Give me the Shikon no Tama!" Inuyasha shouted. "I'm not a puppy!"
An old woman, Kaede, rode up on a horse. "Do not give him back his demonic powers! The great demon will be freed!"
"What are you blathering about old woman?" Inuyasha said. "Just my power is inside the Shikon!"
"No; sealed within is the great demon Naraku!" Kaede said.
"Is that true?" Kurama asked.
"Who cares? Give it to me!" Inuyasha said.
"Foolish demon!" Kaede placed beads around his neck. "You, girl! Use a word to bind him!"
"You dare ensorcel me!" Inuyasha shouted.
"I uh..." Kuri looked at him, and blushed. "Koibito!"
Inuyasha was forced to the ground. "Who are you calling lover?"
Kuri rolled her eyes.
Inuyasha reached for the Shikon.
"No! Stop!" Kuri shouted.
Inuyasha's hand stopped, inches from the Shikon. He fought the ensorcelment. His claw brushed the Shikon and—
It shot into the air and broke into a thousand pieces.
One piece rained down on them and fell into Inuyasha's hands.
He looked down; Kuri was on the ground. She looked dead. He sniffed her. She was still alive; just barely.
He held the shard out to her; it absorbed into her skin, and she opened her eyes. He brightened; stepped back.
Inuyasha had nearly killed his mate again. He had to make this right; make her soul; the Shikon, whole again.
As he felt his demonic power return to him, he knew he could do it.
At that moment, the shadow that was Naraku crossed the land.