InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ You Darkness... ❯ Chapter 35 - The Fight for the Light! ( Chapter 35 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

You Darkness
by Vyncent


**This story contains GRAPHIC violence, sexual content and rape! You are WARNED**

Parts of this dark, and sinister fic, will NOT be posted to FanFiction.net...
It is being posted to AdultFanFiction. net and MediaMiner. org

If you do not like such content, then please be advised that this fic may not be appealing to you. Please do not read this if such content is offensive to you.

[A/N: Sorry for the delay folks, but this chapter was being very elusive in some areas. Now, however, it seems to have spawned a veritable flood.....this show ain't over yet....HEH! HEH! HEH!

I would like to extend my most sincere appreciation for all of the excellent reviews that I have received for this story and for the nominations that have been submitted for all of my stories to both Single Spark, and the Inuyasha Fanguild. Although I do not take the space in my chapter submissions to thank you all individually, I still read them and they do influence the outcome of the FanFic. Please keep them coming. The more input, the more encouragement to continue posting.

My warmest and deepest thanks to the follow most loyal readers and reviewers.

Mystic Hanyou, Queen Serena 12345, Darkless Vasion, Miroku Girl, GothycCoalChambr, WoodShop2300, Dark Angel Of Love, Lady Sessho, cjflutterbye, Okaasan-7, LadEE_WaRRioR, fallenangel7583, MoonHanyou, Shaid, Autumn Winds, Essie, Ryunosuke-sama, parvatilotus. Your words have shown me that my intent as been successful. I was hoping that this story would have a strong emotional impact, and that it might reach out and touch the reader. You all of shown me that in this I have more than succeeded.

Although you name might not be in the list above, your review is no less welcome and is never under appreciated. Please read and review folks. Again, the more the better.]

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor any of the associated characters. But it ain't because I don't want or wish to do so.

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Chapter 35 - The Fight for the Light!


Tall and proud stood the great old matriarch of Inuyasha's Forest. The Goshinbuko stretched its numerous limbs up to gather as much of the rays of father sun, as she could. It was how she had become such a great, old, and wondrous tree. It was how she planned on continuing to be just that, the great, old, and special Sacred Tree of Ages.

The welcome rays of father sun, planted his tender life giving kisses on each of her leaves as, sister wind gently danced through her many branches, helping each and every leaf to receive their fair share of father sun's gentle touch. Not far off, was the worn, and almost equally old frame of an old and very special well.

Much of its wood had come from the Sacred Tree, and what had not, had come from another equally reverent, though now dead tree. It, too, was a Tree of Ages. Unfortunately, it had succumbed to the interference of an evil youkai, thus destroying the great old tree long before its time. Be that as it may, the Goshinbuko took pride in watching over the little well. She knew how special that small box like thing was, and how important it was to some very special souls.

Only the old matriarch truly knew how old the well was, for none of the living fauna that found their homes in, around, or near Inuyasha's Forest, could even recall when the old well was first built. There were no records, or memories of it even having ever been dug to hold water. For as long as anyone could remember, it was only intended as a depository for the bones and dead remains of youkai and hanyou that had been killed in the area or nearby village by various of the local inhabitants. While there were some youkai, who were more than old enough to know the well's history, it was doubtful than any did. The unassuming and rather plain old well, was not one for drawing undo attention to itself, let alone much interest.

The really strange thing about this well, was not just that it seem to never hold water, or that it was a perfect place to dump all of the unwanted youkai bones. Nor was it that the bones always seemed to disappear to places that no one ever knew. No! What was really unique about his well, was that it was a portal. A portal that permitted one very unique onna, with powers greater that the legendary Midoriko, and a hanyou, inu-hanyou that is, of royal parentage, to travel over 500 years back and forth between Sengoku Jidai and what was to be known as Modern Tokyo.

Perhaps it was fate, a history that was meant to be, because it was already recorded in the anals of time. Perhaps it was some twisted power that chose to have fun at the expense of others. Perhaps it was just chance. No one would ever know for sure. All that was known, is that this tale began more than a thousand years before the era of Modern Tokyo. A tale that began with a great and powerful Miko Warrior, and an unusual, powerful and fearful Youkai.

It was a tale that had yet to find an ending, and so on this bright, sunny, warm Segoku Jidai day, the figures of an inu hanyou and a ningen onna could be seen climbing out of said well. They could be seen bringing along with them a lot of things from Modern Tokyo to be shared with their friends and acquaintances.

Considering that to the rest of the currently known world, there were only two people coming out of this old well, there was a surprisingly enormous amount of stuff being hauled out and set nearby. The hanyou seemed to be taking extra special, and tender care of first his mate, and then the boxes and boxes and boxes of something else, yet to truly be identified by those who didn't know that wayward inu.

It was like watching a kid on Christmas morning having just opened his presents to find that every one of them was the one thing that he enjoyed most in the world, besides his mate that is. In this case, it seemed to be a small mountain of Ramen. What flavors didn't seem to matter, just the fact that there was lots, and lots, and lots of it, and that it was meant to last him a long, long, long time.

It was a miracle that he would even let anyone help him to pull the load out of the old well. It was obvious, however, that even though he was accepting the assistance, he was keeping count of every container of the precious noodles. After all, he would not be able to get more for a very, very, very, very long time. With the additional help, it was short work to get everything out of the old well, and for the time being it was stored in an empty hut.

Everyone had barely finished with the haul, and gotten themselves settled in Kaede's when a brilliant glow of power suddenly burst from the little Miko. At first it startled everyone, mostly because of the suddenness of it. It had been expected, however, although no one knew for sure what form or appearance it was going to take, or precisely what moment it was going to manifest itself. It was the Shikon no Tama completing its final task, fulfilling the last wish that had been made upon it.

She had been sitting in what was now their favorite place, Inuyasha's lap, wrapped in the security and warmth of his embrace. They had been recounting the events of the last 24 hours and the information that they had learned from Kagome's family and friends. They were all quite surprised at the outcome of the events surrounding both the victims and the villains of the 'Nightwalkers'. They were all happy to hear that the entire 'Nightwalkers' Graveyard', was now nothing more than rubbled being hauled away and replaced by something far more beneficial to the entire community and the Higurashi Shrine.

When the sudden burst first appeared, most in the hut jumped up on the defensive, thinking that someone, or something was trying to attack. Inuyasha's instinct was to hold Kagome tighter, stand and then put her behind him to shield her from whatever was attacking them. No one got the opportunity to see what Kagome's reaction would have been, as with the sudden surge of bright light, her form was momentarily washed from view, as the light became too bright to look at.

Even before Inuyasha could complete what would have been his normal reaction, he was forced back away from her by the very strength of the power emanating from her body. He was not injured, just seemingly gently pushed away, as though whatever was causing the unusual display was nudging him out of harm's way. While it seemed to emanate a sense of purity and peace, it didn't do much to soothe the hanyou's anxiety for the safety of his mate and pups.

Despite the fact that the power was gently pushing him back, it was far too strong for him to stop its actions. His growl of anger, rapidly pushing towards rage out of concern for Kagome, filled the small hut as he tried to push back against the power, reaching for his mate. A small, musical, bell-like voice seemed to fill all of their heads at once, with the sounds of laughter.

Surprisingly, Miroku and Kaede relaxed at the sound, while Sango and Shippo remained alert and concerned, and the visiting Ginta and Hakkaku looked on, scared for their 'nee-san. The Western Lands, Mistress of the Healing Arts, was also present having been ordered to state in attendance of the young Miko until her Lord and Master's return. She, too, was very concerned by, what to her, was an unexpected burst of power. Power that had the strength and potential for purifying every youkai for miles around.

Inuyasha continued to try to push back against the force, even as he watched Kagome's body float several feet above the floor of the hut. She had been through far too much of late, why could everyone not just leave her at peace for a while?

**Calm yourself hanyou!** The voice said in a gentle caress of their minds. **She is not being harmed in anyway. I would not have it be so. She is far to precious and important to us, and we would not bring her further pain. She has earned her right to happiness and peace a thousand fold at least.**

Before anyone could do more than relax from their defensive postures, Miroku and Kaede both spoke almost simultaneously.

"Midoriko!"

**Hai** was the simple reply.

At that declaration the growling that had been filling the air stopped, more in shock than because his ire had been soothed. He could not help that his instincts didn't understand everything that was happening to his mate and pups. His youkai would not be mollified by the seemingly sweet voice and words. In there years of travel and experience, it was not unusual for the sweetest of sounds, and the most soothing of voices to be the most dangerous. His youkai demanded that he try to get to her side.

**Hmmm! Hmmm! Hmmm! I knew when I first saw you Inuyasha that you would be the perfect soulmate for the Chosen One! You continue to prove me right! Very few would continued to fight against such power as I wield, in an effort to get to one that means so much to them.**

"What do you mean?" he asked of the voice that they all could hear in their heads. "I do not understand. You knew that this would be like this all along? Why did you let Kagome get hurt so then? Why didn't you stop them from harming her? You had the power? You had the power and yet you did nothing except watch as they harmed her in ways far worse than even Naraku had ever done!" His anger renewed and his growls once again filled the hut. It was obvious that he was enraged at the injustice of the pain that Kagome had been made to suffer.

**Ah! True, I do wield great power, but having it to wield, being able to wield, and knowing when to do so, are all different things. Until the last wish was made, the ability to wield the power that I possess, was restricted by forces that I had no control over. Only under specific conditions could the power be used until the final wish was made, and I was free to wield it as I once did.**

"What do you mean by 'conditions'?" demanded the still angry hanyou.

**Surely you, Inuyasha, have noticed over the years that Kagome's ability to use the powers that she was never trained to use, tended to work best when she was under extreme emotional conditions. Usually in dangerous and/or stressful situations.**

"So! Was not being raped extreme enough for you?" he growled in anger.

**Did you not hear her plea for help, even before you came for her through the well?**

"Hai," he spat, his anger still growing at the injustice of the situation. "And it was a good thing that I did, too."

