniform usually did. Kikyou started across the field toward her, wanting to know what had happened.

As Kagome moved to come toward her for similar reasons, light burst from the younger woman's chest. Kikyou didn't have time to be alarmed as the light of her soul raced forward and tackled the undead miko to the ground. Kagome collapsed to her knees and Kikyou hit the ground stunned.

She lay dazed a moment before she took a few deep cleansing breaths. Warmth she had distantly dreamed of filled her body along with a feeling of unexplainable forgiveness. She pressed a hand to her own chest and found a steady heartbeat and good lungs lusting for air. Startled she sat up and looked at her arms and hands as if they had the clues to this feeling.

They did.

She watched awed as color returned to chalk white hands and her fingers began to tingle as blood flow returned to the digits. She touched a hand to her face and jerked startled as her still cold fingers met with her warm cheek.

Kikyou giggled then pressed her lips together startled the sound had come from her own lips. The giggle welled up again and she couldn't stop it. Soon Kikyou was outright laughing in overwhelming happiness, her heart felt warm and the screaming souls she'd been forced to trap were gone, replaced by her proper soul.

Kikyou suddenly stopped laughing as another wave of disbelief washed over her. She blinked at the flowers swaying in the breeze, such beautiful flowers.

Kagome sat up slowly in the grass, her vision swimming. Everything tilted awkwardly but she was okay. She grunted and pressed a hand to her chest almost as if expecting that random light that had burst forth to have ripped a hole in her body. There was nothing, she wasn't wounded or in pain there was just a bewildering blankness in Kagome's mind, and peace.

She blinked owlishly at the sky and the colorful flowers. Kikyou's near hysterical laughter stopped suddenly and Kagome peeked through strands of fresh green grass that swayed in the lightly blowing wind. Kikyou was sitting in the grass looking around awed. Kagome stood scratching at her thighs when the grass tickled her bare skin. She slowly made her way over to Kikyou put off by the stillness she felt.

Kikyou blinked at her when she came closer. She dropped to her knees beside Kikyou and they eyed one another. Kikyou was practically glowing with life while Kagome looked perfectly fine in Kikyou's opinion. A butterfly fluttered past and Kikyou awed at the colors somehow made brighter and more beautiful by her newly returned life. Kikyou turned to Kagome who watched the butterfly go uncertainly. The wind blew, playing in Kikyou's long loose hair, blowing it toward Kagome. A smile curled on Kikyou's lips and Kagome swayed when the older girl grabbed her in a hug, dragging her close.

“Thank you for bringing me back…after all I've done to you,” Kikyou murmured in Kagome's ear.

Kagome smiled slightly more warmed than alarmed by Kikyou's thanks. Kikyou wasn't out to kill her and she found it refreshing in more ways than one. She paused when Kikyou's comment finally made it through her head.

“But I didn't make a wish.”

Kikyou started and pulled away slightly as Kagome continued, “The jewel brought you back, that's great.”

Kikyou paused and looked at Kagome, “You didn't wish me back?”

She sounded uncertain if she should be hurt or admiring the young school girl.

Kagome shook her head and grinned uncertainly, “I didn't really make a wish per say, at least I didn't word it that way. I told the jewel, if there's anything that needed to be done let it happen but is there anything `it' wanted.”

Kikyou felt a chill run down her spine, “You asked the jewel if it wanted a wish?” She asked in horror.

“Yeah, I'm only human, I think my wish will always have some underlying wants but if the jewel decides what to do with itself it can't taint or twist the wish or it'll destroy itself.”

Kagome thought Aneko would be immensely proud of her twisting of words in such a situation.

“It's evil!” Kikyou screamed in alarm grabbing Kagome by her shoulders

“Not really,” Kagome responded with unnerving calmness, “it's a combination of a pure mikos soul powerful enough to restrain a thousand demons and the evil souls of a thousand demons, it balances itself out. It's a neutral entity that we've been yanking to sides because of our whims.”

Kikyou stared at the young woman blankly, her mind numb from the shock that any of this made much sense. It explained everything and she felt such shame for not understanding any of this during her life as the Shikon Miko. She'd been told to purify it and save Midoriko's soul so…

“What about Midoriko's soul, she deserves to be freed.” Kikyou insisted the calm and aloof personality sliding into places after such overwhelming changes. Kagome could easily see the discomfort Kikyou had hidden for years, her hair fell wildly in her face and her eyes were wide and wild. Kikyou wasn't the kind of person you wanted to restrain and that had been her whole life apparently.

Kagome smiled for reasons she didn't understand. Maybe there was still spite under it all or maybe it was an understanding that Kikyou was now human and not immune to the happenings of the world, which had seemed the case to Kagome's young mind before this moment.

“…but right now I have the jewel and I automatically purify it without thought. Midoriko is fine now until I figure out what to do. A human can't make a wish to destroy the jewel so it has to be gotten rid of by another means.”

Kikyou stared, she was mildly disturbed by Kagome's lack of reaction. She was sitting in a forest with her strange breastbindings hanging out, that was usually enough to send the teen into a fit everything had gone from chaos to peace and yet she sat as quiet and unflustered as ever.

“Where is the jewel Kagome?” Kikyou asked carefully.

