Hello again! Hope you enjoyed the first chapter, if not well theres not alot i can say to that... Anyways! Here is the second chapter to Final Battle, New Beginnings!


Inuyasha skidded to a stop. That was the fifth time he had been knocked back by the dark hanyou and he was growing impatient. Reclasping his sword, he called forth the 'Kaze no Kizu', and sent it flying in Naraku's direction. Inuyasha growled deeply as the attack washed over a barrier more like water than a powerful demonic attack.

"My, my, Inuyasha. You seem to be loosing your touch." called out the dark hanyou.

"Urusse!" replied the hanyou, sending another blast of energy at his enemy.

Naraku smirked evilly to himself. The hanyou's attack was futile. Neither him, nor one of his comrades would succeed in destroying him. Not while he had the almost complete jewel shards in his grasp. There were three left. The shards that were, were easily obtained. For one of those precious shards was housed in a certain slave of his, the taijiya's younger brother Kohaku. The dark hanyou have a snort. As long as he had the boy, the taijiya was powerless. And if the houshi stepped in, the masses of Saimyosho would take care of any unwanted attack from his Kazaana. But there was still the problem of that damned hanyou and his little miko. They were like cockroaches. Refused to die. Somehow he had to separate them, for together they were a force not to be reckoned with. It was not the pathetic hanyou's attacks that worried him, kami no, for he had proved many times that his barrier could withstand any attack from the Tetsusaiga. No, it was the miko he was truly afraid of. She had so much power. Power that even at the beginning, when she started using them, caused him so much damage. But like the hanyou, her true powers only surfaced when she was protecting someone. On her own, he was sure he could handle her, to a certain degree. A little soul shattering, a few illusions and a lot of heart break and she was as good as dead. But she needed dealing with, and soon.

"And dealing with i shall do in due time......It ends today."

Naraku raised his hand to the baboon mask and removed it with a grace that no one would have guessed he had. His blood red eyes shone brightly in the almost non-existent light while his thin lips curled into a small smirk. If things worked out the way he hopped they did, then it would only get better from this point on. Inuyasha gave a guttural growl. His hands flexed around the handle of his blade while a single ear flicked backwards to Kagome, ensuring her safety. Naraku, being as clever as he was, caught the movement. The dark being inwardly smiled as a warped and twisted plan formed in his equally twisted mind.

"Don't let your focus stray, Inuyasha." he taunted telepathically "Or i might remove the distraction from the equation completely. You wouldn't want that now, would you?" he continued, smirking darkly as he watched Inuyasha's features change as his voice echoed through his mind "But i'm feeling generous so if your lucky, i'll kill her first. Save her the pain of watching you die!"

Inuyasha ground his teeth together and hung his head low. That damn zasshu was asking for it and it was taking a lot of self control to keep his feet rooted to the spot he was in. Casting a quick glance at Kagome, he regained his fighting stance. No one would harm her. Not while he was around. And he would be damned if he died and left her alone. Naraku gave a deep chuckle at the hanyou's reaction. He was responding just as Naraku had hoped. With Inuyasha distracted with the desire to protect his miko, he would become sloppy with his movements, creating the perfect chance for Naraku to call forth the hanyou's demise.

"Your love for her will be your downfall, hanyou." thought Naraku to himself, feeling very confident.

Dropping the mask at his feet he then stepped forward, his barrier glistening around him. In a flash, Naraku's pelt was gone and in its place was his armor. Blades rose over his shoulders, chest and wrists, horns protruding from his back. His same dark blue kimono was in place but now with a light blue jacket over the top. A large monstrous eye opened in the center of his chest, while two red eyes on each of his hands blinked, destruction shining hopefully in them. Behind him, three dragon like tails swished quickly. His new attire sent a terrified shiver down the miko's spine. The way his newly acquired eyes stared at her made her muscles tense. Naraku's ego swelled as he breathed in the scent of her fear. He could feel his mouth watering with the anticipation to smell more of that intoxicating smell. Slowly traveling his intense gaze over the miko girl, he could not stop the dark snigger that rose in his throat. Her eyes were glazed with determination and she had already notched an arrow in her bow. The pointed tip glowing brightly with her powers.

"Why the look, miko?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm "Do you detest me that much?"

"Urusse!" snarled Inuyasha "Leave her outta this! This is between me and you!"

"Oh how wrong you are, Inuyasha." Naraku replied darkly, taking a step forward "You see, she is very much involved!"

With supreme speed, Naraku raced forward, his blood red eyes focused on the girl before him. But before he reached his target he came to a stop, powering up his barrier just in time before the brightly shining arrow could make contact.

"You!" he snapped, his blood boiling.