**Tell me hanyou,** the voice spoke almost with a faint tinge of amusement, like something obvious was being missed. **do you normally go around hearing voices over 500 years distant? I realize that your inu blood gives you exceptional abilities and strong senses, but even your brother cannot hear sounds that far away.**

"Well, I did hear her," he insisted, like someone was trying to tell him that he had not heard her call to him, or he didn't sense that she was in dire need of him.

"Inuyasha," spoke up Miroku, "Midoriko is not saying that you didn't hear her. She is saying that without the limited abilities that she could wield because of Kagome's lack of training as a Miko, all she could do was ensure that you did hear Kagome's cry for help when she needed you the most."

As the realization dawned on him, Inuyasha's anger began to lessen, only to be replaced by a small sense of shame for not having realized sooner, what it was that had permitted him to sense when the one that he loved the most was in need of help. Even as he thought of this, however, he still could not help but feel that the fact that Kagome was even walking through the 'Nightwalkers' Graveyard' at that time was not just by chance or accident.

"You are still responsible for what happened to her," he groused, "and don't try to tell me that you didn't have anything to do with it, either. I refuse to believe it for a moment."

**You are correct. It was through our intervention that she ended up where she was that night. For the pain that she experienced, we are deeply sorry.**

The growl of earlier came back to fill the room, as the anger behind it grew once more. "How dare you use her so. What gave you the right to put her life in such danger? Who are you to choose her life for her?" demanded the irate hanyou.

**We are the one, who chose her to be our Guardian and Protector. We are the one, who chose you to be her Guardian and Protector. We are the one, who regrets the pain and horror that we caused to enter her life. We do not, however, regret having set things up to allow you and your friends to rescue so many souls who needed the help so desperately. Lives that would still be suffering and even dying because of the horror of a number of misguided souls, and one twisted and darkened fiend that needed to be brought to justice. Justice that you and yours meted out, and far better than anything Kagome's time could have done.**

"That maybe, but don't expect me to be happy about the hell that you put her through," he growled back, still angered at the situation. "There had to be another way to take care of that matter and Kagome not to have gone through such hell. She will have nightmares for years to come because of this, and it is her and us that have to cope with them, and the stress, not you."

"Inuyasha, onegai," spoke up Miroku in an effort to bring the voice of reason to bare and to avoid unnecessary trouble. "Getting angry is not going to change what has already happened. You are right, we do not have to like what occurred, nor do we have to agree with the methods used. Perhaps it was the only choice available at the time. I don't know. But getting pissed off after the fact, will only make it harder on all of us, including Kagome, and your pups."

"Onegai Inuyasha," said Sango, "I hate it as much as you do. Especially for Kagome's sake. She didn't deserve this happening to her, but the houshi is right. What is done, is done, and we can't go back and change it. As much as I hate what it will put Kagome through, I am selfish in the fact that at least by this happening, I got to see something of my 'sister's' world and time that I would never have seen before. I wish I could see it again, but I know that I will not. At least I got to, and in doing so, I got to make a difference in the lives of many joshi that would otherwise still be suffering at the hands of a bunch of thugs."

Inuyasha understood what his friends were saying, but it didn't lessen the anger that he felt for Kagome having been used to badly. They had not seen what he had, had not experienced what both Sesshomaru and he had when they linked with Kagome, had not been there when he found her broken body and had to carry her home.

Seeing her like that, having felt her pain, shame, and horror, how could he explain to them just how much this had been wrong. He understood that the other joshi had needed the help, he didn't deny it or the fact that it took him and his friends and brother to help bring them away from the horrors of the vile things that hurt them. He was even proud that they had all been able to help all of those joshi.

But there had to have been a better way to accomplish the task than having used Kagome as fodder and throwing her to the ookami to get the job done. Could there have not been a better way to have brought this matter to his and his pack's attention? Why was it that Kagome had to be the one to pay such a heavy price? How long would it be before she could let go of those nightmares?

**You are right, Inuyasha, however, we understood that there would be consequences for this and that something would be required to help her to recover from the horrors of her experience. Unfortunately, there is not a lot that we can offer, but we do what we can. You should know that you and your brother have already offered and done far more than even those who are trained for this kind of aid in Kagome's time, can do.**

"That offers no consolation to Kagome," he continued to growl in anger, "does it? It doesn't lessen her pain, or the horror she experienced. I know! I felt it! So did my brother! Whatever he is doing with that....that...that vile bastard, I hope that he relives her pain for the rest of his life and into the grave beyond."

By now, Inuyasha was almost seething with anger, rage, and even hatred. It was directed at Midoriko, and some how everyone there understood and knew that. It was a good thing that Jaken had taken Rin to the meadow with the village children. This was something that they didn't need to witness.

For now, everyone just gave Inuyasha a bit of silence so that he could get control of his anger. He knew that his anger would not make anything better, but that didn't seem to stop the way he felt.

**You are right, Inuyasha. For what it is worth, little though it is, we are sorry. Believe me when I say that had there been another way, we would have preferred to use it, rather than have this happen to our Chosen One. We will do our best to help her, it is the least that we can do.**

"You damn right, you will," he spat back at the voice, still doing his best to push through the barrier that kept him from getting to his mate. That in itself, only helped to fuel his anger at this whole affair. "She has been through more than enough, just doing whatever was needed to help collect all of the shards of the jewel and to restore it to what it once was. Now you have to decide that she has to be put through even worse hell. Did you even think that she might not want to do this? Did it not occur to you to even ask all of us if there was another way? Damn you! Damn you to hell for your years and years of interference in other peoples' lives!"

**HANYOU THAT WILL BE ENOUGH!!!!!**

For the first time there was palpable anger and even rage behind that voice. While they all knew it was Midoriko, there was the sound of another as well. This one didn't seem to have the patience or compassion that Midoriko had, and for a brief moment everyone feared what would be said or happen next. The very strength and intensity of the anger caught them all by surprise, and sent a chill down their spines.

**When you have lived as long as I have, when you have experienced as much as I have seen, when you have faced death as often as I have, when you have been MADE to make decisions that no one else can bare to even consider, let alone live with, THEN you can judge me and mine. Until then, think of your own actions. You dare to speak of the pain that I have caused the Chosen One. What right do you have to speak of her pain, and the suffering that she has faced. How dare you point fingers at me. Point them at yourself first, then I might considering letting you judge me.**

"I am sure that Inuyasha was not intending to judge you, Midoriko-sama," spoke up the houshi. He realized from the tone of the voice and the anger that was behind it that what they were facing was not simply Midoriko. What they could hear and almost see, were both of the souls of the jewel, both the youkai and the miko of old. "Onegai, understand it is his concern for his mate, and the pups she carries. It is hard for anyone to see a loved one go through what Kagome has and not be upset."

"I can speak for myself, houshi," Inuyasha continued to growl. It had hurt when the voice had pointed out his own contribution to Kagome's pain. Not the pain of her attack, but the heartache that he had caused her over the years. He could not argue the point, for it was the truth. He knew it, and had admitted it, if only to himself so far. He didn't deny his fault, but he would not back off from Midoriko on this issue. He, too, had faced much for the sake of the jewel and for Midoriko, just as had Miroku, Sango, Shippo, even Kikyou, Kaede, and others.

"It shames me to admit that I brought pain to Kagome," he growled, letting his own shame fuel the anger he felt. "I was wrong. So many times, I was wrong. I at least, will spend the rest of my life doing what I can to make up for that pain and showing her how much I care for her. Considering all that she has been forced to sacrifice for me, for her friends, for her family...for you...can you say the same?"

"We know that you are here, because she made the last wish on the jewel," he continued, "But we also know, you would not be here at all, if her last wish was even remotely selfish in anyway. Isn't that what got Kikyou and I into trouble to begin with? Was it not because of your very existence that Naraku was able obtain all the power that nearly got all of us killed more than once, and left sorrow, heartbreak, pain, blood, and death in your wake?"

Everyone in the hut, held their breath. They expected some kind of retribution to be meted out to Inuyasha for having continued his tirade. Not many would have stood up to such a powerful being and lived, yet the hanyou insisted on being his normal crude self. What would the consequences be for his actions?

The anger that had filled the air only moments before seemed to grow even more. The chill of fear felt before, redoubled, freezing everyone in their places. Everyone except Inuyasha, who was too angry himself to pay attention to the fear that was being fed by the anger pouring from the light surrounding Kagome's floating form.

Still despite the danger, Inuyasha refused to back off. He continued to push against the power that was keeping him from reaching Kagome. Yes, he was angry. No! Enraged! He knew that in many ways he was being unreasonable, but he still felt justified in his feelings. Kagome had suffered far more than had been needed.

They had all spent the last five years chasing down and defeating, Naraku and his minions to get the shards of the Shikon no Tama back and restore the jewel to its original form. As they had traveled, they had become more family than friends. Whenever any one of them was not with the group, the others felt the loss. When any one of them was hurt, the others felt the pain. When any one of them was depressed, they all felt the sadness. They shared their pain, their sorrow, their sadness and had done their best to keep each others spirits up, even in the worst of times.

Why did everything that was associated with the jewel have to be about pain, blood, despair, and death? It was not right! It was said that the power of the jewel could bring great power to those who possessed it. But so far, it seemed that the only power that came with it, was evil. Where was the power for good?

"The rumours and legends of your oh so great and powerful jewel," Inuyasha spoke up again, the anger still more than apparent, "state that the jewel gives those who possess it great power. It doesn't say that this so called great power if only for evil, yet that seems to be the only time when your power shows itself to anyone. What happened to the power for good? Or have you been trapped in the prison of your own making for so long that you forgot about the good?"

Silence seemed to fill the room, as they all waited for something to happen. With the exception of Inuyasha's straining, as he continued to try to reach his target, no other sounds could be heard. Everyone was holding their breath, waiting for something to happen. When it did, it was not what everyone expected.