Kagome wiggled, “My body feels strange, I think it hid in me again.”

Kikyou seemed uncertain how to react to that news. She watched as the younger Miko prodded the scar on her side through a rather impressive acid burn in her shirt, searching for a lump that would indicate the complete jewel.

After a minute she shrugged, seeming unalarmed, “I know it's in me somewhere, I'll find it eventually.”

Kikyou instantly believed her for reasons unknown to them both.

“Are you okay?” Kikyou asked instead, confused by their situation.

Kagome's face twitched, the first real expression she'd seen since the younger woman had smiled earlier.

She blinked drowsily and glanced at Kikyou uncertainly, “Yeah it's just…” She paused uncertainly and glanced at Kikyou, “Am I dead?”

The events that had landed them here suddenly smacked them both in the face.

Kagome stared with big frightened eyes, “Am I dead, is that why your soul went back to you?”

Kikyou stood speechless just now realizing what the return of her soul actually meant.

“Kagome” She began, unused to comforting people after years of causing issues.

The wind was picking up and Kikyou turned, worried that the quiet and peaceful day had suddenly turned windy. She looked to Kagome and suddenly understood.

“Kagome, you must calm down. We can't figure out what to do if you don't calm down.”

Kagome was shivering oblivious to the wind and Kikyou's coaxing.

“We can both go back right? Oh no, what about my family.” Kikyou felt something in her stir. Kagome was a pure creature, it hadn't even occurred to the young woman to make Kikyou pay for the chaos the other miko had caused.

Kagome stared into the distance her thoughts running wild. Kikyou suddenly wished she was of the living-dead again. You didn't feel things like regret and sorrow in such a state.

Kagome hugged herself uncertainly. She and Kikyou cringed as they were blasted with a fierce wind. Kikyou reached for Kagome and caught her hand just as another wind swept them up into the air. Kagome shrieked in fear and held on tightly. That didn't matter when Kagome's hand slipped from Kikyou's hand as if they had never touched each other.

There was a moment of silence between them as they both realized the situation. Kagome let out a sob, understanding in her eyes and Kikyou closed her eyes regretfully before they were violently yanked away from each other. Kagome was sent flying while Kikyou was only dumped back on the ground. Kagome struggled in the wind tunnel that had snatched her up and reached for the older miko; for a grip to her life.

Kikyou sat wind battered on the ground, watching in horror as Kagome's body began to fade into dust. She was gone in moments and Kikyou could only stare at the clear sky uncertainly. Kagome's red necktie whipped through the air and Kikyou's hand shot out to catch it. She stared at the red ribbon in disbelief.

The wind died and Kikyou was left alone.

Kikyou jerked and her eyes flew open. She was dizzy and cold and everything hurt something fierce. Her ears were ringing and she didn't understand why until she realized that somebody- Inuyasha, was howling to the sky.

She was half aware that she was laying down in a really awkward position and that her pillow was soft and sticky. There was a soft glow of power and Kikyou's gaze focused on the glowing pink jewel resting innocently on the still white clad chest of Kagome Higurashi. She tried to move, to lift her hand or anything but her body refused to obey.

Someone grabbed her shoulders and there was yelling. Kikyou ignored them all watching in half aware, morbid fascination as the jewel sank into Kagome's still chest.

The jewel dulled in color going from bright pink to a simple clear like the giant glass bead it should have been just as it vanished into it's guardians body.

A second howl went up and everything went grey, Kikyou was pulled off Kagome chest and she got her first steady look at the bloody little girl who now lay still in death. The grey cloud that had suddenly covered everything was settling over Kagome and everything else in sight. There was a thud that shook the ground then there were shuffles and swirls of color as everyone turned, Kikyou included, and looked.

Naraku's body was slowly collapsing to the ground seemingly brought down by it's own weight. The evil hanyou was fighting wildly to stand again, a spider leg kicking at the sky. Naraku continued to howl as segments of his body faded into the dust that blanketed everything and everybody in range. The horrible screams grew louder combined with Naraku's cries and the screams of thousands of dying warriors as the last frantic stretch of the battle continued. Everyone rushed back out to fight off Naraku's last ditch effort, a full blown attack of every youkai, tentacle and spray of acid he could conjure up.

Sesshomaru raced out, Inuyasha was already halfway to the barrier to bring it down one last time for everyone's final attack. Sango raced out with her boomerang and a tear filled battle cry while Kirara went after her mistress to be sure she didn't get herself killed in her grief and rage. Miroku's muffled cries came from behind Kikyou, the monk obviously holding her up. While everything else had been blissfully muffled, one sound came through to Kikyou louder and clearer than any other.

She looked back to Kagome and stared at the source of the sound. Shippou held Kagome's neck tightly as he cried hysterically to the sky, all tears and pain. His screams were more horrible than anything else and it came through clearly despite the chaos around them.

She leaned forward and Miroku released her, startled she was awake.

A roar of victory went up from the army as Inuyasha and Sesshomaru finished of the spider hanyou together and his body faded completely to dust covering everything in dull grey.

Kikyou wrapped herself around Shippou and Kagome, protecting Shippou from the world while he cried…

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Please review, I'd appreciate the feedback on what I just did. And No this is not the end of the story but actually the beginning.