It had been a long search, a terribly long, unpleasant search. But they had finally located Naraku hidden, safe in his barrier, reforming his destroyed body once again. It took much time to find Naraku, but by the time the gang did, he had already been reformed, and he was stronger.

"Naraku! Show yourself!" demanded Miroku. "Fight!"

"He's coming…" snarled Inuyasha, taking Tetsaiga out of its sheath.

Kagome drew her bow, ready to shoot if needed. Sango had already changed into her demon-slayer outfit, and Kirara was in her full demon form, bristling and snarling. Shippo was perched on Kagome's shoulder, shivering in the intense demonic aura. The air was still and heavy as they waited for Naraku to appear.

"He's HERE!" roared Inuyasha, striking the ground with Tetsaiga.

The moment he said so, Naraku appeared out of nowhere, his image shimmering at first, as if made of water and then taking on a solid form.

"Inuyasha…" he said in his evil voice. "You came."

"What do you think? I wouldn't miss a chance to bury Tetsaiga in your gut again!" he shouted triumphantly.

"Inuyasha…" muttered Miroku warningly.

"Today is the day you will die, Inuyasha! Prepare to join Kikyo and walk among the living dead!" he said, cackling.

"Shut up, you bastard!" he replied, jumping into the air.

Inuyasha's Tetsaiga clashed with Naraku's purplish barrier, creating an explosion of sparks. Inuyasha was tossed back, sliding in the moist earth. He grunted, brushing the dirt off his kimono and smirked. He waved the demon sword in the air a couple of times, and the turned a bloody red. He lifted it high above his head and struck the barrier again, resulting in another show of sparks. This time, he landed on his feet.

"You got stronger, I see," he snarled. "That won't stop me!"

As the red blade of Tetsaiga stroke the barrier yet again, a painfully bright light emanated from the purple, illuminating the battlefield with its unnatural glow. Even Inuyasha seemed to be blinded by the light. When the light disappeared, a tentacle shot straight out of the barrier, and went straight for Kagome. She shrieked in terror, shocked by the sudden attack.

Inuyasha roared his displeasure as he saw Kagome's blood splatter to the ground. She crashed into the bloodied dirt, moaning in pain. He looked at Naraku with a venomous glare, his eyes shining. Where are Sango and Miroku when you need them? he grunted, raising his sword. They had suddenly disappeared. The wrath and displeasure of Kagome's injury was put into his final blow, as he attacked with all his might. He had to, for Kagome's sake. He couldn't stand watching her in pain. Naraku wouldn't mess with Kagome, not if he could help it. A raw war cry tore from his throat as he arched his back, raising Tetsaiga far behind him and bringing it upon the hard earth, ripping it to shreds as it sped toward Naraku.

"Naraku! You won't get away with this!" he screamed.

Naraku's evil sneer turned into surprise as the attack turned full power on him, ripping right through his strong barrier, tearing his body to pieces. Soon, only his head remained, floating in his recreated barrier. Inuyasha lifted Tetsaiga again for the final blow, just as Naraku disappeared into thin air.

"Naraku! You bastard! Get back here and fight!" he screamed into the air, searching the receding dark clouds that blocked off any light.

He smelled the air for Naraku's foul scent, and only smelled Kagome's blood. Kagome! He ran to her limp body on the floor, crying out in frustration and horror.

"Kagome… I couldn't protect you…" he muttered, picking her up. "Again."

Kagome stirred, a shudder passing through her frail body.

"I-Inuyasha? I-I'm sorry," she whispered, her eyelids trembling.

"Sorry for what? I'm the one that should be sorry! I can't protect you!" he cried frantically, fighting back his tears.

"As long as you're OK, I'll be fine," she said, closing her eyes.

"I won't let Naraku harm you again… I swear," he growled, his eyes darting around.

He wrapped the top portion of his fire rat robe around her for extra protection and began to dash into forest to Kaede's hut, where she could be cured.

"Inuyasha! Kagome! What happened?" exclaimed Kaede, seeing Inuyasha's darkened face.

"Naraku… that foul monster used some kind of bright light to distract me and attacked Kagome…" he growled, setting her down. "She's been injured."

"Yes, I can see that," she replied, putting her hand on Kagome's head gingerly.

"Well, can you heal her?" asked Inuyasha expectantly.

"Of course! Who do you think I am?" she huffed. "Put her in the hut. I shall go pick some medicinal herbs. We need to help replace the blood she lost."

"Right," agreed Inuyasha, walking away slowly.

"Where's Inuyasha?" asked Kaede after hours of treatment for Kagome.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him for a while now, actually," replied Miroku, staring worriedly into the fire.

"He'll come back. He'll be worried about Kagome, and he'll come back," assured Sango, offering a hopeful smile.

"I hope you're right," he muttered, throwing another log into the crackling fire.

Inuyasha sat on a black cliff, one leg dangling off the high mountains while he used the other to support his arm. His golden eyes, speckled with bits of warm caramel brown stared into the night sky worriedly. I couldn't protect her, he thought. She keeps on getting hurt because of me! Why can't I ever protect her? I failed in protecting Kikyo! Can't I succeed? he thought, glancing back at the hut. He stood up and sighed, looking at the floor with scorn.

How he wished to protect Kagome, keep her away from harm and difficulties. He didn't want her to get hurt… he didn't want her to die, like Kikyo did. He had thanked the gods, or whoever was up there for giving him a second chance. He couldn't protect Kikyo, and he had sworn that he would protect Kagome.

So why was it that he couldn't protect Kikyo or Kagome?

"Inuyasha! We've been waiting for you," exclaimed Miroku, handing him a fish.

"How's Kagome?" he asked, ignoring him.

"Kagome will be fine. She is strong, and will heal quickly," replied Kaede, smiling at him. "She is in some pain, but she will heal."

"Good. Can I see her?" he asked timidly.

"Of course," replied Kaede,

Inuyasha entered the dark hut, his golden eyes spotting the dark mound, Kagome. He neared cautiously, careful not to wake her. Her calmed, steady breathing told him that she was not in fatal danger. Sighing with relief, he sat down next to her, watching her face carefully. Kagome… he said in his mind. I promised I would protect you, he thought. Are you alright? Will you live? The questions raged through his head, making his temples ache. He groaned and shook his head clear of all thoughts, focusing on the blank darkness across from him.

"I-Inuyasha?" asked a timid, weak voice.

Inuyasha turned to Kagome, startled.

"Kagome! I'm here…" he said quietly, getting closer to her. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"OK. I feel lots of pain where I got hurt, but… I think I'll be fine." She replied, giving him a crooked smile.

"Kagome… you got injured because of me…" he muttered clumsily, putting a hand on hers.

"No, Inuyasha. I just wasn't careful," she replied gently. "It isn't your fault."

Inuyasha looked into her chocolate brown eyes, seeing past the dark brown, seeing her deepest emotions. He saw pain, and suffering. Why did I let this happen? he asked himself, grinding his teeth. Why did I let Kagome get hurt? He got up slowly and took a good look at Kagome.

"I'm sorry, Kagome. I… I couldn't protect you from Naraku," he said, his eyes shaded by his hair. "I… won't let it happen again."