**Hmmm! Hmmm! Hmmm! We have admitted to our faults in this, agreed that you are right, and that we are wrong. Still, you persist in standing against us, despite the fact that we are more powerful than you could possibly imagine. Is it because you are a fool or brave?**

"I stand up to anyone, or anything that has brought or is bringing harm to Kagome," he almost roared in answer, giving a mighty lunged against the power with everything that he had, pushing towards Kagome. Despite his rage at this moment, most of it was fueled by the fact that he could not get to her. Nothing...absolutely nothing and no one was going to keep him from his mate. No one had that right. He would die before he let anyone keep them apart.

For a moment, he closed his eyes, and pushed everything else aside except for his love for his mate. He would not give up, he would not be defeated, not in this. The kami themselves could be standing in front of him right now, and he would still fight with his last breath to reach the one thing that meant more to him that life itself.

To everyone's astonishment, Inuyasha began to push through the power that blocked him. He was breaking through and actually succeeding in getting closer to Kagome. Sparks of energy could be seen running up and down his body, blood began to run from various cuts appearing on his skin. In some places it was apparent that the energy was burning him, still he continued to strain with everything that he had against a power that was meant to and had purified more youkai than anyone could count.

His eyes remained fixed on his one and only goal, reaching Kagome. Reaching out to his mate, and protecting her and his pups, was all that mattered. He didn't care that the power that was surrounding her was not meant to harm her. Considering the events of just a couple of weeks ago, a lingering doubt remained in his mind that said that even if its intentions were good, there could still be a danger to both her and the unborn pups. It made no difference that the forces he raged against could purify his very soul. All that mattered was that he would get to her, and NOTHING would stop him, or prevent him from succeeding.

Even as his body felt the strain that it was forced to endure, his mind blocked everything around him from conscious thought. He might be hanyou, he might be half ningen, but he was his father's son first, and youkai second. His own brother was the single most powerful youkai to ever live, with the exception of their father. He would not be stopped by something that even his own brother or father could have defeated.

He had faced some of the most powerful youkai to breathe, even some that his great and terrible father had defeated, but not killed. Faced them and won. This was no different. He could...no...he would win this one as well. He was inches away from her now. Just a little farther, a bit more.

The initial shock of seeing Inuyasha forcing his way through the barrier of powerful purifying energy, had finally worn off and those watching were snapped back to their senses. Almost as one, they too began trying to reach both Kagome and Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, Iie!" they all cried in unison, but it was too late. The hanyou was almost there. As the strength of his will and youkai, battled with the increasing power that pushed back against him, a humming sound seemed to fill the air. The strength of the opposing forces was enough to set everyone's teeth on edge and make their own skin itch and tingle. It was almost painful.

"Iie," spoke up Sango suddenly, "I agree with Inuyasha. You may not have had any choice in the matter when you first formed the jewel, but the truth is that everyone and everything that you have encountered ever since the jewel was created, has suffered horribly. We all have heard of the wonders that you could bestow on those with good hearts, and in more than a thousand years, by Kagome's time, you cannot make me believe that there has not been at least one good soul that you could have blessed with your powers of good."

"They are right," spoke up Miroku, adding his voice to that of the others. "In all of my studies, and everything that I have ever come acrossed, I have never heard of a single instance of the power of the jewel being used for good. Is it because your power can't be used for good? Or is it something more? Is it that you are not really Midoriko? Aren't you the soul of the youkai that she trapped with her all those centuries ago? Isn't the reason for so much pain, because you are the dominant one most of the time, and Midoriko is too busy trying to keep you locked away, to be able to let the good come forth?"

Kaede caught the direction that Miroku was going. It all made sense. Those of good intentions never seemed to be able to tap into the power of the jewel, like those of evil intent. That was wrong. There had to be a reason why, as the good should balance the evil.

In all of her long and many years, even she had never heard of a single instance of the jewel being put to good use. Why? Was Miroku right? Was it that Midoriko was constantly fighting the evil that she had trapped, and could not relax her vigil long enough for the good to be used? Perhaps the few times that it had helped out the good, was when it was in the care of a good heart, or pure soul, one that could not be turned by the dark. Was it possible that in such instances, Midoriko was strong enough to be able to lend at least a little aid, such as in bringing the group together to rescue all of those joshi from Kagome's era?

Obviously, being in Kagome's care, the evil was not strong enough to cause the harm that it had come to enjoy while in Naraku's care. It was still powerful, however, and it must still be hard for Midoriko to defeat the fiend and end the centuries long eternal battle. It wanted dominance and control. While Midoriko was distracted with containing the evil, the evil was busy sending out waves of power that called to all of those who sought to use the power for evil design. She used all of her power to fight the beast within, while it busied itself with finding others to bring it more power and strength.

What was needed, was something that permitted Midoriko to gain the upper hand for a change. Something that would allow the light the freedom to dominate, and not the dark. Kagome's pure heart and strength helped. There was no doubt about it. She had weakened the dark beast within, and the longer that she had possession of the jewel, the weaker he got.

Perhaps that was why Kikyou had always had to fight off so many youkai. Kikyou had always kept the jewel in the shrine. She had never carried it with her, or worn it, not even as she wandered the earth in her resurrected clay form. As she never even considered keeping the jewel with her, the benefits that might have been gained by her ability to purify the jewel, were never able to help Midoriko further weaken and defeat the youkai soul she kept at bay.

That would also explain why Kikyou's soul had been so easily tainted. With the darkness dominant, even under her watchful care, it was able to subtly play on the young priestess' desires. It was able to encourage her longings for an 'ordinary' life, and opened the door for the tainting that eventually caused not only Kikyou's death, and Inuyasha being sealed to the Goshinbuko, but also for Onigumo to succumb to his lustful desires for a woman that he had known he could not have, thus giving Naraku the opening he needed to become a power hungry and vile hanyou.

For centuries, the dark forces being contained within the jewel, had been gaining more and more power and influence over those who had come into its possession. It was a malevolent soul that was no longer seeking to escape its prison. It was seeking to feed its hunger for more pain and suffering, and its greed for more power and evil. Midoriko no longer needed to keep the soul trapped within the jewel, but to keep its evil power from leaking out. A battle that she was losing because the jewel had been in evil hands for too many long years, and not in the hands of good long enough.

"It ye truly were Midoriko, and ye intentions were good, then ye would not be trying to keep Inuyasha from Kagome. She would understand the need for mates to be together, and she would never try to keep them from each other," Kaede said to the disembodied voice, as this new revelation dawned on her.

"We will not let ye destroy," the old miko continued, "what we all have worked so long and so hard to accomplish. Ye have had more than long enough to let ye tainted magic harm others, and destroy lives. This stops here."

**Hmmm! Hmmm! Hmmm! Hmmm! Hmmm! And you puny beings think to stop me now? How pathetic you all are. I have been at this for hundreds of years, and will be around for hundreds more. Even Midoriko is not strong enough to banish me. What makes you all think that you can do what she cannot?**

"That is simple. We have the one thing that you do not have. The one thing that you have never had, although you have longed for it, and never understood it when it was within your grasp," spoke up Miroku, as he and Sango both lunged forward to join Inuyasha in trying to reach Kagome.

With barely a glance at each other, Ginta and Hakkaku joined them. Kagome was their chosen 'nee-san and if Kouga was here, he would be fighting for her along with the others. They could not do less. Atsuko, as a healer, was not a warrior. She was, however, a kobura youkai and had other ways of fighting. She knew that the life of the little Miko had been left in her care by her Lord and Master, in his absence. She could not sit back as such, and just watch as something or someone tried to bring harm to the patience in her care. With those thoughts in the back of her mind, she too joined the fight to reach the hanyou and the Miko.

To all whose lives she had touched, even if only briefly, she had gained friendship, love, and respect. She was far to precious to all of them, and it was this joint effort that push them all to try to free her from the forces that seemed to want to interfere in the little Miko's life at every turn.

"Ye see," spoke up Kaede, as her words continued to encourage everyone, and to frustrate the youkai power that they all could now sense pouring from the hapless jewel. "In all of these centuries, both now and to come, there is one thing that ye have always sought, but never understood. The power of love is far stronger that all of the hate, and evil that ye could possibly possess. Ye might slow it down, but ye will never stop it."

"Hai," spoke up Sango, "this all began centuries ago much the same way as it happened with Kikyou and Onigumo. In truth, just as he was, you were too big a coward to actually talk to Midoriko. Had you not run from your feelings, and talked to her, you might have found life much different than the one that you chose to make. Instead, you became a vile beast that even the Great Midoriko could not want, and in an effort to stop your evil from spreading, she gave up a part of her very soul to trap you in the Shikon no Tama."

"Ye never gave anyone a chance to show ye what love was, or compassion," spoke up Kaede, adding her voice to the battle of words and wills, "Had ye not been a coward, and dared to take a chance, ye might have learned what being loved, and cared for meant. Even now ye cannot understand the power that love and compassion has or can wield even over the most powerful of evil."

"You know nothing old woman," growled the angered entity, "how could someone as pathetic and you know of such things being nothing more than a weak and worthless miko?"

To the utter surprise of the foul being that they all were facing in a battle of wills, the elder miko laughed most heartily. Where he had expected more anger, what he got was humour, which only further confused and angered the wretched soul.

"Hmmm! Hmmm! Hmmm! Old, I am. Weak...well as compared to some, most assuredly I am. Worthless, no," snickered the old babaa. "You see, one of the first things that any miko learns long before they even start their training as such, is that love and compassion are powerful things. They are also quite normal and natural to any being, regardless of whether they are ningen, hanyou, or youkai."

Almost in unison, Ginta and Hakkaku joined in the battle of wills, "Even we know of it, as we have watched over and grown with our pack, and followed our Lord in his relentless pursuit of stopping the evil that not only had killed many of those we most cherished, but also attempted to bring harm to our 'nee-san. He risked everything for the sake of our families and loved ones. If he were here, he would give everything he has to help defeat you, and we can do no less ourselves."