Kagome's chest tightened. Her head span as a sudden hot flush came over her. She knew those symptoms all to well. Inuyasha's shocked features just proved her thoughts. Kikyo was here. Turning to face her former self, Kagome had to suppress the shiver that went down her spine. It happened every time she appeared. Her soul would press against the inner barriers to escape, to return to its former owner. Her hand tightened around her bow as the undead miko gracefully stepped towards them, her dark brown eyes set on the dark hanyou before them. Turning to face Inuyasha once again, she could feel herself dying inside. His eyes were wide, and filled with such emotion that ranged from shock to happiness but above all love.

"Even in situations like this, he still makes time to think about her and the love they shared." she thought, her heart breaking even more that it already was.

"You really are her incarnation aren't you, Kikyo." Naraku spat "Just like that filthy vermin, you refused to die."

Kikyo's features remained placid as she notched an arrow, her midnight hair blowing softly in the breeze. Pulling the string back as far as it would go she aimed it at the dark hanyou.

"I have allowed you to live for too long." she stated, her voice cold and hard "Naraku, she'ne."

The tip of her arrow glowed pink as she infused her purification powers into the arrow. Removing her fingers, the arrow whizzed towards Naraku. The dark hanyou snorted and disappeared into nothing. For a split second, Kikyo's eyes widened in surprise, before returning to their usual cold self.

"Shimatta! Where did that zasshu go?!" yelled Inuyasha, his golden eyes searching everywhere.

Both miko's stretched their senses. While he had succeeded in hiding himself, he could not hide the calling of the Shikon jewel. Scanning the area quickly, Kagome felt the pulsation of the jewel. Her heart stopped in shock as realization sunk in.

"Kikyo, abunai!" Kagome screamed reaching out for the undead miko.

Inuyasha spun around, his gaze falling on the older miko while fear struck his very being. In a cloud of miasma Naraku appeared directly behind Kikyo, a menacing smile on his face. Before anything could be done, Naraku plunged his fist through her chest. Her dark eyes opened wide as she gave a strangled grunt of pain.

"I believe i have allowed you to live far to long as well, my dear." Naraku hissed in her ear, pulling his fist back out, before disappearing once more.

Her clay body began to crack around the gaping hole in her chest. With her fingers going limp, Kikyo dropped her bow. The clang of her weapon meeting the ground echoed through Inuyasha's ears as he once again lost his former love to the vile monster that was Naraku. Forgetting everything, Inuyasha ran as fast as he could to Kikyo. The undead miko cried softly in pain as she fell to her knees, the only thing holding her up being Inuyasha's hands on her shoulders.

"Kikyo!" he cried desperately "Hold on! You can't leave me! Not now, not ever!"

Kagome's hand clenched lightly as it raised to her chest. Just hearing those words caused her heart to crack that little bit more. Was having her around not enough to fill the void in his heart? Already her eyes held crystalline tears that were threatening to spill. Seeing Inuyasha hold Kikyo so closely while whispering words of comfort, her body froze and her soul ached. Forcing herself to look away, her eyes closed tightly as tears leaked out from the corners.

"Oh Inuyasha...." she thought sadly "Will you ever return my feelings?"

Hidden from all, Naraku watched with great satisfaction as the elder miko slowly descended into the afterlife due to his attack, that left her fatally wounded. The large red eye that was homed in his chest, scanned over the battle field. Kagura and the okami were no where to be seen. The houshi and taijiya were still fighting off his detachment, Hakudoshi, poorly he might add, and before him stood the three most dangerous of the rag-tag group. Three that constantly foiled his plans and interfered with everything he did. The large eye stopped its scanning when it fell upon the strangely dressed miko girl. Something about her was off. Her usual bright aura was slightly dimmer than usual. Naraku grinned like a mad man for he knew the reason.

"Perfect." he thought.

Kagome felt a tugging at the back of her mind. A foreboding feeling washed over her, but she pushed it aside. Again the tugging came, and she focused her mind on whatever it was.

"Like always he has left you to be with the miko, Kikyo." said a voice suddenly, making her gasp quietly "He will never forget her. You will always be second best no matter what" it continued.

Kagome opened her eyes and gazed at the two before her. Kikyo was now in his full hold, her head resting softly against his chest. The hole in her chest had grown and several cracks made their way across the rest of her body. Even with her injury she held and air of grace and beauty.

"Something Inuyasha will never see in you." the voice added, making her feel worse than she already did.

Clenching her fist against her chest, Kagome inhaled a deep breath. Steadying her nerves, she walked forward only coming to a hault mere inches before the two. Inuyasha raised his head quickly, sending a look of total pain to the futuristic miko. Again her heart ached, but she had to do it. If not for her sake, for his. Smiling weakly, she reached out and touched the gaping hole in her former self's chest. A soft pink light engulfed the tips of her fingers and over the wound.