"Even though m'Lord," spoke up the lispy voice of the kobura youkai healer, "is not one to show outwardly what he may or may not be feeling at any given time, those of us who are loyal to him, have served with him, fought beside him, or given our services to him, know that there is much more to him that he would have us openly speak of. Even he has a compassionate soul."

"Oh, that is just rich," spoke up the derisive voice once more, "How can you even believe that such an icy hearted and ruthless being as Sesshomaru could hold something as meaningless as compassion in that emotionless and cold frame of his?"

"We all show our compassion for one another in different ways," she replied without a moments hesitation. "He is a Great and Powerful Lord, as such he needs to keep most of his feelings hidden from those around him. It keeps his enemies off guard and makes it much harder for them to find any weakness that he may have."

"If that is the case," came the growled interruption, "how do you know he even understands what compassion and caring is?"

"Simple," she replied, again without a moment's hesitation. "The Western Lands are the most prosperous, rich, and protected lands of any in the realm. The people who live their and call it their homes, feel safe and secure. If it were not for the care with which Sesshomaru-sama takes to protect and guard his Lands, those people would not feel that way. There is also, the matter of his young ward. He had risked much over these last few years to protect her. Besides, the Great Fang of Life, Tenseiga, that his father Sugimi left to him, is a sword that can not be used by its wielder if he has no compassion in his heart. It would not have accepted him, nor would it protect his life if he did not have such."

The silence that followed, told everyone in the room that their words had struck home. Even though the anger still poured from the evil presence in the room, it seemed to no longer have an argument for their stance and determination. The knowledge that this brought to them, only made them all the more determined to win their way to their friend's side and with renewed effort and hope they all pushed further and further forward towards the still unconscious Miko.

Surprised by the joint show of compassion, caring, and self sacrifice of all in the room, the youkai soul seemed to pause for just the briefest of moments. It was astonished by the very power that it felt, and yet could not seem to understand. But more, it found a longing that had haunted it for countless centuries. A longing for something that it had thought it knew, but now only realized that it had never known this feeling as these creatures had. Could it be that they were right? Was it true that there was a greater power than the evil it had given itself to for so many centuries? How could he ever find out or learn to understand what they all seemed to know? How? Where? Why? So many questions, so few answers. Who could show him what all of these beings seemed to understand?

In that brief moment of confusion and uncertainty, the distraction of the youkai soul let down his guard. It was something that he had not done since the jewel had been first created, thus preventing Midoriko from accomplishing the one thing that she most needed to do. Now she had her chance and having spent hundreds of years just waiting for this moment, she leaped to take the advantage she was given.

Suddenly, there was a rush of air throughout the hut that filled the room and surrounded everything and everyone. As they watched, the light that surrounded Kagome, flared for a moment becoming almost too bright to look into. It then seemed to split in two and separate, moving away from the girl's unconscious form, just as Inuyasha made one final lunge for his mate. He got to her just in time to catch her before she could hit the floor.

Quickly, he pulled her as far away from the power that he felt behind him, as he could while still staying near for the sake of aiding his friends, if need be. He lay her on a futon in the farthest corner of the room, and turned to face the powers in the middle of the room, making sure to stay between her and what he perceived as a threat in the middle of the hut. At a glance towards Kaede, the old miko quietly moved to his side and while keeping an ear on the events transpiring in the room, she checked on the little Miko's well being. Shippo joined her, to lend what little help he could towards helping the onna that held the place in his heart that his parents would have nurtured had they still been alive. This allowed Inuyasha to focus more on the potential threat and his instinctive need to protect the one he loved.

As he turned his attention to the two spheres of light before him, he was in awe of what he saw. The two spheres hovered on opposite sides of the room, about three feet off of the floor. The one to his right, glowed a bottomless shade of blue that reminded him of the cerulean depths of Kagome's beautiful blue eyes. It radiated a warm and calming feeling that immediately made him feel at ease in its presence. It was powerful, but the power had a familiar feel to it, like he had felt and seen it before.

It gradually took human form. Long, dark tresses that seemed to waver gently in the wind, but were obviously at list knee length, graced the ethereal form before them. The garb of a miko clothed the form, making it more than apparent that this was a priestess. If it had not been for the ancient armor that the woman wore, Inuyasha would have thought she was an older, more mature, but still beautiful and regal Kikyou or Kagome. On her forehead was what appeared to be a tattoo of four teardrop shapes in a deep blood red and arranged in a cross-like formation.

A sword graced her hip, and her hand on the hilt of the blade gave every assurance that the hand gripping it, was completely experienced and skilled in its use. A bow of great length and arrows were carried on her back, and her stance spoke of a true warrior ready for anything that might come her way.

Midoriko stood in all of her magnificent glory, before them all, facing her enemy of nearly a thousand years. To all in the room, she was a breath taking figure and a formidable one at that. She radiated an air of confidence that seemed to fill the entire room with her very presence and gave warmth and encouragement to those who were watching the scene before them.

A smile graced her blood red lips and a gleam in her eye, as she stood prepared to stand against her long time enemy.

"It has been a long time," she spoke to the form across the room from her, "since we last stood thus."

Everyone's attention was now drawn to the light that was taking shape on the other side of the room. It pulsed and throbbed almost angrily, the blood red of the light making it evident that the entity was not happy at this sudden turn of events.

"Ah! Come on," Midoriko spoke with a haughty laugh, towards the glowing sphere, "Surely you can do better than that, or are you afraid to show yourself to those who have managed after all of these centuries to defeat the likes of your evil?"

At the accusation of cowardice and the laughter being directed its way, the pulsing sphere darkened and the air surrounding it was suddenly charged with an almost electrical energy that made everyone's skin crawl. The youkai and hanyou in the room, all let out warning growls as their own bodies reacted involuntarily to the threatening feeling in the room.

Laughingly, Midoriko spoke to the angry glow once more, "I always knew that you were a coward at heart. The old miko's words hit a sore spot didn't they? Come, you waste our time. Show yourself or surrender now."

The pulsing anger only grew, but as though reluctant to do so, the red glow began to take shape. Long, flowing, raven black curls seemingly floated in the wind, coming to rest in mid-thigh length tresses. A dark blue haori, over lain by a deep purple vest, accompanied black hakamas. All of which only accented skin as pale as death, and eyes as red as blood.

Although they were focused upon the priestess across the room, the evil of those eyes seemed to fill the air and make the room feel chill. A shudder passed through everyone in the room just at the sight of the evil entity that stood before them. Just as Midoriko, he carried a sword at his hip, and no one in the room doubted that he knew how to use it, although most were sure that he held not the same level of skill with the blade as his opponent.

Just as the power emanating from the ancient priestess felt and seemed familiar to those in the room, so did the power from this vile form standing to face her as though in combat. There was no doubt in anyone's mind as to where that power had been felt before, or why the being standing there looked so familiar. The power they had all felt just a bit more than a month ago, from an evil being that they had spent years chasing down and finally defeating. The evil hanyou whose face they now saw once again before them. Although it was obvious that this entity was far older than the being known as Naraku, the same even look and familiar face stood before them once more.

"I am no coward," it spoke as it continued to glare at the priestess. "You could not defeat me before and you will not do so now."

"While it is true that I did not defeat you before," she replied to his statement, "it was only because you always refused to face me unless you had no other choice. Even now, you would prefer to send those that would do your bidding rather than face me. You no longer have the puppets or incarnations that you once had, nor do you have anyone else locked under your control. For once, you stand alone and on your own before me. It is time for you to defend yourself and to stop hiding behind others as is your normal want."

"Why you bitch," he growled back at the warrior priestess, "I will tear you apart for your insolence."

"Hmmm! Hmmm! Hmmm!" Midoriko laughed. "You are just as reckless and easily angered as you have always been. Pity! You might have actually proved a challenge after all of these years. Apparently, you have still not learned the truth yet."

"The only truth that I need to understand," was the heated reply, "is that you are weak. You always have been, and I will defeat you in the end."

"Hmmm! Hmmm! Weak am I?" she laughed at him again, "Tell me, if I am so weak and you so strong, how is it that you have always needed to feed off of more and more youkai souls just to maintain enough power to fight me? How is it that you require many souls to achieve your ultimate goals, whereas, I have only ever needed but one? Have you still not figured out that what you always thought of as weakness has always been my greatest strength?"

"What? You would have me believe that feelings like wisdom, friendship, courage, and that feeble thing called love," he growled at her in contempt, "are stronger that hatred, greed, lust, and power? How naive you still are after all of these years."

"If that is so," was Midoriko's reply, "then explain why these few 'inferior' beings managed not only to defeat your most recent ally, but to weaken you as well. Or do you deny that they united for a common purpose and defeated your vile creation? Even now, just being near the young Miko, and in the presence of those who care enough for her to give their lives for her, you continue to weaken still more. Was it not fear of being finally put to rest that made you just now try to trick them as you have always done to others? Trickery, fear, pain, and suffering is all that you have ever known."

The ancient warrior priestess continued, "Even before you became what you now are, it was the only life that you had ever had. That was why, when I found you sick and injured so badly, I tried to help you. I tried to show you that there could be another way. But you betrayed my efforts when you made you choice and followed the path of destruction and greed for power that led you to this end."

"Nothing is ended yet," was the growled reply, "bitch! I intend, however, to correct that now!"

With those words, the ancient and vile hanyou pulled his sword from the sheath at his hip. It transformed in shape, size, and power, not unlike Tetsusaiga. It seemed nearly five times the size it was when first unsheathed, and pulsed with a dark, ominous blood red energy that left everyones' skin crawling with fire. The hanyou and youkai in the room, once again growled their warnings to the evil being, their instincts telling them that they needed to be more than just on their guard.

Midoriko pulled her own sword. With a flare of bright blue light, its power filled the room and it too enlarged as its wielder held it before her. The long straight blade pulsed with a power of its own, seeming anxious to encounter the power of the enemy before it.

Except for Inuyasha and Kaede, who stayed beside the still form of the young Miko, the others pulled back giving space to the combatants before them. At the moment, the two beings before them were locked into their own world. Nothing else existed except each other and the battle they were about to start.

Midoriko stood tall, calm, alert, and ready. She would not be the one to take the first swing. Yes, she was warrior and had taken many lives in her day, but ultimately she was a priestess and life was a precious thing. She would defend, she would attack if forced to, and if necessary she would destroy, but she hoped that no more lives, or souls would be lost this day. Far too many had already been lost.

The evil hanyou lunged at her, finally getting to impatient waiting for her to make the first move. Both hands on his sword, he held it above his head until he was almost upon her and then brought it down with all the power and strength that he had.

The swing was true, but the power he faced was more than equal to his own, and his intent was thwarted as she blocked his blow with her own sword. The impact threw him back a couple of feet, but did nothing to temper his rage or slow him down. With a roar of anger, he lunged at her once again, and brought his sword down aiming to cleave her in two.

This time the ancient miko rushed to meet her opponent. She had to divert him or stop him before he lost control of his raging power and one of the beings in the small confines of the hut got hurt. With a few skillful parries, she had gotten him turned so his back was to the door and began a more offensive stance to move him back and out of the entrance to the hut. It would be much more tactically sound for them to maneuver around where there was more space and less chance of anyone being hurt.

He must have sensed her intentions, even in his blind rage. Perhaps he just chose at that moment to try a slightly different tactic, but no one would ever know for sure. All that was certain, was that he started to lunge for Midoriko once more, but at the last moment dropped, rolled and came up under her guard. As the ancient warrior priestess caught the change in attack, she dropped backwards to the floor rolling away from her opponent.

Unfortunately, he was already making his intended attack, but now it was no longer aiming for the ancient miko, but right for Sango. Time seemed to almost stop. Everything flew by in slow motion as she saw the blow headed right for her and knew that she didn't have a chance of getting out of the way in time to avoid it. She closed her eyes, silent prayers echoed through her mind as she consigned herself to the inevitable.

But the blow never touched her. She heard it hit something, but realized as the backwash of heat from the blow washed by her that another target had been hit. A sharp gasp of pain filled the sudden silence of the room, and as she opened her eyes, she found the one thing that she had hoped never to see in her entire life. The one person that she loved more than anything was held aloft in the powerful wave of energy that the sword had spewed forth. It was obvious that the pain was so great that more than a gasp could not have escaped his lips.

For Sango, it felt like an eternity as the aura of power continued to hold onto Miroku's writhing form. Even though she could not hear his screams with her ears, she heard them with her soul and it tore at her heart like nothing she had ever felt before.

No! No! NO! This was not supposed to happen. They were not suppose to be separated like this. They were supposed to life long and happy lives together, have a home, a family and friends to sit beside the fire with and tell tales to. Why? WHy? WHY? Why were the Fates stepping into her life like this again? Was it not enough that she had lost her family, friends, fellow Taijiya, all of her people and even her only brother to this evil in the same room with them now? Why were they so bent on taking everything that meant anything to her, away?

"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" was the scream of pain from her heart, but even more from her soul. "MMMMMiiiiiiirrrrrrooooookkkkuuuuuu!"

Time moved forward again, as she leapt forward herself slamming into the still trapped houshi. She knew in her heart that it was for naught, but it didn't stop her from doing it anyway. She pulled him away from the now rapidly fading field of energy, and held him close to her. His head rested against her chest, a place that he had longed to feel under his head, but now it might be the first and the last time that this pleasure would be given to either of them.

She felt for his heartbeat, and found that while still there, it was weak and erratic. She could tell from the sheen of swear pouring down his body, that he didn't have long and her heart screamed out yet again.

"Damn you houshi," she cried, not caring who was there to hear her plea, "don't you dare leave me all alone. You made a promise to me under Mt. Hakurei, and I refuse to let you break that promise now. You can't leave me you perverted houshi, you just can't. Onegai, not now."

By now, the others had come out of their own shock over the unexpected situation, and rushed to her side. As the attack had left Sango holding Miroku on the floor not far from where Inuyasha was still standing protectively between the danger in the room and Kagome's still form, he was the first to her side with just a step forward. Kaede was next, as she quickly examined the seriously injured houshi. Shippo stayed next to Kagome feeling it the better thing to do just at the moment.

Quickly, Hakkaku and Ginta took up defensive stances along side of Inuyasha, who now stood between the evil still threatening those in the room, and his friends and mate. To their surprise, as well as that of the soul of Midoriko, the soul of the evil hanyou had stopped his assault and stood with a look of complete confusion and surprise on his face. Although it was probably not something that the vile fiend was aware of, he had the look at that moment of a lost child trying hard to understand something that complete eluded his apparently limited mind.

"Why?" he asked everyone in the room surprisingly.

Midoriko stepped forward, adding her own defense between the threat he posed, and those in the room. "Why what?" she asked.

He had lowered his sword, the look of confusion only becoming more apparent on his face, and pointed to the houshi and the Taijiya. "Why would he take the blow that would have killed the Taijiya? I saw him. Without thought, he leaped right in the path of the blast."

He lowered his head for a moment, as if in thought, "Why would he sacrifice himself for someone else? Why would he do that?"

Sango was oblivious to everyone and everything in the room, including the questions of the confused entity still standing in the doorway opposite her. All that filled her world at that moment was the man lying in her lap, clutched tightly to her chest.

Before anyone could answer the youkai soul's question, a pain filled voice drew everyone's attention to the prone form of the houshi. "Sango," gasped Miroku, his voice broken. It was obvious that he had trouble speaking, his breaths getting shorter and shorter, "Gomen nasai koishi." he sighed.

"For what houshi-sama?" she asked softly of the dying man in her arms, "You have nothing to be forgiven for, k-k-koishi!"

"For all of the times that I groped you," he sputtered, his body wracked in pain, "For never having asked you sooner if you would accept me as you husband. For never taking the chance to kiss you. Now it...it...is...too...too...late. Ai-shi-te-ruuuu!"

His ragged breathing stopped, as his eyes closed and the pall of death stood before his once life filled body. Sango's sobs filled the room, and the heart wrenching sound tore at everyone there.

"Iie! Iie Miroku," she cried, pulling the form of her beloved closer to her, her body racked by her sobs of heartbreak and pain. "I never got to tell you. Aishiteru! Aishiteru! I would happily have married you, you hentai! I would give anything for you to be here groping me once more. My life for yours, houshi-sama! My life for yours! You deserve to live so much more than I do. I have lost everything, and you still have so much to live for."

Midoriko turned back to look that the still confused youkai soul before her. "Why do you find what you see before you," she asked, "so confusing?"

"He was willing to give his life for her?" he asked, the look on his face one that showed that he truly wanted to understand why anyone would willingly give themselves in such a selfless act. "Why? What made him willing to sacrifice himself so? He should have stepped out of harms way and just let her take the blast and die. But instead, he chose to take the blast in her stead. I do not understand!"

His words finally reached the ears of the sobbing and heart broken Taijiya, and she raised her tear stained face to the entity. Visions of a dead illusionary castle flashed in front of her eyes, a brother with weapon in hand raised to take her own life, and the sound of a voice that urged her to fight him. A voice that encouraged her to take her own brother's life, bathe in his blood, and embrace the anger and hatred that would have further tainted the shard of the Shikon no Tama that gave the young boy a semblance of life.

It was not a real life, for that had been taken from him before that particular encounter. She realized that now, and must have known it on some level even then. Be that as it may, she could not have killed her own brother. Family was not just a word, or just people, but ever so much more. Her brother was family, even if he was not truly alive.

What caught her attention the most then, and she was reminded of it now, was Naraku's voice as he pondered why she would lay her life down for her brother, rather than take the life of the only kin she had left at the time.

"...Kohaku killed his father and fellow villagers, he massacred an entire town. Yet his sister says that she cannot kill him. She loves her brother more dearly than her own life. How can this be? I do not understand...."

Could it be that this...this...thing that had lived so long ago, and had influenced so many lives for so many centuries as part of the sacred jewel, could not comprehend compassion and love? How could such a thing be? Was it possible that what Kaede and Midoriko said was true. Was it that this being had never experienced the warmth and feel of someone to care for, or the pride of having someone special in his life?

Images of Onigumo chasing after Kagome, and his declaration that his intent had been to make Kikyo his woman rang through her mind. It was astonishing that after all of the lives that this evil soul had touched, and all of the people he had been responsible for killing, he still didn't grasp what it was to be loved or to love someone. Could that have been what he had wanted...desired...no hungered for all of these centuries?

"After all you have seen," she said, speaking softly at first, "and all that you have experienced throughout the centuries of your vile and hated existence, why can you not understand that love is stronger than anything you could every hope to achieve with fear and hate? It was not fear, hate, lust, and greed that made it possible for all of us to defeat Naraku and ultimately you. It was our love, wisdom, courage, and friendship that allowed us to persevere in the end. Love defeated you once, and it can defeat you again."

"She is right you know," stated the ancient warrior priestess, with calm assurance and confidence. "It was their trust, compassion, courage, and love that brought them all together. Even now though some of their group are not present, the strength of their bond can still be felt in this very room. Do you not feel it now? Can you not feel how even now, your own power continues to wane and theirs grows stronger and stronger?"

**GGggggrrrrrr** "Lies!" growled the youkai soul, as he refused to believe what he saw and felt. The truth, however, could not be ignored as he continued to feel that his powers were weakening, just as the priestess said it was. In truth, he was frightened. Frightened just as he had been all of those centuries ago, when he had first felt that he was losing something that he wanted. Something that he wanted, but was not sure what it was, why he wanted it, or even how to ask for it.

Just as he had then, he gave himself now to the anger that the frustration and confusion had caused him. He didn't like feeling this way, and the anger pushed the feelings of weakness that the frustration and confusion caused, away. What did these weak and worthless beings know anyway?