"Kagome, what are you-"

"Ssh. It's okay." she interrupted, her full focus on the woman who's life was in her hands.

Naraku raised an eyebrow in amusement. Still hidden from all, he watched with great satisfaction as the younger miko infused more of her soul into Kikyo.

"Foolish girl." he thought, smiling darkly "Killing you will be so much easier now. And only half as fun."

It did not take long for the wounds in Kikyo's chest to reduce. Inuyasha's eyes grew wide, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly in a smile, while his ear gave a twitch. It was then that he caught the gasping sounds of Kagome's breathing.

"Kagome? What's the matter? Kagome? Kagome!" he cried, as she fell forward.

Using his free arm, he propped her up and looked with a worried glance at her face. The once rosy cheeks were now a paler shade, but it was her eyes that made him shudder. It was like someone had covered them in a misty film, like she was almost blind. Noticing his worried stare, the little miko smiled weakly. Pushing against her knees, she stood, wobbling for a moment, then walked away.

"K-Kagome....." muttered the hanyou boy.

The feeling of dizziness over came her senses as she walked slowly away from the couple. Her chest screamed in agony and her muscles jerked with their movement. She knew it wouldn't be long now, but as long as she took Naraku with her, she didn't care.

"As long as he's happy...."

Feeling it was the right moment to return, him being the ever dramatical in his appearances, Naraku appeared in a funnel of miasma. His dark locks blowing lightly in the wind, half hiding his twisted smirk of enjoyment. Inuyasha's teeth ground together, a snarl escaping his lips while a weakened gasp left Kagome's. As if nothing had happened, Kikyo stood gracefully and notched an arrow in her bow.

"Why so eager to end this, Kikyo my dear?" he mocked, his voice laced with sarcasm "Can it be you do not enjoy my presence?"

"Urusse, zasshu! I'm gonna rip you limb from limb for what you did to Kikyo!" snarled the angered hanyou.

There was that pain again. The crushing feeling in her heart when he chose to protect her former self instead of her. Sure Naraku attacked Kikyo, but was Inuyasha really only fighting to avenge Kikyo? Not for Miroku, who's very life depended on the death of the faul hanyou? Not Sango, who had suffered terribly due to Naraku's actions? Not even for her? Albeit she had not suffered loss, but she was attacked and almost killed on several occasions, Naraku had admitted he wanted her dead more than any of them. Did that not count for his protection? She didn't have much time left, the effects of living with a tiny portion of her soul was taking a toll on her body, physically and mentally. It felt that with each bit of soul she gave to Kikyo, she discarded memories with it. Her mind was a jumbled mess with only a few things remaining clear. One of them being that the formiddible monster, Naraku, had to be removed. Permanently. Notching an arrow, with shaky hands, she infused what was left of her power into the weapon. The tip glowed brightly as her miko powers flowed into it. Though she may not have the protection of the one she wanted it from most, she refused to let her friends down.

"That's it, little miko. Use whats left of them..." thought Naraku viciously.

Kagome pulled the string back as far as she could manage. She was loosing her focus and her sight became blurry.

"Times running out..." she thought weakly "But.....I have to end this...."

Blinking away her daze, she aimed her arrow. Just as she went to release the string, her chest constricted and an agonising pain tore through her body. She was close again.

"Leave." came a stoic voice from behind her "This is between me, Inuyasha and Naraku. You have no part to play in this battle."

Kagome's eyes widened in disbelief. No part to play? What was she going on about? She had every right in being there, fighting and protecting her friends. Again her chest pained, her vision was nothing more than a blurred mass but she refused to give in. She would fight.

"Kagome, onegai, just leave." Inuyasha said softly.

"N-nani?" she choked out in reply, turning to face him, stumbling as she did so.

"Kikyo's right. And besides your hurt already." he finished, feeling defeated, his head hung low.

"Iie. Iie, iie, IIE!" she yelled, though it came out more like a strangled cry "I-i'm...Not leaving!"

Her body began to sway and her eyes became more filmy. Seeing this, Inuyasha launched forward, his arms automatically going around her waist. Falling limp for a second, she then dug deep for the energy to stand. Pushing as hard as she could against his chest, she released herself from his hold.

"Usotsuki......" she breathed, her bangs covering her eyes.

"Wha-"

"Usotsuki!" she cried, lifting her head to face him, her eyes filled with the excruciating pain she felt "What ever happened to ending this together?!" she continued, her breath coming out in short rasps.

"Kago-"

"Urusse!" she yelled, covering her ears to stop the dreaded excuses from reaching them.

"My, my. Such a temper you have, my little miko." Naraku sarcastically added, fully enjoying the situation.