Again Sango spoke up, but her words surprised everyone in the room, "In truth, I pity you!"

"You," the youkai soul growled in anger at the woman seated across the room from him, "you, a weak and worthless ningen, pity me? What gives you the right? How dare you! I need no pity, especially from a sniveling little bitch!"

"Yes, I am a bitch," Sango spat back in anger, "I am a bitch and proud of it. My father trained me to be the best of my kind, and Midoriko was my inspiration to look up to. I have kicked worthless youkai and hanyou ass all over this land, and if you were alive right now, I would kick yours as well. But the truth is that you are pathetic. You are not even worth any anger or hatred that I might otherwise have felt for such as you."

"I will kill you," spat the youkai soul in anger. By now it was becoming apparent to everyone in the room that his power was continuing to wane. It was slow, and he was still a serious threat, but still it could be seen that he was ever so slowly weakening. "How dare you speak to me thus."

"It is about time someone did," spoke up Inuyasha, surprising everyone in the room. "Sango is right. You are not even worth our time and effort. You are truly a coward, just as your worthless minion, Naraku was. You spend more time hiding than facing what you fear the most."

"Ye stand before us like some undefeatable power," spoke up Kaede from her spot beside Sango and Miroku. "Yet the truth is that ye are as a frightened child. Ye have a want, a need, a desire, yet ye have always been afraid to ask for what it was that you so badly wanted or needed. Even now, ye feel the hunger, and ye push it away with anger and hatred. Is this not true? Is it not also true that each time ye do this, the hunger comes back stronger than before? Is it not true that it seems almost as though ye own soul is missing something, but ye do not know what it is that is missing? Isn't it that which ye have truly spent all of these centuries trying to find, but were too afraid to ask for help in the finding?"

The youkai soul stood there in the doorway, almost too stunned by the words of these mere weak beings to respond. How could they know? What did they know that he didn't? More importantly, what could he do to find what he truly craved and to fill this empty space that he had always felt and that had become an ever present pain to him throughout his long existence, both among the living and as a trapped soul in the sacred jewel?

"You have taken everything," Sango spoke again, barely above a whisper, but still all in the room could hear her, "and everyone that I have ever cared about, or held close to my heart. Only a few remain, but the pain of all of the dead that you have brought to this earth, and all of the blood that has been spilt because of you, is too much."

She paused briefly and then continued, "You have taken my family, comrades, and fellow villagers. Because of you, my brother's soul lies in hell for crimes not of his own choosing. Because of you, my people are all gone, I have almost lost my 'sister' several times, and my dearest friends. Now, because of you, I stand to lose the one who I hold closest to my heart and soul."

"Why must you destroy the lives of everyone," she almost sobbed, "whose lives you touch? What pleasure do you find in so much death and bloodshed? What need do you have that you must take the lives and souls of those you touch, in order to feed that hunger?"

Silence filled the room, as all looked toward the youkai soul waiting for an answer to the Taijiya's questions. The youkai just looked back at the scene before him, his growing confusion more and more apparent on his face, and in the lessening of the evil power in the room. As each minute passed, it became more and more apparent this his power was further weakening. But so was the life of the houshi lying in painful repose in Sango's lap.

"Can you not answer the question?" spoke up Midoriko. "Or are you afraid to tell them the truth? For centuries you have hungered for something that you still do not understand, and have always tried to feed your need, only to find that you hungered for still more and no matter how much you feed on the blood and souls of others, you have never been able to ease your pain."

"What do you know?" the youkai soul demanded, but it was obvious that there was less certainty there, that had been there moments ago. "None of you can show me anything that I wish to know, nor can you give me anything that I have not already have or had."

"That is where you are wrong," spoke up Sango again, more assurance in her voice as she gently lay Miroku down, and stood up to face the entity before her. "There is much that I can show you, and give."

"What can one such as you possibly show someone like me?" the youkai laughed in derision, "You have nothing I want, and anything you have is worthless to me."

"I have much to offer," she spoke, staring the youkai in right in the eye unflinchingly. "You have always taken one thing over the centuries. This I know from having helped to track down Naraku, and from the stories of my father, grandfather, and great grandfather. You have always fed off of the souls of those whose lives you have taken. Well, this time it is different. This time you will not take this soul."

"How do you plan on stopping me," he sneered back, "from taking the houshi's soul?"

"By offering my own," she spoke up loud and clear for all to hear, "in his stead. My life for his. My heart for his. My soul for his. Your reign of terror stops here, this night. No more will you continue to haunt the living, and torture the dead. My life for Miroku's."

For long moments, silence reign supreme in the confines of the small hut. Not a sound could be heard, not even the breathing of the living in the room, as the shock of what Sango proposed, began to sink in. All gasped as one, and Kaede, Shippo, Atsuko, Ginta, Hakkaku, and Inuyasha spoke against her choice.

"Iie!" the shout filled the room, quickly drowning out the protests and bringing silence back once more. "It is my choice, and I have made it. I know, and understand the consequences of my decision. It is my life, my heart, my soul. It is my right to choose what I wish to do with it."

"She is right," spoke up Kaede reluctantly, "although we all do not agree with ye choice Sango, we are obliged to respect ye decision."

"Why would you willingly give your life," spoke up the youkai soul, his anger momentarily forgotten as his confusion took precedence once again, "for another? Why would you sacrifice yourself willingly for someone else, when you could live? I do not understand? Explain!!!"

Although the last was given as an order, it was obvious that it was more of a question. All of those in the room could see that despite the great and horrible power of this entity, in truth he was much like a lost soul that could not find something important, and didn't understand it enough to even know how to look for it, or recognize it if he ever found it. As Sango continued to lock gazes with the confused entity before her, she considered his question and how best to answer it, however, she never got the chance.

"You are more aware of the rules," spoke up Midoriko, and odd gleam seemed to dance in her eyes, although it never quite reached her face. It was like she aware of something major, but was unwilling to reveal what it was just yet. "Truly, you are in pretty bad shape if you have so easily forgotten your responsibilities at this point."

The only response she got was a heated and angry growl. The look, however, on the youkai soul's face more than showed that he had indeed forgotten something, and even as they all watched on, the scowl on his face grew darker and darker, as if whatever it was the Midoriko had referred to had only just now sunk in.

"Midoriko-sama," spoke up Kaede even as the tension in the room grew once more, "Onegai, please forgive the curiosity of an only onna, but to what are ye referring?"

"Even entities such as we are," she answered, never taking her eyes off of the youkai she had been locked in battle with for centuries, "must follow a particular set of rules and guidelines. It is how Nature tried to ensure a balance between the dark and the light, regardless of whether in death or in life. After all, without one, the other cannot exist."

"For either of us," she continued, "when a sacrifice is offered to us, we are obligated to accept that offer, unless it is made with knowing intent to deceive. It is more than obvious that the Taijiya has no knowledge of the full extent of her offer, at least not beyond her heart's intent. Because of this, he has to accept her offer whether he wishes to do so or not."

Again, everyone in the room except for Sango, gasped in shock. Surely this was all a joke. It was the foremost thought in all of their minds, as they all looked on in stunned shock. This just could not be happening. There was just no way that another of the pack could be swallowed up by the very evil that they had all fought for so long. But Kaede was right, it was Sango's choice and even if they all disagreed with it, they all had to respect her decision.

Sango stood still, standing in front of the reposed figure of the man she had come to love throughout their travels. Sure he had a roaming hand, but over the last couple of years, that roaming hand had come to roam on only one posterior. Miroku never even knew that she had noticed, as she had never said anything.

It had become something of an expected behavior, as deep down in her heart, she knew it was just his way of trying to show what his heart's desire was, since he could never find words adequate enough to tell her what was there. She knew this. Just as she had come to expect the hentai to grope her, he had come to expect her response by slapping him. In his odd hentai sort of way, he was simply 'paying his respects' to a personal shrine that to him was named Sango.

She loved him. She had known that for a long time, even before he had confessed his love for her deep inside of Mt. Hakurei. Despite his hentai behavior, Miroku was a simple man at heart. He seemed to truly cherish the simple pleasures, whether they be the gifts of sitting around a campfire exchanging stories with his friends, the beauty of a sunrise, the glories of a sunset, the challenges of a good fight, or the supple curves of a particular set of feminine curves. Oh, he enjoyed the luxuries and they had partaken of them on a number of occasions when his wit and sweet talking tongue had secured them from many a village or town. But at heart, he still preferred the simple things and she counted herself blessed to be considered one of those cherished blessings in his life.

He nearly lost his life to the poison of Naraku's infamous Saimyoushou at Mt. Hakurei, because he had chosen to give his all to try to save her life. She could do no less for him in return, even if it meant that she could no longer be by his side as she so longed to spend the rest of her life being. They had never gotten the chance to give themselves to each other, but perhaps that is what was meant to be, at least she would stand beside him now, and protect him with her last breath of life.

"Enough of this," Sango spoke up, interrupting the clamour in the room that had broken out because of her declaration. "You have been given an offer. By Midoriko-sama's own words, you have no choice but to accept. Now! Stop wasting my time."

Still the youkai soul seemed to hesitate. For the briefest of seconds is seemed to all watching in the room, that there was indeed a measure of fear in the errant soul. As quickly as it had appeared it had vanished, leaving everyone to wonder if they had truly seen it or not.

"Come," the Taijiya spat again, tired of the waiting, "or are you as cowardly as Naraku was?"

Everyone in the room felt the sudden surge in the vile soul's rage. If seemed to fill every corner of the room. Inuyasha and the youkai growled in warning, their instincts reacting to the obvious threat in the room. Sango stood her ground, refusing to flinch and look away or to give ground to the angered soul before her.

This only served to fuel his anger all the more. She should be afraid and begging for her worthless life right now, not standing there smugly staring him in the eye. She would pay for her impudence. She wanted him to take her soul, then so be it. He would grant her wish.

"You will pay for your insolence bitch," was the roar as the evil soul leaped forward to attack the foolish Taijiya. His hand was out stretched, claws extended, the cracking of knuckles echoed through the room. Still Sango stood her ground, not even her scent showed any fear of what she faced.

This only further enraged the evil soul, now lunging in pure, blind rage at the Taijiya. As his claws reached her throat in preparation for rendering her tender flesh and watching her hot blood pour out on the floor, a number of things took place and left everyone in the room both blinded and awed.

All Sango saw, were the eyes of the most evil thing she had ever witnessed, but she held to her heart and her choice. She refused to show fear in the face of this evil presence, especially with her heroine, Midoriko, looking on. She refused to close her eyes, as the youkai soul's claws reached out for the soft and vulnerable skin of her throat. She stared directly into his eyes, refusing to show any fear to him. She saw his rage racing out of control and knew the moment that he had completely lost all rational thinking.

With his roar of triumphant in claiming his prize, there was a sudden surge of power in the room. Surprisingly, it was not the evil power that everyone had expected, but a power not unlike Midoriko's, as it filled every corner of the room and literally swamped the remaining evil in the tiny hut. Time seemed to suddenly stop for all of those who looked on at the vision before them.

Mere inches away from Sango's throat the youkai soul's vicious claws seemed to hang suspended, unable to further advance. It took a second for all to register the cause, and when they did, they all could be heard to gasp in complete astonishment and awe. Hanging just in front of Sango, was an enormous shield of brilliant light. In its center was a huge glowing shakoju. What was holding it there, could not be seen, and with all of the power filling the room, it was fast becoming more and more difficult to tell whose power was the strongest with just senses alone.

Seconds later, the form of a houshi seemed to take shape obviously holding the shakoju, and it soon became apparent that it was Miroku's soul that was standing guard over the love of his life. It was equally apparent that he could not hold this defense for long, as even now the brilliance of the shield seemed to waver. Sensing that the soul standing before him was weakening, the youkai soul roared again and lunged towards his prize.

Everything was happening so fast at this point, that no one 'living' had much of a chance to do more than watch the actions before them. It didn't mean that they didn't try, just that by the time they could move one way, something else was taking place and they had to change their reaction. After the first few attempts, they rightfully chose to just stand and watch.

As the youkai soul prepared to break through the shield that the houshi soul continued to use as protection for the woman he loved, another flare of light and power filled the room, and Sango fell bonelessly to the floor before anyone could intervene. Seconds later, a huge Hiraikotsu shaped light form impacted with the out stretched claws before they could penetrate the rapidly diminishing shield.

It soon became apparent that the wielder was a Taijiya, once again stepping forward to protect the soul of her beloved houshi. The two now stood side by side facing off with the youkai before them. His rage once again increasing to blinding proportions as he found himself being bested by mare ningen souls of what to him, was little or no real worth.

"You filthy ningens will be mine to claim," he roared and charged them once more. As he made another effort to attack, the soul of the Taijiya once again wielded the Hiraikotsu. The soul of the Great Bone Weapon was more than three times the size that it normally was, but the spirit of the Taijiya hefted with the same excellent skill and competence that her living self had always had.

The blow threw the youkai soul back a couple of feet, but only served to further enrage the beast. Midoriko, who had been ready to jump into the fray earlier, had been enthralled by the events before her. None of what was happening was expected, nor could she yet determine what was causing it or where the draw on her power was coming from, making it all possible.

The once again enraged soul sprang forward to lay claim now to two souls, not one. Another sudden burst of light filled the small hut and again an ethereal form seemed to take shape between the youkai soul and his prey. This time the form of the Tetsusaiga took shape, soon followed by a determined, prepared, and all too familiar hanyou blocking the youkai's blow with a fang that was more than thrice its normal transformed size.

It was followed almost immediately by the sound of another body hitting the floor with a thud. Kaede, who had been checking on Sango's fallen form while trying to keep an eye on the goings on in the room, made her way over to the now fallen Inuyasha. With the exception of Ginta, Hakkaku, Atsuko, Shippo, and herself, all in the room appeared to be either unconscious or dead. She could only look on in shocked horror and awe at the scene before her and the events unfolding in the room.

No one noticed the triumphant gleam in the eyes of the ancient warrior. At first, Midoriko was confused by what was happening. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. Every time her erstwhile opponent had leaped forward to lay claim the soul he had first been offered, as well as the soul of the houshi, a brief and unexpected flare of power seemed to fill the room, followed immediately by the brilliant light.

The first time, as she was not expecting anything unusual to happen, she was unable to determine a cause. She would have jumped into the heat of things when the houshi's soul stepped forward to protect the Taijiya, but the same thing occurred again. This time she caught sight something, but it has vanished to quickly for her to be sure of what she had witnessed. It was not until the hanyou had made his appearance that she had not only seen the sight again, but the cause. Each time the power in the room flared, she felt her own power being pulled and drawn away towards the figures that were squaring off with her long fought opponent. The materialization of the hanyou's soul had finally shown her the source of that power drain and what was channeling the power into the forms that were even now preparing to continue the battle. Needless to say, she was herself in awe of the origin.

She had known all of those centuries ago, that the third of her soul that she had left free to wander the earth, would need time to grow and become large, powerful, and remain pure. It had taken untold countless generations for her own soul to grow to the size, purity, and power that she had wielded when alive, and she could only hope that with careful guidance from the Shikon no Tama, that the wandering third of her soul would grow to be half as large, pure, and powerful.

Sacrifices had needed to be made. There was no help for that. For one, the ability to fight as a true warrior would not be possible in this part of her soul. It was far more important, that the soul remain pure, and filled with compassion. She had not wanted for it to become prejudiced by any of its experiences or surroundings, and except for one reincarnation, she had succeeded rather well in maintaining that desired and high standard.

It had been a long and hard road, but she had persevered. She had almost lost all hope when Kikyou had let herself fall into Naraku's influence. The prejudices of this time period, along with the superstitions did nothing to help nurture a soul in dire need of an environment and life that would promote an open minded outlook on life. Even harder to find one that would encourage, rather than discourage. Still although it had been hard, she had pushed what influence she could at the last moment to bringing everything back from the brink of disaster. Now the culmination of all her hard work and long standing patience was showing its true face, and no one noticed it but her.

Kagome had been the end result and so far, the ancient warrior priestess had not been disappointed in the out come. Kagome was so much like her in her own youth, the innocence, the determination, the belief in one's self, the acceptance of what and who she was and those around her. That and so much more made her the pure, compassionate, unprejudiced, and powerful soul that was needed as a true Guardian of the Shikon no Tama.

This, however, had gone beyond anything that Midoriko would have or could have expected. It was something that she, herself, had not even known was possible. As she had watch Inuyasha's soul take up a stance against the youkai soul, she had just caught a brief glimpse of the source of the power surge that she had felt pulling from her own soul. Her own power was such that nothing evil could possibly make any use of it, nor would any dare to try, however, a kindred soul could do so as long as it was a good soul. But to make such use of her power as she was seeing now, took a soul that was not only kindred, but one so pure as to match or exceed her own. That soul was Kagome.

Each flare of power and light had been the young Miko. She felt the threat in the room, despite her current suspended condition and the instincts that Midoriko had worked so hard to influence over the centuries were still working to help protect those that the girl cared most about. Now, before her was the result of the compassion, love, and deeply seated want...no...need to protect and defend. What she could not do on her own, she was helping those who could, to stand and fight the evil that had caused some much harm for far too long.

As Inuyasha pushed back the most recent attack by the youkai soul with the very soul of his Father's Great Fang, the youkai flinched and stepped back. He had neither expected, nor been prepared for such a show of resistance and it didn't sit well with him at all. He was not one to face such odds, but he was also not in much of a position to change them, especially since he no longer had any lackeys to do his dirty work for him.

He had not survived all of these centuries by facing overwhelming odds, and he held no shame in retreating until he could find more power and forces to fight the battle for him. With that in mind, he looked to beat a hasty retreat and proceeded to back away from the battle that he currently faced.

He headed for the door, intent on escaping until he could find another form or body to hide out in. He would return. Of that he held no doubt, for he would come back and take his vengeance on those who had chosen to humiliate him so, especially that re-incarnation of his most hated foe.

Midoriko wasted no time in following hard on the heels of her most challenging enemy. She had not lost so many years locked in immortal combat with him, to lose him now. She could not let him find another host or form to hide himself in. It had taken centuries to recover from the last time a part of his soul hid from her, and she could not, would not spend centuries more trying to get this close to victory only to lose it again.

The souls of Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha, all followed. Neither of the ancient combatants appeared to notice. Before the ancient evil could even reach the tree line across the clearing, he found his way blocked by the near ghostly form of a Taijiya on the back of a neko mononoke. She was braced to launch her Hiraikotsu. at him and he turned to run in another direction, even as the great and powerful weapon came at him.

This proved to be a useless maneuver as he was once again blocked, this time by the same enormous shakoju that had prevented him from claiming the soul of the Taijiya. Once again, he turned and tried to run in yet another direction, his options quickly running short. And one more time, his path was blocked and he found himself being charged by the hanyou with his father's Great Fang of Destruction.

Blind with fear and rage, the youkai soul spun without clear thought and tried to run from the oncoming attack. Although luck seemed to favor him, and he managed to dodge most of the blast, still he was caught by a glancing blow and brought to his knees by the powerful blast.

Midoriko suddenly pulled to a halt, almost as though frozen by some unseen force. Seconds later a flare of immense power and light filled the small clearing not far from the old miko's hut, and a form began to take shape in front of the youkai soul, bringing his fleeing form to just as sudden a halt, as had the other souls already surrounding him on three sides.

It was far larger than any of the ethereal forms that had appeared so far, and Kaede, Atsuko, Shippo, Ginta, and Hakkaku found themselves held in awe at the sight before them. It pulsed with such power and life as to seem to breath, the energy it radiated fairly making their skin crawl with the raw power coming together before them.