"Stay out of this!" yelled Kagome, sending a death glare at the dark hanyou, her eyes flashing white for a split second followed by a wall of power knocking into him.

Gasping for air Kagome fell to her knees. She was just so angry. Rushing to her side once again Inuyasha couldn't help himself. Crushing her body against his he whispered softly in her ear.

"Onegai, Kagome." he began, his voice soft and riddled with guilt "I can't loose you. Go while you still can."

Naraku snickered. This was all rather amusing and he was sure it would only get more so.

"How touching of you, hanyou. However, I am a very busy man. And im sure your friends won't last much longer."

At that, the hanyou boy shot his head in the direction he last saw his two companions. They were still alive, barely, and still fighting with Hakudoshi but it was clearly obvious that the ghastly child was winning hands down. A feral growl escaped his lips. For the sake of everyone he cared for he had to end this now.

"Kagome, can you stand?" he asked gently.

"I'm not as weak....As you perceive me.....To be." she replied sharply "I did just bring back....You already dead.....Lover." she added, chocking on the last word.

Pushing against him and panting heavily, she pulled herself up to stand. Her head was spinning and her vision was more cloudy than before. Inuyasha heaved a sigh. She was right after all. He was always putting her into the 'weak and helpless' category. When in fact she was probably stronger than all of them put together.

"Now that you've finished with your romantic tragedy scene, shall we continue with your pitiful excuse for a fight?" Naraku mocked, a dark smile gracing his pale lips.

"You know........For some one that......Acts all strong and......Mighty.....You don't seem.....To be backing....You threats......" breathed Kagome, her misty eyes glaring daggers at the dark hanyou.

"Such hateful words from such a pure being. It's such a shame i have to kill you. You would make a wonderful dark miko." he replied.

Inuyasha ground his teeth together. Unsheathing his Tetsusaiga in a flash, he sent a shock wave of power at the monster before him. Just as was expected the powerful attack washed over the purple shimmering dome that protected Naraku.

"Shimatta! Naraku you zasshu!" snarled the hanyou boy.

"Inuyasha."

"Hn?" he replied, his voice softening instantly.

"Are you so consumed with rage that you do not see?" the undead miko questioned "Your reactions to his taunting is exactly how he wants it. The rage you harbor in your body is stopping you from seeing the reality of the situation."

"Kikyo, i don't understand. Your saying he wants me to get angry so i won't notice my surroundings?"

"Not surroundings, Inuyasha. Him. This is not Naraku. But merely a yokai puppet." she concluded.

Light clapping could be heard. When the trio looked up they saw that the dark hanyou was clapping sarcastically.

"Well done. Well done." he said stoically "Though i must admit i am surprised it has taken you this long to figure it out, my dear Kikyo."

"A fa-fake?" Kagome whispered, her voice fragile and weak "But there are jewel shards!"

"Well i had to have some, otherwise you would have guessed it right away. And with most of the shards on me" he stated, pointing to his puppet self "How will you find the real me?"

Inuyasha growled deeply. Swirls of demonic energy curled around his fang like blade. As the swirls quickened their pace, the blade changed into a deep crimson. Raising the blade above his head he then sent it crashing to the ground releasing the 'Kaze no Kizu' to its full potential. With the crimson blade, Naraku's barrier did little to protect. While some of the attack washed over the purple dome, the larger scale of the attack penetrated the barrier sending the dark hanyou stumbling backwards. His attire scorched and burns marred his skin and in some places disintegrated it.

"You are testing my patients, hanyou." Naraku ground out through clenched teeth, his blood red orbs screaming with anger "I grow tired of waiting. Your death comes now!"

Kagome's mind went into overdrive. Everything seemed to be in slow motion. Like a corny action movie she'd seen with Souta. As the Puppet version of Naraku flew forward, his arm transformed into a long root like spike, a tingling sensation tickled the back of her mind. Turning around, her eyes widened in horror and her veins overflowed with adrenaline. Lurching herself up, the younger Miko ran as fast as her human legs to carry her to reason of existence. Her will to live. Her love. As she ran her former self, Kikyo, shot a brightly lit arrow at the puppet, but only catching his shoulder, turning it into nothing but dust and a sleeve.

"Inuyasha! Inuyasha!" Kagome's mind chanted as she ran.

With her arms extended she shoved as hard as she could on his chest, removing him from the danger behind him. As he fell backwards, Kagome's mouth dropped releasing a gasping grunt of pain. Looking up at the sound Inuyasha's golden orbs grew wide with horror, pain and every terrifying emotion possible.

"K-Kago-me......KAGOME!!!"


I know, i know, im evil for leaving it like that.....But tough! Hahahahahahahaha! No really, there is more chapters on the way with some interesting twists... Please review!