It seemed to be taking on multiple forms, no one noticing that Midoriko's own form had disappeared from her place behind the youkai soul. A part of the powered light, stretched upward and enlongated until it seemed as though it would reach into heaven itself. Beneath it, a small ningen form appeared, arms stretch above her head, hands clasping the hilt of what was not obviously a strong and powerful sword.

Just barely behind the young ningen, a second form began to appear. A much taller, ningen onna, who also had her arms up stretched to hold onto the ghostly form of the sword.

Yet a third form began to take shape, this one still taller than the last, but obviously not only a male, but a youkai one at that. It also held outstretched arms to wield the now recognizable and powerful form of the second Great Fang of the Inu no Taisho of the Western Lands, Tenseiga.

Even as the Great Sword of Life, also three times its normal size and humming with unnatural power, took complete form, the first figure became completely apparent as that of the soul of Kagome. Kaede found herself looking briefly back into the hut from which they had all just come, to be sure that the form of the young Miko, who had become like a granddaughter to the old miko, was still there.

She gave a sigh of relief to see that the body of the girl still lay where she had left it, but was immediately followed by a shocked gasp as she noted the golden glow that seem to surround not only the little Miko's young form, but that of all of the others as well. She noticed what looked like a series of glowing cords or ropes that seemed to link all of their unconscious forms together, combining in the center of the room, merging and becoming one strong cord of powerful energy.

The cord-like rope of power traveled out of the doorway of the small hut, and the old miko could see that it linked not only to the ethereal counterparts of the reposed forms, but to the soul of Midoriko as well. As small, almost unnoticeable thread of the same golden power, led towards Kaede, herself. Following its form, she found that it split into two, one seemed to lead directly to her own heart, and the other to Shippo's, who was still sitting upon her shoulder.

Quickly, she turned her attention back to the scene before her, just in time to see the completion of the second form that seemed to surround Kagome's ethereal appearance. It was obviously that of a woman, who stood at least a head taller than Kagome. Her long dark tresses, and the ancient armor immediately giving her away as the Warrior Priestess Midoriko.

Surrounding both of their forms, and at least a head taller than Midoriko, the youkai form also completed its appearance. Lord Sesshomaru stood before them all, aligned with the two onna and all wielding the powerful Sword of Life.

While all of this had been taking place, the souls of Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku took up battle stances and also surrounded the youkai soul. By now, he could see that he was trapped and was busy looking for a way out of his current situation.

"There will be no escaping this time," spoke an odd voice that seemed to the living, as though Kagome, Midoriko, and Sesshomaru, were all speaking at the same time in perfect synchronization. "For too long, the innumerable souls of those whose lives you have stolen, have been trapped and made to suffer your pain and anguish. For too many centuries, you have tried to ease your own anger and loneliness by bringing pain and sorrow to all who you came into contact with. It ends here and now."

Seeing that he had no other recourse, but to face those before him, the youkai soul stood his ground and made for a show of defiance. Perhaps if he could bide his time, he could find a weakness and capitalize on it to make his escape.

"How do you plan on defeating me now," he growled, at heart in complete fear of the power that he sensed surrounding him, "when you could not do so before? You will never defeat such as me. Give up now while you still can."

"Hmm! Hmm! Hmm!" was the laughing response he received at his statement. Even to his own hears, he knew it was pointless and lacked any conviction. "Stalling for time will gain you nothing. Stand coward and meet your fate."

Before the vile youkai could do more than open his mouth to make an angry reply, the triple figure before him moved. The motion carried such grace as to shame the most graceful of dancers that ever breathed or dared to set foot to rhythm, as the powerful Soul of the Tenseiga, was moved in one smooth, powerful, and fluid stroke. As it was brought down, the Great Fang of Life seemed to sing, and an answering thrum could be heard from the Great Fang of Destruction, still wielded by the soul of Inuyasha behind the youkai soul.

In a sweeping gesture, Tenseiga was brought around, the figure(s) wielding it spinning on the ball of one foot, their graceful movements in complete sync with each other. As one they turned, and as one they brought the weapon to bare down upon their by now shivering foe.

Each second saw more power being fed into the Life Giving Sword, as the maneuver brought the Fang around and as though it were slicing nothing more that the air itself, it passed right through the youkai soul. With any other sword of such power, the youkai would have been ripped in two, however, to those who were unfamiliar with the abilities of Tenseiga, it looked like nothing had happened at all.

Mere seconds passed, as each watcher held their breath in anticipation, before the ancient and evil soul, raised its face to the skies and an inhuman scream of pain, horror, anguish, and loneliness was torn from his very depths. As Kaede, Atsuko, Shippo, Ginta, and Hakkaku looked on, hundreds of screaming souls seemed to pour from the evil presence before them. They soared in every direction, some to the heavens, others into the forest never to be seen again. Still more were sucked into a small portal that appeared as if from nowhere, the screams of terror and pain sending shivers of fear down the spines of all who heard.

Long moments passed, making the flow of departing souls seem endless, but finally they seemed to thin out and be diminishing. By now, most of the village had gathered to see what the strange lights were about, and Jaken, Ah-Un , Rin, and Shippo soon joined Kaede, Atsuko, and the two ookami youkai. Stunned awe was the only way to describe the feeling that seemed to fill the area, from the watching spectators.

Soon the sounds of the escaping souls departure came to an end. With the last soul now gone, silence seemed to reign supreme over the clearing. Where a powerful youkai soul once stood, there now seemed to be the soul of a small youkai dragon. He was not the fearsome and terror inspiring form that had been seen in the ancient cave of Midoriko. No, he was now nothing more than a doragon, about the size of a large ningen male.

Compared to the stature of the creature from the cave, this lowly youkai looked almost pathetic. It was hard to look upon him and see the powerful, evil being that had been held in such fear for so many centuries and had yielded power of such enormous proportions for so long.

Despite this, there was still an air of defiance about the entity and although there was still a lingering evil air about the being, it was nothing like what it had been. In fact, it was less a feeling of evil and more a feeling of anger, pain, anguish, and loneliness.

"It has been a long time since we stood before each other thus," spoke up the ancient Warrior Priestess, as she stepped away from the ethereal forms of Sesshomaru, and Kagome, "has it not?"

"Not long enough," the small doragon spat back. It lacked in the conviction that had previously been there, however, making it apparent that the fire within was quickly dwindling.

"While I realize that you probably still hold onto your anger for him," replied Midoriko with a sigh, "you really have to let it go. He is no longer even alive for you to direct you anger towards. It is as I tried to explain to you long ago, only now far too heavy a price as been paid for your anger and the misguided path you were led down, as had been back then."

"You are well aware," the ancient Miko continued, "that he is no longer around to continue to make your life miserable."

It had taken a moment to recall the face, especially as he was more worried about his friends and family. Having listened, however the to words of the Warrior Priestess, Shippo readily recalled the face of another doragon. One who despite the difference in size, colour, and ferocity, still held a striking resemblance to the one that now stood facing the power and might of the Inu-tachi.

"You are HIS son?" the little kitsune gasped in shock, while perched on Kaede's shoulder. He didn't know whether to be shaking with fear, or shivering with excitement. All he knew was that a mystery that had been wandering the lands for more than a thousand years, had finally shown its face and other answers would soon be forthcoming.

Everyone, except for the battle prepared souls, turned their attention to the small figure sitting on Kaede's shoulder. What did he know about this being and how and why did he recognize anything about him?

The soul of the much less threating youkai turned and looked directly into the face of the one questioning him. He could see in the kitsune's eyes that he had figured out who he was. Although he would not know his name, nor any of his history, it was apparent that the child had figured out who his father had been.

"Hai," was his quiet answer, and with the admission, the soul seemed to further slump in complete defeat and submission.

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Dictionary



Baba - Old Woman, Witch, Shit, Bullshit
Baka - Idiot
Chikushou - Damn
Daitoku - Priest
Doragon - Dragon
Fujo - Sorceress
Fukurou - Owl
Hanyou - Half Demon
Higurashi-daitoku - Roughly: Priest Higurashi...I have chosen to use this instead of a name, as no name is ever cited in either the anime or the manga. Kagome's grandfather, and name used by those not of the family.
Higurashi-nisou - Roughly: Priestess Higurashi...I have chosen to use this instead of a name, as no name is ever cited in either the anime or the manga. Kagome's mother, and name used by those not of the family.
Hinba - Mare
Houshi - Monk
Inu - Dog
Joshi - Women
Kinmouno shishi - Golden-haired Lion
Kitsune - Fox Demon
Kobura - Cobra
Koruto - Colt
Kuromiko - Dark Miko
Miko - Shrine Maiden
Neko - Cat
Nisou - Priestess
Ojii-san - Grandfather
Ojika - Stag
Okaa-san - Mother
Onna - Woman
Ookami - Wolf
Osuuma - Stallion
Oushi - Bull
Red Dragon - Ru-doragon
Ryuu - Dragon
Ryuukessei - Roughly translates as 'Dragon Formation Spirit' - Author discretion - son of Ryuukossei.
Ryuukossei - Roughly translates as 'Dragon Bone Spirit' - Dragon who was ultimately the cause of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's father's death. Although he later died saving his ningen mate and newly born Inuyasha, the wounds that he had going into that battle, had already been caused by Ryuukossei, who was left pinned to a cliff face by Sugimi-sama's fang. Later, Inuyasha defeated him in battle and strengthened the power of his own fang, used to repair the broken Tetsusaiga and giving him back the power and strength to wield his father's Great Fang of Destruction.
Sama - Lady or Lord - respectively
Seiyuuki - Monkey
Shika - Deer
Shikon no Kakera - Shikon Shards
Shikon no Tama - Jewel of Four Souls
Shishi - Lion
Taijiya - Demon Exterminator
Taiyoukai - Demon Lord
Youkai - Demon